| By Author | [ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Other Symbols ] |
| By Title | [ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Other Symbols ] |
| By Language |
|
Download this book: [ ASCII | HTML | PDF ] Look for this book on Amazon Tweet |
Title: The Poems of John Donne [2 vols.] Volume I - Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts
Author: Donne, John
Language: English
As this book started as an ASCII text book there are no pictures available.
*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Poems of John Donne [2 vols.] Volume I - Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts" ***
THE POEMS OF JOHN DONNE
EDITED FROM THE OLD EDITIONS AND NUMEROUS MANUSCRIPTS,
WITH INTRODUCTIONS & COMMENTARY
BY
HERBERT J. C. GRIERSON M.A.
CHALMERS PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LITERATURE
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
VOL. I
THE TEXT OF THE POEMS WITH APPENDIXES
OXFORD
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1912
HENRY FROWDE, M.A.
PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
LONDON, EDINBURGH, NEW YORK
TORONTO AND MELBOURNE
PREFACE
The present edition of Donne's poems grew out of my work as a teacher.
In the spring of 1907, just after I had published a small volume on
the literature of the early seventeenth century, I was lecturing to
a class of Honours students on the 'Metaphysical poets'. They found
Donne difficult alike to understand and to appreciate, and accordingly
I undertook to read with them a selection from his poems with a view
to elucidating difficult passages and illustrating the character
of his 'metaphysics', the Scholastic and scientific doctrines which
underlie his conceits. The only editions which we had at our disposal
were the modern editions of Donne's poems by Grosart and Chambers, but
I did not anticipate that this would present any obstacle to the task
I had undertaken. About the same time the Master of Peterhouse asked
me to undertake the chapter on Donne, as poet and prose-artist, for
the _Cambridge History of English Literature_. The result was that
though I had long been interested in Donne, and had given, while at
work on the poetry of the seventeenth century, much thought to his
poetry as a centre of interest and influence, I began to make a more
minute study of the text of his poems than I had yet attempted.
The first result of this study was the discovery that there were
several passages in the poems, as printed in Mr. Chambers' edition,
of which I could give no satisfactory explanation to my class. At
the close of the session I went to Oxford and began in the Bodleian
a rapid collation of the text of that edition with the older copies,
especially of 1633. The conclusion to which I came was that, excellent
in many ways as that edition is, the editor had too often abandoned
the reading of 1633 for the sometimes more obvious but generally
weaker and often erroneous emendations of the later editions. As he
records the variants this had become clear in some cases already, but
an examination of the older editions brought out another fact,--that
by modernizing the punctuation, while preserving no record of the
changes made, the editor had corrupted some passages in such a manner
as to make it impossible for a student, unprovided with all the old
editions, to recover the original and sometimes quite correct reading,
or to trace the error to its fountainhead.
My first proposal to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press was that I
should attempt an edition of Donne's poems resting on a collation of
the printed texts; that for all poems which it contains the edition
of 1633 should be accepted as the authority, to be departed from only
when the error seemed to be obvious and certain, and that all such
changes, however minute, should be recorded in the notes. In the
case of poems not contained in the edition of 1633, the first edition
(whether 1635, 1649, 1650, or 1669) was to be the authority and to be
treated in the same fashion. Such an edition, it was hoped, might be
ready in a year. I had finished my first collation of the editions
when a copy of the Grolier Club edition came into my hands, and I
included it in the number of those which I compared throughout with
the originals.
While the results of this collation confirmed me in the opinion I
had formed as to the superiority of the edition of 1633 to all
its successors, it showed also that that edition was certainly not
faultless, and that the text of those poems which were issued only in
the later editions was in general very carelessly edited and corrupt,
especially of those poems which were added for the first time in 1669.
This raised the question, what use was to be made of the manuscript
copies of the poems in correcting the errors of the edition? Grosart
had based his whole text on one or two manuscripts in preference to
the editions. Mr. Chambers, while wisely refusing to do this, and
adopting the editions as the basis of his text, had made frequent
reference to the manuscripts and adopted corrections from them.
Professor Norton made no use of the manuscripts in preparing the text
of his edition, but he added in an Appendix an account of one of these
which had come into his hands, and later he described some more and
showed clearly that he believed corrections were to be obtained from
this source. Accordingly I resolved to examine tentatively those which
were accessible in the British Museum, especially the transcript of
three of the _Satyres_ in Harleian MS. 5110.
A short examination of the manuscripts convinced me that it would be
very unsafe to base a text on any single extant manuscript, or even to
make an eclectic use of a few of them, taking, now from one, now
from another, what seemed a probable emendation. On the other hand
it became clear that if as wide a collation as possible of extant
manuscripts were made one would be able to establish in many cases
what was, whether right or wrong, the traditional reading before any
printed edition appeared.
A few experiments further showed that one, and a very important,
result of this collation would be to confirm the trustworthiness of
1633, to show that in places where modern editors had preferred the
reading of some of the later editions, generally 1635 or 1669, the
text of 1633 was not only intrinsically superior but had the support
of tradition, i.e. of the majority of the manuscripts. If this were
the case, then it was also possible that the traditional, manuscript
text might afford corrections when 1633 had fallen into error. At the
same time a very cursory examination of the manuscripts was sufficient
to show that many of them afforded an infinitely more correct and
intelligible text of those poems which were not published in 1633 than
that contained in the printed editions.
Another possible result of a wide collation of the manuscripts soon
suggested itself, and that was the settlement of the canon of Donne's
poems. One or two of the poems contained in the old editions had
already been rejected by modern editors, and some of these on the
strength of manuscript ascriptions. But on the one hand, no systematic
attempt had been made to sift the poems, and on the other, experience
has shown that nothing is more unsafe than to trust to the ascriptions
of individual, unauthenticated manuscripts. Here again it seemed to
the present editor that if any definite conclusion was to be obtained
it must be by as wide a survey as possible, by the accumulation of
evidence. No such conclusion might be attainable, but it was only thus
that it could be sought.
The outcome of the investigation thus instituted has been fully
discussed in the article on the _Text and Canon of Donne's Poems_ in
the second volume, and I shall not attempt to summarize it here. But
it may be convenient for the student to have a quite brief statement
of what it is that the notes in this volume profess to set forth.
Their first aim is to give a complete account of the variant readings
of the original editions of 1633, 1635, 1639, 1649-50-54 (the text in
these three is identical), and 1669. This was the aim of the edition
as originally planned, and though my opinion of the value of many
of the variants of the later editions has undergone considerable
abatement since I was able to study them in the light afforded by the
manuscripts, I have endeavoured to complete my original scheme; and I
trust it may be found that nothing more important has been overlooked
than an occasional misprint in the later editions. But I know from the
experience of examining the work of my precursors, and of revising
my own work, that absolute correctness is almost unattainable. It has
been an advantage to me in this part of the work to come after Mr.
Chambers and the Grolier Club editors, but neither of these editions
records changes of punctuation.
The second purpose of the notes is to set forth the evidence of the
manuscripts. I have not attempted to give anything like a full account
of the variant readings of these, but have recorded so much as is
sufficient for four different purposes.
(1) To vindicate the text of 1633. I have not thought it necessary
to detail the evidence in cases where no one has disputed the 1633
reading. If the note simply records the readings of the editions it
may be assumed that the manuscript evidence, so far as it is explicit
(the manuscripts frequently abound in absurd errors), is on the side
of 1633. In other cases, when there is something to be said for the
text of the later editions, and especially when modern editors have
preferred the later reading (though I have not always called attention
to this) I have set forth the evidence in some detail. At times I
have mentioned each manuscript, at others simply _all the MSS._,
occasionally just _MSS._ This last means generally that all the
positive evidence before me was in favour of the reading, but that my
collations were silent as to some of the manuscripts. My collators,
whether myself or those who worked for me, used Mr. Chambers' edition
because of its numbered lines. Now if Mr. Chambers had already adopted
a 1635 or later reading the tendency of the collator--especially
at first, before the importance of certain readings had become
obvious--was to pass over the agreement of the manuscript with this
later reading in silence. In all important cases I have verified
the reading by repeated reference to the manuscripts, but in some of
smaller importance I have been content to record the general trend of
the evidence. I have tried to cite no manuscript unless I had positive
evidence as to its reading.
(2) The second use which I have made of the manuscript evidence is
to justify my occasional departures from the text of the editions,
whether 1633 (and these are the departures which call for most
justification) or whatever later edition was the first to contain the
poem. In every such case the reader should see at a glance what was
the reading of the first edition, and on what authority it has been
altered. My aim has been a true text (so far as that was attainable),
not a reprint; but I have endeavoured to put the reader in exactly
the same position as I was myself at each stage in the construction of
that text. If I have erred, he can (in a favourite phrase of Donne's)
'control' me. This applies to spelling and punctuation as well as to
the words themselves. But two warnings are necessary. When I note a
reading as found in a number of editions, e.g. 1635 to 1654 (1635-54),
or in _all_ the editions (1633-69), it must be understood that the
spelling is not always the same throughout. I have generally noted
any variation in the use of capitals, but not always. The spelling and
punctuation of each poem is that of the _first_ edition in which it
was published, or of the manuscript from which I have printed, all
changes being recorded. Again, if, in a case where the words and not
the punctuation is the matter in question, I cite the reading of an
edition or some editions followed by a list of agreeing manuscripts,
it will be understood that any punctuation given is that of the
editions. If a list of manuscripts only is given, the punctuation, if
recorded, is that of one or two of the best of these.
In cases where punctuation is the matter in question the issue lies
between the various editions and my own sense of what it ought to be.
Wherever it is not otherwise indicated the punctuation of a poem is
that of the first edition in which it appeared or of the manuscript
from which I have printed it. I have not recorded every variant of the
punctuation of later editions, but all that affect the sense while
at the same time not manifestly absurd. The punctuation of the
manuscripts is in general negligible, but of a few manuscripts it is
good, and I have occasionally cited these in support of my own view as
to what the punctuation should be.
(3) A third purpose served by my citation of the manuscripts is to
show clearly that there are more versions than one of some poems. A
study of the notes to the _Satyres_, _The Flea_, _The Curse_, _Elegy
XI: The Bracelet_, will make this clear.
(4) A fourth, subordinate and occasional, purpose of my citation
of the manuscripts is to show how Donne's poems were understood
or misunderstood by the copyists. Occasionally a reading which is
probably erroneous throws light upon a difficult passage. The version
of _P_ at p. 34, ll. 18-19, elucidates a difficult stanza. The reading
of Q in _The Storme_, l. 38,
Yea, and the Sunne
for the usual
I, and the Sunne
suggests, what is probably correct but had not been suspected by any
editor, that 'I' here, as often, is not the pronoun, but 'Aye'.
The order of the poems is that of the editions of 1635 onwards with
some modifications explained in the Introduction. In Appendix B I
have placed all those poems which were printed as Donne's in the old
editions (1633 to 1669), except Basse's _Epitaph on Shakespeare_, and
a few found in manuscripts connected with the editions, or assigned
to Donne by competent critics, all of which I believe to be by other
authors. The text of these has been as carefully revised as that
of the undoubted poems. In Appendix C I have placed a miscellaneous
collection of poems loosely connected with Donne's name, and
illustrating the work of some of his fellow-wits, or the trend of his
influence in the occasional poetry of the seventeenth century.
The work of settling the text, correcting the canon, and preparing the
Commentary has been done by myself. It was difficult to consult others
who had not before them all the complex mass of evidence which I had
accumulated. On some five or six places in the text, however, where
final question to be decided was the intrinsic merits of the readings
offered by the editions and by the manuscripts, or the advisability of
a bolder emendation, I have had the advantage of comparing my opinion
with that of Sir James Murray, Sir Walter Raleigh, Dr. Henry Bradley,
Mr. W. A. Craigie, Mr. J. C. Smith, or Mr. R. W. Chapman.
For such accuracy as I have secured in reproducing the old editions,
in the text and in the notes, I owe much to the help of three friends,
Mr. Charles Forbes, of the Post Office, Aberdeen, who transcribed the
greater portion of my manuscript; Professor John Purves, of University
College, Pretoria, who during a visit to this country read a large
section of my proofs, comparing them with the editions in the British
Museum; and especially to my assistant, Mr. Frederick Rose, M.A., now
Douglas Jerrold Scholar, Christ Church, Oxford, who has revised my
proofs throughout with minute care.
I am indebted to many sources for the loan of necessary material. In
the first place I must acknowledge my debt to the Carnegie Trust for
the Universities of Scotland for allowing me a grant of £40 in 1908-9,
and of £30 in 1909-10, for the collation of manuscripts. Without this
it would have been impossible for me to collate, or have collated
for me, the widely scattered manuscripts in London, Petworth, Oxford,
Cambridge, Manchester, and Boston. Some of my expenses in this
connexion have been met by the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, who
have also been very generous in the purchase of necessary books, such
as editions of the Poems and the Sermons. At the outset of my work
the Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford, lent me the copy of
the edition of 1633 (originally the possession of Sir John Vaughan
(1603-1674) Chief Justice of the Common Pleas) on which the present
edition is based, and also their copies of the editions of 1639, 1650,
and 1654. At the same time Sir Walter Raleigh lent me his copy of
the edition of 1669. At an early stage of my work Captain C. Shirley
Harris, of 90 Woodstock Road, Oxford, communicated with me about
Donne's use of the word 'Mucheron', and he was kind enough to lend me
both his manuscript, _P_, and the transcript which he had caused to be
made. By the kindness of Lord Ellesmere I was permitted to collate
his unique copy of the 1611 edition of the _Anatomy of the World_
and _Funerall Elegie_. While I was doing so, Mr. Strachan Holme, the
Librarian, drew my attention to a manuscript collection of Donne's
poems (_B_), and with his kind assistance I was enabled to collate
this at Walkden, Manchester, and again at Bridgewater House. Mr. Holme
has also furnished a photograph of the title-page of the edition of
1611. To the authorities of Trinity College, Dublin, and of Trinity
College, Cambridge, I am indebted not only for permission to collate
their manuscripts on the spot, but for kindly lending them to be
examined and compared in the Library at King's College, Aberdeen;
and I am indebted for a similar favour to the authorities of Queen's
College, Oxford. In Dublin I met Professor Edward Dowden, and no one
has been a kinder friend to my enterprise. He put at my disposal his
interesting and valuable manuscript (_D_) and all his collection of
Donne's works. He drew my attention to a manuscript (_O'F_) in Ellis
and Elvey's catalogue for 1903. Mr. Warwick Bond was good enough to
lend me the notes he had made upon this manuscript, which ultimately
I traced to Harvard College Library. With Professor Dowden, Mr. Edmund
Gosse has given me the most generous and whole-hearted assistance.
He lent me, as soon as ever I applied to him, his valuable and unique
Westmoreland MS., containing many poems which were not included in any
of the old editions. Some of these Mr. Gosse had already printed in
his own delightful _Life and Letters of John Donne_ (1899), but he has
allowed me to reprint these and to print the rest of the unpublished
poems for the first time. From his manuscript (_G_) of the _Progresse
of the Soule_, or _Metempsychosis_, I have also obtained important
emendations of the text. This is the most valuable manuscript copy
of this poem. It will be seen that Mr. Gosse is a very material
contributor to the completeness and interest of the present edition.
To the Marquess of Crewe I am indebted for permission to examine the
manuscript _M_, to which a note of Sir John Simon's had called my
attention; and to Lord Leconfield for a like permission to collate a
manuscript in his possession, of which a short description is given in
the _Hist. MSS. Commission, Sixth Report_, p. 312, No. 118. With
Mr. Whitcomb's aid I was enabled to do this carefully, and he has
subsequently verified references. Another interesting manuscript
(_JC_) was lent me by Mr. Elkin Mathews, who has also put at my
disposal his various editions of the _Lives_ of Walton and other
books connected with Donne. Almost at the eleventh hour, Mr. Geoffrey
Keynes, of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, discovered for me a copy of the
1612 edition of the _Anniversaries_, for which I had asked in vain in
_Notes and Queries_. I owe to him, and to the kind permission of
Mr. Edward Huth and the Messrs. Sotheby, a careful collation and a
photograph of the title-page.
For the Commentary Dr. Norman Moore supplied me with a note on the
Galenists and Paracelsians; and Dr. Gaster with the materials for a
note on Donne's use of Jewish Apocrypha. Professor Picavet, of the
Sorbonne, Paris, was kind enough to read in proof my notes on Donne's
allusions to Scholastic doctrines, and to make suggestions. But I have
added to these notes as they passed through the Press, and he must not
be made responsible for my errors. Mr. W. Barclay Squire and Professor
C. Sanford Terry have revised my transcripts and proofs of the music.
I desire lastly to express my gratitude to the officials of the
Clarendon Press for the care with which they have checked my proofs,
the patience with which they have accepted my changes and additions,
and the trouble they have taken to secure photographs, music, and
other details. Whatever faults may be found--and I doubt not they will
be many--in my part of the work, I think the part for which the Press
is responsible is wellnigh faultless.
H. J. C. GRIERSON.
LANGCROFT,
DINNET, ABERDEENSHIRE.
_July 15, 1912._
NOTE
The typography of the edition of 1633 has been closely followed, in
its use for example of 'u' and 'v'; and of long 's', which is avoided
in certain combinations, e.g. 'sk' (but P. 12, l. 27. 'askes'
1633) and frequently 'sb'; nor is it generally used when the letter
following 's' is elided; but there are one or two exceptions to this.
In the following places I have printed a full 'and' where 1633
contracts to '&' owing to the length of the line:
Page 12, l. 4. & whõ; P. 15, l. 40. & drove; P. 65, l. 8. & nought; P.
153, l. 105. & almes; P. 158, l. 101. & name; do., l. 107. & rockes,
&; P. 159, l. 30. & black; P. 171, l. 83. & lawes; P. 183, l. 18. &
Courts; P. 184, l. 29. & God; P. 205, l. 2. & pleasure; P. 240, l.
288. & sinke; P. 254, l. 107. & thinke; do., l. 113. & think; P. 280,
l. 24. & Mines; P. 297, l. 56. & lands; do., l. 62. & brow; P. 306,
l. 290. & lents; P. 327 (xii), l. 8. & feed; P. 337, l. 35. & thou; P.
360, l. 188. & turn'd; P. 384, l. 78. & face.
In the following places 'm' or 'n', indicated by a contraction, has
been printed in full: Page 12, l. 4. Her whõ; do. & whõ; P. 37, 1. 17.
whẽ (_bis_); P. 82, l. 46. thẽ; P. 90, l. 2. frõ; P. 128, l. 28.
Valẽtine; P. 141, l. 8. whẽ; P. 150, l. 16. thẽ; P. 159, l.
30. strãge; P. 169, l. 31. whõ; P. 257, l. 210. successiõ; P. 266, l.
513. anciẽt; P. 305, l. 255. thẽ; P. 336, l. 10. whẽ; P. 343,
l. 126. Frõ; P. 345, l. 169. thẽ; P. 387, l. 71. Pẽbrooke.
There are a few examples of the same changes in the poems printed from
the later editions, but I have not reproduced any of these editions so
completely as 1633, every poem in which, with the exception of Basse's
_An Epitaph upon Shakespeare_ (1633. p. 149 i.e. 165) has been here
reprinted.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I
SOURCE PAGE
1633 THE PRINTER TO THE UNDERSTANDERS 1
1633 HEXASTICHON BIBLIOPOLAE 3
1635 HEXASTICHON AD BIBLIOPOLAM 3
1650 DEDICATION TO THE EDITION OF 1650 4
1650 TO JOHN DONNE 5
1650 TO LUCY, COUNTESSE OF BEDFORD, WITH M. DONNES SATYRES 6
1650 TO JOHN DONNE 6
SONGS AND SONETS
1633 195 The good-morrow 7
196-7 Song 8
197-8 Womans constancy 9
198-9 The undertaking 10
199-200 The Sunne Rising 11
200-1 The Indifferent 12
201-2 Loves Vsury 13
202-4 The Canonization 14
204-5 The triple Foole 16
205-6 Lovers infiniteness 17
206-8 Song 18
208-9 The Legacie 20
209-10 A Feaver 21
211-12 Aire and Angels 22
212 Breake of day 23
213-14 The Anniversarie 24
214-17 A Valediction: of my name, in the window 25
218-19 Twicknam garden 28
219-21 A Valediction: of the booke 29
222 Communitie 32
223-4 Loves growth 33
224-5 Loves exchange 34
226 Confined Love 36
227 The Dreame 37
228-9 A Valediction: of weeping 38
229-30 Loves Alchymie 39
230-1 The Flea 40
231-2 The Curse 41
186 The Message 43
187-8 A nocturnall upon S. Lucies day, Being
the shortest day 44
189 Witchcraft by a picture 45
190-1 The Baite 46
191 The Apparition 47
192-3 The broken heart 48
193-4 A Valediction: forbidding mourning 49
277-80 The Extasie 51
280-1 Loves Deitie 54
281-2 Loves diet 55
283-5 The Will 56
285-6 The Funerall 58
286-7 The Blossome 59
288-9 The Primrose, being at Montgomery Castle,
upon the hill, on which it is situate 61
289-90 The Relique 62
290-1 The Dampe 63
291-2 The Dissolution 64
292-3 A Ieat Ring sent 65
293 Negative love 66
294 The Prohibition 67
295 The Expiration 68
295 The Computation 69
302 The Paradox 69
1635 63-4 Farewell to love 70
66-7 A Lecture upon the Shadow 71
1650 264-5 Sonnet. The Token 72
391-2 He that cannot chuse but love 73
EPIGRAMS
1633 40 Hero and Leander 75
40 Pyramus and Thisbe 75
40 Niobe 75
41 A burnt ship 75
41 Fall of a wall 76
41 A lame begger 76
Westmoreland MS. Cales and Guyana 76
" MS. Sir Iohn Wingefield 76
1633 41 A selfe accuser 76
42 A licentious person 77
42 Antiquary 77
42 Disinherited 77
42 Phryne 77
42 An obscure writer 77
42 Klockius 77
43 Raderus 78
43 Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus 78
43 Ralphius 78
Westmoreland MS. The Lier 78
ELEGIES
1633 44-5 I. Iealosie 79
45-7 II. The Anagram 80
47-8 III. Change 82
49-51 IV. The Perfume 84
51-2 V. His Picture 86
53-5 VI. Oh, let mee not 87
55-6 VII. Natures lay Ideot 89
149-50 VIII. The Comparison 90
151-2 IX. The Autumnall 92
153 X. The Dreame 95
1635 89-93 XI. The Bracelet 96
1669 86-9 XII. His parting from her 100
1635 96-7 XIII. Iulia 104
98-100 XIV. A Tale of a Citizen and his Wife 105
1633 300-2 XV. The Expostulation 108
1635 269-70 XVI. On his Mistris 111
1650 388-90 XVII. Variety 113
1669 94-7 XVIII. Loves Progress 116
97-9 XIX. Going to Bed 119
Westmoreland MS. XX. Loves Warr 122
1633 166-8 HEROICALL EPISTLE: Sapho to Philænis 124
EPITHALAMIONS, OR MARRIAGE SONGS
1633 118-22 An Epithalamion, Or marriage Song on the
Lady Elizabeth, and Count Palatine being
married on St. Valentines day 127
123-27 Eclogue. 1613. December 26 131
127-35 Epithalamion 135
135-8 Epithalamion made at Lincolnes Inne 141
SATYRES
1633 325-8 Satyre I 145
329-32 Satyre II 149
333-6 Satyre III 154
337-45 Satyre IIII 158
346-9 Satyre V 168
1650 262-4 Vpon Mr. Thomas Coryats Crudities 172
_Coryats Crudities_ In eundem Macaronicon 174
LETTERS TO SEVERALL PERSONAGES
1633 56-9 The Storme 175
59-61 The Calme 178
61-3 To S^r Henry Wotton. Sir, more then kisses 180
72-4 To S^r Henry Goodyere. Who makes the Past 183
74-5 To M^r Rowland Woodward. Like one who 185
76-7 To S^r Henry Wootton. Here's no more newes 187
Burley MS. H: W: in Hiber: belligeranti 188
1633 77-9 To the Countesse of Bedford. Madame, Reason is 189
79-82 To the Countesse of Bedford. Madame, You
have refin'd 191
82-4 To S^r Edward Herbert, at Iulyers. Man is a lumpe 193
84-7 To the Countesse of Bedford. T'have written then 195
87-90 To the Countesse of Bedford. This twilight of 198
90-3 To the Countesse of Huntingdon. Madame,
Man to Gods image 201
93-4 To M^r T. W. All haile sweet Poët 203
95 To M^r T. W. Hast thee harsh verse 205
95-6 To M^r T. W. Pregnant again 206
96 To M^r T. W. At once, from 206
Westmoreland MS. To M^r R. W. Zealously my Muse 207
" MS. To M^r R. W. Muse not that by 207
1633 97 To M^r C. B. Thy friend, whom 208
Westmoreland MS. To M^r E. G. Even as lame things 208
1633 100-1 To M^r R. W. If, as mine is 209
Westmoreland MS. To M^r R. W. Kindly I envy 210
1633 98 To M^r S. B. O Thou which 211
101 To M^r I. L. Of that short 212
99-100 To M^r B. B. Is not thy sacred 212
102 To M^r I. L. Blest are your 213
104-5 To Sir H. W. at his going Ambassador to Venice 214
106-8 To M^rs M. H. Mad paper stay 216
108-10 To the Countesse of Bedford. Honour is so 218
111 To the Countesse of Bedford. Though I be dead 220
112-13 A Letter to the Lady Carey, and M^rs Essex
Riche, From Amyens. Madame, Here where 221
115-18 To the Countesse of Salisbury. August. 1614 224
298-9 To the Lady Bedford. You that are she 227
AN ANATOMIE OF THE WORLD
1633 233-5 To the praise of the dead 229
235-51 The first Anniversary 231
252-5 A Funerall Elegie 245
OF THE PROGRESSE OF THE SOULE
1633 257-9 The Harbinger to the Progresse 249
260-77 The second Anniversarie 251
EPICEDES AND OBSEQUIES UPON THE
DEATHS OF SUNDRY PERSONAGES
1633 154-7 Elegie upon the untimely death of the
incomparable Prince Henry 267
139 To the Countesse of Bedford. _Letter introducing_ 270
140-8 Obsequies to the Lord Harrington, brother to
the Lady Lucy, Countesse of Bedford 271
66-8 Elegie on the Lady Marckham 279
69-71 Elegie on M^{ris} Boulstred 282
296-8 Elegie. Death 284
52-3 Elegie on the L. C. 287
162-3 An hymne to the Saints, and to Marquesse
Hamylton 288
EPITAPHS
1635 271 On himselfe 291
386-7 Omnibus 292
1633 before p. 1 INFINITATI SACRUM
Epistle 293
1-27 The Progresse of the Soule 295
DIVINE POEMS
1633 103 To E. of D. with six holy Sonnets 317
Walton's _Life of }To the Lady Magdalen Herbert: of St. Mary
M^r George Herbert_} Magdalen 317
HOLY SONNETS
1633 28 _La Corona_ 318
28-9 Annunciation 319
29 Nativitie 319
30 Temple 320
30-1 Crucifying 320
31 Resurrection 321
31-2 Ascention 321
_Holy Sonnets_
1635 331-2 I. Thou hast made me 322
1633 32 II. As due by many titles 322
1635 333 III. O might those sighes and teares 323
1633 33 IV. Oh my blacke Soule 323
1635 334 V. I am a little world 324
1633 33-4 VI. This is my playes last scene 324
34 VII. At the round earths imagin'd corners 325
1635 336 VIII. If faithfull soules be alike glorifi'd 325
1633 35 IX. If poysonous mineralls 326
35-6 X. Death be not proud 326
36 XI. Spit in my face you Jewes 327
37 XII. Why are wee by all creatures waited on? 327
37-8 XIII. What if this present were the worlds last
night? 328
38 XIV. Batter my heart 328
39 XV. Wilt thou love God, as he thee! 329
39-40 XVI. Father, part of his double interest 329
Westmoreland MS. XVII. Since she whom I lov'd hath payd
her last debt 330
" MS. XVIII. Show me deare Christ, thy spouse 330
" MS. XIX. Oh, to vex me, contraryes meet in one 331
1633 64-6 The Crosse 331
161-2 Resurrection, imperfect 333
168-9 The Annuntiation and Passion 334
170-1 Goodfriday, 1613. Riding Westward 336
172-85 THE LITANIE 338
1635 366-8 Vpon the translation of the Psalmes by Sir
Philip Sydney, and the Countesse of Pembroke
his Sister 348
368 Ode: Of our Sense of Sinne 350
369-70 To M^r Tilman after he had taken orders 351
1633 304-5 A Hymne to Christ, at the Authors last going
into Germany 352
306-23 The Lamentations of Ieremy, for the most part
according to Tremelius 354
1635 387-8 Hymne to God my God, in my sicknesse 368
1633 350 A Hymne to God the Father 369
Trinity College, Dublin, MS. To Christ 370
ELEGIES UPON THE AUTHOR 371
APPENDIX A
LATIN POEMS AND TRANSLATIONS
1635 278 De libro cum mutuaretur &c. 397
278 397
1650 370-1 Amicissimo, & meritissimo, Ben Jonson 398
378 To M^r George Herbert, with one of my Seals 398
379 A sheafe of Snakes used 399
385 Translated out of Gazæus 401
APPENDIX B
POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN DONNE IN THE OLD EDITIONS
(1633-1669) AND THE PRINCIPAL MS. COLLECTIONS,
ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THEIR PROBABLE AUTHOR.
I
POEMS. Probably by Sir John Roe, Knt.
1669 130-42 To S^r Nicholas Smyth. Sleep, next society 401
1635 146-7 Satyre. Men write that love and reason
disagree 406
93-5 An Elegie. Come, Fates; I feare you not 407
Hawthornden MS. An Elegie to M^{ris} Boulstred: 1602 410
Addl. MS. 10309 An Elegie. True love findes witt 412
1635 65-6 Song. Deare Love, continue 412
208-9 To Ben. Iohnson, 6 Ian. 1603 414
207-8 To Ben. Iohnson, 9. Novembris, 1603 415
209-10 To S^r Tho. Roe. 1603 416
II
1635 191-5 To the Countesse of Huntington.
That unripe side of earth 417
III
1635 272 Elegie.
Death be not proud 422
IV
1635 157-61 Psalme 137. Probably by Francis Davison.
By Euphrates Flowry side 424
V
1635 342 On the blessed Virgin Mary. Probably by
Henry Constable 427
VI
1635 372 On the Sacrament 427
VII
Stowe MS. 961 Absence. Absence, heare my protestation 428
Probably by John Hoskins.
VIII
1635 62 Song. Soules joy. Probably by the Earl of
Pembroke 429
195-6 A Dialogue 430
IX
1669 17 Break of Daye.
Stay, O sweet 432
Probably by John Dowlands.
APPENDIX C
Addl. MS. 25707 A Letter written by S^r H: G: and J: D:
alternis vicibus 433
Addl. MS. 25707 O Frutefull Garden 434
To my Lord of Pembroke 435
Of a Lady in the Black Masque 436
Burley MS. 437
437
438
439
440
440
440
441
A Kisse 441
Epi: B: Jo: 443
Epi: Hen: Princ: Hug^o Holland 443
O'Flaherty MS. 443
Elegy. To Chast Love 445
Upon his scornefull Mistresse. Elegy 446
Lansdowne MS. 740 447
447
O'Flaherty MS. 448
448
449
Song. Now y'have killd 450
Stowe MS. 961 Love, bred of glances 450
Bridgewater MS. To a Watch restored to its Mystres 451
Egerton MS. 451
Stephens MS. 452
453
To His Mistress 455
Stowe MS. 961 A Paradoxe of a Painted Face 456
Sonnett. Madam that flea 459
Addl. MS. 11811 On Black Hayre and Eyes 460
Phillipps MS. Fragment of an Elegy 462
Walton's _Compleat Angler_ 465
INDEX OF FIRST LINES 469
PLATES
John Donne, from the engraving prefixed to the _Poems_, 1635
_face page_ 7
John Donne, 1613, from an engraving prefixed to the prose
_Letters &c._, 1651 _face page_ 175
John Donne, from the frontispiece to _Death's Duel_, 1632
_face page_ 369
LIST OF EDITIONS REGULARLY CITED IN NOTES.
_1633_, _1635_, _1639_, _1650_, _1654_, _1669_.
Contractions:
_1633-54_ i.e. All editions between and including these dates.
_1633-69_ i.e. All the editions.
Etc.
EDITIONS OCCASIONALLY CITED.
_1649_, in lists of editions and MSS. appended to poems first
published in that edition. Textually it is identical with
_1650-54_.
_1719_, Tonson's edition.
_1855_, The Boston edition of that year--cited once.
_Grosart_, A. B. Grosart's edition of 1872-3.
_Grolier_, The Grolier Club edition of Professor Norton and
Mrs. Burnett, 1895.
_Chambers_, Mr. E. K. Chambers' edition of 1896.
LIST OF MS. SIGLA
_A10_ Additional MS. 10,309, British Museum.
_A11_ " " 11,811, "
_A18_ " " 18,646, "
_A23_ " " 23,229, "
_A25_ " " 25,707, "
_A34_ " " 34,744, "
_Ash 38_ Ashmole MS. 38, Bodleian Library.
_B_ Bridgewater MS., Bridgewater House.
_Bur_ Burley MS., formerly at Burley-on-the-Hill House, Rutland.
_C_ Cambridge University Library MS.
_Cy_ Carnaby MS., Harvard College.
_D_ Dowden MS., belonging to Professor Edward Dowden.
_E20_ Egerton MS. 2013, British Museum.
_E22_ " " 2230, "
_G_ Gosse MS. of _Metempsychosis_, belonging to Mr. Edmund Gosse.
_H39_ Harleian MS. 3910, British Museum.
_H40_ " " 4064, "
_H49_ " " 4944, "
_H51_ " " 5110, "
_HN_ Hawthornden MS., Library of Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh.
_JC_ John Cave MS., belonging to Mr. Elkin Mathews.
_L74_ Lansdowne MS. 740, British Museum.
_L77_ " " 777, "
_Lec_ Leconfield MS., at Petworth House.
_M_ Monckton-Milnes MS., belonging to the Marquis of Crewe.
_N_ Norton MS., Harvard College.
_O'F_ O'Flaherty MS., Harvard College.
_P_ Phillipps MS., belonging to Captain C. Shirley Harris.
_Q_ Queen's College MS., Queen's College, Oxford.
_RP31_ Rawlinson Poetical MS. 31, Bodleian Library, Oxford.
_RP61_ " " " 61 " " "
_S_ Stephens MS., Harvard College.
_S96_ Stowe MS. 961, British Museum.
_TCC_ Trinity College, Cambridge, MS.
_TCD_ Trinity College, Dublin, MS. G. 2. 21.
_TCD_ (II) A second collection of poems in the same MS.
_W_ Westmoreland MS., belonging to Mr. Edmund Gosse.
The following groups are important:--
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
and
_A18_, _N_, _TC_, where _TC_ represents _TCC_ and _TCD_
THE PRINTER
TO THE
UNDERSTANDERS.
For this time I must speake only to you: at another, _Readers_ may
perchance serve my turne; and I thinke this a way very free from
exception, in hope that very few will have a minde to confesse
themselves ignorant.
If you looke for an Epistle, as you have before ordinary publications,
I am sory that I must deceive you; but you will not lay it to my
charge, when you shall consider that this is not ordinary, for if I
should say it were the best in this kinde, that ever this Kingdome
hath yet seene; he that would doubt of it must goe out of the Kingdome
to enforme himselfe, for the best judgments, within it, take it for
granted.
You may imagine (if it please you) that I could endeare it unto
you, by saying, that importunity drew it on; that had it not beene
presented here, it would have come to us from beyond the Seas; (which
perhaps is true enough,) That my charge and paines in procuring of
it hath beene such, and such. I could adde hereto, a promise of more
correctnesse, or enlargement in the next Edition, if you shall in the
meane time content you with this. But these things are so common, as
that I should profane this Peece by applying them to it; A Peece
which who so takes not as he findes it, in what manner soever, he
is unworthy of it, sith a scattered limbe of this Author, hath more
amiablenesse in it, in the eye of a discerner, then a whole body of
some other; Or, (to expresse him best by himselfe)
[Sidenote: _In the Storme._]
--_A hand, or eye,
By_ Hilyard _drawne, is worth a history
By a worse Painter made_;--
If any man (thinking I speake this to enflame him for the vent of
the Impression) be of another opinion, I shall as willingly spare his
money as his judgement. I cannot lose so much by him as hee will by
himselfe. For I shall satisfie my selfe with the conscience of well
doing, in making so much good common.
Howsoever it may appeare to you, it shall suffice mee to enforme you,
that it hath the best warrant that can bee, publique authority, and
private friends.
There is one thing more wherein I will make you of my counsell, and
that is, That whereas it hath pleased some, who had studyed and did
admire him, to offer to the memory of the Author, not long after his
decease, I have thought I should do you service in presenting them
unto you now; onely whereas, had I placed them in the beginning, they
might have serv'd for so many Encomiums of the Author (as is usuall
in other workes, where perhaps there is need of it, to prepare men to
digest such stuffe as follows after,) you shall here finde them in the
end, for whosoever reades the rest so farre, shall perceive that there
is no occasion to use them to that purpose; yet there they are, as an
attestation for their sakes that knew not so much before, to let them
see how much honour was attributed to this worthy man, by those that
are capable to give it. _Farewell._
[The Printer _&c._ _1633-49:_ _om. 1650-69, which substitute
Dedication_ To the _&c._ (_p._ 4)]
[2 you: _1635-49:_ you, _1633_]
[The Printer to the Vnderstanders. _1635-69:_ The Printer to
the Reader. _1633. See note_]
[28 here _1635-69: om. 1633_ (... you shall here finde them in
the end,...)]
_Hexastichon Bibliopolae._
I see in his last preach'd, and printed Booke,
His Picture in a sheet; in _Pauls_ I looke,
And see his Statue in a sheete of stone,
And sure his body in the grave hath one:
Those sheetes present him dead, these if you buy,
You have him living to Eternity.
JO. MAR.
[Hexastichon Bibliopolae. _1633-69_]
Hexastichon ad Bibliopolam.
Incerti.
_In thy Impression of_ Donnes _Poems rare,
For his Eternitie thou hast ta'ne care:
'Twas well, and pious; And for ever may
He live: Yet shew I thee a better way;
Print but his Sermons, and if those we buy,
He, We, and Thou shall live t' Eternity._
[Hexastichon ad Bibliopolam. _1635-69_]
_Dedication to the Edition of 1650._
To the Right Honourable
_William_ Lord _Craven_ Baron of
_Hamsted-Marsham_.
_My Lord_,
Many of these Poems have, for severall impressions, wandred up and
down trusting (as well they might) upon the Authors reputation;
neither do they now complain of any injury but what may proceed either
from the kindnesse of the Printer, or the curtesie of the Reader; the
one by adding something too much, lest any spark of this sacred fire
might perish undiscerned, the other by putting such an estimation upon
the wit & fancy they find here, that they are content to use it
as their own: as if a man should dig out the stones of a royall
Amphitheatre to build a stage for a countrey show. Amongst all the
monsters this unlucky age has teemed with, I finde none so prodigious,
as the Poets of these later times, wherein men as if they would level
understandings too as well as estates, acknowledging no inequality of
parts and Judgements, pretend as indifferently to the chaire of wit as
to the Pulpit, & conceive themselves no lesse inspired with the spirit
of Poetry then with that of Religion: so it is not onely the noise of
Drums and Trumpets which have drowned the Muses harmony, or the feare
that the Churches ruine wil destroy their Priests likewise, that now
frights them from this Countrey, where they have been so ingenuously
received, but these rude pretenders to excellencies they unjustly
own who profanely rushing into _Minervaes_ Temple, with noysome Ayres
blast the lawrell w^{ch} thunder cannot hurt. In this sad condition
these learned sisters are fled over to beg your L^{ps}. protection,
who have been so certain a patron both to arts and armes, and who in
this generall confusion have so intirely preserved your Honour, that
in your Lordship we may still read a most perfect character of what
_England_ was in all her pompe and greatnesse, so that although these
poems were formerly written upon severall occasions, and to severall
persons, they now unite themselves, and are become one pyramid to set
your Lordships statue upon, where you may stand like Armed _Apollo_
the defendor of the Muses, encouraging the Poets now alive to
celebrate your great Acts by affording your countenance to his poems
that wanted onely so noble a subject.
My Lord,
_Your most humble servant_
JOHN DONNE.
[To the _&c._ _1650-69_]
TO JOHN DONNE.
Donne, _the delight of Phoebus, and each Muse,
Who, to thy one, all other braines refuse;
Whose every work, of thy most early wit,
Came forth example, and remaines so, yet:
Longer a knowing, than most wits doe live;
And which no'n affection praise enough can give!
To it, thy language, letters, arts, best life,
Which might with halfe mankind maintain a strife;
All which I mean to praise, and, yet, I would;
But leave, because I cannot as I should_!
B. JONS.
[To John Donne. _1650-69, following the_ Hexastichon ad
Bibliopolam.]
To LUCY, COUNTESSE OF BEDFORD, with M. DONNES Satyres.
_Lucy_, you brightnesse of our Spheare, who are
Life of the _Muses_ day, their morning Starre!
If works (not th'Authors) their own grace should look
Whose poems would not wish to be your book?
But these, desir'd by you, the makers ends
Crown with their own. Rare Poems ask rare friends.
Yet, _Satyres_, since the most of mankind bee
Their unavoided subject, fewest see:
For none ere took that pleasure in sins sense,
But, when they heard it tax'd, took more offence.
They, then, that living where the matter is bred,
Dare for these Poems, yet, both ask, and read,
And like them too; must needfully, though few,
Be of the best: and 'mongst those best are you;
_Lucy_, you brightnefle of our Spheare, who are
The _Muses_ evening, as their morning-Starre.
B. JON.
TO JOHN DONNE.
Who shall doubt, _Donne_, where I a _Poet_ bee,
When I dare send my _Epigrammes_ to thee?
That so alone canst judge, so'alone do'st make:
And, in thy censures, evenly, dost take
As free simplicity, to dis-avow,
As thou hast best authority, t'allow.
Read all I send: and, if I finde but one
Mark'd by thy hand, and with the better stone,
My title's seal'd. Those that for claps doe write,
Let punees, porters, players praise delight,
And, till they burst, their backs, like asses load:
A man should seek great glory, and not broad.
B. JON.
[To Lucy _&c._ To John Donne _&c._ _1650-69, in sheets added
1650_. _See_ Text and Canon _&c._]
[Illustration: JOHN DONNE
From the engraving prefixed to the Poems in the Editions of 1635,
1639, 1649, 1650, 1654]
SONGS _AND_ SONETS.
_The good-morrow._
I wonder by my troth, what thou, and I
Did, till we lov'd? were we not wean'd till then?
But suck'd on countrey pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the seaven sleepers den?
T'was so; But this, all pleasures fancies bee. 5
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desir'd, and got, t'was but a dreame of thee.
And now good morrow to our waking soules,
Which watch not one another out of feare;
For love, all love of other sights controules, 10
And makes one little roome, an every where.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let Maps to other, worlds on worlds have showne,
Let us possesse one world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appeares, 15
And true plaine hearts doe in the faces rest,
Where can we finde two better hemispheares
Without sharpe North, without declining West?
What ever dyes, was not mixt equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I 20
Love so alike, that none doe slacken, none can die.
[SONGS AND SONETS. _1635-69: no division into sections, 1633_]
[The good-morrow. _1633-69_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
_no title_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S:_ Elegie. _S96_]
[2 lov'd? _1639-69:_ lov'd, _1633-35_]
[3 countrey pleasures, childishly? _1633-54_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _Lec:_ childish pleasures seelily? _1669_, _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[4 snorted _1633-54_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96:_
slumbred _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_
seaven sleepers _1633:_ seven-sleepers _1635-69_]
[5 this,] as _1669_]
[10 For _1633-69_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec:_ But _rest of
MSS_.]
[13 to other, worlds on _1633-54:_ to other worlds our _1669:_
to others, worlds on _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _and other MSS_.]
[14 one world _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ our world _rest of
MSS_.]
[17 better _1633_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec:_ fitter _1635-69_,
_and rest of MSS_.]
[19 was not] is not _1669_]
[20-1 or, thou and I ... can die. _1633_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _Lec:_ or, thou and I ... can slacken, ... can die.
_Chambers:_
both thou and I
Love just alike in all, none of these loves can die.
_1635-69_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P:_
or thou and I
Love just alike in all, none of these loves can die.
_A18_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _S96_, _TC_
As thou and I _&c._
_H40:_
And thou and I _&c._
_S_]
_Song._
Goe, and catche a falling starre,
Get with child a mandrake roote,
Tell me, where all past yeares are,
Or who cleft the Divels foot,
Teach me to heare Mermaides singing, 5
Or to keep off envies stinging,
And finde
What winde
Serves to advance an honest minde.
If thou beest borne to strange sights, 10
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand daies and nights,
Till age snow white haires on thee,
Thou, when thou retorn'st, wilt tell mee
All strange wonders that befell thee, 15
And sweare
No where
Lives a woman true, and faire.
If thou findst one, let mee know,
Such a Pilgrimage were sweet; 20
Yet doe not, I would not goe,
Though at next doore wee might meet,
Though shee were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet shee 25
Will bee
False, ere I come, to two, or three.
[Song. _1633-69:_ Song, A Songe, _or no title_, _A18_, _A25_,
_B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 past yeares] times past _1669:_ past times _P_]
[11 to see] go see _1669_, _S_, _S96:_ see _most other MSS_.]
[20 sweet; _1669:_ sweet, _1633-54_]
[24 last, till] last so till _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[27 False, ... three] False, ere she come to two or three.
_1669_]
_Womans constancy._
Now thou hast lov'd me one whole day,
To morrow when thou leav'st, what wilt thou say?
Wilt thou then Antedate some new made vow?
Or say that now
We are not just those persons, which we were? 5
Or, that oathes made in reverentiall feare
Of Love, and his wrath, any may forsweare?
Or, as true deaths, true maryages untie,
So lovers contracts, images of those,
Binde but till sleep, deaths image, them unloose? 10
Or, your owne end to Justifie,
For having purpos'd change, and falsehood; you
Can have no way but falsehood to be true?
Vaine lunatique, against these scapes I could
Dispute, and conquer, if I would, 15
Which I abstaine to doe,
For by to morrow, I may thinke so too.
[Womans constancy. _1633-69_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ _no title_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _P_, _S_]
[8 Or, _1633_, _1669:_ For, _1635-54_ (_ll._ 8-10 _in
brackets_)]
_The undertaking._
I have done one braver thing
Then all the _Worthies_ did,
And yet a braver thence doth spring,
Which is, to keepe that hid.
It were but madnes now t'impart 5
The skill of specular stone,
When he which can have learn'd the art
To cut it, can finde none.
So, if I now should utter this,
Others (because no more 10
Such stuffe to worke upon, there is,)
Would love but as before.
But he who lovelinesse within
Hath found, all outward loathes,
For he who colour loves, and skinne, 15
Loves but their oldest clothes.
If, as I have, you also doe
Vertue'attir'd in woman see,
And dare love that, and say so too,
And forget the Hee and Shee; 20
And if this love, though placed so,
From prophane men you hide,
Which will no faith on this bestow,
Or, if they doe, deride:
Then you have done a braver thing 25
Then all the _Worthies_ did;
And a braver thence will spring,
Which is, to keepe that hid.
[The undertaking. _1635-69:_ _no title_, _1633_, _B_, _D_,
_H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_ Platonique Love.
_A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[2 _Worthies_] _worthies_ _1633_]
[3 And yet] Yet _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[7-8 art ... it, _1669:_ art, ... it _1633-54_]
[16 their] her _B_]
[18 Vertue'attir'd in _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ Vertue in _1635-69_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_]
[26 did; _Ed:_ did. _1633-39:_ did, _1650-69_]
[27 spring,] spring _1633-39_]
_The Sunne Rising._
Busie old foole, unruly Sunne,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windowes, and through curtaines call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers seasons run?
Sawcy pedantique wretch, goe chide 5
Late schoole boyes, and sowre prentices,
Goe tell Court-huntsmen, that the King will ride,
Call countrey ants to harvest offices;
Love, all alike, no season knowes, nor clyme,
Nor houres, dayes, moneths, which are the rags of time. 10
Thy beames, so reverend, and strong
Why shouldst thou thinke?
I could eclipse and cloud them with a winke,
But that I would not lose her sight so long:
If her eyes have not blinded thine, 15
Looke, and to morrow late, tell mee,
Whether both the'India's of spice and Myne
Be where thou leftst them, or lie here with mee.
Aske for those Kings whom thou saw'st yesterday,
And thou shalt heare, All here in one bed lay. 20
She'is all States, and all Princes, I,
Nothing else is.
Princes doe but play us; compar'd to this,
All honor's mimique; All wealth alchimie.
Thou sunne art halfe as happy'as wee, 25
In that the world's contracted thus;
Thine age askes ease, and since thy duties bee
To warme the world, that's done in warming us.
Shine here to us, and thou art every where;
This bed thy center is, these walls, thy spheare. 30
[The Sunne Rising. _1633-69:_ Sunne Rising. _A18_, _L74_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ Ad Solem. _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96:_ To the Sunne. _Cy_, _Lec_, _O'F (as a second title):_
_no title_, _B_]
[3 call] look _1669_]
[6 and] or _1669_
sowre] slowe _B_, _Cy_, _P_]
[8 offices;] offices, _1633_]
[11-14 Thy beames, ... so long: _1633 and all MSS.:_
Thy beames so reverend, and strong
Dost thou not thinke
I could eclipse and cloude them with a winke,
But that I would not lose her sight so long? _1635-69_
]
[17 spice] space _1650-54_]
[18 leftst _1633:_ left _1635-69_]
[23 us;] us, _1633_]
[24 wealth] wealth's _A25_, _C_, _P_
alchimie. _Ed:_ alchimie; _1633-69_]
[26 thus; _Ed:_ thus. _1633-69_]
_The Indifferent._
I can love both faire and browne,
Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betraies,
Her who loves lonenesse best, and her who maskes and plaies,
Her whom the country form'd, and whom the town,
Her who beleeves, and her who tries, 5
Her who still weepes with spungie eyes,
And her who is dry corke, and never cries;
I can love her, and her, and you and you,
I can love any, so she be not true.
Will no other vice content you? 10
Wil it not serve your turn to do, as did your mothers?
Or have you all old vices spent, and now would finde out others?
Or doth a feare, that men are true, torment you?
Oh we are not, be not you so,
Let mee, and doe you, twenty know. 15
Rob mee, but binde me not, and let me goe.
Must I, who came to travaile thorow you,
Grow your fixt subject, because you are true?
_Venus_ heard me sigh this song,
And by Loves sweetest Part, Variety, she swore, 20
She heard not this till now; and that it should be so no more.
She went, examin'd, and return'd ere long,
And said, alas, Some two or three
Poore Heretiques in love there bee,
Which thinke to stablish dangerous constancie. 25
But I have told them, since you will be true,
You shall be true to them, who'are false to you.
[The Indifferent. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ A
Songe, Songe, _or no title_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96:_ Sonnet. _P_]
[3 lonenesse] lovers _1669_
maskes] sports _1669_, _S_
and _1669:_ & _1633-39:_ _om._ _1650-54_]
[12 spent] worn _1669_]
[15 mee, _1633:_ me; _1635-69_]
[17 travaile] _spelt_ travell, travel _1635-69_]
[19 sigh] sing _1669_]
[20 sweetest Part,] sweetest sweet, _1669_, _P_, _S_]
[21 and that it _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S:_ it
_1635-69_, _H40_, _P:_ and it _A18_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_,
_TC_]
_Loves Vsury._
For every houre that thou wilt spare mee now,
I will allow,
Usurious God of Love, twenty to thee,
When with my browne, my gray haires equall bee;
Till then, Love, let my body raigne, and let 5
Mee travell, sojourne, snatch, plot, have, forget,
Resume my last yeares relict: thinke that yet
We'had never met.
Let mee thinke any rivalls letter mine,
And at next nine 10
Keepe midnights promise; mistake by the way
The maid, and tell the Lady of that delay;
Onely let mee love none, no, not the sport;
From country grasse, to comfitures of Court,
Or cities quelque choses, let report 15
My minde transport.
This bargaine's good; if when I'am old, I bee
Inflam'd by thee,
If thine owne honour, or my shame, or paine,
Thou covet most, at that age thou shalt gaine. 20
Doe thy will then, then subject and degree,
And fruit of love, Love I submit to thee,
Spare mee till then, I'll beare it, though she bee
One that loves mee.
[Loves Vsury. _1633-69_, _L74:_ _no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_ Elegie. _S96_]
[5 raigne, _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_P_, _S:_ range, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S96_. _See note_]
[6 snatch, _1633_, _1669:_ match, _1635-54_]
[7 relict] relique _1669_]
[12 that] her _1669_]
[13 sport; _1669:_ sport _1633-54:_ sport, _most MSS._]
[15 let report _1633_, _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _P_, _S:_ let not report _1635-54_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _Chambers_. _See note_]
[19 or paine _1633, 1669, and most MSS.:_ and paine _1635-54_,
_O'F_]
[22 fruit] fruites _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[24 loves _1633, 1669 and all the MSS.:_ love _1635-54_]
_The Canonization._
For Godsake hold your tongue, and let me love,
Or chide my palsie, or my gout,
My five gray haires, or ruin'd fortune flout,
With wealth your state, your minde with Arts improve,
Take you a course, get you a place, 5
Observe his honour, or his grace,
Or the Kings reall, or his stamped face
Contemplate, what you will, approve,
So you will let me love.
Alas, alas, who's injur'd by my love? 10
What merchants ships have my sighs drown'd?
Who saies my teares have overflow'd his ground?
When did my colds a forward spring remove?
When did the heats which my veines fill
Adde one more to the plaguie Bill? 15
Soldiers finde warres, and Lawyers finde out still
Litigious men, which quarrels move,
Though she and I do love.
Call us what you will, wee are made such by love;
Call her one, mee another flye, 20
We'are Tapers too, and at our owne cost die,
And wee in us finde the'Eagle and the Dove.
The Phœnix ridle hath more wit
By us, we two being one, are it.
So to one neutrall thing both sexes fit, 25
Wee dye and rise the same, and prove
Mysterious by this love.
Wee can dye by it, if not live by love,
And if unfit for tombes and hearse
Our legend bee, it will be fit for verse; 30
And if no peece of Chronicle wee prove,
We'll build in sonnets pretty roomes;
As well a well wrought urne becomes
The greatest ashes, as halfe-acre tombes,
And by these hymnes, all shall approve 35
Us _Canoniz'd_ for Love:
And thus invoke us; You whom reverend love
Made one anothers hermitage;
You, to whom love was peace, that now is rage;
Who did the whole worlds soule contract, and drove 40
Into the glasses of your eyes
(So made such mirrors, and such spies,
That they did all to you epitomize,)
Countries, Townes, Courts: Beg from above
A patterne of your love! 45
[The Canonization. _1633-39_, _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Canonization. _1650-69_, _S:_
Canonizatio. _S96:_ _no title_, _B_, _H40_, _JC_]
[3 five _1633_, _1669:_ true _1635-54_
fortune] fortunes _1669_]
[4 improve, _1650-69:_ improve _1633-39_]
[7 reall] Roiall _Lec_]
[14 veines] reynes _1669_]
[15 more, _1633-54_, _Lec:_ man _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[17 which] whom _1669_]
[18 Though] While _1669_]
[22 Dove. _Ed:_ dove, _1633-69_]
[24 are it. _1633-69:_ are it; _Chambers and Grolier_]
[25 So _1650-69:_ So, _1633-39_. _See note_
fit, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ fit. _1633-69_. _See note_]
[29 tombes and _1633-54:_ tomb or _1669_]
[30 legend] legends _1633_]
[35 these _1633:_ those _1635-69_]
[36 Love:] Love. _1633_]
[39 rage; _Ed:_ rage, _1633-69_]
[40 contract] extract _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_]
[41 eyes _1633-69:_ eyes; _Chambers_]
[42-3 _brackets_, _Ed_]
[44 Courts: Beg] Courts Beg _1669:_ courts beg _Chambers_.
_See note_
from] frow _1633_]
[45 your _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _H40_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S96_, _TC:_ our _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_
love! _Ed:_ love. _1633-69_]
_The triple Foole._
I am two fooles, I know,
For loving, and for saying so
In whining Poëtry;
But where's that wiseman, that would not be I,
If she would not deny? 5
Then as th'earths inward narrow crooked lanes
Do purge sea waters fretfull salt away,
I thought, if I could draw my paines,
Through Rimes vexation, I should them allay,
Griefe brought to numbers cannot be so fierce, 10
For, he tames it, that fetters it in verse.
But when I have done so,
Some man, his art and voice to show,
Doth Set and sing my paine,
And, by delighting many, frees againe 15
Griefe, which verse did restraine.
To Love, and Griefe tribute of Verse belongs,
But not of such as pleases when'tis read,
Both are increased by such songs:
For both their triumphs so are published, 20
And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee.
[The triple Foole. _1633-69_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
Song _or no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
[4 the wiser man, _1669_]
[5 If he should not deny? _P_]
[6 narrow _om._ _P:_ crooked _om._ _B_
lanes] vaines _Cy_, _P_]
[9 allay, _1633-39:_ allay. _1650-69_, _Chambers_]
[10 numbers] number _1669_]
[11 For, he tames it] He tames it much _B_]
[13 and] or _1669_]
_Lovers infinitenesse._
If yet I have not all thy love,
Deare, I shall never have it all,
I cannot breath one other sigh, to move,
Nor can intreat one other teare to fall,
And all my treasure, which should purchase thee, 5
Sighs, teares, and oathes, and letters I have spent.
Yet no more can be due to mee,
Then at the bargaine made was ment,
If then thy gift of love were partiall,
That some to mee, some should to others fall, 10
Deare, I shall never have Thee All.
Or if then thou gavest mee all,
All was but All, which thou hadst then;
But if in thy heart, since, there be or shall,
New love created bee, by other men, 15
Which have their stocks intire, and can in teares,
In sighs, in oathes, and letters outbid mee,
This new love may beget new feares,
For, this love was not vowed by thee.
And yet it was, thy gift being generall, 20
The ground, thy heart is mine, what ever shall
Grow there, deare, I should have it all.
Yet I would not have all yet,
Hee that hath all can have no more,
And since my love doth every day admit 25
New growth, thou shouldst have new rewards in store;
Thou canst not every day give me thy heart,
If thou canst give it, then thou never gavest it:
Loves riddles are, that though thy heart depart,
It stayes at home, and thou with losing savest it: 30
But wee will have a way more liberall,
Then changing hearts, to joyne them, so wee shall
Be one, and one anothers All.
[Lovers infinitenesse. _1633-69:_ Mon Tout. _A25_, _C:_ _no
title_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_
Elegie. _S96_
_Query_ Loves infinitenesse.]
[3 move, _Ed:_ move; _1633-69_]
[4 fall, _Ed:_ fall. _1633:_ fall; _1635-69_]
[6 teares,] teares _1633_
spent. _Ed:_ spent, _1633-69 and Grolier:_ spent; _Chambers_]
[8 Then _1633-35_, _1669:_ That _1639-54_]
[9 were] was _1669_
partiall] generall _A25_, _C_]
[11 Thee _1633:_ It _1635-69_ (it _1669_)]
[12 gavest] givest _1669_]
[13 then; _1635-54:_ then, _1633_]
[17 and letters _1633:_ in letters _1635-69_]
[19 thee. _1639-69:_ thee, _1633-35_]
[20 it] is _1633_]
[21 is _1633_, _1669:_ was _1635-54_]
[25-6 And since my heart doth every day beget New love, _&c._
_A25_.]
[29-30
Except mine come when thine doth part
And in such giving it, thou savest it: _A25_, _C_
Perchance mine comes, when thine doth parte,
And by such losing it, _&c._ _JC_
]
[31 have] love _1669:_ find _A25_, _C_]
[32 them] us _1669_]
_Song._
Sweetest love, I do not goe,
For wearinesse of thee,
Nor in hope the world can show
A fitter Love for mee;
But since that I 5
Must dye at last, 'tis best,
To use my selfe in jest
Thus by fain'd deaths to dye;
Yesternight the Sunne went hence,
And yet is here to day, 10
He hath no desire nor sense,
Nor halfe so short a way:
Then feare not mee,
But beleeve that I shall make
Speedier journeyes, since I take 15
More wings and spurres then hee.
O how feeble is mans power,
That if good fortune fall,
Cannot adde another houre,
Nor a lost houre recall! 20
But come bad chance,
And wee joyne to'it our strength,
And wee teach it art and length,
It selfe o'r us to'advance.
When thou sigh'st, thou sigh'st not winde, 25
But sigh'st my soule away,
When thou weep'st, unkindly kinde,
My lifes blood doth decay.
It cannot bee
That thou lov'st mee, as thou say'st, 30
If in thine my life thou waste,
Thou art the best of mee.
Let not thy divining heart
Forethinke me any ill,
Destiny may take thy part, 35
And may thy feares fulfill;
But thinke that wee
Are but turn'd aside to sleepe;
They who one another keepe
Alive, ne'r parted bee. 40
[Song. _1633-69:_ Song. _or no title_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ _in A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _this with_ Send
home my long stray'd eyes _and_ The Bait _are given as_ Songs
which were made to certain ayres which were made before.]
[1-4 _In most MSS. these lines are written as two long lines,
and so with ll._ 9-12, 17-20, 25-28, 33-36]
[4 mee; _1650-69:_ mee, _1633-39_]
[5-8 But since ... dye; _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_
At the last must part 'tis best,
Thus to use my selfe in jest
By fained deaths to dye; _1635-54_, _O'F:_
Must dye at last, 'tis best,
Thus to use my self in jest
By fained death to dye; _1669_
]
[15 Speedier] Hastier _1669_]
[20 recall! _Ed:_ recall? _1633-69_]
[25 not wind _1633:_ no wind _1635-69_]
[32 Thou _1633 and MSS. generally:_ That _1635-54:_ Which
_1669_
best _1633-54:_ life _1669_]
[36 may _1633-35_, _1669:_ make _1639-54_
fulfill; _Ed:_ fulfill, _1633-69_]
[38 turn'd] lai'd _1669_]
_The Legacie._
When I dyed last, and, Deare, I dye
As often as from thee I goe,
Though it be but an houre agoe,
And Lovers houres be full eternity,
I can remember yet, that I 5
Something did say, and something did bestow;
Though I be dead, which sent mee, I should be
Mine owne executor and Legacie.
I heard mee say, Tell her anon,
That my selfe, (that is you, not I,) 10
Did kill me, and when I felt mee dye,
I bid mee send my heart, when I was gone,
But I alas could there finde none,
When I had ripp'd me,'and search'd where hearts did lye;
It kill'd mee againe, that I who still was true, 15
In life, in my last Will should cozen you.
Yet I found something like a heart,
But colours it, and corners had,
It was not good, it was not bad,
It was intire to none, and few had part. 20
As good as could be made by art
It seem'd; and therefore for our losses sad,
I meant to send this heart in stead of mine,
But oh, no man could hold it, for twas thine.
[The Legacie. _1633-69:_ Legacie. _L74:_ Song. _or no title_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96:_ Elegie. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[1 When I dyed last,] When last I dyed, _1669_]
[1-4 (and deare ... eternity) _Grolier_.]
[7 sent _1633_, _1669:_ meant _1635-54_
should be] might be _1669_]
[10 that is _1635-69:_ that's _1633:_ _brackets from A18_,
_N_, _TC_]
[13 none, _1633-69:_ none. _Chambers and Grolier_]
[14 When ... did _1633_, _A25_ (doe), _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _S_, _S96:_ When I had ripp'd, and search'd where
hearts should _1635-69_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC_ lye; _Ed:_
lye, _1633-69_, _Chambers and Grolier_. _See note_]
[18 But] For _1650-69_]
[20 part. _1633-39:_ part: _1650-69_]
[22 seem'd; _Ed:_ seem'd, _1633-69_, _Grolier, and Chambers_
our losses sad, _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S96_, _TC:_ our loss be sad, _1669:_ our loss be ye
sad. _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S:_ our losses sad;
_Grolier:_ our loss be sad. _Chambers_]
[23 meant] thought _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_
this _1633:_ that _1635-69_]
_A Feaver._
Oh doe not die, for I shall hate
All women so, when thou art gone,
That thee I shall not celebrate,
When I remember, thou wast one.
But yet thou canst not die, I know; 5
To leave this world behinde, is death,
But when thou from this world wilt goe,
The whole world vapors with thy breath.
Or if, when thou, the worlds soule, goest,
It stay, tis but thy carkasse then, 10
The fairest woman, but thy ghost,
But corrupt wormes, the worthyest men.
O wrangling schooles, that search what fire
Shall burne this world, had none the wit
Unto this knowledge to aspire, 15
That this her feaver might be it?
And yet she cannot wast by this,
Nor long beare this torturing wrong,
For much corruption needfull is
To fuell such a feaver long. 20
These burning fits but meteors bee,
Whose matter in thee is soone spent.
Thy beauty,'and all parts, which are thee,
Are unchangeable firmament.
Yet t'was of my minde, seising thee, 25
Though it in thee cannot persever.
For I had rather owner bee
Of thee one houre, then all else ever.
[A Feaver. _1633-69_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S96:_ Of a
fever. _L74:_ The Fever. _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P:_ Fever. _A18_,
_N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_, _JC_]
[5 know; _Ed:_ know, _1633-69_]
[8 with] in _1669_]
[16 might] must _TCC_]
[18 beare] endure _1669_
torturing] tormenting _JC_, _O'F_ (_corr. from_ torturing)]
[19 For much _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ For more _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ Far more _Cy_, _P_]
[22 is soon] soon is _1669_]
[24 Are] Are an _1669_, _P_, _S96_]
[25 Yet 'twas of _1633-54:_ And here as _1669_]
[27 For] Yet _1669_]
_Aire and Angels._
Twice or thrice had I loved thee,
Before I knew thy face or name;
So in a voice, so in a shapelesse flame,
_Angells_ affect us oft, and worship'd bee;
Still when, to where thou wert, I came, 5
Some lovely glorious nothing I did see.
But since my soule, whose child love is,
Takes limmes of flesh, and else could nothing doe,
More subtile then the parent is,
Love must not be, but take a body too, 10
And therefore what thou wert, and who,
I bid Love aske, and now
That it assume thy body, I allow,
And fixe it selfe in thy lip, eye, and brow.
Whilst thus to ballast love, I thought, 15
And so more steddily to have gone,
With wares which would sinke admiration,
I saw, I had loves pinnace overfraught,
Ev'ry thy haire for love to worke upon
Is much too much, some fitter must be sought; 20
For, nor in nothing, nor in things
Extreme, and scatt'ring bright, can love inhere;
Then as an Angell, face, and wings
Of aire, not pure as it, yet pure doth weare,
So thy love may be my loves spheare; 25
Just such disparitie
As is twixt Aire and Angells puritie,
'Twixt womens love, and mens will ever bee.
[Aire and Angels. _1633-69_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_, _B_,
_H40_]
[4 bee; _Ed:_ bee, _1633-69_]
[5 came,] came _1633_]
[6 I did] did I _1669_
see. _Ed:_ see, _1633-69_]
[7 since _Ed:_ since, _1633-69_]
[11 who, _Ed:_ who _1633-69_]
[14 lip, eye,] lips, eyes, _1669_, _Chambers_]
[19 Ev'ry thy _1633-39_, _A18_, _B_ (Even), _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_ (Ever), _S96_, _TC:_ Thy every
_1650-69_]
[22 scatt'ring _Ed:_ scattring, _1633-35:_ scattering
_1639-69_]
[27 Aire _1633-54 and all MSS.:_ Airs _1669_, _Chambers_]
_Breake of day._
'Tis true, 'tis day; what though it be?
O wilt thou therefore rise from me?
Why should we rise, because 'tis light?
Did we lie downe, because 'twas night?
Love which in spight of darknesse brought us hether, 5
Should in despight of light keepe us together.
Light hath no tongue, but is all eye;
If it could speake as well as spie,
This were the worst, that it could say,
That being well, I faine would stay, 10
And that I lov'd my heart and honor so,
That I would not from him, that had them, goe.
Must businesse thee from hence remove?
Oh, that's the worst disease of love,
The poore, the foule, the false, love can 15
Admit, but not the busied man.
He which hath businesse, and makes love, doth doe
Such wrong, as when a maryed man doth wooe.
[Breake of day, _1633-69_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
_no title or_ Sonnet, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96:_ A Songe. _A25_]
[1 day;] day, _1633_]
[5 in spight of _1633-39_, _1669_, _A25_, _JC_, _S96:_ in
dispight _1650-54_, _A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _TC_]
[6 in despight _1633_, _1650-69:_ in spight _1635-39_
keepe] holde _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_]
[9 were] is _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_ _TC_]
[11 I lov'd] I love _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[12 him, that had them _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S:_ him
that had them (_or_ it) _A25_, _B_, _C_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TC:_ her, that had them, _1669:_ her that hath them _B_, _JC_
(it), _S96_]
[15 foule,] foole, _H40_]
[18 as when ... doth _1633_, _1669_, _A25_, _C_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96:_ as if ... should _A18_, _B_, _JC_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ as when ... should _1635-54_]
_The Anniversarie._
All Kings, and all their favorites,
All glory of honors, beauties, wits,
The Sun it selfe, which makes times, as they passe,
Is elder by a yeare, now, then it was
When thou and I first one another saw: 5
All other things, to their destruction draw,
Only our love hath no decay;
This, no to morrow hath, nor yesterday,
Running it never runs from us away,
But truly keepes his first, last, everlasting day. 10
Two graves must hide thine and my coarse,
If one might, death were no divorce.
Alas, as well as other Princes, wee,
(Who Prince enough in one another bee,)
Must leave at last in death, these eyes, and eares, 15
Oft fed with true oathes, and with sweet salt teares;
But soules where nothing dwells but love
(All other thoughts being inmates) then shall prove
This, or a love increased there above,
When bodies to their graves, soules from their graves remove. 20
And then wee shall be throughly blest,
But wee no more, then all the rest;
Here upon earth, we'are Kings, and none but wee
Can be such Kings, nor of such subjects bee.
Who is so safe as wee? where none can doe 25
Treason to us, except one of us two.
True and false feares let us refraine,
Let us love nobly, and live, and adde againe
Yeares and yeares unto yeares, till we attaine
To write threescore: this is the second of our raigne. 30
[The Anniversarie. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S:_ Ad Liviam. _S96_]
[3 times, as they passe, _1633_, _1669_ (_which brackets_
which ... pass), _MSS.:_ times, as these pass, _1635-54:_
time, as they pass, _Chambers, who attributes to 1633, 1669_]
[12 divorce. _Ed:_ divorce, _1633-69_]
[17 love _Ed:_ love; _1633-69_]
[20 to their graves] to their grave _1635-39_]
[22 wee _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ now _1633-69_. _See note_
rest; _Ed:_ rest. _1633-69_]
[23 none _om. 1669, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96_]
[24 None are such Kings, _1669_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _S_, _S96_]
nor] and _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, bee.
_Ed:_ bee; _1633-69_]
[27 refraine,] refraine. _1669_]
[30 threescore: _Grolier:_ threescore, _1633-69_]
_A Valediction: of my name, in the window._
I.
My name engrav'd herein,
Doth contribute my firmnesse to this glasse,
Which, ever since that charme, hath beene
As hard, as that which grav'd it, was;
Thine eye will give it price enough, to mock 5
The diamonds of either rock.
II.
'Tis much that Glasse should bee
As all confessing, and through-shine as I,
'Tis more, that it shewes thee to thee,
And cleare reflects thee to thine eye. 10
But all such rules, loves magique can undoe,
Here you see mee, and I am you.
III.
As no one point, nor dash,
Which are but accessaries to this name,
The showers and tempests can outwash, 15
So shall all times finde mee the same;
You this intirenesse better may fulfill,
Who have the patterne with you still.
IIII.
Or, if too hard and deepe
This learning be, for a scratch'd name to teach, 20
It, as a given deaths head keepe,
Lovers mortalitie to preach,
Or thinke this ragged bony name to bee
My ruinous Anatomie.
V.
Then, as all my soules bee, 25
Emparadis'd in you, (in whom alone
I understand, and grow and see,)
The rafters of my body, bone
Being still with you, the Muscle, Sinew, and Veine,
Which tile this house, will come againe. 30
VI.
Till my returne, repaire
And recompact my scattered body so.
As all the vertuous powers which are
Fix'd in the starres, are said to flow
Into such characters, as graved bee 35
When these starres have supremacie:
VII.
So, since this name was cut
When love and griefe their exaltation had,
No doore 'gainst this names influence shut;
As much more loving, as more sad, 40
'Twill make thee; and thou shouldst, till I returne,
Since I die daily, daily mourne.
VIII.
When thy inconsiderate hand
Flings ope this casement, with my trembling name,
To looke on one, whose wit or land, 45
New battry to thy heart may frame,
Then thinke this name alive, and that thou thus
In it offendst my Genius.
IX.
And when thy melted maid,
Corrupted by thy Lover's gold, and page, 50
His letter at thy pillow'hath laid,
Disputed it, and tam'd thy rage,
And thou begin'st to thaw towards him, for this,
May my name step in, and hide his.
X.
And if this treason goe 55
To an overt act, and that thou write againe;
In superscribing, this name flow
Into thy fancy, from the pane.
So, in forgetting thou remembrest right,
And unaware to mee shalt write. 60
XI.
But glasse, and lines must bee,
No meanes our firme substantiall love to keepe;
Neere death inflicts this lethargie,
And this I murmure in my sleepe;
Impute this idle talke, to that I goe, 65
For dying men talke often so.
[A Valediction: Of _&c._ _D_, _H49:_ A Valediction of _&c._
_1633-69_, _H40_, _Lec_; Valediction of _&c._ _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ A Valediction of my name in the Glasse Window
_Cy:_ A Valediction to _&c._ _B:_ Valediction 4: of Glasse
_O'F:_ Valediction in Glasse _P:_ The Diamond and Glasse _S:_
Vpon the ingravinge of his name with a Diamonde in his mistris
windowe when he was to travel. _S96_ (_This is added to the
title in O'F._): _similarly, JC_]
[4 was; _Ed:_ was, _1633-69_]
[5 eye] eyes _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_]
[8 I, _1633-54:_ I _1669_]
[12 am you.] see you. _1669_]
[14 accessaries _1633-69_, _O'F_, _S:_ accessary _A18_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]
[15 tempests _1633_, _1669:_ tempest _1635-54_]
[19 Or, _Ed:_ Or _1633-69_]
[32 so. _1633-35:_ so, _1639-69_, _Chambers_. _See note_]
[34 flow _Ed:_ flow, _1633-69_]
[36 these _1633:_ those _1635-69_
have] had _1669_
supremacie: _1633-69:_ supremacie. _1650-69_. _See note_]
[37 So, _Ed:_ So _1633-69_]
[39 shut; _Ed:_ shut, _1633-69_]
[44 ope _1633-69_, _O'F_, _S96:_ out _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_]
[48 offendst] offends _1669_]
[50 and] or _1669_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[52-3
Disputed thou it, and tame thy rage.
If thou to him begin'st to thaw for this,
_1669_]
[55 goe] growe _JC_, _O'F_, _S_]
[56 againe; _1633:_ againe: _1635-69_]
[57 this] my _1669_]
[58 pane. _1633:_ Pen, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S_]
[60 unaware] unawares _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[64 this] thus _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
_Twicknam garden._
Blasted with sighs, and surrounded with teares,
Hither I come to seeke the spring,
And at mine eyes, and at mine eares,
Receive such balmes, as else cure every thing;
But O, selfe traytor, I do bring 5
The spider love, which transubstantiates all,
And can convert Manna to gall,
And that this place may thoroughly be thought
True Paradise, I have the serpent brought.
'Twere wholsomer for mee, that winter did 10
Benight the glory of this place,
And that a grave frost did forbid
These trees to laugh, and mocke mee to my face;
But that I may not this disgrace
Indure, nor yet leave loving, Love let mee 15
Some senslesse peece of this place bee;
Make me a mandrake, so I may groane here,
Or a stone fountaine weeping out my yeare.
Hither with christall vyals, lovers come,
And take my teares, which are loves wine, 20
And try your mistresse Teares at home,
For all are false, that tast not just like mine;
Alas, hearts do not in eyes shine,
Nor can you more judge womans thoughts by teares,
Then by her shadow, what she weares. 25
O perverse sexe, where none is true but shee,
Who's therefore true, because her truth kills mee.
[Twicknam garden. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ Twitnam Garden. _A18_,
_L74_ (_in margin_), _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ In a Garden. _B:_ _no title_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_]
[3 eares] years _1669_]
[4 balms ... cure _1633_, _A25_, _D_, _H49:_ balm ... cures
_1635-69_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_
thing; _Ed:_ thing, _1633:_ thing: _1635-69_]
[6 spider] spiders _1669_]
[8 thoroughly _1633-39:_ throughly _1650-69_]
[12 did] would _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC_]
[13 laugh,] laugh _1633_]
[14 that I may not] since I cannot _1669_]
[15 nor yet leave loving, _1633:_ _om. D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_Lec:_ nor leave this garden, _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_,
_JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[17 groane _A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _TC:_ grow
_1633-69_, _B_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
[18 my yeare, _1633_, _1669_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec:_ the
yeare. _1635-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[20 loves] lovers _1639_]
[24 womans _A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ womens
_1633-69_, _Lec_, _P_, _S96_]
_A Valediction: of the booke._
I'll tell thee now (deare Love) what thou shalt doe
To anger destiny, as she doth us,
How I shall stay, though she Esloygne me thus
And how posterity shall know it too;
How thine may out-endure 5
Sybills glory, and obscure
Her who from Pindar could allure,
And her, through whose helpe _Lucan_ is not lame,
And her, whose booke (they say) _Homer_ did finde, and name.
Study our manuscripts, those Myriades 10
Of letters, which have past twixt thee and mee,
Thence write our Annals, and in them will bee
To all whom loves subliming fire invades,
Rule and example found;
There, the faith of any ground 15
No schismatique will dare to wound,
That sees, how Love this grace to us affords,
To make, to keep, to use, to be these his Records.
This Booke, as long-liv'd as the elements,
Or as the worlds forme, this all-graved tome 20
In cypher writ, or new made Idiome,
Wee for loves clergie only'are instruments:
When this booke is made thus,
Should againe the ravenous
Vandals and Goths inundate us, 25
Learning were safe; in this our Universe
Schooles might learne Sciences, Spheares Musick, Angels Verse.
Here Loves Divines, (since all Divinity
Is love or wonder) may finde all they seeke,
Whether abstract spirituall love they like, 30
Their Soules exhal'd with what they do not see,
Or, loth so to amuze
Faiths infirmitie, they chuse
Something which they may see and use;
For, though minde be the heaven, where love doth sit, 35
Beauty a convenient type may be to figure it.
Here more then in their bookes may Lawyers finde,
Both by what titles Mistresses are ours,
And how prerogative these states devours,
Transferr'd from Love himselfe, to womankinde, 40
Who though from heart, and eyes,
They exact great subsidies,
Forsake him who on them relies,
And for the cause, honour, or conscience give,
Chimeraes, vaine as they, or their prerogative. 45
Here Statesmen, (or of them, they which can reade,)
May of their occupation finde the grounds:
Love and their art alike it deadly wounds,
If to consider what 'tis, one proceed,
In both they doe excell 50
Who the present governe well,
Whose weaknesse none doth, or dares tell;
In this thy booke, such will their nothing see,
As in the Bible some can finde out Alchimy.
Thus vent thy thoughts; abroad I'll studie thee, 55
As he removes farre off, that great heights takes;
How great love is, presence best tryall makes,
But absence tryes how long this love will bee;
To take a latitude
Sun, or starres, are fitliest view'd 60
At their brightest, but to conclude
Of longitudes, what other way have wee,
But to marke when, and where the darke eclipses bee?
[A Valediction: of _&c._ _Ed:_ A Valediction of the Booke
_A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Valediction of the booke. _D_,
_H49_, _Lec:_ Valediction 3: Of the Booke _O'F:_ The Booke
_Cy_, _P:_ Valediction to his booke. _1633-69_, _S:_ A
Valediction of a booke left in a windowe. _JC_]
[18 Records, _1633-69:_ records, _Grolier_]
[20 tome _1633-35:_ to me _1639-54:_ Tomb. _1669_, _A18_,
_Cy_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_]
[21 Idiome, _Ed:_ Idiome; _1633-69_]
[22 instruments: _Ed:_ instruments, _1633-69_. _See note_]
[25 and Goths inundate us, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ and the Goths invade us, _1633-54_,
_S:_ and Goths invade us, _1669_, _H40_, _JC_ (or), _O'F_,
_P_]
[26 were safe; _1633:_ _rest omit semicolon_.
Universe _1633-39:_ Universe, _1650-69_]
[30 abstract] abstracted _1669_]
[32 Or, ... amuze _Ed:_ Or ... amuze, _1633-69_]
[33 infirmitie,] infirmities, _1669_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[38 titles] titles, _1663_]
[39 these states] those rites _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[40 womankinde, _Ed:_ womankinde. _1633-54:_ womankinde:
_1669_]
[43 relies, _Ed:_ relies _1633:_ relies; _1635-69_]
[44 give,] give; _1635-69_]
[46 Statesmen] Tradesmen _Cy_, _P_]
[47 grounds: _Ed:_ grounds, _1633-69_]
[49 'tis, one] 'tis on _1669_]
[53 their nothing _1635-54_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_ (nothings), _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_ (_but
the MSS. waver between_ their _and_ there): there something
_1633_, _1669_, _P_]
[55 vent _1633_, _1669:_ went _1635-54_
thoughts; abroad] thoughts abroad: _1669_]
[56 great heights] shadows _O'F_]
[63 _1669 omits_ darke]
_Communitie._
Good wee must love, and must hate ill,
For ill is ill, and good good still,
But there are things indifferent,
Which wee may neither hate, nor love,
But one, and then another prove,
As wee shall finde our fancy bent. 5
If then at first wise Nature had
Made women either good or bad,
Then some wee might hate, and some chuse,
But since shee did them so create, 10
That we may neither love, nor hate,
Onely this rests, All, all may use.
If they were good it would be seene,
Good is as visible as greene,
And to all eyes it selfe betrayes: 15
If they were bad, they could not last,
Bad doth it selfe, and others wast,
So, they deserve nor blame, nor praise.
But they are ours as fruits are ours,
He that but tasts, he that devours, 20
And he that leaves all, doth as well:
Chang'd loves are but chang'd sorts of meat,
And when hee hath the kernell eate,
Who doth not fling away the shell?
[Communitie. _1635-69:_ _no title_, _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 there _1635-69_, _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_, _&c.:_
these _1633_, _D_, _Cy_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[7 had _Ed:_ had, _1633-39_]
[12 All, all _1633-54:_ All men _1669_]
[15 betrayes: _1650-69:_ betrayes, _1633-39_]
[21 well: _Ed:_ well, _1633-69_]
_Loves growth._
I scarce beleeve my love to be so pure
As I had thought it was,
Because it doth endure
Vicissitude, and season, as the grasse;
Me thinkes I lyed all winter, when I swore, 5
My love was infinite, if spring make'it more.
But if this medicine, love, which cures all sorrow
With more, not onely bee no quintessence,
But mixt of all stuffes, paining soule, or sense,
And of the Sunne his working vigour borrow, 10
Love's not so pure, and abstract, as they use
To say, which have no Mistresse but their Muse,
But as all else, being elemented too,
Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do.
And yet no greater, but more eminent, 15
Love by the spring is growne;
As, in the firmament,
Starres by the Sunne are not inlarg'd, but showne.
Gentle love deeds, as blossomes on a bough,
From loves awakened root do bud out now. 20
If, as in water stir'd more circles bee
Produc'd by one, love such additions take,
Those like so many spheares, but one heaven make,
For, they are all concentrique unto thee.
And though each spring doe adde to love new heate, 25
As princes doe in times of action get
New taxes, and remit them not in peace,
No winter shall abate the springs encrease.
[Loves growth. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ The
Spring. _or_ Spring. _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96:_ _no title_, _JC_]
[9 paining _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_S96_, _TC:_ vexing _1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_]
[10 working _1633 and MSS. as above:_ active _1635-69 and MSS.
as above_]
[11 pure, and] pure an _1669_, _O'F_]
[14 do.] do _1633_]
[18-19 Starres ... showne. Gentle love _Ed:_ Starres ...
showne, Gentle love _1633-69:_
Stars are not by the sunne enlarg'd; but showne
Greater; Loves deeds
_P_. _See note_]
[24 thee. _Ed:_ thee, _1633-69_]
[28 the _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_S96_, _TC:_ this _1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_]
_Loves exchange._
_Love_, any devill else but you,
Would for a given Soule give something too.
At Court your fellowes every day,
Give th'art of Riming, Huntsmanship, or Play,
For them which were their owne before; 5
Onely I have nothing which gave more,
But am, alas, by being lowly, lower.
I aske no dispensation now
To falsifie a teare, or sigh, or vow,
I do not sue from thee to draw 10
A _non obstante_ on natures law,
These are prerogatives, they inhere
In thee and thine; none should forsweare
Except that hee _Loves_ minion were.
Give mee thy weaknesse, make mee blinde, 15
Both wayes, as thou and thine, in eies and minde;
Love, let me never know that this
Is love, or, that love childish is;
Let me not know that others know
That she knowes my paines, least that so 20
A tender shame make me mine owne new woe.
If thou give nothing, yet thou'art just,
Because I would not thy first motions trust;
Small townes which stand stiffe, till great shot
Enforce them, by warres law _condition_ not. 25
Such in loves warfare is my case,
I may not article for grace,
Having put Love at last to shew this face.
This face, by which he could command
And change the Idolatrie of any land, 30
This face, which wheresoe'r it comes,
Can call vow'd men from cloisters, dead from tombes,
And melt both Poles at once, and store
Deserts with cities, and make more
Mynes in the earth, then Quarries were before. 35
For this, Love is enrag'd with mee,
Yet kills not. If I must example bee
To future Rebells; If th'unborne
Must learne, by my being cut up, and torne:
Kill, and dissect me, Love; for this 40
Torture against thine owne end is,
Rack't carcasses make ill Anatomies.
[Loves exchange. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_]
[4 or] and _most MSS._
Play _D:_ play _1633-69_]
[9 or sigh, or vow, _1633-54:_ a sigh, a vow, _1669_]
[18 is; _Ed:_ is. _1633-69_]
[20 paines] paine _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[21 _1669 omits_ new]
[28 Love _D:_ love _1633-69_
this] his _1669_]
[36 For this, _Ed:_ For, this _1633-69_
Love _D:_ love _1633-69_]
[37 not. If _Ed:_ not; if _1633-39:_ not: if _1650-69_]
_Confined Love._
Some man unworthy to be possessor
Of old or new love, himselfe being false or weake,
Thought his paine and shame would be lesser,
If on womankind he might his anger wreake,
And thence a law did grow, 5
One might but one man know;
But are other creatures so?
Are Sunne, Moone, or Starres by law forbidden,
To smile where they list, or lend away their light?
Are birds divorc'd, or are they chidden 10
If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a night?
Beasts doe no joyntures lose
Though they new lovers choose,
But we are made worse then those.
Who e'r rigg'd faire ship to lie in harbors, 15
And not to seeke new lands, or not to deale withall?
Or built faire houses, set trees, and arbors,
Only to lock up, or else to let them fall?
Good is not good, unlesse
A thousand it possesse, 20
But doth wast with greedinesse.
[Confined Love _1635-69:_ _no title_, _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ To the
worthiest of all my lovers. _Cy:_ To the of all my loves my
virtuous mistriss. _P_]
[3 his] this _1669_
lesser] the lesser _A18_, _Cy_, _JC_, _P_]
[6 might _1633-69:_ should _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
[9 lend] bend _1669_]
[11 mate, _1633-39:_ meate, _1650:_ meat, _1669_
a night (_i.e._ a-night) _1633-54:_ all night _1669_]
[12 Beasts] Beast _1635_]
[15 ship] ships _1669_, _Chambers_]
[16 seeke new lands _1633-35 and MSS.:_ seeke lands _1639-69_,
_Chambers, whose note is incorrect_
withall _1633:_ with all _1635-69_]
[17 built _1633-35:_ build _1639-69_]
_The Dreame._
Deare love, for nothing lesse then thee
Would I have broke this happy dreame,
It was a theame
For reason, much too strong for phantasie,
Therefore thou wakd'st me wisely; yet 5
My Dreame thou brok'st not, but continued'st it,
Thou art so truth, that thoughts of thee suffice,
To make dreames truths; and fables histories;
Enter these armes, for since thou thoughtst it best,
Not to dreame all my dreame, let's act the rest. 10
As lightning, or a Tapers light,
Thine eyes, and not thy noise wak'd mee;
Yet I thought thee
(For thou lovest truth) an Angell, at first sight,
But when I saw thou sawest my heart, 15
And knew'st my thoughts, beyond an Angels art,
When thou knew'st what I dreamt, when thou knew'st when
Excesse of joy would wake me, and cam'st then,
I must confesse, it could not chuse but bee
Prophane, to thinke thee any thing but thee. 20
Comming and staying show'd thee, thee,
But rising makes me doubt, that now,
Thou art not thou.
That love is weake, where feare's as strong as hee;
'Tis not all spirit, pure, and brave, 25
If mixture it of _Feare_, _Shame_, _Honor_, have.
Perchance as torches which must ready bee,
Men light and put out, so thou deal'st with mee,
Thou cam'st to kindle, goest to come; Then I
Will dreame that hope againe, but else would die. 30
[The Dreame. _1633-69:_ _do. or similarly_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_,
_S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[6 brok'st ... continued'st] breakest ... continuest _1669_,
_A25_, _C_, _P_, _S_]
[7 so truth, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TC:_ so true, _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_. _See note_]
[10 act] doe _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
[14 an Angell,] but an Angell, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TC_]
[16 thoughts,] _om. comma Grolier and Chambers_. _See Note_]
[17 then thou knew'st when _1669_]
[19 must] doe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[20 Prophane,] Profaness _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_S96_, _TC_]
[24 feare's as strong _1635-54_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _TCC:_ feares are strong _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96:_ feare is strong, _N_, _TCD_]
[26 have. _1669:_ have; _1633-54_]
[29 cam'st] com'st _1669_
Then I] Thus I _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_
(_RP31 agrees with this group throughout_)]
_A Valediction: of weeping._
Let me powre forth
My teares before thy face, whil'st I stay here,
For thy face coines them, and thy stampe they beare,
And by this Mintage they are something worth,
For thus they bee 5
Pregnant of thee;
Fruits of much griefe they are, emblemes of more,
When a teare falls, that thou falst which it bore,
So thou and I are nothing then, when on a divers shore.
On a round ball 10
A workeman that hath copies by, can lay
An Europe, Afrique, and an Asia,
And quickly make that, which was nothing, _All_,
So doth each teare,
Which thee doth weare, 15
A globe, yea world by that impression grow,
Till thy teares mixt with mine doe overflow
This world, by waters sent from thee, my heaven dissolved so.
O more then Moone,
Draw not up seas to drowne me in thy spheare, 20
Weepe me not dead, in thine armes, but forbeare
To teach the sea, what it may doe too soone;
Let not the winde
Example finde,
To doe me more harme, then it purposeth; 25
Since thou and I sigh one anothers breath,
Who e'r sighes most, is cruellest, and hasts the others death.
[A Valediction: of _&c._ _Ed:_ A Valediction of weeping.
_1633-69:_ Valediction of Weeping. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
A Valediction. _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec:_ A
Valediction of Teares. _Cy_, _S_, _S96:_ Valediction 2. Of
Tears. _O'F:_ _no title_, _JC_]
[3 beare, _1633:_ beare; _1635-69_]
[6 thee; _Ed:_ thee, _1633-69_]
[8 falst _1633-69:_ falls _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC_]
[9 shore.] shore, _1633_]
[13 _All_, _1633:_ _All_ _1635:_ _All._ _1639:_ _All:_
_1650-69_]
[16 world] would _1669_]
[20 up seas] thy seas _1669_]
[22 soone; _Ed:_ soone, _1633-69_]
[25 purposeth; _Ed:_ purposeth, _1633-69_]
_Loves Alchymie._
Some that have deeper digg'd loves Myne then I,
Say, where his centrique happinesse doth lie:
I have lov'd, and got, and told,
But should I love, get, tell, till I were old,
I should not finde that hidden mysterie; 5
Oh, 'tis imposture all:
And as no chymique yet th'Elixar got,
But glorifies his pregnant pot,
If by the way to him befall
Some odoriferous thing, or medicinall, 10
So, lovers dreame a rich and long delight,
But get a winter-seeming summers night.
Our ease, our thrift, our honor, and our day,
Shall we, for this vaine Bubles shadow pay?
Ends love in this, that my man, 15
Can be as happy'as I can; If he can
Endure the short scorne of a Bridegroomes play?
That loving wretch that sweares,
'Tis not the bodies marry, but the mindes,
Which he in her Angelique findes, 20
Would sweare as justly, that he heares,
In that dayes rude hoarse minstralsey, the spheares.
Hope not for minde in women; at their best
Sweetnesse and wit, they'are but _Mummy_, possest.
[Loves Alchymie. _1633-69:_ Mummye. _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_ (or Alchymy. _added in a later
hand_), _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
Elegie. _P:_ _no title_, _A25_]
[14 Bubles] Bubless _1669_]
[15 my _1633-69 and MSS.:_ any _S96_, _1855_, _and Grolier_
(_perhaps from some copy of 1633_)]
[23-4 _punctuation from MSS:_
at their best,
Sweetnesse, and wit they'are, but, _Mummy_, possest.
_1633-54:_ _1669 omits all punctuation in these lines_]
_The Flea._
Marke but this flea, and marke in this,
How little that which thou deny'st me is;
It suck'd me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea, our two bloods mingled bee;
Thou know'st that this cannot be said 5
A sinne, nor shame, nor losse of maidenhead,
Yet this enjoyes before it wooe,
And pamper'd swells with one blood made of two,
And this, alas, is more then wee would doe.
Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare, 10
Where wee almost, yea more then maryed are.
This flea is you and I, and this
Our mariage bed, and mariage temple is;
Though parents grudge, and you, w'are met,
And cloysterd in these living walls of Jet. 15
Though use make you apt to kill mee,
Let not to that, selfe murder added bee,
And sacrilege, three sinnes in killing three.
Cruell and sodaine, hast thou since
Purpled thy naile, in blood of innocence? 20
Wherein could this flea guilty bee,
Except in that drop which it suckt from thee?
Yet thou triumph'st, and saist that thou
Find'st not thy selfe, nor mee the weaker now;
'Tis true, then learne how false, feares bee; 25
Just so much honor, when thou yeeld'st to mee,
Will wast, as this flea's death tooke life from thee.
[The Flea _is placed here in the 1633 edition:_ _1635-69 place
it at beginning of_ Songs and Sonets: The Flea. _or no title_,
_A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 It suckt mee first, _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S96:_
Mee it suck'd first, _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_,
_L74_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_
and now sucks] and now it sucks _1669_]
[5 Thou know'st that _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ Confess it.
This cannot be said _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[6 nor shame, nor losse _1633-54_ (shame _1633_), _D_, _H49_,
_Lec:_ or shame, or loss _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_H40_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[9 would] could _1669_]
[11: yea, _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ nay, _1669_, _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _C_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
[16 you] thee _A18_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[21 Wherein] In what _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[22 drop] blood _1669_]
_The Curse._
Who ever guesses, thinks, or dreames he knowes
Who is my mistris, wither by this curse;
His only, and only his purse
May some dull heart to love dispose,
And shee yeeld then to all that are his foes; 5
May he be scorn'd by one, whom all else scorne,
Forsweare to others, what to her he'hath sworne,
With feare of missing, shame of getting, torne:
Madnesse his sorrow, gout his cramp, may hee
Make, by but thinking, who hath made him such: 10
And may he feele no touch
Of conscience, but of fame, and bee
Anguish'd, not that'twas sinne, but that'twas shee:
In early and long scarcenesse may he rot,
For land which had been his, if he had not 15
Himselfe incestuously an heire begot:
May he dreame Treason, and beleeve, that hee
Meant to performe it, and confesse, and die,
And no record tell why:
His sonnes, which none of his may bee, 20
Inherite nothing but his infamie:
Or may he so long Parasites have fed,
That he would faine be theirs, whom he hath bred,
And at the last be circumcis'd for bread:
The venom of all stepdames, gamsters gall, 25
What Tyrans, and their subjects interwish,
What Plants, Mynes, Beasts, Foule, Fish,
Can contribute, all ill which all
Prophets, or Poets spake; And all which shall
Be annex'd in schedules unto this by mee, 30
Fall on that man; For if it be a shee
Nature before hand hath out-cursed mee.
[The Curse. _1633-69:_ A Curse. _or_ The Curse. _A18_, _A25_,
_B_, _C_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Dirae. _P_, _Q_]
[2 curse] course _1669_]
[3 His only, and only his purse _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_C_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_,
_TC:_ Him, only for his purse _1669_, _Chambers:_ His one and
his onely purse _P_]
[4 heart _1633-54 and MSS.:_ whore _1669 and Chambers_]
[5 And she yeeld then to _1633-54 and MSS.:_ And then yield
unto _1669_, _Chambers_]
[8 getting, _Ed:_ getting _1633-69_
torne: _Ed:_ torne; _1633-54:_ torne. _1669_. _Compare_ 16
_and_ 24]
[9 cramp,] cramps, _1669_, _Chambers_, _and most MSS._]
[10 him _1633-54 and MSS.:_ them _1669_, _Chambers_]
[12 fame,] shame; _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _P_, _TC_]
[14-16 In early and long scarceness ... an heire begot:
_1633_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_ (_which gives
alternate version in margin_), _S:_
Or may he for her vertue reverence
One that hates him onely for impotence,
And equall Traitors be she and his sense.
_1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _C_, _JC_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _TC_]
[18 Meant] Went _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[26 Tyrans, _1633-35:_ Tyrants, _1639:_ tyrants, _1650-69_]
[27 Mynes, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S_, _TC:_ Myne, _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[28 ill _1669:_ ill, _1633-54_]
_The Message._
Send home my long strayd eyes to mee,
Which (Oh) too long have dwelt on thee;
Yet since there they have learn'd such ill,
Such forc'd fashions,
And false passions, 5
That they be
Made by thee
Fit for no good sight, keep them still.
Send home my harmlesse heart againe,
Which no unworthy thought could staine; 10
But if it be taught by thine
To make jestings
Of protestings,
And crosse both
Word and oath, 15
Keepe it, for then 'tis none of mine.
Yet send me back my heart and eyes,
That I may know, and see thy lyes,
And may laugh and joy, when thou
Art in anguish 20
And dost languish
For some one
That will none,
Or prove as false as thou art now.
[The Message. _1635-69:_ _no title_, _1633:_ Song. _or no
title_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96:_ Sonnet. _P:_ Songes w^{ch} were made to _&c._ (_vid.
sup._ _p._ 18) _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[2 thee; _Ed:_ thee, _1633-69_]
[3 But if they there _1669_, _S_]
[10 staine;] staine, _1633-69_]
[11 But _1635-69:_ Which _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TC_]
[14 crosse, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ breake _1633-69_]
[16 Keep it still 'tis _1669_]
[19 And may laugh, when that Thou _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[24 art now.] dost now. _1669_]
_A nocturnall upon S._ Lucies _day,_
_Being the shortest day._
Tis the yeares midnight, and it is the dayes,
_Lucies_, who scarce seaven houres herself unmaskes,
The Sunne is spent, and now his flasks
Send forth light squibs, no constant rayes;
The worlds whole sap is sunke: 5
The generall balme th'hydroptique earth hath drunk,
Whither, as to the beds-feet, life is shrunke,
Dead and enterr'd; yet all these seeme to laugh,
Compar'd with mee, who am their Epitaph.
Study me then, you who shall lovers bee 10
At the next world, that is, at the next Spring:
For I am every dead thing,
In whom love wrought new Alchimie.
For his art did expresse
A quintessence even from nothingnesse, 15
From dull privations, and leane emptinesse:
He ruin'd mee, and I am re-begot
Of absence, darknesse, death; things which are not.
All others, from all things, draw all that's good,
Life, soule, forme, spirit, whence they beeing have; 20
I, by loves limbecke, am the grave
Of all, that's nothing. Oft a flood
Have wee two wept, and so
Drownd the whole world, us two; oft did we grow
To be two Chaosses, when we did show 25
Care to ought else; and often absences
Withdrew our soules, and made us carcasses.
But I am by her death, (which word wrongs her)
Of the first nothing, the Elixer grown;
Were I a man, that I were one, 30
I needs must know; I should preferre,
If I were any beast,
Some ends, some means; Yea plants, yea stones detest,
And love; All, all some properties invest;
If I an ordinary nothing were, 35
As shadow, a light, and body must be here.
But I am None; nor will my Sunne renew.
You lovers, for whose sake, the lesser Sunne
At this time to the Goat is runne
To fetch new lust, and give it you, 40
Enjoy your summer all;
Since shee enjoyes her long nights festivall,
Let mee prepare towards her, and let mee call
This houre her Vigill, and her Eve, since this
Both the yeares, and the dayes deep midnight is. 45
[A nocturnal _&c._ _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[7 beds-feet,] beds-feet _1633-69_]
[12 every _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_ (_altered to_ a very),
_TC:_ a very _1635-69_]
[16 emptinesse: _1719:_ emptinesse; _Chambers and Grolier:_
emptinesse _1633-54:_ emptinesse, _1669_. _See note_]
[20 have; _Ed:_ have, _1633-69_.]
[31 know;] know, _1633_]
[32 beast,] beast; _Grolier_]
[34 love; All, all _Ed:_ love, all, all _1633-69_
invest; _Ed:_ invest, _1633:_ invest _1635-69_]
[37 renew. _1633:_ renew, _1635-69_]
[41 all; _Ed:_ all, _1633-69 and Chambers, who places a full
stop after_ festivall]
[44 Eve, _1650-69:_ eve, _1633-39_]
_Witchcraft by a picture._
I fixe mine eye on thine, and there
Pitty my picture burning in thine eye,
My picture drown'd in a transparent teare,
When I looke lower I espie;
Hadst thou the wicked skill 5
By pictures made and mard, to kill,
How many wayes mightst thou performe thy will?
But now I have drunke thy sweet salt teares,
And though thou poure more I'll depart;
My picture vanish'd, vanish feares, 10
That I can be endamag'd by that art;
Though thou retaine of mee
One picture more, yet that will bee,
Being in thine owne heart, from all malice free.
[Witchcraft _&c._ _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ The
Picture. _or_ Picture. _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ A Songe.
_B_]
[4 espie; _Ed:_ espie, _1633-69_]
[6 to kill, _Ed:_ to kill? _1633-39:_ to kill; _1650-69_]
[9 And though] Although _1669_ And though thou therefore poure
more will depart; _B_, _H40_]
[10 vanish'd, vanish feares, _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_,
_JC_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ vanished, vanish all feares
_1635-54_, _O'F:_ vanish, vanish fears, _1669_]
[11 that] thy _JC_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[14 all] thy _B_, _H40_, _S96_]
_The Baite._
Come live with mee, and bee my love,
And wee will some new pleasures prove
Of golden sands, and christall brookes,
With silken lines, and silver hookes.
There will the river whispering runne 5
Warm'd by thy eyes, more then the Sunne.
And there the'inamor'd fish will stay,
Begging themselves they may betray.
When thou wilt swimme in that live bath,
Each fish, which every channell hath, 10
Will amorously to thee swimme,
Gladder to catch thee, then thou him.
If thou, to be so seene, beest loath,
By Sunne, or Moone, thou darknest both,
And if my selfe have leave to see, 15
I need not their light, having thee.
Let others freeze with angling reeds,
And cut their legges, with shells and weeds,
Or treacherously poore fish beset,
With strangling snare, or windowie net: 20
Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest
The bedded fish in banks out-wrest,
Or curious traitors, sleavesilke flies
Bewitch poore fishes wandring eyes.
For thee, thou needst no such deceit, 25
For thou thy selfe art thine owne bait;
That fish, that is not catch'd thereby,
Alas, is wiser farre then I.
[The Baite. _1635-69:_ _no title_, _1633:_ Song. _or no
title_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _Walton's_
Compleate Angler: _Fourth Day:_ _Chap. XII.:_ Songs that were
made _&c._ (_vid. sup. p._ 18) _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[2 some new] all the _P_]
[3 brookes, _Ed:_ brookes: _1633-69_]
[5 whispering _1633:_ whispring _1635-69_]
[6 thy] thine _1669_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[7 inamor'd] enamelled _Walton_
stay] play _1669_]
[11 to] unto _JC_, _O'F_, _P:_ to see _N:_ Most amoroussly to
thee will swim _Walton_]
[15 my selfe] mine eyes _Walton:_ my heart _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[18 with] which _1633_]
[20 snare,] snares, _Walton_
windowie] winding _1669_. _See note_]
[23 Or _1633-69:_ Let _Walton_
sleavesilke _1635:_ sleave silke _1639-69 and Walton:_
sleavesicke _1633_]
[24 To witch poor wandring fishes eyes. _Walton_]
[25 thou needst] there needs _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S96_]
[26 bait; _Ed:_ bait, _1633-69_]
[27 catch'd _1633-69:_ catch't _Walton:_ caught _P_]
[28 Is wiser far, alas _Walton_]
_The Apparition._
When by thy scorne, O murdresse, I am dead,
And that thou thinkst thee free
From all solicitation from mee,
Then shall my ghost come to thy bed,
And thee, fain'd vestall, in worse armes shall see; 5
Then thy sicke taper will begin to winke,
And he, whose thou art then, being tyr'd before,
Will, if thou stirre, or pinch to wake him, thinke
Thou call'st for more,
And in false sleepe will from thee shrinke, 10
And then poore Aspen wretch, neglected thou
Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lye
A veryer ghost then I;
What I will say, I will not tell thee now,
Lest that preserve thee'; and since my love is spent, 15
I'had rather thou shouldst painfully repent,
Then by my threatnings rest still innocent.
[The Apparition. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ An Apparition. _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[2 that thou thinkst] thou shalt think _1669_]
[3 solicitation] solicitations _JC_, _O'F_]
[5 thee, ... vestall, _Ed:_ thee ... vestall _1633-39:_ thee
... Vestall _1650-69_]
[7 then] _1669 omits_]
[10 in false sleepe will from _1633_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_S:_ in false sleepe from _1635-54:_ in a false sleepe even
from _1669:_ in a false sleepe from _A25_, _P:_ in a false
sleepe will from _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[13 I;] I, _1633, some copies_]
[17 rest still] keep thee _A25_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_]
_The broken heart._
He is starke mad, who ever sayes,
That he hath beene in love an houre,
Yet not that love so soone decayes,
But that it can tenne in lesse space devour;
Who will beleeve mee, if I sweare 5
That I have had the plague a yeare?
Who would not laugh at mee, if I should say,
I saw a flaske of _powder burne a day_?
Ah, what a trifle is a heart,
If once into loves hands it come! 10
All other griefes allow a part
To other griefes, and aske themselves but some;
They come to us, but us Love draws,
Hee swallows us, and never chawes:
By him, as by chain'd shot, whole rankes doe dye, 15
He is the tyran Pike, our hearts the Frye.
If 'twere not so, what did become
Of my heart, when I first saw thee?
I brought a heart into the roome,
But from the roome, I carried none with mee: 20
If it had gone to thee, I know
Mine would have taught thine heart to show
More pitty unto mee: but Love, alas,
At one first blow did shiver it as glasse.
Yet nothing can to nothing fall, 25
Nor any place be empty quite,
Therefore I thinke my breast hath all
Those peeces still, though they be not unite;
And now as broken glasses show
A hundred lesser faces, so 30
My ragges of heart can like, wish, and adore,
But after one such love, can love no more.
[The broken heart. _1633-69:_ Broken Heart. _L74:_ Song. _or
no title_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Elegie. _P_, _S96_]
[8 flaske _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _Lec_,
_O'F_ (_corrected from_ flash), _P_, _S:_ flash _1635-69_,
_A18_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_]
[10 come! _Ed:_ come? _1633-69_]
[12 some; _Ed:_ some, _1633-69_]
[15 chain'd shot] chain-shott _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC_]
[16 tyran] Tyrant _1669_
our hearts] and we _1669_]
[17 did] could _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _L74_, _O'F_, _N_,
_TC:_ would _B_, _Cy_, _M_, _S_]
[20 mee: _1650-69:_ mee; _1633-39_]
[23 alas,] alas _1633_]
[24 first] fierce _A18_, _B_, _N_, _TC_]
[30 hundred] thousand _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _M_,
_N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_]
_A Valediction: forbidding mourning._
As virtuous men passe mildly away,
And whisper to their soules, to goe,
Whilst some of their sad friends doe say,
The breath goes now, and some say, no:
So let us melt, and make no noise, 5
No teare-floods, nor sigh-tempests move,
T'were prophanation of our joyes
To tell the layetie our love.
Moving of th'earth brings harmes and feares,
Men reckon what it did and meant, 10
But trepidation of the spheares,
Though greater farre, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers love
(Whose soule is sense) cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove 15
Those things which elemented it.
But we by a love, so much refin'd,
That our selves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
Care lesse, eyes, lips, and hands to misse. 20
Our two soules therefore, which are one,
Though I must goe, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to ayery thinnesse beate.
If they be two, they are two so 25
As stiffe twin compasses are two,
Thy soule the fixt foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if the'other doe.
And though it in the center sit,
Yet when the other far doth rome, 30
It leanes, and hearkens after it,
And growes erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to mee, who must
Like th'other foot, obliquely runne;
Thy firmnes makes my circle just,
And makes me end, where I begunne. 35
[A Valediction: forbidding _&c._ _Ed:_ A Valediction
forbidding _&c._ _1633-69:_ Valediction forbidding _&c._
_A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Valediction agaynst _&c._ _A25_,
_C:_ A Valediction. _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec:_ Vpon
the partinge from his Mistris. _O'F_, _S96:_ To his love upon
his departure from her. _JC:_ Elegie. _L74_, _P:_ _also in
Walton's_ Life of Donne (1675)]
[4 The breath goes now, _1633-54, and all the MSS.:_ Now his
breath goes, _1669_, _Chambers_
no: _Ed:_ no. _1633-54:_ No; _1669_]
[30 the other] my other _Walton_]
[31 It] Thine _Walton_]
[32 that] mine _Walton_]
[34 runne; _Ed:_ runne. _1633-69_]
[35 circle] circles _1639-54_]
[36 makes me] me to _Walton_]
_The Extasie._
Where, like a pillow on a bed,
A Pregnant banke swel'd up, to rest
The violets reclining head,
Sat we two, one anothers best.
Our hands were firmely cimented 5
With a fast balme, which thence did spring,
Our eye-beames twisted, and did thred
Our eyes, upon one double string;
So to'entergraft our hands, as yet
Was all the meanes to make us one, 10
And pictures in our eyes to get
Was all our propagation.
As 'twixt two equall Armies, Fate
Suspends uncertaine victorie,
Our soules, (which to advance their state, 15
Were gone out,) hung 'twixt her, and mee.
And whil'st our soules negotiate there,
Wee like sepulchrall statues lay;
All day, the same our postures were,
And wee said nothing, all the day. 20
If any, so by love refin'd,
That he soules language understood,
And by good love were growen all minde,
Within convenient distance stood,
He (though he knew not which soule spake, 25
Because both meant, both spake the same)
Might thence a new concoction take,
And part farre purer then he came.
This Extasie doth unperplex
(We said) and tell us what we love, 30
Wee see by this, it was not sexe,
Wee see, we saw not what did move:
But as all severall soules containe
Mixture of things, they know not what,
Love, these mixt soules, doth mixe againe, 35
And makes both one, each this and that.
A single violet transplant,
The strength, the colour, and the size,
(All which before was poore, and scant,)
Redoubles still, and multiplies. 40
When love, with one another so
Interinanimates two soules,
That abler soule, which thence doth flow,
Defects of lonelinesse controules.
Wee then, who are this new soule, know, 45
Of what we are compos'd, and made,
For, th'Atomies of which we grow,
Are soules, whom no change can invade.
But O alas, so long, so farre
Our bodies why doe wee forbeare? 50
They are ours, though they are not wee, Wee are
The intelligences, they the spheare.
We owe them thankes, because they thus,
Did us, to us, at first convay,
Yeelded their forces, sense, to us, 55
Nor are drosse to us, but allay.
On man heavens influence workes not so,
But that it first imprints the ayre,
Soe soule into the soule may flow,
Though it to body first repaire. 60
As our blood labours to beget
Spirits, as like soules as it can,
Because such fingers need to knit
That subtile knot, which makes us man:
So must pure lovers soules descend 65
T'affections, and to faculties,
Which sense may reach and apprehend,
Else a great Prince in prison lies.
To'our bodies turne wee then, that so
Weake men on love reveal'd may looke; 70
Loves mysteries in soules doe grow,
But yet the body is his booke.
And if some lover, such as wee,
Have heard this dialogue of one,
Let him still marke us, he shall see 75
Small change, when we'are to bodies gone.
[The Extasie. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ Extasie. _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 reclining _1633-54:_ declining _1669_]
[4 best. _Ed:_ best; _1633-54_
Sate we on one anothers breasts. _1669_]
[6 With _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_P_, _S_, _TC:_ By _1635-69_, _Chambers_]
[8 string; _Ed:_ string, _1633-69_]
[9 to'entergraft _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S_, _TC:_ to engraft _1635-69_, _A25_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_]
[11 in _1633-69_, _P:_ on _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
[15 their _1633 and most MSS.:_ our _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_]
[18 lay; _Ed:_ lay, _1633-69_]
[25 knew _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_N_, _P_, _TC:_ knowes _1633_, _D_, _Lec_]
[29 doth] do _1669_]
[31 sexe, _1669:_ sexe _1633-54_]
[42 Interinanimates _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Interanimates _1633-69_, _D_, _Lec_]
[44 loneliness] loveliness _1669_]
[46 made, _1633-39:_ made: _1650-69_]
[47 Atomies _1633-54:_ Atomes _1669_]
[48 are soules, _1633_, _1669:_ are soule, _1635-54_]
[51 though they are not _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ though not
_1633-69_]
[52 spheare. _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ spheares. _1633-69_]
[55 forces, sense, _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ senses force _1633-69_]
[59 Soe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _JC_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TC:_ For _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[64 makes] make _1635-39_]
[72 his] the _1669_]
[76 gone. _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_O'F_, _S_, _TC:_ growne. _1635-69_, _P_, _S96_]
_Loves Deitie._
I long to talke with some old lovers ghost,
Who dyed before the god of Love was borne:
I cannot thinke that hee, who then lov'd most,
Sunke so low, as to love one which did scorne.
But since this god produc'd a destinie, 5
And that vice-nature, custome, lets it be;
I must love her, that loves not mee.
Sure, they which made him god, meant not so much,
Nor he, in his young godhead practis'd it;
But when an even flame two hearts did touch, 10
His office was indulgently to fit
Actives to passives. Correspondencie
Only his subject was; It cannot bee
Love, till I love her, that loves mee.
But every moderne god will now extend 15
His vast prerogative, as far as Jove.
To rage, to lust, to write to, to commend,
All is the purlewe of the God of Love.
Oh were wee wak'ned by this Tyrannie
To ungod this child againe, it could not bee 20
I should love her, who loves not mee.
Rebell and Atheist too, why murmure I,
As though I felt the worst that love could doe?
Love might make me leave loving, or might trie
A deeper plague, to make her love mee too, 25
Which, since she loves before, I'am loth to see;
Falshood is worse then hate; and that must bee,
If shee whom I love, should love mee.
[Loves Deitie. _1633-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ Elegye. _P_]
[8 much, _1639-69:_ much: _1633:_ much? _1635_]
[9 it; _Ed:_ it. _1633-69_]
[13 subject] _Subject 1669_]
[14 Love, ... mee. _1633_, _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H40_ (who), _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _S_ (lov'd), _TCD:_
Love, if I love, who loves not me. _1635-54_, _O'F_]
[19 Oh ... wak'ned] Were we not weak'ned _1669_]
[21 That I should love, who loves not me. _A18_, _A25_, _C_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TC:_ _O'F reads as these but alters to as in printed edd._]
[24 might make _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ may make _1633-69_,
_Lec_]
[26 Which,] Which _1633_]
_Loves diet._
To what a combersome unwieldinesse
And burdenous corpulence my love had growne,
But that I did, to make it lesse,
And keepe it in proportion,
Give it a diet, made it feed upon 5
That which love worst endures, _discretion_.
Above one sigh a day I'allow'd him not,
Of which my fortune, and my faults had part;
And if sometimes by stealth he got
A she sigh from my mistresse heart, 10
And thought to feast on that, I let him see
'Twas neither very sound, nor meant to mee.
If he wroung from mee'a teare, I brin'd it so
With scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;
If he suck'd hers, I let him know 15
'Twas not a teare, which hee had got,
His drinke was counterfeit, as was his meat;
For, eyes which rowle towards all, weepe not, but sweat.
What ever he would dictate, I writ that,
But burnt my letters; When she writ to me, 20
And that that favour made him fat,
I said, if any title bee
Convey'd by this, Ah, what doth it availe,
To be the fortieth name in an entaile?
Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flye 25
At what, and when, and how, and where I chuse;
Now negligent of sport I lye,
And now as other Fawkners use,
I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe:
And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe. 30
[Loves diet. _1633-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_ (_torn
out of TCD_): Amoris Dieta. _S96_]
[12 mee. _Ed:_ mee; _1633-35:_ mee: _1639-69_]
[18 For,] Her _1669_]
[19 Whatever ... that, _1633-39_, _1669:_ Whate'er might him
distast I still writ that, _1650-54:_ Whatsoever hee would
distast I writt that, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[20 But burnt my letters; When she writ to me, _1633:_ But
burnt her letters when she writ to me, _1635:_ But burnt her
letters when she writ to me; _1639-54_, _Chambers:_ But burnt
my letters which she writ to me; _1669_]
[21 that that _1633:_ if that _1635-69_. _See note_]
[24 name] man _1669_]
[25 reclaim'd _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCC:_ redeem'd _1633_, _Lec_]
[26 chuse] chose _1669_]
[27 sport _1635-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC:_ sports, _1633_]
[30 and _1633 and most MSS.:_ or _1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _S_]
_The Will._
Before I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,
Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeath
Mine eyes to _Argus_, if mine eyes can see,
If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;
My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares; 5
To women or the sea, my teares.
Thou, Love, hast taught mee heretofore
By making mee serve her who'had twenty more,
That I should give to none, but such, as had too much before.
My constancie I to the planets give; 10
My truth to them, who at the Court doe live;
Mine ingenuity and opennesse,
To Jesuites; to Buffones my pensivenesse;
My silence to'any, who abroad hath beene;
My mony to a Capuchin. 15
Thou Love taught'st me, by appointing mee
To love there, where no love receiv'd can be,
Onely to give to such as have an incapacitie.
My faith I give to Roman Catholiques;
All my good works unto the Schismaticks 20
Of Amsterdam; my best civility
And Courtship, to an Universitie;
My modesty I give to souldiers bare;
My patience let gamesters share.
Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee 25
Love her that holds my love disparity,
Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.
I give my reputation to those
Which were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;
To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse; 30
My sicknesse to Physitians, or excesse;
To Nature, all that I in Ryme have writ;
And to my company my wit.
Thou Love, by making mee adore
Her, who begot this love in mee before, 35
Taughtst me to make, as though I gave, when I did but restore.
To him for whom the passing bell next tolls,
I give my physick bookes; my writen rowles
Of Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;
My brazen medals, unto them which live 40
In want of bread; To them which passe among
All forrainers, mine English tongue.
Thou, Love, by making mee love one
Who thinkes her friendship a fit portion
For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion. 45
Therefore I'll give no more; But I'll undoe
The world by dying; because love dies too.
Then all your beauties will bee no more worth
Then gold in Mines, where none doth draw it forth;
And all your graces no more use shall have 50
Then a Sun dyall in a grave.
Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee
Love her, who doth neglect both mee and thee,
To'invent, and practise this one way, to'annihilate all three.
[The Will. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ A Will. _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _M_, _O'F_, _P:_ Loves Will. _L74:_
Loves Legacies. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_ (_torn out of TCD_), _S:_
Testamentum. _S96:_ His Last Will and Testament. _JC_]
[2 Here I _1633-54:_ I here _1669_, _Chambers_]
[6 teares. _Ed:_ teares; _1633-69_]
[8 serve her] love her _1669_]
[10 give; _Ed:_ give, _1633-69_]
[10-27 _These stanzas printed without a break, 1669_]
[14 hath] have _1669_]
[18 an incapacitie.] no good Capacity. _1669_]
[19-27 _omitted_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_ (_added later_), _Lec_, _M_ (_added later_), _N_,
_P_, _TCC:_ _given in O'F_, _S_, _and all editions_]
[33 wit. _Ed:_ wit; _1633-69_]
[34 Love, _1650-69:_ love, _1633-39_]
[36 did _1633 and MSS.:_ do _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[45 gifts _1633-35_, _1669:_ gift _1639-54_]
[46 more; But _1633:_ more, but _1635-69_]
[49-51 forth; ... grave. _1669:_ forth ... grave, _1633-39 by
interchange:_ forth ... grave. _1650-54_]
[54 all three. _1633-39_, three _being below the line in 1633
and above in 1635-39:_ al. three _1650-54_, _the full stop
having fallen from_ three _to_ all _below it:_ annihilate
thee. _1669_]
_The Funerall._
Who ever comes to shroud me, do not harme
Nor question much
That subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;
The mystery, the signe you must not touch,
For 'tis my outward Soule, 5
Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,
Will leave this to controule,
And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.
For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall
Through every part, 10
Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;
These haires which upward grew, and strength and art
Have from a better braine,
Can better do'it; Except she meant that I
By this should know my pain, 15
As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.
What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,
For since I am
Loves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,
If into others hands these Reliques came; 20
As'twas humility
To afford to it all that a Soule can doe,
So,'tis some bravery,
That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.
[The Funerall. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 which ... arme;] about mine arm; _1669_]
[6 then to _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ unto _1633-69_]
[12 These _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _S_ (The),
_S96_, _TC:_ Those _1633-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_ grew, _1633-39:_
grow, _1650-69_]
[16 condemn'd] condem'nd _1633_]
[17 with me, _1635-69 and MSS.:_ by me, _1633_]
[24 save _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC:_
have _1633-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _om. S_]
_The Blossome._
Little think'st thou, poore flower,
Whom I have watch'd sixe or seaven dayes,
And seene thy birth, and seene what every houre
Gave to thy growth, thee to this height to raise,
And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough, 5
Little think'st thou
That it will freeze anon, and that I shall
To morrow finde thee falne, or not at all.
Little think'st thou poore heart
That labour'st yet to nestle thee, 10
And think'st by hovering here to get a part
In a forbidden or forbidding tree,
And hop'st her stiffenesse by long siege to bow:
Little think'st thou,
That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake, 15
Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.
But thou which lov'st to bee
Subtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,
Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?
Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay: 20
You goe to friends, whose love and meanes present
Various content
To your eyes, eares, and tongue, and every part.
If then your body goe, what need you a heart?
Well then, stay here; but know, 25
When thou hast stayd and done thy most;
A naked thinking heart, that makes no show,
Is to a woman, but a kinde of Ghost;
How shall shee know my heart; or having none,
Know thee for one? 30
Practise may make her know some other part,
But take my word, shee doth not know a Heart.
Meet mee at London, then,
Twenty dayes hence, and thou shalt see
Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men, 35
Then if I had staid still with her and thee.
For Gods sake, if you can, be you so too:
I would give you
There, to another friend, whom wee shall finde
As glad to have my body, as my minde. 40
[The Blossome. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_, _A25_]
[9-13 poore heart ... bow:] _in brackets 1650-69_]
[10 labour'st _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ labourest _1635-69:_ labours
_1633_]
[15 that Sunne _1633:_ the Sunne _1635-69_]
[18 wilt] will _1669_]
[23 tongue _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ _om. S:_ tast _1633-69_]
[24 need you a heart? _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ need you have a heart? _JC:_ need
your heart? _1633-69_]
[38 I would _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC:_ I will _1633-69_, _Lec_]
_The Primrose, being at Montgomery Castle, upon the hill, on which it
is situate._
Vpon this Primrose hill,
Where, if Heav'n would distill
A shoure of raine, each severall drop might goe
To his owne primrose, and grow Manna so;
And where their forme, and their infinitie 5
Make a terrestriall Galaxie,
As the small starres doe in the skie:
I walke to finde a true Love; and I see
That'tis not a mere woman, that is shee,
But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee. 10
Yet know I not, which flower
I wish; a sixe, or foure;
For should my true-Love lesse then woman bee,
She were scarce any thing; and then, should she
Be more then woman, shee would get above 15
All thought of sexe, and thinke to move
My heart to study her, and not to love;
Both these were monsters; Since there must reside
Falshood in woman, I could more abide,
She were by art, then Nature falsify'd. 20
Live Primrose then, and thrive
With thy true number five;
And women, whom this flower doth represent,
With this mysterious number be content;
Ten is the farthest number; if halfe ten 25
Belonge unto each woman, then
Each woman may take halfe us men;
Or if this will not serve their turne, Since all
Numbers are odde, or even, and they fall
First into this, five, women may take us all. 30
[The Primrose. _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ The Primrose, being at _&c._
_1635-69_]
[16 sexe, _1633:_ sexe; _1635-69_]
[17 and not] and _om. 1635-39, A18, N, S, TC_]
[23 women] woman _Chambers_]
[25 number; _Ed:_ number, _1633-69_]
[26 Belonge _all the MSS.:_ Belongs _1633-69_. _See note_]
[27 men; _Ed:_ men, _1633-39:_ men: _1650-69_]
[28 their _1633-39:_ the _1650-69_]
[29 and _1633:_ since _1635-69_]
[30 this, _Ed:_ this _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ _om. 1635-69, O'F, Chambers_]
_The Relique._
When my grave is broke up againe
Some second ghest to entertaine,
(For graves have learn'd that woman-head
To be to more then one a Bed)
And he that digs it, spies 5
A bracelet of bright haire about the bone,
Will he not let'us alone,
And thinke that there a loving couple lies,
Who thought that this device might be some way
To make their soules, at the last busie day, 10
Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?
If this fall in a time, or land,
Where mis-devotion doth command,
Then, he that digges us up, will bring
Us, to the Bishop, and the King, 15
To make us Reliques; then
Thou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and I
A something else thereby;
All women shall adore us, and some men;
And since at such time, miracles are sought, 20
I would have that age by this paper taught
What miracles wee harmelesse lovers wrought.
First, we lov'd well and faithfully,
Yet knew not what wee lov'd, nor why,
Difference of sex no more wee knew, 25
Then our Guardian Angells doe;
Comming and going, wee
Perchance might kisse, but not between those meales;
Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,
Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free: 30
These miracles wee did; but now alas,
All measure, and all language, I would passe,
Should I tell what a miracle shee was.
[The Relique. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title, A25_]
[13 mis-devotion _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ mass-devotion
_1669_, _Chambers_]
[15 and _1633-54 and MSS.:_ or _1669_, _Chambers_]
[17 Thou shalt be] You shal be _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_S_. _See note_]
[20 time] times _JC_, _O'F_]
[21 have that age] that age were _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[25-26 Difference ... doe, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
Difference of Sex we never knew,
No more then Guardian Angells do, _1635-69:_
Difference of Sex we never knew,
More then our Guardian Angells do. _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_ (No more then our _&c._ _B_,
_S96_)]
[26 doe; _Ed:_ doe, _1633-69_]
[27 wee _Ed:_ wee, _1633-69_]
[28 not] yet _1669_
meales; _Ed:_ meales. _1633:_ meales _1635-69, following some
copies of 1633_]
[30 sets] set _1669_ free: _1650-69:_ free, _1633-39_]
_The Dampe._
When I am dead, and Doctors know not why,
And my friends curiositie
Will have me cut up to survay each part,
When they shall finde your Picture in my heart,
You thinke a sodaine dampe of love 5
Will through all their senses move,
And worke on them as mee, and so preferre
Your murder, to the name of Massacre.
Poore victories! But if you dare be brave,
And pleasure in your conquest have, 10
First kill th'enormous Gyant, your _Disdaine_,
And let th'enchantresse _Honor_, next be slaine,
And like a Goth and Vandall rize,
Deface Records, and Histories
Of your owne arts and triumphs over men, 15
And without such advantage kill me then.
For I could muster up as well as you
My Gyants, and my Witches too,
Which are vast _Constancy_, and _Secretnesse_,
But these I neyther looke for, nor professe; 20
Kill mee as Woman, let mee die
As a meere man; doe you but try
Your passive valor, and you shall finde than,
In that you'have odds enough of any man.
[The Dampe. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[4 When] And _1669_
my _1633-39:_ mine _1650-69_]
[9 victories! _1650-69:_ victories; _1633-39_]
[10 your] the _1669_
conquest] conquests _JC_]
[13 and Vandall _1633-54_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ or Vandall _1669_,
_Chambers_]
[15 arts] acts _1669_, _JC_]
[20 professe; _Ed:_ professe, _1633-69_]
[24 In that _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Naked _1635-69_, _B_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_]
_The Dissolution._
Shee'is dead; And all which die
To their first Elements resolve;
And wee were mutuall Elements to us,
And made of one another.
My body then doth hers involve, 5
And those things whereof I consist, hereby
In me abundant grow, and burdenous,
And nourish not, but smother.
My fire of Passion, sighes of ayre,
Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire, 10
Which my materialls bee,
But neere worne out by loves securitie,
Shee, to my losse, doth by her death repaire,
And I might live long wretched so
But that my fire doth with my fuell grow. 15
Now as those Active Kings
Whose foraine conquest treasure brings,
Receive more, and spend more, and soonest breake:
This (which I am amaz'd that I can speake)
This death, hath with my store 20
My use encreas'd.
And so my soule more earnestly releas'd,
Will outstrip hers; As bullets flowen before
A latter bullet may o'rtake, the pouder being more.
[The Dissolution. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[10 earthly _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ earthy _1635-69_]
[12 neere _1635-69_ (But ... securitie _bracketed 1669_): ne'r
_1633_]
[24 latter] later _1669_]
_A Ieat Ring Sent._
Thou art not so black, as my heart,
Nor halfe so brittle, as her heart, thou art;
What would'st thou say? shall both our properties by thee bee spoke,
Nothing more endlesse, nothing sooner broke?
Marriage rings are not of this stuffe; 5
Oh, why should ought lesse precious, or lesse tough
Figure our loves? Except in thy name thou have bid it say,
I'am cheap, and nought but fashion, fling me'away.
Yet stay with mee since thou art come,
Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe. 10
Be justly proud, and gladly safe, that thou dost dwell with me,
She that, Oh, broke her faith, would soon breake thee.
[A Ieat Ring sent. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
To a Jeat Ring sent to me. _W_ (_among the_ Epigrams)]
[7 loves] love _O'F_ say, _Ed:_ say _1633-69_]
_Negative love._
I never stoop'd so low, as they
Which on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,
Seldome to them, which soare no higher
Then vertue or the minde to'admire,
For sense, and understanding may 5
Know, what gives fuell to their fire:
My love, though silly, is more brave,
For may I misse, when ere I crave,
If I know yet, what I would have.
If that be simply perfectest 10
Which can by no way be exprest
But _Negatives_, my love is so.
To All, which all love, I say no.
If any who deciphers best,
What we know not, our selves, can know, 15
Let him teach mee that nothing; This
As yet my ease, and comfort is,
Though I speed not, I cannot misse.
[Negative love. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Negative
Love: or the Nothing. _O'F:_ The Nothing. _A25_, _C_]
[4 to'admire, _1633-39:_ to'admire; _1650-69_]
[5 For] Both _A25_, _C_]
[11 way] means _1669_, _O'F_]
[16 nothing; _1633:_ nothing. _1635-69_]
_The Prohibition._
Take heed of loving mee,
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wast
Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,
By being to thee then what to me thou wast; 5
But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,
Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,
If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.
Take heed of hating mee,
Or too much triumph in the Victorie. 10
Not that I shall be mine owne officer,
And hate with hate againe retaliate;
But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
Then, least my being nothing lessen thee, 15
If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.
Yet, love and hate mee too,
So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;
Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;
Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee; 20
Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;
So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,
_To let mee live, O love and hate mee too._
[The Prohibition. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S96:_
_in B first two verses headed_ J. D., _last verse_ T. R.: _in
A18_, _N_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD the last stanza is omitted_]
[3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast,
_1669_]
[5 By ... wast; _Ed:_ By ... wast, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_,
_H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_, _S96_ (mee _for_ thee _B_, _P_): By
being to mee then that which thou wast; _1633:_ _om._ _A18_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_]
[18 neithers _Ed:_ neythers _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC:_ neyther
_O'F_, _RP31:_ neyther their _Cy:_ ne'r their _1633-69_, _B_]
[20 thy _1635-69:_ my _1633_ (thy _in some copies_)]
[22 I, live, _Ed:_ I live _1633-69_
Stage, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _O'F:_ stay, _1633_, _JC:_
staye, _D_, _H49_
not] and _H40_]
[23-4
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe
_To let mee live, Oh_ (of _in some copies_)
_love and hate mee too._
_1633_, _B_
Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoe
_O let me live, yet love and hate me too._
_1635-54_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_ (_MSS.
omitting first_ thou _and some with_ Oh _for_ yet)
Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,
_O let me live, yet love and hate me too._
_1669_.]
_The Expiration._
So, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,
Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,
Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,
And let our selves benight our happiest day,
We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we owe 5
Any, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;
Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,
Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.
Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,
And a just office on a murderer doe. 10
Except it be too late, to kill me so,
Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.
[The Expiration. _1633-69:_ An Expiration. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ Valediction. _B:_ Valedictio. _O'F:_ Valedictio Amoris.
_S:_ Valedico. _P:_ _no title_, _A25_, _C_, _JC_]
[1 So, so,] So, go _1669_]
[5 ask'd _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_ _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_
aske _1633-69_, _P_, _S_]
[9 Oh, _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _TC:_ Or, _1635-69_,
_B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
_The Computation._
For the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,
I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,
For forty more, I fed on favours past,
And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.
Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two, 5
A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,
Or not divide, all being one thought of you;
Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.
Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I
Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die? 10
[The Computation. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_]
[1 For _1633-54:_ From _1669_
the _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ my _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_,
_Chambers_]
[3 For] And _1669_]
[6 One thousand I did think nothing nor doe, _S_, _O'F_
(nothing think) doe, _1635-69:_ doe. _1633_]
[7 divide, _1633_, _1669:_ deem'd, _1635-54_, _O'F_]
[8 a] one _O'F_, _S:_ _line dropped_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_
forgot] forget _1669_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
_The Paradox._
No Lover saith, I love, nor any other
Can judge a perfect Lover;
Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agree
That any loves but hee:
I cannot say I lov'd, for who can say 5
Hee was kill'd yesterday?
Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,
Death kills with too much cold;
Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,
Hee that saith twice, doth lye: 10
For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,
It doth the sense beguile.
Such life is like the light which bideth yet
When the lights life is set,
Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter 15
Leaves behinde, two houres after.
Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now become
Mine Epitaph and Tombe.
Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;
Love-slaine, loe, here I lye. 20
[The Paradox. _1635-69_: _no title_, _1633_, _A18_, _H40_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_ _TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 can, nor will agree _A18_, _H40_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_:
can or will agree, _1633-69_]
[6 yesterday?] yesterday. _1633-39_]
[14 lights life _H40_, _L74_, _RP31_, _S:_ lifes light
_1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]
[15 which _Ed:_ which, _1633-69_]
[17 lov'd _A18_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC:_ love
_1633-69_
dy'd] dyed _1633-69_]
[20 lye. _H40_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96:_ dye. _1633-69_, _A18_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
_Farewell to Love._
Whilst yet to prove,
I thought there was some Deitie in love
So did I reverence, and gave
Worship; as Atheists at their dying houre
Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power, 5
As ignorantly did I crave:
Thus when
Things not yet knowne are coveted by men,
Our desires give them fashion, and so
As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow. 10
But, from late faire
His hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,
Is not lesse cared for after three dayes
By children, then the thing which lovers so
Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe; 15
Being had, enjoying it decayes:
And thence,
What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,
And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde
A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde. 20
Ah cannot wee,
As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,
After such pleasures? Unlesse wise
Nature decreed (since each such Act, they say,
Diminisheth the length of life a day) 25
This, as shee would man should despise
The sport;
Because that other curse of being short,
And onely for a minute made to be,
(Eagers desire) to raise posterity. 30
Since so, my minde
Shall not desire what no man else can finde,
I'll no more dote and runne
To pursue things which had indammag'd me.
And when I come where moving beauties be, 35
As men doe when the summers Sunne
Growes great,
Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;
Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,
'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile. 40
[Farewell to love. _1635-69_ (_following_ Soules joy: _p._
429), _O'F_, _S96_]
[4 Worship; _Ed:_ Worship, _1635-69_]
[10 sise, _1635-69_, _O'F:_ rise _S96_]
[23 pleasures? _Ed:_ pleasures, _1635-69_]
[26 This, _Ed:_ This; _1635-69_]
[27 sport; _Ed:_ sport, _1635-69_]
[29 to be, _Ed:_ to be _1635-69_]
[30 (Eagers desire) _Ed:_ Eager, desires _1635-69_. _See
note_]
[36 summers _1635-69:_ summer _1650-1669_]
_A Lecture upon the Shadow._
Stand still, and I will read to thee
A Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.
These three houres that we have spent,
Walking here, Two shadowes went
Along with us, which we our selves produc'd; 5
But, now the Sunne is just above our head,
We doe those shadowes tread;
And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadowes, flow, 10
From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.
That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.
Except our loves at this noone stay,
We shall new shadowes make the other way. 15
As the first were made to blinde
Others; these which come behinde
Will worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.
If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;
To me thou, falsly, thine, 20
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadowes weare away,
But these grow longer all the day,
But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.
Love is a growing, or full constant light; 25
And his first minute, after noone, is night.
[A Lecture _&c._ _1650-69:_ Lecture _&c_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ Song. _1635-39_ (_following_ Dear Love continue: _p._
412): The Shadowe. _O'F_, _P:_ Shadowe. _S96:_ Loves Lecture.
_S:_ Loves Lecture upon the Shaddow. _L74:_ Loves Philosophy.
_JC:_ _no title_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[4 Walking _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC:_ In walking _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S96_
here, _1719:_ here; _1635-39:_ here: _1650-69_]
[9 loves _1635-54_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ love _1669_, _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_]
[12 high'st] least _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_]
[14 loves _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ love _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[19 If our loves faint _1635-69_, _A25_, _O'F_ (love), _P_,
_S96_ (love), _TC:_ If once love faint _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _S_]
[26 first _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ short _1635-69_]
_Sonnet. The Token._
Send me some token, that my hope may live,
Or that my easelesse thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,
That in my passion I may hope the best.
I beg noe ribbond wrought with thine owne hands, 5
To knit our loves in the fantastick straine
Of new-toucht youth; nor Ring to shew the stands
Of our affection, that as that's round and plaine,
So should our loves meet in simplicity;
No, nor the Coralls which thy wrist infold, 10
Lac'd up together in congruity,
To shew our thoughts should rest in the same hold;
No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,
And most desir'd, because best like the best;
Nor witty Lines, which are most copious, 15
Within the Writings which thou hast addrest.
Send me nor this, nor that, t'increase my store,
But swear thou thinkst I love thee, and no more.
[Sonnet. The Token. _1649-69_ (_following_ Vpon Mr. Thomas
Coryats Crudities. _at close of_ Epicedes): Ad Lesbiam. _S96_:
_no title_, _B_, _Cy_: Sonnet. _O'F_: Elegie. _P_]
[1 token _B_, _O'F_, _S96_: Tokens _1650-69_, _P_]
[4 passion _S96_: passions _1650-69_, _B_, _P_]
[5 noe _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ nor _1650-69_]
[9 simplicity; _Ed:_ simplicity. _1650-69_]
[11 in _1650-69:_ with _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[12 hold; _Ed:_ hold. _1650-69_]
[14 desir'd because ... best; _B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ desired
'cause 'tis like thee best; _1650-54:_ desired 'cause 'tis
like the best; _1669_, _Chambers_]
[17 store, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ score, _1650-69_]
<_Selfe Love._>
He that cannot chuse but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move;
For he loves 'gaynst his will;
Nor he which is all his own, 5
And can att pleasure chuse,
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire,
For such by all are sought; 10
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his Judgement then is nought:
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
Nor a fool, for when others..., 15
He can neither....
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore:
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
Within, shee's worth no more. 20
Is there then no kinde of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.
[ _title given by Chambers:_ _no title, 1650-69_
(_in appendix_), _JC_, _O'F_]
[4 'gaynst _JC_, _O'F:_ against _1650-69_]
[6 And can ... chuse, _JC:_ And cannot pleasure chuse,
_1650-69:_ And can all pleasures chuse, _O'F_]
[11 foul ones] fouleness _O'F_]
[14 slave; _1719:_ slave _1650-69_]
[15 fool, _1719:_ fool _1650-69_]
[17 payes, _JC_, _O'F:_ prays, _1650-69_]
[19 payes not,] payes, not, _1650-69_]
[20 Within, _Ed:_ Within _1650-69_]
_The end of the Songs and Sonets._
* * * * *
EPIGRAMS.
_Hero_ and _Leander_.
Both rob'd of aire, we both lye in one ground,
Both whom one fire had burnt, one water drownd.
[Hero and Leander. _1633-69_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_,
_TCD_, _W_]
_Pyramus_ and _Thisbe_.
Two, by themselves, each other, love and feare
Slaine, cruell friends, by parting have joyn'd here.
[Pyramus and Thisbe. _1633-69_, _A18_, _Cy_, _HN_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[1: feare] feare, _Chambers, and Grolier_ (_which drops all
the other commas_)]
_Niobe._
By childrens births, and death, I am become
So dry, that I am now mine owne sad tombe.
[Niobe. _1633-69_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[2: mine owne sad tombe. _1633-69:_ mine owne tombe. _A18_,
_N_, _TC:_ made mine owne tombe. _HN_, _W_]
_A burnt ship._
Out of a fired ship, which, by no way
But drowning, could be rescued from the flame,
Some men leap'd forth, and ever as they came
Neere the foes ships, did by their shot decay;
So all were lost, which in the ship were found,
They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drown'd.
[A burnt ship. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Nave arsa.
_W:_ De Nave arsa. _O'F_. _See note_]
_Fall of a wall._
Vnder an undermin'd, and shot-bruis'd wall
A too-bold Captaine perish'd by the fall,
Whose brave misfortune, happiest men envi'd,
That had a towne for tombe, his bones to hide.
[Fall of a wall. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Caso
d'un muro. _O'F_, _W_]
[4 towne _1633 and MSS.:_ towre _1635-69_
bones _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ corpse _B_, _HN_, _O'F_,
_W_]
_A lame begger._
I am unable, yonder begger cries,
To stand, or move; if he say true, hee _lies_.
[A lame begger. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ A beggar. _HN:_
_no title_, _P:_ Zoppo. _O'F_, _W_]
_Cales_ and _Guyana_.
If you from spoyle of th'old worlds farthest end
To the new world your kindled valors bend,
What brave examples then do prove it trew
That one things end doth still beginne a new.
[Cales and Guyana. _O'F:_ Calez _&c._ _W:_ _first printed in
Gosse's_ Life and Letters of John Donne (1899)]
_Sir Iohn Wingefield._
Beyond th'old Pillers many have travailed
Towards the Suns cradle, and his throne, and bed:
A fitter Piller our Earle did bestow
In that late Island; for he well did know
Farther then Wingefield no man dares to goe.
[Sir Iohn Wingefield. _Ed:_ Il Cavalliere Gio: Wingef: _W:_
On Cavallero Wingfield. _O'F:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life
and Letters of John Donne (1899)]
[2 throne _W:_ grave _O'F_]
[4 late _W:_ Lady _O'F_]
_A selfe accuser._
Your mistris, that you follow whores, still taxeth you:
'Tis strange that she should thus confesse it, though'it be true.
[A selfe accuser. _1633-69:_ A Mistrisse. _HN:_ _no title_,
_B_, _O'F_, _W_]
[2 that] _om._ _HN_, _O'F_, _W_
thus] _om._ _HN_, _O'F_, _W_
it] _om._ _HN_, _O'F_]
_A licentious person._
Thy sinnes and haires may no man equall call,
For, as thy sinnes increase, thy haires doe fall.
[A licentious person. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
Whore. _HN:_ _no title_, _O'F_, _RP31_, _W_]
[1 Thy] His _and so throughout_, _RP31_]
_Antiquary._
If in his Studie he hath so much care
To'hang all old strange things, let his wife beware.
[Antiquary. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _P_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_
Hammon. _HN:_ _no title_, _Bur_, _Cy_, _O'F:_ Epigram. _S96_]
[1 he hath so much _1633-69:_ he have such _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
Hamon hath such _B_, _Cy_, _HN_ (have), _O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[2 strange _om._ _B_, _HN_, _O'F_ all _om. Bur_]
_Disinherited._
Thy father all from thee, by his last Will,
Gave to the poore; Thou hast good title still.
[Disinherited. _1633-69:_ One disinherited. _HN:_ _no title_,
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _W_]
[1 Will, _Ed:_ Will _1633-69_]
_Phryne._
Thy flattering picture, _Phryne_, is like thee,
Onely in this, that you both painted be.
[Phryne. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_,
_O'F_]
[1 like thee,] like to thee, _1650-69_]
_An obscure writer._
_Philo_, with twelve yeares study, hath beene griev'd
To be understood; when will hee be beleev'd?
[An obscure writer. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _O'F_]
[1 griev'd _Ed:_ griev'd, _1633-69_]
[2 To be _Ed:_ To'be _1633-69_
understood; _Ed:_ understood, _1633-69_
beleev'd?] beleev'd. _1633_]
_Klockius._
_Klockius_ so deeply hath sworne, ne'r more to come
In bawdie house, that hee dares not goe home.
[Klockius. _HN:_ _no title_, _1633-69_, _Bur_, _O'F_]
[1 _Klockius_] Rawlings _Bur_]
[2 In bawdie] In a bawdie _HN_]
_Raderus._
Why this man gelded _Martiall_ I muse,
Except himselfe alone his tricks would use,
As _Katherine_, for the Courts sake, put downe Stewes.
[Raderus. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCD:_ Randerus. _TCC:_
Martial: castrat_us_. _W_]
[1 _Martiall_ I muse, _1633-54:_ _Martiall_, I amuse, _1669_]
_Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus._
Like _Esops_ fellow-slaves, O _Mercury_,
Which could do all things, thy faith is; and I
Like _Esops_ selfe, which nothing; I confesse
I should have had more faith, if thou hadst lesse;
Thy credit lost thy credit: 'Tis sinne to doe,
In this case, as thou wouldst be done unto,
To beleeve all: Change thy name: thou art like
_Mercury_ in stealing, but lyest like a _Greeke_.
[Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[8 but lyest _1633-69:_ and lyest _B_, _W_]
_Ralphius._
Compassion in the world againe is bred:
_Ralphius_ is sick, the broker keeps his bed.
[Ralphius. _HN:_ _no title_, _1633-69_, _O'F_]
_The Lier._
Thou in the fields walkst out thy supping howers,
And yet thou swear'st thou hast supp'd like a king:
Like Nebuchadnezar perchance with grass and flowers,
A sallet worse then Spanish dieting.
[The Lier. _HN:_ _no title_, _B_, _Bur_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_,
_W_]
[2 swear'st _HN_, _W:_ say'st _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_]
[3 grass] hearbes _Bur_
supp'd like] supp'd and like _HN_]
ELEGIES.
ELEGIE I.
_Iealosie._
Fond woman, which would'st have thy husband die,
And yet complain'st of his great jealousie;
If swolne with poyson, hee lay in' his last bed,
His body with a sere-barke covered,
Drawing his breath, as thick and short, as can 5
The nimblest crocheting Musitian,
Ready with loathsome vomiting to spue
His Soule out of one hell, into a new,
Made deafe with his poore kindreds howling cries,
Begging with few feign'd teares, great legacies, 10
Thou would'st not weepe, but jolly,'and frolicke bee,
As a slave, which to morrow should be free;
Yet weep'st thou, when thou seest him hungerly
Swallow his owne death, hearts-bane jealousie.
O give him many thanks, he'is courteous, 15
That in suspecting kindly warneth us.
Wee must not, as wee us'd, flout openly,
In scoffing ridles, his deformitie;
Nor at his boord together being fatt,
With words, nor touch, scarce lookes adulterate. 20
Nor when he swolne, and pamper'd with great fare,
Sits downe, and snorts, cag'd in his basket chaire,
Must wee usurpe his owne bed any more,
Nor kisse and play in his house, as before.
Now I see many dangers; for that is 25
His realme, his castle, and his diocesse.
But if, as envious men, which would revile
Their Prince, or coyne his gold, themselves exile
Into another countrie,'and doe it there,
Wee play'in another house, what should we feare? 30
There we will scorne his houshold policies,
His seely plots, and pensionary spies,
As the inhabitants of Thames right side
Do Londons Major; or Germans, the Popes pride.
[Elegie I. Iealosie. _1635-54:_ Elegie I. _1633 and 1669:_
_no title or_ Elegie (_numbered variously, according to scheme
adopted_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[1 woman,] woman _1633_]
[4 sere-barke _1633-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_W:_ sere-cloth _1669_, _D_, _P:_ sore barke _A18_, _A25_,
_JC_, _N_, _TC_]
[10 few] some few _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[12 free; _Ed:_ free, _1633-69:_ free. _D_]
[16 us. _1633-35:_ us, _1639-69_]
[21 great _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_ high _1669_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ his
_Cy_
fare, _Ed:_ fare _1633-69_]
[25 Now ... dangers;] Now do I see my danger; _1669_
that _all MSS.:_ it _1633-69_]
[26 diocesse] Diocys _D:_ Diocis _W_]
[27-29 (as envious ... do it there,) _1669_]
[30 another] anothers _1669_ We into some third place retired
were _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[34 Major; _1650-54:_ Major, _1633-39:_ Mayor; _1669_]
ELEGIE II.
_The Anagram._
Marry, and love thy _Flavia_, for, shee
Hath all things, whereby others beautious bee,
For, though her eyes be small, her mouth is great,
Though they be Ivory, yet her teeth be jeat,
Though they be dimme, yet she is light enough, 5
And though her harsh haire fall, her skinne is rough;
What though her cheeks be yellow, her haire's red,
Give her thine, and she hath a maydenhead.
These things are beauties elements, where these
Meet in one, that one must, as perfect, please. 10
If red and white and each good quality
Be in thy wench, ne'r aske where it doth lye.
In buying things perfum'd, we aske; if there
Be muske and amber in it, but not where.
Though all her parts be not in th'usuall place, 15
She'hath yet an Anagram of a good face.
If we might put the letters but one way,
In the leane dearth of words, what could wee say?
When by the Gamut some Musitions make
A perfect song, others will undertake, 20
By the same Gamut chang'd, to equall it.
Things simply good, can never be unfit.
She's faire as any, if all be like her,
And if none bee, then she is singular.
All love is wonder; if wee justly doe 25
Account her wonderfull, why not lovely too?
Love built on beauty, soone as beauty, dies,
Chuse this face, chang'd by no deformities.
Women are all like Angels; the faire be
Like those which fell to worse; but such as shee, 30
Like to good Angels, nothing can impaire:
'Tis lesse griefe to be foule, then to have beene faire.
For one nights revels, silke and gold we chuse,
But, in long journeyes, cloth, and leather use.
Beauty is barren oft; best husbands say, 35
There is best land, where there is foulest way.
Oh what a soveraigne Plaister will shee bee,
If thy past sinnes have taught thee jealousie!
Here needs no spies, nor eunuches; her commit
Safe to thy foes; yea, to a Marmosit. 40
When Belgiaes citties, the round countries drowne,
That durty foulenesse guards, and armes the towne:
So doth her face guard her; and so, for thee,
Which, forc'd by businesse, absent oft must bee,
Shee, whose face, like clouds, turnes the day to night, 45
Who, mightier then the sea, makes Moores seem white,
Who, though seaven yeares, she in the Stews had laid,
A Nunnery durst receive, and thinke a maid,
And though in childbeds labour she did lie,
Midwifes would sweare, 'twere but a tympanie, 50
Whom, if shee accuse her selfe, I credit lesse
Then witches, which impossibles confesse,
Whom Dildoes, Bedstaves, and her Velvet Glasse
Would be as loath to touch as Joseph was:
One like none, and lik'd of none, fittest were, 55
For, things in fashion every man will weare.
[Eleg. II. The Anagram. _1635-54:_ Elegie II. _1633_, _1669:_
Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[4 they] theirs _1669_, _S96_
teeth be _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec:_ teeth are _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_, _W_]
[6 hair fall] hair's foul _1669_
is rough _1633_, _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_ is tough
_1635-54_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]
[16 an Anagram] the Anagrams _1669_]
[18 the _1633:_ that _1635-69_
words _1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_TC:_ letters _D_, _Cy_, _H49_, _W_]
[22 unfit. _D:_ unfit; _1633-69_]
[28 deformities.] deformities; _1633_]
[29 faire] fairer _S_, _S96_]
[35 say,] say, _1633_]
[37 bee,] bee _1633_]
[41-2 When Belgiaes ... towne: _1633-54:_ Like Belgia's cities
when the Country is drown'd, That ... towns; _1669:_ Like
Belgia's cities the round country drowns, That ... towns,
_Chambers:_ _MSS._ _agree with 1633-54_, _but before_
countries _read variously_ round (_A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_), lowe
(_B_), foul (_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _which read_ country drowns
... towns)]
[49 childbeds _1633-54_, _Lec_, _W:_ childbirths _1669_,
_A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC_]
[52 confesse, _Ed:_ confesse. _1633-69_]
[53-4 Whom ... Joseph was: _1669 and all MSS_ [or a Velvet
_1669_]: _om._ _1633-54_]
ELEGIE III.
_Change._
Although thy hand and faith, and good workes too,
Have seal'd thy love which nothing should undoe,
Yea though thou fall backe, that apostasie
Confirme thy love; yet much, much I feare thee.
Women are like the Arts, forc'd unto none, 5
Open to'all searchers, unpriz'd, if unknowne.
If I have caught a bird, and let him flie,
Another fouler using these meanes, as I,
May catch the same bird; and, as these things bee,
Women are made for men, not him, nor mee. 10
Foxes and goats; all beasts change when they please,
Shall women, more hot, wily, wild then these,
Be bound to one man, and did Nature then
Idly make them apter to'endure then men?
They'are our clogges, not their owne; if a man bee 15
Chain'd to a galley, yet the galley'is free;
Who hath a plow-land, casts all his seed corne there,
And yet allowes his ground more corne should beare;
Though Danuby into the sea must flow,
The sea receives the Rhene, Volga, and Po. 20
By nature, which gave it, this liberty
Thou lov'st, but Oh! canst thou love it and mee?
Likenesse glues love: and if that thou so doe,
To make us like and love, must I change too?
More then thy hate, I hate'it, rather let mee 25
Allow her change, then change as oft as shee,
And soe not teach, but force my'opinion
To love not any one, nor every one.
To live in one land, is captivitie,
To runne all countries, a wild roguery; 30
Waters stincke soone, if in one place they bide,
And in the vast sea are more putrifi'd:
But when they kisse one banke, and leaving this
Never looke backe, but the next banke doe kisse,
Then are they purest; Change'is the nursery 35
Of musicke, joy, life, and eternity.
[Eleg. III. Change. _1635-54:_ Elegie III. _1633_, _1669:_
_no title or_ Elegye (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[1 workes] word _1669_]
[4 Confirme] Confirms _1669_, _A25_, _L74_, _P_]
[5 Women] Women, _1633_
forc'd unto none] forbid to none _B_]
[8 these _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ those _1669_, _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_]
[11 Foxes and goats; all beasts _1633-54:_ Foxes, goats and
all beasts _1669_]
[13 did] bid _1669_]
[17 a plow-land] plow-lands _P_]
[18 corne] seed _P_]
[20 Rhene,] Rhine, _1669_
Po. _1633:_ Po, _1635-69_]
[21 liberty _1633:_ libertie. _1635-69_]
[23 and ... doe,] then if so thou do, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W_]
[24 like _i.e._ alike _as in A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[31 bide] abide _1669_]
[32 more putrifi'd _1633-39:_ more purifi'd _1650-54:_ worse
purifi'd _1669:_ worse putrifi'd _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ worst
putrifi'd _B_, _H49_, _JC_]
ELEGIE IV.
_The Perfume._
Once, and but once found in thy company,
All thy suppos'd escapes are laid on mee;
And as a thiefe at barre, is question'd there
By all the men, that have beene rob'd that yeare,
So am I, (by this traiterous meanes surpriz'd) 5
By thy Hydroptique father catechiz'd.
Though he had wont to search with glazed eyes,
As though he came to kill a Cockatrice,
Though hee hath oft sworne, that hee would remove
Thy beauties beautie, and food of our love, 10
Hope of his goods, if I with thee were seene,
Yet close and secret, as our soules, we'have beene.
Though thy immortall mother which doth lye
Still buried in her bed, yet will not dye,
Takes this advantage to sleepe out day-light, 15
And watch thy entries, and returnes all night,
And, when she takes thy hand, and would seeme kind,
Doth search what rings, and armelets she can finde,
And kissing notes the colour of thy face,
And fearing least thou'art swolne, doth thee embrace; 20
To trie if thou long, doth name strange meates,
And notes thy palenesse, blushing, sighs, and sweats;
And politiquely will to thee confesse
The sinnes of her owne youths ranke lustinesse;
Yet love these Sorceries did remove, and move 25
Thee to gull thine owne mother for my love.
Thy little brethren, which like Faiery Sprights
Oft skipt into our chamber, those sweet nights,
And kist, and ingled on thy fathers knee,
Were brib'd next day, to tell what they did see: 30
The grim eight-foot-high iron-bound serving-man,
That oft names God in oathes, and onely than,
He that to barre the first gate, doth as wide
As the great Rhodian Colossus stride,
Which, if in hell no other paines there were, 35
Makes mee feare hell, because he must be there:
Though by thy father he were hir'd to this,
Could never witnesse any touch or kisse.
But Oh, too common ill, I brought with mee
That, which betray'd mee to my enemie: 40
A loud perfume, which at my entrance cryed
Even at thy fathers nose, so were wee spied.
When, like a tyran King, that in his bed
Smelt gunpowder, the pale wretch shivered.
Had it beene some bad smell, he would have thought 45
That his owne feet, or breath, that smell had wrought.
But as wee in our Ile emprisoned,
Where cattell onely,'and diverse dogs are bred,
The pretious Vnicornes, strange monsters call,
So thought he good, strange, that had none at all. 50
I taught my silkes, their whistling to forbeare,
Even my opprest shoes, dumbe and speechlesse were,
Onely, thou bitter sweet, whom I had laid
Next mee, mee traiterously hast betraid,
And unsuspected hast invisibly 55
At once fled unto him, and staid with mee.
Base excrement of earth, which dost confound
Sense, from distinguishing the sicke from sound;
By thee the seely Amorous sucks his death
By drawing in a leprous harlots breath; 60
By thee, the greatest staine to mans estate
Falls on us, to be call'd effeminate;
Though you be much lov'd in the Princes hall,
There, things that seeme, exceed substantiall;
Gods, when yee fum'd on altars, were pleas'd well 65
Because you'were burnt, not that they lik'd your smell;
You'are loathsome all, being taken simply alone,
Shall wee love ill things joyn'd, and hate each one?
If you were good, your good doth soone decay;
And you are rare, that takes the good away. 70
All my perfumes, I give most willingly
To'embalme thy fathers corse; What? will hee die?
[Eleg. IV. The Perfume. _1635-54:_ Elegie IV. _1633_, _1669:_
Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _C_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_,
_W:_ Discovered by a Perfume. _B:_ _no title_, _Cy_, _HN_]
[2 suppos'd escapes] supposed scapes _1669_, _P_]
[4 By] For _P_]
[7-8 _1635-69 and MSS._ _generally:_ _om._ _1633_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_]
[9 hath] have _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_]
[15 Takes] Take _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_]
[21 To trie _&c._ _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _S_ (dost long): And to
trie _&c._ _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_
(longest), _TC_
meates, _1635-69:_ meates. _1633_]
[22 blushing _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _TC:_ blushes
_1669:_ blushings _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_P_, _W_]
[29 ingled] dandled _1669_]
[30 see: _1635-69:_ see. _1633_]
[31 grim eight-foot-high iron-bound _Ed:_
grim-eight-foot-high-iron-bound _1633-69_]
[37 to _1633-69:_ for _MSS._]
[38 kisse.] kisse; _1633_]
[40 my _1633:_ mine _1635-69_]
[44 Smelt] Smells _1669_ shivered. _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ shivered; _1633-69:_ shivered, _Chambers and
Grolier. See note_]
[46 that smell] the smell _1669_]
[49 monsters _Ed:_ monsters, _1633-69_]
[50 good,] sweet _1669_]
[53 bitter sweet, _1633-39:_ bitter-sweet, _1650-69_]
[60 breath; _1650-69:_ breath, _1633-39_]
[64 substantiall; _Ed:_ substantiall. _1633-69_]
[66 you'were] you'er _1669_
smell; _1635-39:_ smell, _1633_, _1669:_ smel _1650-54_]
[71 All] And _Chambers_]
ELEGIE V.
_His Picture._
Here take my Picture; though I bid farewell,
Thine, in my heart, where my soule dwels, shall dwell.
'Tis like me now, but I dead, 'twill be more
When wee are shadowes both, then'twas before.
When weather-beaten I come backe; my hand, 5
Perhaps with rude oares torne, or Sun beams tann'd,
My face and brest of hairecloth, and my head
With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread,
My body'a sack of bones, broken within,
And powders blew staines scatter'd on my skinne; 10
If rivall fooles taxe thee to'have lov'd a man,
So foule, and course, as, Oh, I may seeme than,
This shall say what I was: and thou shalt say,
Doe his hurts reach mee? doth my worth decay?
Or doe they reach his judging minde, that hee 15
Should now love lesse, what hee did love to see?
That which in him was faire and delicate,
Was but the milke, which in loves childish state
Did nurse it: who now is growne strong enough
To feed on that, which to disused tasts seemes tough. 20
[Eleg. V. His Picture. _1635-54:_ Elegie V. _1633_, _1669:_
Elegye. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_
The Picture. _P:_ Travelling he leaves his Picture with his
mystris. _B_]
[1 Picture; ... farewell, _Ed:_ Picture, ... farewell; _1633:_
_rest semicolon or colon after each_]
[8 With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread, _1633_,
_A18_, _N_, _TC:_ With cares rash, cruel, sudden storms
o'erspread _P:_ With cares rash-sudden cruel-storms o'erprest
_B:_ With cares rash sudden storms o'erpressed _S_, _S96:_
With cares rash sudden storms o'erspread _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec:_ With cares rash sodaine horiness o'erspread _A25_,
_JC_, _W:_ With cares harsh sodaine horinesse o'rspread,
_1635-69_, _O'F_]
[16 now love lesse, _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ like and love
less _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _W_]
[19 nurse] nourish _A18_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_
strong] tough _P_]
[20 disused _Ed:_ disus'd _1633-39_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ weake _1650-69_
tough.] rough. _P_]
ELEGIE VI.
Oh, let mee not serve so, as those men serve
Whom honours smoakes at once fatten and sterve;
Poorely enrich't with great mens words or lookes;
Nor so write my name in thy loving bookes
As those Idolatrous flatterers, which still 5
Their Princes stiles, with many Realmes fulfill
Whence they no tribute have, and where no sway.
Such services I offer as shall pay
Themselves, I hate dead names: Oh then let mee
Favorite in Ordinary, or no favorite bee. 10
When my Soule was in her owne body sheath'd,
Nor yet by oathes betroth'd, nor kisses breath'd
Into my Purgatory, faithlesse thee,
Thy heart seem'd waxe, and steele thy constancie:
So, carelesse flowers strow'd on the waters face, 15
The curled whirlepooles suck, smack, and embrace,
Yet drowne them; so, the tapers beamie eye
Amorously twinkling, beckens the giddie flie,
Yet burnes his wings; and such the devill is,
Scarce visiting them, who are intirely his. 20
When I behold a streame, which, from the spring,
Doth with doubtfull melodious murmuring,
Or in a speechlesse slumber, calmely ride
Her wedded channels bosome, and then chide
And bend her browes, and swell if any bough 25
Do but stoop downe, or kisse her upmost brow;
Yet, if her often gnawing kisses winne
The traiterous banke to gape, and let her in,
She rusheth violently, and doth divorce
Her from her native, and her long-kept course, 30
And rores, and braves it, and in gallant scorne,
In flattering eddies promising retorne,
She flouts the channell, who thenceforth is drie;
Then say I; that is shee, and this am I.
Yet let not thy deepe bitternesse beget 35
Carelesse despaire in mee, for that will whet
My minde to scorne; and Oh, love dull'd with paine
Was ne'r so wise, nor well arm'd as disdaine.
Then with new eyes I shall survay thee,'and spie
Death in thy cheekes, and darknesse in thine eye. 40
Though hope bred faith and love; thus taught, I shall
As nations do from Rome, from thy love fall.
My hate shall outgrow thine, and utterly
I will renounce thy dalliance: and when I
Am the Recusant, in that resolute state, 45
What hurts it mee to be'excommunicate?
[Eleg. VI. _1635-69:_ Elegie VII. _1633_ (Elegie VI. _being_
Sorrow who to this house _&c._ _See_ Epicedes _&c._, _p._
287): Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[2 fatten] flatter _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _TC_]
[3 or] and _A18_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_]
[6 stiles, _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ style _A25_, _O'F_,
_S_, _Chambers and Grosart_
with _all MSS., Chambers and Grosart:_ which (_probably by
confusion of_ w^{ch} _and_ w^{th}) _1633-69_
Realmes] names _1669_]
[7 where] bear _1669_]
[14 constancie: _1635-69:_ constancie. _1633_]
[24 then _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_
there _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_TC_, _Chambers_]
[26 upmost _1633 and most MSS:_ utmost _1635-69_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_ brow; _Ed:_ brow: _1633-39:_ brow. _1650-69_]
[28 banke _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_ banks
_1633-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_]
[33 the _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ her _1635-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_
who _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _JC_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ which _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[37 Oh,] Ah, _1669_]
[39 thee,'] _om. 1669_]
[40 eye. _Ed:_ eye; _1633-54:_ eye: _1669:_ eye, _Chambers_]
[41 Though ... love; _1633:_ Though ... breed ... love:
_1635-39:_ Though ... breed ... love _1650-69_ (Through ...
_1669_)]
[42 fall. _1633-35:_ fall _1639-69_]
[43 outgrow] o'ergrow _Cy_, _P_]
ELEGIE VII.
Natures lay Ideot, I taught thee to love,
And in that sophistrie, Oh, thou dost prove
Too subtile: Foole, thou didst not understand
The mystique language of the eye nor hand:
Nor couldst thou judge the difference of the aire 5
Of sighes, and say, this lies, this sounds despaire:
Nor by the'eyes water call a maladie
Desperately hot, or changing feaverously.
I had not taught thee then, the Alphabet
Of flowers, how they devisefully being set 10
And bound up, might with speechlesse secrecie
Deliver arrands mutely, and mutually.
Remember since all thy words us'd to bee
To every suitor; _I_, _if my friends agree_;
Since, household charmes, thy husbands name to teach, 15
Were all the love trickes, that thy wit could reach;
And since, an houres discourse could scarce have made
One answer in thee, and that ill arraid
In broken proverbs, and torne sentences.
Thou art not by so many duties his, 20
That from the worlds Common having sever'd thee,
Inlaid thee, neither to be seene, nor see,
As mine: who have with amorous delicacies
Refin'd thee'into a blis-full Paradise.
Thy graces and good words my creatures bee; 25
I planted knowledge and lifes tree in thee,
Which Oh, shall strangers taste? Must I alas
Frame and enamell Plate, and drinke in Glasse?
Chafe waxe for others seales? breake a colts force
And leave him then, beeing made a ready horse? 30
[Elegie VII. _1635-69:_ Elegie VIII. _1633:_ Elegye.
(_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[2 Oh, ... prove] Oh, how ... prove _1669_]
[6 despaire: _1635-69:_ despaire. _1633_]
[7 call _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_ (_corrected from_ know), _P_, _TC_,
_W:_ know _1635-69:_ cast _S_, _Chambers and Grosart_]
[10 they devisefully being set] their devise in being set
_Cy_, _P_]
[12 arrands _1633:_ errands _1635-69:_ meet errands _B_]
[14 _agree_; _Ed:_ _agree_. _1633-69_]
[21-2 That ... nor see,] _in brackets 1669_]
[24 Paradise] paradise _1633_]
[25 words _1633-54_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_W:_ works _1669_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _TC_
bee; _Ed:_ bee, _1633-69_]
[26 thee, _1633:_ thee: _1635-69_]
[28 Glasse? _Ed:_ glasse. _1633-69_]
ELEGIE VIII.
_The Comparison._
As the sweet sweat of Roses in a Still,
As that which from chaf'd muskats pores doth trill,
As the Almighty Balme of th'early East,
Such are the sweat drops of my Mistris breast,
And on her her skin such lustre sets, 5
They seeme no sweat drops, but pearle coronets.
Ranke sweaty froth thy Mistresse's brow defiles,
Like spermatique issue of ripe menstruous boiles,
Or like the skumme, which, by needs lawlesse law
Enforc'd, Sanserra's starved men did draw 10
From parboild shooes, and bootes, and all the rest
Which were with any soveraigne fatnes blest,
And like vile lying stones in saffrond tinne,
Or warts, or wheales, they hang upon her skinne.
Round as the world's her head, on every side, 15
Like to the fatall Ball which fell on Ide,
Or that whereof God had such jealousie,
As, for the ravishing thereof we die.
Thy _head_ is like a rough-hewne statue of jeat,
Where marks for eyes, nose, mouth, are yet scarce set; 20
Like the first Chaos, or flat seeming face
Of Cynthia, when th'earths shadowes her embrace.
Like Proserpines white beauty-keeping chest,
Or Joues best fortunes urne, is her faire brest.
Thine's like worme eaten trunkes, cloth'd in seals skin, 25
Or grave, that's dust without, and stinke within.
And like that slender stalke, at whose end stands
The wood-bine quivering, are her armes and hands.
Like rough bark'd elmboughes, or the russet skin
Of men late scurg'd for madnes, or for sinne, 30
Like Sun-parch'd quarters on the citie gate,
Such is thy tann'd skins lamentable state.
And like a bunch of ragged carrets stand
The short swolne fingers of thy gouty hand.
Then like the Chymicks masculine equall fire, 35
Which in the Lymbecks warme wombe doth inspire
Into th'earths worthlesse durt a soule of gold,
Such cherishing heat her best lov'd part doth hold.
Thine's like the dread mouth of a fired gunne,
Or like hot liquid metalls newly runne 40
Into clay moulds, or like to that Ætna
Where round about the grasse is burnt away.
Are not your kisses then as filthy, and more,
As a worme sucking an invenom'd sore?
Doth not thy fearefull hand in feeling quake, 45
As one which gath'ring flowers, still feares a snake?
Is not your last act harsh, and violent,
As when a Plough a stony ground doth rent?
So kisse good Turtles, so devoutly nice
Are Priests in handling reverent sacrifice, 50
And such in searching wounds the Surgeon is
As wee, when wee embrace, or touch, or kisse.
Leave her, and I will leave comparing thus,
She, and comparisons are odious.
[Eleg. VIII. The Comparison. _1635-54:_ Elegie VIII. _1669:_
Elegie. _1633:_ Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_,
_B_, _C_, _Cy_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]
[2 muskats] muskets _1669_]
[4 breast, _1635-69:_ breast. _1633_]
[5 _Ed: necke 1633-69 and MSS. See note_]
[6 coronets. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ carcanets. _A25_, _C_, _JC_, _S_, _W:_
carolettes. _P_]
[8 boiles, _Ed:_ boiles. _1633-69:_ _in MSS. generally spelt
as pronounced_, biles _or_ byles]
[13 vile lying stones _1635-54 and MSS.:_ vile stones lying
_1633_, _1669_]
[14 they hang _A18_, _B_, _JC_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_
(_altered to_ it), _S_, _TC_, _W:_ it hangs _1633-69_]
[19 a] _om._ _1635-39_]
[26 grave] grav'd _1669_
dust _1633-69_, _W:_ durt _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S_, _TC_]
[28 hands. _W:_ hands, _1633-69_]
[34 thy gouty hand. _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W_ (hand; _1635-69_): her gouty
hand; _1633_, _JC_, _S:_ thy mistress hand; _1669_]
[37 durt _1635-69:_ part _1633_, _from next line_]
[46 feares] fear'd _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W_]
[48 when _1635-69 and MSS.:_ where _1633_]
[50 Are Priests ... sacrifice,] A Priest is in his handling
Sacrifice, _1669_]
[51 such _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ nice _1633-69_]
ELEGIE IX.
_The Autumnall_
No _Spring_, nor _Summer_ Beauty hath such grace,
As I have seen in one _Autumnall_ face.
Yong _Beauties_ force our love, and that's a _Rape_,
This doth but _counsaile_, yet you cannot scape.
If t'were a _shame_ to love, here t'were no _shame_, 5
_Affection_ here takes _Reverences_ name.
Were her first yeares the _Golden Age_; That's true,
But now shee's _gold_ oft tried, and ever new.
That was her torrid and inflaming time,
This is her tolerable _Tropique clyme_. 10
Faire eyes, who askes more heate then comes from hence,
He in a fever wishes pestilence.
Call not these wrinkles, _graves_; If _graves_ they were,
They were _Loves graves_; for else he is no where.
Yet lies not Love _dead_ here, but here doth sit 15
Vow'd to this trench, like an _Anachorit_.
And here, till hers, which must be his _death_, come,
He doth not digge a _Grave_, but build a _Tombe_.
Here dwells he, though he sojourne ev'ry where,
In _Progresse_, yet his standing house is here. 20
Here, where still _Evening_ is; not _noone_, nor _night_;
Where no _voluptuousnesse_, yet all _delight_.
In all her words, unto all hearers fit,
You may at _Revels_, you at _Counsaile_, sit.
This is loves timber, youth his under-wood; 25
There he, as wine in _Iune_, enrages blood,
Which then comes seasonabliest, when our tast
And appetite to other things, is past.
_Xerxes_ strange _Lydian_ love, the _Platane_ tree,
Was lov'd for age, none being so large as shee, 30
Or else because, being yong, nature did blesse
Her youth with ages glory, _Barrennesse_.
If we love things long sought, _Age_ is a thing
Which we are fifty yeares in compassing.
If transitory things, which soone decay, 35
_Age_ must be lovelyest at the latest day.
But name not _Winter-faces_, whose skin's slacke;
Lanke, as an unthrifts purse; but a soules sacke;
Whose _Eyes_ seeke light within, for all here's shade;
Whose _mouthes_ are holes, rather worne out, then made; 40
Whose every tooth to a severall place is gone,
To vexe their soules at _Resurrection_;
Name not these living _Deaths-heads_ unto mee,
For these, not _Ancient_, but _Antique_ be.
I hate extreames; yet I had rather stay 45
With _Tombs_, then _Cradles_, to weare out a day.
Since such loves naturall lation is, may still
My love descend, and journey downe the hill,
Not panting after growing beauties, so,
I shall ebbe out with them, who home-ward goe. 50
[Eleg. IX. The Autumnall. _1635-54:_ Elegie. The Autumnall.
_1633:_ Elegie IX. _1669:_ Elegie. _A18, N, TCC, TCD:_ Elegie
Autumnall. _D, H40, H49, JC, Lec:_ An autumnall face: On the
Ladie S^r Edward Herbart mothers Ladie Danvers. _B:_ On the
Lady Herbert afterwards Danvers. _O'F:_ Widdow. _M_, _P:_ A
Paradox of an ould Woman. _S:_ Elegie Autumnall on the Lady
Shandoys. _S96: no title, L74_]
[1 _Summer 1633: Summers 1635-69_]
[2 face. _Ed:_ face, _1633-69_]
[3 our love, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S:_ our Loves, _1669:_
your love, _1635-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]
[6 _Affection_ ... takes _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ _Affections_
... take _1633-69_, _JC_, _O'F_]
[8 shee's _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_
they'are _1633_]
[10 tolerable _1633_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S:_ habitable
_1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[14 for _1633:_ or _1635-69_]
[15 Love] love _1633_]
[22 Where] Where's _O'F_, _S_]
[23 unto all] to all her _P_]
[24 _Counsaile_, _Ed:_ _counsaile_, _1633-54:_ _counsails_
_1669_]
[26 enrages] bringes _D_, _H49:_ breeds _Lec_]
[27 seasonabliest, _1633:_ seasonablest, _1635-69_]
[28 past.] past; _1633_]
[30 large _1633:_ old _1635-69_]
[37 not] noe _several MSS._]
[38 soules sacke; _1633_, _1669_, _and MSS.:_ fooles sack;
_1635-54_]
[40 made; _Ed:_ made _1633-54:_ made, _1669_]
[42 their soules] the soul _1669_]
[43 _Deaths-heads_ _1633:_ _Death-heads_ _1635-69_,
_Chambers:_ death-shades _H40_]
[44 _Ancient, ... Antique_ _1633_, _1669_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_
Ancients, ... Antiques _1635-54_, _B_, _O'F_, _S:_ ancient ...
antiques _A18_, _A25_, _H40_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _TC_
be. _Ed:_ be; _1633_]
[46 a] the _1669_, _M_, _P_]
[47 naturall lation _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_ (_sometimes thus_,
natural-lation): motion naturall _1633:_ naturall station
_1635-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_]
[50 ebbe out _1633:_ ebbe on _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _TC_]
ELEGIE X.
_The Dreame._
Image of her whom I love, more then she,
Whose faire impression in my faithfull heart,
Makes mee her _Medall_, and makes her love mee,
As Kings do coynes, to which their stamps impart
The value: goe, and take my heart from hence, 5
Which now is growne too great and good for me:
_Honours_ oppresse weake spirits, and our sense
Strong objects dull; the more, the lesse wee see.
When you are gone, and _Reason_ gone with you,
Then _Fantasie_ is Queene and Soule, and all; 10
She can present joyes meaner then you do;
Convenient, and more proportionall.
So, if I dreame I have you, I have you,
For, all our joyes are but fantasticall.
And so I scape the paine, for paine is true; 15
And sleepe which locks up sense, doth lock out all.
After a such fruition I shall wake,
And, but the waking, nothing shall repent;
And shall to love more thankfull Sonnets make,
Then if more _honour_, _teares_, and _paines_ were spent. 20
But dearest heart, and dearer image stay;
Alas, true joyes at best are _dreame_ enough;
Though you stay here you passe too fast away:
For even at first lifes _Taper_ is a snuffe.
Fill'd with her love, may I be rather grown 25
Mad with much _heart_, then _ideott_ with none.
[Eleg. X. The Dreame. _1635-54:_ Elegie X. _1669:_ Elegie.
_1633:_ Picture. _S96:_ Elegie. _or no title_, _A18_, _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_]
[7 sense] sense, _1633_]
[8 dull; _1635-69:_ dull, _1633_]
[16 out] up _B_, _P_, _S_]
[17 a such _1633-54:_ such a _1669_]
[22 _dreame_] _dreams_ _1669_]
ELEGIE XI.
_The Bracelet._
_Vpon the losse of his Mistresses Chaine, for which he made
satisfaction._
Not that in colour it was like thy haire,
For Armelets of that thou maist let me weare:
Nor that thy hand it oft embrac'd and kist,
For so it had that good, which oft I mist:
Nor for that silly old moralitie, 5
That as these linkes were knit, our love should bee:
Mourne I that I thy seavenfold chaine have lost;
Nor for the luck sake; but the bitter cost.
O, shall twelve righteous Angels, which as yet
No leaven of vile soder did admit; 10
Nor yet by any way have straid or gone
From the first state of their Creation;
Angels, which heaven commanded to provide
All things to me, and be my faithfull guide;
To gaine new friends, t'appease great enemies; 15
To comfort my soule, when I lie or rise;
Shall these twelve innocents, by thy severe
Sentence (dread judge) my sins great burden beare?
Shall they be damn'd, and in the furnace throwne,
And punisht for offences not their owne? 20
They save not me, they doe not ease my paines,
When in that hell they'are burnt and tyed in chains.
Were they but Crownes of France, I cared not,
For, most of these, their naturall Countreys rot
I think possesseth, they come here to us, 25
So pale, so lame, so leane, so ruinous;
And howsoe'r French Kings most Christian be,
Their Crownes are circumcis'd most Iewishly.
Or were they Spanish Stamps, still travelling,
That are become as Catholique as their King, 30
Those unlickt beare-whelps, unfil'd pistolets
That (more than Canon shot) availes or lets;
Which negligently left unrounded, looke
Like many angled figures, in the booke
Of some great Conjurer that would enforce 35
Nature, as these doe justice, from her course;
Which, as the soule quickens head, feet and heart,
As streames, like veines, run through th'earth's every part,
Visit all Countries, and have slily made
Gorgeous _France_, ruin'd, ragged and decay'd; 40
_Scotland_, which knew no State, proud in one day:
And mangled seventeen-headed _Belgia_.
Or were it such gold as that wherewithall
Almighty _Chymiques_ from each minerall,
Having by subtle fire a soule out-pull'd; 45
Are dirtely and desperately gull'd:
I would not spit to quench the fire they'are in,
For, they are guilty of much hainous Sin.
But, shall my harmlesse angels perish? Shall
I lose my guard, my ease, my food, my all? 50
Much hope which they should nourish will be dead,
Much of my able youth, and lustyhead
Will vanish; if thou love let them alone,
For thou wilt love me lesse when they are gone;
And be content that some lowd squeaking Cryer 55
Well-pleas'd with one leane thred-bare groat, for hire,
May like a devill roare through every street;
And gall the finders conscience, if they meet.
Or let mee creepe to some dread Conjurer,
That with phantastique scheames fils full much paper; 60
Which hath divided heaven in tenements,
And with whores, theeves, and murderers stuft his rents,
So full, that though hee passe them all in sinne,
He leaves himselfe no roome to enter in.
But if, when all his art and time is spent, 65
Hee say 'twill ne'r be found; yet be content;
Receive from him that doome ungrudgingly,
Because he is the mouth of destiny.
Thou say'st (alas) the gold doth still remaine,
Though it be chang'd, and put into a chaine; 70
So in the first falne angels, resteth still
Wisdome and knowledge; but,'tis turn'd to ill:
As these should doe good works; and should provide
Necessities; but now must nurse thy pride.
And they are still bad angels; Mine are none; 75
For, forme gives being, and their forme is gone:
Pitty these Angels; yet their dignities
Passe Vertues, Powers, and Principalities.
But, thou art resolute; Thy will be done!
Yet with such anguish, as her onely sonne 80
The Mother in the hungry grave doth lay,
Vnto the fire these Martyrs I betray.
Good soules, (for you give life to every thing)
Good Angels, (for good messages you bring)
Destin'd you might have beene to such an one, 85
As would have lov'd and worship'd you alone:
One that would suffer hunger, nakednesse,
Yea death, ere he would make your number lesse.
But, I am guilty of your sad decay;
May your few fellowes longer with me stay. 90
But ô thou wretched finder whom I hate
So, that I almost pitty thy estate:
Gold being the heaviest metal amongst all,
May my most heavy curse upon thee fall:
Here fetter'd, manacled, and hang'd in chains, 95
First mayst thou bee; then chaind to hellish paines;
Or be with forraine gold brib'd to betray
Thy Countrey, and faile both of that and thy pay.
May the next thing thou stoop'st to reach, containe
Poyson, whose nimble fume rot thy moist braine; 100
Or libels, or some interdicted thing,
Which negligently kept, thy ruine bring.
Lust-bred diseases rot thee; and dwell with thee
Itching desire, and no abilitie.
May all the evils that gold ever wrought; 105
All mischiefes that all devils ever thought;
Want after plenty; poore and gouty age;
The plagues of travellers; love; marriage
Afflict thee, and at thy lives last moment,
May thy swolne sinnes themselves to thee present. 110
But, I forgive; repent thee honest man:
Gold is Restorative, restore it then:
But if from it thou beest loath to depart,
Because 'tis cordiall, would twere at thy heart.
[Elegie XI. _&c._ _Ed.:_ Eleg. XII. The Bracelet. _&c._ _1635_
(Eleg. XI. _being_ Death, _for which see p._ 284): Eleg. XII.
Vpon _&c._ _1639-54_ (Eleg. IV. _1650-54, a misprint_): Elegie
XII. _1669:_ Elegie (_numbered variously_). The Bracelett.
_or_ The Chaine. _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W_]
[2 For ... weare:] Armelets of that thou maist still let me
weare: _1669_]
[6 were knit, _1635-69:_ are knit _Cy:_ are tyde _A25_, _D_,
_H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _R212_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_
were tyde _L74_
love] loves _1669_]
[11 way _1635-69:_ taynt _S96_, _O'F_, _W:_ taynts _B:_ fault
_A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_,
_TCD_]
[15 great] old _1669_]
[16 rise; _Ed:_ rise. _1635-69_]
[22 chains. _Ed.:_ chains: _1635-69_]
[24 these _1635-54:_ them _1669_
their naturall Countreys _Cy_, _O'F:_ their Countreys naturall
_1635-54_, _P:_ their naturall Countrey _1669, and rest of
MSS._]
[26 ruinous; _Ed:_ ruinous. _1635-69_]
[28 Iewishly. _Ed:_ Iewishly; _1635-69_]
[35 great] dread _1669_]
[36 course; _Ed:_ course. _1635-69_]
[38 streames, _Ed:_ streames _1635-69_]
[40 ruin'd, ragged and decay'd; _1669, and MSS., but end stop
varies:_ ruin'd: ragged and decay'd _1635:_ ruin'd: ragged and
decay'd, _1639-54_]
[42 _Belgia._ _Ed:_ _Belgia:_ _1635-69_]
[45 soule] Mercury _B_]
[47 they'are in, _1635-69:_ therein, _Cy_, _P:_ they were in,
_rest of MSS._]
[51 dead, _Ed:_ dead. _1635-69_]
[52 lustyhead _Ed:_ lusty head _1635-69_]
[53 vanish; _Ed:_ vanish, _1635-69_
if thou love let them alone, _1635-39:_ if thou Love let them
alone, _1650-69:_ if thou, Love, let them alone; _Grolier_
(_conjecturing_ atone)]
[54-5 gone; And _Ed:_ gone, And _1635-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ gone.
Oh, _rest of MSS._]
[58 conscience, if they meet. _1669 and MSS.:_ conscience, if
hee meet. _1635-54_, _JC_, _L74_, _P_]
[60 scheames _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_
scenes _1635-69_, _Cy_, _L74_, _P_, _TCD_]
[63 passe] place _1669_]
[65 _new par. 1635-69_ But _1635-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ And _rest of
MSS._]
[66 yet _1635-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ Oh _rest of MSS._]
[67 that _1635-54_, _Cy_, _P:_ the _1669 and rest of MSS._]
[70 chaine; _Ed:_ chaine, _1635-69_]
[74 pride. _Ed:_ pride, _1635-69_]
[76 being, _Ed:_ being: _1635-69_]
[77 Angels; yet _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ Angels
yet; _1635-69_, _W_]
[79 done! _Ed:_ done; _1635-39:_ done: _1650-54:_ done?
_1669_]
[90 few fellowes] few-fellowes _1635-69_]
[92 So, that _1635-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ So much that _A25_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_ (as), _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_ (as), _TCD_,
_W_ (as): So much _B_
estate] state _D_, _H49_, _&c._]
[93 metal amongst all,] amongst metals all, _1669_, _Cy_]
[95 Here] Her _1639_]
[98 that _MSS.:_ it _1635-69_
thy] _om. 1669_]
[104 Itching] Itchy _MSS._]
[105 evils that gold ever _1635-69_, _P:_ hurt that ever gold
hath _rest of MSS._]
[106 mischiefes _all MSS.:_ mischiefe _1635-69_]
[108 love; marriage _1635-54_, _Cy_, _P:_ love and marriage
_1669_, _and rest of MSS._]
[109 at] that _1669_]
[110 thee] thou _1669_]
[113 But if from it ... depart, _1635-54_, _Cy_, _P:_ But if
that from it ... part, _1669:_ Or if with it ... depart _rest
of MSS._]
ELEGIE XII.
_His parting from her._
Since she must go, and I must mourn, come Night,
Environ me with darkness, whilst I write:
Shadow that hell unto me, which alone
I am to suffer when my Love is gone.
Alas the darkest Magick cannot do it, 5
Thou and greate Hell to boot are shadows to it.
Should _Cinthia_ quit thee, _Venus_, and each starre,
It would not forme one thought dark as mine are.
I could lend thee obscureness now, and say,
Out of my self, There should be no more Day, 10
Such is already my felt want of sight,
Did not the fires within me force a light.
Oh Love, that fire and darkness should be mixt,
Or to thy Triumphs soe strange torments fixt?
Is't because thou thy self art blind, that wee 15
Thy Martyrs must no more each other see?
Or tak'st thou pride to break us on the wheel,
And view old Chaos in the Pains we feel?
Or have we left undone some mutual Right,
Through holy fear, that merits thy despight? 20
No, no. The falt was mine, impute it to me,
Or rather to conspiring destinie,
Which (since I lov'd for forme before) decreed,
That I should suffer when I lov'd indeed:
And therefore now, sooner then I can say, 25
I saw the golden fruit, 'tis rapt away.
Or as I had watcht one drop in a vast stream,
And I left wealthy only in a dream.
Yet Love, thou'rt blinder then thy self in this,
To vex my Dove-like friend for my amiss: 30
And, where my own sad truth may expiate
Thy wrath, to make her fortune run my fate:
So blinded Justice doth, when Favorites fall,
Strike them, their house, their friends, their followers all.
Was't not enough that thou didst dart thy fires 35
Into our blouds, inflaming our desires,
And made'st us sigh and glow, and pant, and burn,
And then thy self into our flame did'st turn?
Was't not enough, that thou didst hazard us
To paths in love so dark, so dangerous: 40
And those so ambush'd round with houshold spies,
And over all, thy husbands towring eyes
That flam'd with oylie sweat of jealousie:
Yet went we not still on with Constancie?
Have we not kept our guards, like spie on spie? 45
Had correspondence whilst the foe stood by?
Stoln (more to sweeten them) our many blisses
Of meetings, conference, embracements, kisses?
Shadow'd with negligence our most respects?
Varied our language through all dialects, 50
Of becks, winks, looks, and often under-boards
Spoak dialogues with our feet far from our words?
Have we prov'd all these secrets of our Art,
Yea, thy pale inwards, and thy panting heart?
And, after all this passed Purgatory, 55
Must sad divorce make us the vulgar story?
First let our eyes be rivited quite through
Our turning brains, and both our lips grow to:
Let our armes clasp like Ivy, and our fear
Freese us together, that we may stick here, 60
Till Fortune, that would rive us, with the deed
Strain her eyes open, and it make them bleed:
For Love it cannot be, whom hitherto
I have accus'd, should such a mischief doe.
Oh Fortune, thou'rt not worth my least exclame, 65
And plague enough thou hast in thy own shame.
Do thy great worst, my friend and I have armes,
Though not against thy strokes, against thy harmes.
Rend us in sunder, thou canst not divide
Our bodies so, but that our souls are ty'd, 70
And we can love by letters still and gifts,
And thoughts and dreams; Love never wanteth shifts.
I will not look upon the quickning Sun,
But straight her beauty to my sense shall run;
The ayre shall note her soft, the fire most pure; 75
Water suggest her clear, and the earth sure.
Time shall not lose our passages; the Spring
How fresh our love was in the beginning;
The Summer how it ripened in the eare;
And Autumn, what our golden harvests were. 80
The Winter I'll not think on to spite thee,
But count it a lost season, so shall shee.
And dearest Friend, since we must part, drown night
With hope of Day, burthens well born are light.
Though cold and darkness longer hang somewhere, 85
Yet _Phoebus_ equally lights all the Sphere.
And what he cannot in like Portions pay,
The world enjoyes in Mass, and so we may.
Be then ever your self, and let no woe
Win on your health, your youth, your beauty: so 90
Declare your self base fortunes Enemy,
No less by your contempt then constancy:
That I may grow enamoured on your mind,
When my own thoughts I there reflected find.
For this to th'comfort of my Dear I vow, 95
My Deeds shall still be what my words are now;
The Poles shall move to teach me ere I start;
And when I change my Love, I'll change my heart;
Nay, if I wax but cold in my desire,
Think, heaven hath motion lost, and the world, fire: 100
Much more I could, but many words have made
That, oft, suspected which men would perswade;
Take therefore all in this: I love so true,
As I will never look for less in you.
[Elegie. XII. _&c._ _Ed:_ Eleg. XIIII _&c._ _1635-54_ (Eleg.
XIII. _being_ Come, Fates, _&c._, _p._ 407): Elegie XIIII.
_1669:_ At her Departure. _A25:_ At his Mistris departure.
_B:_ Elegie. _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_ (_II_)]
[1 Night, _Ed:_ night _1635-69_]
[4 Love] soule _1635-54_]
[5-44 _omit_, _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[6 Thou and greate Hell _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ And that
great Hell _1669_
to boot are _1669_, _H40_, _O'F:_ are nought but _P_, _S96_]
[7 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_]
[9 thee _H40:_ them _1669_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[10 Day, _Ed:_ Day. _1669_]
[11 felt want _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ self-want,
_1669_
sight, _Ed:_ sight _1669_]
[12 fires _H40_, _S96_, _TCD:_ fire _1669_, _P_]
[14 Or] Are _S96:_ And _TCD_
soe _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ such _1669_]
[17 the _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _1669_]
[20 Through holy fear, that merits (causes _S96_) thy despight
(meriteth thy spight _P_) _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
That thus with parting thou seek'st us to spight? _1669_]
[21 was _H40_, _S96:_ is _1669_, _P_, _TCD_]
[23 Which ... decreed, _H40_, _O'F_, _S96:_ Which (since I
lov'd) for me before decreed, _1669_, _P_, _TCD:_ Which,
since I lov'd in jest before, decreed _H-K_, _which Chambers
follows_]
[25 now, sooner _all the MSS.:_ sooner now _1669_
rapt] wrapt _1669_]
[27 a vast _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ the vast _1669_]
[29 thy self] myself _Chambers_]
[31 my own _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ one _1669_
sad _1669:_ glad _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[32 fate: _Ed:_ fate. _1669_]
[33 blinded] blindest _H40_]
[34 followers _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ favourites _1669_, _S96_]
[37 glow _H40_, _S96_, _P_, _TCD:_ blow _1669_]
[38 flame _H40_, _S96_, _P_, _TCD:_ flames _1669_]
[40 so dangerous _H40_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ and dangerous
_1669_]
[42 all, _Ed:_ all _1669_
towring _1669_, _TCD:_ towred _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ lowering
_Grolier_
the towred husbands eyes _H40:_ the Loured, husbandes eyes
_RP31_]
[43 That flam'd with oylie _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
Inflam'd with th'ouglie _1669_
jealousie: _Ed:_ jealousie, _1669_]
[44 with _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ in _1669_]
[45 Have we not kept our guards, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_,
_TCD:_ Have we for this kept guards, _1669_
on _1669:_ o'r _1635-54_]
[49 most _1635-69_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ best
_1669_]
[50 our] thy _RP31_]
[52 from our words? _1669:_ from words? _1635-54_]
[53 these secrets _MSS.:_ the secrets _1635-69_
our] thy _RP31_]
[54 Yea ... panting heart? _1635-69_, _A25:_ Yea thy pale
colours inward as thy heart? _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[56 sad] rude _P_, _TCD_]
[57-66 _om._ _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[58 brains] beams _P:_ brain _Chambers_]
[61 Fortune, _Ed:_ fortune, _1669_
would rive us, with _H40_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ would ruine us
with _1669_]
[62 her _H40:_ his _1669_
it] yet _1669_
bleed: _Ed:_ bleed. _1669_]
[65 Oh Fortune,] Oh fortune, _1669_, _S96:_ And Fortune _H40_,
_P_]
[66 shame. _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ name. _1669_]
[67 Do thy great worst _&c._ _1669:_ Fortune, doe thy worst
_&c._ _1635-54_ (_after_ 56 the vulgar story?)
armes, _1635-69_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ charmes _H-K_
(_Grosart and Chambers_)]
[69 Rend us in sunder, _1669 and MSS.:_ Bend us, in sunder
_1635-54_]
[72 shifts. _1635:_ shifts, _1639-69_]
[76 Water _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ Waters _1635-69_, _A25_, _S96_
sure. _Ed:_ sure; _1635-69_]
[77 Time] Times _H40_, _TCD_
Spring _Ed:_ spring _1635-69_]
[79 ripened in the eare; _B_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
ripened in the yeare; _1635:_ inripened the yeare; _1639-69_]
[83-94 _omit_ _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[85 Though _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ The _1669_, _S96_]
[87 he ... Portions _Ed:_ he ... portions _H40:_ he ...
portion _O'F_, _P_, _TCD:_ we ... Portion _1669:_ he can't in
like proportion _H-K_ (_Grosart_)]
[88 enjoyes] yet joys _H40_]
[89 ever your] your fayrest _H40_, _TCD_]
[92 by your contempt then constancy: _H40_, _S96:_ be your
contempt then constancy: _O'F_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_), _P_, _TCD:_
be your contempt then her inconstancy: _1669_]
[94 there reflected _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ here
neglected _1669:_ there neglected _H-K_ (_Grosart, probably
wrongly_)]
[95-104 _om. TCD_]
[95 For _H40, S96:_ And _1635-69_]
[96 my words are now; _H40, P:_ my deeds are now; _1635-69,
O'F, S96:_ my thoughts are now; _A25_]
[102 oft, _1633-54:_ oft _1669_
would _1635-54, A25, B, H40, O'F, S96: _ most _1669_]
ELEGIE XIII.
_Iulia._
Harke newes, ô envy, thou shalt heare descry'd
My _Iulia_; who as yet was ne'r envy'd.
To vomit gall in slander, swell her vaines
With calumny, that hell it selfe disdaines,
Is her continuall practice; does her best, 5
To teare opinion even out of the brest
Of dearest friends, and (which is worse than vilde)
Sticks jealousie in wedlock; her owne childe
Scapes not the showres of envie, To repeate
The monstrous fashions, how, were, alive, to eate 10
Deare reputation. Would to God she were
But halfe so loath to act vice, as to heare
My milde reproofe. Liv'd _Mantuan_ now againe,
That fœmall Mastix, to limme with his penne
This she _Chymera_, that hath eyes of fire, 15
Burning with anger, anger feeds desire,
Tongued like the night-crow, whose ill boding cries
Give out for nothing but new injuries,
Her breath like to the juice in _Tenarus_
That blasts the springs, though ne'r so prosperous, 20
Her hands, I know not how, us'd more to spill
The food of others, then her selfe to fill.
But oh her minde, that _Orcus_, which includes
Legions of mischiefs, countlesse multitudes
Of formlesse curses, projects unmade up, 25
Abuses yet unfashion'd, thoughts corrupt,
Mishapen Cavils, palpable untroths,
Inevitable errours, self-accusing oaths:
These, like those Atoms swarming in the Sunne,
Throng in her bosome for creation. 30
I blush to give her halfe her due; yet say,
No poyson's halfe so bad as _Iulia_.
[Elegie XIII. _&c. Ed:_ Eleg. XV. _&c. 1635-54:_ Elegie XV.
_1669:_ Iulia. _B:_ Elegy. Iulia. _O'F_]
[5 practice; _Ed:_ practice, _1635-69_]
[7 vilde) _Ed:_ vile) _1635-69:_ vilde _is the regular spelling
of this word in the Donne MSS._]
[8 in wedlock;] in the sheets of wedlock; _B_]
[10 how, _1635:_ how; _1639-69_]
[That fœmall Mastix, _1635:_ _1639-69 and Chambers drop
comma. But see note_]
[18 injuries, _1635-39:_ injuries. _1650-69_]
[20 prosperous, _Ed:_ prosperous. _1635-69_]
[24 mischiefs _O'F:_ mischiefe, _1635-69_]
[28 oaths: _B_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_): loathes: _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[31 give but half _B:_ give half her _O'F_
yet say,] only this say, _B:_ but this say _O'F_]
ELEGIE XIV.
_A Tale of a Citizen and his Wife._
I sing no harme good sooth to any wight,
To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight,
To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or brave
Reformed or reduced Captaine, Knave,
Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace, 5
Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease,
I am no Libeller, nor will be any,
But (like a true man) say there are too many.
I feare not _ore tenus_; for my tale,
Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale. 10
A Citizen and his wife the other day
Both riding on one horse, upon the way
I overtooke, the wench a pretty peate,
And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate.
I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backe 15
His head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke,
Whence apprehending that the man was kinde,
Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde,
To get acquaintance with him I began
To sort discourse fit for so fine a man: 20
I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill,
Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still,
Of the Virginian plot, and whether Ward
The traffique of the Iland seas had marr'd,
Whether the Brittaine _Burse_ did fill apace, 25
And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace;
Of new-built _Algate_, and the _More-field_ crosses,
Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants losses
I urged him to speake; But he (as mute
As an old Courtier worne to his last suite) 30
Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last
(To fit his element) my theame I cast
On Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing:
Alas, good sir (quoth he) _There is no doing
In Court nor City now_; she smil'd and I, 35
And (in my conscience) both gave him the lie
In one met thought: but he went on apace,
And at the present time with such a face
He rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise,
To any but my Lord of _Essex_ dayes; 40
Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee)
There's now as great an itch of bravery,
And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe,
For, put to push of pay, away they runne;
Our onely City trades of hope now are 45
Bawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener;
The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the store
Of fresh protections make the rest all poore;
In the first state of their Creation,
Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not one 50
A righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he on
In a continued rage: so void of reason
Seem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason.
And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer
For the protection of the wise Lord Major, 55
And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth,
He swore that none could say Amen with faith.
To get him off from what I glowed to heare,
(In happy time) an Angel did appeare,
The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne, 60
Where many Citizens with their wives have bin
Well us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay,
To take some due refreshment by the way.
Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope)
And at's returne found nothing but a Rope, 65
So he on me, refus'd and made away,
Though willing she pleaded a weary day:
I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell
(To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell;
He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine, 70
But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe.
[Elegie XIV. _&c._ _Ed:_ Eleg. XVI. A Tale _&c._ _1635-54:_
Elegie XVI. _1669:_ Elegie XV. _O'F:_ _no title, B_]
[2 or foole,] to fool, _1669_]
[5 Iugler, _1635-39:_ Iudge, _1650-69_]
[9 _tenus;_ _Ed:_ _tenus_, _1635-69_]
[10 will redd or pale. _1669_, _B_, _O'F_ (shall): will looke
redd or pale. _1635-54_]
[14 feate. _Ed:_ feate, _1635-69_]
[16 steale] seale _O'F_]
[21 Plaguy _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ Plaguing _1635-54_]
[22 Custome] custome _1635_]
[24 Iland _Ed:_ Iland _1635-54:_ Midland _1669_, _O'F:_ the
land, the seas _B_, _but later hand has inserted_ mid _above
the line:_ Island _Chambers and Grolier_]
[27 _More-field_] Moorefields _B_]
[32 To fit] To hit _O'F_]
[33 agoing: _Ed:_ agoing, _1635-69_]
[35 _In ... now_; _Ed:_ _roman_ _1635-69_]
[38 time _1669:_ times _O'F_]
[41 those ... (quoth Hee) _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ that ... (quoth
I) _1635-54_]
[46 Bawd, ... Scrivener; _B_, _O'F:_ Bawds, Tavernkeepers,
Whores and Scriveners, _1635-54:_ Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore
and Scrivener _1669_]
[47 kingsmen, and the store _1669_, _B_, _O'F_ (kingsman):
kinsmen, and store _1635-54_]
[58 him off _O'F:_ off him _1669:_ him _1635-54_]
[61 have bin _B_, _O'F:_ had beene, _1635-69_]
[64 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope _1669_]
[65 at's _1669:_ at _1635-54_]
[66 on _1669_, _B:_ at _1635-54_
me,] me: _1635-54_]
[67 day: _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ stay. _1635-39:_ stay: _1650-54_]
[69 dwell; _1635:_ dwell _1639-54:_ dwell, _1669_]
ELEGIE XV.
_The Expostulation._
To make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true,
Was it my fate to prove it strong in you?
Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire,
And must she needs be false because she's faire?
Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth, 5
Or your perfection, not to study truth?
Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes?
Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries?
Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter
Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water, 10
And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath
(Both hot and cold at once) make life and death?
Who could have thought so many accents sweet
Form'd into words, so many sighs should meete
As from our hearts, so many oathes, and teares 15
Sprinkled among, (all sweeter by our feares
And the divine impression of stolne kisses,
That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses?
Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake?
Or must we reade you quite from what you speake, 20
And finde the truth out the wrong way? or must
Hee first desire you false, would wish you just?
O I prophane, though most of women be
This kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee;
My dearest love, though froward jealousie, 25
With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie,
Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheare
The teeming earth, and _that_ forget to beare,
Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames
With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames, 30
Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures,
Would change her course, before you alter yours.
But O that treacherous breast to whom weake you
Did trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue,
Having his falshood found too late, 'twas hee 35
That made me _cast_ you guilty, and you me,
Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple word
Wee spake, unto the cunning of a third.
Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine,
And wander on the earth, wretched as _Cain_, 40
Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty;
In plaguing him, let misery be witty;
Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye,
Till hee be noysome as his infamie;
May he without remorse deny God thrice, 45
And not be trusted more on his Soules price;
And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes,
May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes,
Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue
That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung, 50
And let his carrion coarse be a longer feast
To the Kings dogges, then any other beast.
Now have I curst, let us our love revive;
In mee the flame was never more alive;
I could beginne againe to court and praise, 55
And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayes
Of my lifes lease; like Painters that do take
Delight, not in made worke, but whiles they make;
I could renew those times, when first I saw
Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the law 60
To like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playes
Commend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes;
Aske how you did, and often with intent
Of being officious, be impertinent;
All which were such soft pastimes, as in these 65
Love was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease;
But being got it is a treasure sweet,
Which to defend is harder then to get:
And ought not be prophan'd on either part,
For though'tis got by _chance_, 'tis kept by _art_. 70
[Elegie XV. _Ed:_ Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation. _1635-54:_
Elegie XVII. _1669:_ Elegie. _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_,
_M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _Jonson's_
Underwoods]
[2 strong] full _Und_]
[3 purest] the purer _Und_]
[6 Or your _1633-69:_ Or of your _H40_]
[8 it hath,] she hath _B_, _H40_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S96_]
[12 (Both hot and cold at once) _RP31:_ Both ... at once,
_Und:_ (Both ... cold) at once _1633-69_, _S96:_ Both heate
and coole at once _M_
make] threat _Und_]
[14 Form'd into] Tun'd to our _Und_]
[15 As] Blowne _Und_]
[16-18 (all sweeter ... the rest) _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _RP31:_ (all sweetend _&c._ _1635_, _which does
not complete the bracket:_ (all sweetend by our fears) _&c._
_1639-69_, _L74_ (sweeter), _P_ (sweeter), _S96_ (sweetned)]
[22 wish] have _P_]
[24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster, _Und_
my thought _1633:_ my thoughts _1635-69_, _HN_, _S96_]
[25 though froward] how ever _RP31_, _Und_]
[26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie. _Und_]
[28 beare, _1633:_ beare: _1635-69_]
[30 would _1633_, _Und:_ will _1635-69_
streames, _Ed:_ streames; _1633-69_]
[32 yours.] yours; _1633_]
[34 trust _1633-69:_ drift _Chambers_]
[37 wretch] wrech _1633_]
[38 third. _Ed:_ third; _1633-69_]
[39 love] loves _RP31_]
[40 wretched as _Cain_, _1633-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F:_
as wretched Cain, _P:_ as cursed Cain, _S:_ wretched on the
Earth, as Cain: _Und_]
[52 dogges, ... beast.] dogges; ... beast; _1633_]
[53 have I] I have _1669_
revive] receive _Und_]
[58 worke, _1633-39_, _most MSS.:_ works, _1650-69_, _S96_,
_Und_]
[61 and playes] or playes _Und_]
[64 be] grow _Und_]
[65 soft] lost _Und_]
ELEGIE XVI.
_On his Mistris._
By our first strange and fatall interview,
By all desires which thereof did ensue,
By our long starving hopes, by that remorse
Which my words masculine perswasive force
Begot in thee, and by the memory 5
Of hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me,
I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath,
By all paines, which want and divorcement hath,
I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I
And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy, 10
Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus,
Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous.
Temper, ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage,
Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page;
I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behinde 15
Thee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde,
Thirst to come backe; ô if thou die before,
My soule from other lands to thee shall soare.
Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move
Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love, 20
Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast reade
How roughly hee in peeces shivered
Faire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd.
Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd
Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery, 25
That absent Lovers one in th'other be.
Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor change
Thy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strange
To thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face
A blushing womanly discovering grace; 30
Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as soone
Ecclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone.
Men of France, changeable Camelions,
Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions,
Loves fuellers, and the rightest company 35
Of Players, which upon the worlds stage be,
Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!
Th'indifferent Italian, as we passe
His warme land, well content to thinke thee Page,
Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage, 40
As _Lots_ faire guests were vext. But none of these
Nor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease,
If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for thee
England is onely a worthy Gallerie,
To walke in expectation, till from thence 45
Our greatest King call thee to his presence.
When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse,
Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse,
Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse
Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy Nurse 50
With midnights startings, crying out, oh, oh
Nurse, ô my love is slaine, I saw him goe
O'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I,
Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die.
Augure me better chance, except dread _Iove_ 55
Thinke it enough for me to'have had thy love.
[Elegie XVI. _&c._ _Ed:_ Elegie on his Mistris. _1635-54
where, and in 1669, it appears among_ Funerall Elegies:
Elegie. _1669: among_ Elegies _with or without heading or
number_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_ _B heads_ His wife would
have gone as his page.]
[1 interview, _Ed:_ interview _1635-69_]
[3 starving] striving _1669_, _B_, _P:_ starvling _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[7 beg: _D:_ beg. _1635-69_
fathers _1635-69_, _O'F:_ Parents _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_]
[11 Here I] I here _1669_]
[12 wayes _1635-54_, _O'F:_ means _1669, and rest of MSS._]
[14 still ... faign'd] _1669 om._ still _and reads_ faigned]
[18 My soule ... to thee] From other lands my soule towards
thee _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_(to), _N_,
_P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_
soare. _Ed:_ soare, _1635-69_]
[21 harshness] rashness _P_. _Compare_ Elegy V, 8]
[23 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea _1669_]
[26 Lovers] friends _P_]
[28 mindes; _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _JC_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ minde,
_1635-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_]
[29 onely; _A18_, _D_, _N_, _TC:_ onely. _1635-69_]
[35 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers, _1669_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _S96_, _P_]
[37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas! _1635-54_,
_O'F:_ Will too too quickly know thee; and alas, _1669:_ Will
quickly know thee, and know thee, and alas _A18_, _N_, _S_
(_omitting second_ and), _TCD_, _W:_ Will quickly know thee,
and thee, and alas _A25:_ Will quickly know thee, and alas
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_, _S96_, _TCC_]
[39 Page, _Ed:_ Page _1635-39_]
[40 hunt _1635-69_, _O'F:_ haunt _most MSS._]
[42 hydroptique] Aydroptique _1669_]
[46 greatest _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P:_ greate _A18_, _A25_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC_
call] doe call _A18_, _N_, _TC_
to] in to _A25_, _JC_, _S_]
[49 me, nor blesse] me; Blesse _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W_]
ELEGIE XVII.
_Variety._
The heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I
Abjure my so much lov'd variety,
And not with many youth and love divide?
Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd:
The sun that sitting in the chaire of light 5
Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright,
Is not contented at one Signe to Inne,
But ends his year and with a new beginnes.
All things doe willingly in change delight,
The fruitfull mother of our appetite: 10
Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are,
Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr;
And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet,
Corrupts it self and what doth live in it.
Let no man tell me such a one is faire, 15
And worthy all alone my love to share.
Nature in her hath done the liberall part
Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art
To make her loveable, and I aver
Him not humane that would turn back from her: 20
I love her well, and would, if need were, dye
To doe her service. But followes it that I
Must serve her onely, when I may have choice
Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?
The law is hard, and shall not have my voice. 25
The last I saw in all extreames is faire,
And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire;
Her nymph-like features such agreements have
That I could venture with her to the grave:
Another's brown, I like her not the worse, 30
Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse.
Others, for that they well descended are,
Do in my love obtain as large a share;
And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee
To win their love onely for their degree. 35
And though I faile of my required ends,
The attempt is glorious and it self commends.
How happy were our Syres in ancient times,
Who held plurality of loves no crime!
With them it was accounted charity 40
To stirre up race of all indifferently;
Kindreds were not exempted from the bands:
Which with the Persian still in usage stands.
Women were then no sooner asked then won,
And what they did was honest and well done. 45
But since this title honour hath been us'd,
Our weake credulity hath been abus'd;
The golden laws of nature are repeald,
Which our first Fathers in such reverence held;
Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone, 50
And we're made servants to opinion,
A monster in no certain shape attir'd,
And whose originall is much desir'd,
Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions,
And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations. 55
Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes,
And was dispoiled of his daring armes.
A greater want then is his daring eyes,
He lost those awfull wings with which he flies;
His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts 60
Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts.
Onely some few strong in themselves and free
Retain the seeds of antient liberty,
Following that part of Love although deprest,
And make a throne for him within their brest, 65
In spight of modern censures him avowing
Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing.
Amongst which troop although I am the least,
Yet equall in perfection with the best,
I glory in subjection of his hand, 70
Nor ever did decline his least command:
For in whatever forme the message came
My heart did open and receive the same.
But time will in his course a point discry
When I this loved service must deny, 75
For our allegiance temporary is,
With firmer age returnes our liberties.
What time in years and judgement we repos'd,
Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd,
Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying; 80
But beauty with true worth securely weighing,
Which being found assembled in some one,
Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.
[Elegie XVII. Variety. _Ed: printed for first time without
title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719:_ An Elegie.
_A10:_ Elegie 17^{the}. _JC_]
[1 motion, why _Ed:_ motion why, _1650-69_]
[3 love divide? _MSS.:_ lov'd divide? _1650-69_]
[4 diversifi'd: _Ed:_ diversifi'd _1650-69_]
[6 what else so ever doth seem _1650-69:_ what else is not so
_A10_]
[12 fair-spreading _1650-69_, _JC:_ broad silver _A10_
and farr; _A10_, _JC:_ and cleare; _1650-69_]
[14 it self and _1650-69:_ it self, kills _A10_]
[16 And only worthy to be past compare; _A10_]
[19 aver] ever _1650-69_]
[20 would turn back from _1650-69:_ could not fancy _A10_]
[24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? _A10:_ _om.
1650-69_]
[25-36 _omitted in A10_]
[30 brown, _Ed:_ brown _1650-69_]
[32 are _JC:_ were _1650-69_]
[39 crime! _Ed:_ crime? _1650-69_]
[43 Persian _1650-54_, _JC:_ Persians _1669_, _A10_]
[46 title _A10_, _JC:_ little _1650-69_]
[50 liberty's _Ed:_ liberty _1650-69_, _JC_
revers'd, our _A10:_ revers'd and _1650-69_, _JC_]
[51 we're _A10:_ we _1650-69_, _JC_]
[53 whose originall _1650-69_, _JC:_ one whose origin _A10_]
[54 goeing on it fashions _A10:_ growing on it fashions _JC:_
growing on its fashions, _1650-69_]
[55 manners and laws to _1650-69_, _JC:_ Lawes, Manners unto
_A10_]
[57 armes. _A10:_ armes, _1650-69_]
[58 is _1650-69:_ of _A10_]
[61 bruise _1650-69_ wound _A10_
hearts. _Ed:_ hearts; _1650-69_]
[63 seeds of antient _1650-69_, _JC:_ seed of pristine _A10_]
[64 Love] love _1650-69_]
[70 of his _1650-69:_ under's _A10_]
[71 Nor ... decline _1650-69:_ Never declining from _A10_]
[72-7 _omitted in A10_]
[73 same. _Ed:_ same: _1650-69:_ flame _JC_]
[75 deny, _Ed:_ deny. _1650-69_]
[79 dispos'd, _Ed:_ dispos'd _1650-69_]
[80 obeying; _Ed:_ obeying, _1650-69_]
[81 securely _1650-69:_ unpartially _A10_]
[82 being _1650-69:_ having _A10_
one, _Ed:_ one _1650-69_]
[83 Wee'l love her ever, _Ed:_ Wee'l leave her ever,
_1650-69_, _JC:_ Would love for ever, _A10_]
ELEGIE XVIII.
_Loves Progress._
Who ever loves, if he do not propose
The right true end of love, he's one that goes
To sea for nothing but to make him sick:
Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick
Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take, 5
We erre, and of a lump a monster make.
Were not a Calf a monster that were grown
Face'd like a man, though better then his own?
Perfection is in unitie: preferr
One woman first, and then one thing in her. 10
I, when I value gold, may think upon
The ductilness, the application,
The wholsomness, the ingenuitie,
From rust, from soil, from fire ever free:
But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made 15
By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade.
All these in women we might think upon
(If women had them) and yet love but one.
Can men more injure women then to say
They love them for that, by which they're not they? 20
Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud
Till I both be, and find one wise and good?
May barren Angels love so. But if we
Make love to woman; virtue is not she:
As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus 25
From her to hers, is more adulterous,
Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare
And firmament, our _Cupid_ is not there:
He's an infernal god and under ground,
With _Pluto_ dwells, where gold and fire abound: 30
Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles
Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes.
Although we see Celestial bodies move
Above the earth, the earth we Till and love:
So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart, 35
And virtues; but we love the Centrique part.
Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit
For love, then this, as infinite as it.
But in attaining this desired place
How much they erre; that set out at the face? 40
The hair a Forest is of Ambushes,
Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles:
The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain,
And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again.
Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have 45
Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave.
The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs
Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns;
It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere
On either side, and then directs us where 50
Upon the Islands fortunate we fall,
(Not faynte _Canaries_, but _Ambrosiall_)
Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come,
We anchor there, and think our selves at home,
For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there 55
Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear;
There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell,
The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell.
These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin
Ore past; and the streight _Hellespont_ betweene 60
The _Sestos_ and _Abydos_ of her breasts,
(Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts)
Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye
Some Island moles may scattered there descry;
And Sailing towards her _India_, in that way 65
Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay;
Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made,
Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd,
Thou shalt upon another Forest set,
Where many Shipwrack, and no further get. 70
When thou art there, consider what this chace
Mispent by thy beginning at the face.
Rather set out below; practice my Art,
Some Symetry the foot hath with that part
Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that 75
Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at:
Least subject to disguise and change it is;
Men say the Devil never can change his.
It is the Emblem that hath figured
Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed. 80
Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss
Which at the face began, transplanted is,
Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee,
Now at the Papal foot delights to be:
If Kings think that the nearer way, and do 85
Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too;
For as free Spheres move faster far then can
Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man
Which goes this empty and Ætherial way,
Then if at beauties elements he stay. 90
Rich Nature hath in women wisely made
Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid:
They then, which to the lower tribute owe,
That way which that Exchequer looks, must go:
He which doth not, his error is as great, 95
As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.
[Elegie XVIII. _&c._ _Ed:_ Elegie XVIII. _1669, where it is
first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed
in_ Wit and Drollery. By Sir J. M., J. S., Sir W. D., J. D.,
and the most refined Wits of the Age. _1661. It appears in
A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with title_
Loves Progress., _or_ Elegie. on Loves Progresse., _or with no
title_]
[4 Love is a _1669:_ And Love's a _MSS._]
[5 strange _1661 and MSS.:_ strong _1669_]
[11 I,] I _1669_]
[14 ever _1669:_ for ever _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[16 (our new nature) use, _1661_]
[17 these _1669 and MSS.:_ this _1661_, _Cy_, _P_, _Chambers_]
[20 them] _om. 1661_]
[25 beauty'is not _1661 and MSS.:_ beauties no _1669_
thus] thus: _1669_]
[27 Then if he took] Then he that took _1661_, _B_ (takes),
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_
spheare] sphear _1669_]
[30 abound: _Ed:_ abound, _1669_]
[32 in _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ on _1669_,
_A25_
holes.] holes: _1669_]
[38 infinite] infinit _1669_]
[40 erre _1661-69_, _S_, _S96:_ stray _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[42 springes, _H49 and some MSS.:_ springs, _1669_]
[46 and _1661_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ but _1669_
our _1661_, _MSS.:_ a _1669_]
[47 first Meridian _1661 and MSS.:_ sweet Meridian _1669_.]
[52-3 (Not ... Ambrosiall) ... lips _&c._ _1661 and MSS._
(_not always with brackets and sometimes with_ No _for_ Not
_and_ Canary): Not ... Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when
we are come, _1669_]
[55 For they seem all: there _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ For they sing all their _1661_,
_Cy_, _P_]
[57 There _1661 and MSS.:_ Then _1669_
swell, _Ed:_ swell _1669_]
[58 Rhemora _1669_]
[59 the glorious Promontory,] _brackets and no comma, 1669_]
[60 Ore past; ... betweene _1661 and MSS.:_ Being past the
Straits of _Hellespont_ between _1669_]
[62 Loves] loves _1669_]
[63 yet] that _D, H49, Lec, and other MSS._]
[65 Sailing] Sailng _1669_]
[66 Navell] Naval _1669_]
[67 thence _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC:_ there _1661-9_, _N_(?): hence _P_
thy _all MSS.:_ the _1661-9_]
[68 wouldst _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ shouldst _1669_]
[70 many _1669:_ some doe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_]
[73 my _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _Chambers:_ thine _A18_, _TCC_]
[80 the] _bis 1669_]
[81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face
begonne, transplanted is _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[83 Imperial] imperial _1669_]
[86 too;] too. _1669_]
[90 elements _1661 and MSS.:_ enemies _1669_]
[91 hath] _Chambers omits_]
[93 owe,] owe _1669_]
[96 Clyster gave _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ glister
gives _1669_]
ELEGIE XIX.
_Going to Bed._
Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie,
Until I labour, I in labour lie.
The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,
Is tir'd with standing though he never fight.
Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering, 5
But a far fairer world incompassing.
Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,
That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there.
Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme,
Tells me from you, that now it is bed time. 10
Off with that happy busk, which I envie,
That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.
Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals,
As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales.
Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew 15
The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow:
Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread
In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed.
In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be
Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee 20
A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though
Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know,
By this these Angels from an evil sprite,
Those set our hairs, but these our flesh uprigh
Licence my roaving hands, and let them go, 25
Before, behind, between, above, below.
O my America! my new-found-land,
My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd,
My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie,
How blest am I in this discovering thee! 30
To enter in these bonds, is to be free;
Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.
Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee,
As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be,
To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use 35
Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views,
That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem,
His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.
Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made
For lay-men, are all women thus array'd; 40
Themselves are mystick books, which only wee
(Whom their imputed grace will dignifie)
Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know;
As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew
Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence, 45
There is no pennance due to innocence.
To teach thee, I am naked first; why than
What needst thou have more covering then a man.
[Elegie XIX. _&c. Ed: in 1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_
Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but
with the heading_ To his Mistris going to Bed. _The MSS.
include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or
simply_ Elegye, _or numbered according to the scheme adopted:
B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other
titles_]
[4 he _1669:_ they _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TC_]
[5 glittering] glistering _MSS._]
[8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair. _Cy_, _P_]
[10 it is _1669:_ 'tis your _MSS._]
[11 which] whom _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _TC_,
_W_]
[14 from _MSS.:_ through _1669_
shadow] shadows _1669_]
[16 Diademe ... grow: _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Diadem which on your
head doth grow: _1669:_ Diadems which on you do grow. _S_,
_Chambers_]
[17 Now ... shooes, _1669_, _JC_, _W:_ Off ... shoes _A18_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ Off with those hose and shoes
_S_
safely _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ softly _1669_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_]
[20 Receavd by men; Thou _all MSS.:_ Reveal'd to men; thou
_1669_]
[21 Paradise; _Ed:_ Paradice, _1669_]
[22 Ill _1669_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ All _B, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture_
spirits _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S:_ angels
_O'F_, _S96_
white, _Ed:_ white; _1669_]
[26 below. _Ed:_ below, _1669_]
[28 kingdome, _MSS.:_ Kingdom's _1669_
safeliest _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ safest, _1669_
man'd, _Ed:_ man'd. _1669_]
[29 stones, _Ed:_ stones: _1669_]
[30 How blest am I _all MSS.:_ How am I blest _1669_
this _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _TC_, _W:_ thus _1669_, _A25_, _L74_, _S_
discovering] discovery _B_, _O'F_
thee! _Ed:_ thee? _1669_
be.] be, _1669_]
[35 Gems] Jems _1669: and so_ 37]
[36 like _1669:_ as _MSS._
balls, _MSS.:_ ball: _1669_]
[38 covet _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ court _1669_, _Cy_, _P_, _S_, _S96_
theirs, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ those _S:_ that, _1669_, _B_,
_O'F_
them.] them: _1669_]
[39 pictures, _Ed:_ pictures _1669_
made _Ed:_ made, _1669_]
[40 lay-men, _Ed:_ lay-men _1669_
array'd; _Ed:_ arrayed _1669_]
[41 Themselves ... only wee _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_
Themselves are only mystick books, which we, _1669_, _B_]
[43 see] be _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_
reveal'd] revealed _1669_]
[44 a _all MSS.:_ thy _1669_
Midwife, _Ed:_ Midwife _1669_]
[45 hence, _Ed:_ hence _1669_]
[46 pennance due to innocence. _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S:_ pennance, much less innocence; _A18_, _A25_, _D_,
_H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _W_]
[47 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_
first; _Ed:_ first, _1669_]
ELEGIE XX.
_Loves Warre._
Till I have peace with thee, warr other men,
And when I have peace, can I leave thee then?
All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou
O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe
To any one: In Flanders, who can tell 5
Whether the Master presse; or men rebell?
Only we know, that which all Ideots say,
They beare most blows which come to part the fray.
France in her lunatique giddines did hate
Ever our men, yea and our God of late; 10
Yet she relyes upon our Angels well,
Which nere returne; no more then they which fell.
Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest
Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest;
Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good 15
If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood.
And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give,
We touch all gold, but find no food to live.
And I should be in the hott parching clyme,
To dust and ashes turn'd before my time. 20
To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall
Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall;
Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell
In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell.
Long voyages are long consumptions, 25
And ships are carts for executions.
Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye
Into an other World, as t'is to dye?
Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye;
Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye. 30
Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee;
Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee.
Other men war that they their rest may gayne;
But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne.
Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love, 35
There wee are alwayes under, here above.
There Engins farr off breed a just true feare,
Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here.
There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye;
There men kill men, we'will make one by and by. 40
Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do
In these Warrs, as they may which from us two
Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not
To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott
To make at home; And shall not I do then 45
More glorious service, staying to make men?
[Elegy XX _&c._ _Ed: First published in F. G. Waldron's_ A
Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802, _from a MS. dated
1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in his_ Philobiblon Society
_volume of 1856. It is included among Donne's_ Elegies _in
A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC,
TCD, W. In B it has the title_ Making of Men. _The present
text is based on W_]
[7 all _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ most _JC_, _Chambers_]
[8 They beare most blows which (_or_ that) _A18_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ They must
bear blows, which _Chambers_]
[9 giddiness] guidings _Sim:_ giddinge _Wald_]
[11 well,] well _W_]
[13 a strange] straying _Sim_]
[16 head] dead _Sim_]
[19 the _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ that _Chambers_, _A25_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_]
[24 swaggering] swaying _Chambers_]
[25 consumptions,] consumptions _W:_ _line omitted_, _Wald_]
[29 lye] _spelt_ ly
_W:_ _and so_ 30 dy]
[33 gayne;] gayne _W_]
[37 There] These _Sim_
and, that, with, which] _contracted throughout_, _W_]
HEROICALL EPISTLE.
_Sapho_ to _Philænis_.
Where is that holy fire, which _Verse_ is said
To have? is that inchanting force decai'd?
_Verse_ that drawes _Natures_ workes, from _Natures_ law,
Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw.
Have my teares quench'd my old _Poetique_ fire; 5
Why quench'd they not as well, that of _desire_?
Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee,
But I, their maker, want their libertie.
Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit,
But that is waxe, and fires environ it. 10
My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence;
And I am rob'd of _Picture_, _Heart_, and _Sense_.
Dwells with me still mine irksome _Memory_,
Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.
That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire, 15
As, _gods_, when _gods_ to thee I doe compare,
Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,
What things _gods_ are, I say they'are like to thee.
For, if we justly call each silly _man_
A _litle world_, What shall we call thee than? 20
Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,
As _Down_, as _Stars_, _Cedars_, and _Lillies_ are,
But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only
Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.
Such was my _Phao_ awhile, but shall be never, 25
As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.
Here lovers sweare in their _Idolatrie_,
That I am such; but _Griefe_ discolors me.
And yet I grieve the lesse, least _Griefe_ remove
My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love. 30
Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet
A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.
His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse
Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse.
Thy body is a naturall _Paradise_, 35
In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,
Nor needs _perfection_; why shouldst thou than
Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man?
Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,
And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows. 40
But of our dallyance no more signes there are,
Then _fishes_ leave in streames, or _Birds_ in aire.
And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;
All, all that _Nature_ yields, or _Art_ can adde.
My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two, 45
But so, as thine from one another doe;
And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,
Why should they not alike in all parts touch?
Hand to strange hand, lippe to lippe none denies;
Why should they brest to brest, or thighs to thighs? 50
Likenesse begets such strange selfe flatterie,
That touching my selfe, all seemes done to thee.
My selfe I embrace, and mine owne hands I kisse,
And amorously thanke my selfe for this.
Me, in my glasse, I call thee; But alas, 55
When I would kisse, teares dimme mine _eyes_, and _glasse_.
O cure this loving madnesse, and restore
Me to mee; thee, my _halfe_, my _all_, my _more_.
So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye,
And their white, whitenesse of the _Galaxy_, 60
So may thy mighty, amazing beauty move
_Envy_'in all _women_, and in all _men_, _love_,
And so be _change_, and _sicknesse_, farre from thee,
As thou by comming neere, keep'st them from me.
[Heroicall Epistle.] _In 1633_ Sapho to Philaenis _follows
Basse's_ Epitaph upon Shakespeare, _and precedes_ The
Annuntiation and Passion. _In 1635 it was placed with some
other miscellaneous and dubious poems among the_ Letters to
severall Personages, _where it has appeared in all subsequent
editions. I have transferred it to the neighbourhood of
the_ Elegies _and given it the title which seems to describe
exactly the genre to which it belongs. In JC it is entitled_
Elegie 18_th._ _The other MSS. are A18, A25, O'F, N, P, TCC,
TCD. In A25, JC, and P, ll. 31-54 are omitted_]
[2 have? _1650-69:_ have, _1633-39_]
[3 workes, _1633-39:_ worke, _1650-69_, _O'F_]
[8 maker, _1635-69:_ maker; _1633_]
[17 thereby; And _1635-69:_ thereby. And _1633_, _some
copies_]
[22 As _Down_, _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ As dowves _P:_ As
downs _O'F_. _See note_
_Cedars_,] as Cedars, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[26 maist be ever. _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC:_ maist thou
be ever. _1635-69_, _O'F:_ shalt be for ever. _P:_ mayst thou
be for ever. _JC_]
[33 thorny hairy _1633-69:_ thorney-hairy _TCD:_ thorny, hairy
_modern edd._]
[40 are _Ed:_ are, _1633-69_]
[58 me to mee; thee, _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _P_,
_TC_ (_generally_ mee, _in MSS.:_) me to mee; shee, _1633:_ me
to thee, thee _Chambers_
_halfe_,] harte _A25_, _JC_, _P_]
[59-60
So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dye
May blisse and thee be one eternallye _P:_ _om. JC_
]
[61 mighty, amazing _Ed:_ mighty amazing _1633-69:_ almighty
amazing _P_]
EPITHALAMIONS,
_OR_
MARRIAGE SONGS.
_An Epithalamion, Or mariage Song on the Lady_ Elizabeth, _and_ Count
Palatine _being married on St._ Valentines _day._
I.
Haile Bishop Valentine, whose day this is,
All the Aire is thy Diocis,
And all the chirping Choristers
And other birds are thy Parishioners,
Thou marryest every yeare 5
The Lirique Larke, and the grave whispering Dove,
The Sparrow that neglects his life for love,
The household Bird, with the red stomacher,
Thou mak'st the black bird speed as soone,
As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon; 10
The husband cocke lookes out, and straight is sped,
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.
This day more cheerfully then ever shine,
This day, which might enflame thy self, Old Valentine.
II.
Till now, Thou warmd'st with multiplying loves 15
Two larkes, two sparrowes, or two Doves,
All that is nothing unto this,
For thou this day couplest two Phœnixes;
Thou mak'st a Taper see
What the sunne never saw, and what the Arke 20
(Which was of soules, and beasts, the cage, and park,)
Did not containe, one bed containes, through Thee,
Two Phœnixes, whose joyned breasts
Are unto one another mutuall nests,
Where motion kindles such fires, as shall give 25
Yong Phœnixes, and yet the old shall live.
Whose love and courage never shall decline,
But make the whole year through, thy day, O Valentine.
III.
Up then faire Phœnix Bride, frustrate the Sunne,
Thy selfe from thine affection 30
Takest warmth enough, and from thine eye
All lesser birds will take their Jollitie.
Up, up, faire Bride, and call,
Thy starres, from out their severall boxes, take
Thy Rubies, Pearles, and Diamonds forth, and make 35
Thy selfe a constellation, of them All,
And by their blazing, signifie,
That a Great Princess falls, but doth not die;
Bee thou a new starre, that to us portends
Ends of much wonder; And be Thou those ends. 40
Since thou dost this day in new glory shine,
May all men date Records, from this thy Valentine.
IIII.
Come forth, come forth, and as one glorious flame
Meeting Another, growes the same,
So meet thy Fredericke, and so 45
To an unseparable union growe.
Since separation
Falls not on such things as are infinite,
Nor things which are but one, can disunite,
You'are twice inseparable, great, and one; 50
Goe then to where the Bishop staies,
To make you one, his way, which divers waies
Must be effected; and when all is past,
And that you'are one, by hearts and hands made fast,
You two have one way left, your selves to'entwine, 55
Besides this Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.
V.
But oh, what ailes the Sunne, that here he staies,
Longer to day, then other daies?
Staies he new light from these to get?
And finding here such store, is loth to set? 60
And why doe you two walke,
So slowly pac'd in this procession?
Is all your care but to be look'd upon,
And be to others spectacle, and talke?
The feast, with gluttonous delaies, 65
Is eaten, and too long their meat they praise,
The masquers come too late, and'I thinke, will stay,
Like Fairies, till the Cock crow them away.
Alas, did not Antiquity assigne
A night, as well as day, to thee, O Valentine? 70
VI.
They did, and night is come; and yet wee see
Formalities retarding thee.
What meane these Ladies, which (as though
They were to take a clock in peeces,) goe
So nicely about the Bride; 75
A Bride, before a good night could be said,
Should vanish from her cloathes, into her bed,
As Soules from bodies steale, and are not spy'd.
But now she is laid; What though shee bee?
Yet there are more delayes, For, where is he? 80
He comes, and passes through Spheare after Spheare,
First her sheetes, then her Armes, then any where.
Let not this day, then, but this night be thine,
Thy day was but the eve to this, O Valentine.
VII.
Here lyes a shee Sunne, and a hee Moone here, 85
She gives the best light to his Spheare,
Or each is both, and all, and so
They unto one another nothing owe,
And yet they doe, but are
So just and rich in that coyne which they pay, 90
That neither would, nor needs forbeare, nor stay;
Neither desires to be spar'd, nor to spare,
They quickly pay their debt, and then
Take no acquittances, but pay again;
They pay, they give, they lend, and so let fall 95
No such occasion to be liberall.
More truth, more courage in these two do shine,
Then all thy turtles have, and sparrows, Valentine.
VIII.
And by this act of these two Phenixes
Nature againe restored is, 100
For since these two are two no more,
Ther's but one Phenix still, as was before.
Rest now at last, and wee
As Satyres watch the Sunnes uprise, will stay
Waiting, when your eyes opened, let out day, 105
Onely desir'd, because your face wee see;
Others neare you shall whispering speake,
And wagers lay, at which side day will breake,
And win by'observing, then, whose hand it is
That opens first a curtaine, hers or his; 110
This will be tryed to morrow after nine,
Till which houre, wee thy day enlarge, O Valentine.
[Epithalamions, _&c._ _1635-69:_ _no general title_, _1633_.
An Epithalamion, _&c._ _1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_ (_most of the MSS. have
the full title but with slight verbal variations_)]
[13 shine, _Ed:_ shine. _1633-69_]
[14 enflame] enflãe _1633_]
[18 Phœnixes; _Ed:_ Phœnixes, _1633:_ Phœnixes.
_1635-69_]
[21 foules, _1633:_ fowle, _1635-69_]
[22 Thee, _1633_, _1650-69:_ Thee: _1635-39_]
[37 their blazing _1633-69_, _D_, _Lec:_ this blazing _A25_,
_B_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_ (_altered to_ their), _P_, _TCD_]
[40 ends. _1635-69:_ ends, _1633_]
[42 this thy _1633-54_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ this day _1669_, _A25_, _JC_, _Chambers_]
[46 growe. _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S96_, _TCD:_ goe, _1633-69_, _Lec_]
[49 disunite, _Grolier:_ disunite. _1633-69 and Chambers_]
[56 Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine. _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_ (our), _S96_, _TC_ Bishops
knot, O Bishop Valentine. _1633-54:_ Bishops knot of Bishop
Valentine. _1669:_ Bishops knot, of Bishop Valentine.
_Chambers_]
[60 store, _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
starres, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]
[67 come too late, _1633:_ come late, _1635-69_]
[70 O Valentine? _1633-54_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ old Valentine? _1669_]
[81 passes _1633-39:_ passeth _1650-69_
Spheare, _Ed:_ Spheare. _1633:_ Spheare: _1635-69_]
[82 where. _1650-69:_ where, _1633-39_]
[85 here, _1633-39_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD:_
there, _1650-69_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[91 stay;] stay, _1633_]
[92 spare, _1633-54:_ spare. _1669_]
[94 acquittances, _1635-69:_ acquittance, _1633_]
[96 such] _om._ _1669_]
[104 As ... uprise,] _brackets 1650-69_]
[105 day,] day. _1633_]
ECCLOGUE.
1613. _December_ 26.
Allophanes _finding_ Idios _in the country in Christmas
time, reprehends his absence from court, at the mariage
Of the Earle of Sommerset_, Idios _gives an account of
his purpose therein, and of his absence thence_.
_Allophanes._
Vnseasonable man, statue of ice,
What could to countries solitude entice
Thee, in this yeares cold and decrepit time?
Natures instinct drawes to the warmer clime
Even small birds, who by that courage dare, 5
In numerous fleets, saile through their Sea, the aire.
What delicacie can in fields appeare,
Whil'st Flora'herselfe doth a freeze jerkin weare?
Whil'st windes do all the trees and hedges strip
Of leafes, to furnish roddes enough to whip 10
Thy madnesse from thee; and all springs by frost
Have taken cold, and their sweet murmure lost;
If thou thy faults or fortunes would'st lament
With just solemnity, do it in Lent;
At Court the spring already advanced is, 15
The Sunne stayes longer up; and yet not his
The glory is, farre other, other fires.
First, zeale to Prince and State; then loves desires
Burne in one brest, and like heavens two great lights,
The first doth governe dayes, the other nights. 20
And then that early light, which did appeare
Before the Sunne and Moone created were,
The Princes favour is defus'd o'r all,
From which all Fortunes, Names, and Natures fall;
Then from those wombes of starres, the Brides bright eyes, 25
At every glance, a constellation flyes,
And sowes the Court with starres, and doth prevent
In light and power, the all-ey'd firmament;
First her eyes kindle other Ladies eyes,
Then from their beames their jewels lusters rise, 30
And from their jewels torches do take fire,
And all is warmth, and light, and good desire;
Most other Courts, alas, are like to hell,
Where in darke plotts, fire without light doth dwell:
Or but like Stoves, for lust and envy get 35
Continuall, but artificiall heat;
Here zeale and love growne one, all clouds disgest,
And make our Court an everlasting East.
And can'st thou be from thence?
_Idios._ No, I am there.
As heaven, to men dispos'd, is every where, 40
So are those Courts, whose Princes animate,
Not onely all their house, but all their State.
Let no man thinke, because he is full, he hath all,
Kings (as their patterne, God) are liberall
Not onely in fulnesse, but capacitie, 45
Enlarging narrow men, to feele and see,
And comprehend the blessings they bestow.
So, reclus'd hermits often times do know
More of heavens glory, then a worldling can.
As man is of the world, the heart of man, 50
Is an epitome of Gods great booke
Of creatures, and man need no farther looke;
So is the Country of Courts, where sweet peace doth,
As their one common soule, give life to both,
I am not then from Court.
_Allophanes._
Dreamer, thou art. 55
Think'st thou fantastique that thou hast a part
In the East-Indian fleet, because thou hast
A little spice, or Amber in thy taste?
Because thou art not frozen, art thou warme?
Seest thou all good because thou seest no harme? 60
The earth doth in her inward bowels hold
Stuffe well dispos'd, and which would faine be gold,
But never shall, except it chance to lye,
So upward, that heaven gild it with his eye;
As, for divine things, faith comes from above, 65
So, for best civill use, all tinctures move
From higher powers; From God religion springs,
Wisdome, and honour from the use of Kings.
Then unbeguile thy selfe, and know with mee,
That Angels, though on earth employd they bee, 70
Are still in heav'n, so is hee still at home
That doth, abroad, to honest actions come.
Chide thy selfe then, O foole, which yesterday
Might'st have read more then all thy books bewray;
Hast thou a history, which doth present 75
A Court, where all affections do assent
Unto the Kings, and that, that Kings are just?
And where it is no levity to trust?
Where there is no ambition, but to'obey,
Where men need whisper nothing, and yet may; 80
Where the Kings favours are so plac'd, that all
Finde that the King therein is liberall
To them, in him, because his favours bend
To vertue, to the which they all pretend?
Thou hast no such; yet here was this, and more, 85
An earnest lover, wise then, and before.
Our little Cupid hath sued Livery,
And is no more in his minority,
Hee is admitted now into that brest
Where the Kings Counsells and his secrets rest. 90
What hast thou lost, O ignorant man?
_Idios._
I knew
All this, and onely therefore I withdrew.
To know and feele all this, and not to have
Words to expresse it, makes a man a grave
Of his owne thoughts; I would not therefore stay 95
At a great feast, having no Grace to say.
And yet I scap'd not here; for being come
Full of the common joy, I utter'd some;
Reade then this nuptiall song, which was not made
Either the Court or mens hearts to invade, 100
But since I'am dead, and buried, I could frame
No Epitaph, which might advance my fame
So much as this poore song, which testifies
I did unto that day some sacrifice.
EPITHALAMION.
I.
_The time of the Mariage_.
Thou art repriv'd old yeare, thou shalt not die, 105
Though thou upon thy death bed lye,
And should'st within five dayes expire,
Yet thou art rescu'd by a mightier fire,
Then thy old Soule, the Sunne,
When he doth in his largest circle runne. 110
The passage of the West or East would thaw,
And open wide their easie liquid jawe
To all our ships, could a Promethean art
Either unto the Northerne Pole impart
The fire of these inflaming eyes, or of this loving heart. 115
II.
_Equality of persons_.
But undiscerning Muse, which heart, which eyes,
In this new couple, dost thou prize,
When his eye as inflaming is
As hers, and her heart loves as well as his?
Be tryed by beauty, and than 120
The bridegroome is a maid, and not a man.
If by that manly courage they be tryed,
Which scornes unjust opinion; then the bride
Becomes a man. Should chance or envies Art
Divide these two, whom nature scarce did part? 125
Since both have both th'enflaming eyes, and both the loving heart.
III.
_Raysing of the Bridegroome_.
Though it be some divorce to thinke of you
Singly, so much one are you two,
Yet let me here contemplate thee,
First, cheerfull Bridegroome, and first let mee see, 130
How thou prevent'st the Sunne,
And his red foming horses dost outrunne,
How, having laid downe in thy Soveraignes brest
All businesses, from thence to reinvest
Them, when these triumphs cease, thou forward art 135
To shew to her, who doth the like impart,
The fire of thy inflaming eyes, and of thy loving heart.
IIII.
_Raising of the Bride._
But now, to Thee, faire Bride, it is some wrong,
To thinke thou wert in Bed so long,
Since Soone thou lyest downe first, tis fit 140
Thou in first rising should'st allow for it.
Pouder thy Radiant haire,
Which if without such ashes thou would'st weare,
Thou, which to all which come to looke upon,
Art meant for Phœbus, would'st be Phaëton. 145
For our ease, give thine eyes th'unusual part
Of joy, a Teare; so quencht, thou maist impart,
To us that come, thy inflaming eyes, to him, thy loving heart.
V.
_Her Apparrelling._
Thus thou descend'st to our infirmitie,
Who can the Sun in water see. 150
Soe dost thou, when in silke and gold,
Thou cloudst thy selfe; since wee which doe behold,
Are dust, and wormes, 'tis just
Our objects be the fruits of wormes and dust;
Let every Jewell be a glorious starre, 155
Yet starres are not so pure, as their spheares are.
And though thou stoope, to'appeare to us in part,
Still in that Picture thou intirely art,
Which thy inflaming eyes have made within his loving heart.
VI.
_Going to the Chappell._
Now from your Easts you issue forth, and wee, 160
As men which through a Cipres see
The rising sun, doe thinke it two,
Soe, as you goe to Church, doe thinke of you,
But that vaile being gone,
By the Church rites you are from thenceforth one. 165
The Church Triumphant made this match before,
And now the Militant doth strive no more;
Then, reverend Priest, who Gods Recorder art,
Doe, from his Dictates, to these two impart
All blessings, which are seene, or thought, by Angels eye
or heart. 170
VII.
_The Benediction._
Blest payre of Swans, Oh may you interbring
Daily new joyes, and never sing,
Live, till all grounds of wishes faile,
Till honor, yea till wisedome grow so stale,
That, new great heights to trie, 175
It must serve your ambition, to die;
Raise heires, and may here, to the worlds end, live
Heires from this King, to take thankes, you, to give,
Nature and grace doe all, and nothing Art.
May never age, or error overthwart 180
With any West, these radiant eyes, with any North, this heart.
VIII.
_Feasts and Revells._
But you are over-blest. Plenty this day
Injures; it causeth time to stay;
The tables groane, as though this feast
Would, as the flood, destroy all fowle and beast. 185
And were the doctrine new
That the earth mov'd, this day would make it true;
For every part to dance and revell goes.
They tread the ayre, and fal not where they rose.
Though six houres since, the Sunne to bed did part, 190
The masks and banquets will not yet impart
A sunset to these weary eyes, A Center to this heart.
IX.
_The Brides going to bed._
What mean'st thou Bride, this companie to keep?
To sit up, till thou faine wouldst sleep?
Thou maist not, when thou art laid, doe so. 195
Thy selfe must to him a new banquet grow,
And you must entertaine
And doe all this daies dances o'r againe.
Know that if Sun and Moone together doe
Rise in one point, they doe not set so too; 200
Therefore thou maist, faire Bride, to bed depart,
Thou art not gone, being gone; where e'r thou art,
Thou leav'st in him thy watchfull eyes, in him thy loving heart.
X.
_The Bridegroomes comming._
As he that sees a starre fall, runs apace,
And findes a gellie in the place, 205
So doth the Bridegroome hast as much,
Being told this starre is falne, and findes her such.
And as friends may looke strange,
By a new fashion, or apparrells change,
Their soules, though long acquainted they had beene, 210
These clothes, their bodies, never yet had seene;
Therefore at first shee modestly might start,
But must forthwith surrender every part,
As freely, as each to each before, gave either eye or heart.
XI.
_The good-night._
Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare, 215
Unchang'd for fifteene hundred yeare,
May these love-lamps we here enshrine,
In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine.
Fire ever doth aspire,
And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire, 220
But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,
For none of these is fuell, but fire too.
This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong Arts
Make of so noble individuall parts
One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts. 225
_Idios._
As I have brought this song, that I may doe
A perfect sacrifice, I'll burne it too.
_Allophanes._
No S^{r}. This paper I have justly got,
For, in burnt incense, the perfume is not
His only that presents it, but of all; 230
What ever celebrates this Festivall
Is common, since the joy thereof is so.
Nor may your selfe be Priest: But let me goe,
Backe to the Court, and I will lay'it upon
Such Altars, as prize your devotion. 235
[ECCLOGUE. _&c._ _1633-69:_ _similarly_, _A18_, _A23_, _B_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[his absence thence. _1633, Lec:_ his Actions there.
_1635-69_, _A18_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ his absence then.
_D_, _S96_]
[2 countries] country _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[4 clime _1633-39:_ clime: _1650-69:_ clime. _D_]
[5 small _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TC:_
smaller _1635-69_, _Chambers_]
[12 Have _1633:_ Having _1635-69_
murmure _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_
murmures _1633-69_]
[22 were, _Ed:_ were; _1633-69_]
[29 kindle] kindles _1633_]
[34 plotts, _1635-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC:_ places, _1633_, _1669_, _Lec_]
[37 disgest, _1633-39:_ digest, _1650-69_]
[39 there. _D:_ there _1633-69_]
[40 where, _1633:_ where: _1635-69_, _owing to the dropping of
stop in previous line_]
[42 State.] State, _1633_]
[54 one _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ own
_1635-69_, _Lec_]
[55 I am ... Court. _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_S96_, _TC:_ And am I then from Court? _1635-69_
art. _1650-69:_ art, _1633-39_]
[57 East-Indian _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ Indian _1633-69_]
[61 inward _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC:_ inner _1633-69_]
[75 present] represent _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[78 trust? _Ed:_ trust. _1633-39:_ trust, _1650-69_]
[84 pretend? _Ed:_ pretend. _1633-69_]
[85 more, _1633:_ more. _1635-69_]
[86 before. _1633-69:_ before, _Chambers_. _See note_]
[92 withdrew.] withdrew _1633_]
[96 say. _1635-69:_ say, _1633_]
[98 joy, ... some; _Ed:_ joy; ... some, _1633:_ joy; ... some.
_1635-69_]
[EPITHALAMION. _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _om. 1633-69_.
_See note_]
[107 expire,] expire _1633-39_]
[108 by _1633:_ from _1635-69_]
[121 man. _1669_, _D:_ man, _1633-39:_ man; _1650-54_]
[124 or] our _1669_]
[126 both th'enflaming eyes, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ th'enflaming eye, _1633:_ the enflaming
eye, _1635-69_]
[128 Singly, _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_,
_TC:_ Single, _1633-69_, _Lec_]
[129 Yet let _A23_, _O'F:_ Let _1633-69_]
[141 should'st] should _1669_
it. _1635-69:_ it, _1633_]
[144 Thou, which _D:_ Thou, which, _1633:_ Thou which,
_1635-69_]
[145 Art _A18_, _B_, _S96_, _TCC:_ Are _1633_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ Wert _1635-69_, _O'F_
for] for, _1633_]
[Phaëton. _1635-69:_ Phaëton, _1633_]
[146 ease, ... eyes _1635-69:_ ease, ... eyes, _1633_]
[150 see. _1633-69:_ see; _Grolier_. _But see note_]
[157 stoope, ... us _1633-69:_ stoope, ... us, _1633_]
[167 more; _Ed:_ more, _1633:_ more. _1635-69_]
[170 or thought] Or thought _1633_]
[172 sing, _1633:_ sing: _1635-69_]
[178 you, yours, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _O'F_, _S96_
give, _1633:_ give. _1635-69_]
[179 Art. _Ed:_ Art, _1633-69_]
[194 wouldst] would _1669_]
[200 too; _Ed:_ too. _1635-69:_ to. _1633_]
[202 being gone; _Ed:_ being gone, _1633-39:_ being gone
_1650-69_]
[207 such. _1635-69:_ such, _1633_]
[211 seene; _Ed:_ seene. _1633-69_]
[214 eye] hand _1650-69_]
[215 burnt] burn _1669_]
[218 divine. _1635-69:_ divine; _1633_]
[230 all; _1635-69:_ all, _1633_]
_Epithalamion made at Lincolnes Inne._
The Sun-beames in the East are spred,
Leave, leave, faire Bride, your solitary bed,
No more shall you returne to it alone,
It nourseth sadnesse, and your bodies print,
Like to a grave, the yielding downe doth dint; 5
You and your other you meet there anon;
Put forth, put forth that warme balme-breathing thigh,
Which when next time you in these sheets wil smother,
There it must meet another,
Which never was, but must be, oft, more nigh; 10
Come glad from thence, goe gladder then you came,
_To day put on perfection, and a womans name_.
Daughters of London, you which bee
Our Golden Mines, and furnish'd Treasurie,
You which are Angels, yet still bring with you 15
Thousands of Angels on your mariage daies,
Help with your presence and devise to praise
These rites, which also unto you grow due;
Conceitedly dresse her, and be assign'd,
By you, fit place for every flower and jewell, 20
Make her for love fit fewell
As gay as Flora, and as rich as Inde;
So may shee faire, rich, glad, and in nothing lame,
_To day put on perfection, and a womans name_.
And you frolique Patricians, 25
Sonns of these Senators wealths deep oceans,
Ye painted courtiers, barrels of others wits,
Yee country men, who but your beasts love none,
Yee of those fellowships whereof hee's one,
Of study and play made strange Hermaphrodits, 30
Here shine; This Bridegroom to the Temple bring.
Loe, in yon path which store of straw'd flowers graceth,
The sober virgin paceth;
Except my sight faile, 'tis no other thing;
Weep not nor blush, here is no griefe nor shame, 35
_To day put on perfection, and a womans name_.
Thy two-leav'd gates faire Temple unfold,
And these two in thy sacred bosome hold,
Till, mystically joyn'd, but one they bee;
Then may thy leane and hunger-starved wombe 40
Long time expect their bodies and their tombe,
Long after their owne parents fatten thee.
All elder claimes, and all cold barrennesse,
All yeelding to new loves bee far for ever,
Which might these two dissever, 45
All wayes all th'other may each one possesse;
For, the best Bride, best worthy of praise and fame,
_To day puts on perfection, and a womans name_.
Oh winter dayes bring much delight,
Not for themselves, but for they soon bring night; 50
Other sweets wait thee then these diverse meats,
Other disports then dancing jollities,
Other love tricks then glancing with the eyes,
But that the Sun still in our halfe Spheare sweates;
Hee flies in winter, but he now stands still. 55
Yet shadowes turne; Noone point he hath attain'd,
His steeds nill bee restrain'd,
But gallop lively downe the Westerne hill;
Thou shalt, when he hath runne the worlds half frame,
_To night put on perfection, and a womans name_. 60
The amorous evening starre is rose,
Why then should not our amorous starre inclose
Her selfe in her wish'd bed? Release your strings
Musicians, and dancers take some truce
With these your pleasing labours, for great use 65
As much wearinesse as perfection brings;
You, and not only you, but all toyl'd beasts
Rest duly; at night all their toyles are dispensed;
But in their beds commenced
Are other labours, and more dainty feasts; 70
She goes a maid, who, least she turne the same,
_To night puts on perfection, and a womans name_.
Thy virgins girdle now untie,
And in thy nuptiall bed (loves altar) lye
A pleasing sacrifice; now dispossesse 75
Thee of these chaines and robes which were put on
T'adorne the day, not thee; for thou, alone,
Like vertue'and truth, art best in nakednesse;
This bed is onely to virginitie
A grave, but, to a better state, a cradle; 80
Till now thou wast but able
To be what now thou art; then that by thee
No more be said, _I may bee_, but, _I am_,
_To night put on perfection, and a womans name_.
Even like a faithfull man content, 85
That this life for a better should be spent,
So, shee a mothers rich stile doth preferre,
And at the Bridegroomes wish'd approach doth lye,
Like an appointed lambe, when tenderly
The priest comes on his knees t'embowell her; 90
Now sleep or watch with more joy; and O light
Of heaven, to morrow rise thou hot, and early;
This Sun will love so dearely
Her rest, that long, long we shall want her sight;
Wonders are wrought, for shee which had no maime, 95
_To night puts on perfection, and a womans name_.
[Epithalamion _&c._ _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_
Epithalamion on a Citizen. _A34_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96:_
_do._ of the La: Eliz: _P:_ Epithalamion. _W_]
[4 bodies _1635-69 and MSS.:_ body _1633_]
[8 smother, _1650-69:_ smother _1633-39_]
[17 presence _Ed:_ presence, _1633-69_. _See note_]
[22 faire, rich, glad, and in _A18_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ faire and
rich, in _1633-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[25 Patricians,] Patricians _1633_]
[26 Sonns of ... deep oceans, _Ed:_ Some of these Senators
wealths deep oceans, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Sonnes of these
Senatours, wealths deep oceans _W:_ Sonnes of those Senatours,
wealths deepe oceans, _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_ (_but_
Senators _O'F_, _S96_). _See note_]
[29 those fellowships] that Fellowship _S96_]
[31 bring. _W:_ bring _1633-39:_ bring, _1650-69_]
[32 straw'd] strow'd _1669_]
[42 thee. _1635-69:_ thee; _1633_]
[46 All wayes _W:_ Alwaies, _1633:_ Alwayes, _1635-69_]
[49 Oh winter dayes _A34_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _W:_ Winter
dayes _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[53 eyes, _1635-69:_ eyes; _1633_]
[55 still. _W:_ still, _1633-69_]
[57 nill _W:_ will _1633-69 and rest of MSS.:_ _B inserts_
not. _See note_]
[59 runne the worlds halfe frame, _A34_, _B_, _S96_, _W:_
runne the Heavens halfe frame, _1635-69_, _O'F:_ come the
worlds half frame, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[60 _put_] _but_ _1633_]
[72 _puts_] _put_ _1669_]
[73 Thy virgins girdle _1633-69_, _W:_ The Virgin Girdle _B_,
_O'F_, _S96:_ Thy Virgin girdle _P_]
[74 [loves alter] _1633-69_]
[76 were] wee _some copies of 1633_, _Grolier_]
[78 art] are _1669_]
[86 spent, _Ed:_ spent; _1633:_ spent: _1635-69_]
[95 maime, _1633_, _W:_ name, _1635-69_, _A18_, _A34_, _B_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]
SATYRES.
_Satyre I._
Away thou fondling motley humorist,
Leave mee, and in this standing woodden chest,
Consorted with these few bookes, let me lye
In prison, and here be coffin'd, when I dye;
Here are Gods conduits, grave Divines; and here 5
Natures Secretary, the Philosopher;
And jolly Statesmen, which teach how to tie
The sinewes of a cities mistique bodie;
Here gathering Chroniclers, and by them stand
Giddie fantastique Poëts of each land. 10
Shall I leave all this constant company,
And follow headlong, wild uncertaine thee?
First sweare by thy best love in earnest
(If thou which lov'st all, canst love any best)
Thou wilt not leave mee in the middle street, 15
Though some more spruce companion thou dost meet,
Not though a Captaine do come in thy way
Bright parcell gilt, with forty dead mens pay,
Not though a briske perfum'd piert Courtier
Deigne with a nod, thy courtesie to answer. 20
Nor come a velvet Justice with a long
Great traine of blew coats, twelve, or fourteen strong,
Wilt thou grin or fawne on him, or prepare
A speech to Court his beautious sonne and heire!
For better or worse take mee, or leave mee: 25
To take, and leave mee is adultery.
Oh monstrous, superstitious puritan,
Of refin'd manners, yet ceremoniall man,
That when thou meet'st one, with enquiring eyes
Dost search, and like a needy broker prize 30
The silke, and gold he weares, and to that rate
So high or low, dost raise thy formall hat:
That wilt consort none, untill thou have knowne
What lands hee hath in hope, or of his owne,
As though all thy companions should make thee 35
Jointures, and marry thy deare company.
Why should'st thou (that dost not onely approve,
But in ranke itchie lust, desire, and love
The nakednesse and barenesse to enjoy,
Of thy plumpe muddy whore, or prostitute boy) 40
Hate vertue, though shee be naked, and bare?
At birth, and death, our bodies naked are;
And till our Soules be unapparrelled
Of bodies, they from blisse are banished.
Mans first blest state was naked, when by sinne 45
Hee lost that, yet hee was cloath'd but in beasts skin,
And in this course attire, which I now weare,
With God, and with the Muses I conferre.
But since thou like a contrite penitent,
Charitably warn'd of thy sinnes, dost repent 50
These vanities, and giddinesses, loe
I shut my chamber doore, and come, lets goe.
But sooner may a cheape whore, who hath beene
Worne by as many severall men in sinne,
As are black feathers, or musk-colour hose, 55
Name her childs right true father, 'mongst all those:
Sooner may one guesse, who shall beare away
The Infanta of London, Heire to an India;
And sooner may a gulling weather Spie
By drawing forth heavens Scheme tell certainly 60
What fashioned hats, or ruffes, or suits next yeare
Our subtile-witted antique youths will weare;
Then thou, when thou depart'st from mee, canst show
Whither, why, when, or with whom thou wouldst go.
But how shall I be pardon'd my offence 65
That thus have sinn'd against my conscience?
Now we are in the street; He first of all
Improvidently proud, creepes to the wall,
And so imprisoned, and hem'd in by mee
Sells for a little state his libertie; 70
Yet though he cannot skip forth now to greet
Every fine silken painted foole we meet,
He them to him with amorous smiles allures,
And grins, smacks, shrugs, and such an itch endures,
As prentises, or schoole-boyes which doe know 75
Of some gay sport abroad, yet dare not goe.
And as fidlers stop lowest, at highest sound,
So to the most brave, stoops hee nigh'st the ground.
But to a grave man, he doth move no more
Then the wise politique horse would heretofore, 80
Or thou O Elephant or Ape wilt doe,
When any names the King of Spaine to you.
Now leaps he upright, Joggs me, & cryes, Do you see
Yonder well favoured youth? Which? Oh, 'tis hee
That dances so divinely; Oh, said I, 85
Stand still, must you dance here for company?
Hee droopt, wee went, till one (which did excell
Th'Indians, in drinking his Tobacco well)
Met us; they talk'd; I whispered, let'us goe,
'T may be you smell him not, truely I doe; 90
He heares not mee, but, on the other side
A many-coloured Peacock having spide,
Leaves him and mee; I for my lost sheep stay;
He followes, overtakes, goes on the way,
Saying, him whom I last left, all repute 95
For his device, in hansoming a sute,
To judge of lace, pinke, panes, print, cut, and plight,
Of all the Court, to have the best conceit;
Our dull Comedians want him, let him goe;
But Oh, God strengthen thee, why stoop'st thou so? 100
Why? he hath travayld; Long? No; but to me
(Which understand none,) he doth seeme to be
Perfect French, and Italian; I replyed,
So is the Poxe; He answered not, but spy'd
More men of fort, of parts, and qualities; 105
At last his Love he in a windowe spies,
And like light dew exhal'd, he flings from mee
Violently ravish'd to his lechery.
Many were there, he could command no more;
Hee quarrell'd fought, bled; and turn'd out of dore 110
Directly came to mee hanging the head,
And constantly a while must keepe his bed.
[Satyre I. _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_W:_ Satyre the Second. _or_ Satyre 2. _A25_, _B_, _O'F:_
Satyre. _or_ A Satyre of Mr. John Donnes. _Cy_, _L74_, _S96:_
_no title_ (_but placed first_), _H51_, _N_, _TCD_]
[1 fondling _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD:_ changeling
_1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S96_, _W_]
[5 conduits, ... Divines; _1650-69_, _Q:_ conduits; ...
Divines, _1633-39_]
[6 Is Natures Secretary, _1669_, _S96_
Philosopher; _Ed:_ Philosopher. _1633-39:_ Philosopher:
_1659-69_]
[7 jolly _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_,
_L74_, _N_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ wily _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ with _P_]
[12 headlong, wild uncertaine thee? _1633:_ _om. comma 1635-69
and Grolier_]
[13 love in earnest _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_,
_W:_ love, here, in earnest _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[16 dost. meet,] doe meet. _H51_, _Q_, _W_]
[19 Not _1633-69_, _A25_, _Lec_, _P_, _Q:_ Nor _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W_
piert] neat _Q_]
[23 Wilt _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ Shalt _A25_,
_B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_,
_W_]
[24 heire! _Ed:_ heire? _1633-69_]
[25 or worse _1633-69_, _Cy_, _D_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_Q_, _TCD:_ and worse _A25_, _B_, _H49_, _H51_, _S96_, _W:_ or
for worse _P:_ and for worse _JC_]
[27 Oh monstrous,] A (_i.e._ Ah) _or_ O Monster, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _W_]
[29 eyes _1635-69:_ eyes; _1633_]
[32 raise _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD:_ vaile _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W_
hat:] hate: _1633_]
[33 consort none,] consort with none, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_
untill] till _1669_]
[37-40 _brackets_ _1650-69_, _Q:_ that ... boy _1633:_ that
... boy; _1635-39_]
[39 barenesse _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_Q_, _W:_ barrennesse _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_,
_TCD_]
[40 Of] of _1633:_ or _1633_, _1669:_ _om. 1635-54_]
[41 bare? _1635-69:_ bare, _1633_]
[45 first blest _1633-69_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TCD_, _W:_ first best _A25_, _B_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S_]
[46 yet _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD:_ _om. 1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_]
[47 weare, _1650-69:_ weare _1633-39_]
[50 warn'd] warm'd _1633_]
[52 goe. _1635-69:_ goe, _1633_]
[54 Worne by] Worne out by _1650-69_]
[55 musk-colour _1633-35_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_, _W:_ musk-coloured _1639-69_, _A25_, _P_, _Q_]
[58 The Infanta ... India; _Ed:_ The Infanta ... India,
_A25_, _O'F_, _Q:_ The infant ... India, _1633-54 and MSS.
generally:_ The Infantry of London, hence to India: _1669_]
[60 Scheme _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_,
_Q:_ schemes _L74_, _S:_ sceames _N:_ Sceanes _1633_, _Cy_,
_Lec_, _TCD:_ scene _P_]
[62 subtile-witted _D_, _H49:_ subtile wittied _1633-54_,
_L74_, _N_, _TCD:_ supple-witted _A25_, _JC_ (_altered to_
subtle), _H51_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ giddy-headed _1669_
youths] youth _1669_]
[63 depart'st from mee] depart'st from hence _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _O'F_, _S_, _W:_ departest hence _A25_, _Q_, _S96_
canst _JC, Q:_ can _1633-69 and many MSS._]
[66 conscience?] conscience. _1633_]
[70 state] room _H51_
his _1635-69 and all MSS.:_ high _1633_, _Chambers_
libertie;] libertie, _1633_]
[73 them] then _1633_]
[78 stoops _1635-69_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _O'F_,
_Q:_ stoopeth _B_, _P:_ stoopt _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_
nigh'st the ground.] nighest ground. _D_, _H49_, _P_, _Q_,
_W_]
[81-2 _om. 1633_]
[84 youth? _1635-69:_ youth; _1633_
Oh,] Yea, _A25_, _B_, _H51_, _JC_, _Q_, _W_]
[86 here] so _H51_]
[89 us; _Ed:_ us: _1635-69:_ us, _1633_
whispered, let'us goe, _Ed:_ whispered, let us goe, _1633-54:_
whisperd, let us goe, _1669:_ whispered (letts goe) _Q_. _See
note_]
[90 'T may be] May be _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[94 goes on the way,] goes, on the way _D_, _H49_, _Q_(in),
_W_(in)]
[95 all repute _1635-69 and MSS. generally:_ s'all repute
_1633_, _Lec_]
[97 print, cut, and plight (pleite, _1635-39:_ pleit,
_1650-69_), _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ cut, print,
or pleate (pleight _&c._), _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S96_, _W_]
[100 stoop'st _1633_, _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD:_ stop'st. _1635-54_,
_O'F_]
[101 Why? he hath travayld; Long? No; but to me _S96:_ Why:
he hath travayld. Long? No: but to mee _W:_ Why, hee hath
travayl'd. Long? no. But to mee _H49:_ Why he hath travayld;
Longe? Noe: but to mee _JC:_ Why, he hath travailed (traveled
_1635-39_) long? no, but to me _1633-39:_ Why hath he
travelled long? no, but to me _1650-54_, _P:_ Why. He hath
travelled long; no, but to me _1669_. _See note_]
[102 understand] understood _1669:_ _brackets from Q_. _See
note_]
[105 and qualities;] of qualities; _Lec_, _P_, _Q_, _S96_]
[106 a] _om. 1669_]
[108 lechery. _1635-69 and MSS:_ liberty; _1633_]
[109 were there, _1633-39:_ there were, _1650-69_]
_Satyre II._
Sir; though (I thanke God for it) I do hate
Perfectly all this towne, yet there's one state
In all ill things so excellently best,
That hate, toward them, breeds pitty towards the rest.
Though Poëtry indeed be such a sinne 5
As I thinke that brings dearths, and Spaniards in,
Though like the Pestilence and old fashion'd love,
Ridlingly it catch men; and doth remove
Never, till it be sterv'd out; yet their state
Is poore, disarm'd, like Papists, not worth hate. 10
One, (like a wretch, which at Barre judg'd as dead,
Yet prompts him which stands next, and cannot reade,
And saves his life) gives ideot actors meanes
(Starving himselfe) to live by his labor'd sceanes;
As in some Organ, Puppits dance above 15
And bellows pant below, which them do move.
One would move Love by rithmes; but witchcrafts charms
Bring not now their old feares, nor their old harmes:
Rammes, and slings now are seely battery,
Pistolets are the best Artillerie. 20
And they who write to Lords, rewards to get,
Are they not like singers at doores for meat?
And they who write, because all write, have still
That excuse for writing, and for writing ill;
But hee is worst, who (beggarly) doth chaw 25
Others wits fruits, and in his ravenous maw
Rankly digested, doth those things out-spue,
As his owne things; and they are his owne, 'tis true,
For if one eate my meate, though it be knowne
The meate was mine, th'excrement is his owne: 30
But these do mee no harme, nor they which use
To out-doe Dildoes, and out-usure Jewes;
To out-drinke the sea, to out-sweare the Letanie;
Who with sinnes all kindes as familiar bee
As Confessors; and for whose sinfull sake, 35
Schoolemen new tenements in hell must make:
Whose strange sinnes, Canonists could hardly tell
In which Commandements large receit they dwell.
But these punish themselves; the insolence
Of Coscus onely breeds my just offence, 40
Whom time (which rots all, and makes botches poxe,
And plodding on, must make a calfe an oxe)
Hath made a Lawyer, which was (alas) of late
But a scarce Poët; jollier of this state,
Then are new benefic'd ministers, he throwes 45
Like nets, or lime-twigs, wheresoever he goes,
His title of Barrister, on every wench,
And wooes in language of the Pleas, and Bench:
A motion, Lady; Speake Coscus; I have beene
In love, ever since _tricesimo_ of the Queene, 50
Continuall claimes I have made, injunctions got
To stay my rivals suit, that hee should not
Proceed; spare mee; In Hillary terme I went,
You said, If I return'd next size in Lent,
I should be in remitter of your grace; 55
In th'interim my letters should take place
Of affidavits: words, words, which would teare
The tender labyrinth of a soft maids eare,
More, more, then ten Sclavonians scolding, more
Then when winds in our ruin'd Abbeyes rore. 60
When sicke with Poëtrie, and possest with muse
Thou wast, and mad, I hop'd; but men which chuse
Law practise for meere gaine, bold soule, repute
Worse then imbrothel'd strumpets prostitute.
Now like an owlelike watchman, hee must walke 65
His hand still at a bill, now he must talke
Idly, like prisoners, which whole months will sweare
That onely suretiship hath brought them there,
And to every suitor lye in every thing,
Like a Kings favourite, yea like a King; 70
Like a wedge in a blocke, wring to the barre,
Bearing-like Asses; and more shamelesse farre
Then carted whores, lye, to the grave Judge; for
Bastardy abounds not in Kings titles, nor
Symonie and Sodomy in Churchmens lives, 75
As these things do in him; by these he thrives.
Shortly (as the sea) hee will compasse all our land;
From Scots, to Wight; from Mount, to Dover strand.
And spying heires melting with luxurie,
Satan will not joy at their sinnes, as hee. 80
For as a thrifty wench scrapes kitching-stuffe,
And barrelling the droppings, and the snuffe,
Of wasting candles, which in thirty yeare
(Relique-like kept) perchance buyes wedding geare;
Peecemeale he gets lands, and spends as much time 85
Wringing each Acre, as men pulling prime.
In parchments then, large as his fields, hee drawes
Assurances, bigge, as gloss'd civill lawes,
So huge, that men (in our times forwardnesse)
Are Fathers of the Church for writing lesse. 90
These hee writes not; nor for these written payes,
Therefore spares no length; as in those first dayes
When Luther was profest, He did desire
Short _Pater nosters_, saying as a Fryer
Each day his beads, but having left those lawes, 95
Addes to Christs prayer, the Power and glory clause.
But when he sells or changes land, he'impaires
His writings, and (unwatch'd) leaves out, _ses heires_,
As slily as any Commenter goes by
Hard words, or sense; or in Divinity 100
As controverters, in vouch'd Texts, leave out
Shrewd words, which might against them cleare the doubt.
Where are those spred woods which cloth'd hertofore
Those bought lands? not built, nor burnt within dore.
Where's th'old landlords troops, and almes? In great hals 106
Carthusian fasts, and fulsome Bachanalls
Equally I hate; meanes blesse; in rich mens homes
I bid kill some beasts, but no Hecatombs,
None starve, none surfet so; But (Oh) we allow,
Good workes as good, but out of fashion now, 110
Like old rich wardrops; but my words none drawes
Within the vast reach of th'huge statute lawes.
[Satyre II.: _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_ (after C. B.
copy _in margin_), _JC_, _Lec_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ Satyre 3rd.
_A25:_ Law Satyre. _P:_ Satire. _or no title_, _B_, _Cy_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[2-3
_there is one_
All this towne perfectly yet in every state
_In all ill things so excellently best_
There are some found so villainously best, _H51_
All this towne perfectly yet everie state
Hath in't one found so villainously best _S96_
]
[4 toward] towards _1669_ and _MSS._
them,] that _A25_
towards] toward _1653-54_
rest.] rest; _1633_]
[6 As I thinke that _1633:_ As I thinke That _1635-54:_ As,
I think, that _1669:_ As I'ame afraid brings _H51_ dearths,
_A25_, _H51_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_, _W:_ dearth,
_1633-69_, _D_, _H49_]
[7 and] or _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _W_]
[8 Ridlingly it _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_ It
riddlinglie _rest of MSS._]
[10 hate. _Ed:_ hate: _1633-69_]
[12 cannot _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ could not
_rest of MSS._]
[14 sceanes; _Ed:_ sceanes. _1633-69 and Chambers_]
[15 Organ _1633-54_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ Organs _1669
and rest of MSS._]
[16 move. _1633-69:_ move, _Chambers_. _See note_]
[17 rithmes; _1633-69_, _Lec_, _Q_, _TCD:_ rimes; _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_ (rime), _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _W_]
[18 harmes: _Ed:_ harmes. _1633-69_]
[19 Rammes, and slings] Rimes and songs _P_]
[22 singers at doores _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_
Boyes singing at dore (_or_ dores) _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _HN_, _JC_, _O'F_ (_corrected from_ singers), _P_, _Q_
(at a dore), _S_, _W:_ singers at mens dores _A25_]
[24 excuse] scuse _MSS._]
[32 To out-doe Dildoes, _1635-69, B, H51, L74, Lec, N, P, Q,
TCD:_ To out-doe ----; _1633:_ To out-swive dildoes _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[33 Letanie; _Ed:_ Letanie, _1669 and all MSS.:_ ---- _1633:_
_simply omit_, _1635-39:_ gallant, he _1650-54_. _See note_]
[34 sinnes all kindes _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_
sinnes of all kindes _1633_, _Cy_ (kind), _Lec, P_]
[35-6 sake, Schoolemen _1669:_ sake Schoolemen, _1633-54_]
[40 just _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ great _A25_,
_B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_S96_, _W:_ harts _JC_]
[43 Lawyer, _Ed:_ Lawyer; _1633-69_
which was (alas) of late _Ed:_ which was alas of late _1633:_
which, (alas) of late _1635-69_]
[44 a scarce _A25_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_, _JC_ (_altered in
margin_), _L74_, _Q_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ scarce a _1633-69_,
_D_, _Lec_, _P_
Poet; _1635-69:_ Poët, _1633_
this _1633-69:_ that _A25_, _Cy_, _H51_, _Q:_ his _HN_, _JC_,
_O'F_, _S_]
[49 Lady; _Ed:_ Lady, _1633:_ Lady. _1635-39:_ Lady: _1650-69_
Coscus; _1633:_ Coscus. _1635-69_]
[53 Proceed; _1669:_ Proceed, _1633-54_]
[54 return'd] Returne _1633_ next size _1633-69_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ this size _rest of MSS._]
[58 soft maids eare, _Ed:_ soft maids eare. _1633-54 and
MSS.:_ Maids soft ear _1669_]
[59 scolding] scolding's _1669_]
[60 rore.] rore; _1633_]
[63 gaine, bold soule, repute _Ed:_ gaine; bold soule repute
_1633-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_, _L74_, _P_,
_W:_ gayne (bold soule) repute: _Q:_ gain, bold souls repute
_1719 and Chambers:_ gayne, hold soule repute _A25_, _N_, _S_,
_TCD, and Lowell's conjecture in Grolier_. _See note_]
[68 That] The _Chambers_]
[69-70 _These lines represented by dashes_, _1633_]
[70 yea _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ or
_1635-69_]
[72 Bearing-like Asses; _Ed:_ Bearing like Asses, _1633-69 and
MSS._]
[73 whores, _1633-69:_ whores; _Chambers and Grolier_. _See
note_]
[74-5 _These lines represented by dashes_, _1633_]
[77 our land;] our land, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_,
_HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_,
_W:_ the land; _1633-69_, _Q_]
[79 luxurie, _1633-69_, _A25_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_
(_corr. fr._ Gluttony), _P_, _Q_, _TCD:_ Gluttony _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[80 will] would _A25_, _Q_]
[84 Relique-like _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _L74_, _N_,
_O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ Reliquely _1633-69_, _Cy_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _P_
geare;] chear; _1669_ (_which brackets from_ 81 as _to end of_
84), _Cy_]
[86 men] Maids _1669_]
[87 parchments _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _Q_,
_W:_ parchment _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCD_
his] the _1669_]
[98 _ses 1633-69_, _B_, _L74_, _Lec_, _Q_, _and other MSS.:_
his _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _P_
heires,] heires _1633_]
[99 As] And _1669_
by] by, _1633_]
[102 doubt.] doubt: _1633_]
[105 Where's _&c._ _Ed:_ Where's th'old landlords troops,
and almes, great hals? _1633_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_ (_but_ hals
_MSS._): Where the old landlords troops, and almes? In hals
_1635-69_, _L74_, _O'F:_ Where the old landlords troopes and
almes? In great halls _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_,
_HN_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W_ (_but the punctuation is very
irregular, and some have_ 's _after_ Where). _See note_]
[107 Equally I hate;] Equallie hate, _Q_
hate; _Ed:_ hate, _1633:_ hate. _1635-69_
meanes bless; _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD_, _W:_ Meane's blest.
_1635-69_, _Cy_, _S_, _S96_ (_altered to_ is blest). _See
note_]
[111 in wardrops; _1633:_ wardrobes. _1635-69_]
[112 statute lawes. _1633-54 and all MSS.:_ statutes jawes.
_1669_, _Chambers_]
_Satyre III._
Kinde pitty chokes my spleene; brave scorn forbids
Those teares to issue which swell my eye-lids;
I must not laugh, nor weepe sinnes, and be wise,
Can railing then cure these worne maladies?
Is not our Mistresse faire Religion, 5
As worthy of all our Soules devotion,
As vertue was to the first blinded age?
Are not heavens joyes as valiant to asswage
Lusts, as earths honour was to them? Alas,
As wee do them in meanes, shall they surpasse 10
Us in the end, and shall thy fathers spirit
Meete blinde Philosophers in heaven, whose merit
Of strict life may be imputed faith, and heare
Thee, whom hee taught so easie wayes and neare
To follow, damn'd? O if thou dar'st, feare this; 15
This feare great courage, and high valour is.
Dar'st thou ayd mutinous Dutch, and dar'st thou lay
Thee in ships woodden Sepulchers, a prey
To leaders rage, to stormes, to shot, to dearth?
Dar'st thou dive seas, and dungeons of the earth? 20
Hast thou couragious fire to thaw the ice
Of frozen North discoueries? and thrise
Colder then Salamanders, like divine
Children in th'oven, fires of Spaine, and the line,
Whose countries limbecks to our bodies bee, 25
Canst thou for gaine beare? and must every hee
Which cryes not, Goddesse, to thy Mistresse, draw,
Or eate thy poysonous words? courage of straw!
O desperate coward, wilt thou seeme bold, and
To thy foes and his (who made thee to stand 30
Sentinell in his worlds garrison) thus yeeld,
And for forbidden warres, leave th'appointed field?
Know thy foes: The foule Devill (whom thou
Strivest to please,) for hate, not love, would allow
Thee faine, his whole Realme to be quit; and as 35
The worlds all parts wither away and passe,
So the worlds selfe, thy other lov'd foe, is
In her decrepit wayne, and thou loving this,
Dost love a withered and worne strumpet; last,
Flesh (it selfes death) and joyes which flesh can taste, 40
Thou loveft; and thy faire goodly soule, which doth
Give this flesh power to taste joy, thou dost loath.
Seeke true religion. O where? Mirreus
Thinking her unhous'd here, and fled from us,
Seekes her at Rome; there, because hee doth know 45
That shee was there a thousand yeares agoe,
He loves her ragges so, as wee here obey
The statecloth where the Prince sate yesterday.
Crantz to such brave Loves will not be inthrall'd,
But loves her onely, who at Geneva is call'd 50
Religion, plaine, simple, sullen, yong,
Contemptuous, yet unhansome; As among
Lecherous humors, there is one that judges
No wenches wholsome, but course country drudges.
Graius stayes still at home here, and because 55
Some Preachers, vile ambitious bauds, and lawes
Still new like fashions, bid him thinke that shee
Which dwels with us, is onely perfect, hee
Imbraceth her, whom his Godfathers will
Tender to him, being tender, as Wards still 60
Take such wives as their Guardians offer, or
Pay valewes. Carelesse Phrygius doth abhorre
All, because all cannot be good, as one
Knowing some women whores, dares marry none.
Graccus loves all as one, and thinkes that so 65
As women do in divers countries goe
In divers habits, yet are still one kinde,
So doth, so is Religion; and this blind-
nesse too much light breeds; but unmoved thou
Of force must one, and forc'd but one allow; 70
And the right; aske thy father which is shee,
Let him aske his; though truth and falshood bee
Neare twins, yet truth a little elder is;
Be busie to seeke her, beleeve mee this,
Hee's not of none, nor worst, that seekes the best. 75
To adore, or scorne an image, or protest,
May all be bad; doubt wisely; in strange way
To stand inquiring right, is not to stray;
To sleepe, or runne wrong, is. On a huge hill,
Cragged, and steep, Truth stands, and hee that will 80
Reach her, about must, and about must goe;
And what the hills suddennes resists, winne so;
Yet strive so, that before age, deaths twilight,
Thy Soule rest, for none can worke in that night.
To will, implyes delay, therefore now doe: 85
Hard deeds, the bodies paines; hard knowledge too
The mindes indeavours reach, and mysteries
Are like the Sunne, dazling, yet plaine to all eyes.
Keepe the truth which thou hast found; men do not stand
In so ill case here, that God hath with his hand 90
Sign'd Kings blanck-charters to kill whom they hate,
Nor are they Vicars, but hangmen to Fate.
Foole and wretch, wilt thou let thy Soule be tyed
To mans lawes, by which she shall not be tryed
At the last day? Oh, will it then boot thee 95
To say a Philip, or a Gregory,
A Harry, or a Martin taught thee this?
Is not this excuse for mere contraries,
Equally strong? cannot both sides say so?
That thou mayest rightly obey power, her bounds know; 100
Those past, her nature, and name is chang'd; to be
Then humble to her is idolatrie.
As streames are, Power is; those blest flowers that dwell
At the rough streames calme head, thrive and do well,
But having left their roots, and themselves given 105
To the streames tyrannous rage, alas, are driven
Through mills, and rockes, and woods, and at last, almost
Consum'd in going, in the sea are lost:
So perish Soules, which more chuse mens unjust
Power from God claym'd, then God himselfe to trust. 110
[Satyre III. _1633-69_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_ (_with title_
Of Religion.), _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ Satire the
4th. _A25_, _Cy:_ Satyre the Second. _P:_ A Satire. _L74:_ _no
title_, _N_, _TCD_]
[1 chokes] checks _1635-54:_ cheeks _1669_
eye-lids; _Ed:_ eye-lids, _1633-39:_ eyelids. _1650-69_]
[3 and] but _1669_]
[7 to _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_,
_L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ in _1633_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_]
[9 honour was] honours were _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _S_]
[14 so easie wayes and neare _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_P_, _TCD:_ wayes easie and neere _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ wayes so easy and neere
_O'F_]
[15 this;] this. _1633_]
[16 is.] is; _1633_]
[17 Dutch, and dar'st _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_,
_TCD:_ Dutch? dar'st _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_,
_JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _W_]
[22-3 discoueries? ... Salamanders, _Ed:_ discoueries, ...
Salamanders? _1633-69_]
[28 words?] words, _1633_]
[31 Sentinell _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_
Souldier _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _Q_, _S_,
_W_
his _1633-54:_ this _1669_, _A25_, _H51_, _P_, _Q_]
[32 forbidden _1633 and most MSS._ forbid _1635-69_, _H51_]
[33-4
Know thy foes; the foule Devell whom thou
Strivest to please _&c._
_H51_, _Q and generally_ (_but with varying punctuation and
sometimes_ foe), _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _W:_
Know thy foe, the soule devill h'is, whom thou
Strivest to please: for hate, not love, would allow
_1633_, _L74_ (is), _Lec_, _N_ (his), _S_ (is), _TCD_ (his):
Know thy foes: The foule devill, he, whom thou
Striv'st to please, for hate, not love, would allow
_1635-69_ (he, ... please, _bracketed, 1669_)
]
[35 quit _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ ridd
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _W_]
[40 (it selfes death) _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _H51_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD_, _W:_ (it selfe death)
_1633_, _Cy_, _D_, _S_]
[42 loath.] loath; _1633_]
[44 here,] her, _1633_]
[45 Rome; _Ed:_ Rome, _1633-69_]
[47 He _1633_, _1669:_ And _1635-54_
her _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _W:_ the
_1633-69_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TCD_]
[49 Crantz _W:_ Crants _1633-54_, _A25_, _H51_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TCD:_ Grants _or_ Grauntes _1669_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P:_
Grant _Cy_, _D_, _H49:_ Crates _Q_]
[52 unhansome; _Ed:_ unhansome. _1633-69_]
[54 drudges.] drudges: _1633_]
[57 bid _or_ bidd _MSS.:_ bids _1633-69_]
[62 Prigas _H51:_ Phrygas _W:_ Phrigias _A25_]
[67 kinde, _Ed:_ kinde; _1633-69_]
[70 must ... but _in reverse order_ _Q_]
[73 is; _1633:_ is. _1635-69_]
[74 her, _1633:_ her; _1635-69_]
[77 wisely; _Ed:_ wisely, _1633-69_]
[78 stray; _1633-69_, _Cy_, _D_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _TCD_, _W:_ staye; _A25_, _B_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _P_,
_Q_]
[79 is. On] is: on _1633_
huge] high _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H51_, _O'F_, _Q_, _W_]
[80 Cragged, _1669_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ Cragg'd,
_1633-54_, _Lec:_ Ragged _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_O'F_, _S_, _W:_ Ruggued _H51_, _Q_]
[81 about must goe; _1633-54_, _O'F:_ about it goe; _1669:_
about goe, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _L74_, _N_, _P_,
_Q_, _W_]
[84 Soule _1633-69_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ minde _rest of
MSS._
that night. _Ed:_ that night, _1633_, _1669:_ the night.
_1635-54_]
[85 doe: _Ed:_ doe _1633_, _Chambers and Grolier:_ doe.
_1635-69_, _D_, _W_. _See note_]
[86 too _H51_, _S_, _W:_ _spelt_ to _1633-69_, _many MSS.:_ to
(_prep._) _Chambers_]
[88 eyes.] eyes; _1633_]
[90 In so ill (evil _H51_) case here, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ here
_om. 1633-69_, _N_, _TCD_]
[94 mans _1633-69_, _A25_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_,
_TCD:_ mens _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _S_, _W_
not _om. 1635-54_]
[95 Oh, will it then boot thee _Ed:_ Will ... boot thee
_1633_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ Or ... boot thee _1635-69:_ Oh
will it then serve thee _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_,
_O'F_ (Or), _Q_, _S_, _W_]
[97 thee] me _1669_]
[99 strong? _Ed:_ strong _1633:_ strong; _1635-69_]
[101 is] are _1669_
chang'd;] chang'd _1633_
to be _Ed:_ to be, _1633-69_]
[102 idolatrie.] idolatrie; _1633_]
[103 is;] is, _1633_]
[104 do well _1633-69_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ prove well
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_, _Q_,
_S_, _W_]
[106 alas,] alas _1633_]
[107 mills, and rockes, _1633_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ Mils,
rocks, _1635-69_, _and rest of MSS._]
_Satyr IIII._
Well; I may now receive, and die; My sinne
Indeed is great, but I have beene in
A Purgatorie, such as fear'd hell is
A recreation to, and scarse map of this.
My minde, neither with prides itch, nor yet hath been 5
Poyson'd with love to see, or to bee seene,
I had no suit there, nor new suite to shew,
Yet went to Court; But as Glaze which did goe
To'a Masse in jest, catch'd, was faine to disburse
The hundred markes, which is the Statutes curse; 10
Before he scapt, So'it pleas'd my destinie
(Guilty of my sin of going,) to thinke me
As prone to all ill, and of good as forget-
full, as proud, as lustfull, and as much in debt,
As vaine, as witlesse, and as false as they 15
Which dwell at Court, for once going that way.
Therefore I suffered this; Towards me did runne
A thing more strange, then on Niles slime, the Sunne
E'r bred; or all which into Noahs Arke came;
A thing, which would have pos'd Adam to name; 20
Stranger then seaven Antiquaries studies,
Then Africks Monsters, Guianaes rarities.
Stranger then strangers; One, who for a Dane,
In the Danes Massacre had sure beene slaine,
If he had liv'd then; And without helpe dies, 25
When next the Prentises'gainst Strangers rise.
One, whom the watch at noone lets scarce goe by,
One, to whom, the examining Justice sure would cry,
Sir, by your priesthood tell me what you are.
His cloths were strange, though coarse; and black, though bare; 30
Sleevelesse his jerkin was, and it had beene
Velvet, but'twas now (so much ground was seene)
Become Tufftaffatie; and our children shall
See it plaine Rashe awhile, then nought at all.
This thing hath travail'd, and saith, speakes all tongues 35
And only knoweth what to all States belongs.
Made of th'Accents, and best phrase of all these,
He speakes no language; If strange meats displease,
Art can deceive, or hunger force my tast,
But Pedants motley tongue, souldiers bumbast, 40
Mountebankes drugtongue, nor the termes of law
Are strong enough preparatives, to draw
Me to beare this: yet I must be content
With his tongue, in his tongue, call'd complement:
In which he can win widdowes, and pay scores, 45
Make men speake treason, cosen subtlest whores,
Out-flatter favorites, or outlie either
Jovius, or Surius, or both together.
He names mee, and comes to mee; I whisper, God!
How have I sinn'd, that thy wraths furious rod, 50
This fellow chuseth me? He saith, Sir,
I love your judgement; Whom doe you prefer,
For the best linguist? And I seelily
Said, that I thought Calepines Dictionarie;
Nay, but of men, most sweet Sir; Beza then, 55
Some other Jesuites, and two reverend men
Of our two Academies, I named; There
He stopt mee, and said; Nay, your Apostles were
Good pretty linguists, and so Panurge was;
Yet a poore gentleman, all these may passe 60
By travaile. Then, as if he would have sold
His tongue, he prais'd it, and such wonders told
That I was faine to say, If you'had liv'd, Sir,
Time enough to have beene Interpreter
To Babells bricklayers, sure the Tower had stood. 65
He adds, If of court life you knew the good,
You would leave lonenesse. I said, not alone
My lonenesse is, but Spartanes fashion,
To teach by painting drunkards, doth not last
Now; Aretines pictures have made few chast; 70
No more can Princes courts, though there be few
Better pictures of vice, teach me vertue;
He, like to a high stretcht lute string squeakt, O Sir,
'Tis sweet to talke of Kings. At Westminster,
Said I, The man that keepes the Abbey tombes, 75
And for his price doth with who ever comes,
Of all our Harries, and our Edwards talke,
From King to King and all their kin can walke:
Your eares shall heare nought, but Kings; your eyes meet
Kings only; The way to it, is Kingstreet. 80
He smack'd, and cry'd, He's base, Mechanique, coarse,
So are all your Englishmen in their discourse.
Are not your Frenchmen neate? Mine? as you see,
I have but one Frenchman, looke, hee followes mee.
Certes they are neatly cloth'd; I, of this minde am, 85
Your only wearing is your Grogaram.
Not so Sir, I have more. Under this pitch
He would not flie; I chaff'd him; But as Itch
Scratch'd into smart, and as blunt iron ground
Into an edge, hurts worse: So, I (foole) found, 90
Crossing hurt mee; To fit my sullennesse,
He to another key, his stile doth addresse,
And askes, what newes? I tell him of new playes.
He takes my hand, and as a Still, which staies
A Sembriefe, 'twixt each drop, he nigardly, 95
As loth to enrich mee, so tells many a lye.
More then ten Hollensheads, or Halls, or Stowes,
Of triviall houshold trash he knowes; He knowes
When the Queene frown'd, or smil'd, and he knowes what
A subtle States-man may gather of that; 100
He knowes who loves; whom; and who by poyson
Hasts to an Offices reversion;
He knowes who'hath sold his land, and now doth beg
A licence, old iron, bootes, shooes, and egge-
shels to transport; Shortly boyes shall not play 105
At span-counter, or blow-point, but they pay
Toll to some Courtier; And wiser then all us,
He knowes what Ladie is not painted; Thus
He with home-meats tries me; I belch, spue, spit,
Looke pale, and sickly, like a Patient; Yet 110
He thrusts on more; And as if he'd undertooke
To say Gallo-Belgicus without booke
Speakes of all States, and deeds, that have been since
The Spaniards came, to the losse of Amyens.
Like a bigge wife, at sight of loathed meat, 115
Readie to travaile: So I sigh, and sweat
To heare this Makeron talke: In vaine; for yet,
Either my humour, or his owne to fit,
He like a priviledg'd spie, whom nothing can
Discredit, Libells now'gainst each great man. 120
He names a price for every office paid;
He saith, our warres thrive ill, because delai'd;
That offices are entail'd, and that there are
Perpetuities of them, lasting as farre
As the last day; And that great officers, 125
Doe with the Pirates share, and Dunkirkers.
Who wasts in meat, in clothes, in horse, he notes;
Who loves whores, who boyes, and who goats.
I more amas'd then Circes prisoners, when
They felt themselves turne beasts, felt my selfe then 130
Becomming Traytor, and mee thought I saw
One of our Giant Statutes ope his jaw
To sucke me in; for hearing him, I found
That as burnt venome Leachers do grow sound
By giving others their soares, I might growe 135
Guilty, and he free: Therefore I did shew
All signes of loathing; But since I am in,
I must pay mine, and my forefathers sinne
To the last farthing; Therefore to my power
Toughly and stubbornly I beare this crosse; But the'houre 140
Of mercy now was come; He tries to bring
Me to pay a fine to scape his torturing,
And saies, Sir, can you spare me; I said, willingly;
Nay, Sir, can you spare me a crowne? Thankfully I
Gave it, as Ransome; But as fidlers, still, 145
Though they be paid to be gone, yet needs will
Thrust one more jigge upon you: so did hee
With his long complementall thankes vexe me.
But he is gone, thankes to his needy want,
And the prerogative of my Crowne: Scant 150
His thankes were ended, when I, (which did see
All the court fill'd with more strange things then hee)
Ran from thence with such or more hast, then one
Who feares more actions, doth make from prison.
At home in wholesome solitarinesse 155
My precious soule began, the wretchednesse
Of suiters at court to mourne, and a trance
Like his, who dreamt he saw hell, did advance
It selfe on mee, Such men as he saw there,
I saw at court, and worse, and more; Low feare 160
Becomes the guiltie, not the accuser; Then,
Shall I, nones slave, of high borne, or rais'd men
Feare frownes? And, my Mistresse Truth, betray thee
To th'huffing braggart, puft Nobility?
No, no, Thou which since yesterday hast beene 165
Almost about the whole world, hast thou seene,
O Sunne, in all thy journey, Vanitie,
Such as swells the bladder of our court? I
Thinke he which made your waxen garden, and
Transported it from Italy to stand 170
With us, at London, flouts our Presence, for
Just such gay painted things, which no sappe, nor
Tast have in them, ours are; And naturall
Some of the stocks are, their fruits, bastard all.
'Tis ten a clock and past; All whom the Mues, 175
Baloune, Tennis, Dyet, or the stewes,
Had all the morning held, now the second
Time made ready, that day, in flocks, are found
In the Presence, and I, (God pardon mee.)
As fresh, and sweet their Apparrells be, as bee 180
The fields they sold to buy them; For a King
Those hose are, cry the flatterers; And bring
Them next weeke to the Theatre to sell;
Wants reach all states; Me seemes they doe as well
At stage, as court; All are players; who e'r lookes 185
(For themselves dare not goe) o'r Cheapside books,
Shall finde their wardrops Inventory. Now,
The Ladies come; As Pirats, which doe know
That there came weak ships fraught with Cutchannel,
The men board them; and praise, as they thinke, well, 190
Their beauties; they the mens wits; Both are bought.
Why good wits ne'r weare scarlet gownes, I thought
This cause, These men, mens wits for speeches buy,
And women buy all reds which scarlets die.
He call'd her beauty limetwigs, her haire net; 195
She feares her drugs ill laid, her haire loose set.
Would not Heraclitus laugh to see Macrine,
From hat to shooe, himselfe at doore refine,
As if the Presence were a Moschite, and lift
His skirts and hose, and call his clothes to shrift, 200
Making them confesse not only mortall
Great staines and holes in them; but veniall
Feathers and dust, wherewith they fornicate:
And then by _Durers_ rules survay the state
Of his each limbe, and with strings the odds trye 205
Of his neck to his legge, and wast to thighe.
So in immaculate clothes, and Symetrie
Perfect as circles, with such nicetie
As a young Preacher at his first time goes
To preach, he enters, and a Lady which owes 210
Him not so much as good will, he arrests,
And unto her protests protests protests,
So much as at Rome would serve to have throwne
Ten Cardinalls into the Inquisition;
And whisperd by Jesu, so often, that A 215
Pursevant would have ravish'd him away
For saying of our Ladies psalter; But'tis fit
That they each other plague, they merit it.
But here comes Glorius that will plague them both,
Who, in the other extreme, only doth 220
Call a rough carelessenesse, good fashion;
Whose cloak his spurres teare; whom he spits on
He cares not, His ill words doe no harme
To him; he rusheth in, as if arme, arme,
He meant to crie; And though his face be as ill 225
As theirs which in old hangings whip Christ, still
He strives to looke worse, he keepes all in awe;
Jeasts like a licenc'd foole, commands like law.
Tyr'd, now I leave this place, and but pleas'd so
As men which from gaoles to'execution goe, 230
Goe through the great chamber (why is it hung
With the seaven deadly sinnes?). Being among
Those Askaparts, men big enough to throw
Charing Crosse for a barre, men that doe know
No token of worth, but Queenes man, and fine 235
Living, barrells of beefe, flaggons of wine;
I shooke like a spyed Spie. Preachers which are
Seas of Wit and Arts, you can, then dare,
Drowne the sinnes of this place, for, for mee
Which am but a scarce brooke, it enough shall bee 240
To wash the staines away; Although I yet
With _Macchabees_ modestie, the knowne merit
Of my worke lessen: yet some wise man shall,
I hope, esteeme my writs Canonicall.
[Satyre IIII. _1633-69_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_ (anno 1594
_in margin_), _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ Mr. Dunns
first Satire. _A25:_ Another Satire by the same. J: D: _Cy_
(_where it is the third_): Satyre. _S96:_ _no title_, _L74_,
_N_, _TCD_ (_in L74 it is second, in N, TCD third in order_)]
[2 but I _1633_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ but yet I _1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_,
_S96_]
[4 A recreacion to, and scarse _Q:_ A recreation, and scant
_1633-69_, _and other MSS._]
[5 neither _1633-69:_ nor _some MSS. and Chambers, who wrongly
attributes to 1635-39_]
[8 Glaze _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _Lec:_ Glare _1635-69, and
rest of MSS._]
[9 To'a mass _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_,
_S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ To Masse _1633-69_, _Cy_, _Q_, _Lec_]
[10-11 curse; ... scapt, _1633-39:_ curse, ... scapt,
_1650-69_]
[12 of going, _1633_, _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ in going, _1635-54_,
_A25_, _O'F_]
[14 as lustfull,] as _om. 1635-69 and many MSS._]
[16 at Court, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ in Court,
_1633-69_, _Lec_]
[18 Niles] Nilus _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_]
[19 bred; _W:_ bred, _1633-69_
came; _W:_ came: _1633-69_]
[20 name; _W:_ name, _1633:_ name: _1635-69_]
[22 rarities. _W:_ rarities, _1633-69_]
[23 then strangers; _1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD_, _W:_ then strangest. _D_, _H49_,
_JC_ (_corr. from_ strangers), _S_]
[32 ground] the ground _HN_]
[35 This _1633:_ The _1635-69_ saith, _1633-54_, _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_ (sayeth), _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S_ (saith he), _TCD_, _W:_ faith, _1669_, _Chambers
and Grolier, without note_]
[36 belongs.] belongs, _1633_]
[37 th'Accents,] the antient, _HN:_ the ancients, (_prob. for_
ancientest, _but corrected to_ accents,) _L74_]
[38 no language; _A25_, _Q:_ one language; _1633-69_, _and
MSS. generally_]
[43 beare] hear _1669_
this: _Q:_ this, _1633-69_]
[44 With his tongue, _1669_, _Q:_ With his tongue: _1633-54_]
[47 or] and _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _W_]
[48 Surius,] Sleydon _O'F_ (_corrected to_ Surius), _Q:_
Snodons, _A25_. _See note_]
[51 chuseth] chaseth _P_, _Q_]
[55 Sir; _Ed:_ Sir. _1633-69_]
[56 Some other _HN:_ Some _1633-69 and most MSS.:_ two other
_S_]
[57 There _1633_ (T _faintly printed_): here _1635-69_]
[59 Good pretty _1633-69:_ Pretty good _Cy_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_,
_S96_
Panurge _1635-54:_ Panirge _1633:_ Panurgus _1669_ (_omitting_
and), _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_]
[60 gentleman, all _Ed:_ gentleman; All _1633-69_]
[60-1 passe By travaile. _1633-54:_ pass. But travaile _1669_]
[62 prais'd _Ed:_ praised _1633-69_
wonders _1635-69 and most MSS.:_ words _1633_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_]
[67 lonenesse. _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_,
_JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _W:_ lonelinesse; _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TCD_]
[68 lonenesse _1635-69_, _A25_, _&c.:_ lonelinesse _1633_,
_L74_, _&c._
fashion, _1633:_ fashion. _1635-69_]
[69 last _1633_, _1669_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _TCD_, _W:_ taste _1635-54_, _O'F_, _Q_ (tast), _S_,
_S96_]
[80 Kingstreet. _1633:_ Kingsstreet. _1635-39:_ Kings street.
_1650-69_]
[83 Mine? _1635-54 and MSS.:_ Fine, _1633:_ Mine, _1669_]
[84 Frenchman, _Ed:_ frenchman, _1633 and most MSS.:_ Sir,
_1635-69_, _Q:_ here, _Cy_]
[85-6 cloth'd; I, ... Grogaram. _Ed:_ cloth'd. I, ...
Grogaram; _1633:_ cloth'd. I, ... Grogaram. _1635-69_]
[86 your Grogaram _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ this
Grogaram _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_,
_S_, _W:_ the Grogaram _P_]
[89 ground _Ed:_ grown'd _1633:_ grownd _1635-69_]
[90 (foole)] _no bracket_ _1633_]
[92 addresse, _N_, _TCD:_ addresse. _1633:_ dresse. _1635-39_,
_D_, _W:_ dresse; _1650-69_]
[96 lye. _D_, _H49_, _W:_ lie, _1633-69_]
[98 trash he knowes; He knowes _D_, _H49_, _W:_ trash;
He knowes; He knowes _1633:_ trash. He knowes; He knowes
_1635-39:_ trash, He knowes; He knowes _1650-69_]
[101 loves; whom; _1633:_ loves; whom, _1635-54:_ loves, whom;
_1669:_ loves whom; _Chambers and Grolier_]
[104 and _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _TCD:_ or _A25_,
_B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _W_]
[106 At blow-point or span-counter _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_HN_, _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _W_ they pay _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_,
_W:_ shall pay _1633-69_, _JC_]
[108 what _1633-69_, _Cy_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ which
_A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W_]
[109 tries _1633_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _N_, _Q_,
_TCD_, _W:_ cloyes _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S:_ tyres _Cy_, _JC_,
_P_]
[111 thrusts on more; _1633-69_, _O'F:_ thrusts more; _A25_,
_B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _P_, _Q_, _W:_ thrusts me more;
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD:_ thrusts me _P_
as if he'd undertooke _most MSS.:_ as if he'undertooke _1633_,
_N_, _TCD:_ as he'had undertooke _1635-69_]
[113 have] hath _1633_, _Lec_]
[117 this] his _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _TCD_, _W_
talke: In vaine; for _D_, _W_, _and other MSS.:_ talke in
vaine: For _1633_, _Q:_ talke, in vaine: For _1635-69_]
[123 entail'd, and that there _1633:_ entailed, and there
_1635-54:_ intailed and that there _1669_]
[128 whores, _Ed:_ Whores, _1633-69_]
[132 Statutes] Statues _1639_]
[133 in; for hearing him, _1669_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ in, for
hearing him, _1650-54:_ in, for hearing him. _1633-39_, _A25_,
_D_, _H49_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_, _W_]
[134-6 (That ... free:) _represented by dashes in 1633_]
[134 venome _1635-54:_ venomous _1669:_ venomd _many MSS._]
[141 mercy now _1633-69:_ my redemption _Cy_, _P:_ redemption
now _Q_, _S_]
[145 Gave] Give _Cy_, _D_, _H49_]
[146 Though] Thou _1635_]
[152 more ... then] such ... as _1669_]
[154 make _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S96_, _W:_ haste _1633-69_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_
(_from previous line_): _om. A25_
prison.] prison; _1633_]
[156 precious _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ piteous
_1635-69 and rest of MSS._]
[159 on _1633_, _Cy_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_TCD:_ o'r _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Q_, _S96_, _W_]
[162 nones] none _1669_]
[164 th'huffing braggart, _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _W_
(_but no commas in MSS._): huffing, braggart, _1633-54_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TCD_ th'huffing, braggart, _1719_
Nobility?] Nobility. _1633_]
[169 your _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ yon _A25_, _B_,
_JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _W:_ the _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
[170 Transported _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _Q_,
_TCD:_ Transplanted _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _W_
to stand] to Strand _L74_ (stand _being struck through_), _S_]
[171 our Presence, _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ our
Court here, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _Q_,
_S_, _W:_ our Courtiers, _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[173 are;] are, _1633_]
[178 are found _1633_, _1669:_ were found _1635-54_]
[179 I, (God pardon mee.) _1633:_ I. (God pardon mee.) _1635:_
I. (God pardon me) _1639-69:_ aye--God pardon me-- _Chambers_]
[180 their Apparrells] th'apparells _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_L74_, _W_]
[182 cry the flatterers; _1633:_ cry his flatterers;
_1635-54_, _P:_ cryes his flatterers; _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Q_, _S_, _W:_ cryes the flatterer; _1669_, _L74_ (flatterers
_is changed to_ flatterer), _Lec_ (flatterers)]
[185 players;] players, _1633_]
[187 wardrops _1633:_ wardrobes _1635-69_
Inventory.] Inventory; _1633_]
[188 doe know _1633-69_, _Lec_, _N_, _Q_, _TCD:_ did know
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[190 (as they think) _1669_]
[194 scarlets] scarlett _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_,
_W_]
[195 call'd] calls _A25_, _HN_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_]
[195-6 net; ... set.] net.... set; _1633_]
[198 hat] hat, _1633-54_]
[199 As if the Presence ... Moschite, _1633-69_, _Lec_ (_colon
1635-69_): As the Presence ... Moschite, (_or_ Meschite,)
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _W:_
As the Queenes Presence ... Meschite, _D_, _H49:_ As if the
Queenes Presence ... meschite, _S_]
[203 fornicate:] fornicate. _1633_]
[204 survay _1633-69_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD:_ survayes
_B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _S_, _W_]
[205 trye _Ed:_ tryes _1633-69 and MSS._]
[206 to thighe. _Ed:_ to thighes. _1633-69 and MSS.:_ to his
thighes. _Q_]
[211 he arrests, _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ straight
arrests, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_S96_, _W_]
[215 whisperd _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _TCD_, _W:_
whispers _1635-69_]
[216 Topcliffe would have ravish'd him quite away _JC, O'F, Q_
(_JC and O'F alter to_ Pursevant)]
[217 of _om. Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_,
_JC_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W_]
[222 whom _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCD_, _W_: or whom _1635-69_,
_O'F_]
[223 He cares not, His _1633 and MSS._: He cares not hee.
His _1635-69_]
[224 rusheth] rushes _1639-69_]
[226 still _1635-69_, _Q_, _and other MSS._: yet
still _1633_, _L74_, _N_, _TCD_]
[229 I leave] Ile leave _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_W_]
[230 men which from _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCD_, _W_: men from _1633-69_]
[232 sinnes?). Being _Ed_: sinnes) being _1633-39_:
sinnes?) being _1650-69_: _all the editions and some MSS.
close the sentence at_ 236 wine.]
[236 Living barrells of beefe, flaggons of wine. _1633-54_:
Living, barrels of beef, and flaggons of wine. _1669_]
[237 Spie.] Spie; _1633_]
[238 Seas of Wit and Arts, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_,
_N_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD_: Seas of Wits and Arts,
_1633_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_S_: Seas of witt and art, _A25_, _HN_: Great
seas of witt and art, _O'F_, _S96_: Seas of all Wits
and Arts, _conj. Lowell_]
[239 Drowne] To drowne _O'F_, _S96_]
[240 Which] Who _MSS._ am but a scarce brooke, _1633_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_: am but a scant
brooke, _1635-69_: am a scant brooke, _B_, _HN_,
_JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _W_: am a shallow
brooke, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _S_, _S96_]
[241 the _1633-69:_ their _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _HN_, _JC_,
_O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ these _L74_, _N_, _TCD_
Although] though _1633 and MSS._]
[242 the knowne merit _1633-69_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _Q_,
_TCD:_ known _om. B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _P_, _S_,
_W_]
[243 wise man] wise men _1650-69_, _B_, _HN_, _L74_, _P_,
_TCD_, _W_]
_Satyre V._
Thou shalt not laugh in this leafe, Muse, nor they
Whom any pitty warmes; He which did lay
Rules to make Courtiers, (hee being understood
May make good Courtiers, but who Courtiers good?)
Frees from the sting of jests all who in extreme 5
Are wreched or wicked: of these two a theame
Charity and liberty give me. What is hee
Who Officers rage, and Suiters misery
Can write, and jest? If all things be in all,
As I thinke, since all, which were, are, and shall 10
Bee, be made of the same elements:
Each thing, each thing implyes or represents.
Then man is a world; in which, Officers
Are the vast ravishing seas; and Suiters,
Springs; now full, now shallow, now drye; which, to 15
That which drownes them, run: These selfe reasons do
Prove the world a man, in which, officers
Are the devouring stomacke, and Suiters
The excrements, which they voyd. All men are dust;
How much worse are Suiters, who to mens lust 20
Are made preyes? O worse then dust, or wormes meat,
For they do eate you now, whose selves wormes shall eate.
They are the mills which grinde you, yet you are
The winde which drives them; and a wastfull warre
Is fought against you, and you fight it; they 25
Adulterate lawe, and you prepare their way
Like wittals; th'issue your owne ruine is.
Greatest and fairest Empresse, know you this?
Alas, no more then Thames calme head doth know
Whose meades her armes drowne, or whose corne o'rflow: 30
You Sir, whose righteousfnes she loves, whom I
By having leave to serve, am most richly
For service paid, authoriz'd, now beginne
To know and weed out this enormous sinne.
O Age of rusty iron! Some better wit 35
Call it some worse name, if ought equall it;
The iron Age _that_ was, when justice was sold; now
Injustice is sold dearer farre. Allow
All demands, fees, and duties, gamsters, anon
The mony which you sweat, and sweare for, is gon 40
Into other hands: So controverted lands
Scape, like Angelica, the strivers hands.
If Law be in the Judges heart, and hee
Have no heart to resist letter, or fee,
Where wilt thou appeale? powre of the Courts below 45
Flow from the first maine head, and these can throw
Thee, if they sucke thee in, to misery,
To fetters, halters; But if the injury
Steele thee to dare complaine, Alas, thou go'st
Against the stream, when upwards: when thou art most 50
Heavy and most faint; and in these labours they,
'Gainst whom thou should'st complaine, will in the way
Become great seas, o'r which, when thou shalt bee
Forc'd to make golden bridges, thou shalt see
That all thy gold was drown'd in them before; 55
All things follow their like, only who have may have more.
Judges are Gods; he who made and said them so,
Meant not that men should be forc'd to them to goe,
By meanes of Angels; When supplications
We send to God, to Dominations, 60
Powers, Cherubins, and all heavens Courts, if wee
Should pay fees as here, Daily bread would be
Scarce to Kings; so 'tis. Would it not anger
A Stoicke, a coward, yea a Martyr,
To see a Pursivant come in, and call 65
All his cloathes, Copes; Bookes, Primers; and all
His Plate, Challices; and mistake them away,
And aske a fee for comming? Oh, ne'r may
Faire lawes white reverend name be strumpeted,
To warrant thefts: she is established 70
Recorder to Destiny, on earth, and shee
Speakes Fates words, and but tells us who must bee
Rich, who poore, who in chaires, who in jayles:
Shee is all faire, but yet hath foule long nailes,
With which she scracheth Suiters; In bodies 75
Of men, so in law, nailes are th'extremities,
So Officers stretch to more then Law can doe,
As our nailes reach what no else part comes to.
Why barest thou to yon Officer? Foole, Hath hee
Got those goods, for which erst men bar'd to thee? 80
Foole, twice, thrice, thou hast bought wrong, and now hungerly
Beg'st right; But that dole comes not till these dye.
Thou had'st much, and lawes Urim and Thummim trie
Thou wouldst for more; and for all hast paper
Enough to cloath all the great Carricks Pepper. 85
Sell that, and by that thou much more shalt leese,
Then Haman, when he sold his Antiquities.
O wretch that thy fortunes should moralize
Esops fables, and make tales, prophesies.
Thou'art the swimming dog whom shadows cosened, 90
And div'st, neare drowning, for what's vanished.
[Satyre V. _1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_Q_, _S_, _W:_ Satyre the third. _P:_ _no title_, _L74_, _N_,
_TCD_ (_in L74 it is third, in N, TCD fourth in order_)]
[1 shalt] shal _1669_]
[9 and] in _1669_]
[12 implyes _1635-69:_ _spelt_ employes _1633 and some MSS._
represents. _1635-69:_ represents, _1633_]
[13 Officers] Officers, _1633-69_]
[14 ravishing _1633-69:_ ravenous _Q:_ ravening _P_, _S_]
[19 voyd. All _1669:_ voyd; all _1633-54_
dust; _W:_ dust, _1633-69_]
[21 preyes? _1669:_ preyes. _1633-54_]
[26 their _1633_, _D_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ the
_1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_]
[27 wittals; _W:_ wittals, _1633-69_
is.] is; _1633_]
[33 authoriz'd, _1635-54:_ authorized, _1633:_ authoriz'd.
_1669_]
[35-6 Some ... equall it;] _in brackets_ _1635-54_]
[37-9
The iron Age _that_ was, when justice was sold, now
Injustice is sold deerer farre; allow
All demands, fees, and duties; gamsters, anon
_1633_, _D_, _JC_ (All claym'd fees), _Lec_, _N_, _Q_ (All
claym'd fees), _TCD_, _W_ (All claym'd fees):
The iron Age _that_ was, when justice was sold (now
Injustice is sold dearer) did allow
All claim'd fees and duties. Gamesters, anon
_1635-54_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_ (_the last two omit_ that was),
_Chambers (no italics):_
The iron Age was, when justice was sold, now
Injustice is sold dearer far, allow
All claim'd fees and duties, Gamesters, anon
_1669_
]
[46 Flow] Flows _O'F_, _Chambers_. _See note_]
[49 complaine,] complaine; _1633_
go'st] goest _1633-39_]
[50 when upwards: _1633-54_, _A25_, _B_, _D_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W_: upwards, _1669_,
_Chambers_]
[52 the, _1633_: thy _1635-69_]
[56 only who have] only, who have, _1633_
more.] more _1633_]
[57 he ... so, _1633-54_: and he who made them so,
_1669_: he ... and cal'd (_changed to_ stil'd)
them so, _O'F_]
[58 that] _om. 1669_]
[59 supplications] supplication _1635-54_]
[61 Courts, _1635-69_, _B_, _JC_, _L74_,
_O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _W_: Court, _1633_,
_D_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_]
[63 'tis. Would _1669_: 'tis, would _1633_: 'tis; Would
_1635-54_]
[68 aske _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _JC_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_W_: lack _1633-54_, _Lec_
comming?] comming; _1633_]
[72 Speakes Fates words, and but tells us _&c._ _Q_,
_W_, _Chambers_: Speakes Fates words, and tells who
must bee _1633-69_]
[76 men,] men; _1633_
th'extremities, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ extremities, _1633:_
extremities. _1635-69_]
[78 comes to.] can come to. _Q_]
[80 which erst men bar'd _1635-69,_ _B_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_
which men bared _1633_, _D_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ which men erst
bar'd _A25_, _L74_, _P_]
[85: great] _om. Q_
Carricks _1633-35:_ Charricks _1639-69_]
[87 Haman, _1633:_ Hammon, _1635-69_, _P:_ _MSS. generally vary
between_ Haman _and_ Hammond
when _1633_, _1669_, _D_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ if
_1635-54_, _A25_, _B_, _JC_, _O'F_, _Q_, _S_]
[90 Thou'art _Ed:_ Thou art _1633-69_
cosened,] cozeneth, _1669_]
[91 And _1633:_ Which _1635-69:_ Whoe _Q_
div'st, _1633-54_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ div'st _1669:_
div'dst _D_, _L74_, _Lec_ (_altered from_ div'st), _W:_ div'd
_A25_, _B_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S_ (_Grosart_), _Q_
what's vanished. _N:_ what vanished. _1633-54 and rest of
MSS.:_ what vanisheth. _1669_]
_Vpon Mr. Thomas Coryats Crudities._
Oh to what height will love of greatnesse drive
Thy leavened spirit, _Sesqui-superlative_?
Venice vast lake thou hadst seen, and would seek than
Some vaster thing, and found'st a Curtizan.
That inland Sea having discovered well, 5
A Cellar gulfe, where one might saile to hell
From Heydelberg, thou longdst to see: And thou
This Booke, greater then all, producest now.
Infinite worke, which doth so far extend,
That none can study it to any end. 10
'Tis no one thing, it is not fruit nor roote;
Nor poorely limited with head or foot.
If man be therefore man, because he can
Reason, and laugh, thy booke doth halfe make man.
One halfe being made, thy modestie was such, 15
That thou on th'other half wouldst never touch.
When wilt thou be at full, great Lunatique?
Not till thou exceed the world? Canst thou be like
A prosperous nose-borne wenne, which sometimes growes
To be farre greater then the Mother-nose? 20
Goe then; and as to thee, when thou didst go,
_Munster_ did Townes, and _Gesner_ Authors show,
Mount now to _Gallo-belgicus_; appear
As deepe a States-man, as a Gazettier.
Homely and familiarly, when thou com'st back, 25
Talke of _Will. Conquerour_, and _Prester Iack_.
Go bashfull man, lest here thou blush to looke
Vpon the progresse of thy glorious booke,
To which both Indies sacrifices send;
The West sent gold, which thou didst freely spend, 30
(Meaning to see't no more) upon the presse.
The East sends hither her deliciousnesse;
And thy leaves must imbrace what comes from thence,
The Myrrhe, the Pepper, and the Frankincense.
This magnifies thy leaves; but if they stoope 35
To neighbour wares, when Merchants do unhoope
Voluminous barrels; if thy leaves do then
Convey these wares in parcels unto men;
If for vast Tons of Currans, and of Figs,
Of Medicinall and Aromatique twigs, 40
Thy leaves a better method do provide,
Divide to pounds, and ounces sub-divide;
If they stoope lower yet, and vent our wares,
Home-_manufactures_, to thick popular Faires,
If _omni-praegnant_ there, upon warme stalls, 45
They hatch all wares for which the buyer calls;
Then thus thy leaves we justly may commend,
That they all kinde of matter comprehend.
Thus thou, by means which th'Ancients never took,
A Pandect makest, and Vniversall Booke. 50
The bravest Heroes, for publike good,
Scattered in divers Lands their limbs and blood.
Worst malefactors, to whom men are prize,
Do publike good, cut in Anatomies;
So will thy booke in peeces; for a Lord 55
Which casts at Portescues, and all the board,
Provide whole books; each leafe enough will be
For friends to passe time, and keep company.
Can all carouse up thee? no, thou must fit
Measures; and fill out for the half-pint wit: 60
Some shall wrap pils, and save a friends life so,
Some shall stop muskets, and so kill a foe.
Thou shalt not ease the Criticks of next age
So much, at once their hunger to asswage:
Nor shall wit-pirats hope to finde thee lye 65
All in one bottome, in one Librarie.
Some Leaves may paste strings there in other books,
And so one may, which on another looks,
Pilfer, alas, a little wit from you;
[Sidenote *: I meane from
one page which shall paste
strings in a booke[1]]
But hardly[*] much; and yet I think this true; 70
As _Sibyls_ was, your booke is mysticall,
For every peece is as much worth as all.
Therefore mine impotency I confesse,
The healths which my braine bears must be far lesse:
Thy Gyant-wit'orethrowes me, I am gone; 75
And rather then read all, I would reade none.
_I. D._
[Footnote 1: I meane _&c._ _side-note in 1611_]
[Vpon Mr. _&c._ _1649_, _where it was placed with_ The Token
(_p._ 72_), _at the end of the_ Funerall Elegies: _appeared
originally in_ Coryats Crudities (_1611: see note_) _with
heading_ Incipit Joannes Donne.]
[2 leavened _1611:_ learned _1649-69 and mod. edd._]
[7 longdst _1611:_ long'st _1649-69_]
[19 sometimes.] sometime _1611_]
[24 Gazettier. _1611:_ Garretteir _1649-69_]
[28 booke,] booke. _1611_]
[37 barrels; _1649-69:_ barrels, _1611_]
[56 board, _1611:_ board _1649-69_]
_In eundem Macaronicon._
_Quot, dos haec_, +Linguists+ perfetti, _Disticha_ fairont,
_Tot_ cuerdos +States-men+, _hic_ livre fara _tuus_.
Es _sat_ a my l'honneur estre hic inteso; Car +I leave+
L'honra, de personne nestre creduto, _tibi_.
_Explicit Joannes Donne._
[In eundem _&c. 1611, concluding the above_]
* * * * *
[Illustration: JOHN DONNE, 1613
_Viri seraphici Joannis Donne Qua-
dragenarij Effigies vera, Qui post
eam ætatem Sacris initiatus Ec-
clesiæ S^{ti} Pauli Decanus obijt._
_Año { Do[~m] 1631º
{ Ætatis suæ 59º_
("A true portrait of that seraphic man John Donne at the age of 40;
he was later ordained into holy orders and died Dean of St Paul's
in the year of our Lord 1631 at the age of 59")
From the engraving prefixed to his son's edition of the _Letters to
Several Persons of Honour_ 1651, 1654]
* * * * *
LETTERS
TO SEVERALL PERSONAGES.
THE STORME.
To Mr. _Christopher Brooke_.
Thou which art I, ('tis nothing to be soe)
Thou which art still thy selfe, by these shalt know
Part of our passage; And, a hand, or eye
By _Hilliard_ drawne, is worth an history,
By a worse painter made; and (without pride) 5
When by thy judgment they are dignifi'd,
My lines are such: 'Tis the preheminence
Of friendship onely to'impute excellence.
England to whom we'owe, what we be, and have,
Sad that her sonnes did seeke a forraine grave 10
(For, Fates, or Fortunes drifts none can soothsay,
Honour and misery have one face and way.)
From out her pregnant intrailes sigh'd a winde
Which at th'ayres middle marble roome did finde
Such strong resistance, that it selfe it threw 15
Downeward againe; and so when it did view
How in the port, our fleet deare time did leese,
Withering like prisoners, which lye but for fees,
Mildly it kist our sailes, and, fresh and sweet,
As to a stomack sterv'd, whose insides meete, 20
Meate comes, it came; and swole our sailes, when wee
So joyd, as _Sara_'her swelling joy'd to see.
But 'twas but so kinde, as our countrimen,
Which bring friends one dayes way, and leave them then.
Then like two mighty Kings, which dwelling farre 25
Asunder, meet against a third to warre,
The South and West winds joyn'd, and, as they blew,
Waves like a rowling trench before them threw.
Sooner then you read this line, did the gale,
Like shot, not fear'd till felt, our sailes assaile; 30
And what at first was call'd a gust, the same
Hath now a stormes, anon a tempests name.
_Ionas_, I pitty thee, and curse those men,
Who when the storm rag'd most, did wake thee then;
Sleepe is paines easiest salue, and doth fullfill 35
All offices of death, except to kill.
But when I wakt, I saw, that I saw not;
I, and the Sunne, which should teach mee'had forgot
East, West, Day, Night, and I could onely say,
If'the world had lasted, now it had beene day. 40
Thousands our noyses were, yet wee'mongst all
Could none by his right name, but thunder call:
Lightning was all our light, and it rain'd more
Then if the Sunne had drunke the sea before.
Some coffin'd in their cabbins lye,'equally 45
Griev'd that they are not dead, and yet must dye;
And as sin-burd'ned soules from graves will creepe,
At the last day, some forth their cabbins peepe:
And tremblingly'aske what newes, and doe heare so,
Like jealous husbands, what they would not know. 50
Some sitting on the hatches, would seeme there,
With hideous gazing to feare away feare.
Then note they the ships sicknesses, the Mast
Shak'd with this ague, and the Hold and Wast
With a salt dropsie clog'd, and all our tacklings 55
Snapping, like too-high-stretched treble strings.
And from our totterd sailes, ragges drop downe so,
As from one hang'd in chaines, a yeare agoe.
Even our Ordinance plac'd for our defence,
Strive to breake loose, and scape away from thence. 60
Pumping hath tir'd our men, and what's the gaine?
Seas into seas throwne, we suck in againe;
Hearing hath deaf'd our saylers; and if they
Knew how to heare, there's none knowes what to say.
Compar'd to these stormes, death is but a qualme, 65
Hell somewhat lightsome, and the'Bermuda calme.
Darknesse, lights elder brother, his birth-right
Claims o'r this world, and to heaven hath chas'd light.
All things are one, and that one none can be,
Since all formes, uniforme deformity 70
Doth cover, so that wee, except God say
Another _Fiat_, shall have no more day.
So violent, yet long these furies bee,
That though thine absence sterve me,'I wish not thee.
[The Storme. To Mr. Christopher Brooke. _1633_ (_1635-69 add_
from the Iland voyage with the Earle of Essex): The Storme, A
Storme _or_ Storme; _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W_: _some
add_ To Mr. C: B: _or a longer note to the same effect as
1635-69:_ to S^r Basil Brooke _JC_, _S_]
[2 these _1633 and most MSS._: this _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S_]
[4 an _1633:_ a _1635-69_]
[7 such: _Ed:_ such. _1633-69_]
[11 soothsay, _1650-54:_ _spelt_ Southsay _1633-39:_ gainsay
_1669_]
[12 and way. _1633_, _1669:_ one way. _1635-54_]
[18 lye] laie _Q_]
[19 fresh _W:_ fresh, _1633-69_]
[20 As _W:_ As, _1633-69_]
[23 'twas _1650-69:_ 'twas, _1633-39_]
[30 fear'd] fear'd, _1633_]
[37 not; _Ed:_ not. _1633-69_]
[38 I, and the Sunne, _1633-69 and most MSS.:_ yea, and the
Sunne, _Q_]
[39 Day, Night, _D_, _W:_ day, night, _1633-69_
could onely say _1633-69:_ could but say _Cy_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Q_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ could then but say _O'F:_
could say _H49_, _Lec:_ should say _D_]
[40 lasted, now _1633_, _1669:_ lasted, yet _1635-54:_ Lasted
yet, _O'F_]
[42 his] this _1669_]
[44 before.] before; _1633_]
[46 dye; _Ed:_ dye. _1633-69_]
[47 graves _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ grave _1633-54_, _Cy_]
[49 tremblingly _1633_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TCD_, _W:_ trembling _1635-69_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_]
[50 Like _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_, _W:_ As _1635-69_]
[53 Then] There _1669_]
[54 this] an _1635-69_]
[56 too-high-stretched _1633_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD_, _W_ (_MS. spelling
generally_ to _and_ stretcht): too-too-high-stretch'd
_1635-54:_ to too-high-stretch'd _1669_, _B_, _O'F_]
[59 Even our Ordinance _1633 and MSS.:_ Yea even our Ordinance
_1635-69_]
[60 Strive _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_,
_TCD_, _W:_ Strives _1635-69_, _Chambers:_ Striv'd _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_]
[66 Hell] Hell's _S_
lightsome] light _B_, _Cy_
and the'Bermuda _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_,
_W:_ and the Bermudas _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _P_, _S_, _Q:_ the
Bermudas _1635-54_, _O'F:_ the _Bermuda's_ _1669_]
[67 elder _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ eldest _1633-69_, _B_,
_Lec_]
[68 Claims _1635-69 and MSS.:_ Claim'd _1633_ this _1633_,
_D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ the _1635-69_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_]
THE CALME.
Our storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage,
A stupid calme, but nothing it, doth swage.
The fable is inverted, and farre more
A blocke afflicts, now, then a storke before.
Stormes chafe, and soone weare out themselves, or us; 5
In calmes, Heaven laughs to see us languish thus.
As steady'as I can wish, that my thoughts were,
Smooth as thy mistresse glasse, or what shines there,
The sea is now. And, as the Iles which wee
Seeke, when wee can move, our ships rooted bee. 10
As water did in stormes, now pitch runs out:
As lead, when a fir'd Church becomes one spout.
And all our beauty, and our trimme, decayes,
Like courts removing, or like ended playes.
The fighting place now seamens ragges supply; 15
And all the tackling is a frippery.
No use of lanthornes; and in one place lay
Feathers and dust, to day and yesterday.
Earths hollownesses, which the worlds lungs are,
Have no more winde then the upper valt of aire. 20
We can nor lost friends, nor sought foes recover,
But meteorlike, save that wee move not, hover.
Onely the Calenture together drawes
Deare friends, which meet dead in great fishes jawes:
And on the hatches as on Altars lyes 25
Each one, his owne Priest, and owne Sacrifice.
Who live, that miracle do multiply
Where walkers in hot Ovens, doe not dye.
If in despite of these, wee swimme, that hath
No more refreshing, then our brimstone Bath, 30
But from the sea, into the ship we turne,
Like parboyl'd wretches, on the coales to burne.
Like _Bajazet_ encag'd, the shepheards scoffe,
Or like slacke sinew'd _Sampson_, his haire off,
Languish our ships. Now, as a Miriade 35
Of Ants, durst th'Emperours lov'd snake invade,
The crawling Gallies, Sea-goales, finny chips,
Might brave our Pinnaces, now bed-ridde ships.
Whether a rotten state, and hope of gaine,
Or to disuse mee from the queasie paine 40
Of being belov'd, and loving, or the thirst
Of honour, or faire death, out pusht mee first,
I lose my end: for here as well as I
A desperate may live, and a coward die.
Stagge, dogge, and all which from, or towards flies, 45
Is paid with life, or pray, or doing dyes.
Fate grudges us all, and doth subtly lay
A scourge,'gainst which wee all forget to pray,
He that at sea prayes for more winde, as well
Under the poles may begge cold, heat in hell. 50
What are wee then? How little more alas
Is man now, then before he was? he was
Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
Chance, or our selves still disproportion it.
Wee have no power, no will, no sense; I lye, 55
I should not then thus feele this miserie.
[The Calme. _1633-69:_ _similarly_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_TCD_]
[4 storke] stroke _1639_]
[7 can wish, that my _1633_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ could wish that my _Q:_
could wish my _1635-69_, _Chambers, who makes no note of 1633
reading_]
[9 the Iles _1633-69:_ these isles _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_Chambers (no note):_ those Iles _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_,
_N_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD_]
[11 out: _1635-69:_ out _1633_]
[14 ended] ending _1669_]
[15 ragges] rage _1669_]
[17 No] Now _1669_]
[21 lost] lefte _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_,
_TCD_]
[24 jawes: _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD:_ mawes, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_,
_Chambers_]
[29 these,] this, _L74_, _Q_, _TCD_]
[30 our _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _TCD:_ a _1635-69_, _A25_, _P_]
[33 shepheards _1650-69:_ sheepheards _1633-39_]
[37 Sea-goales, (_or_ gayles _&c._) _1633_, _1669_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ Sea-gulls,
_1635-54_, _O'F_, _Chambers:_ Sea-snayles, _B_, _JC_]
[38 our Pinnaces, now _1635-54_, _B_, _O'F:_ our venices, now
_1633_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_,
_Q_, _S_, _TCD:_ with _Vinice's_, our _1669_]
[40 Or] Or, _1633-69_]
[44 and a coward _1633_, _MSS.:_ and coward _1635-69:_ a
coward _P_, _S_]
[45 and all] and each _B_, _Q_, _S_]
[48 forget _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _P_, _S:_ forgot
_1669_, _A25_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _Q_, _TCD_]
[50 poles] pole _JC_, _Q_]
[52-3 he was? he was Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
_1633_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD_ (_but MSS. have no stop after_
Nothing): he was, he was? Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing
fit; _1635-54:_ he was, he was? Nothing for us, we are for
nothing fit; _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _Q:_ _but the MSS. have not all got a
mark of interrogation or other stop after second_ he was. _See
note_]
To S^r _Henry Wotton_.
Sir, more then kisses, letters mingle Soules;
For, thus friends absent speake. This ease controules
The tediousnesse of my life: But for these
I could ideate nothing, which could please,
But I should wither in one day, and passe 5
To'a bottle'of Hay, that am a locke of Grasse.
Life is a voyage, and in our lifes wayes
Countries, Courts, Towns are Rockes, or Remoraes;
They breake or stop all ships, yet our state's such,
That though then pitch they staine worse, wee must touch. 10
If in the furnace of the even line,
Or under th'adverse icy poles thou pine,
Thou know'st two temperate Regions girded in,
Dwell there: But Oh, what refuge canst thou winne
Parch'd in the Court, and in the country frozen? 15
Shall cities, built of both extremes, be chosen?
Can dung and garlike be'a perfume? or can
A Scorpion and Torpedo cure a man?
Cities are worst of all three; of all three
(O knottie riddle) each is worst equally. 20
Cities are Sepulchers; they who dwell there
Are carcases, as if no such there were.
And Courts are Theaters, where some men play
Princes, some slaves, all to one end, and of one clay.
The Country is a desert, where no good, 25
Gain'd (as habits, not borne,) is understood.
There men become beasts, and prone to more evils;
In cities blockes, and in a lewd court, devills.
As in the first Chaos confusedly
Each elements qualities were in the'other three; 30
So pride, lust, covetize, being feverall
To these three places, yet all are in all,
And mingled thus, their issue incestuous.
Falshood is denizon'd. Virtue is barbarous.
Let no man say there, Virtues flintie wall 35
Shall locke vice in mee, I'll do none, but know all.
Men are spunges, which to poure out, receive,
Who know false play, rather then lose, deceive.
For in best understandings, sinne beganne,
Angels sinn'd first, then Devills, and then man. 40
Onely perchance beast sinne not; wretched wee
Are beasts in all, but white integritie.
I thinke if men, which in these places live
Durst looke for themselves, and themselves retrive,
They would like strangers greet themselves, seeing than 45
Utopian youth, growne old Italian.
Be thou thine owne home, and in thy selfe dwell;
Inne any where, continuance maketh hell.
And seeing the snaile, which every where doth rome,
Carrying his owne house still, still is at home, 50
Follow (for he is easie pac'd) this snaile,
Bee thine owne Palace, or the world's thy gaile.
And in the worlds sea, do not like corke sleepe
Upon the waters face; nor in the deepe
Sinke like a lead without a line: but as 55
Fishes glide, leaving no print where they passe,
Nor making sound; so closely thy course goe,
let men dispute, whether thou breathe, or no.
Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: To make
Courts hot ambitions wholesome, do not take 60
A dramme of Countries dulnesse; do not adde
Correctives, but as chymiques, purge the bad.
But, Sir, I advise not you, I rather doe
Say o'er those lessons, which I learn'd of you:
Whom, free from German schismes, and lightness 65
Of France, and faire Italies faithlesnesse,
Having from these suck'd all they had of worth,
And brought home that faith, which you carried forth,
I throughly love. But if my selfe, I'have wonne
To know my rules, I have, and you have 70
DONNE:
[To S^r Henry Wotton. _1633-69_ (Sir _1669_): _same or no
title_, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ To M^r H. W. _B_, _W_
(_B adds_ J. D.). _See note_]
[4 I could invent nothing at all to please, _1669_]
[6 bottle] botle _1633_ To a lock of hay, that am a Bottle of
grass. _1669_]
[7 lifes _1633:_ lives _1635-69_]
[10 though ... worse, _in brackets 1650-69_]
[11 even _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ raging _1633-54:_
other _P:_ over _S_]
[12 poles _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_,
_O'F_, _S_, _W:_ pole _1633-69_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _TC_]
[16 cities, ... extremes, _Ed:_ cities ... extremes _1633-69_]
[17 dung and garlike _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TC_, _W_ (dung, _1633_): dung, or garlike
_1635-69_, _A25_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_ a perfume] a _om.
1635-54_, _Chambers_]
[18 Scorpion _Ed:_ Scorpion, _1633-69_
and Torpedo _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ or Torpedo
_1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_.
_See note_]
[19 of all three _1633:_ of all three? _1635-69_]
[22 no such _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_,
_S_, _TC_, _W:_ none such _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_
there were. _1635-69_, _A36_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S_, _W:_ they were. _1633_, _Lec:_ then were _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[24 and of one clay. _1633 and MSS. generally:_ of one clay.
_1635-39:_ of one day. _1650-54:_ and at one daye. _A25:_
Princes, some slaves, and all end in one day. _1669_]
[25-6
The Country is a desert, where no good,
Gain'd, as habits, not borne, is understood.
_1633_, _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_, _W_
The Country is a desert, where the good,
Gain'd inhabits not, borne, is not understood.
_1635-54_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_
The Country is a desert, where noe good
Gain'd doth inhabit, nor born's understood.
_A25_]
[27 more _1633_, _A25_, _W:_ meere _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _S96:_ men (_a slip for_ mere) _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ all
_1635-69_. _See note_]
[33 issue incestuous, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ issue is incestuous. _1635-69_, _P_, _S:_
issues monsterous. _A25_]
[35 there] then _Lec_]
[44 for themselves, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ in themselves, _1633-69:_
into themselves, themselves retrive, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_]
[45 than] then _1663_]
[45-6 than ... Italian.] that ... Italianate. _Cy_, _P_]
[47 Be thou _1633_, _Lec:_ Be then _1635-69 and MSS._]
[50 home, _Ed:_ home. _1633:_ home: _1635-69_]
[52 gaile. _1635-69:_ goale; _1633_]
[57 so _D, W:_ so _1633-69_]
[58-9 breathe,] breath, _1633_
or no. Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: _Ed:_ or no:
Onley ... Galenist. _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ or no: Onely in this be no Galenist.
_1635-69_, _Cy_, O_'F_, _S_]
[64 you:] you. _1633_]
[65 German _1633 and all MSS.:_ Germanies _1635-69_, _Grosart
and Chambers (without note)_]
To S^r _Henry Goodyere_.
Who makes the Past, a patterne for next yeare,
Turnes no new leafe, but still the same things reads,
Seene things, he sees againe, heard things doth heare,
And makes his life, but like a paire of beads.
A Palace, when'tis that, which it should be, 5
Leaves growing, and stands such, or else decayes:
But hee which dwels there, is not so; for hee
Strives to urge upward, and his fortune raise;
So had your body'her morning, hath her noone,
And shall not better; her next change is night: 10
But her faire larger guest, to'whom Sun and Moone
Are sparkes, and short liv'd, claimes another right.
The noble Soule by age growes lustier,
Her appetite, and her digestion mend,
Wee must not sterve, nor hope to pamper her 15
With womens milke, and pappe unto the end.
Provide you manlyer dyet; you have seene
All libraries, which are Schools, Camps, and Courts;
But aske your Garners if you have not beene
In harvests, too indulgent to your sports. 20
Would you redeeme it? then your selfe transplant
A while from hence. Perchance outlandish ground
Beares no more wit, then ours, but yet more scant
Are those diversions there, which here abound.
To be a stranger hath that benefit, 25
Wee can beginnings, but not habits choke.
Goe; whither? Hence; you get, if you forget;
New faults, till they prescribe in us, are smoake.
Our soule, whose country'is heaven, and God her father,
Into this world, corruptions sinke, is sent, 30
Yet, so much in her travaile she doth gather,
That she returnes home, wiser then she went;
It payes you well, if it teach you to spare,
And make you,'ashm'd, to make your hawks praise, yours,
Which when herselfe she lessens in the aire, 35
You then first say, that high enough she toures.
However, keepe the lively tast you hold
Of God, love him as now, but feare him more,
And in your afternoones thinke what you told
And promis'd him, at morning prayer before. 40
Let falshood like a discord anger you,
Else be not froward. But why doe I touch
Things, of which none is in your practise new,
And Tables, or fruit-trenchers teach as much;
But thus I make you keepe your promise Sir, 45
Riding I had you, though you still staid there,
And in these thoughts, although you never stirre,
You came with mee to Micham, and are here.
[To Sir Henry Goodyere. _1633-69:_ _so with_ Goodyere
_variously spelt_ _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_
To S^r Henry Goodyere (H: G: _A18_, _N_, _TC_) moveing him to
travell. _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[1 Past, _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ Last _1669_, _Chambers_]
[2 reads,] read, _1650-54_]
[6 decayes:] decayes, _1633_]
[16 womens] womans _1669_]
[17 dyet; _Ed:_ dyet, _1633_ (_with a larger interval than is
usually given to a comma_), _1669:_ dyet. _1635-54_]
[20 harvests, _1633-54_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _TC:_
harvest, _1669_, _A25_, _C_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]
[27 Goe; _A18_, _B_, _TC:_ Goe, _1633-69_
Hence; _A18_, _TC:_ hence; _1633:_ hence _1635-54:_ Hence.
_1669_]
[28 in us, _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC:_ to us, _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]
[34 you,'asham'd, _Ed:_ you'asham'd, _1633-69:_ you asham'd
_Chambers and Grolier_. _See note_]
[37 However, _1633-39:_ However _1650-69:_ Howsoever _A18_,
_B_, _D_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[38 as] _om. 1639-69_]
[42 froward.] froward; _1633_]
[44 Tables _1633-54_, _Lec:_ Fables _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[45 make] made _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[48 with mee to] to mee at _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
To M^r _Rowland Woodward_.
Like one who'in her third widdowhood doth professe
Her selfe a Nunne, tyed to retirednesse,
So'affects my muse now, a chast fallownesse;
Since shee to few, yet to too many'hath showne
How love-song weeds, and Satyrique thornes are growne 5
Where seeds of better Arts, were early sown.
Though to use, and love Poëtrie, to mee,
Betroth'd to no'one Art, be no'adulterie;
Omissions of good, ill, as ill deeds bee.
For though to us it seeme,'and be light and thinne, 10
Yet in those faithfull scales, where God throwes in
Mens workes, vanity weighs as much as sinne.
If our Soules have stain'd their first white, yet wee
May cloth them with faith, and deare honestie,
Which God imputes, as native puritie. 15
There is no Vertue, but Religion:
Wise, valiant, sober, just, are names, which none
Want, which want not Vice-covering discretion.
Seeke wee then our selves in our selves; for as
Men force the Sunne with much more force to passe, 20
By gathering his beames with a christall glasse;
So wee, If wee into our selves will turne,
Blowing our sparkes of vertue, may outburne
The straw, which doth about our hearts sojourne.
You know, Physitians, when they would infuse 25
Into any'oyle, the Soules of Simples, use
Places, where they may lie still warme, to chuse.
So workes retirednesse in us; To rome
Giddily, and be every where, but at home,
Such freedome doth a banishment become. 30
Wee are but farmers of our selves, yet may,
If we can stocke our selves, and thrive, uplay
Much, much deare treasure for the great rent day.
Manure thy selfe then, to thy selfe be'approv'd,
And with vaine outward things be no more mov'd, 35
But to know, that I love thee'and would be lov'd.
[To M^r Rowland Woodward. _1633-69:_ _similarly or without
heading_, _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ A Letter of Doctor
Dunne to one that desired some of his papers. _B:_ To M^r R.
W. _W_]
[1 professe] professe, _1633_]
[2 retirednesse, _1633-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_ a retirednesse, _A18_, _L74_, _N_,
_TC_, _W_]
[3 fallownesse; _Ed:_ fallownesse. _1633-54:_ fallowness,
_1669:_ holinesse _Cy_, _P_, _S96_]
[4 too] so _W_ showne _1633_, _1669:_ flowne, _1635-54_]
[5 How love-song weeds, _1633:_ How long loves weeds,
_1635-54_, _O'F:_ How Love-song weeds, _1669_]
[6 sown. _1633_, _1669:_ sown? _1635-54:_ sown; _Chambers, who
retains the full-stop after_ fallownesse]
[10 to us it] to use it, _Cy_, _P_, _S96_
seeme,'and be light _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_L74_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ seem but light _1635-69_,
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _and Chambers, who attributes to 1633 the
reading_ seem and be but light]
[13 white] whites _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_]
[14 honestie] integritie _Cy_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
[15 puritie.] puritie, _1633_]
[16 Religion: _1669:_ Religion, _1633:_ Religion. _1635-54_]
[23 our] the _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC_
sparkes _1633-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ spark _1669_, _A18_, _H40_,
_S_, _Chambers_]
[25 infuse] infuse _1633_]
[26 Soules _1633-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ soule _B_, _D_, _H40_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W_]
[28 To _1635-69:_ to _1633_]
[29 Giddily, _1669:_ Giddily _1633-54_]
[31 farmers _1635-69_, _and all MSS., where it is generally
spelt_ fermers: termers _1633_]
[33 deare _1633_, _and most MSS.:_ good _1635-69_, _Cy_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[34 approv'd _1633-54_, _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ improv'd
_1669_, _B_, _Chambers_]
[36 lov'd. _1633-69:_ belov'd. _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_]
To S^r _Henry Wootton_.
Here's no more newes, then vertue,'I may as well
Tell you _Cales_, or S^t _Michaels_ tale for newes, as tell
That vice doth here habitually dwell.
Yet, as to'get stomachs, we walke up and downe,
And toyle to sweeten rest, so, may God frowne, 5
If, but to loth both, I haunt Court, or Towne.
For here no one is from the'extremitie
Of vice, by any other reason free,
But that the next to'him, still, is worse then hee.
In this worlds warfare, they whom rugged Fate, 10
(Gods Commissary,) doth so throughly hate,
As in'the Courts Squadron to marshall their state:
If they stand arm'd with seely honesty,
With wishing prayers, and neat integritie,
Like Indians'gainst Spanish hosts they bee. 15
Suspitious boldnesse to this place belongs,
And to'have as many eares as all have tongues;
Tender to know, tough to acknowledge wrongs.
Beleeve mee Sir, in my youths giddiest dayes,
When to be like the Court, was a playes praise, 20
Playes were not so like Courts, as Courts'are like playes.
Then let us at these mimicke antiques jeast,
Whose deepest projects, and egregious gests
Are but dull Moralls of a game at Chests.
But now'tis incongruity to smile, 25
Therefore I end; and bid farewell a while,
_At Court_; though _From Court_, were the better stile.
[To S^r Henry Wootton. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ A Letter to _&c._
_B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_ (_of these Cy
and S add_ From Court _and_ From y^e Court): From Court. _P:_
To M^r H. W. 20 Jul. 1598 at Court. _HN:_ To M^r H. W. 20 July
15098 (_sic_) At Court. _W:_ Jo: D: to M^r H: W: _A18_, _N_,
_TC:_ Another Letter. _JC_]
[1 newes] new _1669_]
[2 Tell you _Cales_, (_Calis_, _1633_) or _S^t Michaels_ tale
for newes, as tell _1633_, _A18_, _B_ (tales), _Cy_ (and S^t
Michaels tales), _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_
(tales), _P_, _S_, _S96_ (tales), _TC_, _W_ (_MSS. waver in
spelling--but_ Cales _Cy_, _HN_, _P:_) Tell you _Calis_,
or _Saint Michaels_ tales, as tell _1635-54_, _Chambers_
(Calais): Tell _Calis_, or Saint _Michaels_ Mount, as tell
_1669:_ Tell you Calais, or Saint Michaels Mount as tell
_1719:_ _All modern editions read_ Calais]
[6 or] and _1669_]
[9 to'him, still, _1633:_ to him, still, _1635-69:_ to him is
still _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[12 state: _1635-69:_ state _1633_]
[14 wishing prayers, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ wishing, prayers, _1669_,
_HN:_ wishes, prayers, _1635-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_,
_Chambers_]
[20 playes] players _1639-69_]
[21 are like _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_S_, _S96_ (are now like), _TC_, _W:_ are _om. (metri causa)
1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_]
[23-4
are egregeous guests,
And but dull Morals at a game of Chests.
_1669_]
[25 now'tis] 'tis an _1669_]
[27 _At Court;_ though, _From Court, &c._ _W:_ _At Court_,
though from Court, _&c._ _1633-69_]
_H: W: in Hiber: belligeranti._
Went you to conquer? and have so much lost
Yourself, that what in you was best and most,
Respective friendship, should so quickly dye?
In publique gaine my share'is not such that I
Would lose your love for Ireland: better cheap 5
I pardon death (who though he do not reap
Yet gleanes hee many of our frends away)
Then that your waking mind should bee a prey
To lethargies. Lett shott, and boggs, and skeines
With bodies deale, as fate bids and restreynes; 10
Ere sicknesses attack, yong death is best,
Who payes before his death doth scape arrest.
Lett not your soule (at first with graces fill'd,
And since, and thorough crooked lymbecks, still'd
In many schools and courts, which quicken it,) 15
It self unto the Irish negligence submit.
I aske not labored letters which should weare
Long papers out: nor letters which should feare
Dishonest carriage: or a seers art:
Nor such as from the brayne come, but the hart. 20
[H: W: _&c._ _Burley MS._ (JD _in margin_) _i.e._ Henrico
Wottoni in Hibernia belligeranti]
[2 that] y^t _Bur, and similarly_ y^e (the), y^r (your),
w^{ch} (which), w^{th} (with) _throughout_]
[2-3 most, Respective friendship,] _no commas_, _Bur_]
[4 share'is] share is _Bur_]
[9 lethargies.] letargies. _Bur_]
[10 restreynes;] restreynes _Bur_]
[11 attack,] attack _Bur_
best,] best _Bur_]
[13 (at first] _Bur closes bracket after_ first _and again
after_ 15 quicken it,]
[14 since,] since _Bur_]
[19 art:] art _Bur_]
_To the Countesse of Bedford._
MADAME,
Reason is our Soules left hand, Faith her right,
By these wee reach divinity, that's you;
Their loves, who have the blessings of your light,
Grew from their reason, mine from faire faith grew.
But as, although a squint lefthandednesse 5
Be'ungracious, yet we cannot want that hand,
So would I, not to encrease, but to expresse
My faith, as I beleeve, so understand.
Therefore I study you first in your Saints,
Those friends, whom your election glorifies, 10
Then in your deeds, accesses, and restraints,
And what you reade, and what your selfe devize.
But soone, the reasons why you'are lov'd by all,
Grow infinite, and so passe reasons reach,
Then backe againe to'implicite faith I fall, 15
And rest on what the Catholique voice doth teach;
That you are good: and not one Heretique
Denies it: if he did, yet you are so.
For, rockes, which high top'd and deep rooted sticke,
Waves wash, not undermine, nor overthrow. 20
In every thing there naturally growes
A _Balsamum_ to keepe it fresh, and new,
If'twere not injur'd by extrinsique blowes;
Your birth and beauty are this Balme in you.
But you of learning and religion, 25
And vertue,'and such ingredients, have made
A methridate, whose operation
Keepes off, or cures what can be done or said.
Yet, this is not your physicke, but your food,
A dyet fit for you; for you are here 30
The first good Angell, since the worlds frame stood,
That ever did in womans shape appeare.
Since you are then Gods masterpeece, and so
His Factor for our loves; do as you doe,
Make your returne home gracious; and bestow 35
This life on that; so make one life of two.
For so God helpe mee,'I would not misse you there
For all the good which you can do me here.
[To the Countesse of Bedford. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ To the
Countesse of B. _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[3 blessings _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ blessing _1635-69_,
_B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_
light, _1633-69:_ sight, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _TCD_]
[4 faire _1633-69_, _L74_, _N_, _TCD:_ farr _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _Lec_, _M_, _O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_]
[16 what] that _Chambers_
voice _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ faith _1633_, _RP31_, _S_]
[19 high top'd and deep rooted _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ high to
sense deepe-rooted _1635-54_, _O'F_, _Chambers_ (_who has
overlooked 1633 reading:_) high to sense and deepe-rooted
_S96:_ high to sun and deepe-rooted _L74_, _RP31_, _S:_ high
do seem, deep-rooted _1669_, _Cy_ (_but MS. with_ and): high
to some, and deepe-rooted _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ high to seeme,
and deepe-rooted _B_. _See note_]
[25 But _Ed:_ But, _1633-69_]
[36 This, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _TCD_, _Grosart and Chambers:_ Thy _1633_,
_Grolier_. _See note_]
_To the Countesse of Bedford._
MADAME,
You have refin'd mee, and to worthyest things
(Vertue, Art, Beauty, Fortune,) now I see
Rarenesse, or use, not nature value brings;
And such, as they are circumstanc'd, they bee.
Two ills can ne're perplexe us, sinne to'excuse; 5
But of two good things, we may leave and chuse.
Therefore at Court, which is not vertues clime,
(Where a transcendent height, (as, lownesse mee)
Makes her not be, or not show) all my rime
Your vertues challenge, which there rarest bee; 10
For, as darke texts need notes: there some must bee
To usher vertue, and say, _This is shee._
So in the country'is beauty; to this place
You are the season (Madame) you the day,
'Tis but a grave of spices, till your face 15
Exhale them, and a thick close bud display.
Widow'd and reclus'd else, her sweets she'enshrines;
As China, when the Sunne at Brasill dines.
Out from your chariot, morning breaks at night,
And falsifies both computations so; 20
Since a new world doth rise here from your light,
We your new creatures, by new recknings goe.
This showes that you from nature lothly stray,
That suffer not an artificiall day.
In this you'have made the Court the Antipodes, 25
And will'd your Delegate, the vulgar Sunne,
To doe profane autumnall offices,
Whilst here to you, wee sacrificers runne;
And whether Priests, or Organs, you wee'obey,
We sound your influence, and your Dictates say. 30
Yet to that Deity which dwels in you,
Your vertuous Soule, I now not sacrifice;
These are _Petitions_ and not _Hymnes_; they sue
But that I may survay the edifice.
In all Religions as much care hath bin 35
Of Temples frames, and beauty,'as Rites within.
As all which goe to Rome, doe not thereby
Esteeme religions, and hold fast the best,
But serve discourse, and curiosity,
With that which doth religion but invest, 40
And shunne th'entangling laborinths of Schooles,
And make it wit, to thinke the wiser fooles:
So in this pilgrimage I would behold
You as you'are vertues temple, not as shee,
What walls of tender christall her enfold, 45
What eyes, hands, bosome, her pure Altars bee;
And after this survay, oppose to all
Bablers of Chappels, you th'Escuriall.
Yet not as consecrate, but merely'as faire,
On these I cast a lay and country eye. 50
Of past and future stories, which are rare,
I finde you all record, and prophecie.
Purge but the booke of Fate, that it admit
No sad nor guilty legends, you are it.
If good and lovely were not one, of both 55
You were the transcript, and originall,
The Elements, the Parent, and the Growth,
And every peece of you, is both their All:
So'intire are all your deeds, and you, that you
Must do the same thinge still; you cannot two. 60
But these (as nice thinne Schoole divinity
Serves heresie to furder or represse)
Tast of Poëtique rage, or flattery,
And need not, where all hearts one truth professe;
Oft from new proofes, and new phrase, new doubts grow, 65
As strange attire aliens the men wee know.
Leaving then busie praise, and all appeale
To higher Courts, senses decree is true,
The Mine, the Magazine, the Commonweale,
The story of beauty,'in Twicknam is, and you. 70
Who hath seene one, would both; As, who had bin
In Paradise, would seeke the Cherubin.
[the Countesse of Bedford. _1633-69:_ _similarly or with
no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TCD_]
[2 (Vertue, ... Fortune,)] _brackets Ed:_ Fortune, _1633:_
Fortune; _1635-69_, _Grolier:_ Fortune. _Chambers_. _See
note_]
[5 ne're] nere _1633_]
[6 and] or _1669_]
[8-9 _1633 begins to bracket_ (Where ... not show) _but does
not finish, putting a colon after_ show: _the others drop the
larger brackets, retaining the smaller_ (as ... mee)]
[9 be] see _1669_
show] show: _1633-54:_ show. _1669_]
[11 notes: there some _1633-54:_ notes some: there _1669_]
[17 enshrines; _1719:_ enshrines _1633-69_]
[20 computations so; _1633-69:_ computations; so, _Chambers_]
[42 fooles:] fooles. _1633_]
[48 Bablers _1633:_ Babblers _1635-54:_ Builders _1669_]
[49 faire, _Ed:_ faire; _1633-69_]
[50 eye.] eye, _1633_]
[52 and prophecie] all prophecye _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TCD_ prophecie.] prophecie, _1633 some copies_]
[57 Parent] Parents _1669_ Growth, _1669:_ Growth _1633-54_]
[58 both _1633 and MSS.:_ worth _1635-69_, _O'F_ All: _Ed:_
All, _1633-69_]
[60 thinge _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F:_ things
_1633-69_, _Lec_]
[61 nice thinne _1633-54:_ nicest _1669_]
[66 aliens _1633_, _1669 and MSS.:_ alters _1635-54_, _O'F_]
[67 and] end _1669_, _not_ lend _as in Chambers' note_
appeale _Ed:_ appeale, _1633-69_]
[68 true, _1633:_ true. _1635-69_]
[71 had bin _1633-35:_ hath bin _1639-69_. _See note_]
To S^r _Edward Herbert_. at _Iulyers_.
Man is a lumpe, where all beasts kneaded bee,
Wisdome makes him an Arke where all agree;
The foole, in whom these beasts do live at jarre,
Is sport to others, and a Theater;
Nor scapes hee so, but is himselfe their prey, 5
All which was man in him, is eate away,
And now his beasts on one another feed,
Yet couple'in anger, and new monsters breed.
How happy'is hee, which hath due place assign'd
To'his beasts, and disaforested his minde! 10
Empail'd himselfe to keepe them out, not in;
Can sow, and dares trust corne, where they have bin;
Can use his horse, goate, wolfe, and every beast,
And is not Asse himselfe to all the rest.
Else, man not onely is the heard of swine, 15
But he's those devills too, which did incline
Them to a headlong rage, and made them worse:
For man can adde weight to heavens heaviest curse.
As Soules (they say) by our first touch, take in
The poysonous tincture of Originall sinne, 20
So, to the punishments which God doth fling,
Our apprehension contributes the sting.
To us, as to his chickins, he doth cast
Hemlocke, and wee as men, his hemlocke taste;
We do infuse to what he meant for meat, 25
Corrosivenesse, or intense cold or heat.
For, God no such specifique poyson hath
As kills we know not how; his fiercest wrath
Hath no antipathy, but may be good
At lest for physicke, if not for our food. 30
Thus man, that might be'his pleasure, is his rod,
And is his devill, that might be his God.
Since then our businesse is, to rectifie
Nature, to what she was, wee'are led awry
By them, who man to us in little show; 35
Greater then due, no forme we can bestow
On him; for Man into himselfe can draw
All; All his faith can swallow,'or reason chaw.
All that is fill'd, and all that which doth fill,
All the round world, to man is but a pill, 40
In all it workes not, but it is in all
Poysonous, or purgative, or cordiall,
For, knowledge kindles Calentures in some,
And is to others icy _Opium_.
As brave as true, is that profession than 45
Which you doe use to make; that you know man.
This makes it credible; you have dwelt upon
All worthy bookes, and now are such an one.
Actions are authors, and of those in you
Your friends finde every day a mart of new. 50
[To S^r Edward _&c._ _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F:_ A
Letter to S^r Edward Herbert (_or_ Harbert). _B_, _Cy_ (_which
adds_ Incerti Authoris), _S96:_ To Sir E. H. _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
_no title_, _P:_ Elegia Vicesima Tertia. _S:_ To S^r Edward
Herbert, now (since _1669_) Lord Herbert of Cherbury, being at
the siege of Iulyers. _1635-69_]
[4 Theater; _Ed:_ Theater, _1633-69:_ Theater. _D_]
[5 prey, _Ed:_ prey; _1633-69_]
[8 breed.] breed; _1633_]
[10 minde! _Ed:_ minde? _1633-69_]
[17 a headlong] a _om. 1669:_ an headlong _1635-54_]
[24 taste; _Ed:_ taste. _1633-69_]
[28 we know _1633 and MSS.:_ men know _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[35 show; _1669:_ show, _1633-54_, _Chambers_]
[36 due, _1633-69:_ due; _Chambers_. _See note_]
[38 All; All _1669:_ All: All _1635-54:_ All, All _1633_
chaw. _1633:_ chaw, _1635-69_, _Grolier_]
[39 fill, _1633-54:_ fill _1669:_ fill; _Grolier_]
[44 icy] jcy _1633_]
[47-8 credible; ... bookes, _Ed:_ credible, ... bookes;
_1633-69:_ credible ... bookes _Grolier_]
_To the Countesse of Bedford._
T'have written then, when you writ, seem'd to mee
Worst of spirituall vices, Simony,
And not t'have written then, seemes little lesse
Then worst of civill vices, thanklessenesse.
In this, my debt I seem'd loath to confesse, 5
In that, I seem'd to shunne beholdingnesse.
But 'tis not soe; _nothings_, as I am, may
Pay all they have, and yet have all to pay.
Such borrow in their payments, and owe more
By having leave to write so, then before. 10
Yet since rich mines in barren grounds are showne,
May not I yeeld (not gold) but coale or stone?
Temples were not demolish'd, though prophane:
Here _Peter Ioves_, there _Paul_ hath _Dian's_ Fane.
So whether my hymnes you admit or chuse, 15
In me you'have hallowed a Pagan Muse,
And denizend a stranger, who mistaught
By blamers of the times they mard, hath sought
Vertues in corners, which now bravely doe
Shine in the worlds best part, or all It; You. 20
I have beene told, that vertue in Courtiers hearts
Suffers an Ostracisme, and departs.
Profit, ease, fitnesse, plenty, bid it goe,
But whither, only knowing you, I know;
Your (or you) vertue two vast uses serves, 25
It ransomes one sex, and one Court preserves.
There's nothing but your worth, which being true,
Is knowne to any other, not to you:
And you can never know it; To admit
No knowledge of your worth, is some of it. 30
But since to you, your praises discords bee,
Stoop, others ills to meditate with mee.
Oh! to confesse wee know not what we should,
Is halfe excuse; wee know not what we would:
Lightnesse depresseth us, emptinesse fills, 35
We sweat and faint, yet still goe downe the hills.
As new Philosophy arrests the Sunne,
And bids the passive earth about it runne,
So wee have dull'd our minde, it hath no ends;
Onely the bodie's busie, and pretends; 40
As dead low earth ecclipses and controules
The quick high Moone: so doth the body, Soules.
In none but us, are such mixt engines found,
As hands of double office: For, the ground
We till with them; and them to heav'n wee raise; 45
Who prayer-lesse labours, or, without this, prayes,
Doth but one halfe, that's none; He which said, _Plough
And looke not back_, to looke up doth allow.
Good seed degenerates, and oft obeyes
The soyles disease, and into cockle strayes; 50
Let the minds thoughts be but transplanted so,
Into the body,'and bastardly they grow.
What hate could hurt our bodies like our love?
Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove
These not ingrav'd, but inborne dignities, 55
Caskets of soules; Temples, and Palaces:
For, bodies shall from death redeemed bee,
Soules but preserv'd, not naturally free.
As men to'our prisons, new soules to us are sent,
Which learne vice there, and come in innocent. 60
First seeds of every creature are in us,
What ere the world hath bad, or pretious,
Mans body can produce, hence hath it beene
That stones, wormes, frogges, and snakes in man are seene:
But who ere saw, though nature can worke soe, 65
That pearle, or gold, or corne in man did grow?
We'have added to the world Virginia,'and sent
Two new starres lately to the firmament;
Why grudge wee us (not heaven) the dignity
T'increase with ours, those faire soules company. 70
But I must end this letter, though it doe
Stand on two truths, neither is true to you,
Vertue hath some perversenesse; For she will
Neither beleeve her good, nor others ill.
Even in you, vertues best paradise, 75
Vertue hath some, but wise degrees of vice.
Too many vertues, or too much of one
Begets in you unjust suspition;
And ignorance of vice, makes vertue lesse,
Quenching compassion of our wrechednesse. 80
But these are riddles; Some aspersion
Of vice becomes well some complexion.
Statesmen purge vice with vice, and may corrode
The bad with bad, a spider with a toad:
For so, ill thralls not them, but they tame ill 85
And make her do much good against her will,
But in your Commonwealth, or world in you,
Vice hath no office, or good worke to doe.
Take then no vitious purge, but be content
With cordiall vertue, your knowne nourishment. 90
[the _&c._ _1633-69:_ To the Countesse of B. _N_, _O'F_,
_TCD_]
[5 debt _1669_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ doubt _1633-54_]
[7 soe; _Ed:_ soe, _1633-54:_ soe. _1669_
_nothings_, _1635-54:_ _nothing_, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_
_Nothing_ _1669_
may] may, _1633_]
[14 hath] have _1633:_ _om._ _N_, _TCD_ (have _inserted_)
_Dian's_ _1635-54:_ Dian's _1633:_ _Dina's_ _1669_]
[20 or all It; You. _1635-54:_ or all it, you. _1669_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TCD:_ or all, in you. _1633_ (you, _some copies_)]
[25 Your (or you) vertue _O'F:_ Your, or you vertue,
_1633-54:_ You, or you vertue, _1669_]
[26 preserves. _Ed:_ preserves; _1633-69_]
[28 you:] you. _1633-39_]
[30 is some] it some _1633_]
[32 Stoop, others ills] Stoop (Stop _1633_) others ills,
_1633-54:_ Stoop others ills _1669_]
[34 excuse; _Ed:_ excuse, _1633-69_, _Grosart_ (_who
transposes_ should _and_ would), _Chambers:_ excuse _Grolier_.
_See note_
would: _Ed:_ would] _1633-69_]
[36 the hills. _Ed:_ the hills; _1633-69_]
[37 Philosophy. Phylosophy _1633 some copies_, _1669_]
[45 raise;] raise _1633_]
[46 this,] these _1669_]
[50 strayes; _Ed:_ strayes. _1633-69_]
[51 Let] Let but _1669_]
[54 Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove _Ed:_ Wee but
no forraine tyrants could, remove _O'F:_ Wee but no forraigne
tyrants could remove, _1633-54_ (tyrans _1633_): We, but no
forrain tyrants, could remove _1669_, _Chambers and Grolier_.
_See note_]
[55 dignities, _Ed:_ dignities _1633-69_]
[56 Palaces: _1633-35:_ Palaces. _1639-69_]
[58 not naturally free. _Ed:_ not naturally free; _1633_, _N_,
_TCD:_ borne naturally free; _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[59 prisons, new soules _1633:_ prisons now, soules _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ prisons, now soules _N_, _TCD_]
[60 vice _1635-69_, _O'F:_ it _1633_, _N_, _TCD_]
[66 That] That, _1633_
grow? _1639-69:_ grow. _1633-35_]
[74 ill.] ill, _1633-35_]
[75 you, _1669:_ you _1635-54:_ your _1633_]
[78 suspition; _Ed:_ suspition. _1633-69_]
[79 makes] make _1635-39_]
[87 Commonwealth, ... you,] _no commas 1633_]
_To the Countesse of_ Bedford.
_On New-yeares day._
This twilight of two yeares, not past nor next,
Some embleme is of mee, or I of this,
Who Meteor-like, of stuffe and forme perplext,
Whose _what_, and _where_, in disputation is,
If I should call mee _any thing_, should misse. 5
I summe the yeares, and mee, and finde mee not
Debtor to th'old, nor Creditor to th'new,
That cannot say, My thankes I have forgot,
Nor trust I this with hopes, and yet scarce true
This bravery is, since these times shew'd mee you. 10
In recompence I would show future times
What you were, and teach them to'urge towards such.
Verse embalmes vertue;'and Tombs, or Thrones of rimes,
Preserve fraile transitory fame, as much
As spice doth bodies from corrupt aires touch. 15
Mine are short-liv'd; the tincture of your name
Creates in them, but dissipates as fast,
New spirits: for, strong agents with the same
Force that doth warme and cherish, us doe wast;
Kept hot with strong extracts, no bodies last: 20
So, my verse built of your just praise, might want
Reason and likelihood, the firmest Base,
And made of miracle, now faith is scant,
Will vanish soone, and so possesse no place,
And you, and it, too much grace might disgrace. 25
When all (as truth commands assent) confesse
All truth of you, yet they will doubt how I,
One corne of one low anthills dust, and lesse,
Should name, know, or expresse a thing so high,
And not an inch, measure infinity. 30
I cannot tell them, nor my selfe, nor you,
But leave, lest truth b'endanger'd by my praise,
And turne to God, who knowes I thinke this true,
And useth oft, when such a heart mis-sayes,
To make it good, for, such a praiser prayes. 35
Hee will best teach you, how you should lay out
His stock of _beauty_, _learning_, _favour_, _blood_;
He will perplex security with doubt,
And cleare those doubts; hide from you,'and shew you good,
And so increase your appetite and food; 40
Hee will teach you, that good and bad have not
One latitude in cloysters, and in Court;
Indifferent there the greatest space hath got;
Some pitty'is not good there, some vaine disport,
On this side sinne, with that place may comport. 45
Yet he, as hee bounds seas, will fixe your houres,
Which pleasure, and delight may not ingresse,
And though what none else lost, be truliest yours,
Hee will make you, what you did not, possesse,
By using others, not vice, but weakenesse. 50
He will make you speake truths, and credibly,
And make you doubt, that others doe not so:
Hee will provide you keyes, and locks, to spie,
And scape spies, to good ends, and hee will show
What you may not acknowledge, what not know. 55
For your owne conscience, he gives innocence,
But for your fame, a discreet warinesse,
And though to scape, then to revenge offence
Be better, he showes both, and to represse
_Ioy_, when your state swells, _sadnesse_ when'tis lesse. 60
From need of teares he will defend your soule,
Or make a rebaptizing of one teare;
Hee cannot, (that's, he will not) dis-inroule
Your name; and when with active joy we heare
This private Ghospell, then'tis our New Yeare. 65
[To the _&c._ _1633-69:_ To the Countesse of B. at New-yeares
tide. _N_, _O'F_, _TCD_]
[3-4 (Meteor-like, ... disputation is,) _1635-69_]
[9 true _Ed:_ true, _1633_ true. _1635-69_]
[10 is, _Ed:_ is _1633-69_ (_in 1633 the interval shows that a
comma was intended_)
times] time _1633_]
[12 such. _Ed:_ such, _1633-69_]
[16 short-liv'd] short liv'd _1633_]
[17 fast,] fast _1633_]
[18 spirits: _Ed:_ spirit: _1633:_ spirits; _1635-69_]
[19 cherish, us doe _1633:_ cherish us, doe _1635-69_]
[27 I, _Ed:_ I _1633-69_]
[28 (One corne ... and lesse,) _1635-69_]
[29 name, know,] _no commas 1633-69_]
[30 And not an inch, _1633:_ And (not an inch) _1635-69_
infinity.] infinite. _1669_]
[35 praiser prayes. _1635-69_, _O'F:_ prayer prayes. _1633:_
prayer praise. _N_, _TCD_]
[37 _blood_;] _blood_, _1633_]
[39 doubts;] doubts, _1633_]
[42 Court; _Ed:_ Court, _1633-69_]
[43 got; _Ed:_ got, _1633-69_]
[44 pitty' _1633-69:_ piety _James Russell Lowell, in Grolier
note_. _See note_]
[45 On this side sinne, _Ed_ (_from Chambers_): On this side,
sinne; _1633:_ On this side, sin, _1635-69_. _See note_]
[46 he, _Ed:_ he _1633-69_]
[47 Which] With _1633_]
[55 may] will _1669_]
[58-9 (though to scape ... Be better,) _1635-69_]
[65 New Yeare.] new yeare, _1633_]
_To the Countesse of Huntingdon._
MADAME,
Man to Gods image; _Eve_, to mans was made,
Nor finde wee that God breath'd a soule in her,
Canons will not Church functions you invade,
Nor lawes to civill office you preferre.
Who vagrant transitory Comets sees, 5
Wonders, because they'are rare; But a new starre
Whose motion with the firmament agrees,
Is miracle; for, there no new things are;
In woman so perchance milde innocence
A seldome comet is, but active good 10
A miracle, which reason scapes, and sense;
For, Art and Nature this in them withstood.
As such a starre, the _Magi_ led to view
The manger-cradled infant, God below:
By vertues beames by fame deriv'd from you, 15
May apt soules, and the worst may, vertue know.
If the worlds age, and death be argued well
By the Sunnes fall, which now towards earth doth bend,
Then we might feare that vertue, since she fell
So low as woman, should be neare her end. 20
But she's not stoop'd, but rais'd; exil'd by men
She fled to heaven, that's heavenly things, that's you;
She was in all men, thinly scatter'd then,
But now amass'd, contracted in a few.
She guilded us: But you are gold, and Shee; 25
Us she inform'd, but transubstantiates you;
Soft dispositions which ductile bee,
Elixarlike, she makes not cleane, but new.
Though you a wifes and mothers name retaine,
'Tis not as woman, for all are not soe, 30
But vertue having made you vertue,'is faine
T'adhere in these names, her and you to show,
Else, being alike pure, wee should neither see;
As, water being into ayre rarify'd,
Neither appeare, till in one cloud they bee, 35
So, for our sakes you do low names abide;
Taught by great constellations, which being fram'd,
Of the most starres, take low names, _Crab_ and _Bull_,
When single planets by the _Gods_ are nam'd,
You covet not great names, of great things full. 40
So you, as woman, one doth comprehend,
And in the vaile of kindred others see;
To some ye are reveal'd, as in a friend,
And as a vertuous Prince farre off, to mee.
To whom, because from you all vertues flow, 45
And 'tis not none, to dare contemplate you,
I, which doe so, as your true subject owe
Some tribute for that, so these lines are due.
If you can thinke these flatteries, they are,
For then your judgement is below my praise, 50
If they were so, oft, flatteries worke as farre,
As Counsels, and as farre th'endeavour raise.
So my ill reaching you might there grow good,
But I remaine a poyson'd fountaine still;
But not your beauty, vertue, knowledge, blood 55
Are more above all flattery, then my will.
And if I flatter any,'tis not you
But my owne judgement, who did long agoe
Pronounce, that all these praises should be true,
And vertue should your beauty,'and birth outgrow. 60
Now that my prophesies are all fulfill'd,
Rather then God should not be honour'd too,
And all these gifts confess'd, which hee instill'd,
Your selfe were bound to say that which I doe.
So I, but your Recorder am in this, 65
Or mouth, or Speaker of the universe,
A ministeriall Notary, for'tis
Not I, but you and fame, that make this verse;
I was your Prophet in your yonger dayes,
And now your Chaplaine, God in you to praise. 70
[To the _&c._ _1633-69_, _O'F:_ To the C. of H. _N_, _TCD_]
[1 image;] image, _1633_
mans] man _1650-69_]
[9 woman] women _1669_]
[13 the] which _1633_
_Magi_] Magis _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ _compare p._ 243, _l._ 390]
[14 below: _Ed:_ below. _1633-69_]
[15 beames by ... you, _1633:_ beames (by ... you) _1633-69_]
[16 may, _Ed:_ may _1633-69_]
[22 you; _Ed:_ you, _1633-69_]
[24 amass'd, _1633_, _O'F:_ a masse _1635-69_, _N_, _TCD_]
[25-6 But you are gold, and Shee; ... transubstantiates you;
_Ed:_ But you are gold, and Shee, ... transubstantiates you,
_1633:_
but you are gold; and she,
Informed us, but transubstantiates you,
_1635-69_, _Chambers_ (_but no comma after_ and she _and colon
or full stop after_ you _1650-69_, _Chambers_)]
[33 see; _Ed:_ see, _1633-69_]
[37-9 (which being ... are nam'd) _1635-69_]
[42 vaile] vale _1669_]
[43 ye _1633:_ you _1635-69_]
[47 doe so, _1635-69_, _O'F:_ doe _N_, _TCD:_ to you _1633_]
[48 due.] due, _1633_]
[55 But _1633_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ And _1635-69_, _Chambers_]
[64 that] thar _1633_]
[66 or Speaker _1633:_ and Speaker _1635-69_]
[67 Notary,] notary, _1633_]
To M^r _T. W._
All haile sweet Poët, more full of more strong fire,
Then hath or shall enkindle any spirit,
I lov'd what nature gave thee, but this merit
Of wit and Art I love not but admire;
Who have before or shall write after thee, 5
Their workes, though toughly laboured, will bee
Like infancie or age to mans firme stay,
Or earely and late twilights to mid-day.
Men say, and truly, that they better be
Which be envyed then pittied: therefore I, 10
Because I wish thee best, doe thee envie:
O wouldst thou, by like reason, pitty mee!
But care not for mee: I, that ever was
In Natures, and in Fortunes gifts, alas,
(Before thy grace got in the Muses Schoole 15
A monster and a begger,) am now a foole.
Oh how I grieve, that late borne modesty
Hath got such root in easie waxen hearts,
That men may not themselves, their owne good parts
Extoll, without suspect of surquedrie, 20
For, but thy selfe, no subject can be found
Worthy thy quill, nor any quill resound
Thy worth but thine: how good it were to see
A Poëm in thy praise, and writ by thee.
Now if this song be too'harsh for rime, yet, as 25
The Painters bad god made a good devill,
'Twill be good prose, although the verse be evill,
If thou forget the rime as thou dost passe.
Then write, that I may follow, and so bee
Thy debter, thy'eccho, thy foyle, thy zanee. 30
I shall be thought, if mine like thine I shape,
All the worlds Lyon, though I be thy Ape.
[To M^r T. W.: _P_, _S_, _W:_ To M. I. W. _1633-69_, _A18_,
_N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ A Letter. To M^r T. W. _O'F:_ Ad amicum.
_S96:_ _no title_, _B_, _Cy_]
[1 more full] and full _1669_]
[2 any spirit, _1633_, _A18_, _Cy_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W:_ my
dull spirit, _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_]
[3 this merit _1633_, _A18_, _Cy_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_
thy merit _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]
[11 thee ... thee] the ... the _1669_]
[12 mee! _Ed:_ mee. _W:_ mee, _1633-69_]
[13 mee: _Ed:_ mee, _1633-69_
ever was] never was _B_, _P_, _S96_]
[14-16
In Natures, and in Fortunes gifts, alas,
(Before ... and a begger,)
_Ed:_
In Natures, and in fortunes gifts, (alas,
Before thy grace got in the Muses Schoole)
A monster and a begger,
_1633_ (_some copies:_ _others read_ 15 Before by thy grace
_&c._, _which is also the Grolier conjecture_), _A18_, _Cy_,
_N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_ (_but W and some of the other MSS.
have no brackets_):
In Natures, and in fortunes gifts, alas,
(But for thy grace got in the Muses Schoole)
A Monster and a beggar,
_1635-69_, _O'F_, _Chambers_
In fortunes, nor (or _S96_) in natures gifts alas,
But by thy grace, _&c._
_B_, _S96_. _See note_]
[16 am now a foole. _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ am a
foole. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _N_, _TC_]
[23 worth _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ worke
_1633-54_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[27 evill, _W:_ evill. _1633-69_, _Chambers_]
[28 passe. _W:_ passe, _1633-69_, _Chambers_]
[29 that I _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _W:_ then
I _1633-54_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[30 Thy debter, thy'eccho _1633-54:_ Thy eccho, thy debtor
_1669_
thy zanee.] and thy Zanee. _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[31 if ... shape] _brackets_ _1635-69_]
To M _T. W._
Hast thee harsh verse, as fast as thy lame measure
Will give thee leave, to him, my pain and pleasure.
I have given thee, and yet thou art too weake,
Feete, and a reasoning soule and tongue to speake.
Plead for me, and so by thine and my labour 5
I am thy Creator, thou my Saviour.
Tell him, all questions, which men have defended
Both of the place and paines of hell, are ended;
And 'tis decreed our hell is but privation
Of him, at least in this earths habitation: 10
And 'tis where I am, where in every street
Infections follow, overtake, and meete:
Live I or die, by you my love is sent,
And you'are my pawnes, or else my Testament.
[To M^r T. W.: _O'F_, _W:_ To M. T. W. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD_]
[1 verse, _1669:_ verse _1633-54_]
[2 to him, my pain and pleasure. _W_, _and Chambers_ (_without
comma_): to him; My pain, and pleasure _1633-69:_ to him. My
pain and pleasure, _Grolier_]
[4 Feete, ... soule _W:_ _no comma_ _1633:_ Feete ... soule,
_1635-69_]
[5-6 _These lines only in W_]
[9 our] that _W_]
[14 And you'are _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ You are
_1635-69_, _O'F_
pawnes] _om. with space_, _W_]
To M^r _T. W._
Pregnant again with th'old twins Hope, and Feare,
Oft have I askt for thee, both how and where
Thou wert, and what my hopes of letters were;
As in our streets sly beggers narrowly
Watch motions of the givers hand and eye, 5
And evermore conceive some hope thereby.
And now thy Almes is given, thy letter'is read,
The body risen againe, the which was dead,
And thy poore starveling bountifully fed.
After this banquet my Soule doth say grace, 10
And praise thee for'it, and zealously imbrace
Thy love; though I thinke thy love in this case
To be as gluttons, which say 'midst their meat,
They love that best of which they most do eat.
[To M^r T. W. _O'F_, _W:_ To M. T. W. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD_]
[5 Watch] Marke _W_
and eye, _A18_, _A23_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ or eye,
_1633-69_]
[12 love; _Ed:_ love, _1633-69_]
To M^r _T. W._
At once, from hence, my lines and I depart,
I to my soft still walks, they to my Heart;
I to the Nurse, they to the child of Art;
Yet as a firme house, though the Carpenter
Perish, doth stand: As an Embassadour 5
Lyes safe, how e'r his king be in danger:
So, though I languish, prest with Melancholy,
My verse, the strict Map of my misery,
Shall live to see that, for whose want I dye.
Therefore I envie them, and doe repent, 10
That from unhappy mee, things happy'are sent;
Yet as a Picture, or bare Sacrament,
Accept these lines, and if in them there be
Merit of love, bestow that love on mee.
[To M^r T. W. _W:_ An Old Letter. _D_, _H49:_ A Letter. _S96:_
Letter. _O'F:_ _no heading_, _and following the preceding
without any interval_, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Incerto.
_1635-69_]
[5 As _W:_ as _1633-69_]
[7 Melancholy] Malancholy _1633_]
[14 of love,] of love _1633_]
To M^r _R. W._
Zealously my Muse doth salute all thee,
Enquiring of that mistique trinitee
Whereof thou,'and all to whom heavens do infuse
Like fyer, are made; thy body, mind, and Muse.
Dost thou recover sicknes, or prevent? 5
Or is thy Mind travail'd with discontent?
Or art thou parted from the world and mee,
In a good skorn of the worlds vanitee?
Or is thy devout Muse retyr'd to sing
Vpon her tender Elegiaque string? 10
Our Minds part not, joyne then thy Muse with myne,
For myne is barren thus devorc'd from thyne.
[To M^r R. W. _A23_, _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life and
Letters of John Donne, _&c._, 1899]
[1 thee,] thee _W_]
To M^r _R. W._
Mvse not that by thy mind thy body is led:
For by thy mind, my mind's distempered.
So thy Care lives long, for I bearing part
It eates not only thyne, but my swolne hart.
And when it gives us intermission 5
We take new harts for it to feede upon.
But as a Lay Mans Genius doth controule
Body and mind; the Muse beeing the Soules Soule
Of Poets, that methinks should ease our anguish,
Although our bodyes wither and minds languish. 10
Wright then, that my griefes which thine got may bee
Cured by thy charming soveraigne melodee.
[M^r R. W. _A23_, _W:_ _printed here for the first time_]
To M^r _C. B._
Thy friend, whom thy deserts to thee enchaine,
Urg'd by this unexcusable occasion,
Thee and the Saint of his affection
Leaving behinde, doth of both wants complaine;
And let the love I beare to both sustaine 5
No blott nor maime by this division,
Strong is this love which ties our hearts in one,
And strong that love pursu'd with amorous paine;
But though besides thy selfe I leave behind
Heavens liberall, and earths thrice-fairer Sunne, 10
Going to where sterne winter aye doth wonne,
Yet, loves hot fires, which martyr my sad minde,
Doe send forth scalding sighes, which have the Art
To melt all Ice, but that which walls her heart.
[To M^r C. B.: _A23_, _W:_ To M. C. B. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[9 thy self] my self _1669_]
[10 liberall,] liberall _1633_
earths _1633_, _1669_, _A18_, _A23_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_
the _1635-54_, _Chambers_
thrice fairer _A23_, _W:_ thrice-faire _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[11 sterne _1633_, _A18_, _A23_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ sterv'd
_1633-69_, _O'F_]
[13 forth] out _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
To M^r _E. G._
Even as lame things thirst their perfection, so
The slimy rimes bred in our vale below,
Bearing with them much of my love and hart,
Fly unto that Parnassus, where thou art.
There thou oreseest London: Here I have beene, 5
By staying in London, too much overseene.
Now pleasures dearth our City doth posses,
Our Theaters are fill'd with emptines;
As lancke and thin is every street and way
As a woman deliver'd yesterday. 10
Nothing whereat to laugh my spleen espyes
But bearbaitings or Law exercise.
Therefore I'le leave it, and in the Country strive
Pleasure, now fled from London, to retrive.
Do thou so too: and fill not like a Bee 15
Thy thighs with hony, but as plenteously
As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load,
And then at Winter retaile it here abroad.
Blesse us with Suffolks sweets; and as it is
Thy garden, make thy hive and warehouse this. 20
[To M^r E. G. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life and Letters
of John Donne, _&c._ 1899]
[5-6 beene, ... London,] _no commas_, _W_]
[6 staying] staing _W_]
[7 dearth] dirth _W_]
[7-8 posses, ... emptines;] posses ... emptines. _W_]
To M^r _R. W._
If, as mine is, thy life a slumber be,
Seeme, when thou read'st these lines, to dreame of me,
Never did Morpheus nor his brother weare
Shapes soe like those Shapes, whom they would appeare,
As this my letter is like me, for it 5
Hath my name, words, hand, feet, heart, minde and wit;
It is my deed of gift of mee to thee,
It is my Will, my selfe the Legacie.
So thy retyrings I love, yea envie,
Bred in thee by a wise melancholy, 10
That I rejoyce, that unto where thou art,
Though I stay here, I can thus send my heart,
As kindly'as any enamored Patient
His Picture to his absent Love hath sent.
All newes I thinke sooner reach thee then mee; 15
Havens are Heavens, and Ships wing'd Angels be,
The which both Gospell, and sterne threatnings bring;
Guyanaes harvest is nip'd in the spring,
I feare; And with us (me thinkes) Fate deales so
As with the Jewes guide God did; he did show 20
Him the rich land, but bar'd his entry in:
Oh, slownes is our punishment and sinne.
Perchance, these Spanish businesse being done,
Which as the Earth betweene the Moone and Sun
Eclipse the light which Guyana would give, 25
Our discontinued hopes we shall retrive:
But if (as all th'All must) hopes smoake away,
Is not Almightie Vertue'an India?
If men be worlds, there is in every one
Some thing to answere in some proportion 30
All the worlds riches: And in good men, this,
Vertue, our formes forme and our soules soule, is.
[To M^r R. W. _A18_, _A23_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_ To
M. R. W. _1633-69:_ _no breaks_, _W:__ two stanzas of fourteen
lines and a quatrain_, _1633:_ _twenty-eight lines continuous
and a quatrain_, _1633-69_]
[3 brother _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ brethren _W_]
[6 hand,] hands _O'F_, _TC_]
[21 in: _1650-69_, _W:_ in, _1633-39_]
[22 Oh, _A23_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ Ah, _W:_ Our _1633-69_
sinne. _W:_ sinne; _1633-69_]
[23 businesse _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ busnesses _W:_
businesses _1635-69_
done] donne _W_]
[27 all th'All _W:_ All th'All _1633-69_]
[31 men, this, _Ed:_ men, this _1633-69_]
[32 soules soule, is. _Chambers:_ soules soule is. _1633-69_]
To M^r _R. W._
Kindly I envy thy songs perfection
Built of all th'elements as our bodyes are:
That Litle of earth that is in it, is a faire
Delicious garden where all sweetes are sowne.
In it is cherishing fyer which dryes in mee 5
Griefe which did drowne me: and halfe quench'd by it
Are satirique fyres which urg'd me to have writt
In skorne of all: for now I admyre thee.
And as Ayre doth fullfill the hollownes
Of rotten walls; so it myne emptines, 10
Where tost and mov'd it did beget this sound
Which as a lame Eccho of thyne doth rebound.
Oh, I was dead; but since thy song new Life did give,
I recreated, even by thy creature, live.
[To M^r R. W. _W:_ _published here for the first time_]
[6 which] w^{ch} _W_, _and so always_]
[10 emptines,] emptines. _W_]
[13-14 Oh, ... give, ... recreated, ... creature,] _no
commas_, _W_]
To M^r _S. B._
O Thou which to search out the secret parts
Of the India, or rather Paradise
Of knowledge, hast with courage and advise
Lately launch'd into the vast Sea of Arts,
Disdaine not in thy constant travailing 5
To doe as other Voyagers, and make
Some turnes into lesse Creekes, and wisely take
Fresh water at the Heliconian spring;
I sing not, Siren like, to tempt; for I
Am harsh; nor as those Scismatiques with you, 10
Which draw all wits of good hope to their crew;
But seeing in you bright sparkes of Poetry,
I, though I brought no fuell, had desire
With these Articulate blasts to blow the fire.
[To M^r S. B. _O'F:_ To M. S. B. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD_, _W_]
[10 harsh; _1650-69:_ harsh, _1633-39_]
[12 seeing] seing _1633:_ seene _TCD_, _W:_ seeme _TCC_]
[13 I, though] I thought _1650-54_
had] but _1650-54_]
To M^r _I. L._
Of that short Roll of friends writ in my heart
Which with thy name begins, since their depart,
Whether in the English Provinces they be,
Or drinke of Po, Sequan, or Danubie,
There's none that sometimes greets us not, and yet 5
Your Trent is Lethe; that past, us you forget.
You doe not duties of Societies,
If from the'embrace of a lov'd wife you rise,
View your fat Beasts, stretch'd Barnes, and labour'd fields,
Eate, play, ryde, take all joyes which all day yeelds, 10
And then againe to your embracements goe:
Some houres on us your frends, and some bestow
Upon your Muse, else both wee shall repent,
I that my love, she that her guifts on you are spent.
[To M^r I. L. _W:_ To M. I. L. _1633-69:_ To M. I. L. _A18_,
_N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ To M^r T. L. _O'F_]
[5 sometimes] sometime _1635-39_, _Chambers_]
[6 Lethe; _W:_ Lethe', _1633-69_
forget. _1639-69_, _W:_ forget, _1633-35_]
[13 your] thy _W_]
[14 you] thee _W_
spent.] spent _1633_]
To M^r _B. B._
Is not thy sacred hunger of science
Yet satisfy'd? Is not thy braines rich hive
Fulfil'd with hony which thou dost derive
From the Arts spirits and their Quintessence?
Then weane thy selfe at last, and thee withdraw 5
From Cambridge thy old nurse, and, as the rest,
Here toughly chew, and sturdily digest
Th'immense vast volumes of our common law;
And begin soone, lest my griefe grieve thee too,
Which is, that that which I should have begun 10
In my youthes morning, now late must be done;
And I as Giddy Travellers must doe,
Which stray or sleepe all day, and having lost
Light and strength, darke and tir'd must then ride post.
If thou unto thy Muse be marryed, 15
Embrace her ever, ever multiply,
Be far from me that strange Adulterie
To tempt thee and procure her widowhed.
My Muse, (for I had one,) because I'am cold,
Divorc'd her selfe: the cause being in me, 20
That I can take no new in Bigamye,
Not my will only but power doth withhold.
Hence comes it, that these Rymes which never had
Mother, want matter, and they only have
A little forme, the which their Father gave; 25
They are prophane, imperfect, oh, too bad
To be counted Children of Poetry
Except confirm'd and Bishoped by thee.
[To M^r B. B. _O'F_, _W:_ To M. B. B. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD_]
[12 I ... Travellers _1650-69:_ I, ... Travellers, _1633-39_]
[13 stray] stay _W:_ _compare_ Sat. III. 78]
[16 ever, ever multiply, _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_
still: encrease and multiply; _W_]
[18 widowhed. _W:_ widdowhood, _1633-39:_ widdowhood;
_1650-69_]
[19 Muse, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ nurse, _1633-69_]
[20 selfe: _W:_ selfe, _1633-69_
in me, _1633-69:_ in me; _Grolier:_ in me. _Chambers_. _See
note_]
To M^r _I. L._
Blest are your North parts, for all this long time
My Sun is with you, cold and darke'is our Clime:
Heavens Sun, which staid so long from us this yeare,
Staid in your North (I thinke) for she was there,
And hether by kinde nature drawne from thence, 5
Here rages, chafes, and threatens pestilence;
Yet I, as long as shee from hence doth staie,
Thinke this no South, no Sommer, nor no day.
With thee my kinde and unkinde heart is run,
There sacrifice it to that beauteous Sun: 10
And since thou art in Paradise and need'st crave
No joyes addition, helpe thy friend to save.
So may thy pastures with their flowery feasts,
As suddenly as Lard, fat thy leane beasts;
So may thy woods oft poll'd, yet ever weare 15
A greene, and when thee list, a golden haire;
So may all thy sheepe bring forth Twins; and so
In chace and race may thy horse all out goe;
So may thy love and courage ne'r be cold;
Thy Sonne ne'r Ward; Thy lov'd wife ne'r seem old;
But maist thou wish great things, and them attaine, 21
As thou telst her, and none but her, my paine.
[To M^r I. L. _Ed:_ To M. I. L. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_
To M^r T. L. _O'F:_ To M. I. P. _1633-69_]
[6 rages, chafes, _Ed:_ rages chafes _1633-39:_ rages, chafes
_1650-69:_ rages, burnes, _W_]
[11-12 _these lines from W: they have not previously been
printed_]
[16 when thee list, _Ed:_ when thee list _1633_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC:_ (when she list) _1635-69_, _O'F:_ when thou wilt _W_]
[20 lov'd wife] fair wife _W_]
[22 her, ... her, _Ed:_ her ... her _1633:_ her, ... her
_1635-69_]
To Sir _H. W._ at his going Ambassador to _Venice_.
After those reverend papers, whose soule is
Our good and great Kings lov'd hand and fear'd name,
By which to you he derives much of his,
And (how he may) makes you almost the same,
A Taper of his Torch, a copie writ 5
From his Originall, and a faire beame
Of the same warme, and dazeling Sun, though it
Must in another Sphere his vertue streame:
After those learned papers which your hand
Hath stor'd with notes of use and pleasure too, 10
From which rich treasury you may command
Fit matter whether you will write or doe:
After those loving papers, where friends tend
With glad griefe, to your Sea-ward steps, farewel,
Which thicken on you now, as prayers ascend 15
To heaven in troupes at'a good mans passing bell:
Admit this honest paper, and allow
It such an audience as your selfe would aske;
What you must say at Venice this meanes now,
And hath for nature, what you have for taske: 20
To sweare much love, not to be chang'd before
Honour alone will to your fortune fit;
Nor shall I then honour your forture, more
Then I have done your honour wanting it.
But'tis an easier load (though both oppresse) 25
To want, then governe greatnesse, for wee are
In that, our owne and onely business,
In this, wee must for others vices care;
'Tis therefore well your spirits now are plac'd
In their last Furnace, in activity; 30
Which fits them (Schooles and Courts and Warres o'rpast)
To touch and test in any best degree.
For mee, (if there be such a thing as I)
Fortune (if there be such a thing as thee)
Spies that I beare so well her tyranny, 35
That she thinks nothing else so fit for mee;
But though she part us, to heare my oft prayers
For your increase, God is as neere mee here;
And to send you what I shall begge, his staires
In length and ease are alike every where. 40
[To Sir H. W. at his _&c._ _1633-54:_ To Sir Henry Wotton, at
his _&c._ _1669_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _printed in
Walton's_ Life of Sir Henry Wotton, 1670, _as a_ 'letter,
sent by him to Sir _Henry Wotton_, the morning before he left
_England_', _i.e. July 13 (O.S.), 1604_]
[10 pleasure _1635-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _Walton:_
pleasures _1633_]
[13 where _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ which _1635-69_, _O'F_,
_Walton_]
[16 in troupes] on troops _Walton_]
[19 must ... meanes] would ... sayes _Walton_]
[20 hath] has _Walton_
taske: _Ed:_ taske. _1633-69_]
[21 not] nor _Walton_]
[24 honour wanting it _1633:_ noble-wanting-wit. _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ honour-wanting-wit. _Walton:_ noble wanting it. _A18_,
_N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[31 Warres _Ed:_ warres _1633-69:_ tents _Burley MS._]
[32 test] tast _1669 and Walton_]
[35 Spies] Finds _Walton_]
To M^rs _M. H._
Mad paper stay, and grudge not here to burne
With all those sonnes whom my braine did create,
At lest lye hid with mee, till thou returne
To rags againe, which is thy native state.
What though thou have enough unworthinesse 5
To come unto great place as others doe,
That's much; emboldens, pulls, thrusts I confesse,
But'tis not all; Thou should'st be wicked too.
And, that thou canst not learne, or not of mee;
Yet thou wilt goe? Goe, since thou goest to her 10
Who lacks but faults to be a Prince, for shee,
Truth, whom they dare not pardon, dares preferre.
But when thou com'st to that perplexing eye
Which equally claimes _love_ and _reverence_,
Thou wilt not long dispute it, thou wilt die; 15
And, having little now, have then no sense.
Yet when her warme redeeming hand, which is
A miracle; and made such to worke more,
Doth touch thee (saples leafe) thou grow'st by this
Her creature; glorify'd more then before. 20
Then as a mother which delights to heare
Her early child mis-speake halfe uttered words,
Or, because majesty doth never feare
Ill or bold speech, she Audience affords.
And then, cold speechlesse wretch, thou diest againe, 25
And wisely; what discourse is left for thee?
For, speech of ill, and her, thou must abstaine,
And is there any good which is not shee?
Yet maist thou praise her servants, though not her,
And wit, and vertue,'and honour her attend, 30
And since they'are but her cloathes, thou shalt not erre,
If thou her shape and beauty'and grace commend.
Who knowes thy destiny? when thou hast done,
Perchance her Cabinet may harbour thee,
Whither all noble ambitious wits doe runne, 35
A nest almost as full of Good as shee.
When thou art there, if any, whom wee know,
Were sav'd before, and did that heaven partake,
When she revolves his papers, marke what show
Of favour, she alone, to them doth make. 40
Marke, if to get them, she o'r skip the rest,
Marke, if shee read them twice, or kisse the name;
Marke, if she doe the same that they protest,
Marke, if she marke whether her woman came.
Marke, if slight things be'objected, and o'r blowne, 45
Marke, if her oathes against him be not still
Reserv'd, and that shee grieves she's not her owne,
And chides the doctrine that denies Freewill.
I bid thee not doe this to be my spie;
Nor to make my selfe her familiar; 50
But so much I doe love her choyce, that I
Would faine love him that shall be lov'd of her.
[To M^rs M. H. _O'F:_ To M. M. H. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _P:_ Elegie. _S96_]
[2 sonnes] Sunnes _B_, _S96_
my _1633:_ thy _1635-69:_ _Chambers attributes_ thy _to 1633_]
[3 returne] returne. _1633_]
[7 That's much; emboldens, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ That's much,
emboldens, _1633-54:_ That's much emboldness, _1669:_ That's
much, it emboldens, _B_, _P_]
[8 all; Thou _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ all, thou _1633-69_]
[10 goe? Goe, _Ed:_ goe, Goe, _1633-69_]
[14 _reverence_, _Ed:_ _reverence_. _1633:_ _reverence:_
_1635-69_]
[22 mis-speake] mispeake _1633_]
[27 For, _1633:_ From _1635-69_, _and MSS_.
her, _Ed:_ her _1633-69_]
[31 erre, _1669:_ erre _1633-54_]
[40 she alone, _1633:_ she, alone, _1635-69_]
[41 get them, she o'r skip] get them, she do skip _A18_
(doth), _N_, _TC:_ get them, she skip oare _A25_, _C_, _O'F_
(skips): get to them, shee skipp _B_, _P_]
[44 whether _1633:_ whither _1635-69_]
[47 grieves _1633:_ grieve _1635-69_]
_To the Countesse of Bedford._
Honour is so sublime perfection,
And so refinde; that when God was alone
And creaturelesse at first, himselfe had none;
But as of the elements, these which wee tread,
Produce all things with which wee'are joy'd or fed, 5
And, those are barren both above our head:
So from low persons doth all honour flow;
Kings, whom they would have honoured, to us show,
And but _direct_ our honour, not _bestow_.
For when from herbs the pure part must be wonne 10
From grosse, by Stilling, this is better done
By despis'd dung, then by the fire or Sunne.
Care not then, Madame,'how low your praysers lye;
In labourers balads oft more piety
God findes, then in _Te Deums_ melodie. 15
And, ordinance rais'd on Towers, so many mile
Send not their voice, nor last so long a while
As fires from th'earths low vaults in _Sicil_ Isle.
Should I say I liv'd darker then were true,
Your radiation can all clouds subdue; 20
But one,'tis best light to contemplate you.
You, for whose body God made better clay,
Or tooke Soules stuffe such as shall late decay,
Or such as needs small change at the last day.
This, as an Amber drop enwraps a Bee, 25
Covering discovers your quicke Soule; that we
May in your through-shine front your hearts thoughts see.
You teach (though wee learne not) a thing unknowne
To our late times, the use of specular stone,
Through which all things within without were shown. 30
Of such were Temples; so and of such you are;
_Beeing_ and _seeming_ is your equall care,
And _vertues_ whole _summe_ is but _know_ and _dare_.
But as our Soules of growth and Soules of sense
Have birthright of our reasons Soule, yet hence 35
They fly not from that, nor seeke presidence:
Natures first lesson, so, discretion,
Must not grudge zeale a place, nor yet keepe none,
Not banish it selfe, nor religion.
Discretion is a wisemans Soule, and so 40
Religion is a Christians, and you know
How these are one; her _yea_, is not her _no_.
Nor may we hope to sodder still and knit
These two, and dare to breake them; nor must wit
Be colleague to religion, but be it. 45
In those poor types of God (round circles) so
Religions tipes the peeclesse centers flow,
And are in all the lines which all wayes goe.
If either ever wrought in you alone
Or principally, then religion 50
Wrought your ends, and your wayes discretion.
Goe thither stil, goe the same way you went,
Who so would change, do covet or repent;
Neither can reach you, great and innocent.
[To the Countesse of Bedford. _1633-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ To
the Countess of B. _N_, _TCD_]
[10 part] parts _N_, _O'F_, _TCD_]
[12 or Sunne. _1633_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ or Sun:
_1669:_ of Sunne: _1635-54_, _Chambers_]
[13 praysers _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ prayers _S96:_ prayses
_1633-69_]
[16 Towers,] Towers _1633_]
[20-1 subdue; But one, _Ed:_ subdue; But One _Chambers:_
subdue, But one, _1633-69:_ subdue But one; _Grolier and
Grosart_. _See note_]
[26 Covering discovers] Coverings discover _1669_]
[27 your hearts thoughts _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ our
hearts thoughts _1633-69_. _See note_]
[31 so and of such _N_, _TCD:_ so and such _1633-69_, _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_]
[33 is but to know and dare. _N_]
[36-7
They fly not from that, nor seeke presidence:
Natures first lesson, so, discretion, _&c._
_1633-69_ (presidence. _1633_; precedence: _1669_)
They fly not from that, nor seek precedence,
Natures first lesson; so discretion _&c._
_Chambers and Grolier_ (discretion, _Grolier_). _See note_]
[40-2] _These lines precede_ 34-9 _in_ _1635-69_, _B_, _N_,
_S96_, _TCD:_ _om. O'F_]
[42 one; _Ed:_ one, _1633-69_ _yea, ... no_] _ital. Ed._]
[48 all wayes _1719:_ alwayes _1633-69_]
[50-1
'twas Religion,
Yet you neglected not Discretion.
_S96_]
[53 do covet] doth covet _1669_, _O'F_, _S96_]
_To the Countesse of_ Bedford.
_Begun in France but never perfected._
Though I be _dead_, and buried, yet I have
(Living in you,) Court enough in my grave,
As oft as there I thinke my selfe to bee,
So many resurrections waken mee.
That thankfullnesse your favours have begot 5
In mee, embalmes mee, that I doe not rot.
This season as 'tis Easter, as 'tis spring,
Must both to growth and to confession bring
My thoughts dispos'd unto your influence; so,
These verses bud, so these confessions grow. 10
First I confesse I have to others lent
Your flock, and over prodigally spent
Your treasure, for since I had never knowne
Vertue or beautie, but as they are growne
In you, I should not thinke or say they shine, 15
(So as I have) in any other Mine.
Next I confesse this my confession,
For, 'tis some fault thus much to touch upon
Your praise to you, where half rights seeme too much,
And make your minds sincere complexion blush. 20
Next I confesse my'impenitence, for I
Can scarce repent my first fault, since thereby
Remote low Spirits, which shall ne'r read you,
May in lesse lessons finde enough to doe,
By studying copies, not Originals, 25
_Desunt cætera._
[To the Countesse _&c._ _1633-69_ (_following in 1635-69_ That
unripe side _&c._, _p._ 417, _and_ If her disdaine _&c._, _p._
430), _O'F_]
[5 begot] forgot _1633 some copies_]
[6 embalmes mee, _Ed_: embalmes mee; _1633-69_
rot. _Ed_: rot; _1633-69_]
[9 influence; _Ed_: influence, _1633-69_]
[10 grow. _Ed_: grow; _1633-69_]
[14 or _1633-39_: and _1650-69_]
[16 Mine. _Ed:_ Mine; _1633-69_]
[18 upon _Ed:_ upon, _1633-69_]
_A Letter to the Lady_ Carey, _and M^rs_ Essex Riche, _From_ Amyens.
MADAME,
Here where by All All Saints invoked are,
'Twere too much schisme to be singular,
And 'gainst a practise generall to warre.
Yet turning to Saincts, should my'humility
To other Sainct then you directed bee, 5
That were to make my schisme, heresie.
Nor would I be a Convertite so cold,
As not to tell it; If this be too bold,
Pardons are in this market cheaply sold.
Where, because Faith is in too low degree, 10
I thought it some Apostleship in mee
To speake things which by faith alone I see.
That is, of you, who are a firmament
Of virtues, where no one is growne, or spent,
They'are your materials, not your ornament. 15
Others whom wee call vertuous, are not so
In their whole substance, but, their vertues grow
But in their humours, and at seasons show.
For when through tastlesse flat humilitie
In dow bak'd men some harmelessenes we see, 20
'Tis but his _flegme_ that's _Vertuous_, and not Hee:
Soe is the Blood sometimes; who ever ran
To danger unimportun'd, he was than
No better then a _sanguine_ Vertuous man.
So cloysterall men, who, in pretence of feare 25
All contributions to this life forbeare,
Have Vertue in _Melancholy_, and only there.
Spirituall _Cholerique_ Crytiques, which in all
Religions find faults, and forgive no fall,
Have, through this zeale, Vertue but in their Gall. 30
We'are thus but parcel guilt; to Gold we'are growne
When Vertue is our Soules complexion;
Who knowes his Vertues name or place, hath none.
Vertue'is but aguish, when 'tis severall,
By occasion wak'd, and circumstantiall. 35
True vertue is _Soule_, Alwaies in all deeds _All_.
This Vertue thinking to give dignitie
To your soule, found there no infirmitie,
For, your soule was as good Vertue, as shee;
Shee therefore wrought upon that part of you 40
Which is scarce lesse then soule, as she could do,
And so hath made your beauty, Vertue too.
Hence comes it, that your Beauty wounds not hearts,
As Others, with prophane and sensuall Darts,
But as an influence, vertuous thoughts imparts. 45
But if such friends by the honor of your sight
Grow capable of this so great a light,
As to partake your vertues, and their might,
What must I thinke that influence must doe,
Where it findes sympathie and matter too, 50
Vertue, and beauty of the same stuffe, as you?
Which is, your noble worthie sister, shee
Of whom, if what in this my Extasie
And revelation of you both I see,
I should write here, as in short Galleries 55
The Master at the end large glasses ties,
So to present the roome twice to our eyes,
So I should give this letter length, and say
That which I said of you; there is no way
From either, but by the other, not to stray. 60
May therefore this be enough to testifie
My true devotion, free from flattery;
He that beleeves himselfe, doth never lie.
[A Letter to _&c._ _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ To the Lady
Carey and her Sister M^rs Essex Rich. From Amiens. _O'F:_
To the Lady Co: of C. _N_, _TCD:_ To the Ladie Carey. _or_ A
Letter to the Ladie Carey. _B_, _Cy_, _S96:_ _no title_, _P:_
To M^rs Essex Rich and her sister frô Amiens. _M_]
[13 who are] who is _1633_]
[19 humilitie _1633-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _M_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ humidity _1669_, _Chambers_]
[26 contributions] contribution _B_, _D_, _N_, _TCD_]
[30 this zeale, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ their zeale, _1633_, _Lec_]
[31 Gold] Golds _1633 some copies_]
[33 aguish,] anguish, _1650-54_]
[57 our eyes,] your eyes, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _P_]
[60 by the] to the _1669_
other, _1669:_ other _1633-54_]
_To the Countesse of Salisbury._ August. 1614.
Faire, great, and good, since seeing you, wee see
What Heaven can doe, and what any Earth can be:
Since now your beauty shines, now when the Sunne
Growne stale, is to so low a value runne,
That his disshevel'd beames and scattered fires 5
Serve but for Ladies Periwigs and Tyres
In lovers Sonnets: you come to repaire
Gods booke of creatures, teaching what is faire.
Since now, when all is withered, shrunke, and dri'd,
All Vertues ebb'd out to a dead low tyde, 10
All the worlds frame being crumbled into sand,
Where every man thinks by himselfe to stand,
Integritie, friendship, and confidence,
(Ciments of greatnes) being vapor'd hence,
And narrow man being fill'd with little shares, 15
Court, Citie, Church, are all shops of small-wares,
All having blowne to sparkes their noble fire,
And drawne their sound gold-ingot into wyre;
All trying by a love of littlenesse
To make abridgments, and to draw to lesse, 20
Even that nothing, which at first we were;
Since in these times, your greatnesse doth appeare,
And that we learne by it, that man to get
Towards him that's infinite, must first be great.
Since in an age so ill, as none is fit 25
So much as to accuse, much lesse mend it,
(For who can judge, or witnesse of those times
Where all alike are guiltie of the crimes?)
Where he that would be good, is thought by all
A monster, or at best fantasticall; 30
Since now you durst be good, and that I doe
Discerne, by daring to contemplate you,
That there may be degrees of faire, great, good,
Through your light, largenesse, vertue understood:
If in this sacrifice of mine, be showne 35
Any small sparke of these, call it your owne.
And if things like these, have been said by mee
Of others; call not that Idolatrie.
For had God made man first, and man had seene
The third daies fruits, and flowers, and various greene, 40
He might have said the best that he could say
Of those faire creatures, which were made that day;
And when next day he had admir'd the birth
Of Sun, Moone, Stars, fairer then late-prais'd earth,
Hee might have said the best that he could say, 45
And not be chid for praising yesterday;
So though some things are not together true,
As, that another is worthiest, and, that you:
Yet, to say so, doth not condemne a man,
If when he spoke them, they were both true than. 50
How faire a proofe of this, in our soule growes?
Wee first have soules of growth, and sense, and those,
When our last soule, our soule immortall came,
Were swallowed into it, and have no name.
Nor doth he injure those soules, which doth cast 55
The power and praise of both them, on the last;
No more doe I wrong any; I adore
The same things now, which I ador'd before,
The subject chang'd, and measure; the same thing
In a low constable, and in the King 60
I reverence; His power to work on mee:
So did I humbly reverence each degree
Of faire, great, good; but more, now I am come
From having found their _walkes_, to find their _home_.
And as I owe my first soules thankes, that they 65
For my last soule did fit and mould my clay,
So am I debtor unto them, whose worth,
Enabled me to profit, and take forth
This new great lesson, thus to study you;
Which none, not reading others, first, could doe. 70
Nor lacke I light to read this booke, though I
In a darke Cave, yea in a Grave doe lie;
For as your fellow Angells, so you doe
Illustrate them who come to study you.
The first whom we in Histories doe finde 75
To have profest all Arts, was one borne blinde:
He lackt those eyes beasts have as well as wee,
Not those, by which Angels are seene and see;
So, though I'am borne without those eyes to live,
Which fortune, who hath none her selfe, doth give, 80
Which are, fit meanes to see bright courts and you,
Yet may I see you thus, as now I doe;
I shall by that, all goodnesse have discern'd,
And though I burne my librarie, be learn'd.
[To the Countesse _&c._ _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ To
the Countess of Salisbury. _O'F:_ To the Countess of S. _N_,
_TCD_]
[2 and what _1633_, _1669_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ what _1635-54_,
_N_, _O'F_, _TCD_]
[16 Court,] Courts, _1669_]
[17 noble fire,] nobler fire, _O'F_]
[24 him] him, _1633_
that's _1650-69:_ thats _1633-39_]
[29-30 _Chambers includes in parenthesis_]
[30 fantasticall; _Ed:_ fantasticall: _1633-69_]
[34 light, largenesse,] lights largeness, _1669_]
[38 Idolatrie.] Adulterie: _N_, _TCD_]
[40 greene,] greene _1633_]
[42 day; _Ed:_ day: _1633-69_]
[46 yesterday; _Ed:_ yesterday: _1633-69_]
[54 name. _1633-39:_ name _1654-69_]
[57 any; I adore _1633_, _D_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ any, if I
adore _1635-69_, _O'F_ (if _being inserted_)]
[61 mee: _D_, _N_, _TCD:_ mee; _1633-69_]
[63 good; _Ed:_ good, _1633-69_]
[77-8 _om._ _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
_To the Lady Bedford._
You that are she and you, that's double shee,
In her dead face, halfe of your selfe shall see;
Shee was the other part, for so they doe
Which build them friendships, become one of two;
So two, that but themselves no third can fit, 5
Which were to be so, when they were not yet;
Twinnes, though their birth _Cusco_, and _Musco_ take,
As divers starres one Constellation make;
Pair'd like two eyes, have equall motion, so
Both but one meanes to see, one way to goe. 10
Had you dy'd first, a carcasse shee had beene;
And wee your rich Tombe in her face had seene;
She like the Soule is gone, and you here stay,
Not a live friend; but th'other halfe of clay.
And since you act that part, As men say, here 15
Lies such a Prince, when but one part is there,
And do all honour and devotion due
Unto the whole, so wee all reverence you;
For, such a friendship who would not adore
In you, who are all what both were before, 20
Not all, as if some perished by this,
But so, as all in you contracted is.
As of this all, though many parts decay,
The pure which elemented them shall stay;
And though diffus'd, and spread in infinite, 25
Shall recollect, and in one All unite:
So madame, as her Soule to heaven is fled,
Her flesh rests in the earth, as in the bed;
Her vertues do, as to their proper spheare,
Returne to dwell with you, of whom they were: 30
As perfect motions are all circular,
So they to you, their sea, whence lesse streames are.
Shee was all spices, you all metalls; so
In you two wee did both rich Indies know.
And as no fire, nor rust can spend or waste 35
One dramme of gold, but what was first shall last,
Though it bee forc'd in water, earth, salt, aire,
Expans'd in infinite, none will impaire;
So, to your selfe you may additions take,
But nothing can you lesse, or changed make. 40
Seeke not in seeking new, to seeme to doubt,
That you can match her, or not be without;
But let some faithfull booke in her roome be,
Yet but of _Iudith_ no such booke as shee.
[To the _&c._ _1635-69_, _O'F:_ Elegie to the Lady Bedford.
_1633_, _Cy_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TCD:_ Elegia Sexta.
_S:_ _In 1633, Cy, H40, N, TCD it follows, in P precedes, the
Funerall Elegy_ Death (_p._ 284), _to which it is apparently
a covering letter:_ _In L74 it follows the_ Elegy on the Lady
Marckham: _O'F places it among the_ Letters, _S among the_
Elegies]
[1 she and you,] she, and you _1633-69_, _Chambers_. _See
note_]
[4 two;] the two; _1669_]
[6 yet; _Ed:_ yet _1633-39:_ yet. _1650-69_]
[8 make; _Ed:_ make, _1633-69_]
[10 goe. _Ed:_ goe; _1633-69_]
[13 stay,] stay _1633-35_
th'other] thother _1633_
clay. _Ed:_ clay; _1633-69_]
[16 there, _Ed:_ there; _1633-69_]
[17 honour] honour: _1633_
due] due; _1633_]
[20 were] was _1633_]
[22 as all in you] as in you all _O'F:_ that in you all _Cy_,
_H40_, _L74_, _N_, _S_
is. _Ed:_ is; _1633-69_]
[28 the bed;] a bed; _Cy_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S:_ her
bed; _P_]
[30 were:] were; _1633_]
[32 are.] are; _1633_]
[34 know.] know; _1633_]
[41 doubt, _1633:_ doubt; _1635-69_]
[42 can] _twice in 1633_]
AN ANATOMIE OF THE WORLD.
_Wherein_,
By occasion of the untimely death of
Mistris ELIZABETH DRVRY,
the frailty and the decay of this
whole World is represented.
* * * * *
The first Anniversary.
* * * * *
_To the praise of the dead_,
_and the_ ANATOMIE.
Well dy'd the World, that we might live to see
This world of wit, in his Anatomie:
No evill wants his good; so wilder heires
Bedew their Fathers Tombes, with forced teares,
Whose state requites their losse: whiles thus we gain, 5
Well may wee walke in blacks, but not complaine.
Yet how can I consent the world is dead
While this Muse lives? which in his spirits stead
Seemes to informe a World; and bids it bee,
In spight of losse or fraile mortalitie? 10
And thou the subject of this welborne thought,
Thrice noble maid, couldst not have found nor fought
A fitter time to yeeld to thy sad Fate,
Then whiles this spirit lives, that can relate
Thy worth so well to our last Nephews eyne, 15
That they shall wonder both at his and thine:
Admired match! where strives in mutuall grace
The cunning pencill, and the comely face:
A taske which thy faire goodnesse made too much
For the bold pride of vulgar pens to touch; 20
Enough is us to praise them that praise thee,
And say, that but enough those prayses bee,
Which hadst thou liv'd, had hid their fearfull head
From th'angry checkings of thy modest red:
Death barres reward and shame: when envy's gone, 25
And gaine, 'tis safe to give the dead their owne.
As then the wise Egyptians wont to lay
More on their Tombes, then houses: these of clay,
But those of brasse, or marble were: so wee
Give more unto thy Ghost, then unto thee. 30
Yet what wee give to thee, thou gav'st to us,
And may'st but thanke thy selfe, for being thus:
Yet what thou gav'st, and wert, O happy maid,
Thy grace profest all due, where 'tis repayd.
So these high songs that to thee suited bin 35
Serve but to sound thy Makers praise, in thine,
Which thy deare soule as sweetly sings to him
Amid the Quire of Saints, and Seraphim,
As any Angels tongue can sing of thee;
The subjects differ, though the skill agree: 40
For as by infant-yeares men judge of age,
Thy early love, thy vertues, did presage
What an high part thou bear'st in those best songs,
Whereto no burden, nor no end belongs.
Sing on thou virgin Soule, whose lossfull gaine 45
Thy lovesick parents have bewail'd in vaine;
Never may thy Name be in our songs forgot,
Till wee shall sing thy ditty and thy note.
[An Anatomie _&c._ _1611-33:_ Anatomie _&c._ _1635-69_
The first Anniversary. _1612-69:_ _om. 1611_. _See note_
To the praise of the dead _&c._ _1611-69_ (Dead _1611_)]
[8 While] Whiles _1639-69_]
[21 is] it is _1699_]
[25 shame: _1611_, _1612-25:_ shame, _1633-69_]
[26 gaine, _1633-69:_ gaine; _1612-25_]
[34 where] were _1621-25_]
[35 bin _1633-39:_ bine _1611:_ bine, _1612-21:_ bine. _1625:_
bin, _1650-69_]
[36 praise, in thine, _1611_, _1612-25:_ praise and thine,
_1633-69_]
[38 Quire _1611_, _1612-25:_ quire _1633-69_]
[39 tongue _1611_, _1612-39:_ tongues _1650-69_]
[41 infant-yeares _1611_, _1621-25:_ infant yeares _1633-69_]
[42 vertues, _1611_, _1612-25:_ vertues _1633-69_
presage _1612-25:_ presage, _1633-69_]
[43 What an hie ... best songs, _1611-12:_ What hie ... best
songs _1621-25:_ What high ... best of songs, _1633-69_]
[47 our _1611_, _1612-54:_ _om. 1669_
forgot,] forgot. _1621-25_]
An Anatomy of the World.
_The first Anniversary._
[Sidenote: _The entrie into the worke._]
When that rich Soule which to her heaven is gone,
Whom all do celebrate, who know they have one,
(For who is sure he hath a Soule, unlesse
It see, and judge, and follow worthinesse,
And by Deedes praise it? hee who doth not this, 5
May lodge an In-mate soule, but 'tis not his.)
When that Queene ended here her progresse time,
And, as t'her standing house to heaven did climbe,
Where loath to make the Saints attend her long,
She's now a part both of the Quire, and Song, 10
This World, in that great earthquake languished;
For in a common bath of teares it bled,
Which drew the strongest vitall spirits out:
But succour'd then with a perplexed doubt,
Whether the world did lose, or gaine in this, 15
(Because since now no other way there is,
But goodnesse, to see her, whom all would see,
All must endeavour to be good as shee,)
This great consumption to a fever turn'd,
And so the world had fits; it joy'd, it mourn'd; 20
And, as men thinke, that Agues physick are,
And th'Ague being spent, give over care,
So thou sicke World, mistak'st thy selfe to bee
Well, when alas, thou'rt in a Lethargie.
Her death did wound and tame thee than, and than 25
Thou might'st have better spar'd the Sunne, or Man.
That wound was deep, but 'tis more misery,
That thou hast lost thy sense and memory.
'Twas heavy then to heare thy voyce of mone,
But this is worse, that thou art speechlesse growne. 30
Thou hast forgot thy name, thou hadst; thou wast
Nothing but shee, and her thou hast o'rpast.
For as a child kept from the Font, untill
A prince, expected long, come to fulfill
The ceremonies, thou unnam'd had'st laid, 35
Had not her comming, thee her Palace made:
Her name defin'd thee, gave thee forme, and frame,
And thou forgett'st to celebrate thy name.
Some moneths she hath beene dead (but being dead,
Measures of times are all determined) 40
But long she'ath beene away, long, long, yet none
Offers to tell us who it is that's gone.
But as in states doubtfull of future heires,
When sicknesse without remedie empaires
The present Prince, they're loth it should be said, 45
The Prince doth languish, or the Prince is dead:
So mankinde feeling now a generall thaw,
A strong example gone, equall to law,
The Cyment which did faithfully compact,
And glue all vertues, now resolv'd, and slack'd, 50
Thought it some blasphemy to say sh'was dead,
Or that our weaknesse was discovered
In that confession; therefore spoke no more
Then tongues, the Soule being gone, the losse deplore.
But though it be too late to succour thee, 55
Sicke World, yea, dead, yea putrified, since shee
Thy'intrinsique balme, and thy preservative,
Can never be renew'd, thou never live,
I (since no man can make thee live) will try,
What wee may gaine by thy Anatomy. 60
Her death hath taught us dearely, that thou art
Corrupt and mortall in thy purest part.
Let no man say, the world it selfe being dead,
'Tis labour lost to have discovered
The worlds infirmities, since there is none 65
Alive to study this dissection;
[Sidenote: _What life the world hath stil._]
For there's a kinde of World remaining still,
Though shee which did inanimate and fill
The world, be gone, yet in this last long night,
Her Ghost doth walke; that is, a glimmering light, 70
A faint weake love of vertue, and of good,
Reflects from her, on them which understood
Her worth; and though she have shut in all day,
The twilight of her memory doth stay;
Which, from the carcasse of the old world, free, 75
Creates a new world, and new creatures bee
Produc'd: the matter and the stuffe of this,
Her vertue, and the forme our practice is:
And though to be thus elemented, arme
These creatures, from home-borne intrinsique harme, 80
(For all assum'd unto this dignitie,
So many weedlesse Paradises bee,
Which of themselves produce no venemous sinne,
Except some forraine Serpent bring it in)
Yet, because outward stormes the strongest breake, 85
And strength it selfe by confidence growes weake,
This new world may be safer, being told
[Sidenote: _The sicknesses of the World._]
The dangers and diseases of the old:
For with due temper men doe then forgoe,
Or covet things, when they their true worth know. 90
[Sidenote: _Impossibility of health._]
There is no health; Physitians say that wee,
At best, enjoy but a neutralitie.
And can there bee worse sicknesse, then to know
That we are never well, nor can be so?
Wee are borne ruinous: poore mothers cry, 95
That children come not right, nor orderly;
Except they headlong come and fall upon
An ominous precipitation.
How witty's ruine! how importunate
Upon mankinde! it labour'd to frustrate 100
Even Gods purpose; and made woman, sent
For mans reliefe, cause of his languishment.
They were to good ends, and they are so still,
But accessory, and principall in ill;
For that first marriage was our funerall: 105
One woman at one blow, then kill'd us all,
And singly, one by one, they kill us now.
We doe delightfully our selves allow
To that consumption; and profusely blinde,
Wee kill our selves to propagate our kinde. 110
And yet we do not that; we are not men:
There is not now that mankinde, which was then,
When as, the Sunne and man did seeme to strive,
[Sidenote: _Shortnesse of life._]
(Joynt tenants of the world) who should survive;
When, Stagge, and Raven, and the long-liv'd tree, 115
Compar'd with man, dy'd in minoritie;
When, if a slow pac'd starre had stolne away
From the observers marking, he might stay
Two or three hundred yeares to see't againe,
And then make up his observation plaine; 120
When, as the age was long, the sise was great;
Mans growth confess'd, and recompenc'd the meat;
So spacious and large, that every Soule
Did a faire Kingdome, and large Realme controule:
And when the very stature, thus erect, 125
Did that soule a good way towards heaven direct.
Where is this mankinde now? who lives to age,
Fit to be made _Methusalem_ his page?
Alas, we scarce live long enough to try
Whether a true made clocke run right, or lie. 130
Old Grandsires talke of yesterday with sorrow,
And for our children wee reserve to morrow.
So short is life, that every peasant strives,
In a torne house, or field, to have three lives.
And as in lasting, so in length is man 135
[Sidenote: _Smalnesse of stature._]
Contracted to an inch, who was a spanne;
For had a man at first in forrests stray'd,
Or shipwrack'd in the Sea, one would have laid
A wager, that an Elephant, or Whale,
That met him, would not hastily assaile 140
A thing so equall to him: now alas,
The Fairies, and the Pigmies well may passe
As credible; mankinde decayes so soone,
We'are scarce our Fathers shadowes cast at noone:
Onely death addes t'our length: nor are wee growne 145
In stature to be men, till we are none.
But this were light, did our lesse volume hold
All the old Text; or had wee chang'd to gold
Their silver; or dispos'd into lesse glasse
Spirits of vertue, which then scatter'd was. 150
But 'tis not so: w'are not retir'd, but dampt;
And as our bodies, so our mindes are crampt:
'Tis shrinking, not close weaving that hath thus,
In minde, and body both bedwarfed us.
Wee seeme ambitious, Gods whole worke t'undoe; 155
Of nothing hee made us, and we strive too,
To bring our selves to nothing backe; and wee
Doe what wee can, to do't so soone as hee.
With new diseases on our selves we warre,
And with new Physicke, a worse Engin farre. 160
Thus man, this worlds Vice-Emperour, in whom
All faculties, all graces are at home;
And if in other creatures they appeare,
They're but mans Ministers, and Legats there,
To worke on their rebellions, and reduce 165
Them to Civility, and to mans use:
This man, whom God did wooe, and loth t'attend
Till man came up, did downe to man descend,
This man, so great, that all that is, is his,
Oh what a trifle, and poore thing he is! 170
If man were any thing, he's nothing now:
Helpe, or at least some time to wast, allow
T'his other wants, yet when he did depart
With her whom we lament, hee lost his heart.
She, of whom th'Ancients seem'd to prophesie, 175
When they call'd vertues by the name of _shee_;
Shee in whom vertue was so much refin'd,
That for Allay unto so pure a minde
Shee tooke the weaker Sex; shee that could drive
The poysonous tincture, and the staine of _Eve_, 180
Out of her thoughts, and deeds; and purifie
All, by a true religious Alchymie;
Shee, shee is dead; shee's dead: when thou knowest this,
Thou knowest how poore a trifling thing man is.
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomie, 185
The heart being perish'd, no part can be free.
And that except thou feed (not banquet) on
The supernaturall food, Religion,
Thy better Growth growes withered, and scant;
Be more then man, or thou'rt lesse then an Ant. 190
Then, as mankinde, so is the worlds whole frame
Quite out of joynt, almost created lame:
For, before God had made up all the rest,
Corruption entred, and deprav'd the best:
It seis'd the Angels, and then first of all 195
The world did in her cradle take a fall,
And turn'd her braines, and tooke a generall maime,
Wronging each joynt of th'universall frame.
The noblest part, man, felt it first; and than
Both beasts and plants, curst in the curse of man. 200
[Sidenote: _Decay of nature in other parts._]
So did the world from the first houre decay,
That evening was beginning of the day,
And now the Springs and Sommers which we see,
Like sonnes of women after fiftie bee.
And new Philosophy calls all in doubt, 205
The Element of fire is quite put out;
The Sun is lost, and th'earth, and no mans wit
Can well direct him where to looke for it.
And freely men confesse that this world's spent,
When in the Planets, and the Firmament 210
They seeke so many new; they see that this
Is crumbled out againe to his Atomies.
'Tis all in peeces, all cohaerence gone;
All just supply, and all Relation:
Prince, Subject, Father, Sonne, are things forgot, 215
For every man alone thinkes he hath got
To be a Phœnix, and that then can bee
None of that kinde, of which he is, but hee.
This is the worlds condition now, and now
She that should all parts to reunion bow, 220
She that had all Magnetique force alone,
To draw, and fasten sundred parts in one;
She whom wise nature had invented then
When she observ'd that every sort of men
Did in their voyage in this worlds Sea stray, 225
And needed a new compasse for their way;
She that was best, and first originall
Of all faire copies, and the generall
Steward to Fate; she whose rich eyes, and brest
Guilt the West Indies, and perfum'd the East; 230
Whose having breath'd in this world, did bestow
Spice on those Iles, and bad them still smell so,
And that rich Indie which doth gold interre,
Is but as single money, coyn'd from her:
She to whom this world must it selfe refer, 235
As Suburbs, or the Microcosme of her,
Shee, shee is dead; shee's dead: when thou knowst this,
Thou knowst how lame a cripple this world is.
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomy,
That this worlds generall sickenesse doth not lie 240
In any humour, or one certaine part;
But as thou sawest it rotten at the heart,
Thou seest a Hectique feaver hath got hold
Of the whole substance, not to be contrould,
And that thou hast but one way, not t'admit 245
The worlds infection, to be none of it.
For the worlds subtilst immateriall parts
Feele this consuming wound, and ages darts.
For the worlds beauty is decai'd, or gone,
[Sidenote: _Disformity of parts._]
Beauty, that's colour, and proportion. 250
We thinke the heavens enjoy their Sphericall,
Their round proportion embracing all.
But yet their various and perplexed course,
Observ'd in divers ages, doth enforce
Men to finde out so many Eccentrique parts, 255
Such divers downe-right lines, such overthwarts,
As disproportion that pure forme: It teares
The Firmament in eight and forty sheires,
And in these Constellations then arise
New starres, and old doe vanish from our eyes: 260
As though heav'n suffered earthquakes, peace or war,
When new Towers rise, and old demolish't are.
They have impal'd within a Zodiake
The free-borne Sun, and keepe twelve Signes awake
To watch his steps; the Goat and Crab controule, 265
And fright him backe, who else to either Pole
(Did not these Tropiques fetter him) might runne:
For his course is not round; nor can the Sunne
Perfit a Circle, or maintaine his way
One inch direct; but where he rose to-day 270
He comes no more, but with a couzening line,
Steales by that point, and so is Serpentine:
And seeming weary with his reeling thus,
He meanes to sleepe, being now falne nearer us.
So, of the Starres which boast that they doe runne 275
In Circle still, none ends where he begun.
All their proportion's lame, it sinkes, it swels.
For of Meridians, and Parallels,
Man hath weav'd out a net, and this net throwne
Upon the Heavens, and now they are his owne. 280
Loth to goe up the hill, or labour thus
To goe to heaven, we make heaven come to us.
We spur, we reine the starres, and in their race
They're diversly content t'obey our pace.
But keepes the earth her round proportion still? 285
Doth not a Tenarif, or higher Hill
Rise so high like a Rocke, that one might thinke
The floating Moone would shipwracke there, and sinke?
Seas are so deepe, that Whales being strooke to day,
Perchance to morrow, scarse at middle way 290
Of their wish'd journies end, the bottome, die.
And men, to sound depths, so much line untie,
As one might justly thinke, that there would rise
At end thereof, one of th'Antipodies:
If under all, a Vault infernall bee, 295
(Which sure is spacious, except that we
Invent another torment, that there must
Millions into a straight hot roome be thrust)
Then solidnesse, and roundnesse have no place.
Are these but warts, and pock-holes in the face 300
Of th'earth? Thinke so: but yet confesse, in this
The worlds proportion disfigured is;
[Sidenote: _Disorder in the world._]
That those two legges whereon it doth rely,
Reward and punishment are bent awry.
And, Oh, it can no more be questioned, 305
That beauties best, proportion, is dead,
Since even griefe it selfe, which now alone
Is left us, is without proportion.
Shee by whose lines proportion should bee
Examin'd, measure of all Symmetree, 310
Whom had that Ancient seen, who thought soules made
Of Harmony, he would at next have said
That Harmony was shee, and thence infer,
That soules were but Resultances from her,
And did from her into our bodies goe, 315
As to our eyes, the formes from objects flow:
Shee, who if those great Doctors truly said
That the Arke to mans proportions was made,
Had been a type for that, as that might be
A type of her in this, that contrary 320
Both Elements, and Passions liv'd at peace
In her, who caus'd all Civill war to cease.
Shee, after whom, what forme so'er we see,
Is discord, and rude incongruitie;
Shee, shee is dead, shee's dead; when thou knowst this 325
Thou knowst how ugly a monster this world is:
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomie,
That here is nothing to enamour thee:
And that, not only faults in inward parts,
Corruptions in our braines, or in our hearts, 330
Poysoning the fountaines, whence our actions spring,
Endanger us: but that if every thing
Be not done fitly'and in proportion,
To satisfie wise, and good lookers on,
(Since most men be such as most thinke they bee) 335
They're lothsome too, by this Deformitee.
For good, and well, must in our actions meete;
Wicked is not much worse than indiscreet.
But beauties other second Element,
Colour, and lustre now, is as neere spent. 340
And had the world his just proportion,
Were it a ring still, yet the stone is gone.
As a compassionate Turcoyse which doth tell
By looking pale, the wearer is not well,
As gold falls sicke being stung with Mercury, 345
All the worlds parts of such complexion bee.
When nature was most busie, the first weeke,
Swadling the new borne earth, God seem'd to like
That she should sport her selfe sometimes, and play,
To mingle, and vary colours every day: 350
And then, as though shee could not make inow,
Himselfe his various Rainbow did allow.
Sight is the noblest sense of any one,
Yet sight hath only colour to feed on,
And colour is decai'd: summers robe growes 355
Duskie, and like an oft dyed garment showes.
Our blushing red, which us'd in cheekes to spred,
Is inward sunke, and only our soules are red.
Perchance the world might have recovered,
If she whom we lament had not beene dead: 360
But shee, in whom all white, and red, and blew
(Beauties ingredients) voluntary grew,
As in an unvext Paradise; from whom
Did all things verdure, and their lustre come,
Whose composition was miraculous, 365
Being all colour, all Diaphanous,
(For Ayre, and Fire but thick grosse bodies were,
And liveliest stones but drowsie, and pale to her,)
Shee, shee, is dead; shee's dead: when thou know'st this,
Thou knowst how wan a Ghost this our world is: 370
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomie,
That it should more affright, then pleasure thee.
And that, since all faire colour then did sinke,
'Tis now but wicked vanitie, to thinke
[Sidenote: _Weaknesse in the want of correspondence of heaven and
earth._]
To colour vicious deeds with good pretence, 375
Or with bought colors to illude mens sense.
Nor in ought more this worlds decay appeares,
Then that her influence the heav'n forbeares,
Or that the Elements doe not feele this,
The father, or the mother barren is. 380
The cloudes conceive not raine, or doe not powre,
In the due birth time, downe the balmy showre;
Th'Ayre doth not motherly sit on the earth,
To hatch her seasons, and give all things birth;
Spring-times were common cradles, but are tombes; 385
And false-conceptions fill the generall wombes;
Th'Ayre showes such Meteors, as none can see,
Not only what they meane, but what they bee;
Earth such new wormes, as would have troubled much
Th'Ægyptian _Mages_ to have made more such. 390
What Artist now dares boast that he can bring
Heaven hither, or constellate any thing,
So as the influence of those starres may bee
Imprison'd in an Hearbe, or Charme, or Tree,
And doe by touch, all which those stars could doe? 395
The art is lost, and correspondence too.
For heaven gives little, and the earth takes lesse,
And man least knowes their trade and purposes.
If this commerce twixt heaven and earth were not
Embarr'd, and all this traffique quite forgot, 400
She, for whose losse we have lamented thus,
Would worke more fully, and pow'rfully on us:
Since herbes, and roots, by dying lose not all,
But they, yea Ashes too, are medicinall,
Death could not quench her vertue so, but that 405
It would be (if not follow'd) wondred at:
And all the world would be one dying Swan,
To sing her funerall praise, and vanish than.
But as some Serpents poyson hurteth not,
Except it be from the live Serpent shot, 410
So doth her vertue need her here, to fit
That unto us; shee working more then it.
But shee, in whom to such maturity
Vertue was growne, past growth, that it must die;
She, from whose influence all Impressions came, 415
But, by Receivers impotencies, lame,
Who, though she could not transubstantiate
All states to gold, yet guilded every state,
So that some Princes have some temperance;
Some Counsellers some purpose to advance 420
The common profit; and some people have
Some stay, no more then Kings should give, to crave;
Some women have some taciturnity,
Some nunneries some graines of chastitie.
She that did thus much, and much more could doe, 425
But that our age was Iron, and rustie too,
Shee, shee is dead; shee's dead; when thou knowst this,
Thou knowst how drie a Cinder this world is.
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomy,
That 'tis in vaine to dew, or mollifie 430
It with thy teares, or sweat, or blood: nothing
Is worth our travaile, griefe, or perishing,
But those rich joyes, which did possesse her heart,
Of which she's now partaker, and a part.
[Sidenote: _Conclusion._]
But as in cutting up a man that's dead, 435
The body will not last out, to have read
On every part, and therefore men direct
Their speech to parts, that are of most effect;
So the worlds carcasse would not last, if I
Were punctuall in this Anatomy; 440
Nor smels it well to hearers, if one tell
Them their disease, who faine would think they're well.
Here therefore be the end: And, blessed maid,
Of whom is meant what ever hath been said,
Or shall be spoken well by any tongue, 445
Whose name refines course lines, and makes prose song,
Accept this tribute, and his first yeares rent,
Who till his darke short tapers end be spent,
As oft as thy feast sees this widowed earth,
Will yearely celebrate thy second birth, 450
That is, thy death; for though the soule of man
Be got when man is made, 'tis borne but than
When man doth die; our body's as the wombe,
And, as a Mid-wife, death directs it home.
And you her creatures, whom she workes upon, 455
And have your last, and best concoction
From her example, and her vertue, if you
In reverence to her, do thinke it due,
That no one should her praises thus rehearse,
As matter fit for Chronicle, not verse; 460
Vouchsafe to call to minde that God did make
A last, and lasting'st peece, a song. He spake
To _Moses_ to deliver unto all,
That song, because hee knew they would let fall
The Law, the Prophets, and the History, 465
But keepe the song still in their memory:
Such an opinion (in due measure) made
Me this great Office boldly to invade:
Nor could incomprehensiblenesse deterre
Mee, from thus trying to emprison her, 470
Which when I saw that a strict grave could doe,
I saw not why verse might not do so too.
Verse hath a middle nature: heaven keepes Soules,
The Grave keepes bodies, Verse the Fame enroules.
[An Anatomy _&c._ _1611-69_ The first Anniversary. _1612-69_
(First _1612-25_): _om. 1611_]
[_The entrie &c._ _1612-21:_ _om. 1625-33:_ _1611 and 1635-69
have no notes_]
[2 Whom _1611_, _1612-25_, _1669:_ Who _1633:_ whõ
_1635-54_]
[5 Deedes _1611_, _1612-25:_ deeds, _1633-69_]
[6 In-mate _1611-12:_ Inmate _1621-25:_ immate _1633:_ inmate
_1635-69_]
[10 Song, _1611:_ Song. _1612-33:_ Song: _1635-69_]
[14 then _1611_, _1612-39:_ them _1650-69_]
[18 shee, _1611:_ shee _1612_, _1669:_ shee. _1621-54_]
[22 care, _1611-21:_ care. _1625-33_]
[24 Lethargie.] Letargee. _1611_, _1612-25_]
[26 Man. _1611_, _1621-25:_ man. _1633-69_]
[31 name, _1611_, _1612-25:_ name _1633-69_]
[33 Font, _1611:_ Fount, _1612-69_]
[36 Palace _1611-12_, _1621-25:_ palace _1633-69_]
[40 times _1611_, _1612-33:_ time _1635-69_]
[48 law, _1612_, _1669:_ law. _1611_, _1621-25:_ law;
_1633-54_]
[50 glue] give _1650-69_]
[_What life &c._ _1612-21:_ _om. 1625-33_]
[70 walke; _1611_, _1612-25:_ walke, _1633-69_]
[71 good, _1633:_ good _1612-25_, _1635-69_]
[75 old world, free, _1611-12_, _1633-69:_ old world, free
_1621-25_]
[79 though] thought _1621-33_]
[80 home-borne] homborne _1611_, _1621-25:_ homeborne
_1633-69_]
[85 Yet, _1612-25:_ Yet _1633-69_]
[_The sicknesses &c._ _1612:_ _The sicknesse &c._ _1621:_ _The
sicknes &c._ _1625-33_]
[89 then] them _1650-69_]
[99 ruine! _Ed:_ ruine? _1611_, _1612-25:_ ruine, _1633-69_]
[100 mankinde! _Ed:_ mankinde? _1611_, _1612-69_]
[113 When as, the Sunne and man _1633-39:_ _no commas_
_1650-69:_ When as the Sunne and man, _1611_, _1612-25_]
[114 survive; _1650-69:_ survive. _1611_, _1612-39_]
[116 minoritie; _1650-69:_ minoritee. _1611_, _1621-25:_
minoritie, _1633-39_]
[131 Grandsires _1611_, _1612-21:_ Gransires _1625-69_
sorrow, _1611-21:_ sorrow. _1625:_ sorrow: _1633-69_]
[133 peasant _1611_, _1612-25:_ pesant _1633-69_]
[134 lives. _1611_, _1633:_ lives _1612:_ lives, _1621-25_]
[135 man _1611:_ man. _1612-25:_ man, _1633-69_]
[145 addes _1611-21:_ adds _1635-69:_ ads _1625_, _1633_]
[149 silver; _1611-12:_ silver _1621-25:_ silver, _1633-69_]
[150 scatter'd] scattred _1612-25_]
[152 bodies, _1611-25:_ bodies _1633-39_]
[153 close weaving _1633-69:_ close-weaning _1611-12:_ close
weaning _1621-25_]
[161 Thus man, _1611_, _1612-33:_ This man, _1635-69_,
_Chambers_]
[166 use:] use. _1611_, _1621-33_]
[167 t'attend] t'atend _1633_]
[169 man, _1611:_ man _1612-69_]
[171 any thing, _1611-12:_ any thing; _1621-33_]
[172 wast, _1633:_ wast, _1611:_ waste, _1635-69_]
[178 Allay _1611_, _1612-25:_ allay _1633-69_]
[179 Sex; _1611:_ Sex, _1621-25:_ Sex: _1633-69_]
[181 thoughts, _1611-12_, _1635-69:_ thought, _1621-33_]
[183 Shee, shee _1611_, _1612-25:_ She, she _1633-69_]
[186 no] no no _1621_]
[188 Religion, _1611_, _1650-69:_ Religion. _1612-25:_
Religion: _1633-39_]
[189 Growth _1611:_ grouth _1612-25:_ growth _1633-69_
withered] whithered _1621-25_]
[191 Then, _1611_, _1621-25:_ Then _1633-69_]
[195 Angels, _1612-69:_ Angells: _1611_]
[200 man. _1611_, _1612-25:_ man, _1633-39:_ man: _1650-69_]
[210 Firmament _1611-12:_ firmament _1621-69_]
[212 Atomies.] Atomis. _1611_, _1612-25_]
[213 cohaerence _1611_, _1612-25:_ coherence _1633-69_]
[217 then _1611_, _1612-69:_ there _Grosart, who with Chambers
attributes to 1669_]
[223 invented] innented _1621_]
[228 copies, _1633-69:_ copies; _1611-12:_ copies _1621-25_]
[229 Fate; _1612-69:_ Fate: _1611_
brest _1611:_ brest: _1612-25:_ breast, _1633_]
[230 West Indies, _1611:_ West-Indies, _1621-69_
East; _1611:_ East, _1621-69_]
[234 money, _1611-21:_ money _1625-69_]
[237 knowst _1611:_ knowest _1612-69:_ _and so in_ 238]
[237 this,] this _1633-35_]
[238 is. _1611_, _1612-33:_ is, _1635-69_]
[244 contrould,] contrould. _1611_, _1612-25_]
[251 Sphericall, _1650-69:_ Sphericall _1611_, _1612-39_]
[252 all. _1611_, _1612-25:_ all, _1633-69_]
[257 forme: _1633-69:_ forme. _1611_, _1612-25_]
[258 sheires, _1633-35:_ sheeres, _1611_, _1612-25:_ shieres,
_1639-69_]
[267 Tropiques _1611_, _1612-25:_ tropiques _1633-69_]
[273 with] of _1635-69_]
[284 pace.] peace. _1612-33_]
[286 Tenarif, _1611_, _1612-25:_ Tenarus _1633-69_
Hill _1611_, _1612-25:_ hill _1633-69_]
[288 there, _1611_, _1612-21:_ there _1625-69_]
[289 strooke _1611_, _1612-25:_ strucke _1633-69_]
[290 to morrow, _1611_, _1612-25:_ to morrow _1633-69_]
[295 Vault _1611_, _1612-25:_ vault _1633-69_]
[298 straight] strait _1611-25_]
[300 pock-holes] pockholes _1633-69_]
[301 th'earth?] th'earth; _1633_]
[306 beauties best, proportion, _1611_, _1612-39:_ beauty's
best proportion _Chambers:_ _1650-69_ _drop the second comma_]
[313 infer, _1611-12:_ infer. _1621-25:_ infer _1633-69_]
[318 proportions _1611-12:_ proportion _1621-69_]
[321 Elements, _1611-12:_ Elements _1621-69_]
[325 Shee, shee _1611_, _1612-25:_ She, she _1633-69_
shee's] she's _1633-69_
knowst _1611:_ knowest _1612-25:_ know'st _1633-69_]
[326 knowst _1611_, _1612-25:_ knowest _1633-69_]
[336 Deformitee. _1611_, _1612-25:_ deformitie. _1633-69_]
[351 inow, _1611_, _1612-25:_ enough, _1633:_ enow, _1635-69_]
[352 allow.] allow, _1621-33_]
[366 Diaphanous, _1611_, _1612-25:_ diaphanous, _1633-69_]
[369 Shee, shee, _1611_, _1612-25_ (shee _1625_): She, she
_1633-69_ (_but_ Shee, _1633_, _in pass-over word_)]
[370 knowst _1611:_ knowest _1621-69_]
[374 vanitie, to thinke _1633-69:_ vanity to think, _1611_,
_1612-25_]
[379-80 feele this, ... barren is. _1611_, _1612-69:_ feele
this. ... barren is; _Chambers_. _See note_]
[383 Th'Ayre _1611_, _1612-21:_ Th'ayre _1625-69_]
[387 Th'Ayre _1611:_ Th'ayre _1612-69_]
[390 _Mages_] _No change of type_, _1611-12_]
[394 Charme, _1611-21:_ Charme _1625-54_]
[404 Ashes _1611_, _1612-25:_ ashes _1633-69_]
[407 Swan, _1611_, _1612-25:_ swan, _1633-69_]
[415 Impressions _1611:_ Impression _1612-25:_ impression
_1633-69_]
[416 But, _1611:_ But _1621-69_
Receivers _1611-12:_ _rest no capital_]
[421 have] have, _1633_]
[427 is dead;] is dead, _1633-69_
shee's dead; _1611-25:_ she's dead; _1633-69_]
[431 nothing] no thing _1611-21_]
[442 they're] thy're _1633_]
[443 And, _1611_, _1612-25:_ and, _1633-69_]
[467 (in due measure) _1611_, _1612-25_ (_but 1625 drops
second bracket_): _commas_ _1633-69_]
[468 Office _1611_, _1612-25:_ office _1633-69_]
[473 nature: _1611-25:_ nature, _1633-69_]
A Funerall ELEGIE.
'Tis lost, to trust a Tombe with such a guest,
Or to confine her in a marble chest.
Alas, what's Marble, Jeat, or Porphyrie,
Priz'd with the Chrysolite of either eye,
Or with those Pearles, and Rubies, which she was? 5
Joyne the two Indies in one Tombe, 'tis glasse;
And so is all to her materials,
Though every inch were ten Escurials,
Yet she's demolish'd: can wee keepe her then
In works of hands, or of the wits of men? 10
Can these memorials, ragges of paper, give
Life to that name, by which name they must live?
Sickly, alas, short-liv'd, aborted bee
Those carcasse verses, whose soule is not shee.
And can shee, who no longer would be shee, 15
Being such a Tabernacle, stoop to be
In paper wrapt; or, when shee would not lie
In such a house, dwell in an Elegie?
But 'tis no matter; wee may well allow
Verse to live so long as the world will now, 20
For her death wounded it. The world containes
Princes for armes, and Counsellors for braines,
Lawyers for tongues, Divines for hearts, and more,
The Rich for stomackes, and for backes, the Poore;
The Officers for hands, Merchants for feet, 25
By which, remote and distant Countries meet.
But those fine spirits which do tune, and set
This Organ, are those peeces which beget
Wonder and love; and these were shee; and shee
Being spent, the world must needs decrepit bee; 30
For since death will proceed to triumph still,
He can finde nothing, after her, to kill,
Except the world it selfe, so great as shee.
Thus brave and confident may Nature bee,
Death cannot give her such another blow, 35
Because shee cannot such another show.
But must wee say she's dead? may't not be said
That as a sundred clocke is peecemeale laid,
Not to be lost, but by the makers hand
Repollish'd, without errour then to stand, 40
Or as the Affrique Niger streame enwombs
It selfe into the earth, and after comes
(Having first made a naturall bridge, to passe
For many leagues) farre greater then it was,
May't not be said, that her grave shall restore 45
Her, greater, purer, firmer, then before?
Heaven may say this, and joy in't, but can wee
Who live, and lacke her, here this vantage see?
What is't to us, alas, if there have beene
An Angell made a Throne, or Cherubin? 50
Wee lose by't: and as aged men are glad
Being tastlesse growne, to joy in joyes they had,
So now the sick starv'd world must feed upon
This joy, that we had her, who now is gone.
Rejoyce then Nature, and this World, that you, 55
Fearing the last fires hastning to subdue
Your force and vigour, ere it were neere gone,
Wisely bestow'd and laid it all on one.
One, whose cleare body was so pure and thinne,
Because it need disguise no thought within. 60
'Twas but a through-light scarfe, her minde t'inroule;
Or exhalation breath'd out from her Soule.
One, whom all men who durst no more, admir'd:
And whom, who ere had worth enough, desir'd;
As when a Temple's built, Saints emulate 65
To which of them, it shall be consecrate.
But, as when heaven lookes on us with new eyes,
Those new starres every Artist exercise,
What place they should assigne to them they doubt,
Argue,'and agree not, till those starres goe out: 70
So the world studied whose this peece should be,
Till shee can be no bodies else, nor shee:
But like a Lampe of Balsamum, desir'd
Rather t'adorne, then last, she soone expir'd,
Cloath'd in her virgin white integritie, 75
For marriage, though it doe not staine, doth dye.
To scape th'infirmities which wait upon
Woman, she went away, before sh'was one;
And the worlds busie noyse to overcome,
Tooke so much death, as serv'd for _opium_; 80
For though she could not, nor could chuse to dye,
She'ath yeelded to too long an extasie:
Hee which not knowing her said History,
Should come to reade the booke of destiny,
How faire, and chast, humble, and high she'ad been, 85
Much promis'd, much perform'd, at not fifteene,
And measuring future things, by things before,
Should turne the leafe to reade, and reade no more,
Would thinke that either destiny mistooke,
Or that some leaves were torne out of the booke. 90
But 'tis not so; Fate did but usher her
To yeares of reasons use, and then inferre
Her destiny to her selfe, which liberty
She tooke but for thus much, thus much to die.
Her modestie not suffering her to bee 95
Fellow-Commissioner with Destinie,
She did no more but die; if after her
Any shall live, which dare true good prefer,
Every such person is her deligate,
T'accomplish that which should have beene her Fate. 100
They shall make up that Booke and shall have thanks
Of Fate, and her, for filling up their blankes.
For future vertuous deeds are Legacies,
Which from the gift of her example rise;
And 'tis in heav'n part of spirituall mirth, 105
To see how well the good play her, on earth.
[Funerall ELEGIE. _1611_, _1612-69:_ _whole poem printed in
italics_ _1612-25:_ _in roman 1611_]
[1 lost, _1611_, _1612-25:_ lost _1633:_ losse _1635-69_]
[2 chest. _1611-21:_ chest, _1625-69_]
[8 Escurials,] escurials. _1611-25_]
[13 aborted _1611_, _1612-33:_ abortive _1635-69_]
[17 or, _1612-25:_ or _1633-69_]
[18 a] an _1635-69_]
[22-5 Princes, Counsellors _&c._ _all in capitals except_
Officers _1611_, _1612-25:_ _later editions erratic_]
[24: backes, _1611:_ backes _1612-25:_ backs _1633-69_
Poore] _spelt_ Pore _1611-12_]
[28 peeces] peeces, _1633-69_]
[30 _1625 inserts marginal note_, Smalnesse of stature. _See
p._ 235]
[33 as _1611-21:_ _om. 1625:_ was _1633-69_]
[47 in't,] in't; _1612-21:_ in'ts, _1625_]
[48 her, here _1611_, _1612-25:_ her, here, _1633:_ her here,
_1635-69_]
[58 one. _1612-25:_ one; _1633-69_]
[64 worth] worke _1633_]
[74 expir'd, _1633-69:_ expir'd; _1611_, _1612-25_]
[75 integritie, _1633-69:_ integritie; _1611-25_]
[76 it doe _1611_, _1612-25:_ it doth _1633-69_
dye. _1611_, _1612-69_ (_spelt_ die _1633-69_): _Chambers
closes the sentence at_ 74 expir'd _and prints_ 75-7 _thus_--
Clothed in her virgin white integrity
--For marriage, though it doth not stain, doth dye--
To 'scape _&c._
]
[83 said _1611_, _1612-33:_ sad _1635-69_]
[94 tooke _1611_, _1612-25:_ tooke, _1633-69_]
[98 prefer, _1611_, _1612-25:_ prefer; _1633-69_]
OF THE PROGRESSE OF THE SOULE.
_Wherein_,
By occasion of the Religious death of
Mistris ELIZABETH DRVRY,
the incommodities of the Soule in
this life, and her exaltation in
the next, are contemplated.
* * * * *
The second Anniversary.
* * * * *
_The Harbinger to the_
PROGRESSE.
Two Soules move here, and mine (a third) must move
Paces of admiration, and of love;
Thy Soule (deare virgin) whose this tribute is,
Mov'd from this mortall Spheare to lively blisse;
And yet moves still, and still aspires to see 5
The worlds last day, thy glories full degree:
Like as those starres which thou o'r-lookest farre,
Are in their place, and yet still moved are:
No soule (whiles with the luggage of this clay
It clogged is) can follow thee halfe way; 10
Or see thy flight, which doth our thoughts outgoe
So fast, that now the lightning moves but slow:
But now thou art as high in heaven flowne
As heaven's from us; what soule besides thine owne
Can tell thy joyes, or say he can relate 15
Thy glorious Journals in that blessed state?
I envie thee (Rich soule) I envy thee,
Although I cannot yet thy glory see:
And thou (great spirit) which hers follow'd hast
So fast, as none can follow thine so fast; 20
So far, as none can follow thine so farre,
(And if this flesh did not the passage barre
Hadst caught her) let me wonder at thy flight
Which long agone hadst lost the vulgar sight,
And now mak'st proud the better eyes, that they 25
Can see thee less'ned in thine ayery way;
So while thou mak'st her soule by progresse knowne
Thou mak'st a noble progresse of thine owne,
From this worlds carkasse having mounted high
To that pure life of immortalitie; 30
Since thine aspiring thoughts themselves so raise
That more may not beseeme a creatures praise,
Yet still thou vow'st her more; and every yeare
Mak'st a new progresse, while thou wandrest here;
Still upward mount; and let thy Makers praise 35
Honor thy Laura, and adorne thy laies.
And since thy Muse her head in heaven shrouds,
Oh let her never stoope below the clouds:
And if those glorious sainted soules may know
Or what wee doe, or what wee sing below, 40
Those acts, those songs shall still content them best
Which praise those awfull Powers that make them blest.
[Of the Progresse _&c._ _1612-69:_ The second Anniversary.
_1612-69_ (_in 1612-21 it stands at head of page_)]
[The Harbinger _&c._] _In 1612-25 this poem printed in
italics_]
[8 are:] are _1612-25_]
[12 that now] as now _1635-69_, _Chambers_]
[27 soule] soules _1612_]
[28 owne, _1635-69:_ owne. _1612-33_]
[34 while] whilst _1669_]
[35 upward] upwards _1612_]
OF THE PROGRESSE OF THE SOULE.
_The second Anniversarie._
[Sidenote: _The entrance._[1]]
Nothing could make me sooner to confesse
That this world had an everlastingnesse,
Then to consider, that a yeare is runne,
Since both this lower world's, and the Sunnes Sunne,
The Lustre, and the vigor of this All, 5
Did set; 'twere blasphemie to say, did fall.
But as a ship which hath strooke saile, doth runne
By force of that force which before, it wonne:
Or as sometimes in a beheaded man,
Though at those two Red seas, which freely ranne, 10
One from the Trunke, another from the Head,
His soule be sail'd, to her eternall bed,
His eyes will twinckle, and his tongue will roll,
As though he beckned, and cal'd backe his soule,
He graspes his hands, and he pulls up his feet, 15
And seemes to reach, and to step forth to meet
His soule; when all these motions which we saw,
Are but as Ice, which crackles at a thaw:
Or as a Lute, which in moist weather, rings
Her knell alone, by cracking of her strings: 20
So struggles this dead world, now shee is gone;
For there is motion in corruption.
As some daies are at the Creation nam'd,
Before the Sunne, the which fram'd daies, was fram'd,
So after this Sunne's set, some shew appeares, 25
And orderly vicissitude of yeares.
Yet a new Deluge, and of _Lethe_ flood,
Hath drown'd us all, All have forgot all good,
Forgetting her, the maine reserve of all.
Yet in this deluge, grosse and generall, 30
Thou seest me strive for life; my life shall bee,
To be hereafter prais'd, for praysing thee;
Immortall Maid, who though thou would'st refuse
The name of Mother, be unto my Muse
A Father, since her chast Ambition is, 35
Yearely to bring forth such a child as this.
These Hymnes may worke on future wits, and so
May great Grand children of thy prayses grow.
And so, though not revive, embalme and spice
The world, which else would putrifie with vice. 40
For thus, Man may extend thy progeny,
Untill man doe but vanish, and not die.
These Hymnes thy issue, may encrease so long,
As till Gods great _Venite_ change the song.
[Sidenote: _A iust disestimation[2] of this world._]
Thirst for that time, O my insatiate soule, 45
And serve thy thirst, with Gods safe-sealing Bowle.
Be thirstie still, and drinke still till thou goe
To th'only Health, to be Hydroptique so.
Forget this rotten world; And unto thee
Let thine owne times as an old storie bee. 50
Be not concern'd: studie not why, nor when;
Doe not so much as not beleeve a man.
For though to erre, be worst, to try truths forth,
Is far more businesse, then this world is worth.
The world is but a carkasse; thou art fed 55
By it, but as a worme, that carkasse bred;
And why should'st thou, poore worme, consider more,
When this world will grow better then before,
Then those thy fellow wormes doe thinke upon
That carkasses last resurrection. 60
Forget this world, and scarce thinke of it so,
As of old clothes, cast off a yeare agoe.
To be thus stupid is Alacritie;
Men thus Lethargique have best Memory.
Look upward; that's towards her, whose happy state 65
We now lament not, but congratulate.
Shee, to whom all this world was but a stage,
Where all sat harkning how her youthfull age
Should be emploi'd, because in all shee did,
Some Figure of the Golden times was hid. 70
Who could not lacke, what e'r this world could give,
Because shee was the forme, that made it live;
Nor could complaine, that this world was unfit
To be staid in, then when shee was in it;
Shee that first tried indifferent desires 75
By vertue, and vertue by religious fires,
Shee to whose person Paradise adher'd,
As Courts to Princes, shee whose eyes ensphear'd
Star-light enough, t'have made the South controule,
(Had shee beene there) the Star-full Northerne Pole, 80
Shee, shee is gone; she is gone; when thou knowest this,
What fragmentary rubbidge this world is
Thou knowest, and that it is not worth a thought;
He honors it too much that thinkes it nought.
[Sidenote: _Contemplation of our state in our death-bed._]
Thinke then, my soule, that death is but a Groome, 85
Which brings a Taper to the outward roome,
Whence thou spiest first a little glimmering light,
And after brings it nearer to thy sight:
For such approaches doth heaven make in death.
Thinke thy selfe labouring now with broken breath, 90
And thinke those broken and soft Notes to bee
Division, and thy happyest Harmonie.
Thinke thee laid on thy death-bed, loose and slacke;
And thinke that, but unbinding of a packe,
To take one precious thing, thy soule from thence. 95
Thinke thy selfe parch'd with fevers violence,
Anger thine ague more, by calling it
Thy Physicke; chide the slacknesse of the fit.
Thinke that thou hear'st thy knell, and think no more,
But that, as Bels cal'd thee to Church before, 100
So this, to the Triumphant Church, calls thee.
Thinke Satans Sergeants round about thee bee,
And thinke that but for Legacies they thrust;
Give one thy Pride, to'another give thy Lust:
Give them those sinnes which they gave thee before, 105
And trust th'immaculate blood to wash thy score.
Thinke thy friends weeping round, and thinke that they
Weepe but because they goe not yet thy way.
Thinke that they close thine eyes, and thinke in this,
That they confesse much in the world, amisse, 110
Who dare not trust a dead mans eye with that,
Which they from God, and Angels cover not.
Thinke that they shroud thee up, and think from thence
They reinvest thee in white innocence.
Thinke that thy body rots, and (if so low, 115
Thy soule exalted so, thy thoughts can goe,)
Think thee a Prince, who of themselves create
Wormes which insensibly devoure their State.
Thinke that they bury thee, and thinke that right
Laies thee to sleepe but a Saint Lucies night. 120
Thinke these things cheerefully: and if thou bee
Drowsie or slacke, remember then that shee,
Shee whose Complexion was so even made,
That which of her Ingredients should invade
The other three, no Feare, no Art could guesse: 125
So far were all remov'd from more or lesse.
But as in Mithridate, or just perfumes,
Where all good things being met, no one presumes
To governe, or to triumph on the rest,
Only because all were, no part was best. 130
And as, though all doe know, that quantities
Are made of lines, and lines from Points arise,
None can these lines or quantities unjoynt,
And say this is a line, or this a point,
So though the Elements and Humors were 135
In her, one could not say, this governes there.
Whose even constitution might have wonne
Any disease to venter on the Sunne,
Rather then her: and make a spirit feare,
That hee to disuniting subject were. 140
To whose proportions if we would compare
Cubes, th'are unstable; Circles, Angular;
She who was such a chaine as Fate employes
To bring mankinde all Fortunes it enjoyes;
So fast, so even wrought, as one would thinke, 145
No Accident could threaten any linke;
Shee, shee embrac'd a sicknesse, gave it meat,
The purest blood, and breath, that e'r it eate;
And hath taught us, that though a good man hath
Title to heaven, and plead it by his Faith, 150
And though he may pretend a conquest, since
Heaven was content to suffer violence,
Yea though hee plead a long possession too,
(For they're in heaven on earth who heavens workes do)
Though hee had right and power and place, before, 155
Yet Death must usher, and unlocke the doore.
[Sidenote: _Incommodities of the Soule in the Body._[3]]
Thinke further on thy selfe, my Soule, and thinke
How thou at first wast made but in a sinke;
Thinke that it argued some infirmitie,
That those two soules, which then thou foundst in me, 160
Thou fedst upon, and drewst into thee, both
My second soule of sense, and first of growth.
Thinke but how poore thou wast, how obnoxious;
Whom a small lumpe of flesh could poyson thus.
This curded milke, this poore unlittered whelpe 165
My body, could, beyond escape or helpe,
Infect thee with Originall sinne, and thou
Couldst neither then refuse, nor leave it now.
Thinke that no stubborne sullen Anchorit,
Which fixt to a pillar, or a grave, doth sit 170
Bedded, and bath'd in all his ordures, dwels
So fowly as our Soules in their first-built Cels.
Thinke in how poore a prison thou didst lie
After, enabled but to suck, and crie.
Thinke, when'twas growne to most,'twas a poore Inne, 175
A Province pack'd up in two yards of skinne,
And that usurp'd or threatned with the rage
Of sicknesses, or their true mother, Age.
But thinke that Death hath now enfranchis'd thee,
[Sidenote: _Her liberty by death._]
Thou hast thy'expansion now, and libertie; 180
Thinke that a rustie Peece, discharg'd, is flowne
In peeces, and the bullet is his owne,
And freely flies: This to thy Soule allow,
Thinke thy shell broke, thinke thy Soule hatch'd but now.
And think this slow-pac'd soule, which late did cleave 185
To'a body, and went but by the bodies leave,
Twenty, perchance, or thirty mile a day,
Dispatches in a minute all the way
Twixt heaven, and earth; she stayes not in the ayre,
To looke what Meteors there themselves prepare; 190
She carries no desire to know, nor sense,
Whether th'ayres middle region be intense;
For th'Element of fire, she doth not know,
Whether she past by such a place or no;
She baits not at the Moone, nor cares to trie 195
Whether in that new world, men live, and die.
_Venus_ retards her not, to'enquire, how shee
Can, (being one starre) _Hesper_, and _Vesper_ bee;
Hee that charm'd _Argus_ eyes, sweet _Mercury_,
Workes not on her, who now is growne all eye; 200
Who, if she meet the body of the Sunne,
Goes through, not staying till his course be runne;
Who findes in _Mars_ his Campe no corps of Guard;
Nor is by _Iove_, nor by his father barr'd;
But ere she can consider how she went, 205
At once is at, and through the Firmament.
And as these starres were but so many beads
Strung on one string, speed undistinguish'd leads
Her through those Spheares, as through the beads, a string,
Whose quick succession makes it still one thing: 210
As doth the pith, which, lest our bodies slacke,
Strings fast the little bones of necke, and backe;
So by the Soule doth death string Heaven and Earth;
For when our Soule enjoyes this her third birth,
(Creation gave her one, a second, grace,) 215
Heaven is as neare, and present to her face,
As colours are, and objects, in a roome
Where darknesse was before, when Tapers come.
This must, my Soule, thy long-short Progresse bee;
To'advance these thoughts, remember then, that she, 220
She; whose faire body no such prison was,
But that a Soule might well be pleas'd to passe
An age in her; she whose rich beauty lent
Mintage to other beauties, for they went
But for so much as they were like to her; 225
Shee, in whose body (if we dare preferre
This low world, to so high a marke as shee,)
The Westerne treasure, Easterne spicerie,
Europe, and Afrique, and the unknowne rest
Were easily found, or what in them was best; 230
And when w'have made this large discoverie
Of all, in her some one part then will bee
Twenty such parts, whose plenty and riches is
Enough to make twenty such worlds as this;
Shee, whom had they knowne who did first betroth 235
The Tutelar Angels, and assign'd one, both
To Nations, Cities, and to Companies,
To Functions, Offices, and Dignities,
And to each severall man, to him, and him,
They would have given her one for every limbe; 240
She, of whose soule, if wee may say, 'twas Gold,
Her body was th'Electrum, and did hold
Many degrees of that; wee understood
Her by her sight; her pure, and eloquent blood
Spoke in her cheekes, and so distinctly wrought, 245
That one might almost say, her body thought;
Shee, shee, thus richly and largely hous'd, is gone:
And chides us slow-pac'd snailes who crawle upon
Our prisons prison, earth, nor thinke us well,
Longer, then whil'st wee beare our brittle shell. 250
[Sidenote: _Her ignorance in this life and knowledge in the
next._[4]]
But 'twere but little to have chang'd our roome,
If, as we were in this our living Tombe
Oppress'd with ignorance, wee still were so.
Poore soule, in this thy flesh what dost thou know?
Thou know'st thy selfe so little, as thou know'st not, 255
How thou didst die, nor how thou wast begot.
Thou neither know'st, how thou at first cam'st in,
Nor how thou took'st the poyson of mans sinne.
Nor dost thou, (though thou know'st, that thou art so)
By what way thou art made immortall, know. 260
Thou art too narrow, wretch, to comprehend
Even thy selfe: yea though thou wouldst but bend
To know thy body. Have not all soules thought
For many ages, that our body'is wrought
Of Ayre, and Fire, and other Elements? 265
And now they thinke of new ingredients,
And one Soule thinkes one, and another way
Another thinkes, and 'tis an even lay.
Knowst thou but how the stone doth enter in
The bladders cave, and never breake the skinne? 270
Know'st thou how blood, which to the heart doth flow,
Doth from one ventricle to th'other goe?
And for the putrid stuffe, which thou dost spit,
Know'st thou how thy lungs have attracted it?
There are no passages, so that there is 275
(For ought thou know'st) piercing of substances.
And of those many opinions which men raise
Of Nailes and Haires, dost thou know which to praise?
What hope have wee to know our selves, when wee
Know not the least things, which for our use be? 280
Wee see in Authors, too stiffe to recant,
A hundred controversies of an Ant;
And yet one watches, starves, freeses, and sweats,
To know but Catechismes and Alphabets
Of unconcerning things, matters of fact; 285
How others on our stage their parts did Act;
What _Cæsar_ did, yea, and what _Cicero_ said.
Why grasse is greene, or why our blood is red,
Are mysteries which none have reach'd unto.
In this low forme, poore soule, what wilt thou doe? 290
When wilt thou shake off this Pedantery,
Of being taught by sense, and Fantasie?
Thou look'st through spectacles; small things seeme great
Below; But up unto the watch-towre get,
And see all things despoyl'd of fallacies: 295
Thou shalt not peepe through lattices of eyes,
Nor heare through Labyrinths of eares, nor learne
By circuit, or collections to discerne.
In heaven thou straight know'st all, concerning it,
And what concernes it not, shalt straight forget. 300
There thou (but in no other schoole) maist bee
Perchance, as learned, and as full, as shee,
Shee who all libraries had throughly read
At home in her owne thoughts, and practised
So much good as would make as many more: 305
Shee whose example they must all implore,
Who would or doe, or thinke well, and confesse
That all the vertuous Actions they expresse,
Are but a new, and worse edition
Of her some one thought, or one action: 310
She who in th'art of knowing Heaven, was growne
Here upon earth, to such perfection,
That she hath, ever since to Heaven she came,
(In a far fairer print,) but read the same:
Shee, shee not satisfied with all this waight, 315
(For so much knowledge, as would over-fraight
Another, did but ballast her) is gone
As well t'enjoy, as get perfection.
And cals us after her, in that shee tooke,
(Taking her selfe) our best, and worthiest booke. 320
[Sidenote: _Of our company in this life, and in the next._]
Returne not, my Soule, from this extasie,
And meditation of what thou shalt bee,
To earthly thoughts, till it to thee appeare,
With whom thy conversation must be there.
With whom wilt thou converse? what station 325
Canst thou choose out, free from infection,
That will not give thee theirs, nor drinke in thine?
Shalt thou not finde a spungie slacke Divine
Drinke and sucke in th'instructions of Great men,
And for the word of God, vent them agen? 330
Are there not some Courts (and then, no things bee
So like as Courts) which, in this let us see,
That wits and tongues of Libellers are weake,
Because they do more ill, then these can speake?
The poyson's gone through all, poysons affect 335
Chiefly the chiefest parts, but some effect
In nailes, and haires, yea excrements, will show;
So lyes the poyson of sinne in the most low.
Up, up, my drowsie Soule, where thy new eare
Shall in the Angels songs no discord heare; 340
Where thou shalt see the blessed Mother-maid
Joy in not being that, which men have said.
Where she is exalted more for being good,
Then for her interest of Mother-hood.
Up to those Patriarchs, which did longer sit 345
Expecting Christ, then they'have enjoy'd him yet.
Up to those Prophets, which now gladly see
Their Prophesies growne to be Historie.
Up to th'Apostles, who did bravely runne
All the Suns course, with more light then the Sunne. 350
Up to those Martyrs, who did calmly bleed
Oyle to th'Apostles Lamps, dew to their seed.
Up to those Virgins, who thought, that almost
They made joyntenants with the Holy Ghost,
If they to any should his Temple give. 355
Up, up, for in that squadron there doth live
She, who hath carried thither new degrees
(As to their number) to their dignities.
Shee, who being to her selfe a State, injoy'd
All royalties which any State employ'd; 360
For shee made warres, and triumph'd; reason still
Did not o'rthrow, but rectifie her will:
And she made peace, for no peace is like this,
That beauty, and chastity together kisse:
She did high justice, for she crucified 365
Every first motion of rebellious pride:
And she gave pardons, and was liberall,
For, onely her selfe except, she pardon'd all:
Shee coy'nd, in this, that her impressions gave
To all our actions all the worth they have: 370
She gave protections; the thoughts of her brest
Satans rude Officers could ne'r arrest.
As these prerogatives being met in one,
Made her a soveraigne State; religion
Made her a Church; and these two made her all. 375
She who was all this All, and could not fall
To worse, by company, (for she was still
More Antidote, then all the world was ill,)
Shee, shee doth leave it, and by Death, survive
All this, in Heaven; whither who doth not strive 380
The more, because shees there, he doth not know
That accidentall joyes in Heaven doe grow.
But pause, my soule; And study, ere thou fall
On accidentall joyes, th'essentiall.
[Sidenote: _Of essentiall joy in this life and in the next._]
Still before Accessories doe abide 385
A triall, must the principall be tride.
And what essentiall joy can'st thou expect
Here upon earth? what permanent effect
Of transitory causes? Dost thou love
Beauty? (And beauty worthy'st is to move) 390
Poore cousened cousenor, _that_ she, and _that_ thou,
Which did begin to love, are neither now;
You are both fluid, chang'd since yesterday;
Next day repaires, (but ill) last dayes decay.
Nor are, (although the river keepe the name) 395
Yesterdaies waters, and to daies the same.
So flowes her face, and thine eyes, neither now
That Saint, nor Pilgrime, which your loving vow
Concern'd, remaines; but whil'st you thinke you bee
Constant, you'are hourely in inconstancie. 400
Honour may have pretence unto our love,
Because that God did live so long above
Without this Honour, and then lov'd it so,
That he at last made Creatures to bestow
Honour on him; not that he needed it, 405
But that, to his hands, man might grow more fit.
But since all Honours from inferiours flow,
(For they doe give it; Princes doe but shew
Whom they would have so honor'd) and that this
On such opinions, and capacities 410
Is built, as rise and fall, to more and lesse:
Alas, 'tis but a casuall happinesse.
Hath ever any man to'himselfe assign'd
This or that happinesse to'arrest his minde,
But that another man which takes a worse, 415
Thinks him a foole for having tane that course?
They who did labour Babels tower to'erect,
Might have considered, that for that effect,
All this whole solid Earth could not allow
Nor furnish forth materialls enow; 420
And that this Center, to raise such a place,
Was farre too little, to have beene the Base;
No more affords this world, foundation
To erect true joy, were all the meanes in one.
But as the Heathen made them severall gods, 425
Of all Gods Benefits, and all his Rods,
(For as the Wine, and Corne, and Onions are
Gods unto them, so Agues bee, and Warre)
And as by changing that whole precious Gold
To such small Copper coynes, they lost the old, 430
And lost their only God, who ever must
Be sought alone, and not in such a thrust:
So much mankinde true happinesse mistakes;
No Joy enjoyes that man, that many makes.
Then, Soule, to thy first pitch worke up againe; 435
Know that all lines which circles doe containe,
For once that they the Center touch, doe touch
Twice the circumference; and be thou such;
Double on heaven thy thoughts on earth emploid;
All will not serve; Only who have enjoy'd 440
The sight of God, in fulnesse, can thinke it;
For it is both the object, and the wit.
This is essentiall joy, where neither hee
Can suffer diminution, nor wee;
'Tis such a full, and such a filling good; 445
Had th'Angels once look'd on him, they had stood.
To fill the place of one of them, or more,
Shee whom wee celebrate, is gone before.
She, who had Here so much essentiall joy,
As no chance could distract, much lesse destroy; 450
Who with Gods presence was acquainted so,
(Hearing, and speaking to him) as to know
His face in any naturall Stone, or Tree,
Better then when in Images they bee:
Who kept by diligent devotion, 455
Gods Image, in such reparation,
Within her heart, that what decay was growne,
Was her first Parents fault, and not her owne:
Who being solicited to any act,
Still heard God pleading his safe precontract; 460
Who by a faithfull confidence, was here
Betroth'd to God, and now is married there;
Whose twilights were more cleare, then our mid-day;
Who dreamt devoutlier, then most use to pray;
Who being here fil'd with grace, yet strove to bee, 465
Both where more grace, and more capacitie
At once is given: she to Heaven is gone,
Who made this world in some proportion
A heaven, and here, became unto us all,
Joy, (as our joyes admit) essentiall. 470
[Sidenote: _Of accidentall joys in both places._]
But could this low world joyes essentiall touch,
Heavens accidentall joyes would passe them much.
How poore and lame, must then our casuall bee?
If thy Prince will his subjects to call thee
_My Lord_, and this doe swell thee, thou art than, 475
By being greater, growne to bee lesse Man.
When no Physitian of redresse can speake,
A joyfull casuall violence may breake
A dangerous Apostem in thy breast;
And whil'st thou joyest in this, the dangerous rest, 480
The bag may rise up, and so strangle thee.
What e'r was casuall, may ever bee.
What should the nature change? Or make the same
Certaine, which was but casuall, when it came?
All casuall joy doth loud and plainly say, 485
Only by comming, that it can away.
Only in Heaven joyes strength is never spent;
And accidentall things are permanent.
Joy of a soules arrivall ne'r decaies;
For that soule ever joyes and ever staies. 490
Joy that their last great Consummation
Approaches in the resurrection;
When earthly bodies more celestiall
Shall be, then Angels were, for they could fall;
This kinde of joy doth every day admit 495
Degrees of growth, but none of losing it.
In this fresh joy, 'tis no small part, that shee,
Shee, in whose goodnesse, he that names degree,
Doth injure her; ('Tis losse to be cal'd best,
There where the stuffe is not such as the rest) 500
Shee, who left such a bodie, as even shee
Only in Heaven could learne, how it can bee
Made better; for shee rather was two soules,
Or like to full on both sides written Rols,
Where eyes might reade upon the outward skin, 505
As strong Records for God, as mindes within;
Shee, who by making full perfection grow,
Peeces a Circle, and still keepes it so,
Long'd for, and longing for it, to heaven is gone,
Where shee receives, and gives addition. 510
[Sidenote: _Conclusion._]
Here in a place, where mis-devotion frames
A thousand Prayers to Saints, whose very names
The ancient Church knew not, Heaven knows not yet:
And where, what lawes of Poetry admit,
Lawes of Religion have at least the same, 515
Immortall Maide, I might invoke thy name.
Could any Saint provoke that appetite,
Thou here should'st make me a French convertite.
But thou would'st not; nor would'st thou be content,
To take this, for my second yeares true Rent, 520
Did this Coine beare any other stampe, then his,
That gave thee power to doe, me, to say this.
Since his will is, that to posteritie,
Thou should'st for life, and death, a patterne bee,
And that the world should notice have of this, 525
The purpose, and th'authoritie is his;
Thou art the Proclamation; and I am
The Trumpet, at whose voyce the people came.
[Footnote 1: _The entrance._ _1612-21_: _om. 1625-33_:
_no notes, 1635-69_]
[Footnote 2: _disestimation_] _estimation_ _1625_]
[Footnote 3: _Incommodities &c._ _1612-21:_ _om. 1625-33_]
[Footnote 4: _Her ignorance &c.:_ _1612-25:_ _om. 1633_]
[5 All, _1612_: all, _1625-69_]
[10 Though] Through _1612-25_]
[12 be fail'd,] he fail'd, _1621-33_]
[13 twinckle] twincke _1625_]
[20 strings: _Ed_: strings. _1612-69_]
[23 are _Ed:_ are, _1612-69_]
[24 was fram'd, _1612-25:_ was fram'd: _1633-69_]
[27 Deluge, _1612-25:_ deluge, _1633-69_]
[29 all. _Ed:_ all, _1612-33:_ all; _1635-69_]
[33 Maid, _1612-25_, _1669:_ maid, _1633-54_]
[35 is, _1612-25:_ is _1633-69_]
[43 thy] they _1621-25_
issue, _1612-33:_ issue _1635-69_. _See note_]
[46 safe-sealing] safe-fealing _1621-39_]
[47 goe] goe; _1612-25_]
[48 Health, _1612-33:_ Health; _1635-69_, _Chambers and
Grolier_
so. _1612-21:_ so, _1625-69_, _Chambers and Grolier_. _See
note_]
[50 bee. _Ed:_ bee _1612-35:_ bee, _1639-69_]
[51 why, _1612-21:_ why _1625-69_
nor] or _1669_]
[57 more, _1612-25:_ more _1633-69_]
[67 was but] twas but _1612-25_]
[81 Shee, shee _1621-25:_ Shee, she _1633-69_]
[82 is] is. _1612-25_]
[96 parch'd _1612-21_, _1639-69:_ pach'd _1625:_ patch'd
_1633-35_]
[99 knell,] knell _1633_]
[101 So this, _1612-33:_ So, this _1635-69_]
[103 thrust;] trust; _1669_]
[113 shroud] shourd _1621-25_]
[116 exalted] exhalted _1621_
goe,] goe. _1612-21_]
[123 Complexion _1612-25:_ complexion _1633-69_]
[124 Ingredients _1612-25:_ ingredients _1633-69_]
[134 a point, _1612-21:_ a-point. _1625:_ a point: _1633-69_]
[136 there. _1612-25:_ there, _1633-69_]
[137 wonne] worne _1612-25:_ woon _1633_]
[140 to _1612-25:_ too _1633-69_]
[146 Accident _1612-25:_ accident _1633-69_]
[156 Death _1612-25:_ death _1633-69_]
[161 thee, both _1612-25:_ thee both _1633-69_]
[172 first-built _1612-25:_ first built _1633-69_]
[173 didst] dost _1669_]
[177 the rage _1612-25:_ a rage _1633-69_]
[179 Death _1612-25:_ death _1633-69_]
[181 Peece, discharg'd, _1612:_ Peece, discharg'd _1625:_
Peece discharg'd _1633:_ Peece discharg'd, _1635-69_]
[183 This _1612-25:_ this _1633-69_]
[185 soule, _1612-21:_ soule _1625-69_]
[187 Twenty, perchance,] Twentie, perchance _1625:_ Twenty
perchance _1633-69_]
[197 _Venus_] _no ital. 1612-25, and so with_ Hesper _&c._
retards] recards _1612-25_]
[201 Who, if _1612-25:_ Who if _1633-69_]
[204 barr'd;] bard; _1612-39_]
[209 the] those _1669_]
[214 her] _om. 1650-69_]
[219-20 _text 1612-25_ (_but_ soul _1612-25, and_ then _1625
and_ shee _1612-25_):
This must, my Soule, thy long-short Progresse bee,
To'advance these thoughts; Remember then that she,
_1633-69_, _Chambers and Grolier_. _See note_]
[231 discoverie] Discoveree. _1612-25_]
[232 Of all,] Of all _1612-25_]
[236 assign'd _Ed:_ assigned _1612-69_]
[238 Dignities, _1612-25:_ dignities, _1633-69_]
[241 Gold, _1612-25:_ gold, _1633-69_]
[243 understood] unstood _1621-25_]
[249 well,] well _1612-25_]
[251 little] little _1633_]
[265 Ayre, and Fire, _1612-25:_ aire, and fire, _1633-69_]
[266 ingredients, _1612:_ ingredients. _1621-69_]
[268 'tis] ty's _1612-21_]
[270 breake _1612:_ brake _1621-33:_ break _1635-69_]
[287 said. _1612-25:_ said, _1633-69_]
[291 Pedantery] Pedantry _1650-69_]
[292 taught] thought _1612-25_]
[300 shalt] shall _1612-25_, _1669_]
[308 all] aie _1612-21:_ are _1625_]
[314 print,] point, _1612-33_]
[323 earthly] early _1625_]
[324 there.] there, _1633-39_]
[326 choose _1612-25:_ chose _1633-69_]
[327 will not] will nor _1612-25_]
[328 Divine _1612-25:_ Divine, _1633-69_]
[329 Great _1612-25:_ great _1633-69_]
[333 wits _1612-25:_ wits, _1633-69_]
[336 some] some, _1633_]
[338 lyes] wise _1612-25_]
[353 thought] thoughts _1612-25_]
[366 rebellious] rebellions _1635-69_]
[369 impressions _1612-25:_ _rest_ impression]
[378 ill,)] _last bracket dropped 1612-33_]
[380 whither] _spelt_ whether _1612-33_]
[383 study, _1635-69:_ study _1612-33_]
[391 _that_ ... _that_] _no italics 1612-25_]
[397 eies, _1612-21:_ eyes _1625:_ eyes; _1633-69_,
_Chambers_. _See note_]
[398 Saint, _1612-25:_ Saint _1633-69_
vow] row _1612-25_]
[399 remaines;] remaines, _1612-25_]
[402 that] _in italics 1633-69_]
[404 Creatures _1612-25:_ creatures _1633-69_]
[416 Thinks] Thinke _1612-25_]
[420 enow] enough _1633_]
[421 this _1612:_ his _1621-69_]
[421-2 place, ... little, _1612:_ place ... little, _1621-33_]
[423 affords] affoords _1612-25_
world, foundation _1633-69:_ worlds, foundatione _1612-25_]
[426 Benefits ... Rods] _capitals from 1612-25_]
[428 Warre] _no capital 1612-39_]
[429 that] the _1625_]
[433 much] much, _1633-39_]
[435 up] upon _1612-25_]
[449 Here _1612-25:_ here _1633-69_]
[463 cleare,] cleane, _1635_]
[475 _My Lord_] _no italics 1612-25_]
[477 redresse] Reders _1612-25_]
[482 What e'r] What eye _1612-25_]
[500 where] waere _1612_]
[501 even] ever _1625_]
[506: within; _Ed:_ within, _1612-39:_ within. _1650-69_]
[516: invoke] inroque _1612-25_]
[518 French _1635-69:_ french _1612-33_]
[520 Rent] Rent. _1633_]
* * * * *
EPICEDES AND OBSEQVIES
_Vpon_
The deaths of sundry Personages.
* * * * *
_Elegie upon the untimely death of the incomparable Prince Henry._
Looke to mee faith, and looke to my faith, God;
For both my centers feele this period.
Of waight one center, one of greatnesse is;
And Reason is that center, Faith is this;
For into'our reason flow, and there do end 5
All, that this naturall world doth comprehend:
Quotidian things, and equidistant hence,
Shut in, for man, in one circumference.
But for th'enormous greatnesses, which are
So disproportion'd, and so angulare, 10
As is Gods essence, place and providence,
Where, how, when, what soules do, departed hence,
These things (eccentrique else) on faith do strike;
Yet neither all, nor upon all, alike.
For reason, put to'her best extension, 15
Almost meetes faith, and makes both centers one.
And nothing ever came so neare to this,
As contemplation of that Prince, wee misse.
For all that faith might credit mankinde could,
Reason still seconded, that this prince would. 20
If then least moving of the center, make
More, then if whole hell belch'd, the world to shake,
What must this do, centers distracted so,
That wee see not what to beleeve or know?
Was it not well beleev'd till now, that hee, 25
Whose reputation was an extasie
On neighbour States, which knew not why to wake,
Till hee discover'd what wayes he would take;
For whom, what Princes angled, when they tryed,
Met a _Torpedo_, and were stupified; 30
And others studies, how he would be bent;
Was his great fathers greatest instrument,
And activ'st spirit, to convey and tie
This soule of peace, through Christianity?
Was it not well beleev'd, that hee would make 35
This generall peace, th'Eternall overtake,
And that his times might have stretch'd out so farre,
As to touch those, of which they emblems are?
For to confirme this just beleefe, that now
The last dayes came, wee saw heav'n did allow, 40
That, but from his aspect and exercise,
In peacefull times, Rumors of war did rise.
But now this faith is heresie: we must
Still stay, and vexe our great-grand-mother, Dust.
Oh, is God prodigall? hath he spent his store 45
Of plagues, on us; and onely now, when more
Would ease us much, doth he grudge misery;
And will not let's enjoy our curse; to dy?
As, for the earth throwne lowest downe of all,
T'were an ambition to desire to fall, 50
So God, in our desire to dye, doth know
Our plot for ease, in being wretched so.
Therefore we live; though such a life wee have,
As but so many mandrakes on his grave.
What had his growth, and generation done, 55
When, what we are, his putrefaction
Sustaines in us; Earth, which griefes animate?
Nor hath our world now, other Soule then that.
And could griefe get so high as heav'n, that Quire,
Forgetting this their new joy, would desire 60
(With griefe to see him) hee had staid below,
To rectifie our errours, They foreknow.
Is th'other center, Reason, faster then?
Where should we looke for that, now we'are not men?
For if our Reason be'our connexion 65
Of causes, now to us there can be none.
For, as, if all the substances were spent,
'Twere madnesse, to enquire of accident,
So is't to looke for reason, hee being gone,
The onely subject reason wrought upon. 70
If Fate have such a chaine, whose divers links
Industrious man discerneth, as hee thinks;
When miracle doth come, and so steale in
A new linke, man knowes not, where to begin:
At a much deader fault must reason bee, 75
Death having broke off such a linke as hee.
But now, for us, with busie proofe to come,
That we'have no reason, would prove wee had some.
So would just lamentations: Therefore wee
May safelyer say, that we are dead, then hee. 80
So, if our griefs wee do not well declare,
We'have double excuse; he'is not dead; and we are.
Yet I would not dy yet; for though I bee
Too narrow, to thinke him, as hee is hee,
(Our Soules best baiting, and midd-period, 85
In her long journey, of considering God)
Yet, (no dishonour) I can reach him thus,
As he embrac'd the fires of love, with us.
Oh may I, (since I live) but see, or heare,
That she-Intelligence which mov'd this spheare, 90
I pardon Fate, my life: Who ere thou bee,
Which hast the noble conscience, thou art shee,
I conjure thee by all the charmes he spoke,
By th'oathes, which onely you two never broke,
By all the soules yee sigh'd, that if you see 95
These lines, you wish, I knew your history.
So much, as you, two mutuall heav'ns were here,
I were an Angell, singing what you were.
[Epicedes _&c._ _1635-69:_ Elegie upon _&c._ _1613_, _in the_
Lachrymae Lachrymarum _&c. of Joshua Sylvester_. _See note:_
Elegie on Prince Henry. _1633-54_, _O'F:_ _similarly_, _Cy_,
_N_, _TCD:_ An Elegie on the untimely _&c._ _1669_]
[8 man _1633-69:_ men _1613_]
[17 neare] nere _1633_]
[18 that _1633-69:_ the _1613_]
[19 might credit _1633-69:_ could credit _1613_]
[21 moving _1633-69:_ movings _1613_]
[22 shake, _1650-69:_ shake. _1633-39_]
[26 extasie _Ed:_ exstasie, _1633-69_]
[31 bent; _Ed:_ bent, _1613_, _1633-69_]
[34 through _1613-33:_ to _1635-69_
Christianity? _1669:_ Christianity: _1633-54_]
[42 did _1633:_ should _1613_, _1635-69_]
[44 great-grand-mother, _1613:_ great grand mother, _1633:_
great grand-mother, _1635-69_]
[46 us;] us, _1633_]
[48 to dy? _Ed:_ to dy. _1633:_ to die! _1635-54:_ _no stop_,
_1669_]
[57 animate?] animate; _1633_]
[66 Of _1633-69:_ With _1613_]
[67 as, _1613:_ as _1633-69_]
[69 So is't to] So is' to _1669_]
[71 Fate _1633-69:_ Faith _1613_]
[72 thinks; _Ed:_ thinks, _1613_, _1633-69_]
[73 come, _1633-69:_ joine; _1613_
so steale in _1633-69:_ to steal-in _1613_]
[77 proofe _1633-69:_ proofes _1613_]
[78 some. _1633:_ some, _1635-69_]
[80 hee. _1633:_ hee, _1635-69_]
[82 and we are. _1633-54:_ we are. _1613_, _1669_]
[83 I would not _1633-54:_ would not I _1669_]
[91 Who _Ed:_ who _1633-69_]
[92 shee, _1633-69:_ she. _Chambers_]
[97 So much, as you, _1633-69:_ So, much as you _Chambers_]
_To the Countesse of_ Bedford.
MADAME,
_I have learn'd by those lawes wherein I am a[1] little conversant,
that hee which bestowes any cost upon the dead, obliges him which is
dead, but not the[2] heire; I do not therefore send this paper to your
Ladyship, that you should thanke mee for it, or thinke that I thanke
you in it; your favours and benefits to mee are so much above my
merits, that they are even above my gratitude, if that were to be
judged by words which must expresse it: But, Madame, since your noble
brothers fortune being yours, the evidences also concerning it are
yours,[3] so his vertue[4] being yours, the evidences concerning
it,[5] belong also to you, of which by your acceptance this may be one
peece, in which quality I humbly present it, and as a testimony how
intirely your familie possesseth_
Your Ladiships most humble
and thankfull servant
JOHN DONNE.
[To the Countesse _&c._ _1633-69_, _and in most of the MSS. as
next page_]
[Footnote 1: a _1633-54:_ _om. 1669_]
[Footnote 2: the] his _1669_]
[Footnote 3: yours, _1633:_ yours: _1635-69_]
[Footnote 4: vertue _1633:_ vertues _1635-69_]
[Footnote 5: it, _1633:_ that _1635-69_]
_Obsequies to the Lord Harrington, brother to the Lady Lucy,
Countesse of Bedford._
Faire soule, which wast, not onely, as all soules bee,
Then when thou wast infused, harmony,
But did'st continue so; and now dost beare
A part in Gods great organ, this whole Spheare:
If looking up to God; or downe to us, 5
Thou finde that any way is pervious,
Twixt heav'n and earth, and that mans actions doe
Come to your knowledge, and affections too,
See, and with joy, mee to that good degree
Of goodnesse growne, that I can studie thee, 10
And, by these meditations refin'd,
Can unapparell and enlarge my minde,
And so can make by this soft extasie,
This place a map of heav'n, my selfe of thee.
Thou seest mee here at midnight, now all rest; 15
Times dead-low water; when all mindes devest
To morrows businesse, when the labourers have
Such rest in bed, that their last Church-yard grave,
Subject to change, will scarce be'a type of this,
Now when the clyent, whose last hearing is 20
To morrow, sleeps, when the condemned man,
(Who when hee opes his eyes, must shut them than
Againe by death,) although sad watch hee keepe,
Doth practice dying by a little sleepe,
Thou at this midnight seest mee, and as soone 25
As that Sunne rises to mee, midnight's noone,
All the world growes transparent, and I see
Through all, both Church and State, in seeing thee;
And I discerne by favour of this light,
My selfe, the hardest object of the sight. 30
God is the glasse; as thou when thou dost see
Him who sees all, seest all concerning thee,
So, yet unglorified, I comprehend
All, in these mirrors of thy wayes, and end.
Though God be our true glasse, through which we see 35
All, since the beeing of all things is hee,
Yet are the trunkes which doe to us derive
Things, in proportion fit, by perspective,
Deeds of good men; for by their living here,
Vertues, indeed remote, seeme to be neare. 40
But where can I affirme, or where arrest
My thoughts on his deeds? which shall I call best?
For fluid vertue cannot be look'd on,
Nor can endure a contemplation.
As bodies change, and as I do not weare 45
Those Spirits, humors, blood I did last yeare,
And, as if on a streame I fixe mine eye,
That drop, which I looked on, is presently
Pusht with more waters from my sight, and gone,
So in this sea of vertues, can no one 50
Bee'insisted on; vertues, as rivers, passe,
Yet still remaines that vertuous man there was.
And as if man feed on mans flesh, and so
Part of his body to another owe,
Yet at the last two perfect bodies rise, 55
Because God knowes where every Atome lyes;
So, if one knowledge were made of all those,
Who knew his minutes well, hee might dispose
His vertues into names, and ranks; but I
Should injure Nature, Vertue, and Destinie, 60
Should I divide and discontinue so,
Vertue, which did in one intirenesse grow.
For as, hee that would say, spirits are fram'd
Of all the purest parts that can be nam'd,
Honours not spirits halfe so much, as hee 65
Which sayes, they have no parts, but simple bee;
So is't of vertue; for a point and one
Are much entirer then a million.
And had Fate meant to have his vertues told,
It would have let him live to have beene old; 70
So, then that vertue in season, and then this,
We might have seene, and said, that now he is
Witty, now wise, now temperate, now just:
In good short lives, vertues are faine to thrust,
And to be sure betimes to get a place, 75
When they would exercise, lacke time, and space.
So was it in this person, forc'd to bee
For lack of time, his owne epitome:
So to exhibit in few yeares as much,
As all the long breath'd Chronicles can touch. 80
As when an Angell down from heav'n doth flye,
Our quick thought cannot keepe him company,
Wee cannot thinke, now hee is at the Sunne,
Now through the Moon, now he through th'aire doth run,
Yet when he's come, we know he did repaire 85
To all twixt Heav'n and Earth, Sunne, Moon, and Aire;
And as this Angell in an instant knowes,
And yet wee know, this sodaine knowledge growes
By quick amassing severall formes of things,
Which he successively to order brings; 90
When they, whose slow-pac'd lame thoughts cannot goe
So fast as hee, thinke that he doth not so;
Just as a perfect reader doth not dwell,
On every syllable, nor stay to spell,
Yet without doubt, hee doth distinctly see 95
And lay together every A, and B;
So, in short liv'd good men, is'not understood
Each severall vertue, but the compound good;
For, they all vertues paths in that pace tread,
As Angells goe, and know, and as men read. 100
O why should then these men, these lumps of Balme
Sent hither, this worlds tempests to becalme,
Before by deeds they are diffus'd and spred,
And so make us alive, themselves be dead?
O Soule, O circle, why so quickly bee 105
Thy ends, thy birth and death, clos'd up in thee?
Since one foot of thy compasse still was plac'd
In heav'n, the other might securely'have pac'd
In the most large extent, through every path,
Which the whole world, or man the abridgment hath. 110
Thou knowst, that though the tropique circles have
(Yea and those small ones which the Poles engrave,)
All the same roundnesse, evennesse, and all
The endlesnesse of the equinoctiall;
Yet, when we come to measure distances, 115
How here, how there, the Sunne affected is,
When he doth faintly worke, and when prevaile,
Onely great circles, than can be our scale:
So, though thy circle to thy selfe expresse
All, tending to thy endlesse happinesse, 120
And wee, by our good use of it may trye,
Both how to live well young, and how to die,
Yet, since we must be old, and age endures
His Torrid Zone at Court, and calentures
Of hot ambitions, irrelegions ice, 125
Zeales agues, and hydroptique avarice,
Infirmities which need the scale of truth,
As well as lust, and ignorance of youth;
Why did'st thou not for these give medicines too,
And by thy doing tell us what to doe? 130
Though as small pocket-clocks, whose every wheele
Doth each mismotion and distemper feele,
Whose _hand_ gets shaking palsies, and whose _string_
(His sinewes) slackens, and whose _Soule_, the spring,
Expires, or languishes, whose pulse, the _flye_, 135
Either beates not, or beates unevenly,
Whose voice, the _Bell_, doth rattle, or grow dumbe,
Or idle,'as men, which to their last houres come,
If these clockes be not wound, or be wound still,
Or be not set, or set at every will; 140
So, youth is easiest to destruction,
If then wee follow all, or follow none.
Yet, as in great clocks, which in steeples chime,
Plac'd to informe whole towns, to'imploy their time,
An error doth more harme, being generall, 145
When, small clocks faults, only'on the wearer fall;
So worke the faults of age, on which the eye
Of children, servants, or the State relie.
Why wouldst not thou then, which hadst such a soule,
A clock so true, as might the Sunne controule, 150
And daily hadst from him, who gave it thee,
Instructions, such as it could never be
Disordered, stay here, as a generall
And great Sun-dyall, to have set us All?
O why wouldst thou be any instrument 155
To this unnaturall course, or why consent
To this, not miracle, but Prodigie,
That when the ebbs, longer then flowings be,
Vertue, whose flood did with thy youth begin,
Should so much faster ebb out, then flow in? 160
Though her flood was blowne in, by thy first breath,
All is at once sunke in the whirle-poole death.
Which word I would not name, but that I see
Death, else a desert, growne a Court by thee.
Now I grow sure, that if a man would have 165
Good companie, his entry is a grave.
Mee thinkes all Cities, now, but Anthills bee,
Where, when the severall labourers I see,
For children, house, Provision, taking paine,
They'are all but Ants, carrying eggs, straw, and grain; 170
And Church-yards are our cities, unto which
The most repaire, that are in goodnesse rich.
There is the best concourse, and confluence,
There are the holy suburbs, and from thence
Begins Gods City, New Jerusalem, 175
Which doth extend her utmost gates to them.
At that gate then Triumphant soule, dost thou
Begin thy Triumph; But since lawes allow
That at the Triumph day, the people may,
All that they will, 'gainst the Triumpher say, 180
Let me here use that freedome, and expresse
My griefe, though not to make thy Triumph lesse.
By law, to Triumphs none admitted bee,
Till they as Magistrates get victorie;
Though then to thy force, all youthes foes did yield, 185
Yet till fit time had brought thee to that field,
To which thy ranke in this state destin'd thee,
That there thy counsailes might get victorie,
And so in that capacitie remove
All jealousies 'twixt Prince and subjects love, 190
Thou could'st no title, to this triumph have,
Thou didst intrude on death, usurp'dst a grave.
Then (though victoriously) thou hadst fought as yet
But with thine owne affections, with the heate
Of youths desires, and colds of ignorance, 195
But till thou should'st successefully advance
Thine armes 'gainst forraine enemies, which are
Both Envy, and acclamations popular,
(For, both these engines equally defeate,
Though by a divers Mine, those which are great,) 200
Till then thy War was but a civill War,
For which to Triumph, none admitted are.
No more are they, who though with good successe,
In a defensive war, their power expresse;
Before men triumph, the dominion 205
Must be _enlarg'd_ and not _preserv'd_ alone;
Why should'st thou then, whose battailes were to win
Thy selfe, from those straits nature put thee in,
And to deliver up to God that state,
Of which he gave thee the vicariate, 210
(Which is thy soule and body) as intire
As he, who takes endeavours, doth require,
But didst not stay, t'enlarge his kingdome too,
By making others, what thou didst, to doe;
Why shouldst thou Triumph now, when Heav'n no more 216
Hath got, by getting thee, then't had before?
For, Heav'n and thou, even when thou livedst here,
Of one another in possession were.
But this from Triumph most disables thee,
That, that place which is conquered, must bee 220
Left safe from present warre, and likely doubt
Of imminent commotions to breake out:
And hath he left us so? or can it bee
His territory was no more then Hee?
No, we were all his charge, the Diocis 225
Of ev'ry exemplar man, the whole world is,
And he was joyned in commission
With Tutelar Angels, sent to every one.
But though this freedome to upbraid, and chide
Him who Triumph'd, were lawfull, it was ty'd 230
With this, that it might never reference have
Unto the Senate, who this triumph gave;
Men might at Pompey jeast, but they might not
At that authoritie, by which he got
Leave to Triumph, before, by age, he might; 235
So, though, triumphant soule, I dare to write,
Mov'd with a reverentiall anger, thus,
That thou so earely wouldst abandon us;
Yet I am farre from daring to dispute
With that great soveraigntie, whose absolute 240
Prerogative hath thus dispens'd with thee,
'Gainst natures lawes, which just impugners bee
Of early triumphs; And I (though with paine)
Lessen our losse, to magnifie thy gaine
Of triumph, when I say, It was more fit, 245
That all men should lacke thee, then thou lack it.
Though then in our time, be not suffered
That testimonie of love, unto the dead,
To die with them, and in their graves be hid,
As Saxon wives, and French soldurii did; 250
And though in no degree I can expresse
Griefe in great Alexanders great excesse,
Who at his friends death, made whole townes devest
Their walls and bullwarks which became them best:
Doe not, faire soule, this sacrifice refuse, 255
That in thy grave I doe interre my Muse,
Who, by my griefe, great as thy worth, being cast
Behind hand, yet hath spoke, and spoke her last.
[Obsequies to _&c._ _B_, _S96_ _and similarly_ _A25_, _C_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD:_ Obsequies
to the Lord Harringtons brother. To the Countesse of Bedford.
_1633-54:_ Obsequies on the Lord Harrington, &c. To the
Countess of Bedford. _1669_]
[7 mans _1633_, _D_, _H49:_ mens _1635-69 and most MSS_.]
[11 these _1633-69:_ those _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S_,
_TCD_]
[15 midnight, now _1633-69:_ midnight; now _Chambers:_
midnight now, _Grolier_]
[26 that Sunne] this Sunne _N_, _TCD_]
[30 hardest] hardyest _1669_]
[34 end. _D:_ end; _1633-69_]
[35 our true glasse, _1633-69_ (glass, _1633_): truly our
glass _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCD_
see] see. _1633_ _some copies_, _1635_]
[38 Things, in proportion fit, by perspective, _D:_ Things, in
proportion fit by perspective, _1633:_ Things, in proportion,
fit by perspective, _1635-54_, _Chambers:_ Things in
proportion, fit by perspective, _1669_. _See note_]
[39 men; _D:_ men, _1633:_ men: _1635-69_]
living _1633:_ beeing _1635-69_, _Chambers and Grolier_]
[40 neare. _1635-69:_ nere; _1633_]
[44 contemplation. _Ed:_ contemplation; _1633-69_]
[51 on; _Ed:_ on, _1633-69_]
[52 was. _Ed:_ was; _1633-69_]
[53 feed _1635-69 and MSS.:_ feeds _1633_]
[63 would _1633:_ should _1635-69_]
[69 to have his _1633_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ to'have had his _1635-69_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_]
[70 old; _Ed:_ old, _1633-39:_ old. _1650-69_]
[71 So, then that _Ed:_ So then, that _1633:_ So, then, that
_1635-69_]
[76 exercise] exercse _1633_ _some copies:_ encrease _D_,
_H49_, _Lec:_ exercise: they _S_
lacke _1633-54:_ last _1669_
time] room _A25_, _B_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[78 epitome: _D:_ epitome. _1633-69_]
[80 Chronicles] Chroniclers _1669_
can touch.] can touch; _1633_]
[84 he] _om. 1669_, _O'F_]
[86 Aire; _1669:_ Aire. _1633-35:_ Air, _1639-54_]
[87 instant] instant, _1633_]
[98 good; _Ed:_ good. _1633-69_]
[102 this _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_,
_TCD:_ the _1633-69_
tempests _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _S96_, _TCD:_ tempest
_1633-69_, _O'F_, _S_]
[106 death, _Ed:_ death _1633-69_]
[110 man] man, _1633_
hath.] hath, _1633_ _some copies_, _1633-39_]
[117 When ... when _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ Where ...
where _rest of MSS._]
[118 circles, than can _D:_ circles, then, can _1633-69_]
[121 it] that _many MSS._]
[125 ambitions,] ambition, _1669_]
[126 agues, _Ed:_ agues; _1633-69_]
[127-8 _in brackets_ _1635-69_]
[128 As well as lust, _1669:_ As well, as lust _1633-54_]
[130 tell us _1633_, _1669_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_,
_TCD:_ set us _1635-54_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _and Chambers_]
[133 _hand_ gets _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _S_,
_TCD:_ _hands_ get _1633-54:_ _hands_ gets _1669_. _See note_]
[135 _flye_, _1633:_ _flee_, _1635-69_]
[138 houres come, _1633-54:_ hour come, _1669:_ hours are
come, _Chambers_]
[142 none. _1635-69:_ none; _1633_]
[146 fall; _Ed:_ fall. _1633-69_]
[154 great] grave _A25_, _C_]
[155 wouldst] wouldest _1639-54_
any _1633-35_, _and MSS.:_ an _1639-69_, _Chambers_]
[158 when _1633-69:_ where _C_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_,
_TCD:_ whereas _B_]
[161 was _1633:_ were _1635-69_]
[165 grow sure, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ am sure, _1635-69_]
[170 and _1633-69:_ or _A25_, _B_, _C_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCD_]
[176 them. _D:_ them; _1633_, _1639-69:_ them, _1635_]
[178 Triumph; _1633:_ Triumph. _1635-69_]
[184 victorie; _Ed:_ victorie, _1633-69_]
[186 brought] wrought _1639_, _Chambers_]
[192 usurp'dst _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TCD:_ usurp'st
_1633_, _Lec_, _S96:_ usurpe _1635-69_, _A25_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_]
[193 Then _1635-69:_ That _1633_]
[198 acclamations _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ acclamation _1633-54_]
[202 are. _D:_ are; _1633-69_]
[204 expresse; _Ed:_ expresse. _1633-69_]
[212 endeavours, _1633-54_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ Indentours, _1669_,
_Chambers_]
[216 'thad] t'had _1633-39_]
[218 were. _D:_ were; _1633-69_]
[222 out: _1635-69:_ out. _1633_]
[224 His _1633-54:_ This _1669_
then _1633-69:_ but _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[231 reference] reverence _1650-54_]
[239 I am] am I _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[241 with _1633-69_, _O'F:_ for _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_]
[247 time,] times, _1669_, _B_, _JC_, _O'F_, _N_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCD_]
[250 soldurii _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ soldarii _1633-69_]
[251 expresse] expresse, _1633_]
[257 Who, _1633:_ Which, _1639-69_]
_Elegie on the Lady_ Marckham.
Man is the World, and death th'Ocean,
To which God gives the lower parts of man.
This Sea invirons all, and though as yet
God hath set markes, and bounds, twixt us and it,
Yet doth it rore, and gnaw, and still pretend, 5
And breaks our bankes, when ere it takes a friend.
Then our land waters (teares of passion) vent;
Our waters, then, above our firmament,
(Teares which our Soule doth for her sins let fall)
Take all a brackish taft, and Funerall, 10
And even these teares, which should wash sin, are sin.
We, after Gods _Noe_, drowne our world againe.
Nothing but man of all invenom'd things
Doth worke upon itselfe, with inborne stings.
Teares are false Spectacles, we cannot see 15
Through passions mist, what wee are, or what shee.
In her this sea of death hath made no breach,
But as the tide doth wash the slimie beach,
And leaves embroder'd workes upon the sand,
So is her flesh refin'd by deaths cold hand. 20
As men of China,'after an ages stay,
Do take up Porcelane, where they buried Clay;
So at this grave, her limbecke, which refines
The Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires, Pearles, and Mines,
Of which this flesh was, her soule shall inspire 25
Flesh of such stuffe, as God, when his last fire
Annuls this world, to recompence it, shall,
Make and name then, th'Elixar of this All.
They say, the sea, when it gaines, loseth too;
If carnall Death (the yonger brother) doe 30
Usurpe the body,'our soule, which subject is
To th'elder death, by sinne, is freed by this;
They perish both, when they attempt the just;
For, graves our trophies are, and both deaths dust.
So, unobnoxious now, she'hath buried both; 35
For, none to death sinnes, that to sinne is loth,
Nor doe they die, which are not loth to die;
So hath she this, and that virginity.
Grace was in her extremely diligent,
That kept her from sinne, yet made her repent. 40
Of what small spots pure white complaines! Alas,
How little poyson cracks a christall glasse!
She sinn'd, but just enough to let us see
That God's word must be true, All, sinners be.
Soe much did zeale her conscience rarefie 45
That, extreme truth lack'd little of a lye,
Making omissions, acts; laying the touch
Of sinne, on things that sometimes may be such.
As _Moses_ Cherubines, whose natures doe
Surpasse all speed, by him are winged too: 50
So would her soule, already'in heaven, seeme then,
To clyme by teares, the common staires of men.
How fit she was for God, I am content
To speake, that Death his vaine hast may repent.
How fit for us, how even and how sweet, 55
How good in all her titles, and how meet,
To have reform'd this forward heresie,
That women can no parts of friendship bee;
How Morall, how Divine shall not be told,
Lest they that heare her vertues, thinke her old: 60
And lest we take Deaths part, and make him glad
Of such a prey, and to his tryumph adde.
[Elegie _&c._ _1633-54:_ An Elegie _&c._ _1669:_ _similarly_,
_A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]
[6 And breaks _1633-54:_ To break _1669_
bankes _D_, _Cy_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_,
_TCC:_ bounds _A25_, _C:_ banke, _1633-69_, _N_ (s _added_),
_TCD_]
[8 firmament,] firmament. _1633_]
[10 Funerall, _Ed:_ Funerall. _1633-69_]
[11 these _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ those _1633-69_]
[12 after Gods _Noe_, drowne _1633-54_ (_No_, _1633-54_):
after God, new drown _1669_
our world _1669_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ the world _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_,
_TCC_]
[16 mist] mistes _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _TCD_]
[19 embroder'd _1635-54:_ embroderd _1633:_ embroider'd
_1669_]
[21 stay, _Ed:_ stay _1633-69_]
[25 which _Ed:_ which, _1633-69_]
[28 then, _1633:_ then _1635-39:_ them _1650-69_]
[34 and both deaths dust. _Ed:_ and both Deaths' dust.
_Grolier:_ and both, deaths dust. _1633:_ and both death's
dust. _1635-69 and Chambers:_ and both dead dust. _D_, _Cy_,
_H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S96_. _See note_]
[36 loth, _Ed:_ loth. _1633-69_]
[37 die; _Ed:_ die, _1633-69_]
[42 cracks _1633-69_, _A25_, _Cy_, _P_ (crackt): breakes
_A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC_
glasse! _Ed:_ glasse? _1633-69_]
[44-5 _omitted in 1633 between foot of one page and top of
next_]
[45 rarefie,] rectify, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S96_]
[48 sometimes _1633 and MSS.:_ sometime _1635-69_, _and
Chambers_]
[52 teares,] tears _Chambers_
the ... men _in brackets_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[54 Death _D:_ death _1633-69_]
[58 women _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _P_, _TC:_ woman _1633_, _Cy_
parts] parte _Cy_, _JC_. _This line written in large letters
in several MSS._]
[60 vertues, _1633-35_, _1669:_ vertue, _1639-54_
thinke] thinks _1639_
old: _Ed:_ old. _1633-69_]
[62 tryumph _1633-69_, _A25_, _D_, _H40_, _Lec:_ triumphes
_A18_, _B_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]
_Elegie on M^{ris}_ Boulstred.
Death I recant, and say, unsaid by mee
What ere hath slip'd, that might diminish thee.
Spirituall treason, atheisme 'tis, to say,
That any can thy Summons disobey.
Th'earths face is but thy Table; there are set 5
Plants, cattell, men, dishes for Death to eate.
In a rude hunger now hee millions drawes
Into his bloody, or plaguy, or sterv'd jawes.
Now hee will seeme to spare, and doth more wast,
Eating the best first, well preserv'd to last. 10
Now wantonly he spoiles, and eates us not,
But breakes off friends, and lets us peecemeale rot.
Nor will this earth serve him; he sinkes the deepe
Where harmelesse fish monastique silence keepe,
Who (were Death dead) by Roes of living sand, 15
Might spunge that element, and make it land.
He rounds the aire, and breakes the hymnique notes
In birds (Heavens choristers,) organique throats,
Which (if they did not dye) might seeme to bee
A tenth ranke in the heavenly hierarchie. 20
O strong and long-liv'd death, how cam'st thou in?
And how without Creation didst begin?
Thou hast, and shalt see dead, before thou dyest,
All the foure Monarchies, and Antichrist.
How could I thinke thee nothing, that see now 25
In all this All, nothing else is, but thou.
Our births and lives, vices, and vertues, bee
Wastfull consumptions, and degrees of thee.
For, wee to live, our bellowes weare, and breath,
Nor are wee mortall, dying, dead, but death. 30
And though thou beest, O mighty bird of prey,
So much reclaim'd by God, that thou must lay
All that thou kill'st at his feet, yet doth hee
Reserve but few, and leaves the most to thee.
And of those few, now thou hast overthrowne 35
One whom thy blow makes, not ours, nor thine own.
She was more stories high: hopelesse to come
To her Soule, thou'hast offer'd at her lower roome.
Her Soule and body was a King and Court:
But thou hast both of Captaine mist and fort. 40
As houses fall not, though the King remove,
Bodies of Saints rest for their soules above.
Death gets 'twixt soules and bodies such a place
As sinne insinuates 'twixt just men and grace,
Both worke a separation, no divorce. 45
Her Soule is gone to usher up her corse
Which shall be'almost another soule, for there
Bodies are purer, then best Soules are here,
Because in her, her virtues did outgoe
Her yeares, would'st thou, O emulous death, do so? 50
And kill her young to thy losse? must the cost
Of beauty,'and wit, apt to doe harme, be lost?
What though thou found'st her proofe 'gainst sins of youth?
Oh, every age a diverse sinne pursueth.
Thou should'st have stay'd, and taken better hold, 55
Shortly, ambitious; covetous, when old,
She might have prov'd: and such devotion
Might once have stray'd to superstition.
If all her vertues must have growne, yet might
Abundant virtue'have bred a proud delight. 60
Had she persever'd just, there would have bin
Some that would sinne, mis-thinking she did sinne.
Such as would call her friendship, love, and faine
To sociablenesse, a name profane;
Or sinne, by tempting, or, not daring that, 65
By wishing, though they never told her what.
Thus might'st thou'have slain more soules, had'st thou not crost
Thy selfe, and to triumph, thine army lost.
Yet though these wayes be lost, thou hast left one,
Which is, immoderate griefe that she is gone. 70
But we may scape that sinne, yet weepe as much,
Our teares are due, because we are not such.
Some teares, that knot of friends, her death must cost,
Because the chaine is broke, though no linke lost.
[Elegie on M^{ris} Boulstred. _1633-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ _in_ _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_ _this and the_ Elegie,
Death, be not proud (_p._ 416) _are given as one poem_. _See
note_]
[5 there are set] and the meate _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC_]
[6 dishes _1633_, _1650-69:_ dished _1635-39_, _A18_, _L74_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]
[10 first,] fruite _or_ fruites _A18_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_,
_TC:_ first fruit _P_]
[14 keepe, _1635-39:_ keepe. _1633_, _1650-69_]
[15 by Roes _1633:_ the Roes _1635-54:_ the Rows _1669:_ by
rows _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]
[18 birds _Ed:_ birds, _1633-69_ (Heavens choristers)]
_brackets from HN_]
[27 lives, _1635-69_, _A25_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_ lifes,
_HN:_ life, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TC_]
[34 to thee. _1633:_ for thee. _1635-69_]
[35 thou hast _1633-69:_ hast thou _HN_]
[36 blow] blow, _1633_]
[41 King _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Kings _1635-69_]
[45 worke _1633-69_, _HN_, _O'F_, _S:_ workes _A18_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC:_ makes _Lec_. _See note_]
[56 Shortly,] Shortly _1633_
ambitious; _1635-69:_ ambitious, _1633_]
[62 mis-thinking] mistaking _Cy_, _HN_, _O'F_ (_but altered to
text_)]
[64 profane; _1669:_ profane, _1635-54:_ profane. _1633_]
[74 though _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _HN_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ but _1633_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[_Here follow in 1635-54_ By our first strange (_p._ 111),
Madame, That I (_p._ 291), _and_ Death be not proud, (_p._
422). _In 1669_ My Fortune and (_p._ 292) _precedes_ Madame,
That I]
ELEGIE.
_Death._
Language thou art too narrow, and too weake
To ease us now; great sorrow cannot speake;
If we could sigh out accents, and weepe words,
Griefe weares, and lessens, that tears breath affords.
Sad hearts, the lesse they seeme the more they are, 5
(So guiltiest men stand mutest at the barre)
Not that they know not, feele not their estate,
But extreme sense hath made them desperate.
Sorrow, to whom we owe all that we bee;
Tyrant, in the fift and greatest Monarchy, 10
Was't, that she did possesse all hearts before,
Thou hast kil'd her, to make thy Empire more?
Knew'st thou some would, that knew her not, lament,
As in a deluge perish th'innocent?
Was't not enough to have that palace wonne, 15
But thou must raze it too, that was undone?
Had'st thou staid there, and look'd out at her eyes,
All had ador'd thee that now from thee flies,
For they let out more light, then they tooke in,
They told not when, but did the day beginne. 20
She was too Saphirine, and cleare for thee;
Clay, flint, and jeat now thy fit dwellings be;
Alas, shee was too pure, but not too weake;
Who e'r saw Christall Ordinance but would break?
And if wee be thy conquest, by her fall 25
Th'hast lost thy end, for in her perish all;
Or if we live, we live but to rebell,
They know her better now, that knew her well.
If we should vapour out, and pine, and die;
Since, shee first went, that were not miserie. 30
Shee chang'd our world with hers; now she is gone,
Mirth and prosperity is oppression;
For of all morall vertues she was all,
The Ethicks speake of vertues Cardinall.
Her soule was Paradise; the Cherubin 35
Set to keepe it was grace, that kept out sinne.
Shee had no more then let in death, for wee
All reape consumption from one fruitfull tree.
God tooke her hence, lest some of us should love
Her, like that plant, him and his lawes above, 40
And when wee teares, hee mercy shed in this,
To raise our mindes to heaven where now she is;
Who if her vertues would have let her stay
Wee'had had a Saint, have now a holiday.
Her heart was that strange bush, where, sacred fire, 45
Religion, did not consume, but'inspire
Such piety, so chast use of Gods day,
That what we turne to _feast_, she turn'd to _pray_,
And did prefigure here, in devout tast,
The rest of her high Sabaoth, which shall last. 50
Angels did hand her up, who next God dwell,
(For she was of that order whence most fell)
Her body left with us, lest some had said,
Shee could not die, except they saw her dead;
For from lesse vertue, and lesse beautiousnesse, 55
The Gentiles fram'd them Gods and Goddesses.
The ravenous earth that now wooes her to be
Earth too, will be a _Lemnia_; and the tree
That wraps that christall in a wooden Tombe,
Shall be tooke up spruce, fill'd with diamond; 60
And we her sad glad friends all beare a part
Of griefe, for all would waste a Stoicks heart.
[Elegie. _1633:_ Elegie XI. Death. _1635-54_ (_being places
among the_ Elegies): Elegie XI. _1669:_ An Elegie upon the
death of M^{ris} Boulstred. _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _L74_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title, HN_]
[2 sorrow _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_, _L74_, _N_, _P_,
_TC:_ sorrowes _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S_]
[8 desperate. _Ed:_ desperate; _1633-69_]
[10 Tyrant, _1633_, _1669_ (_no comma_): Tyran, _1635-54_]
[20 beginne. _Ed:_ beginne; _1633-69_]
[21 for _1635-69:_ to _1633_]
[26 for in her _1633 and all the MSS.:_ in her we _1635-69_,
_Chambers_]
[28 They ... that ... well; _1633_, _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_, _L74_,
_N_, _S_, _TC:_ That know her better now, who knew her well.
_1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[29 and pine, and] or pine, or _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96:_ or pine, and _L74_, _TCC_]
[30 miserie. _Ed:_ miserie; _1633-69_]
[34 The Ethicks speake _1633_, _A18_, _Cy_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_,
_P_, _TC:_ That Ethickes speake _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S:_
The ethenickes spake _HN_
Cardinall. _Ed:_ Cardinall; _1633-69_]
[36 that kept out] to keep out _HN_, _P_
sinne. _Ed:_ sinne; _1633-69_]
[37 She had no more; then let in death for we _1669_]
[38 tree. _Ed:_ tree; _1633-69_]
[41-2 And when we see his mercy shewne in this 'Twill _&c._
_S_]
[44 holiday. _Ed:_ holiday; _1633-69_
_All the MSS. omit_ have, _but O'F inserts it later_]
[48 That what _1633-69:_ That when _HN_
turne] turn'd _Cy_, _HN_, _P_, _S96_
to _feast_, _Ed:_ to feast, _1633-69_
feast] feasts _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_
to _pray_, _Ed:_ to pray, _1633-69_]
[50 last.] last; _1633_]
[53 Her body left _1633_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _TC:_ Her bodie's
left _1635-69_]
[56 fram'd] fain'd _Cy_, _P:_ form'd _H40_, _HN_]
[57 wooes] woes _1633_
be] be, _1633_]
[58 _All the MSS. omit_ a _before_ Lemnia, _but O'F inserts_]
[61 sad glad _1633-69:_ glad sad _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S_, _S96_]
[62 waste _1633_, _A18_, _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_, _L74_, _N_, _P_,
_TC:_ breake _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]
_Elegie on the L. C._
Sorrow, who to this house scarce knew the way:
Is, Oh, heire of it, our All is his prey.
This strange chance claimes strange wonder, and to us
Nothing can be so strange, as to weepe thus.
'Tis well his lifes loud speaking workes deserve, 5
And give praise too, our cold tongues could not serve:
'Tis well, hee kept teares from our eyes before,
That to fit this deepe ill, we might have store.
Oh, if a sweet briar, climbe up by'a tree,
If to a paradise that transplanted bee, 10
Or fell'd, and burnt for holy sacrifice,
Yet, that must wither, which by it did rise,
As we for him dead: though no familie
Ere rigg'd a soule for heavens discoverie
With whom more Venturers more boldly dare 15
Venture their states, with him in joy to share.
Wee lose what all friends lov'd, him; he gaines now
But life by death, which worst foes would allow,
If hee could have foes, in whose practise grew
All vertues, whose names subtile Schoolmen knew. 20
What ease, can hope that wee shall see'him, beget,
When wee must die first, and cannot dye yet?
His children are his pictures, Oh they bee
Pictures of him dead, senselesse, cold as he.
Here needs no marble Tombe, since hee is gone, 25
He, and about him, his, are turn'd to stone.
[Elegie _&c._ _1635-69_, _following_ Death be not proud (_p._
422): Elegie, Funerall Elegie, _or no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _HN_,
_O'F_, _S96:_ Elegie VI. (_being placed among the_ Elegies)
_1633:_ Elegie. (_being eighth among_ Elegies) _D_, _H49_,
_Lec:_ Elegia tercia. _S:_ Elegie XIII^a. _JC_, _W_]
[1 who _1633-39:_ that _1650-69_]
[2 prey. _1633:_ prey, _1633-54:_ Pay. _1669_]
[4 thus. _1669:_ thus; _1633-54_]
[13 dead: _1633-69:_ dead. _HN_, _Grolier_]
[16 Venture their states] Venter estates _B_
share. _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _W:_ share _1633:_ share, _1635-69_,
_Chambers and Grolier_. _See note_]
[17 him;] him, _1633_]
[20 names] name _1635-69_
knew. _Ed:_ knew; _1635-69_]
[24 he. _1650-69:_ he, _1633-39_]
_An hymne to the Saints, and to Marquesse Hamylton._
_To Sir Robert Carr._
SIR,
_I Presume you rather try what you can doe in me, then what I can
doe in verse; you know my uttermost when it was best, and even then
I did best when I had least truth for my subjects. In this present
case there is so much truth as it defeats all Poetry.
Call therefore this paper by what name you will, and, if it bee not
worthy of him, nor of you, nor of mee, smother it, and bee that the
sacrifice. If you had commanded mee to have waited on his body to
Scotland and preached there, I would have embraced the obligation
with more alacrity; But, I thanke you that you would command me
that which I was loath to doe, for, even that hath given a
tincture of merit to the obedience of_
Your poore friend and
servant in Christ Jesus
I. D.
[2 verse; _1635-69:_ verse, _1633_]
[3 best] at the best _A18_, _TCC_
subjects. _1635-69:_ subjects, _1633:_ subject, _A18_, _TCC_]
[6-7 of him ... sacrifice. _1635-69:_ of you nor of him, we
will smother it, and be it your sacrifice. _1633:_ of him, nor
of you, nor of anye; smother it, and bee that the sacrifice.
_A18_, _TCC_]
[9 the _1635-69:_ your _1633_, _A18_, _TCC_
more] much _1633_]
[10 loath] loather _1633_]
in Christ Jesus] _om._ _A18_, _TCC_]
Whether that soule which now comes up to you
Fill any former ranke or make a new;
Whether it take a name nam'd there before,
Or be a name it selfe, and _order_ more
Then was in heaven till now; (for may not hee 5
Bee so, if every severall Angell bee
A _kind_ alone?) What ever order grow
Greater by him in heaven, wee doe not so.
One of your orders growes by his accesse;
But, by his losse grow all our _orders_ lesse; 10
The name of _Father_, _Master_, _Friend_, the name
Of _Subject_ and of _Prince_, in one are lame;
Faire mirth is dampt, and conversation black,
The _household_ widdow'd, and the _garter_ slack;
The _Chappell_ wants an eare, _Councell_ a tongue; 15
_Story_, a theame; and _Musicke_ lacks a song;
Blest _order_ that hath him! the losse of him
Gangreend all _Orders_ here; all lost a limbe.
Never made body such hast to confesse
What a soule was; All former comelinesse 20
Fled, in a minute, when the soule was gone,
And, having lost that beauty, would have none;
So fell our _Monasteries_, in one instant growne
Not to lesse houses, but, to heapes of stone;
So sent this body that faire forme it wore, 25
Unto the spheare of formes, and doth (before
His soule shall fill up his sepulchrall stone,)
Anticipate a Resurrection;
For, as in his fame, now, his soule is here,
So, in the forme thereof his bodie's there. 30
And if, faire soule, not with first _Innocents_
Thy station be, but with the _Pænitents_,
(And, who shall dare to aske then when I am
Dy'd scarlet in the blood of that pure Lambe,
Whether that colour, which is scarlet then, 35
Were black or white before in eyes of men?)
When thou rememb'rest what sins thou didst finde
Amongst those many friends now left behinde,
And seest such sinners as they are, with thee
Got thither by repentance, Let it bee 40
Thy wish to wish all there, to wish them cleane;
Wim _him_ a _David_, _her_ a _Magdalen_.
[An hymne _&c._ _1633-69_, _in all of which it is classed with
the_ Divine Poems, _following_ Resurrection. _In 1635-69 it
is preceded by the letter_ To Sir Robert Carr.: _in 1633 the
letter follows_, _and has no heading:_ _similarly in_ _A18_,
_O'F_, _TCC_. _See note_]
[1 Whether] Whither _1633_, _and so in_ 3]
[2 new; _Ed:_ new, _1633-69_]
[6 so,] so? _1633_]
[7 alone?) _1635-54:_ alone;) _1633:_ alone) _1669_]
[8 so. _Ed:_ so; _1633-69_]
[12 are _1633_, _A18_, _TCC:_ is _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[16 song; _1633:_ song. _1635-69_]
[17 him! _Ed:_ him, _1633-69_]
[18 Gangreend _1635-69:_ Gangred _1633_
limbe. _1633-35:_ limbe: _1639-69_]
[22 none; _Ed:_ none: _1650-69:_ none, _1633-39_]
[23 one instant _1633:_ an instant _1635-69_]
[25 this _1633_, _A18_, _TCC:_ his _1635-69_]
[29 For, as in his _1633-39:_ For, as it his _1650-54:_ For,
as it is his _1669_]
[30 there. _Ed:_ there; _1633-39:_ there, _1650-69_]
[36 in eyes] in the eyes _A18_, _O'F_, _TCC_]
EPITAPHS.
EPITAPH ON HIMSELFE.
_To the Countesse of Bedford._
MADAME,
That I might make your Cabinet my tombe,
And for my fame which I love next my soule,
Next to my soule provide the happiest roome,
Admit to that place this last funerall Scrowle.
Others by Wills give Legacies, but I 5
Dying, of you doe beg a Legacie.
My fortune and my will this custome breake,
When we are senselesse grown to make stones speak,
Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou
In my graves inside see what thou art now: 10
Yet th'art not yet so good; till us death lay
To ripe and mellow there, w'are stubborne clay,
Parents make us earth, and soules dignifie
Vs to be glasse, here to grow gold we lie;
Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pampered is, 15
Our soules become worme-eaten Carkasses.
[Epitaph. _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_
On himselfe. _1635-69_
To the Countesse of Bedford. _O'F_, _S96:_ _no heading, and
epistle only_, _A25_, _C_ _The introductory epistle, and
the first ten lines of the epitaph, the whole with heading_
Elegie., _is printed 1635-54 among the_ Funerall Elegies. _The
full epitaph without epistle and with heading_ On himselfe.
_is included among the_ Divine Poems, _where it follows the_
Lamentations of Jeremy. _In his note Chambers_ (II. 234)
_reverses these facts_. _In 1669_ On himselfe. _is transferred
to the_ Funerall Elegies _and is followed immediately by the_
Elegie, _i.e. the epistle and incomplete epitaph_. _They are
here given for the first time in a separate group_]
[5 Others by Wills _1635-69:_ Others by testaments _A25_, _C_,
_O'F_ (_altered to_ wills), _S96:_ Men by testament _B:_ Then
by testament _H40:_ O then by testament _D_, _H49_]
[10 now: _1650-69:_ now, _1635-39_]
[12 there, _1635_, _1669:_ thee, _1639-54_]
_Omnibus._
My Fortune and my choice this custome break,
When we are speechlesse grown, to make stones speak,
Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou
In my graves inside seest what thou art now:
Yet thou'art not yet so good, till death us lay 5
To ripe and mellow here, we are stubborne Clay.
Parents make us earth, and soules dignifie
Vs to be glasse; here to grow gold we lie.
Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pamper'd is,
Our soules become wormeaten carkases; 10
So we our selves miraculously destroy.
Here bodies with lesse miracle enjoy
Such priviledges, enabled here to scale
Heaven, when the Trumpets ayre shall them exhale.
Heare this, and mend thy selfe, and thou mendst me, 15
By making me being dead, doe good to thee,
And thinke me well compos'd, that I could now
A last-sicke houre to syllables allow.
[Omnibus. _D_, _H49:_ To all. _H40_, _RP31:_ Another on the
same. (_i.e. M^{rs} Boulstred_) _P:_ On himselfe. _1635-69:_
_no title_, _B_, _S96:_ _in MSS. this complete epitaph follows
the epistle_ (_p._ 291); _but in B they are separated by
various poems and in P the epistle is not given_]
[3 tell] tel _1635_]
[4 seest] see _D_, _H49:_ _compare incomplete version_.]
[5 Yet _1635-69:_ Nay _S96_
thou'art _Ed:_ thou art _1635-69_]
[8 lie. _Ed:_ lie; _1635-69_]
[14 them] then _1669_]
[16 to thee, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _O'F_, _S96:_ for thee,
_1635-69_]
INFINITATI SACRUM,
16. _Augusti_ 1601.
METEMPSYCHOSIS.
_Poêma Satyricon._
* * * * *
EPISTLE.
Others at the Porches and entries of their Buildings set their Armes;
I, my picture; if any colours can deliver a minde so plaine, and flat,
and through light as mine. Naturally at a new Author, I doubt, and
sticke, and doe not say quickly, good. I censure much and taxe; And
this liberty costs mee more then others, by how much my owne things
are worse then others. Yet I would not be so rebellious against my
selfe, as not to doe it, since I love it; nor so unjust to others, to
do it _sine talione_. As long as I give them as good hold upon mee,
they must pardon mee my bitings. I forbid no reprehender, but him that
like the Trent Councell forbids not bookes, but Authors, damning what
ever such a name hath or shall write. None writes so ill, that he
gives not some thing exemplary, to follow, or flie. Now when I beginne
this booke, I have no purpose to come into any mans debt[1]; how my
stocke will hold out I know not; perchance waste, perchance increase
in use; if I doe borrow any thing of Antiquitie, besides that I make
account that I pay it to posterity, with as much and as good: You
shall still finde mee to acknowledge it, and to thanke not him onely
that hath digg'd out treasure for mee, but that hath lighted mee a
candle to the place. All which I will bid you remember, (for I will
have no such Readers as I can teach) is, that the Pithagorian doctrine
doth not onely carry one soule from man to man, nor man to beast, but
indifferently to plants also: and therefore you must not grudge to
finde the same soule in an Emperour, in a Post-horse, and in a
Mucheron,[2] since no unreadinesse in the soule, but an indisposition
in the organs workes this. And therefore though this soule could not
move when it was a Melon, yet it may remember, and now tell mee,[3] at
what lascivious banquet it was serv'd. And though it could not speake,
when it was a spider, yet it can remember and now tell me, who used it
for poyson to attaine dignitie. How ever the bodies have dull'd her
other faculties, her memory hath ever been her owne,
which makes me so seriously deliver you by her
relation all her passages from her first making
when shee was that apple[4] which Eve
eate,[5] to this time when shee is
hee,[6] whose life you shall
finde in the end of
this booke.
[Infinitati _&c._ _1633-69:_ (_in 1633 it is the first poem;
in 1633-69 it follows the_ Funerall Elegies, _from which it
is separated by some prose letters, and precedes_ Divine Poems
_as here_), _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_
Metempsychosis. _1650-69:_ Metempsycosis. _1633-39_]
[Footnote 1: debt; _Ed:_ debt, _1633-69_]
[Footnote 2: Mucheron, _1633_, _N_, _TC:_ Mushrome, _G:_
Maceron, _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[Footnote 3: and can now tell mee, _1635-69_]
[Footnote 4: apple] aple _1633_]
[Footnote 5: eate, _1633-69:_ ate, _O'F:_ eat, _mod. editors_]
[Footnote 6: shee is hee, _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC:_ shee
is shee, _1635-69_]
THE PROGRESSE OF THE SOULE.
_First Song._
I.
I sing the progresse of a deathlesse soule,
Whom Fate, which God made, but doth not controule,
Plac'd in most shapes; all times before the law
Yoak'd us, and when, and since, in this I sing.
And the great world to his aged evening; 5
From infant morne, through manly noone I draw.
What the gold Chaldee, or silver Persian saw,
Greeke brasse, or Roman iron, is in this one;
A worke t'outweare _Seths_ pillars, bricke and stone,
And (holy writt excepted) made to yeeld to none. 10
II.
Thee, eye of heaven, this great Soule envies not,
By thy male force, is all wee have, begot.
In the first East, thou now beginst to shine,
Suck'st early balme, and Iland spices there,
And wilt anon in thy loose-rein'd careere 15
At Tagus, Po, Sene, Thames, and Danow dine,
And see at night thy Westerne land of Myne,
Yet hast thou not more nations seene then shee,
That before thee, one day beganne to bee,
And thy fraile light being quench'd, shall long,
long out live thee. 20
III.
Nor, holy _Ianus_, in whose soveraigne boate
The Church, and all the Monarchies did floate;
That swimming Colledge, and free Hospitall
Of all mankinde, that cage and vivarie
Of fowles, and beasts, in whose wombe, Destinie 25
Us, and our latest nephewes did install
(From thence are all deriv'd, that fill this All,)
Did'st thou in that great stewardship embarke
So diverse shapes into that floating parke,
As have beene moved, and inform'd by this heavenly sparke. 30
IV.
Great Destiny the Commissary of God,
That hast mark'd out a path and period
For every thing; who, where wee of-spring tooke,
Our wayes and ends seest at one instant; Thou
Knot of all causes, thou whose changelesse brow 35
Ne'r smiles nor frownes, O vouch thou safe to looke
And shew my story, in thy eternall booke:
That (if my prayer be fit) I may'understand
So much my selfe, as to know with what hand,
How scant, or liberall this my lifes race is spand. 40
V.
To my sixe lustres almost now outwore,
Except thy booke owe mee so many more,
Except my legend be free from the letts
Of steepe ambition, sleepie povertie,
Spirit-quenching sicknesse, dull captivitie, 45
Distracting businesse, and from beauties nets,
And all that calls from this, and to others whets,
O let me not launch out, but let mee save
Th'expense of braine and spirit; that my grave
His right and due, a whole unwasted man may have. 50
VI.
But if my dayes be long, and good enough,
In vaine this sea shall enlarge, or enrough
It selfe; for I will through the wave, and fome,
And shall, in sad lone wayes a lively spright,
Make my darke heavy Poëm light, and light. 55
For though through many streights, and lands I roame,
I launch at paradise, and I saile towards home;
The course I there began, shall here be staid,
Sailes hoised there, stroke here, and anchors laid
In Thames, which were at Tigrys, and Euphrates waide. 60
VII.
For the great soule which here amongst us now
Doth dwell, and moves that hand, and tongue, and brow,
Which, as the Moone the sea, moves us; to heare
Whose story, with long patience you will long;
(For 'tis the crowne, and last straine of my song) 65
This soule to whom _Luther_, and _Mahomet_ were
Prisons of flesh; this soule which oft did teare,
And mend the wracks of th'Empire, and late Rome,
And liv'd when every great change did come,
Had first in paradise, a low, but fatall roome. 70
VIII.
Yet no low roome, nor then the greatest, lesse,
If (as devout and sharpe men fitly guesse)
That Crosse, our joy, and griefe, where nailes did tye
That All, which alwayes was all, every where;
Which could not sinne, and yet all sinnes did beare; 75
Which could not die, yet could not chuse but die;
Stood in the selfe same roome in Calvarie,
Where first grew the forbidden learned tree,
For on that tree hung in security
This Soule, made by the Makers will from pulling free. 80
IX.
Prince of the orchard, faire as dawning morne,
Fenc'd with the law, and ripe as soone as borne
That apple grew, which this Soule did enlive,
Till the then climing serpent, that now creeps
For that offence, for which all mankinde weepes, 85
Tooke it, and t'her whom the first man did wive
(Whom and her race, only forbiddings drive)
He gave it, she, t'her husband, both did eate;
So perished the eaters, and the meate:
And wee (for treason taints the blood) thence die and sweat. 90
X.
Man all at once was there by woman slaine,
And one by one we'are here slaine o'er againe
By them. The mother poison'd the well-head,
The daughters here corrupt us, Rivolets;
No smalnesse scapes, no greatnesse breaks their nets; 95
She thrust us out, and by them we are led
Astray, from turning, to whence we are fled.
Were prisoners Judges, 'twould seeme rigorous,
Shee sinn'd, we beare; part of our paine is, thus
To love them, whose fault to this painfull love yoak'd us. 100
XI.
So fast in us doth this corruption grow,
That now wee dare aske why wee should be so.
Would God (disputes the curious Rebell) make
A law, and would not have it kept? Or can
His creatures will, crosse his? Of every man 105
For one, will God (and be just) vengeance take?
Who sinn'd? t'was not forbidden to the snake
Nor her, who was not then made; nor is't writ
That Adam cropt, or knew the apple; yet
The worme and she, and he, and wee endure for it. 110
XII.
But snatch mee heavenly Spirit from this vaine
Reckoning their vanities, lesse is their gaine
Then hazard still, to meditate on ill,
Though with good minde; their reasons, like those toyes
Of glassie bubbles, which the gamesome boyes 115
Stretch to so nice a thinnes through a quill
That they themselves breake, doe themselves spill:
Arguing is heretiques game, and Exercise
As wrastlers, perfects them; Not liberties
Of speech, but silence; hands, not tongues, end heresies. 120
XIII.
Just in that instant when the serpents gripe,
Broke the flight veines, and tender conduit-pipe,
Through which this soule from the trees root did draw
Life, and growth to this apple, fled away
This loose soule, old, one and another day. 125
As lightning, which one scarce dares say, he saw,
'Tis so soone gone, (and better proofe the law
Of sense, then faith requires) swiftly she flew
To a darke and foggie Plot; Her, her fates threw
There through th'earths pores, and in a Plant hous'd her anew. 130
XIV.
The plant thus abled, to it selfe did force
A place, where no place was; by natures course
As aire from water, water fleets away
From thicker bodies, by this root thronged so
His spungie confines gave him place to grow: 135
Just as in our streets, when the people stay
To see the Prince, and have so fill'd the way
That weesels scarce could passe, when she comes nere
They throng and cleave up, and a passage cleare,
As if, for that time, their round bodies flatned were. 140
XV.
His right arme he thrust out towards the East,
West-ward his left; th'ends did themselves digest
Into ten lesser strings, these fingers were:
And as a slumberer stretching on his bed,
This way he this, and that way scattered 145
His other legge, which feet with toes upbeare.
Grew on his middle parts, the first day, haire,
To show, that in loves businesse hee should still
A dealer bee, and be us'd well, or ill:
His apples kindle, his leaves, force of conception kill. 150
XVI.
A mouth, but dumbe, he hath; blinde eyes, deafe eares,
And to his shoulders dangle subtile haires;
A young _Colossus_ there hee stands upright,
And as that ground by him were conquered
A leafie garland weares he on his head 155
Enchas'd with little fruits, so red and bright
That for them you would call your Loves lips white;
So, of a lone unhaunted place possest,
Did this soules second Inne, built by the guest,
This living buried man, this quiet mandrake, rest. 160
XVII.
No lustfull woman came this plant to grieve,
But 'twas because there was none yet but Eve:
And she (with other purpose) kill'd it quite;
Her sinne had now brought in infirmities,
And so her cradled child, the moist red eyes 165
Had never shut, nor slept since it saw light;
Poppie she knew, she knew the mandrakes might,
And tore up both, and so coold her childs blood;
Unvirtuous weeds might long unvex'd have stood;
But hee's short liv'd, that with his death can doe most good. 170
XVIII.
To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hast
Are falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac'd:
Thinner then burnt aire flies this soule, and she
Whom foure new comming, and foure parting Suns
Had found, and left the Mandrakes tenant, runnes 175
Thoughtlesse of change, when her firme destiny
Confin'd, and enjayld her, that seem'd so free,
Into a small blew shell, the which a poore
Warme bird orespread, and sat still evermore,
Till her inclos'd child kickt, and pick'd it selfe a dore. 180
XIX.
Outcrept a sparrow, this soules moving Inne,
On whose raw armes stiffe feathers now begin,
As childrens teeth through gummes, to breake with paine,
His flesh is jelly yet, and his bones threds,
All a new downy mantle overspreads, 185
A mouth he opes, which would as much containe
As his late house, and the first houre speaks plaine,
And chirps alowd for meat. Meat fit for men
His father steales for him, and so feeds then
One, that within a moneth, will beate him from his hen. 190
XX.
In this worlds youth wise nature did make hast,
Things ripened sooner, and did longer last;
Already this hot cocke, in bush and tree,
In field and tent, oreflutters his next hen;
He asks her not, who did so tast, nor when, 195
Nor if his sister, or his neece shee be;
Nor doth she pule for his inconstancie
If in her sight he change, nor doth refuse
The next that calls; both liberty doe use;
Where store is of both kindes, both kindes may freely chuse. 200
XXI.
Men, till they tooke laws which made freedome lesse,
Their daughters, and their sisters did ingresse;
Till now unlawfull, therefore ill, 'twas not.
So jolly, that it can move, this soule is,
The body so free of his kindnesses, 205
That selfe-preserving it hath now forgot,
And slackneth so the soules, and bodies knot,
Which temperance streightens; freely on his she friends
He blood, and spirit, pith, and marrow spends,
Ill steward of himself, himselfe in three yeares ends. 210
XXII.
Else might he long have liv'd; man did not know
Of gummie blood, which doth in holly grow,
How to make bird-lime, nor how to deceive
With faind calls, hid nets, or enwrapping snare,
The free inhabitants of the Plyant aire. 215
Man to beget, and woman to conceive
Askt not of rootes, nor of cock-sparrowes, leave:
Yet chuseth hee, though none of these he feares,
Pleasantly three, then streightned twenty yeares
To live, and to encrease his race, himselfe outweares. 220
XXIII.
This cole with overblowing quench'd and dead,
The Soule from her too active organs fled
T'a brooke. A female fishes sandie Roe
With the males jelly, newly lev'ned was,
For they had intertouch'd as they did passe, 225
And one of those small bodies, fitted so,
This soule inform'd, and abled it to rowe
It selfe with finnie oares, which she did fit:
Her scales seem'd yet of parchment, and as yet
Perchance a fish, but by no name you could call it. 230
XXIV.
When goodly, like a ship in her full trim,
A swan, so white that you may unto him
Compare all whitenesse, but himselfe to none,
Glided along, and as he glided watch'd,
And with his arched necke this poore fish catch'd. 235
It mov'd with state, as if to looke upon
Low things it scorn'd, and yet before that one
Could thinke he sought it, he had swallowed cleare
This, and much such, and unblam'd devour'd there
All, but who too swift, too great, or well armed were. 240
XXV.
Now swome a prison in a prison put,
And now this Soule in double walls was shut,
Till melted with the Swans digestive fire,
She left her house the fish, and vapour'd forth;
Fate not affording bodies of more worth 245
For her as yet, bids her againe retire
T'another fish, to any new desire
Made a new prey; For, he that can to none
Resistance make, nor complaint, sure is gone.
Weaknesse invites, but silence feasts oppression. 250
XXVI.
Pace with her native streame, this fish doth keepe,
And journeyes with her, towards the glassie deepe,
But oft retarded, once with a hidden net
Though with greate windowes, for when Need first taught
These tricks to catch food, then they were not wrought 255
As now, with curious greedinesse to let
None scape, but few, and fit for use, to get,
As, in this trap a ravenous pike was tane,
Who, though himselfe distrest, would faine have slain
This wretch; So hardly are ill habits left again. 260
XXVII.
Here by her smallnesse shee two deaths orepast,
Once innocence scap'd, and left the oppressor fast.
The net through-swome, she keepes the liquid path,
And whether she leape up sometimes to breath
And suck in aire, or finde it underneath, 265
Or working parts like mills or limbecks hath
To make the water thinne, and airelike faith
Cares not; but safe the Place she's come unto
Where fresh, with salt waves meet, and what to doe
She knowes not, but betweene both makes a boord or two. 270
XXVIII.
So farre from hiding her guests, water is,
That she showes them in bigger quantities
Then they are. Thus doubtfull of her way,
For game and not for hunger a sea Pie
Spied through this traiterous spectacle, from high, 275
The seely fish where it disputing lay,
And t'end her doubts and her, beares her away:
Exalted she'is, but to the exalters good,
As are by great ones, men which lowly stood.
It's rais'd, to be the Raisers instrument and food. 280
XXIX.
Is any kinde subject to rape like fish?
Ill unto man, they neither doe, nor wish:
Fishers they kill not, nor with noise awake,
They doe not hunt, nor strive to make a prey
Of beasts, nor their yong sonnes to beare away; 285
Foules they pursue not, nor do undertake
To spoile the nests industrious birds do make;
Yet them all these unkinde kinds feed upon,
To kill them is an occupation,
And lawes make Fasts, and Lents for their destruction. 290
XXX.
A sudden stiffe land-winde in that selfe houre
To sea-ward forc'd this bird, that did devour
The fish; he cares not, for with ease he flies,
Fat gluttonies best orator: at last
So long hee hath flowen, and hath flowen so fast 295
That many leagues at sea, now tir'd hee lyes,
And with his prey, that till then languisht, dies:
The soules no longer foes, two wayes did erre,
The fish I follow, and keepe no calender
Of the other; he lives yet in some great officer. 300
XXXI.
Into an embrion fish, our Soule is throwne,
And in due time throwne out againe, and growne
To such vastnesse as, if unmanacled
From Greece, Morea were, and that by some
Earthquake unrooted, loose Morea swome, 305
Or seas from Africks body had severed
And torne the hopefull Promontories head,
This fish would seeme these, and, when all hopes faile,
A great ship overset, or without faile
Hulling, might (when this was a whelp) be like this whale. 310
XXXII.
At every stroake his brazen finnes do take,
More circles in the broken sea they make
Then cannons voices, when the aire they teare:
His ribs are pillars, and his high arch'd roofe
Of barke that blunts best steele, is thunder-proofe: 315
Swimme in him swallow'd Dolphins, without feare,
And feele no sides, as if his vast wombe were
Some Inland sea, and ever as hee went
Hee spouted rivers up, as if he ment
To joyne our seas, with seas above the firmament. 320
XXXIII.
He hunts not fish, but as an officer,
Stayes in his court, at his owne net, and there
All suitors of all sorts themselves enthrall;
So on his backe lyes this whale wantoning,
And in his gulfe-like throat, sucks every thing 325
That passeth neare. Fish chaseth fish, and all,
Flyer and follower, in this whirlepoole fall;
O might not states of more equality
Consist? and is it of necessity
That thousand guiltlesse smals, to make one great, must die? 330
XXXIV.
Now drinkes he up seas, and he eates up flocks,
He justles Ilands, and he shakes firme rockes.
Now in a roomefull house this Soule doth float,
And like a Prince she sends her faculties
To all her limbes, distant as Provinces. 335
The Sunne hath twenty times both crab and goate
Parched, since first lanch'd forth this living boate;
'Tis greatest now, and to destruction
Nearest; There's no pause at perfection;
Greatnesse a period hath, but hath no station. 340
XXXV.
Two little fishes whom hee never harm'd,
Nor fed on their kinde, two not throughly arm'd
With hope that they could kill him, nor could doe
Good to themselves by his death (they did not eate
His flesh, nor suck those oyles, which thence outstreat) 345
Conspir'd against him, and it might undoe
The plot or all, that the plotters were two,
But that they fishes were, and could not speake.
How shall a Tyran wife strong projects breake,
If wreches can on them the common anger wreake? 350
XXXVI.
The flaile-finn'd Thresher, and steel-beak'd Sword-fish
Onely attempt to doe, what all doe wish.
The Thresher backs him, and to beate begins;
The sluggard Whale yeelds to oppression,
And t'hide himselfe from shame and danger, downe 355
Begins to sinke; the Swordfish upward spins,
And gores him with his beake; his staffe-like finnes,
So well the one, his sword the other plyes,
That now a scoffe, and prey, this tyran dyes,
And (his owne dole) feeds with himselfe all companies. 360
XXXVII.
Who will revenge his death? or who will call
Those to account, that thought, and wrought his fall?
The heires of slaine kings, wee see are often so
Transported with the joy of what they get,
That they, revenge and obsequies forget, 365
Nor will against such men the people goe,
Because h'is now dead, to whom they should show
Love in that act; Some kings by vice being growne
So needy of subjects love, that of their own
They thinke they lose, if love be to the dead Prince shown. 370
XXXVIII.
This Soule, now free from prison, and passion,
Hath yet a little indignation
That so small hammers should so soone downe beat
So great a castle. And having for her house
Got the streight cloyster of a wreched mouse 375
(As basest men that have not what to eate,
Nor enjoy ought, doe farre more hate the great
Then they, who good repos'd estates possesse)
This Soule, late taught that great things might by lesse
Be slain, to gallant mischiefe doth herselfe addresse. 380
XXXIX.
Natures great master-peece, an Elephant,
The onely harmlesse great thing; the giant
Of beasts; who thought, no more had gone, to make one wise
But to be just, and thankfull, loth to offend,
(Yet nature hath given him no knees to bend) 385
Himselfe he up-props, on himselfe relies,
And foe to none, suspects no enemies,
Still sleeping stood; vex't not his fantasie
Blacke dreames; like an unbent bow, carelesly
His sinewy Proboscis did remisly lie: 390
XL.
In which as in a gallery this mouse
Walk'd, and surveid the roomes of this vast house,
And to the braine, the soules bedchamber, went,
And gnaw'd the life cords there; Like a whole towne
Cleane undermin'd, the slaine beast tumbled downe; 395
With him the murtherer dies, whom envy sent
To kill, not scape, (for, only hee that ment
To die, did ever kill a man of better roome,)
And thus he made his foe, his prey, and tombe:
Who cares not to turn back, may any whither come. 400
XLI.
Next, hous'd this Soule a Wolves yet unborne whelp,
Till the best midwife, Nature, gave it helpe,
To issue. It could kill, as soone as goe.
Abel, as white, and milde as his sheepe were,
(Who, in that trade, of Church, and kingdomes, there 405
Was the first type) was still infested soe,
With this wolfe, that it bred his losse and woe;
And yet his bitch, his sentinell attends
The flocke so neere, so well warnes and defends,
That the wolfe, (hopelesse else) to corrupt her, intends. 410
XLII.
Hee tooke a course, which since, succesfully,
Great men have often taken, to espie
The counsels, or to breake the plots of foes.
To Abels tent he stealeth in the darke,
On whose skirts the bitch slept; ere she could barke, 415
Attach'd her with streight gripes, yet hee call'd those,
Embracements of love; to loves worke he goes,
Where deeds move more then words; nor doth she show,
Nor resist, nor needs hee streighten so
His prey, for, were shee loose, she would nor barke, nor goe. 420
XLIII.
Hee hath engag'd her; his, she wholy bides;
Who not her owne, none others secrets hides.
If to the flocke he come, and Abell there,
She faines hoarse barkings, but she biteth not,
Her faith is quite, but not her love forgot. 425
At last a trap, of which some every where
Abell had plac'd, ends all his losse, and feare,
By the Wolves death; and now just time it was
That a quicke soule should give life to that masse
Of blood in Abels bitch, and thither this did passe. 430
XLIV.
Some have their wives, their sisters some begot,
But in the lives of Emperours you shall not
Reade of a lust the which may equall this;
This wolfe begot himselfe, and finished
What he began alive, when hee was dead; 435
Sonne to himselfe, and father too, hee is
A ridling lust, for which Schoolemen would misse
A proper name. The whelpe of both these lay
In Abels tent, and with soft Moaba,
His sister, being yong, it us'd to sport and play. 440
XLV.
Hee soone for her too harsh, and churlish grew,
And Abell (the dam dead) would use this new
For the field. Being of two kindes thus made,
He, as his dam, from sheepe drove wolves away,
And as his Sire, he made them his owne prey. 445
Five yeares he liv'd, and cosened with his trade,
Then hopelesse that his faults were hid, betraid
Himselfe by flight, and by all followed,
From dogges, a wolfe; from wolves, a dogge he fled;
And, like a spie to both sides false, he perished. 450
XLVI.
It quickned next a toyfull Ape, and so
Gamesome it was, that it might freely goe
From tent to tent, and with the children play.
His organs now so like theirs hee doth finde,
That why he cannot laugh, and speake his minde, 455
He wonders. Much with all, most he doth stay
With Adams fift daughter _Siphatecia_,
Doth gaze on her, and, where she passeth, passe,
Gathers her fruits, and tumbles on the grasse,
And wisest of that kinde, the first true lover was. 460
XLVII.
He was the first that more desir'd to have
One then another; first that ere did crave
Love by mute signes, and had no power to speake;
First that could make love faces, or could doe
The valters sombersalts, or us'd to wooe 465
With hoiting gambolls, his owne bones to breake
To make his mistresse merry; or to wreake
Her anger on himselfe. Sinnes against kinde
They easily doe, that can let feed their minde
With outward beauty; beauty they in boyes and beasts do find 470
XLVIII.
By this misled, too low things men have prov'd,
And too high; beasts and angels have beene lov'd.
This Ape, though else through-vaine, in this was wise,
He reach'd at things too high, but open way
There was, and he knew not she would say nay; 475
His toyes prevaile not, likelier meanes he tries,
He gazeth on her face with teare-shot eyes,
And up lifts subtly with his russet pawe
Her kidskinne apron without feare or awe
Of nature; nature hath no gaole, though shee hath law. 480
XLIX.
First she was silly and knew not what he ment.
That vertue, by his touches, chaft and spent,
Succeeds an itchie warmth, that melts her quite;
She knew not first, nowe cares not what he doth,
And willing halfe and more, more then halfe , 485
She neither puls nor pushes, but outright
Now cries, and now repents; when _Tethlemite_
Her brother, entred, and a great stone threw
After the Ape, who, thus prevented, flew.
This house thus batter'd downe, the Soule possest a new. 490
L.
And whether by this change she lose or win,
She comes out next, where the Ape would have gone in.
_Adam_ and _Eve_ had mingled bloods, and now
Like Chimiques equall fires, her temperate wombe
Had stew'd and form'd it: and part did become 495
A spungie liver, that did richly allow,
Like a free conduit, on a high hils brow,
Life-keeping moisture unto every part;
Part hardned it selfe to a thicker heart,
Whose busie furnaces lifes spirits do impart. 500
LI.
Another part became the well of sense,
The tender well-arm'd feeling braine, from whence,
Those sinowie strings which do our bodies tie,
Are raveld out; and fast there by one end,
Did this Soule limbes, these limbes a soule attend; 505
And now they joyn'd: keeping some quality
Of every past shape, she knew treachery,
Rapine, deceit, and lust, and ills enow
To be a woman. _Themech_ she is now,
Sister and wife to _Caine_, _Caine_ that first did plow. 510
LII.
Who ere thou beest that read'st this sullen Writ,
Which just so much courts thee, as thou dost it,
Let me arrest thy thoughts; wonder with mee,
Why plowing, building, ruling and the rest,
Or most of those arts, whence our lives are blest, 515
By cursed _Cains_ race invented be,
And blest _Seth_ vext us with Astronomie.
Ther's nothing simply good, nor ill alone,
Of every quality comparison,
The onely measure is, and judge, opinion. 520
_The end of the Progresse of the Soule._
[7 gold] cold _1635-54_]
[10 writt _1635-69_, _G:_ writs _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
Writ's _Chambers_]
[12 begot.] begot, _1633_]
[13 East] east _1633 some copies_
beginst] begins _1633_]
[16 Danow dine,] Danon dine, _1633_]
[17 Myne, _1633_ (_but_ mine, _in some copies_): Mine,
_1635-69_]
[19 one day before thee _O'F_]
[21 Nor, holy _Ianus_, _Ed:_ Nor holy _Ianus_ _1633-69_]
[27 From thence] For, thence _G_
All,)] All) _1633-69_]
[31 Commissary] commissary _1633 some copies_]
[33 every thing; _Ed:_ every thing, _1633-69_]
[34 instant; _1633:_ instant. _1635-69_]
[36 vouch thou safe _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ vouch safe
thou _1633-69_]
[37 booke: _Ed:_ booke. _1633-69_]
[45 Spirit-quenching] Spright-quenching _G_]
[54 shall, _Ed:_ shall _1633:_ hold _1635-69_
lone _1635-69:_ love _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC_
wayes _Ed:_ wayes, _1633-69_
spright, _Ed:_ spright _1633-69_]
[59 hoised] hoisted _G_]
[61 For the] For this _G_, _N_, _TCD:_ For that _O'F_]
[63 Which, _Ed:_ Which _1633-69_]
us; _Ed:_ us, _1633-69_]
[69 when] where _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[71 no low] nor low _Chambers_]
[74 every where; _Ed:_ every where _1633:_ every where,
_1635-69_]
[83 enlive, _G:_ enlive _1633-69:_ _om._ _1633_ _some copies,
and_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[93 poyson'd _1669:_ poisoned _1633-54_]
[94 corrupt us, _1635-69:_ corrupts us, _1633:_ corrupt as _G_
Rivolets; _Ed:_ Rivolets, _1635-69:_ _om._ _1633_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[95 breaks] breake _1633_ _some copies_
nets; _Ed:_ nets, _1633-69_]
[96 thrust] thrusts _1633_ (thrust _in some copies_)]
[97 fled.] fled, _1633_]
[99 beare; _1635-69_, _G:_ here, _1633:_ heare, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[108 is't] i'st _1633_]
[112 vanities, _1633_, _G:_ vanitie, _1635-69_]
[114 minde; _Ed:_ minde, _1633-69_ reasons, _Ed:_ reasons
_1633:_ reason's _1635-69_, _Chambers and Grolier_]
[115 which] with _1633_ _some copies_]
[117 breake, doe _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC:_ breake, and
doe _1635-69_, _Chambers_
spill: _Ed:_ spill, _1633-69_]
[119 perfects] perfect _1633_ _some copies_]
[125 day. _1635-69:_ day, _1633_ (_corrected in some copies_)]
[126 dares] dare _1669_]
[127 proofe] proofes _O'F_]
[130 earths pores, _1669_, _A18_, _G_, _N:_ earths-pores,
_1633:_ earth-pores, _1633_ (_some copies_), _1635-54_
anew] a new _1633_]
[135 grow: _1650-69:_ grow, _1633-39_]
[137 the Prince, and have so fill'd _G:_ the Princesse, and
so fill'd _1633_ (_but some copies read_ the Prince, and so
fill'd): the Prince, and so fill up _1635-69:_ the Prince, and
so fill'd _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[144 bed, _Ed:_ bed; _1633-69_]
[146 upbeare. _Ed:_ upbeare; _1633:_ up beare; _1635-69_]
[147 middle parts _1633_, _G_, _O'F:_ middle part _1635-69:_
mid-parts _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[150 kindle, _G:_ kinde, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_
kindle; _1635-69_]
[157 white; _1633:_ white, _1635-69_]
[159 guest, _Ed:_ guest _1633-69_. _See note_]
[165 moist red _1633-35:_ moist-red _1639-69_]
[166 slept] sleept _1633-35_
light; _Ed:_ light, _1633-69_]
[167 mandrakes might, _Ed:_ mandrakes might; _1633-54:_
mandrakes-might: _1669_]
[180 inclos'd _1635-69_, _G:_ encloth'd _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
encloth'd _altered to_ unclothed _then to_ enclosed _O'F:_
uncloath'd _1633_
pick'd] peck'd _A18_, _G_, _TC_]
[181 Outcrept _1633-35:_ Out crept _1639-69_]
[185 a new downy _1635-69_, _A18_, _G_, _TC:_ downy a new
_1633_
overspreades, _1633-39:_ overspreads _1650-69_]
[193 cocke, _Ed:_ cocke _1633-69_
tree,] tree _1633_]
[194 tent, _Ed:_ tent _1633-69_
hen; _Ed:_ hen, _1633-69_]
[196 be; _Ed:_ be, _1633-69_]
[202 ingresse; _Ed:_ ingresse, _1633-69_]
[203-5
Till now unlawfull, therefore ill; 'twas not
So jolly, that it can move this soule; Is
The body so free of his kindnesses,
_1633_, _and 1669_ (Till now,):
Till now, unlawfull, therefore ill 'twas not
So jolly, that it can more this soule. Is
The body, so free of his kindnesses,
_1635-54_
Till now, unlawful, therefore ill 'twas not.
So jolly, that it can move this soul, is
The body, so free of his kindnesses,
_Chambers_, _and Grolier but_ 203 not; _and no commas in_ 204.
_See note_]
[206 selfe-preserving] _no hyphen_ _1633-39_]
[207 soules,] souls _1669_]
[208 temperance] têperance _1633-39_]
[212 grow,] grow _1633-39_]
[214 hid _G:_ his _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_
snare,] snare _1633-69_]
[220 encrease his race,] encrease, _1633_]
[223 brooke. A _Ed:_ brooke; a _1633-69_]
[225 they had intertouch'd _1635-69_, _G_, _O'F:_ they
intertouched _1633:_ they intertouch'd _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[227 abled] able _1669_
rowe] roe _1633_]
[228 fit: _Ed:_ fit, _1633-69_]
[240 armed were.] arm'd were _1633_]
[249 sure is gone, _1633-39:_ is sure gone. _1650-54:_ is sure
gone, _1669_]
[251 her _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ the _1633-69_]
[254-7 for when ... use, to get,] _in brackets_ _1635-69_]
[254 Need _G:_ need _1633-69_]
[255 then] thê _1633_]
[257 use, _Ed:_ use _1633-69_]
[262 fast. _Ed:_ fast; _1633-69_]
[266 mills _Ed:_ mills, _1633-69_]
[267 water _1635-69_, _G:_ wether _1633_, _A18_, _TC_
airelike _1633-35:_ ayre like _1639-69_ _and Chambers_
faith _1633-69:_ faith, _Chambers_. _See note_]
[268 not; _Ed:_ not, _1633-69_]
[270 two.] two _1633_]
[271 is,] is _1633_]
[273 Thus doubtfull _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC:_ Thus her
doubtfull _1635-69_]
[277 away: _Ed:_ away, _1633-69_]
[279 _in brackets_ _1635-69_
stood. _1633-39:_ stood, _1650-69_]
[280 It's rais'd _1633-69:_ It rais'd _some copies of 1633_,
_A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC_]
[287 industrious] industruous _1633_]
[290 Fasts, and Lents _1635-69:_ fasts, and lents _1633_]
[296 That many leagues at sea, _G:_ That leagues
o'er-past at sea, _1633-69:_ That leagues at sea, _A18_, _N_,
_O'F_ (_which inserts_ o'r past), _TC_. _See note_]
[297 dies:] dies, _1633_]
[301 throwne,] throwne _1633_]
[303 vastnesse as, if _Grolier:_ vastnesse, as if _1633-69_,
_Chambers_]
[307 head, _1633:_ head; _1635-69:_ head. _Chambers_. _See
note_]
[311 take,] take _1633_]
[315 thunder-proofe: _Ed:_ thunder-proofe, _1633-69_]
[316 swallow'd] swallowed _1633_]
[322 at] as _A18_, _G_, _TCC_]
[337 this _1633:_ his _1635-69_
boate; _Ed:_ boate, _1635-69:_ boate. _1633_]
[339 perfection; _Ed:_ perfection. _1633-35:_ perfection,
_1639-69_]
[344-5 _brackets_, _1719:_ death: ... outstreat, _1633-69_
did not eate] doe not eate _G_]
[349 Tyran] Tyrant _1669_]
[351 flaile-finn'd] flaile-find _1633:_ flaile-finnd
_1635-39_]
[358 well] were _1633_]
[359 tyran] tyrant _1669_]
[365 they, revenge _1635-69:_ they revenge, _1633:_ they,
revenge, _1633_ _some copies_]
[367 h'is _1633:_ he's _1635-69_]
[368 act; _Ed:_ act. _1633-69_]
[383 who thought, no more had gone, to make one wise _1633_,
_G_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_ (_the last four MSS. all drop_ more, _N
and TCD leaving a space_): who thought none had, to make him
wise, _1635-69_]
[386 relies,] relies _1633_]
[389 dreames; _Ed:_ dreames, _1633-69_]
[390: lie: _1635:_ lie. _1633, 1639-69_]
[395 downe; _Ed:_ downe, _1633-69_]
[396 dies,] dies _1633_]
[397-8 _brackets_, _Ed:_ scape, ... roome, _1633:_ scape; ...
roome, _1635-69_
ment] went _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[403 goe. _Ed:_ goe, _1633:_ goe: _1635-69_]
[405 Who,] Who _1633_
trade, _1635-69:_ trade _1633_]
[413 foes. _Ed:_ foes, _1633-69_]
[419 Nor resist, _Ed:_ Nor much resist, _1633-69:_ Nowe
must resist _N:_ Nowe much resist _A18_, _G_, _TC:_ Resistance
much _O'F_
needs] need _O'F_]
[420 nor barke, _1633-39:_ not barke _1650-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[422 hides.] hides, _1633_]
[427 plac'd, ends] plac'd end _1633_ _some copies_]
[435 dead; _Ed:_ dead, _1633-39:_ dead. _1650-69_]
[443 field. Being _Ed:_ field, being _1633-69_
thus] _om._ _1633_]
[453 play. _Ed:_ play, _1633-69_]
[470 beauty; _Ed:_ beauty, _1633-69_]
[472 lov'd. _Ed:_ lov'd; _1633-69_]
[479 or] of _1669_]
[480 shee hath] shee have _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[481 ment. _Ed:_ ment, _1633-69_]
483 quite; _Ed:_ quite, _1633-69_]
[484 nowe _1633_, _G:_ nor _1635-69_, _Chambers:_ then _A18_,
_TC_]
[485 , _Ed:_ Tooth _1633_, _G:_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_ _leave
a blank space: in TCC a later hand has inserted_ loath: wroth,
_1635-69_]
[487 Tethlemite _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ Tethelemite
_1633:_ Thelemite _1635-69_]
[489 flew. _1635-69:_ flew, _1633_]
[492 in. _1650-69:_ in, _1633-39_]
[498 Life-keeping] Life keeping _1633_
part; _Ed:_ part, _1633-69_]
[502 well-arm'd _1669:_ well arm'd _1633-54_]
[503 sinowie] sinewy _1639-54:_ sinew _1669_]
[504 out; _Ed:_ out, _1633-69_]
[505 this Soule] a Soule _A18_, _N_, _TC_ attend; _Ed:_
attend, _1633-69_]
[506-7 joyn'd: ... past shape, _1633:_ joyn'd, ... past shape;
_1635-69_, _Chambers_, _Grolier_. _See note_]
[513 thoughts; _1650-69:_ thoughts, _1633-39_]
[517 Astronomie.] Astronomie, _1633_]
[519 comparison, _1633_, _1669_ (_no comma_): Comparison,
_1635-54_]
[520 opinion. _1633:_ Opinion. _1635-69_]
[The end _&c._ _1635-69:_ _om._ _1633_]
DIVINE POEMS.
To _E._ of _D._ with six holy Sonnets.
See Sir, how as the Suns hot Masculine flame
Begets strange creatures on Niles durty slime,
In me, your fatherly yet lusty Ryme
(For, these songs are their fruits) have wrought the same;
But though the ingendring force from whence they came 5
Bee strong enough, and nature doe admit
Seaven to be borne at once, I send as yet
But six; they say, the seaventh hath still some maime.
I choose your judgement, which the same degree
Doth with her sister, your invention, hold, 10
As fire these drossie Rymes to purifie,
Or as Elixar, to change them to gold;
You are that Alchimist which alwaies had
Wit, whose one spark could make good things of bad.
[Divine Poems. _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ _In 1635-69 this is the title
at head of each page, but the new section is headed_ Holy
Sonnets.
To E. of D. _&c._ _so headed 1633-69 but placed among_
Letters _&c._, _and so in O'F and_ (_but_ L. of D.) _W:_
_removed hither by Grosart_.]
[4 their fruits] the fruit _W_]
[6 doe _1633:_ doth _1635-69_]
[8 six;] six, _1633_
maime. _W:_ maime; _1633-69_]
[11 drossie] drosse _1650-54_]
_To the Lady Magdalen Herbert: of St. Mary Magdalen._
Her of your name, whose fair inheritance
Bethina was, and jointure Magdalo:
An active faith so highly did advance,
That she once knew, more than the Church did know,
The Resurrection; so much good there is 5
Deliver'd of her, that some Fathers be
Loth to believe one Woman could do this;
But, think these Magdalens were two or three.
Increase their number, Lady, and their fame:
To their Devotion, add your Innocence; 10
Take so much of th'example, as of the name;
The latter half; and in some recompence
That they did harbour Christ himself, a Guest,
Harbour these Hymns, to his dear name addrest.
J.D.
[To the Lady Magdalen Herbert: _&c._ _Ed:_ To the Lady
Magdalen Herbert, of _&c._ _Walton's_ The Life of M^r George
Herbert. (1670, _pp._ 25-6.) _See note_]
[4 know, _1675:_ know _1670_]
HOLY SONNETS.
_La Corona._
1. _Deigne at my hands this crown of prayer and praise_,
Weav'd in my low devout melancholie,
Thou which of good, hast, yea art treasury,
All changing unchang'd Antient of dayes;
But doe not, with a vile crowne of fraile bayes, 5
Reward my muses white sincerity,
But what thy thorny crowne gain'd, that give mee,
A crowne of Glory, which doth flower alwayes;
The ends crowne our workes, but thou crown'st our ends,
For, at our end begins our endlesse rest; 10
The first last end, now zealously possest,
With a strong sober thirst, my soule attends.
'Tis time that heart and voice be lifted high,
_Salvation to all that will is nigh_.
[HOLY SONNETS. _1633-69_, _being general title to the two
groups:_ Holy Sonnets written 20 years since. _H49_.]
[La Corona. _1633-69_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _TCC_,
_TCD_, _W:_ The Crowne. _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[2 low _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_, _W_ (_spelt_
lowe _in MSS._): lone _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S:_ loves
_S96_]
[3 treasury, _1633-69:_ a Treasurie, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[4 dayes; _Ed:_ dayes, _1633-69_]
[10 For] So _W_ end _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ ends _1635-69_, _S96_
rest; _Ed:_ rest, _1633-69_]
[11 The] This _B_, _S_, _S96_, _W_
zealously] soberly _B_, _S96_, _W:_ _O'F corrects_]
[13 heart and voice] voice and heart _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_,
_W_]
[14 _nigh_.] _nigh_, _1633_]
ANNVNCIATION.
2. _Salvation to all that will is nigh_;
That All, which alwayes is All every where,
Which cannot sinne, and yet all sinnes must beare,
Which cannot die, yet cannot chuse but die,
Loe, faithfull Virgin, yeelds himselfe to lye 5
In prison, in thy wombe; and though he there
Can take no sinne, nor thou give, yet he'will weare
Taken from thence, flesh, which deaths force may trie.
Ere by the spheares time was created, thou
Wast in his minde, who is thy Sonne, and Brother; 10
Whom thou conceiv'st, conceiv'd; yea thou art now
Thy Makers maker, and thy Fathers mother;
Thou'hast light in darke; and shutst in little roome,
_Immensity cloysterd in thy deare wombe_.
[Annunciation.]
[1 _nigh;_ _1669:_ _nigh_, _1633-54_]
[9 created,] begotten, _B_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ _O'F corrects_]
[10 Brother; _Ed:_ Brother, _1633-69_]
[11 conceiv'st, _1633:_ conceiv'st _1635-69:_ conceiv'dst,
_O'F_, _S_, _W_, _and Grolier_ conceiv'd;] conceived;
_1635-69_]
[12 mother; _Ed:_ mother, _1633-69_]
NATIVITIE.
3. _Immensitie cloysterd in thy deare wombe_,
Now leaves his welbelov'd imprisonment,
There he hath made himselfe to his intent
Weake enough, now into our world to come;
But Oh, for thee, for him, hath th'Inne no roome? 5
Yet lay him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Starres, and wisemen will travell to prevent
Th'effect of _Herods_ jealous generall doome.
Seest thou, my Soule, with thy faiths eyes, how he
Which fils all place, yet none holds him, doth lye? 10
Was not his pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pittied by thee?
Kisse him, and with him into Egypt goe,
_With his kinde mother, who partakes thy woe_.
[Nativitie.]
[6 this] his _1669_]
[7 will] shall _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[8 effect _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ effects _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_ jealous] dire and _B_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ zealous _A18, N, TC_
doome.] doome; _1633_]
[9 eyes, _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ eye,
_1635-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
TEMPLE.
4. _With his kinde mother who partakes thy woe_,
_Ioseph_ turne backe; see where your child doth sit,
Blowing, yea blowing out those sparks of wit,
Which himselfe on the Doctors did bestow;
The Word but lately could not speake, and loe, 5
It sodenly speakes wonders, whence comes it,
That all which was, and all which should be writ,
A shallow seeming child, should deeply know?
His Godhead was not soule to his manhood,
Nor had time mellowed him to this ripenesse, 10
But as for one which hath a long taske, 'tis good,
With the Sunne to beginne his businesse,
He in his ages morning thus began
_By miracles exceeding power of man_.
[Temple.]
[5 loe, _Ed:_ loe _1633-69_]
[6 wonders, _1633-39:_ wonders: _1650-69_]
[11 for] to _W_
a long taske, _1633-69_, _D_, _H49:_ long taskes _B_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ longe taske _A18_, _TCC_
'tis] 'Tis _1633:_ thinks _W_]
CRVCIFYING.
5. _By miracles exceeding power of man_,
Hee faith in some, envie in some begat,
For, what weake spirits admire, ambitious, hate;
In both affections many to him ran,
But Oh! the worst are most, they will and can, 5
Alas, and do, unto the immaculate,
Whose creature Fate is, now prescribe a Fate,
Measuring selfe-lifes infinity to'a span,
Nay to an inch. Loe, where condemned hee
Beares his owne crosse, with paine, yet by and by 10
When it beares him, he must beare more and die.
Now thou art lifted up, draw mee to thee,
And at thy death giving such liberall dole,
_Moyst, with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule_.
[Crucifying.]
[3 weake] meeke _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[8 to'a span, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ to span,
_1633-69_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_]
[9 inch. Loe, _1635-69:_ inch, loe, _1633_]
[11 die. _1635-69:_ die; _1633_]
RESVRRECTION.
6. _Moyst with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule_
Shall (though she now be in extreme degree
Too stony hard, and yet too fleshly,) bee
Freed by that drop, from being starv'd, hard, or foule,
And life, by this death abled, shall controule 5
Death, whom thy death slue; nor shall to mee
Feare of first or last death, bring miserie,
If in thy little booke my name thou enroule,
Flesh in that long sleep is not putrified,
But made that there, of which, and for which 'twas; 10
Nor can by other meanes be glorified.
May then sinnes sleep, and deaths soone from me passe,
That wak't from both, I againe risen may
_Salute the last, and everlasting day_.
[Resurrection.]
[1 _soule_ _1635:_ _soule_, _1633_, _1639-69_]
[5 this] thy _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[6 shall to] shall nowe to _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
[8 little _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _TC:_ life _1635-69_,
_B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[9 that long] that last long _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ that _D_,
_H49_]
[11 glorified] purified _S_, _S96_, _W_, _and O'F_ (_which
corrects to_ glorified)]
[12 deaths _A18_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ death _1633-69_, _D_,
_H49_]
ASCENTION.
7. _Salute the last and everlasting day_,
Joy at the uprising of this Sunne, and Sonne,
Yee whose just teares, or tribulation
Have purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay;
Behold the Highest, parting hence away, 5
Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon,
Nor doth hee by ascending, show alone,
But first hee, and hee first enters the way.
O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee,
Mild Lambe, which with thy blood, hast mark'd the path; 10
Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see,
Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath,
And if thy holy Spirit, my Muse did raise,
_Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise_.
[Ascention.]
[3 just _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC:_ true _1635-69_,
_B_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[8 way.] way, _1633_]
[10 Lambe, _D_, _W:_ lambe _1633-69_]
[11 Torch, _D_, _W:_ torch, _1633-69_
the way] thy wayes _B_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ thee _A18_, _TCC_]
_Holy Sonnets._
I.
Thou hast made me, And shall thy worke decay?
Repaire me now, for now mine end doth haste,
I runne to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
I dare not move my dimme eyes any way, 5
Despaire behind, and death before doth cast
Such terrour, and my feeble flesh doth waste
By sinne in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;
Onely thou art above, and when towards thee
By thy leave I can looke, I rise againe; 10
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
That not one houre my selfe I can sustaine;
Thy Grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And thou like Adamant draw mine iron heart.
[Holy Sonnets. _1633-69_ (_following_ La Corona _as second
group under the same general title_), _W:_ Devine Meditations.
_B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _no title_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD_. _See note_]
[I. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ _omitted_ _1633_,
_A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[4 yesterday; _Ed:_ yesterday, _1635-69_]
[7 feeble _1635-69:_ febled _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[12 my selfe I can _1635-69:_ I can myself _B_, _S96_, _W_
sustaine; _1669:_ sustaine, _1635-54_]
II.
As due by many titles I resigne
My selfe to thee, O God, first I was made
By thee, and for thee, and when I was decay'd
Thy blood bought that, the which before was thine;
I am thy sonne, made with thy selfe to shine, 5
Thy servant, whose paines thou hast still repaid,
Thy sheepe, thine Image, and, till I betray'd
My selfe, a temple of thy Spirit divine;
Why doth the devill then usurpe on mee?
Why doth he steale, nay ravish that's thy right? 10
Except thou rise and for thine owne worke fight,
Oh I shall soone despaire, when I doe see
That thou lov'st mankind well, yet wilt'not chuse me,
And Satan hates mee, yet is loth to lose mee.
[II. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ I. _1633_, _A18_, _D_,
_H49_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[2 God, first _1633:_ God. First _1635-69_]
[4 thine; _1650-69:_ thine, _1633-39:_ thine. _W_]
[7 and, _Ed:_ and _1633-69_]
[9 on _1633-69_, _D_, _H49:_ in _A18_, _B_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W_]
[10 steale,] steale _1633-39_
that's] what's _A18_, _TCC_]
[12 doe _1633 and most MSS.:_ shall _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[13 me,] me. _1633_]
III.
O might those sighes and teares returne againe
Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,
That I might in this holy discontent
Mourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;
In mine Idolatry what showres of raine 5
Mine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?
That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;
'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.
Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,
The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proud 10
Have the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefe
Of comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'd
No ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beene
Th'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.
[III. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ _omitted_ _1633_,
_A18_, _D_, _&c._]
[7 sinne; now I _Ed:_ sinne, now I _B_, _W:_ sinne I now
_1635-69_
repent; _Ed:_ repent, _1633-69_]
IV.
Oh my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned
By sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;
Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath done
Treason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,
Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read, 5
Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;
But damn'd and hal'd to execution,
Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.
Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;
But who shall give thee that grace to beginne? 10
Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,
And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;
Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this might
That being red, it dyes red soules to white.
[IV. _1635-69:_ II. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ V. _B_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _W_]
[1 Soule! _1633:_ Soule _1635-69_]
[8 imprisoned. _W:_ imprisoned; _1633-69_]
V.
I am a little world made cunningly
Of Elements, and an Angelike spright,
But black sinne hath betraid to endlesse night
My worlds both parts, and (oh) both parts must die.
You which beyond that heaven which was most high 5
Have found new sphears, and of new lands can write,
Powre new seas in mine eyes, that so I might
Drowne my world with my weeping earnestly,
Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more:
But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire 10
Of lust and envie have burnt it heretofore,
And made it fouler; Let their flames retire,
And burne me ô Lord, with a fiery zeale
Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heale.
[V. _1635-69:_ _omitted_ _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ VII. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[6 lands _B_, _S96_, _W:_ land _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[7 I _1635-54:_ he _1669_]
[9 it, _Ed:_ it: _W:_ it _1635-69_]
[10 burnt! _Ed:_ burnt, _1635-69_]
[11 have _B_, _S96_, _W:_ hath _O'F:_ _om._ _1635-69_]
[12 fouler; _W:_ fouler, _1635-69_
their] those _W_]
[13 Lord] God _W_]
VI.
This is my playes last scene, here heavens appoint
My pilgrimages last mile; and my race
Idly, yet quickly runne, hath this last pace,
My spans last inch, my minutes latest point,
And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoynt 5
My body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space,
But my'ever-waking part shall see that face,
Whose feare already shakes my every joynt:
Then, as my soule, to'heaven her first seate, takes flight,
And earth-borne body, in the earth shall dwell, 10
So, fall my sinnes, that all may have their right,
To where they'are bred, and would presse me, to hell.
Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evill,
For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devill.
[VI. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ III. _1633_, _A18_,
_D_, _&c._]
[6 and soule, _1635-69:_ and my soule, _1633_]
[7 Or presently, I know not, see that Face, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]
[10 earth-borne _1635-69:_ earth borne _1633_]
[14 flesh,] flesh _1633_
the devill.] and devill. _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W_]
VII.
At the round earths imagin'd corners, blow
Your trumpets, Angells, and arise, arise
From death, you numberlesse infinities
Of soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,
All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow, 5
All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God, and never tast deaths woe.
But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,
For, if above all these, my sinnes abound, 10
'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,
When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,
Teach mee how to repent; for that's as good
As if thou'hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.
[VII. _1635-69:_ IV. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ VIII. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[5 o'erthrow] overthrow _1669_]
[6 dearth, _W:_ death, _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]
[8 woe. _W:_ woe, _1633-54:_ owe; _1669_]
[12 lowly] holy _1669_]
[14 thy] my _1669_]
VIII.
If faithfull soules be alike glorifi'd
As Angels, then my fathers soule doth see,
And adds this even to full felicitie,
That valiantly I hels wide mouth o'rstride:
But if our mindes to these soules be descry'd 5
By circumstances, and by signes that be
Apparent in us, not immediately,
How shall my mindes white truth by them be try'd?
They see idolatrous lovers weepe and mourne,
And vile blasphemous Conjurers to call 10
On Iefus name, and Pharisaicall
Dissemblers feigne devotion. Then turne
O pensive soule, to God, for he knowes best
Thy true griefe, for he put it in my breast.
[VIII. _1635-69:_ _omitted_ _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ X. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[7 in us, _W:_ in us _1635-69_. _See note_]
[8 by] to _B_, _S96_, _W_]
[10 vile _W:_ vilde _B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ stile _1635-69_]
[14 true _W:_ _om. 1635-69_, _B_, _S96_ in _W:_ into
_1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_
my] thy _B_, _S96_]
IX.
If poysonous mineralls, and if that tree,
Whose fruit threw death on else immortall us,
If lecherous goats, if serpents envious
Cannot be damn'd; Alas; why should I bee?
Why should intent or reason, borne in mee, 5
Make sinnes, else equall, in mee more heinous?
And mercy being easie, and glorious
To God; in his sterne wrath, why threatens hee?
But who am I, that dare dispute with thee
O God? Oh! of thine onely worthy blood, 10
And my teares, make a heavenly Lethean flood,
And drowne in it my sinnes blacke memorie;
That thou remember them, some claime as debt,
I thinke it mercy, if thou wilt forget.
[IX. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ V. _1633_, _A18_, _D_,
_&c._]
[1 poysonous] poysons _1639-54_
and if that] or if the _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[2 (else immortal) _1635-69_]
[5 or] and _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[6 mee] mee, _1633_]
[8 God;] God, _1633_]
[9-10 thee O God? _W:_ thee? O God, _1633-69_]
[12 memorie;] memorie, _1633_]
[14 forget.] forget, _1633_]
X.
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, 5
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, 10
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
[X. _1635-69:_ VI. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ XI. _B_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _W_]
[4 mee.] mee; _1633_]
[5 pictures _1633 and MSS.:_ picture _1635-69_]
[8 deliverie.] deliverie _1633-69_]
[9 Chance, _W:_ chance, _1633-69_]
[10 dost] doth _1633_
dwell,] dwell. _1633_]
[12 better] easier _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[13 wake] live _B_, _S96_, _W_]
[14 more; death, _Ed:_ more, death _1633-69_]
XI.
Spit in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side,
Buffet, and scoffe, scourge, and crucifie mee,
For I have sinn'd, and sinn'd, and onely hee,
Who could do no iniquitie, hath dyed:
But by my death can not be satisfied 5
My sinnes, which passe the Jewes impiety:
They kill'd once an inglorious man, but I
Crucifie him daily, being now glorified.
Oh let mee then, his strange love still admire:
Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment. 10
And _Iacob_ came cloth'd in vile harsh attire
But to supplant, and with gainfull intent:
God cloth'd himselfe in vile mans flesh, that so
Hee might be weake enough to suffer woe.
[XI. _1635-69:_ VII. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ _omitted_ _B_,
_S96:_ _added among_ Other Meditations. _O'F:_ XIII. _W_]
[3 onely] humbly _W_]
[6 impiety] iniquitye _D_, _H49_]
[8 glorified.] glorified; _1633_]
[12 intent:] intent _1633_]
XII.
Why are wee by all creatures waited on?
Why doe the prodigall elements supply
Life and food to mee, being more pure then I,
Simple, and further from corruption?
Why brook'st thou, ignorant horse, subjection? 5
Why dost thou bull, and bore so seelily
Dissemble weaknesse, and by'one mans stroke die,
Whose whole kinde, you might swallow and feed upon?
Weaker I am, woe is mee, and worse then you,
You have not sinn'd, nor need be timorous. 10
But wonder at a greater wonder, for to us
Created nature doth these things subdue,
But their Creator, whom sin, nor nature tyed,
For us, his Creatures, and his foes, hath dyed.
[XII. _1635-69:_ VIII. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ _omitted_
_B_, _S96:_ _among_ Other Meditations. _O'F:_ XIV. _W_]
[1 are wee] ame I _W_]
[4 Simple, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _W:_ Simpler _1635-69_, _A18_,
_N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _Chambers_]
[9 Weaker I am,] Alas I am weaker, _W_]
[10 timorous. _W:_ timorous, _1633-69_]
[11 a greater wonder, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_ (greate),
_TC_, _W:_ a greater, _1635-69_]
XIII.
What if this present were the worlds last night?
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light, 5
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my idolatrie
I said to all my profane mistresses, 10
Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely is
A signe of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.
[XIII _1635-69:_ IX. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ _om. B_,
_S96:_ _among_ Other Meditations. _O'F:_ XV. _W_]
[2 Marke] Looke _W_]
[4 that _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ his _1633-69_, _D_,
_H49_]
[6 fell. _1639-69:_ fell _1633-35_]
[8 fierce] ranck _W_]
[14 assures _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ assumes
_1633-69_]
XIV.
Batter my heart, three person'd God; for, you
As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bend
Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due, 5
Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.
Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,
But am betroth'd unto your enemie: 10
Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,
Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I
Except you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,
Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.
[XIV. _1635-69:_ X. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ _om. B_, _O'F_,
_S96:_ XVI. _W_]
[7 mee should] wee should _1669_]
[8 untrue. _W:_ untrue, _1633-69_]
[9 loved _MSS.:_ lov'd _1633-69_]
[10 enemie: _W:_ enemie, _1633-69_]
XV.
Wilt thou love God, as he thee! then digest,
My Soule, this wholsome meditation,
How God the Spirit, by Angels waited on
In heaven, doth make his Temple in thy brest.
The Father having begot a Sonne most blest, 5
And still begetting, (for he ne'r begonne)
Hath deign'd to chuse thee by adoption,
Coheire to'his glory,'and Sabbaths endlesse rest.
And as a robb'd man, which by search doth finde
His stolne stuffe sold, must lose or buy'it againe: 10
The Sonne of glory came downe, and was slaine,
Us whom he'had made, and Satan stolne, to unbinde.
'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
But, that God should be made like man, much more.
[XV. _1635-69:_ XI. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ XII. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[4 brest. _W:_ brest, _1633-69_]
[8 rest.] rest; _1633_]
[11 Sonne _1633:_ Sunne _1633-69_]
[12 stolne, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC:_ stole,
_1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W_, _Chambers_]
XVI.
Father, part of his double interest
Unto thy kingdome, thy Sonne gives to mee,
His joynture in the knottie Trinitie
Hee keepes, and gives to me his deaths conquest.
This Lambe, whose death, with life the world hath blest, 5
Was from the worlds beginning slaine, and he
Hath made two Wills, which with the Legacie
Of his and thy kingdome, doe thy Sonnes invest.
Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet
Whether a man those statutes can fulfill; 10
None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit
Revive againe what law and letter kill.
Thy lawes abridgement, and thy last command
Is all but love; Oh let this last Will stand!
[XVI. _1635-69:_ XII. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c.:_ IV. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]
[3 Trinitie] Trinitie, _1633_]
[8 doe _1633:_ _om. 1635-69:_ doth _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_, _W_
invest. _W:_ invest, _1633-39:_ invest: _1650-69_]
[9 thy _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ these _1633-69:_ those _A18_, _D_,
_H49_, _N_, _TC_]
[11 doth;] doth, _1633_
but all-healing _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ but thy
all-healing _1633-69_. _See note_
spirit] Spirit, _1633-69_]
[12 Revive againe] Revive and quicken _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W_
kill. _1635-69:_ kill, _1633_]
[14 this _1633-69:_ that _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_
thy _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]
XVII.
Since she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debt
To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
And her Soule early into heaven ravished,
Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett.
Here the admyring her my mind did whett 5
To seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head;
But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett.
But why should I begg more Love, when as thou
Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine: 10
And dost not only feare least I allow
My Love to Saints and Angels things divine,
But in thy tender jealosy dost doubt
Least the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out.
[XVII. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life and Letters of
John Donne, 1899]
[2 dead,] dead _W_]
[6 their] y^r _W_
head;] head, _W_]
[10 wooe] _spelt_ woe _W_]
[12 divine,] divine _W_]
XVIII.
Show me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.
What! is it She, which on the other shore
Goes richly painted? or which rob'd and tore
Laments and mournes in Germany and here?
Sleepes she a thousand, then peepes up one yeare? 5
Is she selfe truth and errs? now new, now outwore?
Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermore
On one, on seaven, or on no hill appeare?
Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights
First travaile we to seeke and then make Love? 10
Betray kind husband thy spouse to our sights,
And let myne amorous soule court thy mild Dove,
Who is most trew, and pleasing to thee, then
When she'is embrac'd and open to most men.
[XVIII. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life _&c._]
[2 What!] What _W_]
[3 tore] _so I read W:_ lore _Gosse_]
XIX.
Oh, to vex me, contraryes meet in one:
Inconstancy unnaturally hath begott
A constant habit; that when I would not
I change in vowes, and in devotione.
As humorous is my contritione 5
As my prophane Love, and as soone forgott:
As ridlingly distemper'd, cold and hott,
As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.
I durst not view heaven yesterday; and to day
In prayers, and flattering speaches I court God: 10
To morrow I quake with true feare of his rod.
So my devout fitts come and go away
Like a fantastique Ague: save that here
Those are my best dayes, when I shake with feare.
[XIX. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life _&c._]
[3 that] y^t _W_, _so always_]
[4 and] & _W_, _so always_]
_The Crosse._
Since Christ embrac'd the Crosse it selfe, dare I
His image, th'image of his Crosse deny?
Would I have profit by the sacrifice,
And dare the chosen Altar to despise?
It bore all other sinnes, but is it fit 5
That it should beare the sinne of scorning it?
Who from the picture would avert his eye,
How would he flye his paines, who there did dye?
From mee, no Pulpit, nor misgrounded law,
Nor scandall taken, shall this Crosse withdraw, 10
It shall not, for it cannot; for, the losse
Of this Crosse, were to mee another Crosse;
Better were worse, for, no affiction,
No Crosse is so extreme, as to have none.
Who can blot out the Crosse, which th'instrument 15
Of God, dew'd on mee in the Sacrament?
Who can deny mee power, and liberty
To stretch mine armes, and mine owne Crosse to be?
Swimme, and at every stroake, thou art thy Crosse;
The Mast and yard make one, where seas do tosse; 20
Looke downe, thou spiest out Crosses in small things;
Looke up, thou seest birds rais'd on crossed wings;
All the Globes frame, and spheares, is nothing else
But the Meridians crossing Parallels.
Materiall Crosses then, good physicke bee, 25
But yet spirituall have chiefe dignity.
These for extracted chimique medicine serve,
And cure much better, and as well preserve;
Then are you your own physicke, or need none,
When Still'd, or purg'd by tribulation. 30
For when that Crosse ungrudg'd, unto you stickes,
Then are you to your selfe, a Crucifixe.
As perchance, Carvers do not faces make,
But that away, which hid them there, do take;
Let Crosses, soe, take what hid Christ in thee, 35
And be his image, or not his, but hee.
But, as oft Alchimists doe coyners prove,
So may a selfe-dispising, get selfe-love,
And then as worst surfets, of best meates bee,
Soe is pride, issued from humility, 40
For, 'tis no child, but monster; therefore Crosse
Your joy in crosses, else, 'tis double losse.
And crosse thy senses, else, both they, and thou
Must perish soone, and to destruction bowe.
For if the'eye seeke good objects, and will take 45
No crosse from bad, wee cannot scape a snake.
So with harsh, hard, sowre, stinking, crosse the rest,
Make them indifferent all; call nothing best.
But most the eye needs crossing, that can rome,
And move; To th'other th'objects must come home. 50
And crosse thy heart: for that in man alone
Points downewards, and hath palpitation.
Crosse those dejections, when it downeward tends,
And when it to forbidden heights pretends.
And as the braine through bony walls doth vent 55
By sutures, which a Crosses forme present,
So when thy braine workes, ere thou utter it,
Crosse and correct concupiscence of witt.
Be covetous of Crosses, let none fall.
Crosse no man else, but crosse thy selfe in all. 60
Then doth the Crosse of Christ worke fruitfully
Within our hearts, when wee love harmlesly
That Crosses pictures much, and with more care
That Crosses children, which our Crosses are.
[The Crosse. _1633-69_ (_following_, _1635-69_, In that, ô
Queene _&c._ _p._ 427): _similarly_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[8 paines] pangs _JC_]
[12 Crosse; _1635-69:_ Crosse. _1633_]
[13 affliction, _Ed:_ affliction _1633-69_]
[14 none. _Ed:_ none; _1633-54:_ none: _1669_]
[19 Crosse; _Ed:_ Crosse, _1633:_ Crosse, _1635-69_]
[20 make] makes _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S_
where] when _O'F_
tosse; _1635-69:_ tosse. _1633_]
[21 out] our _1669_]
[23 is] are _A25_, _B_]
[26 But yet] And yet _A18_, _D_, _JC_, _N_, _TC_]
[27 medicine] medicines _A25_, _B_, _JC_]
[33 make, _1635-69:_ make: _1633_]
[34 take; _Ed:_ take. _1633:_ take: _1635-69_]
[37 oft _Ed:_ oft, _1633-69_]
[38 selfe-love, _D:_ selfe-love. _1633-69_]
[42 losse. _Ed:_ losse, _1633-69_]
[44 destruction] corruption _O'F_]
[45 seeke] see _1650-69_]
[48 all; call nothing best. _Ed:_ indifferent; call nothing
best. _1633 and MSS:_ indifferent; all, nothing best.
_1635-69_]
[50 To th'other th'objects _1633:_ To th'others objects
_1635-69_]
[52 Points _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC:_ Pants _1633-69_,
_B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_]
[53 dejections _1633:_ detorsions _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[55 the] thy _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_TC_]
[61 fruitfully _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TC:_ faithfully _1633-69_]
[63 That _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TC:_ The _1633-69_]
_Resurrection, imperfect._
Sleep sleep old Sun, thou canst not have repast
As yet, the wound thou took'st on friday last;
Sleepe then, and rest; The world may beare thy stay,
A better Sun rose before thee to day,
Who, not content to'enlighten all that dwell 5
On the earths face, as thou, enlightned hell,
And made the darke fires languish in that vale,
As, at thy presence here, our fires grow pale.
Whose body having walk'd on earth, and now
Hasting to Heaven, would, that he might allow 10
Himselfe unto all stations, and fill all,
For these three daies become a minerall;
Hee was all gold when he lay downe, but rose
All tincture, and doth not alone dispose
Leaden and iron wills to good, but is 15
Of power to make even sinfull flesh like his.
Had one of those, whose credulous pietie
Thought, that a Soule one might discerne and see
Goe from a body,'at this sepulcher been,
And, issuing from the sheet, this body seen, 20
He would have justly thought this body a soule,
If not of any man, yet of the whole.
_Desunt cætera._
[Resurrection, imperfect. _1633-69_ (_following_ By
Euphrates _&c._ _p._ 424), _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[15 good, _1633-69 and MSS.: Chambers queries_ gold]
[22 If] If, _1633-69_]
_The Annuntiation and Passion._
Tamely, fraile body,'abstaine to day; to day
My soule eates twice, Christ hither and away.
She sees him man, so like God made in this,
That of them both a circle embleme is,
Whose first and last concurre; this doubtfull day 5
Of feast or fast, Christ came, and went away.
Shee sees him nothing twice at once, who'is all;
Shee sees a Cedar plant it selfe, and fall,
Her Maker put to making, and the head
Of life, at once, not yet alive, yet dead. 10
She sees at once the virgin mother stay
Reclus'd at home, Publique at Golgotha;
Sad and rejoyc'd shee's seen at once, and seen
At almost fiftie, and at scarce fifteene.
At once a Sonne is promis'd her, and gone, 15
Gabriell gives Christ to her, He her to John;
Not fully a mother, Shee's in Orbitie,
At once receiver and the legacie.
All this, and all betweene, this day hath showne,
Th'Abridgement of Christs story, which makes one 20
(As in plaine Maps, the furthest West is East)
Of the'Angels _Ave_,'and _Consummatum est_.
How well the Church, Gods Court of faculties
Deales, in some times, and seldome joyning these!
As by the selfe-fix'd Pole wee never doe 25
Direct our course, but the next starre thereto,
Which showes where the'other is, and which we say
(Because it strayes not farre) doth never stray;
So God by his Church, neerest to him, wee know,
And stand firme, if wee by her motion goe; 30
His Spirit, as his fiery Pillar doth
Leade, and his Church, as cloud; to one end both.
This Church, by letting these daies joyne, hath shown
Death and conception in mankinde is one;
Or'twas in him the same humility, 35
That he would be a man, and leave to be:
Or as creation he hath made, as God,
With the last judgement, but one period,
His imitating Spouse would joyne in one
Manhoods extremes: He shall come, he is gone: 40
Or as though one blood drop, which thence did fall,
Accepted, would have serv'd, he yet shed all;
So though the least of his paines, deeds, or words,
Would busie a life, she all this day affords;
This treasure then, in grosse, my Soule uplay, 45
And in my life retaile it every day.
[The Annuntiation and Passion. _1633-69:_ Upon the
Annuntiation and Passion falling upon one day. Anno D[^n]i
1608. _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96:_ _similarly_, _N_, _TCD:_ The
Annuntiation. _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ _no title_, _P_]
[1 Tamely, fraile body, _Ed:_ Tamely fraile body _1633:_
Tamely fraile flesh, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S96_ (_1650-69
accidentally drop second_ to day)]
[6 away.] away; _1633:_ away, _1635-39_]
[10 yet dead. _Ed:_ yet dead; _1633_, _B_, _P_, _S:_ and dead;
_1635-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD_ (_full stop_,
_MSS._)]
[12 at Golgotha; _Ed:_ at Golgotha. _1633-69_]
[13 Sad and rejoyc'd] Rejoyc'd and sad _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_]
[18 legacie. _Ed:_ legacie; _1633-69_]
[24 these! _Ed:_ these? _D_, _TCD:_ these; _1633:_ these.
_1635-69_]
[31 as _1633:_ and _1635-69_]
[32 both. _1635-69:_ both: _1633_]
[33 these _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_,
_TCD:_ those _1633-69_
daies _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ feasts _1635-69_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]
[34 one; _Ed:_ one. _1633:_ are one. _1635-69_ (one _1669_)]
[37 hath] had _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_]
_Goodfriday_, 1613. _Riding Westward._
Let mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this,
The intelligence that moves, devotion is,
And as the other Spheares, by being growne
Subject to forraigne motions, lose their owne,
And being by others hurried every day, 5
Scarce in a yeare their naturall forme obey:
Pleasure or businesse, so, our Soules admit
For their first mover, and are whirld by it.
Hence is't, that I am carryed towards the West
This day, when my Soules forme bends toward the East. 10
There I should see a Sunne, by rising set,
And by that setting endlesse day beget;
But that Christ on this Crosse, did rise and fall,
Sinne had eternally benighted all.
Yet dare I'almost be glad, I do not see 15
That spectacle of too much weight for mee.
Who sees Gods face, that is selfe life, must dye;
What a death were it then to see God dye?
It made his owne Lieutenant Nature shrinke,
It made his footstoole crack, and the Sunne winke. 20
Could I behold those hands which span the Poles,
And turne all spheares at once, peirc'd with those holes?
Could I behold that endlesse height which is
Zenith to us, and our Antipodes,
Humbled below us? or that blood which is 25
The seat of all our Soules, if not of his,
Made durt of dust, or that flesh which was worne
By God, for his apparell, rag'd, and torne?
If on these things I durst not looke, durst I
Upon his miserable mother cast mine eye, 30
Who was Gods partner here, and furnish'd thus
Halfe of that Sacrifice, which ransom'd us?
Though these things, as I ride, be from mine eye,
They'are present yet unto my memory,
For that looks towards them; and thou look'st towards mee, 35
O Saviour, as thou hang'st upon the tree;
I turne my backe to thee, but to receive
Corrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.
O thinke mee worth thine anger, punish mee,
Burne off my rusts, and my deformity, 40
Restore thine Image, so much, by thy grace,
That thou may'st know mee, and I'll turne my face.
[Goodfriday, _&c._ _1633-69:_ Good Friday (_with or without
date and_ Riding _&c._) _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ Good Friday. 1613. Riding towards Wales. _D_,
_Lec_, _O'F:_ Good Friday. 1613. Riding to S^r Edward Harbert
in Wales. _H49:_ M^r J. Duñ goeing from Sir H. G. on good
friday sent him back this meditation on the way. _A25_]
[4 motions _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC:_ motion, _1633-69_]
[8 and] _bis_ _1650-54_]
[10 toward _1633:_ _do. or_ towards _MSS.:_ to _1635-69_,
_O'F_]
[12 beget _1633:_ beget. _1635-69_, _Chambers_]
[13 this Crosse, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCC:_ his Crosse, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _TCD_]
[16 too] two _1639-69_]
[22 turne _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ tune _1633-69_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96_
once,] once _1633_]
[30 Upon his miserable _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_
On his distressed _1635-69_]
[40 rusts, _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TCD:_ rust, _1635-69_, _A18_, _S_, _TCC_]
THE LITANIE.
I.
_The_ FATHER.
Father of Heaven, and him, by whom
It, and us for it, and all else, for us
Thou madest, and govern'st ever, come
And re-create mee, now growne ruinous:
My heart is by dejection, clay, 5
And by selfe-murder, red.
From this red earth, O Father, purge away
All vicious tinctures, that new fashioned
I may rise up from death, before I'am dead.
II.
_The_ SONNE.
O Sonne of God, who seeing two things, 10
Sinne, and death crept in, which were never made,
By bearing one, tryed'st with what stings
The other could thine heritage invade;
O be thou nail'd unto my heart,
And crucified againe, 15
Part not from it, though it from thee would part,
But let it be, by applying so thy paine,
Drown'd in thy blood, and in thy passion slaine.
III.
_The_ HOLY GHOST.
O Holy Ghost, whose temple I
Am, but of mudde walls, and condensed dust, 20
And being sacrilegiously
Halfe wasted with youths fires, of pride and lust,
Must with new stormes be weatherbeat;
Double in my heart thy flame,
Which let devout sad teares intend; and let 25
(Though this glasse lanthorne, flesh, do suffer maime)
Fire, Sacrifice, Priest, Altar be the same.
IV.
_The_ TRINITY.
O Blessed glorious Trinity,
Bones to Philosophy, but milke to faith,
Which, as wise serpents, diversly 30
Most slipperinesse, yet most entanglings hath,
As you distinguish'd undistinct
By power, love, knowledge bee,
Give mee a such selfe different instinct
Of these; let all mee elemented bee, 35
Of power, to love, to know, you unnumbred three.
V.
_The Virgin_ MARY.
For that faire blessed Mother-maid,
Whose flesh redeem'd us; That she-Cherubin,
Which unlock'd Paradise, and made
One claime for innocence, and disseiz'd sinne, 40
Whose wombe was a strange heav'n, for there
God cloath'd himselfe, and grew,
Our zealous thankes wee poure. As her deeds were
Our helpes, so are her prayers; nor can she sue
In vaine, who hath such titles unto you. 45
VI.
_The Angels._
And since this life our nonage is,
And wee in Wardship to thine Angels be,
Native in heavens faire Palaces,
Where we shall be but denizen'd by thee,
As th'earth conceiving by the Sunne, 50
Yeelds faire diversitie,
Yet never knowes which course that light doth run,
So let mee study, that mine actions bee
Worthy their sight, though blinde in how they see.
VII.
_The Patriarches._
And let thy Patriarches Desire 55
(Those great Grandfathers of thy Church, which saw
More in the cloud, then wee in fire,
Whom Nature clear'd more, then us Grace and Law,
And now in Heaven still pray, that wee
May use our new helpes right,) 60
Be satisfy'd, and fructifie in mee;
Let not my minde be blinder by more light
Nor Faith, by Reason added, lose her sight.
VIII.
_The Prophets._
Thy Eagle-sighted Prophets too,
Which were thy Churches Organs, and did sound 65
That harmony, which made of two
One law, and did unite, but not confound;
Those heavenly Poëts which did see
Thy will, and it expresse
In rythmique feet, in common pray for mee, 70
That I by them excuse not my excesse
In seeking secrets, or Poëtiquenesse.
IX.
_The Apostles._
And thy illustrious Zodiacke
Of twelve Apostles, which ingirt this All,
(From whom whosoever do not take 75
Their light, to darke deep pits, throw downe, and fall,)
As through their prayers, thou'hast let mee know
That their bookes are divine;
May they pray still, and be heard, that I goe
Th'old broad way in applying; O decline 80
Mee, when my comment would make thy word mine.
X.
_The Martyrs._
And since thou so desirously
Did'st long to die, that long before thou could'st,
And long since thou no more couldst dye,
Thou in thy scatter'd mystique body wouldst 85
In Abel dye, and ever since
In thine; let their blood come
To begge for us, a discreet patience
Of death, or of worse life: for Oh, to some
Not to be Martyrs, is a martyrdome. 90
XI.
_The Confessors._
Therefore with thee triumpheth there
A Virgin Squadron of white Confessors,
Whose bloods betroth'd, not marryed were,
Tender'd, not taken by those Ravishers:
They know, and pray, that wee may know, 95
In every Christian
Hourly tempestuous persecutions grow;
Tentations martyr us alive; A man
Is to himselfe a Dioclesian.
XII.
_The Virgins._
The cold white snowie Nunnery, 100
Which, as thy mother, their high Abbesse, sent
Their bodies backe againe to thee,
As thou hadst lent them, cleane and innocent,
Though they have not obtain'd of thee,
That or thy Church, or I, 105
Should keep, as they, our first integrity;
Divorce thou sinne in us, or bid it die,
And call chast widowhead Virginitie.
XIII.
_The Doctors._
Thy sacred Academic above
Of Doctors, whose paines have unclasp'd, and taught 110
Both bookes of life to us (for love
To know thy Scriptures tells us, we are wrote
In thy other booke) pray for us there
That what they have misdone
Or mis-said, wee to that may not adhere; 115
Their zeale may be our sinne. Lord let us runne
Meane waies, and call them stars, but not the Sunne.
XIV.
And whil'st this universall Quire,
That Church in triumph, this in warfare here,
Warm'd with one all-partaking fire 120
Of love, that none be lost, which cost thee deare,
Prayes ceaslesly,'and thou hearken too,
(Since to be gratious
Our taske is treble, to pray, beare, and doe)
Heare this prayer Lord: O Lord deliver us 125
From trusting in those prayers, though powr'd out thus.
XV.
From being anxious, or secure,
Dead clods of sadnesse, or light squibs of mirth,
From thinking, that great courts immure
All, or no happinesse, or that this earth 130
Is only for our prison fram'd,
Or that thou art covetous
To them whom thou lovest, or that they are maim'd
From reaching this worlds sweet, who seek thee thus,
With all their might, Good Lord deliver us. 135
XVI.
From needing danger, to bee good,
From owing thee yesterdaies teares to day,
From trusting so much to thy blood,
That in that hope, wee wound our soule away,
From bribing thee with Almes, to excuse 140
Some sinne more burdenous,
From light affecting, in religion, newes,
From thinking us all soule, neglecting thus
Our mutuall duties, Lord deliver us.
XVII.
From tempting Satan to tempt us, 145
By our connivence, or slack companie,
From measuring ill by vitious,
Neglecting to choake sins spawne, Vanitie,
From indiscreet humilitie,
Which might be scandalous, 150
And cast reproach on Christianitie,
From being spies, or to spies pervious,
From thirst, or scorne of fame, deliver us.
XVIII.
Deliver us for thy descent
Into the Virgin, whose wombe was a place 155
Of middle kind; and thou being sent
To'ungratious us, staid'st at her full of grace;
And through thy poore birth, where first thou
Glorifiedst Povertie,
And yet soone after riches didst allow, 160
By accepting Kings gifts in the Epiphanie,
Deliver, and make us, to both waies free.
XIX.
And through that bitter agonie,
Which is still the agonie of pious wits,
Disputing what distorted thee, 165
And interrupted evennesse, with fits;
And through thy free confession
Though thereby they were then
Made blind, so that thou might'st from them have gone,
Good Lord deliver us, and teach us when 170
Wee may not, and we may blinde unjust men.
XX.
Through thy submitting all, to blowes
Thy face, thy clothes to spoile; thy fame to scorne,
All waies, which rage, or Justice knowes,
And by which thou could'st shew, that thou wast born; 175
And through thy gallant humblenesse
Which thou in death did'st shew,
Dying before thy soule they could expresse,
Deliver us from death, by dying so,
To this world, ere this world doe bid us goe. 180
XXI.
When senses, which thy souldiers are,
Wee arme against thee, and they fight for sinne,
When want, sent but to tame, doth warre
And worke despaire a breach to enter in,
When plenty, Gods image, and seale 185
Makes us Idolatrous,
And love it, not him, whom it should reveale,
When wee are mov'd to seeme religious
Only to vent wit, Lord deliver us.
XXII.
In Churches, when the'infirmitie 190
Of him which speakes, diminishes the Word,
When Magistrates doe mis-apply
To us, as we judge, lay or ghostly sword,
When plague, which is thine Angell, raignes,
Or wars, thy Champions, swaie, 195
When Heresie, thy second deluge, gaines;
In th'houre of death, the'Eve of last judgement day,
Deliver us from the sinister way.
XXIII.
Heare us, O heare us Lord; to thee
A sinner is more musique, when he prayes, 200
Then spheares, or Angels praises bee,
In Panegyrique Allelujaes;
Heare us, for till thou heare us, Lord
We know not what to say;
Thine eare to'our sighes, teares, thoughts gives voice and word. 205
O Thou who Satan heard'st in Jobs sicke day,
Heare thy selfe now, for thou in us dost pray.
XXIV.
That wee may change to evennesse
This intermitting aguish Pietie;
That snatching cramps of wickednesse 210
And Apoplexies of fast sin, may die;
That musique of thy promises,
Not threats in Thunder may
Awaken us to our just offices;
What in thy booke, thou dost, or creatures say, 215
That we may heare, Lord heare us, when wee pray.
XXV.
That our eares sicknesse wee may cure,
And rectifie those Labyrinths aright,
That wee, by harkning, not procure
Our praise, nor others dispraise so invite, 220
That wee get not a slipperinesse
And senslesly decline,
From hearing bold wits jeast at Kings excesse,
To'admit the like of majestie divine,
That we may locke our eares, Lord open thine. 225
XXVI.
That living law, the Magistrate,
Which to give us, and make us physicke, doth
Our vices often aggravate,
That Preachers taxing sinne, before her growth,
That Satan, and invenom'd men 230
Which well, if we starve, dine,
When they doe most accuse us, may see then
Us, to amendment, heare them; thee decline:
That we may open our eares, Lord lock thine.
XXVII.
That learning, thine Ambassador, 235
From thine allegeance wee never tempt,
That beauty, paradises flower
For physicke made, from poyson be exempt,
That wit, borne apt high good to doe,
By dwelling lazily 240
On Natures nothing, be not nothing too,
That our affections kill us not, nor dye,
Heare us, weake ecchoes, O thou eare, and cry.
XXVIII.
Sonne of God heare us, and since thou
By taking our blood, owest it us againe, 245
Gaine to thy self, or us allow;
And let not both us and thy selfe be slaine;
O Lambe of God, which took'st our sinne
Which could not stick to thee,
O let it not returne to us againe, 250
But Patient and Physition being free,
As sinne is nothing, let it no where be.
[The Litanie. _1633-69:_ A Letanie. _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]
[17 be, _D:_ be _1633-69_]
[30 serpents, _Ed:_ serpents _1633-69_]
[34 a such _1633:_ such _1635-69_, _JC:_ such a _A18_, _D_,
_H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC_
instinct _1633:_ instinct, _1635-69_]
[35 these; _Ed:_ these, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ these _1633-69:_
thee _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[48 Native] Natives _B_, _JC_, _S_
in heavens faire Palaces, _D:_ in heavens faire Palaces
_1633-39:_ in heavens Palaces, _1650-69_]
[52 which _1633:_ what _1635-69_]
[56 Grandfathers] Grandfathers, _1633_]
[58 then] that _1635-39_]
[58 Grace and Law, _D:_ grace and law, _1633-69_]
[61 satisfy'd, _1635-69_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _S96_,
_TC:_ sanctified, _1633_
fructifie] fructified _A18_, _JC_]
[63 Faith, _D:_ Faith _1633-69_]
[93 were, _Ed:_ were; _1633-69_]
[97 grow; _Ed:_ grow, _1633-69_]
[100 The] Thy _B_, _D_, _H49_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[109 Thy] The _1635-69_
Academie _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ Academ _1635-69:_ Academe
_N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]
[112 thy] the _1650-69_
Scriptures] Scripture _1669_
wrote] _spelt_ wrought _1633 and MSS._]
[115 adhere; _Ed:_ adhere, _1633-69_]
[122 too, _D:_ too _1633-69_]
[125 Lord: _Ed:_ Lord, _1633-69_]
[128 clods _1633:_ clouds _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_ (_which
corrects_), _S96_]
[133 whom] _om. D_, _H49_, _Lec_
them] _om. A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[134 sweet, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S96:_ sweets,
_1635-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
[137 owing] owning _1669_]
[139 soule] souls _1669_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S_]
[153 fame,] flame, _1633_]
[154 for _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ through
_1635-69_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S96_, _Chambers_]
[156 middle] midle _1633_, _D_]
[157 grace;] grace, _1633_]
[159 Glorifiedst] Glorifiest _1633 some copies_, _D_, _H49_]
[162 Deliver, and] Deliver us, and _Chambers_]
[163 through] though, _1633_
that] thy _B_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[164 is still] still is _1633 some copies_, _1635-69_]
[166 fits;] fits, _1633_]
[173 clothes _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_
robes _1635-69_, _B_ (robe), _JC_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[175 born; _Ed:_ born, _1633-69_]
[196 When] Where _many MSS._]
[197 last judgement] the last _JC_, _S:_ Gods judgement _B_]
[202 Allelujaes; _1635-69:_ Allelujaes, _1633_]
[204 say; _D:_ say. _1633-69_]
[209 Pietie; _Ed:_ Pietie, _1633-69_]
[214 offices;] offices, _1633_]
[217 wee _1633:_ me _1635-69_]
[219 wee, _Ed:_ wee _1633-69_
harkning, not _1633-69:_ heark'ning not _Chambers_]
[231 well, _1633_ (_but altered to_ will, _in some copies_),
_A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ will, _1635-69_,
_Lec_, _Chambers_, _Grolier_]
[233 decline: _Ed:_ decline; _1633-69_]
[239 apt ... doe,] apt, ... doe _1633_]
[243 weake ecchoes, O thou eare, and cry. _1633-69_, _A18_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ weake wretches, O thou eare and
eye. _B_, _S_, _S96:_ _Chambers adopts_ Eye _from S_,
_O'F reads_ eye_, _and TCC alters_ crye _to_ eye, _all
retaining_ ecchoes. _See note_]
[245 againe,] againe _1633_]
[246 or us _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _JC_, _N_, _S_,
_TC:_ and us _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S96_, _Chambers_]
[248 O Lambe] O lambe _1633_]
_Vpon the translation of the Psalmes by Sir_ Philip Sydney,
_and the Countesse of Pembroke his Sister._
Eternall God, (for whom who ever dare
Seeke new expressions, doe the Circle square,
And thrust into strait corners of poore wit
Thee, who art cornerlesse and infinite)
I would but blesse thy Name, not name thee now; 5
(And thy gifts are as infinite as thou:)
Fixe we our prayses therefore on this one,
That, as thy blessed Spirit fell upon
These Psalmes first Author in a cloven tongue;
(For 'twas a double power by which he sung 10
The highest matter in the noblest forme;)
So thou hast cleft that spirit, to performe
That worke againe, and shed it, here, upon
Two, by their bloods, and by thy Spirit one;
A Brother and a Sister, made by thee 15
The Organ, where thou art the Harmony.
Two that make one _Iohn Baptists_ holy voyce,
And who that Psalme, _Now let the Iles rejoyce_,
Have both translated, and apply'd it too,
Both told us what, and taught us how to doe. 20
They shew us Ilanders our joy, our King,
They tell us _why_, and teach us _how_ to sing;
Make all this All, three Quires, heaven, earth, and sphears;
The first, Heaven, hath a song, but no man heares,
The Spheares have Musick, but they have no tongue, 25
Their harmony is rather danc'd than sung;
But our third Quire, to which the first gives eare,
(For, Angels learne by what the Church does here)
This Quire hath all. The Organist is hee
Who hath tun'd God and Man, the Organ we: 30
The songs are these, which heavens high holy Muse
Whisper'd to _David_, _David_ to the Iewes:
And _Davids_ Successors, in holy zeale,
In formes of joy and art doe re-reveale
To us so sweetly and sincerely too, 35
That I must not rejoyce as I would doe
When I behold that these Psalmes are become
So well attyr'd abroad, so ill at home,
So well in Chambers, in thy Church so ill,
As I can scarce call that reform'd untill 40
This be reform'd; Would a whole State present
A lesser gift than some one man hath sent?
And shall our Church, unto our Spouse and King
More hoarse, more harm than any other, sing?
For _that_ we pray, we praise thy name for _this_, 45
Which, by this _Moses_ and this _Miriam_, is
Already done; and as those Psalmes we call
(Though some have other Authors) _Davids_ all:
So though some have, some may some Psalmes translate,
We thy Sydnean Psalmes shall celebrate, 50
And, till we come th'Extemporall song to sing,
(Learn'd the first hower, that we see the King,
Who hath translated those translators) may
These their sweet learned labours, all the way
Be as our tuning; that, when hence we part, 55
We may fall in with them, and sing our part.
[Vpon the _&c._ _1635-69:_ _no extant MSS._]
[17 voyce, _1635-39:_ voyce; _1650-69_]
[22 sing;] sing. _1635-69_]
[23 three Quires, _1669:_ 3 Quires, _1635-54_]
[28 here _1669:_ heare _1635-54_ (_the same word, not_ hear
_as in Chambers' note_)]
[46 this Moses _Grosart:_ thy _Moses_ _1635-69_]
[55: tuning; _1719:_ tuning, _1635-69_
part, _1719:_ part _1635-69_]
_Ode: Of our Sense of Sinne._
1. Vengeance will sit above our faults; but till
She there doth sit,
We see _her_ not, nor _them_. Thus, blinde, yet still
We leade her way; and thus, whil'st we doe ill,
We suffer it. 5
2. Vnhappy he, whom youth makes not beware
Of doing ill.
Enough we labour under age, and care;
In number, th'errours of the last place, are
The greatest still. 10
3. Yet we, that should the ill we now begin
As soone repent,
(Strange thing!) perceive not; our faults are not seen,
But past us; neither felt, but onely in
The punishment. 15
4. But we know our selves least; Mere outward shews
Our mindes so store,
That our soules, no more than our eyes disclose
But forme and colour. Onely he who knowes
Himselfe, knowes more. 20
_I. D._
[Ode. _1635-69_, _O'F:_ Of our Sense of Sinne.
_H40_, _RP31_ (_in margin_, S^{r} Edw. Herbert): _no title_,
_B_, _Cy_, _P_, _S_]
[2 doth _1635-39:_ do _1650-69_]
[11 now] new _B_]
[15 The _1635-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ Our _B_, _H40_, _O'F_]
_To M^{r}_ Tilman _after he had taken orders._
Thou, whose diviner soule hath caus'd thee now
To put thy hand unto the holy Plough,
Making Lay-scornings of the Ministry,
Not an impediment, but victory;
What bringst thou home with thee? how is thy mind 5
Affected since the vintage? Dost thou finde
New thoughts and stirrings in thee? and as Steele
Toucht with a Loadstone, dost new motions feele?
Or, as a Ship after much paine and care,
For Iron and Cloth brings home rich Indian ware, 10
Hast thou thus traffiqu'd, but with farre more gaine
Of noble goods, and with lesse time and paine?
Thou art the same materials, as before,
Onely the stampe is changed; but no more.
And as new crowned Kings alter the face, 15
But not the monies substance; so hath grace
Chang'd onely Gods old Image by Creation,
To Christs new stampe, at this thy Coronation;
Or, as we paint Angels with wings, because
They beare Gods message, and proclaime his lawes, 20
Since thou must doe the like, and so must move,
Art thou new feather'd with cœlestiall love?
Deare, tell me where thy purchase lies, and shew
What thy advantage is above, below.
But if thy gainings doe surmount expression, 25
Why doth the foolish world scorne that profession,
Whose joyes passe speech? Why do they think unfit
That Gentry should joyne families with it?
As if their day were onely to be spent
In dressing, Mistressing and complement; 30
Alas poore joyes, but poorer men, whose trust
Seemes richly placed in sublimed dust;
(For, such are cloathes and beauty, which though gay,
Are, at the best, but of sublimed clay.)
Let then the world thy calling disrespect, 35
But goe thou on, and pitty their neglect.
What function is so noble, as to bee
Embassadour to God and destinie?
To open life, to give kingdomes to more
Than Kings give dignities; to keepe heavens doore? 40
_Maries_ prerogative was to beare Christ, so
'Tis preachers to convey him, for they doe
As Angels out of clouds, from Pulpits speake;
And blesse the poore beneath, the lame, the weake.
If then th'Astronomers, whereas they spie 45
A new-found Starre, their Opticks magnifie,
How brave are those, who with their Engine, can
Bring man to heaven, and heaven againe to man?
These are thy titles and preheminences,
In whom must meet Gods graces, mens offences, 50
And so the heavens which beget all things here,
And the earth our mother, which these things doth beare,
Both these in thee, are in thy Calling knit,
And make thee now a blest Hermaphrodite.
[To M^{r} Tilman _&c._ _1635-69:_ _no extant MSS._]
[18 Christs] Chists _1635_]
[34 clay.) _Ed:_ clay) _1635-69_]
[52 beare, _1650-69:_ beare _1635-39_]
_A Hymne to Christ, at the Authors last going into Germany._
In what torne ship soever I embarke,
That ship shall be my embleme of thy Arke;
What sea soever swallow mee, that flood
Shall be to mee an embleme of thy blood;
Though thou with clouds of anger do disguise 5
Thy race; yet through that maske I know those eyes,
Which, though they turne away sometimes,
They never will despise.
I sacrifice this Iland unto thee,
And all whom I lov'd there, and who lov'd mee; 10
When I have put our seas twixt them and mee,
Put thou thy sea betwixt my sinnes and thee.
As the trees sap doth seeke the root below
In winter, in my winter now I goe,
Where none but thee, th'Eternall root 15
Of true Love I may know.
Nor thou nor thy religion dost controule,
The amorousnesse of an harmonious Soule,
But thou would'st have that love thy selfe: As thou
Art jealous, Lord, so I am jealous now, 20
Thou lov'st not, till from loving more, thou free
My soule: Who ever gives, takes libertie:
O, if thou car'st not whom I love
Alas, thou lov'st not mee.
Seale then this bill of my Divorce to All, 25
On whom those fainter beames of love did fall;
Marry those loves, which in youth scattered bee
On Fame, Wit, Hopes (false mistresses) to thee.
Churches are best for Prayer, that have least light:
To see God only, I goe out of sight: 30
And to scape stormy dayes, I chuse
An Everlasting night.
[A Hymne _&c._ _1633-69:_ A Hymne to Christ. _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ At his going with my Lord of Doncaster 1619.
_B_, _and similarly_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ _in MSS. last two
lines of each stanza given as one_]
[2 my ... thy] an ... the _P_]
[3 soever swallow mee, that] soe'er swallows me up, that
_O'F_]
[10 I lov'd there, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC:_ I love here,
_1635-69:_ I love there _P_
who lov'd mee; _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ who love mee;
_1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[11 our seas _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ this flood _1635-69:_
these (_or_ those) seas _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[12 sea _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ seas _1633_, _P:_
blood _1635-69_]
[15 thee, th'Eternall root] thy eternall work _B_, _O'F_
(_where it is altered to reading of text_), _P_ (externall
workes), _S96_]
[28 Fame, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Face, _1635-69_, _B_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
_The Lamentations of Ieremy, for the most part according to
Tremelius._
CHAP. I.
1 How sits this citie, late most populous,
Thus solitary, and like a widdow thus!
Amplest of Nations, Queene of Provinces
She was, who now thus tributary is!
2 Still in the night shee weepes, and her teares fall 5
Downe by her cheekes along, and none of all
Her lovers comfort her; Perfidiously
Her friends have dealt, and now are enemie.
3 Unto great bondage, and afflictions
Juda is captive led; Those nations 10
With whom shee dwells, no place of rest afford,
In streights shee meets her Persecutors sword.
4 Emptie are the gates of Sion, and her waies
Mourne, because none come to her solemne dayes.
Her Priests doe groane, her maides are comfortlesse, 15
And shee's unto her selfe a bitternesse.
5 Her foes are growne her head, and live at Peace,
Because when her transgressions did increase,
The Lord strooke her with sadnesse: Th'enemie
Doth drive her children to captivitie. 20
6 From Sions daughter is all beauty gone,
Like Harts, which seeke for Pasture, and find none,
Her Princes are, and now before the foe
Which still pursues them, without strength they go.
7 Now in her daies of Teares, Jerusalem 25
(Her men slaine by the foe, none succouring them)
Remembers what of old, shee esteemed most,
Whilest her foes laugh at her, for what she hath lost.
8 Jerusalem hath sinn'd, therefore is shee
Remov'd, as women in uncleannesse bee; 30
Who honor'd, scorne her, for her foulnesse they
Have seene; her selfe doth groane, and turne away.
9 Her foulnesse in her skirts was seene, yet she
Remembred not her end; Miraculously
Therefore shee fell, none comforting: Behold 35
O Lord my affliction, for the Foe growes bold.
10 Upon all things where her delight hath beene,
The foe hath stretch'd his hand, for shee hath seene
Heathen, whom thou command'st, should not doe so,
Into her holy Sanctuary goe. 40
11 And all her people groane, and seeke for bread;
And they have given, only to be fed,
All precious things, wherein their pleasure lay:
How cheape I'am growne, O Lord, behold, and weigh.
12 All this concernes not you, who passe by mee, 45
O see, and marke if any sorrow bee
Like to my sorrow, which Jehova hath
Done to mee in the day of his fierce wrath?
13 That fire, which by himselfe is governed
He hath cast from heaven on my bones, and spred 50
A net before my feet, and mee o'rthrowne,
And made me languish all the day alone.
14 His hand hath of my sinnes framed a yoake
Which wreath'd, and cast upon my neck, hath broke
My strength. The Lord unto those enemies 55
Hath given mee, from whom I cannot rise.
15 He under foot hath troden in my sight
My strong men; He did company invite
To breake my young men; he the winepresse hath
Trod upon Juda's daughter in his wrath. 60
16 For these things doe I weepe, mine eye, mine eye
Casts water out; For he which should be nigh
To comfort mee, is now departed farre;
The foe prevailes, forlorne my children are.
17 There's none, though _Sion_ do stretch out her hand, 65
To comfort her, it is the Lords command
That _Iacobs_ foes girt him. _Ierusalem_
Is as an uncleane woman amongst them.
18 But yet the Lord is just, and righteous still,
I have rebell'd against his holy will; 70
O heare all people, and my sorrow see,
My maides, my young men in captivitie.
19 I called for my _lovers_ then, but they
Deceiv'd mee, and my Priests, and Elders lay
Dead in the citie; for they sought for meat 75
Which should refresh their soules, they could not get.
20 Because I am in streights, _Iehova_ see
My heart o'rturn'd, my bowells muddy bee,
Because I have rebell'd so much, as fast
The sword without, as death within, doth wast. 80
21 Of all which heare I mourne, none comforts mee,
My foes have heard my griefe, and glad they be,
That thou hast done it; But thy promis'd day
Will come, when, as I suffer, so shall they.
22 Let all their wickednesse appeare to thee, 85
Doe unto them, as thou hast done to mee,
For all my sinnes: The sighs which I have had
Are very many, and my heart is sad.
CHAP. II.
1 How over Sions daughter hath God hung
His wraths thicke cloud! and from heaven hath flung 90
To earth the beauty of _Israel_, and hath
Forgot his foot-stoole in the day of wrath!
2 The Lord unsparingly hath swallowed
All Jacobs dwellings, and demolished
To ground the strengths of _Iuda_, and prophan'd 95
The Princes of the Kingdome, and the land.
3 In heat of wrath, the horne of _Israel_ hee
Hath cleane cut off, and lest the enemie
Be hindred, his right hand he doth retire,
But is towards _Iacob_, All-devouring fire. 100
4 Like to an enemie he bent his bow,
His right hand was in posture of a foe,
To kill what _Sions_ daughter did desire,
'Gainst whom his wrath, he poured forth, like fire.
5 For like an enemie _Iehova_ is, 105
Devouring _Israel_, and his Palaces,
Destroying holds, giving additions
To _Iuda's_ daughters lamentations.
6 Like to a garden hedge he hath cast downe
The place where was his congregation, 110
And _Sions_ feasts and sabbaths are forgot;
Her King, her Priest, his wrath regardeth not.
7 The Lord forsakes his Altar, and detests
His Sanctuary, and in the foes hand rests
His Palace, and the walls, in which their cries 115
Are heard, as in the true solemnities.
8 The Lord hath cast a line, so to confound
And levell _Sions_ walls unto the ground;
He drawes not back his hand, which doth oreturne
The wall, and Rampart, which together mourne. 120
9 Their gates are sunke into the ground, and hee
Hath broke the barres; their King and Princes bee
Amongst the heathen, without law, nor there
Unto their Prophets doth the Lord appeare.
10 There _Sions Elders_ on the ground are plac'd, 125
And silence keepe; Dust on their heads they cast,
In sackcloth have they girt themselves, and low
The Virgins towards ground, their heads do throw.
11 My bowells are growne muddy, and mine eyes
Are faint with weeping: and my liver lies 130
Pour'd out upon the ground, for miserie
That sucking children in the streets doe die.
12 When they had cryed unto their Mothers, where
Shall we have bread, and drinke? they fainted there,
And in the streets like wounded persons lay 135
Till 'twixt their mothers breasts they went away.
13 _Daughter Ierusalem_, Oh what may bee
A witnesse, or comparison for thee?
Sion, to ease thee, what shall I name like thee?
Thy breach is like the sea, what help can bee? 140
14 For thee vaine foolish things thy Prophets sought,
Thee, thine iniquities they have not taught,
Which might disturne thy bondage: but for thee
False burthens, and false causes they would see.
15 The passengers doe clap their hands, and hisse, 145
And wag their head at thee, and say, Is this
That citie, which so many men did call
Joy of the earth, and perfectest of all?
16 Thy foes doe gape upon thee, and they hisse,
And gnash their teeth, and say, Devoure wee this, 150
For this is certainly the day which wee
Expected, and which now we finde, and see.
17 The Lord hath done that which he purposed,
Fulfill'd his word of old determined;
He hath throwne downe, and not spar'd, and thy foe 155
Made glad above thee, and advanc'd him so.
18 But now, their hearts against the Lord do call,
Therefore, O walls of _Sion_, let teares fall
Downe like a river, day and night; take thee
No rest, but let thine eye incessant be. 160
19 Arise, cry in the night, poure, for thy sinnes,
Thy heart, like water, when the watch begins;
Lift up thy hands to God, lest children dye,
Which, faint for hunger, in the streets doe lye.
20 Behold O Lord, consider unto whom 165
Thou hast done this; what, shall the women come
To eate their children of a spanne? shall thy
Prophet and Priest be slaine in Sanctuary?
21 On ground in streets, the yong and old do lye,
My virgins and yong men by sword do dye; 170
Them in the day of thy wrath thou hast slaine,
Nothing did thee from killing them containe.
22 As to a solemne feast, all whom I fear'd
Thou call'st about mee; when his wrath appear'd,
None did remaine or scape, for those which I 175
Brought up, did perish by mine enemie.
CHAP. III.
1 I am the man which have affliction seene,
Under the rod of Gods wrath having beene,
2 He hath led mee to darknesse, not to light,
3 And against mee all day, his hand doth fight. 180
4 Hee hath broke my bones, worne out my flesh and skinne,
5 Built up against mee; and hath girt mee in
With hemlocke, and with labour; 6 and set mee
In darke, as they who dead for ever bee.
7 Hee hath hedg'd me lest I scape, and added more 185
To my steele fetters, heavier then before.
8 When I crie out, he out shuts my prayer: 9 And hath
Stop'd with hewn stone my way, and turn'd my path.
10 And like a Lion hid in secrecie,
Or Beare which lyes in wait, he was to mee. 190
11 He stops my way, teares me, made desolate,
12 And hee makes mee the marke he shooteth at.
13 Hee made the children of his quiver passe
Into my reines, 14 I with my people was
All the day long, a song and mockery. 195
15 Hee hath fill'd mee with bitternesse, and he
Hath made me drunke with wormewood. 16 He hath burst
My teeth with stones, and covered mee with dust;
17 And thus my Soule farre off from peace was set,
And my prosperity I did forget. 200
18 My strength, my hope (unto my selfe I said)
Which from the Lord should come, is perished.
19 But when my mournings I do thinke upon,
My wormwood, hemlocke, and affliction,
20 My Soule is humbled in remembring this; 205
21 My heart considers, therefore, hope there is.
22 'Tis Gods great mercy we'are not utterly
Consum'd, for his compassions do not die;
23 For every morning they renewed bee,
For great, O Lord, is thy fidelity. 210
24 The Lord is, saith my Soule, my portion,
And therefore in him will I hope alone.
25 The Lord is good to them, who on him relie,
And to the Soule that seeks him earnestly.
26 It is both good to trust, and to attend 215
(The Lords salvation) unto the end:
27 'Tis good for one his yoake in youth to beare;
28 He sits alone, and doth all speech forbeare,
Because he hath borne it. 29 And his mouth he layes
Deepe in the dust, yet then in hope he stayes. 220
30 He gives his cheekes to whosoever will
Strike him, and so he is reproched still.
31 For, not for ever doth the Lord forsake,
32 But when he'hath strucke with sadnes, hee doth take
Compassion, as his mercy'is infinite; 225
33 Nor is it with his heart, that he doth smite;
34 That underfoot the prisoners stamped bee,
35 That a mans right the Judge himselfe doth see
To be wrung from him, 36 That he subverted is
In his just cause; the Lord allowes not this. 230
37 Who then will say, that ought doth come to passe,
But that which by the Lord commanded was?
38 Both good and evill from his mouth proceeds;
39 Why then grieves any man for his misdeeds?
40 Turne wee to God, by trying out our wayes; 235
41 To him in heaven, our hands with hearts upraise.
42 Wee have rebell'd, and falne away from thee,
Thou pardon'st not; 43 Usest no clemencie;
Pursuest us, kill'st us, coverest us with wrath,
44 Cover'st thy selfe with clouds, that our prayer hath 240
No power to passe. 45 And thou hast made us fall
As refuse, and off-scouring to them all.
46 All our foes gape at us. 47 Feare and a snare
With ruine, and with waste, upon us are.
48 With watry rivers doth mine eye oreflow 245
For ruine of my peoples daughter so;
49 Mine eye doth drop downe teares incessantly,
50 Untill the Lord looke downe from heaven to see.
51 And for my citys daughters sake, mine eye
Doth breake mine heart. 52 Causles mine enemy, 250
Like a bird chac'd me. 53 In a dungeon
They have shut my life, and cast on me a stone.
54 Waters flow'd o'r my head, then thought I, I am
Destroy'd; 55 I called Lord, upon thy name
Out of the pit. 56 And thou my voice didst heare; 255
Oh from my sigh, and crye, stop not thine eare.
57 Then when I call'd upon thee, thou drew'st nere
Unto mee, and said'st unto mee, do not feare.
58 Thou Lord my Soules cause handled hast, and thou
Rescud'st my life. 59 O Lord do thou judge now, 260
Thou heardst my wrong. 60 Their vengeance all they have wrought;
61 How they reproach'd, thou hast heard, and what they thought,
62 What their lips uttered, which against me rose,
And what was ever whisper'd by my foes.
63 I am their song, whether they rise or sit, 265
64 Give them rewards Lord, for their working fit,
65 Sorrow of heart, thy curse. 66 And with thy might
Follow, and from under heaven destroy them quite.
CHAP. IV.
1 How is the gold become so dimme? How is
Purest and finest gold thus chang'd to this? 270
The stones which were stones of the Sanctuary,
Scattered in corners of each street do lye.
2 The pretious sonnes of Sion, which should bee
Valued at purest gold, how do wee see
Low rated now, as earthen Pitchers, stand, 275
Which are the worke of a poore Potters hand.
3 Even the Sea-calfes draw their brests, and give
Sucke to their young; my peoples daughters live,
By reason of the foes great cruelnesse,
As do the Owles in the vast Wildernesse. 280
4 And when the sucking child doth strive to draw,
His tongue for thirst cleaves to his upper jaw.
And when for bread the little children crye,
There is no man that doth them satisfie.
5 They which before were delicately fed, 285
Now in the streets forlorne have perished,
And they which ever were in scarlet cloath'd,
Sit and embrace the dunghills which they loath'd.
6 The daughters of my people have sinned more,
Then did the towne of _Sodome_ sinne before; 290
Which being at once destroy'd, there did remaine
No hands amongst them, to vexe them againe.
7 But heretofore purer her Nazarite
Was then the snow, and milke was not so white;
As carbuncles did their pure bodies shine, 295
And all their polish'dnesse was Saphirine.
8 They are darker now then blacknes, none can know
Them by the face, as through the streets they goe,
For now their skin doth cleave unto the bone,
And withered, is like to dry wood growne. 300
9 Better by sword then famine 'tis to dye;
And better through pierc'd, then through penury.
10 Women by nature pitifull, have eate
Their children drest with their owne hands for meat.
11 _Iehova_ here fully accomplish'd hath 305
His indignation, and powr'd forth his wrath,
Kindled a fire in _Sion_, which hath power
To eate, and her foundations to devour.
12 Nor would the Kings of the earth, nor all which live
In the inhabitable world beleeve, 310
That any adversary, any foe
Into _Ierusalem_ should enter so.
13 For the Priests sins, and Prophets, which have shed
Blood in the streets, and the just murthered:
14 Which when those men, whom they made blinde, did stray 315
Thorough the streets, defiled by the way
With blood, the which impossible it was
Their garments should scape touching, as they passe,
15 Would cry aloud, depart defiled men,
Depart, depart, and touch us not; and then 320
They fled, and strayd, and with the _Gentiles_ were,
Yet told their friends, they should not long dwell there;
16 For this they are scattered by Jehovahs face
Who never will regard them more; No grace
Unto their old men shall the foe afford, 325
Nor, that they are Priests, redeeme them from the sword.
17 And wee as yet, for all these miseries
Desiring our vaine helpe, consume our eyes:
And such a nation as cannot save,
We in desire and speculation have. 330
18 They hunt our steps, that in the streets wee feare
To goe: our end is now approached neere,
Our dayes accomplish'd are, this the last day.
19 Eagles of heaven are not so swift as they
Which follow us, o'r mountaine tops they flye 335
At us, and for us in the desart lye.
20 The annointed Lord, breath of our nostrils, hee
Of whom we said, under his shadow, wee
Shall with more ease under the Heathen dwell,
Into the pit which these men digged, fell. 340
21 Rejoyce O _Edoms daughter_, joyfull bee
Thou which inhabitst _Huz_, for unto thee
This cup shall passe, and thou with drunkennesse
Shalt fill thy selfe, and shew thy nakednesse.
22 And then thy sinnes O _Sion_, shall be spent, 345
The Lord will not leave thee in banishment.
Thy sinnes O _Edoms daughter_, hee will see,
And for them, pay thee with captivitie.
CHAP. V.
1 Remember, O Lord, what is fallen on us;
See, and marke how we are reproached thus, 350
2 For unto strangers our possession
Is turn'd, our houses unto Aliens gone,
3 Our mothers are become as widowes, wee
As Orphans all, and without father be;
4 Waters which are our owne, wee drunke, and pay, 355
And upon our owne wood a price they lay.
5 Our persecutors on our necks do sit,
They make us travaile, and not intermit,
6 We stretch our hands unto th'_Egyptians_
To get us bread; and to the _Assyrians_. 360
7 Our Fathers did these sinnes, and are no more,
But wee do beare the sinnes they did before.
8 They are but servants, which do rule us thus,
Yet from their hands none would deliver us.
9 With danger of our life our bread wee gat; 365
For in the wildernesse, the sword did wait.
10 The tempests of this famine wee liv'd in,
Black as an Oven colour'd had our skinne:
11 In _Iudaes_ cities they the maids abus'd
By force, and so women in _Sion_ us'd. 370
12 The Princes with their hands they hung; no grace
Nor honour gave they to the Elders face.
13 Unto the mill our yong men carried are,
And children fell under the wood they bare.
14 Elders, the gates; youth did their songs forbeare, 375
15 Gone was our joy; our dancings, mournings were.
16 Now is the crowne falne from our head; and woe
Be unto us, because we'have sinned so.
17 For this our hearts do languish, and for this
Over our eyes a cloudy dimnesse is. 380
18 Because mount _Sion_ desolate doth lye,
And foxes there do goe at libertie:
19 But thou O Lord art ever, and thy throne
From generation, to generation.
20 Why should'st thou forget us eternally? 385
Or leave us thus long in this misery?
21 Restore us Lord to thee, that so we may
Returne, and as of old, renew our day.
22 For oughtest thou, O Lord, despise us thus,
And to be utterly enrag'd at us? 390
[The Lamentations _&c._ _1633-69_ (Tremellius _1639-69_), _B_,
_N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ _Tr in the notes stands for_ Tremellius,
_Vulg for_ Vulgate. _See note:_ _full-stops after
verse-numbers_ _1635-69_]
[2-4 thus! ... is!] thus? ... is? _1633-69_]
[22 Harts] hearts _1669_]
[25 her _O'F:_ their _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ the _B:_ diebus
afflictionis suae et ploratuum suorum _Tr_]
[28 Whilest _B_, _O'F:_ Whiles _1633-69_]
[32 seene;] seene, _1633_]
[43 pleasure] pleasures _N_]
[53 hand] hands _1650-69:_ manu ejus _Tr_]
[56 from whom _1635-69_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ from whence
_1633_]
[58 invite _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ accite _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]
[59 men; _Ed:_ men, _1633-69_]
[63 farre;] farre _1633_]
[65 hand,] hand _1633-35_]
[76 they could not get. _1633:_ and none could get. _1635-69_]
[_Norton conjectures that in_ 75 _we should read_ the
sought-for meat: _but see note_]
[78 o'rturn'd,] return'd, _1633_]
[81 heare I mourne, _1633-35_, _B_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ heare
me mourn, _N:_ here I mourn, _1639-69_, _and mod. edd.:_
Audientium me in gemitu esse nemo consolatur me. _Tr_]
[87 sighs] sights _1669_]
[90 cloud! _Ed:_ cloud? _1633-69_
flung] flung. _1633_]
[92 wrath! _Ed:_ wrath? _1633-69_]
[95 strengths _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ strength _1635_, _B_, _O'F:_
munitiones _Tr and Vulg_]
[110 where] which _B_, _O'F:_ locum conventus sui _Tr_]
[112 regardeth] regarded _1669_]
[114 hand _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ hands _1633-69:_ tradit in
manum inimici muros, palatia illius _Tr_]
[118-9 ground; ... hand,] ground, ... hand; _1633_]
[121 Their _1633:_ The _1635-69_]
[122 barres; _B_, _O'F:_ barre; _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ vectes
ejus _Tr_]
[124 their] the _1669_]
[134 there,] there _1633-39_]
[135 streets, _B_, _O'F:_ street _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ in
plateis civitatis _Tr_]
[141 For thee _1635-54:_ For, the _1633:_ For the _1669_]
[143 disturne _1633-54 and MSS.:_ dis-urn _1669:_ disturb
_Chambers:_ ad avertendum captivitatem tuam _Tr_]
[145 hisse, _Ed:_ hisse _1633-39_]
[157 against _1633:_ unto _1635-69_, _and MSS.:_ clamat cor
istorum contra Dominum _Tr:_ ad Dominum _Vulg_]
[161 poure, for _1633 and MSS.:_ poure out _1635-69_,
_Chambers_]
[174 his, _1633:_ thy _1635-69_]
[CHAP.] _ital._ _1633_]
[182 girt] hemde _B_, _O'F_]
[186 before. _1650-69:_ before, _1633-39_]
[187 8 _Ed:_ 8. _1635-69_; _om. 1633_]
[190 mee.] mee, _1633_]
[202 perished. _1633:_ perished, _1635-69_]
[203 mournings _1633-69_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ mourning _B_]
[216 (The Lords salvation) _1633:_ _no brackets_, _1635-69_]
[226 smite; _Ed:_ smite, _1633-69_]
[229 wrung] wrong _1633_
him, _Ed:_ him. _1633-69_]
[230 this.] this: _1633_]
[231 doth] will _B_, _O'F_]
[238 not; _1650-69:_ not. _1633-35:_ not _1639_]
[239 coverest us with wrath] coverest with thy wrath _B, O'F_]
[243 47 _Ed:_ 47, _1633:_ 47. _1635-69_]
[245 watry] water _1633_]
[246 daughter _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ daughters _1633-69:_
propter contritionem filiae populi mei _Tr_]
[249 citys _O'F:_ city _1633-69:_ propter omnes filias
civitatis meae _Tr_]
[252 on me _B_, _N_, _TCD:_ me on _1633-69:_ projiciunt
lapides in me. _Tr:_ posuerunt lapidem super me. _Vulg_]
[256 sigh,] sight, _1650-69_]
[260 Rescud'st _B_, _O'F:_ Rescuest _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_
vindicabas _Tr_
now, _1633-39:_ now. _1650-69_, _Chambers_]
[CHAP.] CAP. _1633_]
[270 Purest] P _dropped_ _1650-54_]
[274 at _1633-39:_ as _1650-69_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ qui
taxandi erant auro purgatissimo _Tr_]
[278 live,] live _1633_]
[283 little children] little _om. Chambers_]
[296 Saphirine. _1635-69:_ Seraphine. _1633:_ Sapphirina
polities eorum _Tr_]
[298 streets _B_, _O'F:_ street _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ in
vicis _Tr:_ in plateis _Vulg_]
[299 the _B_, _O'F:_ their _1633-69_]
[302 through penury.] by penury, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ confossi
gladio quam confossi fame. _Tr_ _See note_]
[304 hands _B_, _O'F:_ hand _1633-69_]
[312 so.] so; _1633_]
[316 Thorough] Through _1669_]
[318 garments _1633:_ garment _1635-69:_ quem non possunt quin
tangant vestimentis suis _Tr_]
[320 not; _O'F_, _N_, _TCD:_ not, _1633-69_]
[322 dwell there; _Ed:_ dwell; there. _1633:_ dwell there.
_1635-39:_ dwell there _1650-54:_ dwell there: _1669_]
[325 their ... the _1633-39:_ the ... their _1650-69_]
[333-4 day. 19 Eagles _Ed: The old editions place a comma
after_ day, _and_ 19 _at the beginning of_ 335,
_wrongly._]
[335 mountaine tops _1633-39:_ mountaines tops _1650-69_, _B_]
[340 fell.] fell _1633_]
[342 which _1633:_ that _1635-69_
Huz _B:_ Hus _N_, _TCD:_ her, _1633:_ _Uz_, _1635-69:_ in
terra Hutzi _Tr_]
[345 And then] And _om. Chambers_]
[CHAP.] CAP. _1633_]
[349 us;] us, _1633-35_]
[354 father _B_, _O'F:_ fathers _1633-69:_ Pupilli sumus ac
nullo patre _Tr:_ absque patre _Vulg_]
[355 drunke, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ drinke _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]
[356 lay. _1650-69:_ lay, _1633-39_]
[368 Oven _1635-69:_ Ocean _1633:_ Pelles nostrae ut furnus
atratae sunt _Tr_]
[374 fell ... bare. _1633-69:_ fall ... beare. _B_, _O'F_]
[376 15 Gone _&c._] _Old edd. transfer_ 15 _to next line,
wrongly. In consequence, the remaining verses are all a number
short, but the complete number of 22 is made up by breaking
the last verse_, 'For oughtest thou _&c._,' _into two. I
have corrected throughout._]
[389 thus,] thus _1633_]
_Hymne to God my God, in my sicknesse._
Since I am comming to that Holy roome,
Where, with thy Quire of Saints for evermore,
I shall be made thy Musique; As I come
I tune the Instrument here at the dore,
And what I must doe then, thinke here before. 5
Whilst my Physitians by their love are growne
Cosmographers, and I their Mapp, who lie
Flat on this bed, that by them may be showne
That this is my South-west discoverie
_Per fretum febris_, by these streights to die, 10
I joy, that in these straits, I see my West;
For, though theire currants yeeld returne to none,
What shall my West hurt me? As West and East
In all flatt Maps (and I am one) are one,
So death doth touch the Resurrection. 15
Is the Pacifique Sea my home? Or are
The Easterne riches? Is _Ierusalem_?
_Anyan_, and _Magellan_, and _Gibraltare_,
All streights, and none but streights, are wayes to them,
Whether where _Iaphet_ dwelt, or _Cham_, or _Sem_. 20
We thinke that _Paradise_ and _Calvarie_,
_Christs_ Crosse, and _Adams_ tree, stood in one place;
Looke Lord, and finde both _Adams_ met in me;
As the first _Adams_ sweat surrounds my face,
May the last _Adams_ blood my soule embrace. 25
So, in his purple wrapp'd receive mee Lord,
By these his thornes give me his other Crowne;
And as to others soules I preach'd thy word,
Be this my Text, my Sermon to mine owne,
Therfore that he may raise the Lord throws down. 30
[Hymn to God _&c._ _1635-69_, _S96_, _and in part
Walton_ (Life of D^{r} John Donne. 1670), _who adds_ March
23, 1630]
[2 thy _1635 and Walton_ (_1670_): the _1639-69_]
[4 the Instrument _1635-69:_ my instrument _Walton_]
[6 Whilst ... love] Since ... loves _Walton_]
[10 to die, _1635:_ to die. _1639-54:_ to dy^{.} _1669_]
[12 theire _S96:_ those _1635-69_]
[18 _Gibraltare_, _1635-54:_ Gabraltare, _1669:_ Gibraltar?
_1719_, _Chambers:_ Gibraltar are _Grosart_. _See note_]
[19 but streights, _Ed:_ but streights _1635-69_]
[24 first] sist _1669_]
[28 others souls] other souls _Walton and S96_]
[30 That, he may raise; therefore, _Walton_]
* * * * *
[Illustration: JOHN DONNE
EFFIGIES REUERENDISS: UIRI IOHANNIS DONNE NUPER ECCLES: PAULINÆ DECANI
_Corporis hæc Animæ sit Syndon Syndon Jesu_
Amen
_Martin [DR monogram] scup_ _And are to be sould by RR and Ben: ffisher_
("Portrait of the very reverend John Donne, lately Dean of St Paul's."
The meaning of the second line is highly obscure; possibly "May this be
the shroud of my body, Jesus the shroud of my soul"; or possibly: "May
this be the shroud of my body, Jesus's shroud that of my soul". The
monogram is that of Martin Droeshout)]
From the frontispiece to _Death's Duel_, 1632]
* * * * *
_A Hymne to God the Father:_
I.
Wilt thou forgive that sinne where I begunne,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sinne; through which I runne,
And do run still: though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done, 5
For, I have more.
II.
Wilt thou forgive that sinne which I have wonne
Others to sinne? and, made my sinne their doore?
Wilt thou forgive that sinne which I did shunne
A yeare, or two: but wallowed in, a score? 10
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.
III.
I have a sinne of feare, that when I have spunne
My last thred, I shall perish on the shore;
But sweare by thy selfe, that at my death thy sonne 15
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, Thou haste done,
I feare no more.
[A Hymne _&c._ _1633-69:_ To Christ. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
Christo Salvatori. _O'F_, _S96:_ _for the text of the MSS. see
next page_]
[2 Which] which _1633_]
[8 my sin] my sins _1639-69_]
[10 two: _1633:_ two, _1635-69_]
_To Christ._
Wilt thou forgive that sinn, where I begunn,
W^{ch} is my sinn, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive those sinns through w^{ch} I runn
And doe them still, though still I doe deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done, 5
for I have more.
Wilt thou forgive that sinn, by w^{ch} I'have wonne
Others to sinn, & made my sinn their dore?
Wilt thou forgive that sinn w^{ch} I did shunne
A yeare or twoe, but wallowed in a score? 10
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
for I have more.
I have a sinn of feare y^t when I have spunn
My last thred, I shall perish on the shore;
Sweare by thy self that at my Death, thy Sunn 15
Shall shine as it shines nowe, & heretofore;
And having done that, thou hast done,
I have noe more.
[Christ. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Christo Salvatori. _O'F_,
_S96:_ _text from TCD_]
[1 begunn, _Ed:_ begunn _TCD_]
[2 were _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ was _O'F_, _S_ before? _Ed:_ before
_TCD_]
[4 them _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ runne _O'F_, _S96_]
[5 done, _Ed:_ done _TCD:_ _and so_ 11 _and_ 17]
[14 shore; _Ed:_ shore _TCD_]
[15 thy Sunne _O'F_, _S:_ this Sunn _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[16 heretofore; _Ed:_ heretofore _TCD_]
* * * * *
ELEGIES UPON THE AUTHOR
TO THE MEMORIE OF MY EVER DESIRED FRIEND
D^r. DONNE.
To have liv'd eminent, in a degree
Beyond our lofty'st flights, that is, like Thee,
Or t'have had too much merit, is not safe;
For, such excesses finde no Epitaph.
At common graves we have Poetique eyes 5
Can melt themselves in easie Elegies,
Each quill can drop his tributary verse,
And pin it, like the Hatchments, to the Hearse:
But at Thine, Poeme, or Inscription
(Rich soule of wit, and language) we have none. 10
Indeed a silence does that tombe befit,
Where is no Herald left to blazon it.
Widow'd invention justly doth forbeare
To come abroad, knowing Thou art not here,
Late her great Patron; Whose Prerogative 15
Maintain'd, and cloth'd her so, as none alive
Must now presume, to keepe her at thy rate,
Though he the Indies for her dowre estate.
Or else that awfull fire, which once did burne
In thy cleare Braine, now falne into thy Urne 20
Lives there, to fright rude Empiricks from thence,
Which might prophane thee by their Ignorance.
Who ever writes of Thee, and in a stile
Unworthy such a Theme, does but revile
Thy precious Dust, and wake a learned Spirit 25
Which may revenge his Rapes upon thy Merit.
For, all a low pitch't phansie can devise,
Will prove, at best, but Hallow'd Injuries.
Thou, like the dying Swanne, didst lately sing
Thy Mournfull Dirge, in audience of the King; 30
When pale lookes, and faint accents of thy breath,
Presented so, to life, that peece of death,
That it was fear'd, and prophesi'd by all,
Thou thither cam'st to preach thy Funerall.
O! had'st Thou in an Elegiacke Knell 35
Rung out unto the world thine owne farewell,
And in thy High Victorious Numbers beate
The solemne measure of thy griev'd Retreat;
Thou might'st the Poets service now have mist
As well, as then thou did'st prevent the Priest; 40
And never to the world beholding bee
So much, as for an Epitaph for thee.
I doe not like the office. Nor is't fit
Thou, who did'st lend our Age such summes of wit,
Should'st now re-borrow from her bankrupt Mine, 45
That Ore to Bury Thee, which once was Thine,
Rather still leave us in thy debt; And know
(Exalted Soule) more glory 'tis to owe
Unto thy Hearse, what we can never pay,
Then, with embased Coine those Rites defray. 50
Commit we then Thee to Thy selfe: Nor blame
Our drooping loves, which thus to thy owne Fame
Leave Thee Executour. Since, but thine owne,
No pen could doe Thee Justice, nor Bayes Crowne
Thy vast desert; Save that, wee nothing can 55
Depute, to be thy Ashes Guardian.
So Jewellers no Art, or Metall trust
To forme the Diamond, but the Diamonds dust.
_H. K._
[To the _&c._ _Also in_ Deaths Duell. _1632_, _Walton's_ Lives
_1670_, _King's_ Poems. _1657_, _1664_, _1700_]
[14 here] there _1632_]
[31 faint] weak _1632_]
[57 or] nor _1632_]
To the deceased Author,
Upon the _Promiscuous_ printing of his Poems, the _Looser sort_, with
the _Religious_.
When thy _Loose_ raptures, _Donne_, shall meet with Those
That doe confine
Tuning, unto the Duller line,
And sing not, but in _Sanctified Prose_;
How will they, with sharper eyes, 5
The _Fore-skinne_ of thy phansie circumcise?
And feare, thy _wantonnesse_ should now, begin
_Example_, that hath ceased to be _Sin_?
And that _Feare_ fannes their _Heat_; whilst knowing eyes
Will not admire 10
At this _Strange Fire_,
That here is _mingled with thy Sacrifice_:
But dare reade even thy _Wanton Story_,
As thy _Confession_, not thy _Glory_.
And will so envie _Both_ to future times, 15
That they would buy thy _Goodnesse_, with thy _Crimes_.
_Tho: Browne._
_On the death of D^r DONNE._
I Cannot blame those men, that knew thee well,
Yet dare not helpe the world, to ring thy knell
In tunefull _Elegies_; there's not language knowne
Fit for thy mention, but 'twas first thy owne;
The _Epitaphs_ thou writst, have so bereft 5
Our tongue of wit, there is not phansie left
Enough to weepe thee; what henceforth we see
Of Art or Nature, must result from thee.
There may perchance some busie gathering friend
Steale from thy owne workes, and that, varied, lend, 10
Which thou bestow'st on others, to thy Hearse,
And so thou shalt live still in thine owne verse;
Hee that shall venture farther, may commit
A pitied errour, shew his zeale, not wit.
Fate hath done mankinde wrong; vertue may aime 15
Reward of conscience, never can, of fame,
Since her great trumpet's broke, could onely give
Faith to the world, command it to beleeve;
Hee then must write, that would define thy parts:
_Here lyes the best Divinitie, All the Arts._ 20
_Edw. Hyde_.
[On the _&c._ _Also in =Deaths Duell.= 1632_]
[4 thy] thine _1632_]
[6 tongue] pens _1632_]
_On Doctor =Donne=,
By D' =C. B.= of =O.=_
Hee that would write an Epitaph for thee,
And do it well, must first beginne to be
Such as thou wert; for, none can truly know
Thy worth, thy life, but he that hath liv'd so;
He must have wit to spare and to hurle downe: 5
Enough, to keepe the gallants of the towne.
He must have learning plenty; both the Lawes,
Civill, and Common, to judge any cause;
Divinity great store, above the rest;
Not of the last Edition, but the best. 10
Hee must have language, travaile, all the Arts;
Judgement to use; or else he wants thy parts.
He must have friends the highest, able to do;
Such as _Mecœnas_, and _Augustus_ too.
He must have such a sicknesse, such a death; 15
Or else his vaine descriptions come beneath;
Who then shall write an Epitaph for thee,
He must be dead first, let'it alone for mee.
[On _&c._ _Also in Corbet's Poems 1647_]
_An Elegie upon the incomparable D^{r} DONNE._
All is not well when such a one as I
Dare peepe abroad, and write an _Elegie_;
When smaller _Starres_ appeare, and give their light,
_Phœbus_ is gone to bed: Were it not night,
And the world witlesse now that DONNE is dead, 5
You sooner should have broke, then seene my head.
Dead did I say? Forgive this _Injury_
I doe him, and his worthes _Infinity_,
To say he is but dead; I dare averre
It better may be term'd a _Massacre_, 10
Then _Sleepe_ or _Death_; See how the _Muses_ mourne
Upon their oaten _Reeds_, and from his _Vrne_
Threaten the World with this _Calamity_,
They shall have _Ballads_, but no _Poetry_.
_Language_ lyes speechlesse; and _Divinity_, 15
Lost such a _Trump_ as even to _Extasie_
Could charme the Soule, and had an _Influence_
To teach best _judgements_, and please dullest _Sense_.
The _Court_, the _Church_, the _Vniversitie_,
Lost _Chaplaine_, _Deane_, and _Doctor_, All these, Three. 20
It was his _Merit_, that his _Funerall_
Could cause a losse so _great_ and _generall_.
If there be any Spirit can answer give
Of such as hence depart, to such as live:
Speake, Doth his body there vermiculate, 25
Crumble to dust, and feele the lawes of Fate?
Me thinkes, _Corruption_, _Wormes_, what else is foule
Should spare the _Temple_ of so faire a _Soule_.
I could beleeve they doe; but that I know
What inconvenience might hereafter grow: 30
Succeeding ages would _Idolatrize_,
And as his _Numbers_, so his _Reliques_ prize.
If that Philosopher, which did avow
The world to be but Motes, was living now:
He would affirme that th' _Atomes_ of his mould 35
Were they in severall bodies blended, would
Produce new worlds of _Travellers_, _Divines_,
Of _Linguists_, _Poets_: sith these severall _lines_
In him concentred were, and flowing thence
Might fill againe the worlds _Circumference_. 40
I could beleeve this too; and yet my faith
Not want a _President_: The _Phœnix_ hath
(And such was He) a power to animate
Her ashes, and herselfe perpetuate.
But, busie Soule, thou dost not well to pry 45
Into these Secrets; _Griefe_, and _Iealousie_,
The more they know, the further still advance,
And finde no way so safe as _Ignorance_.
Let this suffice thee, that his _Soule_ which flew
A pitch of all admir'd, known but of few, 50
(Save those of purer mould) is now translated
From Earth to Heaven, and there _Constellated_.
For, if each _Priest_ of God shine as a _Starre_,
His _Glory_ is as his _Gifts_, 'bove others farre.
HEN. VALENTINE.
_An Elegie upon D^{r}_ Donne.
Is _Donne_, great _Donne_ deceas'd? then England say
Thou 'hast lost a man where language chose to stay
And shew it's gracefull power. I would not praise
That and his vast wit (which in these vaine dayes
Make many proud) but as they serv'd to unlock 5
That Cabinet, his minde: where such a stock
Of knowledge was repos'd, as all lament
(Or should) this generall cause of discontent.
And I rejoyce I am not so severe,
But (as I write a line) to weepe a teare 10
For his decease; Such sad extremities
May make such men as I write _Elegies_.
And wonder not; for, when a generall losse
Falls on a nation, and they slight the crosse,
God hath rais'd _Prophets_ to awaken them 15
From stupifaction; witnesse my milde pen,
Not us'd to upbraid the world, though now it must
Freely and boldly, for, the cause is just.
Dull age, Oh I would spare thee, but th'art worse,
Thou art not onely dull, but hast a curse 20
Of black ingratitude; if not, couldst thou
Part with _miraculous Donne_, and make no vow
For thee and thine, successively to pay
A sad remembrance to his dying day?
Did his youth scatter _Poetrie_, wherein 25
Was all Philosophie? Was every sinne,
Character'd in his _Satyres_? made so foule
That some have fear'd their shapes, and kept their soule
Freer by reading verse? Did he give _dayes_
Past marble monuments, to those, whose praise 30
He would perpetuate? Did hee (I feare
The dull will doubt:) these at his twentieth yeare?
But, more matur'd: Did his full soule conceive,
And in harmonious-holy-numbers weave
[Sidenote: _La Corona._]
A _Crowne of sacred sonets_, fit to adorne 35
A dying Martyrs brow: or, to be worne
On that blest head of _Mary Magdalen_:
After she wip'd Christs feet, but not till then?
Did hee (fit for such penitents as shee
And hee to use) leave us a _Litany_? 40
Which all devout men love, and sure, it shall,
As times grow better, grow more classicall.
Did he write _Hymnes_, for piety and wit
Equall to those great grave _Prudentius_ writ?
Spake he all _Languages_? knew he all _Lawes_? 45
The grounds and use of _Physicke_; but because
'Twas mercenary wav'd it? Went to see
That blessed place of _Christs nativity_?
Did he returne and preach him? preach him so
As none but hee did, or could do? They know 50
(Such as were blest to heare him know) 'tis truth.
Did he confirme thy age? convert thy youth?
Did he these wonders? And is this deare losse
Mourn'd by so few? (few for so great a crosse.)
But sure the silent are ambitious all 55
To be _Close Mourners_ at his Funerall;
If not; In common pitty they forbare
By repetitions to renew our care;
Or, knowing, griefe conceiv'd, conceal'd, consumes
Man irreparably, (as poyson'd fumes 60
Do waste the braine) make silence a safe way
To'inlarge the Soule from these walls, mud and clay,
(Materialls of this body) to remaine
With _Donne_ in heaven, where no promiscuous paine
Lessens the joy wee have, for, with _him_, all 65
Are satisfyed with _joyes essentiall_.
My thoughts, Dwell on this _Ioy_, and do not call
Griefe backe, by thinking of his Funerall;
Forget he lov'd mee; Waste not my sad yeares;
(Which haste to _Davids_ seventy, fill'd with feares 70
And sorrow for his death;) Forget his parts,
Which finde a living grave in good mens hearts;
And, (for, my first is daily paid for sinne)
Forget to pay my second sigh for him:
Forget his powerfull preaching; and forget 75
I am his _Convert_. Oh my frailtie! let
My flesh be no more heard, it will obtrude
This lethargie: so should my gratitude,
My vowes of gratitude should so be broke;
Which can no more be, then _Donnes_ vertues spoke 80
By any but himselfe; for which cause, I
Write no _Encomium_, but an _Elegie_.
IZ. WA.
[An Elegie _&c._ _See note_]
[1-3
Our Donne is dead; England should mourne, may say
We had a man where language chose to stay
And shew her gracefull power _1635-69_
]
[35 _Crowne_] Crowme _1633_]
An Elegie upon the death of the Deane of Pauls, D^r. Iohn Donne:
By _M^r. Tho: Carie_.
Can we not force from widdowed Poetry,
Now thou art dead (Great DONNE) one Elegie
To crowne thy Hearse? Why yet dare we not trust
Though with unkneaded dowe-bak't prose thy dust,
Such as the uncisor'd Churchman from the flower 5
Of fading Rhetorique, short liv'd as his houre,
Dry as the sand that measures it, should lay
Upon thy Ashes, on the funerall day?
Have we no voice, no tune? Did'st thou dispense
Through all our language, both the words and sense? 10
'Tis a sad truth: The Pulpit may her plaine,
And sober Christian precepts still retaine,
Doctrines it may, and wholesome Uses frame,
Grave Homilies, and Lectures, But the flame
Of thy brave Soule, that shot such heat and light, 15
As burnt our earth, and made our darknesse bright,
Committed holy Rapes upon our Will,
Did through the eye the melting heart distill;
And the deepe knowledge of darke truths so teach,
As sense might judge, what phansie could not reach; 20
Must be desir'd for ever. So the fire,
That fills with spirit and heat the Delphique quire,
Which kindled first by thy Promethean breath,
Glow'd here a while, lies quench't now in thy death;
The Muses garden with Pedantique weedes 25
O'rspred, was purg'd by thee; The lazie seeds
Of servile imitation throwne away;
And fresh invention planted, Thou didst pay
The debts of our penurious bankrupt age;
Licentious thefts, that make poëtique rage 30
A Mimique fury, when our soules must bee
Possest, or with Anacreons Extasie,
Or Pindars, not their owne; The subtle cheat
Of slie Exchanges, and the jugling feat
Of two-edg'd words, or whatsoever wrong 35
By ours was done the Greeke, or Latine tongue,
Thou hast redeem'd, and open'd Us a Mine
Of rich and pregnant phansie, drawne a line
Of masculine expression, which had good
Old Orpheus seene, Or all the ancient Brood 40
Our superstitious fooles admire, and hold
Their lead more precious, then thy burnish't Gold,
Thou hadst beene their Exchequer, and no more
They each in others dust, had rak'd for Ore.
Thou shalt yield no precedence, but of time, 45
And the blinde fate of language, whose tun'd chime
More charmes the outward sense; Yet thou maist claime
From so great disadvantage greater fame,
Since to the awe of thy imperious wit
Our stubborne language bends, made only fit 50
With her tough-thick-rib'd hoopes to gird about
Thy Giant phansie, which had prov'd too stout
For their soft melting Phrases. As in time
They had the start, so did they cull the prime
Buds of invention many a hundred yeare, 55
And left the rifled fields, besides the feare
To touch their Harvest, yet from those bare lands
Of what is purely thine, thy only hands
(And that thy smallest worke) have gleaned more
Then all those times, and tongues could reape before; 60
But thou art gone, and thy strict lawes will be
Too hard for Libertines in Poetrie.
They will repeale the goodly exil'd traine
Of gods and goddesses, which in thy just raigne
Were banish'd nobler Poems, now, with these 65
The silenc'd tales o'th'Metamorphoses
Shall stuffe their lines, and swell the windy Page,
Till Verse refin'd by thee, in this last Age,
Turne ballad rime, Or those old Idolls bee
Ador'd againe, with new apostasie; 70
Oh, pardon mee, that breake with untun'd verse
The reverend silence that attends thy herse,
Whose awfull solemne murmures were to thee
More then these faint lines, A loud Elegie,
That did proclaime in a dumbe eloquence 75
The death of all the Arts, whose influence
Growne feeble, in these panting numbers lies
Gasping short winded Accents, and so dies:
So doth the swiftly turning wheele not stand
In th'instant we withdraw the moving hand, 80
But some small time maintaine a faint weake course
By vertue of the first impulsive force:
And so whil'st I cast on thy funerall pile
Thy crowne of Bayes, Oh, let it crack a while,
And spit disdaine, till the devouring flashes 85
Suck all the moysture up, then turne to ashes.
I will not draw the envy to engrosse
All thy perfections, or weepe all our losse;
Those are too numerous for an Elegie,
And this too great, to be express'd by mee. 90
Though every pen should share a distinct part,
Yet art thou Theme enough to tyre all Art;
Let others carve the rest, it shall suffice
I on thy Tombe this Epitaph incise.
_Here lies a King, that rul'd as hee thought fit 95
The universall Monarchy of wit;
Here lie two Flamens, and both those, the best,
Apollo's first, at last, the true Gods Priest_.
[An Elegie _&c._ _Also in Carew's _Poems_ 1640._ _See note_]
_An Elegie on D^r. DONNE: By Sir Lucius Carie._
Poets attend, the Elegie I sing
Both of a doubly-named Priest, and King:
In stead of Coates, and Pennons, bring your Verse,
For you must bee chiefe mourners at his Hearse,
A Tombe your Muse must to his Fame supply, 5
No other Monuments can never die;
And as he was a two-fold Priest; in youth,
Apollo's; afterwards, the voice of Truth,
Gods Conduit-pipe for grace, who chose him for
His extraordinary Embassador, 10
So let his Liegiers with the Poets joyne,
Both having shares, both must in griefe combine:
Whil'st Johnson forceth with his Elegie
Teares from a griefe-unknowing Scythians eye,
(Like Moses at whose stroke the waters gusht 15
From forth the Rock, and like a Torrent rusht.)
Let Lawd his funerall Sermon preach, and shew
Those vertues, dull eyes were not apt to know,
Nor leave that Piercing Theme, till it appeares
To be goodfriday, by the Churches Teares; 20
Yet make not griefe too long oppresse our Powers,
Least that his funerall Sermon should prove ours.
Nor yet forget that heavenly Eloquence,
With which he did the bread of life dispense,
Preacher and Orator discharg'd both parts 25
With pleasure for our sense, health for our hearts,
And the first such (Though a long studied Art
Tell us our soule is all in every part,)
None was so marble, but whil'st him he heares,
His Soule so long dwelt only in his eares. 30
And from thence (with the fiercenesse of a flood
Bearing downe vice) victual'd with that blest food
Their hearts; His seed in none could faile to grow,
Fertile he found them all, or made them so:
No Druggist of the Soule bestow'd on all 35
So Catholiquely a curing Cordiall.
Nor only in the Pulpit dwelt his store,
His words work'd much, but his example more,
That preach't on worky dayes, His Poetrie
It selfe was oftentimes divinity, 40
Those Anthemes (almost second Psalmes) he writ
To make us know the Crosse, and value it,
(Although we owe that reverence to that name
Wee should not need warmth from an under flame.)
Creates a fire in us, so neare extreme 45
That we would die, for, and upon this theme.
Next, his so pious Litany, which none can
But count Divine, except a Puritan,
And that but for the name, nor this, nor those
Want any thing of Sermons, but the prose. 50
Experience makes us see, that many a one
Owes to his Countrey his Religion;
And in another, would as strongly grow,
Had but his Nurse and Mother taught him so,
Not hee the ballast on his Judgement hung; 55
Nor did his preconceit doe either wrong;
He labour'd to exclude what ever sinne
By time or carelessenesse had entred in;
Winnow'd the chaffe from wheat, but yet was loath
A too hot zeale should force him, burne them both; 60
Nor would allow of that so ignorant gall,
Which to save blotting often would blot all;
Nor did those barbarous opinions owne,
To thinke the Organs sinne, and faction, none;
Nor was there expectation to gaine grace 65
From forth his Sermons only, but his face;
So Primitive a looke, such gravitie
With humblenesse, and both with Pietie;
So milde was Moses countenance, when he prai'd
For them whose Satanisme his power gainsaid; 70
And such his gravitie, when all Gods band
Receiv'd his word (through him) at second hand,
Which joyn'd, did flames of more devotion move
Then ever Argive Hellens could of love.
Now to conclude, I must my reason bring, 75
Wherefore I call'd him in his title King,
That Kingdome the Philosophers beleev'd
To excell Alexanders, nor were griev'd
By feare of losse (that being such a Prey
No stronger then ones selfe can force away) 80
The Kingdome of ones selfe, this he enjoy'd,
And his authoritie so well employ'd,
That never any could before become
So Great a Monarch, in so small a roome;
He conquer'd rebell passions, rul'd them so, 85
As under-spheares by the first Mover goe,
Banish't so farre their working, that we can
But know he had some, for we knew him man.
Then let his last excuse his first extremes,
His age saw visions, though his youth dream'd dreams. 90
[72 Receiv'd] Receiv' _1633_]
_On D^{r}._ DONNES _death_:
_By M^{r}._ Mayne _of Christ-Church in Oxford._
Who shall presume to mourn thee, _Donne_, unlesse
He could his teares in thy expressions dresse,
And teach his griefe that reverence of thy Hearse,
To weepe lines, learned, as thy Anniverse,
A Poëme of that worth, whose every teare 5
Deserves the title of a severall yeare.
Indeed so farre above its Reader, good,
That wee are thought wits, when 'tis understood,
There that blest maid to die, who now should grieve?
After thy sorrow, 'twere her losse to live; 10
And her faire vertues in anothers line,
Would faintly dawn, which are made Saints in thine.
Hadst thou beene shallower, and not writ so high,
Or left some new way for our pennes, or eye,
To shed a funerall teare, perchance thy Tombe 15
Had not beene speechlesse, or our Muses dumbe;
But now wee dare not write, but must conceale
Thy Epitaph, lest we be thought to steale,
For, who hath read thee, and discernes thy worth,
That will not say, thy carelesse houres brought forth 20
Fancies beyond our studies, and thy play
Was happier, then our serious time of day?
So learned was thy chance; thy haste had wit,
And matter from thy pen flow'd rashly fit,
What was thy recreation turnes our braine, 25
Our rack and palenesse, is thy weakest straine.
And when we most come neere thee, 'tis our blisse
To imitate thee, where thou dost amisse.
Here light your muse, you that do onely thinke,
And write, and are just Poëts, as you drinke, 30
In whose weake fancies wit doth ebbe and flow,
Just as your recknings rise, that wee may know
In your whole carriage of your worke, that here
This flash you wrote in Wine, and this in Beere,
This is to tap your Muse, which running long 35
Writes flat, and takes our eare not halfe so strong;
Poore Suburbe wits, who, if you want your cup,
Or if a Lord recover, are blowne up.
Could you but reach this height, you should not need
To make, each meale, a project ere you feed, 40
Nor walke in reliques, clothes so old and bare,
As if left off to you from _Ennius_ were,
Nor should your love, in verse, call Mistresse, those,
Who are mine hostesse, or your whores in prose;
From this Muse learne to Court, whose power could move 45
A Cloystred coldnesse, or a Vestall love,
And would convey such errands to their eare,
That Ladies knew no oddes to grant and heare;
But I do wrong thee, _Donne_, and this low praise
Is written onely for thy yonger dayes. 50
I am not growne up, for thy riper parts,
Then should I praise thee, through the Tongues, and Arts,
And have that deepe Divinity, to know,
What mysteries did from thy preaching flow,
Who with thy words could charme thy audience, 55
That at thy sermons, eare was all our sense;
Yet have I seene thee in the pulpit stand,
Where wee might take notes, from thy looke, and hand;
And from thy speaking action beare away
More Sermon, then some teachers use to say. 60
Such was thy carriage, and thy gesture such,
As could divide the heart, and conscience touch.
Thy motion did confute, and wee might see
An errour vanquish'd by delivery.
Not like our Sonnes of Zeale, who to reforme 65
Their hearers, fiercely at the Pulpit storme,
And beate the cushion into worse estate,
Then if they did conclude it reprobate,
Who can out pray the glasse, then lay about
Till all Predestination be runne out. 70
And from the point such tedious uses draw,
Their repetitions would make Gospell, Law.
No, In such temper would thy Sermons flow,
So well did Doctrine, and thy language show,
And had that holy feare, as, hearing thee, 75
The Court would mend, and a good Christian bee.
And Ladies though unhansome, out of grace,
Would heare thee, in their unbought lookes, and face.
More I could write, but let this crowne thine Urne,
Wee cannot hope the like, till thou returne. 80
_Upon M^r J. Donne, and his Poems._
Who dares say thou art dead, when he doth see
(Unburied yet) this living part of thee?
This part that to thy beeing gives fresh flame,
And though th'art _Donne_, yet will preserve thy name.
Thy flesh (whose channels left their crimsen hew, 5
And whey-like ranne at last in a pale blew)
May shew thee mortall, a dead palsie may
Seise on't, and quickly turne it into clay;
Which like the Indian earth, shall rise refin'd:
But this great Spirit thou hast left behinde, 10
This Soule of Verse (in it's first pure estate)
Shall live, for all the World to imitate,
But not come neer, for in thy Fancies flight
Thou dost not stoope unto the vulgar fight,
But, hovering highly in the aire of Wit, 15
Hold'st such a pitch, that few can follow it;
Admire they may. Each object that the Spring
(Or a more piercing influence) doth bring
T'adorne Earths face, thou sweetly did'st contrive
To beauties elements, and thence derive 20
Unspotted Lillies white; which thou did'st set
Hand in hand, with the veine-like Violet,
Making them soft, and warme, and by thy power,
Could'st give both life, and sense, unto a flower.
The Cheries thou hast made to speake, will bee 25
Sweeter unto the taste, then from the tree.
And (spight of winter stormes) amidst the snow
Thou oft hast made the blushing Rose to grow.
The Sea-nimphs, that the watry cavernes keepe,
Have sent their Pearles and Rubies from the deepe 30
To deck thy love, and plac'd by thee, they drew
More lustre to them, then where first they grew.
All minerals (that Earths full wombe doth hold
Promiscuously) thou couldst convert to gold,
And with thy flaming raptures so refine, 35
That it was much more pure then in the Mine.
The lights that guild the night, if thou did'st say,
They looke like eyes, those did out-shine the day;
For there would be more vertue in such spells,
Then in Meridians, or crosse Parallels: 40
What ever was of worth in this great Frame,
That Art could comprehend, or Wit could name,
It was thy theme for Beauty; thou didst see,
Woman, was this faire Worlds Epitomie.
Thy nimble _Satyres_ too, and every straine 45
(With nervy strength) that issued from thy brain,
Will lose the glory of their owne cleare bayes,
If they admit of any others praise.
But thy diviner Poëms (whose cleare fire
Purges all drosse away) shall by a Quire 50
Of Cherubims, with heavenly Notes be set
(Where flesh and blood could ne'r attaine to yet)
There purest Spirits sing such sacred Layes,
In Panegyrique Alleluiaes.
_Arth. Wilson._
_In memory of Doctor Donne: By M^{r} R. B._
_Donne_ dead? 'Tis here reported true, though I
Ne'r yet so much desir'd to heare a lye,
'Tis too too true, for so wee finde it still,
Good newes are often false, but seldome, ill:
But must poore fame tell us his fatall day, 5
And shall we know his death, the common way,
Mee thinkes some Comet bright should have foretold
The death of such a man, for though of old
'Tis held, that Comets Princes death foretell,
Why should not his, have needed one as well? 10
Who was the Prince of wits, 'mongst whom he reign'd,
High as a Prince, and as great State maintain'd?
Yet wants he not his signe, for wee have seene
A dearth, the like to which hath never beene,
Treading on harvests heeles, which doth presage 15
The death of wit and learning, which this age
Shall finde, now he is gone; for though there bee
Much graine in shew, none brought it forth as he,
Or men are misers; or if true want raises
The dearth, then more that dearth _Donnes_ plenty praises. 20
Of learning, languages, of eloquence,
And Poësie, (past rauishing of sense,)
He had a magazine, wherein such store
Was laid up, as might hundreds serve of poore.
But he is gone, O how will his desire 25
Torture all those that warm'd them by his fire?
Mee thinkes I see him in the pulpit standing,
Not eares, or eyes, but all mens hearts commanding,
Where wee that heard him, to our selves did faine
Golden Chrysostome was alive againe; 30
And never were we weari'd, till we saw
His houre (and but an houre) to end did draw.
How did he shame the doctrine-men, and use,
With helps to boot, for men to beare th'abuse
Of their tir'd patience, and endure th'expence 35
Of time, O spent in hearkning to non-sense,
With markes also, enough whereby to know,
The speaker is a zealous dunce, or so.
'Tis true, they quitted him, to their poore power,
They humm'd against him; And with face most sowre 40
Call'd him a strong lin'd man, a Macaroon,
And no way fit to speake to clouted shoone,
As fine words [truly] as you would desire,
But [verily,] but a bad edifier.
Thus did these beetles slight in him that good, 45
They could not see, and much lesse understood.
But we may say, when we compare the stuffe
Both brought; He was a candle, they the snuffe.
Well, Wisedome's of her children justifi'd,
Let therefore these poore fellowes stand aside; 50
Nor, though of learning he deserv'd so highly,
Would I his booke should save him; Rather slily
I should advise his Clergie not to pray,
Though of the learn'dst sort; Me thinkes that they
Of the same trade, are Judges not so fit, 55
There's no such emulation as of wit.
Of such, the Envy might as much perchance
Wrong him, and more, then th'others ignorance.
It was his Fate (I know't) to be envy'd
As much by Clerkes, as lay men magnifi'd; 60
And why? but 'cause he came late in the day,
And yet his Penny earn'd, and had as they.
No more of this, least some should say, that I
Am strai'd to Satyre, meaning Elegie.
No, no, had DONNE need to be judg'd or try'd, 65
A Jury I would summon on his side,
That had no sides, nor factions, past the touch
Of all exceptions, freed from Passion, such
As nor to feare nor flatter, e'r were bred,
These would I bring, though called from the dead: 70
Southampton, Hambleton, Pembrooke, Dorsets Earles,
Huntingdon, Bedfords Countesses (the Pearles
Once of each sexe.) If these suffice not, I
Ten _decem tales_ have of Standers by:
All which, for DONNE, would such a verdict give, 75
As can belong to none, that now doth live.
But what doe I? A diminution 'tis
To speake of him in verse, so short of his,
Whereof he was the master; All indeed
Compar'd with him, pip'd on an Oaten reed. 80
O that you had but one 'mongst all your brothers
Could write for him, as he hath done for others:
(Poets I speake to) When I see't, I'll say,
My eye-sight betters, as my yeares decay,
Meane time a quarrell I shall ever have 85
Against these doughty keepers from the grave,
Who use, it seemes their old Authoritie,
When (Verses men immortall make) they cry:
Which had it been a Recipe true tri'd,
_Probatum esset_, DONNE had never dy'd. 90
For mee, if e'r I had least sparke at all
Of that which they Poetique fire doe call,
Here I confesse it fetched from his hearth,
Which is gone out, now he is gone to earth.
This only a poore flash, a lightning is 95
Before my Muses death, as after his.
Farewell (faire soule) and deigne receive from mee
This Type of that devotion I owe thee,
From whom (while living) as by voice and penne
I learned more, then from a thousand men: 100
So by thy death, am of one doubt releas'd,
And now beleeve that miracles are ceas'd.
_Epitaph._
_Heere lies Deane Donne_; Enough; Those words alone
Shew him as fully, as if all the stone
His Church of Pauls contains, were through inscrib'd
Or all the walkers there, to speake him, brib'd.
None can mistake him, for one such as Hee 5
DONNE, Deane, or Man, more none shall ever see.
Not man? No, though unto a Sunne each eye
Were turn'd, the whole earth so to overspie.
A bold brave word; Yet such brave Spirits as knew
His Spirit, will say, it is lesse bold then true. 10
_Epitaph upon D^r. Donne_,
By _Endy: Porter_.
This decent Urne a sad inscription weares,
Of _Donnes_ departure from us, to the spheares;
And the dumbe stone with silence seemes to tell
The changes of this life, wherein is well
Exprest, A cause to make all joy to cease, 5
And never let our sorrowes more take ease;
For now it is impossible to finde
One fraught with vertues, to inrich a minde;
But why should death, with a promiscuous hand
At one rude stroke impoverish a land? 10
Thou strict Attorney, unto stricter Fate,
Didst thou confiscate his life out of hate
To his rare Parts? Or didst thou throw thy dart,
With envious hand, at some Plebeyan heart;
And he with pious vertue stept betweene 15
To save that stroke, and so was kill'd unseene
By thee? O 'twas his goodnesse so to doe,
Which humane kindnesse never reacht unto.
Thus the hard lawes of death were satisfi'd,
And he left us like Orphan friends, and di'de. 20
Now from the Pulpit to the peoples eares,
Whose speech shall send repentant sighes, and teares?
Or tell mee, if a purer Virgin die,
Who shall hereafter write her Elegie?
Poets be silent, let your numbers sleepe, 25
For he is gone that did all phansie keepe;
Time hath no Soule, but his exalted verse;
Which with amazements, we may now reherse.
In obitum venerabilis viri _Iohannis Donne_, sacræ
Theologiæ Doctoris, Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Divi _Pauli_,
nuper Decani; Illi honoris, tibi (multum mihi colende
Vir) observantiæ ergo Hæc ego.
_Conquerar? ignavoque sequar tua funera planctu?
Sed lachrimæ clausistis iter: nec muta querelas
Lingua potest proferre pias: ignoscite manes
Defuncti, & tacito finite indulgere dolori.
Sed scelus est tacuisse: cadant in mœsta lituræ 5
Verba. Tuis (docta umbra) tuis hæc accipe jussis
Cæpta, nec officii contemnens pignora nostri
Aversare tuâ non dignum laude Poëtam.
O si Pythagoræ non vanum dogma fuisset:
Inque meum â vestro migraret pectore pectus 10
Musa, repentinos tua nosceret urna furores.
Sed frustra, heu frustra hæc votis puerilibus opto:
Tecum abiit, summoque sedens jam monte Thalia
Ridet anhelantes, Parnassi & culmina vates
Desperare jubet. Verum hâc nolente coactos 15
Scribimus audaces numeros, & flebile carmen
Scribimus (ô soli qui te dilexit) habendum.
Siccine perpetuus liventia lumina somnus
Clausit? & immerito merguntur funere virtus?
Et pietas? & quæ poterant fecisse beatum, 20
Cætera, sed nec te poterant servare beatum.
Quo mihi doctrinam? quorsum impallescere chartis
Nocturnis juvat? & totidem olfecisse lucernas?
Decolor & longos studiis deperdere Soles
Vt prius aggredior, longamque arcessere famam. 25
Omnia sed frustra: mihi dum cunctisque minatur
Exitium crudele & inexorabile fatum.
Nam post te sperare nihil decet: hoc mihi restat
Vt moriar, tenues fugiatque obscurus in auras
Spiritus: ô doctis saltem si cognitus umbris. 30
Illic te (venerande) iterum, (venerande) videbo.
Et dulces audire sonós, & verba diserti
Oris, & æternas dabitur mihi carpere voces.
Quêis ferus infernæ tacuisset Ianitor aulæ
Auditis: Nilusque minus strepuisset: Arion 35
Cederet, & sylvas qui post se traxerat Orpheus.
Eloquio sic ille viros, sic ille movere
Voce feros potuit: quis enim tam barbarus? aut tam
Facundis nimis infestus non motus ut illo
Hortante, & blando victus sermone sileret? 40
Sic oculos, sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat,
Singula sic decuere senem, sic omnia. Vidi,
Audivi & stupui quoties orator in Æde
Paulina stetit, & mira gravitate levantes
Corda, oculosque viros tenuit: dum Nestoris ille 45
Fudit verba (omni quanta mage dulcia melle?)
Nunc habet attonitos, pandit mysteria plebi
Non concessa prius nondum intellecta: revolvunt
Mirantes, tacitique arrectis auribus astant.
Mutatis mox ille modo, formaque loquendi 50
Tristia pertractat: fatumque & flebile mortis
Tempus, & in cineres redeunt quod corpora primos.
Tunc gemitum cunctos dare, tunc lugere videres,
Forsitan à lachrymis aliquis non temperat, atque
Ex oculis largum stillat rorem; ætheris illo 55
Sic pater audito voluit succumbere turbam,
Affectusque ciere suos, & ponere notæ
Vocis ad arbitrium, divinæ oracula mentis
Dum narrat, rostrisque potens dominatur in altis.
Quo feror? audaci & forsan pietate nocenti 60
In nimia ignoscas vati, qui vatibus olim
Egregium decus, et tanto excellentior unus
Omnibus; inferior quanto est, et pessimus, impar
Laudibus hisce, tibi qui nunc facit ista Poëta.
Et quo nos canimus? cur hæc tibi sacra? Poëtæ 65
Desinite: en fati certus, sibi voce canorâ
Inferias præmisit olor, cum Carolus Albâ
(Vltima volventem et Cycnæâ voce loquentem)
Nuper eum, turba & magnatum audiret in Aulâ.
Tunc Rex, tunc Proceres, Clerus, tunc astitit illi 70
Aula frequens. Solâ nunc in tellure recumbit,
Vermibus esca, pio malint nisi parcere: quidni
Incipiant & amare famem? Metuere Leones
Sic olim, sacrosque artus violare Prophetæ
Bellua non ausa est qùamquam jejuna, sitimque 75
Optaret nimis humano satiare cruore.
At non hæc de te sperabimus; omnia carpit
Prædator vermis: nec talis contigit illi
Præda diu; forsan metrico pede serpet ab inde:
Vescere, & exhausto satia te sanguine. Iam nos 80
Adsumus; et post te cupiet quis vivere? Post te
Quis volet, aut poterit? nam post te vivere mors est.
Et tamen ingratas ignavi ducimus auras:
Sustinet & tibi lingua vale, vale dicere: parce
Non festinanti æternum requiescere turbæ. 85
Ipsa satis properat quæ nescit Parca morari,
Nunc urgere colum, trahere atque occare videmus.
Quin rursus (Venerande) Vale, vale: ordine nos te
Quo Deus, & quo dura volet natura sequemur.
Depositum interea lapides servate fideles. 90
Fœlices illâ quêis Ædis parte locari
Quâ jacet iste datur. Forsan lapis inde loquetur,
Parturietque viro plenus testantia luctus
Verba: & carminibus quæ Donni suggeret illi
Spiritus, insolitos testari voce calores 95
Incipiet: (non sic Pyrrhâ jactante calebat.)
Mole sub hâc tegitur quicquid mortale relictum est
De tanto mortale viro. Qui præfuit Ædi huic,
Formosi pecoris pastor, formosior ipse.
Ite igitur, dignisque illum celebrate loquelis, 100
Et quæ demuntur vitæ date tempora famæ._
Indignus tantorum meritorum Præco, virtutum
tuarum cultor religiosissimus,
DANIEL DARNELLY.
[In obitum _&c._ _1635-69_, _taking the place of the lines by
Tho: Browne_.]
[10 pectore] pectore, _1635_]
[21 beatum.] beatum _1635_]
[23 olfecisse] olfecissë _1635_]
[25 prius aggredior, _1635-69_: prius, aggredior, _1719_
arcessere _Ed_: accessere _1635-69_]
[26-7 mihi dum ... Exitium _1719_: mihi, dum ... Exitium,
_1635-39_: mihi dum, ... Exitium, _1650-69_]
[38 Voce feros] Voceferos _1635_, _1669_]
[79 inde:] inde _1635-39_]
[86 Parca] parca _1635-69_
morari,] morari _1635_]
[88 rursus _1719_: rusus _1635_: nusus _1639-69_]
[96 Incipiet: ... calebat. _1719_: _no stops_, _1635-69_]
_Elegie on D. D._
Now, by one yeare, time and our frailtie have
Lessened our first confusion, since the Grave
Clos'd thy deare Ashes, and the teares which flow
In these, have no springs, but of solid woe:
Or they are drops, which cold amazement froze 5
At thy decease, and will not thaw in Prose:
All streames of Verse which shall lament that day,
Doe truly to the Ocean tribute pay;
But they have lost their saltnesse, which the eye
In recompence of wit, strives to supply: 10
Passions excesse for thee wee need not feare,
Since first by thee our passions hallowed were;
Thou mad'st our sorrowes, which before had bin
Onely for the Successe, sorrowes for sinne,
We owe thee all those teares, now thou art dead, 15
Which we shed not, which for our selves we shed.
Nor didst thou onely consecrate our teares,
Give a religious tincture to our feares;
But even our joyes had learn'd an innocence,
Thou didst from gladnesse separate offence: 20
All mindes at once suckt grace from thee, as where
(The curse revok'd) the Nations had one eare.
Pious dissector: thy one houre did treate
The thousand mazes of the hearts deceipt;
Thou didst pursue our lov'd and subtill sinne, 25
Through all the foldings wee had wrapt it in,
And in thine owne large minde finding the way
By which our selves we from our selves convey,
Didst in us, narrow models, know the same
Angles, though darker, in our meaner frame. 30
How short of praise is this? My Muse, alas,
Climbes weakly to that truth which none can passe,
Hee that writes best, may onely hope to leave
A Character of all he could conceive
But none of thee, and with mee must confesse, 35
That fansie findes some checke, from an excesse
Of merit most, of nothing, it hath spun,
And truth, as reasons task and theame, doth shunne.
She makes a fairer flight in emptinesse,
Than when a bodied truth doth her oppresse. 40
Reason againe denies her scales, because
Hers are but scales, shee judges by the lawes
Of weake comparison, thy vertue sleights
Her feeble Beame, and her unequall Weights.
What prodigie of wit and pietie 45
Hath she else knowne, by which to measure thee?
Great soule: we can no more the worthinesse
Of what you were, then what you are, expresse.
_Sidney Godolphin._
[Footnote: Elegie on D. D. _1635-69_: _it follows Walton's
elegy._]
_On D^{r}_ John Donne, _late Deane of S._ Paules, _London_.
Long since this taske of teares from you was due,
Long since, ô Poëts, he did die to you,
Or left you dead, when wit and he tooke flight
On divine wings, and soard out of your sight.
Preachers, 'tis you must weep; The wit he taught 5
You doe enjoy; the Rebels which he brought
From ancient discord, Giants faculties,
And now no more religions enemies;
Honest to knowing, unto vertuous sweet,
Witty to good, and learned to discreet, 10
He reconcil'd, and bid the Vsurper goe;
Dulnesse to vice, religion ought to flow;
He kept his loves, but not his objects; wit
Hee did not banish, but transplanted it,
Taught it his place and use, and brought it home 15
To Pietie, which it doth best become;
He shew'd us how for sinnes we ought to sigh,
And how to sing Christs Epithalamy:
The Altars had his fires, and there hee spoke
Incense of loves, and fansies holy smoake: 20
Religion thus enrich'd, the people train'd,
And God from dull vice had the fashion gain'd.
The first effects sprung in the giddy minde
Of flashy youth, and thirst of woman-kinde,
By colours lead, and drawne to a pursuit, 25
Now once againe by beautie of the fruit,
As if their longings too must set us free,
And tempt us now to the commanded tree.
Tell me, had ever pleasure such a dresse,
Have you knowne crimes so shap'd? or lovelinesse 30
Such as his lips did cloth religion in?
Had not reproofe a beauty passing sinne?
Corrupted nature sorrow'd when she stood
So neare the danger of becomming good,
And wish'd our so inconstant eares exempt 35
From piety that had such power to tempt:
Did not his sacred flattery beguile
Man to amendment? The law, taught to smile,
Pension'd our vanitie, and man grew well
Through the same frailtie by which he fell. 40
O the sick state of man, health does not please
Our tasts, but in the shape of the disease.
Thriftlesse is charitie, coward patience,
Iustice is cruell, mercy want of sense.
What meanes our Nature to barre vertue place, 45
If shee doe come in her owne cloathes and face?
Is good a pill, we dare not chaw to know?
Sense the soules servant, doth it keep us so
As we might starve for good, unlesse it first
Doe leave a pawne of relish in the gust? 50
Or have we to salvation no tie
At all, but that of our infirmitie?
Who treats with us must our affections move
To th' good we flie by those sweets which we love,
Must seeke our palats, and with their delight 55
To gaine our deeds, must bribe our appetite.
These traines he knew, and laying nets to save,
Temptingly sugred all the health hee gave.
But, where is now that chime? that harmony
Hath left the world, now the loud organ may 60
Appeare, the better voyce is fled to have
A thousand times the sweetnesse which it gave.
I cannot say how many thousand spirits
The single happinesse this soule inherits,
Damnes in the other world, soules whom no crosse 65
O'th sense afflicts, but onely of the losse,
Whom ignorance would halfe save, all whose paine
Is not in what they feele, but others gaine,
Selfe executing wretched spirits, who
Carrying their guilt, transport their envy too: 70
But those high joyes which his wits youngest flame
Would hurt to chuse, shall not we hurt to name?
Verse statues are all robbers, all we make
Of monument, thus doth not give but take
As Sailes which Seamen to a forewinde fit, 75
By a resistance, goe along with it,
So pens grow while they lessen fame so left;
A weake assistance is a kinde of theft.
Who hath not love to ground his teares upon,
Must weep here if he have ambition.
_I. Chudleigh._
[On D^{r} John Donne _&c._ _1635-69_, _where it follows
Godolphin's_ Elegie]
FINIS.
APPENDIX A.
LATIN POEMS AND TRANSLATIONS
DE LIBRO CVM MVTV-
aretur Impresso; Domi à pueris
frustatim lacerato; et post reddito
Manuscripto.
Doctissimo Amicissimoque v.
D. D. Andrews.
_Parturiunt madido quae nixu praela, recepta,
Sed quae scripta manu, sunt veneranda magis.
Qui liber in pluteos, blattis cinerique relictos,
Si modo sit praeli sanguine tinctus, abit;
Accedat calamo scriptus, reverenter habetur, 5
Involat et veterum scrinia summa Patrum.
Dicat Apollo modum; Pueros infundere libro
Nempe vetustatem canitiemque novo.
Nil mirum, medico pueros de semine natos,
Haec nova fata libra posse dedisse novo. 10
Si veterem faciunt pueri, qui nuperus, Annon
Ipse Pater Iuvenem me dabit arte senem?
Hei miseris senibus! nos vertit dura senectus
Omnes in pueros, neminem at in Iuvenem.
Hoc tibi servasti praestandum, Antique Dierum, 15
Quo viso, et vivit, et juvenescit Adam.
Interea, infirmae fallamus taedia vitae,
Libris, et Coelorum aemulâ amicitiâ.
Hos inter, qui a te mihi redditus iste libellus,
Non mihi tam charus, tam meus, ante fuit._ 20
_Transiit in Sequanam Moenus; Victoris in aedes;
Et Francofurtum, te revehente, meat._
[DE LIBRO &c. _1635-69_ _among certain prose letters in Latin
and English_
_Title_:--mutuaretur Impresso;] mutuaretur, Impresso,
_1635-69_
frustatim] frustratim _1635-69_
lacerato;] lacerato, _1635-69_]
[2 _manu, sunt_] _manu sunt, 1635-69_]
[4 _abit;_] _abit, 1635-69_]
[ _Ed_: _in old edd. these lines are 3 and 4 of
above poem_. _See note_]
[1 _aedes_;] _aedes, 1635-69_]
Amicissimo, & meritissimo BEN. JONSON.
In Vulponem.
_Qvod arte ausus es hic tuâ, Poeta,
Si auderent hominum Deique juris
Consulti, veteres sequi aemularierque,
O omnes saperemus ad salutem.
His sed sunt veteres araneosi; 5
Tam nemo veterum est sequutor, ut tu
Illos quod sequeris novator audis.
Fac tamen quod agis; tuique primâ
Libri canitie induantur horâ:
Nam chartis pueritia est neganda, 10
Nascanturque senes, oportet, illi
Libri, queis dare vis perennitatem.
Priscis, ingenium facit, laborque
Te parem; hos superes, ut et futuros,
Ex nostrâ vitiositate sumas, 15
Quâ priscos superamus, et futuros._
[Amicissimo _&c._ _in sheets added 1650: prefixed originally
to Quarto edition of Jonson's Volpone. 1607, later to Folio
edition of The Workes of Beniamin Jonson. 1616., when In
Vulponem was added: in both signed I.D._]
[11 Nascanturque _1607_: Nascunturque _1616_, _1650-69_]
To M^r _George Herbert_, with one of my
Seal(s), of the Anchor and Christ.
_Qvi prius assuetus Serpentum fasce Tabellas
Signare, (haec nostrae symbola parva Domus)
Adscitus domui Domini, patrioque relicto
Stemmate, nanciscor stemmata jure nova.
Hinc mihi Crux primo quae fronti impressa lavacro, 5
Finibus extensis, anchora facta patet.
Anchorae in effigiem Crux tandem desinit ipsam,
Anchora fit tandem Crux tolerata diu.
Hoc tamen ut fiat, Christo vegetatur ab ipso
Crux, et ab Affixo, est Anchora facta, Iesu. 10
Nec Natalitiis penitus serpentibus orbor,
Non ita dat Deus, ut auferat ante data.
Quâ sapiens, Dos est; Quâ terram lambit et ambit,
Pestis; At in nostra fit Medicina Cruce,
Serpens; fixa Cruci si sit Natura; Crucique 15
A fixo, nobis, Gratia tota fluat.
Omnia cum Crux sint, Crux Anchora facta, sigillum
Non tam dicendum hoc quam Catechismus erit.
Mitto nec exigua, exiguâ sub imagine, dona,
Pignora amicitiae, et munera; Vota, preces. 20
Plura tibi accumulet, sanctus cognominis, Ille
Regia qui flavo Dona sigillat Equo._
[To M^r George Herbert _&c._ _1650-69_, _in sheets added 1650:
two and a half lines in Walton's Life of Donne (1658): for
Herbert's reply see note Title:_--sent him with one _Walton_
(1670) Seal, _1650-69:_ Seales _Walton_]
[1 fasce] falce _Walton_]
[5 _fronti_] _fronte 1650-69_]
[17 _facta,_] _fixa,_ _1650-69_]
[19 Mitto] Mitto, _1650-69_]
A Sheafe of Snakes used heretofore to be
My Seal, The Crest of our poore Family.
Adopted in Gods Family, and so
Our old Coat lost, unto new armes I go.
The Crosse (my seal at Baptism) spred below, 5
Does, by that form, into an Anchor grow.
Crosses grow Anchors; Bear, as thou shouldst do
Thy Crosse, and that Crosse grows an Anchor too.
But he that makes our Crosses Anchors thus,
Is Christ, who there is crucifi'd for us. 10
Yet may I, with this, my first Serpents hold,
God gives new blessings, and yet leaves the old;
The Serpent, may, as wise, my pattern be;
My poison, as he feeds on dust, that's me.
And as he rounds the Earth to murder sure, 15
My death he is, but on the Crosse, my cure.
Crucifie nature then, and then implore
All Grace from him, crucified there before;
When all is Crosse, and that Crosse Anchor grown,
This Seal's a Catechism, not a Seal alone. 20
Under that little Seal great gifts I send,
and prayers, pawns, and fruits of a friend.
And may that Saint which rides in our great Seal,
To you, who bear his name, great bounties deal.
[A sheafe _&c._] _1650-69 and in Walton's_ Life of Donne
(1658), _in all of which and in all subsequent editions except
Grolier the first two lines are printed as a title, Walton
bracketing them_:--
A sheafe of Snakes used heretofore to be
_my Seal, The Crest of our poore Family_.
]
[4 Our ... unto] My ... into _Walton_]
[5 at] in _Walton_]
[11 with this I may _Walton_]
[15 to murder sure,] to murder, sure _Walton_]
[16 He is my death; _Walton_]
[22 Wishes, _Ed_: Works, _1650-69_: Both works _Walton_: Lat.
_vota_]
[23-4
Oh may that Saint that rides on our great Seal,
To you that bear his name large bounty deal.
_Walton_.
]
Translated out of _Gazæus_, _Vota Amico facta_. _fol._ 160.
God grant thee thine own wish, and grant thee mine,
Thou, who dost, best friend, in best things outshine;
May thy soul, ever chearfull, nere know cares,
Nor thy life, ever lively, know gray haires.
Nor thy hand, ever open, know base holds, 5
Nor thy purse, ever plump, know pleits, or folds.
Nor thy tongue, ever true, know a false thing,
Nor thy word, ever mild, know quarrelling.
Nor thy works, ever equall, know disguise,
Nor thy fame, ever pure, know contumelies. 10
Nor thy prayers, know low objects, still Divine;
God grant thee thine own wish, and grant thee mine.
Translated _&c._] _1650-69_, _in sheets added 1650_: _for
original see note_]
APPENDIX B.
POEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED
TO JOHN DONNE IN THE OLD EDITIONS
AND THE PRINCIPAL MS. COLLEC-
TIONS, ARRANGED ACCORDING
TO THEIR PROBABLE
AUTHORS.
I.
POEMS
PROBABLY BY SIR JOHN ROE, KNT.
_To S^{r} Nicholas Smyth._
Sleep, next Society and true friendship,
Mans best contentment, doth securely slip
His passions and the worlds troubles. Rock me
O sleep, wean'd from my dear friends company,
In a cradle free from dreams or thoughts, there 5
Where poor men ly, for Kings asleep do fear.
Here sleeps House by famous Ariosto,
By silver-tongu'd Ovid, and many moe,
Perhaps by golden-mouth'd Spencer too pardie,
(Which builded was some dozen Stories high) 10
I had repair'd, but that it was so rotten,
As sleep awak'd by Ratts from thence was gotten:
And I will build no new, for by my Will,
Thy fathers house shall be the fairest still
In Excester. Yet, methinks, for all their Wit, 15
Those wits that say nothing, best describe it.
Without it there is no Sense, only in this
Sleep is unlike a long Parenthesis.
Not to save charges, but would I had slept
The time I spent in London, when I kept 20
Fighting and untrust gallants Company,
In which Natta, the new Knight, seized on me,
And offered me the experience he had bought
With great Expence. I found him throughly taught
In curing Burnes. His thing hath had more scars 25
Then Things himselfe; like Epps it often wars,
And still is hurt. For his Body and State
The Physick and Counsel which came too late,
'Gainst Whores and Dice, hee nowe on mee bestowes
Most superficially: hee speaks of those 30
(I found by him) least soundly who most knows:
He swears well, speakes ill, but best of Clothes,
What fits Summer, what Winter, what the Spring.
He had Living, but now these waies come in
His whole Revenues. Where each Whore now dwells, 35
And hath dwelt, since his fathers death, he tells.
Yea he tells most cunningly each hid cause
Why Whores forsake their Bawds. To these some Laws
He knows of the Duello, and touch his Skill
The least lot in that or those he quarrell will, 40
Though sober; but so never fought. I know
What made his Valour, undubb'd, Windmill go,
Within a Pint at most: yet for all this
(Which is most strange) Natta thinks no man is
More honest than himself. Thus men may want 45
Conscience, whilst being brought up ignorant,
They use themselves to vice. And besides those
Illiberal Arts forenam'd, no Vicar knows,
Nor other Captain less then he; His Schools
Are Ordinaries, where civil men seem fools, 50
Or are for being there; His best bookes, Plaies,
Where, meeting godly Scenes, perhaps he praies.
His first set prayer was for his father, ill
And sick, that he might dye: That had, until
The Lands were gone, he troubled God no more: 55
And then ask'd him but his Right, That the whore
Whom he had kept, might now keep him: She spent,
They left each other on even terms; she went
To Bridewel, he unto the Wars, where want
Hath made him valiant, and a Lieutenant 60
He is become: Where, as they pass apace,
He steps aside, and for his Captains place
He praies again: Tells God, he will confess
His sins, swear, drink, dice and whore thenceforth less,
On this Condition, that his Captain dye 65
And he succeed; But his Prayer did not; They
Both cashir'd came home, and he is braver now
Than'his captain: all men wonder, few know how.
Can he rob? No. Cheat? No. Or doth he spend
His own? No. Fidus, he is thy dear friend, 70
That keeps him up. I would thou wert thine own,
Or thou'hadst as good a friend as thou art one.
No present Want nor future hope made me,
Desire (as once I did) thy friend to be:
But he had cruelly possest thee then, 75
And as our Neighbours the Low-Country men,
Being (whilst they were Loyal, with Tyranny
Opprest) broke loose, have since refus'd to be
Subject to good Kings, I found even so,
Wer't thou well rid of him, thou't have no moe. 80
Could'st thou but chuse as well as love, to none
Thou should'st be second: Turtle and Damon
Should give thee place in songs, and Lovers sick
Should make thee only Loves Hieroglyphick:
Thy Impress should be the loving Elm and Vine, 85
Where now an ancient Oak, with Ivy twine
Destroy'd, thy Symbol is. O dire Mischance!
And, O vile verse! And yet your Abraham France
Writes thus, and jests not. Good Fidus for this
Must pardon me, Satyres bite when they kiss. 90
But as for Natta, we have since faln out:
Here on his knees he pray'd, else we had fought.
And because God would not he should be winner,
Nor yet would have the Death of such a sinner,
At his seeking, our Quarrel is deferr'd, 95
I'll leave him at his Prayers, and (as I heard)
His last; Fidus, and you, and I do know,
I was his friend, and durst have been his foe,
And would be either yet; But he dares be
Neither; Sleep blots him out and takes in thee. 100
"The mind, you know is like a Table-book,
Which, th'old unwipt, new writing never took.
Hear how the Huishers Checques, Cupbord and Fire
I pass'd; by which Degrees young men aspire
In Court; And how that idle and she-state, 105
Whenas my judgment cleer'd, my soul did hate;
How I found there (if that my trifling Pen
Durst take so hard a Task) Kings were but men,
And by their Place more noted, if they erre;
How they and their Lords unworthy men prefer; 110
And, as unthrifts had rather give away
Great Summs to flatterers, than small debts pay,
So they their weakness hide, and greatness show,
By giving them that which to worth they owe:
What Treason is, and what did Essex kill, 115
Not true Treason, but Treason handled ill;
And which of them stood for their Countries good,
Or what might be the Cause of so much Blood.
He said she stunck, and men might not have said
That she was old before that she was dead. 120
His Case was hard, to do or suffer; loth
To do, he made it harder, and did both.
Too much preparing lost them all their Lives,
Like some in Plagues kill'd with preservatives.
Friends, like land-souldiers in a storm at Sea, 125
Not knowing what to do, for him did pray.
They told it all the world; where was their wit?
Cuffs putting on a sword, might have told it.
And Princes must fear Favorites more then Foes,
For still beyond Revenge Ambition goes. 130
How since Her death, with Sumpter-horse that Scot
Hath rid, who, at his coming up, had not
A Sumpter-dog. But till that I can write
Things worth thy Tenth reading (dear Nick) goodnight.
[To S^{r} Nicholas Smyth. _Ed_: Satyra Sexta. To S^{r} _&c._
_S_: Satires to S^{r} Nic: Smith. 1602 _B_: A Satire: to S^{r}
Nicholas Smith. 1602, _L74_: A Satyricall Letter to S^{r}
Nich: Smith. Quere, if Donnes or S^{r} Th: Rowes. _O'F_: _no
title_ _N_, _TCD_ (_JR in margin_): Satyre VI. _1669_ (_on
which the present text is based_)]
[1 Sleep, next] Sleep next, _1669_]
[2 slip _1669_, _S_: skipp _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD_. _In
1669 full stops after slip and rock me and no stop after
troubles_]
[3 Rock] rock _1669_]
[4 my _MSS._: thy _1669_]
[6 asleep] all sleap _B_]
[9 golden-mouth'd] gold-mouth'd _B_, _S_]
[14 still] still. _1669_]
[25 hath had _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_: had had _1669_:
had _B_]
[26 Things _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_: T _1669_]
[28-31 _text from B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_, _which
bracket which ... late_: _see note_:
The Physick and Councel (which came too late
'Gainst Whores and Dice) he now on me bestows:
Most superficially he speaks of those.
I found, by him, least sound him who most knows.
_1669_
]
[33 what Winter] what What Winter _1669_]
[35 each _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_: his _1669_]
[37 cunningly _1669_, _L74_, _N_, _TCD_: perfectly _B_, _O'F_,
_S_]
[39 Duello, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_: Duel, _1669_
touch _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_: on _1669_: only _N_, _TCD_]
[40 those _B_, _L74_, _O'F_: these _1669_]
[41 but so never fought. _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_ (soe as),
_TCD_ (nere): but nere fought. _1669_]
[42 Valour, undubb'd, Windmill go, _Ed_: Valour undubd
Windmill go. _1669_: valours undubb'd Wine-mill go. _L74_,
_N_, _TCD_: his undouted valour windmill goe. _B_: his
undaunted valour windmill goe. _O'F_, _S_]
[45 want] vaunt _S_]
[47 besides] except _B_, _O'F_, _S_]
[49 he; _Ed_: he, _1669_]
[53 father, ill] fathers ill, _1669_]
[65 his] if his _1669_]
[66 succeed; _Ed_: succeed, _1669_
They _Ed_: they _1669_]
[68 Than'his _Ed_: Than his _1669_: Then's _N_, _TCD_
how. _Ed_: how, _1669_]
[69 Or _Ed_: or _1669_]
[72 thou'hadst _L74_, _N_, _TCD_: thou hadst _1669_]
[81 love, _Ed_: love _1669_]
[82 Damon] damon _1669_]
[83 thee] the _1669_]
[86-7 Oak, with Ivy twine Destroy'd, thy Symbol is. _L74_,
_N_, _TCD_: Oak with Ivy twine, Destroy'd thy Symbole
is. _1669_: Oak with ivy twine. Destroy'd thy symbol is!
_Chambers_]
[87 Mischance!] Mischance? _1669_]
[88 your _B_, _L74_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_: our _1669_]
[92 knees] knees, _1669_]
[97 Fidus, and you, and I _N_, _TCD_: and Fidus, you and I
_1669_: Fidus, and you, and he _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_]
[100 Neither; _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_: Neither yet.
_1669_
Sleep] sleep _1669_]
[102 Which, th'old unwipt, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCD_: "The old
unwipt _1669_]
[104-6 _1669 has colon after pass'd, brackets by which
... Court and Whenas ... cleer'd, and places comma after
hate_]
[107 there (if that _1669_: then that (if _B_, _O'F_, _S_]
[111 And, as unthrifts _Ed_: And, as unthrifts, _1669_,
_Chambers_]
[112 pay, _Ed_: pay; _1669_: pay. _Chambers_]
[113 weakness _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_: greatness _1669_, _N_,
_TCD_]
[116 ill; _Ed_: ill: _1669_]
[118 Blood. _Ed_: Blood; _1669_]
[121 hard, _Ed_: hard _1669_]
[122 both. _Ed_: both _1669_]
[127 world; _Ed_: world, _1669_]
[132 Hath rid,] Doth ryde, _B_]
[133 till that _1669_: till _N_, _TCD_: untill _B_, _O'F_,
_S_]
_Satyre._
Men write that love and reason disagree,
But I ne'r saw't exprest as 'tis in thee.
Well, I may lead thee, God must make thee see,
But, thine eyes blinde too, there's no hope for thee.
Thou say'st shee's wise and witty, faire and free, 5
All these are reasons why she should scorne thee.
Thou dost protest thy love, and wouldst it shew
By matching her as she would match her foe:
And wouldst perswade her to a worse offence,
Then that whereof thou didst accuse her wench. 10
Reason there's none for thee, but thou may'st vexe
Her with example. Say, for feare her sexe
Shunne her, she needs must change; I doe not see
How reason e'r can bring that _must_ to thee.
Thou art a match a Iustice to rejoyce, 15
Fit to be his, and not his daughters choyce.
Urg'd with his threats shee'd scarcely stay with thee,
And wouldst th'have this to chuse thee, being free?
Goe then and punish some soone-gotten stuffe,
For her dead husband this hath mourn'd enough, 20
In hating thee. Thou maist one like this meet;
For spight take her, prove kinde, make thy breath sweet,
Let her see she hath cause, and to bring to thee
Honest children, let her dishonest bee.
If shee be a widow, I'll warrant her 25
Shee'll thee before her first husband preferre,
And will wish thou hadst had her maidenhead;
Shee'll love thee so, for then thou hadst bin dead.
But thou such strong love, and weake reasons hast,
Thou must thrive there, or ever live disgrac'd. 30
Yet pause a while; and thou maist live to see
A time to come, wherein she may beg thee;
If thou'lt not pause nor change, she'll beg thee now.
Doe what she can, love for nothing shee'll allow.
Besides, her were too much gaine and merchandise, 35
And when thou art rewarded, desert dies.
Now thou hast odds of him she loves, he may doubt
Her constancy, but none can put thee out.
Againe, be thy love true, shee'll prove divine,
And in the end the good on't will be thine: 40
For thou must never think on other love,
And so wilt advance her as high above
Vertue as cause above effect can bee:
'Tis vertue to be chast, which shee'll make thee.
[Satyre. _B_, _O'F_: A Satire: upon one who was his Rivall
in a widdowes Love. _A10_: Satyre VI. _1635-54_: Satyre. VII.
_1669_ (_where Satyre VI. is Sleep, next Society &c._)]
[4 thine eyes _1635-69_: thy eye's _A10_]
[11 thee,] the, _1669_]
[13 she needs must change; I _1635-69_: she must change, yet I
_A10_]
[16 and _1635-69_: but _B_]
[17 Urg'd _A10_, _B_, _O'F_: Dry'd _1635-69_]
[19 some] _1635 duplicates_]
[22 sweet, _1639-69_: sweet. _1635_]
[27 maidenhead; _Ed_: maidenhead, _1635-69_]
[28 (Shee'll love thee so) for, _1635-69_]
[29 strong] firm _A10_]
[32 thee; _Grosart_: thee. _1635-69_]
[33 now. _Grosart_: now, _1635-69_]
[34 love for nothing shee'll _1635-69_: she'le love for nought
_A10_]
[35 Besides, hers _Ed_: Besides, here _1635-69_: But hers
_A10_: Besides her _O'F_]
[38-9 out. Againe, _1635-69_: out Againe; _A10_]
[40 And in _1635-69_: And yet in _A10_
thine: _Ed_: thine. _1635-69_]
[41 For thou must never think on _H-K_ (_Grosart_): And thou
must never think on, _A10_: For though thou must ne'r thinke
of _1635-69_]
[42 And so wilt advance her _1635-69_: For that will her
advance _A10_]
[43 bee: _Ed_: bee, _1635-69_]
AN ELEGIE.
_Reflecting on his passion for his mistrisse._
Come, Fates; I feare you not. All whom I owe
Are paid, but you. Then rest me ere I goe.
But, Chance from you all soveraignty hath got,
Love woundeth none but those whom death dares not;
Else, if you were, and just, in equitie 5
I should have vanquish'd her, as you did me.
Else Lovers should not brave death's pains, and live,
But 'tis a rule, _Death comes not to relieve_.
Or, pale and wan deaths terrours, are they lay'd
So deepe in Lovers, they make death afraid? 10
Or (the least comfort) have I company?
Orecame she Fates, Love, Death, as well as mee?
Yes, Fates doe silke unto her distaffe pay,
For their ransome, which taxe on us they laye.
Love gives her youth, which is the reason why 15
Youths, for her sake, some wither and some die.
Poore Death can nothing give; yet, for her sake,
Still in her turne, he doth a Lover take:
And if Death should prove false, she feares him not;
Our Muses, to redeeme her she hath got. 20
That fatall night wee last kiss'd, I thus pray'd,
Or rather, thus despair'd; I should have said:
Kisses, and yet despaire? The forbid tree
Did promise (and deceive) no more then shee.
Like Lambs that see their teats, and must eat Hay, 25
A food, whose tast hath made me pine away.
_Dives_, when thou saw'st blisse, and crav'dst to touch
A drop of water, thy great paines were such.
Here griefe wants a fresh wit, for mine being spent,
And my sighes weary, groanes are all my rent; 30
Vnable longer to indure the paine,
They breake like thunder, and doe bring down rain.
Thus, till dry teares soulder mine eyes, I weepe;
And then, I dreame, how you securely sleepe,
And in your dreames doe laugh at me. I hate, 35
And pray Love, All may: He pitties my state,
But sayes, I therein no revenge should finde;
The Sunne would shine, though all the world were blind.
Yet, to trie my hate, Love shew'd me your teare;
And I had dy'd, had not your smile beene there. 40
Your frowne undoes me; your smile is my wealth;
And as you please to looke, I have my health.
Me thought, Love pittying me, when he saw this,
Gave me your hands, the backs and palmes to kisse.
That cur'd me not, but to beare paine gave strength, 45
And what it lost in force, it tooke in length.
I call'd on Love againe, who fear'd you so,
That his compassion still prov'd greater woe;
For, then I dream'd I was in bed with you,
But durst not feele, for feare't should not prove true. 50
This merits not your anger, had it beene,
The Queene of Chastitie was naked seene;
And in bed, not to feele, the paine I tooke,
Was more then for _Actæon_ not to looke.
And that brest which lay ope, I did not know, 55
But for the clearnesse, from a lump of snowe,
Nor that sweet teat which on the top it bore
From the rose-bud, which for my sake you wore.
These griefs to issue forth, by verse, I prove,
Or turne their course, by travaile, or new love: 60
All would not doe. The best at last I tryde:
Unable longer to hould out I dyed.
And then I found I lost life, death by flying:
Who hundreds live are but soe long a dying.
Charon did let me passe: I'le him requite. 65
To marke the groves or shades wrongs my delight.
I'le speake but of those ghosts I found alone,
Those thousand ghosts, whereof myself made one,
All images of thee. I ask'd them, why?
The Judge told me, all they for thee did dye, 70
And therefore had for their Elisian blisse,
In one another their owne Loves to kisse.
O here I miss'd not blisse, but being dead;
For loe, I dream'd, I dream'd; and waking said,
Heaven, if who are in thee there must dwell, 75
How is't, I now was there, and now I fell.
[An Elegie. Reflecting on _&c._ _A10_: An Elegie. _H39_,
_H40_, _L74_, _RP31_: Eleg. XIII. _1635-69_: _no title_, _Cy_:
Elegie. _P_]
[5 Else, if you were, and just, in equitie _H39_: Else, if you
were, and just in equitie, _1635-54_, _Grosart_: True, if you
were, and just in equitie, _1669_, _Chambers_ (True)]
[12 Orecame she Fates, Love, Death, _MSS._: Or can the Fates
love death, _1635-69_]
[13 distaffe _1635-69_, _H39_, _L74_: distaves _A10_, _H40_,
_RP31_]
[14 For their ... on us they laye. _Cy_, _H39_, _H40_, _L74_,
_P_: For ransome, which taxe they on us doe lay. _1635-69_:
For Ransome, but a taxe on us they lay: _A10_]
[17-19 Death] death _1635-69_]
[18 take: _H40_, _L74_: take. _1635-69_]
[21 That fatall night we last kiss'd _1635-69_: That last
fatall night wee kiss'd _A10_, _H39_, _H40_, _L74_, _P_,
_RP31_]
[22 _in brackets_ _1635-69_
said: _Ed_: said, _1635-69_]
[23 despaire? _Ed_: despaire. _1635-69_]
[24 shee.] yee. _A10_, _H40_]
[28 A drop of water, thy greate _1635-69_: A small little
drop, thy _Cy_, _H39_ (then thy), _H40_, _L74_, _P_: The
poorest little drop, thy _A10_]
[63 life] lif's _Grosart_: _spelt lief_ _H40_]
[64 Who] Where _Grosart_]
[66 marke] walke _Grosart_
or] and _A10_]
[67 but] out _Grosart_, _from H39_]
[68 Those thousand] Thousand _A10_]
[72 In one] _omit_. _Grosart_]
[74 (For loe I dreampt) _H39 and Grosart_]
[75 Heaven] O Heaven _A10_]
_An Elegie to M^{ris} Boulstred_: 1602.
Shall I goe force an Elegie? abuse
My witt? and breake the Hymen of my muse
For one poore houres love? Deserves it such
Which serves not me, to doe on her as much?
Or if it could, I would that fortune shunn: 5
Who would be rich, to be foe foone undone?
The beggars best is, wealth he doth not know;
And but to shew it him, encreases woe.
But we two may enjoye an hour? when never
It returnes, who would have a losse for ever? 10
Nor can so short a love, if true, but bring
A halfe howres feare, with the thought of losing:
Before it, all howres were hope; and all are
(That shall come after it,) yeares of dispaire.
This joye brings this doubt, whether it were more 15
To have enjoy'd it, or have died before?
T'is a lost paradise, a fall from grace,
Which I thinke, Adam felt more then his race.
Nor need those angells any other Hell;
It is enough for them, from Heaven they fell. 20
Besides, Conquest in love is all in all;
That when I liste, shee under me may fall:
And for this turne, both for delight and view,
I'le have a Succuba, as good as you.
But when these toyes are past, and hott blood ends, 25
The best enjoying is, we still are frends.
Love can but be frendshipps outside; their two
Beauties differ, as myndes and bodies do.
Thus, I this great Good still would be to take,
Vnless one houre, another happy make: 30
Or, that I might forgett it instantlie;
Or in that blest estate, that I might die.
But why doe I thus travaile in the skill
Of despis'd poetrie, and perchance spill
My fortune? or undoe myself in sport 35
By having but that dangerous name in Court?
I'le leave, and since I doe your poet prove,
Keep you my lines as secret as my Love.
[An Elegie _&c._ _A10_, _L74_ (J. R. _in margin_), _RP31_:
Elegie _N_, _TCD_ (J. R.): Elegie to his M. promissing to love
him an hour. _HN_ (_signed J. R._): An Elegy 1602. To M^{rs}
Boulstrede. _Le Prince d'Amour. &c._ _1660
[7 text from HN_: The beggers best is, that wealth he doth
know, _A10_: The beggar's best, his _&c._ _L74_, _RP31_,
_N_, _TCD_, _Sim_: The beggar's best that _Grosart_]
[9 two _Sim_: _om. HN_, _L74_, _N_, _RP31_, _TCD_: But we an
hour may now enjoy when never _A10_
hour?] hour; _L74_]
[10 It returnes] Again't returnes _A10_]
[16 or have] or else _A10_]
[21 Besides, _A10_: Beside, _L74_]
[23 delight] despite _A10_]
[27 but be] be but _Sim_
their _Ed_: there _A10_, _L74_]
[30 one] on _L74_]
[32 _Poem closes_, _A10_]
[34 despis'd poetrie,] deeper mysteries, _Sim_]
_An Elegie._
True Love findes witt, but he whose witt doth move
Him to love, confesses he doth not love:
And from his witt, passions and true desire
Are forc'd as hard, as from the flint is fire.
My love's all fire whose flames my soule do nurse, 5
Whose smokes are sighes; whose every sparke's a verse.
Doth measure women win? Then I know why
Most of our Ladies with the Scotts doe lie.
A Scott is measur'd in each syllable, terse
And smooth as a verse: and like that smooth verse 10
Is shallow, and wants matter, but in his handes,
And they are rugged; Her state better standes
Whom dauncing measures tempted, not the Scott:
In brief she's out of measure, lost, soe gott.
Greene-sickness wenches, (not needes must but) may 15
Looke pale, breathe short; at Court none so long stay.
Good witt ne're despair'd there, or _Ay me_ said:
For never Wench at Court was ravished.
And shee but cheates on Heaven, whom you so winne
Thinking to share the sport, but not the sinne. 20
[An Elegie. _A10_: _similarly_, _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _O'F_,
_RP31_: Elegia Undecima. _S_: _no title_, _Cy_, _P_ (J. D _in
margin_): _first printed by Grosart_]
[1 findes] kindles _RP31_]
[5 do _A10_, _L74_: doth _Grosart and Chambers_]
[7 women win? _A10_: win women? _L74_]
[11 but in his handes, _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P_: but's
in's bands _S_: cut in bands _Grosart and Chambers_: writt in
his hands _H-K_ (_teste Grosart_)]
[14 she's _A10_, _L74_, _P_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_): theyre _S_,
_Chambers_
soe] if _A10_]
[17 ne're _A10_: neare _L74_]
_Song._
Deare Love, continue nice and chaste,
For, if you yeeld you doe me wrong,
Let duller wits to loves end haste,
I have enough to wooe thee long.
All paine and joy is in their way; 5
The things we feare bring lesse annoy
Then feare; and hope brings greater joy;
But in themselves they cannot stay.
Small favours will my prayers increase;
Granting my suit you give me all, 10
And then my prayers must needs surcease,
For, I have made your Godhead fall.
Beasts cannot witt nor beauty see,
They mans affections onely move;
Beasts other sports of love doe prove, 15
With better feeling farre than we.
Then Love prolong my suite, for thus
By losing sport, I sport doe win;
And that may vertue prove in us,
Which ever yet hath beene a sinne. 20
My comming neare may spie some ill,
And now the world is given to scoffe;
To keepe my Love, (then) keepe me off,
And so I shall admire thee still.
Say I have made a perfect choyce, 25
Satietie our Love may kill;
Then give me but thy face and voyce,
Mine eye and eare thou canst not fill.
To make me rich (oh) be not poore,
Give me not all, yet something lend, 30
So I shall still my suite commend,
And you at will doe lesse or more.
But, if to all you condescend,
My love, our sport, your Godhead end.
[Song. _1635-69_: _no title_, _A10_, _B_, _HN_ (_signed_ J.
R.), _L74_ (Finis. JR monogram), _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[1 Love,] Love _1635-69_]
[13 witt] will, _1635-54_]
[14 They, _1635-69_: Those _L74_]
[18 I sport] I sports _1635-54_]
[19 that may _A10_, _HN_, _L74_: that doth _1635-69_: let that
_B_]
[26 Satietie] Sacietie _1635-39_, _L74_
Love _A10_, _B_, _HN_, _L74_, _S96_: selves _1635-69_]
[28 Mine _MSS._: My _1635-39_]
[32 you at will] at your will _S96_]
_To Ben. Iohnson_, 6 _Ian._ 1603.
The State and mens affaires are the best playes
Next yours; 'Tis nor more nor lesse than due praise.
Write, but touch not the much descending race
Of Lords houses, so settled in worths place,
As but themselves none thinke them usurpers. 5
It is no fault in thee to suffer theirs.
If the Queene Masque, or King a hunting goe,
Though all the Court follow, Let them. We know
Like them in goodnesse that Court ne'r will be,
For that were vertue, and not flatterie. 10
Forget we were thrust out; It is but thus,
God threatens Kings, Kings Lords, as Lords doe us.
Iudge of strangers, Trust and believe your friend,
And so me; And when I true friendship end,
With guilty conscience let me be worse stonge, 15
Then with _Pophams_ sentence theeves, or _Cookes_ tongue
Traitors are. Friends are our selves. This I thee tell
As to my friend, and to my selfe as Counsell;
Let for a while the times unthrifty rout
Contemne learning, and all your studies flout. 20
Let them scorne Hell, they will a Sergeant feare,
More then wee _that_; ere long God may forbeare,
But Creditors will not. Let them increase
In riot and excesse as their meanes cease;
Let them scorne him that made them, and still shun 25
His Grace, but love the whore who hath undone
Them and their soules. But; that they that allow
But one God, should have religions enow
For the Queens Masque, and their husbands, far more
Then all the Gentiles knew, or _Atlas_ bore! 30
Well, let all passe, and trust him who nor cracks
The bruised Reed, nor quencheth smoaking flaxe.
[To Ben. Iohnson, 6 Ian. 1603. _1635-69_, _O'F_: To Ben
Johnson 6 Jan: 1603 T.R. _B_: An Epistle to Ben Johnson.
S^{r} J: R: _H40_: An Epistle to Beniamin Johnson. _RP31_: An
Epistle: To M^{r} Ben. Johnson. Ja: 6: 1603 _L74_: To M^{r}
Ben Johnson. _S_]
[2 yours; _Ed_: yours, _1635-69_
nor more] noe more _L74_]
[5 none thinke] none can thinke _1669_]
[11 out; _Ed_: out. _1635-69_]
[15 stonge, _L74_: _spelt_ stũg, _1635_]
[18 as Counsell;] is Counsell: _1635-54_]
[22 More then wee _that_; _Ed_: More then wee that _H40_,
_L74_: More then wee them; that, _1635-69_ (them _in ital._
_1635-54_)]
[24 cease; _Ed_: cease, _1635-69_]
[28 enow _H40_, _L74_: enough _1635-69_]
[29 far _L74_: for _1635-69_, _H40_]
[30 bore! _Ed_: bore? _H40_: bore. _1635-69_, _L74_]
_To Ben. Iohnson_, 9. _Novembris_, 1603.
If great men wrong me, I will spare my selfe;
If meane, I will spare them. I know that pelf
Which is ill got the Owner doth upbraid.
It may corrupt a Iudge, make me afraid
And a Iury; But 'twill revenge in this, 5
That, though himselfe be judge, hee guilty is.
What care I though of weaknesse men taxe me,
I had rather sufferer than doer be.
That I did trust, it was my Natures praise,
For breach of word I knew but as a phrase. 10
That judgement is, that surely can comprise
The world in precepts, most happy and most wise.
What though? Though lesse, yet some of both have we,
Who have learn'd it by use and misery.
Poore I, whom every pety crosse doth trouble, 15
Who apprehend each hurt thats done me, double,
Am of this (though it should sinke me) carelesse,
It would but force me to a stricter goodnesse.
They have great odds of me, who gaine doe winne,
(If such gaine be not losse) from every sinne. 20
The standing of great mens lives would afford
A pretty summe, if God would sell his Word.
He cannot; they can theirs, and breake them too.
How unlike they are that they are likened to?
Yet I conclude, they are amidst my evils, 25
If good, like Gods, the naught are so like devils.
[To Ben Johnson, 9 Novembris, 1603: _1635-69_, _B_
(_subscribed_ doubtfull author), _O'F_, _S_: Another Epistle
to M^{r} Ben: Johnson. No: 9. 1603. _L74_: Another to Ben
Johnson. _H40_]
[2 them.] them, _1635-69_ that _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _S_: the
_1635-69_]
[3 upbraide. _Ed_: upbraide; _1635-69_]
[5 Iury; _Ed_: Iury. _1635-69_]
[18 goodnesse.] goodnesse _1635-39_]
[19 odds _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _S_: gaine _1635-69_, _O'F_]
_To S^{r} Tho. Roe_ 1603.
_Deare Thom_:
Tell her if she to hired servants shew
Dislike, before they take their leave they goe;
When nobler spirits start at no disgrace,
For who hath but one minde, hath but one face:
If then why I tooke not my leave she aske, 5
Aske her againe why she did not unmaske?
Was she or proud or cruell, or knew shee
'Twould make my losse more felt, and pittyed me?
Or did she feare one kisse might stay for moe?
Or else was she unwilling I should goe? 10
I thinke the best, and love so faithfully
I cannot chuse but thinke that she loves mee.
If this prove not my faith, then let her trie
How in her service I would fructifie.
Ladies have boldly lov'd; bid her renew 15
That decay'd worth, and prove the times past true.
Then he whose wit and verse goes now so lame,
With songs to her will the wild Irish tame.
Howe'r, I'll weare the black and white ribband,
White for her fortunes, blacke for mine shall stand. 20
I doe esteeme her favours, not their stuffe;
If what I have was given, I have enough:
And all's well; for had she lov'd, I had had
All my friends hate; for now, departing sad
I feele not that; Yet as the Rack the Gout 25
Cures, so hath _this_ worse griefe _that_ quite put out:
My first disease nought but that worse cureth,
Which (which I dare foresee) nought cures but death.
Tell her all this before I am forgot,
That not too late shee grieve shee lov'd me not. 30
Burden'd with this, I was to depart lesse
Willing, then those which die, and not confesse.
[Footnote: To Sir Tho. Rowe, 1603. _1635-69_, _O'F_: An
Elegie. To S^{r} Tho. Roe. _B_ (_subscribed J. R._), _L74_:
An Elegie, complayning a want of complement in his mistrisse,
at his leave-taking. _A10_: Elegia Vicesima Septima. To S^{r}
Thomas Roe. 1603. _S_
_Thom_: _B_, _L74_, _O'F_,_S_: _Tom_: _1635-69_]
[5 tooke _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_: take _1635-69_]
[14 I would _1635-69_: it will _A10_, _L74_, _S_]
[17 goes now so _Ed_: goe now so _B_: growes now so _1635-69_,
_O'F_: now goes thus _A10_, _L74_, _S_]
[21 favours, not their _B_, _L74_, _S_: favour, not the
_1635-69_]
[22 enough: _Ed_: enough, _1635-69_]
[23 had had] had not had _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[24 hate;] hate _1635_: hate, _1639-69_
now, _Ed_: now _1635-69_: not _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _S_]
[26 out:] out. _1635_]
[28 Which (which I dare foresee) nought _A10_, _B_, _L74_,
_S_: Which (I dare foresay) nothing _1635-69_]
[Willing, _Ed_: Willing _1635-69_: Willing; _A10_]
II.
_To the Countesse of Huntington._
That unripe side of earth, that heavy clime
That gives us man up now, like _Adams_ time
Before he ate; mans shape, that would yet bee
(Knew they not it, and fear'd beasts companie)
So naked at this day, as though man there 5
From Paradise so great a distance were,
As yet the newes could not arrived bee
Of _Adams_ tasting the forbidden tree;
Depriv'd of that free state which they were in,
And wanting the reward, yet beare the sinne. 10
But, as from extreme hights who downward looks,
Sees men at childrens shapes, Rivers at brookes,
And loseth younger formes; so, to your eye,
These (Madame) that without your distance lie,
Must either mist, or nothing seeme to be, 15
Who are at home but wits mere _Atomi_.
But, I who can behold them move, and stay,
Have found my selfe to you, just their midway;
And now must pitty them; for, as they doe
Seeme sick to me, just so must I to you. 20
Yet neither will I vexe your eyes to see
A sighing Ode, nor crosse-arm'd Elegie.
I come not to call pitty from your heart,
Like some white-liver'd dotard that would part
Else from his slipperie soule with a faint groane, 25
And faithfully, (without you smil'd) were gone.
I cannot feele the tempest of a frowne,
I may be rais'd by love, but not throwne down.
Though I can pittie those sigh twice a day,
I hate that thing whispers it selfe away. 30
Yet since all love is fever, who to trees
Doth talke, doth yet in loves cold ague freeze.
'Tis love, but, with such fatall weaknesse made,
That it deftroyes it selfe with its owne shade.
Who first look'd sad, griev'd, pin'd, and shew'd his paine, 35
Was he that first taught women, to disdaine.
As all things were one nothing, dull and weake,
Vntill this raw disordered heape did breake,
And severall desires led parts away,
Water declin'd with earth, the ayre did stay, 40
Fire rose, and each from other but unty'd,
Themselves unprison'd were and purify'd:
So was love, first in vast confusion hid,
An unripe willingnesse which nothing did,
A thirst, an Appetite which had no ease, 45
That found a want, but knew not what would please.
What pretty innocence in those dayes mov'd?
Man ignorantly walk'd by her he lov'd;
Both sigh'd and enterchang'd a speaking eye,
Both trembled and were sick, both knew not why. 50
That naturall fearefulnesse that struck man dumbe,
Might well (those times consider'd) man become.
As all discoverers whose first assay
Findes but the place, after, the nearest way:
So passion is to womans love, about, 55
Nay, farther off, than when we first set out.
It is not love that sueth, or doth contend;
Love either conquers, or but meets a friend.
Man's better part consists of purer fire,
And findes it selfe allow'd, ere it desire. 60
Love is wise here, keepes home, gives reason sway,
And journeys not till it finde summer-way.
A weather-beaten Lover but once knowne,
Is sport for every girle to practise on.
Who strives through womans scornes, women to know, 65
Is lost, and seekes his shadow to outgoe;
It must bee sicknesse, after one disdaine,
Though he be call'd aloud, to looke againe.
Let others sigh, and grieve; one cunning sleight
Shall freeze my Love to Christall in a night. 70
I can love first, and (if I winne) love still;
And cannot be remov'd, unlesse she will.
It is her fault if I unsure remaine,
Shee onely can untie, and binde againe.
The honesties of love with ease I doe, 75
But am no porter for a tedious woo.
But (madame) I now thinke on you; and here
Where we are at our hights, you but appeare,
We are but clouds you rise from, our noone-ray
But a foule shadow, not your breake of day. 80
You are at first hand all that's faire and right,
And others good reflects but backe your light.
You are a perfectnesse, so curious hit,
That youngest flatteries doe scandall it.
For, what is more doth what you are restraine, 85
And though beyond, is downe the hill againe.
We'have no next way to you, we crosse to it:
You are the straight line, thing prais'd, attribute;
Each good in you's a light; so many a shade
You make, and in them are your motions made. 90
These are your pictures to the life. From farre
We see you move, and here your _Zani's_ are:
So that no fountaine good there is, doth grow
In you, but our dimme actions faintly shew.
Then finde I, if mans noblest part be love, 95
Your purest luster must that shadow move.
The soule with body, is a heaven combin'd
With earth, and for mans ease, but nearer joyn'd.
Where thoughts the starres of soule we understand,
We guesse not their large natures, but command. 100
And love in you, that bountie is of light,
That gives to all, and yet hath infinite.
Whose heat doth force us thither to intend,
But soule we finde too earthly to ascend,
'Till slow accesse hath made it wholy pure, 105
Able immortall clearnesse to endure.
Who dare aspire this journey with a staine,
Hath waight will force him headlong backe againe.
No more can impure man retaine and move
In that pure region of a worthy love: 110
Then earthly substance can unforc'd aspire,
And leave his nature to converse with fire:
Such may have eye, and hand; may sigh, may speak;
But like swoln bubles, when they are high'st they break.
Though far removed Northerne fleets scarce finde 115
The Sunnes comfort; others thinke him too kinde.
There is an equall distance from her eye,
Men perish too farre off, and burne too nigh.
But as ayre takes the Sunne-beames equall bright
From the first Rayes, to his last opposite: 120
So able men, blest with a vertuous Love,
Remote or neare, or howsoe'r they move;
Their vertue breakes all clouds that might annoy,
There is no Emptinesse, but all is Ioy.
He much profanes whom violent heats do move 125
To stile his wandring rage of passion, _Love_:
Love that imparts in every thing delight,
Is fain'd, which only tempts mans appetite.
Why love among the vertues is not knowne
Is, that love is them all contract in one. 130
[To the Countesse of Huntington. _1635-69_: S^{r} Wal: Ashton
to y^{e} Countesse of Huntingtowne _P_, _TCD_ (_II_)]
[2 man] men _P_]
[3 ate; _1635-39_: eat; _1650-69_]
[11 downward] inward _TCD_]
[14 without] _om. TCD_]
[17 who] that _P_, _TCD_]
[20 you.] you, _1635-69_]
[26 faithfully, _1635-69_: finally _P_, _TCD_
you smil'd _1635-54_ your smile _1669_, _P_, _TCD_]
[28 down. _1635-54_: down, _1669_]
[30 whispers] whispered _P_: vapours _TCD_]
[31 fever] _feverish_ _1669_]
[32 doth yet] yet doth _1669_
ague] feaver _P_]
[35 paine,] paine. _1635-39_]
[36 women] woman _TCD_]
[37 were one] were but one _1669_]
[47 those dayes] that day _1669_]
[50 both knew _1635-54_: but knew _P_, _TCD_: yet, knew
_1669_]
[52 consider'd _Ed_: considered _1635-69_]
[57 sueth, or] sues and _P_]
[65 womans] womens _P_
women] woman _TCD_
know, _1650-69_: know. _1635-39_]
[67 It must be] It is meer _1669_
sicknesse,] sicknesse _1635-69_]
[69 sigh _P_, _TCD_: sinne, _1635-69_]
[74 and _P_: I _1635-69_, _TCD_]
[76 woo. _TCD_: wooe. _P_: woe. _1635-69_, _Chambers and
Grolier_]
[77 I now] now I _TCD_]
[78 hights] height _TCD_]
[79 clouds you rise from, our noone-ray _Grolier_: clouds, you
rise from our noone-ray, _1635-69_, _TCD_, _and Chambers_]
[81 right] bright _P_]
[83 a perfectnesse] all perfections _P_]
[84 youngest] quaintest _TCD_
flatteries] flatterers _P_, _TCD_]
[86 though] what's _P_]
[87 We'have _Ed_: We have _1635-69_]
[88 straight line,] streight-lace _P_
attribute; _Ed_: attribute. _1635_: attribute, _1639-69_]
[91 These] Those _TCD_]
[98 With earth] _om. TCD_
but] _om. 1650-69_]
[99 thoughts] through _P_]
[105 wholy] holy _TCD_]
[106 endure.] endure _1635_]
[108 waight] weights _P_, _TCD_]
[109 impure] vapore _P_]
[114 when they're highest break. _P_, _TCD_
break.] break _1635-39_: brak _1650-54_: brake. _1669_]
[115 _In edd. new par. begins wrongly at_ 113, _and so
Chambers and Grolier_
fleets] Isles _1669_]
[116 comfort; _1635-54_: sweet comfort, _1669_
others] yet some _1669_]
[119 But as the aire takes all sunbeams equall bright _P_]
[120 the first Rayes, _1635-54_: the Raies first, _1669_,
_TCD_: the rise first _P_]
[121 able men _P_: able man, _1635-54_: happy man, _1669_:
happy['s] man _Grosart and Chambers_]
[123 Their _1669_, _P_, _TCD_: There _1635-54_, _Chambers and
Grolier_]
[125 violent _P_, _TCD_: valiant _1635-69_]
[126 _Love_: _Ed_: _Love_. _1635-54_: _Love_, _1669_]
[127 imparts] imports _1669_, _TCD_]
[128 Is fain'd, which ... appetite. _P_: Is thought the
mansion of sweet appetite. _TCD_: Is fancied _1635-39_ (_rest
of line left blank_): Is fancied in the Soul, not in the
sight. _1650-54_: Is fancied by the Soul, not appetite.
_1669_]
[130 Is, that] Is, 'cause _TCD_
contract in _1650-69_, _P_: contracted _1635-39_, _TCD_]
III.
_Elegie._
Death be not proud, thy hand gave not this blow,
Sinne was her captive, whence thy power doth flow;
The executioner of wrath thou art,
But to destroy the just is not thy part.
Thy comming, terrour, anguish, griefe denounce; 5
Her happy state, courage, ease, joy pronounce.
From out the Christall palace of her breast,
The clearer soule was call'd to endlesse rest,
(Not by the thundering voyce, wherewith God threats,
But, as with crowned Saints in heaven he treats,) 10
And, waited on by Angels, home was brought,
To joy that it through many dangers sought;
The key of mercy gently did unlocke
The doores 'twixt heaven and it, when life did knock.
Nor boast, the fairest frame was made thy prey, 15
Because to mortall eyes it did decay;
A better witnesse than thou art, assures,
That though dissolv'd, it yet a space endures;
No dramme thereof shall want or losse sustaine,
When her best soule inhabits it again. 20
Goe then to people curst before they were,
Their spoyles in Triumph of thy conquest weare.
Glory not thou thy selfe in these hot teares
Which our face, not for hers, but our harme weares,
The mourning livery given by Grace, not thee, 25
Which wils our soules in these streams washt should be,
And on our hearts, her memories best tombe,
In this her Epitaph doth write thy doome.
Blinde were those eyes, saw not how bright did shine
Through fleshes misty vaile the beames divine. 30
Deafe were the eares, not charm'd with that sweet sound
Which did i'th spirit-instructed voice abound.
Of flint the conscience, did not yeeld and melt,
At what in her last Act: it saw, heard, felt.
Weep not, nor grudge then, to have lost her sight, 35
Taught thus, our after stay's but a short night:
But by all soules not by corruption choaked
Let in high rais'd notes that power be invoked.
Calme the rough seas, by which she sayles to rest,
From sorrowes here, to a kingdome ever blest; 40
And teach this hymne of her with joy, and sing,
_The grave no conquest gets, Death hath no sting._
[Elegie. _Ed_: Elegye on the Lady Markham. By L. C. of
B. _RP31_: _do._ By C. L. of B. _H40_: Elegie on Mistris
Boulstred. _1635-69_: _given as continuation of Death I
recant &c._ _O'F_, _P_: _no title_, _B_ (_at foot of page F.
B._). _See Text and Canon &c._]
[2 flow; _Ed_: flow, _1635-69_: growe, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_,
_O'F_, _P_]
[5-6 comming, _1650-69_: comming _1635-39_
state, _1650-69_: state _1635-39_
denounce; ... pronounce. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: denounces; ...
pronounces. _1635-69_]
[12 To joy that _1635-69_: To joy what _H40_: To joye, that
_B_
sought; _Ed_: sought, _1635-69_]
[22 spoyles .. of .. weare. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_ (beare), _P_:
soules .. to .. beare, _1635-69_. _See note_]
[24 hers, _H40_, _P_: her, _1635-69_
weares, _Ed_: weares. _1635-54_: weares: _1669_]
[30 the _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: those _1635-69_]
[31 not _1635-69_: that _B_, _Cy_, _P_]
[32 Which did _1635-69_: Did _H40_: Did not _B_, _Cy_, _P_
spirit-instructed _MSS._: spirits instructed _1635-69_]
[saw, heard, felt. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: saw and felt.
_1635-69_]
[38 rais'd _1635-69_: raisèd _Chambers_]
[39 she sayles _1635-69_: shee's sayl'd _B_, _H40_: shee's
fled _Cy_, _P_
rest, _1650-69_: rest _1635-39_]
[40 here, _1650-69_: here _1635-39_
blest; _Ed_: blest _1635_: blest, _1639-54_: blest. _1669_]
[41 And preach this Hymn which hers (she _Cy_, _P_) with joy
did sing, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_
sing, _1650-69_: sing _1635-69_]
IV.
_Psalme 137._
Probably by Francis Davison.
I.
By Euphrates flowry side
We did bide,
From deare Juda farre absented,
Tearing the aire with our cryes,
And our eyes, 5
With their streames his streame augmented.
II.
When, poore Syons dolefull state,
Desolate;
Sacked, burned, and inthrall'd,
And the Temple spoil'd, which wee 10
Ne'r should see,
To our mirthlesse mindes wee call'd:
III.
Our mute harpes, untun'd, unstrung,
Up wee hung
On greene willowes neere beside us, 15
Where, we sitting all forlorne;
Thus, in scorne,
Our proud spoylers 'gan deride us.
IV.
Come, sad Captives, leave your moanes,
And your groanes 20
Under Syons ruines bury;
Tune your harps, and sing us layes
In the praise
Of your God, and let's be merry.
V.
Can, ah, can we leave our moanes? 25
And our groanes
Under Syons ruines bury?
Can we in this Land sing Layes
In the praise
Of our God, and here be merry? 30
VI.
No; deare Syon, if I yet
Do forget
Thine affliction miserable,
Let my nimble joynts become
Stiffe and numme, 35
To touch warbling harpe unable.
VII.
Let my tongue lose singing skill,
Let it still
To my parched roofe be glewed,
If in either harpe or voice 40
I rejoyce,
Till thy joyes shall be renewed.
VIII.
Lord, curse Edom's traiterous kinde,
Beare in minde
In our ruines how they revell'd. 45
_Sack_, _kill_, _burne_, they cry'd out still,
_Sack_, _burne_, _kill_,
Downe with all, let all be levell'd.
IX.
And, thou Babel, when the tide
Of thy pride 50
Now a flowing, growes to turning;
Victor now, shall then be thrall,
And shall fall
To as low an ebbe of mourning.
X.
Happy he who shall thee waste, 55
As thou hast
Us, without all mercy, wasted,
And shall make thee taste and see
What poore wee
By thy meanes have seene and tasted. 60
XI.
Happy, who, thy tender barnes
From the armes
Of their wailing mothers tearing,
'Gainst the walls shall dash their bones,
Ruthlesse stones 65
With their braines and blood besmearing.
[Psalme 137. _1633-69_, _A25_, _C_, _RP61_ in Certaine
selected Psalmes of David (in Verse) differint from Those
usually sung in the Church Composed by Francis Davison esq^r.
deceased and other Gentlemen. Manuscribd by R. Crane. Addl._
_MS. 27407_, _Harl. MSS. 3357 and 6930_]
[4 with our cryes] with mournful cries _Crane_]
[6 his] the _Crane_]
[16 all forlorne] soe forlorne _Crane_]
[22-3
To your Harpes sing us some layes
To the praise _Crane_
]
[24 merry.] merry, _1633-39_]
[25-6 moanes ... groanes] _interchanged_ _Crane_]
[31-2
if I faile
To bewayle _Crane_
]
[42 renewed.] renewed _1633_]
[43 curse] plague _Crane_]
[45 ruines] Ruine _Crane_
revell'd. _Ed_: revell'd, _1633-39_]
[52-3 shall ... shall] shalt ... shalt _Crane_]
[59-60
What by thee
Wee (poore wee) have _&c._ _Crane_
]
V.
_On the blessed Virgin Mary._
Probably by Henry Constable.
In that, ô Queene of Queenes, thy birth was free
From that which others doth of grace bereave,
When in their mothers wombe they life receive,
God, as his sole-borne daughter loved thee.
To match thee like thy births nobilitie, 5
He thee his Spirit for thy spouse did leave,
By whom thou didst his onely sonne conceive,
And so wast link'd to all the Trinitie.
Cease then, ô Queenes, that earthly Crownes doe weare,
To glory in the Pompe of earthly things; 10
If men such high respects unto you beare,
Which daughters, wives, and mothers are to Kings,
What honour can unto that Queene be done
Who had your God for Father, Spouse and Sonne?
[On the _&c._ _1635-69_, _A10_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_: _also
among Spiritual Sonnets by H. C. in Harl. MS. 7553_]
[6 thy spouse _A10_, _B_: his spouse _1635-69_]
[12 to _B_: of _1635-69_
Kings,] kings, _1635_]
VI.
_On the Sacrament._
He was the Word that spake it,
Hee tooke the bread and brake it;
And what that Word did make it,
I doe beleeve and take it.
[On the _&c._ _1635-69_]
VII.
_Absence._
That time and absence proves
Rather helps than hurts to loves.
Probably by John Hoskins.
Absence heare my protestation
Against thy strengthe
Distance and lengthe,
Doe what thou canst for alteration:
For harts of truest mettall 5
Absence doth joyne, and time doth settle.
Who loves a Mistris of right quality,
His mind hath founde
Affections grounde
Beyond time, place, and all mortality: 10
To harts that cannot vary
Absence is present, time doth tary:
My Sences want their outward motion
Which now within
Reason doth win, 15
Redoubled by her secret notion:
Like rich men that take pleasure
In hidinge more then handling treasure.
By absence this good means I gaine
That I can catch her 20
Where none can watch her
In some close corner of my braine:
There I embrace and there kiss her,
And so enjoye her, and so misse her.
[Absence. _The Grove_ (_1721_): _do. or no title_, _B_, _Cy_,
_HN_ (_signed_ J. H.), _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_ (_the
text here printed_): _also in_ Davison's Poetical Rhapsody
(_PR_) _1602_ _and_ (_a maimed and altered version_) _in Wit
Restored_ (_WR_) _1658_]
[1 heare _B_, _S96_, _Grove_: heare thou _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_,
_PR_, _S_, _WR_]
[3 Distance] Disdayne _HN_]
[4 you can _PR_: yee dare _HN_]
[5 For hearts where love's refined _WR_]
[6 Are absent joyned, by tyme combined. _WR_]
[7 right _S96_: such _Grove_, _HN_, _L74_, _PR_]
[8 He soon hath found _PR_]
[10 all] _om._ _WR_]
[11 To] That _WR_]
[12 present] presence _B_
tary] carry _WR_]
[13 motion] motions _PR_]
[16 by ... notion:] in ... notions: _PR_: in ... notion _HN_]
[18 hidinge] finding _Grove_]
[19 means] mean _WR_]
[23 There I embrace and there kiss her, _S96_: There I embrace
her, and _&c._ _L74_: There I embrace and there I kiss her,
_B_, _O'F_, _WR_: There I embrace and kiss her, _Grove_, _HN_,
_PR_]
[24 and so misse her _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S96_,
_WR_: while none misse her. _Grove_: I both enjoy and miss
her. _PR_]
VIII.
_Song._
Probably by the Earl of Pembroke.
Soules joy, now I am gone,
And you alone,
(Which cannot be,
Since I must leave my selfe with thee,
And carry thee with me) 5
Yet when unto our eyes
Absence denyes
Each others sight,
And makes to us a constant night,
When others change to light; 10
_O give no way to griefe,
But let beliefe
Of mutuall love,
This wonder to the vulgar prove
Our Bodyes, not wee move._ 15
Let not thy wit beweepe
Wounds but sense-deepe,
For when we misse
By distance our lipp-joying blisse,
Even then our soules shall kisse, 20
Fooles have no meanes to meet,
But by their feet.
Why should our clay,
Over our spirits so much sway,
To tie us to that way? 25
_O give no way to griefe, &c._
[Song. _1635-69_, _O'F_: also in the Poems &c. (1660) of
the Earle of Pembroke and S^{r} Benjamin Ruddier, and the
Lansdowne MS. 777, here it is signed E. of Pembroke._]
[1 now] when _1660_, _L77_]
[17 Wounds _L77_: Words _1635-69_, _O'F_
sense-deepe,] _no hyphen_, _1635-69_]
[18 when] while _L77_]
[19 lipp-joyning _L77_ (_not_ lives joining _as Chambers
reports_): hopes joyning _1635-69_, _O'F_]
_A Dialogue._
EARLE OF PEMBROKE.
If her disdaine least change in you can move,
you doe not love,
For whilst your hopes give fuell to the fire,
you sell desire.
Love is not love, but given free, 5
And so is mine, so should yours bee.
Her heart that melts at others moane,
to mine is stone.
Her eyes that weepe a strangers hurt to see,
joy to wound mee: 10
Yet I so much affect each part,
As (caus'd by them) I love my smart.
Say her disdaynings justly must be grac't
with name of chaste.
And that shee frownes least longing should exceed, 15
and raging breed;
Soe can her rigor ne'er offend
Unlesse selfe-love seeke private end.
BEN: RUDDIER
'Tis love breeds love in mee, and cold disdaine
kils that againe, 20
As water causeth fire to fret and fume,
till all consume.
Who can of love more free gift make,
Then to loves self, for loves own sake.
I'll never dig in Quarry of an heart 25
to have no part,
Nor roast in fiery eyes, which alwayes are
Canicular.
Who this way would a Lover prove,
May shew his patience, not his love. 30
A frowne may be sometimes for physick good,
But not for food;
And for that raging humour there is sure
A gentler Cure.
Why barre you love of private end, 35
Which never should to publique tend?
[A Dialogue. _Ed_: A Dialogue betweene S^{r} Henry Wotton and
M^{r} Donne. _1635-69 among_ Letters to Severall Personages:
_no heading but divided between_ Earle of Pembroke _and_ Ben:
Ruddier _H39_, _H40_, _P_: _and so between_ P _and_ R _in
the_ Poems _&c._ (1660) _of Pembroke and Ruddier_. _See note_:
_only 18 lines and no dialogue_, _Cy_: _in TCD_ (_II_) _the
first part is given to_ Earl of Pembroke _and_ S^{r} Henry
Wotton, _the second to_ S^{r} Ben. Ruddier _and_ D^{r} John
Donne]
[3 whilst your hopes give _H39_, (the), _H40_, _P_: when the
hope gives _1635-54_: when that hope gives _1669_]
[7 melts at _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: melts to hear of
_1635-69_]
[9 a strangers] anothers _P_
hurt _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: eyes _1635-69 and mod. edd._]
[11 much _Cy_, _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: well _1635-69_]
[13 Say _1635-69_: I think _H39_: Think _H40_: But thinke _P_
her disdaynings _1635-69_: her unkindness _H40_: that her
disdaine _P_
must be] may well be _P_]
[17-18 _text_ _H40_, _P_, _P and R_:
So her disdaines can ne'er offend;
Vnlesse selfe-love take private end. _1635-69_
]
[21 causeth] maketh _H40_, _P_]
[23-4
Who can of love more free gift make
Then to loves self, for loves owne sake
_H39_, _H40_, _P_ (_but H39 has to love in 23_)
Who can of love more gift make,
Then to love selfe for loves sake. _1635-39_
Who can of love more rich gift make,
Then to love selfe-love for loves sake? _1650-54_
Who can of love more rich gift make,
Then to Loves self for loves own sake. _1669_
]
[25 Quarry] quarryes _P_]
[27 roast _1669_, _H40_: rest _1635-54_: waste _H39_, _P_]
[30 May] doth _H39_, _H40_, _P_]
IX.
_Break of Daye._
Stanza prefixed to Donne's Poem (p. 23) in Stowe MS. 961 and
in Edition of 1669.
Probably by John Dowlands.
Stay, O sweet, and do not rise,
The light that shines comes from thine eyes;
The day breaks not, it is my heart,
Because that you and I must part.
Stay, or else my joys will die, 5
And perish in their infancie.
[Stanza _&c._] _given as a separate poem in A25_ (_where it
is written in at the side_), _C_, _O'F_, _P_: _printed in John
Dowland's_ A Pilgrim's Solace (1612)]
[1 Stay, O sweet] Lie still my dear _A25_, _C_]
[3 The day breakes not] There breakes not day _S96_]
[4 Because that] To think that _S96_]
[5 Stay] Oh stay _S96_]
APPENDIX C.
A
SELECTION OF POEMS WHICH FREQUENTLY
ACCOMPANY POEMS BY JOHN DONNE
IN MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OR
HAVE BEEN ASCRIBED TO
DONNE BY MODERN
EDITORS.
I.
POEMS FROM ADDITIONAL MS. 25707.
_A Letter written by S^{r} H: G: and J: D: alternis vicibus._
Since ev'ry Tree beginns to blossome now
Perfuminge and enamelinge each bow,
Hartes should as well as they, some fruits allow.
For since one old poore sunn serves all the rest,
You sev'rall sunns that warme, and light each brest 5
Doe by that influence all your thoughts digest.
And that you two may soe your vertues move,
On better matter then beames from above,
Thus our twin'd souls send forth these buds of love.
As in devotions men Joyne both there hands, 10
Wee make ours doe one Act to seale the bands,
By which we enthrall ourselves to your commands,
And each for others faith and zeale stand bound:
As safe as spirits are from any wound,
Soe free from impure thoughts they shal be found. 15
Admit our magique then by which wee doe
Make you appeere to us, and us to you,
Supplying all the Muses in you twoe.
Wee doe consider noe flower that is sweet,
But wee your breath in that exhaling meet, 20
And as true types of you, them humbly greet.
Heere in our Nightingales we heere you singe
Who soe doe make the whole yeare through a springe,
And save us from the feare of Autumns stinge.
In Anchors calme face wee your smoothnes see, 25
Your mindes unmingled, and as cleare as shee
That keepes untoucht her first virginitie.
Did all St. Edith nunns descend againe
To honor Polesworth with their cloystred traine,
Compar'd with you each would confesse some stayne. 30
Or should wee more bleed out our thoughts in inke,
Noe paper (though it woulde be glad to drinke
Those drops) could comprehend what wee doe thinke.
For t'were in us ambition to write
Soe, that because wee two, you two unite, 35
Our letter should as you, bee infinite.
[Letter written _&c._ _A25_: _published by Chambers, who
completes the names_]
[2 bow, _Ed_: bow _A25_]
[9 twin'd _A25_: twined _Chambers_]
[10 hands, _Ed_: hands _A25_]
[12-13 commands, ... bound: _Ed_: command. ... bound, _A25_]
[25 Anchors _Chambers_: Anchos _A25_]
[29 traine, _Ed_: traine _A25_]
[31 inke, _Ed_: inke _A25_]
_O Frutefull Garden._
O Frutefull garden, and yet never tilde,
Box full of Treasure yet by noe man filde.
O thou which haste, made him that first made thee;
O neare of kinne to all the Trinetie;
O Pallace where the kinge of all, and more; 5
Went in, and out, yet never opened doore;
Whose flesh is purer, than an others sperrit
Reache him our Prayers, and reach us down his merrit;
O bread of lyfe which sweld'ste up without Leaven;
O bridge which joynst togeather earth and heaven; 10
Whose eyes see me through these walles, and throughe glasse,
And through this fleshe as thorowe Cipres passe.
Behould a little harte made greate by thee
Swellinge, yet shrinkinge at thy majestie.
O dwell in it, for where soe ere thou go'ste 15
There is the Temple of the Holy Ghoste.
[O Frutefull Garden. _A25_: [TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.]
_Chambers_]
[6 out, _Ed_: out _A25_]
[8 merrit; _Ed_: merrit, _A25_]
[9 Leaven, _Ed_: Leaven _A25_]
_To my Lord of Pembroke._
Fye, Fye you sonnes of Pallas what madd rage
Makes you contend that Love's, or God, or page?
Hee that admires, his weaknes doth confess;
For as Love greater growes; soe hee growes less.
Hee that disdaines, what honor wynns thereby, 5
That he feeles not, or triumphes on a fly?
If love with queasie paine thy stomack move,
Soe will a slutt whome none dare touch; or love.
If it with sacred straines doe thee inspire
Of Poetrie; soe wee maye want admire. 10
If it thee valiant make, his ryvall hate
Can out doe that and make men desperate.
Yealdinge to us, all woemen conquer us,
By gentlenes we are betrayed thus.
We will not strive with Love that's a shee beaste; 15
But playinge wee are bounde, and yeald in Jest;
As in a Cobwebb toyle, a flye hath beene
Undone; so have I some fainte lover seene.
Love cannot take away our strength, but tame,
And wee less feele the thinge then feare the name; 20
Love is a temperate bath; hee that feeles more
Heate or could there, was hott, or could before.
But as Suñ beames which would but norishe, burne,
Drawne into hollow Christall, soe we turne
To fire her bewties Lustre willingly, 25
By gatheringe it in our false treacherous eye.
Love is nor you, nor you; but I a balme,
Sword to the stiff, unto the wounded balme.
Prayes noe thinge adds, if it be infinite,
If it be nothing, who can lessen it? 30
[To my Lord of Pembroke. _A25_, _Chambers_]
[3 confess; _Ed_: confess _A25_]
[5 disdaines, _Ed_: disdaines _A25_]
[6 fly? _Ed_: fly; _A25_]
[19 tame, _Ed_: tame _A25_]
[27 I a balme, _A25_: Aye a calm, _Chambers conjectures_]
_Of a Lady in the Black Masque._
Why chose shee black; was it that in whitenes
Shee did Leda equal? whose brightnes
Must suffer loss to put a bewtie on
Which hath no grace but from proportion.
It is but Coullor, which to loose is gayne, 5
For shee in black doth th'Æthiopian staine,
Beinge the forme that beautifies the creature
Her rareness not in Coullor is; but feature.
Black on her receaves soe strong a grace
It seemes the fittest beautie for the face. 10
Coullor is not, but in æstimation
Faire, or foule, as it is stild by fashion.
Kinges wearinge sackcloath it doth royall make;
Soe blacks from her face doth beautie take.
It not in Coullor but in her, inheres, 15
For what she is, is faire, not what she weares;
The Moore shalle envye her, as much, or more,
As did the Ladies of our Court before.
The Sunn shall mourne that hee had westwarde beene,
To seeke his Love; whilst shee i'th North was seene. 20
Her blacknes lends like lustre to her eyes,
As in the night pale Phoebe glorifyes.
Hell, synne, and vice their attributes shall loose
Of black, for it wan, and pale whitenes choose,
As like themselves, Common, and most in use: 25
Sad of that Coulor is the late abuse.
[Of a Lady _&c._ _A25_, _Chambers_]
[10 face. _Ed_: face _A25_]
[13 make; _Ed_: make _A25_]
[14 blacks _Chambers_: blacks _A25_]
[16 weares; _Ed_: weares, _A25_]
II.
POEMS FROM THE BURLEY MS.
<_Life._>
This lyfe it is not life, it is a sight
That wee have of y^e earth, y^e earth of vs;
It is a feild, where sence & reason fight,
The soules & bodies quarrells to discus;
It is a iorney where wee do not goe, 5
but fly w^{th} speedy wings t'our blisse or woe.
It is a chaine y^t hath but two smale links
Where o^r graue is to o^r bodie ioyned;
It is a poysned feast wherein who thinks
To tast ioyes cup, y^e cup of death doth find. 10
It is a play, presented in heauens eye
Wherein o^r parts are to do naught but dye.
[Life.> _Ed_: _no title_, _Bur_]
[2 vs; _Ed_: vs _Bur_]
[3 feild, _Ed_: feild _Bur_]
[4 discus; _Ed_: discus _Bur_]
[6 Woe. _Ed_: woe _Bur_]
[8 Where _Ed_: where _Bur_
ioyned; _Ed_: ioyned _Bur_]
<_My Love._>
My love doth fly w^{th} wings of feare
And doth a flame of fire resemble,
w^{ch} mounting high & burning cleere
yet ever more doth wane & tremble.
My loue doth see & still admire, 5
Admiring breedeth humblenes;
blind loue is bold, but my desire
the more it loues p^{re}sumes y^e lesse.
My loue seekes no reward or glory
but w^{th} it self it self contenteth, 10
is never sullaine, never sory,
never repyneth or repenteth.
O'who the sunne beames can behold
but hath some passion, feeles some heat,
for though the sunn himself be cold 15
his beames reflecting fire begett.
O y^t myne eyes, ô that myne hart
Were both enlarged to contayne
the beames & ioyes shee doth impart,
whilst shee this bowre doth not disdayne; 20
this bowre vnfit for such a gueste,
but since she makes it now her Inn,
Would god twere like her sacred breast
most fayre w^{th}out, most rich w^{th}in.
[ _Ed_: _no title and no punctuation_, _Bur_]
[4 wane _Ed_: weane _Bur_]
[12 never _Ed_: ne're _Bur_]
<_O Eyes!_>
O Eyes, what do you see?
O eares what do you heare?
that makes y^o wish to bee
All eyes or else all eare?
I see a face as fayre 5
As mans eye ever saw,
I here as sweet an ayre
as y^t w^{ch} rocks did draw,
I wish, when in such wise
I see or heare y^e same, 10
I had all Argus eyes
or else y^e eare of fame.
[ _Ed_: _no title and no punctuation_, _Bur_]
[12 eare _Ed_: eare _Bur_:
Cui, quot sunt corpore plumae,
Tot vigiles oculi subter, mirabile dictu,
Tot linguae, totidem ora sonant, _tot subrigit auris_.
Virgil: _Aen._ iv. 181-3.
]
<_Silence Best Praise._>
Cõmend her? no. I dare not terme her fayre,
nor sugred sweet, nor tall, nor louely browne;
suffice it y^t she is w^{th}out compare;
but how, I dare not tell lest she should frowne.
but those parts w^{ch} others make theyre pryde, 5
and feed there fancies w^{th} devised lyes;
giue me but leaue to pull my saint asyde,
and tell her in her eare that she is wise.
to write of beauties rare ther is noe art,
for why tis common to there sex & kind, 10
but making choice of natures better part
my Muse doth most desire to prayse her mind.
But as her vertue clayme a crowne of bayes,
So manners makes me sylent in her prayse.
[ _Ed_: _no title_, _Bur_]
[1 fayre, _Ed_: fayre _Bur_]
[2 sweet, ... tall, ... browne; _Ed_: _no stops_, _Bur_]
[3 compare; _Ed_: compare _Bur_]
[4 frowne. _Ed_: frowne _Bur_]
[5 _Ed_: lest _Bur_
pryde, _Ed_: pryde _Bur_]
[6 lyes; _Ed_: lyes _Bur_]
[7 asyde, _Ed_: asyde _Bur_]
[8 wise. _Ed_: wise _Bur_]
[9-10 art, ... kind. _Ed_: _no commas_, _Bur_]
[10 common] cõmõ _Bur_]
[12 mind. _Ed_: mind _Bur_]
[13 vertue _Ed_: vertue _Bur_
bayes, _Ed_: bayes _Bur_]
<_Beauty in Little Room._>
Those drossy heads & irrepurged braynes
w^{ch} sacred fyre of loue hath not refined
may grossly think my loue smale worth contaynes
because shee is of body smale combined.
Not diving to y^e depth of natures reach, 5
W^{ch} on smale things doth greatest guifts bestow:
small gems & pearls do witt more truly teach
W^ch little are yet great in vertue grow,
of flowers most part y^e least wee sweetest see,
of creatures having life & sence y^e annt 10
is smalst, yet great her guifts & vertues bee,
frugall & provident for feare of want.
Wherfore who sees not natures full intent?
she made her smale to make her excellent.
[ _Ed_: _no title_, _Bur_]
[5 depth _Ed_: depht _Bur_
reach, _Ed_: reach _Bur_]
[6 bestow: _Ed_: bestow _Bur_]
[8 grow, _Ed_: grow _Bur_]
[11 bee, _Ed_: bee _Bur_]
[13 intent? _Ed_: intent _Bur_]
<_Loves Zodiake._>
I that y^e higher half of loues
Round Zodiake haue rune,
And in the signe of crabbed chaunce
My Tropick haue begun,
Am taught to teach y^e man is blest 5
Whose loues lott lights so badd,
as his solstitium soonest makes
And so growes Retrograde.
[ _Ed_: _no title_, _Bur_]
<_Fortune, Love, and Time._>
When fortune, loue, and Tyme bad me be happie,
Happy I was by fortune, loue, and tyme.
These powres at highest then began to vary,
and cast him downe whome they had caus'd to clyme;
They prun'd theire wings, and tooke theire flight in rage; 5
fortune to fooles, loue to gold, and tyme to age.
Fooles, gold, and age, (o foolish golden age!)
Witt, fayth, and loue must begg, must brybe, must dy;
These are the actors and the world's the stage,
Desert and hope are as but standers by: 10
True lovers sit and tune this restlesse song;
Fortune, loue, and tyme haue done me wrong.
[ _Ed_: _no title and no
punctuation_, _Bur_]
<_Life a Play._>
What is o^r life? a play of passion.
o^r mirth? the musick of diuision.
O^r mothers wombs the tyring houses bee
Where we are drest for liues short comedy.
The earth the stage, heauen y^e spectator is, 5
Who still doth note who ere do act amisse.
O^r graues that hyde vs, frõ the all-seeing suñ,
Are but drawne curtaynes whẽ the play is done.
[ _Ed_: _no title, and no punctuation except the
two marks of interrogation_, _Bur_]
_A Kisse._
O what a blisse
is this?
heaven is effected
and loues eternity contracted
In one short kisse. 5
For not tymes measure
makes pleasure
more full,
tedious and dull
all ioyes are thought 10
y^t are not in an instant wrought.
Cupis blest and highest spheare
is heare.
heere on his throne
in his bright imperial crowne 15
hee sitts.
Those witts
That thinke to proue
that mortals know
in any place below 20
a blisse so great
so sweet
Are heretiques in loue.
These pleasures high
now dye, 25
but still beginning
new & greater glory wiñing
gett fresh supply.
No short breath'd panting
nor faynting 30
is heere,
fuller and freer
more pleasinge is
this pleasure still, & none but this.
Heer'es no blush nor labor great, 35
no sweat;
Heres no payne
nor repentance when againe
Loue cooles.
O fooles 40
That fondly glory
in base condition
of sensual fruition,
you do mistake
& make 45
y^r heaven purgatory.
[A Kisse. _Bur_]
[8 full. _Ed_: full _Bur_]
[12 Cupis _Ed_: Cupis _Bur_]
[27 new _Ed_: now _Bur_]
[28 supply. _Ed_: supply _Bur_]
[31 heere, _Ed_: heere _Bur_]
[35 great, _Ed_: great _Bur_]
[39 cooles. _Ed_: cooles _Bur_]
[43 fruition, _Ed_: fruition _Bur_]
_Epi: B: Jo:_
Tell me who can when a player dies
In w^{ch} of his shapes againe hee shall rise?
What need hee stand at the iudgment throne
Who hath a heaven and a hell of his owne.
Then feare not Burbage heavens angry rodd, 5
When thy fellows are angells & old Hemmĩgs is God.
[Epi: B: Jo: (i.e. Epitaph: Ben Ionson) _Bur_: _no
punctuation_]
_Epi: Hen: Princ: Hug^o Holland._
Loe now hee shineth yonder
A fixed starr in heaven,
Whose motion is vnder
None of the planetts seaven;
And if the soñ should tender 5
The moone his loue and marry,
They never could engender
So fayre a starr as Harry.
[Epi: Hen: Princ: Hug^o Holland. _Bur_: _no punctuation_]
III.
POEMS FROM VARIOUS MSS.
<_The Annuntiation._
_Additional Lines._>
Nature amaz'd sawe man without mans ayde
Borne of a mother nursed by her a mayd,
The child the Parent was, the worke the word,
No word till then did such a worke affoord.
Twas lesse from nothing the world's all to growe 5
Then all-Creato^{rs} height to stoope so lowe.
A virgin mother to a child bredd wonder,
T'was more a child should bee the God of thunder.
Th'omnipotent was strangely potent heere
To make the powerfull God pearelesse appeare. 10
Hee in our body cladd, for our soules love
Came downe to us, yet stay'd vnchanged above.
Yet God through man shind still in this cleere brooke,
Through meane shewes into maiesty wee looke.
Sinnes price seemd payd with brasse, fewe sawe the gold, 15
Yet true stones set in lead theyr lustre hold.
His birth though poore, Prophets foretold his story,
Hee breathd with beasts, but Angels sung his glory.
Hee, so farr of, so weake, yet Herod quakes,
The citty dreads, babes, murderd, feare mistakes. 20
His Circumcision bore sinne, payne, and shame,
Young bloud new budd, hence bloomd a sauiours name.
His paynes and passion bredd compassion, wonder;
Earth trembling, heavens darke, rocks rent asunder.
His birth, life, death, his words, his workes, his face 25
Shewd a rich Jewell shining through the case,
Cast thus, since man at gods high presence trembles.
Heere man mans troth loves whome his sheepe resembles.
The bright Sunne beame a sickly eye may di[~m]e,
A little babe in shallow heart may swi[~m]. 30
Hee heavens wealth to a poore stable brings,
Th'oxestall the Court unto the king of kings.
No Shadowes now nor lightning flames give terro^r.
This light tells with our tongue, and beares o^r erro^r.
Pure infant teares, moist pearle adornd his cheeke, 35
Assignd, ere borne, our erring soules to seeke.
Hee first wept teares, then bloud, a deare redemption;
This bought what Adam sould, that seemd preemption.
Cleare droppe, deare seede, the corne had bloudy eares,
Rich harvest reapd in bloud and sowne in teares. 40
Who this Corne in theyr hart nor thresh, nor lay,
Breake for sinnes debt, unthrifty never pay.
Use wealth, it wastes, a stayd hand heapes the store,
But this the more wee use wee have the more;
Use, not like usury whose growth is lending, 45
Rich thoughts this treasure keepe and thrive by spending;
Th'expense runnes circular, turning returning,
Such love no hart consumes, yet ever burning.
[ _Ed_: _these lines run
straight on as part of_ The Annuntiation and Passion _in O'F_]
[2 a mayd] _Norton supplies_ a mayd, _Ed_: mayd _O'F_]
[3 was,... word, _Ed_: _no commas_, _O'F_]
[6 lowe. _Ed_: lowe _O'F_]
[7 wonder, _Ed_: wonder _O'F_]
[8 thunder. _Ed_: thunder _O'F_]
[13 brooke, _Ed_: brooke _O'F_]
[21 shame, _Ed_: shame _O'F_]
[23 wonder; _Ed_: wonder _O'F_]
[24 trembling, _Ed_: trembling _O'F_]
[26 case, _Ed_: case _O'F_]
[27 trembles. _Ed_: trembles _O'F_]
[28 resembles. _Ed_: resẽbles _O'F_]
[29 di[~m]e, _Ed_: di[~m]e _O'F_]
[31 brings, _Ed_: brings _O'F_]
[35 cheeke, _Ed_: cheeke _O'F_]
[37 redemption; _Ed_: redemption _O'F_]
[38 preemption. _Ed_: preemption _O'F_]
[39 eares, _Ed_: eares _O'F_]
[41 lay, _Ed_: lay _O'F_]
[43 store, _Ed_: store _O'F_]
[44 more; _Ed_: more _O'F_]
[45 Use, ... lending, _Ed_: _no commas_, _O'F_]
[46 spending; _Ed_: spending _O'F_]
[47 returning, _Ed_: returning _O'F_]
[48 consumes, _Ed_: consumes _O'F_]
_Elegy. To Chast Love._
Chast Love, let mee embrace thee in mine armes
Without the thought of lust. From thence no harmes
Ensue, no discontent attende those deeds
So innocently good w^{ch} thy love breeds.
Th'approche of day brings to thy sence no feares, 5
Nor is the black nights worke washd in thy teares;
Thou takst no care to keepe thy lover true,
Nor yet by flighte, nor fond inventions new
To hold him in, who with like flame of love
Must move his spirit too, as thine doth move; 10
w^{ch} ever mounts aloft with golden wings
And not declines to lowe despised things.
Thy soule is bodyd within thy quiet brest
In safety, free from trouble and unrest.
Thou fearst no ill because thou dost no ill, 15
Like mistress of thy selfe, thy thought, and will,
Obey thy mind, a mind for ever such
As all may prayse, but none admire too much.
Then come, Chast Love, choyse part of womankind
Infuse chast thoughts into my loving mind. 20
[Elegy. To Chast Love. _O'F_]
[5 feares, _Ed_: feares _O'F_]
[6 teares; _Ed_: teares _O'F_]
[7 true, _Ed_: true _O'F_]
[9 in, _Ed_: in _O'F_]
[10 move; _Ed_: move _O'F_]
[15 ill, _Ed_: ill _O'F_]
[16 will, _Ed_: will _O'F_]
_Upon his scornefull Mistresse. Elegy._
Cruell since that thou dost not feare the curse
W^{ch} thy disdayne, and my despayre procure,
My prayer for thee shall torment thee worse
Then all the payne thou coudst thereby endure.
May, then, that beauty w^{ch} I did conceave 5
In thee above the height of heavens course,
When first my Liberty thou didst bereave,
Bee doubled on thee and with doubled force.
Chayne thousand vassalls in like thrall with mee,
W^{ch} in thy glory mayst thou still despise, 10
As the poore Trophyes of that victory
Which thou hast onely purchasd by thine eyes;
And when thy Triumphs so extended are
That there is nought left to bee conquered,
Mayst thou with the great Monarchs mournfull care 15
Weepe that thine Hono^{rs} are so limited;
So thy disdayne may melt it selfe to love
By an unlookd for and a wondrous change,
W^{ch} to thy selfe above the rest must prove
In all th'effects of love paynefully strange, 20
While wee thy scorned subjects live to see
Thee love the whole world, none of it love thee.
[Upon his scornefull Mistresse. _O'F_: _no title_, _B_, _which
adds note_, This hath relation to 'When by thy scorne'. _See_
The Apparition, _p._ 191]
[2 despayre _B_: disdayne _O'F_
procure, _Ed_: procure _O'F_]
[6 course, _Ed_: course _O'F_]
[7 bereave, _Ed_: bereave _O'F_]
[8 force. _Ed_: force _O'F_]
[9 Chayne _B_: Stay _O'F_ mee, _Ed_: mee _O'F_]
[10 despise, _Ed_: despise _O'F_]
[12 eyes; _Ed_: eyes _O'F_]
[14 conquered, _Ed_: conquered _O'F_]
[16 limited; _Ed_: limited _O'F_]
[18 change, _Ed_: change _O'F_]
[20 strange, _Ed_: strange _O'F_]
<_Absence._>
Wonder of Beautie, Goddesse of my sense,
You that have taught my soule to love aright,
You in whose limbes are natures chief expense
Fitt instrument to serve your matchless spright,
If ever you have felt the miserie 5
Of being banish'd from your best desier,
By Absence, Time, or Fortunes tyranny,
Sterving for cold, and yet denied for fier:
Deare mistresse pittie then the like effects
The which in mee your absence makes to flowe, 10
And haste their ebb by your divine aspect
In which the pleasure of my life doth growe:
Stay not so long for though it seem a wonder
You keepe my bodie and my soule asunder.
FINIS.
<_Tongue-tied Love._>
Faire eies do not think scorne to read of Love
That to your eies durst never it presume,
Since absence those sweet wonders do remove
That nourish thoughts, yet sence and wordes consume;
This makes my pen more hardy then my tongue, 5
Free from my feare yet feeling my desire,
To utter that I have conceal'd so long
By doing what you did yourself require.
Believe not him whom Love hath left so wise
As to have power his owne tale for to tell, 10
For childrens greefes do yield the loudest cries,
And cold desires may be expressed well:
In well told Love most often falsehood lies,
But pittie him that only sighes and dies.
FINIS.
[ _Ed_: _whole sonnets without
titles in_ _L74_: _the last six lines of the second appear
among Donne's poems in_ _B_, _O'F_, _S96_ ]
[12 cold desires] coldest Ayres _O'F_]
<_Love, if a God thou art._>
Love if a god thou art
then evermore thou must
Bee mercifull and just;
If thou bee just, ô wherefore doth thy dart
Wound mine alone and not my mistresse hart? 5
If mercifull, then why
Am I to payne reservd
Who have thee truely serv'd,
When shee that by thy powre sets not a fly
Laughs thee to scorne and lives at liberty? 10
Then if a God thou woulds accounted bee,
Heale mee like her, or else wound her like mee.
<_Great Lord of Love._>
Greate Lord of love, how busy still thou art
To give new wounds and fetters to my hart!
Is't not enough that thou didst twice before
It so mangle
And intangle 5
By sly arts
of false harts.
Forbeare mee, Ile make love no more.
Fy busy Lord, will it not thee suffice
To use the Rhetorique of her tongue and eyes 10
When I am waking, but that absent so
They invade mee
To perswade mee,
When that sleepe
Oft should keepe 15
And lock out every sence of woe.
If thou perswade mee thus to speake, I dye
And shee the murdresse, for me will deny;
And if for silence I bee prest, Her good
Yet I cherish 20
Though I perish,
For that shee
Shall bee free
From that foule guilt of spilling bloud.
[ _all without titles in_ _O'F_: _punctuation mainly
the Editor's_]
<_Loves Exchange_>
1. To sue for all thy Love, and thy whole hart
were madnesse.
I doe not sue, nor can admitt,
(Fayrest) from yo^u to have all yet;
Who giveth all, hath nothing to impart 5
But sadnesse.
2. Hee who receaveth all can have no more,
Then seeing.
My love by length of every howre
Gathers new strength, new growth, new power: 10
You must have dayly new rewards in store
Still beeing.
3. You cannot every day give mee yo^r hart
For merit;
Yet if you will, when yours doth goe 15
You shall have still one to bestow,
For you shall mine, when yours doth part,
Inherit.
4. Yet if you please weele find a better way
Then change them, 20
For so alone (dearest) wee shall
Bee one and one another all;
Let us so joyne our harts, that nothing may
Estrange them.
_Song._
Now y'have killd mee with yo^{r} scorne
Who shall live to call yo^{u} fayre?
What new foole must now bee borne
To prepare
Dayly sacrifice of service new, 5
Teares too good for woemen true?
Who shall sorrow when yo^{u} crye
And to please yo^{u} dayly dye?
Men succeeding shall beware
And woemen cruell, no more fayre. 10
2.
Now y'have killd mee, never looke
Any left to call yo^{u} trewe;
Who more madd must now bee tooke
To renewe
My oblations dayly, lost? 15
Vowes too good for woemen chast!
Who shall call yo^{u} sweete, and sweare
T'is yo^{r} face renews the yeare?
Men by my Death shall beleeve,
And woemen cruell yet shall greeve. 20
[Song. _O'F_: _punctuation mainly Editor's_]
_Love, bred of glances._
Love bred of Glances twixt amorous eyes
Like Childrens fancies, sone borne, sone dyes.
Guilte, Bitternes, and smilinge woe
Doth ofte deceaue poore lovers soe,
As the fonde Sence th'unwary soule deceives 5
With deadly poison wrapt in Lily leaves.
But harts so chain'd as Goodnes stands
With truthe unstain'd to couple hands,
Love beinge to all beauty blinde
Save the cleere beauties of the minde, 10
There heaven is pleasd, continuall blessings sheddinge,
Angells are guests and dance at this blest weddinge.
[Love _&c._ _Chambers_, _who prints from RP117_:
_no title_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_ (_from which present text is
taken_)]
[2 borne _B_, _P_, _O'F_, _S96_: bred _Chambers_]
[4 Doth _S96_: does _B_, _O'F_: doe _P_]
[5 As] And _Chambers_]
[7 as Goodnes] 'tis goodnes _Chambers_]
[8 hands, _Ed_: hands _S96_]
[10 minde, _B_: minde _S96_]
[11 There heav'n is _O'F_, _P_, _S96_: Where Reason is
_Chambers_
sheddinge, _Ed_: sheddinge _S96_]
[12 this] his _Chambers_]
_To a Watch restored to its Mystres._
Goe and Count her better howers.
For they are happier than oures.
The day that gives her any bliss,
Make it as long againe as 'tis.
The hower shee smyles in, lett it bee 5
By thy acte multiplyde to three.
But if shee frowne on thee or mee,
Know night is made by her, not thee;
Be swifte in such an hower & soone,
See thou make night, ere it be noone. 10
Obey her tymes, whoe is the free
Faire Sunne that governes thee & mee.
[To a Watch _&c._ _B_, _where note below title says_ none of
J. D. _and poem is signed_ W. L.]
<_Ad Solem._>
Wherfore peepst thou, envious daye?
We can kisse without thee.
Lovers hate the golden raye,
Which thou bearst about thee.
Goe and give them light that sorowe 5
Or the saylor flyinge:
Our imbraces need noe morowe
Nor our blisses eying.
We shall curse thy curyous eye
For thy soone betrayinge, 10
And condemn thee for a spye
Yf thou catch us playinge.
Gett thee gone and lend thy flashes
Where there's need of lendinge,
Our affections are not ashes 15
Nor our pleasures endinge.
Weare we cold or withered heare
We would stay thee by us,
Or but one anothers feare
Then thou shouldst not flye us. 20
Wee are yongue, thou spoilst our pleasure;
Goe to sea and slumber,
Darknes only gives us leasure
Our stolne joyes to number.
[ _Ed_: _no title_, _Add. MSS._ _22603_, _33998_,
_Egerton MS. 2013_, _Harleian MS. 791_, _S_, _TCD(II)_:
_printed J. Wilson_: Cheerful Ayres (1659), _Grosart and
Chambers_: _text from Eg. MS. 2013_: _punctuation partly
Editor's_]
[2 kisse] live _E20_]
[9 curyous _A22_, _A33_, _H79_, _S_, _TCD_: envious _E20_]
[19 one anothers feare _TCD_: one another fear _E20_: one
anothers sphere _A22_, _A33_, _S_]
[23 gives] lends _A22_, _A33_]
<_If She Deride._>
Greate and goode if she deryde mee
Let me walke Ile not despayre,
Ere to morrowe Ile provide mee
One as greate, lesse prowd, more faire.
They that seeke Love to constraine 5
Have theire labour for their paine.
They that strongly can importune
And will never yeild nor tyre,
Gaine the paye in spight of Fortune
But such game Ile not desyre. 10
Where the prize is shame or synn,
Wynners loose and loosers wynn.
Looke upon the faythfull lover,
Griefe stands paynted in his face,
Groanes, and Teares and sighs discover 15
That they are his onely grace:
Hee must weepe as children doe
That will in the fashion wooe.
I whoe flie these idle fancies
Which my dearest rest betraye, 20
Warnd by others harmfull chances,
Vse my freedome as I may.
When all the worlde says what it cann
'Tis but--Fie, vnconstant mann!
[ _Chambers_: _no title_, _S_: _also, Chambers
reports, in C.C.C. Oxon. MS. 327, f. 26: printed by Grosart
and Chambers_]
[11 Where the prize is _Chambers_: Where they prize this
(_'t' struck out_) _S_: Where they prize is _Grosart_]
[14 Teares and sighs] _Chambers reverses_]
<_Fortune Never Fails._>
What if I come to my mistris bedd
The candles all ecclipst from shyninge,
Shall I then attempt for her mayden-head
Or showe my selfe a coward by declyninge?
Oh noe 5
Fie doe not soe,
For thus much I knowe by devyninge,
Blynd is Love
The dark it doth approve,
To pray on pleasures pantinge; 10
What needeth light
For Cupid in the night,
If jealous eyes be wantinge.
Fortune never failes, if she badd take place,
To shroude all the faire proceedings: 15
Love and she though blynd, yet each other embrace,
To favor all their servants meetings:
Venture I say
To sport and to play,
If in place all be fitting; 20
Though she say fie
Yet doth she not denie:
For fie is but a word of tryall:
Jealosie doth sleepe,
Then doe not weepe 25
At force of a faynt denyall.
Glorious is my love, with tryumphs in her face,
Then to to bould were I to venter:
Who loves deserves to live in a princes grace,
Why stand you then affraid to enter? 30
Lights are all out
Then make noe doubt
A lover bouldly maye take chusinge.
Bewtie is a baite
For a princely mate. 35
Fy, why stand you then a musinge?
You'll repent too late
If she doe you hate,
For loves delight refusinge.
[ _Grosart_: _no title_, _RP31_, _S_:
_also, Chambers reports, in C.C.C. Oxon. MS. 327, f. 21:
printed Grosart and Chambers, and, last two verses only,
Simeon_]
[10 pantinge;] hauntinge: _RP31_]
[14 she badd _S_: she bidd _Grosart_: she bids _Chambers_: the
bould _RP31_]
[19 and to play _RP31_, _S_: and play _Grosart and Chambers_]
[26 faynt] fair _Chambers_]
[28 were] was _RP31_]
[29 princes] Princess _Chambers_]
[33 lover] woer _Chambers_
chusinge] a choosing _Chambers_]
_To His Mistress._
1. Beleeve yo^r Glasse, and if it tell you (Deare)
Yo^r Eyes inshrine
A brighter shine
Then faire Apollo, looke if theere appeare
The milkie skye 5
The Crimson dye
Mixt in your cheeks, and then bid Phoebus sett,
More Glory then hee owes appears. But yet
2. Be not deceived with fond Alteration
. . . . . 10
. . . . .
. . . . . . . .
As Cynthias Globe,
A snow white robe
Is soonest spotled, a Carnation dye 15
Fades, and discolours open'd but to Eie.
3. Make use of youth, and bewty whilest they flourish:
Tyme never sleepes,
Though it but creeps
It still gets forward. Do not vainly nourish 20
Them to selfe-use,
It is Abuse;
The richest Grownds lying wast turne Boggs and rott,
And soe beinge useles, were as good were not.
4. Walke in a meddowe by a Rivers side, 25
Upon whose Bancks
Grow milk-white Ranks
Of full blown Lyllies in their height of Pryde,
Which downward bend
And nothing tend 30
Save their owne Bewties in the Glassie streame:
Looke to yo^r selfe: Compare yo^{r}selfe to them.
5. In show, in bewtie, marke what followes then:
Sommer must end,
The sunn must bend 35
His Longe Absented beames to others: then
Their spring being crost
By wynters frost
And sneap'd by bytter storms against w^{ch} nought boots,
They bend their prowd topps lower then their roots. 40
6. Then none regard them; but w^{th} heedles feet
In durt each treads
Their declyned heads.
So when youthe wasted, Age, and yo^u shall meet,
Then I alone
Shall sadly moane 45
That Interviewe; others it will not move,
So light regard we, what we little Love.
FINIS.
[To His Mistress. _Le Prince D'Amour_ (_1660_): _no title_,
_S_ (_whence text_): _printed by Simeon_, _Grosart_,
_Chambers_: _punctuation partly Editor's_]
[1 if it tell] it will tell _Chambers_]
[9 deceived] deceiv'd _S_]
[16 open'd] opened _S_]
[24 were not] as not _LeP D' A_]
[31 the Glassie _S_: a Glassie _LePD'A_: their Glassie
_Chambers_]
[32 to them. _S_: with them. _Chambers_]
[36 then] when _Chambers_]
[39 sneap'd _Ed_: snep'd _S_: swept _LePD'A_: snipped
_Chambers_]
_A Paradoxe of a Painted Face._
Not kisse? By Jove I must, and make impression
As longe as Cupid dares to holde his Session
Vpon my flesh and blood: our kisses shall
Outminute Time and without number fall.
Doe I not know these Balls of blushinge Red 5
That on thy Cheekes thus amorouslie are spred?
Thy snowy necke, those veynes upon thy Browe
Which with their azure crincklinge sweetly bowe
Are artificiall? Borrowed? and no more thine owne
Then Chaines which on St. George's Day are showne, 10
Are proper to the wearers? Yet for this
I idole thee, and beg a luscious kisse.
The fucus, and Ceruse, which on thy face
Thy Cunninge hand layes on to add new Grace,
Detaine me with such pleasing fraude, that I 15
Finde in thy art, what can in nature Lie.
Much like a painter that upon some Wall
On which the radiant Sun-beames use to fall
Paints with such art a Gilded butterflye
That silly maides with slowe-moved fingers trye 20
To Catch it, and then blush at theire mistake,
Yet of this painted flye most reckonynge make:
Such is our state; since what we looke upon
Is nought but Coullor and Proportion.
Take me a face, as full of fraud and Lies 25
As Gypsies in your cunninge Lotteries,
That is more false, and more Sophisticate
Than are Saints reliques, or a man of state.
Yet such being Glazed by the sleight of arte,
Gaines admiration, winninge many a Harte. 30
Put case there be a difference in the molde,
Yet may thy Venus be more Chaste, and holde
A dearer treasure: oftentimes we see
Rich Candian wines in woodden Boules to bee.
The odoriferous Civet doth not lie 35
Within the muskat's nose, or eare, or eye,
But in a baser place; for prudent nature
In drawinge us of various formes and stature
Gives from the curious shop of hir rich treasure
To faire parts comeliness, to baser, pleasure. 40
The fairest flowers, which in the Springe doe growe
Are not so much for use, as for the showe,
As Lillies, Hyacinths, and the georgious birthe
Of all pide flowers that diaper the earthe,
Please more with their discoloured purple traine 45
Then wholesome pothearbs which for use remaine.
Shall I a Gaudy Speckled Serpent kiss
For that the colours which he weares are his?
A perfumed Cordevant who will not wear
Because the sente is borrowed elsewhere? 50
The roabes and vestiments, which grace us all
Are not our owne, but adventitiall.
Time rifles Natures beauty, but slye Arte
Repaires by cunninge this decayinge parte.
Fills here a wrinckle, and there purles a veyne, 55
And with a nimble hand runs o're againe
The breaches dented in by th'arme of time,
And makes Deformity to be no crime.
As when great men be grip't by sicknes hand,
Industrious Physicke pregnantly doth stand 60
To patch up foule diseases, and doth strive
To keepe theire totteringe Carcasses alive.
Beautie is a candlelight which every puffe
Blowes out, and leaves nought but a stinking snuffe
To fill our nostrills with; this boldelie thinke, 65
The cleerest Candle makes the greatest stincke,
As your pure fode and cleerest nutryment
Gets the most hott, and nose stronge excrement.
Why hange we then on thinges so apt to varie,
So fleetinge, brittle, and so temporarie? 70
That agues, Coughes, the toothache, or Catarr
(Slight hansells of diseases) spoile and marr.
But when olde age theire beauties hath in Chace,
And plowes up furrowes in theire once-smoothe face,
Then they become forsaken, and doe showe 75
Like stately abbeyes ruin'd longe agoe.
Nature but gives the modell, and first draught
Of faire perfection, which by art is taught
To speake itselfe, a compleat form and birthe,
Soe stands a Copie to these shapes on earthe. 80
Jove grante me then a reparable face
Which, whiles that Colours are, can want no grace.
Pigmalions painted statue I coulde love,
Soe it were warme and softe, and coulde but move.
[A Paradoxe of a Painted Face. _H39_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_ (_II_)
_Pembroke and Ruddier_ (_1660_), _Le Prince D'Amour_ (_1660_),
_Simeon_ (_1856-7_), _Grosart_ (_from S_), _Chambers_ (_from
Simeon_, _and Pembroke and Ruddier_): _text from S96_:
_punctuation partly Editor's_]
[8 azure crincklinge _S96_: azure winckles _P and R_: azure
twinklinge _S_: azur'd wrinklings _TCD_: azure wrinkles
_Chambers_]
[15 Detaine] Deceive _H39_, _P and R_, _LeP D' A_, _TCD_,
_Chambers_
pleasing] cunning _TCD_]
[18 radiant _S96_: cadent _H39_, _TCD_, _LeP D' A_, _Grosart_,
_and Chambers_: splendent _P and R_]
[21 then] yet _S96_]
[32 Chaste] choise _P and R_, _LeP D' A_, _TCD_]
[39 shop] shape _S96_
rich] largest _S96_: large _P and R_, _Grosart_, _and
Chambers_]
[45 discoloured] discovered _H39_: _but_ discoloured _is here_
variegated]
[53 rifles] rifled _S96_]
[55 purles] fills _S_: purls _is_ embroiders as with gold or
silver thread]
[67 clearest] choicest _P and R_: cleanest _S_: finest
_Chambers_]
[68 most hott] most stronge _S96_]
[72 hansells _H39_: houses _S_, _S96_, _Chambers_: touches _P
and R_: causes _LeP D' A_]
[73 beauties] brav'ries _H39_]
[79 To speake itselfe _TCD_, _P and R_: Speake to itselfe _S_,
_S96_: Speake for itselfe _H39_: To make itselfe _Simeon_,
_Grosart_, _and Chambers_]
_Sonnett._
Madam that flea that Crept between your brests
I envied, that there he should make his rest:
The little Creatures fortune was soe good
That Angells feed not on so pretious foode.
How it did sucke how eager tickle you 5
(Madam shall fleas before me tickle you?)
Oh I can not holde; pardon if I kild it.
Sweet Blood, to you I aske this, that which fild it
Ran from my Ladies Brest. Come happie flea
That dide for suckinge of that milkie Sea. 10
Oh now againe I well could wishe thee there,
About hir Hart, about hir anywhere;
I would vowe (Dearest flea) thou shouldst not dye,
If thou couldst sucke from hir hir crueltye.
[Sonnett. _O'F_, _S96_: _no title_, _S_: On A Flea on His
Mistress's Bosom _Simeon_, _Grosart_, _Chambers_ (_from
Simeon_): _text from S96_]
[7 I can not holde] I not hold can _Chambers_
kild _Ed_: killed _Chambers_: kill _S96_]
[13 vowe ] now _Chambers_
Dearest _S96_: deare _S_, _O'F_, _Chambers_
thou] that thou _Chambers_]
_On Black Hayre and Eyes._
If shaddowes be the pictures excellence;
And make it seeme more lively to the sence;
If starres in the bright day are hid from sight
And shine most glorious in the masque of night;
Why should you thinke (rare creature) that you lack 5
Perfection cause your haire and eyes are blacke,
Or that your heavenly beauty which exceedes
The new sprung lillies in their mayden weeds,
The damaske coullour of your cheekes and lipps
Should suffer by their darknesse an eclipps? 10
Rich diamonds shine brightest, being sett
And compassed within a foyle of Jett.
Nor was it fitt that Nature should have mayde
So bright a sunne to shine without a shade.
It seemes that Nature when she first did fancie 15
Your rare composure studied Necromancie,
That when to you this guift she did impart
She used altogether the black art.
By which infused power from Magique tooke
You doe command all spiritts with a looke: 20
Shee drew those Magique circles in your eyes,
And mayde your hayre the chaines wherewith shee ties
Rebelling hearts: those blew veines which appeare,
Winding Meander about either spheare,
Misterious figures are, and when you list 25
Your voice commandeth like the Exorcist,
And every word which from your Pallett falleth
In a deep charme your hearer's heart inthralleth.
Oh! If in Magique you have skill so farre,
Vouchsafe me to be your familiar. 30
Nor hath kind Nature her black art reveal'd
To outward partes alone, some lie conceal'd,
And as by heads of springs men often knowe
The nature of the streames that run belowe,
So your black haire and eyes do give direction 35
To make me thinke the rest of like complexion:
That rest where all rest lies that blesseth Man,
That Indian mine, that straight of Magellan,
That worlde dividing gulfe where he that venters,
With swelling sayles and ravisht senses enters 40
To a new world of blisse. Pardon, I pray,
If my rude muse presumeth to display
Secretts unknowne, or hath her bounds orepast
In praysing sweetnesse which I ne're did tast;
Sterved men doe know there's meate, and blind men may 45
Though hid from light presume there is a day.
The rover in the marke his arrowe sticks
Sometimes as well as he that shootes att prickes,
And if I might direct my shaft aright,
The black mark would I hitt and not the white. 50
[On Black Hayre and Eyes _Add. MS. 11811, on which text is
based: in several MSS. including A25, TCD (II), L77: printed
in Parnassus Biceps (1656), Pembroke and Ruddier's Poems
(1660), Simeon (1856-7), Grosart, and Chambers_]
[2 it _A2I_, _H60_, _TCD_: them _A11_: things _L77_]
[4 shine _H39_, _TCD_: seem _A11_, _Grosart_, _and Chambers_]
[8 mayden weeds,] maidenheads, _H39_, _TCD_, _Grosart_, _and
Chambers_]
[9 The damasque coullor of] That cherry colour of _H39_,
_TCD_: Or that the cherries of _Some MSS._]
[12 compassed ] compos'd _A11_
foyle] field _Chambers_]
[19 tooke] book _Grosart and Chambers_]
[20 all spiritts] like spirits _Grosart and Chambers_]
[25 figures] fables _A11_]
[26 commandeth] commands _A11_]
[29 you have skill _L77_, _TCD_, _&c._: your power _A11_: you
have power _Grosart and Chambers_]
[33 For (And) as by the springhead a man may (men often) know
_L77_, _TCD_, _and other MSS._]
[34 streame ... runs _L77_, _&c._]
[44 did] shall _TCD and other MSS._]
[47 sticks] strikes _Grosart and Chambers_]
[49 direct _L77_, _TCD_, _&c._: ayme _A11_, _Grosart_, _and
Chambers_]
_Fragment of an Elegy._
And though thy glasse a burning one become
And turne us both to ashes on her urne,
Yet to our glory till the later day
Our dust shall daunce like attomes in her ray.
And when the world shall in confusion burne, 5
And Kinges and peasantes scramble at an urne,
Like tapers new blowne out wee happy then
Will at her beames catch fire and live againe.
But this is sence, and some one may-be glad
That I so good a cause of sorrow had, 10
Will with all those whome I affect may dye
So I might please him with an elegie.
O let there never line of witt be read
To please the living that doth speake thee dead;
Some tender-harted mother good and mild, 15
Who on the deare grave of her tender child
So many sad teares hath beene knowne to rayne
As out of dust would mould him up againe,
And with hir plaintes enforce the wormes to place
Themselves like veynes so neatly on his face, 20
And every lymne, as if that they wer striving
To flatter hir with hope of his reviving:
Shee should read this, and hir true teares alone
Should coppy forth these sad lines on the stone
Which hides thee dead, and every gentle hart 25
That passeth by should of his teares impart
So great a portion, that if after times
Ruine more churches for the Clergyes crimes,
When any shall remove thy marble hence,
Which is lesse stone then hee that takes it thence, 30
Thou shalt appeare within thy tearefull cell
Much like a faire nymph bathing in a well.
But when they find thee dead so lovely fair,
Pitty and sorrow then shall straight repaire
And weepe beside thy grave with cipresse cround, 35
To see the secound world of beauty dround,
And add sufficient teares as they condole
'Twould make thy body swimme up to thy soule.
Such eyes should read the lines are writ of thee;
But such a losse should have no elegie 40
To palliate the wound wee tooke in hir,
Who rightly greeves admittes no comforter.
He that had tane to heart thy parting hence
Should have beene chain'd to Bedlam two houres thence,
And not a frind of his ere shed a teare 45
To see him for thy sake distracted there,
But hugge himselfe for loving such as hee
That could runne mad with greefe for loosing thee.
I, haplesse soule, that never knew a frend
But to bewayle his too untimely end, 50
Whose hopes (cropt in the bud) have never come
But to sitt weeping on a sencelesse tombe,
That hides not dust enough to count the teares
Which I have fruitlesse spent in so few yeares,
I that have trusted those that would have given 55
For our deare Saviour and the Sonne of heaven
Ten times the valew Judas had of yore,
Onely to sell him for three peeces more;
I that have lov'd and trusted thus in vaine
Yet weepe for thee, and till the clowdes shall daigne 60
To throw on Egipt more then Nile ere sweld,
These teares of mine shalbee unparellell'd.
He that hath lov'd, enjoy'd, and then beene crost,
Hath teares at will to mourne for what he lost;
He that hath trusted and his hope appeares 65
Wrong'd but by death may soone dissolve in teares;
But hee unhappy man whose love and trust
Nere met fruition nor a promise just,
For him (unlesse like thee hee deadly slepe)
'Tis easier to runn mad then 'tis to weepe; 70
And yet I can. Fall then yee mournefull showers,
And as old time leades on the winged howers,
Bee you their minutes, and let men forgett
To count their ages from the plague of sweat,
From eighty eight, the Poulder-plot, or when 75
Men were affrayd to talke of it againe;
And in their numerations be it sayd
Thus old was I when such a teare was shed,
And when that other fell a comett rose
And all the world tooke notice of my woes. 80
Yet finding them past cure, as doctores fly
Their patientes past all hope of remedy,
No charitable soule will once impart
One word of comfort to so sicke a heart;
But as a hurt deare beaten from the heard, 85
Men of my shadow allmost now affeard
Fly from my woes, that whilome wont to greet mee,
And well nigh thinke it ominous to meete mee.
Sad lines go yee abroad; go saddest muse,
And as some nations formerly did use 90
To lay their sicke men in the street, that those,
Who of the same disease had scapt the throwes,
Might minister releefe as they went by
To such as felt the selfsame malady,
So haplesse lynes fly through the fairest land, 95
And if ye light into some blessed hand,
That hath a heart as merry as the shine
Of golden dayes, yet wrong'd as much as mine,
Pitty may lead that happy man to mee,
And his experience worke a remedy 100
To those sad fittes which (spight of nature's lawes)
Torture a poore hart that out-lives the cause.
But this must never bee, nor is it fitt
An ague or some sickenes lesse then itt
Should glory in the death of such as hee, 105
That had a heart of flesh and valued thee.
Brave Roman, I admire thee that would'st dy
At no lesse rate then for an empery.
Some massy diamond from the center drawne,
For which all Europ wer an equall pawne, 110
Should (beaten into dust) bee drunke by him
That wanted courage good enough to swimme
Through seas of woes for thee, and much despise
To meet with death at any lower prize,
Whilst greefe alone workes that effect in mee, 115
And yet no greefe but for the losse of thee.
Fortune now doe thy worst, for I have gott
By this her death so strong an antidote,
That all thy future crosses shall not have
More then an angry smile, nor shall the grave 120
Glory in my last day: these lines shall give
To us a second life, and we will live
To pull the distaffe from the hand of fate;
And spinn our own thrides for so long a date,
That death shall never seize uppon our fame 125
Till this shall perish in the whole world's frame.
[Fragment of an Elegy. _From_ _P_, _where it appears as
portion of an 'heroical epistle' from Lady Penelope Rich to
Sir Philip Sidney_: _punctuation Ed._]
<_Farewel, ye guilded follies._>
Farewel ye guilded follies, pleasing troubles,
Farewel ye honour'd rags, ye glorious bubbles;
Fame's but a hollow echo, gold pure clay,
Honour the darling but of one short day.
Beauty (th'eyes idol) but a damasked skin, 5
State but a golden prison, to keepe in
And torture free-born minds; imbroidered trains
Meerly but Pageants, proudly swelling vains,
And blood ally'd to greatness, is a loane
Inherited, not purchased, not our own. 10
Fame, honor, beauty, state, train, blood and birth,
Are but the fading blossomes of the earth.
I would be great, but that the Sun doth still
Level his rayes against the rising hill:
I would be high, but see the proudest Oak 15
Most subject to the rending Thunder-stroke;
I would be rich, but see men too unkind
Dig in the bowels of the richest mine;
I would be wise, but that I often see
The Fox suspected whilst the Ass goes free; 20
I would be fair, but see the fair and proud
Like the bright sun, oft setting in a cloud;
I would be poor, but know the humble grass
Still trampled on by each unworthy Asse:
Rich, hated; wise, suspected; scorn'd, if poor; 25
Great, fear'd; fair, tempted; high, stil envied more:
I have wish'd all, but now I wish for neither,
Great, high, rich, wise, nor fair, poor I'l be rather.
Would the world now adopt me for her heir,
Would beauties Queen entitle me the Fair, 30
Fame speak me fortune's Minion, could I vie
Angels with India, with a speaking eye
Command bare heads, bow'd knees, strike Justice dumb
As wel as blind and lame, or give a tongue
To stones, by Epitaphs, be called great Master 35
In the loose rhimes of every Poetaster;
Could I be more then any man that lives,
Great, fair, rich, wise in all Superlatives;
Yet I more freely would these gifts resign
Then ever fortune would have made them mine, 40
And hold one minute of this holy leasure,
Beyond the riches of this empty pleasure.
Welcom pure thoughts, welcom ye silent groves,
These guests, these Courts, my soul most dearly loves,
Now the wing'd people of the Skie shall sing 45
My cheerful Anthems to the gladsome Spring;
A Pray'r book now shall be my looking-glasse,
Wherein I will adore sweet vertues face.
Here dwell no hateful looks, no Pallace cares,
No broken vows dwell here, nor pale-faced fears, 50
Then here I'l sit and sigh my hot loves folly,
And learn t'affect an holy melancholy.
And if contentment be a stranger, then
I'l nere look for it, but in heaven again.
[ _Ed_: _variously titled, Add.
MS. 18220, C.C.C. Oxon. MS. 324, Egerton MS. 2603, Harleian
MS. 6057: printed in Walton's Compleat Angler (1653), Wits
Interpreter (1655) Hannah's Courtly Poets: Grosart prints
from MS. Dd. 643 in Cambridge University Library, and Chambers
follows--a very inferior version: text from Walton_]
[2 ye glorious] ye christal _A18_, _E26_, _H60_: the christall
_WI_]
[6 keepe _A18_, _E26_, _H60_: live _Walton_]
[8 proudly] proud _Walton_]
[9 a loane _Ed_: a lone _Walton_: but loane _MSS._]
[18 mine _E26_, _CCC_: mind _Walton_, _A182_, _H60_, _WI_:
minds _Grosart and Chambers_]
[19-20
I would be wise but that the fox I see
Suspected guilty when the Ass goes free
_A182_, _E26_, _H60_, _Grosart_, _and Chambers_]
[21-2
I would be fair, but see that Champion proud
The bright sun often setting in a cloud
_WI and MSS._, _but with The worlds bright eye or fair
eye_]
[31-2
could I vie
Angels with India,
_Walton_, _A182_, _E26_, _H60_
could I joy
The blisse of angells, _CCC_
could I vie (vey _Grosart_)
The blisse of angells, _Grosart and Chambers_
]
[43 ye silent groves, _Walton_: the silent Groves, _WI_: ye
careless groves, _H60_: the careless grove, _CCC_: ye careless
groans, _Grosart and Chambers_]
[44 These are the courts my soul entire loves, _A182_: These
are my guests, this is the court I love, _CCC_: These are my
guests, this is that courtage tones, _Grosart and Chambers_:
the court age loves, _Ash 38_]
[46 My Anthem; be my Selah gentle Spring. _A182_: Mine
anthems; be my cellar, gentle spring. _Grosart and Chambers_]
[48 wherein] In which _Walton_]
[49-50
Here dwells no hartlesse Love, no palsey fears,
No short joys purchased with eternal tears.
_A182_, _H60_]
[51 hot loves _Walton_: hot youths _H60_: past years _A182_]
[53 be] prove _A182_]
* * * * *
INDEX OF FIRST LINES.
_The poems marked * are contained in Appendixes B and C of doubtful or
unauthentic poems. Those marked ± are poems to or on Donne._
PAGE
A Sheafe of Snakes used heretofore to be 399
*Absence heare my protestation 428
After those reverend papers, whose soule is 214
All haile sweet Poët, more full of more strong fire, 203
±All is not well when such a one as I 374
All Kings, and all their favorites 24
Although thy hand and faith, and good workes too, 82
*And though thy glasse a burning one become 462
As due by many titles I resigne 322
As the sweet sweat of Roses in a Still 90
As virtuous men passe mildly away 49
At once, from hence, my lines and I depart, 206
At the round earths imagin'd corners, blow 325
Away thou fondling motley humorist, 145
Batter my heart, three person'd God; for, you 328
Before I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath, 56
*Beleeve yo^{r} Glasse, and if it tell you (Deare) 455
Beyond th'old Pillers many have travailed 76
Blasted with sighs, and surrounded with teares 28
Blest are your North parts, for all this long time 213
Both rob'd of aire, we both lye in one ground, 75
Busie old foole, unruly Sunne, 11
By childrens births, and death, I am become 75
*By Euphrates flowry side 424
By miracles exceeding power of man, 320
By our first strange and fatall interview, 111
±Can we not force from widdowed Poetry, 378
*Chast Love, let mee embrace thee in mine armes 445
*Come, Fates; I feare you not. All whom I owe 407
Come live with mee, and bee my love, 46
Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie, 119
*Comend her? no. I dare not terme her fayre, 439
Compassion in the world againe is bred: 78
±_Conquerar? ignavoque sequar tua funera planctu?_ 390
*Cruell since that thou dost not feare the curse 446
*Deare Love, continue nice and chaste, 412
Deare love, for nothing lesse then thee 37
Death be not proud, though some have called thee 326
*Death be not proud, thy hand gave not this blow, 422
Death I recant, and say, unsaid by mee 282
Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise, 318
±_Donne_ dead? 'Tis here reported true, though I 386
±Donne, _the delight of Phoebus, and each Muse_, 5
Eternall God, (for whom who ever dare 348
Even as lame things thirst their perfection, so 208
Faire eies do not think scorne to read of Love 447
Faire, great, and good, since seeing you, wee see 224
Faire soule, which wast, not onely, as all soules bee, 271
*Farewel ye guilded follies, pleasing troubles, 465
Father of Heaven, and him, by whom 338
Father, part of his double interest 329
Fond woman, which would'st have thy husband die, 79
For every houre that thou wilt spare mee now 13
For Godsake hold your tongue, and let me love 14
For the first twenty yeares, since yesterday, 69
*Fye, Fye you sonnes of Pallas what madd rage 435
God grant thee thine own wish, and grant thee mine, 400
Goe, and catche a falling starre, 8
*Goe and Count her better howres 451
Good wee must love, and must hate ill, 32
*Greate and goode if she deryde mee 452
*Greate Lord of love, how busy still thou art 448
Haile Bishop Valentine, whose day this is, 127
Harke newes, o envy, thou shalt heare descry'd 104
Hast thee harsh verse, as fast as thy lame measure 205
He is starke mad, who ever sayes, 48
He that cannot chuse but love, 73
±Hee that would write an Epitaph for thee, 374
*He was the Word that spake it, 427
Her of your name, whose fair inheritance 317
±_Heere lies Deane Donne_; Enough; Those words alone 388
Here's no more newes, then vertue,'I may as well 187
Here take my Picture; though I bid farewell, 86
Here where by All All Saints invoked are, 221
Honour is so sublime perfection, 218
How sits this citie, late most populous, 354
I am a little world made cunningly 324
I am two fooles, I know, 16
I am unable, yonder begger cries, 76
I can love both faire and browne, 12
±I cannot blame those men, that knew thee well, 373
I fixe mine eye on thine, and there 45
I have done one braver thing 10
I'll tell thee now (deare Love) what thou shalt doe 29
I long to talke with some old lovers ghost, 54
I never stoop'd so low, as they 66
I scarce beleeve my love to be so pure 33
±I see in his last preach'd, and printed Booke, 3
I sing no harme good sooth to any wight, 105
I sing the progresse of a deathlesse soule, 295
*I that y^{e} higher half of loues 440
I wonder by my troth, what thou, and I 7
If, as mine is, thy life a slumber be, 209
If faithfull soules be alike glorifi'd 325
*If great men wrong me, I will spare my selfe; 415
*If her disdaine least change in you can move, 430
If in his Studie he hath so much care 77
If poysonous mineralls, and if that tree, 326
*If shaddowes be the pictures excellence; 460
If yet I have not all thy love, 17
If you from spoyle of th'old worlds farthest end 76
Image of her whom I love, more then she, 95
Immensitie cloysterd in thy deare wombe, 319
*In that, ô Queene of Queenes, thy birth was free 427
±_In thy Impression of_ Donnes _Poems rare_, 3
In what torn ship soever I embarke, 352
±Is _Donne_, great _Donne_ deceas'd? then England say 376
Is not thy sacred hunger of science 212
Kinde pitty chokes my spleene; brave scorn forbids 154
Kindly I envy thy songs perfection 210
_Klockius_ so deeply hath sworne, ne'r more to come 77
Language thou art too narrow, and too weake 284
Let mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this, 336
Let me powre forth 38
Like Esops fellow-slaves, O _Mercury_, 78
Like one who'in her third widdowhood doth professe 185
Little think'st thou, poore flower, 59
±Long since this taske of teares from you was due, 394
Looke to mee faith, and looke to my faith, God; 267
_Love_, any devill else but you, 34
*Love bred of Glances twixt amorous eyes 450
*Love if a god thou art, 448
±_Lucy_, you brightnesse of our Spheare, who are, 6
Mad paper stay, and grudge not here to burne 216
*Madam that flea that Crept between your brests 459
Man is a lumpe, where all beasts kneaded bee, 193
Man is the World, and death th'Ocean, 279
Man to Gods image; _Eve_, to mans was made, 201
Marke but this flea, and marke in this, 40
Marry, and love thy _Flavia_, for, shee 80
*Men write that love and reason disagree, 406
Moyst with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule 321
Muse not that by thy mind thy body is led: 207
My Fortune and my choice this custome break, 292
*My love doth fly w^{th} wings of feare 437
My name engrav'd herein, 25
*Nature amaz'd sawe man without mans ayde 443
Natures lay Ideot, I taught thee to love, 89
No Lover saith, I love, nor any other 69
No _Spring_, nor _Summer_ Beauty hath such grace, 92
*Not Kisse? By Jove I must, and make impression 456
Not that in colour it was like thy haire, 96
Nothing could make me sooner to confesse 251
±Now by one yeare, time and our frailtie have 392
Now thou hast lov'd me one whole day, 9
*Now y'have killd mee with yo^{r} scorne 450
*O eyes, what do you see? 438
*O frutefull garden, and yet never tilde, 434
O might those sighes and teares returne againe 323
O Thou which to search out the secret parts 211
*O what a blisse 441
Of that short Roll of friends writ in my heart 212
Oh do not die, for I shall hate 21
Oh, let mee not serve so, as those men serve 87
Oh my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned 323
Oh, to vex me, contraryes meet in one: 331
Oh to what height will love of greatnesse drive 172
Once, and but once found in thy company, 84
Our storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage, 178
Out of a fired ship, which, by no way 75
_Parturiunt madido quae nixu praela, recepta_, 397
_Philo_, with twelve yeares study, hath beene griev'd 77
±Poets attend, the Elegie I sing 380
Pregnant again with th'old twins Hope, and Feare, 206
_Qui prius assuetus Serpentum fasce Tabellas_ 398
_Quod arte ausus es hic tuâ, Poeta_, 398
_Quot_, _dos haec_, Linguists perfetti, _Disticha_ fairont, 174
Reason is our Soules left hand, Faith her right 189
Salute the last and everlasting day, 321
Salvation to all that will is nigh; 319
See Sir, how as the Suns hot Masculine flame 317
Send home my long strayd eyes to mee, 43
Send me some token, that my hope may live, 72
*Shall I goe force an Elegie? abuse 410
Shee'is dead; And all which die 64
Show me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear. 330
Since Christ embrac'd the Crosse it selfe, dare I 331
*Since ev'ry Tree beginns to blossome now 433
Since I am comming to that Holy roome, 368
Since she must go, and I must mourn, come Night, 100
Since she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debt 330
Sir, more then kisses, letters mingle Soules; 180
Sir; though (I thanke God for it) I do hate 149
*Sleep, next Society and true friendship, 401
Sleep sleep old Sun, thou canst not have repast 333
So, so breake off this last lamenting kisse, 68
Some man unworthy to be possessor 36
Some that have deeper digg'd loves Myne then I, 39
Sorrow, who to this house scarce knew the way: 287
*Soules joy, now I am gone, 429
Spit in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side, 327
Stand still, and I will read to thee 71
*Stay, O sweet, and do not rise, 432
Sweetest love, I do not goe, 18
Take heed of loving mee, 67
Tamely, fraile body,'abstaine to day; to day 334
*Tell her if she to hired servants shew 416
*Tell me who can when a player dies 443
That I might make your Cabinet my tombe, 291
*That unripe side of earth, that heavy clime 417
The heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I 113
*The State and mens affaires are the best playes 414
The Sun-beames in the East are spred, 141
±This decent Urne a sad inscription weares, 389
This is my playes last scene, here heavens appoint 324
*This lyfe it is not life, it is a sight 437
This twilight of two yeares, not past nor next, 198
*Those drossy heads & irrepurged braynes 440
Thou art not so black, as my heart, 65
Thou art repriv'd old yeare, thou shalt not die, 135
Thou hast made me, And shall thy worke decay? 322
Thou in the fields walkst out thy supping howers, 78
Thou shalt not laugh in this leafe, Muse, nor they 168
Thou which art I, ('tis nothing to be soe) 175
Thou, whose diviner soule hath caus'd thee now 351
Though I be _dead_, and buried, yet I have 220
Thy father all from thee, by his last Will, 77
Thy flattering picture, _Phryne_, is like thee, 77
Thy friend, whom thy deserts to thee enchaine, 208
Thy sinnes and haires may no man equall call 77
Till I have peace with thee, warr other men, 122
'Tis lost, to trust a Tombe with such a quest, 245
Tis the yeares midnight, and it is the dayes, 44
'Tis true, 'tis day; what though it be? 23
*To sue for all thy Love, and thy whole hart 449
±To have liv'd eminent, in a degree 371
T'have written then, when you writ, seem'd to mee 195
To make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true, 108
To what a combersome unwieldinesse 55
_Transiit in Sequanam Moenus; Victoris in aedes;_ 397
*True Love findes witt, but he whose witt doth move 412
Twice or thrice had I loved thee, 22
Two, by themselves, each other, love and feare 75
±Two Soules move here, and mine (a third) must move 249
Vnder an undermin'd, and shot-bruis'd wall 76
Vnseasonable man, statue of ice, 131
Vpon this Primrose hill, 61
Vengeance will sit above our faults; but till 350
Well dy'd the World, that we might live to see 229
Well; I may now receive, and die; My sinne 158
Went you to conquer? and have so much lost 188
*What if I come to my mistris bedd 453
What if this present were the worlds last night? 328
*What is o^{r} life? a play of passion 441
When by thy scorne, O murdresse, I am dead, 47
*When fortune, love, and Tyme bad me be happie, 440
When I am dead, and Doctors know not why, 63
When I dyed last, and, Deare, I dye 20
When my grave is broke up againe 62
When that rich Soule which to her heaven is gone, 231
±When thy _Loose_ raptures, _Donne_, shall meet with Those 372
Where is that holy fire, which Verse is said 124
Where, like a pillow on a bed, 51
*Wherefore peepst thou, envious daye? 451
Whether that soule which now comes up to you 288
Whilst yet to prove, 70
±Who dares say thou art dead, when he doth see 384
Who ever comes to shroud me, do not harme 58
Who ever guesses, thinks, or dreames he knowes 41
Who ever loves, if he do not propose 116
Who makes the Past, a patterne for next yeare, 183
±Who shall doubt, _Donne_, where I a _Poet_ bee, 6
±Who shall presume to mourn thee, _Donne_, unlesse 382
Why are wee by all creatures waited on? 327
*Why chose shee black; was it that in whitenes 436
Why this man gelded _Martiall_ I muse, 78
Wilt thou forgive that sinne where I begunne, 369
Wilt thou forgive that sinn, where I begunn, 370
Wilt thou love God, as he thee! then digest, 329
With his kinde mother who partakes thy woe, 320
*Wonder of Beautie, Goddesse of my sense, 447
You have refin'd mee, and to worthyest things 191
You that are she and you, that's double shee, 227
Your mistris, that you follow whores, still taxeth you: 76
Zealously my Muse doth salute all thee, 207
* * * * *
OXFORD: HORACE HART, M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
* * * * *
Transcriber's Note:
- - indicates italic script; + + indicates Old English script;
= = indicates bold script or non-italic text within italic
passages; ^ or ^{} indicates a superscript.
Doubtful words or passages were checked against a 1968 reprint
of the 1933 edition, based, by the author, on this larger 1912
edition.
The Mediæval long 's' has been replaced by the modern 's', but
usually the capital 'V' for 'U', and lower case v/u, u/v have
been retained (as in the 1968 reprint).
The spelling is, of course, early 17th century.
Unspaced punctuation, e.g. "Thy beauty,'and all parts,", is
as printed in this, and the 1968 reprint, and denotes elisions
(the running together of words to fit the metre).
In general, footnotes have been moved to the ends of their
relevant sections, and linenotes to the ends of their
relevant poems. An exception is on page 251 et seq., where the
footnotes fit naturally in sequence with the linenotes.
'_See note_' (usually) refers to poem note in the Commentary
in Volume II.
Page 7: 'seelily', from Middle English, via Old English, Old
Saxon, West Germanic.... 'sely', 'seely', from 'sælig' etc.
'seely' also occurs in other poems.
The modern word 'silly' has evolved from Old English sælig
(holy, blessed, fortunate, prosperous, happy) through meanings
of 'innocent', 'naive', 'unworldly', 'foolish' ....
Page 65: 'A Ieat Ring Sent.' Ieat = Jeat, probably jet,
a black semi-precious stone, popular in English costume
jewellery.
Page 95: Notes: Elegy X. 'S96' is given twice, with different
titles. Second entry possible error, but retained.
Page 251: The Author has placed the footnotes to the
sidenotes, in order, with the linenotes. This is probably the
least confusing place for them, so they have been retained
here.
Page 262: Printer's error: 'foveraigne' corrected to
'soveraigne'.
Page 276: Printer's error: _169-69_ corrected to _1639-69_.
"[176 them. _D_: them; _1633_, _1639-69_: them, _1635_]"
Pages 390-392: This Latin text contains a number of instances
of words ending in 'que', and a few instances (at the ends of
words) of the letter 'q' with an acute accent (stress mark)
and a subscript which looks like '3', but is 'Latin Small
Letter ET'.
This is a Mediæval scribal abbreviation for 'que' (indicating
'and') at the ends of certain words. To avoid problems with
the text, all the abbreviated words in this passage have been
written out in full.
Page 405, line note 133: _OF_ corrected to _O'F_. Probable
printer's error.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Poems of John Donne [2 vols.] Volume I - Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts" ***
Copyright 2023 LibraryBlog. All rights reserved.
Home