Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
 |
| 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 3. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
| 4. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| 4. |
|
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| 13. |
| 14. |
| 15. |
| 16. |
| 17. |
| 18. |
| 19. |
| 20. |
| 21. |
| 22. |
| 23. |
| 24. |
| 25. |
| 26. |
| 27. |
| 28. |
| 29. |
| 30. |
| 31. |
| 32. |
| 33. |
| 34. |
| 35. |
| 36. |
| 37. |
| 38. |
| 39. |
| 40. |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
|
| THE PROFIT OF IMPRISONMENT.
|
|
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
|
|
|
|
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| 13. |
| 14. |
| 15. |
| 16. |
| 17. |
| 18. |
| 19. |
| 20. |
| 21. |
| 22. |
| 23. |
| 24. |
| 25. |
| 26. |
| 27. |
| 28. |
| 29. |
| 30. |
| 31. |
| 32. |
| 33. |
| 34. |
| 35. |
| 36. |
| 37. |
| 38. |
| 39. |
| 40. |
| 41. |
| 42. |
| 43. |
| 44. |
| 45. |
| 46. |
| 47. |
| 48. |
| 49. |
| 50. |
|
|
|
 | Du Bartas |  |
619
THE PROFIT OF IMPRISONMENT.
A PARADOX, WRITTEN IN FRENCH BY Odet de la Noue, Lord of Teligni, being Prisoner in the Castle of Tourney.
Translated by Iosvah Sylvester.
621
TO HIS LONG APPROVED friend, M. R. Nicolson I. S. wisheth euer all true content.
To thee (the same to me as first I meant)Friend to the Muses, and the well-inclinde,
Louing, and lov'd of euery vertuous minde:
To thee the same, I the same Song present
(Our mutuall loue's eternall Monument)
Wherein, our Nephewes shall heer-after finde
Our constant Friendship how it was combinde
With links of kindness and acknowledgement.
Accept againe this Present in good part,
This simple pledge of my sincere affection
To Tangley, Thee, and thy Soon-calm-in-heart
(Perfect good-will supplies all imperfection).
Chameleons change their colour: Guile her game:
But (in both Fortunes) Vertue's still the same.
622
A SONNET OF THE Author to his Booke.
The Bodie ouer-prone to Pleasures and delightsOf soft, frail, dainty flesh, and to self-ease addicted,
Abhors Imprisonment, as a base paine inflicted
To punish the defaults of most vnhappy wights.
The Soule, as much surpriz'd with loue of heauenly sights,
And longing to behold the place that appertaines-her,
Doth loath the Bodie, as a Prison that detaines-her
From her high happiness among the blessed sprights.
Then, sith both Bodie and Soule their bondage neuer brook,
But Soule and Bodie both doo loue their liberty:
Tell, tell me (O my Muse) who will beleeue our Book?
He that hath learn'd a-right both these to mortifie,
And serue our Sauiour Christ in bodie and in spirit,
Who both from thrall hath freed by his owne only merit.
623
A PARADOX, THAT ADVERSITY IS MORE necessary then Prosperity; and that, of all afflictions, Close-Prison is most pleasant, and most profitable.
How-ever fondly-false a vaine Opinion seem;
If but the Vulgar once the same for right esteem,
Most men account it so: so (in absurdest things)
Consent of multitude exceeding credit brings.
Nor any mean remaines when it is once receiued,
To wrest it from the most of erring mindes deceiued.
Nay, whoso shall but say, they ought to alter it,
He headlong casts himselfe in dangers deepest Pit.
If but the Vulgar once the same for right esteem,
Most men account it so: so (in absurdest things)
Consent of multitude exceeding credit brings.
Nor any mean remaines when it is once receiued,
To wrest it from the most of erring mindes deceiued.
Nay, whoso shall but say, they ought to alter it,
He headlong casts himselfe in dangers deepest Pit.
For never nimble Barke that on aduenture runs
Through those blew bounding Hils where hoary Neptune wuns,
Was set-vpon so sore with never-ceast assault
Maintain'd on every side by windes and waters salt,
When, raging most, they raise their roughest tempest dreaded,
As th'idiot multitude, that Monster many-headed
Bestirres it selfe, with wrath, spight, fury, full of terror,
'Gainst whatsoever man that dares reprove her error.
Who vndertakes that taske, must make account (at first)
To take hot wars in hand, and beare away the worst.
Therefore a many Works (worthy the light) haue died
Before their birth, in brests of Fathers terrified,
Not by rough deeds alone; but even by foolish threats:
Yet onely noyse of words base cowards only beats.
Through those blew bounding Hils where hoary Neptune wuns,
Was set-vpon so sore with never-ceast assault
Maintain'd on every side by windes and waters salt,
When, raging most, they raise their roughest tempest dreaded,
As th'idiot multitude, that Monster many-headed
Bestirres it selfe, with wrath, spight, fury, full of terror,
'Gainst whatsoever man that dares reprove her error.
Who vndertakes that taske, must make account (at first)
To take hot wars in hand, and beare away the worst.
Therefore a many Works (worthy the light) haue died
Before their birth, in brests of Fathers terrified,
Not by rough deeds alone; but even by foolish threats:
Yet onely noyse of words base cowards only beats.
Then feare who list (for me) the common peoples cry,
And whoso list, be mute, if otherminded: I
(Scorning the feeble force of such a vain indeavour)
Will freely (spight of feare) say, what I censure ever:
And, though my present State permit me not such scope,
Mine vn-forbidden pen with Errors pride shall cope.
And whoso list, be mute, if otherminded: I
(Scorning the feeble force of such a vain indeavour)
Will freely (spight of feare) say, what I censure ever:
And, though my present State permit me not such scope,
Mine vn-forbidden pen with Errors pride shall cope.
Close Prison (now a-dayes) th'extreamest miserie
The world doth deem, I deem direct the contrarie:
And there-with-all will prove, that even Aduersities
Are to be wished more then most Prosperities.
And, for Imprisonment, though that be most lamented,
Of all the griefes where with men feare to be tormented;
Yet, that's the State most stor'd with pleasure and delight,
And the most gainfull too to any Christian wight.
A Paradox, no doubt more true, then creditable;
The which my selfe somtimes haue also thought a fable,
While guile-full vanities, fed not, but fill'd my minde,
For strengthening sustenance, with vn-substantiall winde.
The world doth deem, I deem direct the contrarie:
And there-with-all will prove, that even Aduersities
Are to be wished more then most Prosperities.
624
Of all the griefes where with men feare to be tormented;
Yet, that's the State most stor'd with pleasure and delight,
And the most gainfull too to any Christian wight.
A Paradox, no doubt more true, then creditable;
The which my selfe somtimes haue also thought a fable,
While guile-full vanities, fed not, but fill'd my minde,
For strengthening sustenance, with vn-substantiall winde.
I hated Death to death, I also did detest
All sickness and disease that might a man molest.
But most I did abhorre that base esteemed state,
Which to subiections Law our selves doth subiugate,
And our sweet life enthrals vnto anothers will:
For, as my fancy wisht I would haue walked still.
Death (thought I) soon hath done, and every griefe besides,
The more extream it is, the lesser time abides:
But now, besides that I esteem'd the prisoners trouble
Much worse, me thought the time his martyrdom did double.
So that, to scape that scourge, so irksom to my hart,
I could haue been content to suffer any smart.
All sickness and disease that might a man molest.
But most I did abhorre that base esteemed state,
Which to subiections Law our selves doth subiugate,
And our sweet life enthrals vnto anothers will:
For, as my fancy wisht I would haue walked still.
Death (thought I) soon hath done, and every griefe besides,
The more extream it is, the lesser time abides:
But now, besides that I esteem'd the prisoners trouble
Much worse, me thought the time his martyrdom did double.
So that, to scape that scourge, so irksom to my hart,
I could haue been content to suffer any smart.
Lo, by blind ignorance how iudgements are mis-led:
Now that full thirtie months I have experienced
That so-much-feared ill, 'tis now so vs'd to me,
That I (a prisoner) liue much more content and free,
Then when as (vnder cloake of a false freedom vain)
I was base slaue (indeed) to many a bitter pain.
Now that full thirtie months I have experienced
That so-much-feared ill, 'tis now so vs'd to me,
That I (a prisoner) liue much more content and free,
Then when as (vnder cloake of a false freedom vain)
I was base slaue (indeed) to many a bitter pain.
But, now I see my selfe mockt every-where almost,
And feeble me alone met by a mightie hoast
Of such, as (in this case) doo not conceiue as I,
But doo esteem themselues offended much thereby.
And feeble me alone met by a mightie hoast
Of such, as (in this case) doo not conceiue as I,
But doo esteem themselues offended much thereby.
And therefore (Father deer) this weake abortiue Childe,
For refuge runs between th'armes of his Grand-sire milde.
If you accept of it, my labour hath his hire:
For, careless of the rest, all that I heer desire,
Is onely that your selfe (as in a Glasse) may see
The Image of th'estate of my Captivity:
Where, though I nothing can availe the Common-weale,
Yet I availe my selfe (at least) some little deale;
Praising th'all powerfull Lord, that thus vouchsafes to poure
Such favours manifold vpon me every houre;
Wherof your self (yet while) so sweet sure proof haue tasted,
In cruell bitterness of bands that longer lasted.
For refuge runs between th'armes of his Grand-sire milde.
If you accept of it, my labour hath his hire:
For, careless of the rest, all that I heer desire,
Is onely that your selfe (as in a Glasse) may see
The Image of th'estate of my Captivity:
Where, though I nothing can availe the Common-weale,
Yet I availe my selfe (at least) some little deale;
Praising th'all powerfull Lord, that thus vouchsafes to poure
Such favours manifold vpon me every houre;
Wherof your self (yet while) so sweet sure proof haue tasted,
In cruell bitterness of bands that longer lasted.
Now, I beseech his Grace to blesse mine enterprise,
My heart and hand at once to gouern in such wise,
That what I write, may nought displeasing him containe:
For, voyd of his sweet aide, who works he works in vaine.
My heart and hand at once to gouern in such wise,
That what I write, may nought displeasing him containe:
For, voyd of his sweet aide, who works he works in vaine.
Within the wide-spred space of these round Elements,
Whatever is indewd with living soule and sense,
Seeks (of it selfe) selfe-good; this instinct naturall
Nature her selfe hath grauen in hearts of Creatures all:
And, of all liuing things (from largest to the least)
Eeach one to flie his ill doth euermore his best.
Thereof it comes (we see) the wilde Horse (full of strength)
Tamely to take the bit into his mouth at length;
And so, by force we tame each most vntamed beast,
Which, of it selfe, discreet, of euils takes the least:
And though that that which seems to be his chiefe restraint
He often-times despise, that's by a worse constraint:
As, when the Lion fierce, feare-lesse pursues the shining
Of bright keen-pearcing blades, and's royal crest declining,
Full of the valiant Fire, that courage woonts to lend,
Runnes midst a million swords, his whelpling's to defend,
More fearing farre that they their liberty should lose,
Than on himselfe the smart of thousand wounding blowes.
Whatever is indewd with living soule and sense,
625
Nature her selfe hath grauen in hearts of Creatures all:
And, of all liuing things (from largest to the least)
Eeach one to flie his ill doth euermore his best.
Thereof it comes (we see) the wilde Horse (full of strength)
Tamely to take the bit into his mouth at length;
And so, by force we tame each most vntamed beast,
Which, of it selfe, discreet, of euils takes the least:
And though that that which seems to be his chiefe restraint
He often-times despise, that's by a worse constraint:
As, when the Lion fierce, feare-lesse pursues the shining
Of bright keen-pearcing blades, and's royal crest declining,
Full of the valiant Fire, that courage woonts to lend,
Runnes midst a million swords, his whelpling's to defend,
More fearing farre that they their liberty should lose,
Than on himselfe the smart of thousand wounding blowes.
But, all things haue not now the selfe same goods and ils;
What helpeth one, the same another hurts and kils:
There's ods between the good that sauage Beasts do like,
And that good (good indeed) which soule-wise man must seek:
When Beasts haue store of food; and free from foe's annoy,
Smartlesse, and sound, and safe, may (as they list) enioy
Their fill of thóse delights, that most delight the sense;
That, that's the happiness that fully them contents:
But reasonable soules (as God hath made mankind)
Can with so wretched Good not satisfie their mind.
But by how much the more their inly sight excels
The brutish appetite of euery creature els,
So much more excellent the good for which they thirst.
Man of two parts is made: the body is the worst,
The Heav'n-born soule, the best, wherein mans blisse abides;
In body that of beasts, nought hauing els besides;
This body stands in need of many an accessorie,
To make it somewhat seem: the soule receiues this glory,
That selfly she subsists; and her aboundant wealth
(Vnlike the bodies store) is euer safe from stealth.
What helpeth one, the same another hurts and kils:
There's ods between the good that sauage Beasts do like,
And that good (good indeed) which soule-wise man must seek:
When Beasts haue store of food; and free from foe's annoy,
Smartlesse, and sound, and safe, may (as they list) enioy
Their fill of thóse delights, that most delight the sense;
That, that's the happiness that fully them contents:
But reasonable soules (as God hath made mankind)
Can with so wretched Good not satisfie their mind.
But by how much the more their inly sight excels
The brutish appetite of euery creature els,
So much more excellent the good for which they thirst.
Man of two parts is made: the body is the worst,
The Heav'n-born soule, the best, wherein mans blisse abides;
In body that of beasts, nought hauing els besides;
This body stands in need of many an accessorie,
To make it somewhat seem: the soule receiues this glory,
That selfly she subsists; and her aboundant wealth
(Vnlike the bodies store) is euer safe from stealth.
Our body took his birth of this terrestriall clod:
Our spirit, it was inspir'd of th'inly breath of God;
And either of them still striues to his proper place,
This (earth-born) stoopes to earth; that sties to heauen apace.
But, as the silly bird, whose wings are wrapt in lime,
Faine (but in vaine) attempts to flie full many a time:
So, our faire soule, surcharg'd with this foule robe of mud,
Is too-too often held from mounting to her Good.
She striues, she strikes, somtimes she lifts her vp aloft:
But as the worser part (we see) preuaileth oft,
This false fraile flesh of ours, with pleasure's painted lure,
Straight makes her stoop againe downe to the dust impure.
Our spirit, it was inspir'd of th'inly breath of God;
And either of them still striues to his proper place,
This (earth-born) stoopes to earth; that sties to heauen apace.
But, as the silly bird, whose wings are wrapt in lime,
Faine (but in vaine) attempts to flie full many a time:
So, our faire soule, surcharg'd with this foule robe of mud,
Is too-too often held from mounting to her Good.
She striues, she strikes, somtimes she lifts her vp aloft:
But as the worser part (we see) preuaileth oft,
This false fraile flesh of ours, with pleasure's painted lure,
Straight makes her stoop againe downe to the dust impure.
626
Happy who th'honour hath of such a victory:
He crowns his conquering head with more true maiesty
Then if he had subdued those Nations, by his might,
Which doo discouer first Aurora's early light,
And those whom Phœbus sees from his Meridian Mount,
Th'Anti-podes, and all; more then the sand to count.
For, small the honour is to be acknowledg'd King
And Monarke of the world, ones selfe vn-mastering.
He crowns his conquering head with more true maiesty
Then if he had subdued those Nations, by his might,
Which doo discouer first Aurora's early light,
And those whom Phœbus sees from his Meridian Mount,
Th'Anti-podes, and all; more then the sand to count.
For, small the honour is to be acknowledg'd King
And Monarke of the world, ones selfe vn-mastering.
But, each man on his head this Garland cannot set,
Nor is it giuen to all this victorie to get.
Onely a very few (Gods deere-belov'd Elect)
This happy Goale haue got by Vertues lyue effect:
The rest, soon weary of this same so painfull War,
Like well of Heauen, but loue the earth aboue it far:
Some, drunk with poysony dregs of worldly pleasures brute,
Know where true good consists, but neuer doo ensue't:
Some doo ensue the same, but with so faint a heart,
That at the first assault they doo retire and start:
Some, more courageous, vow more then they bring to passe
(So much more easie 'tis to say, then doo, alas)
And all, through too-much loue of this vaine worlds allurements,
Or too-much idle feare of sufferings and endurements:
Meere vanities, whereto the more men doo incline,
The farther-off they are from their chiefe Good diuine.
Nor is it giuen to all this victorie to get.
Onely a very few (Gods deere-belov'd Elect)
This happy Goale haue got by Vertues lyue effect:
The rest, soon weary of this same so painfull War,
Like well of Heauen, but loue the earth aboue it far:
Some, drunk with poysony dregs of worldly pleasures brute,
Know where true good consists, but neuer doo ensue't:
Some doo ensue the same, but with so faint a heart,
That at the first assault they doo retire and start:
Some, more courageous, vow more then they bring to passe
(So much more easie 'tis to say, then doo, alas)
And all, through too-much loue of this vaine worlds allurements,
Or too-much idle feare of sufferings and endurements:
Meere vanities, whereto the more men doo incline,
The farther-off they are from their chiefe Good diuine.
Therefore, so many think themselues so miserable:
Therefore the aire is fill'd with out-cries lamentable
Of such as doo disdaine the thing that better is,
To entertaine the worse, with forfeit of their blisse:
Therefore we see those men that riches doo possesse,
Afflicted still with care: and therefore heauinesse
Abandons neuer those, that, fed with honours fill,
Fawne vpon Potentates, for flitting fauours still.
And, cause (God wot) they haue, to be at quiet neuer,
Sith their felicitie is so vncertaine euer.
Neither are Kings themselues exempted from vexation,
How-euer Soueraine sway they beare in any Nation:
For, now they wish to win, anon feare losse no lesse.
Yea, though (for Empire) they did this wide world possesse,
Not one of them, withall, could full contented be:
For, how man more attaines, the more attempteth he.
Who (therefore) couets most such soon-past goods vncertain,
Shall ne'r enioy the ioy of goods abiding certain:
But, whoso seeks to build a true content, to last,
On else-what must else-where his first foundation cast.
For all things here belowe are apt to alter euer;
Here's nothing permanent: and therefore whosoeuer
Trusts thereto, trusteth to a broken staffe for stay;
For no earth's vanity can blesse a man for aye.
We must, to make vs blest, our firme assurance found
Els-where then in this world, this change-inthralled ground:
We must propose our selues that perfect, perish-less,
That true vnfained good, that good all danger-less
From th'vniust spoile of theeues, which neuer, neuer stands
In need of guard, to guard from Souldiers pilling, hands.
Therefore the aire is fill'd with out-cries lamentable
Of such as doo disdaine the thing that better is,
To entertaine the worse, with forfeit of their blisse:
Therefore we see those men that riches doo possesse,
Afflicted still with care: and therefore heauinesse
Abandons neuer those, that, fed with honours fill,
Fawne vpon Potentates, for flitting fauours still.
And, cause (God wot) they haue, to be at quiet neuer,
Sith their felicitie is so vncertaine euer.
Neither are Kings themselues exempted from vexation,
How-euer Soueraine sway they beare in any Nation:
For, now they wish to win, anon feare losse no lesse.
Yea, though (for Empire) they did this wide world possesse,
Not one of them, withall, could full contented be:
For, how man more attaines, the more attempteth he.
Who (therefore) couets most such soon-past goods vncertain,
Shall ne'r enioy the ioy of goods abiding certain:
But, whoso seeks to build a true content, to last,
On else-what must else-where his first foundation cast.
For all things here belowe are apt to alter euer;
Here's nothing permanent: and therefore whosoeuer
Trusts thereto, trusteth to a broken staffe for stay;
For no earth's vanity can blesse a man for aye.
627
Els-where then in this world, this change-inthralled ground:
We must propose our selues that perfect, perish-less,
That true vnfained good, that good all danger-less
From th'vniust spoile of theeues, which neuer, neuer stands
In need of guard, to guard from Souldiers pilling, hands.
Now, 'tis with spirituall hands and not with corporall,
That we doo apprehend these heauenly treasures all:
Treasures so precious, that th'onely hope to haue-them
In full fruition once, with him that frankly gaue-them,
Fills vs with euery ioy, our sorrowes choaks and kills,
And makes vs feele, amid our most tormenting ills,
A much more calme content, then those that euery day
On this fraile earth inioy their hearts wish euery way.
That we doo apprehend these heauenly treasures all:
Treasures so precious, that th'onely hope to haue-them
In full fruition once, with him that frankly gaue-them,
Fills vs with euery ioy, our sorrowes choaks and kills,
And makes vs feele, amid our most tormenting ills,
A much more calme content, then those that euery day
On this fraile earth inioy their hearts wish euery way.
It's therefore in the spirit, not in the flesh that we
Must seeke our Soueraigne Good and chiefe Felicitie.
Th'one is not capable of any iniurie:
Th'other's thrall to th'yoak of many a miserie:
Th'one end-less, euer-lasts: th'other endures so little,
That wel-nigh yer't be got, 'tis gone, it is so brittle.
Must seeke our Soueraigne Good and chiefe Felicitie.
Th'one is not capable of any iniurie:
Th'other's thrall to th'yoak of many a miserie:
Th'one end-less, euer-lasts: th'other endures so little,
That wel-nigh yer't be got, 'tis gone, it is so brittle.
For, who is he that now in wealth aboundeth most,
Or, he that in the Court Kings fauours best may boast,
Or, he that's most with robes of dignity bedight,
Or, he that swimmes on Seas of sensuall sweet delight,
But is in perill still to proue the contrarie,
Poore, hated, honour-less, and full of misery?
Or, he that in the Court Kings fauours best may boast,
Or, he that's most with robes of dignity bedight,
Or, he that swimmes on Seas of sensuall sweet delight,
But is in perill still to proue the contrarie,
Poore, hated, honour-less, and full of misery?
But, one, that scorning all these rich proud pomps and pleasures
About him (Bias like) beares alwaies all his treasures,
Euen (like to him) can leaue his natiue Country sackt
Without sustaine of losse; and, with a mind infract,
Euen vanquished bereaue the victors victories,
Who, though his Land he win, cannot his hart surprise.
About him (Bias like) beares alwaies all his treasures,
Euen (like to him) can leaue his natiue Country sackt
Without sustaine of losse; and, with a mind infract,
Euen vanquished bereaue the victors victories,
Who, though his Land he win, cannot his hart surprise.
Let exile, prisonment, and tortures great and small,
With their extreamest paines at-once assaile him all:
Let him be left alone among his mighty foes,
Poore, friendless, naked, sick (or if ought worse then those)
He doth not onely beare all this with patience,
But taketh (euen) delight in such experience,
Regarding all these griefes, which men so much affright,
As Baby-fearing buggs, and scar-crowes void of might:
He chooseth rather much such exercise as these,
Then mid the flesh delights to rust in idle ease.
With their extreamest paines at-once assaile him all:
Let him be left alone among his mighty foes,
Poore, friendless, naked, sick (or if ought worse then those)
He doth not onely beare all this with patience,
But taketh (euen) delight in such experience,
Regarding all these griefes, which men so much affright,
As Baby-fearing buggs, and scar-crowes void of might:
He chooseth rather much such exercise as these,
Then mid the flesh delights to rust in idle ease.
But, very few there are, that thus much will admit:
Nay, few or none there are that easily credit it;
The most part, taking-part with common most conceit,
Yet they haue heard of this, sustaine the tother straight:
Not seeing, that themselues shun and refuse as ill,
What vnto other men, for good they offer still.
Nay, few or none there are that easily credit it;
The most part, taking-part with common most conceit,
Yet they haue heard of this, sustaine the tother straight:
Not seeing, that themselues shun and refuse as ill,
What vnto other men, for good they offer still.
628
Not one of them vvill brooke his Son in sloath to lurke,
But moues and stirrs him vp incessantly to vvork:
Forbids him nothing more then sin-seed idleness:
Nor any pleasure vaine permits him to possesse
(For vvell he knowes, that vvay to vertue doth not lead,
But thither-ward vvho vvalks a path of paine must tread):
If he offend in ought, he chastens and reproues him,
In so much sharper sort by how much more he loues-him.
But moues and stirrs him vp incessantly to vvork:
Forbids him nothing more then sin-seed idleness:
Nor any pleasure vaine permits him to possesse
(For vvell he knowes, that vvay to vertue doth not lead,
But thither-ward vvho vvalks a path of paine must tread):
If he offend in ought, he chastens and reproues him,
In so much sharper sort by how much more he loues-him.
Thus handleth man the thing that most he holdeth deere,
Yet thinks it strange himselfe should be so handled heere.
May vve not rather think vve are belov'd of God,
When as vve feele the stripes of his iust-gentle rod?
And that, vvhom heer he lets liue as they list in pleasure,
Are such as least he loues, and holds not as his treasure?
For so, not of our slaues, but of our sonnes elect,
By sharp-sweet chastisements the manners vve correct.
Yet thinks it strange himselfe should be so handled heere.
May vve not rather think vve are belov'd of God,
When as vve feele the stripes of his iust-gentle rod?
And that, vvhom heer he lets liue as they list in pleasure,
Are such as least he loues, and holds not as his treasure?
For so, not of our slaues, but of our sonnes elect,
By sharp-sweet chastisements the manners vve correct.
In very deed God doth as doth a prudent Sire,
Who little careth what may crosse his childes desire,
But vvhat may most auaile vnto his betterment:
So, knowing vvell that ease vvould make vs negligent,
He exerciseth vs, he stirres vs vp, and presses:
And, though vve murmur much, yet neuer-more he ceases,
He chastens, he afflicts: and those vvhom most he striketh,
Are those vvhom most he loues, and whom he chiefly liketh.
Who little careth what may crosse his childes desire,
But vvhat may most auaile vnto his betterment:
So, knowing vvell that ease vvould make vs negligent,
He exerciseth vs, he stirres vs vp, and presses:
And, though vve murmur much, yet neuer-more he ceases,
He chastens, he afflicts: and those vvhom most he striketh,
Are those vvhom most he loues, and whom he chiefly liketh.
No valiant men of vvarre vvill murmur or mislike,
For being plaç't to proue the formost push of pike:
Nay, rather would they there already front the foe,
With losse of deerest blood, their dauntlesse harts to show.
If an exploit approach, or Battel-day draw nie,
If ambush must be laid, some Stratagem to trie;
Or, must they meet the foe in eger skirmish fell,
Or for the sleepy hoast all night keepe sentinell:
From grudging at the paines, so far off are they all,
That blest they count themselues; therefore their Generall
Imployes them often-times, as most couragious;
And, them approu'd, he plants in places dangerous:
But, no man makes account of such as shun the charge,
Whose paine is not so little as their shame is large.
For being plaç't to proue the formost push of pike:
Nay, rather would they there already front the foe,
With losse of deerest blood, their dauntlesse harts to show.
If an exploit approach, or Battel-day draw nie,
If ambush must be laid, some Stratagem to trie;
Or, must they meet the foe in eger skirmish fell,
Or for the sleepy hoast all night keepe sentinell:
From grudging at the paines, so far off are they all,
That blest they count themselues; therefore their Generall
Imployes them often-times, as most couragious;
And, them approu'd, he plants in places dangerous:
But, no man makes account of such as shun the charge,
Whose paine is not so little as their shame is large.
All of vs (in this world) resemble Souldiers right,
From day-breake of our birth euen to our dying night:
This life it is a warre, vvherein the valiantest,
With hottest skirmishes are euer plied and prest:
Whom our grand-Captaine most sets-by, he sets a-frunt
The foreward, as most fit to beare the chiefest brunt.
Cares, exiles, prisonments, diseases, dolours, losses,
Maimes, tortures, torments, spoiles, contempt, dishonours, crosses,
All these are hard exploits, and full of bickrings bold,
Which he commits to those whom he doth deerest hold:
But, leaueth those behinde for whom he careth little,
To stretch themselues at ease amid their honours brittle,
Their pomps, their dignities, their ioies, their gems, their treasures,
Their dainties, their delights, their pastimes and their pleasures;
Like coward Groomes that guard the baggage and the stuffe,
While others meet the foe, and shew their valours proofe.
From day-breake of our birth euen to our dying night:
This life it is a warre, vvherein the valiantest,
With hottest skirmishes are euer plied and prest:
Whom our grand-Captaine most sets-by, he sets a-frunt
The foreward, as most fit to beare the chiefest brunt.
Cares, exiles, prisonments, diseases, dolours, losses,
Maimes, tortures, torments, spoiles, contempt, dishonours, crosses,
All these are hard exploits, and full of bickrings bold,
Which he commits to those whom he doth deerest hold:
629
To stretch themselues at ease amid their honours brittle,
Their pomps, their dignities, their ioies, their gems, their treasures,
Their dainties, their delights, their pastimes and their pleasures;
Like coward Groomes that guard the baggage and the stuffe,
While others meet the foe, and shew their valours proofe.
But haue not these (say some) in these afflictions part?
No; but of punishment, they often feele the smart:
Afflicted those we count, whom chastnings tame, and turne;
The other punished, that at correction spurne:
The first (still full of hope) reape profit by their rods;
The later (desperate) through spight wax worse by ods.
No; but of punishment, they often feele the smart:
Afflicted those we count, whom chastnings tame, and turne;
The other punished, that at correction spurne:
The first (still full of hope) reape profit by their rods;
The later (desperate) through spight wax worse by ods.
Boy-stragglers of a Camp, so should be punisht then,
Being naked forç't to fight with troupes of armed men,
Who cannot reap nor reach the pleasure, nor the meed,
Nor th'honour incident for doing such a deed:
To such praise-winning place, braue Souldiers gladly run,
Which as a dangerous place these faint-harts sadly shun.
Being naked forç't to fight with troupes of armed men,
Who cannot reap nor reach the pleasure, nor the meed,
Nor th'honour incident for doing such a deed:
To such praise-winning place, braue Souldiers gladly run,
Which as a dangerous place these faint-harts sadly shun.
What Warriour in the world, that had not rather trie
A million of extreames (yea rather euen to die)
Then with disgracefull spot to staine his Honour bright
In these corporeall Warres? Yet, in the ghostly fight
(Of glory careless all) wee shun all labours pain,
To purchase with reproche a rest-nestidly-vain.
Vertue is not atchieu'd, by spending of the yeer
In pleasures soft, sweet shades, down beds and dainty cheere:
Continuall trauell 'tis that makes vs there arriue,
And so by trauell too Vertue is kept aliue:
For, soon all vertue vades without some exercise;
But, being stird, the more her vigour multiplies.
A million of extreames (yea rather euen to die)
Then with disgracefull spot to staine his Honour bright
In these corporeall Warres? Yet, in the ghostly fight
(Of glory careless all) wee shun all labours pain,
To purchase with reproche a rest-nestidly-vain.
Vertue is not atchieu'd, by spending of the yeer
In pleasures soft, sweet shades, down beds and dainty cheere:
Continuall trauell 'tis that makes vs there arriue,
And so by trauell too Vertue is kept aliue:
For, soon all vertue vades without some exercise;
But, being stird, the more her vigour multiplies.
Besides, what man is he, that feels some member rotten,
Whereof he feares to die, but causeth straight be gotten
Some surgeon, that with sawe, with cauter, or with knife,
May take that part away, to saue his threatned life:
And suffers (though with smart) his very flesh and bones
To be both sear'd, and saw'd, and cleane cut-off at once?
But, to recure the soule (the soule with sin infected)
All wholesome remedies are hated and reiected:
With the Physician kind th'impatient Patient frets,
Nor to come neere him once his helpfull hand he lets:
We are halfe putrefied, through sinnes contagious spot,
And without speedy help the rest must wholly rot:
Cut-off th'infected part, then are we sound and free,
Els all must perish needs, there is no remedie.
Whereof he feares to die, but causeth straight be gotten
Some surgeon, that with sawe, with cauter, or with knife,
May take that part away, to saue his threatned life:
And suffers (though with smart) his very flesh and bones
To be both sear'd, and saw'd, and cleane cut-off at once?
But, to recure the soule (the soule with sin infected)
All wholesome remedies are hated and reiected:
With the Physician kind th'impatient Patient frets,
Nor to come neere him once his helpfull hand he lets:
We are halfe putrefied, through sinnes contagious spot,
And without speedy help the rest must wholly rot:
Cut-off th'infected part, then are we sound and free,
Els all must perish needs, there is no remedie.
Most happy they, from whom in this fraile life, the Lord
(With smart of many paines) cuts-off the paines abhord
Of th'euer-neuer death, wherein they lye and languish,
That heere haue had their ease and neuer tasted anguish.
(With smart of many paines) cuts-off the paines abhord
Of th'euer-neuer death, wherein they lye and languish,
That heere haue had their ease and neuer tasted anguish.
630
But many, which as yet the aduerse part approoue,
Conceiue (if not confesse) that it doth more behooue
By faintless exercise faire Vertue to maintaine,
Then ouer-whelm'd with Vice, at rest to rust in vaine.
But yet th'extreamity of sufferings doth dismay-them,
The force where-of they feare would easily ouer-lay them:
They loue the exercise, the chastenings likewise like them,
But yet they would haue God but seld and softly strike-them;
Els are they prest to runne, to ruine, with the Diuels,
They are so sore afeard of false supposed euils:
Most wretched is the man that for the feare of nifles,
All liuely-breathing hopes of happy goodnes stifles.
Of nifles, Sir, say they? seeme all their bitter crosses,
As nothing? nor their paines, nor lamentable losses,
That daily they indure? were not the vvretches blest,
If from their heauie load their shoulders vvere releast?
Conceiue (if not confesse) that it doth more behooue
By faintless exercise faire Vertue to maintaine,
Then ouer-whelm'd with Vice, at rest to rust in vaine.
But yet th'extreamity of sufferings doth dismay-them,
The force where-of they feare would easily ouer-lay them:
They loue the exercise, the chastenings likewise like them,
But yet they would haue God but seld and softly strike-them;
Els are they prest to runne, to ruine, with the Diuels,
They are so sore afeard of false supposed euils:
Most wretched is the man that for the feare of nifles,
All liuely-breathing hopes of happy goodnes stifles.
Of nifles, Sir, say they? seeme all their bitter crosses,
As nothing? nor their paines, nor lamentable losses,
That daily they indure? were not the vvretches blest,
If from their heauie load their shoulders vvere releast?
Who is not happy (sure) in misery and woe,
No doubt prosperity can neuer make him so:
No more then he that's sick should find more ease vpon
A glorious golden bed, then on a wooden one.
Man harbours in himselfe the euill that afflicts-him,
And his owne fault it is, if discontentment pricks-him:
And all these outward ills are wrongfully accused,
Which flesh and blood doth blame; for, being rightly vsed,
They all turne to our good: but whoso takes offence
Thereby, hath by and by his iust rough recompence:
For neither in their power, nor in their proof the same
Are euills in effect, but in conceit and name:
Which when we lightly vvaigh, the least of vs surmounts them,
Nor hurt they any one but him that ouer-counts them.
No doubt prosperity can neuer make him so:
No more then he that's sick should find more ease vpon
A glorious golden bed, then on a wooden one.
Man harbours in himselfe the euill that afflicts-him,
And his owne fault it is, if discontentment pricks-him:
And all these outward ills are wrongfully accused,
Which flesh and blood doth blame; for, being rightly vsed,
They all turne to our good: but whoso takes offence
Thereby, hath by and by his iust rough recompence:
For neither in their power, nor in their proof the same
Are euills in effect, but in conceit and name:
Which when we lightly vvaigh, the least of vs surmounts them,
Nor hurt they any one but him that ouer-counts them.
Neither ought that (indeed) for euill to be rated,
Which may by accident be vnto good translated:
For ill is euer ill, and is contrary euer
Directly vnto good, so that their natures neuer
Can be constrain'd to brooke each other, neither yet
Can th'one be euer turn'd to th'other opposite:
But, plainely we perceiue, that there's no languor such,
But long continuance and custome lighten much;
Familiarizing so the Fit, that how-so fret it,
Euen in the extremitie one may almost forget it.
What better proofe of this then these poore Gally-slaues,
Which, hauing been before such Rogues and idle Knaues,
As shunning seruices to labour were so loth,
That they would starue and die rather then leaue their sloth,
But being vs'd a while to tug the painfull Oare,
Labour that yerst they loath'd, they now desire the more:
Or those that are assail'd with burning Feuer-fit,
Euen then when least of all they dread or doubt of it:
Who carefully complaine, and crie, and raue and rage,
Frying in inward flames, the which they cannot swage;
Yet, if it wax not worse, the daintiest body makes it
In eight dayes as a vse, and as a trifle takes it:
Or, those that haue somtimes the painfull rack indured,
Who without charge of paine being a while inured,
The paine that did constraine them to bewaile and weepe,
Seemes them so easie then, they almost fall a-sleepe.
Which may by accident be vnto good translated:
For ill is euer ill, and is contrary euer
Directly vnto good, so that their natures neuer
Can be constrain'd to brooke each other, neither yet
Can th'one be euer turn'd to th'other opposite:
But, plainely we perceiue, that there's no languor such,
But long continuance and custome lighten much;
Familiarizing so the Fit, that how-so fret it,
Euen in the extremitie one may almost forget it.
What better proofe of this then these poore Gally-slaues,
Which, hauing been before such Rogues and idle Knaues,
As shunning seruices to labour were so loth,
That they would starue and die rather then leaue their sloth,
But being vs'd a while to tug the painfull Oare,
Labour that yerst they loath'd, they now desire the more:
Or those that are assail'd with burning Feuer-fit,
Euen then when least of all they dread or doubt of it:
Who carefully complaine, and crie, and raue and rage,
631
Yet, if it wax not worse, the daintiest body makes it
In eight dayes as a vse, and as a trifle takes it:
Or, those that haue somtimes the painfull rack indured,
Who without charge of paine being a while inured,
The paine that did constraine them to bewaile and weepe,
Seemes them so easie then, they almost fall a-sleepe.
All are not euills then, that are surnamed so,
Sith euill neuer can his nature mingle, no,
Nor turne it into good; whereas we plainely see
On th'other side, that these are changed sodainly.
And, vvere they ills (indeed) sith they so little last,
Were 't not a very shame to be so much agast?
Sith euill neuer can his nature mingle, no,
Nor turne it into good; whereas we plainely see
On th'other side, that these are changed sodainly.
And, vvere they ills (indeed) sith they so little last,
Were 't not a very shame to be so much agast?
But here again (say they) th'ones nature neuer taketh
The others nature on, but still the stronger maketh
His fellow giue him place, and only beareth sway
Till that, return'd againe, driue it againe away.
The others nature on, but still the stronger maketh
His fellow giue him place, and only beareth sway
Till that, return'd againe, driue it againe away.
Nay, that can neuer be: for neuer perfect good
Can by his contrarie be banisht (though withstood):
For, good is euer good, and wheresoe'r it goe
Euill doth euer striue, but with too strong a foe.
There is no reason then, these, good, or ill to call,
That alter in this sort, and neuer rest at all:
Neither to blesse or blame them for the good or ill
That euer in her selfe our soule concealeth still.
Can by his contrarie be banisht (though withstood):
For, good is euer good, and wheresoe'r it goe
Euill doth euer striue, but with too strong a foe.
There is no reason then, these, good, or ill to call,
That alter in this sort, and neuer rest at all:
Neither to blesse or blame them for the good or ill
That euer in her selfe our soule concealeth still.
For, if that from without, our bale, or else our blisse
Arriued; euermore withall must follow this,
That alwaies, vnto all, selfe ill, selfe paine, would bring:
Selfe good, one selfe content: but tis a certaine thing,
They are not taken for their quality and kind,
But rather as th'effects of men are most inclin'd.
Arriued; euermore withall must follow this,
That alwaies, vnto all, selfe ill, selfe paine, would bring:
Selfe good, one selfe content: but tis a certaine thing,
They are not taken for their quality and kind,
But rather as th'effects of men are most inclin'd.
One, losing but a crowne, hath lost his patience quight:
Another, hauing lost fiue hundred in a night,
Is neuer mov'd a iote, though (hauing lesse in store,
Then th'other hath by ods) his losse might grieue him more.
One, being banished, doth nothing but lament,
Another (as at home) is there as well content.
And, one in prison pent, is vtterly dismaide:
Another, as at home, liues there as well appaid.
Another, hauing lost fiue hundred in a night,
Is neuer mov'd a iote, though (hauing lesse in store,
Then th'other hath by ods) his losse might grieue him more.
One, being banished, doth nothing but lament,
Another (as at home) is there as well content.
And, one in prison pent, is vtterly dismaide:
Another, as at home, liues there as well appaid.
Needs must we then confesse, that in our selues doth rest
That which vnhappieth vs, and that which makes vs blest:
In vs (indeed) the ill, which of our selues doth growe:
And in vs too the good, which from God's grace doth flowe,
To whom it pleaseth him: true good that none can owe-yet,
Saue those on whom the Lord vouchsafeth to bestow-it:
And that the bitter smart of all the paines that wring-vs,
From nothing but our sinne, receiueth strength to sting-vs.
That which vnhappieth vs, and that which makes vs blest:
In vs (indeed) the ill, which of our selues doth growe:
And in vs too the good, which from God's grace doth flowe,
To whom it pleaseth him: true good that none can owe-yet,
Saue those on whom the Lord vouchsafeth to bestow-it:
And that the bitter smart of all the paines that wring-vs,
From nothing but our sinne, receiueth strength to sting-vs.
Yea, surely in our selues abides our miserie:
Our Grand-sire Adam left vs that for Legacie,
When he enthrall'd himselfe vnto the Law of sin,
Wherein his guilty heires their griefe-full birth begin.
Our Grand-sire Adam left vs that for Legacie,
632
Wherein his guilty heires their griefe-full birth begin.
The Lord had giuen to him a Nature and a feature,
Perfect (indeed) and blest aboue all other creature;
And of this Earthly world had stablisht him as King,
Subiecting to his rule the reanes of euery thing:
His spirit within it selfe no selfe-debates did nurse,
Hauing no knowledge yet of better nor of worse:
His body ever blithe and healthfull felt no war
Of those foure qualities that now doo euer iarre:
Nor any poysony plant, nor any Serpent fell,
Nor any noysom beast could hurt him any deale:
He might, without the taste of bitter death, attaine
Vnto the Hauen of Heauen, were all true Ioyes doo raigne.
And, had he not misdone, he might haue well bequeath'd
The same inheritance to all that euer breath'd:
How happy had he been, if he had neuer eaten
Th'vnlawfull fatall fruit that double Death did threaten?
O that he neuer had preferd the Serpents flatter
Before th'eternall Law of all the worlds Creator.
Perfect (indeed) and blest aboue all other creature;
And of this Earthly world had stablisht him as King,
Subiecting to his rule the reanes of euery thing:
His spirit within it selfe no selfe-debates did nurse,
Hauing no knowledge yet of better nor of worse:
His body ever blithe and healthfull felt no war
Of those foure qualities that now doo euer iarre:
Nor any poysony plant, nor any Serpent fell,
Nor any noysom beast could hurt him any deale:
He might, without the taste of bitter death, attaine
Vnto the Hauen of Heauen, were all true Ioyes doo raigne.
And, had he not misdone, he might haue well bequeath'd
The same inheritance to all that euer breath'd:
How happy had he been, if he had neuer eaten
Th'vnlawfull fatall fruit that double Death did threaten?
O that he neuer had preferd the Serpents flatter
Before th'eternall Law of all the worlds Creator.
You shall be (said the Fiend) like supreame Deities:
This sweet fruits sugred iuice shall open both your eyes
Which now your tyrant God (enuying all your blisse)
Blindes with a filmy vaile of black Obscurities,
Lest that you should become his equals in degree,
Knowing both good and ill as well as euer he.
This sweet fruits sugred iuice shall open both your eyes
Which now your tyrant God (enuying all your blisse)
Blindes with a filmy vaile of black Obscurities,
Lest that you should become his equals in degree,
Knowing both good and ill as well as euer he.
Poor Eue beleeues him straight, and Man beleeues his wife,
And biteth by and by the Apple asking-life:
Whereof so soone as he had tasted, he begins
(But all too-late alas) to see his cursed sinnes.
And biteth by and by the Apple asking-life:
Whereof so soone as he had tasted, he begins
(But all too-late alas) to see his cursed sinnes.
His eyes (indeed) were ope, and then he had the skill
To know the difference between the good and ill:
Then did he knowe how good, good was when he had lost-it,
And euill too he knew (but ah too deerely cost-it)
Leauing himselfe (besides the sorrow of his losse)
Nothing but sad despaire of succour in his crosse.
To know the difference between the good and ill:
Then did he knowe how good, good was when he had lost-it,
And euill too he knew (but ah too deerely cost-it)
Leauing himselfe (besides the sorrow of his losse)
Nothing but sad despaire of succour in his crosse.
He found himself falne down from blisse-full state of peace
Into a ciuill warre where discords neuer cease:
His soule reuolting, soon became his bitter foe.
But (as it oft befalls that worst doo strongest growe)
She is not eas'd at all by th'inly striuing iarres,
Which doo annoy her more then th'irefull open warres.
Wrath, hatred, enuy, feare, sorrow, despaire, and such;
And passions opposite to these, afflict as much,
Distracting to and fro the Princesse of his life,
In restless mutinies, and neuer ceasing strife.
Then th'humor-brethren all, hot, cold, and wet, and dry,
Falne out among themselues, augment his misery.
So that (by their debate) within his flesh there seeded
A haruest of such weeds as neuer can be weeded.
All creatures that before (as Subiects) did attend-him,
Now, 'among themselues conspire by all meanes to offend-him:
In briefe, Immortall borne, now mortall he became,
And bound his soule to bide Hells euer-burning flame,
Leauing his wofull heires (euen from their births beginning)
Heires of his heauy paine, as of his hainous sinning.
Into a ciuill warre where discords neuer cease:
His soule reuolting, soon became his bitter foe.
But (as it oft befalls that worst doo strongest growe)
She is not eas'd at all by th'inly striuing iarres,
Which doo annoy her more then th'irefull open warres.
Wrath, hatred, enuy, feare, sorrow, despaire, and such;
And passions opposite to these, afflict as much,
Distracting to and fro the Princesse of his life,
In restless mutinies, and neuer ceasing strife.
Then th'humor-brethren all, hot, cold, and wet, and dry,
Falne out among themselues, augment his misery.
633
A haruest of such weeds as neuer can be weeded.
All creatures that before (as Subiects) did attend-him,
Now, 'among themselues conspire by all meanes to offend-him:
In briefe, Immortall borne, now mortall he became,
And bound his soule to bide Hells euer-burning flame,
Leauing his wofull heires (euen from their births beginning)
Heires of his heauy paine, as of his hainous sinning.
So that, in him, the Lord condemned all mankind,
To beare the punishment to his foule sinne assign'd:
And none had euer scap't, had not the God of grace
(Desiring more to saue, then to subuert his race)
Redeem'd vs by the death of his deer onely Son,
And chosen vs in him before the World begun:
Forgiuing vs the fault, and with the fault the fine;
All saue this temporall death, of Adams sin the signe.
To beare the punishment to his foule sinne assign'd:
And none had euer scap't, had not the God of grace
(Desiring more to saue, then to subuert his race)
Redeem'd vs by the death of his deer onely Son,
And chosen vs in him before the World begun:
Forgiuing vs the fault, and with the fault the fine;
All saue this temporall death, of Adams sin the signe.
Now in the horror of those ease-lesse, end-lesse paines,
It may be rightly said that euill euer raignes:
That's euill's very selfe; and not this seeming-woe,
Wherof the wanton world complaineth daily so.
It may be rightly said that euill euer raignes:
That's euill's very selfe; and not this seeming-woe,
Wherof the wanton world complaineth daily so.
Liv'd we ten thousand yeers continually tormented
In all fell tortures strange that euer were inuented,
What's that compar'd to time that neuer shall expire,
Amid th'infernall flames, whose least-afflicting fire
Exceedeth all the paines, all mortall hearts can thinke?
Sure, all that we endure, till Lethe drops we drinke,
Is all but ease to that: or if it be a paine,
Tis in respect of that a very trifle vaine.
In all fell tortures strange that euer were inuented,
What's that compar'd to time that neuer shall expire,
Amid th'infernall flames, whose least-afflicting fire
Exceedeth all the paines, all mortall hearts can thinke?
Sure, all that we endure, till Lethe drops we drinke,
Is all but ease to that: or if it be a paine,
Tis in respect of that a very trifle vaine.
But, were't a great deale worse, why should we euill name
That which we rather finde a medicine for the same?
Health, wealth, security, honour and ease doo make vs
Forget our God, and God for that doth soone forsake vs;
Whereas afflictions are ready meanes to mooue vs,
To seeke our health in him that doth so deerely loue-vs.
That which we rather finde a medicine for the same?
Health, wealth, security, honour and ease doo make vs
Forget our God, and God for that doth soone forsake vs;
Whereas afflictions are ready meanes to mooue vs,
To seeke our health in him that doth so deerely loue-vs.
'Tis true indeed: (say some) that benefit they bring-vs,
But yet the smart thereof doth so extreamly wrings-vs,
That th'euill which they feele that doo indure the same,
Makes them esteeme it iust to giue it that for name.
But yet the smart thereof doth so extreamly wrings-vs,
That th'euill which they feele that doo indure the same,
Makes them esteeme it iust to giue it that for name.
Mans nature, certainly (it cannot be denied)
Is thrall to many throes, while here on earth we bide
In body and in soule: the troubled soule sustaines
A thousand passions strong, the body thousand paines:
And that's the vvretched State, the vvhich yer-while I saide,
Was iustly due to vs, vvhen Adam disobay'd.
Is thrall to many throes, while here on earth we bide
In body and in soule: the troubled soule sustaines
A thousand passions strong, the body thousand paines:
And that's the vvretched State, the vvhich yer-while I saide,
Was iustly due to vs, vvhen Adam disobay'd.
But, he that's once new-borne in Iesus Christ by faith,
Who his assured hope in God sole settled hath,
Who doth beleeue that God giues essence vnto all;
And all sustaineth still: that nothing doth befall
But by his sacred will, and that no strength that striueth
To stop his iust decrees, can stand, or euer thriueth;
Not onely doth accept all paines with patience,
The which he takes for due vnto his deepe offence:
Nor onely is content (if such be Gods good pleasure)
To feele a thousand-fold a much more ample measure,
But euen delights therein; and void of any feare,
Expects th'extremitie of all assaults to beare:
Whether almighty God abate their woonted vigor,
Or (that his may not feele their crosses cruell rigor)
Doo wholly arme them with new forces for the nonce,
To beare the bitter brunt: or whether both at once.
Who his assured hope in God sole settled hath,
Who doth beleeue that God giues essence vnto all;
And all sustaineth still: that nothing doth befall
634
To stop his iust decrees, can stand, or euer thriueth;
Not onely doth accept all paines with patience,
The which he takes for due vnto his deepe offence:
Nor onely is content (if such be Gods good pleasure)
To feele a thousand-fold a much more ample measure,
But euen delights therein; and void of any feare,
Expects th'extremitie of all assaults to beare:
Whether almighty God abate their woonted vigor,
Or (that his may not feele their crosses cruell rigor)
Doo wholly arme them with new forces for the nonce,
To beare the bitter brunt: or whether both at once.
And, to approoue this true; how many dayly drink
Of torments bitter Cup, that neuer seeme to shrink?
Alas what sharper smart? what more afflicting paines?
What worser griefe then that, which ceas-lesly sustaines?
He that by some mischance, or els by martiall thunder,
Vnhappily hath had some maine bone broke in sunder?
What torment feeleth not the sore-sicke deepe-diseased?
One while with cruell fit of burning Feuer seised:
Another while assail'd with Colick and with Stone,
Or with the cure-lesse Gout, whose rigour yeelds to none?
Or thousand other griefes, whose bitter vexing strife
Disturbes continually the quiet of our life?
Yet notwithstanding this, in all this painfull anguish,
(Though the most parte repine, and plain, and mourn, and languish
Murmuring against the Lord, with malcontented voice)
Some praise his clemencie, and in his rods reioyce.
Of torments bitter Cup, that neuer seeme to shrink?
Alas what sharper smart? what more afflicting paines?
What worser griefe then that, which ceas-lesly sustaines?
He that by some mischance, or els by martiall thunder,
Vnhappily hath had some maine bone broke in sunder?
What torment feeleth not the sore-sicke deepe-diseased?
One while with cruell fit of burning Feuer seised:
Another while assail'd with Colick and with Stone,
Or with the cure-lesse Gout, whose rigour yeelds to none?
Or thousand other griefes, whose bitter vexing strife
Disturbes continually the quiet of our life?
Yet notwithstanding this, in all this painfull anguish,
(Though the most parte repine, and plain, and mourn, and languish
Murmuring against the Lord, with malcontented voice)
Some praise his clemencie, and in his rods reioyce.
How many such (deere Saints) haue fell tormenters seene
To die betweene their hands, through moody tyrants teen,
So little daunted at their martyrdome and slaughter,
That in th'extremity they haue expressed laughter?
How many at the stake, nay, in the very flame,
Haue sung, with cheerfull voice, th'Almightie's prais-full name?
To die betweene their hands, through moody tyrants teen,
So little daunted at their martyrdome and slaughter,
That in th'extremity they haue expressed laughter?
How many at the stake, nay, in the very flame,
Haue sung, with cheerfull voice, th'Almightie's prais-full name?
Yet were they all compact of artirs and of veines,
Of sinewes, bones, and flesh: and sensible of paines
(By nature at the least) as much as any other,
For being issued all from one selfe earthly mother.
Of sinewes, bones, and flesh: and sensible of paines
(By nature at the least) as much as any other,
For being issued all from one selfe earthly mother.
What makes them then to find such extream smart so sweet?
What makes them patiently those deadly pangs to meet?
No doubt it is the Lord, who first of nothing made-vs,
Who with his liberall hand of goodnes still doth lade-vs,
Some more and other lesse: and neuer ceaseth space
From making vs to feele the fauours of his grace.
What makes them patiently those deadly pangs to meet?
No doubt it is the Lord, who first of nothing made-vs,
Who with his liberall hand of goodnes still doth lade-vs,
Some more and other lesse: and neuer ceaseth space
From making vs to feele the fauours of his grace.
Accurst are they (indeed) whom he doth all abandon
To doo their Lust for Law, and runne their life at randon:
Accurst who neuer taste the sharp-sweet hand of God:
Accurst (ah, most accurst) who neuer feele his rod.
Such men (by nature born the bond-slaues vnto sinne)
Through self-corruption, end worse then they did beginne:
For, how they longer liue, the more by their amisse,
They draw them neerer Hell, and farther-off from blisse.
Such men within themselues their euils spring containe:
There is no outward thing (as falsly they complaine)
Cause of their cureless ill: for good is euery thing,
And good can (of it selfe) to no-man euill bring.
To doo their Lust for Law, and runne their life at randon:
Accurst who neuer taste the sharp-sweet hand of God:
Accurst (ah, most accurst) who neuer feele his rod.
635
Through self-corruption, end worse then they did beginne:
For, how they longer liue, the more by their amisse,
They draw them neerer Hell, and farther-off from blisse.
Such men within themselues their euils spring containe:
There is no outward thing (as falsly they complaine)
Cause of their cureless ill: for good is euery thing,
And good can (of it selfe) to no-man euill bring.
Now, if they could aright these earthly pleasures prize
According to their worth, they would not in such wise,
For lack, or losse of these (so vaine and transitorie)
Lament so bitterly, nor be so sadly-sorrie.
But ouer-louing still these outward things vnstable,
To rest in true content an houre they are not able,
No, not a moments time, their feare doth so assaile-them:
And, if their feare fall true, that their good-fortune faile-them,
Then swell their sullen hearts with sorrow till they burst,
And then (poor desperate soules) they deem themselues accurst;
And so (indeed) they are: but yet they erre in this,
In blaming other things, for their owne selfe-amisse;
Other indifferent things, that neither make, nor marre,
But to the good, be good; to th'euill, euill are.
According to their worth, they would not in such wise,
For lack, or losse of these (so vaine and transitorie)
Lament so bitterly, nor be so sadly-sorrie.
But ouer-louing still these outward things vnstable,
To rest in true content an houre they are not able,
No, not a moments time, their feare doth so assaile-them:
And, if their feare fall true, that their good-fortune faile-them,
Then swell their sullen hearts with sorrow till they burst,
And then (poor desperate soules) they deem themselues accurst;
And so (indeed) they are: but yet they erre in this,
In blaming other things, for their owne selfe-amisse;
Other indifferent things, that neither make, nor marre,
But to the good, be good; to th'euill, euill are.
Is't not great foolishnes, for any to complaine
That somthing is not don, which doth him nought constraine?
Sith, if he vse the same, soule-health it hurteth not:
Or, if he doo not vse't, it helpeth not a iot.
That somthing is not don, which doth him nought constraine?
Sith, if he vse the same, soule-health it hurteth not:
Or, if he doo not vse't, it helpeth not a iot.
But needs must we complain (say some) for we haue cause:
Then at your perill be 't; for, that which chiefly drawes
You thereto, 'tis in trueth your brutenesse in mis-deeming
Things euill, that are good (for sense-contrary seeming):
And, while that in the darke of this foule errors mist,
Your drowsie spirits doo droope, alas what maruell is 't
If euill follow you, and if (iniurious) still
To others you impute your selfe-ingendred ill?
Then at your perill be 't; for, that which chiefly drawes
You thereto, 'tis in trueth your brutenesse in mis-deeming
Things euill, that are good (for sense-contrary seeming):
And, while that in the darke of this foule errors mist,
Your drowsie spirits doo droope, alas what maruell is 't
If euill follow you, and if (iniurious) still
To others you impute your selfe-ingendred ill?
Happy are they to whom the Lord vouchsafeth sight
To see the louely beames and life-infusing Light
Of his sweet sacred Truth; whereby we may perceiue
And iudge a-rightly, what to loue, and what to leaue.
Such men within their soules, their goods haue wholly plac't;
Such goods, as neuer fire can either burne or waste:
Nor any theefe can steale, nor Pirat make his preie,
Nor vsurie consume, nor Tyrant take away;
Nor times all-gnawing tooth can fret away nor finish,
Nor any accident of sad mischance diminish.
For it is built on God, a Rock that euer standes:
Not on the vanities of these inconstant sands,
Which are more mutable then winde, and more vnstable,
And day by day doo make so many miserable.
To see the louely beames and life-infusing Light
Of his sweet sacred Truth; whereby we may perceiue
And iudge a-rightly, what to loue, and what to leaue.
Such men within their soules, their goods haue wholly plac't;
Such goods, as neuer fire can either burne or waste:
Nor any theefe can steale, nor Pirat make his preie,
Nor vsurie consume, nor Tyrant take away;
Nor times all-gnawing tooth can fret away nor finish,
Nor any accident of sad mischance diminish.
For it is built on God, a Rock that euer standes:
Not on the vanities of these inconstant sands,
Which are more mutable then winde, and more vnstable,
And day by day doo make so many miserable.
636
O, to what sweet content, to what high ioyes aspires
He, that in God alone can limit his desires!
He that in him alone his hopes can wholly rest,
He that for onely end, waites for the wages blest,
Wherewith he promiseth for euer (sans respect
Of their selfe-meriting) to guerdon his Elect?
He, that in God alone can limit his desires!
He that in him alone his hopes can wholly rest,
He that for onely end, waites for the wages blest,
Wherewith he promiseth for euer (sans respect
Of their selfe-meriting) to guerdon his Elect?
What is it can bereaue the wealth of such a man?
What is it that disturbe his perfect pleasures can?
What is it can supplant his honours and degrees?
Sith all his treasures, his delights, his dignities
Are all laid vp in Heauen, where it were all in vaine
For all the sonnes of earth to warre with might and maine.
What is it that disturbe his perfect pleasures can?
What is it can supplant his honours and degrees?
Sith all his treasures, his delights, his dignities
Are all laid vp in Heauen, where it were all in vaine
For all the sonnes of earth to warre with might and maine.
No doubt (will some man say) each Christian doth aspire
(After their bodies death) to those deer treasures higher,
That are reserv'd in Heauen, whereof the sweet possession
Feares not the violence of all the worlds oppression:
But, while that here below this fraile flesh-burden ties-him,
But the bare hope he hath: which how can it suffise-him
Against the sharp assaults of passions infinite,
Whose glad-sad crosse conflicts afflict him day and night?
(After their bodies death) to those deer treasures higher,
That are reserv'd in Heauen, whereof the sweet possession
Feares not the violence of all the worlds oppression:
But, while that here below this fraile flesh-burden ties-him,
But the bare hope he hath: which how can it suffise-him
Against the sharp assaults of passions infinite,
Whose glad-sad crosse conflicts afflict him day and night?
Needs must I graunt (indeed) that the same perfit ioy
We cannot perfitly vpon this earth enioy:
But, that that hope alone doth not sufficiently
Blesse his life where it liues (for my part) I denie.
Some doe not feare (we see) to spend their stock and store,
To vndertake the taske of many trauailes sore,
To hazard limmes, and liues, in seruice of some Lord;
Depending oft vpon his foole-fat-feeding word;
Or waiting els (perhaps) without all other hold,
Vntill it please himselfe his franknes to vnfold;
Not reaking all their paine, they are so inly pleas'd
With hoped benefit, whereof they are not seaz'd?
And, shall th' assured hope of euer-blisses then,
For which we haue the word, not of vaine mortall men,
That teach their tongues to lie; but of the highest God,
The God of truth, Truth's selfe, where truth hath still aboade:
Shall that (I say) not serue to settle our faint hearts,
Against (I will not say) like dangers and like smarts:
But 'gainst these petty griefes, that now and then do pain-vs,
No more like those then heauen neer earth that doth sustain-vs?
Ah, shall we then despise all trouble and vexation,
Supported by a prop of doubtfull expectation?
And, while for earthly things we can indure all this,
Shall we not do asmuch for an immortall blisse?
We cannot perfitly vpon this earth enioy:
But, that that hope alone doth not sufficiently
Blesse his life where it liues (for my part) I denie.
Some doe not feare (we see) to spend their stock and store,
To vndertake the taske of many trauailes sore,
To hazard limmes, and liues, in seruice of some Lord;
Depending oft vpon his foole-fat-feeding word;
Or waiting els (perhaps) without all other hold,
Vntill it please himselfe his franknes to vnfold;
Not reaking all their paine, they are so inly pleas'd
With hoped benefit, whereof they are not seaz'd?
And, shall th' assured hope of euer-blisses then,
For which we haue the word, not of vaine mortall men,
That teach their tongues to lie; but of the highest God,
The God of truth, Truth's selfe, where truth hath still aboade:
Shall that (I say) not serue to settle our faint hearts,
Against (I will not say) like dangers and like smarts:
But 'gainst these petty griefes, that now and then do pain-vs,
No more like those then heauen neer earth that doth sustain-vs?
Ah, shall we then despise all trouble and vexation,
Supported by a prop of doubtfull expectation?
And, while for earthly things we can indure all this,
Shall we not do asmuch for an immortall blisse?
Indeed not of our selues: for, selfly nought we can;
But God (when pleaseth him) doth giue this strength to man,
Whereby he standeth stout; euen like a mighty rocke
Amid the mounting waues, when Eöle doth vnlocke
Sterne Austers stormie gate, making the waters wrastle
And rush with wrathfull rage against the sturdie castle,
While it (for all the force of their fell furie showne)
Is not so much as moou'd, and much lesse ouerthrowne.
But God (when pleaseth him) doth giue this strength to man,
Whereby he standeth stout; euen like a mighty rocke
Amid the mounting waues, when Eöle doth vnlocke
637
And rush with wrathfull rage against the sturdie castle,
While it (for all the force of their fell furie showne)
Is not so much as moou'd, and much lesse ouerthrowne.
So fareth such a man: for, if from high degree,
He sodainly do slide to liue contemnedly
With the vile vulgar sort; That cannot make him wauer:
For, well he is assur'd, that God's high holy favour
Depends not on the pomp, nor vaine-proud state and port,
That for the grace of Kings adornes the courtly sort.
He sodainly do slide to liue contemnedly
With the vile vulgar sort; That cannot make him wauer:
For, well he is assur'd, that God's high holy favour
Depends not on the pomp, nor vaine-proud state and port,
That for the grace of Kings adornes the courtly sort.
If he be kept in bands, thral to the tyrannies
And extreame-cruell lawes of rutheless enimies,
Both voyde of helpe and hope, and of all likelihood
Of being euer freed from their hands thirsting-blood;
In spight of them, he knowes that one day he shall die,
And then he shall inioy an endless Libertie.
And extreame-cruell lawes of rutheless enimies,
Both voyde of helpe and hope, and of all likelihood
Of being euer freed from their hands thirsting-blood;
In spight of them, he knowes that one day he shall die,
And then he shall inioy an endless Libertie.
If he be forc't to fly from his deere country-clime,
In exile to expire the remnant of his time,
He doth suppose the World to be a Country common,
From whence, a tyrants wrath (till death) can banish no man.
In exile to expire the remnant of his time,
He doth suppose the World to be a Country common,
From whence, a tyrants wrath (till death) can banish no man.
If that he must forsake his Parents and his Kin,
And those whose amitie he most delighteth in;
He knowes that where he findes a man he findes a Kins-man:
For all mankind is come from one selfe Father (sinnes-man)
And those whose amitie he most delighteth in;
He knowes that where he findes a man he findes a Kins-man:
For all mankind is come from one selfe Father (sinnes-man)
If (being spoil'd of wealth, & wanton-pampering plentie)
He find vpon his boord two dishes scant of twentie,
And to his back one coate to keepe the cold away,
Where as he had before, a new for euery day;
He learneth of Saint Paul, who bids vs be content
With food and furniture to this life competent:
Sith nothing (as faith Iob) into this world we brought,
Nor with vs when we die can we hence carry ought.
He find vpon his boord two dishes scant of twentie,
And to his back one coate to keepe the cold away,
Where as he had before, a new for euery day;
He learneth of Saint Paul, who bids vs be content
With food and furniture to this life competent:
Sith nothing (as faith Iob) into this world we brought,
Nor with vs when we die can we hence carry ought.
If he be passing poore, and in exceeding lack
Of euery needfull thing for belly and for back,
He learneth of the Sonne, that God the Father heedeth
To giue to euery one (in time) the thing he needeth:
And that the Fowles of Heauen, and Cattel small and great,
Doo neither sowe nor reape, yet find they vvhat to eate:
Yea, that the Lillies faire, which growe among the grasse,
Doo neither spin nor worke, and yet their garments passe
(For colour and for cost, for Art and ornament)
The glorious Salomon's rich robes of Parlament.
Of euery needfull thing for belly and for back,
He learneth of the Sonne, that God the Father heedeth
To giue to euery one (in time) the thing he needeth:
And that the Fowles of Heauen, and Cattel small and great,
Doo neither sowe nor reape, yet find they vvhat to eate:
Yea, that the Lillies faire, which growe among the grasse,
Doo neither spin nor worke, and yet their garments passe
(For colour and for cost, for Art and ornament)
The glorious Salomon's rich robes of Parlament.
If so that he be sicke, or wounded in the arme,
In body, back, or brest, or such like kind of harme:
If in extremitie of angry paine and anguish,
Enfeebled still by fits, he bed-rid lye and languish
If all the miseries that euer martyr'd man,
At once on euery side afflict him all they can:
The more that he endures, the more his comforts growe,
Sith so his wrechednes he sooner comes to knowe;
That from worlds vanities he may himselfe aduance,
Which hold all those from heauen, that still delight that dance:
He feares not those at all that with their vtmost might,
Hauing the body slaine, can do no farther spight:
But onely him that with ten thousand deaths can kill
The soule and body both for euer if he will:
He knowes it is their lot that seek to please their God,
To be afflicted still with persecutions rod:
So that, what-euer crosse, how-euer sharpe assaile-him,
His constant harts-content and comfort cannot faile-him.
In body, back, or brest, or such like kind of harme:
If in extremitie of angry paine and anguish,
Enfeebled still by fits, he bed-rid lye and languish
If all the miseries that euer martyr'd man,
At once on euery side afflict him all they can:
638
Sith so his wrechednes he sooner comes to knowe;
That from worlds vanities he may himselfe aduance,
Which hold all those from heauen, that still delight that dance:
He feares not those at all that with their vtmost might,
Hauing the body slaine, can do no farther spight:
But onely him that with ten thousand deaths can kill
The soule and body both for euer if he will:
He knowes it is their lot that seek to please their God,
To be afflicted still with persecutions rod:
So that, what-euer crosse, how-euer sharpe assaile-him,
His constant harts-content and comfort cannot faile-him.
But, he must die (say you). Alas, can that dismay?
Where is the labourer that (hauing wrought all day
Amid the burning heat, with wearinesse opprest)
Complaines that night is come when he shall goe to rest?
The Marchant that returnes from some far forraine Lands,
Escaping dreadfull rocks, and dangerous shelfs and sands,
When as he sees his ship her home-hauen enter safe,
Will he repine at God, and (as offended) chafe
For being brought too soon home to his natiue soil,
Free from all perils sad that threaten Saylours spoile?
He knowes, from thousand deaths that this one death doth lose him,
That in heauens euer-ioyes, he euer may repose-him:
That he must bring his Bark into this Creeke, before
In th'euerlasting Land he can set foot a-shoare:
That he can neuer come to incorruption,
Vnles that first his flesh doo feele corruption:
So that, all rapt with ioy, hauing his help so readie,
This ship-wrack he escapes, as on a rock most steddie.
Where is the labourer that (hauing wrought all day
Amid the burning heat, with wearinesse opprest)
Complaines that night is come when he shall goe to rest?
The Marchant that returnes from some far forraine Lands,
Escaping dreadfull rocks, and dangerous shelfs and sands,
When as he sees his ship her home-hauen enter safe,
Will he repine at God, and (as offended) chafe
For being brought too soon home to his natiue soil,
Free from all perils sad that threaten Saylours spoile?
He knowes, from thousand deaths that this one death doth lose him,
That in heauens euer-ioyes, he euer may repose-him:
That he must bring his Bark into this Creeke, before
In th'euerlasting Land he can set foot a-shoare:
That he can neuer come to incorruption,
Vnles that first his flesh doo feele corruption:
So that, all rapt with ioy, hauing his help so readie,
This ship-wrack he escapes, as on a rock most steddie.
But, more (perhaps) then death the kind of death dismaieth,
Which serues him for a bridge that him to heauen conuaieth.
Whether he end his dayes by naturall disease:
Or in a boysterous storme do perish on the Seas:
Or by the bloody hands of armed foes be slaine:
Or by mischance a stone fall downe, and dash his braine:
Or by the murdering ball of new-found earthly thunder,
By day or els by night his bones be pasht a-sunder:
Or burned at a stake, or bitterly tormented
By cruell slaughter-men, in tortures new-inuented;
Alas, alas! for that, much-lesse then least he careth:
For, as a man falne down into a Pit, he fareth;
Who, if he may be drawne vp from the noysom place,
Where Adders, Toades, and Snakes craule ouer feet & face,
Respects not, whether that ye vse a silken scaine,
Hemp-rope, or chaine of gold, so he get vp againe:
Euen so, so he may come to his desired blisse,
The maner and the meanes to him indifferent is:
As for the differing paine (if any him do torture)
If it be violent, he knowes it is the shorter:
But, be it n'er so long, long sure it cannot last
To vs, whose Post-like life is all so quickly past.
Which serues him for a bridge that him to heauen conuaieth.
Whether he end his dayes by naturall disease:
Or in a boysterous storme do perish on the Seas:
Or by the bloody hands of armed foes be slaine:
Or by mischance a stone fall downe, and dash his braine:
Or by the murdering ball of new-found earthly thunder,
By day or els by night his bones be pasht a-sunder:
Or burned at a stake, or bitterly tormented
By cruell slaughter-men, in tortures new-inuented;
Alas, alas! for that, much-lesse then least he careth:
For, as a man falne down into a Pit, he fareth;
Who, if he may be drawne vp from the noysom place,
Where Adders, Toades, and Snakes craule ouer feet & face,
Respects not, whether that ye vse a silken scaine,
Hemp-rope, or chaine of gold, so he get vp againe:
Euen so, so he may come to his desired blisse,
The maner and the meanes to him indifferent is:
639
If it be violent, he knowes it is the shorter:
But, be it n'er so long, long sure it cannot last
To vs, whose Post-like life is all so quickly past.
Now, such a man, in whom such firme contents do hyue,
Who can denie to be the happiest man aliue?
And who so impudent, that dareth now professe
That this worlds fained sweet (whose vnfain'd bitternesse
Brings, to this very life, full many torments fell,
And after dingeth downe to th'endless paine of Hell)
Should be preferr'd before these seeming-sowrs, that make vs
Taste many true-sweet sweets yer this dead life forsake vs,
And after, lift vs vp to that same blessed ioy,
That euermore shall last exempt from all annoy.
So few there will be found (as I suppose) so deeming,
As many which (more fear'd with these ills falsly-seeming,
Than inly falne-in-loue with heauen-ioyes excellence)
Approouing this estate, fly't as the pestilence.
Who can denie to be the happiest man aliue?
And who so impudent, that dareth now professe
That this worlds fained sweet (whose vnfain'd bitternesse
Brings, to this very life, full many torments fell,
And after dingeth downe to th'endless paine of Hell)
Should be preferr'd before these seeming-sowrs, that make vs
Taste many true-sweet sweets yer this dead life forsake vs,
And after, lift vs vp to that same blessed ioy,
That euermore shall last exempt from all annoy.
So few there will be found (as I suppose) so deeming,
As many which (more fear'd with these ills falsly-seeming,
Than inly falne-in-loue with heauen-ioyes excellence)
Approouing this estate, fly't as the pestilence.
And yet, in this estate is found felicity
(As far foorth as it may, amid the vanity
Of this frail fading world where each thing hourly changes):
For, neuer from it selfe true happinesse estranges:
It neuer dooth decay, it neuer doth decrease:
In spight of angry Warre it euer liues in peace:
Maugre poore want, it hath ten thousand kinds of wealth:
Amid infirmities it hath continuall health:
Inuiron'd round with woe, it doth reioyce and sing:
Depriv'd of dignities, it's greater then a King,
It sits secure and safe, free from hart-pining feares:
For, euer with it selfe it all deere treasures beares;
Not needing any aide of men-of-armes to watch them,
Nor fearing fraud, nor force of any foe to catch-them.
(As far foorth as it may, amid the vanity
Of this frail fading world where each thing hourly changes):
For, neuer from it selfe true happinesse estranges:
It neuer dooth decay, it neuer doth decrease:
In spight of angry Warre it euer liues in peace:
Maugre poore want, it hath ten thousand kinds of wealth:
Amid infirmities it hath continuall health:
Inuiron'd round with woe, it doth reioyce and sing:
Depriv'd of dignities, it's greater then a King,
It sits secure and safe, free from hart-pining feares:
For, euer with it selfe it all deere treasures beares;
Not needing any aide of men-of-armes to watch them,
Nor fearing fraud, nor force of any foe to catch-them.
Whereas, we dayly see so many men, whose mind
To transitorie trash of worldly-wealth inclinde,
In their abundance beg, and in their plentie poore
(For who hath had so much, that hath not wished more?)
No treasures can suffice the gulf of their desire;
Yea, make them Emperours, yet will they more aspire:
Peace cannot pacifie the fell rebellious broyle
That in their troubled soule doth euer burne and boyle.
For euery short content of any false delight,
A thousand bitter throes torment them day and night.
All their estate doth stand abroad in hands of strangers:
Therfore, the more their wealth, the more their daily dangers,
The more their miseries, because the more they need
Much strength and many men vnto their hoords to heed;
Dreading (with cause) lest craft or cruelty, or either
Bereaue them of their blisse, and treasure both together.
To transitorie trash of worldly-wealth inclinde,
In their abundance beg, and in their plentie poore
(For who hath had so much, that hath not wished more?)
No treasures can suffice the gulf of their desire;
Yea, make them Emperours, yet will they more aspire:
Peace cannot pacifie the fell rebellious broyle
That in their troubled soule doth euer burne and boyle.
For euery short content of any false delight,
A thousand bitter throes torment them day and night.
All their estate doth stand abroad in hands of strangers:
Therfore, the more their wealth, the more their daily dangers,
The more their miseries, because the more they need
Much strength and many men vnto their hoords to heed;
Dreading (with cause) lest craft or cruelty, or either
Bereaue them of their blisse, and treasure both together.
640
Needs must we then confesse, that in aduersitie
Ther is more happiness then in prosperity;
Sith that the minde of man so soone it selfe betrayes
Vnto the guilefull snares that worldly pleasure layes,
Which make vs at the last head-long to Hell to runne:
All which, aduersitie doth make vs safely shunne.
Ther is more happiness then in prosperity;
Sith that the minde of man so soone it selfe betrayes
Vnto the guilefull snares that worldly pleasure layes,
Which make vs at the last head-long to Hell to runne:
All which, aduersitie doth make vs safely shunne.
But, here it may be askt, if pleasure, state, and store
(Plunging vs in the Pit of vices more and more)
Be subiect so to make vs more and more accurst,
Must we esteeme that griefe (which sense esteemeth worst)
More fit to better vs, and bring vs vnto blisse,
Then those whose smarting sting is not so strong as this?
Sure, sith that in our selues our cause originall
Of blisse and bale we hide, it matters not at all:
For, still the faithfull man one and the same remains,
Whether the griefe be great or little he sustains;
Sith how so e'r it be, he takes occasion thence,
To seek in God alone, his comfort and defence.
But for because our soule (the while she doth consort
With this grosse fleshly lump) cannot, but in som sort
Suffer as sensible, yea, oftentimes so far,
That her best functions all, lesse apt and able are,
Than els at other times; I doo suppose the proof
Of one, then other ill, auailes more in behoof.
(Plunging vs in the Pit of vices more and more)
Be subiect so to make vs more and more accurst,
Must we esteeme that griefe (which sense esteemeth worst)
More fit to better vs, and bring vs vnto blisse,
Then those whose smarting sting is not so strong as this?
Sure, sith that in our selues our cause originall
Of blisse and bale we hide, it matters not at all:
For, still the faithfull man one and the same remains,
Whether the griefe be great or little he sustains;
Sith how so e'r it be, he takes occasion thence,
To seek in God alone, his comfort and defence.
But for because our soule (the while she doth consort
With this grosse fleshly lump) cannot, but in som sort
Suffer as sensible, yea, oftentimes so far,
That her best functions all, lesse apt and able are,
Than els at other times; I doo suppose the proof
Of one, then other ill, auailes more in behoof.
That this is so, we see, a sick-man oft to finde
Such ioyfull quietnes, and comfort in his minde,
That he esteems himselfe the best content-aliue:
But yet the sharpe disease (which doth his health depriue)
With-holdeth in som sort his senses and his wit,
That freely other-where he cannot vse them fit.
And so it fares with him, that (through-resolued well)
Endures the cruell strains of any torture fell.
Such ioyfull quietnes, and comfort in his minde,
That he esteems himselfe the best content-aliue:
But yet the sharpe disease (which doth his health depriue)
With-holdeth in som sort his senses and his wit,
That freely other-where he cannot vse them fit.
And so it fares with him, that (through-resolued well)
Endures the cruell strains of any torture fell.
Now, for the banisht man, the changing of his dwelling
Neuer disturbes his ioy. And he whose wealth excelling
Turns in a trice to want by whatsoeuer chaunce,
His courage neuer shrinkes, nor yet his countenance.
Neuer disturbes his ioy. And he whose wealth excelling
Turns in a trice to want by whatsoeuer chaunce,
His courage neuer shrinkes, nor yet his countenance.
So that in their content, all foure are all a-like,
A-like reioycing all in their afflictions eek:
A-like contemning all worlds pompous vanities:
But, the two last haue odds in their extremities;
In that, without impeach, they may apply their minde
To many goodly things, wherein great ioy they finde
(I mean when each distresse offends a man alone,
Not when he is assail'd at once of euery one.)
A-like reioycing all in their afflictions eek:
A-like contemning all worlds pompous vanities:
But, the two last haue odds in their extremities;
In that, without impeach, they may apply their minde
To many goodly things, wherein great ioy they finde
(I mean when each distresse offends a man alone,
Not when he is assail'd at once of euery one.)
Yet, perill's quickly past, danger endureth not,
Exile so easie growes that it is soon forgot,
The greatest losse that is we minde not many houres:
For, thousand accidents distract this soule of ours,
Which cannot in such sort the senses still restrain,
But that they will goe feed on many obiects vain;
Whereby at vn-awares she oftentimes, surpris'd,
Is ouer-reacht by those, whose rigour she despis'd:
And so, the pleasant taste she doth vntimely misse,
Wherewith affliction sweet doth season heer her blisse.
So that, som other state (wherein our soule, lesse fed
With sundry obiects vain, shall be more setteled)
May rightly be preferd to these which make her stay,
And stumble often-times, vnto her owne decay.
And therefore, I maintaine Close Prison to be best
Of all afflictions that may a man molest;
Considering, all defects to other crosses common,
In this are seldom found, and almost, felt of no man.
Exile so easie growes that it is soon forgot,
The greatest losse that is we minde not many houres:
For, thousand accidents distract this soule of ours,
641
But that they will goe feed on many obiects vain;
Whereby at vn-awares she oftentimes, surpris'd,
Is ouer-reacht by those, whose rigour she despis'd:
And so, the pleasant taste she doth vntimely misse,
Wherewith affliction sweet doth season heer her blisse.
So that, som other state (wherein our soule, lesse fed
With sundry obiects vain, shall be more setteled)
May rightly be preferd to these which make her stay,
And stumble often-times, vnto her owne decay.
And therefore, I maintaine Close Prison to be best
Of all afflictions that may a man molest;
Considering, all defects to other crosses common,
In this are seldom found, and almost, felt of no man.
For Prison is a place where God sequesters men,
Farre from the vile prospect of vanities terrene,
To make them thence withdrawe their harts, and to confesse
That in his grace alone consists their happiness.
It is a learned School, where God himself reads cleerly
True wisedoms perfect rules, to those he loueth deerly.
Farre from the vile prospect of vanities terrene,
To make them thence withdrawe their harts, and to confesse
That in his grace alone consists their happiness.
It is a learned School, where God himself reads cleerly
True wisedoms perfect rules, to those he loueth deerly.
There, th'vnderstanding (free, amid the many chains,
That binde the body fast) findes out a thousand means
To learne another day to be more apt and able
(According to our place) for vses seruiceable,
To profit publike-weal: for euermore we ought
(In seeking self-gain) see that common good be sought.
Knowledge is onely learn'd by long exercitation:
For which, what fitter mean then such a sequestration,
Where each man, vndisturb'd, through diligence may growe,
According to the gifts that gratious Heav'ns bestowe:
One, in ability to rule a lawfull State,
The vertuous to aduance, and vicious to abate:
Another, from the Tombe to fetch Antiquity,
Another to discern the Truth from Sophistry:
Another (by the feats of elder men at Armes)
To frame wise Stratagems for wofull wars alarmes:
For, Souldiers oftentimes may more experience get
By reading, then they can where Camp and Camp is met.
And (briefly to conclude) som, grauely to aduise,
Som, bold to execute, as each mans calling lies:
But most of all, to search within the sacred Writ,
The secret mysteries to mans saluation fit.
That binde the body fast) findes out a thousand means
To learne another day to be more apt and able
(According to our place) for vses seruiceable,
To profit publike-weal: for euermore we ought
(In seeking self-gain) see that common good be sought.
Knowledge is onely learn'd by long exercitation:
For which, what fitter mean then such a sequestration,
Where each man, vndisturb'd, through diligence may growe,
According to the gifts that gratious Heav'ns bestowe:
One, in ability to rule a lawfull State,
The vertuous to aduance, and vicious to abate:
Another, from the Tombe to fetch Antiquity,
Another to discern the Truth from Sophistry:
Another (by the feats of elder men at Armes)
To frame wise Stratagems for wofull wars alarmes:
For, Souldiers oftentimes may more experience get
By reading, then they can where Camp and Camp is met.
And (briefly to conclude) som, grauely to aduise,
Som, bold to execute, as each mans calling lies:
But most of all, to search within the sacred Writ,
The secret mysteries to mans saluation fit.
A world of vanities (that doo distract vs heer,
During our Libertie) in Durance, com not neer:
The wall that lets our leggs from walking out of door,
Bounding vs round about within a narrow floor,
Doth gard vs from the gall which Sathan (spring of spight)
Mingles among the sweets of this vain worlds delight.
If he be happier man that liueth free from foes,
Then he whom angry troops of enemies inclose:
Much more the Prisoner then of his high blisse may boast,
For being so farre off from such a hugie hoast
Of hatefull foes so fierce in malice and in might,
Himself so faint and weake, and so vnfit to fight.
For he, and we (God wot) in steed of standing to-it
(How-euer in a vein, we vaunt that we will do-it)
When 't commeth to the brunt we cannot brook the field,
But either flie like hares, or els like cowards yeeld.
During our Libertie) in Durance, com not neer:
The wall that lets our leggs from walking out of door,
Bounding vs round about within a narrow floor,
Doth gard vs from the gall which Sathan (spring of spight)
Mingles among the sweets of this vain worlds delight.
642
Then he whom angry troops of enemies inclose:
Much more the Prisoner then of his high blisse may boast,
For being so farre off from such a hugie hoast
Of hatefull foes so fierce in malice and in might,
Himself so faint and weake, and so vnfit to fight.
For he, and we (God wot) in steed of standing to-it
(How-euer in a vein, we vaunt that we will do-it)
When 't commeth to the brunt we cannot brook the field,
But either flie like hares, or els like cowards yeeld.
The sundry obiects fond, which make vs soon forget
Each other chastisment, in this doo neuer let.
For turn we where we list, and look which way we wil,
At all times to our sight one thing is offred still:
Whether on pauement, roof, or wall, we cast our eye,
Alwaies of our estate an Image we descry:
And so it also fares with our newes-greedy ear,
One very sound resounds about vs euery where:
Where-euer harken we, we hear of nought but foes,
Our keepers commonly are not too-kind, God knowes:
By the least noyse that is, continually they tell
In what estate we stand, and in what house we dwell.
So that incessantly our harts are lift on high,
Som-times to prayse the Lord for his benignity,
Who doth not punish vs after our foule offense,
Though by a thousand sinnes we daily him incense:
Som-times to magnifie his admirable might,
Which hath our feeble harts with such great force bedight,
That we, in stead of grief, or grudging at the pains
Of sharpest chastisements, whereof the world complains,
Leauing this loathed Earth, doo mount the highest place,
Where (through true faith) we taste his honey-sweeter grace:
Som-times to giue him thanks for all the wealth exceeding,
Which from his liberall hand we haue to help our needing:
And to be short, sans cease to meditate on all
The countless benefits that from his goodnes fall,
Not suffering any houre to pass away for nought
Without exalting him, in deed, or word, or thought.
Each other chastisment, in this doo neuer let.
For turn we where we list, and look which way we wil,
At all times to our sight one thing is offred still:
Whether on pauement, roof, or wall, we cast our eye,
Alwaies of our estate an Image we descry:
And so it also fares with our newes-greedy ear,
One very sound resounds about vs euery where:
Where-euer harken we, we hear of nought but foes,
Our keepers commonly are not too-kind, God knowes:
By the least noyse that is, continually they tell
In what estate we stand, and in what house we dwell.
So that incessantly our harts are lift on high,
Som-times to prayse the Lord for his benignity,
Who doth not punish vs after our foule offense,
Though by a thousand sinnes we daily him incense:
Som-times to magnifie his admirable might,
Which hath our feeble harts with such great force bedight,
That we, in stead of grief, or grudging at the pains
Of sharpest chastisements, whereof the world complains,
Leauing this loathed Earth, doo mount the highest place,
Where (through true faith) we taste his honey-sweeter grace:
Som-times to giue him thanks for all the wealth exceeding,
Which from his liberall hand we haue to help our needing:
And to be short, sans cease to meditate on all
The countless benefits that from his goodnes fall,
Not suffering any houre to pass away for nought
Without exalting him, in deed, or word, or thought.
Yet, doth the world esteem this, a most hard estate,
And him that feels the same, it counts vnfortunate:
But I would gladly see som other state, wherein
(With such commodity) so much content is seen;
Wherein lesse hinderance, and lesse incomberance lies,
To make men misse the path vnto perfections prise.
And him that feels the same, it counts vnfortunate:
But I would gladly see som other state, wherein
(With such commodity) so much content is seen;
Wherein lesse hinderance, and lesse incomberance lies,
To make men misse the path vnto perfections prise.
Sure sir (will som man say) you set a good face on-it:
One might at length conuert, commenting so vpon-it,
The cruell'st Prison-house into a Mansion fair,
Where 't were not hard to liue content, and void of care.
You take your Prisoner for a practiue man of Art:
But such as those (God knowes) you finde the fewest part,
You fain him to be friend to solitude and quiet:
But the most part are prone to reuell and to riot.
One must be free from noyse that means to study well:
Whereof, who can be sure in such a servile Hell?
Besides, he must haue Books, and Paper, Pen, and Inke,
All which in Prisoners hands are seldom left I think;
So that you do not fain your gail so good and gainfull,
As to finde out the same is difficult and painfull.
One might at length conuert, commenting so vpon-it,
The cruell'st Prison-house into a Mansion fair,
Where 't were not hard to liue content, and void of care.
643
But such as those (God knowes) you finde the fewest part,
You fain him to be friend to solitude and quiet:
But the most part are prone to reuell and to riot.
One must be free from noyse that means to study well:
Whereof, who can be sure in such a servile Hell?
Besides, he must haue Books, and Paper, Pen, and Inke,
All which in Prisoners hands are seldom left I think;
So that you do not fain your gail so good and gainfull,
As to finde out the same is difficult and painfull.
I answere in a word (if any so shall wrangle:
I doo not bound all blisse within so straight an angle:
I say great happiness and hart-reviuing ioy
Followes th'afflicted sort in euery sharp annoy:
But that there is no crosse that doth so much auail,
To make vs fit to help our neighbour, as the gail,
Wherein the God of grace at his good pleasure giues
Means to effect the same, vnto the least that liues.
I doo not bound all blisse within so straight an angle:
I say great happiness and hart-reviuing ioy
Followes th'afflicted sort in euery sharp annoy:
But that there is no crosse that doth so much auail,
To make vs fit to help our neighbour, as the gail,
Wherein the God of grace at his good pleasure giues
Means to effect the same, vnto the least that liues.
But be it so, in bands, that nothing learne we can,
'Tis to be learn'd inough to be an honest man:
And this is th'only School, wherin th'Arch-master teacheth,
Himself, by secret means, rules that the rudest reacheth.
Th'aduice of such a one more profit doth impart,
Then of the wicked sort with all their curious Art.
'Tis to be learn'd inough to be an honest man:
And this is th'only School, wherin th'Arch-master teacheth,
Himself, by secret means, rules that the rudest reacheth.
Th'aduice of such a one more profit doth impart,
Then of the wicked sort with all their curious Art.
Concerning solitude, although that commonly
Our nature be inclin'd vnto the contrary;
There the assistant grace of God we chiefly finde,
Who changing of our place doth also change our minde.
Our nature be inclin'd vnto the contrary;
There the assistant grace of God we chiefly finde,
Who changing of our place doth also change our minde.
For being free from noyse, and for obtaining tools
To helpe our knowledge with, as in all other Schools;
God euer cares for those that feare his name for loue:
And, if that any such, such inconvenience proue,
If any money need, or els (through ample distance)
Be destitute of friends, he gets them (for assistance)
The fauour of their foes, whose harts he handles so
(How euer they intend his childrens ouerthrowe)
That his, of what they need haue euermore inough,
According as he knowes to be to their behoof.
To helpe our knowledge with, as in all other Schools;
God euer cares for those that feare his name for loue:
And, if that any such, such inconvenience proue,
If any money need, or els (through ample distance)
Be destitute of friends, he gets them (for assistance)
The fauour of their foes, whose harts he handles so
(How euer they intend his childrens ouerthrowe)
That his, of what they need haue euermore inough,
According as he knowes to be to their behoof.
Now say, that we consent (say som) that this is true:
But what if somwhat worse then all this worst ensue?
What, if he be inforc't his Countrey to forsake?
What, if continuall fits his sickly body shake?
What, if he lose at once his wealth and reputation,
Repleat on euery side with euery sharp vexation?
Can he still keep his ioy, and can he still retain
Such means to profit still, for all his grief and pain?
But what if somwhat worse then all this worst ensue?
What, if he be inforc't his Countrey to forsake?
What, if continuall fits his sickly body shake?
What, if he lose at once his wealth and reputation,
Repleat on euery side with euery sharp vexation?
Can he still keep his ioy, and can he still retain
Such means to profit still, for all his grief and pain?
Concerning his content, it's alwayes all a-like,
Whether that euery grief particularly strike;
Or, whether all at once he feel their vtmost anger:
And if he be surpris'd with so extream a languor
That (as I said before) the spirit it inforce
(Through suffering of the smart that doth afflict the corps)
To leaue his Offices, so that he cannot write,
Nor reade, nor meditate, nor study, nor indight;
It is so quickly past, that in comparison,
Regarding so great good, 'tis not to think vpon.
For, by a mighty griefe our life is quickly ended;
Or els, by remedy it selfe is soon amended;
And, if it be but mean, then is it born the better,
And so vnto the soule it is not any letter.
Besides, we must conceiue, our spirit (as opprest
With fainting weariness) somtimes desireth rest
To gather strength again, during which needfull pawse
We are not to be blam'd, sith need the fame doth cause:
So, that the time that's lost while such sharp pangs do pain,
May be suppos'd a time of taking breath again.
Whether that euery grief particularly strike;
644
And if he be surpris'd with so extream a languor
That (as I said before) the spirit it inforce
(Through suffering of the smart that doth afflict the corps)
To leaue his Offices, so that he cannot write,
Nor reade, nor meditate, nor study, nor indight;
It is so quickly past, that in comparison,
Regarding so great good, 'tis not to think vpon.
For, by a mighty griefe our life is quickly ended;
Or els, by remedy it selfe is soon amended;
And, if it be but mean, then is it born the better,
And so vnto the soule it is not any letter.
Besides, we must conceiue, our spirit (as opprest
With fainting weariness) somtimes desireth rest
To gather strength again, during which needfull pawse
We are not to be blam'd, sith need the fame doth cause:
So, that the time that's lost while such sharp pangs do pain,
May be suppos'd a time of taking breath again.
In prison (to conclude) a man at once may trie
All manner of extreams of earthly misery:
In which respect (perhaps) the worse som deem of it,
Being (as 't were) the Butt that all men striue to hit;
But, I esteem the same the perfecter for that:
For, if one crosse alone can make vs eleuate
Our groueling earth-desires from cogitations base,
To haue recourse to God, and to implore his grace,
Seeking in him alone our perfect ioy and blisse;
Much more shall many griefs at once, accomplish this.
For many can doo more then one (without respect):
And still, the greater cause the greater the effect.
All manner of extreams of earthly misery:
In which respect (perhaps) the worse som deem of it,
Being (as 't were) the Butt that all men striue to hit;
But, I esteem the same the perfecter for that:
For, if one crosse alone can make vs eleuate
Our groueling earth-desires from cogitations base,
To haue recourse to God, and to implore his grace,
Seeking in him alone our perfect ioy and blisse;
Much more shall many griefs at once, accomplish this.
For many can doo more then one (without respect):
And still, the greater cause the greater the effect.
Indeed (say other-som) these reasons haue som reason:
But, then whence comes it, that so many men in Prison
(With hundred thousand pains, pincht and oppressed sore)
In steed of bettering there, wax worser then before:
In steed of sweet content, doo still complain and crie;
In steed of learning more, lose former industry?
Though (in apparance great) your sayings seem but iust,
Yet plain experience (sure) we think is best to trust.
But, then whence comes it, that so many men in Prison
(With hundred thousand pains, pincht and oppressed sore)
In steed of bettering there, wax worser then before:
In steed of sweet content, doo still complain and crie;
In steed of learning more, lose former industry?
Though (in apparance great) your sayings seem but iust,
Yet plain experience (sure) we think is best to trust.
That hidden vertue rare, that so great good atchiues,
Lies in the Prisoners hart, not in his heauy Gyues;
The good growe better there, the bad become the wurse:
For by their sinne they turn Gods blessing into curse.
And that's the cause the most are mal-content and sad:
Sith euermore the good are fewer then the bad.
Lies in the Prisoners hart, not in his heauy Gyues;
The good growe better there, the bad become the wurse:
For by their sinne they turn Gods blessing into curse.
And that's the cause the most are mal-content and sad:
Sith euermore the good are fewer then the bad.
But, wherefore doth not God to all vouchsafe his grace?
Proud earth-worms, pawse we there: let's feare before his face,
Admiring humbly all his holy Iudgements high,
Exceeding all too far our weak capacitie.
The Potters vessell vile, doth vs our lesson showe,
Which argues not with him why he hath made it so:
Much less may we contend, but rather rest content
With that which God hath giuen. He is omnipotent,
All gracious, and all good, most iust, and perfit wise.
On som, he poures a Sea of his benignities,
On som a shallow Brook, on other som a Flood:
Giuing to som, a small; to som, a greater good:
As from eternity hath pleas'd th'eternall Spirit
To looue men more or lesse, without respect of merit.
Proud earth-worms, pawse we there: let's feare before his face,
Admiring humbly all his holy Iudgements high,
Exceeding all too far our weak capacitie.
645
Which argues not with him why he hath made it so:
Much less may we contend, but rather rest content
With that which God hath giuen. He is omnipotent,
All gracious, and all good, most iust, and perfit wise.
On som, he poures a Sea of his benignities,
On som a shallow Brook, on other som a Flood:
Giuing to som, a small; to som, a greater good:
As from eternity hath pleas'd th'eternall Spirit
To looue men more or lesse, without respect of merit.
For my part, should I liue ten Nestors yeers to passe,
Had I a hundred tongues more smooth then Tully's was,
Had I a voice of steel, and had I brazen sides,
And learning more then all the Heliconian guides;
Yet were I all too-weake to tell the many graces,
That in ten thousand sorts, and in ten thousand places,
Ten hundred thousand times he hath vouchsafed me
(Not for my merits sake, but for his mercy free):
But yet, 'mong all the goods that of his liberall bounty
I haue receiu'd so oft, none to compare account-I
With this Close prisonment, wherein he doth with-drawe-me
Far from the wanton world, and to himself doth draw-me.
Had I a hundred tongues more smooth then Tully's was,
Had I a voice of steel, and had I brazen sides,
And learning more then all the Heliconian guides;
Yet were I all too-weake to tell the many graces,
That in ten thousand sorts, and in ten thousand places,
Ten hundred thousand times he hath vouchsafed me
(Not for my merits sake, but for his mercy free):
But yet, 'mong all the goods that of his liberall bounty
I haue receiu'd so oft, none to compare account-I
With this Close prisonment, wherein he doth with-drawe-me
Far from the wanton world, and to himself doth draw-me.
I posted or apace to ruin and perdition,
When by this sharp-sweet Pil, my cunning kinde Physition
Did purge (maugre my will) the poysony humor fell
Wherewith my sin-sick hart alreadie gan to swell.
I lookt for nothing lesse then for these miseries,
And paines that I haue prov'd: the worlds vain vanities
Had so seduç't my soule with baits of sugred bane,
That it was death to me, from pleasure to be tane:
But (crossing my request) God (for my profit) gaue
Me quite the contrary to that which I did craue.
So that, my body barring from a freedom small,
He set my soule at large, which vnto sinne was thrall:
Wounding with musket-shot my feeble arme, he cur'd
The festring sores of sinne, the which my soule endur'd:
Tripping me from the top of som meane dignity,
Which drew me vp to climbe the Mount of vanity,
He rais'd me from the depth of vices darksom Cell,
The which incessantly did ding me down to Hell:
Easing me (to conclude) of all the grief and care,
Wherewith these false delights for euer sauced are,
He made me finde and feel (amid my most annoyes)
A thousand true contents, a thousand perfect ioyes.
When by this sharp-sweet Pil, my cunning kinde Physition
Did purge (maugre my will) the poysony humor fell
Wherewith my sin-sick hart alreadie gan to swell.
I lookt for nothing lesse then for these miseries,
And paines that I haue prov'd: the worlds vain vanities
Had so seduç't my soule with baits of sugred bane,
That it was death to me, from pleasure to be tane:
But (crossing my request) God (for my profit) gaue
Me quite the contrary to that which I did craue.
So that, my body barring from a freedom small,
He set my soule at large, which vnto sinne was thrall:
Wounding with musket-shot my feeble arme, he cur'd
The festring sores of sinne, the which my soule endur'd:
Tripping me from the top of som meane dignity,
Which drew me vp to climbe the Mount of vanity,
He rais'd me from the depth of vices darksom Cell,
The which incessantly did ding me down to Hell:
Easing me (to conclude) of all the grief and care,
Wherewith these false delights for euer sauced are,
He made me finde and feel (amid my most annoyes)
A thousand true contents, a thousand perfect ioyes.
But som (perhaps) amaz'd, will muse what kinde of pleasure
Here I can take, and how I passe my time and leasure:
For in foul idleness to spend so large a time,
It cannot be denied to be a grieuous crime.
Here I can take, and how I passe my time and leasure:
For in foul idleness to spend so large a time,
It cannot be denied to be a grieuous crime.
646
First in the morning, when the spirit is fresh and fit,
I suck the honey sweet from foorth the sacred Writ,
Wherein (by faith) we taste that true celestiall bread,
Whence our immortall soules are euer onely fed:
Then search I out the sawes of other sage Diuines
(The best here to be had) among whose humane lines,
Supported by the grace of Gods especiall power,
I leaue the thorn behinde, and pluck the healthsom flower.
Somtimes, I doo admire, in books of Heathen men,
Graue-sayings sauouring more a sacred Christian pen,
Than many of our age, whose bold vnlearned pride
Thinking to honour God, hath err'd on euery side:
Sometimes when I obserue in euery ancient storie,
Such vertues presidents, trim paterns of true glory,
I wofully bewaile our wretched wicked dayes,
Where vertue is despis'd, and vice hath all the praise.
Oft I lament to see so many noble Wits
(Neglecting Gods high praise, that best their learning fits)
To sing of nought but lies, and loues, and wanton Theames,
False sooth-sin flatteries, and idle Fairy dreames.
Then, turning towards those, that fill'd with holier flame,
For onely obiect chuse th'Eternalls sacred Name;
These chiefly I admire, whose honourable brows
Disdain the fained crown of fading Laurel boughs:
Then full-gorg'd with the Sweets of such a dainty feast
(Prickt forward with desire to imitate the best)
Oft-times I exercise this Art-less Muse of mine
To sing in holy Verse som argument divine.
One while to praise my God for all received good:
Another while to beg, that in his dear Sons blood
My black sins hee will wash, and that hee will not waigh
At his high Iustice beam, how I have gon astray.
Somtimes, these wretched Times to pity and deplore,
Wherein the wicked ones doo flourish more and more.
Somtimes, to wail the State of sad distressed Sion
Imploring to her aid the Tribe of Iudah's Lion.
If any other Theam at any time I take,
Yet never doth my Verse the settled bounds forsake
That Verity prescribes, nor now no more disguise
The vgly face of sin with mask of painted lies.
And though that (heertofore) I also in my time
Have writ Loues vanities in loose and wanton rime:
'T was as a whetstone that, whereon I whet my stile,
Yer it were ably-apt ought graver to compile:
Yet I repent thereof: for, wee must never tend
To bring by evill means a good intent to end.
I suck the honey sweet from foorth the sacred Writ,
Wherein (by faith) we taste that true celestiall bread,
Whence our immortall soules are euer onely fed:
Then search I out the sawes of other sage Diuines
(The best here to be had) among whose humane lines,
Supported by the grace of Gods especiall power,
I leaue the thorn behinde, and pluck the healthsom flower.
Somtimes, I doo admire, in books of Heathen men,
Graue-sayings sauouring more a sacred Christian pen,
Than many of our age, whose bold vnlearned pride
Thinking to honour God, hath err'd on euery side:
Sometimes when I obserue in euery ancient storie,
Such vertues presidents, trim paterns of true glory,
I wofully bewaile our wretched wicked dayes,
Where vertue is despis'd, and vice hath all the praise.
Oft I lament to see so many noble Wits
(Neglecting Gods high praise, that best their learning fits)
To sing of nought but lies, and loues, and wanton Theames,
False sooth-sin flatteries, and idle Fairy dreames.
Then, turning towards those, that fill'd with holier flame,
For onely obiect chuse th'Eternalls sacred Name;
These chiefly I admire, whose honourable brows
Disdain the fained crown of fading Laurel boughs:
Then full-gorg'd with the Sweets of such a dainty feast
(Prickt forward with desire to imitate the best)
Oft-times I exercise this Art-less Muse of mine
To sing in holy Verse som argument divine.
One while to praise my God for all received good:
Another while to beg, that in his dear Sons blood
My black sins hee will wash, and that hee will not waigh
At his high Iustice beam, how I have gon astray.
Somtimes, these wretched Times to pity and deplore,
Wherein the wicked ones doo flourish more and more.
Somtimes, to wail the State of sad distressed Sion
Imploring to her aid the Tribe of Iudah's Lion.
If any other Theam at any time I take,
Yet never doth my Verse the settled bounds forsake
That Verity prescribes, nor now no more disguise
The vgly face of sin with mask of painted lies.
And though that (heertofore) I also in my time
Have writ Loues vanities in loose and wanton rime:
'T was as a whetstone that, whereon I whet my stile,
Yer it were ably-apt ought graver to compile:
Yet I repent thereof: for, wee must never tend
To bring by evill means a good intent to end.
When as my weary spirits som relaxation ask,
To recreate the same, I take som other task:
One while vpon the Lute, my nimble ioints I plie,
Then on the Virginalls: to whose sweet harmonie
Marrying my simple voice, in solemne Tunes I sing
Some Psalme or holy Song, vnto the heauenly King.
So that, the idlest houre of all the time that flies
So fast is neuer free from some good exercise:
Wherein I ioy as much, as euer I haue done
In the most choise delights found vnderneath the Sun.
To recreate the same, I take som other task:
647
Then on the Virginalls: to whose sweet harmonie
Marrying my simple voice, in solemne Tunes I sing
Some Psalme or holy Song, vnto the heauenly King.
So that, the idlest houre of all the time that flies
So fast is neuer free from some good exercise:
Wherein I ioy as much, as euer I haue done
In the most choise delights found vnderneath the Sun.
But, you can neuer walke, nor goe to take the aire,
Nor once looke out of doore, be weather ne'r so faire;
But there in solitude you leade your life alone,
Bard from the fellowship of (almost) euery one:
Which doubtless (at the last) must grieue you needs I thinke.
Nor once looke out of doore, be weather ne'r so faire;
But there in solitude you leade your life alone,
Bard from the fellowship of (almost) euery one:
Which doubtless (at the last) must grieue you needs I thinke.
A man that neuer thirsts hath neuer need of drinke:
So, though I be bereft these other things you speake-of,
I misse nor minde them not as things I neuer reake-of.
For, I haue school'd my heart since my captiuitie,
To wish for nothing els, but what is granted me:
And, what is granted me, contents me passing well.
In each condition doth some contentment dwell.
But men of differing states haue difference in delights,
What pleaseth common eyes that irketh Princes sights,
What rashlings do delight, that sober men despise,
What fooles take pleasure in, doth but offend the wise,
What prosperous people loath, afflicted folke will loue,
And what the free abhorr, that prisoners will approue:
But all haue equally indifferent power to make
Them equally content, that can them rightly take:
For, whoso presently himselfe can rightly beare,
Hath neither passed ill, nor future ill, to feare:
Th'one, which is now no more, ought now no more affray-vs.
Th'other which is not yet, as little can dismay-vs.
For, what no essence hath, that also hath no might:
And that which hath no power, can do a man no spight:
Besides, sith this our life is but a pilgrimage
Through which we dayly passe to th'heauenly heritage;
Although it seeme to thee that these my bands do let-me,
Yet haste I to the goale the which my God hath set me,
As fast as thou that runst thy selfe so out of breath
In poasting night and day, by dales and hills and heath.
So, though I be bereft these other things you speake-of,
I misse nor minde them not as things I neuer reake-of.
For, I haue school'd my heart since my captiuitie,
To wish for nothing els, but what is granted me:
And, what is granted me, contents me passing well.
In each condition doth some contentment dwell.
But men of differing states haue difference in delights,
What pleaseth common eyes that irketh Princes sights,
What rashlings do delight, that sober men despise,
What fooles take pleasure in, doth but offend the wise,
What prosperous people loath, afflicted folke will loue,
And what the free abhorr, that prisoners will approue:
But all haue equally indifferent power to make
Them equally content, that can them rightly take:
For, whoso presently himselfe can rightly beare,
Hath neither passed ill, nor future ill, to feare:
Th'one, which is now no more, ought now no more affray-vs.
Th'other which is not yet, as little can dismay-vs.
For, what no essence hath, that also hath no might:
And that which hath no power, can do a man no spight:
Besides, sith this our life is but a pilgrimage
Through which we dayly passe to th'heauenly heritage;
Although it seeme to thee that these my bands do let-me,
Yet haste I to the goale the which my God hath set me,
As fast as thou that runst thy selfe so out of breath
In poasting night and day, by dales and hills and heath.
If thou haue open fields, and I be prisoner;
T'importeth me no more, then to the mariner
Whether he go to sea shipt in some spacious arke,
Or els (at lesser scope) aboord som lesser barke.
Nay, heere the least is best; sith this vast Ocean wide,
Whereon we daily saile, a thousand rocks doth hide,
Gainst which the greater ships are cast-away full oft;
While small boats (for the most) float ouer, safe, aloft.
T'importeth me no more, then to the mariner
Whether he go to sea shipt in some spacious arke,
Or els (at lesser scope) aboord som lesser barke.
Nay, heere the least is best; sith this vast Ocean wide,
Whereon we daily saile, a thousand rocks doth hide,
Gainst which the greater ships are cast-away full oft;
While small boats (for the most) float ouer, safe, aloft.
648
Then may I well conclude with reason and assurance,
That there's no better state then to be kept in durance.
A sweeter kind of life I neuer prou'd then there:
Nor was I euer toucht with lesser griefe and care.
If that I care at all, it is for others cause,
And for the miseries this times corruption draws:
But, being well assur'd that nothing heere betideth
Against Gods ordinance and will that all things guideth:
And knowing him to be good, iust, and most of might,
I gladly yeeld my selfe to th'order he hath pight.
For he it is, that now makes me accept so well
And like of this estate which others hate as hell:
He 'tis, that heretofore vouchsaf't me like relief,
When as I was opprest with a more grieuous griefe:
He 'tis from whom I hope in time to-come no lesse,
Although a hundred fold were doubled my distresse.
Yea, he it is that makes me profit euery day;
And also so content in this estate to stay,
That of my liberty I am not now so faine
To think by liberty a happier life to gaine:
For, I were wll content no more from hence to go,
If I might profit most my friends and countrie so.
That there's no better state then to be kept in durance.
A sweeter kind of life I neuer prou'd then there:
Nor was I euer toucht with lesser griefe and care.
If that I care at all, it is for others cause,
And for the miseries this times corruption draws:
But, being well assur'd that nothing heere betideth
Against Gods ordinance and will that all things guideth:
And knowing him to be good, iust, and most of might,
I gladly yeeld my selfe to th'order he hath pight.
For he it is, that now makes me accept so well
And like of this estate which others hate as hell:
He 'tis, that heretofore vouchsaf't me like relief,
When as I was opprest with a more grieuous griefe:
He 'tis from whom I hope in time to-come no lesse,
Although a hundred fold were doubled my distresse.
Yea, he it is that makes me profit euery day;
And also so content in this estate to stay,
That of my liberty I am not now so faine
To think by liberty a happier life to gaine:
For, I were wll content no more from hence to go,
If I might profit most my friends and countrie so.
Now here I humbly pray (expecting such an end)
The Lord still towards me his fauour to extend;
And that he will vouchsafe still to allot like grace,
To all that for like cause are handled in like case.
The Lord still towards me his fauour to extend;
And that he will vouchsafe still to allot like grace,
To all that for like cause are handled in like case.
FINIS.
649
OF THE VVORKE, AVTHOR, AND TRANSLATER.
Lo heer, a Monvment admir'd of all
That weigh the compass, weight, and height of It;
O'r-topping Enuie's clowds, and ever shall,
Sith built by deepest Art, and highest Wit.
That weigh the compass, weight, and height of It;
O'r-topping Enuie's clowds, and ever shall,
Sith built by deepest Art, and highest Wit.
The Base that beares it, is the Word that stands
True Grovnd of highest glorie, Truth, and grace:
The Bvilding rear'd by two rare Heads and Hands
Divinely holp) to glorifie that Base.
True Grovnd of highest glorie, Truth, and grace:
The Bvilding rear'd by two rare Heads and Hands
Divinely holp) to glorifie that Base.
Heer French and English, ioyne in friendly fight
(On even Ground) to prove their vtmost powr;
Who shew such equall Skill, and equall Might,
That hard it is to say who's Conquerour.
(On even Ground) to prove their vtmost powr;
Who shew such equall Skill, and equall Might,
That hard it is to say who's Conquerour.
But, English bound to foot it like the French,
And offer nought, but what shall like her foe,
It is as glorious seld to take a Wrench,
As being free, to give an Overthrowe.
And offer nought, but what shall like her foe,
It is as glorious seld to take a Wrench,
As being free, to give an Overthrowe.
If French to English were so strictly bound,
It would but passing lamely strive with it;
And soon be forc't to lose both grace and ground,
Although they straue with equall Skill and Wit.
It would but passing lamely strive with it;
And soon be forc't to lose both grace and ground,
Although they straue with equall Skill and Wit.
Besides, all Prose is easier to translate
Then Verse; and easier lowe, then lofty Lines:
Then, these Lines, reaching to the top of State,
Are hard'st of all; yet none of all declines.
Then Verse; and easier lowe, then lofty Lines:
Then, these Lines, reaching to the top of State,
Are hard'st of all; yet none of all declines.
O fair Translation then, with smoothed face,
Go forth t'allure Times Turns, to turne Thee o're:
So shall they in thy folds vnfold thy grace;
And grace thee with Fames glorie more and more.
Go forth t'allure Times Turns, to turne Thee o're:
So shall they in thy folds vnfold thy grace;
And grace thee with Fames glorie more and more.
If
He, that churn'd the cream of Poetry,
To honied Butter, that the Muses feeds,
Divined truely, it should never die;
Then, what shall This, that far the same exceeds?
To honied Butter, that the Muses feeds,
Divined truely, it should never die;
Then, what shall This, that far the same exceeds?
650
He labour'd Lines, which though they doe endure
All turns of Time, yet was their Stuf prophane:
But, these are drawne of Stvf more heauenly-pure,
That most shall shine; when those are in the wane.
All turns of Time, yet was their Stuf prophane:
But, these are drawne of Stvf more heauenly-pure,
That most shall shine; when those are in the wane.
He, though his Braines (profanely) were divine,
And glorious Monuments of Art compos'd,
Was yet exil'd for many a looser Line,
That made them wantons, chastly else dispos'd:
And glorious Monuments of Art compos'd,
Was yet exil'd for many a looser Line,
That made them wantons, chastly else dispos'd:
But, Thou (cleer
Bartas, his dear
Sylvester,
Whose Lines do lead to Vertves onely gain,
And with sweet Poesies strew'st the way to Her)
How should the World remunerate thy paine?
Whose Lines do lead to Vertves onely gain,
And with sweet Poesies strew'st the way to Her)
How should the World remunerate thy paine?
And, If from Hearts Aboundance Tongues do speak;
And what we most affect, we most do minde:
It argues, thou this Argument didst seek;
Sith, in thy Soule before, thou didst it finde.
And what we most affect, we most do minde:
It argues, thou this Argument didst seek;
Sith, in thy Soule before, thou didst it finde.
So, Bartas was but Mid-wife to thy Muse,
With greater ease to vtter her Conceits;
For whose dear birth, thou didst all ease refuse,
Worlds-weal, and (being a Marchant) thy Receits.
With greater ease to vtter her Conceits;
For whose dear birth, thou didst all ease refuse,
Worlds-weal, and (being a Marchant) thy Receits.
This pain so pleas'd thy labouring Thoughts, that thou
Forsook'st the Sea, and took'st thee to the Soile;
Where (from thy royall Trade) thou fell'st to Plow
Arts furrows with thy Pen, that yeeld but toyl.
Forsook'st the Sea, and took'st thee to the Soile;
Where (from thy royall Trade) thou fell'st to Plow
Arts furrows with thy Pen, that yeeld but toyl.
This stole thee from thy selfe, thy selfe to finde
In sacred Raptures on the Muses Hill:
And, went'st out of thy Bodie with thy Minde,
More freely so, to vse thy Wit and Will.
In sacred Raptures on the Muses Hill:
And, went'st out of thy Bodie with thy Minde,
More freely so, to vse thy Wit and Will.
And (O!) how hapless had we Brittans been
(Sith heer is stor'd such sweet Soule-rauishments)
Hadst thou not made them to vs clearly seen:
Who give thee for it praising-Discontents.
(Sith heer is stor'd such sweet Soule-rauishments)
Hadst thou not made them to vs clearly seen:
Who give thee for it praising-Discontents.
If so great Art and Grace finde nought but Fame
Of famous Men for grace; the Press shall be
Prest but for Vices Service (Sourse of Shame).
So Times to come, in Print our shame shall see.
Of famous Men for grace; the Press shall be
Prest but for Vices Service (Sourse of Shame).
So Times to come, in Print our shame shall see.
But O! bee 't farre from this so famous Isle
For Armes and Learning, either to neglect;
Sith it doth grace and glory quite exile,
And is the cause of many a bad effect.
For Armes and Learning, either to neglect;
Sith it doth grace and glory quite exile,
And is the cause of many a bad effect.
O terren Gods, as ye to State aspire,
Lift Learning vp with you; especially
If matcht with Wisdom, and divine desire:
So shall ye twice be like the Deitie.
Lift Learning vp with you; especially
If matcht with Wisdom, and divine desire:
So shall ye twice be like the Deitie.
And, weigh what powr the Pens of such possess
(Of such; for others will but gild your Crimes)
Their Pens eternize can your worthiness,
And make ye glorious past succeeding Times.
(Of such; for others will but gild your Crimes)
Their Pens eternize can your worthiness,
And make ye glorious past succeeding Times.
651
But you doe iustly to neglect and scorn
The cursed crue, that do the Muse abuse:
For, they your praises to dispraises turn;
As Vice, in praising Vertves grace, doth vse.
The cursed crue, that do the Muse abuse:
For, they your praises to dispraises turn;
As Vice, in praising Vertves grace, doth vse.
Their wine-driven braines, inuolv'd in Follies Cloud,
Fly heer, and there (and where not?) with a trice?
And, though both Beggers base, yet passing proud;
Constant in nothing but inconstant Vice:
Fly heer, and there (and where not?) with a trice?
And, though both Beggers base, yet passing proud;
Constant in nothing but inconstant Vice:
Making loose lines (forsooth) their Scala Cœli;
A Tauerne for a Temple to adore
Their only god, their guts, their beastly Belly;
To whom they offer all their slender Store.
A Tauerne for a Temple to adore
Their only god, their guts, their beastly Belly;
To whom they offer all their slender Store.
The Lauds of such, are odious like their Lives:
They (Pitch) pollute what-ere they do but touch;
Whose glory to the fowlest shame arrives:
Then, well you fence your fame to keep off such.
They (Pitch) pollute what-ere they do but touch;
Whose glory to the fowlest shame arrives:
Then, well you fence your fame to keep off such.
But they whose lives, and lauds, and lines are Sovrce
Of Morall vertue, running by each stone
(Men High, and Hard; that let them in their Course)
To Seas of glory, like cleer Helicon;
Of Morall vertue, running by each stone
(Men High, and Hard; that let them in their Course)
To Seas of glory, like cleer Helicon;
O! these ye should support, and still receiue
Into the Ocean of your bound-less love:
For these (like truest Friends) will take, and give
No more but what true Vertue shall approve.
Into the Ocean of your bound-less love:
For these (like truest Friends) will take, and give
No more but what true Vertue shall approve.
If these should pine away through your neglect,
Your memories shall die, or live with shame;
Sith such a Muse is the chiefe Architect,
To reare, from Earth to Heav'n, a lasting Name.
Your memories shall die, or live with shame;
Sith such a Muse is the chiefe Architect,
To reare, from Earth to Heav'n, a lasting Name.
Achilles fame, with him, had been interr'd,
Had Homer's lines not ty'd it to the Stars;
And, of Æneas we had never heard,
Had Virgils Straines not been his Trumpeters.
Had Homer's lines not ty'd it to the Stars;
And, of Æneas we had never heard,
Had Virgils Straines not been his Trumpeters.
One of the Nine had been our Warwick's
Gvy,
(The Nine, whose worth all Times so much commend;
And so disrankt great Bvllens Godferey)
Had he but had a Tasso for his friend.
(The Nine, whose worth all Times so much commend;
And so disrankt great Bvllens Godferey)
Had he but had a Tasso for his friend.
Lavra had nere so greenly growne aboue
Her Peers, as now she doth, to after-times,
Had she not had a Petrarch to her Loue;
Which made her mount, with Nectar dropping Rimes.
Her Peers, as now she doth, to after-times,
Had she not had a Petrarch to her Loue;
Which made her mount, with Nectar dropping Rimes.
No, no: ye cannot but out-live your Fame,
If ye vphold not Fame's best Notaries:
If these ye scorn, your glory is but game;
For, when ye die, in game your glory dies.
If ye vphold not Fame's best Notaries:
If these ye scorn, your glory is but game;
For, when ye die, in game your glory dies.
And, though blest Peace hath turnd our Spears, to Spades,
Let it not turn our Pens to Ploughes, or worse;
By Learning some should live, as some by Trades,
In blessed States, that would incurre no curse.
Let it not turn our Pens to Ploughes, or worse;
By Learning some should live, as some by Trades,
In blessed States, that would incurre no curse.
652
Where Vertue is not rais'd, and Vice supprest,
There all to Vice will run; and so to wrack:
For, ther the worst shall Lord it ore the best;
And where that is, all goes to vtter sack.
There all to Vice will run; and so to wrack:
For, ther the worst shall Lord it ore the best;
And where that is, all goes to vtter sack.
Reward and Punishment (like Armes of Steel)
Do still vphold each King vpholding State:
For, neither wants, but it begins to reel;
But, both imploy'd, stands sure in spight of Hate.
Do still vphold each King vpholding State:
For, neither wants, but it begins to reel;
But, both imploy'd, stands sure in spight of Hate.
Then may thy Hopes (wingd by thy vertuous Muse)
Dear Syluester, expect some cherishment,
In this blest State, that still those Armes will vse,
To stay her Grace, and grace her Gouernment:
But, if thy paines acquire but pure renowne,
Thou art Christ's Image, crost, for Glorious crown.
Dear Syluester, expect some cherishment,
In this blest State, that still those Armes will vse,
To stay her Grace, and grace her Gouernment:
But, if thy paines acquire but pure renowne,
Thou art Christ's Image, crost, for Glorious crown.
Beneficium dando accipit, qui digno dedit.
The vnfained lover of thine Art, honesty, and vertue,
Iohn Davies of Hereford.
FINIS.
| Du Bartas | |