University of Virginia Library

FANCIES.

The several Keys of Nature, which Unlock the several Boxes of her Cabinet.

A Bunch of Keys did Hang by Nature's side,
Which She, to open her five Boxes try'd;
The first was Wit, which Key unlock'd the Ear,
Open'd the Brain, to see what things were there;
The next was Beauty's Key unlock'd the Eyes,
Open'd the Heart, to see what therein lies;
The third was Appetite, which quick did go,
Opening the Stomack, to put Meat into;
The Key of Sent unlock'd the Brain, though hard,
For of a Stink the Nose is much afear'd;
The Key of Pain did open Touch, but slow,
For Nature's loath any Disease to show.

Nature's Cabinet.

In Nature's Cabinet, the Brain, you'l find
Many a Toy, which doth delight the Mind;
Several Colour'd Ribbonds of Fancies new
To tye in Hats or Hair of Lovers true;
Imagination's Masques, where nothing's shown
But th'Eyes of Knowledge, all the rest unknown;
Fans of Opinion, which do Waft the Wind,
According as the Heat is in the Mind;
Gloves of Remembrance, to draw off and on,
For Thoughts i'th' Brain are sometimes there, then gone;
Veils of Forgetfulness the Thoughts do hide,
Which when turn'd up, then is their Face espy'd;
Pendants of Understanding heavy there
Are found, but do not Hang in every Ear;
Patches of Ignorance to stick upon
The Face of Fools. This Cabinet is shown.

Nature's Dress.

The Sun Crowns Nature's Head with Beams so fair,
The Stars do hang as Jewels in her Hair;
Her Garment's made of pure Bright watchet Sky,
VVhich round her VVaste the Zodiack doth tye;
The Polar Circles, Bracelets for each Wrist,
The Planets round about her Neck do twist;
The Gold and Silver-mines Shoes for her Feet,
And for her Garters are the Flowers sweet;
Her Stockings are of Grass that's fresh and green,
The Rain-bow is like Colour'd Ribbonds seen;
The Powder for her Hair is Milk-white Snow,
And when she comes her Locks the Winds do blow;
Light, a thin Veil, doth Hang upon her Face,
Through which her Creatures see in every place.

Nature's Cook.

Death is the Cook of Nature, and we find
Creatures drest several ways to please her Mind;
Some Death doth Roast with Feavers burning hot,
And some he Boyls with Dropsies in a Pot;
Some are Consum'd for Jelly by degrees,
And some with Ulcers, Gravy out to Squeeze;
Some, as with Herbs, he stuffs with Gouts and Pains,
Others for tender Meat he hangs in Chains;
Some in the Sea he Pickles up to keep,
Others he, as Sous'd Brawn, in Wine doth Steep;
Some Flesh and Bones he with the Pox chops small,
And doth a French Fricassee make withall;
Some on Grid-ir'ns of Calentures are Broil'd,
And some are trodden down, and so quite spoil'd:
But some are Bak'd, when Smother'd they do Dye,
Some Meat he doth by Hectick Feavers fry;
In Sweat sometimes he stews with Savory smell,
An Hodge-podge of Diseases he likes well;
Some Brains he Dresseth with Apoplexy,
Or Sawce of Megrims, Swimming plenteously;
And Tongues he Drys with Smoak from Stomacks ill,
Which, as the second Course he sends up still;
Throats he doth Cut, Blood Puddings for to make,
And puts them in the Guts, which Colicks Rack;
Some Hunted are by him for Deer, that's Red,
And some as Stall-fed Oxen knock'd o'th' Head;
Some Singd'd and Scall'd for Bacon, seem most rare,
When with Salt Rhume & Phlegm they Powder'd are.

Nature's Oven.

The Brain is like an Oven, Hot and Dry,
Which Bakes all sorts of Fancies low and high;
The Thoughts are Wood, which Motion sets on Fire,
The Tongue a Peel, the Hand which draws, desire;
By thinking much the Brain too Hot will grow,
And Burn them up, if Cold, Fancies are Dough.

A Posset for Nature's Breakfast.

Life Scums the Cream of Beauty with Times Spoon,
And draws the Claret-wine of Blushes soon,
Then Boyls it in a Skillet clean of Youth,
And thicks it well with crumbled Bread of Truth;
Sets it upon the Fire of Life, which does
Burn clearer much, when Health her Bellows blows;
Then takes the Eggs of Fair and Bashfull Eyes,
And puts them in a Countenance that's VVise,
Cuts in a Lemmon of the Sharpest Wit,
Discretion, as a Knife, is us'd for it.
A Handfull of Chast Thoughts, double Refin'd,
Six Spoonfulls of a Noble 'nd Gentle mind,
A Grain of Mirth to give 't a little Taste,
Then takes it off for fear the Substance waste,
And puts it in a Bason of good Health,
And with this Meat doth Nature please her Self.

An Olio Drest for Nature's Dinner.

Life takes a young and tender Lover's heart,
That hunted was, and struck by Cupid's Dart,
Sets it upon the Fire of Love, and Blows
That Fire with Sighs, by which the Flame high grows;
And Boyls it with the Water of fresh Tears,
Flings in a Bunch of Hope, Desires, and Fears;
More Sprigs of Passions throws into the Pot,
Then takes it off, when it is Seething hot,
And puts it in a clean Dish of delight,
That Scowred was from Envy and from Spight;
Then doth she press and squeeze in Juice of Youth,
And casts therein some Sugar of sweet Truth;
Sharp Melancholy gives a quickning Taste,
And Temperance doth cause it long to last;
Then she with Smiles doth Garnish it and Dress,
And serves it up a Fair and Beauteous mess:
But Nature's apt to Surfeit of this Meat,
Which makes, that she doth seldome of it Eat.

A Bisk for Nature's Table.

Afore-head which is high, broad, smooth, and sleek,
A large great Eye, that's black and very quick;
A Brow, which Arch'd, or like a Bow is bent,
A Rosie Cheek, and in the midst a Dent;
Two Cherry Lips, whereon the Dew lies wet,
A Nose between the Eyes, that's even Set;
A Chin that's neither short, nor very long,
A sharp and quick, and ready pleasing Tongue;
A Breath of Musk and Amber, Breasts which Silk
In softness do resembl', in whiteness Milk;
A Body plump, white, of an even growth,
That's active, lively, quick, and void of Sloth;
A Heart that's firm and sound, a Liver good,
A Speech that's plain and easie understood;
A Hand, that's fat and smooth, and very white,
Whose Inside moist and red, like Rubies bright;
A brawny Arm, a Wrist that's round and small,
And Fingers long, and Joynts not big withall;
A Stomack strong, and easie to digest,
A Swan-like Neck, and an Out-bearing Chest;
All these when mixt with Pleasure and Delight,
And strew'd upon with Eyes most quick of Sight,
Are put into a Dish of Admiration,
And so Serv'd up with praises of a Nation.

A Hodge-podge for Nature's Table.

A Wanton Eye, that seeks but to allure,
Dissembling Countenance, that looks demure;
A griping Hand, that holds what's none of his,
A jealous Mind, which thinks all is amiss;
A purple Face, where Mattery pimples stood,
A slandering Tongue, that still dispraiseth Good;
A frowning Brow, with Rage and Anger bent,
A Good, proceeding from an ill Intent;
Large promises, which for performance staid,
And profer'd Gifts, which no acceptance had;
Affected words that signifie no thing,
And feigned Laughter which no Mirth doth bring;
Thoughts idle, foolish, unusefull and vain,
Which are Created in a Lover's Brain;
Such Antick postures, where no Grace in is,
Well-meaning Minds, which always do amiss;
A Voice that's Hoarse, where Notes cannot agree,
And Squinting Eyes, that no true Shape can see;
Wrinkles which Time hath set in every Face,
Vain-glory brave, that falls in full Disgrace;
A Self-conceited Pride without a cause,
A painfull, desperate Act without applause;
Verses wherein's no Fancy, Sense, nor Rhime,
Ambitions falls, when highest Hopes do climb;
All these Life i'th' Pot of Dislike boyls fast,
And stirs them with the Ladle of Distast,
She makes therein the Fat of Gluttons flow,
And Roots of several Vices throws into,
With several Herbs, as aged Thyme that's dry,
Heart-burning Parsly, Funeral Rosemary;
Then pours it out into Repentant Dishes,
And sends it up by Shadows of Vain wishes.

A Heart Drest.

Life takes a Heart, and Passions puts therein,
And covers it with a Dissembling Skin;
Takes Anger, which like Pepper keen doth Bite,
And Vinegar that's Sharp, and made of Spight,
Ginger of Revenge grated in is flung,
To which she adds a Lying Cloven Tongue,
A lazy flake of Mace, which lies down flat,
Some Salt of Slander she doth put to that;
Then serves it up with Sawce of Jealousie,
In Dishes of most carefull Industry.

Head and Brain Dress'd.

A Brain, wherein no Dulness doth appear,
From gross Opinions wash'd with Reasons clear,
A Judgment hard and sound grated therein,
Quick wit squeez'd into it, with Fancies thin;
A Bunch of Sent, Sounds, Colours tied up fast
With threads of Motion, and strong Nerves to last,
Stew'd with long Time in Memory close shut,
Spirits instead of VVine into it put,
And then pour'd forth into a Dish of Touch,
'Tis good and wholesome Meat, although not much.

A Tart.

Life took some Flowr of white Complexions made,
Churn'd Nourishment, as Butter, she did add,
And Knead it well, then on a Board it plac'd,
And rould it oft, untill a Pye was Rais'd;
Then did she take some Lips like Cherries Red,
And Sloe-black Eyes from a fair Virgin's Head,
And Strawb'ry Teats from th'Banks of each white Breast,
And Fingers ends like Juice from Raspes prest;
These she put in the Pye, and did it Bake
Within a Heart, which she strait Hot did make;
Then drew it out with Reason's Peel, to send
It up; This Meat did Nature much commend.

Nature's Dissert.

Sweet Marmalade of Kisses newly gather'd,
Preserved Children, which were never Father'd;
Sugar of Beauty, which away Melts soon,
Marchpane of Youth, and Childish Macaroon;
Sugar-Plum-words, which fall Sweet from the Lips,
And Wafer-promises Mould'ring like Chips;
Biskets of Love, which crumble all away,
Gelly of Fear, which shak'd, and quivering lay:
Then was a fresh Green-sickness Cheese brought in,
And tempting Fruit, like that which Eve made Sin,
With Cream of Honour, which was thick and good,
Firm Nuts of sincere Friendship by it stood;
Grapes of Delight, dull Spirits to revive,
Whose Juice, 'tis said, doth Nature keep alive:
All this Dissert did Nature might'ly please,
She Eat and Drank, then went to rest in Ease.

Nature's Officers.

Eternity as Usher goes before,
And Destiny, as Porter, keeps the Door
Of the great World, who lets Life out and in;
The Fates, her Maids, the Thread of Life do Spin,
Change Orders all with Industry and Care,
Motion, her Foot-boy, runneth every where;
Time, as her Page doth carry up her Train,
But in his Service he doth little gain;
The Days are the Surveyors, which do view
All Nature's works, that are both Old and New;
The Seasons four by turns their Circuits take,
Like Judges sit, and Distributions make;
The Months as Pen-clerks write down every thing,
Make Deeds of Gifts, and Bonds of all that spring;
Life's Office is to Pay, and give out all
To her Receiver, Death, when he doth Call.

Nature's House.

The Ground, on which this House is Built so Strong,
Is Honesty, that hates to do a wrong;
Foundations deep were Laid, and very sure,
By Love, which to all times doth firm indure;
The Walls, strong Friendship, Hearts for Brick lay thick,
And Constancy as Mortar made them stick;
Free-stones of Obligations Pillars raise,
To bear High-roofed Thanks, Seiled with Praise;
VVindows of Knowledge let in Light of Truth,
Curtains of Joy are drawn by Pleasant Youth;
Chimnies of th'Touch-stone of Affection made,
Wherein is Beauty, as Love's Fuel, laid;
The Harth is Innocent and Marble white,
On which Love's Fire burns clear and flames most bright;
The Doors are Cares, Misfortunes out to keep,
Lest Poverty that's Cold might thorow Creep:
Besides, there Rooms of several Passions stand,
Some on the Right, and some on th'other Hand.
This House's Out-side's Tyl'd with noble Deeds,
With high Ambition cover'd, as with Leads;
Turrets of Fame are Built on every side,
And in this Palace Nature takes great Pride;
It is best Furnish'd of all Nature's Courts,
For it is Hung with Virtues of all sorts,
With Moral Virtues, and with those of Art,
The last from Acts, the first come from the Heart.

Nature's Cellar.

The Head is like a Barrel, which will break
If th'Liquor be too Strong, but if't be weak,
It will the Riper grow by Lying long;
For kept from Vent, the Spirits grow more Strong:
So Wit, which Nature Tuns up in the Brain,
Never leaves VVorking, if it close remain,
'Twill through Discretion burst and run about,
Unless a Pen and Ink do Tap it out:
But if the VVit be Small, then let it lye;
For Broach'd too soon, the Spirits quickly Dye.

Nature's Wines.

Malago Wits, which Pens do broach or peirce,
If strong, run strait into Heroick Verse;
Sharp Claret Satyr searching runs about
The Veins of Vice, before it passes out,
And makes the Blood of Virtue fresh to spring
In noble Minds, fair Truths Complexions bring;
But all high Fancy is in Brandy Wits ,
A Fiery heat in Understanding sits.

Nature's Wardrope

In Nature's Wardrope, there hangs up great store
Of several Garments, some are Rich, some Poor;
Some made of Beauty's Stuff, with Smiles well Lac'd,
With lovely Favour is the Out-side Fac'd;
Some fresh and new, by Sicknesses were Rent,
Not taking any Care them to prevent,
But Physick and good Diet had again
Sow'd up the Slits, that none did yet remain;
Some worn so Bare with Age, that none could see
What Stuff't had been, or what it yet might be;
Others were so Ill-shap'd, their Stuff so Coarse,
As none would wear unless it were by force;
And several Mantles, Nature made, were there,
To keep her Creatures warm from the Cold Air,
As Sables, Martins, and black Fox good store,
Ermins, and fierce wild Cats, and many more;
Most of her Creatures she hath Clad in Furr,
Which need no Fire at all, if they but stir;
And some in Wool she Clads, as well as Hair,
And some in Scales, others do Feathers wear:
But Man, his Skin she made so smooth and fair,
He doth not need Feathers, Scales, Wool nor Hair.
The out-side of all things Nature keeps there,
For several Creatures, which she makes them wear,
Death pulls them off, Life puts them on, but Nature
Takes care to fit each Garment for each Creature.
'Tis true, there are but two Sorts, and no more
Of Stuffs , whereof are Garments made in Store;
But yet these of such several Fashions are,
That seldome any two alike appear;
And Nature several Trimmings for them makes,
And several Colours for each Trimming takes.

The Soul's Garment.

Great Nature Cloaths the Soul, which is but thin,
With fleshly Garments, which the Fates do Spin,
And when these Garments are grown Old and Bare,
With Sickness torn, Death takes them off with Care,
Doth Fold them up in peace and quiet rest,
And lays them Safe within an Earthly Chest,
Then Scours them well, and makes them sweet and clean,
Fit for the Soul to wear those Cloaths again.

Nature's Grange.

Grounds of great Loss with Sorrows were deep Plow'd,
VVherein the fertil Seed of Care was Sow'd;
Horses of Hopes did draw the Cart of Pains,
VVith Expectations fill'd, to th'Barn of Brains;
Cows of Content did give the Milk of Ease,
Curds prest with Love did make a friendship Cheese;
Cream of Delight, put into Pleasure's Churn,
In a short time to Butter of Joy did turn;
Sweet VVhey of Tears from Laughing Eyes did flow:
Thus all her Huswifry did Nature show.
Eggs of Revenge were laid by some design,
Chickens of Mischief hatch'd by words Divine;
Life's Nourishment the Poultry fat doth Cram,
And so all Creatures else, both Wild and Tame;
The Fates doth Nature make to Sit and Spin,
And Destiny lays out and brings Flax in;
In this her Huswifry doth Nature take
Such great delight, the Cloath of Life to make,
That every Garment she her Self cuts out,
Giving them to her Creatures all about,
VVhere some wear them so Long, till they be Torn,
And some do Cast them off before half worn:
Thus busie Nature doth her Self imploy
On every Creature small, untill they Dye;
And when one Dyes, that Work is at an end,
Then to a new she doth her Study bend.

Nature's Wheel.

The Tongue's a VVheel, to Spin words from the Mind,
A Thread of Sense by th'Understanding's twin'd;
The Lips a Loom, these Words of Sense to Weave
Into Discourse, which to the Ears they leave.
This Cloath i'th' Chest of Mem'ry up is shut,
Till into Shirts of Judgements it be Cut.

Nature's Garden.

The Brain's a Garden full of Sweet delight,
Wherein the Sun of Knowledge shineth Bright;
Where Fancy flows, and Runs in Bubbling streams,
Where Flowers grow upon the Banks of Dreams,
VVhereon the Dew of Sleepy Eyes doth fall,
Bathing each Leaf, and every Flower small;
VVhere various Thoughts, as several Flowers grow,
VVhere Innocence doth, like white Lillies, show;
Fancies as Painted Tulip's Colours fixt,
By Nature's Pencil neatly Intermixt;
Some as sweet Roses, which are newly blown,
Others as tender Buds, not yet full grown;
Some, as small Violets, much Sweetness bring:
Thus many Fancies from the Brain still spring.
Wit is like Butter-flies, which Love do make,
And on each several Flower pleasure take,
Which Dance about each Leaf in pleasant sort,
And pass their Time away in amorous Sport;
Like Cupids Young, their painted Wings display,
And with Apollo's Golden Beams do Play.
Industrious pains, like Bees, suck out the Sweet,
Gath'ring Wax of Invention with their Feet;
Then on the Wings of Fame fly to their Hive,
VVhich from the VVint'r of Death keeps them Alive.
There Birds of Poetry sweet Notes still Sing,
Which through the World as through the Air do Ring;
And on the Branches of Delight they Sit,
Pruning their Wings which are with Study wet;
Then to the Cedars of high Honour fly,
Yet rest not there, but mount up to the Sky.

Nature's Musical Instruments.

Nature's Musick.

No Musick's better than the Winds do make,
If all their several Notes right places take;
The full, the half, the quarter Note they set,
The Tenor, Base, and Treble there are met;
The Northern Wind a strong big Base doth Sing,
The East is Sweet, like a small Treble-string;
The South and West the Tenor's Parts do take,
And so all Joyn'd a fine sweet Consort make;
All that this Musick meets it moves to Dance,
If Bodies yielding be with Compliance;
The Clouds do Dance in Circle hand in hand,
And in the midst the Worldly Ball doth stand;
The Seas do Dance with Ships upon their Back,
Where Cap'ring high they many times do Wrack;
As Men, which venture on the Ropes to Dance,
Oft tumble down, if they too high advance;
Dust doth like Country-clowns no measure keep,
But rudely runs together on a Heap;
Trees Grave and Civil first Bow down their Head
Towards the Earth, then every Leaf out-spread,
And every Twig each other will Salute,
Embracing oft they Kiss each other's Root;
And so all Plants besides, and Flowers gay
Will sweetly Dance, when as the Winds do Play;
But when they're out of Tune, they Discord make,
Disorder all, nothing its place can take,
Untill Apollo with his Beams doth Play,
VVho places all again in the Right way.

A Picture hung in Nature's House.

A painter, who would draw the Firmament,
Did with a round plump Face the same present;
His Pencils were the Beams shot from fair Eyes,
Where some of them he in Red blushes Dies,
Which, as the Morning when the Heaven's clear,
Shew just so Red before the Sun appear;
The Veins he draws for a Blew Azure Sky,
And for the Sun a great and fair Gray Eye;
The Rain-bow like a Brow he Pencils out,
VVhich Circles half a weeping Eye about;
From pale Complexions taking a White,
Mixt with a Count'nance Sad, he Shades the Night:
Thus Heav'n he doth with such a Face present,
That is adorn'd with Beauty Excellent.

Nature's Exercise and Pastime.

Great Nature doth by Variations Live,
For she to none a Constant Course doth give;
We find, in Change she swiftly Runs about,
To keep her Health, and get long Life (no doubt)
And we for Nature are the only Food,
Her Meat's our Flesh, and her strong Wine our Blood;
The Trees, and Herbs, Fruits, Roots, and Flowers sweet,
Are but her Sallets, or such Cooling meat;
The Sea's her Bathe, to wash and cleanse her in,
VVhen weary she hath on a Journey been;
The Sun's her Fire, which serves her many ways,
His Light her Looking-glass and Beauty's praise;
The Winds, her Horses, Pace as she doth please,
The Clouds her Chariot, where she Sits with ease;
The Earth's her Ball, which she oft Trundles round,
She in this Exercise much good hath found;
Night is her Bed, her Rest therein to take,
Silence doth watch lest Noise might her awake;
The Spheres her Musick, and the Milky way
Is, where she Dances, whilst those Spheres do Play.

Nature's City.

Nature did of great Rocks and Mountains build
A City, with all sorts of Creatures fill'd;
The Citizens are VVorms, which stir not far,
But sit within their Shops and Sell their Ware;
The Moles, as Magistrates, do Mine about
Each ones Estate to find their Riches out,
And with Extortions do high Houses make,
Called Mole-hills, wherein they Pleasure take;
The lazy Dormouse in her House doth keep
The Gentry, which doth Eat, and Drink, and Sleep,
Unless it be to Hunt about for Nuts,
VVherein the Sport is still to fill their Guts;
The Peasant-Ants with their Industrious feet,
Provisions get, made by hard Labours sweet;
They Dig, they Draw, they Plow, and Reap with Care,
And what they get they to their Barns do bear:
But after all their Husbandry and Pains,
Extortion comes and Eats up all their Gains.
All sorts of Bugs, as several Merchants, do
In all things Trade, and each place Travel to;
But Vapours, they are Artisans with Skill,
And make strong Winds to send which way they will;
They do round Balls of VVild-fire make to Run,
Which spreads about when that round Form's undone:
This is the City, which great Nature makes,
And in this City she great Pleasure takes.

Nature's Market.

In Nature's Market you may all things find,
Of several Sorts, in every several Kind;
Carts of Sickness bring Pains and Weakness in,
Of Surfeits many Baskets full are seen;
Fruits of Green-sickness there are to be Sold,
And Colick-herbs, which are both Hot and Cold;
Of Lemmons of sharp Pain there is great store,
Sowr Orange Sores, and many many more.

Nature's Fields and Meadows.

Nature's Horses.

The Airy Clouds do swiftly run a Race,
Each other following as in a Chase,
Like Horses, some are Sprightfull, Nimbl' and Fleet,
Others swell'd Big with wat'ry Spavin'd Feet;
Some lag behind as Tyr'd in the Mid-way,
And some like Resty Jades stock-still will stay;
They all of several Shapes and Colours be,
Of several Tempers, seldome well agree;
And as those Horses which are highly Fed,
Do proudly Snort, their Eyes look Fiery red,
So Clouds exhal'd, and by the Sun fed, do
Feirce with Salt-peter and with Sulphur grow,
Flash out Fire when they on each other Light,
And with those Flames the World with Terrour fright;
Meeting each other, they Encounters make,
And do with strong Assaults each other break,
Falling upon each other's Head and Back,
Never do part till they with Thunder crack,
Then pouring down some Showrs of Rain, they do
Strong Gusts of Wind with their long Breath out-blow;
Boreas doth whip them up, and makes them Run,
Till all their Breath is spent, and Spirits gone;
Apollo breaks and backs them, fit to Ride,
Bridling with his hot Beams, their Strength to Guide;
He gives them Heats untill they Foam and Sweat,
And wipes them Dry lest they a Cold should get;
Leads them into the middle Region Stable,
VVhere are all Sorts, Dull, Quick, Weak, Strong and Able;
But when they Loose do get, having no fears,
Then fall they all together by the Ears.

Nature's Ships.

Birds from the Cedars Tall do take a Flight
On stretched Wings, to bear their Bodies light;
As Ships do Sail over the Ocean wide,
So do they Sail, and through the Air do Glide;
Their Bodies are the Keel, Feet Cabl' and Rope,
The Head the Steers-man which doth Guide the Poop;
Their Wings as Sails, with Wind are stretch'd out wide;
But it is hard to Fly against the Tide:
For when the Clouds do Flow against their Breast,
They weary grow, and on a Bough do rest.

Nature's Traffick.

The Mind's a Merchant, Trafficking about
The Brain, as th'Ocean, t'find Opinions out;
Remembrance is the VVare-house, where are laid
Goods, by Imaginations Ships conveigh'd,
VVhich every Tradesman of belief still Buys,
Gaining by Truth, but Losing all by Lies;
Thoughts as the Journey-men and Prentice Boys,
Do help to Sort the VVares, and Sell the Toys.

Nature's Prospect.

Once at Imaginations Windows I
Standing, a Prospect in the Mind did Spy;
The Eye of Ignorance I shut up close,
Lest th'Eye of Knowledge should this Prospect lose;
Drawing a Circle round of fine Conceit,
Extravagant Speeches Contracting strait,
The more I View'd, my Eye the farther went,
Till Understanding's Sight was almost Spent.
An Isle of Thoughts within a Church I View'd,
Fill'd full of Fancies light to me it shew'd,
Pillars of Judgement thick stood on a Row,
And in this Isle Motion walk'd to and fro;
Fear, Love, Humility Kneel'd down to Pray,
Desires did beg of all that pass'd that way;
Poor Doubts did Shake as if they had some harm,
Yet Mantles of good Hope did keep them warm;
But generous Faith seem'd bountifull and free,
She gave to all that ask'd her Charity;
All sorts of Sects in Pulpits seem'd to Preach,
Fables for Truth, no doubt, did many Teach:
But I heard not what their Opinions were;
For Prospect's in the Eye, none in the Ear.

Nature's Landskip.

I standing on a Hill of Fancies high,
And viewing round with Curiosity's Eye,
Under my Thoughts saw several Landskips lye.

Thoughts Similized.

The Actions of the Mind Similized.

Imaginations high like Cedars show,
Where Leaves of new Inventions thick do grow;
Which thoughts, as gentle Winds do Blow about,
And Contemplation makes those Leaves to Sprout;
And Pleasures with Delight, as Birds, do Sing
On every Bough, to think what Fame they bring.

Of Navigation.

The Sea's like Deserts that are wide and long,
Where Ships, as Horses run, whose Breath is strong;
The Stern-man holds the Rains, thereby to guide
The sturdy Steed on Foamy Seas to Ride;
The Wind's his Whip, to make it forward run,
And on each Side for Stirrops serves a Gun;
The Sails as Saddles, spread upon the Back,
The Ropes as Girts, which in a Storm will Crack;
The Pump the Breech, where Excrements come out,
The Needle, as the Eye, guides it about.

The Sea Similized to Meadows and Pastures, the Mariners to Shepherds, the Mast to a May-pole, the Fish to Beasts.

The Waves like Ridges of Plow'd-Land are high,
Whereat the Ship oft Stumbling down doth lye;
But in a Calm the Sea's like Meadows, seen
Level, its Saltness makes it look as Green;
When Ships thereon a slow Soft pace do walk,
Then Mariners as Shepherds Sing and Talk;
Some Whistle, and some on their Pipes do Play;
And thus with Mirth they pass their time away:
And every Mast is like a May-pole high,
Round which they Dance, though not so merrily
As Shepherds do, when they their Lasses bring
Garlands, to May-poles ty'd with a Silk-string;
Instead of Garlands they hang on their Mast
Huge Sails, and Ropes, to tye these Garlands fast;
Instead of Lasses they do Dance with Death,
And for their Musick they have Boreas breath;
Instead of Wine and Wassals drink Salt tears,
And for their Meat they Feed on nought but fears:
For Flocks of Sheep great Sholes of Herrings swim,
The Whales as Ravenous Wolves do feed on them;
As sportfull Kids skip over Hillocks green,
So Dancing Dolphins on the Waves are seen:
The Porpoyse, like their watchfull Dog espies,
And gives them warning when great VVinds will rise;
Instead of Barking, he his Head doth show
Above the Waters when they Roughly flow;
And like as Men in time of showring Rain
And Wind, do not in open Fields remain,
But quickly run for shelter to a Tree,
So Ships at Anchor lye upon the Sea.

A Storm upon the Seas compared to a Rebellion.

Thus the Rough Seas, which Boisterous winds inrage,
Assault a Ship, and in fierce VVarr ingage;
Just like rude Multitudes with Factions swell,
Caus'd by a rankled Spleen, and so Rebell
Against their Governour, thronging about
VVith hideous Noise, to throw his Power out;
And if their Power gets the upper-hand,
Do make him Sink, and then in Triumph stand,
Foaming at Mouth, as if great Deeds th'had done,
When they were Multitudes, and he but One:
So Waves about a Ship do Foam and Fret,
And each doth strive which shall the better get;
But Wisdome, like Skill'd Mariners, through wide
And gaping Jaws of Death, the Ship doth Guide,
And brings it to a Haven safe, or home;
And thus it did through many Dangers come.

Man's Head Similized to the Globe of the World.

The Head of Man compared to a Hive of Bees.

The Head of Man just like a Hive is made;
The Brain is like a Comb exactly laid,
Where every Thought just like a Bee doth dwell,
Each by it Self, within a parted Cell;
The Soul doth Govern all, as doth their King,
Imploys each Thought upon each several thing;
And like as Bees swarm in the Hottest weather,
Hanging in great and round Heaps all together,
As if they kept wise Counsels for their Lives;
For when they Fly away they seek new Hives:
So Men, when they have any great Design,
Their Thoughts do gather, and in heaps Combine,
But when they are Resolv'd, each one takes Flight,
And striveth which first on Desire shall Light;
And thus Thoughts meet and fly about, till they
For their Subsistence can find out a way:
But Doubting Thoughts, like Droans, live on the rest
Of Hoping Thoughts, which Honey bring to Nest;
For like as Bees, by their Stings industry
Get Honey, which the stingless Drones live by;
So Men without Ambition's Stings do live
Upon th'Industrious Stock their Fathers give;
And some do Steal another Poets VVit,
And Dress it up in their own Language fit:
But Fancy into every Garden flies,
And sucks the Flowers sweet from Lips and Eyes;
Sometimes it Lights on those that are not Fair,
Like Bees on Herbs, that Dry and VVither'd are;
As purest Honey on sweet Flowers lies,
So finest Fancies from young Beauties rise.

The Prey of Thoughts.

If Thoughts be the Mind's Creatures, as some say,
Then, like the rest, they on each other Prey;
Ambitious Thoughts, like to a Hawk, fly high,
In Circles of Desires mount to the Sky,
And when a Covy of young Hopes up Springs,
They strive to Catch them with their swiftest Wings:
Thus, as the Hawk on Patridges doth Eat,
So Hopefull Thoughts are for Ambition's Meat:
Thoughts of Self-love do Swim in Self-conceit,
Imaginary Thoughts on Praises bait,
Which baits the Thoughts of Pride do catch and eat,
Thinking it high and most delicious Meat;
Thoughts of Revenge are like to Lions strong,
Which whet the Appetite with Thoughts of Wrong;
With Subtile Thoughts they Couch and Leap for Prey;
But Bloody Thoughts carry the Flesh away.
The Spightful Thoughts, like Cats, which Mice do catch,
At each Corner of Imperfections watch;
When Spight perceives Detracting Thoughts do speak,
It strait Leaps on, no other Meat doth seek;
Suspicious Thoughts like Hounds do hunt about,
To find and eat the Hare of Timorous doubt;
Observing Thoughts do Smell which way to Trace,
And Hatefull Thoughts do follow close the Chase:
But Thoughts of Patience like to Dormice Live,
Eat little, Sleep them Nourishment doth give;
And when they Feed, they Thoughts of Sorrows crack,
Which Nuts being hard, their Teeth against them Knack;
The Grateful Thoughts on Thoughts of Thanks do feed,
And, by their Industry, like Ants, they speed:
But Thoughts of Love do Live on several Meat,
Of Hopes, and Fears, and Jealousies they Eat:
For like as Bees to several Flowers go,
Honey to Suck, so Thoughts of Lovers do.

Fancies Similized to Gnats.

Some Fancies like small Gnats buz in the Brain,
And by the Hand of Worldly cares are Slain:
But they do Sting so Sore the Poets Head,
His Mind is Blister'd, and his Thoughts turn Red;
Nought can take out this Burning heat and pain,
But Pen and Ink, to write on Paper plain;
Then take the Oyl of Fame, annoint the Mind,
And this to be a perfect Cure you'l find.

Of a Spider's Webb.

The Spider's Huswifry no VVebs doth Spin
To make her Cloath, but Ropes to hang Flies in;
Her Bowels are the Shop where Flax is found,
Her Body is the VVheel that goeth round;
Her Distaff, where she sticks the Thread, 's a VVall,
Her Feet the Fingers are she pulls withall;
She's Busie at all times, not Idle lies,
An House she Builds with Nets to catch the Flies,
Though it be not so strong as Brick and Stone,
Yet strong enough to bear light Bodies on;
VVithin this House the Female Spider lies,
The whilst the Male doth hunt abroad for Flies,
Ne're leaving till he Flies gets in, which are
Intangled soon within his subtile Snare;
Like treacherous Hosts, which do much welcome make
Their Guests, yet watch how they their Lives may take.

A Comparison between Gold and the Sun.

I am the purest of all Nature's works,
No Dross, nor sluggish Moisture in me Lurks;
I am within the Bowels of the Earth,
None knows of what, or whence I took my Birth;
And as the Sun, I shine in Glory bright,
Only I want his Beams to make a Light;
And as the Sun is chief of Planets high,
So on the Earth the chiefest thing am I;
And as the Sun rules there as Lord and King,
So on the Earth I Govern every thing;
And as the Sun doth run about the VVorld,
So I about from Man to Man am hurl'd.

Poets have most Pleasure in this Life.

The Head of Man compared to a Church.

The Head of Man's a Church where Reason preaches,
Directs the Life, and every Thought it Teaches;
Perswades the Mind to Live in Peace and Quiet,
And not in fruitless Contemplation's Riot;
For why, says Reason, you shall Damned be
From all Content, for Curiosity;
To seek about for what you cannot find,
VVill be a Torment to a restless Mind.

The Mine of Wit.

'Tis strange, Men think so Vain, and seem so Sage,
And Act so Foolish in this later Age;
Their Brains are always working some design,
Which Plots they Dig, as Miners in a Mine;
Fancies are Min'rals, and the Mine the Head,
Some Gold, some Silver, Iron, Tin, some Lead;
The Furnace which 'tis Melted in is great,
And Motion quick doth give a Glowing heat;
The Mouth's the Gutter, where Oar runs along,
The Hammer, which the Barrs do beat, the Tongue;
The Ear's the Forge, to Shape and Form it out,
And several Merchants send it all about;
And as the Metall's worth, the Price is set,
Scholars, which are the Buyers, most do get;
On Gold and Silver, which are Fancies fine,
Are Poets Stamp'd, as Masters of that Coin;
Hard Iron of strong Judgment's fit for use,
In Peace, or Warr, to joyn up Errours loose;
Though Lead is Dull, yet of it there is made
Use by Translatours, which in Language Trade;
Tin is but Weak, and of small Strength we see,
Yet joyn'd with Silver Wits, 't makes Alchymy:
For Men half Witted, with strong Wits joyn'd, grow
To be of Use, and make a Glist'ring show.

The Conclusion of this Part.