The poems of John Marston Edited by Arnold Davenport |
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PROEMIVM IN librum primum. |
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 | The poems of John Marston |  |
PROEMIVM IN librum primum.
I beare the scourge of iust Rhamnusia,
Lashing the lewdnes of Britania.
Let others sing as their good Genius moues,
Of deepe desines, or else of clipping loues.
Faire fall them all, that with wits industry,
Doe cloath good subiects in true poesie.
But as for me, my vexed thoughtfull soule,
Takes pleasure, in displeasing sharp controule.
Lashing the lewdnes of Britania.
Let others sing as their good Genius moues,
Of deepe desines, or else of clipping loues.
Faire fall them all, that with wits industry,
Doe cloath good subiects in true poesie.
But as for me, my vexed thoughtfull soule,
Takes pleasure, in displeasing sharp controule.
Thou nursing Mother of faire wisedoms lore,
Ingenuous Melancholy, I implore
Thy graue assistance, take thy gloomie seate,
Inthrone thee in my blood; Let me intreate
Stay his quicke iocond skips, and force him runne
A sadde pac'd course, vntill my whips be done.
Daphne, vnclip thine armes from my sad brow,
Blacke Cypresse crowne me whilst I vp do plow
The hidden entrailes of ranke villanie.
Tearing the vaile from damn'd Impietie.
Quake guzzell dogs, that liue on putred slime,
Skud from the lashes of my yerking rime.
Ingenuous Melancholy, I implore
Thy graue assistance, take thy gloomie seate,
Inthrone thee in my blood; Let me intreate
Stay his quicke iocond skips, and force him runne
A sadde pac'd course, vntill my whips be done.
Daphne, vnclip thine armes from my sad brow,
Blacke Cypresse crowne me whilst I vp do plow
The hidden entrailes of ranke villanie.
Tearing the vaile from damn'd Impietie.
Quake guzzell dogs, that liue on putred slime,
Skud from the lashes of my yerking rime.
| The poems of John Marston | |