The Times' Whistle Or A Newe Daunce of Seuen Satires, and other Poems: Compiled by R. C., Gent. [i.e. Richard Corbett]. Now First Edited from Ms. Y. 8. 3. in the Library of Canterbury Cathedral: With introduction, notes, and glossary, By J. M. Cowper |
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Brevis Allegoria. |
 | The Times' Whistle |  |
Brevis Allegoria.
Out from the depth of Griefes infernall cave
Sad Melancholie rose with weeping eyes;
Company had she none, ne would she have,
But ne're pleasd Discontent, with whom she hies
With as swift feet as Griefe to her had lent,
Vnto the surging billowes of Lament,
To be washt o're into the desert Languishment.
Sad Melancholie rose with weeping eyes;
Company had she none, ne would she have,
But ne're pleasd Discontent, with whom she hies
With as swift feet as Griefe to her had lent,
Vnto the surging billowes of Lament,
To be washt o're into the desert Languishment.
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The ferriman, or boatswaine of the lake,
Incredulous, all doubting, hight Dispaire,
Would none conduct that did not aye forsake
To draw the breath of that halfe killing ayre
Issuing from Hope, his still professèd foe,
Which makes men constant in abiding woe,
Expecting still at length their trouble to forgoe.
Incredulous, all doubting, hight Dispaire,
Would none conduct that did not aye forsake
To draw the breath of that halfe killing ayre
Issuing from Hope, his still professèd foe,
Which makes men constant in abiding woe,
Expecting still at length their trouble to forgoe.
The boat wherin this Ferriman of hell
Dischargde his office, was a fearfull hulke
Framd' of a guilty conscience (worst of ill);
The sailes composde of sinne, whose monstrous bulke
Swelling with sighs, which were the gales of winde
Made the barke seeme to flie; a fearfull minde
Was the maine-mast, & doubt for anchor was assignde.
Dischargde his office, was a fearfull hulke
Framd' of a guilty conscience (worst of ill);
The sailes composde of sinne, whose monstrous bulke
Swelling with sighs, which were the gales of winde
Made the barke seeme to flie; a fearfull minde
Was the maine-mast, & doubt for anchor was assignde.
Thus rigd & trimd, it floteth vp & downe,
To ferry passengers vnto the shore
Of that inhospitable desert, where no towne,
Ne humane wight inhabited of yore;
Yet gins it now with people to abound,
Which daylie passe o're to that hatefull ground,
Although they know it will at length them quite confound.
To ferry passengers vnto the shore
Of that inhospitable desert, where no towne,
Ne humane wight inhabited of yore;
Yet gins it now with people to abound,
Which daylie passe o're to that hatefull ground,
Although they know it will at length them quite confound.
For whie, within that desert lyes a cave,
Where horrid Murder, Death[s] sterne sire, doth dwell;
Him that Dispaire doth hither bring, this slave
Doth straight encounter, leads him to his cell,
Presenting him with cordes to stop his breath,
Poyson to kill him, or else doth vnsheath
Swordes, ponyards, knives, all instruments of cursèd death.
Where horrid Murder, Death[s] sterne sire, doth dwell;
Him that Dispaire doth hither bring, this slave
Doth straight encounter, leads him to his cell,
Presenting him with cordes to stop his breath,
Poyson to kill him, or else doth vnsheath
Swordes, ponyards, knives, all instruments of cursèd death.
As Melancholie posted to the shore,
To be conducted to this balefull place,
Hope met with her & never gave her o're,
Till she had staide her rash vnsteady pace.
And with wise wordes, diverting her intent
From seeking out the desert Languishment,
At last she brought her to the house of Merriment.
To be conducted to this balefull place,
Hope met with her & never gave her o're,
Till she had staide her rash vnsteady pace.
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From seeking out the desert Languishment,
At last she brought her to the house of Merriment.
| The Times' Whistle | |