University of Virginia Library

Of Sense and Reason exercised in their different shapes.

If every thing hath sense and reason, then
There might be Beasts, and Birds, and Fish, and Men:
As Vegetables and Minerals, had they
The Animall shape to expresse that way;
And Vegetables & Minerals may know,
As Man, though like to Trees and stones they grow.
Then Corall Trouts may through the water glide,
And pearled menows swim on either side;
And Mermayds, which in the Sea delight,
Might all be made of watry Lillies white;
Set on salt watry Billows as they flow,
Which like green banks appeare thereon to grow.
And Marriners ith' midst their Shipp might stand,
In stead of Mast, hold sayles in either hand.
On Mountaine tops the Golden Fleece might feed,
Some hundred yeares their Ewes bring forth their breed
Large Deere of Oake might through the Forrest run,
Leaves on their heads might keepe them from the Sun;
In stead of shedding Hornes, their Leaves might fall,
And Acornes to increase a Wood of Fawnes withall.
Then might a Squerrill for a Nut be crackt,
If Nature had that Matter so compact:
And the small Sprouts which on the Husk do grow,
Might be the Taile, and make a brushing show.
Then might the Diamonds which on Rocks oft lye,
Be all like to some little sparkling Flye.
Then might a leaden Hare, if swiftly run,
Melt from that shape, and so a

A Pig of Lead.

Pig become.
And Dogs of Copper-mouths sound like a Bell;
So when they kill a Hare, ring out his Knell.
Hard Iron men shall have no cause to feare
To catch a fall, when they a hunting were.
Nor in the Wars should have no use of Armes,
Nor fear'd to fight; they could receive no harmes.
For if a Bullet on their Breasts should hit,
Fall on their back, but strait-waies up may get.
Or if a Bullet on their head do light,
May make them totter, but not kill them quite.
And Stars be like the Birds with twinckling Wing,
When in the Aire they flye, like Larks might sing.
And as they flye, like wandring Planets shew,
Their tailes may like to blazing Comets grow.
When they on Trees do rest themselves from flight,
Appeare like fixed Stars in Clouds of night.
Thus may the Sun be like a Woman faire,
And the bright Beames be as her flowing Haire.
And from her Eyes may cast a silver light,
And when she sleeps, the World be as dark night.
Or Women may of Alabaster be,
And so as smooth as polisht Ivory.
Or, as cleer Christall, where heartes may be shown,
And all their Falsehoods to the World be known.
Or else be made of Rose, and Lillies white,
Both faire, and sweet, to give the Soule delight.
Or else bee made like Tulips fresh in May,
By Nature drest, cloath'd severall Colours gay.
Thus every yeare there may young Virgins spring,
But wither, and decay, as soon agen.
While they are fresh, upon their Breast might set
Great swarmes of Bees, from thence sweet Honey get.
Or, on their Lips, for Gilly-flowers, Flies
Drawing delicious sweet that therein lies.
Thus every Maid, like severall Flowres shew,
Not in their shape, but like in substance grow.
Then teares which from oppressed hearts do rise,
May gather into Clouds within the eyes:
From whence those teares, like showres of Raine may flow
Upon the Bancks of Cheeks, where Roses grow.
After those showres of Raine, so sweet may smell,
Perfuming all the Aire, that neer them dwell.
But when the Sun of Joy, and Mirth doth rise,
Darting forth pleasing Beames from loving Eyes.
Then may the buds of Modesty unfold,
With full blown Confidence the Sun behold.
But Griefe as frost them nips, and withering dye,
In their owne

The Blos-Huske.

Podds intombed lye.
Thus Virgin Cherry Trees, where somes blow,
So red ripe Cherries on their Lips may grow.
Or Women Plumtrees at each fingers end,
May ripe Plummes hang, and make their Joynts to bend.
Men Sicomores, which on their Breast may write
Their Amorous Verses, which their Thoughts indite.
Mens stretched Arms may be like spreading Vines,
Where Grapes may grow, soe drinke of their own Wine.
To plant large Orchards, need no paines nor care,
For every one their sweet fresh Fruit may beare.
Then silver Grasse may in the Meadowes grow,
Which nothing but a Sithe of fire can mow.
The Wind, which from the North a journey takes,
May strike those silver strings, and Musick make.
Thus may another World, though matter still the same,
By changing shapes, change humours, properties, and Name.
Thus Colossus, a statue wonderous great,
When it did fall, might strait get on his feet.
Where Ships, which through his leggs did swim, he might
Have blow'd their Sailes, or else have drown'd them quite.
The Golden Calfe that Israel joy'd to see,
Might run away from their Idolatry.
The Basan Bul of Brasse might be, when roare,
His mettl'd Throat might make his voice sownd more.
The Hil, which Mahomet did call, might come
At the first word, or else away might run.
Thus Pompey's Statue might rejoyce to see,
When kill'd was Cæsar, his great Enemy.
The Wooden-horse that did great Troy betray,
Have told what's in him, and then run away.
Achilles Armes against Ulisses plead,
And not let Wit against true Valour speed.