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 |
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 | Du Bartas |  |
115
THE SIXT DAY OF THE FIRST WEEK.
The Argvment.
Inuiting all which through this world, aspireVnto the next, God's glorious Works t'admire;
Heer, on the Stage, our noble Poet brings
Beasts of the Earth, Cattell, and creeping things:
Their hurt and help to vs: The strange euents
Between Androdus, and the Forrest Prince.
The little-World (Commander of the greater)
Why formed last: his admirable Feature:
His Heav'n-born Soule; her wondrous operation:
His deerest Rib: All Creatures generation.
You Pilgrims, which (through this worlds Citie) wend
Toward th' happy Citie, where withouten end
True ioyes abound; to anchor in the Port
Where Deaths pale horrors never do resort?
If you will see the fair Amphitheaters,
Th'Arks, Arcenals, Towrs, Temples, and Theaters,
Colosses, Cirques, Pyles, Ports, and Palaces
Proudly dispersed in your Passages;
Com, com with me: for, there's not any part
In this great Frame where shineth any Art,
But I will show't you. Are you weary, since?
What! tyr'd so soon? Why, will you not (my friends)
Having already ventur'd forth so far
On Neptun's back (through Windes and Waters war)
Rowe yet a stroak, the Harbour to recover,
Whose shoars already my glad eyes discover?
Toward th' happy Citie, where withouten end
True ioyes abound; to anchor in the Port
Where Deaths pale horrors never do resort?
If you will see the fair Amphitheaters,
Th'Arks, Arcenals, Towrs, Temples, and Theaters,
Colosses, Cirques, Pyles, Ports, and Palaces
Proudly dispersed in your Passages;
Com, com with me: for, there's not any part
In this great Frame where shineth any Art,
But I will show't you. Are you weary, since?
What! tyr'd so soon? Why, will you not (my friends)
Having already ventur'd forth so far
On Neptun's back (through Windes and Waters war)
Rowe yet a stroak, the Harbour to recover,
Whose shoars already my glad eyes discover?
116
Almighty Father, guide their Guide along,
And pour vpon my faint vnfluent tongue
The sweetest hony of th'Hyanthian Fount,
Which freshly purleth from the Muses Mount.
With the sweet charm of my Victorious Verse,
Tame furious Lions, Bears, and Tigers fierce;
Make all the wilde Beasts, laying fury by,
To com with Homage to my Harmony.
And pour vpon my faint vnfluent tongue
The sweetest hony of th'Hyanthian Fount,
Which freshly purleth from the Muses Mount.
With the sweet charm of my Victorious Verse,
Tame furious Lions, Bears, and Tigers fierce;
Make all the wilde Beasts, laying fury by,
To com with Homage to my Harmony.
Of All The Beasts which thou This-Day didst build,
To haunt the Hils, the Forrest, and the Field,
I see (as vice-Roy of their brutish Band)
The Elephant The Vant-gard doth command:
Worthy that Office; whether we regard
His Towred back, where many Souldiers ward;
Or else his Prudence, wherewithall he seems
T'obscure the wits of human-kinde somtimes:
As studious Scholar, he self-rumineth
His lessons giv'n, his King he honoureth,
Adores the Moon: moved with strange desire,
He feels the sweet flames of the Idalian fire,
And (pearc't with glance of a kinde-cruell ey)
For humane beauty, seems to sigh and dy.
Yea (if the Græcians doo not mis-recite)
With's crooked trumpet he doth somtimes write.
But, his huge strength, nor subtle wit, cannot
Defend him from the sly Rhinocerot:
Who never, with blinde fury led, doth venter
Vpon his Fo, but (yer the Lists he enter)
Against a Rock he whetteth round about
The dangerous pike vpon his armed snout:
Then buckling close, doth not (at randon) hack
On the hard Cuirass on his Enemies back;
But vnder's belly (cunning) findes a skin,
Where (and but there) his sharpned blade will in.
To haunt the Hils, the Forrest, and the Field,
I see (as vice-Roy of their brutish Band)
The Elephant The Vant-gard doth command:
Worthy that Office; whether we regard
His Towred back, where many Souldiers ward;
Or else his Prudence, wherewithall he seems
T'obscure the wits of human-kinde somtimes:
As studious Scholar, he self-rumineth
His lessons giv'n, his King he honoureth,
Adores the Moon: moved with strange desire,
He feels the sweet flames of the Idalian fire,
And (pearc't with glance of a kinde-cruell ey)
For humane beauty, seems to sigh and dy.
Yea (if the Græcians doo not mis-recite)
With's crooked trumpet he doth somtimes write.
But, his huge strength, nor subtle wit, cannot
Defend him from the sly Rhinocerot:
Who never, with blinde fury led, doth venter
Vpon his Fo, but (yer the Lists he enter)
Against a Rock he whetteth round about
The dangerous pike vpon his armed snout:
Then buckling close, doth not (at randon) hack
On the hard Cuirass on his Enemies back;
But vnder's belly (cunning) findes a skin,
Where (and but there) his sharpned blade will in.
The scaly Dragon, beeing else too lowe
For th'Elepant, vp a thick Tree doth goe;
So, closely ambusht almost every Day,
To watch the Carry-Castle, in his way:
Who, once approaching, straight his stand he leaues,
And round about him he so closely cleaues
With's wrything body; that his Enemy
(His stinging knots vnable to vn-ty)
Hastes to som Tree, or to som Rock, whereon
To rush and rub-off his detested zone,
The fell embraces of whose dismall clasp
Haue almost brought him to his latest gasp.
Then, suddenly, the Dragon slips his hold
From th'Elephant, and sliding down, doth fold
About his fore-legs, fetter'd in such order,
That stocked there, he now can stir no furder;
While th'Elephant (but to no purpose) strives
With's winding Trunk t'vndoo his wounding gyves,
His furious fo thrusts, in his nose, his nose;
Then head and all; and there-withall doth close
His breathing passage: but, his victory
He ioyes not long; for his huge Enemy,
Falling down dead, doth with his waighty Fall
Crush him to death, that caus'd his death, withall:
Like factious French-men, whose fell hands pursue
In their owne brests their furious blades t'embrew,
While pitty-less, hurried with blinded zeal,
In her owne blood they bathe their Common-weal;
When as at Dreux S. Denis, and Mountcounter,
Their parricidiall bloody swords encounter;
Making their Countrey (as a Tragick Tomb)
T'enter th'Earth's terror in her hap-less womb.
Or, like our own (late) York and Lancaster,
Ambitious broachers of that Viper-War,
Which did the womb of their own Dam deuour,
And spoil'd the freshest of fair England's Flowr;
When (White and Red) Rose against Rose, they stood,
Brother 'gainst Brother, to the knees in blood:
While Wakefield, Barnet and S. Alban's streets
Were drunk with deer blood of Plantagenets:
Where, either Conquer'd, and yet neither won;
Sith, by them both, was but their Owne vndon.
For th'Elepant, vp a thick Tree doth goe;
So, closely ambusht almost every Day,
To watch the Carry-Castle, in his way:
Who, once approaching, straight his stand he leaues,
And round about him he so closely cleaues
With's wrything body; that his Enemy
(His stinging knots vnable to vn-ty)
Hastes to som Tree, or to som Rock, whereon
To rush and rub-off his detested zone,
The fell embraces of whose dismall clasp
Haue almost brought him to his latest gasp.
Then, suddenly, the Dragon slips his hold
From th'Elephant, and sliding down, doth fold
117
That stocked there, he now can stir no furder;
While th'Elephant (but to no purpose) strives
With's winding Trunk t'vndoo his wounding gyves,
His furious fo thrusts, in his nose, his nose;
Then head and all; and there-withall doth close
His breathing passage: but, his victory
He ioyes not long; for his huge Enemy,
Falling down dead, doth with his waighty Fall
Crush him to death, that caus'd his death, withall:
Like factious French-men, whose fell hands pursue
In their owne brests their furious blades t'embrew,
While pitty-less, hurried with blinded zeal,
In her owne blood they bathe their Common-weal;
When as at Dreux S. Denis, and Mountcounter,
Their parricidiall bloody swords encounter;
Making their Countrey (as a Tragick Tomb)
T'enter th'Earth's terror in her hap-less womb.
Or, like our own (late) York and Lancaster,
Ambitious broachers of that Viper-War,
Which did the womb of their own Dam deuour,
And spoil'd the freshest of fair England's Flowr;
When (White and Red) Rose against Rose, they stood,
Brother 'gainst Brother, to the knees in blood:
While Wakefield, Barnet and S. Alban's streets
Were drunk with deer blood of Plantagenets:
Where, either Conquer'd, and yet neither won;
Sith, by them both, was but their Owne vndon.
Neer th'Elephant, comes th'horned.
Hirable,
Stream-troubling Camell, and strong-necked Bull,
The lazy-pased (yet laborious) Asse,
The quick, proud Courser, which the rest doth passe
For apt address; Mars and his Master loving,
After his hand with ready lightness moving:
This, out of hand, will self advance, and bound,
Corvet, pase, manage, turn, and trot the Round:
That, followes loose behinde the Groom that keeps-him;
This, kneeleth down the while his Master leaps-him:
This, runs on Corn-Ears, and ne'r bends their quils;
That, on the Water, and ne'r wets his heels.
Stream-troubling Camell, and strong-necked Bull,
The lazy-pased (yet laborious) Asse,
The quick, proud Courser, which the rest doth passe
For apt address; Mars and his Master loving,
After his hand with ready lightness moving:
This, out of hand, will self advance, and bound,
Corvet, pase, manage, turn, and trot the Round:
That, followes loose behinde the Groom that keeps-him;
This, kneeleth down the while his Master leaps-him:
This, runs on Corn-Ears, and ne'r bends their quils;
That, on the Water, and ne'r wets his heels.
In a fresh Troup, the fearfull Hare I note,
Th'oblivious Conney, and the brouzing Goat,
The sloathfull Swine, the golden-fleeced Sheep,
The light-foot Hart, which every yeer doth weep
(As a sad Recluse) for his branched head,
That in the Spring-time he before hath shed.
O! what a sport, to see a Heard of them
Take soyl in Sommer in som spacious stream!
One swims before: another on his chine,
Nigh half-vpright, doth with his brest incline;
On that, another; and so all doe ride
Each after other: and still, when their guide
Growes to be weary, and can lead no more,
He that was hindmost coms and swims before:
Like as in Cities, still one Magistrate
Bears not the Burthen of the common State;
But having past his Yeer, he doth discharge
On others shoulders his sweet-bitter Charge.
Th'oblivious Conney, and the brouzing Goat,
The sloathfull Swine, the golden-fleeced Sheep,
The light-foot Hart, which every yeer doth weep
(As a sad Recluse) for his branched head,
That in the Spring-time he before hath shed.
O! what a sport, to see a Heard of them
Take soyl in Sommer in som spacious stream!
118
Nigh half-vpright, doth with his brest incline;
On that, another; and so all doe ride
Each after other: and still, when their guide
Growes to be weary, and can lead no more,
He that was hindmost coms and swims before:
Like as in Cities, still one Magistrate
Bears not the Burthen of the common State;
But having past his Yeer, he doth discharge
On others shoulders his sweet-bitter Charge.
But, of all Beasts, none steadeth man so much
As doth the Dog; his diligence is such:
A faithfull Guard, a watchfull Sentinell,
A painfull Purvayor, that with perfect smell
Provides great Princes many a dainty mess,
A friend till death, a helper in distress,
Dread of the Wolf, Feare of the fearfull Thief,
Fierce Combatant, and of all Hunters chief.
As doth the Dog; his diligence is such:
A faithfull Guard, a watchfull Sentinell,
A painfull Purvayor, that with perfect smell
Provides great Princes many a dainty mess,
A friend till death, a helper in distress,
Dread of the Wolf, Feare of the fearfull Thief,
Fierce Combatant, and of all Hunters chief.
There skips the Squirrill, seeming Weather-wise,
Without beholding of Heav'ns twinkling eyes:
For, knowing well which way the winde will change,
Hee shifts the portall of his little Grange.
There's th'wanton Weazell, and the wily Fox,
The witty Monkey, that mans action mocks:
The sweat-sweet Ciuit, deerly fetcht from far
For Courtiers nice, past Indian Tarnassar.
There, the wise Beuer, who, pursu'd by foes,
Tears-off his codlings, and among them throwes;
Knowing that Hunters on the Pontik Heath
Doo more desire that ransom, then his death.
There, the rough Hedg-hog; who, to shun his thrall,
Shrinks vp himselfe as round as any Ball;
And fastning his slowe feet vnder his chin,
On's thistly bristles rowles him quickly in.
But th'Ey of Heav'n beholdeth nought more strange
Then the Chameleon, who with various change
Receiues the colour that each obiect giues,
And (food-less else) of th'Aire alonely liues.
Without beholding of Heav'ns twinkling eyes:
For, knowing well which way the winde will change,
Hee shifts the portall of his little Grange.
There's th'wanton Weazell, and the wily Fox,
The witty Monkey, that mans action mocks:
The sweat-sweet Ciuit, deerly fetcht from far
For Courtiers nice, past Indian Tarnassar.
There, the wise Beuer, who, pursu'd by foes,
Tears-off his codlings, and among them throwes;
Knowing that Hunters on the Pontik Heath
Doo more desire that ransom, then his death.
There, the rough Hedg-hog; who, to shun his thrall,
Shrinks vp himselfe as round as any Ball;
And fastning his slowe feet vnder his chin,
On's thistly bristles rowles him quickly in.
But th'Ey of Heav'n beholdeth nought more strange
Then the Chameleon, who with various change
Receiues the colour that each obiect giues,
And (food-less else) of th'Aire alonely liues.
My blood congeales, my sudden swelling brest
Can hardly breath, with chill cold cakes opprest;
My hair doth stare, my bones for fear do quake,
My colour changes, my sad heart doth shake:
And, round about, Deaths Image (ghastly-grim)
Before mine eyes all-ready seems to swim.
O! who is he that would not be astound,
To be (as I am) heer environ'd round,
With cruell'st Creatures, which for Mastery,
Haue vow'd against vs end-less Enmity?
Phœbus would faint, Alcides self would dread,
Although the first drad Python conquered,
And th'other vanquisht th'Erymanthian Boar,
The Némean Lion and a many more.
What strength of arm, or Art-full stratagem,
From Nile's fell Rover could deliuer them,
Who runs, and rowes, warring by Land and Water
'Gainst men and Fishes, subiect to his slaughter?
Or from the furious Dragon, which alone
Set-on a Roman Army; whereupon
Stout Regulus as many Engines spent,
As to the ground would Carthage wals haue rent?
What shot-free Corslet, or what counsell crafty,
'Gainst the angry Aspick could assure them safety,
Who (faithfull husband) over Hill and Plain
Pursues the man that his deer Pheer hath slain;
Whom he can finde amid the thickest throng,
And in an instant venge him of his wrong?
What shield of Aiax could avoid their death
By th'Basilisk, whose pestilentiall breath
Doth pearce firm Marble, and whose banefull ey
Wounds with a glance, so that the soundest dy?
Can hardly breath, with chill cold cakes opprest;
My hair doth stare, my bones for fear do quake,
My colour changes, my sad heart doth shake:
And, round about, Deaths Image (ghastly-grim)
Before mine eyes all-ready seems to swim.
O! who is he that would not be astound,
To be (as I am) heer environ'd round,
With cruell'st Creatures, which for Mastery,
Haue vow'd against vs end-less Enmity?
119
Although the first drad Python conquered,
And th'other vanquisht th'Erymanthian Boar,
The Némean Lion and a many more.
What strength of arm, or Art-full stratagem,
From Nile's fell Rover could deliuer them,
Who runs, and rowes, warring by Land and Water
'Gainst men and Fishes, subiect to his slaughter?
Or from the furious Dragon, which alone
Set-on a Roman Army; whereupon
Stout Regulus as many Engines spent,
As to the ground would Carthage wals haue rent?
What shot-free Corslet, or what counsell crafty,
'Gainst the angry Aspick could assure them safety,
Who (faithfull husband) over Hill and Plain
Pursues the man that his deer Pheer hath slain;
Whom he can finde amid the thickest throng,
And in an instant venge him of his wrong?
What shield of Aiax could avoid their death
By th'Basilisk, whose pestilentiall breath
Doth pearce firm Marble, and whose banefull ey
Wounds with a glance, so that the soundest dy?
Lord! if so be, thou for mankinde didst rear
This rich round Mansion (glorious every where)
Alas! why didst thou on This-Day create
These harmfull Beasts, which but exasperate
Our thorny life? O! wert thou pleas'd to form
Th'innammel'd Scorpion, and the Viper-worm,
Th'horned Cerastes, th'Alexandrian Skink,
Th'Adder, and Drynas (full of odious stink)
Th'Eft, Snake, and Dipsas (causing deadly Thirst):
Why hast thou arm'd them with a rage so curst?
This rich round Mansion (glorious every where)
Alas! why didst thou on This-Day create
These harmfull Beasts, which but exasperate
Our thorny life? O! wert thou pleas'd to form
Th'innammel'd Scorpion, and the Viper-worm,
Th'horned Cerastes, th'Alexandrian Skink,
Th'Adder, and Drynas (full of odious stink)
Th'Eft, Snake, and Dipsas (causing deadly Thirst):
Why hast thou arm'd them with a rage so curst?
Pardon, good God, pardon me; 'twas our pride,
Not thou, that troubled our first happy tyde,
And in the Childehood of the World did bring
Th'Amphisbena, her double banefull sting.
Before that Adam did revolt from Thee,
And (curious) tasted of the sacred Tree,
He lived King of Eden, and his brow
Was never blankt with pallid fear, as now:
The fiercest Beasts, would at his word, or beck,
Bow to his yoak their self-obedient neck;
As now the ready Horse is at command
To the good Rider's spur, or word, or wand;
And doth not wildely his own will perform,
But his that rules him with a steddy arm.
Yea, as forgetfull of so foul offence,
Thou left'st him (yet) sufficient wisdom, whence
He might subdue, and to his seruice stoop
The stubborn'st heads of all the savage troop.
Not thou, that troubled our first happy tyde,
And in the Childehood of the World did bring
Th'Amphisbena, her double banefull sting.
Before that Adam did revolt from Thee,
And (curious) tasted of the sacred Tree,
He lived King of Eden, and his brow
Was never blankt with pallid fear, as now:
The fiercest Beasts, would at his word, or beck,
Bow to his yoak their self-obedient neck;
As now the ready Horse is at command
To the good Rider's spur, or word, or wand;
And doth not wildely his own will perform,
But his that rules him with a steddy arm.
Yea, as forgetfull of so foul offence,
Thou left'st him (yet) sufficient wisdom, whence
120
The stubborn'st heads of all the savage troop.
Of all the creatures through the Welkin gliding,
Walking on Earth, or in the Waters sliding,
Th'hast armed som with Poyson, som with Paws,
Som with sharp Antlers, som with griping Claws,
Som with keen Tushes, som with crooked Beaks,
Som with thick Cuirets, som with scaly necks;
But mad'st Man naked, and for Weapons fit
Thou gav'st him nothing but a pregnant Wit;
Which rusts and duls, except it subiect finde
Worthy it's worth, whereon it self to grinde;
And (as it were) with envious armies great,
Be round about besieged and beset.
For, what boot Milo's brawny shoulders broad,
And sinnewie arms, if but a common load
He alwaies bear? what Bayes, or Oliue boughs,
Parsley, or Pine, shall crown his warlike brows,
Except som other Milo, entring Lists,
Courageously his boasted strength resists?
“In deepest perils shineth Wisdoms prime:
“Through thousand deaths true Valour seeks to clime;
“Well knowing, Conquest yeelds but little Honour,
“If bloody Danger doo not wait vpon her.
Walking on Earth, or in the Waters sliding,
Th'hast armed som with Poyson, som with Paws,
Som with sharp Antlers, som with griping Claws,
Som with keen Tushes, som with crooked Beaks,
Som with thick Cuirets, som with scaly necks;
But mad'st Man naked, and for Weapons fit
Thou gav'st him nothing but a pregnant Wit;
Which rusts and duls, except it subiect finde
Worthy it's worth, whereon it self to grinde;
And (as it were) with envious armies great,
Be round about besieged and beset.
For, what boot Milo's brawny shoulders broad,
And sinnewie arms, if but a common load
He alwaies bear? what Bayes, or Oliue boughs,
Parsley, or Pine, shall crown his warlike brows,
Except som other Milo, entring Lists,
Courageously his boasted strength resists?
“In deepest perils shineth Wisdoms prime:
“Through thousand deaths true Valour seeks to clime;
“Well knowing, Conquest yeelds but little Honour,
“If bloody Danger doo not wait vpon her.
O gracious Father! th'hast not onely lent
Prudence to Man, the Perils to prevent,
Wherewith these foes threaten his feeble life:
But (for his sake) hast set at mutuall strife
Serpents with Serpents, and hast rais'd them foes
Which, vnprovoked, felly them oppose.
Thou mak'st th'ingratefull Viper (at his birth)
His dying Mothers belly to gnaw forth:
Thou mak'st the Scorpion (greedy after food)
Vnnaturally devour his proper brood;
Whereof, one scaping from the Parents hunger,
With's death doth vengeance on his brethrens wronger:
Thou mak'st the Weazell, by a secret might,
Murder the Serpent with the murdering sight;
Who so surpris'd, striving in wrathfull manner,
Dying himself, kils with his baen his Baner.
Prudence to Man, the Perils to prevent,
Wherewith these foes threaten his feeble life:
But (for his sake) hast set at mutuall strife
Serpents with Serpents, and hast rais'd them foes
Which, vnprovoked, felly them oppose.
Thou mak'st th'ingratefull Viper (at his birth)
His dying Mothers belly to gnaw forth:
Thou mak'st the Scorpion (greedy after food)
Vnnaturally devour his proper brood;
Whereof, one scaping from the Parents hunger,
With's death doth vengeance on his brethrens wronger:
Thou mak'st the Weazell, by a secret might,
Murder the Serpent with the murdering sight;
Who so surpris'd, striving in wrathfull manner,
Dying himself, kils with his baen his Baner.
Thou mak'st th'Ichneumon (whom the Memphs adore)
To rid of Poysons Nile's manured shore;
Although (indeed) he doth not conquer them
So much by strength as subtle stratagem.
As he that (vrg'd with deep indignity)
By a proud Chalenge doth his foe defie,
Premeditates his posture and his play,
And arms himselfe so complete every way
(With wary hand guided with watchfull eye,
And ready foot to traverse skilfully)
That the Defendant, in the heat of fight,
Findes no part open for his blade to light:
So Pharaohs Rat, yer he begin the fray
'Gainst the blinde Aspick, with a cleauing Clay
Vpon his coat he wraps an earthen Cake,
Which afterward the Suns hot beams doo bake:
Arm'd with this Plaister, th'Aspick he approcheth,
And in his throat his crooked tooth he broacheth;
While th'other boot-less striues to pearce and prick
Through the hard temper of his armour thick:
Yet, knowing himselfe too-weak (for all his wile)
Alone to match the scaly Crocodile;
He, with the Wren, his Ruin doth conspire.
The Wren, who seeing (prest with sleeps desire)
Nile's poys'ny Pirate press the slimy shoar,
Suddenly coms, and hopping him before,
Into his mouth he skips, his teeth he pickles,
Clenseth his palate, and his throat so tickles,
That charm'd with pleasure, the dull Serpent gapes
Wider and wider with his vgly chaps:
Then like a shaft, th'Ichneumon instantly
Into the Tyrants greedy gorge doth fly,
And feeds vpon that Glurton, for whose Riot
All Nile's fat mergents scarce could furnish diet.
To rid of Poysons Nile's manured shore;
Although (indeed) he doth not conquer them
So much by strength as subtle stratagem.
As he that (vrg'd with deep indignity)
By a proud Chalenge doth his foe defie,
Premeditates his posture and his play,
And arms himselfe so complete every way
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And ready foot to traverse skilfully)
That the Defendant, in the heat of fight,
Findes no part open for his blade to light:
So Pharaohs Rat, yer he begin the fray
'Gainst the blinde Aspick, with a cleauing Clay
Vpon his coat he wraps an earthen Cake,
Which afterward the Suns hot beams doo bake:
Arm'd with this Plaister, th'Aspick he approcheth,
And in his throat his crooked tooth he broacheth;
While th'other boot-less striues to pearce and prick
Through the hard temper of his armour thick:
Yet, knowing himselfe too-weak (for all his wile)
Alone to match the scaly Crocodile;
He, with the Wren, his Ruin doth conspire.
The Wren, who seeing (prest with sleeps desire)
Nile's poys'ny Pirate press the slimy shoar,
Suddenly coms, and hopping him before,
Into his mouth he skips, his teeth he pickles,
Clenseth his palate, and his throat so tickles,
That charm'd with pleasure, the dull Serpent gapes
Wider and wider with his vgly chaps:
Then like a shaft, th'Ichneumon instantly
Into the Tyrants greedy gorge doth fly,
And feeds vpon that Glurton, for whose Riot
All Nile's fat mergents scarce could furnish diet.
Nay, more (good Lord) th'hast taught Mankind a Reason
To draw Life out of Death, and Health from Poyson:
So that in equall Balance balancing
The Good and Euill which these Creatures bring
Vnto Mans life, we shall perceiue, the first
By many grains to ouer waigh the worst.
To draw Life out of Death, and Health from Poyson:
So that in equall Balance balancing
The Good and Euill which these Creatures bring
Vnto Mans life, we shall perceiue, the first
By many grains to ouer waigh the worst.
From Serpents scap't, yet am I scarce in safety:
Alas! I see a Legion fierce and lofty
Of Sauvages, whose fleet and furious pase,
Whose horrid roaring, and whose hideous face
Make my sense sense-less, and my speech restrain,
And cast me in my former fears again.
Already howls the waste-Fold Wolf, the Boar
Whets foamy Fangs, the hungry Bear doth roar,
The Cat-faç't Ounce, that doth me much dismay,
With grumbling horror threatens my decay;
The light-foot Tigre, spotted Leopard,
Foaming with fury do besiege me hard;
Then th'Vnicorn, th'Hyæna tearing-tombs,
Swift Mantichor', and Nubian Cephus coms:
Of which last three, each hath (as heer they stand)
Man's voice, Man's visage, Man-like foot and hand.
I fear the Beast bred in the bloody Coast
Of Cannibals, which thousand times (almost)
Re-whelps her whelps, and in her tender womb
Shee doth as oft her liuing brood re-tomb.
Alas! I see a Legion fierce and lofty
Of Sauvages, whose fleet and furious pase,
Whose horrid roaring, and whose hideous face
Make my sense sense-less, and my speech restrain,
And cast me in my former fears again.
Already howls the waste-Fold Wolf, the Boar
Whets foamy Fangs, the hungry Bear doth roar,
The Cat-faç't Ounce, that doth me much dismay,
With grumbling horror threatens my decay;
The light-foot Tigre, spotted Leopard,
Foaming with fury do besiege me hard;
Then th'Vnicorn, th'Hyæna tearing-tombs,
Swift Mantichor', and Nubian Cephus coms:
Of which last three, each hath (as heer they stand)
Man's voice, Man's visage, Man-like foot and hand.
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Of Cannibals, which thousand times (almost)
Re-whelps her whelps, and in her tender womb
Shee doth as oft her liuing brood re-tomb.
But O! what Monster's this that bids me battell,
On whose rough back an Hoast of Pikes doth rattle:
Who string-less shoots so many arrows out,
Whose thorny sides are hedged round about
With stiff steel-pointed quils, and all his parts
Bristled with Bodkins, arm'd with Auls and Darts,
Which ay fierce darting, seem still fresh to spring,
And to his aid still new supplies to bring?
O fortunate Shaft-neuer-wanting Boaw-man!
Who, as thou fleest, canst hit thy following foe-man,
And neuer missest (or but very narrow)
Th'intended mark of thy selfs-kinred Arrow:
Who, still self-furnisht, needest borrow neuer
Diana's shafts, nor yet Apollo's quiver,
Nor boaw-strings fetcht from Carian Aleband,
Brazell from Peru, but hast all at hand
Of thine own growth; for in thy Hide do growe
Thy String, thy Shafts, thy Quiver and thy Bowe.
On whose rough back an Hoast of Pikes doth rattle:
Who string-less shoots so many arrows out,
Whose thorny sides are hedged round about
With stiff steel-pointed quils, and all his parts
Bristled with Bodkins, arm'd with Auls and Darts,
Which ay fierce darting, seem still fresh to spring,
And to his aid still new supplies to bring?
O fortunate Shaft-neuer-wanting Boaw-man!
Who, as thou fleest, canst hit thy following foe-man,
And neuer missest (or but very narrow)
Th'intended mark of thy selfs-kinred Arrow:
Who, still self-furnisht, needest borrow neuer
Diana's shafts, nor yet Apollo's quiver,
Nor boaw-strings fetcht from Carian Aleband,
Brazell from Peru, but hast all at hand
Of thine own growth; for in thy Hide do growe
Thy String, thy Shafts, thy Quiver and thy Bowe.
But (Courage now.) Heer coms the valiant Beast,
The noble Lion, King of all the rest;
Who, brauely-minded, is as milde to those
That yeeld to him, as fierce vnto his foes:
To humble suiters neither stern nor statefull;
To benefactors never found ingratefull.
The noble Lion, King of all the rest;
Who, brauely-minded, is as milde to those
That yeeld to him, as fierce vnto his foes:
To humble suiters neither stern nor statefull;
To benefactors never found ingratefull.
I call to record that same Roman Thrall,
Who (to escape from his mechanicall
And cruell Master, that (for lucre) vs'd him
Not as a Man; but, as a Beast, abus'd him)
Fled through the desart, and with trauell tir'd,
At length into a mossie caue retir'd:
But there, no sooner 'gan the drowzy wretch
On the soft grass his weary limbs to stretch;
But, coming swift into the caue, he seeth
A ramping Lion gnashing of his teeth.
Who (to escape from his mechanicall
And cruell Master, that (for lucre) vs'd him
Not as a Man; but, as a Beast, abus'd him)
Fled through the desart, and with trauell tir'd,
At length into a mossie caue retir'd:
But there, no sooner 'gan the drowzy wretch
On the soft grass his weary limbs to stretch;
But, coming swift into the caue, he seeth
A ramping Lion gnashing of his teeth.
A thief, to shamefull execution sent
By Iustice, for his faults iust punishment,
Feeling his eyes clout, and his elbows cord,
Waiting for nothing but the fatall Sword;
Dies yer his death, he looks so certainly
Without delay in that drad place to Dy:
Even so the Slaue, seeing no means to shun
(By flight or fight) his fear'd destruction
(Having no way to flee, nor arms to fight,
But sighs and tears, prayers and wofull plight)
Embraceth Death; abiding, for a stown,
Pale, cold, and senseless, in a deadly swown.
At last, again his courage 'gan to gather,
When he perceiv'd no rage (but pitty rather)
In his new Hoast, who with milde looks and meek
Seem'd (as it were) succour of him to seek,
Shewing him oft one of his paws, wherein
A festering thorn for a long time had been.
Then (though still fearfull) did the Slaue draw nigher,
And from his foot he lightly snatcht the bryer;
And wringing gently with his hand the wound,
Made th'hot impostume run vpon the ground.
By Iustice, for his faults iust punishment,
Feeling his eyes clout, and his elbows cord,
Waiting for nothing but the fatall Sword;
Dies yer his death, he looks so certainly
Without delay in that drad place to Dy:
Even so the Slaue, seeing no means to shun
(By flight or fight) his fear'd destruction
(Having no way to flee, nor arms to fight,
But sighs and tears, prayers and wofull plight)
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Pale, cold, and senseless, in a deadly swown.
At last, again his courage 'gan to gather,
When he perceiv'd no rage (but pitty rather)
In his new Hoast, who with milde looks and meek
Seem'd (as it were) succour of him to seek,
Shewing him oft one of his paws, wherein
A festering thorn for a long time had been.
Then (though still fearfull) did the Slaue draw nigher,
And from his foot he lightly snatcht the bryer;
And wringing gently with his hand the wound,
Made th'hot impostume run vpon the ground.
Thenceforth the Lion seeks for Booties best
Through Hill and Dale, to cheere his new-com Guest,
His new Physician; who, for all his cost,
Soon leaues his Lodging, and his dreadfull Hoast;
And once more wanders through the wildernes,
Whither his froward Fortune would address,
Vntill (re-taen) his fell Lord brought him home,
For Spectacle vnto Imperiall Rome,
To be (according to their barbarous Laws)
Bloudily torn with greedy Lions paws.
Fell Cannibal! Flint-harted Polyphem!
If thou would'st needs exactly torture him
(Inhumane Monster, hatefull Lestrigon)
Why from thine owne hand hast thou let him gon,
To Bears and Lions to be giuen for prey,
Thy self more fel, a thousand-fold, then they?
African Panthers, Hyrcan Tigres fierce,
Cleonian Lions, and Pannonian Bears,
Be not so cruell, as who violates
Sacred Humanity, and cruciates
His loyall subiects; making Recreations
Of Massacres, Combats, and sharp Taxations.
Through Hill and Dale, to cheere his new-com Guest,
His new Physician; who, for all his cost,
Soon leaues his Lodging, and his dreadfull Hoast;
And once more wanders through the wildernes,
Whither his froward Fortune would address,
Vntill (re-taen) his fell Lord brought him home,
For Spectacle vnto Imperiall Rome,
To be (according to their barbarous Laws)
Bloudily torn with greedy Lions paws.
Fell Cannibal! Flint-harted Polyphem!
If thou would'st needs exactly torture him
(Inhumane Monster, hatefull Lestrigon)
Why from thine owne hand hast thou let him gon,
To Bears and Lions to be giuen for prey,
Thy self more fel, a thousand-fold, then they?
African Panthers, Hyrcan Tigres fierce,
Cleonian Lions, and Pannonian Bears,
Be not so cruell, as who violates
Sacred Humanity, and cruciates
His loyall subiects; making Recreations
Of Massacres, Combats, and sharp Taxations.
'Boue all the Beasts that fill'd the Martian Field
With bloud and slaughter, one was most beheld;
One valiant Lion, whose victorious fights
Had conquered hundreds of those guilty wights,
Whose feeble skirmish had but striv'n in vain
To scape by combat their deserued pain.
That very Beast, with faint and fearfull fect
This Runnagate (at last) is forc't to meet;
And being entred in the bloody List,
The Lion rowz'd, and ruffles-vp his Crest,
Shortens his body, sharpens his grimey,
And (staring wide) he roareth hideously:
Then often swindging, with his sinnewy train,
Somtimes his sides, somtimes the dusty Plain,
He whets his rage, and strongly rampeth on
Against his foe; who, nigh already gon
To drink of Lethe, lifteth to the Pole
Religious vows; not for his life, but soule.
With bloud and slaughter, one was most beheld;
One valiant Lion, whose victorious fights
Had conquered hundreds of those guilty wights,
Whose feeble skirmish had but striv'n in vain
To scape by combat their deserued pain.
That very Beast, with faint and fearfull fect
This Runnagate (at last) is forc't to meet;
And being entred in the bloody List,
The Lion rowz'd, and ruffles-vp his Crest,
Shortens his body, sharpens his grimey,
And (staring wide) he roareth hideously:
Then often swindging, with his sinnewy train,
Somtimes his sides, somtimes the dusty Plain,
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Against his foe; who, nigh already gon
To drink of Lethe, lifteth to the Pole
Religious vows; not for his life, but soule.
After the Beast had marcht som twenty pase,
He sodain stops: and, viewing well the face
Of his pale foe, remembred (rapt with ioy)
That this was he that eased his annoy:
Wherefore, conuerting from his hatefull wildenes,
From pride to pittie, and from rage to mildenes,
On his bleak face he both his eyes doth fix,
Fawning for homage, his lean hands he licks.
The Slaue, thus knowing, and thus being knowen,
Lifts to the Heav'ns his front now hoary growne,
And (now no more fearing his tearing paws)
He stroaks the Lion, and his poule he claws,
And learns by proof, that A good turne at need,
At first or last, shall be assur'd of meed.
He sodain stops: and, viewing well the face
Of his pale foe, remembred (rapt with ioy)
That this was he that eased his annoy:
Wherefore, conuerting from his hatefull wildenes,
From pride to pittie, and from rage to mildenes,
On his bleak face he both his eyes doth fix,
Fawning for homage, his lean hands he licks.
The Slaue, thus knowing, and thus being knowen,
Lifts to the Heav'ns his front now hoary growne,
And (now no more fearing his tearing paws)
He stroaks the Lion, and his poule he claws,
And learns by proof, that A good turne at need,
At first or last, shall be assur'd of meed.
Ther's vnder Sun (as Delphos God did showe)
No better Knowledge, then Our selfe to Knowe:
Ther is no Theam more plentifull to scan,
Then is the glorious goodly Frame of Man:
For in Man's self is Fire, Aire, Earth and Sea;
Man's (in a word) the World's Epitome
Or little Map: which heer my Muse doth try
By the grand Pattern to exemplifie.
No better Knowledge, then Our selfe to Knowe:
Ther is no Theam more plentifull to scan,
Then is the glorious goodly Frame of Man:
For in Man's self is Fire, Aire, Earth and Sea;
Man's (in a word) the World's Epitome
Or little Map: which heer my Muse doth try
By the grand Pattern to exemplifie.
A witty Mason, doth not (with rare Art)
Into a Palace, Paros Rocks conuert,
Seel it with gold, and to the Firmament
Rayse the proud Turrets of his Battlement,
And (to be brief) in euery part of it,
Beauty to vse, vse vnto beauty fit,
To th'end the Skrich-Owl, and Night-Rauen should
In those fair walls their habitations hold:
But rather, for som wise and wealthy Prince
Able to iudge of his arts excellence:
Even so, the Lord built not this All-Theater,
For the rude guests of Air, and Woods and Water;
But, all for Him, who (whether he survey
The vast salt kingdoms, or th'Earth's fruitfull clay,
Or cast his eyes vp to those twinkling Eyes
That with disordered order gild the Skyes)
Can every-where admire with due respect
Th'admired Art of such an Architect.
Into a Palace, Paros Rocks conuert,
Seel it with gold, and to the Firmament
Rayse the proud Turrets of his Battlement,
And (to be brief) in euery part of it,
Beauty to vse, vse vnto beauty fit,
To th'end the Skrich-Owl, and Night-Rauen should
In those fair walls their habitations hold:
But rather, for som wise and wealthy Prince
Able to iudge of his arts excellence:
Even so, the Lord built not this All-Theater,
For the rude guests of Air, and Woods and Water;
But, all for Him, who (whether he survey
The vast salt kingdoms, or th'Earth's fruitfull clay,
Or cast his eyes vp to those twinkling Eyes
That with disordered order gild the Skyes)
Can every-where admire with due respect
Th'admired Art of such an Architect.
Now of all Creatures which his VVord did make,
Man was the last that liuing breath did take:
Not that he was the least; or that God durst
Not vndertake so noble a VVork at first:
Rather, because he should haue made in vain
So great a Prince, without on whom to Raign.
A wise man neuer brings his bidden Guest
Into his Parlour, till his Room be drest,
Garnisht with Lights, and Tables neatly spred
Be with full dishes well-nigh furnished:
So our great God, who (bountious) euer keeps
Heer open Court, and th'ever-bound-less Deeps
Of sweetest Nectar on vs still distills
By twenty-times ten thousand sundry quills,
Would not our Grandsire to his Boord inuite,
Yer he with Arras his fair house had dight,
And, vnder starry State-Cloaths plaç't his plates
Fill'd with a thousand sugred delicates.
Man was the last that liuing breath did take:
Not that he was the least; or that God durst
Not vndertake so noble a VVork at first:
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So great a Prince, without on whom to Raign.
A wise man neuer brings his bidden Guest
Into his Parlour, till his Room be drest,
Garnisht with Lights, and Tables neatly spred
Be with full dishes well-nigh furnished:
So our great God, who (bountious) euer keeps
Heer open Court, and th'ever-bound-less Deeps
Of sweetest Nectar on vs still distills
By twenty-times ten thousand sundry quills,
Would not our Grandsire to his Boord inuite,
Yer he with Arras his fair house had dight,
And, vnder starry State-Cloaths plaç't his plates
Fill'd with a thousand sugred delicates.
All th'admirable Creatures made beforn,
Which Heav'n and Earth, and Ocean doo adorn,
Are but Essays, compar'd in every part,
To this divinest Master-Piece of Art.
Therefore the supream peer-less Architect,
When (of meer nothing) he did first erect
Heav'n, Earth and Aire, and Seas; at once his thought,
His word and deed all in an instant wrought:
But, when he would his own selfs Type create,
Th'honour of Nature, th'Earths sole Potentate;
As if he would a Councell hold he citeth
His sacred Power, his Prudence he inuiteth,
Summons his Loue, his Iustice he adiourns,
Calleth his Goodnes, and his Grace returns,
To (as it were) consult about the birth
And building of a second God, of Earth;
And each (a-part) with liberall hand to bring
Som excellence vnto so rare a thing.
Or rather, he consults wi h's only Son
(His own true Pourtrait) what proportion,
What gifts, what grace, what soule he should bestowe
Vpon his Vice-Roy of this Realm belowe.
When th'other things God fashion'd in their kinde,
The Sea t'abound in Fishes he assign'd,
The Earth in Flocks: but, having Man in hand
His very self he seemed to command.
He both at-once both life and body lent
To other things; but when in Man he meant
In mortall limbs immortall life to place,
Hee seem'd to pawse, as in a waighty case:
And so at sundry moments finished
The Soule and Body of Earth's glorious Head.
Which Heav'n and Earth, and Ocean doo adorn,
Are but Essays, compar'd in every part,
To this divinest Master-Piece of Art.
Therefore the supream peer-less Architect,
When (of meer nothing) he did first erect
Heav'n, Earth and Aire, and Seas; at once his thought,
His word and deed all in an instant wrought:
But, when he would his own selfs Type create,
Th'honour of Nature, th'Earths sole Potentate;
As if he would a Councell hold he citeth
His sacred Power, his Prudence he inuiteth,
Summons his Loue, his Iustice he adiourns,
Calleth his Goodnes, and his Grace returns,
To (as it were) consult about the birth
And building of a second God, of Earth;
And each (a-part) with liberall hand to bring
Som excellence vnto so rare a thing.
Or rather, he consults wi h's only Son
(His own true Pourtrait) what proportion,
What gifts, what grace, what soule he should bestowe
Vpon his Vice-Roy of this Realm belowe.
When th'other things God fashion'd in their kinde,
The Sea t'abound in Fishes he assign'd,
The Earth in Flocks: but, having Man in hand
His very self he seemed to command.
He both at-once both life and body lent
To other things; but when in Man he meant
In mortall limbs immortall life to place,
Hee seem'd to pawse, as in a waighty case:
And so at sundry moments finished
The Soule and Body of Earth's glorious Head.
Admired Artist, Architect divine,
Perfect and peer-less in all Works of thine,
So my rude hand on this rough Table guide
To paint the Prince of all thy Works beside,
That graue Spectators, in his face may spy
Apparant marks of thy Divinity.
Perfect and peer-less in all Works of thine,
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To paint the Prince of all thy Works beside,
That graue Spectators, in his face may spy
Apparant marks of thy Divinity.
Almighty Father, as of watery matter
It pleas'd thee make the people of the VVater:
So, of an earthly substance mad'st thou all
The slimy Burgers of this Earthly Ball;
To th'end each Creature might (by consequent)
Part-sympathize with his own Element.
Therefore, to form thine Earthly Emperour,
Thou tookest Earth, and by thy sacred power
So tempered'st it, that of the very same
Dead shape-less lump didst Adams body frame:
Yet, not his face down to the Earth ward bending
(Like Beasts that but regard their belly, ending
For ever all) but toward th'azure Skyes
Bright golden Lamps lifting his louely Eyes;
That through their nerues, his better part might look
Still to that place from whence her birth she took.
It pleas'd thee make the people of the VVater:
So, of an earthly substance mad'st thou all
The slimy Burgers of this Earthly Ball;
To th'end each Creature might (by consequent)
Part-sympathize with his own Element.
Therefore, to form thine Earthly Emperour,
Thou tookest Earth, and by thy sacred power
So tempered'st it, that of the very same
Dead shape-less lump didst Adams body frame:
Yet, not his face down to the Earth ward bending
(Like Beasts that but regard their belly, ending
For ever all) but toward th'azure Skyes
Bright golden Lamps lifting his louely Eyes;
That through their nerues, his better part might look
Still to that place from whence her birth she took.
Also thou plantedst th'Intellectuall Powr
In th'highest stage of all this stately Bowr,
That thence it might (as from a Cittadell)
Command the members that too-oft rebell
Against his Rule: and that our Reason, there
Keeping continuall Garrison (as't were)
Might Auarice, Enuy, and Pride subdue,
Lust Gluttony, Wrath, Sloath, and all their Crew
Of factious Commons, that still striue to gaine
The golden Scepter from their Soverain.
In th'highest stage of all this stately Bowr,
That thence it might (as from a Cittadell)
Command the members that too-oft rebell
Against his Rule: and that our Reason, there
Keeping continuall Garrison (as't were)
Might Auarice, Enuy, and Pride subdue,
Lust Gluttony, Wrath, Sloath, and all their Crew
Of factious Commons, that still striue to gaine
The golden Scepter from their Soverain.
Th'Eyes (Bodie's guides) are set for Sentinel
In noblest place of all this Cittadel,
To spy far-off, that no miss-hap befall
At vnawares the sacred Animal.
In forming these thy hand (so famous held)
Seemed almost to haue it self excell'd,
Them not transpearcing, least our eyes should be
As theirs, that Heav'n through hollow Canes do see,
Yet see small circuit of the welkin bright,
The Canes strict compass doth so clasp their Sight:
And least so many open holes disgrace
The goodly form of th'Earthly Monarch's face.
In noblest place of all this Cittadel,
To spy far-off, that no miss-hap befall
At vnawares the sacred Animal.
In forming these thy hand (so famous held)
Seemed almost to haue it self excell'd,
Them not transpearcing, least our eyes should be
As theirs, that Heav'n through hollow Canes do see,
Yet see small circuit of the welkin bright,
The Canes strict compass doth so clasp their Sight:
And least so many open holes disgrace
The goodly form of th'Earthly Monarch's face.
These louely Lamps, whose sweet sparks liuely turning,
With sodain glaunce set coldest hearts a-burning,
These windows of the Soule, these starry Twinns,
These Cupids quivers haue so tender skinns
Through which (as through a pair of shining glasses)
Their radiant point of pearcing splendor passes,
That they would soon be quenched and put-out,
But that the Lord hath Bulwarkt them about;
By seating so their wondrous Orb, betwix
The Front, the Nose, and the vermillion Cheeks:
As in two Vallies pleasantly inclosed
With pretty Moon ains orderly disposed.
And as a Pent-house doth preserue a Wall
From Rain and Hail, and other Storms that fall:
The twinkling Lids with their quick-trembling hairs
Defend the Eyes from thousand dang'rous fears.
With sodain glaunce set coldest hearts a-burning,
These windows of the Soule, these starry Twinns,
These Cupids quivers haue so tender skinns
Through which (as through a pair of shining glasses)
Their radiant point of pearcing splendor passes,
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But that the Lord hath Bulwarkt them about;
By seating so their wondrous Orb, betwix
The Front, the Nose, and the vermillion Cheeks:
As in two Vallies pleasantly inclosed
With pretty Moon ains orderly disposed.
And as a Pent-house doth preserue a Wall
From Rain and Hail, and other Storms that fall:
The twinkling Lids with their quick-trembling hairs
Defend the Eyes from thousand dang'rous fears.
VVho fain would see how much a human face
A comly Nose doth beautifie and grace;
Behould Zopyrus, who cut-off his Nose
For's Princes sake, to circumvent his foes.
The Nose, no less for vse then beauty makes:
For, as a Conduit, it both giues and takes
Our liuing breath: it's as a Pipe put-vp,
Whereby the moyst Brain's spongy boan doth sup
Sweet smelling fumes: it serueth as a gutter
To voyd the Excrements of grossest matter;
As by the Scull-seams and the Pory Skin
Evaporate those that are light and thin:
As through black Chimneyes flyes the bitter smoak,
VVhich but so vented would the Houshould choak.
A comly Nose doth beautifie and grace;
Behould Zopyrus, who cut-off his Nose
For's Princes sake, to circumvent his foes.
The Nose, no less for vse then beauty makes:
For, as a Conduit, it both giues and takes
Our liuing breath: it's as a Pipe put-vp,
Whereby the moyst Brain's spongy boan doth sup
Sweet smelling fumes: it serueth as a gutter
To voyd the Excrements of grossest matter;
As by the Scull-seams and the Pory Skin
Evaporate those that are light and thin:
As through black Chimneyes flyes the bitter smoak,
VVhich but so vented would the Houshould choak.
And, sith that Time doth with his secret file
Fret and diminish each thing every-while,
And whatsoever heer begins and ends,
VVears every howr and its self-substance spends;
Th'Almighty made the Mouth to recompence
The Stomachs pension, and the Times expence
(Even as the green Trees, by their roots resume
Sap for the sap, that howrly they consume)
And plaç't it so, that alwayes by the way,
By sent of meats the Nose might take Essay,
The watchfull Ey wight true distinction make
'Twixt Herbs and Weeds, betwixt an Eel and Snake;
And then th'impartiall Tongue might (at the last)
Censure their goodnes by their savory taste.
Fret and diminish each thing every-while,
And whatsoever heer begins and ends,
VVears every howr and its self-substance spends;
Th'Almighty made the Mouth to recompence
The Stomachs pension, and the Times expence
(Even as the green Trees, by their roots resume
Sap for the sap, that howrly they consume)
And plaç't it so, that alwayes by the way,
By sent of meats the Nose might take Essay,
The watchfull Ey wight true distinction make
'Twixt Herbs and Weeds, betwixt an Eel and Snake;
And then th'impartiall Tongue might (at the last)
Censure their goodnes by their savory taste.
Two equall ranks of Orient Pearls impale
The open Throat: which (Quern-like) grinding small
Th'imperfect food, soon to the Stomach send-it
(Our Maister-Cook) whose due concoctions mend-it.
But least the Teeth, naked and bare to Light,
Should in the Face present a ghastly sight;
With wondrous Art, ouer that Mill do meet
Two moouing Leaues of Corall soft and sweet.
The open Throat: which (Quern-like) grinding small
Th'imperfect food, soon to the Stomach send-it
(Our Maister-Cook) whose due concoctions mend-it.
But least the Teeth, naked and bare to Light,
Should in the Face present a ghastly sight;
With wondrous Art, ouer that Mill do meet
Two moouing Leaues of Corall soft and sweet.
O mouth! by thee, our savage Elders, yerst
Through way-less Woods, and hollow Rocks disperst,
VVith Acorns fed, with Fells of Feathers clad
(VVhen neyther Traffik, Love, nor Law they had)
Themselues vniting, built them Towns, and bent
Their willing necks to civill Government.
O Mouth! by thee, the rudest Wits haue learn'd
The Noble Arts, which but the wise discern'd.
By thee, we kindle in the coldest spirits
Heroïk flames affecting glorious merits.
By thee, we wipe the tears of wofull Eyes:
By thee, we stop the stubborn mutinies
Of our rebellious Flesh, whose rest-less Treason
Striues to dis-throne and to dis-sceptre Reason.
By thee, our Soules with Heav'n haue conuersation.
By thee, we calm th'Almighties indignation,
When faithfull sighs from our soules centre fly
About the bright Throne of his Maiesty.
By thee, we warble to the King of Kings;
Our Tongue's the Bowe, our Teeth the trembling Strings,
Our hollow Nostrils (with their double vent)
The hollow Belly of the Instrument;
Our Soule's the sweet Musician, that playes
So divine lessons, and so Heav'nly layes,
As, in deep passion of pure burning zeal,
Ioues forked Lightnings from his fingers steal.
Through way-less Woods, and hollow Rocks disperst,
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(VVhen neyther Traffik, Love, nor Law they had)
Themselues vniting, built them Towns, and bent
Their willing necks to civill Government.
O Mouth! by thee, the rudest Wits haue learn'd
The Noble Arts, which but the wise discern'd.
By thee, we kindle in the coldest spirits
Heroïk flames affecting glorious merits.
By thee, we wipe the tears of wofull Eyes:
By thee, we stop the stubborn mutinies
Of our rebellious Flesh, whose rest-less Treason
Striues to dis-throne and to dis-sceptre Reason.
By thee, our Soules with Heav'n haue conuersation.
By thee, we calm th'Almighties indignation,
When faithfull sighs from our soules centre fly
About the bright Throne of his Maiesty.
By thee, we warble to the King of Kings;
Our Tongue's the Bowe, our Teeth the trembling Strings,
Our hollow Nostrils (with their double vent)
The hollow Belly of the Instrument;
Our Soule's the sweet Musician, that playes
So divine lessons, and so Heav'nly layes,
As, in deep passion of pure burning zeal,
Ioues forked Lightnings from his fingers steal.
But O! what member hath more marvails in't,
Then th'Ears round-winding double labyrinth?
The Bodie's Scouts, of sounds the Censurers,
Doors of the Soule, and faithfull Messengers
Of diuine treasures, when our gracious Lord
Sends vs th'Embassage of his sacred Word.
And, sith all Sound seems alwaies to ascend,
God plac't the Ears (where they might best attend)
As in two Turrets, on the buildings top,
Snailling their hollow entries so a-sloap,
That, while the voyce about those windings wanders,
The sound might lengthen in those bow'd Meanders;
As, from a trumpet, Winde hath longer life,
Or, from a Sagbut, then from Flute or Fife:
Or as a noyse extendeth far and wide
In winding Vales, or by the crooked side
Of crawling Riuers; or with broken trouble
Between the teeth of hollow Rocks doth double;
And that no sodaine sound, with violence
Pearcing direct the Organs of this Sense,
Should stun the Brain, but through these Mazie holes
Conueigh the voyce more softly to our Soules:
As th'Ouse, that crooking in and out doth run
From Stony-Stratford towards Huntingdon,
By Royall Amptill; rusheth not so swift,
As our neer Kennet, vvhose Trowt-famous Drift
From Marleborow, by Hungerford doth hasten
Through Newbery, and Prince-grac't Aldermaston,
Her Siluer Nymphs (almost) directly leading,
To meet her Mistress (the great Thames) at Reading.
Then th'Ears round-winding double labyrinth?
The Bodie's Scouts, of sounds the Censurers,
Doors of the Soule, and faithfull Messengers
Of diuine treasures, when our gracious Lord
Sends vs th'Embassage of his sacred Word.
And, sith all Sound seems alwaies to ascend,
God plac't the Ears (where they might best attend)
As in two Turrets, on the buildings top,
Snailling their hollow entries so a-sloap,
That, while the voyce about those windings wanders,
The sound might lengthen in those bow'd Meanders;
As, from a trumpet, Winde hath longer life,
Or, from a Sagbut, then from Flute or Fife:
Or as a noyse extendeth far and wide
In winding Vales, or by the crooked side
Of crawling Riuers; or with broken trouble
Between the teeth of hollow Rocks doth double;
And that no sodaine sound, with violence
Pearcing direct the Organs of this Sense,
Should stun the Brain, but through these Mazie holes
Conueigh the voyce more softly to our Soules:
As th'Ouse, that crooking in and out doth run
From Stony-Stratford towards Huntingdon,
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As our neer Kennet, vvhose Trowt-famous Drift
From Marleborow, by Hungerford doth hasten
Through Newbery, and Prince-grac't Aldermaston,
Her Siluer Nymphs (almost) directly leading,
To meet her Mistress (the great Thames) at Reading.
But will my hands, in handling th'human Stature,
Forget the Hands, the handmaids vnto Nature,
Th'Almighty's Apes, the Instruments of Arts,
The voluntary Champions of our hearts,
Minde's Ministers, the Clarks of quick conceipts,
And bodies victuallers, to prouide it meats?
Forget the Hands, the handmaids vnto Nature,
Th'Almighty's Apes, the Instruments of Arts,
The voluntary Champions of our hearts,
Minde's Ministers, the Clarks of quick conceipts,
And bodies victuallers, to prouide it meats?
Will you the Knees and Elbow's springs omit,
Which serue th'whole Body by their motions fit?
For, as a Bowe, according as the string,
Is stiff or slack, the shafts doth farther fling,
Our Nerues and Gristles diuersly dispense,
To th'human Frame, meet Motion, Might and Sense:
Knitting the Bones, which be the Pillars strong
The Beams and Rafters, whose firm Ioynts may long
(Maugre Deaths malice, till our Maker calls)
Support the Fabrick of these Fleshly Walls?
Can you conceal the Feets rare-skilfull feature,
The goodly Bases of this glorious Creature?
Which serue th'whole Body by their motions fit?
For, as a Bowe, according as the string,
Is stiff or slack, the shafts doth farther fling,
Our Nerues and Gristles diuersly dispense,
To th'human Frame, meet Motion, Might and Sense:
Knitting the Bones, which be the Pillars strong
The Beams and Rafters, whose firm Ioynts may long
(Maugre Deaths malice, till our Maker calls)
Support the Fabrick of these Fleshly Walls?
Can you conceal the Feets rare-skilfull feature,
The goodly Bases of this glorious Creature?
But, is't not time now, in his Inner Parts,
To see th'Almightie's admirable Arts?
First, with my Launcet shall I make incision,
To see the Cells of the twin Brains diuision:
The Treasurer of Arts, the Source of Sense:
The Seat of Reason; and the Fountain, whence
Our sinewes flowe: whom Natures prouidence
Arm'd with a helme, whose double lynings fence
The Brain's cold moisture from its boany Armor,
Whose hardnes else might hap to bruise or harm-her:
A Registre, where (with a secret touch)
The studious daily som rare Knowledge couch?
O, how shall I on learned Leaf forth-set
That curious Maze, that admirable Net,
Through whose fine folds the spirit doth rise and fall,
Making its powrs of Vital, Animal!
Euen as the Blood, and Spirits, wandering
Through the preparing vessels crooked Ring,
Are in their winding course concoct and wrought,
And by degrees to fruitfull Seed are brought.
To see th'Almightie's admirable Arts?
First, with my Launcet shall I make incision,
To see the Cells of the twin Brains diuision:
The Treasurer of Arts, the Source of Sense:
The Seat of Reason; and the Fountain, whence
Our sinewes flowe: whom Natures prouidence
Arm'd with a helme, whose double lynings fence
The Brain's cold moisture from its boany Armor,
Whose hardnes else might hap to bruise or harm-her:
A Registre, where (with a secret touch)
The studious daily som rare Knowledge couch?
O, how shall I on learned Leaf forth-set
That curious Maze, that admirable Net,
Through whose fine folds the spirit doth rise and fall,
Making its powrs of Vital, Animal!
Euen as the Blood, and Spirits, wandering
Through the preparing vessels crooked Ring,
Are in their winding course concoct and wrought,
And by degrees to fruitfull Seed are brought.
Shall I the Hearts vn-equall sides explain,
Which equall poiz doth equally sustaine?
Wherof, th'one's fill'd with bloud, in th'other bides
The vitall Spirit which through the body slides:
Whose rest-less panting, by the constant Pulse,
Doth witness health; or if that take repulse,
And shift the dance and wonted pase it went,
It shewes that Nature's wrongd by Accident.
Which equall poiz doth equally sustaine?
Wherof, th'one's fill'd with bloud, in th'other bides
The vitall Spirit which through the body slides:
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Doth witness health; or if that take repulse,
And shift the dance and wonted pase it went,
It shewes that Nature's wrongd by Accident.
Or, shall I cleaue the Lungs, whose motions light
Our inward heat doo temper day and night;
Like Summer gales wauing, with gentle puffs,
The smiling Meadows green and gaudy tuffs:
Light, spungy Fans, that euer take and giue
Th'æthereall Air, whereby we breathe and liue:
Bellows, whose blast (breathing by certain pawses)
A pleasant sound through our speech-Organs causes?
Our inward heat doo temper day and night;
Like Summer gales wauing, with gentle puffs,
The smiling Meadows green and gaudy tuffs:
Light, spungy Fans, that euer take and giue
Th'æthereall Air, whereby we breathe and liue:
Bellows, whose blast (breathing by certain pawses)
A pleasant sound through our speech-Organs causes?
Or, shall I rip the Stomachs hollowness,
That ready Cook concocting euery Mess,
Which in short time it cunningly conuerts
Into pure Liquor fit to feed the parts;
And then the same doth faithfully deliuer
Into the Port-vain passing to the Liuer,
Who turns it soone to Blood; and thence again
Through branching pipes of the great Hollow-vain,
Through all the members doth it duly scatter:
Much like a Fountain, whose diuided Water
It selfe dispersing into hundred Brooks,
Bathes som fair Garden with her winding Crooks,
For, as these Brooks, thus branching round about,
Make heer the Pink, there th'Aconite to sprout,
Heer the sweet Plum-tree, the sharp Mulbery there,
Heer the lowe Vine, and there the lofty Pear,
Heer the hard Almond, there the tender Fig,
Heer bitter Worm-wood, there sweet-smelling Spike:
Euen so the Blood (bred of good nourishment)
By diuers Pipes to all the Body sent,
Turns heer to Bones, there changes into Nerues,
Heer is made Marrow, there for Muscles serues,
Heer Skin becoms, there crooking Veins, there Flesh,
To make our Limbs more forcefull and more fresh.
That ready Cook concocting euery Mess,
Which in short time it cunningly conuerts
Into pure Liquor fit to feed the parts;
And then the same doth faithfully deliuer
Into the Port-vain passing to the Liuer,
Who turns it soone to Blood; and thence again
Through branching pipes of the great Hollow-vain,
Through all the members doth it duly scatter:
Much like a Fountain, whose diuided Water
It selfe dispersing into hundred Brooks,
Bathes som fair Garden with her winding Crooks,
For, as these Brooks, thus branching round about,
Make heer the Pink, there th'Aconite to sprout,
Heer the sweet Plum-tree, the sharp Mulbery there,
Heer the lowe Vine, and there the lofty Pear,
Heer the hard Almond, there the tender Fig,
Heer bitter Worm-wood, there sweet-smelling Spike:
Euen so the Blood (bred of good nourishment)
By diuers Pipes to all the Body sent,
Turns heer to Bones, there changes into Nerues,
Heer is made Marrow, there for Muscles serues,
Heer Skin becoms, there crooking Veins, there Flesh,
To make our Limbs more forcefull and more fresh.
But, now me list no neerer view to take
Of th'inward Parts, which God did secret make,
Nor pull in pieces all the Human Frame:
That work were fitter for those men of Fame,
Those skilfull sons of Æsculapius:
Hippocrates; or deep Herophilus:
Or th'eloquent and artificiall Writ
Of Galen, that renowned Pergamite.
'T sufficeth me, in som sort, to express
By this Essay the sacred mightiness,
Not of Iaphetus witty-fained Son,
But of the true Prometheus, that begun
And finisht (with inimitable Art)
The famous Image, I haue sung in part.
Of th'inward Parts, which God did secret make,
Nor pull in pieces all the Human Frame:
That work were fitter for those men of Fame,
Those skilfull sons of Æsculapius:
Hippocrates; or deep Herophilus:
Or th'eloquent and artificiall Writ
Of Galen, that renowned Pergamite.
'T sufficeth me, in som sort, to express
By this Essay the sacred mightiness,
Not of Iaphetus witty-fained Son,
But of the true Prometheus, that begun
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The famous Image, I haue sung in part.
Now, this more peer-less learned Imager,
Life to his louely Picture to confer,
Did not extract out of the Elements
A certain secret Chymick Quint-essence:
But, breathing, sent as from the liuely Spring
Of his Diuineness som small Riuerling,
It self dispersing into euery pipe
Of the frail Engin of this earthen Type.
Not, that his own Selfs-Essence blest he brake,
Or did his Triple-Vnity partake
Vnto his Work; but, without Selfs-expence
Inspir'd it richly with rare excellence:
And by his powr so spred his Rais thereon,
That euen as yet appears a portion
Of that pure lustre of Cœlestiall Light
Wherwith at first it was adorn'd and dight.
Life to his louely Picture to confer,
Did not extract out of the Elements
A certain secret Chymick Quint-essence:
But, breathing, sent as from the liuely Spring
Of his Diuineness som small Riuerling,
It self dispersing into euery pipe
Of the frail Engin of this earthen Type.
Not, that his own Selfs-Essence blest he brake,
Or did his Triple-Vnity partake
Vnto his Work; but, without Selfs-expence
Inspir'd it richly with rare excellence:
And by his powr so spred his Rais thereon,
That euen as yet appears a portion
Of that pure lustre of Cœlestiall Light
Wherwith at first it was adorn'd and dight.
This Adam's spirit did from that Spirit deriue
Which made the World: yet did not thence depriue
Of Gods Self-substance any part at all;
As in the Course of Nature doth befall,
That from the Essence of an Earthly Father,
An Earthly Son essentiall parts doth gather:
Or as in Spring-time from one sappy twig
Ther sprouts another consubstantiall sprig.
In brief, it's but a breath. Now, though the breath
Out of our Stomachs concaue issueth;
Yet, of our substance it transporteth nought:
Onely it seemeth to be simply fraught
And to retain the purer qualities
Of th'inward place whence it deriued is.
Inspired by that Breath, this Breath desire
I to describe. Whoso doth not admire
His spirit, is sprightless; and his sense is past,
Who hath no sense of that admired Blast.
Yet wot I well, that as the Ey perceiues
All but it self, even so our Soule conceiues
All saue her own selfs-Essence; but, the end
Of her own greatnes cannot comprehend.
Yet as a sound Ey, void of vicious matter,
Sees (in a sort) it self in Glass or Water:
So, in her sacred Works (as in a Glass)
Our Soule (almost) may see her glorious face.
Which made the World: yet did not thence depriue
Of Gods Self-substance any part at all;
As in the Course of Nature doth befall,
That from the Essence of an Earthly Father,
An Earthly Son essentiall parts doth gather:
Or as in Spring-time from one sappy twig
Ther sprouts another consubstantiall sprig.
In brief, it's but a breath. Now, though the breath
Out of our Stomachs concaue issueth;
Yet, of our substance it transporteth nought:
Onely it seemeth to be simply fraught
And to retain the purer qualities
Of th'inward place whence it deriued is.
Inspired by that Breath, this Breath desire
I to describe. Whoso doth not admire
His spirit, is sprightless; and his sense is past,
Who hath no sense of that admired Blast.
Yet wot I well, that as the Ey perceiues
All but it self, even so our Soule conceiues
All saue her own selfs-Essence; but, the end
Of her own greatnes cannot comprehend.
Yet as a sound Ey, void of vicious matter,
Sees (in a sort) it self in Glass or Water:
So, in her sacred Works (as in a Glass)
Our Soule (almost) may see her glorious face.
The boistrous Winde, that rents with roaring blasts
The lofty Pines, and to the Welkin casts
Millions of Mountains from the watery World,
And proudest Turrets to the ground hath whurld:
The pleasing fume that fragrant Roses yeeld,
When wanton Zephyr, sighing on the field,
Enammels all; and, to delight the Sky,
The Earth puts-on her richest Lyuory:
Th'accorded Discords, that are sweetly sent
From th'Iuory ribs of som rare Instrument,
Cannot be seen: but he may well be said
Of Flesh, and Ears, and Nose in irely void,
Who doth not feel; nor hear, nor smell (the powrs)
The shock, sound, sent; of storms, of strings, of flowrs.
The lofty Pines, and to the Welkin casts
Millions of Mountains from the watery World,
And proudest Turrets to the ground hath whurld:
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When wanton Zephyr, sighing on the field,
Enammels all; and, to delight the Sky,
The Earth puts-on her richest Lyuory:
Th'accorded Discords, that are sweetly sent
From th'Iuory ribs of som rare Instrument,
Cannot be seen: but he may well be said
Of Flesh, and Ears, and Nose in irely void,
Who doth not feel; nor hear, nor smell (the powrs)
The shock, sound, sent; of storms, of strings, of flowrs.
Although our Soule's pure substance, to our sight
Be not subiected; yet her motion light
And rich discourse, sufficient proofs do giue,
We haue more soule than to suffize to liue;
A Soule diuine, pure, sacred, admirable,
Immortall, end-less, simple, vnpalpable.
Be not subiected; yet her motion light
And rich discourse, sufficient proofs do giue,
We haue more soule than to suffize to liue;
A Soule diuine, pure, sacred, admirable,
Immortall, end-less, simple, vnpalpable.
For, whether that the Soule (the Mint of Art)
Be all in all, or all in euery part:
Whether the Brain or Heart doo lodge the Soule,
O Seneca, where, where could'st thou enroule
Those many hundred words (in Prose or Verse)
Which at first hearing thou could'st back reherse?
Where could great Cyrus that great Table shut
Wherein the Pictures and the names he put
Of all the Souldiers, that by thousands wander'd
After the fortunes of his famous Standard?
In what deep vessell did th'Embassader
Of Pyrrhus (whom the Delphian Oracler
Deluded by his double-meaning Measures)
Into what Cisterns did he pour those Treasures
Of learned store, which after (for his vse)
In time and place, he could so fit produce?
The Memory, is th'Eyes true Register,
The Peasants Book, Times wealthy Treasorer,
Keeping Records of Acts and Accidents
Whats'euer, subiect vnto humane sense,
Since first the Lord the Worlds foundations laid,
Or Phœbus first his golden locks displaid,
And his pale Sister from his beaming light
Borrow'd her splendor to adorn the Night.
So that our Reason, searching curiously
Through all the Roules of a good Memory,
And fast'ning closely with a Gordian knot
To Past Euents, what Present Times allot,
Fore-sees the Future, and becoms more sage,
More happily to lead our later age.
Be all in all, or all in euery part:
Whether the Brain or Heart doo lodge the Soule,
O Seneca, where, where could'st thou enroule
Those many hundred words (in Prose or Verse)
Which at first hearing thou could'st back reherse?
Where could great Cyrus that great Table shut
Wherein the Pictures and the names he put
Of all the Souldiers, that by thousands wander'd
After the fortunes of his famous Standard?
In what deep vessell did th'Embassader
Of Pyrrhus (whom the Delphian Oracler
Deluded by his double-meaning Measures)
Into what Cisterns did he pour those Treasures
Of learned store, which after (for his vse)
In time and place, he could so fit produce?
The Memory, is th'Eyes true Register,
The Peasants Book, Times wealthy Treasorer,
Keeping Records of Acts and Accidents
Whats'euer, subiect vnto humane sense,
Since first the Lord the Worlds foundations laid,
Or Phœbus first his golden locks displaid,
And his pale Sister from his beaming light
Borrow'd her splendor to adorn the Night.
So that our Reason, searching curiously
Through all the Roules of a good Memory,
And fast'ning closely with a Gordian knot
To Past Euents, what Present Times allot,
Fore-sees the Future, and becoms more sage,
More happily to lead our later age.
And, though our Soule liue as imprison'd here,
In our frail flesh, or buried (as it were)
In a dark Toomb; Yet at one flight she flies
From Calpe t'Imaus, from the Earth to Skies;
Much swifter then the Chariot of the Sun,
Which in a Day about the World doth run.
For, somtimes, leaving these base slimy heaps,
With cheerfull spring aboue the Clouds she leaps,
Glides through the Aire, and there she learns to knowe
Th'Originals of Winde, and Hail, and Snowe,
Of Lightning, Thunder, Blazing-Stars and storms,
Of Rain and Ice, and strange Exhaled Forms.
By th'Aires steep-stairs, she boldly climbs aloft
To the Worlds Chambers; Heav'n she visits oft,
Stage after Stage: she marketh all the Sphears,
And all th'harmonious, various course of theirs:
With sure account, and certain Compasses,
She counts their Stars, she metes their distances
And differing pases; and, as if she found.
No Subiect fair enough in all this Round,
She mounts aboue the Worlds extreamest Wall,
Far, far beyond all things corporeall;
Where she beholds her Maker, face to face,
(His frowns of Iustice, and his smiles of Grace)
The faithfull zeal, the chaste and sober Port
And sacred Pomp of the Celestiall Court.
In our frail flesh, or buried (as it were)
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From Calpe t'Imaus, from the Earth to Skies;
Much swifter then the Chariot of the Sun,
Which in a Day about the World doth run.
For, somtimes, leaving these base slimy heaps,
With cheerfull spring aboue the Clouds she leaps,
Glides through the Aire, and there she learns to knowe
Th'Originals of Winde, and Hail, and Snowe,
Of Lightning, Thunder, Blazing-Stars and storms,
Of Rain and Ice, and strange Exhaled Forms.
By th'Aires steep-stairs, she boldly climbs aloft
To the Worlds Chambers; Heav'n she visits oft,
Stage after Stage: she marketh all the Sphears,
And all th'harmonious, various course of theirs:
With sure account, and certain Compasses,
She counts their Stars, she metes their distances
And differing pases; and, as if she found.
No Subiect fair enough in all this Round,
She mounts aboue the Worlds extreamest Wall,
Far, far beyond all things corporeall;
Where she beholds her Maker, face to face,
(His frowns of Iustice, and his smiles of Grace)
The faithfull zeal, the chaste and sober Port
And sacred Pomp of the Celestiall Court.
What can be hard to a sloath-shunning Spirit,
Spurr'd with desire of Fames eternall merit?
Look (if thou canst) from East to Occident,
From Island to the Moors hot Continent;
And thou shalt nought perfectly fair behould,
But Pen, or Pencill, Graving-tool; or Mould,
Hath so resembled, that scarce can our ey
The Counterfait from the true thing descry.
Spurr'd with desire of Fames eternall merit?
Look (if thou canst) from East to Occident,
From Island to the Moors hot Continent;
And thou shalt nought perfectly fair behould,
But Pen, or Pencill, Graving-tool; or Mould,
Hath so resembled, that scarce can our ey
The Counterfait from the true thing descry.
The brazen Mare that famous Myron cast,
Which Stalions leapt, and for a Mare imbrac't:
The liuely picture of that ramping Vine
Which whilom Zeuxis limn'd so rarely fine,
That shoals of Birds, beguiled by the shapes,
Peckt at the Table, as at very Grapes:
The Marble Statue, that with strangest fire
Fondly in flam'd th'Athenian Youths desire:
Apelles Venus, which allur'd well-neer
As many Loues, as Venus selfe had heer;
Are proofs enow that learned Painting can,
Can (Goddess-like) another Nature frame.
Which Stalions leapt, and for a Mare imbrac't:
The liuely picture of that ramping Vine
Which whilom Zeuxis limn'd so rarely fine,
That shoals of Birds, beguiled by the shapes,
Peckt at the Table, as at very Grapes:
The Marble Statue, that with strangest fire
Fondly in flam'd th'Athenian Youths desire:
Apelles Venus, which allur'd well-neer
As many Loues, as Venus selfe had heer;
Are proofs enow that learned Painting can,
Can (Goddess-like) another Nature frame.
But th'Art of Man, not onely can compack
Features and forms that life and Motion lack;
But also fill the Aire with painted shoals
Of flying Creatures (Artificiall Fowls)
The Tarentines valiant and learned Lord,
Archytas, made a wooden Doue, that soar'd
About the Welkin, by th'accorded sleights
And counterpoize of sundry little weights.
Why should I not that wooden Eagle mention
(A learned Germanes late admir'd invention)
Which mounting from his fist that framed her,
Flew far to meet an Almain Emperour;
And hauing met him, with her nimble train,
And weary wings, turning about again,
Follow'd him close vnto the Castle Gate
Of Noremberg; whom all the Showes of State,
Streets hangd with Arras, Arches curious built,
Loud-thundring Canons, Columns richly gilt,
Gray-headed Senate, and Youth's gallantise,
Grac't not so much, as onely This Deuice.
Once, as this Artist (more with mirth then meat)
Feasted some friends that he esteemed great,
From vnder's hand an iron Fly flew out;
Which having flowen a perfect Round-about,
With weary wings, return'd vnto her Master,
And (as iudicious) on his arme she plac't-her.
O divine wit! that in the narrow womb
Of a small Fly, could finde sufficient room
For all those Springs, wheels, counterpoiz, and chains,
Which stood in stead of life, and spur, and rains.
Yea, you your selues ye bright Celestiall Orbs,
Although no stop your rest-less Dance disturbs,
Nor stayes your Course; yet can ye not escape
The hands of men that are but men in shape.
Features and forms that life and Motion lack;
But also fill the Aire with painted shoals
Of flying Creatures (Artificiall Fowls)
134
Archytas, made a wooden Doue, that soar'd
About the Welkin, by th'accorded sleights
And counterpoize of sundry little weights.
Why should I not that wooden Eagle mention
(A learned Germanes late admir'd invention)
Which mounting from his fist that framed her,
Flew far to meet an Almain Emperour;
And hauing met him, with her nimble train,
And weary wings, turning about again,
Follow'd him close vnto the Castle Gate
Of Noremberg; whom all the Showes of State,
Streets hangd with Arras, Arches curious built,
Loud-thundring Canons, Columns richly gilt,
Gray-headed Senate, and Youth's gallantise,
Grac't not so much, as onely This Deuice.
Once, as this Artist (more with mirth then meat)
Feasted some friends that he esteemed great,
From vnder's hand an iron Fly flew out;
Which having flowen a perfect Round-about,
With weary wings, return'd vnto her Master,
And (as iudicious) on his arme she plac't-her.
O divine wit! that in the narrow womb
Of a small Fly, could finde sufficient room
For all those Springs, wheels, counterpoiz, and chains,
Which stood in stead of life, and spur, and rains.
Yea, you your selues ye bright Celestiall Orbs,
Although no stop your rest-less Dance disturbs,
Nor stayes your Course; yet can ye not escape
The hands of men that are but men in shape.
A Persian Monarch, not content, well-nigh
With the Earths bounds to bound his Empery:
To raign in Heav'n, rais'd not with bold defiance
(Like braving Nimrod, or those boisterous Gyants)
Another Babel, or a heap of Hils:
But, without moving from the Earth, he builds
A Heav'n of Glass, so huge, that there-upon
Somtimes erecting his ambitious, Throne,
Beneath his proud feet (like a God) he saw
The shining Lamps of th'other Heav'n, to draw
Down to the Deep, and thence againe advance
(Like glorious Brides) their golden Radiance:
Yet had the Heav'n no wondrous excellence
(Saue Greatness) worthy of so great a Prince.
With the Earths bounds to bound his Empery:
To raign in Heav'n, rais'd not with bold defiance
(Like braving Nimrod, or those boisterous Gyants)
Another Babel, or a heap of Hils:
But, without moving from the Earth, he builds
A Heav'n of Glass, so huge, that there-upon
Somtimes erecting his ambitious, Throne,
Beneath his proud feet (like a God) he saw
The shining Lamps of th'other Heav'n, to draw
Down to the Deep, and thence againe advance
(Like glorious Brides) their golden Radiance:
Yet had the Heav'n no wondrous excellence
(Saue Greatness) worthy of so great a Prince.
But, who would think, that mortall hands could mould
New Heav'ns, new Stars, whose whirling courses should
With constant windings, though contrary waies,
Mark the true mounds of Years, and Months, and Dayes?
Yet 't is a story that hath oft been heard,
And by graue Witness hundred times averr'd,
That, that profound Briareus, who of yore
(As selfly arm'd with thousand hands and more)
Maintain'd so long the Syracusian Towns
'Gainst great Marcellus and his Roman Powrs:
Who fin'd his foes Fleet with a wondrous Glass:
Who hugest Vessels that did ever pass
The Tirrhen Seas, turn'd with his onely hand
From Shoar to Sea, and from the Sea to Land:
Framed a Sphear, where every Wandring Light,
Of lower Heav'ns and th'vpper Tapers, bright,
Whose glistring flames the Firmament adorn,
Did (of themselues) with ruled motion turn.
New Heav'ns, new Stars, whose whirling courses should
With constant windings, though contrary waies,
Mark the true mounds of Years, and Months, and Dayes?
135
And by graue Witness hundred times averr'd,
That, that profound Briareus, who of yore
(As selfly arm'd with thousand hands and more)
Maintain'd so long the Syracusian Towns
'Gainst great Marcellus and his Roman Powrs:
Who fin'd his foes Fleet with a wondrous Glass:
Who hugest Vessels that did ever pass
The Tirrhen Seas, turn'd with his onely hand
From Shoar to Sea, and from the Sea to Land:
Framed a Sphear, where every Wandring Light,
Of lower Heav'ns and th'vpper Tapers, bright,
Whose glistring flames the Firmament adorn,
Did (of themselues) with ruled motion turn.
Nor may we smother, or forget (ingrately)
The Heav'n of Silver, that was sent (but lately)
From Ferdinando (as a famous Work)
Vnto Bizantium to the Greatest Turk:
Wherein, a spirit, still moving to and fro,
Made all the Engin orderly to go:
And though th'one Sphear did alwaies slowely slide,
And (opposite) the other swiftly glide;
Yet still their Stars kept all their Courses ev'n
With the true Courses of the Stars of Heav'n.
The Sun, there shifting in the Zodiack
His shining Houses, never did forsake
His pointed Path: there, in a Month, his Sister
Fulfill'd her course, and changing oft her lustre
And form of Face (now larger, lesser soon)
Follow'd the Changes of the other Moon.
The Heav'n of Silver, that was sent (but lately)
From Ferdinando (as a famous Work)
Vnto Bizantium to the Greatest Turk:
Wherein, a spirit, still moving to and fro,
Made all the Engin orderly to go:
And though th'one Sphear did alwaies slowely slide,
And (opposite) the other swiftly glide;
Yet still their Stars kept all their Courses ev'n
With the true Courses of the Stars of Heav'n.
The Sun, there shifting in the Zodiack
His shining Houses, never did forsake
His pointed Path: there, in a Month, his Sister
Fulfill'd her course, and changing oft her lustre
And form of Face (now larger, lesser soon)
Follow'd the Changes of the other Moon.
O compleat Creature! who the starry Sphears
Canst make to moue, who 'boue the Heav'nly Bears
Extend'st thy powr, who guidest with thy hand
The Day's bright Chariot, and the nightly Brand:
This curious Lust to imitate the best
And fairest Works of the Almightiest,
By rare effects bears record of thy Linage
And high descent; and that his sacred Image
Was in thy Soule ingrav'n, when first his Spirit
(The spring of life) did in thy limms inspire-it.
For, as his Beauties are past all compare;
So is thy Soule all beautifull and fair.
As hee's immortall; and is never idle:
Thy Soule's immortall; and can brook no bridle
Of sloath, to curb her busie Intellect:
He ponders all; thou peizest each effect:
And thy mature and settled Sapience
Hath som alliance with his Prouidence:
He works by Reason; thou by Rule: Hee's glory
Of th'Heav'nly Stages; thou of th'Earthly Story:
Hee's great High-priest; thou his great Vicar heer:
Hee's Soverain Prince; and thou his Vice-Roy deer.
Canst make to moue, who 'boue the Heav'nly Bears
Extend'st thy powr, who guidest with thy hand
The Day's bright Chariot, and the nightly Brand:
This curious Lust to imitate the best
And fairest Works of the Almightiest,
By rare effects bears record of thy Linage
And high descent; and that his sacred Image
Was in thy Soule ingrav'n, when first his Spirit
(The spring of life) did in thy limms inspire-it.
For, as his Beauties are past all compare;
So is thy Soule all beautifull and fair.
As hee's immortall; and is never idle:
Thy Soule's immortall; and can brook no bridle
Of sloath, to curb her busie Intellect:
He ponders all; thou peizest each effect:
And thy mature and settled Sapience
Hath som alliance with his Prouidence:
136
Of th'Heav'nly Stages; thou of th'Earthly Story:
Hee's great High-priest; thou his great Vicar heer:
Hee's Soverain Prince; and thou his Vice-Roy deer.
For, soon as ever he had framed thee,
Into thy hands he put this Monarchy;
Made all the Creatures knowe thee for their Lord;
And com before thee of their own accord:
And gaue thee power (as Master) to impose
Fit sense-full Names vnto the Hoast that rowes
In watery Regions; and the wandring Heards
Of Forrest people; and the painted Birds.
O too-too happy! had that Fall of thine
Not cancell'd so the Character diuine.
Into thy hands he put this Monarchy;
Made all the Creatures knowe thee for their Lord;
And com before thee of their own accord:
And gaue thee power (as Master) to impose
Fit sense-full Names vnto the Hoast that rowes
In watery Regions; and the wandring Heards
Of Forrest people; and the painted Birds.
O too-too happy! had that Fall of thine
Not cancell'd so the Character diuine.
But sith our Soules now-sin-obscured Light
Shines through the Lanthorn of our Flesh so bright;
What sacred splendor will this Star send forth,
When it shall shine without this vail of Earth?
The Soule, heer lodg'd, is like a man that dwels
In an ill Aire, annoy'd with noysom smels;
In an old House, open to winde and weather;
Never in Health, not half an houre together:
Or (almost) like a Spider, who confin'd
In her Webs centre, shak't with every winde;
Moues in an instant, if the buzzing Flie
Stir but a string of her Lawn Canapie.
Shines through the Lanthorn of our Flesh so bright;
What sacred splendor will this Star send forth,
When it shall shine without this vail of Earth?
The Soule, heer lodg'd, is like a man that dwels
In an ill Aire, annoy'd with noysom smels;
In an old House, open to winde and weather;
Never in Health, not half an houre together:
Or (almost) like a Spider, who confin'd
In her Webs centre, shak't with every winde;
Moues in an instant, if the buzzing Flie
Stir but a string of her Lawn Canapie.
You that haue seen within this ample Table,
Among so many Modules admirable,
Th'admired beauties of the King of Creatures,
Com, com and see the Womans rapting features:
Without whom (heer) Man were but half a man,
But a wilde Wolfe, but a Barbarian,
Brute, ragefull, fierce, moody, melancholike,
Hating the Light; whom nought but naught could like:
Born solely for himselfe, bereft of sense,
Of heart, of loue, of life, of excellence.
God therefore, not to seem less liberall
To Man, then else to every animall;
For perfect patern of a holy Loue,
To Adams half another half he gaue,
Ta'en from his side, to binde (through every Age)
With kinder bonds the sacred Mariage.
Among so many Modules admirable,
Th'admired beauties of the King of Creatures,
Com, com and see the Womans rapting features:
Without whom (heer) Man were but half a man,
But a wilde Wolfe, but a Barbarian,
Brute, ragefull, fierce, moody, melancholike,
Hating the Light; whom nought but naught could like:
Born solely for himselfe, bereft of sense,
Of heart, of loue, of life, of excellence.
God therefore, not to seem less liberall
To Man, then else to every animall;
For perfect patern of a holy Loue,
To Adams half another half he gaue,
Ta'en from his side, to binde (through every Age)
With kinder bonds the sacred Mariage.
Even as a Surgeon, minding off-to-cut
Som-cureless limb; before in vre he put
His violent Engins on the vitious member,
Bringeth his Patient in a sense-less slumber,
And grief-less then (guided by vse and Art)
To saue the whole, sawes off th'infected part:
So, God empal'd our Grandsires liuely look,
Through all his bones a deadly chilness strook,
Siel'd-vp his sparkling eyes with Iron bands,
Led down his feet (almost) to Lethè Sands;
In briefe, so numm'd his Soule's and Body's sense,
That (without pain) opening his side, from thence
Hee tooke a rib, which rarely He refin'd,
And thereof made the Mother of Mankind:
Graving so liuely on the living Bone
All Adams beauties; that, but hardly, one
Could haue the Lover from his Loue descry'd,
Or know'n the Bridegroom from his gentle Bride:
Sauing that she had a more smiling Ey,
A smoother Chin, a Cheek of purer Dy,
A fainter voyce, a more inticing Face,
A Deeper Tress, a more delighting Grace,
And in her bosom (more then Lillie-white)
Two swelling Mounts of Ivory, panting light.
Som-cureless limb; before in vre he put
His violent Engins on the vitious member,
Bringeth his Patient in a sense-less slumber,
And grief-less then (guided by vse and Art)
To saue the whole, sawes off th'infected part:
137
Through all his bones a deadly chilness strook,
Siel'd-vp his sparkling eyes with Iron bands,
Led down his feet (almost) to Lethè Sands;
In briefe, so numm'd his Soule's and Body's sense,
That (without pain) opening his side, from thence
Hee tooke a rib, which rarely He refin'd,
And thereof made the Mother of Mankind:
Graving so liuely on the living Bone
All Adams beauties; that, but hardly, one
Could haue the Lover from his Loue descry'd,
Or know'n the Bridegroom from his gentle Bride:
Sauing that she had a more smiling Ey,
A smoother Chin, a Cheek of purer Dy,
A fainter voyce, a more inticing Face,
A Deeper Tress, a more delighting Grace,
And in her bosom (more then Lillie-white)
Two swelling Mounts of Ivory, panting light.
Now, after this profound and pleasing Transe,
No sooner Adams rauisht eyes did glance
On the rare beauties of his new-come Half,
But in his heart he gan to leap and laugh,
Kissing her kindly, calling her his Life,
His Loue, his Stay, his Rest, his Weal, his Wife,
His other-Selfe, his Help (him to refresh)
Bone of his Bone, Flesh of his very Flesh.
No sooner Adams rauisht eyes did glance
On the rare beauties of his new-come Half,
But in his heart he gan to leap and laugh,
Kissing her kindly, calling her his Life,
His Loue, his Stay, his Rest, his Weal, his Wife,
His other-Selfe, his Help (him to refresh)
Bone of his Bone, Flesh of his very Flesh.
Source of all ioyes! sweet Hee-Shee-Coupled-One,
Thy sacred Birth I never think vpon,
But (rauisht) I admire how God did then
Make Two of One, and One of Two again.
Thy sacred Birth I never think vpon,
But (rauisht) I admire how God did then
Make Two of One, and One of Two again.
O blessed Bond! O happy Marriage!
Which doost the match 'twixt Christ and vs presage!
Which doost the match 'twixt Christ and vs presage!
O chastest friendship, whose pure flames impart
Two Soules in one, two Hearts into one Hart!
O holy knot, in Eden instituted
(Not in this Earth with blood and wrongs polluted,
Profan'd with mischiefs, the Pre-Scæne of Hell
To cursed Creatures that 'gainst Heav'n rebell)
O sacred Cov'nant, which the sin-less Son
Of a pure Virgin (when he first begun
To publish proofs of his drad Powr Diuine,
By turning Water into perfect Wine,
At lesser Cana) in a wondrous manner
Did with his presence sanctifie and honour!
Two Soules in one, two Hearts into one Hart!
O holy knot, in Eden instituted
(Not in this Earth with blood and wrongs polluted,
Profan'd with mischiefs, the Pre-Scæne of Hell
To cursed Creatures that 'gainst Heav'n rebell)
O sacred Cov'nant, which the sin-less Son
Of a pure Virgin (when he first begun
To publish proofs of his drad Powr Diuine,
By turning Water into perfect Wine,
At lesser Cana) in a wondrous manner
Did with his presence sanctifie and honour!
By thy deer Fauour, after our Decease,
We leaue-behinde our liuing Images,
Change War to Peace, in kindred multiply,
And in our Children liue eternally.
By thee, we quench the wilde and wanton Fires,
That in our Soule the Paphian shot inspires:
And taught (by thee) a loue more firme and fitter,
We finde the Mell more sweet, the Gall less bitter,
Which heer (by turns) heap vp our humane Life
Ev'n now with ioyes, anon with iars and strife.
We leaue-behinde our liuing Images,
Change War to Peace, in kindred multiply,
And in our Children liue eternally.
138
That in our Soule the Paphian shot inspires:
And taught (by thee) a loue more firme and fitter,
We finde the Mell more sweet, the Gall less bitter,
Which heer (by turns) heap vp our humane Life
Ev'n now with ioyes, anon with iars and strife.
This done; the Lord commands the happy Pair
With chaste embraces to replenish Fair
Th'vnpeopled World; that, while the World endures,
Heer might succeed their living Portraitures.
He had impos'd the like precept before,
On th'irefull Droues that in the Desarts rore,
The feathered Flocks, and frutfull-spawning Legions
Thar liue within the liquid Crystall Regions.
Thence-forth therefore, Bears Bears ingendered;
The Dolphins, Dolphins; Vulturs, Vulturs bred;
Men, Men: and Nature with a change-less Course,
Still brought forth Children like their Ancestors:
Though since indeed as (when the fire hath mixt-them)
The yellow Gold and Silver pale betwixt them
Another Metall (like to neither) make,
Which yet of eithers riches doth partake:
So, oft, two Creatures of a diuers kinde,
Against the common course through All assign'd,
Confounding their lust-burning seeds together,
Beget an Elf, not like in all to either,
But (bastard Mongrell) bearing marks apparent
Of mingled members, ta'en from either Parent.
With chaste embraces to replenish Fair
Th'vnpeopled World; that, while the World endures,
Heer might succeed their living Portraitures.
He had impos'd the like precept before,
On th'irefull Droues that in the Desarts rore,
The feathered Flocks, and frutfull-spawning Legions
Thar liue within the liquid Crystall Regions.
Thence-forth therefore, Bears Bears ingendered;
The Dolphins, Dolphins; Vulturs, Vulturs bred;
Men, Men: and Nature with a change-less Course,
Still brought forth Children like their Ancestors:
Though since indeed as (when the fire hath mixt-them)
The yellow Gold and Silver pale betwixt them
Another Metall (like to neither) make,
Which yet of eithers riches doth partake:
So, oft, two Creatures of a diuers kinde,
Against the common course through All assign'd,
Confounding their lust-burning seeds together,
Beget an Elf, not like in all to either,
But (bastard Mongrell) bearing marks apparent
Of mingled members, ta'en from either Parent.
God, not contented, to each Kinde to giue
And to infuse the Vertue Generatiue,
Made (by his Wisdom) many Creatures breed
Of line-less bodies, without Venus deed.
And to infuse the Vertue Generatiue,
Made (by his Wisdom) many Creatures breed
Of line-less bodies, without Venus deed.
So, the colde humour breeds the Salamander,
Who (in effect) like to her births Commander
With childe with hundred Winters, with her touch
Quencheth the Fire though glowing ne'r so much.
Who (in effect) like to her births Commander
With childe with hundred Winters, with her touch
Quencheth the Fire though glowing ne'r so much.
So, of the Fire in burning furnace, springs
The Fly Pyrausta with the flaming Wings:
Without the Fire, it dies; within it, ioyes;
Living in that, which each thing else destroyes.
The Fly Pyrausta with the flaming Wings:
Without the Fire, it dies; within it, ioyes;
Living in that, which each thing else destroyes.
So, slowe Boötes vnderneath him sees,
In th'ycy Iles, those Goslings hatcht of Trees;
Whose fruitfull leaues, falling into the Water,
Are turn'd (they say) to liuing Fowls soon after.
So, rotten sides of broken Ships do change
To Barnacles; O Transformation strange!
'Twas first a greeen Tree, then a gallant Hull,
Lately a Mushrom, now a flying Gull.
In th'ycy Iles, those Goslings hatcht of Trees;
Whose fruitfull leaues, falling into the Water,
Are turn'd (they say) to liuing Fowls soon after.
So, rotten sides of broken Ships do change
To Barnacles; O Transformation strange!
'Twas first a greeen Tree, then a gallant Hull,
Lately a Mushrom, now a flying Gull.
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