The Second part of The Nights Search Discovering The Condition of the various Fowles of Night. Or, The second great Mystery of Iniquity exactly revealed: With the Projects of these Times. In a Poem, By Humphrey Mill |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XV. |
| XVII. |
Sect. XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
 | The Second part of The Nights Search |  |
102
Sect. XVII.
A young mans vision, furies rise,
His mothers ghost, her words, his eyes
Disclose his grief: Into the fire
They thrust his soule, the sinners heire:
His soul returns, his mothers train,
And whiter Devils come again:
Some pull, some call, he found his tongue;
He was releas'd, but 'twas not long.
A Devil grave, fain'd love exprest,
More wantonsome then all the rest.
Plaid, sung, and danc'd; while he did pray
The evil spirits slunck away.
His mothers ghost, her words, his eyes
Disclose his grief: Into the fire
They thrust his soule, the sinners heire:
His soul returns, his mothers train,
And whiter Devils come again:
Some pull, some call, he found his tongue;
He was releas'd, but 'twas not long.
A Devil grave, fain'd love exprest,
More wantonsome then all the rest.
Plaid, sung, and danc'd; while he did pray
The evil spirits slunck away.
When through contempt and wilfulnesse to sin
Man forfeited the day, he did begin
To side with darknesse: and to Hell he'd creep,
Unheard, unseen, when Conscience was asleep.
She leaves the charge to Cerb'rus; made no stay,
But sends out strength to meet him in the way.
Who marching on, desired sinful leasure;
Because the way was sweet, and full of pleasure.
Man forfeited the day, he did begin
To side with darknesse: and to Hell he'd creep,
Unheard, unseen, when Conscience was asleep.
She leaves the charge to Cerb'rus; made no stay,
But sends out strength to meet him in the way.
Who marching on, desired sinful leasure;
Because the way was sweet, and full of pleasure.
But lusting mischief ever comes too soon,
Unlook't for, in the morning; if at noon,
'Tis conceal'd to the minde; or if at night,
'Tis most unthought of. He should take delight
To reckon well spent-time. But as he stands
Expecting rest, as purchas'd by his hands,
Death strains his senses. Ah! he must submit
To Deaths pale Tenant; where the hungry pit
Will keep him Prisoner. But I must indite
A Scean of dolour. Hell's broke loose to night.
Unlook't for, in the morning; if at noon,
'Tis conceal'd to the minde; or if at night,
'Tis most unthought of. He should take delight
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Expecting rest, as purchas'd by his hands,
Death strains his senses. Ah! he must submit
To Deaths pale Tenant; where the hungry pit
Will keep him Prisoner. But I must indite
A Scean of dolour. Hell's broke loose to night.
He that neglects his Watch, will find too late
Terrors and feinds, assuming pomp and state,
With Furies waiting on them. Passing by
A hollow Cave, I heard a hideous cry:
Come, lets divide the spoile; his bones are thine:
Betwixt you part his flesh, his soul is mine.
Terrors and feinds, assuming pomp and state,
With Furies waiting on them. Passing by
A hollow Cave, I heard a hideous cry:
Come, lets divide the spoile; his bones are thine:
Betwixt you part his flesh, his soul is mine.
A masculine being past the third degree,
And into manhood enter'd now is hee,
Yet never liv'd, unlesse it were to sin;
Being frighted from himself, he'l now begin
To change his course. If this black storme were past
Which Hell hath rais'd; to Heaven now at last,
He'd consecrate himself. The night, being dark,
It cannot hide his grief: Hell light's a spark
To blaze his crime in colours. First, there came
His mothers Ghost, to gender fear and shame
Within his breast: and threatning him, she said;
And into manhood enter'd now is hee,
Yet never liv'd, unlesse it were to sin;
Being frighted from himself, he'l now begin
To change his course. If this black storme were past
Which Hell hath rais'd; to Heaven now at last,
He'd consecrate himself. The night, being dark,
It cannot hide his grief: Hell light's a spark
To blaze his crime in colours. First, there came
His mothers Ghost, to gender fear and shame
Within his breast: and threatning him, she said;
Ah! thou art lost! how often have I stay'd
Thee from thy ruine? Worse, and worse thou art;
I was thy mother once: e're we did part
I begg'd thy change with tears: but I was crost
In my desire. Turn, turn, or thou art lost.
Thee from thy ruine? Worse, and worse thou art;
I was thy mother once: e're we did part
I begg'd thy change with tears: but I was crost
In my desire. Turn, turn, or thou art lost.
And many other spirits with consent,
Did becken from above; then out they went:
But fear came in the more; for there he saw
A troop of deadly feinds, who strove to draw
(As they were gaping on the fiery brim)
Him to the furious lake, or that to him.
(But, Species fine visu) he believ'd
His torment was begun; and still he griev'd;
Which made his wound more wide: his loathed bed
Helps not his quaking limbs: his heavie head
Hardens the gentle feathers: and his tears
Did onely shew, not mitigate his fears.
Did becken from above; then out they went:
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A troop of deadly feinds, who strove to draw
(As they were gaping on the fiery brim)
Him to the furious lake, or that to him.
(But, Species fine visu) he believ'd
His torment was begun; and still he griev'd;
Which made his wound more wide: his loathed bed
Helps not his quaking limbs: his heavie head
Hardens the gentle feathers: and his tears
Did onely shew, not mitigate his fears.
Then came the feinds, and snatcht his soul away,
Making a triumph: soon they cast their prey
(As he conceiv'd) into a Vault of fire;
Thrust in with forks. This is the Sinners hire.
Then to the Bed, a Fury brings a Bier,
To lay his corps upon: and now his fear
Hath made him speechlesse: but his sense remains,
To fold up sorrow. Who can judge what pains
Hell gives in earnest! But the hardned sinner
Knows what hell is: for he was the beginner
Of Discord in the World; and he shall have
A bed of sorrow, lower then the grave.
Making a triumph: soon they cast their prey
(As he conceiv'd) into a Vault of fire;
Thrust in with forks. This is the Sinners hire.
Then to the Bed, a Fury brings a Bier,
To lay his corps upon: and now his fear
Hath made him speechlesse: but his sense remains,
To fold up sorrow. Who can judge what pains
Hell gives in earnest! But the hardned sinner
Knows what hell is: for he was the beginner
Of Discord in the World; and he shall have
A bed of sorrow, lower then the grave.
I must not stray too much: my feeble Pen
Must give account (his soul being come agen)
Of what the issue was. In this distresse
He water'd his pale-earth. Groans did expresse
The horrour of his minde: he spi'd again
His mother all in white; with her a train
Of Saint-like figures, pointing down to'ards hell;
Then heaven-ward: he mus'd, but could not tell
What speech they us'd. Of gleams they had a shroud:
With verba fine voce, in a cloud,
They vanish'd all away. But there remain'd
The horrid Vision, which from hell was strain'd
With strange deformities. A Fury call'd
Upon him strangely: other would have hall'd
Him from his wat'ry couch: Fear made him strong,
And home-born danger help him to his tongue.
Must give account (his soul being come agen)
Of what the issue was. In this distresse
He water'd his pale-earth. Groans did expresse
The horrour of his minde: he spi'd again
His mother all in white; with her a train
Of Saint-like figures, pointing down to'ards hell;
Then heaven-ward: he mus'd, but could not tell
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With verba fine voce, in a cloud,
They vanish'd all away. But there remain'd
The horrid Vision, which from hell was strain'd
With strange deformities. A Fury call'd
Upon him strangely: other would have hall'd
Him from his wat'ry couch: Fear made him strong,
And home-born danger help him to his tongue.
Thus he in anguish said
Ye Feinds of darknesse! what have you to doWith me that am redeem'd? you shall not woo
My soul with your enchantments, to embrace
The motions drawn in hell. Although my case
Is much to be lamented, I am free
For mercy, as the rest of sinners be.
This Book (the Book of God) may end the strife;
My name is written in the Book of Life.
Nor shall your power remove me: I am set
To keep possession here: and all my debt
Is paid by him that gave himself to death,
That I might live. From him I draw my breath.
Depart, ye damned spirits: I have cast
My self for sin. I've griev'd for what is past.
Thus said, they quit the room. With that he rais'd
His feeble joynts; and in his heart he prais'd
Him that had bought his Freedom. But he spi'd
As he went down, once more, his mother ti'd
(But not from motion) in her winding-sheet,
He thought to gain his freedom in the street,
But could not find the key within the door:
Being frighted worser, then he was before,
With lamentable voice he did begin
To call for help; and then the key was in,
By which he was discharg'd. And now he will
Take notice of his wayes to shun the ill.
His feeble joynts; and in his heart he prais'd
Him that had bought his Freedom. But he spi'd
As he went down, once more, his mother ti'd
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He thought to gain his freedom in the street,
But could not find the key within the door:
Being frighted worser, then he was before,
With lamentable voice he did begin
To call for help; and then the key was in,
By which he was discharg'd. And now he will
Take notice of his wayes to shun the ill.
Now, like a Hart freed from the hungry hounds,
Which woon his life by swiftnesse, keeps his bounds
Among the horned heard: he never goes
At random by himself, for fear his foes
Should sent him, bring him to the bloody knife;
To dine with Corn he will not pawn his life.
So, he escap't from Hell-hounds, cannot be
Contented by himself: good companie
Is that which he desires: what was amisse
He'l mend, as knowing't was the cause of this.
Which woon his life by swiftnesse, keeps his bounds
Among the horned heard: he never goes
At random by himself, for fear his foes
Should sent him, bring him to the bloody knife;
To dine with Corn he will not pawn his life.
So, he escap't from Hell-hounds, cannot be
Contented by himself: good companie
Is that which he desires: what was amisse
He'l mend, as knowing't was the cause of this.
Alas, I have not done! You must excuse
My wandring Genius: for my bashful Muse
Did never see a Ghost. Pray tell me how
Her Songs may rise to that ne'r's sung while now.
My wandring Genius: for my bashful Muse
Did never see a Ghost. Pray tell me how
Her Songs may rise to that ne'r's sung while now.
His spirits being setled, home he came,
And brought a Friend; beleeving fear and shame
Were banish't from the Earth: but when his head
Was laid upon the Pillow, then the Bed
Seem'd overcharged with the sinful weight:
The walking Devils laid another baite
To snare his soul. A Messenger from Hell
(In his appearance grave) began to tell
What favours he would do him: he should find
His words all true, if he would frame his mind
To keep him company. Then he begins
To reckon up in order all his sins.
And seal'd them to the curse: Still when he spoke
Hell gave a vent, from whence there came a smoke.
And brought a Friend; beleeving fear and shame
Were banish't from the Earth: but when his head
Was laid upon the Pillow, then the Bed
Seem'd overcharged with the sinful weight:
The walking Devils laid another baite
To snare his soul. A Messenger from Hell
(In his appearance grave) began to tell
107
His words all true, if he would frame his mind
To keep him company. Then he begins
To reckon up in order all his sins.
And seal'd them to the curse: Still when he spoke
Hell gave a vent, from whence there came a smoke.
His courage like to armour made of steel,
Turn'd back th' assault. What horrour he did feel
Was secret to himself. He would not make
His Bed-fellow afraid; yet he doth take
Th' advantage to reply: And thus he said;
Turn'd back th' assault. What horrour he did feel
Was secret to himself. He would not make
His Bed-fellow afraid; yet he doth take
Th' advantage to reply: And thus he said;
Thy message is from Hell; I'm not dismaid:
I'l have no aid from thee. Do, do thy worst,
I will not lose my hope: 'cause thou art curst,
Thou lost make me so. My sinful soul was bought
From Hell with stripes: I by the Truth am taught
To wait for grace; beleeve, repent, and pray;
Man by despairing gives himself away.
Thy plots are vain. Thou cursed Fiend, be gone:
I am a child of promise, thou art none.
Thou go'st but under bail: Thou'lt shortly be
Imprison'd to eternal miserie.
I'l have no aid from thee. Do, do thy worst,
I will not lose my hope: 'cause thou art curst,
Thou lost make me so. My sinful soul was bought
From Hell with stripes: I by the Truth am taught
To wait for grace; beleeve, repent, and pray;
Man by despairing gives himself away.
Thy plots are vain. Thou cursed Fiend, be gone:
I am a child of promise, thou art none.
Thou go'st but under bail: Thou'lt shortly be
Imprison'd to eternal miserie.
When he had done his speech, he did perceive
Th' Embassadour of Hell had took his leave.
Th' Embassadour of Hell had took his leave.
But e're sweet Slumber had his eyes possest
Or bridled up his thoughts, to silent rest,
Hell sounds again: but with a smoother Theame;
(She thought to take him swimming down the streame.)
Of Heroes, Nymphs, and Fairies, in came store
(Not shap't like Fiends and Furies, as before)
With wanton postures, and with whorish tire,
Unsav'ry speeches, stirring foul desire
In all their gestures. Some with lustful singing
Striv'd to enchant him, while their Lutes were stringing.
Then in a Consort, when their Lutes were strung,
Naked about his bed they plaid and sung.
Dancing with nimble measures, seeming fair,
And in their motions they excell'd the air
Or bridled up his thoughts, to silent rest,
Hell sounds again: but with a smoother Theame;
(She thought to take him swimming down the streame.)
Of Heroes, Nymphs, and Fairies, in came store
(Not shap't like Fiends and Furies, as before)
108
Unsav'ry speeches, stirring foul desire
In all their gestures. Some with lustful singing
Striv'd to enchant him, while their Lutes were stringing.
Then in a Consort, when their Lutes were strung,
Naked about his bed they plaid and sung.
Dancing with nimble measures, seeming fair,
And in their motions they excell'd the air
But hell's befool'd again: for now his dust
Is dri'd, and cool'd with grief: and all his Lust
Is to be freed from shame. Truths common so
May well be fool'd, when hell is foiled so.
These words he utter'd with an inward voice:
You shew me what I was (I've chang'd my choice)
Not what I am. Away, ye haggs! your spell
Is but damnation varnisht: for in hell
There's no such musick: Trebles give no grace:
Their tunes are howling discords from the Bace.
My musick shall be praise (which I intend
To sing in heaven) that shall never end.
Is dri'd, and cool'd with grief: and all his Lust
Is to be freed from shame. Truths common so
May well be fool'd, when hell is foiled so.
These words he utter'd with an inward voice:
You shew me what I was (I've chang'd my choice)
Not what I am. Away, ye haggs! your spell
Is but damnation varnisht: for in hell
There's no such musick: Trebles give no grace:
Their tunes are howling discords from the Bace.
My musick shall be praise (which I intend
To sing in heaven) that shall never end.
Hell has her own again, with labour lost;
And all her Factors are as often crost.
They misse their ends; their prey keeps off too long;
Or if they take it soon, it proves too strong.
Nor can they well be rid on't: for the crie
Calls help from heaven; so the takers die.
Who can expresse the torment he endur'd!
The passion of his minde being somewhat cur'd,
He with his Bed-fellow did quit the room;
Who was half dead with fear. They thought their Toom
Had been erected there. Now out they creep,
Both in a trance: as men which from the deep
Half drown'd are brought to shore; who musing then
Will breathe half words; then stop, and muse agen.
But having gain'd their sense, strength gaining time,
Their stomacks cleansed from the watry slime,
They'll tell you of the shipwrack, how it past;
And of the storm, how they escap'd at last:
Just so these tired Partners do begin
(Partners in punishment, but not in sin)
To breathe their woes in parts: they make their moans
In words, then sighs; but make it up in groans.
But having felt their footing, they will tell
What they escapt; how neer they were to hell.
And all her Factors are as often crost.
They misse their ends; their prey keeps off too long;
Or if they take it soon, it proves too strong.
Nor can they well be rid on't: for the crie
Calls help from heaven; so the takers die.
Who can expresse the torment he endur'd!
The passion of his minde being somewhat cur'd,
He with his Bed-fellow did quit the room;
Who was half dead with fear. They thought their Toom
109
Both in a trance: as men which from the deep
Half drown'd are brought to shore; who musing then
Will breathe half words; then stop, and muse agen.
But having gain'd their sense, strength gaining time,
Their stomacks cleansed from the watry slime,
They'll tell you of the shipwrack, how it past;
And of the storm, how they escap'd at last:
Just so these tired Partners do begin
(Partners in punishment, but not in sin)
To breathe their woes in parts: they make their moans
In words, then sighs; but make it up in groans.
But having felt their footing, they will tell
What they escapt; how neer they were to hell.
Man sins, then suffers; sorrow, mixt with fears;
Shame leaves him naked in the vale of tears.
He sowes disgrace, which ganders unto strife,
And runs th' row grief with cost to lose his life.
Hell joyns with heaven to revenge a sin:
When she falls foul upon us, we begin
To feel the storms of wrath: and then we cry
Help, Lord, we sink alive. But by and by
(The tempest being calm'd) we do repent
Of our Repentance. Then we give consent
To what we did deny: and at the last
We do renew the score for what is past.
Shame leaves him naked in the vale of tears.
He sowes disgrace, which ganders unto strife,
And runs th' row grief with cost to lose his life.
Hell joyns with heaven to revenge a sin:
When she falls foul upon us, we begin
To feel the storms of wrath: and then we cry
Help, Lord, we sink alive. But by and by
(The tempest being calm'd) we do repent
Of our Repentance. Then we give consent
To what we did deny: and at the last
We do renew the score for what is past.
The devils trace the earth; and where they finde
A Patentee for Lust; as he's enclin'd,
So they can bait the snare. They take up shapes,
With change of habit: as his fancy gapes,
He's humor'd for a time. They are not men,
Nor women that are dead, that come agen;
But Devils in their likenesse, to invite
The heedlesse sinner to eternal night.
Or looking home, they with despairing fits,
Shake him from his beleeving and his wits.
Were they not chain'd, they'd take up all for strayes,
To trap our souls they have a thousand wayes.
I rais'd not Fiends, to drive you to a fright;
The'are of my Theme, because they walk by night.
A Patentee for Lust; as he's enclin'd,
So they can bait the snare. They take up shapes,
With change of habit: as his fancy gapes,
110
Nor women that are dead, that come agen;
But Devils in their likenesse, to invite
The heedlesse sinner to eternal night.
Or looking home, they with despairing fits,
Shake him from his beleeving and his wits.
Were they not chain'd, they'd take up all for strayes,
To trap our souls they have a thousand wayes.
I rais'd not Fiends, to drive you to a fright;
The'are of my Theme, because they walk by night.
| The Second part of The Nights Search | |