Miscellaneous works of George Wither | ||
3
Sir, though I neither of your Grace despair,
Nor lack sufficient Faith, to make a Prayr
In Court: yet, wanting means to prosecute,
I'le trouble you at this time, with no Suit;
But, treat of somewhat, that no more will cost,
Save Labour, which I many times have lost,
And, thereby, not been made a jot the worse,
Either in mind, in body, or in purse.
Nor lack sufficient Faith, to make a Prayr
In Court: yet, wanting means to prosecute,
I'le trouble you at this time, with no Suit;
But, treat of somewhat, that no more will cost,
Save Labour, which I many times have lost,
And, thereby, not been made a jot the worse,
Either in mind, in body, or in purse.
When Rebels did King Davids flight constrain,
And, GOD was pleas'd to bring him home again,
They, who to drive him out, had forwardst been,
Made hast to joyn with those who brought him in.
And, he, with GOD, in Mercy so comply'd,
That, not one man for that Rebellion dy'd,
VVho follow'd Absalom, that had contriv'd
The Treason, and well-meaning men deceiv'd.
A traitrous Child's life, that Rebellion cost;
But, by our War, a Fathers life was lost:
And therfore, though some bloodshed that produc'd,
In humane Reason you may be excus'd,
VVhom natural Affection mov'd to shed
The blood of some, by whom your Father bled;
Since you more Mercy freely have bestown
Than Davids, or your Foll'wers would have shown.
Which much augments your Honour: For, no Jem
So beautifies a Royal Diadem,
As Mercy, when it is enameled
VVith Justice, and with Prudence riveted.
And, GOD was pleas'd to bring him home again,
They, who to drive him out, had forwardst been,
Made hast to joyn with those who brought him in.
And, he, with GOD, in Mercy so comply'd,
That, not one man for that Rebellion dy'd,
VVho follow'd Absalom, that had contriv'd
The Treason, and well-meaning men deceiv'd.
A traitrous Child's life, that Rebellion cost;
But, by our War, a Fathers life was lost:
And therfore, though some bloodshed that produc'd,
In humane Reason you may be excus'd,
VVhom natural Affection mov'd to shed
The blood of some, by whom your Father bled;
4
Than Davids, or your Foll'wers would have shown.
Which much augments your Honour: For, no Jem
So beautifies a Royal Diadem,
As Mercy, when it is enameled
VVith Justice, and with Prudence riveted.
I had presum'd a personal Address
Long since; but, difficult is an Access
For such as I appear, who hazard blame,
And disrespect enough, where I now am;
Because, what Conscience chargeth me withal,
Is by some judged to be criminal.
In that regard, this Paper must make way
For gaining an admittance, as it may;
And will, I hope, presented be, by some
VVho shall have entrance, where I cannot come.
Long since; but, difficult is an Access
For such as I appear, who hazard blame,
And disrespect enough, where I now am;
Because, what Conscience chargeth me withal,
Is by some judged to be criminal.
In that regard, this Paper must make way
For gaining an admittance, as it may;
And will, I hope, presented be, by some
VVho shall have entrance, where I cannot come.
I am despoiled so of ev'ry thing,
That nothing for a Present I can bring
Except (of Grace) your Majesty shall please
To daign acceptance to such Gifts as these;
Which (though but mean, and in an homly dress)
VVill then illustrate your true Worthiness,
As amply, as the candid Acceptation,
Of what may seem of greater valuation.
That nothing for a Present I can bring
Except (of Grace) your Majesty shall please
To daign acceptance to such Gifts as these;
Which (though but mean, and in an homly dress)
VVill then illustrate your true Worthiness,
As amply, as the candid Acceptation,
Of what may seem of greater valuation.
I cannot write strong Lines, with swelling words,
VVhose Elegancy scarcely room affords
For sober sense; nor muster up their Names,
Whom History, and whom Tradition fames
For brav'st Atchievements, since time first begun,
And then say, you have all of them outgone;
As if my foolish words, might add unto
Your Honour, more than your own Deeds can do.
Or, as if any Wise-man would give creed
To what they in a flatring Poem reade.
VVhose Elegancy scarcely room affords
For sober sense; nor muster up their Names,
Whom History, and whom Tradition fames
For brav'st Atchievements, since time first begun,
And then say, you have all of them outgone;
As if my foolish words, might add unto
Your Honour, more than your own Deeds can do.
Or, as if any Wise-man would give creed
To what they in a flatring Poem reade.
5
It is not in the pow'r of any other
By Pen or Tongue to clear up, or to smother
Your true Deserts; For, in your self that lies,
VVhich either them beclouds, or dignifies.
No other Thoughts I entertain of You,
But such as I may think, and you allow:
Yet, to extol your Worth I shall not dare,
Till I know truly what your Vertues are.
For, though to Flatrers all Kings seem to be
Of like desert, they seem not so to me.
I'le serve you faithfully in what I may,
And, as my King, love, honour and obey.
I would conceal, not publish your defects,
If I knew any; and give due respects
To all your Merits; but, I will not own
One Line that praises them, till they are known:
For, till I know, I give but what is due,
I am a Lyar, though my words be true;
Since equally, both good and evil things,
Are famed of the best of men, and Kings.
By Pen or Tongue to clear up, or to smother
Your true Deserts; For, in your self that lies,
VVhich either them beclouds, or dignifies.
No other Thoughts I entertain of You,
But such as I may think, and you allow:
Yet, to extol your Worth I shall not dare,
Till I know truly what your Vertues are.
For, though to Flatrers all Kings seem to be
Of like desert, they seem not so to me.
I'le serve you faithfully in what I may,
And, as my King, love, honour and obey.
I would conceal, not publish your defects,
If I knew any; and give due respects
To all your Merits; but, I will not own
One Line that praises them, till they are known:
For, till I know, I give but what is due,
I am a Lyar, though my words be true;
Since equally, both good and evil things,
Are famed of the best of men, and Kings.
A Stranger likewise, you have been long time
To most of your own Subjects in this Clime,
And, I was never where I did behold
Your face, since you were two or three years old:
VVhat Good soever therefore I aver
Of you, I shall but seem a Flatterer;
Yea, you your self would think so, should I add
Those Virtues, which you know you never had;
And, Praise, which is ascrib'd to any one
In that mode, is a little less than none.
But, little Credit also hath a Poet,
To celebrate your Worth, when he shall know it,
Or counterpoize, or silence Contradictions,
Since most esteem his Writings to be Fictions;
And you will be more honor'd, than in them,
By these blunt Lines, if they have your esteem.
I therefore, so shall study to increase
Your Honour, that I may not make it less;
And whatsoever I can say or do,
(Although you give a Countermand thereto)
I'le say, and do it; when I shall be sure
Your Life, or Peace, or Honour 'twill secure:
And, if this be a fault, I do intend
To be thus faulty, till my life shall end.
To most of your own Subjects in this Clime,
And, I was never where I did behold
Your face, since you were two or three years old:
VVhat Good soever therefore I aver
Of you, I shall but seem a Flatterer;
Yea, you your self would think so, should I add
Those Virtues, which you know you never had;
And, Praise, which is ascrib'd to any one
In that mode, is a little less than none.
But, little Credit also hath a Poet,
To celebrate your Worth, when he shall know it,
Or counterpoize, or silence Contradictions,
Since most esteem his Writings to be Fictions;
6
By these blunt Lines, if they have your esteem.
I therefore, so shall study to increase
Your Honour, that I may not make it less;
And whatsoever I can say or do,
(Although you give a Countermand thereto)
I'le say, and do it; when I shall be sure
Your Life, or Peace, or Honour 'twill secure:
And, if this be a fault, I do intend
To be thus faulty, till my life shall end.
I know, most Royal Sir, who 'tis that saies,
To please great men, deserves not meanest praise:
I see how 'tis approv'd, and what they gain
Who can that thriving Faculty attain.
Yet, I shall wave their Art, and will assay
To do you honour in another way,
By giving you occasion to express
Your Justice, Mercy, and your Prudentness;
So that your self may make the world to see
Your Virtues more, than words can say they be.
To that end, much might in my case be shown:
But, rather for your sake, than for mine own
Is this Address; Yea, rather to prevent
What may be your harm, than my detriment;
Ile therefore wave that too; that no self-end
May frustrate what I chiefly do intend.
To please great men, deserves not meanest praise:
I see how 'tis approv'd, and what they gain
Who can that thriving Faculty attain.
Yet, I shall wave their Art, and will assay
To do you honour in another way,
By giving you occasion to express
Your Justice, Mercy, and your Prudentness;
So that your self may make the world to see
Your Virtues more, than words can say they be.
To that end, much might in my case be shown:
But, rather for your sake, than for mine own
Is this Address; Yea, rather to prevent
What may be your harm, than my detriment;
Ile therefore wave that too; that no self-end
May frustrate what I chiefly do intend.
Some, questionless, before your Restoration
Contributed for your Accommodation
In true sincerity; and some, no doubt,
Thereby to work their own Salvation out;
And many a one, perhaps, like Ziba speed,
VVho merited no better than he did.
Some other would have done as much as they,
But, neither had the means, nor knew the way;
And many, who against You then combin'd,
Are now, so truly of another mind,
That, you in them are safe: for, Love in such
Will much abound, who were forgiven much.
Contributed for your Accommodation
In true sincerity; and some, no doubt,
Thereby to work their own Salvation out;
7
VVho merited no better than he did.
Some other would have done as much as they,
But, neither had the means, nor knew the way;
And many, who against You then combin'd,
Are now, so truly of another mind,
That, you in them are safe: for, Love in such
Will much abound, who were forgiven much.
I, who obeyed late preceding Pow'rs
Compulsively; now, willingly to yours
Profess Allegiance; and, as true as those
Will be, who of their Truth make fairest shows.
For, when I saw GOD on your side appear,
I was reclaim'd by Conscience, not by Fear;
Yea, I foresaw, and likewise did foretel
(To them who were in pow'r) what since befell;
Attending passively, what I expected,
By Providence divine would be effected:
And my professed Loyalty to you
Is not alone unquestionably true,
But also, may appear to be more free
From self-ends, than their Loyalty can be
In whom you most confide: For, they from Bands
Exempted are; have Honours, Goods and Lands,
Pensions or Offices, wherein you do
Protect them; and, they have your Favour too.
But, all these wholly are to me destroy'd,
And I by your Protection have enjoy'd
Nought, save a dying-life, a living-grave,
Or that, whereof so small esteem I have,
That, if my Work were done, and GOD would say
Amen, I would resign my Life this day.
Compulsively; now, willingly to yours
Profess Allegiance; and, as true as those
Will be, who of their Truth make fairest shows.
For, when I saw GOD on your side appear,
I was reclaim'd by Conscience, not by Fear;
Yea, I foresaw, and likewise did foretel
(To them who were in pow'r) what since befell;
Attending passively, what I expected,
By Providence divine would be effected:
And my professed Loyalty to you
Is not alone unquestionably true,
But also, may appear to be more free
From self-ends, than their Loyalty can be
In whom you most confide: For, they from Bands
Exempted are; have Honours, Goods and Lands,
Pensions or Offices, wherein you do
Protect them; and, they have your Favour too.
But, all these wholly are to me destroy'd,
And I by your Protection have enjoy'd
Nought, save a dying-life, a living-grave,
Or that, whereof so small esteem I have,
That, if my Work were done, and GOD would say
Amen, I would resign my Life this day.
Yet, so far am I from repining at
My Portion, or my seeming sad estate,
That, in this Posture I will serve as long,
As to endure it GOD shall make me strong;
Not doubting, but when all things come to proof,
My Suffrings will be much to my behoof:
Mean time, left otherwise, my good intent
To you, some causualty may prevent,
I will, so far forth as my Chain will stretch,
(And mine now shortned arm and hand will reach)
Exhibit such Expedients, as from Time,
And other Herbs, I've suckt within your Clime;
And, wanting better Gifts, will offer you
This little Cluster of those Grapes, which grew
Upon my wither'd Vine: For, though they are
But sowre, your Kingdom yeelds none wholsomer,
If you shall seasonably press out the Juice,
And then assume it without prejudice.
My Portion, or my seeming sad estate,
8
As to endure it GOD shall make me strong;
Not doubting, but when all things come to proof,
My Suffrings will be much to my behoof:
Mean time, left otherwise, my good intent
To you, some causualty may prevent,
I will, so far forth as my Chain will stretch,
(And mine now shortned arm and hand will reach)
Exhibit such Expedients, as from Time,
And other Herbs, I've suckt within your Clime;
And, wanting better Gifts, will offer you
This little Cluster of those Grapes, which grew
Upon my wither'd Vine: For, though they are
But sowre, your Kingdom yeelds none wholsomer,
If you shall seasonably press out the Juice,
And then assume it without prejudice.
Miscellaneous works of George Wither | ||