The Poetical Works of William Basse (1602-1653): Now for the first time collected and edited with introduction and notes by R. Warwick Bond |
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THE YOUTH IN THE BOAT.
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 | The Poetical Works of William Basse |  |
157
THE YOUTH IN THE BOAT.
(Fragment.)
When we our young and wanton houres
Have spent in vaine delight,
To shew you how celestiall powers
At length can set us right;
Have spent in vaine delight,
To shew you how celestiall powers
At length can set us right;
How they can frame our mindes unfixt
Unto their just directions,
When waveringly we reele betwixt.
Opinions or affections;
Unto their just directions,
When waveringly we reele betwixt.
Opinions or affections;
158
How fatall it may sometimes prove
Unto our frayle estate,
Vainly to hate what we should love,
And love what we should hate.
Unto our frayle estate,
Vainly to hate what we should love,
And love what we should hate.
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For some unknowne, but grievous crimeAgainst the Gods committed,
A young man on a time, (sad time,
And young man to be pittyed)
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Put forth to Sea (when Sea was swell'dWith winde and tempest sore)
Abourd a little Barque, which held
Himselfe, and but two more.
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As Master, Mate, and Sayler far'dThis youth, and with his hand
Rul'd Helme and Rudder, Sayle and Cord,
And Boat both steer'd and man'd.
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And though the building of this BoateConcernes my tale not much,
Nor much it doth deserve your note
The workmans name to touch—
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Her Keele was all of Cypresse built,Her Mast of fragrant Firre;
Her Oares were Ivory, Sterne was guilt,
And calk'd she was with Myrrh.
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He that her Ship-wright was, and madeHer timber-worke, is thought
To be young Perdix, who this trade
By Dedalus was taught.
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Her Sayles, some say, Arachne wove,They were so richly done:
And that Ulisses constant Love
Her flaxen Cable spun.
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And grant all this for true, (or trueThough grant it to be thought)
Yet works of Art, how short are you
Of works by Nature wrought?
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For though this Barke was but three strong,(Weake Vessel! strong but three,)
Tall Ship from Indian voyage long
Ne're brought such prize as she.
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For with two Damsells was she lade,The one of beauty such
160
And she him scorn'd as much.
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The other though not all so brightAs was her Mate; yet one
That in him tooke all true delight,
But he in her tooke none.
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No other ballast (then) did trimThis Ship: you may conceit
His Love to one, one's Love to him,
Made both sides equall weight.
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And Neèdle (sure) she needed noneBy poynt or pole to passe,
When he was Loadstone unto one,
And one his Load-star was. [OMITTED]
| The Poetical Works of William Basse | |