 | Philosophical poems |  |
AN ADDITION of some few smaller POEMS
299
Cupids Conflict.
Mela. Cleanthes.Cl.
Mela my dear! why been thy looks so sad
As if thy gentle heart were sunk with care?
Impart thy case; for be it good or bad
Friendship in either will bear equall share.
Mel.
Not so; Cleanthes, for if bad it be
My self must bleed afresh by wounding thee.
But what it is, my slow, uncertain wit
Cannot well judge. But thou shalt sentence give
How manfully of late my self I quit,
When with that lordly lad by chance I strive.
Cl.
Cannot well judge. But thou shalt sentence give
How manfully of late my self I quit,
When with that lordly lad by chance I strive.
Of friendship Mela! let's that story hear.
Mel.
Sit down Cleanthes then, and lend thine ear.
Upon a day as best did please my mind
Walking abroad amidst the verdant field
Scattering my carefull thoughts i'th' wanton wind
The pleasure of my path so farre had till'd
My feeble feet that without timely rest
Uneath it were to reach my wonted nest.
Walking abroad amidst the verdant field
Scattering my carefull thoughts i'th' wanton wind
The pleasure of my path so farre had till'd
My feeble feet that without timely rest
Uneath it were to reach my wonted nest.
In secret shade farre moved from mortalls sight
In lowly dale my wandring limbs I laid
On the cool grasse where Natures pregnant wit
A goodly Bower of thickest trees had made.
Amongst the leaves the chearfull Birds did fare
And sweetly carol'd to the echoing Air.
In lowly dale my wandring limbs I laid
On the cool grasse where Natures pregnant wit
A goodly Bower of thickest trees had made.
Amongst the leaves the chearfull Birds did fare
And sweetly carol'd to the echoing Air.
Hard at my feet ran down a crystall spring
Which did the cumbrous pebbles hoarsly chide
For standing in the way. Though murmuring
The broken stream his course did rightly guide
And strongly pressing forward with disdain
The grassie flore divided into twain.
Which did the cumbrous pebbles hoarsly chide
For standing in the way. Though murmuring
The broken stream his course did rightly guide
And strongly pressing forward with disdain
The grassie flore divided into twain.
300
The place a while did feed my foolish eye
As being new, and eke mine idle ear
Did listen oft to that wild harmonie
And oft my curious phansie would compare
How well agreed the Brooks low muttering Base,
With the birds trebbles pearch'd on higher place.
As being new, and eke mine idle ear
Did listen oft to that wild harmonie
And oft my curious phansie would compare
How well agreed the Brooks low muttering Base,
With the birds trebbles pearch'd on higher place.
But senses objects soon do glut the soul,
Or rather weary with their emptinesse;
So I, all heedlesse how the waters roll
And mindlesse of the mirth the birds expresse,
Into my self 'gin softly to retire
After hid heavenly pleasures to enquire.
Or rather weary with their emptinesse;
So I, all heedlesse how the waters roll
And mindlesse of the mirth the birds expresse,
Into my self 'gin softly to retire
After hid heavenly pleasures to enquire.
While I this enterprize do entertain;
Lo! on the other side in thickest bushes
A mighty noise! with that a naked swain
With blew and purple wings streight rudely rushes
He leaps down light upon the flowry green,
Like sight before mine eyes had never seen.
Lo! on the other side in thickest bushes
A mighty noise! with that a naked swain
With blew and purple wings streight rudely rushes
He leaps down light upon the flowry green,
Like sight before mine eyes had never seen.
At's snowy back the boy a quiver wore
Right fairly wrought and gilded all with gold:
A silver bow in his left hand he bore,
And in his right a ready shaft did hold.
Thus armed stood he, and betwixt us tway
The labouring brook did break its toilsome way.
Right fairly wrought and gilded all with gold:
A silver bow in his left hand he bore,
And in his right a ready shaft did hold.
Thus armed stood he, and betwixt us tway
The labouring brook did break its toilsome way.
The wanton lad whose sport is others pain
Did charge his bended bow with deadly dart,
And drawing to the head with might and main,
With fell intent he aim'd to hit my heart.
But ever as he shot his arrows still
In their mid course dropt down into the rill.
Did charge his bended bow with deadly dart,
And drawing to the head with might and main,
With fell intent he aim'd to hit my heart.
But ever as he shot his arrows still
In their mid course dropt down into the rill.
Of wondrous virtues that in waters been
Is needlesse to rehearse, all books do ring
Of those strange rarities. But ne're was seen
Such virtue as resided in this spring.
The noveltie did make me much admire
But stirr'd the hasty youth to ragefull ire.
Is needlesse to rehearse, all books do ring
Of those strange rarities. But ne're was seen
Such virtue as resided in this spring.
The noveltie did make me much admire
But stirr'd the hasty youth to ragefull ire.
301
As heedlesse fowls that take their per'lous flight
Over that bane of birds, Averno lake,
Do drop down dead: so dead his shafts did light
Amid the stream, which presently did slake
Their fiery points, and all their feathers wet
Which made the youngster Godling inly fret.
Over that bane of birds, Averno lake,
Do drop down dead: so dead his shafts did light
Amid the stream, which presently did slake
Their fiery points, and all their feathers wet
Which made the youngster Godling inly fret.
Thus lustfull Love (this was that love I ween)
Was wholly changed to consuming ire.
And eath it was, sith they're so near a kin
They be both born of one rebellious fire.
But he supprest his wrath and by and by
For feathered darts, he winged words let flie.
Was wholly changed to consuming ire.
And eath it was, sith they're so near a kin
They be both born of one rebellious fire.
But he supprest his wrath and by and by
For feathered darts, he winged words let flie.
Vain man! said he, and would thou wer'st not vain
That hid'st thy self in solitary shade
And spil'st thy precious youth in sad disdain
Hating this lifes delight! Hath God thee made
Part of this world, and wilt not thou partake
Of this worlds pleasure for its makers sake?
That hid'st thy self in solitary shade
And spil'st thy precious youth in sad disdain
Hating this lifes delight! Hath God thee made
Part of this world, and wilt not thou partake
Of this worlds pleasure for its makers sake?
Unthankfull wretch! Gods gifts thus to reject
And maken nought of Natures goodly dower.
That milders still away through thy neglect
And dying fades like unregarded flower.
This life is good, what's good thou must improve,
The highest improvement of this life is love.
And maken nought of Natures goodly dower.
That milders still away through thy neglect
And dying fades like unregarded flower.
This life is good, what's good thou must improve,
The highest improvement of this life is love.
Had I (but O that envious Destinie,
Or Stygian vow, or thrice accursed charm
Should in this place free passage thus denie
Unto my shafts as messengers of harm!)
Had I but once transfixt thy froward breast,
How would'st thou then—I staid not for the rest;
Or Stygian vow, or thrice accursed charm
Should in this place free passage thus denie
Unto my shafts as messengers of harm!)
Had I but once transfixt thy froward breast,
How would'st thou then—I staid not for the rest;
But thus half angry to the boy replide:
How would'st thou then my soul of sense bereave!
I blinded, thee more blind should choose my guide!
How would'st thou then my muddied mind deceive
With fading shows, that in my errour vile,
Base lust, I love should tearm; vice, virtue stile.
How would'st thou then my soul of sense bereave!
I blinded, thee more blind should choose my guide!
How would'st thou then my muddied mind deceive
With fading shows, that in my errour vile,
Base lust, I love should tearm; vice, virtue stile.
302
How should my wicked rhymes then idolize
Thy wretched power, and with impious wit
Impute thy base born passions to the skies,
And my souls sicknesse count an heavenly fit,
My weaknesse strength, my wisdome to be caught,
My bane my blisse, mine ease to be o'rewraught.
Thy wretched power, and with impious wit
Impute thy base born passions to the skies,
And my souls sicknesse count an heavenly fit,
My weaknesse strength, my wisdome to be caught,
My bane my blisse, mine ease to be o'rewraught.
How often through my fondly feigning mind
And frantick phansie, in my Mistris eye
Should I a thousand fluttering Cupids find
Bathing their busie wings? How oft espie
Under the shadow of her eye-brows fair
Ten thousand Graces sit all naked bare?
And frantick phansie, in my Mistris eye
Should I a thousand fluttering Cupids find
Bathing their busie wings? How oft espie
Under the shadow of her eye-brows fair
Ten thousand Graces sit all naked bare?
Thus haunted should I be with such feat fiends,
A pretty madnesse were my portion due.
Foolish my self I would not hear my friends.
Should deem the true for false, the false for true.
My way all dark more slippery then ice
My attendants, anger, pride, and jealousies.
A pretty madnesse were my portion due.
Foolish my self I would not hear my friends.
Should deem the true for false, the false for true.
My way all dark more slippery then ice
My attendants, anger, pride, and jealousies.
Unthankfull then to God I should neglect
All the whole world for one poore sorry wight,
Whose pestilent eye into my heart project
Would burn like poysonous Comet in my spright.
Aye me! how dismall then would prove that day
Whose onely light sprang from so fatall ray.
All the whole world for one poore sorry wight,
Whose pestilent eye into my heart project
Would burn like poysonous Comet in my spright.
Aye me! how dismall then would prove that day
Whose onely light sprang from so fatall ray.
Who seeks for pleasure in this mortall life
By diving deep into the body base
Shall loose true pleasure: But who gainly strive
Their sinking soul above this bulk to place
Enlarg'd delight they certainly shall find,
Unbounded joyes to fill their boundlesse mind.
By diving deep into the body base
Shall loose true pleasure: But who gainly strive
Their sinking soul above this bulk to place
Enlarg'd delight they certainly shall find,
Unbounded joyes to fill their boundlesse mind.
When I my self from mine own self do quit
And each thing else; then an all-spreaden love
To the vast Universe my soul doth fit,
Makes me half equall to All-seeing Jove.
My mightie wings high stretch'd then clapping light
I brush the starres and make them shine more bright.
And each thing else; then an all-spreaden love
To the vast Universe my soul doth fit,
Makes me half equall to All-seeing Jove.
My mightie wings high stretch'd then clapping light
I brush the starres and make them shine more bright.
303
Then all the works of God with close embrace
I dearly hug in my enlarged arms,
All the hid paths of heavenly Love I trace
And boldly listen to his secret charms.
Then clearly view I where true light doth rise,
And where eternall Night low-pressed lies.
I dearly hug in my enlarged arms,
All the hid paths of heavenly Love I trace
And boldly listen to his secret charms.
Then clearly view I where true light doth rise,
And where eternall Night low-pressed lies.
Thus lose I not by leaving small delight
But gain more joy, while I my self suspend
From this and that; for then with all unite
I all enjoy, and love that love commends.
That all is more then loves the partiall soul
Whose petty love th'impartiall fates controll.
But gain more joy, while I my self suspend
From this and that; for then with all unite
I all enjoy, and love that love commends.
That all is more then loves the partiall soul
Whose petty love th'impartiall fates controll.
Ah son! said he, (and laughed very loud)
That trickst thy tongue with uncouth strange disguize,
Extolling highly that with speeches proud
To mortall men that humane state denies,
And rashly blaming what thou never knew;
Let men experienc'd speak, if they'll speak true.
That trickst thy tongue with uncouth strange disguize,
Extolling highly that with speeches proud
To mortall men that humane state denies,
And rashly blaming what thou never knew;
Let men experienc'd speak, if they'll speak true.
Had I once lanc'd thy froward flinty heart
And cruddled bloud had thawn with living fire
And prickt thy drousie sprite with gentle smart
How wouldst thou wake to kindle sweet desire!
Thy soul fill'd up with overflowing pleasures
Would dew thy lips with honey dropping measures.
And cruddled bloud had thawn with living fire
And prickt thy drousie sprite with gentle smart
How wouldst thou wake to kindle sweet desire!
Thy soul fill'd up with overflowing pleasures
Would dew thy lips with honey dropping measures.
Then would thou caroll loud and sweetly sing
In honour of my sacred Deity
That all the woods and hollow hills would'ring
Reechoning thy heavenly harmony.
And eke the hardy rocks withfull rebounds
Would faithfully return thy silver sounds.
In honour of my sacred Deity
That all the woods and hollow hills would'ring
Reechoning thy heavenly harmony.
And eke the hardy rocks withfull rebounds
Would faithfully return thy silver sounds.
Next unto me would be thy Mistresse fair,
Whom thou might setten out with goodly skill
Her peerlesse beauty and her virtues rare,
That all would wonder at thy gracefull quill.
And lastly in us both thy self shouldst raise
And crown thy temples with immortall bayes.
Whom thou might setten out with goodly skill
Her peerlesse beauty and her virtues rare,
That all would wonder at thy gracefull quill.
And lastly in us both thy self shouldst raise
And crown thy temples with immortall bayes.
304
But now thy riddles all men do neglect,
Thy rugged lines of all do ly forlorn.
Unwelcome rhymes that rudely do detect
The Readers ignorance. Men holden scorn
To be so often non-plus'd or to spell,
And on one stanza a whole age to dwell.
Thy rugged lines of all do ly forlorn.
Unwelcome rhymes that rudely do detect
The Readers ignorance. Men holden scorn
To be so often non-plus'd or to spell,
And on one stanza a whole age to dwell.
Besides this harsh and hard obscurity
Of the hid sense, thy words are barbarous
And strangely new, and yet too frequently
Return, as usuall plain and obvious,
So that the show of the new thick-set patch
Marres all the old with which it ill doth match.
Of the hid sense, thy words are barbarous
And strangely new, and yet too frequently
Return, as usuall plain and obvious,
So that the show of the new thick-set patch
Marres all the old with which it ill doth match.
But if thy haughty mind, forsooth would deign
To stoop so low as t'hearken to my lore,
Then wouldst thou with trim lovers not disdeign
To adorn th'outside, set the best before.
Nor tub nor wrinkle would thy verses spoil.
Thy rhymes should run as glib and smooth as oyl.
To stoop so low as t'hearken to my lore,
Then wouldst thou with trim lovers not disdeign
To adorn th'outside, set the best before.
Nor tub nor wrinkle would thy verses spoil.
Thy rhymes should run as glib and smooth as oyl.
If that be all; said I, thy reasons slight
Can never move my well establish'd mind.
Full well I wote alwayes the present sprite,
Or life that doth possesse the soul, doth blind,
Shutting the windows 'gainst broad open day
Lest fairer sights its uglinesse bewray.
Can never move my well establish'd mind.
Full well I wote alwayes the present sprite,
Or life that doth possesse the soul, doth blind,
Shutting the windows 'gainst broad open day
Lest fairer sights its uglinesse bewray.
The soul then loves that disposition best
Because no better comes unto her view.
The drunkard drunkennesse, the sluggard rest,
Th'Ambitious honour and obeysance due.
So all the rest do love their vices base
'Cause virtues beauty comes not into place.
Because no better comes unto her view.
The drunkard drunkennesse, the sluggard rest,
Th'Ambitious honour and obeysance due.
So all the rest do love their vices base
'Cause virtues beauty comes not into place.
And looser love 'gainst Chastity divine
Would shut the door that he might sit alone.
Then wholly should my mind to him incline,
And woxen strait, (since larger love was gone)
That paultry spirit of low contracting lust
VVould fit my soul as if 't were made for 't just.
Would shut the door that he might sit alone.
Then wholly should my mind to him incline,
And woxen strait, (since larger love was gone)
That paultry spirit of low contracting lust
VVould fit my soul as if 't were made for 't just.
305
Then should I with my fellow bird or brute
So strangely metamorphiz'd, either ney
Or bellow loud: or if't may better sute
Chirp out my joy pearch'd upon higher spray.
My passions fond with impudence rehearse,
Immortalize my madnesse in a verse.
So strangely metamorphiz'd, either ney
Or bellow loud: or if't may better sute
Chirp out my joy pearch'd upon higher spray.
My passions fond with impudence rehearse,
Immortalize my madnesse in a verse.
This is the summe of thy deceiving boast
That I vain ludenesse highly should admire,
When I the sense of better things have lost
And chang'd my heavenly heat for hellish fire.
Passion is blind: but virtues piercing eye
Approching danger can from farre espie.
That I vain ludenesse highly should admire,
When I the sense of better things have lost
And chang'd my heavenly heat for hellish fire.
Passion is blind: but virtues piercing eye
Approching danger can from farre espie.
And what thou dost Pedantickly object
Concerning my rude rugged uncouth style,
As childish toy I manfully neglect,
And at thy hidden snares do inly smile.
How ill alas! with wisdome it accords
To sell my living sense for livelesse words.
Concerning my rude rugged uncouth style,
As childish toy I manfully neglect,
And at thy hidden snares do inly smile.
How ill alas! with wisdome it accords
To sell my living sense for livelesse words.
My thought's the fittest measure of my tongue,
Wherefore I'll use what's most significant,
And rather then my inward meaning wrong
Or my full-shining notion trimly skant,
I'll conjure up old words out of their grave,
Or call fresh forrein force in if need crave.
Wherefore I'll use what's most significant,
And rather then my inward meaning wrong
Or my full-shining notion trimly skant,
I'll conjure up old words out of their grave,
Or call fresh forrein force in if need crave.
And these attending on my moving mind
Shall duly usher in the fitting sense.
As oft as meet occasion I find.
Unusuall words oft used give lesse offence;
Nor will the old contexture dim or marre,
For often us'd they're next to old, thred-bare.
Shall duly usher in the fitting sense.
As oft as meet occasion I find.
Unusuall words oft used give lesse offence;
Nor will the old contexture dim or marre,
For often us'd they're next to old, thred-bare.
And if the old seem in too rusty hew,
Then frequent rubbing makes them shine like gold,
And glister all with colour gayly new.
Wherefore to use them both we will be bold.
Thus lists me fondly with fond folk to toy,
And answer sools with equall foolery.
Then frequent rubbing makes them shine like gold,
And glister all with colour gayly new.
Wherefore to use them both we will be bold.
Thus lists me fondly with fond folk to toy,
And answer sools with equall foolery.
306
The meaner mind works with more nicetie
As Spiders wont to weave their idle web,
But braver spirits do all things gallantly
Of lesser failings nought at all affred:
So Natures carelesse pencill dipt in light
With sprinkled starres hath spattered the Night,
As Spiders wont to weave their idle web,
But braver spirits do all things gallantly
Of lesser failings nought at all affred:
So Natures carelesse pencill dipt in light
With sprinkled starres hath spattered the Night,
And if my notions clear though rudely thrown
And loosely scattered in my poesie,
May lend men light till the dead Night be gone,
And Morning fresh with roses strew the sky:
It is enough, I meant no trimmer frame
Nor by nice needle-work to seek a name.
And loosely scattered in my poesie,
May lend men light till the dead Night be gone,
And Morning fresh with roses strew the sky:
It is enough, I meant no trimmer frame
Nor by nice needle-work to seek a name.
Vain man! that seekest name 'mongst earthly men
Devoid of God and all good virtuous lere;
Who groping in the dark do nothing ken;
But mad, with griping care their souls do tear,
Or Burst with hatred or with envie pine,
Or burn with rage or melt out at their eyne.
Devoid of God and all good virtuous lere;
Who groping in the dark do nothing ken;
But mad, with griping care their souls do tear,
Or Burst with hatred or with envie pine,
Or burn with rage or melt out at their eyne.
Thrice happy he whose name is writ above,
And doeth good though gaining infamy;
Requiteth evil turns with hearty love,
And recks not what befalls him outwardly:
Whose worth is in himself, and onely blisse
In his pure conscience that doth nought amisse.
And doeth good though gaining infamy;
Requiteth evil turns with hearty love,
And recks not what befalls him outwardly:
Whose worth is in himself, and onely blisse
In his pure conscience that doth nought amisse.
Who placeth pleasure in his purged soul
And virtuous life his treasure doth esteem;
Who can his passions master and controll,
And that true lordly manlinesse doth deem,
Who from this world himself hath clearly quit,
Counts nought his own but what lives in his sprite.
And virtuous life his treasure doth esteem;
Who can his passions master and controll,
And that true lordly manlinesse doth deem,
Who from this world himself hath clearly quit,
Counts nought his own but what lives in his sprite.
So when his spright from this vain world shall flit
It bears all with it whatsoever was dear
Unto it self, passing in easie fit,
As kindly ripen'd corn comes out of th'ear.
Thus mindlesse of what idle men will say
He takes his own and stilly goes his way.
It bears all with it whatsoever was dear
Unto it self, passing in easie fit,
As kindly ripen'd corn comes out of th'ear.
Thus mindlesse of what idle men will say
He takes his own and stilly goes his way.
307
But the Retinue of proud Lucifer,
Those blustering Poets that fly after fame
And deck themselves like the bright Morning-starre,
Alas! it is but all a crakling flame.
For death will strip them of that glorious plume,
That airie blisse will vanish into fume.
Those blustering Poets that fly after fame
And deck themselves like the bright Morning-starre,
Alas! it is but all a crakling flame.
For death will strip them of that glorious plume,
That airie blisse will vanish into fume.
For can their carefull ghosts from Limbo Lake
Return, or listen from the bowed skie
To heare how well their learned lines do take?
Or if they could; is Heavens felicitie
So small as by mans praise to be encreas'd,
Hells pain no greater then hence to be eas'd?
Return, or listen from the bowed skie
To heare how well their learned lines do take?
Or if they could; is Heavens felicitie
So small as by mans praise to be encreas'd,
Hells pain no greater then hence to be eas'd?
Therefore once dead in vain shall I transmit
My shadow to gazing Posterity;
Cast farre behind me I shall never see't,
On Heavens fair Sunne having fast fixt mine eye.
Nor while I live, heed I what man doth praise
Or underprize mine unaffected layes.
My shadow to gazing Posterity;
Cast farre behind me I shall never see't,
On Heavens fair Sunne having fast fixt mine eye.
Nor while I live, heed I what man doth praise
Or underprize mine unaffected layes.
What moves thee then, said he, to take the pains
And spenden time if thou contemn'st the fruit?
Sweet fruit of fame, that fills the Poets brains
With high conceit and feeds his fainting wit.
How pleasant 'tis in honour here to live
And dead, thy name for ever to survive!
And spenden time if thou contemn'st the fruit?
Sweet fruit of fame, that fills the Poets brains
With high conceit and feeds his fainting wit.
How pleasant 'tis in honour here to live
And dead, thy name for ever to survive!
Or is thy abject mind so basely bent
As of thy Muse to maken Merchandize?
(And well I wote this is no strange intent.)
The hopefull glimps of gold from chattering Pies,
From Daws and Crows, and Parots oft hath wrung
An unexpected Pegaseian song.
As of thy Muse to maken Merchandize?
(And well I wote this is no strange intent.)
The hopefull glimps of gold from chattering Pies,
From Daws and Crows, and Parots oft hath wrung
An unexpected Pegaseian song.
Foul shame on him, quoth I, that shamefull thought
Doth entertain within his dunghill breast,
Both God and Nature hath my spirits wrought
To better temper and of old hath blest
My loftie soul with more divine aspires,
Then to be touchd with such vile low desires.
Doth entertain within his dunghill breast,
Both God and Nature hath my spirits wrought
To better temper and of old hath blest
My loftie soul with more divine aspires,
Then to be touchd with such vile low desires.
308
I hate and highly scorn that Kestrell kind
Of bastard scholars that subordinate
The precious choice induements of the mind
To wealth or worldly good. Adulterate
And cursed brood! Your wit and will are born
Of th'earth and circling thither do return.
Of bastard scholars that subordinate
The precious choice induements of the mind
To wealth or worldly good. Adulterate
And cursed brood! Your wit and will are born
Of th'earth and circling thither do return.
Profit and honour be those measures scant
Of your slight studies and endeavours vain,
And when you once have got what you did want
You leave your learning to enjoy your gain.
Your brains grow low, your bellies swell up high,
Foul sluggish fat ditts up your dulled eye.
Of your slight studies and endeavours vain,
And when you once have got what you did want
You leave your learning to enjoy your gain.
Your brains grow low, your bellies swell up high,
Foul sluggish fat ditts up your dulled eye.
Thus what the earth did breed, to th'earth is gone,
Like fading hearb or feeble drooping flower,
By feet of men and beast quite trodden down,
The muck-sprung learning cannot long endure,
Back she returns lost in her filthy source,
Drown'd, chok'd or slocken by her cruell nurse.
Like fading hearb or feeble drooping flower,
By feet of men and beast quite trodden down,
The muck-sprung learning cannot long endure,
Back she returns lost in her filthy source,
Drown'd, chok'd or slocken by her cruell nurse.
True virtue to her self's the best reward,
Rich with her own and full of lively spirit,
Nothing cast down for want of due regard,
Or 'cause rude men acknowledge not her merit.
She knows her worth and stock from whence she sprung,
Spreads fair without the warmth of earthly dung,
Rich with her own and full of lively spirit,
Nothing cast down for want of due regard,
Or 'cause rude men acknowledge not her merit.
She knows her worth and stock from whence she sprung,
Spreads fair without the warmth of earthly dung,
Dew'd with the drops of Heaven shall flourish long;
As long as day and night do share the skie,
And though that day and night should fail yet strong,
And steddie, fixed on Eternitie
Shall bloom for ever. So the soul shall speed
That loveth virtue for no worldly meed.
As long as day and night do share the skie,
And though that day and night should fail yet strong,
And steddie, fixed on Eternitie
Shall bloom for ever. So the soul shall speed
That loveth virtue for no worldly meed.
Though sooth to say, the worldly meed is due
To her more then to all the world beside.
Men ought do homage with affections true
And offer gifts, for God doth there reside.
The wise and virtuous soul is his own seat
To such what's given God himself doth get.
To her more then to all the world beside.
Men ought do homage with affections true
And offer gifts, for God doth there reside.
The wise and virtuous soul is his own seat
To such what's given God himself doth get.
309
But earthly minds whose sight's seal'd up with mud
Discern not this flesh-clouded Deity,
Ne do acknowledge any other good
Then what their mole-warp hands can feel and trie
By groping touch; (thus worth of them unseen)
Of nothing worthy that true worth they ween.
Discern not this flesh-clouded Deity,
Ne do acknowledge any other good
Then what their mole-warp hands can feel and trie
By groping touch; (thus worth of them unseen)
Of nothing worthy that true worth they ween.
Wherefore the prudent Law-givers of old
Even in all Nations, with right sage foresight
Discovering from farre how clums and cold
The vulgar wight would be to yield what's right
To virtuous learning, did by law designe
Great wealth and honour to that worth divine.
Even in all Nations, with right sage foresight
Discovering from farre how clums and cold
The vulgar wight would be to yield what's right
To virtuous learning, did by law designe
Great wealth and honour to that worth divine.
But nought's by law to Poesie due said he,
Ne doth the solemn Statesmans head take care
Of those that such impertinent pieces be
Of common-weals. Thou'd better then to spare
Thy uselesse vein. Or tell else, what may move
Thy busie Muse such fruitlesse pains to prove.
Ne doth the solemn Statesmans head take care
Of those that such impertinent pieces be
Of common-weals. Thou'd better then to spare
Thy uselesse vein. Or tell else, what may move
Thy busie Muse such fruitlesse pains to prove.
No pains but pleasure to do th'dictates dear
Of inward living nature. What doth move
The Nightingall to sing so sweet and clear
The Thrush, or Lark that mounting high above
Chants her shrill notes to heedlesse ears of corn
Heavily hanging in the dewy Morn.
Of inward living nature. What doth move
The Nightingall to sing so sweet and clear
The Thrush, or Lark that mounting high above
Chants her shrill notes to heedlesse ears of corn
Heavily hanging in the dewy Morn.
When Life can speak, it cannot well withold
T'expresse its own impressions and hid life.
Or joy or greif that smoothered lie untold
Do vex the heart and wring with restlesse strife,
Then are my labours no true pains but ease
My souls unrest they gently do appease.
T'expresse its own impressions and hid life.
Or joy or greif that smoothered lie untold
Do vex the heart and wring with restlesse strife,
Then are my labours no true pains but ease
My souls unrest they gently do appease.
Besides, that is not fruitlesse that no gains
Brings to my self. I others profit deem
Mine own: and if at these my heavenly flames
Others receiven light, right well I ween
My time's not lost. Art thou now satisfide
Said I: to which the scoffing boy replide.
Brings to my self. I others profit deem
Mine own: and if at these my heavenly flames
Others receiven light, right well I ween
My time's not lost. Art thou now satisfide
Said I: to which the scoffing boy replide.
310
Great hope indeed thy rhymes should men enlight;
That be with clouds and darknesse all o'recast,
Harsh style and harder sense void of delight
The Readers wearied eye in vain do wast.
And when men win thy meaning with much pain,
Thy uncouth sense they coldly entertain.
That be with clouds and darknesse all o'recast,
Harsh style and harder sense void of delight
The Readers wearied eye in vain do wast.
And when men win thy meaning with much pain,
Thy uncouth sense they coldly entertain.
For worst thou not that all the world is dead
Unto that Genius that moves in thy vein
Of poetrie! But like by like is fed.
Sing of my Trophees in triumphant strein,
Then correspondent life, thy powerfull verse
Shall strongly strike and with quick passion pierce.
Unto that Genius that moves in thy vein
Of poetrie! But like by like is fed.
Sing of my Trophees in triumphant strein,
Then correspondent life, thy powerfull verse
Shall strongly strike and with quick passion pierce.
The tender frie of lads and lasses young
With thirstie eare thee compassing about,
Thy Nectar-dropping Muse, thy sugar'd song
Will swallow down with eager hearty draught;
Relishing truly what thy rhymes convey,
And highly praising thy soul-smiting lay.
With thirstie eare thee compassing about,
Thy Nectar-dropping Muse, thy sugar'd song
Will swallow down with eager hearty draught;
Relishing truly what thy rhymes convey,
And highly praising thy soul-smiting lay.
The mincing maid her mind will then bewray,
Her heart-bloud flaming up into her face,
Grave matrons will wax wanton and betray
Their unresolv'dnesse in their wonted grace;
Young boyes and girls would feel a forward spring,
And former youth to eld thou back wouldst bring.
Her heart-bloud flaming up into her face,
Grave matrons will wax wanton and betray
Their unresolv'dnesse in their wonted grace;
Young boyes and girls would feel a forward spring,
And former youth to eld thou back wouldst bring.
All Sexes, Ages, Orders, Occupations
Would listen to thee with attentive ear,
And eas'ly moved with thy sweet perswasions,
Thy pipe would follow withfull merry chear.
While thou thy lively voice didst loud advance
Their tickled bloud for joy would inly dance.
Would listen to thee with attentive ear,
And eas'ly moved with thy sweet perswasions,
Thy pipe would follow withfull merry chear.
While thou thy lively voice didst loud advance
Their tickled bloud for joy would inly dance.
But now, alas! poore solitarie man!
In lonesome desert thou dost wander wide
To seek and serve thy disappearing Pan,
Whom no man living in the world hath eyde:
For Pan, is dead but I am still alive,
And live in men who honour to me give:
In lonesome desert thou dost wander wide
To seek and serve thy disappearing Pan,
Whom no man living in the world hath eyde:
For Pan, is dead but I am still alive,
And live in men who honour to me give:
311
They honour also those that honour me
With sacred songs. But thou now singst to trees
To rocks to Hills, to Caves that senselesse be
And mindlesse quite of thy hid mysteries,
In the void air thy idle voice is spread,
Thy Muse is musick to the deaf or dead.
With sacred songs. But thou now singst to trees
To rocks to Hills, to Caves that senselesse be
And mindlesse quite of thy hid mysteries,
In the void air thy idle voice is spread,
Thy Muse is musick to the deaf or dead.
Now out alas! said I, and wele away
The tale thou tellest I confesse too true.
Fond man so doteth on this living clay
His carcase dear, and doth its joyes pursue,
That of his precious soul he takes no keep
Heavens love and reasons light lie fast asleep.
The tale thou tellest I confesse too true.
Fond man so doteth on this living clay
His carcase dear, and doth its joyes pursue,
That of his precious soul he takes no keep
Heavens love and reasons light lie fast asleep.
This bodies life vain shadow of the soul
With full desire they closely do embrace,
In fleshly mud like swine they wallow and roll,
The loftiest mind is proud but of the face
Or outward person; if men but adore
That walking sepulchre, cares for no more.
With full desire they closely do embrace,
In fleshly mud like swine they wallow and roll,
The loftiest mind is proud but of the face
Or outward person; if men but adore
That walking sepulchre, cares for no more.
This is the measure of mans industry
To wexen some body and getten grace
To's outward presence; though true majestie
Crownd'd with that heavenly light and lively rayes
Of holy wisdome and Seraphick love,
From his deformed soul he farre remove.
To wexen some body and getten grace
To's outward presence; though true majestie
Crownd'd with that heavenly light and lively rayes
Of holy wisdome and Seraphick love,
From his deformed soul he farre remove.
Slight knowledge and lesse virtue serves his turn
For this designe. If he hath trod the ring
Of redling arts; in usuall pack-horse form
Keeping the rode; O! then 't's a learned thing.
If any chanc'd to write or speak what he
Conceives not, 'twere a foul discourtesie.
For this designe. If he hath trod the ring
Of redling arts; in usuall pack-horse form
Keeping the rode; O! then 't's a learned thing.
If any chanc'd to write or speak what he
Conceives not, 'twere a foul discourtesie.
To cleanse the soul from sinne, and still diffide
Whether our reasons eye be clear enough
To intromit true light, that fain would glide
Into purg'd hearts, this way's too harsh and rough:
Therefore the clearest truths may well seem dark
When sloathfull men have eyes so dimme and stark.
Whether our reasons eye be clear enough
To intromit true light, that fain would glide
Into purg'd hearts, this way's too harsh and rough:
Therefore the clearest truths may well seem dark
When sloathfull men have eyes so dimme and stark.
312
These be our times. But if my minds presage
Bear any moment, they can ne're last long,
A three branch'd Flame will soon sweep clean the stage
Of this old dirty drosse and all wex young.
My words into this frozen air I throw
Will then grow vocall at that generall thaw.
Bear any moment, they can ne're last long,
A three branch'd Flame will soon sweep clean the stage
Of this old dirty drosse and all wex young.
My words into this frozen air I throw
Will then grow vocall at that generall thaw.
Nay, now thou'rt perfect mad, said he, with scorn,
And full of soul derision quit the place.
The skie did rattle with his wings ytorn
Like to rent silk. But I in the mean space
Sent after him this message by the wind
Be't so I'm mad, yet sure I am thou'rt blind.
And full of soul derision quit the place.
The skie did rattle with his wings ytorn
Like to rent silk. But I in the mean space
Sent after him this message by the wind
Be't so I'm mad, yet sure I am thou'rt blind.
By this the out-stretch'd shadows of the trees
Pointed me home-ward, and with one consent
Foretold the dayes descent. So straight I rise
Gathering my limbs from off the green pavement
Behind me leaving then the slooping Light.
Gl.
Pointed me home-ward, and with one consent
Foretold the dayes descent. So straight I rise
Gathering my limbs from off the green pavement
Behind me leaving then the slooping Light.
And now let's up, Vesper brings on the Night.
313
Resolution.
Where's now the objects of thy fears:
Needlesse sighs and fruitlesse tears?
They be all gone like idle dream
Suggested from the bodies steam.
O Cave of horrour black as pitch!
Dark Den of Spectres that bewitch
The weakned phansy sore affright
With the grim shades of grisely Night.
What's Plague and Prison? Losse of friends?
Warre, Dearth and Death that all things ends?
Mere Bug-bears for the childish mind
Pure Panick terrours of the blind.
Needlesse sighs and fruitlesse tears?
They be all gone like idle dream
Suggested from the bodies steam.
O Cave of horrour black as pitch!
Dark Den of Spectres that bewitch
The weakned phansy sore affright
With the grim shades of grisely Night.
What's Plague and Prison? Losse of friends?
Warre, Dearth and Death that all things ends?
Mere Bug-bears for the childish mind
Pure Panick terrours of the blind.
Collect thy soul into one sphear
Of light and 'bove the earth it rear.
Those wild scattered thoughts that erst
Lay losely in the World disperst
Call in: thy spirit thus knit in one
Fair lucid orb; those fears be gone
Like vain impostures of the Night
That fly before the Morning bright.
Then with pure eyes thou shalt behold
How the first Goodnesse doth infold
All things in loving tender armes:
That deemed mischiefs are no harms
But sovereign salves; and skilfull cures
Of greater woes the world endures;
That mans stout soul may win a state
Far rais'd above the reach of fate.
Of light and 'bove the earth it rear.
Those wild scattered thoughts that erst
Lay losely in the World disperst
Call in: thy spirit thus knit in one
Fair lucid orb; those fears be gone
Like vain impostures of the Night
That fly before the Morning bright.
Then with pure eyes thou shalt behold
How the first Goodnesse doth infold
All things in loving tender armes:
That deemed mischiefs are no harms
But sovereign salves; and skilfull cures
Of greater woes the world endures;
That mans stout soul may win a state
Far rais'd above the reach of fate.
314
Then wilt thou say, God rules the World,
Though mountain over mountain hurl'd
Be pitch'd amid the foaming Maine
Which busie winds to wrath constrain.
His fall doth make the billowes start
And backward skip from every part.
Quite sunk, then over his senselesse side
The waves in triumph proudly ride.
Though inward tempests fiercely rock
The tottering Earth, that with the shock
High spires and heavie rocks fall down
With their own weight drove into ground;
Though pitchy blasts from Hell up-born
Stop the outgoings of the Morn,
And Nature play her fiery games
In this forc'd Night, with fulgurant flames,
Baring by fits for more affright
The pale dead visages, ghastly sight
Of men astonish'd at the stoure
Of Heavens great rage, the rattling showers
Of hail, the hoarse bellowing of thunder
Their own loud shreekes made mad with wonder:
All this confusion cannot move
The purged mind freed from the love
Of commerce with her body dear
Cell of sad thoughts, sole spring of fear.
Though mountain over mountain hurl'd
Be pitch'd amid the foaming Maine
Which busie winds to wrath constrain.
His fall doth make the billowes start
And backward skip from every part.
Quite sunk, then over his senselesse side
The waves in triumph proudly ride.
Though inward tempests fiercely rock
The tottering Earth, that with the shock
High spires and heavie rocks fall down
With their own weight drove into ground;
Though pitchy blasts from Hell up-born
Stop the outgoings of the Morn,
And Nature play her fiery games
In this forc'd Night, with fulgurant flames,
Baring by fits for more affright
The pale dead visages, ghastly sight
Of men astonish'd at the stoure
Of Heavens great rage, the rattling showers
Of hail, the hoarse bellowing of thunder
Their own loud shreekes made mad with wonder:
All this confusion cannot move
The purged mind freed from the love
Of commerce with her body dear
Cell of sad thoughts, sole spring of fear.
What ere I feel or heare or see
Threats but these parts that mortall be.
Nought can the honest heart dismay
Unlesse the love of living clay
And long acquaintance with the light
Of this Outworld and what to sight
Those too officious beams discover
Of forms that round about us hover.
Threats but these parts that mortall be.
Nought can the honest heart dismay
Unlesse the love of living clay
And long acquaintance with the light
Of this Outworld and what to sight
Those too officious beams discover
Of forms that round about us hover.
Power, Wisedome, Goodnesse sure did frame
This Universe and still guide the same.
But thoughts from passions sprung, deceive
Vain mortalls. No man can contrive
A better course then what's been run
Since the first circuit of the Sun.
This Universe and still guide the same.
But thoughts from passions sprung, deceive
Vain mortalls. No man can contrive
A better course then what's been run
Since the first circuit of the Sun.
He that beholds all from on high
Knowes better what to do then I.
I'm not mine own, should I repine
If he dispose of what's not mine.
Purge but thy soul of blind self-will
Thou streight shalt see God doth no ill.
The world He fills with the bright rayes
Of his free goodnesse. He displayes
Himself throughout. Like common aire
That spirit of life through all doth fare
Suck'd in by them as vitall breath
That willingly embrace not death.
But those that with that living Law
Be unacquainted, cares do gnaw;
Mistrust of Gods good providence
Doth daily vex their wearied sense.
Knowes better what to do then I.
315
If he dispose of what's not mine.
Purge but thy soul of blind self-will
Thou streight shalt see God doth no ill.
The world He fills with the bright rayes
Of his free goodnesse. He displayes
Himself throughout. Like common aire
That spirit of life through all doth fare
Suck'd in by them as vitall breath
That willingly embrace not death.
But those that with that living Law
Be unacquainted, cares do gnaw;
Mistrust of Gods good providence
Doth daily vex their wearied sense.
Now place me on the Libyan soil,
With scorching sun and sands to toil,
Far from the view of spring or tree,
Where neither man nor house I see.
Place me by the fabulous streams
Of Hydaspes; In the Realms
Where Caucasus his lofty back
Doth raise in wreaths and endlesse tract.
Commit me at my next remove
To icy Hyperborean Jove.
Confine me to the Arctick Pole
Where the numbd heavens do slowly roll:
To lands, where cold raw heavie mist
Sols kindly warmth and light resists.
Where louring clouds full fraught with snow
Do sternly scoul, where winds do blow
With bitter blasts, and pierce the skin
Forcing the vitall spirits in;
Which leave the body thus ill bested
In this chill plight at least half dead:
Yet by an Antiperistasis
My inward heat more kindled is:
And while this flesh her breath expires
My spirit shall suck celestiall fires
By deep-fetchd sighs and pure devotion.
Thus waxen hot with holy motion,
At once I'll break forth in a flame;
Above this world and worthlesse fame
I'll take my flight, carelesse that men
Know not, how, where I die or when.
With scorching sun and sands to toil,
Far from the view of spring or tree,
Where neither man nor house I see.
Place me by the fabulous streams
Of Hydaspes; In the Realms
Where Caucasus his lofty back
Doth raise in wreaths and endlesse tract.
Commit me at my next remove
To icy Hyperborean Jove.
Confine me to the Arctick Pole
Where the numbd heavens do slowly roll:
To lands, where cold raw heavie mist
Sols kindly warmth and light resists.
Where louring clouds full fraught with snow
Do sternly scoul, where winds do blow
With bitter blasts, and pierce the skin
Forcing the vitall spirits in;
Which leave the body thus ill bested
In this chill plight at least half dead:
Yet by an Antiperistasis
My inward heat more kindled is:
And while this flesh her breath expires
My spirit shall suck celestiall fires
By deep-fetchd sighs and pure devotion.
Thus waxen hot with holy motion,
At once I'll break forth in a flame;
Above this world and worthlesse fame
316
Know not, how, where I die or when.
Yea! though the Soul should mortall prove
So be Gods life but in me move
To my last breath: I'm satisfide
A lonesome mortall God t'have dide.
So be Gods life but in me move
To my last breath: I'm satisfide
A lonesome mortall God t'have dide.
Devotion.
Good God! when thou thy inward grace dost shower
Into my brest,
How full of light and lively power
Is then my soul!
How am I blest!
How can I then all difficulties devour!
Thy might
Thy spright
With ease my combrous enemy controll.
Into my brest,
How full of light and lively power
Is then my soul!
How am I blest!
How can I then all difficulties devour!
Thy might
Thy spright
With ease my combrous enemy controll.
If thou once turn away thy face and hide
Thy chearfull look,
My feeble flesh may not abide
That dreadfull stound,
I cannot brook
Thy absence. My heart with care and grief then gride
Doth fail,
Doth quail,
My life steals from me, at that hidden wound.
Thy chearfull look,
My feeble flesh may not abide
That dreadfull stound,
I cannot brook
Thy absence. My heart with care and grief then gride
Doth fail,
Doth quail,
My life steals from me, at that hidden wound.
My phansie's then a burden to my mind,
Mine anxious thought
Betrayes my reason, makes me blind:
Near dangers drad
Make me distraught.
Surpriz'd with fear, my senses all I find.
In hell
I dwell
Opprest with horrour, pain and sorrow sad.
Mine anxious thought
Betrayes my reason, makes me blind:
Near dangers drad
Make me distraught.
Surpriz'd with fear, my senses all I find.
In hell
I dwell
Opprest with horrour, pain and sorrow sad.
317
My former Resolutions all are fled,
Slip't over my tongue,
My Faith, my Hope, and Joy, are dead.
Assist my heart
Rather then my song
My God! my Saviour! when I'm ill bested
Stand by,
And I
Shall bear with courage, undeserved smart.
Slip't over my tongue,
My Faith, my Hope, and Joy, are dead.
Assist my heart
Rather then my song
My God! my Saviour! when I'm ill bested
Stand by,
And I
Shall bear with courage, undeserved smart.
318
Out of the Anthologie a Distick.
Ει το φερον σε φερει φερε () φερου, ει δ' αγανακτεις
Και σαυτον λυπεεις, () το φερον σε φερει.
Και σαυτον λυπεεις, () το φερον σε φερει.
In English thus
When the strong Fates with Gigantean force,Bear thee in iron arms without remorse
Bear and be born. But if with pievish struggle
Thou writhe and wrest thy corse, thou dost but double
Thy present pain, and spend thy restlesse spright,
Nor thou more heavie art, nor they more light.
Or thus
If Chance thee change, be chang'd and change thou itTo better, by thy well complying wit.
If thou repine, thou dost but pain and grieve
Thy self, and Chance will change thee without leeve.
319
Ad Paronem.
Right well I wot, my rhymes seem rudely drest
In the nice judgement of thy shallow mind
That mark'st expressions more then what's exprest,
Busily billing the rough outward rinde,
But reaching not the pith. Such surface skill's
Unmeet to measure the profounder quill.
In the nice judgement of thy shallow mind
That mark'st expressions more then what's exprest,
Busily billing the rough outward rinde,
But reaching not the pith. Such surface skill's
Unmeet to measure the profounder quill.
Yea I alas! my self too often feel
Thy indispos'dnesse; when my weakened soul
Unstedfast, into this Outworld doth reel,
And lyes immerse in my low vitall mold.
For then my mind, from th'inward spright estrang'd,
My Muse into an uncouth hew hath chang'd.
Thy indispos'dnesse; when my weakened soul
Unstedfast, into this Outworld doth reel,
And lyes immerse in my low vitall mold.
For then my mind, from th'inward spright estrang'd,
My Muse into an uncouth hew hath chang'd.
A rude confused heap of ashes dead
My verses seem, when that cælestiall flame
That sacred spirit of life's extinguished
In my cold brest. Then gin I rashly blame
My rugged lines: This word is obsolete;
That boldly coynd, a third too oft doth beat
My verses seem, when that cælestiall flame
That sacred spirit of life's extinguished
In my cold brest. Then gin I rashly blame
My rugged lines: This word is obsolete;
That boldly coynd, a third too oft doth beat
Mine humourous ears. Thus fondly curious
Is the faint Reader, that doth want that fire
And inward vigour heavenly furious
That made my enrag'd spirit in strong desire
Break through such tender cob-web niceties,
That oft intangle these blind buzzing flies.
Is the faint Reader, that doth want that fire
And inward vigour heavenly furious
That made my enrag'd spirit in strong desire
Break through such tender cob-web niceties,
That oft intangle these blind buzzing flies.
Possest with living sense I inly rave,
Carelesse how outward words do from me flow,
So be the image of my mind they have
Truly exprest, and do my visage show;
As doth each river deckt with Phebus beams
Fairly reflect the viewer of his streams.
Carelesse how outward words do from me flow,
So be the image of my mind they have
Truly exprest, and do my visage show;
As doth each river deckt with Phebus beams
Fairly reflect the viewer of his streams.
Who can discern the Moons asperity
From of this earth, or could this earths discover
If from the earth he raised were on high
Among the starrs and in the sky did hover?
The Hills and Valleyes would together flow
And the rough Earth, one smooth-fac'd Round would show.
From of this earth, or could this earths discover
If from the earth he raised were on high
Among the starrs and in the sky did hover?
The Hills and Valleyes would together flow
And the rough Earth, one smooth-fac'd Round would show.
320
Nor can the lofty soul snatch'd into Heven
Busied above in th'Intellectuall world
At such a distance see my lines uneven,
At such a distance was my spirit hurld,
And to my trembling quill thence did endite,
What he from thence must reade, who would read right.
Busied above in th'Intellectuall world
At such a distance see my lines uneven,
At such a distance was my spirit hurld,
And to my trembling quill thence did endite,
What he from thence must reade, who would read right.
Fair Fields and rich Enclosures, shady Woods,
Large populous Towns, with strong and stately Towers,
Long crawling Rivers, far distended Flouds,
What ever's great, its shape these eyes of ours
And due proportions from high distance see
The best; And Paro! such my Rhyme's to thee.
Large populous Towns, with strong and stately Towers,
Long crawling Rivers, far distended Flouds,
What ever's great, its shape these eyes of ours
And due proportions from high distance see
The best; And Paro! such my Rhyme's to thee.
Thy groveling mind and moping poreblind eye,
That to move up unmeet, this to see farre,
The worth or weaknesse never can descry
Of my large winged Muse. But not to spare
Till thou canst well disprove, proves well enough
Thou art rash and rude how ere my rhymes are rough.
That to move up unmeet, this to see farre,
The worth or weaknesse never can descry
Of my large winged Muse. But not to spare
Till thou canst well disprove, proves well enough
Thou art rash and rude how ere my rhymes are rough.
321
Exorcismus.
What's this that in my brest thus grieves and groanes
Rives my close-straitned heart, distends my sides
with deep fetch'd sighs, while th'other in fell pride
Resists and choaks? O hear the dreadfull moanes
Of thy dear son, if so him cleep I may.
If there be any sense 'twixt Heven and Earth,
If any mutuall feeling sure this birth
May challenge speed, and break off all delay.
You Winged people of the unseen sky
That bear that living Name in your pure brest,
Chariots of God in whom the Lord of rest
Doth sit triumphant, can not you espy
The self same Being in such jeopardy?
Make haste make haste if you Gods army been,
Rescue his son, wreak your revengefull teen
On his fast holding Enemy,
Hath Nature onely sympathy?
Rives my close-straitned heart, distends my sides
with deep fetch'd sighs, while th'other in fell pride
Resists and choaks? O hear the dreadfull moanes
Of thy dear son, if so him cleep I may.
If there be any sense 'twixt Heven and Earth,
If any mutuall feeling sure this birth
May challenge speed, and break off all delay.
You Winged people of the unseen sky
That bear that living Name in your pure brest,
Chariots of God in whom the Lord of rest
Doth sit triumphant, can not you espy
The self same Being in such jeopardy?
Make haste make haste if you Gods army been,
Rescue his son, wreak your revengefull teen
On his fast holding Enemy,
Hath Nature onely sympathy?
322
What? may I deem you self-exulting sprights
Lock'd up in your own selves, whose inward life
Is self-contenting joy, withouten strife
Of doing good and helping wofull weights.
Then were you empty carres and not the throne
Of that thrice-beautious sun the god of love
The Soul of souls and heart of highest Jove,
If you to others good were not most prone.
Open thou Earth; unclose thou fast bound ball
Of smoring darknesse! The black jawes of Hell
Shall issue forth their dead, that direfull cell
Of miscreant Lives that strive still to enthrall,
Shall let him go at last, and he ore all
Shall triumph. Then the gladsome Progeny
Of the bright Morning star shining on high,
Shall fill the Round ætheriall
With sound of voices musicall.
Lock'd up in your own selves, whose inward life
Is self-contenting joy, withouten strife
Of doing good and helping wofull weights.
Then were you empty carres and not the throne
Of that thrice-beautious sun the god of love
The Soul of souls and heart of highest Jove,
If you to others good were not most prone.
Open thou Earth; unclose thou fast bound ball
Of smoring darknesse! The black jawes of Hell
Shall issue forth their dead, that direfull cell
Of miscreant Lives that strive still to enthrall,
Shall let him go at last, and he ore all
Shall triumph. Then the gladsome Progeny
Of the bright Morning star shining on high,
Shall fill the Round ætheriall
With sound of voices musicall.
Nor yet this breath's quite spent. Swift flight of wing
Hath shot my soul from th'hight to th'depth again
And from the depth to th'height. The glistring Main
Of flowing light and darknesses curs'd spring
I've mov'd with sacred words: (the extreme worlds
In holy rage assaulted with my spell)
I'll at the middle Movable as well
As those, and powerfull magick gainst it hurle.
You waving aires! and you more boistrous winds!
Dark Zaphons sons, who with your swelling blasts
Thrust out the ribs of heaven, and that orepast
Leave Nature languid to her wont confind,
Suppresse your spright and be at his command
Who on the troubled Galilean lake
Did wind and storm to him obedient make.
Let still serenity the land
Inclose about with steddy hand.
Hath shot my soul from th'hight to th'depth again
And from the depth to th'height. The glistring Main
Of flowing light and darknesses curs'd spring
I've mov'd with sacred words: (the extreme worlds
In holy rage assaulted with my spell)
I'll at the middle Movable as well
As those, and powerfull magick gainst it hurle.
You waving aires! and you more boistrous winds!
Dark Zaphons sons, who with your swelling blasts
Thrust out the ribs of heaven, and that orepast
Leave Nature languid to her wont confind,
Suppresse your spright and be at his command
Who on the troubled Galilean lake
Did wind and storm to him obedient make.
Let still serenity the land
Inclose about with steddy hand.
And you heaven-threatning rocks, whose tops be crown'd
With wreaths of woolly clouds, fall into dust.
And thou, O Ida hill! thy glory must
Consume, and thou lye equall with the ground.
O're quick ey'd Ida! thou which seest the Sun
Before day spring? those Eastern spatterd lights
And broad spread shinings purpling the gay Night,
And that swoln-glowing ball; they'll all be gone.
You summer neezings when the Sun is set
That fill the air with a quick fading fire,
Cease from your flashings, and thou Self-desire
The worst of meteors, curs'd Voraginet!
The wind of God shall rend thee into nought
And thou shalt vanish into empty air,
Nor shall thy rending out leave any scarre.
Thy place shall not be found though sought
So perish shall all humane thought.
With wreaths of woolly clouds, fall into dust.
And thou, O Ida hill! thy glory must
Consume, and thou lye equall with the ground.
O're quick ey'd Ida! thou which seest the Sun
Before day spring? those Eastern spatterd lights
And broad spread shinings purpling the gay Night,
323
You summer neezings when the Sun is set
That fill the air with a quick fading fire,
Cease from your flashings, and thou Self-desire
The worst of meteors, curs'd Voraginet!
The wind of God shall rend thee into nought
And thou shalt vanish into empty air,
Nor shall thy rending out leave any scarre.
Thy place shall not be found though sought
So perish shall all humane thought.
324
Insomnium Philosophicum.
It was the time when all things quiet lay
In silent rest; and Night her rusty Carre
Drawn with black teem had drove above half way.
Her curbed steeds foaming out lavering tarre
And finely trampling the soft misty air
With proner course toward the West did fare.
In silent rest; and Night her rusty Carre
Drawn with black teem had drove above half way.
Her curbed steeds foaming out lavering tarre
And finely trampling the soft misty air
With proner course toward the West did fare.
I with the rest of weak mortality
For natures due relief lay stretch'd on bed.
My weary body lay out-stretch'd, not I.
For I, alas! from that dead corse had fled.
Had left that slough, as erst I doft my clothes,
For kindly rest that very Evening-close.
For natures due relief lay stretch'd on bed.
My weary body lay out-stretch'd, not I.
For I, alas! from that dead corse had fled.
Had left that slough, as erst I doft my clothes,
For kindly rest that very Evening-close.
Free as in open Heaven more swift then thought
In endlesse spaces up and down I flie,
Not carryed on wings, or as well taught
To row with mine own arms in liquid skie:
As oft men do in their deceiving sleep
Hovering over Waters, Woods, and Valleys steep:
In endlesse spaces up and down I flie,
Not carryed on wings, or as well taught
To row with mine own arms in liquid skie:
As oft men do in their deceiving sleep
Hovering over Waters, Woods, and Valleys steep:
But born on the actuall efflux of my will
Without resistence thither easly glide
Whither my busie mind did breathe untill.
All-suddenly an uncouth sight I spide,
Which meanly as I may I will propound
To wiser men to weigh with judgement sound.
Without resistence thither easly glide
Whither my busie mind did breathe untill.
All-suddenly an uncouth sight I spide,
Which meanly as I may I will propound
To wiser men to weigh with judgement sound.
Behold a mighty Orb right well compil'd
And kned together of opacous mould.
That neither curse of God nor man defil'd,
Though wicked wights as shall anon be told
Did curse the ill condition of the place,
And with foul speech this goodly work disgrace.
And kned together of opacous mould.
That neither curse of God nor man defil'd,
Though wicked wights as shall anon be told
Did curse the ill condition of the place,
And with foul speech this goodly work disgrace.
But vain complaints may weary the ill tongue
And evil speeches the blasphemer stain,
But words Gods sacred works can never wrong,
Nor wrongfull deeming work dame Natures bane.
Who misconceives, conceives but his own ill,
Brings forth a falshood, shows his want of skill.
And evil speeches the blasphemer stain,
But words Gods sacred works can never wrong,
Nor wrongfull deeming work dame Natures bane.
Who misconceives, conceives but his own ill,
Brings forth a falshood, shows his want of skill.
325
This globe in all things punctually did seem
Like to our earth saving in magnitude:
For it of so great vastnesse was, I ween,
That if that all the Planets were transmewd
Into one Ball, they'd not exceed this Round
Nor yet fall short though close together bound.
Like to our earth saving in magnitude:
For it of so great vastnesse was, I ween,
That if that all the Planets were transmewd
Into one Ball, they'd not exceed this Round
Nor yet fall short though close together bound.
At a farre distance from this sphear was pight
(More then the journey of ten thousand year
An hundred times told over, that swiftest flight
Of bird should mete, that distance did appear)
There was there pight a massie Orb of light
Æquall with this dark Orb in bignesse right.
(More then the journey of ten thousand year
An hundred times told over, that swiftest flight
Of bird should mete, that distance did appear)
There was there pight a massie Orb of light
Æquall with this dark Orb in bignesse right.
Half therefore just of this dark Orb was dight
With goodly glistre and fair golden rayes,
And ever half was hid in horrid Night.
A durkish Cylindre through infinite space
It did project, which still unmoved staid,
Strange sight it was to see so endlesse shade.
With goodly glistre and fair golden rayes,
And ever half was hid in horrid Night.
A durkish Cylindre through infinite space
It did project, which still unmoved staid,
Strange sight it was to see so endlesse shade.
Th'Diametre of that Nocturnall Roll
Was the right Axis of this opake sphear.
On which eternally it round did roll.
In Æquinoctiall posture 't did appear,
So as when Libra weighs out in just weight
An equall share to men of Day and Night.
Was the right Axis of this opake sphear.
On which eternally it round did roll.
In Æquinoctiall posture 't did appear,
So as when Libra weighs out in just weight
An equall share to men of Day and Night.
Thus turning round by turns all came in view
What ever did that massie Ball adorn.
Hills, Valleys, Woods, themselves did plainly shew,
Towns, Towers, and holy Spires to Heaven born,
Long winding Rivers, and broad foaming Seas.
Fair Chrystall springs fierce scorching thirst t'appease.
What ever did that massie Ball adorn.
Hills, Valleys, Woods, themselves did plainly shew,
Towns, Towers, and holy Spires to Heaven born,
Long winding Rivers, and broad foaming Seas.
Fair Chrystall springs fierce scorching thirst t'appease.
And all bespread were the huge Mountains green
With Fleecy flocks and eke with hairy goats.
Great fields of Corn and Knee-deep grasse were seen,
Swine, Oxen, Horses, Carriages, Sheep-cotes,
What ere the Countrey or the walled town
Can show with us, the like things there were shown.
With Fleecy flocks and eke with hairy goats.
Great fields of Corn and Knee-deep grasse were seen,
Swine, Oxen, Horses, Carriages, Sheep-cotes,
What ere the Countrey or the walled town
Can show with us, the like things there were shown.
326
And look what ever that Half-sphear of light
Did bear upon it (the Ball turning round)
The same into the Hemisphear of Night
Were carried. And look what things were found
In that dark Hemisphear, were brought anon
To th'Hemisphear the light did shine upon.
Did bear upon it (the Ball turning round)
The same into the Hemisphear of Night
Were carried. And look what things were found
In that dark Hemisphear, were brought anon
To th'Hemisphear the light did shine upon.
For sooth to say, they both make up one Ball.
The self same parts now dipt in deepest Night
Anon recovered from their former fall
Do shine all glorious deckt with gladsome light.
And oft PANGAION as it turn'd, I red
In mighty characters decyphered.
The self same parts now dipt in deepest Night
Anon recovered from their former fall
Do shine all glorious deckt with gladsome light.
And oft PANGAION as it turn'd, I red
In mighty characters decyphered.
Th'Inhabitants of this big swollen sphear
Were of two kinds, well answering unto
The diverse nature of each Hemisphear.
One foul, deform'd, and ghastly sad in show,
The other fair and full of lively mirth,
These two possest this Universall Earth.
Were of two kinds, well answering unto
The diverse nature of each Hemisphear.
One foul, deform'd, and ghastly sad in show,
The other fair and full of lively mirth,
These two possest this Universall Earth.
They both had wings: The foul much like a Bat
Or forged Fiend and of a pitchy hew,
And ovall eyes like to a blinking Cat.
The fair had silver wings all-glistering new
With golden feathers set, shap'd like a Doves
Or lovely Swans, that in Meander moves.
Or forged Fiend and of a pitchy hew,
And ovall eyes like to a blinking Cat.
The fair had silver wings all-glistering new
With golden feathers set, shap'd like a Doves
Or lovely Swans, that in Meander moves.
In other parts most like to spotlesse man
Made out in comely due proportion.
Both with their wings uncessantly did fan
The agil air, but never light upon
The moving Orb, but in suspense they hovered.
Therefore Light these, eternall Night those covered.
Made out in comely due proportion.
Both with their wings uncessantly did fan
The agil air, but never light upon
The moving Orb, but in suspense they hovered.
Therefore Light these, eternall Night those covered.
For though the Globe doth move, it moves them not;
Passing as water underneath a brig.
Yet what thus passeth by, they deem their lot,
Both of their deemed lots together lig,
To wit, that Sphear with all its ornaments,
Nor yet that sphear them both alike contents.
Passing as water underneath a brig.
Yet what thus passeth by, they deem their lot,
Both of their deemed lots together lig,
To wit, that Sphear with all its ornaments,
Nor yet that sphear them both alike contents.
327
For they on the dim side with fell uprore
Do hideously houl and Nature blame
For her ill works. Enrag'd with fury sore
Oft God himself they curse; blaspheme his Name.
And all his creatures, as they passen by
In goodly pomp, they view with scornfull eye.
Do hideously houl and Nature blame
For her ill works. Enrag'd with fury sore
Oft God himself they curse; blaspheme his Name.
And all his creatures, as they passen by
In goodly pomp, they view with scornfull eye.
Instead of hymnes they bold invectives make
Against the Maker of that Universe.
My quivering quill, and palsied hand do quake
Now I recall to mind the wicked verse
Which those bad men had fram'd in fell despight,
And foul detraction to the God of light.
Against the Maker of that Universe.
My quivering quill, and palsied hand do quake
Now I recall to mind the wicked verse
Which those bad men had fram'd in fell despight,
And foul detraction to the God of light.
And while with hollow howlings they did chaunt
That hellish Ode. Ravens more black then pitch
And fatall Owles, Dragons, and what so wont
To do or token mischeif; every such
Came flying round about t'encrease the sound,
Such sound as would with madnesse man confound!
That hellish Ode. Ravens more black then pitch
And fatall Owles, Dragons, and what so wont
To do or token mischeif; every such
Came flying round about t'encrease the sound,
Such sound as would with madnesse man confound!
When they had made an end of this ill ditty,
As execrable thing they would forsake
This work of God, and out of dear self-pitty
Fly from the creatures, and themselves betake
To higher region: but their labour's vain
Fly never so high, Night doth them still contain.
As execrable thing they would forsake
This work of God, and out of dear self-pitty
Fly from the creatures, and themselves betake
To higher region: but their labour's vain
Fly never so high, Night doth them still contain.
For the projection of that endlesse Roll
Cast to unmeasured infinity,
Wearies to death their ill-deceived soul:
For nought but darknesse and obscurity
They finden out by their high tedious flight,
But now I'd turn'd me to the land of Light.
Cast to unmeasured infinity,
Wearies to death their ill-deceived soul:
For nought but darknesse and obscurity
They finden out by their high tedious flight,
But now I'd turn'd me to the land of Light.
There might I see with lovely pleasant look
And mild aspect, the people all things view,
Interpreting right what ever seemed crook.
Crooked for crook'd is right; and evil hew
For evil shaped mind, that fear may breed.
Good oft doth spring from evil-seeming seed.
And mild aspect, the people all things view,
Interpreting right what ever seemed crook.
Crooked for crook'd is right; and evil hew
For evil shaped mind, that fear may breed.
Good oft doth spring from evil-seeming seed.
328
Viewing the works of God they ever smil'd
As seeing some resemblance of that face
That they so dearly lov'd, that undefil'd
And spotlesse beauty, that sweet awfull Grace
Where Love and Majesty do alway sit
And with eternall joy the viewer greet.
As seeing some resemblance of that face
That they so dearly lov'd, that undefil'd
And spotlesse beauty, that sweet awfull Grace
Where Love and Majesty do alway sit
And with eternall joy the viewer greet.
Ravisht with heavenly mirth and pure delight
They sing a sacred song with chearfull voice.
It kindles holy pleasure within my spright
As oft I think on that Angelick noise.
The living Spring of blisse they loudly praise
Blesse all His creatures in their pious layes.
They sing a sacred song with chearfull voice.
It kindles holy pleasure within my spright
As oft I think on that Angelick noise.
The living Spring of blisse they loudly praise
Blesse all His creatures in their pious layes.
And while the creatures goodnesse they descry
From their fair glimps they move themselves up higher
Not through contempt or hate they from them fly
Nor leave by flying, but while they aspire
To reach their fountain, them with sight more clear
They see. As newly varnish'd all appear.
From their fair glimps they move themselves up higher
Not through contempt or hate they from them fly
Nor leave by flying, but while they aspire
To reach their fountain, them with sight more clear
They see. As newly varnish'd all appear.
This is the mystery of that mighty Ball
With different sides. That side where grisly Night
Doth sit bold men Melampronæa call,
The other side Lampropronæa hight,
Logos that Orb of light, but Foolishnesse
(To speak plane English) the Roll doth expresse.
With different sides. That side where grisly Night
Doth sit bold men Melampronæa call,
The other side Lampropronæa hight,
Logos that Orb of light, but Foolishnesse
(To speak plane English) the Roll doth expresse.
These words I read or heard, I know not whether.
Or thought, or thought I thought. It was a dream.
But yet from dreams wise men sound truth may gather
And some ripe scatterings of high knowledge glean.
But where, or heavy passions cloud the eyes,
Or prejudice, there's nothing can make wise.
Or thought, or thought I thought. It was a dream.
But yet from dreams wise men sound truth may gather
And some ripe scatterings of high knowledge glean.
But where, or heavy passions cloud the eyes,
Or prejudice, there's nothing can make wise.
330
The Philosophers Devotion.
Sing aloud His praise rehearse
Who hath made the Universe.
He the boundlesse Heavens has spread
All the vitall orbs has kned;
He that on Olympus high
Tends his flocks with watchfull eye,
And this eye has multiplide
Midst each flock for to reside.
Thus as round about they stray
Toucheth each with out-strecth'd ray,
Nimble they hold on their way,
Shaping out their Night and Day.
Summer, Winter, Autumne, Spring,
Their inclined Axes bring.
Never slack they; none respires,
Dancing round their Centrall fires.
Who hath made the Universe.
He the boundlesse Heavens has spread
All the vitall orbs has kned;
He that on Olympus high
Tends his flocks with watchfull eye,
And this eye has multiplide
Midst each flock for to reside.
Thus as round about they stray
Toucheth each with out-strecth'd ray,
Nimble they hold on their way,
Shaping out their Night and Day.
Summer, Winter, Autumne, Spring,
Their inclined Axes bring.
Never slack they; none respires,
Dancing round their Centrall fires.
In due order as they move
Echo's sweet be gently drove
Thorough Heavens vast Hollownesse,
Which unto all corners presse:
Musick that the heart of Jove
Moves to joy and sportfull love;
Fills the listning saylers eares
Riding on the wandring Sphears.
Neither Speech nor Language is
Where their voice is not transmisse.
Echo's sweet be gently drove
Thorough Heavens vast Hollownesse,
Which unto all corners presse:
Musick that the heart of Jove
Moves to joy and sportfull love;
Fills the listning saylers eares
Riding on the wandring Sphears.
Neither Speech nor Language is
Where their voice is not transmisse.
God is good, is Wise, is Strong,
Witnesse all the creature-throng,
Is confess'd by every Tongue.
All things back from whence they sprong,
As the thankfull Rivers pay
What they borrowed of the Sea.
Witnesse all the creature-throng,
Is confess'd by every Tongue.
All things back from whence they sprong,
As the thankfull Rivers pay
What they borrowed of the Sea.
Now my self I do resigne,
Take me whole I all am thine.
Save me, God! from Self-desire,
Deaths pit, dark Hells raging fire,
Envy, Hatred, Vengeance, Ire.
Let not Lust my soul bemire.
Take me whole I all am thine.
Save me, God! from Self-desire,
Deaths pit, dark Hells raging fire,
Envy, Hatred, Vengeance, Ire.
Let not Lust my soul bemire.
Quit from these thy praise I'll sing,
Loudly sweep the trembling string.
Bear a part, O Wisdomes sonnes!
Free'd from vain Religions.
Lo! from farre I you salute,
Sweetly warbling on my Lute.
Indie, Egypt, Arabie,
Asia, Greece, and Tartarie,
Carmel-tracts, and Lebanon
With the Mountains of the Moon,
From whence muddie Nile doth runne
Or where ever else you wonne;
Breathing in one vitall air,
One we are though distant farre.
Loudly sweep the trembling string.
Bear a part, O Wisdomes sonnes!
Free'd from vain Religions.
331
Sweetly warbling on my Lute.
Indie, Egypt, Arabie,
Asia, Greece, and Tartarie,
Carmel-tracts, and Lebanon
With the Mountains of the Moon,
From whence muddie Nile doth runne
Or where ever else you wonne;
Breathing in one vitall air,
One we are though distant farre.
Rise at once let's sacrifice
Odours sweet perfume the skies.
See how Heavenly lightning fires
Hearts inflam'd with high aspires!
All the substance of our souls
Up in clouds of Incense rolls.
Leave we nothing to our selves
Save a voice, what need we els!
Or an hand to wear and tire
On the thankfull Lute or Lyre.
Odours sweet perfume the skies.
See how Heavenly lightning fires
Hearts inflam'd with high aspires!
All the substance of our souls
Up in clouds of Incense rolls.
Leave we nothing to our selves
Save a voice, what need we els!
Or an hand to wear and tire
On the thankfull Lute or Lyre.
Sing aloud His praise rehearse
Who hath made the Universe.
Who hath made the Universe.
Charitie and Humilitie.
Farre have I clambred in my mind
But nought so great as love I find:
Deep-searching wit, mount-moving might
Are nought compar'd to that good spright.
Life of delight and soul of blisse!
Sure source of lasting happinesse!
Higher then Heaven! lower then hell!
What is thy tent? where maist thou dwell?
But nought so great as love I find:
Deep-searching wit, mount-moving might
Are nought compar'd to that good spright.
Life of delight and soul of blisse!
Sure source of lasting happinesse!
Higher then Heaven! lower then hell!
What is thy tent? where maist thou dwell?
My mansion hight humilitie,
Heavens vastest capabilitie.
The further it doth downward tend
The higher up it doth ascend;
If it go down to utmost nought
It shall return with that it sought.
Heavens vastest capabilitie.
The further it doth downward tend
The higher up it doth ascend;
If it go down to utmost nought
It shall return with that it sought.
Lord stretch thy tent in my strait breast,
Enlarge it downward, that sure rest
May there be pight; for that pure fire
Wherewith thou wontest to inspire
All self-dead souls. My life is gone,
Sad solitude's my irksome wonne.
Cut off from men and all this world
In Lethes lonesome ditch I'm hurld.
Nor might nor sight doth ought me move,
Nor do I care to be above.
O feeble rayes of mentall light!
That best be seen in this dark night,
What are you? what is any strength
If it be not laid in one length
With pride or love? I nought desire
But a new life or quite t'expire.
Could I demolish with mine eye
Strong towers, stop the fleet stars in skie,
Bring down to earth the pale-fac'd Moon,
Or turn black midnight to bright Noon:
Though all things were put in my hand,
As parch'd as dry as th'Libyan sand
Would be my life if Charity
Were wanting But Humility
Is more then my poore soul durst crave
That lies intombd in lowly grave.
But if 't were lawfull up to send
My voice to Heaven, this should it rend.
Enlarge it downward, that sure rest
332
Wherewith thou wontest to inspire
All self-dead souls. My life is gone,
Sad solitude's my irksome wonne.
Cut off from men and all this world
In Lethes lonesome ditch I'm hurld.
Nor might nor sight doth ought me move,
Nor do I care to be above.
O feeble rayes of mentall light!
That best be seen in this dark night,
What are you? what is any strength
If it be not laid in one length
With pride or love? I nought desire
But a new life or quite t'expire.
Could I demolish with mine eye
Strong towers, stop the fleet stars in skie,
Bring down to earth the pale-fac'd Moon,
Or turn black midnight to bright Noon:
Though all things were put in my hand,
As parch'd as dry as th'Libyan sand
Would be my life if Charity
Were wanting But Humility
Is more then my poore soul durst crave
That lies intombd in lowly grave.
But if 't were lawfull up to send
My voice to Heaven, this should it rend.
Lord thrust me deeper into dust
That thou maist raise me with the just.
That thou maist raise me with the just.
333
THE TRIUMPH,
OR A Paraphrase upon the ninth Hymn of Synesius, written in honour of Jesus, the Son of Mary, the Saviour of the World.
O lovely Child, with Glory great arraid!
Sweet Of-spring of the Solymeian Maid!
Thee would I sing, and thy renowned Acts:
For thou didst rid the boundlesse flowry tracts
Of thy dear Fathers Garden from the spoyles
Of the false Serpent, and his treacherous toyles!
When thou hadst once descended to this earth
A stranger wight 'mongst us of humane birth;
After some stay new voyage thou didst take
Crossing cold Lethe and the Stygian Lake,
Arriv'st at the low fields of Tartara
There where innumerable flocks do stray
Of captive souls, whom pale-fac'd Death doth feed
Forc'd under his stiff Rod, and churlish Reed.
Streight at thy sight how did that surly Sire
Old Orcus quake, and greedy Dogg retire
From's usuall watch! whiles thou from slavish chain
Whole swarms of souls, to freedome dost regain.
Then 'ginst thou with thy immortall Quire to praise
Thy Father, and his strength to Heaven to raise.
Ascending thus with joy, as thou dost fare
Through the thin Sky, the Legions of the Aire
Accursed Fiends, do tremble at thy sight,
And starry Troops wax pale at thy pure light.
But Æther master of queint Harmonies
With smiling look on's Musick doth devise,
Tunes his seven-corded Harp, more trimly strung;
Then strikes up loudly thy Triumphall song.
Lucifer laughs bright Nuncio of the Day,
And golden Hesperus, to hear him play.
The Moon begins a dance, great Queen of Night,
Her hollow horns fill'd up with flusher light.
Titan his streaming locks along doth strow
Under thy sacred feet more soft to go,
Doth homage to thee as to Gods dear Son,
And to the Spring whence his own light doth run.
Then thou, drad Victour! thy quick wings didst shake
And suddenly ascend'st above the back
Of the blew Skie. In th'Intellectuall sphears
Dispreadst thy self: Where the still Fount appears
Of inexhausted Good, and silent Heaven
Smiles without wrinckle, ever constant, even.
Unwearied Time this mansion connot seize
Nor Hyles worm, importunate Disease.
Here Æon wons that cannot wexen old,
Though of his years the numbers no'te be told.
Youthfull and ag'd at once here doth he live,
And to the Gods, unmov'd duration give.
Sweet Of-spring of the Solymeian Maid!
Thee would I sing, and thy renowned Acts:
For thou didst rid the boundlesse flowry tracts
Of thy dear Fathers Garden from the spoyles
Of the false Serpent, and his treacherous toyles!
When thou hadst once descended to this earth
A stranger wight 'mongst us of humane birth;
After some stay new voyage thou didst take
Crossing cold Lethe and the Stygian Lake,
Arriv'st at the low fields of Tartara
There where innumerable flocks do stray
Of captive souls, whom pale-fac'd Death doth feed
Forc'd under his stiff Rod, and churlish Reed.
Streight at thy sight how did that surly Sire
Old Orcus quake, and greedy Dogg retire
From's usuall watch! whiles thou from slavish chain
Whole swarms of souls, to freedome dost regain.
Then 'ginst thou with thy immortall Quire to praise
Thy Father, and his strength to Heaven to raise.
Ascending thus with joy, as thou dost fare
Through the thin Sky, the Legions of the Aire
Accursed Fiends, do tremble at thy sight,
And starry Troops wax pale at thy pure light.
But Æther master of queint Harmonies
With smiling look on's Musick doth devise,
Tunes his seven-corded Harp, more trimly strung;
Then strikes up loudly thy Triumphall song.
Lucifer laughs bright Nuncio of the Day,
And golden Hesperus, to hear him play.
The Moon begins a dance, great Queen of Night,
Her hollow horns fill'd up with flusher light.
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Under thy sacred feet more soft to go,
Doth homage to thee as to Gods dear Son,
And to the Spring whence his own light doth run.
Then thou, drad Victour! thy quick wings didst shake
And suddenly ascend'st above the back
Of the blew Skie. In th'Intellectuall sphears
Dispreadst thy self: Where the still Fount appears
Of inexhausted Good, and silent Heaven
Smiles without wrinckle, ever constant, even.
Unwearied Time this mansion connot seize
Nor Hyles worm, importunate Disease.
Here Æon wons that cannot wexen old,
Though of his years the numbers no'te be told.
Youthfull and ag'd at once here doth he live,
And to the Gods, unmov'd duration give.
Αποια.
Ου'κ εγνων ποθεν ειμι ο δυσμορος, ουδε τις ειμι,Ω της αφροσ()ης, ουδε πη ερχομενος.
Αλλ' οδ()ης τε γοουτε πολυγναμπτοις ονυχει
Ζωω, εμοιγε δοκει, πανταχοι ελκοος.
Ισα εγρηγορτεις () ονειρατα. ω πατερ, ω Ζευ,
Ως σεμνδν: χ' ημεις ()ωο () νεφελαις.
Ψευδεα, φαντασιη, κενοτης, τερεπ/σματ', αναγκη.
Ταλλα () αγνωσας τον βιον οιδα μονον.
Ε'υπορια.
Ουρανοθεν γεγονα προθορων, θεου αμβροτος ακτις,Κ', ω της ευφροσ()ης, π()ς θεον ειμι παλιν.
Νυν δετ' ερως με πτεροισι θεουτος εξυπερειδει,
Ζω δ', επ' αληθεια, παντοτε τερποος.
Νυξ απεβη () οιαρ τε. Πατερ θεοδερκεος αυγης,
Αιδιον χ' ημας αμφιλυψε φαος.
Πιστις () σοφιη θεοτης, χαρα, ευπτερος αλκη,
Ταυτα ()ωη, αδης ταλλα () ουδενια.
FINIS.
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FINIS,
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