 | The Third Part of the Works of Mr. Abraham Cowley
Being his Six Book of Plants |  |
CELANDINE.
SEE how the yellow Gall the delug'd Eyes, [77]
And Saffron Jaundice the whole Visage dies;
That colour, which on Gold we think so fair;
That hue which most adorns the tressed hair,
When, like a Tyrant, it unjustly gains
Anothers Throne, and there usurping reigns,
It frightful grows, and far more beauty lacks
Than, with their Saddle-noses, dusky Blacks.
So (I suppose) to the Gods Eyes, the Soul
O' th'Miser looks; as yellow and as foul.
For if with Gold alone the Soul's inflam'd,
It has th'Aurigo, from that Metal nam'd.
This the almighty Gods can onely cure;
And Reason, more than Herbs, our minds secure.
But th'outward Jaundice does Our help implore;
When with Gall floods the body's dy'd all o're.
I cannot tell what others do; but I
Give to that Jaundice present remedy;
Nor do I rashly undertake the cure,
I an Assistant have, that makes me sure.
Natures own Patent gives me my command.
See, here's her own sign manual, here's her hand. [78]
Through leaves, and stalk and roots themselves it goes,
The yellow blood through my whole body flows.
Whoever me dissects, wou'd think, nay swear,
O'rflown with Gall I sick o' th'Jaundice were.
Mean time my skin all o'r is fresh and green,
And colour good, as in an Herb you've seen.
And Saffron Jaundice the whole Visage dies;
That colour, which on Gold we think so fair;
That hue which most adorns the tressed hair,
When, like a Tyrant, it unjustly gains
Anothers Throne, and there usurping reigns,
It frightful grows, and far more beauty lacks
Than, with their Saddle-noses, dusky Blacks.
So (I suppose) to the Gods Eyes, the Soul
O' th'Miser looks; as yellow and as foul.
For if with Gold alone the Soul's inflam'd,
It has th'Aurigo, from that Metal nam'd.
This the almighty Gods can onely cure;
And Reason, more than Herbs, our minds secure.
But th'outward Jaundice does Our help implore;
When with Gall floods the body's dy'd all o're.
I cannot tell what others do; but I
Give to that Jaundice present remedy;
Nor do I rashly undertake the cure,
I an Assistant have, that makes me sure.
Natures own Patent gives me my command.
See, here's her own sign manual, here's her hand. [78]
Through leaves, and stalk and roots themselves it goes,
The yellow blood through my whole body flows.
Whoever me dissects, wou'd think, nay swear,
O'rflown with Gall I sick o' th'Jaundice were.
Mean time my skin all o'r is fresh and green,
And colour good, as in an Herb you've seen.
| The Third Part of the Works of Mr. Abraham Cowley
Being his Six Book of Plants | |