The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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Madagascar. A POEM,
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
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Madagascar. A POEM,
Written to PRINCE RUPERT.
My Soul, this Winter, has been twice about
To shift her narrow Mansion, and look out;
To aire her yet unpractis'd wings, and trie
Where Soules are entertain'd when Bodies die:
For this intended journey was to cleare
Some subtile humane doubts, that vex her here
And for no other cause; how ere the Court
Believe (whose cruell wits turn all to sport)
Twas not to better my Phylosophie
That I would mount, and travell through the Skie,
As if I went, on natures embassie;
Whose Legate there, Religion termes a Spie.
But these sick offers to depart, they call
A weariness of Life, each Spring, and Fall:
And this beliefe (though well resolv'd before)
Made me so sullen, that I'le die no more
Than old Chaldean Prophets in their sleep;
Who still some reliques of their Soules, would keep,
As gage for the returne of what they sent,
For visions to the starry Firmament.
Thus in a Dream, I did adventure out
Just so much Soule, as Sinners giv'n to doubt
Of after usage, dare forgoe a while:
And this swift Pilot steer'd unto an Isle,
Between the Southern Tropick and the Line;
Which (noble Prince) my prophecie calls thine:
There, on a Christal Rock I sate, and saw
The empire of the Winds, new kept in awe,
By things so large, and weighty, as did press
Waves to Bubles, or what unswell'd to less:
The Sea for shelter hastned to the shore;
Sought harbor for it self, not what it bore:
So well these Ships could rule; where ev'ry Saile,
The subdu'd Winds, court with so milde a gale,
As if the spacious Navy lay adrift,
Sailes swell'd, to make them comely more than swift:
And then I spi'd (as cause of this command)
Thy mighty Uncles Trident in thy hand,
By which mysterious figure I did call
Thee chiefe, and universal Admirall!
For well our Northern Monarch knowes, how ere
The Sea is dully held, the proper spheare
Wherein that Trydent swayes, yet; in his hand
It turnes strait to a Scepter when on land:
And soon this wise assertion prov'd a truth;
For when thy self, with thy advent'rous Youth
Were disimbarqu'd; strait with one lib'rall minde,
That long-lost, scatter'd-parcell of Mankinde,
Who from the first disorder'd throng did stray
And then fix here, now yield unto thy sway:
On Olive-trees, their Quivers empty hung,
Their arrowes were unplum'd, their bowes unstrung:
But some from farr, with jealous Opticks trace
Lines of thy Mothers beauty in thy face:
By which, so much thou seem'st the God of love,
That with tumultuous haste they strait remove,
And hide, their Magazin of Archerie;
Lest what was their defence, might now supply
Thy Godhead, which is harmless yet, but know
When thou shalt head a Shaft, and draw a Bow,
Each then thou conquerst, must a Lover be;
The worst estate of their Captivity.
To shift her narrow Mansion, and look out;
To aire her yet unpractis'd wings, and trie
Where Soules are entertain'd when Bodies die:
For this intended journey was to cleare
Some subtile humane doubts, that vex her here
And for no other cause; how ere the Court
Believe (whose cruell wits turn all to sport)
Twas not to better my Phylosophie
That I would mount, and travell through the Skie,
As if I went, on natures embassie;
Whose Legate there, Religion termes a Spie.
But these sick offers to depart, they call
A weariness of Life, each Spring, and Fall:
And this beliefe (though well resolv'd before)
Made me so sullen, that I'le die no more
Than old Chaldean Prophets in their sleep;
Who still some reliques of their Soules, would keep,
As gage for the returne of what they sent,
For visions to the starry Firmament.
Thus in a Dream, I did adventure out
Just so much Soule, as Sinners giv'n to doubt
Of after usage, dare forgoe a while:
And this swift Pilot steer'd unto an Isle,
Between the Southern Tropick and the Line;
Which (noble Prince) my prophecie calls thine:
There, on a Christal Rock I sate, and saw
The empire of the Winds, new kept in awe,
206
Waves to Bubles, or what unswell'd to less:
The Sea for shelter hastned to the shore;
Sought harbor for it self, not what it bore:
So well these Ships could rule; where ev'ry Saile,
The subdu'd Winds, court with so milde a gale,
As if the spacious Navy lay adrift,
Sailes swell'd, to make them comely more than swift:
And then I spi'd (as cause of this command)
Thy mighty Uncles Trident in thy hand,
By which mysterious figure I did call
Thee chiefe, and universal Admirall!
For well our Northern Monarch knowes, how ere
The Sea is dully held, the proper spheare
Wherein that Trydent swayes, yet; in his hand
It turnes strait to a Scepter when on land:
And soon this wise assertion prov'd a truth;
For when thy self, with thy advent'rous Youth
Were disimbarqu'd; strait with one lib'rall minde,
That long-lost, scatter'd-parcell of Mankinde,
Who from the first disorder'd throng did stray
And then fix here, now yield unto thy sway:
On Olive-trees, their Quivers empty hung,
Their arrowes were unplum'd, their bowes unstrung:
But some from farr, with jealous Opticks trace
Lines of thy Mothers beauty in thy face:
By which, so much thou seem'st the God of love,
That with tumultuous haste they strait remove,
And hide, their Magazin of Archerie;
Lest what was their defence, might now supply
Thy Godhead, which is harmless yet, but know
When thou shalt head a Shaft, and draw a Bow,
Each then thou conquerst, must a Lover be;
The worst estate of their Captivity.
What sound is that! whose concord makes a jarre?
'Tis noise in Peace, though harmony in Warr:
The Drum, whose doubtfull Musick doth delight
The willing eare, and the unwilling fright.
Had wet Orion chosen to lament
His griefs at Sea, on such an Instrument;
Perhaps the martiall Musick might incite
The Sword-fish, Thrasher, and the Whale to fight,
But not to dance; the Dolphin he should lack,
Who to delight his eare, did load his back,
And now as Thunder calls ere Stormes doe rise;
Yet not forewarnes, 'till just they may surprise;
Till the assembling clouds are met, to powre
Their long provided fury in one showre;
Even so this little thunder of the Drum,
Foretold a danger just when it was come:
When strait mine Eye, might ratifie mine Eare;
And see that true, which heard, was but my feare:
For in a firme well-order'd body stood,
Erected Pikes, like a young leafless Wood;
And that shew'd dark, they were so close combin'd;
And ev'ry narrow File was double lin'd;
But with such nimble Ministers of fire,
That could so quickly charge, so soon retire,
That shot so fast; to say it lightned were
No praise, unto a Gunners motion there;
Nor yet to say, it lightned ev'ry where;
Their number thence, not swiftness would appeare;
Since so incessant swift; that in mine eye,
Lightning seem'd slow, and might be taught to flie!
'Tis lawfull then to say, thou didst appear
To wonder much, although thou couldst not feare:
Thy knowledge (Prince) were younger then thy time,
If not amaz'd; to see in such a clime,
Where Science is so new, Men so exact,
In Tactick Arts, both to designe, and act.
These from unweildy Ships (the day before)
The weary Seas disburdened on the Shore:
In envy of thy hopes they hither came;
And Envy men in warr Ambition name;
Ambition, Valour; but 'tis valor's shame
When envy feeds it more then noble Fame:
Strait I discern'd by what their Ensigne weares,
They are of those ambitious Wanderers;
Whose avaricious thoughts would teach them run,
As long continu'd journeys as the Sun:
And make the title of their strength, not right,
As known, and universal as his light:
For they believe their Monarch hath subdu'd
Already such a spacious latitude:
That sure, the good old Planet's bus'ness is
Of late, only to visit what is his:
And those faire beams, which he did think his own
Are tribute now, and he, his subject grown;
Yet not impair'd in title, since they call
Him kindly, his Surveyour-Generall.
'Tis noise in Peace, though harmony in Warr:
The Drum, whose doubtfull Musick doth delight
The willing eare, and the unwilling fright.
Had wet Orion chosen to lament
His griefs at Sea, on such an Instrument;
Perhaps the martiall Musick might incite
The Sword-fish, Thrasher, and the Whale to fight,
But not to dance; the Dolphin he should lack,
Who to delight his eare, did load his back,
And now as Thunder calls ere Stormes doe rise;
Yet not forewarnes, 'till just they may surprise;
Till the assembling clouds are met, to powre
Their long provided fury in one showre;
Even so this little thunder of the Drum,
Foretold a danger just when it was come:
When strait mine Eye, might ratifie mine Eare;
And see that true, which heard, was but my feare:
For in a firme well-order'd body stood,
Erected Pikes, like a young leafless Wood;
207
And ev'ry narrow File was double lin'd;
But with such nimble Ministers of fire,
That could so quickly charge, so soon retire,
That shot so fast; to say it lightned were
No praise, unto a Gunners motion there;
Nor yet to say, it lightned ev'ry where;
Their number thence, not swiftness would appeare;
Since so incessant swift; that in mine eye,
Lightning seem'd slow, and might be taught to flie!
'Tis lawfull then to say, thou didst appear
To wonder much, although thou couldst not feare:
Thy knowledge (Prince) were younger then thy time,
If not amaz'd; to see in such a clime,
Where Science is so new, Men so exact,
In Tactick Arts, both to designe, and act.
These from unweildy Ships (the day before)
The weary Seas disburdened on the Shore:
In envy of thy hopes they hither came;
And Envy men in warr Ambition name;
Ambition, Valour; but 'tis valor's shame
When envy feeds it more then noble Fame:
Strait I discern'd by what their Ensigne weares,
They are of those ambitious Wanderers;
Whose avaricious thoughts would teach them run,
As long continu'd journeys as the Sun:
And make the title of their strength, not right,
As known, and universal as his light:
For they believe their Monarch hath subdu'd
Already such a spacious latitude:
That sure, the good old Planet's bus'ness is
Of late, only to visit what is his:
And those faire beams, which he did think his own
Are tribute now, and he, his subject grown;
Yet not impair'd in title, since they call
Him kindly, his Surveyour-Generall.
Now give me Wine! and let my fury rise,
That what my travail'd Soul's immortall eyes
With joy, and wonder saw, I may reherse
To curious Eares, in high, immortall verse!
Two of this furious Squadron did advance;
Commanded to comprise the publick chance
In their peculiar fates: Their swords they drew:
And two, whose large renown their Nation knew,
Two of thy party (Prince) they call'd to try
By equall duell such a Victory,
As gives the Victor's side a full command
Of what possess'd by both, is neithers Land,
And this to save the Peoples common blood;
By whom, although no cause is understood;
Yet Princes being vex'd they must take care
To doe not what they ought, but what they dare:
Their reason on their courage must rely,
Though they alike the quarrel justifie,
And in their Princes kind indiff'rent eye
Are dutyous Fooles, that either kill, or die.
That what my travail'd Soul's immortall eyes
With joy, and wonder saw, I may reherse
To curious Eares, in high, immortall verse!
Two of this furious Squadron did advance;
Commanded to comprise the publick chance
In their peculiar fates: Their swords they drew:
And two, whose large renown their Nation knew,
Two of thy party (Prince) they call'd to try
By equall duell such a Victory,
As gives the Victor's side a full command
Of what possess'd by both, is neithers Land,
And this to save the Peoples common blood;
By whom, although no cause is understood;
Yet Princes being vex'd they must take care
To doe not what they ought, but what they dare:
Their reason on their courage must rely,
Though they alike the quarrel justifie,
208
Are dutyous Fooles, that either kill, or die.
This safe agreement by the gen'rall voice
Was ratifi'd with vowes, then straight thy choice
For the encounter (Prince) with greedy eye
I did intirely view, and both I spie
March to the List, whilst others cheerfull look
Fore-told glad hopes, of what they undertook.
Their lookes; where forc'd-state-clouds, nere strive to lowre,
As if sweet feature, bus'ness could make sowre:
Where solemn sadness of a new court face,
Nere meant to signifie their pow'r, or place.
You may esteem them Lovers by their haire;
The colour warnes no Lady to despaire;
And nature seem'd to prove their stature such,
As took not scantly from her, nor too much:
So tall, we can't mis-name their stature length,
Nor think't less made for comliness, then strength.
Their hearts are more, than what we noble call,
And still make envy weary of her Gall.
So gentle soft; their valours with more ease,
Might be betray'd to suffer than displease:
Compar'd to Lovers, Lovers were undone;
Since still the best gain by comparison.
Of these, the Godlike Sidney was a Type,
Whose fame still grows, and yet is ever ripe;
Like Fruits of Paradise, which nought could blast
But ignorance; for a desire to taste,
And know, produc'd no curse; but neut'rall will,
When knowledge made indiff'rent, good, and ill.
So whilst our judgment keeps unmix'd, and pure,
Our Sidney's full grown Fame will still indure:
Sidney, like whom these Champions strive to grace,
The silenc'd remnant of poor Orpheus race.
First those, whom mighty Numbers shall inspire;
Then those, whose easier art can touch his Lyre.
And they protect, those who with wealthier fate,
Old Zeuxis lucky Pensill imitate.
And those, who teach Lysippus Imag'ry;
Formes, that if once alive, would never die!
Which though no offices of life they taste,
Yet, like th' Elements (life's preservers) last!
An Art, that travailes much, deriv'd to us
From pregnant Rome, to Rome from Ephesus!
But whether am I fled? A Poets song.
When love directs his praise, is ever long.
Was ratifi'd with vowes, then straight thy choice
For the encounter (Prince) with greedy eye
I did intirely view, and both I spie
March to the List, whilst others cheerfull look
Fore-told glad hopes, of what they undertook.
Their lookes; where forc'd-state-clouds, nere strive to lowre,
As if sweet feature, bus'ness could make sowre:
Where solemn sadness of a new court face,
Nere meant to signifie their pow'r, or place.
You may esteem them Lovers by their haire;
The colour warnes no Lady to despaire;
And nature seem'd to prove their stature such,
As took not scantly from her, nor too much:
So tall, we can't mis-name their stature length,
Nor think't less made for comliness, then strength.
Their hearts are more, than what we noble call,
And still make envy weary of her Gall.
So gentle soft; their valours with more ease,
Might be betray'd to suffer than displease:
Compar'd to Lovers, Lovers were undone;
Since still the best gain by comparison.
Of these, the Godlike Sidney was a Type,
Whose fame still grows, and yet is ever ripe;
Like Fruits of Paradise, which nought could blast
But ignorance; for a desire to taste,
And know, produc'd no curse; but neut'rall will,
When knowledge made indiff'rent, good, and ill.
So whilst our judgment keeps unmix'd, and pure,
Our Sidney's full grown Fame will still indure:
Sidney, like whom these Champions strive to grace,
The silenc'd remnant of poor Orpheus race.
First those, whom mighty Numbers shall inspire;
Then those, whose easier art can touch his Lyre.
And they protect, those who with wealthier fate,
Old Zeuxis lucky Pensill imitate.
And those, who teach Lysippus Imag'ry;
Formes, that if once alive, would never die!
Which though no offices of life they taste,
Yet, like th' Elements (life's preservers) last!
An Art, that travailes much, deriv'd to us
From pregnant Rome, to Rome from Ephesus!
But whether am I fled? A Poets song.
When love directs his praise, is ever long.
The challenge was aloud, whil'st ev'ry where
Men strive to shew their hopes, and hide their feare,
They now stood opposite, and neer: a while
Their Eyes encounter'd, then in scorn they smile.
Such did disguise the fury of his heart,
A safe, and temp'rate exercise of Art
Seem'd to invite those thrusts they most decline,
Receive, and then return in one true line,
As if, all Archymedes science were
In duell both express'd, and better'd there.
Each strove the others judgment to suppress:
Stood stiffe, as if their postures were in Brass.
But who can keep his cold wise temper long,
VVhen Honour warmes him, and his blood is young:
Those subtill figures, they in judgment chose
As guards secure, in rage they discompose:
Now Hazard is the Play, Courage the Maine,
VVhich, if it hits at first, assures the gain:
But Honor throwes at all, and in this strife,
VVhen Honor playes, how poor a stake is life?
VVhich soon (alass!) the adverse Second found:
Made wise, by the example of a wound:
But Gamsters wisdome ever comes too late,
So dear 'tis bought, of that false Merchant Fate:
For our bold Second by that wound had wone
The treasure of his strength; whilst quite undone,
He shrunke from this unlucky sport: but now
More angry wrinckles on his Rivals brow
Appear'd, than hundred Lions weare; and all
His strength, he ventures on our Principall:
VVho entertain'd his streame of fury so
As Seas meet Rivers whom they force to flow:
It is repulse makes Rivers swell, and he
Forc'd back, got courage from our victory:
Rivers, that Seas do teach to rage, are tost,
And troubled for their pride, then quickly lost:
So he was taught that anger, which he spent
To make the others wrath more prevalent,
For in the next assault he felt the best,
First part of Man, (the Monarch of his brest)
To sicken in its warme, and narrow Throne,
His Rivals hasty Soule, to shades unknowne
VVas newly fled, but his made greater haste,
His feares had so much sense of sufferings paste:
Such danger he discern'd in's Victors eye,
VVhom he believ'd, so skill'd in victory;
As if his Soul should near his Body stay,
The cruell Heavens, would teach him find a way
To kill that too, by which, no pride (we see)
Can make us so prophane as misery?
This when their Campe beheld, they strait abjure
That pitty in their vow; which to secure
The publick blood, ventur'd their hopes, and fame
On Two, cause they could die, were censur'd tame;
And to exhort, such vex'd, and various Minds,
VVere in a storme, to reconcile the VVinds,
VVith whisper'd precepts of Philosophy:
Armes, and Religion, seldome can comply.
Their Faith they break, and in a body draw
Their looser strength, to give the Victors law.
Men strive to shew their hopes, and hide their feare,
They now stood opposite, and neer: a while
Their Eyes encounter'd, then in scorn they smile.
Such did disguise the fury of his heart,
A safe, and temp'rate exercise of Art
Seem'd to invite those thrusts they most decline,
Receive, and then return in one true line,
209
In duell both express'd, and better'd there.
Each strove the others judgment to suppress:
Stood stiffe, as if their postures were in Brass.
But who can keep his cold wise temper long,
VVhen Honour warmes him, and his blood is young:
Those subtill figures, they in judgment chose
As guards secure, in rage they discompose:
Now Hazard is the Play, Courage the Maine,
VVhich, if it hits at first, assures the gain:
But Honor throwes at all, and in this strife,
VVhen Honor playes, how poor a stake is life?
VVhich soon (alass!) the adverse Second found:
Made wise, by the example of a wound:
But Gamsters wisdome ever comes too late,
So dear 'tis bought, of that false Merchant Fate:
For our bold Second by that wound had wone
The treasure of his strength; whilst quite undone,
He shrunke from this unlucky sport: but now
More angry wrinckles on his Rivals brow
Appear'd, than hundred Lions weare; and all
His strength, he ventures on our Principall:
VVho entertain'd his streame of fury so
As Seas meet Rivers whom they force to flow:
It is repulse makes Rivers swell, and he
Forc'd back, got courage from our victory:
Rivers, that Seas do teach to rage, are tost,
And troubled for their pride, then quickly lost:
So he was taught that anger, which he spent
To make the others wrath more prevalent,
For in the next assault he felt the best,
First part of Man, (the Monarch of his brest)
To sicken in its warme, and narrow Throne,
His Rivals hasty Soule, to shades unknowne
VVas newly fled, but his made greater haste,
His feares had so much sense of sufferings paste:
Such danger he discern'd in's Victors eye,
VVhom he believ'd, so skill'd in victory;
As if his Soul should near his Body stay,
The cruell Heavens, would teach him find a way
To kill that too, by which, no pride (we see)
Can make us so prophane as misery?
This when their Campe beheld, they strait abjure
That pitty in their vow; which to secure
The publick blood, ventur'd their hopes, and fame
On Two, cause they could die, were censur'd tame;
And to exhort, such vex'd, and various Minds,
VVere in a storme, to reconcile the VVinds,
VVith whisper'd precepts of Philosophy:
Armes, and Religion, seldome can comply.
Their Faith they break, and in a body draw
Their looser strength, to give the Victors law.
Charge! charge! the Battel is begun! and now
I saw thy Uncles anger in thy brow:
Which like Heavens fire, doth seldome force assume,
Or kindle till 'tis fit, it should consume:
Heavens slow, unwilling fire; that would not fall,
Till two injurious Cities seem'd to call
With their loud sins, and when 'twas time it must
Destroy; although it was severely just
To those, so much perverted in their will;
The righteous saw the fire, yet fear'd no ill.
So careless safe, here all the Natives were,
Who stood, as if too innocent to feare,
As if they knew, thy Uncle bred thy fate,
And his just anger thou didst imitate.
But thy proud foes, who thought the Morne did rise,
For no chief cause, but to salute their eyes;
Are now enform'd by Death, it may grow Night
With them, yet others still enjoy the light:
For strait (me thought) their perish'd Bodies lay
To soyle the Ground, they conquer'd yesterday.
O, Why is valour priz'd at such a rate?
Or if a Vertue. Why so fool'd by Fate?
That Land, achiev'd with patient toyle, and might
Of emulous encounter in the fight
They must not onely yeld, when they must die,
But dead, it for the Victor fructifie.
And now our Drums so fill each adverse Eare,
Their fellowes groanes, want roome to enter there;
Like Ships near Rocks, when stormes are grown so high,
They cannot warne each other with their cry:
Evn so, not hearing what would make them flie,
All stay'd, and sunke, for sad societie:
Their wounds are such, the Neighb'ring Rivers need
No Springs to make them flow, but what they bleed:
Where Fishes wonder at their red-dy'd flood,
And by long nourishment on humane blood,
May grow so neer a kin to men, that he
Who feeds on them hereafter, needs must be
Esteem'd as true a Caniball, as those
Whose luscious diet is their conquer'd Foes.
I saw thy Uncles anger in thy brow:
210
Or kindle till 'tis fit, it should consume:
Heavens slow, unwilling fire; that would not fall,
Till two injurious Cities seem'd to call
With their loud sins, and when 'twas time it must
Destroy; although it was severely just
To those, so much perverted in their will;
The righteous saw the fire, yet fear'd no ill.
So careless safe, here all the Natives were,
Who stood, as if too innocent to feare,
As if they knew, thy Uncle bred thy fate,
And his just anger thou didst imitate.
But thy proud foes, who thought the Morne did rise,
For no chief cause, but to salute their eyes;
Are now enform'd by Death, it may grow Night
With them, yet others still enjoy the light:
For strait (me thought) their perish'd Bodies lay
To soyle the Ground, they conquer'd yesterday.
O, Why is valour priz'd at such a rate?
Or if a Vertue. Why so fool'd by Fate?
That Land, achiev'd with patient toyle, and might
Of emulous encounter in the fight
They must not onely yeld, when they must die,
But dead, it for the Victor fructifie.
And now our Drums so fill each adverse Eare,
Their fellowes groanes, want roome to enter there;
Like Ships near Rocks, when stormes are grown so high,
They cannot warne each other with their cry:
Evn so, not hearing what would make them flie,
All stay'd, and sunke, for sad societie:
Their wounds are such, the Neighb'ring Rivers need
No Springs to make them flow, but what they bleed:
Where Fishes wonder at their red-dy'd flood,
And by long nourishment on humane blood,
May grow so neer a kin to men, that he
Who feeds on them hereafter, needs must be
Esteem'd as true a Caniball, as those
Whose luscious diet is their conquer'd Foes.
Sure Adam, when himself he first did spie
So singular, and only in his eye;
Yet knew, all to that single self pertain'd,
Which the Sun saw, or Elements sustain'd;
He not believ'd, a race from him might come
So num'rous, that to make new off-spring roome,
Is now the best excuse of Nature, why
Men long in growth, so easily must die.
Eden, which God did this first Prince allow,
But as his Privy-Garden then, is now
A spacious Country found; else we supplie
With dreames, not truth, long lost Geographie:
And each high Island then (though nere so wide)
Was but his Mount, by Nature fortifi'd;
And every Sea, wherein those Islands float,
Most aptly then, he might have call'd his Moat.
Parts, and divisions were computed small,
When rated by his measure that had all:
And all was Adams when the world was new;
Then strait that all, succeeded to a few;
Whilst Men were in their size, not number strong;
But since, each Couple is become a Throng:
Which is the cause we busie ev'ry winde
(That studious Pilots in their compass finde)
For Lands unknown: where those who first do come
Are not held strangers, but arrive at home;
Yet he that next shall make his visit there,
Is punish'd for a Spie and wanderer:
Not that Man's nature is averse from peace;
But all are wisely jealous of increase:
For Eaters grow so fast, that we must drive
Our Friends away to keep our selves alive:
And Warr would be less needfull, if to die,
Had been as pleasant as to multiplie.
So singular, and only in his eye;
Yet knew, all to that single self pertain'd,
Which the Sun saw, or Elements sustain'd;
He not believ'd, a race from him might come
So num'rous, that to make new off-spring roome,
Is now the best excuse of Nature, why
Men long in growth, so easily must die.
Eden, which God did this first Prince allow,
But as his Privy-Garden then, is now
A spacious Country found; else we supplie
With dreames, not truth, long lost Geographie:
And each high Island then (though nere so wide)
Was but his Mount, by Nature fortifi'd;
And every Sea, wherein those Islands float,
Most aptly then, he might have call'd his Moat.
211
When rated by his measure that had all:
And all was Adams when the world was new;
Then strait that all, succeeded to a few;
Whilst Men were in their size, not number strong;
But since, each Couple is become a Throng:
Which is the cause we busie ev'ry winde
(That studious Pilots in their compass finde)
For Lands unknown: where those who first do come
Are not held strangers, but arrive at home;
Yet he that next shall make his visit there,
Is punish'd for a Spie and wanderer:
Not that Man's nature is averse from peace;
But all are wisely jealous of increase:
For Eaters grow so fast, that we must drive
Our Friends away to keep our selves alive:
And Warr would be less needfull, if to die,
Had been as pleasant as to multiplie.
Forgive me Prince, that this aspiring Flame
(First kindled as a light, to shew thy fame)
Consumes so fast, and is mis-spent so long,
Ere my chief Vision is become my Song,
Thy self I saw, quite tir'd with victory;
As weary grown to kill, as they to die:
Whilst some at last, thy mercy did enjoy
'Cause 'twas less paines, to pardon than destroy;
And thy compassion did thy Army please,
In meere beliefe, it gave thy valour ease.
(First kindled as a light, to shew thy fame)
Consumes so fast, and is mis-spent so long,
Ere my chief Vision is become my Song,
Thy self I saw, quite tir'd with victory;
As weary grown to kill, as they to die:
Whilst some at last, thy mercy did enjoy
'Cause 'twas less paines, to pardon than destroy;
And thy compassion did thy Army please,
In meere beliefe, it gave thy valour ease.
Here in a calme began thy regall sway;
Which with such cheerfull hearts, all did obey,
As if no Law, were juster than thy word:
Thy Scepter still were safe, without a Sword.
And here Chronologers pronounce thy stile;
The first true Monarch of the Golden Isle:
An Isle, so seated for predominance,
Where Navall strength, its power can so advance,
That it may tribute take, of what the East
Shall ever send in traffique to the West.
Which with such cheerfull hearts, all did obey,
As if no Law, were juster than thy word:
Thy Scepter still were safe, without a Sword.
And here Chronologers pronounce thy stile;
The first true Monarch of the Golden Isle:
An Isle, so seated for predominance,
Where Navall strength, its power can so advance,
That it may tribute take, of what the East
Shall ever send in traffique to the West.
He that from cursed Mahomet derives
His sinfull blood: the Sophy too, that strives
To prove, he keepes that very Chaire in's Throne,
The Macedonian Youth last sate upon:
And he, whose wilder pride, makes him abhor
All but the Sun, for his Progenitor;
Whose Mother sure, was ravish'd in a dreame,
By some o're hot, lascivious Noon-day-beame;
From whence, he calls himself, The wealth of sight,
The Morn's Executor, the Heire of Light:
And he, that thinks his rule extends so farr,
He hopes, the former Three his Vassals are:
Compar'd to him, in Warr he rates them less,
Than Corporalls; than Constables in peace:
And hopes the mighty Presbiter stands bare
In rev'rence of his name, and will not dare
To weare (though sick) his purple Turband on
Within a hundred Leagues, of his bright throne.
His sinfull blood: the Sophy too, that strives
To prove, he keepes that very Chaire in's Throne,
The Macedonian Youth last sate upon:
And he, whose wilder pride, makes him abhor
All but the Sun, for his Progenitor;
Whose Mother sure, was ravish'd in a dreame,
By some o're hot, lascivious Noon-day-beame;
From whence, he calls himself, The wealth of sight,
The Morn's Executor, the Heire of Light:
And he, that thinks his rule extends so farr,
He hopes, the former Three his Vassals are:
Compar'd to him, in Warr he rates them less,
Than Corporalls; than Constables in peace:
And hopes the mighty Presbiter stands bare
In rev'rence of his name, and will not dare
212
Within a hundred Leagues, of his bright throne.
These Mortall Gods, for traffique still disperse
Their envy'd wealth, throughout the Universe;
In Caracks, built so wide, that they want roome
In narrow Seas; or in a Junck, whose wombe
So swels, as could our wonder be so mad,
To think that Boats, or Ships their sexes had;
Who them beheld, would simply say, sure these
Are neare their time, and big with Pinnaces:
Yet though so large, and populous, they all
Must tribute pay, unto thy Admirall,
Their envy'd wealth, throughout the Universe;
In Caracks, built so wide, that they want roome
In narrow Seas; or in a Junck, whose wombe
So swels, as could our wonder be so mad,
To think that Boats, or Ships their sexes had;
Who them beheld, would simply say, sure these
Are neare their time, and big with Pinnaces:
Yet though so large, and populous, they all
Must tribute pay, unto thy Admirall,
Now wealth (the cause, and the reward of War)
Is greedily explor'd: some busie are
In Virgin Mines; where shining Gold they spie,
That darkens the Celestiall Chymicks eye:
I wish'd my Soul had brought my body here,
Not as a Poet, but a Pioner.
Some near the deepest shore are sent to dive;
VVhilst with their long retentive breath they strive
To root up Corall-Trees, where Mermaids lie,
Sighing beneath those Precious boughs, and die
For absence of their scaly Lovers lost
In midnight stormes, about the Indian coast.
Some find old Oysters, that lay gaping there
For ev'ry new, fresh floud, a hundred year;
From these they rifle Pearles, whose pond'rous size
Sinks weaker divers, when they strive to rise:
So big, on Carckonets were never seen,
But where some well-trus'd-Giantess is Queen;
For though th'are Orient, and designe to deck,
Their weight would yoke a tender Ladies Neck.
Some climbe, and search the Rocks, till each have found
A Saphyr, Ruby, and a Diamond:
That which the Sultan's glist'ring Bride doth weare,
To these would but a Glowormes eye appeare:
The Tuscan Dukes compar'd, shewes sick, and dark;
These living Stars, and his a dying spark.
Is greedily explor'd: some busie are
In Virgin Mines; where shining Gold they spie,
That darkens the Celestiall Chymicks eye:
I wish'd my Soul had brought my body here,
Not as a Poet, but a Pioner.
Some near the deepest shore are sent to dive;
VVhilst with their long retentive breath they strive
To root up Corall-Trees, where Mermaids lie,
Sighing beneath those Precious boughs, and die
For absence of their scaly Lovers lost
In midnight stormes, about the Indian coast.
Some find old Oysters, that lay gaping there
For ev'ry new, fresh floud, a hundred year;
From these they rifle Pearles, whose pond'rous size
Sinks weaker divers, when they strive to rise:
So big, on Carckonets were never seen,
But where some well-trus'd-Giantess is Queen;
For though th'are Orient, and designe to deck,
Their weight would yoke a tender Ladies Neck.
Some climbe, and search the Rocks, till each have found
A Saphyr, Ruby, and a Diamond:
That which the Sultan's glist'ring Bride doth weare,
To these would but a Glowormes eye appeare:
The Tuscan Dukes compar'd, shewes sick, and dark;
These living Stars, and his a dying spark.
And now I saw (what urg'd my wonder more)
Black Sudds of Amber-Greece, float to the shore:
Whilst rude dull Mariners, who hardly can
Distingish Buffe, or Hides, from Cordovan,
(Since Gloves they never weare) this Oyntment use
Not to perfume, but supple their parch'd Shooes.
Now others hasten to the Woods, and there
Such Fruits for tast and odor, ev'ry where
Are seen; that the Merabolan by some
Is slighted as a course sower winter plumme.
Then new temptation make them all in love
VVith wand'ring, till invited to a Grove,
They strait those silken little VVeavers spie,
That work so fast on leaves of Mulbery:
The Persian VVorme (whose weary summer toyles
So long hath been the rusling Courtiers spoiles)
Compar'd to these, lives ever lazily,
And for neat spinning is a bungling Flie!
Black Sudds of Amber-Greece, float to the shore:
Whilst rude dull Mariners, who hardly can
Distingish Buffe, or Hides, from Cordovan,
(Since Gloves they never weare) this Oyntment use
Not to perfume, but supple their parch'd Shooes.
Now others hasten to the Woods, and there
Such Fruits for tast and odor, ev'ry where
Are seen; that the Merabolan by some
Is slighted as a course sower winter plumme.
Then new temptation make them all in love
VVith wand'ring, till invited to a Grove,
They strait those silken little VVeavers spie,
That work so fast on leaves of Mulbery:
The Persian VVorme (whose weary summer toyles
So long hath been the rusling Courtiers spoiles)
213
And for neat spinning is a bungling Flie!
Such hopes of wealth discern'd, 'tis hard to say
How gladly reason did my faith obey;
As if that miracle would now appear,
Which turnes a Poet to an Usurer:
But reason soon will without faith conspire,
To make that easie which we much desire:
Nor, Prince, will I despaire, though all is thine,
That Pioners now dig from ev'ry Mine;
Though all, for which on slipp'ry Rocks they strive;
Or gather when in Seas they breathless dive;
Though Poets such unlucky Prophets are,
As still foretell more blessings than they share;
Yet when thy noble choice appear'd, that by
Their Combat first prepar'd thy victory;
Endimion, and Arigo; who delight
In Numbers, and make strong my Muses flight!
These when I saw, my hopes could not abstaine,
To think it likely I might twirle a Chaine
On a judicial Bench: learn to demurre,
And sleep out trials in a Gown of Furre:
Then reconcile the rich, for Gold-fring'd-gloves,
The poor for God-sake, or for Sugar-loaves!
When I perceiv'd, that Cares on Wealth rely,
That I was destin'd for authority,
And early Gowts; my Soul in a strange fright
From this rich Isle began her hasty flight;
And to my halfe dead Body did returne,
Which new inspir'd, rose cheerfull as the Morne.
How gladly reason did my faith obey;
As if that miracle would now appear,
Which turnes a Poet to an Usurer:
But reason soon will without faith conspire,
To make that easie which we much desire:
Nor, Prince, will I despaire, though all is thine,
That Pioners now dig from ev'ry Mine;
Though all, for which on slipp'ry Rocks they strive;
Or gather when in Seas they breathless dive;
Though Poets such unlucky Prophets are,
As still foretell more blessings than they share;
Yet when thy noble choice appear'd, that by
Their Combat first prepar'd thy victory;
Endimion, and Arigo; who delight
In Numbers, and make strong my Muses flight!
These when I saw, my hopes could not abstaine,
To think it likely I might twirle a Chaine
On a judicial Bench: learn to demurre,
And sleep out trials in a Gown of Furre:
Then reconcile the rich, for Gold-fring'd-gloves,
The poor for God-sake, or for Sugar-loaves!
When I perceiv'd, that Cares on Wealth rely,
That I was destin'd for authority,
And early Gowts; my Soul in a strange fright
From this rich Isle began her hasty flight;
And to my halfe dead Body did returne,
Which new inspir'd, rose cheerfull as the Morne.
Heroick Prince, may still thy acts, and name,
Become the wonder and discourse of Fame;
May ev'ry Laurell, ev'ry Mirtle Bough,
Be strip'd for Wreaths, t'adorne, and load thy brow;
Triumphant Wreaths, which cause they never fade,
Wise elder times, for Kings and Poets made:
And I deserve a little sprig of Bay,
To weare in Greece on Homers Holy-day;
Since I assume, when I thy Battels write,
That very flame, which warm'd thee in the fight.
Become the wonder and discourse of Fame;
May ev'ry Laurell, ev'ry Mirtle Bough,
Be strip'd for Wreaths, t'adorne, and load thy brow;
Triumphant Wreaths, which cause they never fade,
Wise elder times, for Kings and Poets made:
And I deserve a little sprig of Bay,
To weare in Greece on Homers Holy-day;
Since I assume, when I thy Battels write,
That very flame, which warm'd thee in the fight.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |