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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ELIZIUM.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
214
ELIZIUM.
To the Duchess of Buckingham.
MADAM,
So sleeps the Anchoret on his cheap bed,(Whose sleep wants only length to prove him dead)
As I last night, whom the swift wings of Thought,
Convey'd to see what our bold faith had taught;
Elizium, where restored formes nere fade
Where growth can need no seeds, nor light a shade;
The joyes which in our flesh, through fraile expence
Of strength, through age, were lost t'our injur'd sense,
We there do meet agen; and those we taste
Anew, which though devour'd, yet ever last:
The scatter'd treasure of the Spring, blown by
Autumn's rude winds from our discovery;
Lillies, and Roses; all that's faire and sweet,
There reconcil'd to their first roots we meet;
There, only those triumphant Lovers reign,
Whose passions knew on earth so little stain,
Like Angels they ne're felt what sexes meant;
Vertue was first their nature, then intent:
There, toyling Victors safely are possest,
With fervent youth, eternity, and rest;
But they were such, who when they got the field;
To teach the conquer'd, victorie, could yield
Themselves again; as if true glory were
To bring the foe to courage, not to feare.
There are no talking Greeks, who their blood lost,
Nor for the cause, but for a Theame to boast;
As if they strove enough for Fame, that sought
To have their Battels better told, than fought.
There I a Vestal's Shadow first did spy,
Who when alive with holy huswifry,
Trick'd up in Lawne, and flow'ry Wreathes (each hand
Cleane as her thoughts) did 'fore the Altar stand:
So busie still, strewing her Spice, and then
Removing Coales, vexing the Fire agen,
As if some queasie Goddess had profess'd,
To taste no smoak that day, but what she dress'd:
This holy coyle she living kept; but farre.
More busie now, with more delightful care
Than when she watch'd the consecrated Flame,
Sh'attends the Shade of gentle Buckingham;
Who their unenvy'd sins, with Chaplets crown'd:
And with wise scorn, smiles on the Prophets vvound;
He call'd it so, for though it touch'd his heart,
His Nation feels the rancour, and the smart.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |