State Tracts Containing Many Necessary Observations and Reflections on the State of our Affairs at Home and Abroad; With some Secret Memoirs. By the Author of the Examiner [i.e. William Oldisworth] |
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A SEARCH AFTER RELIGION. |
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A SEARCH AFTER RELIGION.
Tell me, you glorious Shades, where I may trace
Your gliding Footsteps; in what silent Place
Your Separated Essences abides,
Which Fate from prying Eyes so strictly hides:
I've search'd the Universe, and travail'd o'er
More than Greek Poets Fabl'd heretofore;
Long was I weary'd e'er I first did 'spy
The dreadful Mansions of Eternity,
And view that ever-restless Central Fire
Always in Chains, yet struggling to Expire;
That shuns Approaches with Majestick Hate,
And keeps Eternal Solitude in State.
Your gliding Footsteps; in what silent Place
Your Separated Essences abides,
Which Fate from prying Eyes so strictly hides:
I've search'd the Universe, and travail'd o'er
More than Greek Poets Fabl'd heretofore;
Long was I weary'd e'er I first did 'spy
The dreadful Mansions of Eternity,
And view that ever-restless Central Fire
Always in Chains, yet struggling to Expire;
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And keeps Eternal Solitude in State.
From hence into th'Elysian Fields I fly,
With unseen Wonders to acquaint my Eye;
Perpetual Spring was here, fresh blooming Youth,
Sweet flow'ry Joy, with never-dying Truth;
Soft gliding Streams which Zephir gently Fans,
In which swam Multitudes of Silver Swans;
Myrtle and Bays were there, thick shady Bow'rs,
Sweet Walls, enamel'd with Ten Thousand Flow'rs,
Wherein lodg'd Nightingales, those constant Guests,
Whisp'ring soft Murmurs from their warbling Breasts.
The Voice of Winds were not here understood,
Nor Frost to blast the tender Infant Bud,
But various Prospects, which had Charms t'invite
The Ravish'd Senses to a fresh Delight.
With unseen Wonders to acquaint my Eye;
Perpetual Spring was here, fresh blooming Youth,
Sweet flow'ry Joy, with never-dying Truth;
Soft gliding Streams which Zephir gently Fans,
In which swam Multitudes of Silver Swans;
Myrtle and Bays were there, thick shady Bow'rs,
Sweet Walls, enamel'd with Ten Thousand Flow'rs,
Wherein lodg'd Nightingales, those constant Guests,
Whisp'ring soft Murmurs from their warbling Breasts.
The Voice of Winds were not here understood,
Nor Frost to blast the tender Infant Bud,
But various Prospects, which had Charms t'invite
The Ravish'd Senses to a fresh Delight.
Diff'rent Apartments, variously drest,
Distinguish'd the Retirements of the Blest:
In some were Votaries, whose wing'd Desire
Had been inflam'd with Pure Religious Fire;
In others Lovers were; those few that knew
The Mystery of Love, and Loving True,
Who now with Chaplets crown'd, and Glorious Names,
Burn with Serene and Unmolested Flames;
Others there were as Worthy to be prais'd,
Who by their learned Works their Fame had rais'd;
And some who by Inventions ne'er before
Discover'd, had enrich'd the Publick Store:
Last came those Ancient Sages, Nature's Priests,
Who had unravell'd her thro' all her Mists,
And with laborious Search and Thoughts profound
Had digg'd out Truths long bury'd under Ground.
Here was the Samian, and that knowing Greek,
Whom Nature prompted Martyrdom to seek;
Plato and Matchiavel had join'd in One
Interest of State to each Religion:
Nay, there were some whose Works, now out of Sight,
Appear'd e'er Zoroaster's saw the Light:
Of these I asked much, and learned more
Mysterious Secrets than I knew before.
Distinguish'd the Retirements of the Blest:
In some were Votaries, whose wing'd Desire
Had been inflam'd with Pure Religious Fire;
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The Mystery of Love, and Loving True,
Who now with Chaplets crown'd, and Glorious Names,
Burn with Serene and Unmolested Flames;
Others there were as Worthy to be prais'd,
Who by their learned Works their Fame had rais'd;
And some who by Inventions ne'er before
Discover'd, had enrich'd the Publick Store:
Last came those Ancient Sages, Nature's Priests,
Who had unravell'd her thro' all her Mists,
And with laborious Search and Thoughts profound
Had digg'd out Truths long bury'd under Ground.
Here was the Samian, and that knowing Greek,
Whom Nature prompted Martyrdom to seek;
Plato and Matchiavel had join'd in One
Interest of State to each Religion:
Nay, there were some whose Works, now out of Sight,
Appear'd e'er Zoroaster's saw the Light:
Of these I asked much, and learned more
Mysterious Secrets than I knew before.
314
Here I was taught the Series of Fate,
With all its Secret Laws, and at what rate
They are dispens'd; by what strange force of Love
Inferiors Marry'd are to Things Above.
With all its Secret Laws, and at what rate
They are dispens'd; by what strange force of Love
Inferiors Marry'd are to Things Above.
I saw that ev'ry Thing included all,
As larger Images are drawn in small.
How many various Motions did agree
To make One System of Bright Harmony;
Yet all these Motions, crooked and transverse,
Met in the Center of one Universe;
The Souls Original I learn'd, and why
For this poor Mansion it exchang'd a Sky;
By what Allurements its first Glorious Ray
Came thus Betray'd into a House of Clay;
Its different Degrees of Rise and Fall,
In this Enquiry I was taught them all.
As larger Images are drawn in small.
How many various Motions did agree
To make One System of Bright Harmony;
Yet all these Motions, crooked and transverse,
Met in the Center of one Universe;
The Souls Original I learn'd, and why
For this poor Mansion it exchang'd a Sky;
By what Allurements its first Glorious Ray
Came thus Betray'd into a House of Clay;
Its different Degrees of Rise and Fall,
In this Enquiry I was taught them all.
Such as had mindful been from whence they came,
And had improv'd their Spark into a Flame,
Where after their departure we are Blest,
Burying their Labours in Eternal Rest.
Others who had been drown'd in Sensual Mire,
Were purged here with Subterranean Fire;
Some by vast Cataracts, and by Winds,
Were cleans'd from the Diseases of their Minds;
But those who had preserv'd some Seeds of Light,
Tho' much Eclips'd, yet not Extinguish'd quite,
To several Stations of the World assign'd,
Wander'd about, still seeking Rest to find;
Some hover'd in the Air, some in the Wind,
And some to Woods and Waters were confin'd;
Always in Motion, still in eager quest
Of their long wish'd-for and desir'd Rest.
And had improv'd their Spark into a Flame,
Where after their departure we are Blest,
Burying their Labours in Eternal Rest.
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Were purged here with Subterranean Fire;
Some by vast Cataracts, and by Winds,
Were cleans'd from the Diseases of their Minds;
But those who had preserv'd some Seeds of Light,
Tho' much Eclips'd, yet not Extinguish'd quite,
To several Stations of the World assign'd,
Wander'd about, still seeking Rest to find;
Some hover'd in the Air, some in the Wind,
And some to Woods and Waters were confin'd;
Always in Motion, still in eager quest
Of their long wish'd-for and desir'd Rest.
But such as too much doated on this Life,
Fast glew'd to Interest, and this Scene of Strife,
Or unawares out of this World were thrust
By sudden Violence, or Laws unjust,
Deceas'd, their Old Affections still retain,
And long to be Imbodied once again.
Sometimes their Astral Images do dwell
About their Dormitories, which foretell
Murthers, or over Treasures brooding sits,
Affording Problems to discoursive Wits.
Fast glew'd to Interest, and this Scene of Strife,
Or unawares out of this World were thrust
By sudden Violence, or Laws unjust,
Deceas'd, their Old Affections still retain,
And long to be Imbodied once again.
Sometimes their Astral Images do dwell
About their Dormitories, which foretell
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Affording Problems to discoursive Wits.
But those Diviner Souls, who by the Rays
Of Heavenly Light to Heaven their Thoughts do raise,
And with the Wings of Faith 'bove Nature soar,
And never flag till they have gain'd the Shore,
Freed from this Vale of Misery and Tears,
Are each distributed in several Spheres.
But Light of Nature never hither led,
For Fountains rise not higher than their Head.
When these Mysterious Truths I had learnt plain,
I re-ascended to the Earth again,
And now instructed, I began a Quest
To find Religion out among the rest;
Which by the Fury of Divisions born
Away, was from our Clime untimely torn.
The Dissolution of her Parts by Fire,
Suggested strait that she must needs expire;
The Day too Sacred to the Sun's Bright Ray,
The Heliotrope like, seem'd to point that way;
No wat'ry Dropsie ever durst essay
To wash thy Purer Essences away,
Nor drowsy Lethargy durst e'er presume
To choak thy Spirits with its Earthly Fume;
Yet as those search, who look for things with Care,
As well where they are not, as where they are,
So lest I rashly shou'd in Error fall,
I took all Places in, and Searched all.
Of Heavenly Light to Heaven their Thoughts do raise,
And with the Wings of Faith 'bove Nature soar,
And never flag till they have gain'd the Shore,
Freed from this Vale of Misery and Tears,
Are each distributed in several Spheres.
But Light of Nature never hither led,
For Fountains rise not higher than their Head.
When these Mysterious Truths I had learnt plain,
I re-ascended to the Earth again,
And now instructed, I began a Quest
To find Religion out among the rest;
Which by the Fury of Divisions born
Away, was from our Clime untimely torn.
The Dissolution of her Parts by Fire,
Suggested strait that she must needs expire;
The Day too Sacred to the Sun's Bright Ray,
The Heliotrope like, seem'd to point that way;
317
To wash thy Purer Essences away,
Nor drowsy Lethargy durst e'er presume
To choak thy Spirits with its Earthly Fume;
Yet as those search, who look for things with Care,
As well where they are not, as where they are,
So lest I rashly shou'd in Error fall,
I took all Places in, and Searched all.
No Spirits unmask'd I left, not those that dwell
In Min'ral Caverns, or the darkest Cell.
The Woods, the Hills, the Waters, and the Lawns,
Th'Androgades, the Satyrs, and the Fawns,
The Dryads, Oreads, Hemadryades,
Nereids, and Water Nymphs, I ask'd all these;
I ransack'd ev'ry Herb, and ev'ry Flow'r;
That pays Allegiance to Fair Flora's Pow'r;
I search'd the Hollow Ecchoes Airy Cell,
But she of this great Loss cou'd nothing tell.
In Min'ral Caverns, or the darkest Cell.
The Woods, the Hills, the Waters, and the Lawns,
Th'Androgades, the Satyrs, and the Fawns,
The Dryads, Oreads, Hemadryades,
Nereids, and Water Nymphs, I ask'd all these;
I ransack'd ev'ry Herb, and ev'ry Flow'r;
That pays Allegiance to Fair Flora's Pow'r;
I search'd the Hollow Ecchoes Airy Cell,
But she of this great Loss cou'd nothing tell.
I ask'd the Winds which from each Quarter flow,
But they reply'd in Sighs, and answer'd, No;
No Region of the Air, so thick bestrew'd
With various Meteors, that I left unview'd:
With Troops of Spirits was the Way beset,
Which wandring up and down I often met.
Nay, to be satisfied in this Desire,
I search'd the Zealots Element of Fire,
Fancying if I pure Zeal cou'd once but see,
I shou'd not then despair of finding thee.
But they reply'd in Sighs, and answer'd, No;
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With various Meteors, that I left unview'd:
With Troops of Spirits was the Way beset,
Which wandring up and down I often met.
Nay, to be satisfied in this Desire,
I search'd the Zealots Element of Fire,
Fancying if I pure Zeal cou'd once but see,
I shou'd not then despair of finding thee.
When I the Elements had circled round,
And yet in all my Enquiries nothing found,
Despairing of Success, I thought to quit
A Task so disproportion'd to my Wit.
How can my drooping Fancy soar so high,
Or with this Load of Earth ascend the Sky?
Rash Icarus, that needs to Heav'n wou'd fly,
For his Presumption was adjudg'd to die.
Dang'rous Exploits sometimes great Thoughts excite,
And add fresh Wings unto the Appetite.
Obstructions prove Incentives to Desires,
And rather kindle than extinguish Fires.
And yet in all my Enquiries nothing found,
Despairing of Success, I thought to quit
A Task so disproportion'd to my Wit.
How can my drooping Fancy soar so high,
Or with this Load of Earth ascend the Sky?
Rash Icarus, that needs to Heav'n wou'd fly,
For his Presumption was adjudg'd to die.
Dang'rous Exploits sometimes great Thoughts excite,
And add fresh Wings unto the Appetite.
Obstructions prove Incentives to Desires,
And rather kindle than extinguish Fires.
319
So now with Zeal inflam'd I left the Mists
Of these dark Elements, Corruption's Lists,
And here I prov'd great Aristotle true,
The Higher Places are Diviner too;
For now got past the Earth's Magnetick Sphere,
The Difficulty vanish'd with the Fear:
Methoughts I lighter and more airy grew,
Still entertain'd with Objects fresh and new;
My Thoughts were more Refin'd, and fill'd with Joy,
When they were freed from this dull Earth's Alloy;
But like as Travellers when they come ashore,
Into strange Countries they ne'er saw before,
Amazed stand to hear a Speech unknown,
People and Customs diff'rent from their own;
So now approaching near a Brighter Sphere,
I was supriz'd with Wonder, and with Fear;
My Eyes grew dazled with strange Rays of Light,
And an unusual Splendor dimn'd my Sight;
For now a Region did it self display
Of whitish Lustre, like the Milky Way;
But that the Galaxy look'd not so clear,
And yet this had some Spots which did appear.
Of these dark Elements, Corruption's Lists,
And here I prov'd great Aristotle true,
The Higher Places are Diviner too;
For now got past the Earth's Magnetick Sphere,
The Difficulty vanish'd with the Fear:
Methoughts I lighter and more airy grew,
Still entertain'd with Objects fresh and new;
My Thoughts were more Refin'd, and fill'd with Joy,
When they were freed from this dull Earth's Alloy;
But like as Travellers when they come ashore,
Into strange Countries they ne'er saw before,
Amazed stand to hear a Speech unknown,
People and Customs diff'rent from their own;
So now approaching near a Brighter Sphere,
I was supriz'd with Wonder, and with Fear;
My Eyes grew dazled with strange Rays of Light,
And an unusual Splendor dimn'd my Sight;
For now a Region did it self display
Of whitish Lustre, like the Milky Way;
320
And yet this had some Spots which did appear.
This Radiant Place seem'd much less than our Sphere,
Tho' it was far more Glorious ev'rywhere;
For all Things are in grosser Matter here,
There in Ideas and pure Forms they were;
Here the rough outside rudely courts the Sense,
There's nothing but the Air and Quintessence;
With Essences the Air was all perfum'd,
Which ne'er evaporated, nor consum'd;
Roses and Jessemine, the Violet,
With Oranges, all here conspiring met;
But that which most amaz'd me, was to see
The various, diff'rent, strange disparity
Of these Bright People, tho' in Glorious Dress,
Yet all of them were Spotted more or less:
And what did chiefly Admiration gain,
To see those Spots both outward and within;
Some on their Faces were, some on their Breast,
Some on their Hearts and Livers were imprest;
Some of these Spots were fresh, some half outworn,
For Wounds at length to Cicatrices turn.
These are the Spots which we discern below,
Thro' the Moon's Body, which so great doth grow
Sometimes, and so condens'd, they darken all
This Region, which we then Eclipses call.
The Parts unspotted, all transparent were,
The inward Motions visible and clear.
Oh! were Vitruvius here to have admir'd
And seen those Windows he so much desir'd,
So Crystalline and Radiant in Excess,
They shone thro' all the Shadows of their Dress.
Tho' it was far more Glorious ev'rywhere;
For all Things are in grosser Matter here,
There in Ideas and pure Forms they were;
Here the rough outside rudely courts the Sense,
There's nothing but the Air and Quintessence;
With Essences the Air was all perfum'd,
Which ne'er evaporated, nor consum'd;
Roses and Jessemine, the Violet,
With Oranges, all here conspiring met;
But that which most amaz'd me, was to see
The various, diff'rent, strange disparity
Of these Bright People, tho' in Glorious Dress,
Yet all of them were Spotted more or less:
And what did chiefly Admiration gain,
To see those Spots both outward and within;
Some on their Faces were, some on their Breast,
Some on their Hearts and Livers were imprest;
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For Wounds at length to Cicatrices turn.
These are the Spots which we discern below,
Thro' the Moon's Body, which so great doth grow
Sometimes, and so condens'd, they darken all
This Region, which we then Eclipses call.
The Parts unspotted, all transparent were,
The inward Motions visible and clear.
Oh! were Vitruvius here to have admir'd
And seen those Windows he so much desir'd,
So Crystalline and Radiant in Excess,
They shone thro' all the Shadows of their Dress.
And now ascending, I descry'd a Place
Much Brighter than the first, but less in Space;
The Air perfum'd was with a Richer Scent,
'Twas hard to say the People flew or went,
So Volatile they were, of such an Airy Strain,
I fear'd I never shou'd discern them plain.
As Squirrels nimbly skip from Tree to Tree,
Their very Motion seem'd Ubiquity.
Yet with much looking, at the last I 'spy'd
These had some Spots, tho' not so deeply dy'd.
Much Brighter than the first, but less in Space;
The Air perfum'd was with a Richer Scent,
'Twas hard to say the People flew or went,
So Volatile they were, of such an Airy Strain,
I fear'd I never shou'd discern them plain.
As Squirrels nimbly skip from Tree to Tree,
Their very Motion seem'd Ubiquity.
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These had some Spots, tho' not so deeply dy'd.
Yet that which most my Sight to nonplus put,
Were certain Figures, so exactly cut
In lucid Amber, with such Curious Art,
'Twas easy to discern each inward Part.
Some were with Pearl, and some with Gold inlaid,
And some with Precious Stones were much display'd:
Some of these Statues, as they stood arow,
I knew Fair Tyrant Goddesses below.
But amongst all, one larger than the rest
Bred a confused Wonder in my Breast;
Had she not been so tall, I shou'd have swore
This was the same whose Loss I here deplore.
Three Radiant Crowns upon her Head she wore,
And look'd more Fresh and Youthful than before;
From this Fair Statue did this Motto rise,
Religion always was the Golden Prize.
Were certain Figures, so exactly cut
In lucid Amber, with such Curious Art,
'Twas easy to discern each inward Part.
Some were with Pearl, and some with Gold inlaid,
And some with Precious Stones were much display'd:
Some of these Statues, as they stood arow,
I knew Fair Tyrant Goddesses below.
But amongst all, one larger than the rest
Bred a confused Wonder in my Breast;
Had she not been so tall, I shou'd have swore
This was the same whose Loss I here deplore.
Three Radiant Crowns upon her Head she wore,
And look'd more Fresh and Youthful than before;
From this Fair Statue did this Motto rise,
Religion always was the Golden Prize.
As I stood gazing here with wondring Eyes,
One smil'd, and ask'd, What was't that did surprize
In that Effigies? Which no sooner said,
But that he smiling answer'd, 'twas a Maid;
And this Fair Statue with so many Crowns,
Whose Eyes dart Rays, and ev'ry Ray darts Wounds,
Had she not been a Virgin Chaste and Pure,
She'ad in your grosser Climate tarnish'd sure;
Who calls her less than Martyr wrongs her Name,
Seeing she did expire amidst the Flame;
Her Essence did not in the least depend
Upon the Wheels of Time, which once must end,
They are Material Substances below,
Which from Imperfect to Perfection grow,
She ever Perfect, freed once from Earth's Light,
Doth presently assume her perfect Height.
One smil'd, and ask'd, What was't that did surprize
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But that he smiling answer'd, 'twas a Maid;
And this Fair Statue with so many Crowns,
Whose Eyes dart Rays, and ev'ry Ray darts Wounds,
Had she not been a Virgin Chaste and Pure,
She'ad in your grosser Climate tarnish'd sure;
Who calls her less than Martyr wrongs her Name,
Seeing she did expire amidst the Flame;
Her Essence did not in the least depend
Upon the Wheels of Time, which once must end,
They are Material Substances below,
Which from Imperfect to Perfection grow,
She ever Perfect, freed once from Earth's Light,
Doth presently assume her perfect Height.
Well satisfied with this Discov'ry here,
I mounted upwards to another Sphere;
Scarce had I touch'd the Confines with my Eyes,
But a strange Joy within me did arise,
My Thoughts grew Flow'ry all, and all Serene,
So quickly was I alter'd with the Scene;
Such were my Thoughts e'er I acquainted grew
With this false World, or its Delusions knew.
I mounted upwards to another Sphere;
Scarce had I touch'd the Confines with my Eyes,
But a strange Joy within me did arise,
My Thoughts grew Flow'ry all, and all Serene,
So quickly was I alter'd with the Scene;
324
With this false World, or its Delusions knew.
If it be true, to know our Genial Air,
We shou'd observe where we best placed are,
Our Souls most Airy, Clear and Liveliest,
Where our Affairs succeed and prosper best,
From all these Observations I shou'd swear
I never knew't before that I came here.
So Aromatick smelt the Fragrant Air,
And the whole Place so Beautiful and Fair,
That all I look'd on, with admiring Eyes
Before, now suddenly I did despise;
So much the other were exceeded here,
As they exceeded our dull Earthly Sphere.
So that as Sappho sweetly stiles the Rose
The Darling Flow'r that costs the Spring more Showres
In its Production, being Nature's Pride,
Than all the Beauties of the Field beside;
So Charming and Alluring was this Place,
By Heaven's peculiar Influence and Grace,
As if t'enrich this One, and make it blest,
Nature had quite impov'rish'd all the rest.
We shou'd observe where we best placed are,
Our Souls most Airy, Clear and Liveliest,
Where our Affairs succeed and prosper best,
From all these Observations I shou'd swear
I never knew't before that I came here.
So Aromatick smelt the Fragrant Air,
And the whole Place so Beautiful and Fair,
That all I look'd on, with admiring Eyes
Before, now suddenly I did despise;
So much the other were exceeded here,
As they exceeded our dull Earthly Sphere.
So that as Sappho sweetly stiles the Rose
The Darling Flow'r that costs the Spring more Showres
In its Production, being Nature's Pride,
Than all the Beauties of the Field beside;
So Charming and Alluring was this Place,
By Heaven's peculiar Influence and Grace,
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Nature had quite impov'rish'd all the rest.
With sweetest Flow'rs were ev'ry Way beset,
Which, as by Chance, in Perfect Order met,
From whose Coincidence there did arise
A Sweet Reflexion ravishing the Eyes.
The Flow'rs were set upon a Carpet Green,
Never in Emerald was like Verdure seen,
And all in Rows were placed Trees along,
Which with sweet Blossoms and with Fruits were hung,
Amidst whose shady Branches one might hear
The Birds of Paradise sing sweet and clear,
Which the shrill Eccho counterfeiting well,
Carries to those which at far distance dwell.
Which, as by Chance, in Perfect Order met,
From whose Coincidence there did arise
A Sweet Reflexion ravishing the Eyes.
The Flow'rs were set upon a Carpet Green,
Never in Emerald was like Verdure seen,
And all in Rows were placed Trees along,
Which with sweet Blossoms and with Fruits were hung,
Amidst whose shady Branches one might hear
The Birds of Paradise sing sweet and clear,
Which the shrill Eccho counterfeiting well,
Carries to those which at far distance dwell.
Close at the Feet of these ran purling Streams,
Whose Murmurs lull'd the Thoughts in pleasing Dreams,
And on the Banks were Arborets and Bow'rs
Close interwoven, and thick strew'd with Flow'rs,
In whose cool Shades the People of the Clime
In various Pleasures pass'd away the Time;
Some sung while others play'd upon the Lute,
Or danc'd, for nothing here was Coy or Mute,
But fresh Diversions still they did invent,
Enjoying free and undisturb'd Content;
For all were Lovers here, but with such Flames
As were well Understood, but have no Names.
Whose Murmurs lull'd the Thoughts in pleasing Dreams,
And on the Banks were Arborets and Bow'rs
Close interwoven, and thick strew'd with Flow'rs,
In whose cool Shades the People of the Clime
In various Pleasures pass'd away the Time;
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Or danc'd, for nothing here was Coy or Mute,
But fresh Diversions still they did invent,
Enjoying free and undisturb'd Content;
For all were Lovers here, but with such Flames
As were well Understood, but have no Names.
What Extasies shall we imagine here,
Where Flames are all Seraphick, Bright, and Clear?
To Amorous Thoughts this Climate all did move,
That none came here but fell at once in Love;
Nay, tho' they ne'er this Passion knew before,
Straight Charm'd, they felt it as they touch'd the Shore;
Such is the Gods Delight, such their Decree,
That none, unless they love, can Happy be.
Where Flames are all Seraphick, Bright, and Clear?
To Amorous Thoughts this Climate all did move,
That none came here but fell at once in Love;
Nay, tho' they ne'er this Passion knew before,
Straight Charm'd, they felt it as they touch'd the Shore;
Such is the Gods Delight, such their Decree,
That none, unless they love, can Happy be.
This Region less than ours, but of a Sphere,
Larger than Mercury or Luna were,
Differs but from the Sun as to degree
Of Heat, for both in Substance do agree.
Roses and Violets thus, as Chymists tell,
Differ in Colour only, and in Smell;
Did not one Spot their other Beauties stain,
They need not hence remove, but here remain;
Which is the Cause, unless I've read amiss,
That Venus with a Mole still pictur'd is.
Larger than Mercury or Luna were,
Differs but from the Sun as to degree
Of Heat, for both in Substance do agree.
Roses and Violets thus, as Chymists tell,
Differ in Colour only, and in Smell;
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They need not hence remove, but here remain;
Which is the Cause, unless I've read amiss,
That Venus with a Mole still pictur'd is.
'Mongst many other Rareties, I saw
Such Pictures as Apelles ne'er cou'd draw,
Whose Portraictures did represent the Mein
Of those whose Statues I before had seen;
Here the Fair Shadow with three Crowns was too,
Which I so earnestly had long'd to view:
Deservedly this Art of Limning here
Takes Place of Statues in the other Sphere;
Seeing so ingeniously it can supply,
Matter by Shadows, and delude the Eye;
Nay, more, the farthest Distance, Depth, and Height,
Which a few Shadows so well counterfeit,
And which the others Skill cannot reach near,
Make Morning, Evening, Twilight, Night appear;
The subt'lest Passions too so well express,
That almost Speech it self you'd here confess.
Such Pictures as Apelles ne'er cou'd draw,
Whose Portraictures did represent the Mein
Of those whose Statues I before had seen;
Here the Fair Shadow with three Crowns was too,
Which I so earnestly had long'd to view:
Deservedly this Art of Limning here
Takes Place of Statues in the other Sphere;
Seeing so ingeniously it can supply,
Matter by Shadows, and delude the Eye;
Nay, more, the farthest Distance, Depth, and Height,
Which a few Shadows so well counterfeit,
And which the others Skill cannot reach near,
Make Morning, Evening, Twilight, Night appear;
The subt'lest Passions too so well express,
That almost Speech it self you'd here confess.
328
Here I receiv'd more full Intelligence
Than I had done since I first parted hence,
For I had learn'd, Religion for some space
Had made a Stay in this Delightful Place.
Than I had done since I first parted hence,
For I had learn'd, Religion for some space
Had made a Stay in this Delightful Place.
This Picture while she staid was taken here,
And hence transmitted to the other Sphere,
By which the Amber Statue which I saw
Was wrought by skilful Art's unerring Law,
Yet long she staid not here, but quit her Dross,
And left us sadly to bewail her Loss.
And hence transmitted to the other Sphere,
By which the Amber Statue which I saw
Was wrought by skilful Art's unerring Law,
Yet long she staid not here, but quit her Dross,
And left us sadly to bewail her Loss.
Had I not been engag'd in this bright Quest,
Here I had fix'd my Standard, and set up my Rest;
But now thus fortified I upwards flew,
To see this Brighter Place I long'd to view;
No sooner I approach'd its lucid Sphere,
But a strange Harmony surpriz'd my Ear;
This was the far-fam'd Musick of the Spheres,
Which Men talk of so much, but no one hears.
Here I had fix'd my Standard, and set up my Rest;
But now thus fortified I upwards flew,
To see this Brighter Place I long'd to view;
No sooner I approach'd its lucid Sphere,
But a strange Harmony surpriz'd my Ear;
This was the far-fam'd Musick of the Spheres,
Which Men talk of so much, but no one hears.
And now a Flaming Region I cou'd see,
More Glorious far than can imagin'd be,
Which as I nearer drew, ascending higher,
Look'd like an Universal World of Fire,
Brighter than any Carbuncle it shone,
And glitter'd more than Gold or Onyx Stone;
A Hundred Sixty times it did appear
And Six, larger than our Terrestrial Sphere;
This World of Light a Paradice is nam'd,
So universally Renown'd and Fam'd,
The settled Habitation of the Blest,
Where free from Discontents in Peace they rest
And with incessant Praises bless the Name
Of the Creator of this Wondrous Frame.
More Glorious far than can imagin'd be,
329
Look'd like an Universal World of Fire,
Brighter than any Carbuncle it shone,
And glitter'd more than Gold or Onyx Stone;
A Hundred Sixty times it did appear
And Six, larger than our Terrestrial Sphere;
This World of Light a Paradice is nam'd,
So universally Renown'd and Fam'd,
The settled Habitation of the Blest,
Where free from Discontents in Peace they rest
And with incessant Praises bless the Name
Of the Creator of this Wondrous Frame.
But that which most Miraculous was here,
Th'Inhabitants seem'd brighter than the Sphere
So lucid and diaphanous they shone,
Their inward Motions might be seen and known
Th'Inhabitants seem'd brighter than the Sphere
So lucid and diaphanous they shone,
Their inward Motions might be seen and known
Each Spirit, Nerve, Vein, Tendon, Muscle, here
Did to the Eye clear and distinct appear;
All the Pulsations of the Secret Heart,
The Site and Situation of each Part;
How from the Brain the subtile Spirits were
Thro' Pipes transmitted, small as any Hair,
To ev'ry Part; and which we'd wondrous call,
To see the Soul shining at once thro' all:
All other Lustres vanish'd in this Light,
'Twas so incredible a Glorious Sight;
Each Part transparent was, and to be seen,
And yet amongst them all I saw no Spleen.
Did to the Eye clear and distinct appear;
All the Pulsations of the Secret Heart,
The Site and Situation of each Part;
330
Thro' Pipes transmitted, small as any Hair,
To ev'ry Part; and which we'd wondrous call,
To see the Soul shining at once thro' all:
All other Lustres vanish'd in this Light,
'Twas so incredible a Glorious Sight;
Each Part transparent was, and to be seen,
And yet amongst them all I saw no Spleen.
Some Measur'd out the Minutes, some the Hours,
Days, Weeks, and Years, which Time so swift devours;
Others the Rain compute, or weigh the Wind,
Which to the several Climates were assign'd;
Hail, Frost, and Snow, which Winter in our Sphere;
No Meteor was, but had its Standard here
Better employ'd than Jove, as Lucian lies,
That spent his Time in Painting Butterflies;
But amongst all, none seem'd so Bright to me
As this Fair Virgin, which I came to see;
Never were seen such lively sparkling Eyes,
Or Looks so fresh, they outshone all the Skies;
Lightning thro' ev'ry Part of this Bright Sphere,
And dazling all Beholders that came near.
Days, Weeks, and Years, which Time so swift devours;
Others the Rain compute, or weigh the Wind,
Which to the several Climates were assign'd;
Hail, Frost, and Snow, which Winter in our Sphere;
No Meteor was, but had its Standard here
Better employ'd than Jove, as Lucian lies,
That spent his Time in Painting Butterflies;
But amongst all, none seem'd so Bright to me
As this Fair Virgin, which I came to see;
Never were seen such lively sparkling Eyes,
Or Looks so fresh, they outshone all the Skies;
331
And dazling all Beholders that came near.
Had not an Antidote preserv'd my Sight,
I had been swallow'd up in this vast Light;
My Thoughts with Extasies and Raptures flam'd,
Seraphick Joys, which cannot here be nam'd.
I had been swallow'd up in this vast Light;
My Thoughts with Extasies and Raptures flam'd,
Seraphick Joys, which cannot here be nam'd.
Scarce recollected, when as I essay'd
To speak, she only bow'd, but nothing said;
'Tis a Decree which Fate can ne'er reverse
That Purity cannot with Flesh converse.
Whilst thus my Eyes did on the Object dwell,
An inward Violence did me impel
To quit this Place; nothing can here endure,
Unless it be Immaculate and Pure.
To speak, she only bow'd, but nothing said;
'Tis a Decree which Fate can ne'er reverse
That Purity cannot with Flesh converse.
Whilst thus my Eyes did on the Object dwell,
An inward Violence did me impel
To quit this Place; nothing can here endure,
Unless it be Immaculate and Pure.
With much unwillingness forc'd to retire,
I often looking back, did still admire,
And as my parting Looks upon her fell,
She smiling bow'd her Head, and said, Farewel:
So sadly leaving this Illustrious Place,
I soon descended with an easy Pace.
'Tis hard to climb, but easy to descend;
All Bodies to their Center swiftly tend.
I often looking back, did still admire,
And as my parting Looks upon her fell,
She smiling bow'd her Head, and said, Farewel:
332
I soon descended with an easy Pace.
'Tis hard to climb, but easy to descend;
All Bodies to their Center swiftly tend.
Fain in the next Place wou'd I've made some stay,
But Cruel Destiny forc'd me away;
Only the Pictures as I pass'd them by
And Statues I saluted with my Eye,
And so descending, I was gotten soon
To the last Confines of the wand'ring Moon.
Upon this Precipice I made some stay,
The Golden Chain of Plato to survey;
Whose topmost Link was plac'd in Luna's Sphere,
By which Effects to Causes coupled are,
So Serpentine, and with Mæanders twin'd,
It seem'd impossible the End to find.
This from the Moon reach'd down ev'n to the Earth,
Lending its Influence to ev'ry Birth.
As I stood musing here, methoughts our Sphere
Did an Umbragious Gloomy Lump appear.
But Cruel Destiny forc'd me away;
Only the Pictures as I pass'd them by
And Statues I saluted with my Eye,
And so descending, I was gotten soon
To the last Confines of the wand'ring Moon.
Upon this Precipice I made some stay,
The Golden Chain of Plato to survey;
Whose topmost Link was plac'd in Luna's Sphere,
By which Effects to Causes coupled are,
So Serpentine, and with Mæanders twin'd,
It seem'd impossible the End to find.
This from the Moon reach'd down ev'n to the Earth,
Lending its Influence to ev'ry Birth.
As I stood musing here, methoughts our Sphere
Did an Umbragious Gloomy Lump appear.
333
Have you not sometimes stood upon a Hill,
Which yet a Show'r hath not o'erta'n, but will,
And thence into the Valley looking down,
With much ado descry'd some little Town,
So clouded o'er with Blackness, Smoak, and Rain,
As if it never wou'd look clear again?
Just such a clouded Spot the Earth appear'd,
That hence to look on it I was afear'd.
Here with like Thoughts I ev'ry thing did scan,
As sometimes Charon did in Lucian.
Which yet a Show'r hath not o'erta'n, but will,
And thence into the Valley looking down,
With much ado descry'd some little Town,
So clouded o'er with Blackness, Smoak, and Rain,
As if it never wou'd look clear again?
Just such a clouded Spot the Earth appear'd,
That hence to look on it I was afear'd.
Here with like Thoughts I ev'ry thing did scan,
As sometimes Charon did in Lucian.
The People look'd like Bees, their Cities Hives,
Where ev'ry one maligneth him that thrives;
Swarming they went in Crouds that almost smother,
Each bare a Sting wherewith to prick another;
Inquisitive of News, or to get Pelf,
But ne'er a one that look'd into himself;
Yet all this while their Fate hangs by a Hair,
Which Atropos stands ready by to shear.
Where ev'ry one maligneth him that thrives;
Swarming they went in Crouds that almost smother,
Each bare a Sting wherewith to prick another;
Inquisitive of News, or to get Pelf,
But ne'er a one that look'd into himself;
Yet all this while their Fate hangs by a Hair,
Which Atropos stands ready by to shear.
334
For since my Eyes were now anointed, I
Grew clearer-sighted, cou'd each Atom Spy;
And now come nearer to my Eyes, the Face
Of Things look'd discontented, like the Place.
My Joys grew quickly damp'd, and in their stead
Succeeded Grief, that always hangs its Head.
As tho' in Jaundice Things look ne'er so clear,
Yet to the Sick all Yellow they appear;
So now with Sadness tainted, to my Eye
All things as Melancholly look as I;
Each Thing below seem'd to bewail a Loss,
And to lie under some malignant Cross;
My Thoughts were so intently fix'd with Grief,
They seem'd beyond Death's Cure, or Time's Relief.
Grew clearer-sighted, cou'd each Atom Spy;
And now come nearer to my Eyes, the Face
Of Things look'd discontented, like the Place.
My Joys grew quickly damp'd, and in their stead
Succeeded Grief, that always hangs its Head.
As tho' in Jaundice Things look ne'er so clear,
Yet to the Sick all Yellow they appear;
So now with Sadness tainted, to my Eye
All things as Melancholly look as I;
Each Thing below seem'd to bewail a Loss,
And to lie under some malignant Cross;
My Thoughts were so intently fix'd with Grief,
They seem'd beyond Death's Cure, or Time's Relief.
Methoughts the Winds did only sigh, not blow,
And from the Fountains Tears, not Waters, flow.
The Ecchoes to retired Desarts fled,
And ev'ry Flow'r with weeping hung its Head;
The Trees all blasted, bare and wither'd, mourn
As if with Lightning they had late been torn;
The Rivers wept themselves to little Brooks,
And ev'ry thing put on their mourning Looks;
Sorrow's the only Comfort we ingross,
Religion's such an Universal Loss,
The Sacred Mother weeps, tho' she dispense
Nothing but healing Counsel, Life, and Sense.
And from the Fountains Tears, not Waters, flow.
The Ecchoes to retired Desarts fled,
And ev'ry Flow'r with weeping hung its Head;
335
As if with Lightning they had late been torn;
The Rivers wept themselves to little Brooks,
And ev'ry thing put on their mourning Looks;
Sorrow's the only Comfort we ingross,
Religion's such an Universal Loss,
The Sacred Mother weeps, tho' she dispense
Nothing but healing Counsel, Life, and Sense.
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