University of Virginia Library

The Recantation.

Now sound I a retreat, now I'le no more
Run all those devious pathes I ran before,
I will no more range sullen groves, to lie
Entombed in a shade, nor basely flie
The deare society of light, to give
My thoughts their birth in darkenesse, I'le not live
Such deaths againe, such dampy mists no more
Shall dare to draw an ugly skreen before
My clearer fancy: I'le not deifie
A failing beauty, Idolize an eye.
Farewell, farewell poore joyes, let not my hearse
Beare witnesse I was ever mad in verse,
Or plaid the foole in wit; no, I'le not have
Such Theams encrease the mourning at my grave
Such thoughts I loath, and cannot now resent,
Who ever gloried in his excrement?
Now I will raze those Characters I wrote
So fairely from my selfe, now will I not
Suffer that Pyramid love rais'd within
My soule, to stand the witnesse of her sinne.
Nor will I ravish nature to dispose
A violated and profaned Rose,
Vpon a varnisht cheeke, nor Lillies feare
Into a landise, to be set where nere
White was discover'd; no,—stay I'le no more
Adde new guilt to the old repented for,
To name a sinn's to sinne; nor dare to breake
Jests of my vices on anothers backe,
But with some searching humours festred lie
A Renegado to all Poetry.
And must we now shake hands deare madnesse, now
After so long acquaintance? did I vow
To sacrifice unto thee what was brought,
As surplusage of a severer thought,
And breake my word? yes, from this very day
My fancy only shall on Marchpan play;
Now I'le turne Polititian, and see
How usefull Onions are in Drapery,
Feast dunces that miscall the Arts, and dance
With all the World a Galliard Ignorance.