 | Andromeda Liberata |  |
TO THE RIGHT WORTHILY HONORED, Robert Earle of Sommerset, &c. AND HIS MOST NOBLE LADY the Ladie Frances.
As nothing vnder heauen is more remou'd
From Truth & virtue, then Opinions prou'd
By vulgar Voices: So is nought more true
Nor soundly virtuous then things held by few:
Whom Knowledge (entred by the sacred line,
And gouernd euermore by grace diuine,)
Keepes in the narrow path to spacious heauen,
And therfore, should no knowing spirit be driuen
From fact, nor purpose; for the spleens prophan
Of humours errant, and Plebeian;
But, Famelike, gather force as he goes forth,
The Crowne of all Acts ends in onely worth.
From Truth & virtue, then Opinions prou'd
By vulgar Voices: So is nought more true
Nor soundly virtuous then things held by few:
Whom Knowledge (entred by the sacred line,
And gouernd euermore by grace diuine,)
Keepes in the narrow path to spacious heauen,
And therfore, should no knowing spirit be driuen
From fact, nor purpose; for the spleens prophan
Of humours errant, and Plebeian;
The Crowne of all Acts ends in onely worth.
Nor will I feare to postrate this poore Rage
Of forespoke Poesie, to your patronage,
(Thrice worthy Earle), & your vnequald grace
(Most Noble Countesse) for the one-ear'd Race
Of set-eyd vulgars, that will no waie see
But that their stiffe necks driue them headlongy,
Stung with the Gadflie of misgouernd zeale:
Nor heare but one tale and that euer ill.
These I contemne, as no Rubs fit for me
To checke at, in my way t'Jntegritie.
Nor will ye be incenst that such a Toie
Should put on the presumption to enioie
Your grauer eare, my Lord, and your faire eye
(Illustrous Ladie) since poore Poesie
Hath beene a Iewell in the richest eare
Of all the Nuptiall States, that euer were.
Of forespoke Poesie, to your patronage,
(Thrice worthy Earle), & your vnequald grace
(Most Noble Countesse) for the one-ear'd Race
Of set-eyd vulgars, that will no waie see
But that their stiffe necks driue them headlongy,
Stung with the Gadflie of misgouernd zeale:
Nor heare but one tale and that euer ill.
These I contemne, as no Rubs fit for me
To checke at, in my way t'Jntegritie.
Nor will ye be incenst that such a Toie
Should put on the presumption to enioie
Your grauer eare, my Lord, and your faire eye
(Illustrous Ladie) since poore Poesie
Hath beene a Iewell in the richest eare
Of all the Nuptiall States, that euer were.
For as the Bodies pulse (in Phisique) is
A little thing; yet therein th'Arteries
Bewray their motion, and disclose, to Art
The strength, or weakenesse, of the vitall part;
Perpetually moouing, like a watch
Put in our Bodies: So this three mens catch,
This little Soules Pulse, Poesie, panting still
Like to a dancing pease vpon a Quill,
Made with a childes breath; vp and downe to fly
(Is no more manly thought) And yet thereby
Euen in the corps of all the world we can
Discouer all the good and bad of man,
Anatomise his nakednesse, and be
To his chiefe Ornament, a Maiestie:
Erect him past his human Period
And heighten his transition into God.
A little thing; yet therein th'Arteries
The strength, or weakenesse, of the vitall part;
Perpetually moouing, like a watch
Put in our Bodies: So this three mens catch,
This little Soules Pulse, Poesie, panting still
Like to a dancing pease vpon a Quill,
Made with a childes breath; vp and downe to fly
(Is no more manly thought) And yet thereby
Euen in the corps of all the world we can
Discouer all the good and bad of man,
Anatomise his nakednesse, and be
To his chiefe Ornament, a Maiestie:
Erect him past his human Period
And heighten his transition into God.
Thus Sun-like, did the learnd and most diuine
Of all the golden world, make Poesie shine;
That now, but like aglow worm, gleams by night
Like Teachers, scarce foūd, by their proper light.
But this (my Lord) and all poore virtues else
Expos'd, ah las, like perdu Sentinels
Lo warne the world of what must needs be nie
For pride, and auarice, glas'd by Sanctitie,
Must be distinguisht, and decided by
Your cleere, ingenuous, and most quiet eye
Exempt from passionate, and duskie fumes,
That blinde our Reason: and in which consumes
The Soule, halfe choakt, with stomacke casting mists
Spred in the purest, turnd mere humorists.
And where with douelike sweet humility
They all things should authorise or deny,
The vulgar heate and pride of splene and blood
Blaze their opinions, which cannot be good.
For as the Bodies Shadow, neuer can
Shew the distinct, and expact Forme of man;
So nor the bodies passionate affects
Can euer teach well what the Soule respects.
For how can mortall things, immortall shew?
Or that which false is, represent the trew?
The peacefull mixture then that meetes in yow
(Most tēperat Earl) that nought to rule doth ow:
In which, as in a thorough kindled Fire,
Light and Heat marrie Judgement and Desire
Reason is still in quiet, and extends
All things t'aduantage of your honored Ends,
May well authorise all your Acts of Note,
Since all Acts vicious, are of Passion got:
“Through dead Calms, of our Perturbations euer
“Truths Voice (to soules eares set) we heare or neuer
“The meerely animate Man, doth nothing see
“That tends to heauen: It must be onely He
“That is mere soule: Her separable powers
“The scepter giuing heere: That then discourse
“Of Motions that in sence doe neuer fall,
“Yet know them too, and can distinguish all
“With such a freedome, that our earthly parts
“Sincke all to earth: And then th'ingenuous arts
“Doe their true office, Then true Policie
“Windes like a serpent, through all Empery.
“Her folds on both sides bounded, like a flood
“With high-shores listed, making great and good
“Whom she instructeth, to which, you (my Lord)
May lay all claimes that Temper can afford;
Nought gathering ere t'is ripe: and so must taste
Kindely and sweetely, and the longer last,
All fruits, in youth, ripe in you; and must so
Imply a facultie to euer growe.
Of all the golden world, make Poesie shine;
That now, but like aglow worm, gleams by night
Like Teachers, scarce foūd, by their proper light.
But this (my Lord) and all poore virtues else
Expos'd, ah las, like perdu Sentinels
For pride, and auarice, glas'd by Sanctitie,
Must be distinguisht, and decided by
Your cleere, ingenuous, and most quiet eye
Exempt from passionate, and duskie fumes,
That blinde our Reason: and in which consumes
The Soule, halfe choakt, with stomacke casting mists
Spred in the purest, turnd mere humorists.
And where with douelike sweet humility
They all things should authorise or deny,
The vulgar heate and pride of splene and blood
Blaze their opinions, which cannot be good.
For as the Bodies Shadow, neuer can
Shew the distinct, and expact Forme of man;
So nor the bodies passionate affects
Can euer teach well what the Soule respects.
For how can mortall things, immortall shew?
Or that which false is, represent the trew?
The peacefull mixture then that meetes in yow
(Most tēperat Earl) that nought to rule doth ow:
Light and Heat marrie Judgement and Desire
Reason is still in quiet, and extends
All things t'aduantage of your honored Ends,
May well authorise all your Acts of Note,
Since all Acts vicious, are of Passion got:
“Through dead Calms, of our Perturbations euer
“Truths Voice (to soules eares set) we heare or neuer
“The meerely animate Man, doth nothing see
“That tends to heauen: It must be onely He
“That is mere soule: Her separable powers
“The scepter giuing heere: That then discourse
“Of Motions that in sence doe neuer fall,
“Yet know them too, and can distinguish all
“With such a freedome, that our earthly parts
“Sincke all to earth: And then th'ingenuous arts
“Doe their true office, Then true Policie
“Windes like a serpent, through all Empery.
“Her folds on both sides bounded, like a flood
“With high-shores listed, making great and good
May lay all claimes that Temper can afford;
Nought gathering ere t'is ripe: and so must taste
Kindely and sweetely, and the longer last,
All fruits, in youth, ripe in you; and must so
Imply a facultie to euer growe.
And as the morning that is calme and gray,
Deckt all with curld clowds, that the Sunne doth lay
With varied coullours; All aloft exhall'd
As they t'adorn euen heauen it selfe were call'd,
And could not fall in slendrest deawes till Night,
But keepe daies Beauty firme and exquisite;
More for delight fit, and doth more adorne
Euē th'Euē with Graces, then the youthful morn:
So you (sweete Earle) stay youth in aged bounds
Euen absolute now, in all lifes grauest grounds,
Like Aire, fill euery corner of your place,
Your grace, your virtue heightning: virtue, grace
And keeping all clowds high, aire calme, & cleer
And in your selfe all that their height should rere
Your life and light will proue a still full Moone,
And all your night time nobler then your noone,
The Sunne is in his rising, height, and set
Still (in himselfe) alike, at all parts great,
His light, heat, greatnes, coullors that are showne
To vs, as his charge, meerely is our owne.
So let your charge, my Lord, in others be,
But in your selfe hold Sun-like constancie.
For as men skild in Natures study, say,
The world was not the world, nor did conuay
To coupling bodies Natures common forme,
But (all confus'd, like waues struck with a storme)
Some small were, and (in no set being, staid)
All comprehension, and connexion fled;
The greater, and the more compact disturb'd
With ceaseles warre, and by no order curb'd,
Till earth receiuing her set magnitude
Was fixt her selfe, and all her Birth indu'd
With staie and law, so this small world of ours:
Is but a Chaos of corporeall powers:
Nor yeelds his mixt parts, forms that may becom
A human Nature; But at randome rome
Past brutish fashions, and so neuer can
Be cald the ciuill bodie of a man;
But in it, and against it selfe still fights,
In competence of Cares, Ioyes, Appetites:
The more great in command, made seruile more,
Glutted, not satisfied: in plenty, poore:
Till vp the Soule mounts, and the Scepter swaies
Th'admired Fabricke of her world suruaies,
And as it hath a magnitude confinde,
To all the powers therein, she sees combinde
In fit Acts for one end, which is t'obay
Reason, her Regent; Nature giuing way:
Peace, Concord, Order, Stay proclaim'd, and Law,
And none commanding, if not all in Awe,
Passion, and Anger, made to vnderlie,
And heere concludes, mans morall Monarchie
In which, your Lordships milde Soule sits so hie
Yet cares so little to be seene, or heard,
That in the good thereof, her scope is Sphear'd.
The Theban Ruler, paralleling Right,
Who, thirst of glory, turnd to appetite
Of inward Goodnesse, was of speech so spare,
To heare, and learne, so couetous, and yare,
That (of his yeares) none, things so many knew:
Nor in his speeches, ventured on so few:
Forth then (my Lord) & these things euer thirst
Till Scandall pine, and Bane-fed enuie burst.
Deckt all with curld clowds, that the Sunne doth lay
With varied coullours; All aloft exhall'd
As they t'adorn euen heauen it selfe were call'd,
And could not fall in slendrest deawes till Night,
But keepe daies Beauty firme and exquisite;
More for delight fit, and doth more adorne
Euē th'Euē with Graces, then the youthful morn:
So you (sweete Earle) stay youth in aged bounds
Euen absolute now, in all lifes grauest grounds,
Like Aire, fill euery corner of your place,
Your grace, your virtue heightning: virtue, grace
And keeping all clowds high, aire calme, & cleer
And in your selfe all that their height should rere
And all your night time nobler then your noone,
The Sunne is in his rising, height, and set
Still (in himselfe) alike, at all parts great,
His light, heat, greatnes, coullors that are showne
To vs, as his charge, meerely is our owne.
So let your charge, my Lord, in others be,
But in your selfe hold Sun-like constancie.
For as men skild in Natures study, say,
The world was not the world, nor did conuay
To coupling bodies Natures common forme,
But (all confus'd, like waues struck with a storme)
Some small were, and (in no set being, staid)
All comprehension, and connexion fled;
The greater, and the more compact disturb'd
With ceaseles warre, and by no order curb'd,
Till earth receiuing her set magnitude
Was fixt her selfe, and all her Birth indu'd
With staie and law, so this small world of ours:
Is but a Chaos of corporeall powers:
A human Nature; But at randome rome
Past brutish fashions, and so neuer can
Be cald the ciuill bodie of a man;
But in it, and against it selfe still fights,
In competence of Cares, Ioyes, Appetites:
The more great in command, made seruile more,
Glutted, not satisfied: in plenty, poore:
Till vp the Soule mounts, and the Scepter swaies
Th'admired Fabricke of her world suruaies,
And as it hath a magnitude confinde,
To all the powers therein, she sees combinde
In fit Acts for one end, which is t'obay
Reason, her Regent; Nature giuing way:
Peace, Concord, Order, Stay proclaim'd, and Law,
And none commanding, if not all in Awe,
Passion, and Anger, made to vnderlie,
And heere concludes, mans morall Monarchie
In which, your Lordships milde Soule sits so hie
Yet cares so little to be seene, or heard,
The Theban Ruler, paralleling Right,
Who, thirst of glory, turnd to appetite
Of inward Goodnesse, was of speech so spare,
To heare, and learne, so couetous, and yare,
That (of his yeares) none, things so many knew:
Nor in his speeches, ventured on so few:
Forth then (my Lord) & these things euer thirst
Till Scandall pine, and Bane-fed enuie burst.
And you, (most noble) Lady as in blood
In minde be Noblest, make our factious brood
Whose forked tongs, wold fain your honor sting
Conuert their venomd points into their spring:
Whose owne harts guilty, of faults faind in yours
Wold fain be posting off: but, arme your powers
With such a seige of vertues, that no vice
Of all your Foes, Aduantage may entice
To sally forth, and charge you with offence,
But sterue within, for very conscience
Of that Integritie, they see exprest
In your cleere life: Of which, th'examples Rest,
May be so blamelesse; that all past must be
(Being Fount to th'other) most vndoubtedly
Confest vntouch't; and Curiositie
The beame picke rather from her own squint eie,
Then ramp stil at the motes shade, faind in yours,
Nought doth so shame this chimick serch of ours
As when we prie long for assur'd huge prise,
Our glasses broke, all vp in vapor flies.
In minde be Noblest, make our factious brood
Whose forked tongs, wold fain your honor sting
Conuert their venomd points into their spring:
Whose owne harts guilty, of faults faind in yours
Wold fain be posting off: but, arme your powers
With such a seige of vertues, that no vice
Of all your Foes, Aduantage may entice
To sally forth, and charge you with offence,
But sterue within, for very conscience
Of that Integritie, they see exprest
May be so blamelesse; that all past must be
(Being Fount to th'other) most vndoubtedly
Confest vntouch't; and Curiositie
The beame picke rather from her own squint eie,
Then ramp stil at the motes shade, faind in yours,
Nought doth so shame this chimick serch of ours
As when we prie long for assur'd huge prise,
Our glasses broke, all vp in vapor flies.
And as, the Royall Beast, whose image you
Beare in your armes, and aires great Eagle too;
Sill as they goe, are said to keepe in close
Their seres, & Tallons, lest their points shold lose
Their vseful sharpnes, when they serue no vse:
So this our sharp-eyd search that we abuse
In others brests, we should keepe in, t'explore
Our owne fowle bosomes, and quit them before
VVe ransacke others: but (great Ladie) leaue
These Rules to them they touch; do you receaue
Those free ioies in your honour, and your Loue
That you can say are yours; and euer moue
Where your cōmand, as soon is seru'd as kown,
Joyes plac't without you, neuer are your owne.
Beare in your armes, and aires great Eagle too;
Sill as they goe, are said to keepe in close
Their seres, & Tallons, lest their points shold lose
Their vseful sharpnes, when they serue no vse:
So this our sharp-eyd search that we abuse
In others brests, we should keepe in, t'explore
Our owne fowle bosomes, and quit them before
VVe ransacke others: but (great Ladie) leaue
These Rules to them they touch; do you receaue
Those free ioies in your honour, and your Loue
Where your cōmand, as soon is seru'd as kown,
Joyes plac't without you, neuer are your owne.
Your Honours euer most humbly and faithfully vowd.
Geo. Chapman.
ANDROMEDA LIBERATA.
The Argument.
Andromeda
, Daughter of Cepheus, King of Æthiopia;
and Cassiope (a virgine exempted from cōparison
in all the vertues & beauties, both of
minde and bodie) for the enuie of Iuno to her
Mother; being compar'd with her for beauty
and wisedome; (or as others write, maligned
by the Nereides, for the eminent Graces of her selfe) moued so
much the Deities displeasures; that they procur'd Neptune to
send into the Region of Cepheus, a whale so monstrously vaste
and dreadfull: that all the fields he spoild and wasted; all the
noblest edifices tumbling to ruine; the strongest citties of the
kingdome, not forcible enough to withstand his inuasions. Of
which so vnsufferable a plague Cepheus consulting with an Oracle;
and asking both the cause, and remedie; after accustomed
sacrifices, the Oracle gaue answer, that the calamity would neuer
cease, till his onely daughter Andromeda, was exposed to the
Monster. Cepheus returnd, and with Iron chaines bound his
daughter to a rocke, before a cittie of the kingdome called
Ioppe. At which cittie, the same time, Perseus arriued with the
head of Medusa &c. who pittying so matchles a virgines exposure
to so miserable an euent; dissolu'd her chaines and tooke
her from the Rock. Both sitting together to expect the monster,
& he rauenously hasting to deuoure her, Perseus, turnd part of
him into stone, & through the rest made way with his sword to
his vtter slaughter. When (holding it wreath enough for so renownd
a victory) He took Andromeda to wife, & had by her one
daughter called Perse, another Erythræa, of whom, the sea in
those parts is called Mare Erythræū; since she both liued and died
there: and one sonne called after himselfe, another Electrion, a
third Sthenelus: and after liued Princely and happily
with his wife and his owne Mother to his
death. Then faind for their vertues
to be made Constellations in Heauen.
Flie ye prophane, that dare not view the day,
Nor speake to men but shadowes, nor would heare
Of any newes, but what seditious were,
Hatefull and harmefull euer to the best,
Whispering their scandals, glorifying the rest,
Jmpious, and yet gainst all ills but your owne,
The hotest sweaters of religion.
Whose poysons all things to your spleenes peruert,
And all streames measure by the Fount your heart,
That are in nought but misrule regulare,
To whose eyes all seeme ill, but those that are,
Giue whom yee most loue your prophane applause,
That when Kings and their Peeres (whose piercing eies
Broke through their broken sleepes and policies,
Mens inmost Cabinets disclose and hearts;
Whose hands Ioues ballance (weighing all desarts)
Haue let downe to them; which graue conscience,
Charg'd with the blood and soule of Jnnocence.
Holds with her white hand, (when her either skole,
Apt to be sway'd with euery graine of Soule,
Her selfe swaies vp or downe, to heauen or hell,
Approue an action) you must yet conceale,
A deeper insight, and retaine a taint
To cast vpon the pure soule of a Saint.
Away, in our milde Sphere doth nothing moue,
But all-creating, all preseruing Loue,
At whose flames, vertues, lighted euen to starres,
All vicious Enuies, and seditious Iars,
Bane-spitting Murmures and detracting Spels,
Bannish with curses to the blackest hels:
And taking off the chaines of Insolence,
From their prophan'd and godlike Lineaments,
Actions heroique, and diuine descents,
All the sweet Graces, euen from death reuiu'd,
And sacred fruites, from barren Rockes deriu'd,
Th' Immortall Subiects of our Nuptials are:
Thee then (iust scourge of factious populare;
Fautor of peace, and all the powers that moue
In sacred Circle of religious Loue;
Fountaine of royall learning, and the rich
Treasure of Counsailes, and mellifluous speech:)
Let me inuoke, that one drop of thy spring
May spirit my aged Muse, and make her sing,
As if th'inspir'd brest, of eternall youth
Had lent her Accents, and all-mouing truth.
The Kingdome that the gods so much did loue,
And often feasted all the Powers aboue:
At whose prime beauties the enamour'd Sunne,
His Morning beames lights, and doth ouerrunne
Bore in her throne diuine Andromeda,
To Cepheus and Cassiope his Queene:
Whose boundlesse beauties, made ore'flow the spleene
Of euery Neirid, for surpassing them:
The Sun to her, resign'd his Diadem:
And all the Deities, admiring stood,
Affirming nothing mou'd, like flesh and blood:
Thunder would court her with words sweetly phraz'd,
And lightning stucke 'twixt heau'n and earth amaz'd.
This matchlesse virgin had a mother too,
That did for beautie, and for wisdome goe
Before the formost Ladies of her time:
To whom of super-excellence the crime
Was likewise lai'd by Iuno, and from hence
Pin'd Enuie suckt, the poison of offence.
No truth of excellence, was euer seene,
But bore the venome of the Vulgares spleene.
And now the much enrag'd Neireides
Obtain'd of him that moues the marble seas
A whale so monstrous, and so past defence,
That all the royall Region he laid wast,
And all the noblest edifices rac't:
Nor from his plague, were strongest Cities free,
His bodies vast heape rag'd so heauily.
With noblest names and bloods is still embrewd
The monstrous beast, the rauenous Multitude.
This plague thus preying vpon all the land,
With so incomprehensible a hand:
The pious virgin of the father sought,
By Oracles to know, what cause had brought
Such banefull outrage ouer all his State,
And what might reconcile the Deities hate.
His orisons and sacrifices past,
The Oracle gaue answere, that the waste
His Country suffered, neuer would conclude,
Till his Andromeda he did extrude,
To rapine of the Monster, he (good man,)
Resolu'd to satiate the Leuiathan:
Her past himselfe, and bore a spirit mou'd
To rescue Innocence in any one
That was to him, or his, but kindly knowne,
To grace, or profite; doe them any good
That lay in swift streame of his noblest blood,
Constant to all, yet to his deerest seed,
(For rights sake) flitting: thinking true indeed,
The generall vprore, that t'was sinne in her,
That made men so exclaime, and gods conferre
Their approbation: saying the Kingdomes bale
Must end by her exposure to the Whale:
With whom the Whale-like vulgare did agree,
And their foule spleenes, thought her impiety,
Her most wise mother yet, the sterne intent,
Vow'd with her best endeauour to preuent.
And tolde her what her father did addresse;
Shee (fearefull) fled into the wildernesse:
And to th' instinct of sauage beasts would yeeld,
Before a father that would cease to shield
Her feet were wing'd, and all the search out went,
That after her was ordered: but shee flew,
And burst the winds that did incenst pursue,
And with enamoured sighes, her parts assaile,
Plaide with her haire, and held her by the vaile:
From whom shee brake, and did to woods repaire:
Still where shee went, her beauties dide the ayre,
And with her warme blood, made proud Flora blush:
But seeking shelter in each shadie bush:
Beauty like fire, comprest, more strength receiues
And shee was still seene shining through the leaues.
Hunted from thence, the Sunne euen burn'd to see,
So more then Sunne-like a Diuinity,
Blinded her eyes, and all inuasion seekes
To dance vpon the mixture of her cheekes,
Which show'd to all, that follow'd after far,
As vnderneath the roundure of a starre,
The euening skie is purple'd with his beames:
Her lookes fir'd all things with her loues extreames.
The pearles were faire, but fairer was her necke:
Her breasts (laid out) show'd all enflamed sights
Loue, lie a sunning, twixt two Crysolites:
Her naked wrists showde, as if through the skie,
A hand were thrust, to signe the Deitie
Her hands, the confines, and digestions were
Of Beauties world; Loue fixt his pillars there.
Her eyes that others caught, now made her caught,
Who to her father, for the whale was brought,
Bound to a barraine Rocke, and death expected;
But heau'n hath still such Jnnocence protected:
Beauty needs feare no Monsters, for the sea,
(Mother of Monsters) sent Alcyone,
To warrant her, not onely gainst the waues,
But all the deathes hid in her watrie graues.
The louing birds flight made about her still,
(Still good presaging) shew'd heau'ns sauing will:
Which cheering her, did comfort all the shore
That mourn'd in shade of her sad eyes before:
To burnisht gold transform'd the burning Rocks.
And now came roring to the tied, the Tide
All the Neireides deckt in all their pride
Mounted on Dolphins, roade to see their wreake
The waues fom'd with their enuies; that did speake
In mutest fishes, with their leapes aloft
For brutish ioy of the reuenge they sought.
The people greedie of disastrous sights
And newes, (the food of idle appetites
From the kings Chamber, straight knew his intent,
And almost his resolu'd thoughts did preuent
Jn drie waues beating thicke about the Shore
And then came on the prodegie, that bore
Jn one masse mixt their Image; that still spread
A thousand bodies vnder one sole head
Of one minde still to ill all ill men are
Strange sights and mischiefes fit the Populare.
Upon the Monster red Rhamnusia rode,
The Sauage leapt beneath his bloody load
When any high, haue any meanes to fall,
Their greatest louers proue false props to proue it
And for the mischiefe onely, praise and loue it.
There is no good they will not then commend,
Nor no Religion but they will pretend
A mighty title to, when both are vs'd,
To warrant Innouation, or see brus'd
The friendlesse Reed, that vnder all feet lies:
The sound parts euermore, they passe like flies,
And dwell vpon the sores, ill in themselues,
They clearely saile with ouer rockes and shelues,
But good in others shipwracke in the Deepes:
Much more vniust is he that truely keepes
Lawes for more shew, his owne ends vnderstood
Then he that breakes them for anothers good.
And 'tis the height of all malignity,
To tender good so, that yee ill implie:
To treade on Pride but with a greater pride.
VVhen where no ill, but in ill thoughts is tri'd,
The rest retaine the poyson serpentine
Vnder their lips, that sacred liues condemne,
And wee may worthily apply to them,
This tragicke execration: perish hee
That sifts too far humane infirmity.
But as your cupping glasses still exhale
The humour that is euer worst of all
Jn all the flesh: So these spic't conscienc't men
The worst of things explore still, and retaine.
Or rather, as in certaine Cities were
Some ports through which all rites piaculare,
All Executed men, all filth were brought,
Of all things chast, or pure, or sacred, nought
Entring or issuing there: so curious men,
Nought manly, elegant, or not vncleane,
Embrace, or bray out: Acts of staine are still
Their Syrens, and their Muses: Any ill
Js to their appetites, their supreme good,
And sweeter then their necessary food.
The By the Maine make, and the Maine the By.
Thus this sweete Ladies sad exposure was
Of all these moodes in men, the only glasse:
But now the man that next to Ioue comptrold
The triple world got with a shoure of gold:
(Armed with Medusa's head, and Enyos eye:
The Adamantine sword of Mercury
The helme of Pluto, and Minerua's Mirror,
That from the Gorgus made his passe with Terror)
Came to the rescue of this enuied mayd:
Drew neere, and first, in admiration stay'd
That for the common ill of all the land,
She the particular obloquie should stand:
And that a beauty, no lesse then diuine
Should men and women finde so serpentine
As but to thinke her any such euent:
Much lesse that eies and hands should giue consent
To such a danger and to such a death.
But though the whole Realme laboured vnderneath
Tendred her beauty, and integretie,
In spight of all the more he set vp spirrit
To doe her right; the more all wrong'd her merit,
He that both vertue had, and beauty too
Equall with her to both knew what to doe:
The Ruthles still go laught at to the Graue
Those that no good will doe, no goodnesse haue:
The minde a spirit is, and cal'd the glasse
In which we see God; and corporeall grace
The mirror is, in which we see the minde.
Amongst the fairest women you could finde
Then Perseus, none more faire; mongst worthiest men,
No one more manly: This the glasse is then
To shew where our complexion is combinde;
A womans beauty, and a manly minde:
Such was the halfe-diuine-borne Troian Terror
Where both Sex graces, met as in their Mirror.
Perseus of Loues owne forme, those fiue parts had
Which some giue man, that is the loueliest made:
And beares (with shape) the beauty of the mind:
Young was he, yet not youthfull, since mid-yeeres,
The golden meane holds in mens loues and feares:
Aptly composde, and soft (or delicate)
Flexible (or tender) calme (or temperate)
Of these fiue, three, make most exactly knowne,
The Bodies temperate complexion:
The other two, the order doe expresse,
The measure and whole Trim of comelinesse.
A temperate corporature (learn'd Nature saith)
A smooth, a soft, a solid flesh bewrayeth:
Which state of body shewes th'affections State
Jn all the humours, to be moderate;
For which cause, soft or delicate they call
Our conquering Perseus, and but yong withall,
Since time or yeeres in men too much reuolu'd,
The subtiler parts of humour being resolu'd,
More thicke parts rest, of fire and aire the want,
Makes earth and water more predominant:
And pliant disposition, at the height
Tooke each occasion, and to Acts approu'd,
As soone as he was full inform'd, he mou'd,
Not flexible, as of inconstant state,
Nor soft, as if too much effeminate,
For these to a complexion moderate
(Which we before affirme in him) imply,
A most vnequall contrariety.
Composure fit for Ioues sonne Perseus had,
And to his forme, his mind fit answere made:
“As to be lou'd, the fairest fittest are;
“To loue so to, most apt are the most faire,
“Light like it selfe, transparent bodies makes,
“At ones act, th'other ioint impression takes.
“Perseus, (as if transparent) at first sight,
“Was shot quite thorough with her beauties light:
“Beauty breedes loue, loue consummates a man.
“For loue, being true, and Eleutherean,
“No Jniurie nor contumelie beares;
“All good-wils enterchange it doth conclude
“And mans whole summe holds, which is gratitude:
“No wisdome, noblesse, force of armes, nor lawes,
“Without loue, wins man, his compleat applause:
“Loue, makes him valiant, past all else desires
“For Mars, that is, of all heau'ns erring fires
“Most full of fortitude (since he inspires
“Men with most valour) Cytherea tames:
“For when in heau'ns blunt Angels shine his flames,
“Or he, his second or eight house ascends
“Of rul'd Natiuities; and then portends
“Ill to the then-borne: Venus in aspect
“Sextile, or Trine doth (being conioyn'd) correct
“His most malignitie: And when his starre
“The birth of any gouernes (fit for warre
“The Jssue making much to wrath enclin'd
“And to the ventrous greatnesse of the minde)
“Jf Venus neere him shine she doth not let
“His magnanimity, but in order set
“And gets the mastry of him in the childe:
“Mars neuer masters her; but if she guide
“She loue inclines: and Mars set by her side
“Her fires more ardent render, with his heat:
“So that if he at any birth be set
“In th'house of Venus, Libra, or the Bull,
“The then-borne burnes, and loues flames feels at full.
“Besides, Mars still doth after Venus moue
“Venus not after Mars: because, of Loue
“Boldnesse is hand-maid, Loue not so of her:
“For not because men, bold affections beare
“Loues golden nets doth their affects enfold;
“But since men loue, they therefore are more bold
“And made to dare, euen Death, for their belou'd,
“And finally, Loues Fortitude is prou'd
“Past all, most cleerely; for this cause alone
“All things submit to Loue, but loue to none.
“Celestials, Animals, all Corporeall things,
“Wisemen, and Strong, Slaue-rich, and Free-borne Kings
“No threats can loue constraine, or terrifie
“For loue is Free, and his Jmpulsions still
Spring from his owne free, and ingenious will.
Not God himselfe, would willing loue enforce
But did at first decree, his liberall course:
Such is his liberty, that all affects
All arts and Acts, the minde besides directs
To some wish't recompence, but loue aspires
To no possessions, but his owne desires:
As if his wish in his owne sphere did moue,
And no reward were worthy Loue but Loue.
Thus Perseus stood affected, in a Time
When all loue, but of riches was a crime
A fancy and a follie. And this fact
To adde to loues deseruings, did detract;
For twas a Monster and a monstrous thing
Whence he should combat out, his nuptiall ring,
The monster vulgar thought, and conquerd gaue
The combatant already, the foule graue
And cast out fumes as from the Stigian flood
Gainst his great enterprise, which was so fit
For Ioues cheefe Minion, that Plebeian wit
Could not conceiue it: Acts that are too hie
For Fames crackt voice, resound all Jnfamie:
O poore of vnderstanding: if there were
Of all your Acts, one onely that did beare
Mans worthie Image, euen of all your best
Which truth could not discouer, to be drest
In your owne ends, which Truths selfe not compels,
But couers in your bottoms, sinckes and hels.
Whose opening would abhor the sunne to see
(So ye stood sure of safe deliuerie
Being great with gaine or propagating lust)
A man might feare your hubbubs; and some trust
Giue that most false Epiphonem, that giues
Your voice, the praise of gods: but view your liues
With eyes impartiall, and ye may abhorre
To censure high acts, when your owne taste more
The ill of good Acts, though hel-mouth gap't there:
Came to Andromeda; sat by, and cheerd:
But she that lou'd, through all the death she fear'd,
At first sight, like her Louer: for his sake
Resolu'd to die, ere he should vndertake
A combat with a Monster so past man
To tame or vanquish, though of Ioue he wanne
A power past all men els, for man should still
Aduance his powers to rescue good from ill,
Where meanes of rescue seru'd: and neuer where
Uentures of rescue, so impossible were
That would encrease the danger: two for one
Expose to Ruine: Therefore she alone
Would stand the Monsters Fury and the Shame
Of those harsh bands: for if he ouercame
The monstrous world would take the monsters part
So much the more: and say some sorcerouse art
Not his pure valour, nor his Jnnocence
Preuail'd in her deliuerance her offence
The Land was threatned by the Oracle.
The poisoned Murmures of the multitude.
Rise more, the more, desert or power obtrude:
Against their most (sayd he) come J the more:
Vertue, in constant sufferance we adore.
Nor could death fright him, for he dies that loues:
And so all bitternesse from death remoues.
He dies that loues, because his euery thought,
(Himselfe forgot) in his belou'd is wrought.
Jf of himselfe his thoughts are not imploy'd
Nor in himselfe they are by him enioy'd.
And since not in himselfe, his minde hath Act
(The mindes act chiefly being of thought compact)
Who workes not in himselfe, himselfe not is:
For, these two are in man ioynt properties,
To worke, and Be; for Being can be neuer
But Operation, is combined euer.
Nor Operation, Being doth exceed,
Nor workes man where he is not: still his deed
He in himselfe can therefore euer finde
Since in himselfe it workes not, if he giues
Being from himselfe, not in himselfe he liues:
And he that liues not, dead is, Truth then said
That whosoeuer is in loue, is dead.
Jf death the Monster brought then, he had laid
A second life vp, in the loued Mayd:
And had she died, his third life Fame decreed,
Since death is conquer'd in each liuing deed:
Then came the Monster on, who being showne
His charmed sheild, his halfe he turn'd to stone
And through the other with his sword made way:
Till like a ruin'd Cittie, dead he lay
Before his loue: The Neirids with a shrieke
And Syrens (fearefull to sustaine the like)
And euen the ruthlesse and the sencelesse Tide
Before his howre, ran roring terrifi'd,
Backe to their strength: wonders and monsters both,
With constant magnanimitie, like froth
No wonder lasts but vertue: which no lesse
We may esteeme, since t'is as seldome found
Firme & sincere, and when no vulgar ground
Or flourish on it, fits the vulgar eye
Who viewes it not but as a prodegie?
Plebeian admiration, needes must signe
All true-borne Acts, or like false fires they shine:
Jf Perseus for such warrant had contain'd
His high exploit, what honour had he gain'd?
Who would haue set his hand to his designe
But in his skorne? skorne censures things diuine:
True worth (like truth) sits in a groundlesse pit
And none but true eyes see the depth of it
Perseus had Enyos eye, and saw within
That grace, which out-lookes, held a desperate sin:
He, for it selfe, with his owne end went on,
And with his louely rescu'd Paragon
Long'd of his Conquest, for the latest shocke:
Dissolu'd her chaines, and tooke her from the rocke
As hers in him lay: Loue did both confer
To one in both: himselfe in her he found
She with her selfe, in onely him was crownd:
While thee J loue (sayd he) you louing mee
In you J finde my selfe: thought on by thee,
And I (lost in my selfe by thee neglected)
In thee recouer'd am, by thee affected:
The same in me you worke, miraculous strange
Twixt two true Louers is this enterchange,
For after J haue lost my selfe, if I
Redeeme my selfe by thee, by thee supply
I of my selfe haue, if by thee I saue
My selfe so lost, thee more then me I haue.
And neerer to thee, then my selfe I am
Since to my selfe no otherwise I came
Then by thee being the meane: In mutuall loue
One onely death and two reuiuals moue:
For he that loues, when he himselfe neglects
Dies in himselfe once, In her he affects
Embraceth him, as he did her desire:
Againe he liues too, when he surely seeth
Himselfe in her made him: O blessed death
Which two liues follow: O Commerce most strange
Where, who himselfe doth for another change,
Nor hath himselfe, nor ceaseth still to haue:
O gaine, beyond which no desire can craue,
When two are so made one, that either is
For one made two, and doubled as in this:
Who one life had: one interuenient death
Makes him distinctly draw a two fold breath:
Jn mutuall Loue the wreake most iust is found,
When each so kill that each cure others wound;
But Churlish Homicides, must death sustaine,
For who belou'd, not yeelding loue againe
And so the life doth from his loue deuide
Denies himselfe to be a Homicide?
For he no lesse a Homicide is held,
That man to be borne lets: then he that kild
That present life reaues: but he crueller
That to the to-be borne, enuies the light
And puts their eyes out, ere they haue their sight.
All good things euer we desire to haue,
And not to haue alone, but still to saue:
All mortall good, defectiue is, and fraile;
Unlesse in place of things, on point to faile,
Ve daily new beget. That things innate
May last, the languishing we re'create
In generation, re'creation is,
And from the prosecution of this
Man his instinct of generation takes.
Since generation, in continuance, makes
Mortals, similitudes, of powers diuine,
Diuine worth doth in generation shine.
Thus Perseus sayd, and not because he sau'd
Her life alone, be her in marriage crau'd:
But with her life, the life of likely Race
Was chiefe end of his action, in whose grace
With all the then assembled glad resort
Of Kings and Princes: where were solemniz'd
Th'admired Nuptialls: which great Heau'n so priz'd
That Ioue againe stoopt in a goulden showre
T'enrich the Nuptiall as the Natall howre
Of happy Perseus: white-armd Iuno to
Depos'd her greatnesse, and what she could do
To grace the Bride & Bride-groome, was vouchsaft
All Subiect-deities stoopt to: and the Shaft
Golden and mutuall, with which loue comprest
Both th'enuied Louers: offerd to, and kist:
All answerablie feasted to their States:
In all the Starres beames, stoopt the reuerend Fates:
And the rere banquet, that fore ranne the Bed
With his presage shut vp, and seconded:
And sayd they sung verse, that Posteritie
Jn no age should reproue, for Perfidie.
Parcarum Epithalamion.
O you this kingdomes glory that shall be
Parents to so renownd a Progenie
As earth shall enuie, and heauen glory in,
Accept of their liues threds, which Fates shal spin
Their true spoke oracle, and liue to see
Your sonnes sonnes enter such a Progenie,
As to the last times of the world shall last:
Haste you that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
Parents to so renownd a Progenie
As earth shall enuie, and heauen glory in,
Accept of their liues threds, which Fates shal spin
Their true spoke oracle, and liue to see
Your sonnes sonnes enter such a Progenie,
As to the last times of the world shall last:
Haste you that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
See Hesperus, with nuptiall wishes crownd,
Take and enioy; In all ye wish abound,
Abound, for who should wish crowne with her store
But you that slew what barren made the shore?
You that in winter, make your spring to come
Your Summer needs must be Elisium:
A race of mere soules springing, that shall cast
Their bodies off in cares, and all ioyes taste.
Haste then that sacred web, haste spindles haste.
Take and enioy; In all ye wish abound,
Abound, for who should wish crowne with her store
But you that slew what barren made the shore?
You that in winter, make your spring to come
Your Summer needs must be Elisium:
A race of mere soules springing, that shall cast
Their bodies off in cares, and all ioyes taste.
Haste then that sacred web, haste spindles haste.
Joue loues not many, therefore let those few
That his guifts grace, affect still to renew:
For none can last the same; that proper is
To onely more then Semideities:
To last yet by renewing, all that haue
More merit then to make their birth their graue,
As in themselues life, life in others saue:
First to be great seeke, then lou'd, then to last:
Haste you that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
That his guifts grace, affect still to renew:
For none can last the same; that proper is
To onely more then Semideities:
To last yet by renewing, all that haue
More merit then to make their birth their graue,
As in themselues life, life in others saue:
First to be great seeke, then lou'd, then to last:
Haste you that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
She comes, ô Bridegroom shew thy selfe enflam'd
And of what tender tinder Loue is flam'd:
Catch with ech sparke, her beauties hurle about:
Nay with ech thoght of her be rapt throughout;
Melt let thy liuer, pant thy startled heart:
Mount Loue on earthquakes in thy euery part:
A thousand hewes on thine, let her lookes cast;
Dissolue thy selfe to be by her embrac't,
Haste ye that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
And of what tender tinder Loue is flam'd:
Catch with ech sparke, her beauties hurle about:
Nay with ech thoght of her be rapt throughout;
Melt let thy liuer, pant thy startled heart:
Mount Loue on earthquakes in thy euery part:
A thousand hewes on thine, let her lookes cast;
Dissolue thy selfe to be by her embrac't,
Haste ye that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
As in each bodie, there is ebbe and flood
Of blood in euery vaine, of spirits in blood;
Of Ioyes in spirits, of the Soule in Ioyes,
And nature through your liues, this change imploies
To make her constant: so each minde retaines
Manners and customs, where vicicitude reignes:
Opinions, pleasures, which such change enchains.
And in this enterchange all man doth last,
Haste then who guide the web, haste spindles haste.
Of blood in euery vaine, of spirits in blood;
Of Ioyes in spirits, of the Soule in Ioyes,
And nature through your liues, this change imploies
To make her constant: so each minde retaines
Manners and customs, where vicicitude reignes:
Opinions, pleasures, which such change enchains.
And in this enterchange all man doth last,
Haste then who guide the web, haste spindles haste.
Who bodie loues best, feedes on dantiest meats,
Who fairest seed seekes, fairest women gets:
Who loues the minde, with loueliest disciplines
Loues to enforme her, in which verity shines.
Her beauty yet, we see not, since not her:
But bodies (being her formes) who faire formes beare
We view, and chiefely seeke her beauties there.
The fairest then, for faire birth, see embrac't,
Haste ye that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
Who fairest seed seekes, fairest women gets:
Who loues the minde, with loueliest disciplines
Loues to enforme her, in which verity shines.
Her beauty yet, we see not, since not her:
But bodies (being her formes) who faire formes beare
We view, and chiefely seeke her beauties there.
The fairest then, for faire birth, see embrac't,
Haste ye that guide the web, haste spindles haste.
Starres ye are now, and ouershine the earth:
Starres shall ye be heereafter, and your birth
In bodies rule heere, as your selues in heau'n,
What heer Detraction steals, shall there be giuen:
The boūd that heer you freed shal triumph there
The chaine that touch't her wrists shal be a starre
Your beauties few can view, so bright they are:
Like you shalbe your birth, with grace disgrac't
Haste ye that rule the web, haste spindles haste.
Starres shall ye be heereafter, and your birth
In bodies rule heere, as your selues in heau'n,
What heer Detraction steals, shall there be giuen:
The boūd that heer you freed shal triumph there
The chaine that touch't her wrists shal be a starre
Your beauties few can view, so bright they are:
Like you shalbe your birth, with grace disgrac't
Haste ye that rule the web, haste spindles haste.
Thus by diuine instinct, the fates enrag'd,
Of Perseus and Andromeda presag'd
Who, (when the worthy nuptial State was done
And that act past, which only two makes one,
Flesh of each flesh and bone of eithers bone)
Left Cepheus Court; both freed and honoured.
The louing Victor, and blest Bride-groome led
Home to the Seriphins, his rescu'd Bride;
Who (after issue highly magnifi'd
Of Perseus and Andromeda presag'd
Who, (when the worthy nuptial State was done
And that act past, which only two makes one,
Flesh of each flesh and bone of eithers bone)
Left Cepheus Court; both freed and honoured.
The louing Victor, and blest Bride-groome led
Home to the Seriphins, his rescu'd Bride;
Who (after issue highly magnifi'd
Both rapt to heau'n, did constellations reigne,
And to an Asterisme was turn'd the chaine
That onely touch't his grace of flesh & blood,
In all which stands the Fates kinde Omen good.
And to an Asterisme was turn'd the chaine
That onely touch't his grace of flesh & blood,
In all which stands the Fates kinde Omen good.
APODOSIS.
Thus
through the Fount of stormes (the cruell seas)
Her Monsters and malignant deities,
Great Perseus made high and triumphant way
To his starre crownd deed, and bright Nuptiall day.
And thus doe you, that Perseus place supply
In our Ioues loue, get Persean victorie
Of our Land Whale, foule Barbarisme, and all
His brood of pride, and liues Atheisticall:
That more their pallats and their purses prise
Then propagating Persean victories:
Take Monsters parts, not aucthor manly parts:
For Monsters kill the Man-informing Arts:
And like a lothed prodegie despise
The rapture that the Arts doth naturalise,
Creating and immortalising men:
Who scornes in her the Godheads vertue then,
The Godheads selfe hath boldnesse to despise,
And hate not her, but their Eternities:
Seeke vertues loue, and vicious flatteries hate,
Heere is no true sweete, but in knowing State.
Who Honor hurts, neglecting vertues loue,
Commits but Rapes on pleasures; for not Ioue
His power in thunder hath, or downeright flames,
But his chiefe Rule, his Loue and Wisedome frames.
Her Monsters and malignant deities,
Great Perseus made high and triumphant way
To his starre crownd deed, and bright Nuptiall day.
And thus doe you, that Perseus place supply
In our Ioues loue, get Persean victorie
Of our Land Whale, foule Barbarisme, and all
His brood of pride, and liues Atheisticall:
That more their pallats and their purses prise
Then propagating Persean victories:
Take Monsters parts, not aucthor manly parts:
For Monsters kill the Man-informing Arts:
And like a lothed prodegie despise
The rapture that the Arts doth naturalise,
Creating and immortalising men:
Who scornes in her the Godheads vertue then,
The Godheads selfe hath boldnesse to despise,
And hate not her, but their Eternities:
Heere is no true sweete, but in knowing State.
Who Honor hurts, neglecting vertues loue,
Commits but Rapes on pleasures; for not Ioue
His power in thunder hath, or downeright flames,
But his chiefe Rule, his Loue and Wisedome frames.
You then, that in loues strife haue ouercome
The greatest Subiect blood of Crhistendome,
The greatest subiect minde take, and in Both
Be absolute man: and giue that end your oth.
So shall my sad astonisht Muse arriue
At her chiefe obiect: which is, to reuiue
By quickning honor, in the absolute best:
And since none are, but in Eternitie, blest,
He that in paper can register things
That Brasse and Marble shall denie euen Kings:
Should not be trod on by ech present flash:
The Monster slaine then, with your cleere Seas, wash
From spots of Earth, Heauens beauty in the minde
In which, through death, hath all true Noblesse shinde.
The greatest Subiect blood of Crhistendome,
The greatest subiect minde take, and in Both
Be absolute man: and giue that end your oth.
So shall my sad astonisht Muse arriue
At her chiefe obiect: which is, to reuiue
By quickning honor, in the absolute best:
And since none are, but in Eternitie, blest,
He that in paper can register things
That Brasse and Marble shall denie euen Kings:
Should not be trod on by ech present flash:
The Monster slaine then, with your cleere Seas, wash
From spots of Earth, Heauens beauty in the minde
In which, through death, hath all true Noblesse shinde.
FINIS.
| Andromeda Liberata | |