Self-Conflict or, The powerful Motions between the Flesh & Spirit. Represented In the Person and upon the occasion of Joseph, when By Potiphar's Wife He was enticed to Adultery. A Divine Poem, Written originally in Low-Dutch, by Jacob Catts ... and from thence Translated |
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THE INTRODUCTION.
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THE INTRODUCTION.
When Potiphar's fair Wife in various kind,Had oft undress'd the passions of her mind
To youthful Joseph, and when this her pain
In sighs she shew'd, but ever sigh'd in vain;
Yet would she not for this the palm resign,
But having fixed a new-fram'd design,
Secur'd her houshold, ordered the hour,
Lo, yet once more she summons all her power.
Much like a Prince, who with success unbless'd
A walled Town hath long with War distress'd,
Now draws up all his Men, and with a cry
Once more sets on to gain the place, or dye:
So she; who now had well observ'd the room
In which she knew young Joseph was to come,
Where when the youth alone she spy'd, thus she
Her mind display'd, as she might entring be.
SEPHYRA.
How long, sweet boy, shall scorn thy breast possess
Towards my grief, and I in vain express
That grief to thee! how long a suppliant knee
Shall I yet bend, unentertain'd by thee?
The more my sighs discover am'rous fire,
The more thy frozen Soul, with cross desire,
2
Pursue blew shadows, and no substance gain.
O dwells in thee such barbarous desires?
And must I thus consume in tedious fires
That noble blood, that in my heart resides,
And but for thee yet in its veins abides?
Advise thy actions; that's but kindness feign'd,
By importunity which is, or force obtain'd:
For what by flatt'ry with long pains is sought,
Though priceless gain'd, yet is it dearly bought.
Let him, who for his help would thanks receive,
Th'afflicted's case without delay relieve:
For him alone we count of courteous mind,
Whose help we readily performed find.
But thou'rt of Marble sure, that can'st refrain
Of thy bland youth to loose the sturdy reign,
And view me thus o'rewhelm'd with plenteous grief,
(Nor cruel less) deny yet all relief.
What may I think thou with thy self so days,
So nights revolv'st! O most distasteful ways
To me they are. But wherefore thus should'st thou
Thy young desires to sullen slavery bow?
What can more aptly suit youths soft desires,
Than with a Paramour to cool his fires?
For Natures instinct 'tis to all imbred,
Delights to seek in Loves triumphant bed.
So lumpish soul'd, so phlegmatick none are,
Who with their kind seek not their kind to pair.
Behold, diffus'd it is in ev'ry thing,
Youths teeming pleasures forth by force to bring.
Nor doth in barren lands so dearth abound,
Wherein no memory of Love is found.
As in all-pleasing, Ver to bring things forth,
Soft procreation to our widow'd earth
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And fragrant flowers, and sweet delicious fruit.
This teeming time when come, there where it sets,
That Land's strait checquer'd with soft Violets,
Guilt-bowly-Daffadils; each thing anew
Gets life, on which it breaths its fruitful dew.
Lo, whilst it thus begins to fan its charms,
The lofty Cedars wide out-stretching arms,
Yet bald with Winter-blast, and Rime yet gray,
Now put on green against a Summers day.
Goes it through smiling fields, or ambient airs,
Beasts joy in frisks, of birds in Notes appears.
If on the strand, the fish, that scaled be,
Bubble in streams, and dance upon the Sea.
Salute's it man, what wonders works it then!
If pensive he, it comforts him again;
Refines his mind, if he is swain-like soul'd;
Makes him, if dull, his sluggish arms unfold:
If bred a Clown, in Courtship smooth him skills,
Or else, if mute, in him swift speech distils.
There needs no more. Thus, when possest with Love,
Our time we spend, our joys thus soar above
Their usual strain; and then each youthful Male,
All means assays, how he may oft prevail,
To gratifie his flames; how here and there,
He in his toyls a beauty may ensnare.
Auspicious youth, how singular's thy hap,
Whom Love with liberal hands flings in thy lap
Her balmy pleasures; thou who ne'er hast been
Afflicted for her, or yet sighing seen?
When Midianites thee of thy Brethren bought,
And in our Memphian Egypt thou wast brought,
From that time I was made thy Regent Dame,
And mighty Potiphar thy Lord became;
4
And wholly bent to mount on Honours stairs;
A head for great attempts, of restless kind,
Who for the world, nor body spares, nor mind.
Before the morning-blush can night intrance,
And with unmuffling light in day advance,
Before the gray-brow'd dawn can early day
Fore-run, I grope, but Potiphar's away:
Already clad, he strikes him on a light,
In lucubrations spends that part of night,
And therein drown'd, reads, meditates, and writes,
Till him to other things high day invites:
Then hastes to Court, within those busie Halls
Then walks, where care to thoughts uncessant calls:
In Consults dwells, until his restless brain
Fumes Oven-like, that cann't its heat contain:
Thence hies to th'Prince, where yet again his mind
Must move with humours of uncertain kind;
Nor less his Wits must work, since none is more
Esteem'd than flatterers that Crowns adore.
Nor yet is this enough, lo, home-bred sorrow
Genders new care for this day and to morrow;
That so, no hour there is throughout the day,
Wherein his Soul might rest, he once can say.
Unhappy Lord, enslav'd by too vast things;
Thy purchas'd greatness thee but sorrow brings!
Forsake the Court's too cumbrous cares, and come,
Joyn with thy Wife to manage things at home.
But whilst my Lord him in these cares imploys,
Therewith his buzzing head and Soul annoys,
I his forsaken, his forgotten Wife,
Wish for this cause a more delightful life:
And am resolv'd (nor deem it void of reason)
Not so to lavish this my youthful season:
5
Frequent strange beds, one shall to mine resort;
And thou art he selected hereunto,
Sweet Joseph, who of this long since didst know.
Mine eye my heart bewray'd, that did descry,
What kind of passions in my breast did fry.
When once the heart feels Love hath made a wound,
The Senses dislocate, the Tongue is bound,
The Mind, with grief possest, is fill'd with dread,
And then the eye the tongues defect must plead.
I know thou hast observ'd my strong desires;
From my sad eyes dart symptomes of my fires;
Nor less didst thou perceive those flames in me,
When neer my bed I sent so oft for thee:
O long ere them (I know) this tongue express'd,
Thou felt'st these dire commotions in my breast;
And yet thou glori'dst ever to appear
As if thou nothing wast of this aware.
If thee alone I found, where none could see,
Or over-look what pass'd 'twixt thee and me,
Away thou fledst, when thou but thought'st 'twas I,
As though some Ghost thee thence compell'd to fly.
These were the pressures which so mov'd my mind,
That shame no longer could my passions bind;
Which forc'd, broke forth, constraining me to bow
My neck to thee, and court my servant now.
Yet woe is me, though I disclose my fires,
All I can say, cann't thaw thy chill desires;
'Tis neither Rhetorick, nor deep-fetch'd groans
Can move thy spirit to regard my moans.
O can no languid sighs, no Eloquence
Thy marble-breast to tenderness dispence?
Nor can yet goodness once prevail with thee?
Then rigour shall, which thou shalt quickly see:
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Will melt thy Soul, and we shall yet together
Joyn flames to flames: come then, why should such fell
And rough desires in such sweet favour dwell?
JOSEPH.
Me, what prodigious things do I now hear!
Are these your words, and, Madam, I so near?
Surely you mean them not: Ah me, but why
Seek you then once again my Soul to try?
It is confess'd that I am yours, and his
Who is your Husband; but to none of this
Sure was I told: we are not sold to sin,
Till of our selves we do that Sale begin.
Has providence lent you such gifts in vain,
To which so many wish they might attain?
So fair a flower has God created you,
That to your Lord you should be found untrue?
Though portly body, amiable face,
Though wise discourse your Sex so much doth grace,
These yet, if modesty you set to sale,
Will not that loss of Vertue countervail.
You're of Illustrious Race, of Royal kind,
With beauty gifted, and transcendent mind;
Remember this, and let your Soul disdain
Your honour so with Stallion-lust to stain,
Much more to love your slepe. Ah me, what is't
Has poyson'd you such matters to insist?
Why should thus Reasons beauty be defac'd?
Why should your glory thus become disgrac'd?
Why should lust reign, and why that spirit Divine,
That doth the Soul to vertuous ways incline,
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Through base-born lust, and that the Soul invade?
For shame, adjourn these Soul-deluding dreams,
Youths base product, which you so ill beseems,
Which death portend: let them be straight deny'd:
Fire's quickly master'd, when help's soon apply'd.
He who from lusts vile bondage would be freed,
Its primier flames to suffocate must heed.
Sin is a plant, which if not from the root
Soon pluckt, will soon to spreading mischief shoot:
Which if it does, its venom soon we find
Infecting all our blood, and all our mind;
And that's a Fort with ever-watchful eyes
Which should be guarded from sins swift surprize.
But if we thus destroy it, then with ease
Our hearts may be secur'd from this disease,
And that calm-virgin peace as erst regain,
The greatest bliss that Souls can here obtain.
Well, though it be, (which let me not believe)
That you're inclin'd brief pleasure should bereave
You of your fame, your eyes in vain on me
Yet look, in whom those joys abhorred be.
Ah, how may I my precious Soul resign
To such salacious lust? how thus incline
To wound my Conscience, and supremely prize
Those flames, and therein my self exercise?
Am I not of that house, which from the rest
Of all the world God for his people blest?
Choosing them such, or ever form he layd
Of this huge Globe, and of his promise made
Peculiar Heirs? Am I not Abram's seed,
The faithful's Father, by Gods call decreed,
And Prince of Race Divine? and should I prize
Foul lust, and these advantages despise?
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Who his loves covenant thereon hath made;
And thus Soul-shipwrack in one instant make?
Help, Lord, nor me do ever thus forsake.
But how you erre! although God did create
In all he made, a power to propagate
As was its kind; yet what, alas, makes this
For you? as blind, so you the mark do miss.
But 'tis perceiv'd, what by your errour's meant:
You brass to me for solid Gold present,
Which I should so, say you, with you believe,
That lust as love acceptance might receive.
Who sees not this? but better things we know;
From our great God to man no lust did flow:
He at the first did then in him inspire,
In beasts, in fowl, and fish, an upright fire;
Blessing them generally, with words of these:
Be greatly fruitful, and the earth increase.
Of these, yet Man, when he began to live,
One meet help onely did from God receive,
(Flesh of his flesh, bone formed of his bone)
And this command, You two shall be but one.
Thus that delight is but 'twixt two confin'd,
Where one Male-female are together joyn'd;
A third destroys the pleasure, sowrs the sweet,
For love is onely 'twixt two souls compleat.
And this thus God injoyns. As with his hands
He Man and Wife unites in wedlock-bands,
Which none may part. To th'Bridal sheets this Seal,
By him affix'd, their purity reveal.
How should it then seem strange, if he consume
Such who his work to sully dare presume?
If with fierce plagues, hurl'd from his kindled Ire,
He satisfaction should from them require?
9
To shame will bring, from whence he shall not flee;
And Curses on his body he shall find
Thenceforth, and plagues possessing all his mind.
For God is holy; his bright eyes are pure,
Which will by no means lustful flames endure.
The airy Soul doth in the blood reside,
The Soul's God's Temple, where nought foul may 'bide:
Within his presence-chamber none may dare
His hests pollute, that undefiled are.
My Lord hath days and nights, you argue next,
Incessant cares, wherewith his thoughts perplext
And captivated are, and therefore he
Needs by his Consort must abused be.
O foul conclusion! which now makes me hate
Your lusts address the more: for sure my fate
Must be much worse than his, if I believe
That womans words that doth her Lord deceive.
Ah, should the painful Husband grind and toyl
His Houshold to maintain, and should the while
His wife prove false! he spend his strength for gains
And she devour by whoredom all his pains?
So at such cost shall fame superb be sought
By Potiphar, and you for worse than nought
Yours forfeit to your slave? O misery,
The certain issue of these deeds! who thee
May duely here describe? unhappy they
Who by such things for thy approach give way!
In vain the Husband doth employ his pains,
To grow in riches, and increase in gains;
In vain he seeks to keep an earthly Treasure,
If the wife prostitutes to strangers pleasure.
For where the Nuptial sheets defiled be,
All good departs that House, all blessings flee;
10
Taking due vengeance for such dismal deeds.
I gave you no advantage to express
With words your minde, say you, and therefore less
Your Lust would not permit, than by your Eyes
To shew the Symptomes of your Maladies.
What shall I say? Had you been ever dumb,
This language to my ears had never come:
Nor blind if you, had you for ever known
These obscene flames, now so puissant grown.
And would you had been so, this for your sake
I wish, so sure a death do you partake
In your own wishes. O! express no more
With Tongue or Eyes such matters, I implore.
Was it for me to fix a busie eye
Upon your looks, your pleasure to descry?
(For this neglect you render my disdain,
And stately pride, as glorying in your pain.)
No, this your Maidens should observe, not I;
They on your looks may fix a curious eye,
And sudden motions may regard with awe:
Your Will to them may be a binding Law.
But as for me, my observations must
About my Lord be plac'd; He may my just
Regard alone demand, but never you:
His eyes alone may teach me what to do.
And this he will confess, so I have been
Obedient, where my Duty should be seen.
Do you conceive my Lord your ways should like,
Or yield to my compliance? O! he'd strike
On us much rather all that sense he bore
Of horrour to them; so that we no more
Should need the pleasure, or his second rage
Against our sin his vengeance to engage.
11
On that where you may go enjoyment finde?
If your vile flesh so burns in lustful flame,
Go there where you may cool it without blame.
Why did you not at first suppress that fire,
Which towards me inflam'd such soul desire?
Why did you gratifie your trayterous eyes,
When you had warming Lust through them surprize
Had made upon your Heart? Have you forgot,
Or did you never hear, how Eve was brought
To loss of Eden, by her busie eye
On fruit forbidden, and posterity?
This is the little limb which can alone
The careless Soul of Happiness unthrone.
Behold the safe, who this unguarded leave,
A Thief obtain, ere they ought ill perceive.
I did endeavour to avoid, 'tis true,
Your presence, lest I might alone by you
Be taken by surprize: Sin lyes at catch
For man in solitude, neglecting watch.
Shame you confess, your Lust did drive away;
And I can tell you then, your best array
Is gone, which was your Glory: Not the blaze
Of all your Gems reverberating rays
Can yield that lustre; but as Light that dwells
With Day, compar'd with Night, so that excels.
God did a Shamefac'dness in Women-kinde
Implant, to guard at all times their soft Minde;
Which if they drive regardlessly from thence,
Their Chastity rests void of all defence.
Not languid Eyes they be that can excuse,
Nor winning Eloquence, which you abuse,
That can maintain your ways; them therefore cease,
While time may free you, and restore your peace.
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So much your person will but please me less.
Once more desist, I therefore yet implore,
Let rampant Lust possess your minde no more:
Which since it will conclude in endless pains,
That fool is wise, who in't not long remains.
SEPHYRA.
Oft though thou hast my suit with proud disdain
Repuls'd, my minde yet doth unmov'd remain.
I'm what I ever was. In Amours chase,
'Tis perseverance gains the Victor's praise.
So solid Iron wastes at length by rust,
And Steel, yet harder, crumbles into dust.
So sturdy Oakes yield to the frequent wound
By Axes given, till they kiss the ground.
Of you, as Dame, I have supreme Command,
Which your condition suits not to withstand:
My Money bought you, subject to my Will
Therefore you are, and must my Law fulfil;
Nor Mistresses can Servants that injoyn,
Which their Obedience justly should decline.
Well then, my Will fulfil, and wherefore not?
Sure that's at our command which we have bought:
All your whole Body's mine, that I may kill,
Or save alive, or torture as I will;
And if the whole is sold to my desire,
Well may I then the fruit of part require.
Nor to oppose me think that thou art free,
Who to my humour must devoted be.
All Nations yield to this, of old and yet,
That with their Slaves each do as they think fit.
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'T had been but duty to your Mistriss due;
But that's now past, beware that thus no more
Thou of such errours treasur'st greater store.
Or didst thou doubt my loves reality,
As if I feign'd it but thy pulse to try?
Never indeed did I possess that mind,
To such injurious double thoughts inclin'd:
Which if that onely lets, O straight discharge
Those thoughts, nor more let them such doubts enlarge.
For lo, my wounded heart, all in a flame,
Offering oblations to sweet Joseph's name.
Press but this bosom, and there feel it lye,
A panting victim to thy wounding eye.
Behold my stretcht-out arms, my naked breast,
Wooing thy kindness; what can be exprest
More plain? alas, I have no other way:
If yet thou doubt'st, the rest thy self assay.
This day our Ægypt's gaudy Gentry are
At Memphis entertain'd, with Banquets, where
Thy Lord is likewise with our chiefest Train;
I onely for thy sake at home remain;
Which to procure, I sickness did pretend,
That those few hours I might with Joseph spend.
My Lord rose early up, my bed I kept,
As sick at heart, though nothing less, then wept;
He griev'd, impress'd a frozen kiss or two,
Physick advis'd, then sigh'd, and bid adieu.
And yet I'm sick, though well: strange, may I say,
Are adverse things in us, where love bears sway,
Whose mysteries more deep than most conceive,
And various are, or yet than most believe.
I yiel'd its depth, I am not skill'd to spell,
Yet that my cure's in thee, I know right well:
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I therefore must expect my remedy.
Pain tortures not my body, but my mind;
I'm sick or well, as thou art coy or kind.
O then relent, and ease my fierce disease;
If thou deny'st, I dye by its increase:
Nor let me more beseech thee thus in vain,
Or reap the fruits of arrogant disdain.
Discard that dulness; why should soft delight
Be so oppos'd? why so should love affright
Thy tender mind, which teeming youth requires?
Why should dull ponderings drink up those desires?
We deem it in our age no faulty crime,
For youth now flourishing in manly prime,
To pluck a strangers Vine, and taste its grape,
If he the owners eye do but escape.
But why thy Fathers in such glory drest?
Were things with them as is by thee exprest?
I've heard their fame, and know thy frail defence;
Thy Hebron is not so far distant hence.
It seems that custom thou hast learned too,
With other strangers mighty things to shew
Of thy grave Progeny, which put to test,
Will be found nothing, or but frail at best.
Did not that Prince, from whom thou drew'st thy life,
His seed elsewhere evade than with his Wife?
Compress'd he not his maid, though he had yet
A spouse, and on her Ishmael beget?
This was th'Egyptian Hagar, who his mind
So pleas'd, that he, now gray, afresh inclin'd
Became to lustful dalliance; behold,
Our Egypt yielding Females fair of old.
Nor ever may'st thou with me hold the day;
For Jacob too, with many women lay:
15
Till he was likewise with fair Rachel blest.
Nor was this all; behold, his Maids likewise
He both deflowrs, where see how they devise
Ways soft to cool their lust; Zilpa this night,
Then Bilha next, prostrates to his delight.
This might suffice, and yet where can'st thou find
A man contented with one woman kind?
The Bridal-sheets, at first for two intended,
Through change of times to many more's extended.
That's now forgot, what God to Adam spake;
Did not blind Lamech two Wives to him take,
While Adam yet surviv'd, with whom his vein
Of lust he cool'd, and Adams rib in twain
So split? Each few or many wives, we see,
Do take, as they can best maintained be.
If this may not suffice, to Lot then turn,
And see his mind in love incestuous burn;
Then shew us who yet judgments underwent,
That in these pleasures hours redundant spent.
No, no, thou never canst that season name,
In which against this God did ought proclaim.
Observe we but the face of modern times,
Whoredoms abound, nor deem'd are any crimes.
And if at home this Kingdom we survey,
Them we hear Am'rets term'd, and youthful play.
With gay solemnity and Tables swell'd,
Pharaoh his day of Coronation held,
Some time agon. Our Nobles all were there
Assistants, and partakers of the cheer;
Thy Lord withal, who had the charge to see
Each at the Table plac'd in their degree,
And as their state requir'd; and thou likewise,
On whom I all day fix'd my wandring eyes.
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From whom at first I wise discourse did hear
Of this worlds great affairs: the frolick glass
With cheering liquor scarce three rounds did pass,
When, lo, promiscuous sounds the groaning board
Loud ill-consorting murmurings did afford.
Among them one rose up, whose hand a pause
Of listning silence in each guest did cause;
Whilst of Adultery he undertook
Something to say, which with a wanton look
He nam'd kind Courtship, and derided those,
Who a chast conversation rather chose.
Methoughts his words and eyes bewray'd a mind
Inclinable to pleasures of each kind.
Many conceits dropp'd from his lips, and some
I yet remember, which I thence brought home.
I know not why, said he, another's Treasure
We covet so, and in our own no pleasure
Contentedly can take; why thus our mind
Should be to strange, not home-bred things inclin'd.
And yet 'tis so; no men with pleasure go
To drink of streams besides their gates that flow.
Convenient dyet therefore is despis'd,
Because its plenty renders it low priz'd.
Vermilion-Cherries men the more admire
For growing high, for so they draw desire.
We love no low-grown fruits, though ne'r so prime;
'Tis those please best, for which we high must climb.
So in the Roost fill'd grain-troughs set, and we
From feather'd Hens may this our nature see;
Who from those troughs tho they their fill may
Yet wantonly for grains they dunghils rake.
Sauces acerb and biting, relish food;
Nor without Salt or Pepper are they good.
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But that which bites, the nobler Masculine.
From busie Cooks we love to steal a bit
Behind their backs, and that in corners eat.
Nor need we here the reason why entreat,
All know the Proverb, Stollen Bread is sweet.
In short, so well his minde with words he drest,
That then a wanton Dream my brains possest
All that sweet Night; whence I was first aware,
Thence more t'have carry'd, than I'd eaten there:
Sin I could lessen strait, nor wanton Love
Did I with most then longer vile approve,
Though in th'Espous'd. When good we deem of ill,
So prove to us infallibly it will.
JOSEPH.
Urge me no more; the Rock unmov'd outbraves
Tempestuous Seas reverberating Waves;
Where after long dispute, held with despight,
Froth is but all the issue of the fight.
With minde resolv'd against sins deadly rage,
'Tis best our hearts now early we engage:
And with this bosome-guest a bargain strike,
That to resist, and all its ways dislike.
This I endeavour, and this now must do,
By so opposing all that comes from you;
Since all your aim, I now too well do know,
Is at my Soul, to work its overthrow.
But I am taught with flesh and blood to fight,
That flesh and blood in which you so delight;
And this Contest I must as long maintain,
As Sin, or you, my Tempter shall remain.
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Built on the bottom of his sacred Laws;
That all shall yield to my prevailing arm,
That hath a tendency my Soul to harm.
You are indeed my Mistress, this I grant,
Whilst you your Lord obey, nor ways do haunt,
Or upon me impose, forbidden known;
Therefore cease boasting, you are not your own.
These things please not my Lord's, although your mind;
Though you're my Dame, your own you're not, you'll find.
Your body's no more yours, (lost by one word)
But now for ever Potiphar's, your Lord.
And by old Proverbs since you can contend,
Let me, I pray, one likewise recommend,
Well known to you: Each Wife (by fixed lot)
Is Mistris of her Lord, but body not.
Must I your Law impos'd on me fulfil?
If just it be indeed, I must and will:
But if this Law with Piety contends,
It is not just, nor serve I wicked ends.
None are by Vassalage so strictly bound,
That they to sin should be obedient found;
Nor if a Mistris doth things vile impose,
Do Slaves rebel, that those commands oppose.
O how you erre, to think in means men great,
May as they please employ their vast estate!
What means the Law, (sure thus is its abuse,
Where men their means to hurtful ends do use)
But to enjoyn their use to wholesome ends,
On which so much the Countreys good depends?
And 'tis good Counsel, Madam, though from me,
Let not your Slave by you employed be
To things unjust: This Counsel where rejected,
There with disdain I've seen commands neglected.
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And on his shoulders yoaks impose unjust,
With dear repentance you will quickly see,
That trusted Honour vllify'd shall be.
He through Fames Trumpet shall your deeds proclaim,
And then through Towns & Countries your dear Name
Shall be worse render'd than from limit fled,
Though his first Story much the truth outsaid.
Where therefore faithful Service you would have,
No Privy-Counsellor make of your Slave.
Within my Breast no Lust I entertain,
Yet, trust me, this not out of proud disdain:
In me no scornful Spirit I do finde,
Fear to my God is that which awes my Minde.
But now your Loves esteem you would advance,
And conquer me to that vile dalliance,
By shewing how your glozing tongue obtain'd
This stay at home, and for me sickness feign'd.
Alas! are these the Symptomes of a minde
To simple Truth and Faithfulness inclin'd;
Or not much rather to injurious deeds,
Of Perjury that from false hearts proceeds?
And yet how desperate too, to hang a cloak
Of Sickness over all, and so provoke
The Mighty God; as if he were not worth
His Creatures fear that crawls upon the earth.
But we may Presidents to witness call,
How oft such minds in his just hands do fall.
And now shall stretcht-out Arms, or naked Breast,
Or Pray'rs devout unto my name addrest,
Perswade my minde, think you, belief to pay
To such pretences, and their Mood obey?
Forbidden Lust it is that is your aim,
And thence yet never upright dealing came.
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For dalliance over, then all Faith adieu.
Truth never flows from Lies, these can't agree
Friendly Indwellers in one brest to be.
And with what Art do you Adultery seek
To qualifie of guilt? a youthful trick
It only name, in fashion now adays;
Not Criminal, because now common ways.
But is not Theft a Crime? And pray what Theft
Is now allow'd? Or where's a man bereft
Of greater good, than of his Second-self?
To whom all goods besides are but as pelf.
Thieves that rob here, steal more from honest men,
Than what they ever can restore agen.
O, of its vileness when I do reflect,
What horrour doth it not in me inject!
Of sins with which so humane hearts abound,
Sure than this Lust no viler there is found:
Which at its height becomes in this most vile,
Where Wedlock's sacred sheets it doth defile.
For other sins that universal charm
Have not, nor do they work in men that harm;
They being rather of external kinde,
As to the Body; this enslaves the minde
Not only, but each limb, and pierceth through
Marrow and bone (where Virtue bids adieu,)
So holding on, till Strength be gone and Grace.
And deep Remorse and Plagues supply their place.
O! How may I Adulterous Limbs embrace!
How thus God's Image in my Soul deface!
Ay me! and how the sweets of Lust enjoy,
And all my present peace of Soul destroy!
Shall Joseph be in ways adulterous found?
Sins vilest Lust, and where all Sins abound?
21
All sorts of Vermine we behold conjoyn'd:
Ah! Lord assist, let this not seize on me;
By thy soft Grace let me restrained be:
And in sure bonds hold thou my thoughts impure,
That my dear Soul may be from Lust secure.
Particular acts of men will not suffice
Infallibly to teach us what to prize,
And what things not; what kinde of ways to chuse,
Or on the other hand what to refuse.
Our building's on God's Precepts, that's the ground
Where true direction for our walk is found:
And so as we to these our steps direct,
So far we Lust discover and reject.
Your Cause is not for Abram's fact allow'd;
Should we our Crimes with others failings shroud?
And yet no others Wife did he defile,
Or Heritage with a false Heir-beguile.
Nor sought he Sarah to deceive hereby,
'Twas her first Will made him here to comply.
Nor Lust to cool by this, was his intent;
But of his house th'enlargement only meant.
Produce you Jacob too? Nor will you finde
There ought that warrants this to Womankinde.
Yeilds God to Man this right? Who doth not see
That Women here no ways concerned be?
For once let Wives with many Men unite,
What Generations shall be kept upright?
Or how the Issue understand at all,
Who its own Father it may truely call?
I know you can no instance once produce,
Where Hebrew-wives, provok'd by Lust, did use
Th'espoused Womb, or pre-engaged heart,
Than to their Husbands otherwise impart.
22
By you I cannot bear; another way
I'll therefore chuse? O no, her lips ne'er spake
Such impious words, much less did undertake
The far more impious deed. With restless minde
Though Rachel longs for Issue, yet this kinde
Of way abhorr'd to take; nor ever known
Were women with us so lascivious grown.
But now how confidently next of Lot
You vent your thoughts? though who is free of spot?
And leprous sin, where it once leave obtains,
Forward and forward towards act it gains.
But did Lust reign in him? Dare you aver,
That this above all good he did prefer?
O no; lo, God for his just Soul takes care,
And this sole man in all he had doth spare.
So witnessing that he was only found
Guiltless of Lust, for which God curst the ground.
And if we on his fault, you hint, reflect;
'Twill but your frail defence the more detect.
Before him, of a fire that rag'd behinde
Fly ill-aboding sparks, where all Mankinde
That there drew breath, and Flocks, and stately Towers
Are fuel to those strange prodigious showers.
Till afterwards he sees no more his Mate,
Or hears her footsteps he but heard of late.
For which huge griefs upon his spirits seize,
More strong than can by tears finde restful ease:
Whose force the better therefore to escape,
He for a Cordial dreins the bleeding Grape;
Where over-free with this uxorious fruit,
He, drunken, yields to its too strong dispute.
In this Lot fail'd, for which God on him sent
Judicial Judgments of a large extent:
23
Wherein so greatly he himself forgot.
Thus when Temptations do our Souls surprize
With false delight, and season the disguise
Unto our time of grief, searce the sincere
Can then consider what they see or hear
Beyond their griefs desire, and then the heart
Who knows, forgives and heals the tempted part:
For he the Will considers if upright,
Or Minde that erres, if but by oversight;
And cancels those transgressions, as not done
By him that did them through surprize led on;
Though for example, and for his behoof,
If lov'd by him, he frees not from reproof.
But with premeditated lust to rage,
The flesh by provocation to engage
In those unruly obscene flames, ah me
How should this justify'd in this case be?
You unsurpriz'd have time to weigh your case,
Yet obstinate, no Counsel will embrace.
Lot knew not what he did by's Cups abus'd;
Your guilt, you see, is therefore unexcus'd.
O how your mind is bound in Chains of error,
To think no time the great Jehovah's terror
Against lusts fire in judgments did make known,
Although, as yours, so formidable grown.
Lo, Wedlocks Ordinance as soon was laid,
As the fair Female for the Man was made,
Who, though but one, yet so sufficient known,
For help to him, with her becoming one.
God's Spirit by each Vice to hate's alarm'd;
But chiefly he his wrath with fury arm'd
Brings on hot lust, and that doth swiftly turn
In showrs on those who in such flames do burn.
24
Where flocks once graz'd, where feet of men did go.
The skies themselves were threatned: what before
Was Land, for this lo, Sea without all Shoar;
Nor any thing that breath'd would God then spare;
But onely of each kind one single pair
Of Male and Female; other unpair'd heaps
Th'floods Pris'ners were, and perish'd in those deeps.
If this suffice not, then I more can shew:
Once Abram came with Sarah here, who grew
Soon famous at this Court, which entertain'd
Him better for her sake; there both remain'd
As of one womb, (she being sister call'd
By him) until her beauty high extoll'd
Saluted Pharaohs ears, whose heart in flame
Of growing lust by that report became.
Yet when with her this lust he did intend
To cool, see how God on his house did send
Unusual judgments, punishments unknown,
Till he restor'd to Abraham his own.
And thus if God a fault of ignorance
In Princes plagues for lust, he'll sure advance
Worse on that slave, that boldly dare defile
His Masters bed, and know his guilt the while.
When Abram afterwards did steer about
His course to Gerar, (though it fell not out)
Yet did not God that Prince to death assign,
Told in a Dream, because he did incline
In lust to wife? Mark but what words severe;
Abimilech, thou'rt dead, except my fear
Constrain, thee straight the Marry'd to restore
Untouch'd unduely, as she was before.
Thus lust by God abhorr'd, we by this time
May learn, and held by men a heinous crime:
25
Declaring this alike most vile to be.
And if you look where our large flocks do feed,
And where our Herdsmen them to Pasture lead,
You shall not shew that yet at any time
Our Hebron left unpunish'd such a crime.
How very nigh had Thamar been expos'd
To cruel flames, if she had not disclos'd
Then Judah's pledge, by whom with child she went,
And doom'd for that to this fierce punishment?
Nor think that Judah first that Law did make,
As if design'd alone for Thamar's sake;
He was nor Head nor Judge within that Land,
Nor doom could give but as those Laws did stand.
But why our Maids behaviour bring you here,
Since nothing there can for your Cause appear?
What Sarah erst and Rachel since did do,
Were different ways from these now chose by you.
Withal, your Husband if not once content,
Sure hereunto you never will consent
To lend him to anothers bed, you who
To two at once with heated lust now glow;
And yet withal how vainly you uphold
This evil Cause from Tales by Courtiers told,
As if the wanton Court should Precepts give
To honest minds for Guidance how to live?
But that man in best things who would excel,
Must shun the Court, there doth no Virtue dwell;
And they who listen to unchast discourse,
Though well inclin'd, are made thereby the worse.
So it provokes lewd thoughts, and to impure
Desires unwary minds it doth allure.
But what comes here? should Rest in Pain be plac'd?
Or things sweet held, for being sowre of taste?
26
Shall that the more with love be entertain'd?
Because forbid on pain of death, shall we
Love what's forbid; and Rebels choose to be?
Sure that man's mad whose principle's so vain,
To place his Ease in Danger, Rest in Pain.
So Flies corruption love, there build their Cell;
Nor can those humming Insects elsewhere dwell:
So Fenny Leeks refection find in blood,
And bruitish Asses thistles make their food.
O praise no things as sweet, that are thus sowre;
We love no summers frost, nor winters flower.
Who with allowed food cann't nature still,
Hath an unnatural appetite to ill:
Who hath so gormandizers greedy seen,
That Meats by others which bespew'd have been
Yet have devour'd? Not any sure's so wild
To creep in beds whose sheets he knows defil'd.
The flower when dreined of its Virgin smells,
And grape of liquor which dull grief repels,
Nothing is left but that which none will use:
Sapless unsavory relicks all refuse.
The sick of youth, who hates a single life,
A Maid befits, not any husbands wife:
For him a Nosegay's good, fresh pluckt, not one
In other's hands, whence all the strength is gone,
Methinks in spotless love, where of one mind,
In Hymen's band, two are for ever joyn'd,
Whom, except death, no evil can divide,
There sure serenest comfort must reside.
O in our primier years what sweet is there,
Where such agreeing minds together pair!
Who in their chast delight withal obtain
This added peace, that this God did ordain.
27
Their bodies prostitute to strangers will,
There is no true delight; for joy cann't be
Whence chastity disgrac'd is made to flee.
SEPHYRA.
Thou hast a fluent tongue for Virtu's praise,
And still injoyn'st unimitable ways:
But of those many things thou dost rehearse,
Unjustest Doctrine dost with all disperse.
What, shall men onely their refection have
Of dalliance, and shall the Wife be slave?
Since, as thou sayst, she's made for his delight,
Who yields her due when powerless to deny't.
It will not hold, when Souls of men we see
Incline to lust, that women yet should be
From those sweet joys debarr'd: why should not pleasure
As well as grief to both be shar'd like measure?
Lo, when a Father from a single state
His Daughter to a Marryed will translate,
Is't not his care that she, his fond delight,
May wedded be to one propitious wight,
Who can in amour sweetly with her spend,
And to her passions equal flames extend?
For this I judge first Wedlock was ordain'd,
That marry'd pairs in that strict union chain'd,
As well to joy as grief alike should be
Yoakt, and for ever in those terms agree.
Who in this state then steps, he should incline
Thenceforth to's wife, and all his youth resign
To the full pleasures of her mind in chief:
And this who doth not do, is sure a thief.
28
If he elsewhere divides from her his heart;
Or if abroad he breaks his head with cares,
Thereby at home she's left to divers snares.
This for a rule I state, nor without reason,
That each kind Husband should at every season
Be to his wife devoted with pure thought;
Which who neglects, performs not what he ought.
Where once the man his Covenant-bonds doth break,
The wife there leave obtains hers off to shake:
For why to him should she devoted be,
If to his duty he will not agree?
Well, let my Lord frequent the Royal Throne,
But shall then I, though Marryed, yet alone,
In hateful singleness my youth thus spend?
O no, this mind doth other things intend.
As I more am'rous am, more soft inclin'd,
So to those passions I'le refreshment find
From strangers hands. When fire is in a Town,
By forrain streams men bring its fury down.
Methinks my Lord with cares enough was ply'd,
When th'Court with daily meats he did provide,
And when whatever th'Royal board depress'd,
By his direct command was onely drest:
Yet could not this suffice; Ambition knows
No bounds, but after greatness ever grows,
More eager bent: the heart once gone astray
From the mid-road, content thence hasts away.
The late Lord Chamberlain few days since past,
Through heart-sick pain upon his bed was cast:
A fit of Frenzy, with a lung-bred cold,
Of deaths approach, by his fore-runners told;
Each ready made, and from all corners drew
The sick to visit, all with mournful shew,
29
Another for the tempting gold laid wait.
Your Lord, not slowest of these Mammon-friends,
His Interest 'gainst these so well defends
To his dear Prince, that he the place obtain'd,
While yet the Patient here alive remain'd.
And with this Charge now he is overcome,
Nor can regard what things are done at home.
The Royal Chamber doth his Soul possess;
There's his converse, there rests his happiness.
'Tis of huge consequence the Prince's mind
Each morning to discover how inclin'd,
And seek to gain it. Sleep then cares allay,
And that's the hour of all the following day:
For from repose new rais'd, he's best of mind,
And favours then from him more free we find,
Than through the day may kindly be obtain'd.
With him who breakfasts, him that day hath gain'd.
This my Lord tells me; and before each day
Can peep, hasts thither, where though I his stay
Implore, he's deaf; and though in tears, yet so
Forsakes me comfortless. But let him go:
His own injustice turns his Right to me
So forfeited by him eternally.
For since his body he to me denies,
My Marriage-promise I'le as much despise.
Wherefore, I pray, should I thus tedious nights
Languish for want of conjugal delights;
And scorched with excess of youthful fires,
Perish without redress in those desires?
He to his Prince conveys himself away,
Him to salute before approaching day;
Whilst I am left without the slender bliss
Of Nights repast, or Mornings farewel-kiss.
30
Ways for my own content I will devise
As well as he; nor ought shall me deter,
Or move me this conclusion to defer.
He who to strangers beds so much is bent,
Gives cause that others do his Wives frequent.
JOSEPH.
Ah, think you thus with shew of right to hide
The grossest Crimes, whilst you all rights deride!
Methinks it empty sounds, (like hollow walls)
Which easily before right reason falls.
Is't just a Wife to thoughts luxurious bent,
To others should bold accusations vent,
Because her husbands better temper'd mind
Not always is with hers to lust inclin'd?
Should she how he (unto her slave) disclose
In bed towards his wise doth him dispose?
O no! the Bridal Curtains drawn must be,
Where no officious eyes may pierce to see.
Thirds there so bold may never be to pry,
When Man and Wife in their Pavilion lye.
A pregnant saying some time since I learn'd,
Which very much the Nuptial sheets concern'd:
There, whether joy or misery accrue,
Let it be wisely secret kept 'twixt two.
As head, the Man's not bound the lustful will
At all times of his Consort to fulfil.
'Twixt them a difference we are taught to make,
She being onely formed for his sake.
If Similies might rectifie your mind,
A teaching one you in the Mill might find,
31
But as they're whirl'd by winds of greater force:
And this the Wife should to her self improve,
Who from her self should neither stir nor move,
But by her Lord; his temper well discern,
And move as his desires chill grow or burn.
Is he now drown'd in sorrows sable plight?
'Tis then no time to covet lusts delight.
She of his changes should be well aware:
If blithe, rejoyce with him; if sad, forbear.
And though it possibly should so befal,
That in Domestick things no care at all
He would vouchsafe, yet should no marryed wife
For that break Faith, and lead a Harlots life.
Alone it is through ways adulterous found,
The Gordian knot of Wedlock is unbound:
And though the Wife should blameless be, yet she
Ought not a prostitute to others be,
But first should be divorced from his side,
And single so become, so years abide;
Or what I value more, thenceforth abstain
From love, and manless all her days remain.
But you seek not for things that you betide
To be divorc'd, but would 'twixt two divide
Your bodies use, and veil'd in wedlocks shew,
The easier seek to gain for one man two.
This but too well is seen: for who will say
But thus your flesh seeks out of bounds to stray,
And craftily behind a masque doth aim
To play the Harlot, and be freed from shame?
Well then, the cheat is plain, and plain I'le be
To tell you thereto I shall not agree.
I have a Lord above, though sure you are
My Mistriss, therefore such things shall forbear.
32
But though unjust my Cause thou deem'st to be,
Yet let not now this rare Occasion flee
Neglected; since access is by my Lord
To thee vouchsaf'd, what his age can't afford
To do with me. Himself hath brought us hither,
That as by his own conduct we together
In Loves might swim: O shame, if such a day
Without fruition should then slip away!
He on the Court and that ambitious state
Has fixt his Heart, and all his future Fate
There now and ever dwells. I all the day
Am here alone; What then obstructs thy way?
His time's employ'd to journey up and down,
As Envoy unto Realms of great renown
That influence this Court; So that we see
None so belov'd by his dear Prince as he.
And 'tis the Princes Minion which his heart
Covets to be, that by the Vulgar part
He might be worshipped, and Egypts Land
Observance yield unto his sole Command.
O how he thirsts a thousand Knees to see
For his good Favour suppliant to be!
And as he ever dwells at Court, his minde
Thence cannot come, to be at home inclin'd:
Where if he be sometimes, what need we fear,
Since his Mind's absent, whilst his Body's there?
Thus who by Courtly Glory is deceiv'd,
All shews to him as real are believ'd:
And he his home who makes not his delight,
May easily be turn'd out from his Right.
33
View free from dangers, and yet not incline
To use the season? sure 'tis thy belief,
That oft an open door creates a thief;
And yet here's more: amongst our Serving-men
My Lord more fit none deems for Steward than
Wise Joseph; none to him may Rival be:
There's nothing pleaseth, but what comes from thee;
On whom he dotes; nor can he entertain
Hard thoughts of Joseph, or them long retain.
If sporting with his Wife he saw thee lye,
Yet to Civilities he'd all apply.
See then how sweet a bit salutes thy lip
Now to a taste; if yet thou let'st it slip,
Thou merit'st shame. He who what season gives
Will not accept, in after-sorrow lives.
JOSEPH.
Though Time and Place at your design may smile,
Yet no occasion serves men to be vile;
Though opportunities to wish attend,
Yet these no sinful practice may befriend.
Consult your Case with cunning men, that know
The influences of the Stars below;
They never there, I'm sure, observ'd that day
In which men might unlawful lust obey.
O no! conveniency may never make
Unjust things just, which you now undertake.
'Tis true, occasion swiftly hence doth bend,
But this no foul Transgressions doth intend.
Though my Lord's business him oft calls from hence,
This me to duty should the more incense.
34
Expected is when Masters are away.
Let him be who he will, he who will ply
His duty onely in his Masters eye,
I deem a Varlet; for who fears the Lord,
Like pains unseen will as when seen afford.
They who their servants value would discry,
Must eye them when they think no viewer nigh.
Hate, me from Hebron drove, whence by Gods hand
Men me a Slave brought into Egypts Land;
In which state God I know expects. I shew
That faithfulness to whom 'tis now his due.
Despis'd though first I was, voyd of respect,
Me yet, so low, my God would not reject.
This said I to my self, Behold thy call,
Serve Potiphar; but serve thy God withal;
Be sure thou never dost from him depart,
He loves in every state the pure of heart:
Which singleness, what ever from Gods hand
Betides thee, in thy breast ingrav'd let stand.
Though but humanity I would respect,
And for a warrant my mean thoughts direct
To Laws of men, here were enough for me
The foul embracements of your flames to flee.
My Masters house most largely God hath crown'd
As with rich showrs, with blessings that abound;
His numerous bleating flocks encreas'd hath he,
That graze on Hills, and Ships that coast the sea;
His Houshold multiplies, his Land doth bring
All store of fruits, his state grows with the King;
He is at Court belov'd by high and low,
And so at home, where all things prosperous go;
This likewise well he knows: in words compos'd
Of plainest dress he frequently disclos'd,
35
Which too in grateful language he express'd.
And now his private things attend my will,
All's well I do, nor can I do what's ill.
Such constant love to me I find he bears,
As men would yield unto their only Heirs.
Of all things ample power I did obtain,
You only did excepted here remain.
If therefore to the Laws I institute
I make this house comply, this doth but sute
With what's my charge; but none of these extend
Unto your person; there arriv'd, they end.
You an Inclosure hallow'd are to none
But him, and unto him must be alone.
Nothing may be so hardy to frequent
Your borders, and your honour circumvent:
How could I then but prove abhorred, vile,
If thus I should my Masters bed defile;
Thus bring unto so base, so foul a fall
His bosomes Treasure, love, and life, and all?
Surely from Reason then I should decline,
Or from what's humane, common discipline;
So bold if I should be both to despise
My God and Masters favour, in that wise.
Much better I no more drew breath to live,
Than hate for kindness, bad for good to give.
So double guile abhorred is by me,
None (above all deep-trusted) false should be.
What busie rumours should through Egypt ring,
What scandal on our people should I bring,
If in those ways which you have now begun
With you I equally should chuse to run!
Is this the youth (would be the say) the seed
Of Abram, this of them whom God decreed
36
And beyond others to preferment rais'd?
Hence thou and all thy kin; from whom it seems
In vain 'twas not, part of your lustful limbs
Were forc'd, as soon, almost, as men did find
You breath; what pity ought was left behind?
Well, 'tis my Charge of our Domesticks, each
To keep in bounds, subjection due, and teach
By rods the Criminal; so here I stand
Judge and Law-giver by my Lords command.
But shall I, their Supreme, a Judge severe,
By heavy hands for each offence appear?
Shall I on others Laws impose, and yet
My self the foulest practices commit?
Or shall I when the lazy do neglect
Their work, forthwith their negligence correct;
Yet wholly destitute of shame the while,
As like a Goat, my Masters bed defile?
The Chief when he in vicious courses lives,
More than the sin is the offence he gives:
For as to th'sin, that wounds alone his score;
But the offence extends to many more.
O therefore kill these thoughts, which so abuse
Your noble mind such sordid things to chuse.
How should it ever be for Vassals meet,
Their Lords dear Name to trample under feet;
And on by lustful inclinations led,
Uncover and pollute their Masters bed?
37
If Reason cannot move your marble-mind,
Yet let that goodness which in me you find
Towards you, to the like awaken you.
Love may produce what Reason could not do.
As Lime in lasting Pyramids, we find,
Each little stone therein doth firmly bind:
So Friendship is, in Love's uniting chains,
Which hearts together joyns, and join'd maintains.
Unworthy amongst Sons of men to live,
Is he, for love who no return will give;
And thus unworthy you'l your self approve,
If all my kindness you to none may move.
Though here you came an ignominious slave,
Yet as at home, all liberty you have,
And by my means: from Potiphar you see
Large signs of love, but larger far from me.
On our best things to put you 'tis our strife;
He works of honour gives, I of sweet life:
So that no greater evil here you find,
Except to you perchance we are too kind.
He with affairs that takes away at night
Your rest, employs you; I with soft delight.
With ponderous things your care he loads, where I
Bid you but fix on me a courteous eye.
No day doth pass wherein I don't accost
You in some place or other, where I'm lost
In sighs unutterable, looking so
As sad dejected lovers use to do.
If then alone I find you, language sweet,
Which but for Husbands, not for slaves is meet,
38
I calmly take it, nor on pay insist.
Amongst our Nobles are you introduc'd;
That my good will alone for you produc'd.
When in Apparel any dress that's new
Arises, that's procur'd forthwith for you;
Though seemingly to honour Potiphar,
Because his Steward, and with him you are.
But ah how far from that is the design
To which my soul so strongly doth incline?
How I revive, within this Court to view
A youth of Body and of Limbs like you!
As sprightly, lordly, and so courtly clad;
The bare remembrance makes my fancy glad.
Rich presents wheresoere they may be gain'd,
I thenceforth plot how they may be obtain'd
Best for you onely, so that none may be
Dividers with you, but the whole for thee.
If tidings for my Lord for some to tell
Falls out, and know I it may please him well;
I charge you with it: mournful tydings are
For common wretches, not for you to bear.
Bestows my Lord upon our Family
A new-years-gift, or what may th'like imply;
You both at first with them alike do fare,
And after get from me a nobler share.
If of my Gentlewomen 'tis desir'd
One may the errand bear, of you requir'd
'Tis first of all; for nothing's good esteem'd,
Not good or pertinent by Joseph deem'd.
But why thus heap I words? on every side
Thus you through me surcharg'd with love abide:
But where's my lone? how are you grateful seen?
When one hand washes tother, both's made clean.
39
Her for her love with sullen hate requite;
Nay, and resist it too? has he the face
To meet his Ladies suit will foul disgrace?
Lo, Discipline, and common Brotherhood,
Teacheth us love for love to render, good
For good: and should you not that love which I
Have shewn you, yield me back with usury?
Ingrate! so be thou call'd, for favours sake
So num'rous which of me thou didst partake,
Since all no one return again can move:
How are those looks, though lovely, void of love!
My sweetest hopes to this disastrous day,
As with swift winds, I see are snatch'd away.
From thee nor languid sighs, lamenting moans
Once notice move, nor yet my dying groans.
To Court I sent thee, there some time to spend,
By which I so thy breeding did intend:
But that it seems with thee found favour small,
For where it should be shown, there's none at all.
But stay, forgetful I too far advance:
I know this flows not from dull ignorance;
The will's perverse. Cann't Joseph if he would?
O yes, but fancy doth his power withhold.
| Self-Conflict | |