Theophila Or Loves Sacrifice. A Divine Poem. Written by E. B. Esq; Several Parts thereof set to fit Aires by Mr J. Jenkins |
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Theophila | ||
I
O headlesse, heady Age! O giddy Toyes!As humble Cots yield quiet Joyes;
So prouder Palaces are Drums of restlesse Noise.
II
'Twas in the blooming Verdure of the Yeer,When through the Twins Sol's Course did steer,
That a spruce Gallant did, on Summons, strait appear.
III
Glitt'ring in Brav'ry, like the Knight o'th' Sun;Whose Nags in Hide-park Races run
This Ev'n. 'Tis sure Volupto, old Avaros Son.
194
IV
Hot showes the Day, by th' Dust upon his Head,And all his Clothes so loosely spread,
He's so untrust, as if it were not long to Bed:
V
His Hands keep Time to th' Tune of's Feet, his PaceIs danced Measures, and 'tis Grace
Enough, ore's Shoulder to afford a quarter-face.
VI
Act, 'bove French Monkies, Antimasks he mightBefore the Apes (Spectators right)
Such Dops, Shrugs, Puppet-playes shew best by Candle-light.
VII
How mimick hum'rous Garbs in various kindeDo checquer Whimsies in the Minde!
As diff'ring Flow'rs on Peru's Wonder Gardners finde.
VIII
Hast thou black Patches too? for Shame, forbear;Smooth Chins should not have Spots, but Hair:
But thou art modish, and canst vapour, drink, & swear.
IX
How blazing Tapers waste Lifes blink awayIn Socket of their mouldring Clay!
How powder'd Curls do sin-polluted Dust bewray!
X
As Prudence fram'd Art to be Natures Ape;So Pride forms Nature to Arts Shape:
Corrupted Wine is worst that's prest from richest Grape.
XI
Wilt Reasons Sense dissolve in senselesse Wine?And sing, while Youths frail Gem does shine,
Come, Laughter, stretch our Spleen; Come Sack in Crystal Shrine!
195
XII
First, Wine shall set, next shall a wanton DameOur Blood on Fire, then quench our Flame.
But Brute, Repentance shall, or Hell thy wild-fire tame.
XIII
Now, with the Gallon ere thou try'st a Fall,Think o'th' Hand-writing on the Wall:
If Bacchus th' Inturn gets, down Conscience goes & All.
XIV
Shouldst thou but once the swinish Drunkard view,Presented in a Myrrour true,
Quite souc'd in Tavern Juice; in him, thy self thou'dst rue.
XV
A nobler Birth, with an ignoble Breast,Rich Corps without a Minde's a Beast:
He's raz'd from Honours Stem, who, Riot, is thy Guest;
XVI
Thy Guests swoln Dropsies, and dull Surfets are:The Gluttons Teeth their Graves prepare;
They're sick in Health, & living dead, whose Maw's their Care.
XVII
Go, Corm'rants, go, with your luxurious Flock,Rap'd from three Elements; we mock
Your muskie Jellie, Pheasant, candid Apricock.
XVIII
To Arabs, that they send their Phœnix write;In's spice Nest be cookt it might:
Far fetch't, dear bought, best suits the Apician Appetite.
XIX
Go, with thy Stags embalm'd, entombd in Paste;On Tenants Sweat feeds rampant Waste:
We prize 'bove wilde Intemp'rance, a Carthusian Fast.
196
XX
Excesse enhanceth Rates: Thou, on this Score,Grind'st 'twixt thy Teeth the starving Poor,
Who beg dry Crums, which they with Tears would moysten ore.
XXI
Laz'rus, thy Skin's Deaths Sheet, 'twixt that & BoneThere's no Parenthesis! bemone,
Dives, Christs Members now, or thou shalt ever grone.
XXII
Prance, pamper'd Stallions, to the Grave y'are driv'n:Nought satisfies the Soul but Heav'n,
Th'art empty, World, from Morn, through Noon to doting Ev'n.
XXIII
In twice-dy'd Tyrian Purple thou dost nest,Restlesse, with heaving Fumes opprest,
Which cause tumultuous Dreams, Foes to indulgent Rest.
XXIV
From hence the Spark, (what pitty 'tis!) is IllGrown cropsick. Post for Physicks Skill;
Phlebotomize he must, and take the Vomit Pill.
XXV
Doctor, the Cause of this Distemper state us.His Cachexie results from Flatus
Hypocondrunkicus ex Crapulâ creatus.
XXVI
School him, whose Heav'n is Sense, whose Reason dim;Who wasts his Time, as Time wasts him:
Give ore his Soul, Divine; Tayler make's Body trim.
XXVII
Now, sheath'd in rusling Silks, new Suits display;Thy Cloaths outworth Thee: Wisemen say,
Hedg-creeping Glow-worms never mount to starrie Ray.
197
XXVIII
Yet, who's born under Jupiter shall moveI'th Sphear of Honour, Riches, Love;
Say Wizards. Under Jove w' are all born, none above.
XXIX
Still to be pounct, perfum'd, still queintly drest,Still to be guarded to a Feast
By fawning Looks, & squinting hearts—like an Arrest.
XXX
Still to have toting Waits unseel thine Eyes,In Bed, at Board, when sit, when rise:
Such, Card'nal-like, their Paris prize 'bove Paradise.
XXXI
Know, Worldlings, that Prosperitie's a Gin,If wantoniz'd, breeds Storms within:
To Torture turns the Metamorphosis of Sin.
XXXII
Pomp its own Burthen is, Whose slippery StateOft headlong, by too rash Debate,
Tumbles for value of a Straw, pulls on its Fate.
XXXIII
His Heart-blood seeths; that Blood sends up in HeatFierce Spirits; those, i'th' Eye, their Seat,
Fires kindle; fiery Eyes, like Comets, Ruine threat.
XXXIV
Fierce Balaam, hold thy Hand, and smite no AsseBut him i'th' Saddle; he alas
Wounds through her Sides himself: Wrath through the Soul doth pass.
XXXV
Duels for Blood, like Molocks Idol, gape.Thou, turn'd a Swine out of an Ape,
First put'st on Peacocks Pride, at last the Tygers Shape.
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XXXVI
They'r gross, not Great, who serve wild Laws of Blood,Such, only Great, who dare be Good:
Grace buoies up Honor, which, without It, sticks in mud.
XXXVII
Make thorough Search: As hard to finde thy Cure,As Circles puzling Quadrature,
Or, next Way by North-Sea to sail to China sure.
XXXVIII
Lo, idle Sloth in Lap of Sodom plac't.Here lies He—did Occasions wast,
Invaluable now, irreparable past.
XXXIX
Go, wanton with the Winde: misus'd Hours haveA Life, no other then the Grave:
Most, for Lifes circumstance, the Cause of living wave.
XL
The privie Councel of the glorious TRINEDid in creating Man combine;
Angels lookt on, and wondred at the Soul divine!
XLI
Which, Storehouse of three living Natures is,Doth the vast World epitomize,
Of whom, ev'n All we see's but a Periphrasis!
XLII
Now, to what End can we conceive Mans Frame,Save to the Glory of GODS Name,
And his eternal Blisse, included in the Same.
XLIII
Fools, living die; Saints, dying live: Seeds thriveWhen earth't: Who dye to Sin survive;
So, to come richer up, Pearl-fishers deeper dive.
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XLIV
Now's Courtesan appears, who blowes Loves Fire,Her pratling Eyes speak vain Desire;
To catch this art-fair flie the following Trouts aspire.
XLV
The gamesome Flie that round the Candle playes,Is scorcht to Death i'th courted Blaze:
Thus is the Amourist destroy'd by lustful Gaze.
XLVI
This Dame of Pleasure, does, to seem more bright,Lattice her Day with bars of Night;
Spots this fair Sorceress Cloud, more to enforce Delight.
XLVII
This Helen, who does Beautie counterfeit,And on her Face black Patches set
(Like Tickets on the Door) shewes that She may be Let.
XLVIII
She'd Coach Affection on her Cheek: But whyW'ud Cupids Horses climb so high
Over her alpine Nose, t'orethrow it in her Eye?
XLIX
Truths Apes, beware; such Wheels your Earth do wear;Horses with rugged Hoofs will tear;
VVho living's coacht with Pride, shal dying fall wth Fear.
L
(But, noble Ladies, Virgins chast, as fair;Sweet modest Sex, that Virtuous are,
Ye First, my Honour; my Respect, ye Second, share.
LI
Angelick Forms, far be it to perplex,Or cast Aspersion on your Sex:
Loose Art in Those, your native beaming Lustre decks.
200
LII
So, have I seen the Limners Hand designA ruder Peece, neer one Divine,
With this course face, to make That other Beauty shine.)
LIII
Her Eyes spread Nets, her Lips Baits, & her ArmsEnthralling Chains: Sense hugs the Charms
Of Idlenesse and Pride, while Reason's free from Harms.
LIV
Tempestuous Whirlwindes revell in the AirOf her feig'nd Sighs; her Smile's a Snare,
Which she as slighly sets, as subtly does prepare.
LV
Scarce is the Toy at Noon to th' Girdle drest;Nine Pedlars need each Morn be prest
To lanch her forth: A ship as soon is rigg'd to th' West.
LVI
At length Shee's built up with accoutred Grace;The Spark's enflam'd with her set Face,
Her glancing Eye, her lisping Lip, her mincing Pace.
LVII
On those, his optick Faculties do play,Like frisking Motes in sunny Day,
Like gawdy nothings in the Trigon Glasse that ray.
LVIII
On her, profusely now he spends his Ore;Scarce the Triumvir lavisht more
When he did costly treat his stately Memphian Whore.
LIX
Thou, inconsid'rate Flash, spend'st pretious DayesIn Dances, Banquets, Courtisms, Playes,
To gain the Shade of Joy, which, soon as gaind, decayes.
201
LX
Which, barely tasted makes thee long the more;Enjoy'd, 'tis loath'd, was lov'd before:
Thus, nor Mirths Flood, nor ebbe can please, nor Sea, nor Shore.
LXI
His Pulse beats Cupids March, and's itching VeinMust vent loose Lines, whence Souls are slain;
Which, by augmenting Lust, will but augment his Pain.
LXII
Ah, might too forward Sin be checkt by Fear!But, what may cure that Eye, that Ear,
Which, being blinde and deaf, brags best to see & hear!
LXIII
Thy Juno's but a Cloud: She is not SheThy fond Esteem makes Her to be;
Her Basilisks double Eye-sight kills with viewing Thee.
LXIV
She murthers Poysons, thence Complexion's foundTo murther Hearts. O, Joyes unsound
From light-bred Daughters, though they weigh ten thousand pound!
LXV
Tell me not, simpring Lais, that thy RayCan Bloud, turn'd Ice, unfreeze, like May;
Whose spotted Face to Vertue does Soul spots betray.
LXVI
Cerusse, not Lilies there; thy blushing RoseIts Tincture to Vermilion owes:
Curs'd be those civil Wars Loves Royalty oppose.
LXVII
Say not, a noble Love to thee he bears;While's Hand writes Odes, his Eye drops Tears;
That tim'rously he's bold, burns, freezes, dares, and fears.
202
LXVIII
Nor tell me, Nymphadoro, that Loves ThroesFor her, robbe thy Repast, Repose:
Thou peul'st not to repent, but to bebrine thy Woes:
LXIX
Woes, worse then Waitings at the five Mens trade;Worse than, when sick, through Sloughs to wade
In Stormy Night, hard jolted on a dull tir'd Jade.
LXX
Shake off these Remoras would thee undo:The Virtuous loveli'est are. Grace woo;
What Jeweller for Glass will orient Pearl forgo?
LXXI
The Soul, that Beauteousnesse of Grace exquires,And to decline By-paths Desires,
Must inward bend the Rayes of his selected Fires.
LXXII
Unmuffle, ye dim Clouds, and disinheritFrom black usurping Mysts his Spirit;
From Rocks, that split vain Hopes, to Heav'nly Comforts rear it.
LXXIII
B'entrencht ere midnight Larums; undergoeThe Pennance of repentant Snow,
Which, melting down, will quench, & cleanse, as it doth flow.
LXXIV
Repentance Health is, giv'n in bitter Pill;Best Rectifier of the Will;
The Joy of Angels, Love of God, the Hate of Ill.
LXXV
Action's the Life of Counsel; Bathe thy Soul,I'th' Lambs red Laver; in Dust roul,
Before Despair; Hells Serjeant comes, drink Sorrows Boul.
203
LXXVI
Ere th' icie Mantle of a wrinkled SkinCandies the Bristles of thy Chin,
Repent; ere chap-faln Door shall let Deaths Terrors in.
LXXVII
Never too late does true Repentance sue;Yet, late Repentance seldom's true:
Who would not, when they might, may, when they would, It rue.
LXXVIII
For Minutes of impertinent Delight,Loose not, ô, loose not Infinite!
Scorn to be Vassal to base Sin, and hellish Spite.
LXXIX
Why dost out-sin the Devil? He ne're soil'dWith Lust, or Glutt'ny was; ne're foil'd
With Drink, nere in the Net of Slothfulnesse entoyl'd.
LXXX
I may perswade, yet not prevail! Sin-charmsBewitch him, till Wrath cries to Arms:
Sins first Face smiles, her second frowns, her third alarms.
LXXXI
Sinners are fondly blinde when they transgresse;All Woes are, than such Blindenesse, lesse:
That Wretch most wretched is, who sleights his Wretchedness.
LXXXII
Presumption slayes her thousands! too late thenFoe to advise of Danger, when
Vengeance, that dogs their Steps, shal worry them in's Den.
LXXXIII
Gallants, Should Trophies Cæsarize your Power,Should Beauty Helenize your Flower,
Should Mammon Danaize ye with his golden Shower;
204
LXXXIV
Yet, when Revenge shall inward Thunders send,And Sodom-Storms on Souls descend,
Salvation scorn'd, what rests but every tort'ring Fiend!
LXXXV
That GOD refus'd, who you from Depth of noughtTo Being, nay Well-being brought!
Ingrate, for Talents lent, return your selves Sin-fraught.
LXXXVI
Bad Great Ones are Great Bad Ones: Foul DefectIt is, when Pow'r doth Shame protect;
Such, will do what they will, but, what they ought, neglect.
LXXXVII
Virtue by Practise to her Pitch does soar;But they, who such a Course give ore,
Shall sadly wish for Time, when Time shall be no more.
LXXXVIII
Ye, brittle Sheds of Clay, resolve ye mustInto Originary Dust,
When swift-heeld Death oretakes you. Where's then all your Trust?
LXXXIX
Men in their Generations live by turns;Their Light soon to its Socket burns;
Then to converse with Spirits they go, & None returns.
XC
Tomb-pendant Scutcheons, pompous Rags of State,Those gorgeous Bubbles but relate
The thing that was, nere liv'd: 'Tis Goodness gildeth Fate.
XCI
Grace outlasts marble Vaults; That crowns Expense;Brasse is shortliv'd to Innocence:
Times greedy Self shall one Day find its Præter-tense.
205
XCII
When Heav'ns that had their Deluge-dropsie, shallTheir burning Feaver have; When All
Is one Combustion; when Sol seems a black burnt Ball:
XCIII
When Nature's laid asleep in her own Urn;When, what was drown'd at first, shall burn;
Then, Sinners into quenchless Flames, Sins Mulct, shall turn!
XCIV
Nere shall a cooling Julep Such appease,Whom Brimstone Torrents without Ease
Enrage, i'th dungeon of dark flames, and burning Seas!
XCV
In Center of the terrible Abysse,Remotest from supernall Blisse,
That horrid, hideous, gloomy, endlesse Dungeon is!
XCVI
Fools, who hath charm'd you? Sue betimes DivorseFrom your vain World, where power did force
A Rape, there let not Choice make Marriage, which is worse.
XCVII
Man is a World, and more; For this huge MasseShrunk, as a Scroul, away shall passe;
Whil'st His pure Substance is as everlasting Glasse.
XCVIII
The World is like the Basilisks fell eyes;Whose first sight kills; first seen, it dies:
Man, by a brave Disdain, its poys'ning Venom flies.
XCIX
Gay World, who Thee adores, thou great wilt make;Pearl may he quaff, and Pleasures take
Of Sense, but must descend into the Sulph'ry Lake!
206
C
Is Hell the Upshot thou to thine canst lend?Crawl, groveling Trifles, to your End;
Vanish beneath my Scorn. Goe, World, recant, amend.
Theophila | ||