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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XII. | THE SWEETNESSE OF RETIREMENT,
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XIII. |
Theophila | ||
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THE SWEETNESSE OF RETIREMENT,
OR The Happinesse of a Private Life.
CANTO XII. The Segregation.
219
THE ARGUMENT.
True Blisse! Thou know'st but Few, to Few art known;While we shun Many, Thee alone
We court, and All enjoy in Thee, when All are gon.
I
Waste not an other Word on Fools; ForsakeWhat grates the Ear, pure Notions take;
Know, that the smoothest Hones, the sharpest Razors make.
II
Ill suits it with a Russet Life, to writeCourt-Tissue: Swayns, by thresholds Sight,
Observe, as well, as Lords by Clocks of Gold, Times flight.
III
Whose Crystal Shrines, like Oysters, gape each hour,Discov'ring Time by Figures Pow'r:
That is the nobler Watch, foreshowes the threatning Shour.
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IV
While comb'rous Gain does various Cares obtrude,The richer Minde courts Solitude,
And does Guile (subtle to beguile it self) exclude.
V
More than high Greatnesse humble Goodness draws;Elm Rafters, mantled 'Ore with straws,
Out-blesse Escuriall Tour's that seem Heav'ns Cupulas.
VI
Each City-Shop's a Trap; each Toy, a Yoke;What Wise-man willingly would choke
Himself in thicker Clouds of griping Care, than Smoke?
VII
Who would not flie that Broil, whence Blisse is flown;Where, in Times dregs, Religion's grown
From Best, to All (flow Tears of Blood!) from All, to none.
VIII
Lord, guide thy Church, which Interests empair;Who, without Knowledge, factious are,
They little mind the Flock, so they the Fleece may share.
IX
Why climb'd they else the Pulpit, as Lots Brother,With Fire in one Hand, Knife i'th other?
'Twas vip'rous Nero slew his own indulgent Mother.
X
As Peace Heav'ns Blessing; so is War His Rod,Man-hunting Beast, a Scourge from GOD,
Which doth unhinge the World; fierce Grapes in Wraths Press trod.
XI
Let me, in Griefs Prerogative, be boldTo question Such, as dare to hold
That they the Shepherd lov'd, when they forsook the Fold.
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XII
Such Scramblers at the Shearing Feasts, I shun;Forgetting, and forgotten, run
To fraudlesse Swains. I have a Friend compliant won;
XIII
By his Example may my Life be penn'd,May He read, like Himself, his Friend:
Souls in Conjunction should, like Stars, kind Influence send.
XIV
Us Sympathie, the Mindes true Priest, does joyn;'Tis Grace makes Sociall Love, divine;
Tun'd Octaves Uni'sons are, Duos in One combine.
XV
When two enweav'd are in one high Desire,They feel like Angels, mutuall Fire;
Flames Intellectiue liue, materiall Flames expire.
XVI
Vain World, thy Friends are Theeves of Time; Twice theyAre robb'd; for, Times Self steals away,
Leaving a dull December for a sportive May.
XVII
Fools Chat is built on Sand; But blest who hivesDiscourse, that on Heav'ns Sweetnesse lives,
Such, as to raise the Fire to high-born Virtue strives.
XVIII
For Birds of Paradise the proper FareIs purest Vapour of the Aire;
Souls nourisht from the Influ'nce of Gods Spirit are.
XIX
Dew fattens Earth, the Earth yeelds Plants, and thenThe Plants feed Beasts, the Beasts feed Men;
Man on His Word should feed, who gave him Origen.
222
XX
From Publike Roads, to private Joy's our Flight;To view Gods Love, we leave Mans sight;
Rich in the Purchase of a Friend, who gilds Delight.
XXI
Thus go we, like the Heros of old Greece,In Quest of more than Golden Fleece,
Retreating to sweet Shades, our shatter'd Thoughts we peece.
XXII
So, when the Sun, Commander of the Day,Muffles with Clouds his glorious Ray,
He clearer afterwards doth his bright Face display.
XXIII
Kings, too much seen, grow mean. Renown does dawnFrom Cotts, unsightly hang'd, and drawn
With Spider-woven Arras, and their Cobweb-Lawn.
XXIV
Victorious Charles the fift, who had acquir'dFame, Wealth, and what could be desir'd
By greatest Emperours, left All, to live retir'd.
XXV
That Sea-dividing Prince, whose Scepter'd RodWrought Freedom to the Church of God,
Made in the Mount of Horeb fourty Dayes Abode.
XXVI
In Wildernesse the Baptist shin'd more clear,In Lifes Night Starrie Souls appear:
They who Themselves eclips, are to Heav'ns Court more dear.
XXVII
But, now what need we cite Examples more,This by our SAVIOUR heretofore
Was practiz'd, Who, whole Nights retir'd, did GOD implore.
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XXVIII
Examples are best Precepts. Sweet Secesse,The Nurse to inbred Happinesse,
How dost Thou Intellects with fuller Knowledge blesse!
XXIX
Waft us, All-guiding Povv'r, from wild Resort,By Cape of Hope, to Virtues Port,
Where Conscience, that strong Champion, safely guards the Fort.
XXX
Here, Liberty, ev'n from Suspition free,Does terminate our Fears; by Thee
We conquer Lusts: Each Sense wears Reasons Livery.
XXXI
With Thee, like cloyster'd Snails, is better State,Than to be Lions in a Grate:
The World hers, coopt like Bajazet, does captivate.
XXXII
But, here (the Type of ever-smiling Joyes,Without disturbing Fears, or Noise)
We bright-ey'd Faith, with quick-ey'd Art, in Truths Scale poize.
XXXIII
Religious Maries Leisure we aboveEncombred Marthas Cares approve;
Uncloystred, we this Course beyond Courts Splendor love.
XXXIV
Seated in safe Repose (when circling EarthSuffers by Rage of War, and Dearth)
Secure from Plagues and angry Seas, we manage Mirth.
XXXV
The low-built Fortune harbours Peace, when asAmbitious high-rooft Babels passe
Through Storms; Content with Thankfulnesse each Blessing has.
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XXXVI
So fragrant Vi'lets, blushing StrawberiesClose shrouded lurk from lofty Eyes,
The Emblem of sweet Blisse, which low and hidden lies.
XXXVII
No masked Fraud, no Tempest of black Woes,No flaunting Pride, no Rage of Foes,
Bends hitherward, but soon is laid, or over-blows.
XXXVIII
We rule our conquer'd Selves; what need we more?To gadding Sense we shut the Door;
Rich in our Mind alone. Who wants himself, is Poor.
XXXIX
Slaunder is stingless, Envie toothless here;The Russet is well lin'd we wear;
Let Citts make Chains the Ensignes of their Pomp appear.
XL
Faith linkt with Truth, and Love with Quiet too,Ore pleasant Lawns securely goe;
The golden Age, like Jordans Stream, does here reflow.
XLI
For Fields of Combate, Fields of Corn are here,For Trooping-Ranks, Tree-ranks appear;
War steels the heart, but here we melt Heart, Eye, and Ear.
XLII
O, might a sacred Muse Earths Frenzie calm!On That we'd pour such suppling Balm,
As might vain Trophies turn to an unfading Palm.
XLIII
Then should each He, who wears the Face of Man,Discern their Emptinesse, and span
The Vulgars triviall Idols, and their Follies scan.
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XLIV
Though in rough shels our Bodies kerneld are,Our Roof is neat, and sweet our Fare,
Banisht are noysom Vapours to the pent-up Air.
XLV
No subtle Poyson in our Cup we fear,Goblets of Gold such Horrors bear;
No Palace Furies haunt, ô rich Content! thy Chear.
XLVI
How Great are Those who use, like Gold, their Clay;And who like Clay, Gold, Great are they;
To Grandeur, slighted Titles are the ready Way.
XLVII
Courts amplest Shine nor addes, nor takes from MindesThat pierce the World, true Merit bindes
Bright Souls unto It, whil'st a Fog th'ignoble blindes.
XLVIII
Humble, not slav'd; without Discomfort sad;Tim'rous, without despair; and glad,
Without wild Freaks we are. The World's or Fool, or Mad.
XLIX
From Taurus when Sols Influence descends,And Earth with verdant Robe befriends,
And richer Showres, then fell on Danaes Lap, dispends;
L
When early Phosphor lights from Eastern BedThe gray-ey'd Morn, with Blushes red;
When Opal-Colours prank the Orient Tulips Head:
LI
Then walk we forth, where twinkling Spangles shew,Entinseling like Stars the Dew,
Where Buds, like Pearls, and where we Leaves, like Em'ralds, view:
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LII
Birds by Grovets in feather'd Garments singNew Ditties to the non-ag'd Spring;
O, how those tracelesse Minstrels chear up every Thing!
LIII
To hear quaint Nightingales, the Lutes o'th' Wood,And Turtle-Doves, by their Mates woo'd,
And smelling Vio'let sweets, how do These chear the Blood!
LIV
While teeming Earth flow'rd Satten wears, embostVVith Trees, with Bushes shagg'd, with most
Clear Riv'lets edg'd, by rocking Windes each gently tost;
LV
The branching Standarts of the chirping Grove,With rustling Boughs, and Streams that move
In murm'ring Rage, seem Natures Consort, tun'd by Love.
LVI
VVee to their hoarse Laments lend listning Ears;And sympathize with them in Tears,
Sadly remembring British Sions acted Fears!
LVII
Then, our sad Hearts are prickt, whence spring forth Cries;From those, drain'd through the bruis'd Soul, rise
Faith-fumes, by Heav'ns Fire drawn, which drop through melting Eyes!
LVIII
'Cause hungry Swords devour'd Mans Flesh, like Food,And thirsty Spears were drunk with Blood:
Lord, how thy Spouse turns mummy'd Earth! her Gore a Floud!
LIX
Edge-hill with Bones lookt white, with Blood lookt red,Maz'd at the Number of the Dead:
A Theam for Tears in unborn Eyes to be still shed!
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LX
How many bound with Iron, who did scapeThe Steel! and Death commits a Rape
On them in Jayls, who Her defy'd in warlike Shape!
LXI
Cross-biasnesse to Grace our Ruine spinn'd!Harrow'd with VVoes, be Heav'n our Friend!
Sodome 'gainst Nature, We 'gainst Light of Truth have sinn'd!
LXII
This draws Eye-tribute from Compunctions Den;Grace, guard thy prostrate Suppliant then,
VVho am the Chief of Sinners, and the Worst of Men!
LXIII
My Guilt before thy Mercy-Seat I lay,For His sake save me, who gave way
To dye for Sinners! Ah, Sin kills Him every Day!
LXIV
Sin n'ere departs, till humbled in deep Fears,Embalm'd in Pray'rs, and drown'd in Tears,
The fragrant Araby breathes no Perfume like Theirs.
LXV
More fruitfull Those, unwitnessed, appear;Gems are too cheap for every Tear:
Deep Sorrow from It-Self doth its high Comfort rear.
LXVI
Salt Tears, the pious Converts sweetest Sport,To hopefull Joyes the entring Port,
Ye waft blest Mariners to Sions glorious Court.
LXVII
But whether stray'st thou, Grief? Pearld Dew arraiesAs yet the Virgin-Meads, whose Gaies
Unbarb'd, perk up to prank the curled Stream that plaies.
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LXVIII
By rushy-fringed Banks with purling Rill,Meandring underneath the Hill:
Thus, Stream-like, glides our Life to Deaths broad Ocean still.
LXIX
The pleasant Grove triumphs with blooming May,While Melancholy scuds away;
The painted Quire on motly Banks sweet Notes display.
LXX
Earths flow'r-wov'n Damask doth us gently woo,On her embroyder'd Mantle to
Repose, where various Gems, like Constellations, shew.
LXXI
Our selves here steal we from our selues, by QualmsOf Pleasure, rais'd from new-coyn'd Psalms,
When Skies are blew, Earth green, and Meadows flow with Balms.
LXXII
We there, on grassie tufted Tapistries,In guiltlesse Shades, by full-hair'd Trees,
Leaning unpillow'd Heads, view Natures Ants, & Bees.
LXXIII
Justly admiring more those agile Ants,Than Castle-bearing Elephants;
Where Industrie, epitomiz'd, no Vigour wants.
LXXIV
More than at Tusks of Bores we wonder atThis Moths strange Teeth! Legs of this Gnat
Passe large-limm'd Gryphons; Then on Bees we musing sat;
LXXV
How Colonies, Realms Hope, they breed; ProclaimTheir King; how Nectar-Courts they frame;
How they in waxen Cels record their Princes Fame:
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LXXVI
How Kings amidst their Bands in Armour shine;And great Souls in small Breasts confine;
How under strictest Laws they keep up Discipline;
LXXVII
How All agree, while their King lives, in one;But dead, the publike Faith's o'rethrown,
Their State becomes a Spoil, which was so plenteous grown.
LXXVIII
Abstruser Depths! here Aristotles Eye(That Ipse of Philosophie,
Natures Professor) purblinde was, to search so high.
LXXIX
Thinking, which Some deem Idlenesse, to meIt seems Lifes Heav'n on Earth to be;
By Observation GOD is seen in all wee see.
LXXX
Our Books are Heav'n above us, Aire and SeaAround, Earth under; Faith's our Stay,
And Grace our Guide, the Word our Light, & Christ our Way.
LXXXI
Friend, view that Rock, and think from Rocks green WoundHow thirst-expelling Streams did bound:
View Streams, and think how Jordan did become dry Ground.
LXXXII
View Seas, & think how Waves, like Walls of Glass,Stood fixt, while Hebrew Troops did pass;
But clos'd the Pharian Host in one confused Mass.
LXXXIII
These Flow'rs, we see to Day, like Beauty, brave,At Ev'n will be shut up, and have
Next Week their Death, then buried soon in Stalks, their Grave.
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LXXXIV
Beautie's a Flow'r, Fame Puff, high State a Gaze,Pleasure a Dance, and Gold a Blaze,
Greatnesse a Load: These soon are lost in Times short Maze!
LXXXV
As solemn Statesmen sleight meer childish toyl,Framing Card-structures: Angels smile,
And pitty so, when Life strait flits, Mans tearing Broyl.
LXXXVI
Search Empires Dawn, unwinde Times Ball again,Unreel through Ages its snarl'd Skain;
Run back, like Sol on Ahaz Diall; See-All's vain.
LXXXVII
This did I from Theophila descry,(Not her fair-feather'd Speech could fly
To Ground, but my Ears Pitfall caught it instantly;
LXXXVIII
Though her informing Voice be parted hence,Tides of impressive Notions thence
Flow, soft as Shours on Balm, & sweet as Frankincense.)
LXXXIX
The Conqueror who wades in Bloud for Pow'r,Cannot ensure th' ensuing Houre;
Death soon may his Ovations sweetest Nectar sowre.
XC
All's vain. Th' Assyrian Lion, Persian Bear,Greek Leopard, Roman Eagle-where?
Where is fam'd Troy, that did so proudly domineer?
XCI
Troy's gone, yet Simois stayes. O, Fortunes Play!That which was fixt is fled away,
And only what was ever-flitting still does stay!
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XCII
Vast Pyramids uprear'd t'interre the Dead,Themselves, like Men, are sepulchred;
Ambitious Obelisks, Ostents of Pride, Dust wed.
XCIII
Heav'n sees the crumbling Fabrick of Earths Ball,That Dust is Mans Original;
To Him All Nature is as wither'd Leaves that fall:
XCIV
Terrestrials transient are. Kings fight for Clods;Heav'ns Heire is mightier Prince by odds,
Ev'n All is His, and He is Christs, & Christ is Gods.
XCV
Thoughts, dwell on This. Let's be our own Deaths-Head.The glorious Martyr lives, though dead,
Sweet Rose, in his own fadelesse Leaves enveloped:
XCVI
Heav'n was his Watch, whose starrie Circles windeAll Ages up; the Hand that sign'd
Those Figures, guides them; World, thy Clocks are false & blinde.
XCVII
Time in Eternities immense Book isBut as a short Parenthesis;
Mans Life, a point; GODS Day is never-setting Bliss.
XCVIII
Could Man summe up all Times, so, as if thereA Moment not remaning were;
Yet all those close-throng'd Figures seem but Cyphers here.
XCIX
Could Calculators multiply times GlassTo Myriads more of Yeers; alas,
Those Sands, to This Duration, as a Minute passe.
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C
Such mental Buds we from each Object take,And, for Christs Spouse, of Them we make
Spiritual Wreaths, nor do we Her own Words forsake.
CI
Arise, ô, North, and thou, ô, South-winde, blow;Let Scent of Flow'rs, and Spices flow,
That the Beloved may into his Garden goe.
CII
Whose Beauty Flow'rs, whose Height made lofty Trees,Whose Permanence made Time, & These
Pay Tribute by Returns to Him, as Springs to Seas.
CIII
This steals our Soul from her thick Loom, t' aspireTo Canzons, tin'd with Enthean Fire;
Taking high Wing to soar up to the Angel-Quire.
CIV
By such like Speculations would we stieTo th' Sun of Righteousnesse! though I
A Star am lesse than least of all the Galaxie.
CV
The Burden to each Hymn is This. Thy Wayes,Lord, are inscrutable! All Dayes,
All Tongues, are few, are weak, to sound thy endless Praise!
CVI
O, that a Voice more audible, and high'rThan that shrill Trump, when All's on Fire,
Might all Mens Hearts & Tongues with thy Renown inspire!
CVII
Nature, blesse God, His Benefits be sung,While that an Ear can hear a Tongue;
Commerce with Him is th' onely Trade, All else but Dung.
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CVIII
But Dung—the wilde Inhabitant repeatsFrom her inhospitable Seats:
But, now 'tis Noon; prepare we for our costless Meats.
CIX
Lord of all grassie and all glassie Plains!Whose mighty Hand doth wield Fates Reins,
Who dost embase the Hills, emboss the woody Veins.
CX
By Thee, the Pyrate, who by Nile being bredHas Land for Table, Pool for Bed,
Camels, Arabias wandring Ships, by Thee are sed;
CXI
Thou with thy inexpressibly immenseFinger of active Providence,
The Worlds great Harbinger, dost All to Each dispence.
CXII
Strickt Temperance so cooks our Mess, that weWith no Brain-clouds eclipsed be:
The driest Cleernesse makes the brightest Ingenie.
CXIII
The Mount's our Table, Grass our Carpet, WellOur Cellar, Trees our Banquet, Cell
Our Palace, Birds our Musick, and our Plate a Shell.
CXIV
Nature, payes all the Score. Next Fountain hasBath, Drink, and Glass; but our Souls Glasse
Presents Religions Face. Our Meal's as short as Grace.
CXV
See, where the udderd Cattle finde us Food;As, those Sheep Cloth; these Hedg-rowes Wood.
See, now a Present brought us from the Neighborhood:
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CXVI
Ev'n th' Herb that Cramp and Toothach drives away,And bribes Ear-Minstrels not to play;
And from archt Roofs to spungie Bellows Dews dos stay;
CXVII
That makes quick Spirits and agile Fancie rove,And genuine Warmth i'th' Brain do's move,
'Bove Furres or Fires; Whose Pipe's both Ventiduct, & Stove;
CXVIII
That mounts Invention with its active Smoke;Draught of Promethean fir'd-Air took,
Renerves slack Joynts, and ransacks each Phlegmattick Nook.
CXIX
That Lust cloyes which Expectance swells; but, hereAre Dainties, that whet Taste and Ear;
Where all are cheer'd with Joy, and over-joy'd with Cheer.
CXX
But, having traverst more of Ground to Day,Let us; for our Refreshment, stay,
And with next rising Sun, compleat next closing Lay.
Irati sævas Maris evitare Procellas
Quæ potuit, felix est nimìs illa Ratis;
Littoris optati Prospectu Navita gaudet;
Gratulor emensam nec minùs ipse Viam.
Quæ potuit, felix est nimìs illa Ratis;
Littoris optati Prospectu Navita gaudet;
Gratulor emensam nec minùs ipse Viam.
Animi Pabulum Contemplatio.
Theophila | ||