Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
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 | Du Bartas |  |
Happy are You (O You delicious Wits)
That stint your Studies, as your Fury fits:
That in long Labours (full of pleasing pain)
Exhaust not wholly all your learned brain:
That, changing Note, now light and grave canon,
Handle the Theam that first you light vpon:
That, heere in Sonnets, there in Epigrams,
Euaporate your sweet Soule-boyling Flames.
That stint your Studies, as your Fury fits:
That in long Labours (full of pleasing pain)
Exhaust not wholly all your learned brain:
That, changing Note, now light and grave canon,
Handle the Theam that first you light vpon:
That, heere in Sonnets, there in Epigrams,
Euaporate your sweet Soule-boyling Flames.
But my deer Honor, and my sacred Vows,
And Heav'ns decree (made in that Higher-House)
Hold mee fast fetter'd (like a Gally-slaue)
To this hard Task. No other case I haue,
Nought else I dream of; neither (night nor day)
Aim at ought else, or look I other-way:
But (alwayes busie) like a Mil-stone seem
Still turned round with the same rapid stream.
Thence is't that oft (maugre Apollos grace)
I humme so harsh; and in my Works inchase
Lame, crawling Lines, according to the Fire,
Which (more or lesse) the whirling Poles inspire:
And also mingle (Linsie-woolsie-wise)
This gold-ground Tissue with too-mean supplies.
And Heav'ns decree (made in that Higher-House)
Hold mee fast fetter'd (like a Gally-slaue)
To this hard Task. No other case I haue,
Nought else I dream of; neither (night nor day)
Aim at ought else, or look I other-way:
But (alwayes busie) like a Mil-stone seem
Still turned round with the same rapid stream.
442
I humme so harsh; and in my Works inchase
Lame, crawling Lines, according to the Fire,
Which (more or lesse) the whirling Poles inspire:
And also mingle (Linsie-woolsie-wise)
This gold-ground Tissue with too-mean supplies.
You, all the year long, doo not spend your wing:
But during only your delightfull Spring
(Like Nightingales) from bush to bush you play,
From Tune to Tune, from Myrtle spray to spray:
But, I too-bold, and like the Swallow right,
Not finding where to rest me, at one flight
A bound-less ground-less Sea of Times I passe,
With Auster now, anon with Boreas.
But during only your delightfull Spring
(Like Nightingales) from bush to bush you play,
From Tune to Tune, from Myrtle spray to spray:
But, I too-bold, and like the Swallow right,
Not finding where to rest me, at one flight
A bound-less ground-less Sea of Times I passe,
With Auster now, anon with Boreas.
Your quick Career is pleasant, short, and eath;
At each Lands-end you sit you down and breathe
On som green bank; or, to refresh you, finde
Som Rosie-arbour, from the Sun and winde:
But, end-less is my Course: for, now I glyde
On Ice; then (dazled) head-long down I slyde:
Now vp I climbe: then through the Woods I craul,
I stray, I stumble, somtimes down I fall.
And, as base Morter serveth to vnite
Red, white, gray Marble, Iasper, Galactite:
So, to connex my queint Discourse, somtimes
I mix loose, limping, and ill-polisht Rimes.
At each Lands-end you sit you down and breathe
On som green bank; or, to refresh you, finde
Som Rosie-arbour, from the Sun and winde:
But, end-less is my Course: for, now I glyde
On Ice; then (dazled) head-long down I slyde:
Now vp I climbe: then through the Woods I craul,
I stray, I stumble, somtimes down I fall.
And, as base Morter serveth to vnite
Red, white, gray Marble, Iasper, Galactite:
So, to connex my queint Discourse, somtimes
I mix loose, limping, and ill-polisht Rimes.
Yet will I not this Work of mine giue o're.
The Labour's great; my Courage yet is more,
My hart's not yet all voyd of sacred heat:
Ther's nothing Glorious but is hard to get.
Hils were not seen but for the Vales betwixt:
The deep indentings artificiall mixt
Amid Musäiks (for more ornament)
Haue prizes, sizes, and dies different.
And O! God grant, the greatest spot you spie
In all my Frame, may be but as the Fly,
Which on her Ruff (whiter than whitest snowes)
To whiten white, the fairest Virgin sowes:
(Or like the Veluet on her brow: or, like
The dunker Mole on Venus dainty Cheeke:
And, that a few faults may but lustre bring
To my high furies where I sweetest sing.
The Labour's great; my Courage yet is more,
My hart's not yet all voyd of sacred heat:
Ther's nothing Glorious but is hard to get.
Hils were not seen but for the Vales betwixt:
The deep indentings artificiall mixt
Amid Musäiks (for more ornament)
Haue prizes, sizes, and dies different.
And O! God grant, the greatest spot you spie
In all my Frame, may be but as the Fly,
Which on her Ruff (whiter than whitest snowes)
To whiten white, the fairest Virgin sowes:
(Or like the Veluet on her brow: or, like
The dunker Mole on Venus dainty Cheeke:
And, that a few faults may but lustre bring
To my high furies where I sweetest sing.
David waxt old and cold; and's vitall Lamp,
Lacking it's oyl of Natiue moist, grew damp
(But by degrees); when with a dying voice
(But liuely vigor of Discretion choise)
He thus instructs his yong Son Salomon,
And (as Heav'n cals) instals him in his Throne.
Lacking it's oyl of Natiue moist, grew damp
(But by degrees); when with a dying voice
(But liuely vigor of Discretion choise)
He thus instructs his yong Son Salomon,
And (as Heav'n cals) instals him in his Throne.
443
Whom, with-out Force, Vproar, or Ryualing,
Nature, and Law, and Fortune make a King;
Euen He (my Son) must be both Iust and Wise,
If long he look to Rule and Royalize:
But he, whom only, Fortunes Fauour rears
Vnto a Kingdom, by som new-found stairs;
He must appeare more than a man; and cast
By rarest Worth to make his Crown sit fast.
Nature, and Law, and Fortune make a King;
Euen He (my Son) must be both Iust and Wise,
If long he look to Rule and Royalize:
But he, whom only, Fortunes Fauour rears
Vnto a Kingdom, by som new-found stairs;
He must appeare more than a man; and cast
By rarest Worth to make his Crown sit fast.
My Salomon, thou know'st thou art my Yongest:
Thou know'st, besides, out of what Bed thou sprungest:
Thou seest what loue all Izrael bears thy Brother:
To honor Thee, what wrong I doo to other;
Yea euen to Nature and our Natiue Law:
'Tis thy part therefore, in all points to draw
To full Perfection; and with rare effect
Of Noblest Vertues hide thy Births defect.
Thou know'st, besides, out of what Bed thou sprungest:
Thou seest what loue all Izrael bears thy Brother:
To honor Thee, what wrong I doo to other;
Yea euen to Nature and our Natiue Law:
'Tis thy part therefore, in all points to draw
To full Perfection; and with rare effect
Of Noblest Vertues hide thy Births defect.
Thou, Izraels King, serue the great King of All,
And only on his Conducts pedestall
Found thine Affaires: vpon his Sacred Lore
Thine eyes and minde be fixed euermore:
The barking rage of bold Blasphemers hate:
Thy Souerain's Manners (Vice-Roy) imitate.
Nor think, the thicknes of thy Palace Wals,
Thine iron Gates, and high gold-seeled Halls,
Can let his Eye to spie (in euery part)
The darkest Closets of thy Mazie Heart.
And only on his Conducts pedestall
Found thine Affaires: vpon his Sacred Lore
Thine eyes and minde be fixed euermore:
The barking rage of bold Blasphemers hate:
Thy Souerain's Manners (Vice-Roy) imitate.
Nor think, the thicknes of thy Palace Wals,
Thine iron Gates, and high gold-seeled Halls,
Can let his Eye to spie (in euery part)
The darkest Closets of thy Mazie Heart.
If birth or Fate (my Son) had made thee Prince
Of Idumeans or of Philistins,
If Pharaoh's Title had befall'n to thee,
If the Medes Myter bowed at thy knee,
Wert thou a Sophy; yet with Vertues luster
Thou oughtst (at least) thy Greatnes to illuster.
But, to Command the Seed of Abraham,
The Holy Nation to Controule and tame,
To bear a Iosuahs or a Samsons load,
To be Gods Vice-Roy, needs a Demi-God.
Of Idumeans or of Philistins,
If Pharaoh's Title had befall'n to thee,
If the Medes Myter bowed at thy knee,
Wert thou a Sophy; yet with Vertues luster
Thou oughtst (at least) thy Greatnes to illuster.
But, to Command the Seed of Abraham,
The Holy Nation to Controule and tame,
To bear a Iosuahs or a Samsons load,
To be Gods Vice-Roy, needs a Demi-God.
Before old Seruants giue not new the start
(Kings-Art consists in Action more then Art.)
Old Wine excelleth new: Nor (giddily)
Will a good Husband grub a goodly Tree
In his faire Orchards midst, whose fruitfull store
Hath graç't his Table twenty yeers and more;
To plant a Graft, yer e'r he taste the same,
Saue with the teeth of a (perhaps) false Fame.
(Kings-Art consists in Action more then Art.)
Old Wine excelleth new: Nor (giddily)
Will a good Husband grub a goodly Tree
In his faire Orchards midst, whose fruitfull store
Hath graç't his Table twenty yeers and more;
To plant a Graft, yer e'r he taste the same,
Saue with the teeth of a (perhaps) false Fame.
These Parasites are euen the Pearls and Rings
(Pearls, said I? Perils) in the eares of Kings:
For O, what Mischief but their Wiles can work?
Sith euen within vs (to their aid) doth lurk
A smoother Soother, euen our owne Selfs-loue
(A malady that nothing can remoue)
Which, with these strangers, secretly Combin'd
In League offensiue (to the firmest Minde)
Perswades the Coward, he is Wisely-meek:
The drunkard, Stout: the periure, Politick:
The cruell Tyrant, a iust Prince they call;
Sober, the Sot; the Lauish, Liberal:
And, quick nos'd Beagles, senting right his lore
(Trans-form'd into him) euen his Faults adore.
(Pearls, said I? Perils) in the eares of Kings:
For O, what Mischief but their Wiles can work?
Sith euen within vs (to their aid) doth lurk
444
(A malady that nothing can remoue)
Which, with these strangers, secretly Combin'd
In League offensiue (to the firmest Minde)
Perswades the Coward, he is Wisely-meek:
The drunkard, Stout: the periure, Politick:
The cruell Tyrant, a iust Prince they call;
Sober, the Sot; the Lauish, Liberal:
And, quick nos'd Beagles, senting right his lore
(Trans-form'd into him) euen his Faults adore.
Fly then those Monsters: and giue no accesse
To men infamous for their wickednesse:
Endure no Atheist, brook no Sorcerer
Within thy Court, nor Thief, nor Murderer:
Lest the contagion of their banefull breath
Poyson the publike fountain, and to death
Infect Thy manners (more of force then Law)
The spring, whence Subiects good or bad will draw.
To men infamous for their wickednesse:
Endure no Atheist, brook no Sorcerer
Within thy Court, nor Thief, nor Murderer:
Lest the contagion of their banefull breath
Poyson the publike fountain, and to death
Infect Thy manners (more of force then Law)
The spring, whence Subiects good or bad will draw.
Rule thine Affects, thy fury and thy fear:
Hee's no true King, who no self's-sway doth beare:
Not what thou could'st, but what thou shouldst, effect:
And to thy Lawes, first thine owne-self subiect.
For, ay the Subiect will (fear set a-side)
Through thick and thin, hauing his King for guide.
Hee's no true King, who no self's-sway doth beare:
Not what thou could'st, but what thou shouldst, effect:
And to thy Lawes, first thine owne-self subiect.
For, ay the Subiect will (fear set a-side)
Through thick and thin, hauing his King for guide.
Shew thy Self gratious, affable and meek;
And be not (proud) to those gay godlings like,
But once a year from their gilt Boxes tane,
To impetrate the Heav'ns long wisht-for raine.
And be not (proud) to those gay godlings like,
But once a year from their gilt Boxes tane,
To impetrate the Heav'ns long wisht-for raine.
To fail his Word, a King doth ill beseem:
Who breaks his faith, no faith is held with him,
Deceipt's deceiv'd: Iniustice meets vniust:
Disloyall Prince armes subiects with distrust;
And neighbour States will in their Leagues commend
A Lion, rather then a Fox, for Friend.
Who breaks his faith, no faith is held with him,
Deceipt's deceiv'd: Iniustice meets vniust:
Disloyall Prince armes subiects with distrust;
And neighbour States will in their Leagues commend
A Lion, rather then a Fox, for Friend.
Be prodigall of Vertues iust reward:
Of punishments be sparing (with regard).
Arm thou thy brest with rarest Fortitude;
Things Eminent are euer most pursu'd:
On highest Places, most disgraces threat:
The roughest windes on widest gates do beat.
Of punishments be sparing (with regard).
Arm thou thy brest with rarest Fortitude;
Things Eminent are euer most pursu'd:
On highest Places, most disgraces threat:
The roughest windes on widest gates do beat.
Toil not the World with Wars ambitious spite:
But if thine Honour must maintain thy Right,
Then shew thee David's Son; and wisely-bold
Follow 't as hot, as thou beginst it cold:
Watch, Work, Deuise, and with vn-weary limb,
Wade thorough Foords, and ouer Chanels swim.
But if thine Honour must maintain thy Right,
Then shew thee David's Son; and wisely-bold
Follow 't as hot, as thou beginst it cold:
Watch, Work, Deuise, and with vn-weary limb,
Wade thorough Foords, and ouer Chanels swim.
Let tufted Planes for pleasant shades suffice,
In heat; in Cold, thy Fire be exercise:
A Targe thy Table, and a Turf thy Bed:
Let not thy Mouth be ouer-dainty fed:
Let labour be thy sauce, thy Caske thy Cup;
Whence for thy Nectar som ditch-water sup:
Let Drums, and Trumpets, and shril Fifes and Flutes
Serue thee for Citterns, Virginals and Lutes:
Trot vp a Hill; Run a whole Field for Race;
Leap a large Dike; Tosse a long Pike, a space:
Perfume thy head with dust and sweat: appear
Captain and Souldier. Souldiers are on fire,
Having their King (before them Marching forth)
Follow in fortune, witness of their Worth.
In heat; in Cold, thy Fire be exercise:
445
Let not thy Mouth be ouer-dainty fed:
Let labour be thy sauce, thy Caske thy Cup;
Whence for thy Nectar som ditch-water sup:
Let Drums, and Trumpets, and shril Fifes and Flutes
Serue thee for Citterns, Virginals and Lutes:
Trot vp a Hill; Run a whole Field for Race;
Leap a large Dike; Tosse a long Pike, a space:
Perfume thy head with dust and sweat: appear
Captain and Souldier. Souldiers are on fire,
Having their King (before them Marching forth)
Follow in fortune, witness of their Worth.
I should inflame thy heart with learnings loue;
Saue that I knowe what diuine habits mooue
Thy profound Spirit: only, let th'ornament
Of Letters wait on th'Art of Regiment:
And take good heed, lest as excesse of humor
In Plants, becomes their Flowring Lifes consumer;
So too-much Study, and delight in Arts,
Quench the quick vigour of thy Spirituall parts,
Make thee too-pensiue, over-dull thy Senses,
And draw thy Minde from Publike cares of Princes.
With a swift-winged soule, the Course survay
Of Nights dim Taper and the Torch of Day:
Sound round the Cels of th'Ocean dradly-deep:
Measure the Mountains snowie tops and steep:
Ferret all Corners of this neather Ball;
But to admire the Makers Art in all,
His Power and Prudence: and, resemble not
Som simple Courtier, or the silly Sot
That in the base-Court all his time hath spent,
In gazing on the goodly Battlement,
The chamfred Pillers, Plinths, and antique Bosses,
Medals, Ascents, Statues, and strange Colosses;
Amaz'd and musing vpon every piece
Of th'vniforme, fair stately Frontispice;
Too-too-self-rapt (through too-self-humoring)
Losing himselfe, while others finde the King.
Saue that I knowe what diuine habits mooue
Thy profound Spirit: only, let th'ornament
Of Letters wait on th'Art of Regiment:
And take good heed, lest as excesse of humor
In Plants, becomes their Flowring Lifes consumer;
So too-much Study, and delight in Arts,
Quench the quick vigour of thy Spirituall parts,
Make thee too-pensiue, over-dull thy Senses,
And draw thy Minde from Publike cares of Princes.
With a swift-winged soule, the Course survay
Of Nights dim Taper and the Torch of Day:
Sound round the Cels of th'Ocean dradly-deep:
Measure the Mountains snowie tops and steep:
Ferret all Corners of this neather Ball;
But to admire the Makers Art in all,
His Power and Prudence: and, resemble not
Som simple Courtier, or the silly Sot
That in the base-Court all his time hath spent,
In gazing on the goodly Battlement,
The chamfred Pillers, Plinths, and antique Bosses,
Medals, Ascents, Statues, and strange Colosses;
Amaz'd and musing vpon every piece
Of th'vniforme, fair stately Frontispice;
Too-too-self-rapt (through too-self-humoring)
Losing himselfe, while others finde the King.
Holde-even the balance, with clean hands, clos'd eyes:
Revenge seuerely Publike Iniuries;
Remit thine Owne. Heare the Cries, see the Tears
Of all distressed poor Petitioners.
Sit (oft) thy selfe in Open Audience:
Who would not be a Iudge, should be no Prince.
For, Iustice Scepter and the Martiall Sword
Ought never seuer, by the Sacred Word.
Spare not the Great; neither despise the Small:
Let not thy Lawes be like the Spiders Caul,
Where little Flyes are caught and kild; but great
Passe at their pleasure, and pull-down the Net.
Revenge seuerely Publike Iniuries;
Remit thine Owne. Heare the Cries, see the Tears
Of all distressed poor Petitioners.
Sit (oft) thy selfe in Open Audience:
Who would not be a Iudge, should be no Prince.
For, Iustice Scepter and the Martiall Sword
Ought never seuer, by the Sacred Word.
Spare not the Great; neither despise the Small:
Let not thy Lawes be like the Spiders Caul,
446
Passe at their pleasure, and pull-down the Net.
Away with Shepheards that their Flocks deface:
Chuse Magistrates that may adorn their Place;
Such as feare God, such as will Iudge vprightly:
Men by the seruants iudge the Master lightly.
Giue to the vertuous; but thy Crown-demain
Diminish not: giue still to giue again:
For there too-deep to dip, is Prodigalitie;
And to dry-vp the Springs of Liberalitie.
Chuse Magistrates that may adorn their Place;
Such as feare God, such as will Iudge vprightly:
Men by the seruants iudge the Master lightly.
Giue to the vertuous; but thy Crown-demain
Diminish not: giue still to giue again:
For there too-deep to dip, is Prodigalitie;
And to dry-vp the Springs of Liberalitie.
But aboue all (for Gods sake) Son, beware,
Be not intrapt in Womens wylie snare.
I feare, alas (good Lord, supreamly sage,
Avert from Mine th'effect of this Præsage)
Alas! I feare that this sweet Poyson will
My House here-after with all Idols fill.
But, if that neither Vertue's sacred loue,
Nor fear of Shame thy wanton Minde can moue
To watch in Arms against the Charms of Those;
At least, be warned by thy Fathers Woes.
Be not intrapt in Womens wylie snare.
I feare, alas (good Lord, supreamly sage,
Avert from Mine th'effect of this Præsage)
Alas! I feare that this sweet Poyson will
My House here-after with all Idols fill.
But, if that neither Vertue's sacred loue,
Nor fear of Shame thy wanton Minde can moue
To watch in Arms against the Charms of Those;
At least, be warned by thy Fathers Woes.
Fare-well my Son: th'Almightie cals me hence:
I passe, by Death, to Lifes most excellence:
And, to go Raign in Heav'n (from World-cares free)
The Crown of Israel I resigne to thee.
I passe, by Death, to Lifes most excellence:
And, to go Raign in Heav'n (from World-cares free)
The Crown of Israel I resigne to thee.
O thou that often (for a Princes Sin)
Transport'st the Scepter, even from Kin to Kin,
From Land to Land; Let it remaine with Mine:
And, of my Sons Sons (in successiue Ligne)
Let that All-Powerfull deer-drad Prince descend,
Whose glorious Kingdom never shall haue end;
Whose iron Rod shall Satans Rule vn-doo:
Whom Iacob trusts in; Whom I thirst for too.
Transport'st the Scepter, even from Kin to Kin,
From Land to Land; Let it remaine with Mine:
And, of my Sons Sons (in successiue Ligne)
Let that All-Powerfull deer-drad Prince descend,
Whose glorious Kingdom never shall haue end;
Whose iron Rod shall Satans Rule vn-doo:
Whom Iacob trusts in; Whom I thirst for too.
DAVID deceast: His Son (him tracking right)
With heart and voyce worships the God of Might;
Enters his Kingdom by the Gate of Pietie;
Makes Hymns and Psalms in Laud of the true Deitie;
Offers in Gabeon; where, in Spirit he sees
(While his Sense sleeps) the God of Maiesties,
The Lord of Hoasts; who, Crownd with radiant flames,
Offers him choice of these foure louely Dames.
With heart and voyce worships the God of Might;
Enters his Kingdom by the Gate of Pietie;
Makes Hymns and Psalms in Laud of the true Deitie;
Offers in Gabeon; where, in Spirit he sees
(While his Sense sleeps) the God of Maiesties,
The Lord of Hoasts; who, Crownd with radiant flames,
Offers him choice of these foure louely Dames.
First, Glory, shaking in her hand a Pike
(Not Maid-like Marching, but braue Souldier-like)
Among the Stars her stately head she beares,
A silver Trumpet shril a-slope she weares,
Whose Winde is Praise, and whose Stentorian sound
Doth far and wide o'r all the world redound.
Her wide-side Robes of Tissue passing price,
All Story-wrought with bloody Victories,
Triumphs and Tropheis, Arches, Crowns and Rings;
And, at her feet, there sigh a thousand Kings.
(Not Maid-like Marching, but braue Souldier-like)
Among the Stars her stately head she beares,
A silver Trumpet shril a-slope she weares,
Whose Winde is Praise, and whose Stentorian sound
Doth far and wide o'r all the world redound.
Her wide-side Robes of Tissue passing price,
All Story-wrought with bloody Victories,
447
And, at her feet, there sigh a thousand Kings.
Not far from her, coms Wealth, all rich-bedight
In Rhea's, Thetis, Pluto's Treasures bright:
The glittering stuff which doth about her fold
Is rough with Rubies, stiff with beaten Gold.
With either hand from hollow steanes she powrs
Pactolian surges and Argolian showrs.
Fortune, and Thrift, and Wakefulnes and Care,
And Diligence, her daily Servants are.
In Rhea's, Thetis, Pluto's Treasures bright:
The glittering stuff which doth about her fold
Is rough with Rubies, stiff with beaten Gold.
With either hand from hollow steanes she powrs
Pactolian surges and Argolian showrs.
Fortune, and Thrift, and Wakefulnes and Care,
And Diligence, her daily Servants are.
Then cheerfull Health: whose brow no wrinkle bears,
Whose cheek no palenesse, in whose eye no tears;
But like a childe, she's pleasant, quick, and plump,
Shee seems to fly, to skip to daunce, and iump:
And Life's bright Brand in her white hand doth shine:
Th'Arabian birds rare plumage (platted fine)
Serues her for Sur-coat: and her seemly train,
Mirth, Exercise and Temperance sustain.
Whose cheek no palenesse, in whose eye no tears;
But like a childe, she's pleasant, quick, and plump,
Shee seems to fly, to skip to daunce, and iump:
And Life's bright Brand in her white hand doth shine:
Th'Arabian birds rare plumage (platted fine)
Serues her for Sur-coat: and her seemly train,
Mirth, Exercise and Temperance sustain.
Last, Wisdome coms, with sober countenance:
To th'ever-Bowrs her oft a-loft t'advance,
The light Mamuques wing-less wings she has:
Her gesture cool, as comly-graue her pase:
Where e'r she go, she never goes with-out
Compasse and Rule, Measure and waights about:
And by her side (at a rich Belt of hers)
The Glasse of Nature and her-Selfe she wears.
To th'ever-Bowrs her oft a-loft t'advance,
The light Mamuques wing-less wings she has:
Her gesture cool, as comly-graue her pase:
Where e'r she go, she never goes with-out
Compasse and Rule, Measure and waights about:
And by her side (at a rich Belt of hers)
The Glasse of Nature and her-Selfe she wears.
Having beheld their Bewties bright, the Prince
Seems rapt all-ready even to Heaven from hence;
Sees a whole Eden round about him shine:
And, 'mid so many Benefits Diuine,
Doubts which to chuse. At length he thus begun:
O Lord (saith he, what hath thy Servant don,
That so great blessings I should take or touch,
Or thou shouldst daign to honour me so much?
Thou doost prevent my Merit; or (deer Father)
Delight'st to Conquer even my Malice rather.
Seems rapt all-ready even to Heaven from hence;
Sees a whole Eden round about him shine:
And, 'mid so many Benefits Diuine,
Doubts which to chuse. At length he thus begun:
O Lord (saith he, what hath thy Servant don,
That so great blessings I should take or touch,
Or thou shouldst daign to honour me so much?
Thou doost prevent my Merit; or (deer Father)
Delight'st to Conquer even my Malice rather.
Fair Victorie's a noble Gift: and nought
Is more desired, or is sweeter thought,
Than even to quench our Furie's thirst with blood,
In iust Revenge on those that wrong our Good:
But oft (alas) foul Insolence comes after;
And, the long Custom of inhumane Slaughter,
Transformes in time the myldest Conquerors
To Tigers, Panthers, Lions, Bears, and Boars.
Is more desired, or is sweeter thought,
Than even to quench our Furie's thirst with blood,
In iust Revenge on those that wrong our Good:
But oft (alas) foul Insolence comes after;
And, the long Custom of inhumane Slaughter,
Transformes in time the myldest Conquerors
To Tigers, Panthers, Lions, Bears, and Boars.
Happy seems He, whose count-less Heards for Pasture
Dis-roab (alone) mount Carmels moatly Vesture:
For whom alone a whole rich Countrey, torn
With timely Tools, brings forth both Wine and Corn:
That hath soft Sereans yellow Spoyls, the Gems
And precious stones of the Arabian streams,
The Mines of Ophir, th'Entidorian Fruits,
The Saban Odours, and the Tyrian Sutes.
But yet we see, where Plenty chiefly swayes,
There Pride increases, Industry decayes:
Rich-men adore their Gold: whoso aspires
To lift lo Heav'n his sight and Soules Desires,
He must be Poor (at least-wise like the Poor)
Riches and Fear are fellows ever-more.
Dis-roab (alone) mount Carmels moatly Vesture:
For whom alone a whole rich Countrey, torn
With timely Tools, brings forth both Wine and Corn:
448
And precious stones of the Arabian streams,
The Mines of Ophir, th'Entidorian Fruits,
The Saban Odours, and the Tyrian Sutes.
But yet we see, where Plenty chiefly swayes,
There Pride increases, Industry decayes:
Rich-men adore their Gold: whoso aspires
To lift lo Heav'n his sight and Soules Desires,
He must be Poor (at least-wise like the Poor)
Riches and Fear are fellows ever-more.
I would liue long, and I would gladly see
My Nephews Nephews, and their Progenie:
But the long Cares I fear, and Cumbers rife,
Which commonly accompany Long-Life.
Who well liues, long liues: for this Age of ours
Should not be numbred by years, dayes and howrs:
But by our brave Exployts: and this Mortality
Is not a moment, to that Immortality.
My Nephews Nephews, and their Progenie:
But the long Cares I fear, and Cumbers rife,
Which commonly accompany Long-Life.
Who well liues, long liues: for this Age of ours
Should not be numbred by years, dayes and howrs:
But by our brave Exployts: and this Mortality
Is not a moment, to that Immortality.
But, in respect of Lady Wisdomes grace
(Even at their best) the rest are all but base.
Honour is but a puffe; Life but a vapour;
Wealth but a wish; Health but a sconce of paper:
A glistring Scepter but a Maple twig;
Gold, Drosse; Pearls, Dust, how-ever bright and big.
Shee's Gods owne Mirror, shee's a Light, whose glance
Springs from the Lightning of his Countenance:
Shee's mildest Heav'ns most sacred influence:
Never decays her Beauties excellence;
Aye like her-Self: and shee doth alwaies trace
Not only the same path, but the same pase.
Without her, Honour, Health, and Wealth would proue
Three Poysons to me. Wisdom (from aboue)
Is th'only Moderatrix, spring, and guide,
Organ and honour of all Gifts beside.
(Even at their best) the rest are all but base.
Honour is but a puffe; Life but a vapour;
Wealth but a wish; Health but a sconce of paper:
A glistring Scepter but a Maple twig;
Gold, Drosse; Pearls, Dust, how-ever bright and big.
Shee's Gods owne Mirror, shee's a Light, whose glance
Springs from the Lightning of his Countenance:
Shee's mildest Heav'ns most sacred influence:
Never decays her Beauties excellence;
Aye like her-Self: and shee doth alwaies trace
Not only the same path, but the same pase.
Without her, Honour, Health, and Wealth would proue
Three Poysons to me. Wisdom (from aboue)
Is th'only Moderatrix, spring, and guide,
Organ and honour of all Gifts beside.
Her, her I like, her only (Lord I craue,
Her Company for-ever let me haue:
Let me for-ever from her sacred lip,
Th'Ambrosiall Nard, and rosiall Nectar sip:
In every Cause, let me consult with her:
And, when I Iudge, be shee my Counsailer.
Let, with her staffe, my yet-Youth govern well
In Pastures fair the Flock of Izrael,
A compt-less Flock, a Flock so great (indeed)
As of a Shepheard sent from Heav'n had need.
Lord, giue her mee: alas! I pine, I die;
Or if I liue, I liue her Flame-bred-Flie:
And (new Farfalla) in her radiant shine,
Too-bold, I burn these tender wings of mine.
Her Company for-ever let me haue:
Let me for-ever from her sacred lip,
Th'Ambrosiall Nard, and rosiall Nectar sip:
In every Cause, let me consult with her:
And, when I Iudge, be shee my Counsailer.
Let, with her staffe, my yet-Youth govern well
In Pastures fair the Flock of Izrael,
A compt-less Flock, a Flock so great (indeed)
As of a Shepheard sent from Heav'n had need.
Lord, giue her mee: alas! I pine, I die;
Or if I liue, I liue her Flame-bred-Flie:
And (new Farfalla) in her radiant shine,
Too-bold, I burn these tender wings of mine.
449
Hold, take her to thee, said the Lord: and sith
No Beauty else thy soule enamoreth;
For ready hand-maids to attend vpon her,
I'l giue thee also Health, and Wealth, and Honor;
(For 't is not meer, so High-descended Queen,
So great a Lady, should alone be seen)
The rather, that my Bounty may invite
Thee, serving Her, to serue Me day and night.
No Beauty else thy soule enamoreth;
For ready hand-maids to attend vpon her,
I'l giue thee also Health, and Wealth, and Honor;
(For 't is not meer, so High-descended Queen,
So great a Lady, should alone be seen)
The rather, that my Bounty may invite
Thee, serving Her, to serue Me day and night.
King Salomon, awaked, plainely knew
That this divine strange Vision never grew
From the sweet Temper of his sound Complexion;
But that it was som Peece of more Perfection,
Some sacred Picture admirably draw'n
With Heav'nly pencill, by an Angels hand.
For (happy) He had (without Art) the Arts,
And Learning (without learning) in all parts:
A more then humane Knowledge beautifies
His princely actions: vp to Heav'n he flies,
He dyues to Hell, hee sounds the Deep, he enters
To th'inmost Cels of the Worlds lowest Centers.
That this divine strange Vision never grew
From the sweet Temper of his sound Complexion;
But that it was som Peece of more Perfection,
Some sacred Picture admirably draw'n
With Heav'nly pencill, by an Angels hand.
For (happy) He had (without Art) the Arts,
And Learning (without learning) in all parts:
A more then humane Knowledge beautifies
His princely actions: vp to Heav'n he flies,
He dyues to Hell, hee sounds the Deep, he enters
To th'inmost Cels of the Worlds lowest Centers.
The secret Riddles of the sacred Writ
Are plain to him: and his deep-pearcing Wit,
Vpon few Words of the Heav'n-prompted stile,
In a few Dayes, large Volumes can compile.
He (learned) sees the Sun's Eclipse, sans terror:
He knowes the Planets never erring Error;
And, whether Nature, or some Angel moue
Their Sphears, at once with triple Dance aboue:
Whether the Sun self-shine; his Sister, not:
Whether, Spring, Winter, Autumn, Summer hot,
Be the Suns Sons: what kinde of mounting vapor
Kindles the Comet, and the long-taild Taper:
What boystrous Lungs the roaring Whirlers blow'n:
What burning Wings the Lightning rides vpon:
What Curb the Ocean in his bounds doth keep:
What power Night's Princesse powrs vpon the Deep:
Whether the Heav'ns sweet-sweating Kisse appear
To be Pearls parent, and the Oyster's Pheer;
And whether, dusk, it makes them dim withall;
Cleer, breeds the cleer; and stormy brings the pale.
Whether, from Sea the Amber-greece be sent;
Or be som Fishes pleasant excrement.
He knowes, why th'Earth's immoueable and round,
The lees of Nature, Center of the Mound:
He knowes her measure. And he knowes beside,
How Coloquintida (duely apply'd)
With-in the darkness of the Conduit-Pipes,
Amid the winding of our in-ward Tripes,
Can so discreetly the White humour take;
Rheubarb, the Yellow; Hellebore, the Black:
And, whether That in our weak Bulks be wrought,
By drawing 't to them; or by driving 't out.
In brief, from th'Hysop to the Cedar-Tree,
He knowes the Vertues of all Plants that be.
He knowes the Reason why the Woolfs fell tooth
Giues a Horse swiftness; and his footing, floth:
Why the Sex-changing, fierce Hyena's eye
Puts curstest Curs to silence suddenly:
Why th'irefull Elephant becommeth tame
At the approaching of the fleecy Lamb:
Why th'eye-bold Eagle never fears the flash
Or force of Lightning, nor the Thunder-clash:
Why the wilde Fen-Goose (which keeps warm her egs
With her broad feet vnder her heatfull legs,
And, tongue-less, cries) as wing-lym'd, cannot flie,
Except she (glad) Seas brynie glasse descrie.
He knoweth also, whether that our stone
Be caked Earth, or Exhalation:
Whether the Metalls (that we daily see)
Be made of Sulphur and of Mercurie;
Or, of som Liquour by long Cold condenst,
And by the Heat well purified and cleans'd;
Or, of a certain sharp and cindrous humor;
Or whether He that made the Waving Tumor;
The motly Earth; and th'Heav'nly Sphears refin'd,
All-mighty, made them such as now we finde.
He comprehends from whence it is proceeding,
That spotted Iasper-stones can staunch our bleeding:
Saphires, cure eyes, the Topaz to resist
The rage of Lust; of drinke the Amethist:
And also, why the clearest Diamant
(Iealous) impugns the thefts of th'Adamant.
Are plain to him: and his deep-pearcing Wit,
Vpon few Words of the Heav'n-prompted stile,
In a few Dayes, large Volumes can compile.
He (learned) sees the Sun's Eclipse, sans terror:
He knowes the Planets never erring Error;
And, whether Nature, or some Angel moue
Their Sphears, at once with triple Dance aboue:
Whether the Sun self-shine; his Sister, not:
Whether, Spring, Winter, Autumn, Summer hot,
Be the Suns Sons: what kinde of mounting vapor
Kindles the Comet, and the long-taild Taper:
What boystrous Lungs the roaring Whirlers blow'n:
What burning Wings the Lightning rides vpon:
What Curb the Ocean in his bounds doth keep:
What power Night's Princesse powrs vpon the Deep:
Whether the Heav'ns sweet-sweating Kisse appear
To be Pearls parent, and the Oyster's Pheer;
And whether, dusk, it makes them dim withall;
Cleer, breeds the cleer; and stormy brings the pale.
Whether, from Sea the Amber-greece be sent;
Or be som Fishes pleasant excrement.
He knowes, why th'Earth's immoueable and round,
The lees of Nature, Center of the Mound:
He knowes her measure. And he knowes beside,
How Coloquintida (duely apply'd)
With-in the darkness of the Conduit-Pipes,
Amid the winding of our in-ward Tripes,
450
Rheubarb, the Yellow; Hellebore, the Black:
And, whether That in our weak Bulks be wrought,
By drawing 't to them; or by driving 't out.
In brief, from th'Hysop to the Cedar-Tree,
He knowes the Vertues of all Plants that be.
He knowes the Reason why the Woolfs fell tooth
Giues a Horse swiftness; and his footing, floth:
Why the Sex-changing, fierce Hyena's eye
Puts curstest Curs to silence suddenly:
Why th'irefull Elephant becommeth tame
At the approaching of the fleecy Lamb:
Why th'eye-bold Eagle never fears the flash
Or force of Lightning, nor the Thunder-clash:
Why the wilde Fen-Goose (which keeps warm her egs
With her broad feet vnder her heatfull legs,
And, tongue-less, cries) as wing-lym'd, cannot flie,
Except she (glad) Seas brynie glasse descrie.
He knoweth also, whether that our stone
Be caked Earth, or Exhalation:
Whether the Metalls (that we daily see)
Be made of Sulphur and of Mercurie;
Or, of som Liquour by long Cold condenst,
And by the Heat well purified and cleans'd;
Or, of a certain sharp and cindrous humor;
Or whether He that made the Waving Tumor;
The motly Earth; and th'Heav'nly Sphears refin'd,
All-mighty, made them such as now we finde.
He comprehends from whence it is proceeding,
That spotted Iasper-stones can staunch our bleeding:
Saphires, cure eyes, the Topaz to resist
The rage of Lust; of drinke the Amethist:
And also, why the clearest Diamant
(Iealous) impugns the thefts of th'Adamant.
Tunes, Measures, Numbers, and Proportions
Of Bodies with their Shadows, als' he kons;
And (fild with Nectar-Deaws, which Heau'n drips)
The Bees haue made Hony within his lips.
But he imbraceth much more earnestly
The gain-full Practice, than cold Theory:
Nor reaks he so of a Sophistick pride
Of prattling Knowledge (too-self-magnifi'd)
As of that goodly Art to govern well
The sacred Helms of Church and Common-weal,
And happily to entertain in either,
A harmony of Great and Small together.
Especially Hee's a good Iusticer,
And to the Lawes dooth Life and strength confer.
And, as the highest of Bigaurian Hils
Ay bears his head vp-right, and never yeelds
To either side, scorns Winde and Rain and Snowe,
Abides all weathers, with a cheerfull brow;
Laughs at a Storme, and brauely tramples vnder
His steddy Knees, the prowd, lowd, rowling Thunder:
So hee's a Iudge inflexibly-vpright.
No Loue, nor Hatred, of the Guilty wight
(What e'r he wear for Calling, small or great)
His Venging blade can either blunt or whet;
He spurneth Fauours, and he scorneth Fears,
And vnder foot he treadeth private Tears:
Gold's radiant Lustre never blears his Eye:
Nor is he led through Ignorance a-wry.
His voyce is held an Oracle of all:
The soule of Lawes hee wisely can exhale:
In doubtfull Cases he can subtilize,
And wyliest pleaders hearts anatomize.
Scarce fifteen times had Ceres (since his Birth)
With her gilt Tresses glorifi'd the Earth;
When he decides, by happy Wisdoms means,
The famous quarrell of two crafty Queans.
Of Bodies with their Shadows, als' he kons;
And (fild with Nectar-Deaws, which Heau'n drips)
The Bees haue made Hony within his lips.
But he imbraceth much more earnestly
The gain-full Practice, than cold Theory:
Nor reaks he so of a Sophistick pride
Of prattling Knowledge (too-self-magnifi'd)
As of that goodly Art to govern well
The sacred Helms of Church and Common-weal,
And happily to entertain in either,
A harmony of Great and Small together.
Especially Hee's a good Iusticer,
And to the Lawes dooth Life and strength confer.
451
Ay bears his head vp-right, and never yeelds
To either side, scorns Winde and Rain and Snowe,
Abides all weathers, with a cheerfull brow;
Laughs at a Storme, and brauely tramples vnder
His steddy Knees, the prowd, lowd, rowling Thunder:
So hee's a Iudge inflexibly-vpright.
No Loue, nor Hatred, of the Guilty wight
(What e'r he wear for Calling, small or great)
His Venging blade can either blunt or whet;
He spurneth Fauours, and he scorneth Fears,
And vnder foot he treadeth private Tears:
Gold's radiant Lustre never blears his Eye:
Nor is he led through Ignorance a-wry.
His voyce is held an Oracle of all:
The soule of Lawes hee wisely can exhale:
In doubtfull Cases he can subtilize,
And wyliest pleaders hearts anatomize.
Scarce fifteen times had Ceres (since his Birth)
With her gilt Tresses glorifi'd the Earth;
When he decides, by happy Wisdoms means,
The famous quarrell of two crafty Queans.
Is't possible, O Earth (thus cries the first)
But that (alas) thou should'st for anger burst,
And swallow quick this execrable Quean!
Is't possible (O gracious Soverain)
That comming new from dooing such a deed
So horrible, she shame-less dares proceed
T'approch thy sight, thy sacred Throne t'abuse,
Not begging pardon, but even bent t'accuse?
Last night, with surfet and with sleep sur-cloyd,
This care-less step-dam her owne Childe o'r-layd:
And softly then (finding it cold and dead)
Layes it by me, and takes mine in the stead.
Heer, old, bold strumpet, take thy bastard brat,
Hence with thy Carion, and restore me that,
Restore me mine, my louely living Boy,
My hope, my hap, my Loue, my Life, my Ioy.
O cruell Chance! O sacrilegious!
Shall thy foul lips my little Angel busse?
At thy fond prattling, shall hee pret'ly smile?
And tug, and touze thy greasie locks the-while?
And all his Child-hood fill thy soule with glee?
And, grow'n a man, sustaine thine age and thee?
While wretched I haue only, for my share,
His Births hard Travail, and my burthen's Care,
His rest-less rocking, wyping, washing, wringing;
And to appease his way ward Cries with singing?
O most vnhappy of all Woman-kinde!
O Child-less mother! O! why is my Minde
More passion-stirred, than my hand is strong?
But, rather than I'l pocket vp this wrong;
To be reveng'd, I'l venter two for one,
I'l haue thy Life, although it cost mine owne.
But that (alas) thou should'st for anger burst,
And swallow quick this execrable Quean!
Is't possible (O gracious Soverain)
That comming new from dooing such a deed
So horrible, she shame-less dares proceed
T'approch thy sight, thy sacred Throne t'abuse,
Not begging pardon, but even bent t'accuse?
Last night, with surfet and with sleep sur-cloyd,
This care-less step-dam her owne Childe o'r-layd:
And softly then (finding it cold and dead)
Layes it by me, and takes mine in the stead.
Heer, old, bold strumpet, take thy bastard brat,
Hence with thy Carion, and restore me that,
Restore me mine, my louely living Boy,
My hope, my hap, my Loue, my Life, my Ioy.
O cruell Chance! O sacrilegious!
Shall thy foul lips my little Angel busse?
At thy fond prattling, shall hee pret'ly smile?
And tug, and touze thy greasie locks the-while?
And all his Child-hood fill thy soule with glee?
And, grow'n a man, sustaine thine age and thee?
While wretched I haue only, for my share,
His Births hard Travail, and my burthen's Care,
His rest-less rocking, wyping, washing, wringing;
And to appease his way ward Cries with singing?
452
O Child-less mother! O! why is my Minde
More passion-stirred, than my hand is strong?
But, rather than I'l pocket vp this wrong;
To be reveng'd, I'l venter two for one,
I'l haue thy Life, although it cost mine owne.
O filthy Bitch! Vile Witch (sayes th'other tho)
O! who would think, that Wine could mad one so?
O impudent! though God thou fear'st not, fear
The Kings cleer iudgement, who Gods place doth bear.
Art not content t'haue call'd (or rather cry'd)
Me Whore, and Thief, Drunkard and Paricide:
But thou wilt also haue my Childe, my deer
(Whom with so strong a knot Loue links so neer)
My Babe, my Blisse? Yea marry (Minks) and shall:
Who takes my Childe, shall take my life with-all.
Iust Davids iust Son; for thy Father's sake,
For his deer loue, for all that he did make
Of thee a Childe, when he (re-childing) sought
With childish sport to still thy cryes, and taught
(Or'gan to teach) with language soft and weak,
Thy tender tongue som easie tearme to speak:
Or, when (all bloody, breath-less, hot he came
Laden with spoyls of Kings he overcame,
He ran t'imbrace thee, rockt thee in his Targe,
And when thou cry'dst, vpon his shoulder large
Did set thee vp, while thou his beard didst tug,
Play'dst with his nose, about his neck didst hug,
Gap'tst on his glittering Helm, and smil'dst to see
Another Salomon there smile on thee:
And vnderneath his dancing Plume didst play
Like Bird in bush; sporting from spray to spray;
I doe adiure thee to attend my Plea:
By the sweet name of thy deer Bersabe,
Who in the night, shivering for cold, so oft
Hath bow'd her selfe over thy Cradle soft;
Who both the bottles of her Nectar white
Hath spent vpon thee, hundred times a night;
Who on thy head hath set her pearly Crown,
And in Thy life liv'd more than in her Owne:
I doo adiure thee (O great King) by all
That in the World we sacred count or call,
To doe me Right: and if, too-mylde, alas,
Too mercifull thou wilt not Sentence passe
Of iust revenge for my receiued wrong;
Yet, reaue me not what doth to me belong,
What liberall Nature hath bestow'd on me,
What I am feis'd-of (without thank to thee);
For pittie doo not my heart blood depriue,
Make me not Childless, having Childe a-liue.
O! who would think, that Wine could mad one so?
O impudent! though God thou fear'st not, fear
The Kings cleer iudgement, who Gods place doth bear.
Art not content t'haue call'd (or rather cry'd)
Me Whore, and Thief, Drunkard and Paricide:
But thou wilt also haue my Childe, my deer
(Whom with so strong a knot Loue links so neer)
My Babe, my Blisse? Yea marry (Minks) and shall:
Who takes my Childe, shall take my life with-all.
Iust Davids iust Son; for thy Father's sake,
For his deer loue, for all that he did make
Of thee a Childe, when he (re-childing) sought
With childish sport to still thy cryes, and taught
(Or'gan to teach) with language soft and weak,
Thy tender tongue som easie tearme to speak:
Or, when (all bloody, breath-less, hot he came
Laden with spoyls of Kings he overcame,
He ran t'imbrace thee, rockt thee in his Targe,
And when thou cry'dst, vpon his shoulder large
Did set thee vp, while thou his beard didst tug,
Play'dst with his nose, about his neck didst hug,
Gap'tst on his glittering Helm, and smil'dst to see
Another Salomon there smile on thee:
And vnderneath his dancing Plume didst play
Like Bird in bush; sporting from spray to spray;
I doe adiure thee to attend my Plea:
By the sweet name of thy deer Bersabe,
Who in the night, shivering for cold, so oft
Hath bow'd her selfe over thy Cradle soft;
Who both the bottles of her Nectar white
Hath spent vpon thee, hundred times a night;
Who on thy head hath set her pearly Crown,
And in Thy life liv'd more than in her Owne:
I doo adiure thee (O great King) by all
That in the World we sacred count or call,
To doe me Right: and if, too-mylde, alas,
Too mercifull thou wilt not Sentence passe
Of iust revenge for my receiued wrong;
Yet, reaue me not what doth to me belong,
What liberall Nature hath bestow'd on me,
What I am feis'd-of (without thank to thee);
453
Make me not Childless, having Childe a-liue.
While both, at once, thus to the King they Crie,
'Tis mine, 'Tis mine: thou ly'st; and thou doost lie:
The partiall People divers Verdict spend;
Some favour th'one, others the other friend:
As, when two Gamesters hazard (in a trice)
Fields, Vine-yards, Castles, on the Chance of Dice,
The standers-by, diversly stird with-in,
Wish, some that This, and some that That may win:
Waver twixt Hope and Fear: and every-one's
Moov'd, with the mooving of the guilefull Bones.
'Tis mine, 'Tis mine: thou ly'st; and thou doost lie:
The partiall People divers Verdict spend;
Some favour th'one, others the other friend:
As, when two Gamesters hazard (in a trice)
Fields, Vine-yards, Castles, on the Chance of Dice,
The standers-by, diversly stird with-in,
Wish, some that This, and some that That may win:
Waver twixt Hope and Fear: and every-one's
Moov'd, with the mooving of the guilefull Bones.
Only, the King demurrs: his prudent ears
Finde like, both reasons, both complaints, both tears:
The Infants face could not discipher whether
Of both should be the very Mother: neither
Could calculation of their ages, cleer
The Iudges doubt, nor any proof appear.
Then, thus He waighs (but as in dreaming wise);
Th'industrious Iudge, when all proofs fail him, flies
Vnto Coniectures drawn (the probablest;
Out of the book of Nature's learned brest;
Or to the Rack: Now, Mothers loue (thinks hee)
Is Natures owne vnchangeable Decree:
And there's no Torture that exceeds the pains
Which a kinde Mother in her Childe sustains.
Then (as awake) Come, come, no more a-doo,
Dispatch (saith hee) Cleaue the quick Childe in two,
Look that the Sword be sharp; in such a case,
Needs must our Pittie giue our Iustice place:
Iustice (yee see) can iudge him whole to neither:
Divide him therefore, and giue half to either.
O difficult! but thus the King descries
Their hearts deep secrets: all discovered lyes,
The vizor's off; their Tongues, sincerely prest
With true instinct, their very Thoughts exprest:
Finde like, both reasons, both complaints, both tears:
The Infants face could not discipher whether
Of both should be the very Mother: neither
Could calculation of their ages, cleer
The Iudges doubt, nor any proof appear.
Then, thus He waighs (but as in dreaming wise);
Th'industrious Iudge, when all proofs fail him, flies
Vnto Coniectures drawn (the probablest;
Out of the book of Nature's learned brest;
Or to the Rack: Now, Mothers loue (thinks hee)
Is Natures owne vnchangeable Decree:
And there's no Torture that exceeds the pains
Which a kinde Mother in her Childe sustains.
Then (as awake) Come, come, no more a-doo,
Dispatch (saith hee) Cleaue the quick Childe in two,
Look that the Sword be sharp; in such a case,
Needs must our Pittie giue our Iustice place:
Iustice (yee see) can iudge him whole to neither:
Divide him therefore, and giue half to either.
O difficult! but thus the King descries
Their hearts deep secrets: all discovered lyes,
The vizor's off; their Tongues, sincerely prest
With true instinct, their very Thoughts exprest:
Bee't (said the stepdam) so, sith 't must be so:
Diuide him iustly from the top to toe.
No (said the other) rather, I renounce
My right in him, take thou him all at once,
Enioy him all; I'l rather haue him Thine
A-liue, and whole, than dead and mangled Mine.
Thine (quoth the King) hee's Thine by Birth (I see)
Thine by thy Loue, and thine by my Decree.
Diuide him iustly from the top to toe.
No (said the other) rather, I renounce
My right in him, take thou him all at once,
Enioy him all; I'l rather haue him Thine
A-liue, and whole, than dead and mangled Mine.
Thine (quoth the King) hee's Thine by Birth (I see)
Thine by thy Loue, and thine by my Decree.
Now, as with Gold growes in the self-same Mine
Much Chrysocolle, and also Silver fine:
So supream Honor, and Wealth (matcht by none)
Second the Wisdom of great Salomon.
He far and neer commands by Land and Seas;
A hundred Crowns doo homage vnto His:
His neerest Bounds, Nile's Sea and Sidon seem,
And Euphrates bows his moyst horns to him:
Peru, they say (supposing Ophir so)
By yeerly Fleets into his Fisk doth flowe:
In Sion Gold's as common as the Sand;
As Pebles, Pearls: Through-out all Iury-Land,
There seems an Ocean of all happinesse
To over-flowe; and all doo all possesse:
Each vnder his owne Vine and his owne Tree,
His Grapes and Figs may gather quietly.
Thus he abounds in Blisse; not so to change-ill
Man into Beast, but make of Man an Angel,
To praise th'Immortall, who to him hath given
Even heer a Taste of the delights of Heaven.
This great, wise, wealthy, and well-spoken King
His sweet renown o'r all the World doth ring:
The Tyrian, for Confederate desires him:
Pharao for Son: th'Alien no lesse admires-him:
Than his owne Subiect: and his eyes sweet flames,
As far as Nilus, fire the flower of Dames.
Much Chrysocolle, and also Silver fine:
So supream Honor, and Wealth (matcht by none)
Second the Wisdom of great Salomon.
454
A hundred Crowns doo homage vnto His:
His neerest Bounds, Nile's Sea and Sidon seem,
And Euphrates bows his moyst horns to him:
Peru, they say (supposing Ophir so)
By yeerly Fleets into his Fisk doth flowe:
In Sion Gold's as common as the Sand;
As Pebles, Pearls: Through-out all Iury-Land,
There seems an Ocean of all happinesse
To over-flowe; and all doo all possesse:
Each vnder his owne Vine and his owne Tree,
His Grapes and Figs may gather quietly.
Thus he abounds in Blisse; not so to change-ill
Man into Beast, but make of Man an Angel,
To praise th'Immortall, who to him hath given
Even heer a Taste of the delights of Heaven.
This great, wise, wealthy, and well-spoken King
His sweet renown o'r all the World doth ring:
The Tyrian, for Confederate desires him:
Pharao for Son: th'Alien no lesse admires-him:
Than his owne Subiect: and his eyes sweet flames,
As far as Nilus, fire the flower of Dames.
O Salomon, see'st thou not (O mis-hap!)
This Mariage is no Mariage, but a Trap?
That such a mongrell Match of differing Creed,
Of mortall quarels is th'immortall seed?
That Ox and Asse can never well be broak
To drawe one Plough together in one yoak?
Who-ever weds a Miscreant, forth-with
Divorceth God: our Faith still wavereth;
It needs an Aide and not a Tempter nigh,
Not th'instrument of th'old Deceiver slie,
Not deadly poyson in our Coach to couch,
Sleep in our bosome, and our breast to touch,
And breathe into vs (in a kinde of kissing)
An Ir-religion, of the Serpents hissing.
Shee that from Ægypt coms (O King) is none
Flesh of thy Flesh, nor yet Bone of thy Bone:
But a strange Bone, a barbarous Rib, a Peece
Impoysoned all with Memphian Leprosies.
This Mariage is no Mariage, but a Trap?
That such a mongrell Match of differing Creed,
Of mortall quarels is th'immortall seed?
That Ox and Asse can never well be broak
To drawe one Plough together in one yoak?
Who-ever weds a Miscreant, forth-with
Divorceth God: our Faith still wavereth;
It needs an Aide and not a Tempter nigh,
Not th'instrument of th'old Deceiver slie,
Not deadly poyson in our Coach to couch,
Sleep in our bosome, and our breast to touch,
And breathe into vs (in a kinde of kissing)
An Ir-religion, of the Serpents hissing.
Shee that from Ægypt coms (O King) is none
Flesh of thy Flesh, nor yet Bone of thy Bone:
But a strange Bone, a barbarous Rib, a Peece
Impoysoned all with Memphian Leprosies.
But, thou wilt say, thy Loue hath stript yer-while
Her spotted suite of Idol-serving Nile:
And clad her all, in Innocence, in white;
Becom'n by Faith a true-born Abramite.
It might be so: and to that side I take,
The rather, for that sacred Beauties sake,
Where-of she is a figure. Yet, I fear
Her Train will stain thy Kingdom every-where,
Corupt thy Court: and God will be offended
To haue his People with strange People blended;
The mighty Lord, who hath precisely said,
You shall not theirs, nor they your daughters wed.
Her spotted suite of Idol-serving Nile:
And clad her all, in Innocence, in white;
Becom'n by Faith a true-born Abramite.
It might be so: and to that side I take,
The rather, for that sacred Beauties sake,
Where-of she is a figure. Yet, I fear
Her Train will stain thy Kingdom every-where,
455
To haue his People with strange People blended;
The mighty Lord, who hath precisely said,
You shall not theirs, nor they your daughters wed.
Vnder the gentle Equinoctiall Line,
Faire amorous Nature waters freshly-fine
A little Groue clad in eternall green,
Where all the yeer long lusty May is seen,
Suiting the Lawns in all her pomp and pride
Of liuely Colours, louely varified:
There smiles the ground, the starry-Flowers each one
There mount the more, the more th'are trod vpon:
There all growes toyl-less; or, if tild it were,
Sweet Zephyrus is th'onely Husband there.
There Auster never roars, nor Hail dis-leaues
Th'immortall Groue, nor any branch bereaues.
There the straight Palm-Tree stoopeth in the Calm
To kiss his Spouse, his loyall Female Palm:
There with soft whispers whistling all the yeer
The broad-leav'd Plane-Tree Courts the Plane his Pheer,
The Poplar wooes the Poplar, and the Vine
About the Elme her slender armes doth twine:
Th'Ivie about the Oak: there all doth proue,
That there all springs, all growes, all liues in Loue.
Opinion's Porter, and the Gate she bars
Gainst Couetize, cold Age, and sullen Cares,
Except they leaue-off and lay-down before
Their troublous load of Reason at the doore;
But opens wide, to let-in Bashful-Boldness,
Dumb-speaking Signes, Chill-Heat, and Kindled-Coldness,
Smooth soothing Vowes, deep sorrows soon appeas'd,
Tears sudden dry'd, fell Angers quickly pleas'd,
Smiles, Wylie-Guiles, queint witty-pretty Toyes,
Soft Idleness, and ground-less bound-less Ioyes,
Sweet Pleasure plunged over head and ears
In sugred Nectar, immateriall Fears,
Hoarse Waaks, late Walks, Pain-pleasing kindly cruell,
Aspiring Hope (Desire's immortall fuell)
Licentious Loosness, Prodigall Expence
Inchanting Songs, deep Sighs, and sweet Laments.
Faire amorous Nature waters freshly-fine
A little Groue clad in eternall green,
Where all the yeer long lusty May is seen,
Suiting the Lawns in all her pomp and pride
Of liuely Colours, louely varified:
There smiles the ground, the starry-Flowers each one
There mount the more, the more th'are trod vpon:
There all growes toyl-less; or, if tild it were,
Sweet Zephyrus is th'onely Husband there.
There Auster never roars, nor Hail dis-leaues
Th'immortall Groue, nor any branch bereaues.
There the straight Palm-Tree stoopeth in the Calm
To kiss his Spouse, his loyall Female Palm:
There with soft whispers whistling all the yeer
The broad-leav'd Plane-Tree Courts the Plane his Pheer,
The Poplar wooes the Poplar, and the Vine
About the Elme her slender armes doth twine:
Th'Ivie about the Oak: there all doth proue,
That there all springs, all growes, all liues in Loue.
Opinion's Porter, and the Gate she bars
Gainst Couetize, cold Age, and sullen Cares,
Except they leaue-off and lay-down before
Their troublous load of Reason at the doore;
But opens wide, to let-in Bashful-Boldness,
Dumb-speaking Signes, Chill-Heat, and Kindled-Coldness,
Smooth soothing Vowes, deep sorrows soon appeas'd,
Tears sudden dry'd, fell Angers quickly pleas'd,
Smiles, Wylie-Guiles, queint witty-pretty Toyes,
Soft Idleness, and ground-less bound-less Ioyes,
Sweet Pleasure plunged over head and ears
In sugred Nectar, immateriall Fears,
Hoarse Waaks, late Walks, Pain-pleasing kindly cruell,
Aspiring Hope (Desire's immortall fuell)
Licentious Loosness, Prodigall Expence
Inchanting Songs, deep Sighs, and sweet Laments.
These frolike Louelings fraighted Nests doe make
The balmy Trees o'r-laden Boughs to crack;
Bewty layes, Fancy sits, th'inflamed heat
Of Loue doth hatch their Couvies nicely-neat:
Som are but kindled yet, som quick appear,
Som on their backs carry their Cradles deer,
Som downy-clad, som (fledger) take a twig
To pearch-vpon, som hop, from sprig to sprig:
One, in the fresh shade of an Apple-Tree
Lets hang its Quiver, while soft-pantingly
'T exhales hot Vapour: one, against a Sparrow
Tries his stiff Bowe and Giant-stooping Arrow:
Another sly sets lime-twigs for the Wren,
Finch, Linot, Tit-mouse, Wag-Tail (Cock and Hen):
See, see how some their idle wings forsake,
And (turn'd, of Flyers, Riders) one doth take
A Thrush, another on a Parrat rides,
This mounts a Peacock, that a Swan bestrides,
That manageth a phaisant: this doth make
The Ring-Doue turn: that brings the Culver back:
See how a number of this wanton Fry
Doo fondly chase the the gawdie Butter-fly,
Some with their flowrrie Hat, some with their hands
Some with sweet Rose-boughs, some with Myrtle wands:
But, th'horned Bird, with nimble turns, beguiles
And scapes the snares of all these Loues a-whiles.
Leaue Wags (Cries Venus) leaue this wanton Play:
For so, in steed of Butter-Flyes, you may,
You may (my Chicks) a Childe of Venus strike:
For, some of mine haue Horns and all alike.
The balmy Trees o'r-laden Boughs to crack;
Bewty layes, Fancy sits, th'inflamed heat
Of Loue doth hatch their Couvies nicely-neat:
Som are but kindled yet, som quick appear,
Som on their backs carry their Cradles deer,
Som downy-clad, som (fledger) take a twig
To pearch-vpon, som hop, from sprig to sprig:
456
Lets hang its Quiver, while soft-pantingly
'T exhales hot Vapour: one, against a Sparrow
Tries his stiff Bowe and Giant-stooping Arrow:
Another sly sets lime-twigs for the Wren,
Finch, Linot, Tit-mouse, Wag-Tail (Cock and Hen):
See, see how some their idle wings forsake,
And (turn'd, of Flyers, Riders) one doth take
A Thrush, another on a Parrat rides,
This mounts a Peacock, that a Swan bestrides,
That manageth a phaisant: this doth make
The Ring-Doue turn: that brings the Culver back:
See how a number of this wanton Fry
Doo fondly chase the the gawdie Butter-fly,
Some with their flowrrie Hat, some with their hands
Some with sweet Rose-boughs, some with Myrtle wands:
But, th'horned Bird, with nimble turns, beguiles
And scapes the snares of all these Loues a-whiles.
Leaue Wags (Cries Venus) leaue this wanton Play:
For so, in steed of Butter-Flyes, you may,
You may (my Chicks) a Childe of Venus strike:
For, some of mine haue Horns and all alike.
This said: eftsoons two twins whose gold-head darts
Are never steeped but in Royall hearts;
Come, Brother deer (said either) come let's to 't,
Let's each a shaft at yon two bosoms shoot.
Are never steeped but in Royall hearts;
Come, Brother deer (said either) come let's to 't,
Let's each a shaft at yon two bosoms shoot.
Their winged words th'effect ensues as wight,
Two or three steps they make to take their flight,
And quick-thick shaking on their sinnewie side
Their long strong sarcels, richly triple-died
Gold-Azure-Crimsin; th'one aloft doth soar
To Palestine, th'other to Nilus shoare.
Two or three steps they make to take their flight,
And quick-thick shaking on their sinnewie side
Their long strong sarcels, richly triple-died
Gold-Azure-Crimsin; th'one aloft doth soar
To Palestine, th'other to Nilus shoare.
Pharo's faire daughter (wonder of her Time)
Then in the blooming of her beauties Prime,
Was queintly dressing of her Tress-full head
Which round about her to the ground did spread:
And, in a rich gold-seeled Cabinet,
Three Noble Mayds attend her in the feat.
One with a peece of double dented Box
Combs out at length her goodly golden locks:
Another 'noynts them with Perfumes of price:
Th'other with bodkin or with fingers nice,
Frizzles and Furls in Curls and Rings a part;
The rest, loose dangling without seeming Art,
Waue to and froe, with cunning negligence
Gracing the more her Beauties excellence:
When, armd with Arrows burning, brightly keen,
Swift Swallow-like, one of these Twins comes in;
And, with his left wing hiding still his Bowe,
Into her bosom shot, I wot not how.
My side! my heart (the Royall Maid cries out)
O! I am slaine: But, searching all about,
When shee perceiu'd no blood, nor bruise; alas,
It is no wound; but, sleeping on the grasse,
Some snake (saith shee) hath crept into me quick,
It gnawes my heart: ah, help me, I am sick,
Haue mee to bed: eigh me, a friezing-frying,
A burning cold torments me living-dying.
Then in the blooming of her beauties Prime,
Was queintly dressing of her Tress-full head
Which round about her to the ground did spread:
And, in a rich gold-seeled Cabinet,
Three Noble Mayds attend her in the feat.
One with a peece of double dented Box
Combs out at length her goodly golden locks:
Another 'noynts them with Perfumes of price:
Th'other with bodkin or with fingers nice,
Frizzles and Furls in Curls and Rings a part;
The rest, loose dangling without seeming Art,
Waue to and froe, with cunning negligence
Gracing the more her Beauties excellence:
When, armd with Arrows burning, brightly keen,
Swift Swallow-like, one of these Twins comes in;
457
Into her bosom shot, I wot not how.
My side! my heart (the Royall Maid cries out)
O! I am slaine: But, searching all about,
When shee perceiu'd no blood, nor bruise; alas,
It is no wound; but, sleeping on the grasse,
Some snake (saith shee) hath crept into me quick,
It gnawes my heart: ah, help me, I am sick,
Haue mee to bed: eigh me, a friezing-frying,
A burning cold torments me living-dying.
O cruell Boy, alas, how mickle gall
Thy baenfull shaft mingles thy Mell withall!
The Royall Maid, which with her Mates was wont
Smile, skip and dance on Fields inammeld front,
Loves solenesse, sadnes, and Self-privacy;
Sighes, sobs and throbs, and yet she knowes not why:
The sumptuous pride of massie Piramides
Presents her eyes with Towrs of Iebusides;
In Niles cleer Crystall shee doth Iordan see;
In Memphis, Salem; and vn-warily
Her hand (vnbidden) in her Sampler sets
The King of Iuda's Name and Counterfets:
Who, medi'ting the Sacred Temple's Plot,
By th'other Twin at the same time is shot:
The shaft sticks fast, the wound's within his veins:
Sleep cannot bring a-sleep his pleasing pains;
Pharonida's his heart, Pharonida
Is all his Theam to talk-of, night and day:
With-in his soule a civill War hee feeds:
Th'all-seeing Sun now early backs his Steeds,
Now mounts his Mid-day, and then setteth soon:
But still his Loue stands at the hot high Noon.
He Rides not his braue Coursers (as hee wont)
Nor Reads, nor Writes, nor in his Throne doth mount
To hear the Widow's Cause; neglects his Court,
Neglects his Rule; Love rules him in such sort.
Thy baenfull shaft mingles thy Mell withall!
The Royall Maid, which with her Mates was wont
Smile, skip and dance on Fields inammeld front,
Loves solenesse, sadnes, and Self-privacy;
Sighes, sobs and throbs, and yet she knowes not why:
The sumptuous pride of massie Piramides
Presents her eyes with Towrs of Iebusides;
In Niles cleer Crystall shee doth Iordan see;
In Memphis, Salem; and vn-warily
Her hand (vnbidden) in her Sampler sets
The King of Iuda's Name and Counterfets:
Who, medi'ting the Sacred Temple's Plot,
By th'other Twin at the same time is shot:
The shaft sticks fast, the wound's within his veins:
Sleep cannot bring a-sleep his pleasing pains;
Pharonida's his heart, Pharonida
Is all his Theam to talk-of, night and day:
With-in his soule a civill War hee feeds:
Th'all-seeing Sun now early backs his Steeds,
Now mounts his Mid-day, and then setteth soon:
But still his Loue stands at the hot high Noon.
He Rides not his braue Coursers (as hee wont)
Nor Reads, nor Writes, nor in his Throne doth mount
To hear the Widow's Cause; neglects his Court,
Neglects his Rule; Love rules him in such sort.
You prudent Legats, Agents for this Marriage,
Of Rings and Tablets you may spare the Carriage:
For, witty Loue hath with his lovely shaft
In eithers heart grav'n others lively Draught:
Each Liues in other, and they haue (O strange!)
Made of their burning hearts a happy Change.
Better abroad, then home, their hearts delight;
Yet long their bodies to their hoasts t'vnite.
Of Rings and Tablets you may spare the Carriage:
For, witty Loue hath with his lovely shaft
In eithers heart grav'n others lively Draught:
Each Liues in other, and they haue (O strange!)
Made of their burning hearts a happy Change.
Better abroad, then home, their hearts delight;
Yet long their bodies to their hoasts t'vnite.
Which soon ensues: the Virgin's shortly had
From Mothers armes imbracing gladly-sad:
And th'aged Father, weeping as hee spake,
Bids thus Adieu when shee her leaue doth take;
Sweet Daughter dear, Osiris bee thy guide,
And loving Isis blesse thee and thy Bride
With golden Fruit; and daily without cease
Your mutuall Loves may as your yeers increase.
From Mothers armes imbracing gladly-sad:
And th'aged Father, weeping as hee spake,
Bids thus Adieu when shee her leaue doth take;
458
And loving Isis blesse thee and thy Bride
With golden Fruit; and daily without cease
Your mutuall Loves may as your yeers increase.
Wives, Maids and Children, yong and ould, each-where,
With looks and vows from Turrets follow her:
Calm Nilus calmer then it wont is grow'n,
Her Ships haue merry windes, the Seas haue none:
Her footing makes the ground all fragrant-fresh:
Her sight re-flowres th'Arabian Wildernes:
Iury reioyces, and in all the way
Nothing but Trumpets, Fifes and Timbrels play:
The Flowr-crown'd People, swarming on the Green,
Cry still, God save, God save, God save the Queen;
May shee bee like a scion, pale and sick
Through th'over-shading of a Sire too thick:
Which being Transplanted, free, sweet air doth sup,
To th'sweating Clouds her grovy top sends vp,
And prospers so in the strange soil, that (tild)
Her golden Apples all the Orchard gild.
With looks and vows from Turrets follow her:
Calm Nilus calmer then it wont is grow'n,
Her Ships haue merry windes, the Seas haue none:
Her footing makes the ground all fragrant-fresh:
Her sight re-flowres th'Arabian Wildernes:
Iury reioyces, and in all the way
Nothing but Trumpets, Fifes and Timbrels play:
The Flowr-crown'd People, swarming on the Green,
Cry still, God save, God save, God save the Queen;
May shee bee like a scion, pale and sick
Through th'over-shading of a Sire too thick:
Which being Transplanted, free, sweet air doth sup,
To th'sweating Clouds her grovy top sends vp,
And prospers so in the strange soil, that (tild)
Her golden Apples all the Orchard gild.
No streets are seen in rich Iervsalem:
For, vnder-foot fine scarlet paveth them,
Silks hang the sides, and over-head they hold
Archt Canapies of glistring Cloth of gold.
They throng, they thrust, an ebbing-flowing Tide
A Sea of Folk follows th'adored Bride:
The ioyfull Ladies from their windows shed
Sweet showrs of flowrs vpon her radiant head;
Yet ielous, lest (dy'd in their native grain)
Her Rosie Cheeks should Natur's Roses stain.
For, vnder-foot fine scarlet paveth them,
Silks hang the sides, and over-head they hold
Archt Canapies of glistring Cloth of gold.
They throng, they thrust, an ebbing-flowing Tide
A Sea of Folk follows th'adored Bride:
The ioyfull Ladies from their windows shed
Sweet showrs of flowrs vpon her radiant head;
Yet ielous, lest (dy'd in their native grain)
Her Rosie Cheeks should Natur's Roses stain.
But lo, at last, th'honor of Maiesty,
Glory of Kings, King Salomon draws ny:
Lo, now both Lovers enter-glauncing sweet
(Like Sun and Moon, when at full view they meet
In the mid-month) with amorous raies reflexion
Send mutuall Welcoms from their deep affection:
Both a-like yong, like beautifull, like brave,
Both graç't a-like; so like, that whoso have
Not neer observ'd their heads vnlikenesses,
Think them two Adons, or two Venusses.
Glory of Kings, King Salomon draws ny:
Lo, now both Lovers enter-glauncing sweet
(Like Sun and Moon, when at full view they meet
In the mid-month) with amorous raies reflexion
Send mutuall Welcoms from their deep affection:
Both a-like yong, like beautifull, like brave,
Both graç't a-like; so like, that whoso have
Not neer observ'd their heads vnlikenesses,
Think them two Adons, or two Venusses.
These nouice Lovers at their first arrive
Are bashfull both; their passions strangely strive:
The soules sweet Fire his ruby flames doth flush
Into their Faces in a modest blush:
Their tongues are ty'd, their star-bright eyes seem vail'd
With shame-faç't Cipres; all their senses fail'd.
Are bashfull both; their passions strangely strive:
The soules sweet Fire his ruby flames doth flush
Into their Faces in a modest blush:
Their tongues are ty'd, their star-bright eyes seem vail'd
With shame-faç't Cipres; all their senses fail'd.
But, pompous Hymen, whither am I brought?
Am not I (heathen) vnder th'happy Vault
Where all the gods, with glorious mirth enhanç't,
At Thetis Nuptials ate, and drank, and danç't?
Am not I (heathen) vnder th'happy Vault
459
At Thetis Nuptials ate, and drank, and danç't?
Heer, th'Idumeans mighty Ioue treads, vnder
His tripping feet, his bright-light burning Thunder.
A-while hee laies his Maiesty aside,
To Court, and sport, and revell with his Bride;
King, plaies the Courtier; Soverain, Suter 'coms;
And seems but equal with his Chamber-Grooms:
But yet, what e'r hee doo, or can devise,
Disguised Glory shineth in his eies.
Heer, many a Phœbus, and heer many a Muse
On Heav'nly Layes so rarely-sweet doo vse
Their golden bowes, that with the rapting sound
Th'Arches and Columns wel-nigh dance the Round.
Heer, many a Iuno, many a Pallas heer,
Heer, many a Venus, and Diana cleer
Catch many a gallant Lord, according as
Wealth, Beauty, Honour, their affection drawes.
Heer, many a Hebé fair, heer more then one
Quick-serving Chiron neatly waits vpon
The Beds and Boords, and pliant bears about
The boawls of Nectar quickly turned out;
And th'over-burdned Tables bend with waight
Of their Ambrosiall over-filled fraight.
Heer, many a Mars vn-bloody Combats fights,
Heer, many a Hermes findes out new delights,
Heer, many a horned Satyr, many a Pan,
Heer, Wood-Nymphs, Flood-Nymphs, many a Faiery Fawn
With lusty frisks and lively bounds bring-in
Th'Antike, Morisko, and the Mattachine:
For, even God's Servants (God knowes how) have supt
The sugred baen of Pagan Rites corrupt.
His tripping feet, his bright-light burning Thunder.
A-while hee laies his Maiesty aside,
To Court, and sport, and revell with his Bride;
King, plaies the Courtier; Soverain, Suter 'coms;
And seems but equal with his Chamber-Grooms:
But yet, what e'r hee doo, or can devise,
Disguised Glory shineth in his eies.
Heer, many a Phœbus, and heer many a Muse
On Heav'nly Layes so rarely-sweet doo vse
Their golden bowes, that with the rapting sound
Th'Arches and Columns wel-nigh dance the Round.
Heer, many a Iuno, many a Pallas heer,
Heer, many a Venus, and Diana cleer
Catch many a gallant Lord, according as
Wealth, Beauty, Honour, their affection drawes.
Heer, many a Hebé fair, heer more then one
Quick-serving Chiron neatly waits vpon
The Beds and Boords, and pliant bears about
The boawls of Nectar quickly turned out;
And th'over-burdned Tables bend with waight
Of their Ambrosiall over-filled fraight.
Heer, many a Mars vn-bloody Combats fights,
Heer, many a Hermes findes out new delights,
Heer, many a horned Satyr, many a Pan,
Heer, Wood-Nymphs, Flood-Nymphs, many a Faiery Fawn
With lusty frisks and lively bounds bring-in
Th'Antike, Morisko, and the Mattachine:
For, even God's Servants (God knowes how) have supt
The sugred baen of Pagan Rites corrupt.
But, with so many lively Types, at will
His rich rare Arras shall som other fill:
Of all the sports, I'll onely chuse one Measure,
One stately Mask compos'd of sage-sweet pleasure;
A Dance so chaste, so sacred, and so grave
(And yet so gracefull, and so lofty-brave)
As may beseem (except I mee abuse)
Great Salomon, and my celestiall Muse.
His rich rare Arras shall som other fill:
Of all the sports, I'll onely chuse one Measure,
One stately Mask compos'd of sage-sweet pleasure;
A Dance so chaste, so sacred, and so grave
(And yet so gracefull, and so lofty-brave)
As may beseem (except I mee abuse)
Great Salomon, and my celestiall Muse.
The Tables voided of their various Cates,
They rise at once; and, suiting their Estates,
Each takes a Dame, and then to Dance they com
Into a stately, rich, round-arched Room,
So large and lightsom, that it (right) they call
The Vniversall, or the Worlds great Hall.
O what delight, to see so rich a showe
Of Lords and Ladies dancing in a rowe
All in a Round, reaching so far and wide
O'r all the Hall to foot-it side by side!
Their eyes sweet splendor seems a Pharos bright,
With clinquant Raies their Body's clothed light:
'Tis not a Dance, but rather a smooth sliding,
All moove alike, after the Musicks guiding:
Their Tune-skill'd feet in so true Time doo fall,
That one would swear one Spirit doth bear them all:
They poste vn-mooving; and, though swift they passe,
'Tis not perceiv'd: of hundred thousand pase,
One single back they: Round on Round they dance:
And, as they traverse, cast a fruitfull glance.
They rise at once; and, suiting their Estates,
Each takes a Dame, and then to Dance they com
Into a stately, rich, round-arched Room,
So large and lightsom, that it (right) they call
The Vniversall, or the Worlds great Hall.
O what delight, to see so rich a showe
Of Lords and Ladies dancing in a rowe
460
O'r all the Hall to foot-it side by side!
Their eyes sweet splendor seems a Pharos bright,
With clinquant Raies their Body's clothed light:
'Tis not a Dance, but rather a smooth sliding,
All moove alike, after the Musicks guiding:
Their Tune-skill'd feet in so true Time doo fall,
That one would swear one Spirit doth bear them all:
They poste vn-mooving; and, though swift they passe,
'Tis not perceiv'd: of hundred thousand pase,
One single back they: Round on Round they dance:
And, as they traverse, cast a fruitfull glance.
Iust in the middle of the Hall, a-sloap
(Even from the floor vnto the very top)
A broad rich Baldrick there extendeth round,
In-laid with gold vpon an azure ground;
Where (cover'd all with Flames) in wondrous art
Five Lords, two Ladies dance; but each a-part.
(Even from the floor vnto the very top)
A broad rich Baldrick there extendeth round,
In-laid with gold vpon an azure ground;
Where (cover'd all with Flames) in wondrous art
Five Lords, two Ladies dance; but each a-part.
Heer trips an old-man in a Mantle dy'd
Deep Leaden-hue, and round about him ty'd
With a Snake-girdle biting off her tail.
Within his Robes stuff (in a winding trail)
Creeps Mandrake, Comin, Rue and Hellebore;
With lively figures of the Bear and Boar,
Camell, and Asse (about to bray well-ny):
There the Strimonian Fowl seems even to cry;
The Peacock, even to prank. For Tablet fine,
About his neck hangs a great Cornaline,
Where som rate Artist (curiousing vpon 't)
Hath deeply cut Times triple-formed Front:
His pase is heavy, and his face severe;
His Body heer; but yet his Minde else-where.
Deep Leaden-hue, and round about him ty'd
With a Snake-girdle biting off her tail.
Within his Robes stuff (in a winding trail)
Creeps Mandrake, Comin, Rue and Hellebore;
With lively figures of the Bear and Boar,
Camell, and Asse (about to bray well-ny):
There the Strimonian Fowl seems even to cry;
The Peacock, even to prank. For Tablet fine,
About his neck hangs a great Cornaline,
Where som rate Artist (curiousing vpon 't)
Hath deeply cut Times triple-formed Front:
His pase is heavy, and his face severe;
His Body heer; but yet his Minde else-where.
There the Lord Zedec him more spritely bears,
Milde, fair and pleasant; on his back hee wears
Tin-colour'd Tissue, figur'd all with Oaks,
Ears, Violets, Lillies, Olives, Apricocks;
Bordred with Phaisants, Eagles winged-black,
And Elephants with Turrets on their back;
Pointed with Diamonds, powdred and imbost
With Emeralds, perfum'd with wondrous Cost.
Milde, fair and pleasant; on his back hee wears
Tin-colour'd Tissue, figur'd all with Oaks,
Ears, Violets, Lillies, Olives, Apricocks;
Bordred with Phaisants, Eagles winged-black,
And Elephants with Turrets on their back;
Pointed with Diamonds, powdred and imbost
With Emeralds, perfum'd with wondrous Cost.
The third leads quicker on the self same Arch
His Pyrrhik Galiard, like a star-like March:
His face is fiery: Many an Amethist,
And many a Iasper of the perfectest
Doth brightly glister in the double gilt
Of the rich Pommell and the pretious Hilt
Of his huge Fauchin, bow'd from hand to heel:
His boistrous body shines in burnisht Steel:
His Shield flames bright with gold, imbossed hie
With Wolves and Horse seem-running swiftly by,
And freng'd about with sprigs of Scammony,
And of Euphorbium forged cunningly.
His Pyrrhik Galiard, like a star-like March:
His face is fiery: Many an Amethist,
And many a Iasper of the perfectest
Doth brightly glister in the double gilt
Of the rich Pommell and the pretious Hilt
Of his huge Fauchin, bow'd from hand to heel:
His boistrous body shines in burnisht Steel:
461
With Wolves and Horse seem-running swiftly by,
And freng'd about with sprigs of Scammony,
And of Euphorbium forged cunningly.
But, O fair Faëry, who art thou, whose eyes
Inflame the Seas, the Air, the Earth, and Skies?
Tell vs, what art thou, O thou fairest Fair,
That trimm'st the Trammels of thy golden hair
With Myrtle, Thyme and Roses; and thy Brest
Gird'st with a rich and odoriferous Cest,
Where all the wanton brood of sweetest Loves
Doo nestle close; on whom the Turtle-Doves,
Pigeons, and Sparrowes day and night attend,
Cooing and wooing wheresoe'r thou wend:
Whose Robe's imbrodered with Pomgranat boughs,
Button'd with Saphires, edg'd with Beryl rowes:
Whose capering foot, about the starry floor,
The Dance-guide Prince now follows, now's before?
Art thou not Shee, that with a chaste-sweet flame
Didst both our Brides hearts into one heart frame?
Inflame the Seas, the Air, the Earth, and Skies?
Tell vs, what art thou, O thou fairest Fair,
That trimm'st the Trammels of thy golden hair
With Myrtle, Thyme and Roses; and thy Brest
Gird'st with a rich and odoriferous Cest,
Where all the wanton brood of sweetest Loves
Doo nestle close; on whom the Turtle-Doves,
Pigeons, and Sparrowes day and night attend,
Cooing and wooing wheresoe'r thou wend:
Whose Robe's imbrodered with Pomgranat boughs,
Button'd with Saphires, edg'd with Beryl rowes:
Whose capering foot, about the starry floor,
The Dance-guide Prince now follows, now's before?
Art thou not Shee, that with a chaste-sweet flame
Didst both our Brides hearts into one heart frame?
And, was not Hee, that with so curious steps,
Next after thee, so nimbly turns and leaps,
Say, was not Hee the witty Messenger,
Their eloquent and quick Interpreter?
How strange a suit! His meddly Mantle seems
Scarlet, Wave-laced with Quick-silver streams;
And th'end of every Lace, for tuft hath on
A pretious Porphyre, or an Agate stone:
A Cry of Hounds have heer a Deer in Chase:
There a false Fox, heer a swift Kid they trace:
There Larks and Linots, and sweet Nightingals
(Fain'd vpon fained Trees) with wings and tails
Loose hanging seem to swell their little throats,
And with their warblings, shame the Cornets notes.
Light Fumitory, Parsly, Burnets blade,
And winding leaf his crispy Locks beshade:
Hee's light and lively, all in Turns and Tricks;
In his great Round, hee many small doth mix:
His giddy course seems wandring in disorder;
And yet there's found, in this disorder, order.
Next after thee, so nimbly turns and leaps,
Say, was not Hee the witty Messenger,
Their eloquent and quick Interpreter?
How strange a suit! His meddly Mantle seems
Scarlet, Wave-laced with Quick-silver streams;
And th'end of every Lace, for tuft hath on
A pretious Porphyre, or an Agate stone:
A Cry of Hounds have heer a Deer in Chase:
There a false Fox, heer a swift Kid they trace:
There Larks and Linots, and sweet Nightingals
(Fain'd vpon fained Trees) with wings and tails
Loose hanging seem to swell their little throats,
And with their warblings, shame the Cornets notes.
Light Fumitory, Parsly, Burnets blade,
And winding leaf his crispy Locks beshade:
Hee's light and lively, all in Turns and Tricks;
In his great Round, hee many small doth mix:
His giddy course seems wandring in disorder;
And yet there's found, in this disorder, order.
Avoid base Vulgar, back Profane, stand-by;
These sacred Revels are not for your ey:
Com, gentle Gentles, Noble Spirits, draw neer,
Preace through the Preace, com take your places heer,
To see at full the Bride-groom and the Bride,
A lovely Pair, exactly bewtifi'd
With rare perfections, passing all the rest,
Sole-happy Causes of this sumptuous Feast.
Lo where they com: O what a splendor bright!
Mine eyes doo dazle. O thou primer Light!
Sun of the Sun, thy Raies keen point rebate,
Thy dread-spread Fire a little temperate:
O, dart (direct) on thy fair Spouse a-space
Thine eyes pure light, the lustre of thy Face:
For, I no longer can endure it, I
Am burnt to ashes: O, I faint, I dy.
But, blessed Couple, sith (alas) I may-not
Behould you both vnmasked (nay, I can-not)
Yet in these Verses let mee tell (I pray)
Your Dance, your Courting, and your rich Array.
These sacred Revels are not for your ey:
Com, gentle Gentles, Noble Spirits, draw neer,
Preace through the Preace, com take your places heer,
To see at full the Bride-groom and the Bride,
A lovely Pair, exactly bewtifi'd
With rare perfections, passing all the rest,
Sole-happy Causes of this sumptuous Feast.
462
Mine eyes doo dazle. O thou primer Light!
Sun of the Sun, thy Raies keen point rebate,
Thy dread-spread Fire a little temperate:
O, dart (direct) on thy fair Spouse a-space
Thine eyes pure light, the lustre of thy Face:
For, I no longer can endure it, I
Am burnt to ashes: O, I faint, I dy.
But, blessed Couple, sith (alas) I may-not
Behould you both vnmasked (nay, I can-not)
Yet in these Verses let mee tell (I pray)
Your Dance, your Courting, and your rich Array.
The Queen's adorn'd down to her very heels
In her fair hair (whence still sweet deaw distils)
Half hanging down; the rest in rings and curls,
Platted with strings of great, round, orient Pearls:
Her gown is Damask of a Silver-ground,
With Silver Seas all deeply-frenged round;
With Gourds and Moon-wort branched richly-fair,
Flourisht with beasts that onely eat the Air.
In her fair hair (whence still sweet deaw distils)
Half hanging down; the rest in rings and curls,
Platted with strings of great, round, orient Pearls:
Her gown is Damask of a Silver-ground,
With Silver Seas all deeply-frenged round;
With Gourds and Moon-wort branched richly-fair,
Flourisht with beasts that onely eat the Air.
But why, my Muse, with Pencill so precise
Seek'st thou to paint all her rich Rarities?
Of all the Bewties, Graces, Honors, Riches,
Wherewith rich Heav'n these Maskers all inriches,
Shee's even the Mother: and then, as a Glasse,
On the Behoulders their effects shee casts.
Seek'st thou to paint all her rich Rarities?
Of all the Bewties, Graces, Honors, Riches,
Wherewith rich Heav'n these Maskers all inriches,
Shee's even the Mother: and then, as a Glasse,
On the Behoulders their effects shee casts.
A Garland, braided with the Flowry foulds
Of yellow Citrons, Turn-Sols, Mary-goulds,
Beset with Bal'nites, Rubies, Chrysolites,
The royall Bride-groom's radiant brows be-dights:
His saffron'd Ruffe is edged richly-neat
With burning Carbuncles, and every set
Wrought rarely-fine with branches (draw'n vpon)
Of Laurell, Cedar, Balm and Cinnamon:
On his Gold-grounded Robe the Swan so white
Seems to his honour som new Song t'indite.
The Phœnix there builds both her nest and tomb:
The Crocodile out of the waves doth com:
Th'amazed Reaper down his sickle flings;
And sudden Fear grafts to his Ankles wings.
There the fierce Lion, from his furious ey,
His mouth and nosthrils, fiery Flames lets-fly,
Seems with his whisking train his rage to whet;
And, wrath-full ramping, ready even to set
Vpon a Heard of fragrant Leopards:
When lo, the Cock (that light his rage regards)
A purple Plume timbers his stately Crest,
On his high Gorget and broad hardy Brest
A rich Coat-Armour (Or and Azure) shines,
Afrenge of raveld gold about his Loins,
In lieu of Bases. Beard as red as blood;
A short Beak bending like the Eagles brood:
Green-yellow eyes, where Terrours Tent is pight;
A Martiall gait, and spurred as a Knight:
Into two arches his proud Train divides,
With painted wings hee claps his cheerfull sides,
Sounds his shrill Trumpet, and seems with his sight
The Lions courage to have danted quight.
Of yellow Citrons, Turn-Sols, Mary-goulds,
Beset with Bal'nites, Rubies, Chrysolites,
The royall Bride-groom's radiant brows be-dights:
His saffron'd Ruffe is edged richly-neat
With burning Carbuncles, and every set
Wrought rarely-fine with branches (draw'n vpon)
Of Laurell, Cedar, Balm and Cinnamon:
On his Gold-grounded Robe the Swan so white
Seems to his honour som new Song t'indite.
The Phœnix there builds both her nest and tomb:
The Crocodile out of the waves doth com:
Th'amazed Reaper down his sickle flings;
And sudden Fear grafts to his Ankles wings.
There the fierce Lion, from his furious ey,
His mouth and nosthrils, fiery Flames lets-fly,
Seems with his whisking train his rage to whet;
And, wrath-full ramping, ready even to set
Vpon a Heard of fragrant Leopards:
When lo, the Cock (that light his rage regards)
A purple Plume timbers his stately Crest,
On his high Gorget and broad hardy Brest
463
Afrenge of raveld gold about his Loins,
In lieu of Bases. Beard as red as blood;
A short Beak bending like the Eagles brood:
Green-yellow eyes, where Terrours Tent is pight;
A Martiall gait, and spurred as a Knight:
Into two arches his proud Train divides,
With painted wings hee claps his cheerfull sides,
Sounds his shrill Trumpet, and seems with his sight
The Lions courage to have danted quight.
These happy Lovers, with a practiz'd pase,
Forward and backward and a-side doo trace;
They seem to dance the Spanish Pavane right:
And yet their Dance, so quick and lively-light,
Doth never pass the Baldricks bounds (at all)
Which grav'n with Star-Beasts over-thwarts the Hall.
Forward and backward and a-side doo trace;
They seem to dance the Spanish Pavane right:
And yet their Dance, so quick and lively-light,
Doth never pass the Baldricks bounds (at all)
Which grav'n with Star-Beasts over-thwarts the Hall.
When the brave Bride-groom towards Mount Silo traces,
A thousand Flowrs spring in his spritefull pases:
When towards Mount Olivet hee slides, there growes
Vnder his feet a thousand Frosty Snowes:
For, the Floor, beaten with his Measures ever,
Seems like the Footing of the nimble Weaver.
A thousand Flowrs spring in his spritefull pases:
When towards Mount Olivet hee slides, there growes
Vnder his feet a thousand Frosty Snowes:
For, the Floor, beaten with his Measures ever,
Seems like the Footing of the nimble Weaver.
This lovely Couple now kisse, now recoil,
Now with a lowring ey, now with a smile:
Now Face to Face they Dance, now side by side,
With Course vn-equall: and the tender Bride
Receives strange Changes in her Countenance,
After her Lovers divers-seeming glance.
If vnawares som Envious com between
Her and her Love, then is shee sad be-seen,
Shee shuts her ey, shee seems even to depart:
Such force hath true Love in a noble heart.
But all that's nothing to their Musick choice:
Tuning the warbles of their Angell-Voice
To Foot and Viol, and Care-charming Lute,
In amorous Ditty thus doo they dispute;
Now with a lowring ey, now with a smile:
Now Face to Face they Dance, now side by side,
With Course vn-equall: and the tender Bride
Receives strange Changes in her Countenance,
After her Lovers divers-seeming glance.
If vnawares som Envious com between
Her and her Love, then is shee sad be-seen,
Shee shuts her ey, shee seems even to depart:
Such force hath true Love in a noble heart.
But all that's nothing to their Musick choice:
Tuning the warbles of their Angell-Voice
To Foot and Viol, and Care-charming Lute,
In amorous Ditty thus doo they dispute;
| Du Bartas | |