The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed: And Those which he Design'd for the Press, Now Published out of the Authors Original Copies ... The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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A Paraphrase on an Ode in Horace's third Book,
beginning thus, Inclusam Danaen turris ahenea.
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 | The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley |  |
441
A Paraphrase on an Ode in Horace's third Book, beginning thus, Inclusam Danaen turris ahenea.
A tower of Brass, one would have said,
And Locks, and Bolts, and Iron bars,
And Guards, as strict as in the heat of wars,
Might have preserv'd one Innocent Maiden-head.
The jealous Father thought he well might spare,
All further jealous Care,
And as he walkt, t' himself alone he smil'd,
To think how Venus Arts he had beguil'd;
And when he slept, his rest was deep,
But Venus laugh'd to see and hear him sleep.
She taught the Amorous Jove
A Magical receit in Love,
Which arm'd him stronger, and which help'd him more,
Than all his Thunder did, and his Almighty-ship before.
And Locks, and Bolts, and Iron bars,
And Guards, as strict as in the heat of wars,
Might have preserv'd one Innocent Maiden-head.
The jealous Father thought he well might spare,
All further jealous Care,
And as he walkt, t' himself alone he smil'd,
To think how Venus Arts he had beguil'd;
And when he slept, his rest was deep,
But Venus laugh'd to see and hear him sleep.
She taught the Amorous Jove
A Magical receit in Love,
Which arm'd him stronger, and which help'd him more,
Than all his Thunder did, and his Almighty-ship before.
2.
She taught him Loves Elixar, by which Art,His Godhead into Gold he did convert,
No Guards did then his passage stay,
He pass'd with ease; Gold was the Word;
Subtle as Lightning, bright and quick and fierce,
Gold through Doors and Walls did pierce;
And as that works sometimes upon the sword,
Melted the Maiden-head away,
Even in the secret scabbard where it lay.
The prudent Macedonian King,
To blow up Towns, a Golden Mine did spring.
He broke through Gates with this Petar,
'Tis the great Art of Peace, the Engine 'tis of War;
And Fleets and Armies follow it afar,
The Ensign 'tis at Land, and 'tis the Seamans Star.
442
3.
Let all the World, slave to this Tyrant be,Creature to this Disguised Deitie,
Yet it shall never conquer me.
A Guard of Virtues will not let it pass,
And wisdom is a Tower of stronger brass.
The Muses Lawrel round my Temples spread,
'T does from this Lightnings force secure my head.
Nor will I lift it up so high,
As in the violent Meteors way to lye.
Wealth for its power do we honour and adore?
The things we hate, ill Fate, and Death, have more.
4.
From Towns and Courts, Camps of the Rich and Great,The vast Xerxean Army I retreat,
And to the small Laconick forces fly,
Which hold the straights of Poverty.
Sellars and Granaries in vain we fill,
With all the bounteous Summers store,
If the Mind thirst and hunger still.
The poor rich Man's emphatically poor.
Slaves to the things we too much prize,
We Masters grow of all that we despise.
5.
A Field of Corn, a Fountain and a Wood,Is all the Wealth by Nature understood,
The Monarch on whom fertile Nile bestows
All which that grateful Earth can bear,
Deceives himse[l]f, if he suppose
That more than this falls to his share.
Whatever an Estate does beyond this afford,
Is not a rent paid to the Lord;
But is a Tax illegal and unjust,
Exacted from it by the Tyrant Lust.
Much will always wanting be,
To him who much desires. Thrice happy He
To whom the wise indulgency of Heaven,
With sparing hand, but just enough has given.
| The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley | |