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The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet

A Critical Edition by Amy M. Charles

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[47] The Pedigree
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[47] The Pedigree

While I did narrowly investigate,
The race, and linage of my sinnes,
I found that sinne, and I were twinnes,
Begotten, and brought forth, at the same date
Of time, and so by consequence,
Subject unto the selfsame influence.

352

Destin'd to live, and dye together: Then
I blush'd for shame, and could have cry'd,
Because I was so closely ty'd,
To such an ougly Ethiopian:
But most it did afflict my heart,
'Cause t'was ordain'd, that wee must never part.
I wish'd her not my sister, but my wife,
For then I could have found a course,
To bee reliev'd by a divorce,
And to lay downe this burthen of my life:
But when more strictly I look'd in,
Reflecting on my self, as well as sinne,
I found, that wee two were together knitte,
More neare, then any Twinnes can bee
Ally'd; at least by a degree:
For wee bothe made but one Hermaphrodite;
This double shape, and forme I hated,
Which by figge leaves could not bee palliated.
While I my monstrous feature did deteste,
I tooke in hand a holy glasse,
Therein for to reviewe my face,
Bicause I knew, this Mirroir well exprest,
The just proportion of each line:
No glasse was ever seene so true, so fine.
And though this Glasse did to me represente
Mine owne deformityes, yet there
A ray of beauty did appeare,
The ruine of a feature excellent:
This spectacle my spirits sad
Refresh'd, and did some consolation adde.

353

And while I still did with this glasse advise,
More comfort to me did accrewe,
For it a heavenly forme did shew,
Though much defac'd by carnall vanityes,
Encourag'd by this good successe,
I still did hope to make my sorowes lesse.
And makeing still inquirye in this Glasse,
By humble speculation, I
Found out a present remedy,
For all deformityes, which did deface
My native shape, and by what art
I might a Monster to a saint convert.
It shewd how I a liveing well might find,
Which from five conduits did cast forth,
Pure crimson streames, of soveraigne worth,
And here to bathe my self I was injoyn'd,
And then these springs should mee endue,
With an angelicke shape, and heavenly hue.