 | Aurelian Townshend's Poem and Masks |  |
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Doubtful Poems.
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XIX. Mr. Townsends Verses to Ben Johnsons, in answer to an Abusive Copie, crying down his Magnetick Lady.
It cannot move thy friend (firm Ben) that heWhom the Star-Chamber censur'd, rimes at thee.
I gratulate the method of thy fate,
That joyn'd thee next in malice to the State.
So Nero, after paricidall guilt,
Brooks no delay till Lucan's blood be spilt;
Nor could his malice find a second crime,
Unlesse he slew the Poet of the time.
But (thanks to Hellicon) here are no blowes;
This Drone no more of sting then honey shewes.
His verses shall be counted Censure, when
Cast Malefactors are made Jury-men.
Mean while rejoyce, that so disgrac't a quill
'Tempted to wound that worth, time cannot kill.
And thou that darest to blast Fame fully blown,
Lye buried in the ruines of thy owne.
Vexe not thine ashes, open not the deep,
The Ghosts of thy slaine name had rather sleep.
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XX.
[Amyntas, ho! Didst thou espy, today]
Daphnis. Amyntas.D.
Amyntas, ho! Didst thou espy, today,
A mountain-Nymph pass nimbly by this way?
Her Garments handsom were, though nothing brave:
Her Cheek and Eye, such as thy Phyllis have.
A.
Daphnis, to Roëll house early she went,
To her brave Lord, some Token to present.
D.
Amyntas, Thanks: No better newes I'd hear:
I know, she'l find a noble welcom there.
Tounsend.
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XXI. La Boiuinette.
Shee's not the fairest of her name,
And yet she conquers more then all her race.
She has other motiues to Inflame,
Besides a louely face;
She has witt & Constancy,
Charmes that take the Soule more then the Eye
Tis not Euery Louer
Knows how to discouer
Such Diuinity.
And yet she conquers more then all her race.
She has other motiues to Inflame,
Besides a louely face;
She has witt & Constancy,
Charmes that take the Soule more then the Eye
Tis not Euery Louer
Knows how to discouer
Such Diuinity.
And yet She is an Easie booke,
Writt in faire Language for the meaner witt,
A stately Garbe, a Glorious looke,
And all things justly fitt.
Yet time shall undermine
That glorious outside that appeares soe fine.
When the Common louer
Shrinkes and giues her ouer,
Then Shee's only mine.
Writt in faire Language for the meaner witt,
A stately Garbe, a Glorious looke,
And all things justly fitt.
Yet time shall undermine
That glorious outside that appeares soe fine.
When the Common louer
Shrinkes and giues her ouer,
Then Shee's only mine.
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To the Platonik that Apply's
His deare addresses only to the mind,
The bodie but a Temple signifies,
Wherein the Saint's inshrin'd.
To him it is all one,
Whether the walls be marble or of stone;
For in holy places,
Which old time defaces,
There's most deuotion shewne.
His deare addresses only to the mind,
The bodie but a Temple signifies,
Wherein the Saint's inshrin'd.
To him it is all one,
Whether the walls be marble or of stone;
For in holy places,
Which old time defaces,
There's most deuotion shewne.
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XXII. Upon kinde and true Love.
'Tis not how witty, nor how free,
Nor yet how beautifull she be,
But how much kinde and true to me.
Freedome and Wit none can confine,
And Beauty like the Sun doth shine,
But kinde and true are onely mine.
Nor yet how beautifull she be,
But how much kinde and true to me.
Freedome and Wit none can confine,
And Beauty like the Sun doth shine,
But kinde and true are onely mine.
Let others with attention sit,
To listen, and admire her wit,
That is a rock where Ile not split.
Let others dote upon her eyes,
And burn their hearts for sacrifice,
Beauty's a calm where danger lyes.
To listen, and admire her wit,
That is a rock where Ile not split.
Let others dote upon her eyes,
And burn their hearts for sacrifice,
Beauty's a calm where danger lyes.
But Kinde and True have been long tried
A harbour where we may confide,
And safely there at anchor ride.
From change of winds there we are free,
And need not feare Storme's tyrannie,
Nor Pirat, though a Prince he be.
A harbour where we may confide,
And safely there at anchor ride.
From change of winds there we are free,
And need not feare Storme's tyrannie,
Nor Pirat, though a Prince he be.
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