Poems, and phancies written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected |
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 | Poems, and phancies |  |
205
The House of Shame wherein Dishonour Lives.
Dishonour in the House of Shame doth Dwell,The way is Broad and Open like the Hell;
The Porter's he, whom Baseness we do call,
And Idleness is Usher of the Hall;
The House with Dark Forgefulness is hung,
And round about Ingratitude is flung;
Windows of Boldness which Out-face the Light,
The Curtains are Dissembling, drawn with Spight;
Covetousness hath Gilded all the Roof,
The Weather-Cock, Inconstancy, doth move:
Instead of Pillars Obstinacy stands,
Carved with Perjury by Cunning hands;
And Lust on Beds of Luxury doth lye,
The Chamberlain, that Waits, is Jealousie.
Gardens of Riot, where the VVanton VValks,
Lascivious Arbours, where Obsceneness Talks;
The Store-hous's Theft, Ill gotten Goods lye in,
A secret Door's Bolted with a False Pin;
The Bake-house doth Ill Consciences make,
False Hearts, as Ovens Hot, them hard do Bake;
The Brew-house yields Designs of wicked Brains,
With Corrupt Measures and Deceitfull Grains;
Drunkness the Cellar, Stomacks for Barrels go,
Mouths are the Taps, whence Spue for Drink doth flow;
Kitchens of Slander, where Good Names are Burn'd,
Spits of Revenge, on which Ill Deeds are turn'd;
The Slaughter-house of horrid Murder's Built,
A Knife of Cruelty, by which Blood's Spilt;
206
VVith Infamy, which is as Black as Ink.
| Poems, and phancies | |