Visiones Rerum The Visions of Things. Or Foure Poems. 1. Principium & Mutabilitas Rerum. Or, The beginning and Mutabilitie of all things. 2. Cursus & Ordo rerum. Or, Art and Nature. 3. Opineo & Ratio rerum. Or, Wealth and Pouertie. 4. Malum & finis rerum, Or, Sinne and Vertue, concluding with the last Iudgement and end of all things. Wherein the Authour expresseth his inuention by way of dreame. By John Hagthorpe |
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Cursus & Ordorerum.
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Cursus & Ordorerum.
Or ART AND NATVRE.
1
The Winter past, and Phœbus now begunT'approach our Northerne Tropick, to reuiue
His tender Infants hid in Flora's wombe,
And with his beames their fetters to vngiue;
When Men and Plants seem'd to receiue new life,
Themselues attiring in their best array,
To honour Phœbus, and adorne the day,
2
I (onely I) clouded in discontent,Wrapt vp in woe, stung with misfortunes strokes,
Hiding my selfe, my sorrowes so to vent,
In solitarie vnfrequented Rocks,
Which Thetis as enamor'd on, fast locks
Within her armes; here keeping of my Sheepe
With Morpheus Charmes, my sences fell asleepe.
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3
If I did sleepe I dream'd: if waking were;There was endeed presented to mine eye
Two Royall Queenes, whose persons did appeare
The types of beautie, and of soueraigntie,
Surpassing saue seem'd that, this faire and high:
That lowly seem'd of modest complement,
This courtly, gracefull, and magnificent.
4
That on her brow a rosie Chaplet bore,A Lilly, for a Scepter in her hand;
A Kirtle to of grassie greene shee wore;
Wherein with cunning skill did painted stand
All liuing creatures proper to the Land:
All sorts of Trees, Shrubs, Flowres, and Vegetals,
Both costly Iems, and hidden Minerals.
5
Here siluer streames slide through th'enameld Meades,Where towring Cedars, tufts of Mirtle seeme.
Here fed the frisking Cunnies, there the Heards;
And in this cirque three battailes strange were seene,
The Dragon and the Elephant betweene;
Betwixt th'Ichnewmon, and Niles monstrous King;
Th' Aspe and Camelion, whose Spit quits her Sting.
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6
The Phenix then (of winged things) was not,Nor th'neat House-wright Sea-charming Halcyon;
Nor was Molluca's plumy bird forgot,
That hath no Nest nor Cradle for her young,
But her Males hollow backe, where fast tide on
With their owne strings, they restlesse euer row
Through th'Ayre (their fare) and wretched faith nere know.
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7
The little Tomancio here I spide,And she whose forehead beares two burning Lights,
And two beneath her wings, which serue to guide
The cunning Workemans hands in darkest night:
And she of which the Brittaine wonders writes,
Fish, Fowle and Fruite: nor was she lesse adorn'd
Byth' seed to worme, frō worme to flie, transformd.
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8
Here all the Flowres of Tauris, Padoa;And all the Plants the Easterne Orchards yeelds,
Vpon their Downie Carpets smiling Lay:
And all the Druggs and Sweetes of Indian fields,
And Balsam, for which Egypt strong wall's builds.
The Cinamon, the Sugar-caine, the Vine,
And hallowed boughes that weepe those fires diuine.
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9
The Indian Roote-tree shading miles of lands,Whose moyst boughs make the coolest Galleries.
The feeling Shrub, that shrinkes from human hand.
And mournefull Tree which still at Phœbus rayes
Puts off her, Flowres, nights beautious liueries.
The Lote was here that seemes to seeke her Louer:
And th'Iron tree, not Iron, but his Brother.
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10
Vpon her shoulders then a Scarfe she hadOf party colours, gray, red, blew and greene,
In which the pourtraicts of each thing was made,
That in the licquid regions may be seene;
Both friendly Fish, and Monsters fell and keene,
Mongst whom th'earth neuer touching Dolphin bore
Chiefe place, that set th' Laconian Harpe ashore.
11
The Tyburone was here, whose nimble finOut-strips the fleetest Sayle in swiftest flight.
Th' Echynis, stay-ship Remora next him,
Tho small of body, yet of greatest might.
The burning Starre was here that shines so bright,
Whose touch feares all things; and although it drench
In deepest waues, yet water cannot quench.
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12
The double sighted Elops to was here.The Cramp-fish to, that makes the Fisher lame:
Tritons like men: and some whose heads appreare
Like rocks. The Morse that at reliefe is tane,
Sea-Vnicorne, Oxe and Hippopotame,
The monstrous Rhoyder, and the Oylie Whale,
And she that with her turning wheeles may saile.
13
Within this Scarfe were intertexted to,Three battailes that my wandring eyes beguile:
A scull of Dolphins first that each yeare goe
Procession to their brinie bounds in Nile,
Whom to repulse attends the Crocodile,
But to his cost: for tho he's arm'd each where,
Saue vnder's belly, his false foe speeds there.
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14
The next was of the Sword-fish and the Whales;The Sword fish aided by the Thresser-fish:
The last, where Man this monstrous Fish assailes,
Whose haughtie thoughts acquire true fame in this;
Since a small cord, and Harping-iron is
The engine, which being launc't at him asleepe,
Doth captiuate the King of all the Deepe.
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15
These few I noted of her ornaments,Before mine eyes did to that Goddesse moue,
Which seemd like Pallace, when her course she bent
Through the blew welken with the Queene of Loue,
And iealous Iuno, when with gifts they stroue
To bribe the Troian Boy vnto their wills,
That fed his Snow-white Lambs on Idaes Hills.
16
Nor had she onely prudent Pallace grace,And sacred wisdome, but did more containe
That Maiestie and Beautie in her face,
VVhich men ascribe vnto the other twaine.
In briefe, she had no blemish, nor no staine,
But rather seemd more faire then in her Youth;
A wonder, and but few will thinke tis truth.
17
In a triumphant Chariot did she sit,By which the tother captiue-like did stand;
Beneath her feete a Globe, a foot-stoole fit;
That hand a Booke, this bore a siluer VVand,
VVhose powerfull charmes doth stocks and stones command,
Lyons and Tygers and vpon her backe
Two wings she had, th'one white, the tother blacke.
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18
Vpon her head a Corronet she boreOf rich Arabian Pearle her Curles to stay;
A Syndon Vayle of Belgia she wore,
VVrought full with quaint workes of Hesperia:
A Purple Robe of Macedonia
Vpon her shoulders, and with cunning rare
Therein were wrought ten thousand works most faire.
19
In stead of Genness, or of Flemmish Mares,Two Eagles and two Elephants had she:
And for to mannage such vnequall paires,
Two mightie Giants, Gaine and Fame went by
To whip them on; the Coach-man, Industrie:
Plentie and Pleasure Lacquies were assign'd;
Vertue and Honour came as Friends behind.
20
And in this Chariot she was mounted hieIn a high Seate, which Contemplation hight
Sustain'd by foure VVheeles which doe make it flie,
VVherein in Golden characters were writ,
First, Logick, in the second Rhetorick;
Next, Musick and Arithmatick still prest,
To count the stops, strifes, errors of the rest:
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21
Beneath vpon her very skirts, mine eyeTen thousand Flowers, and precious beauties spide:
(For neerer I presume not, nor more high,
It might be construed arrogance and pride
For him that there so little hath descride:)
Ten thousand neate conceits and textures there,
Strange workes and rare inuentions did appeare.
22
Therein were wrought ten thousand Instruments.Ten thousand Wheeles, measures of swift Time:
Ten thousand Engins strange for rare intents,
Such as Archimedes his wit diuine,
Deuisde for Ladders vp to Heauen to clime,
To steale the motions of the Starres, and here
For to comprise them in his Vitrean Sphere,
23
All scattered round about her skirts there layA thousand Cities wrought by cunning hand,
Where battlements and steeples did display
Their loftie pride; 'bout some of which there stands
Braue Troopes of plumed Horse, and Footemens Bands,
Squadrons of Pikes to guard the thundring shot,
Some seeming forc't, some force regarding not.
24
Let the Reader looke for the rest of the Notes at the Iatter end.the Poem, by reason of the too largenesse of them.
Here to the life were wrought the Nauall Fights.
Sallamine, Actium, Corinth; where the Armes
Of East and West contended 'bout their rights;
Whilest Neptune laught, gaining by both their harmes:
Tho Europe aye triumphes, who with loues charmes
Hath so entangled Neptune, that he still
Is most obsequious to performe her will.
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25
Much more I saw which Time and mine intentOf breuite will not permit me say;
Which while I pondring stood, these Ladies bent
Their course to me, me thought with this array,
And with this equipage: the truth to say,
Much did I muse what such a Soueraigntie,
Might haue to doe with my rusticitie.
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And musing long what titles might be fit,What complements might best with them agree,
The chiefe of them which seem'd enthron'd to sit,
Thus shook me from my dumpes. Shepheard (quoth she)
First know, that we two, Art and Nature be.
Next, vnderstand thy Guests come from aboue,
Tho mortall shee, immortall Fates I proue.
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Thirdly, obserue that she and I haue thenA certaine Argument, which of vs two
Be most benigne and kind to mortall men,
She Nature, and I Art. And lastly, know
The censure of our Arguments we doe
Wholly referre to thine integritie,
To whom we equall Benefactors be.
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(Quoth I) Great Goddesses! vnworthy mostAm I into your presence for to come:
Vnworthier alas to be your Host,
Being thus dispoyl'd by Fortunes angry doome,
Both of your benefits, and of her owne:
But most vnworthy doubt I to appeare
Iudge of so great a controuersie here.
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29
But she replide: Doe not disestimateThy better tallent for thy pouertie,
Tho false opinion and preiudicate
Of vulgar wit, with dim and dropping eie
Saue Fortunes) sees not any Deitie;
We know Heauen loues the poore man many time,
And hates those rich, whose out-sides onely shine.
30
Our pleasure therefore is, that thou attendTo heare our Arguments with diligence;
Which duly heard and pondred in the end,
Then shalt thou sentence this our difference,
Giuing the Victor that preheminence
The iustice of their cause deserues. And streight
She thus began, and spake what now I write.
The Speech of Art.
This Dame (quoth she) of Mortalls all the Mother,Of all that be composde of th'Element,
Seemes to professe, that onely Man, none other,
Is the chiefe obiect whereto her care's bent,
That he's her Darling, all things else but lent
For his behoofe. Now I prooue she hath been,
More Benefactor vnto beasts, then him,
32
For when she first into this Worlds light sends them,She kindly sutes them new at her owne cost,
With clothes that can from cold and heate defend them,
And still repaires their liuerie hurt or lost.
Poore man comes naked to this forraine coast,
And without helpe of Mid-wiues, Nurces, Clothes,
He perishes: but Beasts need none of those.
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33
The Foule with spread wings ore her Chickens houers:Within her armes the Ape her youngling beares:
The Adder in her Maw her vile broode couers.
When'th Succurathe the Hounds pursuing heares,
Vpon her back a tent for hers she reares,
That scornes the Hunter. In her wondrous wombe
Doth the Chyurca hers as oft retombe.
34
But Neptunes tributaries, watry Nation,Tis they of men haue greatest odds in this,
Blest in this kind by rights of their creation,
VVhose industrie and care no greater is,
About their Spawne, and breeding businesses,
Then in Earths wombe to couer their election,
Then leau't to Citharea's safe protection.
35
Euen to the winds and fleeting waues they throw it,VVhich seuerd from them many a mile is blowne.
Why's this? Because their World's their owne they know it,
Kind Nature tells them that they be at home.
Then here's the first Sceane where her loue is showne;
For which from greatest bountie doth proceed
VVants to supplie, or take away that need.
36
Long are poore men appendixes to Mothers,And halfe their time in documents they spend
Amongst their Nurses, Schoole-masters, and others,
To know wherefore they liue, and to what end.
Long is their Seed-time, Haruest quickly In'd:
But long-liu'd beasts doe in a short time grow,
Fit for those ends that Nature fram'd them to.
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37
No weapons she to him at all assignes,Neither offensiue not defensiue Armes;
To these she hath imparted seuerall kinds,
Force to repell with force, and offerd harmes:
Teeth, Clawes, Hooues, Hornes, Stings fit for hot alarmes;
And for defensiue, diuers doe not want
Such priuie Coates, as Shot and Pikes can daunt.
38
Of these Niles steely-sided Monster's one:The Tortoyse with his bullet-daunting house:
The purple spotted yallow Champion:
The Carrv-towre, that onely feares the Mouse:
The Armadillo, and the Indian Boas.
All these in Armour well appointed goe,
And diuers diuersly defensed to.
39
She giues the Cockatrice a killing eie,The subtill Hien and inchanting foote;
The Crampfish a benumming qualitie;
The Cuttle Inkie humors blacke as soote
To die the waues, while from the nets he scout.
The Zibra venomd haires to kill her Rider;
The Porcupine a neuer-empty Quiuer.
40
She hath enstructed beasts with Physicks light:The wounded Deare run streight to Diptanie.
The Swallowes find out Cellandine for sight.
The Dog in Knot-grasse finds his remedie.
The Beares with Aron cure there malladie:
T'Hippopotame knowes th'vse of letting blood;
Tortoyse and Toades know Antidotes right good:
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41
Each one of these, and thousands more are proudOf some kind benefit she hath them giu'n,
Onely on man she nothing hath bestow'd,
But tender limbes, a smooth transparent skin,
Through which each little worme giues death to him:
Yea, greater weaknesses in him appeares,
He drinkes it often through his eies and's eares.
42
Beasts be not subiect vnto griefes, cares, feares,No future wants their present ioyes controle:
Blood-drying sighes nor braine consuming teares;
Heart-eating Enuie feedes not on their soule:
Not Auarice nor Pride doth them defoule,
Winged Ambition that enflames the brests
Of mortall men, doth not disturbe their rests.
43
This said, in silence Art streight sat her downe,To let her Riuall answere what she could.
So Nature rising like the morning-Sun,
Whose brighter beames, moyst vapours ouer cloud.
Halfe vaylde in modest blushes, long she stood
At these enditements. But at last she broke
Her silence thus, and for her selfe thus spoke.
Here Art seemes to conclude her first speech, and giues Nature leaue to replie, as followeth.
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44
Mortall (quoth she) these imputations here,And foule aspersions cast on my cleare fame,
I truly must returne them (being cleare)
On Art her selfe, from whence at first they came:
Tis manifest that I for men ordaine
One onely benefit, that ballances
All these that she calls disaduantages.
45
Reason, a heauenly gift, which crownes him KingOf all the Worlds so large extended bound:
VVhich (tho he's borne weake, wanting euery thing)
Affoords him all, with friends encompast round,
(VVhom Reason doth instruct with iudgement sound)
And neighbours, for to helpe at such a time;
By charitie and mutuall loue men shine.
46
When he's growne vp, this yeelds him all things fit,And to him is an armour of defence.
What Engins doth he frame with pregnant wit,
Keene Swords and Speares, blest guards of innocence?
What fiercest monster is not in suspence,
To see his glistering Helme? or a'the report
Of his fire-spitting musket scuds not for't?
47
All creatures feare him, as their King and Lord:For of their flesh he at his choice doth feede;
For him fit clothing also they affoord,
Haire, Wooll and Hide which he conuerts at neede
To many an vse, such as the Heauens decreed
Ere their creation, he should best deuise,
To accommodate to his necessities.
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For him the Bee makes Hony; and the EweAnd gainefull Cow for him their Milke they yeeld:
For him the pritty Silke worme weaues her clew:
For him, not for her selfe, the Doue doth build:
For him the Flocks beare Wooll: for him the Field
Doth each yeere reuell in luxurious pride:
The Trees beare Fruit, and Meades are richly dide.
49
For him alone the Indian Tunall TreeVpon her Leaues brings forth those costly Wormes
That now those Tyrian Fishes wants supply.
For him the Bezars and the Vnicornes
Bring these their Antidotes, their Stones and Hornes.
For him the Elephant his cordiall Teeth:
The Cat her costly Sweat, of Sweetes the chiefe.
50
For him and for his sake alone they knowThe Weathers change, and times and seasons render,
Not for themselues, that neither plow, ne sow,
But serue the Rustick for his true Kallender:
And for him onely doe examples tender
Of Surgerie and Physick; losse of breath
Being to them the best thing Heauens bequeath.
51
Yet this is onely halfe the good which heReceiues from beasts, whom Reason right doth guide.
Of morall vertues many sparkes there be
In them, which serue abundantly to chide
Their haplesse Master, when his foote doth slide:
The greatest griefe that wise men ere befalls,
To see their shame in brutish animalls.
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52
Of these there be prouided many a one,Faire Characters, wherein poore erring men
May reade their duties. First, the Halcion,
True patterne of coniugall loue: for when
Old age enfeebled hath her mate, the Hen
Forsakes him not, but helpes his weake estate,
Because in youth he was her louing mate.
53
They haue the Doue to shew them Innocence,The Pellean to teach paternall loue:
The Swallow to ouercome by patience;
Filiall dutie doth the Storke approue:
The losse of friends the Turtle true doth moue
To sollitarines: for Industrie
They haue the Silk-worme, Ant, and pretty Bee.
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The profitable Oxe, and ready Horse,The map of courage, and of mortall pride:
The Elephant of most admired force,
And diuers things domestick to beside,
To obedience and humilitie him guide:
For these acknowledge some small benefits,
Which he for many great ones still forgets.
55
The silly Cur still at his Masters foote,Which patterne of an honest seruant is,
Which knowes his Masters friends, and who be not;
Defends his goods, and suffers nought amisse;
He prompts him still with his good qualities,
Being the mirror of fidelitie,
Of perfit friendship, magnanimitie.
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And wherefore this? to teach the vngratefull man:(Vnworthy Banister I thinke on thee,
Which sold thy Noble Master Buckingham)
That thankfull Dogs then those men better be,
Which fawne and flatter that prosperitie
Which feeds them: but if Fortune frowne,
Then soonest bite, and helpe to pluck it downe.
57
The venombde Aspe, whose vengeance few can shun(The poyson of his angry mind is such)
I force from lothsome caue to light to come
To teach those minds, whose soules no vertues touch,
That Iustice hath with men endured so much;
She flies to wormes, whom neither hate nor loue
Can make vniust like wretched men to proue.
58
I cause the fiercest beasts of sea and land,The Dragon, Lyon, Sealie Crocodile,
To know their Masters, and t'endure his hand,
Growing domestick seruants in short while;
To teach in human man that will defile
His hands with blood of those that nourisht him,
That bruitest beasts and Serpents thinke it sinne.
59
I bring the raging Lion from his denIn Nubian Desarts, where he vsde to pray
On weary passengers and trauelling men,
Whose hard misfortunes led them to his way,
Vnto Romes publike Theater to display,
That benefits euen saluage beasts doth bind,
Tho thankfulnesse seeme fled from human kind.
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60
I bring the King of Pegues shady Groues,From vnfrequented saultes and places strange,
To teach Man that his owne way still approues,
Only how-euer crookt and wide it range,
With streighter pathes of noblest beasts to change,
Whose many vertues wise mortalls discouer,
Deuot, iust, faithfull, thankfull, glories louer.
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A world of which examples may be foundIn birds and beasts euen those of brutest kind,
From whence to men great profit might redound,
If ponderd well they were, and borne in mind.
Such letters faire, as might instruct the blind.
For what is he that will not vertue loue,
When Lions, Tigers, Serpents it approue?
62
This said, me thought Art thus againe replide:Blind Nature would betray the erring Man,
Who woes thee thus to follow her (blind guide)
VVhen I alone thy prudent Tutresse am;
Teaching thee both the Monsters fierce to tame,
And to get soueraigne Antidotes from these
That hurt thee worst, and choycest remedies.
63
The silly rurall person, if he meeteThe cordiall flowers, the Vyolet or the Rose,
He passes by, or treads them vnder feete,
Euen things that greatest vertues doe enclose:
VVhilest he diseasde might oft be cured by those;
Time, Hysop, Dodder, Anthos, that do grow
In's Garden, he them knowes, but doth not know.
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64
His Cow, his Sheepe, his Pullen and his Swine,Containe ten thousand vertues hid in them,
VVhich might preserue his life at many a time,
If Nature were not blind, depriu'd by sin,
Of her true light; and therefore this light's gi'un
By Heauen to me, that I might it dispose
To those, whom God for this end fittest knowes,
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I teach him from the Scorpion to getAn Oyle, the Antidote against her teeth.
Nothing against the Vipers sting so fit
As Metridate, where her owne flesh is thiefe
Ingredient. Nothing giues more reliefe
Forth' Water-Snakes sting, or the mad Dogs tooth
Then their owne liuers sod, and eaten doth.
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What thing more horrid then the Crocodile?Few parts of him which are not physicall.
Who at the angry Elephant dares smile?
Who trembles not? His teeth are cordiall.
The Toad yeelds me a stone medicinall.
The Serpents Caymans, and fell Tyburones
They doe the same; so doth Lincurions.
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Nor doth she lesse her selfe mis-vnderstand,That to her selfe doth arrogate the praise,
In morall vertues, for instructing man;
Since I therein enlight him with my rayes,
And teach him to apply such things alwaies
To his owne good, for such as know not me,
By such examples nothing better be.
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68
Witnesse Brasile, Peruuia, and allThe saluage Nations of the Westerne world,
Where Nature hath been each way prodigall:
Yet are their minds and manners most abhord,
Which few signes of humanitie afford;
Of vertue none, Man-eaters, bruite and euill.
Not seruing God, but worshipping the Deuill.
69
Those that haue seene faire Florence, or the TowresOf Naples G[illeg.], or aged Rome,
Or Regall Tauris thy delightfull Bowres,
Or the captiue face of Constantines sad Towne;
Or Pharoes Tower, which Pharoes Rocks doth crowne,
Whose loftie Turrets kisse th'enamourd skies,
Whose various obiects steale mens dazled eies.
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Their ornaments in Stone, Siluer and GoldPictures in Tables wrought, Glasse, Marble, Clothes,
With so rare skill, that those which them behold,
Seeme chang'd sometime to these, and these to those;
Their purple States, and their triumphall showes
Of Princes, People, best of all can tell,
How much my gifts to men doe hers excell.
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Yet these externall gifts are poore and small,Compard with other benefits of mine,
Who as a Gnomon doe direct them all
To looke from shadowes, on that Sunne diuine,
Which through the world both Light and Life doth shine:
Since terrene beauties only shadowes be
Of that true compleate Beautie, One and Three.
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72
This said, her finger lockt her lip and me;She beckned streight-way with her other hand,
That I enformd, now sentence should decree,
Because her modestie did here command
Her silence, and that we might vnderstand
How much selfe-praise doth true fame interest,
She ceast, well hoping I would speake the rest.
73
A taske, which pondring mine owne weakenesse right,I found my selfe lesse fit to vnder-take,
Then Pigmies be with Giants for to fight;
And crauing they some fitter choice would make,
Euen here me thought, euen while these words we spake,
A reuerend Matron entred into place,
Call'd Alethia, her I shewed the case:
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Requested her the matter to decideTo heare, weigh, iudge with best discretion.
To which me thought she instantly replide:
Friend, for that purpose am I hither come,
Therefore obserue and listen to my doome;
Tho bodies great, we cannot wholly view,
We iudge the whole by a part, one thread the clew.
75
Nature is faire, but Art it makes her shine.Nature is great, but Art she makes her more.
Nature is wise, Art makes her seeme diuine.
Nature is rich, but Art still mends her store.
Nature is strong, yet doth she aide implore
From Art. Art better then by consequent,
Since she her strength, wealth, beauty doth augment.
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76
Nature is of her selfe but a rude masse,VVhich of it selfe each day to ruine tends:
VVhom Art still striues to beautifie and grace,
And to preserue and forme it euer bends
Her chiefe endeauour, tending still to mend
VVhat errs, or wants in Nature, and to plaine
Her ruder workes with some more pollisht frame.
77
Since Nature brings Man forth imperfit then,VVith sense relucting alwaies to the mind:
And Art she tills and formes the soules of men,
Giuing them light, whom Nature hath made blind;
My sentence is to Art wholly enclin'd.
Since as the ancient sages truly tell,
Tis better ne'er to be, then not be well.
78
This said, my Vision vanisht: nothing staidBut th'airie clouds, vast sea, demolisht Phane,
My selfe and my sad thoughts, but ill appaide
VVith certaine gifts they gaue me for my paine:
For Nature angry and incenst with shame,
Warded me sicknes: Art for all my toyle,
Pouertie, cause I did her praises soyle.
| Visiones Rerum | |