Occasional Verses of Edward Lord Herbert, Baron of Cherbery and Castle-Island Deceased in August, 1648 |
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The IDEA,
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 | Occasional Verses of Edward Lord Herbert, Baron of Cherbery and Castle-Island |  |
75
The IDEA,
Made of Alnwick in his Expedition to Scotland with the Army, 1639.
All Beauties vulgar eyes on earth do see,
At best but some imperfect Copies be,
Of those the Heavens did at first decree.
At best but some imperfect Copies be,
Of those the Heavens did at first decree.
For though th' Idea's of each sev'ral kind,
Conceiv'd above by the Eternal Mind,
Are such, as none can error in them find.
Conceiv'd above by the Eternal Mind,
Are such, as none can error in them find.
Since from his thoughts and presence he doth bear,
And shut out all deformity so farr,
That the least beauty near him is a Starr.
And shut out all deformity so farr,
That the least beauty near him is a Starr.
As Nature yet from far th' Idea's views,
And doth besides but vile materials chuse,
We in her works observe no small abuse:
And doth besides but vile materials chuse,
We in her works observe no small abuse:
Some of her figures therefore, foil'd and blurr'd,
Shew as if Heaven had no way concurr'd
In shapes so disproportion'd and absurd.
Shew as if Heaven had no way concurr'd
In shapes so disproportion'd and absurd.
Which being again vex'd with some hate and spite,
That doth in them vengeance and rage excite,
Seem to be tortur'd and deformed quite.
That doth in them vengeance and rage excite,
Seem to be tortur'd and deformed quite.
76
While so being fixt, they yet in them contain
Another sort of ugliness and stain,
B'ing with old wrinkles interlin'd again.
Another sort of ugliness and stain,
B'ing with old wrinkles interlin'd again.
Lastly, as if Nature ev'n did not know
What Colour every sev'ral part should ow,
They look as if their Galls did overflow.
What Colour every sev'ral part should ow,
They look as if their Galls did overflow.
Fair is the mark of Good, and foul of Ill,
Although not so infallibly, but still
The proof depends most on the mind and will:
Although not so infallibly, but still
The proof depends most on the mind and will:
As Good yet rarely in the Foul is met,
So 'twould as little by its union get,
As a rich Jewel that were poorly set.
So 'twould as little by its union get,
As a rich Jewel that were poorly set.
For since Good first did at the Fair begin,
Foul being but a punishment for sin,
Fair's the true outside to the Good within.
Foul being but a punishment for sin,
Fair's the true outside to the Good within.
In these the supreme Pow'r then so doth guide
Natures weak hand, as he doth add beside
All by which Creatures can be dignifi'd.
Natures weak hand, as he doth add beside
All by which Creatures can be dignifi'd.
While you in them see so exact a line,
That through each sev'ral part a glimpse doth shine
Of their original and form divine.
That through each sev'ral part a glimpse doth shine
Of their original and form divine.
Therefore the characters of fair and good
Are so set forth, and printed in their blood,
As each in other may be understood.
Are so set forth, and printed in their blood,
As each in other may be understood.
77
That Beauty so accompani'd with Grace,
And equally conspicuous in the face,
In a fair Womans outside takes the place.
And equally conspicuous in the face,
In a fair Womans outside takes the place.
Thus while in her all rare perfection meets,
Each, as with joy, its fellow beauty greets,
And varies so into a thousand sweets.
Each, as with joy, its fellow beauty greets,
And varies so into a thousand sweets.
Or if some tempting thought do so assault,
As doubtful she 'twixt two opinions halt,
A gentle blush corrects and mends the fault,
As doubtful she 'twixt two opinions halt,
A gentle blush corrects and mends the fault,
That so she still fairer and better grows,
Without that thus she more to passion ows,
Then what fresh colour on her cheeks bestows.
Without that thus she more to passion ows,
Then what fresh colour on her cheeks bestows.
To which again her lips such helps can add,
As both will chase all grievous thoughts and sad:
And give what else can make her good or glad.
As both will chase all grievous thoughts and sad:
And give what else can make her good or glad.
As Statuaries yet having fram'd in Clay
An hollow Image, afterwards convey
The molten mettle through each several way;
An hollow Image, afterwards convey
The molten mettle through each several way;
But when it once unto its place hath past,
And th' inward Statua perfectly is cast,
Do throw away the outward Clay at last.
And th' inward Statua perfectly is cast,
Do throw away the outward Clay at last.
So when that form the Heav'ns at first decreed
Is finished within, Souls do not need
Their Bodies more, but would from them be freed.
Is finished within, Souls do not need
Their Bodies more, but would from them be freed.
78
For who still cover'd with their earth would ly?
Who would not shake their fetters off, and fly,
And be, at least, next to, a Deity?
Who would not shake their fetters off, and fly,
And be, at least, next to, a Deity?
However then you be most lovely here,
Yet when you from all Elements are clear,
You far more pure and glorious shall appear.
Yet when you from all Elements are clear,
You far more pure and glorious shall appear.
Thus from above I doubt not to behold
You second self renew'd in your own mold,
And rising thence fairer then can be told.
You second self renew'd in your own mold,
And rising thence fairer then can be told.
From whence ascending to the Elect and Blest
In your true joys you will not find it least,
That I in Heav'n shall know and love you best.
In your true joys you will not find it least,
That I in Heav'n shall know and love you best.
For while I do your coming there attend,
I shall much time on your Idea spend.
And note how far all others you transcend.
I shall much time on your Idea spend.
And note how far all others you transcend.
And thus, though you more then an Angel be,
Since being here to sin and mischief free,
You will have rais'd your self to their degree:
Since being here to sin and mischief free,
You will have rais'd your self to their degree:
That so victorious over Death and I ate,
And happy in your everlasting state,
You shall triumphant enter Heaven gate.
And happy in your everlasting state,
You shall triumphant enter Heaven gate.
Hasten not thither yet, for as you are
A Beauty upon Earth without compare,
You will shew best still where you are most rare.
A Beauty upon Earth without compare,
You will shew best still where you are most rare.
79
Live all our lives then: If the picture can
Here entertain a loving absent man,
Much more th' Idea where you first began.
Here entertain a loving absent man,
Much more th' Idea where you first began.
| Occasional Verses of Edward Lord Herbert, Baron of Cherbery and Castle-Island | |