Ivvenilia :: :: University of Virginia Library

Lvstfull Desire (although twere rather fit
To some bruit Creature to attribute it)
Shall be presented in the second place;
Because it shrowds a vile deformed face
Beneath Loves Vizard, and assumes that name,
Hiding it own fault with the others blame.
'Tis a base Passion, from whose sink doth flow
Many base humours. 'Tis the overthrow
Of all in whom it enters. 'Tis an evill
Worse than to be possessed with a Devill.
This, this is that which oft caus'd publike strife,
And private discord. This makes man and wife
Grow each to other cold in their affection,
And to the very marrow sends infection.
This spoiles the body; this doth make the face
Look wan, pale, yellow, and doth much disgrace
The beauty of it. This bereaveth quite,
The bones of marrow, and the eyes of sight.
It shrinks the sinews; and from thence doth sprout
Griefes of the stomake, Leprosie and Gout,
With other such: beside, it doth decay
Not life alone; but also takes away
Both memory and understanding too;
And many other mischiefes else will doe.

And which way comes that foule disease to us
We call the French, so vile and odious?
I'st not by Lust? Breed not such-like desires
Children begotten by unlawfull Sires?
Strange generations; beds so oft defilde,
That many a Father scarcely knowes his childe?
Or, is't not hence this common Proverbe growes,
'Tis a wise childe that his own Father knowes?
Doth it not others reputation foyle?
And them e'ne of their dearest jewells spoile?
Yes, and from hence a thousand other crimes
Do daily spring: and yet in these our times
'Tis highly made of. Yea, 'tis Lust doth weare
The richest garments, and hath curious'st fare:
The softest beds it hath to take repose
With sweet perfumes; but sure ther's need of those.

Drawn in a Coach it visits, now and then,
Some neare acquaintance 'mongst the Noblemen.
And yet the Court alone frequents it not,
But in the City residence hath got,
Where, in a daily service it imployes,
Young Cocknies, Burgomasters, Roaring-Boyes,
Yea, Porters, Prentises, and all that may
Be service able to it any way.

'Twere much to note the pain that some endure,
And at how high a rate they do procure
Their beastly wills. Ther's many spend their stocks
In Ruffes, Gowns, Kirtles, Petty-coats, and Smocks.
For which, on's paid with that shall make him craul
(If he be friended to some Hospitall.

Another quitted for his well-spent stuffe,
By some grim Serjeant with a Counter-buffe:
A third it brings (if long that course he follows)
First to the Gaole, and so-forth to the Gallowes.

And what have you observed to have bin
The usuall associates of this sin?
But filthy speeches, bold fac't impudence,
Vnseemly actions, riot, negligence;
Or such as these. Yea, to procure their lust
It makes them into any mischiefs thrust,
(How hatefull or apparant ere they be)
Or put in practise any villanie.

Moreover, where it enters once, the minde
Can no true rest, nor any quiet finde.
We see it also maketh them to crave,
Not what is best, but what they long to have.
Yea, Lust hath many mischiefs that ensue it,
Which most men see, but few the lesse eschew it.
Men rather now, as if 'twere no offence,
Are grown to such a shamelesse impudence,
They vaunt and brag of their lascivious facts,
No lesse than some of brave heroick acts.
And, not a few of this same humour be,
That would be thought the foes of Chastitie.
By whom, if I see ill, Ile sure conceale it;
For they themselves will, to their shames, reveale it.

Ther's others, who disliking so to vaunt,
Will, Si non castè, tamen cautè, grant,
(For that's their Motto) they make modest showes,
But what they do in secret, man nere knows.

Some makes a Baud of the divine profession,
(Like Shavelings in Auricular Confession.)
Th' other are bad, and sure of God accurst:
But, of all others, these I deem the worst.

Ther's other Gallants would desire but this,
Without suspition to confer and kisse:
For other pleasures they would never crave them,
Nay, if they might, they sweare they wil not have thē.

So mean perhaps, but time brings alteration;
And a faire woman is a shrewd temptation.

Then many make their feigned love to be
A cloak to cover their immodestie:
These will protest, and vow, and sweare their life
Consists in having whom they woo to wife.
Yet, if the villains can their lust fulfill,
They will forswear them, and be living still.

Some do court all (and not alone to prove;
But for because with all they are in love.)
With such deep Passion, that they cannot smother
Their hot affection till they meet another.

But why will Man against himselfe and Reason
Consent to such a Tyrant in his Treason?
Why will he so his liberty forgoe,
To be a slave to such a monstrous foe?
For what is this same Passion we call Lust?
Is't not a Brutish longing? an unjust
And foule desire, unlawfully to gain
Some evill pleasure? Or, to speak more plain;
A furious burning passion, whose hot fumes
Corrupt the understanding, and consumes
The very flesh of man? Then what's the fact?
What may I terme that vile and shamefull act,
But this; The execution of an ill,
Out of set purpose, and with a good will,
In spight of Reason? Tell me, is't not base?
When men shall so their worthy sex disgrace,
To give their bodies in a deed unclean,
With a foule nastie prostituted quean?
Or, in their understanding be so dull,
As to observe an idle short-heel'd Trull?
A puling female Devil, that hath smiles
Like Syrens Songs, and teares like Crocodyles.

Yet there be some (I will not name them now)
Whom I have seen unto such puppets bow,
And be as serviceable as a Groome
That fears another man will beg his roome.
They have been glad full oft to please their pride
With costly gifts, and forced to abide
Imperious scoffes, with many scornfull words,
Such as the humour they are in affords.
And yet for these they'l venture honours, lives,
If they command it: when on their poore Wives
(Though they in beauty love, and true delight,
Exceed them more than day-time doth the night)
Those common Courtesies they'l scarce bestow
Which they to ev'ry stranger use to show:
Yea, & their Lust doth wrap them in such blindnesse,
They cannot give them one poore look in kindnesse.

Moreover, for their lusts they have not laid
Base plots alone, like him that was convey'd
In a close trunk, because in secresie
He would (unseen) enjoy his venery.
I say not onely therein have they reacht
Their damn'd inventions: it hath also stretcht
Vnto strange Lusts, of which I will not speak,
Because I may offend the minde that's weak:
Or, least I to some simple one should show
Those sinnes by naming he did never know.
Then here Ile leave: there's lurking holes such store,
This stinking Vermine I will hunt no more.