University of Virginia Library

Of all the Passions handled hitherto,
With this that follows I had least to doe.
By some small trials though that I have had,
I finde 'tis better far than being sad:
And that no greater good on earth might be,
If it would last, and were from combrance free.
But that can never be, our state is such;
And Destiny moreover seems to grutch
Ought should be perfect in mortality,
Lest we should leave to seek Eternitie.
Never could any yet that Ioy obtain
On which there follow'd neither shame nor pain:
For he (no question) that's allowed most,
Doth dearely pay for what is quickly lost.

But sure the reason why mans joy so soon
Is chang'd to sorrow, is because there's none,
Or very few, that do their gladnesse found
Vpon a solide, firme, substantiall ground:
But on such subjects, as no marvell though,
It doth receive so quick an overthrow,
And brings so sharp a farewell. For one joyes
In Dogs, Apes, Monkies, or some such like toies;
And when they faile, (as how can they last long?)
Their mirth is finish'd, they must change their song.

Some in their honour all their joy do place;
And then if but a frown or some disgrace
Adde the least motion unto Fortunes wheele,
Sorrow takes place, and little joy they feele.

Take but away his substance, you destroy
The miserable Richmans onely joy.
And soon by sicknesse that delight's defac'd,
Which man in beauty, or in strength hath plac'd.
Yea, the best joy in transitory things,
They being lost, at last a sorrow brings.
All men should therefore make a carefull choice
Of that wherein their meaning's to rejoyce,
And not affect things so extreamly vain,
As make them to repent their joy again.
Yet many do so settle their delight
On things unworthy, that they are e'en quite
Bereft of understanding when they see
They must of them again deprived be.

One foole hath lost his Hawk to day, and he
Can neither eate, nor drink, nor merry be:
There was his onely joy, and now 'tis gone,
Without all doubt the Gentleman's undone.

Young Mistresse Vanity is also sad
Because the Parrat's dead she lately had.
Alas! and blame her not if that she houle,
The Parrat was (I warrant) halfe her soule.

But weigh this you that have your better parts
Of an immortall fame, awake your hearts,
And from delight in drosse and clay remove
Your joyes, to place them on the things above:
So shall you still have reason to rejoyce,
And not with sorrow thus repent your choyce.
This that you so much doat on is a toy
So far from meriting the name of Ioy,
That either 'tis not thorowly obtained;
Or if it be in such a measure gained
As you would wish it, then you are no lesse
Endanger'd by an over-joyfulnesse.
For had you seen men that were calm'd at Sea,
And forc'd the leasure of the windes to stay,
Halfe starv'd for food, brought to some happy shore,
Where is of victualling with all things store,
And there through hunger greedily begin
To glut their stomacks that have fasting bin,
With the long-wish'd-for cates; Lo, while they eate,
They grow extreamly faint with wholsome meat:
And thorow weaknesse by disuse of food,
That which was for their comfort and their good
Turnes to their bane. Right so it fares in this;
For he that long time in some sorrow is,
And tost upon the boistrous seas of care,
If for his comfort he be landed there
Where joy abounds; his heart (where none hath bin
Full many a day before) receives it in
So out of measure, that it even makes
The soule unquiet; and thereby he takes
A surfeit: whose strong violence is such,
The body faints, or is endanger'd much.

Some of mine own acquaintance I have seen
That with this Passion have o'er-charged been
And at relating of some news that's good,
Have almost senselesse and amazed stood:
Yea, been so ravish'd with the joy they took,
That they have for a time their lives forsook.

But neither can not will I e'er commend
Such joy as this; for when we apprehend
That we delight in with too deep content,
God laies that on us for a punishment;
To shew what danger and uncertainty
Is in the best of earths felicity:
And that no joy can sweet or lasting prove,
Which from his speciall favour doth not move.

Somewhat still follows every other joy,
That doth with bitternesse the sweet destroy:
And sure this may some reason of it be,
Men in their mirth are carelesse to foresee
What ill may follow, and (beyond all measure)
Give way unto their false conceived pleasure.
Which hurtfull liberty they must restrain,
If they will any true contentment gain.
And I am of this minde, If every man
Would curb rebellious thoughts but what he can,
Armes of resistance he might better weeld,
And not so basely to this Passion yeeld.
Neither befits it Man that ought to be
At all times fenc'd with magnanimitie,
To suffer any mischiefe to annoy
His minde, through either too much care or joy:
But so the one should of the other borrow.
He might be sad with mirth, and glad with sorrow.
Thus I advise; and here my pen shall stay;
The reason is, I have no more to say:
But when with joy I am acquainted better,
I'le tell you more, or else remain you debter.