The Captive-captain or, the restrain'd cavalier; Drawn to his full Bodie in these Characters ... Presented, and Acted to Life in a Suit of Durance; an Habit suiting best with the Place of his Residence [by Richard Brathwait] |
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| VIII. | VIII. The restrained Cavaliere, with his Melancholy Fancy. |
 | The Captive-captain |  |
15
VIII. The restrained Cavaliere, with his Melancholy Fancy.
[Didst thou but know, dogg'd Jaylor, whom thou hast]
Didst thou but know, dogg'd Jaylor, whom thou hastIn those vast jaws of thy damp Prison plac't;
With cheerful rays thou'dst look upon thy guest,
And hold thy Mansion by his seizure blest.
Pure Nectar Rivolets drain'd from our brains
Like Aqua fortis shall eat through thy chains.
Grumble not, Island Curr! Here is a man
Would hook thy Nose, were't thou Leviathan.
Wits sleight restraint! our Spirits never felt
Cares of those keys hang dangling at thy belt.
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[A Captive-Captain lay in such a room]
A Captive-Captain lay in such a room,He held his Bed the Embleme of his Tombe.
Dark as a Charnel-house: no spirit did move
But Rats and Mice below, and rain above:
So as he need't not wash his Couch with tears,
Such streaming showrs drill'd down about his ears.
Besides, an Herd of grunting Hoggs so nigh,
None could discern his Lodging from their Stye.
A kennel too of bawling Curs lay there,
Which all night long were yelping in his ear.
Near this a chimney that would keep no fire;
“Thus did his passive pensive hours expire.
“If this a thraldom might not stiled be,
“Prisons are Paradoxes unto me.
| The Captive-captain | |