Divinity and Morality in Robes of Poetry Composed for the Recreations of the Courteous and Ingenious. By the Author Tho. Jordan |
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On those women, who pretend that poverty provoketh to in chastity.
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 | Divinity and Morality in Robes of Poetry |  |
On those women, who pretend that poverty provoketh to in chastity.
Shall poverty destroy us? Is the mind(The noble temper of the soul) confin'd
To such a baseness, that we cannot be
Our selves, unless we hug prosperity?
Shall we confess an Hell? conceit withall,
There is an Heaven, where the Angelical
Receive immortal joy? Shall we believe
It vvas ordain'd for poor ones, such as grieve
In a continual vvant? and hourly groan
Under the burthen of affliction?
And shall vve be so senseless to agree,
That vertuous souls can fall by poverty?
Tell me, intemperate creatures, in vvhat state
Did ye salute the vvorld at first? vvhat rate
Were your gay garments priz'd at, vvhen you cry'd
For needful coverture, no Robes for pride?
When as the pregnant brest gave more content
Then the profusest Banquets ye have spent,
Usher'd vvith Wine and Musique? when nor wit,
Nor best inventions could your Pallat fit?
When all your learned Cooks could not retain
Sufficient Art to vvast your vvealth in vain?
But novv the Spring of riot is dravvn dry,
Ye cannot as you vvould; true poverty
Contents it self vvith nought, and scorns to raise
A vvretched riches by sinister vvayes:
Ye have a warrant for your wickedness,
For when some virtuous Soul desires to see
The Cause ye have, you shew your Poverty,
And som small charge of Children, which you say
You must provide for 'gainst their Marriage day:
Thus, fed by vice, they live, when they'r at Age,
Tis your damnation, proves their Heritage:
Admit your care be less, that y'are beguil'd
The procreated Blessing of a child,
Your Cause is so much lesser, will you give
Your pretious Soul to make one Body live?
Sure your kind Parents were not so unwise
As not to teach your hands some mysteries,
To keep your Body spotless, and preserve
Your Soule, which (of the two's most like to starve)
Endeavour then, they'r poor beyond all fear,
That are not worth the flesh and blood they wear;
Tell me (ye pitied Spectacles of woe)
How will your pride, and your rich rayment show,
When as your sordid Suitors shall proclaim
Ye won them by an Act ye dare not name?
When they shall tell their neighb'ring Lechers how
They wrought upon your willingness, and shew
(In their rank Ribaldry) how hot and high
Your wantonness advanc'd their luxury?
Who will conceit such a lewd thing as this
Did e're know chastity? or that there is
So great a vertue resident? or think
She ever priz'd it, that thus low could sink?
Poyson and Balm may from one issue flow;
For she whom want will make a Wanton, doth
Make foul Adultery the Nurse of Sloth.
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