The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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To the Lord Cary of Lepington, upon his Translation of Malvezzi.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
250
To the Lord Cary of Lepington, upon his Translation of Malvezzi.
So swift is thought; this Morn I took my flight,
To ruin'd Babel, and return'd to Night:
So strong, that Time, (whose course no pow'r could slack)
I have enforc'd some Forty ages back:
To me, that great disorder and decay,
Was both begun, and consummate to Day:
My self, some strong Chaldean Mason there,
Still sore with massie Stones they made me bear:
Just now (methinks) I'me struck for some command
Mistook, in words I could not understand.
So lasting are great griefs, we still retaine
Remembrance of them, though we loose the paine:
And that Confusion did a grief comprise,
Greatest, in that it most concern'd the Wise:
For these (who best deserve the care of Fate)
The first great Curse much less did penetrate,
Which makes us labor for our food so long,
Than that which mix'd, or cancell'd ev'ry tongue
'Cause now we toyle, and sweat for knowledge more,
Than for the Body's nourishment before.
To ruin'd Babel, and return'd to Night:
So strong, that Time, (whose course no pow'r could slack)
I have enforc'd some Forty ages back:
To me, that great disorder and decay,
Was both begun, and consummate to Day:
My self, some strong Chaldean Mason there,
Still sore with massie Stones they made me bear:
Just now (methinks) I'me struck for some command
Mistook, in words I could not understand.
So lasting are great griefs, we still retaine
Remembrance of them, though we loose the paine:
And that Confusion did a grief comprise,
Greatest, in that it most concern'd the Wise:
For these (who best deserve the care of Fate)
The first great Curse much less did penetrate,
Which makes us labor for our food so long,
Than that which mix'd, or cancell'd ev'ry tongue
'Cause now we toyle, and sweat for knowledge more,
Than for the Body's nourishment before.
Knowledge; ere it did practice to controle,
No Weapon was, but Diet of the Soule;
Which as her nourishments she might enjoy,
Not like controverts, others to destroy:
And this her Food (like Milk) did nourish best,
'Cause it was safe, and easie to digest:
Which Milk, that Curse on Languages turn'd sowre,
For men scarce taste what they could once devoure:
Since now, we are preparing to be dead,
Ere we can half interpret what we read.
No Weapon was, but Diet of the Soule;
Which as her nourishments she might enjoy,
Not like controverts, others to destroy:
And this her Food (like Milk) did nourish best,
'Cause it was safe, and easie to digest:
Which Milk, that Curse on Languages turn'd sowre,
For men scarce taste what they could once devoure:
Since now, we are preparing to be dead,
Ere we can half interpret what we read.
Yet he, that for our bodies took such care.
That to each Wound, there several Med'cins are;
In nobler pitty, surely hath assign'd
A cure, for ev'ry mischief of the Mind:
So this revenge (perhaps) was but to try
Our patience first, and then our industry,
Since he ordained, that beautious Truth should still
Be overcast, and hid from humane skill;
Sure he affects that War, which Schoolmen wage;
When to know truth, doth make their knowledge rage;
So Truth, is much more precious than our peace;
Though some fond Politicks, esteem her less:
Lazy obedience, is to them devout;
And those rebellious that dispute or doubt:
But you (my Lord) must valiantly despise
Their threats, that would keep knowledg in disguise
And toyl with Languages to make her clear;
Which is to a be just Interpreter.
And this selected peece, which you translate,
Foretels, your studies may communicate,
From darker Dialects of a strange Land,
Wisdom, that here th' unlearn'd shall understand,
That to each Wound, there several Med'cins are;
In nobler pitty, surely hath assign'd
A cure, for ev'ry mischief of the Mind:
So this revenge (perhaps) was but to try
Our patience first, and then our industry,
Since he ordained, that beautious Truth should still
Be overcast, and hid from humane skill;
Sure he affects that War, which Schoolmen wage;
When to know truth, doth make their knowledge rage;
So Truth, is much more precious than our peace;
Though some fond Politicks, esteem her less:
Lazy obedience, is to them devout;
And those rebellious that dispute or doubt:
But you (my Lord) must valiantly despise
Their threats, that would keep knowledg in disguise
251
Which is to a be just Interpreter.
And this selected peece, which you translate,
Foretels, your studies may communicate,
From darker Dialects of a strange Land,
Wisdom, that here th' unlearn'd shall understand,
What noble wonders may in time appear,
VVhen all that's Forreign, grows domestick here?
VVhen all the scatter'd world you reconcile,
Unto the Speech, and Idiom of this Isle:
How like a gen'ral Scepter rules that Pen,
VVhich Mankind makes, one kind of Country-men?
VVhen all that's Forreign, grows domestick here?
VVhen all the scatter'd world you reconcile,
Unto the Speech, and Idiom of this Isle:
How like a gen'ral Scepter rules that Pen,
VVhich Mankind makes, one kind of Country-men?
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |