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 |
 |
|
| 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 3. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
POEM to the Kings most Sacred Majesty.
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3-4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
260
POEM to the Kings most Sacred Majesty.
Though Poets (Mighty King) such Priests have bin
As figur'd Virtue and disfigur'd Sin;
Did in so fair a shape Religion draw,
As might, like Beauty, both allure and awe:
Did rigid Rules in cheerful Songs disperse;
Whilst all were Lai'ty but who dealt in Verse:
Yet now of Priesthood they retain no more
Then frequent cause Compassion to implore:
For if there any shadow'd strokes appear,
By which to Priests they can resemblance bear,
It onely may be said that both agree
In willing or unwilling Povertie.
As figur'd Virtue and disfigur'd Sin;
Did in so fair a shape Religion draw,
As might, like Beauty, both allure and awe:
Did rigid Rules in cheerful Songs disperse;
Whilst all were Lai'ty but who dealt in Verse:
Yet now of Priesthood they retain no more
Then frequent cause Compassion to implore:
For if there any shadow'd strokes appear,
By which to Priests they can resemblance bear,
It onely may be said that both agree
In willing or unwilling Povertie.
Though Poets with the Poor now reckon'd are,
(Whom all expose to God's peculiar care)
Yet as the Poor by want great Gainers be,
When Want leads them to God for Remedie;
So Poets, when their Days are over-cast,
And from their Noon, they to the Evening haste,
When Age, which is their longest Winter, stays
T' increase their shame by shewing their decays;
When that long Winter grows at last so keen
That even their Bays cannot continue Green,
Yet against Frosty Age they may be arm'd:
Poets by double Infl'ence have bin warm'd,
And therefore may expect a Second Spring:
We had our Phœbus, and have now our King,
Whose Palace to th' Afflicted is as free
As Temples where they God's Domesticks be.
(Whom all expose to God's peculiar care)
Yet as the Poor by want great Gainers be,
When Want leads them to God for Remedie;
So Poets, when their Days are over-cast,
And from their Noon, they to the Evening haste,
When Age, which is their longest Winter, stays
T' increase their shame by shewing their decays;
When that long Winter grows at last so keen
That even their Bays cannot continue Green,
Yet against Frosty Age they may be arm'd:
Poets by double Infl'ence have bin warm'd,
And therefore may expect a Second Spring:
We had our Phœbus, and have now our King,
Whose Palace to th' Afflicted is as free
As Temples where they God's Domesticks be.
How happy is Affliction which may come
Where God allows not Merit any room?
Kings fit their Gifts to those who them receive,
And to Affliction so much favor give,
As may not well to Merit be allow'd,
Lest those they would encourage should grow proud.
Kings, wisely jealous, watch how Merit grows,
That they may know it ere it self it knows.
Where God allows not Merit any room?
Kings fit their Gifts to those who them receive,
And to Affliction so much favor give,
As may not well to Merit be allow'd,
Lest those they would encourage should grow proud.
Kings, wisely jealous, watch how Merit grows,
That they may know it ere it self it knows.
Auspicious Monarch! here I lose my way:
Yet as those Sea-men luckily did stray,
Who with Columbus were by Tempests blown,
Till they from Wand'rers were Discov'rers grown,
And found rich Nature's last Reserve, a new
Great World; so I by Storms am brought to you:
By Storms of Grief, which in my barren Breast,
Like Winds in Desarts, with themselves contest.
Yet 'tis not abject Grief, such as does mourn
For want of Wealth the Body to adorn;
But rather Sorrow of a noble kind,
Which does complain for maint'nance of the Mind;
For want of that dexterity of Thought,
Which in a moment has to Fancy brought
All scater'd Forms collected till she spie
A single Map of all Diversity;
As at an instant to the rising Sun
All Objects are compris'd and made but one.
That heat is spent which did maintain my Bays;
Spent early in your God-like Father's praise;
Who left the World more than it ever knew
Before so great and good, his Fame and Tou.
Yet as those Sea-men luckily did stray,
Who with Columbus were by Tempests blown,
Till they from Wand'rers were Discov'rers grown,
And found rich Nature's last Reserve, a new
Great World; so I by Storms am brought to you:
By Storms of Grief, which in my barren Breast,
Like Winds in Desarts, with themselves contest.
Yet 'tis not abject Grief, such as does mourn
For want of Wealth the Body to adorn;
But rather Sorrow of a noble kind,
Which does complain for maint'nance of the Mind;
263
Which in a moment has to Fancy brought
All scater'd Forms collected till she spie
A single Map of all Diversity;
As at an instant to the rising Sun
All Objects are compris'd and made but one.
That heat is spent which did maintain my Bays;
Spent early in your God-like Father's praise;
Who left the World more than it ever knew
Before so great and good, his Fame and Tou.
By many Wonders you were hither brought;
Which strangely too, by their concurrence wrought
Our whole Redemption in so short a space
As did the sloath of humane aids disgrace.
Those who did hold Success the Cast of Chance,
And Providence the Dream of Ignorance,
Might in these Miracles Design discern,
And from wild Fortune's looks Religion learn.
Which strangely too, by their concurrence wrought
Our whole Redemption in so short a space
As did the sloath of humane aids disgrace.
Those who did hold Success the Cast of Chance,
And Providence the Dream of Ignorance,
Might in these Miracles Design discern,
And from wild Fortune's looks Religion learn.
Yet when we shall contemplate God, from whom
Your Crown did through a Cloud of Terrors come:
When all those cares to which it must submit,
And ceremonious forms which wait on it
Are fully summ'd (Cares which to Age belong,
And forms which tire, with tedious length, the Young)
Then like the Law which Moses had from Heaven,
It seems to be imposed as well as given.
Your Crown did through a Cloud of Terrors come:
When all those cares to which it must submit,
And ceremonious forms which wait on it
Are fully summ'd (Cares which to Age belong,
And forms which tire, with tedious length, the Young)
Then like the Law which Moses had from Heaven,
It seems to be imposed as well as given.
You now are destin'd to more watchful care
Then Spies of Faction or the Scouts of War;
To Care which higher and more swiftly flows
Than that which from design of Conquest grows;
Such as may seem to other Monarchs new;
Care to reform those whom you might subdue.
Then Spies of Faction or the Scouts of War;
To Care which higher and more swiftly flows
Than that which from design of Conquest grows;
Such as may seem to other Monarchs new;
Care to reform those whom you might subdue.
Conquest of Realm's compar'd to that of Minds,
Shews but like mischief of outragious Winds;
Making no use of force but to deface,
Or tear the rooted from their native place.
Who by distress at last are valiant made,
And take their turn Invaders to invade.
From Woods they march victorious back agen
To Cities, the Wall'd-Parks of Hearded-men.
Victors by conqu'ring Realms are not secure;
Nor seem of any thing, but hatred sure
A King who conquers Minds does so improve
The Conquer'd that they still the Victor love.
Shews but like mischief of outragious Winds;
Making no use of force but to deface,
Or tear the rooted from their native place.
Who by distress at last are valiant made,
And take their turn Invaders to invade.
From Woods they march victorious back agen
To Cities, the Wall'd-Parks of Hearded-men.
Victors by conqu'ring Realms are not secure;
Nor seem of any thing, but hatred sure
A King who conquers Minds does so improve
The Conquer'd that they still the Victor love.
How can you rest where Pow'r is still alarm'd:
Each Crowd a Faction, and each Faction arm'd?
Who fashions of Opinion love to change,
And think their own the best for being strange,
Their own if it were lasting they would hate;
Yet call it Conscience when 'tis obstinate.
When weary of a Scepter here, they flie
To seek new fashions of Authority
In foreign States, then bring Rebellion home,
And take just Punishment for Martyrdom.
Each Crowd a Faction, and each Faction arm'd?
Who fashions of Opinion love to change,
And think their own the best for being strange,
Their own if it were lasting they would hate;
Yet call it Conscience when 'tis obstinate.
When weary of a Scepter here, they flie
To seek new fashions of Authority
In foreign States, then bring Rebellion home,
And take just Punishment for Martyrdom.
264
The Saints of old, not strugling for defence,
Did satisfie themselves with innocence:
In Deaths stern Court did gracefully appear,
And civil to their worst Tormentors were.
But these so fullen are, as if they thought
Saints could not Death defie unless they fought:
As if their Church should spring not from the seed
Of their own blood, but that which others bleed.
Did satisfie themselves with innocence:
In Deaths stern Court did gracefully appear,
And civil to their worst Tormentors were.
But these so fullen are, as if they thought
Saints could not Death defie unless they fought:
As if their Church should spring not from the seed
Of their own blood, but that which others bleed.
Though Conscience is in others secret shame
Of doing ill, yet they in publick claim
Not onely freedom for the ills they do,
But call for liberty to preach them too.
They seek out God in cruel Camps, and boast
They God have found, when they have Nature lost;
Nature, the publick Light which is held out
To all dim Minds who do of God-head doubt.
She openly to all does God-head shew;
Faith brings him, like a Secret but to few.
Sects, who would God by private Opticks reach,
Invent those Books by which themselves they teach;
And whilst with Heaven they too familiar grow,
They to the Gods on earth disdain to bow.
Of doing ill, yet they in publick claim
Not onely freedom for the ills they do,
But call for liberty to preach them too.
They seek out God in cruel Camps, and boast
They God have found, when they have Nature lost;
Nature, the publick Light which is held out
To all dim Minds who do of God-head doubt.
She openly to all does God-head shew;
Faith brings him, like a Secret but to few.
Sects, who would God by private Opticks reach,
Invent those Books by which themselves they teach;
And whilst with Heaven they too familiar grow,
They to the Gods on earth disdain to bow.
You safe amongst these diff'rent Sects remain,
Where all would rule, and each a while did reign:
And having reign'd, are apt to reckon it
Worse than Idolatry when they submit.
And though these Sects in Doctrine diff'rent be,
Yet in the uses of it they agree,
Which first they for the novelty approve,
And after for the gainful mischief love.
Where all would rule, and each a while did reign:
And having reign'd, are apt to reckon it
Worse than Idolatry when they submit.
And though these Sects in Doctrine diff'rent be,
Yet in the uses of it they agree,
Which first they for the novelty approve,
And after for the gainful mischief love.
What confidence but yours durst undertake
To give them Laws, who dare Religion make?
Whose private Conscience checks the publick Laws,
Whilst many Modern Sects have one old Cause.
To give them Laws, who dare Religion make?
Whose private Conscience checks the publick Laws,
Whilst many Modern Sects have one old Cause.
That Feaver, Zeal (the Peoples desp'rate fit)
You cool, and without bleeding, master it:
Dissembled Zeal (Ambitions old disguise)
The Vizard in which Fools out-face the Wise.
You cool, and without bleeding, master it:
Dissembled Zeal (Ambitions old disguise)
The Vizard in which Fools out-face the Wise.
You keep with prudent arts of watchful care
Divided Sects from a conjunctive War;
And when unfriendly Zeal from Zeal dissents,
Look on it like the War of Elements;
And, God-like, an harmonious World create
Out of the various discords of your State.
Divided Sects from a conjunctive War;
And when unfriendly Zeal from Zeal dissents,
Look on it like the War of Elements;
And, God-like, an harmonious World create
Out of the various discords of your State.
Kings safest are when Zealots furious grow
Then when their malice will no passion show:
For Thrones should ever fear to be surpris'd;
Not dreading Arms display'd but Foes disguis'd:
Sects which through zealous brav'rie not submit,
Deal plainly but when tame they counterfeit.
Then when their malice will no passion show:
For Thrones should ever fear to be surpris'd;
Not dreading Arms display'd but Foes disguis'd:
Sects which through zealous brav'rie not submit,
Deal plainly but when tame they counterfeit.
When swelling Subjects are victorious grown,
They leave, like Nile, where it has overflown,
Monsters from fatness of corruption sprung,
Which as they grow up soon so last not long,
A monsters hasty birth makes that ill shape
From which, as soon as seen, men strive to scape,
With sodain strangeness it does Strangers fright;
And they as quickly chase it from their sight.
So Sects, with monstrous impudence, may scare
A while, those who their boldness soon out-dare.
They leave, like Nile, where it has overflown,
Monsters from fatness of corruption sprung,
Which as they grow up soon so last not long,
265
From which, as soon as seen, men strive to scape,
With sodain strangeness it does Strangers fright;
And they as quickly chase it from their sight.
So Sects, with monstrous impudence, may scare
A while, those who their boldness soon out-dare.
These, when by Justice of the Laws subdu'd,
Call their unwilling Suff'rings Fortitude,
Or Conscience, though they nothing use to bear
But from the basest cause of Conscience, fear.
Through hideous Monsters, by Religion bred,
And by the choice of humane slaughters fed,
You move so boldly, that they rather seem
To strive to scape from You, than You from them.
Call their unwilling Suff'rings Fortitude,
Or Conscience, though they nothing use to bear
But from the basest cause of Conscience, fear.
Through hideous Monsters, by Religion bred,
And by the choice of humane slaughters fed,
You move so boldly, that they rather seem
To strive to scape from You, than You from them.
The truth of Resurrection is by You
Confirm'd to all, and made apparent too;
Apparent in the Church, the world's best part;
For of the world's whole Body 'tis the Heart,
The Church You have reviv'd: for well we may
Confess it more than rescu'd from decay,
Since having lost, by Martyrdom, the Head,
The Limbs had all the signs of being dead.
Confirm'd to all, and made apparent too;
Apparent in the Church, the world's best part;
For of the world's whole Body 'tis the Heart,
The Church You have reviv'd: for well we may
Confess it more than rescu'd from decay,
Since having lost, by Martyrdom, the Head,
The Limbs had all the signs of being dead.
But though, when it does flourish, Sects deride
The Churches Ornaments as Papal pride;
Yet why with Sects (whose Congregations are
But Men well disciplin'd for Civil War,
Not meek Assemblies but a sullen Crowd,
Who out of haughty pride disdain the Proud)
Should Calvin's froward Sect be rudely bent,
Like Zealous Goths, against all Ornament?
Why do they verbal Ornaments esteem
In Pulpits where they garnish out their Theme;
And are in doctrine to their spir'tual Guests
Long as in Graces which but cool their Feasts?
VVith Flow'rs of Rhet'rick they intice the Ear,
As if they and their Audience Poets were.
If they in curious Tropes and Figures Preach
(VVhich were the Ethnick Ornaments of Speech)
And to our Ears provocatives allow,
VVhy should our Eyes th'allurements want of Show?
The Churches Ornaments as Papal pride;
Yet why with Sects (whose Congregations are
But Men well disciplin'd for Civil War,
Not meek Assemblies but a sullen Crowd,
Who out of haughty pride disdain the Proud)
Should Calvin's froward Sect be rudely bent,
Like Zealous Goths, against all Ornament?
Why do they verbal Ornaments esteem
In Pulpits where they garnish out their Theme;
And are in doctrine to their spir'tual Guests
Long as in Graces which but cool their Feasts?
VVith Flow'rs of Rhet'rick they intice the Ear,
As if they and their Audience Poets were.
If they in curious Tropes and Figures Preach
(VVhich were the Ethnick Ornaments of Speech)
And to our Ears provocatives allow,
VVhy should our Eyes th'allurements want of Show?
All these You have forgiv'n; so much forgiv'n
That such an Act ne'r pass'd unless in Heav'n.
Their crimes are so much banish'd from your Mind,
As if You had forgot what Act You sign'd.
Yet who dares say You not remember it?
Since You as much of Courage, Faith, and VVit,
Have shewn in keeping still that Act in force,
As when it first was sign'd You shew'd remorse.
Thus thorowly to pardon does comprise
The utmost goodness that in Greatness lies.
That such an Act ne'r pass'd unless in Heav'n.
Their crimes are so much banish'd from your Mind,
As if You had forgot what Act You sign'd.
Yet who dares say You not remember it?
Since You as much of Courage, Faith, and VVit,
Have shewn in keeping still that Act in force,
As when it first was sign'd You shew'd remorse.
Thus thorowly to pardon does comprise
The utmost goodness that in Greatness lies.
If we consider what in God does seem
To be that Goodness which we most esteem;
And which should Temples fill with his applause;
It is, that all his Messages and Laws
And of his works, all that to us are known
Are fashion'd for our int'rest not his own.
So by example of his goodness, You
An int'rest diff'rent from your own pursue.
For Such your mercy is that even your Foes
Gain by their crimes what You by virtue lose.
To be that Goodness which we most esteem;
And which should Temples fill with his applause;
It is, that all his Messages and Laws
266
Are fashion'd for our int'rest not his own.
So by example of his goodness, You
An int'rest diff'rent from your own pursue.
For Such your mercy is that even your Foes
Gain by their crimes what You by virtue lose.
But though this does appear the utmost height
That Mercy e're did reach at her first flight;
Yet yours at last so high a pitch may fly
That even the Tempters of your constancy
(Who did the force of human reason bring
Against your heav'nly strength of pardoning,
And what was done did labour to undoe)
You, as your hardest task, will pardon too.
That Mercy e're did reach at her first flight;
Yet yours at last so high a pitch may fly
That even the Tempters of your constancy
(Who did the force of human reason bring
Against your heav'nly strength of pardoning,
And what was done did labour to undoe)
You, as your hardest task, will pardon too.
To royal Faith (preserv'd inviolate
By native honour, not design of State)
Conspicuous blessings, as rewards, are due,
Which we receive, and owe them all to You.
For after Twenty years in rapines spent
(Th'illegal Acts of Lawless Parliament)
In Fields we Harvests find, in Cities Wealth,
And after War, the Sire of Sickness, Health.
If Nations by the plenty they obtain,
When youthful Monarchs have begun their reign,
May prophesie degrees of future Store,
No Prince e're brought so much, or promis'd more.
By native honour, not design of State)
Conspicuous blessings, as rewards, are due,
Which we receive, and owe them all to You.
For after Twenty years in rapines spent
(Th'illegal Acts of Lawless Parliament)
In Fields we Harvests find, in Cities Wealth,
And after War, the Sire of Sickness, Health.
If Nations by the plenty they obtain,
When youthful Monarchs have begun their reign,
May prophesie degrees of future Store,
No Prince e're brought so much, or promis'd more.
To You, who still are easie of access,
Suitors can need no Guide but their distress.
And though Distress long in complaint appears,
That length no measure with your patience bears.
You can indure a tedious narrative,
And suffer the Afflicted to believe
His Case is not as others cases are,
But intricate, and very singular;
And that it never yet at best appear'd
Because he never has bin fully heard;
And it would find redress could it be known
To any comprehension but his own.
Suitors can need no Guide but their distress.
And though Distress long in complaint appears,
That length no measure with your patience bears.
You can indure a tedious narrative,
And suffer the Afflicted to believe
His Case is not as others cases are,
But intricate, and very singular;
And that it never yet at best appear'd
Because he never has bin fully heard;
And it would find redress could it be known
To any comprehension but his own.
Some Princes that they may the rumour gain
Of minding bus'ness, mighty bus'ness feign;
And are lockt up, to have it then suppos'd
They are more thoughtfull when they are inclos'd;
But they from Concourse privately remove
Only to shun what they pretend to love.
Pow'r which it self does so reserv'dly keep,
As if the being seen would make it cheap,
Should use the proper Seasons for retreat:
For though decrepid Age may think it meet
To hide stale objects from the Peoples sight;
Yet in a Thrones new glory all delight:
All love young Princes in their flourishing,
As all, with joy, walk out to see the Spring.
Of minding bus'ness, mighty bus'ness feign;
And are lockt up, to have it then suppos'd
They are more thoughtfull when they are inclos'd;
But they from Concourse privately remove
Only to shun what they pretend to love.
Pow'r which it self does so reserv'dly keep,
As if the being seen would make it cheap,
Should use the proper Seasons for retreat:
For though decrepid Age may think it meet
To hide stale objects from the Peoples sight;
Yet in a Thrones new glory all delight:
All love young Princes in their flourishing,
As all, with joy, walk out to see the Spring.
Your Countries Genius and your own agree
To make you rule as Soveraign of the Sea.
Nature has nothing made more unconfin'd
Than your strong Island, but your mighty Mind.
You love the Sea, which the unpractis'd fear;
'Tis your own Element and proper Spheare.
Their fear does from their thoughtless ign'rance grow,
Your love does from your Study'd knowledge flow.
So knowing Minds to God affection bear,
Whom th' Ignorant are only apt to fear.
Since You are prone by Nature to discern
All that by Naval Art men strive to learn,
You, with peculiar Glory, will obtain
That Neptune's pow'r which Poets did but feign.
The Neighb'ring Monarch (wealthy and at ease)
Will build a City all of Palaces:
A work which does the Founders wealth express,
And that he weary is of that access:
Why should he else his solid Treasure waste
To make the shadow of his Mem'ry last?
Since by that strength which he from Quarries brings,
To make his Name out-wear all other things,
He but provides his purpose to prevent;
His name may perish e're the Monument:
For many a City built for future Fame
Has long out-liv'd the vanisht Founders name.
To make you rule as Soveraign of the Sea.
267
Than your strong Island, but your mighty Mind.
You love the Sea, which the unpractis'd fear;
'Tis your own Element and proper Spheare.
Their fear does from their thoughtless ign'rance grow,
Your love does from your Study'd knowledge flow.
So knowing Minds to God affection bear,
Whom th' Ignorant are only apt to fear.
Since You are prone by Nature to discern
All that by Naval Art men strive to learn,
You, with peculiar Glory, will obtain
That Neptune's pow'r which Poets did but feign.
The Neighb'ring Monarch (wealthy and at ease)
Will build a City all of Palaces:
A work which does the Founders wealth express,
And that he weary is of that access:
Why should he else his solid Treasure waste
To make the shadow of his Mem'ry last?
Since by that strength which he from Quarries brings,
To make his Name out-wear all other things,
He but provides his purpose to prevent;
His name may perish e're the Monument:
For many a City built for future Fame
Has long out-liv'd the vanisht Founders name.
By that tall Pyramid (which does appear
The strongest Pile that Art did ever rear)
Egyptians now themselves like strangers pass,
And but in vaine, ask who the Artist was?
Ev'n of the Learn'd but few so curious seem
As to desire to know the name of him
For whom 'twas built: and both their aims have lost,
One in his Art, the other in his Cost.
The strongest Pile that Art did ever rear)
Egyptians now themselves like strangers pass,
And but in vaine, ask who the Artist was?
Ev'n of the Learn'd but few so curious seem
As to desire to know the name of him
For whom 'twas built: and both their aims have lost,
One in his Art, the other in his Cost.
Great Monsters, Cities, over-grown with Pow'r,
Do Neighb'ring Towns by hungry Trade devour.
You Cities build which not destructive be;
Ships grown to Fleets are Cities of the Sea.
And Ships by Trade each other still improve
More fruitfully than Sexes do by love.
Do Neighb'ring Towns by hungry Trade devour.
You Cities build which not destructive be;
Ships grown to Fleets are Cities of the Sea.
And Ships by Trade each other still improve
More fruitfully than Sexes do by love.
Ships, which to farthest distances are sent,
Are so concern'd their number to augment,
That they by nought but Number can dispence
The vital heat of Trade, Intelligence.
By pow'r of Number they themselves disperse
For a Collection, through the Universe,
Of all the Freights which ev'ry Country yeilds
From work of Cities or from growth of Fields.
They grow to be a Squadron, then they meet
In a free Road, and make a friendly Fleet;
Where patience, as her hardest trial, finds
How much they can indure who wait on Winds.
From thence (suppli'd at length with sev'ral Gales)
Each to her proper Course does spread her Sails.
Are so concern'd their number to augment,
That they by nought but Number can dispence
The vital heat of Trade, Intelligence.
By pow'r of Number they themselves disperse
For a Collection, through the Universe,
Of all the Freights which ev'ry Country yeilds
From work of Cities or from growth of Fields.
They grow to be a Squadron, then they meet
In a free Road, and make a friendly Fleet;
Where patience, as her hardest trial, finds
How much they can indure who wait on Winds.
From thence (suppli'd at length with sev'ral Gales)
Each to her proper Course does spread her Sails.
Sea-men, in loudest Storms, are not dismay'd
When they are even oblig'd to be afraid:
For of what use can high confusion seem
(When Winds and Waves strive which shall be supreme,
And Nature does a frightful Vizard wear)
Unless it be, to teach the World to fear?
When they are even oblig'd to be afraid:
268
(When Winds and Waves strive which shall be supreme,
And Nature does a frightful Vizard wear)
Unless it be, to teach the World to fear?
Bold Pyrats, with a Frantick courage, dare
Maintain against the World continual War;
No Traveller is from those Robbers free
On Natures own High-way, the common Sea:
But though they dare all other Tempests meet,
Yet still they fear the Thunder of your Fleet.
Maintain against the World continual War;
No Traveller is from those Robbers free
On Natures own High-way, the common Sea:
But though they dare all other Tempests meet,
Yet still they fear the Thunder of your Fleet.
What Monarch would make Levies and provide
To exercise his Valor, or his Pride,
Against some little peremptory Town,
Whose Bullworks and Redoubts so high are grown,
That it does rather seem but basely hid
By Rebels fears than proudly Fortifi'd?
VVhen he a Town has so by Sluces drown'd,
That 'tis by nought but tops of Steeples found,
He may march home, and poor with triumph, boast
That what he gain'd he cheaper might have lost:
VVhilst other Kings, in taking Towns, displease
Their Subjects, You, for yours, take all the Seas.
To exercise his Valor, or his Pride,
Against some little peremptory Town,
Whose Bullworks and Redoubts so high are grown,
That it does rather seem but basely hid
By Rebels fears than proudly Fortifi'd?
VVhen he a Town has so by Sluces drown'd,
That 'tis by nought but tops of Steeples found,
He may march home, and poor with triumph, boast
That what he gain'd he cheaper might have lost:
VVhilst other Kings, in taking Towns, displease
Their Subjects, You, for yours, take all the Seas.
You to divert your cares (those ill-bred Guests
VVhich most unruly grow in Princes Breasts
VVhere they are oft'nest lodg'd) can lend your Eye
To Ornament, your Ear to Harmony:
So Nature, when she Fruit designs, thinks fit
VVith Beautious Blossoms to proceed to it:
And whilst she does accomplish all the Spring,
Birds to her secret operations sing.
VVhich most unruly grow in Princes Breasts
VVhere they are oft'nest lodg'd) can lend your Eye
To Ornament, your Ear to Harmony:
So Nature, when she Fruit designs, thinks fit
VVith Beautious Blossoms to proceed to it:
And whilst she does accomplish all the Spring,
Birds to her secret operations sing.
Kings, to the stretch of thought for ever bent,
Have chang'd his Image whom they represent:
VVho in Creation wrought not hard nor long:
His work is still as easie as 'tis strong:
As all was by his sodain Fiat wrought,
So 'tis preserv'd without his pains or thought.
Have chang'd his Image whom they represent:
VVho in Creation wrought not hard nor long:
His work is still as easie as 'tis strong:
As all was by his sodain Fiat wrought,
So 'tis preserv'd without his pains or thought.
From cruel bondage You the Muses free,
And yet restrain the Poets liberty;
But so restrain him that he now does find
'Tis but the evil Spirit which you bind.
The Muse is now, by her conversion, taught
Gladly to lose that freedom which she sought:
How wild her flights have been untill restrain'd;
And, by your power, how greatly has she gain'd?
By bad Idæas she did Heroe's paint;
But now, You of a Muse have form'd a Saint.
And yet restrain the Poets liberty;
But so restrain him that he now does find
'Tis but the evil Spirit which you bind.
The Muse is now, by her conversion, taught
Gladly to lose that freedom which she sought:
How wild her flights have been untill restrain'd;
And, by your power, how greatly has she gain'd?
By bad Idæas she did Heroe's paint;
But now, You of a Muse have form'd a Saint.
Men knew not what they took or Monarchs gave,
VVhen they did liberty of Subjects crave:
Even Poets would, like other Subjects, be
Licentious Writers had they libertie;
And study all the madness of freewill,
VVhich is, old English Freedom to do ill.
VVhen they did liberty of Subjects crave:
Even Poets would, like other Subjects, be
Licentious Writers had they libertie;
And study all the madness of freewill,
VVhich is, old English Freedom to do ill.
The Theatre (the Poets Magick-Glass
In which the Dead in vision by us pass;
Where what the Great have done we do again,
But with less loss of time and with less pain)
Is in the Scene so various now become,
That the Dramatick Plots of Greece, and Rome,
Compar'd to ours, do from their height decline,
And shrink in all the compass of design.
Where Poets did large Palaces intend,
The spacious purpose narrowly did end
In Houses, where great Monarchs had no more
Removes than Two low Rooms upon a Floor:
Whose thorow lights were so transparent made,
That Expectation (which should be delai'd
And kept a while from being satisfi'd)
Saw, on a sudden, all that Art should hide;
Whilst at the plain contrivance all did grieve;
For it was there no trespass to deceive.
In which the Dead in vision by us pass;
269
But with less loss of time and with less pain)
Is in the Scene so various now become,
That the Dramatick Plots of Greece, and Rome,
Compar'd to ours, do from their height decline,
And shrink in all the compass of design.
Where Poets did large Palaces intend,
The spacious purpose narrowly did end
In Houses, where great Monarchs had no more
Removes than Two low Rooms upon a Floor:
Whose thorow lights were so transparent made,
That Expectation (which should be delai'd
And kept a while from being satisfi'd)
Saw, on a sudden, all that Art should hide;
Whilst at the plain contrivance all did grieve;
For it was there no trespass to deceive.
If we the antient Drama have refin'd,
Yet no intrigues, like Lab'rinths, are design'd,
In Counterturns so subtle as but few,
VVhen entred, can get forth without a Clue:
VVhere Expectation may intangled be,
But not so long, as never to get free:
VVhere Love throughout the Character does last;
And such unblemish'd love as all the chaste
May still endure with publick confidence,
And not at vanquish'd Beauty take offence;
VVhere Valour we so probable express,
That we should wrong the Great to make it less.
Yet no intrigues, like Lab'rinths, are design'd,
In Counterturns so subtle as but few,
VVhen entred, can get forth without a Clue:
VVhere Expectation may intangled be,
But not so long, as never to get free:
VVhere Love throughout the Character does last;
And such unblemish'd love as all the chaste
May still endure with publick confidence,
And not at vanquish'd Beauty take offence;
VVhere Valour we so probable express,
That we should wrong the Great to make it less.
If to reform the publick Mirrour (where
The Dead, to teach their living Race, appear)
May to the People useful prove, even this
(VVhich but the object of your leisure is
To respite Care, and which successivelie
Three of our last wise Monarchs wish'd to see,
And in a Century could not be wrought)
You, in Three years, have to perfection brought.
If 'tis to height of Art and Virtue grown,
The form and matter is as much your own
As is your Tribute with your Image coin'd:
You made the Art, the Virtue You enjoyn'd.
The Dead, to teach their living Race, appear)
May to the People useful prove, even this
(VVhich but the object of your leisure is
To respite Care, and which successivelie
Three of our last wise Monarchs wish'd to see,
And in a Century could not be wrought)
You, in Three years, have to perfection brought.
If 'tis to height of Art and Virtue grown,
The form and matter is as much your own
As is your Tribute with your Image coin'd:
You made the Art, the Virtue You enjoyn'd.
But now methinks, I hear my Pinnacc hal'd!
Which boldly in a Mist too far has sail'd;
And I discover, through the Glass of Fear,
That the whole world's High-Admirall is near.
Too long my wither'd Lawrel I have worn;
The Poet's Flag, by Grief's foul weather torn:
Grief which is taught by Reason to complain,
That I, when all are better'd by your Reign,
Should seem unworthy, in my {F}aded Bays,
To carry Fame a Present of your Praise.
Which boldly in a Mist too far has sail'd;
And I discover, through the Glass of Fear,
That the whole world's High-Admirall is near.
Too long my wither'd Lawrel I have worn;
The Poet's Flag, by Grief's foul weather torn:
Grief which is taught by Reason to complain,
That I, when all are better'd by your Reign,
Should seem unworthy, in my {F}aded Bays,
To carry Fame a Present of your Praise.
Whoever is more happily design'd
To bear a Present of this noble kind
(Which Empress Fame to all the World will show,
And which examin'd will more valu'd grow)
Must from the Muses his Credentials take;
Who both the Embassy and Present make.
And as he knows from whom he comes, so he
Should not to Sov'raign Fame a Stranger be;
For Fame (whose custom is to have a care
Onely of those who her Familiars are)
Does with a proud neglect o're Strangers flie,
As if unworthy of her Voice or Eye,
She seldom is acquainted with the Young,
And weary is of those who live too long.
To bear a Present of this noble kind
(Which Empress Fame to all the World will show,
And which examin'd will more valu'd grow)
270
Who both the Embassy and Present make.
And as he knows from whom he comes, so he
Should not to Sov'raign Fame a Stranger be;
For Fame (whose custom is to have a care
Onely of those who her Familiars are)
Does with a proud neglect o're Strangers flie,
As if unworthy of her Voice or Eye,
She seldom is acquainted with the Young,
And weary is of those who live too long.
When the wise world, by correspondence, shall
To gen'ral Council ev'ry Poet call
For prudent choice of this Ambassadour,
Then all that Session it will soon abhor:
Those who in concord there and glory came,
Shall part from thence in discord and in shame.
The young will not agree who is too young,
Nor th'old determine who has liv'd too long.
To gen'ral Council ev'ry Poet call
For prudent choice of this Ambassadour,
Then all that Session it will soon abhor:
Those who in concord there and glory came,
Shall part from thence in discord and in shame.
The young will not agree who is too young,
Nor th'old determine who has liv'd too long.
And as in free Assemblies each may prize
His single worth to gen'ral prejudice;
And in the votes of chusing, every voice
May stop some progress in the publick choice;
So now (where none their own defects will see,
And each would for the whole elected be)
Th' Election likely is to end in vain;
All loosing that which each presum'd to gain.
The Muses proud Ambassadour may stay
His journey ere he does begin his way;
And keep his great Poetick Present too:
Which may prove well for Poets Fame and You.
His single worth to gen'ral prejudice;
And in the votes of chusing, every voice
May stop some progress in the publick choice;
So now (where none their own defects will see,
And each would for the whole elected be)
Th' Election likely is to end in vain;
All loosing that which each presum'd to gain.
The Muses proud Ambassadour may stay
His journey ere he does begin his way;
And keep his great Poetick Present too:
Which may prove well for Poets Fame and You.
Poets are truly poor, but onely then
When each a Hero lacks for his own Pen.
They pine when mighty Arguments are scant;
And not when they that trifle, Treasure, want.
As at such dearth they languish, so they seem
To swell when they have got a plentious Theme,
For rashly then the Muses take their flight:
Yet as a man, o're-joy'd at sodain sight
Of Treasure found, grows jealous, and through care
Lest others in his Prize should claim a share,
Bears hastily from that which he did find
Much less away than what he leaves behind:
So, whilst thus rashly I convey to Fame
Your Virtues, I so few of them proclaim
That many more are left behind unprais'd,
Than those which on this Poem's Wings are rais'd.
When each a Hero lacks for his own Pen.
They pine when mighty Arguments are scant;
And not when they that trifle, Treasure, want.
As at such dearth they languish, so they seem
To swell when they have got a plentious Theme,
For rashly then the Muses take their flight:
Yet as a man, o're-joy'd at sodain sight
Of Treasure found, grows jealous, and through care
Lest others in his Prize should claim a share,
Bears hastily from that which he did find
Much less away than what he leaves behind:
So, whilst thus rashly I convey to Fame
Your Virtues, I so few of them proclaim
That many more are left behind unprais'd,
Than those which on this Poem's Wings are rais'd.
How glad will all discreeter Poets be,
Because (whilst in their choice they disagree)
They this imperfect Present shall prevent,
Which darkens You to whom it lustre meant;
Or rather it does quite extinguish me;
Who looking up to You, do onely see
I by a fainting Taper lose my aim,
And, lifting it too high, put out the flame.
Because (whilst in their choice they disagree)
They this imperfect Present shall prevent,
Which darkens You to whom it lustre meant;
Or rather it does quite extinguish me;
Who looking up to You, do onely see
I by a fainting Taper lose my aim,
And, lifting it too high, put out the flame.
271
Fame may rejoyce when any Image wrought
Thus ill, is never to her Temple brought:
She should examine what she does receive,
And Poets watch the worth of what they give.
Kings rais'd to Heaven, by an unskilful Pen,
Scarce look, when made ill Gods so well as Men.
Thus ill, is never to her Temple brought:
She should examine what she does receive,
And Poets watch the worth of what they give.
Kings rais'd to Heaven, by an unskilful Pen,
Scarce look, when made ill Gods so well as Men.
The Painter whose Spectators were at strife
Which the resemblance was, and which the life,
Deserv'd high praise when he a Face did draw;
The Face, which all suppose he often saw;
But when we mention Homer's high renown,
Apelles then may lay his Pencil down:
For Heav'n ne'r made but one, who, being blind,
Was fit to be a Painter of the Mind.
Which the resemblance was, and which the life,
Deserv'd high praise when he a Face did draw;
The Face, which all suppose he often saw;
But when we mention Homer's high renown,
Apelles then may lay his Pencil down:
For Heav'n ne'r made but one, who, being blind,
Was fit to be a Painter of the Mind.
As justly Poets may with Fame rejoyce,
That Songs of Worthies set below her voice,
(Where Numbers rise not to Heroick height)
Are hindr'd from accompany'ng her flight;
So you, your self, may be content to see,
That though all Poets in your praise agree,
Yet all, with joynt submission, think not one
Can, at the rate your virtue has begun,
So follow you with offer'd Wreaths, as you
Do other Hero's for their Wreaths pursue.
Behind your Chariot Poets lag with shame,
As if the Num'rous Feet of Verse were lame.
That Songs of Worthies set below her voice,
(Where Numbers rise not to Heroick height)
Are hindr'd from accompany'ng her flight;
So you, your self, may be content to see,
That though all Poets in your praise agree,
Yet all, with joynt submission, think not one
Can, at the rate your virtue has begun,
So follow you with offer'd Wreaths, as you
Do other Hero's for their Wreaths pursue.
Behind your Chariot Poets lag with shame,
As if the Num'rous Feet of Verse were lame.
But then 'tis time to cast my Anchor here:
Who dares bear Sail where none are fit to steer?
Or how dare Poets venture at your praise?
For though so great a Trophie none can raise
But Poets, yet the weight of it they fear,
As wanting strength to move what they should rear.
All Painters strait would lay their Pencils by,
Were they enjoyn'd to paint the Deity.
Who dares bear Sail where none are fit to steer?
Or how dare Poets venture at your praise?
For though so great a Trophie none can raise
But Poets, yet the weight of it they fear,
As wanting strength to move what they should rear.
All Painters strait would lay their Pencils by,
Were they enjoyn'd to paint the Deity.
Hereafter of what use will Numbers prove,
If in that Theme we fail which most we love?
But though this kind of Trophy needs excuse,
Yet even a Poem is of greater use
Than any other work, by which your name
We would to all succeeding Times proclaime:
And, since your name should be perpetual made,
You must vouchsafe t' accept a Poet's aid.
Poets still made the mighty Hero's known,
And drew in full proportions their Renown;
Which Fame can onely, by the pow'r of Verse,
Ever preserve, and ev'ry where disperse.
If in that Theme we fail which most we love?
But though this kind of Trophy needs excuse,
Yet even a Poem is of greater use
Than any other work, by which your name
We would to all succeeding Times proclaime:
And, since your name should be perpetual made,
You must vouchsafe t' accept a Poet's aid.
Poets still made the mighty Hero's known,
And drew in full proportions their Renown;
Which Fame can onely, by the pow'r of Verse,
Ever preserve, and ev'ry where disperse.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |