Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
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HONOR'S FAREWELL. |
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 | Du Bartas |  |
1172
HONOR'S FAREWELL.
From
Man-Gods Birth (the Scale of Earth to Heau'n)
Th'Yeer twice Eight hundred and twice single Seau'n:
Amidst the Month which Second Cæsar names;
Vpon the Day which Diane vveekely clames:
About the Hower that golden Morpheus vses
Phantastikly to feast perplexed Muses
(VVhile Phœbus Coach-man scarce awake, did seem
Hying to harness all his fiery Teem)
Being, me thought (ith'VVard-robe, or at Waltham)
Among the Chief, where Grief did so assault 'em:
(On Either side) that neither Great nor Small
Had one dry Eye, to see My sight vvithall:
Me thought, I saw a White bright-shining Creature
(Iust in the Forme of Honor's vvonted Feature)
Approaching softly to a Sable Bed,
Where weeping Sorrow layd his sleepeless head;
And, with a Voice like one deuoutly praying,
Shrill-softly, Thus (me thought) I heard it saying:
Th'Yeer twice Eight hundred and twice single Seau'n:
Amidst the Month which Second Cæsar names;
Vpon the Day which Diane vveekely clames:
About the Hower that golden Morpheus vses
Phantastikly to feast perplexed Muses
(VVhile Phœbus Coach-man scarce awake, did seem
Hying to harness all his fiery Teem)
Being, me thought (ith'VVard-robe, or at Waltham)
Among the Chief, where Grief did so assault 'em:
(On Either side) that neither Great nor Small
Had one dry Eye, to see My sight vvithall:
Me thought, I saw a White bright-shining Creature
(Iust in the Forme of Honor's vvonted Feature)
Approaching softly to a Sable Bed,
Where weeping Sorrow layd his sleepeless head;
And, with a Voice like one deuoutly praying,
Shrill-softly, Thus (me thought) I heard it saying:
Sweet Loue My Lord, Loadstar of my Desire,
Whose purest flame had only power to fire
The Icie Fort of Honor's chaste Affection,
Wonne by thy loue; but more by thy Perfection:
Deere Soule, which draw'st (by vnseen vertue) so,
My Soule to greet thee once yet yer I go;
Cease, cease to weep, giue ouer Sighes and sobbing,
Thine eyes of Rest, thy brest of Comforts robbing:
For, though soft Water hardest Marble weares,
Flint-harted Death is neuer pearç't with Teares.
Vse therefore other Arms against his Rages:
And, of Thy loue, giue more autentik Gages.
Whose purest flame had only power to fire
The Icie Fort of Honor's chaste Affection,
Wonne by thy loue; but more by thy Perfection:
Deere Soule, which draw'st (by vnseen vertue) so,
My Soule to greet thee once yet yer I go;
Cease, cease to weep, giue ouer Sighes and sobbing,
Thine eyes of Rest, thy brest of Comforts robbing:
For, though soft Water hardest Marble weares,
Flint-harted Death is neuer pearç't with Teares.
Vse therefore other Arms against his Rages:
And, of Thy loue, giue more autentik Gages.
Whom yerst I chose among the choicest Worth
Of British Gallants (ouer South and North)
For Parts and Port; for mild and Martiall manner,
In braue Deseignes to do their Country honor:
Who, in mine eye, seem'd to excell the rest,
And Whom my Mind esteem'd aboue the best;
Must not expresse His loue to Mee, departed,
With vulgar Showes of the most-vulgar-hearted.
Of British Gallants (ouer South and North)
For Parts and Port; for mild and Martiall manner,
In braue Deseignes to do their Country honor:
1173
And Whom my Mind esteem'd aboue the best;
Must not expresse His loue to Mee, departed,
With vulgar Showes of the most-vulgar-hearted.
No: light Me Lamps that may Thy loue become;
Such as may shine, about, aboue my Tombe,
To all Beholders, as a holy Mirror,
Reducing Nobles from Ignobles Error:
Or as a Pharus to direct the Court,
From Rocks and Wracks into the Happy Port.
For, though my loue seek but my Hay and Denny,
My Charitie is heer in meant to Many.
As from the Dead, I come, the Quick to call
From Sinn's deep Sleep: and Thee (Deer) first of All.
Such as may shine, about, aboue my Tombe,
To all Beholders, as a holy Mirror,
Reducing Nobles from Ignobles Error:
Or as a Pharus to direct the Court,
From Rocks and Wracks into the Happy Port.
For, though my loue seek but my Hay and Denny,
My Charitie is heer in meant to Many.
As from the Dead, I come, the Quick to call
From Sinn's deep Sleep: and Thee (Deer) first of All.
Deer, if thou yet hold-deer a Soule deuested
Of worldly Pomp (which hath the World impested)
Sweet heart, put-off; sweet Hay, now, leaue Thou, quick,
What (O!) I left not, till nigh deadly Sick:
Forsake the VVorld yer it haue Thee forsaken;
And, yer thy Youth with Ruth be ouer-taken,
Regard thy Soule, thy Bodie lesse respect:
Kill Vanitie, curbe euery fond Affect,
Whereby the World still striueth to imprison
The purest Raies of Man's diuinest Reason.
Creep heer no longer with thy mortall Dust;
Climbe with thy fiery Soule vp to the Iust,
Exhale thee so, in heau'nly things admiring,
As to the Place of thy first Birth aspiring.
Of worldly Pomp (which hath the World impested)
Sweet heart, put-off; sweet Hay, now, leaue Thou, quick,
What (O!) I left not, till nigh deadly Sick:
Forsake the VVorld yer it haue Thee forsaken;
And, yer thy Youth with Ruth be ouer-taken,
Regard thy Soule, thy Bodie lesse respect:
Kill Vanitie, curbe euery fond Affect,
Whereby the World still striueth to imprison
The purest Raies of Man's diuinest Reason.
Creep heer no longer with thy mortall Dust;
Climbe with thy fiery Soule vp to the Iust,
Exhale thee so, in heau'nly things admiring,
As to the Place of thy first Birth aspiring.
Few are thy Dayes with many Dolors fill'd,
With Hoping tired, with Desiring kill'd,
Yer thou attain what thou would'st fain and merry:
Or, if thou doost, anon it makes thee weary.
For, what Delight that euer Earth thee lent,
Hast thou aye found pleasing and permanent?
Honour's faire Mask, for all the Pomp and Brauerie,
In golden Gyues is chaind to Silken Slauery.
VVealth, which the World holds super-Souerain,
With vse, doth vanish; without vse, is vaine:
And Both too often (as Coat-Cards may cotten)
Vnworthily, as well are lost, as gotten.
With Hoping tired, with Desiring kill'd,
Yer thou attain what thou would'st fain and merry:
Or, if thou doost, anon it makes thee weary.
For, what Delight that euer Earth thee lent,
Hast thou aye found pleasing and permanent?
Honour's faire Mask, for all the Pomp and Brauerie,
In golden Gyues is chaind to Silken Slauery.
VVealth, which the World holds super-Souerain,
With vse, doth vanish; without vse, is vaine:
And Both too often (as Coat-Cards may cotten)
Vnworthily, as well are lost, as gotten.
Few Obiects heer (my Deer) but subiect bee
To Labour more then vnto Libertie:
Youth's Health and Strength are quickly quasht, or dated:
Pleasure and Loue as soon are crost, or sated:
Affront still driues the VVeakest to the Wal:
The Mightiest ay are vnder Enuie's Maule:
A lowely Fortune is of all despised:
A lofty one, oft, of itselfe, nullized.
To Labour more then vnto Libertie:
Youth's Health and Strength are quickly quasht, or dated:
Pleasure and Loue as soon are crost, or sated:
Affront still driues the VVeakest to the Wal:
The Mightiest ay are vnder Enuie's Maule:
A lowely Fortune is of all despised:
A lofty one, oft, of itselfe, nullized.
1162
In Brief, Deere Soule, thou seest how Certain Fate
Conduces all things to their finall Date.
As on the Shore a rowling Billow splitteth,
When foaming high, and roaming home, it hitteth
Against the keen Knees of a horned Cliff,
Ending his course in an Incounter stiff;
Then swels another, which yet higher wallowes,
In the same course; Whom the same Fortune follows:
So, VVe (O Worlds-Waues!) as soon dead as borne,
With diuers Shock, on the same Rock are torn.
Conduces all things to their finall Date.
As on the Shore a rowling Billow splitteth,
When foaming high, and roaming home, it hitteth
Against the keen Knees of a horned Cliff,
Ending his course in an Incounter stiff;
Then swels another, which yet higher wallowes,
In the same course; Whom the same Fortune follows:
So, VVe (O Worlds-Waues!) as soon dead as borne,
With diuers Shock, on the same Rock are torn.
This Age hath show'n great Fortune's greedy Minions
(By hook or crook) aboue the Worlds Opinion?
Aboue their owne Hopes: nay, aboue well-nigh
The clowded Aime of their insatiate Eye:
But, now where are they? Where's their Grace? their Glorie?
Rotten in dust; forgotten all their Storie
(Vnless, perhaps, what heere so goodly shin'd,
Went out in Snuffe, and left ill sent behinde)
And all their vaine Fume, turn'd to violent Fire,
For euer burns (such is Ambition's Hire):
Where, too-too late, they finde, vnto their Cost,
Such Fauors, so found, had bin better lost.
(By hook or crook) aboue the Worlds Opinion?
Aboue their owne Hopes: nay, aboue well-nigh
The clowded Aime of their insatiate Eye:
But, now where are they? Where's their Grace? their Glorie?
Rotten in dust; forgotten all their Storie
(Vnless, perhaps, what heere so goodly shin'd,
Went out in Snuffe, and left ill sent behinde)
And all their vaine Fume, turn'd to violent Fire,
For euer burns (such is Ambition's Hire):
Where, too-too late, they finde, vnto their Cost,
Such Fauors, so found, had bin better lost.
Soul's sad Repenting, and Hearts heauie Throeing,
Are surest Fruits that in the World are growing:
Heer's Nothing firmer, nothing frequent more,
Then Death: Which (liuing) not to minde before,
Makes Men run headlong to the Gulf infernall;
And, for howers Ioyes, to lose the Ioyes eternall:
Draw'n diuersly by diuers Appetites,
After the Humors of their vain Delights.
Are surest Fruits that in the World are growing:
Heer's Nothing firmer, nothing frequent more,
Then Death: Which (liuing) not to minde before,
Makes Men run headlong to the Gulf infernall;
And, for howers Ioyes, to lose the Ioyes eternall:
Draw'n diuersly by diuers Appetites,
After the Humors of their vain Delights.
Some Apish, acting euery Fashions Model:
Some Swinish, wallowing in their Surfuits Puddle:
Some Goatish, haunting Fillies with their Dams:
Some Woluish, worrying Innocentest Lambs:
Some Currish, snarling at all good mens Good:
Some Monkish, hollow vnder Holy-Hood:
Some Brutish, Monsters in all kind of Euill:
Some Hellish, Actors, Factors for the Diuell.
Some Swinish, wallowing in their Surfuits Puddle:
Some Goatish, haunting Fillies with their Dams:
Some Woluish, worrying Innocentest Lambs:
Some Currish, snarling at all good mens Good:
Some Monkish, hollow vnder Holy-Hood:
Some Brutish, Monsters in all kind of Euill:
Some Hellish, Actors, Factors for the Diuell.
Deare, tread not Thou in Errors common Track:
But, in thy Life sure thine Election make.
Fear, loue, belieue, serue, sorrow, sue, contemple;
And rather walk by Precept, then Example.
But, in thy Life sure thine Election make.
Fear, loue, belieue, serue, sorrow, sue, contemple;
And rather walk by Precept, then Example.
'Tis vtterlie to be of iudgement void,
'Tis wilfullie to haue ones Selfe destroyd;
To trust our Soule with such whose Stipulation
Cannot repaire, cannot repriue, Damnation.
'Tis wilfullie to haue ones Selfe destroyd;
To trust our Soule with such whose Stipulation
Cannot repaire, cannot repriue, Damnation.
Who, curious, cares but for the things belowe,
Shall finde, in fine, that he shall Both forgoe:
But Hope of things aboue (with due progression)
Is far more sure, then th'others full Possession.
Shall finde, in fine, that he shall Both forgoe:
1163
Is far more sure, then th'others full Possession.
Labour Thou therefore for the certain Gain:
And, if thou lov'st mee, higher, higher strain.
In Holy Pride, hence-forth disdaign the Creature,
And mount thy Thoughts vp to the Lord of Nature:
Loue, free thy loue from this dark Dungeon heer,
And hence-forth fix it in th'Empyreall cleer:
Whither no sooner shall thy Mind be raised,
But all thy Mournings will be soon appeased,
With other Comforts then the World affords
In bitter Deeds candied in sugar Words.
And, if thou lov'st mee, higher, higher strain.
In Holy Pride, hence-forth disdaign the Creature,
And mount thy Thoughts vp to the Lord of Nature:
Loue, free thy loue from this dark Dungeon heer,
And hence-forth fix it in th'Empyreall cleer:
Whither no sooner shall thy Mind be raised,
But all thy Mournings will be soon appeased,
With other Comforts then the World affords
In bitter Deeds candied in sugar Words.
The World it Selfe is dying and decaying:
The Earth more sterile, Heau'nly Stars more straying:
The Sphears distun'd. These are the last, last Times;
Where Vertue failes, where Vice preuails and climes;
Where good Men melt away; Vngodly harden.
The Earth more sterile, Heau'nly Stars more straying:
The Sphears distun'd. These are the last, last Times;
Where Vertue failes, where Vice preuails and climes;
Where good Men melt away; Vngodly harden.
How many Flowres (the choise of all our Garden)
Of either Sex, of euery Age, and Rank:
From euery Quarter, Border, Bed, and Bank
[Besides that paire of Royall Sister-buds,
Whose life had promisd Europe many Goods:
Beside That Prime-Rose, Miracle of Princes,
VVhose Herse as yet a Sea of Tears berinses:
Besides that knot of Noblest Harringtons,
Th'old Father's Honors doubling in the Sons:
Besides Godolphin, Bodley, Muses Father;
Rare Sackvil's-Neuil (new Minerua, rather):
Besides Saint Drvry, Sidney's-Rutland, Cheiney,
Mirror of Dames, and other VVorthies many]
Hath Our Great Husband lately snatched hence,
Before his Wrath's approching Storm commence?
Of either Sex, of euery Age, and Rank:
From euery Quarter, Border, Bed, and Bank
[Besides that paire of Royall Sister-buds,
Whose life had promisd Europe many Goods:
Beside That Prime-Rose, Miracle of Princes,
VVhose Herse as yet a Sea of Tears berinses:
Besides that knot of Noblest Harringtons,
Th'old Father's Honors doubling in the Sons:
Besides Godolphin, Bodley, Muses Father;
Rare Sackvil's-Neuil (new Minerua, rather):
Besides Saint Drvry, Sidney's-Rutland, Cheiney,
Mirror of Dames, and other VVorthies many]
Hath Our Great Husband lately snatched hence,
Before his Wrath's approching Storm commence?
Why wail'st thou then My happy Dissolution,
By Natures Current and Heav'ns Constitution?
Repell thy Sorrowes: and repeale to Thee
All actiue Vertues. Mourn no more for Mee.
By Natures Current and Heav'ns Constitution?
Repell thy Sorrowes: and repeale to Thee
All actiue Vertues. Mourn no more for Mee.
I liued long enough; sith while I liued
Thou louedst me: but (so should I haue grieued)
Hadst thou appear'd vnkinde vnto thy Wife,
My longer Date had bin a shorter Life.
Thou louedst me: but (so should I haue grieued)
Hadst thou appear'd vnkinde vnto thy Wife,
My longer Date had bin a shorter Life.
I leaue thee Babes ynow; A Sonne and Daughter:
Ynow to craue thy care, and cause thee laughter:
Ynow for Thee; ynow for Mee to beare:
Which oft I wisht: And the Almighties Eare
(Who hear's his Owne, and on them ay bestoweth
Their owne desires; or what Hee better knoweth)
Heard me in This; and One Petition more;
That, when Wee parted, I might passe before.
Ynow to craue thy care, and cause thee laughter:
Ynow for Thee; ynow for Mee to beare:
Which oft I wisht: And the Almighties Eare
(Who hear's his Owne, and on them ay bestoweth
Their owne desires; or what Hee better knoweth)
Heard me in This; and One Petition more;
That, when Wee parted, I might passe before.
1154
So, fare thou well (Deer Heart) farewell: my leasure
Serues now no longer for this last best pleasure.
Farewell, deer Pheer: Farewell, deer Father too.
This is my last Will, which I leaue with You.
You, ioynt Executors I haue ordained:
And for an Helpe, My Mothers loue vnfained
As Ouer-seer I beseech you call:
And for your Counsaile vse our heau'nly HALL.
Serues now no longer for this last best pleasure.
Farewell, deer Pheer: Farewell, deer Father too.
This is my last Will, which I leaue with You.
You, ioynt Executors I haue ordained:
And for an Helpe, My Mothers loue vnfained
As Ouer-seer I beseech you call:
And for your Counsaile vse our heau'nly HALL.
So, in the heau'ns, among my Ioies supernall;
So, in my Glasse, the Vision of th'Eternal;
If I shall see You, in your Pilgrimage,
O! bee it happy, as my Hopes presage.
So, in my Glasse, the Vision of th'Eternal;
If I shall see You, in your Pilgrimage,
O! bee it happy, as my Hopes presage.
So, in our Children, as their Yeers be growing,
May Natures Gifts and Heauenly Grace be flowing.
One haue I heer; Two haue You there below:
We heer haue Peace, You there haue Wars (we know)
With-out, with-in: the more therefore behoues-you
Defence from Hence. So wishes She that loues you.
May Natures Gifts and Heauenly Grace be flowing.
One haue I heer; Two haue You there below:
We heer haue Peace, You there haue Wars (we know)
With-out, with-in: the more therefore behoues-you
Defence from Hence. So wishes She that loues you.
So, graunt me God (if it be lawfull heer)
I neuer lose remembrance of my Dear:
So, calmed be the Tempest of Your mourning
For My Decease (according to my warning).
So, casting of this Load of Heauiness,
Our Loue vnceasing, may Your Sorrow cease.
I neuer lose remembrance of my Dear:
So, calmed be the Tempest of Your mourning
For My Decease (according to my warning).
So, casting of this Load of Heauiness,
Our Loue vnceasing, may Your Sorrow cease.
So ceast the Voice, and so the Shadow Vanisht.
The Mourners then, more rauisht then astonisht,
Did still, still, listen with a longing Eare
For more such Musik: which then missing there
(Me thought) the Sable Curtaines back they haled.
And, looking round, were ready to haue called;
When instantly their Passions so abound,
That downe they sink; and as they sink they swound:
Where-at, I (grieu'd to see such Friends berest me)
Starting to help, disturbed Morpheus left me:
But, as he rouz'd by chance he cast a Quill,
For present Pen to copie HONOR's Will.
The Mourners then, more rauisht then astonisht,
Did still, still, listen with a longing Eare
For more such Musik: which then missing there
(Me thought) the Sable Curtaines back they haled.
And, looking round, were ready to haue called;
When instantly their Passions so abound,
That downe they sink; and as they sink they swound:
Where-at, I (grieu'd to see such Friends berest me)
Starting to help, disturbed Morpheus left me:
But, as he rouz'd by chance he cast a Quill,
For present Pen to copie HONOR's Will.
| Du Bartas | |