The New Atlantis A Poem, in Three Books. With Some Reflections upon the Hind and the Panther [by Thomas Heyrick] |
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| 3. | THE THIRD PART. |
 | The New Atlantis |  |
42
3. THE THIRD PART.
Much hopes (our Son) doth from thy Province flow,
Great may be th' Harvest, if we wisely sow.
Kind Aspects on the great Attempt do smile,
Fit for the Task to blacken and revile,
Malice thy blood doth into poyson boyl.
So venemous in what's false, it leaves a stain,
And won't with easie pains be cleans'd again.
Thou damn'st all Writings to set up thy own,
We all Truth's ancient Monuments cry down,
Sure way to usher in Tradition.
But yet be cautious, we our Arts must try,
And with false shows debauch th' Adulterous Eye.
Some things best at half Lights affect the sight,
Some must like hollow shadows take their flight,
Show and begone; few will endure the Light.
Darkness and distance our Advantage gives,
The Mind by th' Eye the pleasing Cheat receives,
And th' Error is admir'd while it deceives.
Beware of sincere dealing, 't may betray,
Counterfeit Jewels are descry'd i' th' Day.
Shun steady Looks, they may too deeply pry,
Hint and away, the motion cheats the Eye.
Conceal the worse, still show the better side,
'Tis as much Art Deformities to hide,
As to deck Beauty up in all its Pride.
Draw Zeuxis Grapes so attractive and so fair,
That all the Feather'd Race may there repair;
Securely on the tempting Fruit may feed,
Nor e're the dreadful shape that bears them heed.
Jealous of too deep Sense amuse the Mind,
Fill th' Eye with shows, and swell the Soul with Wind.
Traverse the Ground, flourish, but never close,
We nothing yet could get by down-right blows,
We gain by Treachery, by fair Battels lose.
Mak't all a Bantar, it the most will please,
Few will search deep, for most men love their Ease:
Some Topicks are for dawbing Flattery fit,
Some Eloquence require, and some do Wit,
None with deep Arguing, or true Sense admit.
Some may be faintly urg'd, some loudly fam'd,
Some may be hinted at, and some not nam'd.
Great may be th' Harvest, if we wisely sow.
Kind Aspects on the great Attempt do smile,
Fit for the Task to blacken and revile,
Malice thy blood doth into poyson boyl.
So venemous in what's false, it leaves a stain,
And won't with easie pains be cleans'd again.
Thou damn'st all Writings to set up thy own,
We all Truth's ancient Monuments cry down,
Sure way to usher in Tradition.
But yet be cautious, we our Arts must try,
And with false shows debauch th' Adulterous Eye.
Some things best at half Lights affect the sight,
Some must like hollow shadows take their flight,
Show and begone; few will endure the Light.
43
The Mind by th' Eye the pleasing Cheat receives,
And th' Error is admir'd while it deceives.
Beware of sincere dealing, 't may betray,
Counterfeit Jewels are descry'd i' th' Day.
Shun steady Looks, they may too deeply pry,
Hint and away, the motion cheats the Eye.
Conceal the worse, still show the better side,
'Tis as much Art Deformities to hide,
As to deck Beauty up in all its Pride.
Draw Zeuxis Grapes so attractive and so fair,
That all the Feather'd Race may there repair;
Securely on the tempting Fruit may feed,
Nor e're the dreadful shape that bears them heed.
Jealous of too deep Sense amuse the Mind,
Fill th' Eye with shows, and swell the Soul with Wind.
Traverse the Ground, flourish, but never close,
We nothing yet could get by down-right blows,
We gain by Treachery, by fair Battels lose.
Mak't all a Bantar, it the most will please,
Few will search deep, for most men love their Ease:
Some Topicks are for dawbing Flattery fit,
Some Eloquence require, and some do Wit,
None with deep Arguing, or true Sense admit.
Some may be faintly urg'd, some loudly fam'd,
Some may be hinted at, and some not nam'd.
Name not Indulgences, what thô we know
That none but th' Poor and Fools to Hell do go;
That Heaven at easie Rates may purchas'd be,
And God and Mammon can in one agree:
Tho' we Times past, and present Times can clear,
For Crimes not acted a remission bear,
Beyond the Revolution of great Plato's year;
More than the World can stretch our Pardons wide,
And in small Time for endless years provide;
That bottomless the Treasures are we hold,
Low as th' Abyss, and deep as Mines of Gold:
That th' inexhausted Spring can ne're be dry
While Supererrogation doth new Streams supply.
Safe let the Philosophick Secret sleep,
Like wakeful Dragons let's the Treasure keep.
The subtle Spirit if 't gets vent is flown,
Like Fairy Treasure, if disclos'd, 'tis gon.
Little we once believ'd, the World grown wise,
Should at a Friars cry lift up their Eyes,
And Prostituted Pardons should despise.
Heaven to its genuine Liberty restore
And set that free was basely sold before,
From Usury th' Ætherial Plains should keep,
And Money-Changers from the Temple sweep;
That all the World awak'ned at the cry,
As Slaves at th' Joyful Noise of Liberty,
Should break the Yoak that did their Bodies bind,
Nor laid less servile Fetters on the Mind.
Like Waves on Waves the Noise should loudly roar,
And eccho to the Worlds remotest Shore.
Curse on the Day, loud Curses on the Name,
Ne're may it be enrol'd i' th' Book of Fame,
Lap'd in Oblivion, or if it be,
Like Herostratus, but for Infamy.
That none but th' Poor and Fools to Hell do go;
That Heaven at easie Rates may purchas'd be,
And God and Mammon can in one agree:
44
For Crimes not acted a remission bear,
Beyond the Revolution of great Plato's year;
More than the World can stretch our Pardons wide,
And in small Time for endless years provide;
That bottomless the Treasures are we hold,
Low as th' Abyss, and deep as Mines of Gold:
That th' inexhausted Spring can ne're be dry
While Supererrogation doth new Streams supply.
Safe let the Philosophick Secret sleep,
Like wakeful Dragons let's the Treasure keep.
The subtle Spirit if 't gets vent is flown,
Like Fairy Treasure, if disclos'd, 'tis gon.
Little we once believ'd, the World grown wise,
Should at a Friars cry lift up their Eyes,
And Prostituted Pardons should despise.
Heaven to its genuine Liberty restore
And set that free was basely sold before,
From Usury th' Ætherial Plains should keep,
And Money-Changers from the Temple sweep;
That all the World awak'ned at the cry,
As Slaves at th' Joyful Noise of Liberty,
Should break the Yoak that did their Bodies bind,
Nor laid less servile Fetters on the Mind.
Like Waves on Waves the Noise should loudly roar,
And eccho to the Worlds remotest Shore.
Curse on the Day, loud Curses on the Name,
Ne're may it be enrol'd i' th' Book of Fame,
Lap'd in Oblivion, or if it be,
Like Herostratus, but for Infamy.
45
Our King-deposing-Doctrine we with heed
Must hide, it may unkind Suspitions breed,
And in wise Princes Bosoms Jealousies may feed.
Th' Effects are too apparent, Neighbour Kings
Have warm'd the Snakes, and felt the deadly Stings.
Name't not; the Confutation in the Mind,
Tho' strongly urg'd, doth leave some doubts behind;
Doth shake Allegiance, doth the Bands unty,
The Monarchs Peace, and our Security:
Disturb'd he lives, uneasie, unsecure,
Among half Subjects that do own a foreign Pow'r.
It is enough we it in private own,
Tho' we in publick cry the Tenet down,
'Tis but to lull the World asleep, and then
When Interest sways the Scale, resum't again.
Press'd with apparent Proofs, to fraud we fly,
A private Doctor's Tenet we decry,
On Mariana the whole load we set,
Tho' Troops the barbarous Tenet do abet.
Must hide, it may unkind Suspitions breed,
And in wise Princes Bosoms Jealousies may feed.
Th' Effects are too apparent, Neighbour Kings
Have warm'd the Snakes, and felt the deadly Stings.
Name't not; the Confutation in the Mind,
Tho' strongly urg'd, doth leave some doubts behind;
Doth shake Allegiance, doth the Bands unty,
The Monarchs Peace, and our Security:
Disturb'd he lives, uneasie, unsecure,
Among half Subjects that do own a foreign Pow'r.
It is enough we it in private own,
Tho' we in publick cry the Tenet down,
'Tis but to lull the World asleep, and then
When Interest sways the Scale, resum't again.
Press'd with apparent Proofs, to fraud we fly,
A private Doctor's Tenet we decry,
On Mariana the whole load we set,
Tho' Troops the barbarous Tenet do abet.
But what's hence gather'd, let in silence dy,
That Princes when depos'd may murder'd be.
In secret VVhispers don't the Crime display,
Even Ovid's Reeds the Treason may betray.
A blasting Air doth every Accent fill,
Each Loyal Breast, and Christian Soul doth chill,
Strangers to Treachery, and unus'd to kill.
Conceal't, or if need be, the Fact deny,
'Tis lawful for our Interest to ly,
In this the very Wolf and Hind agree.
Bring some Distinction that may heal the sore,
Deny to kill a King we give a Power,
For when they are depos'd they'r King's no more.
'Tis much the same; precarious Kings must by
A Logical Distinction live or dy.
Not that the Tenet we're asham'd to own,
Not Conscience, but our Interest crys it down.
The sound is hateful, and we've lately found
To our Repute 't hath given a deadly wound:
Th' Experiment our boldest Champions made,
And were from Neighbouring Nations banished.
We're feeble yet, but when we stronger grow,
Nature returns, and with't the Poison too.
Name not our wavering Faith and broken Vows,
The barbarous Indians will the Fact expose:
The Faith of Ancient Rome may ours upbraid,
That kept their Sacred Oaths with Pyrats made.
Unknown in Ancient Times the Tenet slept,
That Vows with Hereticks need not be kept.
Unpunish'd, Heavens great Name invok'd may be,
And Holy Saints to Patronize a Ly:
Heaven Perjury allows to root out Heresie.
Antiquity could ne're a Weapon find
To cut the Tye that doth the Juror bind,
Nor dur'st th' Affront lay on th' eternal Mind.
Yet 'tis of use to flatter and cajole,
And to the Pitfal draw the easie Fool.
The Credulous do upon our Oaths rely,
We fetter others, and our selves are free.
Saint Barthol'mew the secret understood,
Saint Barthol'mew once more baptiz'd in Blood.
That Princes when depos'd may murder'd be.
In secret VVhispers don't the Crime display,
Even Ovid's Reeds the Treason may betray.
A blasting Air doth every Accent fill,
Each Loyal Breast, and Christian Soul doth chill,
Strangers to Treachery, and unus'd to kill.
Conceal't, or if need be, the Fact deny,
'Tis lawful for our Interest to ly,
In this the very Wolf and Hind agree.
46
Deny to kill a King we give a Power,
For when they are depos'd they'r King's no more.
'Tis much the same; precarious Kings must by
A Logical Distinction live or dy.
Not that the Tenet we're asham'd to own,
Not Conscience, but our Interest crys it down.
The sound is hateful, and we've lately found
To our Repute 't hath given a deadly wound:
Th' Experiment our boldest Champions made,
And were from Neighbouring Nations banished.
We're feeble yet, but when we stronger grow,
Nature returns, and with't the Poison too.
Name not our wavering Faith and broken Vows,
The barbarous Indians will the Fact expose:
The Faith of Ancient Rome may ours upbraid,
That kept their Sacred Oaths with Pyrats made.
Unknown in Ancient Times the Tenet slept,
That Vows with Hereticks need not be kept.
Unpunish'd, Heavens great Name invok'd may be,
And Holy Saints to Patronize a Ly:
Heaven Perjury allows to root out Heresie.
Antiquity could ne're a Weapon find
To cut the Tye that doth the Juror bind,
Nor dur'st th' Affront lay on th' eternal Mind.
Yet 'tis of use to flatter and cajole,
And to the Pitfal draw the easie Fool.
The Credulous do upon our Oaths rely,
We fetter others, and our selves are free.
47
Saint Barthol'mew once more baptiz'd in Blood.
Conceal (as that doth Truth) Æquivocation,
Our useful Trick, and mental Reservation;
Th'ave an ill Aspect, and too far may reach,
And contradict the very Ends of Speech;
Do to the Death of Faith and Justice tend,
Do all Society and Converse end,
And make a Man to Man become a Fiend.
The Dye may be turn'd on's, and justly we,
That others have deceiv'd, deceiv'd may be.
Our useful Trick, and mental Reservation;
Th'ave an ill Aspect, and too far may reach,
And contradict the very Ends of Speech;
Do to the Death of Faith and Justice tend,
Do all Society and Converse end,
And make a Man to Man become a Fiend.
The Dye may be turn'd on's, and justly we,
That others have deceiv'd, deceiv'd may be.
Name not the Power that Marriage Bonds can break,
The Sacred Tye that Gods own hand did make;
The Laws of Nature, Heaven and Men can force,
And loose where nought but Death should make Divorce.
Legitimate Incestuous Marriages,
And can th' accursed brood to Title raise;
Much Policy doth in the Practice ly,
They'r bound to us in an Eternal Tye,
Whose Right and Title from our Mouths doth fly.
Name not the Crowned Heads that Homage pay,
Whose Right to Thrones depends upon our See,
Name not th' Incestuous House of Austria.
The Sacred Tye that Gods own hand did make;
The Laws of Nature, Heaven and Men can force,
And loose where nought but Death should make Divorce.
Legitimate Incestuous Marriages,
And can th' accursed brood to Title raise;
Much Policy doth in the Practice ly,
They'r bound to us in an Eternal Tye,
Whose Right and Title from our Mouths doth fly.
Name not the Crowned Heads that Homage pay,
Whose Right to Thrones depends upon our See,
Name not th' Incestuous House of Austria.
These and more which our Doctrine doth impart,
At which even trembling Nature seems to start;
We colour and make plausible by Art:
For each Objection we a Salvo find,
And with smooth Words stroke the affrighted Mind;
Till what at first a dreadful shape did show,
By Art and Custom doth familiar grow.
But this requires the highest strain of Wit,
A Turn of Soul for which thou art not fit;
A Scheme ne'r bred in a dull Northern Mind,
Italian all, exalted and refin'd.
At which even trembling Nature seems to start;
We colour and make plausible by Art:
For each Objection we a Salvo find,
And with smooth Words stroke the affrighted Mind;
Till what at first a dreadful shape did show,
By Art and Custom doth familiar grow.
48
A Turn of Soul for which thou art not fit;
A Scheme ne'r bred in a dull Northern Mind,
Italian all, exalted and refin'd.
Pass these with cautious Prudence; others yet
Remain, that Fraud and Sophistry admit:
Infallibility, our darling Friend,
The mighty Judge that all Disputes doth end,
And doth her reign o're Heaven and Earth extend;
Uphold the tottering Basis, if that's gone
The gawdy Edifice will tumble down,
The Castle yields if once this Fort be won.
Not that we an Authentick proof can bring
From whence first this unerring Source did spring;
Or can point out the spot of holy ground
Where the retired Lady's to be found;
Retir'd, lest she by common view profan'd,
With earthly Taint should have her Beauty stain'd;
Wisely retir'd, as Indian Monarchs do,
That rarely their Majestick presence shew,
And by their Absence their Esteem renew.
Not that we yet the Secret can descry,
Whether in one, or She in more doth ly;
Or whether she hath got Ubiquity.
Whether in some far distant Coast she's found,
With headlong Cliffs and Rocks incompass'd round.
Whether i'th' Region that from Smoke is nam'd,
Or in the Coast that is for Parrots fam'd;
Or hid in Bacon's Northern Magick Coast,
Whose first Discovery Sorcery doth boast:
Her Mansion plac'd beneath the Polar Star,
The rather 'cause 'tis fix'd, and cannot err.
These petty Quarrels are not worth our pains,
Th' existence of the thing in doubt remains;
But tho' no Argument the Being prove,
If we believe 'tis so it is enough.
If but the deed is done, no matter how,
Faith makes all up when we no Sense allow.
Remain, that Fraud and Sophistry admit:
Infallibility, our darling Friend,
The mighty Judge that all Disputes doth end,
And doth her reign o're Heaven and Earth extend;
Uphold the tottering Basis, if that's gone
The gawdy Edifice will tumble down,
The Castle yields if once this Fort be won.
Not that we an Authentick proof can bring
From whence first this unerring Source did spring;
Or can point out the spot of holy ground
Where the retired Lady's to be found;
Retir'd, lest she by common view profan'd,
With earthly Taint should have her Beauty stain'd;
Wisely retir'd, as Indian Monarchs do,
That rarely their Majestick presence shew,
And by their Absence their Esteem renew.
Not that we yet the Secret can descry,
Whether in one, or She in more doth ly;
Or whether she hath got Ubiquity.
Whether in some far distant Coast she's found,
With headlong Cliffs and Rocks incompass'd round.
Whether i'th' Region that from Smoke is nam'd,
Or in the Coast that is for Parrots fam'd;
Or hid in Bacon's Northern Magick Coast,
Whose first Discovery Sorcery doth boast:
49
The rather 'cause 'tis fix'd, and cannot err.
These petty Quarrels are not worth our pains,
Th' existence of the thing in doubt remains;
But tho' no Argument the Being prove,
If we believe 'tis so it is enough.
If but the deed is done, no matter how,
Faith makes all up when we no Sense allow.
What tho' the prying Hereticks do find
The specious Fabrick is but built on VVind;
Th' Aereal Phantome no Foundation gains
But in unsetled Heads and giddy Brains,
A Phrensie that in Feverish Tempers reigns.
That so Chymæras live and all the Race
That raving Minds and wandring Tempers trace,
That so the Monsters live, old Times in Heaven did place.
VVith this that Ptolomy's Epicycles joyn,
Their Life and Interest do in one entwine;
Both live, and for their usefulness do sway,
Forged to solve the wild Phænomena.
These Sarcasms value not, uphold its Fame,
Much Aid we from its needful Interest claim.
Some Tempers are so sharp, so deep, so strong,
They follow but where Reason goes along;
Are refractory, nor the Cause will yield,
Till ground is given on which belief to build.
But these are few, and for our Turn not fit,
Others of easie Minds and shallow wit,
Can easily to what others say submit.
Unable to search deep, the Wise believe,
Say as they say, receive as they receive:
This suits their Temper, eases them of pains,
And is a safe retreat for shallow Brains.
Pleas'd with the Fraud, they on the Guide rely,
(For here the Ignorant and Idle fly)
Nor can mistrust Infallibility.
These are the greatest Part o' th' World, and these
Th' Insinuating Tenet's sure to please.
What though th' Atlantians ask where 't did remain
When three Infallibilities did reign;
When empty Thunders in the Air did fly,
And each his emulous Rival did defy.
Each did his Foe with Usurpation load,
Anathemas and Curses flew abroad;
Did Heresy unto each other lay,
And all th' Abettors of their Lawless sway.
Did damn each others Edicts, and what one
Condemned or absolv'd by th' other was undone.
Sure while the restless Ball was wildly tost,
Infallibility i' th' Crowd was lost.
And what misfortunes did the Souls betide,
That did mean while want an unerring Guide?
VVhen such Convulsions did the Church molest,
VVhere could the doubtful Soul take up her rest?
The Answer's easie, the Event we see,
The Victor own'd Infallibility;
The End the Act with holiness impowers,
A Turkish Tenet 'tis, and may be ours.
Leave that to me, saith Bavius, I will find
Some simile that will i' th' case be kind,
And cheat with superficial Wit the Mind.
If they th' Existence of the thing require,
Sense left, I'le to my Metaphors retire.
And thô we proof o' th' Being first should make,
Lest we Chymæras for our Subjects take,
With airy Notions of the School-men war,
Dispute of things that never were nor are;
Vainly like wilder'd men should wander round,
Be lost in senceless shapes on Fairy-Ground,
Knight Errant like, our devious Journey steer
To seek a Prize, we know not what or where,
And fill our empty Heads and Arms with Air.
It is enough I tell them that I see,
Althô the manner still disputed be;
And thence conclude Infallibility.
We'r guided tho' the way we cannot prove,
We'r led altho' we don't perceive we move;
Our Faith to this sure Ankor must be ty'd,
Altho' it can't be prov'd ther's such a Guide.
The specious Fabrick is but built on VVind;
Th' Aereal Phantome no Foundation gains
But in unsetled Heads and giddy Brains,
A Phrensie that in Feverish Tempers reigns.
That so Chymæras live and all the Race
That raving Minds and wandring Tempers trace,
That so the Monsters live, old Times in Heaven did place.
VVith this that Ptolomy's Epicycles joyn,
Their Life and Interest do in one entwine;
Both live, and for their usefulness do sway,
Forged to solve the wild Phænomena.
These Sarcasms value not, uphold its Fame,
Much Aid we from its needful Interest claim.
Some Tempers are so sharp, so deep, so strong,
They follow but where Reason goes along;
Are refractory, nor the Cause will yield,
Till ground is given on which belief to build.
But these are few, and for our Turn not fit,
Others of easie Minds and shallow wit,
Can easily to what others say submit.
50
Say as they say, receive as they receive:
This suits their Temper, eases them of pains,
And is a safe retreat for shallow Brains.
Pleas'd with the Fraud, they on the Guide rely,
(For here the Ignorant and Idle fly)
Nor can mistrust Infallibility.
These are the greatest Part o' th' World, and these
Th' Insinuating Tenet's sure to please.
What though th' Atlantians ask where 't did remain
When three Infallibilities did reign;
When empty Thunders in the Air did fly,
And each his emulous Rival did defy.
Each did his Foe with Usurpation load,
Anathemas and Curses flew abroad;
Did Heresy unto each other lay,
And all th' Abettors of their Lawless sway.
Did damn each others Edicts, and what one
Condemned or absolv'd by th' other was undone.
Sure while the restless Ball was wildly tost,
Infallibility i' th' Crowd was lost.
And what misfortunes did the Souls betide,
That did mean while want an unerring Guide?
VVhen such Convulsions did the Church molest,
VVhere could the doubtful Soul take up her rest?
The Answer's easie, the Event we see,
The Victor own'd Infallibility;
The End the Act with holiness impowers,
A Turkish Tenet 'tis, and may be ours.
51
Some simile that will i' th' case be kind,
And cheat with superficial Wit the Mind.
If they th' Existence of the thing require,
Sense left, I'le to my Metaphors retire.
And thô we proof o' th' Being first should make,
Lest we Chymæras for our Subjects take,
With airy Notions of the School-men war,
Dispute of things that never were nor are;
Vainly like wilder'd men should wander round,
Be lost in senceless shapes on Fairy-Ground,
Knight Errant like, our devious Journey steer
To seek a Prize, we know not what or where,
And fill our empty Heads and Arms with Air.
It is enough I tell them that I see,
Althô the manner still disputed be;
And thence conclude Infallibility.
We'r guided tho' the way we cannot prove,
We'r led altho' we don't perceive we move;
Our Faith to this sure Ankor must be ty'd,
Altho' it can't be prov'd ther's such a Guide.
Th' Evasion pleas'd, and most believ'd 'twould do,
For senceless Hereticks no Fraud do know;
When thus the President did Discourse renew.
Great Bulwark, whence our chiefest strength doth flow,
With Thee Invulnerable to our Foe,
Infallibility our God below!
Thou Life and Vigour dost to all impart,
Sit'st brooding upon every Child of Art.
Each Tenet doth upon thy Aid rely,
Twin Brothers that at once do live and dy.
On what thou set'st thy Universal Seal
Must be believ'd, from thence lyes no Appeal.
What e're thy Stamp for Sterling doth admit
Is currant Coin, and for belief is fit.
Thy Pasport given there is no need of more,
The World thy Sacred Truth must all adore.
The bane of Wit and arguing thou dost come,
Nor dost thou leave for Scepticism a room,
Reason and Sence at thy approach are dumb.
If thou a Virtue for a Vice dost show,
Or say'st a Vice a Virtue is, 'tis so;
Obey'd by all above and all below.
On Thee our mighty Champion we rely,
Nor can we fear while thou stand'st safe, our Troy.
Cry up Traditions, 'tis a gawdy sale,
And where ther's Reason wanting sways the Scale.
Urg'd with the Witness of Antiquity,
And the unerring Scriptures Verity,
To these our never-failing Friends we fly.
Unable to behold Truths glaring Light,
We seek these Mists, and hide our selves in Night;
We make the Story the Relation show,
Tell the Tradition, and the Truth avow,
Our self the Party, Judge, and Witness too.
Brought to the Trial, we all Power cry down,
No Touch-stone is admitted but our own,
Even Scripture by Tradition must be shown.
Scripture no longer must a Rule prefer,
But Heaven stoop down unto the Humane Bar.
Victorious State where Rumour Conquest gains,
And Stories from our own not others Brains!
Who of his Cause would a decision fear,
Were he allow'd in his own right to swear,
Not what for Truth he did believe, but hear.
Gain but this Point our greatest Work is done,
One strain at this and every thing goes down;
All that wild Heads, or raving Fancies find
Flow from hard Spleens, or Hypocondriack Wind.
What ever Error, Folly, Policy,
Or Malice dictate, entertain'd shall be.
Mountains to Mole-hills shrink, and th' Pygmy show
To a Gigantick Monstrous shape shall grow.
Lead to Tradition's gloomy Land, and there
Expose to endless mists the Wanderer.
'Tis a dark Coast, and full of monstrous shows,
And deadly Pit-falls do the Borders close.
Once in, in vain for guiding Clues men pray,
The winding Labyrinth doth force a stay,
No Light doth chear the shades, or gild the way.
Here all Religions meet, a publick Scene
That th' Errors doth of every Faith contain;
All that besotted wandring Jews receive;
All the American Zelots do believe,
With which their Pagods do the Crowd deceive;
All was by Ancient Heathenism approv'd,
Or is by present Paganism belov'd;
All Ovid's fruitful Brain could e're put on,
All Follies of the stupid Alcaron
Met in this Rendezvous, the place where all
Embrace, agree, and into Concord fall,
Tradition them into one Mass doth call.
For senceless Hereticks no Fraud do know;
When thus the President did Discourse renew.
Great Bulwark, whence our chiefest strength doth flow,
With Thee Invulnerable to our Foe,
Infallibility our God below!
Thou Life and Vigour dost to all impart,
Sit'st brooding upon every Child of Art.
52
Twin Brothers that at once do live and dy.
On what thou set'st thy Universal Seal
Must be believ'd, from thence lyes no Appeal.
What e're thy Stamp for Sterling doth admit
Is currant Coin, and for belief is fit.
Thy Pasport given there is no need of more,
The World thy Sacred Truth must all adore.
The bane of Wit and arguing thou dost come,
Nor dost thou leave for Scepticism a room,
Reason and Sence at thy approach are dumb.
If thou a Virtue for a Vice dost show,
Or say'st a Vice a Virtue is, 'tis so;
Obey'd by all above and all below.
On Thee our mighty Champion we rely,
Nor can we fear while thou stand'st safe, our Troy.
Cry up Traditions, 'tis a gawdy sale,
And where ther's Reason wanting sways the Scale.
Urg'd with the Witness of Antiquity,
And the unerring Scriptures Verity,
To these our never-failing Friends we fly.
Unable to behold Truths glaring Light,
We seek these Mists, and hide our selves in Night;
We make the Story the Relation show,
Tell the Tradition, and the Truth avow,
Our self the Party, Judge, and Witness too.
Brought to the Trial, we all Power cry down,
No Touch-stone is admitted but our own,
Even Scripture by Tradition must be shown.
53
But Heaven stoop down unto the Humane Bar.
Victorious State where Rumour Conquest gains,
And Stories from our own not others Brains!
Who of his Cause would a decision fear,
Were he allow'd in his own right to swear,
Not what for Truth he did believe, but hear.
Gain but this Point our greatest Work is done,
One strain at this and every thing goes down;
All that wild Heads, or raving Fancies find
Flow from hard Spleens, or Hypocondriack Wind.
What ever Error, Folly, Policy,
Or Malice dictate, entertain'd shall be.
Mountains to Mole-hills shrink, and th' Pygmy show
To a Gigantick Monstrous shape shall grow.
Lead to Tradition's gloomy Land, and there
Expose to endless mists the Wanderer.
'Tis a dark Coast, and full of monstrous shows,
And deadly Pit-falls do the Borders close.
Once in, in vain for guiding Clues men pray,
The winding Labyrinth doth force a stay,
No Light doth chear the shades, or gild the way.
Here all Religions meet, a publick Scene
That th' Errors doth of every Faith contain;
All that besotted wandring Jews receive;
All the American Zelots do believe,
With which their Pagods do the Crowd deceive;
All was by Ancient Heathenism approv'd,
Or is by present Paganism belov'd;
54
All Follies of the stupid Alcaron
Met in this Rendezvous, the place where all
Embrace, agree, and into Concord fall,
Tradition them into one Mass doth call.
Debase the Honour of the Sacred Book,
A glass in which we do not care to look.
Too true and faithful, and unus'd to ly,
It plainly shows us our Deformity.
That Sacred Light the horrid Shades doth clear,
Makes Error fly, and Holy Truth appear,
And shews things as they be, the only Ill we fear.
That Touchstone all false Metals will descry,
And where else outside gilt would cheat the Eye,
Doth the Intrinsick Worth and Value try.
What tho' the skulking Heretick doth find
Therein a Scheme of his great Master's Mind;
Brags 'tis his dying Saviour's Legacy,
The Treasury of Truth, of Peace, and Joy.
That Orient Jewels in each Line beam forth,
And shine with genuine, not with borrow'd Worth.
That starry Characters their Light display,
Thro' Mists and Errors point the Sacred way,
And midst of Night and Darkness force a Day.
Truths that Philosophy did seek in vain
With devious Travail, and with anxious Pain,
But ne're the Heavenly Secrets could attain.
Knowledge so lofty, so sublime and high,
Th' Angelick Forms do in the Mysteries pry,
The Pattern and Idæa of the Deity.
That Faith unto this standard must repair,
And all our Deeds we by this Rule must square,
And what exceeds or doth come short doth err.
It is enough it is not for our use,
And therefore wisely we must keep it close.
A glass in which we do not care to look.
Too true and faithful, and unus'd to ly,
It plainly shows us our Deformity.
That Sacred Light the horrid Shades doth clear,
Makes Error fly, and Holy Truth appear,
And shews things as they be, the only Ill we fear.
That Touchstone all false Metals will descry,
And where else outside gilt would cheat the Eye,
Doth the Intrinsick Worth and Value try.
What tho' the skulking Heretick doth find
Therein a Scheme of his great Master's Mind;
Brags 'tis his dying Saviour's Legacy,
The Treasury of Truth, of Peace, and Joy.
That Orient Jewels in each Line beam forth,
And shine with genuine, not with borrow'd Worth.
That starry Characters their Light display,
Thro' Mists and Errors point the Sacred way,
And midst of Night and Darkness force a Day.
Truths that Philosophy did seek in vain
With devious Travail, and with anxious Pain,
But ne're the Heavenly Secrets could attain.
Knowledge so lofty, so sublime and high,
Th' Angelick Forms do in the Mysteries pry,
The Pattern and Idæa of the Deity.
55
And all our Deeds we by this Rule must square,
And what exceeds or doth come short doth err.
It is enough it is not for our use,
And therefore wisely we must keep it close.
The Bible, Bavius cry'd, it is confess'd
I've read so much of I can break a Jest,
Have learned to prophane it, but that said
For more I never did disturb my Head.
I ne're had kindness for't, and have less now,
I'll take the Counsel and improve it too.
I've read so much of I can break a Jest,
Have learned to prophane it, but that said
For more I never did disturb my Head.
I ne're had kindness for't, and have less now,
I'll take the Counsel and improve it too.
'Tis well resolv'd, th' Adviser cry'd, and then
Thus did pursue his Argument again.
Lap't in Obscurity from prying Eyes,
The common Crowd by this may grow too wise;
And too much Knowledge learns them to despise.
Call't a dumb rule that no disputes can end,
Tho' 'tis the Message Heaven himself did send.
Say Hereticks from hence do claim their right,
And 'cause they see amiss, condemn the Light.
Because the Text by them's misunderstood,
Arraign the whole, deny the Rule is good.
Grant 'tis a dying Testament, yet we
Must not on what is there laid down rely,
That may bring Error: nor must be receiv'd
What's writ, but what by others is believ'd.
The express words must all in Vapours end,
And upon doubtful Heresie all depend.
Object the doubts have risen of Moses Law;
But hide the Follies that Traditions draw.
How when the Jews the written Law did leave,
And Planet-struck to Oral fiction cleave,
Ridiculous Follys did for Truths appear;
Absur'd and raving Stories fill'd each Ear;
Upon Truths Basis monstrous shapes were bred,
And senceless Talmuds in the Bibles stead.
That did not Truth from Holy VVrit prevail,
(So fatal 'tis without this Star to sail)
Religion soon would dwindle to a Tale.
Fly from that Test that will no Errors hide,
Shun that as guilty men the Law avoid.
Thus did pursue his Argument again.
Lap't in Obscurity from prying Eyes,
The common Crowd by this may grow too wise;
And too much Knowledge learns them to despise.
Call't a dumb rule that no disputes can end,
Tho' 'tis the Message Heaven himself did send.
Say Hereticks from hence do claim their right,
And 'cause they see amiss, condemn the Light.
Because the Text by them's misunderstood,
Arraign the whole, deny the Rule is good.
Grant 'tis a dying Testament, yet we
Must not on what is there laid down rely,
That may bring Error: nor must be receiv'd
What's writ, but what by others is believ'd.
The express words must all in Vapours end,
And upon doubtful Heresie all depend.
Object the doubts have risen of Moses Law;
But hide the Follies that Traditions draw.
56
And Planet-struck to Oral fiction cleave,
Ridiculous Follys did for Truths appear;
Absur'd and raving Stories fill'd each Ear;
Upon Truths Basis monstrous shapes were bred,
And senceless Talmuds in the Bibles stead.
That did not Truth from Holy VVrit prevail,
(So fatal 'tis without this Star to sail)
Religion soon would dwindle to a Tale.
Fly from that Test that will no Errors hide,
Shun that as guilty men the Law avoid.
Assert the Real Presence, tho' there lies
A numerous Army of Absurdities
Marshal'd i' th' Tenet; tho' it doth oppose
All clearest sence, or guiding Reason knows,
Or all that Philosophick depths disclose.
Tho' endless War with Truth it doth commence,
Not above only, but against all sence.
Tho' 't make a Body take a Spirits right,
To every part o' th' World extends its might;
A fair way to make matter infinite.
Tho' beyond Ovid's strain the Notion's rais'd,
Who made his Gods, and made them what he pleas'd:
Their hungry Maws with high Ambrosia fed,
Turn'd them to Birds and Beasts, but ne're to Bread.
Tho' th' wise Arabian would not eat his God,
But with Philosophers would make's aboad,
Rather than tread in that inhumane road;
Yet 'tis of use for Show, for Pomp and State
Will awful Reverence and Respect create.
But yet too gross to be Æthereal,
No doubt when India first to Rome did fall,
Embrac'd with greedy Joy by th' hungry Cannibal.
Tell them 'tis safe and easie to rely
Upon what others think, what others see.
That would we truly see, or feel, or taste,
Our erring Senses first must be displac'd.
And if the ready way to Truth be sought,
We must not by our Sense be rul'd, but Thought.
But if the stubborn Heretick denys
To lose his Taste, or to put out his Eyes,
And urges still Impossibilities;
If he from Sense or Reason want's a proof,
Say but that God can do't and 'tis enough.
A numerous Army of Absurdities
Marshal'd i' th' Tenet; tho' it doth oppose
All clearest sence, or guiding Reason knows,
Or all that Philosophick depths disclose.
Tho' endless War with Truth it doth commence,
Not above only, but against all sence.
Tho' 't make a Body take a Spirits right,
To every part o' th' World extends its might;
A fair way to make matter infinite.
Tho' beyond Ovid's strain the Notion's rais'd,
Who made his Gods, and made them what he pleas'd:
Their hungry Maws with high Ambrosia fed,
Turn'd them to Birds and Beasts, but ne're to Bread.
Tho' th' wise Arabian would not eat his God,
But with Philosophers would make's aboad,
Rather than tread in that inhumane road;
Yet 'tis of use for Show, for Pomp and State
Will awful Reverence and Respect create.
57
No doubt when India first to Rome did fall,
Embrac'd with greedy Joy by th' hungry Cannibal.
Tell them 'tis safe and easie to rely
Upon what others think, what others see.
That would we truly see, or feel, or taste,
Our erring Senses first must be displac'd.
And if the ready way to Truth be sought,
We must not by our Sense be rul'd, but Thought.
But if the stubborn Heretick denys
To lose his Taste, or to put out his Eyes,
And urges still Impossibilities;
If he from Sense or Reason want's a proof,
Say but that God can do't and 'tis enough.
Rail at the hated Test, load it with all
Th' Invectives can from Rage or Envy fall.
'Tis a curst Bar that we must first remove
Before our Projects can successful prove.
Lay to its charge unnat'ral Cruelty,
Draw horrid Landskips that may fright the Eye,
And turn't from Christian Society.
All answers for the Test with Clamour drown,
But do not name our Inquisition.
'Twill put the Test in Countenance, and be
For what vve hate the great'st Apology.
The Racks, the Tortures, and th' languishing pain
That in her secret Vaults and Caverns reign,
The loud Convulsive Grones and Sighs that ne're
From their dark Prisons reach a pitying Ear,
The shrilling Crys that none but Heaven doth hear.
The dreadful Scene and worse Tormentors, who
Strangers to pity, no Compassion know,
Seems to out do the horrid Shades below.
The baleful look that every thing doth wear
Will make the Test seem innocent and fair;
'Twas first design'd against the Moors and Jews,
But now 'gainst Christians hath its fatal use.
Th' Invectives can from Rage or Envy fall.
'Tis a curst Bar that we must first remove
Before our Projects can successful prove.
Lay to its charge unnat'ral Cruelty,
Draw horrid Landskips that may fright the Eye,
And turn't from Christian Society.
All answers for the Test with Clamour drown,
But do not name our Inquisition.
'Twill put the Test in Countenance, and be
For what vve hate the great'st Apology.
The Racks, the Tortures, and th' languishing pain
That in her secret Vaults and Caverns reign,
The loud Convulsive Grones and Sighs that ne're
From their dark Prisons reach a pitying Ear,
The shrilling Crys that none but Heaven doth hear.
58
Strangers to pity, no Compassion know,
Seems to out do the horrid Shades below.
The baleful look that every thing doth wear
Will make the Test seem innocent and fair;
'Twas first design'd against the Moors and Jews,
But now 'gainst Christians hath its fatal use.
Revile th' establish'd Church, pull down its pride,
'Tis Meritorious, Bolzac be thy guide.
Bolzac, that all thy Faculties did own,
For Impudence and scurrilous falshood known,
For Pride, for Want, and Irreligion.
Bolzac will Thee with virulent spleen inspire,
That banish'd twice, and thrice Apostate Fryar.
The way to Calumny's a beaten road,
With villanous Aretine make thy-aboad,
Who blasted the Repute of all but God,
And he was miss'd because he knevv him not.
Her beauteous Face vvith envious Sarcasms blot,
Seen thro' thy Glasses she vvill change her hieu,
The Object, as the Medium is, vve vievv.
A secret Envy Beauties do attend,
All Love maliciously their Faults to' extend,
A celebrated Beauty seldom hath a Friend.
Allow she's Beauteous, but her Honour taint,
And draw a Fiend-like Visage o're the Saint.
Say she's not modest, as old Sinners use,
Who those fair ones they can't corrupt, abuse.
And since she to our Party can't be brought,
Object the Wolf into her Heart is got.
There's danger lest that Sect should grow too wise,
Unite their Strength when they have op'd their Eyes.
Close with their Mother whom they've long defy'd,
Own their Obedience, and abate their Pride,
Our Wisdom 'tis to keep the breaches wide.
Debase the Glory of her Race, tho' she
Doth draw her sparkling Genealogy
In a long Series from the Deity.
Yet if we can but Clouds and Darkness raise,
And hide from common view her Line of Praise;
(Night renders all things like) we soon may find
A way to stab the Glory of her kind:
And since her firm Faith to an injur'd Prince,
The World doth of her Loyalty convince:
Her Loyalty in Honours Book enroll'd,
That 'twould be an Attempt too high and bold,
E're Time had th' Memory of things eras'd,
To have the Glory of her deeds debas'd.
Confess she's Loyal, but some Quæres put,
And stab her Praises with an Envious But—
And tho' there lys no reason for't, yet cry
She now repents of her late Loyalty.
'Tis Meritorious, Bolzac be thy guide.
Bolzac, that all thy Faculties did own,
For Impudence and scurrilous falshood known,
For Pride, for Want, and Irreligion.
Bolzac will Thee with virulent spleen inspire,
That banish'd twice, and thrice Apostate Fryar.
The way to Calumny's a beaten road,
With villanous Aretine make thy-aboad,
Who blasted the Repute of all but God,
And he was miss'd because he knevv him not.
Her beauteous Face vvith envious Sarcasms blot,
Seen thro' thy Glasses she vvill change her hieu,
The Object, as the Medium is, vve vievv.
A secret Envy Beauties do attend,
All Love maliciously their Faults to' extend,
A celebrated Beauty seldom hath a Friend.
Allow she's Beauteous, but her Honour taint,
And draw a Fiend-like Visage o're the Saint.
Say she's not modest, as old Sinners use,
Who those fair ones they can't corrupt, abuse.
And since she to our Party can't be brought,
Object the Wolf into her Heart is got.
59
Unite their Strength when they have op'd their Eyes.
Close with their Mother whom they've long defy'd,
Own their Obedience, and abate their Pride,
Our Wisdom 'tis to keep the breaches wide.
Debase the Glory of her Race, tho' she
Doth draw her sparkling Genealogy
In a long Series from the Deity.
Yet if we can but Clouds and Darkness raise,
And hide from common view her Line of Praise;
(Night renders all things like) we soon may find
A way to stab the Glory of her kind:
And since her firm Faith to an injur'd Prince,
The World doth of her Loyalty convince:
Her Loyalty in Honours Book enroll'd,
That 'twould be an Attempt too high and bold,
E're Time had th' Memory of things eras'd,
To have the Glory of her deeds debas'd.
Confess she's Loyal, but some Quæres put,
And stab her Praises with an Envious But—
And tho' there lys no reason for't, yet cry
She now repents of her late Loyalty.
Nor let her Sons escape from Censure free,
Invention can the room of Truth supply.
And if nought else a Calumny will bear,
At least lay Luxury unto their share:
Rail and out-face them; but what e're befalls,
Name not the Riots of our Cardinals;
Nor e're the Lazy Gluttony reveal,
With which our stupid Monasteries swell.
Invention can the room of Truth supply.
And if nought else a Calumny will bear,
At least lay Luxury unto their share:
Rail and out-face them; but what e're befalls,
Name not the Riots of our Cardinals;
Nor e're the Lazy Gluttony reveal,
With which our stupid Monasteries swell.
60
Thoughtful and dull, according to his use,
Stood Bavius, proling for his barren Muse;
Hoording what others prodigally spend,
When mention of the Clergy did his silence end.
And thus he rav'd; that Task my Mind doth fit,
My Foes shall feel the lashes of my Wit.
A Phlegmatick dull Gown man is a Theam
Doth Rage and Malice o're my Fancy stream;
Uneasie at the sight o'th' loathed brood,
Their Coat I hate as Elephants do Blood.
'Tis true I once, ('tis an unwelcome thought,
But what their odious Race hath dearly bought,)
Such is the fate of Poets, press'd with want,
Did seek among their Train my Seat to plant,
And would you think the Gourmands the request would grant?
I that among the Stars my Head did place,
Familiar grew with Gods, and all the God-like Race,
And scorned down-ward on the Crowd to gaze.
Did op'e the Graves of all before me tear,
Insulted over each Inferior,
Could no Superior, nor an Equal bear.
Curse on my rigid Fate! at last that I
By the dull Clergy should affronted be,
That breath'd and grasp'd at Immortality.
No Reverence paid to my exalted Name;
No deep Attention to my Trump of Fame.
That they my Life should into question call,
Rip up my Morals, my Employment gall,
Till I below th' Contempt of those I scorn'd did fall:
Deeply the Wound doth bleed, nor can be cur'd
Till I've return'd the Wrongs I have indur'd.
Let Conscience, Honesty, Religion go,
Rather then not be avenged of my Foe;
I'l call them Smell feasts that attend for fare;
I, that like Flies, to' every Board repair,
And vex the weary Thresholds, find them there.
The Sense of Vultures is but dull to mine,
At farthest distance I know where they dine.
I've rob'd them of their Fame, and if I cou'd,
Such is my hate, I would substract their Food:
Nor shall their Marriage scape, it is a state
That I for Reasons too well known do hate.
I have been bit, that which experience knows
Is the best Satyr, and can best expose,
I'll tax their Constancy, and say 'tis gain,
Not Conscience, their buoy'd Spirits doth sustain,
And he that bids the highest sways the Train.
Tho' we to our Confusion have found
Not all our Arts or force could make them quit their Ground,
Truth is a narrow bound, the daring Mind
Doth hidden Coasts and unknown Regions find.
New Rarities do in Impostures ly,
Affect the Mind, and chear the drooping Eye,
'Tis tiresome still to walk i' th' road of Verity.
What is most fit, not what's most true, I'll use,
(The only way of bashfulness I choose,)
And naked Truth will modestly refuse.
Stood Bavius, proling for his barren Muse;
Hoording what others prodigally spend,
When mention of the Clergy did his silence end.
And thus he rav'd; that Task my Mind doth fit,
My Foes shall feel the lashes of my Wit.
A Phlegmatick dull Gown man is a Theam
Doth Rage and Malice o're my Fancy stream;
Uneasie at the sight o'th' loathed brood,
Their Coat I hate as Elephants do Blood.
'Tis true I once, ('tis an unwelcome thought,
But what their odious Race hath dearly bought,)
Such is the fate of Poets, press'd with want,
Did seek among their Train my Seat to plant,
And would you think the Gourmands the request would grant?
I that among the Stars my Head did place,
Familiar grew with Gods, and all the God-like Race,
And scorned down-ward on the Crowd to gaze.
Did op'e the Graves of all before me tear,
Insulted over each Inferior,
Could no Superior, nor an Equal bear.
Curse on my rigid Fate! at last that I
By the dull Clergy should affronted be,
That breath'd and grasp'd at Immortality.
No Reverence paid to my exalted Name;
No deep Attention to my Trump of Fame.
That they my Life should into question call,
Rip up my Morals, my Employment gall,
Till I below th' Contempt of those I scorn'd did fall:
61
Till I've return'd the Wrongs I have indur'd.
Let Conscience, Honesty, Religion go,
Rather then not be avenged of my Foe;
I'l call them Smell feasts that attend for fare;
I, that like Flies, to' every Board repair,
And vex the weary Thresholds, find them there.
The Sense of Vultures is but dull to mine,
At farthest distance I know where they dine.
I've rob'd them of their Fame, and if I cou'd,
Such is my hate, I would substract their Food:
Nor shall their Marriage scape, it is a state
That I for Reasons too well known do hate.
I have been bit, that which experience knows
Is the best Satyr, and can best expose,
I'll tax their Constancy, and say 'tis gain,
Not Conscience, their buoy'd Spirits doth sustain,
And he that bids the highest sways the Train.
Tho' we to our Confusion have found
Not all our Arts or force could make them quit their Ground,
Truth is a narrow bound, the daring Mind
Doth hidden Coasts and unknown Regions find.
New Rarities do in Impostures ly,
Affect the Mind, and chear the drooping Eye,
'Tis tiresome still to walk i' th' road of Verity.
What is most fit, not what's most true, I'll use,
(The only way of bashfulness I choose,)
And naked Truth will modestly refuse.
Much more Advice was ready to be spoke,
And Bavius more of his Design had broke;
When one with great surprize brought the report
Of an unusual Joy in the Atlantian Court,
Imperfect Rumours all about did fly,
Some did affirm what others did decry:
Some with design to' amuse did falshood tell,
And some even Truth did into falshood swell:
But that which list'ning Bavius most did chill,
Was th' News that every Tongue and Ear did fill,
Of an old Law was reinforc'd of late,
By Plato made for the Atlantian State:
By which that Coast must never Poets hide,
But severe Mulcts and Sanctions do provide,
None of the chiming Tribe do there abide.
Various the Rumours as the Men, nor coo'd
By th' wisest Heads the Truth be understood;
Till a swift Courier, brought into the Court,
With low Obeisance thus made his Report.
And Bavius more of his Design had broke;
62
Of an unusual Joy in the Atlantian Court,
Imperfect Rumours all about did fly,
Some did affirm what others did decry:
Some with design to' amuse did falshood tell,
And some even Truth did into falshood swell:
But that which list'ning Bavius most did chill,
Was th' News that every Tongue and Ear did fill,
Of an old Law was reinforc'd of late,
By Plato made for the Atlantian State:
By which that Coast must never Poets hide,
But severe Mulcts and Sanctions do provide,
None of the chiming Tribe do there abide.
Various the Rumours as the Men, nor coo'd
By th' wisest Heads the Truth be understood;
Till a swift Courier, brought into the Court,
With low Obeisance thus made his Report.
Last Night while the devout Atlantians pray'd,
And high Devotions at their Altars pay'd,
With earnest and redoubled Crys implor'd
The mighty Aid of their Indulgent Lord,
An unknown Musick ravish'd every Ear,
Inspir'd bless'd Joy, and did dispell all Fear,
No Mists could stay when th' Sun of Righteousness was near.
Each Note tun'd up the Soul, calcin'd the Mind,
Commenc'd them something more than humane kind;
Their very Bodies into-Souls refin'd.
Not quite in Heaven, yet then the Earth more high,
Above the Earth, and but below the Sky;
Half Men, half Saints, 'twixt Heaven and Earth, they try
The very Line 'twixt Men and Immortality.
Scarce more exalted Joy doth Saints possess
When they by Angels borne to Heaven do press:
Ravish'd with Halelujahs so they ly
Embalm'd in Bliss and swallow'd up in Joy.
And high Devotions at their Altars pay'd,
With earnest and redoubled Crys implor'd
The mighty Aid of their Indulgent Lord,
An unknown Musick ravish'd every Ear,
Inspir'd bless'd Joy, and did dispell all Fear,
No Mists could stay when th' Sun of Righteousness was near.
Each Note tun'd up the Soul, calcin'd the Mind,
Commenc'd them something more than humane kind;
Their very Bodies into-Souls refin'd.
Not quite in Heaven, yet then the Earth more high,
Above the Earth, and but below the Sky;
63
The very Line 'twixt Men and Immortality.
Scarce more exalted Joy doth Saints possess
When they by Angels borne to Heaven do press:
Ravish'd with Halelujahs so they ly
Embalm'd in Bliss and swallow'd up in Joy.
Long was the Rapture, till their wondring Eyes
Saw a new glorious Light adorn the Skies,
As thô among the shades another Sun would rise.
But greater was the Light, more bright the Rays,
Than ever yet adorn'd the best of Days
Since the World did her head above the Chaos raise;
Did other common Days as far exceed
As the first Infant-Light the Chaos did:
Till opening Heaven her strict embraces loos'd,
And the vast Treasure to the World disclos'd.
A numerous Host their Banners did display,
Myriads of Angels deck'd the sparkling way,
Each brighter than the Sun, who blushing fled,
And in the briny Depths did hide his head.
Such lustre their united Rays display'd,
You'd think the Earth a part of Heaven was made.
Glorious the Rays, but so benign and kind,
While other common ones do onely blind,
They fill the Eyes with wonder, and with Joy the Mind.
Saw a new glorious Light adorn the Skies,
As thô among the shades another Sun would rise.
But greater was the Light, more bright the Rays,
Than ever yet adorn'd the best of Days
Since the World did her head above the Chaos raise;
Did other common Days as far exceed
As the first Infant-Light the Chaos did:
Till opening Heaven her strict embraces loos'd,
And the vast Treasure to the World disclos'd.
A numerous Host their Banners did display,
Myriads of Angels deck'd the sparkling way,
Each brighter than the Sun, who blushing fled,
And in the briny Depths did hide his head.
Such lustre their united Rays display'd,
You'd think the Earth a part of Heaven was made.
Glorious the Rays, but so benign and kind,
While other common ones do onely blind,
They fill the Eyes with wonder, and with Joy the Mind.
Before them all, but brighter far than they,
From which each did reflect his borrow'd Ray,
And with veil'd Faces did low Adoration pay;
An heavenly Form appear'd, in whom there strove
A mixed War of Majesty and Love;
In whose pure Essence wonders do intwine,
Finite and Infinite in one do join,
Short Time and long Eternity combine.
His Body (for he is to Earth ally'd)
The lower World and honour'd Mankinds Pride,
Pure as unmixed Light was glorifi'd.
Thro' which the brightness of the God-head shone,
And all with Glory' Ineffable did Crown:
Matter did not the Deity annoy,
Nor yet the Man the God-head did destroy.
Mercy and Pity grac'd his Look and Mind,
Tender and to Compassion inclin'd,
And his Embraces ever soft and kind.
Wide Arms to cherish, and a list'ning Ear,
That bows to hear and grant a Wretches prayer;
With double Glory were his VVounds beset,
(If Heaven degrees of Glory doth admit)
Wounds he did for his Enemies safety get.
Crowned Attendants did Obeysance pay,
Martyrs and Confessors led on the way,
And Robes of Glory did for future Conquerors stay.
When on a sudden e're the fixed Eye,
That view'd with Sacred earnestness the Sky,
Could move; the glorious heavenly Guest drew nigh.
Mov'd not as Men that by gradation go,
But swift as Sun-beams thro' their progress flow,
He came, and all the Court with Glory fill'd,
And balmy Ivy on every Soul instill'd,
No shades of Grief remain where Heaven doth gild.
From which each did reflect his borrow'd Ray,
And with veil'd Faces did low Adoration pay;
An heavenly Form appear'd, in whom there strove
A mixed War of Majesty and Love;
64
Finite and Infinite in one do join,
Short Time and long Eternity combine.
His Body (for he is to Earth ally'd)
The lower World and honour'd Mankinds Pride,
Pure as unmixed Light was glorifi'd.
Thro' which the brightness of the God-head shone,
And all with Glory' Ineffable did Crown:
Matter did not the Deity annoy,
Nor yet the Man the God-head did destroy.
Mercy and Pity grac'd his Look and Mind,
Tender and to Compassion inclin'd,
And his Embraces ever soft and kind.
Wide Arms to cherish, and a list'ning Ear,
That bows to hear and grant a Wretches prayer;
With double Glory were his VVounds beset,
(If Heaven degrees of Glory doth admit)
Wounds he did for his Enemies safety get.
Crowned Attendants did Obeysance pay,
Martyrs and Confessors led on the way,
And Robes of Glory did for future Conquerors stay.
When on a sudden e're the fixed Eye,
That view'd with Sacred earnestness the Sky,
Could move; the glorious heavenly Guest drew nigh.
Mov'd not as Men that by gradation go,
But swift as Sun-beams thro' their progress flow,
He came, and all the Court with Glory fill'd,
And balmy Ivy on every Soul instill'd,
No shades of Grief remain where Heaven doth gild.
65
‘But who can tell the Glorys of the Day,
‘What his Immaculate Spouses rich array;
‘How she did with redoubled glory shine,
‘Spotless without and Beauteous all within;
‘What zealous haste inspir'd her joyful feet;
‘When her beloved She went out to meet,
‘VVhat eager Love did sparkle in her Eye,
‘VVhat passionate Zeal, what decent Majesty;
‘VVhat chast Embraces given and what return'd,
‘In equal flames how both the Lovers burn'd;
‘Tho' more of Majesty in him did dwell,
‘And she the more of tenderness did feel;
‘VVhat charming Talk the glorious meeting grac'd,
‘VVhat tender words and sighs for dangers past:
‘VVhat mutual Vows of everlasting Love;
‘What promise of Protection from Above;
‘How the great Brides-groom's glory thro' her shone,
‘Met like two joyned Stars that seem'd but one;
‘What a Seraphick Love all bosoms mov'd
‘That savv the sight, even Angels savv and lov'd.
‘How show'ring Joys did on Atlantis fall,
‘The Canopy of Heaven did shade it all,
‘In Blessings Heaven dissolv'd did it a Goshen call:
‘How a new Edict was proclaimed there,
‘That under Heaven's displeasure none should dare
‘Against her setled endless Peace to vvar.
‘No Mortal the great Task can undertake,
‘It onely fits a Cherubim to speak.
‘What his Immaculate Spouses rich array;
‘How she did with redoubled glory shine,
‘Spotless without and Beauteous all within;
‘What zealous haste inspir'd her joyful feet;
‘When her beloved She went out to meet,
‘VVhat eager Love did sparkle in her Eye,
‘VVhat passionate Zeal, what decent Majesty;
‘VVhat chast Embraces given and what return'd,
‘In equal flames how both the Lovers burn'd;
‘Tho' more of Majesty in him did dwell,
‘And she the more of tenderness did feel;
‘VVhat charming Talk the glorious meeting grac'd,
‘VVhat tender words and sighs for dangers past:
‘VVhat mutual Vows of everlasting Love;
‘What promise of Protection from Above;
‘How the great Brides-groom's glory thro' her shone,
‘Met like two joyned Stars that seem'd but one;
‘What a Seraphick Love all bosoms mov'd
‘That savv the sight, even Angels savv and lov'd.
‘How show'ring Joys did on Atlantis fall,
‘The Canopy of Heaven did shade it all,
‘In Blessings Heaven dissolv'd did it a Goshen call:
‘How a new Edict was proclaimed there,
‘That under Heaven's displeasure none should dare
‘Against her setled endless Peace to vvar.
‘No Mortal the great Task can undertake,
‘It onely fits a Cherubim to speak.
66
Fly, fly the fatal Land, my Eyes beheld
The mountains all with heavenly Armys fill'd:
Not greater the Judean Regions swell'd
When the great Prophet open'd faithless eyes,
And shew'd th' Æthereal Guard against their Enemies.
The mountains all with heavenly Armys fill'd:
Not greater the Judean Regions swell'd
When the great Prophet open'd faithless eyes,
And shew'd th' Æthereal Guard against their Enemies.
Th' Advice was weighty; but it was not took,
For malice cannot upon Concord look,
Nor can Ambition Peace and Quiet brook.
Restless (for Rage and Envy's such) they stood,
While bless'd Atlantis guarded by a God
Safe underneath his Wing made her aboad.
For malice cannot upon Concord look,
Nor can Ambition Peace and Quiet brook.
Restless (for Rage and Envy's such) they stood,
While bless'd Atlantis guarded by a God
Safe underneath his Wing made her aboad.
| The New Atlantis | |