The poems and translations of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702) excluding Seneca and Manilius Introduced and Annotated by F. J. Van Beeck |
 | POEMS AND TRANSLATIONS 1651 |
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 | The poems and translations of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702) |  |
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POEMS AND TRANSLATIONS 1651
3
EROTICA SALMACIS
BY Signeur GIROLAMO PRETI,
Where cleer Pactolus glides through Phrygian Lands
Tween Banks of Emeralds, on golden Sands,
And in his Course does Lydia's Confines trace
With humid feet, and with a slippery pace,
The Bed-rid Earth, to ease her self (opprest
With her own weight, and crampt with her long Rest)
Her vaster Limbs first stretches to a Plain,
Then to a Mountain lifts her head again;
A Mountain; such for height, as if 'midst those
Which to scale Heaven by the bold Giants chose
(Pelion, Olympus, Ossa,) plac'd it were,
Would like a Cedar 'mongst low shrubs appear.
So far above the Clouds his head doth rise
That his green Locks no Summer dripping spies
With Rain, his face no Winter does behold
Mask'd with a snowy Muffler 'gainst the cold.
The proud Usurper seems as if he meant,
Scorning his low and baser Element,
To make the Airy Region his own,
And plant for Juno an Imperiall Throne.
Or like some new Briareus he stands
Arm'd with more large-spred Oaks than he with hands,
And menaces the Stars; his Sides and Back,
Woods which ne'r shade, fields which ne'r verdure lack,
With a green Mantle cloath, whose fringed Base
A hundred Brooks with Streams of Silver Lace.
At foot of this tall Rock, a Cave disclos'd
It self; a Cave, shady and dark; suppos'd
The sole design of Nature, as th'Effect,
Where She both Workman plaid, and Architect.
Over whose gaping Mouth, her hand had hewn
Out of the living Rock a Lip of Stone
Cut like a bending Arch; whence for more grace
(As 'twere the native Porter of the Place)
Green Ivy wreath'd in many a subtile knot
Hung dangling: Fore the entry of the Grot
With streams of liquid Pearl, (the humid Son
Of some large Torrent) a small Brook does run,
Which on the Pibbles as it purling plaies,
Does so harmonious a murmur raise,
Tun'd to so just a Pitch, as dares defie
The Birds sweet Noats, and with the Lute may vie.
Tween Banks of Emeralds, on golden Sands,
And in his Course does Lydia's Confines trace
With humid feet, and with a slippery pace,
The Bed-rid Earth, to ease her self (opprest
With her own weight, and crampt with her long Rest)
Her vaster Limbs first stretches to a Plain,
Then to a Mountain lifts her head again;
A Mountain; such for height, as if 'midst those
Which to scale Heaven by the bold Giants chose
(Pelion, Olympus, Ossa,) plac'd it were,
Would like a Cedar 'mongst low shrubs appear.
So far above the Clouds his head doth rise
That his green Locks no Summer dripping spies
With Rain, his face no Winter does behold
Mask'd with a snowy Muffler 'gainst the cold.
The proud Usurper seems as if he meant,
Scorning his low and baser Element,
To make the Airy Region his own,
And plant for Juno an Imperiall Throne.
Or like some new Briareus he stands
Arm'd with more large-spred Oaks than he with hands,
And menaces the Stars; his Sides and Back,
Woods which ne'r shade, fields which ne'r verdure lack,
With a green Mantle cloath, whose fringed Base
A hundred Brooks with Streams of Silver Lace.
At foot of this tall Rock, a Cave disclos'd
It self; a Cave, shady and dark; suppos'd
The sole design of Nature, as th'Effect,
Where She both Workman plaid, and Architect.
Over whose gaping Mouth, her hand had hewn
Out of the living Rock a Lip of Stone
Cut like a bending Arch; whence for more grace
(As 'twere the native Porter of the Place)
Green Ivy wreath'd in many a subtile knot
4
With streams of liquid Pearl, (the humid Son
Of some large Torrent) a small Brook does run,
Which on the Pibbles as it purling plaies,
Does so harmonious a murmur raise,
Tun'd to so just a Pitch, as dares defie
The Birds sweet Noats, and with the Lute may vie.
I'th'midd'st of this vast Cave, (which seems to prop
With it's arch'd back th'whole Mountain) tow'rd the top
Opens a spacious Vent; through which, it's flight,
The damp Air takes, Entrance, the Suns warm light.
The rude Walls Ivy, creeping round about,
With a green Suit of Tapp'stry hangs throughout.
The Goddess which in Heavens third Orb does shine
Did to these shades her amorous thefts confine.
Here her delights secur'd; whose Passions prove
Her more the Servant, than the Queen of Love.
Here Mars to war oft taught she in Loves field
With other weapons than with Spear and Shield;
Whil'st 'bout his Sinewy Neck her Arms she wound,
And his rough Limbs in those soft Fetters bound.
Here once three naked Goddesses ('tis said)
With censuring Eyes the Phrygian Swain survayd;
Whose judgement in that memorable strife
Gain'd him the beautious Hellen for his Wife,
And gave to lovely Venus uncontroll'd
The Prize of Beauty, and the fruit of Gold.
And here at last the winged Son of Jove
And Maija, sported with the Queen of Love;
Who, in these shades (if Fame have Truth reveal'd)
And her soft Bosome, long time lay conceal'd.
With it's arch'd back th'whole Mountain) tow'rd the top
Opens a spacious Vent; through which, it's flight,
The damp Air takes, Entrance, the Suns warm light.
The rude Walls Ivy, creeping round about,
With a green Suit of Tapp'stry hangs throughout.
The Goddess which in Heavens third Orb does shine
Did to these shades her amorous thefts confine.
Here her delights secur'd; whose Passions prove
Her more the Servant, than the Queen of Love.
Here Mars to war oft taught she in Loves field
With other weapons than with Spear and Shield;
Whil'st 'bout his Sinewy Neck her Arms she wound,
And his rough Limbs in those soft Fetters bound.
Here once three naked Goddesses ('tis said)
With censuring Eyes the Phrygian Swain survayd;
Whose judgement in that memorable strife
Gain'd him the beautious Hellen for his Wife,
And gave to lovely Venus uncontroll'd
The Prize of Beauty, and the fruit of Gold.
And here at last the winged Son of Jove
And Maija, sported with the Queen of Love;
Who, in these shades (if Fame have Truth reveal'd)
And her soft Bosome, long time lay conceal'd.
Mean while great Jove, wondering at his neglect,
(Who of some Message did return expect)
Thus with himself discours'd 'bout his long stay:
Sure he lies lurking for some hop'd-for Prey,
Or his light Wings, (doubtless h'had else return'd:)
He in the Sea hath wet, or fire hath burn'd.
True, Jove; he lurking lay, but in the shade
Of Venus Arms; whil'st on her Lips he preyd.
His Pinions he had sing'd; but with Loves Torch,
Which not so much his Plumes as heart did scorch;
Drench'd too he had, and wet his lighter Wing,
Not in the Seas salt Waves, but Loves sweet spring.
(Who of some Message did return expect)
Thus with himself discours'd 'bout his long stay:
Sure he lies lurking for some hop'd-for Prey,
Or his light Wings, (doubtless h'had else return'd:)
He in the Sea hath wet, or fire hath burn'd.
True, Jove; he lurking lay, but in the shade
Of Venus Arms; whil'st on her Lips he preyd.
His Pinions he had sing'd; but with Loves Torch,
Which not so much his Plumes as heart did scorch;
Drench'd too he had, and wet his lighter Wing,
Not in the Seas salt Waves, but Loves sweet spring.
5
And now seaven times the Sun with quickning Ray
Had lighted in the East the Lamp of day;
As oft the humid Night had wrapt the Skies
In her black Mantle, wrought with Stars like Eyes:
And yet no Day goes by, no Night e'r passes,
But sees these Lovers link'd in close Embraces.
But from those Arms (where long a Pris'ner held)
The loyt'ring God now to return compell'd,
Unwillingly their dear Embrace declind:
Yet left a growing Pledge of Love behind.
Had lighted in the East the Lamp of day;
As oft the humid Night had wrapt the Skies
In her black Mantle, wrought with Stars like Eyes:
And yet no Day goes by, no Night e'r passes,
But sees these Lovers link'd in close Embraces.
But from those Arms (where long a Pris'ner held)
The loyt'ring God now to return compell'd,
Unwillingly their dear Embrace declind:
Yet left a growing Pledge of Love behind.
Nine times already had the Moon (constrain'd
By Course) her Orb into a Crescent wain'd;
As oft, (her horns spred to a round) had run
With Light that seem'd to emulate the Sun;
When a sweet Boy (so geniall Stars dispos'd)
Fair Cytheræa's pregnant VVomb disclos'd.
In their warm Laps new born the Graces laid him,
And with their softer Arms a Cradle made him.
Beauty first suckled him at her white Breast
And her Idea in his Looks imprest.
About him did like little Anticks play,
Laughter, and mirth, and smil'd his Cries away.
No noise, but light breath'd from his Lips of Roses,
Such as the Sky no Thunder heard discloses,
Nor like to other Childrens, seem'd his Eyes
Two springs of Tears, but like two Suns to rise:
VVhence all presag'd that they in time should prove
No less the Food than the sweet fire of Love.
By Course) her Orb into a Crescent wain'd;
As oft, (her horns spred to a round) had run
With Light that seem'd to emulate the Sun;
When a sweet Boy (so geniall Stars dispos'd)
Fair Cytheræa's pregnant VVomb disclos'd.
In their warm Laps new born the Graces laid him,
And with their softer Arms a Cradle made him.
Beauty first suckled him at her white Breast
And her Idea in his Looks imprest.
About him did like little Anticks play,
Laughter, and mirth, and smil'd his Cries away.
No noise, but light breath'd from his Lips of Roses,
Such as the Sky no Thunder heard discloses,
Nor like to other Childrens, seem'd his Eyes
Two springs of Tears, but like two Suns to rise:
VVhence all presag'd that they in time should prove
No less the Food than the sweet fire of Love.
His Beauty with his years did still increase;
VVhil'st his fair Mother, longing to impress
The Image of her self in his lov'd face,
Did every day add some Celestiall Grace.
VVhil'st his fair Mother, longing to impress
The Image of her self in his lov'd face,
Did every day add some Celestiall Grace.
Now grown a Youth, behold him, with the Darts
Of his bright Eyes, subduing Female Hearts:
The living Picture of his Parents; where
Their mixed Beauties seem t'have equall share.
From Father both and Mother Name he took,
From Father both and Mother his sweet Look.
All the feign'd Beauties of the VVorld, seem'd met
In him as in their living Counterfeit,
VVhere Nature (like Apelles) the best Graces
(To add to his,) cull'd from a Thousand Faces.
Of his bright Eyes, subduing Female Hearts:
The living Picture of his Parents; where
Their mixed Beauties seem t'have equall share.
From Father both and Mother Name he took,
From Father both and Mother his sweet Look.
All the feign'd Beauties of the VVorld, seem'd met
In him as in their living Counterfeit,
VVhere Nature (like Apelles) the best Graces
(To add to his,) cull'd from a Thousand Faces.
Upon his Ivory Front you might behold
His curled Tresses flow like VVaves of Gold,
And as enamoured on his Lovely Face,
That with their soft and twining Arms embrace.
Then like loose VVantons 'bout his Neck to twist,
Glad that they might by its warm snow be kist.
View his fair Front, and thou'lt say that displays
A clear Horizon deckt with Morning Rayes;
And as we see beneath the dawning Gleams
O'th'Morn, the Sun shoot forth his brighter Beams;
So here might you perceive alike to rise
In's Front the Morn, the Sun in his bright Eyes.
His melting Lips, Speeches Vermilion Gate,
Soft Seat of smiles, blushes so sweet dilate,
As seem at once to ravish the pleas'd sight,
And to a Kiss the longing touch invite;
Through which a fragrant Zephyrus transpires,
That Fans and kindles both Loves flagrant Fires.
Nor can one tell (no grace in either missing)
VVhich best becomes them, speaking, smiling, kissing.
Look on his tender Cheek, and there thou'lt spy
The Rose as in a Throne of Majesty,
'Midd'st a white Guard of Lillies, proudly grow;
Or blushing Pinks set in a Bank of Snow:
His Habit, and his Looks did both express
A kind of sweet becomming carelessness.
VVhom all so much more Beautifull esteem
By how much he less beautifull would seem.
VVhil'st thus he manifests in every Part,
What Art there is in Beauty void of Art.
6
And as enamoured on his Lovely Face,
That with their soft and twining Arms embrace.
Then like loose VVantons 'bout his Neck to twist,
Glad that they might by its warm snow be kist.
View his fair Front, and thou'lt say that displays
A clear Horizon deckt with Morning Rayes;
And as we see beneath the dawning Gleams
O'th'Morn, the Sun shoot forth his brighter Beams;
So here might you perceive alike to rise
In's Front the Morn, the Sun in his bright Eyes.
His melting Lips, Speeches Vermilion Gate,
Soft Seat of smiles, blushes so sweet dilate,
As seem at once to ravish the pleas'd sight,
And to a Kiss the longing touch invite;
Through which a fragrant Zephyrus transpires,
That Fans and kindles both Loves flagrant Fires.
Nor can one tell (no grace in either missing)
VVhich best becomes them, speaking, smiling, kissing.
Look on his tender Cheek, and there thou'lt spy
The Rose as in a Throne of Majesty,
'Midd'st a white Guard of Lillies, proudly grow;
Or blushing Pinks set in a Bank of Snow:
His Habit, and his Looks did both express
A kind of sweet becomming carelessness.
VVhom all so much more Beautifull esteem
By how much he less beautifull would seem.
VVhil'st thus he manifests in every Part,
What Art there is in Beauty void of Art.
One Day by Chance 'twixt him and Cupid grew
This æmulous Contest; which of them Two
(Since he in Beauty so surpast the other)
The God of Love should be! he, or his Brother?
When Venus Arbitress of the Debate
On a Sublime Tribunal thron'd in State,
(Fixing upon the Lovely youth her Eyes)
Thus spake: My Deer, this Doom 'twixt you denies
All further strife; a Bow Cupid and thou
Shalt bear; he at his side, thou in thy Brow.
The same your Weapons; Love's inflaming Brand
Thou in thy Looks shalt bear, he in his hand:
Both too shall shoot at and wound humane Hearts,
Thou with thine Eyes (sweet Boy) he with his Darts.
This æmulous Contest; which of them Two
(Since he in Beauty so surpast the other)
The God of Love should be! he, or his Brother?
When Venus Arbitress of the Debate
On a Sublime Tribunal thron'd in State,
(Fixing upon the Lovely youth her Eyes)
Thus spake: My Deer, this Doom 'twixt you denies
All further strife; a Bow Cupid and thou
Shalt bear; he at his side, thou in thy Brow.
The same your Weapons; Love's inflaming Brand
Thou in thy Looks shalt bear, he in his hand:
Both too shall shoot at and wound humane Hearts,
Thou with thine Eyes (sweet Boy) he with his Darts.
7
This lovely Youth, with divine graces crown'd,
As yet three Lustres scarce had seen go round,
When in his Mind a Resolution grew
Of bidding Phrygia, and the Cave adue.
Desire of knowledge, and the Love of Fame,
For Travell his aspiring thoughts inflame.
How oft he wish'd his Fathers Wings? that so
He might each clime the Sun enlightens know:
And view what e'r the Earths vast Bosome holds,
Or in its watry Arms the Sea infolds.
As yet three Lustres scarce had seen go round,
When in his Mind a Resolution grew
Of bidding Phrygia, and the Cave adue.
Desire of knowledge, and the Love of Fame,
For Travell his aspiring thoughts inflame.
How oft he wish'd his Fathers Wings? that so
He might each clime the Sun enlightens know:
And view what e'r the Earths vast Bosome holds,
Or in its watry Arms the Sea infolds.
The Lycian Realms he view'd; and there survay'd
The Hill, within whose dark, and dreadfull shade
The triple-shap'd Chimæra once did dwell
That animated Ætna, living Hell,
Which from three sooty Jaws, us'd to expire
A sulph'ry Deluge, and belch Floods of fire.
To Caria next his Course he bends; where he
Through that well-peopled Land doth wondring see
The numerous Villages like shrubs to rise,
The Cities towre like Cedars to the Skies;
Whose fertile Borders with its winding waves
Tow'rd the cold North the fam'd Meander laves;
Which (like a Traveller on some strange Coast,
Having his first Path, his Directress, lost,
VVith devious steps, now in, now out doth wind,
Flies what he seeks, and meets what he declin'd,
Lost in the Errour of ambiguous waies)
Its self imprisons in a watry Maze.
At length he to that fatall Place arriv'd
VVhere envious Love his sad Revenge contriv'd.
The Hill, within whose dark, and dreadfull shade
The triple-shap'd Chimæra once did dwell
That animated Ætna, living Hell,
Which from three sooty Jaws, us'd to expire
A sulph'ry Deluge, and belch Floods of fire.
To Caria next his Course he bends; where he
Through that well-peopled Land doth wondring see
The numerous Villages like shrubs to rise,
The Cities towre like Cedars to the Skies;
Whose fertile Borders with its winding waves
Tow'rd the cold North the fam'd Meander laves;
Which (like a Traveller on some strange Coast,
Having his first Path, his Directress, lost,
VVith devious steps, now in, now out doth wind,
Flies what he seeks, and meets what he declin'd,
Lost in the Errour of ambiguous waies)
Its self imprisons in a watry Maze.
At length he to that fatall Place arriv'd
VVhere envious Love his sad Revenge contriv'd.
So pleasant and delightful was the Place,
That Heavens great Eye in its Diurnall Race
Yet ne'r beheld another like unto't,
Of all 'twixt Ganges head, and Calpe's foot.
That Heavens great Eye in its Diurnall Race
Yet ne'r beheld another like unto't,
Of all 'twixt Ganges head, and Calpe's foot.
There to a round which a fair Prospect lends,
Its flowry surface a large Plain extends;
A hundred little Brooks its Bosome trace,
And with their streams of Quicksilver enchace;
VVhich with sweet vernall Dews supply'd, still yeeld
Life to the Flowers, and Verdure to the Field;
That may, with odorous Jewels thus aray'd,
A heaven of flowers, or field of stars be said.
And what more Pleasure adds; this pleasant Ground,
Tall Trees, as with a leavy wall surround,
And 'bout it seem like a green-work to run
As if to sconce it 'gainst the scorching Sun.
And as sometimes the Airs soft breath we find,
Crisps the smooth Sea; so here a gentle wind,
(VVhose softer wing the Flowers does lightly brush)
Curles into trembling waves the fields green Plush.
Its flowry surface a large Plain extends;
A hundred little Brooks its Bosome trace,
And with their streams of Quicksilver enchace;
VVhich with sweet vernall Dews supply'd, still yeeld
Life to the Flowers, and Verdure to the Field;
That may, with odorous Jewels thus aray'd,
A heaven of flowers, or field of stars be said.
And what more Pleasure adds; this pleasant Ground,
8
And 'bout it seem like a green-work to run
As if to sconce it 'gainst the scorching Sun.
And as sometimes the Airs soft breath we find,
Crisps the smooth Sea; so here a gentle wind,
(VVhose softer wing the Flowers does lightly brush)
Curles into trembling waves the fields green Plush.
I'th'midd'st of this fair Plain, the tumid Earth,
(As if impregnate with a fruitfull Birth)
Swels gently up into an easie Hill:
VVhere crown'd with sweets the spring sits smiling still.
And, as from thence she sheds her balmy showres,
The ground with grasse enamels, that with flowers.
VVhose pregnant VVomb a Chrystall issue teems;
VVhich as it glides along with purling streams,
(That settle in a verdant Vale;) does make
Of a small Rivolet, an ample Lake;
In which no Weeds their muddy dwelling have
To stain the native cleerness of the Wave.
But as the Sun pure Christal by its light
Transpierces; so the penetrating sight
May through the Water here, the bottom spy,
Checkerd with Pibbles of a various dye:
And see how the Mute People of the Floud,
With Ebon Backs, and Silver Bellies scudd.
The Flowers which on its fertile Borders grow,
As if in Love with their own Beauties shew:
Bending their fragrant Tops, and slender Stems
Narcissus-like, to gaze on the clear Streams.
Where limb'd in Water Colours to the Life
They see themselves; and raise a pleasing strife
In the deluded Sense at the first View
To judge which Flowers are Counterfeit, which true.
(As if impregnate with a fruitfull Birth)
Swels gently up into an easie Hill:
VVhere crown'd with sweets the spring sits smiling still.
And, as from thence she sheds her balmy showres,
The ground with grasse enamels, that with flowers.
VVhose pregnant VVomb a Chrystall issue teems;
VVhich as it glides along with purling streams,
(That settle in a verdant Vale;) does make
Of a small Rivolet, an ample Lake;
In which no Weeds their muddy dwelling have
To stain the native cleerness of the Wave.
But as the Sun pure Christal by its light
Transpierces; so the penetrating sight
May through the Water here, the bottom spy,
Checkerd with Pibbles of a various dye:
And see how the Mute People of the Floud,
With Ebon Backs, and Silver Bellies scudd.
The Flowers which on its fertile Borders grow,
As if in Love with their own Beauties shew:
Bending their fragrant Tops, and slender Stems
Narcissus-like, to gaze on the clear Streams.
Where limb'd in Water Colours to the Life
They see themselves; and raise a pleasing strife
In the deluded Sense at the first View
To judge which Flowers are Counterfeit, which true.
On the left hand of this transparent Floud,
Fringing the Plaines green Verge, there stands a Wood
Where Lovers Myrtles, and the Poets Bays,
Their spreading Tops to native Arbors raise:
From whose tall Crowns like a black Vaile the shade
Falling, the Lakes cleer Bosome does invade.
So thick the Trees are they exclude Heavens sight,
And make a leavy Skreen 'gainst the Suns Light.
Whose close-weav'd Branches a new Heaven present
And to the Sight form a green Firmament:
In which like fixed Stars one might espie
Gold-colour'd Apples glitter to the Eye.
Which though no Motion Circular they run,
Want not yet that of Trepidation.
No vulgar birds there make their mean Abodes,
But winged Heroes, Musicks Demy Gods,
Whose Plumes like Gems, with various Colours shine,
Their Beaks of Orient Hew, their Notes Divine:
Whilest this sweet Place seems a retired Cell,
Where Love and Flora with the Muses dwell.
Fringing the Plaines green Verge, there stands a Wood
Where Lovers Myrtles, and the Poets Bays,
Their spreading Tops to native Arbors raise:
From whose tall Crowns like a black Vaile the shade
Falling, the Lakes cleer Bosome does invade.
So thick the Trees are they exclude Heavens sight,
And make a leavy Skreen 'gainst the Suns Light.
Whose close-weav'd Branches a new Heaven present
And to the Sight form a green Firmament:
9
Gold-colour'd Apples glitter to the Eye.
Which though no Motion Circular they run,
Want not yet that of Trepidation.
No vulgar birds there make their mean Abodes,
But winged Heroes, Musicks Demy Gods,
Whose Plumes like Gems, with various Colours shine,
Their Beaks of Orient Hew, their Notes Divine:
Whilest this sweet Place seems a retired Cell,
Where Love and Flora with the Muses dwell.
VVithin these dark, yet pleasant Coverts bred,
Close by the Lake, a Nymph inhabited:
A Nymph; her Breast more snowy, Looks more fair,
Her Eyes more Diamonds, and more Gold her Hair,
Than ever Nymph could boast that hath been seen
To haunt the VVoods, or press the flowry Green.
The Chace she lov'd not, nor with Hound or Spear
VVould charge the tusked Bore, or savage Bear.
Nor at a Mark or Quarry Bow would bend:
Nor in a Race with other Nymphs contend.
To her the Naiades would often say,
Fair Salmacis, fair Cynthia's Laws obey:
Her sports pursue; and in thy hand a Spear,
Or at thy side a painted Quiver bear.
But she who other Pleasures had in Chace,
As the proud Mistris of so proud a Place,
Disdains to set a Foot beyond the Bounds
Of those lov'd shades, or tread on meaner grounds.
Close by the Lake, a Nymph inhabited:
A Nymph; her Breast more snowy, Looks more fair,
Her Eyes more Diamonds, and more Gold her Hair,
Than ever Nymph could boast that hath been seen
To haunt the VVoods, or press the flowry Green.
The Chace she lov'd not, nor with Hound or Spear
VVould charge the tusked Bore, or savage Bear.
Nor at a Mark or Quarry Bow would bend:
Nor in a Race with other Nymphs contend.
To her the Naiades would often say,
Fair Salmacis, fair Cynthia's Laws obey:
Her sports pursue; and in thy hand a Spear,
Or at thy side a painted Quiver bear.
But she who other Pleasures had in Chace,
As the proud Mistris of so proud a Place,
Disdains to set a Foot beyond the Bounds
Of those lov'd shades, or tread on meaner grounds.
There with its liquid streams the neighbouring Lake
A Luke-warm Bath for her fair Limbs did make.
The Neighbouring Lake; which oft it self discovers,
Swell'd by the Tears of her forsaken Lovers.
In whose unflattering Mirrour, every Morn,
She Counsell takes how best her self t'adorn.
There she sometimes her looser Curles unwinds,
Now up again in Golden Fillets binds,
Which makes (which way soever them she wears)
For amorous hearts a thousand catching Snares.
A Robe, like that of Day, now wears she, white,
Now one of Azure, starr'd like that of Night.
Now curious Sandals on her feet doth slip,
In Gems, and Gold lesse rich, than Workmanship.
Now in a carelesse Dress she goes; her Hair
Spred 'bout her shoulders, and her Ankles bare.
And gathering Flowers, not all alike doth pick,
But such alone doth in her Bosome stick,
Whose leaves, or Milk, or Scarlet, does invest,
To suit in Colour with her Lip and Brest.
And if a Flower she pull, strait from its Root
Another rises up to kisse her Foot;
Thus whether more she take or give none knows,
Whilst her Hand gathers what her Foot bestows.
A Luke-warm Bath for her fair Limbs did make.
The Neighbouring Lake; which oft it self discovers,
Swell'd by the Tears of her forsaken Lovers.
In whose unflattering Mirrour, every Morn,
She Counsell takes how best her self t'adorn.
There she sometimes her looser Curles unwinds,
Now up again in Golden Fillets binds,
Which makes (which way soever them she wears)
For amorous hearts a thousand catching Snares.
A Robe, like that of Day, now wears she, white,
Now one of Azure, starr'd like that of Night.
Now curious Sandals on her feet doth slip,
In Gems, and Gold lesse rich, than Workmanship.
Now in a carelesse Dress she goes; her Hair
10
And gathering Flowers, not all alike doth pick,
But such alone doth in her Bosome stick,
Whose leaves, or Milk, or Scarlet, does invest,
To suit in Colour with her Lip and Brest.
And if a Flower she pull, strait from its Root
Another rises up to kisse her Foot;
Thus whether more she take or give none knows,
Whilst her Hand gathers what her Foot bestows.
By chance she then was gathering Flowers, when she
The Son of Venus spi'd, and Mercury:
On whose bright Looks her wanton Eyes she bent,
With which her longing Thoughts mov'd with Consent,
VVhil'st both her Sight, and Thoughts by seeing bred,
VVith pleasure on so sweet an Object fed.
The Son of Venus spi'd, and Mercury:
On whose bright Looks her wanton Eyes she bent,
With which her longing Thoughts mov'd with Consent,
VVhil'st both her Sight, and Thoughts by seeing bred,
VVith pleasure on so sweet an Object fed.
But she sucks in Loves poyson with desire,
VVhich through her Eyes glides like a stream of fire
Into her Brest; where, with Ætnæan VVaves
Firing her Heart, the scalding Torrent raves.
And now she forward goes like a bold Lover,
Her flames to him that caus'd them, to discover.
But coming neer, she saw in's eyes there plaid
A wantonness with Modesty allayd:
VVhich though the Gazers Heart it set on Fire,
Quench'd yet the heat of a too bold Desire:
VVhence though Love spurr'd her on, fear held her back,
And though her heart did fly, her pace did slack.
Yet she observ'd to lighten in his Look
I know not what Majestick Grace, which strook
Her Eye not with more Terrour than Delight,
And lesse did dazle than it did invite.
VVhence fir'd with hope, yet freezing with despair,
She nearer fearfully approach'd; and there
Sent him by the light waftage of the VVind,
A sigh, an Ah Mee, Nuncios of her Mind.
VVhich through her Eyes glides like a stream of fire
Into her Brest; where, with Ætnæan VVaves
Firing her Heart, the scalding Torrent raves.
And now she forward goes like a bold Lover,
Her flames to him that caus'd them, to discover.
But coming neer, she saw in's eyes there plaid
A wantonness with Modesty allayd:
VVhich though the Gazers Heart it set on Fire,
Quench'd yet the heat of a too bold Desire:
VVhence though Love spurr'd her on, fear held her back,
And though her heart did fly, her pace did slack.
Yet she observ'd to lighten in his Look
I know not what Majestick Grace, which strook
Her Eye not with more Terrour than Delight,
And lesse did dazle than it did invite.
VVhence fir'd with hope, yet freezing with despair,
She nearer fearfully approach'd; and there
Sent him by the light waftage of the VVind,
A sigh, an Ah Mee, Nuncios of her Mind.
And now her Passion gaining vent, affords
Her Tongue the liberty and use of words.
But lame, and broken; yet that serve t'imply,
'Twas this she meant, Be kind, or else I dye.
“Sweet Stranger! if a Soul lodge in thy Brest
“Fair as thy outside, hear a Nymphs Request:
“That begs thou'lt take thy Inn up in this shade.
“(And Gods their dwellings in the woods have made.)
“Here on this Bank may'st thou repose thy Head,
“Or on my Bosome make thy softer Bed:
“The Air here still is sweet, still cool; if by
“My sighs inflam'd it be not, or thy Eye.
“That Eye which quick as lightning Flames does dart;
“And sooner than I saw it, scorch'd my Heart.
“O more than happy wert thou, Salmacis!
“If he (but dream not of so great a Bliss)
“Should prove so kind to lay thee by his side,
“Not as his Mistris only, but his Bride.
“But if that Joy another do possess,
“O let me, as her Rivall ne'r the less
“(Since here is none that may the Theft reveal)
“From thy sweet Lips a kiss in private steal.
“But should some Goddess nourish in thy Brest
“A nobler fire; deny not a request
“To one that dyes; if more I cannot move,
“A kiss for pitty grant, if not for Love.
“Or if too much that seem; pray let me have
“What Sisters yet may from their Brothers crave.
Here ceast to speak; and with that forward prest
To have joynd Lip to Lip, and Brest to Brest.
But the shy youth coyly repulst her still,
As cold in Love, as deaf unto her will,
Dying with Blushes of a deeper stain,
The native Crimson of his Cheeks, in Grain.
(For a bold Suter, of a cold denier
When he the heart cannot, the face will fire)
At last with a coy look, thus mov'd, he spake.
“Fair Nymph be gon, or I the place forsake.
“You but deceive your self to think my Mind
“Will to such wanton Follies be enclin'd.
At which (with his desires glad to comply,
Yet loath to lose the pleasure of her Eye)
She sadly creeps behind a bushy Skreen,
There closely skulks to see, and not be seen.
Her Tongue the liberty and use of words.
But lame, and broken; yet that serve t'imply,
'Twas this she meant, Be kind, or else I dye.
“Sweet Stranger! if a Soul lodge in thy Brest
“Fair as thy outside, hear a Nymphs Request:
“That begs thou'lt take thy Inn up in this shade.
“(And Gods their dwellings in the woods have made.)
11
“Or on my Bosome make thy softer Bed:
“The Air here still is sweet, still cool; if by
“My sighs inflam'd it be not, or thy Eye.
“That Eye which quick as lightning Flames does dart;
“And sooner than I saw it, scorch'd my Heart.
“O more than happy wert thou, Salmacis!
“If he (but dream not of so great a Bliss)
“Should prove so kind to lay thee by his side,
“Not as his Mistris only, but his Bride.
“But if that Joy another do possess,
“O let me, as her Rivall ne'r the less
“(Since here is none that may the Theft reveal)
“From thy sweet Lips a kiss in private steal.
“But should some Goddess nourish in thy Brest
“A nobler fire; deny not a request
“To one that dyes; if more I cannot move,
“A kiss for pitty grant, if not for Love.
“Or if too much that seem; pray let me have
“What Sisters yet may from their Brothers crave.
Here ceast to speak; and with that forward prest
To have joynd Lip to Lip, and Brest to Brest.
But the shy youth coyly repulst her still,
As cold in Love, as deaf unto her will,
Dying with Blushes of a deeper stain,
The native Crimson of his Cheeks, in Grain.
(For a bold Suter, of a cold denier
When he the heart cannot, the face will fire)
At last with a coy look, thus mov'd, he spake.
“Fair Nymph be gon, or I the place forsake.
“You but deceive your self to think my Mind
“Will to such wanton Follies be enclin'd.
At which (with his desires glad to comply,
Yet loath to lose the pleasure of her Eye)
She sadly creeps behind a bushy Skreen,
There closely skulks to see, and not be seen.
And now the Planet worship'd in the East,
Rid on the Back of the Nemæan Beast;
And from the inflam'd Meridian that bends
Like to a Bow, his Beams like Arrows sends.
When this fair Traveller, with heat opprest,
And the days Toyls, here laid him down to rest
Where the soft Grass, and the thick Trees, displaid
A flowry Couch, and a cool Arbour made.
About him round the grassy spires (in hope
To gain a kisse) their verdant heads perk'd up.
The Lilly, the fields Candidate, there stands
A Suter for the favour of his hands:
And here the blush-dy'd Amaranthus seeks,
And finds it selfe outrivald in his Cheeks:
Whil'st the enamoured Trees t'embrace him, bend
Their shady Crowns, and leavy Arms extend.
Rid on the Back of the Nemæan Beast;
And from the inflam'd Meridian that bends
Like to a Bow, his Beams like Arrows sends.
When this fair Traveller, with heat opprest,
And the days Toyls, here laid him down to rest
Where the soft Grass, and the thick Trees, displaid
12
About him round the grassy spires (in hope
To gain a kisse) their verdant heads perk'd up.
The Lilly, the fields Candidate, there stands
A Suter for the favour of his hands:
And here the blush-dy'd Amaranthus seeks,
And finds it selfe outrivald in his Cheeks:
Whil'st the enamoured Trees t'embrace him, bend
Their shady Crowns, and leavy Arms extend.
Mean time from his fair Front he rains a showre
Of shining Pearl-drops, whilst his bright Eyes powre
On the Nymphs Heart (that melts through hot desire
T'enjoy what she beholds) a Flood of Fire.
This Place at length he leaves, rous'd by the Call
Of the neer waters sweetly murmuring fall.
Where, on the Bank his Sandals off he slips,
And in the Christal streams his Ankles dips.
Whil'st the cleer Lake, as his pure feet he laves,
Feels Love's warm Fires mix with its colder VVaves.
And now, not his fair feet content alone
To kisse, desires, (an amorous VVanton grown)
(That she might nearer to her wish aspire)
Her Bottom deeper, or her VVaters higher.
VVhich (to their power) to rise when moved seem,
As if they long'd to bath each curious Limb.
Of shining Pearl-drops, whilst his bright Eyes powre
On the Nymphs Heart (that melts through hot desire
T'enjoy what she beholds) a Flood of Fire.
This Place at length he leaves, rous'd by the Call
Of the neer waters sweetly murmuring fall.
Where, on the Bank his Sandals off he slips,
And in the Christal streams his Ankles dips.
Whil'st the cleer Lake, as his pure feet he laves,
Feels Love's warm Fires mix with its colder VVaves.
And now, not his fair feet content alone
To kisse, desires, (an amorous VVanton grown)
(That she might nearer to her wish aspire)
Her Bottom deeper, or her VVaters higher.
VVhich (to their power) to rise when moved seem,
As if they long'd to bath each curious Limb.
The Youth with pleasure on the Floud doth gaze,
And in that watery glasse his Face survaies,
Admiring, with a Look stedfastly set,
His reall Beauty in his Counterfeit.
And sure he with himself in Love had fell,
Had he not heard of fond Narcissus tell,
VVho from cold streams attracting fatall fire,
Did, to enjoy what he possest, expire.
Then stooping, he with hands together clos'd,
Hollowing their joyned Palmes, a cup compos'd
Of living Alablaster; which when fill'd
VVith the sweet Liquor the cleer Spring distill'd
He gently lifts it to his head, then sips,
Both bath and Beverage to his Looks and Lips.
Mean time with ravish'd thoughts the Nymph doth view
The sportive Lad, and whil'st he drinks, drinks too,
But in a different Manner: from the Lake
He his, her draught, she from his Eyes doth take.
His slacks his Thirst, hers more inflames desire,
He sucks in VVater, but she drinks in Fire.
And now, invited by the heat, and took
VVith the alluring Temper of the Brook,
Himself disroabing, the rich spoyl he throws
Away, and his pure Limbs all naked shows.
And like a new Sun with a darkening Cloud
Invested, casting off the envious shroud,
He round about his beautious Light displaies,
And makes the Earth a Heaven with his bright Raies.
And in that watery glasse his Face survaies,
Admiring, with a Look stedfastly set,
His reall Beauty in his Counterfeit.
And sure he with himself in Love had fell,
Had he not heard of fond Narcissus tell,
VVho from cold streams attracting fatall fire,
Did, to enjoy what he possest, expire.
Then stooping, he with hands together clos'd,
Hollowing their joyned Palmes, a cup compos'd
Of living Alablaster; which when fill'd
VVith the sweet Liquor the cleer Spring distill'd
He gently lifts it to his head, then sips,
Both bath and Beverage to his Looks and Lips.
Mean time with ravish'd thoughts the Nymph doth view
The sportive Lad, and whil'st he drinks, drinks too,
But in a different Manner: from the Lake
He his, her draught, she from his Eyes doth take.
13
He sucks in VVater, but she drinks in Fire.
And now, invited by the heat, and took
VVith the alluring Temper of the Brook,
Himself disroabing, the rich spoyl he throws
Away, and his pure Limbs all naked shows.
And like a new Sun with a darkening Cloud
Invested, casting off the envious shroud,
He round about his beautious Light displaies,
And makes the Earth a Heaven with his bright Raies.
The Nymph at this freezes at once and burns,
And fire with Love and Ice with wonder turns.
At length cries out; Ah me! what see I here?
What Deity leaving his heavenly Sphere
Is come to sport him in these shades? sure by
His wounding Look, and his inflaming Eye
It should be Love; but no light Wings appear
On his fair shoulders; strange he none should wear!
No; those he lent my heart; which from my Brest
Its flight hath took, and now in his doth rest.
And fire with Love and Ice with wonder turns.
At length cries out; Ah me! what see I here?
What Deity leaving his heavenly Sphere
Is come to sport him in these shades? sure by
His wounding Look, and his inflaming Eye
It should be Love; but no light Wings appear
On his fair shoulders; strange he none should wear!
No; those he lent my heart; which from my Brest
Its flight hath took, and now in his doth rest.
Ah me thou living Ætna! cloath'd in snow,
Yet breathing flames, how lovely dost thou shew?
Cruell, yet cunning Archer! that my Heart
Thou sure might'st hit, t'allure me with the Dart.
Yet breathing flames, how lovely dost thou shew?
Cruell, yet cunning Archer! that my Heart
Thou sure might'st hit, t'allure me with the Dart.
But now from the green Bank on which he stood,
Fetching his Rise, he leaps into the Floud.
Whose fall, (as him the breaking Waters take)
With a white foame all silvers o'r the Lake.
Where, as he swims, and his fair Arms now bends,
Now their contracted Nerves again extends,
He the Nymphs Heart (that peeps behind an Oake)
Wounds from that Ivory Bow at every stroak.
Into another Form he then converts
The Motion of his Arms, and like to Darts,
Now this, now that, through the cleer Waves does shoot,
His Hand in Motion answer'd by his Foot.
For as he this Contracts, he that extends,
And when this forward, that he backward sends.
Whilst through the streams his purer Limbs, like snow
Or Lillies through transparent Chrystall show.
His flowing Hair, floating like that rich Fleece
Which the first Ship from Colchos brought to Greece.
Fetching his Rise, he leaps into the Floud.
Whose fall, (as him the breaking Waters take)
With a white foame all silvers o'r the Lake.
Where, as he swims, and his fair Arms now bends,
Now their contracted Nerves again extends,
He the Nymphs Heart (that peeps behind an Oake)
Wounds from that Ivory Bow at every stroak.
Into another Form he then converts
The Motion of his Arms, and like to Darts,
Now this, now that, through the cleer Waves does shoot,
His Hand in Motion answer'd by his Foot.
For as he this Contracts, he that extends,
And when this forward, that he backward sends.
Whilst through the streams his purer Limbs, like snow
Or Lillies through transparent Chrystall show.
His flowing Hair, floating like that rich Fleece
Which the first Ship from Colchos brought to Greece.
The Nymph at this stands as of sense quite void,
Or as no Sense but Seeing she enjoy'd.
At last from her full Brest (of its close fire
The sparks) these broken Accents did expire.
“O why (as Arethusa, or the Joy
“Of Galatea) cannot I (sweet Boy)
“Melt to a floud for thee? then (my fair Sun!)
“Thou might'st (to bath thee) to my Bosome run.
More would sh'have said: but her full Passion stopt
Her Door of Speech, and her Eyes Floodgates op't.
Struck with Despair so dead, she scarce appears
To breath, or live, but by her sighs and tears;
Yet though her silent Tongue no Words impart,
Her speaking Thoughts discours'd thus with her heart.
“Fond Salmacis! why flag thy hopes? thy Mind
“What fears deject? on; nor be e'r declind'd;
“But boldly thy fair Enemy assail.
“See! thy desired Prey's within the Pale:
“And Love (perhaps in pitty of thy Pain,)
“Offers what was deny'd thee by disdain.
“Be resolute; and him whose conquering Eyes
“Made thee his Captive late, now make thy Prize.
“Fear not; for pardon justly hope he may
“Who plunders him that does deny to pay.
14
At last from her full Brest (of its close fire
The sparks) these broken Accents did expire.
“O why (as Arethusa, or the Joy
“Of Galatea) cannot I (sweet Boy)
“Melt to a floud for thee? then (my fair Sun!)
“Thou might'st (to bath thee) to my Bosome run.
More would sh'have said: but her full Passion stopt
Her Door of Speech, and her Eyes Floodgates op't.
Struck with Despair so dead, she scarce appears
To breath, or live, but by her sighs and tears;
Yet though her silent Tongue no Words impart,
Her speaking Thoughts discours'd thus with her heart.
“Fond Salmacis! why flag thy hopes? thy Mind
“What fears deject? on; nor be e'r declind'd;
“But boldly thy fair Enemy assail.
“See! thy desired Prey's within the Pale:
“And Love (perhaps in pitty of thy Pain,)
“Offers what was deny'd thee by disdain.
“Be resolute; and him whose conquering Eyes
“Made thee his Captive late, now make thy Prize.
“Fear not; for pardon justly hope he may
“Who plunders him that does deny to pay.
Thus she, rekindling her half-quench'd desires
Her Cheeks with Blushes, heart with boldness fires.
Then forward moves a little; and anon
Full speed, unto the Lake does madly run.
But in the mid'st of her Careere, repents,
And stops; suspended 'twixt two cross intents
Like to a wavering Ballance; on, afraid,
Back, loth to go, and yet to either sway'd.
Now she advances; then again retreats:
Her fears now conquers, then her hopes defeats.
Struck with Loves powerfull Thyrsus, at the last
(True Mænad-like) her lighter Robes off cast,
She hurries to the Lake, then in she skips;
And in her wanton Arms th'unwilling clips.
Her Cheeks with Blushes, heart with boldness fires.
Then forward moves a little; and anon
Full speed, unto the Lake does madly run.
But in the mid'st of her Careere, repents,
And stops; suspended 'twixt two cross intents
Like to a wavering Ballance; on, afraid,
Back, loth to go, and yet to either sway'd.
Now she advances; then again retreats:
Her fears now conquers, then her hopes defeats.
Struck with Loves powerfull Thyrsus, at the last
(True Mænad-like) her lighter Robes off cast,
She hurries to the Lake, then in she skips;
And in her wanton Arms th'unwilling clips.
He, who Loves Fires ne'r felt in his cold Brest,
With fear at such a strange surprize possess'd,
For help began to cry; when she at this,
Ah, peace, saies; and his Mouth stop'd with a kiss.
Yet strugg'ling he her Wishes did deny,
And from her shunn'd Embraces strove to fly.
But whil'st he labours to get loose, t'his Brest
She faster cleaves; and his Lips harder prest.
So when Joves Bird a Snake hath truss'd, his Wings
The more that plies, the more that 'bout 'em clings,
And leaves it doubtfull to the Gazers view,
To tell which more is Pris'ner of the two.
Fearfull to lose yet her new-gotten prize,
The Nymph to heaven (sighing) erects her Eyes.
“And shall my Love (saies she) triumph in vain,
“Nor other Trophy than a bare kiss gain?
“O Jove! if what Fame sings of thee be true,
“If e'r thou did'st a Bulls fierce shape indue,
“And on thy Back from the Phænician shore,
“Through Seas thy Amorous Theft in Triumph bore,
“Assist my Vows; and grant that I may prove
“As happy in this Conquest of my Love:
“No force let our Embraces e'r disjoyn;
“Brest unto Brest unite, our souls entwine;
“Tye heart to heart; and let the knitting charmes
“Sweet kisses be; the Fetters, our soft Arms.
“Or if thou hast decreed that we must part
“Let that Divorce divide life from my Heart.
With fear at such a strange surprize possess'd,
For help began to cry; when she at this,
Ah, peace, saies; and his Mouth stop'd with a kiss.
Yet strugg'ling he her Wishes did deny,
And from her shunn'd Embraces strove to fly.
15
She faster cleaves; and his Lips harder prest.
So when Joves Bird a Snake hath truss'd, his Wings
The more that plies, the more that 'bout 'em clings,
And leaves it doubtfull to the Gazers view,
To tell which more is Pris'ner of the two.
Fearfull to lose yet her new-gotten prize,
The Nymph to heaven (sighing) erects her Eyes.
“And shall my Love (saies she) triumph in vain,
“Nor other Trophy than a bare kiss gain?
“O Jove! if what Fame sings of thee be true,
“If e'r thou did'st a Bulls fierce shape indue,
“And on thy Back from the Phænician shore,
“Through Seas thy Amorous Theft in Triumph bore,
“Assist my Vows; and grant that I may prove
“As happy in this Conquest of my Love:
“No force let our Embraces e'r disjoyn;
“Brest unto Brest unite, our souls entwine;
“Tye heart to heart; and let the knitting charmes
“Sweet kisses be; the Fetters, our soft Arms.
“Or if thou hast decreed that we must part
“Let that Divorce divide life from my Heart.
Jove heard her Prayers; and suddenly as strange,
Made of them both a mutuall Interchange;
And by an undiscern'd conjunction,
Two late divided Bodies, knit in One:
Her Body straight a Manly Vigor felt,
And his did to a Female softness melt.
Made of them both a mutuall Interchange;
And by an undiscern'd conjunction,
Two late divided Bodies, knit in One:
Her Body straight a Manly Vigor felt,
And his did to a Female softness melt.
Yet thus united, they with difference
Retain'd their proper Reason, Speech, and Sence.
He liv'd and she appart; yet each in either;
Both one might well be said, yet that One, neither.
Retain'd their proper Reason, Speech, and Sence.
He liv'd and she appart; yet each in either;
Both one might well be said, yet that One, neither.
This Story by a Rivers side (as they
Sate and discours'd the tedious hours away)
Amintas to the coy Iole told:
Then adds; O thou more fair, in Love more cold
Than he, Heaven yet may make thee mine in spite,
That can such differents, Ice and fire, unite.
This with a Sigh the Shepheard spake; whilst she
With a coy smile mock'd his simplicity.
But now the setting Sun poasting away,
Put both an End to their Discourse and Day.
Sate and discours'd the tedious hours away)
Amintas to the coy Iole told:
Then adds; O thou more fair, in Love more cold
Than he, Heaven yet may make thee mine in spite,
That can such differents, Ice and fire, unite.
This with a Sigh the Shepheard spake; whilst she
With a coy smile mock'd his simplicity.
But now the setting Sun poasting away,
Put both an End to their Discourse and Day.
FINIS
16
The Metamorphosis of LYRIAN and SYLVIA,
by St Amant.
Under that pleasant Clime, where Nature plac'd
Those Islands, with the name of Happy grac'd,
There liv'd a young, and gentle Shepheard late,
And had he never lov'd, too fortunate;
His Name was Lyrian, she whose looks enthral'd
His amorous heart, was the fair Sylvia call'd.
Those Islands, with the name of Happy grac'd,
There liv'd a young, and gentle Shepheard late,
And had he never lov'd, too fortunate;
His Name was Lyrian, she whose looks enthral'd
His amorous heart, was the fair Sylvia call'd.
The Natives there, 'mongst whom still lives his Name,
(Nor shall the Waste of time impair it's Fame)
Report, he bare for sweetness of his Song,
The Prize from all Apollo's learned Throng.
Yet nor his Voice, nor Worth that did exceed,
And ev'n in Envy Admiration breed,
Could e'r move her that o'r his heart did raign,
To pleasing Joys to turn his amorous pain.
(Nor shall the Waste of time impair it's Fame)
Report, he bare for sweetness of his Song,
The Prize from all Apollo's learned Throng.
Yet nor his Voice, nor Worth that did exceed,
And ev'n in Envy Admiration breed,
Could e'r move her that o'r his heart did raign,
To pleasing Joys to turn his amorous pain.
The Cheerfull fields, and Solitary Groves,
(Once loyall Secretaries to his Loves)
Are still the Witnesses, and still shall be,
Of his chaste thoughts, and firm fidelity.
For they alone were conscious of his Grief,
They only gave his Wonded Soul Relief,
When with the Weight of his sad Woes opprest,
They pittying, heard him ease in Plaints, his Brest.
(Once loyall Secretaries to his Loves)
Are still the Witnesses, and still shall be,
Of his chaste thoughts, and firm fidelity.
For they alone were conscious of his Grief,
They only gave his Wonded Soul Relief,
When with the Weight of his sad Woes opprest,
They pittying, heard him ease in Plaints, his Brest.
Ye Gods! how oft resolv'd he, yet declin'd,
(Although he felt his heart with flames calcin'd)
Before those Eyes h'ador'd so, to display
His Griefes! Such Modesty his Soul did sway.
And though h'had learn'd, and knew to suffer much,
Yet were his Manners and Discretion such,
Silence should first in death have quench'd his flame,
E'r he'ld have rudely voic'd it unto fame.
Nor had it yet to any (had not Stone
And stocks discover'd it) been ever known.
Which, (for on them he us'd his Plaints t'incise)
By chance presented it to Sylvia's Eyes.
(Although he felt his heart with flames calcin'd)
Before those Eyes h'ador'd so, to display
His Griefes! Such Modesty his Soul did sway.
And though h'had learn'd, and knew to suffer much,
Yet were his Manners and Discretion such,
Silence should first in death have quench'd his flame,
E'r he'ld have rudely voic'd it unto fame.
Nor had it yet to any (had not Stone
And stocks discover'd it) been ever known.
Which, (for on them he us'd his Plaints t'incise)
By chance presented it to Sylvia's Eyes.
This seen, in her does Scorn and Anger move;
O heavens! is't possible that such a Love
She should despise; and him who had profest
Himself her Captive, as her Foe detest?
Or that Love's Magick Characters his hand
Had grav'd, should in her Eye for Cyphers stand?
Or she should read them yet with so much spight,
Ne'r more to see them, 'less to raze them quite?
Ah 'tis too true! nor's that sufficient,
Unless her Tongue to her hard heart consent,
And 'gainst her faithfull Love, with cruell Breath
Pronounce the rigid sentence of his Death.
O heavens! is't possible that such a Love
She should despise; and him who had profest
17
Or that Love's Magick Characters his hand
Had grav'd, should in her Eye for Cyphers stand?
Or she should read them yet with so much spight,
Ne'r more to see them, 'less to raze them quite?
Ah 'tis too true! nor's that sufficient,
Unless her Tongue to her hard heart consent,
And 'gainst her faithfull Love, with cruell Breath
Pronounce the rigid sentence of his Death.
What said he not his Passion to excuse?
What flourishes us'd not his willing Muse,
To prove, his Love (of which the noble ground
Was her Perfections) could no Crime be found!
If neither Reasons self, nor Justice, ought
(Those for which Heaven is lov'd) as Crimes be thought.
That the Worlds Soveraign Planet which the Earth
And Mortals Fates does govern from their Birth,
By firm Decrees inrolled in the Skies
Had destin'd him a Servant to her Eyes.
And could his Will be lead another way,
Yet being forc'd he could not disobey.
So that his Soul in this her Captiv'd state
Did only yeeld to her impulsive Fate;
Not that (said he) he murmur'd at his Chains,
But pleas'd, sat down and blest his rigorous Pains;
Not but his Yoak so willingly he bare
That Liberty a greater Bondage were;
Not but in spight of his malicious fate,
(In crossing all his Joys so obstinate)
He should unforc'd, ev'n to the Grave affect
That Beauty which his Love did so neglect.
What flourishes us'd not his willing Muse,
To prove, his Love (of which the noble ground
Was her Perfections) could no Crime be found!
If neither Reasons self, nor Justice, ought
(Those for which Heaven is lov'd) as Crimes be thought.
That the Worlds Soveraign Planet which the Earth
And Mortals Fates does govern from their Birth,
By firm Decrees inrolled in the Skies
Had destin'd him a Servant to her Eyes.
And could his Will be lead another way,
Yet being forc'd he could not disobey.
So that his Soul in this her Captiv'd state
Did only yeeld to her impulsive Fate;
Not that (said he) he murmur'd at his Chains,
But pleas'd, sat down and blest his rigorous Pains;
Not but his Yoak so willingly he bare
That Liberty a greater Bondage were;
Not but in spight of his malicious fate,
(In crossing all his Joys so obstinate)
He should unforc'd, ev'n to the Grave affect
That Beauty which his Love did so neglect.
Yet these his Reasons, so well urg'd, so fair,
With her that will hear none, no Reasons are.
They more incense her: yet for fear she might
Be softned, she betook her self to flight.
Such were the winning Graces of his Tongue,
Proving his Love did not her Beauty wrong.
With her that will hear none, no Reasons are.
They more incense her: yet for fear she might
Be softned, she betook her self to flight.
Such were the winning Graces of his Tongue,
Proving his Love did not her Beauty wrong.
How oft since that, by all fair means he tri'd
(Whil'st he the Gods with Sacrifices ply'd)
To bring the humorous Nymph unto his Bent,
And make her too obdurate Heart relent!
His Passions, Sighs, and Tears were ready still,
As the officious Agents of his Will,
To work her to a sense of his hard State;
But 'lass! his hopes grew still more desperate.
Nay ev'n his voice, of so divine a strain,
So moving! mov'd in her nought but disdain.
(Whil'st he the Gods with Sacrifices ply'd)
To bring the humorous Nymph unto his Bent,
And make her too obdurate Heart relent!
His Passions, Sighs, and Tears were ready still,
As the officious Agents of his Will,
18
But 'lass! his hopes grew still more desperate.
Nay ev'n his voice, of so divine a strain,
So moving! mov'd in her nought but disdain.
Six years he liv'd perplex'd in this distress,
Without the least Apparence of success;
When he by chance (as he a Stag pursu'd)
Encounter'd her: who e'r the Queen hath view'd
Of Wood-Nymphs, (Cynthia) a hunting goe
After the Bore, arm'd with her shafts and Bow,
May then imagine the diviner Grace,
The Looks, the Habit, Stature, and the Pace
Of beautious Sylvia, as she tripping came
Into the VVoods, pursuing of her Game.
Without the least Apparence of success;
When he by chance (as he a Stag pursu'd)
Encounter'd her: who e'r the Queen hath view'd
Of Wood-Nymphs, (Cynthia) a hunting goe
After the Bore, arm'd with her shafts and Bow,
May then imagine the diviner Grace,
The Looks, the Habit, Stature, and the Pace
Of beautious Sylvia, as she tripping came
Into the VVoods, pursuing of her Game.
Soon as poor Lyrian, half dead with Love,
Had spy'd her in that solitary Grove
For whom his wounded heart so long had bled,
He with these words pursues her as she fled.
Had spy'd her in that solitary Grove
For whom his wounded heart so long had bled,
He with these words pursues her as she fled.
Art thou resolv'd then (Sylvia) 'gainst my Cries
Thine Ears to close, and 'gainst my Verse thine Eyes?
That Verse which Fame unto thy Life does give;
And must I dye, 'cause I have made thee live
Eternally? Seven years expired be
Since I've been tortur'd by thy Cruelty;
And dost thou think that little strength supplies
My heart, for everlasting Torments will suffice?
Shall I for ever only see thee stray
'Mongst these wild VVoods, more senseless yet than they?
Thine Ears to close, and 'gainst my Verse thine Eyes?
That Verse which Fame unto thy Life does give;
And must I dye, 'cause I have made thee live
Eternally? Seven years expired be
Since I've been tortur'd by thy Cruelty;
And dost thou think that little strength supplies
My heart, for everlasting Torments will suffice?
Shall I for ever only see thee stray
'Mongst these wild VVoods, more senseless yet than they?
Alas! how weak I'm grown with Grief! I feel
My feeble Legs beneath their Burden reel;
O stay! I faint, nor longer can pursue,
Stay, and since Sense thou lack'st, want Motion too.
Stay, if for nothing else, to see me dye.
At least vouchsafe stern Nymph to tell me why
Thou cam'st into this Dark and Gloomy Place?
VVhere Heaven with all its Eyes can never trace
Or find thee out. VVas't thy Intent, the Light
Of thy fair Stars thus to obscure in Night?
Or seek'st thou these cool shades, the Ice and Snow
That's 'bout thy Heart to keep unmelted so?
In vain Coy Nymph thou Light and Heat dost shun,
VVho e'r knew cold or shade attend the Sun?
Ah Cruell Nymph! the Rage dost thou not fear
Of those wild Beasts that in these VVoods appear?
No, no, thou art secure; and mayst out-vy
Both them and all the VVorld for Cruelty.
My feeble Legs beneath their Burden reel;
O stay! I faint, nor longer can pursue,
Stay, and since Sense thou lack'st, want Motion too.
Stay, if for nothing else, to see me dye.
At least vouchsafe stern Nymph to tell me why
Thou cam'st into this Dark and Gloomy Place?
VVhere Heaven with all its Eyes can never trace
Or find thee out. VVas't thy Intent, the Light
Of thy fair Stars thus to obscure in Night?
Or seek'st thou these cool shades, the Ice and Snow
That's 'bout thy Heart to keep unmelted so?
In vain Coy Nymph thou Light and Heat dost shun,
VVho e'r knew cold or shade attend the Sun?
Ah Cruell Nymph! the Rage dost thou not fear
19
No, no, thou art secure; and mayst out-vy
Both them and all the VVorld for Cruelty.
Oh thou that gloriest in a heart of stone!
VVilt thou not stay? yet seest (as if my Moan
They pittied) each rough Bramble 'bout thy foot
Does cling, and seems t'arrest thee at my Sute?
Ye Gods! what VVonders do you here disclose?
The Bramble hath more sweetness than the Rose.
VVilt thou not stay? yet seest (as if my Moan
They pittied) each rough Bramble 'bout thy foot
Does cling, and seems t'arrest thee at my Sute?
Ye Gods! what VVonders do you here disclose?
The Bramble hath more sweetness than the Rose.
But whether fly these idle VVords? in vain
Poore, miserable VVretch, thou dost complain;
After so many Ills, (of which I bear
The sadder Marks yet in my heart;) Now hear
Ye Gods at last! and by a welcome Death
A period put unto my wretched Breath.
Ah me! I faint; my spirits quite decay;
And yet I cannot move her heart to stay.
Ye hellish Deeps! black Gulphs where Horror lies,
Open, and place your selves before her Eyes.
Had I Hippomenes bright Fruit, which stay'd
The swifter speed of the Schenæian Maid,
They would not profit me; the VVorlds round Ball
Could not my cruell Fugitive Recall.
She is all Rock, and I who am all fire,,
Pursue her Night and Day with vain desire.
O nature! is it not a Prodigie
To find a Rock than fire more light to be?
But I mistake: for if a Rock she were
Shee'd answer me again as these do here.
Poore, miserable VVretch, thou dost complain;
After so many Ills, (of which I bear
The sadder Marks yet in my heart;) Now hear
Ye Gods at last! and by a welcome Death
A period put unto my wretched Breath.
Ah me! I faint; my spirits quite decay;
And yet I cannot move her heart to stay.
Ye hellish Deeps! black Gulphs where Horror lies,
Open, and place your selves before her Eyes.
Had I Hippomenes bright Fruit, which stay'd
The swifter speed of the Schenæian Maid,
They would not profit me; the VVorlds round Ball
Could not my cruell Fugitive Recall.
She is all Rock, and I who am all fire,,
Pursue her Night and Day with vain desire.
O nature! is it not a Prodigie
To find a Rock than fire more light to be?
But I mistake: for if a Rock she were
Shee'd answer me again as these do here.
Thus tyr'd with running, and o'rcome with VVoe,
To see his Mistris should out-strip him so,
Poor Lyrian yeelds himself as sorrows Prize,
His Constancy and amorous Fervor dies,
Bloudy dispair entring his captiv'd Soul,
Does like a Tyrant all his Powers controul.
Then in the height of VVoe to his Relief
He cals the Gods, yet in the mid'st of Grief
All fair Respect does still to Sylvia give,
To shew that ev'n in Death his Love should live.
To see his Mistris should out-strip him so,
Poor Lyrian yeelds himself as sorrows Prize,
His Constancy and amorous Fervor dies,
Bloudy dispair entring his captiv'd Soul,
Does like a Tyrant all his Powers controul.
Then in the height of VVoe to his Relief
He cals the Gods, yet in the mid'st of Grief
All fair Respect does still to Sylvia give,
To shew that ev'n in Death his Love should live.
He who for Daphne like Regret did prove,
And the horn'd God (who breathless, thought his Love
The fair-hair'd Syrinx in his Arms he clasp'd,
And slender Reeds for her lov'd Body grasp'd)
So far, (remembring their like amorous Fate)
His unjust sufferings commiserate,
That both straight swore in Passion, and disdain,
To punish the proud Author of his Pain:
Their powerfull Threats alike effect pursues;
See! that proud Beauty a Trees shape endues.
Each of her Hairs does sprout into a Bough,
And she that was a Nymph, an Elm is now.
VVhilst thus transform'd, her feet (to Roots spred) stuck
Fast in the ground, she was at last o'rtook
By panting Lyrian; happy yet, to see
Her he so priz'd within his Power to be;
Ye Gods then saies he! who by this sad Test
Have 'fore mine Eyes Natures great Power exprest,
Grant that to this fair Trunk which Love ne'r knew
My heart may yet a Love eternall shew.
This having said, unto the yet warm Bole
He clings, (whilst a new Form invests his Soul)
VVinding in thousand twines about it, whence
Hee's call'd of Love the perfect Symbole since.
And the horn'd God (who breathless, thought his Love
The fair-hair'd Syrinx in his Arms he clasp'd,
And slender Reeds for her lov'd Body grasp'd)
20
His unjust sufferings commiserate,
That both straight swore in Passion, and disdain,
To punish the proud Author of his Pain:
Their powerfull Threats alike effect pursues;
See! that proud Beauty a Trees shape endues.
Each of her Hairs does sprout into a Bough,
And she that was a Nymph, an Elm is now.
VVhilst thus transform'd, her feet (to Roots spred) stuck
Fast in the ground, she was at last o'rtook
By panting Lyrian; happy yet, to see
Her he so priz'd within his Power to be;
Ye Gods then saies he! who by this sad Test
Have 'fore mine Eyes Natures great Power exprest,
Grant that to this fair Trunk which Love ne'r knew
My heart may yet a Love eternall shew.
This having said, unto the yet warm Bole
He clings, (whilst a new Form invests his Soul)
VVinding in thousand twines about it, whence
Hee's call'd of Love the perfect Symbole since.
In brief, this faithfull Lover now is found
An Ivy Stock; which creeping from the ground
About the loved stem, still climbing is,
As if he sought her Mouth to steal a Kiss:
Each leafe's a heart; whose colour does imply
His wish obtain'd, Loves Perpetuity;
VVhich still his strict Embraces evidence.
For all of him is lost but only sence,
And that you'ld swear remains; and say (to see
The Elm in his Embraces hugg'd) that he
VVilling to keep what he had gain'd at last,
For fear she should escape, holds her so fast.
An Ivy Stock; which creeping from the ground
About the loved stem, still climbing is,
As if he sought her Mouth to steal a Kiss:
Each leafe's a heart; whose colour does imply
His wish obtain'd, Loves Perpetuity;
VVhich still his strict Embraces evidence.
For all of him is lost but only sence,
And that you'ld swear remains; and say (to see
The Elm in his Embraces hugg'd) that he
VVilling to keep what he had gain'd at last,
For fear she should escape, holds her so fast.
FINIS
Forsaken LYDIA.
In Thunder now the hollow Cannon roar'd,
To call the farre-fam'd Warriours aboard,
Who that great feud (enkindled 'twixt the French
And German) with their bloud attempt to quench.
Now in the open Sea they proudly ride,
And the soft Chrystall with rude Oares divide;
Perfidious Armillus at once tore
His Heart from Lydia, Anchor from the shore.
To call the farre-fam'd Warriours aboard,
Who that great feud (enkindled 'twixt the French
And German) with their bloud attempt to quench.
21
And the soft Chrystall with rude Oares divide;
Perfidious Armillus at once tore
His Heart from Lydia, Anchor from the shore.
'Twas Night, and Aged Proteus had driv'n home
His numerous Heard, fleec't with the Seas white fome;
The Winds were laid to rest, the fishes slept,
The wearied world a generall silence kept,
No noise, save from the Surges hollow caves,
Or liquid silver of the justling waves,
Whilst the bright Lanthorns shot such trembling light,
As dazled all the twinkling eyes of Night.
His numerous Heard, fleec't with the Seas white fome;
The Winds were laid to rest, the fishes slept,
The wearied world a generall silence kept,
No noise, save from the Surges hollow caves,
Or liquid silver of the justling waves,
Whilst the bright Lanthorns shot such trembling light,
As dazled all the twinkling eyes of Night.
The faire Inamorata (who from farre
Had spy'd the Ship which her hearts treasure bare,
Put off from Land; and now quite disembay'd,
Her Cables coiled, and her Anchors weigh'd,
Whilst gentle gales her swelling sailes did court
To turn in scorn her Poop upon the Port)
With frantick speed from the detested Town
To the deserted shore comes hurrying down.
Had spy'd the Ship which her hearts treasure bare,
Put off from Land; and now quite disembay'd,
Her Cables coiled, and her Anchors weigh'd,
Whilst gentle gales her swelling sailes did court
To turn in scorn her Poop upon the Port)
With frantick speed from the detested Town
To the deserted shore comes hurrying down.
As the Idæan Shepheard stood amaz'd,
Whilst on the sacred Ravisher he gaz'd,
Who snatch'd the beautious Trojan youth away,
And wafted through the yeelding Clouds his prey;
Or as that Artist whose bold hand durst shape
Wings to his shoulders (desperately to scape
A loathed servitude) through untrac'd skies
Creets King pursu'd with fierce, yet wondring Eyes:
Whilst on the sacred Ravisher he gaz'd,
Who snatch'd the beautious Trojan youth away,
And wafted through the yeelding Clouds his prey;
Or as that Artist whose bold hand durst shape
Wings to his shoulders (desperately to scape
A loathed servitude) through untrac'd skies
Creets King pursu'd with fierce, yet wondring Eyes:
The flying Navy Lydia so beheld,
Her Eyes with Teares, her Heart with Passion swell'd;
In sighs to these she gave continuall vent,
And those in brinish streames profusely spent:
But tears and sighs alas bestows in vain,
Borne by the sportive Wind to the deaf Main;
The Main, who griefe inexorably mocks,
As she her self is scorn'd by steady Rocks.
Her Eyes with Teares, her Heart with Passion swell'd;
In sighs to these she gave continuall vent,
And those in brinish streames profusely spent:
But tears and sighs alas bestows in vain,
Borne by the sportive Wind to the deaf Main;
The Main, who griefe inexorably mocks,
As she her self is scorn'd by steady Rocks.
O what a black Eclipse did straight disguise
In Clouds the Sunshine of her lovely Eyes!
She tore her Cheeks, Hair, Garments, and imprest
Marks of his falshood on her guiltless breast.
She cals on her disloyall Lovers Name,
And sends such sad loud Accents to reclame
The Fugitive, as if at every cry
Her weary soul forth with her voice would fly.
In Clouds the Sunshine of her lovely Eyes!
22
Marks of his falshood on her guiltless breast.
She cals on her disloyall Lovers Name,
And sends such sad loud Accents to reclame
The Fugitive, as if at every cry
Her weary soul forth with her voice would fly.
Whither, ah Cruell! There, full grief represt
Her Tongue, and taught her Eyes to weep the rest;
Whither, ah Cruell, from the hollow side
Of the next Rock the Vocall Nymph replied.
In Tears and Sighs the Water and the Aire
Contend which in her sorrowes most shall share;
And the sad Sea hoarse with incessant grones
Wakens her faint grief, and supplyes her mones.
Her Tongue, and taught her Eyes to weep the rest;
Whither, ah Cruell, from the hollow side
Of the next Rock the Vocall Nymph replied.
In Tears and Sighs the Water and the Aire
Contend which in her sorrowes most shall share;
And the sad Sea hoarse with incessant grones
Wakens her faint grief, and supplyes her mones.
Oh stop kind Zephyre but one minutes space,
(She cries) the swelling Sailes impetuous race,
That my expiring groanes may reach the eare
Of him who flyes from her he will not heare.
Perhaps, though whilst alive I cannot please,
My dying Cryes his Anger may appease,
And my last Fall, Trophey of his Disdain,
May yeeld delight, and his lost Love regain.
(She cries) the swelling Sailes impetuous race,
That my expiring groanes may reach the eare
Of him who flyes from her he will not heare.
Perhaps, though whilst alive I cannot please,
My dying Cryes his Anger may appease,
And my last Fall, Trophey of his Disdain,
May yeeld delight, and his lost Love regain.
Receive my heart in this extreme farewell,
Thou in whom Cruelty and Beauty dwell,
With Thee it fled; but what alas for me
Is it to lose my Heart who have lost Thee?
Thou art my better selfe; Thou of my heart,
The soul, more than the soul that moves it, art:
And if thou sentence me to suffer death
(My Life) to Thee let me resign my breath.
Thou in whom Cruelty and Beauty dwell,
With Thee it fled; but what alas for me
Is it to lose my Heart who have lost Thee?
Thou art my better selfe; Thou of my heart,
The soul, more than the soul that moves it, art:
And if thou sentence me to suffer death
(My Life) to Thee let me resign my breath.
Alas I doe not aske to live content,
That were a blessing me Fate never meant;
All that my wishes aime at, is, that I
(And that's but a poore wish) Content may dye;
And if my heart, by Thee already slain,
Some reliques yet of a loath'd life retain.
Oh let them by thy pitty find release,
And in thy Armes breath forth their last in Peace.
That were a blessing me Fate never meant;
All that my wishes aime at, is, that I
(And that's but a poore wish) Content may dye;
And if my heart, by Thee already slain,
Some reliques yet of a loath'd life retain.
Oh let them by thy pitty find release,
And in thy Armes breath forth their last in Peace.
23
No greater happinesse than Death I crave,
So in thy dearest sight I death may have;
And if thy hand, arm'd with relentlesse Pride,
Shall the small thread of my poor Life divide,
What Pleasure than that Sorrow would be higher?
VVhen I in Paradice at least expire;
And so at once the different Arrowes prove,
Of Death from thy hand, from thy Eyes of Love.
So in thy dearest sight I death may have;
And if thy hand, arm'd with relentlesse Pride,
Shall the small thread of my poor Life divide,
What Pleasure than that Sorrow would be higher?
VVhen I in Paradice at least expire;
And so at once the different Arrowes prove,
Of Death from thy hand, from thy Eyes of Love.
Ah! if so pleas'd thou art with Wars alarmes;
If that be it that cals thee from my Armes;
If thou aspir'st by some advent'rous toiles
To raise proud Trophyes deckt with glorious spoiles,
Why fondly dost thou seek for these elsewhere?
Why leav'st thou me a pris'ner to despair?
Turn; nor thy willing Captive thus forsake,
And thou shalt all my Victories partake.
If that be it that cals thee from my Armes;
If thou aspir'st by some advent'rous toiles
To raise proud Trophyes deckt with glorious spoiles,
Why fondly dost thou seek for these elsewhere?
Why leav'st thou me a pris'ner to despair?
Turn; nor thy willing Captive thus forsake,
And thou shalt all my Victories partake.
Though I to thy dear Eyes a Captive be,
Thousands of Lovers are no lesse to me.
Unhappy! who contend and sue for sight
Of that which thou unkindly thus dost slight;
Is't not a high attempt that can comprize
Within one Act so many Victories;
To triumph over Triumphs, and subdue
At once the Victor and the Vanquish'd too?
Thousands of Lovers are no lesse to me.
Unhappy! who contend and sue for sight
Of that which thou unkindly thus dost slight;
Is't not a high attempt that can comprize
Within one Act so many Victories;
To triumph over Triumphs, and subdue
At once the Victor and the Vanquish'd too?
But if to stay with me thou dost refuse,
And the rude Company of Souldiers choose,
Yet give me leave to goe along with Thee,
And in the Army thy Attendant be.
Love, though a child and blind, the Wars hath known,
Can handle Armes, and buckle Armour on;
And thou shalt see, my courage will disdain
(Save of thy Death) all fear to entertain.
And the rude Company of Souldiers choose,
Yet give me leave to goe along with Thee,
And in the Army thy Attendant be.
Love, though a child and blind, the Wars hath known,
Can handle Armes, and buckle Armour on;
And thou shalt see, my courage will disdain
(Save of thy Death) all fear to entertain.
I will securely 'midst the arm'd Troops run,
Venus hath been Mars' his Companion;
And though the heart in thy obdurate Breast
Be with an Adamantine Corslet drest,
Yet I in Steel (to guard thee from all harm)
With my own hands will thy fair body arm,
And the Reward Love did from me detain
In peace, in War shall by this service gain.
Venus hath been Mars' his Companion;
And though the heart in thy obdurate Breast
Be with an Adamantine Corslet drest,
Yet I in Steel (to guard thee from all harm)
With my own hands will thy fair body arm,
And the Reward Love did from me detain
In peace, in War shall by this service gain.
24
And if it fortune that thou undergoe
Some dangerous hurt by the prevailing Foe,
I sadly by thy side will sit to keep
Thee company, and as thou groan'st will weep.
My Sorrow with thy Anguish shall comply,
I will thy Bloud, and thou my Tears shalt dry:
Thus by an equall sympathy of pure
Affections we each others wounds will cure.
Some dangerous hurt by the prevailing Foe,
I sadly by thy side will sit to keep
Thee company, and as thou groan'st will weep.
My Sorrow with thy Anguish shall comply,
I will thy Bloud, and thou my Tears shalt dry:
Thus by an equall sympathy of pure
Affections we each others wounds will cure.
Perhaps when he this sweet effect of Love
Shall see, the happy President may move
The stubborn Enemy more mild to grow,
And to so soft a yoak his stiffe neck bow,
Who by himself gladly betraid to thine,
Shall willingly his own Command resigne.
So by a way of Conquest strangely new,
Thou shalt at once Love, Armes, and Soules subdue.
Shall see, the happy President may move
The stubborn Enemy more mild to grow,
And to so soft a yoak his stiffe neck bow,
Who by himself gladly betraid to thine,
Shall willingly his own Command resigne.
So by a way of Conquest strangely new,
Thou shalt at once Love, Armes, and Soules subdue.
Ah most unhappy! he to these sad cries
Inexorable his deafe eare denies;
And far more cruell than the rough Seas are,
Laughs at my sighs, and slights my juster Prayer.
See, whilst thou spreadst thy sailes to catch the Wind,
What a sad Object thou hast left behind.
Of War alas why dost thou goe in quest?
Thou leav'st a fiercer War within my Breast.
Inexorable his deafe eare denies;
And far more cruell than the rough Seas are,
Laughs at my sighs, and slights my juster Prayer.
See, whilst thou spreadst thy sailes to catch the Wind,
What a sad Object thou hast left behind.
Of War alas why dost thou goe in quest?
Thou leav'st a fiercer War within my Breast.
Thou fly'st thy Country and more happy state,
To seek in some strange Land a stranger Fate;
And under forraign Climes and unknown Stars,
T'encounter hazards of destructive Wars;
Eager to thrust thy self (lavish of breath)
Upon Disasters, Dangers, Bloud and Death,
Changing (ah too unwary, too unwise)
Thy certain Joyes for an uncertain Prize.
To seek in some strange Land a stranger Fate;
And under forraign Climes and unknown Stars,
T'encounter hazards of destructive Wars;
Eager to thrust thy self (lavish of breath)
Upon Disasters, Dangers, Bloud and Death,
Changing (ah too unwary, too unwise)
Thy certain Joyes for an uncertain Prize.
Can it be true thou more thy self should'st please
With busy troubles than delightfull ease,
And lik'st th'enraged Deeps rough toiles above
The calmer pleasures and sweet sports of Love?
Canst thou from a soft bosome fly (ah lost
To gentlenesse!) to be on rude Waves tost?
And rather choose in Seas a restlesse Grave,
Than in these Arms a quiet Port to have?
With busy troubles than delightfull ease,
And lik'st th'enraged Deeps rough toiles above
The calmer pleasures and sweet sports of Love?
Canst thou from a soft bosome fly (ah lost
To gentlenesse!) to be on rude Waves tost?
And rather choose in Seas a restlesse Grave,
Than in these Arms a quiet Port to have?
25
With furrowing Keel thou plow'st the foming Main,
And (O obdurate) hearst not me complain;
Too swift thou fly'st for Loves slow wings t'oretake,
Love, whom perfidiously thou didst forsake;
And all the way thou swell'st with Pride, to know
The suff'rings for thy sake I undergoe,
Whilst the mild East to flatter thy Desires
With his soft Breath thy flagging Sail inspires.
And (O obdurate) hearst not me complain;
Too swift thou fly'st for Loves slow wings t'oretake,
Love, whom perfidiously thou didst forsake;
And all the way thou swell'st with Pride, to know
The suff'rings for thy sake I undergoe,
Whilst the mild East to flatter thy Desires
With his soft Breath thy flagging Sail inspires.
Go faithlesse Youth, faithlesse and foolish too,
Thy Fate, or folly rather, still pursue;
Go, and now thou art from my Fetters free,
Never take care who sighs or dyes for Thee.
Oh! if the Heavens are just, if ever they
With Eyes impartiall humane wrongs survey,
Heaven, heaven my tears implore, to Heaven I cry,
Avenge my suff'rings, and his Treachery.
Thy Fate, or folly rather, still pursue;
Go, and now thou art from my Fetters free,
Never take care who sighs or dyes for Thee.
Oh! if the Heavens are just, if ever they
With Eyes impartiall humane wrongs survey,
Heaven, heaven my tears implore, to Heaven I cry,
Avenge my suff'rings, and his Treachery.
Be Seas and Skyes thy foes! no gentle gale
Blow on thy Shrowds! destruction fill thy Saile!
No Star to thee (lost in despair and Night)
When thou invok'st, disclose its friendly Light.
To Scythian Pyrats, (such as shall despise
Thy fruitless tears) mayst thou become a Prize,
By whose inhumane usage mayst thou be
Spoil'd of the Liberty thou took'st from me.
Blow on thy Shrowds! destruction fill thy Saile!
No Star to thee (lost in despair and Night)
When thou invok'st, disclose its friendly Light.
To Scythian Pyrats, (such as shall despise
Thy fruitless tears) mayst thou become a Prize,
By whose inhumane usage mayst thou be
Spoil'd of the Liberty thou took'st from me.
Then thou the difference shalt understand
Betwixt the shafts shot from a Thracian hand,
And Lovers eye; the odds betwixt a rude
Insulting Foe, and Loves soft servitude:
The Breast his golden Darts not pierc'd, shall feel
The sharp Impression of more cruell steel,
And thou enslav'd, which are the stronger prove
The fetters of Barbarians, or of Love.
Betwixt the shafts shot from a Thracian hand,
And Lovers eye; the odds betwixt a rude
Insulting Foe, and Loves soft servitude:
The Breast his golden Darts not pierc'd, shall feel
The sharp Impression of more cruell steel,
And thou enslav'd, which are the stronger prove
The fetters of Barbarians, or of Love.
Ye Seas and Skies, which of my amorous care
The kindly faithfull Secretaries are,
To you my crying Sorrows I addresse,
To you the witnesses of my distresse:
Shores by the losse of my fair Sun forlorn,
Winds who my sole delight away have born.
Rocks the Spectators of my haplesse Fate,
And Night that hearst me mourn disconsolate.
The kindly faithfull Secretaries are,
To you my crying Sorrows I addresse,
To you the witnesses of my distresse:
Shores by the losse of my fair Sun forlorn,
Winds who my sole delight away have born.
Rocks the Spectators of my haplesse Fate,
And Night that hearst me mourn disconsolate.
26
Nor without reason is't (alas) that I
To Stars and Sands bewail my misery;
For with my State they some proportion bear,
And numberlesse as are my woes appear.
Heaven in this Quire of beautious Lights doth seem
To represent what I have losse in him;
The Sea to whom his flight I chiefly owe,
His heart in Rocks, my tears in Waves doth show.
To Stars and Sands bewail my misery;
For with my State they some proportion bear,
And numberlesse as are my woes appear.
Heaven in this Quire of beautious Lights doth seem
To represent what I have losse in him;
The Sea to whom his flight I chiefly owe,
His heart in Rocks, my tears in Waves doth show.
And since to these Eternall Fires whose Light
Makes Sleep's dark Mansion so serenely bright
I turn; what one amongst them shall I find
To pitty me above the rest inclin'd?
She who in Naxos when forsook did meet
A better Spouse than him she chose in Creet,
Though all the rest severely are intent
To work me harm, should be more mildly bent.
Makes Sleep's dark Mansion so serenely bright
I turn; what one amongst them shall I find
To pitty me above the rest inclin'd?
She who in Naxos when forsook did meet
A better Spouse than him she chose in Creet,
Though all the rest severely are intent
To work me harm, should be more mildly bent.
Oh Thou who guild'st the Pompous train of Night,
With the addition of thy glorious Light,
Whose radiant hair a Crown adorns, whence streams
The dazling lustre of seven blazing Gems:
If that Extremity thou not forget,
If thy own sorrows thou remember yet,
Stop at my sighs awhile, and make the Crue
Of thy bright fellows stay and hearken too.
With the addition of thy glorious Light,
Whose radiant hair a Crown adorns, whence streams
The dazling lustre of seven blazing Gems:
If that Extremity thou not forget,
If thy own sorrows thou remember yet,
Stop at my sighs awhile, and make the Crue
Of thy bright fellows stay and hearken too.
Thou know'st the like occasions of our Fate,
Both circumvented by unkind Deceit;
A cruell I, a Love ungratefull Thou
Didst follow, both to equall suff'rings bow,
In this to thine a near resemblance bears,
The Cause that dooms me to eternall Tears;
I now am left as thou wert heretofore
Alone upon the solitary Shore.
Both circumvented by unkind Deceit;
A cruell I, a Love ungratefull Thou
Didst follow, both to equall suff'rings bow,
In this to thine a near resemblance bears,
The Cause that dooms me to eternall Tears;
I now am left as thou wert heretofore
Alone upon the solitary Shore.
But howsoever our misfortunes share
The same Effects, their Causes diff'rent are;
I my poor self no other have deceiv'd;
Thy Brother was through thee of Life bereav'd.
Sleep thy Betrayer was, but Love was mine,
Thou by thy short Eclipse didst brighter shine,
And in the Skyes a Crown of Stars obtain,
But I on Earth (forsaken) still remain.
The same Effects, their Causes diff'rent are;
I my poor self no other have deceiv'd;
Thy Brother was through thee of Life bereav'd.
Sleep thy Betrayer was, but Love was mine,
Thou by thy short Eclipse didst brighter shine,
And in the Skyes a Crown of Stars obtain,
But I on Earth (forsaken) still remain.
27
Fool, to whose care dost thou thy grief impart?
What dost thou talk, or know'st thou where thou art?
She midst a dancing Bevy of fair Lights
Trips it away, and thy misfortune slights:
Yet happy may she go, and her clear beams,
Whilst I lament, drench in the Brinish streams;
Perhaps the Sea, to my afflicted state,
Will prove then her lesse incompassionate.
What dost thou talk, or know'st thou where thou art?
She midst a dancing Bevy of fair Lights
Trips it away, and thy misfortune slights:
Yet happy may she go, and her clear beams,
Whilst I lament, drench in the Brinish streams;
Perhaps the Sea, to my afflicted state,
Will prove then her lesse incompassionate.
But how on Seas for help should I relye,
Where nothing we but Waves and Rocks can spye?
Yet so small hopes of succour hath my grief,
That of those Rocks and Waves I beg Relief.
Down from these Rocks, of Life my troubled Breast,
By a sad Precipice may be releast,
And my impurer soul in these Waves may
Quench her Loose Flames, and wash her stains away.
Where nothing we but Waves and Rocks can spye?
Yet so small hopes of succour hath my grief,
That of those Rocks and Waves I beg Relief.
Down from these Rocks, of Life my troubled Breast,
By a sad Precipice may be releast,
And my impurer soul in these Waves may
Quench her Loose Flames, and wash her stains away.
Ah Lydia, Lydia, whither dost thou send
Thy lost Complaint? Why words so fruitless spend
To angry Waves? to Winds where horror roars?
To Rocks that have no ears? to sencelesse shores?
Thou giv'st thy grief this Liberty in vain,
If Liberty from grief thou canst not gain;
And fond presumption will thy hopes abuse,
Unlesse thou grief and life together lose.
Thy lost Complaint? Why words so fruitless spend
To angry Waves? to Winds where horror roars?
To Rocks that have no ears? to sencelesse shores?
Thou giv'st thy grief this Liberty in vain,
If Liberty from grief thou canst not gain;
And fond presumption will thy hopes abuse,
Unlesse thou grief and life together lose.
Dye then: so shall my Ghost (as with despair
Laden it flyes) raise in the troubled Air
Tempests more lowd than Thunder, Storms more black
Than Hell or Horrour, in curl'd Waves to wrack
His Ship and him: so (and 'tis just) shall I
And my proud Foe, at least together dy:
On him who first these bitter Sorrows bred,
Seas shall avenge the Seas of Tears I shed.
Laden it flyes) raise in the troubled Air
Tempests more lowd than Thunder, Storms more black
Than Hell or Horrour, in curl'd Waves to wrack
His Ship and him: so (and 'tis just) shall I
And my proud Foe, at least together dy:
On him who first these bitter Sorrows bred,
Seas shall avenge the Seas of Tears I shed.
This said, she makes a stop; and with rash hast
(By violent despair assisted) cast
Her self down headlong in the raging Sea,
Where she beleev'd it deepest; Now to be
Sadly by her enrich'd; whilst from her fair
Vermilion lips, bright eyes, Phæbeian hair,
Corall a purer tincture doth endue,
Chrystall new light, Pearls a more Orient hue.
(By violent despair assisted) cast
Her self down headlong in the raging Sea,
Where she beleev'd it deepest; Now to be
Sadly by her enrich'd; whilst from her fair
Vermilion lips, bright eyes, Phæbeian hair,
Corall a purer tincture doth endue,
Chrystall new light, Pearls a more Orient hue.
28
Such was the haplesse fate of Lydia,
Who in those Waves from which the King of Day
Each morn ascends the blushing East, in those
From which the Queen of Love and Beauty rose,
A second Queen of Love and Beauty perish'd,
Who in her Looks a thousand Graces cherish'd;
And by a sad Fate (not unpittied yet)
A second Sun eternally did set.
Who in those Waves from which the King of Day
Each morn ascends the blushing East, in those
From which the Queen of Love and Beauty rose,
A second Queen of Love and Beauty perish'd,
Who in her Looks a thousand Graces cherish'd;
And by a sad Fate (not unpittied yet)
A second Sun eternally did set.
Sweet Beauty, the sad wrack of ruthlesse Seas,
And ill plac'd Love, whom cruell Destinies
Have food for Monsters made, and sport for Waves,
With whom so many Graces had their graves,
If vain be not my hopes, If no dead fire
These Lines devoted to thy Name inspire,
Though buried in the Seas salt Waves thou ly,
Yet in Oblivions Waves thou shalt not dy.
And ill plac'd Love, whom cruell Destinies
Have food for Monsters made, and sport for Waves,
With whom so many Graces had their graves,
If vain be not my hopes, If no dead fire
These Lines devoted to thy Name inspire,
Though buried in the Seas salt Waves thou ly,
Yet in Oblivions Waves thou shalt not dy.
FINIS
The Rape of HELLEN
Ye
Trojan Nymphs! Xanthus fair Progeny!
Who on your Fathers Sands oft laying by
Your sacred Armelets, and Heads reedy Tires,
Ascend to dance on Ide in mixed Quires;
Quit your rough floud; and tell the Phrygian Swains
Just verdict: how the Hills he left, the Main's
New Toyls to undergo: his Mind what prest
With fatall Ships both Sea, and Land t'infest;
Whence did that unexpected strife arise,
Which made a Shepheard judge 'twixt Deities:
What was his bold Award; how to his Ear
Arriv'd the fair Greek's Name; for you were there:
And Paris thron'd in Ida's shades did see,
And Venus glorying in her Victory.
Who on your Fathers Sands oft laying by
Your sacred Armelets, and Heads reedy Tires,
Ascend to dance on Ide in mixed Quires;
Quit your rough floud; and tell the Phrygian Swains
Just verdict: how the Hills he left, the Main's
New Toyls to undergo: his Mind what prest
With fatall Ships both Sea, and Land t'infest;
Whence did that unexpected strife arise,
Which made a Shepheard judge 'twixt Deities:
What was his bold Award; how to his Ear
Arriv'd the fair Greek's Name; for you were there:
And Paris thron'd in Ida's shades did see,
And Venus glorying in her Victory.
When tall Thessalian Mountains the Delights
Witness'd of Peleus Hymenæall Rites,
Ganymed Nectar at the sacred Feast
By Jove's Command fill'd out to every Guest;
For all descended from cælestiall Race,
That day, with equal forwardness, to grace
Fair Thetis (Amphitrite's Sister) strove.
From Seas came Neptune, from the Heavens came Jove,
And Phœbus from the Heliconian spring,
Did the sweet Consort of the Muses bring.
Next whom, the Sister to the Thunderer
Majestick Juno came: nor did the fair
Harmonia's Mother Venus stay behind;
Suada went too, who for the Bride entwin'd
The Wedding Garland, and Love's Quiver bare.
Pallas from Nuptials though averse, was there;
Aside her heavy Helmet having laid.
Apollo's sister, the Latonian Maid,
(Though wholly to the savage Chace apply'd)
Her Presence at this Meeting not deny'd.
Stern Mars, not such as when his Spear he shakes,
But as when he to lovely Venus makes
His amorous Address, (his Shield, and Lance
Thrown by) there smiling mix'd in a soft dance.
But thence unhonour'd Erys was debarr'd;
Nor Chyron her, nor Peleus did regard.
But Bacchus shaking with his golden Hair
His dangling Grapes, lets Zephyre's sportive Air
Play with his curled Tresses: like some young
Heyfer, (which by a furious Gad-fly stung
Quitting the Fields, in shady Forests straies)
Whilst madded Erys roams: seeking alwaies,
How to disturb the quiet of the Feast.
Witness'd of Peleus Hymenæall Rites,
Ganymed Nectar at the sacred Feast
By Jove's Command fill'd out to every Guest;
For all descended from cælestiall Race,
29
Fair Thetis (Amphitrite's Sister) strove.
From Seas came Neptune, from the Heavens came Jove,
And Phœbus from the Heliconian spring,
Did the sweet Consort of the Muses bring.
Next whom, the Sister to the Thunderer
Majestick Juno came: nor did the fair
Harmonia's Mother Venus stay behind;
Suada went too, who for the Bride entwin'd
The Wedding Garland, and Love's Quiver bare.
Pallas from Nuptials though averse, was there;
Aside her heavy Helmet having laid.
Apollo's sister, the Latonian Maid,
(Though wholly to the savage Chace apply'd)
Her Presence at this Meeting not deny'd.
Stern Mars, not such as when his Spear he shakes,
But as when he to lovely Venus makes
His amorous Address, (his Shield, and Lance
Thrown by) there smiling mix'd in a soft dance.
But thence unhonour'd Erys was debarr'd;
Nor Chyron her, nor Peleus did regard.
But Bacchus shaking with his golden Hair
His dangling Grapes, lets Zephyre's sportive Air
Play with his curled Tresses: like some young
Heyfer, (which by a furious Gad-fly stung
Quitting the Fields, in shady Forests straies)
Whilst madded Erys roams: seeking alwaies,
How to disturb the quiet of the Feast.
Oft from her rocky Cell (with rage possest)
She flings; now stands, then sits: still up and down
Groaping on th'Earth, yet could not find a stone:
For Lightning shee'd have strook: or by some spell
The bold Titanian Brethren rais'd from Hell
VVith hostile Flames to storm Jove's starry Fort;
Though thus enrag'd, she yet does Vulcan court,
Whom Fire, and Malleable steel obeys:
She thought the sound of clatt'ring shields to raise,
That so the Gods affrighted with the Noise
Might have run forth, and left their Festive Joys.
She flings; now stands, then sits: still up and down
Groaping on th'Earth, yet could not find a stone:
For Lightning shee'd have strook: or by some spell
The bold Titanian Brethren rais'd from Hell
VVith hostile Flames to storm Jove's starry Fort;
Though thus enrag'd, she yet does Vulcan court,
Whom Fire, and Malleable steel obeys:
She thought the sound of clatt'ring shields to raise,
That so the Gods affrighted with the Noise
Might have run forth, and left their Festive Joys.
But fearing Mars, She does at last incline
To put in Act a far more quaint Design:
She cals to mind Hesperia's golden Fruit;
Whence a fair Apple of dire VVars the Root,
Pulling, the Cause of signall strifes she found:
Then midst the Feast, Dissentions fatall ground
Casts, and disturbs the Goddesses fair Quire.
To put in Act a far more quaint Design:
She cals to mind Hesperia's golden Fruit;
Whence a fair Apple of dire VVars the Root,
30
Then midst the Feast, Dissentions fatall ground
Casts, and disturbs the Goddesses fair Quire.
Juno, of Joves Bed proud, does first admire
The shining Fruit, then challeng'd as her due:
But Venus (all surpassing) claims it too
As Love's Propriety: which by Jove seen,
He calls, then thus to Hermes, does begin.
Know'st thou not Paris, one of Priam's Sons?
VVho, where through Phrygian Grounds smooth Xanthus runs,
Grazes his horned Heards, on Ida's Hill,
To him this Apple bear: say 'tis our Will,
As Arbiter of Beauty, he declare
VVhich of these Goddesses excells in rare
Conjunction of arch'd Eyebrows, lovely grace,
And well-proportion'd roundness of the Face;
And she that seems the fairest in his Eyes,
To have the Apple, as her Beauties prize.
This charge on Mercury, Saturnius laies,
VVho humbly his great Sires Commands obeys;
And with officious care Th'Immortals guides:
VVhilst each her self in her own Beauty prides,
But as they went: Loves subtle Queen, her heads
Rich Tire unloosing, with gold Fillets breads
Her curious Hair; then thus, with Eyes intent
On her wing'd Sons, her troubled thoughts does vent.
The shining Fruit, then challeng'd as her due:
But Venus (all surpassing) claims it too
As Love's Propriety: which by Jove seen,
He calls, then thus to Hermes, does begin.
Know'st thou not Paris, one of Priam's Sons?
VVho, where through Phrygian Grounds smooth Xanthus runs,
Grazes his horned Heards, on Ida's Hill,
To him this Apple bear: say 'tis our Will,
As Arbiter of Beauty, he declare
VVhich of these Goddesses excells in rare
Conjunction of arch'd Eyebrows, lovely grace,
And well-proportion'd roundness of the Face;
And she that seems the fairest in his Eyes,
To have the Apple, as her Beauties prize.
This charge on Mercury, Saturnius laies,
VVho humbly his great Sires Commands obeys;
And with officious care Th'Immortals guides:
VVhilst each her self in her own Beauty prides,
But as they went: Loves subtle Queen, her heads
Rich Tire unloosing, with gold Fillets breads
Her curious Hair; then thus, with Eyes intent
On her wing'd Sons, her troubled thoughts does vent.
The strife is neer; deer Sons your Mother aide!
This day must crown my Beauty, or degrade.
And much I fear to whom this Clown will give
The golden fruit: Juno, all men beleeve
To be the Graces reverend Nurse: to Her
The gift of Scepters they assign, in War
A powerfull Goddess is Minerva deem'd:
But We alone are of no Pow'r esteem'd.
Nor Empires We, nor Martiall Arms bestow:
Yet why without a cause thus fear We? though
Minerva's spear We have not, We yet better
Are with our Cestus arm'd, sweet Loves soft Fetter,
Our Cestus: that our Bow is, that our sting,
Which smart to Women, but not death does bring.
Thus rosie-finger'd Venus on the Way
To her attending Cupids spake, whilst they,
With dutious Words, their drooping Mother cheer.
This day must crown my Beauty, or degrade.
And much I fear to whom this Clown will give
The golden fruit: Juno, all men beleeve
To be the Graces reverend Nurse: to Her
The gift of Scepters they assign, in War
A powerfull Goddess is Minerva deem'd:
But We alone are of no Pow'r esteem'd.
Nor Empires We, nor Martiall Arms bestow:
Yet why without a cause thus fear We? though
Minerva's spear We have not, We yet better
Are with our Cestus arm'd, sweet Loves soft Fetter,
Our Cestus: that our Bow is, that our sting,
Which smart to Women, but not death does bring.
Thus rosie-finger'd Venus on the Way
To her attending Cupids spake, whilst they,
With dutious Words, their drooping Mother cheer.
31
And now they reach'd the Top of Ida; where
The youthfull Paris neer Anaurus head,
His Father's sheep in Flocks divided fed:
Here of his roving Buls he count doth keep,
And there he reckons o'r his well-fed sheep.
Low as his Knee, a Mountain Goats rough hide
Hung from his shoulders flagging by his side:
In's hand a Neatheards Goad: such to the Eye
(As slowly to his Pipes soft Melody
He moves) appear'd the gentle Phrygian Swain:
Tuning on's Reed, a sweet, though rurall strain.
The youthfull Paris neer Anaurus head,
His Father's sheep in Flocks divided fed:
Here of his roving Buls he count doth keep,
And there he reckons o'r his well-fed sheep.
Low as his Knee, a Mountain Goats rough hide
Hung from his shoulders flagging by his side:
In's hand a Neatheards Goad: such to the Eye
(As slowly to his Pipes soft Melody
He moves) appear'd the gentle Phrygian Swain:
Tuning on's Reed, a sweet, though rurall strain.
I'th'solitary stalls oft would he set
Himself with Songs delighting; and forget
The care both of his Heards and Flocks; the Praise
Of Pan and Hermes subject of his Layes,
(With Shepheards most in use: whose sweeter Note
No Dogs rude Howl, no Bulls loud-bellowing Throat
Disturbs; but Eccho only, that affords
An artless sound in unarticulate Words.
His Oxen cloy'd with the rank Grass, were layd,
Stretching their fat sides in the cooler shade;
Under th'Umbrella of a spreading Tree
Whilst he himself sate singing: but when he
Spy'd Hermes with the Goddesses; afraid,
Upstarting. from their sight he would have made:
And, (his sweet Pipe among the Bushes flung)
Abruptly clos'd his scarce commenced Song.
Himself with Songs delighting; and forget
The care both of his Heards and Flocks; the Praise
Of Pan and Hermes subject of his Layes,
(With Shepheards most in use: whose sweeter Note
No Dogs rude Howl, no Bulls loud-bellowing Throat
Disturbs; but Eccho only, that affords
An artless sound in unarticulate Words.
His Oxen cloy'd with the rank Grass, were layd,
Stretching their fat sides in the cooler shade;
Under th'Umbrella of a spreading Tree
Whilst he himself sate singing: but when he
Spy'd Hermes with the Goddesses; afraid,
Upstarting. from their sight he would have made:
And, (his sweet Pipe among the Bushes flung)
Abruptly clos'd his scarce commenced Song.
To whom, amaz'd, thus Heavens wing'd Nuncius spake:
Cast away fear: a while thy Flocks forsake,
Thou must in Judgement sit; and freely tell
Which of these Pow'rs in Beauty does excell,
And to the fairest this fair fruit present.
Thus he: when Paris, with Eyes mildly bent
In amorous Glances, of their Beauties took
Exact survey: which had the gracefull'st Look,
The brightest Eyes, whose Neck the whitest skin,
Not leaving ought from Head, to Heel, unseen.
To whom Minerva first her self addrest,
Then, taking by the hand, these Words exprest.
Cast away fear: a while thy Flocks forsake,
Thou must in Judgement sit; and freely tell
Which of these Pow'rs in Beauty does excell,
And to the fairest this fair fruit present.
Thus he: when Paris, with Eyes mildly bent
In amorous Glances, of their Beauties took
Exact survey: which had the gracefull'st Look,
The brightest Eyes, whose Neck the whitest skin,
Not leaving ought from Head, to Heel, unseen.
To whom Minerva first her self addrest,
Then, taking by the hand, these Words exprest.
Come hither, Paris! leave Jove's Wife behind:
Nor Venus President of Nuptials, mind.
Pallas of Valour the Directress praise:
Intrusted with large Rule and Power, Fame saies,
Thou govern'st Troy: Me chief for Form confess,
I'll make thee too its Guardian in distress.
Comply, and 'gainst Bellona's dreadfull Harms
Secur'd, I'll teach thee the bold deeds of Arms.
Thus Pallas courted him: she scarce had done
When with fair Words, and Looks, Juno begun.
Nor Venus President of Nuptials, mind.
Pallas of Valour the Directress praise:
Intrusted with large Rule and Power, Fame saies,
32
I'll make thee too its Guardian in distress.
Comply, and 'gainst Bellona's dreadfull Harms
Secur'd, I'll teach thee the bold deeds of Arms.
Thus Pallas courted him: she scarce had done
When with fair Words, and Looks, Juno begun.
If me the Prize of Beauty thou'lt assign,
The Empire of all Asia shall be thine;
Slight Wars, what good from thence to Princes springs?
Both valiant men and Cowards stoop to Kings.
Nor doe Minerva's Followers oft rise high,
But Servants rather to Bellona dy:
This glorious Proffer stately Juno made.
The Empire of all Asia shall be thine;
Slight Wars, what good from thence to Princes springs?
Both valiant men and Cowards stoop to Kings.
Nor doe Minerva's Followers oft rise high,
But Servants rather to Bellona dy:
This glorious Proffer stately Juno made.
But Venus (her large Veil unloos'd) displayd
Her whiter Bosome; nor at all was shy;
But did the honied Chain of Loves unty:
And, (whilst to view she her fair Breasts disclos'd)
Thus spake; her Looks into sweet smiles dispos'd.
Her whiter Bosome; nor at all was shy;
But did the honied Chain of Loves unty:
And, (whilst to view she her fair Breasts disclos'd)
Thus spake; her Looks into sweet smiles dispos'd.
Our Beauty, Wars forgot, our Beauty prize,
And Empires and the Asian Lands despise.
We know not Wars, nor use of Shields can tell;
In Beauty, Women rather should excell;
For Valour, I'll to thee a Wife commend,
Stead of a Throne fair Hellens Bed ascend.
A Spouse, thee Troy and Sparta shall behold:
Scarce had she ended, when the fruit of Gold
To Venus, as her Beauties noble Prize,
The Swain presented; whence dire Wars did rise.
Who in her hand as she the Apple weigh'd,
Did Juno, and Minerva thus upbraid.
And Empires and the Asian Lands despise.
We know not Wars, nor use of Shields can tell;
In Beauty, Women rather should excell;
For Valour, I'll to thee a Wife commend,
Stead of a Throne fair Hellens Bed ascend.
A Spouse, thee Troy and Sparta shall behold:
Scarce had she ended, when the fruit of Gold
To Venus, as her Beauties noble Prize,
The Swain presented; whence dire Wars did rise.
Who in her hand as she the Apple weigh'd,
Did Juno, and Minerva thus upbraid.
Yield me the Victory, yield me fair Friends!
Beauty I lov'd, and Beauty me attends:
Juno they say thou gav'st the Graces Life,
Yet they have all forsook thee in this strife,
Though thou to Mars and Vulcan Mother art,
Nor Mars nor Vulcan did their Aid impart;
Though this in Flames, that glory in his Spear,
Yet neither one nor other helpt thee here.
How thou braggd'st too, who from no Mothers wombe
But Jove's cleft Skull, the Birth of Steel, didst come?
In Armour how thy Limbs are drest? how Love
Thou shunn'st, and dost the Toyls of Mars approve?
Alike to Peace and Wedlock opposite.
Minerva! know, that such for glorious Fight
Are much unfit, whom by their Limbs, none well
Whether they Men, or Women be, can tell.
Beauty I lov'd, and Beauty me attends:
Juno they say thou gav'st the Graces Life,
Yet they have all forsook thee in this strife,
Though thou to Mars and Vulcan Mother art,
Nor Mars nor Vulcan did their Aid impart;
Though this in Flames, that glory in his Spear,
Yet neither one nor other helpt thee here.
How thou braggd'st too, who from no Mothers wombe
But Jove's cleft Skull, the Birth of Steel, didst come?
In Armour how thy Limbs are drest? how Love
Thou shunn'st, and dost the Toyls of Mars approve?
Alike to Peace and Wedlock opposite.
33
Are much unfit, whom by their Limbs, none well
Whether they Men, or Women be, can tell.
Sad Pallas thus, proud of her Victory,
She flouts, and her, and Juno both puts by,
Whilst she the fatall Prize of Beauty won.
She flouts, and her, and Juno both puts by,
Whilst she the fatall Prize of Beauty won.
Inflam'd with Love, hot in pursuit of one
To him unknown; with inauspicious Fate,
Men skill'd in Architecture, Paris strait
To a dark Wood conducts; where, in a Trice,
Tall Oaks are fell'd by Phereclus Advice,
Of Ills the Author, who before to please
His fond King Ships had built; whilst for the Seas
Paris does Ida change; and on the shore
With frequent Pray'rs, and Sacrifice, implore
His kind Assistant, Queen of Marriage-vows;
Then the broad Back of Hellespontus ploughs.
But sad presaging Omens did appear:
Seas rising to the Skyes, did either Bear
Surround with a dark Ring of Clouds; whilst through
The troubled Air a showring Tempest flew.
With stroaks of active Oars the Ocean swell'd:
And now, the Trojan Shores forsook, he held
His Course for Greece, and born with winged hast,
Ismarus Mouth, and tall Pangæus past.
Then Love-slain Phyllis rising Monument,
And of the Walk which oft she came and went,
The Ninefold Round he saw; there she to mourn
Did use, while her Demophoon's safe Return,
She from Athenian Lands expected: then
Coasting by Thessalies broad Shores, in Kenn
The fair Achaian Cities next appear'd.
Men-breeding Phthia, and Mycene, rear'd
High, and wide built; when the rich Meadows past
Water'd by Erymanthus, He at last
Spies Sparta, lov'd Atrides City, plac'd
Near cleer Eurotas, with rare Beauties grac'd:
Not far from whence, under a shady Wood,
H'admiring saw how sweet Therapnæ stood.
For now but a short Cut he had to sail,
Nor long was heard the dash of Oars: they hale
The Ship to shore, and with strong Haulsers ty'd;
When Paris with cleer water purifi'd,
Upon his Tiptoes lightly treads, for fear
His lovely feet he with the Dust should smear,
Or going hastily, his Hair which flows
Beneath his Hat, the Winds should discompose.
To him unknown; with inauspicious Fate,
Men skill'd in Architecture, Paris strait
To a dark Wood conducts; where, in a Trice,
Tall Oaks are fell'd by Phereclus Advice,
Of Ills the Author, who before to please
His fond King Ships had built; whilst for the Seas
Paris does Ida change; and on the shore
With frequent Pray'rs, and Sacrifice, implore
His kind Assistant, Queen of Marriage-vows;
Then the broad Back of Hellespontus ploughs.
But sad presaging Omens did appear:
Seas rising to the Skyes, did either Bear
Surround with a dark Ring of Clouds; whilst through
The troubled Air a showring Tempest flew.
With stroaks of active Oars the Ocean swell'd:
And now, the Trojan Shores forsook, he held
His Course for Greece, and born with winged hast,
Ismarus Mouth, and tall Pangæus past.
Then Love-slain Phyllis rising Monument,
And of the Walk which oft she came and went,
The Ninefold Round he saw; there she to mourn
Did use, while her Demophoon's safe Return,
She from Athenian Lands expected: then
Coasting by Thessalies broad Shores, in Kenn
The fair Achaian Cities next appear'd.
Men-breeding Phthia, and Mycene, rear'd
High, and wide built; when the rich Meadows past
Water'd by Erymanthus, He at last
Spies Sparta, lov'd Atrides City, plac'd
Near cleer Eurotas, with rare Beauties grac'd:
Not far from whence, under a shady Wood,
H'admiring saw how sweet Therapnæ stood.
For now but a short Cut he had to sail,
Nor long was heard the dash of Oars: they hale
The Ship to shore, and with strong Haulsers ty'd;
When Paris with cleer water purifi'd,
34
His lovely feet he with the Dust should smear,
Or going hastily, his Hair which flows
Beneath his Hat, the Winds should discompose.
By this, the stately Buildings, drawing nigher
He views, the Neighbouring Temples that aspire,
And Cities splendour: where with wondring Eyes
The Statue of their Pallas he espies,
All of pure Gold; from which, his roving sight
Next Hyacinthus Image does invite;
The Boy with whom Apollo us'd to play:
VVhom lest Latona should have rapt away
(Displeas'd with Jove) the Amyclæans fear'd.
Phœbus from envious Zephyre, who appear'd
His Rivall, could not yet secure the Boy:
But Earth t'appease the sad Kings Tears, his Joy,
A Flow'r produc'd; a Flow'r, that doth proclame
Of the once lovely Youth, the still-lov'd Name.
He views, the Neighbouring Temples that aspire,
And Cities splendour: where with wondring Eyes
The Statue of their Pallas he espies,
All of pure Gold; from which, his roving sight
Next Hyacinthus Image does invite;
The Boy with whom Apollo us'd to play:
VVhom lest Latona should have rapt away
(Displeas'd with Jove) the Amyclæans fear'd.
Phœbus from envious Zephyre, who appear'd
His Rivall, could not yet secure the Boy:
But Earth t'appease the sad Kings Tears, his Joy,
A Flow'r produc'd; a Flow'r, that doth proclame
Of the once lovely Youth, the still-lov'd Name.
Now near Atrides Court, before the Gates,
Bright in cælestiall Graces Paris waites.
Not Semele a Youth so lovely bare:
(Your Pardon Bacchus! though Joves Son you are)
Such Beauty did his Looks irradiate.
Bright in cælestiall Graces Paris waites.
Not Semele a Youth so lovely bare:
(Your Pardon Bacchus! though Joves Son you are)
Such Beauty did his Looks irradiate.
But Hellen the Court doors unbolting strait,
VVhen 'fore the Hall the Trojan she had seen
And throughly mark'd, kindly invites him in,
And seats him in a Silver Chair; her Eyes
VVhilst on his Looks she feeds, not satisfies.
First she suppos'd he Venus Son might be,
Yet when his quiver's Shafts she did not see
She knew he was not Love; but by the shine
Of his bright Looks thought him the God of VVine.
At length her VVonder in these VVords did break.
VVhen 'fore the Hall the Trojan she had seen
And throughly mark'd, kindly invites him in,
And seats him in a Silver Chair; her Eyes
VVhilst on his Looks she feeds, not satisfies.
First she suppos'd he Venus Son might be,
Yet when his quiver's Shafts she did not see
She knew he was not Love; but by the shine
Of his bright Looks thought him the God of VVine.
At length her VVonder in these VVords did break.
VVhence art my Guest? thy Stock, thy Country speak;
For Majesty is printed in thy Face:
And yet thou seem'st not of the Argive Race.
Of sandy Pylos sure thou canst not be,
I know Antilochus, but know not thee.
Nor art of Phthia which stout Men doth breed,
I know all Æacus renowned Seed;
The glorious Peleus, and his warlike Son,
Courteous Patroclus, and stout Telamon:
Thus Hellen curious to be satisfi'd,
Questions her Guest; who fairly thus reply'd.
For Majesty is printed in thy Face:
And yet thou seem'st not of the Argive Race.
Of sandy Pylos sure thou canst not be,
I know Antilochus, but know not thee.
Nor art of Phthia which stout Men doth breed,
I know all Æacus renowned Seed;
The glorious Peleus, and his warlike Son,
Courteous Patroclus, and stout Telamon:
Thus Hellen curious to be satisfi'd,
35
If thou of Troy in Phrygia's utmost bound,
By Neptune, and Apollo walled round,
And of a King from Saturn sprung, who there
Now fortunately rules, didst ever hear,
His Son am I; and all within his sway,
To me, as chief next him, subjection pay.
From Dardanus am I descended, he
From Jove; where Gods, immortal though they be
Do oft serve Mortals: who beguirt our Town
Round with a VVall, a VVall that ne'r shall down.
I am great Queen! the Judge of Goddesses,
VVhom though displeas'd, I censur'd, and of these
The lovely Venus Beauty did prefer:
For which, in noble Recompence, by her
Promis'd a VVife, her Sister, Hellen nam'd,
For whom these Troubles I through Seas sustain'd.
Since Venus bids, here let us solemnize
Our Nuptiall Rites; Me nor my Bed despise;
On what is known, insist we need not long.
Thy Spouse from an unwarlike Race is sprung:
Thou all the Græcian Dames dost far outvy,
Beautious thy Looks are, theirs, their Sex belye.
At this she fix'd on Earth her lovely Eyes,
And doubtfull, paws'd a while, at length replies.
By Neptune, and Apollo walled round,
And of a King from Saturn sprung, who there
Now fortunately rules, didst ever hear,
His Son am I; and all within his sway,
To me, as chief next him, subjection pay.
From Dardanus am I descended, he
From Jove; where Gods, immortal though they be
Do oft serve Mortals: who beguirt our Town
Round with a VVall, a VVall that ne'r shall down.
I am great Queen! the Judge of Goddesses,
VVhom though displeas'd, I censur'd, and of these
The lovely Venus Beauty did prefer:
For which, in noble Recompence, by her
Promis'd a VVife, her Sister, Hellen nam'd,
For whom these Troubles I through Seas sustain'd.
Since Venus bids, here let us solemnize
Our Nuptiall Rites; Me nor my Bed despise;
On what is known, insist we need not long.
Thy Spouse from an unwarlike Race is sprung:
Thou all the Græcian Dames dost far outvy,
Beautious thy Looks are, theirs, their Sex belye.
At this she fix'd on Earth her lovely Eyes,
And doubtfull, paws'd a while, at length replies.
Your Wals my Guest! by hands Cælestiall rais'd,
And Pastures, where his Heards Apollo graz'd,
I long to see: to Troy bear me away.
I'l follow thee, and Venus will obey;
Nor, there, will Menelaus anger heed;
Thus Paris, and the beautious Nymph agree'd.
And Pastures, where his Heards Apollo graz'd,
I long to see: to Troy bear me away.
I'l follow thee, and Venus will obey;
Nor, there, will Menelaus anger heed;
Thus Paris, and the beautious Nymph agree'd.
Now Night the ease of Cares, the Day quite spent,
Sleep brought, suspended by the Morns Ascent,
Of Dreams the two Gates opening: this of Horn,
In which the Gods unerring Truths are born.
T'other of Ivory: whence couzening Lies,
And vain Delusions of false Dreams arise.
When from Atrides Hospitable Court
Paris through plough'd Seas Hellen does transport,
And in the gift of Venus proudly joy;
Bearing with speed the Fraight of War to Troy.
Sleep brought, suspended by the Morns Ascent,
Of Dreams the two Gates opening: this of Horn,
In which the Gods unerring Truths are born.
T'other of Ivory: whence couzening Lies,
And vain Delusions of false Dreams arise.
When from Atrides Hospitable Court
Paris through plough'd Seas Hellen does transport,
And in the gift of Venus proudly joy;
Bearing with speed the Fraight of War to Troy.
Hermione, soon as the Morn appears,
To Winds her torn Veyl casting, big with Tears,
Her Loss bewails; and from her Chamber flying,
With grief distraught, thus to her Maids spake, crying.
To Winds her torn Veyl casting, big with Tears,
36
With grief distraught, thus to her Maids spake, crying.
Whither without me is my Mother fled?
Who lay with me last Night in the same Bed?
And with her own hand lockt the Chamber door?
Thus spake she weeping: All the Maids deplore
With her their Mistress absence; yet assay
With these kind Words her Passion to allay.
Who lay with me last Night in the same Bed?
And with her own hand lockt the Chamber door?
Thus spake she weeping: All the Maids deplore
With her their Mistress absence; yet assay
With these kind Words her Passion to allay.
Why dost thou weep sweet Child! thy Mother's gon,
But will return soon as she hears thy Moan.
See how thy Tears have blubber'd thy fair Cheeks!
Much weeping the divinest Beauty breaks.
She 'mongst the Virgins is but gon to play,
And comming back perhaps has miss'd her way:
And in some flowry Medow doubtfull stands;
Or in Eurotas bath'd, sports on his Sands.
But will return soon as she hears thy Moan.
See how thy Tears have blubber'd thy fair Cheeks!
Much weeping the divinest Beauty breaks.
She 'mongst the Virgins is but gon to play,
And comming back perhaps has miss'd her way:
And in some flowry Medow doubtfull stands;
Or in Eurotas bath'd, sports on his Sands.
The weeping Child replyes; the Hill, Brook, Walk,
And Fields she knows; doe not so idly talk:
The Stars doe sleep, yet on cold Rocks she lies;
The Stars awake, and yet she does not rise.
O my dear Mother! where dost thou abide?
Upon what Mountains barren Top reside?
Hath some wild Beast alas! thee wandring slain;
(Yet from Joves Royall Blood wild Beasts refrain)
Or fall'n from some steep Precipice, art layd
An unregarded Corse in some dark shade?
And yet in ev'ry Grove, at ev'ry Tree,
Search have I made, but cannot meet with Thee.
The Woods we blame not then; nor doe profound
Eurotas gentle streams conceal thee drown'd:
For in deep Floods the Naiades doe use,
Nor e'r by them their Lives doe VVomen lose.
And Fields she knows; doe not so idly talk:
The Stars doe sleep, yet on cold Rocks she lies;
The Stars awake, and yet she does not rise.
O my dear Mother! where dost thou abide?
Upon what Mountains barren Top reside?
Hath some wild Beast alas! thee wandring slain;
(Yet from Joves Royall Blood wild Beasts refrain)
Or fall'n from some steep Precipice, art layd
An unregarded Corse in some dark shade?
And yet in ev'ry Grove, at ev'ry Tree,
Search have I made, but cannot meet with Thee.
The Woods we blame not then; nor doe profound
Eurotas gentle streams conceal thee drown'd:
For in deep Floods the Naiades doe use,
Nor e'r by them their Lives doe VVomen lose.
Thus poor Hermione complaining wept,
Then tow'rd her shoulder her head leaning, slept.
(Sleep is Deaths Twin, and as the younger Brother,
In every thing doth imitate the other;
Hence 'tis that VVomen often when they weep,
O'recharg'd with their own sorrows, fall asleep)
VVhen in a Dream, her Mother (as she thought)
Seeing, she cries, vex'd, yet with fear distraught:
From me disconsolate last night you fled,
And left me sleeping in my Fathers Bed.
VVhat Hill, what Mountain have I left untrac'd?
To Venus pleasing Ties mak'st thou such haste?
Then tow'rd her shoulder her head leaning, slept.
(Sleep is Deaths Twin, and as the younger Brother,
In every thing doth imitate the other;
Hence 'tis that VVomen often when they weep,
O'recharg'd with their own sorrows, fall asleep)
VVhen in a Dream, her Mother (as she thought)
Seeing, she cries, vex'd, yet with fear distraught:
From me disconsolate last night you fled,
And left me sleeping in my Fathers Bed.
VVhat Hill, what Mountain have I left untrac'd?
37
To whom fair Tyndaris this Answer made:
Daughter! though griev'd, me yet forbear t'upbraid:
That treacherous Stranger, who the other Day
Came hither, carry'd me by force away.
Thus she: at which out strait Hermione flies.
But finding not her Mother, louder cries;
Daughter! though griev'd, me yet forbear t'upbraid:
That treacherous Stranger, who the other Day
Came hither, carry'd me by force away.
Thus she: at which out strait Hermione flies.
But finding not her Mother, louder cries;
VVing'd Issue of th'Inhabitants of Air,
Ye Birds! to Menelaus strait declare,
One late arriving at the Spartan Port,
Hath rob'd him of the Glory of his Court.
Thus to regardless VVinds did she complain,
Seeking her absent Mother, but in vain.
Mean-time, through Thracian Towns, and Helles strait
Paris arriv'd safe with his beautious Fraight,
VVhen from the Castle, viewing on the shore
A new guest Land, her hair Cassandra tore.
But Troy with open Gates her welcome shows
To the returning Author of her VVoes.
Ye Birds! to Menelaus strait declare,
One late arriving at the Spartan Port,
Hath rob'd him of the Glory of his Court.
Thus to regardless VVinds did she complain,
Seeking her absent Mother, but in vain.
Mean-time, through Thracian Towns, and Helles strait
Paris arriv'd safe with his beautious Fraight,
VVhen from the Castle, viewing on the shore
A new guest Land, her hair Cassandra tore.
But Troy with open Gates her welcome shows
To the returning Author of her VVoes.
FINIS
| The poems and translations of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702) | |