The poems and translations of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702) excluding Seneca and Manilius Introduced and Annotated by F. J. Van Beeck |
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 | MANUSCRIPT POEMS, FRAGMENTS, DRAFTS. |
 | The poems and translations of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702) |  |
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MANUSCRIPT POEMS, FRAGMENTS, DRAFTS.
115
[Lines on Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses]
Time who the Births of All Things brings to Light
Devowres Them likewise with Saturnian Spight.
As if his aged Stomach
To feast it on his own Varieties:
This Boulemie away thy Skill hath tooke,
Disarmd Him of his was[tf]ull Syth, and Hooke.
Devowres Them likewise with Saturnian Spight.
As if his aged Stomach
To feast it on his own Varieties:
This Boulemie away thy Skill hath tooke,
Disarmd Him of his was[tf]ull Syth, and Hooke.
And given us like Another Hercules
The Gold Fruits of Old Brut[es] Hesp[erides.]
Of what high Worth may be that Worke esteemd
Which Works of lost Creations hath redeemd.
Methinks Old Carews Cornewell does appeare
With Burton his Elaborate Leice[s]tershire,
Industrious Dugdales Warwick crownd wth fame,
Grave Thorotons revived Nottingham,
Wrights Rutland and Plotts Oxford with Its Twin
The well-writt Staffordshire; who All begin
To celebrate wth gratefull Eulogies
The Accession of thy learn'd Antiquities,
Which I would too; had I a Lute well-strung
To sound the Places Praise from whence I sprung.
But Phæbus warnes Me, tis in vaine to strive
To play the Poet well at Eighty five.
The Gold Fruits of Old Brut[es] Hesp[erides.]
Of what high Worth may be that Worke esteemd
Which Works of lost Creations hath redeemd.
Methinks Old Carews Cornewell does appeare
With Burton his Elaborate Leice[s]tershire,
Industrious Dugdales Warwick crownd wth fame,
Grave Thorotons revived Nottingham,
Wrights Rutland and Plotts Oxford with Its Twin
The well-writt Staffordshire; who All begin
To celebrate wth gratefull Eulogies
The Accession of thy learn'd Antiquities,
Which I would too; had I a Lute well-strung
To sound the Places Praise from whence I sprung.
But Phæbus warnes Me, tis in vaine to strive
To play the Poet well at Eighty five.
[Fragment I]
[And now the Sun his All oremast'ring Ray]
And now the Sun his All oremast'ring RayWith Luminous Force broke through the yeilding Day.
[So dying Swans in Heliconian Plaines]
So dying Swans in Heliconian PlainesFrom their sweet Throates raise melancholy strains.
116
[Epigram I]
[Well does He give, and let me add, much too]
Well does He give, and let me add, much too,Who his free Guift does with kind looks persue.
[Fragment II]
[In Streams thy Life did close; so in the Maine]
In Streams thy Life did close; so in the MaineStarrs set, yet freshly rise from thence againe;
And so mayst Thou maugre Deaths vaine surprize
From Waters 'bove the Empyræum rise.
[Christ Crucified]
Fond Muse in vaine thou seekst a mourning dresse:Art hath no passion can our greifs expresse.
Sighs wthout meane teares wch no measure know
Come yee; our Plaints in numbers will not flow.
Davids sweet Lyre might play the freindly Theife
And steale from his lov'd Jonathan his greif.
The Noble Prophet mids
Sad Elegies may humane greifs reherse
And common sorrows mourne in measurd Verse,
But never hope in numbers to comprize
A Death wch all Example far out vies.
What sing in neat composures, 'whilst I see
My sacred Lord hang on a cursed Tree?
Ah better I (as greife my Soule doth fill)
Into a flood of endlesse Tears distill
Or teach my Eyes drop blood as he did poure
From his transfixed Limbs a purple showre.
And Thou who readst, mingle thy tears wth mine:
Who ere, if Man, the sad concerne is thine.
Nor blame the Jews alone; all have our shares:
His Deaths dire Cause We gave, the hand was theirs.
Yet if thy Zeale so great a Passion beares
Fond Muse! go, sing the prelude to our tears,
Sing though in Vaine: after my Saviours death
So great a Losse! 'tis none to loose thy Breath.
117
[Epigram II]
[Pardon his Error & forgive his fault]
Pardon his Error & forgive his faultWhose Crime was onely doing what he ought.
[Take Dardan what from dying Dido past.]
Take Dardan what from dying Dido past.The words Thou read'st are Hers; of Hers the last.
So when Fates call. &c.
The Beginning of Virgils Third Booke
Heaven having pleas'd to exterminate in fine
The Asian Realms, and Priams Guiltlesse Line,
Proud Ilium fall'n, Troy fumeing on the Ground,
Exile and Lands Deserted We propound
By Auspice of the Gods to seeke; provide
At old Antandros, under Phrygian Ide
A Fleet and Men to raise; uncertaine yet
Where Fates would steere our Course, where fix our Seat.
The Asian Realms, and Priams Guiltlesse Line,
Proud Ilium fall'n, Troy fumeing on the Ground,
Exile and Lands Deserted We propound
By Auspice of the Gods to seeke; provide
At old Antandros, under Phrygian Ide
A Fleet and Men to raise; uncertaine yet
Where Fates would steere our Course, where fix our Seat.
Summer was hardly yet begun, when straite
Father Anchises bid's Hoyse Sails to Fate.
Then native Shoars (Launching into the Flood)
With Tears I leave, and Feilds where once Troy stood,
Bourn with my Son, and my Associate Traine,
Small, and Great Gods, an Exile through the Main.
Father Anchises bid's Hoyse Sails to Fate.
Then native Shoars (Launching into the Flood)
With Tears I leave, and Feilds where once Troy stood,
Bourn with my Son, and my Associate Traine,
Small, and Great Gods, an Exile through the Main.
A Martial Land (stout Thracians till the Feilds)
To Fierce Lycurgus regal Honours yeilds,
A Hospitable Soyle, & People kind
To Troy While Fortune [fairly] was inclind.
Hither by Fates Malignity I'm driven,
Upon whose crooked shore (as Place was given)
A Town I soon erect, fence with a Line
And give it Name, Æneadæ, from Mine.
Rites to my Dionæan Dame, and Powres
Auspicious to such New Designs as Ours
I pay; and to the Gods Almighty King
On shore a white Bull slay for offering.
By chance Hard by a Tomb there was wch round
Speare-fourging Corneils, and sad Myrtles crownd.
This I approach; and with their Greens whilst I
(Some pull'd) my Altar seek to beautify,
A horrid and scarce able to be told,
A monstrous Miracle, I there behold.
For from the first Sprigg which from thence I tore
Issu'd forthwith black Dropps of bloody Gore.
And stain the Earth: a chilling horrour Shakes
My Limbs, and my cold Blood all frozen makes.
Againe I strive to pull a tender Sprout,
And seek to find the hidden Causes out.
Black Blood strait from this other Branch distilld.
Much mov'd thereat the Nymphs then of the Feild
I venerate; and Mars who Getic Lands
And warlike Thracian Colonies commands
To make the Vision prosperous, Omen vaine.
A Third Time after with more Strength, I straine
(My Knees clapt gainst the Ground) up by the Roote
To pull another verdant Spearlike Shoot.
When from the Tomb (speak shall I or desist?)
A voice I heare, with Sighs & Groans amidst,
Æneas why strivst Thou a Wretch to rend
In Peeces thus: my buried Corps befriend.
Forbeare thy Pious Hands to vilify
By such a Deed; to Thee no Stranger I.
Troy bore Me: nor from those Sprouts flowd the Gore.
Ah fly these cruel Lands: this faithlesse shore,
For I am Polydore: who here ly slaine.
Coverd with Darts, to Trees grown up againe.
With Terrors stupified thus strange & new
My Haire on End stood, my Tongue speechles grew.
To Fierce Lycurgus regal Honours yeilds,
A Hospitable Soyle, & People kind
To Troy While Fortune [fairly] was inclind.
Hither by Fates Malignity I'm driven,
Upon whose crooked shore (as Place was given)
A Town I soon erect, fence with a Line
And give it Name, Æneadæ, from Mine.
Rites to my Dionæan Dame, and Powres
Auspicious to such New Designs as Ours
I pay; and to the Gods Almighty King
118
By chance Hard by a Tomb there was wch round
Speare-fourging Corneils, and sad Myrtles crownd.
This I approach; and with their Greens whilst I
(Some pull'd) my Altar seek to beautify,
A horrid and scarce able to be told,
A monstrous Miracle, I there behold.
For from the first Sprigg which from thence I tore
Issu'd forthwith black Dropps of bloody Gore.
And stain the Earth: a chilling horrour Shakes
My Limbs, and my cold Blood all frozen makes.
Againe I strive to pull a tender Sprout,
And seek to find the hidden Causes out.
Black Blood strait from this other Branch distilld.
Much mov'd thereat the Nymphs then of the Feild
I venerate; and Mars who Getic Lands
And warlike Thracian Colonies commands
To make the Vision prosperous, Omen vaine.
A Third Time after with more Strength, I straine
(My Knees clapt gainst the Ground) up by the Roote
To pull another verdant Spearlike Shoot.
When from the Tomb (speak shall I or desist?)
A voice I heare, with Sighs & Groans amidst,
Æneas why strivst Thou a Wretch to rend
In Peeces thus: my buried Corps befriend.
Forbeare thy Pious Hands to vilify
By such a Deed; to Thee no Stranger I.
Troy bore Me: nor from those Sprouts flowd the Gore.
Ah fly these cruel Lands: this faithlesse shore,
For I am Polydore: who here ly slaine.
Coverd with Darts, to Trees grown up againe.
With Terrors stupified thus strange & new
My Haire on End stood, my Tongue speechles grew.
This Polydore unto the Thracian Court
With a vast Summe of Gold for his support,
By Stealth Unhappy Priam sent, to be
There bredd, when his Dardan Forces He
Saw weaken'd & the Seege close carried on.
The Thracian King who found Troys fortune gon
Following the Greeks and their prevailing Powre
Breaks off All Right, murders young Polydore;
And on the Wealth He brought by force lays hold.
What will not the Sacred hunger of Gold
Force Man to dare? rid of my Terrors, I
Convoke the Noblest of my Company
Chiefly my Father; unto whom I tell
What fatall Prodigies to me befell.
And their Opinions what to doe, demand.
All give their Votes to quitt th'accursed Land.
Fly the polluted Guest-Place, and away.
To Polydore then funeral Rites we pay.
And on his Tomb a Mass of Earth we lay.
Altars to his sad Manes we erect,
With sea-greene Wreaths, and Cypresse Boughs bedeckt
Whilst Ilian Dames with Haires all loose & torne
About Them (as their Country's Custome) mourne.
Bowls of New Milk with sparkling Wine a Flood
Then Powre We forth, and Streams of sacred Blood.
With a vast Summe of Gold for his support,
By Stealth Unhappy Priam sent, to be
There bredd, when his Dardan Forces He
Saw weaken'd & the Seege close carried on.
The Thracian King who found Troys fortune gon
Following the Greeks and their prevailing Powre
Breaks off All Right, murders young Polydore;
And on the Wealth He brought by force lays hold.
What will not the Sacred hunger of Gold
119
Convoke the Noblest of my Company
Chiefly my Father; unto whom I tell
What fatall Prodigies to me befell.
And their Opinions what to doe, demand.
All give their Votes to quitt th'accursed Land.
Fly the polluted Guest-Place, and away.
To Polydore then funeral Rites we pay.
And on his Tomb a Mass of Earth we lay.
Altars to his sad Manes we erect,
With sea-greene Wreaths, and Cypresse Boughs bedeckt
Whilst Ilian Dames with Haires all loose & torne
About Them (as their Country's Custome) mourne.
Bowls of New Milk with sparkling Wine a Flood
Then Powre We forth, and Streams of sacred Blood.
Lastly his Soul downe in his Graves darke Cell
We lay, and lowdly bid the last farewell.
We lay, and lowdly bid the last farewell.
[Now Night befriending; fir'd with Lust and Wine]
Now Night befriending; fir'd with Lust and Wine,
Prepar'd to execute their curst Designe
These Brutish Savages with horrid Cries
Which the Hills eccho to the brasen skies,
(Crownd with green Pinetre[e] Bowghs, and in their Hands
Like Furies waveing each their flameing Brands,
Clasheing their brandishd Swords in rude Essays
As Terror might in All Beholders raise
Much more a lonely Virgins Heart amaze)
Their Course to Atalanta's Grotto bend,
Whose Innocence the favouring Gods befriend;
For from her Cave lookeing as she admires
At th'unknowne Noyse, She sees their blazeing fires.
Prepar'd to execute their curst Designe
These Brutish Savages with horrid Cries
Which the Hills eccho to the brasen skies,
(Crownd with green Pinetre[e] Bowghs, and in their Hands
Like Furies waveing each their flameing Brands,
Clasheing their brandishd Swords in rude Essays
As Terror might in All Beholders raise
Much more a lonely Virgins Heart amaze)
Their Course to Atalanta's Grotto bend,
Whose Innocence the favouring Gods befriend;
For from her Cave lookeing as she admires
At th'unknowne Noyse, She sees their blazeing fires.
The Virgin quickly guest who They should be;
Misdoubting their intended Villany.
Yet nothing daunted does not basely try
Like those by Womanish feares possest, to fly,
But with a nobler Resolution, chose
Not to avoyd the Danger, but oppose.
Her Bow and Shafts then takeing in her Hand
She 'fore the Entry of her Cave doth stand
A Guardian to her selfe and that Amaine.
The bold Youths now came powtring to the Plaine
And fierce Hylæus tossing in the Air
His flareing Pine, In Vaine, in Vaine coy Faire!
Aloud exclaimes, Thou hop'st in Woods to ly
Conceald; or thinkst from our Pursuit to fly.
No know
What prayers &c
Then rushes on.
Misdoubting their intended Villany.
Yet nothing daunted does not basely try
Like those by Womanish feares possest, to fly,
But with a nobler Resolution, chose
Not to avoyd the Danger, but oppose.
Her Bow and Shafts then takeing in her Hand
120
A Guardian to her selfe and that Amaine.
The bold Youths now came powtring to the Plaine
And fierce Hylæus tossing in the Air
His flareing Pine, In Vaine, in Vaine coy Faire!
Aloud exclaimes, Thou hop'st in Woods to ly
Conceald; or thinkst from our Pursuit to fly.
No know
What prayers &c
Then rushes on.
[Haveing past cloudy Nava's rapid Stream]
Haveing past cloudy Nava's rapid Stream,T'admire new Walls of an old Towne I came
Where France late did the Latian Cannae foyle
And poore Troops, yet unwept for, strow the Soyle.
Thence entring pathlesse Forrests on I trace
My way,
No Footsteps seeing of a humane Race.
Leaving dry Densens thirsty Lands, & Those
Of fruitful Sauverne, wch wth sweet Springs flowes.
And Feilds sett out to Sarmate Colonies.
Then see in Belgias Skirts Nimegen rise,
The famous Camp of holy Constantine.
Here Purer Aire and Suns serener shine,
In purple Skies. No close weav'd Bows here skreen
Th'excluded Day by their caliginous Green.
But Sols cleare Beams shew to the freer Ey
Through the Transparent Aire a lucid Skie.
All things so faire, & pleasing e'en compeld
To think 'twas my deare Bourdeaux I beheld.
Aspireing Villa's raisd on pendent Rocks
Hills cloathd wth Vines, and Vallies stoard wth flocks.
All pleasd Me strangely, Nothing yet so well
As the soft glideing Stream of the Moselle.
Haile Flood, the Feilds' Applause! the Plowmans Praise!
For whose sake Cæsar Once vouchsafd to raise
These Belgian Walls: Sweet Flood! in a sweet Ground!
With Bacchus odoriferous Bounty crownd,
Thy green Banks still with gawdy flowres Stuck round.
121
Flowing with downe-prest Waves, yet faileing never.
As a faire Lake thy Glasselike streame is deep.
And as a Brooke thy trembling Windings creep.
Thirst to allay, Thy liquid Waters quaft
No gelid spring affords a sweeter draught.
Thou hast alone All that Spring, Brooke, or Lake
River, or Sea with bivious Tides partake.
Thee falling with a gently flowing Wave
No Wind makes rough, no hid rock makes to rave.
No high rais'd Shores thy winding Course restraine
Nor intercepted Ground thy Water Plaine
Riseing deformes: or takes from thy just Name
The Honour, to make Islands part thy Streame.
Shareing thy Course, when fairly flowing on
And plyd Oars make thy fixt Banks seem to run.
Or when along thy sides the Bargemen goe
And lay their stout Necks to the adverse Tow.
How often wonderst Thou to see Boats run
Up thy streame fast as that drives others downe.
[Of an old Law past Times Repeale, Wee read]
Of an old Law past Times Repeale, Wee readBy Godds, and Mens concordant Votes decreed,
By Parent Natures hand incisd in Gold
And read by Fate-learnd Themis as 'tis told
And wise Prometheus, before crucifyd
On Rocks Caucasian:
[The Best of Elements is Water; Gold]
The Best of Elements is Water; Gold
The Best of Mettles: Which, (as We behold
A Mighty Fire illustrating Night's shade)
Makes Glorious It's Possessors: and as farr
As the Suns Splendour dims by Day each Starr
Does Heaven's deserted Vault invade.
So if Thou hast a Mind to raise
O Muse! of sportful Agons the just Praise
None then the Olympick Games among
The Rest deserves thy noble Song:
Sing then a hymne to mighty Jove
A Theme which the Best Witts approve
T'whome Hierons Hospitable Court & Board
Does Princely Welcome at full Feasts afford.
The Best of Mettles: Which, (as We behold
A Mighty Fire illustrating Night's shade)
Makes Glorious It's Possessors: and as farr
As the Suns Splendour dims by Day each Starr
Does Heaven's deserted Vault invade.
122
O Muse! of sportful Agons the just Praise
None then the Olympick Games among
The Rest deserves thy noble Song:
Sing then a hymne to mighty Jove
A Theme which the Best Witts approve
T'whome Hierons Hospitable Court & Board
Does Princely Welcome at full Feasts afford.
Hieron, who a just Scepter wields
In Fertile Sicilies faire Feilds.
And from the Rest of Mankind bears
The Crowne of [[OMITTED]]ed Vertues which he wears
Well skilld in musicks Artful straines
Such as at Friendly Boards We use to try.
When noble Raptures fill my Braines
Then take thy Dorick Lyre downe from the Pin,
It hangs on: And a well-tund Song begin
In Praise of Pisa and Pherenicus,
If yet the Honour of the Place
Or Courser who there won the Race,
May in thy willing Muse
Now sweet Alacrity infuse
By thinking how the Steed in su[[OMITTED]] prid[[OMITTED]]
Whilst by Alphæus Banks as his Lord bravely rides
He runs to gaining Victory wi[th] unspurr'd Sides.
In Fertile Sicilies faire Feilds.
And from the Rest of Mankind bears
The Crowne of [[OMITTED]]ed Vertues which he wears
Well skilld in musicks Artful straines
Such as at Friendly Boards We use to try.
When noble Raptures fill my Braines
Then take thy Dorick Lyre downe from the Pin,
It hangs on: And a well-tund Song begin
In Praise of Pisa and Pherenicus,
If yet the Honour of the Place
Or Courser who there won the Race,
May in thy willing Muse
Now sweet Alacrity infuse
By thinking how the Steed in su[[OMITTED]] prid[[OMITTED]]
Whilst by Alphæus Banks as his Lord bravely rides
He runs to gaining Victory wi[th] unspurr'd Sides.
[Fragment III]
[So when a Storme is ceast that vext ye Maine]
So when a Storme is ceast that vext ye Maine,
The scarce appeased Waves doe yet retaine
A grudgeing Murmur still, and fainting gales
Loath yet to dye breath in the flagging sayles.
The scarce appeased Waves doe yet retaine
A grudgeing Murmur still, and fainting gales
Loath yet to dye breath in the flagging sayles.
To a bull striveing to obtaine the Mastery
over another and vanquished.
[OMITTED]
over another and vanquished.
Repulst by his stout foe comes grumbling home,
Chafeing to think he should be overcome.
Chafeing to think he should be overcome.
123
[Fragment IV]
['Tis sayd]
'Tis saydWee should by Precepts not Examples live
But here Examples the best Precepts give.
[Epigram III]
[A mouse may rouse a Lyon but that don]
A mouse may rouse a Lyon but that donThere is no tarrying, the mouse must run.
[Fragment V]
[Now sea and Land ye conquering Rebells held]
Now sea and Land ye conquering Rebells held
And have ye rifled Kingdomes wealthy spoyles.
Like haughty victors wth successes sweld;
Not satisfy'd: still their Ambition toyles.
Not satisfy'd? No, were the world their owne.
True; for the world hath bounds, Ambition none.
And have ye rifled Kingdomes wealthy spoyles.
Like haughty victors wth successes sweld;
Not satisfy'd: still their Ambition toyles.
Not satisfy'd? No, were the world their owne.
True; for the world hath bounds, Ambition none.
The wicked Love of Rule, and change of state
Now fires their thoughts. (What will not Rebells dare!)
Their bold Intentions now concealemt hate
And open Acts their hidden thoughts declare.
What! Powre to doe't and yet deferre it still?
No; though 'twas once they would, tis now they will.
Now fires their thoughts. (What will not Rebells dare!)
Their bold Intentions now concealemt hate
And open Acts their hidden thoughts declare.
What! Powre to doe't and yet deferre it still?
No; though 'twas once they would, tis now they will.
Hell to incite them to such black designes,
Wth sence of their dire guilt their soules infests
And to all Ills their jealous thoughts inclines
With feares their hopes distracting; and suggests
There is no meane betwixt their height & fall
They must be great still, or not great at all.
Wth sence of their dire guilt their soules infests
And to all Ills their jealous thoughts inclines
With feares their hopes distracting; and suggests
There is no meane betwixt their height & fall
They must be great still, or not great at all.
[Epigram IV]
[To make the whole entire]
To make the whole entire,Not parts alone, but union Wee require.
124
[Epigram V]
[Then to disswade, when Wee have powre to force]
Then to disswade, when Wee have powre to force,Shewes a remissenes of ye Mind, or worse.
[Epigram VI]
[True Valour hath the qualitie of fire]
True Valour hath the qualitie of fireAnd above all corruption doth aspire.
That will or bee extinguish'd, or consume
And this bee either vanquishd or orecome.
[Men from ye Sea, fish from ye Earth might rise]
Men from ye Sea, fish from ye Earth might rise
And Beasts have their Extraction from ye Skies;
All Creatures by a Strange promiscuous Birth
Alike inhabit every part of Earth.
The same trees still should not the same fruit beare
But change; and every thing grow every where.
For if a proper Seed were not assignd
To all, what certaine Parent could We find:
But since of such each thing is formd; from thence
(As genial Matter gives the difference)
They take their Birth & being. Thus We [see]
All things produc'd from all things cannot bee,
Since every certaine species does Comprise
Within itselfe it's proper Qualities.
And Beasts have their Extraction from ye Skies;
All Creatures by a Strange promiscuous Birth
Alike inhabit every part of Earth.
The same trees still should not the same fruit beare
But change; and every thing grow every where.
For if a proper Seed were not assignd
To all, what certaine Parent could We find:
But since of such each thing is formd; from thence
(As genial Matter gives the difference)
They take their Birth & being. Thus We [see]
All things produc'd from all things cannot bee,
Since every certaine species does Comprise
Within itselfe it's proper Qualities.
Besides; why Roses does the gentle Spring
Produce, Warme Summer, Corne, Grapes Autumne bring?
But that of certaine severall seeds composd
They in their proper Seasons are disclosd,
As them ye kind & gently-fostering Earth
Matures, & brings into a perfect Birth.
Else everything would in a Moment grow
Nor their productions to due Seasons owe.
Nor time or space for their Increase would need
Would they augment from nothing, as from Seed.
Small Infants in a trice would Men become
And Trees at once shoot forth, grow up, & bloome.
Wch sence confutes; for by Degrees We find
Each thing does grow, and growing keeps its kind,
To prove from their owne Matter they augment
And have from thence their Proper Nourishment.
Add unto this that without timely showres
Earth cannot bring forth either fruits or flowres
Nor Creatures if their dayly food desist
Or propagate their kinds, or long subsist.
'Tis better then We severall things surmise
From varied common Principles arise
(As words from letters formd), then to beleive
Any a being can from none receive.
Lastly; why should not Nature Men have made
So bigg; as might on foot through deep seas wade
Levell huge mountaines at a stroake; nor dy
'Till many Ages they had seen go by;
But that to each created thing We find
A just proportiond Matter is assignd?
Produce, Warme Summer, Corne, Grapes Autumne bring?
But that of certaine severall seeds composd
They in their proper Seasons are disclosd,
As them ye kind & gently-fostering Earth
Matures, & brings into a perfect Birth.
Else everything would in a Moment grow
Nor their productions to due Seasons owe.
Nor time or space for their Increase would need
Would they augment from nothing, as from Seed.
125
And Trees at once shoot forth, grow up, & bloome.
Wch sence confutes; for by Degrees We find
Each thing does grow, and growing keeps its kind,
To prove from their owne Matter they augment
And have from thence their Proper Nourishment.
Add unto this that without timely showres
Earth cannot bring forth either fruits or flowres
Nor Creatures if their dayly food desist
Or propagate their kinds, or long subsist.
'Tis better then We severall things surmise
From varied common Principles arise
(As words from letters formd), then to beleive
Any a being can from none receive.
Lastly; why should not Nature Men have made
So bigg; as might on foot through deep seas wade
Levell huge mountaines at a stroake; nor dy
'Till many Ages they had seen go by;
But that to each created thing We find
A just proportiond Matter is assignd?
This for a certaine truth be then decreed
That out of nothing nothing can proceed:
Since what soever Nature does disclose,
To Seminall Matter its Conception owes.
That out of nothing nothing can proceed:
Since what soever Nature does disclose,
To Seminall Matter its Conception owes.
Lastly ground manurd, We see the untilld Plaine
Excells, & Culture betters fruit & Graine.
For Earth does the prime Seeds of things comprize
Which Wee by kindly-quickning Exercise
Plowing the pregnant furrows up, incite
To take a timely Birth & view the light.
Were not this true, th'uncultivated Soyle
Would of itselfe improve without our Toyle.
Excells, & Culture betters fruit & Graine.
For Earth does the prime Seeds of things comprize
Which Wee by kindly-quickning Exercise
Plowing the pregnant furrows up, incite
To take a timely Birth & view the light.
Were not this true, th'uncultivated Soyle
Would of itselfe improve without our Toyle.
Next, Nature to their Elementall States
All things resolves, but none annihilates.
For were there ought whose each part mortall were,
That soon would perish quite, & disappeare,
Nor any force would need yet to constraine
The Dissolution of its naturall chaine.
But since all formd of seed Eternall are
Till accidentall Violence impaire
Their subtle Union & their frames unknit
Nature no Dissolution will admitt.
All things resolves, but none annihilates.
For were there ought whose each part mortall were,
That soon would perish quite, & disappeare,
Nor any force would need yet to constraine
The Dissolution of its naturall chaine.
But since all formd of seed Eternall are
Till accidentall Violence impaire
Their subtle Union & their frames unknit
Nature no Dissolution will admitt.
Besides, if all that's long since past & gone
Have sufferd mere Annihilation,
From whence does Venus unto life againe
All Creatures bring, or Earth wth food sustaine.
Whence doe clear Springs, & forraigne floods supply
The greedy Ocean? how Starrs feeds the Sky?
(For all that's Mortall time must needs decay)
But if from it's first Birth unto this day
The Principles exist of wch what ere
This present Systeme shews created were,
Those sure must be immortal & assert
That into nothing nothing can revert.
In briefe by one & the selfe same Effect,
Did not eternall Matter them connect
Or more or lesse, all things dissolvd might bee,
One single touch inflict Mortalitie,
And ruine Nature; But since different Ties
Of Principles, and Matter that nere dies
Hath each corporeall Substance, that secure,
Till some strong force dissolves it doth endure
Nor when dissolv'd, does unto nothing fall
But the Materiall Principles of All.
126
From whence does Venus unto life againe
All Creatures bring, or Earth wth food sustaine.
Whence doe clear Springs, & forraigne floods supply
The greedy Ocean? how Starrs feeds the Sky?
(For all that's Mortall time must needs decay)
But if from it's first Birth unto this day
The Principles exist of wch what ere
This present Systeme shews created were,
Those sure must be immortal & assert
That into nothing nothing can revert.
In briefe by one & the selfe same Effect,
Did not eternall Matter them connect
Or more or lesse, all things dissolvd might bee,
One single touch inflict Mortalitie,
And ruine Nature; But since different Ties
Of Principles, and Matter that nere dies
Hath each corporeall Substance, that secure,
Till some strong force dissolves it doth endure
Nor when dissolv'd, does unto nothing fall
But the Materiall Principles of All.
So showres wch the great Father of the Sky
Powres into Earths Materiall Bosome die
And seeming perish; yet sweet flowres & fruit
And Trees from thence wth Leavy branches shoot,
Thence food for Man & beast. Thence Towns Wee see
Still florish wth a numerous Progenie.
Thence Woods resound wth birds harmonious Layes
Thence Chattell in the fertile Pastures graze
Stretching their weary Limbs in sweet repose,
Whilst from full Baggs the milky humour flowes.
Thence tender Sucklins in a sportive Way
Cloyd wth the Teat, about the Meadowes play.
Nothing then wholy perishes Wee see
Since Nature by a wise Reficiency
So orders all, that in the Birth of things
One from the Ruine of another springs.
Powres into Earths Materiall Bosome die
And seeming perish; yet sweet flowres & fruit
And Trees from thence wth Leavy branches shoot,
Thence food for Man & beast. Thence Towns Wee see
Still florish wth a numerous Progenie.
Thence Woods resound wth birds harmonious Layes
Thence Chattell in the fertile Pastures graze
Stretching their weary Limbs in sweet repose,
Whilst from full Baggs the milky humour flowes.
Thence tender Sucklins in a sportive Way
Cloyd wth the Teat, about the Meadowes play.
Nothing then wholy perishes Wee see
Since Nature by a wise Reficiency
So orders all, that in the Birth of things
One from the Ruine of another springs.
But since from nothing, Nothing (We assert)
Can come; nor ought thats borne, to nought revert,
Tis fitt, (least thou shouldst doubt that wch I write,
'Cause Atoms cannot be discern'd by Sight)
That Wee in each created Thing declare
What kind of Bodies (though unseene) there are.
Can come; nor ought thats borne, to nought revert,
Tis fitt, (least thou shouldst doubt that wch I write,
'Cause Atoms cannot be discern'd by Sight)
That Wee in each created Thing declare
What kind of Bodies (though unseene) there are.
127
First then, Wind stirrd, to watery Mountains swells
The Seas smooth plane, sinks Ships, & clouds dispells,
Then hurrying through the Feilds, before him strows
Tall trees, makes Hills to tremble, Woods o'rethrows;
Threatning Destruction wth a Rage uncurbd,
Whilst the chaf'd Sea, roars to be so disturbed.
The Seas smooth plane, sinks Ships, & clouds dispells,
Then hurrying through the Feilds, before him strows
Tall trees, makes Hills to tremble, Woods o'rethrows;
Threatning Destruction wth a Rage uncurbd,
Whilst the chaf'd Sea, roars to be so disturbed.
Winds then are unseene Bodies, wch do fly
Through Sea, & Land, & sweep the clouded Skie.
Nor otherwise their Furie Propagate,
Then Waters wch some suddaine showres dilate
Fall tumbling like a torrent from some Hill
And Vallies wth the Spoyles of forrests fill,
Nor can strong bridges their assault abide:
The Rain-swolne Streame wth an impetuous tide
Hurries away what ever does impose
And ruine wth the threatning Deluge flowes;
Such in their fury Winds incenst appeare
And like a deluge all before them beare,
Whilst both their Motion & effects declare
That they Corporeall well as Rivers are.
Next severall Sents we smell, yet I suppose
None ere could see them comeing to his Nose.
Who ere did see the Heate, or freesing cold?
What subtle Eye did ever voice behold?
Yet these are bodies; one sence shews them such
For None but Bodies can be touchd or touch.
To instance further; the same Cloaths hung ny
The shore grow moist, spred to the sun grow dry
Yet how the wett comes thether none perceives
Nor how the Cloths (dispeld by heat) it leaves.
So in the Course of many slideing yeares,
A Ring Wee see by onely wearing, weares.
So drops peirce Marble, so the Plowghs hard share
Does in the feilds through often use impaire.
Nolesse the Stony Pavement in the Street
Wasts wth the frequent touch of trampling feet.
And brazen Statues wch some Gate adorne
By often handling We perceive are worne.
Yet though the Waste be visible the Eye
Can nere what Bodies fleet from them descry.
Next, those things Which a naturall growth acquire
By small degrees insensibly aspire:
And whatsoever does by age decay
As unperceptibly does waste away.
Rocks by the Seas Salt Waves are undermind
Yet how they frett away no Eye can find.
Nature does then whatever she disclose
Of Principles invisible compose.
Yet think not Corporeity alone
All things invests, they doe a Vacuum owne:
Which, if well understood, will usefull bee
Nor suffer thee to doubt the Truth, or mee.
Through Sea, & Land, & sweep the clouded Skie.
Nor otherwise their Furie Propagate,
Then Waters wch some suddaine showres dilate
Fall tumbling like a torrent from some Hill
And Vallies wth the Spoyles of forrests fill,
Nor can strong bridges their assault abide:
The Rain-swolne Streame wth an impetuous tide
Hurries away what ever does impose
And ruine wth the threatning Deluge flowes;
Such in their fury Winds incenst appeare
And like a deluge all before them beare,
Whilst both their Motion & effects declare
That they Corporeall well as Rivers are.
Next severall Sents we smell, yet I suppose
None ere could see them comeing to his Nose.
Who ere did see the Heate, or freesing cold?
What subtle Eye did ever voice behold?
Yet these are bodies; one sence shews them such
For None but Bodies can be touchd or touch.
To instance further; the same Cloaths hung ny
The shore grow moist, spred to the sun grow dry
Yet how the wett comes thether none perceives
Nor how the Cloths (dispeld by heat) it leaves.
So in the Course of many slideing yeares,
A Ring Wee see by onely wearing, weares.
So drops peirce Marble, so the Plowghs hard share
Does in the feilds through often use impaire.
Nolesse the Stony Pavement in the Street
Wasts wth the frequent touch of trampling feet.
And brazen Statues wch some Gate adorne
By often handling We perceive are worne.
Yet though the Waste be visible the Eye
Can nere what Bodies fleet from them descry.
Next, those things Which a naturall growth acquire
By small degrees insensibly aspire:
And whatsoever does by age decay
128
Rocks by the Seas Salt Waves are undermind
Yet how they frett away no Eye can find.
Nature does then whatever she disclose
Of Principles invisible compose.
Yet think not Corporeity alone
All things invests, they doe a Vacuum owne:
Which, if well understood, will usefull bee
Nor suffer thee to doubt the Truth, or mee.
Vacuum is then a void & empty Space
Without wch nothing e're cann shift it's place
For Bodies alwayes Bodies would impede
Nor ever could move forward or recede
Unlesse some yeilding Principle there bee.
But severall things wth much Varietie
Move in the Sea the Earth & Heaven We find
As they by different Reasons are inclin'd.
Which yet if all Vacuity you wave
Nor Motion could nor Generation have:
For Matter if on every side opprest
Must needs lie stifled in unactive rest.
Without wch nothing e're cann shift it's place
For Bodies alwayes Bodies would impede
Nor ever could move forward or recede
Unlesse some yeilding Principle there bee.
But severall things wth much Varietie
Move in the Sea the Earth & Heaven We find
As they by different Reasons are inclin'd.
Which yet if all Vacuity you wave
Nor Motion could nor Generation have:
For Matter if on every side opprest
Must needs lie stifled in unactive rest.
Dense Bodies next & which most solid are
You may perceive yet mix'd wth somthing Rare.
Soft Springs from stony Rocks hard Entrails creep
And hollowe Caves doe liquid Christall weep.
Food in all Creatures when digested flowes
Through every Part; Trees thrive, & fruit disclose;
The Reason 'cause the Sapp does from ye Root
It selfe into the Bole and Branches shoot.
Sounds passe through bard up Gates and Walls of Stone
And freezing Cold does peirce unto the Bone.
Which yet, if there were no Vacuitie
For Corporall Transitions ne're could bee.
Why should some bodies others next outweigh,
Yet in Dimensions not more Large then they?
For if of Wool & lead two balls like full
Of Atoms were, like Lead would weigh the Wool.
But to have Weight, of Atoms is alone
The Property; of Vacuum to have none.
Hence what hath equall Bulk, but lesse of weight
Must more of vacuum needs participate.
And those things wch of equall bignes are
Yet have more weight; must lesse of Vacuum share.
There is then mixt in every thing Wee see
That wch Wee seek, and call Vacuitie.
You may perceive yet mix'd wth somthing Rare.
Soft Springs from stony Rocks hard Entrails creep
And hollowe Caves doe liquid Christall weep.
Food in all Creatures when digested flowes
Through every Part; Trees thrive, & fruit disclose;
The Reason 'cause the Sapp does from ye Root
It selfe into the Bole and Branches shoot.
Sounds passe through bard up Gates and Walls of Stone
And freezing Cold does peirce unto the Bone.
Which yet, if there were no Vacuitie
For Corporall Transitions ne're could bee.
Why should some bodies others next outweigh,
Yet in Dimensions not more Large then they?
For if of Wool & lead two balls like full
Of Atoms were, like Lead would weigh the Wool.
But to have Weight, of Atoms is alone
The Property; of Vacuum to have none.
Hence what hath equall Bulk, but lesse of weight
Must more of vacuum needs participate.
And those things wch of equall bignes are
Yet have more weight; must lesse of Vacuum share.
129
That wch Wee seek, and call Vacuitie.
But here Least from the Truth thou be declind
We must oppose what is by some divin'd.
Waters say they to scaly fishes yeild
A liquid Path; the place they leave still filld
By the uniteing Waves; hence they would prove
That all things may in a full Medium move.
But this is far from Truth; for if no space
The Waters yeilded; How from Place to Place
Could fishes move? and if not move; how then
Could the divided Waters close agen?
All bodies then must either Motion want
Or you in things a mixed Vacuum grant.
We must oppose what is by some divin'd.
Waters say they to scaly fishes yeild
A liquid Path; the place they leave still filld
By the uniteing Waves; hence they would prove
That all things may in a full Medium move.
But this is far from Truth; for if no space
The Waters yeilded; How from Place to Place
Could fishes move? and if not move; how then
Could the divided Waters close agen?
All bodies then must either Motion want
Or you in things a mixed Vacuum grant.
Lastly two Bodies by some suddaine force
Suppose disjoyn'd. The subtle Aire by Course
Must needs fill up the Vacuum thats between
Yet that at once can never enter in,
Since it must needs possesse place after place
And by degrees fill up the empty Space.
Suppose disjoyn'd. The subtle Aire by Course
Must needs fill up the Vacuum thats between
Yet that at once can never enter in,
Since it must needs possesse place after place
And by degrees fill up the empty Space.
But if some think that the condensing Aire
Does in an Instant the void breach repaire,
They erre, for there's a Vacuum first descry'd
Was not before; next thats wth Aire supplyd
Which first was void; not can yet I presume
Aire move itselfe without a Vacuum.
Thus thou (though long disputes may be maintaind)
Wilt to confesse it be at length constrain'd.
Does in an Instant the void breach repaire,
They erre, for there's a Vacuum first descry'd
Was not before; next thats wth Aire supplyd
Which first was void; not can yet I presume
Aire move itselfe without a Vacuum.
Thus thou (though long disputes may be maintaind)
Wilt to confesse it be at length constrain'd.
Much more could I alledge in its Defence
To take from thee all ground of Diffidence
But these small Hints to a sagacious Mind
Sufficient are; the rest they selfe may find.
For as a well-nos'd Hound, if he the Traile
Of some wild Beast discover, will not faile
By that to trace him to his shady Layre
So, one by one will things themselves declare
To thy wise search; through windings of deceit,
Till thou hunt truth out of its darke Retreat.
And this unlesse [by] sloath from thence declin'd
I dare assure thee, thou shalt clearly find
Such Streames of Argument & in such store
My fluent toung from my full brest shall powre
That life I feare would hardly last so long
As I could stretch my Philosophick Song.
To take from thee all ground of Diffidence
But these small Hints to a sagacious Mind
Sufficient are; the rest they selfe may find.
For as a well-nos'd Hound, if he the Traile
Of some wild Beast discover, will not faile
By that to trace him to his shady Layre
So, one by one will things themselves declare
To thy wise search; through windings of deceit,
Till thou hunt truth out of its darke Retreat.
And this unlesse [by] sloath from thence declin'd
I dare assure thee, thou shalt clearly find
Such Streames of Argument & in such store
My fluent toung from my full brest shall powre
That life I feare would hardly last so long
130
But to returne to our intended Race
Nature of these two things, Body and Space
Is (as considerd in itselfe) composd,
The first in the Last moveing, & inclosd.
That there are bodies common Sence does give
Which unlesse We as a prime ground beleive
No hope remaines for reason to assure
The doubting mind in things that are obscure.
And if no Space there bee such as Wee call
A Vacuum bodies could not move at all.
Nor is there any thing thou canst suppose
As a third Nature, or distinct from those.
For what soever is you must confesse
Is either one of these or more or lesse;
This, if it take the least Imagin'd touch
Mongst Bodies must be rankd, & passe for such.
But if untactible, & pervious,
It must be what is Vacuum cald by us.
Besides; what ever is, or acts alone
Or by some media[ting Ac]tion.
Or else is such, as others comprehends,
And place to be, & space to move in, lends;
But none but Bodies act or are imployd
And no thing can lend Place but what is voyd.
Besides those two then, no third Nature e're
By Sence or Reason can be made appeare.
For Whatsoever the whole World presents
Or conjuncts are of these, or the Events.
Conjuncts are such as cannot in their kind
Be wthout Ruine to themselves disjoynd,
As heat from fire; from Streames Wett; Weight from stone
From Bodies touch, from Vacuum to have none.
But those whose Presence or whose Absence brings
No reall Detriment to Naturall things,
As freedome, Servitude, Wealth, Poverty
War, peace and such like; these are wont to bee
And justly, stil'd Events. Such time; wch knowes
No reall being of it selfe; but flowes
From things, on whose mere Notion it depends,
For Present, future, Past, Sence apprehends
From Motion onely & the Rest of things.
Thus when Troys Warr, and Hellens Rape fame sings
Take heed least these so force us say, they owne
A reall being of themselves alone
When they Irrevocably wth the dead
Of whom they were th'Events long since are fledd.
For time no Action ever can present
But must of things or Place be an Event.
In fine were there no Matter nor no space
To lend to things and actions fitting place
Paris close fires, by Helens Beauty rais'd
Into such Hostile flames had never blaz'd.
Nor had the wooden Horse, wth armd Greekes fr[au]ght
Destruction to deceived Ilium brought.
Thus you see plainly that no Actions past
Like Bodies, of themselves subsist or last.
Nor can with Vacuum the same Nature share,
But the Events of Place & Bodies are.
Nature of these two things, Body and Space
Is (as considerd in itselfe) composd,
The first in the Last moveing, & inclosd.
That there are bodies common Sence does give
Which unlesse We as a prime ground beleive
No hope remaines for reason to assure
The doubting mind in things that are obscure.
And if no Space there bee such as Wee call
A Vacuum bodies could not move at all.
Nor is there any thing thou canst suppose
As a third Nature, or distinct from those.
For what soever is you must confesse
Is either one of these or more or lesse;
This, if it take the least Imagin'd touch
Mongst Bodies must be rankd, & passe for such.
But if untactible, & pervious,
It must be what is Vacuum cald by us.
Besides; what ever is, or acts alone
Or by some media[ting Ac]tion.
Or else is such, as others comprehends,
And place to be, & space to move in, lends;
But none but Bodies act or are imployd
And no thing can lend Place but what is voyd.
Besides those two then, no third Nature e're
By Sence or Reason can be made appeare.
For Whatsoever the whole World presents
Or conjuncts are of these, or the Events.
Conjuncts are such as cannot in their kind
Be wthout Ruine to themselves disjoynd,
As heat from fire; from Streames Wett; Weight from stone
From Bodies touch, from Vacuum to have none.
But those whose Presence or whose Absence brings
No reall Detriment to Naturall things,
As freedome, Servitude, Wealth, Poverty
War, peace and such like; these are wont to bee
And justly, stil'd Events. Such time; wch knowes
No reall being of it selfe; but flowes
From things, on whose mere Notion it depends,
For Present, future, Past, Sence apprehends
From Motion onely & the Rest of things.
Thus when Troys Warr, and Hellens Rape fame sings
131
A reall being of themselves alone
When they Irrevocably wth the dead
Of whom they were th'Events long since are fledd.
For time no Action ever can present
But must of things or Place be an Event.
In fine were there no Matter nor no space
To lend to things and actions fitting place
Paris close fires, by Helens Beauty rais'd
Into such Hostile flames had never blaz'd.
Nor had the wooden Horse, wth armd Greekes fr[au]ght
Destruction to deceived Ilium brought.
Thus you see plainly that no Actions past
Like Bodies, of themselves subsist or last.
Nor can with Vacuum the same Nature share,
But the Events of Place & Bodies are.
Now, Bodies partly Principles are found
And partly such as Principles compound.
The first are proofe against all Violence
For their Solidity is their Defence.
Though it seem hardly credible to find
A Body thats so solidly combin'd.
For Thunder through thick Walls & Houses goes,
So Voice & Sounds; Iron in the furnace glowes.
Stones wth excessive Heat in peeces splitt
And gold by fire it's hardnesse doth remitt;
Brasse melts in conquering flames; so heat & cold
Pearce silver; this, when in our hands We hold
A cup wth water fild to Sence is clear:
So far from solid does each thing appeare.
Since Reason yet & Nature wills it so,
Lend thy Attention while I briefly show
That those wch We for Principles declare
Both solid Bodies & eternall are.
And partly such as Principles compound.
The first are proofe against all Violence
For their Solidity is their Defence.
Though it seem hardly credible to find
A Body thats so solidly combin'd.
For Thunder through thick Walls & Houses goes,
So Voice & Sounds; Iron in the furnace glowes.
Stones wth excessive Heat in peeces splitt
And gold by fire it's hardnesse doth remitt;
Brasse melts in conquering flames; so heat & cold
Pearce silver; this, when in our hands We hold
A cup wth water fild to Sence is clear:
So far from solid does each thing appeare.
Since Reason yet & Nature wills it so,
Lend thy Attention while I briefly show
That those wch We for Principles declare
Both solid Bodies & eternall are.
First then since We a twofold Nature find
Of Things unlike, and differing farr in kind,
Body and Space: These of Necessitie
Each of themselves pure, and a part must be.
For where there's Body there no space is knowne
And where Space is there body can be none.
Prime solid Bodies then no doubt there are
Exempt from Vacuum; yet of that a share
There is in all that's generated, found.
Which therefore solid Matter needs must bound.
Nor does it ly in Reason to unfold
How things can in themselves a Vacuum hold
Unlesse it first be granted, there remaine
Somthing that solid is, & does restraine.
Now tis of Matter onely the Designe
In things the subtle Vacuum to confine.
Then Matter form'd of solid Bodies, may
For ever Last though all things else decay.
Of Things unlike, and differing farr in kind,
Body and Space: These of Necessitie
Each of themselves pure, and a part must be.
For where there's Body there no space is knowne
And where Space is there body can be none.
Prime solid Bodies then no doubt there are
Exempt from Vacuum; yet of that a share
There is in all that's generated, found.
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Nor does it ly in Reason to unfold
How things can in themselves a Vacuum hold
Unlesse it first be granted, there remaine
Somthing that solid is, & does restraine.
Now tis of Matter onely the Designe
In things the subtle Vacuum to confine.
Then Matter form'd of solid Bodies, may
For ever Last though all things else decay.
Againe, if no such thing as Space were knowne
All would be solid; Bodies were there none,
All would be Space. But these alternately
By each divided are; nor really
Is their mere void, or solid; there are then
Corporeall Substances that intervene
Whose fulnesse does divide the spacious Voyd.
These by no outward force can be destroyd,
Nor reunited be if once disjoynd,
Nor by what Means soe're their Ruine find.
For without Vacuum how can ought be broke?
Or cut in two, or severd by a Stroke?
Suffer by Moisture, heat, or cold? the Ways
By wch each corruptible thing decayes.
For how much more of Vacuum all things share
So much more subject to corrupt they are.
Prime Solid Bodies then from Vacuum free
Can nere decay; but must eternall be.
And were there no such Matter unto nought
What ever is would have long since been brought
Or had from thence its birth; yet both wch, mov'd
By Reasons dictate, We before disprov'd.
There must be then prime Bodies free from waste
That all things into them resolv'd, atlast
May new supplies againe of Matter Raise
For Nature to repaire her old Decayes.
The seeds & Principles of things are pure
And solid Bodies then, that will endure
Through all times changes; without wch No ground
For Natures Reparation can be found.
All would be solid; Bodies were there none,
All would be Space. But these alternately
By each divided are; nor really
Is their mere void, or solid; there are then
Corporeall Substances that intervene
Whose fulnesse does divide the spacious Voyd.
These by no outward force can be destroyd,
Nor reunited be if once disjoynd,
Nor by what Means soe're their Ruine find.
For without Vacuum how can ought be broke?
Or cut in two, or severd by a Stroke?
Suffer by Moisture, heat, or cold? the Ways
By wch each corruptible thing decayes.
For how much more of Vacuum all things share
So much more subject to corrupt they are.
Prime Solid Bodies then from Vacuum free
Can nere decay; but must eternall be.
And were there no such Matter unto nought
What ever is would have long since been brought
Or had from thence its birth; yet both wch, mov'd
By Reasons dictate, We before disprov'd.
There must be then prime Bodies free from waste
That all things into them resolv'd, atlast
May new supplies againe of Matter Raise
For Nature to repaire her old Decayes.
The seeds & Principles of things are pure
And solid Bodies then, that will endure
Through all times changes; without wch No ground
For Natures Reparation can be found.
Lastly if Nature had not sett an End
How far corporeall fractions should extend,
Foregoing times had minc'd all Matter so
That nought thence form'd to perfect Age could grow.
For all Things sooner We dissolv'd behold
Then recompos'd: what therefore dayes of old
Diminishd have; and time Successively
Continues still t'impaire, that these can be
Renewd againe; Experience tells us yet
There is a bound to Diminution sett,
Since every thing repaird againe We find
And time t'acquire their Perfect growth assign'd.
How far corporeall fractions should extend,
Foregoing times had minc'd all Matter so
That nought thence form'd to perfect Age could grow.
133
Then recompos'd: what therefore dayes of old
Diminishd have; and time Successively
Continues still t'impaire, that these can be
Renewd againe; Experience tells us yet
There is a bound to Diminution sett,
Since every thing repaird againe We find
And time t'acquire their Perfect growth assign'd.
Next, though most solid bodies We declare
The Principles of Matter; Things that are
Composd of them may yet be mollified
(As Earth, Aire, Vapours, Streams that gently glide)
Because there is an Intermixture found
Of Vacuum in what ever they compound.
The Principles of Matter; Things that are
Composd of them may yet be mollified
(As Earth, Aire, Vapours, Streams that gently glide)
Because there is an Intermixture found
Of Vacuum in what ever they compound.
But if soft Principles did all things frame
No Cause can be assign'd whence Metalls came
And harder Flints: For Nature need must bee
Without a Ground-Worke of Soliditie.
No Cause can be assign'd whence Metalls came
And harder Flints: For Nature need must bee
Without a Ground-Worke of Soliditie.
Pure solid Bodies then there are, from whence
Things Strength & Substance take, as they condense.
Since Nature then to All hath sett an End
How far their growth shall & their Lives extend
Orderd what can be firm what not; the frame
Of Things unchang'd is, Substance still the same
(As in ye Plumes of Birds of the same kind
Where Spotts though various yet still like We find.)
The Ground of Matter likewise must be needs
Immutable, for and the simple Seeds
Of Things be chang'd, none could for certaine kn[ow]
What may be borne, what not; nor Reason show
Why to strict Limits Matter hath confin[d]
The Powr's of things, & their fixd bounds assignd.
Why severall Creatures should from Race to Race,
Retaine Their Parents Motions, Manners, face.
Things Strength & Substance take, as they condense.
Since Nature then to All hath sett an End
How far their growth shall & their Lives extend
Orderd what can be firm what not; the frame
Of Things unchang'd is, Substance still the same
(As in ye Plumes of Birds of the same kind
Where Spotts though various yet still like We find.)
The Ground of Matter likewise must be needs
Immutable, for and the simple Seeds
Of Things be chang'd, none could for certaine kn[ow]
What may be borne, what not; nor Reason show
Why to strict Limits Matter hath confin[d]
The Powr's of things, & their fixd bounds assignd.
Why severall Creatures should from Race to Race,
Retaine Their Parents Motions, Manners, face.
Now that each bodies extreme Summit flies
The Test of Sence & our dim-sighted Eyes
Tis 'cause its Nature does no Parts containe
But indivisible does still remaine
It selfe of others the first Part & Last.
Thence (by condensing into order cast)
Other like Parts doe bodies consummate
Which since they never can as seperate,
And by themselves, subsist, they must of force
So closely cleave that nought can them divorce.
Prime bodies then of simple solidnes
Consist: whose minute Parts to Union presse
By no strange concourse cimented; but by
Their owne innate perfect Simplicity
Whose Diminution Nature, that intends
Them for her Seminall Reserve, defends.
The Test of Sence & our dim-sighted Eyes
Tis 'cause its Nature does no Parts containe
But indivisible does still remaine
It selfe of others the first Part & Last.
Thence (by condensing into order cast)
Other like Parts doe bodies consummate
Which since they never can as seperate,
And by themselves, subsist, they must of force
134
Prime bodies then of simple solidnes
Consist: whose minute Parts to Union presse
By no strange concourse cimented; but by
Their owne innate perfect Simplicity
Whose Diminution Nature, that intends
Them for her Seminall Reserve, defends.
Next, were there nothing least: each bodie might
Though ne're so small have Parts yet Infinite
For say the halfe from any thing were tane
That halfe yet into halfe may part againe
By endlesse Sections; what Difference
Betwixt the least things then & most immense,
If as the greatest Quantities possesse
Infinite Parts; the smallest doe no lesse?
Though ne're so small have Parts yet Infinite
For say the halfe from any thing were tane
That halfe yet into halfe may part againe
By endlesse Sections; what Difference
Betwixt the least things then & most immense,
If as the greatest Quantities possesse
Infinite Parts; the smallest doe no lesse?
But since 'gainst this even Reasons selfe protests
Nor can it gaine beleife in knowing Breasts
Convicted Judgemts must confese there are
Minutest Bodies wch no Parts doe share
Whose Substance No Division can undoe
And therefore solid & eternall too.
Lastly if Nature wch does all things frame
Into least Parts did not resolve the same
Their Diminutions she could nere repaire,
For Things wch of no Parts composed are
Must want the various ties, the Motion, Weight
Which geniall Matter does participate.
If to corporeall Fractions then be sett
No bound; there must in things be bodies yet
Which from Eternity have still remain'd
Nor any Damage hetherto sustain'd.
But if a perishing fragility
Attends their Nature; they could never be
From everlasting; but must needs have faild
By times continuall Batteries assaild.
Nor can it gaine beleife in knowing Breasts
Convicted Judgemts must confese there are
Minutest Bodies wch no Parts doe share
Whose Substance No Division can undoe
And therefore solid & eternall too.
Lastly if Nature wch does all things frame
Into least Parts did not resolve the same
Their Diminutions she could nere repaire,
For Things wch of no Parts composed are
Must want the various ties, the Motion, Weight
Which geniall Matter does participate.
If to corporeall Fractions then be sett
No bound; there must in things be bodies yet
Which from Eternity have still remain'd
Nor any Damage hetherto sustain'd.
But if a perishing fragility
Attends their Nature; they could never be
From everlasting; but must needs have faild
By times continuall Batteries assaild.
Farr then from Truth & Reason they retire
Who draw the generall Birth of things from fire:
Of wch alone they dreame the World consists.
In whose defense the first that takes the Lists
Is Heraclitus, more esteemd among
The vainer Grecians for his obscure toung
Then valued by the Wise; who seeks not Words
But Matter wch unclouded Truth affords.
For the Unwise those things still magnify
Which shrowded under darke Expressions ly
And think all's Truth wch a faire Varnish bears
Or wth a pleasing Sound affects the Ears.
But what mongst things could such a difference breed
If all did from meere fire alone procede?
For 'tis all one whether condens'd it bee
Or rarifyd if still the Parts agree
In Nature wth the whole: wch more or lesse
But differs by their Want or their Excesse.
Beyond wch Nothing you can ere suppose
To come from such a Cause; wch can disclose
(Should they allow what yet their Schoole rejects
A Vacuum,) no such various Effects.
But these wth Contradictions meeting, yet
Still Loath in things a Vacuum to admitt
Whilst they endeavour wholly to eschue
A Path thats difficult, they leave the true.
Nor see they yet whilst they a Vacuum shun
That all must needs condense & be made One.
Whence nothing ever can transmitted bee
As heat, & Light & smoke from fire, We see,
Whose freer Nature does Restraint detest
Nor can subsist of parts together prest.
Who draw the generall Birth of things from fire:
Of wch alone they dreame the World consists.
In whose defense the first that takes the Lists
Is Heraclitus, more esteemd among
The vainer Grecians for his obscure toung
Then valued by the Wise; who seeks not Words
But Matter wch unclouded Truth affords.
135
Which shrowded under darke Expressions ly
And think all's Truth wch a faire Varnish bears
Or wth a pleasing Sound affects the Ears.
But what mongst things could such a difference breed
If all did from meere fire alone procede?
For 'tis all one whether condens'd it bee
Or rarifyd if still the Parts agree
In Nature wth the whole: wch more or lesse
But differs by their Want or their Excesse.
Beyond wch Nothing you can ere suppose
To come from such a Cause; wch can disclose
(Should they allow what yet their Schoole rejects
A Vacuum,) no such various Effects.
But these wth Contradictions meeting, yet
Still Loath in things a Vacuum to admitt
Whilst they endeavour wholly to eschue
A Path thats difficult, they leave the true.
Nor see they yet whilst they a Vacuum shun
That all must needs condense & be made One.
Whence nothing ever can transmitted bee
As heat, & Light & smoke from fire, We see,
Whose freer Nature does Restraint detest
Nor can subsist of parts together prest.
But if some think fire by admistion leaves
It's proper Body & a new receives,
This in the least part granted; wholly brings
All fire to nothing, & from thence All things.
For what transform'd it's naturall bounds doth passe
Is strait the death of what before it was.
Somthing must therefore needs remaine entire
Least all to Nothing be reduc'd wth fire
And Things not from their Causes be reviv'd
But from a meere Non Entity deriv'd.
It's proper Body & a new receives,
This in the least part granted; wholly brings
All fire to nothing, & from thence All things.
For what transform'd it's naturall bounds doth passe
Is strait the death of what before it was.
Somthing must therefore needs remaine entire
Least all to Nothing be reduc'd wth fire
And Things not from their Causes be reviv'd
But from a meere Non Entity deriv'd.
Since therefore certaine Bodies do remaine
Which one & the same Nature still retaine
Whose presence, Absence, & chang'd order, brings
A changed Nature to compounded things
Tis cleere these Principles cannot be fire,
For though some should be present some retire,
Or changd or added be twere yet in vaine
If all a fiery quality retaine,
Wch save it's like can nothing else create.
Which one & the same Nature still retaine
Whose presence, Absence, & chang'd order, brings
A changed Nature to compounded things
Tis cleere these Principles cannot be fire,
For though some should be present some retire,
Or changd or added be twere yet in vaine
If all a fiery quality retaine,
Wch save it's like can nothing else create.
136
But thus it seems if I the Truth may state
Bodies there are whose Concourse Motion Site
Figure & order fiery Births excite,
Their Nature by their change diversify'd,
By no Resemblance yet to fire ally'd
Nor ought that bodies unto Sence subjects
Or what (to it applyd) the Truth detects.
But to affirme Fire is each thing thats knowne
And nothing reall but itselfe alone
Is an Opinion farr from Reason held
And as it fights 'gainst Sense by Sense refeld;
By wch the Nature of each thing is learnd
And fire itselfe by this Wise Greek discernd.
Of wch the judge he makes his Sence & Eyes
And yet their Test in things as cleare denies.
Which, more then folly, Madnesse seems to Mee;
For to know truth from falshood can their be
A Rule then Sence more certaine? why againe
Do some to heate alone all things restraine
As their chief Cause; yet that to fire deny
Since either equall folly seems t'imply.
Who then to fire alone ascribes the Cause
Of this Worlds various fabrick, or who draws
The solid Masse of things from subtle Aire
Or think that water does all formes prepare
Or that
Bodies there are whose Concourse Motion Site
Figure & order fiery Births excite,
Their Nature by their change diversify'd,
By no Resemblance yet to fire ally'd
Nor ought that bodies unto Sence subjects
Or what (to it applyd) the Truth detects.
But to affirme Fire is each thing thats knowne
And nothing reall but itselfe alone
Is an Opinion farr from Reason held
And as it fights 'gainst Sense by Sense refeld;
By wch the Nature of each thing is learnd
And fire itselfe by this Wise Greek discernd.
Of wch the judge he makes his Sence & Eyes
And yet their Test in things as cleare denies.
Which, more then folly, Madnesse seems to Mee;
For to know truth from falshood can their be
A Rule then Sence more certaine? why againe
Do some to heate alone all things restraine
As their chief Cause; yet that to fire deny
Since either equall folly seems t'imply.
Who then to fire alone ascribes the Cause
Of this Worlds various fabrick, or who draws
The solid Masse of things from subtle Aire
Or think that water does all formes prepare
Or that
[Lines on the Death of Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, shot at Colchester on 28 August, 1648]
Here lies a Lucas and a LisleGlory and shame of this our Isle.
The first in their brave Lives, all knew
The last in their sad deaths, was true.
(Though to their Murd'rers what was shame
Bee unto them eternall Fame.)
Whome since Heaven saw they knew so well
To guard an Earthly Cittadell,
Advanct to the Celestiall Towres
137
That to distrest Mortalitie
They now might Guardian Angells bee.
[Lines on Ovids Heroical Epistles]
Penelopes chast Love, kind Phillis wrong,Sad Briseis suite, and Phædra's Lustfull fire,
The mild Oenones playnts, and praiers among,
And Lemnian Queenes distracted Love and Ire,
The Lybian Dido's sad and swanlike song,
And greife, and Love of desperate Deianire,
Lost Ariadnes ruthfull Moanes and cries,
Th'incestuous Act of the Æolian paire,
The sighes, teares, threates did from Medea rise,
And Loyall Laodamias irksome care,
What pious Hypermnestra did devise,
The Phrygian guest, and beautious Greeke did dare,
The streame-divided Lovers mutual flame,
Acontius snare, Cydippus heedles vowe,
And th'amourous suite of the Learnd Lesbian Dame,
In Latian numbers that divinely flowe
The soft-sould Ovid ear'st indear'd to fame.
| The poems and translations of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702) | |