 | Collected Poems of Thomas Parnell |  |
344
Poems from the “Satires” Notebook
A Letter to a friend. On poets Satyr 1st
Poets are bound by ye severest rules,the great ones must be mad, ye little all are fools,
thus wn. I rime 'tis at my own expence,
to please my friend, I drop my claim to sence.
but now ye greater sway wch custome bears,
to forfeit souls in oaths, or sence in verse?
the using of an ill has so much power,
stamp it a fashion, & its ill no more.
since then ye humour so extremely reigns,
that ye gay folly every brest unbends,
let me beneath ye common shadow hide
the fault's not mine thats all ye worlds beside.
say then if passion, discontent, or ease
sho'd e're your friend wth poetry possess,
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to draw in cullies to their loosing game,
how may I know yepath I ought to tread,
for 'tis in all mens natures to succeed
some one way more than any else beside.
fancy the reigning planet of yer. mind
guides poets, & like her they're unconfin'd;
a bounded genius will attempt to prove,
the stings of satyr, & ye flames of love,
Jear folly, virtue by example praise,
& move our passions & or. language raise
happy one way but one he'l scorn to chuse
so much or. wilder hopes our parts abuse.
Durfy more luckily employs his quill
weak as he is he knows his talent still.
Wn C---r taught how plays debaucht ye age
he left to V---ke to defend the stage,
in rufull ballad humbly pleas'd to rage.
how great & undisturb'd by censuring foes
might eithers fame beneath thier wreaths repose
had B---l nere written verse nor C---ve prose.
B---r in Epicks may be still inspir'd,
by men of sence approv'd by all ye rest admir'd
let him of Williams thickned lawrells sing
while for himself from every page they spring
& that shall crowne ye poet wch adorns ye King
but nere to tread in scandalls rougher ways
again depart ye peacefull realms of praise.
we read his satyr & his wit allow,
we read & own the blended malice too.
but oft his muse shows an unpointed tooth
Wn. a just turn of verse don't raise ye illnaturd truth
low puns for wit his lines do often fill
& oft he rambles in too loose a stile;
the biting satyr fights in closer file.
laborious T---te has many methods try'd,
to know wt. happy way he may succeed,
A play or two employ'd his hopes at first,
far from ye best, a little from ye worst,
then bits of foreign poets to or. tongue,
more happily he brought, more sweetly sung,
flush'd with success, he rises up from hence,
to rescue David at his own expence.
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in spight of all their touches wants to please
turn up its eys & alter all its dress
the auction piece a flowing glory wears,
& where the syren fail'd; ye saint appears.
Now I, who proudly authors thus arraign,
am, may be, envious thought, & may be vain,
but if my lines can gain one friends esteem,
or my diversion be, 'tis all my aim,
I never bid perhaps nere shall for fame.
Nay sho'd I find my censures too severe,
Ide in my changing prove my temper fair,
and see with joy an error disappear;
let Dennis rules for writing well lay downe,
believe wt he prescribes his play has done,
a preface write to shew he dos not faile,
Till Hypers to himself ye fop reveale.
On Dr. Brown's death.
[1.]
Alas will nothing do,Nothing arrest the arm of Death
Must learning, sence, nay virtue too,
Must these or. real blessings go
like all things else beneath?
Must these best guifts while here yey shine
Like ye great Stagyrites stars in solid spheres
A common power wth. worthless meteors share
To guild the orbs they're in?
Yes now we find it so since he is gone
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T'adorn an age, a second Sodom save
but not himself from the devouring grave
He's gone & that prodigious store
Of piety wch. here he bore
Sat on him onely like the Summers pride
Which crown'd ye ancients victims 'ere they dy'd
2.
He's gon far far on highBorn on ye wings of virtue to his skye
for sure this world was lesse yn. t'other, his,
So much he courted that, so little this,
Besides had he been hers ye earth had mourn'd his loss
In dreadfull heavings & unwonted flows
But silently he stole away
Like some celestial ray
Wch. plays awhile upon ye wings of day
Then soft retiring off ye Air
Do's without troubling nature disappear.
3.
Sure (but avert ye omen fate)Sure a decay of learning's state,
Is now just now a pressing on
Wn. thus her great good pillar tumbles down
Wn. the light's gone wch. show'd us to advance
Thro ye Ægyptian night of ignorance
For why, why mayn't we fear
'Twill ye same course wth. nature run?
Wch. when ye generall dissolution's near,
Shall see a genuine night Ecclypse her sun.
How well, how too too well does death,
The cause of ignorance maintain,
Robbing her rivalls leader of his breath,
To fix his Tyrant sisters reign.
How too, too well he mocks or. blooming joys
& him & all or. hopes destroys
Him of the tree of life depriving thus
& of the tree of knowledge us
Thus have his arms disabled at a blow
Both learnings Monarch & its empire too
Just so ye Epick muse indites
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Nor longer toyles she ore her pageant fights
The work is ended wn. an Heroe dyes.
4.
Curst be the Hour, ye Day, ye Year,Curst ye disease that ravish'd hence or. seer,
Whose sacrilegious dart cou'd show,
That one so good was not immortall too;
Yet wt. alas can this avail?
Why all this mad distemper'd Zeal
As wt it did were the effects of chance,
& not of providence.
No the impatient heavens thought long to want
In their blest choirs so true a saint,
And sent a ministring sickness from above,
his earthy fetters to remove.
It came ye call he knew,
& streight obey'd & streight wthdrew,
Loos'd from ye chains of flesh his freer mind
Rose up to sacred love,
To perfect saint or seraphim refin'd,
Quitting his lump of clay,
As subtle spirits fume away
Loos'd from their earth they upward mount, they flye,
They light, they shine, & blaze along the skye.
349
2 To T:--- M.---y. on Law Satyr
Health & advice an old acquaintance sends,
Health & advice, the wish & debt of friends,
Tis fitt I teach the templar how to thrive,
Who teaches me with temperance to live.
Be still then murmuring Clients for a while,
Ye noisy four Court walls awhile be still,
Splitt with hard banter, & the Lawyers tongue,
Now Give a gentler Eccho to my song.
Of Law I sing, inspire my weaker pen,
Lost Suits, & pleaders little usd to gain.
Health & advice, the wish & debt of friends,
Tis fitt I teach the templar how to thrive,
Who teaches me with temperance to live.
Be still then murmuring Clients for a while,
Ye noisy four Court walls awhile be still,
Splitt with hard banter, & the Lawyers tongue,
Now Give a gentler Eccho to my song.
Of Law I sing, inspire my weaker pen,
Lost Suits, & pleaders little usd to gain.
That angry Justice to her heaven went
There seems not so confessd an argument,
As Lawyers thriving in her name below,
When were she here again, again she'd go.
Thus courtiers, if a Kings from care wthdrawn,
Rise without meritt, & with fraud rule on.
There seems not so confessd an argument,
As Lawyers thriving in her name below,
When were she here again, again she'd go.
Thus courtiers, if a Kings from care wthdrawn,
Rise without meritt, & with fraud rule on.
All Law was conscience once, unmixd wth tricks,
Found out by interest, or for politicks:
To his award each happy village stands,
Whose awfull virtue most respect commands,
Nor bribes, nor favour swayd the rigid man,
But all his acts in golden order ran;
Till love of gain, or fame, found out ye croud,
& rose by seeming good, above the good.
From this gross error to relieve their lands
Projecting patriots gave their helping hands:
Then Laws were putt in writing, courts were reard,
& Men for forehead, & strong lungs preferrd,
A friend or whore became a heightning clause,
& mony grew the meritt of the cause.
Found out by interest, or for politicks:
To his award each happy village stands,
Whose awfull virtue most respect commands,
Nor bribes, nor favour swayd the rigid man,
But all his acts in golden order ran;
Till love of gain, or fame, found out ye croud,
& rose by seeming good, above the good.
From this gross error to relieve their lands
Projecting patriots gave their helping hands:
Then Laws were putt in writing, courts were reard,
& Men for forehead, & strong lungs preferrd,
A friend or whore became a heightning clause,
& mony grew the meritt of the cause.
Woud you be taught your paths of gain to tread,
But man wants little teaching to be bad,
Gett impudence, each nation has its share,
Or something which does wondrous like appear,
Scotch confidence, the vanity of France,
The surly English air, the Irish ignorance,
All stand for this, or up to this advance.
Letts hear the other side, the Judge commands,
& Tully rises with his brief in hand,
Tully so known, so little heard of late,
But bauling Matho wont give over yet,
Forbid & shameless still he quotes ye lawes
Till want of time & his unceasing noise,
Staves of a Judgement or obtains the cause.
Thus what the first of every term he gaines,
So great a family so well maintaines.
Poor modesty, as old records declare,
Was starvd to death behind the foremost barr.
Have many words, nor spare ye breath you sell,
Your Clients pleasd you labour, tho' you fail;
Hence fluent Nevolus his great success,
Smoothly he utters, finds his words with ease,
his reasons places in the clearest light,
& pleads with humour, where he has not right.
Livy, whose country talks upon his words,
Shows reason, reason if the cause affords,
& by his happy fault of speaking long
Makes some believe he shows it in ye wrong.
Your terms are too of wondrous consequence,
To dazzle ignorance, & puzzle sence.
& many private tricks besides are known,
Which practise finds, or custom has sett down.
Young Brutus, who so quickly came in play,
To gainfull fame found this effectuall way,
In formâ pauperis much he undertook,
As men who fish take worm upon ye hook,
& to be often heard, for nothing often spoke.
With this last rule I close my whole advice,
Take all you can, he looses who deny's,
Who by one side is usd may honest be,
But he is rich who takes of both his fee.
& least you want a story of your art,
Hear how began this double-dealing part.
But man wants little teaching to be bad,
Gett impudence, each nation has its share,
Or something which does wondrous like appear,
Scotch confidence, the vanity of France,
The surly English air, the Irish ignorance,
All stand for this, or up to this advance.
Letts hear the other side, the Judge commands,
& Tully rises with his brief in hand,
Tully so known, so little heard of late,
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Forbid & shameless still he quotes ye lawes
Till want of time & his unceasing noise,
Staves of a Judgement or obtains the cause.
Thus what the first of every term he gaines,
So great a family so well maintaines.
Poor modesty, as old records declare,
Was starvd to death behind the foremost barr.
Have many words, nor spare ye breath you sell,
Your Clients pleasd you labour, tho' you fail;
Hence fluent Nevolus his great success,
Smoothly he utters, finds his words with ease,
his reasons places in the clearest light,
& pleads with humour, where he has not right.
Livy, whose country talks upon his words,
Shows reason, reason if the cause affords,
& by his happy fault of speaking long
Makes some believe he shows it in ye wrong.
Your terms are too of wondrous consequence,
To dazzle ignorance, & puzzle sence.
& many private tricks besides are known,
Which practise finds, or custom has sett down.
Young Brutus, who so quickly came in play,
To gainfull fame found this effectuall way,
In formâ pauperis much he undertook,
As men who fish take worm upon ye hook,
& to be often heard, for nothing often spoke.
With this last rule I close my whole advice,
Take all you can, he looses who deny's,
Who by one side is usd may honest be,
But he is rich who takes of both his fee.
& least you want a story of your art,
Hear how began this double-dealing part.
In times of yore, & Æsops vocall grove,
When fingers talkd of something else then Love,
The hands fell out, the plaintiff, left maintaind,
The right in all things tho unjustly reignd.
Then this her plea, that had her answer heard,
This brought deponents, that Cross bills preferrd.
After a Long debate to make them pay,
(for you as well may hope to gett away,
for nought, as allmost nought) the Judges say,
What ere the world in other things intends,
To shew how much we wish relations friends,
As often as we can, the court decrees,
To use you both alike in taking fees
When fingers talkd of something else then Love,
The hands fell out, the plaintiff, left maintaind,
The right in all things tho unjustly reignd.
Then this her plea, that had her answer heard,
This brought deponents, that Cross bills preferrd.
After a Long debate to make them pay,
(for you as well may hope to gett away,
for nought, as allmost nought) the Judges say,
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To shew how much we wish relations friends,
As often as we can, the court decrees,
To use you both alike in taking fees
On The Trust.
Think England what it is to shake,
& better use your King,
His power raisd the frozen snake,
& Must he when he hears it speak,
find how the tongue can sting?
& better use your King,
His power raisd the frozen snake,
& Must he when he hears it speak,
find how the tongue can sting?
Trustees you make in long debates,
Which he is forcd to give;
While by your trust the rebell getts,
The subject looses bought estates,
& the oppressors live.
Which he is forcd to give;
While by your trust the rebell getts,
The subject looses bought estates,
& the oppressors live.
Pitty us heaven, & lend your aid,
Anothers intrest sett us free,
& now it gives us slavery,
Thus weakness is a property,
& Greatness still obeyd.
Anothers intrest sett us free,
& now it gives us slavery,
Thus weakness is a property,
& Greatness still obeyd.
The men whose heavy arms we feel
By Politicks are good or ill,
Deceiving, or deceivd;
Their law is founded on their will,
& our's by that inslavd.
By Politicks are good or ill,
Deceiving, or deceivd;
Their law is founded on their will,
& our's by that inslavd.
Against their princes acts they rise,
& in their princes name;
The sly intreaguing factions choice,
& erring patriots shame.
So Dunghill foggs by fiery rays
To saucy empire scale,
Obscure the royall planetts face,
With pride supply a lofty place,
& with out pitty fall.
& in their princes name;
The sly intreaguing factions choice,
& erring patriots shame.
So Dunghill foggs by fiery rays
To saucy empire scale,
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With pride supply a lofty place,
& with out pitty fall.
A Divine Pastorall.
Strephon & I upon a bank were laid,
Where the gay spring in varied colours playd,
& her rich odours lavish nature shed.
When thus the Youth, while this we wondring view
Can we but wonder at its maker too,
Amintas, if I know him, did not use
Shoud such a subject call, to want a muse,
Oh sing the great, the wise creating powr,
While silent I admire, & in your words adore.
Then I, for long before the thought was mine,
Did thus to meet the good demand begin.
Where the gay spring in varied colours playd,
& her rich odours lavish nature shed.
When thus the Youth, while this we wondring view
Can we but wonder at its maker too,
Amintas, if I know him, did not use
Shoud such a subject call, to want a muse,
Oh sing the great, the wise creating powr,
While silent I admire, & in your words adore.
Then I, for long before the thought was mine,
Did thus to meet the good demand begin.
Ye Mountains, & ye hills which lower rise,
Ye humble vallies, & ye spreading trees,
Ye pleasant meadows, & thou easy stream,
O praise the Lord, O magnify his name!
Yes, as you can you tell his name abroad,
The wondrous work proclaims the worker God.
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my finisht song.
Ye humble vallies, & ye spreading trees,
Ye pleasant meadows, & thou easy stream,
O praise the Lord, O magnify his name!
Yes, as you can you tell his name abroad,
The wondrous work proclaims the worker God.
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my finisht song.
Ye tame & savage beasts in one accord,
Joyn with all these to Glorify the Lord;
Ye Birds, Ye tunefull birds in him rejoyce,
Give him your musick, who gave you your voice,
Hark how the cheerfull labour of their throats,
returns the tribute of their pretty notes.
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my rising song.
Joyn with all these to Glorify the Lord;
Ye Birds, Ye tunefull birds in him rejoyce,
Give him your musick, who gave you your voice,
Hark how the cheerfull labour of their throats,
returns the tribute of their pretty notes.
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my rising song.
But still the earth, & still the seas are mute,
The Birds are speechless, speechless is the Brute,
Man that alone can speak his praise must doo't.
Praise him O man with a transported heart,
Let the melodious hand confess its art,
Let the raisd voice his bounteous glory's sing,
Shoud less be joynd to praise so great a King?
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my rising song.
The Birds are speechless, speechless is the Brute,
Man that alone can speak his praise must doo't.
Praise him O man with a transported heart,
Let the melodious hand confess its art,
Let the raisd voice his bounteous glory's sing,
Shoud less be joynd to praise so great a King?
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Then swiftly bear aloft my rising song.
For thee the seasons run the circling year,
The clouds drop fatness, & the fruits appear,
Thee as the Lord of all below he plac'd,
Free in thy choice, & by thy chusing bless'd,
Tis true we must account for all we do,
But to a God alone th' account is due.
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my rising song.
The clouds drop fatness, & the fruits appear,
Thee as the Lord of all below he plac'd,
Free in thy choice, & by thy chusing bless'd,
Tis true we must account for all we do,
But to a God alone th' account is due.
Gently awhile sweet Breezes move along,
Then swiftly bear aloft my rising song.
The Seraphim, & all the Heavenly pow'r,
Bright in their shapes, but in their virtues more,
Came to the shade where our first parents lay,
They heard him reason, & they heard her pray,
Then struck their Golden harps, & as they flew,
Cry'd, Halelujah, man is made for heaven too.
Go on, my Muse, Go on, & Gratefully express,
The Creatures thanks, in the Creators praise.
Bright in their shapes, but in their virtues more,
Came to the shade where our first parents lay,
They heard him reason, & they heard her pray,
Then struck their Golden harps, & as they flew,
Cry'd, Halelujah, man is made for heaven too.
Go on, my Muse, Go on, & Gratefully express,
The Creatures thanks, in the Creators praise.
To see this pair the fallen powrs came in,
Torturd with malice, & deformd by sin,
They saw this happy pair designd to fill
The realms, from whence they fell by doing ill,
They heard their Joyfull anthems to their God,
& faign they woud have harmd ym if they coud,
Whom they woud harm they impotently curse,
Their strength indeed was great but God was ours.
Go on, My Muse, Go on, & Gratefully express.
The Creatures thanks, in the Creators praise.
Torturd with malice, & deformd by sin,
They saw this happy pair designd to fill
The realms, from whence they fell by doing ill,
They heard their Joyfull anthems to their God,
& faign they woud have harmd ym if they coud,
Whom they woud harm they impotently curse,
Their strength indeed was great but God was ours.
Go on, My Muse, Go on, & Gratefully express.
The Creatures thanks, in the Creators praise.
I know I cannot speak his mercy's through,
Yet what I can, of what I ought Ile do,
Mean as they are, my notes to him belong,
Mean as it is, he will reward my song.
Go on, my Muse go on, & gratefully express
The Creatures thanks, in the Creators praise.
Yet what I can, of what I ought Ile do,
Mean as they are, my notes to him belong,
Mean as it is, he will reward my song.
Go on, my Muse go on, & gratefully express
The Creatures thanks, in the Creators praise.
On such a theam I coud for ever dwell,
Thus lett my voice when I must perish fail
& thus my monument my story tell;
Here lyes a Youth—stay passenger & pray,
Nor pitty him who di'd no common way,
But when his breath was all in hymns bestowd
Sent up his soul to bear 'em to his God.
Thus lett my voice when I must perish fail
& thus my monument my story tell;
Here lyes a Youth—stay passenger & pray,
Nor pitty him who di'd no common way,
But when his breath was all in hymns bestowd
Sent up his soul to bear 'em to his God.
So lett me end, the twilight does appear,
The heat has left to rarify the air,
The winds it broke grow strong enough to fly,
Yes swiftly fly ye winds, & bear my Lays on high.
The heat has left to rarify the air,
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Yes swiftly fly ye winds, & bear my Lays on high.
To ------
Thanks to the friend whose happy lines coud cheer
In Derry's oaten soil & frozen air
When to the Citty late I bid farewell
Beneath my firm resolves my scribling fell
The Ghost of my departed Muse you raise
& tune her tongue to long forgotten layes
Thus a poor girl by passion overrun
Tires with the folly & forsakes the town
But if her shades present a powrfull swain
She feels ye woman stirr & loves again
In Derry's oaten soil & frozen air
When to the Citty late I bid farewell
Beneath my firm resolves my scribling fell
The Ghost of my departed Muse you raise
& tune her tongue to long forgotten layes
Thus a poor girl by passion overrun
Tires with the folly & forsakes the town
But if her shades present a powrfull swain
She feels ye woman stirr & loves again
Your thoughts are Just your words fall in wth ease
Who woud not be abused in lines like these
Mindless of all the ill they say of me
I read them & admire their poetry
So when a Charming beauty strikes ye heart
We slight the wound to gaze upon ye dart
But oh My friend of writing much beware
If once you're charmd youre fixd for ever there
Fame all abroad & loose desires with in
Intice a giddy creature to the pen
A Cælia soon he getts to whom to write
& the brisk bottle must compleat ye witt
Then every minute of succeeding time
Invents a frolick or creates a whim
Which his leud absent friend must hear in rime
You'll think (& others have been thus undone)
Your reason can the growing passion shun
But did you know its strength youd doubt your own
Who woud not be abused in lines like these
Mindless of all the ill they say of me
I read them & admire their poetry
So when a Charming beauty strikes ye heart
We slight the wound to gaze upon ye dart
But oh My friend of writing much beware
If once you're charmd youre fixd for ever there
Fame all abroad & loose desires with in
Intice a giddy creature to the pen
A Cælia soon he getts to whom to write
& the brisk bottle must compleat ye witt
Then every minute of succeeding time
Invents a frolick or creates a whim
Which his leud absent friend must hear in rime
You'll think (& others have been thus undone)
Your reason can the growing passion shun
But did you know its strength youd doubt your own
Your best endeavours on ye law bestow
Rough as it is 'tis proffitable too
Cowel & Blunt have words & Cook ye way
to keep the wrangling sons of earth in play
then if your books you use your Clients pay
Rough as it is 'tis proffitable too
Cowel & Blunt have words & Cook ye way
to keep the wrangling sons of earth in play
then if your books you use your Clients pay
Stay Muse in paths you never trod you rove
My lean advice does my presumption prove
But Can it shew my fault & not my love
Kindly accept what I in kindness send
& think me as I think my self your friend.
My lean advice does my presumption prove
But Can it shew my fault & not my love
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& think me as I think my self your friend.
[Thou Gaudy Idle world adieu]
Thou Gaudy Idle world adieu,
& all thy tinsell Joys;
I lovd thee dearly once tis true,
But since a better choice I knew,
Ive made that better choice.
& all thy tinsell Joys;
I lovd thee dearly once tis true,
But since a better choice I knew,
Ive made that better choice.
My wishes mount above the sky
Upon the wings of faith,
My soul shall follow when I dy,
For much I doubt if bodys fly,
What ever Asgill saith.
Upon the wings of faith,
My soul shall follow when I dy,
For much I doubt if bodys fly,
What ever Asgill saith.
All things are fickle here below,
How ere above they be,
& If I had not left thee now,
Thy pleasures had left me.
How ere above they be,
& If I had not left thee now,
Thy pleasures had left me.
Count but the changes Memory
Which your short time has known,
This is the third King which you see
Upon the English throne.
Which your short time has known,
This is the third King which you see
Upon the English throne.
The Irish who by Williams reign
Were run so much aground,
Do by the Trust (confound it) Gain
three hundred thousand pound.
Were run so much aground,
Do by the Trust (confound it) Gain
three hundred thousand pound.
& My acquaintance wonder not
When you my change discover
Ev'n Methwin has a prayr book bought
'Gainst Rochester comes over.
When you my change discover
Ev'n Methwin has a prayr book bought
'Gainst Rochester comes over.
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[A Beavy of the fair & Gay]
A Beavy of the fair & Gay,
Such as are daily Smoakt in tea,
& toasted over wine,
Vext to be made so long the Jeast
Of tongues & pens, to go in quest
Of reputation Joyn.
Such as are daily Smoakt in tea,
& toasted over wine,
Vext to be made so long the Jeast
Of tongues & pens, to go in quest
Of reputation Joyn.
To K---d's house they first repair,
But scarce find any footsteps there,
to keep them off cold scent;
Long had she fled his slavery,
Her gallants stabbd him first, & she
Woud bury him in paint.
But scarce find any footsteps there,
to keep them off cold scent;
Long had she fled his slavery,
Her gallants stabbd him first, & she
Woud bury him in paint.
To O---y's they next advance,
But he was vanishd on a glance
to Make some conquest shott;
One who so many loves as she,
& one who loves fooles company,
Must love for you know what.
But he was vanishd on a glance
to Make some conquest shott;
One who so many loves as she,
& one who loves fooles company,
Must love for you know what.
Of T---n newes in vain they sought,
Scarce M---ws covets to be thought
So ignorant in dressing;
For scandall had like Cr---fts appeard,
He urgd his suit, the God retird,
& left the Nymph unlacing.
Scarce M---ws covets to be thought
So ignorant in dressing;
For scandall had like Cr---fts appeard,
He urgd his suit, the God retird,
& left the Nymph unlacing.
No longer on your search remain,
For since your labour must be vain,
What need you make it long:
Believe me fairs, that every one
preserves him for her self alone,
Upon her proper tongue.
For since your labour must be vain,
What need you make it long:
Believe me fairs, that every one
preserves him for her self alone,
Upon her proper tongue.
357
3 Satyr Virtue
Is virtue something reall here below
Or but an Idle name & empty show
While on this head I take my thoughts to task
Methinks young Freedom answers wt I ask
In his own moralls thus the Spark goes on
Or thus if he were here he might have don
Or but an Idle name & empty show
While on this head I take my thoughts to task
Methinks young Freedom answers wt I ask
In his own moralls thus the Spark goes on
Or thus if he were here he might have don
In what wild hill or unfrequented plain
hast thou been bred so ignorant of men
Such doubts in such a world to entertain
Or has thy father had an hopefull son
by Colledge education quite undon
& therefore wisely gave his others none
Believe me Sr that what you faign woud know
is but a word to signify a show
Often it is 'tis often not designd
& still it makes a riddle of the mind.
Now see how evidently this appears
in the clear language of particulars.
hast thou been bred so ignorant of men
Such doubts in such a world to entertain
Or has thy father had an hopefull son
by Colledge education quite undon
& therefore wisely gave his others none
Believe me Sr that what you faign woud know
is but a word to signify a show
Often it is 'tis often not designd
& still it makes a riddle of the mind.
Now see how evidently this appears
in the clear language of particulars.
All men do Sporus very chast esteem
But does he rule his will or nature him
What he might be himself he little knows
Who never had a passion to oppose
he must be chast with out a world of pains
for all his virtue is his impotence.
But does he rule his will or nature him
What he might be himself he little knows
Who never had a passion to oppose
he must be chast with out a world of pains
for all his virtue is his impotence.
Damon the hottest rakell of the town
has his cast misses on the common thrown
No signs of great repentance does he show
But the mans bound his wife's his virtue now
has his cast misses on the common thrown
No signs of great repentance does he show
But the mans bound his wife's his virtue now
Nor friends nor glorious wine nor sparkling witt
Makes Codrus ere beyond a bottle sitt
this is his temperance his acquaintance say
& att the barr they give him leave to pay
But they forgett that Codrus is so poor
& all his virtue may be want of more
Makes Codrus ere beyond a bottle sitt
this is his temperance his acquaintance say
& att the barr they give him leave to pay
But they forgett that Codrus is so poor
& all his virtue may be want of more
A sexton scarcely can resolve to ring
But Cotta flyes as on devotions wing
tows his old aunt in black to every prayer
Whines as he goes & prayes aloud when there
thus to be Guardian when she dies he'le gett
his virtue is the hopes of pow'r to cheat
But Cotta flyes as on devotions wing
tows his old aunt in black to every prayer
Whines as he goes & prayes aloud when there
thus to be Guardian when she dies he'le gett
his virtue is the hopes of pow'r to cheat
358
thus various mankind cou'd I quickly trace
& show how fondly we mistake their wayes
how something which they are not oft they seem
& how that something brings them in esteem
but to be short with in my self I feel
too deepely rooted all the seeds of ill
Mad passions reason not invincible
& chance to be misguided in my will
Why shoud I think another has not these
is he more perfect man or am I less.
& show how fondly we mistake their wayes
how something which they are not oft they seem
& how that something brings them in esteem
but to be short with in my self I feel
too deepely rooted all the seeds of ill
Mad passions reason not invincible
& chance to be misguided in my will
Why shoud I think another has not these
is he more perfect man or am I less.
To such a loose harangue on t'other side
My honest Trueman woud have thus replyd
While by yr own you blame anothers soul
You must go wrong & ye illbiassd bowl
bear on a falser ground at every roul
tis granted where the moralls run awry
there your reflections very justly ly
but think you there are none to good inclind
from the meer sway of reason on their mind
think you that every one woud rather be
Slave to his passions then from passion free
for such they are who have no powr to stay
When every weak temptation calls away
Curio is summond to Corinna's house
Cross is his father cruell is her spouse
the dangers great but Curio must be gon
a pleasure tempts a passion hurry's on
Nor are the troubles which pursue it all
for you may feel the very fetters gall
Dispair & hope with lingring pangs remain
Sorrow & Joy give much a quicker pain
& love & hate in wild convulsions reign.
When with their proper objects these attack
tis to be virtuous then to drive 'em back
entrenchd with in ye rules wch prudence makes
tis virtue still an æquall mind to bear
Nor swoln wth hope nor too depressed wth fear
to lett the Man secure from passion move
in reasons orb serenely plac'd above
tis Virtue to maintain your country's cause
Support your king while he supports her laws
nor in th' oppressing of a kingdom share
for fifteen hundred English pounds a year
paid down by order of ye Commons here
tis virtue & the highest mentiond yet
to think religion not a trick of state
My honest Trueman woud have thus replyd
While by yr own you blame anothers soul
You must go wrong & ye illbiassd bowl
bear on a falser ground at every roul
tis granted where the moralls run awry
there your reflections very justly ly
but think you there are none to good inclind
from the meer sway of reason on their mind
think you that every one woud rather be
Slave to his passions then from passion free
for such they are who have no powr to stay
When every weak temptation calls away
Curio is summond to Corinna's house
Cross is his father cruell is her spouse
the dangers great but Curio must be gon
a pleasure tempts a passion hurry's on
Nor are the troubles which pursue it all
for you may feel the very fetters gall
Dispair & hope with lingring pangs remain
Sorrow & Joy give much a quicker pain
& love & hate in wild convulsions reign.
When with their proper objects these attack
tis to be virtuous then to drive 'em back
entrenchd with in ye rules wch prudence makes
tis virtue still an æquall mind to bear
Nor swoln wth hope nor too depressed wth fear
to lett the Man secure from passion move
in reasons orb serenely plac'd above
tis Virtue to maintain your country's cause
Support your king while he supports her laws
nor in th' oppressing of a kingdom share
for fifteen hundred English pounds a year
paid down by order of ye Commons here
359
to think religion not a trick of state
Nature has fooles who know not of this way
& fooles alone have priviledge to stray
But if a Competence of Sense she give
& the receivers do not upright live
their different failures do such words create
as Atheist traytor villain rakehell cheat
defamer pander whore knight of ye post
& hypocrites a Common name for most
Most strive to varnish their prevailing vice
& grant with ease when they succeed in this
the Case the same where the appearance is
but goodness ever has the same appeard
While no design is still upon its guard
the best is onely but ye best begun
Sooner or later by its self undon
& fooles alone have priviledge to stray
But if a Competence of Sense she give
& the receivers do not upright live
their different failures do such words create
as Atheist traytor villain rakehell cheat
defamer pander whore knight of ye post
& hypocrites a Common name for most
Most strive to varnish their prevailing vice
& grant with ease when they succeed in this
the Case the same where the appearance is
but goodness ever has the same appeard
While no design is still upon its guard
the best is onely but ye best begun
Sooner or later by its self undon
Ore peaceful citts the hectring bullys reign
But while they hector so they know their men
Shoud they vex one at last to Cudgells bred
the masque of valour wont protect ye head
While the tough cane insults the shining blade
But while they hector so they know their men
Shoud they vex one at last to Cudgells bred
the masque of valour wont protect ye head
While the tough cane insults the shining blade
I scorn in verity old Gripus cry's
this swearing this unprofitable vice
but mony mollifys the wretches scorn
& he who hates to swear will be forsworn
this swearing this unprofitable vice
but mony mollifys the wretches scorn
& he who hates to swear will be forsworn
thus ill men never fail of being known
how sly so e're a vizard they put on
but still the good both seem & are ye same
unmovd by passion, int'rest, humour, fame
tis thus that they deserve ye name of men
by ruling of themselves they empires gain
& laugh at fortune raisd above her reign.
how sly so e're a vizard they put on
but still the good both seem & are ye same
unmovd by passion, int'rest, humour, fame
tis thus that they deserve ye name of men
by ruling of themselves they empires gain
& laugh at fortune raisd above her reign.
A dream
Just when ye dead of night began to fail
& boding visions senceless dreams expell
Methought a matron stood beside my bed
Upon her face a wondrous sweetness playd
& pointed Glorys dressd the modest visions head
my tongue grew speechless & my eyes were fixt
by silent fear with admiration mixt
She to my lips a living coal apply's
perhaps from some well pleasing sacrifice
then thus she said while I more courage found
to bear her sight & hear ye heav'nly sound
from the bright realms my vot'ries have I came
saints are my vot'ries Piety my name
Oft do I come but often am dispisd
happy were all if all my favour prizd
now my best offers to yr soul I give
Accept these offers O be mine & live
Ile teach you how to pray for wt you want
& when I teach you God yr prayr will grant
Ile teach you your redeemer to rehearse
& glide in flames of love along yr verse
Lett other men describe wth flowing lines
How Damon courts or Amarillis shines
But for your subject chuse a theme divine
fames their reward while heaven it self is thine
& then since Angells sing of nought below
they'le sing like men but like an angell you
Be thou my bard (& as these words she said
She powrd a sacred unction on my head
then thus proceeded) Be thy muse thy Zeal
dare to be good & all my Joys reveal
if Drunkards to their Deity apply
A short contentment & a fleeting Joy
Apply to me true peace & lasting bliss
I should not dress in weaker charms yn his
New-paint ye love yt hov'ring over beds
from purple wings his guilty pleasures sheds
his bow be sable sable be the darts
but tingd with endless flame to scorch our hearts
his bones without the sanguin stream or vital parts
But above all employ thy utmost powr
on love Divine twill need it all & more
Oh boundless Goodness to poor mankind shown
tell but the fact, lett rhetorick alone,
no colours can become it like its own.
Draw a Descending Jesus from ye sky
Make the great being in a manger ly
Of men despisd of men he came to save
pursu'd afflicted to ye very grave
Make ye great being cheerfully submitt
& me like Mary weeping at his feet
Much have I said & more woud tell you yet
but raptures smother what I woud repeat
My thoughts grow giddy while I strive to sound
the height & depth of love wthout a bound
My God I cannot comprehend thy wayes
but what I cannot comprehend Ile prayse
& boding visions senceless dreams expell
Methought a matron stood beside my bed
Upon her face a wondrous sweetness playd
& pointed Glorys dressd the modest visions head
360
by silent fear with admiration mixt
She to my lips a living coal apply's
perhaps from some well pleasing sacrifice
then thus she said while I more courage found
to bear her sight & hear ye heav'nly sound
from the bright realms my vot'ries have I came
saints are my vot'ries Piety my name
Oft do I come but often am dispisd
happy were all if all my favour prizd
now my best offers to yr soul I give
Accept these offers O be mine & live
Ile teach you how to pray for wt you want
& when I teach you God yr prayr will grant
Ile teach you your redeemer to rehearse
& glide in flames of love along yr verse
Lett other men describe wth flowing lines
How Damon courts or Amarillis shines
But for your subject chuse a theme divine
fames their reward while heaven it self is thine
& then since Angells sing of nought below
they'le sing like men but like an angell you
Be thou my bard (& as these words she said
She powrd a sacred unction on my head
then thus proceeded) Be thy muse thy Zeal
dare to be good & all my Joys reveal
if Drunkards to their Deity apply
A short contentment & a fleeting Joy
Apply to me true peace & lasting bliss
I should not dress in weaker charms yn his
New-paint ye love yt hov'ring over beds
from purple wings his guilty pleasures sheds
his bow be sable sable be the darts
but tingd with endless flame to scorch our hearts
his bones without the sanguin stream or vital parts
But above all employ thy utmost powr
on love Divine twill need it all & more
Oh boundless Goodness to poor mankind shown
tell but the fact, lett rhetorick alone,
no colours can become it like its own.
Draw a Descending Jesus from ye sky
Make the great being in a manger ly
Of men despisd of men he came to save
pursu'd afflicted to ye very grave
361
& me like Mary weeping at his feet
Much have I said & more woud tell you yet
but raptures smother what I woud repeat
My thoughts grow giddy while I strive to sound
the height & depth of love wthout a bound
My God I cannot comprehend thy wayes
but what I cannot comprehend Ile prayse
& then With raptures in her mouth she fled
the Cloud (for on a cloud she seemd to tread)
its curles unfolded & around her spread
My downy rest the warmth of fancy broke
& when my thoughts grew settled thus I spoke
the Cloud (for on a cloud she seemd to tread)
its curles unfolded & around her spread
My downy rest the warmth of fancy broke
& when my thoughts grew settled thus I spoke
Ah Gracious Lord make all my dreams like this
& make mine innocence compose my bliss
When reason lyes Asleep & leaves to reign
May my good Angell my passions restrain
Or I must wake to find upon my breast
the gaudy forms more deep yn ere imprest
they'le make my reason's victorys in vain
& make my former habits mine again
Thus if the snake wch hardly moves the tail
to shun the conqu'ring season takes a cell
if nature in a sleep a skin prepare
give him more strength & make him look more fair
He finds his robe is changd fm what he wore
He proudly shoots along ye sunny shore
& hunts the man fm whom he fled before.
& make mine innocence compose my bliss
When reason lyes Asleep & leaves to reign
May my good Angell my passions restrain
Or I must wake to find upon my breast
the gaudy forms more deep yn ere imprest
they'le make my reason's victorys in vain
& make my former habits mine again
Thus if the snake wch hardly moves the tail
to shun the conqu'ring season takes a cell
if nature in a sleep a skin prepare
give him more strength & make him look more fair
He finds his robe is changd fm what he wore
He proudly shoots along ye sunny shore
& hunts the man fm whom he fled before.
Satyr. 4 The Pretty Gentleman
Where Creditors their bankrupt debtors stow
Where men for want of coin to durance go
& are for being wretched made more so
Where poor W---G---could 3 months abide
When all his creditt would not him provide
with one nights lodging any where beside
there on a bed by moths half eat away
Damon ye witt ye generous ye gay
the heir of Eighteen hundred sterling lay
Sullen with grief impatient to endure
& yet oppressd with what he could not cure
Long did his thoughts upon his Sorrows dwell
then they on generall reflections fell
for still the mind by private ills aggrievd
Is by the thought of common ills relieved
this soths ye spleen while that creates dispair
One you ingross in 'tother others share
Where men for want of coin to durance go
& are for being wretched made more so
Where poor W---G---could 3 months abide
When all his creditt would not him provide
with one nights lodging any where beside
there on a bed by moths half eat away
Damon ye witt ye generous ye gay
the heir of Eighteen hundred sterling lay
Sullen with grief impatient to endure
362
Long did his thoughts upon his Sorrows dwell
then they on generall reflections fell
for still the mind by private ills aggrievd
Is by the thought of common ills relieved
this soths ye spleen while that creates dispair
One you ingross in 'tother others share
Alass he crys how many have I known
by giddy pleasures & ymselves undon
We hunt for happiness on eager speed
& have a chance that we may all succeed
reason & passion draw ye diffrent views
& we're all blessd according as we chuse
but to our reason seldom we attend
tho' all our hopes upon that choice depend
see ye degrees thou heedless creature man
by which the passions on ye mind obtain
as in ye pretty Gentleman suppose
for instance how in him yr empire grows
up from his swadling to his beauish clothes
by giddy pleasures & ymselves undon
We hunt for happiness on eager speed
& have a chance that we may all succeed
reason & passion draw ye diffrent views
& we're all blessd according as we chuse
but to our reason seldom we attend
tho' all our hopes upon that choice depend
see ye degrees thou heedless creature man
by which the passions on ye mind obtain
as in ye pretty Gentleman suppose
for instance how in him yr empire grows
up from his swadling to his beauish clothes
Scarce can his tongue in tripping accents rove
but the nurse lulls him wth wild tales of love
Where a kings son as many such have been
dyes for ye youngest daughter of a queen
these mold his temper till he learns to read
& then romantick authors fill his head
Where honour in enamelld armour bleeds
for love thats errant on ye milk white steed
how his eyes dance when magick Castles fly
When beautyes freed how pants his heart for Joy
how much what ere he reads he longs to try
When he can Nature more distinctly see
he finds such things as these coud never be
Yet still the prejudice is on his Soul
& love & honour must his actions rule
then that he may their due proportions trace
playes following nature he will follow playes
at these he dresses talkes fightes loves from these
he railes at buisness wch he does not know
because ye poett who had none did so
In wine & whores & games his guinnys run
because the like in such a part is don
thats drawn with art to please ye lookers on
to repeat verse & with a grace be leud
is gay is Dorimant & must be good
But when his fullgrown witt a figure makes
Without a guide agreably he rakes
Nor the stage longer for a pattern takes
himself a mode a man of airs a beau
Nay poet too—as far as songs will go
thus with a world of pains the work is past
& he's an entertaining fool at last
he does the men of buisness pitty move
the men of Moralls soberly reprove
the tradesmen cheat him—but the Ladies love.
but the nurse lulls him wth wild tales of love
Where a kings son as many such have been
dyes for ye youngest daughter of a queen
these mold his temper till he learns to read
& then romantick authors fill his head
Where honour in enamelld armour bleeds
for love thats errant on ye milk white steed
how his eyes dance when magick Castles fly
When beautyes freed how pants his heart for Joy
how much what ere he reads he longs to try
When he can Nature more distinctly see
he finds such things as these coud never be
Yet still the prejudice is on his Soul
& love & honour must his actions rule
then that he may their due proportions trace
playes following nature he will follow playes
at these he dresses talkes fightes loves from these
he railes at buisness wch he does not know
because ye poett who had none did so
In wine & whores & games his guinnys run
because the like in such a part is don
thats drawn with art to please ye lookers on
363
is gay is Dorimant & must be good
But when his fullgrown witt a figure makes
Without a guide agreably he rakes
Nor the stage longer for a pattern takes
himself a mode a man of airs a beau
Nay poet too—as far as songs will go
thus with a world of pains the work is past
& he's an entertaining fool at last
he does the men of buisness pitty move
the men of Moralls soberly reprove
the tradesmen cheat him—but the Ladies love.
As on this head he woud have spoken more
the Jailour happend to unlock the door
to lett him know his creditors did wait
to make him sell if he woud freedom gett
At least three quarters of his whole estate
the Jailour happend to unlock the door
to lett him know his creditors did wait
to make him sell if he woud freedom gett
At least three quarters of his whole estate
Satyr 5 Verse.
Thou soft Engager of my tender years
Divertive verse now come & ease my cares
The Rake has wine the aged knave ye view
Of what his death bed Charity will do
to lay his cares & mine are layd by you
You give my mind when I unbend relief
Raise ev'ry Joy & lessen ev'ry grief
Nor do I onely these thy comforts find
thy comforts are diffusive to mankind
The men of sense of buisness or of whims
half witts or lovers ev'ry one sometimes
Will toy away a vacant hour in rimes
Divertive verse now come & ease my cares
The Rake has wine the aged knave ye view
Of what his death bed Charity will do
to lay his cares & mine are layd by you
You give my mind when I unbend relief
Raise ev'ry Joy & lessen ev'ry grief
Nor do I onely these thy comforts find
thy comforts are diffusive to mankind
The men of sense of buisness or of whims
half witts or lovers ev'ry one sometimes
Will toy away a vacant hour in rimes
& they give all but lovers troubles ease
the Muses fires the flames of love encrease
Yet the fond fooles write more yn all ye rest
as if they studyd to be more unblest
of Moving things they speak in moving strains
& moan & beg a cure of all their pains
till at the last theyre workd to a belief
that what they said has been their reall grief
As strong as fate they call the chains they wear
To starrs & Angells ev'ry nymph compare
Then think their chains as strong, their nymphs as fair
thus our loves more & more the womens pride
so the wounds deeper & the cure denyd
Long may you gentle souls your fetters wear
if still you write upon ye pangs you bear
Yet know that writing makes them more severe
If Celia or Aminta scornfull grow
On the great praises which your lines bestow
Long may you feel them since you make ym so
the Muses fires the flames of love encrease
Yet the fond fooles write more yn all ye rest
as if they studyd to be more unblest
of Moving things they speak in moving strains
& moan & beg a cure of all their pains
till at the last theyre workd to a belief
that what they said has been their reall grief
364
To starrs & Angells ev'ry nymph compare
Then think their chains as strong, their nymphs as fair
thus our loves more & more the womens pride
so the wounds deeper & the cure denyd
Long may you gentle souls your fetters wear
if still you write upon ye pangs you bear
Yet know that writing makes them more severe
If Celia or Aminta scornfull grow
On the great praises which your lines bestow
Long may you feel them since you make ym so
Verse is on other subjects less unkind
& with its transports brightens up ye mind
the Drunkards catch is half the rogues delight
Where noise & briskness do their charms unite
The drawers calld & ink & paper brought
& so extempore the work is wrought
While wine inspires they never stay for thought
the Jolly words are roard in tunefull sound
While the full bottles run the tables round
& Ecchoes from the Empty ones rebound
Raisd to the Joyes above the cares of kings
their singing makes ym drink their drinking sing
O happy men if twere not for the curse
of qualms repentance & an empty purse
but happy men at least for some few hours
Who force the Muse to nothing else but rime
& when your sense is drownd sing off yr time
& with its transports brightens up ye mind
the Drunkards catch is half the rogues delight
Where noise & briskness do their charms unite
The drawers calld & ink & paper brought
& so extempore the work is wrought
While wine inspires they never stay for thought
the Jolly words are roard in tunefull sound
While the full bottles run the tables round
& Ecchoes from the Empty ones rebound
Raisd to the Joyes above the cares of kings
their singing makes ym drink their drinking sing
O happy men if twere not for the curse
of qualms repentance & an empty purse
but happy men at least for some few hours
Who force the Muse to nothing else but rime
& when your sense is drownd sing off yr time
Verse has another powr on other men
When the vexd thoughts by writing grow serene
full of the spleen & rage & scorn to see
the tide of vice & folly run so high
some from the world retire to poetry
& when their pens what grieves their bosoms speak
how honesty's a cully witt a rake
fair Virtue beggerd beauty grown a baud
Religion made a masque & gold a God
their breasts find ease by laying down their load
so Prophetts usd inspird of old to swell
& when they spoke their Oracles grew well
When the vexd thoughts by writing grow serene
full of the spleen & rage & scorn to see
the tide of vice & folly run so high
some from the world retire to poetry
& when their pens what grieves their bosoms speak
how honesty's a cully witt a rake
fair Virtue beggerd beauty grown a baud
Religion made a masque & gold a God
their breasts find ease by laying down their load
so Prophetts usd inspird of old to swell
& when they spoke their Oracles grew well
For me who never have a drinker been
Nor provd the witty forces of the spleen
for me who be it chance or carelessness
(forgive me half the world when I confess)
have never been in love in all my dayes
On other principles my pen I take
for meer disintrested diversions sake
I onely write as many lovers woo
but just when I have nothing else to do
& then to please my self as well as you
I seek no praise & keep me safe from shame
Not known to many & unknown to fame
I woud not blunty rail a folly down
Nor with undecent rage on vices run
Our master Horace wisely sung of old
that satyrs better if it Jear then scold
the Gall too much prevailing spoils the ink
Nor woul I frett mankind but make ym think
tis farr more human thus to show ye place
Where you ly open then throw in ye pass
Nor provd the witty forces of the spleen
365
(forgive me half the world when I confess)
have never been in love in all my dayes
On other principles my pen I take
for meer disintrested diversions sake
I onely write as many lovers woo
but just when I have nothing else to do
& then to please my self as well as you
I seek no praise & keep me safe from shame
Not known to many & unknown to fame
I woud not blunty rail a folly down
Nor with undecent rage on vices run
Our master Horace wisely sung of old
that satyrs better if it Jear then scold
the Gall too much prevailing spoils the ink
Nor woul I frett mankind but make ym think
tis farr more human thus to show ye place
Where you ly open then throw in ye pass
Satyr: 6 the Spleen
Hail to the sacred silence of this Grove
Hail to the greens below the greens above
Oft have I found beneath these shady trees
A reall in imaginary bliss
for they my fancy sooth & she's a cheat
Which can agreably adorn deceit
some state of life she draws with pleasing art
& brings Enchanted reason to her part
Reason awhile is captive by consent
& acts from all its rigid rules unbent
from our own selves conceales our reall case
Nor shows us what may be but what may please
When I by these am from my self with drawn
I straight become what ere I think upon
Hail to the greens below the greens above
Oft have I found beneath these shady trees
A reall in imaginary bliss
for they my fancy sooth & she's a cheat
Which can agreably adorn deceit
some state of life she draws with pleasing art
& brings Enchanted reason to her part
Reason awhile is captive by consent
& acts from all its rigid rules unbent
from our own selves conceales our reall case
Nor shows us what may be but what may please
When I by these am from my self with drawn
I straight become what ere I think upon
Now do I turn a statesman of the rate
that furnishes the world beside with chat
I many use I make a friend of none
& if I flatter tis my prince alone
Mankind well versd in various villany
Misrepresent each study'd Case to me
in long petitions & a present fee
sayes one your Lordship has ye royall ear
& I some articles against me fear
for sinking publick funds in such a year
Then on my chair he layes a bag of coin
Nor dares to offer what he woud have mine
Another cryes I want a place at Court
Your L:dships word woud make ye buisness short
& I present two hundred guinnys for't
This as I take it is a life of state
& when I think of this I think Ime great
But now a leaf is noisy by my head
My chain is broke & all my greatness fled
In vain I woud recall the vanishd thought
Something I know did please I cant tell what
& as I hunt the traces of my mind
In a new whim a new delight I find
that furnishes the world beside with chat
I many use I make a friend of none
& if I flatter tis my prince alone
366
Misrepresent each study'd Case to me
in long petitions & a present fee
sayes one your Lordship has ye royall ear
& I some articles against me fear
for sinking publick funds in such a year
Then on my chair he layes a bag of coin
Nor dares to offer what he woud have mine
Another cryes I want a place at Court
Your L:dships word woud make ye buisness short
& I present two hundred guinnys for't
This as I take it is a life of state
& when I think of this I think Ime great
But now a leaf is noisy by my head
My chain is broke & all my greatness fled
In vain I woud recall the vanishd thought
Something I know did please I cant tell what
& as I hunt the traces of my mind
In a new whim a new delight I find
Now among books my chief diversion lyes
& I affect to be thought wondrous wise
in strange experiment discovery's
On All ye sorts & shapes of flyes I read
Or print a book of shells as Lister did
& when I meet a thing unknown till yn
I write for Holland to ye Learned men
the subtiltys of schooles with ease I cutt
Where learnings nothing but a meer dispute
With Ipse Dixit's fixd for arguments
& quibbles formd by rules & hid with pains
Waging a warr of words in spight of sense
My skill in many languages is shown
Altho' I gracefully can speak in none
No Cares no business do my brain molest
the world admires the treasures of my breast
& I in barren satisfaction rest
& I affect to be thought wondrous wise
in strange experiment discovery's
On All ye sorts & shapes of flyes I read
Or print a book of shells as Lister did
& when I meet a thing unknown till yn
I write for Holland to ye Learned men
the subtiltys of schooles with ease I cutt
Where learnings nothing but a meer dispute
With Ipse Dixit's fixd for arguments
& quibbles formd by rules & hid with pains
Waging a warr of words in spight of sense
My skill in many languages is shown
Altho' I gracefully can speak in none
No Cares no business do my brain molest
the world admires the treasures of my breast
& I in barren satisfaction rest
Here do I change Insensibly again
& my gay fancy paints another scene
Heark or a pleasing madness charms my sense
Or I hear songs & well tund instruments
Yes tis a ball where I with airs & cloths
Engage the Ladys & outshine the beaus
I chuse a creature beautious as the light
Of her I beg & she denys a night
Scorn with the fair does still attendant go
they're proud because their outward charms they know
& fondly think them reasons to be so
But passion hearts of any temper moves
Anon shes complaisant anon she loves
When sated with the bliss their arms I quitt
I boast my triumph to each friend I meet
for men are now so scandalously vain
They think it less of pleasure to obtain
their Joys then tell 'em or'e to other men
& more of grief to hide the ripe amour
then twas to smother infant love before
I drink I dance I swear I shake ye dice
& try each path of pleasurable vice
till at ye last my wild unsettled life
like Comedys is finishd in a wife
& my gay fancy paints another scene
Heark or a pleasing madness charms my sense
Or I hear songs & well tund instruments
Yes tis a ball where I with airs & cloths
Engage the Ladys & outshine the beaus
I chuse a creature beautious as the light
367
Scorn with the fair does still attendant go
they're proud because their outward charms they know
& fondly think them reasons to be so
But passion hearts of any temper moves
Anon shes complaisant anon she loves
When sated with the bliss their arms I quitt
I boast my triumph to each friend I meet
for men are now so scandalously vain
They think it less of pleasure to obtain
their Joys then tell 'em or'e to other men
& more of grief to hide the ripe amour
then twas to smother infant love before
I drink I dance I swear I shake ye dice
& try each path of pleasurable vice
till at ye last my wild unsettled life
like Comedys is finishd in a wife
by Just degrees the breezes louder grow
& the same breast they sooth they roughen too
Methinks Ime strangely alterd in a trice
All soft unmanly pleasures I despise
Warr is my buisness honour is my prize
I grasp it in my thoughts & push along
Nor mind the toiles by which it must be won
With such bewitching powr the walking light
leads men thro' all the dangers of the night
Ore hills & vales they hunt the dazzling game
Nor feel the trouble while they see the flame
Strange force of Glory what a world are slain
to please the pride of two or three great men
how towns have fed on ratts yt scornd to yield
how dear ye hardy soldier buys ye field
Warm without anger to their arms they crowd
& for anothers quarrell wast their blood
some fight & curse while others run & pray
In Camps they rook each other at their play
& then the loosers mutiny for pay
are my brave followers slain why lett ym dy
false musterd companys my purse supply
Thus summers fraud feeds winters luxury
When in warm quarters nature craves a punk
& for the Queen I loyally get drunk
& the same breast they sooth they roughen too
Methinks Ime strangely alterd in a trice
All soft unmanly pleasures I despise
Warr is my buisness honour is my prize
I grasp it in my thoughts & push along
Nor mind the toiles by which it must be won
With such bewitching powr the walking light
leads men thro' all the dangers of the night
Ore hills & vales they hunt the dazzling game
Nor feel the trouble while they see the flame
Strange force of Glory what a world are slain
to please the pride of two or three great men
how towns have fed on ratts yt scornd to yield
how dear ye hardy soldier buys ye field
Warm without anger to their arms they crowd
& for anothers quarrell wast their blood
some fight & curse while others run & pray
In Camps they rook each other at their play
& then the loosers mutiny for pay
are my brave followers slain why lett ym dy
false musterd companys my purse supply
Thus summers fraud feeds winters luxury
When in warm quarters nature craves a punk
& for the Queen I loyally get drunk
Give ore my wanton fancy now give ore
the clouds are gath'ring & anon they'le powr
the pleasures of my groves are fled away
the sacred silence & ye shiny day
what have you then to lull you in your play
368
the pleasures of my groves are fled away
the sacred silence & ye shiny day
what have you then to lull you in your play
7 The Isle of Wight.
In noble deeds our valiant fathers shone
We'le shine in all their glory's & our own
So Or---d does & O---d Leads us on
We'le shine in all their glory's & our own
So Or---d does & O---d Leads us on
Thus say ye Gallant youth who bravely dare
Not to expect—tis more—to meet the warr
Not to expect—tis more—to meet the warr
Ye Men of pleasure be like these, awake,
Your Country calls consider whats at stake
our wealths decaying while our trading stands
& Europes Ballance shakes within our hands
This is a Cause thats greater nobler farr
then wanton loves on beds of feathers are
Your Country calls consider whats at stake
our wealths decaying while our trading stands
& Europes Ballance shakes within our hands
This is a Cause thats greater nobler farr
then wanton loves on beds of feathers are
Abroad your wounds meet plunder & renown
While infamy pursues your Jarrs in town
Where the whole acts a breach upon ye laws
perhaps a stew ye scene a whore ye cause
While infamy pursues your Jarrs in town
Where the whole acts a breach upon ye laws
perhaps a stew ye scene a whore ye cause
If here at home you stay & rack your brains
to find out fashions then to dress with pains
Vain is the humour, Idle the expence
The garb appears Phantastick which we see
Before 'tis grown familiar to the eye
& when it is then half its beauty's dy
to find out fashions then to dress with pains
Vain is the humour, Idle the expence
The garb appears Phantastick which we see
Before 'tis grown familiar to the eye
& when it is then half its beauty's dy
If you would stay that Lady's shoud not want
A gay Mirtillo for a smooth Courant
Alas you need not speak to show your soul
Your bounds Coupees & sinks betray the fool
Men find a jest in evry diffrent step
for postures are the buisness of an ape
A gay Mirtillo for a smooth Courant
Alas you need not speak to show your soul
Your bounds Coupees & sinks betray the fool
Men find a jest in evry diffrent step
for postures are the buisness of an ape
In short if you woud stay at home to run
thro' all the lawless pleasures of the town
How vile the means how guilty is the end
How many troubles your designs attend
You live a life that merits infamy
& live to be forgotten when you dy
thro' all the lawless pleasures of the town
How vile the means how guilty is the end
How many troubles your designs attend
You live a life that merits infamy
& live to be forgotten when you dy
369
For shame arise & in this cause appear
It is not for our selves alone we're here
Your country Justly claims her share in you
& honour does her rightfull claim allow
Honour a courage still imployd in good
Unshockd by passions & above the croud
the soul in this Heroick beauty deckt
Stands over these triumphant & erect
Dares for its country any fate defy
& mounts a brave deserver of the sky
It is not for our selves alone we're here
Your country Justly claims her share in you
& honour does her rightfull claim allow
Honour a courage still imployd in good
Unshockd by passions & above the croud
the soul in this Heroick beauty deckt
Stands over these triumphant & erect
Dares for its country any fate defy
& mounts a brave deserver of the sky
Some men of pleasure have been drawn so farr
by such like reasons as to think on warr
Straight in a heat their Horses they provide
& to the Ile of wight like warriors ride
before them pistolls placd & swords aside
but with what arms the mock campaign is made
With inlaid pistolls & a guilded blade
Thus at a distance each the foe defy's
Who fears to meet a toil or leave a bliss
But for the ending of their great design
they light they see his grace in publick dine
they view the ships they talk among the men
& when a gale blows fair are gone again
the world believd they nobly did intend
their Country by their going to defend
& now it wonders at the trifling end
by such like reasons as to think on warr
Straight in a heat their Horses they provide
& to the Ile of wight like warriors ride
before them pistolls placd & swords aside
but with what arms the mock campaign is made
With inlaid pistolls & a guilded blade
Thus at a distance each the foe defy's
Who fears to meet a toil or leave a bliss
But for the ending of their great design
they light they see his grace in publick dine
they view the ships they talk among the men
& when a gale blows fair are gone again
the world believd they nobly did intend
their Country by their going to defend
& now it wonders at the trifling end
Some Indians thus the town a gazing ore
Saw a white vizard hanging at a door
& wonderd at the fighting face it wore
But that soon turning with the change of wind
They wonderd more the counterfeit to find
So like a man before & nought behind.
Saw a white vizard hanging at a door
& wonderd at the fighting face it wore
But that soon turning with the change of wind
They wonderd more the counterfeit to find
So like a man before & nought behind.
8 The Picture of Time
Well he designd & well deserves our praise
Whose pencill first a drafft of time coud trace
He knew how fast the flowing moments glide
& to the figure airy wings applyd
He knew how all things have their proper date
& drew a scyth to do the work of fate
His right hand this his left hand held a glass
thro which by sand an emblem of our dayes
Life ever ever ebbing seemd to pass
Whose pencill first a drafft of time coud trace
He knew how fast the flowing moments glide
& to the figure airy wings applyd
He knew how all things have their proper date
370
His right hand this his left hand held a glass
thro which by sand an emblem of our dayes
Life ever ever ebbing seemd to pass
Methinkes the picture thus instructs my mind
Our hours are fleeting & the last assignd
Soon will it Come too soon alas for most
& all the time we use not well is lost
Our hours are fleeting & the last assignd
Soon will it Come too soon alas for most
& all the time we use not well is lost
This all allow but many disagree
In settling what the use of time shoud be
The disagreement I with ease espyd
& to an old experiencd friend applyd
Who thus when he had heard my question cryd
In settling what the use of time shoud be
The disagreement I with ease espyd
& to an old experiencd friend applyd
Who thus when he had heard my question cryd
Believe my son your fathers friend in this
Whom sixty teaches how to give advice
When mankind with a serious thought I read
I found the most by various follys led
these think their own because they are so best
& much of life to gratify ym wast
for still the reigning folly is the end
to which the actions of the man will tend
When reason at the Helm no longer steers
She onely means to help it on prepares
thus goes their present time their past has gon
& at this rate their future will go on
The man for Conversation onely fitt
Will evry night be drunk to speak his witt
if thus his minutes indolently glide
he knows no cause to lay the course aside
the Miser allwayes is of this belief
that to heap riches is the use of life
tis a sure maxim few or none gett ore
that who loves mony much will love it more
Whom sixty teaches how to give advice
When mankind with a serious thought I read
I found the most by various follys led
these think their own because they are so best
& much of life to gratify ym wast
for still the reigning folly is the end
to which the actions of the man will tend
When reason at the Helm no longer steers
She onely means to help it on prepares
thus goes their present time their past has gon
& at this rate their future will go on
The man for Conversation onely fitt
Will evry night be drunk to speak his witt
if thus his minutes indolently glide
he knows no cause to lay the course aside
the Miser allwayes is of this belief
that to heap riches is the use of life
tis a sure maxim few or none gett ore
that who loves mony much will love it more
In short such instances as these youle find
As numerous as the passions in our mind
If so the way by which we safest tread
Is to quitt passions & lett reason lead
lett her the offices of man define
& then your hours to what she says resign
She'le teach you what devotions sacred flame
Your country what & what your friends may claim
Nor is she in prescribing too severe
Since pleasure wisely mingled eases care
To buisness diligently now attend
Anon in innocent delights unbend
this course our nature has by tiring shewd
nor does our reason speak against her good
But why shoud man intirely life employ
On idle humours & forbidden Joy
Why shoud the beau but onely mind his dress
the whore her wantonness the rake excess
& Courtiers nothing but what gains a place
The noble Titus when a setting sun
Had seen by him no virtuous action don
(Be still his name preservd) was heard to say
With sighs Alas—my friends Ive lost a day
We thank you Heathen Christians thank you now
Your words have taught us what we ought to do
twas wisdom this and well becoming grief
Who ever feels it knows the use of life
As numerous as the passions in our mind
If so the way by which we safest tread
Is to quitt passions & lett reason lead
lett her the offices of man define
& then your hours to what she says resign
She'le teach you what devotions sacred flame
Your country what & what your friends may claim
Nor is she in prescribing too severe
Since pleasure wisely mingled eases care
371
Anon in innocent delights unbend
this course our nature has by tiring shewd
nor does our reason speak against her good
But why shoud man intirely life employ
On idle humours & forbidden Joy
Why shoud the beau but onely mind his dress
the whore her wantonness the rake excess
& Courtiers nothing but what gains a place
The noble Titus when a setting sun
Had seen by him no virtuous action don
(Be still his name preservd) was heard to say
With sighs Alas—my friends Ive lost a day
We thank you Heathen Christians thank you now
Your words have taught us what we ought to do
twas wisdom this and well becoming grief
Who ever feels it knows the use of life
He Ceasd—Contentment shone upon my face
for knowledge ever has a charm to please
My tongue my satisfaction then exprest
& Ime convincd he told me for the best
but for the picture by whose sight my thought
Was sett a work & then to knowledge brought
that I may nere forgett the truths he taught
With in my closett will I hang the piece
& underneath it write such lines as these
Fly swiftly Time bear off our numberd dayes
Yet if man will you cannot win ye race
He who lives well outlives your scanty space
By virtuous actions is a fame bestowd
& fames the least reward of doing good.
for knowledge ever has a charm to please
My tongue my satisfaction then exprest
& Ime convincd he told me for the best
but for the picture by whose sight my thought
Was sett a work & then to knowledge brought
that I may nere forgett the truths he taught
With in my closett will I hang the piece
& underneath it write such lines as these
Fly swiftly Time bear off our numberd dayes
Yet if man will you cannot win ye race
He who lives well outlives your scanty space
By virtuous actions is a fame bestowd
& fames the least reward of doing good.
9 The state of Love imitated fm an Elegy of Mons:r Desportes.
In the 1st season of the infant earth
When all from Chaos took their orderd birth
When mankind from the hand of heaven came
All pure & white ere vice had gott a name
But evry act with innocence indu'd
Was more by nature then from knowledge good
Love mighty powr did graciously descend
grew fond of man & here wth man remaind
In their unsullyd hearts he chose to stay
their bliss anights their buisness all the day
Nor wonder if in such he made abode
No temples better can befitt a god
His gentle influence did their soules inspire
Each found a mate nor wanted amorous fire
Evn when injoyment had allayd desire
Secure of sweet content they daily livd
Content unmixd with fears to be deceivd
their tongues their reall sentiments disclosd
Nor studyd language on the ears imposd
their eyes an undissembling flame expresst
& they who felt it most coud speak it least
desert & softness love or beauty were
their onely arts to make a yielding fair
Plain undesigning love that never knew
to practise crueltys as Empire grew
to fashion smiles with managd airs to court
& wound a tender breast in barb'rous sport
twas more then riches riches coud not move
the meanest thought them not a price for love
When all from Chaos took their orderd birth
When mankind from the hand of heaven came
All pure & white ere vice had gott a name
372
Was more by nature then from knowledge good
Love mighty powr did graciously descend
grew fond of man & here wth man remaind
In their unsullyd hearts he chose to stay
their bliss anights their buisness all the day
Nor wonder if in such he made abode
No temples better can befitt a god
His gentle influence did their soules inspire
Each found a mate nor wanted amorous fire
Evn when injoyment had allayd desire
Secure of sweet content they daily livd
Content unmixd with fears to be deceivd
their tongues their reall sentiments disclosd
Nor studyd language on the ears imposd
their eyes an undissembling flame expresst
& they who felt it most coud speak it least
desert & softness love or beauty were
their onely arts to make a yielding fair
Plain undesigning love that never knew
to practise crueltys as Empire grew
to fashion smiles with managd airs to court
& wound a tender breast in barb'rous sport
twas more then riches riches coud not move
the meanest thought them not a price for love
But when the vices to a head increast
& all this age of downy pleasure ceast
when gold by glistring showd its dark abode
& fickleness began to be the mode
When feigning was by way of breeding taught
& onely worth his wealth the lover thought
When first to speak the mind was reckond shame
& masqd hypocrisy took honours name
the fatall change with anger Cupid saw
& thus bespoke ym ready to withdraw
& all this age of downy pleasure ceast
when gold by glistring showd its dark abode
& fickleness began to be the mode
When feigning was by way of breeding taught
& onely worth his wealth the lover thought
When first to speak the mind was reckond shame
& masqd hypocrisy took honours name
the fatall change with anger Cupid saw
& thus bespoke ym ready to withdraw
Hence lett us hence with Just abhorrence go
for ill their happyness these mortalls know
Who slight the mighty favours I bestow
for ill their happyness these mortalls know
Who slight the mighty favours I bestow
then darting upwards soon ye clouds he gaind
& hung in air his purpose thus explaind
& hung in air his purpose thus explaind
You shall repent ungratefull race you shall
& know too late the Joyes from whence you fall
the loss regretting by your selves undon
who true contentments heavnly blisses shun
& after false appearing pleasures run
Since all in common do my Godhead slight
On all in common shall my fury light
& know too late the Joyes from whence you fall
373
who true contentments heavnly blisses shun
& after false appearing pleasures run
Since all in common do my Godhead slight
On all in common shall my fury light
& first on men who wont their hours employ
In my soft paths of simple artless Joy
Who woud be free tho for the worse you change
My powr shall thus my slighted gifts revenge
Henceforth your charmers shall be versd in arts
Not loving faithless & designing hearts
the tend'rest shall their pitty least obtain
they'le feel a pride ore many slaves to reign
to make believing fooles then give ym pain
their look their smile their action their intent
Shall all against your peace of Soul be bent
Now hope restraining when it forward bears
Now quickning hope when you're restraind by fears
Oft seeming kind then scrupulously nice
& mixing as it were their flames with Ice
to keep confusd irresolute & rackt
those bosoms they by various wayes distract
What pains you then shall feel wt rage express
How many purposes to love ym less
How many oaths to shun their sight you'le swear
Which never shall be kept against the fair
A tear a word thats feignd shall soon restore
their empire & enslave their rebells more
No matter what you saw you must believe
for strange enchantments may the sight deceive
In my soft paths of simple artless Joy
Who woud be free tho for the worse you change
My powr shall thus my slighted gifts revenge
Henceforth your charmers shall be versd in arts
Not loving faithless & designing hearts
the tend'rest shall their pitty least obtain
they'le feel a pride ore many slaves to reign
to make believing fooles then give ym pain
their look their smile their action their intent
Shall all against your peace of Soul be bent
Now hope restraining when it forward bears
Now quickning hope when you're restraind by fears
Oft seeming kind then scrupulously nice
& mixing as it were their flames with Ice
to keep confusd irresolute & rackt
those bosoms they by various wayes distract
What pains you then shall feel wt rage express
How many purposes to love ym less
How many oaths to shun their sight you'le swear
Which never shall be kept against the fair
A tear a word thats feignd shall soon restore
their empire & enslave their rebells more
No matter what you saw you must believe
for strange enchantments may the sight deceive
Nay more Ile change my quiver bow & darts
to make mad work within your alterd hearts
Nor ever give the pleasing wounds I usd
Ere you my empire scornd my laws refusd
Here one a nymph that is deformd shall fire
another one to honour lost admire
& while all night by others she's embracd
The wretch shall doat because she acts the chast
Some shall be prodigall their end to gain
Nor know that who gives most shall least obtain
their hopes will still be fed but never don
to keep them still in play & loving on
In short Ile make them feel & own it pain
to live beneath inconstant womans chain
& know their folly when they scornd my reign
to make mad work within your alterd hearts
Nor ever give the pleasing wounds I usd
Ere you my empire scornd my laws refusd
Here one a nymph that is deformd shall fire
another one to honour lost admire
& while all night by others she's embracd
The wretch shall doat because she acts the chast
Some shall be prodigall their end to gain
Nor know that who gives most shall least obtain
their hopes will still be fed but never don
to keep them still in play & loving on
374
to live beneath inconstant womans chain
& know their folly when they scornd my reign
& You ye women shall confess it too
repenting that you ere from me withdrew
You who have given wealth its powr to move
& triumph ore the sacred rites of love
Who vice to virtue ignorance to parts
& mony can prefer to faithfull hearts
Who think to sell your selves is nothing mean
& from the prostituted bed reap gain
You never never shall again perceive
the wondrous sweets that mutuall passions have
but for their mighty riches love the great
While even they shall win you by deceit
their purpose in inveagling flattrys hide
& the lost creatures whom they gain deride
then leaving those that can be new no more
the self same arts to others practise ore
by such poor victorys to boast adress
& the faint glorys of their fame increase
repenting that you ere from me withdrew
You who have given wealth its powr to move
& triumph ore the sacred rites of love
Who vice to virtue ignorance to parts
& mony can prefer to faithfull hearts
Who think to sell your selves is nothing mean
& from the prostituted bed reap gain
You never never shall again perceive
the wondrous sweets that mutuall passions have
but for their mighty riches love the great
While even they shall win you by deceit
their purpose in inveagling flattrys hide
& the lost creatures whom they gain deride
then leaving those that can be new no more
the self same arts to others practise ore
by such poor victorys to boast adress
& the faint glorys of their fame increase
As Huntsmen when they have a hare in view
Fird & impatient eagerly pursue
Now ore the mountains now across the plains
& for a little take a world of pains
Unweari'd still they follow with delight
fond of the hunting tho the game they slight
Just so the great their amorous chace shall run
Nor ought to gain you shall be left undon
With oaths & sighs & tears they will assail
but love no more when ever these prevail
Unmindfull then of what had causd their cares
for other beautys they display their snares
Fird & impatient eagerly pursue
Now ore the mountains now across the plains
& for a little take a world of pains
Unweari'd still they follow with delight
fond of the hunting tho the game they slight
Just so the great their amorous chace shall run
Nor ought to gain you shall be left undon
With oaths & sighs & tears they will assail
but love no more when ever these prevail
Unmindfull then of what had causd their cares
for other beautys they display their snares
While you who soon perceive their broken faith
their oaths no more esteemd then common breath
tho never by my flame divine inspird
Shall inly with a rage of soul be fird
All spight to find your flatterd charms contemnd
& mad to see another more esteemd
for Justly thus my anger does ordain
that you shoud each create ye others pain
their oaths no more esteemd then common breath
tho never by my flame divine inspird
Shall inly with a rage of soul be fird
All spight to find your flatterd charms contemnd
& mad to see another more esteemd
for Justly thus my anger does ordain
that you shoud each create ye others pain
When Cupid thus had spoke his wings he spread
& with redoubled springs to heaven fled
Nor were in Idle air his curses lost
Succeeding ages found them to their cost
& with redoubled springs to heaven fled
375
Succeeding ages found them to their cost
Ah Madam you alas have found them true
The prophesy is made too good on you
You've had the great become your beautys slave
& by experience know the great deceive
& tho' those starrs of love your charming eyes
Outshine the brightness of the midday skys
tho' your complexion with the morning vies
tho all the Graces which around you wait
Dwell on each part & fill up beautys state
Tho the bright virtues which within remain
Might promise you an everlasting reign
You see the heart was givn to you before
at a new shrine anothers charms adore
But cease my lovely weeper cease to mourn
The fair that triumphs now will have her turn
No charm against inconstancy secures
You know the lovers fire but short endures
& she'le forsaken meet a fate like yours
The prophesy is made too good on you
You've had the great become your beautys slave
& by experience know the great deceive
& tho' those starrs of love your charming eyes
Outshine the brightness of the midday skys
tho' your complexion with the morning vies
tho all the Graces which around you wait
Dwell on each part & fill up beautys state
Tho the bright virtues which within remain
Might promise you an everlasting reign
You see the heart was givn to you before
at a new shrine anothers charms adore
But cease my lovely weeper cease to mourn
The fair that triumphs now will have her turn
No charm against inconstancy secures
You know the lovers fire but short endures
& she'le forsaken meet a fate like yours
10 Colin
Ye tender virgins listen to the strains
With which our skillfull Colin charmd the plains
tis true the rivers did not cease to run
the winds still blew tho still the shepheard sung
But greater strangely greater things were don
the younger nymphs woud give no lover ear
the older even left their talk to hear
With which our skillfull Colin charmd the plains
tis true the rivers did not cease to run
the winds still blew tho still the shepheard sung
But greater strangely greater things were don
the younger nymphs woud give no lover ear
the older even left their talk to hear
Twas thus if I remember he begun
Fly charming beauty fly the lovers tongue
tis not in beauty to resist it long
Be very cautious whom you chuse to hear
Your hearts are tender shepheards know they are
Not that of sacred love my layes complain
Perish the layes that dare its fires prophane,
But men shoud never in feignd passions rave,
Or women know how much they can deceive,
Believe me virgins, for I tell you true,
Believe your Colin the sincere are few.
Fly charming beauty fly the lovers tongue
tis not in beauty to resist it long
Be very cautious whom you chuse to hear
Your hearts are tender shepheards know they are
Not that of sacred love my layes complain
Perish the layes that dare its fires prophane,
But men shoud never in feignd passions rave,
Or women know how much they can deceive,
Believe me virgins, for I tell you true,
Believe your Colin the sincere are few.
376
A hope of pleasure or a pride to gain
brings to a fair some well-dissembling swain
thus urgd along he practises to move
thro' each ingaging path of reall love
If e're he lookes his passions in his eyes
If ere he sighes tis heard upon his sighes
In all his words a soft enchantment reigns
Ah shepheardess beware his words are chains
& their design is on your innocence
You must not lett him conquer tho he swear
Nor longer than he talks of Hymen hear
Oaths without Hymen never bind till death
The lovers oaths but go for so much breath
Believe me fairs he best deserves a heart
Who gives you proof that he can never part
brings to a fair some well-dissembling swain
thus urgd along he practises to move
thro' each ingaging path of reall love
If e're he lookes his passions in his eyes
If ere he sighes tis heard upon his sighes
In all his words a soft enchantment reigns
Ah shepheardess beware his words are chains
& their design is on your innocence
You must not lett him conquer tho he swear
Nor longer than he talks of Hymen hear
Oaths without Hymen never bind till death
The lovers oaths but go for so much breath
Believe me fairs he best deserves a heart
Who gives you proof that he can never part
A gratitude or pitty well designd
Oft unawares has made a woman kind
she sees she pittys by degrees she burns
& all the youth perhaps but acts returns
Ah shepheards leave in this to show yr skill
The more success you meet the more you're ill
deceive those women who design on you
But why shoud harmless virgins suffer too
Methinks they shoud not—yet Alas they do
Believe ye fairs what faithfull Colin speakes
He who dissembles no distinction makes.
Oft unawares has made a woman kind
she sees she pittys by degrees she burns
& all the youth perhaps but acts returns
Ah shepheards leave in this to show yr skill
The more success you meet the more you're ill
deceive those women who design on you
But why shoud harmless virgins suffer too
Methinks they shoud not—yet Alas they do
Believe ye fairs what faithfull Colin speakes
He who dissembles no distinction makes.
By easy numbers some obtain a love
By presents some, by dressing others move
by singing this by dancing that insnares
Inconstancy is often in its airs
thus by a thousand slights to love you're drawn
While he who draws you may be touchd by none
Or if he chance to be so maynt be long
Believe ye Virgins what the poet sings
Loves darts have feathers & himself has wings
By presents some, by dressing others move
by singing this by dancing that insnares
Inconstancy is often in its airs
thus by a thousand slights to love you're drawn
While he who draws you may be touchd by none
Or if he chance to be so maynt be long
Believe ye Virgins what the poet sings
Loves darts have feathers & himself has wings
Yet have I seen & read of happy pairs
Who with a mutuall kindness past their years
Hang up your garlands Beautys to their fame
& ever in your songs preserve their name
Nay I have seen a lover hereto fore
Who dy'd to show how much he did adore
He might to lust or pride a martyr prove
But since tis said Alexis dy'd for love
give up a tear to his uncommon doom
still when at each full moon the shepheards come
With Hellebore to strow along his tomb
These are the rights the shepheards think are due
to him whom they call mad to dy for you
Believe their actions & tis quickly known
Men think their constancy is fairly shown
In loving allwayes not in loving one
Who with a mutuall kindness past their years
Hang up your garlands Beautys to their fame
& ever in your songs preserve their name
Nay I have seen a lover hereto fore
Who dy'd to show how much he did adore
He might to lust or pride a martyr prove
But since tis said Alexis dy'd for love
377
still when at each full moon the shepheards come
With Hellebore to strow along his tomb
These are the rights the shepheards think are due
to him whom they call mad to dy for you
Believe their actions & tis quickly known
Men think their constancy is fairly shown
In loving allwayes not in loving one
Take not a perjurd lover for you know
He may be false because he has been so
Take not a fool for fear you may esteem
Another more to be belovd than him
Take not a man thats but a man of airs
for the nymphs qualitys he little cares
Who likes his own too well to value hers
In ages humours riches or in bloods
Unequall matches make eternall feuds
Believe me virgins if you woud be blest
You must how ere you manage for the rest
Take one thats near your temper to your breast
Thus without quarrells will your hours run on
While your opinions still unite in one
Thus when the thing will please yrself you know
You know what pleases one another too.
He may be false because he has been so
Take not a fool for fear you may esteem
Another more to be belovd than him
Take not a man thats but a man of airs
for the nymphs qualitys he little cares
Who likes his own too well to value hers
In ages humours riches or in bloods
Unequall matches make eternall feuds
Believe me virgins if you woud be blest
You must how ere you manage for the rest
Take one thats near your temper to your breast
Thus without quarrells will your hours run on
While your opinions still unite in one
Thus when the thing will please yrself you know
You know what pleases one another too.
Divine Orinda now my labours crown
& if my voice or harp have glory won
Thine was the influence thine the glory be
Thee Colin loves & loves thy sex for thee
& if my voice or harp have glory won
Thine was the influence thine the glory be
Thee Colin loves & loves thy sex for thee
He ceasd his voice was rather sweet than loud
The mountains coud not as the nymphs applaud
but every fair of that admiring throng
Warbling a part on't as she went along
Raisd a shrill Eccho to resound his Song.
The mountains coud not as the nymphs applaud
but every fair of that admiring throng
Warbling a part on't as she went along
Raisd a shrill Eccho to resound his Song.
11 The Court
Now see the port lett winds & waters warr
You madam triumph in your happy starr
& as the Pilot safe arrivd from shore
With pleasure hears tumultuous billows roar
With pleasure sees the tempest toss the seas
for even dangers in a prospect please
so now look back & view with such delight
Your great deliv'rance when the court you quitt
While your retirements give you certain ease
& calmer hours to spend in virtues wayes
You madam triumph in your happy starr
& as the Pilot safe arrivd from shore
With pleasure hears tumultuous billows roar
378
for even dangers in a prospect please
so now look back & view with such delight
Your great deliv'rance when the court you quitt
While your retirements give you certain ease
& calmer hours to spend in virtues wayes
Believe me nymph no common grace inspires
When any from this dang'rous place retires
Where the small boats or ships that proudly ride
Meet the same wracking winds & driving tide
The courts involvd in errors endless night,
You see, but with a false deceiving light,
Its splendour cheats & does at once surprize
Nor less your Judgement suffers than your eyes
None there the lookes of simple nature wears
theres none without disguise & art appears
the fault is publick & a custom grown
that scarce a soul without its masque is shown
The young the old the little & the great
With miens affected & feignd colours cheat
Now gay now sad & never long the same,
they change to suit the time or serve their aim.
Friendship unsound, caresses unsincere,
& praises with a faint malicious air,
Low flattrys, oaths on purpose made to cheat,
& all the glossy varnish of deceit
the supple courtiers masquing dress compleat
When any from this dang'rous place retires
Where the small boats or ships that proudly ride
Meet the same wracking winds & driving tide
The courts involvd in errors endless night,
You see, but with a false deceiving light,
Its splendour cheats & does at once surprize
Nor less your Judgement suffers than your eyes
None there the lookes of simple nature wears
theres none without disguise & art appears
the fault is publick & a custom grown
that scarce a soul without its masque is shown
The young the old the little & the great
With miens affected & feignd colours cheat
Now gay now sad & never long the same,
they change to suit the time or serve their aim.
Friendship unsound, caresses unsincere,
& praises with a faint malicious air,
Low flattrys, oaths on purpose made to cheat,
& all the glossy varnish of deceit
the supple courtiers masquing dress compleat
What greater dangers can be mett with there
Where lions rage & dragons poison air
With open forces to destroy they run
& can be shunnd because they can be known
But at ye court the Lions like the deer
& dragons like the gentle lambs appear
Where lions rage & dragons poison air
With open forces to destroy they run
& can be shunnd because they can be known
But at ye court the Lions like the deer
& dragons like the gentle lambs appear
Assist us heavn where such disguisements reign
Or human wisdom will assist in vain
When borrowed Manners all our fears remove
& feather out the vultur like the dove
Where as in woods in which the robbers live
We're lost by innocence by rapin thrive
& all around us scarce we hear a noise
but of the robd or of the robbers voice
there by a strange but often tryd device
On wrecks of houses greater houses rise
Which suffring in their turn make others great
& raise them high in view for marks to fate.
Or human wisdom will assist in vain
When borrowed Manners all our fears remove
& feather out the vultur like the dove
Where as in woods in which the robbers live
We're lost by innocence by rapin thrive
& all around us scarce we hear a noise
but of the robd or of the robbers voice
there by a strange but often tryd device
On wrecks of houses greater houses rise
379
& raise them high in view for marks to fate.
Thus nothing stands at court on stable ground
Not you your self have always favour found
Yet wonder not that while your beautys reign
While the bright Loves & Graces form yr train
the winds are high bring envy on their wing
& ruffle all the glorys of your spring
Evn on the breast of Flora where it grows
Spight of its charms rude blasts will discompose
the sweet carnation or the lovely rose
Not you your self have always favour found
Yet wonder not that while your beautys reign
While the bright Loves & Graces form yr train
the winds are high bring envy on their wing
& ruffle all the glorys of your spring
Evn on the breast of Flora where it grows
Spight of its charms rude blasts will discompose
the sweet carnation or the lovely rose
Nor think you've lost yr freedoms rather savd
for to be there you must have been enslavd
All courts are gallys painted dazzling fair
Where the great slaves their chains wth glory wear
In golden chains at polishd oars they sweat
thus undergoing drudgerys of state
But what availes this mighty pomp & shine
No yoak is less a yoak for being fine
those abject slaves who to their oar confind
With heavy pains supply the want of wind
Whose arm the badge whose feet the fetters wear
Are less inthralld then fortunes prisoners here
for to be there you must have been enslavd
All courts are gallys painted dazzling fair
Where the great slaves their chains wth glory wear
In golden chains at polishd oars they sweat
thus undergoing drudgerys of state
But what availes this mighty pomp & shine
No yoak is less a yoak for being fine
those abject slaves who to their oar confind
With heavy pains supply the want of wind
Whose arm the badge whose feet the fetters wear
Are less inthralld then fortunes prisoners here
These suffer deeper in a better part
& tho the legs unbound enslave the heart
their words when words are free in all beside
Or to their close or known designs are ty'd
Dependance is the common servile case
& the free-will a stranger to the place
the tyrant passions tread fair meritt down
& their proud thrones erect above the crown
their wretched captives many bonds secure
for love ambition avarice make ym sure
& tho the legs unbound enslave the heart
their words when words are free in all beside
Or to their close or known designs are ty'd
Dependance is the common servile case
& the free-will a stranger to the place
the tyrant passions tread fair meritt down
& their proud thrones erect above the crown
their wretched captives many bonds secure
for love ambition avarice make ym sure
But we may yet much greater ills declare
for much impiety infects its air
The blessed Gospell courtiers can believe
A sett of fables minted to deceive
That canopys of state where monarchs reign
Are Heav'ns on earth & Heav'n a Fairy scene
for much impiety infects its air
The blessed Gospell courtiers can believe
A sett of fables minted to deceive
That canopys of state where monarchs reign
Are Heav'ns on earth & Heav'n a Fairy scene
The courts no ground where virtues often grow
Their proper soil is less exposd & low
Retirement means the tempting world to shun
& when thats quitted virtues workes begun
To fly with safety is to conquer here
& scaping triumphs ore a baffled snare
Tis true the pow'r above in ev'ry place
Dispenses flames divine & heav'nly grace
That Lillys may have grown on thorny ground
& there a Glorious Anna may be found
but yet the priviledge is rarely known
Like Arethusa's fabled stream to run
tis hard to roll along the briny sea
With pure untainted waters all the way
Your life has made the common fable true
& few I fear at court will follow you
How few coud ever keep themselves from blame
If the great gifts that crown you tempted them
The bright enchantments of unbounded witt
With charms adornd in easy nature sweet
The rank you held besett with ev'ry vice
Which follow pleasures or from grandeur rise.
Their proper soil is less exposd & low
Retirement means the tempting world to shun
& when thats quitted virtues workes begun
380
& scaping triumphs ore a baffled snare
Tis true the pow'r above in ev'ry place
Dispenses flames divine & heav'nly grace
That Lillys may have grown on thorny ground
& there a Glorious Anna may be found
but yet the priviledge is rarely known
Like Arethusa's fabled stream to run
tis hard to roll along the briny sea
With pure untainted waters all the way
Your life has made the common fable true
& few I fear at court will follow you
How few coud ever keep themselves from blame
If the great gifts that crown you tempted them
The bright enchantments of unbounded witt
With charms adornd in easy nature sweet
The rank you held besett with ev'ry vice
Which follow pleasures or from grandeur rise.
12 The Test of Poetry
Much have I writt, says Bavius, Mankind knows
By my quick printing how my fancy flows:
Yet Thyrsis (& they say the youth's inspird)
Mindless of mine, your Genius has admird;
When have you ere, or in what paper been,
Where the news faild, among our authors, seen?
In what collection do we meet yr name?
No, what you write, you can your self condemn
& lett the private closett hide from fame.
Here, ink & paper, lett us lock the door,
The Muses flames are quick, weel write an hour,
Then count whose lines are fewer, whose are more.
What shoud I do? The challenge I decline,
& own his readier knack to master mine.
By my quick printing how my fancy flows:
Yet Thyrsis (& they say the youth's inspird)
Mindless of mine, your Genius has admird;
When have you ere, or in what paper been,
Where the news faild, among our authors, seen?
In what collection do we meet yr name?
No, what you write, you can your self condemn
& lett the private closett hide from fame.
Here, ink & paper, lett us lock the door,
The Muses flames are quick, weel write an hour,
Then count whose lines are fewer, whose are more.
What shoud I do? The challenge I decline,
& own his readier knack to master mine.
Is witt thus tryd? is this its onely test?
Or is it but the newest, not the best?
You Mighty Bards, whose memorys remain,
& ore oblivion, time, & envy reign,
With your long-labourd works in hand, appear,
Raise your pale conscious lamps, tell ore yr care,
& fright the sudden writers of our times,
from giddy flights & undigested rimes:
Those hardend Browns, that Plague a Judging age,
That scribble fast, & many a thoughtless page,
To prove their title to poetick rage.
How distant are the Beautys from their sight,
Which come by years, & keep a Poem bright.
These catch the little flashes of their witt,
They teach them how to move wth numberd feet,
Then hasty to supply a craving dun,
Or warm from Taverns, to the Press they runn:
No length of Judgement ripens every line,
They own no chain of thought, no great design,
But to succeed, to spurious arts descend,
Which sooth our follys, or our vice defend;
Brisk drunken Catches on the Sober Jest;
Soft luscious Elegys debauch the chast;
Lampoon will rage upon unspotted fame;
& Panegyrick daub a worthless name;
So plants unapt to bear the wintry skys
If dunghill warmth the distant sun supplys
To seasons not their own appear with hast
And while they boast a colour want a tast.
Or is it but the newest, not the best?
You Mighty Bards, whose memorys remain,
& ore oblivion, time, & envy reign,
With your long-labourd works in hand, appear,
381
& fright the sudden writers of our times,
from giddy flights & undigested rimes:
Those hardend Browns, that Plague a Judging age,
That scribble fast, & many a thoughtless page,
To prove their title to poetick rage.
How distant are the Beautys from their sight,
Which come by years, & keep a Poem bright.
These catch the little flashes of their witt,
They teach them how to move wth numberd feet,
Then hasty to supply a craving dun,
Or warm from Taverns, to the Press they runn:
No length of Judgement ripens every line,
They own no chain of thought, no great design,
But to succeed, to spurious arts descend,
Which sooth our follys, or our vice defend;
Brisk drunken Catches on the Sober Jest;
Soft luscious Elegys debauch the chast;
Lampoon will rage upon unspotted fame;
& Panegyrick daub a worthless name;
So plants unapt to bear the wintry skys
If dunghill warmth the distant sun supplys
To seasons not their own appear with hast
And while they boast a colour want a tast.
Tis hence the proffit which accrues from all
May now be nothing, & anon be small;
Perhaps the sellers (ventrous race of men)
While their lost pains the writers mourn in vain,
May reap a silver harvest from their pen;
Or both at last (for both a hazzard run)
By the same labours find themselves undon.
they woud be known, tis thats the Poets aim,
Yet few shall have, since few deserve a name,
The rest shall find their hopes at dying fled,
Or ere they dy themselves in fame be dead.
May now be nothing, & anon be small;
Perhaps the sellers (ventrous race of men)
While their lost pains the writers mourn in vain,
May reap a silver harvest from their pen;
Or both at last (for both a hazzard run)
By the same labours find themselves undon.
they woud be known, tis thats the Poets aim,
Yet few shall have, since few deserve a name,
The rest shall find their hopes at dying fled,
Or ere they dy themselves in fame be dead.
The world woud verse with love & warmth admire,
But the wild managers put out the fire;
For shoud not man respect the sacred thing
Which prophets write, which saints & angells sing?
Be then our poetry, (to make it please,)
Fair sense & virtue, in a charming dress,
Nor publishd soon, it will the more endure,
By being kept for years, of years secure.
The Justest may be partial to his strains,
While the fresh subject on his mind remains,
himself applaud, & evry line approve,
With all the blindness of a fathers love;
Till in cool temper, as at ebb of tide,
He sees those shallows which before coud hide,
Waits till his heat by Just degrees expires,
The Parents dotage by the same retires,
& then hele censure what he now admires;
Hele look his labours ore & ore wth care,
Appeal to Judgement, & consult his ear,
While here he dashes out, & changes there:
He'le figures when they are not proper quit,
& lop rank branches off luxuriant witt
Hele give the swelling verse a sober pace,
He'le smooth the rugged, & the flatt he'le raise;
Then Bid the Polishd lines securely thrive;
and the great founder of their fame survive.
But the wild managers put out the fire;
For shoud not man respect the sacred thing
Which prophets write, which saints & angells sing?
Be then our poetry, (to make it please,)
Fair sense & virtue, in a charming dress,
Nor publishd soon, it will the more endure,
By being kept for years, of years secure.
382
While the fresh subject on his mind remains,
himself applaud, & evry line approve,
With all the blindness of a fathers love;
Till in cool temper, as at ebb of tide,
He sees those shallows which before coud hide,
Waits till his heat by Just degrees expires,
The Parents dotage by the same retires,
& then hele censure what he now admires;
Hele look his labours ore & ore wth care,
Appeal to Judgement, & consult his ear,
While here he dashes out, & changes there:
He'le figures when they are not proper quit,
& lop rank branches off luxuriant witt
Hele give the swelling verse a sober pace,
He'le smooth the rugged, & the flatt he'le raise;
Then Bid the Polishd lines securely thrive;
and the great founder of their fame survive.
The Ecstasy.
The fleeting Joy that all things have beneath
Goes off like snow while Zephirs warmly breath
The happy wish that makes our bliss compleat
it is not wealth it is not to be great
To glide along on pleasures easy floud
Or in fames wreaths to shine above the croud
Weak man who charms in these alone can see
Hear what I ask & learn to ask of me.
Goes off like snow while Zephirs warmly breath
The happy wish that makes our bliss compleat
it is not wealth it is not to be great
To glide along on pleasures easy floud
Or in fames wreaths to shine above the croud
Weak man who charms in these alone can see
Hear what I ask & learn to ask of me.
Send to my breast Allmighty King send down
A beam of brightness from thy starry throne
Break on my mind drive errors cloud away
& make a calm in passions troubled sea
that the poor banishd Soul serene & free
May rise from earth to visit heav'n & thee.
Come peace Divine shed gently from above
Inspire my willing bosome wondrous love
& lend thy wings & teach me how to move
A beam of brightness from thy starry throne
Break on my mind drive errors cloud away
& make a calm in passions troubled sea
that the poor banishd Soul serene & free
May rise from earth to visit heav'n & thee.
Come peace Divine shed gently from above
Inspire my willing bosome wondrous love
& lend thy wings & teach me how to move
But Whither whither now? what wondrous fire
With this blest influence equalls my desire?
I rise or love the kind deluder reigns
& acts in fancy such inchanted scenes
The earth retires, the parting skyes give way
& now I view the native realms of day
I mount above the starrs above the sun
& still methinks the spirit bears me on.
O strange enjoyment of a bliss unseen!
O ravishment! o sacred rage within!
Tumultuous pleasure raisd on peace of mind
Which he thats good & onely he can find!
I hear (it must be so) Ime sure I hear
Seraphick musick strike my rapturd ear
I see the light that veiles the throne on high
A light too glorious for the dazzled eye
look how around this great mysterious place
The Angells fly & as they fly they praise
Look how Apostles prophets martyrs Joyn
& all their tongues & all their harps combine
to celebrate the Majesty divine
to please heav'ns King their heav'nly lays are sung
No voice is silent not a harp unstrung
With this blest influence equalls my desire?
383
& acts in fancy such inchanted scenes
The earth retires, the parting skyes give way
& now I view the native realms of day
I mount above the starrs above the sun
& still methinks the spirit bears me on.
O strange enjoyment of a bliss unseen!
O ravishment! o sacred rage within!
Tumultuous pleasure raisd on peace of mind
Which he thats good & onely he can find!
I hear (it must be so) Ime sure I hear
Seraphick musick strike my rapturd ear
I see the light that veiles the throne on high
A light too glorious for the dazzled eye
look how around this great mysterious place
The Angells fly & as they fly they praise
Look how Apostles prophets martyrs Joyn
& all their tongues & all their harps combine
to celebrate the Majesty divine
to please heav'ns King their heav'nly lays are sung
No voice is silent not a harp unstrung
Pure & immortall quire allow me now
Since faign my heart woud pay its tribute too
Allow my Zeal to bear a part wth you
Assist my words and as they move along
With Halelujah's crown the burthend song
Since faign my heart woud pay its tribute too
Allow my Zeal to bear a part wth you
Assist my words and as they move along
With Halelujah's crown the burthend song
Father Eternall, God of truth & light
Great above all beyond expression bright
No bounds thy knowledge none thy powr confine
For powr & knowledge in their source are thine
Around thee Glory spreads her golden wing
Sing Glittering Angells Halelujah sing.
Great above all beyond expression bright
No bounds thy knowledge none thy powr confine
For powr & knowledge in their source are thine
Around thee Glory spreads her golden wing
Sing Glittering Angells Halelujah sing.
Son of the Father, blest, begotten Son
Ere the short measuring line of time begun
In thee his perfect Essence makes abode
the world has seen thy workes & owns thee God
The world must own thee loves unfathomd spring.
Sing Glittering Angells Halelujah Sing.
Ere the short measuring line of time begun
In thee his perfect Essence makes abode
the world has seen thy workes & owns thee God
The world must own thee loves unfathomd spring.
Sing Glittering Angells Halelujah Sing.
Proceeding Spirit, Equally divine
In whom the Godheads true perfections shine
You fill our bosomes with celestiall fire
& tis a bliss to burn when you inspire
O Lord Of Grace for Grace on earth you bring.
sing glittering Angells Halelujah sing
In whom the Godheads true perfections shine
You fill our bosomes with celestiall fire
& tis a bliss to burn when you inspire
O Lord Of Grace for Grace on earth you bring.
384
But Ah whats this? & where is all my heat
What interruption makes my Joy retreat
the worlds gott in my meditation crost
& the gay pictures in my fancy lost
How willingly Alas our soules woud rise
& be fixd starrs inserted in the skyes
But our attempts these chains of earth restrain
Deride our toiles & dragg us down again
Thus meteors mounting with the planets vie
But their own bodys sink them in the Sky
When the warmths gon that taught ym how to fly.
What interruption makes my Joy retreat
the worlds gott in my meditation crost
& the gay pictures in my fancy lost
How willingly Alas our soules woud rise
& be fixd starrs inserted in the skyes
But our attempts these chains of earth restrain
Deride our toiles & dragg us down again
Thus meteors mounting with the planets vie
But their own bodys sink them in the Sky
When the warmths gon that taught ym how to fly.
Concerning Resolution.
Happy the man whose firm resolves obtain
Assisting Grace to burst his sinfull chain
For him the Days with golden minutes glow
Tis his the Land where milk & hony flow
Justice & mercy piety & peace
Attend his workes & crown them with success
He hopes the best that is for heavn prepard
& wants no bliss while virtue can reward
That purpled hour which ushers in the light
& that which shuts its beautys up in night
Still hears him pray still sees his actions right
For him they still on easy minutes speed
& as they move for him the rest succeed
Assisting Grace to burst his sinfull chain
For him the Days with golden minutes glow
Tis his the Land where milk & hony flow
Justice & mercy piety & peace
Attend his workes & crown them with success
He hopes the best that is for heavn prepard
& wants no bliss while virtue can reward
That purpled hour which ushers in the light
& that which shuts its beautys up in night
Still hears him pray still sees his actions right
For him they still on easy minutes speed
& as they move for him the rest succeed
But most Alas by vain opinion lead
Ore the wild maze of erring passions tread
& now to this & now to that we go
& each desire & neither rightly know
& act irresolute in all we do
& seldom stay to search our objects through
Desire is vain & wanton free to range
Fond of a Chace & fond the Chace to Change
By turns a thousand inclinations rise
& each by turns as impotently dies
Now thought grows wild if loose Aminta's kind
Shee spreads her Charms & captivates the mind
Anon Aminta leaves the thought at ease
No more her aires & soft Allurements please
We love reclining in ye shady bowers
by running waters near sweet banks of flowrs
To surfeit nature with full bowles of wine
& with forcd appetites on bliss refine
Then buisy then fantastically wise
Then to be some thing else we streight devise
For Fancy still undreind affors supplys
tis thus if reason from the throne be gon
The madd affections bear their master on
His life proves restless & his labour vain
By hurrying after Phantomes of the brain
So the brave Falcon when its glorys fade
When its strong wings their generous forces shed
The vacant holds ignobler birds supply
With Ravens feathers impd she mounts on high
& weak or giddy strayes along the sky
Ore the wild maze of erring passions tread
& now to this & now to that we go
& each desire & neither rightly know
& act irresolute in all we do
& seldom stay to search our objects through
Desire is vain & wanton free to range
Fond of a Chace & fond the Chace to Change
By turns a thousand inclinations rise
& each by turns as impotently dies
Now thought grows wild if loose Aminta's kind
Shee spreads her Charms & captivates the mind
Anon Aminta leaves the thought at ease
385
We love reclining in ye shady bowers
by running waters near sweet banks of flowrs
To surfeit nature with full bowles of wine
& with forcd appetites on bliss refine
Then buisy then fantastically wise
Then to be some thing else we streight devise
For Fancy still undreind affors supplys
tis thus if reason from the throne be gon
The madd affections bear their master on
His life proves restless & his labour vain
By hurrying after Phantomes of the brain
So the brave Falcon when its glorys fade
When its strong wings their generous forces shed
The vacant holds ignobler birds supply
With Ravens feathers impd she mounts on high
& weak or giddy strayes along the sky
In Every Change indeed resolves we make
But those resolves to settle newer break
By contradictions thus we seem to live
Nor want the colour of a cause to give
Kind heav'n forgive us when for what we do
We woud debauch our knack of reasning too
When int'rest does on thought its force dispence
When pleasure beats upon the dazzled sence
Our resolutions oft in vain are made
Kind heavn forgive the fault & lend thine aid.
If by thy law we must temptations find
If these must try the temper of the mind
We begg thee not to change thy good decree
We begg for pardon or support from thee
Our wisdome never shoud thy ways confine
but thus confess & humbly rest in thine
Tis well theres tryalls since the mans so proud
& since he's weak tis well theres Grace allowd.
But those resolves to settle newer break
By contradictions thus we seem to live
Nor want the colour of a cause to give
Kind heav'n forgive us when for what we do
We woud debauch our knack of reasning too
When int'rest does on thought its force dispence
When pleasure beats upon the dazzled sence
Our resolutions oft in vain are made
Kind heavn forgive the fault & lend thine aid.
If by thy law we must temptations find
If these must try the temper of the mind
We begg thee not to change thy good decree
We begg for pardon or support from thee
Our wisdome never shoud thy ways confine
but thus confess & humbly rest in thine
Tis well theres tryalls since the mans so proud
& since he's weak tis well theres Grace allowd.
To ------ on the various Styles of Poetry
At modern Rome an easy Nymph was bred
In tender tales & soft Romances read
These on the brain a wild impression brought
& made her sure she saw what ere she thought
Within her Fancy shady groves were reard
& Dancing nymphs & piping swains appeard
Complaints were heard rewarded passions glowd
A plain extended & a river flowd
But Soon Alas her friends successfull care
from the sweet frenzy disengagd ye fair
Untimely friends restore my Joys again
Restore my grove my river & my plain
She often cryd & often cryd in vain
Till a bright youth with skill to manage came
Who while he fed her fancy raisd her flame
Then the fond creature lost her heedless heart
In making Celia's answer Damons part.
In tender tales & soft Romances read
These on the brain a wild impression brought
386
Within her Fancy shady groves were reard
& Dancing nymphs & piping swains appeard
Complaints were heard rewarded passions glowd
A plain extended & a river flowd
But Soon Alas her friends successfull care
from the sweet frenzy disengagd ye fair
Untimely friends restore my Joys again
Restore my grove my river & my plain
She often cryd & often cryd in vain
Till a bright youth with skill to manage came
Who while he fed her fancy raisd her flame
Then the fond creature lost her heedless heart
In making Celia's answer Damons part.
Change but ye sex make poetry ye thing
& the whole story to my case you bring
When first to think with order I began
& dawning reason aimd to show the man
Pleasd with the flowing graces of a line
Methought I wishd ye name of poet mine
The wish grew stronger & became design
Strange modells in my fancy then were reard
& ye thin shades of different styles appeard
My pastorall enervate movd along
My rough was Satyr & my smooth was song
Ah cruell world thou foe to calm repose
from thee the knowledge of this errour rose
I thought I coud have taught the birds to love
& wakt the tunefull Ecchoes of ye grove
What made your truths my pleasing cheat destroy
Tho' twas opinion twas a reall Joy
But see the fetters of your wisdome loose
A friend once more provokes ye silent muse
the magick charms which in his numbers reign
Strike on ye tender part that turnd my brain
buisness & verse he calls consistent things
& Ile believe that 'tis a truth he sings
I yield I yield unusuall heats arise
twere now resisting pleasure to be wise
& the whole story to my case you bring
When first to think with order I began
& dawning reason aimd to show the man
Pleasd with the flowing graces of a line
Methought I wishd ye name of poet mine
The wish grew stronger & became design
Strange modells in my fancy then were reard
& ye thin shades of different styles appeard
My pastorall enervate movd along
My rough was Satyr & my smooth was song
Ah cruell world thou foe to calm repose
from thee the knowledge of this errour rose
I thought I coud have taught the birds to love
& wakt the tunefull Ecchoes of ye grove
What made your truths my pleasing cheat destroy
Tho' twas opinion twas a reall Joy
But see the fetters of your wisdome loose
A friend once more provokes ye silent muse
the magick charms which in his numbers reign
Strike on ye tender part that turnd my brain
buisness & verse he calls consistent things
& Ile believe that 'tis a truth he sings
I yield I yield unusuall heats arise
twere now resisting pleasure to be wise
I hate ye vulgar with untunefull ears
Soules uninspird & negligent of verse
Hence ye prophane be farr removd away
While to my powr I woud my friend repay
Soules uninspird & negligent of verse
Hence ye prophane be farr removd away
While to my powr I woud my friend repay
387
When Greece did truth in mystick fables shroud
& with delight instruct the listning croud
An ancient bard (I need not tell his name)
These strains deliverd down to future fame
Still as he sung he touchd the trembling lyre
& felt the notes his rising song inspire
Forgive my Genius where I want his fire
& with delight instruct the listning croud
An ancient bard (I need not tell his name)
These strains deliverd down to future fame
Still as he sung he touchd the trembling lyre
& felt the notes his rising song inspire
Forgive my Genius where I want his fire
Witt is the Muses horse & bears on high
The daring rider to the muses Sky
Who while his strength to mount aloft he trys
By regions varying in their nature flyes
The daring rider to the muses Sky
Who while his strength to mount aloft he trys
By regions varying in their nature flyes
By the poor trifling region first he goes
Where words inverted anagrams compose
Where Jingling puns the meagre couplets raise
That do the pointed Epigram debase
Where mean Acrosticks labourd in a frame
On scatterd letters raise a painfull scheme
Whose scanty bounds exclude ye sprightly flame
Ah sacred verse within my thoughts adord
Ah be for ever in my lines deplord
If men get fame by tricks upon a word
Can such as these to character pretend
Can any muse the worthless toil befriend
At this awhile ye poet held his peace
& scornfull smiles were spread upon his face
Which moving off he thus resumd the layes
Where words inverted anagrams compose
Where Jingling puns the meagre couplets raise
That do the pointed Epigram debase
Where mean Acrosticks labourd in a frame
On scatterd letters raise a painfull scheme
Whose scanty bounds exclude ye sprightly flame
Ah sacred verse within my thoughts adord
Ah be for ever in my lines deplord
If men get fame by tricks upon a word
Can such as these to character pretend
Can any muse the worthless toil befriend
At this awhile ye poet held his peace
& scornfull smiles were spread upon his face
Which moving off he thus resumd the layes
By a cold country next ye rider goes
Where all is coverd with eternall snows
Ore which the shining Genius never rose
Bleak level realm where frigid styles abound
Where never yet a mounting thought was found
But starvd conceits that chill the readers mind
& counted feet is poetry defind
Ah sacred verse replete with heavnly flame
If such a frozen piece invade thy name
The name of man may breathless statues claim
Here grief awhile delayd his hand & tongue
But then again he playd again he sung.
Where all is coverd with eternall snows
Ore which the shining Genius never rose
Bleak level realm where frigid styles abound
Where never yet a mounting thought was found
But starvd conceits that chill the readers mind
& counted feet is poetry defind
Ah sacred verse replete with heavnly flame
If such a frozen piece invade thy name
The name of man may breathless statues claim
Here grief awhile delayd his hand & tongue
But then again he playd again he sung.
Pass the next region which appears to show
Tis very open very green & low
No noble flight no strength of sence is there
Its turns are common childish is their air
On callow wings & like a plague of flyes
The little fancys through a poem rise
The Jaded reader every where to strike
& move his passions every where alike
There the best beautys which ye brightest write
are copy'd ill or flourishd out of sight
There metaphors on metaphors abound
& sence with differing images confound
Strange injudicious management of fire
Ah sacred verse from such a realm retire
Tis credit lost no better to inspire
Here a soft pitty rolld within his breast
& soon his voice the following strains exprest
Tis very open very green & low
No noble flight no strength of sence is there
Its turns are common childish is their air
On callow wings & like a plague of flyes
388
The Jaded reader every where to strike
& move his passions every where alike
There the best beautys which ye brightest write
are copy'd ill or flourishd out of sight
There metaphors on metaphors abound
& sence with differing images confound
Strange injudicious management of fire
Ah sacred verse from such a realm retire
Tis credit lost no better to inspire
Here a soft pitty rolld within his breast
& soon his voice the following strains exprest
Mount higher still, still keep thy faithfull seat
Mind the firm reins & curb thy coursers heat
Nor lett him touch the realms yt next appear
They're all composd of castles in ye air
Whose threatning turrets seem a fall to fear
Thoughts for extravagance & words for noise
are here the reasons that conclude their choice
The swelling lines with stalking strutt proceed
& in the clouds terrifick rumblings breed
The reader scard with sounds does plainly see
Tyrannick port mistook for majesty
While the loud Bard does on Apollo call
he bids him enter to possess him all
& makes his flames afford a wild pretence
to keep him unrestraind by common sence
Ah sacred verse least reason quitt thy state
Give none to such or give a gentler heat
The poet here awhile collected stood
Within himself & thus his track pursud.
Mind the firm reins & curb thy coursers heat
Nor lett him touch the realms yt next appear
They're all composd of castles in ye air
Whose threatning turrets seem a fall to fear
Thoughts for extravagance & words for noise
are here the reasons that conclude their choice
The swelling lines with stalking strutt proceed
& in the clouds terrifick rumblings breed
The reader scard with sounds does plainly see
Tyrannick port mistook for majesty
While the loud Bard does on Apollo call
he bids him enter to possess him all
& makes his flames afford a wild pretence
to keep him unrestraind by common sence
Ah sacred verse least reason quitt thy state
Give none to such or give a gentler heat
The poet here awhile collected stood
Within himself & thus his track pursud.
Above ye beautys farr above ye show
in which weak nature dresses here below
Stands the great Palace of ye bright & fine
That does around with fair Ideas shine
Eternall modells of unbounded parts
The pride of minds & conquerours of hearts
Tis here that guided by the muses fire
& full of warmth divine her friends retire
To tast repose & elevated Joys
Which in a deep untroubled leisure rise
from hence the charms that most engage they chuse
& as they please the glittering objects use
While to their genius more than art they trust
Yet art acknowledges their labours Just
from hence they look from this exalted place
On the low world sublimely rich in layes
to crown a victour wth rewarding praise
The Soul with knowledge gently to improve
to knitt a friendship or obtain a love
& but to speak of heaven look above
Hail sacred verse ye sacred muses hail
Coud I your pleasures with your fire reveal
The world might then be brought to know you right
& court your rage & envy my delight
But time may bring a genius on his wings—
With admiration stoppd no more he sings
No more his flying fingers shake ye strings
in which weak nature dresses here below
Stands the great Palace of ye bright & fine
That does around with fair Ideas shine
Eternall modells of unbounded parts
The pride of minds & conquerours of hearts
Tis here that guided by the muses fire
& full of warmth divine her friends retire
To tast repose & elevated Joys
Which in a deep untroubled leisure rise
from hence the charms that most engage they chuse
& as they please the glittering objects use
389
Yet art acknowledges their labours Just
from hence they look from this exalted place
On the low world sublimely rich in layes
to crown a victour wth rewarding praise
The Soul with knowledge gently to improve
to knitt a friendship or obtain a love
& but to speak of heaven look above
Hail sacred verse ye sacred muses hail
Coud I your pleasures with your fire reveal
The world might then be brought to know you right
& court your rage & envy my delight
But time may bring a genius on his wings—
With admiration stoppd no more he sings
No more his flying fingers shake ye strings
To this recess do you my friend retreat
From thence report the pleasures of the seat
Describe the raptures which a writer knows
When in his breast a vein of fancy glows
say what he feeles while op'ning of ye mine
& what he feeles when first he sees it shine
say when a reader views a beauteous piece
How much the writers mind can act on his
How images in charming numbers sett
a sort of likeness in the soul begett
What various things ye softned swiming eye
Believes it sees & onely seems to see
Pierce further still thro' natures maze to find
How passions drawn give passions to ye mind
Is verse a Soveraign regent of the soul
& fitted all its motions to controul
Or are they sisters tund at once above
& shake like unisons if either move
For at a fine description of a fight
Ive heard a souldiers voice confess delight
Ive seen his eyes with crowding spirits bright
When from his fair the fickle Trojan flyes
& in enchanting lines Eliza cryes
Ive seen ye tears stand in ye virgins eyes
Ive seen ym blush at soft Corinnas name
& in red Characters confess a flame
say tender maids (to such my lays appeal)
If here the powr of verse my verses tell
Oft does a nymph by sweet experience prove
the passions well describd her passions move
& longs to meet a swain & longs to love
Then if by chance the sighing youth arrives
In pleasure lost her melted heart she gives
& the raisd lover by the poet lives
From thence report the pleasures of the seat
Describe the raptures which a writer knows
When in his breast a vein of fancy glows
say what he feeles while op'ning of ye mine
& what he feeles when first he sees it shine
say when a reader views a beauteous piece
How much the writers mind can act on his
How images in charming numbers sett
a sort of likeness in the soul begett
What various things ye softned swiming eye
Believes it sees & onely seems to see
Pierce further still thro' natures maze to find
How passions drawn give passions to ye mind
Is verse a Soveraign regent of the soul
& fitted all its motions to controul
Or are they sisters tund at once above
& shake like unisons if either move
For at a fine description of a fight
Ive heard a souldiers voice confess delight
Ive seen his eyes with crowding spirits bright
When from his fair the fickle Trojan flyes
& in enchanting lines Eliza cryes
Ive seen ye tears stand in ye virgins eyes
Ive seen ym blush at soft Corinnas name
& in red Characters confess a flame
say tender maids (to such my lays appeal)
If here the powr of verse my verses tell
390
the passions well describd her passions move
& longs to meet a swain & longs to love
Then if by chance the sighing youth arrives
In pleasure lost her melted heart she gives
& the raisd lover by the poet lives
Metr: Boetius 1s 1 Quisquis comp
The Man whose mind & actions still SedateCan bravely triumph ore ye thoughts of fate
He who unaltered fortunes Changes brookes
Without elated or dejected lookes
With a fixd carriage & undaunted soul
Shall see ye oceans boiling surges roll
Vesuvius flames in smoaky pillars rise
& bolts of thunder dart from opening skys
Why dread we wretched mankind tell me why
When the vain threats of tyrants idely fly
Weigh all things right as in themselves they are
Unlearn your minds to move by hope & fear
With in yr breast lett resolution reign
& all their baffled forces act in vain
But he who servily can wish or grieve
For that which is not in his powr to give
Casts off the firmness wch shoud make him great
the strongest shield we can oppose to fate
letts inclinations grow & thus he weaves
Those very bonds which keep us passions slaves.
A Tavern feast
Gay Bacchus liking B---s wineA noble meal bespoke
& for ye guests that were to dine
Brought Comus Love & Joke
391
& Joke by Comus plact
Thus wine makes Love forget his care
& Mirth exalts a feast
To make it more deserve ye God
Each sweet engaging Grace
Put on some cloaths to come abroad
& took a waiters place
Then Cupid namd for ev'ry glass
A Lady of ye sky
& Bacchus swore he'd drink ye ye Lass
& had it bumper high
Fat Comus tossd his brimmers o're
& allways gott ye most
For Joke took care to fill him more
When ere he missd ye toast
They calld & drunk at evry touch
& calld & drunk again
& if ye Gods can take too much
Tis said they did so then
Free Jests ran all the table round
& with ye wine conspire
While they by sly reflections wound
To Set their heads afire
Plump Bacchus little Cupid stung
By reckning his deceits
& Cupid mockd his stammring tongue
& all his stagg'ring gates
Joke drolld on Comus Greedy ways
& tales without a Jest
& Comus calld his witty plays
But waggerys at best
such talking sett them all at odds
& had I Homers pen
Ide sing you how they drunk like Gods
& how they fought like men
To part ye fray the Graces fly
Who make them soon agree
& had ye furys selves been nigh
They still were three to three
Bacchus appeasd letts Cupid up
& gave him back his bow
But kept some darts to stirr ye Cup
392
Joke taking Comus rosy crown
In triumph wore ye prize
& thrice in mirth he pushd him down
As thrice he strove to rise
Then Cupid sought ye mirtle grove
Where Venus did recline
& Beauty close embracing Love
They Joyn to rail at Wine
& Comus loudly cursing witt
Rolld off to some retreat
Where boon companions gravely sitt
In dull unwieldy state
Bacchus & Joke who stay behind
For one fresh glass prepare
& kiss & are exceeding kind
& vow to be sincere
But part in time whoever here
Are couchd within my song
For tho the friendship may be dear
It cant continue long.
The Ecstasy.
The fleeting Joys which all affords below
Work the fond heart with unperforming show
And vanish off as snows that swiftly fail
Thawd by the breathings of a Vernall gale
The Wish that makes our happier life compleat
Nor grasps the wealth nor honours of the great
Nor loosely sailes on Pleasures easy stream
Nor crops for Lawrels all ye groves of Fame
Weak man who charms to these alone confine
Attend my prayr & learn to make it thine
Work the fond heart with unperforming show
And vanish off as snows that swiftly fail
Thawd by the breathings of a Vernall gale
The Wish that makes our happier life compleat
Nor grasps the wealth nor honours of the great
Nor loosely sailes on Pleasures easy stream
Nor crops for Lawrels all ye groves of Fame
Weak man who charms to these alone confine
Attend my prayr & learn to make it thine
From thy rich throne where circling trains of light
Make day that's endless infinitely bright
Thence heavnly Father thence with pitty dart
One beam of brightness to my longing heart
Dawn through the mind drive Errors clouds away
And still the rage in Passions troubled sea
That the poor banishd soul serene and free
May rise from Earth to visit heavn & thee
Come Peace Divine shed gently from above
Inspire my willing bosome wondrous Love
Thy Purple pinnions to my shoulders ty
And point the passage where I want to fly.
Make day that's endless infinitely bright
Thence heavnly Father thence with pitty dart
One beam of brightness to my longing heart
Dawn through the mind drive Errors clouds away
And still the rage in Passions troubled sea
That the poor banishd soul serene and free
393
Come Peace Divine shed gently from above
Inspire my willing bosome wondrous Love
Thy Purple pinnions to my shoulders ty
And point the passage where I want to fly.
But whither whither now what powrfull fire
With this blest influence equals my desire
I rise (or love the kind Deluder reigns
and acts in fancy such enchanted scenes)
Earth lessning flys the parting skys retreat
The fleecy clouds my waving feathers beat
And now the sun and now the starrs are gon
And still methinks the spirit bears me on
Where Tracts of Æther purer blue display
And edge the golden realm of native day
With this blest influence equals my desire
I rise (or love the kind Deluder reigns
and acts in fancy such enchanted scenes)
Earth lessning flys the parting skys retreat
The fleecy clouds my waving feathers beat
And now the sun and now the starrs are gon
And still methinks the spirit bears me on
Where Tracts of Æther purer blue display
And edge the golden realm of native day
Oh strange Enjoyment of a bliss unseen
Oh ravishment Oh sacred rage within
Tumultuous Pleasure raisd on peace of mind
Sincere excessive from the world refind
I see the light that veiles the throne on high
A light unpiercd by mans impurer eye
I hear the words which issuing thence proclaim
That Gods attendants praise his awfull name
Then heads unnumberd bend before the shrine
Mysterious seat of Majesty divine
And hands unnumberd strike the silver String
And tongues unnumberd Halelujah sing
See where the shining seraphims appear
And sink their decent eyes with holy fear
See flights of Angels all their feathers raise
Range the vast heigths and as they range they praise
Behold the great Apostles sweetly met
And high on Curles of Azure Æther sett
Behold the Prophets full of Heavnly fire
With wandring fingers wake the tunefull lyre
And hear the Martyrs sing and all around
The Church Triumphant make the region sound
With harps with Crowns of Gold with boughs of green
With robes of white the pious throngs are seen
Exalted Anthems all their hours employ
And all is musick and excess of Joy
Oh ravishment Oh sacred rage within
Tumultuous Pleasure raisd on peace of mind
Sincere excessive from the world refind
I see the light that veiles the throne on high
A light unpiercd by mans impurer eye
I hear the words which issuing thence proclaim
That Gods attendants praise his awfull name
Then heads unnumberd bend before the shrine
Mysterious seat of Majesty divine
And hands unnumberd strike the silver String
And tongues unnumberd Halelujah sing
See where the shining seraphims appear
And sink their decent eyes with holy fear
See flights of Angels all their feathers raise
Range the vast heigths and as they range they praise
Behold the great Apostles sweetly met
And high on Curles of Azure Æther sett
Behold the Prophets full of Heavnly fire
With wandring fingers wake the tunefull lyre
And hear the Martyrs sing and all around
The Church Triumphant make the region sound
With harps with Crowns of Gold with boughs of green
With robes of white the pious throngs are seen
Exalted Anthems all their hours employ
And all is musick and excess of Joy
Charmd with the sight I long to bear my part
The pleasure flutters at my ravishd heart
Sweet saints and Angels Heavns immortall Quire
If Love have warmd me with celestial fire
Assist my words and as they move along
With Halelujah crown the burthend Song
The pleasure flutters at my ravishd heart
394
If Love have warmd me with celestial fire
Assist my words and as they move along
With Halelujah crown the burthend Song
Father of all above and all below
O great and farr beyond expression so
No bounds thy knowledge none thy powr confine
For powr and knowledge in their source are thine
Around thee glory spreads her golden wing
Sing glittering Angels Halelujah sing
O great and farr beyond expression so
No bounds thy knowledge none thy powr confine
For powr and knowledge in their source are thine
Around thee glory spreads her golden wing
Sing glittering Angels Halelujah sing
Son of the Father first begotten son
Ere the short measuring line of Time begun
The world has seen thy workes & Joyd to see
His bright Effulgence manifest in thee
The world must own thee Loves unfathomd spring
Sing glittering Angels Halelujah sing
Ere the short measuring line of Time begun
The world has seen thy workes & Joyd to see
His bright Effulgence manifest in thee
The world must own thee Loves unfathomd spring
Sing glittering Angels Halelujah sing
Proceeding Spirit equally divine
In whom the Godheads full perfections shine
With various grace with comfort unexprest
With Holy transport you refine the breast
And Earth grows heavnly where your gifts you bring
Sing Glittering Angels Halelujah sing
In whom the Godheads full perfections shine
With various grace with comfort unexprest
With Holy transport you refine the breast
And Earth grows heavnly where your gifts you bring
Sing Glittering Angels Halelujah sing
But wheres my rapture where my wondrous heat
What interruption makes my bliss retreat
This worlds got in the thoughts of T'other crosst
And the fair pictures in my fancy Lost
With what an eager zeal the Conscious Soul
Woud seek its home & soaring pass the Pole
But our attempts these chains of earth restrain
Deride the toil and drag us down again
So from the ground aspiring Meteors goe
And rankd with Planets light the world below
But their own bodys sink them in the Sky
When the warmths gon by which they learnd to fly.
What interruption makes my bliss retreat
This worlds got in the thoughts of T'other crosst
And the fair pictures in my fancy Lost
With what an eager zeal the Conscious Soul
Woud seek its home & soaring pass the Pole
But our attempts these chains of earth restrain
Deride the toil and drag us down again
So from the ground aspiring Meteors goe
And rankd with Planets light the world below
But their own bodys sink them in the Sky
When the warmths gon by which they learnd to fly.
The Horse & Olive or Warr & Peace
With Moral tale let Ancient wisdome move
Which thus I sing to make ye moderns wise
Strong Neptune once with sage Minerva strove
And rising Athens was the Victors prize
Which thus I sing to make ye moderns wise
Strong Neptune once with sage Minerva strove
And rising Athens was the Victors prize
395
By Neptune Plutus guardian Powr of gain
By great Minerva Bright Apollo stood
But Jove superiour Bad ye side obtain
Which best contrivd to do ye nation good
By great Minerva Bright Apollo stood
But Jove superiour Bad ye side obtain
Which best contrivd to do ye nation good
Then Neptune striking from the parted ground
The Warlike horse came pawing on ye plain
And as it tossd its main & prancd around
By this he crys Ile make the people reign
The Warlike horse came pawing on ye plain
And as it tossd its main & prancd around
By this he crys Ile make the people reign
The Goddess smiling gently bowd ye spear
And rather thus they shall be blessd she said
Then upwards shooting in ye Vernal air
With loaded boughs ye fruitfull Olive spread
And rather thus they shall be blessd she said
Then upwards shooting in ye Vernal air
With loaded boughs ye fruitfull Olive spread
Jove saw what gifts ye rival Powrs designd
Then took th' impartial scales resolvd to show
If greater bliss in warlike pomp we find
Or in ye calm which peacefull times bestow
Then took th' impartial scales resolvd to show
If greater bliss in warlike pomp we find
Or in ye calm which peacefull times bestow
On Neptunes part he placd victorious days
Gay trophys won & fame extending wide
But plenty safety science arts & ease
Minerva's scale with greater weight supplyd
Gay trophys won & fame extending wide
But plenty safety science arts & ease
Minerva's scale with greater weight supplyd
Fierce warr devours whom gentle Peace woud save
Sweet peace restores wt angry warr destroys
Warr made for peace with that rewards ye brave
While Peace its pleasures from it self enjoys
Sweet peace restores wt angry warr destroys
Warr made for peace with that rewards ye brave
While Peace its pleasures from it self enjoys
Hence Vanquishd Neptune to ye Sea withdrew
Hence Wise Minerva ruld Athenian lands
Her Athens hence in arts & honour grew
And still her Olives deck pacifick hands
Hence Wise Minerva ruld Athenian lands
Her Athens hence in arts & honour grew
And still her Olives deck pacifick hands
From fables thus disclosd a Monarchs mind
May form Just rules to chuse ye truly great
And subjects wearyd with distresses find
Whose kind endeavours most befriend a state
May form Just rules to chuse ye truly great
And subjects wearyd with distresses find
Whose kind endeavours most befriend a state
Evn Britain here may learn to place her love
If Citys won her kingdomes wealth have cost
If Anna's thoughts ye Patriot soules approve
Whose cares restore yt wealth ye wars had lost
If Citys won her kingdomes wealth have cost
If Anna's thoughts ye Patriot soules approve
Whose cares restore yt wealth ye wars had lost
396
But if we ask ye Moral to disclose
Whom best Europa's patroness it calls
Great Anna's title no exception knows
And unapplyd in this ye fable falls
Whom best Europa's patroness it calls
Great Anna's title no exception knows
And unapplyd in this ye fable falls
With her no Neptune or Minerva vyes
When ere she pleasd her troops to conquest flew
When ere she pleases peaceful times arise
She gave the horse & gives ye Olive too.
When ere she pleasd her troops to conquest flew
When ere she pleases peaceful times arise
She gave the horse & gives ye Olive too.
A Parody of Donec Gratus Eram in A dialogue Between M--- & his Wife.
He.When first my Biddy love profest
My rapture ran so high
Not Gentle S---s fondly prest
To beautious G---s panting breast
Was half so blest as I
She.
When first my bard you taught my name
To sound in Song divine
Not S---s exalted fame
Tho S---s a P--- aim
I wishd instead of mine
He.
But now the Muse thy late delight
You See thy rival prove
For night & day & day & night
To write & read & read & write
Is all ye life I love
She
Forlorn yet senceless of ye pain
I to the Mirrour fly
Survey my self am Justly vain
And but I know my self again
For that dear face coud dy
He.
But shoud thy Bard no longer pore
Wilt thou forsake thy glass
If I admire my works no more
Wilt thou to court thy shade give o're
397
She
Since none but we our rivals are
And none the lovers too
Be fond or void of am'rous care
I fond or vain of being fair
Yet both are ever true.
Epigram. On a Ladys lace shown for a favour
As Nelly to a chamber got
To take her leave of Ned
She loosd her lace & Cast a knot
(Ah why unlacd the maid.).
To take her leave of Ned
She loosd her lace & Cast a knot
(Ah why unlacd the maid.).
Now pull the further end she cryd
The Youth obeyd commands
And still the knot ye faster tyd
The more they parted hands
The Youth obeyd commands
And still the knot ye faster tyd
The more they parted hands
This fancy by the lover seen
She gave the silken braid
And with a kiss or two between
The parting posy said
She gave the silken braid
And with a kiss or two between
The parting posy said
When this you see remember me
And love me more & more
This knot when you at distance drew
Came closer than before.
And love me more & more
This knot when you at distance drew
Came closer than before.
An Allegory on Man.
A thoughfull Being, long and spare,
Our race of Mortals call him Care,
(Were Homer living well he knew
What Name the Gods woud call him too)
With fine Mechanick Genius wrought,
And lovd to work tho no one bought.
Our race of Mortals call him Care,
(Were Homer living well he knew
What Name the Gods woud call him too)
With fine Mechanick Genius wrought,
398
This Being by a Model bred
In Joves eternal sable head,
Contrivd a Shape impowrd to breath
And be the worldling here beneath.
In Joves eternal sable head,
Contrivd a Shape impowrd to breath
And be the worldling here beneath.
The Man rose staring, like a stake,
Wondring to see himself awake;
Then lookd so wise before he knew
The buisness he was made to do,
That pleasd to see with what a grace,
He gravely showd his forward face,
Jove talkd of breeding him on high
An under-something of the Sky.
Wondring to see himself awake;
Then lookd so wise before he knew
The buisness he was made to do,
That pleasd to see with what a grace,
He gravely showd his forward face,
Jove talkd of breeding him on high
An under-something of the Sky.
But ere he gave the mighty nod,
Which ever binds a Poets God,
For which his curles Ambrosial shake,
And Parent Earth's oblidgd to quake,
He felt her move, he saw her rise,
She stood confessd before his eyes.
But not with what we read she wore,
A Castle for a crown before,
Or lengthning streets and longer roads;
Dangling behind her like Commodes:
As yet with onely wreaths She drest,
She traild a landskip-painted vest;
And thrice she raisd, as Ovid said,
And thrice she bowd her weighty head.
Which ever binds a Poets God,
For which his curles Ambrosial shake,
And Parent Earth's oblidgd to quake,
He felt her move, he saw her rise,
She stood confessd before his eyes.
But not with what we read she wore,
A Castle for a crown before,
Or lengthning streets and longer roads;
Dangling behind her like Commodes:
As yet with onely wreaths She drest,
She traild a landskip-painted vest;
And thrice she raisd, as Ovid said,
And thrice she bowd her weighty head.
Her honours made, great Jove, she cryd,
The man was fashiond from my side,
His hands, his heart, his head are mine,
Then what hast thou to call him thine?
Nay rather ask, ye Monarch said,
What boots his hand, his heart, his head,
Were what I gave removd away,
Thy part's an Idle shape of clay.
To shares apiece, says artfull Care,
Your pleas woud make your titles fair,
You claim The body, you the soul;
But I who Joynd them claim the whole.
The man was fashiond from my side,
His hands, his heart, his head are mine,
Then what hast thou to call him thine?
Nay rather ask, ye Monarch said,
What boots his hand, his heart, his head,
Were what I gave removd away,
Thy part's an Idle shape of clay.
To shares apiece, says artfull Care,
Your pleas woud make your titles fair,
You claim The body, you the soul;
But I who Joynd them claim the whole.
Thus with the Gods debate began,
On such a trivial cause as man.
And can Celestial tempers rage!
(Quoth Virgil in a later age.)
On such a trivial cause as man.
And can Celestial tempers rage!
(Quoth Virgil in a later age.)
399
As thus they wrangled Time came by;
(Theres none who paints him such as I;
For what the Fabling Ancients sung,
Makes Saturn old when Time was young)
As yet his winters had not shed
Their silver honours on his head,
He Just had got his pinions free,
From his old sire Eternity.
A serpent Girdled round he wore,
The tail within the mouth before,
By which our Almanacks are clear,
That learned Ægypt meant the Year.
A staff he carryd, where on high
He fixd a glass to Measure by;
As Amber boxes made a show
For heads of Canes an age agoe.
His Vest for day and night was pyd;
A bending Sickle arms his side;
And Springs new months his train adorn;
(The Other Seasons were unborn)
(Theres none who paints him such as I;
For what the Fabling Ancients sung,
Makes Saturn old when Time was young)
As yet his winters had not shed
Their silver honours on his head,
He Just had got his pinions free,
From his old sire Eternity.
A serpent Girdled round he wore,
The tail within the mouth before,
By which our Almanacks are clear,
That learned Ægypt meant the Year.
A staff he carryd, where on high
He fixd a glass to Measure by;
As Amber boxes made a show
For heads of Canes an age agoe.
His Vest for day and night was pyd;
A bending Sickle arms his side;
And Springs new months his train adorn;
(The Other Seasons were unborn)
Known by the Gods as near he draws
They make him Umpire of the Cause.
Ore a low trunk his arm he layd,
Where since his Hours a Dial made.
Then leaning heard the nice debate,
And thus pronouncd the words of Fate.
They make him Umpire of the Cause.
Ore a low trunk his arm he layd,
Where since his Hours a Dial made.
Then leaning heard the nice debate,
And thus pronouncd the words of Fate.
Since Body from the Parent Earth,
And Soul from Jove receivd a Birth,
Return they where they first began,
But since their Union makes the man,
Till Jove & Earth shall Part the two,
To Care who Joynd them Man be due.
And Soul from Jove receivd a Birth,
Return they where they first began,
But since their Union makes the man,
Till Jove & Earth shall Part the two,
To Care who Joynd them Man be due.
He said, & sprung with swift career
To trace a Circle for the year,
Where since the seasons ever wheel,
And tread on one anothers heel.
To trace a Circle for the year,
Where since the seasons ever wheel,
And tread on one anothers heel.
Tis well, says Jove, & for Consent
Thundring he shook the firmament.
Our Umpire Time shall have his way,
With Care I lett the Creature stay.
But thou for whom he seems to breath
Shall half defeat thy grant beneath:
For Time whose forces should be shown,
When Natures harvest fully grown
Bows with the Mellowd ears of grain,
And longs to Prostrate on ye plain,
Will Natures bended Sickle bear
But till he gets ye Scythes of Care.
Then Toil shall rise from fond desire,
And Idleness & buisness tire,
Bright Glory strain for Shades of Joy,
Soft Pleasure but to Pains decoy,
Ambition Vex, or Av'rice blind,
And doubt & knowledge rack ye Mind,
Mad Errour act, Opinion speak,
Low want afflict, & Sickness break,
Wild Anger burn, dejection chill,
And Joy distract, & Sorrow kill.
Thus armd by Care & taught to mow,
Time Draws the long promiscuous blow,
And wasted Man, whose quick decay
Comes hurrying on before the day,
Will onely find by this decree,
The Soul flys sooner back to me.
Thundring he shook the firmament.
Our Umpire Time shall have his way,
With Care I lett the Creature stay.
But thou for whom he seems to breath
Shall half defeat thy grant beneath:
For Time whose forces should be shown,
400
Bows with the Mellowd ears of grain,
And longs to Prostrate on ye plain,
Will Natures bended Sickle bear
But till he gets ye Scythes of Care.
Then Toil shall rise from fond desire,
And Idleness & buisness tire,
Bright Glory strain for Shades of Joy,
Soft Pleasure but to Pains decoy,
Ambition Vex, or Av'rice blind,
And doubt & knowledge rack ye Mind,
Mad Errour act, Opinion speak,
Low want afflict, & Sickness break,
Wild Anger burn, dejection chill,
And Joy distract, & Sorrow kill.
Thus armd by Care & taught to mow,
Time Draws the long promiscuous blow,
And wasted Man, whose quick decay
Comes hurrying on before the day,
Will onely find by this decree,
The Soul flys sooner back to me.
Epigram
Kate counts her years on ev'ry finger tenAnd counts them over & begins again
For a whole cent'ry passd she lovd to ly
For which the creature well deservd to dy
She railes & scolds in one eternall strain
For which the Creature ought to dy again
Pin on her back a paper where tis said
Since Kate still lives the Devil must be dead
Martial
For Nothing Lucy never plays ye whoreThats true—for Lucy ever pays before
401
An Eclogue
Now early shepheards ore ye meadow pass,
And print long foot-steps in the glittering grass;
The Cows unfeeding near the cottage stand,
By turns obedient to the Milkers hand,
Or loytring stretch beneath an Oaken shade,
Or lett the suckling Calf defraud the maid.
And print long foot-steps in the glittering grass;
The Cows unfeeding near the cottage stand,
By turns obedient to the Milkers hand,
Or loytring stretch beneath an Oaken shade,
Or lett the suckling Calf defraud the maid.
When Harry softly trod the shaven lawn,
Harry a youth from Citty care with drawn,
Unlike the lowly swains Arcadia bore,
Their Pipes but sounded in the days of yore:
Now Gales regardless range the Vaults above,
And No fond swain believes they sigh for love,
No more the Waters sympathising weep;
Our Lads unskilld in musick tend the sheep;
For Tom and Will our Yellow Ceres waves,
And Kate instead of Chloris binds ye sheaves.
Sicilian Muse thy higher strains explore,
Thy higher strains may suit with nature more.
Harry a youth from Citty care with drawn,
Unlike the lowly swains Arcadia bore,
Their Pipes but sounded in the days of yore:
Now Gales regardless range the Vaults above,
And No fond swain believes they sigh for love,
No more the Waters sympathising weep;
Our Lads unskilld in musick tend the sheep;
For Tom and Will our Yellow Ceres waves,
And Kate instead of Chloris binds ye sheaves.
Sicilian Muse thy higher strains explore,
Thy higher strains may suit with nature more.
Long was the pleasing Walk he wanderd through;
A Coverd arbour closd ye distant View:
Cross-sloping railes a lattice front supplyd,
And twind the flowring woodbine crept aside.
There rests the Youth, and while the featherd throng
Raise their wild Musick, thus contrives a song.
A Coverd arbour closd ye distant View:
Cross-sloping railes a lattice front supplyd,
And twind the flowring woodbine crept aside.
There rests the Youth, and while the featherd throng
Raise their wild Musick, thus contrives a song.
Here wafted o're by mild Etesian air
Thou Country Goddess Beautious Health repair;
Here lett my breast thro' quiv'ring trees inhale,
Thy rosy blessings with the Morning gale.
The Months that wake ye fragrant year renew,
The Sun is golden and the skys are blue,
Fair silver sprinklings fill ye walk with light,
The boughs are verdant and the blossoms white;
Yet what are these, or those, or all I see,
Ah Joyless all! if not enjoyd with thee.
Thou Country Goddess Beautious Health repair;
Here lett my breast thro' quiv'ring trees inhale,
Thy rosy blessings with the Morning gale.
The Months that wake ye fragrant year renew,
The Sun is golden and the skys are blue,
Fair silver sprinklings fill ye walk with light,
The boughs are verdant and the blossoms white;
Yet what are these, or those, or all I see,
Ah Joyless all! if not enjoyd with thee.
Come Country Goddess come, nor thou suffice,
But bring thy Mountain Sister Exercise.
Calld by thy lively voice she turns her pace,
Her winding horn proclaims a finishd chace,
She bounds the rocks, she skims ye level plain,
Dogs hawks and horses croud her early train,
Her hardy face repells the tanning wind,
And lines and meshes loosely float behind.
These all as means of toil the feeble see,
But these are helps of pleasure all wth thee.
But bring thy Mountain Sister Exercise.
Calld by thy lively voice she turns her pace,
Her winding horn proclaims a finishd chace,
She bounds the rocks, she skims ye level plain,
Dogs hawks and horses croud her early train,
Her hardy face repells the tanning wind,
402
These all as means of toil the feeble see,
But these are helps of pleasure all wth thee.
O come the Goddess of my rural Song,
And bring thy daughter calm content along,
Dame of the ruddy cheek & laughing eye,
From whose bright presence clouds of trouble fly;
For her I mow my walks, I platt my bowrs,
Clip my low hedges & support my flowrs.
To wellcome her this summer seat I drest;
And here Ile court her when she comes to rest.
She'le lead from exercise to learned Ease,
And Change again, & teach ye change to please.
And bring thy daughter calm content along,
Dame of the ruddy cheek & laughing eye,
From whose bright presence clouds of trouble fly;
For her I mow my walks, I platt my bowrs,
Clip my low hedges & support my flowrs.
To wellcome her this summer seat I drest;
And here Ile court her when she comes to rest.
She'le lead from exercise to learned Ease,
And Change again, & teach ye change to please.
Joy to my soul! I feel the Goddess nigh,
The face of Nature cheers as well as I.
Ore the flat Green refreshing Breezes run
To make young Dazys blow beneath the sun;
While limpid waters to the bottom seen
Lave the soft margin of the lovely Green,
Brisk chirping birds from all the compass rove
To tempt ye warbling Ecchoes of ye grove,
High sunny summits, deeply-shaded dales,
Thick mossy banks, and flowry winding vales,
With Various prospect gratify the sight,
And scatter fixd attention with delight.
Till the raisd soul by gay confusion wrought
Within a sphear of pleasure rolls on thought.
Here beautious Health for all ye year remain,
When ye next comes I'le charm thee thus again.
The face of Nature cheers as well as I.
Ore the flat Green refreshing Breezes run
To make young Dazys blow beneath the sun;
While limpid waters to the bottom seen
Lave the soft margin of the lovely Green,
Brisk chirping birds from all the compass rove
To tempt ye warbling Ecchoes of ye grove,
High sunny summits, deeply-shaded dales,
Thick mossy banks, and flowry winding vales,
With Various prospect gratify the sight,
And scatter fixd attention with delight.
Till the raisd soul by gay confusion wrought
Within a sphear of pleasure rolls on thought.
Here beautious Health for all ye year remain,
When ye next comes I'le charm thee thus again.
But rustling boughs yt round my temples play,
Drive the deep doze of Vision swift away.
Lett sloth ly softning till the noon in down,
Or lolling fan her in the sultry town,
Unnerve with rest & turn her own disease,
Or foster others in luxurious ease.
I mount the Courser, call ye deep'ning hounds,
The fox unkennelld flys to covert grounds.
I lead where stags through cumbrous thickets tread,
And shake the saplings with their branching head.
I make the falcons wing their airy way,
And soar to seize, or stooping, strike ye prey.
To snare ye fish I fix ye luring bait.
To Wound ye fowl I load ye gun with fate.
Tis thus through changing shows of toil I range,
And strength & pleasure rise in ev'ry change.
Here beautious Health for all ye year remain,
When the next comes Ile charm thee thus again.
Drive the deep doze of Vision swift away.
Lett sloth ly softning till the noon in down,
Or lolling fan her in the sultry town,
Unnerve with rest & turn her own disease,
Or foster others in luxurious ease.
I mount the Courser, call ye deep'ning hounds,
The fox unkennelld flys to covert grounds.
I lead where stags through cumbrous thickets tread,
And shake the saplings with their branching head.
I make the falcons wing their airy way,
And soar to seize, or stooping, strike ye prey.
To snare ye fish I fix ye luring bait.
To Wound ye fowl I load ye gun with fate.
403
And strength & pleasure rise in ev'ry change.
Here beautious Health for all ye year remain,
When the next comes Ile charm thee thus again.
Now friends my life with usefull talk refine,
And Tullys Tusculum revives in mine.
Now to grave books I bid ye mind retreat,
And such as make me rather good than great.
Or o're the works of easy fancy rove,
Where pipes and innocence amuse ye grove:
The Native Bard that on Sicilian plains
Best sung the lowly manners of the Swains;
Great Maro's Muse, that in the finest light
Paints Country prospects and the charms of sight;
Strong Spencers Calender, whose Moons appear
To trace their Changes in the rural year;
Sweet Pope whose lays along with Nature run
Through all the seasons which divide ye sun;
The tender Philips lines, who lately tryd
To plant Arcadia by the Severn side;
And Gentle Gays that happily explore
Those British Shepheards Spencer sought before.
The Soft Amusements bring content Along,
And Fancy, void of sorrow, runs to song.
Here Beautious Health for all ye year remain,
When the next comes Ile charm thee thus again.
And Tullys Tusculum revives in mine.
Now to grave books I bid ye mind retreat,
And such as make me rather good than great.
Or o're the works of easy fancy rove,
Where pipes and innocence amuse ye grove:
The Native Bard that on Sicilian plains
Best sung the lowly manners of the Swains;
Great Maro's Muse, that in the finest light
Paints Country prospects and the charms of sight;
Strong Spencers Calender, whose Moons appear
To trace their Changes in the rural year;
Sweet Pope whose lays along with Nature run
Through all the seasons which divide ye sun;
The tender Philips lines, who lately tryd
To plant Arcadia by the Severn side;
And Gentle Gays that happily explore
Those British Shepheards Spencer sought before.
The Soft Amusements bring content Along,
And Fancy, void of sorrow, runs to song.
Here Beautious Health for all ye year remain,
When the next comes Ile charm thee thus again.
So sung the Youth. But now ye cool wth drew;
The sun had dryd the shaking drops of dew,
Then ragd with flames insufferably bright,
& shot the lattice with a checq'ring light;
The Zephirs fall, tho' not to hear his lay,
And in his shade the Flyes offensive play.
The sun had dryd the shaking drops of dew,
Then ragd with flames insufferably bright,
& shot the lattice with a checq'ring light;
The Zephirs fall, tho' not to hear his lay,
And in his shade the Flyes offensive play.
The Heroins or Cupid Punishd Transl: from Ausonius.
In airy fields ye fields of bliss below
Where woods of Myrtle sett by Maro grow
Where grass beneath & shade diffusd above
Refresh the feavour of distracted Love
There at a solemn tide ye Beautys slain
By tender passion act their fates again
Where woods of Myrtle sett by Maro grow
Where grass beneath & shade diffusd above
Refresh the feavour of distracted Love
404
By tender passion act their fates again
Through gloomy light that Just betrays ye grove
In orgys all disconsolately rove
They range the reeds & ore ye poppys Sweep
That nodding bend beneath their load of Sleep
By lakes subsiding with an easy face
By rivers stealing with a silent pace
Where kings & swains of ancient Authors sung
Now changd to flowrets ore ye margin hung
The self-admirer white Narcissus so
Fades at ye brink his picture fades below
In Bells of Azure Hyacynth arose
In crimson painted young Adonis glows
The Fragrant Crocus shines with golden flame
And leaves inscribe with Ajax haughty name
In orgys all disconsolately rove
They range the reeds & ore ye poppys Sweep
That nodding bend beneath their load of Sleep
By lakes subsiding with an easy face
By rivers stealing with a silent pace
Where kings & swains of ancient Authors sung
Now changd to flowrets ore ye margin hung
The self-admirer white Narcissus so
Fades at ye brink his picture fades below
In Bells of Azure Hyacynth arose
In crimson painted young Adonis glows
The Fragrant Crocus shines with golden flame
And leaves inscribe with Ajax haughty name
A sad remembrance brings their lives to view
And with their passion makes their tears renew
Unwinds ye years & lays ye former scene
Where after death they live for deaths again
And with their passion makes their tears renew
Unwinds ye years & lays ye former scene
Where after death they live for deaths again
Deluded Semele bewailes her fate
Lost by the glorys of her Lovers state
She runs & seems to burn the flames arise
And fan with Idle furys as she flys
The lovely Cænis whose transforming shape
Securd her honour from a second rape
Now moans ye first with ruffled garb appears
Feeles her whole sex return & baths with tears
The Jealous Procris wipes a seeming wound
Whose trickling Crimson dyes ye bushy ground
Knows the sad shaft & calls before she goe
To kiss ye favrite hand that gave ye blow
Ore well-dissembled waves ye Sestian fair
Holds forth a taper from a towr of air
A noiseless wind assaults ye wav'ring light
The Damsel tumbling mingles with ye night
Where Curling shades for rough Leucate rose
With love distracted tunefull Sappho goes
Sings to mock cliffs a melancholy lay
And with a Lovers leap affrights ye Sea
The sad Eryphile retreats to moan
What wrought her husbands death & causd her own
Surveys ye glitt'ring Vail ye bribe of fate
& tears ye shadow but she tears too late
Here three that brand ye royal house of Crete
In thin design & airy picture fleet.
To court a bull the mad Pasiphae flys
The snowy Phantome feeds before her eyes
Left Ariadne raves the thread she bore
Trailes on unwinding as she walks ye shore
And desp'rate Phædra seeks ye lonely groves
To read her guilty letter while she roves
Red shame confounds ye first ye second wears
A starry crown the third a halter bears.
Here Laodamia mourns her nuptial night
Of Love defrauded by the thirst of fight
Yet for another as delusive crys
And dauntless sees her Heroes ghost arise
There Thisbe Canace & Dido stand
All armd with swords a fair but angry band
This sword a Lover ownd A Father gave
The next a stranger chancd ye last to leave
And there evn she the Goddess of ye grove
Joynd with the Phantome fairs affects to rove
As once for Latmos she forsook ye plain
To steal the Kisses of a slumbring swain
Around her head a starry fillet twines
And at ye front a silver Crescent shines
These & a thousand & a thousand more
With sacred rage recall ye pangs they bore
Strike ye deep dart afresh & ask relief
Or sooth the wound with softning words of grief.
Lost by the glorys of her Lovers state
She runs & seems to burn the flames arise
And fan with Idle furys as she flys
The lovely Cænis whose transforming shape
Securd her honour from a second rape
Now moans ye first with ruffled garb appears
Feeles her whole sex return & baths with tears
The Jealous Procris wipes a seeming wound
Whose trickling Crimson dyes ye bushy ground
Knows the sad shaft & calls before she goe
To kiss ye favrite hand that gave ye blow
Ore well-dissembled waves ye Sestian fair
Holds forth a taper from a towr of air
A noiseless wind assaults ye wav'ring light
The Damsel tumbling mingles with ye night
Where Curling shades for rough Leucate rose
With love distracted tunefull Sappho goes
Sings to mock cliffs a melancholy lay
And with a Lovers leap affrights ye Sea
The sad Eryphile retreats to moan
What wrought her husbands death & causd her own
405
& tears ye shadow but she tears too late
Here three that brand ye royal house of Crete
In thin design & airy picture fleet.
To court a bull the mad Pasiphae flys
The snowy Phantome feeds before her eyes
Left Ariadne raves the thread she bore
Trailes on unwinding as she walks ye shore
And desp'rate Phædra seeks ye lonely groves
To read her guilty letter while she roves
Red shame confounds ye first ye second wears
A starry crown the third a halter bears.
Here Laodamia mourns her nuptial night
Of Love defrauded by the thirst of fight
Yet for another as delusive crys
And dauntless sees her Heroes ghost arise
There Thisbe Canace & Dido stand
All armd with swords a fair but angry band
This sword a Lover ownd A Father gave
The next a stranger chancd ye last to leave
And there evn she the Goddess of ye grove
Joynd with the Phantome fairs affects to rove
As once for Latmos she forsook ye plain
To steal the Kisses of a slumbring swain
Around her head a starry fillet twines
And at ye front a silver Crescent shines
These & a thousand & a thousand more
With sacred rage recall ye pangs they bore
Strike ye deep dart afresh & ask relief
Or sooth the wound with softning words of grief.
At Such a tide Unheedfull Love invades
The dark recesses of the Madding shades
Through long descent he fans ye foggs around
His purple feathers as he flyes resound
The Phrantick Beautys thickning all to gaze
Perceive the common troubler of their ease
Tho Dulling Mists & dubious day destroy
The fine appearance of ye fluttering Boy
Tho all ye Pomp that glitters at his Side
The golden belt ye clasp & quiver hide
& tho the torch appear a gleam of white
That faintly spots & moves in haizy night
Yet still they know ye Boy ye gen'rall foe
& threatning lift their airy hands below
As mindless of their rage he slowly sailes
On pinnions cumberd in ye misty vales.
Ah fool to light, the nymphs no more obey,
Nor was this region ever his to sway
Cast in the deepend ring they close ye plain
& seize the God reluctant all in vain
The dark recesses of the Madding shades
Through long descent he fans ye foggs around
His purple feathers as he flyes resound
The Phrantick Beautys thickning all to gaze
Perceive the common troubler of their ease
Tho Dulling Mists & dubious day destroy
The fine appearance of ye fluttering Boy
Tho all ye Pomp that glitters at his Side
The golden belt ye clasp & quiver hide
& tho the torch appear a gleam of white
That faintly spots & moves in haizy night
406
& threatning lift their airy hands below
As mindless of their rage he slowly sailes
On pinnions cumberd in ye misty vales.
Ah fool to light, the nymphs no more obey,
Nor was this region ever his to sway
Cast in the deepend ring they close ye plain
& seize the God reluctant all in vain
From hence they lead him where a myrtle stood
The saddest Myrtle in ye darkling wood
Devote to vex ye Gods. To this before
Hells awfull Empress soft Adonis bore
When the Young Hunter scornd her graver air
And onely Venus warmd his shadow there
The saddest Myrtle in ye darkling wood
Devote to vex ye Gods. To this before
Hells awfull Empress soft Adonis bore
When the Young Hunter scornd her graver air
And onely Venus warmd his shadow there
Fixd to ye trunk ye tender Boy they bind
They cord his feet beneath his hands behind
He mourns but Vainly mourns his angry fate
For Beauty still relentless acts in hate
Tho no offence be don No Judge be nigh
Love must be guilty by ye common cry
For all are pleasd by partial passion led
To shift their follys on anothers head
They cord his feet beneath his hands behind
He mourns but Vainly mourns his angry fate
For Beauty still relentless acts in hate
Tho no offence be don No Judge be nigh
Love must be guilty by ye common cry
For all are pleasd by partial passion led
To shift their follys on anothers head
Now Sharp reproaches ring their shrill alarms
And all the Heroins brandish all their arms
And evry Heroin makes it her decree
That Cupid suffer Just the same as she
To fix the desp'rate halter one essaid
One Seekes to wound him with an empty blade
Some headlong hang the nodding rocks of air
They fall in fancy & he feels despair
Some toss their hollow seas around his head
The seas that want a wave afford a dread
Or shake ye torch ye sparkling fury flys
And flames that never burnd afflict his eyes
The Mournfull Myrrha bursts her rinded womb
& drowns his Visage in ye moist perfume
While others Seeming mild advise to wound
With hum'rous pains by sly derision found
That prickling bodkins teach ye blood to flow
From whence the roses first began to glow
Or when their flames to singe ye boy prepare
That all shoud chuse by wanton fancy where
And all the Heroins brandish all their arms
And evry Heroin makes it her decree
That Cupid suffer Just the same as she
To fix the desp'rate halter one essaid
One Seekes to wound him with an empty blade
Some headlong hang the nodding rocks of air
They fall in fancy & he feels despair
Some toss their hollow seas around his head
The seas that want a wave afford a dread
Or shake ye torch ye sparkling fury flys
And flames that never burnd afflict his eyes
The Mournfull Myrrha bursts her rinded womb
& drowns his Visage in ye moist perfume
While others Seeming mild advise to wound
With hum'rous pains by sly derision found
That prickling bodkins teach ye blood to flow
From whence the roses first began to glow
Or when their flames to singe ye boy prepare
That all shoud chuse by wanton fancy where
The lovely Venus with a bleeding breast
She too Securely through ye Circle presst
Forgot ye Mother urgd his hasty fate
& spurrd the female rage beyond debate
Ore all her scenes of frailty swift she runs
Absolves her self & makes ye crime her sons
That claspd in chains with Mars she chanc'd to ly
A noted fable of the laughing sky
That from her loves intemp'rate heat began
Sicanian Eryx born a savage man
The loose Priapus & ye monster wight
In whom the sexes shamefully unite
407
Forgot ye Mother urgd his hasty fate
& spurrd the female rage beyond debate
Ore all her scenes of frailty swift she runs
Absolves her self & makes ye crime her sons
That claspd in chains with Mars she chanc'd to ly
A noted fable of the laughing sky
That from her loves intemp'rate heat began
Sicanian Eryx born a savage man
The loose Priapus & ye monster wight
In whom the sexes shamefully unite
Nor words suffice ye Goddess of ye fair
She snaps the rosy wreath yt binds her hair
Then on the God who feard a fiercer woe
Her hands upittying dealt the frequent blow
She snaps the rosy wreath yt binds her hair
Then on the God who feard a fiercer woe
Her hands upittying dealt the frequent blow
From all his tender skin a purple dew
The dreadfull Scourges of ye Chaplet drew
From whence the rose by Cupid tingd before
Now doubly tinging flames with lustre more
The dreadfull Scourges of ye Chaplet drew
From whence the rose by Cupid tingd before
Now doubly tinging flames with lustre more
Here ends their wrath ye Parent seems severe
The strokes unfit for little love to bear
To Save their foe the melting Beautys fly
& Cruel Mother spare thy Child they cry
To loves account they placd their deaths of late
& now transferr the sad account to fate
The Mother pleasd beheld ye storm aswage
Thankd ye calmd mourners & dismissd her rage
The strokes unfit for little love to bear
To Save their foe the melting Beautys fly
& Cruel Mother spare thy Child they cry
To loves account they placd their deaths of late
& now transferr the sad account to fate
The Mother pleasd beheld ye storm aswage
Thankd ye calmd mourners & dismissd her rage
Thus Fancy once in dusky shade expresst
With empty terrours workd ye time of rest
Where wretched Love endurd a world of woe
For all a winters length of night below
Then soard as sleep dissolvd unchaind away
& through ye port of Iv'ry reachd ye day.
With empty terrours workd ye time of rest
Where wretched Love endurd a world of woe
For all a winters length of night below
Then soard as sleep dissolvd unchaind away
& through ye port of Iv'ry reachd ye day.
[Ye Wives who scold & fishes sell]
Ye Wives who scold & fishes sell,
Or sing & sell your fruit,
I want a wondrous thing to tell,
Then (if you can) be mute.
Or sing & sell your fruit,
I want a wondrous thing to tell,
Then (if you can) be mute.
408
From some of You one Homer came,
Who wrote a ballad first,
For He knew neither Parents name
Nor livd where he was nurst
Who wrote a ballad first,
For He knew neither Parents name
Nor livd where he was nurst
His verse in length exceeds us all
So when a crowd he drew,
Like you he got him to a stall,
& spoke as long as you.
So when a crowd he drew,
Like you he got him to a stall,
& spoke as long as you.
Some tatterd Mermaid gave him birth
Who crys her oyster wares
Or Else some ragged nymph of earth
Who sings her Mellow pears
Who crys her oyster wares
Or Else some ragged nymph of earth
Who sings her Mellow pears
If 'twas the nymph of fruit was prest,
Apollo was ye Lover:
With tunefull cry he filld her breast,
& got a singing Rover.
Apollo was ye Lover:
With tunefull cry he filld her breast,
& got a singing Rover.
A Man, tho blind, yet usd to ply
Where 'ere he heard of Chear;
His dog it seems preserved an eye,
Its Master livd by ear.
Where 'ere he heard of Chear;
His dog it seems preserved an eye,
Its Master livd by ear.
Or if Apollo chancd to Love
The Mermaid near ye sea,
Whose shriller voice he taught to move
With buy my oysters pray.
The Mermaid near ye sea,
Whose shriller voice he taught to move
With buy my oysters pray.
Her shriller voice when raised to Ire
Woud thunder on ye crew,
So from ye Mother & ye Sire
Old Homers Iliad grew.
Woud thunder on ye crew,
So from ye Mother & ye Sire
Old Homers Iliad grew.
& then (as big with child she stood)
The place she sold her fishes
Might in his fancy form a floud
To rage in all th' Odysses.
The place she sold her fishes
Might in his fancy form a floud
To rage in all th' Odysses.
| Collected Poems of Thomas Parnell | |