 | Electra of Sophocles |  |
THE EPILOGUE: Shewing the Parallell in two Poems, THE RETURN, and THE RESTAURATION, Addressed to her Highnesse, the Lady ELIZABETH.
1
THE RETURN.
To Her Highnesse, the Ladie ELIZABETH.
Bright Saint,
Just Heaven hath seen thy Tears:
Thy Brother on our Isles appears.
Request and Sorrow now leave off,
When glad Enjoyment sayes, Enough.
Let no sad Thought take from the grace
Of a serene and full-blown Praise.
Looks over-cast but ill do suit,
The Royall Stranger to salute.
Honour with mirth now reconciles:
Reject not those officious smiles
Which hover yet aloof, and seek
To perch upon your lovely cheek.
Thy Brother on our Isles appears.
Request and Sorrow now leave off,
When glad Enjoyment sayes, Enough.
Let no sad Thought take from the grace
Of a serene and full-blown Praise.
Looks over-cast but ill do suit,
The Royall Stranger to salute.
Honour with mirth now reconciles:
Reject not those officious smiles
Which hover yet aloof, and seek
To perch upon your lovely cheek.
2
MADAM,
Lift up your pleasant eye,
In yonder Nook sits Majestie.
Our Sov'reigne at that Spot begun
Three Kingdoms just Possession.
Thus a received Turf doth yield,
Full seisin of its native Field;
And from that streight and distant sphear,
Weighs and directs his free Carier.
As first the early point of Day,
Aloof does but the Earth survey,
But streight the dark profound invades,
And chases out the flying shades.
In yonder Nook sits Majestie.
Our Sov'reigne at that Spot begun
Three Kingdoms just Possession.
Thus a received Turf doth yield,
Full seisin of its native Field;
And from that streight and distant sphear,
Weighs and directs his free Carier.
As first the early point of Day,
Aloof does but the Earth survey,
But streight the dark profound invades,
And chases out the flying shades.
There he debates what ready way,
A glorious Entrance to assay.
The num'rous sinners he descry's
Parted by Seas and Enmiti's.
He sees, and so do the sage States,
That as their Fear, their Love abates:
Because, though their grim Horsemen tread
Upon the quaking Countreys head,
Though they our lives hang at their beck,
And a stiff yoke about our neck;
Though they can spoil without Consent,
Yet e're they rule we must Indent:
Force can but in a Rape engage,
'Tis Choice must make it Marriage.
A glorious Entrance to assay.
The num'rous sinners he descry's
Parted by Seas and Enmiti's.
He sees, and so do the sage States,
That as their Fear, their Love abates:
Because, though their grim Horsemen tread
Upon the quaking Countreys head,
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And a stiff yoke about our neck;
Though they can spoil without Consent,
Yet e're they rule we must Indent:
Force can but in a Rape engage,
'Tis Choice must make it Marriage.
Hence a Conveyance they contrive,
Which must on us their Cause derive:
This must attaque, what holds out still,
And is impregnable, the Will.
This must enchant our conscious hands,
To slumber in like guilty bands,
While like the froward Miltonist,
We our old Nuptiall knot untwist:
And with the hands, late faith did joyn,
This Bill of plain Divorce now signe.
Here their New Kingdom must commence,
And Sinne conspire with Conscience.
This spills our Bloud lost in just warrs,
And brands with Shame our honest Scarrs:
His Fathers murder this commends,
And crowns it with its plotted ends.
His Sacred Person this assayles,
And the dire Regicide entayles.
He, the bold Blank defi'd discerns,
And Malice but his Laughter earns;
So what they for fresh lists devise,
Into their thin short Kingdome pry's.
Which must on us their Cause derive:
This must attaque, what holds out still,
And is impregnable, the Will.
This must enchant our conscious hands,
To slumber in like guilty bands,
While like the froward Miltonist,
We our old Nuptiall knot untwist:
And with the hands, late faith did joyn,
This Bill of plain Divorce now signe.
Here their New Kingdom must commence,
And Sinne conspire with Conscience.
This spills our Bloud lost in just warrs,
And brands with Shame our honest Scarrs:
His Fathers murder this commends,
And crowns it with its plotted ends.
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And the dire Regicide entayles.
He, the bold Blank defi'd discerns,
And Malice but his Laughter earns;
So what they for fresh lists devise,
Into their thin short Kingdome pry's.
Next he the Realm views in all parts
Shut on Him, but the Peoples hearts.
While his approach new warmth doth shed
On those Desire had massacred.
His double Righteousnes all draws
That of Himself, that of his Cause:
Shut on Him, but the Peoples hearts.
While his approach new warmth doth shed
On those Desire had massacred.
His double Righteousnes all draws
That of Himself, that of his Cause:
His Person Signatures presents
Where King and Conquest pitch their tents;
Taller, then Palms, whose humble Top,
Do's to his lofty Temples stoop.
And pays a tributary Bough;
To bind on his Victorious Brow.
Then Beacons plac'd on Mountains, those
Mountains which HER late Prince outgrows
A valiant Black his Brow doth wear,
Our reverence; but Traytours fear:
His look speaks out, it was design'd,
Subjects to conquer, not to find.
Which Heat, lest we should fear his Ray's,
The Fathers Clemency allay's;
See how our heaving Souls enlarge!
See how fresh Spirits our strength surcharge!
Till in his Banner wrapp'd we prove,
Nothing so strong as loyall Love:
And touch'd from Heaven with holy flame
His Throne we plant, his Foes we tame.
Where King and Conquest pitch their tents;
Taller, then Palms, whose humble Top,
Do's to his lofty Temples stoop.
And pays a tributary Bough;
To bind on his Victorious Brow.
Then Beacons plac'd on Mountains, those
Mountains which HER late Prince outgrows
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Our reverence; but Traytours fear:
His look speaks out, it was design'd,
Subjects to conquer, not to find.
Which Heat, lest we should fear his Ray's,
The Fathers Clemency allay's;
See how our heaving Souls enlarge!
See how fresh Spirits our strength surcharge!
Till in his Banner wrapp'd we prove,
Nothing so strong as loyall Love:
And touch'd from Heaven with holy flame
His Throne we plant, his Foes we tame.
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THE RESTAURATION.
To Her said Highnesse,
Great Princesse,
Then the Royall Nun,
Shall find her Husband in her Son.
And take, since mourning weeds must cease
Beauty and Honour for her dresse.
Her love impregnable did stand,
Against the Sea, against the Land.
While her Lord griev'd, she scorn'd delight,
Companion of his Bed and Flight.
She thought it Dutifull to claim
A Portion in her Husbands shame.
Wherefore our streets when she shall passe,
Proud Matrons shall empale the wayes:
And as she walks her pious Ey's,
Our easie Dames will Catechize.
Shall find her Husband in her Son.
And take, since mourning weeds must cease
Beauty and Honour for her dresse.
Her love impregnable did stand,
Against the Sea, against the Land.
While her Lord griev'd, she scorn'd delight,
Companion of his Bed and Flight.
She thought it Dutifull to claim
A Portion in her Husbands shame.
Wherefore our streets when she shall passe,
Proud Matrons shall empale the wayes:
And as she walks her pious Ey's,
Our easie Dames will Catechize.
Thy Prison too shall then fly ope,
And ripe deliverance kisse Hope.
And ripe deliverance kisse Hope.
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Here Thy free sight at large shall rove,
And Thou if but look up Above,
Thy Brother in his Throne shalt eye
Burnish't in a full Majestie.
And Thou if but look up Above,
Thy Brother in his Throne shalt eye
Burnish't in a full Majestie.
About his Seat at each just Hand,
A bright Array of Peers shall stand.
Not such who take up their high Name,
On credit of some dalliant Dame:
These in mean Lusts spend their cheap Age,
Nor ought degen'rate from the Page.
Hence, they at rates low as their wit,
Can their usurped Honour quit.
For though an Apparition gay,
May ruffle in the milky way.
Taking acquaintance with the star's,
Like one of their familiar Peers:
Nay may rant down the lesser fry,
Like Yonger Brothers of the sky;
And boasting of his richer light,
First Cozen to the Sun should write:
Yet if he shall his Orb resigne;
Shut up his Windows; cease to shine;
If his assumed Beauty's smoot;
And through the empty Hollow shoot;
Scattering all along the air,
His periwig of yellow hair;
Till he the lower Region plough,
And takes his bed up in a slough:
The Gazer that did late admire
His flagrant robes, and Tissue fire,
That then the Gallant did reherse
Amidst the sparkling Courtiers,
When he perceivs his borrow'd Lamp
With its exhausted Oyl to damp;
Soon tracks the Cheaters sordid birth
From some dull Commoner of earth.
This Arm o'th sea of light mistook,
Dry'd up, proves Land-waters and Brook.
Our Lords their own clear line make good,
Mark'd out by loyall Parents blood,
Which the unspotted Plumes doth lave,
That on their Crowned Temples wave:
They vouch their True and High Extraction,
By constant Faith, by noble Action.
A bright Array of Peers shall stand.
Not such who take up their high Name,
On credit of some dalliant Dame:
These in mean Lusts spend their cheap Age,
Nor ought degen'rate from the Page.
Hence, they at rates low as their wit,
Can their usurped Honour quit.
For though an Apparition gay,
May ruffle in the milky way.
Taking acquaintance with the star's,
Like one of their familiar Peers:
Nay may rant down the lesser fry,
Like Yonger Brothers of the sky;
And boasting of his richer light,
First Cozen to the Sun should write:
Yet if he shall his Orb resigne;
Shut up his Windows; cease to shine;
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And through the empty Hollow shoot;
Scattering all along the air,
His periwig of yellow hair;
Till he the lower Region plough,
And takes his bed up in a slough:
The Gazer that did late admire
His flagrant robes, and Tissue fire,
That then the Gallant did reherse
Amidst the sparkling Courtiers,
When he perceivs his borrow'd Lamp
With its exhausted Oyl to damp;
Soon tracks the Cheaters sordid birth
From some dull Commoner of earth.
This Arm o'th sea of light mistook,
Dry'd up, proves Land-waters and Brook.
Our Lords their own clear line make good,
Mark'd out by loyall Parents blood,
Which the unspotted Plumes doth lave,
That on their Crowned Temples wave:
They vouch their True and High Extraction,
By constant Faith, by noble Action.
10
Then let thy meek Affection bow,
To view and glad our Realm Below.
Here from a Popular bondage freed
The Countrey shall lift up her head;
The Whip and Yoke now under hoof,
She kissing the soft rein of love,
VVith thankfull mirth aloud shall ring,
Preferr'd to serve her gracious King.
Thou shalt one spotlesse joy behold,
By no allaying sigh controll'd.
To view and glad our Realm Below.
Here from a Popular bondage freed
The Countrey shall lift up her head;
The Whip and Yoke now under hoof,
She kissing the soft rein of love,
VVith thankfull mirth aloud shall ring,
Preferr'd to serve her gracious King.
Thou shalt one spotlesse joy behold,
By no allaying sigh controll'd.
Thus mark in Halls of great resort,
At Penshurst, or some Princes Court,
If my Lords angry Gentlemen
(The Upper House of his great train)
Or some big Steward shall crush down
His Fellows with perpetuall frown;
The House, because he domineers,
And Takes upon him o're his Peers,
Think the Yoke too hard to be born;
Not for the Burden, but the Scorn.
When if the wiser Lady soon
Spy and remove the grief, anon
You may a chearfull duty see,
Flit through the busie Family.
No Monster is so much abhorr'd,
As an Inferiour surly lord.
At Penshurst, or some Princes Court,
If my Lords angry Gentlemen
(The Upper House of his great train)
Or some big Steward shall crush down
His Fellows with perpetuall frown;
The House, because he domineers,
And Takes upon him o're his Peers,
Think the Yoke too hard to be born;
Not for the Burden, but the Scorn.
When if the wiser Lady soon
Spy and remove the grief, anon
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Flit through the busie Family.
No Monster is so much abhorr'd,
As an Inferiour surly lord.
The Villagers their knees shall bow,
Not aw'd by a stern troopers brow:
As Larks upon their Pestles squat,
If but one daring Hobby bayt.
Nor shall this Care their gladnes spoyl,
How they to be undone must toyl.
Not aw'd by a stern troopers brow:
As Larks upon their Pestles squat,
If but one daring Hobby bayt.
Nor shall this Care their gladnes spoyl,
How they to be undone must toyl.
The VVealthy Citie shall give thanks
In decent State, and Rev'rend ranks:
Not offring up constrained Rites,
Amidst Church-driven Proselytes.
No lip a faint Amen shall say,
VVhile the Recusant Heart would, Nay.
The Heart whose pensive strings are wrackt,
VVith stock decay'd, and credit crackt:
For draining taxes more unsluce
Their gains, then doth blood-thirsty Use.
VVhile they a thin subsistence beat,
Manur'd by Perjury and Sweat,
Tacking a fortune up, untill
Themselves, the last of VVares they sell,
For unseen starres and Countreys bound,
VVhere no Wise Parliament is found;
For where the savage Ethiop fries,
No pineond Dragon is so Wise.
Our welcome Exiles home shall flee:
Our waiting Captives be set free.
In decent State, and Rev'rend ranks:
Not offring up constrained Rites,
Amidst Church-driven Proselytes.
No lip a faint Amen shall say,
VVhile the Recusant Heart would, Nay.
The Heart whose pensive strings are wrackt,
VVith stock decay'd, and credit crackt:
For draining taxes more unsluce
Their gains, then doth blood-thirsty Use.
VVhile they a thin subsistence beat,
Manur'd by Perjury and Sweat,
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Themselves, the last of VVares they sell,
For unseen starres and Countreys bound,
VVhere no Wise Parliament is found;
For where the savage Ethiop fries,
No pineond Dragon is so Wise.
Our welcome Exiles home shall flee:
Our waiting Captives be set free.
From obscure Denns, from untrackd Caves
The retir'd Clere shall break their graves:
And from Contempt reformd put on
Glory and resurrection.
The Sons of VVisdome shall release
Their patient Spirits into meek peace;
Each reassuming his old Care,
Seated in a becoming Chair;
Hoary their Heads, their Tongue discreet,
Open their Hands, spotlesse their Feet.
The retir'd Clere shall break their graves:
And from Contempt reformd put on
Glory and resurrection.
The Sons of VVisdome shall release
Their patient Spirits into meek peace;
Each reassuming his old Care,
Seated in a becoming Chair;
Hoary their Heads, their Tongue discreet,
Open their Hands, spotlesse their Feet.
When thou beholdest this rich Joy,
Embased by no sad Alloy;
Then mix thy Note and with one Quire,
Let our free Souls in Praise aspire.
Embased by no sad Alloy;
Then mix thy Note and with one Quire,
Let our free Souls in Praise aspire.
FINIS.
| Electra of Sophocles | |