Contractions:
1633-54 i.e. All editions between and including these dates.
1633-69 i.e. All the editions.
Etc.
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Title: The Poems of John Donne [2 vols.] Volume I
Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts
Author: John Donne
Editor: Herbert J. C. Grierson
Release Date: April 12, 2015 [EBook #48688]
Language: English
Character set encoding: UTF-8
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POEMS OF JOHN DONNE [2 ***
Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Lesley Halamek, Stephen Rowland
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net
This is the first Volume of two.
Volume I contains the Poems and Line Notes, showing textual and punctuaton differences between the various MSS. and Editons and the Index of First Lines. Volume II contains the Introduction and Commentary, Annotational Notes for the Poems of Vol. I, and the Index of First Lines for poems quoted in Vol. II. There are links between the Poems and the Commentary Notes, with various References back and forth.
The rest of the Transcriber's Note is at the end of the book.
EDITED FROM THE OLD EDITIONS AND NUMEROUS MANUSCRIPTS,
WITH INTRODUCTIONS & COMMENTARY
BY
HERBERT J. C. GRIERSON M.A.
CHALMERS PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LITERATURE
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
VOL. I
THE TEXT OF THE POEMS
WITH APPENDIXES
OXFORD
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1912
HENRY FROWDE, M.A.
PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
LONDON, EDINBURGH, NEW YORK
TORONTO AND MELBOURNE
The present edition of Donne's poems grew out of my work as a teacher. In the spring of 1907, just after I had published a small volume on the literature of the early seventeenth century, I was lecturing to a class of Honours students on the 'Metaphysical poets'. They found Donne difficult alike to understand and to appreciate, and accordingly I undertook to read with them a selection from his poems with a view to elucidating difficult passages and illustrating the character of his 'metaphysics', the Scholastic and scientific doctrines which underlie his conceits. The only editions which we had at our disposal were the modern editions of Donne's poems by Grosart and Chambers, but I did not anticipate that this would present any obstacle to the task I had undertaken. About the same time the Master of Peterhouse asked me to undertake the chapter on Donne, as poet and prose-artist, for the Cambridge History of English Literature. The result was that though I had long been interested in Donne, and had given, while at work on the poetry of the seventeenth century, much thought to his poetry as a centre of interest and influence, I began to make a more minute study of the text of his poems than I had yet attempted.
The first result of this study was the discovery that there were several passages in the poems, as printed in Mr. Chambers' edition, of which I could give no satisfactory explanation to my class. At the close of the session I went to Oxford and began in the Bodleian a rapid collation of the text of that edition with the older copies, especially of 1633. The conclusion to which [page iv] I came was that, excellent in many ways as that edition is, the editor had too often abandoned the reading of 1633 for the sometimes more obvious but generally weaker and often erroneous emendations of the later editions. As he records the variants this had become clear in some cases already, but an examination of the older editions brought out another fact,—that by modernizing the punctuation, while preserving no record of the changes made, the editor had corrupted some passages in such a manner as to make it impossible for a student, unprovided with all the old editions, to recover the original and sometimes quite correct reading, or to trace the error to its fountainhead.
My first proposal to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press was that I should attempt an edition of Donne's poems resting on a collation of the printed texts; that for all poems which it contains the edition of 1633 should be accepted as the authority, to be departed from only when the error seemed to be obvious and certain, and that all such changes, however minute, should be recorded in the notes. In the case of poems not contained in the edition of 1633, the first edition (whether 1635, 1649, 1650, or 1669) was to be the authority and to be treated in the same fashion. Such an edition, it was hoped, might be ready in a year. I had finished my first collation of the editions when a copy of the Grolier Club edition came into my hands, and I included it in the number of those which I compared throughout with the originals.
While the results of this collation confirmed me in the opinion I had formed as to the superiority of the edition of 1633 to all its successors, it showed also that that edition was certainly not faultless, and that the text of those poems which were issued only in the later editions was in general very carelessly edited and corrupt, especially of those [page v] poems which were added for the first time in 1669. This raised the question, what use was to be made of the manuscript copies of the poems in correcting the errors of the edition? Grosart had based his whole text on one or two manuscripts in preference to the editions. Mr. Chambers, while wisely refusing to do this, and adopting the editions as the basis of his text, had made frequent reference to the manuscripts and adopted corrections from them. Professor Norton made no use of the manuscripts in preparing the text of his edition, but he added in an Appendix an account of one of these which had come into his hands, and later he described some more and showed clearly that he believed corrections were to be obtained from this source. Accordingly I resolved to examine tentatively those which were accessible in the British Museum, especially the transcript of three of the Satyres in Harleian MS. 5110.
A short examination of the manuscripts convinced me that it would be very unsafe to base a text on any single extant manuscript, or even to make an eclectic use of a few of them, taking, now from one, now from another, what seemed a probable emendation. On the other hand it became clear that if as wide a collation as possible of extant manuscripts were made one would be able to establish in many cases what was, whether right or wrong, the traditional reading before any printed edition appeared.
A few experiments further showed that one, and a very important, result of this collation would be to confirm the trustworthiness of 1633, to show that in places where modern editors had preferred the reading of some of the later editions, generally 1635 or 1669, the text of 1633 was not only intrinsically superior but had the support of tradition, i.e. of the majority of the manuscripts. If this were the case, then it was also possible that the traditional, [page vi] manuscript text might afford corrections when 1633 had fallen into error. At the same time a very cursory examination of the manuscripts was sufficient to show that many of them afforded an infinitely more correct and intelligible text of those poems which were not published in 1633 than that contained in the printed editions.
Another possible result of a wide collation of the manuscripts soon suggested itself, and that was the settlement of the canon of Donne's poems. One or two of the poems contained in the old editions had already been rejected by modern editors, and some of these on the strength of manuscript ascriptions. But on the one hand, no systematic attempt had been made to sift the poems, and on the other, experience has shown that nothing is more unsafe than to trust to the ascriptions of individual, unauthenticated manuscripts. Here again it seemed to the present editor that if any definite conclusion was to be obtained it must be by as wide a survey as possible, by the accumulation of evidence. No such conclusion might be attainable, but it was only thus that it could be sought.
The outcome of the investigation thus instituted has been fully discussed in the article on the Text and Canon of Donne's Poems in the second volume, and I shall not attempt to summarize it here. But it may be convenient for the student to have a quite brief statement of what it is that the notes in this volume profess to set forth.
Their first aim is to give a complete account of the variant readings of the original editions of 1633, 1635, 1639, 1649-50-54 (the text in these three is identical), and 1669. This was the aim of the edition as originally planned, and though my opinion of the value of many of the variants of the later editions has undergone considerable abatement since I was able to study them in the light afforded by the manuscripts, I have endeavoured to [page vii] complete my original scheme; and I trust it may be found that nothing more important has been overlooked than an occasional misprint in the later editions. But I know from the experience of examining the work of my precursors, and of revising my own work, that absolute correctness is almost unattainable. It has been an advantage to me in this part of the work to come after Mr. Chambers and the Grolier Club editors, but neither of these editions records changes of punctuation.
The second purpose of the notes is to set forth the evidence of the manuscripts. I have not attempted to give anything like a full account of the variant readings of these, but have recorded so much as is sufficient for four different purposes.
(1) To vindicate the text of 1633. I have not thought it necessary to detail the evidence in cases where no one has disputed the 1633 reading. If the note simply records the readings of the editions it may be assumed that the manuscript evidence, so far as it is explicit (the manuscripts frequently abound in absurd errors), is on the side of 1633. In other cases, when there is something to be said for the text of the later editions, and especially when modern editors have preferred the later reading (though I have not always called attention to this) I have set forth the evidence in some detail. At times I have mentioned each manuscript, at others simply all the MSS., occasionally just MSS. This last means generally that all the positive evidence before me was in favour of the reading, but that my collations were silent as to some of the manuscripts. My collators, whether myself or those who worked for me, used Mr. Chambers' edition because of its numbered lines. Now if Mr. Chambers had already adopted a 1635 or later reading the tendency of the collator—especially at first, before the importance of certain readings had become obvious—was to pass over [page viii] the agreement of the manuscript with this later reading in silence. In all important cases I have verified the reading by repeated reference to the manuscripts, but in some of smaller importance I have been content to record the general trend of the evidence. I have tried to cite no manuscript unless I had positive evidence as to its reading.
(2) The second use which I have made of the manuscript evidence is to justify my occasional departures from the text of the editions, whether 1633 (and these are the departures which call for most justification) or whatever later edition was the first to contain the poem. In every such case the reader should see at a glance what was the reading of the first edition, and on what authority it has been altered. My aim has been a true text (so far as that was attainable), not a reprint; but I have endeavoured to put the reader in exactly the same position as I was myself at each stage in the construction of that text. If I have erred, he can (in a favourite phrase of Donne's) 'control' me. This applies to spelling and punctuation as well as to the words themselves. But two warnings are necessary. When I note a reading as found in a number of editions, e.g. 1635 to 1654 (1635-54), or in all the editions (1633-69), it must be understood that the spelling is not always the same throughout. I have generally noted any variation in the use of capitals, but not always. The spelling and punctuation of each poem is that of the first edition in which it was published, or of the manuscript from which I have printed, all changes being recorded. Again, if, in a case where the words and not the punctuation is the matter in question, I cite the reading of an edition or some editions followed by a list of agreeing manuscripts, it will be understood that any punctuation given is that of the editions. If a list of manuscripts only [page ix] is given, the punctuation, if recorded, is that of one or two of the best of these.
In cases where punctuation is the matter in question the issue lies between the various editions and my own sense of what it ought to be. Wherever it is not otherwise indicated the punctuation of a poem is that of the first edition in which it appeared or of the manuscript from which I have printed it. I have not recorded every variant of the punctuation of later editions, but all that affect the sense while at the same time not manifestly absurd. The punctuation of the manuscripts is in general negligible, but of a few manuscripts it is good, and I have occasionally cited these in support of my own view as to what the punctuation should be.
(3) A third purpose served by my citation of the manuscripts is to show clearly that there are more versions than one of some poems. A study of the notes to the Satyres, The Flea, The Curse, Elegy XI: The Bracelet, will make this clear.
(4) A fourth, subordinate and occasional, purpose of my citation of the manuscripts is to show how Donne's poems were understood or misunderstood by the copyists. Occasionally a reading which is probably erroneous throws light upon a difficult passage. The version of P at p. 34, ll. 18-19, elucidates a difficult stanza. The reading of Q in The Storme, l. 38,
Yea, and the Sunne
for the usual
I, and the Sunne
suggests, what is probably correct but had not been suspected by any editor, that 'I' here, as often, is not the pronoun, but 'Aye'.
The order of the poems is that of the editions of 1635 onwards with some modifications explained in the [page x] Introduction. In Appendix B I have placed all those poems which were printed as Donne's in the old editions (1633 to 1669), except Basse's Epitaph on Shakespeare, and a few found in manuscripts connected with the editions, or assigned to Donne by competent critics, all of which I believe to be by other authors. The text of these has been as carefully revised as that of the undoubted poems. In Appendix C I have placed a miscellaneous collection of poems loosely connected with Donne's name, and illustrating the work of some of his fellow-wits, or the trend of his influence in the occasional poetry of the seventeenth century.
The work of settling the text, correcting the canon, and preparing the Commentary has been done by myself. It was difficult to consult others who had not before them all the complex mass of evidence which I had accumulated. On some five or six places in the text, however, where final question to be decided was the intrinsic merits of the readings offered by the editions and by the manuscripts, or the advisability of a bolder emendation, I have had the advantage of comparing my opinion with that of Sir James Murray, Sir Walter Raleigh, Dr. Henry Bradley, Mr. W. A. Craigie, Mr. J. C. Smith, or Mr. R. W. Chapman.
For such accuracy as I have secured in reproducing the old editions, in the text and in the notes, I owe much to the help of three friends, Mr. Charles Forbes, of the Post Office, Aberdeen, who transcribed the greater portion of my manuscript; Professor John Purves, of University College, Pretoria, who during a visit to this country read a large section of my proofs, comparing them with the editions in the British Museum; and especially to my assistant, Mr. Frederick Rose, M.A., now Douglas Jerrold Scholar, Christ Church, Oxford, who has revised my proofs throughout with minute care.
I am indebted to many sources for the loan of necessary [page xi] material. In the first place I must acknowledge my debt to the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland for allowing me a grant of £40 in 1908-9, and of £30 in 1909-10, for the collation of manuscripts. Without this it would have been impossible for me to collate, or have collated for me, the widely scattered manuscripts in London, Petworth, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, and Boston. Some of my expenses in this connexion have been met by the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, who have also been very generous in the purchase of necessary books, such as editions of the Poems and the Sermons. At the outset of my work the Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford, lent me the copy of the edition of 1633 (originally the possession of Sir John Vaughan (1603-1674) Chief Justice of the Common Pleas) on which the present edition is based, and also their copies of the editions of 1639, 1650, and 1654. At the same time Sir Walter Raleigh lent me his copy of the edition of 1669. At an early stage of my work Captain C. Shirley Harris, of 90 Woodstock Road, Oxford, communicated with me about Donne's use of the word 'Mucheron', and he was kind enough to lend me both his manuscript, P, and the transcript which he had caused to be made. By the kindness of Lord Ellesmere I was permitted to collate his unique copy of the 1611 edition of the Anatomy of the World and Funerall Elegie. While I was doing so, Mr. Strachan Holme, the Librarian, drew my attention to a manuscript collection of Donne's poems (B), and with his kind assistance I was enabled to collate this at Walkden, Manchester, and again at Bridgewater House. Mr. Holme has also furnished a photograph of the title-page of the edition of 1611. To the authorities of Trinity College, Dublin, and of Trinity College, Cambridge, I am indebted not only for permission [page xii] to collate their manuscripts on the spot, but for kindly lending them to be examined and compared in the Library at King's College, Aberdeen; and I am indebted for a similar favour to the authorities of Queen's College, Oxford. In Dublin I met Professor Edward Dowden, and no one has been a kinder friend to my enterprise. He put at my disposal his interesting and valuable manuscript (D) and all his collection of Donne's works. He drew my attention to a manuscript (O'F) in Ellis and Elvey's catalogue for 1903. Mr. Warwick Bond was good enough to lend me the notes he had made upon this manuscript, which ultimately I traced to Harvard College Library. With Professor Dowden, Mr. Edmund Gosse has given me the most generous and whole-hearted assistance. He lent me, as soon as ever I applied to him, his valuable and unique Westmoreland MS., containing many poems which were not included in any of the old editions. Some of these Mr. Gosse had already printed in his own delightful Life and Letters of John Donne (1899), but he has allowed me to reprint these and to print the rest of the unpublished poems for the first time. From his manuscript (G) of the Progresse of the Soule, or Metempsychosis, I have also obtained important emendations of the text. This is the most valuable manuscript copy of this poem. It will be seen that Mr. Gosse is a very material contributor to the completeness and interest of the present edition.
To the Marquess of Crewe I am indebted for permission to examine the manuscript M, to which a note of Sir John Simon's had called my attention; and to Lord Leconfield for a like permission to collate a manuscript in his possession, of which a short description is given in the Hist. MSS. Commission, Sixth Report, p. 312, No. 118. With Mr. Whitcomb's aid I was enabled to do this carefully, and he has subsequently verified references. Another [page xiii] interesting manuscript (JC) was lent me by Mr. Elkin Mathews, who has also put at my disposal his various editions of the Lives of Walton and other books connected with Donne. Almost at the eleventh hour, Mr. Geoffrey Keynes, of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, discovered for me a copy of the 1612 edition of the Anniversaries, for which I had asked in vain in Notes and Queries. I owe to him, and to the kind permission of Mr. Edward Huth and the Messrs. Sotheby, a careful collation and a photograph of the title-page.
For the Commentary Dr. Norman Moore supplied me with a note on the Galenists and Paracelsians; and Dr. Gaster with the materials for a note on Donne's use of Jewish Apocrypha. Professor Picavet, of the Sorbonne, Paris, was kind enough to read in proof my notes on Donne's allusions to Scholastic doctrines, and to make suggestions. But I have added to these notes as they passed through the Press, and he must not be made responsible for my errors. Mr. W. Barclay Squire and Professor C. Sanford Terry have revised my transcripts and proofs of the music.
I desire lastly to express my gratitude to the officials of the Clarendon Press for the care with which they have checked my proofs, the patience with which they have accepted my changes and additions, and the trouble they have taken to secure photographs, music, and other details. Whatever faults may be found—and I doubt not they will be many—in my part of the work, I think the part for which the Press is responsible is wellnigh faultless.
Langcroft,
Dinnet, Aberdeenshire.
July 15, 1912.
The typography of the edition of 1633 has been closely followed, in its use for example of 'u' and 'v'; and of long 's', which is avoided in certain combinations, e.g. 'sk' (but P. 12, l. 27. 'askes' 1633) and frequently 'sb'; nor is it generally used when the letter following 's' is elided; but there are one or two exceptions to this.
In the following places I have printed a full 'and' where 1633 contracts to '&' owing to the length of the line:
Page 12, l. 4. & whõ; P. 15, l. 40. & drove; P. 65, l. 8. & nought; P. 153, l. 105. & almes; P. 158, l. 101. & name; do., l. 107. & rockes, &; P. 159, l. 30. & black; P. 171, l. 83. & lawes; P. 183, l. 18. & Courts; P. 184, l. 29. & God; P. 205, l. 2. & pleasure; P. 240, l. 288. & sinke; P. 254, l. 107. & thinke; do., l. 113. & think; P. 280, l. 24. & Mines; P. 297, l. 56. & lands; do., l. 62. & brow; P. 306, l. 290. & lents; P. 327 (xii), l. 8. & feed; P. 337, l. 35. & thou; P. 360, l. 188. & turn'd; P. 384, l. 78. & face.
In the following places 'm' or 'n', indicated by a contraction, has been printed in full: Page 12, l. 4. Her whõ; do. & whõ; P. 37, 1. 17. whẽ (bis); P. 82, l. 46. thẽ; P. 90, l. 2. frõ; P. 128, l. 28. Valẽtine; P. 141, l. 8. whẽ; P. 150, l. 16. thẽ; P. 159, l. 30. strãge; P. 169, l. 31. whõ; P. 257, l. 210. successiõ; P. 266, l. 513. anciẽt; P. 305, l. 255. thẽ; P. 336, l. 10. whẽ; P. 343, l. 126. Frõ; P. 345, l. 169. thẽ; P. 387, l. 71. Pẽbrooke.
There are a few examples of the same changes in the poems printed from the later editions, but I have not reproduced any of these editions so completely as 1633, every poem in which, with the exception of Basse's An Epitaph upon Shakespeare (1633. p. 149 i.e. 165) has been here reprinted.
1633, 1635, 1639, 1650, 1654, 1669.
1649, in lists of editions and MSS. appended to poems first published
in that edition.
Textually it is identical with 1650-54.
1719, Tonson's edition.
1855, The Boston edition of that year—cited once.
Grosart, A. B. Grosart's edition of 1872-3.
Grolier, The Grolier Club edition of Professor Norton and Mrs. Burnett, 1895.
Chambers, Mr. E. K. Chambers' edition of 1896.
The following groups are important:—
D, H49, Lec,
and
A18, N, TC, where TC represents TCC and TCD
Note[page 1]
THE
TO THE
UNDERSTANDERS.
FOR this time I must speake only to you: at another, Readers may perchance serve my turne; and I thinke this a way very free from exception, in hope that very few will have a minde to confesse themselves ignorant.
If you looke for an Epistle, as you have before ordinary publications, I am sory that I must deceive you; but you will not lay it to my charge, when you shall consider that this is not ordinary, for if I should say it were the best in this kinde, that ever this Kingdome hath yet seene; he that would doubt of it must goe out of the Kingdome to enforme himselfe, for the best judgments, within it, take it for granted.
You may imagine (if it please you) that I could endeare it unto you, by saying, that importunity drew it on; that had it not beene presented here, it would have come to us from beyond the Seas; (which perhaps is true enough,) That my charge and paines in procuring of it hath beene such, and such. I could adde hereto, a promise of more correctnesse, or enlargement in the next Edition, if you shall in the meane time content you with this. But these [page 2] things are so common, as that I should profane this Peece by applying them to it; A Peece which who so takes not as he findes it, in what manner soever, he is unworthy of it, sith a scattered limbe of this Author, hath more amiablenesse in it, in the eye of a discerner, then a whole body of some other; Or, (to expresse him best by himselfe)
In the
Storme.
—A hand, or eye,
By Hilyard drawne, is worth a history
By a worse Painter made;—
If any man (thinking I speake this to enflame him for the vent of the Impression) be of another opinion, I shall as willingly spare his money as his judgement. I cannot lose so much by him as hee will by himselfe. For I shall satisfie my selfe with the conscience of well doing, in making so much good common.
Howsoever it may appeare to you, it shall suffice mee to enforme you, that it hath the best warrant that can bee, publique authority, and private friends.
There is one thing more wherein I will make you of my counsell, and that is, That whereas it hath pleased some, who had studyed and did admire him, to offer to the memory of the Author, not long after his decease, I have thought I should do you service in presenting them unto you now; onely whereas, had I placed them in the beginning, they might have serv'd for so many Encomiums of the Author (as is usuall in other workes, where perhaps there is need of it, to prepare men to digest such stuffe as follows after,) you shall here finde them in the end, for whosoever reades the rest so farre, shall perceive that there is no occasion to use them to that purpose; yet there they are, as an attestation for their sakes that knew not so much before, to let them see how much honour was attributed to this worthy man, by those that are capable to give it. Farewell.
The Printer &c. 1633-49: om. 1650-69, which substitute Dedication To the &c. (p. 4)
2 you: 1635-49: you, 1633
The Printer to the Vnderstanders. 1635-69: The Printer to the Reader. 1633. See note
28 here 1635-69: om. 1633 (... you shall here finde them in the end,...)
Note[page 3]
I SEE in his last preach'd, and printed Booke,
His Picture in a sheet; in Pauls I looke,
And see his Statue in a sheete of stone,
And sure his body in the grave hath one:
Those sheetes present him dead, these if you buy,
You have him living to Eternity.
Jo. Mar.
Hexastichon Bibliopolae. 1633-69
Incerti.
I N thy Impression of Donnes Poems rare,
For his Eternitie thou hast ta'ne care:
'Twas well, and pious; And for ever may
He live: Yet shew I thee a better way;
Print but his Sermons, and if those we buy,
He, We, and Thou shall live t' Eternity.
Hexastichon ad Bibliopolam. 1635-69
Note[page 4]
To the Right Honourable
William Lord Craven Baron of
Hamsted-Marsham.
My Lord,
MANY of these Poems have, for severall impressions, wandred up and down trusting (as well they might) upon the Authors reputation; neither do they now complain of any injury but what may proceed either from the kindnesse of the Printer, or the curtesie of the Reader; the one by adding something too much, lest any spark of this sacred fire might perish undiscerned, the other by putting such an estimation upon the wit & fancy they find here, that they are content to use it as their own: as if a man should dig out the stones of a royall Amphitheatre to build a stage for a countrey show. Amongst all the monsters this unlucky age has teemed with, I finde none so prodigious, as the Poets of these later times, wherein men as if they would level understandings too as well as estates, acknowledging no inequality of parts and Judgements, pretend as indifferently to the chaire of wit as to the Pulpit, & conceive themselves no lesse inspired with the spirit of Poetry then with that of Religion: so it is not onely the noise of Drums and Trumpets which have drowned the Muses harmony, or the feare that the Churches ruine wil destroy their Priests likewise, that now frights them from this Countrey, where they have been so ingenuously received, but these rude pretenders to excellencies they unjustly own who profanely rushing into Minervaes Temple, with noysome Ayres blast the lawrell [page 5] wch thunder cannot hurt. In this sad condition these learned sisters are fled over to beg your Lps. protection, who have been so certain a patron both to arts and armes, and who in this generall confusion have so intirely preserved your Honour, that in your Lordship we may still read a most perfect character of what England was in all her pompe and greatnesse, so that although these poems were formerly written upon severall occasions, and to severall persons, they now unite themselves, and are become one pyramid to set your Lordships statue upon, where you may stand like Armed Apollo the defendor of the Muses, encouraging the Poets now alive to celebrate your great Acts by affording your countenance to his poems that wanted onely so noble a subject.
To the &c. 1650-69
D ONNE, the delight of Phoebus, and each Muse,
Who, to thy one, all other braines refuse;
Whose every work, of thy most early wit,
Came forth example, and remaines so, yet:
Longer a knowing, than most wits doe live;
And which no'n affection praise enough can give!
To it, thy language, letters, arts, best life,
Which might with halfe mankind maintain a strife;
All which I mean to praise, and, yet, I would;
But leave, because I cannot as I should!
B. Jons.
To John Donne. 1650-69, following the Hexastichon ad Bibliopolam.
Note (Supp.)[page 6]
L VCY, you brightnesse of our Spheare, who are
Life of the Muses day, their morning Starre!
If works (not th'Authors) their own grace should look
Whose poems would not wish to be your book?
But these, desir'd by you, the makers ends
Crown with their own. Rare Poems ask rare friends.
Yet, Satyres, since the most of mankind bee
Their unavoided subject, fewest see:
For none ere took that pleasure in sins sense,
But, when they heard it tax'd, took more offence.
They, then, that living where the matter is bred,
Dare for these Poems, yet, both ask, and read,
And like them too; must needfully, though few,
Be of the best: and 'mongst those best are you;
Lucy, you brightnefle of our Spheare, who are
The Muses evening, as their morning-Starre.
B. Jon.
W HO shall doubt, Donne, where I a Poet bee,
When I dare send my Epigrammes to thee?
That so alone canst judge, so'alone do'st make:
And, in thy censures, evenly, dost take
As free simplicity, to dis-avow,
As thou hast best authority, t'allow.
Read all I send: and, if I finde but one
Mark'd by thy hand, and with the better stone,
My title's seal'd. Those that for claps doe write,
Let punees, porters, players praise delight,
And, till they burst, their backs, like asses load:
A man should seek great glory, and not broad.
B. Jon.
To Lucy &c. To John Donne &c. 1650-69, in sheets added 1650.
See Text and Canon &c.
ANNO DNI. 1591. ÆTATIS SVÆ. 18.
ANTES MVERTO QUE MVDADO.
This was for youth, Strength, Mirth, and wit that Time
Most count their golden Age; but t'was not thine.
Thine was thy later yeares, so much refind
From youths Drosse, Mirth, & wit; as thy pure mind
Thought (like the Angels) nothing but the Praise
Of thy Creator, in those last, best Dayes.
Witnes this Booke, (thy Embleme) which begins
With Love; but endes, with Sighes, & Teares for sins.
iz: wa:
Will: Marshall sculpsit
From the engraving prefixed to the Poems in the
Editions of 1635, 1639, 1649, 1650, 1654
Note[page 7]
I WONDER by my troth, what thou, and I
Did, till we lov'd? were we not wean'd till then?
But suck'd on countrey pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the seaven sleepers den?
5T'was so; But this, all pleasures fancies bee.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desir'd, and got, t'was but a dreame of thee.
And now good morrow to our waking soules,
Which watch not one another out of feare;
10For love, all love of other sights controules,
And makes one little roome, an every where.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let Maps to other, worlds on worlds have showne,
Let us possesse one world, each hath one, and is one.
15My face in thine eye, thine in mine appeares,
And true plaine hearts doe in the faces rest,
Where can we finde two better hemispheares
Without sharpe North, without declining West?
What ever dyes, was not mixt equally;
20If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none doe slacken, none can die.
SONGS AND SONETS. 1635-69: no division into sections, 1633
The good-morrow. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: no title, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Elegie. S96
2 lov'd? 1639-69: lov'd, 1633-35
3 countrey pleasures, childishly? 1633-54, D, H40, H49, Lec: childish pleasures seelily? 1669, A18, A25, B, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
4 snorted 1633-54, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, S96: slumbred 1669, A18, A25, JC, L74, N, P, TC seaven sleepers 1633: seven-sleepers 1635-69
5 this,] as 1669
10 For 1633-69, D, H40, H49, Lec: But rest of MSS.
13 to other, worlds on 1633-54: to other worlds our 1669: to others, worlds on D, H49, Lec, and other MSS.
14 one world 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: our world rest of MSS.
17 better 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec: fitter 1635-69, and rest of MSS.
19 was not] is not 1669
20-1 or, thou and I ... can die. 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec: or, thou and I ... can slacken, ... can die. Chambers:
both thou and I
Love just alike in all, none of these loves can die.
1635-69, JC, O'F, P:
or thou and I
Love just alike in all, none of these loves can die.
A18, A25, B, L74, S96, TC
As thou and I &c.
H40:
And thou and I &c.
S
G OE, and catche a falling starre,
Get with child a mandrake roote,
Tell me, where all past yeares are,
Or who cleft the Divels foot,
5Teach me to heare Mermaides singing,
Or to keep off envies stinging,
And finde
What winde
Serves to advance an honest minde.
10If thou beest borne to strange sights,
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand daies and nights,
Till age snow white haires on thee,
Thou, when thou retorn'st, wilt tell mee
15All strange wonders that befell thee,
And sweare
No where
Lives a woman true, and faire.
If thou findst one, let mee know,
20Such a Pilgrimage were sweet;
Yet doe not, I would not goe,
Though at next doore wee might meet,
Though shee were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
25Yet shee
Will bee
False, ere I come, to two, or three.
Song. 1633-69: Song, A Songe, or no title, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
3 past yeares] times past 1669: past times P
11 to see] go see 1669, S, S96: see most other MSS.
20 sweet; 1669: sweet, 1633-54
24 last, till] last so till O'F, S, S96
27 False, ... three] False, ere she come to two or three. 1669]
N OW thou hast lov'd me one whole day,
To morrow when thou leav'st, what wilt thou say?
Wilt thou then Antedate some new made vow?
Or say that now
5We are not just those persons, which we were?
Or, that oathes made in reverentiall feare
Of Love, and his wrath, any may forsweare?
Or, as true deaths, true maryages untie,
So lovers contracts, images of those,
10Binde but till sleep, deaths image, them unloose?
Or, your owne end to Justifie,
For having purpos'd change, and falsehood; you
Can have no way but falsehood to be true?
Vaine lunatique, against these scapes I could
15Dispute, and conquer, if I would,
Which I abstaine to doe,
For by to morrow, I may thinke so too.
Womans constancy. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: no title, B, D, H40, H49, Lec, P, S
8 Or, 1633, 1669: For, 1635-54 (ll. 8-10 in brackets)
Note[page 10]
I HAVE done one braver thing
Then all the Worthies did,
And yet a braver thence doth spring,
Which is, to keepe that hid.
5It were but madnes now t'impart
The skill of specular stone,
When he which can have learn'd the art
To cut it, can finde none.
So, if I now should utter this,
10Others (because no more
Such stuffe to worke upon, there is,)
Would love but as before.
But he who lovelinesse within
Hath found, all outward loathes,
15For he who colour loves, and skinne,
Loves but their oldest clothes.
If, as I have, you also doe
Vertue'attir'd in woman see,
And dare love that, and say so too,
20And forget the Hee and Shee;
And if this love, though placed so,
From prophane men you hide,
Which will no faith on this bestow,
Or, if they doe, deride:
25Then you have done a braver thing
Then all the Worthies did;
And a braver thence will spring,
Which is, to keepe that hid.
The undertaking. 1635-69: no title, 1633, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Platonique Love. A18, N, TCC, TCD
2 Worthies] worthies 1633
3 And yet] Yet B, D, H49, Lec
7-8 art ... it, 1669: art, ... it 1633-54
16 their] her B
18 Vertue'attir'd in 1633, A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC: Vertue in 1635-69, O'F, Chambers
26 did; Ed: did. 1633-39: did, 1650-69
27 spring,] spring 1633-39
Note[page 11]
BUSIE old foole, unruly Sunne,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windowes, and through curtaines call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers seasons run?
5Sawcy pedantique wretch, goe chide
Late schoole boyes, and sowre prentices,
Goe tell Court-huntsmen, that the King will ride,
Call countrey ants to harvest offices;
Love, all alike, no season knowes, nor clyme,
10Nor houres, dayes, moneths, which are the rags of time.
Thy beames, so reverend, and strong
Why shouldst thou thinke?
I could eclipse and cloud them with a winke,
But that I would not lose her sight so long:
15If her eyes have not blinded thine,
Looke, and to morrow late, tell mee,
Whether both the'India's of spice and Myne
Be where thou leftst them, or lie here with mee.
Aske for those Kings whom thou saw'st yesterday,
20And thou shalt heare, All here in one bed lay.
She'is all States, and all Princes, I,
Nothing else is.
Princes doe but play us; compar'd to this,
All honor's mimique; All wealth alchimie.
25Thou sunne art halfe as happy'as wee,
In that the world's contracted thus;
Thine age askes ease, and since thy duties bee
To warme the world, that's done in warming us.
Shine here to us, and thou art every where;
30This bed thy center is, these walls, thy spheare.
The Sunne Rising. 1633-69: Sunne Rising. A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: Ad Solem. A25, D, H49, JC, O'F, S, S96: To the Sunne. Cy, Lec, O'F (as a second title): no title, B
3 call] look 1669
6 and] or 1669
sowre] slowe B, Cy, P
8 offices;] offices, 1633
11-14 Thy beames, ... so long: 1633 and all MSS.:
Thy beames so reverend, and strong
Dost thou not thinke
I could eclipse and cloude them with a winke,
But that I would not lose her sight so long? 1635-69
17 spice] space 1650-54
18 leftst 1633: left 1635-69
23 us;] us, 1633
24 wealth] wealth's A25, C, P
alchimie. Ed: alchimie; 1633-69
26 thus; Ed: thus. 1633-69
I CAN love both faire and browne,
Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betraies,
Her who loves lonenesse best, and her who maskes and plaies,
Her whom the country form'd, and whom the town,
5Her who beleeves, and her who tries,
Her who still weepes with spungie eyes,
And her who is dry corke, and never cries;
I can love her, and her, and you and you,
I can love any, so she be not true.
10Will no other vice content you?
Wil it not serve your turn to do, as did your mothers?
Or have you all old vices spent, and now would finde out others?
Or doth a feare, that men are true, torment you?
Oh we are not, be not you so,
15Let mee, and doe you, twenty know.
Rob mee, but binde me not, and let me goe.
Must I, who came to travaile thorow you,
Grow your fixt subject, because you are true?
Venus heard me sigh this song,
20And by Loves sweetest Part, Variety, she swore,
She heard not this till now; and that it should be so no more.
She went, examin'd, and return'd ere long,
And said, alas, Some two or three
Poore Heretiques in love there bee,
25Which thinke to stablish dangerous constancie.
But I have told them, since you will be true,
You shall be true to them, who'are false to you.
The Indifferent. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Songe, Songe, or no title, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96: Sonnet. P
3 lonenesse] lovers 1669
maskes] sports 1669, S
and 1669: & 1633-39: om. 1650-54
12 spent] worn 1669
15 mee, 1633: me; 1635-69
17 travaile] spelt travell, travel 1635-69
19 sigh] sing 1669
20 sweetest Part,] sweetest sweet, 1669, P, S
21 and that it 1633, B, D, H49, Lec, S: it 1635-69, H40, P: and it A18, JC, N, O'F, S96, TC
F OR every houre that thou wilt spare mee now,
I will allow,
Usurious God of Love, twenty to thee,
When with my browne, my gray haires equall bee;
5Till then, Love, let my body raigne, and let
Mee travell, sojourne, snatch, plot, have, forget,
Resume my last yeares relict: thinke that yet
We'had never met.
Let mee thinke any rivalls letter mine,
10And at next nine
Keepe midnights promise; mistake by the way
The maid, and tell the Lady of that delay;
Onely let mee love none, no, not the sport;
From country grasse, to comfitures of Court,
15Or cities quelque choses, let report
My minde transport.
This bargaine's good; if when I'am old, I bee
Inflam'd by thee,
If thine owne honour, or my shame, or paine,
20Thou covet most, at that age thou shalt gaine.
Doe thy will then, then subject and degree,
And fruit of love, Love I submit to thee,
Spare mee till then, I'll beare it, though she bee
One that loves mee.
Loves Vsury. 1633-69, L74: no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S: Elegie. S96
5 raigne, 1633, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, P, S: range, 1635-69, O'F, S96. See note
6 snatch, 1633, 1669: match, 1635-54
7 relict] relique 1669
12 that] her 1669
13 sport; 1669: sport 1633-54: sport, most MSS.
15 let report 1633, 1669, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, P, S: let not report 1635-54, O'F, S96, Chambers. See note
19 or paine 1633, 1669, and most MSS.: and paine 1635-54, O'F
22 fruit] fruites B, D, H49, Lec, O'F, S96
24 loves 1633, 1669 and all the MSS.: love 1635-54
F OR Godsake hold your tongue, and let me love,
Or chide my palsie, or my gout,
My five gray haires, or ruin'd fortune flout,
With wealth your state, your minde with Arts improve,
5Take you a course, get you a place,
Observe his honour, or his grace,
Or the Kings reall, or his stamped face
Contemplate, what you will, approve,
So you will let me love.
10Alas, alas, who's injur'd by my love?
What merchants ships have my sighs drown'd?
Who saies my teares have overflow'd his ground?
When did my colds a forward spring remove?
When did the heats which my veines fill
15Adde one more to the plaguie Bill?
Soldiers finde warres, and Lawyers finde out still
Litigious men, which quarrels move,
Though she and I do love.
Call us what you will, wee are made such by love;
20Call her one, mee another flye,
We'are Tapers too, and at our owne cost die,
And wee in us finde the'Eagle and the Dove.
The Phœnix ridle hath more wit
By us, we two being one, are it.
25So to one neutrall thing both sexes fit,
Wee dye and rise the same, and prove
Mysterious by this love.
Wee can dye by it, if not live by love,
And if unfit for tombes and hearse
30Our legend bee, it will be fit for verse;
And if no peece of Chronicle wee prove,
We'll build in sonnets pretty roomes;
As well a well wrought urne becomes
The greatest ashes, as halfe-acre tombes,
35And by these hymnes, all shall approve
Us Canoniz'd for Love:
And thus invoke us; You whom reverend love
Made one anothers hermitage;
You, to whom love was peace, that now is rage;
40Who did the whole worlds soule contract, and drove
Into the glasses of your eyes
(So made such mirrors, and such spies,
That they did all to you epitomize,)
Countries, Townes, Courts: Beg from above
45A patterne of your love!
The Canonization. 1633-39, A18, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, TCC, TCD: Canonization. 1650-69, S: Canonizatio. S96: no title, B, H40, JC
3 five 1633, 1669: true 1635-54
fortune] fortunes 1669
4 improve, 1650-69: improve 1633-39
7 reall] Roiall Lec
14 veines] reynes 1669
15 more, 1633-54, Lec: man 1669, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
17 which] whom 1669
18 Though] While 1669
22 Dove. Ed: dove, 1633-69
24 are it. 1633-69: are it; Chambers and Grolier
25 So 1650-69: So, 1633-39. See note
fit, D, H49, Lec: fit. 1633-69. See note
29 tombes and 1633-54: tomb or 1669
30 legend] legends 1633
35 these 1633: those 1635-69
36 Love:] Love. 1633
39 rage; Ed: rage, 1633-69
40 contract] extract A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC
41 eyes 1633-69: eyes; Chambers
42-3 brackets, Ed
44 Courts: Beg] Courts Beg 1669: courts beg Chambers. See note
from] frow 1633
45 your 1669, A18, B, H40, JC, N, O'F, P, S96, TC: our 1633-54, D, H49, Lec
love! Ed: love. 1633-69
Note[page 16]
I AM two fooles, I know,
For loving, and for saying so
In whining Poëtry;
But where's that wiseman, that would not be I,
5If she would not deny?
Then as th'earths inward narrow crooked lanes
Do purge sea waters fretfull salt away,
I thought, if I could draw my paines,
Through Rimes vexation, I should them allay,
10Griefe brought to numbers cannot be so fierce,
For, he tames it, that fetters it in verse.
But when I have done so,
Some man, his art and voice to show,
Doth Set and sing my paine,
15And, by delighting many, frees againe
Griefe, which verse did restraine.
To Love, and Griefe tribute of Verse belongs,
But not of such as pleases when'tis read,
Both are increased by such songs:
20For both their triumphs so are published,
And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee.
The triple Foole. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: Song or no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, HN, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96
4 the wiser man, 1669
5 If he should not deny? P
6 narrow om. P: crooked om. B
lanes] vaines Cy, P
9 allay, 1633-39: allay. 1650-69, Chambers
10 numbers] number 1669
11 For, he tames it] He tames it much B
13 and] or 1669
Note[page 17]
I F yet I have not all thy love,
Deare, I shall never have it all,
I cannot breath one other sigh, to move,
Nor can intreat one other teare to fall,
5And all my treasure, which should purchase thee,
Sighs, teares, and oathes, and letters I have spent.
Yet no more can be due to mee,
Then at the bargaine made was ment,
If then thy gift of love were partiall,
10That some to mee, some should to others fall,
Deare, I shall never have Thee All.
Or if then thou gavest mee all,
All was but All, which thou hadst then;
But if in thy heart, since, there be or shall,
15New love created bee, by other men,
Which have their stocks intire, and can in teares,
In sighs, in oathes, and letters outbid mee,
This new love may beget new feares,
For, this love was not vowed by thee.
20And yet it was, thy gift being generall,
The ground, thy heart is mine, what ever shall
Grow there, deare, I should have it all.
Yet I would not have all yet,
Hee that hath all can have no more,
25And since my love doth every day admit
New growth, thou shouldst have new rewards in store;
Thou canst not every day give me thy heart,
If thou canst give it, then thou never gavest it:
Loves riddles are, that though thy heart depart,
30It stayes at home, and thou with losing savest it:
But wee will have a way more liberall,
Then changing hearts, to joyne them, so wee shall
Be one, and one anothers All.
Lovers infinitenesse. 1633-69: Mon Tout. A25, C: no title, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Elegie. S96
Query Loves infinitenesse.
3 move, Ed: move; 1633-69
4 fall, Ed: fall. 1633: fall; 1635-69
6 teares,] teares 1633
spent. Ed: spent, 1633-69 and Grolier: spent; Chambers
8 Then 1633-35, 1669: That 1639-54
9 were] was 1669
partiall] generall A25, C
11 Thee 1633: It 1635-69 (it 1669)
12 gavest] givest 1669
13 then; 1635-54: then, 1633
17 and letters 1633: in letters 1635-69
19 thee. 1639-69: thee, 1633-35
20 it] is 1633
21 is 1633, 1669: was 1635-54
25-6 And since my heart doth every day beget New love, &c. A25.
29-30
Except mine come when thine doth part
And in such giving it, thou savest it: A25, C
Perchance mine comes, when thine doth parte,
And by such losing it, &c. JC
31 have] love 1669: find A25, C
32 them] us 1669
S WEETEST love, I do not goe,
For wearinesse of thee,
Nor in hope the world can show
A fitter Love for mee;
5But since that I
Must dye at last, 'tis best,
To use my selfe in jest
Thus by fain'd deaths to dye;
Yesternight the Sunne went hence,
10And yet is here to day,
He hath no desire nor sense,
Nor halfe so short a way:
Then feare not mee,
But beleeve that I shall make
15Speedier journeyes, since I take
More wings and spurres then hee.
O how feeble is mans power,
That if good fortune fall,
Cannot adde another houre,
20Nor a lost houre recall!
But come bad chance,
And wee joyne to'it our strength,
And wee teach it art and length,
It selfe o'r us to'advance.
25When thou sigh'st, thou sigh'st not winde,
But sigh'st my soule away,
When thou weep'st, unkindly kinde,
My lifes blood doth decay.
It cannot bee
30That thou lov'st mee, as thou say'st,
If in thine my life thou waste,
Thou art the best of mee.
Let not thy divining heart
Forethinke me any ill,
35Destiny may take thy part,
And may thy feares fulfill;
But thinke that wee
Are but turn'd aside to sleepe;
They who one another keepe
40Alive, ne'r parted bee.
Song. 1633-69: Song. or no title, A18, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: in A18, N, TCC, TCD, this with Send home my long stray'd eyes and The Bait are given as Songs which were made to certain ayres which were made before.
1-4 In most MSS. these lines are written as two long lines, and so with ll. 9-12, 17-20, 25-28, 33-36
4 mee; 1650-69: mee, 1633-39
5-8 But since ... dye; 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S, S96, TC:
At the last must part 'tis best,
Thus to use my selfe in jest
By fained deaths to dye; 1635-54, O'F:
Must dye at last, 'tis best,
Thus to use my self in jest
By fained death to dye; 1669
15 Speedier] Hastier 1669
20 recall! Ed: recall? 1633-69
25 not wind 1633: no wind 1635-69
32 Thou 1633 and MSS. generally: That 1635-54: Which 1669
best 1633-54: life 1669
36 may 1633-35, 1669: make 1639-54
fulfill; Ed: fulfill, 1633-69
38 turn'd] lai'd 1669
Note[page 20]
WHEN I dyed last, and, Deare, I dye
As often as from thee I goe,
Though it be but an houre agoe,
And Lovers houres be full eternity,
5I can remember yet, that I
Something did say, and something did bestow;
Though I be dead, which sent mee, I should be
Mine owne executor and Legacie.
I heard mee say, Tell her anon,
10That my selfe, (that is you, not I,)
Did kill me, and when I felt mee dye,
I bid mee send my heart, when I was gone,
But I alas could there finde none,
When I had ripp'd me,'and search'd where hearts did lye;
15It kill'd mee againe, that I who still was true,
In life, in my last Will should cozen you.
Yet I found something like a heart,
But colours it, and corners had,
It was not good, it was not bad,
20It was intire to none, and few had part.
As good as could be made by art
It seem'd; and therefore for our losses sad,
I meant to send this heart in stead of mine,
But oh, no man could hold it, for twas thine.
The Legacie. 1633-69: Legacie. L74: Song. or no title, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96: Elegie. A18, N, TCC, TCD
1 When I dyed last,] When last I dyed, 1669
1-4 (and deare ... eternity) Grolier.
7 sent 1633, 1669: meant 1635-54
should be] might be 1669
10 that is 1635-69: that's 1633: brackets from A18, N, TC
13 none, 1633-69: none. Chambers and Grolier
14 When ... did 1633, A25 (doe), D, H40, H49, Lec, S, S96: When I had ripp'd, and search'd where hearts should 1635-69, A18, L74, N, TC lye; Ed: lye, 1633-69, Chambers and Grolier. See note
18 But] For 1650-69
20 part. 1633-39: part: 1650-69
22 seem'd; Ed: seem'd, 1633-69, Grolier, and Chambers
our losses sad, 1633-54, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F, P, S96, TC: our loss be sad, 1669: our loss be ye sad. B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, S: our losses sad; Grolier: our loss be sad. Chambers
23 meant] thought A18, L74, N, O'F, TC
this 1633: that 1635-69
Note[page 21]
O H doe not die, for I shall hate
All women so, when thou art gone,
That thee I shall not celebrate,
When I remember, thou wast one.
5But yet thou canst not die, I know;
To leave this world behinde, is death,
But when thou from this world wilt goe,
The whole world vapors with thy breath.
Or if, when thou, the worlds soule, goest,
10It stay, tis but thy carkasse then,
The fairest woman, but thy ghost,
But corrupt wormes, the worthyest men.
O wrangling schooles, that search what fire
Shall burne this world, had none the wit
15Unto this knowledge to aspire,
That this her feaver might be it?
And yet she cannot wast by this,
Nor long beare this torturing wrong,
For much corruption needfull is
20To fuell such a feaver long.
These burning fits but meteors bee,
Whose matter in thee is soone spent.
Thy beauty,'and all parts, which are thee,
Are unchangeable firmament.
25Yet t'was of my minde, seising thee,
Though it in thee cannot persever.
For I had rather owner bee
Of thee one houre, then all else ever.
A Feaver. 1633-69, D, H40, H49, Lec, S96: Of a fever. L74: The Fever. B, Cy, O'F, P: Fever. A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, JC
5 know; Ed: know, 1633-69
8 with] in 1669
16 might] must TCC
18 beare] endure 1669
torturing] tormenting JC, O'F (corr. from torturing)
19 For much 1633, A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, S96, TC: For more 1635-69, O'F: Far more Cy, P
22 is soon] soon is 1669
24 Are] Are an 1669, P, S96
25 Yet 'twas of 1633-54: And here as 1669
27 For] Yet 1669
Note[page 22]
TWICE or thrice had I loved thee,
Before I knew thy face or name;
So in a voice, so in a shapelesse flame,
Angells affect us oft, and worship'd bee;
5Still when, to where thou wert, I came,
Some lovely glorious nothing I did see.
But since my soule, whose child love is,
Takes limmes of flesh, and else could nothing doe,
More subtile then the parent is,
10Love must not be, but take a body too,
And therefore what thou wert, and who,
I bid Love aske, and now
That it assume thy body, I allow,
And fixe it selfe in thy lip, eye, and brow.
15Whilst thus to ballast love, I thought,
And so more steddily to have gone,
With wares which would sinke admiration,
I saw, I had loves pinnace overfraught,
Ev'ry thy haire for love to worke upon
20Is much too much, some fitter must be sought;
For, nor in nothing, nor in things
Extreme, and scatt'ring bright, can love inhere;
Then as an Angell, face, and wings
Of aire, not pure as it, yet pure doth weare,
25So thy love may be my loves spheare;
Just such disparitie
As is twixt Aire and Angells puritie,
'Twixt womens love, and mens will ever bee.
Aire and Angels. 1633-69, A18, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: no title, B, H40
4 bee; Ed: bee, 1633-69
5 came,] came 1633
6 I did] did I 1669
see. Ed: see, 1633-69
7 since Ed: since, 1633-69
11 who, Ed: who 1633-69
14 lip, eye,] lips, eyes, 1669, Chambers
19 Ev'ry thy 1633-39, A18, B (Even), D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S (Ever), S96, TC: Thy every 1650-69
22 scatt'ring Ed: scattring, 1633-35: scattering 1639-69
27 Aire 1633-54 and all MSS.: Airs 1669, Chambers
'T IS true, 'tis day; what though it be?
O wilt thou therefore rise from me?
Why should we rise, because 'tis light?
Did we lie downe, because 'twas night?
5Love which in spight of darknesse brought us hether,
Should in despight of light keepe us together.
Light hath no tongue, but is all eye;
If it could speake as well as spie,
This were the worst, that it could say,
10That being well, I faine would stay,
And that I lov'd my heart and honor so,
That I would not from him, that had them, goe.
Must businesse thee from hence remove?
Oh, that's the worst disease of love,
15The poore, the foule, the false, love can
Admit, but not the busied man.
He which hath businesse, and makes love, doth doe
Such wrong, as when a maryed man doth wooe.
Breake of day, 1633-69, A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: no title or Sonnet, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96: A Songe. A25
1 day;] day, 1633
5 in spight of 1633-39, 1669, A25, JC, S96: in dispight 1650-54, A18, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, S, TC
6 in despight 1633, 1650-69: in spight 1635-39
keepe] holde A18, L74, N, S96, TC
9 were] is A18, L74, N, O'F, S TC
11 I lov'd] I love JC, N, O'F, TC
12 him, that had them 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, S: him that had them (or it) A25, B, C, L74, N, O'F, TC: her, that had them, 1669: her that hath them B, JC (it), S96
15 foule,] foole, H40
18 as when ... doth 1633, 1669, A25, C, D, H40, H49, Lec, S, S96: as if ... should A18, B, JC, L74, N, O'F, TC: as when ... should 1635-54
Note[page 24]
A LL Kings, and all their favorites,
All glory of honors, beauties, wits,
The Sun it selfe, which makes times, as they passe,
Is elder by a yeare, now, then it was
5When thou and I first one another saw:
All other things, to their destruction draw,
Only our love hath no decay;
This, no to morrow hath, nor yesterday,
Running it never runs from us away,
10But truly keepes his first, last, everlasting day.
Two graves must hide thine and my coarse,
If one might, death were no divorce.
Alas, as well as other Princes, wee,
(Who Prince enough in one another bee,)
15Must leave at last in death, these eyes, and eares,
Oft fed with true oathes, and with sweet salt teares;
But soules where nothing dwells but love
(All other thoughts being inmates) then shall prove
This, or a love increased there above,
20When bodies to their graves, soules from their graves remove.
And then wee shall be throughly blest,
But wee no more, then all the rest;
Here upon earth, we'are Kings, and none but wee
Can be such Kings, nor of such subjects bee.
25Who is so safe as wee? where none can doe
Treason to us, except one of us two.
True and false feares let us refraine,
Let us love nobly, and live, and adde againe
Yeares and yeares unto yeares, till we attaine
30To write threescore: this is the second of our raigne.
The Anniversarie. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Ad Liviam. S96
3 times, as they passe, 1633, 1669 (which brackets which ... pass), MSS.: times, as these pass, 1635-54: time, as they pass, Chambers, who attributes to 1633, 1669
12 divorce. Ed: divorce, 1633-69
17 love Ed: love; 1633-69
20 to their graves] to their grave 1635-39
22 wee A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: now 1633-69. See note
rest; Ed: rest. 1633-69
23 none om. 1669, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96
24 None are such Kings, 1669, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96
nor] and D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96, bee. Ed: bee; 1633-69
27 refraine,] refraine. 1669
30 threescore: Grolier: threescore, 1633-69
MY name engrav'd herein,
Doth contribute my firmnesse to this glasse,
Which, ever since that charme, hath beene
As hard, as that which grav'd it, was;
5Thine eye will give it price enough, to mock
The diamonds of either rock.
'Tis much that Glasse should bee
As all confessing, and through-shine as I,
'Tis more, that it shewes thee to thee,
10And cleare reflects thee to thine eye.
But all such rules, loves magique can undoe,
Here you see mee, and I am you.
As no one point, nor dash,
Which are but accessaries to this name,
15The showers and tempests can outwash,
So shall all times finde mee the same;
You this intirenesse better may fulfill,
Who have the patterne with you still.
Or, if too hard and deepe
20This learning be, for a scratch'd name to teach,
It, as a given deaths head keepe,
Lovers mortalitie to preach,
Or thinke this ragged bony name to bee
My ruinous Anatomie.
25Then, as all my soules bee,
Emparadis'd in you, (in whom alone
I understand, and grow and see,)
The rafters of my body, bone
Being still with you, the Muscle, Sinew, and Veine,
30Which tile this house, will come againe.
Till my returne, repaire
And recompact my scattered body so.
As all the vertuous powers which are
Fix'd in the starres, are said to flow
35Into such characters, as graved bee
When these starres have supremacie:
So, since this name was cut
When love and griefe their exaltation had,
No doore 'gainst this names influence shut;
40As much more loving, as more sad,
'Twill make thee; and thou shouldst, till I returne,
Since I die daily, daily mourne.
When thy inconsiderate hand
Flings ope this casement, with my trembling name,
45To looke on one, whose wit or land,
New battry to thy heart may frame,
Then thinke this name alive, and that thou thus
In it offendst my Genius.
And when thy melted maid,
50Corrupted by thy Lover's gold, and page,
His letter at thy pillow'hath laid,
Disputed it, and tam'd thy rage,
And thou begin'st to thaw towards him, for this,
May my name step in, and hide his.
55And if this treason goe
To an overt act, and that thou write againe;
In superscribing, this name flow
Into thy fancy, from the pane.
So, in forgetting thou remembrest right,
60And unaware to mee shalt write.
But glasse, and lines must bee,
No meanes our firme substantiall love to keepe;
Neere death inflicts this lethargie,
And this I murmure in my sleepe;
65Impute this idle talke, to that I goe,
For dying men talke often so.
A Valediction: Of &c. D, H49: A Valediction of &c. 1633-69, H40, Lec; Valediction of &c. A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Valediction of my name in the Glasse Window Cy: A Valediction to &c. B: Valediction 4: of Glasse O'F: Valediction in Glasse P: The Diamond and Glasse S: Vpon the ingravinge of his name with a Diamonde in his mistris windowe when he was to travel. S96 (This is added to the title in O'F.): similarly, JC
4 was; Ed: was, 1633-69
5 eye] eyes A18, B, Cy, JC, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
8 I, 1633-54: I 1669
12 am you.] see you. 1669
14 accessaries 1633-69, O'F, S: accessary A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S96, TC
15 tempests 1633, 1669: tempest 1635-54
19 Or, Ed: Or 1633-69
32 so. 1633-35: so, 1639-69, Chambers. See note
34 flow Ed: flow, 1633-69
36 these 1633: those 1635-69
have] had 1669
supremacie: 1633-69: supremacie. 1650-69. See note
37 So, Ed: So 1633-69
39 shut; Ed: shut, 1633-69
44 ope 1633-69, O'F, S96: out A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S, TC
48 offendst] offends 1669
50 and] or 1669, JC, O'F, S96
52-3
Disputed thou it, and tame thy rage.
If thou to him begin'st to thaw for this, 1669
55 goe] growe JC, O'F, S
56 againe; 1633: againe: 1635-69
57 this] my 1669
58 pane. 1633: Pen, 1635-69, O'F, S
60 unaware] unawares B, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
64 this] thus 1635-69, O'F, P, S, S96
B LASTED with sighs, and surrounded with teares,
Hither I come to seeke the spring,
And at mine eyes, and at mine eares,
Receive such balmes, as else cure every thing;
5But O, selfe traytor, I do bring
The spider love, which transubstantiates all,
And can convert Manna to gall,
And that this place may thoroughly be thought
True Paradise, I have the serpent brought.
10'Twere wholsomer for mee, that winter did
Benight the glory of this place,
And that a grave frost did forbid
These trees to laugh, and mocke mee to my face;
But that I may not this disgrace
15Indure, nor yet leave loving, Love let mee
Some senslesse peece of this place bee;
Make me a mandrake, so I may groane here,
Or a stone fountaine weeping out my yeare.
Hither with christall vyals, lovers come,
20And take my teares, which are loves wine,
And try your mistresse Teares at home,
For all are false, that tast not just like mine;
Alas, hearts do not in eyes shine,
Nor can you more judge womans thoughts by teares,
25Then by her shadow, what she weares.
O perverse sexe, where none is true but shee,
Who's therefore true, because her truth kills mee.
Twicknam garden. 1633-69: do. or Twitnam Garden. A18, L74 (in margin), N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: In a Garden. B: no title, A25, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, P
3 eares] years 1669
4 balms ... cure 1633, A25, D, H49: balm ... cures 1635-69, A18, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
thing; Ed: thing, 1633: thing: 1635-69
6 spider] spiders 1669
8 thoroughly 1633-39: throughly 1650-69
12 did] would A18, A25, N, TC
13 laugh,] laugh 1633
14 that I may not] since I cannot 1669
15 nor yet leave loving, 1633: om. D, H40, H49, Lec: nor leave this garden, 1635-69, A18, A25, Cy, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
17 groane A18, D, H40, H49, N, TC: grow 1633-69, B, L74, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96
18 my yeare, 1633, 1669, D, H40, H49, Lec: the yeare. 1635-54, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F, P, TC
20 loves] lovers 1639
24 womans A18, D, H40, H49, L74, N, TC: womens 1633-69, Lec, P, S96
I'LL tell thee now (deare Love) what thou shalt doe
To anger destiny, as she doth us,
How I shall stay, though she Esloygne me thus
And how posterity shall know it too;
5How thine may out-endure
Sybills glory, and obscure
Her who from Pindar could allure,
And her, through whose helpe Lucan is not lame,
And her, whose booke (they say) Homer did finde, and name.
10Study our manuscripts, those Myriades
Of letters, which have past twixt thee and mee,
Thence write our Annals, and in them will bee
To all whom loves subliming fire invades,
Rule and example found;
15There, the faith of any ground
No schismatique will dare to wound,
That sees, how Love this grace to us affords,
To make, to keep, to use, to be these his Records.
This Booke, as long-liv'd as the elements,
20Or as the worlds forme, this all-graved tome
In cypher writ, or new made Idiome,
Wee for loves clergie only'are instruments:
When this booke is made thus,
Should againe the ravenous
25Vandals and Goths inundate us,
Learning were safe; in this our Universe
Schooles might learne Sciences, Spheares Musick, Angels Verse.
Here Loves Divines, (since all Divinity
Is love or wonder) may finde all they seeke,
30Whether abstract spirituall love they like,
Their Soules exhal'd with what they do not see,
Or, loth so to amuze
Faiths infirmitie, they chuse
Something which they may see and use;
35For, though minde be the heaven, where love doth sit,
Beauty a convenient type may be to figure it.
Here more then in their bookes may Lawyers finde,
Both by what titles Mistresses are ours,
And how prerogative these states devours,
40Transferr'd from Love himselfe, to womankinde,
Who though from heart, and eyes,
They exact great subsidies,
Forsake him who on them relies,
And for the cause, honour, or conscience give,
45Chimeraes, vaine as they, or their prerogative.
Here Statesmen, (or of them, they which can reade,)
May of their occupation finde the grounds:
Love and their art alike it deadly wounds,
If to consider what 'tis, one proceed,
50In both they doe excell
Who the present governe well,
Whose weaknesse none doth, or dares tell;
In this thy booke, such will their nothing see,
As in the Bible some can finde out Alchimy.
55Thus vent thy thoughts; abroad I'll studie thee,
As he removes farre off, that great heights takes;
How great love is, presence best tryall makes,
But absence tryes how long this love will bee;
To take a latitude
60Sun, or starres, are fitliest view'd
At their brightest, but to conclude
Of longitudes, what other way have wee,
But to marke when, and where the darke eclipses bee?
A Valediction: of &c. Ed: A Valediction of the Booke A18, N, TCC, TCD: Valediction of the booke. D, H49, Lec: Valediction 3: Of the Booke O'F: The Booke Cy, P: Valediction to his booke. 1633-69, S: A Valediction of a booke left in a windowe. JC
18 Records, 1633-69: records, Grolier
20 tome 1633-35: to me 1639-54: Tomb. 1669, A18, Cy, Lec, N, S
21 Idiome, Ed: Idiome; 1633-69
22 instruments: Ed: instruments, 1633-69. See note
25 and Goths inundate us, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, TC: and the Goths invade us, 1633-54, S: and Goths invade us, 1669, H40, JC (or), O'F, P
26 were safe; 1633: rest omit semicolon.
Universe 1633-39: Universe, 1650-69
30 abstract] abstracted 1669
32 Or, ... amuze Ed: Or ... amuze, 1633-69
33 infirmitie,] infirmities, 1669, D, H49, Lec
38 titles] titles, 1663
39 these states] those rites A18, N, TC
40 womankinde, Ed: womankinde. 1633-54: womankinde: 1669
43 relies, Ed: relies 1633: relies; 1635-69
44 give,] give; 1635-69
46 Statesmen] Tradesmen Cy, P
47 grounds: Ed: grounds, 1633-69
49 'tis, one] 'tis on 1669
53 their nothing 1635-54, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC (nothings), Lec, N, O'F, S, TC (but the MSS. waver between their and there): there something 1633, 1669, P
55 vent 1633, 1669: went 1635-54
thoughts; abroad] thoughts abroad: 1669
56 great heights] shadows O'F
63 1669 omits darke
G OOD wee must love, and must hate ill,
For ill is ill, and good good still,
But there are things indifferent,
Which wee may neither hate, nor love,
But one, and then another prove,
5As wee shall finde our fancy bent.
If then at first wise Nature had
Made women either good or bad,
Then some wee might hate, and some chuse,
10But since shee did them so create,
That we may neither love, nor hate,
Onely this rests, All, all may use.
If they were good it would be seene,
Good is as visible as greene,
15And to all eyes it selfe betrayes:
If they were bad, they could not last,
Bad doth it selfe, and others wast,
So, they deserve nor blame, nor praise.
But they are ours as fruits are ours,
20He that but tasts, he that devours,
And he that leaves all, doth as well:
Chang'd loves are but chang'd sorts of meat,
And when hee hath the kernell eate,
Who doth not fling away the shell?
Communitie. 1635-69: no title, 1633, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
3 there 1635-69, A18, B, N, O'F, S, TC, &c.: these 1633, D, Cy, H49, Lec
7 had Ed: had, 1633-39
12 All, all 1633-54: All men 1669
15 betrayes: 1650-69: betrayes, 1633-39
21 well: Ed: well, 1633-69
ISCARCE beleeve my love to be so pure
As I had thought it was,
Because it doth endure
Vicissitude, and season, as the grasse;
5Me thinkes I lyed all winter, when I swore,
My love was infinite, if spring make'it more.
But if this medicine, love, which cures all sorrow
With more, not onely bee no quintessence,
But mixt of all stuffes, paining soule, or sense,
10And of the Sunne his working vigour borrow,
Love's not so pure, and abstract, as they use
To say, which have no Mistresse but their Muse,
But as all else, being elemented too,
Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do.
15And yet no greater, but more eminent,
Love by the spring is growne;
As, in the firmament,
Starres by the Sunne are not inlarg'd, but showne.
Gentle love deeds, as blossomes on a bough,
20From loves awakened root do bud out now.
If, as in water stir'd more circles bee
Produc'd by one, love such additions take,
Those like so many spheares, but one heaven make,
For, they are all concentrique unto thee.
25And though each spring doe adde to love new heate,
As princes doe in times of action get
New taxes, and remit them not in peace,
No winter shall abate the springs encrease.
Loves growth. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: The Spring. or Spring. B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96: no title, JC
9 paining 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S96, TC: vexing 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, S
10 working 1633 and MSS. as above: active 1635-69 and MSS. as above
11 pure, and] pure an 1669, O'F
14 do.] do 1633
18-19 Starres ... showne. Gentle love Ed: Starres ... showne, Gentle love 1633-69:
Stars are not by the sunne enlarg'd; but showne
Greater; Loves deeds P. See note
24 thee. Ed: thee, 1633-69
28 the 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S96, TC: this 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, S
LOVE, any devill else but you,
Would for a given Soule give something too.
At Court your fellowes every day,
Give th'art of Riming, Huntsmanship, or Play,
5For them which were their owne before;
Onely I have nothing which gave more,
But am, alas, by being lowly, lower.
I aske no dispensation now
To falsifie a teare, or sigh, or vow,
10I do not sue from thee to draw
A non obstante on natures law,
These are prerogatives, they inhere
In thee and thine; none should forsweare
Except that hee Loves minion were.
15Give mee thy weaknesse, make mee blinde,
Both wayes, as thou and thine, in eies and minde;
Love, let me never know that this
Is love, or, that love childish is;
Let me not know that others know
20That she knowes my paines, least that so
A tender shame make me mine owne new woe.
If thou give nothing, yet thou'art just,
Because I would not thy first motions trust;
Small townes which stand stiffe, till great shot
25Enforce them, by warres law condition not.
Such in loves warfare is my case,
I may not article for grace,
Having put Love at last to shew this face.
This face, by which he could command
30And change the Idolatrie of any land,
This face, which wheresoe'r it comes,
Can call vow'd men from cloisters, dead from tombes,
And melt both Poles at once, and store
Deserts with cities, and make more
35Mynes in the earth, then Quarries were before.
For this, Love is enrag'd with mee,
Yet kills not. If I must example bee
To future Rebells; If th'unborne
Must learne, by my being cut up, and torne:
40Kill, and dissect me, Love; for this
Torture against thine owne end is,
Rack't carcasses make ill Anatomies.
Loves exchange. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P
4 or] and most MSS.
Play D: play 1633-69
9 or sigh, or vow, 1633-54: a sigh, a vow, 1669
18 is; Ed: is. 1633-69
20 paines] paine A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, TC
21 1669 omits new
28 Love D: love 1633-69
this] his 1669
36 For this, Ed: For, this 1633-69
Love D: love 1633-69
37 not. If Ed: not; if 1633-39: not: if 1650-69
Note[page 36]
SOME man unworthy to be possessor
Of old or new love, himselfe being false or weake,
Thought his paine and shame would be lesser,
If on womankind he might his anger wreake,
5And thence a law did grow,
One might but one man know;
But are other creatures so?
Are Sunne, Moone, or Starres by law forbidden,
To smile where they list, or lend away their light?
10Are birds divorc'd, or are they chidden
If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a night?
Beasts doe no joyntures lose
Though they new lovers choose,
But we are made worse then those.
15Who e'r rigg'd faire ship to lie in harbors,
And not to seeke new lands, or not to deale withall?
Or built faire houses, set trees, and arbors,
Only to lock up, or else to let them fall?
Good is not good, unlesse
20A thousand it possesse,
But doth wast with greedinesse.
Confined Love 1635-69: no title, 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: To the worthiest of all my lovers. Cy: To the of all my loves my virtuous mistriss. P
3 his] this 1669
lesser] the lesser A18, Cy, JC, P
6 might 1633-69: should B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, O'F, S, TC
9 lend] bend 1669
11 mate, 1633-39: meate, 1650: meat, 1669
a night (i.e. a-night) 1633-54: all night 1669
12 Beasts] Beast 1635
15 ship] ships 1669, Chambers
16 seeke new lands 1633-35 and MSS.: seeke lands 1639-69, Chambers, whose note is incorrect
withall 1633: with all 1635-69
17 built 1633-35: build 1639-69
Note[page 37]
D EARE love, for nothing lesse then thee
Would I have broke this happy dreame,
It was a theame
For reason, much too strong for phantasie,
5Therefore thou wakd'st me wisely; yet
My Dreame thou brok'st not, but continued'st it,
Thou art so truth, that thoughts of thee suffice,
To make dreames truths; and fables histories;
Enter these armes, for since thou thoughtst it best,
10Not to dreame all my dreame, let's act the rest.
As lightning, or a Tapers light,
Thine eyes, and not thy noise wak'd mee;
Yet I thought thee
(For thou lovest truth) an Angell, at first sight,
15But when I saw thou sawest my heart,
And knew'st my thoughts, beyond an Angels art,
When thou knew'st what I dreamt, when thou knew'st when
Excesse of joy would wake me, and cam'st then,
I must confesse, it could not chuse but bee
20Prophane, to thinke thee any thing but thee.
Comming and staying show'd thee, thee,
But rising makes me doubt, that now,
Thou art not thou.
That love is weake, where feare's as strong as hee;
25'Tis not all spirit, pure, and brave,
If mixture it of Feare, Shame, Honor, have.
Perchance as torches which must ready bee,
Men light and put out, so thou deal'st with mee,
Thou cam'st to kindle, goest to come; Then I
30Will dreame that hope againe, but else would die.
The Dreame. 1633-69: do. or similarly, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, RP31, S, S96, TCC, TCD
6 brok'st ... continued'st] breakest ... continuest 1669, A25, C, P, S
7 so truth, 1633, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC: so true, 1635-69, A25, B, C, Cy, O'F, P, S. See note
10 act] doe A25, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96
14 an Angell,] but an Angell, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC
16 thoughts,] om. comma Grolier and Chambers. See Note
17 then thou knew'st when 1669
19 must] doe A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC
20 Prophane,] Profaness A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S96, TC
24 feare's as strong 1635-54, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, TCC: feares are strong 1669, B, Cy, O'F, P, S, S96: feare is strong, N, TCD
26 have. 1669: have; 1633-54
29 cam'st] com'st 1669
Then I] Thus I A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC (RP31 agrees with this group throughout)
LET me powre forth
My teares before thy face, whil'st I stay here,
For thy face coines them, and thy stampe they beare,
And by this Mintage they are something worth,
5For thus they bee
Pregnant of thee;
Fruits of much griefe they are, emblemes of more,
When a teare falls, that thou falst which it bore,
So thou and I are nothing then, when on a divers shore.
10On a round ball
A workeman that hath copies by, can lay
An Europe, Afrique, and an Asia,
And quickly make that, which was nothing, All,
So doth each teare,
15Which thee doth weare,
A globe, yea world by that impression grow,
Till thy teares mixt with mine doe overflow
This world, by waters sent from thee, my heaven dissolved so.
O more then Moone,
20Draw not up seas to drowne me in thy spheare,
Weepe me not dead, in thine armes, but forbeare
To teach the sea, what it may doe too soone;
Let not the winde
Example finde,
25To doe me more harme, then it purposeth;
Since thou and I sigh one anothers breath,
Who e'r sighes most, is cruellest, and hasts the others death.
A Valediction: of &c. Ed: A Valediction of weeping. 1633-69: Valediction of Weeping. A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Valediction. B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec: A Valediction of Teares. Cy, S, S96: Valediction 2. Of Tears. O'F: no title, JC
3 beare, 1633: beare; 1635-69
6 thee; Ed: thee, 1633-69
8 falst 1633-69: falls A18, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TC
9 shore.] shore, 1633
13 All, 1633: All 1635: All. 1639: All: 1650-69
16 world] would 1669
20 up seas] thy seas 1669
22 soone; Ed: soone, 1633-69
25 purposeth; Ed: purposeth, 1633-69
SOME that have deeper digg'd loves Myne then I,
Say, where his centrique happinesse doth lie:
I have lov'd, and got, and told,
But should I love, get, tell, till I were old,
5I should not finde that hidden mysterie;
Oh, 'tis imposture all:
And as no chymique yet th'Elixar got,
But glorifies his pregnant pot,
If by the way to him befall
10Some odoriferous thing, or medicinall,
So, lovers dreame a rich and long delight,
But get a winter-seeming summers night.
Our ease, our thrift, our honor, and our day,
Shall we, for this vaine Bubles shadow pay?
15Ends love in this, that my man,
Can be as happy'as I can; If he can
Endure the short scorne of a Bridegroomes play?
That loving wretch that sweares,
'Tis not the bodies marry, but the mindes,
20Which he in her Angelique findes,
Would sweare as justly, that he heares,
In that dayes rude hoarse minstralsey, the spheares.
Hope not for minde in women; at their best
Sweetnesse and wit, they'are but Mummy, possest.
Loves Alchymie. 1633-69: Mummye. A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74 (or Alchymy. added in a later hand), Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: Elegie. P: no title, A25
14 Bubles
Bubless 1669]15 my 1633-69 and MSS.: any S96, 1855, and Grolier (perhaps from some copy of 1633)
23-4 punctuation from MSS:
at their best,
Sweetnesse, and wit they'are, but, Mummy, possest. 1633-54:
1669 omits all punctuation in these lines
MARKE but this flea, and marke in this,
How little that which thou deny'st me is;
It suck'd me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea, our two bloods mingled bee;
5Thou know'st that this cannot be said
A sinne, nor shame, nor losse of maidenhead,
Yet this enjoyes before it wooe,
And pamper'd swells with one blood made of two,
And this, alas, is more then wee would doe.
10Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare,
Where wee almost, yea more then maryed are.
This flea is you and I, and this
Our mariage bed, and mariage temple is;
Though parents grudge, and you, w'are met,
15And cloysterd in these living walls of Jet.
Though use make you apt to kill mee,
Let not to that, selfe murder added bee,
And sacrilege, three sinnes in killing three.
Cruell and sodaine, hast thou since
20Purpled thy naile, in blood of innocence?
Wherein could this flea guilty bee,
Except in that drop which it suckt from thee?
Yet thou triumph'st, and saist that thou
Find'st not thy selfe, nor mee the weaker now;
25'Tis true, then learne how false, feares bee;
Just so much honor, when thou yeeld'st to mee,
Will wast, as this flea's death tooke life from thee.
The Flea is placed here in the 1633 edition: 1635-69 place it at beginning of Songs and Sonets: The Flea. or no title, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
3 It suckt mee first, 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, S96: Mee it suck'd first, 1669, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, L74, N, P, S, TC
and now sucks] and now it sucks 1669
5 Thou know'st that 1633-54, D, H49, Lec: Confess it. This cannot be said 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
6 nor shame, nor losse 1633-54 (shame 1633), D, H49, Lec: or shame, or loss 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, P, TC
9 would] could 1669
11 yea, 1633-54, D, H49, Lec: nay, 1669, A18, A25, B, C, H40, L74, N, O'F, S, TC
16 you] thee A18, Cy, N, O'F, S, S96, TC
21 Wherein] In what A18, A25, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TC
22 drop] blood 1669
WHO ever guesses, thinks, or dreames he knowes
Who is my mistris, wither by this curse;
His only, and only his purse
May some dull heart to love dispose,
5And shee yeeld then to all that are his foes;
May he be scorn'd by one, whom all else scorne,
Forsweare to others, what to her he'hath sworne,
With feare of missing, shame of getting, torne:
Madnesse his sorrow, gout his cramp, may hee
10Make, by but thinking, who hath made him such:
And may he feele no touch
Of conscience, but of fame, and bee
Anguish'd, not that'twas sinne, but that'twas shee:
In early and long scarcenesse may he rot,
15For land which had been his, if he had not
Himselfe incestuously an heire begot:
May he dreame Treason, and beleeve, that hee
Meant to performe it, and confesse, and die,
And no record tell why:
20His sonnes, which none of his may bee,
Inherite nothing but his infamie:
Or may he so long Parasites have fed,
That he would faine be theirs, whom he hath bred,
And at the last be circumcis'd for bread:
25The venom of all stepdames, gamsters gall,
What Tyrans, and their subjects interwish,
What Plants, Mynes, Beasts, Foule, Fish,
Can contribute, all ill which all
Prophets, or Poets spake; And all which shall
30Be annex'd in schedules unto this by mee,
Fall on that man; For if it be a shee
Nature before hand hath out-cursed mee.
The Curse. 1633-69: A Curse. or The Curse. A18, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, TCC, TCD: Dirae. P, Q
2 curse] course 1669
3 His only, and only his purse 1633-54, A18, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, TC: Him, only for his purse 1669, Chambers: His one and his onely purse P
4 heart 1633-54 and MSS.: whore 1669 and Chambers
5 And she yeeld then to 1633-54 and MSS.: And then yield unto 1669, Chambers
8 getting, Ed: getting 1633-69
torne: Ed: torne; 1633-54: torne. 1669. Compare 16 and 24
9 cramp,] cramps, 1669, Chambers, and most MSS.
10 him 1633-54 and MSS.: them 1669, Chambers
12 fame,] shame; A18, A25, N, P, TC
14-16 In early and long scarceness ... an heire begot: 1633, B, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F (which gives alternate version in margin), S:
Or may he for her vertue reverence
One that hates him onely for impotence,
And equall Traitors be she and his sense.
1635-69, A18, A25, C, JC, N, P, Q, S, TC
18 Meant] Went A18, N, TC
26 Tyrans, 1633-35: Tyrants, 1639: tyrants, 1650-69
27 Mynes, A18, A25, B, H40, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TC: Myne, 1633-69, D, H49, Lec
28 ill 1669: ill, 1633-54
Note[page 43]
S END home my long strayd eyes to mee,
Which (Oh) too long have dwelt on thee;
Yet since there they have learn'd such ill,
Such forc'd fashions,
5And false passions,
That they be
Made by thee
Fit for no good sight, keep them still.
Send home my harmlesse heart againe,
10Which no unworthy thought could staine;
But if it be taught by thine
To make jestings
Of protestings,
And crosse both
15Word and oath,
Keepe it, for then 'tis none of mine.
Yet send me back my heart and eyes,
That I may know, and see thy lyes,
And may laugh and joy, when thou
20Art in anguish
And dost languish
For some one
That will none,
Or prove as false as thou art now.
The Message. 1635-69: no title, 1633: Song. or no title, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96: Sonnet. P: Songes wch were made to &c. (vid. sup. p. 18) A18, N, TCC, TCD
2 thee; Ed: thee, 1633-69
3 But if they there 1669, S
10 staine;] staine, 1633-69
11 But 1635-69: Which 1633, A18, A25, D, H49, Lec, N, TC
14 crosse, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: breake 1633-69
16 Keep it still 'tis 1669
19 And may laugh, when that Thou D, H49, Lec
24 art now.] dost now. 1669
Note[page 44]
Being the shortest day.
TIS the yeares midnight, and it is the dayes,
Lucies, who scarce seaven houres herself unmaskes,
The Sunne is spent, and now his flasks
Send forth light squibs, no constant rayes;
5The worlds whole sap is sunke:
The generall balme th'hydroptique earth hath drunk,
Whither, as to the beds-feet, life is shrunke,
Dead and enterr'd; yet all these seeme to laugh,
Compar'd with mee, who am their Epitaph.
10Study me then, you who shall lovers bee
At the next world, that is, at the next Spring:
For I am every dead thing,
In whom love wrought new Alchimie.
For his art did expresse
15A quintessence even from nothingnesse,
From dull privations, and leane emptinesse:
He ruin'd mee, and I am re-begot
Of absence, darknesse, death; things which are not.
All others, from all things, draw all that's good,
20Life, soule, forme, spirit, whence they beeing have;
I, by loves limbecke, am the grave
Of all, that's nothing. Oft a flood
Have wee two wept, and so
Drownd the whole world, us two; oft did we grow
25To be two Chaosses, when we did show
Care to ought else; and often absences
Withdrew our soules, and made us carcasses.
But I am by her death, (which word wrongs her)
Of the first nothing, the Elixer grown;
30Were I a man, that I were one,
I needs must know; I should preferre,
If I were any beast,
Some ends, some means; Yea plants, yea stones detest,
And love; All, all some properties invest;
35If I an ordinary nothing were,
As shadow, a light, and body must be here.
But I am None; nor will my Sunne renew.
You lovers, for whose sake, the lesser Sunne
At this time to the Goat is runne
40To fetch new lust, and give it you,
Enjoy your summer all;
Since shee enjoyes her long nights festivall,
Let mee prepare towards her, and let mee call
This houre her Vigill, and her Eve, since this
45Both the yeares, and the dayes deep midnight is.
A nocturnal &c. 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD
7 beds-feet,] beds-feet 1633-69
12 every 1633, A18, N, O'F (altered to a very), TC: a very 1635-69
16 emptinesse: 1719: emptinesse; Chambers and Grolier: emptinesse 1633-54: emptinesse, 1669. See note
20 have; Ed: have, 1633-69.
31 know;] know, 1633
32 beast,] beast; Grolier
34 love; All, all Ed: love, all, all 1633-69
invest; Ed: invest, 1633: invest 1635-69
37 renew. 1633: renew, 1635-69
41 all; Ed: all, 1633-69 and Chambers, who places a full stop after festivall
44 Eve, 1650-69: eve, 1633-39
I FIXE mine eye on thine, and there
Pitty my picture burning in thine eye,
My picture drown'd in a transparent teare,
When I looke lower I espie;
5Hadst thou the wicked skill
By pictures made and mard, to kill,
How many wayes mightst thou performe thy will?
But now I have drunke thy sweet salt teares,
And though thou poure more I'll depart;
10My picture vanish'd, vanish feares,
That I can be endamag'd by that art;
Though thou retaine of mee
One picture more, yet that will bee,
Being in thine owne heart, from all malice free.
Witchcraft &c. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: The Picture. or Picture. Cy, JC, O'F, P, S96: A Songe. B
4 espie; Ed: espie, 1633-69
6 to kill, Ed: to kill? 1633-39: to kill; 1650-69
9 And though] Although 1669 And though thou therefore poure more will depart; B, H40
10 vanish'd, vanish feares, 1633, A18, B, Cy, H40, JC, N, P, S96, TC: vanished, vanish all feares 1635-54, O'F: vanish, vanish fears, 1669
11 that] thy JC, O'F, S96
14 all] thy B, H40, S96
C OME live with mee, and bee my love,
And wee will some new pleasures prove
Of golden sands, and christall brookes,
With silken lines, and silver hookes.
5There will the river whispering runne
Warm'd by thy eyes, more then the Sunne.
And there the'inamor'd fish will stay,
Begging themselves they may betray.
When thou wilt swimme in that live bath,
10Each fish, which every channell hath,
Will amorously to thee swimme,
Gladder to catch thee, then thou him.
If thou, to be so seene, beest loath,
By Sunne, or Moone, thou darknest both,
15And if my selfe have leave to see,
I need not their light, having thee.
Let others freeze with angling reeds,
And cut their legges, with shells and weeds,
Or treacherously poore fish beset,
20With strangling snare, or windowie net:
Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest
The bedded fish in banks out-wrest,
Or curious traitors, sleavesilke flies
Bewitch poore fishes wandring eyes.
25For thee, thou needst no such deceit,
For thou thy selfe art thine owne bait;
That fish, that is not catch'd thereby,
Alas, is wiser farre then I.
The Baite. 1635-69: no title, 1633: Song. or no title, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S96, Walton's Compleate Angler: Fourth Day: Chap. XII.: Songs that were made &c. (vid. sup. p. 18) A18, N, TCC, TCD
2 some new] all the P
3 brookes, Ed: brookes: 1633-69
5 whispering 1633: whispring 1635-69
6 thy] thine 1669, A18, N, TC
7 inamor'd] enamelled Walton
stay] play 1669
11 to] unto JC, O'F, P: to see N: Most amoroussly to thee will swim Walton
15 my selfe] mine eyes Walton: my heart A18, N, TC
18 with] which 1633
20 snare,] snares, Walton
windowie] winding 1669. See note
23 Or 1633-69: Let Walton
sleavesilke 1635: sleave silke 1639-69 and Walton: sleavesicke 1633
24 To witch poor wandring fishes eyes. Walton
25 thou needst] there needs D, H49, Lec, S96
26 bait; Ed: bait, 1633-69
27 catch'd 1633-69: catch't Walton: caught P
28 Is wiser far, alas Walton
WHEN by thy scorne, O murdresse, I am dead,
And that thou thinkst thee free
From all solicitation from mee,
Then shall my ghost come to thy bed,
5And thee, fain'd vestall, in worse armes shall see;
Then thy sicke taper will begin to winke,
And he, whose thou art then, being tyr'd before,
Will, if thou stirre, or pinch to wake him, thinke
Thou call'st for more,
10And in false sleepe will from thee shrinke,
And then poore Aspen wretch, neglected thou
Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lye
A veryer ghost then I;
What I will say, I will not tell thee now,
15Lest that preserve thee'; and since my love is spent,
I'had rather thou shouldst painfully repent,
Then by my threatnings rest still innocent.
The Apparition. 1633-69: do. or An Apparition. A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
2 that thou thinkst] thou shalt think 1669
3 solicitation] solicitations JC, O'F
5 thee, ... vestall, Ed: thee ... vestall 1633-39: thee ... Vestall 1650-69
7 then] 1669 omits
10 in false sleepe will from 1633, Cy, D, H49, Lec, S: in false sleepe from 1635-54: in a false sleepe even from 1669: in a false sleepe from A25, P: in a false sleepe will from A18, N, TC
13 I;] I, 1633, some copies
17 rest still] keep thee A25, Cy, JC, O'F, P
HE is starke mad, who ever sayes,
That he hath beene in love an houre,
Yet not that love so soone decayes,
But that it can tenne in lesse space devour;
5Who will beleeve mee, if I sweare
That I have had the plague a yeare?
Who would not laugh at mee, if I should say,
I saw a flaske of powder burne a day?
Ah, what a trifle is a heart,
10If once into loves hands it come!
All other griefes allow a part
To other griefes, and aske themselves but some;
They come to us, but us Love draws,
Hee swallows us, and never chawes:
15By him, as by chain'd shot, whole rankes doe dye,
He is the tyran Pike, our hearts the Frye.
If 'twere not so, what did become
Of my heart, when I first saw thee?
I brought a heart into the roome,
20But from the roome, I carried none with mee:
If it had gone to thee, I know
Mine would have taught thine heart to show
More pitty unto mee: but Love, alas,
At one first blow did shiver it as glasse.
25Yet nothing can to nothing fall,
Nor any place be empty quite,
Therefore I thinke my breast hath all
Those peeces still, though they be not unite;
And now as broken glasses show
30A hundred lesser faces, so
My ragges of heart can like, wish, and adore,
But after one such love, can love no more.
The broken heart. 1633-69: Broken Heart. L74: Song. or no title, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, TCC, TCD: Elegie. P, S96
8 flaske 1633, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, Lec, O'F (corrected from flash), P, S: flash 1635-69, A18, H49, N, TC
10 come! Ed: come? 1633-69
12 some; Ed: some, 1633-69
15 chain'd shot] chain-shott A18, A25, N, TC
16 tyran] Tyrant 1669
our hearts] and we 1669
17 did] could A18, A25, B, C, L74, O'F, N, TC: would B, Cy, M, S
20 mee: 1650-69: mee; 1633-39
23 alas,] alas 1633
24 first] fierce A18, B, N, TC
30 hundred] thousand A18, A25, B, Cy, L74, M, N, P, S, TC
A S virtuous men passe mildly away,
And whisper to their soules, to goe,
Whilst some of their sad friends doe say,
The breath goes now, and some say, no:
5So let us melt, and make no noise,
No teare-floods, nor sigh-tempests move,
T'were prophanation of our joyes
To tell the layetie our love.
Moving of th'earth brings harmes and feares,
10Men reckon what it did and meant,
But trepidation of the spheares,
Though greater farre, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers love
(Whose soule is sense) cannot admit
15Absence, because it doth remove
Those things which elemented it.
But we by a love, so much refin'd,
That our selves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
20Care lesse, eyes, lips, and hands to misse.
Our two soules therefore, which are one,
Though I must goe, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to ayery thinnesse beate.
25If they be two, they are two so
As stiffe twin compasses are two,
Thy soule the fixt foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if the'other doe.
And though it in the center sit,
30Yet when the other far doth rome,
It leanes, and hearkens after it,
And growes erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to mee, who must
Like th'other foot, obliquely runne;
Thy firmnes makes my circle just,
35And makes me end, where I begunne.
A Valediction: forbidding &c. Ed: A Valediction forbidding &c. 1633-69: Valediction forbidding &c. A18, N, TCC, TCD: Valediction agaynst &c. A25, C: A Valediction. B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec: Vpon the partinge from his Mistris. O'F, S96: To his love upon his departure from her. JC: Elegie. L74, P: also in Walton's Life of Donne (1675)
4 The breath goes now, 1633-54, and all the MSS.: Now his breath goes, 1669, Chambers
no: Ed: no. 1633-54: No; 1669
30 the other] my other Walton
31 It] Thine Walton
32 that] mine Walton
34 runne; Ed: runne. 1633-69
35 circle] circles 1639-54
36 makes me] me to Walton
WHERE, like a pillow on a bed,
A Pregnant banke swel'd up, to rest
The violets reclining head,
Sat we two, one anothers best.
5Our hands were firmely cimented
With a fast balme, which thence did spring,
Our eye-beames twisted, and did thred
Our eyes, upon one double string;
So to'entergraft our hands, as yet
10Was all the meanes to make us one,
And pictures in our eyes to get
Was all our propagation.
As 'twixt two equall Armies, Fate
Suspends uncertaine victorie,
15Our soules, (which to advance their state,
Were gone out,) hung 'twixt her, and mee.
And whil'st our soules negotiate there,
Wee like sepulchrall statues lay;
All day, the same our postures were,
20And wee said nothing, all the day.
If any, so by love refin'd,
That he soules language understood,
And by good love were growen all minde,
Within convenient distance stood,
25He (though he knew not which soule spake,
Because both meant, both spake the same)
Might thence a new concoction take,
And part farre purer then he came.
This Extasie doth unperplex
30(We said) and tell us what we love,
Wee see by this, it was not sexe,
Wee see, we saw not what did move:
But as all severall soules containe
Mixture of things, they know not what,
35Love, these mixt soules, doth mixe againe,
And makes both one, each this and that.
A single violet transplant,
The strength, the colour, and the size,
(All which before was poore, and scant,)
40Redoubles still, and multiplies.
When love, with one another so
Interinanimates two soules,
That abler soule, which thence doth flow,
Defects of lonelinesse controules.
45Wee then, who are this new soule, know,
Of what we are compos'd, and made,
For, th'Atomies of which we grow,
Are soules, whom no change can invade.
But O alas, so long, so farre
50Our bodies why doe wee forbeare?
They are ours, though they are not wee, Wee are
The intelligences, they the spheare.
We owe them thankes, because they thus,
Did us, to us, at first convay,
55Yeelded their forces, sense, to us,
Nor are drosse to us, but allay.
On man heavens influence workes not so,
But that it first imprints the ayre,
Soe soule into the soule may flow,
60Though it to body first repaire.
As our blood labours to beget
Spirits, as like soules as it can,
Because such fingers need to knit
That subtile knot, which makes us man:
65So must pure lovers soules descend
T'affections, and to faculties,
Which sense may reach and apprehend,
Else a great Prince in prison lies.
To'our bodies turne wee then, that so
70Weake men on love reveal'd may looke;
Loves mysteries in soules doe grow,
But yet the body is his booke.
And if some lover, such as wee,
Have heard this dialogue of one,
75Let him still marke us, he shall see
Small change, when we'are to bodies gone.
The Extasie. 1633-69: do. or Extasie. A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
3 reclining 1633-54: declining 1669
4 best. Ed: best; 1633-54
Sate we on one anothers breasts. 1669
6 With 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, P, S, TC: By 1635-69, Chambers
8 string; Ed: string, 1633-69
9 to'entergraft 1633, A18, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, P, S, TC: to engraft 1635-69, A25, JC, O'F, Chambers
11 in 1633-69, P: on A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, TC
15 their 1633 and most MSS.: our 1635-69, O'F, P
18 lay; Ed: lay, 1633-69
25 knew 1635-69, A18, A25, B, H40, H49, JC, N, P, TC: knowes 1633, D, Lec
29 doth] do 1669
31 sexe, 1669: sexe 1633-54
42 Interinanimates A18, A25, B, H40, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, TC: Interanimates 1633-69, D, Lec
44 loneliness] loveliness 1669
46 made, 1633-39: made: 1650-69
47 Atomies 1633-54: Atomes 1669
48 are soules, 1633, 1669: are soule, 1635-54
51 though they are not A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: though not 1633-69
52 spheare. A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: spheares. 1633-69
55 forces, sense, A18, A25, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: senses force 1633-69
59 Soe A18, A25, B, H40, JC, N, P, S, S96, TC: For 1633-69, D, H49, Lec
64 makes] make 1635-39
72 his] the 1669
76 gone. 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, TC: growne. 1635-69, P, S96
I LONG to talke with some old lovers ghost,
Who dyed before the god of Love was borne:
I cannot thinke that hee, who then lov'd most,
Sunke so low, as to love one which did scorne.
5But since this god produc'd a destinie,
And that vice-nature, custome, lets it be;
I must love her, that loves not mee.
Sure, they which made him god, meant not so much,
Nor he, in his young godhead practis'd it;
10But when an even flame two hearts did touch,
His office was indulgently to fit
Actives to passives. Correspondencie
Only his subject was; It cannot bee
Love, till I love her, that loves mee.
15But every moderne god will now extend
His vast prerogative, as far as Jove.
To rage, to lust, to write to, to commend,
All is the purlewe of the God of Love.
Oh were wee wak'ned by this Tyrannie
20To ungod this child againe, it could not bee
I should love her, who loves not mee.
Rebell and Atheist too, why murmure I,
As though I felt the worst that love could doe?
Love might make me leave loving, or might trie
25A deeper plague, to make her love mee too,
Which, since she loves before, I'am loth to see;
Falshood is worse then hate; and that must bee,
If shee whom I love, should love mee.
Loves Deitie. 1633-69, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: Elegye. P
8 much, 1639-69: much: 1633: much? 1635
9 it; Ed: it. 1633-69
13 subject] Subject 1669
14 Love, ... mee. 1633, 1669, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40 (who), H49, JC, L74, N, P, S (lov'd), TCD: Love, if I love, who loves not me. 1635-54, O'F
19 Oh ... wak'ned] Were we not weak'ned 1669
21 That I should love, who loves not me. A18, A25, C, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, S96, TC: O'F reads as these but alters to as in printed edd.
24 might make A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, N, P, S, S96, TC: may make 1633-69, Lec
26 Which,] Which 1633
Note[page 55]
TO what a combersome unwieldinesse
And burdenous corpulence my love had growne,
But that I did, to make it lesse,
And keepe it in proportion,
5Give it a diet, made it feed upon
That which love worst endures, discretion.
Above one sigh a day I'allow'd him not,
Of which my fortune, and my faults had part;
And if sometimes by stealth he got
10A she sigh from my mistresse heart,
And thought to feast on that, I let him see
'Twas neither very sound, nor meant to mee.
If he wroung from mee'a teare, I brin'd it so
With scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;
15If he suck'd hers, I let him know
'Twas not a teare, which hee had got,
His drinke was counterfeit, as was his meat;
For, eyes which rowle towards all, weepe not, but sweat.
What ever he would dictate, I writ that,
20But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,
And that that favour made him fat,
I said, if any title bee
Convey'd by this, Ah, what doth it availe,
To be the fortieth name in an entaile?
25Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flye
At what, and when, and how, and where I chuse;
Now negligent of sport I lye,
And now as other Fawkners use,
I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe:
30And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe.
Loves diet. 1633-69, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCC (torn out of TCD): Amoris Dieta. S96
12 mee. Ed: mee; 1633-35: mee: 1639-69
18 For,] Her 1669
19 Whatever ... that, 1633-39, 1669: Whate'er might him distast I still writ that, 1650-54: Whatsoever hee would distast I writt that, A18, N, TC
20 But burnt my letters; When she writ to me, 1633: But burnt her letters when she writ to me, 1635: But burnt her letters when she writ to me; 1639-54, Chambers: But burnt my letters which she writ to me; 1669
21 that that 1633: if that 1635-69. See note
24 name] man 1669
25 reclaim'd 1635-69, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, L74, N, O'F, S, TCC: redeem'd 1633, Lec
26 chuse] chose 1669
27 sport 1635-69, A18, B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, S, S96, TCC: sports, 1633
30 and 1633 and most MSS.: or 1635-69, Cy, O'F, S
BEFORE I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,
Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeath
Mine eyes to Argus, if mine eyes can see,
If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;
5My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares;
To women or the sea, my teares.
Thou, Love, hast taught mee heretofore
By making mee serve her who'had twenty more,
That I should give to none, but such, as had too much before.
10My constancie I to the planets give;
My truth to them, who at the Court doe live;
Mine ingenuity and opennesse,
To Jesuites; to Buffones my pensivenesse;
My silence to'any, who abroad hath beene;
15My mony to a Capuchin.
Thou Love taught'st me, by appointing mee
To love there, where no love receiv'd can be,
Onely to give to such as have an incapacitie.
My faith I give to Roman Catholiques;
20All my good works unto the Schismaticks
Of Amsterdam; my best civility
And Courtship, to an Universitie;
My modesty I give to souldiers bare;
My patience let gamesters share.
25Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee
Love her that holds my love disparity,
Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.
I give my reputation to those
Which were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;
30To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse;
My sicknesse to Physitians, or excesse;
To Nature, all that I in Ryme have writ;
And to my company my wit.
Thou Love, by making mee adore
35Her, who begot this love in mee before,
Taughtst me to make, as though I gave, when I did but restore.
To him for whom the passing bell next tolls,
I give my physick bookes; my writen rowles
Of Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;
40My brazen medals, unto them which live
In want of bread; To them which passe among
All forrainers, mine English tongue.
Thou, Love, by making mee love one
Who thinkes her friendship a fit portion
45For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion.
Therefore I'll give no more; But I'll undoe
The world by dying; because love dies too.
Then all your beauties will bee no more worth
Then gold in Mines, where none doth draw it forth;
50And all your graces no more use shall have
Then a Sun dyall in a grave.
Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee
Love her, who doth neglect both mee and thee,
To'invent, and practise this one way, to'annihilate all three.
The Will. 1633-69: do. or A Will. A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, M, O'F, P: Loves Will. L74: Loves Legacies. A18, N, TCC (torn out of TCD), S: Testamentum. S96: His Last Will and Testament. JC
2 Here I 1633-54: I here 1669, Chambers
6 teares. Ed: teares; 1633-69
8 serve her] love her 1669
10 give; Ed: give, 1633-69
10-27 These stanzas printed without a break, 1669
14 hath] have 1669
18 an incapacitie.] no good Capacity. 1669
19-27 omitted, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74 (added later), Lec, M (added later), N, P, TCC: given in O'F, S, and all editions
33 wit. Ed: wit; 1633-69
34 Love, 1650-69: love, 1633-39
36 did 1633 and MSS.: do 1635-69, O'F
45 gifts 1633-35, 1669: gift 1639-54
46 more; But 1633: more, but 1635-69
49-51 forth; ... grave. 1669: forth ... grave, 1633-39 by interchange: forth ... grave. 1650-54
54 all three. 1633-39, three being below the line in 1633 and above in 1635-39: al. three 1650-54, the full stop having fallen from three to all below it: annihilate thee. 1669
WHO ever comes to shroud me, do not harme
Nor question much
That subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;
The mystery, the signe you must not touch,
5For 'tis my outward Soule,
Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,
Will leave this to controule,
And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.
For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall
10Through every part,
Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;
These haires which upward grew, and strength and art
Have from a better braine,
Can better do'it; Except she meant that I
15By this should know my pain,
As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.
What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,
For since I am
Loves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,
20If into others hands these Reliques came;
As'twas humility
To afford to it all that a Soule can doe,
So,'tis some bravery,
That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.
The Funerall. 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
3 which ... arme;] about mine arm; 1669
6 then to A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: unto 1633-69
12 These A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, S (The), S96, TC: Those 1633-69, Lec, O'F grew, 1633-39: grow, 1650-69
16 condemn'd] condem'nd 1633
17 with me, 1635-69 and MSS.: by me, 1633
24 save A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, P, TC: have 1633-69, Lec, O'F, S96: om. S
LITTLE think'st thou, poore flower,
Whom I have watch'd sixe or seaven dayes,
And seene thy birth, and seene what every houre
Gave to thy growth, thee to this height to raise,
5And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough,
Little think'st thou
That it will freeze anon, and that I shall
To morrow finde thee falne, or not at all.
Little think'st thou poore heart
10That labour'st yet to nestle thee,
And think'st by hovering here to get a part
In a forbidden or forbidding tree,
And hop'st her stiffenesse by long siege to bow:
Little think'st thou,
15That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake,
Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.
But thou which lov'st to bee
Subtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,
Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?
20Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay:
You goe to friends, whose love and meanes present
Various content
To your eyes, eares, and tongue, and every part.
If then your body goe, what need you a heart?
25Well then, stay here; but know,
When thou hast stayd and done thy most;
A naked thinking heart, that makes no show,
Is to a woman, but a kinde of Ghost;
How shall shee know my heart; or having none,
30Know thee for one?
Practise may make her know some other part,
But take my word, shee doth not know a Heart.
Meet mee at London, then,
Twenty dayes hence, and thou shalt see
35Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men,
Then if I had staid still with her and thee.
For Gods sake, if you can, be you so too:
I would give you
There, to another friend, whom wee shall finde
40As glad to have my body, as my minde.
The Blossome. 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: no title, A25
9-13 poore heart ... bow:] in brackets 1650-69
10 labour'st A18, N, TC: labourest 1635-69: labours 1633
15 that Sunne 1633: the Sunne 1635-69
18 wilt] will 1669
23 tongue A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC: om. S: tast 1633-69
24 need you a heart? A25, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: need you have a heart? JC: need your heart? 1633-69
38 I would A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: I will 1633-69, Lec
Note[page 61]
V PON this Primrose hill,
Where, if Heav'n would distill
A shoure of raine, each severall drop might goe
To his owne primrose, and grow Manna so;
5And where their forme, and their infinitie
Make a terrestriall Galaxie,
As the small starres doe in the skie:
I walke to finde a true Love; and I see
That'tis not a mere woman, that is shee,
10But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee.
Yet know I not, which flower
I wish; a sixe, or foure;
For should my true-Love lesse then woman bee,
She were scarce any thing; and then, should she
15Be more then woman, shee would get above
All thought of sexe, and thinke to move
My heart to study her, and not to love;
Both these were monsters; Since there must reside
Falshood in woman, I could more abide,
20She were by art, then Nature falsify'd.
Live Primrose then, and thrive
With thy true number five;
And women, whom this flower doth represent,
With this mysterious number be content;
25Ten is the farthest number; if halfe ten
Belonge unto each woman, then
Each woman may take halfe us men;
Or if this will not serve their turne, Since all
Numbers are odde, or even, and they fall
30First into this, five, women may take us all.
The Primrose. 1633, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: The Primrose, being at &c. 1635-69
16 sexe, 1633: sexe; 1635-69
17 and not] and om. 1635-39, A18, N, S, TC
23 women] woman Chambers
25 number; Ed: number, 1633-69
26 Belonge all the MSS.: Belongs 1633-69. See note
27 men; Ed: men, 1633-39: men: 1650-69
28 their 1633-39: the 1650-69
29 and 1633: since 1635-69
30 this, Ed: this 1633, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, S, S96, TC: om. 1635-69, O'F, Chambers
WHEN my grave is broke up againe
Some second ghest to entertaine,
(For graves have learn'd that woman-head
To be to more then one a Bed)
5And he that digs it, spies
A bracelet of bright haire about the bone,
Will he not let'us alone,
And thinke that there a loving couple lies,
Who thought that this device might be some way
10To make their soules, at the last busie day,
Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?
If this fall in a time, or land,
Where mis-devotion doth command,
Then, he that digges us up, will bring
15Us, to the Bishop, and the King,
To make us Reliques; then
Thou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and I
A something else thereby;
All women shall adore us, and some men;
20And since at such time, miracles are sought,
I would have that age by this paper taught
What miracles wee harmelesse lovers wrought.
First, we lov'd well and faithfully,
Yet knew not what wee lov'd, nor why,
25Difference of sex no more wee knew,
Then our Guardian Angells doe;
Comming and going, wee
Perchance might kisse, but not between those meales;
Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,
30Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free:
These miracles wee did; but now alas,
All measure, and all language, I would passe,
Should I tell what a miracle shee was.
The Relique. 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: no title, A25
13 mis-devotion 1633-54, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: mass-devotion 1669, Chambers
15 and 1633-54 and MSS.: or 1669, Chambers
17 Thou shalt be] You shal be A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, S. See note
20 time] times JC, O'F
21 have that age] that age were A18, N, TC
25-26 Difference ... doe, 1633, A18, N, TC:
Difference of Sex we never knew,
No more then Guardian Angells do, 1635-69:
Difference of Sex we never knew,
More then our Guardian Angells do. A25, B, D, H49, JC,
Lec, S, S96 (No more then our &c. B, S96)
26 doe; Ed: doe, 1633-69
27 wee Ed: wee, 1633-69
28 not] yet 1669
meales; Ed: meales. 1633: meales 1635-69, following some copies of 1633
30 sets] set 1669 free: 1650-69: free, 1633-39
WHEN I am dead, and Doctors know not why,
And my friends curiositie
Will have me cut up to survay each part,
When they shall finde your Picture in my heart,
5You thinke a sodaine dampe of love
Will through all their senses move,
And worke on them as mee, and so preferre
Your murder, to the name of Massacre.
Poore victories! But if you dare be brave,
10And pleasure in your conquest have,
First kill th'enormous Gyant, your Disdaine,
And let th'enchantresse Honor, next be slaine,
And like a Goth and Vandall rize,
Deface Records, and Histories
15Of your owne arts and triumphs over men,
And without such advantage kill me then.
For I could muster up as well as you
My Gyants, and my Witches too,
Which are vast Constancy, and Secretnesse,
20But these I neyther looke for, nor professe;
Kill mee as Woman, let mee die
As a meere man; doe you but try
Your passive valor, and you shall finde than,
In that you'have odds enough of any man.
The Dampe. 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
4 When] And 1669
my 1633-39: mine 1650-69
9 victories! 1650-69: victories; 1633-39
10 your] the 1669
conquest] conquests JC
13 and Vandall 1633-54, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: or Vandall 1669, Chambers
15 arts] acts 1669, JC
20 professe; Ed: professe, 1633-69
24 In that 1633, A18, N, TC: Naked 1635-69, B, D, H49, Lec, JC, O'F, P, S
SHEE'IS dead; And all which die
To their first Elements resolve;
And wee were mutuall Elements to us,
And made of one another.
5My body then doth hers involve,
And those things whereof I consist, hereby
In me abundant grow, and burdenous,
And nourish not, but smother.
My fire of Passion, sighes of ayre,
10Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire,
Which my materialls bee,
But neere worne out by loves securitie,
Shee, to my losse, doth by her death repaire,
And I might live long wretched so
15But that my fire doth with my fuell grow.
Now as those Active Kings
Whose foraine conquest treasure brings,
Receive more, and spend more, and soonest breake:
This (which I am amaz'd that I can speake)
20This death, hath with my store
My use encreas'd.
And so my soule more earnestly releas'd,
Will outstrip hers; As bullets flowen before
A latter bullet may o'rtake, the pouder being more.
The Dissolution. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
10 earthly 1633, A18, N, TC: earthy 1635-69
12 neere 1635-69 (But ... securitie bracketed 1669): ne'r 1633
24 latter] later 1669
THOU art not so black, as my heart,
Nor halfe so brittle, as her heart, thou art;
What would'st thou say? shall both our properties by thee bee spoke,
Nothing more endlesse, nothing sooner broke?
5Marriage rings are not of this stuffe;
Oh, why should ought lesse precious, or lesse tough
Figure our loves? Except in thy name thou have bid it say,
I'am cheap, and nought but fashion, fling me'away.
Yet stay with mee since thou art come,
10Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe.
Be justly proud, and gladly safe, that thou dost dwell with me,
She that, Oh, broke her faith, would soon breake thee.
A Ieat Ring sent. 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: To a Jeat Ring sent to me. W (among the Epigrams)
7 loves] love O'F say, Ed: say 1633-69
I NEVER stoop'd so low, as they
Which on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,
Seldome to them, which soare no higher
Then vertue or the minde to'admire,
5For sense, and understanding may
Know, what gives fuell to their fire:
My love, though silly, is more brave,
For may I misse, when ere I crave,
If I know yet, what I would have.
10If that be simply perfectest
Which can by no way be exprest
But Negatives, my love is so.
To All, which all love, I say no.
If any who deciphers best,
15What we know not, our selves, can know,
Let him teach mee that nothing; This
As yet my ease, and comfort is,
Though I speed not, I cannot misse.
Negative love. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Negative Love: or the Nothing. O'F: The Nothing. A25, C
4 to'admire, 1633-39: to'admire; 1650-69
5 For] Both A25, C
11 way] means 1669, O'F
16 nothing; 1633: nothing. 1635-69
Note[page 67]
TAKE heed of loving mee,
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wast
Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,
5By being to thee then what to me thou wast;
But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,
Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,
If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.
Take heed of hating mee,
10Or too much triumph in the Victorie.
Not that I shall be mine owne officer,
And hate with hate againe retaliate;
But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
15Then, least my being nothing lessen thee,
If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.
Yet, love and hate mee too,
So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;
Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;
20Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;
Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;
So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,
To let mee live, O love and hate mee too.
The Prohibition. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, O'F, S96: in B first two verses headed J. D., last verse T. R.: in A18, N, S96, TCC, TCD the last stanza is omitted
3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast, 1669
5 By ... wast; Ed: By ... wast, 1635-69, B, Cy, H40, O'F, P, RP31, S96 (mee for thee B, P): By being to mee then that which thou wast; 1633: om. A18, D, H40, H49, N, TC
18 neithers Ed: neythers D, H40, H49, JC: neyther O'F, RP31: neyther their Cy: ne'r their 1633-69, B
20 thy 1635-69: my 1633 (thy in some copies)
22 I, live, Ed: I live 1633-69
Stage, 1635-69, B, Cy, H40, O'F: stay, 1633, JC: staye, D, H49
not] and H40
23-4
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe
To let mee live, Oh (of in some copies) love and hate mee too.
1633, B
Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoe
O let me live, yet love and hate me too.
1635-54, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, O'F (MSS. omitting first thou and some with Oh for yet)
Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,
O let me live, yet love and hate me too.
1669.
SO, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,
Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,
Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,
And let our selves benight our happiest day,
5We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we owe
Any, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;
Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,
Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.
Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,
10And a just office on a murderer doe.
Except it be too late, to kill me so,
Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.
The Expiration. 1633-69: An Expiration. A18, N, TCC, TCD: Valediction. B: Valedictio. O'F: Valedictio Amoris. S: Valedico. P: no title, A25, C, JC
1 So, so,] So, go 1669
5 ask'd A18, A25, B, C JC, N, O'F, S96, TC: aske 1633-69, P, S
9 Oh, 1633, A18, A25, JC, N, TC: Or, 1635-69, B, O'F, S, S96
FOR the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,
I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,
For forty more, I fed on favours past,
And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.
5Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two,
A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,
Or not divide, all being one thought of you;
Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.
Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I
10Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die?
The Computation. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, O'F, S
1 For 1633-54: From 1669
the 1633, A18, N, TC: my 1635-69, B, O'F, S, Chambers
3 For] And 1669
6 One thousand I did think nothing nor doe, S, O'F (nothing think) doe, 1635-69: doe. 1633
7 divide, 1633, 1669: deem'd, 1635-54, O'F
8 a] one O'F, S: line dropped A18, N, TC
forgot] forget 1669, A18, N, O'F, S, TC
NO Lover saith, I love, nor any other
Can judge a perfect Lover;
Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agree
That any loves but hee:
5I cannot say I lov'd, for who can say
Hee was kill'd yesterday?
Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,
Death kills with too much cold;
Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,
10Hee that saith twice, doth lye:
For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,
It doth the sense beguile.
Such life is like the light which bideth yet
When the lights life is set,
15Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter
Leaves behinde, two houres after.
Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now become
Mine Epitaph and Tombe.
Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;
20Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.
The Paradox. 1635-69: no title, 1633, A18, H40, L74, N, O'F, S, S96 TCC, TCD
3 can, nor will agree A18, H40, N, O'F, S, TC: can or will agree, 1633-69
6 yesterday?] yesterday. 1633-39
14 lights life H40, L74, RP31, S: lifes light 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, S96, TC
15 which Ed: which, 1633-69
17 lov'd A18, H40, L74, N, O'F, S, TC: love 1633-69
dy'd] dyed 1633-69
20 lye. H40, RP31, S, S96: dye. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, O'F, TC
WHILST yet to prove,
I thought there was some Deitie in love
So did I reverence, and gave
Worship; as Atheists at their dying houre
5Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power,
As ignorantly did I crave:
Thus when
Things not yet knowne are coveted by men,
Our desires give them fashion, and so
10As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow.
But, from late faire
His hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,
Is not lesse cared for after three dayes
By children, then the thing which lovers so
15Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe;
Being had, enjoying it decayes:
And thence,
What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,
And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde
20A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde.
Ah cannot wee,
As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,
After such pleasures? Unlesse wise
Nature decreed (since each such Act, they say,
25Diminisheth the length of life a day)
This, as shee would man should despise
The sport;
Because that other curse of being short,
And onely for a minute made to be,
30(Eagers desire) to raise posterity.
Since so, my minde
Shall not desire what no man else can finde,
I'll no more dote and runne
To pursue things which had indammag'd me.
35And when I come where moving beauties be,
As men doe when the summers Sunne
Growes great,
Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;
Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,
40'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile.
Farewell to love. 1635-69 (following Soules joy: p. 429), O'F, S96
4 Worship; Ed: Worship, 1635-69
10 sise, 1635-69, O'F: rise S96
23 pleasures? Ed: pleasures, 1635-69
26 This, Ed: This; 1635-69
27 sport; Ed: sport, 1635-69
29 to be, Ed: to be 1635-69
30 (Eagers desire) Ed: Eager, desires 1635-69. See note
36 summers 1635-69: summer 1650-1669
STAND still, and I will read to thee
A Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.
These three houres that we have spent,
Walking here, Two shadowes went
5Along with us, which we our selves produc'd;
But, now the Sunne is just above our head,
We doe those shadowes tread;
And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
10Disguises did, and shadowes, flow,
From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.
That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.
Except our loves at this noone stay,
15We shall new shadowes make the other way.
As the first were made to blinde
Others; these which come behinde
Will worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.
If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;
20To me thou, falsly, thine,
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadowes weare away,
But these grow longer all the day,
But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.
25Love is a growing, or full constant light;
And his first minute, after noone, is night.
A Lecture &c. 1650-69: Lecture &c, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Song. 1635-39 (following Dear Love continue: p. 412): The Shadowe. O'F, P: Shadowe. S96: Loves Lecture. S: Loves Lecture upon the Shaddow. L74: Loves Philosophy. JC: no title, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, Lec
4 Walking 1635-69, A18, A25, N, TC: In walking B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S96
here, 1719: here; 1635-39: here: 1650-69
9 loves 1635-54, A18, L74, N, TC: love 1669, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S
12 high'st] least B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96
14 loves 1635-69, A18, A25, L74, N, TC: love B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96
19 If our loves faint 1635-69, A25, O'F (love), P, S96 (love), TC: If once love faint B, D, H40, H49, JC, S
26 first A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TC: short 1635-69
S END me some token, that my hope may live,
Or that my easelesse thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,
That in my passion I may hope the best.
5I beg noe ribbond wrought with thine owne hands,
To knit our loves in the fantastick straine
Of new-toucht youth; nor Ring to shew the stands
Of our affection, that as that's round and plaine,
So should our loves meet in simplicity;
10No, nor the Coralls which thy wrist infold,
Lac'd up together in congruity,
To shew our thoughts should rest in the same hold;
No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,
And most desir'd, because best like the best;
15Nor witty Lines, which are most copious,
Within the Writings which thou hast addrest.
Send me nor this, nor that, t'increase my store,
But swear thou thinkst I love thee, and no more.
Sonnet. The Token. 1649-69 (following Vpon Mr. Thomas Coryats Crudities. at close of Epicedes): Ad Lesbiam. S96: no title, B, Cy: Sonnet. O'F: Elegie. P
1 token B, O'F, S96: Tokens 1650-69, P
4 passion S96: passions 1650-69, B, P
5 noe B, O'F, P, S96: nor 1650-69
9 simplicity; Ed: simplicity. 1650-69
11 in 1650-69: with B, O'F, S96
12 hold; Ed: hold. 1650-69
14 desir'd because ... best; B, O'F, S96: desired 'cause 'tis like thee best; 1650-54: desired 'cause 'tis like the best; 1669, Chambers
17 store, B, O'F, P, S96: score, 1650-69
H E that cannot chuse but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move;
For he loves 'gaynst his will;
5Nor he which is all his own,
And can att pleasure chuse,
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire,
10For such by all are sought;
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his Judgement then is nought:
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
15Nor a fool, for when others...,
He can neither....
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore:
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
20Within, shee's worth no more.
Is there then no kinde of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.
〈Selfe Love.〉 title given by Chambers: no title, 1650-69 (in appendix), JC, O'F
4 'gaynst JC, O'F: against 1650-69
6 And can ... chuse, JC: And cannot pleasure chuse, 1650-69: And can all pleasures chuse, O'F
11 foul ones] fouleness O'F
14 slave; 1719: slave 1650-69
15 fool, 1719: fool 1650-69
17 payes, JC, O'F: prays, 1650-69
19 payes not,] payes, not, 1650-69
20 Within, Ed: Within 1650-69
The end of the Songs and Sonets.
Note[page 75]
BOTH rob'd of aire, we both lye in one ground,
Both whom one fire had burnt, one water drownd.
Hero and Leander. 1633-69, A18, HN, N, O'F, TCC, TCD, W
TWO, by themselves, each other, love and feare
Slaine, cruell friends, by parting have joyn'd here.
Pyramus and Thisbe. 1633-69, A18, Cy, HN, N, O'F, TCC, TCD, W
1: feare] feare, Chambers, and Grolier (which drops all the other commas)
BY childrens births, and death, I am become
So dry, that I am now mine owne sad tombe.
Niobe. 1633-69, A18, HN, N, O'F, TCC, TCD, W
2: mine owne sad tombe. 1633-69: mine owne tombe. A18, N, TC: made mine owne tombe. HN, W
O UT of a fired ship, which, by no way
But drowning, could be rescued from the flame,
Some men leap'd forth, and ever as they came
Neere the foes ships, did by their shot decay;
So all were lost, which in the ship were found,
They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drown'd.
A burnt ship. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Nave arsa. W: De Nave arsa. O'F. See note
Note[page 76]
VNDER an undermin'd, and shot-bruis'd wall
A too-bold Captaine perish'd by the fall,
Whose brave misfortune, happiest men envi'd,
That had a towne for tombe, his bones to hide.
Fall of a wall. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Caso d'un muro. O'F, W
4 towne 1633 and MSS.: towre 1635-69
bones 1633-69, A18, N, TC: corpse B, HN, O'F, W
I am unable, yonder begger cries,
To stand, or move; if he say true, hee lies.
A lame begger. 1633-69, A18, N, TC: A beggar. HN: no title, P: Zoppo. O'F, W
I F you from spoyle of th'old worlds farthest end
To the new world your kindled valors bend,
What brave examples then do prove it trew
That one things end doth still beginne a new.
Cales and Guyana. O'F: Calez &c. W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne (1899)
BEYOND th'old Pillers many have travailed
Towards the Suns cradle, and his throne, and bed:
A fitter Piller our Earle did bestow
In that late Island; for he well did know
Farther then Wingefield no man dares to goe.
Sir Iohn Wingefield. Ed: Il Cavalliere Gio: Wingef: W: On Cavallero Wingfield. O'F: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne (1899)
2 throne W: grave O'F
4 late W: Lady O'F
YOUR mistris, that you follow whores, still taxeth you:
'Tis strange that she should thus confesse it, though'it be true.
A selfe accuser. 1633-69: A Mistrisse. HN: no title, B, O'F, W
2 that] om. HN, O'F, W
thus] om. HN, O'F, W
it] om. HN, O'F
THY sinnes and haires may no man equall call,
For, as thy sinnes increase, thy haires doe fall.
A licentious person. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Whore. HN: no title, O'F, RP31, W
1 Thy] His and so throughout, RP31
I F in his Studie he hath so much care
To'hang all old strange things, let his wife beware.
Antiquary. 1633-69, A18, N, P, TCC, TCD, W: Hammon. HN: no title, Bur, Cy, O'F: Epigram. S96
1 he hath so much 1633-69: he have such A18, N, TC: Hamon hath such B, Cy, HN (have), O'F, S96, W
2 strange om. B, HN, O'F all om. Bur]
THY father all from thee, by his last Will,
Gave to the poore; Thou hast good title still.
Disinherited. 1633-69: One disinherited. HN: no title, Cy, O'F, P, W
1 Will, Ed: Will 1633-69
THY flattering picture, Phryne, is like thee,
Onely in this, that you both painted be.
Phryne. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, O'F
1 like thee,] like to thee, 1650-69
PHILO, with twelve yeares study, hath beene griev'd
To be understood; when will hee be beleev'd?
An obscure writer. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, O'F
1 griev'd Ed: griev'd, 1633-69
2 To be Ed: To'be 1633-69
understood; Ed: understood, 1633-69
beleev'd?] beleev'd. 1633
K LOCKIUS so deeply hath sworne, ne'r more to come
In bawdie house, that hee dares not goe home.
Klockius. HN: no title, 1633-69, Bur, O'F
1 Klockius] Rawlings Bur
2 In bawdie] In a bawdie HN
Note[page 78]
Why this man gelded Martiall I muse,
Except himselfe alone his tricks would use,
As Katherine, for the Courts sake, put downe Stewes.
Raderus. 1633-69, A18, N, TCD: Randerus. TCC: Martial: castratus. W
1 Martiall I muse, 1633-54: Martiall, I amuse, 1669
L ike Esops fellow-slaves, O Mercury,
Which could do all things, thy faith is; and I
Like Esops selfe, which nothing; I confesse
I should have had more faith, if thou hadst lesse;
Thy credit lost thy credit: 'Tis sinne to doe,
In this case, as thou wouldst be done unto,
To beleeve all: Change thy name: thou art like
Mercury in stealing, but lyest like a Greeke.
Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus. 1633-69, A18, B, N, O'F, S, TCC, TCD, W
8 but lyest 1633-69: and lyest B, W
C OMPASSION in the world againe is bred:
Ralphius is sick, the broker keeps his bed.
Ralphius. HN: no title, 1633-69, O'F
THOU in the fields walkst out thy supping howers,
And yet thou swear'st thou hast supp'd like a king:
Like Nebuchadnezar perchance with grass and flowers,
A sallet worse then Spanish dieting.
The Lier. HN: no title, B, Bur, Cy, O'F, P, W
2 swear'st HN, W: say'st B, Cy, O'F
3 grass] hearbes Bur
supp'd like] supp'd and like HN
Note[page 79]
Iealosie.
FOND woman, which would'st have thy husband die,
And yet complain'st of his great jealousie;
If swolne with poyson, hee lay in' his last bed,
His body with a sere-barke covered,
5Drawing his breath, as thick and short, as can
The nimblest crocheting Musitian,
Ready with loathsome vomiting to spue
His Soule out of one hell, into a new,
Made deafe with his poore kindreds howling cries,
10Begging with few feign'd teares, great legacies,
Thou would'st not weepe, but jolly,'and frolicke bee,
As a slave, which to morrow should be free;
Yet weep'st thou, when thou seest him hungerly
Swallow his owne death, hearts-bane jealousie.
15O give him many thanks, he'is courteous,
That in suspecting kindly warneth us.
Wee must not, as wee us'd, flout openly,
In scoffing ridles, his deformitie;
Nor at his boord together being fatt,
20With words, nor touch, scarce lookes adulterate.
Nor when he swolne, and pamper'd with great fare,
Sits downe, and snorts, cag'd in his basket chaire,
Must wee usurpe his owne bed any more,
Nor kisse and play in his house, as before.
[page 80]25Now I see many dangers; for that is
His realme, his castle, and his diocesse.
But if, as envious men, which would revile
Their Prince, or coyne his gold, themselves exile
Into another countrie,'and doe it there,
30Wee play'in another house, what should we feare?
There we will scorne his houshold policies,
His seely plots, and pensionary spies,
As the inhabitants of Thames right side
Do Londons Major; or Germans, the Popes pride.
Elegie I. Iealosie. 1635-54: Elegie I. 1633 and 1669: no title or Elegie (numbered variously, according to scheme adopted) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W
1 woman,] woman 1633
4 sere-barke 1633-54, B, Cy, H49, Lec, O'F, S, W: sere-cloth 1669, D, P: sore barke A18, A25, JC, N, TC
10 few] some few A18, N, TC
12 free; Ed: free, 1633-69: free. D
16 us. 1633-35: us, 1639-69
21 great 1633-54, A18, A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC, W: high 1669, B, O'F, P, S96: his Cy
fare, Ed: fare 1633-69
25 Now ... dangers;] Now do I see my danger; 1669
that all MSS.: it 1633-69
26 diocesse] Diocys D: Diocis W
27-29 (as envious ... do it there,) 1669
30 another] anothers 1669 We into some third place retired were B, O'F, P, S96
34 Major; 1650-54: Major, 1633-39: Mayor; 1669
The Anagram.
MARRY, and love thy Flavia, for, shee
Hath all things, whereby others beautious bee,
For, though her eyes be small, her mouth is great,
Though they be Ivory, yet her teeth be jeat,
5Though they be dimme, yet she is light enough,
And though her harsh haire fall, her skinne is rough;
What though her cheeks be yellow, her haire's red,
Give her thine, and she hath a maydenhead.
These things are beauties elements, where these
10Meet in one, that one must, as perfect, please.
[page 81]If red and white and each good quality
Be in thy wench, ne'r aske where it doth lye.
In buying things perfum'd, we aske; if there
Be muske and amber in it, but not where.
15Though all her parts be not in th'usuall place,
She'hath yet an Anagram of a good face.
If we might put the letters but one way,
In the leane dearth of words, what could wee say?
When by the Gamut some Musitions make
20A perfect song, others will undertake,
By the same Gamut chang'd, to equall it.
Things simply good, can never be unfit.
She's faire as any, if all be like her,
And if none bee, then she is singular.
25All love is wonder; if wee justly doe
Account her wonderfull, why not lovely too?
Love built on beauty, soone as beauty, dies,
Chuse this face, chang'd by no deformities.
Women are all like Angels; the faire be
30Like those which fell to worse; but such as shee,
Like to good Angels, nothing can impaire:
'Tis lesse griefe to be foule, then to have beene faire.
For one nights revels, silke and gold we chuse,
But, in long journeyes, cloth, and leather use.
35Beauty is barren oft; best husbands say,
There is best land, where there is foulest way.
Oh what a soveraigne Plaister will shee bee,
If thy past sinnes have taught thee jealousie!
Here needs no spies, nor eunuches; her commit
40Safe to thy foes; yea, to a Marmosit.
When Belgiaes citties, the round countries drowne,
That durty foulenesse guards, and armes the towne:
[page 82]So doth her face guard her; and so, for thee,
Which, forc'd by businesse, absent oft must bee,
45Shee, whose face, like clouds, turnes the day to night,
Who, mightier then the sea, makes Moores seem white,
Who, though seaven yeares, she in the Stews had laid,
A Nunnery durst receive, and thinke a maid,
And though in childbeds labour she did lie,
50Midwifes would sweare, 'twere but a tympanie,
Whom, if shee accuse her selfe, I credit lesse
Then witches, which impossibles confesse,
Whom Dildoes, Bedstaves, and her Velvet Glasse
Would be as loath to touch as Joseph was:
55One like none, and lik'd of none, fittest were,
For, things in fashion every man will weare.
Eleg. II. The Anagram. 1635-54: Elegie II. 1633, 1669: Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W
4 they] theirs 1669, S96
teeth be 1633-69, D, H49, JC, Lec: teeth are A18, A25, B, Cy, L74, M, N, O'F, S, TC, W
6 hair fall] hair's foul 1669
is rough 1633, 1669, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, P, S, TC, W: is tough 1635-54, O'F, Chambers
16 an Anagram] the Anagrams 1669
18 the 1633: that 1635-69
words 1633-69, A25, B, L74, M, N, O'F, P, S, TC: letters D, Cy, H49, W
22 unfit. D: unfit; 1633-69
28 deformities.] deformities; 1633
29 faire] fairer S, S96
35 say,] say, 1633
37 bee,] bee 1633
41-2 When Belgiaes ... towne: 1633-54: Like Belgia's cities when the Country is drown'd, That ... towns; 1669: Like Belgia's cities the round country drowns, That ... towns, Chambers: MSS. agree with 1633-54, but before countries read variously round (A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, P, TC, W), lowe (B), foul (O'F, S, S96, which read country drowns ... towns)
49 childbeds 1633-54, Lec, W: childbirths 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, O'F, P, S, S96, TC
52 confesse, Ed: confesse. 1633-69
53-4 Whom ... Joseph was: 1669 and all MSS [or a Velvet 1669]: om. 1633-54
Change.
A lthough thy hand and faith, and good workes too,
Have seal'd thy love which nothing should undoe,
Yea though thou fall backe, that apostasie
Confirme thy love; yet much, much I feare thee.
5Women are like the Arts, forc'd unto none,
Open to'all searchers, unpriz'd, if unknowne.
[page 83]If I have caught a bird, and let him flie,
Another fouler using these meanes, as I,
May catch the same bird; and, as these things bee,
10Women are made for men, not him, nor mee.
Foxes and goats; all beasts change when they please,
Shall women, more hot, wily, wild then these,
Be bound to one man, and did Nature then
Idly make them apter to'endure then men?
15They'are our clogges, not their owne; if a man bee
Chain'd to a galley, yet the galley'is free;
Who hath a plow-land, casts all his seed corne there,
And yet allowes his ground more corne should beare;
Though Danuby into the sea must flow,
20The sea receives the Rhene, Volga, and Po.
By nature, which gave it, this liberty
Thou lov'st, but Oh! canst thou love it and mee?
Likenesse glues love: and if that thou so doe,
To make us like and love, must I change too?
25More then thy hate, I hate'it, rather let mee
Allow her change, then change as oft as shee,
And soe not teach, but force my'opinion
To love not any one, nor every one.
To live in one land, is captivitie,
30To runne all countries, a wild roguery;
Waters stincke soone, if in one place they bide,
And in the vast sea are more putrifi'd:
But when they kisse one banke, and leaving this
Never looke backe, but the next banke doe kisse,
35Then are they purest; Change'is the nursery
Of musicke, joy, life, and eternity.
Eleg. III. Change. 1635-54: Elegie III. 1633, 1669: no title or Elegye (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W
1 workes] word 1669
4 Confirme] Confirms 1669, A25, L74, P
5 Women] Women, 1633
forc'd unto none] forbid to none B
8 these 1633-54, D, H49, Lec: those 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, JC, L74, N, P, TC, W
11 Foxes and goats; all beasts 1633-54: Foxes, goats and all beasts 1669
13 did] bid 1669
17 a plow-land] plow-lands P
18 corne] seed P
20 Rhene,] Rhine, 1669
Po. 1633: Po, 1635-69
21 liberty 1633: libertie. 1635-69
23 and ... doe,] then if so thou do, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TC, W
24 like i.e. alike as in A18, N, TC
31 bide] abide 1669
32 more putrifi'd 1633-39: more purifi'd 1650-54: worse purifi'd 1669: worse putrifi'd A18, A25, Cy, D, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: worst putrifi'd B, H49, JC
Note[page 84]
The Perfume.
ONCE, and but once found in thy company,
All thy suppos'd escapes are laid on mee;
And as a thiefe at barre, is question'd there
By all the men, that have beene rob'd that yeare,
5So am I, (by this traiterous meanes surpriz'd)
By thy Hydroptique father catechiz'd.
Though he had wont to search with glazed eyes,
As though he came to kill a Cockatrice,
Though hee hath oft sworne, that hee would remove
10Thy beauties beautie, and food of our love,
Hope of his goods, if I with thee were seene,
Yet close and secret, as our soules, we'have beene.
Though thy immortall mother which doth lye
Still buried in her bed, yet will not dye,
15Takes this advantage to sleepe out day-light,
And watch thy entries, and returnes all night,
And, when she takes thy hand, and would seeme kind,
Doth search what rings, and armelets she can finde,
And kissing notes the colour of thy face,
20And fearing least thou'art swolne, doth thee embrace;
To trie if thou long, doth name strange meates,
And notes thy palenesse, blushing, sighs, and sweats;
And politiquely will to thee confesse
The sinnes of her owne youths ranke lustinesse;
25Yet love these Sorceries did remove, and move
[page 85]Thee to gull thine owne mother for my love.
Thy little brethren, which like Faiery Sprights
Oft skipt into our chamber, those sweet nights,
And kist, and ingled on thy fathers knee,
30Were brib'd next day, to tell what they did see:
The grim eight-foot-high iron-bound serving-man,
That oft names God in oathes, and onely than,
He that to barre the first gate, doth as wide
As the great Rhodian Colossus stride,
35Which, if in hell no other paines there were,
Makes mee feare hell, because he must be there:
Though by thy father he were hir'd to this,
Could never witnesse any touch or kisse.
But Oh, too common ill, I brought with mee
40That, which betray'd mee to my enemie:
A loud perfume, which at my entrance cryed
Even at thy fathers nose, so were wee spied.
When, like a tyran King, that in his bed
Smelt gunpowder, the pale wretch shivered.
45Had it beene some bad smell, he would have thought
That his owne feet, or breath, that smell had wrought.
But as wee in our Ile emprisoned,
Where cattell onely,'and diverse dogs are bred,
The pretious Vnicornes, strange monsters call,
50So thought he good, strange, that had none at all.
I taught my silkes, their whistling to forbeare,
Even my opprest shoes, dumbe and speechlesse were,
Onely, thou bitter sweet, whom I had laid
Next mee, mee traiterously hast betraid,
55And unsuspected hast invisibly
At once fled unto him, and staid with mee.
Base excrement of earth, which dost confound
[page 86]Sense, from distinguishing the sicke from sound;
By thee the seely Amorous sucks his death
60By drawing in a leprous harlots breath;
By thee, the greatest staine to mans estate
Falls on us, to be call'd effeminate;
Though you be much lov'd in the Princes hall,
There, things that seeme, exceed substantiall;
65Gods, when yee fum'd on altars, were pleas'd well
Because you'were burnt, not that they lik'd your smell;
You'are loathsome all, being taken simply alone,
Shall wee love ill things joyn'd, and hate each one?
If you were good, your good doth soone decay;
70And you are rare, that takes the good away.
All my perfumes, I give most willingly
To'embalme thy fathers corse; What? will hee die?
Eleg. IV. The Perfume. 1635-54: Elegie IV. 1633, 1669: Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, C, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W: Discovered by a Perfume. B: no title, Cy, HN
2 suppos'd escapes] supposed scapes 1669, P
4 By] For P
7-8 1635-69 and MSS. generally: om. 1633, D, H49, Lec
9 hath] have A18, A25, L74, N, P, TC, W
15 Takes] Take A18, A25, N, P, TC, W
21 To trie &c. 1633, D, H49, S (dost long): And to trie &c. 1635-69, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F, S96 (longest), TC
meates, 1635-69: meates. 1633
22 blushing 1633-54, A18, A25, JC, N, TC: blushes 1669: blushings B, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, O'F, P, W
29 ingled] dandled 1669
30 see: 1635-69: see. 1633
31 grim eight-foot-high iron-bound Ed: grim-eight-foot-high-iron-bound 1633-69
37 to 1633-69: for MSS.
38 kisse.] kisse; 1633
40 my 1633: mine 1635-69
44 Smelt] Smells 1669 shivered. A18, D, H49, L74, N, TC, W: shivered; 1633-69: shivered, Chambers and Grolier. See note
46 that smell] the smell 1669
49 monsters Ed: monsters, 1633-69
50 good,] sweet 1669
53 bitter sweet, 1633-39: bitter-sweet, 1650-69
60 breath; 1650-69: breath, 1633-39
64 substantiall; Ed: substantiall. 1633-69
66 you'were] you'er 1669
smell; 1635-39: smell, 1633, 1669: smel 1650-54
71 All] And Chambers
His Picture.
H ERE take my Picture; though I bid farewell,
Thine, in my heart, where my soule dwels, shall dwell.
'Tis like me now, but I dead, 'twill be more
When wee are shadowes both, then'twas before.
5When weather-beaten I come backe; my hand,
Perhaps with rude oares torne, or Sun beams tann'd,
My face and brest of hairecloth, and my head
With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread,
[page 87]My body'a sack of bones, broken within,
10And powders blew staines scatter'd on my skinne;
If rivall fooles taxe thee to'have lov'd a man,
So foule, and course, as, Oh, I may seeme than,
This shall say what I was: and thou shalt say,
Doe his hurts reach mee? doth my worth decay?
15Or doe they reach his judging minde, that hee
Should now love lesse, what hee did love to see?
That which in him was faire and delicate,
Was but the milke, which in loves childish state
Did nurse it: who now is growne strong enough
20To feed on that, which to disused tasts seemes tough.
Eleg. V. His Picture. 1635-54: Elegie V. 1633, 1669: Elegye. (numbered variously) A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W: The Picture. P: Travelling he leaves his Picture with his mystris. B
1 Picture; ... farewell, Ed: Picture, ... farewell; 1633: rest semicolon or colon after each
8 With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread, 1633, A18, N, TC: With cares rash, cruel, sudden storms o'erspread P: With cares rash-sudden cruel-storms o'erprest B: With cares rash sudden storms o'erpressed S, S96: With cares rash sudden storms o'erspread Cy, D, H49, Lec: With cares rash sodaine horiness o'erspread A25, JC, W: With cares harsh sodaine horinesse o'rspread, 1635-69, O'F
16 now love lesse, 1633-69, A18, N, TC: like and love less A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96, W
19 nurse] nourish A18, N, P, S, TC
strong] tough P
20 disused Ed: disus'd 1633-39, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: weake 1650-69
tough.] rough. P
OH, let mee not serve so, as those men serve
Whom honours smoakes at once fatten and sterve;
Poorely enrich't with great mens words or lookes;
Nor so write my name in thy loving bookes
5As those Idolatrous flatterers, which still
Their Princes stiles, with many Realmes fulfill
[page 88]Whence they no tribute have, and where no sway.
Such services I offer as shall pay
Themselves, I hate dead names: Oh then let mee
10Favorite in Ordinary, or no favorite bee.
When my Soule was in her owne body sheath'd,
Nor yet by oathes betroth'd, nor kisses breath'd
Into my Purgatory, faithlesse thee,
Thy heart seem'd waxe, and steele thy constancie:
15So, carelesse flowers strow'd on the waters face,
The curled whirlepooles suck, smack, and embrace,
Yet drowne them; so, the tapers beamie eye
Amorously twinkling, beckens the giddie flie,
Yet burnes his wings; and such the devill is,
20Scarce visiting them, who are intirely his.
When I behold a streame, which, from the spring,
Doth with doubtfull melodious murmuring,
Or in a speechlesse slumber, calmely ride
Her wedded channels bosome, and then chide
25And bend her browes, and swell if any bough
Do but stoop downe, or kisse her upmost brow;
Yet, if her often gnawing kisses winne
The traiterous banke to gape, and let her in,
She rusheth violently, and doth divorce
30Her from her native, and her long-kept course,
And rores, and braves it, and in gallant scorne,
In flattering eddies promising retorne,
She flouts the channell, who thenceforth is drie;
Then say I; that is shee, and this am I.
35Yet let not thy deepe bitternesse beget
Carelesse despaire in mee, for that will whet
My minde to scorne; and Oh, love dull'd with paine
[page 89]Was ne'r so wise, nor well arm'd as disdaine.
Then with new eyes I shall survay thee,'and spie
40Death in thy cheekes, and darknesse in thine eye.
Though hope bred faith and love; thus taught, I shall
As nations do from Rome, from thy love fall.
My hate shall outgrow thine, and utterly
I will renounce thy dalliance: and when I
45Am the Recusant, in that resolute state,
What hurts it mee to be'excommunicate?
Eleg. VI. 1635-69: Elegie VII. 1633 (Elegie VI. being Sorrow who to this house &c. See Epicedes &c., p. 287): Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W
2 fatten] flatter 1669, A18, B, Cy, L74, N, TC
3 or] and A18, Cy, L74, N, P, TC
6 stiles, 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S96, TC, W: style A25, O'F, S, Chambers and Grosart
with all MSS., Chambers and Grosart: which (probably by confusion of wch and wth) 1633-69
Realmes] names 1669
7 where] bear 1669
14 constancie: 1635-69: constancie. 1633
24 then 1633, B, D, H49, Lec, S, S96, W: there 1635-69, A18, A25, Cy, JC, N, O'F, P, TC, Chambers
26 upmost 1633 and most MSS: utmost 1635-69, O'F, Chambers brow; Ed: brow: 1633-39: brow. 1650-69
28 banke A18, D, H49, JC, N, S, TC, W: banks 1633-69, Lec, O'F
33 the 1633, D, H49, Lec: her 1635-69, A18, N, TC
who 1633, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, JC, H49, L74, Lec, N, P, S, S96, TC: which 1635-69, O'F
37 Oh,] Ah, 1669
39 thee,'] om. 1669
40 eye. Ed: eye; 1633-54: eye: 1669: eye, Chambers
41 Though ... love; 1633: Though ... breed ... love: 1635-39: Though ... breed ... love 1650-69 (Through ... 1669)
42 fall. 1633-35: fall 1639-69
43 outgrow] o'ergrow Cy, P
NATURES lay Ideot, I taught thee to love,
And in that sophistrie, Oh, thou dost prove
Too subtile: Foole, thou didst not understand
The mystique language of the eye nor hand:
5Nor couldst thou judge the difference of the aire
Of sighes, and say, this lies, this sounds despaire:
Nor by the'eyes water call a maladie
Desperately hot, or changing feaverously.
I had not taught thee then, the Alphabet
10Of flowers, how they devisefully being set
And bound up, might with speechlesse secrecie
Deliver arrands mutely, and mutually.
[page 90]Remember since all thy words us'd to bee
To every suitor; I, if my friends agree;
15Since, household charmes, thy husbands name to teach,
Were all the love trickes, that thy wit could reach;
And since, an houres discourse could scarce have made
One answer in thee, and that ill arraid
In broken proverbs, and torne sentences.
20Thou art not by so many duties his,
That from the worlds Common having sever'd thee,
Inlaid thee, neither to be seene, nor see,
As mine: who have with amorous delicacies
Refin'd thee'into a blis-full Paradise.
25Thy graces and good words my creatures bee;
I planted knowledge and lifes tree in thee,
Which Oh, shall strangers taste? Must I alas
Frame and enamell Plate, and drinke in Glasse?
Chafe waxe for others seales? breake a colts force
30And leave him then, beeing made a ready horse?
Elegie VII. 1635-69: Elegie VIII. 1633: Elegye. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, TCC, TCD, W
2 Oh, ... prove] Oh, how ... prove 1669
6 despaire: 1635-69: despaire. 1633
7 call 1633, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, O'F (corrected from know), P, TC, W: know 1635-69: cast S, Chambers and Grosart
10 they devisefully being set] their devise in being set Cy, P
12 arrands 1633: errands 1635-69: meet errands B
14 agree; Ed: agree. 1633-69
21-2 That ... nor see,] in brackets 1669
24 Paradise] paradise 1633
25 words 1633-54, A25, B, Cy, JC, N, O'F, P, W: works 1669, A18, D, H49, Lec, TC
bee; Ed: bee, 1633-69
26 thee, 1633: thee: 1635-69
28 Glasse? Ed: glasse. 1633-69
The Comparison.
A S the sweet sweat of Roses in a Still,
As that which from chaf'd muskats pores doth trill,
As the Almighty Balme of th'early East,
Such are the sweat drops of my Mistris breast,
5And on her 〈brow〉 her skin such lustre sets,
They seeme no sweat drops, but pearle coronets.
[page 91]Ranke sweaty froth thy Mistresse's brow defiles,
Like spermatique issue of ripe menstruous boiles,
Or like the skumme, which, by needs lawlesse law
10Enforc'd, Sanserra's starved men did draw
From parboild shooes, and bootes, and all the rest
Which were with any soveraigne fatnes blest,
And like vile lying stones in saffrond tinne,
Or warts, or wheales, they hang upon her skinne.
15Round as the world's her head, on every side,
Like to the fatall Ball which fell on Ide,
Or that whereof God had such jealousie,
As, for the ravishing thereof we die.
Thy head is like a rough-hewne statue of jeat,
20Where marks for eyes, nose, mouth, are yet scarce set;
Like the first Chaos, or flat seeming face
Of Cynthia, when th'earths shadowes her embrace.
Like Proserpines white beauty-keeping chest,
Or Joues best fortunes urne, is her faire brest.
25Thine's like worme eaten trunkes, cloth'd in seals skin,
Or grave, that's dust without, and stinke within.
And like that slender stalke, at whose end stands
The wood-bine quivering, are her armes and hands.
Like rough bark'd elmboughes, or the russet skin
30Of men late scurg'd for madnes, or for sinne,
Like Sun-parch'd quarters on the citie gate,
Such is thy tann'd skins lamentable state.
And like a bunch of ragged carrets stand
The short swolne fingers of thy gouty hand.
35Then like the Chymicks masculine equall fire,
Which in the Lymbecks warme wombe doth inspire
Into th'earths worthlesse durt a soule of gold,
[page 92]Such cherishing heat her best lov'd part doth hold.
Thine's like the dread mouth of a fired gunne,
40Or like hot liquid metalls newly runne
Into clay moulds, or like to that Ætna
Where round about the grasse is burnt away.
Are not your kisses then as filthy, and more,
As a worme sucking an invenom'd sore?
45Doth not thy fearefull hand in feeling quake,
As one which gath'ring flowers, still feares a snake?
Is not your last act harsh, and violent,
As when a Plough a stony ground doth rent?
So kisse good Turtles, so devoutly nice
50Are Priests in handling reverent sacrifice,
And such in searching wounds the Surgeon is
As wee, when wee embrace, or touch, or kisse.
Leave her, and I will leave comparing thus,
She, and comparisons are odious.
Eleg. VIII. The Comparison. 1635-54: Elegie VIII. 1669: Elegie. 1633: Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, C, Cy, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W
2 muskats] muskets 1669
4 breast, 1635-69: breast. 1633
5 〈brow〉 Ed: necke 1633-69 and MSS. See note
6 coronets. 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, L74, M, N, O'F, S96, TC: carcanets. A25, C, JC, S, W: carolettes. P
8 boiles, Ed: boiles. 1633-69: in MSS. generally spelt as pronounced, biles or byles
13 vile lying stones 1635-54 and MSS.: vile stones lying 1633, 1669
14 they hang A18, B, JC, L74, M, N, O'F (altered to it), S, TC, W: it hangs 1633-69
19 a] om. 1635-39
26 grave] grav'd 1669
dust 1633-69, W: durt A18, A25, JC, M, N, O'F, P, S, TC
28 hands. W: hands, 1633-69
34 thy gouty hand. 1635-69, A18, A25, B, L74, N, O'F, P, S96, TC, W (hand; 1635-69): her gouty hand; 1633, JC, S: thy mistress hand; 1669
37 durt 1635-69: part 1633, from next line
46 feares] fear'd A18, L74, N, O'F, TC, W
48 when 1635-69 and MSS.: where 1633
50 Are Priests ... sacrifice,] A Priest is in his handling Sacrifice, 1669
51 such A18, A25, B, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: nice 1633-69
The Autumnall
NO Spring, nor Summer Beauty hath such grace,
As I have seen in one Autumnall face.
Yong Beauties force our love, and that's a Rape,
This doth but counsaile, yet you cannot scape.
[page 93]5If t'were a shame to love, here t'were no shame,
Affection here takes Reverences name.
Were her first yeares the Golden Age; That's true,
But now shee's gold oft tried, and ever new.
That was her torrid and inflaming time,
10This is her tolerable Tropique clyme.
Faire eyes, who askes more heate then comes from hence,
He in a fever wishes pestilence.
Call not these wrinkles, graves; If graves they were,
They were Loves graves; for else he is no where.
15Yet lies not Love dead here, but here doth sit
Vow'd to this trench, like an Anachorit.
And here, till hers, which must be his death, come,
He doth not digge a Grave, but build a Tombe.
Here dwells he, though he sojourne ev'ry where,
20In Progresse, yet his standing house is here.
Here, where still Evening is; not noone, nor night;
Where no voluptuousnesse, yet all delight.
In all her words, unto all hearers fit,
You may at Revels, you at Counsaile, sit.
25This is loves timber, youth his under-wood;
There he, as wine in Iune, enrages blood,
Which then comes seasonabliest, when our tast
And appetite to other things, is past.
Xerxes strange Lydian love, the Platane tree,
30Was lov'd for age, none being so large as shee,
Or else because, being yong, nature did blesse
Her youth with ages glory, Barrennesse.
If we love things long sought, Age is a thing
Which we are fifty yeares in compassing.
[page 94]35If transitory things, which soone decay,
Age must be lovelyest at the latest day.
But name not Winter-faces, whose skin's slacke;
Lanke, as an unthrifts purse; but a soules sacke;
Whose Eyes seeke light within, for all here's shade;
40Whose mouthes are holes, rather worne out, then made;
Whose every tooth to a severall place is gone,
To vexe their soules at Resurrection;
Name not these living Deaths-heads unto mee,
For these, not Ancient, but Antique be.
45I hate extreames; yet I had rather stay
With Tombs, then Cradles, to weare out a day.
Since such loves naturall lation is, may still
My love descend, and journey downe the hill,
Not panting after growing beauties, so,
50I shall ebbe out with them, who home-ward goe.
Eleg. IX. The Autumnall. 1635-54: Elegie. The Autumnall. 1633: Elegie IX. 1669: Elegie. A18, N, TCC, TCD: Elegie Autumnall. D, H40, H49, JC, Lec: An autumnall face: On the Ladie Sr Edward Herbart mothers Ladie Danvers. B: On the Lady Herbert afterwards Danvers. O'F: Widdow. M, P: A Paradox of an ould Woman. S: Elegie Autumnall on the Lady Shandoys. S96: no title, L74
1 Summer 1633: Summers 1635-69
2 face. Ed: face, 1633-69
3 our love, 1633, D, H49, Lec, S: our Loves, 1669: your love, 1635-54, A18, A25, B, H40, L74, M, N, O'F, P, S96, TC
6 Affection ... takes A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, P, S, S96, TC: Affections ... take 1633-69, JC, O'F
8 shee's 1635-69, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: they'are 1633
10 tolerable 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec, S: habitable 1635-69, A18, A25, L74, M, N, O'F, P, TC
14 for 1633: or 1635-69
15 Love] love 1633
22 Where] Where's O'F, S
23 unto all] to all her P
24 Counsaile, Ed: counsaile, 1633-54: counsails 1669
26 enrages] bringes D, H49: breeds Lec
27 seasonabliest, 1633: seasonablest, 1635-69
28 past.] past; 1633
30 large 1633: old 1635-69
37 not] noe several MSS.
38 soules sacke; 1633, 1669, and MSS.: fooles sack; 1635-54
40 made; Ed: made 1633-54: made, 1669
42 their soules] the soul 1669
43 Deaths-heads 1633: Death-heads 1635-69, Chambers: death-shades H40
44 Ancient, ... Antique 1633, 1669, D, H49, Lec: Ancients, ... Antiques 1635-54, B, O'F, S: ancient ... antiques A18, A25, H40, L74, M, N, TC
be. Ed: be; 1633
46 a] the 1669, M, P
47 naturall lation A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, L74, M, N, P, S, TC (sometimes thus, natural-lation): motion naturall 1633: naturall station 1635-69, Lec, O'F
50 ebbe out 1633: ebbe on 1635-69, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, TC
Note[page 95]
The Dreame.
IMAGE of her whom I love, more then she,
Whose faire impression in my faithfull heart,
Makes mee her Medall, and makes her love mee,
As Kings do coynes, to which their stamps impart
5The value: goe, and take my heart from hence,
Which now is growne too great and good for me:
Honours oppresse weake spirits, and our sense
Strong objects dull; the more, the lesse wee see.
When you are gone, and Reason gone with you,
10Then Fantasie is Queene and Soule, and all;
She can present joyes meaner then you do;
Convenient, and more proportionall.
So, if I dreame I have you, I have you,
For, all our joyes are but fantasticall.
15And so I scape the paine, for paine is true;
And sleepe which locks up sense, doth lock out all.
After a such fruition I shall wake,
And, but the waking, nothing shall repent;
And shall to love more thankfull Sonnets make,
20Then if more honour, teares, and paines were spent.
But dearest heart, and dearer image stay;
Alas, true joyes at best are dreame enough;
Though you stay here you passe too fast away:
For even at first lifes Taper is a snuffe.
25Fill'd with her love, may I be rather grown
Mad with much heart, then ideott with none.
Eleg. X. The Dreame. 1635-54: Elegie X. 1669: Elegie. 1633: Picture. S96: Elegie. or no title, A18, B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD
7 sense] sense, 1633
8 dull; 1635-69: dull, 1633
16 out] up B, P, S
17 a such 1633-54: such a 1669
22 dreame] dreams 1669
Note[page 96]
The Bracelet.
Vpon the losse of his Mistresses Chaine, for which he made satisfaction.
NOT that in colour it was like thy haire,
For Armelets of that thou maist let me weare:
Nor that thy hand it oft embrac'd and kist,
For so it had that good, which oft I mist:
5Nor for that silly old moralitie,
That as these linkes were knit, our love should bee:
Mourne I that I thy seavenfold chaine have lost;
Nor for the luck sake; but the bitter cost.
O, shall twelve righteous Angels, which as yet
10No leaven of vile soder did admit;
Nor yet by any way have straid or gone
From the first state of their Creation;
Angels, which heaven commanded to provide
All things to me, and be my faithfull guide;
15To gaine new friends, t'appease great enemies;
To comfort my soule, when I lie or rise;
Shall these twelve innocents, by thy severe
Sentence (dread judge) my sins great burden beare?
Shall they be damn'd, and in the furnace throwne,
20And punisht for offences not their owne?
They save not me, they doe not ease my paines,
When in that hell they'are burnt and tyed in chains.
[page 97]Were they but Crownes of France, I cared not,
For, most of these, their naturall Countreys rot
25I think possesseth, they come here to us,
So pale, so lame, so leane, so ruinous;
And howsoe'r French Kings most Christian be,
Their Crownes are circumcis'd most Iewishly.
Or were they Spanish Stamps, still travelling,
30That are become as Catholique as their King,
Those unlickt beare-whelps, unfil'd pistolets
That (more than Canon shot) availes or lets;
Which negligently left unrounded, looke
Like many angled figures, in the booke
35Of some great Conjurer that would enforce
Nature, as these doe justice, from her course;
Which, as the soule quickens head, feet and heart,
As streames, like veines, run through th'earth's every part,
Visit all Countries, and have slily made
40Gorgeous France, ruin'd, ragged and decay'd;
Scotland, which knew no State, proud in one day:
And mangled seventeen-headed Belgia.
Or were it such gold as that wherewithall
Almighty Chymiques from each minerall,
45Having by subtle fire a soule out-pull'd;
Are dirtely and desperately gull'd:
I would not spit to quench the fire they'are in,
For, they are guilty of much hainous Sin.
But, shall my harmlesse angels perish? Shall
50I lose my guard, my ease, my food, my all?
[page 98]Much hope which they should nourish will be dead,
Much of my able youth, and lustyhead
Will vanish; if thou love let them alone,
For thou wilt love me lesse when they are gone;
55And be content that some lowd squeaking Cryer
Well-pleas'd with one leane thred-bare groat, for hire,
May like a devill roare through every street;
And gall the finders conscience, if they meet.
Or let mee creepe to some dread Conjurer,
60That with phantastique scheames fils full much paper;
Which hath divided heaven in tenements,
And with whores, theeves, and murderers stuft his rents,
So full, that though hee passe them all in sinne,
He leaves himselfe no roome to enter in.
65But if, when all his art and time is spent,
Hee say 'twill ne'r be found; yet be content;
Receive from him that doome ungrudgingly,
Because he is the mouth of destiny.
Thou say'st (alas) the gold doth still remaine,
70Though it be chang'd, and put into a chaine;
So in the first falne angels, resteth still
Wisdome and knowledge; but,'tis turn'd to ill:
As these should doe good works; and should provide
Necessities; but now must nurse thy pride.
75And they are still bad angels; Mine are none;
For, forme gives being, and their forme is gone:
Pitty these Angels; yet their dignities
Passe Vertues, Powers, and Principalities.
[page 99]But, thou art resolute; Thy will be done!
80Yet with such anguish, as her onely sonne
The Mother in the hungry grave doth lay,
Vnto the fire these Martyrs I betray.
Good soules, (for you give life to every thing)
Good Angels, (for good messages you bring)
85Destin'd you might have beene to such an one,
As would have lov'd and worship'd you alone:
One that would suffer hunger, nakednesse,
Yea death, ere he would make your number lesse.
But, I am guilty of your sad decay;
90May your few fellowes longer with me stay.
But ô thou wretched finder whom I hate
So, that I almost pitty thy estate:
Gold being the heaviest metal amongst all,
May my most heavy curse upon thee fall:
95Here fetter'd, manacled, and hang'd in chains,
First mayst thou bee; then chaind to hellish paines;
Or be with forraine gold brib'd to betray
Thy Countrey, and faile both of that and thy pay.
May the next thing thou stoop'st to reach, containe
100Poyson, whose nimble fume rot thy moist braine;
Or libels, or some interdicted thing,
Which negligently kept, thy ruine bring.
Lust-bred diseases rot thee; and dwell with thee
Itching desire, and no abilitie.
105May all the evils that gold ever wrought;
All mischiefes that all devils ever thought;
Want after plenty; poore and gouty age;
The plagues of travellers; love; marriage
Afflict thee, and at thy lives last moment,
[page 100]110May thy swolne sinnes themselves to thee present.
But, I forgive; repent thee honest man:
Gold is Restorative, restore it then:
But if from it thou beest loath to depart,
Because 'tis cordiall, would twere at thy heart.
Elegie XI. &c. Ed.: Eleg. XII. The Bracelet. &c. 1635 (Eleg. XI. being Death, for which see p. 284): Eleg. XII. Vpon &c. 1639-54 (Eleg. IV. 1650-54, a misprint): Elegie XII. 1669: Elegie (numbered variously). The Bracelett. or The Chaine. A25, B, C, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCD, W
2 For ... weare:] Armelets of that thou maist still let me weare: 1669
6 were knit, 1635-69: are knit Cy: are tyde A25, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, R212, S, S96, TCD, W: were tyde L74
love] loves 1669
11 way 1635-69: taynt S96, O'F, W: taynts B: fault A25, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, P, S, TCD
15 great] old 1669
16 rise; Ed: rise. 1635-69
22 chains. Ed.: chains: 1635-69
24 these 1635-54: them 1669
their naturall Countreys Cy, O'F: their Countreys naturall 1635-54, P: their naturall Countrey 1669, and rest of MSS.
26 ruinous; Ed: ruinous. 1635-69
28 Iewishly. Ed: Iewishly; 1635-69
35 great] dread 1669
36 course; Ed: course. 1635-69
38 streames, Ed: streames 1635-69
40 ruin'd, ragged and decay'd; 1669, and MSS., but end stop varies: ruin'd: ragged and decay'd 1635: ruin'd: ragged and decay'd, 1639-54
42 Belgia. Ed: Belgia: 1635-69
45 soule] Mercury B
47 they'are in, 1635-69: therein, Cy, P: they were in, rest of MSS.
51 dead, Ed: dead. 1635-69
52 lustyhead Ed: lusty head 1635-69
53 vanish; Ed: vanish, 1635-69
if thou love let them alone, 1635-39: if thou Love let them alone, 1650-69: if thou, Love, let them alone; Grolier (conjecturing atone)
54-5 gone; And Ed: gone, And 1635-69, Cy, P: gone. Oh, rest of MSS.
58 conscience, if they meet. 1669 and MSS.: conscience, if hee meet. 1635-54, JC, L74, P
60 scheames D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S96, W: scenes 1635-69, Cy, L74, P, TCD
63 passe] place 1669
65 new par. 1635-69 But 1635-69, Cy, P: And rest of MSS.
66 yet 1635-69, Cy, P: Oh rest of MSS.
67 that 1635-54, Cy, P: the 1669 and rest of MSS.
70 chaine; Ed: chaine, 1635-69
74 pride. Ed: pride, 1635-69
76 being, Ed: being: 1635-69
77 Angels; yet Cy, D, H49, N, P, S, TCD: Angels yet; 1635-69, W
79 done! Ed: done; 1635-39: done: 1650-54: done? 1669
90 few fellowes] few-fellowes 1635-69
92 So, that 1635-69, Cy, P: So much that A25, D, H49, JC (as), L74, Lec, N, S, S96 (as), TCD, W (as): So much B
estate] state D, H49, &c.
93 metal amongst all,] amongst metals all, 1669, Cy
95 Here] Her 1639
98 that MSS.: it 1635-69
thy] om. 1669
104 Itching] Itchy MSS.
105 evils that gold ever 1635-69, P: hurt that ever gold hath rest of MSS.
106 mischiefes all MSS.: mischiefe 1635-69
108 love; marriage 1635-54, Cy, P: love and marriage 1669, and rest of MSS.
109 at] that 1669
110 thee] thou 1669
113 But if from it ... depart, 1635-54, Cy, P: But if that from it ... part, 1669: Or if with it ... depart rest of MSS.
His parting from her.
SINCE she must go, and I must mourn, come Night,
Environ me with darkness, whilst I write:
Shadow that hell unto me, which alone
I am to suffer when my Love is gone.
5Alas the darkest Magick cannot do it,
Thou and greate Hell to boot are shadows to it.
Should Cinthia quit thee, Venus, and each starre,
It would not forme one thought dark as mine are.
I could lend thee obscureness now, and say,
10Out of my self, There should be no more Day,
Such is already my felt want of sight,
Did not the fires within me force a light.
Oh Love, that fire and darkness should be mixt,
Or to thy Triumphs soe strange torments fixt?
15Is't because thou thy self art blind, that wee
Thy Martyrs must no more each other see?
[page 101]Or tak'st thou pride to break us on the wheel,
And view old Chaos in the Pains we feel?
Or have we left undone some mutual Right,
20Through holy fear, that merits thy despight?
No, no. The falt was mine, impute it to me,
Or rather to conspiring destinie,
Which (since I lov'd for forme before) decreed,
That I should suffer when I lov'd indeed:
25And therefore now, sooner then I can say,
I saw the golden fruit, 'tis rapt away.
Or as I had watcht one drop in a vast stream,
And I left wealthy only in a dream.
Yet Love, thou'rt blinder then thy self in this,
30To vex my Dove-like friend for my amiss:
And, where my own sad truth may expiate
Thy wrath, to make her fortune run my fate:
So blinded Justice doth, when Favorites fall,
Strike them, their house, their friends, their followers all.
35Was't not enough that thou didst dart thy fires
Into our blouds, inflaming our desires,
And made'st us sigh and glow, and pant, and burn,
And then thy self into our flame did'st turn?
Was't not enough, that thou didst hazard us
40To paths in love so dark, so dangerous:
And those so ambush'd round with houshold spies,
And over all, thy husbands towring eyes
[page 102]That flam'd with oylie sweat of jealousie:
Yet went we not still on with Constancie?
45Have we not kept our guards, like spie on spie?
Had correspondence whilst the foe stood by?
Stoln (more to sweeten them) our many blisses
Of meetings, conference, embracements, kisses?
Shadow'd with negligence our most respects?
50Varied our language through all dialects,
Of becks, winks, looks, and often under-boards
Spoak dialogues with our feet far from our words?
Have we prov'd all these secrets of our Art,
Yea, thy pale inwards, and thy panting heart?
55And, after all this passed Purgatory,
Must sad divorce make us the vulgar story?
First let our eyes be rivited quite through
Our turning brains, and both our lips grow to:
Let our armes clasp like Ivy, and our fear
60Freese us together, that we may stick here,
Till Fortune, that would rive us, with the deed
Strain her eyes open, and it make them bleed:
For Love it cannot be, whom hitherto
I have accus'd, should such a mischief doe.
65Oh Fortune, thou'rt not worth my least exclame,
And plague enough thou hast in thy own shame.
Do thy great worst, my friend and I have armes,
[page 103]Though not against thy strokes, against thy harmes.
Rend us in sunder, thou canst not divide
70Our bodies so, but that our souls are ty'd,
And we can love by letters still and gifts,
And thoughts and dreams; Love never wanteth shifts.
I will not look upon the quickning Sun,
But straight her beauty to my sense shall run;
75The ayre shall note her soft, the fire most pure;
Water suggest her clear, and the earth sure.
Time shall not lose our passages; the Spring
How fresh our love was in the beginning;
The Summer how it ripened in the eare;
80And Autumn, what our golden harvests were.
The Winter I'll not think on to spite thee,
But count it a lost season, so shall shee.
And dearest Friend, since we must part, drown night
With hope of Day, burthens well born are light.
85Though cold and darkness longer hang somewhere,
Yet Phoebus equally lights all the Sphere.
And what he cannot in like Portions pay,
The world enjoyes in Mass, and so we may.
Be then ever your self, and let no woe
90Win on your health, your youth, your beauty: so
Declare your self base fortunes Enemy,
No less by your contempt then constancy:
That I may grow enamoured on your mind,
When my own thoughts I there reflected find.
[page 104]95For this to th'comfort of my Dear I vow,
My Deeds shall still be what my words are now;
The Poles shall move to teach me ere I start;
And when I change my Love, I'll change my heart;
Nay, if I wax but cold in my desire,
100Think, heaven hath motion lost, and the world, fire:
Much more I could, but many words have made
That, oft, suspected which men would perswade;
Take therefore all in this: I love so true,
As I will never look for less in you.
Elegie. XII. &c. Ed: Eleg. XIIII &c. 1635-54 (Eleg. XIII. being Come, Fates, &c., p. 407): Elegie XIIII. 1669: At her Departure. A25: At his Mistris departure. B: Elegie. H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD (II)
1 Night, Ed: night 1635-69
4 Love] soule 1635-54
5-44 omit, 1635-54, A25, B
6 Thou and greate Hell H40, O'F, P, S96: And that great Hell 1669
to boot are 1669, H40, O'F: are nought but P, S96
7 thee, Ed: thee 1669
9 thee H40: them 1669, P, S96, TCD
10 Day, Ed: Day. 1669
11 felt want H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: self-want, 1669
sight, Ed: sight 1669
12 fires H40, S96, TCD: fire 1669, P
14 Or] Are S96: And TCD
soe H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: such 1669
17 the H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: thy 1669
20 Through holy fear, that merits (causes S96) thy despight (meriteth thy spight P) H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: That thus with parting thou seek'st us to spight? 1669
21 was H40, S96: is 1669, P, TCD
23 Which ... decreed, H40, O'F, S96: Which (since I lov'd) for me before decreed, 1669, P, TCD: Which, since I lov'd in jest before, decreed H-K, which Chambers follows
25 now, sooner all the MSS.: sooner now 1669
rapt] wrapt 1669
27 a vast H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: the vast 1669
29 thy self] myself Chambers
31 my own H40, O'F, P, S96: one 1669
sad 1669: glad H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD
32 fate: Ed: fate. 1669
33 blinded] blindest H40
34 followers H40, P, TCD: favourites 1669, S96
37 glow H40, S96, P, TCD: blow 1669
38 flame H40, S96, P, TCD: flames 1669
40 so dangerous H40, P, S96, TCD: and dangerous 1669
42 all, Ed: all 1669
towring 1669, TCD: towred O'F, P, S96: lowering Grolier
the towred husbands eyes H40: the Loured, husbandes eyes RP31
43 That flam'd with oylie H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: Inflam'd with th'ouglie 1669
jealousie: Ed: jealousie, 1669
44 with H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: in 1669
45 Have we not kept our guards, H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: Have we for this kept guards, 1669
on 1669: o'r 1635-54
49 most 1635-69, H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: best 1669
50 our] thy RP31
52 from our words? 1669: from words? 1635-54
53 these secrets MSS.: the secrets 1635-69
our] thy RP31
54 Yea ... panting heart? 1635-69, A25: Yea thy pale colours inward as thy heart? H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD
56 sad] rude P, TCD
57-66 om. 1635-54, A25, B
58 brains] beams P: brain Chambers
61 Fortune, Ed: fortune, 1669
would rive us, with H40, O'F, S96, TCD: would ruine us with 1669
62 her H40: his 1669
it] yet 1669
bleed: Ed: bleed. 1669
65 Oh Fortune,] Oh fortune, 1669, S96: And Fortune H40, P
66 shame. H40, O'F, P, S96: name. 1669
67 Do thy great worst &c. 1669: Fortune, doe thy worst &c. 1635-54 (after 56 the vulgar story?)
armes, 1635-69, H40, O'F, P, S, TCD: charmes H-K (Grosart and Chambers)
69 Rend us in sunder, 1669 and MSS.: Bend us, in sunder 1635-54
72 shifts. 1635: shifts, 1639-69
76 Water H40, P, TCD: Waters 1635-69, A25, S96
sure. Ed: sure; 1635-69
77 Time] Times H40, TCD
Spring Ed: spring 1635-69
79 ripened in the eare; B, H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: ripened in the yeare; 1635: inripened the yeare; 1639-69
83-94 omit 1635-54, A25, B
85 Though H40, P, TCD: The 1669, S96
87 he ... Portions Ed: he ... portions H40: he ... portion O'F, P, TCD: we ... Portion 1669: he can't in like proportion H-K (Grosart)
88 enjoyes] yet joys H40
89 ever your] your fayrest H40, TCD
92 by your contempt then constancy: H40, S96: be your contempt then constancy: O'F, H-K (Grosart), P, TCD: be your contempt then her inconstancy: 1669
94 there reflected H40, O'F, P, S, TCD: here neglected 1669: there neglected H-K (Grosart, probably wrongly)
95-104 om. TCD
95 For H40, S96: And 1635-69
96 my words are now; H40, P: my deeds are now; 1635-69, O'F, S96: my thoughts are now; A25
102 oft, 1633-54: oft 1669
would 1635-54, A25, B, H40, O'F, S96: most 1669
Iulia.
HARKE newes, ô envy, thou shalt heare descry'd
My Iulia; who as yet was ne'r envy'd.
To vomit gall in slander, swell her vaines
With calumny, that hell it selfe disdaines,
5Is her continuall practice; does her best,
To teare opinion even out of the brest
Of dearest friends, and (which is worse than vilde)
Sticks jealousie in wedlock; her owne childe
Scapes not the showres of envie, To repeate
10The monstrous fashions, how, were, alive, to eate
Deare reputation. Would to God she were
But halfe so loath to act vice, as to heare
[page 105]My milde reproofe. Liv'd Mantuan now againe,
That fœmall Mastix, to limme with his penne
15This she Chymera, that hath eyes of fire,
Burning with anger, anger feeds desire,
Tongued like the night-crow, whose ill boding cries
Give out for nothing but new injuries,
Her breath like to the juice in Tenarus
20That blasts the springs, though ne'r so prosperous,
Her hands, I know not how, us'd more to spill
The food of others, then her selfe to fill.
But oh her minde, that Orcus, which includes
Legions of mischiefs, countlesse multitudes
25Of formlesse curses, projects unmade up,
Abuses yet unfashion'd, thoughts corrupt,
Mishapen Cavils, palpable untroths,
Inevitable errours, self-accusing oaths:
These, like those Atoms swarming in the Sunne,
30Throng in her bosome for creation.
I blush to give her halfe her due; yet say,
No poyson's halfe so bad as Iulia.
Elegie XIII. &c. Ed: Eleg. XV. &c. 1635-54: Elegie XV. 1669: Iulia. B: Elegy. Iulia. O'F
5 practice; Ed: practice, 1635-69
7 vilde) Ed: vile) 1635-69: vilde is the regular spelling of this word in the Donne MSS.
8 in wedlock;] in the sheets of wedlock; B
10 how, 1635: how; 1639-69
That fœmall Mastix, 1635: 1639-69 and Chambers drop comma. But see note
18 injuries, 1635-39: injuries. 1650-69
20 prosperous, Ed: prosperous. 1635-69
24 mischiefs O'F: mischiefe, 1635-69
28 oaths: B, H-K (Grosart): loathes: 1635-69, O'F
31 give but half B: give half her O'F
yet say,] only this say, B: but this say O'F
A Tale of a Citizen and his Wife.
I sing no harme good sooth to any wight,
To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight,
To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or brave
Reformed or reduced Captaine, Knave,
[page 106]5Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace,
Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease,
I am no Libeller, nor will be any,
But (like a true man) say there are too many.
I feare not ore tenus; for my tale,
10Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale.
A Citizen and his wife the other day
Both riding on one horse, upon the way
I overtooke, the wench a pretty peate,
And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate.
15I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backe
His head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke,
Whence apprehending that the man was kinde,
Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde,
To get acquaintance with him I began
20To sort discourse fit for so fine a man:
I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill,
Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still,
Of the Virginian plot, and whether Ward
The traffique of the I〈n〉land seas had marr'd,
25Whether the Brittaine Burse did fill apace,
And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace;
Of new-built Algate, and the More-field crosses,
Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants losses
I urged him to speake; But he (as mute
30As an old Courtier worne to his last suite)
Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last
(To fit his element) my theame I cast
On Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing:
Alas, good sir (quoth he) There is no doing
35In Court nor City now; she smil'd and I,
And (in my conscience) both gave him the lie
[page 107]In one met thought: but he went on apace,
And at the present time with such a face
He rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise,
40To any but my Lord of Essex dayes;
Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee)
There's now as great an itch of bravery,
And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe,
For, put to push of pay, away they runne;
45Our onely City trades of hope now are
Bawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener;
The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the store
Of fresh protections make the rest all poore;
In the first state of their Creation,
50Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not one
A righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he on
In a continued rage: so void of reason
Seem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason.
And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer
55For the protection of the wise Lord Major,
And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth,
He swore that none could say Amen with faith.
To get him off from what I glowed to heare,
(In happy time) an Angel did appeare,
60The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne,
Where many Citizens with their wives have bin
Well us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay,
To take some due refreshment by the way.
Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope)
65And at's returne found nothing but a Rope,
[page 108]So he on me, refus'd and made away,
Though willing she pleaded a weary day:
I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell
(To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell;
70He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine,
But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe.
Elegie XIV. &c. Ed: Eleg. XVI. A Tale &c. 1635-54: Elegie XVI. 1669: Elegie XV. O'F: no title, B
2 or foole,] to fool, 1669
5 Iugler, 1635-39: Iudge, 1650-69
9 tenus; Ed: tenus, 1635-69
10 will redd or pale. 1669, B, O'F (shall): will looke redd or pale. 1635-54
14 feate. Ed: feate, 1635-69
16 steale] seale O'F
21 Plaguy 1669, B, O'F: Plaguing 1635-54
22 Custome] custome 1635
24 I〈n〉land Ed: Iland 1635-54: Midland 1669, O'F: the land, the seas B, but later hand has inserted mid above the line: Island Chambers and Grolier
27 More-field] Moorefields B
32 To fit] To hit O'F
33 agoing: Ed: agoing, 1635-69
35 In ... now; Ed: roman 1635-69
38 time 1669: times O'F
41 those ... (quoth Hee) 1669, B, O'F: that ... (quoth I) 1635-54
46 Bawd, ... Scrivener; B, O'F: Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whores and Scriveners, 1635-54: Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore and Scrivener 1669
47 kingsmen, and the store 1669, B, O'F (kingsman): kinsmen, and store 1635-54
58 him off O'F: off him 1669: him 1635-54
61 have bin B, O'F: had beene, 1635-69
64 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope 1669
65 at's 1669: at 1635-54
66 on 1669, B: at 1635-54
me,] me: 1635-54
67 day: 1669, B, O'F: stay. 1635-39: stay: 1650-54
69 dwell; 1635: dwell 1639-54: dwell, 1669
The Expostulation.
TO make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true,
Was it my fate to prove it strong in you?
Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire,
And must she needs be false because she's faire?
5Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth,
Or your perfection, not to study truth?
Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes?
Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries?
Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter
10Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water,
And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath
(Both hot and cold at once) make life and death?
Who could have thought so many accents sweet
Form'd into words, so many sighs should meete
15As from our hearts, so many oathes, and teares
Sprinkled among, (all sweeter by our feares
[page 109]And the divine impression of stolne kisses,
That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses?
Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake?
20Or must we reade you quite from what you speake,
And finde the truth out the wrong way? or must
Hee first desire you false, would wish you just?
O I prophane, though most of women be
This kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee;
25My dearest love, though froward jealousie,
With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie,
Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheare
The teeming earth, and that forget to beare,
Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames
30With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames,
Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures,
Would change her course, before you alter yours.
But O that treacherous breast to whom weake you
Did trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue,
35Having his falshood found too late, 'twas hee
That made me cast you guilty, and you me,
Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple word
Wee spake, unto the cunning of a third.
Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine,
40And wander on the earth, wretched as Cain,
Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty;
In plaguing him, let misery be witty;
Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye,
Till hee be noysome as his infamie;
45May he without remorse deny God thrice,
And not be trusted more on his Soules price;
[page 110]And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes,
May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes,
Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue
50That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung,
And let his carrion coarse be a longer feast
To the Kings dogges, then any other beast.
Now have I curst, let us our love revive;
In mee the flame was never more alive;
55I could beginne againe to court and praise,
And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayes
Of my lifes lease; like Painters that do take
Delight, not in made worke, but whiles they make;
I could renew those times, when first I saw
60Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the law
To like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playes
Commend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes;
Aske how you did, and often with intent
Of being officious, be impertinent;
65All which were such soft pastimes, as in these
Love was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease;
But being got it is a treasure sweet,
Which to defend is harder then to get:
And ought not be prophan'd on either part,
70For though'tis got by chance, 'tis kept by art.
Elegie XV. Ed: Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation. 1635-54: Elegie XVII. 1669: Elegie. 1633, B, Cy, H40, HN, M, N, O'F, P, RP31, S, S96, TCD, Jonson's Underwoods
2 strong] full Und
3 purest] the purer Und
6 Or your 1633-69: Or of your H40
8 it hath,] she hath B, H40, M, N, P, S96
12 (Both hot and cold at once) RP31: Both ... at once, Und: (Both ... cold) at once 1633-69, S96: Both heate and coole at once M
make] threat Und
14 Form'd into] Tun'd to our Und
15 As] Blowne Und
16-18 (all sweeter ... the rest) 1633, B, Cy, M, N, O'F, P, RP31: (all sweetend &c. 1635, which does not complete the bracket: (all sweetend by our fears) &c. 1639-69, L74 (sweeter), P (sweeter), S96 (sweetned)
22 wish] have P
24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster, Und
my thought 1633: my thoughts 1635-69, HN, S96
25 though froward] how ever RP31, Und
26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie. Und
28 beare, 1633: beare: 1635-69
30 would 1633, Und: will 1635-69
streames, Ed: streames; 1633-69
32 yours.] yours; 1633
34 trust 1633-69: drift Chambers
37 wretch] wrech 1633
38 third. Ed: third; 1633-69
39 love] loves RP31
40 wretched as Cain, 1633-69, B, Cy, N, O'F: as wretched Cain, P: as cursed Cain, S: wretched on the Earth, as Cain: Und
52 dogges, ... beast.] dogges; ... beast; 1633
53 have I] I have 1669
revive] receive Und
58 worke, 1633-39, most MSS.: works, 1650-69, S96, Und
61 and playes] or playes Und
64 be] grow Und
65 soft] lost Und
Note[page 111]
On his Mistris.
BY our first strange and fatall interview,
By all desires which thereof did ensue,
By our long starving hopes, by that remorse
Which my words masculine perswasive force
5Begot in thee, and by the memory
Of hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me,
I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath,
By all paines, which want and divorcement hath,
I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I
10And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy,
Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus,
Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous.
Temper, ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage,
Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page;
15I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behinde
Thee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde,
Thirst to come backe; ô if thou die before,
My soule from other lands to thee shall soare.
Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move
20Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love,
Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast reade
How roughly hee in peeces shivered
Faire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd.
[page 112]Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd
25Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery,
That absent Lovers one in th'other be.
Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor change
Thy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strange
To thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face
30A blushing womanly discovering grace;
Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as soone
Ecclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone.
Men of France, changeable Camelions,
Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions,
35Loves fuellers, and the rightest company
Of Players, which upon the worlds stage be,
Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!
Th'indifferent Italian, as we passe
His warme land, well content to thinke thee Page,
40Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage,
As Lots faire guests were vext. But none of these
Nor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease,
If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for thee
England is onely a worthy Gallerie,
45To walke in expectation, till from thence
Our greatest King call thee to his presence.
When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse,
Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse,
Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse
50Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy Nurse
With midnights startings, crying out, oh, oh
Nurse, ô my love is slaine, I saw him goe
[page 113]O'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I,
Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die.
55Augure me better chance, except dread Iove
Thinke it enough for me to'have had thy love.
Elegie XVI. &c. Ed: Elegie on his Mistris. 1635-54 where, and in 1669, it appears among Funerall Elegies: Elegie. 1669: among Elegies with or without heading or number, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, TCC, TCD, W: B heads His wife would have gone as his page.
1 interview, Ed: interview 1635-69
3 starving] striving 1669, B, P: starvling A18, N, TC
7 beg: D: beg. 1635-69
fathers 1635-69, O'F: Parents A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, P, S, TC, W
11 Here I] I here 1669
12 wayes 1635-54, O'F: means 1669, and rest of MSS.
14 still ... faign'd] 1669 om. still and reads faigned
18 My soule ... to thee] From other lands my soule towards thee A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, M(to), N, P, S, TC, W
soare. Ed: soare, 1635-69
21 harshness] rashness P. Compare Elegy V, 8
23 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea 1669
26 Lovers] friends P
28 mindes; A18, A25, B, JC, N, TC, W: minde, 1635-69, D, H49, Lec, O'F, P
29 onely; A18, D, N, TC: onely. 1635-69
35 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers, 1669, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, S96, P
37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas! 1635-54, O'F: Will too too quickly know thee; and alas, 1669: Will quickly know thee, and know thee, and alas A18, N, S (omitting second and), TCD, W: Will quickly know thee, and thee, and alas A25: Will quickly know thee, and alas D, H49, JC, Lec, P, S96, TCC
39 Page, Ed: Page 1635-39
40 hunt 1635-69, O'F: haunt most MSS.
42 hydroptique] Aydroptique 1669
46 greatest 1635-69, B, O'F, P: greate A18, A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC
call] doe call A18, N, TC
to] in to A25, JC, S
49 me, nor blesse] me; Blesse A18, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W
Variety.
THE heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I
Abjure my so much lov'd variety,
And not with many youth and love divide?
Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd:
5The sun that sitting in the chaire of light
Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright,
Is not contented at one Signe to Inne,
But ends his year and with a new beginnes.
All things doe willingly in change delight,
10The fruitfull mother of our appetite:
Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are,
Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr;
And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet,
Corrupts it self and what doth live in it.
15Let no man tell me such a one is faire,
And worthy all alone my love to share.
Nature in her hath done the liberall part
Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art
To make her loveable, and I aver
20Him not humane that would turn back from her:
[page 114]I love her well, and would, if need were, dye
To doe her service. But followes it that I
Must serve her onely, when I may have choice
Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?
25The law is hard, and shall not have my voice.
The last I saw in all extreames is faire,
And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire;
Her nymph-like features such agreements have
That I could venture with her to the grave:
30Another's brown, I like her not the worse,
Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse.
Others, for that they well descended are,
Do in my love obtain as large a share;
And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee
35To win their love onely for their degree.
And though I faile of my required ends,
The attempt is glorious and it self commends.
How happy were our Syres in ancient times,
Who held plurality of loves no crime!
40With them it was accounted charity
To stirre up race of all indifferently;
Kindreds were not exempted from the bands:
Which with the Persian still in usage stands.
Women were then no sooner asked then won,
45And what they did was honest and well done.
But since this title honour hath been us'd,
Our weake credulity hath been abus'd;
The golden laws of nature are repeald,
Which our first Fathers in such reverence held;
50Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone,
And we're made servants to opinion,
[page 115]A monster in no certain shape attir'd,
And whose originall is much desir'd,
Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions,
55And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations.
Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes,
And was dispoiled of his daring armes.
A greater want then is his daring eyes,
He lost those awfull wings with which he flies;
60His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts
Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts.
Onely some few strong in themselves and free
Retain the seeds of antient liberty,
Following that part of Love although deprest,
65And make a throne for him within their brest,
In spight of modern censures him avowing
Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing.
Amongst which troop although I am the least,
Yet equall in perfection with the best,
70I glory in subjection of his hand,
Nor ever did decline his least command:
For in whatever forme the message came
My heart did open and receive the same.
But time will in his course a point discry
75When I this loved service must deny,
For our allegiance temporary is,
With firmer age returnes our liberties.
What time in years and judgement we repos'd,
Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd,
[page 116]80Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying;
But beauty with true worth securely weighing,
Which being found assembled in some one,
Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.
Elegie XVII. Variety. Ed: printed for first time without title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719: An Elegie. A10: Elegie 17the. JC
1 motion, why Ed: motion why, 1650-69
3 love divide? MSS.: lov'd divide? 1650-69
4 diversifi'd: Ed: diversifi'd 1650-69
6 what else so ever doth seem 1650-69: what else is not so A10
12 fair-spreading 1650-69, JC: broad silver A10
and farr; A10, JC: and cleare; 1650-69
14 it self and 1650-69: it self, kills A10
16 And only worthy to be past compare; A10
19 aver] ever 1650-69
20 would turn back from 1650-69: could not fancy A10
24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? A10: om. 1650-69
25-36 omitted in A10
30 brown, Ed: brown 1650-69
32 are JC: were 1650-69
39 crime! Ed: crime? 1650-69
43 Persian 1650-54, JC: Persians 1669, A10
46 title A10, JC: little 1650-69
50 liberty's Ed: liberty 1650-69, JC
revers'd, our A10: revers'd and 1650-69, JC
51 we're A10: we 1650-69, JC
53 whose originall 1650-69, JC: one whose origin A10
54 goeing on it fashions A10: growing on it fashions JC: growing on its fashions, 1650-69
55 manners and laws to 1650-69, JC: Lawes, Manners unto A10
57 armes. A10: armes, 1650-69
58 is 1650-69: of A10
61 bruise 1650-69 wound A10
hearts. Ed: hearts; 1650-69
63 seeds of antient 1650-69, JC: seed of pristine A10
64 Love] love 1650-69
70 of his 1650-69: under's A10
71 Nor ... decline 1650-69: Never declining from A10
72-7 omitted in A10
73 same. Ed: same: 1650-69: flame JC
75 deny, Ed: deny. 1650-69
79 dispos'd, Ed: dispos'd 1650-69
80 obeying; Ed: obeying, 1650-69
81 securely 1650-69: unpartially A10
82 being 1650-69: having A10
one, Ed: one 1650-69
83 Wee'l love her ever, Ed: Wee'l leave her ever, 1650-69, JC: Would love for ever, A10
Loves Progress.
WHO ever loves, if he do not propose
The right true end of love, he's one that goes
To sea for nothing but to make him sick:
Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick
5Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take,
We erre, and of a lump a monster make.
Were not a Calf a monster that were grown
Face'd like a man, though better then his own?
Perfection is in unitie: preferr
10One woman first, and then one thing in her.
I, when I value gold, may think upon
The ductilness, the application,
The wholsomness, the ingenuitie,
From rust, from soil, from fire ever free:
15But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made
By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade.
All these in women we might think upon
(If women had them) and yet love but one.
[page 117]Can men more injure women then to say
20They love them for that, by which they're not they?
Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud
Till I both be, and find one wise and good?
May barren Angels love so. But if we
Make love to woman; virtue is not she:
25As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus
From her to hers, is more adulterous,
Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare
And firmament, our Cupid is not there:
He's an infernal god and under ground,
30With Pluto dwells, where gold and fire abound:
Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles
Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes.
Although we see Celestial bodies move
Above the earth, the earth we Till and love:
35So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart,
And virtues; but we love the Centrique part.
Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit
For love, then this, as infinite as it.
But in attaining this desired place
40How much they erre; that set out at the face?
The hair a Forest is of Ambushes,
Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles:
The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain,
And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again.
45Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have
Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave.
The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs
Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns;
It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere
[page 118]50On either side, and then directs us where
Upon the Islands fortunate we fall,
(Not faynte Canaries, but Ambrosiall)
Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come,
We anchor there, and think our selves at home,
55For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there
Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear;
There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell,
The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell.
These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin
60Ore past; and the streight Hellespont betweene
The Sestos and Abydos of her breasts,
(Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts)
Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye
Some Island moles may scattered there descry;
65And Sailing towards her India, in that way
Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay;
Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made,
Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd,
Thou shalt upon another Forest set,
70Where many Shipwrack, and no further get.
When thou art there, consider what this chace
Mispent by thy beginning at the face.
Rather set out below; practice my Art,
Some Symetry the foot hath with that part
75Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that
[page 119]Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at:
Least subject to disguise and change it is;
Men say the Devil never can change his.
It is the Emblem that hath figured
80Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed.
Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss
Which at the face began, transplanted is,
Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee,
Now at the Papal foot delights to be:
85If Kings think that the nearer way, and do
Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too;
For as free Spheres move faster far then can
Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man
Which goes this empty and Ætherial way,
90Then if at beauties elements he stay.
Rich Nature hath in women wisely made
Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid:
They then, which to the lower tribute owe,
That way which that Exchequer looks, must go:
95He which doth not, his error is as great,
As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.
Elegie XVIII. &c. Ed: Elegie XVIII. 1669, where it is first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed in Wit and Drollery. By Sir J. M., J. S., Sir W. D., J. D., and the most refined Wits of the Age. 1661. It appears in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with title Loves Progress., or Elegie. on Loves Progresse., or with no title
4 Love is a 1669: And Love's a MSS.
5 strange 1661 and MSS.: strong 1669
11 I,] I 1669
14 ever 1669: for ever O'F, S, S96
16 (our new nature) use, 1661
17 these 1669 and MSS.: this 1661, Cy, P, Chambers
20 them] om. 1661
25 beauty'is not 1661 and MSS.: beauties no 1669
thus] thus: 1669
27 Then if he took] Then he that took 1661, B (takes), Cy, O'F, P, S
spheare] sphear 1669
30 abound: Ed: abound, 1669
32 in A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: on 1669, A25
holes.] holes: 1669
38 infinite] infinit 1669
40 erre 1661-69, S, S96: stray A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, TC
42 springes, H49 and some MSS.: springs, 1669
46 and 1661, A18, A25, B, C, D, H49, Lec, N, P, S96, TC: but 1669
our 1661, MSS.: a 1669
47 first Meridian 1661 and MSS.: sweet Meridian 1669.
52-3 (Not ... Ambrosiall) ... lips &c. 1661 and MSS. (not always with brackets and sometimes with No for Not and Canary): Not ... Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when we are come, 1669
55 For they seem all: there 1669, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC: For they sing all their 1661, Cy, P
57 There 1661 and MSS.: Then 1669
swell, Ed: swell 1669
58 Rhemora 1669
59 the glorious Promontory,] brackets and no comma, 1669
60 Ore past; ... betweene 1661 and MSS.: Being past the Straits of Hellespont between 1669
62 Loves] loves 1669
63 yet] that D, H49, Lec, and other MSS.
65 Sailing] Sailng 1669
66 Navell] Naval 1669
67 thence A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, O'F, S, S96, TC: there 1661-9, N(?): hence P
thy all MSS.: the 1661-9
68 wouldst A18, A25, B, Cy, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: shouldst 1669
70 many 1669: some doe A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, P
73 my 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCD: thy Chambers: thine A18, TCC
80 the] bis 1669
81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face begonne, transplanted is D, H49, Lec
83 Imperial] imperial 1669
86 too;] too. 1669
90 elements 1661 and MSS.: enemies 1669
91 hath] Chambers omits
93 owe,] owe 1669
96 Clyster gave A18, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: glister gives 1669
Going to Bed.
C OME, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie,
Until I labour, I in labour lie.
The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,
Is tir'd with standing though he never fight.
[page 120]5Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering,
But a far fairer world incompassing.
Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,
That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there.
Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme,
10Tells me from you, that now it is bed time.
Off with that happy busk, which I envie,
That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.
Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals,
As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales.
15Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew
The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow:
Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread
In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed.
In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be
20Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee
A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though
Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know,
By this these Angels from an evil sprite,
Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright.
25Licence my roaving hands, and let them go,
Before, behind, between, above, below.
O my America! my new-found-land,
My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd,
My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie,
[page 121]30How blest am I in this discovering thee!
To enter in these bonds, is to be free;
Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.
Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee,
As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be,
35To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use
Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views,
That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem,
His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.
Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made
40For lay-men, are all women thus array'd;
Themselves are mystick books, which only wee
(Whom their imputed grace will dignifie)
Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know;
As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew
45Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence,
There is no pennance due to innocence.
To teach thee, I am naked first; why than
What needst thou have more covering then a man.
Elegie XIX. &c. Ed: in 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W
Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but with the heading To his Mistris going to Bed. The MSS. include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or simply Elegye, or numbered according to the scheme adopted: B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other titles
4 he 1669: they A18, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, TC
5 glittering] glistering MSS.
8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair. Cy, P
10 it is 1669: 'tis your MSS.
11 which] whom A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, S, TC, W
14 from MSS.: through 1669
shadow] shadows 1669
16 Diademe ... grow: A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC: Diadem which on your head doth grow: 1669: Diadems which on you do grow. S, Chambers
17 Now ... shooes, 1669, JC, W: Off ... shoes A18, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: Off with those hose and shoes S
safely A18, A25, B, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, W: softly 1669, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, P
20 Receavd by men; Thou all MSS.: Reveal'd to men; thou 1669
21 Paradise; Ed: Paradice, 1669
22 Ill 1669, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S, S96, TC, W: All B, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture
spirits 1669, A18, B, D, H49, N, S: angels O'F, S96
white, Ed: white; 1669
26 below. Ed: below, 1669
28 kingdome, MSS.: Kingdom's 1669
safeliest A18, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: safest, 1669
man'd, Ed: man'd. 1669
29 stones, Ed: stones: 1669
30 How blest am I all MSS.: How am I blest 1669
this A18, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC, W: thus 1669, A25, L74, S
discovering] discovery B, O'F
thee! Ed: thee? 1669
be.] be, 1669
35 Gems] Jems 1669: and so 37
36 like 1669: as MSS.
balls, MSS.: ball: 1669
38 covet A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, TC, W: court 1669, Cy, P, S, S96
theirs, A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S96, TC, W: those S: that, 1669, B, O'F
them.] them: 1669
39 pictures, Ed: pictures 1669
made Ed: made, 1669
40 lay-men, Ed: lay-men 1669
array'd; Ed: arrayed 1669
41 Themselves ... only wee A18, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: Themselves are only mystick books, which we, 1669, B
43 see] be A18, A25, D, H49, Lec, N, TC
reveal'd] revealed 1669
44 a all MSS.: thy 1669
Midwife, Ed: Midwife 1669
45 hence, Ed: hence 1669
46 pennance due to innocence. 1669, B, Cy, JC, O'F, P, S: pennance, much less innocence; A18, A25, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S96, W
47 thee, Ed: thee 1669
first; Ed: first, 1669
Note[page 122]
Loves Warre.
TILL I have peace with thee, warr other men,
And when I have peace, can I leave thee then?
All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou
O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe
5To any one: In Flanders, who can tell
Whether the Master presse; or men rebell?
Only we know, that which all Ideots say,
They beare most blows which come to part the fray.
France in her lunatique giddines did hate
10Ever our men, yea and our God of late;
Yet she relyes upon our Angels well,
Which nere returne; no more then they which fell.
Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest
Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest;
15Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good
If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood.
And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give,
We touch all gold, but find no food to live.
And I should be in the hott parching clyme,
20To dust and ashes turn'd before my time.
To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall
Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall;
Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell
In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell.
[page 123]25Long voyages are long consumptions,
And ships are carts for executions.
Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye
Into an other World, as t'is to dye?
Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye;
30Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye.
Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee;
Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee.
Other men war that they their rest may gayne;
But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne.
35Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love,
There wee are alwayes under, here above.
There Engins farr off breed a just true feare,
Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here.
There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye;
40There men kill men, we'will make one by and by.
Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do
In these Warrs, as they may which from us two
Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not
To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott
45To make at home; And shall not I do then
More glorious service, staying to make men?
Elegy XX &c. Ed: First published in F.G. Waldron's A Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802, from a MS. dated 1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in his Philobiblon Society volume of 1856. It is included among Donne's Elegies in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W. In B it has the title Making of Men. The present text is based on W
7 all A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, O'F, S, S96, TC, W: most JC, Chambers
8 They beare most blows which (or that) A18, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, S, S96, TC, W: They must bear blows, which Chambers
9 giddiness] guidings Sim: giddinge Wald
11 well,] well W
13 a strange] straying Sim
16 head] dead Sim
19 the A18, B, Cy, D, H49, N, S, S96, TC, W: that Chambers, A25, JC, L74, O'F
24 swaggering] swaying Chambers
25 consumptions,] consumptions W: line omitted, Wald
29 lye] spelt ly
W: and so 30 dy
33 gayne;] gayne W
37 There] These Sim
and, that, with, which] contracted throughout, W
Note[page 124]
Sapho to Philænis.
WHERE is that holy fire, which Verse is said
To have? is that inchanting force decai'd?
Verse that drawes Natures workes, from Natures law,
Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw.
5Have my teares quench'd my old Poetique fire;
Why quench'd they not as well, that of desire?
Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee,
But I, their maker, want their libertie.
Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit,
10But that is waxe, and fires environ it.
My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence;
And I am rob'd of Picture, Heart, and Sense.
Dwells with me still mine irksome Memory,
Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.
15That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire,
As, gods, when gods to thee I doe compare,
Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,
What things gods are, I say they'are like to thee.
For, if we justly call each silly man
20A litle world, What shall we call thee than?
Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,
As Down, as Stars, Cedars, and Lillies are,
[page 125]But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only
Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.
25Such was my Phao awhile, but shall be never,
As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.
Here lovers sweare in their Idolatrie,
That I am such; but Griefe discolors me.
And yet I grieve the lesse, least Griefe remove
30My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love.
Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet
A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.
His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse
Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse.
35Thy body is a naturall Paradise,
In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,
Nor needs perfection; why shouldst thou than
Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man?
Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,
40And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows.
But of our dallyance no more signes there are,
Then fishes leave in streames, or Birds in aire.
And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;
All, all that Nature yields, or Art can adde.
45My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two,
But so, as thine from one another doe;
And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,
Why should they not alike in all parts touch?
Hand to strange hand, lippe to lippe none denies;
50Why should they brest to brest, or thighs to thighs?
Likenesse begets such strange selfe flatterie,
That touching my selfe, all seemes done to thee.
My selfe I embrace, and mine owne hands I kisse,
And amorously thanke my selfe for this.
55Me, in my glasse, I call thee; But alas,
[page 126]When I would kisse, teares dimme mine eyes, and glasse.
O cure this loving madnesse, and restore
Me to mee; thee, my halfe, my all, my more.
So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye,
60And their white, whitenesse of the Galaxy,
So may thy mighty, amazing beauty move
Envy'in all women, and in all men, love,
And so be change, and sicknesse, farre from thee,
As thou by comming neere, keep'st them from me.
Heroicall Epistle.] In 1633 Sapho to Philaenis follows Basse's Epitaph upon Shakespeare, and precedes The Annuntiation and Passion. In 1635 it was placed with some other miscellaneous and dubious poems among the Letters to severall Personages, where it has appeared in all subsequent editions. I have transferred it to the neighbourhood of the Elegies and given it the title which seems to describe exactly the genre to which it belongs. In JC it is entitled Elegie 18th. The other MSS. are A18, A25, O'F, N, P, TCC, TCD. In A25, JC, and P, ll. 31-54 are omitted
2 have? 1650-69: have, 1633-39
3 workes, 1633-39: worke, 1650-69, O'F
8 maker, 1635-69: maker; 1633
17 thereby; And 1635-69: thereby. And 1633, some copies
22 As Down, 1633-69, A18, N, TC: As dowves P: As downs O'F. See note
Cedars,] as Cedars, A18, N, O'F, TC
26 maist be ever. 1633, A18, A25, N, TC: maist thou be ever. 1635-69, O'F: shalt be for ever. P: mayst thou be for ever. JC
33 thorny hairy 1633-69: thorney-hairy TCD: thorny, hairy modern edd.
40 are Ed: are, 1633-69
58 me to mee; thee, 1635-69, A18, A25, JC, N, P, TC (generally mee, in MSS.:) me to mee; shee, 1633: me to thee, thee Chambers
halfe,] harte A25, JC, P
59-60
So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dye
May blisse and thee be one eternallye P: om. JC
61 mighty, amazing Ed: mighty amazing 1633-69: almighty amazing P
Note[page 127]
OR
MARRIAGE SONGS.
An Epithalamion, Or mariage Song on the Lady Elizabeth,
and Count Palatine being married on St. Valentines day.
HAILE Bishop Valentine, whose day this is,
All the Aire is thy Diocis,
And all the chirping Choristers
And other birds are thy Parishioners,
5Thou marryest every yeare
The Lirique Larke, and the grave whispering Dove,
The Sparrow that neglects his life for love,
The household Bird, with the red stomacher,
Thou mak'st the black bird speed as soone,
10As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon;
The husband cocke lookes out, and straight is sped,
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.
This day more cheerfully then ever shine,
This day, which might enflame thy self, Old Valentine.
15Till now, Thou warmd'st with multiplying loves
Two larkes, two sparrowes, or two Doves,
All that is nothing unto this,
For thou this day couplest two Phœnixes;
Thou mak'st a Taper see
20What the sunne never saw, and what the Arke
[page 128](Which was of soules, and beasts, the cage, and park,)
Did not containe, one bed containes, through Thee,
Two Phœnixes, whose joyned breasts
Are unto one another mutuall nests,
25Where motion kindles such fires, as shall give
Yong Phœnixes, and yet the old shall live.
Whose love and courage never shall decline,
But make the whole year through, thy day, O Valentine.
Up then faire Phœnix Bride, frustrate the Sunne,
30Thy selfe from thine affection
Takest warmth enough, and from thine eye
All lesser birds will take their Jollitie.
Up, up, faire Bride, and call,
Thy starres, from out their severall boxes, take
35Thy Rubies, Pearles, and Diamonds forth, and make
Thy selfe a constellation, of them All,
And by their blazing, signifie,
That a Great Princess falls, but doth not die;
Bee thou a new starre, that to us portends
40Ends of much wonder; And be Thou those ends.
Since thou dost this day in new glory shine,
May all men date Records, from this thy Valentine.
Come forth, come forth, and as one glorious flame
Meeting Another, growes the same,
45So meet thy Fredericke, and so
To an unseparable union growe.
Since separation
[page 129]Falls not on such things as are infinite,
Nor things which are but one, can disunite,
50You'are twice inseparable, great, and one;
Goe then to where the Bishop staies,
To make you one, his way, which divers waies
Must be effected; and when all is past,
And that you'are one, by hearts and hands made fast,
55You two have one way left, your selves to'entwine,
Besides this Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.
But oh, what ailes the Sunne, that here he staies,
Longer to day, then other daies?
Staies he new light from these to get?
60And finding here such store, is loth to set?
And why doe you two walke,
So slowly pac'd in this procession?
Is all your care but to be look'd upon,
And be to others spectacle, and talke?
65The feast, with gluttonous delaies,
Is eaten, and too long their meat they praise,
The masquers come too late, and'I thinke, will stay,
Like Fairies, till the Cock crow them away.
Alas, did not Antiquity assigne
70A night, as well as day, to thee, O Valentine?
They did, and night is come; and yet wee see
Formalities retarding thee.
What meane these Ladies, which (as though
They were to take a clock in peeces,) goe
75So nicely about the Bride;
[page 130]A Bride, before a good night could be said,
Should vanish from her cloathes, into her bed,
As Soules from bodies steale, and are not spy'd.
But now she is laid; What though shee bee?
80Yet there are more delayes, For, where is he?
He comes, and passes through Spheare after Spheare,
First her sheetes, then her Armes, then any where.
Let not this day, then, but this night be thine,
Thy day was but the eve to this, O Valentine.
85Here lyes a shee Sunne, and a hee Moone here,
She gives the best light to his Spheare,
Or each is both, and all, and so
They unto one another nothing owe,
And yet they doe, but are
90So just and rich in that coyne which they pay,
That neither would, nor needs forbeare, nor stay;
Neither desires to be spar'd, nor to spare,
They quickly pay their debt, and then
Take no acquittances, but pay again;
95They pay, they give, they lend, and so let fall
No such occasion to be liberall.
More truth, more courage in these two do shine,
Then all thy turtles have, and sparrows, Valentine.
And by this act of these two Phenixes
100Nature againe restored is,
For since these two are two no more,
Ther's but one Phenix still, as was before.
Rest now at last, and wee
[page 131]As Satyres watch the Sunnes uprise, will stay
105Waiting, when your eyes opened, let out day,
Onely desir'd, because your face wee see;
Others neare you shall whispering speake,
And wagers lay, at which side day will breake,
And win by'observing, then, whose hand it is
110That opens first a curtaine, hers or his;
This will be tryed to morrow after nine,
Till which houre, wee thy day enlarge, O Valentine.
Epithalamions, &c. 1635-69: no general title, 1633. An Epithalamion, &c. 1633-69, A25, B, C, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD (most of the MSS. have the full title but with slight verbal variations)
13 shine, Ed: shine. 1633-69
14 enflame] enflãe 1633
18 Phœnixes; Ed: Phœnixes, 1633: Phœnixes. 1635-69
21 foules, 1633: fowle, 1635-69
22 Thee, 1633, 1650-69: Thee: 1635-39
37 their blazing 1633-69, D, Lec: this blazing A25, B, H49, JC, N, O'F (altered to their), P, TCD
40 ends. 1635-69: ends, 1633
42 this thy 1633-54, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: this day 1669, A25, JC, Chambers
46 growe. A25, B, D, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: goe, 1633-69, Lec
49 disunite, Grolier: disunite. 1633-69 and Chambers
56 Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine. A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P (our), S96, TC Bishops knot, O Bishop Valentine. 1633-54: Bishops knot of Bishop Valentine. 1669: Bishops knot, of Bishop Valentine. Chambers
60 store, 1633, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S96, TCD:
starres, 1635-69, O'F, Chambers
67 come too late, 1633: come late, 1635-69
70 O Valentine? 1633-54, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: old Valentine? 1669
81 passes 1633-39: passeth 1650-69
Spheare, Ed: Spheare. 1633: Spheare: 1635-69
82 where. 1650-69: where, 1633-39
85 here, 1633-39, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TCD:
there, 1650-69, O'F, P, S96
91 stay;] stay, 1633
92 spare, 1633-54: spare. 1669
94 acquittances, 1635-69: acquittance, 1633
96 such] om. 1669
104 As ... uprise,] brackets 1650-69
105 day,] day. 1633
1613. December 26.
Allophanes finding Idios in the country in Christmastime,
reprehends his absence from court, at the mariage
Of the Earle of Sommerset, Idios gives an account
of his purpose therein, and of his absence thence.
Allophanes.
VNSEASONABLE man, statue of ice,
What could to countries solitude entice
Thee, in this yeares cold and decrepit time?
Natures instinct drawes to the warmer clime
5Even small birds, who by that courage dare,
In numerous fleets, saile through their Sea, the aire.
What delicacie can in fields appeare,
Whil'st Flora'herselfe doth a freeze jerkin weare?
Whil'st windes do all the trees and hedges strip
10Of leafes, to furnish roddes enough to whip
[page 132]Thy madnesse from thee; and all springs by frost
Have taken cold, and their sweet murmure lost;
If thou thy faults or fortunes would'st lament
With just solemnity, do it in Lent;
15At Court the spring already advanced is,
The Sunne stayes longer up; and yet not his
The glory is, farre other, other fires.
First, zeale to Prince and State; then loves desires
Burne in one brest, and like heavens two great lights,
20The first doth governe dayes, the other nights.
And then that early light, which did appeare
Before the Sunne and Moone created were,
The Princes favour is defus'd o'r all,
From which all Fortunes, Names, and Natures fall;
25Then from those wombes of starres, the Brides bright eyes,
At every glance, a constellation flyes,
And sowes the Court with starres, and doth prevent
In light and power, the all-ey'd firmament;
First her eyes kindle other Ladies eyes,
30Then from their beames their jewels lusters rise,
And from their jewels torches do take fire,
And all is warmth, and light, and good desire;
Most other Courts, alas, are like to hell,
Where in darke plotts, fire without light doth dwell:
35Or but like Stoves, for lust and envy get
Continuall, but artificiall heat;
Here zeale and love growne one, all clouds disgest,
And make our Court an everlasting East.
And can'st thou be from thence?
Idios. No, I am there.
40As heaven, to men dispos'd, is every where,
[page 133]So are those Courts, whose Princes animate,
Not onely all their house, but all their State.
Let no man thinke, because he is full, he hath all,
Kings (as their patterne, God) are liberall
45Not onely in fulnesse, but capacitie,
Enlarging narrow men, to feele and see,
And comprehend the blessings they bestow.
So, reclus'd hermits often times do know
More of heavens glory, then a worldling can.
50As man is of the world, the heart of man,
Is an epitome of Gods great booke
Of creatures, and man need no farther looke;
So is the Country of Courts, where sweet peace doth,
As their one common soule, give life to both,
I am not then from Court.
Allophanes.
55Dreamer, thou art.
Think'st thou fantastique that thou hast a part
In the East-Indian fleet, because thou hast
A little spice, or Amber in thy taste?
Because thou art not frozen, art thou warme?
60Seest thou all good because thou seest no harme?
The earth doth in her inward bowels hold
Stuffe well dispos'd, and which would faine be gold,
But never shall, except it chance to lye,
So upward, that heaven gild it with his eye;
65As, for divine things, faith comes from above,
So, for best civill use, all tinctures move
From higher powers; From God religion springs,
Wisdome, and honour from the use of Kings.
Then unbeguile thy selfe, and know with mee,
70That Angels, though on earth employd they bee,
[page 134]Are still in heav'n, so is hee still at home
That doth, abroad, to honest actions come.
Chide thy selfe then, O foole, which yesterday
Might'st have read more then all thy books bewray;
75Hast thou a history, which doth present
A Court, where all affections do assent
Unto the Kings, and that, that Kings are just?
And where it is no levity to trust?
Where there is no ambition, but to'obey,
80Where men need whisper nothing, and yet may;
Where the Kings favours are so plac'd, that all
Finde that the King therein is liberall
To them, in him, because his favours bend
To vertue, to the which they all pretend?
85Thou hast no such; yet here was this, and more,
An earnest lover, wise then, and before.
Our little Cupid hath sued Livery,
And is no more in his minority,
Hee is admitted now into that brest
90Where the Kings Counsells and his secrets rest.
What hast thou lost, O ignorant man?
Idios.
I knew
All this, and onely therefore I withdrew.
To know and feele all this, and not to have
Words to expresse it, makes a man a grave
95Of his owne thoughts; I would not therefore stay
At a great feast, having no Grace to say.
And yet I scap'd not here; for being come
Full of the common joy, I utter'd some;
Reade then this nuptiall song, which was not made
100Either the Court or mens hearts to invade,
[page 135]But since I'am dead, and buried, I could frame
No Epitaph, which might advance my fame
So much as this poore song, which testifies
I did unto that day some sacrifice.
ECCLOGUE. &c. 1633-69: similarly, A18, A23, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TCC, TCD
his absence thence. 1633, Lec: his Actions there. 1635-69, A18, H49, N, O'F, TC: his absence then. D, S96
2 countries] country A18, N, TC
4 clime 1633-39: clime: 1650-69: clime. D
5 small 1633, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TC:
smaller 1635-69, Chambers
12 Have 1633: Having 1635-69
murmure A18, A23, B, D, H49, N, O'F, TC: murmures 1633-69
22 were, Ed: were; 1633-69
29 kindle] kindles 1633
34 plotts, 1635-69, A18, B, D, H49, N, O'F, S96, TC: places, 1633, 1669, Lec
37 disgest, 1633-39: digest, 1650-69
39 there. D: there 1633-69
40 where, 1633: where: 1635-69, owing to the dropping of stop in previous line
42 State.] State, 1633
54 one 1633, A18, D, H49, N, O'F, TC: own 1635-69, Lec
55 I am ... Court. 1633, A18, B, D, H49, N, S96, TC: And am I then from Court? 1635-69
art. 1650-69: art, 1633-39
57 East-Indian A18, A23, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC: Indian 1633-69
61 inward A18, A23, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC: inner 1633-69
75 present] represent A18, N, TC
78 trust? Ed: trust. 1633-39: trust, 1650-69
84 pretend? Ed: pretend. 1633-69
85 more, 1633: more. 1635-69
86 before. 1633-69: before, Chambers. See note
92 withdrew.] withdrew 1633
96 say. 1635-69: say, 1633
98 joy, ... some; Ed: joy; ... some, 1633: joy; ... some. 1635-69
The time of the Mariage.
105THOU art repriv'd old yeare, thou shalt not die,
Though thou upon thy death bed lye,
And should'st within five dayes expire,
Yet thou art rescu'd by a mightier fire,
Then thy old Soule, the Sunne,
110When he doth in his largest circle runne.
The passage of the West or East would thaw,
And open wide their easie liquid jawe
To all our ships, could a Promethean art
Either unto the Northerne Pole impart
115The fire of these inflaming eyes, or of this loving heart.
Equality of persons.
But undiscerning Muse, which heart, which eyes,
In this new couple, dost thou prize,
When his eye as inflaming is
As hers, and her heart loves as well as his?
120Be tryed by beauty, and than
The bridegroome is a maid, and not a man.
If by that manly courage they be tryed,
Which scornes unjust opinion; then the bride
[page 136]Becomes a man. Should chance or envies Art
125Divide these two, whom nature scarce did part?
Since both have both th'enflaming eyes, and both the loving heart.
Raysing of the Bridegroome.
Though it be some divorce to thinke of you
Singly, so much one are you two,
Yet let me here contemplate thee,
130First, cheerfull Bridegroome, and first let mee see,
How thou prevent'st the Sunne,
And his red foming horses dost outrunne,
How, having laid downe in thy Soveraignes brest
All businesses, from thence to reinvest
135Them, when these triumphs cease, thou forward art
To shew to her, who doth the like impart,
The fire of thy inflaming eyes, and of thy loving heart.
Raising of the Bride.
But now, to Thee, faire Bride, it is some wrong,
To thinke thou wert in Bed so long,
140Since Soone thou lyest downe first, tis fit
Thou in first rising should'st allow for it.
Pouder thy Radiant haire,
Which if without such ashes thou would'st weare,
[page 137]Thou, which to all which come to looke upon,
145Art meant for Phœbus, would'st be Phaëton.
For our ease, give thine eyes th'unusual part
Of joy, a Teare; so quencht, thou maist impart,
To us that come, thy inflaming eyes, to him, thy loving heart.
Her Apparrelling.
Thus thou descend'st to our infirmitie,
150Who can the Sun in water see.
Soe dost thou, when in silke and gold,
Thou cloudst thy selfe; since wee which doe behold,
Are dust, and wormes, 'tis just
Our objects be the fruits of wormes and dust;
155Let every Jewell be a glorious starre,
Yet starres are not so pure, as their spheares are.
And though thou stoope, to'appeare to us in part,
Still in that Picture thou intirely art,
Which thy inflaming eyes have made within his loving heart.
Going to the Chappell.
160Now from your Easts you issue forth, and wee,
As men which through a Cipres see
The rising sun, doe thinke it two,
Soe, as you goe to Church, doe thinke of you,
[page 138]But that vaile being gone,
165By the Church rites you are from thenceforth one.
The Church Triumphant made this match before,
And now the Militant doth strive no more;
Then, reverend Priest, who Gods Recorder art,
Doe, from his Dictates, to these two impart
170All blessings, which are seene, or thought, by Angels eye or heart.
The Benediction.
Blest payre of Swans, Oh may you interbring
Daily new joyes, and never sing,
Live, till all grounds of wishes faile,
Till honor, yea till wisedome grow so stale,
175That, new great heights to trie,
It must serve your ambition, to die;
Raise heires, and may here, to the worlds end, live
Heires from this King, to take thankes, you, to give,
Nature and grace doe all, and nothing Art.
180May never age, or error overthwart
With any West, these radiant eyes, with any North, this heart.
Feasts and Revells.
But you are over-blest. Plenty this day
Injures; it causeth time to stay;
The tables groane, as though this feast
185Would, as the flood, destroy all fowle and beast.
[page 139]And were the doctrine new
That the earth mov'd, this day would make it true;
For every part to dance and revell goes.
They tread the ayre, and fal not where they rose.
190Though six houres since, the Sunne to bed did part,
The masks and banquets will not yet impart
A sunset to these weary eyes, A Center to this heart.
The Brides going to bed.
What mean'st thou Bride, this companie to keep?
To sit up, till thou faine wouldst sleep?
195Thou maist not, when thou art laid, doe so.
Thy selfe must to him a new banquet grow,
And you must entertaine
And doe all this daies dances o'r againe.
Know that if Sun and Moone together doe
200Rise in one point, they doe not set so too;
Therefore thou maist, faire Bride, to bed depart,
Thou art not gone, being gone; where e'r thou art,
Thou leav'st in him thy watchfull eyes, in him thy loving heart.
The Bridegroomes comming.
As he that sees a starre fall, runs apace,
205And findes a gellie in the place,
So doth the Bridegroome hast as much,
Being told this starre is falne, and findes her such.
[page 140]And as friends may looke strange,
By a new fashion, or apparrells change,
210Their soules, though long acquainted they had beene,
These clothes, their bodies, never yet had seene;
Therefore at first shee modestly might start,
But must forthwith surrender every part,
As freely, as each to each before, gave either eye or heart.
The good-night.
215Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare,
Unchang'd for fifteene hundred yeare,
May these love-lamps we here enshrine,
In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine.
Fire ever doth aspire,
220And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire,
But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,
For none of these is fuell, but fire too.
This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong Arts
Make of so noble individuall parts
225One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts.
Idios.
As I have brought this song, that I may doe
A perfect sacrifice, I'll burne it too.
Allophanes.
No Sr. This paper I have justly got,
For, in burnt incense, the perfume is not
230His only that presents it, but of all;
What ever celebrates this Festivall
[page 141]Is common, since the joy thereof is so.
Nor may your selfe be Priest: But let me goe,
Backe to the Court, and I will lay'it upon
235Such Altars, as prize your devotion.
EPITHALAMION. D, H49, Lec, O'F, S96: om. 1633-69. See note
107 expire,] expire 1633-39
108 by 1633: from 1635-69
121 man. 1669, D: man, 1633-39: man; 1650-54
124 or] our 1669
126 both th'enflaming eyes, A18, B, D, H49, N, O'F, S96, TC: th'enflaming eye, 1633: the enflaming eye, 1635-69
128 Singly, A18, A23, B, D, H49, N, O'F, S96, TC: Single, 1633-69, Lec
129 Yet let A23, O'F: Let 1633-69
141 should'st] should 1669
it. 1635-69: it, 1633
144 Thou, which D: Thou, which, 1633: Thou which, 1635-69
145 Art A18, B, S96, TCC: Are 1633, D, H49, Lec, N, TCD: Wert 1635-69, O'F
for] for, 1633
Phaëton. 1635-69: Phaëton, 1633
146 ease, ... eyes 1635-69: ease, ... eyes, 1633
150 see. 1633-69: see; Grolier. But see note
157 stoope, ... us 1633-69: stoope, ... us, 1633
167 more; Ed: more, 1633: more. 1635-69
170 or thought] Or thought 1633
172 sing, 1633: sing: 1635-69
178 you, yours, A23, B, D, O'F, S96
give, 1633: give. 1635-69
179 Art. Ed: Art, 1633-69
194 wouldst] would 1669
200 too; Ed: too. 1635-69: to. 1633
202 being gone; Ed: being gone, 1633-39: being gone 1650-69
207 such. 1635-69: such, 1633
211 seene; Ed: seene. 1633-69
214 eye] hand 1650-69
215 burnt] burn 1669
218 divine. 1635-69: divine; 1633
230 all; 1635-69: all, 1633
THE Sun-beames in the East are spred,
Leave, leave, faire Bride, your solitary bed,
No more shall you returne to it alone,
It nourseth sadnesse, and your bodies print,
5Like to a grave, the yielding downe doth dint;
You and your other you meet there anon;
Put forth, put forth that warme balme-breathing thigh,
Which when next time you in these sheets wil smother,
There it must meet another,
10Which never was, but must be, oft, more nigh;
Come glad from thence, goe gladder then you came,
To day put on perfection, and a womans name.
Daughters of London, you which bee
Our Golden Mines, and furnish'd Treasurie,
15You which are Angels, yet still bring with you
Thousands of Angels on your mariage daies,
Help with your presence and devise to praise
These rites, which also unto you grow due;
Conceitedly dresse her, and be assign'd,
20By you, fit place for every flower and jewell,
Make her for love fit fewell
As gay as Flora, and as rich as Inde;
So may shee faire, rich, glad, and in nothing lame,
To day put on perfection, and a womans name.
25And you frolique Patricians,[page 142]
Sonns of these Senators wealths deep oceans,
Ye painted courtiers, barrels of others wits,
Yee country men, who but your beasts love none,
Yee of those fellowships whereof hee's one,
30Of study and play made strange Hermaphrodits,
Here shine; This Bridegroom to the Temple bring.
Loe, in yon path which store of straw'd flowers graceth,
The sober virgin paceth;
Except my sight faile, 'tis no other thing;
35Weep not nor blush, here is no griefe nor shame,
To day put on perfection, and a womans name.
Thy two-leav'd gates faire Temple unfold,
And these two in thy sacred bosome hold,
Till, mystically joyn'd, but one they bee;
40Then may thy leane and hunger-starved wombe
Long time expect their bodies and their tombe,
Long after their owne parents fatten thee.
All elder claimes, and all cold barrennesse,
All yeelding to new loves bee far for ever,
45Which might these two dissever,
All wayes all th'other may each one possesse;
For, the best Bride, best worthy of praise and fame,
To day puts on perfection, and a womans name.
Oh winter dayes bring much delight,
50Not for themselves, but for they soon bring night;
Other sweets wait thee then these diverse meats,
Other disports then dancing jollities,
Other love tricks then glancing with the eyes,
But that the Sun still in our halfe Spheare sweates;
[page 143]55Hee flies in winter, but he now stands still.
Yet shadowes turne; Noone point he hath attain'd,
His steeds nill bee restrain'd,
But gallop lively downe the Westerne hill;
Thou shalt, when he hath runne the worlds half frame,
60To night put on perfection, and a womans name.
The amorous evening starre is rose,
Why then should not our amorous starre inclose
Her selfe in her wish'd bed? Release your strings
Musicians, and dancers take some truce
65With these your pleasing labours, for great use
As much wearinesse as perfection brings;
You, and not only you, but all toyl'd beasts
Rest duly; at night all their toyles are dispensed;
But in their beds commenced
70Are other labours, and more dainty feasts;
She goes a maid, who, least she turne the same,
To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.
Thy virgins girdle now untie,
And in thy nuptiall bed (loves altar) lye
75A pleasing sacrifice; now dispossesse
Thee of these chaines and robes which were put on
T'adorne the day, not thee; for thou, alone,
Like vertue'and truth, art best in nakednesse;
This bed is onely to virginitie
80A grave, but, to a better state, a cradle;
Till now thou wast but able
To be what now thou art; then that by thee
No more be said, I may bee, but, I am,
To night put on perfection, and a womans name.
85Even like a faithfull man content,[page 144]
That this life for a better should be spent,
So, shee a mothers rich stile doth preferre,
And at the Bridegroomes wish'd approach doth lye,
Like an appointed lambe, when tenderly
90The priest comes on his knees t'embowell her;
Now sleep or watch with more joy; and O light
Of heaven, to morrow rise thou hot, and early;
This Sun will love so dearely
Her rest, that long, long we shall want her sight;
95Wonders are wrought, for shee which had no maime,
To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.
Epithalamion &c. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD Epithalamion on a Citizen. A34, B, O'F, S, S96: do. of the La: Eliz: P: Epithalamion. W
4 bodies 1635-69 and MSS.: body 1633
8 smother, 1650-69: smother 1633-39
17 presence Ed: presence, 1633-69. See note
22 faire, rich, glad, and in A18, N, TC, W: faire and rich, in 1633-69, B, O'F, P, S96
25 Patricians,] Patricians 1633
26 Sonns of ... deep oceans, Ed: Some of these Senators wealths deep oceans, 1633, A18, N, TC: Sonnes of these Senatours, wealths deep oceans W: Sonnes of those Senatours, wealths deepe oceans, 1635-69, B, O'F, S96 (but Senators O'F, S96). See note
29 those fellowships] that Fellowship S96
31 bring. W: bring 1633-39: bring, 1650-69
32 straw'd] strow'd 1669
42 thee. 1635-69: thee; 1633
46 All wayes W: Alwaies, 1633: Alwayes, 1635-69
49 Oh winter dayes A34, B, O'F, P, S96, W: Winter dayes 1633-69, A18, N, TC
53 eyes, 1635-69: eyes; 1633
55 still. W: still, 1633-69
57 nill W: will 1633-69 and rest of MSS.: B inserts not. See note
59 runne the worlds halfe frame, A34, B, S96, W: runne the Heavens halfe frame, 1635-69, O'F: come the worlds half frame, 1633, A18, N, TC
60 put] but 1633
72 puts] put 1669
73 Thy virgins girdle 1633-69, W: The Virgin Girdle B, O'F, S96: Thy Virgin girdle P
74 [loves alter] 1633-69
76 were] wee some copies of 1633, Grolier
78 art] are 1669
86 spent, Ed: spent; 1633: spent: 1635-69
95 maime, 1633, W: name, 1635-69, A18, A34, B, N, P, S96, TC
Note[page 145]
AWAY thou fondling motley humorist,
Leave mee, and in this standing woodden chest,
Consorted with these few bookes, let me lye
In prison, and here be coffin'd, when I dye;
5Here are Gods conduits, grave Divines; and here
Natures Secretary, the Philosopher;
And jolly Statesmen, which teach how to tie
The sinewes of a cities mistique bodie;
Here gathering Chroniclers, and by them stand
10Giddie fantastique Poëts of each land.
Shall I leave all this constant company,
And follow headlong, wild uncertaine thee?
First sweare by thy best love in earnest
(If thou which lov'st all, canst love any best)
15Thou wilt not leave mee in the middle street,
Though some more spruce companion thou dost meet,
Not though a Captaine do come in thy way
Bright parcell gilt, with forty dead mens pay,
Not though a briske perfum'd piert Courtier
20Deigne with a nod, thy courtesie to answer.
[page 146]Nor come a velvet Justice with a long
Great traine of blew coats, twelve, or fourteen strong,
Wilt thou grin or fawne on him, or prepare
A speech to Court his beautious sonne and heire!
25For better or worse take mee, or leave mee:
To take, and leave mee is adultery.
Oh monstrous, superstitious puritan,
Of refin'd manners, yet ceremoniall man,
That when thou meet'st one, with enquiring eyes
30Dost search, and like a needy broker prize
The silke, and gold he weares, and to that rate
So high or low, dost raise thy formall hat:
That wilt consort none, untill thou have knowne
What lands hee hath in hope, or of his owne,
35As though all thy companions should make thee
Jointures, and marry thy deare company.
Why should'st thou (that dost not onely approve,
But in ranke itchie lust, desire, and love
The nakednesse and barenesse to enjoy,
40Of thy plumpe muddy whore, or prostitute boy)
Hate vertue, though shee be naked, and bare?
At birth, and death, our bodies naked are;
And till our Soules be unapparrelled
Of bodies, they from blisse are banished.
45Mans first blest state was naked, when by sinne
Hee lost that, yet hee was cloath'd but in beasts skin,
[page 147]And in this course attire, which I now weare,
With God, and with the Muses I conferre.
But since thou like a contrite penitent,
50Charitably warn'd of thy sinnes, dost repent
These vanities, and giddinesses, loe
I shut my chamber doore, and come, lets goe.
But sooner may a cheape whore, who hath beene
Worne by as many severall men in sinne,
55As are black feathers, or musk-colour hose,
Name her childs right true father, 'mongst all those:
Sooner may one guesse, who shall beare away
The Infanta of London, Heire to an India;
And sooner may a gulling weather Spie
60By drawing forth heavens Scheme tell certainly
What fashioned hats, or ruffes, or suits next yeare
Our subtile-witted antique youths will weare;
Then thou, when thou depart'st from mee, canst show
Whither, why, when, or with whom thou wouldst go.
65But how shall I be pardon'd my offence
That thus have sinn'd against my conscience?
Now we are in the street; He first of all
Improvidently proud, creepes to the wall,
And so imprisoned, and hem'd in by mee
70Sells for a little state his libertie;
Yet though he cannot skip forth now to greet
[page 148]Every fine silken painted foole we meet,
He them to him with amorous smiles allures,
And grins, smacks, shrugs, and such an itch endures,
75As prentises, or schoole-boyes which doe know
Of some gay sport abroad, yet dare not goe.
And as fidlers stop lowest, at highest sound,
So to the most brave, stoops hee nigh'st the ground.
But to a grave man, he doth move no more
80Then the wise politique horse would heretofore,
Or thou O Elephant or Ape wilt doe,
When any names the King of Spaine to you.
Now leaps he upright, Joggs me, & cryes, Do you see
Yonder well favoured youth? Which? Oh, 'tis hee
85That dances so divinely; Oh, said I,
Stand still, must you dance here for company?
Hee droopt, wee went, till one (which did excell
Th'Indians, in drinking his Tobacco well)
Met us; they talk'd; I whispered, let'us goe,
90'T may be you smell him not, truely I doe;
He heares not mee, but, on the other side
A many-coloured Peacock having spide,
Leaves him and mee; I for my lost sheep stay;
He followes, overtakes, goes on the way,
95Saying, him whom I last left, all repute
For his device, in hansoming a sute,
To judge of lace, pinke, panes, print, cut, and plight,
Of all the Court, to have the best conceit;
Our dull Comedians want him, let him goe;
[page 149]100But Oh, God strengthen thee, why stoop'st thou so?
Why? he hath travayld; Long? No; but to me
(Which understand none,) he doth seeme to be
Perfect French, and Italian; I replyed,
So is the Poxe; He answered not, but spy'd
105More men of fort, of parts, and qualities;
At last his Love he in a windowe spies,
And like light dew exhal'd, he flings from mee
Violently ravish'd to his lechery.
Many were there, he could command no more;
110Hee quarrell'd fought, bled; and turn'd out of dore
Directly came to mee hanging the head,
And constantly a while must keepe his bed.
Satyre I. 1633-69, D, H49, JC, Lec, P, Q, S, W: Satyre the Second. or Satyre 2. A25, B, O'F: Satyre. or A Satyre of Mr. John Donnes. Cy, L74, S96: no title (but placed first), H51, N, TCD
1 fondling 1633, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD: changeling 1635-69, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, O'F, P, Q, S96, W
5 conduits, ... Divines; 1650-69, Q: conduits; ... Divines, 1633-39
6 Is Natures Secretary, 1669, S96
Philosopher; Ed: Philosopher. 1633-39: Philosopher: 1659-69
7 jolly 1633, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, N, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: wily 1635-69, O'F: with P
12 headlong, wild uncertaine thee? 1633: om. comma 1635-69 and Grolier
13 love in earnest 1633, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: love, here, in earnest 1635-69, O'F
16 dost. meet,] doe meet. H51, Q, W
19 Not 1633-69, A25, Lec, P, Q: Nor Cy, D, H49, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD, W
piert] neat Q
23 Wilt 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: Shalt A25, B, D, H49, H51, JC, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W
24 heire! Ed: heire? 1633-69
25 or worse 1633-69, Cy, D, L74, Lec, N, O'F, Q, TCD: and worse A25, B, H49, H51, S96, W: or for worse P: and for worse JC
27 Oh monstrous,] A (i.e. Ah) or O Monster, B, D, H49, H51, JC, W
29 eyes 1635-69: eyes; 1633
32 raise 1633-69, D, H49, H51, L74, Lec, N, TCD: vaile A25, B, Cy, JC, O'F, P, Q, S, W
hat:] hate: 1633
33 consort none,] consort with none, Cy, O'F, P, S, S96
untill] till 1669
37-40 brackets 1650-69, Q: that ... boy 1633: that ... boy; 1635-39
39 barenesse A25, B, D, H49, H51, JC, O'F, Q, W: barrennesse 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD
40 Of] of 1633: or 1633, 1669: om. 1635-54
41 bare? 1635-69: bare, 1633
45 first blest 1633-69, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: first best A25, B, H51, JC, O'F, P, Q, S
46 yet 1633, A25, B, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, Lec, N, Q, S, TCD: om. 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P
47 weare, 1650-69: weare 1633-39
50 warn'd] warm'd 1633
52 goe. 1635-69: goe, 1633
54 Worne by] Worne out by 1650-69
55 musk-colour 1633-35, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: musk-coloured 1639-69, A25, P, Q
58 The Infanta ... India; Ed: The Infanta ... India, A25, O'F, Q: The infant ... India, 1633-54 and MSS. generally: The Infantry of London, hence to India: 1669
60 Scheme 1635-69, A25, B, D, H49, H51, JC, Q: schemes L74, S: sceames N: Sceanes 1633, Cy, Lec, TCD: scene P
62 subtile-witted D, H49: subtile wittied 1633-54, L74, N, TCD: supple-witted A25, JC (altered to subtle), H51, O'F, P, Q, S, W: giddy-headed 1669
youths] youth 1669
63 depart'st from mee] depart'st from hence Cy, D, H49, H51, O'F, S, W: departest hence A25, Q, S96
canst JC, Q: can 1633-69 and many MSS.
66 conscience?] conscience. 1633
70 state] room H51
his 1635-69 and all MSS.: high 1633, Chambers
libertie;] libertie, 1633
73 them] then 1633
78 stoops 1635-69, A25, Cy, D, H49, H51, O'F, Q: stoopeth B, P: stoopt 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD
nigh'st the ground.] nighest ground. D, H49, P, Q, W
81-2 om. 1633
84 youth? 1635-69: youth; 1633
Oh,] Yea, A25, B, H51, JC, Q, W
86 here] so H51
89 us; Ed: us: 1635-69: us, 1633
whispered, let'us goe, Ed: whispered, let us goe, 1633-54: whisperd, let us goe, 1669: whispered (letts goe) Q. See note
90 'T may be] May be Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W
94 goes on the way,] goes, on the way D, H49, Q(in), W(in)
95 all repute 1635-69 and MSS. generally: s'all repute 1633, Lec
97 print, cut, and plight (pleite, 1635-39: pleit, 1650-69), 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: cut, print, or pleate (pleight &c.), A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, O'F, P, Q, S96, W
100 stoop'st 1633, 1669, A25, B, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, TCD: stop'st. 1635-54, O'F
101 Why? he hath travayld; Long? No; but to me S96: Why: he hath travayld. Long? No: but to mee W: Why, hee hath travayl'd. Long? no. But to mee H49: Why he hath travayld; Longe? Noe: but to mee JC: Why, he hath travailed (traveled 1635-39) long? no, but to me 1633-39: Why hath he travelled long? no, but to me 1650-54, P: Why. He hath travelled long; no, but to me 1669. See note
102 understand] understood 1669: brackets from Q. See note
105 and qualities;] of qualities; Lec, P, Q, S96
106 a] om. 1669
108 lechery. 1635-69 and MSS: liberty; 1633
109 were there, 1633-39: there were, 1650-69
SIR; though (I thanke God for it) I do hate
Perfectly all this towne, yet there's one state
In all ill things so excellently best,
That hate, toward them, breeds pitty towards the rest.
[page 150]5Though Poëtry indeed be such a sinne
As I thinke that brings dearths, and Spaniards in,
Though like the Pestilence and old fashion'd love,
Ridlingly it catch men; and doth remove
Never, till it be sterv'd out; yet their state
10Is poore, disarm'd, like Papists, not worth hate.
One, (like a wretch, which at Barre judg'd as dead,
Yet prompts him which stands next, and cannot reade,
And saves his life) gives ideot actors meanes
(Starving himselfe) to live by his labor'd sceanes;
15As in some Organ, Puppits dance above
And bellows pant below, which them do move.
One would move Love by rithmes; but witchcrafts charms
Bring not now their old feares, nor their old harmes:
Rammes, and slings now are seely battery,
20Pistolets are the best Artillerie.
And they who write to Lords, rewards to get,
Are they not like singers at doores for meat?
And they who write, because all write, have still
That excuse for writing, and for writing ill;
25But hee is worst, who (beggarly) doth chaw
Others wits fruits, and in his ravenous maw
Rankly digested, doth those things out-spue,
As his owne things; and they are his owne, 'tis true,
For if one eate my meate, though it be knowne
30The meate was mine, th'excrement is his owne:
[page 151]But these do mee no harme, nor they which use
To out-doe Dildoes, and out-usure Jewes;
To out-drinke the sea, to out-sweare the Letanie;
Who with sinnes all kindes as familiar bee
35As Confessors; and for whose sinfull sake,
Schoolemen new tenements in hell must make:
Whose strange sinnes, Canonists could hardly tell
In which Commandements large receit they dwell.
But these punish themselves; the insolence
40Of Coscus onely breeds my just offence,
Whom time (which rots all, and makes botches poxe,
And plodding on, must make a calfe an oxe)
Hath made a Lawyer, which was (alas) of late
But a scarce Poët; jollier of this state,
45Then are new benefic'd ministers, he throwes
Like nets, or lime-twigs, wheresoever he goes,
His title of Barrister, on every wench,
And wooes in language of the Pleas, and Bench:
A motion, Lady; Speake Coscus; I have beene
50In love, ever since tricesimo of the Queene,
Continuall claimes I have made, injunctions got
To stay my rivals suit, that hee should not
Proceed; spare mee; In Hillary terme I went,
You said, If I return'd next size in Lent,
[page 152]55I should be in remitter of your grace;
In th'interim my letters should take place
Of affidavits: words, words, which would teare
The tender labyrinth of a soft maids eare,
More, more, then ten Sclavonians scolding, more
60Then when winds in our ruin'd Abbeyes rore.
When sicke with Poëtrie, and possest with muse
Thou wast, and mad, I hop'd; but men which chuse
Law practise for meere gaine, bold soule, repute
Worse then imbrothel'd strumpets prostitute.
65Now like an owlelike watchman, hee must walke
His hand still at a bill, now he must talke
Idly, like prisoners, which whole months will sweare
That onely suretiship hath brought them there,
And to every suitor lye in every thing,
70Like a Kings favourite, yea like a King;
Like a wedge in a blocke, wring to the barre,
Bearing-like Asses; and more shamelesse farre
Then carted whores, lye, to the grave Judge; for
Bastardy abounds not in Kings titles, nor
75Symonie and Sodomy in Churchmens lives,
As these things do in him; by these he thrives.
Shortly (as the sea) hee will compasse all our land;
From Scots, to Wight; from Mount, to Dover strand.
And spying heires melting with luxurie,
80Satan will not joy at their sinnes, as hee.
[page 153]For as a thrifty wench scrapes kitching-stuffe,
And barrelling the droppings, and the snuffe,
Of wasting candles, which in thirty yeare
(Relique-like kept) perchance buyes wedding geare;
85Peecemeale he gets lands, and spends as much time
Wringing each Acre, as men pulling prime.
In parchments then, large as his fields, hee drawes
Assurances, bigge, as gloss'd civill lawes,
So huge, that men (in our times forwardnesse)
90Are Fathers of the Church for writing lesse.
These hee writes not; nor for these written payes,
Therefore spares no length; as in those first dayes
When Luther was profest, He did desire
Short Pater nosters, saying as a Fryer
95Each day his beads, but having left those lawes,
Addes to Christs prayer, the Power and glory clause.
But when he sells or changes land, he'impaires
His writings, and (unwatch'd) leaves out, ses heires,
As slily as any Commenter goes by
100Hard words, or sense; or in Divinity
As controverters, in vouch'd Texts, leave out
Shrewd words, which might against them cleare the doubt.
Where are those spred woods which cloth'd hertofore
Those bought lands? not built, nor burnt within dore.
105Where's th'old landlords troops, and almes? In great hals
Carthusian fasts, and fulsome Bachanalls
[page 154]Equally I hate; meanes blesse; in rich mens homes
I bid kill some beasts, but no Hecatombs,
None starve, none surfet so; But (Oh) we allow,
110Good workes as good, but out of fashion now,
Like old rich wardrops; but my words none drawes
Within the vast reach of th'huge statute lawes.
Satyre II.: 1633-69, D, H49, H51, HN (after C. B. copy in margin), JC, Lec, Q, S, W: Satyre 3rd. A25: Law Satyre. P: Satire. or no title, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, S96, TCD
2-3
there is one
All this towne perfectly yet in every state
In all ill things so excellently best
There are some found so villainously best, H51
All this towne perfectly yet everie state
Hath in't one found so villainously best S96
4 toward] towards 1669 and MSS.
them,] that A25
towards] toward 1653-54
rest.] rest; 1633
6 As I thinke that 1633: As I thinke That 1635-54: As, I think, that 1669: As I'ame afraid brings H51 dearths, A25, H51, HN, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: dearth, 1633-69, D, H49
7 and] or A25, D, H49, H51, O'F, P, S96, W
8 Ridlingly it 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD It riddlinglie rest of MSS.
10 hate. Ed: hate: 1633-69
12 cannot 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: could not rest of MSS.
14 sceanes; Ed: sceanes. 1633-69 and Chambers
15 Organ 1633-54, L74, Lec, N, TCD: Organs 1669 and rest of MSS.
16 move. 1633-69: move, Chambers. See note
17 rithmes; 1633-69, Lec, Q, TCD: rimes; A25, B, Cy (rime), D, H49, H51, HN, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, W
18 harmes: Ed: harmes. 1633-69
19 Rammes, and slings] Rimes and songs P
22 singers at doores 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: Boyes singing at dore (or dores) B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, JC, O'F (corrected from singers), P, Q (at a dore), S, W: singers at mens dores A25
24 excuse] scuse MSS.
32 To out-doe Dildoes, 1635-69, B, H51, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, TCD: To out-doe ——; 1633: To out-swive dildoes Cy, D, H49, HN, O'F, S, S96, W
33 Letanie; Ed: Letanie, 1669 and all MSS.: —— 1633: simply omit, 1635-39: gallant, he 1650-54. See note
34 sinnes all kindes 1635-69, A25, B, D, H49, H51, HN, JC, L74, N, O'F, Q, S, TCD, W: sinnes of all kindes 1633, Cy (kind), Lec, P
35-6 sake, Schoolemen 1669: sake Schoolemen, 1633-54
40 just 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: great A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W: harts JC
43 Lawyer, Ed: Lawyer; 1633-69
which was (alas) of late Ed: which was alas of late 1633: which, (alas) of late 1635-69
44 a scarce A25, H49, H51, HN, JC (altered in margin), L74, Q, S96, TCD, W: scarce a 1633-69, D, Lec, P
Poet; 1635-69: Poët, 1633
this 1633-69: that A25, Cy, H51, Q: his HN, JC, O'F, S
49 Lady; Ed: Lady, 1633: Lady. 1635-39: Lady: 1650-69
Coscus; 1633: Coscus. 1635-69
53 Proceed; 1669: Proceed, 1633-54
54 return'd] Returne 1633 next size 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, O'F, TCD: this size rest of MSS.
58 soft maids eare, Ed: soft maids eare. 1633-54 and MSS.: Maids soft ear 1669
59 scolding] scolding's 1669
60 rore.] rore; 1633
63 gaine, bold soule, repute Ed: gaine; bold soule repute 1633-69, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, L74, P, W: gayne (bold soule) repute: Q: gain, bold souls repute 1719 and Chambers: gayne, hold soule repute A25, N, S, TCD, and Lowell's conjecture in Grolier. See note
68 That] The Chambers
69-70 These lines represented by dashes, 1633
70 yea A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: or 1635-69
72 Bearing-like Asses; Ed: Bearing like Asses, 1633-69 and MSS.
73 whores, 1633-69: whores; Chambers and Grolier. See note
74-5 These lines represented by dashes, 1633
77 our land;] our land, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCD, W: the land; 1633-69, Q
79 luxurie, 1633-69, A25, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F (corr. fr. Gluttony), P, Q, TCD: Gluttony B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, S, S96, W
80 will] would A25, Q
84 Relique-like A25, B, D, H49, H51, L74, N, O'F, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: Reliquely 1633-69, Cy, JC, Lec, P
geare;] chear; 1669 (which brackets from 81 as to end of 84), Cy
86 men] Maids 1669
87 parchments A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, Q, W: parchment 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCD
his] the 1669
98 ses 1633-69, B, L74, Lec, Q, and other MSS.: his Cy, D, H49, H51, P
heires,] heires 1633
99 As] And 1669
by] by, 1633
102 doubt.] doubt: 1633
105 Where's &c. Ed: Where's th'old landlords troops, and almes, great hals? 1633, Lec, N, TCD (but hals MSS.): Where the old landlords troops, and almes? In hals 1635-69, L74, O'F: Where the old landlords troopes and almes? In great halls A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, HN, P, Q, S, W (but the punctuation is very irregular, and some have 's after Where). See note
107 Equally I hate;] Equallie hate, Q
hate; Ed: hate, 1633: hate. 1635-69
meanes bless; 1633, A25, B, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, TCD, W: Meane's blest. 1635-69, Cy, S, S96 (altered to is blest). See note
111 in wardrops; 1633: wardrobes. 1635-69
112 statute lawes. 1633-54 and all MSS.: statutes jawes. 1669, Chambers
K inde pitty chokes my spleene; brave scorn forbids
Those teares to issue which swell my eye-lids;
I must not laugh, nor weepe sinnes, and be wise,
Can railing then cure these worne maladies?
5Is not our Mistresse faire Religion,
As worthy of all our Soules devotion,
As vertue was to the first blinded age?
Are not heavens joyes as valiant to asswage
Lusts, as earths honour was to them? Alas,
10As wee do them in meanes, shall they surpasse
Us in the end, and shall thy fathers spirit
Meete blinde Philosophers in heaven, whose merit
Of strict life may be imputed faith, and heare
Thee, whom hee taught so easie wayes and neare
[page 155]15To follow, damn'd? O if thou dar'st, feare this;
This feare great courage, and high valour is.
Dar'st thou ayd mutinous Dutch, and dar'st thou lay
Thee in ships woodden Sepulchers, a prey
To leaders rage, to stormes, to shot, to dearth?
20Dar'st thou dive seas, and dungeons of the earth?
Hast thou couragious fire to thaw the ice
Of frozen North discoueries? and thrise
Colder then Salamanders, like divine
Children in th'oven, fires of Spaine, and the line,
25Whose countries limbecks to our bodies bee,
Canst thou for gaine beare? and must every hee
Which cryes not, Goddesse, to thy Mistresse, draw,
Or eate thy poysonous words? courage of straw!
O desperate coward, wilt thou seeme bold, and
30To thy foes and his (who made thee to stand
Sentinell in his worlds garrison) thus yeeld,
And for forbidden warres, leave th'appointed field?
Know thy foes: The foule Devill (whom thou
Strivest to please,) for hate, not love, would allow
35Thee faine, his whole Realme to be quit; and as
The worlds all parts wither away and passe,
[page 156]So the worlds selfe, thy other lov'd foe, is
In her decrepit wayne, and thou loving this,
Dost love a withered and worne strumpet; last,
40Flesh (it selfes death) and joyes which flesh can taste,
Thou loveft; and thy faire goodly soule, which doth
Give this flesh power to taste joy, thou dost loath.
Seeke true religion. O where? Mirreus
Thinking her unhous'd here, and fled from us,
45Seekes her at Rome; there, because hee doth know
That shee was there a thousand yeares agoe,
He loves her ragges so, as wee here obey
The statecloth where the Prince sate yesterday.
Crantz to such brave Loves will not be inthrall'd,
50But loves her onely, who at Geneva is call'd
Religion, plaine, simple, sullen, yong,
Contemptuous, yet unhansome; As among
Lecherous humors, there is one that judges
No wenches wholsome, but course country drudges.
55Graius stayes still at home here, and because
Some Preachers, vile ambitious bauds, and lawes
Still new like fashions, bid him thinke that shee
Which dwels with us, is onely perfect, hee
Imbraceth her, whom his Godfathers will
60Tender to him, being tender, as Wards still
Take such wives as their Guardians offer, or
Pay valewes. Carelesse Phrygius doth abhorre
All, because all cannot be good, as one
Knowing some women whores, dares marry none.
65Graccus loves all as one, and thinkes that so
As women do in divers countries goe
[page 157]In divers habits, yet are still one kinde,
So doth, so is Religion; and this blind-
nesse too much light breeds; but unmoved thou
70Of force must one, and forc'd but one allow;
And the right; aske thy father which is shee,
Let him aske his; though truth and falshood bee
Neare twins, yet truth a little elder is;
Be busie to seeke her, beleeve mee this,
75Hee's not of none, nor worst, that seekes the best.
To adore, or scorne an image, or protest,
May all be bad; doubt wisely; in strange way
To stand inquiring right, is not to stray;
To sleepe, or runne wrong, is. On a huge hill,
80Cragged, and steep, Truth stands, and hee that will
Reach her, about must, and about must goe;
And what the hills suddennes resists, winne so;
Yet strive so, that before age, deaths twilight,
Thy Soule rest, for none can worke in that night.
85To will, implyes delay, therefore now doe:
Hard deeds, the bodies paines; hard knowledge too
The mindes indeavours reach, and mysteries
Are like the Sunne, dazling, yet plaine to all eyes.
Keepe the truth which thou hast found; men do not stand
90In so ill case here, that God hath with his hand
Sign'd Kings blanck-charters to kill whom they hate,
Nor are they Vicars, but hangmen to Fate.
[page 158]Foole and wretch, wilt thou let thy Soule be tyed
To mans lawes, by which she shall not be tryed
95At the last day? Oh, will it then boot thee
To say a Philip, or a Gregory,
A Harry, or a Martin taught thee this?
Is not this excuse for mere contraries,
Equally strong? cannot both sides say so?
100That thou mayest rightly obey power, her bounds know;
Those past, her nature, and name is chang'd; to be
Then humble to her is idolatrie.
As streames are, Power is; those blest flowers that dwell
At the rough streames calme head, thrive and do well,
105But having left their roots, and themselves given
To the streames tyrannous rage, alas, are driven
Through mills, and rockes, and woods, and at last, almost
Consum'd in going, in the sea are lost:
So perish Soules, which more chuse mens unjust
110Power from God claym'd, then God himselfe to trust.
Satyre III. 1633-69, B, D, H49, H51 (with title Of Religion.), JC, Lec, O'F, Q, S, W: Satire the 4th. A25, Cy: Satyre the Second. P: A Satire. L74: no title, N, TCD
1 chokes] checks 1635-54: cheeks 1669
eye-lids; Ed: eye-lids, 1633-39: eyelids. 1650-69
3 and] but 1669
7 to 1635-69, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, S, W: in 1633, Lec, N, TCD
9 honour was] honours were Cy, D, H49, S
14 so easie wayes and neare 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: wayes easie and neere A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, Q, S, W: wayes so easy and neere O'F
15 this;] this. 1633
16 is.] is; 1633
17 Dutch, and dar'st 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: Dutch? dar'st A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, O'F, Q, S, W
22-3 discoueries? ... Salamanders, Ed: discoueries, ... Salamanders? 1633-69
28 words?] words, 1633
31 Sentinell 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: Souldier A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, Q, S, W
his 1633-54: this 1669, A25, H51, P, Q
32 forbidden 1633 and most MSS. forbid 1635-69, H51
33-4
Know thy foes; the foule Devell whom thou
Strivest to please &c.
H51, Q and generally (but with varying punctuation and sometimes foe), A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, O'F, P, W:
Know thy foe, the soule devill h'is, whom thou
Strivest to please: for hate, not love, would allow
1633, L74 (is), Lec, N (his), S (is), TCD (his):
Know thy foes: The foule devill, he, whom thou
Striv'st to please, for hate, not love, would allow
1635-69 (he, ... please, bracketed, 1669)
35 quit 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: ridd A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, O'F, Q, W
40 (it selfes death) 1635-69, A25, B, H51, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, TCD, W: (it selfe death) 1633, Cy, D, S
42 loath.] loath; 1633
44 here,] her, 1633
45 Rome; Ed: Rome, 1633-69
47 He 1633, 1669: And 1635-54
her D, H49, H51, Lec, O'F, P, S, W: the 1633-69, L74, N, P, TCD
49 Crantz W: Crants 1633-54, A25, H51, JC, Lec, N, TCD: Grants or Grauntes 1669, L74, O'F, P: Grant Cy, D, H49: Crates Q
52 unhansome; Ed: unhansome. 1633-69
54 drudges.] drudges: 1633
57 bid or bidd MSS.: bids 1633-69
62 Prigas H51: Phrygas W: Phrigias A25
67 kinde, Ed: kinde; 1633-69
70 must ... but in reverse order Q
73 is; 1633: is. 1635-69
74 her, 1633: her; 1635-69
77 wisely; Ed: wisely, 1633-69
78 stray; 1633-69, Cy, D, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, TCD, W: staye; A25, B, H49, H51, JC, P, Q
79 is. On] is: on 1633
huge] high B, Cy, D, H51, O'F, Q, W
80 Cragged, 1669, L74, N, P, TCD: Cragg'd, 1633-54, Lec: Ragged A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, O'F, S, W: Ruggued H51, Q
81 about must goe; 1633-54, O'F: about it goe; 1669: about goe, A25, Cy, D, H49, H51, L74, N, P, Q, W
84 Soule 1633-69, L74, N, P, TCD: minde rest of MSS.
that night. Ed: that night, 1633, 1669: the night. 1635-54
85 doe: Ed: doe 1633, Chambers and Grolier: doe. 1635-69, D, W. See note
86 too H51, S, W: spelt to 1633-69, many MSS.: to (prep.) Chambers
88 eyes.] eyes; 1633
90 In so ill (evil H51) case here, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, S, W: here om. 1633-69, N, TCD
94 mans 1633-69, A25, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, TCD: mens B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, S, W
not om. 1635-54
95 Oh, will it then boot thee Ed: Will ... boot thee 1633, L74, N, P, TCD: Or ... boot thee 1635-69: Oh will it then serve thee A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, O'F (Or), Q, S, W
97 thee] me 1669
99 strong? Ed: strong 1633: strong; 1635-69
101 is] are 1669
chang'd;] chang'd 1633
to be Ed: to be, 1633-69
102 idolatrie.] idolatrie; 1633
103 is;] is, 1633
104 do well 1633-69, Lec, N, P, TCD: prove well A25, B, Cy, D, H49, H51, JC, L74, O'F, Q, S, W
106 alas,] alas 1633
107 mills, and rockes, 1633, L74, N, P, TCD: Mils, rocks, 1635-69, and rest of MSS.
WELL; I may now receive, and die; My sinne
Indeed is great, but I have beene in
A Purgatorie, such as fear'd hell is
A recreation to, and scarse map of this.
[page 159]5My minde, neither with prides itch, nor yet hath been
Poyson'd with love to see, or to bee seene,
I had no suit there, nor new suite to shew,
Yet went to Court; But as Glaze which did goe
To'a Masse in jest, catch'd, was faine to disburse
10The hundred markes, which is the Statutes curse;
Before he scapt, So'it pleas'd my destinie
(Guilty of my sin of going,) to thinke me
As prone to all ill, and of good as forget-
full, as proud, as lustfull, and as much in debt,
15As vaine, as witlesse, and as false as they
Which dwell at Court, for once going that way.
Therefore I suffered this; Towards me did runne
A thing more strange, then on Niles slime, the Sunne
E'r bred; or all which into Noahs Arke came;
20A thing, which would have pos'd Adam to name;
Stranger then seaven Antiquaries studies,
Then Africks Monsters, Guianaes rarities.
Stranger then strangers; One, who for a Dane,
In the Danes Massacre had sure beene slaine,
25If he had liv'd then; And without helpe dies,
When next the Prentises'gainst Strangers rise.
One, whom the watch at noone lets scarce goe by,
One, to whom, the examining Justice sure would cry,
Sir, by your priesthood tell me what you are.
30His cloths were strange, though coarse; and black, though bare;
[page 160]Sleevelesse his jerkin was, and it had beene
Velvet, but'twas now (so much ground was seene)
Become Tufftaffatie; and our children shall
See it plaine Rashe awhile, then nought at all.
35This thing hath travail'd, and saith, speakes all tongues
And only knoweth what to all States belongs.
Made of th'Accents, and best phrase of all these,
He speakes no language; If strange meats displease,
Art can deceive, or hunger force my tast,
40But Pedants motley tongue, souldiers bumbast,
Mountebankes drugtongue, nor the termes of law
Are strong enough preparatives, to draw
Me to beare this: yet I must be content
With his tongue, in his tongue, call'd complement:
45In which he can win widdowes, and pay scores,
Make men speake treason, cosen subtlest whores,
Out-flatter favorites, or outlie either
Jovius, or Surius, or both together.
He names mee, and comes to mee; I whisper, God!
50How have I sinn'd, that thy wraths furious rod,
This fellow chuseth me? He saith, Sir,
I love your judgement; Whom doe you prefer,
For the best linguist? And I seelily
Said, that I thought Calepines Dictionarie;
55Nay, but of men, most sweet Sir; Beza then,
Some other Jesuites, and two reverend men
Of our two Academies, I named; There
He stopt mee, and said; Nay, your Apostles were
[page 161]Good pretty linguists, and so Panurge was;
60Yet a poore gentleman, all these may passe
By travaile. Then, as if he would have sold
His tongue, he prais'd it, and such wonders told
That I was faine to say, If you'had liv'd, Sir,
Time enough to have beene Interpreter
65To Babells bricklayers, sure the Tower had stood.
He adds, If of court life you knew the good,
You would leave lonenesse. I said, not alone
My lonenesse is, but Spartanes fashion,
To teach by painting drunkards, doth not last
70Now; Aretines pictures have made few chast;
No more can Princes courts, though there be few
Better pictures of vice, teach me vertue;
He, like to a high stretcht lute string squeakt, O Sir,
'Tis sweet to talke of Kings. At Westminster,
75Said I, The man that keepes the Abbey tombes,
And for his price doth with who ever comes,
Of all our Harries, and our Edwards talke,
From King to King and all their kin can walke:
Your eares shall heare nought, but Kings; your eyes meet
80Kings only; The way to it, is Kingstreet.
He smack'd, and cry'd, He's base, Mechanique, coarse,
So are all your Englishmen in their discourse.
Are not your Frenchmen neate? Mine? as you see,
I have but one Frenchman, looke, hee followes mee.
[page 162]85Certes they are neatly cloth'd; I, of this minde am,
Your only wearing is your Grogaram.
Not so Sir, I have more. Under this pitch
He would not flie; I chaff'd him; But as Itch
Scratch'd into smart, and as blunt iron ground
90Into an edge, hurts worse: So, I (foole) found,
Crossing hurt mee; To fit my sullennesse,
He to another key, his stile doth addresse,
And askes, what newes? I tell him of new playes.
He takes my hand, and as a Still, which staies
95A Sembriefe, 'twixt each drop, he nigardly,
As loth to enrich mee, so tells many a lye.
More then ten Hollensheads, or Halls, or Stowes,
Of triviall houshold trash he knowes; He knowes
When the Queene frown'd, or smil'd, and he knowes what
100A subtle States-man may gather of that;
He knowes who loves; whom; and who by poyson
Hasts to an Offices reversion;
He knowes who'hath sold his land, and now doth beg
A licence, old iron, bootes, shooes, and egge-
105shels to transport; Shortly boyes shall not play
At span-counter, or blow-point, but they pay
Toll to some Courtier; And wiser then all us,
He knowes what Ladie is not painted; Thus
[page 163]He with home-meats tries me; I belch, spue, spit,
110Looke pale, and sickly, like a Patient; Yet
He thrusts on more; And as if he'd undertooke
To say Gallo-Belgicus without booke
Speakes of all States, and deeds, that have been since
The Spaniards came, to the losse of Amyens.
115Like a bigge wife, at sight of loathed meat,
Readie to travaile: So I sigh, and sweat
To heare this Makeron talke: In vaine; for yet,
Either my humour, or his owne to fit,
He like a priviledg'd spie, whom nothing can
120Discredit, Libells now'gainst each great man.
He names a price for every office paid;
He saith, our warres thrive ill, because delai'd;
That offices are entail'd, and that there are
Perpetuities of them, lasting as farre
125As the last day; And that great officers,
Doe with the Pirates share, and Dunkirkers.
Who wasts in meat, in clothes, in horse, he notes;
Who loves whores, who boyes, and who goats.
I more amas'd then Circes prisoners, when
130They felt themselves turne beasts, felt my selfe then
Becomming Traytor, and mee thought I saw
One of our Giant Statutes ope his jaw
To sucke me in; for hearing him, I found
That as burnt venome Leachers do grow sound
135By giving others their soares, I might growe
Guilty, and he free: Therefore I did shew
[page 164]All signes of loathing; But since I am in,
I must pay mine, and my forefathers sinne
To the last farthing; Therefore to my power
140Toughly and stubbornly I beare this crosse; But the'houre
Of mercy now was come; He tries to bring
Me to pay a fine to scape his torturing,
And saies, Sir, can you spare me; I said, willingly;
Nay, Sir, can you spare me a crowne? Thankfully I
145Gave it, as Ransome; But as fidlers, still,
Though they be paid to be gone, yet needs will
Thrust one more jigge upon you: so did hee
With his long complementall thankes vexe me.
But he is gone, thankes to his needy want,
150And the prerogative of my Crowne: Scant
His thankes were ended, when I, (which did see
All the court fill'd with more strange things then hee)
Ran from thence with such or more hast, then one
Who feares more actions, doth make from prison.
155At home in wholesome solitarinesse
My precious soule began, the wretchednesse
Of suiters at court to mourne, and a trance
Like his, who dreamt he saw hell, did advance
It selfe on mee, Such men as he saw there,
160I saw at court, and worse, and more; Low feare
Becomes the guiltie, not the accuser; Then,
Shall I, nones slave, of high borne, or rais'd men
Feare frownes? And, my Mistresse Truth, betray thee
To th'huffing braggart, puft Nobility?
165No, no, Thou which since yesterday hast beene
Almost about the whole world, hast thou seene,
[page 165]O Sunne, in all thy journey, Vanitie,
Such as swells the bladder of our court? I
Thinke he which made your waxen garden, and
170Transported it from Italy to stand
With us, at London, flouts our Presence, for
Just such gay painted things, which no sappe, nor
Tast have in them, ours are; And naturall
Some of the stocks are, their fruits, bastard all.
175'Tis ten a clock and past; All whom the Mues,
Baloune, Tennis, Dyet, or the stewes,
Had all the morning held, now the second
Time made ready, that day, in flocks, are found
In the Presence, and I, (God pardon mee.)
180As fresh, and sweet their Apparrells be, as bee
The fields they sold to buy them; For a King
Those hose are, cry the flatterers; And bring
Them next weeke to the Theatre to sell;
Wants reach all states; Me seemes they doe as well
185At stage, as court; All are players; who e'r lookes
(For themselves dare not goe) o'r Cheapside books,
Shall finde their wardrops Inventory. Now,
The Ladies come; As Pirats, which doe know
That there came weak ships fraught with Cutchannel,
190The men board them; and praise, as they thinke, well,
[page 166]Their beauties; they the mens wits; Both are bought.
Why good wits ne'r weare scarlet gownes, I thought
This cause, These men, mens wits for speeches buy,
And women buy all reds which scarlets die.
195He call'd her beauty limetwigs, her haire net;
She feares her drugs ill laid, her haire loose set.
Would not Heraclitus laugh to see Macrine,
From hat to shooe, himselfe at doore refine,
As if the Presence were a Moschite, and lift
200His skirts and hose, and call his clothes to shrift,
Making them confesse not only mortall
Great staines and holes in them; but veniall
Feathers and dust, wherewith they fornicate:
And then by Durers rules survay the state
205Of his each limbe, and with strings the odds trye
Of his neck to his legge, and wast to thighe.
So in immaculate clothes, and Symetrie
Perfect as circles, with such nicetie
As a young Preacher at his first time goes
210To preach, he enters, and a Lady which owes
Him not so much as good will, he arrests,
And unto her protests protests protests,
So much as at Rome would serve to have throwne
Ten Cardinalls into the Inquisition;
215And whisperd by Jesu, so often, that A
Pursevant would have ravish'd him away
[page 167]For saying of our Ladies psalter; But'tis fit
That they each other plague, they merit it.
But here comes Glorius that will plague them both,
220Who, in the other extreme, only doth
Call a rough carelessenesse, good fashion;
Whose cloak his spurres teare; whom he spits on
He cares not, His ill words doe no harme
To him; he rusheth in, as if arme, arme,
225He meant to crie; And though his face be as ill
As theirs which in old hangings whip Christ, still
He strives to looke worse, he keepes all in awe;
Jeasts like a licenc'd foole, commands like law.
Tyr'd, now I leave this place, and but pleas'd so
230As men which from gaoles to execution goe,
Goe through the great chamber (why is it hung
With the seaven deadly sinnes?). Being among
Those Askaparts, men big enough to throw
Charing Crosse for a barre, men that doe know
235No token of worth, but Queenes man, and fine
Living, barrells of beefe, flaggons of wine;
I shooke like a spyed Spie. Preachers which are
Seas of Wit and Arts, you can, then dare,
Drowne the sinnes of this place, for, for mee
240Which am but a scarce brooke, it enough shall bee
[page 168]To wash the staines away; Although I yet
With Macchabees modestie, the knowne merit
Of my worke lessen: yet some wise man shall,
I hope, esteeme my writs Canonicall.
Satyre IIII. 1633-69, B, D, H49, HN (anno 1594 in margin), JC, Lec, O'F, P, Q, S, W: Mr. Dunns first Satire. A25: Another Satire by the same. J: D: Cy (where it is the third): Satyre. S96: no title, L74, N, TCD (in L74 it is second, in N, TCD third in order)
2 but I 1633, A25, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, S, W: but yet I 1635-69, Cy, O'F, S96
4 A recreacion to, and scarse Q: A recreation, and scant 1633-69, and other MSS.
5 neither 1633-69: nor some MSS. and Chambers, who wrongly attributes to 1635-39
8 Glaze 1633, D, H49, HN, Lec: Glare 1635-69, and rest of MSS.
9 To'a mass A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, N, S, S96, TCD, W: To Masse 1633-69, Cy, Q, Lec
10-11 curse; ... scapt, 1633-39: curse, ... scapt, 1650-69
12 of going, 1633, 1669, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD, W: in going, 1635-54, A25, O'F
14 as lustfull,] as om. 1635-69 and many MSS.
16 at Court, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: in Court, 1633-69, Lec
18 Niles] Nilus D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TCD
19 bred; W: bred, 1633-69
came; W: came: 1633-69
20 name; W: name, 1633: name: 1635-69
22 rarities. W: rarities, 1633-69
23 then strangers; 1633-69, A25, B, Cy, HN, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, TCD, W: then strangest. D, H49, JC (corr. from strangers), S
32 ground] the ground HN
35 This 1633: The 1635-69 saith, 1633-54, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN (sayeth), JC, L74, Lec, O'F, P, Q, S (saith he), TCD, W: faith, 1669, Chambers and Grolier, without note
36 belongs.] belongs, 1633
37 th'Accents,] the antient, HN: the ancients, (prob. for ancientest, but corrected to accents,) L74
38 no language; A25, Q: one language; 1633-69, and MSS. generally
43 beare] hear 1669
this: Q: this, 1633-69
44 With his tongue, 1669, Q: With his tongue: 1633-54
47 or] and Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, W
48 Surius,] Sleydon O'F (corrected to Surius), Q: Snodons, A25. See note
51 chuseth] chaseth P, Q
55 Sir; Ed: Sir. 1633-69
56 Some other HN: Some 1633-69 and most MSS.: two other S
57 There 1633 (T faintly printed): here 1635-69
59 Good pretty 1633-69: Pretty good Cy, O'F, Q, S, S96
Panurge 1635-54: Panirge 1633: Panurgus 1669 (omitting and), JC, O'F, Q
60 gentleman, all Ed: gentleman; All 1633-69
60-1 passe By travaile. 1633-54: pass. But travaile 1669
62 prais'd Ed: praised 1633-69
wonders 1635-69 and most MSS.: words 1633, Lec, N, TCD
67 lonenesse. 1635-69, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, P, Q, W: lonelinesse; 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD
68 lonenesse 1635-69, A25, &c.: lonelinesse 1633, L74, &c.
fashion, 1633: fashion. 1635-69
69 last 1633, 1669, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD, W: taste 1635-54, O'F, Q (tast), S, S96
80 Kingstreet. 1633: Kingsstreet. 1635-39: Kings street. 1650-69
83 Mine? 1635-54 and MSS.: Fine, 1633: Mine, 1669
84 Frenchman, Ed: frenchman, 1633 and most MSS.: Sir, 1635-69, Q: here, Cy
85-6 cloth'd; I, ... Grogaram. Ed: cloth'd. I, ... Grogaram; 1633: cloth'd. I, ... Grogaram. 1635-69
86 your Grogaram 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: this Grogaram A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, S, W: the Grogaram P
89 ground Ed: grown'd 1633: grownd 1635-69
90 (foole)] no bracket 1633
92 addresse, N, TCD: addresse. 1633: dresse. 1635-39, D, W: dresse; 1650-69
96 lye. D, H49, W: lie, 1633-69
98 trash he knowes; He knowes D, H49, W: trash; He knowes; He knowes 1633: trash. He knowes; He knowes 1635-39: trash, He knowes; He knowes 1650-69
101 loves; whom; 1633: loves; whom, 1635-54: loves, whom; 1669: loves whom; Chambers and Grolier
104 and 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, S96, TCD: or A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, W
106 At blow-point or span-counter A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, Q, S, S96, W they pay Cy, D, H49, HN, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: shall pay 1633-69, JC
108 what 1633-69, Cy, L74, Lec, N, TCD: which A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, O'F, P, Q, S, W
109 tries 1633, A25, D, H49, HN, L74, N, Q, TCD, W: cloyes 1635-69, O'F, S: tyres Cy, JC, P
111 thrusts on more; 1633-69, O'F: thrusts more; A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, P, Q, W: thrusts me more; L74, Lec, N, S, TCD: thrusts me P
as if he'd undertooke most MSS.: as if he'undertooke 1633, N, TCD: as he'had undertooke 1635-69
113 have] hath 1633, Lec
117 this] his B, L74, O'F, TCD, W
talke: In vaine; for D, W, and other MSS.: talke in vaine: For 1633, Q: talke, in vaine: For 1635-69
123 entail'd, and that there 1633: entailed, and there 1635-54: intailed and that there 1669
128 whores, Ed: Whores, 1633-69
132 Statutes] Statues 1639
133 in; for hearing him, 1669, N, P, TCD: in, for hearing him, 1650-54: in, for hearing him. 1633-39, A25, D, H49, L74, O'F, S, W
134-6 (That ... free:) represented by dashes in 1633
134 venome 1635-54: venomous 1669: venomd many MSS.
141 mercy now 1633-69: my redemption Cy, P: redemption now Q, S
145 Gave] Give Cy, D, H49
146 Though] Thou 1635
152 more ... then] such ... as 1669
154 make B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, S96, W: haste 1633-69, Lec, N, S, TCD (from previous line): om. A25
prison.] prison; 1633
156 precious 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD: piteous 1635-69 and rest of MSS.
159 on 1633, Cy, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCD: o'r 1635-69, A25, B, D, H49, Q, S96, W
162 nones] none 1669
164 th'huffing braggart, 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W (but no commas in MSS.): huffing, braggart, 1633-54, Lec, N, TCD th'huffing, braggart, 1719
Nobility?] Nobility. 1633
169 your 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: yon A25, B, JC, O'F, Q, W: the Cy, D, H49, P, S, S96
170 Transported 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, TCD: Transplanted B, Cy, D, H49, JC, O'F, S, S96, W
to stand] to Strand L74 (stand being struck through), S
171 our Presence, 1633, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: our Court here, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, Q, S, W: our Courtiers, 1635-69, O'F
173 are;] are, 1633
178 are found 1633, 1669: were found 1635-54
179 I, (God pardon mee.) 1633: I. (God pardon mee.) 1635: I. (God pardon me) 1639-69: aye—God pardon me— Chambers
180 their Apparrells] th'apparells B, Cy, D, H49, L74, W
182 cry the flatterers; 1633: cry his flatterers; 1635-54, P: cryes his flatterers; Cy, D, H49, JC, Q, S, W: cryes the flatterer; 1669, L74 (flatterers is changed to flatterer), Lec (flatterers)
185 players;] players, 1633
187 wardrops 1633: wardrobes 1635-69
Inventory.] Inventory; 1633
188 doe know 1633-69, Lec, N, Q, TCD: did know Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, P, S, S96, W
190 (as they think) 1669
194 scarlets] scarlett D, H49, Lec, O'F, P, Q, W
195 call'd] calls A25, HN, O'F, P, Q
195-6 net; ... set.] net.... set; 1633
198 hat] hat, 1633-54
199 As if the Presence ... Moschite, 1633-69, Lec (colon 1635-69): As the Presence ... Moschite, (or Meschite,) A25, B, Cy, HN, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, W: As the Queenes Presence ... Meschite, D, H49: As if the Queenes Presence ... meschite, S
203 fornicate:] fornicate. 1633
204 survay 1633-69, N, O'F, P, Q, TCD: survayes B, Cy, D, H49, JC, S, W
205 trye Ed: tryes 1633-69 and MSS.
206 to thighe. Ed: to thighes. 1633-69 and MSS.: to his thighes. Q
211 he arrests, 1633-69, L74, Lec, N, TCD: straight arrests, A25, Cy, D, H49, HN, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, W
215 whisperd 1633, D, H49, L74, N, TCD, W: whispers 1635-69
216 Topcliffe would have ravish'd him quite away JC, O'F, Q (JC and O'F alter to Pursevant)
217 of om. Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, P, Q, S, W
222 whom 1633, A25, B, D, H49, L74, N, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: or whom 1635-69, O'F
223 He cares not, His 1633 and MSS.: He cares not hee. His 1635-69
224 rusheth] rushes 1639-69
226 still 1635-69, Q, and other MSS.: yet still 1633, L74, N, TCD
229 I leave] Ile leave B, Cy, D, H49, W
230 men which from A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, S96, TCD, W: men from 1633-69
232 sinnes?). Being Ed: sinnes) being 1633-39: sinnes?) being 1650-69: all the editions and some MSS. close the sentence at 236 wine.
236 Living barrells of beefe, flaggons of wine. 1633-54: Living, barrels of beef, and flaggons of wine. 1669
237 Spie.] Spie; 1633
238 Seas of Wit and Arts, B, Cy, L74, N, P, Q, TCD: Seas of Wits and Arts, 1633, D, H49, JC, Lec, S: Seas of witt and art, A25, HN: Great seas of witt and art, O'F, S96: Seas of all Wits and Arts, conj. Lowell
239 Drowne] To drowne O'F, S96
240 Which] Who MSS. am but a scarce brooke, 1633, L74, Lec, N, TCD: am but a scant brooke, 1635-69: am a scant brooke, B, HN, JC, O'F, P, Q, W: am a shallow brooke, Cy, D, H49, S, S96
241 the 1633-69: their A25, B, Cy, D, HN, JC, O'F, Q, S, W: these L74, N, TCD
Although] though 1633 and MSS.
242 the knowne merit 1633-69, JC, Lec, N, O'F, Q, TCD: known om. B, Cy, D, H49, HN, L74, P, S, W
243 wise man] wise men 1650-69, B, HN, L74, P, TCD, W
THOU shalt not laugh in this leafe, Muse, nor they
Whom any pitty warmes; He which did lay
Rules to make Courtiers, (hee being understood
May make good Courtiers, but who Courtiers good?)
5Frees from the sting of jests all who in extreme
Are wreched or wicked: of these two a theame
Charity and liberty give me. What is hee
Who Officers rage, and Suiters misery
Can write, and jest? If all things be in all,
10As I thinke, since all, which were, are, and shall
Bee, be made of the same elements:
Each thing, each thing implyes or represents.
Then man is a world; in which, Officers
Are the vast ravishing seas; and Suiters,
15Springs; now full, now shallow, now drye; which, to
That which drownes them, run: These selfe reasons do
Prove the world a man, in which, officers
Are the devouring stomacke, and Suiters
The excrements, which they voyd. All men are dust;
20How much worse are Suiters, who to mens lust
[page 169]Are made preyes? O worse then dust, or wormes meat,
For they do eate you now, whose selves wormes shall eate.
They are the mills which grinde you, yet you are
The winde which drives them; and a wastfull warre
25Is fought against you, and you fight it; they
Adulterate lawe, and you prepare their way
Like wittals; th'issue your owne ruine is.
Greatest and fairest Empresse, know you this?
Alas, no more then Thames calme head doth know
30Whose meades her armes drowne, or whose corne o'rflow:
You Sir, whose righteousnes she loves, whom I
By having leave to serve, am most richly
For service paid, authoriz'd, now beginne
To know and weed out this enormous sinne.
35O Age of rusty iron! Some better wit
Call it some worse name, if ought equall it;
The iron Age that was, when justice was sold; now
Injustice is sold dearer farre. Allow
All demands, fees, and duties, gamsters, anon
40The mony which you sweat, and sweare for, is gon
Into other hands: So controverted lands
Scape, like Angelica, the strivers hands.
If Law be in the Judges heart, and hee
Have no heart to resist letter, or fee,
45Where wilt thou appeale? powre of the Courts below
Flow from the first maine head, and these can throw
[page 170]Thee, if they sucke thee in, to misery,
To fetters, halters; But if the injury
Steele thee to dare complaine, Alas, thou go'st
50Against the stream, when upwards: when thou art most
Heavy and most faint; and in these labours they,
'Gainst whom thou should'st complaine, will in the way
Become great seas, o'r which, when thou shalt bee
Forc'd to make golden bridges, thou shalt see
55That all thy gold was drown'd in them before;
All things follow their like, only who have may have more.
Judges are Gods; he who made and said them so,
Meant not that men should be forc'd to them to goe,
By meanes of Angels; When supplications
60We send to God, to Dominations,
Powers, Cherubins, and all heavens Courts, if wee
Should pay fees as here, Daily bread would be
Scarce to Kings; so 'tis. Would it not anger
A Stoicke, a coward, yea a Martyr,
65To see a Pursivant come in, and call
All his cloathes, Copes; Bookes, Primers; and all
His Plate, Challices; and mistake them away,
And aske a fee for comming? Oh, ne'r may
Faire lawes white reverend name be strumpeted,
70To warrant thefts: she is established
Recorder to Destiny, on earth, and shee
Speakes Fates words, and but tells us who must bee
Rich, who poore, who in chaires, who in jayles:
Shee is all faire, but yet hath foule long nailes,
[page 171]75With which she scracheth Suiters; In bodies
Of men, so in law, nailes are th'extremities,
So Officers stretch to more then Law can doe,
As our nailes reach what no else part comes to.
Why barest thou to yon Officer? Foole, Hath hee
80Got those goods, for which erst men bar'd to thee?
Foole, twice, thrice, thou hast bought wrong, and now hungerly
Beg'st right; But that dole comes not till these dye.
Thou had'st much, and lawes Urim and Thummim trie
Thou wouldst for more; and for all hast paper
85Enough to cloath all the great Carricks Pepper.
Sell that, and by that thou much more shalt leese,
Then Haman, when he sold his Antiquities.
O wretch that thy fortunes should moralize
Esops fables, and make tales, prophesies.
90Thou'art the swimming dog whom shadows cosened,
And div'st, neare drowning, for what's vanished.
Satyre V. 1633-69, A25, B, D, JC, Lec, O'F, Q, S, W: Satyre the third. P: no title, L74, N, TCD (in L74 it is third, in N, TCD fourth in order)
1 shalt] shal 1669
9 and] in 1669
12 implyes 1635-69: spelt employes 1633 and some MSS.
represents. 1635-69: represents, 1633
13 Officers] Officers, 1633-69
14 ravishing 1633-69: ravenous Q: ravening P, S
19 voyd. All 1669: voyd; all 1633-54
dust; W: dust, 1633-69
21 preyes? 1669: preyes. 1633-54
26 their 1633, D, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD, W: the 1635-69, O'F, P, Q
27 wittals; W: wittals, 1633-69
is.] is; 1633
33 authoriz'd, 1635-54: authorized, 1633: authoriz'd. 1669
35-6 Some ... equall it;] in brackets 1635-54
37-9
The iron Age that was, when justice was sold, now
Injustice is sold deerer farre; allow
All demands, fees, and duties; gamsters, anon
1633, D, JC (All claym'd fees), Lec, N, Q (All claym'd fees), TCD, W (All claym'd fees):
The iron Age that was, when justice was sold (now
Injustice is sold dearer) did allow
All claim'd fees and duties. Gamesters, anon
1635-54, B, O'F, P (the last two omit that was), Chambers (no italics):
The iron Age was, when justice was sold, now
Injustice is sold dearer far, allow
All claim'd fees and duties, Gamesters, anon
1669
46 Flow] Flows O'F, Chambers. See note
49 complaine,] complaine; 1633
go'st] goest 1633-39
50 when upwards: 1633-54, A25, B, D, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: upwards, 1669, Chambers
52 the, 1633: thy 1635-69
56 only who have] only, who have, 1633
more.] more 1633
57 he ... so, 1633-54: and he who made them so, 1669: he ... and cal'd (changed to stil'd) them so, O'F
58 that] om. 1669
59 supplications] supplication 1635-54
61 Courts, 1635-69, B, JC, L74, O'F, P, Q, W: Court, 1633, D, Lec, N, S, TCD
63 'tis. Would 1669: 'tis, would 1633: 'tis; Would 1635-54
68 aske 1669, A25, B, D, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, W: lack 1633-54, Lec
17232comming?] comming; 1633
72 Speakes Fates words, and but tells us &c. Q, W, Chambers: Speakes Fates words, and tells who must bee 1633-69
76 men,] men; 1633
th'extremities, A25, B, D, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: extremities, 1633: extremities. 1635-69
78 comes to.] can come to. Q
80 which erst men bar'd 1635-69, B, O'F, Q, S, W: which men bared 1633, D, Lec, N, TCD: which men erst bar'd A25, L74, P
85 great om. Q
Carricks 1633-35: Charricks 1639-69
87 Haman, 1633: Hammon, 1635-69, P: MSS. generally vary between Haman and Hammond
when 1633, 1669, D, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD: if 1635-54, A25, B, JC, O'F, Q, S
90 Thou'art Ed: Thou art 1633-69
cosened,] cozeneth, 1669
91 And 1633: Which 1635-69: Whoe Q
div'st, 1633-54, N, P, S, TCD: div'st 1669: div'dst D, L74, Lec (altered from div'st), W: div'd A25, B, JC, O'F, S (Grosart), Q
what's vanished. N: what vanished. 1633-54 and rest of MSS.: what vanisheth. 1669
Note[page 172]
OH to what height will love of greatnesse drive
Thy leavened spirit, Sesqui-superlative?
Venice vast lake thou hadst seen, and would seek than
Some vaster thing, and found'st a Curtizan.
5That inland Sea having discovered well,
A Cellar gulfe, where one might saile to hell
From Heydelberg, thou longdst to see: And thou
This Booke, greater then all, producest now.
Infinite worke, which doth so far extend,
10That none can study it to any end.
'Tis no one thing, it is not fruit nor roote;
Nor poorely limited with head or foot.
If man be therefore man, because he can
Reason, and laugh, thy booke doth halfe make man.
15One halfe being made, thy modestie was such,
That thou on th'other half wouldst never touch.
When wilt thou be at full, great Lunatique?
Not till thou exceed the world? Canst thou be like
A prosperous nose-borne wenne, which sometimes growes
20To be farre greater then the Mother-nose?
Goe then; and as to thee, when thou didst go,
Munster did Townes, and Gesner Authors show,
Mount now to Gallo-belgicus; appear
As deepe a States-man, as a Gazettier.
25Homely and familiarly, when thou com'st back,
Talke of Will. Conquerour, and Prester Iack.
Go bashfull man, lest here thou blush to looke
Vpon the progresse of thy glorious booke,
To which both Indies sacrifices send;
30The West sent gold, which thou didst freely spend,
[page 173](Meaning to see't no more) upon the presse.
The East sends hither her deliciousnesse;
And thy leaves must imbrace what comes from thence,
The Myrrhe, the Pepper, and the Frankincense.
35This magnifies thy leaves; but if they stoope
To neighbour wares, when Merchants do unhoope
Voluminous barrels; if thy leaves do then
Convey these wares in parcels unto men;
If for vast Tons of Currans, and of Figs,
40Of Medicinall and Aromatique twigs,
Thy leaves a better method do provide,
Divide to pounds, and ounces sub-divide;
If they stoope lower yet, and vent our wares,
Home-manufactures, to thick popular Faires,
45If omni-praegnant there, upon warme stalls,
They hatch all wares for which the buyer calls;
Then thus thy leaves we justly may commend,
That they all kinde of matter comprehend.
Thus thou, by means which th'Ancients never took,
50A Pandect makest, and Vniversall Booke.
The bravest Heroes, for publike good,
Scattered in divers Lands their limbs and blood.
Worst malefactors, to whom men are prize,
Do publike good, cut in Anatomies;
55So will thy booke in peeces; for a Lord
Which casts at Portescues, and all the board,
Provide whole books; each leafe enough will be
For friends to passe time, and keep company.
Can all carouse up thee? no, thou must fit
60Measures; and fill out for the half-pint wit:
Some shall wrap pils, and save a friends life so,
Some shall stop muskets, and so kill a foe.
Thou shalt not ease the Criticks of next age
So much, at once their hunger to asswage:
65Nor shall wit-pirats hope to finde thee lye
All in one bottome, in one Librarie.
[page 174]Some Leaves may paste strings there in other books,
And so one may, which on another looks,
Pilfer, alas, a little wit from you;
* I meane from one page which shall paste strings in a booke1
70But hardly* much; and yet I think this true;
As Sibyls was, your booke is mysticall,
For every peece is as much worth as all.
Therefore mine impotency I confesse,
The healths which my braine bears must be far lesse:
75Thy Gyant-wit'orethrowes me, I am gone;
And rather then read all, I would reade none.
I. D.
1I meane &c. side-note in 1611
Vpon Mr. &c. 1649, where it was placed with The Token (p. 72), at the end of the Funerall Elegies: appeared originally in Coryats Crudities (1611: see note) with heading Incipit Joannes Donne.
2 leavened 1611: learned 1649-69 and mod. edd.
7 longdst 1611: long'st 1649-69
19 sometimes.] sometime 1611
24 Gazettier. 1611: Garretteir 1649-69
28 booke,] booke. 1611
37 barrels; 1649-69: barrels, 1611
56 board, 1611: board 1649-69
Quot, dos haec, Linguists perfetti, Disticha fairont,
Tot cuerdos States-men, hic livre fara tuus.
Es sat a my l'honneur estre hic inteso; Car I leave
L'honra, de personne nestre creduto, tibi.
Explicit Joannes Donne.
In eundem &c. 1611, concluding the above
Viri seraphici Joannis Donne Qua-
dragenarij Effigies vera, Qui post
eam ætatem Sacris initiatus Ec-
clesiæ Sti Pauli Decanus obijt.
| Año | { | Dom̃ 1631o |
| Ætatis suæ 59o |
("A true portrait of that seraphic man John Donne at the age of 40;
he was later ordained into holy orders and died Dean of St Paul's
in the year of our Lord 1631 at the age of 59")
From the engraving prefixed to his son's edition of the Letters to Several Persons of Honour 1651, 1654
To Mr. Christopher Brooke.
Thou which art I, ('tis nothing to be soe)
Thou which art still thy selfe, by these shalt know
Part of our passage; And, a hand, or eye
By Hilliard drawne, is worth an history,
5By a worse painter made; and (without pride)
When by thy judgment they are dignifi'd,
My lines are such: 'Tis the preheminence
Of friendship onely to'impute excellence.
England to whom we'owe, what we be, and have,
10Sad that her sonnes did seeke a forraine grave
(For, Fates, or Fortunes drifts none can soothsay,
Honour and misery have one face and way.)
From out her pregnant intrailes sigh'd a winde
Which at th'ayres middle marble roome did finde
15Such strong resistance, that it selfe it threw
Downeward againe; and so when it did view
How in the port, our fleet deare time did leese,
Withering like prisoners, which lye but for fees,
Mildly it kist our sailes, and, fresh and sweet,
20As to a stomack sterv'd, whose insides meete,
Meate comes, it came; and swole our sailes, when wee
So joyd, as Sara'her swelling joy'd to see.
But 'twas but so kinde, as our countrimen,
Which bring friends one dayes way, and leave them then.
25Then like two mighty Kings, which dwelling farre
Asunder, meet against a third to warre,
The South and West winds joyn'd, and, as they blew,
Waves like a rowling trench before them threw.
Sooner then you read this line, did the gale,
30Like shot, not fear'd till felt, our sailes assaile;
And what at first was call'd a gust, the same
Hath now a stormes, anon a tempests name.
Ionas, I pitty thee, and curse those men,
Who when the storm rag'd most, did wake thee then;
35Sleepe is paines easiest salue, and doth fullfill
All offices of death, except to kill.
But when I wakt, I saw, that I saw not;
I, and the Sunne, which should teach mee'had forgot
East, West, Day, Night, and I could onely say,
40If'the world had lasted, now it had beene day.
Thousands our noyses were, yet wee'mongst all
Could none by his right name, but thunder call:
Lightning was all our light, and it rain'd more
Then if the Sunne had drunke the sea before.
45Some coffin'd in their cabbins lye,'equally
Griev'd that they are not dead, and yet must dye;
And as sin-burd'ned soules from graves will creepe,
At the last day, some forth their cabbins peepe:
And tremblingly'aske what newes, and doe heare so,
50Like jealous husbands, what they would not know.
Some sitting on the hatches, would seeme there,
With hideous gazing to feare away feare.
Then note they the ships sicknesses, the Mast
Shak'd with this ague, and the Hold and Wast
55With a salt dropsie clog'd, and all our tacklings
Snapping, like too-high-stretched treble strings.
And from our totterd sailes, ragges drop downe so,
As from one hang'd in chaines, a yeare agoe.
Even our Ordinance plac'd for our defence,
60Strive to breake loose, and scape away from thence.
Pumping hath tir'd our men, and what's the gaine?
Seas into seas throwne, we suck in againe;
Hearing hath deaf'd our saylers; and if they
Knew how to heare, there's none knowes what to say.
65Compar'd to these stormes, death is but a qualme,
Hell somewhat lightsome, and the'Bermuda calme.
Darknesse, lights elder brother, his birth-right
Claims o'r this world, and to heaven hath chas'd light.
All things are one, and that one none can be,
70Since all formes, uniforme deformity
Doth cover, so that wee, except God say
Another Fiat, shall have no more day.
So violent, yet long these furies bee,
That though thine absence sterve me,'I wish not thee.
The Storme. To Mr. Christopher Brooke. 1633 (1635-69 add from the Iland voyage with the Earle of Essex): The Storme, A Storme or Storme; A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: some add To Mr. C: B: or a longer note to the same effect as 1635-69: to Sr Basil Brooke JC, S
2 these 1633 and most MSS.: this 1635-69, O'F, S
4 an 1633: a 1635-69
7 such: Ed: such. 1633-69
11 soothsay, 1650-54: spelt Southsay 1633-39: gainsay 1669
12 and way. 1633, 1669: one way. 1635-54
18 lye] laie Q
19 fresh W: fresh, 1633-69
20 As W: As, 1633-69
23 'twas 1650-69: 'twas, 1633-39
30 fear'd] fear'd, 1633
37 not; Ed: not. 1633-69
38 I, and the Sunne, 1633-69 and most MSS.: yea, and the Sunne, Q
39 Day, Night, D, W: day, night, 1633-69
could onely say 1633-69: could but say Cy, HN, JC, L74, Q, N, S, TCD, W: could then but say O'F: could say H49, Lec: should say D
40 lasted, now 1633, 1669: lasted, yet 1635-54: Lasted yet, O'F
42 his] this 1669
44 before.] before; 1633
46 dye; Ed: dye. 1633-69
47 graves 1669, A25, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCD, W: grave 1633-54, Cy
49 tremblingly 1633, A25, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: trembling 1635-69, Cy, JC, O'F, P, S
50 Like 1633, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: As 1635-69
53 Then] There 1669
54 this] an 1635-69
56 too-high-stretched 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD, W (MS. spelling generally to and stretcht): too-too-high-stretch'd 1635-54: to too-high-stretch'd 1669, B, O'F
59 Even our Ordinance 1633 and MSS.: Yea even our Ordinance 1635-69
60 Strive 1633, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, S, TCD, W: Strives 1635-69, Chambers: Striv'd A25, B, Cy
66 Hell] Hell's S
lightsome] light B, Cy
and the'Bermuda 1633, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TCD, W: and the Bermudas B, Cy, HN, P, S, Q: the Bermudas 1635-54, O'F: the Bermuda's 1669
67 elder A25, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD, W: eldest 1633-69, B, Lec
68 Claims 1635-69 and MSS.: Claim'd 1633 this 1633, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, TCD: the 1635-69, A25, B, Cy, O'F, P, Q, S
Note[page 178]
O UR storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage,
A stupid calme, but nothing it, doth swage.
The fable is inverted, and farre more
A blocke afflicts, now, then a storke before.
5Stormes chafe, and soone weare out themselves, or us;
In calmes, Heaven laughs to see us languish thus.
As steady'as I can wish, that my thoughts were,
Smooth as thy mistresse glasse, or what shines there,
The sea is now. And, as the Iles which wee
10Seeke, when wee can move, our ships rooted bee.
As water did in stormes, now pitch runs out:
As lead, when a fir'd Church becomes one spout.
And all our beauty, and our trimme, decayes,
Like courts removing, or like ended playes.
15The fighting place now seamens ragges supply;
And all the tackling is a frippery.
No use of lanthornes; and in one place lay
Feathers and dust, to day and yesterday.
Earths hollownesses, which the worlds lungs are,
20Have no more winde then the upper valt of aire.
We can nor lost friends, nor sought foes recover,
But meteorlike, save that wee move not, hover.
Onely the Calenture together drawes
Deare friends, which meet dead in great fishes jawes:
25And on the hatches as on Altars lyes
Each one, his owne Priest, and owne Sacrifice.
Who live, that miracle do multiply
Where walkers in hot Ovens, doe not dye.
If in despite of these, wee swimme, that hath
30No more refreshing, then our brimstone Bath,
But from the sea, into the ship we turne,
Like parboyl'd wretches, on the coales to burne.
Like Bajazet encag'd, the shepheards scoffe,
Or like slacke sinew'd Sampson, his haire off,
35Languish our ships. Now, as a Miriade
Of Ants, durst th'Emperours lov'd snake invade,
The crawling Gallies, Sea-goales, finny chips,
Might brave our Pinnaces, now bed-ridde ships.
Whether a rotten state, and hope of gaine,
40Or to disuse mee from the queasie paine
Of being belov'd, and loving, or the thirst
Of honour, or faire death, out pusht mee first,
I lose my end: for here as well as I
A desperate may live, and a coward die.
45Stagge, dogge, and all which from, or towards flies,
Is paid with life, or pray, or doing dyes.
Fate grudges us all, and doth subtly lay
A scourge,'gainst which wee all forget to pray,
He that at sea prayes for more winde, as well
50Under the poles may begge cold, heat in hell.
What are wee then? How little more alas
Is man now, then before he was? he was
Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
Chance, or our selves still disproportion it.
55Wee have no power, no will, no sense; I lye,
I should not then thus feele this miserie.
The Calme. 1633-69: similarly, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD
4 storke] stroke 1639
7 can wish, that my 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: could wish that my Q: could wish my 1635-69, Chambers, who makes no note of 1633 reading
9 the Iles 1633-69: these isles D, H49, Lec, Chambers (no note): those Iles B, Cy, HN, JC, L74, N, P, Q, TCD
11 out: 1635-69: out 1633
14 ended] ending 1669
15 ragges] rage 1669
17 No] Now 1669
21 lost] lefte Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD
24 jawes: 1633, A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, Q, S, TCD: mawes, 1635-69, O'F, P, Chambers
29 these,] this, L74, Q, TCD
30 our 1633, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD: a 1635-69, A25, P
33 shepheards 1650-69: sheepheards 1633-39
37 Sea-goales, (or gayles &c.) 1633, 1669, Cy, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: Sea-gulls, 1635-54, O'F, Chambers: Sea-snayles, B, JC
38 our Pinnaces, now 1635-54, B, O'F: our venices, now 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, S, TCD: with Vinice's, our 1669
40 Or] Or, 1633-69
44 and a coward 1633, MSS.: and coward 1635-69: a coward P, S
45 and all] and each B, Q, S
48 forget 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, P, S: forgot 1669, A25, HN, JC, L74, N, Q, TCD
50 poles] pole JC, Q
52-3 he was? he was Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit; 1633, N, P, S, TCD (but MSS. have no stop after Nothing): he was, he was? Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit; 1635-54: he was, he was? Nothing for us, we are for nothing fit; 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, O'F, Q: but the MSS. have not all got a mark of interrogation or other stop after second he was. See note
SIR, more then kisses, letters mingle Soules;
For, thus friends absent speake. This ease controules
The tediousnesse of my life: But for these
I could ideate nothing, which could please,
5But I should wither in one day, and passe
To'a bottle'of Hay, that am a locke of Grasse.
Life is a voyage, and in our lifes wayes
Countries, Courts, Towns are Rockes, or Remoraes;
They breake or stop all ships, yet our state's such,
10That though then pitch they staine worse, wee must touch.
If in the furnace of the even line,
Or under th'adverse icy poles thou pine,
Thou know'st two temperate Regions girded in,
Dwell there: But Oh, what refuge canst thou winne
15Parch'd in the Court, and in the country frozen?
Shall cities, built of both extremes, be chosen?
Can dung and garlike be'a perfume? or can
A Scorpion and Torpedo cure a man?
Cities are worst of all three; of all three
20(O knottie riddle) each is worst equally.
Cities are Sepulchers; they who dwell there
Are carcases, as if no such there were.
And Courts are Theaters, where some men play
Princes, some slaves, all to one end, and of one clay.
25The Country is a desert, where no good,
Gain'd (as habits, not borne,) is understood.
There men become beasts, and prone to more evils;
In cities blockes, and in a lewd court, devills.
As in the first Chaos confusedly
30Each elements qualities were in the'other three;
So pride, lust, covetize, being feverall
To these three places, yet all are in all,
And mingled thus, their issue incestuous.
Falshood is denizon'd. Virtue is barbarous.
35Let no man say there, Virtues flintie wall
Shall locke vice in mee, I'll do none, but know all.
Men are spunges, which to poure out, receive,
Who know false play, rather then lose, deceive.
For in best understandings, sinne beganne,
40Angels sinn'd first, then Devills, and then man.
Onely perchance beast sinne not; wretched wee
Are beasts in all, but white integritie.
I thinke if men, which in these places live
Durst looke for themselves, and themselves retrive,
45They would like strangers greet themselves, seeing than
Utopian youth, growne old Italian.
Be thou thine owne home, and in thy selfe dwell;
Inne any where, continuance maketh hell.
And seeing the snaile, which every where doth rome,
50Carrying his owne house still, still is at home,
Follow (for he is easie pac'd) this snaile,
Bee thine owne Palace, or the world's thy gaile.
And in the worlds sea, do not like corke sleepe
Upon the waters face; nor in the deepe
55Sinke like a lead without a line: but as
Fishes glide, leaving no print where they passe,
Nor making sound; so closely thy course goe,
let men dispute, whether thou breathe, or no.
Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: To make
60Courts hot ambitions wholesome, do not take
A dramme of Countries dulnesse; do not adde
Correctives, but as chymiques, purge the bad.
But, Sir, I advise not you, I rather doe
Say o'er those lessons, which I learn'd of you:
65Whom, free from German schismes, and lightness
Of France, and faire Italies faithlesnesse,
Having from these suck'd all they had of worth,
And brought home that faith, which you carried forth,
I throughly love. But if my selfe, I'have wonne
70To know my rules, I have, and you have
Donne:
To Sr Henry Wotton. 1633-69 (Sir 1669): same or no title, A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: To Mr H. W. B, W (B adds J. D.). See note
4 I could invent nothing at all to please, 1669
6 bottle] botle 1633 To a lock of hay, that am a Bottle of grass. 1669
7 lifes 1633: lives 1635-69
10 though ... worse, in brackets 1650-69
11 even 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC, W: raging 1633-54: other P: over S
12 poles A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, P, O'F, S, W: pole 1633-69, A18, HN, N, TC
16 cities, ... extremes, Ed: cities ... extremes 1633-69
17 dung and garlike 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W (dung, 1633): dung, or garlike 1635-69, A25, Cy, O'F, P, S a perfume] a om. 1635-54, Chambers
18 Scorpion Ed: Scorpion, 1633-69
and Torpedo A18, D, H49, N, TC, W: or Torpedo 1633-69, A25, B, Cy, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S. See note
19 of all three 1633: of all three? 1635-69
22 no such 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, N, S, TC, W: none such 1635-69, O'F, P
there were. 1635-69, A36, B, D, H49, JC, O'F, P, S, W: they were. 1633, Lec: then were A18, N, TC
24 and of one clay. 1633 and MSS. generally: of one clay. 1635-39: of one day. 1650-54: and at one daye. A25: Princes, some slaves, and all end in one day. 1669
25-6
The Country is a desert, where no good,
Gain'd, as habits, not borne, is understood.
1633, 1669, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, Lec, N, S96, TC, W
The Country is a desert, where the good,
Gain'd inhabits not, borne, is not understood.
1635-54, O'F, P, S
The Country is a desert, where noe good
Gain'd doth inhabit, nor born's understood.
A25
27 more 1633, A25, W: meere Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, S96: men (a slip for mere) A18, N, TC: all 1635-69. See note
33 issue incestuous, 1633, A18, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W: issue is incestuous. 1635-69, P, S: issues monsterous. A25
35 there] then Lec
44 for themselves, A18, A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, Lec, N, S, S96, TC, W: in themselves, 1633-69: into themselves, themselves retrive, Cy, O'F, P
45 than] then 1663
45-6 than ... Italian.] that ... Italianate. Cy, P
47 Be thou 1633, Lec: Be then 1635-69 and MSS.
50 home, Ed: home. 1633: home: 1635-69
52 gaile. 1635-69: goale; 1633
57 so D, W: so 1633-69
58-9 breathe,] breath, 1633
or no. Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: Ed: or no: Onley ... Galenist. 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W: or no: Onely in this be no Galenist. 1635-69, Cy, O'F, S
64 you:] you. 1633
65 German 1633 and all MSS.: Germanies 1635-69, Grosart and Chambers (without note)
Note[page 183]
WHO makes the Past, a patterne for next yeare,
Turnes no new leafe, but still the same things reads,
Seene things, he sees againe, heard things doth heare,
And makes his life, but like a paire of beads.
5A Palace, when'tis that, which it should be,
Leaves growing, and stands such, or else decayes:
But hee which dwels there, is not so; for hee
Strives to urge upward, and his fortune raise;
So had your body'her morning, hath her noone,
10And shall not better; her next change is night:
But her faire larger guest, to'whom Sun and Moone
Are sparkes, and short liv'd, claimes another right.
The noble Soule by age growes lustier,
Her appetite, and her digestion mend,
15Wee must not sterve, nor hope to pamper her
With womens milke, and pappe unto the end.
Provide you manlyer dyet; you have seene
All libraries, which are Schools, Camps, and Courts;
But aske your Garners if you have not beene
20In harvests, too indulgent to your sports.
Would you redeeme it? then your selfe transplant
A while from hence. Perchance outlandish ground
Beares no more wit, then ours, but yet more scant
Are those diversions there, which here abound.
25To be a stranger hath that benefit,
Wee can beginnings, but not habits choke.
Goe; whither? Hence; you get, if you forget;
New faults, till they prescribe in us, are smoake.
Our soule, whose country'is heaven, and God her father,
30Into this world, corruptions sinke, is sent,
Yet, so much in her travaile she doth gather,
That she returnes home, wiser then she went;
It payes you well, if it teach you to spare,
And make you,'ashm'd, to make your hawks praise, yours,
35Which when herselfe she lessens in the aire,
You then first say, that high enough she toures.
However, keepe the lively tast you hold
Of God, love him as now, but feare him more,
And in your afternoones thinke what you told
40And promis'd him, at morning prayer before.
Let falshood like a discord anger you,
Else be not froward. But why doe I touch
Things, of which none is in your practise new,
And Tables, or fruit-trenchers teach as much;
45But thus I make you keepe your promise Sir,
Riding I had you, though you still staid there,
And in these thoughts, although you never stirre,
You came with mee to Micham, and are here.
To Sir Henry Goodyere. 1633-69: so with Goodyere variously spelt A25, B, C, Cy, D, H49, Lec: To Sr Henry Goodyere (H: G: A18, N, TC) moveing him to travell. A18, N, O'F, TC
1 Past, 1633-54, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TC: Last 1669, Chambers
2 reads,] read, 1650-54
6 decayes:] decayes, 1633
16 womens] womans 1669
17 dyet; Ed: dyet, 1633 (with a larger interval than is usually given to a comma), 1669: dyet. 1635-54
20 harvests, 1633-54, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, TC: harvest, 1669, A25, C, Cy, N, O'F, Chambers
27 Goe; A18, B, TC: Goe, 1633-69
Hence; A18, TC: hence; 1633: hence 1635-54: Hence. 1669
28 in us, 1633, A18, A25, C, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: to us, 1635-69, B, O'F
34 you,'asham'd, Ed: you'asham'd, 1633-69: you asham'd Chambers and Grolier. See note
37 However, 1633-39: However 1650-69: Howsoever A18, B, D, N, O'F, TC
38 as] om. 1639-69
42 froward.] froward; 1633
44 Tables 1633-54, Lec: Fables 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, N, O'F, TC
45 make] made A18, N, TC
48 with mee to] to mee at A18, N, TC
Note[page 185]
LIKE one who'in her third widdowhood doth professe
Her selfe a Nunne, tyed to retirednesse,
So'affects my muse now, a chast fallownesse;
Since shee to few, yet to too many'hath showne
5How love-song weeds, and Satyrique thornes are growne
Where seeds of better Arts, were early sown.
Though to use, and love Poëtrie, to mee,
Betroth'd to no'one Art, be no'adulterie;
Omissions of good, ill, as ill deeds bee.
10For though to us it seeme,'and be light and thinne,
Yet in those faithfull scales, where God throwes in
Mens workes, vanity weighs as much as sinne.
If our Soules have stain'd their first white, yet wee
May cloth them with faith, and deare honestie,
15Which God imputes, as native puritie.
There is no Vertue, but Religion:
Wise, valiant, sober, just, are names, which none
Want, which want not Vice-covering discretion.
Seeke wee then our selves in our selves; for as
20Men force the Sunne with much more force to passe,
By gathering his beames with a christall glasse;
So wee, If wee into our selves will turne,
Blowing our sparkes of vertue, may outburne
The straw, which doth about our hearts sojourne.
25You know, Physitians, when they would infuse
Into any'oyle, the Soules of Simples, use
Places, where they may lie still warme, to chuse.
So workes retirednesse in us; To rome
Giddily, and be every where, but at home,
30Such freedome doth a banishment become.
Wee are but farmers of our selves, yet may,
If we can stocke our selves, and thrive, uplay
Much, much deare treasure for the great rent day.
Manure thy selfe then, to thy selfe be'approv'd,
35And with vaine outward things be no more mov'd,
But to know, that I love thee'and would be lov'd.
To Mr Rowland Woodward. 1633-69: similarly or without heading, A18, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: A Letter of Doctor Dunne to one that desired some of his papers. B: To Mr R. W. W
1 professe] professe, 1633
2 retirednesse, 1633-69, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, O'F, P, S: a retirednesse, A18, L74, N, TC, W
3 fallownesse; Ed: fallownesse. 1633-54: fallowness, 1669: holinesse Cy, P, S96
4 too] so W showne 1633, 1669: flowne, 1635-54
5 How love-song weeds, 1633: How long loves weeds, 1635-54, O'F: How Love-song weeds, 1669
6 sown. 1633, 1669: sown? 1635-54: sown; Chambers, who retains the full-stop after fallownesse
10 to us it] to use it, Cy, P, S96
seeme,'and be light 1633, A18, B, D, H40, H49, L74, N, S, S96, TC, W: seem but light 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, and Chambers, who attributes to 1633 the reading seem and be but light
13 white] whites Cy, O'F, P
14 honestie] integritie Cy, P, S, S96
15 puritie.] puritie, 1633
16 Religion: 1669: Religion, 1633: Religion. 1635-54
23 our] the A18, L74, N, TC
sparkes 1633-54, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TC, W: spark 1669, A18, H40, S, Chambers
25 infuse] infuse 1633
26 Soules 1633-69, Cy, P: soule B, D, H40, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, W
28 To 1635-69: to 1633
29 Giddily, 1669: Giddily 1633-54
31 farmers 1635-69, and all MSS., where it is generally spelt fermers: termers 1633
33 deare 1633, and most MSS.: good 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, S96
34 approv'd 1633-54, A18, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: improv'd 1669, B, Chambers
36 lov'd. 1633-69: belov'd. A18, L74, N, P, S, S96, TC
Note[page 187]
HERE'S no more newes, then vertue,'I may as well
Tell you Cales, or St Michaels tale for newes, as tell
That vice doth here habitually dwell.
Yet, as to'get stomachs, we walke up and downe,
5And toyle to sweeten rest, so, may God frowne,
If, but to loth both, I haunt Court, or Towne.
For here no one is from the'extremitie
Of vice, by any other reason free,
But that the next to'him, still, is worse then hee.
10In this worlds warfare, they whom rugged Fate,
(Gods Commissary,) doth so throughly hate,
As in'the Courts Squadron to marshall their state:
If they stand arm'd with seely honesty,
With wishing prayers, and neat integritie,
15Like Indians'gainst Spanish hosts they bee.
Suspitious boldnesse to this place belongs,
And to'have as many eares as all have tongues;
Tender to know, tough to acknowledge wrongs.
Beleeve mee Sir, in my youths giddiest dayes,
20When to be like the Court, was a playes praise,
Playes were not so like Courts, as Courts'are like playes.
Then let us at these mimicke antiques jeast,
Whose deepest projects, and egregious gests
Are but dull Moralls of a game at Chests.
25But now'tis incongruity to smile,
Therefore I end; and bid farewell a while,
At Court; though From Court, were the better stile.
To Sr Henry Wootton. 1633-69: do. or A Letter to &c. B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, S, S96 (of these Cy and S add From Court and From ye Court): From Court. P: To Mr H. W. 20 Jul. 1598 at Court. HN: To Mr H. W. 20 July 15098 (sic) At Court. W: Jo: D: to Mr H: W: A18, N, TC: Another Letter. JC
1 newes] new 1669
2 Tell you Cales, (Calis, 1633) or St Michaels tale for newes, as tell 1633, A18, B (tales), Cy (and St Michaels tales), D, H49, JC, L74, N, O'F (tales), P, S, S96 (tales), TC, W (MSS. waver in spelling—but Cales Cy, HN, P:) Tell you Calis, or Saint Michaels tales, as tell 1635-54, Chambers (Calais): Tell Calis, or Saint Michaels Mount, as tell 1669: Tell you Calais, or Saint Michaels Mount as tell 1719: All modern editions read Calais
6 or] and 1669
9 to'him, still, 1633: to him, still, 1635-69: to him is still A18, L74, N, O'F, TC
12 state: 1635-69: state 1633
14 wishing prayers, 1633, A18, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, S96, TC, W: wishing, prayers, 1669, HN: wishes, prayers, 1635-54, B, Cy, O'F, P, Chambers
20 playes] players 1639-69
21 are like 1633, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S, S96 (are now like), TC, W: are om. (metri causa) 1635-69, B, Cy, JC, O'F
23-4
are egregeous guests,
And but dull Morals at a game of Chests.
1669
25 now'tis] 'tis an 1669
27 At Court; though, From Court, &c. W: At Court, though from Court, &c. 1633-69
WENT you to conquer? and have so much lost
Yourself, that what in you was best and most,
Respective friendship, should so quickly dye?
In publique gaine my share'is not such that I
5Would lose your love for Ireland: better cheap
I pardon death (who though he do not reap
Yet gleanes hee many of our frends away)
Then that your waking mind should bee a prey
To lethargies. Lett shott, and boggs, and skeines
10With bodies deale, as fate bids and restreynes;
Ere sicknesses attack, yong death is best,
Who payes before his death doth scape arrest.
Lett not your soule (at first with graces fill'd,
And since, and thorough crooked lymbecks, still'd
15In many schools and courts, which quicken it,)
It self unto the Irish negligence submit.
I aske not labored letters which should weare
Long papers out: nor letters which should feare
Dishonest carriage: or a seers art:
20Nor such as from the brayne come, but the hart.
H: W: &c. Burley MS. (JD in margin) i.e. Henrico Wottoni in Hibernia belligeranti
2 that] yt Bur, and similarly ye (the), yr (your), wch (which), wth (with) throughout
2-3 most, Respective friendship,] no commas, Bur
4 share'is] share is Bur
9 lethargies.] letargies. Bur
10 restreynes;] restreynes Bur
11 attack,] attack Bur
best,] best Bur
13 (at first] Bur closes bracket after first and again after 15 quicken it,
14 since,] since Bur
19 art:] art Bur
Madame,
REASON is our Soules left hand, Faith her right,
By these wee reach divinity, that's you;
Their loves, who have the blessings of your light,
Grew from their reason, mine from faire faith grew.
5But as, although a squint lefthandednesse
Be'ungracious, yet we cannot want that hand,
So would I, not to encrease, but to expresse
My faith, as I beleeve, so understand.
Therefore I study you first in your Saints,
10Those friends, whom your election glorifies,
Then in your deeds, accesses, and restraints,
And what you reade, and what your selfe devize.
But soone, the reasons why you'are lov'd by all,
Grow infinite, and so passe reasons reach,
15Then backe againe to'implicite faith I fall,
And rest on what the Catholique voice doth teach;
That you are good: and not one Heretique
Denies it: if he did, yet you are so.
For, rockes, which high top'd and deep rooted sticke,
20Waves wash, not undermine, nor overthrow.
In every thing there naturally growes
A Balsamum to keepe it fresh, and new,
If'twere not injur'd by extrinsique blowes;
Your birth and beauty are this Balme in you.
25But you of learning and religion,
And vertue,'and such ingredients, have made
A methridate, whose operation
Keepes off, or cures what can be done or said.
Yet, this is not your physicke, but your food,
30A dyet fit for you; for you are here
The first good Angell, since the worlds frame stood,
That ever did in womans shape appeare.
Since you are then Gods masterpeece, and so
His Factor for our loves; do as you doe,
35Make your returne home gracious; and bestow
This life on that; so make one life of two.
For so God helpe mee,'I would not misse you there
For all the good which you can do me here.
To the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-69: do. or To the Countesse of B. B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, RP31, S, S96, TCD
3 blessings 1633, D, H49, Lec: blessing 1635-69, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD
light, 1633-69: sight, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, RP31, S, TCD
4 faire 1633-69, L74, N, TCD: farr B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, M, O'F, RP31, S, S96
16 what] that Chambers
voice 1635-69, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, S96, TCD: faith 1633, RP31, S
19 high top'd and deep rooted 1633, N, TCD: high to sense deepe-rooted 1635-54, O'F, Chambers (who has overlooked 1633 reading:) high to sense and deepe-rooted S96: high to sun and deepe-rooted L74, RP31, S: high do seem, deep-rooted 1669, Cy (but MS. with and): high to some, and deepe-rooted D, H49, Lec: high to seeme, and deepe-rooted B. See note
25 But Ed: But, 1633-69
36 This, 1635-69, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, RP31, S, TCD, Grosart and Chambers: Thy 1633, Grolier. See note
Note[page 191]
Madame,
YOU have refin'd mee, and to worthyest things
(Vertue, Art, Beauty, Fortune,) now I see
Rarenesse, or use, not nature value brings;
And such, as they are circumstanc'd, they bee.
5Two ills can ne're perplexe us, sinne to'excuse;
But of two good things, we may leave and chuse.
Therefore at Court, which is not vertues clime,
(Where a transcendent height, (as, lownesse mee)
Makes her not be, or not show) all my rime
10Your vertues challenge, which there rarest bee;
For, as darke texts need notes: there some must bee
To usher vertue, and say, This is shee.
So in the country'is beauty; to this place
You are the season (Madame) you the day,
15'Tis but a grave of spices, till your face
Exhale them, and a thick close bud display.
Widow'd and reclus'd else, her sweets she'enshrines;
As China, when the Sunne at Brasill dines.
Out from your chariot, morning breaks at night,
20And falsifies both computations so;
Since a new world doth rise here from your light,
We your new creatures, by new recknings goe.
This showes that you from nature lothly stray,
That suffer not an artificiall day.
25In this you'have made the Court the Antipodes,
And will'd your Delegate, the vulgar Sunne,
To doe profane autumnall offices,
Whilst here to you, wee sacrificers runne;
And whether Priests, or Organs, you wee'obey,
30We sound your influence, and your Dictates say.
Yet to that Deity which dwels in you,
Your vertuous Soule, I now not sacrifice;
These are Petitions and not Hymnes; they sue
But that I may survay the edifice.
35In all Religions as much care hath bin
Of Temples frames, and beauty,'as Rites within.
As all which goe to Rome, doe not thereby
Esteeme religions, and hold fast the best,
But serve discourse, and curiosity,
40With that which doth religion but invest,
And shunne th'entangling laborinths of Schooles,
And make it wit, to thinke the wiser fooles:
So in this pilgrimage I would behold
You as you'are vertues temple, not as shee,
45What walls of tender christall her enfold,
What eyes, hands, bosome, her pure Altars bee;
And after this survay, oppose to all
Bablers of Chappels, you th'Escuriall.
Yet not as consecrate, but merely'as faire,
50On these I cast a lay and country eye.
Of past and future stories, which are rare,
I finde you all record, and prophecie.
Purge but the booke of Fate, that it admit
No sad nor guilty legends, you are it.
55If good and lovely were not one, of both
You were the transcript, and originall,
The Elements, the Parent, and the Growth,
And every peece of you, is both their All:
So'intire are all your deeds, and you, that you
60Must do the same thinge still; you cannot two.
But these (as nice thinne Schoole divinity
Serves heresie to furder or represse)
Tast of Poëtique rage, or flattery,
And need not, where all hearts one truth professe;
Oft from new proofes, and new phrase, new doubts grow,
66As strange attire aliens the men wee know.
Leaving then busie praise, and all appeale
To higher Courts, senses decree is true,
The Mine, the Magazine, the Commonweale,
70The story of beauty,'in Twicknam is, and you.
Who hath seene one, would both; As, who had bin
In Paradise, would seeke the Cherubin.
the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-69: similarly or with no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TCD
2 (Vertue, ... Fortune,)] brackets Ed: Fortune, 1633: Fortune; 1635-69, Grolier: Fortune. Chambers. See note
5 ne're] nere 1633
6 and] or 1669
8-9 1633 begins to bracket (Where ... not show) but does not finish, putting a colon after show: the others drop the larger brackets, retaining the smaller (as ... mee)
9 be] see 1669
show] show: 1633-54: show. 1669
11 notes: there some 1633-54: notes some: there 1669
17 enshrines; 1719: enshrines 1633-69
20 computations so; 1633-69: computations; so, Chambers
42 fooles:] fooles. 1633
48 Bablers 1633: Babblers 1635-54: Builders 1669
49 faire, Ed: faire; 1633-69
50 eye.] eye, 1633
52 and prophecie] all prophecye B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TCD prophecie.] prophecie, 1633 some copies
57 Parent] Parents 1669 Growth, 1669: Growth 1633-54
58 both 1633 and MSS.: worth 1635-69, O'F All: Ed: All, 1633-69
60 thinge B, Cy, D, H40, H49, N, O'F: things 1633-69, Lec
61 nice thinne 1633-54: nicest 1669
66 aliens 1633, 1669 and MSS.: alters 1635-54, O'F
67 and] end 1669, not lend as in Chambers' note
appeale Ed: appeale, 1633-69
68 true, 1633: true. 1635-69
71 had bin 1633-35: hath bin 1639-69. See note
MAN is a lumpe, where all beasts kneaded bee,
Wisdome makes him an Arke where all agree;
The foole, in whom these beasts do live at jarre,
Is sport to others, and a Theater;
5Nor scapes hee so, but is himselfe their prey,
All which was man in him, is eate away,
And now his beasts on one another feed,
Yet couple'in anger, and new monsters breed.
How happy'is hee, which hath due place assign'd
10To'his beasts, and disaforested his minde!
Empail'd himselfe to keepe them out, not in;
Can sow, and dares trust corne, where they have bin;
Can use his horse, goate, wolfe, and every beast,
And is not Asse himselfe to all the rest.
15Else, man not onely is the heard of swine,
But he's those devills too, which did incline
Them to a headlong rage, and made them worse:
For man can adde weight to heavens heaviest curse.
As Soules (they say) by our first touch, take in
20The poysonous tincture of Originall sinne,
So, to the punishments which God doth fling,
Our apprehension contributes the sting.
To us, as to his chickins, he doth cast
Hemlocke, and wee as men, his hemlocke taste;
25We do infuse to what he meant for meat,
Corrosivenesse, or intense cold or heat.
For, God no such specifique poyson hath
As kills we know not how; his fiercest wrath
Hath no antipathy, but may be good
30At lest for physicke, if not for our food.
Thus man, that might be'his pleasure, is his rod,
And is his devill, that might be his God.
Since then our businesse is, to rectifie
Nature, to what she was, wee'are led awry
35By them, who man to us in little show;
Greater then due, no forme we can bestow
On him; for Man into himselfe can draw
All; All his faith can swallow,'or reason chaw.
All that is fill'd, and all that which doth fill,
40All the round world, to man is but a pill,
In all it workes not, but it is in all
Poysonous, or purgative, or cordiall,
For, knowledge kindles Calentures in some,
And is to others icy Opium.
45As brave as true, is that profession than
Which you doe use to make; that you know man.
This makes it credible; you have dwelt upon
All worthy bookes, and now are such an one.
Actions are authors, and of those in you
50Your friends finde every day a mart of new.
To Sr Edward &c. 1633, D, H49, Lec, O'F: A Letter to Sr Edward Herbert (or Harbert). B, Cy (which adds Incerti Authoris), S96: To Sir E. H. A18, N, TC: no title, P: Elegia Vicesima Tertia. S: To Sr Edward Herbert, now (since 1669) Lord Herbert of Cherbury, being at the siege of Iulyers. 1635-69
4 Theater; Ed: Theater, 1633-69: Theater. D
5 prey, Ed: prey; 1633-69
8 breed.] breed; 1633
10 minde! Ed: minde? 1633-69
17 a headlong] a om. 1669: an headlong 1635-54
24 taste; Ed: taste. 1633-69
28 we know 1633 and MSS.: men know 1635-69, O'F
35 show; 1669: show, 1633-54, Chambers
36 due, 1633-69: due; Chambers. See note
38 All; All 1669: All: All 1635-54: All, All 1633
chaw. 1633: chaw, 1635-69, Grolier
39 fill, 1633-54: fill 1669: fill; Grolier
44 icy] jcy 1633
47-8 credible; ... bookes, Ed: credible, ... bookes; 1633-69: credible ... bookes Grolier
T 'HAVE written then, when you writ, seem'd to mee
Worst of spirituall vices, Simony,
And not t'have written then, seemes little lesse
Then worst of civill vices, thanklessenesse.
5In this, my debt I seem'd loath to confesse,
In that, I seem'd to shunne beholdingnesse.
But 'tis not soe; nothings, as I am, may
Pay all they have, and yet have all to pay.
Such borrow in their payments, and owe more
10By having leave to write so, then before.
Yet since rich mines in barren grounds are showne,
May not I yeeld (not gold) but coale or stone?
Temples were not demolish'd, though prophane:
Here Peter Ioves, there Paul hath Dian's Fane.
15So whether my hymnes you admit or chuse,
In me you'have hallowed a Pagan Muse,
And denizend a stranger, who mistaught
By blamers of the times they mard, hath sought
Vertues in corners, which now bravely doe
20Shine in the worlds best part, or all It; You.
I have beene told, that vertue in Courtiers hearts
Suffers an Ostracisme, and departs.
Profit, ease, fitnesse, plenty, bid it goe,
But whither, only knowing you, I know;
25Your (or you) vertue two vast uses serves,
It ransomes one sex, and one Court preserves.
There's nothing but your worth, which being true,
Is knowne to any other, not to you:
And you can never know it; To admit
30No knowledge of your worth, is some of it.
But since to you, your praises discords bee,
Stoop, others ills to meditate with mee.
Oh! to confesse wee know not what we should,
Is halfe excuse; wee know not what we would:
35Lightnesse depresseth us, emptinesse fills,
We sweat and faint, yet still goe downe the hills.
As new Philosophy arrests the Sunne,
And bids the passive earth about it runne,
So wee have dull'd our minde, it hath no ends;
40Onely the bodie's busie, and pretends;
As dead low earth ecclipses and controules
The quick high Moone: so doth the body, Soules.
In none but us, are such mixt engines found,
As hands of double office: For, the ground
45We till with them; and them to heav'n wee raise;
Who prayer-lesse labours, or, without this, prayes,
Doth but one halfe, that's none; He which said, Plough
And looke not back, to looke up doth allow.
Good seed degenerates, and oft obeyes
50The soyles disease, and into cockle strayes;
Let the minds thoughts be but transplanted so,
Into the body,'and bastardly they grow.
What hate could hurt our bodies like our love?
Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove
55These not ingrav'd, but inborne dignities,
Caskets of soules; Temples, and Palaces:
For, bodies shall from death redeemed bee,
Soules but preserv'd, not naturally free.
As men to'our prisons, new soules to us are sent,
60Which learne vice there, and come in innocent.
First seeds of every creature are in us,
What ere the world hath bad, or pretious,
Mans body can produce, hence hath it beene
That stones, wormes, frogges, and snakes in man are seene:
65But who ere saw, though nature can worke soe,
That pearle, or gold, or corne in man did grow?
We'have added to the world Virginia,'and sent
Two new starres lately to the firmament;
Why grudge wee us (not heaven) the dignity
70T'increase with ours, those faire soules company.
But I must end this letter, though it doe
Stand on two truths, neither is true to you,
Vertue hath some perversenesse; For she will
Neither beleeve her good, nor others ill.
75Even in you, vertues best paradise,
Vertue hath some, but wise degrees of vice.
Too many vertues, or too much of one
Begets in you unjust suspition;
And ignorance of vice, makes vertue lesse,
80Quenching compassion of our wrechednesse.
But these are riddles; Some aspersion
Of vice becomes well some complexion.
Statesmen purge vice with vice, and may corrode
The bad with bad, a spider with a toad:
85For so, ill thralls not them, but they tame ill
And make her do much good against her will,
But in your Commonwealth, or world in you,
Vice hath no office, or good worke to doe.
Take then no vitious purge, but be content
90With cordiall vertue, your knowne nourishment.
the &c. 1633-69: To the Countesse of B. N, O'F, TCD
5 debt 1669, N, O'F, TCD: doubt 1633-54
7 soe; Ed: soe, 1633-54: soe. 1669
nothings, 1635-54: nothing, 1633, N, TCD: Nothing 1669
may] may, 1633
14 hath] have 1633: om. N, TCD (have inserted)
Dian's 1635-54: Dian's 1633: Dina's 1669
20 or all It; You. 1635-54: or all it, you. 1669, N, O'F, TCD: or all, in you. 1633 (you, some copies)
25 Your (or you) vertue O'F: Your, or you vertue, 1633-54: You, or you vertue, 1669
26 preserves. Ed: preserves; 1633-69
28 you:] you. 1633-39
30 is some] it some 1633
32 Stoop, others ills] Stoop (Stop 1633) others ills, 1633-54: Stoop others ills 1669
34 excuse; Ed: excuse, 1633-69, Grosart (who transposes should and would), Chambers: excuse Grolier. See note
would: Ed: would] 1633-69
36 the hills. Ed: the hills; 1633-69
37 Philosophy. Phylosophy 1633 some copies, 1669
45 raise;] raise 1633
46 this,] these 1669
50 strayes; Ed: strayes. 1633-69
51 Let] Let but 1669
54 Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove Ed: Wee but no forraine tyrants could, remove O'F: Wee but no forraigne tyrants could remove, 1633-54 (tyrans 1633): We, but no forrain tyrants, could remove 1669, Chambers and Grolier. See note
55 dignities, Ed: dignities 1633-69
56 Palaces: 1633-35: Palaces. 1639-69
58 not naturally free. Ed: not naturally free; 1633, N, TCD: borne naturally free; 1635-69, O'F
59 prisons, new soules 1633: prisons now, soules 1635-69, O'F: prisons, now soules N, TCD
60 vice 1635-69, O'F: it 1633, N, TCD
66 That] That, 1633
grow?1639-69: grow. 1633-35
74 ill.] ill, 1633-35
75 you, 1669: you 1635-54: your 1633
78 suspition; Ed: suspition. 1633-69
79 makes] make 1635-39
87 Commonwealth, ... you,] no commas 1633
On New-yeares day.
THIS twilight of two yeares, not past nor next,
Some embleme is of mee, or I of this,
Who Meteor-like, of stuffe and forme perplext,
Whose what, and where, in disputation is,
5If I should call mee any thing, should misse.
I summe the yeares, and mee, and finde mee not
Debtor to th'old, nor Creditor to th'new,
That cannot say, My thankes I have forgot,
Nor trust I this with hopes, and yet scarce true
10This bravery is, since these times shew'd mee you.
In recompence I would show future times
What you were, and teach them to'urge towards such.
Verse embalmes vertue;'and Tombs, or Thrones of rimes,
Preserve fraile transitory fame, as much
15As spice doth bodies from corrupt aires touch.
Mine are short-liv'd; the tincture of your name
Creates in them, but dissipates as fast,
New spirits: for, strong agents with the same
Force that doth warme and cherish, us doe wast;
20Kept hot with strong extracts, no bodies last:
So, my verse built of your just praise, might want
Reason and likelihood, the firmest Base,
And made of miracle, now faith is scant,
Will vanish soone, and so possesse no place,
25And you, and it, too much grace might disgrace.
When all (as truth commands assent) confesse
All truth of you, yet they will doubt how I,
One corne of one low anthills dust, and lesse,
Should name, know, or expresse a thing so high,
30And not an inch, measure infinity.
I cannot tell them, nor my selfe, nor you,
But leave, lest truth b'endanger'd by my praise,
And turne to God, who knowes I thinke this true,
And useth oft, when such a heart mis-sayes,
35To make it good, for, such a praiser prayes.
Hee will best teach you, how you should lay out
His stock of beauty, learning, favour, blood;
He will perplex security with doubt,
And cleare those doubts; hide from you,'and shew you good,
40And so increase your appetite and food;
Hee will teach you, that good and bad have not
One latitude in cloysters, and in Court;
Indifferent there the greatest space hath got;
Some pitty'is not good there, some vaine disport,
45On this side sinne, with that place may comport.
Yet he, as hee bounds seas, will fixe your houres,
Which pleasure, and delight may not ingresse,
And though what none else lost, be truliest yours,
Hee will make you, what you did not, possesse,
50By using others, not vice, but weakenesse.
He will make you speake truths, and credibly,
And make you doubt, that others doe not so:
Hee will provide you keyes, and locks, to spie,
And scape spies, to good ends, and hee will show
55What you may not acknowledge, what not know.
For your owne conscience, he gives innocence,
But for your fame, a discreet warinesse,
And though to scape, then to revenge offence
Be better, he showes both, and to represse
60Ioy, when your state swells, sadnesse when'tis lesse.
From need of teares he will defend your soule,
Or make a rebaptizing of one teare;
Hee cannot, (that's, he will not) dis-inroule
Your name; and when with active joy we heare
65This private Ghospell, then'tis our New Yeare.
To the &c. 1633-69: To the Countesse of B. at New-yeares tide. N, O'F, TCD
3-4 (Meteor-like, ... disputation is,) 1635-69
9 true Ed: true, 1633 true. 1635-69
10 is, Ed: is 1633-69 (in 1633 the interval shows that a comma was intended)
times] time 1633
12 such. Ed: such, 1633-69
16 short-liv'd] short liv'd 1633
17 fast,] fast 1633
18 spirits: Ed: spirit: 1633: spirits; 1635-69
19 cherish, us doe 1633: cherish us, doe 1635-69
27 I, Ed: I 1633-69
28 (One corne ... and lesse,) 1635-69
29 name, know,] no commas 1633-69
30 And not an inch, 1633: And (not an inch) 1635-69
infinity.] infinite. 1669
35 praiser prayes. 1635-69, O'F: prayer prayes. 1633: prayer praise. N, TCD
37 blood;] blood, 1633
39 doubts;] doubts, 1633
42 Court; Ed: Court, 1633-69
43 got; Ed: got, 1633-69
44 pitty' 1633-69: piety James Russell Lowell, in Grolier note. See note
45 On this side sinne, Ed (from Chambers): On this side, sinne; 1633: On this side, sin, 1635-69. See note
46 he, Ed: he 1633-69
47 Which] With 1633
55 may] will 1669
58-9 (though to scape ... Be better,) 1635-69
65 New Yeare.] new yeare, 1633
Madame,
MAN to Gods image; Eve, to mans was made,
Nor finde wee that God breath'd a soule in her,
Canons will not Church functions you invade,
Nor lawes to civill office you preferre.
5Who vagrant transitory Comets sees,
Wonders, because they'are rare; But a new starre
Whose motion with the firmament agrees,
Is miracle; for, there no new things are;
In woman so perchance milde innocence
10A seldome comet is, but active good
A miracle, which reason scapes, and sense;
For, Art and Nature this in them withstood.
As such a starre, the Magi led to view
The manger-cradled infant, God below:
15By vertues beames by fame deriv'd from you,
May apt soules, and the worst may, vertue know.
If the worlds age, and death be argued well
By the Sunnes fall, which now towards earth doth bend,
Then we might feare that vertue, since she fell
20So low as woman, should be neare her end.
But she's not stoop'd, but rais'd; exil'd by men
She fled to heaven, that's heavenly things, that's you;
She was in all men, thinly scatter'd then,
But now amass'd, contracted in a few.
25She guilded us: But you are gold, and Shee;
Us she inform'd, but transubstantiates you;
Soft dispositions which ductile bee,
Elixarlike, she makes not cleane, but new.
Though you a wifes and mothers name retaine,
30'Tis not as woman, for all are not soe,
But vertue having made you vertue,'is faine
T'adhere in these names, her and you to show,
Else, being alike pure, wee should neither see;
As, water being into ayre rarify'd,
35Neither appeare, till in one cloud they bee,
So, for our sakes you do low names abide;
Taught by great constellations, which being fram'd,
Of the most starres, take low names, Crab and Bull,
When single planets by the Gods are nam'd,
40You covet not great names, of great things full.
So you, as woman, one doth comprehend,
And in the vaile of kindred others see;
To some ye are reveal'd, as in a friend,
And as a vertuous Prince farre off, to mee.
45To whom, because from you all vertues flow,
And 'tis not none, to dare contemplate you,
I, which doe so, as your true subject owe
Some tribute for that, so these lines are due.
If you can thinke these flatteries, they are,
50For then your judgement is below my praise,
If they were so, oft, flatteries worke as farre,
As Counsels, and as farre th'endeavour raise.
So my ill reaching you might there grow good,
But I remaine a poyson'd fountaine still;
55But not your beauty, vertue, knowledge, blood
Are more above all flattery, then my will.
And if I flatter any,'tis not you
But my owne judgement, who did long agoe
Pronounce, that all these praises should be true,
60And vertue should your beauty,'and birth outgrow.
Now that my prophesies are all fulfill'd,
Rather then God should not be honour'd too,
And all these gifts confess'd, which hee instill'd,
Your selfe were bound to say that which I doe.
65So I, but your Recorder am in this,
Or mouth, or Speaker of the universe,
A ministeriall Notary, for'tis
Not I, but you and fame, that make this verse;
I was your Prophet in your yonger dayes,
70And now your Chaplaine, God in you to praise.
To the &c. 1633-69, O'F: To the C. of H. N, TCD
1 image;] image, 1633
mans] man 1650-69
9 woman] women 1669
13 the] which 1633
Magi] Magis N, O'F, TCD: compare p. 243, l. 390]
14 below: Ed: below. 1633-69
15 beames by ... you, 1633: beames (by ... you) 1633-69
16 may, Ed: may 1633-69
22 you; Ed: you, 1633-69
24 amass'd, 1633, O'F: a masse 1635-69, N, TCD
25-6 But you are gold, and Shee; ... transubstantiates you; Ed: But you are gold, and Shee, ... transubstantiates you, 1633:
but you are gold; and she,
Informed us, but transubstantiates you,
1635-69, Chambers (but no comma after and she and colon or full stop after you 1650-69, Chambers)
33 see; Ed: see, 1633-69
37-9 (which being ... are nam'd) 1635-69
42 vaile] vale 1669
43 ye 1633: you 1635-69
47 doe so, 1635-69, O'F: doe N, TCD: to you 1633
48 due.] due, 1633
55 But 1633, N, O'F, TCD: And 1635-69, Chambers
64 that] thar 1633
66 or Speaker 1633: and Speaker 1635-69
67 Notary,] notary, 1633
A LL haile sweet Poët, more full of more strong fire,
Then hath or shall enkindle any spirit,
I lov'd what nature gave thee, but this merit
Of wit and Art I love not but admire;
5Who have before or shall write after thee,
Their workes, though toughly laboured, will bee
Like infancie or age to mans firme stay,
Or earely and late twilights to mid-day.
Men say, and truly, that they better be
10Which be envyed then pittied: therefore I,
Because I wish thee best, doe thee envie:
O wouldst thou, by like reason, pitty mee!
But care not for mee: I, that ever was
In Natures, and in Fortunes gifts, alas,
15(Before thy grace got in the Muses Schoole
A monster and a begger,) am now a foole.
Oh how I grieve, that late borne modesty
Hath got such root in easie waxen hearts,
That men may not themselves, their owne good parts
20Extoll, without suspect of surquedrie,
For, but thy selfe, no subject can be found
Worthy thy quill, nor any quill resound
Thy worth but thine: how good it were to see
A Poëm in thy praise, and writ by thee.
25Now if this song be too'harsh for rime, yet, as
The Painters bad god made a good devill,
'Twill be good prose, although the verse be evill,
If thou forget the rime as thou dost passe.
Then write, that I may follow, and so bee
30Thy debter, thy'eccho, thy foyle, thy zanee.
I shall be thought, if mine like thine I shape,
All the worlds Lyon, though I be thy Ape.
To Mr T. W.: P, S, W: To M. I. W. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Letter. To Mr T. W. O'F: Ad amicum. S96: no title, B, Cy
1 more full] and full 1669
2 any spirit, 1633, A18, Cy, N, P, TC, W: my dull spirit, 1635-69, B, O'F, S
3 this merit 1633, A18, Cy, N, P, S, TC, W: thy merit 1635-69, B, O'F, Chambers
11 thee ... thee] the ... the 1669
12 mee! Ed: mee. W: mee, 1633-69
13 mee: Ed: mee, 1633-69
ever was] never was B, P, S96
14-16
In Natures, and in Fortunes gifts, alas,
(Before ... and a begger,)
Ed:
In Natures, and in fortunes gifts, (alas,
Before thy grace got in the Muses Schoole)
A monster and a begger,
1633 (some copies: others read 15 Before by thy grace &c., which is also the Grolier conjecture), A18, Cy, N, P, S, TC, W (but W and some of the other MSS. have no brackets):
In Natures, and in fortunes gifts, alas,
(But for thy grace got in the Muses Schoole)
A Monster and a beggar,
1635-69, O'F, Chambers
In fortunes, nor (or S96) in natures gifts alas,
But by thy grace, &c.
B, S96. See note
16 am now a foole. Cy, O'F, P, S, S96, W: am a foole. 1633-69, A18, B, N, TC
23 worth 1669, B, Cy, O'F, P, S, S96, W: worke 1633-54, A18, N, TC
27 evill, W: evill. 1633-69, Chambers
28 passe. W: passe, 1633-69, Chambers
29 that I 1669, B, Cy, N, O'F, P, S, W: then I 1633-54, A18, N, TC
30 Thy debter, thy'eccho 1633-54: Thy eccho, thy debtor 1669
thy zanee.] and thy Zanee. A18, N, TC
31 if ... shape] brackets 1635-69
HAST thee harsh verse, as fast as thy lame measure
Will give thee leave, to him, my pain and pleasure.
I have given thee, and yet thou art too weake,
Feete, and a reasoning soule and tongue to speake.
5Plead for me, and so by thine and my labour
I am thy Creator, thou my Saviour.
Tell him, all questions, which men have defended
Both of the place and paines of hell, are ended;
And 'tis decreed our hell is but privation
10Of him, at least in this earths habitation:
And 'tis where I am, where in every street
Infections follow, overtake, and meete:
Live I or die, by you my love is sent,
And you'are my pawnes, or else my Testament.
To Mr T. W.: O'F, W: To M. T. W. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
1 verse, 1669: verse 1633-54
2 to him, my pain and pleasure. W, and Chambers (without comma): to him; My pain, and pleasure 1633-69: to him. My pain and pleasure, Grolier
4 Feete, ... soule W: no comma 1633: Feete ... soule, 1635-69
5-6 These lines only in W
9 our] that W
14 And you'are 1633, A18, N, TC, W: You are 1635-69, O'F
pawnes] om. with space, W
Note[page 206]
PREGNANT again with th'old twins Hope, and Feare,
Oft have I askt for thee, both how and where
Thou wert, and what my hopes of letters were;
As in our streets sly beggers narrowly
5Watch motions of the givers hand and eye,
And evermore conceive some hope thereby.
And now thy Almes is given, thy letter'is read,
The body risen againe, the which was dead,
And thy poore starveling bountifully fed.
10After this banquet my Soule doth say grace,
And praise thee for'it, and zealously imbrace
Thy love; though I thinke thy love in this case
To be as gluttons, which say 'midst their meat,
They love that best of which they most do eat.
To Mr T. W. O'F, W: To M. T. W. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
5 Watch] Marke W
and eye, A18, A23, N, O'F, TC, W: or eye, 1633-69
12 love; Ed: love, 1633-69
A T once, from hence, my lines and I depart,
I to my soft still walks, they to my Heart;
I to the Nurse, they to the child of Art;
Yet as a firme house, though the Carpenter
5Perish, doth stand: As an Embassadour
Lyes safe, how e'r his king be in danger:
So, though I languish, prest with Melancholy,
My verse, the strict Map of my misery,
Shall live to see that, for whose want I dye.
10Therefore I envie them, and doe repent,
That from unhappy mee, things happy'are sent;
Yet as a Picture, or bare Sacrament,
Accept these lines, and if in them there be
Merit of love, bestow that love on mee.
To Mr T. W. W: An Old Letter. D, H49: A Letter. S96: Letter. O'F: no heading, and following the preceding without any interval, 1633, A18, N, TC: Incerto. 1635-69
5 As W: as 1633-69
7 Melancholy] Malancholy 1633
14 of love,] of love 1633
ZEALOUSLY my Muse doth salute all thee,
Enquiring of that mistique trinitee
Whereof thou,'and all to whom heavens do infuse
Like fyer, are made; thy body, mind, and Muse.
5Dost thou recover sicknes, or prevent?
Or is thy Mind travail'd with discontent?
Or art thou parted from the world and mee,
In a good skorn of the worlds vanitee?
Or is thy devout Muse retyr'd to sing
10Vpon her tender Elegiaque string?
Our Minds part not, joyne then thy Muse with myne,
For myne is barren thus devorc'd from thyne.
To Mr R. W. A23, W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne, &c., 1899
1 thee,] thee W
MVSE not that by thy mind thy body is led:
For by thy mind, my mind's distempered.
So thy Care lives long, for I bearing part
It eates not only thyne, but my swolne hart.
5And when it gives us intermission
We take new harts for it to feede upon.
But as a Lay Mans Genius doth controule
Body and mind; the Muse beeing the Soules Soule
Of Poets, that methinks should ease our anguish,
10Although our bodyes wither and minds languish.
Wright then, that my griefes which thine got may bee
Cured by thy charming soveraigne melodee.
To Mr R. W. A23, W: printed here for the first time
THY friend, whom thy deserts to thee enchaine,
Urg'd by this unexcusable occasion,
Thee and the Saint of his affection
Leaving behinde, doth of both wants complaine;
5And let the love I beare to both sustaine
No blott nor maime by this division,
Strong is this love which ties our hearts in one,
And strong that love pursu'd with amorous paine;
But though besides thy selfe I leave behind
10Heavens liberall, and earths thrice-fairer Sunne,
Going to where sterne winter aye doth wonne,
Yet, loves hot fires, which martyr my sad minde,
Doe send forth scalding sighes, which have the Art
To melt all Ice, but that which walls her heart.
To Mr C. B.: A23, W: To M. C. B. 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD
9 thy self] my self 1669
10 liberall,] liberall 1633
earths 1633, 1669, A18, A23, N, O'F, TC, W: the 1635-54, Chambers
thrice fairer A23, W: thrice-faire 1633-69, A18, N, TC
11 sterne 1633, A18, A23, N, TC, W: sterv'd 1633-69, O'F
13 forth] out A18, N, TC
EVEN as lame things thirst their perfection, so
The slimy rimes bred in our vale below,
Bearing with them much of my love and hart,
Fly unto that Parnassus, where thou art.
5There thou oreseest London: Here I have beene,
By staying in London, too much overseene.
Now pleasures dearth our City doth posses,
Our Theaters are fill'd with emptines;
As lancke and thin is every street and way
10As a woman deliver'd yesterday.
Nothing whereat to laugh my spleen espyes
But bearbaitings or Law exercise.
Therefore I'le leave it, and in the Country strive
Pleasure, now fled from London, to retrive.
15Do thou so too: and fill not like a Bee
Thy thighs with hony, but as plenteously
As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load,
And then at Winter retaile it here abroad.
Blesse us with Suffolks sweets; and as it is
20Thy garden, make thy hive and warehouse this.
To Mr E. G. W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne, &c. 1899
5-6 beene, ... London,] no commas, W
6 staying] staing W
7 dearth] dirth W
7-8 posses, ... emptines;] posses ... emptines. W
I F, as mine is, thy life a slumber be,
Seeme, when thou read'st these lines, to dreame of me,
Never did Morpheus nor his brother weare
Shapes soe like those Shapes, whom they would appeare,
5As this my letter is like me, for it
Hath my name, words, hand, feet, heart, minde and wit;
It is my deed of gift of mee to thee,
It is my Will, my selfe the Legacie.
So thy retyrings I love, yea envie,
10Bred in thee by a wise melancholy,
That I rejoyce, that unto where thou art,
Though I stay here, I can thus send my heart,
As kindly'as any enamored Patient
His Picture to his absent Love hath sent.
15All newes I thinke sooner reach thee then mee;
Havens are Heavens, and Ships wing'd Angels be,
The which both Gospell, and sterne threatnings bring;
Guyanaes harvest is nip'd in the spring,
I feare; And with us (me thinkes) Fate deales so
20As with the Jewes guide God did; he did show
Him the rich land, but bar'd his entry in:
Oh, slownes is our punishment and sinne.
Perchance, these Spanish businesse being done,
Which as the Earth betweene the Moone and Sun
25Eclipse the light which Guyana would give,
Our discontinued hopes we shall retrive:
But if (as all th'All must) hopes smoake away,
Is not Almightie Vertue'an India?
If men be worlds, there is in every one
30Some thing to answere in some proportion
All the worlds riches: And in good men, this,
Vertue, our formes forme and our soules soule, is.
To Mr R. W. A18, A23, N, O'F, TCC, TCD, W: To M. R. W. 1633-69: no breaks, W: two stanzas of fourteen lines and a quatrain, 1633: twenty-eight lines continuous and a quatrain, 1633-69
3 brother 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TC: brethren W
6 hand,] hands O'F, TC
21 in: 1650-69, W: in, 1633-39
22 Oh, A23, N, O'F, TC: Ah, W: Our 1633-69
sinne. W: sinne; 1633-69
23 businesse 1633, A18, N, TC: busnesses W: businesses 1635-69
done] donne W
27 all th'All W: All th'All 1633-69
31 men, this, Ed: men, this 1633-69
32 soules soule, is. Chambers: soules soule is. 1633-69
K INDLY I envy thy songs perfection
Built of all th'elements as our bodyes are:
That Litle of earth that is in it, is a faire
Delicious garden where all sweetes are sowne.
5In it is cherishing fyer which dryes in mee
Griefe which did drowne me: and halfe quench'd by it
Are satirique fyres which urg'd me to have writt
In skorne of all: for now I admyre thee.
And as Ayre doth fullfill the hollownes
10Of rotten walls; so it myne emptines,
Where tost and mov'd it did beget this sound
Which as a lame Eccho of thyne doth rebound.
Oh, I was dead; but since thy song new Life did give,
I recreated, even by thy creature, live.
To Mr R. W. W: published here for the first time
6 which] wch W, and so always
10 emptines,] emptines. W
13-14 Oh, ... give, ... recreated, ... creature,] no commas, W
O THOU which to search out the secret parts
Of the India, or rather Paradise
Of knowledge, hast with courage and advise
Lately launch'd into the vast Sea of Arts,
5Disdaine not in thy constant travailing
To doe as other Voyagers, and make
Some turnes into lesse Creekes, and wisely take
Fresh water at the Heliconian spring;
I sing not, Siren like, to tempt; for I
10Am harsh; nor as those Scismatiques with you,
Which draw all wits of good hope to their crew;
But seeing in you bright sparkes of Poetry,
I, though I brought no fuell, had desire
With these Articulate blasts to blow the fire.
To Mr S. B. O'F: To M. S. B. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD, W
10 harsh; 1650-69: harsh, 1633-39
12 seeing] seing 1633: seene TCD, W: seeme TCC
13 I, though] I thought 1650-54
had] but 1650-54
Note[page 212]
OF that short Roll of friends writ in my heart
Which with thy name begins, since their depart,
Whether in the English Provinces they be,
Or drinke of Po, Sequan, or Danubie,
5There's none that sometimes greets us not, and yet
Your Trent is Lethe; that past, us you forget.
You doe not duties of Societies,
If from the'embrace of a lov'd wife you rise,
View your fat Beasts, stretch'd Barnes, and labour'd fields,
10Eate, play, ryde, take all joyes which all day yeelds,
And then againe to your embracements goe:
Some houres on us your frends, and some bestow
Upon your Muse, else both wee shall repent,
I that my love, she that her guifts on you are spent.
To Mr I. L. W: To M. I. L. 1633-69: To M. I. L. A18, N, TCC, TCD: To Mr T. L. O'F
5 sometimes] sometime 1635-39, Chambers
6 Lethe; W: Lethe', 1633-69
forget. 1639-69, W: forget, 1633-35
13 your] thy W
14 you] thee W
spent.] spent 1633
I S not thy sacred hunger of science
Yet satisfy'd? Is not thy braines rich hive
Fulfil'd with hony which thou dost derive
From the Arts spirits and their Quintessence?
5Then weane thy selfe at last, and thee withdraw
From Cambridge thy old nurse, and, as the rest,
Here toughly chew, and sturdily digest
Th'immense vast volumes of our common law;
And begin soone, lest my griefe grieve thee too,
10Which is, that that which I should have begun
In my youthes morning, now late must be done;
And I as Giddy Travellers must doe,
Which stray or sleepe all day, and having lost
Light and strength, darke and tir'd must then ride post.
15If thou unto thy Muse be marryed,
Embrace her ever, ever multiply,
Be far from me that strange Adulterie
To tempt thee and procure her widowhed.
My Muse, (for I had one,) because I'am cold,
20Divorc'd her selfe: the cause being in me,
That I can take no new in Bigamye,
Not my will only but power doth withhold.
Hence comes it, that these Rymes which never had
Mother, want matter, and they only have
25A little forme, the which their Father gave;
They are prophane, imperfect, oh, too bad
To be counted Children of Poetry
Except confirm'd and Bishoped by thee.
To Mr B. B. O'F, W: To M. B. B. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
12 I ... Travellers 1650-69: I, ... Travellers, 1633-39
13 stray] stay W: compare Sat. III. 78
16 ever, ever multiply, 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TC: still: encrease and multiply; W
18 widowhed. W: widdowhood, 1633-39: widdowhood; 1650-69
19 Muse, A18, N, O'F, TC, W: nurse, 1633-69
20 selfe: W: selfe, 1633-69
in me, 1633-69: in me; Grolier: in me. Chambers. See note
BLEST are your North parts, for all this long time
My Sun is with you, cold and darke'is our Clime:
Heavens Sun, which staid so long from us this yeare,
Staid in your North (I thinke) for she was there,
5And hether by kinde nature drawne from thence,
Here rages, chafes, and threatens pestilence;
Yet I, as long as shee from hence doth staie,[page 214]
Thinke this no South, no Sommer, nor no day.
With thee my kinde and unkinde heart is run,
10There sacrifice it to that beauteous Sun:
And since thou art in Paradise and need'st crave
No joyes addition, helpe thy friend to save.
So may thy pastures with their flowery feasts,
As suddenly as Lard, fat thy leane beasts;
15So may thy woods oft poll'd, yet ever weare
A greene, and when thee list, a golden haire;
So may all thy sheepe bring forth Twins; and so
In chace and race may thy horse all out goe;
So may thy love and courage ne'r be cold;
20Thy Sonne ne'r Ward; Thy lov'd wife ne'r seem old;
But maist thou wish great things, and them attaine,
As thou telst her, and none but her, my paine.
To Mr I. L. Ed: To M. I. L. A18, N, TCC, TCD, W: To Mr T. L. O'F: To M. I. P. 1633-69
6 rages, chafes, Ed: rages chafes 1633-39: rages, chafes 1650-69: rages, burnes, W
11-12 these lines from W: they have not previously been printed
16 when thee list, Ed: when thee list 1633, A18, N, TC: (when she list) 1635-69, O'F: when thou wilt W
20 lov'd wife] fair wife W
22 her, ... her, Ed: her ... her 1633: her, ... her 1635-69
AFTER those reverend papers, whose soule is
Our good and great Kings lov'd hand and fear'd name,
By which to you he derives much of his,
And (how he may) makes you almost the same,
5A Taper of his Torch, a copie writ
From his Originall, and a faire beame
Of the same warme, and dazeling Sun, though it
Must in another Sphere his vertue streame:
After those learned papers which your hand
10Hath stor'd with notes of use and pleasure too,
From which rich treasury you may command
Fit matter whether you will write or doe:
After those loving papers, where friends tend
With glad griefe, to your Sea-ward steps, farewel,
15Which thicken on you now, as prayers ascend
To heaven in troupes at'a good mans passing bell:
Admit this honest paper, and allow
It such an audience as your selfe would aske;
What you must say at Venice this meanes now,
20And hath for nature, what you have for taske:
To sweare much love, not to be chang'd before
Honour alone will to your fortune fit;
Nor shall I then honour your forture, more
Then I have done your honour wanting it.
25But'tis an easier load (though both oppresse)
To want, then governe greatnesse, for wee are
In that, our owne and onely business,
In this, wee must for others vices care;
'Tis therefore well your spirits now are plac'd
30In their last Furnace, in activity;
Which fits them (Schooles and Courts and Warres o'rpast)
To touch and test in any best degree.
For mee, (if there be such a thing as I)
Fortune (if there be such a thing as thee)
35Spies that I beare so well her tyranny,
That she thinks nothing else so fit for mee;
To Sir H. W. at his &c. 1633-54: To Sir Henry Wotton, at his &c. 1669, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: printed in Walton's Life of Sir Henry Wotton, 1670, as a 'letter, sent by him to Sir Henry Wotton, the morning before he left England', i.e. July 13 (O.S.), 1604
10 pleasure 1635-69, A18, N, O'F, TC, Walton: pleasures 1633
13 where 1633, A18, N, TC: which 1635-69, O'F, Walton
16 in troupes] on troops Walton
19 must ... meanes] would ... sayes Walton
20 hath] has Walton
taske: Ed: taske. 1633-69
21 not] nor Walton
24 honour wanting it 1633: noble-wanting-wit. 1635-69, O'F: honour-wanting-wit. Walton: noble wanting it. A18, N, TCC, TCD
31 Warres Ed: warres 1633-69: tents Burley MS.
32 test] tast 1669 and Walton
35 Spies] Finds Walton
MAD paper stay, and grudge not here to burne
With all those sonnes whom my braine did create,
At lest lye hid with mee, till thou returne
To rags againe, which is thy native state.
5What though thou have enough unworthinesse
To come unto great place as others doe,
That's much; emboldens, pulls, thrusts I confesse,
But'tis not all; Thou should'st be wicked too.
And, that thou canst not learne, or not of mee;
10Yet thou wilt goe? Goe, since thou goest to her
Who lacks but faults to be a Prince, for shee,
Truth, whom they dare not pardon, dares preferre.
But when thou com'st to that perplexing eye
Which equally claimes love and reverence,
15Thou wilt not long dispute it, thou wilt die;
And, having little now, have then no sense.
Yet when her warme redeeming hand, which is
A miracle; and made such to worke more,
Doth touch thee (saples leafe) thou grow'st by this
20Her creature; glorify'd more then before.
Then as a mother which delights to heare
Her early child mis-speake halfe uttered words,
Or, because majesty doth never feare
Ill or bold speech, she Audience affords.
25And then, cold speechlesse wretch, thou diest againe,
And wisely; what discourse is left for thee?
For, speech of ill, and her, thou must abstaine,
And is there any good which is not shee?
Yet maist thou praise her servants, though not her,
30And wit, and vertue,'and honour her attend,
And since they'are but her cloathes, thou shalt not erre,
If thou her shape and beauty'and grace commend.
Who knowes thy destiny? when thou hast done,
Perchance her Cabinet may harbour thee,
35Whither all noble ambitious wits doe runne,
A nest almost as full of Good as shee.
When thou art there, if any, whom wee know,
Were sav'd before, and did that heaven partake,
When she revolves his papers, marke what show
40Of favour, she alone, to them doth make.
Marke, if to get them, she o'r skip the rest,
Marke, if shee read them twice, or kisse the name;
Marke, if she doe the same that they protest,
Marke, if she marke whether her woman came.
45Marke, if slight things be'objected, and o'r blowne,
Marke, if her oathes against him be not still
Reserv'd, and that shee grieves she's not her owne,
And chides the doctrine that denies Freewill.
I bid thee not doe this to be my spie;
50Nor to make my selfe her familiar;
But so much I doe love her choyce, that I
Would faine love him that shall be lov'd of her.
To Mrs M. H. O'F: To M. M. H. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, A25, B, C, P: Elegie. S96
2 sonnes] Sunnes B, S96
my 1633: thy 1635-69: Chambers attributes thy to 1633
3 returne] returne. 1633
7 That's much; emboldens, A18, N, TC: That's much, emboldens, 1633-54: That's much emboldness, 1669: That's much, it emboldens, B, P
8 all; Thou A18, N, TC: all, thou 1633-69
10 goe? Goe, Ed: goe, Goe, 1633-69
14 reverence, Ed: reverence. 1633: reverence: 1635-69
22 mis-speake] mispeake 1633
27 For, 1633: From 1635-69, and MSS.
her, Ed: her 1633-69
31 erre, 1669: erre 1633-54
40 she alone, 1633: she, alone, 1635-69
41 get them, she o'r skip] get them, she do skip A18 (doth), N, TC: get them, she skip oare A25, C, O'F (skips): get to them, shee skipp B, P
44 whether 1633: whither 1635-69
47 grieves 1633: grieve 1635-69
HONOUR is so sublime perfection,
And so refinde; that when God was alone
And creaturelesse at first, himselfe had none;
But as of the elements, these which wee tread,
5Produce all things with which wee'are joy'd or fed,
And, those are barren both above our head:
So from low persons doth all honour flow;
Kings, whom they would have honoured, to us show,
And but direct our honour, not bestow.
10For when from herbs the pure part must be wonne
From grosse, by Stilling, this is better done
By despis'd dung, then by the fire or Sunne.
Care not then, Madame,'how low your praysers lye;
In labourers balads oft more piety
15God findes, then in Te Deums melodie.
And, ordinance rais'd on Towers, so many mile
Send not their voice, nor last so long a while
As fires from th'earths low vaults in Sicil Isle.
Should I say I liv'd darker then were true,
20Your radiation can all clouds subdue;
But one,'tis best light to contemplate you.
You, for whose body God made better clay,
Or tooke Soules stuffe such as shall late decay,
Or such as needs small change at the last day.
25This, as an Amber drop enwraps a Bee,
Covering discovers your quicke Soule; that we
May in your through-shine front your hearts thoughts see.
You teach (though wee learne not) a thing unknowne
To our late times, the use of specular stone,
30Through which all things within without were shown.
Of such were Temples; so and of such you are;
Beeing and seeming is your equall care,
And vertues whole summe is but know and dare.
But as our Soules of growth and Soules of sense
35Have birthright of our reasons Soule, yet hence
They fly not from that, nor seeke presidence:
Natures first lesson, so, discretion,
Must not grudge zeale a place, nor yet keepe none,
Not banish it selfe, nor religion.
40Discretion is a wisemans Soule, and so
Religion is a Christians, and you know
How these are one; her yea, is not her no.
Nor may we hope to sodder still and knit
These two, and dare to breake them; nor must wit
45Be colleague to religion, but be it.
In those poor types of God (round circles) so
Religions tipes the peeclesse centers flow,
And are in all the lines which all wayes goe.
If either ever wrought in you alone
50Or principally, then religion
Wrought your ends, and your wayes discretion.
Goe thither stil, goe the same way you went,
Who so would change, do covet or repent;
Neither can reach you, great and innocent.
To the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-69, B, O'F, S96: To the Countess of B. N, TCD
10 part] parts N, O'F, TCD
12 or Sunne. 1633, B, N, O'F, S96, TCD: or Sun: 1669: of Sunne: 1635-54, Chambers
13 praysers N, O'F, TCD: prayers S96: prayses 1633-69
16 Towers,] Towers 1633
20-1 subdue; But one, Ed: subdue; But One Chambers: subdue, But one, 1633-69: subdue But one; Grolier and Grosart. See note
26 Covering discovers] Coverings discover 1669
27 your hearts thoughts B, N, O'F, S96, TCD: our hearts thoughts 1633-69. See note
31 so and of such N, TCD: so and such 1633-69, B, O'F, S96
33is but to know and dare. N
36-7
They fly not from that, nor seeke presidence:
Natures first lesson, so, discretion, &c.
1633-69 (presidence. 1633; precedence: 1669)
They fly not from that, nor seek precedence,
Natures first lesson; so discretion &c.
Chambers and Grolier (discretion, Grolier). See note
40-2] These lines precede 34-9 in 1635-69, B, N, S96, TCD: om. O'F
42 one; Ed: one, 1633-69 yea, ... no] ital. Ed.
48 all wayes 1719: alwayes 1633-69
50-1
'twas Religion,
Yet you neglected not Discretion.
S96
53 do covet] doth covet 1669, O'F, S96
Begun in France but never perfected.
THOUGH I be dead, and buried, yet I have
(Living in you,) Court enough in my grave,
As oft as there I thinke my selfe to bee,
So many resurrections waken mee.
5That thankfullnesse your favours have begot
In mee, embalmes mee, that I doe not rot.
This season as 'tis Easter, as 'tis spring,
Must both to growth and to confession bring
My thoughts dispos'd unto your influence; so,
10These verses bud, so these confessions grow.
First I confesse I have to others lent
Your flock, and over prodigally spent
Your treasure, for since I had never knowne
Vertue or beautie, but as they are growne
15In you, I should not thinke or say they shine,
(So as I have) in any other Mine.
Next I confesse this my confession,
For, 'tis some fault thus much to touch upon
Your praise to you, where half rights seeme too much,
20And make your minds sincere complexion blush.
Next I confesse my'impenitence, for I
Can scarce repent my first fault, since thereby
Remote low Spirits, which shall ne'r read you,
May in lesse lessons finde enough to doe,
25By studying copies, not Originals,
Desunt cætera.
To the Countesse &c. 1633-69 (following in 1635-69 That unripe side &c., p. 417, and If her disdaine &c., p. 430), O'F
5 begot] forgot 1633 some copies
6 embalmes mee, Ed: embalmes mee; 1633-69
rot. Ed: rot; 1633-69
9 influence; Ed: influence, 1633-69
10 grow. Ed: grow; 1633-69
14 or 1633-39: and 1650-69
16 Mine. Ed: Mine; 1633-69
18 upon Ed: upon, 1633-69
Madame,
HERE where by All All Saints invoked are,
'Twere too much schisme to be singular,
And 'gainst a practise generall to warre.
Yet turning to Saincts, should my'humility
5To other Sainct then you directed bee,
That were to make my schisme, heresie.
Nor would I be a Convertite so cold,
As not to tell it; If this be too bold,
Pardons are in this market cheaply sold.
10Where, because Faith is in too low degree,
I thought it some Apostleship in mee
To speake things which by faith alone I see.
That is, of you, who are a firmament
Of virtues, where no one is growne, or spent,
15They'are your materials, not your ornament.
Others whom wee call vertuous, are not so
In their whole substance, but, their vertues grow
But in their humours, and at seasons show.
For when through tastlesse flat humilitie
20In dow bak'd men some harmelessenes we see,
'Tis but his flegme that's Vertuous, and not Hee:
Soe is the Blood sometimes; who ever ran
To danger unimportun'd, he was than
No better then a sanguine Vertuous man.
25So cloysterall men, who, in pretence of feare
All contributions to this life forbeare,
Have Vertue in Melancholy, and only there.
Spirituall Cholerique Crytiques, which in all
Religions find faults, and forgive no fall,
30Have, through this zeale, Vertue but in their Gall.
We'are thus but parcel guilt; to Gold we'are growne
When Vertue is our Soules complexion;
Who knowes his Vertues name or place, hath none.
Vertue'is but aguish, when 'tis severall,
35By occasion wak'd, and circumstantiall.
True vertue is Soule, Alwaies in all deeds All.
This Vertue thinking to give dignitie
To your soule, found there no infirmitie,
For, your soule was as good Vertue, as shee;
40Shee therefore wrought upon that part of you
Which is scarce lesse then soule, as she could do,
And so hath made your beauty, Vertue too.
Hence comes it, that your Beauty wounds not hearts,
As Others, with prophane and sensuall Darts,
45But as an influence, vertuous thoughts imparts.
But if such friends by the honor of your sight
Grow capable of this so great a light,
As to partake your vertues, and their might,
What must I thinke that influence must doe,
50Where it findes sympathie and matter too,
Vertue, and beauty of the same stuffe, as you?
Which is, your noble worthie sister, shee
Of whom, if what in this my Extasie
And revelation of you both I see,
55I should write here, as in short Galleries
The Master at the end large glasses ties,
So to present the roome twice to our eyes,
So I should give this letter length, and say
That which I said of you; there is no way
60From either, but by the other, not to stray.
May therefore this be enough to testifie
My true devotion, free from flattery;
He that beleeves himselfe, doth never lie.
A Letter to &c. 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: To the Lady Carey and her Sister Mrs Essex Rich. From Amiens. O'F: To the Lady Co: of C. N, TCD: To the Ladie Carey. or A Letter to the Ladie Carey. B, Cy, S96: no title, P: To Mrs Essex Rich and her sister frô Amiens. M
13 who are] who is 1633
19 humilitie 1633-54, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: humidity 1669, Chambers
26 contributions] contribution B, D, N, TCD
30 this zeale, 1635-69, B, Cy, D, H49, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: their zeale, 1633, Lec
31 Gold] Golds 1633 some copies
33 aguish,] anguish, 1650-54
57 our eyes,] your eyes, Cy, D, H49, Lec, P
60 by the] to the 1669
other, 1669: other 1633-54
Note[page 224]
FAIRE, great, and good, since seeing you, wee see
What Heaven can doe, and what any Earth can be:
Since now your beauty shines, now when the Sunne
Growne stale, is to so low a value runne,
5That his disshevel'd beames and scattered fires
Serve but for Ladies Periwigs and Tyres
In lovers Sonnets: you come to repaire
Gods booke of creatures, teaching what is faire.
Since now, when all is withered, shrunke, and dri'd,
10All Vertues ebb'd out to a dead low tyde,
All the worlds frame being crumbled into sand,
Where every man thinks by himselfe to stand,
Integritie, friendship, and confidence,
(Ciments of greatnes) being vapor'd hence,
15And narrow man being fill'd with little shares,
Court, Citie, Church, are all shops of small-wares,
All having blowne to sparkes their noble fire,
And drawne their sound gold-ingot into wyre;
All trying by a love of littlenesse
20To make abridgments, and to draw to lesse,
Even that nothing, which at first we were;
Since in these times, your greatnesse doth appeare,
And that we learne by it, that man to get
Towards him that's infinite, must first be great.
25Since in an age so ill, as none is fit
So much as to accuse, much lesse mend it,
(For who can judge, or witnesse of those times
Where all alike are guiltie of the crimes?)
Where he that would be good, is thought by all
30A monster, or at best fantasticall;
Since now you durst be good, and that I doe
Discerne, by daring to contemplate you,
That there may be degrees of faire, great, good,
Through your light, largenesse, vertue understood:
35If in this sacrifice of mine, be showne
Any small sparke of these, call it your owne.
And if things like these, have been said by mee
Of others; call not that Idolatrie.
For had God made man first, and man had seene
40The third daies fruits, and flowers, and various greene,
He might have said the best that he could say
Of those faire creatures, which were made that day;
And when next day he had admir'd the birth
Of Sun, Moone, Stars, fairer then late-prais'd earth,
45Hee might have said the best that he could say,
And not be chid for praising yesterday;
So though some things are not together true,
As, that another is worthiest, and, that you:
Yet, to say so, doth not condemne a man,
50If when he spoke them, they were both true than.
How faire a proofe of this, in our soule growes?
Wee first have soules of growth, and sense, and those,
When our last soule, our soule immortall came,
Were swallowed into it, and have no name.
55Nor doth he injure those soules, which doth cast
The power and praise of both them, on the last;
No more doe I wrong any; I adore
The same things now, which I ador'd before,
The subject chang'd, and measure; the same thing
60In a low constable, and in the King
I reverence; His power to work on mee:
So did I humbly reverence each degree
Of faire, great, good; but more, now I am come
From having found their walkes, to find their home.
65And as I owe my first soules thankes, that they
For my last soule did fit and mould my clay,
So am I debtor unto them, whose worth,
Enabled me to profit, and take forth
This new great lesson, thus to study you;
70Which none, not reading others, first, could doe.
Nor lacke I light to read this booke, though I
In a darke Cave, yea in a Grave doe lie;
For as your fellow Angells, so you doe
Illustrate them who come to study you.
75The first whom we in Histories doe finde
To have profest all Arts, was one borne blinde:
He lackt those eyes beasts have as well as wee,
Not those, by which Angels are seene and see;
So, though I'am borne without those eyes to live,
80Which fortune, who hath none her selfe, doth give,
Which are, fit meanes to see bright courts and you,
Yet may I see you thus, as now I doe;
I shall by that, all goodnesse have discern'd,
And though I burne my librarie, be learn'd.
To the Countesse &c. 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: To the Countess of Salisbury. O'F: To the Countess of S. N, TCD
2 and what 1633, 1669, D, H49, Lec: what 1635-54, N, O'F, TCD
16 Court,] Courts, 1669
17 noble fire,] nobler fire, O'F
24 him] him, 1633
that's 1650-69: thats 1633-39
29-30 Chambers includes in parenthesis
30 fantasticall; Ed: fantasticall: 1633-69
34 light, largenesse,] lights largeness, 1669
38 Idolatrie.] Adulterie: N, TCD
40 greene,] greene 1633
42 day; Ed: day: 1633-69
46 yesterday; Ed: yesterday: 1633-69
54 name. 1633-39: name 1654-69
57 any; I adore 1633, D, Lec, N, TCD: any, if I adore 1635-69, O'F (if being inserted)
61 mee: D, N, TCD: mee; 1633-69
63 good; Ed: good, 1633-69
77-8 om. D, H49, Lec
Note[page 227]
YOU that are she and you, that's double shee,
In her dead face, halfe of your selfe shall see;
Shee was the other part, for so they doe
Which build them friendships, become one of two;
5So two, that but themselves no third can fit,
Which were to be so, when they were not yet;
Twinnes, though their birth Cusco, and Musco take,
As divers starres one Constellation make;
Pair'd like two eyes, have equall motion, so
10Both but one meanes to see, one way to goe.
Had you dy'd first, a carcasse shee had beene;
And wee your rich Tombe in her face had seene;
She like the Soule is gone, and you here stay,
Not a live friend; but th'other halfe of clay.
15And since you act that part, As men say, here
Lies such a Prince, when but one part is there,
And do all honour and devotion due
Unto the whole, so wee all reverence you;
For, such a friendship who would not adore
20In you, who are all what both were before,
Not all, as if some perished by this,
But so, as all in you contracted is.
As of this all, though many parts decay,
The pure which elemented them shall stay;
25And though diffus'd, and spread in infinite,
Shall recollect, and in one All unite:
So madame, as her Soule to heaven is fled,
Her flesh rests in the earth, as in the bed;
Her vertues do, as to their proper spheare,
30Returne to dwell with you, of whom they were:
As perfect motions are all circular,
So they to you, their sea, whence lesse streames are.
Shee was all spices, you all metalls; so
In you two wee did both rich Indies know.
35And as no fire, nor rust can spend or waste
One dramme of gold, but what was first shall last,
Though it bee forc'd in water, earth, salt, aire,
Expans'd in infinite, none will impaire;
So, to your selfe you may additions take,
40But nothing can you lesse, or changed make.
Seeke not in seeking new, to seeme to doubt,
That you can match her, or not be without;
But let some faithfull booke in her roome be,
Yet but of Iudith no such booke as shee.
To the &c. 1635-69, O'F: Elegie to the Lady Bedford. 1633, Cy, H40, L74, N, P, TCD: Elegia Sexta. S: In 1633, Cy, H40, N, TCD it follows, in P precedes, the Funerall Elegy Death (p. 284), to which it is apparently a covering letter: In L74 it follows the Elegy on the Lady Marckham: O'F places it among the Letters, S among the Elegies
1 she and you,] she, and you 1633-69, Chambers. See note
4 two;] the two; 1669
6 yet; Ed: yet 1633-39: yet. 1650-69
8 make; Ed: make, 1633-69
10 goe. Ed: goe; 1633-69
13 stay,] stay 1633-35
th'other] thother 1633
clay. Ed: clay; 1633-69
16 there, Ed: there; 1633-69
17 honour] honour: 1633
due] due; 1633
20 were] was 1633
22 as all in you] as in you all O'F: that in you all Cy, H40, L74, N, S
is. Ed: is; 1633-69
28 the bed;] a bed; Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, S: her bed; P
30 were:] were; 1633
32 are.] are; 1633
34 know.] know; 1633
41 doubt, 1633: doubt; 1635-69
42 can] twice in 1633
Wherein,
By occasion of the untimely death of
Mistris Elizabeth Drvry,
the frailty and the decay of this
whole World is represented.
and the Anatomie.
WELL dy'd the World, that we might live to see
This world of wit, in his Anatomie:
No evill wants his good; so wilder heires
Bedew their Fathers Tombes, with forced teares,
5Whose state requites their losse: whiles thus we gain,
Well may wee walke in blacks, but not complaine.
Yet how can I consent the world is dead
While this Muse lives? which in his spirits stead
Seemes to informe a World; and bids it bee,
10In spight of losse or fraile mortalitie?
And thou the subject of this welborne thought,
Thrice noble maid, couldst not have found nor sought
A fitter time to yeeld to thy sad Fate,
Then whiles this spirit lives, that can relate
15Thy worth so well to our last Nephews eyne,
That they shall wonder both at his and thine:
Admired match! where strives in mutuall grace
The cunning pencill, and the comely face:
A taske which thy faire goodnesse made too much
20For the bold pride of vulgar pens to touch;
Enough is us to praise them that praise thee,
And say, that but enough those prayses bee,
Which hadst thou liv'd, had hid their fearfull head
From th'angry checkings of thy modest red:
25Death barres reward and shame: when envy's gone,
And gaine, 'tis safe to give the dead their owne.
As then the wise Egyptians wont to lay
More on their Tombes, then houses: these of clay,
But those of brasse, or marble were: so wee
30Give more unto thy Ghost, then unto thee.
Yet what wee give to thee, thou gav'st to us,
And may'st but thanke thy selfe, for being thus:
Yet what thou gav'st, and wert, O happy maid,
Thy grace profest all due, where 'tis repayd.
35So these high songs that to thee suited bin
Serve but to sound thy Makers praise, in thine,
Which thy deare soule as sweetly sings to him
Amid the Quire of Saints, and Seraphim,
As any Angels tongue can sing of thee;
40The subjects differ, though the skill agree:
For as by infant-yeares men judge of age,
Thy early love, thy vertues, did presage
What an high part thou bear'st in those best songs,
Whereto no burden, nor no end belongs.
45Sing on thou virgin Soule, whose lossfull gaine
Thy lovesick parents have bewail'd in vaine;
Never may thy Name be in our songs forgot,
Till wee shall sing thy ditty and thy note.
An Anatomie &c. 1611-33: Anatomie &c. 1635-69
The first Anniversary. 1612-69: om. 1611. See note
To the praise of the dead &c. 1611-69 (Dead 1611)
8 While] Whiles 1639-69
21 is] it is 1699
25 shame: 1611, 1612-25: shame, 1633-69
26 gaine, 1633-69: gaine; 1612-25
34 where] were 1621-25
35 bin 1633-39: bine 1611: bine, 1612-21: bine. 1625: bin, 1650-69
36 praise, in thine, 1611, 1612-25: praise and thine, 1633-69
38 Quire 1611, 1612-25: quire 1633-69
39 tongue 1611, 1612-39: tongues 1650-69
41 infant-yeares 1611, 1621-25: infant yeares 1633-69
42 vertues, 1611, 1612-25: vertues 1633-69
presage 1612-25: presage, 1633-69
43 What an hie ... best songs, 1611-12: What hie ... best songs 1621-25: What high ... best of songs, 1633-69
47 our 1611, 1612-54: om. 1669
forgot,] forgot. 1621-25
The first Anniversary.
The entrie into the worke.
WHEN that rich Soule which to her heaven is gone,
Whom all do celebrate, who know they have one,
(For who is sure he hath a Soule, unlesse
It see, and judge, and follow worthinesse,
5And by Deedes praise it? hee who doth not this,
May lodge an In-mate soule, but 'tis not his.)
When that Queene ended here her progresse time,
And, as t'her standing house to heaven did climbe,
Where loath to make the Saints attend her long,
10She's now a part both of the Quire, and Song,
This World, in that great earthquake languished;
For in a common bath of teares it bled,
Which drew the strongest vitall spirits out:
But succour'd then with a perplexed doubt,
15Whether the world did lose, or gaine in this,
(Because since now no other way there is,
But goodnesse, to see her, whom all would see,
All must endeavour to be good as shee,)
This great consumption to a fever turn'd,
20And so the world had fits; it joy'd, it mourn'd;
And, as men thinke, that Agues physick are,
And th'Ague being spent, give over care,
So thou sicke World, mistak'st thy selfe to bee
Well, when alas, thou'rt in a Lethargie.
25Her death did wound and tame thee than, and than
Thou might'st have better spar'd the Sunne, or Man.
That wound was deep, but 'tis more misery,
That thou hast lost thy sense and memory.
'Twas heavy then to heare thy voyce of mone,
30But this is worse, that thou art speechlesse growne.
Thou hast forgot thy name, thou hadst; thou wast
Nothing but shee, and her thou hast o'rpast.
For as a child kept from the Font, untill
A prince, expected long, come to fulfill
35The ceremonies, thou unnam'd had'st laid,
Had not her comming, thee her Palace made:
Her name defin'd thee, gave thee forme, and frame,
And thou forgett'st to celebrate thy name.
Some moneths she hath beene dead (but being dead,
40Measures of times are all determined)
But long she'ath beene away, long, long, yet none
Offers to tell us who it is that's gone.
But as in states doubtfull of future heires,
When sicknesse without remedie empaires
45The present Prince, they're loth it should be said,
The Prince doth languish, or the Prince is dead:
So mankinde feeling now a generall thaw,
A strong example gone, equall to law,
The Cyment which did faithfully compact,
50And glue all vertues, now resolv'd, and slack'd,
Thought it some blasphemy to say sh'was dead,
Or that our weaknesse was discovered
In that confession; therefore spoke no more
Then tongues, the Soule being gone, the losse deplore.
55But though it be too late to succour thee,
Sicke World, yea, dead, yea putrified, since shee
Thy'intrinsique balme, and thy preservative,
Can never be renew'd, thou never live,
I (since no man can make thee live) will try,
60What wee may gaine by thy Anatomy.
Her death hath taught us dearely, that thou art
Corrupt and mortall in thy purest part.
Let no man say, the world it selfe being dead,
'Tis labour lost to have discovered
65The worlds infirmities, since there is none
Alive to study this dissection;
What life the world hath stil.
For there's a kinde of World remaining still,
Though shee which did inanimate and fill
The world, be gone, yet in this last long night,
70Her Ghost doth walke; that is, a glimmering light,
A faint weake love of vertue, and of good,
Reflects from her, on them which understood
Her worth; and though she have shut in all day,
The twilight of her memory doth stay;
75Which, from the carcasse of the old world, free,
Creates a new world, and new creatures bee
Produc'd: the matter and the stuffe of this,
Her vertue, and the forme our practice is:
And though to be thus elemented, arme
80These creatures, from home-borne intrinsique harme,
(For all assum'd unto this dignitie,
So many weedlesse Paradises bee,
Which of themselves produce no venemous sinne,
Except some forraine Serpent bring it in)
85Yet, because outward stormes the strongest breake,
And strength it selfe by confidence growes weake,
This new world may be safer, being told
The sicknesses of the World.
The dangers and diseases of the old:
For with due temper men doe then forgoe,
90Or covet things, when they their true worth know.
Impossibility of health.
There is no health; Physitians say that wee,
At best, enjoy but a neutralitie.
And can there bee worse sicknesse, then to know
That we are never well, nor can be so?
95Wee are borne ruinous: poore mothers cry,
That children come not right, nor orderly;
Except they headlong come and fall upon
An ominous precipitation.
How witty's ruine! how importunate
100Upon mankinde! it labour'd to frustrate
Even Gods purpose; and made woman, sent
For mans reliefe, cause of his languishment.
They were to good ends, and they are so still,
But accessory, and principall in ill;
105For that first marriage was our funerall:
One woman at one blow, then kill'd us all,
And singly, one by one, they kill us now.
We doe delightfully our selves allow
To that consumption; and profusely blinde,
110Wee kill our selves to propagate our kinde.
And yet we do not that; we are not men:
There is not now that mankinde, which was then,
When as, the Sunne and man did seeme to strive,
Shortnesse of life.
(Joynt tenants of the world) who should survive;
115When, Stagge, and Raven, and the long-liv'd tree,
Compar'd with man, dy'd in minoritie;
When, if a slow pac'd starre had stolne away
From the observers marking, he might stay
Two or three hundred yeares to see't againe,
120And then make up his observation plaine;
When, as the age was long, the sise was great;
Mans growth confess'd, and recompenc'd the meat;
So spacious and large, that every Soule
Did a faire Kingdome, and large Realme controule:
125And when the very stature, thus erect,
Did that soule a good way towards heaven direct.
Where is this mankinde now? who lives to age,
Fit to be made Methusalem his page?
Alas, we scarce live long enough to try
130Whether a true made clocke run right, or lie.
Old Grandsires talke of yesterday with sorrow,
And for our children wee reserve to morrow.
So short is life, that every peasant strives,
In a torne house, or field, to have three lives.
135And as in lasting, so in length is man
Smalnesse of stature.
Contracted to an inch, who was a spanne;
For had a man at first in forrests stray'd,
Or shipwrack'd in the Sea, one would have laid
A wager, that an Elephant, or Whale,
140That met him, would not hastily assaile
A thing so equall to him: now alas,
The Fairies, and the Pigmies well may passe
As credible; mankinde decayes so soone,
We'are scarce our Fathers shadowes cast at noone:
145Onely death addes t'our length: nor are wee growne
In stature to be men, till we are none.
But this were light, did our lesse volume hold
All the old Text; or had wee chang'd to gold
Their silver; or dispos'd into lesse glasse
150Spirits of vertue, which then scatter'd was.
But 'tis not so: w'are not retir'd, but dampt;
And as our bodies, so our mindes are crampt:
'Tis shrinking, not close weaving that hath thus,
In minde, and body both bedwarfed us.
155Wee seeme ambitious, Gods whole worke t'undoe;
Of nothing hee made us, and we strive too,
To bring our selves to nothing backe; and wee
Doe what wee can, to do't so soone as hee.
With new diseases on our selves we warre,
160And with new Physicke, a worse Engin farre.
Thus man, this worlds Vice-Emperour, in whom
All faculties, all graces are at home;
And if in other creatures they appeare,
They're but mans Ministers, and Legats there,
165To worke on their rebellions, and reduce
Them to Civility, and to mans use:
This man, whom God did wooe, and loth t'attend
Till man came up, did downe to man descend,
This man, so great, that all that is, is his,
170Oh what a trifle, and poore thing he is!
If man were any thing, he's nothing now:
Helpe, or at least some time to wast, allow
T'his other wants, yet when he did depart
With her whom we lament, hee lost his heart.
175She, of whom th'Ancients seem'd to prophesie,
When they call'd vertues by the name of shee;
Shee in whom vertue was so much refin'd,
That for Allay unto so pure a minde
Shee tooke the weaker Sex; shee that could drive
180The poysonous tincture, and the staine of Eve,
Out of her thoughts, and deeds; and purifie
All, by a true religious Alchymie;
Shee, shee is dead; shee's dead: when thou knowest this,
Thou knowest how poore a trifling thing man is.
185And learn'st thus much by our Anatomie,
The heart being perish'd, no part can be free.
And that except thou feed (not banquet) on
The supernaturall food, Religion,
Thy better Growth growes withered, and scant;
190Be more then man, or thou'rt lesse then an Ant.
Then, as mankinde, so is the worlds whole frame
Quite out of joynt, almost created lame:
For, before God had made up all the rest,
Corruption entred, and deprav'd the best:
195It seis'd the Angels, and then first of all
The world did in her cradle take a fall,
And turn'd her braines, and tooke a generall maime,
Wronging each joynt of th'universall frame.
The noblest part, man, felt it first; and than
200Both beasts and plants, curst in the curse of man.
Decay of nature in other parts.
So did the world from the first houre decay,
That evening was beginning of the day,
And now the Springs and Sommers which we see,
Like sonnes of women after fiftie bee.
205And new Philosophy calls all in doubt,
The Element of fire is quite put out;
The Sun is lost, and th'earth, and no mans wit
Can well direct him where to looke for it.
And freely men confesse that this world's spent,
210When in the Planets, and the Firmament
They seeke so many new; they see that this
Is crumbled out againe to his Atomies.
'Tis all in peeces, all cohaerence gone;
All just supply, and all Relation:
215Prince, Subject, Father, Sonne, are things forgot,
For every man alone thinkes he hath got
To be a Phœnix, and that then can bee
None of that kinde, of which he is, but hee.
This is the worlds condition now, and now
220She that should all parts to reunion bow,
She that had all Magnetique force alone,
To draw, and fasten sundred parts in one;
She whom wise nature had invented then
When she observ'd that every sort of men
225Did in their voyage in this worlds Sea stray,
And needed a new compasse for their way;
She that was best, and first originall
Of all faire copies, and the generall
Steward to Fate; she whose rich eyes, and brest
230Guilt the West Indies, and perfum'd the East;
Whose having breath'd in this world, did bestow
Spice on those Iles, and bad them still smell so,
And that rich Indie which doth gold interre,
Is but as single money, coyn'd from her:
235She to whom this world must it selfe refer,
As Suburbs, or the Microcosme of her,
Shee, shee is dead; shee's dead: when thou knowst this,
Thou knowst how lame a cripple this world is.
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomy,
240That this worlds generall sickenesse doth not lie
In any humour, or one certaine part;
But as thou sawest it rotten at the heart,
Thou seest a Hectique feaver hath got hold
Of the whole substance, not to be contrould,
245And that thou hast but one way, not t'admit
The worlds infection, to be none of it.
For the worlds subtilst immateriall parts
Feele this consuming wound, and ages darts.
For the worlds beauty is decai'd, or gone,
Disformity of parts.
250Beauty, that's colour, and proportion.
We thinke the heavens enjoy their Sphericall,
Their round proportion embracing all.
But yet their various and perplexed course,
Observ'd in divers ages, doth enforce
255Men to finde out so many Eccentrique parts,
Such divers downe-right lines, such overthwarts,
As disproportion that pure forme: It teares
The Firmament in eight and forty sheires,
And in these Constellations then arise
260New starres, and old doe vanish from our eyes:
As though heav'n suffered earthquakes, peace or war,
When new Towers rise, and old demolish't are.
They have impal'd within a Zodiake
The free-borne Sun, and keepe twelve Signes awake
265To watch his steps; the Goat and Crab controule,
And fright him backe, who else to either Pole
(Did not these Tropiques fetter him) might runne:
For his course is not round; nor can the Sunne
Perfit a Circle, or maintaine his way
270One inch direct; but where he rose to-day
He comes no more, but with a couzening line,
Steales by that point, and so is Serpentine:
And seeming weary with his reeling thus,
He meanes to sleepe, being now falne nearer us.
275So, of the Starres which boast that they doe runne
In Circle still, none ends where he begun.
All their proportion's lame, it sinkes, it swels.
For of Meridians, and Parallels,
Man hath weav'd out a net, and this net throwne
280Upon the Heavens, and now they are his owne.
Loth to goe up the hill, or labour thus
To goe to heaven, we make heaven come to us.
We spur, we reine the starres, and in their race
They're diversly content t'obey our pace.
285But keepes the earth her round proportion still?
Doth not a Tenarif, or higher Hill
Rise so high like a Rocke, that one might thinke
The floating Moone would shipwracke there, and sinke?
Seas are so deepe, that Whales being strooke to day,
290Perchance to morrow, scarse at middle way
Of their wish'd journies end, the bottome, die.
And men, to sound depths, so much line untie,
As one might justly thinke, that there would rise
At end thereof, one of th'Antipodies:
295If under all, a Vault infernall bee,
(Which sure is spacious, except that we
Invent another torment, that there must
Millions into a straight hot roome be thrust)
Then solidnesse, and roundnesse have no place.
300Are these but warts, and pock-holes in the face
Of th'earth? Thinke so: but yet confesse, in this
The worlds proportion disfigured is;
Disorder in the world.
That those two legges whereon it doth rely,
Reward and punishment are bent awry.
305And, Oh, it can no more be questioned,
That beauties best, proportion, is dead,
Since even griefe it selfe, which now alone
Is left us, is without proportion.
Shee by whose lines proportion should bee
310Examin'd, measure of all Symmetree,
Whom had that Ancient seen, who thought soules made
Of Harmony, he would at next have said
That Harmony was shee, and thence infer,
That soules were but Resultances from her,
315And did from her into our bodies goe,
As to our eyes, the formes from objects flow:
Shee, who if those great Doctors truly said
That the Arke to mans proportions was made,
Had been a type for that, as that might be
320A type of her in this, that contrary
Both Elements, and Passions liv'd at peace
In her, who caus'd all Civill war to cease.
Shee, after whom, what forme so'er we see,
Is discord, and rude incongruitie;
325Shee, shee is dead, shee's dead; when thou knowst this
Thou knowst how ugly a monster this world is:
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomie,
That here is nothing to enamour thee:
And that, not only faults in inward parts,
330Corruptions in our braines, or in our hearts,
Poysoning the fountaines, whence our actions spring,
Endanger us: but that if every thing
Be not done fitly'and in proportion,
To satisfie wise, and good lookers on,
335(Since most men be such as most thinke they bee)
They're lothsome too, by this Deformitee.
For good, and well, must in our actions meete;
Wicked is not much worse than indiscreet.
But beauties other second Element,
340Colour, and lustre now, is as neere spent.
And had the world his just proportion,
Were it a ring still, yet the stone is gone.
As a compassionate Turcoyse which doth tell
By looking pale, the wearer is not well,
345As gold falls sicke being stung with Mercury,
All the worlds parts of such complexion bee.
When nature was most busie, the first weeke,
Swadling the new borne earth, God seem'd to like
That she should sport her selfe sometimes, and play,
350To mingle, and vary colours every day:
And then, as though shee could not make inow,
Himselfe his various Rainbow did allow.
Sight is the noblest sense of any one,
Yet sight hath only colour to feed on,
355And colour is decai'd: summers robe growes
Duskie, and like an oft dyed garment showes.
Our blushing red, which us'd in cheekes to spred,
Is inward sunke, and only our soules are red.
Perchance the world might have recovered,
360If she whom we lament had not beene dead:
But shee, in whom all white, and red, and blew
(Beauties ingredients) voluntary grew,
As in an unvext Paradise; from whom
Did all things verdure, and their lustre come,
365Whose composition was miraculous,
Being all colour, all Diaphanous,
(For Ayre, and Fire but thick grosse bodies were,
And liveliest stones but drowsie, and pale to her,)
Shee, shee, is dead; shee's dead: when thou know'st this,
370Thou knowst how wan a Ghost this our world is:
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomie,
That it should more affright, then pleasure thee.
And that, since all faire colour then did sinke,
'Tis now but wicked vanitie, to thinke
Weaknesse in the want of correspondence of heaven and earth.
375To colour vicious deeds with good pretence,
Or with bought colors to illude mens sense.
Nor in ought more this worlds decay appeares,
Then that her influence the heav'n forbeares,
Or that the Elements doe not feele this,
380The father, or the mother barren is.
The cloudes conceive not raine, or doe not powre,
In the due birth time, downe the balmy showre;
Th'Ayre doth not motherly sit on the earth,
To hatch her seasons, and give all things birth;
385Spring-times were common cradles, but are tombes;
And false-conceptions fill the generall wombes;
Th'Ayre showes such Meteors, as none can see,
Not only what they meane, but what they bee;
Earth such new wormes, as would have troubled much
390Th'Ægyptian Mages to have made more such.
What Artist now dares boast that he can bring
Heaven hither, or constellate any thing,
So as the influence of those starres may bee
Imprison'd in an Hearbe, or Charme, or Tree,
395And doe by touch, all which those stars could doe?
The art is lost, and correspondence too.
For heaven gives little, and the earth takes lesse,
And man least knowes their trade and purposes.
If this commerce twixt heaven and earth were not
400Embarr'd, and all this traffique quite forgot,
She, for whose losse we have lamented thus,
Would worke more fully, and pow'rfully on us:
Since herbes, and roots, by dying lose not all,
But they, yea Ashes too, are medicinall,
405Death could not quench her vertue so, but that
It would be (if not follow'd) wondred at:
And all the world would be one dying Swan,
To sing her funerall praise, and vanish than.
But as some Serpents poyson hurteth not,
410Except it be from the live Serpent shot,
So doth her vertue need her here, to fit
That unto us; shee working more then it.
But shee, in whom to such maturity
Vertue was growne, past growth, that it must die;
415She, from whose influence all Impressions came,
But, by Receivers impotencies, lame,
Who, though she could not transubstantiate
All states to gold, yet guilded every state,
So that some Princes have some temperance;
420Some Counsellers some purpose to advance
The common profit; and some people have
Some stay, no more then Kings should give, to crave;
Some women have some taciturnity,
Some nunneries some graines of chastitie.
425She that did thus much, and much more could doe,
But that our age was Iron, and rustie too,
Shee, shee is dead; shee's dead; when thou knowst this,
Thou knowst how drie a Cinder this world is.
And learn'st thus much by our Anatomy,
430That 'tis in vaine to dew, or mollifie
It with thy teares, or sweat, or blood: nothing
Is worth our travaile, griefe, or perishing,
But those rich joyes, which did possesse her heart,
Of which she's now partaker, and a part.
Conclusion.
435But as in cutting up a man that's dead,
The body will not last out, to have read
On every part, and therefore men direct
Their speech to parts, that are of most effect;
So the worlds carcasse would not last, if I
440Were punctuall in this Anatomy;
Nor smels it well to hearers, if one tell
Them their disease, who faine would think they're well.
Here therefore be the end: And, blessed maid,
Of whom is meant what ever hath been said,
445Or shall be spoken well by any tongue,
Whose name refines course lines, and makes prose song,
Accept this tribute, and his first yeares rent,
Who till his darke short tapers end be spent,
As oft as thy feast sees this widowed earth,
450Will yearely celebrate thy second birth,
That is, thy death; for though the soule of man
Be got when man is made, 'tis borne but than
When man doth die; our body's as the wombe,
And, as a Mid-wife, death directs it home.
455And you her creatures, whom she workes upon,
And have your last, and best concoction
From her example, and her vertue, if you
In reverence to her, do thinke it due,
That no one should her praises thus rehearse,
460As matter fit for Chronicle, not verse;
Vouchsafe to call to minde that God did make
A last, and lasting'st peece, a song. He spake
To Moses to deliver unto all,
That song, because hee knew they would let fall
465The Law, the Prophets, and the History,
But keepe the song still in their memory:
Such an opinion (in due measure) made
Me this great Office boldly to invade:
Nor could incomprehensiblenesse deterre
470Mee, from thus trying to emprison her,
Which when I saw that a strict grave could doe,
I saw not why verse might not do so too.
Verse hath a middle nature: heaven keepes Soules,
The Grave keepes bodies, Verse the Fame enroules.
An Anatomy &c. 1611-69 The first Anniversary. 1612-69 (First 1612-25): om. 1611
The entrie &c. 1612-21: om. 1625-33: 1611 and 1635-69 have no notes
2 Whom 1611, 1612-25, 1669: Who 1633: whõ 1635-54
5 Deedes 1611, 1612-25: deeds, 1633-69
6 In-mate 1611-12: Inmate 1621-25: immate 1633: inmate 1635-69
10 Song, 1611: Song. 1612-33: Song: 1635-69
14 then 1611, 1612-39: them 1650-69
18 shee, 1611: shee 1612, 1669: shee. 1621-54
22 care, 1611-21: care. 1625-33
24 Lethargie.] Letargee. 1611, 1612-25
26 Man. 1611, 1621-25: man. 1633-69
31 name, 1611, 1612-25: name 1633-69
33 Font, 1611: Fount, 1612-69
36 Palace 1611-12, 1621-25: palace 1633-69
40 times 1611, 1612-33: time 1635-69
48 law, 1612, 1669: law. 1611, 1621-25: law; 1633-54
50 glue] give 1650-69
What life &c. 1612-21: om. 1625-33
70 walke; 1611, 1612-25: walke, 1633-69
71 good, 1633: good 1612-25, 1635-69
75 old world, free, 1611-12, 1633-69: old world, free 1621-25
79 though] thought 1621-33
80 home-borne] homborne 1611, 1621-25: homeborne 1633-69
85 Yet, 1612-25: Yet 1633-69
The sicknesses &c. 1612: The sicknesse &c. 1621: The sicknes &c. 1625-33
89 then] them 1650-69
99 ruine! Ed: ruine? 1611, 1612-25: ruine, 1633-69
100 mankinde! Ed: mankinde? 1611, 1612-69
113 When as, the Sunne and man 1633-39: no commas 1650-69: When as the Sunne and man, 1611, 1612-25
114 survive; 1650-69: survive. 1611, 1612-39
116 minoritie; 1650-69: minoritee. 1611, 1621-25: minoritie, 1633-39
131 Grandsires 1611, 1612-21: Gransires 1625-69
sorrow, 1611-21: sorrow. 1625: sorrow: 1633-69
133 peasant 1611, 1612-25: pesant 1633-69
134 lives. 1611, 1633: lives 1612: lives, 1621-25
135 man 1611: man. 1612-25: man, 1633-69
145 addes 1611-21: adds 1635-69: ads 1625, 1633
149 silver; 1611-12: silver 1621-25: silver, 1633-69
150 scatter'd] scattred 1612-25
152 bodies, 1611-25: bodies 1633-39
153 close weaving 1633-69: close-weaning 1611-12: close weaning 1621-25
161 Thus man, 1611, 1612-33: This man, 1635-69, Chambers
166 use:] use. 1611, 1621-33
167 t'attend] t'atend 1633
169 man, 1611: man 1612-69
171 any thing, 1611-12: any thing; 1621-33
172 wast, 1633: wast, 1611: waste, 1635-69
178 Allay 1611, 1612-25: allay 1633-69
179 Sex; 1611: Sex, 1621-25: Sex: 1633-69
181 thoughts, 1611-12, 1635-69: thought, 1621-33
183 Shee, shee 1611, 1612-25: She, she 1633-69
186 no] no no 1621
188 Religion, 1611, 1650-69: Religion. 1612-25: Religion: 1633-39
189 Growth 1611: grouth 1612-25: growth 1633-69
withered] whithered 1621-25
191 Then, 1611, 1621-25: Then 1633-69
195 Angels, 1612-69: Angells: 1611
200 man. 1611, 1612-25: man, 1633-39: man: 1650-69
210 Firmament 1611-12: firmament 1621-69
212 Atomies.] Atomis. 1611, 1612-25
213 cohaerence 1611, 1612-25: coherence 1633-69
217 then 1611, 1612-69: there Grosart, who with Chambers attributes to 1669
223 invented] innented 1621
228 copies, 1633-69: copies; 1611-12: copies 1621-25
229 Fate; 1612-69: Fate: 1611
brest 1611: brest: 1612-25: breast, 1633
230 West Indies, 1611: West-Indies, 1621-69
East; 1611: East, 1621-69
234 money, 1611-21: money 1625-69
237 knowst 1611: knowest 1612-69: and so in 238
237 this,] this 1633-35
238 is. 1611, 1612-33: is, 1635-69
244 contrould,] contrould. 1611, 1612-25
251 Sphericall, 1650-69: Sphericall 1611, 1612-39
252 all. 1611, 1612-25: all, 1633-69
257 forme: 1633-69: forme. 1611, 1612-25
258 sheires, 1633-35: sheeres, 1611, 1612-25: shieres, 1639-69
267 Tropiques 1611, 1612-25: tropiques 1633-69
273 with] of 1635-69
284 pace.] peace. 1612-33
286 Tenarif, 1611, 1612-25: Tenarus 1633-69
Hill 1611, 1612-25: hill 1633-69
288 there, 1611, 1612-21: there 1625-69
289 strooke 1611, 1612-25: strucke 1633-69
290 to morrow, 1611, 1612-25: to morrow 1633-69
295 Vault 1611, 1612-25: vault 1633-69
298 straight] strait 1611-25
300 pock-holes] pockholes 1633-69
301 th'earth?] th'earth; 1633
306 beauties best, proportion, 1611, 1612-39: beauty's best proportion Chambers: 1650-69 drop the second comma
313 infer, 1611-12: infer. 1621-25: infer 1633-69
318 proportions 1611-12: proportion 1621-69
321 Elements, 1611-12: Elements 1621-69
325 Shee, shee 1611, 1612-25: She, she 1633-69
shee's] she's 1633-69
knowst 1611: knowest 1612-25: know'st 1633-69
326 knowst 1611, 1612-25: knowest 1633-69
336 Deformitee. 1611, 1612-25: deformitie. 1633-69
351 inow, 1611, 1612-25: enough, 1633: enow, 1635-69
352 allow.] allow, 1621-33
366 Diaphanous, 1611, 1612-25: diaphanous, 1633-69
369 Shee, shee, 1611, 1612-25 (shee 1625): She, she 1633-69 (but Shee, 1633, in pass-over word)
370 knowst 1611: knowest 1621-69
374 vanitie, to thinke 1633-69: vanity to think, 1611, 1612-25
379-80 feele this, ... barren is. 1611, 1612-69: feele this. ... barren is; Chambers. See note
383 Th'Ayre 1611, 1612-21: Th'ayre 1625-69
387 Th'Ayre 1611: Th'ayre 1612-69
390 Mages] No change of type, 1611-12
394 Charme, 1611-21: Charme 1625-54
404 Ashes 1611, 1612-25: ashes 1633-69
407 Swan, 1611, 1612-25: swan, 1633-69
415 Impressions 1611: Impression 1612-25: impression 1633-69
416 But, 1611: But 1621-69
Receivers 1611-12: rest no capital
421 have] have, 1633
427 is dead;] is dead, 1633-69
shee's dead; 1611-25: she's dead; 1633-69
431 nothing] no thing 1611-21
442 they're] thy're 1633
443 And, 1611, 1612-25: and, 1633-69
467 (in due measure) 1611, 1612-25 (but 1625 drops second bracket): commas 1633-69
468 Office 1611, 1612-25: office 1633-69
473 nature: 1611-25: nature, 1633-69
'TIS lost, to trust a Tombe with such a guest,
Or to confine her in a marble chest.
Alas, what's Marble, Jeat, or Porphyrie,
Priz'd with the Chrysolite of either eye,
5Or with those Pearles, and Rubies, which she was?
Joyne the two Indies in one Tombe, 'tis glasse;
And so is all to her materials,
Though every inch were ten Escurials,
Yet she's demolish'd: can wee keepe her then
10In works of hands, or of the wits of men?
Can these memorials, ragges of paper, give
Life to that name, by which name they must live?
Sickly, alas, short-liv'd, aborted bee
Those carcasse verses, whose soule is not shee.
15And can shee, who no longer would be shee,
Being such a Tabernacle, stoop to be
In paper wrapt; or, when shee would not lie
In such a house, dwell in an Elegie?
But 'tis no matter; wee may well allow
20Verse to live so long as the world will now,
For her death wounded it. The world containes
Princes for armes, and Counsellors for braines,
Lawyers for tongues, Divines for hearts, and more,
The Rich for stomackes, and for backes, the Poore;
25The Officers for hands, Merchants for feet,
By which, remote and distant Countries meet.
But those fine spirits which do tune, and set
This Organ, are those peeces which beget
Wonder and love; and these were shee; and shee
30Being spent, the world must needs decrepit bee;
For since death will proceed to triumph still,
He can finde nothing, after her, to kill,
Except the world it selfe, so great as shee.
Thus brave and confident may Nature bee,
35Death cannot give her such another blow,
Because shee cannot such another show.
But must wee say she's dead? may't not be said
That as a sundred clocke is peecemeale laid,
Not to be lost, but by the makers hand
40Repollish'd, without errour then to stand,
Or as the Affrique Niger streame enwombs
It selfe into the earth, and after comes
(Having first made a naturall bridge, to passe
For many leagues) farre greater then it was,
45May't not be said, that her grave shall restore
Her, greater, purer, firmer, then before?
Heaven may say this, and joy in't, but can wee
Who live, and lacke her, here this vantage see?
What is't to us, alas, if there have beene
50An Angell made a Throne, or Cherubin?
Wee lose by't: and as aged men are glad
Being tastlesse growne, to joy in joyes they had,
So now the sick starv'd world must feed upon
This joy, that we had her, who now is gone.
55Rejoyce then Nature, and this World, that you,
Fearing the last fires hastning to subdue
Your force and vigour, ere it were neere gone,
Wisely bestow'd and laid it all on one.
One, whose cleare body was so pure and thinne,
60Because it need disguise no thought within.
'Twas but a through-light scarfe, her minde t'inroule;
Or exhalation breath'd out from her Soule.
One, whom all men who durst no more, admir'd:
And whom, who ere had worth enough, desir'd;
65As when a Temple's built, Saints emulate
To which of them, it shall be consecrate.
But, as when heaven lookes on us with new eyes,
Those new starres every Artist exercise,
What place they should assigne to them they doubt,
70Argue,'and agree not, till those starres goe out:
So the world studied whose this peece should be,
Till shee can be no bodies else, nor shee:
But like a Lampe of Balsamum, desir'd
Rather t'adorne, then last, she soone expir'd,
75Cloath'd in her virgin white integritie,
For marriage, though it doe not staine, doth dye.
To scape th'infirmities which wait upon
Woman, she went away, before sh'was one;
And the worlds busie noyse to overcome,
80Tooke so much death, as serv'd for opium;
For though she could not, nor could chuse to dye,
She'ath yeelded to too long an extasie:
Hee which not knowing her said History,
Should come to reade the booke of destiny,
85How faire, and chast, humble, and high she'ad been,
Much promis'd, much perform'd, at not fifteene,
And measuring future things, by things before,
Should turne the leafe to reade, and reade no more,
Would thinke that either destiny mistooke,
90Or that some leaves were torne out of the booke.
But 'tis not so; Fate did but usher her
To yeares of reasons use, and then inferre
Her destiny to her selfe, which liberty
She tooke but for thus much, thus much to die.
95Her modestie not suffering her to bee
Fellow-Commissioner with Destinie,
She did no more but die; if after her
Any shall live, which dare true good prefer,
Every such person is her deligate,
100T'accomplish that which should have beene her Fate.
They shall make up that Booke and shall have thanks
Of Fate, and her, for filling up their blankes.
For future vertuous deeds are Legacies,
Which from the gift of her example rise;
105And 'tis in heav'n part of spirituall mirth,
To see how well the good play her, on earth.
Funerall Elegie. 1611, 1612-69: whole poem printed in italics 1612-25: in roman 1611
1 lost, 1611, 1612-25: lost 1633: losse 1635-69
2 chest. 1611-21: chest, 1625-69
8 Escurials,] escurials. 1611-25
13 aborted 1611, 1612-33: abortive 1635-69
17 or, 1612-25: or 1633-69
18 a] an 1635-69
22-5 Princes, Counsellors &c. all in capitals except Officers 1611, 1612-25: later editions erratic
24: backes, 1611: backes 1612-25: backs 1633-69
Poore] spelt Pore 1611-12
28 peeces] peeces, 1633-69
30 1625 inserts marginal note, Smalnesse of stature. See p. 235
33 as 1611-21: om. 1625: was 1633-69
47 in't,] in't; 1612-21: in'ts, 1625
48 her, here 1611, 1612-25: her, here, 1633: her here, 1635-69
58 one. 1612-25: one; 1633-69
64 worth] worke 1633
74 expir'd, 1633-69: expir'd; 1611, 1612-25
75 integritie, 1633-69: integritie; 1611-25
76 it doe 1611, 1612-25: it doth 1633-69
dye. 1611, 1612-69 (spelt die 1633-69): Chambers closes the sentence at 74 expir'd and prints 75-7 thus—
Clothed in her virgin white integrity
—For marriage, though it doth not stain, doth dye—
To 'scape &c.
83 said 1611, 1612-33: sad 1635-69
94 tooke 1611, 1612-25: tooke, 1633-69
98 prefer, 1611, 1612-25: prefer; 1633-69
Wherein,
By occasion of the Religious death of
Mistris Elizabeth Drvry,
the incommodities of the Soule in
this life, and her exaltation in
the next, are contemplated.
TWO Soules move here, and mine (a third) must move
Paces of admiration, and of love;
Thy Soule (deare virgin) whose this tribute is,
Mov'd from this mortall Spheare to lively blisse;
5And yet moves still, and still aspires to see
The worlds last day, thy glories full degree:
Like as those starres which thou o'r-lookest farre,
Are in their place, and yet still moved are:
No soule (whiles with the luggage of this clay
10It clogged is) can follow thee halfe way;
Or see thy flight, which doth our thoughts outgoe
So fast, that now the lightning moves but slow:
But now thou art as high in heaven flowne
As heaven's from us; what soule besides thine owne
15Can tell thy joyes, or say he can relate
Thy glorious Journals in that blessed state?
I envie thee (Rich soule) I envy thee,
Although I cannot yet thy glory see:
And thou (great spirit) which hers follow'd hast
20So fast, as none can follow thine so fast;
So far, as none can follow thine so farre,
(And if this flesh did not the passage barre
Hadst caught her) let me wonder at thy flight
Which long agone hadst lost the vulgar sight,
25And now mak'st proud the better eyes, that they
Can see thee less'ned in thine ayery way;
So while thou mak'st her soule by progresse knowne
Thou mak'st a noble progresse of thine owne,
From this worlds carkasse having mounted high
30To that pure life of immortalitie;
Since thine aspiring thoughts themselves so raise
That more may not beseeme a creatures praise,
Yet still thou vow'st her more; and every yeare
Mak'st a new progresse, while thou wandrest here;
35Still upward mount; and let thy Makers praise
Honor thy Laura, and adorne thy laies.
And since thy Muse her head in heaven shrouds,
Oh let her never stoope below the clouds:
And if those glorious sainted soules may know
40Or what wee doe, or what wee sing below,
Those acts, those songs shall still content them best
Which praise those awfull Powers that make them blest.
Of the Progresse &c. 1612-69: The second Anniversary. 1612-69 (in 1612-21 it stands at head of page)
The Harbinger &c.] In 1612-25 this poem printed in italics
8 are:] are 1612-25
12 that now] as now 1635-69, Chambers
27 soule] soules 1612
28 owne, 1635-69: owne. 1612-33
34 while] whilst 1669
35 upward] upwards 1612
Note[page 251]
The entrance.1
NOTHING could make me sooner to confesse
That this world had an everlastingnesse,
Then to consider, that a yeare is runne,
Since both this lower world's, and the Sunnes Sunne,
5The Lustre, and the vigor of this All,
Did set; 'twere blasphemie to say, did fall.
But as a ship which hath strooke saile, doth runne
By force of that force which before, it wonne:
Or as sometimes in a beheaded man,
10Though at those two Red seas, which freely ranne,
One from the Trunke, another from the Head,
His soule be sail'd, to her eternall bed,
His eyes will twinckle, and his tongue will roll,
As though he beckned, and cal'd backe his soule,
15He graspes his hands, and he pulls up his feet,
And seemes to reach, and to step forth to meet
His soule; when all these motions which we saw,
Are but as Ice, which crackles at a thaw:
Or as a Lute, which in moist weather, rings
20Her knell alone, by cracking of her strings:
So struggles this dead world, now shee is gone;
For there is motion in corruption.
As some daies are at the Creation nam'd,
Before the Sunne, the which fram'd daies, was fram'd,
25So after this Sunne's set, some shew appeares,
And orderly vicissitude of yeares.
Yet a new Deluge, and of Lethe flood,
Hath drown'd us all, All have forgot all good,
Forgetting her, the maine reserve of all.
30Yet in this deluge, grosse and generall,
Thou seest me strive for life; my life shall bee,
To be hereafter prais'd, for praysing thee;
Immortall Maid, who though thou would'st refuse
The name of Mother, be unto my Muse
35A Father, since her chast Ambition is,
Yearely to bring forth such a child as this.
These Hymnes may worke on future wits, and so
May great Grand children of thy prayses grow.
And so, though not revive, embalme and spice
40The world, which else would putrifie with vice.
For thus, Man may extend thy progeny,
Untill man doe but vanish, and not die.
These Hymnes thy issue, may encrease so long,
As till Gods great Venite change the song.
A iust disestimation2 of this world.
45Thirst for that time, O my insatiate soule,
And serve thy thirst, with Gods safe-sealing Bowle.
Be thirstie still, and drinke still till thou goe
To th'only Health, to be Hydroptique so.
Forget this rotten world; And unto thee
50Let thine owne times as an old storie bee.
Be not concern'd: studie not why, nor when;
Doe not so much as not beleeve a man.
For though to erre, be worst, to try truths forth,
Is far more businesse, then this world is worth.
55The world is but a carkasse; thou art fed
By it, but as a worme, that carkasse bred;
And why should'st thou, poore worme, consider more,
When this world will grow better then before,
Then those thy fellow wormes doe thinke upon
60That carkasses last resurrection.
Forget this world, and scarce thinke of it so,
As of old clothes, cast off a yeare agoe.
To be thus stupid is Alacritie;
Men thus Lethargique have best Memory.
65Look upward; that's towards her, whose happy state
We now lament not, but congratulate.
Shee, to whom all this world was but a stage,
Where all sat harkning how her youthfull age
Should be emploi'd, because in all shee did,
70Some Figure of the Golden times was hid.
Who could not lacke, what e'r this world could give,
Because shee was the forme, that made it live;
Nor could complaine, that this world was unfit
To be staid in, then when shee was in it;
75Shee that first tried indifferent desires
By vertue, and vertue by religious fires,
Shee to whose person Paradise adher'd,
As Courts to Princes, shee whose eyes ensphear'd
Star-light enough, t'have made the South controule,
80(Had shee beene there) the Star-full Northerne Pole,
Shee, shee is gone; she is gone; when thou knowest this,
What fragmentary rubbidge this world is
Thou knowest, and that it is not worth a thought;
He honors it too much that thinkes it nought.
Contemplation of our state in our death-bed.
85Thinke then, my soule, that death is but a Groome,
Which brings a Taper to the outward roome,
Whence thou spiest first a little glimmering light,
And after brings it nearer to thy sight:
For such approaches doth heaven make in death.
90Thinke thy selfe labouring now with broken breath,
And thinke those broken and soft Notes to bee
Division, and thy happyest Harmonie.
Thinke thee laid on thy death-bed, loose and slacke;
And thinke that, but unbinding of a packe,
95To take one precious thing, thy soule from thence.
Thinke thy selfe parch'd with fevers violence,
Anger thine ague more, by calling it
Thy Physicke; chide the slacknesse of the fit.
Thinke that thou hear'st thy knell, and think no more,
100But that, as Bels cal'd thee to Church before,
So this, to the Triumphant Church, calls thee.
Thinke Satans Sergeants round about thee bee,
And thinke that but for Legacies they thrust;
Give one thy Pride, to'another give thy Lust:
105Give them those sinnes which they gave thee before,
And trust th'immaculate blood to wash thy score.
Thinke thy friends weeping round, and thinke that they
Weepe but because they goe not yet thy way.
Thinke that they close thine eyes, and thinke in this,
110That they confesse much in the world, amisse,
Who dare not trust a dead mans eye with that,
Which they from God, and Angels cover not.
Thinke that they shroud thee up, and think from thence
They reinvest thee in white innocence.
115Thinke that thy body rots, and (if so low,
Thy soule exalted so, thy thoughts can goe,)
Think thee a Prince, who of themselves create
Wormes which insensibly devoure their State.
Thinke that they bury thee, and thinke that right
120Laies thee to sleepe but a Saint Lucies night.
Thinke these things cheerefully: and if thou bee
Drowsie or slacke, remember then that shee,
Shee whose Complexion was so even made,
That which of her Ingredients should invade
125The other three, no Feare, no Art could guesse:
So far were all remov'd from more or lesse.
But as in Mithridate, or just perfumes,
Where all good things being met, no one presumes
To governe, or to triumph on the rest,
130Only because all were, no part was best.
And as, though all doe know, that quantities
Are made of lines, and lines from Points arise,
None can these lines or quantities unjoynt,
And say this is a line, or this a point,
135So though the Elements and Humors were
In her, one could not say, this governes there.
Whose even constitution might have wonne
Any disease to venter on the Sunne,
Rather then her: and make a spirit feare,
140That hee to disuniting subject were.
To whose proportions if we would compare
Cubes, th'are unstable; Circles, Angular;
She who was such a chaine as Fate employes
To bring mankinde all Fortunes it enjoyes;
145So fast, so even wrought, as one would thinke,
No Accident could threaten any linke;
Shee, shee embrac'd a sicknesse, gave it meat,
The purest blood, and breath, that e'r it eate;
And hath taught us, that though a good man hath
150Title to heaven, and plead it by his Faith,
And though he may pretend a conquest, since
Heaven was content to suffer violence,
Yea though hee plead a long possession too,
(For they're in heaven on earth who heavens workes do)
155Though hee had right and power and place, before,
Yet Death must usher, and unlocke the doore.
Incommodities of the Soule in the Body.3
Thinke further on thy selfe, my Soule, and thinke
How thou at first wast made but in a sinke;
Thinke that it argued some infirmitie,
160That those two soules, which then thou foundst in me,
Thou fedst upon, and drewst into thee, both
My second soule of sense, and first of growth.
Thinke but how poore thou wast, how obnoxious;
Whom a small lumpe of flesh could poyson thus.
165This curded milke, this poore unlittered whelpe
My body, could, beyond escape or helpe,
Infect thee with Originall sinne, and thou
Couldst neither then refuse, nor leave it now.
Thinke that no stubborne sullen Anchorit,
170Which fixt to a pillar, or a grave, doth sit
Bedded, and bath'd in all his ordures, dwels
So fowly as our Soules in their first-built Cels.
Thinke in how poore a prison thou didst lie
After, enabled but to suck, and crie.
175Thinke, when'twas growne to most,'twas a poore Inne,
A Province pack'd up in two yards of skinne,
And that usurp'd or threatned with the rage
Of sicknesses, or their true mother, Age.
But thinke that Death hath now enfranchis'd thee,
Her liberty by death.
180Thou hast thy'expansion now, and libertie;
Thinke that a rustie Peece, discharg'd, is flowne
In peeces, and the bullet is his owne,
And freely flies: This to thy Soule allow,
Thinke thy shell broke, thinke thy Soule hatch'd but now.
185And think this slow-pac'd soule, which late did cleave
To'a body, and went but by the bodies leave,
Twenty, perchance, or thirty mile a day,
Dispatches in a minute all the way
Twixt heaven, and earth; she stayes not in the ayre,
190To looke what Meteors there themselves prepare;
She carries no desire to know, nor sense,
Whether th'ayres middle region be intense;
For th'Element of fire, she doth not know,
Whether she past by such a place or no;
195She baits not at the Moone, nor cares to trie
Whether in that new world, men live, and die.
Venus retards her not, to'enquire, how shee
Can, (being one starre) Hesper, and Vesper bee;
Hee that charm'd Argus eyes, sweet Mercury,
200Workes not on her, who now is growne all eye;
Who, if she meet the body of the Sunne,
Goes through, not staying till his course be runne;
Who findes in Mars his Campe no corps of Guard;
Nor is by Iove, nor by his father barr'd;
205But ere she can consider how she went,
At once is at, and through the Firmament.
And as these starres were but so many beads
Strung on one string, speed undistinguish'd leads
Her through those Spheares, as through the beads, a string,
210Whose quick succession makes it still one thing:
As doth the pith, which, lest our bodies slacke,
Strings fast the little bones of necke, and backe;
So by the Soule doth death string Heaven and Earth;
For when our Soule enjoyes this her third birth,
215(Creation gave her one, a second, grace,)
Heaven is as neare, and present to her face,
As colours are, and objects, in a roome
Where darknesse was before, when Tapers come.
This must, my Soule, thy long-short Progresse bee;
220To'advance these thoughts, remember then, that she,
She; whose faire body no such prison was,
But that a Soule might well be pleas'd to passe
An age in her; she whose rich beauty lent
Mintage to other beauties, for they went
225But for so much as they were like to her;
Shee, in whose body (if we dare preferre
This low world, to so high a marke as shee,)
The Westerne treasure, Easterne spicerie,
Europe, and Afrique, and the unknowne rest
230Were easily found, or what in them was best;
And when w'have made this large discoverie
Of all, in her some one part then will bee
Twenty such parts, whose plenty and riches is
Enough to make twenty such worlds as this;
235Shee, whom had they knowne who did first betroth
The Tutelar Angels, and assign'd one, both
To Nations, Cities, and to Companies,
To Functions, Offices, and Dignities,
And to each severall man, to him, and him,
240They would have given her one for every limbe;
She, of whose soule, if wee may say, 'twas Gold,
Her body was th'Electrum, and did hold
Many degrees of that; wee understood
Her by her sight; her pure, and eloquent blood
245Spoke in her cheekes, and so distinctly wrought,
That one might almost say, her body thought;
Shee, shee, thus richly and largely hous'd, is gone:
And chides us slow-pac'd snailes who crawle upon
Our prisons prison, earth, nor thinke us well,
250Longer, then whil'st wee beare our brittle shell.
Her ignorance in this life and knowledge in the next.4
But 'twere but little to have chang'd our roome,
If, as we were in this our living Tombe
Oppress'd with ignorance, wee still were so.
Poore soule, in this thy flesh what dost thou know?
255Thou know'st thy selfe so little, as thou know'st not,
How thou didst die, nor how thou wast begot.
Thou neither know'st, how thou at first cam'st in,
Nor how thou took'st the poyson of mans sinne.
Nor dost thou, (though thou know'st, that thou art so)
260By what way thou art made immortall, know.
Thou art too narrow, wretch, to comprehend
Even thy selfe: yea though thou wouldst but bend
To know thy body. Have not all soules thought
For many ages, that our body'is wrought
265Of Ayre, and Fire, and other Elements?
And now they thinke of new ingredients,
And one Soule thinkes one, and another way
Another thinkes, and 'tis an even lay.
Knowst thou but how the stone doth enter in
270The bladders cave, and never breake the skinne?
Know'st thou how blood, which to the heart doth flow,
Doth from one ventricle to th'other goe?
And for the putrid stuffe, which thou dost spit,
Know'st thou how thy lungs have attracted it?
275There are no passages, so that there is
(For ought thou know'st) piercing of substances.
And of those many opinions which men raise
Of Nailes and Haires, dost thou know which to praise?
What hope have wee to know our selves, when wee
280Know not the least things, which for our use be?
Wee see in Authors, too stiffe to recant,
A hundred controversies of an Ant;
And yet one watches, starves, freeses, and sweats,
To know but Catechismes and Alphabets
285Of unconcerning things, matters of fact;
How others on our stage their parts did Act;
What Cæsar did, yea, and what Cicero said.
Why grasse is greene, or why our blood is red,
Are mysteries which none have reach'd unto.
290In this low forme, poore soule, what wilt thou doe?
When wilt thou shake off this Pedantery,
Of being taught by sense, and Fantasie?
Thou look'st through spectacles; small things seeme great
Below; But up unto the watch-towre get,
295And see all things despoyl'd of fallacies:
Thou shalt not peepe through lattices of eyes,
Nor heare through Labyrinths of eares, nor learne
By circuit, or collections to discerne.
In heaven thou straight know'st all, concerning it,
300And what concernes it not, shalt straight forget.
There thou (but in no other schoole) maist bee
Perchance, as learned, and as full, as shee,
Shee who all libraries had throughly read
At home in her owne thoughts, and practised
305So much good as would make as many more:
Shee whose example they must all implore,
Who would or doe, or thinke well, and confesse
That all the vertuous Actions they expresse,
Are but a new, and worse edition
310Of her some one thought, or one action:
She who in th'art of knowing Heaven, was growne
Here upon earth, to such perfection,
That she hath, ever since to Heaven she came,
(In a far fairer print,) but read the same:
315Shee, shee not satisfied with all this waight,
(For so much knowledge, as would over-fraight
Another, did but ballast her) is gone
As well t'enjoy, as get perfection.
And cals us after her, in that shee tooke,
320(Taking her selfe) our best, and worthiest booke.
Of our company in this life, and in the next.
Returne not, my Soule, from this extasie,
And meditation of what thou shalt bee,
To earthly thoughts, till it to thee appeare,
With whom thy conversation must be there.
325With whom wilt thou converse? what station
Canst thou choose out, free from infection,
That will not give thee theirs, nor drinke in thine?
Shalt thou not finde a spungie slacke Divine
Drinke and sucke in th'instructions of Great men,
330And for the word of God, vent them agen?
Are there not some Courts (and then, no things bee
So like as Courts) which, in this let us see,
That wits and tongues of Libellers are weake,
Because they do more ill, then these can speake?
335The poyson's gone through all, poysons affect
Chiefly the chiefest parts, but some effect
In nailes, and haires, yea excrements, will show;
So lyes the poyson of sinne in the most low.
Up, up, my drowsie Soule, where thy new eare
340Shall in the Angels songs no discord heare;
Where thou shalt see the blessed Mother-maid
Joy in not being that, which men have said.
Where she is exalted more for being good,
Then for her interest of Mother-hood.
345Up to those Patriarchs, which did longer sit
Expecting Christ, then they'have enjoy'd him yet.
Up to those Prophets, which now gladly see
Their Prophesies growne to be Historie.
Up to th'Apostles, who did bravely runne
350All the Suns course, with more light then the Sunne.
Up to those Martyrs, who did calmly bleed
Oyle to th'Apostles Lamps, dew to their seed.
Up to those Virgins, who thought, that almost
They made joyntenants with the Holy Ghost,
355If they to any should his Temple give.
Up, up, for in that squadron there doth live
She, who hath carried thither new degrees
(As to their number) to their dignities.
Shee, who being to her selfe a State, injoy'd
360All royalties which any State employ'd;
For shee made warres, and triumph'd; reason still
Did not o'rthrow, but rectifie her will:
And she made peace, for no peace is like this,
That beauty, and chastity together kisse:
365She did high justice, for she crucified
Every first motion of rebellious pride:
And she gave pardons, and was liberall,
For, onely her selfe except, she pardon'd all:
Shee coy'nd, in this, that her impressions gave
370To all our actions all the worth they have:
She gave protections; the thoughts of her brest
Satans rude Officers could ne'r arrest.
As these prerogatives being met in one,
Made her a soveraigne State; religion
375Made her a Church; and these two made her all.
She who was all this All, and could not fall
To worse, by company, (for she was still
More Antidote, then all the world was ill,)
Shee, shee doth leave it, and by Death, survive
380All this, in Heaven; whither who doth not strive
The more, because shees there, he doth not know
That accidentall joyes in Heaven doe grow.
But pause, my soule; And study, ere thou fall
On accidentall joyes, th'essentiall.
Of essentiall joy in this life and in the next.
385Still before Accessories doe abide
A triall, must the principall be tride.
And what essentiall joy can'st thou expect
Here upon earth? what permanent effect
Of transitory causes? Dost thou love
390Beauty? (And beauty worthy'st is to move)
Poore cousened cousenor, that she, and that thou,
Which did begin to love, are neither now;
You are both fluid, chang'd since yesterday;
Next day repaires, (but ill) last dayes decay.
395Nor are, (although the river keepe the name)
Yesterdaies waters, and to daies the same.
So flowes her face, and thine eyes, neither now
That Saint, nor Pilgrime, which your loving vow
Concern'd, remaines; but whil'st you thinke you bee
400Constant, you'are hourely in inconstancie.
Honour may have pretence unto our love,[page 263]
Because that God did live so long above
Without this Honour, and then lov'd it so,
That he at last made Creatures to bestow
405Honour on him; not that he needed it,
But that, to his hands, man might grow more fit.
But since all Honours from inferiours flow,
(For they doe give it; Princes doe but shew
Whom they would have so honor'd) and that this
410On such opinions, and capacities
Is built, as rise and fall, to more and lesse:
Alas, 'tis but a casuall happinesse.
Hath ever any man to'himselfe assign'd
This or that happinesse to'arrest his minde,
415But that another man which takes a worse,
Thinks him a foole for having tane that course?
They who did labour Babels tower to'erect,
Might have considered, that for that effect,
All this whole solid Earth could not allow
420Nor furnish forth materialls enow;
And that this Center, to raise such a place,
Was farre too little, to have beene the Base;
No more affords this world, foundation
To erect true joy, were all the meanes in one.
425But as the Heathen made them severall gods,
Of all Gods Benefits, and all his Rods,
(For as the Wine, and Corne, and Onions are
Gods unto them, so Agues bee, and Warre)
And as by changing that whole precious Gold
430To such small Copper coynes, they lost the old,
And lost their only God, who ever must
Be sought alone, and not in such a thrust:
So much mankinde true happinesse mistakes;
No Joy enjoyes that man, that many makes.
435Then, Soule, to thy first pitch worke up againe;
Know that all lines which circles doe containe,
For once that they the Center touch, doe touch
Twice the circumference; and be thou such;
Double on heaven thy thoughts on earth emploid;
440All will not serve; Only who have enjoy'd
The sight of God, in fulnesse, can thinke it;
For it is both the object, and the wit.
This is essentiall joy, where neither hee
Can suffer diminution, nor wee;
445'Tis such a full, and such a filling good;
Had th'Angels once look'd on him, they had stood.
To fill the place of one of them, or more,
Shee whom wee celebrate, is gone before.
She, who had Here so much essentiall joy,
450As no chance could distract, much lesse destroy;
Who with Gods presence was acquainted so,
(Hearing, and speaking to him) as to know
His face in any naturall Stone, or Tree,
Better then when in Images they bee:
455Who kept by diligent devotion,
Gods Image, in such reparation,
Within her heart, that what decay was growne,
Was her first Parents fault, and not her owne:
Who being solicited to any act,
460Still heard God pleading his safe precontract;
Who by a faithfull confidence, was here
Betroth'd to God, and now is married there;
Whose twilights were more cleare, then our mid-day;
Who dreamt devoutlier, then most use to pray;
465Who being here fil'd with grace, yet strove to bee,
Both where more grace, and more capacitie
At once is given: she to Heaven is gone,
Who made this world in some proportion
A heaven, and here, became unto us all,
470Joy, (as our joyes admit) essentiall.
Of accidentall joys in both places.
But could this low world joyes essentiall touch,
Heavens accidentall joyes would passe them much.
How poore and lame, must then our casuall bee?
If thy Prince will his subjects to call thee
475My Lord, and this doe swell thee, thou art than,
By being greater, growne to bee lesse Man.
When no Physitian of redresse can speake,
A joyfull casuall violence may breake
A dangerous Apostem in thy breast;
480And whil'st thou joyest in this, the dangerous rest,
The bag may rise up, and so strangle thee.
What e'r was casuall, may ever bee.
What should the nature change? Or make the same
Certaine, which was but casuall, when it came?
485All casuall joy doth loud and plainly say,
Only by comming, that it can away.
Only in Heaven joyes strength is never spent;
And accidentall things are permanent.
Joy of a soules arrivall ne'r decaies;
490For that soule ever joyes and ever staies.
Joy that their last great Consummation
Approaches in the resurrection;
When earthly bodies more celestiall
Shall be, then Angels were, for they could fall;
495This kinde of joy doth every day admit
Degrees of growth, but none of losing it.
In this fresh joy, 'tis no small part, that shee,
Shee, in whose goodnesse, he that names degree,
Doth injure her; ('Tis losse to be cal'd best,
500There where the stuffe is not such as the rest)
Shee, who left such a bodie, as even shee
Only in Heaven could learne, how it can bee
Made better; for shee rather was two soules,
Or like to full on both sides written Rols,
505Where eyes might reade upon the outward skin,
As strong Records for God, as mindes within;
Shee, who by making full perfection grow,
Peeces a Circle, and still keepes it so,
Long'd for, and longing for it, to heaven is gone,
510Where shee receives, and gives addition.
Conclusion.
Here in a place, where mis-devotion frames
A thousand Prayers to Saints, whose very names
The ancient Church knew not, Heaven knows not yet:
And where, what lawes of Poetry admit,
515Lawes of Religion have at least the same,
Immortall Maide, I might invoke thy name.
Could any Saint provoke that appetite,
Thou here should'st make me a French convertite.
But thou would'st not; nor would'st thou be content,
520To take this, for my second yeares true Rent,
Did this Coine beare any other stampe, then his,
That gave thee power to doe, me, to say this.
Since his will is, that to posteritie,
Thou should'st for life, and death, a patterne bee,
525And that the world should notice have of this,
The purpose, and th'authoritie is his;
Thou art the Proclamation; and I am
The Trumpet, at whose voyce the people came.
1 The entrance. 1612-21: om. 1625-33: no notes, 1635-69
5 All, 1612: all, 1625-69
10 Though] Through 1612-25
12 be fail'd,] he fail'd, 1621-33
13 twinckle] twincke 1625
20 strings: Ed: strings. 1612-69
23 are Ed: are, 1612-69
24 was fram'd, 1612-25: was fram'd: 1633-69
27 Deluge, 1612-25: deluge, 1633-69
29 all. Ed: all, 1612-33: all; 1635-69
33 Maid, 1612-25, 1669: maid, 1633-54
35 is, 1612-25: is 1633-69
43 thy] they 1621-25
issue, 1612-33: issue 1635-69. See note
2 disestimation
estimation 1625]46 safe-sealing] safe-fealing 1621-39
47 goe] goe; 1612-25
48 Health, 1612-33: Health; 1635-69, Chambers and Grolier
so. 1612-21: so, 1625-69, Chambers and Grolier. See note
50 bee. Ed: bee 1612-35: bee, 1639-69
51 why, 1612-21: why 1625-69
nor] or 1669
57 more, 1612-25: more 1633-69
67 was but] twas but 1612-25
81 Shee, shee 1621-25: Shee, she 1633-69
82 is] is. 1612-25
96 parch'd 1612-21, 1639-69: pach'd 1625: patch'd 1633-35
99 knell,] knell 1633
101 So this, 1612-33: So, this 1635-69
103 thrust;] trust; 1669
113 shroud] shourd 1621-25
116 exalted] exhalted 1621
goe,] goe. 1612-21
123 Complexion 1612-25: complexion 1633-69
124 Ingredients 1612-25: ingredients 1633-69
134 a point, 1612-21: a-point. 1625: a point: 1633-69
136 there. 1612-25: there, 1633-69
137 wonne] worne 1612-25: woon 1633
140 to 1612-25: too 1633-69
146 Accident 1612-25: accident 1633-69
156 Death 1612-25: death 1633-69
3 Incommodities &c. 1612-21: om. 1625-33
161 thee, both 1612-25: thee both 1633-69
172 first-built 1612-25: first built 1633-69
173 didst] dost 1669
177 the rage 1612-25: a rage 1633-69
179 Death 1612-25: death 1633-69
181 Peece, discharg'd, 1612: Peece, discharg'd 1625: Peece discharg'd 1633: Peece discharg'd, 1635-69
183 This 1612-25: this 1633-69
185 soule, 1612-21: soule 1625-69
187 Twenty, perchance,] Twentie, perchance 1625: Twenty perchance 1633-69
197 Venus] no ital. 1612-25, and so with Hesper &c.
retards] recards 1612-25
201 Who, if 1612-25: Who if 1633-69
204 barr'd;] bard; 1612-39
209 the] those 1669
214 her] om. 1650-69
219-20 text 1612-25 (but soul 1612-25, and then 1625 and shee 1612-25):
This must, my Soule, thy long-short Progresse bee,
To'advance these thoughts; Remember then that she,
1633-69, Chambers and Grolier. See note
231 discoverie] Discoveree. 1612-25
232 Of all,] Of all 1612-25
236 assign'd Ed: assigned 1612-69
238 Dignities, 1612-25: dignities, 1633-69
241 Gold, 1612-25: gold, 1633-69
243 understood] unstood 1621-25
249 well,] well 1612-25
251 little] little 1633
4 Her ignorance &c.: 1612-25: om. 1633
265 Ayre, and Fire, 1612-25: aire, and fire, 1633-69
266 ingredients, 1612: ingredients. 1621-69
268 'tis] ty's 1612-21
270 breake 1612: brake 1621-33: break 1635-69
287 said. 1612-25: said, 1633-69
291 Pedantery] Pedantry 1650-69
292 taught] thought 1612-25
300 shalt] shall 1612-25, 1669
308 all] aie 1612-21: are 1625
314 print,] point, 1612-33
323 earthly] early 1625
324 there.] there, 1633-39
326 choose 1612-25: chose 1633-69
327 will not] will nor 1612-25
328 Divine 1612-25: Divine, 1633-69
329 Great 1612-25: great 1633-69
333 wits 1612-25: wits, 1633-69
336 some] some, 1633
338 lyes] wise 1612-25
353 thought] thoughts 1612-25
366 rebellious] rebellions 1635-69
369 impressions 1612-25: rest impression
378 ill,)] last bracket dropped 1612-33
380 whither] spelt whether 1612-33
383 study, 1635-69: study 1612-33
391 that ... that] no italics 1612-25
397 eies, 1612-21: eyes 1625: eyes; 1633-69, Chambers. See note
398 Saint, 1612-25: Saint 1633-69
vow] row 1612-25
399 remaines;] remaines, 1612-25
402 that] in italics 1633-69
404 Creatures 1612-25: creatures 1633-69
416 Thinks] Thinke 1612-25
420 enow] enough 1633
421 this 1612: his 1621-69
421-2 place, ... little, 1612: place ... little, 1621-33
423 affords] affoords 1612-25
world, foundation 1633-69: worlds, foundatione 1612-25
426 Benefits ... Rods] capitals from 1612-25
428 Warre] no capital 1612-39
429 that] the 1625
433 much] much, 1633-39
435 up] upon 1612-25
449 Here 1612-25: here 1633-69
463 cleare,] cleane, 1635
475 My Lord] no italics 1612-25
477 redresse] Reders 1612-25
482 What e'r] What eye 1612-25
500 where] waere 1612
501 even] ever 1625
506: within; Ed: within, 1612-39: within. 1650-69
516: invoke] inroque 1612-25
518 French 1635-69: french 1612-33
520 Rent] Rent. 1633
Note[pg 267]
LOOKE to mee faith, and looke to my faith, God;
For both my centers feele this period.
Of waight one center, one of greatnesse is;
And Reason is that center, Faith is this;
5For into'our reason flow, and there do end
All, that this naturall world doth comprehend:
Quotidian things, and equidistant hence,
Shut in, for man, in one circumference.
But for th'enormous greatnesses, which are
10So disproportion'd, and so angulare,
As is Gods essence, place and providence,
Where, how, when, what soules do, departed hence,
These things (eccentrique else) on faith do strike;
Yet neither all, nor upon all, alike.
15For reason, put to'her best extension,
Almost meetes faith, and makes both centers one.
And nothing ever came so neare to this,
As contemplation of that Prince, wee misse.
For all that faith might credit mankinde could,
20Reason still seconded, that this prince would.
If then least moving of the center, make
More, then if whole hell belch'd, the world to shake,
What must this do, centers distracted so,
That wee see not what to beleeve or know?
25Was it not well beleev'd till now, that hee,
Whose reputation was an extasie
On neighbour States, which knew not why to wake,
Till hee discover'd what wayes he would take;
For whom, what Princes angled, when they tryed,
30Met a Torpedo, and were stupified;
And others studies, how he would be bent;
Was his great fathers greatest instrument,
And activ'st spirit, to convey and tie
This soule of peace, through Christianity?
35Was it not well beleev'd, that hee would make
This generall peace, th'Eternall overtake,
And that his times might have stretch'd out so farre,
As to touch those, of which they emblems are?
For to confirme this just beleefe, that now
40The last dayes came, wee saw heav'n did allow,
That, but from his aspect and exercise,
In peacefull times, Rumors of war did rise.
But now this faith is heresie: we must
Still stay, and vexe our great-grand-mother, Dust.
45Oh, is God prodigall? hath he spent his store
Of plagues, on us; and onely now, when more
Would ease us much, doth he grudge misery;
And will not let's enjoy our curse; to dy?
As, for the earth throwne lowest downe of all,
50T'were an ambition to desire to fall,
So God, in our desire to dye, doth know
Our plot for ease, in being wretched so.
Therefore we live; though such a life wee have,
As but so many mandrakes on his grave.
55What had his growth, and generation done,
When, what we are, his putrefaction
Sustaines in us; Earth, which griefes animate?
Nor hath our world now, other Soule then that.
And could griefe get so high as heav'n, that Quire,
60Forgetting this their new joy, would desire
(With griefe to see him) hee had staid below,
To rectifie our errours, They foreknow.
Is th'other center, Reason, faster then?
Where should we looke for that, now we'are not men?
65For if our Reason be'our connexion
Of causes, now to us there can be none.
For, as, if all the substances were spent,
'Twere madnesse, to enquire of accident,
So is't to looke for reason, hee being gone,
70The onely subject reason wrought upon.
If Fate have such a chaine, whose divers links
Industrious man discerneth, as hee thinks;
When miracle doth come, and so steale in
A new linke, man knowes not, where to begin:
75At a much deader fault must reason bee,
Death having broke off such a linke as hee.
But now, for us, with busie proofe to come,
That we'have no reason, would prove wee had some.
So would just lamentations: Therefore wee
80May safelyer say, that we are dead, then hee.
So, if our griefs wee do not well declare,
We'have double excuse; he'is not dead; and we are.
Yet I would not dy yet; for though I bee
Too narrow, to thinke him, as hee is hee,
85(Our Soules best baiting, and midd-period,
In her long journey, of considering God)
Yet, (no dishonour) I can reach him thus,
As he embrac'd the fires of love, with us.
Oh may I, (since I live) but see, or heare,
90That she-Intelligence which mov'd this spheare,
I pardon Fate, my life: Who ere thou bee,
Which hast the noble conscience, thou art shee,
I conjure thee by all the charmes he spoke,
By th'oathes, which onely you two never broke,
95By all the soules yee sigh'd, that if you see
These lines, you wish, I knew your history.
So much, as you, two mutuall heav'ns were here,
I were an Angell, singing what you were.
Epicedes &c. 1635-69: Elegie upon &c. 1613, in the Lachrymae Lachrymarum &c. of Joshua Sylvester. See note: Elegie on Prince Henry. 1633-54, O'F: similarly, Cy, N, TCD: An Elegie on the untimely &c. 1669
8 man 1633-69: men 1613
17 neare] nere 1633
18 that 1633-69: the 1613
19 might credit 1633-69: could credit 1613
21 moving 1633-69: movings 1613
22 shake, 1650-69: shake. 1633-39
26 extasie Ed: exstasie, 1633-69
31 bent; Ed: bent, 1613, 1633-69
34 through 1613-33: to 1635-69
Christianity? 1669: Christianity: 1633-54
42 did 1633: should 1613, 1635-69
44 great-grand-mother, 1613: great grand mother, 1633: great grand-mother, 1635-69
46 us;] us, 1633
48 to dy? Ed: to dy. 1633: to die! 1635-54: no stop, 1669
57 animate?] animate; 1633
66 Of 1633-69: With 1613
67 as, 1613: as 1633-69
69 So is't to] So is' to 1669
71 Fate 1633-69: Faith 1613
72 thinks; Ed: thinks, 1613, 1633-69
73 come, 1633-69: joine; 1613
so steale in 1633-69: to steal-in 1613
77 proofe 1633-69: proofes 1613
78 some. 1633: some, 1635-69
80 hee. 1633: hee, 1635-69
82 and we are. 1633-54: we are. 1613, 1669
83 I would not 1633-54: would not I 1669
91 Who Ed: who 1633-69
92 shee, 1633-69: she. Chambers
97 So much, as you, 1633-69: So, much as you Chambers
IHAVE learn'd by those lawes wherein
I am
a1 little conversant,
that hee which bestowes any cost upon the dead, obliges him
which is dead, but not the2 heire; I do not therefore send this
paper to your Ladyship, that you should thanke mee for it, or
thinke that I thanke you in it; your favours and benefits to mee
are so much above my merits, that they are even above my
gratitude, if that were to be judged by words which must expresse
it: But, Madame, since your noble brothers fortune being yours,
the evidences also concerning it are yours,3
so his vertue4 being
yours, the evidences concerning it,5 belong also to you, of which by
your acceptance this may be one peece, in which quality I humbly
present it, and as a testimony how intirely your familie possesseth
To the Countesse &c. 1633-69, and in most of the MSS. as next page
1 a 1633-54: om. 1669
2 the] his 1669]
3 yours, 1633: yours: 1635-69
4 vertue 1633: vertues 1635-69
5 it, 1633: that 1635-69
Note[pg 271]
FAIRE soule, which wast, not onely, as all soules bee,
Then when thou wast infused, harmony,
But did'st continue so; and now dost beare
A part in Gods great organ, this whole Spheare:
5If looking up to God; or downe to us,
Thou finde that any way is pervious,
Twixt heav'n and earth, and that mans actions doe
Come to your knowledge, and affections too,
See, and with joy, mee to that good degree
10Of goodnesse growne, that I can studie thee,
And, by these meditations refin'd,
Can unapparell and enlarge my minde,
And so can make by this soft extasie,
This place a map of heav'n, my selfe of thee.
15Thou seest mee here at midnight, now all rest;
Times dead-low water; when all mindes devest
To morrows businesse, when the labourers have
Such rest in bed, that their last Church-yard grave,
Subject to change, will scarce be'a type of this,
20Now when the clyent, whose last hearing is
To morrow, sleeps, when the condemned man,
(Who when hee opes his eyes, must shut them than
Againe by death,) although sad watch hee keepe,
Doth practice dying by a little sleepe,
25Thou at this midnight seest mee, and as soone
As that Sunne rises to mee, midnight's noone,
All the world growes transparent, and I see
Through all, both Church and State, in seeing thee;
And I discerne by favour of this light,
30My selfe, the hardest object of the sight.
God is the glasse; as thou when thou dost see
Him who sees all, seest all concerning thee,
So, yet unglorified, I comprehend
All, in these mirrors of thy wayes, and end.
35Though God be our true glasse, through which we see
All, since the beeing of all things is hee,
Yet are the trunkes which doe to us derive
Things, in proportion fit, by perspective,
Deeds of good men; for by their living here,
40Vertues, indeed remote, seeme to be neare.
But where can I affirme, or where arrest
My thoughts on his deeds? which shall I call best?
For fluid vertue cannot be look'd on,
Nor can endure a contemplation.
45As bodies change, and as I do not weare
Those Spirits, humors, blood I did last yeare,
And, as if on a streame I fixe mine eye,
That drop, which I looked on, is presently
Pusht with more waters from my sight, and gone,
50So in this sea of vertues, can no one
Bee'insisted on; vertues, as rivers, passe,
Yet still remaines that vertuous man there was.
And as if man feed on mans flesh, and so
Part of his body to another owe,
55Yet at the last two perfect bodies rise,
Because God knowes where every Atome lyes;
So, if one knowledge were made of all those,
Who knew his minutes well, hee might dispose
His vertues into names, and ranks; but I
60Should injure Nature, Vertue, and Destinie,
Should I divide and discontinue so,
Vertue, which did in one intirenesse grow.
For as, hee that would say, spirits are fram'd
Of all the purest parts that can be nam'd,
65Honours not spirits halfe so much, as hee
Which sayes, they have no parts, but simple bee;
So is't of vertue; for a point and one
Are much entirer then a million.
And had Fate meant to have his vertues told,
70It would have let him live to have beene old;
So, then that vertue in season, and then this,
We might have seene, and said, that now he is
Witty, now wise, now temperate, now just:
In good short lives, vertues are faine to thrust,
75And to be sure betimes to get a place,
When they would exercise, lacke time, and space.
So was it in this person, forc'd to bee
For lack of time, his owne epitome:
So to exhibit in few yeares as much,
80As all the long breath'd Chronicles can touch.
As when an Angell down from heav'n doth flye,
Our quick thought cannot keepe him company,
Wee cannot thinke, now hee is at the Sunne,
Now through the Moon, now he through th'aire doth run,
85Yet when he's come, we know he did repaire
To all twixt Heav'n and Earth, Sunne, Moon, and Aire;
And as this Angell in an instant knowes,
And yet wee know, this sodaine knowledge growes
By quick amassing severall formes of things,
90Which he successively to order brings;
When they, whose slow-pac'd lame thoughts cannot goe
So fast as hee, thinke that he doth not so;
Just as a perfect reader doth not dwell,
On every syllable, nor stay to spell,
95Yet without doubt, hee doth distinctly see
And lay together every A, and B;
So, in short liv'd good men, is'not understood
Each severall vertue, but the compound good;
For, they all vertues paths in that pace tread,
100As Angells goe, and know, and as men read.
O why should then these men, these lumps of Balme
Sent hither, this worlds tempests to becalme,
Before by deeds they are diffus'd and spred,
And so make us alive, themselves be dead?
105O Soule, O circle, why so quickly bee
Thy ends, thy birth and death, clos'd up in thee?
Since one foot of thy compasse still was plac'd
In heav'n, the other might securely'have pac'd
In the most large extent, through every path,
110Which the whole world, or man the abridgment hath.
Thou knowst, that though the tropique circles have
(Yea and those small ones which the Poles engrave,)
All the same roundnesse, evennesse, and all
The endlesnesse of the equinoctiall;
115Yet, when we come to measure distances,
How here, how there, the Sunne affected is,
When he doth faintly worke, and when prevaile,
Onely great circles, than can be our scale:
So, though thy circle to thy selfe expresse
120All, tending to thy endlesse happinesse,
And wee, by our good use of it may trye,
Both how to live well young, and how to die,
Yet, since we must be old, and age endures
His Torrid Zone at Court, and calentures
125Of hot ambitions, irrelegions ice,
Zeales agues, and hydroptique avarice,
Infirmities which need the scale of truth,
As well as lust, and ignorance of youth;
Why did'st thou not for these give medicines too,
130And by thy doing tell us what to doe?
Though as small pocket-clocks, whose every wheele
Doth each mismotion and distemper feele,
Whose hand gets shaking palsies, and whose string
(His sinewes) slackens, and whose Soule, the spring,
135Expires, or languishes, whose pulse, the flye,
Either beates not, or beates unevenly,
Whose voice, the Bell, doth rattle, or grow dumbe,
Or idle,'as men, which to their last houres come,
If these clockes be not wound, or be wound still,
140Or be not set, or set at every will;
So, youth is easiest to destruction,
If then wee follow all, or follow none.
Yet, as in great clocks, which in steeples chime,
Plac'd to informe whole towns, to'imploy their time,
145An error doth more harme, being generall,
When, small clocks faults, only'on the wearer fall;
So worke the faults of age, on which the eye
Of children, servants, or the State relie.
Why wouldst not thou then, which hadst such a soule,
150A clock so true, as might the Sunne controule,
And daily hadst from him, who gave it thee,
Instructions, such as it could never be
Disordered, stay here, as a generall
And great Sun-dyall, to have set us All?
155O why wouldst thou be any instrument
To this unnaturall course, or why consent
To this, not miracle, but Prodigie,
That when the ebbs, longer then flowings be,
Vertue, whose flood did with thy youth begin,
160Should so much faster ebb out, then flow in?
Though her flood was blowne in, by thy first breath,
All is at once sunke in the whirle-poole death.
Which word I would not name, but that I see
Death, else a desert, growne a Court by thee.
165Now I grow sure, that if a man would have
Good companie, his entry is a grave.
Mee thinkes all Cities, now, but Anthills bee,
Where, when the severall labourers I see,
For children, house, Provision, taking paine,
170They'are all but Ants, carrying eggs, straw, and grain;
And Church-yards are our cities, unto which
The most repaire, that are in goodnesse rich.
There is the best concourse, and confluence,
There are the holy suburbs, and from thence
175Begins Gods City, New Jerusalem,
Which doth extend her utmost gates to them.
At that gate then Triumphant soule, dost thou
Begin thy Triumph; But since lawes allow
That at the Triumph day, the people may,
180All that they will, 'gainst the Triumpher say,
Let me here use that freedome, and expresse
My griefe, though not to make thy Triumph lesse.
By law, to Triumphs none admitted bee,
Till they as Magistrates get victorie;
185Though then to thy force, all youthes foes did yield,
Yet till fit time had brought thee to that field,
To which thy ranke in this state destin'd thee,
That there thy counsailes might get victorie,
And so in that capacitie remove
190All jealousies 'twixt Prince and subjects love,
Thou could'st no title, to this triumph have,
Thou didst intrude on death, usurp'dst a grave.
Then (though victoriously) thou hadst fought as yet
But with thine owne affections, with the heate
195Of youths desires, and colds of ignorance,
But till thou should'st successefully advance
Thine armes 'gainst forraine enemies, which are
Both Envy, and acclamations popular,
(For, both these engines equally defeate,
200Though by a divers Mine, those which are great,)
Till then thy War was but a civill War,
For which to Triumph, none admitted are.
No more are they, who though with good successe,
In a defensive war, their power expresse;
205Before men triumph, the dominion
Must be enlarg'd and not preserv'd alone;
Why should'st thou then, whose battailes were to win
Thy selfe, from those straits nature put thee in,
And to deliver up to God that state,
210Of which he gave thee the vicariate,
(Which is thy soule and body) as intire
As he, who takes endeavours, doth require,
But didst not stay, t'enlarge his kingdome too,
By making others, what thou didst, to doe;
215Why shouldst thou Triumph now, when Heav'n no more
Hath got, by getting thee, then't had before?
For, Heav'n and thou, even when thou livedst here,
Of one another in possession were.
But this from Triumph most disables thee,
220That, that place which is conquered, must bee
Left safe from present warre, and likely doubt
Of imminent commotions to breake out:
And hath he left us so? or can it bee
His territory was no more then Hee?
225No, we were all his charge, the Diocis
Of ev'ry exemplar man, the whole world is,
And he was joyned in commission
With Tutelar Angels, sent to every one.
But though this freedome to upbraid, and chide
230Him who Triumph'd, were lawfull, it was ty'd
With this, that it might never reference have
Unto the Senate, who this triumph gave;
Men might at Pompey jeast, but they might not
At that authoritie, by which he got
235Leave to Triumph, before, by age, he might;
So, though, triumphant soule, I dare to write,
Mov'd with a reverentiall anger, thus,
That thou so earely wouldst abandon us;
Yet I am farre from daring to dispute
240With that great soveraigntie, whose absolute
Prerogative hath thus dispens'd with thee,
'Gainst natures lawes, which just impugners bee
Of early triumphs; And I (though with paine)
Lessen our losse, to magnifie thy gaine
245Of triumph, when I say, It was more fit,
That all men should lacke thee, then thou lack it.
Though then in our time, be not suffered
That testimonie of love, unto the dead,
To die with them, and in their graves be hid,
250As Saxon wives, and French soldurii did;
And though in no degree I can expresse
Griefe in great Alexanders great excesse,
Who at his friends death, made whole townes devest
Their walls and bullwarks which became them best:
255Doe not, faire soule, this sacrifice refuse,
That in thy grave I doe interre my Muse,
Who, by my griefe, great as thy worth, being cast
Behind hand, yet hath spoke, and spoke her last.
Obsequies to &c. B, S96 and similarly A25, C, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, TCD: Obsequies to the Lord Harringtons brother. To the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-54: Obsequies on the Lord Harrington, &c. To the Countess of Bedford. 1669
7 mans 1633, D, H49: mens 1635-69 and most MSS.
11 these 1633-69: those B, D, H49, JC, O'F, S, TCD
15 midnight, now 1633-69: midnight; now Chambers: midnight now, Grolier
26 that Sunne] this Sunne N, TCD
30 hardest] hardyest 1669
34 end. D: end; 1633-69
35 our true glasse, 1633-69 (glass, 1633): truly our glass A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD
see] see. 1633 some copies, 1635
38 Things, in proportion fit, by perspective, D: Things, in proportion fit by perspective, 1633: Things, in proportion, fit by perspective, 1635-54, Chambers: Things in proportion, fit by perspective, 1669. See note
39 men; D: men, 1633: men: 1635-69
living 1633: beeing 1635-69, Chambers and Grolier
40 neare. 1635-69: nere; 1633
44 contemplation. Ed: contemplation; 1633-69
51 on; Ed: on, 1633-69
52 was. Ed: was; 1633-69
53 feed 1635-69 and MSS.: feeds 1633
63 would 1633: should 1635-69
69 to have his 1633, A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, S96, TCD: to'have had his 1635-69, O'F, Chambers
70 old; Ed: old, 1633-39: old. 1650-69
71 So, then that Ed: So then, that 1633: So, then, that 1635-69
76 exercise] exercse 1633 some copies: encrease D, H49, Lec: exercise: they S
lacke 1633-54: last 1669
time] room A25, B, JC, O'F, S, S96, TCD
78 epitome: D: epitome. 1633-69
80 Chronicles] Chroniclers 1669
can touch.] can touch; 1633
84 he] om. 1669, O'F
86 Aire; 1669: Aire. 1633-35: Air, 1639-54
87 instant] instant, 1633
98 good; Ed: good. 1633-69
102 this A25, B, C, D, H49, JC, N, O'F, S, TCD: the 1633-69
tempests A25, D, H49, JC, N, S96, TCD: tempest 1633-69, O'F, S
106 death, Ed: death 1633-69
110 man] man, 1633
hath.] hath, 1633 some copies, 1633-39
117 When ... when 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: Where ... where rest of MSS.
118 circles, than can D: circles, then, can 1633-69
121 it] that many MSS.
125 ambitions,] ambition, 1669
126 agues, Ed: agues; 1633-69
127-8 in brackets 1635-69
128 As well as lust, 1669: As well, as lust 1633-54
130 tell us 1633, 1669, A25, D, H49, N, S, TCD: set us 1635-54, B, O'F, S96, and Chambers
133 hand gets A25, B, C, D, H49, JC, N, S, TCD: hands get 1633-54: hands gets 1669. See note
135 flye, 1633: flee, 1635-69
138 houres come, 1633-54: hour come, 1669: hours are come, Chambers
142 none. 1635-69: none; 1633
146 fall; Ed: fall. 1633-69
154 great] grave A25, C
155 wouldst] wouldest 1639-54
any 1633-35, and MSS.: an 1639-69, Chambers
158 when 1633-69: where C, D, H49, N, O'F, S, TCD: whereas B
161 was 1633: were 1635-69
165 grow sure, 1633, D, H49, Lec: am sure, 1635-69
170 and 1633-69: or A25, B, C, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD
176 them. D: them; 1633, 1639-69: them, 1635
178 Triumph; 1633: Triumph. 1635-69
184 victorie; Ed: victorie, 1633-69
186 brought] wrought 1639, Chambers
192 usurp'dst B, D, H49, N, TCD: usurp'st 1633, Lec, S96: usurpe 1635-69, A25, JC, O'F, Chambers
193 Then 1635-69: That 1633
198 acclamations 1669, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD: acclamation 1633-54
202 are. D: are; 1633-69
204 expresse; Ed: expresse. 1633-69
212 endeavours, 1633-54, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD: Indentours, 1669, Chambers
216 'thad] t'had 1633-39
218 were. D: were; 1633-69
222 out: 1635-69: out. 1633
224 His 1633-54: This 1669
then 1633-69: but D, H49, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD
231 reference] reverence 1650-54
239 I am] am I B, O'F, S, S96
241 with 1633-69, O'F: for A25, D, H49, Lec, N, TCD
247 time,] times, 1669, B, JC, O'F, N, S, S96, TCD
250 soldurii D, H49, Lec: soldarii 1633-69
251 expresse] expresse, 1633
257 Who, 1633: Which, 1639-69
MAN is the World, and death th'Ocean,
To which God gives the lower parts of man.
This Sea invirons all, and though as yet
God hath set markes, and bounds, twixt us and it,
5Yet doth it rore, and gnaw, and still pretend,
And breaks our bankes, when ere it takes a friend.
Then our land waters (teares of passion) vent;
Our waters, then, above our firmament,
(Teares which our Soule doth for her sins let fall)
10Take all a brackish taft, and Funerall,
And even these teares, which should wash sin, are sin.
We, after Gods Noe, drowne our world againe.
Nothing but man of all invenom'd things
Doth worke upon itselfe, with inborne stings.
15Teares are false Spectacles, we cannot see
Through passions mist, what wee are, or what shee.
In her this sea of death hath made no breach,
But as the tide doth wash the slimie beach,
And leaves embroder'd workes upon the sand,
20So is her flesh refin'd by deaths cold hand.
As men of China,'after an ages stay,
Do take up Porcelane, where they buried Clay;
So at this grave, her limbecke, which refines
The Diamonds, Rubies, Saphires, Pearles, and Mines,
25Of which this flesh was, her soule shall inspire
Flesh of such stuffe, as God, when his last fire
Annuls this world, to recompence it, shall,
Make and name then, th'Elixar of this All.
They say, the sea, when it gaines, loseth too;
30If carnall Death (the yonger brother) doe
Usurpe the body,'our soule, which subject is
To th'elder death, by sinne, is freed by this;
They perish both, when they attempt the just;
For, graves our trophies are, and both deaths dust.
35So, unobnoxious now, she'hath buried both;
For, none to death sinnes, that to sinne is loth,
Nor doe they die, which are not loth to die;
So hath she this, and that virginity.
Grace was in her extremely diligent,
40That kept her from sinne, yet made her repent.
Of what small spots pure white complaines! Alas,
How little poyson cracks a christall glasse!
She sinn'd, but just enough to let us see
That God's word must be true, All, sinners be.
45Soe much did zeale her conscience rarefie
That, extreme truth lack'd little of a lye,
Making omissions, acts; laying the touch
Of sinne, on things that sometimes may be such.
As Moses Cherubines, whose natures doe
50Surpasse all speed, by him are winged too:
So would her soule, already'in heaven, seeme then,
To clyme by teares, the common staires of men.
How fit she was for God, I am content
To speake, that Death his vaine hast may repent.
55How fit for us, how even and how sweet,
How good in all her titles, and how meet,
To have reform'd this forward heresie,
That women can no parts of friendship bee;
How Morall, how Divine shall not be told,
60Lest they that heare her vertues, thinke her old:
And lest we take Deaths part, and make him glad
Of such a prey, and to his tryumph adde.
Elegie &c. 1633-54: An Elegie &c. 1669: similarly, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S96, TC
6 And breaks 1633-54: To break 1669
bankes D, Cy, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, TCC: bounds A25, C: banke, 1633-69, N (s added), TCD
8 firmament,] firmament. 1633
10 Funerall, Ed: Funerall. 1633-69
11 these D, H49, Lec: those 1633-69
12 after Gods Noe, drowne 1633-54 (No, 1633-54): after God, new drown 1669
our world 1669, B, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: the world 1633-54, A18, A25, JC, TCC
16 mist] mistes Cy, L74, N, TCD
19 embroder'd 1635-54: embroderd 1633: embroider'd 1669
21 stay, Ed: stay 1633-69
25 which Ed: which, 1633-69
28 then, 1633: then 1635-39: them 1650-69
34 and both deaths dust. Ed: and both Deaths' dust. Grolier: and both, deaths dust. 1633: and both death's dust. 1635-69 and Chambers: and both dead dust. D, Cy, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S96. See note
36 loth, Ed: loth. 1633-69
37 die; Ed: die, 1633-69
42 cracks 1633-69, A25, Cy, P (crackt): breakes A18, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC
glasse! Ed: glasse? 1633-69
44-5 omitted in 1633 between foot of one page and top of next
45 rarefie,] rectify, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S96
48 sometimes 1633 and MSS.: sometime 1635-69, and Chambers
52 teares,] tears Chambers
the ... men in brackets A18, N, TC
54 Death D: death 1633-69
58 women 1635-69, A18, A25, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, TC: woman 1633, Cy
parts] parte Cy, JC. This line written in large letters in several MSS.
60 vertues, 1633-35, 1669: vertue, 1639-54
thinke] thinks 1639
old: Ed: old. 1633-69
62 tryumph 1633-69, A25, D, H40, Lec: triumphes A18, B, H49, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S96, TC]
Note[pg 282]
D EATH I recant, and say, unsaid by mee
What ere hath slip'd, that might diminish thee.
Spirituall treason, atheisme 'tis, to say,
That any can thy Summons disobey.
5Th'earths face is but thy Table; there are set
Plants, cattell, men, dishes for Death to eate.
In a rude hunger now hee millions drawes
Into his bloody, or plaguy, or sterv'd jawes.
Now hee will seeme to spare, and doth more wast,
10Eating the best first, well preserv'd to last.
Now wantonly he spoiles, and eates us not,
But breakes off friends, and lets us peecemeale rot.
Nor will this earth serve him; he sinkes the deepe
Where harmelesse fish monastique silence keepe,
15Who (were Death dead) by Roes of living sand,
Might spunge that element, and make it land.
He rounds the aire, and breakes the hymnique notes
In birds (Heavens choristers,) organique throats,
Which (if they did not dye) might seeme to bee
20A tenth ranke in the heavenly hierarchie.
O strong and long-liv'd death, how cam'st thou in?
And how without Creation didst begin?
Thou hast, and shalt see dead, before thou dyest,
All the foure Monarchies, and Antichrist.
25How could I thinke thee nothing, that see now
In all this All, nothing else is, but thou.
Our births and lives, vices, and vertues, bee
Wastfull consumptions, and degrees of thee.
For, wee to live, our bellowes weare, and breath,
30Nor are wee mortall, dying, dead, but death.
And though thou beest, O mighty bird of prey,
So much reclaim'd by God, that thou must lay
All that thou kill'st at his feet, yet doth hee
Reserve but few, and leaves the most to thee.
35And of those few, now thou hast overthrowne
One whom thy blow makes, not ours, nor thine own.
She was more stories high: hopelesse to come
To her Soule, thou'hast offer'd at her lower roome.
Her Soule and body was a King and Court:
40But thou hast both of Captaine mist and fort.
As houses fall not, though the King remove,
Bodies of Saints rest for their soules above.
Death gets 'twixt soules and bodies such a place
As sinne insinuates 'twixt just men and grace,
45Both worke a separation, no divorce.
Her Soule is gone to usher up her corse
Which shall be'almost another soule, for there
Bodies are purer, then best Soules are here,
Because in her, her virtues did outgoe
50Her yeares, would'st thou, O emulous death, do so?
And kill her young to thy losse? must the cost
Of beauty,'and wit, apt to doe harme, be lost?
What though thou found'st her proofe 'gainst sins of youth?
Oh, every age a diverse sinne pursueth.
55Thou should'st have stay'd, and taken better hold,
Shortly, ambitious; covetous, when old,
She might have prov'd: and such devotion
Might once have stray'd to superstition.
If all her vertues must have growne, yet might
60Abundant virtue'have bred a proud delight.
Had she persever'd just, there would have bin
Some that would sinne, mis-thinking she did sinne.
Such as would call her friendship, love, and faine
To sociablenesse, a name profane;
65Or sinne, by tempting, or, not daring that,
By wishing, though they never told her what.
Thus might'st thou'have slain more soules, had'st thou not crost
Thy selfe, and to triumph, thine army lost.
Yet though these wayes be lost, thou hast left one,
70Which is, immoderate griefe that she is gone.
But we may scape that sinne, yet weepe as much,
Our teares are due, because we are not such.
Some teares, that knot of friends, her death must cost,
Because the chaine is broke, though no linke lost.
Elegie on Mris Boulstred. 1633-69, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCC, TCD: in Cy, O'F, P this and the Elegie, Death, be not proud (p. 416) are given as one poem. See note
5 there are set] and the meate A18, L74, N, TC
6 dishes 1633, 1650-69: dished 1635-39, A18, L74, N, O'F, S96, TC
10 first,] fruite or fruites A18, H49, L74, N, TC: first fruit P
14 keepe, 1635-39: keepe. 1633, 1650-69
15 by Roes 1633: the Roes 1635-54: the Rows 1669: by rows A18, N, O'F, P, S96, TC
18 birds Ed: birds, 1633-69 (Heavens choristers)] brackets from HN
27 lives, 1635-69, A25, Cy, O'F, P, S: lifes, HN: life, 1633, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC
34 to thee. 1633: for thee. 1635-69
35 thou hast 1633-69: hast thou HN
36 blow] blow, 1633
41 King 1633, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC: Kings 1635-69
45 worke 1633-69, HN, O'F, S: workes A18, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, P, TC: makes Lec. See note
56 Shortly,] Shortly 1633
ambitious; 1635-69: ambitious, 1633
62 mis-thinking] mistaking Cy, HN, O'F (but altered to text)
64 profane; 1669: profane, 1635-54: profane. 1633
74 though 1635-69, A18, A25, HN, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: but 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec
Here follow in 1635-54 By our first strange (p. 111), Madame, That I (p. 291), and Death be not proud, (p. 422). In 1669 My Fortune and (p. 292) precedes Madame, That I
LANGUAGE thou art too narrow, and too weake
To ease us now; great sorrow cannot speake;
If we could sigh out accents, and weepe words,
Griefe weares, and lessens, that tears breath affords.
5Sad hearts, the lesse they seeme the more they are,
(So guiltiest men stand mutest at the barre)
Not that they know not, feele not their estate,
But extreme sense hath made them desperate.
Sorrow, to whom we owe all that we bee;
10Tyrant, in the fift and greatest Monarchy,
Was't, that she did possesse all hearts before,
Thou hast kil'd her, to make thy Empire more?
Knew'st thou some would, that knew her not, lament,
As in a deluge perish th'innocent?
15Was't not enough to have that palace wonne,
But thou must raze it too, that was undone?
Had'st thou staid there, and look'd out at her eyes,
All had ador'd thee that now from thee flies,
For they let out more light, then they tooke in,
20They told not when, but did the day beginne.
She was too Saphirine, and cleare for thee;
Clay, flint, and jeat now thy fit dwellings be;
Alas, shee was too pure, but not too weake;
Who e'r saw Christall Ordinance but would break?
25And if wee be thy conquest, by her fall
Th'hast lost thy end, for in her perish all;
Or if we live, we live but to rebell,
They know her better now, that knew her well.
If we should vapour out, and pine, and die;
30Since, shee first went, that were not miserie.
Shee chang'd our world with hers; now she is gone,
Mirth and prosperity is oppression;
For of all morall vertues she was all,
The Ethicks speake of vertues Cardinall.
35Her soule was Paradise; the Cherubin
Set to keepe it was grace, that kept out sinne.
Shee had no more then let in death, for wee
All reape consumption from one fruitfull tree.
God tooke her hence, lest some of us should love
40Her, like that plant, him and his lawes above,
And when wee teares, hee mercy shed in this,
To raise our mindes to heaven where now she is;
Who if her vertues would have let her stay
Wee'had had a Saint, have now a holiday.
45Her heart was that strange bush, where, sacred fire,
Religion, did not consume, but'inspire
Such piety, so chast use of Gods day,
That what we turne to feast, she turn'd to pray,
And did prefigure here, in devout tast,
50The rest of her high Sabaoth, which shall last.
Angels did hand her up, who next God dwell,
(For she was of that order whence most fell)
Her body left with us, lest some had said,
Shee could not die, except they saw her dead;
55For from lesse vertue, and lesse beautiousnesse,
The Gentiles fram'd them Gods and Goddesses.
The ravenous earth that now wooes her to be
Earth too, will be a Lemnia; and the tree
That wraps that christall in a wooden Tombe,
60Shall be tooke up spruce, fill'd with diamond;
And we her sad glad friends all beare a part
Of griefe, for all would waste a Stoicks heart.
Elegie. 1633: Elegie XI. Death. 1635-54 (being places among the Elegies): Elegie XI. 1669: An Elegie upon the death of Mris Boulstred. A18, B, Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, P, S, TCC, TCD: no title, HN
2 sorrow 1633, B, Cy, H40, HN, L74, N, P, TC: sorrowes 1635-69, O'F, S
8 desperate. Ed: desperate; 1633-69
10 Tyrant, 1633, 1669 (no comma): Tyran, 1635-54
20 beginne. Ed: beginne; 1633-69
21 for 1635-69: to 1633
26 for in her 1633 and all the MSS.: in her we 1635-69, Chambers
28 They ... that ... well; 1633, Cy, H40, HN, L74, N, S, TC: That know her better now, who knew her well. 1635-69, B, O'F, P, S96
29 and pine, and] or pine, or Cy, H40, HN, O'F, P, S, S96: or pine, and L74, TCC
30 miserie. Ed: miserie; 1633-69
34 The Ethicks speake 1633, A18, Cy, H40, L74, N, P, TC: That Ethickes speake 1635-69, B, O'F, S: The ethenickes spake HN
Cardinall. Ed: Cardinall; 1633-69
36 that kept out] to keep out HN, P
sinne. Ed: sinne; 1633-69
37 She had no more; then let in death for we 1669
38 tree. Ed: tree; 1633-69
41-2 And when we see his mercy shewne in this 'Twill &c. S
44 holiday. Ed: holiday; 1633-69
All the MSS. omit have, but O'F inserts it later
48 That what 1633-69: That when HN
turne] turn'd Cy, HN, P, S96
to feast, Ed: to feast, 1633-69
feast] feasts L74, N, O'F, TC
to pray, Ed: to pray, 1633-69
50 last.] last; 1633
53 Her body left 1633, A18, HN, N, TC: Her bodie's left 1635-69
56 fram'd] fain'd Cy, P: form'd H40, HN
57 wooes] woes 1633
be] be, 1633
58 All the MSS. omit a before Lemnia, but O'F inserts
61 sad glad 1633-69: glad sad B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96
62 waste 1633, A18, Cy, H40, HN, L74, N, P, TC: breake 1635-69, B, O'F
Note[pg 287]
SORROW, who to this house scarce knew the way:
Is, Oh, heire of it, our All is his prey.
This strange chance claimes strange wonder, and to us
Nothing can be so strange, as to weepe thus.
5'Tis well his lifes loud speaking workes deserve,
And give praise too, our cold tongues could not serve:
'Tis well, hee kept teares from our eyes before,
That to fit this deepe ill, we might have store.
Oh, if a sweet briar, climbe up by'a tree,
10If to a paradise that transplanted bee,
Or fell'd, and burnt for holy sacrifice,
Yet, that must wither, which by it did rise,
As we for him dead: though no familie
Ere rigg'd a soule for heavens discoverie
15With whom more Venturers more boldly dare
Venture their states, with him in joy to share.
Wee lose what all friends lov'd, him; he gaines now
But life by death, which worst foes would allow,
If hee could have foes, in whose practise grew
20All vertues, whose names subtile Schoolmen knew.
What ease, can hope that wee shall see'him, beget,
When wee must die first, and cannot dye yet?
His children are his pictures, Oh they bee
Pictures of him dead, senselesse, cold as he.
25Here needs no marble Tombe, since hee is gone,
He, and about him, his, are turn'd to stone.
Elegie &c. 1635-69, following Death be not proud (p. 422): Elegie, Funerall Elegie, or no title, B, Cy, HN, O'F, S96: Elegie VI. (being placed among the Elegies) 1633: Elegie. (being eighth among Elegies) D, H49, Lec: Elegia tercia. S: Elegie XIIIa. JC, W
1 who 1633-39: that 1650-69
2 prey. 1633: prey, 1633-54: Pay. 1669
4 thus. 1669: thus; 1633-54
13 dead: 1633-69: dead. HN, Grolier
16 Venture their states] Venter estates B
share. D, H49, Lec, W: share 1633: share, 1635-69, Chambers and Grolier. See note
17 him;] him, 1633
20 names] name 1635-69
knew. Ed: knew; 1635-69
24 he. 1650-69: he, 1633-39
Note[pg 288]
To Sir Robert Carr.
WHETHER that soule which now comes up to you
Fill any former ranke or make a new;
Whether it take a name nam'd there before,
Or be a name it selfe, and order more
5Then was in heaven till now; (for may not hee
Bee so, if every severall Angell bee
A kind alone?) What ever order grow
Greater by him in heaven, wee doe not so.
One of your orders growes by his accesse;
10But, by his losse grow all our orders lesse;
The name of Father, Master, Friend, the name
Of Subject and of Prince, in one are lame;
Faire mirth is dampt, and conversation black,
The household widdow'd, and the garter slack;
15The Chappell wants an eare, Councell a tongue;
Story, a theame; and Musicke lacks a song;
Blest order that hath him! the losse of him
Gangreend all Orders here; all lost a limbe.
Never made body such hast to confesse
20What a soule was; All former comelinesse
Fled, in a minute, when the soule was gone,
And, having lost that beauty, would have none;
So fell our Monasteries, in one instant growne
Not to lesse houses, but, to heapes of stone;
25So sent this body that faire forme it wore,
Unto the spheare of formes, and doth (before
His soule shall fill up his sepulchrall stone,)
Anticipate a Resurrection;
For, as in his fame, now, his soule is here,
30So, in the forme thereof his bodie's there.
And if, faire soule, not with first Innocents
Thy station be, but with the Pænitents,
(And, who shall dare to aske then when I am
Dy'd scarlet in the blood of that pure Lambe,
35Whether that colour, which is scarlet then,
Were black or white before in eyes of men?)
When thou rememb'rest what sins thou didst finde
Amongst those many friends now left behinde,
And seest such sinners as they are, with thee
40Got thither by repentance, Let it bee
Thy wish to wish all there, to wish them cleane;
Wim him a David, her a Magdalen.
An hymne &c. 1633-69, in all of which it is classed with the Divine Poems, following Resurrection. In 1635-69 it is preceded by the letter To Sir Robert Carr.: in 1633 the letter follows, and has no heading: similarly in A18, O'F, TCC. See note
2 verse; 1635-69: verse, 1633
3 best] at the best A18, TCC
subjects. 1635-69: subjects, 1633: subject, A18, TCC
6-7 of him ... sacrifice. 1635-69: of you nor of him, we will smother it, and be it your sacrifice. 1633: of him, nor of you, nor of anye; smother it, and bee that the sacrifice. A18, TCC
9 the 1635-69: your 1633, A18, TCC
more] much 1633
10 loath] loather 1633
in Christ Jesus] om. A18, TCC
1 Whether] Whither 1633, and so in 3
2 new; Ed: new, 1633-69
6 so,] so? 1633
7 alone?) 1635-54: alone;) 1633: alone) 1669
8 so. Ed: so; 1633-69
12 are 1633, A18, TCC: is 1635-69, O'F
16 song; 1633: song. 1635-69
17 him! Ed: him, 1633-69
18 Gangreend 1635-69: Gangred 1633
limbe. 1633-35: limbe: 1639-69
22 none; Ed: none: 1650-69: none, 1633-39
23 one instant 1633: an instant 1635-69
25 this 1633, A18, TCC: his 1635-69
29 For, as in his 1633-39: For, as it his 1650-54: For, as it is his 1669
30 there. Ed: there; 1633-39: there, 1650-69
36 in eyes] in the eyes A18, O'F, TCC
MADAME,
THAT I might make your Cabinet my tombe,
And for my fame which I love next my soule,
Next to my soule provide the happiest roome,
Admit to that place this last funerall Scrowle.
5Others by Wills give Legacies, but I
Dying, of you doe beg a Legacie.
My fortune and my will this custome breake,
When we are senselesse grown to make stones speak,
Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou
10In my graves inside see what thou art now:
Yet th'art not yet so good; till us death lay
To ripe and mellow there, w'are stubborne clay,
Parents make us earth, and soules dignifie
Vs to be glasse, here to grow gold we lie;
15Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pampered is,
Our soules become worme-eaten Carkasses.
Epitaph. B, D, H40, H49
On himselfe. 1635-69
To the Countesse of Bedford. O'F, S96: no heading, and epistle only, A25, C The introductory epistle, and the first ten lines of the epitaph, the whole with heading Elegie., is printed 1635-54 among the Funerall Elegies. The full epitaph without epistle and with heading On himselfe. is included among the Divine Poems, where it follows the Lamentations of Jeremy. In his note Chambers (II. 234) reverses these facts. In 1669 On himselfe. is transferred to the Funerall Elegies and is followed immediately by the Elegie, i.e. the epistle and incomplete epitaph. They are here given for the first time in a separate group
5 Others by Wills 1635-69: Others by testaments A25, C, O'F (altered to wills), S96: Men by testament B: Then by testament H40: O then by testament D, H49
10 now: 1650-69: now, 1635-39
12 there, 1635, 1669: thee, 1639-54
MY Fortune and my choice this custome break,
When we are speechlesse grown, to make stones speak,
Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou
In my graves inside seest what thou art now:
5Yet thou'art not yet so good, till death us lay
To ripe and mellow here, we are stubborne Clay.
Parents make us earth, and soules dignifie
Vs to be glasse; here to grow gold we lie.
Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pamper'd is,
10Our soules become wormeaten carkases;
So we our selves miraculously destroy.
Here bodies with lesse miracle enjoy
Such priviledges, enabled here to scale
Heaven, when the Trumpets ayre shall them exhale.
15Heare this, and mend thy selfe, and thou mendst me,
By making me being dead, doe good to thee,
And thinke me well compos'd, that I could now
A last-sicke houre to syllables allow.
Omnibus. D, H49: To all. H40, RP31: Another on the same. (i.e. Mrs Boulstred) P: On himselfe. 1635-69: no title, B, S96: in MSS. this complete epitaph follows the epistle (p. 291); but in B they are separated by various poems and in P the epistle is not given
3 tell] tel 1635
4 seest] see D, H49: compare incomplete version.
5 Yet 1635-69: Nay S96
thou'art Ed: thou art 1635-69
8 lie. Ed: lie; 1635-69
14 them] then 1669
16 to thee, B, D, H40, H49, O'F, S96: for thee, 1635-69
Note[pg 293]
Poêma Satyricon.
OTHERS at the Porches and entries of their Buildings set their Armes; I, my picture; if any colours can deliver a minde so plaine, and flat, and through light as mine. Naturally at a new Author, I doubt, and sticke, and doe not say quickly, good. I censure much and taxe; And this liberty costs mee more then others, by how much my owne things are worse then others. Yet I would not be so rebellious against my selfe, as not to doe it, since I love it; nor so unjust to others, to do it sine talione. As long as I give them as good hold upon mee, they must pardon mee my bitings. I forbid no reprehender, but him that like the Trent Councell forbids not bookes, but Authors, damning what ever such a name hath or shall write. None writes so ill, that he gives not some thing exemplary, to follow, or flie. Now when I beginne this booke, I have no purpose to come into any mans debt1; how my stocke will hold out I know not; perchance waste, perchance increase in use; if I doe [pg 294] borrow any thing of Antiquitie, besides that I make account that I pay it to posterity, with as much and as good: You shall still finde mee to acknowledge it, and to thanke not him onely that hath digg'd out treasure for mee, but that hath lighted mee a candle to the place. All which I will bid you remember, (for I will have no such Readers as I can teach) is, that the Pithagorian doctrine doth not onely carry one soule from man to man, nor man to beast, but indifferently to plants also: and therefore you must not grudge to finde the same soule in an Emperour, in a Post-horse, and in a Mucheron,2 since no unreadinesse in the soule, but an indisposition in the organs workes this. And therefore though this soule could not move when it was a Melon, yet it may remember, and now tell mee,3 at what lascivious banquet it was serv'd. And though it could not speake, when it was a spider, yet it can remember and now tell me, who used it for
poyson to attaine dignitie. How ever the bodies have dull'd her
other faculties, her memory hath ever been her owne,
which makes me so seriously deliver you by her
relation all her passages from her first making
when shee was that apple4 which Eve
eate,5 to this time when shee is
hee,6 whose life you shall
finde in the end of
this booke.
Infinitati &c. 1633-69: (in 1633 it is the first poem; in 1633-69 it follows the Funerall Elegies, from which it is separated by some prose letters, and precedes Divine Poems as here), A18, G, N, TCC, TCD
Metempsychosis. 1650-69: Metempsycosis. 1633-39
1 debt; Ed: debt, 1633-69
2 Mucheron, 1633, N, TC: Mushrome, G: Maceron, 1635-69, O'F
3 and can now tell mee, 1635-69
4 apple] aple 1633
5 eate, 1633-69: ate, O'F: eat, mod. editors
6 shee is hee, 1633, A18, G, N, TC: shee is shee, 1635-69
Note[pg 295]
I SING the progresse of a deathlesse soule,
Whom Fate, which God made, but doth not controule,
Plac'd in most shapes; all times before the law
Yoak'd us, and when, and since, in this I sing.
5And the great world to his aged evening;
From infant morne, through manly noone I draw.
What the gold Chaldee, or silver Persian saw,
Greeke brasse, or Roman iron, is in this one;
A worke t'outweare Seths pillars, bricke and stone,
10And (holy writt excepted) made to yeeld to none.
Thee, eye of heaven, this great Soule envies not,
By thy male force, is all wee have, begot.
In the first East, thou now beginst to shine,
Suck'st early balme, and Iland spices there,
15And wilt anon in thy loose-rein'd careere
At Tagus, Po, Sene, Thames, and Danow dine,
And see at night thy Westerne land of Myne,
Yet hast thou not more nations seene then shee,
That before thee, one day beganne to bee,
20And thy fraile light being quench'd, shall long, long out live thee.
Nor, holy Ianus, in whose soveraigne boate
The Church, and all the Monarchies did floate;
That swimming Colledge, and free Hospitall
Of all mankinde, that cage and vivarie
25Of fowles, and beasts, in whose wombe, Destinie
Us, and our latest nephewes did install
(From thence are all deriv'd, that fill this All,)
Did'st thou in that great stewardship embarke
So diverse shapes into that floating parke,
30As have beene moved, and inform'd by this heavenly sparke.
Great Destiny the Commissary of God,
That hast mark'd out a path and period
For every thing; who, where wee of-spring tooke,
Our wayes and ends seest at one instant; Thou
35Knot of all causes, thou whose changelesse brow
Ne'r smiles nor frownes, O vouch thou safe to looke
And shew my story, in thy eternall booke:
That (if my prayer be fit) I may'understand
So much my selfe, as to know with what hand,
40How scant, or liberall this my lifes race is spand.
To my sixe lustres almost now outwore,
Except thy booke owe mee so many more,
Except my legend be free from the letts
Of steepe ambition, sleepie povertie,
45Spirit-quenching sicknesse, dull captivitie,
Distracting businesse, and from beauties nets,
And all that calls from this, and to others whets,
O let me not launch out, but let mee save
Th'expense of braine and spirit; that my grave
50His right and due, a whole unwasted man may have.
But if my dayes be long, and good enough,
In vaine this sea shall enlarge, or enrough
It selfe; for I will through the wave, and fome,
And shall, in sad lone wayes a lively spright,
55Make my darke heavy Poëm light, and light.
For though through many streights, and lands I roame,
I launch at paradise, and I saile towards home;
The course I there began, shall here be staid,
Sailes hoised there, stroke here, and anchors laid
60In Thames, which were at Tigrys, and Euphrates waide.
For the great soule which here amongst us now
Doth dwell, and moves that hand, and tongue, and brow,
Which, as the Moone the sea, moves us; to heare
Whose story, with long patience you will long;
65(For 'tis the crowne, and last straine of my song)
This soule to whom Luther, and Mahomet were
Prisons of flesh; this soule which oft did teare,
And mend the wracks of th'Empire, and late Rome,
And liv'd when every great change did come,
70Had first in paradise, a low, but fatall roome.
Yet no low roome, nor then the greatest, lesse,
If (as devout and sharpe men fitly guesse)
That Crosse, our joy, and griefe, where nailes did tye
That All, which alwayes was all, every where;
75Which could not sinne, and yet all sinnes did beare;
Which could not die, yet could not chuse but die;
Stood in the selfe same roome in Calvarie,
Where first grew the forbidden learned tree,
For on that tree hung in security
80This Soule, made by the Makers will from pulling free.
Prince of the orchard, faire as dawning morne,
Fenc'd with the law, and ripe as soone as borne
That apple grew, which this Soule did enlive,
Till the then climing serpent, that now creeps
85For that offence, for which all mankinde weepes,
Tooke it, and t'her whom the first man did wive
(Whom and her race, only forbiddings drive)
He gave it, she, t'her husband, both did eate;
So perished the eaters, and the meate:
90And wee (for treason taints the blood) thence die and sweat.
Man all at once was there by woman slaine,
And one by one we'are here slaine o'er againe
By them. The mother poison'd the well-head,
The daughters here corrupt us, Rivolets;
95No smalnesse scapes, no greatnesse breaks their nets;
She thrust us out, and by them we are led
Astray, from turning, to whence we are fled.
Were prisoners Judges, 'twould seeme rigorous,
Shee sinn'd, we beare; part of our paine is, thus
100To love them, whose fault to this painfull love yoak'd us.
So fast in us doth this corruption grow,
That now wee dare aske why wee should be so.
Would God (disputes the curious Rebell) make
A law, and would not have it kept? Or can
105His creatures will, crosse his? Of every man
For one, will God (and be just) vengeance take?
Who sinn'd? t'was not forbidden to the snake
Nor her, who was not then made; nor is't writ
That Adam cropt, or knew the apple; yet
110The worme and she, and he, and wee endure for it.
But snatch mee heavenly Spirit from this vaine
Reckoning their vanities, lesse is their gaine
Then hazard still, to meditate on ill,
Though with good minde; their reasons, like those toyes
115Of glassie bubbles, which the gamesome boyes
Stretch to so nice a thinnes through a quill
That they themselves breake, doe themselves spill:
Arguing is heretiques game, and Exercise
As wrastlers, perfects them; Not liberties
120Of speech, but silence; hands, not tongues, end heresies.
Just in that instant when the serpents gripe,
Broke the slight veines, and tender conduit-pipe,
Through which this soule from the trees root did draw
Life, and growth to this apple, fled away
125This loose soule, old, one and another day.
As lightning, which one scarce dares say, he saw,
'Tis so soone gone, (and better proofe the law
Of sense, then faith requires) swiftly she flew
To a darke and foggie Plot; Her, her fates threw
130There through th'earths pores, and in a Plant hous'd her anew.
The plant thus abled, to it selfe did force
A place, where no place was; by natures course
As aire from water, water fleets away
From thicker bodies, by this root thronged so
135His spungie confines gave him place to grow:
Just as in our streets, when the people stay
To see the Prince, and have so fill'd the way
That weesels scarce could passe, when she comes nere
They throng and cleave up, and a passage cleare,
140As if, for that time, their round bodies flatned were.
His right arme he thrust out towards the East,
West-ward his left; th'ends did themselves digest
Into ten lesser strings, these fingers were:
And as a slumberer stretching on his bed,
145This way he this, and that way scattered
His other legge, which feet with toes upbeare.
Grew on his middle parts, the first day, haire,
To show, that in loves businesse hee should still
A dealer bee, and be us'd well, or ill:
150His apples kindle, his leaves, force of conception kill.
A mouth, but dumbe, he hath; blinde eyes, deafe eares,
And to his shoulders dangle subtile haires;
A young Colossus there hee stands upright,
And as that ground by him were conquered
155A leafie garland weares he on his head
Enchas'd with little fruits, so red and bright
That for them you would call your Loves lips white;
So, of a lone unhaunted place possest,
Did this soules second Inne, built by the guest,
160This living buried man, this quiet mandrake, rest.
No lustfull woman came this plant to grieve,
But 'twas because there was none yet but Eve:
And she (with other purpose) kill'd it quite;
Her sinne had now brought in infirmities,
165And so her cradled child, the moist red eyes
Had never shut, nor slept since it saw light;
Poppie she knew, she knew the mandrakes might,
And tore up both, and so coold her childs blood;
Unvirtuous weeds might long unvex'd have stood;
170But hee's short liv'd, that with his death can doe most good.
To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hast
Are falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac'd:
Thinner then burnt aire flies this soule, and she
Whom foure new comming, and foure parting Suns
175Had found, and left the Mandrakes tenant, runnes
Thoughtlesse of change, when her firme destiny
Confin'd, and enjayld her, that seem'd so free,
Into a small blew shell, the which a poore
Warme bird orespread, and sat still evermore,
180Till her inclos'd child kickt, and pick'd it selfe a dore.
Outcrept a sparrow, this soules moving Inne,
On whose raw armes stiffe feathers now begin,
As childrens teeth through gummes, to breake with paine,
His flesh is jelly yet, and his bones threds,
185All a new downy mantle overspreads,
A mouth he opes, which would as much containe
As his late house, and the first houre speaks plaine,
And chirps alowd for meat. Meat fit for men
His father steales for him, and so feeds then
190One, that within a moneth, will beate him from his hen.
In this worlds youth wise nature did make hast,
Things ripened sooner, and did longer last;
Already this hot cocke, in bush and tree,
In field and tent, oreflutters his next hen;
195He asks her not, who did so tast, nor when,
Nor if his sister, or his neece shee be;
Nor doth she pule for his inconstancie
If in her sight he change, nor doth refuse
The next that calls; both liberty doe use;
200Where store is of both kindes, both kindes may freely chuse.
Men, till they tooke laws which made freedome lesse,
Their daughters, and their sisters did ingresse;
Till now unlawfull, therefore ill, 'twas not.
So jolly, that it can move, this soule is,
205The body so free of his kindnesses,
That selfe-preserving it hath now forgot,
And slackneth so the soules, and bodies knot,
Which temperance streightens; freely on his she friends
He blood, and spirit, pith, and marrow spends,
210Ill steward of himself, himselfe in three yeares ends.
Else might he long have liv'd; man did not know
Of gummie blood, which doth in holly grow,
How to make bird-lime, nor how to deceive
With faind calls, hid nets, or enwrapping snare,
215The free inhabitants of the Plyant aire.
Man to beget, and woman to conceive
Askt not of rootes, nor of cock-sparrowes, leave:
Yet chuseth hee, though none of these he feares,
Pleasantly three, then streightned twenty yeares
220To live, and to encrease his race, himselfe outweares.
This cole with overblowing quench'd and dead,
The Soule from her too active organs fled
T'a brooke. A female fishes sandie Roe
With the males jelly, newly lev'ned was,
225For they had intertouch'd as they did passe,
And one of those small bodies, fitted so,
This soule inform'd, and abled it to rowe
It selfe with finnie oares, which she did fit:
Her scales seem'd yet of parchment, and as yet
230Perchance a fish, but by no name you could call it.
When goodly, like a ship in her full trim,
A swan, so white that you may unto him
Compare all whitenesse, but himselfe to none,
Glided along, and as he glided watch'd,
235And with his arched necke this poore fish catch'd.
It mov'd with state, as if to looke upon
Low things it scorn'd, and yet before that one
Could thinke he sought it, he had swallowed cleare
This, and much such, and unblam'd devour'd there
240All, but who too swift, too great, or well armed were.
Now swome a prison in a prison put,
And now this Soule in double walls was shut,
Till melted with the Swans digestive fire,
She left her house the fish, and vapour'd forth;
245Fate not affording bodies of more worth
For her as yet, bids her againe retire
T'another fish, to any new desire
Made a new prey; For, he that can to none
Resistance make, nor complaint, sure is gone.
250Weaknesse invites, but silence feasts oppression.
Pace with her native streame, this fish doth keepe,
And journeyes with her, towards the glassie deepe,
But oft retarded, once with a hidden net
Though with greate windowes, for when Need first taught
255These tricks to catch food, then they were not wrought
As now, with curious greedinesse to let
None scape, but few, and fit for use, to get,
As, in this trap a ravenous pike was tane,
Who, though himselfe distrest, would faine have slain
260This wretch; So hardly are ill habits left again.
Here by her smallnesse shee two deaths orepast,
Once innocence scap'd, and left the oppressor fast.
The net through-swome, she keepes the liquid path,
And whether she leape up sometimes to breath
265And suck in aire, or finde it underneath,
Or working parts like mills or limbecks hath
To make the water thinne, and airelike faith
Cares not; but safe the Place she's come unto
Where fresh, with salt waves meet, and what to doe
270She knowes not, but betweene both makes a boord or two.
So farre from hiding her guests, water is,
That she showes them in bigger quantities
Then they are. Thus doubtfull of her way,
For game and not for hunger a sea Pie
275Spied through this traiterous spectacle, from high,
The seely fish where it disputing lay,
And t'end her doubts and her, beares her away:
Exalted she'is, but to the exalters good,
As are by great ones, men which lowly stood.
280It's rais'd, to be the Raisers instrument and food.
Is any kinde subject to rape like fish?
Ill unto man, they neither doe, nor wish:
Fishers they kill not, nor with noise awake,
They doe not hunt, nor strive to make a prey
285Of beasts, nor their yong sonnes to beare away;
Foules they pursue not, nor do undertake
To spoile the nests industrious birds do make;
Yet them all these unkinde kinds feed upon,
To kill them is an occupation,
290And lawes make Fasts, and Lents for their destruction.
A sudden stiffe land-winde in that selfe houre
To sea-ward forc'd this bird, that did devour
The fish; he cares not, for with ease he flies,
Fat gluttonies best orator: at last
295So long hee hath flowen, and hath flowen so fast
That many leagues at sea, now tir'd hee lyes,
And with his prey, that till then languisht, dies:
The soules no longer foes, two wayes did erre,
The fish I follow, and keepe no calender
300Of the other; he lives yet in some great officer.
Into an embrion fish, our Soule is throwne,
And in due time throwne out againe, and growne
To such vastnesse as, if unmanacled
From Greece, Morea were, and that by some
305Earthquake unrooted, loose Morea swome,
Or seas from Africks body had severed
And torne the hopefull Promontories head,
This fish would seeme these, and, when all hopes faile,
A great ship overset, or without faile
310Hulling, might (when this was a whelp) be like this whale.
At every stroake his brazen finnes do take,
More circles in the broken sea they make
Then cannons voices, when the aire they teare:
His ribs are pillars, and his high arch'd roofe
315Of barke that blunts best steele, is thunder-proofe:
Swimme in him swallow'd Dolphins, without feare,
And feele no sides, as if his vast wombe were
Some Inland sea, and ever as hee went
Hee spouted rivers up, as if he ment
320To joyne our seas, with seas above the firmament.
He hunts not fish, but as an officer,
Stayes in his court, at his owne net, and there
All suitors of all sorts themselves enthrall;
So on his backe lyes this whale wantoning,
325And in his gulfe-like throat, sucks every thing
That passeth neare. Fish chaseth fish, and all,
Flyer and follower, in this whirlepoole fall;
O might not states of more equality
Consist? and is it of necessity
330That thousand guiltlesse smals, to make one great, must die?
Now drinkes he up seas, and he eates up flocks,
He justles Ilands, and he shakes firme rockes.
Now in a roomefull house this Soule doth float,
And like a Prince she sends her faculties
335To all her limbes, distant as Provinces.
The Sunne hath twenty times both crab and goate
Parched, since first lanch'd forth this living boate;
'Tis greatest now, and to destruction
Nearest; There's no pause at perfection;
340Greatnesse a period hath, but hath no station.
Two little fishes whom hee never harm'd,
Nor fed on their kinde, two not throughly arm'd
With hope that they could kill him, nor could doe
Good to themselves by his death (they did not eate
345His flesh, nor suck those oyles, which thence outstreat)
Conspir'd against him, and it might undoe
The plot or all, that the plotters were two,
But that they fishes were, and could not speake.
How shall a Tyran wife strong projects breake,
350If wreches can on them the common anger wreake?
The flaile-finn'd Thresher, and steel-beak'd Sword-fish
Onely attempt to doe, what all doe wish.
The Thresher backs him, and to beate begins;
The sluggard Whale yeelds to oppression,
355And t'hide himselfe from shame and danger, downe
Begins to sinke; the Swordfish upward spins,
And gores him with his beake; his staffe-like finnes,
So well the one, his sword the other plyes,
That now a scoffe, and prey, this tyran dyes,
360And (his owne dole) feeds with himselfe all companies.
Who will revenge his death? or who will call
Those to account, that thought, and wrought his fall?
The heires of slaine kings, wee see are often so
Transported with the joy of what they get,
365That they, revenge and obsequies forget,
Nor will against such men the people goe,
Because h'is now dead, to whom they should show
Love in that act; Some kings by vice being growne
So needy of subjects love, that of their own
370They thinke they lose, if love be to the dead Prince shown.
This Soule, now free from prison, and passion,
Hath yet a little indignation
That so small hammers should so soone downe beat
So great a castle. And having for her house
375Got the streight cloyster of a wreched mouse
(As basest men that have not what to eate,
Nor enjoy ought, doe farre more hate the great
Then they, who good repos'd estates possesse)
This Soule, late taught that great things might by lesse
380Be slain, to gallant mischiefe doth herselfe addresse.
Natures great master-peece, an Elephant,
The onely harmlesse great thing; the giant
Of beasts; who thought, no more had gone, to make one wise
But to be just, and thankfull, loth to offend,
385(Yet nature hath given him no knees to bend)
Himselfe he up-props, on himselfe relies,
And foe to none, suspects no enemies,
Still sleeping stood; vex't not his fantasie
Blacke dreames; like an unbent bow, carelesly
390His sinewy Proboscis did remisly lie:
In which as in a gallery this mouse
Walk'd, and surveid the roomes of this vast house,
And to the braine, the soules bedchamber, went,
And gnaw'd the life cords there; Like a whole towne
395Cleane undermin'd, the slaine beast tumbled downe;
With him the murtherer dies, whom envy sent
To kill, not scape, (for, only hee that ment
To die, did ever kill a man of better roome,)
And thus he made his foe, his prey, and tombe:
400Who cares not to turn back, may any whither come.
Next, hous'd this Soule a Wolves yet unborne whelp,
Till the best midwife, Nature, gave it helpe,
To issue. It could kill, as soone as goe.
Abel, as white, and milde as his sheepe were,
405(Who, in that trade, of Church, and kingdomes, there
Was the first type) was still infested soe,
With this wolfe, that it bred his losse and woe;
And yet his bitch, his sentinell attends
The flocke so neere, so well warnes and defends,
410That the wolfe, (hopelesse else) to corrupt her, intends.
Hee tooke a course, which since, succesfully,
Great men have often taken, to espie
The counsels, or to breake the plots of foes.
To Abels tent he stealeth in the darke,
415On whose skirts the bitch slept; ere she could barke,
Attach'd her with streight gripes, yet hee call'd those,
Embracements of love; to loves worke he goes,
Where deeds move more then words; nor doth she show,
Nor 〈make〉 resist, nor needs hee streighten so
420His prey, for, were shee loose, she would nor barke, nor goe.
Hee hath engag'd her; his, she wholy bides;
Who not her owne, none others secrets hides.
If to the flocke he come, and Abell there,
She faines hoarse barkings, but she biteth not,
425Her faith is quite, but not her love forgot.
At last a trap, of which some every where
Abell had plac'd, ends all his losse, and feare,
By the Wolves death; and now just time it was
That a quicke soule should give life to that masse
430Of blood in Abels bitch, and thither this did passe.
Some have their wives, their sisters some begot,
But in the lives of Emperours you shall not
Reade of a lust the which may equall this;
This wolfe begot himselfe, and finished
435What he began alive, when hee was dead;
Sonne to himselfe, and father too, hee is
A ridling lust, for which Schoolemen would misse
A proper name. The whelpe of both these lay
In Abels tent, and with soft Moaba,
440His sister, being yong, it us'd to sport and play.
Hee soone for her too harsh, and churlish grew,
And Abell (the dam dead) would use this new
For the field. Being of two kindes thus made,
He, as his dam, from sheepe drove wolves away,
445And as his Sire, he made them his owne prey.
Five yeares he liv'd, and cosened with his trade,
Then hopelesse that his faults were hid, betraid
Himselfe by flight, and by all followed,
From dogges, a wolfe; from wolves, a dogge he fled;
450And, like a spie to both sides false, he perished.
It quickned next a toyfull Ape, and so
Gamesome it was, that it might freely goe
From tent to tent, and with the children play.
His organs now so like theirs hee doth finde,
455That why he cannot laugh, and speake his minde,
He wonders. Much with all, most he doth stay
With Adams fift daughter Siphatecia,
Doth gaze on her, and, where she passeth, passe,
Gathers her fruits, and tumbles on the grasse,
460And wisest of that kinde, the first true lover was.
He was the first that more desir'd to have
One then another; first that ere did crave
Love by mute signes, and had no power to speake;
First that could make love faces, or could doe
465The valters sombersalts, or us'd to wooe
With hoiting gambolls, his owne bones to breake
To make his mistresse merry; or to wreake
Her anger on himselfe. Sinnes against kinde
They easily doe, that can let feed their minde
470With outward beauty; beauty they in boyes and beasts do find.
By this misled, too low things men have prov'd,
And too high; beasts and angels have beene lov'd.
This Ape, though else through-vaine, in this was wise,
He reach'd at things too high, but open way
475There was, and he knew not she would say nay;
His toyes prevaile not, likelier meanes he tries,
He gazeth on her face with teare-shot eyes,
And up lifts subtly with his russet pawe
Her kidskinne apron without feare or awe
480Of nature; nature hath no gaole, though shee hath law.
First she was silly and knew not what he ment.
That vertue, by his touches, chaft and spent,
Succeeds an itchie warmth, that melts her quite;
She knew not first, nowe cares not what he doth,
485And willing halfe and more, more then halfe 〈loth〉,
She neither puls nor pushes, but outright
Now cries, and now repents; when Tethlemite
Her brother, entred, and a great stone threw
After the Ape, who, thus prevented, flew.
490This house thus batter'd downe, the Soule possest a new.
And whether by this change she lose or win,
She comes out next, where the Ape would have gone in.
Adam and Eve had mingled bloods, and now
Like Chimiques equall fires, her temperate wombe
495Had stew'd and form'd it: and part did become
A spungie liver, that did richly allow,
Like a free conduit, on a high hils brow,
Life-keeping moisture unto every part;
Part hardned it selfe to a thicker heart,
500Whose busie furnaces lifes spirits do impart.
Another part became the well of sense,
The tender well-arm'd feeling braine, from whence,
Those sinowie strings which do our bodies tie,
Are raveld out; and fast there by one end,
505Did this Soule limbes, these limbes a soule attend;
And now they joyn'd: keeping some quality
Of every past shape, she knew treachery,
Rapine, deceit, and lust, and ills enow
To be a woman. Themech she is now,
510Sister and wife to Caine, Caine that first did plow.
Who ere thou beest that read'st this sullen Writ,
Which just so much courts thee, as thou dost it,
Let me arrest thy thoughts; wonder with mee,
Why plowing, building, ruling and the rest,
515Or most of those arts, whence our lives are blest,
By cursed Cains race invented be,
And blest Seth vext us with Astronomie.
Ther's nothing simply good, nor ill alone,
Of every quality comparison,
520The onely measure is, and judge, opinion.
The end of the Progresse of the Soule.
7 gold] cold 1635-54
10 writt 1635-69, G: writs 1633, A18, N, TC: Writ's Chambers
12 begot.] begot, 1633
13 East] east 1633 some copies
beginst] begins 1633
16 Danow dine,] Danon dine, 1633
17 Myne, 1633 (but mine, in some copies): Mine, 1635-69
19 one day before thee O'F
21 Nor, holy Ianus, Ed: Nor holy Ianus 1633-69
27 From thence] For, thence G
All,)] All) 1633-69
31 Commissary] commissary 1633 some copies
33 every thing; Ed: every thing, 1633-69
34 instant; 1633: instant. 1635-69
36 vouch thou safe A18, G, N, O'F, TC: vouch safe thou 1633-69
37 booke: Ed: booke. 1633-69
45 Spirit-quenching] Spright-quenching G
54 shall, Ed: shall 1633: hold 1635-69
lone 1635-69: love 1633, A18, G, N, TC
wayes Ed: wayes, 1633-69
spright, Ed: spright 1633-69
59 hoised] hoisted G
61 For the] For this G, N, TCD: For that O'F
63 Which, Ed: Which 1633-69
us; Ed: us, 1633-69
69 when] where A18, G, N, O'F, TC
71 no low] nor low Chambers
74 every where; Ed: every where 1633: every where, 1635-69
83 enlive, G: enlive 1633-69: om. 1633 some copies, and A18, N, TC
93 poyson'd 1669: poisoned 1633-54
94 corrupt us, 1635-69: corrupts us, 1633: corrupt as G
Rivolets; Ed: Rivolets, 1635-69: om. 1633, A18, N, TC
95 breaks] breake 1633 some copies
nets; Ed: nets, 1633-69
96 thrust] thrusts 1633 (thrust in some copies)
97 fled.] fled, 1633
99 beare; 1635-69, G: here, 1633: heare, A18, N, TC
108 is't] i'st 1633
112 vanities, 1633, G: vanitie, 1635-69
114 minde; Ed: minde, 1633-69 reasons, Ed: reasons 1633: reason's 1635-69, Chambers and Grolier
115 which] with 1633 some copies
117 breake, doe 1633, A18, G, N, TC: breake, and doe 1635-69, Chambers
spill: Ed: spill, 1633-69
119 perfects] perfect 1633 some copies
125 day. 1635-69: day, 1633 (corrected in some copies)
126 dares] dare 1669
127 proofe] proofes O'F
130 earths pores, 1669, A18, G, N: earths-pores, 1633: earth-pores, 1633 (some copies), 1635-54
anew] a new 1633
135 grow: 1650-69: grow, 1633-39
137 the Prince, and have so fill'd G: the Princesse, and so fill'd 1633 (but some copies read the Prince, and so fill'd): the Prince, and so fill up 1635-69: the Prince, and so fill'd A18, N, TC
144 bed, Ed: bed; 1633-69
146 upbeare. Ed: upbeare; 1633: up beare; 1635-69
147 middle parts 1633, G, O'F: middle part 1635-69: mid-parts A18, N, TC
150 kindle, G: kinde, 1633, A18, N, O'F, TC: kindle; 1635-69
157 white; 1633: white, 1635-69
159 guest, Ed: guest 1633-69. See note
165 moist red 1633-35: moist-red 1639-69
166 slept] sleept 1633-35
light; Ed: light, 1633-69
167 mandrakes might, Ed: mandrakes might; 1633-54: mandrakes-might: 1669
180 inclos'd 1635-69, G: encloth'd A18, N, TC: encloth'd altered to unclothed then to enclosed O'F: uncloath'd 1633
pick'd] peck'd A18, G, TC
181 Outcrept 1633-35: Out crept 1639-69
185 a new downy 1635-69, A18, G, TC: downy a new 1633
overspreades, 1633-39: overspreads 1650-69
193 cocke, Ed: cocke 1633-69
tree,] tree 1633
194 tent, Ed: tent 1633-69
hen; Ed: hen, 1633-69
196 be; Ed: be, 1633-69
202 ingresse; Ed: ingresse, 1633-69
203-5
Till now unlawfull, therefore ill; 'twas not
So jolly, that it can move this soule; Is
The body so free of his kindnesses, 1633, and 1669 (Till now,):
Till now, unlawfull, therefore ill 'twas not
So jolly, that it can more this soule. Is
The body, so free of his kindnesses, 1635-54
Till now, unlawful, therefore ill 'twas not.
So jolly, that it can move this soul, is
The body, so free of his kindnesses,
Chambers, and Grolier but 203 not; and no commas in 204. See note
206 selfe-preserving] no hyphen 1633-39
207 soules,] souls 1669
208 temperance] têperance 1633-39
212 grow,] grow 1633-39
214 hid G: his 1633-69, A18, N, TC
snare,] snare 1633-69
220 encrease his race,] encrease, 1633
223 brooke. A Ed: brooke; a 1633-69
225 they had intertouch'd 1635-69, G, O'F: they intertouched 1633: they intertouch'd A18, N, TC
227 abled] able 1669
rowe] roe 1633
228 fit: Ed: fit, 1633-69
240 armed were.] arm'd were 1633
249 sure is gone, 1633-39: is sure gone. 1650-54: is sure gone, 1669
251 her A18, G, N, O'F, TC: the 1633-69
254-7 for when ... use, to get,] in brackets 1635-69
254 Need G: need 1633-69
255 then] thê 1633
257 use, Ed: use 1633-69
262 fast. Ed: fast; 1633-69
266 mills Ed: mills, 1633-69
267 water 1635-69, G: wether 1633, A18, TC
airelike 1633-35: ayre like 1639-69 and Chambers
faith 1633-69: faith, Chambers. See note
268 not; Ed: not, 1633-69
270 two.] two 1633
271 is,] is 1633
273 Thus doubtfull 1633, A18, G, N, TC: Thus her doubtfull 1635-69
277 away: Ed: away, 1633-69
279 in brackets 1635-69
stood. 1633-39: stood, 1650-69
280 It's rais'd 1633-69: It rais'd some copies of 1633, A18, G, N, TC
287 industrious] industruous 1633
290 Fasts, and Lents 1635-69: fasts, and lents 1633
296 That many leagues at sea, G: That leagues o'er-past at sea, 1633-69: That leagues at sea, A18, N, O'F (which inserts o'r past), TC. See note
297 dies:] dies, 1633
301 throwne,] throwne 1633
303 vastnesse as, if Grolier: vastnesse, as if 1633-69, Chambers
307 head, 1633: head; 1635-69: head. Chambers. See note
311 take,] take 1633
315 thunder-proofe: Ed: thunder-proofe, 1633-69
316 swallow'd] swallowed 1633
322 at] as A18, G, TCC
337 this 1633: his 1635-69
boate; Ed: boate, 1635-69: boate. 1633
339 perfection; Ed: perfection. 1633-35: perfection, 1639-69
344-5 brackets, 1719: death: ... outstreat, 1633-69
did not eate] doe not eate G
349 Tyran] Tyrant 1669
351 flaile-finn'd] flaile-find 1633: flaile-finnd 1635-39
358 well] were 1633
359 tyran] tyrant 1669
365 they, revenge 1635-69: they revenge, 1633: they, revenge, 1633 some copies
367 h'is 1633: he's 1635-69
368 act; Ed: act. 1633-69
383 who thought, no more had gone, to make one wise 1633, G, A18, N, TC (the last four MSS. all drop more, N and TCD leaving a space): who thought none had, to make him wise, 1635-69
386 relies,] relies 1633
389 dreames; Ed: dreames, 1633-69
390: lie: 1635: lie. 1633, 1639-69
395 downe; Ed: downe, 1633-69
396 dies,] dies 1633
397-8 brackets, Ed: scape, ... roome, 1633: scape; ... roome, 1635-69
ment] went A18, N, TC
403 goe. Ed: goe, 1633: goe: 1635-69
405 Who,] Who 1633
trade, 1635-69: trade 1633
413 foes. Ed: foes, 1633-69
419 Nor 〈make〉 resist, Ed: Nor much resist, 1633-69: Nowe must resist N: Nowe much resist A18, G, TC: Resistance much O'F
needs] need O'F
420 nor barke, 1633-39: not barke 1650-69, A18, N, TC
422 hides.] hides, 1633
427 plac'd, ends] plac'd end 1633 some copies
435 dead; Ed: dead, 1633-39: dead. 1650-69
443 field. Being Ed: field, being 1633-69
thus] om. 1633
453 play. Ed: play, 1633-69
470 beauty; Ed: beauty, 1633-69
472 lov'd. Ed: lov'd; 1633-69
479 or] of 1669
480 shee hath] shee have A18, N, TC
481 ment. Ed: ment, 1633-69
483 quite; Ed: quite, 1633-69
484 nowe 1633, G: nor 1635-69, Chambers: then A18, TC
485 〈loth〉, Ed: Tooth 1633, G: A18, N, TC leave a blank space: in TCC a later hand has inserted loath: wroth, 1635-69
487 Tethlemite A18, G, N, O'F, TC: Tethelemite 1633: Thelemite 1635-69
489 flew. 1635-69: flew, 1633
492 in. 1650-69: in, 1633-39
498 Life-keeping] Life keeping 1633
part; Ed: part, 1633-69
502 well-arm'd 1669: well arm'd 1633-54
503 sinowie] sinewy 1639-54: sinew 1669
504 out; Ed: out, 1633-69
505 this Soule] a Soule A18, N, TC attend; Ed: attend, 1633-69
506-7 joyn'd: ... past shape, 1633: joyn'd, ... past shape; 1635-69, Chambers, Grolier. See note
513 thoughts; 1650-69: thoughts, 1633-39
517 Astronomie.] Astronomie, 1633
519 comparison, 1633, 1669 (no comma): Comparison, 1635-54
520 opinion. 1633: Opinion. 1635-69
The end &c. 1635-69: om. 1633
Note[pg 317]
SEE Sir, how as the Suns hot Masculine flame
Begets strange creatures on Niles durty slime,
In me, your fatherly yet lusty Ryme
(For, these songs are their fruits) have wrought the same;
5But though the ingendring force from whence they came
Bee strong enough, and nature doe admit
Seaven to be borne at once, I send as yet
But six; they say, the seaventh hath still some maime.
I choose your judgement, which the same degree
10Doth with her sister, your invention, hold,
As fire these drossie Rymes to purifie,
Or as Elixar, to change them to gold;
You are that Alchimist which alwaies had
Wit, whose one spark could make good things of bad.
Divine Poems. A18, N, TC: In 1635-69 this is the title at head of each page, but the new section is headed Holy Sonnets.
To E. of D. &c. so headed 1633-69 but placed among Letters &c., and so in O'F and (but L. of D.) W: removed hither by Grosart.
4 their fruits] the fruit W
6 doe 1633: doth 1635-69
8 six;] six, 1633
maime. W: maime; 1633-69
11 drossie] drosse 1650-54
HER of your name, whose fair inheritance
Bethina was, and jointure Magdalo:
An active faith so highly did advance,
That she once knew, more than the Church did know,
5The Resurrection; so much good there is
Deliver'd of her, that some Fathers be
Loth to believe one Woman could do this;
But, think these Magdalens were two or three.
Increase their number, Lady, and their fame:
10To their Devotion, add your Innocence;
Take so much of th'example, as of the name;
The latter half; and in some recompence
That they did harbour Christ himself, a Guest,
Harbour these Hymns, to his dear name addrest. J.D.
To the Lady Magdalen Herbert: &c. Ed: To the Lady Magdalen Herbert, of &c. Walton's The Life of Mr George Herbert. (1670, pp. 25-6.) See note
4 know, 1675: know 1670
1. DEIGNE at my hands this crown of prayer and praise,
Weav'd in my low devout melancholie,
Thou which of good, hast, yea art treasury,
All changing unchang'd Antient of dayes;
5But doe not, with a vile crowne of fraile bayes,
Reward my muses white sincerity,
But what thy thorny crowne gain'd, that give mee,
A crowne of Glory, which doth flower alwayes;
The ends crowne our workes, but thou crown'st our ends,
10For, at our end begins our endlesse rest;
The first last end, now zealously possest,
With a strong sober thirst, my soule attends.
'Tis time that heart and voice be lifted high,
Salvation to all that will is nigh.
Holy Sonnets. 1633-69, being general title to the two groups: Holy Sonnets written 20 years since. H49.
La Corona. 1633-69, A18, D, H49, N, S, TCC, TCD, W: The Crowne. B, O'F, S96
2 low 1633, A18, D, H49, N, TC, W (spelt lowe in MSS.): lone 1635-69, B, O'F, S: loves S96
3 treasury, 1633-69: a Treasurie, B, O'F, S, S96
4 dayes; Ed: dayes, 1633-69
10 For] So W end 1633, A18, B, D, H49, N, O'F, TC, W: ends 1635-69, S96
rest; Ed: rest, 1633-69
11 The] This B, S, S96, W
zealously] soberly B, S96, W: O'F corrects
13 heart and voice] voice and heart B, O'F, S, S96, W
14 nigh.] nigh, 1633
Note[pg 319]
2. Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which alwayes is All every where,
Which cannot sinne, and yet all sinnes must beare,
Which cannot die, yet cannot chuse but die,
5Loe, faithfull Virgin, yeelds himselfe to lye
In prison, in thy wombe; and though he there
Can take no sinne, nor thou give, yet he'will weare
Taken from thence, flesh, which deaths force may trie.
Ere by the spheares time was created, thou
10Wast in his minde, who is thy Sonne, and Brother;
Whom thou conceiv'st, conceiv'd; yea thou art now
Thy Makers maker, and thy Fathers mother;
Thou'hast light in darke; and shutst in little roome,
Immensity cloysterd in thy deare wombe.
Annunciation.
1 nigh; 1669: nigh, 1633-54
9 created,] begotten, B, S, S96, W: O'F corrects
10 Brother; Ed: Brother, 1633-69
11 conceiv'st, 1633: conceiv'st 1635-69: conceiv'dst, O'F, S, W, and Grolier conceiv'd;] conceived; 1635-69
12 mother; Ed: mother, 1633-69
3. Immensitie cloysterd in thy deare wombe,
Now leaves his welbelov'd imprisonment,
There he hath made himselfe to his intent
Weake enough, now into our world to come;
5But Oh, for thee, for him, hath th'Inne no roome?
Yet lay him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Starres, and wisemen will travell to prevent
Th'effect of Herods jealous generall doome.
Seest thou, my Soule, with thy faiths eyes, how he
10Which fils all place, yet none holds him, doth lye?
Was not his pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pittied by thee?
Kisse him, and with him into Egypt goe,
With his kinde mother, who partakes thy woe.
Nativitie.
6 this] his 1669
7 will] shall B, O'F, S, S96, W
8 effect 1669, A18, B, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, W: effects 1633-54, D, H49 jealous] dire and B, O'F, S, S96, W: zealous A18, N, TC
doome.] doome; 1633
9 eyes, 1633, B, D, H49, O'F, S, S96, W: eye, 1635-69, A18, N, TC
4. With his kinde mother who partakes thy woe,
Ioseph turne backe; see where your child doth sit,
Blowing, yea blowing out those sparks of wit,
Which himselfe on the Doctors did bestow;
5The Word but lately could not speake, and loe,
It sodenly speakes wonders, whence comes it,
That all which was, and all which should be writ,
A shallow seeming child, should deeply know?
His Godhead was not soule to his manhood,
10Nor had time mellowed him to this ripenesse,
But as for one which hath a long taske, 'tis good,
With the Sunne to beginne his businesse,
He in his ages morning thus began
By miracles exceeding power of man.
Temple.
5 loe, Ed: loe 1633-69
6 wonders, 1633-39: wonders: 1650-69
11 for] to W
a long taske, 1633-69, D, H49: long taskes B, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD, W: longe taske A18, TCC
'tis] 'Tis 1633: thinks W
5. By miracles exceeding power of man,
Hee faith in some, envie in some begat,
For, what weake spirits admire, ambitious, hate;
In both affections many to him ran,
5But Oh! the worst are most, they will and can,
Alas, and do, unto the immaculate,
Whose creature Fate is, now prescribe a Fate,
Measuring selfe-lifes infinity to'a span,
Nay to an inch. Loe, where condemned hee
10Beares his owne crosse, with paine, yet by and by
When it beares him, he must beare more and die.
Now thou art lifted up, draw mee to thee,
And at thy death giving such liberall dole,
Moyst, with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule.
Crucifying.
3 weake] meeke B, O'F, S, S96, W
8 to'a span, B, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, W: to span, 1633-69, A18, D, H49
9 inch. Loe, 1635-69: inch, loe, 1633
11 die. 1635-69: die; 1633
Note[pg 321]
6. Moyst with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule
Shall (though she now be in extreme degree
Too stony hard, and yet too fleshly,) bee
Freed by that drop, from being starv'd, hard, or foule,
5And life, by this death abled, shall controule
Death, whom thy death slue; nor shall to mee
Feare of first or last death, bring miserie,
If in thy little booke my name thou enroule,
Flesh in that long sleep is not putrified,
10But made that there, of which, and for which 'twas;
Nor can by other meanes be glorified.
May then sinnes sleep, and deaths soone from me passe,
That wak't from both, I againe risen may
Salute the last, and everlasting day.
Resurrection.
1 soule 1635: soule, 1633, 1639-69
5 this] thy B, O'F, S, S96, W
6 shall to] shall nowe to A18, N, O'F, TC
8 little 1633, A18, D, H49, TC: life 1635-69, B, O'F, S, S96, W
9 that long] that last long O'F, S, S96, W: that D, H49
11 glorified] purified S, S96, W, and O'F (which corrects to glorified)
12 deaths A18, N, S96, TC, W: death 1633-69, D, H49
7. Salute the last and everlasting day,
Joy at the uprising of this Sunne, and Sonne,
Yee whose just teares, or tribulation
Have purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay;
5Behold the Highest, parting hence away,
Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon,
Nor doth hee by ascending, show alone,
But first hee, and hee first enters the way.
O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee,
10Mild Lambe, which with thy blood, hast mark'd the path;
Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see,
Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath,
And if thy holy Spirit, my Muse did raise,
Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise.
Ascention.
3 just 1633, A18, D, H49, N, TC: true 1635-69, B, S, S96, W
8 way.] way, 1633
10 Lambe, D, W: lambe 1633-69
11 Torch, D, W: torch, 1633-69
the way] thy wayes B, S, S96, W: thee A18, TCC
Note[pg 322]
THOU hast made me, And shall thy worke decay?
Repaire me now, for now mine end doth haste,
I runne to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
5I dare not move my dimme eyes any way,
Despaire behind, and death before doth cast
Such terrour, and my feeble flesh doth waste
By sinne in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;
Onely thou art above, and when towards thee
10By thy leave I can looke, I rise againe;
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
That not one houre my selfe I can sustaine;
Thy Grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And thou like Adamant draw mine iron heart.
Holy Sonnets. 1633-69 (following La Corona as second group under the same general title), W: Devine Meditations. B, O'F, S96: no title, A18, D, H49, N, TCC, TCD. See note
I. 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W: omitted 1633, A18, D, H49, N, TCC, TCD
4 yesterday; Ed: yesterday, 1635-69
7 feeble 1635-69: febled B, O'F, S96, W
12 my selfe I can 1635-69: I can myself B, S96, W
sustaine; 1669: sustaine, 1635-54
A S due by many titles I resigne
My selfe to thee, O God, first I was made
By thee, and for thee, and when I was decay'd
Thy blood bought that, the which before was thine;
5I am thy sonne, made with thy selfe to shine,
Thy servant, whose paines thou hast still repaid,
Thy sheepe, thine Image, and, till I betray'd
My selfe, a temple of thy Spirit divine;
Why doth the devill then usurpe on mee?
10Why doth he steale, nay ravish that's thy right?
Except thou rise and for thine owne worke fight,
Oh I shall soone despaire, when I doe see
That thou lov'st mankind well, yet wilt'not chuse me,
And Satan hates mee, yet is loth to lose mee.
II. 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W: I. 1633, A18, D, H49, N, TCC, TCD
2 God, first 1633: God. First 1635-69
4 thine; 1650-69: thine, 1633-39: thine. W
7 and, Ed: and 1633-69
9 on 1633-69, D, H49: in A18, B, N, S96, TC, W
10 steale,] steale 1633-39
that's] what's A18, TCC
12 doe 1633 and most MSS.: shall 1635-69, O'F, S96
13 me,] me. 1633
Note[pg 323]
O MIGHT those sighes and teares returne againe
Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,
That I might in this holy discontent
Mourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;
5In mine Idolatry what showres of raine
Mine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?
That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;
'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.
Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,
10The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proud
Have the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefe
Of comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'd
No ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beene
Th'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.
III. 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W: omitted 1633, A18, D, &c.
7 sinne; now I Ed: sinne, now I B, W: sinne I now 1635-69
repent; Ed: repent, 1633-69
O H my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned
By sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;
Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath done
Treason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,
5Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read,
Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;
But damn'd and hal'd to execution,
Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.
Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;
10But who shall give thee that grace to beginne?
Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,
And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;
Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this might
That being red, it dyes red soules to white.
IV. 1635-69: II. 1633, A18, D, &c.: V. B, O'F, S96, W
1 Soule! 1633: Soule 1635-69
8 imprisoned. W: imprisoned; 1633-69
Note[pg 324]
I AM a little world made cunningly
Of Elements, and an Angelike spright,
But black sinne hath betraid to endlesse night
My worlds both parts, and (oh) both parts must die.
5You which beyond that heaven which was most high
Have found new sphears, and of new lands can write,
Powre new seas in mine eyes, that so I might
Drowne my world with my weeping earnestly,
Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more:
10But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire
Of lust and envie have burnt it heretofore,
And made it fouler; Let their flames retire,
And burne me ô Lord, with a fiery zeale
Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heale.
V. 1635-69: omitted 1633, A18, D, &c.: VII. B, O'F, S96, W
6 lands B, S96, W: land 1635-69, O'F
7 I 1635-54: he 1669
9 it, Ed: it: W: it 1635-69
10 burnt! Ed: burnt, 1635-69
11 have B, S96, W: hath O'F: om. 1635-69
12 fouler; W: fouler, 1635-69
their] those W
13 Lord] God W
THIS is my playes last scene, here heavens appoint
My pilgrimages last mile; and my race
Idly, yet quickly runne, hath this last pace,
My spans last inch, my minutes latest point,
5And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoynt
My body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space,
But my'ever-waking part shall see that face,
Whose feare already shakes my every joynt:
Then, as my soule, to'heaven her first seate, takes flight,
10And earth-borne body, in the earth shall dwell,
So, fall my sinnes, that all may have their right,
To where they'are bred, and would presse me, to hell.
Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evill,
For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devill.
VI. 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W: III. 1633, A18, D, &c.
6 and soule, 1635-69: and my soule, 1633
7 Or presently, I know not, see that Face, B, D, H49, O'F, S, S96, W
10 earth-borne 1635-69: earth borne 1633
14 flesh,] flesh 1633
the devill.] and devill. A18, B, D, H49, N, O'F, S96, TC, W
Note[pg 325]
A T the round earths imagin'd corners, blow
Your trumpets, Angells, and arise, arise
From death, you numberlesse infinities
Of soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,
5All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow,
All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God, and never tast deaths woe.
But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,
10For, if above all these, my sinnes abound,
'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,
When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,
Teach mee how to repent; for that's as good
As if thou'hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.
VII. 1635-69: IV. 1633, A18, D, &c.: VIII. B, O'F, S96, W
5 o'erthrow] overthrow 1669
6 dearth, W: death, 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, N, O'F, S96, TC
8 woe. W: woe, 1633-54: owe; 1669
12 lowly] holy 1669
14 thy] my 1669
I F faithfull soules be alike glorifi'd
As Angels, then my fathers soule doth see,
And adds this even to full felicitie,
That valiantly I hels wide mouth o'rstride:
5But if our mindes to these soules be descry'd
By circumstances, and by signes that be
Apparent in us, not immediately,
How shall my mindes white truth by them be try'd?
They see idolatrous lovers weepe and mourne,
10And vile blasphemous Conjurers to call
On Iefus name, and Pharisaicall
Dissemblers feigne devotion. Then turne
O pensive soule, to God, for he knowes best
Thy true griefe, for he put it in my breast.
VIII. 1635-69: omitted 1633, A18, D, &c.: X. B, O'F, S96, W
7 in us, W: in us 1635-69. See note
8 by] to B, S96, W
10 vile W: vilde B, O'F, S96: stile 1635-69
14 true W: om. 1635-69, B, S96 in W: into 1635-69, B, O'F, S96
my] thy B, S96
Note[pg 326]
I F poysonous mineralls, and if that tree,
Whose fruit threw death on else immortall us,
If lecherous goats, if serpents envious
Cannot be damn'd; Alas; why should I bee?
5Why should intent or reason, borne in mee,
Make sinnes, else equall, in mee more heinous?
And mercy being easie, and glorious
To God; in his sterne wrath, why threatens hee?
But who am I, that dare dispute with thee
10O God? Oh! of thine onely worthy blood,
And my teares, make a heavenly Lethean flood,
And drowne in it my sinnes blacke memorie;
That thou remember them, some claime as debt,
I thinke it mercy, if thou wilt forget.
IX. 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W: V. 1633, A18, D, &c.
1 poysonous] poysons 1639-54
and if that] or if the B, O'F, S96
2 (else immortal) 1635-69
5 or] and B, O'F, S96
6 mee] mee, 1633
8 God;] God, 1633
9-10 thee O God? W: thee? O God, 1633-69
12 memorie;] memorie, 1633
14 forget.] forget, 1633
D EATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
5From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
10And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
X. 1635-69: VI. 1633, A18, D, &c.: XI. B, O'F, S96, W
4 mee.] mee; 1633
5 pictures 1633 and MSS.: picture 1635-69
8 deliverie.] deliverie 1633-69
9 Chance, W: chance, 1633-69
10 dost] doth 1633
dwell,] dwell. 1633
12 better] easier B, O'F, S96, W
13 wake] live B, S96, W
14 more; death, Ed: more, death 1633-69
SPIT in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side,
Buffet, and scoffe, scourge, and crucifie mee,
For I have sinn'd, and sinn'd, and onely hee,
Who could do no iniquitie, hath dyed:
5But by my death can not be satisfied
My sinnes, which passe the Jewes impiety:
They kill'd once an inglorious man, but I
Crucifie him daily, being now glorified.
Oh let mee then, his strange love still admire:
10Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment.
And Iacob came cloth'd in vile harsh attire
But to supplant, and with gainfull intent:
God cloth'd himselfe in vile mans flesh, that so
Hee might be weake enough to suffer woe.
XI. 1635-69: VII. 1633, A18, D, &c.: omitted B, S96: added among Other Meditations. O'F: XIII. W
3 onely] humbly W
6 impiety] iniquitye D, H49
8 glorified.] glorified; 1633
12 intent:] intent 1633
WHY are wee by all creatures waited on?
Why doe the prodigall elements supply
Life and food to mee, being more pure then I,
Simple, and further from corruption?
5Why brook'st thou, ignorant horse, subjection?
Why dost thou bull, and bore so seelily
Dissemble weaknesse, and by'one mans stroke die,
Whose whole kinde, you might swallow and feed upon?
Weaker I am, woe is mee, and worse then you,
10You have not sinn'd, nor need be timorous.
But wonder at a greater wonder, for to us
Created nature doth these things subdue,
But their Creator, whom sin, nor nature tyed,
For us, his Creatures, and his foes, hath dyed.
XII. 1635-69: VIII. 1633, A18, D, &c.: omitted B, S96: among Other Meditations. O'F: XIV. W
1 are wee] ame I W
4 Simple, 1633, D, H49, W: Simpler 1635-69, A18, N, O'F, TC, Chambers
9 Weaker I am,] Alas I am weaker, W
10 timorous. W: timorous, 1633-69
11 a greater wonder, 1633, D, H49, N, O'F (greate), TC, W: a greater, 1635-69
Note[pg 328]
WHAT if this present were the worlds last night?
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
5Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light,
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my idolatrie
10I said to all my profane mistresses,
Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely is
A signe of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.
XIII 1635-69: IX. 1633, A18, D, &c.: om. B, S96: among Other Meditations. O'F: XV. W
2 Marke] Looke W
4 that A18, N, O'F, TC, W: his 1633-69, D, H49
6 fell. 1639-69: fell 1633-35
8 fierce] ranck W
14 assures A18, D, H49, N, O'F, TC, W: assumes 1633-69
BATTER my heart, three person'd God; for, you
As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bend
Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.
5I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due,
Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.
Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,
10But am betroth'd unto your enemie:
Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,
Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I
Except you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,
Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.
XIV. 1635-69: X. 1633, A18, D, &c.: om. B, O'F, S96: XVI. W
7 mee should] wee should 1669
8 untrue. W: untrue, 1633-69
9 loved MSS.: lov'd 1633-69
10 enemie: W: enemie, 1633-69
WILT thou love God, as he thee! then digest,
My Soule, this wholsome meditation,
How God the Spirit, by Angels waited on
In heaven, doth make his Temple in thy brest.
5The Father having begot a Sonne most blest,
And still begetting, (for he ne'r begonne)
Hath deign'd to chuse thee by adoption,
Coheire to'his glory,'and Sabbaths endlesse rest.
And as a robb'd man, which by search doth finde
10His stolne stuffe sold, must lose or buy'it againe:
The Sonne of glory came downe, and was slaine,
Us whom he'had made, and Satan stolne, to unbinde.
'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
But, that God should be made like man, much more.
XV. 1635-69: XI. 1633, A18, D, &c.: XII. B, O'F, S96, W
4 brest. W: brest, 1633-69
8 rest.] rest; 1633
11 Sonne 1633: Sunne 1633-69
12 stolne, 1633, A18, D, H49, N, TC: stole, 1635-69, B, O'F, S96, W, Chambers
FATHER, part of his double interest
Unto thy kingdome, thy Sonne gives to mee,
His joynture in the knottie Trinitie
Hee keepes, and gives to me his deaths conquest.
5This Lambe, whose death, with life the world hath blest,
Was from the worlds beginning slaine, and he
Hath made two Wills, which with the Legacie
Of his and thy kingdome, doe thy Sonnes invest.
Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet
10Whether a man those statutes can fulfill;
None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit
Revive againe what law and letter kill.
Thy lawes abridgement, and thy last command
Is all but love; Oh let this last Will stand!
XVI. 1635-69: XII. 1633, A18, D, &c.: IV. B, O'F, S96, W
3 Trinitie] Trinitie, 1633
8 doe 1633: om. 1635-69: doth A18, B, D, H49, N, O'F, S96, TC, W
invest. W: invest, 1633-39: invest: 1650-69
9 thy O'F, S96, W: these 1633-69: those A18, D, H49, N, TC
11 doth;] doth, 1633
but all-healing A18, D, H49, N, TC, W: but thy all-healing 1633-69. See note
spirit] Spirit, 1633-69
12 Revive againe] Revive and quicken B, O'F, S96, W
kill. 1635-69: kill, 1633
14 this 1633-69: that A18, D, H49, N, TC, W: thy B, O'F, S96
Note[pg 330]
SINCE she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debt
To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
And her Soule early into heaven ravished,
Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett.
5Here the admyring her my mind did whett
To seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head;
But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett.
But why should I begg more Love, when as thou
10Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine:
And dost not only feare least I allow
My Love to Saints and Angels things divine,
But in thy tender jealosy dost doubt
Least the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out.
XVII. W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne, 1899
2 dead,] dead W
6 their] yr W
head;] head, W
10 wooe] spelt woe W
12 divine,] divine W
SHOW me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.
What! is it She, which on the other shore
Goes richly painted? or which rob'd and tore
Laments and mournes in Germany and here?
5Sl