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10
THE ENGLISH POEMS OF HENRY KING
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive
in 2008 with funding from
IVIicrosoft Corporation
littp://www.arcliive.org/details/englishpoemsoflieOOking
Portrait of Bishop Henry King
Painted in February or March, 1642, and now Hanging
IN THE OLD Lecture Room, Christ Church,
Oxford. Artist Unknown
'From a photosraph taken for this edition by the Clarendon Press. Oxford)
THE ENGLISH POEMS
OF
HENRY KING, D.D
1592-1669
SOMETIME BISHOP OF CHICHESTER
NOW FIRST COLLECTED FROM VARIOUS
SOURCES AND EDITED BY
LAWRENCE MASON, Ph.D.
NEW HAVEN: VALE UNIVERSITY PRESS
LONDON: HUMPHREY MILFORD
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
MDCCCCXIV
84^44
Copyright, 1914
BY Yale University Press
Printed from type December, 1914, 500 copies
«i
WS%
TO
A. M. C. S.
M^
; PREFACE
This work aims to present a complete edition of
Bishop Henry King's English poems.
The editio princeps of the poems, a modest and exceed-
ingly rare little octavo, is dated 1657; but the unsold
^ copies of that printing were re-issued in 1664 and again
■^^ in 1700, with a new title-page upon each occasion, and
Vvt" to those copies bearing the earlier date were affixed
thirty-eight additional pages of Elegies. After 1700 no
V edition appeared until 1843, when the Rev. J. Hannah
■^ republished more than half of King s poetry in an
elaborately annotated form which has long been out of
print.
The present edition includes the tAventy-nine poems
omitted by Hannah as well as the fifty selected by him,
^ and in addition another considerable elegy that has not
^ been reprinted since 1649; while four of King's hitherto
J uncollected poems or parts of poems are here for the first
jr time printed, from various MSS., together with five other
pieces whereof his authorship cannot be so definitely
proved, but of which four are almost certainly his work.
Hannah printed a somewhat inaccurate reading of his
text, and also thought it best "to revise the punctuation,"
often unnecessarily and not seldom quite unhappily; the
present edition ofiFers an exact reproduction of the
editio priticeps except for the numbering of the lines and
the natural differences in fonts of type, with a faithful
[vii]
PREFACE
transcript of the new material hitherto uncollected. The
Notes at the end of this volume have been reduced to the
smallest compass consistent with the elucidation of all
real difficulties presented by the text; and variant read-
ings resulting from the collation of numerous MSS. or
early printed versions of the poems have been recorded
only where the meaning of the line is materially affected.
It has seemed best to include in this edition no excerpts
from Henry King's version of the Psalms in metre,
published in 1651, because that work possesses little merit
or interest, to modern eyes, and may well be left for the
specialist to consult intact. Selections from that work,
however, as well as an exhaustive biography and bibli-
ography, a critical essay, much related material, and a
full apparatus criticus will be found in a Thesis by the
present writer deposited in the Yale University Library,
New Haven, Conn. Of this Thesis the Biography and
Bibliography have been printed in full among the Trans-
actions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences,
Vol. XVHI.i
It now remains only to acknowledge my indebtedness
for assistance received in preparing this work. Professor
Edward Bliss Reed suggested the subject to me, and has
advised and guided me throughout. Hannah's scholarly
edition has been an invaluable help. My thanks are also
due to the Very Reverend the Dean and the Chapter of
Christ Church, Oxford; the authorities of the Bodleian,
British Museum, and Lambeth Palace Libraries ; Professor
1 Cf. Bibliographical Note, pp. 187-9, inf.
[viii]
PREFACE
C. W. Mendell, of Yale College; Miss E. G. Parker,
of Chalfont Road, Oxford ; Dr. and Mrs. E. C. Streeter,
of Boston, Mass., and Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Chase, of
Waterbury, Conn.
L. M.
Yale College, New Haven, Conn.
July 10, 1914.
[ix]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Frontispiece: Portrait of Bishop Henry King
Preface ........ v
Table of Contents ...... ix
Introduction ....... 1
Facsimile of the title-page in the 1664 issue of the
Editio Prince ps ...... 7
The Preface of the Editio Princeps: "The Publishers
to the Author" 9
Poems
The Double Rock .....
The Vow-Breaker .....
Upon a Table-Book presented to a Lady
To the same Lady upon Air. Burtons Melancholy
The Farewell .....
J Black-moor Maid wooing a fair Boy
The Boyes answer to the Blackmoor .
To a Friend upon Overbury's wife given to her
Upon the same .....
To A. R. upon the same ....
An Epitaph on Niobe turned to Stone
Upon a Braid of Hair in a Heart sent by Mrs
E. H
Sonnet: "Tell me no more how fair she is" .
5o««f/; "Were thy heart soft" .
Sonnet: "Go thou that vainly" .
Sonnet. To Patience ....
[xil
13
13
14
15
15
16
17
17
18
18
18
18
19
19
20
20
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Silence. A Sonnet
Loves Harvest
The Forlorn Hope
The Retreat
Sonnet: "Tell me you stars"
Sonnet: "I Prethee turn that face away" .
Sonnet: "Dry those fair, those chrystal eyes"
Sonnet: "When I entreat"
To a Lady who sent me a copy of verses
The Pink
To his Friends of Christ-Church upon the mislike
of the Marriage of the Arts acted at Woodstock
The Surrender
The Legacy .
The Short Wooing
St. Valentines day .
To his unconstant Friend
Madam Gabrina, Or the Ill-favourd Choice
The Defence .....
To One demanding why Wine sparkles
By occasion of the Young Prince his happy birth
Upon the Kings happy return from Scotland
To the Queen at Oxford
A salutation of his Majesties Ship the Soveraign
An Epitaph On his most honoured Friend Richard
Earl of Dorset ......
The Exequy ......
The Anniverse. An Elegy ....
On two Children dying of one Disease^ and buried
in one Grave ......
21
22
23
23
24
25
25
26
26
27
28
29
31
33
34
35
38
40
41
42
45
47
49
50
51
55
57
[xli]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Letter
An Acknowledgment ....
The Acquittance .....
The Forfeiture .....
The Departure. An Elegy
Paradox ......
Paradox ......
The Change .....
To my Sister Anne King, who chid me in verse fo
being angry .....
An Elegy Upon the immature loss of the most
vertuous Lady Anne Rich .
An Elegy Upon Airs. Kirk unfortunately drowned
in Thames .....
An Elegy Upon the death of Mr. Edward Holt
To my dead friend Ben: Johnson
An Elegy Upon Prince Henry's death
An Elegy Upon S. W. R. .
An Elegy Upon the L. Bishop of London John
King ......
Upon the death of my ever desired friend Doctor
Donne Dean of Pauls ....
An Elegy Upon the most victorious King of
Sweden Gustavus Adolphus .
To my Noble and Judicious Friend Sir Henry
Blount upon his Voyage
To my honoured Friend Mr. George Sandys
The Woes of Esay ....
An Essay on Death and a Prison
[ xiii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Labyrinth . . . . . .111
Being waked out of my sleep by a snuff of Candle
which offended me, I thus thought . . .112
Sic Vita 113
My Midnight Meditation . . . .114
A Penitential Hymne . . . . .114
An Elegy Occasioned by sickness . . .115
The Dirge 119
An Elegy Occasioned by the losse of the most
incomparable Lady Stanhope . . .121
An Elegy Upon my Best Friend L. K. C. . . 123
On the Earl of Essex . . . . .125
An Elegy on Sir Charls Lucas, and Sir George
Lisle 126
An Elegy upon the ?nost Incofnparable King
Charls the First 137
Engraving of photostat of pp. 34, 35 in Henry
King's Anniversary Sermon, Jan. 30, 1665, to
face page . . . . . . .152
Facsimile of the colophon in the Editio Princeps . 156
A Deepe Groane, fetch'd At the Funerall of that
incomparable and Glorious Monarch, Charles
the First 157
Epigrams ....... 168
Additional Poems hitherto Unprinted . . .171
Upon y^ untimely death of J. K. first borne of
HK 173
[ xiv ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
To one that demaunded why the wine sparkles
To a Lady that sent rnee a Coppy of Verses
Epigram ......
Doubtful Poems . . . ...
A Contemplation upon Flowers
The Complaint .....
On his Shaddow .....
Wishes to my sonne John, for this new, and all
succeeding years ....
\In obitum sanctissimi viri Di. Dris. Spenseri^
Bibliographical Note ....
Notes
174
174
174
175
177
178
179
181
183
187
191
[xv]
INTRODUCTION
Henry King's armorial bearings illustrate the family
claim to descent from the ancient Saxon monarchs of
Devonshire. At all events, his ancestors in the sixteenth
century were very distinguished men, and his father, John
King (1559?-1621 ), was an eminent prelate highly
esteemed by Elizabeth and James, Bishop of London for
the last ten years of his life, and historically memorable
for his prosecution of the last Smithfield martyr. Henry
King himself, the eldest son of Bishop John, "was born
in the same house and chamber at Wornal, in Bucks,
wherein his father had received his first breath, in the
month of January,"^ 1592. Educated at Westminster
School and at Christ Church, Oxford, he followed in his
father's footsteps, and became successively chaplain to
James and Charles, archdeacon of Colchester, canon of
Christ Church, dean of Rochester, and finally, on February
6, 1642, Bishop of Chichester. Meanwhile, he had
married Anne Berkeley, granddaughter of Sir Maurice
Berkeley, of Throwley, in Kent, about 1617-1618, who
died about 1624 after having borne him five sons and a
daughter, two only of whom, John and Henry, appear
to have long survived her. It is possible that he married
again, about 1631, but the evidence is not conclusive. He
remained in enjoyment of his bishopric less than eleven
months, for with the outbreak of the civil war he was
1 Wood's "Athenae Oxonienses," ed. Bliss, 1815, III, 839.
[1]
INTRODUCTION
dispossessed by the Parliamentarians and all his property
sequestrated. From 1643 to 1647 he lived in retirement
at Albury, Surrey, probably with his cousins, the Dun-
combes, but in 1647 was apparently compelled to leave
that neighborhood on account of an indiscretion on the
part of his son John, and accordingly moved north to
his late brother John's establishment at Blakesware, in
southeastern Hertfordshire, near his friend Sir John
Mounson's manor at Broxbourne. He was at Langley,
Bucks, in 1651 ; and in 1657 at Hitcham, also in Bucks —
driven from place to place by Parliamentarian persecu-
tion, apparently, and supported by the charity of friends
and relatives. During the interregnum he figured promi-
nently in the various efforts made to preserve the threat-
ened Apostolic succession. In 1660 he was restored to
his see and lived there, "the epitome of all honours, vir-
tues, and generous nobleness,"^ until his death, September
30, 1669.
There is little in the career or historical position of
Bishop Henry King to call for extended notice today;
he becomes important only on account of his poetical
work, which claims the attention of readers in general,
as well as of professed students of literature, on perhaps
three chief grounds: much of it is well worth reading
and remembering for its own sake, it strikingly illustrates
the transition from Elizabethan to Queen Anne literature,
and lastly it is admirably typical of the work of a large
number of little-known but interesting authors, the minor
1 Quoted by Wood, op. cit, III, 841.
[2]
INTRODUCTION
poets of the forty years from the death of Shakespeare to
the appearance of Dryden's first considerable poem.
Many of the graceful trifles on pages 19, 20, 25, 26,
178-180, etc., will commend themselves as very accept-
able in their kind, w^hile "The Surrender," "The Legacy,"
"The Woes of Esay," and most of his elegies possess
more solid merits. His earlier work is often deft and
sprightly, while his more mature compositions show some
real power in thought and style, together with flashes of
the true poetic fervor ; but his serious claim to recognition
as a lyric poet rests on three achievements which few poets
need blush to own. "A Contemplation upon Flowers,"
of which King's authorship is somewhat uncertain, has a
meditative sweetness and charm not unworthy of Herbert
or Vaughan at little short of their best. "The Exequy,
to his Matchless never-to-be-forgotten Friend," with its
poignant use of heartfelt apostrophe and pathetic repeti-
tion, is one of the most beautiful and moving personal
elegies of the century. "Tell me no more how fair she is,"
perhaps his masterpiece, is a well-nigh flawless little
Cavalier gem — not the equal, naturally, of the best of
Herrick, Carew, Lovelace, but direct, musical, and distin-
guished by a sustained neatness of thought and execution.
King's poetry clearly illustrates the transition from
Elizabeth to Anne, for it breaks with the past by rejecting
Spenserianism, reflects the present by imitating Jonson
and Donne,^ and anticipates the future by tending
1 They were the gods of Henry King's idolatry; cf. his
discipular elegies, pp. 81 and 86, inf.
[3]
INTRODUCTION
Strongly towards the Waller-Denham-Dryden manner
which culminated in the Augustan Age and Pope. The
"heroic couplet" is generally recognized as the sign-
manual of the eighteenth century, and Henry King, in
his increasingly frequent employment of the form, steadily
advances towards the "balance, antithesis, epigrammatic
wit, rhetorical emphasis," and rare enjambement of Pope's
polished distich. But while he exhibits a weighty terse-
ness or pregnant phrasing that is almost Shakespearean,^
occasionally, and an absurd artificiality or practiced
elegance that is almost worthy of Pope,- occasionally,
still the bulk of his work is distinctly of the transition,
transitional: he is the seventeenth century mean between
the sixteenth and eighteenth century extremes.
Major poets, such as Milton or even Butler, are apt
to be unique, rather exceptions to the rule than illustra-
tions of it, while minor poets really are the rule. This
is particularly true in an unsettled and many-sided period
of transition, such as most of the seventeenth century.
Henry King, not great enough to be above his age or in
advance of it, but so distinctly in it and of it as to have
felt almost all its varied tendencies and influences, serves
admirably as the unum pro multis caput in considering
the voluminous mass of neglected and often negligible
work which nevertheless really constitutes the literary
output of the time. For, like practically all these minor
writers, he had a profession or career as his real interest
1 Cf. p. 31, 14-16, 19-24, inf.
2Cf. pp. 34, 1-4; 111, 13-18; 112, 27-32, 41, 42, inf.
[4]
INTRODUCTION
in life, and was a poet only by avocation ; he paid little or
no attention to the publication' of his poetical productions;
and he tried his hand at many different kinds of verse,
under many different inspirations, viz., Cavalier lyrics,
personal effusions (including commendatory epistles in
verse), elegies, political outpourings, moral and religious
compositions, a metrical version of the Psalms, epigrams,
paradoxes, translations, and Latin and Greek verse. And,
needless to say, he shares the faults as well as the virtues
of his fellows. He is thus thoroughly representative of
these innumerable nameless minor choristers, as any
examination of their scarce little printed volumes or of
the many MS. collections in the Bodleian and British
Museum clearly shows; and since these seventeenth
century minors are being republished in increasing num-
bers nowadays, through the efforts of Dr. Grosart, Mr.
A. H. Bullen, and others, so typical an exemplar of his
class should certainly be rendered accessible to readers.
In general, no extravagant claims can be made for
Henry King's poetry. His biography shows him to have
been not at all extraordinary in character or gifts, and his
works naturally rise no higher than their source. Never-
theless, some single poems or detached passages will
always arouse admiration and give pleasure, while the
literary tendencies illustrated by his work invest his
poetry with an importance and interest that cannot be
denied and should no longer be ignored.
iCf. "The Publishers to the Author," pp. 9-11, inf.
[5]
L^^tfe
M.lfe^C^b
POE
ELEGIES,
PARADOXES,
m
Aiid
SONETS.
m
^ LONDOKT, ^
.^l Printed for Henry Herrmgman ^ zv^^^:^
i^Ji are to be foIdatthey^«r/7i?rmtlte -L^'
lower-walk in the Nen^ Hx« ^^^^
^ change, id 6^. j?-^^-
THE ORIGINAL PREFACE
IN THE EDITIO PRINCEPS OF KING'S POEMS
THE PUBLISHERS TO THE AUTHOR
Sir,
It is the common fashion to make some
address to the Readers, but we are bold
to direct ours to you, who will look on
this publication with Anger which
others must welcom into the world with
Joy.
The Lord Verulam comparing inge-
nious Authors to those who had Or-
chards ill neighboured, advised them to
publish their own labours, lest others
might steal the fruit: Had you fol-
lowed his example, or liked the advice,
we had not thus trespassed against your
consent, or been forced to an Apology,
which cannot but imply a fault com-
mitted. The best we can say for our
selves is, that if we have injured you it
is meerly in your own defence, prevent-
ing the present attempts of others, who
to their theft would (by their false
copies of these Poems) have added vio-
[9]
THE ORIGINAL PREFACE
lence, and some way have wounded your
reputation.
Having been long engaged on better
contemplations, you may perhaps look
down on these Juvenilia (most of them
the issues of your youthful Muse) with
some disdain; and yet the Courteous
Reader may tell you with thanks, that
they are not to be despised, being far
from Abortive, nor to be disowned,
because they are both Modest and
Legitimate. And thus if we have offered
you a view of your younger face, our
hope is you will behold it with an un-
wrinkled brow, though we have pre-
sented the Mirrour against your will.
We confess our design hath been set
forward by friends that honour you,
who lest the ill publishing might dis-
figure these things from whence you
never expected addition to your credit
(sundry times endeavoured and by them
defeated) furnished us with some
papers which they thought Authentick;
we may not turn their favour into an
accusation, and therefore give no inti-
mation of their names, but wholly take
the blame of this hasty and immethodi-
cal impression upon our selves, being
persons at a distance, who are fitter to
[10]
THE ORIGINAL PREFACE
bear It then those who are neerer re-
lated. In hope of your pardon we
remain
Your most devoted servants,
Rich: Marriot.
Hen: Herringman.
[H]
SONNET.
The Double Rock.
Since thou hast view'd some Gorgon, and art grown
A solid stone:
To bring again to softness thy hard heart
Is past my art.
Ice may relent to water in a thaw ; 5
But stone made flesh Loves Chymistry ne're saw.
Therefore by thinking on thy hardness, I
Will petrify;
And so within our double Quarryes Wombe,
Dig our Loves Tombe. 10
Thus strangely will our difference agree ;
And, with our selves, amaze the world, to see
How both Revenge and Sympathy consent
To make two Rocks each others Monument.
The Vow-Breaker.
When first the Magick of thine ey,
Usurpt upon my liberty.
Triumphing in my hearts spoyl, thou
Didst lock up thine in such a vow ;
When I prove false, may the bright day 5
Be govern' d by the Moons pale ray!
(As I too well remember) This
Thou said'st, and seald'st it with a kiss.
[13]
POEMS
O Heavens ! and could so soon that Ty
Relent in slack Apostacy? 10
Could all thy Oaths, and morgag'd trust,
Vanish ? like letters form'd in dust
Which the next wind scatters. Take heed,
Take heed Revolter ; know this deed
Hath wrong'd the world, which will fare worse 15
By thy Example then thy Curse.
Hide that false Brow in mists. Thy shame
Ne're see light more, but the dimme flame
Of funeral Lamps. Thus sit and moane,
And learn to keep thy guilt at home. 20
Give it no vent ; for if agen
Thy Love or Vowes betray more men,
At length (I fear) thy perjur'd breath
Will blow out day, and waken Death.
Upon a Table-Book presented to a Lady.
When your fair hand receives this little book
You must not there for prose or verses look.
Those empty regions which within you see,
May by your self planted and peopled be :
And though we scarce allow your sex to prove
Writers (unless the Argument be Love) ;
Yet without crime or envy you have roome
Here, both the Scribe and Author to become.
[14]
THE FAREWELL
To the same Lady upon Mr. Burtons Melancholy.
If in this Glass of Humours jou do find
The Passions or diseases of your mind,
Here without pain, you safely may endure,
Though not to suffer, yet to read your cure.
But if you nothing meet you can apply, 5
Then ere you need, you have a remedy.
And I do wish you never may have cause
To be adjudg'd by these fantastick Laws;
But that this books example may be known,
By others Melancholy, not your own. 10
THE FAREWELL.
Splendidis longum valedico nugis.
Farewell fond Love, under whose childish whip,
I have serv'd out a weary Prentiship;
Thou that hast made me thy scorn'd property,
To dote on Rocks, but yielding Loves to fly:
Go bane of my dear quiet and content^ 5
Now practise on some other Patient.
Farewell false Hope that fann'd my warm desire
Till it had rais'd a wild unruly fire,
Which nor sighs cool, nor tears extinguish can,
Although my eyes out-flow'd the Ocean: 10
Forth of my thoughts for ever. Thing of Air,
Begun in errour, finish't in despair.
[15]
POEMS
Farewell vain World, upon whose restless stage
Twixt Love and Hope I have foold out my age;
Henceforth ere sue to thee for my redress, 15
He wooe the wind, or court the wilderness;
And buried from the dayes discovery.
Study a slow yet certain way to dy.
My woful Monument shall be a Cell,
The murmur of the purling brook my knell ; 20
My lasting Epitaph the Rock shall grone :
Thus when sad Lovers ask the weeping stone.
What wretched thing does in that Center lie ?
The hollow Eccho will reply, 'twas L
A Black-moor Maid wooing a fair Boy:
sent to the Author by Mr. Hen. Rainolds.
Stay lovely Boy, why fly'st thou mee
That languish in these flames for thee?
I'm black 'tis true : why so is Night,
And Love doth in dark Shades delight.
The whole World, do but close thine eye, 5
Will seem to thee as black as I;
Or op't, and see what a black shade
Is by thine own fair body made.
That follows thee where e're thou go;
(O who allow'd would not do so?) 10
Let me for ever dwell so nigh.
And thou shalt need no other shade than I.
Mr. Hen. Rainolds.
[16]
THE BOYES ANSWER TO THE BLACKMOOR
The Boyes answer to the Blackmoor.
Black Maid, complain not that I fly,
When Fate commands Antipathy:
Prodigious might that union prove,
Where Night and Day together move.
And the conjunction of our lips 5
Not kisses make, but an Eclipse;
In which the mixed black and white
Portends more terrour than delight.
Yet if my shadow thou wilt be.
Enjoy thy dearest wish: But see 10
Thou take my shadowes property.
That hastes away when I come nigh :
Else stay till death hath blinded mee,
And then I will bequeath my self to thee.
To a Friend upon Overbury's wife given to her.
I know no fitter subject for your view
Then this, a meditation ripe for you,
As you for it. Which when you read you'l see
What kind of wife your self will one day bee:
Which happy day be neer you, and may this 5
Remain with you as earnest of my wish ;
When you so far love any, that you dare
Venture your whole affection on his care.
May he for whom you change your Virgin-life
Prove good to you, and perfect as this Wife. 10
[17]
POEMS
Upon the same.
Madam, who understands you well would swear,
That you the Life, and this your Copie were.
To A. R. upon the same.
Not that I would instruct or tutor you
What is a Wifes behest, or Husbands due.
Give I this Widdow-Wife. Your early date
Of knowledge makes such Precepts slow and late.
This book is but your glass, where you shall see 5
What your self are, what other Wives should bee.
An Epitaph on Niobe turned to Stone.
This Pile thou seest built out of Flesh, not Stone,
Contains no shroud within, nor mouldring bone:
This bloodless Trunk is destitute of Tombe
Which may the Soul-fled Mansion enwombe.
This seeming Sepulchre (to tell the troth) 5
Is neither Tomb nor Body, and yet both.
Upon a Braid of Hair in a Heart sent by Mrs. E. H.
In this small Character is sent
My Loves eternal Monument.
Whil'st we shall live, know, this chain'd Heart
Is our affections counter-part.
And if we never meet, think I 5
Bequeath'd it as my Legacy.
[18]
SONNET
SONNET.
Tell me no more how fair she is,
I have no minde to hear
The story of that distant bliss
I never shall come near:
By sad experience I have found 5
That her perfection is my wound.
And tell me not how fond I am
To tempt a daring Fate,
From whence no triumph ever came.
But to repent too late : 10
There is some hope ere long I may
In silence dote my self away.
I ask no pity (Love) from thee,
Nor will thy justice blame,
So that thou wilt not envy mee 15
The glory of my flame:
Which crowns my heart when ere it dyes,
In that it falls her sacrifice.
SONNET.
Were thy heart soft as thou art faire,
Thou wer't a wonder past compare :
But frozen Love and fierce disdain
By their extremes thy graces stain.
Cold coyness quenches the still fires 5
Which glow in Lovers warm desires ;
[19]
POEMS
And scorn, like the quick Lightnings blaze,
Darts death against affections gaze.
O Heavens, what prodigy is this
When Love in Beauty buried is! 10
Or that dead pity thus should be
Tomb'd in a living cruelty.
SONNET.
Go thou that vainly do'st mine eyes invite
To taste the softer comforts of the night,
And bid'st me cool the feaver of my brain.
In those sw^eet balmy dewes which slumber pain;
Enjoy thine own peace in untroubled sleep, 5
Whil'st my sad thoughts eternal vigils keep.
O could'st thou for a time change breasts with me,
Thou in that broken Glass shouldst plainly see,
A heart which wastes in the slow smothring fire
Blown by despair, and fed by false desire, 10
Can onely reap such sleeps as Sea-men have,
When fierce winds rock them on the foaming wave.
SONNET.
To Patience.
Down stormy passions, down; no more
Let your rude waves invade the shore
Where blushing reason sits and hides
Her from the fury of your tides.
[20]
SILENCE— A SONNET
Fit onely 'tis where you bear sway 5
That Fools or Franticks do obey ;
Since judgment, if it not resists,
Will lose it self in your blind mists.
Fall easie Patience, fall like rest
Whose soft spells charm a troubled breast: 10
And where those Rebels you espy,
O in your silken cordage tie
Their malice up ! so shall I raise
Altars to thank your power, and praise
The soveraign vertue of your Balm, 15
Which cures a Tempest by a Calm.
Silence.
A SONNET.
Peace my hearts blab, be ever dumb,
Sorrowes speak loud without a tongue:
And my perplexed thoughts forbear
To breath your selves in any ear:
Tis scarce a true or manly grief 5
Which gaddes abroad to find relief.
Was ever stomack that lackt meat
Nourisht by what another eat?
Can I bestow it, or will woe
Forsake me when I bid it goe ? 10
Then He believe a wounded breast
May heal by shrift, and purchase rest.
[21]
POEMS
But if imparting it I do
Not ease my self, but trouble two,
'Tis better I alone possess 15
My treasure of unhappiness:
Engrossing that which is my own
No longer then it is unknown.
If silence be a kind of death,
He kindles grief who gives it breath ; 20
But let it rak't in embers lye.
On thine own hearth 'twill quickly dye;
And spight of fate, that very wombe
Which carries it, shall prove its tombe.
Loves Harvest.
Fond Lunatick forbear, why do'st thou sue
For thy affections pay e're it is due ?
Loves fruits are legal use; and therefore may
Be onely taken on the marriage day.
Who for this interest too early call, 5
By that exaction lose the Principall.
Then gather not those immature delights,
Untill their riper Autumn thee invites.
He that abortive Corn cuts off his ground,
No Husband but a Ravisher is found : 10
So those that reap their love before they wed,
Do in effect but Cuckold their own Bed.
[22]
THE FORLORN HOPE
The Forlorn Hope.
How long vain Hope do'st thou my joys suspend?
Say ! must my expectation know no end !
Thou wast more kind unto the wandring Greek
Who did ten years his Wife and Country seek:
Ten lazy Winters in my glass are run, 5
Yet my thoughts travail seems but new begun.
Smooth Quick-sand which the easy World beguiles,
Thou shalt not bury me in thy false smiles.
They that in hunting shadowes pleasure take
May benefit of thy illusion make. 10
Since thou hast banisht me from my content
I here pronounce thy finall banishment.
Farewell thou dream of nothing! thou meer voice!
Get thee to fooles that can feed fat with noise:
Bid wretches markt for death look for reprieve, 15
Or men broke on the wheel perswade to live.
Henceforth my comfort and best Hope shall be,
By scorning Hope, nere to rely on thee.
The Retreat.
Pursue no more (my thoughts!) that false unkind,
You may assoon imprison the North-wind ;
Or catch the Lightning as it leaps; or reach
The leading billow first ran down the breach ;
[23]
POEMS
Or undertake the flying clouds to track 5
In the same path they yesterday did rack.
Then, like a Torch turn'd downward, let the same
Desire which nourisht it, put out your flame.
Loe thus I doe divorce thee from my brest,
False to thy vow, and traitour to my rest! 10
Henceforth thy tears shall be (though thou repent)
Like pardons after execution sent.
Nor shalt thou ever my loves story read,
But as some Epitaph of what is dead.
So may my hope on future blessings dwell, 15
As 'tis my firm resolve and last farewell.
SONNET.
Tell me you stars that our affections move.
Why made ye me that cruell one to love ?
Why burnes my heart her scorned sacrifice,
Whose breast is hard as Chrystall, cold as Ice?
God of Desire ! if all thy Votaries 5
Thou thus repay, succession will grow wise;
No sighs for incense at thy Shrine shall smoke,
Thy Rites will be despis'd, thy Altars broke.
O ! or give her my flame to melt that snow
Which yet unthaw'd does on her bosome grow; 10
Or make me ice, and with her chrystall chaines
Binde up all love within my frozen veines.
[24]
SONNET
SONNET.
I Prethee turn that face away
Whose splendour but benights my day.
Sad eyes like mine, and wounded hearts
Shun the bright rayes which beauty darts.
Unwelcome is the Sun that pries 5
Into those shades where sorrow lies.
Go shine on happy things. To me
That blessing is a miserie:
Whom thy fierce Sun not warmes, but burnes,
Like that the sooty Indian turnes. 10
He serve the night, and there confin'd
Wish thee less fair, or else more kind.
SONNET.
Dry those fair, those chrystal eyes
Which like growing fountains rise
To drown their banks. Griefs sullen brooks
Would better flow in furrow'd looks.
Thy lovely face was never meant 5
To be the shoar of discontent.
Then clear those watrish starres again
Which else portend a lasting rain;
Lest the clouds which settle there
Prolong my Winter all the Year: 10
And the example others make
In love with sorrow for thy sake.
[25]
POEMS
SONNET.
When I entreat, either thou wilt not hear,
Or else my suit arriving at thy ear
Cools and dies there. A strange extremitie
To freeze ith' Sun, and in the shade to frie.
Whil'st all my blasted hopes decline so soon, 5
Tis Evening with me, though at high Noon.
For pity to thy self, if not to me
Think time will ravish, what I lose, from thee.
If my scorcht heart wither through thy delay.
Thy beauty withers too. And swift decay 10
Arrests thy Youth. So thou whil'st I am slighted
Wilt be too soon with age or sorrow nighted.
To a Lady who sent me a copy of verses at my
going to bed.
Lady your art or wit could nere devise
To shame me more then in this nights surprise.
Why I am quite unready, and my eye
Now winking like my candle, doth deny
To guide my hand, if it had ought to write ; 5
Nor can I make my drowsie sense indite
Which by your verses musick (as a spell
Sent from the Sybellean Oracle)
Is charm'd and bound in wonder and delight,
Faster then all the leaden chains of night. 10
[26]
THE PINK
What pity is it then you should so ill
Employ the bounty of your flowing quill,
As to expend on him your bedward thought,
Who can acknowledge that large love in nought
But this lean wish; that fate soon send you those 15
Who may requite your rhimes with midnight prose ?
Mean time, may all delights and pleasing Theams
Like Masquers revell in your Maiden dreams,
Whil'st dull to write, and to do more unmeet,
I, as the night invites me, fall asleep. 20
The Pink.
Fair one, you did on me bestow
Comparisons too sweet to ow ;
And but I found them sent from you
I durst not think they could be true.
But 'tis your uncontrolled power 5
Goddess-like to produce a flower.
And by your breath, without more seed,
Make that a Pink which was a Weed.
Because I would be loth to miss
So sweet a Metamorphosis, 10
Upon what stalk soere I grow
Disdain not you sometimes to blow
And cherish by your Virgin eye
What in your frown would droop and die:
[27]
POEMS
So shall my thankful leaf repay 15
Perfumed wishes every day:
And o're your fortune breathe a spell
Which may his obligation tell,
Who though he nought but she can give
Must ever your (Sweet) creature live. 20
To his Friends of Christ-Church upon the mislike
of the Marriage of the Arts acted at Woodstock.
But is it true, the Court mislik't the Play,
That Christ-Church and the Arts have lost the day;
That Ignoramus should so far excell.
Their Hobby-horse from ours hath born the Bell ?
Troth you are justly serv'd, that would present 5
Ought unto them, but shallow merriment ;
Or to your Marriage-table did admit
Guests that are stronger far in smell then wit.
Had some quaint Bawdry larded ev'ry Scene,
Some fawning Sycophant, or courted queane; 10
Had there appear'd some sharp cross-garter'd man
Whom their loud laugh might nick-name Puritan,
Cas'd up in factious breeches and small rufife,
That hates the surplis, and defies the cuffe :
Then sure they would have given applause to crown 15
That which their ignorance did now cry down.
[28]
THE SURRENDER
Let me advise, when next you do bestow
Your pains on men that do but little know,
You do no Chorus nor a Comment lack,
Which may expound and construe ev'ry Act : 20
That it be short and slight; for if 't be good
Tis long, and neither lik't nor understood.
Know tis Court fashion still to discommend
All that which they want brain to comprehend.
The Surrender.
My once dear Love ; hapless that I no more
Must call thee so : the rich affections store
That fed our hopes, lies now exhaust and spent,
Like summes of treasure unto Bankrupts lent.
We that did nothing study but the way 5
To love each other, with which thoughts the day
Rose with delight to us, and with them set,
Must learn the hateful Art how to forget.
We that did nothing wish that Heav'n could give
Beyond our selves, nor did desire to live 10
Beyond that wish, all these now cancell must
As if not writ in faith, but words and dust.
Yet witness those cleer vowes which Lovers make,
Witness the chast desires that never brake
[29]
POEMS
Into unruly heats; witness that brest 15
Which in thy bosom anchor'd his whole rest,
Tis no default in us, I dare acquite
Thy Maiden faith, thy purpose fair and white
As thy pure self. Cross Planets did envie
Us to each other, and Heaven did untie 20
Faster then vowes could binde. O that the Starres,
When Lovers meet, should stand oppos'd in warres !
Since then some higher Destinies command,
Let us not strive nor labour to withstand
What is past help. The longest date of grief 25
Can never yield a hope of our relief ;
And though we waste our selves in moist laments,
Tears may drown us but not our discontents.
Fold back our arms, take home our fruitless loves,
That must new fortunes trie, like Turtle Doves 30
Dislodged from their haunts. We must in tears
Unwind a love knit up in many years.
In this last kiss I here surrender thee
Back to thy self, so thou again art free.
Thou in another, sad as that, resend 35
The truest heart that Lover ere did lend.
Now turn from each. So fare our sever'd hearts
As the divorc't soul from her body parts.
[30]
THE LEGACY
The Legacy.
My dearest Love ! when thou and I must part,
And th' icy hand of death shall seize that heart
Which is all thine ; within some spacious will
He leave no blanks for Legacies to fill:
Tis my ambition to die one of those 5
Who but himself hath nothing to dispose.
And since that is already thine, what need
I to re-give it by some newer deed ?
Yet take it once again. Free circumstance
Does oft the value of mean things advance: 10
Who thus repeats what he bequeath'd before,
Proclaims his bounty richer then his store.
But let me not upon my love bestow
What is not worth the giving. I do ow
Somwhat to dust: my bodies pamper'd care 15
Hungry corruption and the worm will share.
That mouldring relick which in earth must lie
Would prove a gift of horrour to thine eie.
With this cast ragge of my mortalitie
Let all my faults and errours buried be. 20
And as my sear-cloth rots, so may kind fate
Those worst acts of my life incinerate.
He shall in story fill a glorious room
Whose ashes and whose sins sleep in one Tomb.
[31]
(
POEMS
If now to my cold hearse thou deign to bring 25
Some melting sighs as thy last offering,
My peaceful exequies are crown'd. Nor shall
I ask more honour at my Funerall.
Thou wilt more richly balm me with thy tears
Then all the Nard fragrant Arabia bears. 30
And as the Paphian Queen by her griefs show'r
Brought up her dead Loves Spirit in a flow'r:
So by those precious drops rain'd from thine eies
Out of my dust, O may some vertue rise !
And like thy better Genius thee attend, 35
Till thou in my dark Period shalt end.
Lastly, my constant truth let me commend
To him thou choosest next to be thy friend.
For (witness all things good) I would not have
Thy Youth and Beauty married to my grave, 40
'Twould shew thou didst repent the style of wife
Should'st thou relapse into a single life.
They with preposterous grief the world delude
Who mourn for their lost Mates in solitude;
Since Widdowhood more strongly doth enforce 45
The much lamented lot of their divorce.
Themselves then of their losses guilty are
Who may, yet will not suffer a repaire.
Those were Barbarian wives that did invent
Weeping to death at th' Husbands Monument, 50
[32]
THE SHORT WOOING
But in more civil Rites She doth approve
Her first, who ventures on a second Love ;
For else it may be thought, if She refrain,
She sped so ill Shee durst not trie again.
Up then my Love, and choose some w^orthier one 55
Who may supply my room when I am gone ;
So will the stock of our affection thrive
No less in death, then were I still alive.
And in my urne I shall rejoj^ce, that I
Am both Testatour thus and Legacie. 60
The Short Wooing.
Like an Oblation set before a Shrine,
Fair One ! I offer up this heart of mine.
Whether the Saint accept my Gift or no.
He neither fear nor doubt before I know.
For he whose faint distrust prevents reply, 5
Doth his own suits denial prophecy.
Your will the sentence is ; Who free as Fate
Can bid my love proceed, or else retreat.
And from short views that verdict is decreed
Which seldom doth one audience exceed. 10
Love asks no dull probation, but like light
Conveyes his nimble influence at first sight.
I need not therefore importune or press;
This were t'extort unwilling happiness :
[33]
POEMS
And much against affection might I sin: 15
To tire and weary what I seek to win.
Towns which by lingring siege enforced be
Oft make both sides repent the victorie.
Be Mistriss of your self : and let me thrive
Or suffer by your own prerogative. 20
Yet stay, since you are Judge, who in one breath
Bear uncontrolled power of Life and Death,
Remember (Sweet) pity doth best become
Those lips which must pronounce a Suitors doome.
If I find that, my spark of chast desire 25
Shall kindle into Hymens holy fire:
Else like sad flowers will these verses prove,
To stick the Coffin of rejected Love.
St. Valentines day.
Now that each feather'd Chorister doth sing
The glad approches of the welcome Spring:
Now Phoebus darts forth his more early beam,
And dips it later in the curled stream,
I should to custome prove a retrograde 5
Did I still dote upon my sullen shade.
Oft have the seasons finisht and begun ;
Dayes into Months, those into years have run,
Since my cross Starres and inauspicious fate
Doom'd me to linger here without my Mate: 10
[34]
^
i
TO HIS UNCONSTANT FRIEND
Whose loss ere since befrosting my desire,
Left me an Altar without Gift or Fire.
I therefore could have wisht for your own sake
That Fortune had design'd a nobler stake
For you to draw, then one whose fading day 15
Like to a dedicated Taper lay
Within a Tomb, and long burnt out in vain,
Since nothing there saw better by the flame.
Yet since you like your Chance, I must not try
To marre it through my incapacity. 20
I here make title to it, and proclaime
How much you honour me to wear my name ;
Who can no form of gratitude devise.
But offer up my self your sacrifice.
Hail then my worthy Lot ! and may each Morn 25
Successive springs of joy to j'ou be born :
May your content ne're wane, untill my heart
Grown Bankrupt, wants good w^ishes to impart.
Henceforth I need not make the dust my Shrine,
Nor search the Grave for my lost Valentine. 30
To his unconstant Friend.
But say thou very woman, why to me
This fit of weakness and inconstancie?
What forfeit have I made of word or vow,
That I am rack't on thy displeasure now?
If I have done a fault I do not shame 5
[35]
POEMS
To cite it from thy lips, give it a name:
I ask the banes, stand forth, and tell me why
We should not in our wonted loves comply?
Did thy cloy'd appetite urge thee to trie
If any other man could love as I ? 10
I see friends are like clothes, lad up whil'st new,
But after wearing cast, though nere so true.
Or did thy fierce ambition long to make
Some Lover turn a martyr for thy sake ?
Thinking thy beauty had deserv'd no name 15
Unless some one do perish in that flame :
Upon whose loving dust this sentence lies.
Here's one was murther'd by his Mistriss eyes.
Or was't because my love to thee was such,
I could not choose but blab it ? swear how much 20
I was thy slave, and doting let thee know,
I better could my self then thee forgo.
Hearken ye men that ere shall love like me,
He give you counsel gratis: if you be
Possest of what you like, let your fair friend 25
Lodge in your bosom, but no secrets send
To seek their lodging in a female brest ;
For so much is abated of your rest.
The Steed that comes to understand his strength
Growes wild, and casts his manager at length: 30
And that tame Lover who unlocks his heart
Unto his Mistriss, teaches her an art
To plague himself ; shews her the secret way
How She may tyrannize another day.
[36]
TO HIS UNCONSTANT FRIEND
And now my fair unkindness, thus to thee; 35
Mark how wise Passion and I agree:
Hear and be sorry for't. I will not die
To expiate thy crime of levitie :
I walk (not cross-arm'd neither) eat, and live,
Yea live to pity thy neglect, not grieve 40
That thou art from thy faith and promise gone,
Nor envy him who by my loss hath won.
Thou shalt perceive thy changing Moon-like fits
Have not infected me, or turn'd my wits
To Lunacie. I do not mean to weep 45
When I should eat, or sigh when I should sleep ;
I will not fall upon my pointed quill,
Bleed ink and Poems, or invention spill
To contrive Ballads, or weave Elegies
For Nurses wearing when the infant cries. 50
Nor like th'enamour'd Tristrams of the time,
Despair in prose, and hang my self in rhime.
Nor thither run upon my verses feet,
Where I shall none but fools or mad-men meet,
Who mid'st the silent shades, and Myrtle walks, 55
Pule and do penance for their Mistress faults.
I'm none of those poetick male-contents
Born to make paper dear with my laments:
Or wild Orlando that will rail and vex.
And for thy sake fall out with all the sex. 60
No, I will love again, and seek a prize
That shall redeem me from thy poor despise.
He court my fortune now in such a shape
That will no faint die, nor starv'd colour take.
[37]
5 'i 0 ^1 4
POEMS
Thus launch I off with triumph from thy shore, 65
To which my last farewell ; for never more
Will I touch there. I put to Sea again
Blown with the churlish wind of thy disdain.
Nor will I stop this course till I have found
A Coast that yields safe harbour, and firm ground. 70
Smile ye Love-Starres ; wing'd with desire I fly
To make my wishes full discovery:
Nor doubt I but for one that proves like you,
I shall find ten as fair, and yet more true.
Madam Gabrina, Or the Ill-favourd Choice.
Con ?nala Muger el remedio
Mucha Tierra par el medio.
I have oft wondred why thou didst elect
Thy Mistress of a stuff none could affect,
That wore his eyes in the right place. A thing
Made up, when Natures powers lay slumbering.
One, where all pregnant imperfections met 5
To make her sexes scandal: Teeth of jet,
Hair dy'd in Orpment, from whose fretful hew
Canidia her highest Witch-crafts drew.
A lip most thin and pale, but such a mouth
Which like the Poles is stretched North and South. 10
A face so colour'd, and of such a form.
As might defiance bid unto a storm :
[38]
MADAM GABRINA
And the complexion of her sallow hide
Like a wrack't body washt up by the Tyde :
Eyes small: a nose so to her vizard glew'd 15
As if 'twould take a Planets altitude.
Last for her breath, 'tis somewhat like the smell
That does in Ember weeks on Fishstreet dwell ;
Or as a man should fasting scent the Rose
Which in the savoury Bear-garden growes. 20
If a Fox cures the Paralyticall,
Had'st thou ten Palsies, she'd out-stink them all.
But I have found thy plot: sure thou did'st trie
To put thy self past hope of jealousie:
And whil'st unlearned fools the senses please, 25
Thou cur'st thy appetite by a disease ;
As many use to kill an itch withall,
Quicksilver or some biting Minerall.
Dote upon handsome things each common man
With little study and less labour can ; 30
But to make love to a Deformity,
Onely commends thy great ability,
Who from hard-favour'd objects draw'st content,
As Estriches from iron nutriment.
Well take her, and like mounted George, in bed 35
Boldly atchieve thy Dragons Maiden-head :
Where (though scarce sleep) thou mayst rest confident
None dares beguile thee of thy punishment:
The sin were not more foul he should commit.
Then is that She with whom he acted it. 40
[39]
POEMS
Yet take this comfort : when old age shall raze,
Or sickness ruine many a good face,
Thy choice cannot impair; no cunning curse
Can mend that night-peece, that is, make her worse.
The Defence.
Piensan los Enamorados
Que tienen los otros, los oios quebranta dos.
Why slightest thou what I approve ?
Thou art no Peer to try my love,
Nor canst discern where her form lyes,
Unless thou saw'st her with my eyes.
Say she were foul and blacker than 5
The Night, or Sun-burnt African,
If lik't by me, tis I alone
Can make a beauty where was none ;
For rated in my fancie, she
Is so as she appears to me. 10
But tis not feature, or a face.
That does my free election grace.
Nor is my liking onely led
By a well temperd white and red ;
Could I enamour'd grow on those, 15
The Lilly and the blushing Rose
United in one stalk might be
As dear unto my thoughts as she.
[40]
TO ONE DEMANDING WHY WINE SPARKLES
But I look farther, and do find
A richer beauty in her mind ; 20
Where something is so lasting fair,
As time or age cannot impair.
Had'st thou a perspective so cleere.
Thou could'st behold my object there;
When thou her vertues should'st espy, 25
Theyl'd force thee to confess that I
Had cause to like her, and learn thence
To love by judgment not by sence.
To One demanding why Wine sparkles.
So Diamonds sparkle, and thy Mistriss eyes;
When tis not Fire but light in either flyes.
Beauty not thaw'd by lustful flames will show
Like a fair mountain of unmelted snow:
Nor can the tasted vine more danger bring 5
Then water taken from the chrystall Spring,
Whose end is to refresh and cool that heat
Which unallayd becomes foul vices seat:
Unless thy bojding veins, mad with desire
Of drink, convert the liquor into fire. 10
For then thou quaff'st down feavers, thy full bowles
Carouse the burning draughts of Portia's coles.
If it do leap and sparkle in the cup.
Twill sink thy cares, and help invention up.
There never ytx. was Muse or Poet known 15
Not dipt or drenched in this Helicon.
[41]
POEMS
But Tom ! take heed thou use it with such care
As Witches deal with their Familiar.
For if thy vertues circle not confine
And guard thee from the Furies rais'd by wine, 20
'Tis ten to one this dancing spirit may
A Devil prove to bear thy wits away;
And make thy glowing nose a Map of Hell
Where Bacchus purple fumes like Meteors dwell.
Now think not these sage moralls thee invite 25
To prove Carthusian or strict Rechabite ;
Let fooles be mad, wise people may be free,
Though not to license turn their libertie.
He that drinks wine for health, not for excess,
Nor drownes his temper in a drunkenness, 30
Shall feel no more the grapes unruly fate.
Then if he took some chilling Opiate.
By occasion of the Young Prince his happy birth.
At this glad Triumph, when most Poets use
Their quill, I did not bridle up my Muse
For sloth or less devotion. I am one
That can well keep my Holy-dayes at home;
That can the blessings of my King and State 5
Better in pray'r then poems gratulate ;
And in their fortunes bear a loyal part,
Though I no bone-fires light but in my heart.
Truth is, when I receiv'd the first report
Of a new Starre risen and seen at Court;
[42]
10
BY OCCASION OF THE YOUNG PRINCE
Though I felt joy enough to give a tongue
Unto a mute, yet duty strook me dumb :
And thus surpriz'd by rumour, at first sight
I held it some allegiance not to write.
For howere Children, unto those that look 15
Their Pedigree in God's, not the Church book,
Fair pledges are of that eternitie
Wliich Christians possess not till they die;
Yet they appear view'd in that perspective
Through w^hich we look on men long since alive, 20
Like succours in a Camp, sent to make good
Their place that last upon the watches stood.
So that in age, or fate, each following birth
Doth set the Parent so much neerer earth :
And by this Grammar we our heirs may call 25
The smiling Preface to our funerall.
This sadded my soft sense, to think that he
Who now makes Lawes, should by a bold decree
Be summon'd hence to make another room,
And change his Royal Palace for a tomb. 30
For none ere truly lov'd the present light,
But griev'd to see it rivall'd by the night:
And if't be sin to wish that light extinct.
Sorrow may make it treason but to think't.
I know each male-content or giddy man, 35
In his religion with the Persian,
Adores the rising Sun ; and his false view
Best likes not what is best, but what is new.
[43]
POEMS
O that we could these gangrenes so prevent
(For our own blessing and their punishment) 40
That all such might, who for wild changes thirst,
Rack't on a hopeless expectation, burst.
To see us fetter time, and by his stay
To a consistence fix the flying day;
And in a Solstice by our prayers made, 45
Rescue our Sun from death or envies shade.
But here we dally with fate, and in this
Stern Destiny mocks and controules our wish;
Informing us, if fathers should remain
For ever here, children were born in vain ; 50
And we in vain were Christians, should we
In this world dream of perpetuitie.
Decay is natures Kalendar ; nor can
It hurt the King to think he is a man ;
Nor grieve, but comfort him, to hear us say 55
That his own children must his Scepter sway.
Why slack I then to contribute a vote
Large as the Kingdoms joy, free as my thought?
Long live the Prince, and in that title bear
The world long witness that the King is here : 60
May he grow up till all that good he reach
Which we can wish, or his Great Father teach:
Let him shine long a mark to Land and Mayn,
Like that bright Spark plac't neerest to Charles JVayn,
And like him lead successions golden Teame, 65
Which may possess the Brittish Diademe.
[44]
UPON THE KINGS RETURN FROM SCOTLAND
But in the mean space, let his Royal Sire,
Who warmes our hopes with true Promethean fire,
So long his course in time and glory run,
Till he estate his vertue on his son. 70
So in his Fathers dayes this happy One
Shall crowned be, yet not usurp the Throne ;
And Charles reign still, since thus himself will be
Heir to himself through all Posteritie.
Upon the Kings happy return from Scotland.
So breaks the day when the returning Sun
Hath newly through his Winter Tropick run,
As You (Great Sir!) in this regress come forth
From the remoter Climate of the North.
To tell You now what cares, what fears we past, 5
What Clouds of sorrow did the land ore-cast.
Were lost, but unto such as have been there
Where the absented Sun benights the year :
Or have those Countreys traveld which nere feel
The warmth and vertue of his flaming wheel. 10
How happy yet were we ! that when you went,
You left within your Kingdomes firmament
A Partner-Light, whose lustre may despise
The nightly glimm'ring Tapers of the skies.
Your peerless Queen; and at each hand a Starre 15
Whose hopeful beams from You enkindled are.
Though ( to say truth) the light which they could bring
Serv'd but to lengthen out our evening.
[45]
POEMS
Heavens greater lamps illumine it; each spark
Adds onely this, to make the sky less dark. 20
Nay She who is the glory of her sex
Did sadly droop for lack of Your reflex:
Oft did She her fair brow in loneness shrowd,
And dimly shone, like Venus in a cloud.
Now are those gloomy mists dry'd up by You, 25
As the Worlds eye scatters the Ev'ning dew :
And You bring home that blessing to the land
Which absence made us rightly understand.
Here may You henceforth stay ! there need no charms
To hold You, but the circle of her arms, 30
Whose fruitful love yields You a rich increase,
Scales of Your joy, and of the Kingdomes peace.
O may those precious pledges fixe You here.
And You grow old within that chrystall Sphere!
Pardon this bold detention. Else our love 35
Will meerly an officious trouble prove.
Each busie minute tells us as it flies,
That there are better objects for your eyes.
To them let us leave you, whil'st we go pray,
Raising this triumph to a Holy-day. 40
And may that soul the Churches blessing want;
May his content be short, his comforts scant.
Whose Bosom-Altar does no incense burn,
In thankful sacrifice for your return.
[46]
TO THE QUEEN AT OXFORD
To the Queen at Oxford.
Great Lady ! That thus quite against our use,
We speak your welcome by an English Muse,
And in a vulgar tongue our zeales contrive.
Is to confess your large prerogative,
Who have the pow'rful freedom to dispense 5
With our strict Rules, or Customes difference.
Tis fit when such a Star deigns to appeare
And shine within the Academick Spheare,
That ev'ry Colledge grac't by your resort,
Should onely speak the language of your Court; 10
As if Apollo's learned Quire, but You
No other Queen of the Ascendent knew.
Let those that list invoke the Delphian name.
To light their verse, and quench their doting flame ;
In Helicon it were High Treason now, 15
Did any to a feign'd Minerva bow ;
When You are present, whose chast vertues stain
The vaunted glories of her Maiden brain.
I would not flatter. May that dyet feed
Deform'd and vicious soules: they onely need 20
Such physick, who grown sick of their decayes.
Are onely cur'd with surfets of false praise ;
Like those, who fall'n from Youth or Beauties grace,
Lay colours on which more bely the face.
[47]
POEMS
Be You still what You are ; a glorious Theme 25
For Truth to crown. So when that Diademe
Which circles Your fair brow drops off, and time
Shall lift You to that pitch our prayers climbe;
Posterity will plat a nobler wreath,
To crown Your fame and memory in death. 30
This is sad truth and plain, which I might fear
Would scarce prove welcome to a Princes ear ;
And hardly may you think that Writer wise
Who preaches there where he should poetize;
Yet where so rich a bank of goodness is, 35
Triumphs and Feasts admit such thoughts as this ;
Nor will your vertue from her Client turn,
Although he bring his tribute in an urn.
Enough of this: who knowes not when to end
Needs must by tedious diligence offend. 40
'Tis not a Poets office to advance
The precious value of allegiance.
And least of all the rest do I affect
To word my duty in this dialect.
My service lies a better way, whose tone 45
Is spirited by full devotion.
Thus whil'st I mention You, Your Royal Mate,
And Those which your blest line perpetuate,
I shall such votes of happiness reherse,
Whose softest accents will out-tongue my verse. 50
[48]
A SALUTATION OF HIS MAJESTIES SHIP
A salutation of his Majesties Ship the Soveraign.
Move on thou floating Trophee built to fame !
And bid her trump spread thy Majestick name;
That the blew Tritons, and those petty Gods
Which sport themselves upon the dancing floods,
May bow as to their Neptune, when they feel 5
The awful pressure of thy potent keel.
Great wonder of the time ! whose form unites,
In one aspect two warring opposites,
Delight and horrour; and in them portends
Diff'ring events both to thy foes and friends: 10
To these thy radiant brow, Peaces bright Shrine,
Doth like that golden Constellation shine,
Which guides the Sea man with auspicious beams,
Safe and unshipwrackt through the troubled streams,
But, as a blazing Meteor, to those 15
It doth ostents of blood and death disclose.
For thy rich Decks lighten like Heavens fires.
To usher forth the thunder of thy Tires.
O never may cross wind, or swelling wave
Conspire to make the treach'rous sands thy grave : 20
Nor envious rocks in their white foamy laugh
Rejoyce to wear thy losses Epitaph.
But may the smoothest, most successful gales
Distend thy sheet, and wing thy flying sailes:
That all designes which must on thee embark, 25
May be securely plac't as in the Ark.
[49]
POEMS
May'st thou, where ere thy streamers shall display,
Enforce the bold disputers to obey:
That they whose pens are sharper then their swords,
May yield in fact what they deny'd in v/ords. 30
Thus when th'amazed world our Seas shall see
Shut from Usurpers, to their own Lord free,
Thou may'st returning from the conquer'd Main,
With thine own Triumphs be crown'd Soveraign.
AN EPITAPH
On his Tnost honoured Friend Richard Earl of
Dorset.
Let no profane ignoble foot tread neer
This hallow'd peece of earth, Dorset lies here.
A small sad relique of a noble spirit,
Free as the air, and ample as his merit ;
Whose least perfection was large, and great 5
Enough to make a common man compleat.
A soul refin'd and cull'd from many men,
That reconcil'd the sword unto the pen,
Using both well. No proud forgetting Lord,
But mindful of mean names and of his word. 10
One that did love for honour, not for ends,
And had the noblest way of making friends
By loving first. One that did know the Court,
Yet understood it better by report
Then practice, for he nothing took from thence 15
But the kings favour for his recompence.
[50]
THE EXEQUY
One for religion, or his countreys good
That valu'd not his Fortune nor his blood.
One high in fair opinion, rich in praise;
And full of all we could have wisht, but dayes. 20
He that is warn'd of this, and shall forbear
To vent a sigh for him, or lend a tear ;
May he live long and scorn'd, unpiti'd fall,
And want a mourner at his funerall.
The Exeguy.
Accept thou Shrine of my dead Saint,
Insteed of Dirges this complaint;
And for sweet flowres to crown thy hearse,
Receive a strew of weeping verse
From thy griev'd friend, whom thou might'st see 5
Quite melted into tears for thee.
Dear loss ! since thy untimely fate
My task hath been to meditate
On thee, on thee: thou art the book.
The library whereon I look 10
Though almost blind. For thee (lov'd clay)
I languish out not live the day,
Using no other exerdse
But what I practise with mine eyes:
By which wet glasses! find out 15
How lazily time creeps about
To one that mourns : this, onely this
[51]
POEMS
My exercise and bus'ness is:
So I compute the weary houres
With sighs dissolved into showres. 20
Nor wonder if my time go thus
Backward and most preposterous ;
Thou hast benighted me, thy set
This Eve of blackness did beget,
Who was't my day, (though»overcast 25
Before thou had'st thy Noon-ride past)
And I remember must in tears.
Thou scarce had'st seen so many years
As Day tells houres. By thy'cleer Sun
My love and fortune first did run ; 30
But thou wilt never more appear
Folded within my Hemisphear,
Since both thy light and motion
Like a fled Star is fall'n and gon,
And twixt me and my soules dear wish 35
The earth now interposed' is.
Which such a strange eclipse doth make
As ne're was read in Almanake.
I could allow thee for a tin:\e
To darken me and my sad Clime, 40
Were it a month, a year, or ten,
I would thy exile live till then ;
And all that space my mirth adjourn,
So thou wouldst promise to return ;
And putting oiiE thy ashy shrowd 45
At length disperse this sorrows cloud.
[52]
THE EXEQUY
But woe is me ! the longest date
Too narrow is to calculate
These empty hopes : never shall I
Be so much blest as to descry 50
A glimpse of thee, till that day come
Which shall the earth to cinders doome,
And a fierce Feaver must calcine
The body of this world like thine,
(My Little World!) that fit of fire 55
Once off, our bodies shall aspire
To our soules bliss: then we shall rise,
And view our selves with cleerer eyes
In that calm Region, where no night
Can hide us from each others sight. 60
Mean time, thou hast-her. earth : much good
May my harm do thee. Since it stood
With Heavens will I might not call
Her longer mine, I give thee all
My short-liv'd right and interest 65
In her, whom living I lov'd best:
With a most free and bounteous grief,
I give thee what I could not keep.
Be kind to her, and prethee look
Thou write into thy Dooms-day book 70
Each parcell of this Rarity
Which in thy Casket shrin'd doth ly:
See that thou make thy reckoning streight,
And yield her back again by weight;
For thou must audit on thy trust 75
Each graine and atome of this dust,
[53]
POEMS
As thou wilt answer Him that lent,
Not gave thee my dear Monument.
So close the ground, and 'bout her shade
Black curtains draw, my Bride is laid. 80
Sleep on my Love in thy cold bed
Never to be disquieted !
My last good night ! Thou wilt not wake
Till I thy fate shall overtake:
Till age, or grief, or sickness must 85
Marry my body to that dust
It so much loves ; and fill the room
My heart keeps empty in thy Tomb.
Stay for me there ; I will n6t faile
To meet thee in that hallow Vale. 90
And think not much of my delay;
I am already on the way.
And follow thee with all the speed
Desire can make, or sorrows breed.
Each minute is a short degree, 95
And ev'ry houre a step towards thee.
At night when I betake to rest,
Next morn I rise neerer my West
Of life, almost by eight houres saile,
Then when sleep breath'd his drowsie gale. 100
Thus from the Sun my Bottom* stears,
And my dayes Compass downward bears:
Nor labour I to stemme the tide
Through which to Thee I swiftly glide.
[54]
THE ANNIVERSE—AN ELEGY
'Tis true, with shame and grief I yield, 105
Thou like the Vann first took'st the field,
And gotten hast the victory
In thus adventuring to dy
Before me, whose more years might crave
A just precedence in the grave. 110
But heark ! My pulse like a soft Drum
Beats my approch, tells Thee I come;
And slow howere my marches be,
I shall at last sit down by Thee.
The thought of this bids me go on, 115
And wait my dissolution
With hope and comfort. Dear (forgive
The crime) I am content to live
Divided, with but half a heart.
Till we shall meet and never part. 120
The Anniverse.
AN ELEGY.
So soon grown old ! hast thou been six years dead ?
Poor earth, once by my Love inhabited!
And must I live to calculate the time
To which thy blooming youth could never climbe,
But fell in the ascent ! yet have not I
Studi'd enough thy losses history.
[55]
POEMS
How happy were mankind if Death's strict lawes
Consum'd our lamentations like the cause!
Or that our grief turning to dust might end
With the dissolved body of a friend! 10
But sacred Heaven ! O how just thou art
In stamping deaths impression on that heart
Which through thy favours would grow insolent,
Were it not physick't by sharp discontent.
If then it stand resolv'd in thy decree 15
That still I must doom'd to a Desart be
Sprung out of my lone thoughts, which know no path
But what my own misfortune beaten hath :
If thou wilt bind me living to a coarse,
And I must slowly waste ; I then of force 20
Stoop to thy great appointment, and obey
That will which nought avail me to gainsay.
For whil'st in sorrowes Maze I wander on,
I do but follow lifes vocation.
Sure we were made to grieve : at our first birth 25
With cries we took possession of the earth ;
And though the lucky man reputed be
Fortunes adopted son, yet onely he
Is Natures true born child, who summes his years
(Like me) with no Arithmetick but tears. 30
[56]
ON TWO CHILDREN DYING OF ONE DISEASE
On two Children dying of one Disease, and buried
in one Grave.
Brought forth in sorrow, and bred up in care,"^
Two tender Children here entombed are :
One Place, one Sire, one Womb their being gave,
They had one mortal sickness, and one grave.
And though they cannot number many years 5
In their Account, yet with their Parents tears
This comfort mingles; Though their dayes were few
They scarcely sinne, but never sorrow knew:
So that they well might boast, they carry'd hence
What riper ages lose, their innocence. 10
You pretty losses, that revive the fate
Which in your mother death did antedate,
O let my high-swol'n grief distill on you
The saddest drops of a Parentall dew :
You ask no other dower then what my eyes 15
Lay out on your untimely exequies :
When once I have discharg'd that mournfuU skore,
Heav'n hath decreed you ne're shall cost me more,
Since you release and quit my borrow'd trust.
By taking this inheritance of dust. 20
A Letter.
I ne'r was drest in Forms; nor can I bend
My pen to flatter any, nor commend.
Unless desert or honour do present
Unto my verse a worthy argument.
[57]
POEMS
You are my friend, and in that word to me 5
Stand blazon'd in your noblest Heraldry;
That style presents you full, and does relate
The bounty of your love, and my own fate,
Both which conspir'd to make me yours. A choice
Which needs must in the giddy peoples voice, 10
That onely judge the outside, and like apes
Play with our names, and comment on our shapes,
Appear too light : but it lies you upon
To justifie the disproportion.
Truth be my record, I durst not presume 15
To seek to you, 'twas you that did assume
Me to your bosom. Wherein you subdu'd
One that can serve you, though ne're could intrude
Upon great titles ; nor knows how t'invade
Acquaintance : Like such as are onely paid 20
With great mens smiles; if that the passant Lord
Let fall a forc't salute, or but afford
The Nod Regardant. It was test enough
For me, you ne're did find such servile stuff
Couch't in my temper ; I can freely say, 25
I do not love you in that common way
For which Great Ones are lov'd in this false time :
I have no wish to gain, nor will to climbe ;
I cannot pawn my freedom, nor out-live
My liberty for all that you can give. 30
And sure you may retain good cheap such friends,
Who not your fortune make, but you, their ends.
[58]
A LETTER
I speak not this to vaunt in my own story,
All these additions are unto your glory;
Who counter to the world, use to elect, 35
Not to take up on trust what you affect.
Indeed 'tis seldom seen that such as you
Adopt a friend, or for acquaintance sue;
Yet you did this vouchsafe, you did descend
Below your self to raise an humble friend, 40
And fix him in your love : where I will stand
The constant subject of your free command.
Had I no ayerie thoughts sure you would teach
Me higher then my own dull sphere to reach:
And by reflex instruct me to appear 45
Something (though course and plain) fit for your wear.
Know, best of friends, however wild report
May justly say I am unapt to sort
With your opinion or society,
(Which truth would shame me did I it deny) 50
There's something in me saves, I dare make good,
When honour calls me, all I want in blood.
Put off your Giant titles, then I can
Stand in your judgements blank an equal man.
Though Hills advanced are above the Plain, 55
They are but higher earth, nor must disdain
Alliance with the Vale : we see a spade
Can level them, and make a Mount a Glade.
Howere we differ in the Heralds book.
He that mankindes extraction shall look 60
[59]
POEMS
In Natures Rolles, must grant we all agree.
In our best parts, immortal pedigree:
You must by that perspective onely view
My service, else 'twill nere shew worthy you.
You see I court you bluntly like a friend 65
Not like a Mistress; my Muse is not penn'd
For smooth and oylie flights: And I indent
To use more honesty then complement.
But I have done ; in lieu of all you give
Receive his thankful tribute who must live 70
Your vow'd observer, and devotes a heart
Which will in death seal the bold counterpart.
An Acknowledgment.
My best of friends ! what needs a chain to tie
One by your m.erit bound a Votarie ?
Think you I have some plot upon my peace,
I would this bondage change for a release?
Since 'twas my fate your prisoner to be, 5
Heav'n knows I nothing fear but libertie.
Yet j'ou do well that study to prevent,
After so rich a stock of favour spent
On one so worthless, lest my memory
Should let so dear an obligation dy 10
Without Record. This made my precious Friend
Her Token, as an Antidote to send
[60]
AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Against forgetful poysons. That as they
Who Vespers late, and early Mattins say
Upon their Beads, so on this linked skore 15
In golden numbers I might reckon ore
Your vertues and my debt, which does surmount
The trivial laws of Popular account :
For that within this emblematick knot
Your beauteous mind, and my own fate is wrote. 20
The sparkling constellation which combines
The Lock, is your dear self, whose worth outshines
Most of your sex : so solid and so clear
You like a perfect Diamond appear ;
Casting from your example fuller light 25
Then those dimme sparks which glaze the brow of night,
And gladding all your friends, as doth the ray
Of that East-starre which wakes the cheerful day.
But the black Map of death and discontent
Behind that Adamantine firmament, 30
That luckless figure which like Calvary
Stands strew'd and coppy'd out in skuls, is I :
Whose life your absence clouds, and makes my time
Move blindfold in the dark ecliptick line.
Then wonder not if my removed Sun 35
So low within the Western Tropick run ;
My eyes no day in this Horizon see,
Since where You are not all is night to me.
[61]
POEMS
Lastly, the anchor which enfastned lies
Upon a pair of deaths, sadly applies 40
That Monument of Rest which harbour must
Our Ship-wrackt fortunes in a road of dust.
So then how late soere my joyless life
Be tired out in this affections strife :
Though my tempestuous fancie like the skie 45
Travail with stormes, and through my watry eie
Sorrows high-going waves spring many a leak ;
Though sighs blow loud til my hearts cordage break;
Though Faith, and all my wishes prove untrue,
Yet Death shall fix and anchor Me with You. 50
'Tis some poor comfort that this mortal scope
Will Period, though never Crown my Hope.
The Acquittance.
Not knowing who should my Acquittance take,
I know as little what discharge to make.
The favour is so great, that it out-goes
All forms of thankfulness I can propose.
Those grateful levies which my pen would raise, 5
Are stricken dumb, or bury'd in amaze.
Therefore, as once in Athens there was shown
An Altar built unto the God unknown.
My ignorant devotions must by guess
This blind return of gratitude address, 10
Till You vouchsafe to shew me where and how
I may to this revealed Goddess bow.
1162]
THE FORFEITURE
The Forfeiture.
My Dearest, To let you or the world know
What Debt of service I do truly ow
To your unpattern'd self, were to require
A language onely form'd in the desire
Of him that writes. It is the common fate, 5
Of greatest duties to evaporate
In silent meaning, as we often see
Fires by their too much fuel smother'd be:
Small Obligations may find vent and speak.
When greater the unable debtor break. 10
And such are mine to you, whose favours store,
Hath made me poorer then I was before ;
For I want words and language to declare
How strict my Bond or large your bounties are.
Since nothing in my desp'rate fortune found, 15
Can payment make, nor yet the summe compound :
You must lose all, or else of force accept
The body of a Bankrupt for your debt.
Then Love, your Bond to Execution sue,
And take my self, as forfeited to you. 20
[63]
POEMS
The Departure.
AN ELEGY.
Were I to leave no more then a good friend,
Or but to hear the summons to my end,
(Which I have long'd for) I could then with ease
Attire my grief in words, and so appease
That passion in my bosom, which outgrowes 5
The language of strict verse or largest prose.
But here I am quite lost ; writing to you
All that I pen or think, is forc't and new.
My faculties run cross, and prove as weak
T'indite this melancholly task, as speak: 10
Indeed all words are vain, well might I spare
This rendring of my tortur'd thoughts in ayre,
Or sighing paper. My infectious grief
Strikes inward, and affords me no relief.
But still a deeper wound, to lose a sight 15
More lov'd then health, and dearer then the light.
But all of us were not at the same time
Brought forth, nor are we billited in one clime.
Nature hath pitch't mankind at several rates,
Making our places diverse as our fates. 20
Unto that universal law I bow.
Though with unwilling knee ; and do allow
Her cruell justice, which dispos'd us so
That we must counter to our wishes go.
'Twas part of mans first curse, which order'd well 25
We should not alway with our likings dwell.
[64]
THE DEPARTURE— AN ELEGY
'Tis onely the Triumphant Church where we
Shall in unsever'd Neighbourhood agree.
Go then best soul, and where You must appear
; Restore the Day to that dull Hemisphear. 30
Nere may the hapless Night You leave behind
Darken the comforts of Your purer mind.
May all the blessings Wishes can invent
Enrich jour dayes, and crown them with content.
/ And though You travel down into the West, 35
! May Your lifes Sun stand fixed in the East,
Far from the weeping set ; nor may my ear
Take in that killing whisper, You once were.
Thus kiss I your fair hands, taking my leave
As Prisoners at the Bar their doom receive. 40
All joyes go with You : let sweet peace attend
You on the way, and wait Your journejs end.
But let Your discontents, and sowrer fate
Remain with me, born off in my Retrait.
Might all your crosses in that sheet of lead 45
Which folds my heavy heart lie buried :
'Tis the last service I would do You, and the best
My wishes ever meant, or tongue profest.
Once more I take my leave. And once for all,
Our parting shews so like a funerall, 50
It strikes my soul, which hath most right to be
Chief IVIourner at this sad solemnitie.
And think not. Dearest, 'cause this parting knell
Is rung in verses, that at Your farewell
[65]
POEMS
I onely mourn in Poetry and Ink : 55
No, my Pens melancholy Plommets sink
So low, they dive where th'hid affections sit.
Blotting that Paper where my mirth was writ.
Believ't that sorrow truest is which lies
Deep in the breast, not floating in the eies: 60
And he with saddest circumstance doth part,
Who seals his farewell with a bleeding heart.
PARADOX.
That it is best for a Young Maid to marry
an Old Man.
Fair one, why cannot you an old man love ?
He may as useful, and more constant prove.
Experience shews you that maturer years
Are a security against those fears
Youth will expose you to ; whose wild desire 5
As it is hot, so 'tis as rash as fire.
Mark how the blaze extinct in ashes lies,
Leaving no brand nor embers when it dies
Which might the flame renew : thus soon consumes
Youths wandring heat, and vanishes in fumes. 10
When ages riper love unapt to stray
Through loose and giddy change of objects, may
In your warm bosom like a cynder lie,
Quickned and kindled by your sparkling eie.
[66]
PARADOX
'Tis not deni'd, there are extremes in both 15
Which may the f ancie move to like or loath :
Yet of the two you better shall endure
To marry with the Cramp then Calenture.
Who would in wisdom choose the Torrid Zone
Therein to settle a Plantation ? 20
Merchants can tell you, those hot Climes were made
But at the longest for a three years trade:
And though the Indies cast the sweeter smell,
Yet health and plenty do more Northward dwell ;
For where the raging Sun-beams burn the earth, 25
Her scorched mantle withers into dearth ;
Yet when that drought becomes the Harvests curse,
Snow doth the tender Corn most kindly nurse:
Why now then wooe you not some snowy head
To take you in meer pitty to his bed ? 30
I doubt the harder task were to perswade
Him to love you: for if what I have said
In Virgins as in Vegetals holds true,
Hee'l prove the better Nurse to cherish you.
Some men we know renown'd for wisdom grown 35
By old records and antique Medalls shown ;
Why ought not women then be held most wise
Who can produce living antiquities?
Besides if care of that main happiness
Your sex triumphs in, doth your thoughts possess, 40
I mean your beauty from decay to ke?p ;
No wash nor mask is like an old mans sleep.
Young wives need never to be Sun-burnt fear,
Who their old husbands for Umbrellaes wear :
[67]
POEMS
How russet looks an Orchard on the hill 45
To one that's water'd by some neighb'ring Drill?
Are not the floated Meadowes ever seen
To flourish soonest, and hold longest green ?
You may be sure no moist'ning lacks that Bride,
Who lies with Winter thawing by her side. 50
She should be fruitful too as fields that joyne
Unto the melting waste of Appenine.
Whil'st the cold morning-drops bedew the Rose,
It doth nor leaf, nor smell, nor colour lose;
Then doubt not Sweet ! Age hath supplies of wet 55
To keep You like that flowr in water set.
Dripping Catarrhs and Fontinells are things
Will make You think You grew betwixt two Springs.
And should You not think so. You scarce allow
The force or Merit of Your Marriage- Vow ; 60
Where Maids a new Creed learn, & must from thence
Believe against their own or others sence.
Else Love will nothing differ from neglect.
Which turns not to a vertue each defect.
He say no more but this ; you women make 65
Your Childrens reck'ning by the Almanake.
I like it well, so you contented are.
To choose their Fathers by that Kalendar.
Turn then old Erra Pater, and there see
According to lifes posture and degree, 70
What age or what complexion is most fit
To make an English Maid happy by it;
And You shall find, if You will choose a man.
Set justly for Your own Meridian,
[68]
PARADOX
Though You perhaps let One and Twenty woo, 75
Your elevation is for Fifty Two.
PARADOX.
That Fruition destroyes Love.
Love is our Reasons Paradox, which still
Against the judgment doth maintain the Will:
And governs by such arbitrary laws,
It onely makes the Act our Likings cause:
We have no brave revenge, but to forgo 5
Our full desires, and starve the Tyrant so.
They whom the rising blood tempts not to taste,
Preserve a stock of Love can never waste ;
When easie people who their wish enjoy,
Like Prodigalls at once their wealth destroy. 10
Adam till now had stayd in Paradise
Had his desires been bounded by his eyes.
When he did more then look, that made th' offence,
And forfeited his state of innocence.
Fruition therefore is the bane t'undoe 15
Both our affection and the subject too.
'Tis Love into worse language to translate,
And make it into Lust degenerate:
'Tis to De-throne, and thrust it from the heart,
To seat it grossely in the sensual part. 20
Seek for the Starre that's shot upon the ground,
And nought but a dimme gelly there is found.
[69]
POEMS
Thus foul and dark our female starres appear,
If fall'n or loosned once from Vertues Sphear.
Glow-worms shine onely look't on, and let ly, 25
But handled crawl into deformity :
So beauty is no longer fair and bright.
Then whil'st unstained by the appetite:
And then it withers like a blasted flowre
Some poys'nous worm or spider hath crept ore. 30
Pigrnaleons dotage on the carved stone,
Shews Amorists their strong illusion.
Whil'st he to gaze and court it was content,
He serv'd as Priest at beauties Monument:
But when by looser fires t'embraces led, 35
It prov'd a cold hard Statue in his bed.
Irregular affects, like mad mens dreams
Presented by false lights and broken beams.
So long content us, as no neer address
Shews the weak sense our painted happiness. 40
But when those pleasing shaddowes us forsake,
Or of the substance we a trial make.
Like him, deluded by the fancies mock,
We ship-wrack 'gainst an Alabaster rock.
What though thy Mistress far from Marble be? 45
Her softness will transform and harden thee.
Lust is a Snake, and Guilt the Gorgons head,
Which Conscience turns to Stone, & Joyes to Lead.
Turtles themselves will blush, if put to name
The Act, whereby they quench their am'rous flame. 50
[70]
PARADOX
Who then that's wise or vertuous, would not feare
To catch at pleasures which forbidden were,
When those which we count lawful, cannot be
Requir'd without some loss of modestie ?
Ev'n in the Marriage-Bed, where soft delights 55
Are customary and authoriz'd Rites;
What are those tributes to the wanton sense,
But toleration of Incontinence?
For properly you cannot call that Love
Which does not from the Soul, but Humour move. 60
Thus they who worship't Pan or his Shrine,
By the fair Front judg'd all within Divine:
Though entring, found 'twas but a Goat or Cow
To which before their ignorance did bow.
Such Temples and such Goddesses are these 65
Which foolish Lovers and admirers please:
Who if they chance within the Shrine to prie,
Find that a beast they thought a Deity.
Nor makes it onely our opinion less
Of what we lik't before, and now possess; 70
But robbs the Fuel, and corrupts the Spice
Which sweetens and inflames Loves sacrifice.
After Fruition once, what is Desire
But ashes kept warm by a dying fire?
This is (if any) the Philosophers Stone, 75
Which still miscarries at Projection.
For when the Heat ad Octo intermits.
It poorly takes us like Third Ague fits;
Or must on Embers as dull Druggs infuse,
Which we for Med'cine not for Pleasure use. 80
[71]
POEMS
Since Lovers joyes then leave so sick a taste,
And soon as relish'd by the Sense are past ;
They are but Riddles sure, lost if possest.
And therefore onely in Reversion best.
For bate them Expectation and Delay, 85
You take the most delightful Scenes away.
These tvi^o such rule within the fancie keep,
As banquets apprehended in our sleep;
After which pleasing trance next morn we wake
Empty and angry at the nights mistake. 90
Give me long Dreams and Visions of content,
Rather then pleasures in a minute spent.
And since I know before, the shedding Rose
In that same instant doth her sweetness lose.
Upon the Virgin-stock still let her dwell 95
For me, to feast my longings with her smell.
Those are but counterfeits of joy at best.
Which languish soon as brought unto the test.
Nor can I hold it worth his pains who tries
To Inne that Harvest which by reaping dies. 100
Resolve me now what spirit hath delight.
If by full feed you kill the appetite?
That stomack healthy'st is, that nere was cloy'd,
Why not that Love the best then, nere enjoy'd ?
Since nat'rally the blood, when tam'd or sated, 105
Will cool so fast it leaves the object hated.
Pleasures like wonders quickly lose their price
When Reason or Experience makes us wise.
[72]
THE CHANGE
To close my argument then. I dare say
(And without Paradox) as well we may 110
Enjoy our Love and yet preserve Desire,
As warm our hands by putting out the fire.
The Change
U sabio mude conseio: // loco per sever a.
We lov'd as friends now twenty years and more :
Is't time or reason think you to give o're?
When though two prentiships set Jacob free,
I have not held my Rachel dear at three.
Yet will I not your levitie accuse; 5
Continuance sometimes is the worse abuse.
In judgment I might rather hold it strange,
If like the fleeting world, you did not change:
Be it your wisdom therefore to retract.
When perseverance oft is follies act. 10
In pity I can think, that what you do
Hath Justice in't, and some Religion too ;
For of all vertues Morall or Divine,
We know but Love none must in Heaven shine :
Well did you the presumption then foresee 15
Of counterfeiting immortalitie:
Since had you kept our loves too long alive,
We might invade Heavens prerogative;
Or in our progress, like the Jews, comprise
The Legend of an earthly Paradise. 20
[73]
POEMS
Live happy and more prosperous in the next,
You have discharg'd your old friend by the Text.
Farewel fair Shadow of a female faith,
And let this be our friendships Epitaph:
Affection shares the frailty of our fate, 25
When (like our selves) 'tis old and out of date:
'Tis just all humane Loves their period have.
When friends are frail and dropping to the grave.
To my Sister Anne King, who chid me in verse
for being angry.
Dear Nan, I would not have thy counsel lost,
Though I last night had twice so much been crost;
Well is a Passion to the Market brought.
When such a treasure of advice is bought
With so much dross. And could'st thou me assure, 5
Each vice of mine should meet with such a cure,
I would sin oft, and on my guilty brow
Wear every misperfection that I ow.
Open and visible ; I should not hide
But bring my faults abroad : to hear thee chide 10
Li such a Note, and with a Quill so sage.
It Passion tunes, and calmes a Tempests rage.
Well I am charm'd, and promise to redress
What, without shrift, my follies doe confess
Against my self: wherefore let me intreat, 15
When I fly out in that distemper'd heat
[74]
AN ELEGY
Which frets me into fasts, thou wilt reprove
That froward spleen in Poetry and Love:
So though I lose my reason in such fits,
Thoul't rime me back again into my wits. 20
AN ELEGY
Upon the immature loss of the most vertuous
Lady Anne Rich.
I envy not thy mortal triumphs. Death,
(Thou enemy to Vertue as to Breath)
Nor do I wonder much, nor yet complain
The weekly numbers by thy arrow slain.
The whole world is thy Factory, and we 5
Like traffick driven and retail'd by Thee :
And where the springs of life fill up so fast,
Some of the waters needs must run to waste.
It is con f est, yet must our griefs dispute
That which thine own conclusion doth refute 10
Ere we begin. Hearken ! for if thy ear
Be to thy throat proportion'd, thou canst hear.
Is there no order in the work of Fate ?
Nor rule, but blindly to anticipate
Our growing seasons? or think'st thou 'tis just, 15
To sprinkle our fresh blossomes with thy dust,
Till by abortive funerals, thou bring
That to an Autumn Nature meant a Spring?
[75]
POEMS
Is't not enough for thee that wither'd age
Lies the unpiti'd subject of thy rage; 20
But like an ugly Amorist, thy crest
Must be with spoyles of Youth and Beauty drest?
In other camps, those which sate down to day
March first to morrow, and they longest stay
Who last came to the service : But in thine, 25
Onely confusion stands for discipline.
We fall in such promiscuous heaps, none can
Put any diff'rence 'twixt thy Rear or Van ;
Since oft the youngest lead thy Files. For this
The grieved world here thy accuser is, 30
And I a Plaintiff, 'mongst those many ones
Who wet this Ladies Urn with zealous moanes;
As if her ashes quick'ning into years
Might be again embody'd by our tears
But all in vain ; the moisture we bestow 35
Shall make assoon her curled Marble grow,
As render heat, or motion to that blood,
Which through her veins branch't like an azure flood ;
Whose now still Current in the grave is lost,
Lock't up, and fetter'd by eternal frost. 40
Desist from hence, doting Astrology !
To search for hidden wonders in the sky;
Or from the concourse of malignant starres
Foretel diseases gen'ral as our warres:
What barren droughts, forerunners of lean dearth 45
Threaten to starve the plenty of the earth :
[76]
AN ELEGY
What horrid forms of darkness must affright
The sickly world, hast'ning to that long night
Where it must end. If there no Portents are,
No black eclipses for the Kalendar, 50
Our times sad Annals will remembred be
Ith'loss of bright Northumberland and Thee:
Two Starres of Court, who in one fatal year
By most untimely set dropt from their Sphear,
Shee in the winter took her flight, and soon 55
As her perfections reach't the point of Noon,
Wrapt in a cloud, contracted her wisht stay
Unto the measure of a short-liv'd day.
But Thou in Summer, like an early Rose
By Deaths cold hand nipp'd as Thou didst disclose, 60
Took'st a long day to run that narrow stage,
Which in two gasping minutes summ'd thy age,
And, as the fading Rose, when the leaves shed
Lies in its native sweetness buried,
Thou in thy vertues bedded and inherst 65
Sleep'st with those odours thy pure fame disperst.
Where till that Rising Morn thou must remain,
In which thy wither'd flowres shall spring again.
And greater beauties thy wak't body vest
Then were at thy departure here possest. 70
So with full eyes we close thy vault. Content
(With what thy loss bequeaths us) to lament.
And make that use of thy griev'd funerall.
As of a Chrystall broken in the fall ;
[77]
POEMS
Whose pitti'd fractures gather'd up, and set, 75
May smaller Mirrours for Thy Sex beget;
There let them view themselves, untill they see
The end of all their glories shew'n in Thee.
Whil'st in the truth of this sad tribute, I
Thus strive to Canonize thy Memory. 80
AN ELEGY
Upon Mrs. Kirk unfortunately drowned in
Thames.
For all the Ship-wracks, and the liquid graves
Lost men have gain'd within the furrow'd waves,
The Sea hath fin'd and for our wrongs paid use,
When its wrought foam a Venus did produce.
But what repair wilt thou unhappy Thames 5
Afford our losse? thy dull unactive streames
Can no new beauty raise, nor yet restore
Her who by thee was ravisht from our shore-:
Whose death hath stain'd the glory of thy flood,
And mixt the guilty Channel with her blood. 10
O Neptune! was thy favour onely writ
In that loose Element where thou dost sit ?
That after all this time thou should'st repent
Thy fairest blessing to the Continent?
Say, what could urge this Fate? is Thetis dead, 15
Or Amphitrite from thy wet armes fled?
[78]
AN ELEGY
Was't thou so poor in Nymphs, that thy moist love
Must be maintain'd with pensions from above?
If none of these, but that whil'st thou did'st sleep
Upon thy sandy pillow in the deep, 20
This mischief stole upon us: may our grief
Waken thy just revenge on that slie thief,
Who in thy fluid Empire without leave.
And unsuspected, durst her life bereave.
Henceforth invert thy order, and provide 25
In gentlest floods a Pilot for our guide.
Let rugged Seas be lov'd, but the Brooks smile
Shunn'd like the courtship of a Crocodile;
And where the Current doth most smoothly pass,
Think for her sake that stream deaths Looking-glass, 30
To shew us our destruction is most neer.
When pleasure hath begot least sense of fear.
Else break thy forked Scepter 'gainst some Rock,
If thou endure a flatt'ring calm to mock
Thy far-fam'd pow'r, and violate that law 35
Which keeps the angry Ocean in aw.
Thy Trident will grow useless, which doth still
Wild tempests, if thou let tame rivers kill.
Mean time we ow thee nothing. Our first debt
Lies cancell'd in thy watry Cabinet. 40
We have for Her thou sent'st us from the Main,
Return'd a Venus back to thee again.
[79]
POEMS
AN ELEGY
Upon the death of Mr. Edward Holt.
Whether thy Fathers, or diseases rage,
More mortal prov'd to thy unhappy age.
Our sorrow needs not question; since the first
Is known for length and sharpness much the worst.
Thy Feaver yet was kind ; which the ninth day 5
For thy misfortunes made an easie way.
When th'other barbarous and Hectick fit,
In nineteen winters did not intermit.
I therefore vainly now not ask thee why
Thou didst so soon in thy Youths mid-way dy: 10
But in my sence the greater wonder make
Thy long oppressed heart no sooner brake.
Of force must the neglected blossom fall
When the tough root becomes unnaturall,
And to his branches doth that sap deny, 15
Which them with life and verdure should supply.
For Parents shame, let it forgotten be.
And may the sad example die with thee.
It is not now thy grieved friends intent
To render thee dull Pities argument. 20
Thou hast a bolder title unto fame.
And at Edge-Hill thou didst make good the claime;
When in thy Royal Masters Cause and Warre
Thy ventur'd life brought off a noble skarre.
Nor did thy faithful services desist 25
Till death untimely strook thee from the List.
[80]
TO MY DEAD FRIEND BEN: JOHNSON
Though in that prouder vault then, which doth tomb
Thy ancestors, thy body find not room,
Thine own deserts have purchas'd thee a place,
Which more renowned is then all thy race ; 30
For in this earth thou dost ennobled ly
With marks of Valour and of Loyalty.
To my dead friend Ben: Johnson.
I see that wreath which doth the wearer arm
'Gainst the quick strokes of thunder, is no charm
To keep off deaths pale dart. For, Johnson then
Thou hadst been number'd still with living men.
Times sithe had fear'd thy Lawrel to invade, 5
Nor thee this subject of our sorrow made.
Amongst those many votaries who come
To offer up their Garlands at thy Tombe ;
Whil'st some more lofty pens in their bright verse
(Like glorious Tapers flaming on thy herse) 10
Shall light the dull and thankless world to see.
How great a maim it suffers wanting thee ;
Let not thy learned shadow scorn, that I
Pay meaner Rites unto thy memory ;
And since I nought can adde, but in desire 15
Restore some sparks which leapt from thine own fire.
What ends soever others quills invite,
I can protest, it was no itch to write.
Nor any vain ambition to be read,
But meerly Love and Justice to the dead 20
[81]
POEMS
Which rais'd my fameless Muse ; and caus'd her bring
These drops, as tribute thrown into that spring,
To whose most rich and fruitful head we ow
The purest streams of language which can flow.
For 'tis but truth, thou taught'st the ruder age 25
To speake by Grammar, and reform'dst the Stage:
Thy Comick Sock induc'd such purged sence,
A Lucrece might have heard without ojEfence.
Amongst those soaring wits that did dilate
Our English, and advance it to the rate 30
And value it now holds, thy self was one
Helpt lift it up to such proportion.
That thus refin'd and roab'd, it shall not spare
With the full Greek or Latine to compare.
For what tongue ever durst, but ours, translate 35
Great Tully's Eloquence, or Homers State?
Both which in their unblemisht lustre shine.
From Chapmans pen, and from thy Catiline.
All I would ask for thee, in recompence
Of thy successful toyl and times expence, 40
Is onely this poor Boon : that those who can
Perhaps read French ^ or talk Italian,
Or do the lofty Spaniard affect ;
To shew their skill in Forrein Dialect,
Prove not themselves so unnaturally wise, 45
They therefore should their Alother-tongue despise.
(As if her Poets both for style and wit
Not equall'd, or not pass'd their best that writ)
[82]
UPON PRINCE HENRY'S DEATH
Untill by studying Johnson they have known
The height and strength and plenty of their own. 50
Thus in what low earth or neglected room
Soere thou sleep'st, thy book shall be thy tomb.
Thou wilt go down a happy Coarse, bestrew'd
With thine own Flowres; and feel thy self renew'd,
Whil'st thy immortal never-with'ring Bayes 55
Shall yearly flourish in thy Readers praise.
And when more spreading Titles are forgot,
Or spight of all their Lead and Sear-cloth rot,
Thou wrapt and Shrin'd in thine own sheets, wilt ly
A Relick fam'd by all Posterity. 60
AN ELEGY
Upon Prince Henry's death.
Keep station Nature, and rest Heaven sure
On thy supporters shoulders, lest past cure.
Thou dasht in ruine fall by a griefs weight
Will make thy basis shrink, and lay thy height
Low as the Center. Heark ! and feel it read 5
Through the astonisht Kingdom, Henry's dead.
It is enough ; who seeks to aggravate
One strain beyond this, prove more sharp his fate
Then sad our doom. The world dares not survive
To parallel this woes superlative. 10
O killing Rhetorick of Death ! two words
Breathe stronger terrours then Plague, Fire, or Swords
[83]
POEMS
Ere conquer'd. This were Epitaph and Verse
Worthy to be prefixt in Natures herse,
Or Earths sad dissolution; whose fall 15
Will be less grievous though more generall :
For all the woe ruine ere buried,
Sounds in these fatal accents, Henry's dead.
Cease then unable Poetry, thy phrase
Is weak and dull to strike us with amaze 20
Worthy thy vaster subject. Let none dare
To coppy this sad hap, but with despair
Hanging at his quills point. For not a stream
Of Ink can write much less improve this Theam.
Invention highest wrought by grief or wit 25
Must sink with him, and on his Tomb-stone split.
Who, like the dying Sun, tells us the light
And glory of our Day set in his Night.
AN ELEGY
Upon S. W. R.
I will not weep, for 'twere as great a sin
To shed a tear for thee, as to have bin
An Actor in thy death. Thy life and age
Was but a various Scene on fortunes Stage,
With whom thou tugg'st & strov'st ev'n out of breath
In thy long toil: nere master'd till thy death;
And then despight of trains and cruell wit,
Thou did'st at once subdue malice and it.
[84]
UPON THE L. BISHOP OF LONDON
I dare not then so blast thy memory
As say I do lament or pity thee. 10
Were I to choose a subject to bestow
My pity on, he should be one as low
In spirit as desert. That durst not dy
But rather were content by slavery
To purchase life: or I would pity those 15
Thy most industrious and friendly foes:
Who when they thought to make thee scandals story
I^nt thee a swifter flight to Heav'n and glory.
That thought by cutting off some wither'd dayes,
(Which thou could 'st spare them) to eclipse thy praise ; 20
Yet gave it brighter foil, made thy ag'd fame
Appear more white and fair, then foul their shame :
And did promote an Execution
Which (but for them) Nature and Age had done.
Such worthless things as these were onely born 25
To live on Pities almes (too mean for scorn.)
Thou dy'dst an envious wonder, whose high fate
The world must still admire, scarce imitate.
AN ELEGY
Upon the L. Bishop of London
John King.
Sad Relick of a blessed Soul ! whose trust
We sealed up in this religious dust.
O do not thy low Exequies suspect
As the cheap arguments of our neglect.
[85]
POEMS
'Twas a commanded duty that thy grave 5
As little pride as thou thy self should have.
Therefore thy covering is an humble stone,
And but a word for thy inscription.
When those that in the same earth neighbour thee,
Have each his Chronicle and Pedigree : 10
They have their waving pennons and their flagges,
(Of Matches and Alliance formal bragges.)
When thou (although from Ancestors thou came
Old as the Heptarchy, great as thy Name)
Sleep'st there inshrin'd in thy admired parts, 15
And hast no Heraldry but thy deserts.
Yet let not Them their prouder Marbles boast.
For They rest with less honour, though more cost.
Go, search the world, and with your Mattox wound
The groaning bosom of the patient ground : 20
Digge from the hidden veins of her dark womb
All that is rare and precious for a tomb :
Yet when much treasure, and more time is spent
You must grant His the nobler Monument.
Whose Faith stands ore Him for a Hearse, and hath 25
The Resurrection for His Epitaph.
Upon the death of my ever desired friend
Doctor Donne Dean of Pauls.
To have liv'd eminent in a degreee
Beyond our lofty 'st flights, that is like thee;
[86]
UPON THE DEATH OF MY FRIEND
Or t'have had too much merit is not safe ;
For such excesses find no Epitaph.
At common graves we have Poetick e3'es 5
Can melt themselves in easie Elegies;
Each quill can drop his tributary verse,
And pin it w^ith the Hatchments, to the Herse :
But at thine, Poem or inscription
(Rich Soul of wit and language:) we have none; 10
Indeed a silence does that Tomb befit
Where is no Herald left to blazon it.
Widdow'd invention justly doth forbear
To come abroad knowing thou art not here,
Late her great Patron ; whose prerogative 15
Maintain'd and cloth'd her so, as none alive
Must now presume to keep her at thy rate,
Though he the Indies for her dowre estate:
Or else that awful fire, which once did burn
In thy clear brain, now fall'n into thy Urn. 20
Lives there to fright rude Empericks from thence,
Which might profane thee by their ignorance:
Who ever writes of thee, and in a style
Unworthy such a Theme, does but revile
Thy precious dust, and wake a learned spirit 25
Which may revenge his rapes upon thy merit.
For all a low-pitcht fancie can devise.
Will prove at best but hallow'd injuries.
Thou, like the dying Swan, didst lately sing
Thy mournful Dirge in audience of the King; 30
[87]
POEMS
When pale looks, and faint accents of thy breath,
Presented so to life that piece of death,
That it was fear'd and prophesi'd by all
Thou thither cam'st to preach thy Funerall.
O! hadst thou in an Elegiack knell 35
Rung out unto the world thine own farewell;
And in thy high victorious numbers beat
The solemn measure of thy griev'd retreat :
Thou might'st the Poets service now have mist,
As well as then thou didst prevent the Priest: 40
And never to the world beholden be,
So much as for an Epitaph for thee.
I do not like the office. Nor is't fit
Thou, who didst lend our age such summes of wit,
Should'st now reborrow from her Bankrupt Mine 45
That Ore to bury thee, which once was thine.
Rather still leave us in thy debt; and know
(Exalted Soul!) More glory 'tis to ow
Unto thy Herse what we can never pay,
Then with embased coin those Rites dtiray. 50
Commit we then Thee to Thy self : nor blame
Our drooping loves, which thus to thine own fame
Leave Thee Executour : since but thy own
No pen could do Thee Justice, nor Bayes crown
Thy vast desert ; save that we nothing can 55
Depute to be thy ashes Guardian.
So Jewellers no Art or Metal trust
To form the Diamond, but the Diamonds dust.
[88]
THE MOST VICTORIOUS KING OF SWEDEN
AN ELEGY
Upon the most victorious King of Sweden
Gustavus Adolphus.
Like a cold fatal sweat which ushers death
My thoughts hang on me, & my lab'ring breath
Stopt up with sighs, my fancie big with woes,
Feels two twinn'd mountains struggle in her throws,
Of boundless sorrow one, t'other of sin ; 5
For less let no one rate it to begin
Where honour ends. In Great Gustavus flame
That style burnt out, and wasted to a name.
Does barely live with us. As when the stuff
That fed it failes, the Taper turns to snuff. 10
With this poor snuff, this ayerie shadow, we
Of Fame and Honour must contented be;
Since from the vain grasp of our wishes fled
Their glorious substance is, now He is dead.
Speak it again, and louder, louder yet; 15
Else whil'st we hear the sound we shall forget
What it delivers. Let hoarse rumor cry
Till she so many ecchoes multiply,
Those may like num'rous witnesses confute
Our unbelieving soules, that would dispute 20
And doubt this truth for ever. This one way
Is left our incredulity to sway;
To waken our deaf sense, and make our ears
As open and dilated as our fears ;
[89]
POEMS
That we may feel the blow, and feeling grieve, 25
At what we would not feign, but must believe.
And in that horrid faith behold the world
From her proud height of expectation hurl'd,
Stooping with him, as if she strove to have
No lower Center now then Swedens grave. 30
O could not all thy purchas'd victories
Like to thy Fame thy Flesh immortalize?
Were not thy vertue nor thy valour charmes
To guard thy body from those outward harmes
Which could not reach thy soul ? could not thy spirit 35
Lend somewhat which thy frailty might inherit
From thy diviner part, that Death nor Hate
Nor envy's bullets ere could penetrate?
Could not thy early Trophies in stern fight
Torn from the Dane, the Pole, the Moscovitef 40
Which were thy triumphs seeds, as pledges sown,
That when thy honours harvest was ripe grown.
With full-summ'd wing thou Falcon-like wouldst fly
And cuff the Eagle in the German sky:
Forcing his iron beak and feathers feel 45
They were not proof 'gainst thy victorious steel.
Could not all these protect thee? or prevaile
To fright that Coward Death, who oft grew pale
To look thee and thy battails in the face ?
Alas they could not : Destiny gives place 50
To none ; nor is it seen that Princes lives
Can saved be by their prerogatives.
[90]
THE MOST VICTORIOUS KING OF SWEDEN
No more was thine ; who clos'd in thy cold lead,
Dost from thy self a mournful lecture read
Of Mans short-dated glory: learn you Kings, 55
You are like him but penetrable things ;
Though you from Demi-Gods derive your birth,
You are at best but honourable earth:
And howere sifted from that courser bran
Which does compound and knead the common man, 60
Nothing's immortal or from earth refin'd
About you, but your Office and your Mind.
Here then break your false Glasses, which present
You greater then your Maker ever meant :
Make truth your Mirrour now, since you find all 65
That flatter you confuted by his fall.
Yet since it was decreed thy Hfes bright Sun
Must be eclips'd ere thy full course was run,
Be proud thou didst in thy black Obsequies
With greater glory set then others rise. 70
For in thy death, as life, thou heldest one
Most just and regular proportion.
Look how the Circles drawn by Compass meet
Indivisibly joyned head to feet,
And by continued points which them unite 75
Grow at once Circular and Infinite :
So did thy Fate and honour now contend
To match thy brave beginning with thy end.
Therefore thou hadst instead of Passing bells
The Drums and Cannons thunder for thy knells; 80
[91]
POEMS
And in the Field thou did'st triumphing dy,
Closing thy eye-lids with a victory :
That so by thousands who there lost their breath
King-like thou might'st be waited on in death.
Liv'd Plutarch now, and would of Caesar tell, 85
He could make none but Thee his parallel;
Whose tide of glory swelling to the brim
Needs borrow no addition from Hirn.
When did great Julius in any Clime
Atchieve so much and in so small a time? 90
Or if he did, yet shalt Thou in that land
Single for him and unexampled stand.
When ore the Germans first his Eagle towr'd
What saw the Legions which on them he pour'd?
But massie bodies, made their swords to try 95
Subjects not for his fight, but slavery.
In that so vast expanded peece of ground
(Now Swedens Theater and Tomb) he found
Nothing worth Caesars valour, or his fear,
No conqu'ring Army, nor a Tilley there, 100
Whose strength nor wiles, nor practice in the warre
Might the fierce Torrent of thy triumphs barre.
But that thy winged sword twice made him yield.
Both from his trenches beat, and from the field.
Besides the Romane thought he had done much 105
Did he the bank of Rhenus onely touch.
But though his march was bounded by the Rhine
Not Oder nor the Danube Thee confine;
[92]
THE MOST VICTORIOUS KING OF SWEDEN
And but thy frailty did thy fame prevent,
Thou hadst thy conquests strecht to such extent, 110
Thou might'st Vienna reach, and after span
From Mulda to the Baltick Ocean.
But death hath spann'd thee: nor must we divine
What heir thou leav'st to finish thy design,
Or who shall thee succeed as Champion 115
For liberty and for religion.
Thy task is done ; as in a Watch the spring
Wound to the height, relaxes with the string:
So thy steel nerves of conquest, from their steep
Ascent declin'd, lie slackt in thy last sleep. 120
Rest then triumphant soul ! for ever rest !
And, like the Phoenix in her spicy nest,
Embalm'd with thine own merit, upward fly.
Born in a cloud of perfume to the sky.
Whil'st, as in deathless Urnes, each noble mind 125
Treasures thy ashes which are left behind.
And if perhaps no Cassiopeian spark
(Which in the North did thy first rising mark)
Shine ore thy Herse: the breath of our just praise
Shall to the Firmament thy vertues raise; 130
Then fix, and kindle them into a Starre,
Whose influence may crown thy glorious warre.
. . . . O Fama ingens ingentior armis
Rex Gustave, quibus Coelo te laudibus aequemf
Virgil. Aeneid. lib. 2.
[93]
POEMS
To my Noble and Judicious Friend
Sir Henry Blount upon his
Voyage.
Sir, I must ever own my self to be
Possest with humane curiositie
Of seeing all that might the sense invite
By those two baits of profit and delight:
And since I had the wit to understand 5
The terms of Native or of forreign land ;
I have had strong and oft desires to tread
Some of those voyages which I have read.
Yet still so fruitless have my wishes prov'd,
That from my Countreys smoke I never mov'd: 10
Nor ever had the fortune (though design'd)
To satisfie the wandrings of my mind.
Therefore at last I did with some content,
Beguile my self in time, which others spent ;
Whose art to Provinces small lines allots, 15
And represents large Kingdcmes but in spots.
Thus by Ortelius and Mercators aid
Through most of the discover'd world I strai'd.
I could with ease double the Southern Cape,
And in my passage A jf ricks wonders take : 20
Then with a speed proportion'd to the Scale
Northward again, as high as Zemla sayl.
Oft hath the travel of my eye outrun
(Though I sat still) the journey of the Sun:
Yet made an end, ere his declining beams 25
Did nightly quench themselves in Thetis streams.
[94]
TO SIR HENRY BLOUNT UPON HIS VOYAGE
Oft have I gone through Aegypt in a day,
Not hinder'd by the droughts of Lybia;
In which, for lack of water tides of sand
By a dry deluge overflow the land. 30
There I the Pyramids and Cairo see,
Still famous for the warres of Tomombee,
And its own greatness ; whose immured fence
Takes fourty miles in the circumference.
Then without guide, or stronger Caravan 35
Which might secure the wild Arabian,
Back through the scorched Desarts pass, to seek
Once the worlds Lord, now the beslaved Greek,
Made by a Turkish j'oak and fortunes hate
In language as in mind, degenerate. 40
And here all wrapt in pity and amaze
I stand, whil'st I upon the Sultan gaze ;
To think how he with pride and rapine fir'd
So vast a Territory hath acquir'd ;
And by what daring steps he did become 45
The Asian fear, and scourge of Christendome :
How he atchiev'd, and kept, and by what arts
He did concenter those divided parts ;
And how he holds that monstrous bulk in aw,
By setled rules of tyrannic, not Law ; 50
So Rivers large and rapid streams began,
Swelling from drops into an Ocean.
Sure who ere shall the just extraction bring
Of this Gigantick power from the spring;
[95]
POEMS
Must there confess a higher Ordinance 55
Did it for terrour to the earth advance.
For mark how 'mongst a lawless straggling crew
Made up of Arab, Saracen, and Jew,
The worlds disturber, faithless Mahomet
Did by Impostures an opinion get: 60
O're whom he first usurps as Prince, and than
As Prophet does obtrude his Alcoran.
Next, how fierce Ottoman his claim made good
From that unblest Religion, by blood ;
Whil'st he the Eastern Kingdomes did deface, 65
To make their ruine his proud Empires base.
Then like a Comet blazing in the skies.
How Death-portending Amurath did rise,
When he his horned Crescents did display
Upon the fatal Plains of Servia; 70
And farther still his sanguin tresses spread,
Till Oroya Life and Conquests limited.
Lastly, how Mahomet thence styl'd the Great,
Made Oonstantines his own Imperial Seat;
After that he in one victorious bond 75
Two Empires graspt, of Greece and Trabezond.
This, and much more then this, I gladly read,
Where my relators it had storyed ;
Besides that Peoples Manners and their Rites,
Their warlike discipline and order'd fights; 80
Their desp'rate valour, hardned by the sence
Of unavoided Fate and Providence :
[96]
TO SIR HENRY BLOUNT UPON HIS VOYAGE
Their habit, and their houses, who confer
Less cost on them then on their Sepulchre:
Their frequent washings, and the several Bath 85
Each Meschit to it self annexed hath:
What honour they unto the Alufty give.
What to the Soveraign under whom they live :
What quarter Christians have; how just and free
To inoffensive Travellers they be : 90
Though I confess, like stomacks fed with news,
I took them in for wonder, not for use,
Till your experienc'd and authentick pen
Taught me to know the places and the men;
And made all those suspected truths become 95
Undoubted now, and cleer as Axiom.
Sir, for this work more then my thanks is due ;
I am at once inform'd and cur'd by you.
So that, were I assur'd I should live o're
My periods of time run out before; 100
Nere needed my erratick wish transport
Me from my Native lists to that resort,
Where many at outlandish Marts unlade
Ingenuous manners, and do onely trade
For vices and the language. By your eyes 105
I here have made my full discoveries;
And all your Countreys so exactly seen.
As in the voyage I had sharer been.
By this you make me so ; and the whole land
Your debtour : which can onely understand 110
[97]
POEMS
How much she owes j'ou, when her sons shall try
The solid depths of your rare history,
Which looks above our gadders trivial reach,
The Common Place of travellers, who teach
But Table-talk; and seldomly aspire 115
Beyond the Countres Dyet or Attire;
Whereas j'our piercing judgement does relate
The Policy and Manage of each State.
And since she must here without envy grant
That you have further journey'd the Levant 120
Then any noble spirit by her bred
Hath in your way as yet adventured;
I cannot less in justice from her look,
Then that she henceforth Canonize your book
A Rule to all her travellers, and you 125
The brave example ; from whose equal view
Each knowing Reader may himself direct.
How he may go abroad to some effect.
And not for form: what distance and what trust
In those remoter parts observe he must: 130
How he with jealous people may converse,
Yet take no hurt himself by that commerce.
So when he shall imbark'd in dangers be.
Which wit and wary caution not foresee;
If he partake your valour and your brain, 135
He may perhaps come safely off again,
As you have done ; though not so richly fraught
As this return hath to our Staple brought.
[98]
TO MY FRIEND, MR. GEORGE SANDYS
I know your modesty shuns vulgar praise,
And I have none to bring: but onely raise 140
This monument of Honour and of Love,
Which your long known deserts so far improve.
They leave me doubtfuU in what style to end,
Whether more your admirer or your friend.
To my honoured Friend Mr. George
Sandys.
It is, Sir, a confest intrusion here
That I before your labours do appear,
Which no loud Herald need, that may proclaim
Or seek acceptance, but the Authors fame.
Much less that should this happy work commend, 5
Whose subject is its licence, and doth send
It to the world to be receiv'd and read.
Far as the glorious beams of truth are spread.
Nor let it be imagin'd that I look
Onely with Customes eye upon your book; 10
Or in this service that 'twas my intent
T'exclude your person from your argument:
I shall profess much of the love I ow,
Doth from the root of our extraction grow;
To which though I can little contribute, 15
Yet with a naturall joy I must impute
To our Tribes honour, what by you is done
Worthy the title of a Prelates son.
[99]
POEMS
And scarcely have two brothers farther borne
A Fathers name, or with more value worne 20
Their own, then two of you ; whose pens and feet
Have made the distant Points of Heav'n to meet;
He by exact discoveries of the West,
Your self by painful travels in the East.
Some more like you might pow'rfully confute 25
Th'opposers of Priests marriage by the fruit.
And (since tis known for all their streight vow'd life,
They like the sex in any style but wife)
Cause them to change their Cloyster for that State
Which keeps men chaste by vowes legitimate: 30
Nor shame to father their relations.
Or under Nephews names disguise their sons.
This Child of yours born without spurious blot,
And fairly Midwiv'd as it was begot,
Doth so much of the Parents goodness wear, 35
You may be proud to own it for your Heir.
Whose choice acquits you from the common sin
Of such, who finish worse then they begin:
You mend upon j'our self, and your last strain
Does of your first the start in judgment gain; 40
Since what in curious travel was begun.
You here conclude in a devotion.
Where in delightful raptures we descry
As in a Map, Sions CJiorography
Laid out in so direct and smooth a line, 45
Men need not go about through Palestine:
[100]
TO MY FRIEND, MR. GEORGE SANDYS
Who seek Christ here will the streight Rode prefer,
As neerer much then by the Sepulchre.
For not a limb growes here, but is a path;
Which in Gods City the blest Center hath: 50
And doth so sweetly on each passion strike,
The most fantastick taste will somewhat like.
To the unquiet soul Job still from hence
Pleads in th'example of his patience.
The mortify'd may hear the wise King preach, 55
When his repentance made him fit to teach.
Nor shall the singing Sisters be content
To chant at home the Act of Parliament,
Turn'd out of reason into rhime by one
Free of his trade, though not of Helicon, 60
Who did in his Poetick zeal contend
Others edition by a worse to mend.
Here are choice Hymnes and CaroUs for the glad,
With melanclioly Dirges for the sad :
And David (as he could his skill transfer) 65
Speaks like himself by an interpreter.
Your ]\Iuse rekindled hath the Prophets fire.
And tun'd the strings of his neglected Lyre ;
Making the Note and Ditty so agree.
They now become a perfect harmonie. 70
I must confess, I have long wisht to see
The Psalmes reduc'd to this conformity:
Grieving the songs of Sion should be sung
In phrase not dif^'ring from a barbarous tongue.
[101]
POEMS
As if, by custome warranted, we may 75
Sing that to God we would be loth to say.
Far be it from my purpose to upbraid
Their honest meaning, who first offer made
That book in Meeter to compile, which you
Have mended in the form, and built anew : 80
And it was well, considering the time,
Which hardly could distinguish verse and rhime.
But now the language, like the Church, hath won
More lustre since the Reformation ;
None can condemn the wish or labour spent 85
Good matter in good words to represent.
Yet in this jealous age some such there be,
So without cause afraid of novelty.
They would not (were it in their pow'r to choose)
An old ill practise for a better lose. 90
Men who a rustick plainnesse so affect.
They think God served best by their neglect.
Holding the cause would be profan'd by it,
Were they at charge of learning or of wit.
And therefore bluntly (what comes next) they bring 95
Course and unstudy'd stuffs for offering;
Which like th'old Tabernacles cov'ring are.
Made up of Badgers skins, and of Goats haire.
But these are Paradoxes they must use
Their sloth and bolder ignorance t'excuse. 100
Who would not laugh at one will naked go,
'Cause in old hangings truth is pictur'd so?
[102]
THE WOES OF ESAY
Though plainness be reputed honours note,
They mantles use to beautify the coat ;
So that a curious (unaffected) dress 105
Addes much unto the bodies comeliness:
And wheresoere the subjects best, the sence
Is better'd by the speakers eloquence.
But, Sir, to you I shall no trophee raise
From other mens detraction or dispraise: 110
That Jewel never had inherent worth,
Which askt such foils as these to set it forth.
If any quarrel your attempt or style.
Forgive them ; their own folly they revile.
Since, 'gainst themselves, their factious envy shall 115
Allow this work of yours Canonicall.
Nor may you fear the Poets common lot.
Read, and commended, and then quite forgot:
The brazen Mines and iVIarble Rocks shall wast,
When your foundation will unshaken last. 120
'Tis fames best pay, that you your labours see
By their immortal subject crowned be.
For nere was writer in oblivion hid
Who firm'd his name on such a Pyramid.
The Woes of Esay.
Woe to the worldly men whose covetous
Ambition labours to joyn house to house.
Lay field to field, till their inclosures edge
The Plain, girdling a countrey with one hedge :
[103]
POEMS
That leave no place unbought, no piece of earth 5
Which they will not ingross, making a dearth
Of all inhabitants, until they stand
Unneighbour'd as unblest within their land.
This sin cryes in Gods ear, who hath decreed
The ground they sow shall not return the seed. 10
They that unpeopled countreys to create
Themselves sole Lords, made many desolate
To build up their own house, shall find at last
Ruine and fearful desolation cast
Upon themselves. Their Mansion shall become 15
A Desart, and their Palace prove a tombe.
Their vines shall barren be, their land yield tares;
Their house shall have no dwellers, they no heires.
Woe unto those that with the morning Sun
Rise to drink wine, and sit till he have run 20
His weary course ; not ceasing untill night
Have quencht their understanding with the light:
Whose raging thirst, like fire, will not be tam'd.
The more they poure the more they are inflam'd.
Woe unto them that onely mighty are 25
To wage with wine ; in which unhappy war
They who the glory of the day have won.
Must yield them foil'd and vanquisht by the tun.
Men that live thus, as if they liv'd in jest.
Fooling their time with Musick and a feast ; 30
That did exile all sounds from their soft ear
But of the harp, must this sad discord hear
[104]
THE WOES OF ESAY
Compos'd in threats. The feet which measures tread
Shall in captivity be fettered:
Famine shall scourge them for their vast excess; 35
And Hell revenge their monstrous drunkenness;
Which hath enlarg'd it self to swallow such,
Whose throats nere knew enough, though still too much.
Woe unto those that countenance a sin,
Siding with vice that it may credit win. 40
By their unhallow'd vote: that do benight
The truth with errour, putting dark for light, .
And light for dark; that call an evil good,
And would by vice have vertue understood :
That with their frown can sowre an honest cause, 45
Or sweeten any bad by their applause.
That justify the wicked for reward ;
And void of morall goodness or regard.
Plot with detraction to traduce the fame
Of him whose merit hath enroU'd his name 50
Among the just. Therefore Gods vengeful ire
Glows on his people, and becomes a fire
Whose greedy and exalted flame shall burn,
Till they like straw or chaffe to nothing turn.
Because they have rebell'd against the right, 55
To God and Law perversly opposite.
As Plants which Sun nor showres did ever bless.
So shall their root convert to rottenness ;
And their successions bud, in which they trust,
Shall (like Gomorrahs fruit) moulder to dust. 60
[105]
POEMS
Woe unto those that drunk with self-conceit,
Value their own designs at such a rate
Which humane wisdome cannot reach ; that sit
Enthron'd, as sole Monopolists of wit:
That out-look reason, and suppose the eye 65
Of Nature blind to their discovery,
Whil'st they a title make to understand
What ever secret's bosom'd in the land.
But God shall imp their pride, and let them see
They are but fools in a sublime degree: 70
He shall bring down and humble those proud eyes,
In which false glasses onely they lookt wise :
That all the world may laugh, and learn by it,
There is no folly to pretended wit.
Woe unto those that draw iniquity 75
With cords, and by a vain security
Lengthen the sinful trace, till their own chain
Of many links form'd by laborious pain,
Do pull them into Hell ; that as with lines
And Cart-ropes drag on their unwilling crimes: 80
Who, rather then they will commit no sin.
Tempt all occasions to let it in.
As if there were no God, who must exact
The strict account for e'ry vicious fact ;
Nor judgement after death. If any be, 85
Let him make speed (say they) that we may see.
Why is his work retarded by delay?
Why doth himself thus linger on the way?
[106]
THE WOES OF ESAY
If there be any judge, or future doome,
Let It and Him with speed together come. 90
Unhappy men, that challenge and defie
The coming of that dreadful Majestie!
Better by much for you, he did reverse
His purpos'd sentence on the Universe;
Or that the creeping minutes might adjourn 95
'■' Those flames in which you with the earth must burn ;
! That times revolting hand could lag the year,
And so put back his day which is too near.
Behold his sign's advanc'd like colours fly,
To tell the w^orld that his approch is nigh; 100
And in a furious march, he's coming on
Swift as the raging inundation,
To scowre the sinful world ; 'gainst which is bent
Artillery that never can be spent: (darts
Bowes strung with vengeance, and flame-feather'd 105
Headed with death, to wound transgressing hearts.
His Chariot wheeles wrapt in the whirlewinds gyre,
His horses hoov'd with flint, and shod with fire:
In which amaze where ere they fix their eye,
Or on the melting earth, or up on high 1 10
To seek Heavens shrunk lights, nothing shall appear
But night and horrour in their Hemisphere:
Nor shall th'affrighted sence more objects know
Then darkned skies above, and Hell below.
[107]
POEMS
An Essay on Death and a Prison.
A Prison is in all things like a grave,
Where we no better priviledges have
Then dead men, nor so good. The soul once fled
Lives freer now, then when she was cloystered
In walls of flesh ; and though she organs want 5
To act her swift designs, yet all will grant
Her faculties more clear, now separate.
Then if the same conjunction, which of late
Did marry her to earth, had stood in force,
Uncapable of death, or of divorce: 10
But an imprison'd mind, though living, dies.
And at one time feels two captivities ;
A narrow dungeon which her body holds,
But narrower body which her self enfolds.
Whil'st I in prison ly, nothing is free, 15
Nothing enlarg'd but thought and miserie ;
Though e'ry chink be stopt, the doors close barr'd,
Despight of walls and locks, through e'ry ward
These have their issues forth ; may take the aire,
Though not for health, but onely to compare 20
How wretched those men are who freedom want,
By such as never suffer'd a restraint.
In which unquiet travel could I find
Ought that might settle my distemper'd mind,
Or of some comfort make discovery 25
It were a voyage well imploy'd : but I,
Like our raw travellers that cross the seas
To fetch home fashions or some worse disease,
[108]
AN ESSAY ON DEATH AND A PRISON
Instead of quiet a new torture bring
Home t'afflict me, malice and murmuring. 30
What is't I envy not ? no dog nor fly
But my desires prefer, and wish were I ;
For they are free, or if they were like me,
They had no sense to know calamitie.
But in the grave no sparks of envy live, 35
No hot comparisons that causes give
Of quarrel, or that our affections move
Any condition, save their own, to love.
There are no objects there but shades and night.
And j-et that darkness better then the light. 40
There lives a silent harmony, no jar
Or discord can that sweet soft consort mar.
The graves deaf ear is clos'd against all noise
Save that which rocks must hear, the angels voice :
Whose trump shall wake the world, and raise up men 45
Who in earths bosom slept, bed-rid till then.
What man then would, who on deaths pillow slumbers,
Be re-inspir'd with life, though golden numbers
Of bliss were pour'd into his breast; though he
Were sure in change to gain a Monarchic? 50
A Monarchs glorious state compar'd with his.
Less safe, less free, less firm, less quiet is.
For nere was any Prince advanc't so high
That he was out of reach of misery:
Never did story yet a law report 55
To banish fate or sorrow from his Court ;
Where ere he moves by land, or through the Main,
These go along sworn members of his train.
[109]
POEMS
But he whom the kind earth hath entertain'd,
Hath in her womb a sanctuary gain'd, 60
Whose charter and protection arm him so,
That he is priviledg'd from future woe.
The Coffin's a safe harbour, where he rides
Land-bound, below cross windes, or churlish tides.
For grief, sprung up with life, was mans half-brother 65
Fed by the taste, brought forth by sin, the mother.
And since the first seduction of the wife,
God did decree to grief a lease for life ;
Which Patent in full force continue must.
Till man that disobey'd revert to dust. 70
So that lifes sorrows ratifi'd by God
Cannot expire, or find their period,
Untill the soul and body disunite.
And by two diff'rent wayes from each take flight.
But they dissolved once our woes disband, 75
Th'assurance cancell'd by one fatall hand ;
Soon as the passing bell proclaims me dead,
My sorrows sink with me, lye buried
In the same heap of dust, the self-same Urn
Doth them and me alike to nothing turn. 80
If then of these I might election make
Whether I would refuse, and whether take,
Rather then like a sullen Anchorite
I would live cas'd in stone, and learn to write
A Prisoners story, which might steal some tears 85
From the sad eyes of him that reads or hears ;
Give me a peaceful death, and let me meet
My freedom seal'd up in my winding sheet.
[110]
THE LABYRINTH
Death is the pledge of rest, and with one bayl
Two Prisons quits, the Body and the Jayl. 90
The Labyrinth.
Life is a crooked Labyrinth, and we
Are daily lost in that Obliquity.
'Tis a perplexed circle, in whose round
Nothing but sorrows and new sins abound.
How is the faint impression of each good 5
Drown'd in the vicious Channel of our blood?
Whose Ebbes and tides by their vicissitude
Both our great Maker and our selves delude.
O wherefore is the most discerning eye
Unapt to make its own discovery ? 10
Why is the clearest and best judging mind
In her own ills prevention dark and blind?
Dull to advise, to act precipitate.
We scarce think what to do but when too late.
Or if we think, that fluid thought, like seed 15
Rots there to propagate some fouler deed.
Still we repent and sin, sin and repent;
We thaw and freeze, we harden and relent.
Those fires which cool'd to day the morrows heat
Rekindles. Thus frail nature does repeat 20
What she unlearnt, and still by learning on
Perfects her lesson of confusion.
Sick soul ! what cure shall I for thee devise,
Whose leprous state corrupts all remedies?
[Ill]
POEMS
What medicine or what cordial can be got 25
For thee, who poyson'st thy best antidot?
Repentance is thy bane, since thou by it
Onely reviv'st the fault thou didst commit.
Nor griev'st thou for the past, but art in pain
For fear thou mayst not act it o're again. 30
So that thy tears, like water spilt on lime.
Serve not to quench, but to advance the crime.
My blessed Saviour ! unto thee I flie
For help against this homebred tyrannie.
Thou canst true sorrows in my soul imprint, 35
And draw contrition from a breast of flint.
Thou canst reverse this labyrinth of sin
My wild afifects and actions wander in.
O guide my faith ! and by thy graces clew
Teach me to hunt that kingdom at the view 40
Where true joyes reign, which like their day shall last;
Those never clouded, nor that overcast.
Being waked out of my sleep by a snuff of Candle
which offended me, I thus thought.
Perhaps 'twas but conceit. Erroneous sence !
Thou art thine own distemper and ofiEence.
Imagine then, that sick unwholsom steam
Was thy corruption breath'd into a dream.
Nor is it strange, when we in charnells dwell, 5
That all our thoughts of earth and frailty smell.
[112]
SIC VITA
Man is a Candle, whose unhappy light
Burns in the day, and smothers in the night.
And as you see the dying taper waste.
By such degrees does he to darkness haste, 10
Here is the diff 'rence : When our bodies lamps
Blinded by age, or choakt with mortall damps,
Now faint and dim and sickly 'gin to wink,
And in their hollow sockets lowly sink ;
When all our vital fires ceasing to burn, 15
Leave nought but snuff and ashes in our Urn :
God will restore those fallen lights again.
And kindle them to an Eternal flame.
Sic Vita.
Like to the falling of a Starre;
Or as the flights of Eagles are ;
Or like the fresh springs gawdy hew;
Or silver drops of morning dew;
Or like a wind that chafes the flood ; 5
Or bubbles which on water stood ;
Even such is man, whose borrow'd light
Is streight call'd in, and paid to night.
The Wind blowes out; the Bubble dies;
The Spring entomb'd in Autumn lies; 10
The Deiu drifs up; the Starre is shot;
The Flight is past; and Man forgot.
[113]
POEMS
My Midnight Meditation.
Ill busi'd man! why should'st thou take such care
To lengthen out thy lifes short Kalendar?
When e'ry spectacle thou lookst upon
Presents and acts thy execution.
Each drooping season and each flower doth cry, 5
Fool ! as I fade and wither, thou must dy.
The beating of thy pulse (when thou art well)
Is just the tolling of thy Passing Bell:
Night is thy Hearse, whose sable Canopie
Covers alike deceased day and thee. 10
And all those weeping dewes which nightly fall,
Are but the tears shed for thy funerall.
A Penitential Hymne.
Hearken O God unto a Wretches cryes
Who low dejected at thy footstool lies.
Let not the clamour of my heinous sin
Drown my requests, which strive to enter in
At those bright gates, which alwaies open stand 5
To such as beg remission at thy hand.
Too well I know, if thou in rigour deal
I can nor pardon ask, nor yet appeal :
To my hoarse voice, heaven will no audience grant,
But deaf as brass, and hard as adamant 10
Beat back my words; therefore I bring to thee
A gracious Advocate to plead for me.
[114]
AN ELEGY— OCCASIONED BY SICKNESS
What though my leprous soul no Jordan can
Recure, nor flouds of the lav'd Ocean
Make clean? yet from my Saviours bleeding side 15
Two large and medicinable rivers glide.
Lord, wash me where those streams of life abound,
And new Bethesdaes flow from ev'ry wound.
If I this precious Lather may obtain,
I shall not then despair for any stain ; 20
I need no Gileads balm, nor oyl, nor shall
I for the purifying Hyssop call:
My spots will vanish in His purple flood.
And crimson there turn white, though washt with blood.
See Lord ! with broken heart and bended knee, 25
How I address my humble suit to Thee ;
O give that suit admittance to thy ears
Which floats to thee not in my words but tears :
And let my sinful soul this mercy crave
Before I fall into the silent grave. 30
.^A^ ELEGY
Occasioned by sickness.
Well did the Prophet ask, Lord what is man?
Implying by the question none can
But God resolve the doubt, much less define
What Elements this child of dust combine.
Man is a stranger to himself, and knowes 5
Nothing so naturally as his woes.
[115]
POEMS
He loves to travel countreys, and confer
The sides of Heavens vast Diameter:
Delights to sit in Nile or Boetis lap,
Before he hath sayl'd over his own Map; 10
By which means he returnes, his travel spent,
Less knowing of himself then when he went.
Who knowledge hunt kept under forrein locks,
May bring home wit to hold a Paradox,
Yet be fools still. Therefore might I advise, 15
I would inform the soul before the eyes:
Make man into his proper Opticks look,
And so become the student and the book
With his conception, his first leaf, begin ;
What is he there but complicated sin ? 20
When riper time, and the approaching birth
Ranks him among the creatures of the earth.
His wailing mother sends him forth to greet
The light, wrapt in a bloudy winding sheet;
As if he came into the world to crave 25
No place to dwell in, but bespeak a grave.
Thus like a red and tempest-boading morn
His dawning is: for being newly born
He hayles th'ensuing storm with shrieks and cryes,
And fines for his admission with wet eyes: 30
How should that Plant whose leaf is bath'd in tears
Bear but a bitter fruit in elder years?
Just such is this, and his maturer age
Teems with event more sad then the presage.
[116]
AN ELEGY— OCCASIONED BY SICKNESS
For view him higher, when his childhoods span 35
Is raised up to Youths Meridian ;
When he goes proudly laden with the fruit
Which health, or strength, or beauty contribute;
Yet as the mounted Canon batters down
The Towres and goodly structures of a town : 40
So one short sickness will his force defeat.
And his frail Cittadell to rubbish beat.
How does a dropsie melt him to a floud.
Making each vein run water more then bloud ?
A ChoUick wracks him like a Northern gust, 45
And raging feavers crumble him to dust.
In which unhappy state he is made worse
By his diseases then his makers curse.
God said in toyl and sweat he should earn bread,
And without labour not be nourished : 50
Here, though like ropes of falling dew, his sweat
Hangs on his lab'ring brow, he cannot eat.
Thus are his sins scourg'd in opposed themes.
And luxuries reveng'd by their extremes.
He who in health could never be content 55
With Rarities fetcht from each Element,
Is now much more afflicted to delight
His tasteless Palate, and lost appetite.
Besides though God ordain'd, that with the light
Man should begin his work, jet he made night 60
For his repose, in which the weary sense
Repaires it self by rests soft recompence.
[117]
POEMS
But now his watchful nights, and troubled dayes
Confused heaps of fear and fancy raise.
His chamber seems a loose and trembling mine ; 65
His Pillow quilted with a Porcupine:
Pain makes his downy Couch sharp thornes appear,
And ev'ry feather prick him like a spear.
Thus when all forms of death about him keep,
He copies death in any form but sleep. 70
Poor walking clay ! hast thou a mind to know
To what unblest beginnings thou dost ow
Thy wretched self ? fall sick a while, and than
Thou wilt conceive the pedigree of Man.
Learn shalt thou from thine own Anatomie, 75
That earth his mother, wormes his sisters be.
That he's a short-liv'd vapour upward wrought.
And by corruption unto nothing brought.
A stagg'ring Meteor by cross Planets beat.
Which often reeles and falles before his set: 80
A tree which withers faster then it grows ;
A torch puff 't out by ev'ry wind that blowes ;
A web of fourty weekes spun forth in pain,
And in a moment ravell'd out again.
This is the Model of frail man : Then say 85
That his duration's onely for a day:
And in that day more fits of changes pass.
Then Atomes run in the turn'd Hower-glass.
So that th'incessant cares which life invade
Might for strong truth their heresie perswade, 90
[118]
THE DIRGE
Who did maintain that humane soules are sent
Into the body for their punishment:
At least with that Greek sage still make us cry,
Not to be born, or being born to dy.
But Faith steers up to a more glorious scope, 95
Which sweetens our sharp passage ; and firm hope
Anchors our torne Barks on a blessed shore,
Beyond the Dead sea we here ferry o're.
To this, Death is our Pilot, and disease
The Agent which solicites our release. 100
Though crosses then poure on my restless head,
Or lingring sickness nail me to my bed :
Let this my Thoughts eternall comfort bee,
That my clos'd eyes a better light shall see.
And when by fortunes or by natures stroke 105
My bodies earthen Pitcher must be broke.
My Soul, like Gideons lamp, from her crackt urn
Shall Deaths black night to endlesse lustre turn.
The Dirge.
What is th'Existence of Mans life?
But open war, or slumber'd strife.
Where sickness to his sense presents
The combat of the Elements:
And never feels a perfect Peace
Till deaths cold hand signs his release.
[119]
POEMS
It is a storm where the hot blood
Out-vies in rage the boyling flood;
And each loud Passion of the mind
Is like a furious gust of wind, 10
Which beats his Bark with many a Wave
Till he casts Anchor in the Grave.
It is a flower which buds and growes,
And withers as the leaves disclose;
Whose spring and fall faint seasons keep, 15
Like fits of waking before sleep:
Then shrinks into that fatal mold
Where its first being was enroll'd.
It is a dream, whose seeming truth
Is moraliz'd in age and youth: 20
Where all the comforts he can share
As wandring as his fancies are ;
Till in a mist of dark decay
The dreamer vanish quite away.
It is a Diall, which points out 25
The Sun-set as it moves about:
And shadowes out in lines of night
The subtile stages of times flight.
Till all obscuring earth hath laid
The body in perpetual shade. 30
It is a weary enterlude
Which doth short joyes, long woes include.
The World the Stage, the Prologue tears,
The Acts vain hope, and vary'd fears :
[120]
AN ELEGY— THE LOSSE OF LADY STANHOPE
The Scene shuts up with loss of breath, 35
And leaves no Epilogue but Death.
AN ELEGY
Occasioned by the losse of the most incomparable
Lady Stanhope, daughter to the Earl of
Northumberland.
Lightned by that dimme Torch our sorrow bears
We sadly trace thy Coffin with our tears ;
And though the Ceremonious Rites are past
Since thy fair body into earth was cast;
Though all thy Hatchments into ragges are torne, 5
Thy Funerall Robes and Ornaments outworn ;
We still thy mourners without Shew or Art,
With solemn Blacks hung round about our heart.
Thus constantly the Obsequies renew
Which to thy precious memory are due. 10
Yet think not that we rudely would invade
The dark recess of thine untroubled shade, ]
Or give disturbance to that happy peace
Which thou enjoy'st at full since thy release ;
Much less in sullen murmurs do complain 15
Of His decree who took thee back again,
And did e're Fame had spread thy vertues light.
Eclipse and fold thee up in endless night. ^
This like an act of envy not of grief
Might doubt thy bliss, and shake our own belief, 20
[121]
POEMS
Whose studi'd wishes no proportion bear
With joyes which crown thee now in glories sphere.
Know then blest Soul ! we for our selves not thee
Seal our woes dictate by this Elegie:
Wherein our tears united in one streame 25
Shall to succeeding times convey this theme,
Worth all mens pity who discern how rare
Such early growths of fame and goodness are.
Of these part must thy sexes loss bewail
Maim'd in her noblest Patterns through thy fail; 30
For 'twould require a double term of life
To match thee as a daughter or a wife :
Both which Northumberlands dear loss improve
And make his sorrow equal to his love.
The rest fall for our selves, who cast behind 35
Cannot yet reach the Peace which thou dost find ;
But slowly follow thee in that dull stage
Which most untimely poasted hence thy age.
Thus like religious Pilgrims who designe
A short salute to their beloved Shrine, 40
Most sad and humble Votaries we come
To offer up our sighs upon thy Tomb,
And wet thy Marble with our dropping eyes
Which till the spring which feeds their currents dries
Resolve each falling night and rising day 45
This mournfull homage at thy Grave to pay.
FINIS.
[122]
ELEGIES.
AN ELEGY UPON MY BEST FRIEND
AN
ELEGY
UPON MY BEST FRIEND
L. K. C.
Should we our Sorrows in this Method range,
Oft as Misfortune doth their Subjects change,
And to the sev'ral Losses which befall,
Pa}^ diff'rent Rites at ev'ry Funeral ;
Like narrow Springs drain'd by dispersed Streams, 5
We must want Tears to wail such various Themes,
And prove defective in Deaths mournful! Laws,
Not having Words proportion'd to each Cause.
In your Dear loss my much afflicted Sense,
Discerns this Truth by sad experience, 10
Who never Look'd my Verses should survive.
As wet Records, That you are not Alive ;
And less desir'd to make that Promise due.
Which pass'd from Me in jest, when urg'd by You.
How close and slily doth our Frailty work! 15
How undiscover'd in the Body lurk!
That Those who this Day did salute you well,
Before the Next were frighted by your Knell.
O wherefore since we must in Order rise.
Should we not Fall in equal Obsequies? 20
But bear th'Assaults of an uneven Fate,
Like Feavers which their Hour anticipate ;
Had this Rule constant been, my long wish'd End
Might render you a Mourner for your Friend:
[123]
ELEGIES
As He for you, whose most deplor'd surprise 25
Imprints your Death on all my Faculties ;
That hardly my dark Phant'sie or Discourse,
This final Duty from the Pen inforce :
Such Influence hath your Eclipsed Light,
It doth my Reason like my Self benight. 30
Let me, with Luckless Gamesters, then think best
(After I have Set up and Lost my Rest,)
Grow'n desp'rate through mischance, to Venture last
My whole remaining Stock upon a Cast,
And flinging from me my now Loathed Pen, 35
Resolve for your Sake nev'r to write agen:
For whilst Successive days their Light renew,
I must no Subject hope to Equal you.
In whose Heroick Brest as in their Sphear,
All Graces of your Sex concentred were. 40
Thus take I my long Farewell of that Art,
Fit only glorious Actions to impart ;
That Art wherewith our Crosses we beguile.
And make them in Harmonious numbers smile:
Since you are gone. This holds no further use, 45
Whose Virtue and Desert inspir'd my Muse.
0 may She in your Ashes Buried be.
Whilst I my Self become the Elegie.
And as it is observ'd when Princes Dye,
In honour of that sad Solemnity, 50
The now unoffic'd Servants crack their Staves,
And throw them down into their Masters Graves:
So this last Office of my broken Verse,
1 solemnly resign upon your Hearse;
[124]
ON THE EARL OF ESSEX
And my Brains moisture, all that is unspent, 55
Shall melt to nothing at the Monument.
Thus in moist Weather when the Marble weeps,
You'l think it only his Tears reck'ning keeps,
Who doth for ever to his Thoughts bequeath
The Legacy of your lamented Death. 60
On the Earl of Essex.
Essex twice made unhappy by a Wife,
Yet Marry'd worse unto the Peoples strife :
He who by two Divorces did untie
His Bond of Wedlock and of Loyalty:
Who was by Easiness of Nature bred, 5
To lead that Tumult which first Him misled ;
Yet had some glimm'ring Sparks of Virtue lent
To see (though late) his Errour, and Repent:
Essex lies here, like an inverted Flame,
Hid in the ruins of his House and Name ; 10
And as He, frailties sad Example, lies.
Warns the Survivours in his Exequies.
He shews what wretched bubbles Great Men are.
Through their Ambition grown too Popular :
For they Built up, from weak Opinion, stand 15
On Bases false as Water, loose as Sand ;
Essex in differing Successes try'd
The fury and the falshood of each Side;
Now with applauses Deify'd, and then
Thrown down with spightf ull infamy agen : 20
[125]
ELEGIES
Tells them, what Arts soever them support,
Their Life is meerly Time and Fortunes sport,
And that no Bladders blown by Common breath,
Shall bear them up amidst the Waves of Death:
Tells them no Monstrous Birth, with Pow'r endu'd 25
By that more Monstrous Beast the Multitude;
No State-Co/o^^ (though Tall as that bestrid
The Rhodian Harbour where their Navy rid)
Can hold that ill-proportion'd Greatness still,
Beyond his Greater, most Resistless will, 30
Whose dreadfull Sentence written on the Wall
Did sign the Temple Robbing Tyrants fall ;
But Spight of their vast Priviledge, which strives
T'exceed the Size of ten Prerogatives;
Spight of their Endless Parliament, or Grants, 35
( In Order to those Votes and Covenants,
When, without Sense of their black Perjury
They Swear with Essex they would Live and Dye)
With their Dead General ere long they must
Contracted be into a Span of Dust. 40
An Elegy on Sir Charls Lucas, and
Sir George Lisle.
In measures solemn as the groans that fall
From the hoarse Trumpet at some Funerall ;
With trayling Elegy and mournfuU Verse
I wait upon two Fearless Souldiers Hearse:
Though, I acknowledge must, my sorrowes dress 5
111 matched to the cause it should Express ;
[126]
SIR CHARLS LUCAS, AND SIR GEORGE LISLE
Nor can I, at my best Inventions cost,
Sum up the Treasure which in them we lost :
Had they with other Worthies of the Age,
Who late upon the Kingdomes bloody Stage, 10
For God, the King, and Laws, their Valour try'd.
Through Warrs stern chance in heat of Battel Dy'd,
We then might save much of our griefs expence
Reputing it not duty, but offence.
They need no tears nor howling Exequy, 15
Who in a glorious undertaking Dye ;
Since all that in the bed of honour fell
Live their own Monument and Chronicle,
But these, whom horrid danger did not reach.
The wide-mouth 'd Cannon, nor the wider Breach, 20
These, whom till cruel want and coward fate
Penn'd up like famish'd Lions in a Grate,
Were for their daring Sallies so much fear'd
Th'Assailants fled them like a frighted Heard ;
Resolving now no more to fight, but lurk 25
Trench'd in their Line or earth'd within a Work.
Where not like Souldiers they, but Watchmen, creep,
Arm'd for no other office but to sleep:
They, whose bold charge whole Armies did amaze,
Rendring them faint and heartless at the Gaze, 30
To see Resolve and Naked Valour charmes
Of higher Proof than all their massy Armes:
They whose bright swords ruffled the proudest Troop
(As fowl unto the towring Falcon stoop)
Yet no advantage made of their Success 35
Which to the conquer'd spake them merciless ;
[127]
ELEGIES
( For they, when e'r 'twas begg'd did safety give,
And oft unasked bid the vanquish'd live;)
Ev'n these, not more undaunted in the Field
Than mild and Gentle unto such as yield, 40
Were, after all the shocks of battails stood,
(Let me not name it) murther'd in cold blood.
Such poor revenge did the enraged Greek
Against (till then) victorious Hector seek,
Triumphing o'r that Body bownd and dead 45
From whom in Life the Pow'rs of Argos fled.
Yet might A chillis borrow some excuse
To colour, though not warrant the abuse:
His dearest Friend in the fierce combate foyl'd
Was by the Trojans hand of Life despoyl'd: 50
From whence unruly grief grown wild with rage
Beyond the bownds of Honour did engage.
But these, confirm'd in their unmanly hate,
By Counsels cruel yet deliberate,
Did from the Stock of bleeding honour hew 55
Two of the noblest Branches ever grew;
And (which our grief and Pitty must improve)
When brought within their reach with shews of Love:
For by a Treaty they entangled are,
And Rendring up to Mercy is the Snare ; 60
Whence we have learn'd when e'r their Saint-Ships
The ends are mortall, and the means a Cheat ; (Treat,
In which the World may read their black intent,
Drawn out at large in this sad President.
Who (though fair promis'd) might no Mercy have, 65
But such as once the faithless Bashaw gave,
[128]
SIR CHARLS LUCAS, AND SIR GEORGE LISLE
When to his trust deluded Bragadine
Himsef and Famogasta did resign.
Whose envy'd Valour thus to bonds betray'd
Was soon the mark of barb'rous slaughter made: 70
So gallant Shipps which rocks and storms had past,
Though with torn Sails and spending of their Mast,
When newly brought within the sight of Land,
Have been suckt up by some devouring Sand
You wretched Agents for a Kingdoms fall, 75
Who yet your selves the Modell'd Army call ;
Who carry on and fashion your Design
By Syllaes, Syllaes red proscriptions Line,
(Romes Comet once, as You are Ours) for shame
Henceforth no more usurp the Souldiers Name: 80
Let not that Title in fair Battails gain'd
Be by such abject things as You profan'd;
For what have you atchiev'd, the world may guess
You are those Men of Might which you profess.
Where ever durst You strike, if you met foes 85
Whose Valour did your odds in men oppose?
Turn o're the Annalls of your vaunted Fights
Which made you late the Peoples Favourites;
Begin your course at Naseby, and from thence
Draw out Your Marches full circumference, 90
Bridgwater, Bristol, Dartmouth, with the rest
Of Your well-plotted renders in the West ;
Then to the angry North Your compass bend
Untill Your spent careere in Scotland end,
(This is the perfect Scale of our mishap 95
Which measures out your conquest by the Mapp)
[129]
ELEGIES
And tell me he that can, What have you won,
Which long before Your progress was not done?
What Castle was besieg'd, what Port, what Town,
You were not sure to carry 'ere sat down? 100
There needed no Granadoes, no Petard,
To force the passage, or disperse the Guard.
No, Your good Masters sent a Golden Ramm
To batter down the gates against You came.
Those blest Reformers who procur'd the Swead 105
His armed Forces into Denmark lead,
'Mongst them to kindle a sharp warr for hire,
Who in mear pitty meant to quench our fire.
Could where they pleased with the King's own coyn,
Divert His Aids and Strengths at home purloyn. 110
Upon Sea Voyages I sometimes find
Men trade with Lapland Witches for a Wind,
And by those purchas'd Gales, quick as their thought,
To the desired Port are safely brought.
We need not here on skillfull Hopkins call 115
The States allow'd Witch-finder General.
For (though Rebellion wants no Cad nor Elfe,
But is a perfect Witchcraft of it self)
We could with little help of art reveal
Those learn'd Magitians with whom You deal: 120
We all Your Juggles both for Time and Place
From DrtrZ'_v-house to Westminster can Trace,
The Circle where the factious Jangle meet
To Trample Law and Gospel under feet ;
In which, like Bells Rung backward, they proclaim 125
The Kingdom by their Wild-fire set on flame,
[130]
SIR CHARLS LUCAS, AND SIR GEORGE LISLE
And, quite Perverting their First Rules, invent
What mischief may be done by Parliament:
We know Your holy Flamens, and can tell
What Spirits Vote v^^ithin the Oracle: 130
Have found the spells and Incantations too.
By whose assistance You such Wonders do.
For divers Years the credit of Your warrs
Hath been kept up by these Familiars,
Who that they may their providence express 135
Both find you Pay and purchase Your Success:
No wonder then You must the Garland wear,
Who never fought but with a Silver Spear.
We grant the Warrs unhappy consequence (thence,
With all the num'rous Plagues which grow from 140
Murthers and Rapes, threats of Disease and Dearth,
From You as for the proper Spring take birth :
You may for Laws enact the Publick Wrongs,
With all fowl Violence to them belongs;
May bawl aloud the Peoples Right and Pow'r 145
Till by Your Sword You both of them Devour,
(For this brave Liberty by You up-cry'd
Is to all others but Your-selves deny'd,)
May with seditious fires the Land embroyl,
And in pretence to quench them take the Spoyl: 150
You may Religion to Your lust subdue,
For these are actions only Worthy You:
Yet when your Projects, crownd with wish'd event.
Have made You Masters of the ill You meant.
You never must the Souldiers glory share, 155
Since all your Trophies Executions are:
[131]
ELEGIES
Not thinking your Successes understood,
Unless Recorded and Scor'd up in Blood.
In which, to Gull the People, you pretend
That Military Justice was Your end; 160
As if we still were Blind, not knowing this
To all your other Virtues suited is ;
Who only Act by your great Grandsires Law,
The Butcher Cade, Wat Tyler, and Jack Straw,
Whose Principle was Murther, and their Sport 165
To cut off those they fear'd might do them hurt:
Nay, in your Actions we compleated find.
What by those Levellers was but design'd,
For now Committees, and your Arm'd supplies,
Canton the Land in petty Tyrannies, 170
And for one King of Commons in each Shire,
Four hundred Commons rule as Tyrants here.
Had you not meant the Copies of each Deed,
Should their Originals in ill exceed.
You would not practice sure the Turkish Art, 175
To Ship your taken Pris'ners for a Mart,
Least if with Freedome they at Home remain,
They should (which is your Terrour) Fight again.
A thing long since by Zealous Rigby mov'd,
And by the Faction like himself approv'd; 180
Though you uncounsell'd can such Outrage try,
Scarce sampled from the basest Enemy.
Naseby of Old, and late St. Pagans Fare,
Of these inhumane Truckings witness are;
At which the Captiv'd Welch in Couples led, 185
Were Marketted, like Cattel, by the Head.
[132]
SIR CHARLS LUCAS, AND SIR GEORGE LISLE
Let it no more in History be told,
That Turks their Christian Slaves for Aspers sold ;
When we the Saints selling their Brethren see,
Who had a Call (they say) to set them free ; 190
And are at last by Right of Conquest grown,
To claim our Land of Canaan for their own.
Though luckless Colchester in this out-vies,
Argiers or Tunis shamefull Merchandise;
Where the Starv'd Souldier (as th'agreement was) 195
Might not be suffer'd to their Dwelling pass.
Till, led about by some insulting Band,
They first were shew'd in Triumph through the Land :
In which for lack of Dyet, or of Strength
If any Fainted through the Marches length, 200
Void of the Breasts of Men, this Murth'rous Crew
All those they could drive on no further, Slew;
What Bloody Riddle's this? They mercy give.
Yet those who should enjoy it, must not Live.
Indeed we cannot less from such expect, 205
Who for this Work of Ruine are Elect :
This Scum drawn from the worst, who never knew
The Fruits which from Ingenuous Breeding grew;
But take such low Commanders on their Lists,
As did revolted Jeroboam Priests: 210
That 'tis our Fate, I fear, to be undone
Like Aegypt once with Vermin over-run.
If in the Rabble some be more refin'd
By fair Extractions of their birth or mind,
Ev'n these corrupted are by such allays, 215
That no Impression of their Vertue stays.
[133]
ELEGIES
As Gold embased by some mingled Dross
Both in it's Worth and Nature suffers Loss.
Else had that Sense of Honour still Surviv'd
Which Fairfax from his Ancestors deriv'd, 220
He ne'r had shew'd Himself, for hate or fear,
So much degen'rous from renowned Vere
(The Title and Alliance of whose Son
His Acts of Valour had in Holland won),
As to give up by his rash dooming Breath 225
This precious Pair of Lives to timeless death ;
Whom no brave Enemy but would esteem.
And, though with hazard of his own, redeem.
For 'tis not vainly by the world surmis'd
This Blood to private Spleens was sacrifis'd. 230
Half of the guilt stands chardgd on Whaleys score,
By Lisle affronted on his guards before ;
For which his spight by other hands was shew'n,
Who never durst dispute it with his own.
Twice guilty coward ! first by Vote, then Eye, 235
Spectator of the shamefuU Tragedy.
But Lucas elder cause of quarrell Knew,
From whence his Critical Misfortune grew;
Since he from Berkley Castle with such scorn
Bold Ransborough's first Summons did return, 240
Telling him Loudly at the Parley's Beat,
With Rogues and Rebells He disdain'd to Treat;
Some from this hot contest the world perswade
His sleeping vengeance on that ground was laid :
If so, for ever blurr'd with Envies brand, 245
His Honour gain'd by Sea, was lost at Land :
[134]
SIR CHARLS LUCAS. AND SIR GEORGE LISLE
Nor could he an impending Judgment shun
Who did to this with so much fervour run,
When late himself, to quit that Bloody stain.
Was, midst his Armed Guards, from Pom fret slain. 250
But all in vain we here expostulate
What took them hence, private or publick hate :
Knowledge of acted Woes small comforts add,
When no repair proportion'd can be had :
And such are ours, which to the Kingdomes eyes 255
Sadly present ensuing miseries.
Fore-telling in These Two some greater ill
From Those who now a Pattent have to Kill.
Two, whose dear loss leaves us no recompence,
Nor them attonement, which in weight or Sense 260
With These shall never into Ballance come
Though all the Army fell their Hecatomb.
Here leave them then ; and be't our last relief
To give their merit Value in our grief.
Whose blood however yet neglected must 265
Without revenge or Rites mingle with Dust;
Not any falling drop shall ever dry
Till to a Weeping Spring it multiply,
Bath'd in whose tears their blasted Laurell shall ( fall.
Grow green, and with fresh Garlands Crown their 270
From this black region then of Death and Night
Great Spirits take your everlasting flight:
And as your Valours mounting fires combine,
May they a brighter Constellation shine
Than Gemini, or than the Brother-Starrs 275
Castor and Pollux fortunate to warrs.
[135]
ELEGIES
That all fair Souldiers by Your sparkling light
May find the way to Conquer when they Fight,
And by those Paterns which from you they take
Direct their course though Honours Zodiak: 280
But upon Traitors frown with dire Aspect,
Which may their perjuries and guilt reflect;
Unto the Curse of whose Nativity,
Prodigious as the Caput Algol be,
Whose pale and ghastly Tresses still portend 285
Their own despair or Hangman for their end.
And that succeeding ages may keep safe
Your Lov'd remembrance in some Epitaph,
Upon the ruins of j'our glorious Youth
Inscribed be this Monumentall Truth: 290
Here ly the Valiant Lucas and brave Lysle,
With Amasa betray'd in Joabs smile:
In whom revenge of Honour taking place
His great Corrivall's stabb'd in the Embrace.
And as it was the Hebrew Captains stain 295
That he two Greater than himself had Slain,
Shedding the Blood of Warr in time of Peace,
When Love pretended was, and Arms did cease.
May the fowl Murtherers expect a fate
Like Joabs, Blood with Blood to expiate: 300
Which quick as Lightning, and as Thunder sure,
Preventions wisest arts nor shun, nor cure.
O may it fall on their perfidious head !
That when, with Joab to the Altar fled,
Themselves the Sword and reach of vengence flee 305
No Temple may their Sanctuary be.
[136]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
Last, that nor frailty nor devouring time
May ever lose impressions of the Crime,
Let loyal Colchester (who too late try'd
To Check, when highest wrought, the Rebels Pride, 310
Holding them long, and doubtfull at the bay,
Whilest we by looking on gave all away)
Be only Nam'd : which like a Columne built
Shall both enhearse this blood un-nobly spilt,
And live, till all her Towres in rubbish lye 315
The Monuments of their base Cruelty.
An Elegy upon the most Incomparable
King Charls the First.
Call for amazed thoughts, a wounded sense
And bleeding Hearts at our Intelligence.
Call for that Trump of Death the Mandrakes Groan
Which kills the Hearers : This befits alone
Our Story which through times vast Calendar, 5
Must stand without Example or Repair.
What spouts of melting Clouds, what endless Springs,
Powr'd in the Oceans lap for Offerings,
Shall feed the hungry Torrent of our grief
Too mighty for expression or belief? 10
Though all those moistures which the brain attracts
Ran from eyes like gushing Cataracts,
Or our sad accents could out-tongue the Cryes
Which did from mournful Hadadrimmon rise,
[137]
ELEGIES
Since that remembrance of Josiah slain 15
In our King's murther is reviv'd again.
O pardon me that but from Holy Writ
Our loss allowes no Parallel to it:
Nor call it bold presumption that I dare
Chads with the best of Judah's Kings compare: 20
The vertues of whose life did I prefer
The Text acquits me for no Flatterer.
For he like David perfect in his Trust,
Was never stayn'd like Him, with Blood or Lust.
One who with Solomon in Judgment try'd, 25
Was quick to comprehend, Wise to decide,
(That even his Judges stood amaz'd to hear ,
A more transcendent Mover in their Sphear)
Though more Religious: for when doting Love
A while made Solomon Apostate prove, 30
Chads nev'r endur'd the Truth which he profest,
To be unfixt by bosome interest.
Bold as Jehosaphat, yet forc'd to Fight,
And for his own, no unconcerned Right.
Should I recount His constant time of Pray'r, 35
Each rising Morn and Ev'ning Regular,
You'ld say his practice preach'd. They ought not Eat
Who by devotion first not earn'd their Meat:
Thus Hezekiah He exceeds in Zeal,
Though not (like him) So facile to reveal 40
The Treasures of Gods House, or His own Heart,
To be supplanted by some forein art.
And that he might in fame with Joash share
When he the ruin'd Temple did repair,
[138]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
His cost on Pauls late ragged Fabrick spent 45
Must (if no other) be His Monument.
From this Survey the Kingdom may conclude
His Merits, and her Losses Magnitude;
Nor think he flatters or blasphemes, who tells
That Charls exceeds Judea's Parallels, 50
In whom all Vertues we concentred see
Which 'mongst the best of them divided be.
O weak built Glories ! which those Tempests feel
To force you from your firmest bases reel,
What from the stroaks of Chance shall you secure, 55
When Rocks of Innocence are so unsure?
W^hen the World's only mirrour slaughter'd lies,
Envies and Treasons bleeding sacrifize ;
As if His stock of Goodness could become
No Kalendar, but that of Martyrdom. 60
See now ye cursed Mountebanks of State,
Who have Eight years for Reformations sate ;
You who dire Alva's Counsels did transfer,
To Act his Scenes on England's Theater ;
You who did pawn your Selves in Publick Faith 65
To slave the Kingdom by your Pride and Wrath ;
Call the whole World to witness now, how just,
How well you are responsive to your trust.
How to your King the promise you perform.
With Fasts, and Sermons, and long Prayers sworn, 70
That you intended Peace and Truth to bring
To make your Charls Europes most Glorious King,
Did you for this Lift up your Hands on high.
To Kill the King, and pluck down Monarchy?
[139]
ELEGIES
These are the Fruits by your wild Faction sown, 75
Which not Imputed are, but Born your own :
For though you wisely seem to wash your Hands,
The Guilt on every Vote and Order stands ;
So that convinc'd, from all you did before,
Justice must lay the Murther at your Door. 80
Mark if the Body does not Bleed anew,
In any Circumstance approach'd by You,
From whose each motion we might plain descry
The black Ostents of this late Tragedy.
For when the King through Storms in Scotland bred, 85
To his Great Councel for his shelter fled,
When in that meeting every Error gain'd
Redresses sooner granted, than Complain'd:
Not all those frank Concessions or Amends
Did suit the then too Powerfull Faction s ends: 90
No Acts of Grace at present would Content,
Nor Promise of Triennial Parl'ament,
Till by a formal Law the King had past
This Session should at Your pleasure last.
So having got the Bitt, and that 'twas known 95
No power could dissolve You but Your own,
Your graceless Junto make such use of this,
As once was practis'd by Semira?ms;
Who striving by a subtile Sute to prove
The largeness of her Husband Trust and Love, 100
Did from the much abused King obtain
That for Three dayes She might sole Empress reign;
Before which time expir'd, the bloody Wife
Depriv'd her Lord both of his Crown and Life.
[140]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
There needs no Comment when your deeds apply 105
The Demonstration of her Treachery.
Which to effect, by Absolon's foul wile
You of the Peoples Heart your Prince beguile ;
Urging what Eases they might reap by it
Did you their Legislative Judges sit. 110
How did you fawn upon, and Court the Rout,
Whose Clamour carry'd your whole Plot about?
How did you thank Seditious men that came
To bring Petitions which your selves did frame ?
And lest they wanted Hands to set them on, 115
You lead the way by throwing the first stone.
For in that Libel after Midnight born.
Wherewith your Faction laboured till the Morn,
That Famous Lye, you a Remonstrance name;
Were not Reproaches your malicious aim? 120
Was not the King's dishonour your intent,
By Slanders to traduce his Government?
All which your spightfuU Cunning did contrive;
Men must receive through your false Perspective,
In which the smallest Spots improved were, 125
And every Mote a Mountain did appear.
Thus Caesar by th' ungratefull Senate found
His Life assaulted through his Honour's Wound.
And now to make Him hopeless to resist.
You guide His Sword by Vote, which as you list 130
Must, Strike or Spare (for so you did enforce
His Hand against His Reason to divorce
[141]
ELEGIES
Brave Strafford's Life,) then wring it quite away
By your usurping each Militia:
Then seize His Magazines, of which possest 135
You turn the Weapons 'gainst their Master's Breast.
This done, th' unkennell'd crew of Lawless men
Led down by Watkins, Pennington, and Ven,
Did with confused noise the Court invade;
Then all Dissenters in Both Houses Bay'd. 140
At which the King amaz'd is forc'd to fl3'e.
The whilst your Mouth's laid on mantain the Cry.
The Royal Game dislodg'd and under Chase,
Your hot Pursute dogs Him from place to place:
Not Saul with greater fury or disdain 145
Did flying David from Jeshimons plain
Unto the barren Wilderness pursue.
Than Cours'd and Hunted is the King by you.
The Mountain Partridge or the Chased Roe
Might now for Emblemes of His Fortune go, 150
And since all other May-games of the Town
(Save those your selves should make) were Voted down,
The Clam'rous Pulpit Hollaes in resort,
Inviting men to your King-catching Sport.
Where as the Foyl grows cold you mend the Scent 155
By crying Privilege of Parliament,
Whose fair Pretensions the first sparkles are,
Which by your breath blown up enflame the War,
And Ireland (bleeding by design) the Stale
Wherewith for Men and Money you prevail. 160
Yet doubting that Imposture could not last,
When all the Kingdoms Mines of Treasure waste,
[142]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
You now tear down Religions sacred Hedge
To carry on the Work by Sacriledge;
Reputing it Rebellions fittest Pay 165
To take both God's and Caesar s dues away.
The tenor of which execrable Vote
Your over-active Zelots so promote,
That neither Tomb nor Temple could escape,
Nor Dead nor Living, your Licentious Rape. 170
Statues and Grave-stones o'r men buried
Rob'd of their Brass, the Coffins of their Led ;
Not the Seventh Henry's gilt and curious Skreen,
Nor those which 'mongst our Rarities were seen,
The Chests wherein the Saxon Monarchs lay, 175
But must be basely sould or thrown away.
May in succeeding times forgotten be
Those bold Examples of Impiety,
Which were the Ages wonder and discourse.
You have Their greatest ills improv'd by worse. 180
No more be mention'd Dionysius Theft,
Who of their Gold the Heathen Shrines bereft;
For who with Yours His Robberies confer,
Must him repute a petty Pilferer.
Nor Julian's Scoff, who when he view'd the State 185
Of Antioch's Church, the Ornaments and Plate,
Cry'd, Meaner Vessels would serve turn, or None
Might well become the birth of Mary's Son:
Nor how that spightfuU Atheist did in scorn
Pisse on God's Table, which so oft had born 190
The Hallow'd Elements, his death present:
Nor he that fould it with his Excrement,
[143]
ELEGIES
Then turn'd the Cloth unto that act of shame,
Which without trembling Christians should not name.
Nor John of Ley den, who the pillag'd Quires 195
Employ'd in Munster for his own attires ;
His pranks by Hazlerig exceeded be,
A wretch more wicked and as mad as he,
Who once in triumph led his Sumpter Moil
Proudly bedecked with the Altar's spoyl. 200
Nor at Bizantium' s sack how Mahomet
In St. Sophia's Church his Horses set.
Nor how Belshazzar at his drunken Feasts
Carows'd in holy Vessels to his Guests :
Nor he that did the Books and Anthems tear, 205
Which in the daily Stations used were.
These were poor Essayes of imperfect Crimes,
Fit for beginners in unlearned times,
Siz'd onely for that dull Meridian
Which knew no Jesuit nor Puritan, 210
(Before whose fatal Birth were no such things
As Doctrines to Depose and Murther Kings.)
But since Your prudent care Enacted well.
That there should be no King in Israel,
England must write such Annals of Your reign 215
Which all Records of elder mischiefs stain.
Churches unbuilt by order, others burn'd ;
Whilst Pauls and Lincoln are to Stables turn'd ;
And at God's Table you might Horses see
By (those more Beasts) their Riders manger'd be, 220
Some Kitchins and some Slaughter-houses made,
Communion-boards and Cloths for Dressers laid:
[144]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
Some turn'd to loathsome Goals, so by you brought
Unto the Curse of Baal's House :, a Draught.
The Common Prayers with the Bibles torn, 225
The Coaps in Antick Moorish Dances worn,
And sometimes, for the wearers greater mock,
The Surplice is converted to a Frock.
Some bringing Dogs the Sacrament revile.
Some with Copronimus the Font defile. 230
O God! canst Thou these prophanations like?
If not, why is thy Thunder slow to strike
The cursed Authors? who dare think that Thou
Dost, when not punish them, their acts allow.
All which outragious Crimes, though your pretence 235
Would fasten on the Souldiers insolence,
We must believe, that what by them was done
Came licens'd forth by your probation.
For, as your selves with Atlialiah's Brood
In strong contention for precedence stood, 240
You robb'd Two Royal Chapels of their Plate,
Which Kings and Queens to God did dedicate;
Then by a Vote more sordid than the Stealth,
Melt down and Coyn it for the Common-wealth ;
That is, give't up to the devouring jaws 245
Of your great Idol Bell, new styl'd The Cause.
And though this Monster you did well devise
To feed by Plunder, Taxes, Loans, Excise;
(All which Provisions You the People tell
Scarce serve to diet Your Pantagruel.) 250
We no Strew'd Ashes need to trace the Cheat,
Who plainly see what Mouthes the Messes eat.
[145]
ELEGIES
Brave Reformation! and a through one too,
Which to enrich Your selves must All undo.
Pray tell us (those that can) What fruits have grow^n 255
From all Your Seeds in Blood and Treasure sown ?
What would you mend ? vjhtn Your Projected State
Doth from the Best in Form degenerate?
Or why should You (of All) attempt the Cure,
Whose Facts nor Gospel's Test nor Laws endure? 260
But like unwholsome Exhalations met
From Your Conjunction onely Plagues beget,
And in Your Circle, as Imposthumes fill
Which by their venome the whole Body kill;
For never had You Pow'r but to Destroy, 265
Nor Will, but where You Conquer'd to Enjoy.
This was your Master-prize, who did intend
To make both Church and Kingdorns prey Your End.
'Gainst which the King (plac'd in the Gap) did strive
By His (till then unquestion'd) Negative, 270
Which finding You lack'd Reason to perswade,
Your Arguments are into Weapons made;
So to compell him by main force to yield,
You had a Formed Army in the Field
Before his Reared Standard could invite 275
Ten men upon his Righteous Cause to fight :
Yet ere those raised Forces did advance.
Your malice struck him dead by Ordinance,
When your Commissions the whole Kingdom swept
With Blood and Slaughter, Not the King Except. 280
Now hardned in Revolt, You next proceed
By Pacts to strengthen each Rebellious Deed,
[146]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
New Oaths, and Vows, and Covenants advance,
All contradicting your Allegiance,
Whose Sacred knot you plainly did unty, 285
When you with Essex siuore to Live and Dye.
These were your Calves in Bethel and in Dan,
Which Jeroboam's Treason stablish can,
Who by strange Pacts and Altars did seduce
The People to their Laws and King's abuse ; 290
All which but serve like Shibboleth to try
Those who pronounc'd not your conspiracy ;
That when your other Trains defective are,
Forc'd Oaths might bring Refusers to the Snare.
And lest those men your Counsels did pervert, 295
Might when your Fraud was seen the Cause desert,
A fierce Decree is through the Kingdom sent.
Which made it Death for any to Repent,
What strange Dilemmaes doth Rebellion make?
'Tis mortal to Deny, or to Partake: 300
Some Hang who would not aid your Traiterous Act,
Others engag'd are Hang'd if they Retract.
So Witches who their Contracts have unsworn,
By their own Devils are in pieces torn.
Thus £*-ill the rageing Tempest higher grows, 305
Which in Extreams the Kings Resolvings throws.
The face of Ruin every where appears.
And Acts of Outrage multiply our fears;
Whilst blind Ambition by successes fed
Hath You bejond the bound of Subjects led, 310
Who tasting once the sweet of Regal Sway,
Resolving now no longer to obey.
[147]
ELEGIES
For Presbiterian pride contests as high
As doth the Popedom for Supremacy.
Needs must you with unskilfull Phaeton 315
Aspire to guid the Chariot of the Sun,
Though your ill-govern'd height with lightning be
Thrown headlong from his burning Axle-tree.
You will no more Petition or Debate,
But your desire in Propositions state, 320
Which by such Rules and Ties the King confine,
They in effect are Summons to Resign.
Therefore your War is manag'd with such sleight,
'Twas seen you more prevail'd by Purse than Might;
And those you could not purchase to your will, 325
You Brib'd with Sums of Money to sit still.
The King by this time hopeless here of Peace,
Or to procure His wasted Peoples ease.
Which He in frequent Messages had try'd,
By you as oft as Shamelesly deny'd ; 330
Wearied by faithless Friends and restless Foes,
To certain hazard doth His Life Expose:
When through your Quarters in a mean disguise
He to His Country-men for succour flies.
Who met a brave occasion then to save ■». CC:.
Their Native King from His w^tlmciy Grave:
Had he fro-r *-b" ... ^^c'n rair Reception gain'd,
wherewith ev'n Achish David entertain'd.
But Faith to Him or Hospitable Laws
In your Confederate Union were no Clause, 340
Which back to you their Rendred Master sends
To tell how He was us'd among his Friends.
[148]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
Far be it from my thoughts by this black Line
To measure all within that Warlike Clime ;
The still admir'd Montross some Numbers lead 345
In his brave steps of Loyalty to tread.
I only Tax a furious Party there,
Who with our Native Pests Enleagued were.
Then 'twas you follow'd Him with Hue and Cry,
Made Midnight Searches in Each Liberty, 350
Voting it Death to all without Reprieve,
Who should their Master Harbour or Relieve.
Ev'n in pure pity of both Nations Fame,
I wish that Act in Story had no Name.
When all your mutual Stipulations are 355
Converted at Newcastle to a Fair,
Where (like His Lord) the King the Mart is made.
Bought with Your Money, and by Them Betraid;
For both are Guilty, They that did Contract,
And You that did the fatal Bargain Act. 360
Which who by equal Reason shall peruse.
Must yet conclude, They had the best Excuse :
For doubtless They (Good men) had never Sold,
But that you tempted Them with English Gold ;
And 'tis no wonder if with such a Sum 365
Our Brethrens frailty might be overcome.
What though hereafter it may prove their Lot
To be compared with Iscariot?
Yet will the World perceive which was most wuse,
And who the Nobler Traitor by the Price ; 370
For though 'tis true Both did Themselves undo.
They made the better Bargain of the Two,
[149]
ELEGIES
Which all may reckon who can difference
Two hundred thousand Pounds from Thirty Pence.
However something is in Justice due, 375
Which may be spoken in defence of You;
For in your Masters Purchase you gave more,
Than all your Jewish Kindred paid before.
And had you wisely us'd what then you bought,
Your Act might be a Loyal Ransome thought, 380
To free from Bonds your Captive Soveraign,
Restoring Him to his lost Crown again.
But You had other Plots, your busie hate
Ply'd all advantage on His fallen State,
And shew'd You did not come to bring Him Bayl, 385
But to remove Him to a stricter Gaol,
To Holmby first, whence taken from His Bed,
He by an Army was in Triumph led ;
Till on pretence of safety Cromiuers wile
Had juggl'd Him into the Fatal Isle, 390
Where Hammond for his Jaylor is decreed,
And Murderous Rolf as Lieger-Hangman fee'd.
Who in one fatal Knot Two Counsels tye.
He must by Poison or by Pistol Dye.
Here now deny'd all Comforts due to Life, 395
His Friends, His Children, and His Peerless Wife;
From Carisbrook He oft but vainly sends,
And though first Wrong'd, seeks to make you Amends ;
For this He sues, and by his restless Pen
Importunes Your deaf Ears to Treat agen. 400
Whilst the proud Faction scorning to go less.
Return those Trait'rous Votes of Non Address,
[150]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
Which follow'd were by th' Armies thundring
To Act without and quite against the King.
Yet when that Cloud remov'd, and the clear Light 405
Drawn from His weighty Reasons, gave You sight
Of Your own Dangers, had not Their Intents
Retarded been by some cross Accidents;
Which for a while with fortunate Suspence
Check'd or diverted Their swoln Insolence: 410
When the whole Kingdom for a Treaty cry'd,
Which gave such credit to Your falling side,
That you RecalVd those Votes, and God once more
Your Power to save the Kingdome did restore?
Remember how Your peevish Treators sate, 415
Not to make Peace, but to prolong Debate;
How You that precious time at first delay'd,
And what ill use of Your advantage made,
As if from Your foul Hands God had decreed
Nothing but War and Mischief should succeed. 420
For when by easy Grants the Kings Assent
Did your Desires in greater things prevent.
When He did yield faster than You intreat,
And more than Modesty dares well repeat ;
Yet not content with this, without all sense 425
Or of His Honour or His Conscience,
Still you prest on, till you too late descry'd,
'Twas now less safe to stay than be deny'd.
For like a Flood broke loose the Armed Rout,
Then Shut Him closer up, And Shut You out, 430
Who by just Vengeance are since Worried
By those Hand-wolves You for His Ruine bred.
[151]
ELEGIES
Thus like Two smoaking Firebrands, You and They
Have in this Smother choak'd the Kingdom's Day:
And as you rais'd Them first, must share the Guilt, 435
With all the Blood in those Distractions spilt.
For though with Sampson s Foxes backward turn'd,
(When he Philistia's fruitfuU Harvest burn'd)
The face of your Opinions stands averse,
All your Conclusions but one Fire disperse ; 440
And every Line which carries your Designs,
In the same Centre of Confusion joyns.
Though then the Independants end the Work,
*Tis known they took their Platform from the Kirk;
Though Pilate Bradshaw with his pack of Jews, 445
God's High Vice-gerent at the Bar accuse;
They but reviv'd the Evidence and Charge,
Your poys'nous Declarations laid at large;
Though they Condemn'd or made his Life their Spoil,
You were the Setters forc'd him to the Toil : 450
For you whose fatal hand the Warrant writ,
The Prisoner did for Execution fit ;
And if their Ax invade the Regal Throat,
Remember you first Murther'd Him by Vote.
Thus they receive your Tennis at the bound, 455
Take off that Head which you had first Un-crown'd ;
Which shews the Texture of our Mischiefs Clew,
If Ravell'd to the Top, begins in You,
Who have for ever stain'd the brave Intents
And Credit of our English Parliaments: 460
And in this One caus'd greater Ills, and more,
Than all of theirs did Good that went before.
[152]
^
:^ <
«
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
Yet have You kept your word against Your will,
Your King is Great indeed and Glorious still,
And You have made Him so. We must impute 465
That Lustre which His Sufferings contribute
To your preposterous Wisdoms, who have done
All your good Deeds by Contradiction:
For as to work His Peace you rais'd this Strife,
And often Shot at Him to Save His Life; 470
As you took from Him to Encrease His wealth,
And kept Him Pris'ner to secure His Health;
So in revenge of your dissembled Spight,
In this last Wrong you did Him greatest Right,
And (cross to all You meant) by Plucking down 475
Lifted Him up to His Eternal Crown.
With this Encircled in that radiant Sphear,
Where thy black Murtherers must ne'r appear ;
Thou from th'enthroned Martyrs Blood-stain'd Line,
Dost in thy Virtues bright Example shine. 480
And when thy Darted Beam from the moist Sky
Nightly salutes thy grieving Peoples Eye,
Thou like some Warning Light rais'd by our fears,
Shalt both provoke and still supply our Tears,
Till the Great Prophet wak'd from his long Sleep, 485
Again bids Sion for Josiah weep :
That all Successions by a firm Decree
May teach their Children to Lament for Thee.
Beyond these Mournfull Rites there is no Art
Or Cost can Thee preserve. Thy better Part 490
Lives in despight of Death, and will endure
Kept safe in thy Unpattern'd Portraicture:
[153]
ELEGIES
Which though in Paper drawn by thine own Hand,
Shall longer than Corinthian-Marble stand,
Or Iron Sculptures: There thy matchless Pen 495
Speaks Thee the Best of Kings as Best of Men:
Be this Thy Epitaph; for This alone
Deserves to carry Thy Inscription.
And 'tis but modest Truth: (so may I thrive
As not to please the Best of thine Alive, 500
Or flatter my Dead Master, here would I
Pay my last Duty in a Glorious Lye)
In that Admired Piece the World may read
Thy Virtues and Misfortunes Storied ;
Which bear such curious Mixture, Men must doubt 505
Whether Thou Wiser wert or more Devout.
There live Blest Relick of a Saint-like mind,
With Honours endless, as Thy Peace, Enshrin'd ;
Whilst we, divided by that Bloody Cloud,
Whose purple Mists Thy Murther'd Body shroud, 510
Here stay behind at gaze : Apt for Thy sake
Unruly murmurs now 'gainst Heav'n to make,
Which binds us to Live well, yet gives no Fence
To Guard her dearest Sons from Violence.
But He whose Trump proclaims. Revenge is mine, 515
Bids us our Sorrow by our Hope confine.
And reconcile our Reason to our Faith,
Which in thy Ruine such Conclusions hath;
It dares Conclude, God does not keep His Word
If Zimri dye in Peace that slew his Lord. 520
t
[154]
AN ELEGY UPON KING CHARLS THE FIRST
From my sad Retirement
March 11. 1648.
CaroLUs stUart reX an-
gLIae seCUre CoesUs
Vita Cessit trICessIMo
lanUarll.
[155]
POEMS
33 BZiEGlES,
In that Admired Piece the World may read
Thy Virtues and Misfortunes Storied j
Which bear fuch curious Mixture, Men muft doubt
Whether Thou ^vifer wcrt or more Devout.
There live Bleft Kcllck of a Saint-like mind>
With Honours endlcfs, as Thy Peace, Enfhrin'd 5
Whilft we, divided by that Bloody Cloud,
Whofe purple Mifts Thy Murther'd Body fhroud.
Here flay behind at gaze : Apt for Thy fab
llnrnly murmurs now *gainft Heav'n to niake >
Which binds us to Live welU yet gives no Fence
To Guard her deareft Sons from Violence.
But He whofe Trump proclaims, Revenge iimii^i
Bids us our Sorrow by our Hope confine >
And reconcile our Keafon to our Vaithy
Which in thy Ruine fuch Condufions hattV;
It dares Conclude, God docs not keep His Word
If Zlmri dye in Peace that (lew hi's Ldrd,
From my fad Retirement
Jiimh II. 1^48.
CaroLUs ST U art reX an#
oLIi^ seCUrb CoesUs
VIta CessIt trICe5«IMo
JIanUarIL
{Facsimile of the colophon in the editio princeps.)
[156]
A
DEEPE GROANE
FETCH' D
At the FUNERALL of that incomparable and Glorious
Monarch,
CHARLES THE FIRST,
King of Great Britaine, France
and Ireland^ l^c.
On whose Sacred Person was acted that exe
arable, horrid & prodigious Murther, by a trayterous
Crew and bloudy Combination at Westminster
January the 30. 1648.
.... Heu fausta Britannia quondam
Tota peris ea morte sua, Mors non fuit ejus
Sed tua, non una haec, sed publica mortis imago.
Written by D. H. K.
(Device.)
Printed in the Yeare, M. DC. XL. IX.
A DEEP GROANE
A DEEP GROANE, ^c.
To speak our Griefes at full over thy Tombe
(Great Soul) we should be Thunder-struck and dumbe:
The triviall Off'rings of our bubling eyes
Are but faire Libels at such Obsequies.
When Grief bleeds inward, not to sense, 'tis deepe ; 5
W'have lost so much, that t'were a sinne to weep.
The wretched Bankrupt counts not up his summes,
When his inevitable ruine comes :
Our losse is finite when we can compute ;
But that strike speechlesse, which is past recruite. 10
Ware sunk to sense ; and on the Ruine gaze,
As on a curled Commets firie blaze :
As Earth-quakes fright us, when the teeming earth
Rends ope her bowels for a f atall birth ;
As Inundations seize our trembling eyes; 15
Whose rowling billows over Kingdomes rise.
Alas ! our Ruines are cast up, and sped
In that black Totall — Charles is Murthered.
Rebellious Gyant hands have broak that Pole,
On which our Orbe did long in Glory roule. 20
That Roman Monsters wish in act we see
Three Kingdomes necks have felt the Axe in Thee,
The Butcherie is such, as when by Caine,
The fourth Devision of the world was slaine.
The mangled Church is on the shambles lay'd, 25
Her Massacre is on thy Block display'd,
Thine is thy peoples epidemick Tombe,
Thy Sacrifice a Num'rous Hccatonibe.
[159]
POEMS
The Powder-mine's now fir'd ; we were not freed,
But respited by Traytours thus to bleed. 30
Novembers plots are brew'd and broach'd in worse,
And January now compleats the Curse.
Our Lives, Estates, Lawes, and Religion, All
Lie crush'd, and gashing in this dismall fall.
Accursed day that blotted'st out our Light! 35
May'st thou be ever muffled up in Night.
At thy returne may sables hang the skie ;
And teares, not beames, distill from Heavens Eye.
Curs'd be that smile that guildes a Face on thee,
The Mother of prodigious Villanie. 40
Let not a breath be wafted, but in moanes;
And all our words be but articulate groanes.
May all thy Kubrick be this dismall Brand ;
Now comes the miscreant Doomes-day of the Land.
Good-Friday wretchedly transcrib'd; and such 45
As Horrour brings alike, though not so much.
May Dread still fill thy minutes, and we sit
Frighted to think, what others durst commit.
A Fact that copies Angels when they fell.
And justly might create another Hell. 50
Above the scale of Crimes; Treason sublim'd,
That cannot by a parallel be rim'd.
Raviliack's was but under-graduate sinne,
And Goury here a Pupill Assassin
Infidell wickednesse, without the Pale; 55
Yet such as justifies the Canniball.
Ryot Apochyphall of Legend breed ;
Above the Canon of a Jesuites Creed.
[160]
A DEEP GROANE
Spirits of witch-craft; quintessential guilt;
Hels pyramid ; another Babell built. 60
Monstrous in bulke ; above our Fancies span ;
A Behemoth; a Crime Leviathan.
So desperately damnable, that here
Ev'n Wild smels Treason, and will not appeare.
That Murdering-peece of the new Tyrant-State, 65
By whom't hath Shot black Destinies of late;
He that belched forth the Loyall Burleigh's doome,
Recoyles at this so dreadful Martyrdome.
What depth of Terrour lies in that Offence,
That thus can grind a seared Conscience ? 70
Hellish Complotment! which a League renewes,
Lesse with the men, then th 'Actions of the Jewes.
Such was their Bedlane Rabble, and the Cry
Of Justice now, 'mongst them was Crucifie:
Pilates Consent is Bradshawes Sentence here ; 75
The Judgenicnt-halVs remov'd to Westminster.
Hayle to the Reeden Scepture the Head, and knee
Act o're againe that Cursed Pageantrie.
The Caitiffe crew in solemn pompe guard on
Mock'd Majestie as not to th'Block, but Throne, 80
The Belch agrees of those envenom'd Lyes ;
There a Blasphemer, here a Murd'rer dyes.
If that go first in horror, this comes next,
A pregnant Comment on that gastly Text.
The Heav'ns ne're saw, but in that Tragick howre, 85
Slaughter'd so great an Innocence, and Poiuer.
Bloud-thirsty Tygers! could no streame suffise
T'allay that Hell within your Breasts but this?
[161]
POEMS
Must you needs swill in Cleopatra's Cup,
And drink the price of Kingdomes in a sup ? 90
Cisterns of Loyalty have deeply bled,
And now y'have damm'd the Royall Fountaine Head,
Cruell Phlebotomie! at once to draine
The Median, and the rich Basilick veine :
The tinctures great that popular murther brings, 95
'Tis scarlet deep, that's dy'd in bloud of Kings.
But what ! could Israel find no other way
To their wish'd Canaan than through the Red Sea?
Must God have here his deading Fire and Cloud,
And he be th' Guide to this outragious Crowd? 100
Shall the black Conclave counterfeit his hand,
And superscribe their Guilt, Divine Command?
Doth th'ugly Fiend usurpe a Saint-like grace?
And Holy-water wash the Devils face !
Shall Dagons Temple the mock'd Arke inclose? 105
Can Esaus hands agree with Jacob's voyce ?
Must Molech's Fire now on the Altar burne?
And Abel's bloud to Expiation turne?
Is Righteousnesse so lewd a Bawd ? and can
The Bibles Cover serve the Alcoran? 110
Thus when Hel's meant. Religion's bid to shine
As Faux his Lanterne lights him to his Mine.
Here, here is sins non ultra, when one Lie
Kils this, and stabs at Majestic.
And though his sleepie Arme suspend the scourge, 115
Nor doth loud Bloud in winged Vengeance urge.
Though the soft houres a while in pleasures flie,
And conquering Treason sing her LuUabie.
[162]
A DEEP GROANE
The guilt at length in fury he'l inroule
With barbed Arrows on the trayt'rous Soule. 120
Time may be when that John-a-Leyden King
His Quarters to this Tombe an Offring bring,
And that Be-Munster'd Rabble may have eyes
To read the Price of their deare Butcheries.
Yet if just Providence reprieve the Fate, 125
The Judgment will be deeper, though't be late.
And After-times shall feel the curse enhanc'd.
But how much They've the Sinne bequeath'd, advanc'd.
Meane time (most blessed shade) the Loyall Eye
Shall pay her Tribute to thy Memorie, 130
Thy Aromatick Name shall feast our sense,
'Bove balmie Spiknard's fragrant Redolence,
Whilst on thy loathsome Murderers shall dwell
A plague-sore, blayne, and rotten ulcers smell.
Wonder of Men and Goodnesse! stamp'd to be 135
The Pride, and Flourish of all Historie.
Thou hast undone the Annals, and engross'd
All th'Heroes Glory which the Earth e're lost.
Thy Priviledge 'tis onely to commence
Laureate in Sufferings, and in Patience. 140
Thy wrongs were 'bove all sweetnesse to digest ;
And yet thy sweetnesse conquer'd the sharp test:
Both so immense, and infinitely vast.
The first could not be reach'd, but by the last.
Meane Massacres are but in death begun 145
But Thou hast Liv'd an Execution.
Close coffin'd up in a deceased Life;
Had Orphan-Children, and a Widow- Wife.
[163]
POEMS
Friends not t'approach, or comfort, but to mourne
And weep their unheard plaints, as at thy urne? 150
Such black Attendants Colonied thy Cell,
But for thy Presence, Carsbrooke had been Hell.
Thus basely to be Dungeon'd would enrage
Great Bajazet beyond an Iron Cage.
That deep indignity might have layne 155
Something the lighter from a Tamerlaine.
But here Sidonian Slaves usurp the Reines,
And lock the Scepter-bearing Armes in chaines.
The spew'd-up surfeit of the glut'nous Land ;
Honour'd by scorne, and cleane beneath all brand. 160
For such a Varlet-Brood to teare all downe,
And make a common Foot-ball of the Crowne.
T'insult on wounded Majesty, and broach,
The bloud of Honour by their vile reproach.
What royall eye but thine could sober see, 165
Bowing so low, yet bearing up so high?
What an unbroken sweetness grac'd thy Soule,
Beyond the world, proud conquest, or controule?
Maugre grim cruelty, thou keepst thy hold ;
Thy thornie Crowne was still a Crown of Gold. 170
Chast Honour, Might enrag'd could ne're defloure,
Though others th'Use, Thou claim'dst the Right of
( Power.
The brave Athenian thus (with lopp'd-off Hands)
A stop to swelling sayles by's mouth commands.
New Vigour rouz'd Thee still in thy Embroyles, 175
Antaeus-like, recruiting from the Foyles.
[164]
A DEEP GROANE
Victorious fury could not terrour bring,
Enough to quell a captivated King.
So did that Roman Miracle withstand
H etrurian shoales, but with a single hand. 180
The Church in thee had still her Armies; thus
The World once fought with Athanasius.
The Gantlet thus upheld ; It is decreed,
(No safety else for Treason) Charles must bleed.
Traytor and Soveraigne now inverted meet; 185
The wealthy Olive's dragg'd to th' Brambles feet.
The Throne is metamorphiz'd to the Barre,
And despicable Batts the Eagles dare.
Astonishment! yet still we must admire
Thy courage growing with thy conflicts high'r. 190
No palsied hands or trembling knees betray
That Cause, on which thy souls sure bottom'd lay.
So free and undisturbed flew thy Breath,
Not as condemned but purchasing a death.
Those early Martys in their funerall pile, 195
Embrac'd their Flames with such a quiet smile.
Brave Coeur-de-Lyon Soule, that would'st not vayle
In one base syllable to beg thy Bayle !
How didst thou blush to live at such a price,
As ask'd thy People for a sacrifice? 200
Th' Athenian Prince in such a pitch of zeale,
Redeem'd his destin'd Hoast, and Common-weale ;
Who brib'd his cheated Enemies to kill,
And both their Conquest, and their Conquerour fell.
Thus thou our Martyr died'st; but oh ! we stand 205
A ransome for another Charles his Hand.
[165]
POEMS
One that will write thy Chronicle in Red,
And dip his Pen in what thy Foes have bled.
Shall Treas'nous Heads in purpule Caldrons drench,
And with such veines the Flames of Kingdomes quench.
Then thou art least at Westminster , shall't be 211
Fil'd in the Pompous List of Majestic.
Thy Mausalceum shall in glory rise,
And Teares, and wonder force from Nephews Eyes.
Till when (though black-mouth'd Miscreants engrave)
No Epitaph, but Tyrant, on thy Grave. 216
A Vault of Loyalty shall keep thy Name,
An Orient, and bright OUbian flame
On which, when times succeeding foot shall tread.
Such Characters as these shall there be read. 220
Here CHARLES the best of Monarchs, butcher'd
The Glory of all Martyrologies. (lies;
Bulwark of Law ; the Churches Cittadell ;
In whom they triumph'd once, with whom they fell:
An English Salotnon, a Constantine; 225
Pandect of Knowledge, Humane and Divine.
Meek even to wonder, yet of stoutest Grace,
To sweeten Majesty, but not debase.
So whole made up of clemency, the Throne
And Mercy-seat to Him were alwayes one. 230
Inviting Treason with a pardoning look.
Instead of Gratitude, a stab He took.
With passion lov'd ; that when He murd'red lay,
Heav'n conquered seem'd, and Hell to bear the sway.
A Prince so richly good, so blest a Reigne, 235
The world ne're saw but once, nor can againe.
[166]
A DEEP GROANE
.... Humano generi Natura benigni
Nil dedit, aut tribuet moderato hoc principe major
In quo vera dei, vivensque eluxit imago :
Hunc quoniam scelerata cohors violavit, acerbas 240
Sacrilego Deus ipse petet de Sanguine poenas
Contemptumque sin Simulachri haud linquet
(inultum.
Parodia ex Buchanani Geneth: Jacobi sexti.
FINIS.
[167]
POEMS
EPIGRAM
Quid faciant Leges, vbi sola pecunia regnatf &c.
Petron. Arbit.
To what serue Lawes, where only Money reignes?
Or where a poore mans cause no right obtaines ?
Even those that most austerity praetend,
Hire out their Tongues, and wordes for profit lend.
What's Judgment then, but publick merchandize?
And the Court sits, but to allow the price.
EPIGRAM
Casta suo gladium cum traderet Arria Paeto, &c.
Martial.
When Arria to hir Paetus had bequeath'd
The sword in hir chast bosome newly sheath'd ;
Trust mee (qth shee) My owne wound feeles no smart;
'Tis thine (My Paetus) grieues and kills my heart.
[168]
EPIGRAM
EPIGRAM
Qui Pelago credit, magno se faenore tollit, &c.
Petron. Arbit.
He whose advent'rous keele ploughes ye rough Seas,
Takes Interest of Fate for wealthes encrease.
He that in Battaile trafficks, and pitch't Fieldes,
Reapes wth his Sword rich Harvests, wch warre yeelds.
Base parasites repose their drunken heads, 5
Laden wth Sleep and wine, on Tyrian beds ;
And he that meltes in Lustes adult'rous fire,
Gets both reward and pleasure for his hire.
But Learning only, midd'st this wanton heat.
Hath (saue it self) nothing to weare or eat; 10
Faintly exclaiming on the looser Times,
That value Wit and Artes below their Crimes.
EPIGRAM
Pro captu lectoris habent sua fata libelli.
The fate of Bookes is diverse as mans Sense:
Two Criticks ne're shar'd one intelligence.
[169]
ADDITIONAL POEMS
HITHERTO UNPRINTED.
UPON YE UNTIMELY DEATH OF J. K.
Upon y^ untimely death of J. K. first borne of HK.
Blessed Spirit, thy Infant breath
Fitter for the Quire of Saints
Than for Mortalls here beneath,
Warbles Joyes; but mine Complaints:
Plaints that spring from that great Losse 5
Of thy Litle Self, sad crosse.
Yet doe I still repair thee by desire
Wch warmes my benumb sense, but like false fire.
But wth such delusive Shapes
Still my pensive thoughts are eas'd. 10
As Birds bating att mocke-grapes
Are wth empty errour pleas'd.
Yet I erre not: for decay
Hath but seis'd thy House of clay
For loo the lively Image of each part 15
Makes deep impression on my waxy heart.
Thus learn I to possess the thing I want ;
Having great store of thee, & yet great scant.
O, lett mee thus recall thee, nor repine.
Since what is thy Fate now, must once bee mine. 20
[173]
POEMS
To one that demaunded
why the wine sparkles.
Wee doe not give the wine a sparkling name
As if wee meant those sparkes employ'd a flame;
The flame lyes in our bloud : And tis desire
Fed by loose appetite setts us on fire.
[Then follow the last four lines of the printed version;
i.e., sup. p. 40, lines 13-16.]
To a Lady that sent mee a
Coppy of Verses at my going to Bed.
Doubtlesse the Thespian Spring doth overflow
His Learned bank: Else how should Ladyes grow
Such Poets? as to court th'unknowing time
In verse, & entertaine their Friends in Rhime.
Or you some Sybill are, sent to unty 5
The knotty Riddles of all Poetry;
Whilst your smooth Numbers such perfections tell,
As prove your self a Moderne Oracle.
[Then follow the last ten lines of the printed version;
i.e., sup. p. 20, lines 13-16, p. 21, lines 1-6.]
EPIGRAM
Nolo quod cupio statlm tenere;
Nee victoria mi placet parata. Petron: Arb:
I would not in my Love too soone prevaile:
An easy Conquest makes the purchase stale.
[174]
DOUBTFUL POEMS.
A CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS
A Contemplation upon Flowers:
Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you
and be as little vaine,
you come abroad, and make a harmelesse shew,
and to your bedds of Earth againe ;
you are not proud, you know your birth 5
for your Embroiderd garments are from Earth :
You doe obey your moneths, and times, but I
would have it ever springe,
my fate would know noe winter, never dye
nor thinke of such a thing; 10
Oh that I could my bed of Earth but view
and Smile, and looke as chearefully as you:
Oh teach me to see death, and not to feare
but rather to take truce;
how often have I seene you at a Beere, 15
and there looke fresh and spruce ;
you fragrant flowers then teach me that my breath
Like yours may sweeten, and perfume my death.
[177]
POEMS
[THE COMPLAINT]
Fond, haples man, lost in thy vain desire;
Thy lost desire,
May now retire.
Shee, like a salamander, in thy Flame,
Sports wth Loves Name ; 5
And, lives ye same,
Vncingd, impenetrably cold.
Sure, careles Boy, thou slepst : and Death instead
Of thine, convey'd
His Dart of Lead. 10
This thou unluckily att hir hast sent ;
Who now^ is bent
Not to relent.
Though thou spend all thy shafts of Gold.
I prethee filch another Fatall Dart: 15
And peirce my Heart,
To ease this smart.
Strike all my senses dull. Thy Force devoures
Mee, & my Powers,
In taedious Houres; 20
And thy iniustice He proclame
Or vse some Art to cause hir Heat returne ;
Or whilst I burne.
Make hir my Vrne.
Where I may bury in a Marble chest, 25
All my Vnrest.
Thus hir cold Brest,
Yf it but lodge, will quench, my Flame.
[178]
ON HIS SHADDOW
[On his Shaddow :~\
Come, my Shaddow, constant, true,
Stay & doe not fly mee:
When I court thee, or would sue.
Thou willt not denie mee.
Faemale Loves I find unkind, 5
And devoyde of Pittie ;
Therefore I have chang'd my mind,
And to thee frame this dittie.
Child of my Bodie, & that Flame
From whence our Light were borrow; 10
Thou continuest still the same
In my Joy, or Sorrow.
Though thou lov'st the Sunshine best
Or enlighten'd places,
Yet thou doest not flye, but rest, 15
'Midst my black disgraces.
Thou would 'st have all Happy Dayes
When thou art approching:
No Cloud, nor Night do dime bright rayes
By their sad encroching. 20
Let but glimmering Lights appear
To banish Night's obscuring;
Thou wilt shew thou harbourd'st nere
By my side enduring.
And when thou art forc't away 25
By ye sun's declining.
Thy Length is doubled, to repay,
Thy Absence, whilst hee's shining.
[179]
POEMS
As I flatter not thee Fair,
So thou art not Fading. 30
Age nor sicknes, can impair
Thy Hue, b}' feirce invading.
Lett ye purest varnish't Clay
Art can shew, or Nature,
Veiw the Shades they cast; & they 35
Grow duskish like thy Faeture.
'Tis thy Truth I most comend ;
That thou art not fleeting.
For as I embrace my Freind,
So thou giv'st him greeting. 40
Yf I strike, or keep ye peace.
So thou seem'st to threaten,
And single blowes by thy increase
Leave my Foe double beaten.
As thou find'st mee walke, or sitt, 45
Standing, or downe lying.
Thou doest all my postures hitt,
Most Apish in thy prying.
When our Actions so consent,
(Expressions dumb, but locall,) 50
Words are needles Complement,
Else I could wish thee vocall
Hadst thou but a soul, wth sense
And Reason sympathising
Earth could match, nor heav'n dispense 55
A Mate so farr entising.
Nay, when bedded in ye Dust
'Mongst shades I have my biding,
[180]
WISHES TO MY SONNE JOHN
Tapers can see thy Posthume trust
Within my vault residing. 60
Had heav'n so plyant Women made,
Or thou their Souls couldst marry
Fid soone resolve to wedd my shade,
This Love would ne'r miscarry.
But they thy Lightnes onely share; 65
Yf shunn'd, the more they follow:
And to Pursuers peevish are
As Daphne to Apollo.
Yet this experience Thou hast taught :
A Shee-Freind, and an Honour, 70
Like thee; nor That, nor Shee, is caught
Vnles I fall vpon hir.
Wishes to my sonne John, for this new,
and all succeeding yeares: Jan. I. 1630:
If wishes may enrich my Boy,
my Jack, that art thy fathers Joy,
they shall be showr'd upon thy head
as thick as manna, Angells bread ;
And bread I wish thee, this short word 5
will furnish both thy backe, and boord;
not fortunatus purse, or Capp,
nor danaes gold-replenisht Lapp
can more supply thee ; but content
is a large patrimony, sent 10
from him who did thy soule infuse,
maist thou this best endowment use
[181]
POEMS
in any state; Thy structure is
I see compleate; A frontispice
promising faire ; may it nere bee 15
Like Jesuites volumes, where we see
Vertues, and Saints adorne the front,
doctrines of deuills follow on't:
may a pure soule inhabite still
this, well mixt clay ; and a streight will 20
By act by Reason, that by grace ;
May Gemmes of price maintaine their place
in such a Caskett: For that list
Chast Turkois, sober Amethist,
that sacred breast plate still surround. 25
Urim, and Thummim be there found,
which for thy wearing I designe
that in thee Kinge and priest may Joyne:
As 'twas thy Grandsires choice, and mine
maist thou attaine John the diuine 30
chiefe of thy Titles; though Contempt
now brand the Clergie ; bee exempt
I euer wish thee, from each vice
that may that Calling scandalize:
Let not thy tongue with court oyle flow, 35
nor Supple Language lay thee low
for thy preferment ; make Gods cause
thy pulpits taske, not thine applause ;
maist thou both preach by Line, and life;
That thou Hue well and Chaste, a Wife 40
I wish thee, such as is thy Sires,
a lawfull helpe 'gainst lustfuU fires;
[182]
IN OBITUM SANCTISSIMI
And though promotions often frowne
on marryed browes, yet lye not downe
in single bawdry; impure monkes 45
that banish wedlock, license punkes;
Peace I doe wish thee from those warres
which Gowne-men talke out at the Barres
some times a yeare; I wish thee peace
of Conscience, Country, and encrease 50
in all that best of men commends,
favour with God, good men thy friends;
Last, for a lasting legacy
I this bequeath, when thou shalt dye
Heauens monarch blesse mine eyes, to see 55
my wishes crowned, in crowning thee.
[/« obitum sanctissimi viri Di. Dris. Spenseri
C: C : C: nuper Praesidis et spectatissimi
sui amici
ELEGUS.]
If this tru sorrow counted be with fatall Cypresse
bowes
Or palish twiggs of poplar tree to binde our mourne-
full browes
Or to transforme to direfull shapes our variable
lookes
Or moisten dry and witherd cheakes with wett and
weeping brookes
[183]
POEMS
What store of dropps, what show'rs of teares should 5
flow then from mine eyes
What fun'rall rites then should I pay to thy sad
exequies.
But plaininge words, and bablinge greafe do nought
prevaile at all
They ill befitt both my small quill, and thy greate
funerall
For who so doth lament thy death or straine a faigned
crie
Or on the earth doth grovelinge looke, with a downe 10
fixed eye
He rather doth expresse his greafe, showinge how't
should be done
Then feel't himselfe. It's not one thinge to babble
much; and mone.
Nor weeps he wch with sobbrie blurrs his paper white
bismeares
For they are more Rhetorical!, then tru affected teares
Lett those mourne so, who often vse such solemne 15
rites to keep
Who by sett methode can lament, who by their Jrt
can weepe.
Or who with common vulgare greafe deplore on thy
sad grave
Or not that du doe render thee wch thy deserts doe
crave
I loath such meanes by wch most men their sorrowes
doe bewray
[184]
IN OBITUM SANCTISSIMI
To vente my greafe I must finde out a more efFectuall 20
way
He therefore elevate my heart, vpp to mine Optick
Spheares
And theare dissolve it into sighs, and melt it into
teares
And sine I can noe greater debts pay to thy mourne-
fuU hearse
Lett it suffice to decke the same, with a teare-stillinge
vearse
Or else I'le smother vpp my greafe within my seacrete 25
breast
For I a wittness to my teares abhorre and eke detest.
[185]
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE.
The MSS. referred to in the Notes to the present
edition are in verj^ few cases from Henry King's own
hand. They are for the most part simply "commonplace
books," albums of verse, or casual stray collections, which
possess critical value only because of the peculiar publish-
ing conditions or customs in this period. Much more
important than these codices, however, which are mere
haphazard copying or jotting down of single poems by
many different poets, the scribes never being named and
the authors seldom so, are the "MS. volumes" devoted
to the work of a single writer, — carefully written compila-
tions which were circulated before the author or some
piratical publisher printed his collected effusions. One
such "MS. volume" of Henry King's poems is in the
Bodleian Library and has been collated for this edition;
another, which has since disappeared, was collated by
Hannah ; and there are traces of two more.
Aside from certain poems contributed to "Jonsonus
Virbius," Sandys' "Paraphrase," "The Swedish Intelli-
gencer," and the first edition of Donne's poems, Henry
King's first published English poems were his two Elegies
on King Charles I, dated 1649. The first of these
(137-155, sup.) was subsequently reprinted and bound
up with the other additional Elegies in the 1664 re-issue
of his collected poems. The second (pp. 157-167, sup.),
twice reprinted in 1649, is here for the first time restored
to its place among his collected poems.
[187]
POEMS
King's volume of poems appeared first in 1657, in
circumstances best explained by the printer-publishers
themselves in their Preface reprinted on pages 9-11,
sup. The unsold copies of this edition were re-issued in
1664, with a slightly different title-page reproduced in
facsimile on p. 7, sup. Finally, the remaining copies
were again re-issued in 1700, with a new variant of the
title-page now bearing the preposterous ascription of the
whole volume to "Ben Johnson."
Selected "Poems and Psalms by Henry King D D"
appeared in 1843, edited by Rev. J. Hannah and published
by William Pickering, London.
Smaller selections, without annotation, are T. B.
Mosher's in "The Bibelot," Portland, Maine, for March,
1897, and J. R. Tutin's in No. V of "The Orinda Book-
lets," Cottingham near Hull, England, 1904.
For the sake of completeness, it may be stated further
that King's "The Psalms of David from the New Trans-
lation of the Bible, Turned into Meter," was published
first in 1651; re-issued, with a few additions, in 1654;
republished in a genuine second edition, in 1671; and
finally included in part (to the extent of fifteen Psalms
and four Hymns or Prayers) in Playford's "Psalms &
Hymns in Solemn Musick," 1671.
His published sermons appeared singly for the most
part, in the j^ears 1621, 1625, 1626, 1627 (two bound
together), 1628 (eleven bound together; 2d ed., 1634),
1640, 1661 (2d ed., 1713), 1662, 1663, and 1665. To
these theological writings must be added the brief
"Articles" of his "first Episcopal Visitation," 1662.
[188]
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
His Latin and Greek Verse, and some of his Letters,
appeared or have since been published scatteringly in
various places calling for more detailed mention than can
be vouchsafed in the present brief summary. (For com-
plete Bibliography, cf. "Transactions of the Connecticut
Academy of Arts and Sciences," vol. xviii, 260-289 ; Yale
University Press, 1913.)
[189]
NOTES
upon a Table-Book.
14,1 "Table-book": book of tables or tablets, i.e., blank
pages.
The Fareivell.
15, 1 The authorship of a very similar piece is discussed in
a note, p. 226 (3), inf. The Latin motto was apparently
taken from Sidney's sonnet beginning "Leave me, O Love,
which reachest but to dust," for no other occurrence of the
sentence has been noticed.
15,4, 5 Malone MS. 22, fol. 13v., reads as follows:
To dote on those that lov'd not, & to fly
Love that woo'd mee. Goe, bane of my content,
16,21,22 Ibid.:
And for an Epitaph, the Rock shall groane
Eternally: if any ask the Stone
A Black-moor Maid and The Boyes Ansiver.
16, 17 These two pieces were exceedingly popular, if we may
judge by the number of MSS. in which they appear, by
the frequent handling of the same theme by other poets,
and by the appearance of an anonymous third "stanza" in
rejoinder (cf. Sloane MS. 1446, fol. 71v.). Thus numerous
variations in detail naturally appear, the most important
of which are the exchange of roles, making the Boy the
wooer, and the shortening of the last line in both "stanzas"
from an alexandrine to a pentameter. Who "Hen.
Rainolds" may have been does not appear. Wood mentions
no one of this name. He may have been the author of
"Mythomystes," with whom Drayton corresponded in verse.
And several of the songs in Lawes' "Ayres and Dialogues,"
1653 and 16SS, are signed by this name, but "A Black-moor
Maid" is not among them.
[191]
NOTES
Sonnet: Go thou that vainly.
20, 4 "Slumber" is here a transitive verb, witii "pain" as
direct object.
Sonnet: Tell me you stars.
24, 1 In one MS., this piece is entitled "Love ill Requited," and
line 10 begins: "Wch I suppose does in."
Sonnet: I Prethee.
25,10 "Turnes": that sun which turns sooty (i.e., tans) the
Indian.
Sonnet: Dry those fair.
25, 1 In one MS., this piece is entitled "To his discontented
Mrs."
Sonnet: When I entreat.
26, 1 In the MSB., this piece is entitled "To a Faire Lady
Weeping," or "To A discouraged Sutor."
To a Lady.
26, 1 For an earlier version of this piece, cf. p. 174, sup., and
Note,
The Pink.
27, 1 In the Editio Princeps this emendation appears in the list
of Errata printed on the last page of the original volume:
"Page 2. The Pink never wrote by the Author of these
Poems." The typographical and grammatical blunders do
not enhance the critical authority of this statement, and it
is controverted by several MS. ascriptions to King.
28, 19 The original list of Errata supplies a necessary emen-
dation, concurred in by the MSS.: "aire" for "she."
[192]
NOTES
To his Friends of Christ-Church.
28, 1 This special performance of Barton Holiday's "Texno-
tamia: or The Marriages of the Arts," given at Wood-
stock before the King, August 26, 1621, occasioned an
inter-university war of wits in which the capital and court
did not disdain to join.
28. 3 George Ruggle's clever Macaronic satire, "Ignoramus,"
went through ten editions between 1630 and 1787. Its two
performances before the King, at Cambridge, March 8 and
May 13, 1615, provoked Oxford's attempt to achieve a
similar success and at least share in the royal approbation
and favor. Henry King's outspoken indignation and
chagrin indicate the extent of Oxford's failure and dis-
appointment.
28. 4 A hobby-horse figures in a broadly farcical passage in
each play, but Ruggle's use of the device is certainly far
more clever and amusing than Holiday's.
28, 11-14 Perhaps some light is here cast on the vexed question
of Malvolio's Puritanism (cf. Furness' Variorum "Twelfth
Night," pp. 397-402).
The Surrender.
29, 1 This piece is variously entitled in the MSS., "An Elegy,"
"A Farwell to his beloved Mistris," or "The mournefull
partinge of Tow Lovers beinge caused by ye disproportion
of estates," and line 14 sometimes reads: "And chaste
embraces such as never brake."
29,5-8 Headley ("Select Beauties," 1810, II, 96) calls atten-
tion to Pope's adaptation of these lines, in "Eloisa to
Abelard," 8, 9.
The Legacy.
31, 19 "Cast ragge": cf. 36, 12.
32,31,32 A reference to the classical myth of Venus and
Adonis.
[193]
NOTES
The Short Wooing.
33, 9-12 As love springs into existence at first sight or not at
all, so judgment also should be delivered at first sight.
To his unco7istant Friend.
36,7 "Banes": representing MS. abbreviation of "bann(e)s."
36, 11 This misprint, "lad," appears in all the original printed
copies, but is corrected in various MSS. to "lay'd" or "laid."
Another MS. emendation is "had perisht" for "do perish,"
in line 16.
36,12 Cf. 31, 19
36,23-34 A strangely exact parallel is afforded by "Le Roman
de la Rose," ed. 'Pierre Marteau,' Orleans, 1878, lines
17,261-8.
37, 59 Obviously, a reference to Ariosto, not to "As You Like
It."
Madam Gabrina.
38, 1 Henry King is by no means the worst offender among the
many versifiers who followed the unsavory lead of Horace
(cf. line 8) and Martial in dealing with this theme. The
Spanish motto, indicating the fashionable linguistic affecta-
tion of the day (cf. p. 82, line 43, sup.), signifies literally:
"With a bad Woman the remedy (is) much ground in
between."
38,7 "Orpment": orpiment, auripigment, a yellow dye; tri-
sulphide of arsenic.
39, 18 "Ember weeks," periods of fasting and abstention from
flesh, would of course emphasize especially the industry of
"Fishstreet."
39,21 "Bulleins Bulwarke of defence against all Sickness,
Sornes, and Woundes Gathered and practised from
the moste worthie learned, both old and newe, to the greate
comforte of mankinde:" London, 1562, records on fol.
[194]
NOTES
LXXXI the prevailing opinion as to the sanative value of
the fox against "all Coldnesse, Palsey, and the contraxion
of the sinewes, and trembling of the body."
40,44 "Night-peece" : cf. p. 88, 32. King's sermons supply
illustrations: "But peradventure it was a night-piece, and
not fit to be perused by every light. Well, then, apply their
owne Ignis fatiius to it" (1621, p. 54). "If ever Rest were
drawen to the life, 'tis in that most exact Night-peece,
Death" (1627, p. 24).
The Defence.
40, 1 In the MSS. this piece is entitled, "A Lover to one yt
misiudged his Mrs." The Spanish motto signifies: "Lovers
think that others have unsound eyes"; the comma should be
omitted, and the last two words printed as one.
40,3 "Form": Latin "forma," beauty.
40, 12 Win my free suffrage, or gratify my free taste.
To One demanding.
41, 1 For an earlier version of this piece, cf. p. 174, sup., and
Note.
42,26 "Carthusian," a monk of this ascetic order; "Rechabite,"
cf. Jeremiah, XXXV.
On the birth of the Prince.
42,1 Prince v^I 'es, later King Charles II, is the subject of
this piece. The astronomical allusions in 42, 10 and
44,64 are explained by the title of some lines in Malone
MS. 21, fol. 3: "On ye birth of Pr: Charles May 29, 1630
wn a star appeared next day at noone, & an Eclipse of ye
Sun the next day following." The various contemporaneous
accounts differ irreconcilably as to the day and hour when
these celestial portents were vouchsafed.
[195]
NOTES
44, 47 The metre may readily be amended by adopting the
reading inscribed in early MS. in one of the British
Museum's copies of the original edition, 1664 re-issue: "But
here with fate we dally," etc.
45, 67-72 May Charles I transfer his virtue to his son, by
training, and thus the Prince may be crowned (with
virtu?) but not at the cost of Charles I's death.
On the King's return.
45, 1 Charles' expedition was by no means a wise or successful
one (to receive the crown of Scotland, June 18, 1633) ; so
King does well to avoid touching upon the political aspects
of the event.
To the Queen at Oxford.
47, 1 Probably addressed to Queen Henrietta Maria, during
her visit to Oxford in 1636; but the date cannot be definitely
fixed.
On his Majesties Ship the Soveraign.
49, 1 Hannah (p. 209) cites Evelyn's Diary, under date of
February 2, 1696, to show the dates of building and destruc-
tion: "The Royal Sovereign man of war was burnt at Chat-
ham. It was built in 1637, and having given occasion to the
levy of Ship-money was perhaps the cause of all the after-
troubles to this day." This is an excessive imputation; but
the building of the ship was a very unpopular and impoli-
tic enterprise, and the various poetic eulogies c^uld have
aroused little applause outside of the court. Henry King
again attempted to vindicate his ro^ai master in his Anni-
versary Sermon, at Paul's, 1640, pp. 52, 53.
49,3 "Blew": cf. Milton's "Comus," line 26.
49,18 "Tires": broadsides, volleys; or perhaps for "tiers" or
rows of guns, as suggested by the form, "Tyers," in which
the word appears in Ashmole MS. 38, fol. 141, where the
piece is entitled "On the Great shipp."
[196]
NOTES
Epitaph on the Earl of Dorset.
50, 1 Richard Sackville, third Earl of Dorset, who died March
28, 1624, at the age of 35, is here lamented. This piece
appeared in the 1647 edition of Bishop Corbet's "Poems,"
p. 51; but the evidence in favor of King's authorship is
considerable. The Corbet version is incomplete and
inferior; King had affiliations with Dorset through Donne,
and through the elder Dorset's chancellorship at Oxford
during Bishop John King's vice-chancellorship; Henry-
King's Will (quoted by Hannah, p. 179) shows that he was
a "faithfully approved friend" of the Earl, for whom he
"was engaged" to the extent of an unrepaid thousand
pounds; and finally the poetic manner is decidedly Henry
King's, and there are many close parallels between this
piece and King's sermons and undoubted poems.
Elegy on his Wife's Death.
51,1 Almost all the MSS. agree in amending this title thus:
"The Exequy. To his Matchless never to be forgotten
Freind."
51,17 MS. reading: "To mee that mourne:"
52,34 MS. reading: "Like a falne Starr is fled & gone,"
53,49 MS. reading: "n'ere more shall I"
53,55 Wrongly punctuated; insert period after parenthesis,
and capitalize "that."
53, 61 Insert comma after "her."
54,83 MS. reading: "Good night, thou never more shalt wake"
54,90 "Hallow" appears in all the original printed volumes of
King's poems; yet all the editors and publishers since 1700
print "hollow," wimoui giving explanation or authority. It
happens that "hollow" is the f6rn> j' '"i 9 early MS.
versions; but the emendation is unnecessary, at bet*^ for
"The English Dialect Dictionary," ed. J. Wright, 1902, x^I,
34, shows that "hallow" was used to mean "hollow,
[197]
NOTES
sunken," "in Sc. and various counties"; and furthermore, at
worst, the emendation is a serious blunder, if Henry King
intended to use the word "hallow" in its etymological
sense, i.e., "holy."
55, 111-114 This is the quatrain which Poe accused Long-
fellow of plagiarizing in the fourth stanza of the "Psalm
of Life." Cf. Poe's "Works," ed. Stedraan and Woodberry,
1895, VI, 194.
Elegy on the Death of iivo of his Children.
57, 1 Thomas Goflfe's elegy on the death of Henry King's
wife (cf. "Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of
Arts and Sciences," xviii, 236) shows that two sons had
died before her; the "two children" here lamented, there-
fore, must have been Henry King's third and sixth born,
little Anne and the fifth son. Only two of his children sur-
vived this bereavement, viz., John and Henry.
A Letter.
57, 1 It is impossible to identify the particular nobleman here
addressed.
60, 61, 62 The period after "agree" should be omitted, and
perhaps we should substitute an apostrophe before the "s"
in "parts" for the comma after it.
60,67 "Indent": sign a contract, pledge oneself.
An A cknoivledgment.
62,42 "Road": harbor, anchorage.
The Departure.
64,6 "Largest": .freest- '.e., (most) unhampered by poetic
ru' 3 uaCi it. ..lotions.
65,4/ A poor line, metrically. The MSS. suggest no emenda-
tion.
[198]
NOTES
Paradox: That it is best for a Young Maid.
67,18 "Calenture": a tropical fever, or sun-stroke, character-
ized by delirium. The word was a recent importation from
Spain.
68.46 "Drill": a rill or small stream.
68.47 "Floated": flooded.
68,57 "Fontinells": etymologically, the diminutive of fountain;
this sense is quibblingly intended here, in combination with
the medical meaning, discharge or issue.
68, 69fiF "Erra-Pater," the corrupt form of an ancient Jewish
astrologer's name, eminent but legendary, came at last to
mean simply an almanac. As late as 1683 the almanacs
were also astrological "prognostications"; King here
borrows their absurd terminology.
Paradox: That Fruition destroys Love.
69, 4 A quibble on "Act" in the sense of "result" or "eflFect,"
and in the sense intended in 1. 50, p. 70, inf.
71,75-77 This is the jargon of alchemy; a quibble seems
intended upon the alchemists' frequent employment of the
analog}' of human generation, in their treatises on the
transmutation or creation of metals.
71,78 "Third Ague fits": paroxysms of tertian fever.
The Change.
73,1 The Spanish motto signifies: "The wise man changes
his opinion: the fool persists (in his)."
73, 19, 20 The literal Rabbinical conception of a permanent
terrestrial Paradise.
To my Sister Anne.
74, 1 The youngest sister of Henry King was a spirited and
talented girl. Her poetic skill was highly commended by
James Howell (cf. "Ep. Ho-el.," under February 3, 1637,
[199]
NOTES
and March 26, 1643) and Izaak Walton, as well as by her
brother, and she inspired versified tributes by Jasper
Mayne (cf. Harl. MS. 6931, flf. 59-60v.) and others.
Elegy on Lady Rich.
75, 1 "Lady Anne Cavendish, first wife of Robert Lord Rich
.... only daughter of William Cavendish, second Earl
of Devonshire, by Christian, only daughter of Edward
Lord Bruce of Kinlosse," as Hannah (p. 184) quotes from
Brydges' "Funeral Memorials," p. 6. She died in the
summer of 1638. Her husband was the grandson of the
famous Lady Rich who was Sir Philip Sidney's "Stella."
This formal elegiac tribute implies no close relationship on
Henry King's part.
77,52-58 "Northumberland": cf. Notes to p. 121,1, and to p.
122,33.
Elegy on Mrs. Kirk.
78, 1 This is King's poorest effort in the field of elegy, — cold,
artificial, extravagant; evidently no personal relationship
existed here. Robert Heath composed an "Epicedium" on
the same subject, which has even less feeling and certainly
less cleverness and finish than King's. And Glapthorne
capped the descending climax in two long and frigidly
bombastic absurdities "On the Noble, and much to be
lamented Mrs. Anne Kirk, wife to Mr. Geo. Kirk, Gent,
of the Robes, of his Majesties Bed-Chamber, who was
unfortunately drowned passing London Bridge, July 6.
1641."
Elegy on Edivard Holt.
80, 1 "Edward Holt, son and heir of Sir Thomas Holt, of
Aston, Warwickshire, married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of
Bishop John King. He died at Oxford, in the year 1643,
and was buried in the Cathedral of Christ Church on the
30th of August in that year." — Hannah, p. 206. Henry
[200]
NOTES
King's Will, written in 1653, repeats these charges against
the elder Holt.
Elegy on Ben Jonson.
81, 1 King must have known Jonson at Court. This poem first
appeared in March (presumably: cf. Cunningham's ed. of
Gifford's "Jonson," 1875, ix, 421), 1638, in the volume
called "Jonsonus Virbius," collected and published (anony-
mously) by Bishop Bryan Duppa in memory of Ben
Jonson. King's tribute stands fifth among the twenty-six
English poems, preceded by the work of title-bearing
authors only.
81, 1-3 The old Greek superstition that a house surrounded by
laurel growths could not be struck by lightning.
81,13-16 The punctuation given in "Jonsonus Virbius" removes
the obscurity: a colon should replace the semicolon in line
14, and the comma should come after "desire" Instead of
after "adde" In line 15. Then the sense is this: 'and, since
I can add nothing except in inclination and good intention,
let not your learned shadow scorn me because I pay
meaner rites and merely restore to you your own, some
echoes of your own inspiration.'
Elegy on Prince Henry.
83, 1 The story of this truly noble young Prince's life and
death Is nowhere more quaintly told than in the annotated
version of "Aulicus Coquinariae" Included In "The Secret
History of the Court of James I," Edinburgh, 1811, II,
239-252. This is the earliest English poem of King's that
can be definitely dated, for he was not yet twenty-one years
old at the time of the Prince's death, November 6, 1612.
83,5,6 The MSS. supply several variant readings; e.g.:
"Low as the Center. Death and horrour wed
To vent their teemeing misscheife: Henry's dead."
83,11 MS. reading: "Compendious eloquence of Death!"
[201]
NOTES
84,15 MS. reading: "At Earthes last dissolution"; an almost
indispensable emendation.
84,18 MS. reading: "Throngs in this narrowe compasse,
Henry's dead."
Eleffy on S. W. R.
84, 1 Several MSS. give the meaning of these initials, and
William Oldys, in his great Life prefixed to his ed. of the
"History of the World," 1736, I, ccxxxi, quotes this elegy
in full as a favorable exemplar of the "several testimonies
in verse of Sir Walter Ralegh's heroick comportment at
his death." Ralegh was executed October 29, 1618. For
a possible continuation of King's poem, cf. Note, p. 226 (2),
inf.
84,6 The MSS. supply a superior reading; the substitution of
"maisterd'st" for "master'd" removes the existing conflict
between lines 6 and 8.
Elegy on Bishop John King.
85, 1 To Henry King's Sermon vindicating his father's ortho-
doxy, November 25, 1621, readers are referred for a far
more fitting expression of his filial feelings. But these
lines, though they seem somewhat cold and formal, were
highly approved of by Fuller and various early biog-
raphers and anthologists. The elder King died March
30, 1621, after a long and painful illness.
86, 5-8 John King's modest instructions concerning his tomb
were obeyed in letter only, for an Epitaphium, an Anagram,
two Chronograms (cf. Note to p. 155), and two long Latin
eulogies were engraved on a large tablet set up beside his
grave, in St. Paul's Cathedral.
86, 8 A marginal note, in the editio princeps, informs us that
this single word which John King selected for his epitaph
was Resurgam.
[202]
NOTES
86, 13, 14 This poor pun on the family surname was based
upon the family claim of descent from the early Saxon
monarchs of Devonshire.
86, 19 The third and last of the "Errata" noted in the original
printed edition of Henry King's poems is this; "Pag. 100.
lin. 3. for Mattox read Mattocks."
Elegy on John Donne.
86,1 This piece was first printed in the 1633 ed. of Donne's
"Poems," where it heads the group of memorial tributes in
verse. When entering the ministry, Donne was ordained
by Bishop John King, with whom he stood on very friendly
terms; his friendship with Henry King thus began early
and was very intimate, culminating in the latter's serving
as literary executor of the great Dean of St. Paul's.
87, 8 "Hatchments": achievements, in the heraldic sense; the
secondary meaning has become the commonly accepted one,
— i.e., funeral drapery on which the family arms were
emblazoned. Cf. "Hamlet," IV, v, 214.
87, 20 In the version printed in Donne's "Poems," the period at
the close of this line is very properly omitted.
87, 29flF Walton describes this scene graphically in his "Life
of Donne," 1658 ed., pp. 103-105. In January, 1631, Donne
preached his last sermon, upon Ps. LXVIII, 20; rising
from his sick-bed to do so, he returned to his death-bed.
In the 2d ed. of Donne's "Poems," 1635, and the following
edd., this marginal note is inserted opposite lines 9, 10:
His last Sermon at Court.
Elegy on Gustavus Adolphus.
89, 1 This elegy was first printed in "The Swedish Intelli-
gencer," London, a kind of bulletin-record of Gustavus'
military career. Of the ten elegies appended to the Third
Fart, King's is the only one signed. For his possible
authorship of one of the others, cf. Note, p. 225 (1), inf.
[203]
NOTES
89, 3-9 One of the "twinn'd mountains" is composed "of bound-
less sorrow" for Gustavus' death, evidently. "T'other of
sin," King continues: for let no one consider it anything
less than monstrous sin "to begin where honour ends," i.e.,
to continue where honor has ceased, or, to be dishonorable;
for honor has been extinguished with Gustavus, and hardly
survives as a mere empty name with us.
90,26 MS. reading: "faine."
92,96 Marginal note in editio princeps: Magis triumphati
quam victi. Tacit, de mor. Ger.
93,118 "string": part of the mechanism of the old-fashioned
fusee watch, by means of which the declining power of the
relaxing spring was compensated. "With" is used in its
original sense of "against."
93,127,128 "Cassiopeian": In this constellation a brilliant
new star appeared, in 1572, and then afterwards dis-
appeared as suddenly. Tycho Brahe's notice of it, De
Stella Nova, was construed in the English translation,
1632, as a prophecy of Gustavus' greatness (Gustavus was
born in 1594). (Cf. Hannah, 182.)
93, 133-135 This quotation, which does not appear in the MSS.
or in "The Swedish Intelligencer," is correctly referred by
Hannah (72) to Aeneid XI, 124-125. The mistaken refer-
ence to the Aeneid, "lib. 2," is presumably due to the con-
fusion of English or Arabic eleven with Roman two. "Rex
Gustave" has been substituted for "Vir Troiane."
To Sir Henry Blount.
94, 1 No details of Henry King's friendship with Sir Henry
Blount are known, but it seems to have been a long-standing
one (99, 142) ; perhaps King's unsatisfied taste for travel
accounts for his liking for the noted travellers Blount,
James Howell, and the Sandys brothers. Blount's "Voyage"
was his celebrated book entitled, "A Voyage into the Levant,
or a brief Relation of a Journey lately performed from
[204]
NOTES
England by way of Venice into Dalmatia, Sclavonia, Bos-
nato, Hungary, Macedonia, Thessaly, Thrace, Rhodes, and
Egypt, unto Grand Cairo, &c." London, 1636. 2d ed. 4to.
The book went through eight edd. between 1636 and 1671.
If King's repeated "Sir" may be talien as a friendly com-
plimentary allusion to a recently received honor, then the
poem may well be dated about 1640; for Blount was
knighted March 21, 1640.
95, 32 The following entry appears in the catalogue of the
Rawlinson MSS., in the Bodleian: "Tomumbeius, sive Sul-
tanici in Aegypto imperii eversio, tragoedia nova. Auctore,
Georgio Salterno Bristoensi. Late XVIth Century. The
reference is to Tuman bey, made sultan of Egypt in 1516."
Cf. Cambuscan, for Genghiz Khan; Tamerlaine (p. 164,
156, inf.), for Timur Leng; etc.
95,36 "Secure": to prevent or preclude (a person) from doing
something dangerous or harmful ; this sense of the word is
now obsolete. The Neiv Eng. Diet, gives 1633 as the date
of its earliest example.
97.86 "Meschit": mescheeto, or mosque.
97.87 "Mufty": official head of the established church in
Turkey.
98,138 "Staple": market, or exchange; obviously, a center of
information is here intended, as in Jonson's play, "The
Staple of Newes," 1625.
To George Sandys.
99, 1 This piece was first printed in the 1638 ed. of Sandys'
"Paraphrase upon the Divine Poems," where it follows two
tributes by the only titled eulogist, Falkland, and precedes
eight others, including the Archbishop's laudatory Impri-
matur. George Sandys (1578-1644), seventh and youngest
son of the Archbishop of York, must have come into
friendly contact with Henry King at court and in the church.
Some authorities have assigned to Sandys a very important
[205]
NOTES
position in the evolution of the heroic couplet; if so, King
may well owe much to his friend's influence. Cf. Introd.,
p. 4, sup.
100. 23 This marginal note appears opposite this line, in the
ediiio princeps: Sr. Ediuin Sandys survey of religion in
the West. Edwin Sandys (1561-1629), second son of the
Archbishop of York, was successively pupil, friend, and
executor of Richard Hooker. The book here alluded to is
his "Europae Speculum. Or, A View or Survey of the
State of Religion in the Westerne parts of the World,"
piratically printed in 1605, first officially published in 1629,
and much re-published and translated thereafter.
100.24 George Sandys' "The Relation of a Journey begun an.
Dom. 1610, in Four Books," through Turkey, Egypt, Pales-
tine, etc., appeared in 1615 and went through many editions.
100, 44 "Chorography" : cf . King's "Exposition upon The Lords
Prayer," 1634, p. 30: "This Is the Psalmists method, who
being to discourse of Sion, and make a spirituall corography
and description of the beauty thereof," etc. So Camden's
"Brittania: A chorographlcal description of Great Britain,"
etc., 2d ed., 1722.
101, 53 Marginal note In editio princeps: Job.
101, 55 Marginal note in editio princeps: Ecclesiastes.
101, 57-62 Marginal note in editio princeps: The Act of Par-
liament for publick Thanksgi'ving on the fifth of Novemb.
set to a tune by H. Dod a tradesman of London, at the end
of his Psalmes, ivhich stole from the Press Anno Domini
1620. — This marginal note does not appear with the version
of the poem prefixed to Sandys' "Paraphrase" because these
six lines are there omitted. Possibly the MS. reading in
line 62, "Sternholdes edition," accounts for this omission.
The publication of King's own metrical Psalms, meanwhile,
of course made it doubly impossible to retain this personal
thrust in 1657; the emendation of a single word doubtless
seemed preferable to the exclusion of six lines.
[206]
NOTES
101, 63, 64, 65 Marginal notes in ediiio pr'uiceps: Hymns
Lameutat. Psalmes.
The Woes of Esay.
103, 1 This piece is a free versification of Isaiah V, 8-30,
wherein the successive paragraphs of "God's judgments for
sin" begin with the words "Woe unto them that."
106,66 "To": in comparison with (their own powers of
penetration).
106,69 "Imp": clip, cut short; applied by a misunderstanding
of the hawking term. The Neijj Eng. Diet, cites the present
passage as the earliest use of the word in this sense.
106,74 "To:" like to, equal to, so great as.
107,99 Cf. Isaiah V, 26: "And he will lift up an ensign to the
nations from far." The apostrophe in "sign's" should be
omitted, or a colon inserted after "advanc'd."
On Death and a Prison.
108,22 "By": beside, in comparison with.
109,40 "Darkness": after this word an "is" may have dis-
appeared, by absorption.
The Labyrinth.
111,1 Here, as in the two preceding poems and "An Elegy
Occasioned by Sickness," particularly, Henry King owes
much to Joshuah Sylvester.
112,40 "At the view": in plain sight, when the quarry or goal
is close at hand, — a hunting term. So in King's Lenten
Sermon, 1625: "True speculation doth not alwaies hunt
obiecis at the view."
Sic Vita.
113, 1 This poem strikingly illustrates the "communism" pre-
vailing in the seventeenth century, for it has been ascribed
to several writers and its matter and manner were common
[207]
NOTES
property. In the unprinted Thesis above referred to (cf.
Preface, p. vi.), Appendix A gives fifteen other stanzas
written on the same model by various hands, together with
an elaborate parody and an elaborate variation, and further
brings forward detailed evidence to establish the over-
whelming probability of Henry King's authorship of this
particular example (though the question can never be abso-
lutely settled) as well as the reasonable probability of his
priority in employing the stanzaic form involved. It seems
likely that the source of the form and the sentiment is to be
found in some classical author; e.g., cf. Seneca's "Troiades,"
378-399; "Oedipus," 131, 132; "Phaedra," 764-772. The
title may well have been taken from King's favorite,
Petronius, cap. 45: "sic vita truditur."
My Midnight Meditation.
114, 1 Three MSS. (in one of which the title is "Of Mans
Misery") ascribe this piece to Henry King's next younger
brother. Dr. John King; but five MSS. ascribe it to Henry,
and his claim is further strengthened by the internal unlike-
ness to his brother's known work (which is considerably
inferior), while there are several close parallels to Henry
King's poems and sermons and to the work of poets whom
he frequently echoes.
An Elegy Occasioned by Sickness.
115, 1 The "Prophet" here referred to must be either Job
(VII, 17; XV, 14) or the Psalmist (VIII, 4; CXLIV, 3).
116, 9 A MS. annotator in the British Museum copy of the
1657 issue substitutes "Thebes" for "Boetis," presumably
because he, like Henry King, was associating the Egyptian
Thebes with the Boeotian.
116,33 The MSS. read: "Just such is his."
118, 90ff Manichaeism is at the root of the various heretical
sects supporting this doctrine.
[208]
NOTES
119,93,94 Posidippus' Epigram in the Greek Anthology, based
upon Theognis, seems to be the earliest literary source of
this sentiment; it was much translated or imitated in the
seventeenth century. In the edit'to pr'tnceps, this side-note
appears in the margin opposite these lines; Non nasci, aut
quam c'ttissime mori. (Cf. Cicero's "Tusc. Disp.," I, 48,
114).
The Dirge.
120,27,28 MS. reading:
"Whilst it demonstrates Times swift flight
In the black Lines of Shady night."
An Elegy on Lady Stanhope.
121, 1 This lamented lady, Anne Percy, was the daughter of
the Countess Anne Cecil Percy, whose death is alluded to
above (77,52-58); the younger Lady Anne, here lamented,
was born August 12, 1633, married Philip, Lord Stanhope,
June 21, 1652, and died November 29, 1654. The connecting
link between Henry King and the Percys, Earls of North-
umberland, was in part Charles I's early fondness for the
tenth Earl (father of the subject of this elegy), but chiefly
the fact that Petworth, in Sussex, fourteen miles from
Chichester, was at once a rectorage of Henry King's and
the family seat of the Percys.
121, 5 "Hatchments": Cf. Note to 87, 8.
122,33,34 Both the loss of a daughter (Lady Stanhope) and
the loss of a wife (her mother; his first wife, who died
December 6, 1637) have befallen Northumberland, and so
his bereavement has been augmented ("improve") and his
sorrow doubled.
122,47 The "FINIS" indicates that this was the end of the
original volume. In the 1657 and 1700 issues of the editio
princeps, the next page was the blank (unpaged) side of
the last leaf at the end of the volume, and was therefore
[209]
NOTES
used for the following list of typographical errors:
"ERRATA. Page 2. The Pink never wrote by the Author
of these Poems. Pag. 22. lin. 8. for she read air. Pag. 100.
lin. 3. for Mattox read Mattocks." Page 2 should read Page
21. In the 1664 issue of the editio princeps this list remains
intact on this page, though four new poems follow it on
thirty-eight additional pages with the new page-headings
"ELEGIES" instead of "POEMS," new signatures, and
separate page-numbering, 1-38, — here numbered 123-156.
An Elegy on L. K. C.
123,1 Hannah (p. 99) gives a fuller title for this poem, from
a MS. version: "An Elegy on the right Ho.Rble and my
Worthyest Freind the L: Katherine, Countesse of Leinst'r."
This lady was the younger daughter of John, Lord Stanhope
of Harrington (younger branch of the Stanhopes repre-
sented by Lady Anne Percy's husband; cf. Note to 121,1),
and wife of Robert Cholmondeley, a Welshman who was
made a baron of England and then an earl, 1645-1646, in
return for distinguished service to Charles I during the
civil war. The countess died June 15 and was buried July
3, 1657. Presumably Henry King spent some time near or
with this couple during the period of the Usurpation, for
the intimate tone and personal references distinguish this
tribute very markedly from the merely formal or official
elegies which he dedicated to Lady Anne Rich (p. 75) and
Lady Stanhope (p. 121).
124,32 "Rest": wager, — a very common figure of speech at
this time; its serious use, in the most tragic passages, is
perhaps best illustrated by Romeo's familiar line in his
supreme liebes-tod (V, iii, 110).
124,3 5-54 This promise seems to have been kept, for no poem
of Henry King's can be dated later than 1657, his sixty-
sixth year.
[210]
NOTES
On the Earl of Essex.
125, 1 Robert Devereux, third and last Earl of Essex, son of
Elizabeth's favorite, was born in 1591, became commander-
in-chief of the Parliamentary army in 1642, and died Sep-
tember 14, 1646, after a somewhat inglorious military
career. Henry King's father was one of the two prelates
who stood out manfully against Essex' scandalous divorce
(September 25, 1613) from Frances Howard. Essex' second
marriage, to Elizabeth Paulet in 1631, led to a separation
on the charge of adultery. The second of the "two
Divorces" mentioned in line 3, refers to his revolt from his
allegiance to Charles I.
125, 7, 8 An allusion to his opposition to Cromwell and to all
extreme measures, in his closing years.
126,21 This paragraph, like the following, is in construction
a predicate with "He" (line 13) as subject.
126,32 Marginal note in editio princeps: Belshazar, Dan. 5.
126, 36-38 I.e.: in keeping with their sworn agreement (regard-
less of their oath of allegiance to Charles) to "live and die
with Essex." This oath was exacted of all members of the
House of Commons, August 15, 1642, by way of retaliation
after the King had proclaimed Essex and his officers traitors,
August 9. Cf. p. 147,286.
An Elegy on Lucas and Lisle.
126, 1 Lucas and Lisle were condemned by Court Martial and
shot five hours after the surrender of Colchester, August
28, 1643, at the end of a seventy-five days' siege. For a
vindication of this summary execution, cf. Milton's sonnet
"On the Lord General Fairfax, at the Siege of Colchester,"
and Clements R. Markham's "Life of the Great Lord
Fairfax," chap, xxvii.
127, 31ff Marginal note in the editio princeps: Sir George
Lisle at Newbury charged in his Shirt and Routed them.
[211]
NOTES
Further, the side-note Patroclus appears opposite line 49,
p. 128.
128, 60 The phrase "to Mercy" is the crux of the whole dispute.
King assumes that it bore its ordinary literal sense and so
was a pledge of safety, but this is hardly in accordance with
military usage; its true signification would seem to have
been, "at discretion."
128,64 "President": Phonetic spelling of "precedent."
128, 66 Marginal note in the editio princeps: Famagosta
defended most Valiantly by Signior Bragadino in the time
of Selymus 2d ivas upon Honourable terms surrendred to
Mustapha the Bashaw, ivho observing no Conditions, at his
Tent Murthered the Principal Commanders, invited thither
under sheiv of Love, and flayed Bragadine Alive.
130, 105 Marginal note in editio princeps: The Swedes hired
Anno 164. to invade the King of Denmark, provided to
assist his Nephevo the King of England. (The date is
imperfect in all copies of the editio princeps, apparently.)
130,115 Matthew Hopkins inaugurated the new profession of
witch-seeking in 1644; after he had caused the death of
scores of helpless old men and women, his own method or
test was applied to himself (i.e., he was cast into a pond,
with thumbs and great toes tied together), and when he
"swam" or floated he was adjudged guilty and hanged, in
1647.
130, 117 "Cad": the Nevi: Eng. Diet, quotes this line as the first
use of the word; meaning, "familiar spirit"; etymology
unknown.
130, 122 The executive power of government was vested by
Parliament, February, 1644, in a Committee of Both King-
doms, which first sat at Derby House, in Canon Row,
London. The Westminster Assembly, 1644, superseded the
Episcopal Church as the Committee superseded Charles.
132, 160 Marginal note in editio princeps: See the Letter sent
to Edward Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of
[212]
NOTES
Peers pro tempore, from T. Fairfax, Dated August 29.
1648. at Hieth. (This letter with other related papers may-
be found in "Collection of Pamphlets Anno 1648," articles
35, 24, 18, etc. [British Museum, shelf-number E 461]. On
the showing of these documents, the execution of Lucas and
Lisle is open to no such criticism as King urges against it.)
132, 170 Marginal note in editio princeps: Wat-Tyler and his
Complices design ivas to take away the King and chief
Men, and to erect petty Tyrannies to themselves in every
Shire. And already one Littistar a Dyar had taken upon
Him in Norfolk the Name of King of Commons, and
Robert Westborn in Suffolk, Rich. 2. Anno 1381. Speed.
132, 183 Marginal note in editio princeps: At St. Fagans in
Glamorganshire near Cardiff, The Welsh unarmed ixiere
taken in very great Numbers, and Sold for tivelve pence a
piece to certain Merchants, luho bought them for Slaves to
their Plantation.
133,188 "Aspers": small silver Turkish coins, worth 1-120 of
a piastre.
133,194 "Argiers": Cf. Tempest, I, ii, 309, and Furness' cita-
tion of Collier's note: "The name for Algiers till about the
Restoration."
133,201 Marginal note in editio princeps: Grimes noiv a
Captain, formerly a Tinker at St. Albans, 'with his oion
hand Killed four of the Prisoners, being not able for Faint-
ness to go on ivith the rest, of ivhich number Lieutenant
Woodward ivas one: Likewise at Thame, and at Whateley,
some others were Kill'd.
136,284 "Caput Algol": the star known as Medusa's Head, in
the constellation Perseus; the word Algol is apparently the
Arabic equivalent of Medusa, al-ghul, the ghoul or female
demon. King's use of the word would seem to antedate
the earliest example (1649) given in the New Eng. Diet.
136, 295ff Marginal note in editio princeps: I Kings 2.32. vers.
[213]
NOTES
An Elegy on King Charles I.
137, 1 King's "Anniversary Sermon," 1665, is simply a prose
version of this poem, as if expanded from the same notes,
and may profitably be consulted throughout.
137,12 This line lacks one syllable, metrically; perhaps the
word "our" was accidentally omitted before "eyes."
138,32 "Bosome interest": cf. Macbeth, I, ii, 38. King's
"Inauguration Sermon," 1640, furnishes a further com-
mentary upon this poem; for this catalogue of Charles*
virtues, cf. pp. 54-56.
139, 51, 52 Marginal note in editio princeps: — Sparguntur in
omnes, In te mista fluunt Claudian.
139, 53-56 'O frail glories, which feel tempests force you to
relinquish your firmest foundation (i.e., innocence and real
worth) ! What shall save you, since innocence cannot?'
139, 61 From here onwards to p. 153, 1. 476, the members of
the Long Parliament are the persons addressed and attacked
in this poem.
139, 63 Marginal note in editio princeps: Call'd the Councel of
Troubles.
139, 73 Marginal note in editio princeps: The form of taking
the Co'venant, June 1643.
140,98 Marginal note in editio princeps: Diodorus Siculus
lib. 2.
141, 119 Marginal note in editio princeps: Remonstrance of the
State of the Kingdom, Dec. 15. 1641.
141, 130ff Marginal notes in editio princeps: Ord. Feb. 29.
Voted March 15. The Navy seiz'd Mar. 28. 1642. The
London Tumults. Jan. 10. 1641.
142, 142 Read, "Mouths" and "maintain."
142,151 The closing of the Theatres, September 2, 1642.
142,159 "Stale": bait, decoy, stalking-horse.
[214]
NOTES
143, 172 Marginal note in editio princeps: At B3.%\ng-Chapel
Sold Dec. 29. 1643.
143, 175 Marginal note in editio princeps: At Winchester.
143, 181 Marginal note in editio princeps: Lactant. L.2.C.4.
143, 185 Marginal note in editio princeps: Julian. Praefectus
AEgypti. Theodoret. L.3.C.11. (The same reference is
indicated in line 189 by the marginal note, ihid.)
143,191 "His death present": Christ's dying gift or legacy to
humanity (i.e., the bread and wine of the Eucharist).
143, 192 Marginal note in editio princeps: Ganguin. L.6.
144, 197 Sir Arthur Haselrig, Waller's second in command,
was guilty of special outrages in the sacking of Chichester
Cathedral, Chapter House, and Episcopal Palace, December
29, 1642, and following days. Cf. "Sussex Arch. Coll.,"
1881, xxxi, 205-208.
144,200 Marginal note in editio princeps: The Carpet belong-
ing to the Communion Table of Winchester Cathedral, Dec.
18, 1642.
144,205 Marginal note in editio princeps: Adrian Emp.
144, 221fl Marginal note in editio princeps: At Winchcomb in
Gloucestershire. — The outrages mentioned in these lines are
described (with parallels too close for mere coincidence,
apparently) in a strange composition running to seventy-
five pages of inferior heroic couplets, entitled "The Four
Ages of England: or, The Iron Age Written in the
Year 1648," sometimes ascribed to Cowley.
145, 224 Cf . 2 Kings X, 18-28. One of the two points of punc-
tuation before "a Draught" should be omitted, and perhaps
a dash inserted.
145,230 A reference to the baptism and surname of Con-
stantine V, Emperor of the East 741-775, son of Leo III, the
Iconoclast.
145,235 "Your": apostrophizing the members of the Long
Parliament again.
[215]
NOTES
145,241 Marginal note in editio princeps: Whitehall, Windsor.
Feb. 3. 1643.
145,246 Bel was among Assyrians and Babylonians about
what Baal was among the Canaanites.
146,274,275 Marginal notes in editio princeps: E. of Essex
Army, Aug. 1. 1642. The Standard at Notinghara, Aug.
25. 1642.
147,283 Marginal note in editio princeps: June 27. 1643.
147,286 Cf. Note on 126, 36-38, sup. The marginal note here,
in the editio princeps, makes the same reference: Declara-
tion and Resolution of Pari. Aug. 15. 1642.
147,293 "Trains": wiles, lures, plots, stratagems.
147,301-302 Marginal note in editio princeps: History of
English and Scotish Presbytery, p. 320.
148,313-314 Milton has, of course, given this idea its definitive
form in the last line of his piece "On the New Forcers of
Conscience under the Long Parliament": "New Presbyter
is but old Priest writ large."
148,320 Marginal note in editio princeps: The 19 Proj.-'s.
(Enunciated in May, 1642).
148,333-335 Marginal notes in editio princeps: April 27. 1646.
May 5. 1646.
149, 350 Quibble intended on the legal and ethical senses of
the word "Liberty."
149,351 Marginal note in editio princeps: This Order pub-
lish'd by beat of Drum, May 4. 1646.
150,389-390 Cf. Marvell's "Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's
Return from Ireland," stanzas 12-14.
150,392 "Lieger-Hangman": resident executioner.
150, 402flF Marginal notes in editio princeps: Jan. 3. 1647.
Jan. 9. 1647.
151,405-414 Apparently, these lines are two complex temporal
clauses ("when that Cloud remov'd" and "when the King-
[216]
NOTES
dom cry'd") dating the action described in the imperative
main clause, lines 415-420. The interrogation point at the
end of 414 should be replaced by a colon and dash.
151,408 Marginal note in editio princeps: Colchester Siege.
(Cf. preceding elegy.)
151,413ff Marginal note in editio princeps: June 30. 1648.
Treaty Voted, July 28. 1648.
151,429-432 The Army shut the King up at Hurst Castle and
then at Windsor; and "shut out" the undesirable element
in Parliament by means of Pride's Purge, December 6, 1648.
151.432 "Hand-wolves": trained wolves, brought up by hand.
152.433 "You and They": the Long Parliament and the Army.
152,445 Cf. 161,71-75.
152,457-458 Double quibble: clew=trace, and thread; Ravel=
examine into, and unwind.
153,485-486 Cf. 2 Chron. XXXV, 24, 25— the text of King's
"Anniversary Sermon," 1665.
153,490-506 These lines are an important testimony to the
current belief in the royal authorship of "Eikon Basilike,"
for they are dated within six weeks of the execution. In
his "Anniversary Sermon," 1665, Henry King reaffirms his
faith, by implication at least, and indulges in a spiteful
fling at the blind Milton for his "Iconoclastes." See repro-
duction, facing p. 152, sup.
154, 520 Cf. 2 Kings IX, 31.
155 The sense of this chronogram is obvious (i.e., "Charles
Stuart, King of England, departed this life on the 30th of
January, murdered with an axe."), and the date is easily
read if the letters in large type are printed alone, in proper
order: MCCCCCLLXVVVVVVIIIIIIII,=1648. One of the
two chronograms on the "Table" by Bishop John King's
grave (cf. note on 86,5-8, sup.) is this: seqVentVr qVI
nonDVM praeCessere, i.e., "Those who have not already
gone before, shall follow"; by taking out and rearranging
[217]
NOTES
the letters in larger type, we arrive at the date of John
King's death, MDCVVVVI,=1621. Addison, in a paper on
"False Wit," Spectator No. 60, May 9, 1711, sufficiently
ridicules such laborious trifling.
[This chronogram served as colophon for the 1664 issue of
the editio princeps. The remaining poems in the present
volume (except for the four epigrams which Hannah printed
in his selection) have not hitherto been included in any
edition of Henry King's work.]
A Deepe Groane, etc. — {Second Elegy on Charles I).
157 This title-page is taken from the Bodleian copy (shelf-
number. Wood 364.29) of the first issue; the "D.H.K." in
this copy is thus filled out in early MS.: "Dr. Hen. King
Bp of Chich." A similar MS. ascription appears in three of
the four copies (representing all three issues of the piece,
the second printing being ascribed to LB. and *he third
being anonymous, but all appearing in the same year, 1649)
collated for the text of the present edition. The proof of
King's authorship (accepted by Lowndes, Hazlitt, and
other bibliographers) depends upon Wood's attribution
("Athen. Oxon.," HI, 841), upon the early MS. ascriptions,
and upon the internal evidence of style and of parallelism
with King's Sermons and his acknowledged poems. This
elegy is certainly inferior to the preceding, in power and
poetry, but the change in point of view or purpose might
explain this; for the preceding is devoted to a fiery attack
on Parliament with an impassioned lament for desecrated
ecclesiasticism and fallen monarchy, while the present effu-
sion is devoted to King Charles personally and so falls into
the conventional extravagances which disfigure pp. 76, 78,
79, 137, 138, etc., sup., as well as King's Sermons on similar
subjects.
The text of the present edition is that of the second or
"LB." version (Bodleian; Pamphlets. 88. 1649. L), while
the variants recorded in these Notes are drawn from the
[218]
NOTES
two other printings. Variant readings that are obviously
inferior have been omitted.
159,21 Marginal note in original text: Caligula.
160,34 "Gashing": variant reading, "gasping."
160, 53 Francis Ravaillac assassinated Henry IV, of France, in
1610.
160, 54 John Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie, led the conspiracy
against James VI, of Scotland, in 1600.
160,57 "Apochyphall": variant reading, "Apocryphall."
161,73 "Bedlane": variant reading, "Bedlam."
151,77 "Scepture the Head": variant reading, "Scepter; th'
Head."
162.98 "The Red Sea?": variant reading, "this."
162.99 "Deading": variant reading, "leading." But King
uses "dead" as a transitive verb on p. 33 of his Funeral
Sermon for Duppa, 1662.
162,114 The two syllables missing here, metrically, are
supplied by the variant reading: "stabs at Higher Majestie."
163, 12S "But how much": variant reading, "By how much."
163,134 "A plague-sore, blayne": variant reading, "A plague-
sore-blast." But "blain," meaning "inflammation" or
"pustule," makes perfect sense here.
163,139 "Commence": the technical term for taking a Univer-
sity degree.
163, 146 Thy whole life has been one long execution.
164, 154-156 Cf. Marlowe's "Tamburlaine," Part One, IV, ii,
et seq.
164,155 The syllable missing here, metrically, is supplied by
the variant reading: "might yet have layne."
164, 157 It is entirely possible that King intended a specific
reference here (e.g., to one of the Episodes recounted by
Diodorus Siculus, XX, 44, or Justin, XVIII, 3) ; but more
probably he used "Sidonian" as a general term of reproach
[219]
NOTES
to stigmatize the religious foes of Israel. Cf. Gen. X, 15;
Matt. XI, 21, 22.
164.168 "World, proud conquest": variant reading, "Worlds
proud."
164.169 "Keepst": variant reading, "kept'st."
164, 170 Perhaps an allusion to the frontispiece or "Emblerae"
accompanying the original edition of "Eikon Basilike."
164, 173 Marginal note in the variant versions: Cynegirus.
164,176 "The": variant reading, "Thy."
165,. 179 Marginal note in original text: Horatius. Codes.
165,192 "Souls": variant reading, "Soule."
165, 199-200 Charles refused to live at the price of sacrificing
his people; i.e., he died rather than surrender his people's
right to be ruled by him. The next four lines illustrate this
ultra-royalist view.
165,201 Marginal note in original text: Codriis.
166,211 "Art least": the variant reading, "at least," goes only
half way; we should preferably read, "at last."
166,214 "Nephews": descendants, successors, or here perhaps
posterity in general.
166,215-216 The parenthesis should not close till the end of
line 216, obviously; the variant reading supplies this emen-
dation.
166,216 Allusion to the wording of the formal death-sentence
pronounced against Charles.
166,218 Olibanum was an aromatic gum used for incense.
167,237-242 This is a free version of lines 75-81 in Buchanan's
"Genethliacon Jacobi Sexti Regis Scotorum," a birthday ode
on the nativity of James, in 1566. The variant versions of
King's elegy supply improved readings here: we should
read henigna for benigtii (17), Principe majus for principe
major (18), and sui for sin (22).
[220]
NOTES
167,243 George Buchanan (1506-1582), tutor of James VI of
Scotland, is frequently inveighed against in King's Sermons;
he wrote "De Jure Regni," which became almost the Bible
of the Long Parliament on account of its defence of limited
monarchy and tyrannicide.
Epigrams.
168, 169 These Epigrams are reprinted from Hannah's edition,
after his text had been collated with the versions included
in the Malone MS. volume of King's poems. He refers the
first motto, from Petronius, to "c. 14" ; the second, from
Martial, to "I. 14"; and the third, from Petronius, to "c.
83." The fourth, which he apparently could not identify, is
assigned to Terentianus Maurus, "De Literis, Syllabis, et
Metris," 1286, in Harbottle's "Diet. Clas. Quot." 1897, p.
78.
On J. K., first-born of H. K.
173,1 The text is taken from Rawl. MS. D. 317, fol. 175,
collated with the copy in Harl. MS. 6917, ff. 96v., 97. Both
versions are signed, the first with Henry King's monogram,
the second with his initials; the first codex is almost entirely
given up to Oxford people and affairs of this particular
period, while the second is chiefly devoted to Henry King's
own work; and furthermore the Rawl. version is in Henry
King's autograph, as diligent comparison with his five
signed letters proves. So the external evidence seems to
establish King's authorship satisfactorily, and is decisively
corroborated by the internal evidence of style and subject-
matter. "J. K." was, of course, Henry King's eldest child,
John, who died in infancy, 1618-1619.
173,11 "Bating": fluttering; taking flight.
To One that Demanded, etc.
174, 1 Taken from Malone MS. vol., fol. 24. Plainly an earlier
version of the piece printed on pp. 41, 42, sup.
[221]
NOTES
To a Lady, etc.
174, 1 Taken from Malone MS. vol., fol. 34. Plainly an earlier
version of the piece printed on pp. 26, 27, sup.
Epigram.
174, 1 Taken from Malone MS. vol., fol. 31v. King dealt
with this subject at greater length in his Paradox, "That
Fruition destroyes Love," p. 69, sup. The motto is assigned
to "Satyricon, Cap. 15," in Harbottle's "Diet. Clas. Quot.,"
1897, p. 166.
A Contemplation upon Flowers.
177, 1 This beautiful little poem is taken from Harl. MS.
6917, fol. 105v, It is there signed "H: Kinge:", and the
whole codex is largely given up to Henry King's work,
family, and affairs. On the strength of this single MS.
attribution, Professor E. Arber printed the poem as King's
in his "Milton Anthology," 1899, p. 98 (and Note, p. 301,
ibid.) ; and on the basis of Arber's authority plus "internal
evidence, — style, thought, cadence, etc.," Sir Arthur Quiller-
Couch assigned the poem to King in his "Oxford Book of
English Verse," 1900, p. 286. The subjective test, of internal
evidence, is particularly unsatisfactory in this period, and
a single MS. commonplace-book attribution is hardly con-
clusive ; so, in spite of King's employment of almost the
same metre in "The Double Rock," p. 13, sup., it has seemed
safest to print this piece among the Doubtful Poems.
177,14 "Take truce": have respite, have a temporary inter-
mission from pain or struggle.
The Complaint, and On his Shaddow.
178-181 "On his Shaddow" fills ff. 173, 173v., 174, and 174v., of
Rawl. MS. D. 317. On fol. 175 appears the elegy "Upon
ye untimely death of J. K. first borne of H. K.," as described
[222]
NOTES
in the Note to p. 173, sup. Ff. 175v., 176, 176v., are blank,
the last two being uncut. These eight pages or four leaves
are really a single large piece of paper folded twice. "The
Complaint," on fol. 161, Rawl. MS. D. 317, is written on a
separate sheet of the same kind of paper, followed by an
extra blank leaf, unnumbered. All three poems are in
Henry King's autograph. "The Complaint" and "On his
Shaddow" are unsigned, and hence are tentatively cata-
logued in the Bodleian as "Quo. by H. King?" In manner
and matter they might well be fruits of his younger days,
and their inclusion (also unsigned) in Harl. MS. 6917, ff.
97-98v., establishes a further ground for associating them
with Henry King. However, in default of positive proof
they are placed among the Doubtful Poems. The text here
given is that of the Rawl. MS.
178.8 "Careles Boy": Cupid.
178.9 "Convey'd": substituted.
179.10 "Were borrow": Harl. MS. reading, "we borrow."
179,23 "Harbourd'st": Harl. MS. reading, "harbourst."
180,55 Harl. MS. reading: "Earth could not match."
181,71,72 To win fame, one must fall on the field of honour.
Wishes to my Son John, etc.
181,1 This poem appears (unsigned) on ff. lOlv., 102, in
Harl. MS. 6917. If one of two details be emended, this
piece may be unhesitatingly assigned to King: we should
read either "Jan. 1, 1622 (or 3, or 4)" so as to bring the
date within Anne Berkeley King's lifetime, or else "such
as ivas thy Sires," at line 41, p. 182. With either of these
alterations, the internal evidence would establish King's
authorship beyond question. The other alternative is the
hypothesis that this poem is correct and authentic as it
stands, and that the reference in 182,41, concerns his
second wife, not Anne Berkeley. The whole passage, 182,
[223]
NOTES
40-46, certainly suggests the unromantic, utilitarian kind
of marriage which may be inferred from the poems on pp,
33-35, sup. In this case, "The Anniverse," p. 55, sup., must
have been written only a very short time before the second
wedding; but, of course, "1630" in the title of the present
poem really means "1631." When the references to facts
in King's life, and the parallels to his known works, are
considered, it will be felt that this piece has been dealt
with very conservatively in being placed among the
Doubtful Poems.
182, 15ff These pious wishes were but ill requited by John
King's amour in 1646 at Aldbury, Surrey. (Cf. "Transac-
tions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences,"
XVIII, 241.)
182,19-21 These lines should read as follows:
"May a pure soule inhabite still
This well-mixt clay, and a streight will:
This act by Reason, that by Grace."
I.e., the Will may act by (human) Reason, but the Soul
requires (divine) Grace for the proper guidance of its
action.
182,24,26 Ellipsis of "ma}'," in each line.
182,28 This line strengthens the argument for Henry King's
authorship; for unless this be the familiar pun on the
family name (cf. Note on 86,13,14, sup.), there is no
meaning in wishing that the boy may be a "priest" as ivell
as a "Kinge." The next three lines, also, are strikingly
applicable to Henry King's life.
182,39 "Line": cf. Psalm XIX, 4, and Isaiah XXVIII, 10, 13.
182,40-46 Cf. 100,25-32, sup. For discussion of the question
of Henry King's second marriage, cf. the present writer's
article in the "Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of
Arts and Sciences," Yale University Press, 1913, XVIII, pp.
238-239, 285-286.
[224]
NOTES
183,47,48 "Gowne-men" : lawyers. In his Will (Hannah,
cxi), King mentions "a thousand pounds, which by a long
and chargeable suite I recovered from Nicholas Arnold
Esquire upon a Judgment att common law."
Elegus: on Dr. Spenser.
183,1 Taken from Rawl. IVIS. D. 912, fol. 305v.; the Latin
"Elegvs," of which this is a translation, occupies fol. 305,
and the poem thus fills both sides of a single large foolscap
sheet. The Latin original is in King's autograph, and
bears this signature: "Maerens posuit Hen: Kinge ex Aede
Chri:" The English translation is inferior to the Latin, is
in a different hand, employs a metre not found elsewhere
in Henry King's poetry, and omits the closing distich
(which is too neat to be ignored:
"Solus enim patitur genuinos iste dolores,
Quique tacendo dolet, quique dolendo tacet").
The case for King's authorship rests upon the many emen-
dations and changes (in both Latin and English MSS.)
which would hardly have been made by any one but the
acknowledged author. Spenser, a friend of Bishop John
King, died April 3, 1614.
[It is perhaps fitting for the present editor to record here his
conviction that the first four of these "Doubtful Poems" were
written by Henry King, in all human probability, while the
fifth probably was not. There remain four pieces wherein the
chances of King's authorship are so slight as hardly to justify
their inclusion in full in this edition, though brief mention
must be accorded them:
(1) In Malone MS. 21, ff. 7-8v., there appears "An Elegy
upon ye Kg of Swedens Death (1632)," 114 lines, signed "Dr.
Hen: King." This elegy was printed (unsigned) in the supple-
ment to "The Swedish Intelligencer" (cf. Note to 89, 1, sup.),
[225]
NOTES
where it stands third from the end. It is very unlikely that
Henry King would have printed two elegies on this subject
(cf. pp. 89-93, sup.) in the same publication, the first with and
the second without his signature.
(2) In Harl. MS. 3910, fol. 28v., and Rawl. MS. Misc. 699,
p. 35, King's "An Elegy Upon S. W. R." (pp. 84, 85, sup.) has
affixed to it seven octosyllabic couplets on the same subject.
Hannah ("Courtly Poets," 1870, xxix) does not claim these
lines for King; and in the MSS. they are ascribed to "W. R."
or "A. B.," but never to "H. K."
(3) A 48-line effusion, entitled "Doctor King his Farewell
to the world," appears in Egert. MS. 2725, ff. 61, 61v., and in
Harl. MS. 6057, fol. 14; but several other MSS. ascribe the piece
to Sir Kenelm Digby, and it has also been assigned to Ralegh,
Wotton, and Donne. In E. K. Chambers' "Muses' Library"
ed. of Donne, 1896, II, 273, this piece is printed with the last
stanza of King's "The Farewell" (p. 16, 19-24, sup.) incorpo-
rated as conclusion. Both Hannah ("Courtly Poets," 1870, 109)
and Chambers confess the impossibility of assigning the piece
definitely to any author, and certainly King's claim is by no
means the strongest.
(4) Hannah, in his edition of King's poems (p. 102), prints in
square brackets a twelve-line elegy which he found, without
title or signature, at the close of his MS. volume of King's
poetry. It immediately follows King's authentic elegy on the
Countess of Leinster (123-125, sup.), but is so different from
that in tone as to need considerably more evidence than at
present exists before it can be accepted as even probably Henry
King's work.]
[226]
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY, LOS ANGELES
This book is due on the last date stamped below.
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