ELEGIE XV.

Ising no harme good sooth to any wight,To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight,To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or braveReformed or reduced Captaine, Knave,5Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace,Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease,I am no Libeller, nor will be any,But (like a true man) say there are too many.I feare notore tenus; for my tale,10Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale.A Citizen and his wife the other dayBoth riding on one horse, upon the wayI overtooke, the wench a pretty peate,And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate.15I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backeHis head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke,Whence apprehending that the man was kinde,Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde,To get acquaintance with him I began20To sort discourse fit for so fine a man:I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill,Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still,Of the Virginian plot, and whether WardThe traffique of the I〈n〉land seas had marr'd,25Whether the BrittaineBursedid fill apace,And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace;Of new-builtAlgate, and theMore-fieldcrosses,Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants lossesI urged him to speake; But he (as mute30As an old Courtier worne to his last suite)Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last(To fit his element) my theame I castOn Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing:Alas, good sir (quoth he)There is no doing35In Court nor City now; she smil'd and I,And (in my conscience) both gave him the lieIn one met thought: but he went on apace,And at the present time with such a faceHe rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise,40To any but my Lord ofEssexdayes;Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee)There's now as great an itch of bravery,And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe,For, put to push of pay, away they runne;45Our onely City trades of hope now areBawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener;The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the storeOf fresh protections make the rest all poore;In the first state of their Creation,50Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not oneA righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he onIn a continued rage: so void of reasonSeem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason.And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer55For the protection of the wise Lord Major,And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth,He swore that none could say Amen with faith.To get him off from what I glowed to heare,(In happy time) an Angel did appeare,60The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne,Where many Citizens with their wives have binWell us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay,To take some due refreshment by the way.Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope)65And at's returne found nothing but a Rope,So he on me, refus'd and made away,Though willing she pleaded a weary day:I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell(To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell;70He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine,But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe.

Ising no harme good sooth to any wight,

To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight,

To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or brave

Reformed or reduced Captaine, Knave,

5Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace,

Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease,

I am no Libeller, nor will be any,

But (like a true man) say there are too many.

I feare notore tenus; for my tale,

10Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale.

A Citizen and his wife the other day

Both riding on one horse, upon the way

I overtooke, the wench a pretty peate,

And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate.

15I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backe

His head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke,

Whence apprehending that the man was kinde,

Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde,

To get acquaintance with him I began

20To sort discourse fit for so fine a man:

I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill,

Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still,

Of the Virginian plot, and whether Ward

The traffique of the I〈n〉land seas had marr'd,

25Whether the BrittaineBursedid fill apace,

And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace;

Of new-builtAlgate, and theMore-fieldcrosses,

Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants losses

I urged him to speake; But he (as mute

30As an old Courtier worne to his last suite)

Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last

(To fit his element) my theame I cast

On Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing:

Alas, good sir (quoth he)There is no doing

35In Court nor City now; she smil'd and I,

And (in my conscience) both gave him the lie

In one met thought: but he went on apace,

And at the present time with such a face

He rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise,

40To any but my Lord ofEssexdayes;

Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee)

There's now as great an itch of bravery,

And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe,

For, put to push of pay, away they runne;

45Our onely City trades of hope now are

Bawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener;

The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the store

Of fresh protections make the rest all poore;

In the first state of their Creation,

50Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not one

A righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he on

In a continued rage: so void of reason

Seem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason.

And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer

55For the protection of the wise Lord Major,

And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth,

He swore that none could say Amen with faith.

To get him off from what I glowed to heare,

(In happy time) an Angel did appeare,

60The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne,

Where many Citizens with their wives have bin

Well us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay,

To take some due refreshment by the way.

Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope)

65And at's returne found nothing but a Rope,

So he on me, refus'd and made away,

Though willing she pleaded a weary day:

I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell

(To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell;

70He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine,

But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe.

Elegie XIV.&c.Ed:Eleg. XVI. A Tale&c.1635-54:Elegie XVI.1669:Elegie XV.O'F:no title, B2 or foole,] to fool,16695 Iugler,1635-39:Iudge,1650-699tenus;Ed:tenus,1635-6910 will redd or pale.1669,B,O'F(shall): will looke redd or pale.1635-5414 feate.Ed:feate,1635-6916 steale] sealeO'F21 Plaguy1669,B,O'F:Plaguing1635-5422 Custome] custome163524 I〈n〉landEd:Iland1635-54:Midland1669,O'F:the land, the seasB,but later hand has insertedmidabove the line:IslandChambers and Grolier27More-field] MoorefieldsB32 To fit] To hitO'F33 agoing:Ed:agoing,1635-6935In ... now;Ed:roman1635-6938 time1669:timesO'F41 those ... (quoth Hee)1669,B,O'F:that ... (quoth I)1635-5446 Bawd, ... Scrivener;B,O'F:Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whores and Scriveners,1635-54:Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore and Scrivener166947 kingsmen, and the store1669,B,O'F(kingsman): kinsmen, and store1635-5458 him offO'F:off him1669:him1635-5461 have binB,O'F:had beene,1635-6964 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope166965 at's1669:at1635-5466 on1669,B:at1635-54me,] me:1635-5467 day:1669,B,O'F:stay.1635-39:stay:1650-5469 dwell;1635:dwell1639-54:dwell,1669

Elegie XIV.&c.Ed:Eleg. XVI. A Tale&c.1635-54:Elegie XVI.1669:Elegie XV.O'F:no title, B

2 or foole,] to fool,1669

5 Iugler,1635-39:Iudge,1650-69

9tenus;Ed:tenus,1635-69

10 will redd or pale.1669,B,O'F(shall): will looke redd or pale.1635-54

14 feate.Ed:feate,1635-69

16 steale] sealeO'F

21 Plaguy1669,B,O'F:Plaguing1635-54

22 Custome] custome1635

24 I〈n〉landEd:Iland1635-54:Midland1669,O'F:the land, the seasB,but later hand has insertedmidabove the line:IslandChambers and Grolier

27More-field] MoorefieldsB

32 To fit] To hitO'F

33 agoing:Ed:agoing,1635-69

35In ... now;Ed:roman1635-69

38 time1669:timesO'F

41 those ... (quoth Hee)1669,B,O'F:that ... (quoth I)1635-54

46 Bawd, ... Scrivener;B,O'F:Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whores and Scriveners,1635-54:Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore and Scrivener1669

47 kingsmen, and the store1669,B,O'F(kingsman): kinsmen, and store1635-54

58 him offO'F:off him1669:him1635-54

61 have binB,O'F:had beene,1635-69

64 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope1669

65 at's1669:at1635-54

66 on1669,B:at1635-54

me,] me:1635-54

67 day:1669,B,O'F:stay.1635-39:stay:1650-54

69 dwell;1635:dwell1639-54:dwell,1669

Note

The Expostulation.

TO make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true,Was it my fate to prove it strong in you?Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire,And must she needs be false because she's faire?5Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth,Or your perfection, not to study truth?Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes?Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries?Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter10Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water,And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath(Both hot and cold at once) make life and death?Who could have thought so many accents sweetForm'd into words, so many sighs should meete15As from our hearts, so many oathes, and tearesSprinkled among, (all sweeter by our fearesAnd the divine impression of stolne kisses,That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses?Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake?20Or must we reade you quite from what you speake,And finde the truth out the wrong way? or mustHee first desire you false, would wish you just?O I prophane, though most of women beThis kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee;25My dearest love, though froward jealousie,With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie,Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheareThe teeming earth, andthatforget to beare,Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames30With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames,Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures,Would change her course, before you alter yours.But O that treacherous breast to whom weake youDid trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue,35Having his falshood found too late, 'twas heeThat made mecastyou guilty, and you me,Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple wordWee spake, unto the cunning of a third.Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine,40And wander on the earth, wretched asCain,Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty;In plaguing him, let misery be witty;Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye,Till hee be noysome as his infamie;45May he without remorse deny God thrice,And not be trusted more on his Soules price;And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes,May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes,Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue50That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung,And let his carrion coarse be a longer feastTo the Kings dogges, then any other beast.Now have I curst, let us our love revive;In mee the flame was never more alive;55I could beginne againe to court and praise,And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayesOf my lifes lease; like Painters that do takeDelight, not in made worke, but whiles they make;I could renew those times, when first I saw60Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the lawTo like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playesCommend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes;Aske how you did, and often with intentOf being officious, be impertinent;65All which were such soft pastimes, as in theseLove was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease;But being got it is a treasure sweet,Which to defend is harder then to get:And ought not be prophan'd on either part,70For though'tis got bychance, 'tis kept byart.

TO make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true,

Was it my fate to prove it strong in you?

Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire,

And must she needs be false because she's faire?

5Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth,

Or your perfection, not to study truth?

Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes?

Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries?

Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter

10Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water,

And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath

(Both hot and cold at once) make life and death?

Who could have thought so many accents sweet

Form'd into words, so many sighs should meete

15As from our hearts, so many oathes, and teares

Sprinkled among, (all sweeter by our feares

And the divine impression of stolne kisses,

That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses?

Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake?

20Or must we reade you quite from what you speake,

And finde the truth out the wrong way? or must

Hee first desire you false, would wish you just?

O I prophane, though most of women be

This kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee;

25My dearest love, though froward jealousie,

With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie,

Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheare

The teeming earth, andthatforget to beare,

Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames

30With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames,

Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures,

Would change her course, before you alter yours.

But O that treacherous breast to whom weake you

Did trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue,

35Having his falshood found too late, 'twas hee

That made mecastyou guilty, and you me,

Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple word

Wee spake, unto the cunning of a third.

Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine,

40And wander on the earth, wretched asCain,

Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty;

In plaguing him, let misery be witty;

Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye,

Till hee be noysome as his infamie;

45May he without remorse deny God thrice,

And not be trusted more on his Soules price;

And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes,

May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes,

Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue

50That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung,

And let his carrion coarse be a longer feast

To the Kings dogges, then any other beast.

Now have I curst, let us our love revive;

In mee the flame was never more alive;

55I could beginne againe to court and praise,

And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayes

Of my lifes lease; like Painters that do take

Delight, not in made worke, but whiles they make;

I could renew those times, when first I saw

60Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the law

To like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playes

Commend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes;

Aske how you did, and often with intent

Of being officious, be impertinent;

65All which were such soft pastimes, as in these

Love was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease;

But being got it is a treasure sweet,

Which to defend is harder then to get:

And ought not be prophan'd on either part,

70For though'tis got bychance, 'tis kept byart.

Elegie XV.Ed:Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation.1635-54:Elegie XVII.1669:Elegie.1633,B,Cy,H40,HN,M,N,O'F,P,RP31,S,S96,TCD,Jonson'sUnderwoods2 strong] fullUnd3 purest] the purerUnd6 Or your1633-69:Or of yourH408 it hath,] she hathB,H40,M,N,P,S9612 (Both hot and cold at once)RP31:Both ... at once,Und:(Both ... cold) at once1633-69,S96:Both heate and coole at onceMmake] threatUnd14 Form'd into] Tun'd to ourUnd15 As] BlowneUnd16-18 (all sweeter ... the rest)1633,B,Cy,M,N,O'F,P,RP31:(all sweetend&c.1635,which does not complete the bracket:(all sweetend by our fears)&c.1639-69,L74(sweeter),P(sweeter),S96(sweetned)22 wish] haveP24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster,Undmy thought1633:my thoughts1635-69,HN,S9625 though froward] how everRP31,Und26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie.Und28 beare,1633:beare:1635-6930 would1633,Und:will1635-69streames,Ed:streames;1633-6932 yours.] yours;163334 trust1633-69:driftChambers37 wretch] wrech163338 third.Ed:third;1633-6939 love] lovesRP3140 wretched asCain,1633-69,B,Cy,N,O'F:as wretched Cain,P:as cursed Cain,S:wretched on the Earth, as Cain:Und52 dogges, ... beast.] dogges; ... beast;163353 have I] I have1669revive] receiveUnd58 worke,1633-39,most MSS.:works,1650-69,S96,Und61 and playes] or playesUnd64 be] growUnd65 soft] lostUnd

Elegie XV.Ed:Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation.1635-54:Elegie XVII.1669:Elegie.1633,B,Cy,H40,HN,M,N,O'F,P,RP31,S,S96,TCD,Jonson'sUnderwoods

2 strong] fullUnd

3 purest] the purerUnd

6 Or your1633-69:Or of yourH40

8 it hath,] she hathB,H40,M,N,P,S96

12 (Both hot and cold at once)RP31:Both ... at once,Und:(Both ... cold) at once1633-69,S96:Both heate and coole at onceM

make] threatUnd

14 Form'd into] Tun'd to ourUnd

15 As] BlowneUnd

16-18 (all sweeter ... the rest)1633,B,Cy,M,N,O'F,P,RP31:(all sweetend&c.1635,which does not complete the bracket:(all sweetend by our fears)&c.1639-69,L74(sweeter),P(sweeter),S96(sweetned)

22 wish] haveP

24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster,Und

my thought1633:my thoughts1635-69,HN,S96

25 though froward] how everRP31,Und

26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie.Und

28 beare,1633:beare:1635-69

30 would1633,Und:will1635-69

streames,Ed:streames;1633-69

32 yours.] yours;1633

34 trust1633-69:driftChambers

37 wretch] wrech1633

38 third.Ed:third;1633-69

39 love] lovesRP31

40 wretched asCain,1633-69,B,Cy,N,O'F:as wretched Cain,P:as cursed Cain,S:wretched on the Earth, as Cain:Und

52 dogges, ... beast.] dogges; ... beast;1633

53 have I] I have1669

revive] receiveUnd

58 worke,1633-39,most MSS.:works,1650-69,S96,Und

61 and playes] or playesUnd

64 be] growUnd

65 soft] lostUnd

Note

On his Mistris.

BY our first strange and fatall interview,By all desires which thereof did ensue,By our long starving hopes, by that remorseWhich my words masculine perswasive force5Begot in thee, and by the memoryOf hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me,I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath,By all paines, which want and divorcement hath,I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I10And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy,Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus,Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous.Temper, ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage,Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page;15I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behindeThee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde,Thirst to come backe; ô if thou die before,My soule from other lands to thee shall soare.Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move20Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love,Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast readeHow roughly hee in peeces shiveredFaire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd.Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd25Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery,That absent Lovers one in th'other be.Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor changeThy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strangeTo thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face30A blushing womanly discovering grace;Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as sooneEcclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone.Men of France, changeable Camelions,Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions,35Loves fuellers, and the rightest companyOf Players, which upon the worlds stage be,Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!Th'indifferent Italian, as we passeHis warme land, well content to thinke thee Page,40Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage,AsLotsfaire guests were vext. But none of theseNor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease,If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for theeEngland is onely a worthy Gallerie,45To walke in expectation, till from thenceOur greatest King call thee to his presence.When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse,Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse,Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse50Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy NurseWith midnights startings, crying out, oh, ohNurse, ô my love is slaine, I saw him goeO'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I,Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die.55Augure me better chance, except dreadIoveThinke it enough for me to'have had thy love.

BY our first strange and fatall interview,

By all desires which thereof did ensue,

By our long starving hopes, by that remorse

Which my words masculine perswasive force

5Begot in thee, and by the memory

Of hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me,

I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath,

By all paines, which want and divorcement hath,

I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I

10And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy,

Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus,

Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous.

Temper, ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage,

Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page;

15I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behinde

Thee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde,

Thirst to come backe; ô if thou die before,

My soule from other lands to thee shall soare.

Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move

20Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love,

Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast reade

How roughly hee in peeces shivered

Faire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd.

Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd

25Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery,

That absent Lovers one in th'other be.

Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor change

Thy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strange

To thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face

30A blushing womanly discovering grace;

Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as soone

Ecclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone.

Men of France, changeable Camelions,

Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions,

35Loves fuellers, and the rightest company

Of Players, which upon the worlds stage be,

Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!

Th'indifferent Italian, as we passe

His warme land, well content to thinke thee Page,

40Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage,

AsLotsfaire guests were vext. But none of these

Nor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease,

If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for thee

England is onely a worthy Gallerie,

45To walke in expectation, till from thence

Our greatest King call thee to his presence.

When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse,

Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse,

Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse

50Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy Nurse

With midnights startings, crying out, oh, oh

Nurse, ô my love is slaine, I saw him goe

O'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I,

Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die.

55Augure me better chance, except dreadIove

Thinke it enough for me to'have had thy love.

Elegie XVI.&c.Ed:Elegie on his Mistris.1635-54 where, and in 1669, it appears amongFunerall Elegies: Elegie.1669: amongElegieswith or without heading or number,A18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,M,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD,W:B headsHis wife would have gone as his page.1 interview,Ed:interview1635-693 starving] striving1669,B,P:starvlingA18,N,TC7 beg:D:beg.1635-69fathers1635-69,O'F:ParentsA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,M,N,P,S,TC,W11 Here I] I here166912 wayes1635-54,O'F:means1669, and rest of MSS.14 still ... faign'd]1669 om.stilland readsfaigned18 My soule ... to thee] From other lands my soule towards theeA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,M(to),N,P,S,TC,Wsoare.Ed:soare,1635-6921 harshness] rashnessP.CompareElegy V, 823 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea166926 Lovers] friendsP28 mindes;A18,A25,B,JC,N,TC,W:minde,1635-69,D,H49,Lec,O'F,P29 onely;A18,D,N,TC:onely.1635-6935 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers,1669,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,S96,P37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!1635-54,O'F:Will too too quickly know thee; and alas,1669:Will quickly know thee, and know thee, and alasA18,N,S(omitting secondand),TCD,W:Will quickly know thee, and thee, and alasA25:Will quickly know thee, and alasD,H49,JC,Lec,P,S96,TCC39 Page,Ed:Page1635-3940 hunt1635-69,O'F:hauntmost MSS.42 hydroptique] Aydroptique166946 greatest1635-69,B,O'F,P:greateA18,A25,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,S,TCcall] doe callA18,N,TCto] in toA25,JC,S49 me, nor blesse] me; BlesseA18,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,TC,W

1 interview,Ed:interview1635-69

3 starving] striving1669,B,P:starvlingA18,N,TC

7 beg:D:beg.1635-69

fathers1635-69,O'F:ParentsA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,M,N,P,S,TC,W

11 Here I] I here1669

12 wayes1635-54,O'F:means1669, and rest of MSS.

14 still ... faign'd]1669 om.stilland readsfaigned

18 My soule ... to thee] From other lands my soule towards theeA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,M(to),N,P,S,TC,W

soare.Ed:soare,1635-69

21 harshness] rashnessP.CompareElegy V, 8

23 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea1669

26 Lovers] friendsP

28 mindes;A18,A25,B,JC,N,TC,W:minde,1635-69,D,H49,Lec,O'F,P

29 onely;A18,D,N,TC:onely.1635-69

35 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers,1669,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,S96,P

37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!1635-54,O'F:Will too too quickly know thee; and alas,1669:Will quickly know thee, and know thee, and alasA18,N,S(omitting secondand),TCD,W:Will quickly know thee, and thee, and alasA25:Will quickly know thee, and alasD,H49,JC,Lec,P,S96,TCC

39 Page,Ed:Page1635-39

40 hunt1635-69,O'F:hauntmost MSS.

42 hydroptique] Aydroptique1669

46 greatest1635-69,B,O'F,P:greateA18,A25,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,S,TC

call] doe callA18,N,TC

to] in toA25,JC,S

49 me, nor blesse] me; BlesseA18,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,TC,W

Note

Note (Supp.)

Variety.

THE heavens rejoyce in motion, why should IAbjure my so much lov'd variety,And not with many youth and love divide?Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd:5The sun that sitting in the chaire of lightSheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright,Is not contented at one Signe to Inne,But ends his year and with a new beginnes.All things doe willingly in change delight,10The fruitfull mother of our appetite:Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are,Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr;And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet,Corrupts it self and what doth live in it.15Let no man tell me such a one is faire,And worthy all alone my love to share.Nature in her hath done the liberall partOf a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her artTo make her loveable, and I aver20Him not humane that would turn back from her:I love her well, and would, if need were, dyeTo doe her service. But followes it that IMust serve her onely, when I may have choiceOf other beauties, and in change rejoice?25The law is hard, and shall not have my voice.The last I saw in all extreames is faire,And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire;Her nymph-like features such agreements haveThat I could venture with her to the grave:30Another's brown, I like her not the worse,Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse.Others, for that they well descended are,Do in my love obtain as large a share;And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee35To win their love onely for their degree.And though I faile of my required ends,The attempt is glorious and it self commends.How happy were our Syres in ancient times,Who held plurality of loves no crime!40With them it was accounted charityTo stirre up race of all indifferently;Kindreds were not exempted from the bands:Which with the Persian still in usage stands.Women were then no sooner asked then won,45And what they did was honest and well done.But since this title honour hath been us'd,Our weake credulity hath been abus'd;The golden laws of nature are repeald,Which our first Fathers in such reverence held;50Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone,And we're made servants to opinion,A monster in no certain shape attir'd,And whose originall is much desir'd,Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions,55And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations.Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes,And was dispoiled of his daring armes.A greater want then is his daring eyes,He lost those awfull wings with which he flies;60His sinewy bow, and those immortall dartsWherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts.Onely some few strong in themselves and freeRetain the seeds of antient liberty,Following that part of Love although deprest,65And make a throne for him within their brest,In spight of modern censures him avowingTheir Soveraigne, all service him allowing.Amongst which troop although I am the least,Yet equall in perfection with the best,70I glory in subjection of his hand,Nor ever did decline his least command:For in whatever forme the message cameMy heart did open and receive the same.But time will in his course a point discry75When I this loved service must deny,For our allegiance temporary is,With firmer age returnes our liberties.What time in years and judgement we repos'd,Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd,80Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying;But beauty with true worth securely weighing,Which being found assembled in some one,Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.

THE heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I

Abjure my so much lov'd variety,

And not with many youth and love divide?

Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd:

5The sun that sitting in the chaire of light

Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright,

Is not contented at one Signe to Inne,

But ends his year and with a new beginnes.

All things doe willingly in change delight,

10The fruitfull mother of our appetite:

Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are,

Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr;

And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet,

Corrupts it self and what doth live in it.

15Let no man tell me such a one is faire,

And worthy all alone my love to share.

Nature in her hath done the liberall part

Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art

To make her loveable, and I aver

20Him not humane that would turn back from her:

I love her well, and would, if need were, dye

To doe her service. But followes it that I

Must serve her onely, when I may have choice

Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?

25The law is hard, and shall not have my voice.

The last I saw in all extreames is faire,

And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire;

Her nymph-like features such agreements have

That I could venture with her to the grave:

30Another's brown, I like her not the worse,

Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse.

Others, for that they well descended are,

Do in my love obtain as large a share;

And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee

35To win their love onely for their degree.

And though I faile of my required ends,

The attempt is glorious and it self commends.

How happy were our Syres in ancient times,

Who held plurality of loves no crime!

40With them it was accounted charity

To stirre up race of all indifferently;

Kindreds were not exempted from the bands:

Which with the Persian still in usage stands.

Women were then no sooner asked then won,

45And what they did was honest and well done.

But since this title honour hath been us'd,

Our weake credulity hath been abus'd;

The golden laws of nature are repeald,

Which our first Fathers in such reverence held;

50Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone,

And we're made servants to opinion,

A monster in no certain shape attir'd,

And whose originall is much desir'd,

Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions,

55And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations.

Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes,

And was dispoiled of his daring armes.

A greater want then is his daring eyes,

He lost those awfull wings with which he flies;

60His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts

Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts.

Onely some few strong in themselves and free

Retain the seeds of antient liberty,

Following that part of Love although deprest,

65And make a throne for him within their brest,

In spight of modern censures him avowing

Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing.

Amongst which troop although I am the least,

Yet equall in perfection with the best,

70I glory in subjection of his hand,

Nor ever did decline his least command:

For in whatever forme the message came

My heart did open and receive the same.

But time will in his course a point discry

75When I this loved service must deny,

For our allegiance temporary is,

With firmer age returnes our liberties.

What time in years and judgement we repos'd,

Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd,

80Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying;

But beauty with true worth securely weighing,

Which being found assembled in some one,

Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.

Elegie XVII. Variety.Ed: printed for first time without title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719:An Elegie.A10:Elegie 17the.JC1 motion, whyEd:motion why,1650-693 love divide?MSS.:lov'd divide?1650-694 diversifi'd:Ed:diversifi'd1650-696 what else so ever doth seem1650-69:what else is not soA1012 fair-spreading1650-69,JC:broad silverA10and farr;A10,JC:and cleare;1650-6914 it self and1650-69:it self, killsA1016 And only worthy to be past compare;A1019 aver] ever1650-6920 would turn back from1650-69:could not fancyA1024 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?A10:om. 1650-6925-36omitted in A1030 brown,Ed:brown1650-6932 areJC:were1650-6939 crime!Ed:crime?1650-6943 Persian1650-54,JC:Persians1669,A1046 titleA10,JC:little1650-6950 liberty'sEd:liberty1650-69,JCrevers'd, ourA10:revers'd and1650-69,JC51 we'reA10:we1650-69,JC53 whose originall1650-69,JC:one whose originA1054 goeing on it fashionsA10:growing on it fashionsJC:growing on its fashions,1650-6955 manners and laws to1650-69,JC:Lawes, Manners untoA1057 armes.A10:armes,1650-6958 is1650-69:ofA1061 bruise1650-69woundA10hearts.Ed:hearts;1650-6963 seeds of antient1650-69,JC:seed of pristineA1064 Love] love1650-6970 of his1650-69:under'sA1071 Nor ... decline1650-69:Never declining fromA1072-7omitted in A1073 same.Ed:same:1650-69:flameJC75 deny,Ed:deny.1650-6979 dispos'd,Ed:dispos'd1650-6980 obeying;Ed:obeying,1650-6981 securely1650-69:unpartiallyA1082 being1650-69:havingA10one,Ed:one1650-6983 Wee'l love her ever,Ed:Wee'l leave her ever,1650-69,JC:Would love for ever,A10

Elegie XVII. Variety.Ed: printed for first time without title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719:An Elegie.A10:Elegie 17the.JC

1 motion, whyEd:motion why,1650-69

3 love divide?MSS.:lov'd divide?1650-69

4 diversifi'd:Ed:diversifi'd1650-69

6 what else so ever doth seem1650-69:what else is not soA10

12 fair-spreading1650-69,JC:broad silverA10

and farr;A10,JC:and cleare;1650-69

14 it self and1650-69:it self, killsA10

16 And only worthy to be past compare;A10

19 aver] ever1650-69

20 would turn back from1650-69:could not fancyA10

24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?A10:om. 1650-69

25-36omitted in A10

30 brown,Ed:brown1650-69

32 areJC:were1650-69

39 crime!Ed:crime?1650-69

43 Persian1650-54,JC:Persians1669,A10

46 titleA10,JC:little1650-69

50 liberty'sEd:liberty1650-69,JC

revers'd, ourA10:revers'd and1650-69,JC

51 we'reA10:we1650-69,JC

53 whose originall1650-69,JC:one whose originA10

54 goeing on it fashionsA10:growing on it fashionsJC:growing on its fashions,1650-69

55 manners and laws to1650-69,JC:Lawes, Manners untoA10

57 armes.A10:armes,1650-69

58 is1650-69:ofA10

61 bruise1650-69woundA10

hearts.Ed:hearts;1650-69

63 seeds of antient1650-69,JC:seed of pristineA10

64 Love] love1650-69

70 of his1650-69:under'sA10

71 Nor ... decline1650-69:Never declining fromA10

72-7omitted in A10

73 same.Ed:same:1650-69:flameJC

75 deny,Ed:deny.1650-69

79 dispos'd,Ed:dispos'd1650-69

80 obeying;Ed:obeying,1650-69

81 securely1650-69:unpartiallyA10

82 being1650-69:havingA10

one,Ed:one1650-69

83 Wee'l love her ever,Ed:Wee'l leave her ever,1650-69,JC:Would love for ever,A10

Note

Loves Progress.

WHO ever loves, if he do not proposeThe right true end of love, he's one that goesTo sea for nothing but to make him sick:Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick5Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take,We erre, and of a lump a monster make.Were not a Calf a monster that were grownFace'd like a man, though better then his own?Perfection is in unitie: preferr10One woman first, and then one thing in her.I, when I value gold, may think uponThe ductilness, the application,The wholsomness, the ingenuitie,From rust, from soil, from fire ever free:15But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis madeBy our new nature (Use) the soul of trade.All these in women we might think upon(If women had them) and yet love but one.Can men more injure women then to say20They love them for that, by which they're not they?Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloudTill I both be, and find one wise and good?May barren Angels love so. But if weMake love to woman; virtue is not she:25As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thusFrom her to hers, is more adulterous,Then if he took her maid. Search every spheareAnd firmament, ourCupidis not there:He's an infernal god and under ground,30WithPlutodwells, where gold and fire abound:Men to such Gods, their sacrificing ColesDid not in Altars lay, but pits and holes.Although we see Celestial bodies moveAbove the earth, the earth we Till and love:35So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart,And virtues; but we love the Centrique part.Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fitFor love, then this, as infinite as it.But in attaining this desired place40How much they erre; that set out at the face?The hair a Forest is of Ambushes,Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles:The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain,And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again.45Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would haveImmortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave.The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runsNot 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns;It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere50On either side, and then directs us whereUpon the Islands fortunate we fall,(Not faynteCanaries, butAmbrosiall)Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come,We anchor there, and think our selves at home,55For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and thereWise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear;There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell,The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell.These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin60Ore past; and the streightHellespontbetweeneTheSestosandAbydosof her breasts,(Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts)Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eyeSome Island moles may scattered there descry;65And Sailing towards herIndia, in that wayShall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay;Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made,Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd,Thou shalt upon another Forest set,70Where many Shipwrack, and no further get.When thou art there, consider what this chaceMispent by thy beginning at the face.Rather set out below; practice my Art,Some Symetry the foot hath with that part75Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for thatLovely enough to stop, but not stay at:Least subject to disguise and change it is;Men say the Devil never can change his.It is the Emblem that hath figured80Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed.Civilitie we see refin'd: the kissWhich at the face began, transplanted is,Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee,Now at the Papal foot delights to be:85If Kings think that the nearer way, and doRise from the foot, Lovers may do so too;For as free Spheres move faster far then canBirds, whom the air resists, so may that manWhich goes this empty and Ætherial way,90Then if at beauties elements he stay.Rich Nature hath in women wisely madeTwo purses, and their mouths aversely laid:They then, which to the lower tribute owe,That way which that Exchequer looks, must go:95He which doth not, his error is as great,As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.

WHO ever loves, if he do not propose

The right true end of love, he's one that goes

To sea for nothing but to make him sick:

Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick

5Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take,

We erre, and of a lump a monster make.

Were not a Calf a monster that were grown

Face'd like a man, though better then his own?

Perfection is in unitie: preferr

10One woman first, and then one thing in her.

I, when I value gold, may think upon

The ductilness, the application,

The wholsomness, the ingenuitie,

From rust, from soil, from fire ever free:

15But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made

By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade.

All these in women we might think upon

(If women had them) and yet love but one.

Can men more injure women then to say

20They love them for that, by which they're not they?

Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud

Till I both be, and find one wise and good?

May barren Angels love so. But if we

Make love to woman; virtue is not she:

25As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus

From her to hers, is more adulterous,

Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare

And firmament, ourCupidis not there:

He's an infernal god and under ground,

30WithPlutodwells, where gold and fire abound:

Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles

Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes.

Although we see Celestial bodies move

Above the earth, the earth we Till and love:

35So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart,

And virtues; but we love the Centrique part.

Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit

For love, then this, as infinite as it.

But in attaining this desired place

40How much they erre; that set out at the face?

The hair a Forest is of Ambushes,

Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles:

The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain,

And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again.

45Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have

Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave.

The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs

Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns;

It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere

50On either side, and then directs us where

Upon the Islands fortunate we fall,

(Not faynteCanaries, butAmbrosiall)

Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come,

We anchor there, and think our selves at home,

55For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there

Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear;

There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell,

The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell.

These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin

60Ore past; and the streightHellespontbetweene

TheSestosandAbydosof her breasts,

(Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts)

Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye

Some Island moles may scattered there descry;

65And Sailing towards herIndia, in that way

Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay;

Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made,

Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd,

Thou shalt upon another Forest set,

70Where many Shipwrack, and no further get.

When thou art there, consider what this chace

Mispent by thy beginning at the face.

Rather set out below; practice my Art,

Some Symetry the foot hath with that part

75Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that

Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at:

Least subject to disguise and change it is;

Men say the Devil never can change his.

It is the Emblem that hath figured

80Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed.

Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss

Which at the face began, transplanted is,

Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee,

Now at the Papal foot delights to be:

85If Kings think that the nearer way, and do

Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too;

For as free Spheres move faster far then can

Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man

Which goes this empty and Ætherial way,

90Then if at beauties elements he stay.

Rich Nature hath in women wisely made

Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid:

They then, which to the lower tribute owe,

That way which that Exchequer looks, must go:

95He which doth not, his error is as great,

As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.

Elegie XVIII.&c.Ed:Elegie XVIII.1669, where it is first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed inWit and Drollery. By Sir J. M., J. S., Sir W. D., J. D., and the most refined Wits of the Age.1661. It appears in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with titleLoves Progress.,orElegie. on Loves Progresse.,or with no title4 Love is a1669:And Love's aMSS.5 strange1661 and MSS.:strong166911 I,] I166914 ever1669:for everO'F,S,S9616 (our new nature) use,166117 these1669 and MSS.:this1661,Cy,P,Chambers20 them]om. 166125 beauty'is not1661 and MSS.:beauties no1669thus] thus:166927 Then if he took] Then he that took1661,B(takes),Cy,O'F,P,Sspheare] sphear166930 abound:Ed:abound,166932 inA18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:on1669,A25holes.] holes:166938 infinite] infinit166940 erre1661-69,S,S96:strayA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,N,O'F,P,TC42 springes,H49 and some MSS.:springs,166946 and1661,A18,A25,B,C,D,H49,Lec,N,P,S96,TC:but1669our1661,MSS.:a166947 first Meridian1661 and MSS.:sweet Meridian1669.52-3 (Not ... Ambrosiall) ... lips&c.1661 and MSS.(not always with brackets and sometimes withNoforNotandCanary): Not ... Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when we are come,166955 For they seem all: there1669,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,S,TC:For they sing all their1661,Cy,P57 There1661 and MSS.:Then1669swell,Ed:swell166958 Rhemora166959 the glorious Promontory,]brackets and no comma, 166960 Ore past; ... betweene1661 and MSS.:Being past the Straits ofHellespontbetween166962 Loves] loves166963 yet] thatD, H49, Lec, and other MSS.65 Sailing] Sailng166966 Navell] Naval166967 thenceA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,Lec,O'F,S,S96,TC:there1661-9,N(?): hencePthyall MSS.:the1661-968 wouldstA18,A25,B,Cy,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:shouldst166970 many1669:some doeA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,P73 my1669,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCD:thyChambers:thineA18,TCC80 the]bis 166981-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face begonne, transplanted isD,H49,Lec83 Imperial] imperial166986 too;] too.166990 elements1661 and MSS.:enemies166991 hath]Chambers omits93 owe,] owe166996 Clyster gaveA18,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:glister gives1669

4 Love is a1669:And Love's aMSS.

5 strange1661 and MSS.:strong1669

11 I,] I1669

14 ever1669:for everO'F,S,S96

16 (our new nature) use,1661

17 these1669 and MSS.:this1661,Cy,P,Chambers

20 them]om. 1661

25 beauty'is not1661 and MSS.:beauties no1669

thus] thus:1669

27 Then if he took] Then he that took1661,B(takes),Cy,O'F,P,S

spheare] sphear1669

30 abound:Ed:abound,1669

32 inA18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:on1669,A25

holes.] holes:1669

38 infinite] infinit1669

40 erre1661-69,S,S96:strayA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,N,O'F,P,TC

42 springes,H49 and some MSS.:springs,1669

46 and1661,A18,A25,B,C,D,H49,Lec,N,P,S96,TC:but1669

our1661,MSS.:a1669

47 first Meridian1661 and MSS.:sweet Meridian1669.

52-3 (Not ... Ambrosiall) ... lips&c.1661 and MSS.(not always with brackets and sometimes withNoforNotandCanary): Not ... Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when we are come,1669

55 For they seem all: there1669,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,S,TC:For they sing all their1661,Cy,P

57 There1661 and MSS.:Then1669

swell,Ed:swell1669

58 Rhemora1669

59 the glorious Promontory,]brackets and no comma, 1669

60 Ore past; ... betweene1661 and MSS.:Being past the Straits ofHellespontbetween1669

62 Loves] loves1669

63 yet] thatD, H49, Lec, and other MSS.

65 Sailing] Sailng1669

66 Navell] Naval1669

67 thenceA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,Lec,O'F,S,S96,TC:there1661-9,N(?): henceP

thyall MSS.:the1661-9

68 wouldstA18,A25,B,Cy,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:shouldst1669

70 many1669:some doeA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,P

73 my1669,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCD:thyChambers:thineA18,TCC

80 the]bis 1669

81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face begonne, transplanted isD,H49,Lec

83 Imperial] imperial1669

86 too;] too.1669

90 elements1661 and MSS.:enemies1669

91 hath]Chambers omits

93 owe,] owe1669

96 Clyster gaveA18,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:glister gives1669

Note

Going to Bed.

COME, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie,Until I labour, I in labour lie.The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,Is tir'd with standing though he never fight.5Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering,But a far fairer world incompassing.Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there.Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme,10Tells me from you, that now it is bed time.Off with that happy busk, which I envie,That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals,As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales.15Off with that wyerie Coronet and shewThe haiery Diademe which on you doth grow:Now off with those shooes, and then safely treadIn this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed.In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be20Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with theeA heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and thoughIll spirits walk in white, we easly know,By this these Angels from an evil sprite,Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright.25Licence my roaving hands, and let them go,Before, behind, between, above, below.O my America! my new-found-land,My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd,My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie,30How blest am I in this discovering thee!To enter in these bonds, is to be free;Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee,As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be,35To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women useAre like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views,That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem,His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made40For lay-men, are all women thus array'd;Themselves are mystick books, which only wee(Whom their imputed grace will dignifie)Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know;As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew45Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence,There is no pennance due to innocence.To teach thee, I am naked first; why thanWhat needst thou have more covering then a man.

COME, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie,

Until I labour, I in labour lie.

The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,

Is tir'd with standing though he never fight.

5Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering,

But a far fairer world incompassing.

Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,

That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there.

Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme,

10Tells me from you, that now it is bed time.

Off with that happy busk, which I envie,

That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.

Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals,

As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales.

15Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew

The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow:

Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread

In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed.

In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be

20Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee

A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though

Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know,

By this these Angels from an evil sprite,

Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright.

25Licence my roaving hands, and let them go,

Before, behind, between, above, below.

O my America! my new-found-land,

My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd,

My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie,

30How blest am I in this discovering thee!

To enter in these bonds, is to be free;

Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.

Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee,

As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be,

35To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use

Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views,

That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem,

His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.

Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made

40For lay-men, are all women thus array'd;

Themselves are mystick books, which only wee

(Whom their imputed grace will dignifie)

Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know;

As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew

45Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence,

There is no pennance due to innocence.

To teach thee, I am naked first; why than

What needst thou have more covering then a man.

Elegie XIX.&c. Ed: in 1669,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCC,TCD,WAppeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but with the headingTo his Mistris going to Bed.The MSS. include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or simplyElegye,or numbered according to the scheme adopted: B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other titles4 he1669:theyA18,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,TC5 glittering] glisteringMSS.8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair.Cy,P10 it is1669:'tis yourMSS.11 which] whomA18,D,H49,L74,Lec,S,TC,W14 fromMSS.:through1669shadow] shadows166916 Diademe ... grow:A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC:Diadem which on your head doth grow:1669:Diadems which on you do grow.S,Chambers17 Now ... shooes,1669,JC,W:Off ... shoesA18,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:Off with those hose and shoesSsafelyA18,A25,B,L74,N,O'F,S,S96,TC,W:softly1669,Cy,D,H49,JC,Lec,P20 Receavd by men; Thouall MSS.:Reveal'd to men; thou166921 Paradise;Ed:Paradice,166922 Ill1669,A18,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,S,S96,TC,W:AllB, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecturespirits1669,A18,B,D,H49,N,S:angelsO'F,S96white,Ed:white;166926 below.Ed:below,166928 kingdome,MSS.:Kingdom's1669safeliestA18,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:safest,1669man'd,Ed:man'd.166929 stones,Ed:stones:166930 How blest am Iall MSS.:How am I blest1669thisA18,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC,W:thus1669,A25,L74,Sdiscovering] discoveryB,O'Fthee!Ed:thee?1669be.] be,166935 Gems] Jems1669: and so3736 like1669:asMSS.balls,MSS.:ball:166938 covetA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,TC,W:court1669,Cy,P,S,S96theirs,A18,A25,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,P,S96,TC,W:thoseS:that,1669,B,O'Fthem.] them:166939 pictures,Ed:pictures1669madeEd:made,166940 lay-men,Ed:lay-men1669array'd;Ed:arrayed166941 Themselves ... only weeA18,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC,W:Themselves are only mystick books, which we,1669,B43 see] beA18,A25,D,H49,Lec,N,TCreveal'd] revealed166944 aall MSS.:thy1669Midwife,Ed:Midwife166945 hence,Ed:hence166946 pennance due to innocence.1669,B,Cy,JC,O'F,P,S:pennance, much less innocence;A18,A25,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,S96,W47 thee,Ed:thee1669first;Ed:first,1669

Elegie XIX.&c. Ed: in 1669,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCC,TCD,W

Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but with the headingTo his Mistris going to Bed.The MSS. include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or simplyElegye,or numbered according to the scheme adopted: B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other titles

4 he1669:theyA18,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,TC

5 glittering] glisteringMSS.

8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair.Cy,P

10 it is1669:'tis yourMSS.

11 which] whomA18,D,H49,L74,Lec,S,TC,W

14 fromMSS.:through1669

shadow] shadows1669

16 Diademe ... grow:A25,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC:Diadem which on your head doth grow:1669:Diadems which on you do grow.S,Chambers

17 Now ... shooes,1669,JC,W:Off ... shoesA18,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:Off with those hose and shoesS

safelyA18,A25,B,L74,N,O'F,S,S96,TC,W:softly1669,Cy,D,H49,JC,Lec,P

20 Receavd by men; Thouall MSS.:Reveal'd to men; thou1669

21 Paradise;Ed:Paradice,1669

22 Ill1669,A18,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,S,S96,TC,W:AllB, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture

spirits1669,A18,B,D,H49,N,S:angelsO'F,S96

white,Ed:white;1669

26 below.Ed:below,1669

28 kingdome,MSS.:Kingdom's1669

safeliestA18,D,H49,Lec,N,TC:safest,1669

man'd,Ed:man'd.1669

29 stones,Ed:stones:1669

30 How blest am Iall MSS.:How am I blest1669

thisA18,B,Cy,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC,W:thus1669,A25,L74,S

discovering] discoveryB,O'F

thee!Ed:thee?1669

be.] be,1669

35 Gems] Jems1669: and so37

36 like1669:asMSS.

balls,MSS.:ball:1669

38 covetA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,TC,W:court1669,Cy,P,S,S96

theirs,A18,A25,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,P,S96,TC,W:thoseS:that,1669,B,O'F

them.] them:1669

39 pictures,Ed:pictures1669

madeEd:made,1669

40 lay-men,Ed:lay-men1669

array'd;Ed:arrayed1669

41 Themselves ... only weeA18,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC,W:Themselves are only mystick books, which we,1669,B

43 see] beA18,A25,D,H49,Lec,N,TC

reveal'd] revealed1669

44 aall MSS.:thy1669

Midwife,Ed:Midwife1669

45 hence,Ed:hence1669

46 pennance due to innocence.1669,B,Cy,JC,O'F,P,S:pennance, much less innocence;A18,A25,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,S96,W

47 thee,Ed:thee1669

first;Ed:first,1669

Note

Loves Warre.

TILL I have peace with thee, warr other men,And when I have peace, can I leave thee then?All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thouO fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe5To any one: In Flanders, who can tellWhether the Master presse; or men rebell?Only we know, that which all Ideots say,They beare most blows which come to part the fray.France in her lunatique giddines did hate10Ever our men, yea and our God of late;Yet she relyes upon our Angels well,Which nere returne; no more then they which fell.Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possestLike to an Ague; now raging, now at rest;15Which time will cure: yet it must doe her goodIf she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood.And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give,We touch all gold, but find no food to live.And I should be in the hott parching clyme,20To dust and ashes turn'd before my time.To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrallMee in a prison, that weare like to fall;Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwellIn a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell.25Long voyages are long consumptions,And ships are carts for executions.Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flyeInto an other World, as t'is to dye?Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye;30Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye.Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee;Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee.Other men war that they their rest may gayne;But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne.35Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love,There wee are alwayes under, here above.There Engins farr off breed a just true feare,Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here.There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye;40There men kill men, we'will make one by and by.Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall doIn these Warrs, as they may which from us twoShall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile notTo warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott45To make at home; And shall not I do thenMore glorious service, staying to make men?

TILL I have peace with thee, warr other men,

And when I have peace, can I leave thee then?

All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou

O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe

5To any one: In Flanders, who can tell

Whether the Master presse; or men rebell?

Only we know, that which all Ideots say,

They beare most blows which come to part the fray.

France in her lunatique giddines did hate

10Ever our men, yea and our God of late;

Yet she relyes upon our Angels well,

Which nere returne; no more then they which fell.

Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest

Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest;

15Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good

If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood.

And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give,

We touch all gold, but find no food to live.

And I should be in the hott parching clyme,

20To dust and ashes turn'd before my time.

To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall

Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall;

Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell

In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell.

25Long voyages are long consumptions,

And ships are carts for executions.

Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye

Into an other World, as t'is to dye?

Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye;

30Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye.

Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee;

Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee.

Other men war that they their rest may gayne;

But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne.

35Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love,

There wee are alwayes under, here above.

There Engins farr off breed a just true feare,

Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here.

There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye;

40There men kill men, we'will make one by and by.

Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do

In these Warrs, as they may which from us two

Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not

To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott

45To make at home; And shall not I do then

More glorious service, staying to make men?

Elegy XX&c.Ed: First published in F.G. Waldron'sA Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802,from a MS. dated 1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in hisPhilobiblon Societyvolume of 1856. It is included among Donne'sElegiesin A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W. In B it has the titleMaking of Men.The present text is based on W7 allA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,Lec,O'F,S,S96,TC,W:mostJC,Chambers8 They beare most blows which (orthat)A18,B,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,S,S96,TC,W:They must bear blows, whichChambers9 giddiness] guidingsSim:giddingeWald11 well,] wellW13 a strange] strayingSim16 head] deadSim19 theA18,B,Cy,D,H49,N,S,S96,TC,W:thatChambers,A25,JC,L74,O'F24 swaggering] swayingChambers25 consumptions,] consumptionsW:line omitted,Wald29 lye]speltlyW:and so30 dy33 gayne;] gayneW37 There] TheseSimand, that, with, which]contracted throughout,W

7 allA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,Lec,O'F,S,S96,TC,W:mostJC,Chambers

8 They beare most blows which (orthat)A18,B,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,S,S96,TC,W:They must bear blows, whichChambers

9 giddiness] guidingsSim:giddingeWald

11 well,] wellW

13 a strange] strayingSim

16 head] deadSim

19 theA18,B,Cy,D,H49,N,S,S96,TC,W:thatChambers,A25,JC,L74,O'F

24 swaggering] swayingChambers

25 consumptions,] consumptionsW:line omitted,Wald

29 lye]speltly

W:and so30 dy

33 gayne;] gayneW

37 There] TheseSim

and, that, with, which]contracted throughout,W

Note

SaphotoPhilænis.

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