EPITHALAMIONS,

WHERE is that holy fire, whichVerseis saidTo have? is that inchanting force decai'd?Versethat drawesNaturesworkes, fromNatureslaw,Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw.5Have my teares quench'd my oldPoetiquefire;Why quench'd they not as well, that ofdesire?Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee,But I, their maker, want their libertie.Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit,10But that is waxe, and fires environ it.My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence;And I am rob'd ofPicture,Heart, andSense.Dwells with me still mine irksomeMemory,Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.15That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire,As,gods, whengodsto thee I doe compare,Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,What thingsgodsare, I say they'are like to thee.For, if we justly call each sillyman20Alitle world, What shall we call thee than?Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,AsDown, asStars,Cedars, andLilliesare,But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, onlyAre like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.25Such was myPhaoawhile, but shall be never,As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.Here lovers sweare in theirIdolatrie,That I am such; butGriefediscolors me.And yet I grieve the lesse, leastGrieferemove30My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love.Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yetA mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesseDoth threaten, and some daily change possesse.35Thy body is a naturallParadise,In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,Nor needsperfection; why shouldst thou thanAdmit the tillage of a harsh rough man?Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,40And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows.But of our dallyance no more signes there are,Thenfishesleave in streames, orBirdsin aire.And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;All, all thatNatureyields, orArtcan adde.45My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two,But so, as thine from one another doe;And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,Why should they not alike in all parts touch?Hand to strange hand, lippe to lippe none denies;50Why should they brest to brest, or thighs to thighs?Likenesse begets such strange selfe flatterie,That touching my selfe, all seemes done to thee.My selfe I embrace, and mine owne hands I kisse,And amorously thanke my selfe for this.55Me, in my glasse, I call thee; But alas,When I would kisse, teares dimme mineeyes, andglasse.O cure this loving madnesse, and restoreMe to mee; thee, myhalfe, myall, mymore.So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye,60And their white, whitenesse of theGalaxy,So may thy mighty, amazing beauty moveEnvy'in allwomen, and in allmen,love,And so bechange, andsicknesse, farre from thee,As thou by comming neere, keep'st them from me.

WHERE is that holy fire, whichVerseis said

To have? is that inchanting force decai'd?

Versethat drawesNaturesworkes, fromNatureslaw,

Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw.

5Have my teares quench'd my oldPoetiquefire;

Why quench'd they not as well, that ofdesire?

Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee,

But I, their maker, want their libertie.

Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit,

10But that is waxe, and fires environ it.

My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence;

And I am rob'd ofPicture,Heart, andSense.

Dwells with me still mine irksomeMemory,

Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.

15That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire,

As,gods, whengodsto thee I doe compare,

Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,

What thingsgodsare, I say they'are like to thee.

For, if we justly call each sillyman

20Alitle world, What shall we call thee than?

Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,

AsDown, asStars,Cedars, andLilliesare,

But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only

Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.

25Such was myPhaoawhile, but shall be never,

As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.

Here lovers sweare in theirIdolatrie,

That I am such; butGriefediscolors me.

And yet I grieve the lesse, leastGrieferemove

30My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love.

Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet

A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.

His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse

Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse.

35Thy body is a naturallParadise,

In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,

Nor needsperfection; why shouldst thou than

Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man?

Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,

40And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows.

But of our dallyance no more signes there are,

Thenfishesleave in streames, orBirdsin aire.

And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;

All, all thatNatureyields, orArtcan adde.

45My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two,

But so, as thine from one another doe;

And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,

Why should they not alike in all parts touch?

Hand to strange hand, lippe to lippe none denies;

50Why should they brest to brest, or thighs to thighs?

Likenesse begets such strange selfe flatterie,

That touching my selfe, all seemes done to thee.

My selfe I embrace, and mine owne hands I kisse,

And amorously thanke my selfe for this.

55Me, in my glasse, I call thee; But alas,

When I would kisse, teares dimme mineeyes, andglasse.

O cure this loving madnesse, and restore

Me to mee; thee, myhalfe, myall, mymore.

So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye,

60And their white, whitenesse of theGalaxy,

So may thy mighty, amazing beauty move

Envy'in allwomen, and in allmen,love,

And so bechange, andsicknesse, farre from thee,

As thou by comming neere, keep'st them from me.

Heroicall Epistle.]In 1633Sapho to Philaenisfollows Basse'sEpitaph upon Shakespeare,and precedesThe Annuntiation and Passion.In 1635 it was placed with some other miscellaneous and dubious poems among theLetters to severall Personages,where it has appeared in all subsequent editions. I have transferred it to the neighbourhood of theElegiesand given it the title which seems to describe exactly the genre to which it belongs. In JC it is entitledElegie 18th.The other MSS. are A18, A25, O'F, N, P, TCC, TCD. In A25, JC, and P, ll. 31-54 are omitted2 have?1650-69:have,1633-393 workes,1633-39:worke,1650-69,O'F8 maker,1635-69:maker;163317 thereby; And1635-69:thereby. And1633,some copies22 AsDown,1633-69,A18,N,TC:As dowvesP:As downsO'F.See noteCedars,] as Cedars,A18,N,O'F,TC26 maist be ever.1633,A18,A25,N,TC:maist thou be ever.1635-69,O'F:shalt be for ever.P:mayst thou be for ever.JC33 thorny hairy1633-69:thorney-hairyTCD:thorny, hairymodern edd.40 areEd:are,1633-6958 me to mee; thee,1635-69,A18,A25,JC,N,P,TC(generallymee,in MSS.:) me to mee; shee,1633:me to thee, theeChambershalfe,] harteA25,JC,P59-60So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dyeMay blisse and thee be one eternallyeP:om. JC61 mighty, amazingEd:mighty amazing1633-69:almighty amazingP

2 have?1650-69:have,1633-39

3 workes,1633-39:worke,1650-69,O'F

8 maker,1635-69:maker;1633

17 thereby; And1635-69:thereby. And1633,some copies

22 AsDown,1633-69,A18,N,TC:As dowvesP:As downsO'F.See note

Cedars,] as Cedars,A18,N,O'F,TC

26 maist be ever.1633,A18,A25,N,TC:maist thou be ever.1635-69,O'F:shalt be for ever.P:mayst thou be for ever.JC

33 thorny hairy1633-69:thorney-hairyTCD:thorny, hairymodern edd.

40 areEd:are,1633-69

58 me to mee; thee,1635-69,A18,A25,JC,N,P,TC(generallymee,in MSS.:) me to mee; shee,1633:me to thee, theeChambers

halfe,] harteA25,JC,P

59-60

So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dyeMay blisse and thee be one eternallyeP:om. JC

So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dye

May blisse and thee be one eternallyeP:om. JC

61 mighty, amazingEd:mighty amazing1633-69:almighty amazingP

Note

MARRIAGE SONGS.

An Epithalamion, Or mariage Song on the LadyElizabeth,andCount Palatinebeing married on St.Valentinesday.

HAILE Bishop Valentine, whose day this is,All the Aire is thy Diocis,And all the chirping ChoristersAnd other birds are thy Parishioners,5Thou marryest every yeareThe Lirique Larke, and the grave whispering Dove,The Sparrow that neglects his life for love,The household Bird, with the red stomacher,Thou mak'st the black bird speed as soone,10As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon;The husband cocke lookes out, and straight is sped,And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.This day more cheerfully then ever shine,This day, which might enflame thy self, Old Valentine.

HAILE Bishop Valentine, whose day this is,

All the Aire is thy Diocis,

And all the chirping Choristers

And other birds are thy Parishioners,

5Thou marryest every yeare

The Lirique Larke, and the grave whispering Dove,

The Sparrow that neglects his life for love,

The household Bird, with the red stomacher,

Thou mak'st the black bird speed as soone,

10As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon;

The husband cocke lookes out, and straight is sped,

And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.

This day more cheerfully then ever shine,

This day, which might enflame thy self, Old Valentine.

15Till now, Thou warmd'st with multiplying lovesTwo larkes, two sparrowes, or two Doves,All that is nothing unto this,For thou this day couplest two Phœnixes;Thou mak'st a Taper see20What the sunne never saw, and what the Arke(Which was of soules, and beasts, the cage, and park,)Did not containe, one bed containes, through Thee,Two Phœnixes, whose joyned breastsAre unto one another mutuall nests,25Where motion kindles such fires, as shall giveYong Phœnixes, and yet the old shall live.Whose love and courage never shall decline,But make the whole year through, thy day, O Valentine.

15Till now, Thou warmd'st with multiplying loves

Two larkes, two sparrowes, or two Doves,

All that is nothing unto this,

For thou this day couplest two Phœnixes;

Thou mak'st a Taper see

20What the sunne never saw, and what the Arke

(Which was of soules, and beasts, the cage, and park,)

Did not containe, one bed containes, through Thee,

Two Phœnixes, whose joyned breasts

Are unto one another mutuall nests,

25Where motion kindles such fires, as shall give

Yong Phœnixes, and yet the old shall live.

Whose love and courage never shall decline,

But make the whole year through, thy day, O Valentine.

Up then faire Phœnix Bride, frustrate the Sunne,30Thy selfe from thine affectionTakest warmth enough, and from thine eyeAll lesser birds will take their Jollitie.Up, up, faire Bride, and call,Thy starres, from out their severall boxes, take35Thy Rubies, Pearles, and Diamonds forth, and makeThy selfe a constellation, of them All,And by their blazing, signifie,That a Great Princess falls, but doth not die;Bee thou a new starre, that to us portends40Ends of much wonder; And be Thou those ends.Since thou dost this day in new glory shine,May all men date Records, from this thy Valentine.

Up then faire Phœnix Bride, frustrate the Sunne,

30Thy selfe from thine affection

Takest warmth enough, and from thine eye

All lesser birds will take their Jollitie.

Up, up, faire Bride, and call,

Thy starres, from out their severall boxes, take

35Thy Rubies, Pearles, and Diamonds forth, and make

Thy selfe a constellation, of them All,

And by their blazing, signifie,

That a Great Princess falls, but doth not die;

Bee thou a new starre, that to us portends

40Ends of much wonder; And be Thou those ends.

Since thou dost this day in new glory shine,

May all men date Records, from this thy Valentine.

Come forth, come forth, and as one glorious flameMeeting Another, growes the same,45So meet thy Fredericke, and soTo an unseparable union growe.Since separationFalls not on such things as are infinite,Nor things which are but one, can disunite,50You'are twice inseparable, great, and one;Goe then to where the Bishop staies,To make you one, his way, which divers waiesMust be effected; and when all is past,And that you'are one, by hearts and hands made fast,55You two have one way left, your selves to'entwine,Besides this Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.

Come forth, come forth, and as one glorious flame

Meeting Another, growes the same,

45So meet thy Fredericke, and so

To an unseparable union growe.

Since separation

Falls not on such things as are infinite,

Nor things which are but one, can disunite,

50You'are twice inseparable, great, and one;

Goe then to where the Bishop staies,

To make you one, his way, which divers waies

Must be effected; and when all is past,

And that you'are one, by hearts and hands made fast,

55You two have one way left, your selves to'entwine,

Besides this Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.

But oh, what ailes the Sunne, that here he staies,Longer to day, then other daies?Staies he new light from these to get?60And finding here such store, is loth to set?And why doe you two walke,So slowly pac'd in this procession?Is all your care but to be look'd upon,And be to others spectacle, and talke?65The feast, with gluttonous delaies,Is eaten, and too long their meat they praise,The masquers come too late, and'I thinke, will stay,Like Fairies, till the Cock crow them away.Alas, did not Antiquity assigne70A night, as well as day, to thee, O Valentine?

But oh, what ailes the Sunne, that here he staies,

Longer to day, then other daies?

Staies he new light from these to get?

60And finding here such store, is loth to set?

And why doe you two walke,

So slowly pac'd in this procession?

Is all your care but to be look'd upon,

And be to others spectacle, and talke?

65The feast, with gluttonous delaies,

Is eaten, and too long their meat they praise,

The masquers come too late, and'I thinke, will stay,

Like Fairies, till the Cock crow them away.

Alas, did not Antiquity assigne

70A night, as well as day, to thee, O Valentine?

They did, and night is come; and yet wee seeFormalities retarding thee.What meane these Ladies, which (as thoughThey were to take a clock in peeces,) goe75So nicely about the Bride;A Bride, before a good night could be said,Should vanish from her cloathes, into her bed,As Soules from bodies steale, and are not spy'd.But now she is laid; What though shee bee?80Yet there are more delayes, For, where is he?He comes, and passes through Spheare after Spheare,First her sheetes, then her Armes, then any where.Let not this day, then, but this night be thine,Thy day was but the eve to this, O Valentine.

They did, and night is come; and yet wee see

Formalities retarding thee.

What meane these Ladies, which (as though

They were to take a clock in peeces,) goe

75So nicely about the Bride;

A Bride, before a good night could be said,

Should vanish from her cloathes, into her bed,

As Soules from bodies steale, and are not spy'd.

But now she is laid; What though shee bee?

80Yet there are more delayes, For, where is he?

He comes, and passes through Spheare after Spheare,

First her sheetes, then her Armes, then any where.

Let not this day, then, but this night be thine,

Thy day was but the eve to this, O Valentine.

85Here lyes a shee Sunne, and a hee Moone here,She gives the best light to his Spheare,Or each is both, and all, and soThey unto one another nothing owe,And yet they doe, but are90So just and rich in that coyne which they pay,That neither would, nor needs forbeare, nor stay;Neither desires to be spar'd, nor to spare,They quickly pay their debt, and thenTake no acquittances, but pay again;95They pay, they give, they lend, and so let fallNo such occasion to be liberall.More truth, more courage in these two do shine,Then all thy turtles have, and sparrows, Valentine.

85Here lyes a shee Sunne, and a hee Moone here,

She gives the best light to his Spheare,

Or each is both, and all, and so

They unto one another nothing owe,

And yet they doe, but are

90So just and rich in that coyne which they pay,

That neither would, nor needs forbeare, nor stay;

Neither desires to be spar'd, nor to spare,

They quickly pay their debt, and then

Take no acquittances, but pay again;

95They pay, they give, they lend, and so let fall

No such occasion to be liberall.

More truth, more courage in these two do shine,

Then all thy turtles have, and sparrows, Valentine.

And by this act of these two Phenixes100Nature againe restored is,For since these two are two no more,Ther's but one Phenix still, as was before.Rest now at last, and weeAs Satyres watch the Sunnes uprise, will stay105Waiting, when your eyes opened, let out day,Onely desir'd, because your face wee see;Others neare you shall whispering speake,And wagers lay, at which side day will breake,And win by'observing, then, whose hand it is110That opens first a curtaine, hers or his;This will be tryed to morrow after nine,Till which houre, wee thy day enlarge, O Valentine.

And by this act of these two Phenixes

100Nature againe restored is,

For since these two are two no more,

Ther's but one Phenix still, as was before.

Rest now at last, and wee

As Satyres watch the Sunnes uprise, will stay

105Waiting, when your eyes opened, let out day,

Onely desir'd, because your face wee see;

Others neare you shall whispering speake,

And wagers lay, at which side day will breake,

And win by'observing, then, whose hand it is

110That opens first a curtaine, hers or his;

This will be tryed to morrow after nine,

Till which houre, wee thy day enlarge, O Valentine.

Epithalamions,&c.1635-69:no general title,1633. An Epithalamion,&c.1633-69,A25,B,C,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD(most of the MSS. have the full title but with slight verbal variations)13 shine,Ed:shine.1633-6914 enflame] enflãe163318 Phœnixes;Ed:Phœnixes,1633:Phœnixes.1635-6921 foules,1633:fowle,1635-6922 Thee,1633,1650-69:Thee:1635-3937 their blazing1633-69,D,Lec:this blazingA25,B,H49,JC,N,O'F(altered totheir),P,TCD40 ends.1635-69:ends,163342 this thy1633-54,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:this day1669,A25,JC,Chambers46 growe.A25,B,D,H49,JC,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:goe,1633-69,Lec49 disunite,Grolier:disunite.1633-69 and Chambers56 Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P(our),S96,TCBishops knot, O Bishop Valentine.1633-54:Bishops knot of Bishop Valentine.1669:Bishops knot, of Bishop Valentine.Chambers60 store,1633,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,P,S96,TCD:starres,1635-69,O'F,Chambers67 come too late,1633:come late,1635-6970 O Valentine?1633-54,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:old Valentine?166981 passes1633-39:passeth1650-69Spheare,Ed:Spheare.1633:Spheare:1635-6982 where.1650-69:where,1633-3985 here,1633-39,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,TCD:there,1650-69,O'F,P,S9691 stay;] stay,163392 spare,1633-54:spare.166994 acquittances,1635-69:acquittance,163396 such]om.1669104 As ... uprise,]brackets 1650-69105 day,] day.1633

Epithalamions,&c.1635-69:no general title,1633. An Epithalamion,&c.1633-69,A25,B,C,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD(most of the MSS. have the full title but with slight verbal variations)

13 shine,Ed:shine.1633-69

14 enflame] enflãe1633

18 Phœnixes;Ed:Phœnixes,1633:Phœnixes.1635-69

21 foules,1633:fowle,1635-69

22 Thee,1633,1650-69:Thee:1635-39

37 their blazing1633-69,D,Lec:this blazingA25,B,H49,JC,N,O'F(altered totheir),P,TCD

40 ends.1635-69:ends,1633

42 this thy1633-54,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:this day1669,A25,JC,Chambers

46 growe.A25,B,D,H49,JC,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:goe,1633-69,Lec

49 disunite,Grolier:disunite.1633-69 and Chambers

56 Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P(our),S96,TCBishops knot, O Bishop Valentine.1633-54:Bishops knot of Bishop Valentine.1669:Bishops knot, of Bishop Valentine.Chambers

60 store,1633,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,P,S96,TCD:

starres,1635-69,O'F,Chambers

67 come too late,1633:come late,1635-69

70 O Valentine?1633-54,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S96,TCD:old Valentine?1669

81 passes1633-39:passeth1650-69

Spheare,Ed:Spheare.1633:Spheare:1635-69

82 where.1650-69:where,1633-39

85 here,1633-39,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,TCD:

there,1650-69,O'F,P,S96

91 stay;] stay,1633

92 spare,1633-54:spare.1669

94 acquittances,1635-69:acquittance,1633

96 such]om.1669

104 As ... uprise,]brackets 1650-69

105 day,] day.1633

Note

Note (Supp.)

1613.December26.

AllophanesfindingIdiosin the country in Christmastime,reprehends his absence from court, at the mariageOf the Earle of Sommerset, Idiosgives an accountof his purpose therein, and of his absence thence.

Allophanes.VNSEASONABLE man, statue of ice,What could to countries solitude enticeThee, in this yeares cold and decrepit time?Natures instinct drawes to the warmer clime5Even small birds, who by that courage dare,In numerous fleets, saile through their Sea, the aire.What delicacie can in fields appeare,Whil'st Flora'herselfe doth a freeze jerkin weare?Whil'st windes do all the trees and hedges strip10Of leafes, to furnish roddes enough to whipThy madnesse from thee; and all springs by frostHave taken cold, and their sweet murmure lost;If thou thy faults or fortunes would'st lamentWith just solemnity, do it in Lent;15At Court the spring already advanced is,The Sunne stayes longer up; and yet not hisThe glory is, farre other, other fires.First, zeale to Prince and State; then loves desiresBurne in one brest, and like heavens two great lights,20The first doth governe dayes, the other nights.And then that early light, which did appeareBefore the Sunne and Moone created were,The Princes favour is defus'd o'r all,From which all Fortunes, Names, and Natures fall;25Then from those wombes of starres, the Brides bright eyes,At every glance, a constellation flyes,And sowes the Court with starres, and doth preventIn light and power, the all-ey'd firmament;First her eyes kindle other Ladies eyes,30Then from their beames their jewels lusters rise,And from their jewels torches do take fire,And all is warmth, and light, and good desire;Most other Courts, alas, are like to hell,Where in darke plotts, fire without light doth dwell:35Or but like Stoves, for lust and envy getContinuall, but artificiall heat;Here zeale and love growne one, all clouds disgest,And make our Court an everlasting East.And can'st thou be from thence?Idios.No, I am there.40As heaven, to men dispos'd, is every where,So are those Courts, whose Princes animate,Not onely all their house, but all their State.Let no man thinke, because he is full, he hath all,Kings (as their patterne, God) are liberall45Not onely in fulnesse, but capacitie,Enlarging narrow men, to feele and see,And comprehend the blessings they bestow.So, reclus'd hermits often times do knowMore of heavens glory, then a worldling can.50As man is of the world, the heart of man,Is an epitome of Gods great bookeOf creatures, and man need no farther looke;So is the Country of Courts, where sweet peace doth,As their one common soule, give life to both,I am not then from Court.Allophanes.55Dreamer, thou art.Think'st thou fantastique that thou hast a partIn the East-Indian fleet, because thou hastA little spice, or Amber in thy taste?Because thou art not frozen, art thou warme?60Seest thou all good because thou seest no harme?The earth doth in her inward bowels holdStuffe well dispos'd, and which would faine be gold,But never shall, except it chance to lye,So upward, that heaven gild it with his eye;65As, for divine things, faith comes from above,So, for best civill use, all tinctures moveFrom higher powers; From God religion springs,Wisdome, and honour from the use of Kings.Then unbeguile thy selfe, and know with mee,70That Angels, though on earth employd they bee,Are still in heav'n, so is hee still at homeThat doth, abroad, to honest actions come.Chide thy selfe then, O foole, which yesterdayMight'st have read more then all thy books bewray;75Hast thou a history, which doth presentA Court, where all affections do assentUnto the Kings, and that, that Kings are just?And where it is no levity to trust?Where there is no ambition, but to'obey,80Where men need whisper nothing, and yet may;Where the Kings favours are so plac'd, that allFinde that the King therein is liberallTo them, in him, because his favours bendTo vertue, to the which they all pretend?85Thou hast no such; yet here was this, and more,An earnest lover, wise then, and before.Our little Cupid hath sued Livery,And is no more in his minority,Hee is admitted now into that brest90Where the Kings Counsells and his secrets rest.What hast thou lost, O ignorant man?Idios.I knewAll this, and onely therefore I withdrew.To know and feele all this, and not to haveWords to expresse it, makes a man a grave95Of his owne thoughts; I would not therefore stayAt a great feast, having no Grace to say.And yet I scap'd not here; for being comeFull of the common joy, I utter'd some;Reade then this nuptiall song, which was not made100Either the Court or mens hearts to invade,But since I'am dead, and buried, I could frameNo Epitaph, which might advance my fameSo much as this poore song, which testifiesI did unto that day some sacrifice.

Allophanes.

VNSEASONABLE man, statue of ice,What could to countries solitude enticeThee, in this yeares cold and decrepit time?Natures instinct drawes to the warmer clime5Even small birds, who by that courage dare,In numerous fleets, saile through their Sea, the aire.What delicacie can in fields appeare,Whil'st Flora'herselfe doth a freeze jerkin weare?Whil'st windes do all the trees and hedges strip10Of leafes, to furnish roddes enough to whipThy madnesse from thee; and all springs by frostHave taken cold, and their sweet murmure lost;If thou thy faults or fortunes would'st lamentWith just solemnity, do it in Lent;15At Court the spring already advanced is,The Sunne stayes longer up; and yet not hisThe glory is, farre other, other fires.First, zeale to Prince and State; then loves desiresBurne in one brest, and like heavens two great lights,20The first doth governe dayes, the other nights.And then that early light, which did appeareBefore the Sunne and Moone created were,The Princes favour is defus'd o'r all,From which all Fortunes, Names, and Natures fall;25Then from those wombes of starres, the Brides bright eyes,At every glance, a constellation flyes,And sowes the Court with starres, and doth preventIn light and power, the all-ey'd firmament;First her eyes kindle other Ladies eyes,30Then from their beames their jewels lusters rise,And from their jewels torches do take fire,And all is warmth, and light, and good desire;Most other Courts, alas, are like to hell,Where in darke plotts, fire without light doth dwell:35Or but like Stoves, for lust and envy getContinuall, but artificiall heat;Here zeale and love growne one, all clouds disgest,And make our Court an everlasting East.And can'st thou be from thence?

VNSEASONABLE man, statue of ice,

What could to countries solitude entice

Thee, in this yeares cold and decrepit time?

Natures instinct drawes to the warmer clime

5Even small birds, who by that courage dare,

In numerous fleets, saile through their Sea, the aire.

What delicacie can in fields appeare,

Whil'st Flora'herselfe doth a freeze jerkin weare?

Whil'st windes do all the trees and hedges strip

10Of leafes, to furnish roddes enough to whip

Thy madnesse from thee; and all springs by frost

Have taken cold, and their sweet murmure lost;

If thou thy faults or fortunes would'st lament

With just solemnity, do it in Lent;

15At Court the spring already advanced is,

The Sunne stayes longer up; and yet not his

The glory is, farre other, other fires.

First, zeale to Prince and State; then loves desires

Burne in one brest, and like heavens two great lights,

20The first doth governe dayes, the other nights.

And then that early light, which did appeare

Before the Sunne and Moone created were,

The Princes favour is defus'd o'r all,

From which all Fortunes, Names, and Natures fall;

25Then from those wombes of starres, the Brides bright eyes,

At every glance, a constellation flyes,

And sowes the Court with starres, and doth prevent

In light and power, the all-ey'd firmament;

First her eyes kindle other Ladies eyes,

30Then from their beames their jewels lusters rise,

And from their jewels torches do take fire,

And all is warmth, and light, and good desire;

Most other Courts, alas, are like to hell,

Where in darke plotts, fire without light doth dwell:

35Or but like Stoves, for lust and envy get

Continuall, but artificiall heat;

Here zeale and love growne one, all clouds disgest,

And make our Court an everlasting East.

And can'st thou be from thence?

Idios.No, I am there.40As heaven, to men dispos'd, is every where,So are those Courts, whose Princes animate,Not onely all their house, but all their State.Let no man thinke, because he is full, he hath all,Kings (as their patterne, God) are liberall45Not onely in fulnesse, but capacitie,Enlarging narrow men, to feele and see,And comprehend the blessings they bestow.So, reclus'd hermits often times do knowMore of heavens glory, then a worldling can.50As man is of the world, the heart of man,Is an epitome of Gods great bookeOf creatures, and man need no farther looke;So is the Country of Courts, where sweet peace doth,As their one common soule, give life to both,I am not then from Court.

Idios.No, I am there.

40As heaven, to men dispos'd, is every where,

So are those Courts, whose Princes animate,

Not onely all their house, but all their State.

Let no man thinke, because he is full, he hath all,

Kings (as their patterne, God) are liberall

45Not onely in fulnesse, but capacitie,

Enlarging narrow men, to feele and see,

And comprehend the blessings they bestow.

So, reclus'd hermits often times do know

More of heavens glory, then a worldling can.

50As man is of the world, the heart of man,

Is an epitome of Gods great booke

Of creatures, and man need no farther looke;

So is the Country of Courts, where sweet peace doth,

As their one common soule, give life to both,

I am not then from Court.

Allophanes.55Dreamer, thou art.Think'st thou fantastique that thou hast a partIn the East-Indian fleet, because thou hastA little spice, or Amber in thy taste?Because thou art not frozen, art thou warme?60Seest thou all good because thou seest no harme?The earth doth in her inward bowels holdStuffe well dispos'd, and which would faine be gold,But never shall, except it chance to lye,So upward, that heaven gild it with his eye;65As, for divine things, faith comes from above,So, for best civill use, all tinctures moveFrom higher powers; From God religion springs,Wisdome, and honour from the use of Kings.Then unbeguile thy selfe, and know with mee,70That Angels, though on earth employd they bee,Are still in heav'n, so is hee still at homeThat doth, abroad, to honest actions come.Chide thy selfe then, O foole, which yesterdayMight'st have read more then all thy books bewray;75Hast thou a history, which doth presentA Court, where all affections do assentUnto the Kings, and that, that Kings are just?And where it is no levity to trust?Where there is no ambition, but to'obey,80Where men need whisper nothing, and yet may;Where the Kings favours are so plac'd, that allFinde that the King therein is liberallTo them, in him, because his favours bendTo vertue, to the which they all pretend?85Thou hast no such; yet here was this, and more,An earnest lover, wise then, and before.Our little Cupid hath sued Livery,And is no more in his minority,Hee is admitted now into that brest90Where the Kings Counsells and his secrets rest.What hast thou lost, O ignorant man?

Allophanes.

55Dreamer, thou art.

Think'st thou fantastique that thou hast a part

In the East-Indian fleet, because thou hast

A little spice, or Amber in thy taste?

Because thou art not frozen, art thou warme?

60Seest thou all good because thou seest no harme?

The earth doth in her inward bowels hold

Stuffe well dispos'd, and which would faine be gold,

But never shall, except it chance to lye,

So upward, that heaven gild it with his eye;

65As, for divine things, faith comes from above,

So, for best civill use, all tinctures move

From higher powers; From God religion springs,

Wisdome, and honour from the use of Kings.

Then unbeguile thy selfe, and know with mee,

70That Angels, though on earth employd they bee,

Are still in heav'n, so is hee still at home

That doth, abroad, to honest actions come.

Chide thy selfe then, O foole, which yesterday

Might'st have read more then all thy books bewray;

75Hast thou a history, which doth present

A Court, where all affections do assent

Unto the Kings, and that, that Kings are just?

And where it is no levity to trust?

Where there is no ambition, but to'obey,

80Where men need whisper nothing, and yet may;

Where the Kings favours are so plac'd, that all

Finde that the King therein is liberall

To them, in him, because his favours bend

To vertue, to the which they all pretend?

85Thou hast no such; yet here was this, and more,

An earnest lover, wise then, and before.

Our little Cupid hath sued Livery,

And is no more in his minority,

Hee is admitted now into that brest

90Where the Kings Counsells and his secrets rest.

What hast thou lost, O ignorant man?

Idios.I knewAll this, and onely therefore I withdrew.To know and feele all this, and not to haveWords to expresse it, makes a man a grave95Of his owne thoughts; I would not therefore stayAt a great feast, having no Grace to say.And yet I scap'd not here; for being comeFull of the common joy, I utter'd some;Reade then this nuptiall song, which was not made100Either the Court or mens hearts to invade,But since I'am dead, and buried, I could frameNo Epitaph, which might advance my fameSo much as this poore song, which testifiesI did unto that day some sacrifice.

Idios.

I knew

All this, and onely therefore I withdrew.

To know and feele all this, and not to have

Words to expresse it, makes a man a grave

95Of his owne thoughts; I would not therefore stay

At a great feast, having no Grace to say.

And yet I scap'd not here; for being come

Full of the common joy, I utter'd some;

Reade then this nuptiall song, which was not made

100Either the Court or mens hearts to invade,

But since I'am dead, and buried, I could frame

No Epitaph, which might advance my fame

So much as this poore song, which testifies

I did unto that day some sacrifice.

ECCLOGUE.&c.1633-69:similarly,A18,A23,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TCC,TCDhis absence thence.1633, Lec:his Actions there.1635-69,A18,H49,N,O'F,TC:his absence then.D,S962 countries] countryA18,N,TC4 clime1633-39:clime:1650-69:clime.D5 small1633,A18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,TC:smaller1635-69,Chambers12 Have1633:Having1635-69murmureA18,A23,B,D,H49,N,O'F,TC:murmures1633-6922 were,Ed:were;1633-6929 kindle] kindles163334 plotts,1635-69,A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC:places,1633,1669,Lec37 disgest,1633-39:digest,1650-6939 there.D:there1633-6940 where,1633:where:1635-69,owing to the dropping of stop in previous line42 State.] State,163354 one1633,A18,D,H49,N,O'F,TC:own1635-69,Lec55 I am ... Court.1633,A18,B,D,H49,N,S96,TC:And am I then from Court?1635-69art.1650-69:art,1633-3957 East-IndianA18,A23,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TC:Indian1633-6961 inwardA18,A23,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TC:inner1633-6975 present] representA18,N,TC78 trust?Ed:trust.1633-39:trust,1650-6984 pretend?Ed:pretend.1633-6985 more,1633:more.1635-6986 before.1633-69:before,Chambers.See note92 withdrew.] withdrew163396 say.1635-69:say,163398 joy, ... some;Ed:joy; ... some,1633:joy; ... some.1635-69

ECCLOGUE.&c.1633-69:similarly,A18,A23,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TCC,TCD

his absence thence.1633, Lec:his Actions there.1635-69,A18,H49,N,O'F,TC:his absence then.D,S96

2 countries] countryA18,N,TC

4 clime1633-39:clime:1650-69:clime.D

5 small1633,A18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,TC:

smaller1635-69,Chambers

12 Have1633:Having1635-69

murmureA18,A23,B,D,H49,N,O'F,TC:murmures1633-69

22 were,Ed:were;1633-69

29 kindle] kindles1633

34 plotts,1635-69,A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC:places,1633,1669,Lec

37 disgest,1633-39:digest,1650-69

39 there.D:there1633-69

40 where,1633:where:1635-69,owing to the dropping of stop in previous line

42 State.] State,1633

54 one1633,A18,D,H49,N,O'F,TC:own1635-69,Lec

55 I am ... Court.1633,A18,B,D,H49,N,S96,TC:And am I then from Court?1635-69

art.1650-69:art,1633-39

57 East-IndianA18,A23,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TC:Indian1633-69

61 inwardA18,A23,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TC:inner1633-69

75 present] representA18,N,TC

78 trust?Ed:trust.1633-39:trust,1650-69

84 pretend?Ed:pretend.1633-69

85 more,1633:more.1635-69

86 before.1633-69:before,Chambers.See note

92 withdrew.] withdrew1633

96 say.1635-69:say,1633

98 joy, ... some;Ed:joy; ... some,1633:joy; ... some.1635-69

Note

The time of the Mariage.

105THOU art repriv'd old yeare, thou shalt not die,Though thou upon thy death bed lye,And should'st within five dayes expire,Yet thou art rescu'd by a mightier fire,Then thy old Soule, the Sunne,110When he doth in his largest circle runne.The passage of the West or East would thaw,And open wide their easie liquid jaweTo all our ships, could a Promethean artEither unto the Northerne Pole impart115The fire of these inflaming eyes, or of this loving heart.

105THOU art repriv'd old yeare, thou shalt not die,

Though thou upon thy death bed lye,

And should'st within five dayes expire,

Yet thou art rescu'd by a mightier fire,

Then thy old Soule, the Sunne,

110When he doth in his largest circle runne.

The passage of the West or East would thaw,

And open wide their easie liquid jawe

To all our ships, could a Promethean art

Either unto the Northerne Pole impart

115The fire of these inflaming eyes, or of this loving heart.

Equality of persons.

But undiscerning Muse, which heart, which eyes,In this new couple, dost thou prize,When his eye as inflaming isAs hers, and her heart loves as well as his?120Be tryed by beauty, and thanThe bridegroome is a maid, and not a man.If by that manly courage they be tryed,Which scornes unjust opinion; then the brideBecomes a man. Should chance or envies Art125Divide these two, whom nature scarce did part?Since both have both th'enflaming eyes, and both the loving heart.

But undiscerning Muse, which heart, which eyes,

In this new couple, dost thou prize,

When his eye as inflaming is

As hers, and her heart loves as well as his?

120Be tryed by beauty, and than

The bridegroome is a maid, and not a man.

If by that manly courage they be tryed,

Which scornes unjust opinion; then the bride

Becomes a man. Should chance or envies Art

125Divide these two, whom nature scarce did part?

Since both have both th'enflaming eyes, and both the loving heart.

Raysing of the Bridegroome.

Though it be some divorce to thinke of youSingly, so much one are you two,Yet let me here contemplate thee,130First, cheerfull Bridegroome, and first let mee see,How thou prevent'st the Sunne,And his red foming horses dost outrunne,How, having laid downe in thy Soveraignes brestAll businesses, from thence to reinvest135Them, when these triumphs cease, thou forward artTo shew to her, who doth the like impart,The fire of thy inflaming eyes, and of thy loving heart.

Though it be some divorce to thinke of you

Singly, so much one are you two,

Yet let me here contemplate thee,

130First, cheerfull Bridegroome, and first let mee see,

How thou prevent'st the Sunne,

And his red foming horses dost outrunne,

How, having laid downe in thy Soveraignes brest

All businesses, from thence to reinvest

135Them, when these triumphs cease, thou forward art

To shew to her, who doth the like impart,

The fire of thy inflaming eyes, and of thy loving heart.

Raising of the Bride.

But now, to Thee, faire Bride, it is some wrong,To thinke thou wert in Bed so long,140Since Soone thou lyest downe first, tis fitThou in first rising should'st allow for it.Pouder thy Radiant haire,Which if without such ashes thou would'st weare,Thou, which to all which come to looke upon,145Art meant for Phœbus, would'st be Phaëton.For our ease, give thine eyes th'unusual partOf joy, a Teare; so quencht, thou maist impart,To us that come, thy inflaming eyes, to him, thy loving heart.

But now, to Thee, faire Bride, it is some wrong,

To thinke thou wert in Bed so long,

140Since Soone thou lyest downe first, tis fit

Thou in first rising should'st allow for it.

Pouder thy Radiant haire,

Which if without such ashes thou would'st weare,

Thou, which to all which come to looke upon,

145Art meant for Phœbus, would'st be Phaëton.

For our ease, give thine eyes th'unusual part

Of joy, a Teare; so quencht, thou maist impart,

To us that come, thy inflaming eyes, to him, thy loving heart.

Her Apparrelling.

Thus thou descend'st to our infirmitie,150Who can the Sun in water see.Soe dost thou, when in silke and gold,Thou cloudst thy selfe; since wee which doe behold,Are dust, and wormes, 'tis justOur objects be the fruits of wormes and dust;155Let every Jewell be a glorious starre,Yet starres are not so pure, as their spheares are.And though thou stoope, to'appeare to us in part,Still in that Picture thou intirely art,Which thy inflaming eyes have made within his loving heart.

Thus thou descend'st to our infirmitie,

150Who can the Sun in water see.

Soe dost thou, when in silke and gold,

Thou cloudst thy selfe; since wee which doe behold,

Are dust, and wormes, 'tis just

Our objects be the fruits of wormes and dust;

155Let every Jewell be a glorious starre,

Yet starres are not so pure, as their spheares are.

And though thou stoope, to'appeare to us in part,

Still in that Picture thou intirely art,

Which thy inflaming eyes have made within his loving heart.

Going to the Chappell.

160Now from your Easts you issue forth, and wee,As men which through a Cipres seeThe rising sun, doe thinke it two,Soe, as you goe to Church, doe thinke of you,But that vaile being gone,165By the Church rites you are from thenceforth one.The Church Triumphant made this match before,And now the Militant doth strive no more;Then, reverend Priest, who Gods Recorder art,Doe, from his Dictates, to these two impart170All blessings, which are seene, or thought, by Angels eye or heart.

160Now from your Easts you issue forth, and wee,

As men which through a Cipres see

The rising sun, doe thinke it two,

Soe, as you goe to Church, doe thinke of you,

But that vaile being gone,

165By the Church rites you are from thenceforth one.

The Church Triumphant made this match before,

And now the Militant doth strive no more;

Then, reverend Priest, who Gods Recorder art,

Doe, from his Dictates, to these two impart

170All blessings, which are seene, or thought, by Angels eye or heart.

The Benediction.

Blest payre of Swans, Oh may you interbringDaily new joyes, and never sing,Live, till all grounds of wishes faile,Till honor, yea till wisedome grow so stale,175That, new great heights to trie,It must serve your ambition, to die;Raise heires, and may here, to the worlds end, liveHeires from this King, to take thankes, you, to give,Nature and grace doe all, and nothing Art.180May never age, or error overthwartWith any West, these radiant eyes, with any North, this heart.

Blest payre of Swans, Oh may you interbring

Daily new joyes, and never sing,

Live, till all grounds of wishes faile,

Till honor, yea till wisedome grow so stale,

175That, new great heights to trie,

It must serve your ambition, to die;

Raise heires, and may here, to the worlds end, live

Heires from this King, to take thankes, you, to give,

Nature and grace doe all, and nothing Art.

180May never age, or error overthwart

With any West, these radiant eyes, with any North, this heart.

Feasts and Revells.

But you are over-blest. Plenty this dayInjures; it causeth time to stay;The tables groane, as though this feast185Would, as the flood, destroy all fowle and beast.And were the doctrine newThat the earth mov'd, this day would make it true;For every part to dance and revell goes.They tread the ayre, and fal not where they rose.190Though six houres since, the Sunne to bed did part,The masks and banquets will not yet impartA sunset to these weary eyes, A Center to this heart.

But you are over-blest. Plenty this day

Injures; it causeth time to stay;

The tables groane, as though this feast

185Would, as the flood, destroy all fowle and beast.

And were the doctrine new

That the earth mov'd, this day would make it true;

For every part to dance and revell goes.

They tread the ayre, and fal not where they rose.

190Though six houres since, the Sunne to bed did part,

The masks and banquets will not yet impart

A sunset to these weary eyes, A Center to this heart.

The Brides going to bed.

What mean'st thou Bride, this companie to keep?To sit up, till thou faine wouldst sleep?195Thou maist not, when thou art laid, doe so.Thy selfe must to him a new banquet grow,And you must entertaineAnd doe all this daies dances o'r againe.Know that if Sun and Moone together doe200Rise in one point, they doe not set so too;Therefore thou maist, faire Bride, to bed depart,Thou art not gone, being gone; where e'r thou art,Thou leav'st in him thy watchfull eyes, in him thy loving heart.

What mean'st thou Bride, this companie to keep?

To sit up, till thou faine wouldst sleep?

195Thou maist not, when thou art laid, doe so.

Thy selfe must to him a new banquet grow,

And you must entertaine

And doe all this daies dances o'r againe.

Know that if Sun and Moone together doe

200Rise in one point, they doe not set so too;

Therefore thou maist, faire Bride, to bed depart,

Thou art not gone, being gone; where e'r thou art,

Thou leav'st in him thy watchfull eyes, in him thy loving heart.

The Bridegroomes comming.

As he that sees a starre fall, runs apace,205And findes a gellie in the place,So doth the Bridegroome hast as much,Being told this starre is falne, and findes her such.And as friends may looke strange,By a new fashion, or apparrells change,210Their soules, though long acquainted they had beene,These clothes, their bodies, never yet had seene;Therefore at first shee modestly might start,But must forthwith surrender every part,As freely, as each to each before, gave either eye or heart.

As he that sees a starre fall, runs apace,

205And findes a gellie in the place,

So doth the Bridegroome hast as much,

Being told this starre is falne, and findes her such.

And as friends may looke strange,

By a new fashion, or apparrells change,

210Their soules, though long acquainted they had beene,

These clothes, their bodies, never yet had seene;

Therefore at first shee modestly might start,

But must forthwith surrender every part,

As freely, as each to each before, gave either eye or heart.

The good-night.

215Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare,Unchang'd for fifteene hundred yeare,May these love-lamps we here enshrine,In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine.Fire ever doth aspire,220And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire,But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,For none of these is fuell, but fire too.This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong ArtsMake of so noble individuall parts225One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts.Idios.As I have brought this song, that I may doeA perfect sacrifice, I'll burne it too.Allophanes.No Sr. This paper I have justly got,For, in burnt incense, the perfume is not230His only that presents it, but of all;What ever celebrates this FestivallIs common, since the joy thereof is so.Nor may your selfe be Priest: But let me goe,Backe to the Court, and I will lay'it upon235Such Altars, as prize your devotion.

215Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare,

Unchang'd for fifteene hundred yeare,

May these love-lamps we here enshrine,

In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine.

Fire ever doth aspire,

220And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire,

But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,

For none of these is fuell, but fire too.

This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong Arts

Make of so noble individuall parts

225One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts.

Idios.

As I have brought this song, that I may doeA perfect sacrifice, I'll burne it too.

As I have brought this song, that I may doe

A perfect sacrifice, I'll burne it too.

Allophanes.

No Sr. This paper I have justly got,For, in burnt incense, the perfume is not230His only that presents it, but of all;What ever celebrates this FestivallIs common, since the joy thereof is so.Nor may your selfe be Priest: But let me goe,Backe to the Court, and I will lay'it upon235Such Altars, as prize your devotion.

No Sr. This paper I have justly got,

For, in burnt incense, the perfume is not

230His only that presents it, but of all;

What ever celebrates this Festivall

Is common, since the joy thereof is so.

Nor may your selfe be Priest: But let me goe,

Backe to the Court, and I will lay'it upon

235Such Altars, as prize your devotion.

EPITHALAMION.D,H49,Lec,O'F,S96:om. 1633-69.See note107 expire,] expire1633-39108 by1633:from1635-69121 man.1669,D:man,1633-39:man;1650-54124 or] our1669126 both th'enflaming eyes,A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC:th'enflaming eye,1633:the enflaming eye,1635-69128 Singly,A18,A23,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC:Single,1633-69,Lec129 Yet letA23,O'F:Let1633-69141 should'st] should1669it.1635-69:it,1633144 Thou, whichD:Thou, which,1633:Thou which,1635-69145 ArtA18,B,S96,TCC:Are1633,D,H49,Lec,N,TCD:Wert1635-69,O'Ffor] for,1633Phaëton.1635-69:Phaëton,1633146 ease, ... eyes1635-69:ease, ... eyes,1633150 see.1633-69:see;Grolier.But see note157 stoope, ... us1633-69:stoope, ... us,1633167 more;Ed:more,1633:more.1635-69170 or thought] Or thought1633172 sing,1633:sing:1635-69178 you, yours,A23,B,D,O'F,S96give,1633:give.1635-69179 Art.Ed:Art,1633-69194 wouldst] would1669200 too;Ed:too.1635-69:to.1633202 being gone;Ed:being gone,1633-39:being gone1650-69207 such.1635-69:such,1633211 seene;Ed:seene.1633-69214 eye] hand1650-69215 burnt] burn1669218 divine.1635-69:divine;1633230 all;1635-69:all,1633

EPITHALAMION.D,H49,Lec,O'F,S96:om. 1633-69.See note

107 expire,] expire1633-39

108 by1633:from1635-69

121 man.1669,D:man,1633-39:man;1650-54

124 or] our1669

126 both th'enflaming eyes,A18,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC:th'enflaming eye,1633:the enflaming eye,1635-69

128 Singly,A18,A23,B,D,H49,N,O'F,S96,TC:Single,1633-69,Lec

129 Yet letA23,O'F:Let1633-69

141 should'st] should1669

it.1635-69:it,1633

144 Thou, whichD:Thou, which,1633:Thou which,1635-69

145 ArtA18,B,S96,TCC:Are1633,D,H49,Lec,N,TCD:Wert1635-69,O'F

for] for,1633

Phaëton.1635-69:Phaëton,1633

146 ease, ... eyes1635-69:ease, ... eyes,1633

150 see.1633-69:see;Grolier.But see note

157 stoope, ... us1633-69:stoope, ... us,1633

167 more;Ed:more,1633:more.1635-69

170 or thought] Or thought1633

172 sing,1633:sing:1635-69

178 you, yours,A23,B,D,O'F,S96

give,1633:give.1635-69

179 Art.Ed:Art,1633-69

194 wouldst] would1669

200 too;Ed:too.1635-69:to.1633

202 being gone;Ed:being gone,1633-39:being gone1650-69

207 such.1635-69:such,1633

211 seene;Ed:seene.1633-69

214 eye] hand1650-69

215 burnt] burn1669

218 divine.1635-69:divine;1633

230 all;1635-69:all,1633

Note

THE Sun-beames in the East are spred,Leave, leave, faire Bride, your solitary bed,No more shall you returne to it alone,It nourseth sadnesse, and your bodies print,5Like to a grave, the yielding downe doth dint;You and your other you meet there anon;Put forth, put forth that warme balme-breathing thigh,Which when next time you in these sheets wil smother,There it must meet another,10Which never was, but must be, oft, more nigh;Come glad from thence, goe gladder then you came,To day put on perfection, and a womans name.Daughters of London, you which beeOur Golden Mines, and furnish'd Treasurie,15You which are Angels, yet still bring with youThousands of Angels on your mariage daies,Help with your presence and devise to praiseThese rites, which also unto you grow due;Conceitedly dresse her, and be assign'd,20By you, fit place for every flower and jewell,Make her for love fit fewellAs gay as Flora, and as rich as Inde;So may shee faire, rich, glad, and in nothing lame,To day put on perfection, and a womans name.25And you frolique Patricians,Sonns of these Senators wealths deep oceans,Ye painted courtiers, barrels of others wits,Yee country men, who but your beasts love none,Yee of those fellowships whereof hee's one,30Of study and play made strange Hermaphrodits,Here shine; This Bridegroom to the Temple bring.Loe, in yon path which store of straw'd flowers graceth,The sober virgin paceth;Except my sight faile, 'tis no other thing;35Weep not nor blush, here is no griefe nor shame,To day put on perfection, and a womans name.Thy two-leav'd gates faire Temple unfold,And these two in thy sacred bosome hold,Till, mystically joyn'd, but one they bee;40Then may thy leane and hunger-starved wombeLong time expect their bodies and their tombe,Long after their owne parents fatten thee.All elder claimes, and all cold barrennesse,All yeelding to new loves bee far for ever,45Which might these two dissever,All wayes all th'other may each one possesse;For, the best Bride, best worthy of praise and fame,To day puts on perfection, and a womans name.Oh winter dayes bring much delight,50Not for themselves, but for they soon bring night;Other sweets wait thee then these diverse meats,Other disports then dancing jollities,Other love tricks then glancing with the eyes,But that the Sun still in our halfe Spheare sweates;55Hee flies in winter, but he now stands still.Yet shadowes turne; Noone point he hath attain'd,His steeds nill bee restrain'd,But gallop lively downe the Westerne hill;Thou shalt, when he hath runne the worlds half frame,60To night put on perfection, and a womans name.The amorous evening starre is rose,Why then should not our amorous starre incloseHer selfe in her wish'd bed? Release your stringsMusicians, and dancers take some truce65With these your pleasing labours, for great useAs much wearinesse as perfection brings;You, and not only you, but all toyl'd beastsRest duly; at night all their toyles are dispensed;But in their beds commenced70Are other labours, and more dainty feasts;She goes a maid, who, least she turne the same,To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.Thy virgins girdle now untie,And in thy nuptiall bed (loves altar) lye75A pleasing sacrifice; now dispossesseThee of these chaines and robes which were put onT'adorne the day, not thee; for thou, alone,Like vertue'and truth, art best in nakednesse;This bed is onely to virginitie80A grave, but, to a better state, a cradle;Till now thou wast but ableTo be what now thou art; then that by theeNo more be said,I may bee, but,I am,To night put on perfection, and a womans name.85Even like a faithfull man content,That this life for a better should be spent,So, shee a mothers rich stile doth preferre,And at the Bridegroomes wish'd approach doth lye,Like an appointed lambe, when tenderly90The priest comes on his knees t'embowell her;Now sleep or watch with more joy; and O lightOf heaven, to morrow rise thou hot, and early;This Sun will love so dearelyHer rest, that long, long we shall want her sight;95Wonders are wrought, for shee which had no maime,To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.

THE Sun-beames in the East are spred,

Leave, leave, faire Bride, your solitary bed,

No more shall you returne to it alone,

It nourseth sadnesse, and your bodies print,

5Like to a grave, the yielding downe doth dint;

You and your other you meet there anon;

Put forth, put forth that warme balme-breathing thigh,

Which when next time you in these sheets wil smother,

There it must meet another,

10Which never was, but must be, oft, more nigh;

Come glad from thence, goe gladder then you came,

To day put on perfection, and a womans name.

Daughters of London, you which beeOur Golden Mines, and furnish'd Treasurie,15You which are Angels, yet still bring with youThousands of Angels on your mariage daies,Help with your presence and devise to praiseThese rites, which also unto you grow due;Conceitedly dresse her, and be assign'd,20By you, fit place for every flower and jewell,Make her for love fit fewellAs gay as Flora, and as rich as Inde;So may shee faire, rich, glad, and in nothing lame,To day put on perfection, and a womans name.

Daughters of London, you which bee

Our Golden Mines, and furnish'd Treasurie,

15You which are Angels, yet still bring with you

Thousands of Angels on your mariage daies,

Help with your presence and devise to praise

These rites, which also unto you grow due;

Conceitedly dresse her, and be assign'd,

20By you, fit place for every flower and jewell,

Make her for love fit fewell

As gay as Flora, and as rich as Inde;

So may shee faire, rich, glad, and in nothing lame,

To day put on perfection, and a womans name.

25And you frolique Patricians,Sonns of these Senators wealths deep oceans,Ye painted courtiers, barrels of others wits,Yee country men, who but your beasts love none,Yee of those fellowships whereof hee's one,30Of study and play made strange Hermaphrodits,Here shine; This Bridegroom to the Temple bring.Loe, in yon path which store of straw'd flowers graceth,The sober virgin paceth;Except my sight faile, 'tis no other thing;35Weep not nor blush, here is no griefe nor shame,To day put on perfection, and a womans name.

25And you frolique Patricians,

Sonns of these Senators wealths deep oceans,

Ye painted courtiers, barrels of others wits,

Yee country men, who but your beasts love none,

Yee of those fellowships whereof hee's one,

30Of study and play made strange Hermaphrodits,

Here shine; This Bridegroom to the Temple bring.

Loe, in yon path which store of straw'd flowers graceth,

The sober virgin paceth;

Except my sight faile, 'tis no other thing;

35Weep not nor blush, here is no griefe nor shame,

To day put on perfection, and a womans name.

Thy two-leav'd gates faire Temple unfold,And these two in thy sacred bosome hold,Till, mystically joyn'd, but one they bee;40Then may thy leane and hunger-starved wombeLong time expect their bodies and their tombe,Long after their owne parents fatten thee.All elder claimes, and all cold barrennesse,All yeelding to new loves bee far for ever,45Which might these two dissever,All wayes all th'other may each one possesse;For, the best Bride, best worthy of praise and fame,To day puts on perfection, and a womans name.

Thy two-leav'd gates faire Temple unfold,

And these two in thy sacred bosome hold,

Till, mystically joyn'd, but one they bee;

40Then may thy leane and hunger-starved wombe

Long time expect their bodies and their tombe,

Long after their owne parents fatten thee.

All elder claimes, and all cold barrennesse,

All yeelding to new loves bee far for ever,

45Which might these two dissever,

All wayes all th'other may each one possesse;

For, the best Bride, best worthy of praise and fame,

To day puts on perfection, and a womans name.

Oh winter dayes bring much delight,50Not for themselves, but for they soon bring night;Other sweets wait thee then these diverse meats,Other disports then dancing jollities,Other love tricks then glancing with the eyes,But that the Sun still in our halfe Spheare sweates;55Hee flies in winter, but he now stands still.Yet shadowes turne; Noone point he hath attain'd,His steeds nill bee restrain'd,But gallop lively downe the Westerne hill;Thou shalt, when he hath runne the worlds half frame,60To night put on perfection, and a womans name.

Oh winter dayes bring much delight,

50Not for themselves, but for they soon bring night;

Other sweets wait thee then these diverse meats,

Other disports then dancing jollities,

Other love tricks then glancing with the eyes,

But that the Sun still in our halfe Spheare sweates;

55Hee flies in winter, but he now stands still.

Yet shadowes turne; Noone point he hath attain'd,

His steeds nill bee restrain'd,

But gallop lively downe the Westerne hill;

Thou shalt, when he hath runne the worlds half frame,

60To night put on perfection, and a womans name.

The amorous evening starre is rose,Why then should not our amorous starre incloseHer selfe in her wish'd bed? Release your stringsMusicians, and dancers take some truce65With these your pleasing labours, for great useAs much wearinesse as perfection brings;You, and not only you, but all toyl'd beastsRest duly; at night all their toyles are dispensed;But in their beds commenced70Are other labours, and more dainty feasts;She goes a maid, who, least she turne the same,To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.

The amorous evening starre is rose,

Why then should not our amorous starre inclose

Her selfe in her wish'd bed? Release your strings

Musicians, and dancers take some truce

65With these your pleasing labours, for great use

As much wearinesse as perfection brings;

You, and not only you, but all toyl'd beasts

Rest duly; at night all their toyles are dispensed;

But in their beds commenced

70Are other labours, and more dainty feasts;

She goes a maid, who, least she turne the same,

To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.

Thy virgins girdle now untie,And in thy nuptiall bed (loves altar) lye75A pleasing sacrifice; now dispossesseThee of these chaines and robes which were put onT'adorne the day, not thee; for thou, alone,Like vertue'and truth, art best in nakednesse;This bed is onely to virginitie80A grave, but, to a better state, a cradle;Till now thou wast but ableTo be what now thou art; then that by theeNo more be said,I may bee, but,I am,To night put on perfection, and a womans name.

Thy virgins girdle now untie,

And in thy nuptiall bed (loves altar) lye

75A pleasing sacrifice; now dispossesse

Thee of these chaines and robes which were put on

T'adorne the day, not thee; for thou, alone,

Like vertue'and truth, art best in nakednesse;

This bed is onely to virginitie

80A grave, but, to a better state, a cradle;

Till now thou wast but able

To be what now thou art; then that by thee

No more be said,I may bee, but,I am,

To night put on perfection, and a womans name.

85Even like a faithfull man content,That this life for a better should be spent,So, shee a mothers rich stile doth preferre,And at the Bridegroomes wish'd approach doth lye,Like an appointed lambe, when tenderly90The priest comes on his knees t'embowell her;Now sleep or watch with more joy; and O lightOf heaven, to morrow rise thou hot, and early;This Sun will love so dearelyHer rest, that long, long we shall want her sight;95Wonders are wrought, for shee which had no maime,To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.

85Even like a faithfull man content,

That this life for a better should be spent,

So, shee a mothers rich stile doth preferre,

And at the Bridegroomes wish'd approach doth lye,

Like an appointed lambe, when tenderly

90The priest comes on his knees t'embowell her;

Now sleep or watch with more joy; and O light

Of heaven, to morrow rise thou hot, and early;

This Sun will love so dearely

Her rest, that long, long we shall want her sight;

95Wonders are wrought, for shee which had no maime,

To night puts on perfection, and a womans name.

Epithalamion&c.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCDEpithalamion on a Citizen.A34,B,O'F,S,S96:do.of the La: Eliz:P:Epithalamion.W4 bodies1635-69 and MSS.:body16338 smother,1650-69:smother1633-3917 presenceEd:presence,1633-69.See note22 faire, rich, glad, and inA18,N,TC,W:faire and rich, in1633-69,B,O'F,P,S9625 Patricians,] Patricians163326 Sonns of ... deep oceans,Ed:Some of these Senators wealths deep oceans,1633,A18,N,TC:Sonnes of these Senatours, wealths deep oceansW:Sonnes of those Senatours, wealths deepe oceans,1635-69,B,O'F,S96(butSenatorsO'F,S96).See note29 those fellowships] that FellowshipS9631 bring.W:bring1633-39:bring,1650-6932 straw'd] strow'd166942 thee.1635-69:thee;163346 All wayesW:Alwaies,1633:Alwayes,1635-6949 Oh winter dayesA34,B,O'F,P,S96,W:Winter dayes1633-69,A18,N,TC53 eyes,1635-69:eyes;163355 still.W:still,1633-6957 nillW:will1633-69 and rest of MSS.:B insertsnot.See note59 runne the worlds halfe frame,A34,B,S96,W:runne the Heavens halfe frame,1635-69,O'F:come the worlds half frame,1633,A18,N,TC60put]but163372puts]put166973 Thy virgins girdle1633-69,W:The Virgin GirdleB,O'F,S96:Thy Virgin girdleP74 [loves alter]1633-6976 were] weesome copies of 1633,Grolier78 art] are166986 spent,Ed:spent;1633:spent:1635-6995 maime,1633,W:name,1635-69,A18,A34,B,N,P,S96,TC

Epithalamion&c.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCDEpithalamion on a Citizen.A34,B,O'F,S,S96:do.of the La: Eliz:P:Epithalamion.W

4 bodies1635-69 and MSS.:body1633

8 smother,1650-69:smother1633-39

17 presenceEd:presence,1633-69.See note

22 faire, rich, glad, and inA18,N,TC,W:faire and rich, in1633-69,B,O'F,P,S96

25 Patricians,] Patricians1633

26 Sonns of ... deep oceans,Ed:Some of these Senators wealths deep oceans,1633,A18,N,TC:Sonnes of these Senatours, wealths deep oceansW:Sonnes of those Senatours, wealths deepe oceans,1635-69,B,O'F,S96(butSenatorsO'F,S96).See note

29 those fellowships] that FellowshipS96

31 bring.W:bring1633-39:bring,1650-69

32 straw'd] strow'd1669

42 thee.1635-69:thee;1633

46 All wayesW:Alwaies,1633:Alwayes,1635-69

49 Oh winter dayesA34,B,O'F,P,S96,W:Winter dayes1633-69,A18,N,TC

53 eyes,1635-69:eyes;1633

55 still.W:still,1633-69

57 nillW:will1633-69 and rest of MSS.:B insertsnot.See note

59 runne the worlds halfe frame,A34,B,S96,W:runne the Heavens halfe frame,1635-69,O'F:come the worlds half frame,1633,A18,N,TC

60put]but1633

72puts]put1669

73 Thy virgins girdle1633-69,W:The Virgin GirdleB,O'F,S96:Thy Virgin girdleP

74 [loves alter]1633-69

76 were] weesome copies of 1633,Grolier

78 art] are1669

86 spent,Ed:spent;1633:spent:1635-69

95 maime,1633,W:name,1635-69,A18,A34,B,N,P,S96,TC

Note

Back to Index Next