Elegie.Death.

Elegie on MrisBoulstred.1633-69,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD:inCy,O'F,Pthis and theElegie, Death, be not proud (p.416)are given as one poem.See note5 there are set] and the meateA18,L74,N,TC6 dishes1633,1650-69:dished1635-39,A18,L74,N,O'F,S96,TC10 first,] fruiteorfruitesA18,H49,L74,N,TC:first fruitP14 keepe,1635-39:keepe.1633,1650-6915 by Roes1633:the Roes1635-54:the Rows1669:by rowsA18,N,O'F,P,S96,TC18 birdsEd:birds,1633-69(Heavens choristers)]brackets from HN27 lives,1635-69,A25,Cy,O'F,P,S:lifes,HN:life,1633,A18,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,TC34 to thee.1633:for thee.1635-6935 thou hast1633-69:hast thouHN36 blow] blow,163341 King1633,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,HN,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC:Kings1635-6945 worke1633-69,HN,O'F,S:workesA18,Cy,D,H49,L74,N,P,TC:makesLec.See note56 Shortly,] Shortly1633ambitious;1635-69:ambitious,163362 mis-thinking] mistakingCy,HN,O'F(but altered to text)64 profane;1669:profane,1635-54:profane.163374 though1635-69,A18,A25,HN,L74,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:but1633,D,H40,H49,LecHere follow in 1635-54By our first strange (p.111), Madame, That I (p.291),andDeath be not proud, (p.422).In 1669My Fortune and (p.292)precedesMadame, That I

Elegie on MrisBoulstred.1633-69,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD:inCy,O'F,Pthis and theElegie, Death, be not proud (p.416)are given as one poem.See note

5 there are set] and the meateA18,L74,N,TC

6 dishes1633,1650-69:dished1635-39,A18,L74,N,O'F,S96,TC

10 first,] fruiteorfruitesA18,H49,L74,N,TC:first fruitP

14 keepe,1635-39:keepe.1633,1650-69

15 by Roes1633:the Roes1635-54:the Rows1669:by rowsA18,N,O'F,P,S96,TC

18 birdsEd:birds,1633-69(Heavens choristers)]brackets from HN

27 lives,1635-69,A25,Cy,O'F,P,S:lifes,HN:life,1633,A18,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,TC

34 to thee.1633:for thee.1635-69

35 thou hast1633-69:hast thouHN

36 blow] blow,1633

41 King1633,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H49,HN,Lec,N,O'F,P,TC:Kings1635-69

45 worke1633-69,HN,O'F,S:workesA18,Cy,D,H49,L74,N,P,TC:makesLec.See note

56 Shortly,] Shortly1633

ambitious;1635-69:ambitious,1633

62 mis-thinking] mistakingCy,HN,O'F(but altered to text)

64 profane;1669:profane,1635-54:profane.1633

74 though1635-69,A18,A25,HN,L74,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:but1633,D,H40,H49,Lec

Here follow in 1635-54By our first strange (p.111), Madame, That I (p.291),andDeath be not proud, (p.422).In 1669My Fortune and (p.292)precedesMadame, That I

Note

LANGUAGE thou art too narrow, and too weakeTo ease us now; great sorrow cannot speake;If we could sigh out accents, and weepe words,Griefe weares, and lessens, that tears breath affords.5Sad hearts, the lesse they seeme the more they are,(So guiltiest men stand mutest at the barre)Not that they know not, feele not their estate,But extreme sense hath made them desperate.Sorrow, to whom we owe all that we bee;10Tyrant, in the fift and greatest Monarchy,Was't, that she did possesse all hearts before,Thou hast kil'd her, to make thy Empire more?Knew'st thou some would, that knew her not, lament,As in a deluge perish th'innocent?15Was't not enough to have that palace wonne,But thou must raze it too, that was undone?Had'st thou staid there, and look'd out at her eyes,All had ador'd thee that now from thee flies,For they let out more light, then they tooke in,20They told not when, but did the day beginne.She was too Saphirine, and cleare for thee;Clay, flint, and jeat now thy fit dwellings be;Alas, shee was too pure, but not too weake;Who e'r saw Christall Ordinance but would break?25And if wee be thy conquest, by her fallTh'hast lost thy end, for in her perish all;Or if we live, we live but to rebell,They know her better now, that knew her well.If we should vapour out, and pine, and die;30Since, shee first went, that were not miserie.Shee chang'd our world with hers; now she is gone,Mirth and prosperity is oppression;For of all morall vertues she was all,The Ethicks speake of vertues Cardinall.35Her soule was Paradise; the CherubinSet to keepe it was grace, that kept out sinne.Shee had no more then let in death, for weeAll reape consumption from one fruitfull tree.God tooke her hence, lest some of us should love40Her, like that plant, him and his lawes above,And when wee teares, hee mercy shed in this,To raise our mindes to heaven where now she is;Who if her vertues would have let her stayWee'had had a Saint, have now a holiday.45Her heart was that strange bush, where, sacred fire,Religion, did not consume, but'inspireSuch piety, so chast use of Gods day,That what we turne tofeast, she turn'd topray,And did prefigure here, in devout tast,50The rest of her high Sabaoth, which shall last.Angels did hand her up, who next God dwell,(For she was of that order whence most fell)Her body left with us, lest some had said,Shee could not die, except they saw her dead;55For from lesse vertue, and lesse beautiousnesse,The Gentiles fram'd them Gods and Goddesses.The ravenous earth that now wooes her to beEarth too, will be aLemnia; and the treeThat wraps that christall in a wooden Tombe,60Shall be tooke up spruce, fill'd with diamond;And we her sad glad friends all beare a partOf griefe, for all would waste a Stoicks heart.

LANGUAGE thou art too narrow, and too weake

To ease us now; great sorrow cannot speake;

If we could sigh out accents, and weepe words,

Griefe weares, and lessens, that tears breath affords.

5Sad hearts, the lesse they seeme the more they are,

(So guiltiest men stand mutest at the barre)

Not that they know not, feele not their estate,

But extreme sense hath made them desperate.

Sorrow, to whom we owe all that we bee;

10Tyrant, in the fift and greatest Monarchy,

Was't, that she did possesse all hearts before,

Thou hast kil'd her, to make thy Empire more?

Knew'st thou some would, that knew her not, lament,

As in a deluge perish th'innocent?

15Was't not enough to have that palace wonne,

But thou must raze it too, that was undone?

Had'st thou staid there, and look'd out at her eyes,

All had ador'd thee that now from thee flies,

For they let out more light, then they tooke in,

20They told not when, but did the day beginne.

She was too Saphirine, and cleare for thee;

Clay, flint, and jeat now thy fit dwellings be;

Alas, shee was too pure, but not too weake;

Who e'r saw Christall Ordinance but would break?

25And if wee be thy conquest, by her fall

Th'hast lost thy end, for in her perish all;

Or if we live, we live but to rebell,

They know her better now, that knew her well.

If we should vapour out, and pine, and die;

30Since, shee first went, that were not miserie.

Shee chang'd our world with hers; now she is gone,

Mirth and prosperity is oppression;

For of all morall vertues she was all,

The Ethicks speake of vertues Cardinall.

35Her soule was Paradise; the Cherubin

Set to keepe it was grace, that kept out sinne.

Shee had no more then let in death, for wee

All reape consumption from one fruitfull tree.

God tooke her hence, lest some of us should love

40Her, like that plant, him and his lawes above,

And when wee teares, hee mercy shed in this,

To raise our mindes to heaven where now she is;

Who if her vertues would have let her stay

Wee'had had a Saint, have now a holiday.

45Her heart was that strange bush, where, sacred fire,

Religion, did not consume, but'inspire

Such piety, so chast use of Gods day,

That what we turne tofeast, she turn'd topray,

And did prefigure here, in devout tast,

50The rest of her high Sabaoth, which shall last.

Angels did hand her up, who next God dwell,

(For she was of that order whence most fell)

Her body left with us, lest some had said,

Shee could not die, except they saw her dead;

55For from lesse vertue, and lesse beautiousnesse,

The Gentiles fram'd them Gods and Goddesses.

The ravenous earth that now wooes her to be

Earth too, will be aLemnia; and the tree

That wraps that christall in a wooden Tombe,

60Shall be tooke up spruce, fill'd with diamond;

And we her sad glad friends all beare a part

Of griefe, for all would waste a Stoicks heart.

Elegie.1633:Elegie XI. Death.1635-54(being places among theElegies): Elegie XI.1669:An Elegie upon the death of MrisBoulstred.A18,B,Cy,H40,L74,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD:no title, HN2 sorrow1633,B,Cy,H40,HN,L74,N,P,TC:sorrowes1635-69,O'F,S8 desperate.Ed:desperate;1633-6910 Tyrant,1633,1669(no comma): Tyran,1635-5420 beginne.Ed:beginne;1633-6921 for1635-69:to163326 for in her1633 and all the MSS.:in her we1635-69,Chambers28 They ... that ... well;1633,Cy,H40,HN,L74,N,S,TC:That know her better now, who knew her well.1635-69,B,O'F,P,S9629 and pine, and] or pine, orCy,H40,HN,O'F,P,S,S96:or pine, andL74,TCC30 miserie.Ed:miserie;1633-6934 The Ethicks speake1633,A18,Cy,H40,L74,N,P,TC:That Ethickes speake1635-69,B,O'F,S:The ethenickes spakeHNCardinall.Ed:Cardinall;1633-6936 that kept out] to keep outHN,Psinne.Ed:sinne;1633-6937 She had no more; then let in death for we166938 tree.Ed:tree;1633-6941-2 And when we see his mercy shewne in this 'Twill&c.S44 holiday.Ed:holiday;1633-69All the MSS. omithave,but O'F inserts it later48 That what1633-69:That whenHNturne] turn'dCy,HN,P,S96tofeast,Ed:to feast,1633-69feast] feastsL74,N,O'F,TCtopray,Ed:to pray,1633-6950 last.] last;163353 Her body left1633,A18,HN,N,TC:Her bodie's left1635-6956 fram'd] fain'dCy,P:form'dH40,HN57 wooes] woes1633be] be,163358All the MSS. omitabeforeLemnia,but O'F inserts61 sad glad1633-69:glad sadB,Cy,L74,N,O'F,P,S,S9662 waste1633,A18,Cy,H40,HN,L74,N,P,TC:breake1635-69,B,O'F

Elegie.1633:Elegie XI. Death.1635-54(being places among theElegies): Elegie XI.1669:An Elegie upon the death of MrisBoulstred.A18,B,Cy,H40,L74,N,O'F,P,S,TCC,TCD:no title, HN

2 sorrow1633,B,Cy,H40,HN,L74,N,P,TC:sorrowes1635-69,O'F,S

8 desperate.Ed:desperate;1633-69

10 Tyrant,1633,1669(no comma): Tyran,1635-54

20 beginne.Ed:beginne;1633-69

21 for1635-69:to1633

26 for in her1633 and all the MSS.:in her we1635-69,Chambers

28 They ... that ... well;1633,Cy,H40,HN,L74,N,S,TC:That know her better now, who knew her well.1635-69,B,O'F,P,S96

29 and pine, and] or pine, orCy,H40,HN,O'F,P,S,S96:or pine, andL74,TCC

30 miserie.Ed:miserie;1633-69

34 The Ethicks speake1633,A18,Cy,H40,L74,N,P,TC:That Ethickes speake1635-69,B,O'F,S:The ethenickes spakeHN

Cardinall.Ed:Cardinall;1633-69

36 that kept out] to keep outHN,P

sinne.Ed:sinne;1633-69

37 She had no more; then let in death for we1669

38 tree.Ed:tree;1633-69

41-2 And when we see his mercy shewne in this 'Twill&c.S

44 holiday.Ed:holiday;1633-69

All the MSS. omithave,but O'F inserts it later

48 That what1633-69:That whenHN

turne] turn'dCy,HN,P,S96

tofeast,Ed:to feast,1633-69

feast] feastsL74,N,O'F,TC

topray,Ed:to pray,1633-69

50 last.] last;1633

53 Her body left1633,A18,HN,N,TC:Her bodie's left1635-69

56 fram'd] fain'dCy,P:form'dH40,HN

57 wooes] woes1633

be] be,1633

58All the MSS. omitabeforeLemnia,but O'F inserts

61 sad glad1633-69:glad sadB,Cy,L74,N,O'F,P,S,S96

62 waste1633,A18,Cy,H40,HN,L74,N,P,TC:breake1635-69,B,O'F

Note

SORROW, who to this house scarce knew the way:Is, Oh, heire of it, our All is his prey.This strange chance claimes strange wonder, and to usNothing can be so strange, as to weepe thus.5'Tis well his lifes loud speaking workes deserve,And give praise too, our cold tongues could not serve:'Tis well, hee kept teares from our eyes before,That to fit this deepe ill, we might have store.Oh, if a sweet briar, climbe up by'a tree,10If to a paradise that transplanted bee,Or fell'd, and burnt for holy sacrifice,Yet, that must wither, which by it did rise,As we for him dead: though no familieEre rigg'd a soule for heavens discoverie15With whom more Venturers more boldly dareVenture their states, with him in joy to share.Wee lose what all friends lov'd, him; he gaines nowBut life by death, which worst foes would allow,If hee could have foes, in whose practise grew20All vertues, whose names subtile Schoolmen knew.What ease, can hope that wee shall see'him, beget,When wee must die first, and cannot dye yet?His children are his pictures, Oh they beePictures of him dead, senselesse, cold as he.25Here needs no marble Tombe, since hee is gone,He, and about him, his, are turn'd to stone.

SORROW, who to this house scarce knew the way:

Is, Oh, heire of it, our All is his prey.

This strange chance claimes strange wonder, and to us

Nothing can be so strange, as to weepe thus.

5'Tis well his lifes loud speaking workes deserve,

And give praise too, our cold tongues could not serve:

'Tis well, hee kept teares from our eyes before,

That to fit this deepe ill, we might have store.

Oh, if a sweet briar, climbe up by'a tree,

10If to a paradise that transplanted bee,

Or fell'd, and burnt for holy sacrifice,

Yet, that must wither, which by it did rise,

As we for him dead: though no familie

Ere rigg'd a soule for heavens discoverie

15With whom more Venturers more boldly dare

Venture their states, with him in joy to share.

Wee lose what all friends lov'd, him; he gaines now

But life by death, which worst foes would allow,

If hee could have foes, in whose practise grew

20All vertues, whose names subtile Schoolmen knew.

What ease, can hope that wee shall see'him, beget,

When wee must die first, and cannot dye yet?

His children are his pictures, Oh they bee

Pictures of him dead, senselesse, cold as he.

25Here needs no marble Tombe, since hee is gone,

He, and about him, his, are turn'd to stone.

Elegie&c.1635-69,followingDeath be not proud (p.422): Elegie, Funerall Elegie,or no title,B,Cy,HN,O'F,S96:Elegie VI. (being placed among theElegies)1633:Elegie. (being eighth amongElegies)D,H49,Lec:Elegia tercia.S:Elegie XIIIa.JC,W1 who1633-39:that1650-692 prey.1633:prey,1633-54:Pay.16694 thus.1669:thus;1633-5413 dead:1633-69:dead.HN,Grolier16 Venture their states] Venter estatesBshare.D,H49,Lec,W:share1633:share,1635-69,Chambers and Grolier.See note17 him;] him,163320 names] name1635-69knew.Ed:knew;1635-6924 he.1650-69:he,1633-39

1 who1633-39:that1650-69

2 prey.1633:prey,1633-54:Pay.1669

4 thus.1669:thus;1633-54

13 dead:1633-69:dead.HN,Grolier

16 Venture their states] Venter estatesB

share.D,H49,Lec,W:share1633:share,1635-69,Chambers and Grolier.See note

17 him;] him,1633

20 names] name1635-69

knew.Ed:knew;1635-69

24 he.1650-69:he,1633-39

Note

To Sir Robert Carr.

Sir,IPRESUME you rather try what you can doe in me, then what I can doe in verse; you know my uttermost when it was best, and even then I did best when I had least truth for my subjects. In this present case there is so much truth as it defeats all Poetry. Call therefore this paper by what name you will, and, if it bee not worthy of him, nor of you, nor of mee, smother it, and bee that the sacrifice. If you had commanded mee to have waited on his body to Scotland and preached there, I would have embraced the obligation with more alacrity; But, I thanke you that you would command me that which I was loath to doe, for, even that hath given a tincture of merit to the obedience ofYour poore friend andservant in Christ JesusI. D.

Sir,

IPRESUME you rather try what you can doe in me, then what I can doe in verse; you know my uttermost when it was best, and even then I did best when I had least truth for my subjects. In this present case there is so much truth as it defeats all Poetry. Call therefore this paper by what name you will, and, if it bee not worthy of him, nor of you, nor of mee, smother it, and bee that the sacrifice. If you had commanded mee to have waited on his body to Scotland and preached there, I would have embraced the obligation with more alacrity; But, I thanke you that you would command me that which I was loath to doe, for, even that hath given a tincture of merit to the obedience ofYour poore friend andservant in Christ JesusI. D.

Your poore friend and

servant in Christ Jesus

I. D.

WHETHER that soule which now comes up to youFill any former ranke or make a new;Whether it take a name nam'd there before,Or be a name it selfe, andordermore5Then was in heaven till now; (for may not heeBee so, if every severall Angell beeAkindalone?) What ever order growGreater by him in heaven, wee doe not so.One of your orders growes by his accesse;10But, by his losse grow all ourorderslesse;The name ofFather,Master,Friend, the nameOfSubjectand ofPrince, in one are lame;Faire mirth is dampt, and conversation black,Thehouseholdwiddow'd, and thegarterslack;15TheChappellwants an eare,Councella tongue;Story, a theame; andMusickelacks a song;Blestorderthat hath him! the losse of himGangreend allOrdershere; all lost a limbe.Never made body such hast to confesse20What a soule was; All former comelinesseFled, in a minute, when the soule was gone,And, having lost that beauty, would have none;So fell ourMonasteries, in one instant growneNot to lesse houses, but, to heapes of stone;25So sent this body that faire forme it wore,Unto the spheare of formes, and doth (beforeHis soule shall fill up his sepulchrall stone,)Anticipate a Resurrection;For, as in his fame, now, his soule is here,30So, in the forme thereof his bodie's there.And if, faire soule, not with firstInnocentsThy station be, but with thePænitents,(And, who shall dare to aske then when I amDy'd scarlet in the blood of that pure Lambe,35Whether that colour, which is scarlet then,Were black or white before in eyes of men?)When thou rememb'rest what sins thou didst findeAmongst those many friends now left behinde,And seest such sinners as they are, with thee40Got thither by repentance, Let it beeThy wish to wish all there, to wish them cleane;WimhimaDavid,heraMagdalen.

WHETHER that soule which now comes up to you

Fill any former ranke or make a new;

Whether it take a name nam'd there before,

Or be a name it selfe, andordermore

5Then was in heaven till now; (for may not hee

Bee so, if every severall Angell bee

Akindalone?) What ever order grow

Greater by him in heaven, wee doe not so.

One of your orders growes by his accesse;

10But, by his losse grow all ourorderslesse;

The name ofFather,Master,Friend, the name

OfSubjectand ofPrince, in one are lame;

Faire mirth is dampt, and conversation black,

Thehouseholdwiddow'd, and thegarterslack;

15TheChappellwants an eare,Councella tongue;

Story, a theame; andMusickelacks a song;

Blestorderthat hath him! the losse of him

Gangreend allOrdershere; all lost a limbe.

Never made body such hast to confesse

20What a soule was; All former comelinesse

Fled, in a minute, when the soule was gone,

And, having lost that beauty, would have none;

So fell ourMonasteries, in one instant growne

Not to lesse houses, but, to heapes of stone;

25So sent this body that faire forme it wore,

Unto the spheare of formes, and doth (before

His soule shall fill up his sepulchrall stone,)

Anticipate a Resurrection;

For, as in his fame, now, his soule is here,

30So, in the forme thereof his bodie's there.

And if, faire soule, not with firstInnocents

Thy station be, but with thePænitents,

(And, who shall dare to aske then when I am

Dy'd scarlet in the blood of that pure Lambe,

35Whether that colour, which is scarlet then,

Were black or white before in eyes of men?)

When thou rememb'rest what sins thou didst finde

Amongst those many friends now left behinde,

And seest such sinners as they are, with thee

40Got thither by repentance, Let it bee

Thy wish to wish all there, to wish them cleane;

WimhimaDavid,heraMagdalen.

An hymne&c.1633-69,in all of which it is classed with theDivine Poems, followingResurrection. In 1635-69 it is preceded by the letterTo Sir Robert Carr.: in 1633 the letter follows, and has no heading:similarly inA18,O'F,TCC.See note2 verse;1635-69:verse,16333 best] at the bestA18,TCCsubjects.1635-69:subjects,1633:subject,A18,TCC6-7 of him ... sacrifice.1635-69:of you nor of him, we will smother it, and be it your sacrifice.1633:of him, nor of you, nor of anye; smother it, and bee that the sacrifice.A18,TCC9 the1635-69:your1633,A18,TCCmore] much163310 loath] loather1633in Christ Jesus]om.A18,TCC1 Whether] Whither1633,and so in32 new;Ed:new,1633-696 so,] so?16337 alone?)1635-54:alone;)1633:alone)16698 so.Ed:so;1633-6912 are1633,A18,TCC:is1635-69,O'F16 song;1633:song.1635-6917 him!Ed:him,1633-6918 Gangreend1635-69:Gangred1633limbe.1633-35:limbe:1639-6922 none;Ed:none:1650-69:none,1633-3923 one instant1633:an instant1635-6925 this1633,A18,TCC:his1635-6929 For, as in his1633-39:For, as it his1650-54:For, as it is his166930 there.Ed:there;1633-39:there,1650-6936 in eyes] in the eyesA18,O'F,TCC

2 verse;1635-69:verse,1633

3 best] at the bestA18,TCC

subjects.1635-69:subjects,1633:subject,A18,TCC

6-7 of him ... sacrifice.1635-69:of you nor of him, we will smother it, and be it your sacrifice.1633:of him, nor of you, nor of anye; smother it, and bee that the sacrifice.A18,TCC

9 the1635-69:your1633,A18,TCC

more] much1633

10 loath] loather1633

in Christ Jesus]om.A18,TCC

1 Whether] Whither1633,and so in3

2 new;Ed:new,1633-69

6 so,] so?1633

7 alone?)1635-54:alone;)1633:alone)1669

8 so.Ed:so;1633-69

12 are1633,A18,TCC:is1635-69,O'F

16 song;1633:song.1635-69

17 him!Ed:him,1633-69

18 Gangreend1635-69:Gangred1633

limbe.1633-35:limbe:1639-69

22 none;Ed:none:1650-69:none,1633-39

23 one instant1633:an instant1635-69

25 this1633,A18,TCC:his1635-69

29 For, as in his1633-39:For, as it his1650-54:For, as it is his1669

30 there.Ed:there;1633-39:there,1650-69

36 in eyes] in the eyesA18,O'F,TCC

MADAME,THAT I might make your Cabinet my tombe,And for my fame which I love next my soule,Next to my soule provide the happiest roome,Admit to that place this last funerall Scrowle.5Others by Wills give Legacies, but IDying, of you doe beg a Legacie.My fortune and my will this custome breake,When we are senselesse grown to make stones speak,Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou10In my graves inside see what thou art now:Yet th'art not yet so good; till us death layTo ripe and mellow there, w'are stubborne clay,Parents make us earth, and soules dignifieVs to be glasse, here to grow gold we lie;15Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pampered is,Our soules become worme-eaten Carkasses.

MADAME,

THAT I might make your Cabinet my tombe,

And for my fame which I love next my soule,

Next to my soule provide the happiest roome,

Admit to that place this last funerall Scrowle.

5Others by Wills give Legacies, but I

Dying, of you doe beg a Legacie.

My fortune and my will this custome breake,When we are senselesse grown to make stones speak,Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou10In my graves inside see what thou art now:Yet th'art not yet so good; till us death layTo ripe and mellow there, w'are stubborne clay,Parents make us earth, and soules dignifieVs to be glasse, here to grow gold we lie;15Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pampered is,Our soules become worme-eaten Carkasses.

My fortune and my will this custome breake,

When we are senselesse grown to make stones speak,

Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou

10In my graves inside see what thou art now:

Yet th'art not yet so good; till us death lay

To ripe and mellow there, w'are stubborne clay,

Parents make us earth, and soules dignifie

Vs to be glasse, here to grow gold we lie;

15Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pampered is,

Our soules become worme-eaten Carkasses.

Epitaph.B,D,H40,H49On himselfe.1635-69To the Countesse of Bedford.O'F,S96:no heading, and epistle only,A25,CThe introductory epistle, and the first ten lines of the epitaph, the whole with headingElegie.,is printed 1635-54 among theFunerall Elegies.The full epitaph without epistle and with headingOn himselfe.is included among theDivine Poems,where it follows theLamentations of Jeremy.In his note Chambers(II. 234)reverses these facts.In 1669On himselfe.is transferred to theFunerall Elegiesand is followed immediately by theElegie,i.e. the epistle and incomplete epitaph.They are here given for the first time in a separate group5 Others by Wills1635-69:Others by testamentsA25,C,O'F(altered towills),S96:Men by testamentB:Then by testamentH40:O then by testamentD,H4910 now:1650-69:now,1635-3912 there,1635,1669:thee,1639-54

Epitaph.B,D,H40,H49

On himselfe.1635-69

To the Countesse of Bedford.O'F,S96:no heading, and epistle only,A25,CThe introductory epistle, and the first ten lines of the epitaph, the whole with headingElegie.,is printed 1635-54 among theFunerall Elegies.The full epitaph without epistle and with headingOn himselfe.is included among theDivine Poems,where it follows theLamentations of Jeremy.In his note Chambers(II. 234)reverses these facts.In 1669On himselfe.is transferred to theFunerall Elegiesand is followed immediately by theElegie,i.e. the epistle and incomplete epitaph.They are here given for the first time in a separate group

5 Others by Wills1635-69:Others by testamentsA25,C,O'F(altered towills),S96:Men by testamentB:Then by testamentH40:O then by testamentD,H49

10 now:1650-69:now,1635-39

12 there,1635,1669:thee,1639-54

MY Fortune and my choice this custome break,When we are speechlesse grown, to make stones speak,Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thouIn my graves inside seest what thou art now:5Yet thou'art not yet so good, till death us layTo ripe and mellow here, we are stubborne Clay.Parents make us earth, and soules dignifieVs to be glasse; here to grow gold we lie.Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pamper'd is,10Our soules become wormeaten carkases;So we our selves miraculously destroy.Here bodies with lesse miracle enjoySuch priviledges, enabled here to scaleHeaven, when the Trumpets ayre shall them exhale.15Heare this, and mend thy selfe, and thou mendst me,By making me being dead, doe good to thee,And thinke me well compos'd, that I could nowA last-sicke houre to syllables allow.

MY Fortune and my choice this custome break,

When we are speechlesse grown, to make stones speak,

Though no stone tell thee what I was, yet thou

In my graves inside seest what thou art now:

5Yet thou'art not yet so good, till death us lay

To ripe and mellow here, we are stubborne Clay.

Parents make us earth, and soules dignifie

Vs to be glasse; here to grow gold we lie.

Whilst in our soules sinne bred and pamper'd is,

10Our soules become wormeaten carkases;

So we our selves miraculously destroy.

Here bodies with lesse miracle enjoy

Such priviledges, enabled here to scale

Heaven, when the Trumpets ayre shall them exhale.

15Heare this, and mend thy selfe, and thou mendst me,

By making me being dead, doe good to thee,

And thinke me well compos'd, that I could now

A last-sicke houre to syllables allow.

Omnibus.D,H49:To all.H40,RP31:Another on the same. (i.e. MrsBoulstred)P:On himselfe.1635-69:no title,B,S96:in MSS. this complete epitaph follows the epistle(p.291);but in B they are separated by various poems and in P the epistle is not given3 tell] tel16354 seest] seeD,H49:compare incomplete version.5 Yet1635-69:NayS96thou'artEd:thou art1635-698 lie.Ed:lie;1635-6914 them] then166916 to thee,B,D,H40,H49,O'F,S96:for thee,1635-69

3 tell] tel1635

4 seest] seeD,H49:compare incomplete version.

5 Yet1635-69:NayS96

thou'artEd:thou art1635-69

8 lie.Ed:lie;1635-69

14 them] then1669

16 to thee,B,D,H40,H49,O'F,S96:for thee,1635-69

Note

Poêma Satyricon.

OOTHERSat the Porches and entries of their Buildings set their Armes; I, my picture; if any colours can deliver a minde so plaine, and flat, and through light as mine. Naturally at a new Author, I doubt, and sticke, and doe not say quickly, good. I censure much and taxe; And this liberty costs mee more then others, by how much my owne things are worse then others. Yet I would not be so rebellious against my selfe, as not to doe it, since I love it; nor so unjust to others, to do itsine talione. As long as I give them as good hold upon mee, they must pardon mee my bitings. I forbid no reprehender, but him that like the Trent Councell forbids not bookes, but Authors, damning what ever such a name hath or shall write. None writes so ill, that he gives not some thing exemplary, to follow, or flie. Now when I beginne this booke, I have no purpose to come into any mans debt1; how my stocke will hold out I know not; perchance waste, perchance increase in use; if I doeborrow any thing of Antiquitie, besides that I make account that I pay it to posterity, with as much and as good: You shall still finde mee to acknowledge it, and to thanke not him onely that hath digg'd out treasure for mee, but that hath lighted mee a candle to the place. All which I will bid you remember, (for I will have no such Readers as I can teach) is, that the Pithagorian doctrine doth not onely carry one soule from man to man, nor man to beast, but indifferently to plants also: and therefore you must not grudge to finde the same soule in an Emperour, in a Post-horse, and in a Mucheron,2since no unreadinesse in the soule, but an indisposition in the organs workes this. And therefore though this soule could not move when it was a Melon, yet it may remember, and now tell mee,3at what lascivious banquet it was serv'd. And though it could not speake, when it was a spider, yet it can remember and now tell me, who used it forpoyson to attaine dignitie. How ever the bodies have dull'd herother faculties, her memory hath ever been her owne,which makes me so seriously deliver you by herrelation all her passages from her first makingwhen shee was that apple4which Eveeate,5to this time when shee ishee,6whose life you shallfinde in the end ofthis booke.

OTHERSat the Porches and entries of their Buildings set their Armes; I, my picture; if any colours can deliver a minde so plaine, and flat, and through light as mine. Naturally at a new Author, I doubt, and sticke, and doe not say quickly, good. I censure much and taxe; And this liberty costs mee more then others, by how much my owne things are worse then others. Yet I would not be so rebellious against my selfe, as not to doe it, since I love it; nor so unjust to others, to do itsine talione. As long as I give them as good hold upon mee, they must pardon mee my bitings. I forbid no reprehender, but him that like the Trent Councell forbids not bookes, but Authors, damning what ever such a name hath or shall write. None writes so ill, that he gives not some thing exemplary, to follow, or flie. Now when I beginne this booke, I have no purpose to come into any mans debt1; how my stocke will hold out I know not; perchance waste, perchance increase in use; if I doeborrow any thing of Antiquitie, besides that I make account that I pay it to posterity, with as much and as good: You shall still finde mee to acknowledge it, and to thanke not him onely that hath digg'd out treasure for mee, but that hath lighted mee a candle to the place. All which I will bid you remember, (for I will have no such Readers as I can teach) is, that the Pithagorian doctrine doth not onely carry one soule from man to man, nor man to beast, but indifferently to plants also: and therefore you must not grudge to finde the same soule in an Emperour, in a Post-horse, and in a Mucheron,2since no unreadinesse in the soule, but an indisposition in the organs workes this. And therefore though this soule could not move when it was a Melon, yet it may remember, and now tell mee,3at what lascivious banquet it was serv'd. And though it could not speake, when it was a spider, yet it can remember and now tell me, who used it for

poyson to attaine dignitie. How ever the bodies have dull'd herother faculties, her memory hath ever been her owne,which makes me so seriously deliver you by herrelation all her passages from her first makingwhen shee was that apple4which Eveeate,5to this time when shee ishee,6whose life you shallfinde in the end ofthis booke.

poyson to attaine dignitie. How ever the bodies have dull'd her

other faculties, her memory hath ever been her owne,

which makes me so seriously deliver you by her

relation all her passages from her first making

when shee was that apple4which Eve

eate,5to this time when shee is

hee,6whose life you shall

finde in the end of

this booke.

Infinitati&c.1633-69:(in 1633 it is the first poem; in 1633-69 it follows theFunerall Elegies,from which it is separated by some prose letters, and precedesDivine Poemsas here),A18,G,N,TCC,TCDMetempsychosis.1650-69:Metempsycosis.1633-391debt;Ed:debt,1633-692Mucheron,1633,N,TC:Mushrome,G:Maceron,1635-69,O'F3and can now tell mee,1635-694apple] aple16335eate,1633-69:ate,O'F:eat,mod. editors6shee is hee,1633,A18,G,N,TC:shee is shee,1635-69

Infinitati&c.1633-69:(in 1633 it is the first poem; in 1633-69 it follows theFunerall Elegies,from which it is separated by some prose letters, and precedesDivine Poemsas here),A18,G,N,TCC,TCD

Metempsychosis.1650-69:Metempsycosis.1633-39

1debt;Ed:debt,1633-69

2Mucheron,1633,N,TC:Mushrome,G:Maceron,1635-69,O'F

3and can now tell mee,1635-69

4apple] aple1633

5eate,1633-69:ate,O'F:eat,mod. editors

6shee is hee,1633,A18,G,N,TC:shee is shee,1635-69

Note

ISING the progresse of a deathlesse soule,Whom Fate, which God made, but doth not controule,Plac'd in most shapes; all times before the lawYoak'd us, and when, and since, in this I sing.5And the great world to his aged evening;From infant morne, through manly noone I draw.What the gold Chaldee, or silver Persian saw,Greeke brasse, or Roman iron, is in this one;A worke t'outweareSethspillars, bricke and stone,10And (holy writt excepted) made to yeeld to none.

ISING the progresse of a deathlesse soule,

Whom Fate, which God made, but doth not controule,

Plac'd in most shapes; all times before the law

Yoak'd us, and when, and since, in this I sing.

5And the great world to his aged evening;

From infant morne, through manly noone I draw.

What the gold Chaldee, or silver Persian saw,

Greeke brasse, or Roman iron, is in this one;

A worke t'outweareSethspillars, bricke and stone,

10And (holy writt excepted) made to yeeld to none.

Thee, eye of heaven, this great Soule envies not,By thy male force, is all wee have, begot.In the first East, thou now beginst to shine,Suck'st early balme, and Iland spices there,15And wilt anon in thy loose-rein'd careereAt Tagus, Po, Sene, Thames, and Danow dine,And see at night thy Westerne land of Myne,Yet hast thou not more nations seene then shee,That before thee, one day beganne to bee,20And thy fraile light being quench'd, shall long, long out live thee.

Thee, eye of heaven, this great Soule envies not,

By thy male force, is all wee have, begot.

In the first East, thou now beginst to shine,

Suck'st early balme, and Iland spices there,

15And wilt anon in thy loose-rein'd careere

At Tagus, Po, Sene, Thames, and Danow dine,

And see at night thy Westerne land of Myne,

Yet hast thou not more nations seene then shee,

That before thee, one day beganne to bee,

20And thy fraile light being quench'd, shall long, long out live thee.

Nor, holyIanus, in whose soveraigne boateThe Church, and all the Monarchies did floate;That swimming Colledge, and free HospitallOf all mankinde, that cage and vivarie25Of fowles, and beasts, in whose wombe, DestinieUs, and our latest nephewes did install(From thence are all deriv'd, that fill this All,)Did'st thou in that great stewardship embarkeSo diverse shapes into that floating parke,30As have beene moved, and inform'd by this heavenly sparke.

Nor, holyIanus, in whose soveraigne boate

The Church, and all the Monarchies did floate;

That swimming Colledge, and free Hospitall

Of all mankinde, that cage and vivarie

25Of fowles, and beasts, in whose wombe, Destinie

Us, and our latest nephewes did install

(From thence are all deriv'd, that fill this All,)

Did'st thou in that great stewardship embarke

So diverse shapes into that floating parke,

30As have beene moved, and inform'd by this heavenly sparke.

Great Destiny the Commissary of God,That hast mark'd out a path and periodFor every thing; who, where wee of-spring tooke,Our wayes and ends seest at one instant; Thou35Knot of all causes, thou whose changelesse browNe'r smiles nor frownes, O vouch thou safe to lookeAnd shew my story, in thy eternall booke:That (if my prayer be fit) I may'understandSo much my selfe, as to know with what hand,40How scant, or liberall this my lifes race is spand.

Great Destiny the Commissary of God,

That hast mark'd out a path and period

For every thing; who, where wee of-spring tooke,

Our wayes and ends seest at one instant; Thou

35Knot of all causes, thou whose changelesse brow

Ne'r smiles nor frownes, O vouch thou safe to looke

And shew my story, in thy eternall booke:

That (if my prayer be fit) I may'understand

So much my selfe, as to know with what hand,

40How scant, or liberall this my lifes race is spand.

To my sixe lustres almost now outwore,Except thy booke owe mee so many more,Except my legend be free from the lettsOf steepe ambition, sleepie povertie,45Spirit-quenching sicknesse, dull captivitie,Distracting businesse, and from beauties nets,And all that calls from this, and to others whets,O let me not launch out, but let mee saveTh'expense of braine and spirit; that my grave50His right and due, a whole unwasted man may have.

To my sixe lustres almost now outwore,

Except thy booke owe mee so many more,

Except my legend be free from the letts

Of steepe ambition, sleepie povertie,

45Spirit-quenching sicknesse, dull captivitie,

Distracting businesse, and from beauties nets,

And all that calls from this, and to others whets,

O let me not launch out, but let mee save

Th'expense of braine and spirit; that my grave

50His right and due, a whole unwasted man may have.

But if my dayes be long, and good enough,In vaine this sea shall enlarge, or enroughIt selfe; for I will through the wave, and fome,And shall, in sad lone wayes a lively spright,55Make my darke heavy Poëm light, and light.For though through many streights, and lands I roame,I launch at paradise, and I saile towards home;The course I there began, shall here be staid,Sailes hoised there, stroke here, and anchors laid60In Thames, which were at Tigrys, and Euphrates waide.

But if my dayes be long, and good enough,

In vaine this sea shall enlarge, or enrough

It selfe; for I will through the wave, and fome,

And shall, in sad lone wayes a lively spright,

55Make my darke heavy Poëm light, and light.

For though through many streights, and lands I roame,

I launch at paradise, and I saile towards home;

The course I there began, shall here be staid,

Sailes hoised there, stroke here, and anchors laid

60In Thames, which were at Tigrys, and Euphrates waide.

For the great soule which here amongst us nowDoth dwell, and moves that hand, and tongue, and brow,Which, as the Moone the sea, moves us; to heareWhose story, with long patience you will long;65(For 'tis the crowne, and last straine of my song)This soule to whomLuther, andMahometwerePrisons of flesh; this soule which oft did teare,And mend the wracks of th'Empire, and late Rome,And liv'd when every great change did come,70Had first in paradise, a low, but fatall roome.

For the great soule which here amongst us now

Doth dwell, and moves that hand, and tongue, and brow,

Which, as the Moone the sea, moves us; to heare

Whose story, with long patience you will long;

65(For 'tis the crowne, and last straine of my song)

This soule to whomLuther, andMahometwere

Prisons of flesh; this soule which oft did teare,

And mend the wracks of th'Empire, and late Rome,

And liv'd when every great change did come,

70Had first in paradise, a low, but fatall roome.

Yet no low roome, nor then the greatest, lesse,If (as devout and sharpe men fitly guesse)That Crosse, our joy, and griefe, where nailes did tyeThat All, which alwayes was all, every where;75Which could not sinne, and yet all sinnes did beare;Which could not die, yet could not chuse but die;Stood in the selfe same roome in Calvarie,Where first grew the forbidden learned tree,For on that tree hung in security80This Soule, made by the Makers will from pulling free.

Yet no low roome, nor then the greatest, lesse,

If (as devout and sharpe men fitly guesse)

That Crosse, our joy, and griefe, where nailes did tye

That All, which alwayes was all, every where;

75Which could not sinne, and yet all sinnes did beare;

Which could not die, yet could not chuse but die;

Stood in the selfe same roome in Calvarie,

Where first grew the forbidden learned tree,

For on that tree hung in security

80This Soule, made by the Makers will from pulling free.

Prince of the orchard, faire as dawning morne,Fenc'd with the law, and ripe as soone as borneThat apple grew, which this Soule did enlive,Till the then climing serpent, that now creeps85For that offence, for which all mankinde weepes,Tooke it, and t'her whom the first man did wive(Whom and her race, only forbiddings drive)He gave it, she, t'her husband, both did eate;So perished the eaters, and the meate:90And wee (for treason taints the blood) thence die and sweat.

Prince of the orchard, faire as dawning morne,

Fenc'd with the law, and ripe as soone as borne

That apple grew, which this Soule did enlive,

Till the then climing serpent, that now creeps

85For that offence, for which all mankinde weepes,

Tooke it, and t'her whom the first man did wive

(Whom and her race, only forbiddings drive)

He gave it, she, t'her husband, both did eate;

So perished the eaters, and the meate:

90And wee (for treason taints the blood) thence die and sweat.

Man all at once was there by woman slaine,And one by one we'are here slaine o'er againeBy them. The mother poison'd the well-head,The daughters here corrupt us, Rivolets;95No smalnesse scapes, no greatnesse breaks their nets;She thrust us out, and by them we are ledAstray, from turning, to whence we are fled.Were prisoners Judges, 'twould seeme rigorous,Shee sinn'd, we beare; part of our paine is, thus100To love them, whose fault to this painfull love yoak'd us.

Man all at once was there by woman slaine,

And one by one we'are here slaine o'er againe

By them. The mother poison'd the well-head,

The daughters here corrupt us, Rivolets;

95No smalnesse scapes, no greatnesse breaks their nets;

She thrust us out, and by them we are led

Astray, from turning, to whence we are fled.

Were prisoners Judges, 'twould seeme rigorous,

Shee sinn'd, we beare; part of our paine is, thus

100To love them, whose fault to this painfull love yoak'd us.

So fast in us doth this corruption grow,That now wee dare aske why wee should be so.Would God (disputes the curious Rebell) makeA law, and would not have it kept? Or can105His creatures will, crosse his? Of every manFor one, will God (and be just) vengeance take?Who sinn'd? t'was not forbidden to the snakeNor her, who was not then made; nor is't writThat Adam cropt, or knew the apple; yet110The worme and she, and he, and wee endure for it.

So fast in us doth this corruption grow,

That now wee dare aske why wee should be so.

Would God (disputes the curious Rebell) make

A law, and would not have it kept? Or can

105His creatures will, crosse his? Of every man

For one, will God (and be just) vengeance take?

Who sinn'd? t'was not forbidden to the snake

Nor her, who was not then made; nor is't writ

That Adam cropt, or knew the apple; yet

110The worme and she, and he, and wee endure for it.

But snatch mee heavenly Spirit from this vaineReckoning their vanities, lesse is their gaineThen hazard still, to meditate on ill,Though with good minde; their reasons, like those toyes115Of glassie bubbles, which the gamesome boyesStretch to so nice a thinnes through a quillThat they themselves breake, doe themselves spill:Arguing is heretiques game, and ExerciseAs wrastlers, perfects them; Not liberties120Of speech, but silence; hands, not tongues, end heresies.

But snatch mee heavenly Spirit from this vaine

Reckoning their vanities, lesse is their gaine

Then hazard still, to meditate on ill,

Though with good minde; their reasons, like those toyes

115Of glassie bubbles, which the gamesome boyes

Stretch to so nice a thinnes through a quill

That they themselves breake, doe themselves spill:

Arguing is heretiques game, and Exercise

As wrastlers, perfects them; Not liberties

120Of speech, but silence; hands, not tongues, end heresies.

Just in that instant when the serpents gripe,Broke the slight veines, and tender conduit-pipe,Through which this soule from the trees root did drawLife, and growth to this apple, fled away125This loose soule, old, one and another day.As lightning, which one scarce dares say, he saw,'Tis so soone gone, (and better proofe the lawOf sense, then faith requires) swiftly she flewTo a darke and foggie Plot; Her, her fates threw130There through th'earths pores, and in a Plant hous'd her anew.

Just in that instant when the serpents gripe,

Broke the slight veines, and tender conduit-pipe,

Through which this soule from the trees root did draw

Life, and growth to this apple, fled away

125This loose soule, old, one and another day.

As lightning, which one scarce dares say, he saw,

'Tis so soone gone, (and better proofe the law

Of sense, then faith requires) swiftly she flew

To a darke and foggie Plot; Her, her fates threw

130There through th'earths pores, and in a Plant hous'd her anew.

The plant thus abled, to it selfe did forceA place, where no place was; by natures courseAs aire from water, water fleets awayFrom thicker bodies, by this root thronged so135His spungie confines gave him place to grow:Just as in our streets, when the people stayTo see the Prince, and have so fill'd the wayThat weesels scarce could passe, when she comes nereThey throng and cleave up, and a passage cleare,140As if, for that time, their round bodies flatned were.

The plant thus abled, to it selfe did force

A place, where no place was; by natures course

As aire from water, water fleets away

From thicker bodies, by this root thronged so

135His spungie confines gave him place to grow:

Just as in our streets, when the people stay

To see the Prince, and have so fill'd the way

That weesels scarce could passe, when she comes nere

They throng and cleave up, and a passage cleare,

140As if, for that time, their round bodies flatned were.

His right arme he thrust out towards the East,West-ward his left; th'ends did themselves digestInto ten lesser strings, these fingers were:And as a slumberer stretching on his bed,145This way he this, and that way scatteredHis other legge, which feet with toes upbeare.Grew on his middle parts, the first day, haire,To show, that in loves businesse hee should stillA dealer bee, and be us'd well, or ill:150His apples kindle, his leaves, force of conception kill.

His right arme he thrust out towards the East,

West-ward his left; th'ends did themselves digest

Into ten lesser strings, these fingers were:

And as a slumberer stretching on his bed,

145This way he this, and that way scattered

His other legge, which feet with toes upbeare.

Grew on his middle parts, the first day, haire,

To show, that in loves businesse hee should still

A dealer bee, and be us'd well, or ill:

150His apples kindle, his leaves, force of conception kill.

A mouth, but dumbe, he hath; blinde eyes, deafe eares,And to his shoulders dangle subtile haires;A youngColossusthere hee stands upright,And as that ground by him were conquered155A leafie garland weares he on his headEnchas'd with little fruits, so red and brightThat for them you would call your Loves lips white;So, of a lone unhaunted place possest,Did this soules second Inne, built by the guest,160This living buried man, this quiet mandrake, rest.

A mouth, but dumbe, he hath; blinde eyes, deafe eares,

And to his shoulders dangle subtile haires;

A youngColossusthere hee stands upright,

And as that ground by him were conquered

155A leafie garland weares he on his head

Enchas'd with little fruits, so red and bright

That for them you would call your Loves lips white;

So, of a lone unhaunted place possest,

Did this soules second Inne, built by the guest,

160This living buried man, this quiet mandrake, rest.

No lustfull woman came this plant to grieve,But 'twas because there was none yet but Eve:And she (with other purpose) kill'd it quite;Her sinne had now brought in infirmities,165And so her cradled child, the moist red eyesHad never shut, nor slept since it saw light;Poppie she knew, she knew the mandrakes might,And tore up both, and so coold her childs blood;Unvirtuous weeds might long unvex'd have stood;170But hee's short liv'd, that with his death can doe most good.

No lustfull woman came this plant to grieve,

But 'twas because there was none yet but Eve:

And she (with other purpose) kill'd it quite;

Her sinne had now brought in infirmities,

165And so her cradled child, the moist red eyes

Had never shut, nor slept since it saw light;

Poppie she knew, she knew the mandrakes might,

And tore up both, and so coold her childs blood;

Unvirtuous weeds might long unvex'd have stood;

170But hee's short liv'd, that with his death can doe most good.

To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hastAre falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac'd:Thinner then burnt aire flies this soule, and sheWhom foure new comming, and foure parting Suns175Had found, and left the Mandrakes tenant, runnesThoughtlesse of change, when her firme destinyConfin'd, and enjayld her, that seem'd so free,Into a small blew shell, the which a pooreWarme bird orespread, and sat still evermore,180Till her inclos'd child kickt, and pick'd it selfe a dore.

To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hast

Are falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac'd:

Thinner then burnt aire flies this soule, and she

Whom foure new comming, and foure parting Suns

175Had found, and left the Mandrakes tenant, runnes

Thoughtlesse of change, when her firme destiny

Confin'd, and enjayld her, that seem'd so free,

Into a small blew shell, the which a poore

Warme bird orespread, and sat still evermore,

180Till her inclos'd child kickt, and pick'd it selfe a dore.

Outcrept a sparrow, this soules moving Inne,On whose raw armes stiffe feathers now begin,As childrens teeth through gummes, to breake with paine,His flesh is jelly yet, and his bones threds,185All a new downy mantle overspreads,A mouth he opes, which would as much containeAs his late house, and the first houre speaks plaine,And chirps alowd for meat. Meat fit for menHis father steales for him, and so feeds then190One, that within a moneth, will beate him from his hen.

Outcrept a sparrow, this soules moving Inne,

On whose raw armes stiffe feathers now begin,

As childrens teeth through gummes, to breake with paine,

His flesh is jelly yet, and his bones threds,

185All a new downy mantle overspreads,

A mouth he opes, which would as much containe

As his late house, and the first houre speaks plaine,

And chirps alowd for meat. Meat fit for men

His father steales for him, and so feeds then

190One, that within a moneth, will beate him from his hen.

In this worlds youth wise nature did make hast,Things ripened sooner, and did longer last;Already this hot cocke, in bush and tree,In field and tent, oreflutters his next hen;195He asks her not, who did so tast, nor when,Nor if his sister, or his neece shee be;Nor doth she pule for his inconstancieIf in her sight he change, nor doth refuseThe next that calls; both liberty doe use;200Where store is of both kindes, both kindes may freely chuse.

In this worlds youth wise nature did make hast,

Things ripened sooner, and did longer last;

Already this hot cocke, in bush and tree,

In field and tent, oreflutters his next hen;

195He asks her not, who did so tast, nor when,

Nor if his sister, or his neece shee be;

Nor doth she pule for his inconstancie

If in her sight he change, nor doth refuse

The next that calls; both liberty doe use;

200Where store is of both kindes, both kindes may freely chuse.

Men, till they tooke laws which made freedome lesse,Their daughters, and their sisters did ingresse;Till now unlawfull, therefore ill, 'twas not.So jolly, that it can move, this soule is,205The body so free of his kindnesses,That selfe-preserving it hath now forgot,And slackneth so the soules, and bodies knot,Which temperance streightens; freely on his she friendsHe blood, and spirit, pith, and marrow spends,210Ill steward of himself, himselfe in three yeares ends.

Men, till they tooke laws which made freedome lesse,

Their daughters, and their sisters did ingresse;

Till now unlawfull, therefore ill, 'twas not.

So jolly, that it can move, this soule is,

205The body so free of his kindnesses,

That selfe-preserving it hath now forgot,

And slackneth so the soules, and bodies knot,

Which temperance streightens; freely on his she friends

He blood, and spirit, pith, and marrow spends,

210Ill steward of himself, himselfe in three yeares ends.

Else might he long have liv'd; man did not knowOf gummie blood, which doth in holly grow,How to make bird-lime, nor how to deceiveWith faind calls, hid nets, or enwrapping snare,215The free inhabitants of the Plyant aire.Man to beget, and woman to conceiveAskt not of rootes, nor of cock-sparrowes, leave:Yet chuseth hee, though none of these he feares,Pleasantly three, then streightned twenty yeares220To live, and to encrease his race, himselfe outweares.

Else might he long have liv'd; man did not know

Of gummie blood, which doth in holly grow,

How to make bird-lime, nor how to deceive

With faind calls, hid nets, or enwrapping snare,

215The free inhabitants of the Plyant aire.

Man to beget, and woman to conceive

Askt not of rootes, nor of cock-sparrowes, leave:

Yet chuseth hee, though none of these he feares,

Pleasantly three, then streightned twenty yeares

220To live, and to encrease his race, himselfe outweares.

This cole with overblowing quench'd and dead,The Soule from her too active organs fledT'a brooke. A female fishes sandie RoeWith the males jelly, newly lev'ned was,225For they had intertouch'd as they did passe,And one of those small bodies, fitted so,This soule inform'd, and abled it to roweIt selfe with finnie oares, which she did fit:Her scales seem'd yet of parchment, and as yet230Perchance a fish, but by no name you could call it.

This cole with overblowing quench'd and dead,

The Soule from her too active organs fled

T'a brooke. A female fishes sandie Roe

With the males jelly, newly lev'ned was,

225For they had intertouch'd as they did passe,

And one of those small bodies, fitted so,

This soule inform'd, and abled it to rowe

It selfe with finnie oares, which she did fit:

Her scales seem'd yet of parchment, and as yet

230Perchance a fish, but by no name you could call it.

When goodly, like a ship in her full trim,A swan, so white that you may unto himCompare all whitenesse, but himselfe to none,Glided along, and as he glided watch'd,235And with his arched necke this poore fish catch'd.It mov'd with state, as if to looke uponLow things it scorn'd, and yet before that oneCould thinke he sought it, he had swallowed cleareThis, and much such, and unblam'd devour'd there240All, but who too swift, too great, or well armed were.

When goodly, like a ship in her full trim,

A swan, so white that you may unto him

Compare all whitenesse, but himselfe to none,

Glided along, and as he glided watch'd,

235And with his arched necke this poore fish catch'd.

It mov'd with state, as if to looke upon

Low things it scorn'd, and yet before that one

Could thinke he sought it, he had swallowed cleare

This, and much such, and unblam'd devour'd there

240All, but who too swift, too great, or well armed were.

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