_: spirits
instructed
_1635-69_]
[saw, heard, felt.
[saw, heard, felt.
Donne - 1
Iohnson_, 6 _Ian.
_ 1603.
The State and mens affaires are the best playes
Next yours; 'Tis nor more nor lesse than due praise.
Write, but touch not the much descending race
Of Lords houses, so settled in worths place,
As but themselves none thinke them usurpers. 5
It is no fault in thee to suffer theirs.
If the Queene Masque, or King a hunting goe,
Though all the Court follow, Let them. We know
Like them in goodnesse that Court ne'r will be,
For that were vertue, and not flatterie. 10
Forget we were thrust out; It is but thus,
God threatens Kings, Kings Lords, as Lords doe us.
Iudge of strangers, Trust and believe your friend,
And so me; And when I true friendship end,
With guilty conscience let me be worse stonge, 15
Then with _Pophams_ sentence theeves, or _Cookes_ tongue
Traitors are. Friends are our selves. This I thee tell
As to my friend, and to my selfe as Counsell;
Let for a while the times unthrifty rout
Contemne learning, and all your studies flout. 20
Let them scorne Hell, they will a Sergeant feare,
More then wee _that_; ere long God may forbeare,
But Creditors will not. Let them increase
In riot and excesse as their meanes cease;
Let them scorne him that made them, and still shun 25
His Grace, but love the whore who hath undone
Them and their soules. But; that they that allow
But one God, should have religions enow
For the Queens Masque, and their husbands, far more
Then all the Gentiles knew, or _Atlas_ bore! 30
Well, let all passe, and trust him who nor cracks
The bruised Reed, nor quencheth smoaking flaxe.
[To Ben. Iohnson, 6 Ian. 1603. _1635-69_, _O'F_: To Ben
Johnson 6 Jan: 1603 T. R. _B_: An Epistle to Ben Johnson.
S^{r} J: R: _H40_: An Epistle to Beniamin Johnson. _RP31_: An
Epistle: To M^{r} Ben. Johnson. Ja: 6: 1603 _L74_: To M^{r}
Ben Johnson. _S_]
[2 yours; _Ed_: yours, _1635-69_
nor more] noe more _L74_]
[5 none thinke] none can thinke _1669_]
[11 out; _Ed_: out. _1635-69_]
[15 stonge, _L74_: _spelt_ stũg, _1635_]
[18 as Counsell;] is Counsell: _1635-54_]
[22 More then wee _that_; _Ed_: More then wee that _H40_,
_L74_: More then wee them; that, _1635-69_ (them _in ital. _
_1635-54_)]
[24 cease; _Ed_: cease, _1635-69_]
[28 enow _H40_, _L74_: enough _1635-69_]
[29 far _L74_: for _1635-69_, _H40_]
[30 bore! _Ed_: bore? _H40_: bore. _1635-69_, _L74_]
_To Ben. Iohnson_, 9. _Novembris_, 1603.
If great men wrong me, I will spare my selfe;
If meane, I will spare them. I know that pelf
Which is ill got the Owner doth upbraid.
It may corrupt a Iudge, make me afraid
And a Iury; But 'twill revenge in this, 5
That, though himselfe be judge, hee guilty is.
What care I though of weaknesse men taxe me,
I had rather sufferer than doer be.
That I did trust, it was my Natures praise,
For breach of word I knew but as a phrase. 10
That judgement is, that surely can comprise
The world in precepts, most happy and most wise.
What though? Though lesse, yet some of both have we,
Who have learn'd it by use and misery.
Poore I, whom every pety crosse doth trouble, 15
Who apprehend each hurt thats done me, double,
Am of this (though it should sinke me) carelesse,
It would but force me to a stricter goodnesse.
They have great odds of me, who gaine doe winne,
(If such gaine be not losse) from every sinne. 20
The standing of great mens lives would afford
A pretty summe, if God would sell his Word.
He cannot; they can theirs, and breake them too.
How unlike they are that they are likened to?
Yet I conclude, they are amidst my evils, 25
If good, like Gods, the naught are so like devils.
[To Ben Johnson, 9 Novembris, 1603: _1635-69_, _B_
(_subscribed_ doubtfull author), _O'F_, _S_: Another Epistle
to M^{r} Ben: Johnson. No: 9. 1603. _L74_: Another to Ben
Johnson. _H40_]
[2 them. ] them, _1635-69_ that _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _S_: the
_1635-69_]
[3 upbraide. _Ed_: upbraide; _1635-69_]
[5 Iury; _Ed_: Iury. _1635-69_]
[18 goodnesse. ] goodnesse _1635-39_]
[19 odds _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _S_: gaine _1635-69_, _O'F_]
_To S^{r} Tho. Roe_ 1603.
_Deare Thom_:
Tell her if she to hired servants shew
Dislike, before they take their leave they goe;
When nobler spirits start at no disgrace,
For who hath but one minde, hath but one face:
If then why I tooke not my leave she aske, 5
Aske her againe why she did not unmaske?
Was she or proud or cruell, or knew shee
'Twould make my losse more felt, and pittyed me?
Or did she feare one kisse might stay for moe?
Or else was she unwilling I should goe? 10
I thinke the best, and love so faithfully
I cannot chuse but thinke that she loves mee.
If this prove not my faith, then let her trie
How in her service I would fructifie.
Ladies have boldly lov'd; bid her renew 15
That decay'd worth, and prove the times past true.
Then he whose wit and verse goes now so lame,
With songs to her will the wild Irish tame.
Howe'r, I'll weare the black and white ribband,
White for her fortunes, blacke for mine shall stand. 20
I doe esteeme her favours, not their stuffe;
If what I have was given, I have enough:
And all's well; for had she lov'd, I had had
All my friends hate; for now, departing sad
I feele not that; Yet as the Rack the Gout 25
Cures, so hath _this_ worse griefe _that_ quite put out:
My first disease nought but that worse cureth,
Which (which I dare foresee) nought cures but death.
Tell her all this before I am forgot,
That not too late shee grieve shee lov'd me not. 30
Burden'd with this, I was to depart lesse
Willing, then those which die, and not confesse.
[Footnote: To Sir Tho. Rowe, 1603. _1635-69_, _O'F_: An
Elegie. To S^{r} Tho. Roe. _B_ (_subscribed J. R. _), _L74_:
An Elegie, complayning a want of complement in his mistrisse,
at his leave-taking. _A10_: Elegia Vicesima Septima. To S^{r}
Thomas Roe. 1603. _S_
_Thom_: _B_, _L74_, _O'F_,_S_: _Tom_: _1635-69_]
[5 tooke _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_: take _1635-69_]
[14 I would _1635-69_: it will _A10_, _L74_, _S_]
[17 goes now so _Ed_: goe now so _B_: growes now so _1635-69_,
_O'F_: now goes thus _A10_, _L74_, _S_]
[21 favours, not their _B_, _L74_, _S_: favour, not the
_1635-69_]
[22 enough: _Ed_: enough, _1635-69_]
[23 had had] had not had _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[24 hate;] hate _1635_: hate, _1639-69_
now, _Ed_: now _1635-69_: not _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _S_]
[26 out:] out. _1635_]
[28 Which (which I dare foresee) nought _A10_, _B_, _L74_,
_S_: Which (I dare foresay) nothing _1635-69_]
[Willing, _Ed_: Willing _1635-69_: Willing; _A10_]
II.
_To the Countesse of Huntington. _
That unripe side of earth, that heavy clime
That gives us man up now, like _Adams_ time
Before he ate; mans shape, that would yet bee
(Knew they not it, and fear'd beasts companie)
So naked at this day, as though man there 5
From Paradise so great a distance were,
As yet the newes could not arrived bee
Of _Adams_ tasting the forbidden tree;
Depriv'd of that free state which they were in,
And wanting the reward, yet beare the sinne. 10
But, as from extreme hights who downward looks,
Sees men at childrens shapes, Rivers at brookes,
And loseth younger formes; so, to your eye,
These (Madame) that without your distance lie,
Must either mist, or nothing seeme to be, 15
Who are at home but wits mere _Atomi_.
But, I who can behold them move, and stay,
Have found my selfe to you, just their midway;
And now must pitty them; for, as they doe
Seeme sick to me, just so must I to you. 20
Yet neither will I vexe your eyes to see
A sighing Ode, nor crosse-arm'd Elegie.
I come not to call pitty from your heart,
Like some white-liver'd dotard that would part
Else from his slipperie soule with a faint groane, 25
And faithfully, (without you smil'd) were gone.
I cannot feele the tempest of a frowne,
I may be rais'd by love, but not throwne down.
Though I can pittie those sigh twice a day,
I hate that thing whispers it selfe away. 30
Yet since all love is fever, who to trees
Doth talke, doth yet in loves cold ague freeze.
'Tis love, but, with such fatall weaknesse made,
That it deftroyes it selfe with its owne shade.
Who first look'd sad, griev'd, pin'd, and shew'd his paine, 35
Was he that first taught women, to disdaine.
As all things were one nothing, dull and weake,
Vntill this raw disordered heape did breake,
And severall desires led parts away,
Water declin'd with earth, the ayre did stay, 40
Fire rose, and each from other but unty'd,
Themselves unprison'd were and purify'd:
So was love, first in vast confusion hid,
An unripe willingnesse which nothing did,
A thirst, an Appetite which had no ease, 45
That found a want, but knew not what would please.
What pretty innocence in those dayes mov'd?
Man ignorantly walk'd by her he lov'd;
Both sigh'd and enterchang'd a speaking eye,
Both trembled and were sick, both knew not why. 50
That naturall fearefulnesse that struck man dumbe,
Might well (those times consider'd) man become.
As all discoverers whose first assay
Findes but the place, after, the nearest way:
So passion is to womans love, about, 55
Nay, farther off, than when we first set out.
It is not love that sueth, or doth contend;
Love either conquers, or but meets a friend.
Man's better part consists of purer fire,
And findes it selfe allow'd, ere it desire. 60
Love is wise here, keepes home, gives reason sway,
And journeys not till it finde summer-way.
A weather-beaten Lover but once knowne,
Is sport for every girle to practise on.
Who strives through womans scornes, women to know, 65
Is lost, and seekes his shadow to outgoe;
It must bee sicknesse, after one disdaine,
Though he be call'd aloud, to looke againe.
Let others sigh, and grieve; one cunning sleight
Shall freeze my Love to Christall in a night. 70
I can love first, and (if I winne) love still;
And cannot be remov'd, unlesse she will.
It is her fault if I unsure remaine,
Shee onely can untie, and binde againe.
The honesties of love with ease I doe, 75
But am no porter for a tedious woo.
But (madame) I now thinke on you; and here
Where we are at our hights, you but appeare,
We are but clouds you rise from, our noone-ray
But a foule shadow, not your breake of day. 80
You are at first hand all that's faire and right,
And others good reflects but backe your light.
You are a perfectnesse, so curious hit,
That youngest flatteries doe scandall it.
For, what is more doth what you are restraine, 85
And though beyond, is downe the hill againe.
We'have no next way to you, we crosse to it:
You are the straight line, thing prais'd, attribute;
Each good in you's a light; so many a shade
You make, and in them are your motions made. 90
These are your pictures to the life. From farre
We see you move, and here your _Zani's_ are:
So that no fountaine good there is, doth grow
In you, but our dimme actions faintly shew.
Then finde I, if mans noblest part be love, 95
Your purest luster must that shadow move.
The soule with body, is a heaven combin'd
With earth, and for mans ease, but nearer joyn'd.
Where thoughts the starres of soule we understand,
We guesse not their large natures, but command. 100
And love in you, that bountie is of light,
That gives to all, and yet hath infinite.
Whose heat doth force us thither to intend,
But soule we finde too earthly to ascend,
'Till slow accesse hath made it wholy pure, 105
Able immortall clearnesse to endure.
Who dare aspire this journey with a staine,
Hath waight will force him headlong backe againe.
No more can impure man retaine and move
In that pure region of a worthy love: 110
Then earthly substance can unforc'd aspire,
And leave his nature to converse with fire:
Such may have eye, and hand; may sigh, may speak;
But like swoln bubles, when they are high'st they break.
Though far removed Northerne fleets scarce finde 115
The Sunnes comfort; others thinke him too kinde.
There is an equall distance from her eye,
Men perish too farre off, and burne too nigh.
But as ayre takes the Sunne-beames equall bright
From the first Rayes, to his last opposite: 120
So able men, blest with a vertuous Love,
Remote or neare, or howsoe'r they move;
Their vertue breakes all clouds that might annoy,
There is no Emptinesse, but all is Ioy.
He much profanes whom violent heats do move 125
To stile his wandring rage of passion, _Love_:
Love that imparts in every thing delight,
Is fain'd, which only tempts mans appetite.
Why love among the vertues is not knowne
Is, that love is them all contract in one. 130
[To the Countesse of Huntington. _1635-69_: S^{r} Wal: Ashton
to y^{e} Countesse of Huntingtowne _P_, _TCD_ (_II_)]
[2 man] men _P_]
[3 ate; _1635-39_: eat; _1650-69_]
[11 downward] inward _TCD_]
[14 without] _om. TCD_]
[17 who] that _P_, _TCD_]
[20 you. ] you, _1635-69_]
[26 faithfully, _1635-69_: finally _P_, _TCD_
you smil'd _1635-54_ your smile _1669_, _P_, _TCD_]
[28 down. _1635-54_: down, _1669_]
[30 whispers] whispered _P_: vapours _TCD_]
[31 fever] _feverish_ _1669_]
[32 doth yet] yet doth _1669_
ague] feaver _P_]
[35 paine,] paine. _1635-39_]
[36 women] woman _TCD_]
[37 were one] were but one _1669_]
[47 those dayes] that day _1669_]
[50 both knew _1635-54_: but knew _P_, _TCD_: yet, knew
_1669_]
[52 consider'd _Ed_: considered _1635-69_]
[57 sueth, or] sues and _P_]
[65 womans] womens _P_
women] woman _TCD_
know, _1650-69_: know. _1635-39_]
[67 It must be] It is meer _1669_
sicknesse,] sicknesse _1635-69_]
[69 sigh _P_, _TCD_: sinne, _1635-69_]
[74 and _P_: I _1635-69_, _TCD_]
[76 woo. _TCD_: wooe. _P_: woe. _1635-69_, _Chambers and
Grolier_]
[77 I now] now I _TCD_]
[78 hights] height _TCD_]
[79 clouds you rise from, our noone-ray _Grolier_: clouds, you
rise from our noone-ray, _1635-69_, _TCD_, _and Chambers_]
[81 right] bright _P_]
[83 a perfectnesse] all perfections _P_]
[84 youngest] quaintest _TCD_
flatteries] flatterers _P_, _TCD_]
[86 though] what's _P_]
[87 We'have _Ed_: We have _1635-69_]
[88 straight line,] streight-lace _P_
attribute; _Ed_: attribute. _1635_: attribute, _1639-69_]
[91 These] Those _TCD_]
[98 With earth] _om. TCD_
but] _om. 1650-69_]
[99 thoughts] through _P_]
[105 wholy] holy _TCD_]
[106 endure. ] endure _1635_]
[108 waight] weights _P_, _TCD_]
[109 impure] vapore _P_]
[114 when they're highest break. _P_, _TCD_
break. ] break _1635-39_: brak _1650-54_: brake. _1669_]
[115 _In edd. new par. begins wrongly at_ 113, _and so
Chambers and Grolier_
fleets] Isles _1669_]
[116 comfort; _1635-54_: sweet comfort, _1669_
others] yet some _1669_]
[119 But as the aire takes all sunbeams equall bright _P_]
[120 the first Rayes, _1635-54_: the Raies first, _1669_,
_TCD_: the rise first _P_]
[121 able men _P_: able man, _1635-54_: happy man, _1669_:
happy['s] man _Grosart and Chambers_]
[123 Their _1669_, _P_, _TCD_: There _1635-54_, _Chambers and
Grolier_]
[125 violent _P_, _TCD_: valiant _1635-69_]
[126 _Love_: _Ed_: _Love_. _1635-54_: _Love_, _1669_]
[127 imparts] imports _1669_, _TCD_]
[128 Is fain'd, which . . . appetite. _P_: Is thought the
mansion of sweet appetite. _TCD_: Is fancied _1635-39_ (_rest
of line left blank_): Is fancied in the Soul, not in the
sight. _1650-54_: Is fancied by the Soul, not appetite.
_1669_]
[130 Is, that] Is, 'cause _TCD_
contract in _1650-69_, _P_: contracted _1635-39_, _TCD_]
III.
_Elegie. _
Death be not proud, thy hand gave not this blow,
Sinne was her captive, whence thy power doth flow;
The executioner of wrath thou art,
But to destroy the just is not thy part.
Thy comming, terrour, anguish, griefe denounce; 5
Her happy state, courage, ease, joy pronounce.
From out the Christall palace of her breast,
The clearer soule was call'd to endlesse rest,
(Not by the thundering voyce, wherewith God threats,
But, as with crowned Saints in heaven he treats,) 10
And, waited on by Angels, home was brought,
To joy that it through many dangers sought;
The key of mercy gently did unlocke
The doores 'twixt heaven and it, when life did knock.
Nor boast, the fairest frame was made thy prey, 15
Because to mortall eyes it did decay;
A better witnesse than thou art, assures,
That though dissolv'd, it yet a space endures;
No dramme thereof shall want or losse sustaine,
When her best soule inhabits it again. 20
Goe then to people curst before they were,
Their spoyles in Triumph of thy conquest weare.
Glory not thou thy selfe in these hot teares
Which our face, not for hers, but our harme weares,
The mourning livery given by Grace, not thee, 25
Which wils our soules in these streams washt should be,
And on our hearts, her memories best tombe,
In this her Epitaph doth write thy doome.
Blinde were those eyes, saw not how bright did shine
Through fleshes misty vaile the beames divine. 30
Deafe were the eares, not charm'd with that sweet sound
Which did i'th spirit-instructed voice abound.
Of flint the conscience, did not yeeld and melt,
At what in her last Act: it saw, heard, felt.
Weep not, nor grudge then, to have lost her sight, 35
Taught thus, our after stay's but a short night:
But by all soules not by corruption choaked
Let in high rais'd notes that power be invoked.
Calme the rough seas, by which she sayles to rest,
From sorrowes here, to a kingdome ever blest; 40
And teach this hymne of her with joy, and sing,
_The grave no conquest gets, Death hath no sting. _
[Elegie. _Ed_: Elegye on the Lady Markham. By L. C. of
B. _RP31_: _do. _ By C. L. of B. _H40_: Elegie on Mistris
Boulstred. _1635-69_: _given as continuation of Death I
recant &c. _ _O'F_, _P_: _no title_, _B_ (_at foot of page F.
B. _). _See Text and Canon &c. _]
[2 flow; _Ed_: flow, _1635-69_: growe, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_,
_O'F_, _P_]
[5-6 comming, _1650-69_: comming _1635-39_
state, _1650-69_: state _1635-39_
denounce; . . . pronounce. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: denounces; . . .
pronounces. _1635-69_]
[12 To joy that _1635-69_: To joy what _H40_: To joye, that
_B_
sought; _Ed_: sought, _1635-69_]
[22 spoyles . . of . . weare. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_ (beare), _P_:
soules . . to . . beare, _1635-69_. _See note_]
[24 hers, _H40_, _P_: her, _1635-69_
weares, _Ed_: weares. _1635-54_: weares: _1669_]
[30 the _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: those _1635-69_]
[31 not _1635-69_: that _B_, _Cy_, _P_]
[32 Which did _1635-69_: Did _H40_: Did not _B_, _Cy_, _P_
spirit-instructed _MSS.
_: spirits instructed _1635-69_]
[saw, heard, felt. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: saw and felt.
_1635-69_]
[38 rais'd _1635-69_: raisèd _Chambers_]
[39 she sayles _1635-69_: shee's sayl'd _B_, _H40_: shee's
fled _Cy_, _P_
rest, _1650-69_: rest _1635-39_]
[40 here, _1650-69_: here _1635-39_
blest; _Ed_: blest _1635_: blest, _1639-54_: blest. _1669_]
[41 And preach this Hymn which hers (she _Cy_, _P_) with joy
did sing, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_
sing, _1650-69_: sing _1635-69_]
IV.
_Psalme 137. _
Probably by Francis Davison.
I.
By Euphrates flowry side
We did bide,
From deare Juda farre absented,
Tearing the aire with our cryes,
And our eyes, 5
With their streames his streame augmented.
II.
When, poore Syons dolefull state,
Desolate;
Sacked, burned, and inthrall'd,
And the Temple spoil'd, which wee 10
Ne'r should see,
To our mirthlesse mindes wee call'd:
III.
Our mute harpes, untun'd, unstrung,
Up wee hung
On greene willowes neere beside us, 15
Where, we sitting all forlorne;
Thus, in scorne,
Our proud spoylers 'gan deride us.
IV.
Come, sad Captives, leave your moanes,
And your groanes 20
Under Syons ruines bury;
Tune your harps, and sing us layes
In the praise
Of your God, and let's be merry.
V.
Can, ah, can we leave our moanes? 25
And our groanes
Under Syons ruines bury?
Can we in this Land sing Layes
In the praise
Of our God, and here be merry? 30
VI.
No; deare Syon, if I yet
Do forget
Thine affliction miserable,
Let my nimble joynts become
Stiffe and numme, 35
To touch warbling harpe unable.
VII.
Let my tongue lose singing skill,
Let it still
To my parched roofe be glewed,
If in either harpe or voice 40
I rejoyce,
Till thy joyes shall be renewed.
VIII.
Lord, curse Edom's traiterous kinde,
Beare in minde
In our ruines how they revell'd. 45
_Sack_, _kill_, _burne_, they cry'd out still,
_Sack_, _burne_, _kill_,
Downe with all, let all be levell'd.
IX.
And, thou Babel, when the tide
Of thy pride 50
Now a flowing, growes to turning;
Victor now, shall then be thrall,
And shall fall
To as low an ebbe of mourning.
X.
Happy he who shall thee waste, 55
As thou hast
Us, without all mercy, wasted,
And shall make thee taste and see
What poore wee
By thy meanes have seene and tasted. 60
XI.
Happy, who, thy tender barnes
From the armes
Of their wailing mothers tearing,
'Gainst the walls shall dash their bones,
Ruthlesse stones 65
With their braines and blood besmearing.
[Psalme 137. _1633-69_, _A25_, _C_, _RP61_ in Certaine
selected Psalmes of David (in Verse) differint from Those
usually sung in the Church Composed by Francis Davison esq^r.
deceased and other Gentlemen. Manuscribd by R. Crane. Addl. _
_MS. 27407_, _Harl. MSS. 3357 and 6930_]
[4 with our cryes] with mournful cries _Crane_]
[6 his] the _Crane_]
[16 all forlorne] soe forlorne _Crane_]
[22-3
To your Harpes sing us some layes
To the praise _Crane_
]
[24 merry. ] merry, _1633-39_]
[25-6 moanes . . . groanes] _interchanged_ _Crane_]
[31-2
if I faile
To bewayle _Crane_
]
[42 renewed. ] renewed _1633_]
[43 curse] plague _Crane_]
[45 ruines] Ruine _Crane_
revell'd. _Ed_: revell'd, _1633-39_]
[52-3 shall . . . shall] shalt . . . shalt _Crane_]
[59-60
What by thee
Wee (poore wee) have _&c. _ _Crane_
]
V.
_On the blessed Virgin Mary. _
Probably by Henry Constable.
In that, ô Queene of Queenes, thy birth was free
From that which others doth of grace bereave,
When in their mothers wombe they life receive,
God, as his sole-borne daughter loved thee.
To match thee like thy births nobilitie, 5
He thee his Spirit for thy spouse did leave,
By whom thou didst his onely sonne conceive,
And so wast link'd to all the Trinitie.
Cease then, ô Queenes, that earthly Crownes doe weare,
To glory in the Pompe of earthly things; 10
If men such high respects unto you beare,
Which daughters, wives, and mothers are to Kings,
What honour can unto that Queene be done
Who had your God for Father, Spouse and Sonne?
[On the _&c. _ _1635-69_, _A10_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_: _also
among Spiritual Sonnets by H. C. in Harl. MS. 7553_]
[6 thy spouse _A10_, _B_: his spouse _1635-69_]
[12 to _B_: of _1635-69_
Kings,] kings, _1635_]
VI.
_On the Sacrament. _
He was the Word that spake it,
Hee tooke the bread and brake it;
And what that Word did make it,
I doe beleeve and take it.
[On the _&c. _ _1635-69_]
VII.
_Absence. _
That time and absence proves
Rather helps than hurts to loves.
Probably by John Hoskins.
Absence heare my protestation
Against thy strengthe
Distance and lengthe,
Doe what thou canst for alteration:
For harts of truest mettall 5
Absence doth joyne, and time doth settle.
Who loves a Mistris of right quality,
His mind hath founde
Affections grounde
Beyond time, place, and all mortality: 10
To harts that cannot vary
Absence is present, time doth tary:
My Sences want their outward motion
Which now within
Reason doth win, 15
Redoubled by her secret notion:
Like rich men that take pleasure
In hidinge more then handling treasure.
By absence this good means I gaine
That I can catch her 20
Where none can watch her
In some close corner of my braine:
There I embrace and there kiss her,
And so enjoye her, and so misse her.
[Absence. _The Grove_ (_1721_): _do. or no title_, _B_, _Cy_,
_HN_ (_signed_ J. H. ), _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_ (_the
text here printed_): _also in_ Davison's Poetical Rhapsody
(_PR_) _1602_ _and_ (_a maimed and altered version_) _in Wit
Restored_ (_WR_) _1658_]
[1 heare _B_, _S96_, _Grove_: heare thou _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_,
_PR_, _S_, _WR_]
[3 Distance] Disdayne _HN_]
[4 you can _PR_: yee dare _HN_]
[5 For hearts where love's refined _WR_]
[6 Are absent joyned, by tyme combined. _WR_]
[7 right _S96_: such _Grove_, _HN_, _L74_, _PR_]
[8 He soon hath found _PR_]
[10 all] _om. _ _WR_]
[11 To] That _WR_]
[12 present] presence _B_
tary] carry _WR_]
[13 motion] motions _PR_]
[16 by . . . notion:] in . . . notions: _PR_: in . . . notion _HN_]
[18 hidinge] finding _Grove_]
[19 means] mean _WR_]
[23 There I embrace and there kiss her, _S96_: There I embrace
her, and _&c. _ _L74_: There I embrace and there I kiss her,
_B_, _O'F_, _WR_: There I embrace and kiss her, _Grove_, _HN_,
_PR_]
[24 and so misse her _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S96_,
_WR_: while none misse her. _Grove_: I both enjoy and miss
her. _PR_]
VIII.
_Song. _
Probably by the Earl of Pembroke.
Soules joy, now I am gone,
And you alone,
(Which cannot be,
Since I must leave my selfe with thee,
And carry thee with me) 5
Yet when unto our eyes
Absence denyes
Each others sight,
And makes to us a constant night,
When others change to light; 10
_O give no way to griefe,
But let beliefe
Of mutuall love,
This wonder to the vulgar prove
Our Bodyes, not wee move. _ 15
Let not thy wit beweepe
Wounds but sense-deepe,
For when we misse
By distance our lipp-joying blisse,
Even then our soules shall kisse, 20
Fooles have no meanes to meet,
But by their feet.
Why should our clay,
Over our spirits so much sway,
To tie us to that way? 25
_O give no way to griefe, &c. _
[Song. _1635-69_, _O'F_: also in the Poems &c. (1660) of
the Earle of Pembroke and S^{r} Benjamin Ruddier, and the
Lansdowne MS. 777, here it is signed E. of Pembroke. _]
[1 now] when _1660_, _L77_]
[17 Wounds _L77_: Words _1635-69_, _O'F_
sense-deepe,] _no hyphen_, _1635-69_]
[18 when] while _L77_]
[19 lipp-joyning _L77_ (_not_ lives joining _as Chambers
reports_): hopes joyning _1635-69_, _O'F_]
_A Dialogue. _
EARLE OF PEMBROKE.
If her disdaine least change in you can move,
you doe not love,
For whilst your hopes give fuell to the fire,
you sell desire.
Love is not love, but given free, 5
And so is mine, so should yours bee.
Her heart that melts at others moane,
to mine is stone.
Her eyes that weepe a strangers hurt to see,
joy to wound mee: 10
Yet I so much affect each part,
As (caus'd by them) I love my smart.
Say her disdaynings justly must be grac't
with name of chaste.
And that shee frownes least longing should exceed, 15
and raging breed;
Soe can her rigor ne'er offend
Unlesse selfe-love seeke private end.
BEN: RUDDIER
'Tis love breeds love in mee, and cold disdaine
kils that againe, 20
As water causeth fire to fret and fume,
till all consume.
Who can of love more free gift make,
Then to loves self, for loves own sake.
I'll never dig in Quarry of an heart 25
to have no part,
Nor roast in fiery eyes, which alwayes are
Canicular.
Who this way would a Lover prove,
May shew his patience, not his love. 30
A frowne may be sometimes for physick good,
But not for food;
And for that raging humour there is sure
A gentler Cure.
Why barre you love of private end, 35
Which never should to publique tend?
[A Dialogue. _Ed_: A Dialogue betweene S^{r} Henry Wotton and
M^{r} Donne. _1635-69 among_ Letters to Severall Personages:
_no heading but divided between_ Earle of Pembroke _and_ Ben:
Ruddier _H39_, _H40_, _P_: _and so between_ P _and_ R _in
the_ Poems _&c. _ (1660) _of Pembroke and Ruddier_. _See note_:
_only 18 lines and no dialogue_, _Cy_: _in TCD_ (_II_) _the
first part is given to_ Earl of Pembroke _and_ S^{r} Henry
Wotton, _the second to_ S^{r} Ben. Ruddier _and_ D^{r} John
Donne]
[3 whilst your hopes give _H39_, (the), _H40_, _P_: when the
hope gives _1635-54_: when that hope gives _1669_]
[7 melts at _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: melts to hear of
_1635-69_]
[9 a strangers] anothers _P_
hurt _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: eyes _1635-69 and mod. edd. _]
[11 much _Cy_, _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: well _1635-69_]
[13 Say _1635-69_: I think _H39_: Think _H40_: But thinke _P_
her disdaynings _1635-69_: her unkindness _H40_: that her
disdaine _P_
must be] may well be _P_]
[17-18 _text_ _H40_, _P_, _P and R_:
So her disdaines can ne'er offend;
Vnlesse selfe-love take private end. _1635-69_
]
[21 causeth] maketh _H40_, _P_]
[23-4
Who can of love more free gift make
Then to loves self, for loves owne sake
_H39_, _H40_, _P_ (_but H39 has to love in 23_)
Who can of love more gift make,
Then to love selfe for loves sake. _1635-39_
Who can of love more rich gift make,
Then to love selfe-love for loves sake? _1650-54_
Who can of love more rich gift make,
Then to Loves self for loves own sake. _1669_
]
[25 Quarry] quarryes _P_]
[27 roast _1669_, _H40_: rest _1635-54_: waste _H39_, _P_]
[30 May] doth _H39_, _H40_, _P_]
IX.
_Break of Daye. _
Stanza prefixed to Donne's Poem (p. 23) in Stowe MS. 961 and
in Edition of 1669.
Probably by John Dowlands.
Stay, O sweet, and do not rise,
The light that shines comes from thine eyes;
The day breaks not, it is my heart,
Because that you and I must part.
Stay, or else my joys will die, 5
And perish in their infancie.
[Stanza _&c. _] _given as a separate poem in A25_ (_where it
is written in at the side_), _C_, _O'F_, _P_: _printed in John
Dowland's_ A Pilgrim's Solace (1612)]
[1 Stay, O sweet] Lie still my dear _A25_, _C_]
[3 The day breakes not] There breakes not day _S96_]
[4 Because that] To think that _S96_]
[5 Stay] Oh stay _S96_]
APPENDIX C.
A
SELECTION OF POEMS WHICH FREQUENTLY
ACCOMPANY POEMS BY JOHN DONNE
IN MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OR
HAVE BEEN ASCRIBED TO
DONNE BY MODERN
EDITORS.
I.
POEMS FROM ADDITIONAL MS. 25707.
_A Letter written by S^{r} H: G: and J: D: alternis vicibus. _
Since ev'ry Tree beginns to blossome now
Perfuminge and enamelinge each bow,
Hartes should as well as they, some fruits allow.
For since one old poore sunn serves all the rest,
You sev'rall sunns that warme, and light each brest 5
Doe by that influence all your thoughts digest.
And that you two may soe your vertues move,
On better matter then beames from above,
Thus our twin'd souls send forth these buds of love.
As in devotions men Joyne both there hands, 10
Wee make ours doe one Act to seale the bands,
By which we enthrall ourselves to your commands,
And each for others faith and zeale stand bound:
As safe as spirits are from any wound,
Soe free from impure thoughts they shal be found. 15
Admit our magique then by which wee doe
Make you appeere to us, and us to you,
Supplying all the Muses in you twoe.
Wee doe consider noe flower that is sweet,
But wee your breath in that exhaling meet, 20
And as true types of you, them humbly greet.
Heere in our Nightingales we heere you singe
Who soe doe make the whole yeare through a springe,
And save us from the feare of Autumns stinge.
In Anchors calme face wee your smoothnes see, 25
Your mindes unmingled, and as cleare as shee
That keepes untoucht her first virginitie.
Did all St. Edith nunns descend againe
To honor Polesworth with their cloystred traine,
Compar'd with you each would confesse some stayne. 30
Or should wee more bleed out our thoughts in inke,
Noe paper (though it woulde be glad to drinke
Those drops) could comprehend what wee doe thinke.
For t'were in us ambition to write
Soe, that because wee two, you two unite, 35
Our letter should as you, bee infinite.
[Letter written _&c. _ _A25_: _published by Chambers, who
completes the names_]
[2 bow, _Ed_: bow _A25_]
[9 twin'd _A25_: twined _Chambers_]
[10 hands, _Ed_: hands _A25_]
[12-13 commands, . . . bound: _Ed_: command. . . . bound, _A25_]
[25 Anchors _Chambers_: Anchos _A25_]
[29 traine, _Ed_: traine _A25_]
[31 inke, _Ed_: inke _A25_]
_O Frutefull Garden. _
O Frutefull garden, and yet never tilde,
Box full of Treasure yet by noe man filde.
O thou which haste, made him that first made thee;
O neare of kinne to all the Trinetie;
O Pallace where the kinge of all, and more; 5
Went in, and out, yet never opened doore;
Whose flesh is purer, than an others sperrit
Reache him our Prayers, and reach us down his merrit;
O bread of lyfe which sweld'ste up without Leaven;
O bridge which joynst togeather earth and heaven; 10
Whose eyes see me through these walles, and throughe glasse,
And through this fleshe as thorowe Cipres passe.
Behould a little harte made greate by thee
Swellinge, yet shrinkinge at thy majestie.
O dwell in it, for where soe ere thou go'ste 15
There is the Temple of the Holy Ghoste.
[O Frutefull Garden. _A25_: [TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. ]
_Chambers_]
[6 out, _Ed_: out _A25_]
[8 merrit; _Ed_: merrit, _A25_]
[9 Leaven, _Ed_: Leaven _A25_]
_To my Lord of Pembroke. _
Fye, Fye you sonnes of Pallas what madd rage
Makes you contend that Love's, or God, or page?
Hee that admires, his weaknes doth confess;
For as Love greater growes; soe hee growes less.
Hee that disdaines, what honor wynns thereby, 5
That he feeles not, or triumphes on a fly?
If love with queasie paine thy stomack move,
Soe will a slutt whome none dare touch; or love.
If it with sacred straines doe thee inspire
Of Poetrie; soe wee maye want admire. 10
If it thee valiant make, his ryvall hate
Can out doe that and make men desperate.
Yealdinge to us, all woemen conquer us,
By gentlenes we are betrayed thus.
We will not strive with Love that's a shee beaste; 15
But playinge wee are bounde, and yeald in Jest;
As in a Cobwebb toyle, a flye hath beene
Undone; so have I some fainte lover seene.
Love cannot take away our strength, but tame,
And wee less feele the thinge then feare the name; 20
Love is a temperate bath; hee that feeles more
Heate or could there, was hott, or could before.
But as Suñ beames which would but norishe, burne,
Drawne into hollow Christall, soe we turne
To fire her bewties Lustre willingly, 25
By gatheringe it in our false treacherous eye.
Love is nor you, nor you; but I a balme,
Sword to the stiff, unto the wounded balme.
Prayes noe thinge adds, if it be infinite,
If it be nothing, who can lessen it? 30
[To my Lord of Pembroke. _A25_, _Chambers_]
[3 confess; _Ed_: confess _A25_]
[5 disdaines, _Ed_: disdaines _A25_]
[6 fly? _Ed_: fly; _A25_]
[19 tame, _Ed_: tame _A25_]
[27 I a balme, _A25_: Aye a calm, _Chambers conjectures_]
_Of a Lady in the Black Masque. _
Why chose shee black; was it that in whitenes
Shee did Leda equal? whose brightnes
Must suffer loss to put a bewtie on
Which hath no grace but from proportion.
It is but Coullor, which to loose is gayne, 5
For shee in black doth th'Æthiopian staine,
Beinge the forme that beautifies the creature
Her rareness not in Coullor is; but feature.
Black on her receaves soe strong a grace
It seemes the fittest beautie for the face. 10
Coullor is not, but in æstimation
Faire, or foule, as it is stild by fashion.
Kinges wearinge sackcloath it doth royall make;
Soe black<ne>s from her face doth beautie take.
It not in Coullor but in her, inheres, 15
For what she is, is faire, not what she weares;
The Moore shalle envye her, as much, or more,
As did the Ladies of our Court before.
The Sunn shall mourne that hee had westwarde beene,
To seeke his Love; whilst shee i'th North was seene. 20
Her blacknes lends like lustre to her eyes,
As in the night pale Phoebe glorifyes.
Hell, synne, and vice their attributes shall loose
Of black, for it wan, and pale whitenes choose,
As like themselves, Common, and most in use: 25
Sad of that Coulor is the late abuse.
[Of a Lady _&c. _ _A25_, _Chambers_]
[10 face. _Ed_: face _A25_]
[13 make; _Ed_: make _A25_]
[14 black<ne>s _Chambers_: blacks _A25_]
[16 weares; _Ed_: weares, _A25_]
II.
POEMS FROM THE BURLEY MS.
The State and mens affaires are the best playes
Next yours; 'Tis nor more nor lesse than due praise.
Write, but touch not the much descending race
Of Lords houses, so settled in worths place,
As but themselves none thinke them usurpers. 5
It is no fault in thee to suffer theirs.
If the Queene Masque, or King a hunting goe,
Though all the Court follow, Let them. We know
Like them in goodnesse that Court ne'r will be,
For that were vertue, and not flatterie. 10
Forget we were thrust out; It is but thus,
God threatens Kings, Kings Lords, as Lords doe us.
Iudge of strangers, Trust and believe your friend,
And so me; And when I true friendship end,
With guilty conscience let me be worse stonge, 15
Then with _Pophams_ sentence theeves, or _Cookes_ tongue
Traitors are. Friends are our selves. This I thee tell
As to my friend, and to my selfe as Counsell;
Let for a while the times unthrifty rout
Contemne learning, and all your studies flout. 20
Let them scorne Hell, they will a Sergeant feare,
More then wee _that_; ere long God may forbeare,
But Creditors will not. Let them increase
In riot and excesse as their meanes cease;
Let them scorne him that made them, and still shun 25
His Grace, but love the whore who hath undone
Them and their soules. But; that they that allow
But one God, should have religions enow
For the Queens Masque, and their husbands, far more
Then all the Gentiles knew, or _Atlas_ bore! 30
Well, let all passe, and trust him who nor cracks
The bruised Reed, nor quencheth smoaking flaxe.
[To Ben. Iohnson, 6 Ian. 1603. _1635-69_, _O'F_: To Ben
Johnson 6 Jan: 1603 T. R. _B_: An Epistle to Ben Johnson.
S^{r} J: R: _H40_: An Epistle to Beniamin Johnson. _RP31_: An
Epistle: To M^{r} Ben. Johnson. Ja: 6: 1603 _L74_: To M^{r}
Ben Johnson. _S_]
[2 yours; _Ed_: yours, _1635-69_
nor more] noe more _L74_]
[5 none thinke] none can thinke _1669_]
[11 out; _Ed_: out. _1635-69_]
[15 stonge, _L74_: _spelt_ stũg, _1635_]
[18 as Counsell;] is Counsell: _1635-54_]
[22 More then wee _that_; _Ed_: More then wee that _H40_,
_L74_: More then wee them; that, _1635-69_ (them _in ital. _
_1635-54_)]
[24 cease; _Ed_: cease, _1635-69_]
[28 enow _H40_, _L74_: enough _1635-69_]
[29 far _L74_: for _1635-69_, _H40_]
[30 bore! _Ed_: bore? _H40_: bore. _1635-69_, _L74_]
_To Ben. Iohnson_, 9. _Novembris_, 1603.
If great men wrong me, I will spare my selfe;
If meane, I will spare them. I know that pelf
Which is ill got the Owner doth upbraid.
It may corrupt a Iudge, make me afraid
And a Iury; But 'twill revenge in this, 5
That, though himselfe be judge, hee guilty is.
What care I though of weaknesse men taxe me,
I had rather sufferer than doer be.
That I did trust, it was my Natures praise,
For breach of word I knew but as a phrase. 10
That judgement is, that surely can comprise
The world in precepts, most happy and most wise.
What though? Though lesse, yet some of both have we,
Who have learn'd it by use and misery.
Poore I, whom every pety crosse doth trouble, 15
Who apprehend each hurt thats done me, double,
Am of this (though it should sinke me) carelesse,
It would but force me to a stricter goodnesse.
They have great odds of me, who gaine doe winne,
(If such gaine be not losse) from every sinne. 20
The standing of great mens lives would afford
A pretty summe, if God would sell his Word.
He cannot; they can theirs, and breake them too.
How unlike they are that they are likened to?
Yet I conclude, they are amidst my evils, 25
If good, like Gods, the naught are so like devils.
[To Ben Johnson, 9 Novembris, 1603: _1635-69_, _B_
(_subscribed_ doubtfull author), _O'F_, _S_: Another Epistle
to M^{r} Ben: Johnson. No: 9. 1603. _L74_: Another to Ben
Johnson. _H40_]
[2 them. ] them, _1635-69_ that _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _S_: the
_1635-69_]
[3 upbraide. _Ed_: upbraide; _1635-69_]
[5 Iury; _Ed_: Iury. _1635-69_]
[18 goodnesse. ] goodnesse _1635-39_]
[19 odds _B_, _H40_, _L74_, _S_: gaine _1635-69_, _O'F_]
_To S^{r} Tho. Roe_ 1603.
_Deare Thom_:
Tell her if she to hired servants shew
Dislike, before they take their leave they goe;
When nobler spirits start at no disgrace,
For who hath but one minde, hath but one face:
If then why I tooke not my leave she aske, 5
Aske her againe why she did not unmaske?
Was she or proud or cruell, or knew shee
'Twould make my losse more felt, and pittyed me?
Or did she feare one kisse might stay for moe?
Or else was she unwilling I should goe? 10
I thinke the best, and love so faithfully
I cannot chuse but thinke that she loves mee.
If this prove not my faith, then let her trie
How in her service I would fructifie.
Ladies have boldly lov'd; bid her renew 15
That decay'd worth, and prove the times past true.
Then he whose wit and verse goes now so lame,
With songs to her will the wild Irish tame.
Howe'r, I'll weare the black and white ribband,
White for her fortunes, blacke for mine shall stand. 20
I doe esteeme her favours, not their stuffe;
If what I have was given, I have enough:
And all's well; for had she lov'd, I had had
All my friends hate; for now, departing sad
I feele not that; Yet as the Rack the Gout 25
Cures, so hath _this_ worse griefe _that_ quite put out:
My first disease nought but that worse cureth,
Which (which I dare foresee) nought cures but death.
Tell her all this before I am forgot,
That not too late shee grieve shee lov'd me not. 30
Burden'd with this, I was to depart lesse
Willing, then those which die, and not confesse.
[Footnote: To Sir Tho. Rowe, 1603. _1635-69_, _O'F_: An
Elegie. To S^{r} Tho. Roe. _B_ (_subscribed J. R. _), _L74_:
An Elegie, complayning a want of complement in his mistrisse,
at his leave-taking. _A10_: Elegia Vicesima Septima. To S^{r}
Thomas Roe. 1603. _S_
_Thom_: _B_, _L74_, _O'F_,_S_: _Tom_: _1635-69_]
[5 tooke _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S_: take _1635-69_]
[14 I would _1635-69_: it will _A10_, _L74_, _S_]
[17 goes now so _Ed_: goe now so _B_: growes now so _1635-69_,
_O'F_: now goes thus _A10_, _L74_, _S_]
[21 favours, not their _B_, _L74_, _S_: favour, not the
_1635-69_]
[22 enough: _Ed_: enough, _1635-69_]
[23 had had] had not had _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[24 hate;] hate _1635_: hate, _1639-69_
now, _Ed_: now _1635-69_: not _A10_, _B_, _L74_, _S_]
[26 out:] out. _1635_]
[28 Which (which I dare foresee) nought _A10_, _B_, _L74_,
_S_: Which (I dare foresay) nothing _1635-69_]
[Willing, _Ed_: Willing _1635-69_: Willing; _A10_]
II.
_To the Countesse of Huntington. _
That unripe side of earth, that heavy clime
That gives us man up now, like _Adams_ time
Before he ate; mans shape, that would yet bee
(Knew they not it, and fear'd beasts companie)
So naked at this day, as though man there 5
From Paradise so great a distance were,
As yet the newes could not arrived bee
Of _Adams_ tasting the forbidden tree;
Depriv'd of that free state which they were in,
And wanting the reward, yet beare the sinne. 10
But, as from extreme hights who downward looks,
Sees men at childrens shapes, Rivers at brookes,
And loseth younger formes; so, to your eye,
These (Madame) that without your distance lie,
Must either mist, or nothing seeme to be, 15
Who are at home but wits mere _Atomi_.
But, I who can behold them move, and stay,
Have found my selfe to you, just their midway;
And now must pitty them; for, as they doe
Seeme sick to me, just so must I to you. 20
Yet neither will I vexe your eyes to see
A sighing Ode, nor crosse-arm'd Elegie.
I come not to call pitty from your heart,
Like some white-liver'd dotard that would part
Else from his slipperie soule with a faint groane, 25
And faithfully, (without you smil'd) were gone.
I cannot feele the tempest of a frowne,
I may be rais'd by love, but not throwne down.
Though I can pittie those sigh twice a day,
I hate that thing whispers it selfe away. 30
Yet since all love is fever, who to trees
Doth talke, doth yet in loves cold ague freeze.
'Tis love, but, with such fatall weaknesse made,
That it deftroyes it selfe with its owne shade.
Who first look'd sad, griev'd, pin'd, and shew'd his paine, 35
Was he that first taught women, to disdaine.
As all things were one nothing, dull and weake,
Vntill this raw disordered heape did breake,
And severall desires led parts away,
Water declin'd with earth, the ayre did stay, 40
Fire rose, and each from other but unty'd,
Themselves unprison'd were and purify'd:
So was love, first in vast confusion hid,
An unripe willingnesse which nothing did,
A thirst, an Appetite which had no ease, 45
That found a want, but knew not what would please.
What pretty innocence in those dayes mov'd?
Man ignorantly walk'd by her he lov'd;
Both sigh'd and enterchang'd a speaking eye,
Both trembled and were sick, both knew not why. 50
That naturall fearefulnesse that struck man dumbe,
Might well (those times consider'd) man become.
As all discoverers whose first assay
Findes but the place, after, the nearest way:
So passion is to womans love, about, 55
Nay, farther off, than when we first set out.
It is not love that sueth, or doth contend;
Love either conquers, or but meets a friend.
Man's better part consists of purer fire,
And findes it selfe allow'd, ere it desire. 60
Love is wise here, keepes home, gives reason sway,
And journeys not till it finde summer-way.
A weather-beaten Lover but once knowne,
Is sport for every girle to practise on.
Who strives through womans scornes, women to know, 65
Is lost, and seekes his shadow to outgoe;
It must bee sicknesse, after one disdaine,
Though he be call'd aloud, to looke againe.
Let others sigh, and grieve; one cunning sleight
Shall freeze my Love to Christall in a night. 70
I can love first, and (if I winne) love still;
And cannot be remov'd, unlesse she will.
It is her fault if I unsure remaine,
Shee onely can untie, and binde againe.
The honesties of love with ease I doe, 75
But am no porter for a tedious woo.
But (madame) I now thinke on you; and here
Where we are at our hights, you but appeare,
We are but clouds you rise from, our noone-ray
But a foule shadow, not your breake of day. 80
You are at first hand all that's faire and right,
And others good reflects but backe your light.
You are a perfectnesse, so curious hit,
That youngest flatteries doe scandall it.
For, what is more doth what you are restraine, 85
And though beyond, is downe the hill againe.
We'have no next way to you, we crosse to it:
You are the straight line, thing prais'd, attribute;
Each good in you's a light; so many a shade
You make, and in them are your motions made. 90
These are your pictures to the life. From farre
We see you move, and here your _Zani's_ are:
So that no fountaine good there is, doth grow
In you, but our dimme actions faintly shew.
Then finde I, if mans noblest part be love, 95
Your purest luster must that shadow move.
The soule with body, is a heaven combin'd
With earth, and for mans ease, but nearer joyn'd.
Where thoughts the starres of soule we understand,
We guesse not their large natures, but command. 100
And love in you, that bountie is of light,
That gives to all, and yet hath infinite.
Whose heat doth force us thither to intend,
But soule we finde too earthly to ascend,
'Till slow accesse hath made it wholy pure, 105
Able immortall clearnesse to endure.
Who dare aspire this journey with a staine,
Hath waight will force him headlong backe againe.
No more can impure man retaine and move
In that pure region of a worthy love: 110
Then earthly substance can unforc'd aspire,
And leave his nature to converse with fire:
Such may have eye, and hand; may sigh, may speak;
But like swoln bubles, when they are high'st they break.
Though far removed Northerne fleets scarce finde 115
The Sunnes comfort; others thinke him too kinde.
There is an equall distance from her eye,
Men perish too farre off, and burne too nigh.
But as ayre takes the Sunne-beames equall bright
From the first Rayes, to his last opposite: 120
So able men, blest with a vertuous Love,
Remote or neare, or howsoe'r they move;
Their vertue breakes all clouds that might annoy,
There is no Emptinesse, but all is Ioy.
He much profanes whom violent heats do move 125
To stile his wandring rage of passion, _Love_:
Love that imparts in every thing delight,
Is fain'd, which only tempts mans appetite.
Why love among the vertues is not knowne
Is, that love is them all contract in one. 130
[To the Countesse of Huntington. _1635-69_: S^{r} Wal: Ashton
to y^{e} Countesse of Huntingtowne _P_, _TCD_ (_II_)]
[2 man] men _P_]
[3 ate; _1635-39_: eat; _1650-69_]
[11 downward] inward _TCD_]
[14 without] _om. TCD_]
[17 who] that _P_, _TCD_]
[20 you. ] you, _1635-69_]
[26 faithfully, _1635-69_: finally _P_, _TCD_
you smil'd _1635-54_ your smile _1669_, _P_, _TCD_]
[28 down. _1635-54_: down, _1669_]
[30 whispers] whispered _P_: vapours _TCD_]
[31 fever] _feverish_ _1669_]
[32 doth yet] yet doth _1669_
ague] feaver _P_]
[35 paine,] paine. _1635-39_]
[36 women] woman _TCD_]
[37 were one] were but one _1669_]
[47 those dayes] that day _1669_]
[50 both knew _1635-54_: but knew _P_, _TCD_: yet, knew
_1669_]
[52 consider'd _Ed_: considered _1635-69_]
[57 sueth, or] sues and _P_]
[65 womans] womens _P_
women] woman _TCD_
know, _1650-69_: know. _1635-39_]
[67 It must be] It is meer _1669_
sicknesse,] sicknesse _1635-69_]
[69 sigh _P_, _TCD_: sinne, _1635-69_]
[74 and _P_: I _1635-69_, _TCD_]
[76 woo. _TCD_: wooe. _P_: woe. _1635-69_, _Chambers and
Grolier_]
[77 I now] now I _TCD_]
[78 hights] height _TCD_]
[79 clouds you rise from, our noone-ray _Grolier_: clouds, you
rise from our noone-ray, _1635-69_, _TCD_, _and Chambers_]
[81 right] bright _P_]
[83 a perfectnesse] all perfections _P_]
[84 youngest] quaintest _TCD_
flatteries] flatterers _P_, _TCD_]
[86 though] what's _P_]
[87 We'have _Ed_: We have _1635-69_]
[88 straight line,] streight-lace _P_
attribute; _Ed_: attribute. _1635_: attribute, _1639-69_]
[91 These] Those _TCD_]
[98 With earth] _om. TCD_
but] _om. 1650-69_]
[99 thoughts] through _P_]
[105 wholy] holy _TCD_]
[106 endure. ] endure _1635_]
[108 waight] weights _P_, _TCD_]
[109 impure] vapore _P_]
[114 when they're highest break. _P_, _TCD_
break. ] break _1635-39_: brak _1650-54_: brake. _1669_]
[115 _In edd. new par. begins wrongly at_ 113, _and so
Chambers and Grolier_
fleets] Isles _1669_]
[116 comfort; _1635-54_: sweet comfort, _1669_
others] yet some _1669_]
[119 But as the aire takes all sunbeams equall bright _P_]
[120 the first Rayes, _1635-54_: the Raies first, _1669_,
_TCD_: the rise first _P_]
[121 able men _P_: able man, _1635-54_: happy man, _1669_:
happy['s] man _Grosart and Chambers_]
[123 Their _1669_, _P_, _TCD_: There _1635-54_, _Chambers and
Grolier_]
[125 violent _P_, _TCD_: valiant _1635-69_]
[126 _Love_: _Ed_: _Love_. _1635-54_: _Love_, _1669_]
[127 imparts] imports _1669_, _TCD_]
[128 Is fain'd, which . . . appetite. _P_: Is thought the
mansion of sweet appetite. _TCD_: Is fancied _1635-39_ (_rest
of line left blank_): Is fancied in the Soul, not in the
sight. _1650-54_: Is fancied by the Soul, not appetite.
_1669_]
[130 Is, that] Is, 'cause _TCD_
contract in _1650-69_, _P_: contracted _1635-39_, _TCD_]
III.
_Elegie. _
Death be not proud, thy hand gave not this blow,
Sinne was her captive, whence thy power doth flow;
The executioner of wrath thou art,
But to destroy the just is not thy part.
Thy comming, terrour, anguish, griefe denounce; 5
Her happy state, courage, ease, joy pronounce.
From out the Christall palace of her breast,
The clearer soule was call'd to endlesse rest,
(Not by the thundering voyce, wherewith God threats,
But, as with crowned Saints in heaven he treats,) 10
And, waited on by Angels, home was brought,
To joy that it through many dangers sought;
The key of mercy gently did unlocke
The doores 'twixt heaven and it, when life did knock.
Nor boast, the fairest frame was made thy prey, 15
Because to mortall eyes it did decay;
A better witnesse than thou art, assures,
That though dissolv'd, it yet a space endures;
No dramme thereof shall want or losse sustaine,
When her best soule inhabits it again. 20
Goe then to people curst before they were,
Their spoyles in Triumph of thy conquest weare.
Glory not thou thy selfe in these hot teares
Which our face, not for hers, but our harme weares,
The mourning livery given by Grace, not thee, 25
Which wils our soules in these streams washt should be,
And on our hearts, her memories best tombe,
In this her Epitaph doth write thy doome.
Blinde were those eyes, saw not how bright did shine
Through fleshes misty vaile the beames divine. 30
Deafe were the eares, not charm'd with that sweet sound
Which did i'th spirit-instructed voice abound.
Of flint the conscience, did not yeeld and melt,
At what in her last Act: it saw, heard, felt.
Weep not, nor grudge then, to have lost her sight, 35
Taught thus, our after stay's but a short night:
But by all soules not by corruption choaked
Let in high rais'd notes that power be invoked.
Calme the rough seas, by which she sayles to rest,
From sorrowes here, to a kingdome ever blest; 40
And teach this hymne of her with joy, and sing,
_The grave no conquest gets, Death hath no sting. _
[Elegie. _Ed_: Elegye on the Lady Markham. By L. C. of
B. _RP31_: _do. _ By C. L. of B. _H40_: Elegie on Mistris
Boulstred. _1635-69_: _given as continuation of Death I
recant &c. _ _O'F_, _P_: _no title_, _B_ (_at foot of page F.
B. _). _See Text and Canon &c. _]
[2 flow; _Ed_: flow, _1635-69_: growe, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_,
_O'F_, _P_]
[5-6 comming, _1650-69_: comming _1635-39_
state, _1650-69_: state _1635-39_
denounce; . . . pronounce. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: denounces; . . .
pronounces. _1635-69_]
[12 To joy that _1635-69_: To joy what _H40_: To joye, that
_B_
sought; _Ed_: sought, _1635-69_]
[22 spoyles . . of . . weare. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_ (beare), _P_:
soules . . to . . beare, _1635-69_. _See note_]
[24 hers, _H40_, _P_: her, _1635-69_
weares, _Ed_: weares. _1635-54_: weares: _1669_]
[30 the _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: those _1635-69_]
[31 not _1635-69_: that _B_, _Cy_, _P_]
[32 Which did _1635-69_: Did _H40_: Did not _B_, _Cy_, _P_
spirit-instructed _MSS.
_: spirits instructed _1635-69_]
[saw, heard, felt. _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_: saw and felt.
_1635-69_]
[38 rais'd _1635-69_: raisèd _Chambers_]
[39 she sayles _1635-69_: shee's sayl'd _B_, _H40_: shee's
fled _Cy_, _P_
rest, _1650-69_: rest _1635-39_]
[40 here, _1650-69_: here _1635-39_
blest; _Ed_: blest _1635_: blest, _1639-54_: blest. _1669_]
[41 And preach this Hymn which hers (she _Cy_, _P_) with joy
did sing, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _P_
sing, _1650-69_: sing _1635-69_]
IV.
_Psalme 137. _
Probably by Francis Davison.
I.
By Euphrates flowry side
We did bide,
From deare Juda farre absented,
Tearing the aire with our cryes,
And our eyes, 5
With their streames his streame augmented.
II.
When, poore Syons dolefull state,
Desolate;
Sacked, burned, and inthrall'd,
And the Temple spoil'd, which wee 10
Ne'r should see,
To our mirthlesse mindes wee call'd:
III.
Our mute harpes, untun'd, unstrung,
Up wee hung
On greene willowes neere beside us, 15
Where, we sitting all forlorne;
Thus, in scorne,
Our proud spoylers 'gan deride us.
IV.
Come, sad Captives, leave your moanes,
And your groanes 20
Under Syons ruines bury;
Tune your harps, and sing us layes
In the praise
Of your God, and let's be merry.
V.
Can, ah, can we leave our moanes? 25
And our groanes
Under Syons ruines bury?
Can we in this Land sing Layes
In the praise
Of our God, and here be merry? 30
VI.
No; deare Syon, if I yet
Do forget
Thine affliction miserable,
Let my nimble joynts become
Stiffe and numme, 35
To touch warbling harpe unable.
VII.
Let my tongue lose singing skill,
Let it still
To my parched roofe be glewed,
If in either harpe or voice 40
I rejoyce,
Till thy joyes shall be renewed.
VIII.
Lord, curse Edom's traiterous kinde,
Beare in minde
In our ruines how they revell'd. 45
_Sack_, _kill_, _burne_, they cry'd out still,
_Sack_, _burne_, _kill_,
Downe with all, let all be levell'd.
IX.
And, thou Babel, when the tide
Of thy pride 50
Now a flowing, growes to turning;
Victor now, shall then be thrall,
And shall fall
To as low an ebbe of mourning.
X.
Happy he who shall thee waste, 55
As thou hast
Us, without all mercy, wasted,
And shall make thee taste and see
What poore wee
By thy meanes have seene and tasted. 60
XI.
Happy, who, thy tender barnes
From the armes
Of their wailing mothers tearing,
'Gainst the walls shall dash their bones,
Ruthlesse stones 65
With their braines and blood besmearing.
[Psalme 137. _1633-69_, _A25_, _C_, _RP61_ in Certaine
selected Psalmes of David (in Verse) differint from Those
usually sung in the Church Composed by Francis Davison esq^r.
deceased and other Gentlemen. Manuscribd by R. Crane. Addl. _
_MS. 27407_, _Harl. MSS. 3357 and 6930_]
[4 with our cryes] with mournful cries _Crane_]
[6 his] the _Crane_]
[16 all forlorne] soe forlorne _Crane_]
[22-3
To your Harpes sing us some layes
To the praise _Crane_
]
[24 merry. ] merry, _1633-39_]
[25-6 moanes . . . groanes] _interchanged_ _Crane_]
[31-2
if I faile
To bewayle _Crane_
]
[42 renewed. ] renewed _1633_]
[43 curse] plague _Crane_]
[45 ruines] Ruine _Crane_
revell'd. _Ed_: revell'd, _1633-39_]
[52-3 shall . . . shall] shalt . . . shalt _Crane_]
[59-60
What by thee
Wee (poore wee) have _&c. _ _Crane_
]
V.
_On the blessed Virgin Mary. _
Probably by Henry Constable.
In that, ô Queene of Queenes, thy birth was free
From that which others doth of grace bereave,
When in their mothers wombe they life receive,
God, as his sole-borne daughter loved thee.
To match thee like thy births nobilitie, 5
He thee his Spirit for thy spouse did leave,
By whom thou didst his onely sonne conceive,
And so wast link'd to all the Trinitie.
Cease then, ô Queenes, that earthly Crownes doe weare,
To glory in the Pompe of earthly things; 10
If men such high respects unto you beare,
Which daughters, wives, and mothers are to Kings,
What honour can unto that Queene be done
Who had your God for Father, Spouse and Sonne?
[On the _&c. _ _1635-69_, _A10_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_: _also
among Spiritual Sonnets by H. C. in Harl. MS. 7553_]
[6 thy spouse _A10_, _B_: his spouse _1635-69_]
[12 to _B_: of _1635-69_
Kings,] kings, _1635_]
VI.
_On the Sacrament. _
He was the Word that spake it,
Hee tooke the bread and brake it;
And what that Word did make it,
I doe beleeve and take it.
[On the _&c. _ _1635-69_]
VII.
_Absence. _
That time and absence proves
Rather helps than hurts to loves.
Probably by John Hoskins.
Absence heare my protestation
Against thy strengthe
Distance and lengthe,
Doe what thou canst for alteration:
For harts of truest mettall 5
Absence doth joyne, and time doth settle.
Who loves a Mistris of right quality,
His mind hath founde
Affections grounde
Beyond time, place, and all mortality: 10
To harts that cannot vary
Absence is present, time doth tary:
My Sences want their outward motion
Which now within
Reason doth win, 15
Redoubled by her secret notion:
Like rich men that take pleasure
In hidinge more then handling treasure.
By absence this good means I gaine
That I can catch her 20
Where none can watch her
In some close corner of my braine:
There I embrace and there kiss her,
And so enjoye her, and so misse her.
[Absence. _The Grove_ (_1721_): _do. or no title_, _B_, _Cy_,
_HN_ (_signed_ J. H. ), _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_ (_the
text here printed_): _also in_ Davison's Poetical Rhapsody
(_PR_) _1602_ _and_ (_a maimed and altered version_) _in Wit
Restored_ (_WR_) _1658_]
[1 heare _B_, _S96_, _Grove_: heare thou _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_,
_PR_, _S_, _WR_]
[3 Distance] Disdayne _HN_]
[4 you can _PR_: yee dare _HN_]
[5 For hearts where love's refined _WR_]
[6 Are absent joyned, by tyme combined. _WR_]
[7 right _S96_: such _Grove_, _HN_, _L74_, _PR_]
[8 He soon hath found _PR_]
[10 all] _om. _ _WR_]
[11 To] That _WR_]
[12 present] presence _B_
tary] carry _WR_]
[13 motion] motions _PR_]
[16 by . . . notion:] in . . . notions: _PR_: in . . . notion _HN_]
[18 hidinge] finding _Grove_]
[19 means] mean _WR_]
[23 There I embrace and there kiss her, _S96_: There I embrace
her, and _&c. _ _L74_: There I embrace and there I kiss her,
_B_, _O'F_, _WR_: There I embrace and kiss her, _Grove_, _HN_,
_PR_]
[24 and so misse her _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S96_,
_WR_: while none misse her. _Grove_: I both enjoy and miss
her. _PR_]
VIII.
_Song. _
Probably by the Earl of Pembroke.
Soules joy, now I am gone,
And you alone,
(Which cannot be,
Since I must leave my selfe with thee,
And carry thee with me) 5
Yet when unto our eyes
Absence denyes
Each others sight,
And makes to us a constant night,
When others change to light; 10
_O give no way to griefe,
But let beliefe
Of mutuall love,
This wonder to the vulgar prove
Our Bodyes, not wee move. _ 15
Let not thy wit beweepe
Wounds but sense-deepe,
For when we misse
By distance our lipp-joying blisse,
Even then our soules shall kisse, 20
Fooles have no meanes to meet,
But by their feet.
Why should our clay,
Over our spirits so much sway,
To tie us to that way? 25
_O give no way to griefe, &c. _
[Song. _1635-69_, _O'F_: also in the Poems &c. (1660) of
the Earle of Pembroke and S^{r} Benjamin Ruddier, and the
Lansdowne MS. 777, here it is signed E. of Pembroke. _]
[1 now] when _1660_, _L77_]
[17 Wounds _L77_: Words _1635-69_, _O'F_
sense-deepe,] _no hyphen_, _1635-69_]
[18 when] while _L77_]
[19 lipp-joyning _L77_ (_not_ lives joining _as Chambers
reports_): hopes joyning _1635-69_, _O'F_]
_A Dialogue. _
EARLE OF PEMBROKE.
If her disdaine least change in you can move,
you doe not love,
For whilst your hopes give fuell to the fire,
you sell desire.
Love is not love, but given free, 5
And so is mine, so should yours bee.
Her heart that melts at others moane,
to mine is stone.
Her eyes that weepe a strangers hurt to see,
joy to wound mee: 10
Yet I so much affect each part,
As (caus'd by them) I love my smart.
Say her disdaynings justly must be grac't
with name of chaste.
And that shee frownes least longing should exceed, 15
and raging breed;
Soe can her rigor ne'er offend
Unlesse selfe-love seeke private end.
BEN: RUDDIER
'Tis love breeds love in mee, and cold disdaine
kils that againe, 20
As water causeth fire to fret and fume,
till all consume.
Who can of love more free gift make,
Then to loves self, for loves own sake.
I'll never dig in Quarry of an heart 25
to have no part,
Nor roast in fiery eyes, which alwayes are
Canicular.
Who this way would a Lover prove,
May shew his patience, not his love. 30
A frowne may be sometimes for physick good,
But not for food;
And for that raging humour there is sure
A gentler Cure.
Why barre you love of private end, 35
Which never should to publique tend?
[A Dialogue. _Ed_: A Dialogue betweene S^{r} Henry Wotton and
M^{r} Donne. _1635-69 among_ Letters to Severall Personages:
_no heading but divided between_ Earle of Pembroke _and_ Ben:
Ruddier _H39_, _H40_, _P_: _and so between_ P _and_ R _in
the_ Poems _&c. _ (1660) _of Pembroke and Ruddier_. _See note_:
_only 18 lines and no dialogue_, _Cy_: _in TCD_ (_II_) _the
first part is given to_ Earl of Pembroke _and_ S^{r} Henry
Wotton, _the second to_ S^{r} Ben. Ruddier _and_ D^{r} John
Donne]
[3 whilst your hopes give _H39_, (the), _H40_, _P_: when the
hope gives _1635-54_: when that hope gives _1669_]
[7 melts at _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: melts to hear of
_1635-69_]
[9 a strangers] anothers _P_
hurt _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: eyes _1635-69 and mod. edd. _]
[11 much _Cy_, _H39_, _H40_, _P_, _TCD_: well _1635-69_]
[13 Say _1635-69_: I think _H39_: Think _H40_: But thinke _P_
her disdaynings _1635-69_: her unkindness _H40_: that her
disdaine _P_
must be] may well be _P_]
[17-18 _text_ _H40_, _P_, _P and R_:
So her disdaines can ne'er offend;
Vnlesse selfe-love take private end. _1635-69_
]
[21 causeth] maketh _H40_, _P_]
[23-4
Who can of love more free gift make
Then to loves self, for loves owne sake
_H39_, _H40_, _P_ (_but H39 has to love in 23_)
Who can of love more gift make,
Then to love selfe for loves sake. _1635-39_
Who can of love more rich gift make,
Then to love selfe-love for loves sake? _1650-54_
Who can of love more rich gift make,
Then to Loves self for loves own sake. _1669_
]
[25 Quarry] quarryes _P_]
[27 roast _1669_, _H40_: rest _1635-54_: waste _H39_, _P_]
[30 May] doth _H39_, _H40_, _P_]
IX.
_Break of Daye. _
Stanza prefixed to Donne's Poem (p. 23) in Stowe MS. 961 and
in Edition of 1669.
Probably by John Dowlands.
Stay, O sweet, and do not rise,
The light that shines comes from thine eyes;
The day breaks not, it is my heart,
Because that you and I must part.
Stay, or else my joys will die, 5
And perish in their infancie.
[Stanza _&c. _] _given as a separate poem in A25_ (_where it
is written in at the side_), _C_, _O'F_, _P_: _printed in John
Dowland's_ A Pilgrim's Solace (1612)]
[1 Stay, O sweet] Lie still my dear _A25_, _C_]
[3 The day breakes not] There breakes not day _S96_]
[4 Because that] To think that _S96_]
[5 Stay] Oh stay _S96_]
APPENDIX C.
A
SELECTION OF POEMS WHICH FREQUENTLY
ACCOMPANY POEMS BY JOHN DONNE
IN MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OR
HAVE BEEN ASCRIBED TO
DONNE BY MODERN
EDITORS.
I.
POEMS FROM ADDITIONAL MS. 25707.
_A Letter written by S^{r} H: G: and J: D: alternis vicibus. _
Since ev'ry Tree beginns to blossome now
Perfuminge and enamelinge each bow,
Hartes should as well as they, some fruits allow.
For since one old poore sunn serves all the rest,
You sev'rall sunns that warme, and light each brest 5
Doe by that influence all your thoughts digest.
And that you two may soe your vertues move,
On better matter then beames from above,
Thus our twin'd souls send forth these buds of love.
As in devotions men Joyne both there hands, 10
Wee make ours doe one Act to seale the bands,
By which we enthrall ourselves to your commands,
And each for others faith and zeale stand bound:
As safe as spirits are from any wound,
Soe free from impure thoughts they shal be found. 15
Admit our magique then by which wee doe
Make you appeere to us, and us to you,
Supplying all the Muses in you twoe.
Wee doe consider noe flower that is sweet,
But wee your breath in that exhaling meet, 20
And as true types of you, them humbly greet.
Heere in our Nightingales we heere you singe
Who soe doe make the whole yeare through a springe,
And save us from the feare of Autumns stinge.
In Anchors calme face wee your smoothnes see, 25
Your mindes unmingled, and as cleare as shee
That keepes untoucht her first virginitie.
Did all St. Edith nunns descend againe
To honor Polesworth with their cloystred traine,
Compar'd with you each would confesse some stayne. 30
Or should wee more bleed out our thoughts in inke,
Noe paper (though it woulde be glad to drinke
Those drops) could comprehend what wee doe thinke.
For t'were in us ambition to write
Soe, that because wee two, you two unite, 35
Our letter should as you, bee infinite.
[Letter written _&c. _ _A25_: _published by Chambers, who
completes the names_]
[2 bow, _Ed_: bow _A25_]
[9 twin'd _A25_: twined _Chambers_]
[10 hands, _Ed_: hands _A25_]
[12-13 commands, . . . bound: _Ed_: command. . . . bound, _A25_]
[25 Anchors _Chambers_: Anchos _A25_]
[29 traine, _Ed_: traine _A25_]
[31 inke, _Ed_: inke _A25_]
_O Frutefull Garden. _
O Frutefull garden, and yet never tilde,
Box full of Treasure yet by noe man filde.
O thou which haste, made him that first made thee;
O neare of kinne to all the Trinetie;
O Pallace where the kinge of all, and more; 5
Went in, and out, yet never opened doore;
Whose flesh is purer, than an others sperrit
Reache him our Prayers, and reach us down his merrit;
O bread of lyfe which sweld'ste up without Leaven;
O bridge which joynst togeather earth and heaven; 10
Whose eyes see me through these walles, and throughe glasse,
And through this fleshe as thorowe Cipres passe.
Behould a little harte made greate by thee
Swellinge, yet shrinkinge at thy majestie.
O dwell in it, for where soe ere thou go'ste 15
There is the Temple of the Holy Ghoste.
[O Frutefull Garden. _A25_: [TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. ]
_Chambers_]
[6 out, _Ed_: out _A25_]
[8 merrit; _Ed_: merrit, _A25_]
[9 Leaven, _Ed_: Leaven _A25_]
_To my Lord of Pembroke. _
Fye, Fye you sonnes of Pallas what madd rage
Makes you contend that Love's, or God, or page?
Hee that admires, his weaknes doth confess;
For as Love greater growes; soe hee growes less.
Hee that disdaines, what honor wynns thereby, 5
That he feeles not, or triumphes on a fly?
If love with queasie paine thy stomack move,
Soe will a slutt whome none dare touch; or love.
If it with sacred straines doe thee inspire
Of Poetrie; soe wee maye want admire. 10
If it thee valiant make, his ryvall hate
Can out doe that and make men desperate.
Yealdinge to us, all woemen conquer us,
By gentlenes we are betrayed thus.
We will not strive with Love that's a shee beaste; 15
But playinge wee are bounde, and yeald in Jest;
As in a Cobwebb toyle, a flye hath beene
Undone; so have I some fainte lover seene.
Love cannot take away our strength, but tame,
And wee less feele the thinge then feare the name; 20
Love is a temperate bath; hee that feeles more
Heate or could there, was hott, or could before.
But as Suñ beames which would but norishe, burne,
Drawne into hollow Christall, soe we turne
To fire her bewties Lustre willingly, 25
By gatheringe it in our false treacherous eye.
Love is nor you, nor you; but I a balme,
Sword to the stiff, unto the wounded balme.
Prayes noe thinge adds, if it be infinite,
If it be nothing, who can lessen it? 30
[To my Lord of Pembroke. _A25_, _Chambers_]
[3 confess; _Ed_: confess _A25_]
[5 disdaines, _Ed_: disdaines _A25_]
[6 fly? _Ed_: fly; _A25_]
[19 tame, _Ed_: tame _A25_]
[27 I a balme, _A25_: Aye a calm, _Chambers conjectures_]
_Of a Lady in the Black Masque. _
Why chose shee black; was it that in whitenes
Shee did Leda equal? whose brightnes
Must suffer loss to put a bewtie on
Which hath no grace but from proportion.
It is but Coullor, which to loose is gayne, 5
For shee in black doth th'Æthiopian staine,
Beinge the forme that beautifies the creature
Her rareness not in Coullor is; but feature.
Black on her receaves soe strong a grace
It seemes the fittest beautie for the face. 10
Coullor is not, but in æstimation
Faire, or foule, as it is stild by fashion.
Kinges wearinge sackcloath it doth royall make;
Soe black<ne>s from her face doth beautie take.
It not in Coullor but in her, inheres, 15
For what she is, is faire, not what she weares;
The Moore shalle envye her, as much, or more,
As did the Ladies of our Court before.
The Sunn shall mourne that hee had westwarde beene,
To seeke his Love; whilst shee i'th North was seene. 20
Her blacknes lends like lustre to her eyes,
As in the night pale Phoebe glorifyes.
Hell, synne, and vice their attributes shall loose
Of black, for it wan, and pale whitenes choose,
As like themselves, Common, and most in use: 25
Sad of that Coulor is the late abuse.
[Of a Lady _&c. _ _A25_, _Chambers_]
[10 face. _Ed_: face _A25_]
[13 make; _Ed_: make _A25_]
[14 black<ne>s _Chambers_: blacks _A25_]
[16 weares; _Ed_: weares, _A25_]
II.
POEMS FROM THE BURLEY MS.
