Amongst which troop
although
I am the least,
Yet equall in perfection with the best,
I glory in subjection of his hand, 70
Nor ever did decline his least command:
For in whatever forme the message came
My heart did open and receive the same.
Yet equall in perfection with the best,
I glory in subjection of his hand, 70
Nor ever did decline his least command:
For in whatever forme the message came
My heart did open and receive the same.
Donne - 1
_ _Ed:_ Eleg.
XIIII _&c.
_ _1635-54_ (Eleg.
XIII. _being_ Come, Fates, _&c. _, _p. _ 407): Elegie XIIII.
_1669:_ At her Departure. _A25:_ At his Mistris departure.
_B:_ Elegie. _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_ (_II_)]
[1 Night, _Ed:_ night _1635-69_]
[4 Love] soule _1635-54_]
[5-44 _omit_, _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[6 Thou and greate Hell _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ And that
great Hell _1669_
to boot are _1669_, _H40_, _O'F:_ are nought but _P_, _S96_]
[7 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_]
[9 thee _H40:_ them _1669_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[10 Day, _Ed:_ Day. _1669_]
[11 felt want _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ self-want,
_1669_
sight, _Ed:_ sight _1669_]
[12 fires _H40_, _S96_, _TCD:_ fire _1669_, _P_]
[14 Or] Are _S96:_ And _TCD_
soe _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ such _1669_]
[17 the _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _1669_]
[20 Through holy fear, that merits (causes _S96_) thy despight
(meriteth thy spight _P_) _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
That thus with parting thou seek'st us to spight? _1669_]
[21 was _H40_, _S96:_ is _1669_, _P_, _TCD_]
[23 Which . . . decreed, _H40_, _O'F_, _S96:_ Which (since I
lov'd) for me before decreed, _1669_, _P_, _TCD:_ Which,
since I lov'd in jest before, decreed _H-K_, _which Chambers
follows_]
[25 now, sooner _all the MSS. :_ sooner now _1669_
rapt] wrapt _1669_]
[27 a vast _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ the vast _1669_]
[29 thy self] myself _Chambers_]
[31 my own _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ one _1669_
sad _1669:_ glad _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[32 fate: _Ed:_ fate. _1669_]
[33 blinded] blindest _H40_]
[34 followers _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ favourites _1669_, _S96_]
[37 glow _H40_, _S96_, _P_, _TCD:_ blow _1669_]
[38 flame _H40_, _S96_, _P_, _TCD:_ flames _1669_]
[40 so dangerous _H40_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ and dangerous
_1669_]
[42 all, _Ed:_ all _1669_
towring _1669_, _TCD:_ towred _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ lowering
_Grolier_
the towred husbands eyes _H40:_ the Loured, husbandes eyes
_RP31_]
[43 That flam'd with oylie _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
Inflam'd with th'ouglie _1669_
jealousie: _Ed:_ jealousie, _1669_]
[44 with _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ in _1669_]
[45 Have we not kept our guards, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_,
_TCD:_ Have we for this kept guards, _1669_
on _1669:_ o'r _1635-54_]
[49 most _1635-69_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ best
_1669_]
[50 our] thy _RP31_]
[52 from our words? _1669:_ from words? _1635-54_]
[53 these secrets _MSS. :_ the secrets _1635-69_
our] thy _RP31_]
[54 Yea . . . panting heart? _1635-69_, _A25:_ Yea thy pale
colours inward as thy heart? _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[56 sad] rude _P_, _TCD_]
[57-66 _om. _ _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[58 brains] beams _P:_ brain _Chambers_]
[61 Fortune, _Ed:_ fortune, _1669_
would rive us, with _H40_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ would ruine us
with _1669_]
[62 her _H40:_ his _1669_
it] yet _1669_
bleed: _Ed:_ bleed. _1669_]
[65 Oh Fortune,] Oh fortune, _1669_, _S96:_ And Fortune _H40_,
_P_]
[66 shame. _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ name. _1669_]
[67 Do thy great worst _&c. _ _1669:_ Fortune, doe thy worst
_&c. _ _1635-54_ (_after_ 56 the vulgar story? )
armes, _1635-69_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ charmes _H-K_
(_Grosart and Chambers_)]
[69 Rend us in sunder, _1669 and MSS. :_ Bend us, in sunder
_1635-54_]
[72 shifts. _1635:_ shifts, _1639-69_]
[76 Water _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ Waters _1635-69_, _A25_, _S96_
sure. _Ed:_ sure; _1635-69_]
[77 Time] Times _H40_, _TCD_
Spring _Ed:_ spring _1635-69_]
[79 ripened in the eare; _B_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
ripened in the yeare; _1635:_ inripened the yeare; _1639-69_]
[83-94 _omit_ _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[85 Though _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ The _1669_, _S96_]
[87 he . . . Portions _Ed:_ he . . . portions _H40:_ he . . .
portion _O'F_, _P_, _TCD:_ we . . . Portion _1669:_ he can't in
like proportion _H-K_ (_Grosart_)]
[88 enjoyes] yet joys _H40_]
[89 ever your] your fayrest _H40_, _TCD_]
[92 by your contempt then constancy: _H40_, _S96:_ be your
contempt then constancy: _O'F_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_), _P_, _TCD:_
be your contempt then her inconstancy: _1669_]
[94 there reflected _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ here
neglected _1669:_ there neglected _H-K_ (_Grosart, probably
wrongly_)]
[95-104 _om. TCD_]
[95 For _H40, S96:_ And _1635-69_]
[96 my words are now; _H40, P:_ my deeds are now; _1635-69,
O'F, S96:_ my thoughts are now; _A25_]
[102 oft, _1633-54:_ oft _1669_
would _1635-54, A25, B, H40, O'F, S96: _ most _1669_]
ELEGIE XIII.
_Iulia. _
Harke newes, ô envy, thou shalt heare descry'd
My _Iulia_; who as yet was ne'r envy'd.
To vomit gall in slander, swell her vaines
With calumny, that hell it selfe disdaines,
Is her continuall practice; does her best, 5
To teare opinion even out of the brest
Of dearest friends, and (which is worse than vilde)
Sticks jealousie in wedlock; her owne childe
Scapes not the showres of envie, To repeate
The monstrous fashions, how, were, alive, to eate 10
Deare reputation. Would to God she were
But halfe so loath to act vice, as to heare
My milde reproofe. Liv'd _Mantuan_ now againe,
That fœmall Mastix, to limme with his penne
This she _Chymera_, that hath eyes of fire, 15
Burning with anger, anger feeds desire,
Tongued like the night-crow, whose ill boding cries
Give out for nothing but new injuries,
Her breath like to the juice in _Tenarus_
That blasts the springs, though ne'r so prosperous, 20
Her hands, I know not how, us'd more to spill
The food of others, then her selfe to fill.
But oh her minde, that _Orcus_, which includes
Legions of mischiefs, countlesse multitudes
Of formlesse curses, projects unmade up, 25
Abuses yet unfashion'd, thoughts corrupt,
Mishapen Cavils, palpable untroths,
Inevitable errours, self-accusing oaths:
These, like those Atoms swarming in the Sunne,
Throng in her bosome for creation. 30
I blush to give her halfe her due; yet say,
No poyson's halfe so bad as _Iulia_.
[Elegie XIII. _&c. Ed:_ Eleg. XV. _&c. 1635-54:_ Elegie XV.
_1669:_ Iulia. _B:_ Elegy. Iulia. _O'F_]
[5 practice; _Ed:_ practice, _1635-69_]
[7 vilde) _Ed:_ vile) _1635-69:_ vilde _is the regular spelling
of this word in the Donne MSS. _]
[8 in wedlock;] in the sheets of wedlock; _B_]
[10 how, _1635:_ how; _1639-69_]
[That fœmall Mastix, _1635:_ _1639-69 and Chambers drop
comma. But see note_]
[18 injuries, _1635-39:_ injuries. _1650-69_]
[20 prosperous, _Ed:_ prosperous. _1635-69_]
[24 mischiefs _O'F:_ mischiefe, _1635-69_]
[28 oaths: _B_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_): loathes: _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[31 give but half _B:_ give half her _O'F_
yet say,] only this say, _B:_ but this say _O'F_]
ELEGIE XIV.
_A Tale of a Citizen and his Wife. _
I sing no harme good sooth to any wight,
To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight,
To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or brave
Reformed or reduced Captaine, Knave,
Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace, 5
Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease,
I am no Libeller, nor will be any,
But (like a true man) say there are too many.
I feare not _ore tenus_; for my tale,
Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale. 10
A Citizen and his wife the other day
Both riding on one horse, upon the way
I overtooke, the wench a pretty peate,
And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate.
I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backe 15
His head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke,
Whence apprehending that the man was kinde,
Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde,
To get acquaintance with him I began
To sort discourse fit for so fine a man: 20
I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill,
Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still,
Of the Virginian plot, and whether Ward
The traffique of the I<n>land seas had marr'd,
Whether the Brittaine _Burse_ did fill apace, 25
And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace;
Of new-built _Algate_, and the _More-field_ crosses,
Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants losses
I urged him to speake; But he (as mute
As an old Courtier worne to his last suite) 30
Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last
(To fit his element) my theame I cast
On Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing:
Alas, good sir (quoth he) _There is no doing
In Court nor City now_; she smil'd and I, 35
And (in my conscience) both gave him the lie
In one met thought: but he went on apace,
And at the present time with such a face
He rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise,
To any but my Lord of _Essex_ dayes; 40
Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee)
There's now as great an itch of bravery,
And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe,
For, put to push of pay, away they runne;
Our onely City trades of hope now are 45
Bawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener;
The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the store
Of fresh protections make the rest all poore;
In the first state of their Creation,
Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not one 50
A righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he on
In a continued rage: so void of reason
Seem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason.
And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer
For the protection of the wise Lord Major, 55
And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth,
He swore that none could say Amen with faith.
To get him off from what I glowed to heare,
(In happy time) an Angel did appeare,
The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne, 60
Where many Citizens with their wives have bin
Well us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay,
To take some due refreshment by the way.
Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope)
And at's returne found nothing but a Rope, 65
So he on me, refus'd and made away,
Though willing she pleaded a weary day:
I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell
(To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell;
He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine, 70
But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe.
[Elegie XIV. _&c. _ _Ed:_ Eleg. XVI. A Tale _&c. _ _1635-54:_
Elegie XVI. _1669:_ Elegie XV. _O'F:_ _no title, B_]
[2 or foole,] to fool, _1669_]
[5 Iugler, _1635-39:_ Iudge, _1650-69_]
[9 _tenus;_ _Ed:_ _tenus_, _1635-69_]
[10 will redd or pale. _1669_, _B_, _O'F_ (shall): will looke
redd or pale. _1635-54_]
[14 feate. _Ed:_ feate, _1635-69_]
[16 steale] seale _O'F_]
[21 Plaguy _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ Plaguing _1635-54_]
[22 Custome] custome _1635_]
[24 I<n>land _Ed:_ Iland _1635-54:_ Midland _1669_, _O'F:_ the
land, the seas _B_, _but later hand has inserted_ mid _above
the line:_ Island _Chambers and Grolier_]
[27 _More-field_] Moorefields _B_]
[32 To fit] To hit _O'F_]
[33 agoing: _Ed:_ agoing, _1635-69_]
[35 _In . . . now_; _Ed:_ _roman_ _1635-69_]
[38 time _1669:_ times _O'F_]
[41 those . . . (quoth Hee) _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ that . . . (quoth
I) _1635-54_]
[46 Bawd, . . . Scrivener; _B_, _O'F:_ Bawds, Tavernkeepers,
Whores and Scriveners, _1635-54:_ Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore
and Scrivener _1669_]
[47 kingsmen, and the store _1669_, _B_, _O'F_ (kingsman):
kinsmen, and store _1635-54_]
[58 him off _O'F:_ off him _1669:_ him _1635-54_]
[61 have bin _B_, _O'F:_ had beene, _1635-69_]
[64 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope _1669_]
[65 at's _1669:_ at _1635-54_]
[66 on _1669_, _B:_ at _1635-54_
me,] me: _1635-54_]
[67 day: _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ stay. _1635-39:_ stay: _1650-54_]
[69 dwell; _1635:_ dwell _1639-54:_ dwell, _1669_]
ELEGIE XV.
_The Expostulation. _
To make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true,
Was it my fate to prove it strong in you?
Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire,
And must she needs be false because she's faire?
Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth, 5
Or your perfection, not to study truth?
Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes?
Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries?
Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter
Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water, 10
And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath
(Both hot and cold at once) make life and death?
Who could have thought so many accents sweet
Form'd into words, so many sighs should meete
As from our hearts, so many oathes, and teares 15
Sprinkled among, (all sweeter by our feares
And the divine impression of stolne kisses,
That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses?
Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake?
Or must we reade you quite from what you speake, 20
And finde the truth out the wrong way? or must
Hee first desire you false, would wish you just?
O I prophane, though most of women be
This kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee;
My dearest love, though froward jealousie, 25
With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie,
Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheare
The teeming earth, and _that_ forget to beare,
Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames
With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames, 30
Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures,
Would change her course, before you alter yours.
But O that treacherous breast to whom weake you
Did trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue,
Having his falshood found too late, 'twas hee 35
That made me _cast_ you guilty, and you me,
Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple word
Wee spake, unto the cunning of a third.
Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine,
And wander on the earth, wretched as _Cain_, 40
Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty;
In plaguing him, let misery be witty;
Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye,
Till hee be noysome as his infamie;
May he without remorse deny God thrice, 45
And not be trusted more on his Soules price;
And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes,
May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes,
Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue
That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung, 50
And let his carrion coarse be a longer feast
To the Kings dogges, then any other beast.
Now have I curst, let us our love revive;
In mee the flame was never more alive;
I could beginne againe to court and praise, 55
And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayes
Of my lifes lease; like Painters that do take
Delight, not in made worke, but whiles they make;
I could renew those times, when first I saw
Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the law 60
To like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playes
Commend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes;
Aske how you did, and often with intent
Of being officious, be impertinent;
All which were such soft pastimes, as in these 65
Love was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease;
But being got it is a treasure sweet,
Which to defend is harder then to get:
And ought not be prophan'd on either part,
For though'tis got by _chance_, 'tis kept by _art_. 70
[Elegie XV. _Ed:_ Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation. _1635-54:_
Elegie XVII. _1669:_ Elegie. _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_,
_M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _Jonson's_
Underwoods]
[2 strong] full _Und_]
[3 purest] the purer _Und_]
[6 Or your _1633-69:_ Or of your _H40_]
[8 it hath,] she hath _B_, _H40_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S96_]
[12 (Both hot and cold at once) _RP31:_ Both . . . at once,
_Und:_ (Both . . . cold) at once _1633-69_, _S96:_ Both heate
and coole at once _M_
make] threat _Und_]
[14 Form'd into] Tun'd to our _Und_]
[15 As] Blowne _Und_]
[16-18 (all sweeter . . . the rest) _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _RP31:_ (all sweetend _&c. _ _1635_, _which does
not complete the bracket:_ (all sweetend by our fears) _&c. _
_1639-69_, _L74_ (sweeter), _P_ (sweeter), _S96_ (sweetned)]
[22 wish] have _P_]
[24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster, _Und_
my thought _1633:_ my thoughts _1635-69_, _HN_, _S96_]
[25 though froward] how ever _RP31_, _Und_]
[26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie. _Und_]
[28 beare, _1633:_ beare: _1635-69_]
[30 would _1633_, _Und:_ will _1635-69_
streames, _Ed:_ streames; _1633-69_]
[32 yours. ] yours; _1633_]
[34 trust _1633-69:_ drift _Chambers_]
[37 wretch] wrech _1633_]
[38 third. _Ed:_ third; _1633-69_]
[39 love] loves _RP31_]
[40 wretched as _Cain_, _1633-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F:_
as wretched Cain, _P:_ as cursed Cain, _S:_ wretched on the
Earth, as Cain: _Und_]
[52 dogges, . . . beast. ] dogges; . . . beast; _1633_]
[53 have I] I have _1669_
revive] receive _Und_]
[58 worke, _1633-39_, _most MSS. :_ works, _1650-69_, _S96_,
_Und_]
[61 and playes] or playes _Und_]
[64 be] grow _Und_]
[65 soft] lost _Und_]
ELEGIE XVI.
_On his Mistris. _
By our first strange and fatall interview,
By all desires which thereof did ensue,
By our long starving hopes, by that remorse
Which my words masculine perswasive force
Begot in thee, and by the memory 5
Of hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me,
I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath,
By all paines, which want and divorcement hath,
I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I
And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy, 10
Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus,
Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous.
Temper, ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage,
Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page;
I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behinde 15
Thee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde,
Thirst to come backe; ô if thou die before,
My soule from other lands to thee shall soare.
Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move
Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love, 20
Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast reade
How roughly hee in peeces shivered
Faire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd.
Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd
Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery, 25
That absent Lovers one in th'other be.
Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor change
Thy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strange
To thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face
A blushing womanly discovering grace; 30
Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as soone
Ecclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone.
Men of France, changeable Camelions,
Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions,
Loves fuellers, and the rightest company 35
Of Players, which upon the worlds stage be,
Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!
Th'indifferent Italian, as we passe
His warme land, well content to thinke thee Page,
Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage, 40
As _Lots_ faire guests were vext. But none of these
Nor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease,
If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for thee
England is onely a worthy Gallerie,
To walke in expectation, till from thence 45
Our greatest King call thee to his presence.
When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse,
Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse,
Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse
Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy Nurse 50
With midnights startings, crying out, oh, oh
Nurse, ô my love is slaine, I saw him goe
O'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I,
Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die.
Augure me better chance, except dread _Iove_ 55
Thinke it enough for me to'have had thy love.
[Elegie XVI. _&c. _ _Ed:_ Elegie on his Mistris. _1635-54
where, and in 1669, it appears among_ Funerall Elegies:
Elegie. _1669: among_ Elegies _with or without heading or
number_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_ _B heads_ His wife would
have gone as his page. ]
[1 interview, _Ed:_ interview _1635-69_]
[3 starving] striving _1669_, _B_, _P:_ starvling _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[7 beg: _D:_ beg. _1635-69_
fathers _1635-69_, _O'F:_ Parents _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_]
[11 Here I] I here _1669_]
[12 wayes _1635-54_, _O'F:_ means _1669, and rest of MSS. _]
[14 still . . . faign'd] _1669 om. _ still _and reads_ faigned]
[18 My soule . . . to thee] From other lands my soule towards
thee _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_(to), _N_,
_P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_
soare. _Ed:_ soare, _1635-69_]
[21 harshness] rashness _P_. _Compare_ Elegy V, 8]
[23 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea _1669_]
[26 Lovers] friends _P_]
[28 mindes; _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _JC_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ minde,
_1635-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_]
[29 onely; _A18_, _D_, _N_, _TC:_ onely. _1635-69_]
[35 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers, _1669_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _S96_, _P_]
[37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas! _1635-54_,
_O'F:_ Will too too quickly know thee; and alas, _1669:_ Will
quickly know thee, and know thee, and alas _A18_, _N_, _S_
(_omitting second_ and), _TCD_, _W:_ Will quickly know thee,
and thee, and alas _A25:_ Will quickly know thee, and alas
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_, _S96_, _TCC_]
[39 Page, _Ed:_ Page _1635-39_]
[40 hunt _1635-69_, _O'F:_ haunt _most MSS. _]
[42 hydroptique] Aydroptique _1669_]
[46 greatest _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P:_ greate _A18_, _A25_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC_
call] doe call _A18_, _N_, _TC_
to] in to _A25_, _JC_, _S_]
[49 me, nor blesse] me; Blesse _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W_]
ELEGIE XVII.
_Variety. _
The heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I
Abjure my so much lov'd variety,
And not with many youth and love divide?
Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd:
The sun that sitting in the chaire of light 5
Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright,
Is not contented at one Signe to Inne,
But ends his year and with a new beginnes.
All things doe willingly in change delight,
The fruitfull mother of our appetite: 10
Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are,
Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr;
And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet,
Corrupts it self and what doth live in it.
Let no man tell me such a one is faire, 15
And worthy all alone my love to share.
Nature in her hath done the liberall part
Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art
To make her loveable, and I aver
Him not humane that would turn back from her: 20
I love her well, and would, if need were, dye
To doe her service. But followes it that I
Must serve her onely, when I may have choice
Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?
The law is hard, and shall not have my voice. 25
The last I saw in all extreames is faire,
And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire;
Her nymph-like features such agreements have
That I could venture with her to the grave:
Another's brown, I like her not the worse, 30
Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse.
Others, for that they well descended are,
Do in my love obtain as large a share;
And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee
To win their love onely for their degree. 35
And though I faile of my required ends,
The attempt is glorious and it self commends.
How happy were our Syres in ancient times,
Who held plurality of loves no crime!
With them it was accounted charity 40
To stirre up race of all indifferently;
Kindreds were not exempted from the bands:
Which with the Persian still in usage stands.
Women were then no sooner asked then won,
And what they did was honest and well done. 45
But since this title honour hath been us'd,
Our weake credulity hath been abus'd;
The golden laws of nature are repeald,
Which our first Fathers in such reverence held;
Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone, 50
And we're made servants to opinion,
A monster in no certain shape attir'd,
And whose originall is much desir'd,
Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions,
And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations. 55
Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes,
And was dispoiled of his daring armes.
A greater want then is his daring eyes,
He lost those awfull wings with which he flies;
His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts 60
Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts.
Onely some few strong in themselves and free
Retain the seeds of antient liberty,
Following that part of Love although deprest,
And make a throne for him within their brest, 65
In spight of modern censures him avowing
Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing.
Amongst which troop although I am the least,
Yet equall in perfection with the best,
I glory in subjection of his hand, 70
Nor ever did decline his least command:
For in whatever forme the message came
My heart did open and receive the same.
But time will in his course a point discry
When I this loved service must deny, 75
For our allegiance temporary is,
With firmer age returnes our liberties.
What time in years and judgement we repos'd,
Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd,
Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying; 80
But beauty with true worth securely weighing,
Which being found assembled in some one,
Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.
[Elegie XVII. Variety. _Ed: printed for first time without
title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719:_ An Elegie.
_A10:_ Elegie 17^{the}. _JC_]
[1 motion, why _Ed:_ motion why, _1650-69_]
[3 love divide? _MSS. :_ lov'd divide? _1650-69_]
[4 diversifi'd: _Ed:_ diversifi'd _1650-69_]
[6 what else so ever doth seem _1650-69:_ what else is not so
_A10_]
[12 fair-spreading _1650-69_, _JC:_ broad silver _A10_
and farr; _A10_, _JC:_ and cleare; _1650-69_]
[14 it self and _1650-69:_ it self, kills _A10_]
[16 And only worthy to be past compare; _A10_]
[19 aver] ever _1650-69_]
[20 would turn back from _1650-69:_ could not fancy _A10_]
[24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? _A10:_ _om.
1650-69_]
[25-36 _omitted in A10_]
[30 brown, _Ed:_ brown _1650-69_]
[32 are _JC:_ were _1650-69_]
[39 crime! _Ed:_ crime? _1650-69_]
[43 Persian _1650-54_, _JC:_ Persians _1669_, _A10_]
[46 title _A10_, _JC:_ little _1650-69_]
[50 liberty's _Ed:_ liberty _1650-69_, _JC_
revers'd, our _A10:_ revers'd and _1650-69_, _JC_]
[51 we're _A10:_ we _1650-69_, _JC_]
[53 whose originall _1650-69_, _JC:_ one whose origin _A10_]
[54 goeing on it fashions _A10:_ growing on it fashions _JC:_
growing on its fashions, _1650-69_]
[55 manners and laws to _1650-69_, _JC:_ Lawes, Manners unto
_A10_]
[57 armes. _A10:_ armes, _1650-69_]
[58 is _1650-69:_ of _A10_]
[61 bruise _1650-69_ wound _A10_
hearts. _Ed:_ hearts; _1650-69_]
[63 seeds of antient _1650-69_, _JC:_ seed of pristine _A10_]
[64 Love] love _1650-69_]
[70 of his _1650-69:_ under's _A10_]
[71 Nor . . . decline _1650-69:_ Never declining from _A10_]
[72-7 _omitted in A10_]
[73 same. _Ed:_ same: _1650-69:_ flame _JC_]
[75 deny, _Ed:_ deny. _1650-69_]
[79 dispos'd, _Ed:_ dispos'd _1650-69_]
[80 obeying; _Ed:_ obeying, _1650-69_]
[81 securely _1650-69:_ unpartially _A10_]
[82 being _1650-69:_ having _A10_
one, _Ed:_ one _1650-69_]
[83 Wee'l love her ever, _Ed:_ Wee'l leave her ever,
_1650-69_, _JC:_ Would love for ever, _A10_]
ELEGIE XVIII.
_Loves Progress. _
Who ever loves, if he do not propose
The right true end of love, he's one that goes
To sea for nothing but to make him sick:
Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick
Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take, 5
We erre, and of a lump a monster make.
Were not a Calf a monster that were grown
Face'd like a man, though better then his own?
Perfection is in unitie: preferr
One woman first, and then one thing in her. 10
I, when I value gold, may think upon
The ductilness, the application,
The wholsomness, the ingenuitie,
From rust, from soil, from fire ever free:
But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made 15
By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade.
All these in women we might think upon
(If women had them) and yet love but one.
Can men more injure women then to say
They love them for that, by which they're not they? 20
Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud
Till I both be, and find one wise and good?
May barren Angels love so. But if we
Make love to woman; virtue is not she:
As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus 25
From her to hers, is more adulterous,
Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare
And firmament, our _Cupid_ is not there:
He's an infernal god and under ground,
With _Pluto_ dwells, where gold and fire abound: 30
Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles
Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes.
Although we see Celestial bodies move
Above the earth, the earth we Till and love:
So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart, 35
And virtues; but we love the Centrique part.
Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit
For love, then this, as infinite as it.
But in attaining this desired place
How much they erre; that set out at the face? 40
The hair a Forest is of Ambushes,
Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles:
The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain,
And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again.
Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have 45
Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave.
The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs
Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns;
It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere
On either side, and then directs us where 50
Upon the Islands fortunate we fall,
(Not faynte _Canaries_, but _Ambrosiall_)
Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come,
We anchor there, and think our selves at home,
For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there 55
Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear;
There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell,
The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell.
These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin
Ore past; and the streight _Hellespont_ betweene 60
The _Sestos_ and _Abydos_ of her breasts,
(Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts)
Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye
Some Island moles may scattered there descry;
And Sailing towards her _India_, in that way 65
Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay;
Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made,
Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd,
Thou shalt upon another Forest set,
Where many Shipwrack, and no further get. 70
When thou art there, consider what this chace
Mispent by thy beginning at the face.
Rather set out below; practice my Art,
Some Symetry the foot hath with that part
Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that 75
Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at:
Least subject to disguise and change it is;
Men say the Devil never can change his.
It is the Emblem that hath figured
Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed. 80
Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss
Which at the face began, transplanted is,
Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee,
Now at the Papal foot delights to be:
If Kings think that the nearer way, and do 85
Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too;
For as free Spheres move faster far then can
Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man
Which goes this empty and Ætherial way,
Then if at beauties elements he stay. 90
Rich Nature hath in women wisely made
Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid:
They then, which to the lower tribute owe,
That way which that Exchequer looks, must go:
He which doth not, his error is as great, 95
As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.
[Elegie XVIII. _&c. _ _Ed:_ Elegie XVIII. _1669, where it is
first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed
in_ Wit and Drollery. By Sir J. M. , J. S. , Sir W. D. , J. D. ,
and the most refined Wits of the Age. _1661. It appears in
A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with title_
Loves Progress. , _or_ Elegie. on Loves Progresse. , _or with no
title_]
[4 Love is a _1669:_ And Love's a _MSS. _]
[5 strange _1661 and MSS. :_ strong _1669_]
[11 I,] I _1669_]
[14 ever _1669:_ for ever _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[16 (our new nature) use, _1661_]
[17 these _1669 and MSS. :_ this _1661_, _Cy_, _P_, _Chambers_]
[20 them] _om. 1661_]
[25 beauty'is not _1661 and MSS. :_ beauties no _1669_
thus] thus: _1669_]
[27 Then if he took] Then he that took _1661_, _B_ (takes),
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_
spheare] sphear _1669_]
[30 abound: _Ed:_ abound, _1669_]
[32 in _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ on _1669_,
_A25_
holes. ] holes: _1669_]
[38 infinite] infinit _1669_]
[40 erre _1661-69_, _S_, _S96:_ stray _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[42 springes, _H49 and some MSS. :_ springs, _1669_]
[46 and _1661_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ but _1669_
our _1661_, _MSS. :_ a _1669_]
[47 first Meridian _1661 and MSS. :_ sweet Meridian _1669_. ]
[52-3 (Not . . . Ambrosiall) . . . lips _&c. _ _1661 and MSS. _
(_not always with brackets and sometimes with_ No _for_ Not
_and_ Canary): Not . . . Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when
we are come, _1669_]
[55 For they seem all: there _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ For they sing all their _1661_,
_Cy_, _P_]
[57 There _1661 and MSS. :_ Then _1669_
swell, _Ed:_ swell _1669_]
[58 Rhemora _1669_]
[59 the glorious Promontory,] _brackets and no comma, 1669_]
[60 Ore past; . . . betweene _1661 and MSS. :_ Being past the
Straits of _Hellespont_ between _1669_]
[62 Loves] loves _1669_]
[63 yet] that _D, H49, Lec, and other MSS. _]
[65 Sailing] Sailng _1669_]
[66 Navell] Naval _1669_]
[67 thence _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC:_ there _1661-9_, _N_(? ): hence _P_
thy _all MSS. :_ the _1661-9_]
[68 wouldst _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ shouldst _1669_]
[70 many _1669:_ some doe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_]
[73 my _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _Chambers:_ thine _A18_, _TCC_]
[80 the] _bis 1669_]
[81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face
begonne, transplanted is _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[83 Imperial] imperial _1669_]
[86 too;] too. _1669_]
[90 elements _1661 and MSS. :_ enemies _1669_]
[91 hath] _Chambers omits_]
[93 owe,] owe _1669_]
[96 Clyster gave _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ glister
gives _1669_]
ELEGIE XIX.
_Going to Bed. _
Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie,
Until I labour, I in labour lie.
The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,
Is tir'd with standing though he never fight.
Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering, 5
But a far fairer world incompassing.
Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,
That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there.
Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme,
Tells me from you, that now it is bed time. 10
Off with that happy busk, which I envie,
That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.
Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals,
As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales.
Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew 15
The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow:
Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread
In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed.
In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be
Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee 20
A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though
Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know,
By this these Angels from an evil sprite,
Those set our hairs, but these our flesh uprigh
Licence my roaving hands, and let them go, 25
Before, behind, between, above, below.
O my America! my new-found-land,
My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd,
My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie,
How blest am I in this discovering thee! 30
To enter in these bonds, is to be free;
Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.
Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee,
As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be,
To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use 35
Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views,
That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem,
His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.
Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made
For lay-men, are all women thus array'd; 40
Themselves are mystick books, which only wee
(Whom their imputed grace will dignifie)
Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know;
As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew
Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence, 45
There is no pennance due to innocence.
To teach thee, I am naked first; why than
What needst thou have more covering then a man.
[Elegie XIX. _&c. Ed: in 1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_
Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but
with the heading_ To his Mistris going to Bed. _The MSS.
include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or
simply_ Elegye, _or numbered according to the scheme adopted:
B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other
titles_]
[4 he _1669:_ they _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TC_]
[5 glittering] glistering _MSS. _]
[8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair. _Cy_, _P_]
[10 it is _1669:_ 'tis your _MSS. _]
[11 which] whom _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _TC_,
_W_]
[14 from _MSS. :_ through _1669_
shadow] shadows _1669_]
[16 Diademe . . . grow: _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Diadem which on your
head doth grow: _1669:_ Diadems which on you do grow. _S_,
_Chambers_]
[17 Now . . . shooes, _1669_, _JC_, _W:_ Off . . . shoes _A18_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ Off with those hose and shoes
_S_
safely _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ softly _1669_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_]
[20 Receavd by men; Thou _all MSS. :_ Reveal'd to men; thou
_1669_]
[21 Paradise; _Ed:_ Paradice, _1669_]
[22 Ill _1669_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ All _B, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture_
spirits _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S:_ angels
_O'F_, _S96_
white, _Ed:_ white; _1669_]
[26 below. _Ed:_ below, _1669_]
[28 kingdome, _MSS. :_ Kingdom's _1669_
safeliest _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ safest, _1669_
man'd, _Ed:_ man'd. _1669_]
[29 stones, _Ed:_ stones: _1669_]
[30 How blest am I _all MSS. :_ How am I blest _1669_
this _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _TC_, _W:_ thus _1669_, _A25_, _L74_, _S_
discovering] discovery _B_, _O'F_
thee! _Ed:_ thee? _1669_
be. ] be, _1669_]
[35 Gems] Jems _1669: and so_ 37]
[36 like _1669:_ as _MSS. _
balls, _MSS. :_ ball: _1669_]
[38 covet _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ court _1669_, _Cy_, _P_, _S_, _S96_
theirs, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ those _S:_ that, _1669_, _B_,
_O'F_
them. ] them: _1669_]
[39 pictures, _Ed:_ pictures _1669_
made _Ed:_ made, _1669_]
[40 lay-men, _Ed:_ lay-men _1669_
array'd; _Ed:_ arrayed _1669_]
[41 Themselves . . . only wee _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_
Themselves are only mystick books, which we, _1669_, _B_]
[43 see] be _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_
reveal'd] revealed _1669_]
[44 a _all MSS. :_ thy _1669_
Midwife, _Ed:_ Midwife _1669_]
[45 hence, _Ed:_ hence _1669_]
[46 pennance due to innocence. _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S:_ pennance, much less innocence; _A18_, _A25_, _D_,
_H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _W_]
[47 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_
first; _Ed:_ first, _1669_]
ELEGIE XX.
_Loves Warre. _
Till I have peace with thee, warr other men,
And when I have peace, can I leave thee then?
All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou
O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe
To any one: In Flanders, who can tell 5
Whether the Master presse; or men rebell?
Only we know, that which all Ideots say,
They beare most blows which come to part the fray.
France in her lunatique giddines did hate
Ever our men, yea and our God of late; 10
Yet she relyes upon our Angels well,
Which nere returne; no more then they which fell.
Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest
Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest;
Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good 15
If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood.
And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give,
We touch all gold, but find no food to live.
And I should be in the hott parching clyme,
To dust and ashes turn'd before my time. 20
To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall
Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall;
Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell
In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell.
Long voyages are long consumptions, 25
And ships are carts for executions.
Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye
Into an other World, as t'is to dye?
Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye;
Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye. 30
Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee;
Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee.
Other men war that they their rest may gayne;
But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne.
Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love, 35
There wee are alwayes under, here above.
There Engins farr off breed a just true feare,
Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here.
There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye;
There men kill men, we'will make one by and by. 40
Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do
In these Warrs, as they may which from us two
Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not
To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott
To make at home; And shall not I do then 45
More glorious service, staying to make men?
[Elegy XX _&c. _ _Ed: First published in F. G. Waldron's_ A
Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802, _from a MS. dated
1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in his_ Philobiblon Society
_volume of 1856. It is included among Donne's_ Elegies _in
A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC,
TCD, W. In B it has the title_ Making of Men. _The present
text is based on W_]
[7 all _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ most _JC_, _Chambers_]
[8 They beare most blows which (_or_ that) _A18_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ They must
bear blows, which _Chambers_]
[9 giddiness] guidings _Sim:_ giddinge _Wald_]
[11 well,] well _W_]
[13 a strange] straying _Sim_]
[16 head] dead _Sim_]
[19 the _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ that _Chambers_, _A25_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_]
[24 swaggering] swaying _Chambers_]
[25 consumptions,] consumptions _W:_ _line omitted_, _Wald_]
[29 lye] _spelt_ ly
_W:_ _and so_ 30 dy]
[33 gayne;] gayne _W_]
[37 There] These _Sim_
and, that, with, which] _contracted throughout_, _W_]
HEROICALL EPISTLE.
_Sapho_ to _Philænis_.
Where is that holy fire, which _Verse_ is said
To have? is that inchanting force decai'd?
_Verse_ that drawes _Natures_ workes, from _Natures_ law,
Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw.
Have my teares quench'd my old _Poetique_ fire; 5
Why quench'd they not as well, that of _desire_?
Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee,
But I, their maker, want their libertie.
Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit,
But that is waxe, and fires environ it. 10
My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence;
And I am rob'd of _Picture_, _Heart_, and _Sense_.
Dwells with me still mine irksome _Memory_,
Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.
That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire, 15
As, _gods_, when _gods_ to thee I doe compare,
Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,
What things _gods_ are, I say they'are like to thee.
For, if we justly call each silly _man_
A _litle world_, What shall we call thee than? 20
Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,
As _Down_, as _Stars_, _Cedars_, and _Lillies_ are,
But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only
Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.
Such was my _Phao_ awhile, but shall be never, 25
As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.
Here lovers sweare in their _Idolatrie_,
That I am such; but _Griefe_ discolors me.
And yet I grieve the lesse, least _Griefe_ remove
My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love. 30
Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet
A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.
His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse
Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse.
Thy body is a naturall _Paradise_, 35
In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,
Nor needs _perfection_; why shouldst thou than
Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man?
Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,
And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows. 40
But of our dallyance no more signes there are,
Then _fishes_ leave in streames, or _Birds_ in aire.
And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;
All, all that _Nature_ yields, or _Art_ can adde.
My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two, 45
But so, as thine from one another doe;
And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,
Why should they not alike in all parts touch?
XIII. _being_ Come, Fates, _&c. _, _p. _ 407): Elegie XIIII.
_1669:_ At her Departure. _A25:_ At his Mistris departure.
_B:_ Elegie. _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_ (_II_)]
[1 Night, _Ed:_ night _1635-69_]
[4 Love] soule _1635-54_]
[5-44 _omit_, _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[6 Thou and greate Hell _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ And that
great Hell _1669_
to boot are _1669_, _H40_, _O'F:_ are nought but _P_, _S96_]
[7 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_]
[9 thee _H40:_ them _1669_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[10 Day, _Ed:_ Day. _1669_]
[11 felt want _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ self-want,
_1669_
sight, _Ed:_ sight _1669_]
[12 fires _H40_, _S96_, _TCD:_ fire _1669_, _P_]
[14 Or] Are _S96:_ And _TCD_
soe _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ such _1669_]
[17 the _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _1669_]
[20 Through holy fear, that merits (causes _S96_) thy despight
(meriteth thy spight _P_) _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
That thus with parting thou seek'st us to spight? _1669_]
[21 was _H40_, _S96:_ is _1669_, _P_, _TCD_]
[23 Which . . . decreed, _H40_, _O'F_, _S96:_ Which (since I
lov'd) for me before decreed, _1669_, _P_, _TCD:_ Which,
since I lov'd in jest before, decreed _H-K_, _which Chambers
follows_]
[25 now, sooner _all the MSS. :_ sooner now _1669_
rapt] wrapt _1669_]
[27 a vast _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ the vast _1669_]
[29 thy self] myself _Chambers_]
[31 my own _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ one _1669_
sad _1669:_ glad _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[32 fate: _Ed:_ fate. _1669_]
[33 blinded] blindest _H40_]
[34 followers _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ favourites _1669_, _S96_]
[37 glow _H40_, _S96_, _P_, _TCD:_ blow _1669_]
[38 flame _H40_, _S96_, _P_, _TCD:_ flames _1669_]
[40 so dangerous _H40_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ and dangerous
_1669_]
[42 all, _Ed:_ all _1669_
towring _1669_, _TCD:_ towred _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ lowering
_Grolier_
the towred husbands eyes _H40:_ the Loured, husbandes eyes
_RP31_]
[43 That flam'd with oylie _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
Inflam'd with th'ouglie _1669_
jealousie: _Ed:_ jealousie, _1669_]
[44 with _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ in _1669_]
[45 Have we not kept our guards, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_,
_TCD:_ Have we for this kept guards, _1669_
on _1669:_ o'r _1635-54_]
[49 most _1635-69_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ best
_1669_]
[50 our] thy _RP31_]
[52 from our words? _1669:_ from words? _1635-54_]
[53 these secrets _MSS. :_ the secrets _1635-69_
our] thy _RP31_]
[54 Yea . . . panting heart? _1635-69_, _A25:_ Yea thy pale
colours inward as thy heart? _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_]
[56 sad] rude _P_, _TCD_]
[57-66 _om. _ _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[58 brains] beams _P:_ brain _Chambers_]
[61 Fortune, _Ed:_ fortune, _1669_
would rive us, with _H40_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ would ruine us
with _1669_]
[62 her _H40:_ his _1669_
it] yet _1669_
bleed: _Ed:_ bleed. _1669_]
[65 Oh Fortune,] Oh fortune, _1669_, _S96:_ And Fortune _H40_,
_P_]
[66 shame. _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ name. _1669_]
[67 Do thy great worst _&c. _ _1669:_ Fortune, doe thy worst
_&c. _ _1635-54_ (_after_ 56 the vulgar story? )
armes, _1635-69_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ charmes _H-K_
(_Grosart and Chambers_)]
[69 Rend us in sunder, _1669 and MSS. :_ Bend us, in sunder
_1635-54_]
[72 shifts. _1635:_ shifts, _1639-69_]
[76 Water _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ Waters _1635-69_, _A25_, _S96_
sure. _Ed:_ sure; _1635-69_]
[77 Time] Times _H40_, _TCD_
Spring _Ed:_ spring _1635-69_]
[79 ripened in the eare; _B_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_
ripened in the yeare; _1635:_ inripened the yeare; _1639-69_]
[83-94 _omit_ _1635-54_, _A25_, _B_]
[85 Though _H40_, _P_, _TCD:_ The _1669_, _S96_]
[87 he . . . Portions _Ed:_ he . . . portions _H40:_ he . . .
portion _O'F_, _P_, _TCD:_ we . . . Portion _1669:_ he can't in
like proportion _H-K_ (_Grosart_)]
[88 enjoyes] yet joys _H40_]
[89 ever your] your fayrest _H40_, _TCD_]
[92 by your contempt then constancy: _H40_, _S96:_ be your
contempt then constancy: _O'F_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_), _P_, _TCD:_
be your contempt then her inconstancy: _1669_]
[94 there reflected _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ here
neglected _1669:_ there neglected _H-K_ (_Grosart, probably
wrongly_)]
[95-104 _om. TCD_]
[95 For _H40, S96:_ And _1635-69_]
[96 my words are now; _H40, P:_ my deeds are now; _1635-69,
O'F, S96:_ my thoughts are now; _A25_]
[102 oft, _1633-54:_ oft _1669_
would _1635-54, A25, B, H40, O'F, S96: _ most _1669_]
ELEGIE XIII.
_Iulia. _
Harke newes, ô envy, thou shalt heare descry'd
My _Iulia_; who as yet was ne'r envy'd.
To vomit gall in slander, swell her vaines
With calumny, that hell it selfe disdaines,
Is her continuall practice; does her best, 5
To teare opinion even out of the brest
Of dearest friends, and (which is worse than vilde)
Sticks jealousie in wedlock; her owne childe
Scapes not the showres of envie, To repeate
The monstrous fashions, how, were, alive, to eate 10
Deare reputation. Would to God she were
But halfe so loath to act vice, as to heare
My milde reproofe. Liv'd _Mantuan_ now againe,
That fœmall Mastix, to limme with his penne
This she _Chymera_, that hath eyes of fire, 15
Burning with anger, anger feeds desire,
Tongued like the night-crow, whose ill boding cries
Give out for nothing but new injuries,
Her breath like to the juice in _Tenarus_
That blasts the springs, though ne'r so prosperous, 20
Her hands, I know not how, us'd more to spill
The food of others, then her selfe to fill.
But oh her minde, that _Orcus_, which includes
Legions of mischiefs, countlesse multitudes
Of formlesse curses, projects unmade up, 25
Abuses yet unfashion'd, thoughts corrupt,
Mishapen Cavils, palpable untroths,
Inevitable errours, self-accusing oaths:
These, like those Atoms swarming in the Sunne,
Throng in her bosome for creation. 30
I blush to give her halfe her due; yet say,
No poyson's halfe so bad as _Iulia_.
[Elegie XIII. _&c. Ed:_ Eleg. XV. _&c. 1635-54:_ Elegie XV.
_1669:_ Iulia. _B:_ Elegy. Iulia. _O'F_]
[5 practice; _Ed:_ practice, _1635-69_]
[7 vilde) _Ed:_ vile) _1635-69:_ vilde _is the regular spelling
of this word in the Donne MSS. _]
[8 in wedlock;] in the sheets of wedlock; _B_]
[10 how, _1635:_ how; _1639-69_]
[That fœmall Mastix, _1635:_ _1639-69 and Chambers drop
comma. But see note_]
[18 injuries, _1635-39:_ injuries. _1650-69_]
[20 prosperous, _Ed:_ prosperous. _1635-69_]
[24 mischiefs _O'F:_ mischiefe, _1635-69_]
[28 oaths: _B_, _H-K_ (_Grosart_): loathes: _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[31 give but half _B:_ give half her _O'F_
yet say,] only this say, _B:_ but this say _O'F_]
ELEGIE XIV.
_A Tale of a Citizen and his Wife. _
I sing no harme good sooth to any wight,
To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight,
To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or brave
Reformed or reduced Captaine, Knave,
Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace, 5
Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease,
I am no Libeller, nor will be any,
But (like a true man) say there are too many.
I feare not _ore tenus_; for my tale,
Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale. 10
A Citizen and his wife the other day
Both riding on one horse, upon the way
I overtooke, the wench a pretty peate,
And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate.
I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backe 15
His head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke,
Whence apprehending that the man was kinde,
Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde,
To get acquaintance with him I began
To sort discourse fit for so fine a man: 20
I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill,
Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still,
Of the Virginian plot, and whether Ward
The traffique of the I<n>land seas had marr'd,
Whether the Brittaine _Burse_ did fill apace, 25
And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace;
Of new-built _Algate_, and the _More-field_ crosses,
Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants losses
I urged him to speake; But he (as mute
As an old Courtier worne to his last suite) 30
Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last
(To fit his element) my theame I cast
On Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing:
Alas, good sir (quoth he) _There is no doing
In Court nor City now_; she smil'd and I, 35
And (in my conscience) both gave him the lie
In one met thought: but he went on apace,
And at the present time with such a face
He rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise,
To any but my Lord of _Essex_ dayes; 40
Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee)
There's now as great an itch of bravery,
And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe,
For, put to push of pay, away they runne;
Our onely City trades of hope now are 45
Bawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener;
The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the store
Of fresh protections make the rest all poore;
In the first state of their Creation,
Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not one 50
A righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he on
In a continued rage: so void of reason
Seem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason.
And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer
For the protection of the wise Lord Major, 55
And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth,
He swore that none could say Amen with faith.
To get him off from what I glowed to heare,
(In happy time) an Angel did appeare,
The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne, 60
Where many Citizens with their wives have bin
Well us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay,
To take some due refreshment by the way.
Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope)
And at's returne found nothing but a Rope, 65
So he on me, refus'd and made away,
Though willing she pleaded a weary day:
I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell
(To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell;
He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine, 70
But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe.
[Elegie XIV. _&c. _ _Ed:_ Eleg. XVI. A Tale _&c. _ _1635-54:_
Elegie XVI. _1669:_ Elegie XV. _O'F:_ _no title, B_]
[2 or foole,] to fool, _1669_]
[5 Iugler, _1635-39:_ Iudge, _1650-69_]
[9 _tenus;_ _Ed:_ _tenus_, _1635-69_]
[10 will redd or pale. _1669_, _B_, _O'F_ (shall): will looke
redd or pale. _1635-54_]
[14 feate. _Ed:_ feate, _1635-69_]
[16 steale] seale _O'F_]
[21 Plaguy _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ Plaguing _1635-54_]
[22 Custome] custome _1635_]
[24 I<n>land _Ed:_ Iland _1635-54:_ Midland _1669_, _O'F:_ the
land, the seas _B_, _but later hand has inserted_ mid _above
the line:_ Island _Chambers and Grolier_]
[27 _More-field_] Moorefields _B_]
[32 To fit] To hit _O'F_]
[33 agoing: _Ed:_ agoing, _1635-69_]
[35 _In . . . now_; _Ed:_ _roman_ _1635-69_]
[38 time _1669:_ times _O'F_]
[41 those . . . (quoth Hee) _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ that . . . (quoth
I) _1635-54_]
[46 Bawd, . . . Scrivener; _B_, _O'F:_ Bawds, Tavernkeepers,
Whores and Scriveners, _1635-54:_ Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore
and Scrivener _1669_]
[47 kingsmen, and the store _1669_, _B_, _O'F_ (kingsman):
kinsmen, and store _1635-54_]
[58 him off _O'F:_ off him _1669:_ him _1635-54_]
[61 have bin _B_, _O'F:_ had beene, _1635-69_]
[64 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope _1669_]
[65 at's _1669:_ at _1635-54_]
[66 on _1669_, _B:_ at _1635-54_
me,] me: _1635-54_]
[67 day: _1669_, _B_, _O'F:_ stay. _1635-39:_ stay: _1650-54_]
[69 dwell; _1635:_ dwell _1639-54:_ dwell, _1669_]
ELEGIE XV.
_The Expostulation. _
To make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true,
Was it my fate to prove it strong in you?
Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire,
And must she needs be false because she's faire?
Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth, 5
Or your perfection, not to study truth?
Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes?
Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries?
Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter
Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water, 10
And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath
(Both hot and cold at once) make life and death?
Who could have thought so many accents sweet
Form'd into words, so many sighs should meete
As from our hearts, so many oathes, and teares 15
Sprinkled among, (all sweeter by our feares
And the divine impression of stolne kisses,
That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses?
Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake?
Or must we reade you quite from what you speake, 20
And finde the truth out the wrong way? or must
Hee first desire you false, would wish you just?
O I prophane, though most of women be
This kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee;
My dearest love, though froward jealousie, 25
With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie,
Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheare
The teeming earth, and _that_ forget to beare,
Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames
With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames, 30
Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures,
Would change her course, before you alter yours.
But O that treacherous breast to whom weake you
Did trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue,
Having his falshood found too late, 'twas hee 35
That made me _cast_ you guilty, and you me,
Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple word
Wee spake, unto the cunning of a third.
Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine,
And wander on the earth, wretched as _Cain_, 40
Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty;
In plaguing him, let misery be witty;
Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye,
Till hee be noysome as his infamie;
May he without remorse deny God thrice, 45
And not be trusted more on his Soules price;
And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes,
May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes,
Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue
That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung, 50
And let his carrion coarse be a longer feast
To the Kings dogges, then any other beast.
Now have I curst, let us our love revive;
In mee the flame was never more alive;
I could beginne againe to court and praise, 55
And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayes
Of my lifes lease; like Painters that do take
Delight, not in made worke, but whiles they make;
I could renew those times, when first I saw
Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the law 60
To like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playes
Commend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes;
Aske how you did, and often with intent
Of being officious, be impertinent;
All which were such soft pastimes, as in these 65
Love was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease;
But being got it is a treasure sweet,
Which to defend is harder then to get:
And ought not be prophan'd on either part,
For though'tis got by _chance_, 'tis kept by _art_. 70
[Elegie XV. _Ed:_ Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation. _1635-54:_
Elegie XVII. _1669:_ Elegie. _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _HN_,
_M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _Jonson's_
Underwoods]
[2 strong] full _Und_]
[3 purest] the purer _Und_]
[6 Or your _1633-69:_ Or of your _H40_]
[8 it hath,] she hath _B_, _H40_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S96_]
[12 (Both hot and cold at once) _RP31:_ Both . . . at once,
_Und:_ (Both . . . cold) at once _1633-69_, _S96:_ Both heate
and coole at once _M_
make] threat _Und_]
[14 Form'd into] Tun'd to our _Und_]
[15 As] Blowne _Und_]
[16-18 (all sweeter . . . the rest) _1633_, _B_, _Cy_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _RP31:_ (all sweetend _&c. _ _1635_, _which does
not complete the bracket:_ (all sweetend by our fears) _&c. _
_1639-69_, _L74_ (sweeter), _P_ (sweeter), _S96_ (sweetned)]
[22 wish] have _P_]
[24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster, _Und_
my thought _1633:_ my thoughts _1635-69_, _HN_, _S96_]
[25 though froward] how ever _RP31_, _Und_]
[26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie. _Und_]
[28 beare, _1633:_ beare: _1635-69_]
[30 would _1633_, _Und:_ will _1635-69_
streames, _Ed:_ streames; _1633-69_]
[32 yours. ] yours; _1633_]
[34 trust _1633-69:_ drift _Chambers_]
[37 wretch] wrech _1633_]
[38 third. _Ed:_ third; _1633-69_]
[39 love] loves _RP31_]
[40 wretched as _Cain_, _1633-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F:_
as wretched Cain, _P:_ as cursed Cain, _S:_ wretched on the
Earth, as Cain: _Und_]
[52 dogges, . . . beast. ] dogges; . . . beast; _1633_]
[53 have I] I have _1669_
revive] receive _Und_]
[58 worke, _1633-39_, _most MSS. :_ works, _1650-69_, _S96_,
_Und_]
[61 and playes] or playes _Und_]
[64 be] grow _Und_]
[65 soft] lost _Und_]
ELEGIE XVI.
_On his Mistris. _
By our first strange and fatall interview,
By all desires which thereof did ensue,
By our long starving hopes, by that remorse
Which my words masculine perswasive force
Begot in thee, and by the memory 5
Of hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me,
I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath,
By all paines, which want and divorcement hath,
I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I
And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy, 10
Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus,
Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous.
Temper, ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage,
Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page;
I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behinde 15
Thee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde,
Thirst to come backe; ô if thou die before,
My soule from other lands to thee shall soare.
Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move
Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love, 20
Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast reade
How roughly hee in peeces shivered
Faire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd.
Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd
Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery, 25
That absent Lovers one in th'other be.
Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor change
Thy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strange
To thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face
A blushing womanly discovering grace; 30
Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as soone
Ecclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone.
Men of France, changeable Camelions,
Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions,
Loves fuellers, and the rightest company 35
Of Players, which upon the worlds stage be,
Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas!
Th'indifferent Italian, as we passe
His warme land, well content to thinke thee Page,
Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage, 40
As _Lots_ faire guests were vext. But none of these
Nor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease,
If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for thee
England is onely a worthy Gallerie,
To walke in expectation, till from thence 45
Our greatest King call thee to his presence.
When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse,
Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse,
Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse
Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy Nurse 50
With midnights startings, crying out, oh, oh
Nurse, ô my love is slaine, I saw him goe
O'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I,
Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die.
Augure me better chance, except dread _Iove_ 55
Thinke it enough for me to'have had thy love.
[Elegie XVI. _&c. _ _Ed:_ Elegie on his Mistris. _1635-54
where, and in 1669, it appears among_ Funerall Elegies:
Elegie. _1669: among_ Elegies _with or without heading or
number_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_ _B heads_ His wife would
have gone as his page. ]
[1 interview, _Ed:_ interview _1635-69_]
[3 starving] striving _1669_, _B_, _P:_ starvling _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]
[7 beg: _D:_ beg. _1635-69_
fathers _1635-69_, _O'F:_ Parents _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_]
[11 Here I] I here _1669_]
[12 wayes _1635-54_, _O'F:_ means _1669, and rest of MSS. _]
[14 still . . . faign'd] _1669 om. _ still _and reads_ faigned]
[18 My soule . . . to thee] From other lands my soule towards
thee _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _M_(to), _N_,
_P_, _S_, _TC_, _W_
soare. _Ed:_ soare, _1635-69_]
[21 harshness] rashness _P_. _Compare_ Elegy V, 8]
[23 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea _1669_]
[26 Lovers] friends _P_]
[28 mindes; _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _JC_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ minde,
_1635-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_]
[29 onely; _A18_, _D_, _N_, _TC:_ onely. _1635-69_]
[35 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers, _1669_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _S96_, _P_]
[37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas! _1635-54_,
_O'F:_ Will too too quickly know thee; and alas, _1669:_ Will
quickly know thee, and know thee, and alas _A18_, _N_, _S_
(_omitting second_ and), _TCD_, _W:_ Will quickly know thee,
and thee, and alas _A25:_ Will quickly know thee, and alas
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_, _S96_, _TCC_]
[39 Page, _Ed:_ Page _1635-39_]
[40 hunt _1635-69_, _O'F:_ haunt _most MSS. _]
[42 hydroptique] Aydroptique _1669_]
[46 greatest _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P:_ greate _A18_, _A25_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC_
call] doe call _A18_, _N_, _TC_
to] in to _A25_, _JC_, _S_]
[49 me, nor blesse] me; Blesse _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W_]
ELEGIE XVII.
_Variety. _
The heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I
Abjure my so much lov'd variety,
And not with many youth and love divide?
Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd:
The sun that sitting in the chaire of light 5
Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright,
Is not contented at one Signe to Inne,
But ends his year and with a new beginnes.
All things doe willingly in change delight,
The fruitfull mother of our appetite: 10
Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are,
Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr;
And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet,
Corrupts it self and what doth live in it.
Let no man tell me such a one is faire, 15
And worthy all alone my love to share.
Nature in her hath done the liberall part
Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art
To make her loveable, and I aver
Him not humane that would turn back from her: 20
I love her well, and would, if need were, dye
To doe her service. But followes it that I
Must serve her onely, when I may have choice
Of other beauties, and in change rejoice?
The law is hard, and shall not have my voice. 25
The last I saw in all extreames is faire,
And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire;
Her nymph-like features such agreements have
That I could venture with her to the grave:
Another's brown, I like her not the worse, 30
Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse.
Others, for that they well descended are,
Do in my love obtain as large a share;
And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee
To win their love onely for their degree. 35
And though I faile of my required ends,
The attempt is glorious and it self commends.
How happy were our Syres in ancient times,
Who held plurality of loves no crime!
With them it was accounted charity 40
To stirre up race of all indifferently;
Kindreds were not exempted from the bands:
Which with the Persian still in usage stands.
Women were then no sooner asked then won,
And what they did was honest and well done. 45
But since this title honour hath been us'd,
Our weake credulity hath been abus'd;
The golden laws of nature are repeald,
Which our first Fathers in such reverence held;
Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone, 50
And we're made servants to opinion,
A monster in no certain shape attir'd,
And whose originall is much desir'd,
Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions,
And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations. 55
Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes,
And was dispoiled of his daring armes.
A greater want then is his daring eyes,
He lost those awfull wings with which he flies;
His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts 60
Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts.
Onely some few strong in themselves and free
Retain the seeds of antient liberty,
Following that part of Love although deprest,
And make a throne for him within their brest, 65
In spight of modern censures him avowing
Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing.
Amongst which troop although I am the least,
Yet equall in perfection with the best,
I glory in subjection of his hand, 70
Nor ever did decline his least command:
For in whatever forme the message came
My heart did open and receive the same.
But time will in his course a point discry
When I this loved service must deny, 75
For our allegiance temporary is,
With firmer age returnes our liberties.
What time in years and judgement we repos'd,
Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd,
Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying; 80
But beauty with true worth securely weighing,
Which being found assembled in some one,
Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone.
[Elegie XVII. Variety. _Ed: printed for first time without
title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719:_ An Elegie.
_A10:_ Elegie 17^{the}. _JC_]
[1 motion, why _Ed:_ motion why, _1650-69_]
[3 love divide? _MSS. :_ lov'd divide? _1650-69_]
[4 diversifi'd: _Ed:_ diversifi'd _1650-69_]
[6 what else so ever doth seem _1650-69:_ what else is not so
_A10_]
[12 fair-spreading _1650-69_, _JC:_ broad silver _A10_
and farr; _A10_, _JC:_ and cleare; _1650-69_]
[14 it self and _1650-69:_ it self, kills _A10_]
[16 And only worthy to be past compare; _A10_]
[19 aver] ever _1650-69_]
[20 would turn back from _1650-69:_ could not fancy _A10_]
[24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? _A10:_ _om.
1650-69_]
[25-36 _omitted in A10_]
[30 brown, _Ed:_ brown _1650-69_]
[32 are _JC:_ were _1650-69_]
[39 crime! _Ed:_ crime? _1650-69_]
[43 Persian _1650-54_, _JC:_ Persians _1669_, _A10_]
[46 title _A10_, _JC:_ little _1650-69_]
[50 liberty's _Ed:_ liberty _1650-69_, _JC_
revers'd, our _A10:_ revers'd and _1650-69_, _JC_]
[51 we're _A10:_ we _1650-69_, _JC_]
[53 whose originall _1650-69_, _JC:_ one whose origin _A10_]
[54 goeing on it fashions _A10:_ growing on it fashions _JC:_
growing on its fashions, _1650-69_]
[55 manners and laws to _1650-69_, _JC:_ Lawes, Manners unto
_A10_]
[57 armes. _A10:_ armes, _1650-69_]
[58 is _1650-69:_ of _A10_]
[61 bruise _1650-69_ wound _A10_
hearts. _Ed:_ hearts; _1650-69_]
[63 seeds of antient _1650-69_, _JC:_ seed of pristine _A10_]
[64 Love] love _1650-69_]
[70 of his _1650-69:_ under's _A10_]
[71 Nor . . . decline _1650-69:_ Never declining from _A10_]
[72-7 _omitted in A10_]
[73 same. _Ed:_ same: _1650-69:_ flame _JC_]
[75 deny, _Ed:_ deny. _1650-69_]
[79 dispos'd, _Ed:_ dispos'd _1650-69_]
[80 obeying; _Ed:_ obeying, _1650-69_]
[81 securely _1650-69:_ unpartially _A10_]
[82 being _1650-69:_ having _A10_
one, _Ed:_ one _1650-69_]
[83 Wee'l love her ever, _Ed:_ Wee'l leave her ever,
_1650-69_, _JC:_ Would love for ever, _A10_]
ELEGIE XVIII.
_Loves Progress. _
Who ever loves, if he do not propose
The right true end of love, he's one that goes
To sea for nothing but to make him sick:
Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick
Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take, 5
We erre, and of a lump a monster make.
Were not a Calf a monster that were grown
Face'd like a man, though better then his own?
Perfection is in unitie: preferr
One woman first, and then one thing in her. 10
I, when I value gold, may think upon
The ductilness, the application,
The wholsomness, the ingenuitie,
From rust, from soil, from fire ever free:
But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made 15
By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade.
All these in women we might think upon
(If women had them) and yet love but one.
Can men more injure women then to say
They love them for that, by which they're not they? 20
Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud
Till I both be, and find one wise and good?
May barren Angels love so. But if we
Make love to woman; virtue is not she:
As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus 25
From her to hers, is more adulterous,
Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare
And firmament, our _Cupid_ is not there:
He's an infernal god and under ground,
With _Pluto_ dwells, where gold and fire abound: 30
Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles
Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes.
Although we see Celestial bodies move
Above the earth, the earth we Till and love:
So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart, 35
And virtues; but we love the Centrique part.
Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit
For love, then this, as infinite as it.
But in attaining this desired place
How much they erre; that set out at the face? 40
The hair a Forest is of Ambushes,
Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles:
The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain,
And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again.
Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have 45
Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave.
The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs
Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns;
It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere
On either side, and then directs us where 50
Upon the Islands fortunate we fall,
(Not faynte _Canaries_, but _Ambrosiall_)
Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come,
We anchor there, and think our selves at home,
For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there 55
Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear;
There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell,
The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell.
These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin
Ore past; and the streight _Hellespont_ betweene 60
The _Sestos_ and _Abydos_ of her breasts,
(Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts)
Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye
Some Island moles may scattered there descry;
And Sailing towards her _India_, in that way 65
Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay;
Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made,
Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd,
Thou shalt upon another Forest set,
Where many Shipwrack, and no further get. 70
When thou art there, consider what this chace
Mispent by thy beginning at the face.
Rather set out below; practice my Art,
Some Symetry the foot hath with that part
Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that 75
Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at:
Least subject to disguise and change it is;
Men say the Devil never can change his.
It is the Emblem that hath figured
Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed. 80
Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss
Which at the face began, transplanted is,
Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee,
Now at the Papal foot delights to be:
If Kings think that the nearer way, and do 85
Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too;
For as free Spheres move faster far then can
Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man
Which goes this empty and Ætherial way,
Then if at beauties elements he stay. 90
Rich Nature hath in women wisely made
Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid:
They then, which to the lower tribute owe,
That way which that Exchequer looks, must go:
He which doth not, his error is as great, 95
As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat.
[Elegie XVIII. _&c. _ _Ed:_ Elegie XVIII. _1669, where it is
first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed
in_ Wit and Drollery. By Sir J. M. , J. S. , Sir W. D. , J. D. ,
and the most refined Wits of the Age. _1661. It appears in
A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with title_
Loves Progress. , _or_ Elegie. on Loves Progresse. , _or with no
title_]
[4 Love is a _1669:_ And Love's a _MSS. _]
[5 strange _1661 and MSS. :_ strong _1669_]
[11 I,] I _1669_]
[14 ever _1669:_ for ever _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[16 (our new nature) use, _1661_]
[17 these _1669 and MSS. :_ this _1661_, _Cy_, _P_, _Chambers_]
[20 them] _om. 1661_]
[25 beauty'is not _1661 and MSS. :_ beauties no _1669_
thus] thus: _1669_]
[27 Then if he took] Then he that took _1661_, _B_ (takes),
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_
spheare] sphear _1669_]
[30 abound: _Ed:_ abound, _1669_]
[32 in _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ on _1669_,
_A25_
holes. ] holes: _1669_]
[38 infinite] infinit _1669_]
[40 erre _1661-69_, _S_, _S96:_ stray _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC_]
[42 springes, _H49 and some MSS. :_ springs, _1669_]
[46 and _1661_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ but _1669_
our _1661_, _MSS. :_ a _1669_]
[47 first Meridian _1661 and MSS. :_ sweet Meridian _1669_. ]
[52-3 (Not . . . Ambrosiall) . . . lips _&c. _ _1661 and MSS. _
(_not always with brackets and sometimes with_ No _for_ Not
_and_ Canary): Not . . . Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when
we are come, _1669_]
[55 For they seem all: there _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TC:_ For they sing all their _1661_,
_Cy_, _P_]
[57 There _1661 and MSS. :_ Then _1669_
swell, _Ed:_ swell _1669_]
[58 Rhemora _1669_]
[59 the glorious Promontory,] _brackets and no comma, 1669_]
[60 Ore past; . . . betweene _1661 and MSS. :_ Being past the
Straits of _Hellespont_ between _1669_]
[62 Loves] loves _1669_]
[63 yet] that _D, H49, Lec, and other MSS. _]
[65 Sailing] Sailng _1669_]
[66 Navell] Naval _1669_]
[67 thence _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC:_ there _1661-9_, _N_(? ): hence _P_
thy _all MSS. :_ the _1661-9_]
[68 wouldst _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ shouldst _1669_]
[70 many _1669:_ some doe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_]
[73 my _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _TCD:_ thy _Chambers:_ thine _A18_, _TCC_]
[80 the] _bis 1669_]
[81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face
begonne, transplanted is _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[83 Imperial] imperial _1669_]
[86 too;] too. _1669_]
[90 elements _1661 and MSS. :_ enemies _1669_]
[91 hath] _Chambers omits_]
[93 owe,] owe _1669_]
[96 Clyster gave _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ glister
gives _1669_]
ELEGIE XIX.
_Going to Bed. _
Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie,
Until I labour, I in labour lie.
The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,
Is tir'd with standing though he never fight.
Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering, 5
But a far fairer world incompassing.
Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,
That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there.
Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme,
Tells me from you, that now it is bed time. 10
Off with that happy busk, which I envie,
That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.
Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals,
As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales.
Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew 15
The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow:
Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread
In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed.
In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be
Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee 20
A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though
Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know,
By this these Angels from an evil sprite,
Those set our hairs, but these our flesh uprigh
Licence my roaving hands, and let them go, 25
Before, behind, between, above, below.
O my America! my new-found-land,
My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd,
My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie,
How blest am I in this discovering thee! 30
To enter in these bonds, is to be free;
Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.
Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee,
As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be,
To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use 35
Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views,
That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem,
His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.
Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made
For lay-men, are all women thus array'd; 40
Themselves are mystick books, which only wee
(Whom their imputed grace will dignifie)
Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know;
As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew
Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence, 45
There is no pennance due to innocence.
To teach thee, I am naked first; why than
What needst thou have more covering then a man.
[Elegie XIX. _&c. Ed: in 1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_
Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but
with the heading_ To his Mistris going to Bed. _The MSS.
include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or
simply_ Elegye, _or numbered according to the scheme adopted:
B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other
titles_]
[4 he _1669:_ they _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TC_]
[5 glittering] glistering _MSS. _]
[8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair. _Cy_, _P_]
[10 it is _1669:_ 'tis your _MSS. _]
[11 which] whom _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _TC_,
_W_]
[14 from _MSS. :_ through _1669_
shadow] shadows _1669_]
[16 Diademe . . . grow: _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Diadem which on your
head doth grow: _1669:_ Diadems which on you do grow. _S_,
_Chambers_]
[17 Now . . . shooes, _1669_, _JC_, _W:_ Off . . . shoes _A18_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ Off with those hose and shoes
_S_
safely _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ softly _1669_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_]
[20 Receavd by men; Thou _all MSS. :_ Reveal'd to men; thou
_1669_]
[21 Paradise; _Ed:_ Paradice, _1669_]
[22 Ill _1669_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ All _B, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture_
spirits _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S:_ angels
_O'F_, _S96_
white, _Ed:_ white; _1669_]
[26 below. _Ed:_ below, _1669_]
[28 kingdome, _MSS. :_ Kingdom's _1669_
safeliest _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC:_ safest, _1669_
man'd, _Ed:_ man'd. _1669_]
[29 stones, _Ed:_ stones: _1669_]
[30 How blest am I _all MSS. :_ How am I blest _1669_
this _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _TC_, _W:_ thus _1669_, _A25_, _L74_, _S_
discovering] discovery _B_, _O'F_
thee! _Ed:_ thee? _1669_
be. ] be, _1669_]
[35 Gems] Jems _1669: and so_ 37]
[36 like _1669:_ as _MSS. _
balls, _MSS. :_ ball: _1669_]
[38 covet _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ court _1669_, _Cy_, _P_, _S_, _S96_
theirs, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ those _S:_ that, _1669_, _B_,
_O'F_
them. ] them: _1669_]
[39 pictures, _Ed:_ pictures _1669_
made _Ed:_ made, _1669_]
[40 lay-men, _Ed:_ lay-men _1669_
array'd; _Ed:_ arrayed _1669_]
[41 Themselves . . . only wee _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_
Themselves are only mystick books, which we, _1669_, _B_]
[43 see] be _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _TC_
reveal'd] revealed _1669_]
[44 a _all MSS. :_ thy _1669_
Midwife, _Ed:_ Midwife _1669_]
[45 hence, _Ed:_ hence _1669_]
[46 pennance due to innocence. _1669_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S:_ pennance, much less innocence; _A18_, _A25_, _D_,
_H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _W_]
[47 thee, _Ed:_ thee _1669_
first; _Ed:_ first, _1669_]
ELEGIE XX.
_Loves Warre. _
Till I have peace with thee, warr other men,
And when I have peace, can I leave thee then?
All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou
O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe
To any one: In Flanders, who can tell 5
Whether the Master presse; or men rebell?
Only we know, that which all Ideots say,
They beare most blows which come to part the fray.
France in her lunatique giddines did hate
Ever our men, yea and our God of late; 10
Yet she relyes upon our Angels well,
Which nere returne; no more then they which fell.
Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest
Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest;
Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good 15
If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood.
And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give,
We touch all gold, but find no food to live.
And I should be in the hott parching clyme,
To dust and ashes turn'd before my time. 20
To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall
Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall;
Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell
In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell.
Long voyages are long consumptions, 25
And ships are carts for executions.
Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye
Into an other World, as t'is to dye?
Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye;
Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye. 30
Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee;
Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee.
Other men war that they their rest may gayne;
But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne.
Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love, 35
There wee are alwayes under, here above.
There Engins farr off breed a just true feare,
Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here.
There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye;
There men kill men, we'will make one by and by. 40
Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do
In these Warrs, as they may which from us two
Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not
To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott
To make at home; And shall not I do then 45
More glorious service, staying to make men?
[Elegy XX _&c. _ _Ed: First published in F. G. Waldron's_ A
Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802, _from a MS. dated
1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in his_ Philobiblon Society
_volume of 1856. It is included among Donne's_ Elegies _in
A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC,
TCD, W. In B it has the title_ Making of Men. _The present
text is based on W_]
[7 all _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W:_ most _JC_, _Chambers_]
[8 They beare most blows which (_or_ that) _A18_, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ They must
bear blows, which _Chambers_]
[9 giddiness] guidings _Sim:_ giddinge _Wald_]
[11 well,] well _W_]
[13 a strange] straying _Sim_]
[16 head] dead _Sim_]
[19 the _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ that _Chambers_, _A25_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_]
[24 swaggering] swaying _Chambers_]
[25 consumptions,] consumptions _W:_ _line omitted_, _Wald_]
[29 lye] _spelt_ ly
_W:_ _and so_ 30 dy]
[33 gayne;] gayne _W_]
[37 There] These _Sim_
and, that, with, which] _contracted throughout_, _W_]
HEROICALL EPISTLE.
_Sapho_ to _Philænis_.
Where is that holy fire, which _Verse_ is said
To have? is that inchanting force decai'd?
_Verse_ that drawes _Natures_ workes, from _Natures_ law,
Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw.
Have my teares quench'd my old _Poetique_ fire; 5
Why quench'd they not as well, that of _desire_?
Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee,
But I, their maker, want their libertie.
Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit,
But that is waxe, and fires environ it. 10
My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence;
And I am rob'd of _Picture_, _Heart_, and _Sense_.
Dwells with me still mine irksome _Memory_,
Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.
That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire, 15
As, _gods_, when _gods_ to thee I doe compare,
Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,
What things _gods_ are, I say they'are like to thee.
For, if we justly call each silly _man_
A _litle world_, What shall we call thee than? 20
Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,
As _Down_, as _Stars_, _Cedars_, and _Lillies_ are,
But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only
Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.
Such was my _Phao_ awhile, but shall be never, 25
As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.
Here lovers sweare in their _Idolatrie_,
That I am such; but _Griefe_ discolors me.
And yet I grieve the lesse, least _Griefe_ remove
My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love. 30
Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet
A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.
His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse
Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse.
Thy body is a naturall _Paradise_, 35
In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,
Nor needs _perfection_; why shouldst thou than
Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man?
Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,
And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows. 40
But of our dallyance no more signes there are,
Then _fishes_ leave in streames, or _Birds_ in aire.
And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;
All, all that _Nature_ yields, or _Art_ can adde.
My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two, 45
But so, as thine from one another doe;
And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,
Why should they not alike in all parts touch?
