390
[The Lamentations _&c.
[The Lamentations _&c.
John Donne
For _that_ we pray, we praise thy name for _this_, 45
Which, by this _Moses_ and this _Miriam_, is
Already done; and as those Psalmes we call
(Though some have other Authors) _Davids_ all:
So though some have, some may some Psalmes translate,
We thy Sydnean Psalmes shall celebrate, 50
And, till we come th'Extemporall song to sing,
(Learn'd the first hower, that we see the King,
Who hath translated those translators) may
These their sweet learned labours, all the way
Be as our tuning; that, when hence we part, 55
We may fall in with them, and sing our part.
[Vpon the _&c. _ _1635-69:_ _no extant MSS. _]
[17 voyce, _1635-39:_ voyce; _1650-69_]
[22 sing;] sing. _1635-69_]
[23 three Quires, _1669:_ 3 Quires, _1635-54_]
[28 here _1669:_ heare _1635-54_ (_the same word, not_ hear
_as in Chambers' note_)]
[46 this Moses _Grosart:_ thy _Moses_ _1635-69_]
[55: tuning; _1719:_ tuning, _1635-69_
part, _1719:_ part _1635-69_]
_Ode: Of our Sense of Sinne. _
1. Vengeance will sit above our faults; but till
She there doth sit,
We see _her_ not, nor _them_. Thus, blinde, yet still
We leade her way; and thus, whil'st we doe ill,
We suffer it. 5
2. Vnhappy he, whom youth makes not beware
Of doing ill.
Enough we labour under age, and care;
In number, th'errours of the last place, are
The greatest still. 10
3. Yet we, that should the ill we now begin
As soone repent,
(Strange thing! ) perceive not; our faults are not seen,
But past us; neither felt, but onely in
The punishment. 15
4. But we know our selves least; Mere outward shews
Our mindes so store,
That our soules, no more than our eyes disclose
But forme and colour. Onely he who knowes
Himselfe, knowes more. 20
_I. D. _
[Ode. _1635-69_, _O'F:_ Of our Sense of Sinne.
_H40_, _RP31_ (_in margin_, S^{r} Edw. Herbert): _no title_,
_B_, _Cy_, _P_, _S_]
[2 doth _1635-39:_ do _1650-69_]
[11 now] new _B_]
[15 The _1635-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ Our _B_, _H40_, _O'F_]
_To M^{r}_ Tilman _after he had taken orders. _
Thou, whose diviner soule hath caus'd thee now
To put thy hand unto the holy Plough,
Making Lay-scornings of the Ministry,
Not an impediment, but victory;
What bringst thou home with thee? how is thy mind 5
Affected since the vintage? Dost thou finde
New thoughts and stirrings in thee? and as Steele
Toucht with a Loadstone, dost new motions feele?
Or, as a Ship after much paine and care,
For Iron and Cloth brings home rich Indian ware, 10
Hast thou thus traffiqu'd, but with farre more gaine
Of noble goods, and with lesse time and paine?
Thou art the same materials, as before,
Onely the stampe is changed; but no more.
And as new crowned Kings alter the face, 15
But not the monies substance; so hath grace
Chang'd onely Gods old Image by Creation,
To Christs new stampe, at this thy Coronation;
Or, as we paint Angels with wings, because
They beare Gods message, and proclaime his lawes, 20
Since thou must doe the like, and so must move,
Art thou new feather'd with coelestiall love?
Deare, tell me where thy purchase lies, and shew
What thy advantage is above, below.
But if thy gainings doe surmount expression, 25
Why doth the foolish world scorne that profession,
Whose joyes passe speech? Why do they think unfit
That Gentry should joyne families with it?
As if their day were onely to be spent
In dressing, Mistressing and complement; 30
Alas poore joyes, but poorer men, whose trust
Seemes richly placed in sublimed dust;
(For, such are cloathes and beauty, which though gay,
Are, at the best, but of sublimed clay. )
Let then the world thy calling disrespect, 35
But goe thou on, and pitty their neglect.
What function is so noble, as to bee
Embassadour to God and destinie?
To open life, to give kingdomes to more
Than Kings give dignities; to keepe heavens doore? 40
_Maries_ prerogative was to beare Christ, so
'Tis preachers to convey him, for they doe
As Angels out of clouds, from Pulpits speake;
And blesse the poore beneath, the lame, the weake.
If then th'Astronomers, whereas they spie 45
A new-found Starre, their Opticks magnifie,
How brave are those, who with their Engine, can
Bring man to heaven, and heaven againe to man?
These are thy titles and preheminences,
In whom must meet Gods graces, mens offences, 50
And so the heavens which beget all things here,
And the earth our mother, which these things doth beare,
Both these in thee, are in thy Calling knit,
And make thee now a blest Hermaphrodite.
[To M^{r} Tilman _&c. _ _1635-69:_ _no extant MSS. _]
[18 Christs] Chists _1635_]
[34 clay. ) _Ed:_ clay) _1635-69_]
[52 beare, _1650-69:_ beare _1635-39_]
_A Hymne to Christ, at the Authors last going into Germany. _
In what torne ship soever I embarke,
That ship shall be my embleme of thy Arke;
What sea soever swallow mee, that flood
Shall be to mee an embleme of thy blood;
Though thou with clouds of anger do disguise 5
Thy race; yet through that maske I know those eyes,
Which, though they turne away sometimes,
They never will despise.
I sacrifice this Iland unto thee,
And all whom I lov'd there, and who lov'd mee; 10
When I have put our seas twixt them and mee,
Put thou thy sea betwixt my sinnes and thee.
As the trees sap doth seeke the root below
In winter, in my winter now I goe,
Where none but thee, th'Eternall root 15
Of true Love I may know.
Nor thou nor thy religion dost controule,
The amorousnesse of an harmonious Soule,
But thou would'st have that love thy selfe: As thou
Art jealous, Lord, so I am jealous now, 20
Thou lov'st not, till from loving more, thou free
My soule: Who ever gives, takes libertie:
O, if thou car'st not whom I love
Alas, thou lov'st not mee.
Seale then this bill of my Divorce to All, 25
On whom those fainter beames of love did fall;
Marry those loves, which in youth scattered bee
On Fame, Wit, Hopes (false mistresses) to thee.
Churches are best for Prayer, that have least light:
To see God only, I goe out of sight: 30
And to scape stormy dayes, I chuse
An Everlasting night.
[A Hymne _&c. _ _1633-69:_ A Hymne to Christ. _A18_, _N_,
_TCC_, _TCD:_ At his going with my Lord of Doncaster 1619.
_B_, _and similarly_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ _in MSS. last two
lines of each stanza given as one_]
[2 my . . . thy] an . . . the _P_]
[3 soever swallow mee, that] soe'er swallows me up, that
_O'F_]
[10 I lov'd there, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC:_ I love here,
_1635-69:_ I love there _P_
who lov'd mee; _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ who love mee;
_1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[11 our seas _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ this flood _1635-69:_
these (_or_ those) seas _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
[12 sea _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ seas _1633_, _P:_
blood _1635-69_]
[15 thee, th'Eternall root] thy eternall work _B_, _O'F_
(_where it is altered to reading of text_), _P_ (externall
workes), _S96_]
[28 Fame, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Face, _1635-69_, _B_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S96_]
_The Lamentations of Ieremy, for the most part according to
Tremelius. _
CHAP. I.
1 How sits this citie, late most populous,
Thus solitary, and like a widdow thus!
Amplest of Nations, Queene of Provinces
She was, who now thus tributary is!
2 Still in the night shee weepes, and her teares fall 5
Downe by her cheekes along, and none of all
Her lovers comfort her; Perfidiously
Her friends have dealt, and now are enemie.
3 Unto great bondage, and afflictions
Juda is captive led; Those nations 10
With whom shee dwells, no place of rest afford,
In streights shee meets her Persecutors sword.
4 Emptie are the gates of Sion, and her waies
Mourne, because none come to her solemne dayes.
Her Priests doe groane, her maides are comfortlesse, 15
And shee's unto her selfe a bitternesse.
5 Her foes are growne her head, and live at Peace,
Because when her transgressions did increase,
The Lord strooke her with sadnesse: Th'enemie
Doth drive her children to captivitie. 20
6 From Sions daughter is all beauty gone,
Like Harts, which seeke for Pasture, and find none,
Her Princes are, and now before the foe
Which still pursues them, without strength they go.
7 Now in her daies of Teares, Jerusalem 25
(Her men slaine by the foe, none succouring them)
Remembers what of old, shee esteemed most,
Whilest her foes laugh at her, for what she hath lost.
8 Jerusalem hath sinn'd, therefore is shee
Remov'd, as women in uncleannesse bee; 30
Who honor'd, scorne her, for her foulnesse they
Have seene; her selfe doth groane, and turne away.
9 Her foulnesse in her skirts was seene, yet she
Remembred not her end; Miraculously
Therefore shee fell, none comforting: Behold 35
O Lord my affliction, for the Foe growes bold.
10 Upon all things where her delight hath beene,
The foe hath stretch'd his hand, for shee hath seene
Heathen, whom thou command'st, should not doe so,
Into her holy Sanctuary goe. 40
11 And all her people groane, and seeke for bread;
And they have given, only to be fed,
All precious things, wherein their pleasure lay:
How cheape I'am growne, O Lord, behold, and weigh.
12 All this concernes not you, who passe by mee, 45
O see, and marke if any sorrow bee
Like to my sorrow, which Jehova hath
Done to mee in the day of his fierce wrath?
13 That fire, which by himselfe is governed
He hath cast from heaven on my bones, and spred 50
A net before my feet, and mee o'rthrowne,
And made me languish all the day alone.
14 His hand hath of my sinnes framed a yoake
Which wreath'd, and cast upon my neck, hath broke
My strength. The Lord unto those enemies 55
Hath given mee, from whom I cannot rise.
15 He under foot hath troden in my sight
My strong men; He did company invite
To breake my young men; he the winepresse hath
Trod upon Juda's daughter in his wrath. 60
16 For these things doe I weepe, mine eye, mine eye
Casts water out; For he which should be nigh
To comfort mee, is now departed farre;
The foe prevailes, forlorne my children are.
17 There's none, though _Sion_ do stretch out her hand, 65
To comfort her, it is the Lords command
That _Iacobs_ foes girt him. _Ierusalem_
Is as an uncleane woman amongst them.
18 But yet the Lord is just, and righteous still,
I have rebell'd against his holy will; 70
O heare all people, and my sorrow see,
My maides, my young men in captivitie.
19 I called for my _lovers_ then, but they
Deceiv'd mee, and my Priests, and Elders lay
Dead in the citie; for they sought for meat 75
Which should refresh their soules, they could not get.
20 Because I am in streights, _Iehova_ see
My heart o'rturn'd, my bowells muddy bee,
Because I have rebell'd so much, as fast
The sword without, as death within, doth wast. 80
21 Of all which heare I mourne, none comforts mee,
My foes have heard my griefe, and glad they be,
That thou hast done it; But thy promis'd day
Will come, when, as I suffer, so shall they.
22 Let all their wickednesse appeare to thee, 85
Doe unto them, as thou hast done to mee,
For all my sinnes: The sighs which I have had
Are very many, and my heart is sad.
CHAP. II.
1 How over Sions daughter hath God hung
His wraths thicke cloud! and from heaven hath flung 90
To earth the beauty of _Israel_, and hath
Forgot his foot-stoole in the day of wrath!
2 The Lord unsparingly hath swallowed
All Jacobs dwellings, and demolished
To ground the strengths of _Iuda_, and prophan'd 95
The Princes of the Kingdome, and the land.
3 In heat of wrath, the horne of _Israel_ hee
Hath cleane cut off, and lest the enemie
Be hindred, his right hand he doth retire,
But is towards _Iacob_, All-devouring fire. 100
4 Like to an enemie he bent his bow,
His right hand was in posture of a foe,
To kill what _Sions_ daughter did desire,
'Gainst whom his wrath, he poured forth, like fire.
5 For like an enemie _Iehova_ is, 105
Devouring _Israel_, and his Palaces,
Destroying holds, giving additions
To _Iuda's_ daughters lamentations.
6 Like to a garden hedge he hath cast downe
The place where was his congregation, 110
And _Sions_ feasts and sabbaths are forgot;
Her King, her Priest, his wrath regardeth not.
7 The Lord forsakes his Altar, and detests
His Sanctuary, and in the foes hand rests
His Palace, and the walls, in which their cries 115
Are heard, as in the true solemnities.
8 The Lord hath cast a line, so to confound
And levell _Sions_ walls unto the ground;
He drawes not back his hand, which doth oreturne
The wall, and Rampart, which together mourne. 120
9 Their gates are sunke into the ground, and hee
Hath broke the barres; their King and Princes bee
Amongst the heathen, without law, nor there
Unto their Prophets doth the Lord appeare.
10 There _Sions Elders_ on the ground are plac'd, 125
And silence keepe; Dust on their heads they cast,
In sackcloth have they girt themselves, and low
The Virgins towards ground, their heads do throw.
11 My bowells are growne muddy, and mine eyes
Are faint with weeping: and my liver lies 130
Pour'd out upon the ground, for miserie
That sucking children in the streets doe die.
12 When they had cryed unto their Mothers, where
Shall we have bread, and drinke? they fainted there,
And in the streets like wounded persons lay 135
Till 'twixt their mothers breasts they went away.
13 _Daughter Ierusalem_, Oh what may bee
A witnesse, or comparison for thee?
Sion, to ease thee, what shall I name like thee?
Thy breach is like the sea, what help can bee? 140
14 For thee vaine foolish things thy Prophets sought,
Thee, thine iniquities they have not taught,
Which might disturne thy bondage: but for thee
False burthens, and false causes they would see.
15 The passengers doe clap their hands, and hisse, 145
And wag their head at thee, and say, Is this
That citie, which so many men did call
Joy of the earth, and perfectest of all?
16 Thy foes doe gape upon thee, and they hisse,
And gnash their teeth, and say, Devoure wee this, 150
For this is certainly the day which wee
Expected, and which now we finde, and see.
17 The Lord hath done that which he purposed,
Fulfill'd his word of old determined;
He hath throwne downe, and not spar'd, and thy foe 155
Made glad above thee, and advanc'd him so.
18 But now, their hearts against the Lord do call,
Therefore, O walls of _Sion_, let teares fall
Downe like a river, day and night; take thee
No rest, but let thine eye incessant be. 160
19 Arise, cry in the night, poure, for thy sinnes,
Thy heart, like water, when the watch begins;
Lift up thy hands to God, lest children dye,
Which, faint for hunger, in the streets doe lye.
20 Behold O Lord, consider unto whom 165
Thou hast done this; what, shall the women come
To eate their children of a spanne? shall thy
Prophet and Priest be slaine in Sanctuary?
21 On ground in streets, the yong and old do lye,
My virgins and yong men by sword do dye; 170
Them in the day of thy wrath thou hast slaine,
Nothing did thee from killing them containe.
22 As to a solemne feast, all whom I fear'd
Thou call'st about mee; when his wrath appear'd,
None did remaine or scape, for those which I 175
Brought up, did perish by mine enemie.
CHAP. III.
1 I am the man which have affliction seene,
Under the rod of Gods wrath having beene,
2 He hath led mee to darknesse, not to light,
3 And against mee all day, his hand doth fight. 180
4 Hee hath broke my bones, worne out my flesh and skinne,
5 Built up against mee; and hath girt mee in
With hemlocke, and with labour; 6 and set mee
In darke, as they who dead for ever bee.
7 Hee hath hedg'd me lest I scape, and added more 185
To my steele fetters, heavier then before.
8 When I crie out, he out shuts my prayer: 9 And hath
Stop'd with hewn stone my way, and turn'd my path.
10 And like a Lion hid in secrecie,
Or Beare which lyes in wait, he was to mee. 190
11 He stops my way, teares me, made desolate,
12 And hee makes mee the marke he shooteth at.
13 Hee made the children of his quiver passe
Into my reines, 14 I with my people was
All the day long, a song and mockery. 195
15 Hee hath fill'd mee with bitternesse, and he
Hath made me drunke with wormewood. 16 He hath burst
My teeth with stones, and covered mee with dust;
17 And thus my Soule farre off from peace was set,
And my prosperity I did forget. 200
18 My strength, my hope (unto my selfe I said)
Which from the Lord should come, is perished.
19 But when my mournings I do thinke upon,
My wormwood, hemlocke, and affliction,
20 My Soule is humbled in remembring this; 205
21 My heart considers, therefore, hope there is.
22 'Tis Gods great mercy we'are not utterly
Consum'd, for his compassions do not die;
23 For every morning they renewed bee,
For great, O Lord, is thy fidelity. 210
24 The Lord is, saith my Soule, my portion,
And therefore in him will I hope alone.
25 The Lord is good to them, who on him relie,
And to the Soule that seeks him earnestly.
26 It is both good to trust, and to attend 215
(The Lords salvation) unto the end:
27 'Tis good for one his yoake in youth to beare;
28 He sits alone, and doth all speech forbeare,
Because he hath borne it. 29 And his mouth he layes
Deepe in the dust, yet then in hope he stayes. 220
30 He gives his cheekes to whosoever will
Strike him, and so he is reproched still.
31 For, not for ever doth the Lord forsake,
32 But when he'hath strucke with sadnes, hee doth take
Compassion, as his mercy'is infinite; 225
33 Nor is it with his heart, that he doth smite;
34 That underfoot the prisoners stamped bee,
35 That a mans right the Judge himselfe doth see
To be wrung from him, 36 That he subverted is
In his just cause; the Lord allowes not this. 230
37 Who then will say, that ought doth come to passe,
But that which by the Lord commanded was?
38 Both good and evill from his mouth proceeds;
39 Why then grieves any man for his misdeeds?
40 Turne wee to God, by trying out our wayes; 235
41 To him in heaven, our hands with hearts upraise.
42 Wee have rebell'd, and falne away from thee,
Thou pardon'st not; 43 Usest no clemencie;
Pursuest us, kill'st us, coverest us with wrath,
44 Cover'st thy selfe with clouds, that our prayer hath 240
No power to passe. 45 And thou hast made us fall
As refuse, and off-scouring to them all.
46 All our foes gape at us. 47 Feare and a snare
With ruine, and with waste, upon us are.
48 With watry rivers doth mine eye oreflow 245
For ruine of my peoples daughter so;
49 Mine eye doth drop downe teares incessantly,
50 Untill the Lord looke downe from heaven to see.
51 And for my citys daughters sake, mine eye
Doth breake mine heart. 52 Causles mine enemy, 250
Like a bird chac'd me. 53 In a dungeon
They have shut my life, and cast on me a stone.
54 Waters flow'd o'r my head, then thought I, I am
Destroy'd; 55 I called Lord, upon thy name
Out of the pit. 56 And thou my voice didst heare; 255
Oh from my sigh, and crye, stop not thine eare.
57 Then when I call'd upon thee, thou drew'st nere
Unto mee, and said'st unto mee, do not feare.
58 Thou Lord my Soules cause handled hast, and thou
Rescud'st my life. 59 O Lord do thou judge now, 260
Thou heardst my wrong. 60 Their vengeance all they have wrought;
61 How they reproach'd, thou hast heard, and what they thought,
62 What their lips uttered, which against me rose,
And what was ever whisper'd by my foes.
63 I am their song, whether they rise or sit, 265
64 Give them rewards Lord, for their working fit,
65 Sorrow of heart, thy curse. 66 And with thy might
Follow, and from under heaven destroy them quite.
CHAP. IV.
1 How is the gold become so dimme? How is
Purest and finest gold thus chang'd to this? 270
The stones which were stones of the Sanctuary,
Scattered in corners of each street do lye.
2 The pretious sonnes of Sion, which should bee
Valued at purest gold, how do wee see
Low rated now, as earthen Pitchers, stand, 275
Which are the worke of a poore Potters hand.
3 Even the Sea-calfes draw their brests, and give
Sucke to their young; my peoples daughters live,
By reason of the foes great cruelnesse,
As do the Owles in the vast Wildernesse. 280
4 And when the sucking child doth strive to draw,
His tongue for thirst cleaves to his upper jaw.
And when for bread the little children crye,
There is no man that doth them satisfie.
5 They which before were delicately fed, 285
Now in the streets forlorne have perished,
And they which ever were in scarlet cloath'd,
Sit and embrace the dunghills which they loath'd.
6 The daughters of my people have sinned more,
Then did the towne of _Sodome_ sinne before; 290
Which being at once destroy'd, there did remaine
No hands amongst them, to vexe them againe.
7 But heretofore purer her Nazarite
Was then the snow, and milke was not so white;
As carbuncles did their pure bodies shine, 295
And all their polish'dnesse was Saphirine.
8 They are darker now then blacknes, none can know
Them by the face, as through the streets they goe,
For now their skin doth cleave unto the bone,
And withered, is like to dry wood growne. 300
9 Better by sword then famine 'tis to dye;
And better through pierc'd, then through penury.
10 Women by nature pitifull, have eate
Their children drest with their owne hands for meat.
11 _Iehova_ here fully accomplish'd hath 305
His indignation, and powr'd forth his wrath,
Kindled a fire in _Sion_, which hath power
To eate, and her foundations to devour.
12 Nor would the Kings of the earth, nor all which live
In the inhabitable world beleeve, 310
That any adversary, any foe
Into _Ierusalem_ should enter so.
13 For the Priests sins, and Prophets, which have shed
Blood in the streets, and the just murthered:
14 Which when those men, whom they made blinde, did stray 315
Thorough the streets, defiled by the way
With blood, the which impossible it was
Their garments should scape touching, as they passe,
15 Would cry aloud, depart defiled men,
Depart, depart, and touch us not; and then 320
They fled, and strayd, and with the _Gentiles_ were,
Yet told their friends, they should not long dwell there;
16 For this they are scattered by Jehovahs face
Who never will regard them more; No grace
Unto their old men shall the foe afford, 325
Nor, that they are Priests, redeeme them from the sword.
17 And wee as yet, for all these miseries
Desiring our vaine helpe, consume our eyes:
And such a nation as cannot save,
We in desire and speculation have. 330
18 They hunt our steps, that in the streets wee feare
To goe: our end is now approached neere,
Our dayes accomplish'd are, this the last day.
19 Eagles of heaven are not so swift as they
Which follow us, o'r mountaine tops they flye 335
At us, and for us in the desart lye.
20 The annointed Lord, breath of our nostrils, hee
Of whom we said, under his shadow, wee
Shall with more ease under the Heathen dwell,
Into the pit which these men digged, fell. 340
21 Rejoyce O _Edoms daughter_, joyfull bee
Thou which inhabitst _Huz_, for unto thee
This cup shall passe, and thou with drunkennesse
Shalt fill thy selfe, and shew thy nakednesse.
22 And then thy sinnes O _Sion_, shall be spent, 345
The Lord will not leave thee in banishment.
Thy sinnes O _Edoms daughter_, hee will see,
And for them, pay thee with captivitie.
CHAP. V.
1 Remember, O Lord, what is fallen on us;
See, and marke how we are reproached thus, 350
2 For unto strangers our possession
Is turn'd, our houses unto Aliens gone,
3 Our mothers are become as widowes, wee
As Orphans all, and without father be;
4 Waters which are our owne, wee drunke, and pay, 355
And upon our owne wood a price they lay.
5 Our persecutors on our necks do sit,
They make us travaile, and not intermit,
6 We stretch our hands unto th'_Egyptians_
To get us bread; and to the _Assyrians_. 360
7 Our Fathers did these sinnes, and are no more,
But wee do beare the sinnes they did before.
8 They are but servants, which do rule us thus,
Yet from their hands none would deliver us.
9 With danger of our life our bread wee gat; 365
For in the wildernesse, the sword did wait.
10 The tempests of this famine wee liv'd in,
Black as an Oven colour'd had our skinne:
11 In _Iudaes_ cities they the maids abus'd
By force, and so women in _Sion_ us'd. 370
12 The Princes with their hands they hung; no grace
Nor honour gave they to the Elders face.
13 Unto the mill our yong men carried are,
And children fell under the wood they bare.
14 Elders, the gates; youth did their songs forbeare, 375
15 Gone was our joy; our dancings, mournings were.
16 Now is the crowne falne from our head; and woe
Be unto us, because we'have sinned so.
17 For this our hearts do languish, and for this
Over our eyes a cloudy dimnesse is. 380
18 Because mount _Sion_ desolate doth lye,
And foxes there do goe at libertie:
19 But thou O Lord art ever, and thy throne
From generation, to generation.
20 Why should'st thou forget us eternally? 385
Or leave us thus long in this misery?
21 Restore us Lord to thee, that so we may
Returne, and as of old, renew our day.
22 For oughtest thou, O Lord, despise us thus,
And to be utterly enrag'd at us?
390
[The Lamentations _&c. _ _1633-69_ (Tremellius _1639-69_), _B_,
_N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ _Tr in the notes stands for_ Tremellius,
_Vulg for_ Vulgate. _See note:_ _full-stops after
verse-numbers_ _1635-69_]
[2-4 thus! . . . is! ] thus? . . . is? _1633-69_]
[22 Harts] hearts _1669_]
[25 her _O'F:_ their _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ the _B:_ diebus
afflictionis suae et ploratuum suorum _Tr_]
[28 Whilest _B_, _O'F:_ Whiles _1633-69_]
[32 seene;] seene, _1633_]
[43 pleasure] pleasures _N_]
[53 hand] hands _1650-69:_ manu ejus _Tr_]
[56 from whom _1635-69_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ from whence
_1633_]
[58 invite _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ accite _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]
[59 men; _Ed:_ men, _1633-69_]
[63 farre;] farre _1633_]
[65 hand,] hand _1633-35_]
[76 they could not get. _1633:_ and none could get. _1635-69_]
[_Norton conjectures that in_ 75 _we should read_ the
sought-for meat: _but see note_]
[78 o'rturn'd,] return'd, _1633_]
[81 heare I mourne, _1633-35_, _B_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ heare
me mourn, _N:_ here I mourn, _1639-69_, _and mod. edd. :_
Audientium me in gemitu esse nemo consolatur me. _Tr_]
[87 sighs] sights _1669_]
[90 cloud! _Ed:_ cloud? _1633-69_
flung] flung. _1633_]
[92 wrath! _Ed:_ wrath? _1633-69_]
[95 strengths _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ strength _1635_, _B_, _O'F:_
munitiones _Tr and Vulg_]
[110 where] which _B_, _O'F:_ locum conventus sui _Tr_]
[112 regardeth] regarded _1669_]
[114 hand _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ hands _1633-69:_ tradit in
manum inimici muros, palatia illius _Tr_]
[118-9 ground; . . . hand,] ground, . . . hand; _1633_]
[121 Their _1633:_ The _1635-69_]
[122 barres; _B_, _O'F:_ barre; _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ vectes
ejus _Tr_]
[124 their] the _1669_]
[134 there,] there _1633-39_]
[135 streets, _B_, _O'F:_ street _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ in
plateis civitatis _Tr_]
[141 For thee _1635-54:_ For, the _1633:_ For the _1669_]
[143 disturne _1633-54 and MSS. :_ dis-urn _1669:_ disturb
_Chambers:_ ad avertendum captivitatem tuam _Tr_]
[145 hisse, _Ed:_ hisse _1633-39_]
[157 against _1633:_ unto _1635-69_, _and MSS. :_ clamat cor
istorum contra Dominum _Tr:_ ad Dominum _Vulg_]
[161 poure, for _1633 and MSS. :_ poure out _1635-69_,
_Chambers_]
[174 his, _1633:_ thy _1635-69_]
[CHAP. ] _ital. _ _1633_]
[182 girt] hemde _B_, _O'F_]
[186 before. _1650-69:_ before, _1633-39_]
[187 8 _Ed:_ 8. _1635-69_; _om. 1633_]
[190 mee. ] mee, _1633_]
[202 perished. _1633:_ perished, _1635-69_]
[203 mournings _1633-69_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ mourning _B_]
[216 (The Lords salvation) _1633:_ _no brackets_, _1635-69_]
[226 smite; _Ed:_ smite, _1633-69_]
[229 wrung] wrong _1633_
him, _Ed:_ him. _1633-69_]
[230 this. ] this: _1633_]
[231 doth] will _B_, _O'F_]
[238 not; _1650-69:_ not. _1633-35:_ not _1639_]
[239 coverest us with wrath] coverest with thy wrath _B, O'F_]
[243 47 _Ed:_ 47, _1633:_ 47. _1635-69_]
[245 watry] water _1633_]
[246 daughter _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ daughters _1633-69:_
propter contritionem filiae populi mei _Tr_]
[249 citys _O'F:_ city _1633-69:_ propter omnes filias
civitatis meae _Tr_]
[252 on me _B_, _N_, _TCD:_ me on _1633-69:_ projiciunt
lapides in me. _Tr:_ posuerunt lapidem super me. _Vulg_]
[256 sigh,] sight, _1650-69_]
[260 Rescud'st _B_, _O'F:_ Rescuest _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_
vindicabas _Tr_
now, _1633-39:_ now. _1650-69_, _Chambers_]
[CHAP. ] CAP. _1633_]
[270 Purest] P _dropped_ _1650-54_]
[274 at _1633-39:_ as _1650-69_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ qui
taxandi erant auro purgatissimo _Tr_]
[278 live,] live _1633_]
[283 little children] little _om. Chambers_]
[296 Saphirine. _1635-69:_ Seraphine. _1633:_ Sapphirina
polities eorum _Tr_]
[298 streets _B_, _O'F:_ street _1633-69_, _N_, _TCD:_ in
vicis _Tr:_ in plateis _Vulg_]
[299 the _B_, _O'F:_ their _1633-69_]
[302 through penury. ] by penury, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ confossi
gladio quam confossi fame. _Tr_ _See note_]
[304 hands _B_, _O'F:_ hand _1633-69_]
[312 so. ] so; _1633_]
[316 Thorough] Through _1669_]
[318 garments _1633:_ garment _1635-69:_ quem non possunt quin
tangant vestimentis suis _Tr_]
[320 not; _O'F_, _N_, _TCD:_ not, _1633-69_]
[322 dwell there; _Ed:_ dwell; there. _1633:_ dwell there.
_1635-39:_ dwell there _1650-54:_ dwell there: _1669_]
[325 their . . . the _1633-39:_ the . . . their _1650-69_]
[333-4 day. 19 Eagles _Ed: The old editions place a comma
after_ day, _and_ 19 _at the beginning of_ 335,
_wrongly. _]
[335 mountaine tops _1633-39:_ mountaines tops _1650-69_, _B_]
[340 fell. ] fell _1633_]
[342 which _1633:_ that _1635-69_
Huz _B:_ Hus _N_, _TCD:_ her, _1633:_ _Uz_, _1635-69:_ in
terra Hutzi _Tr_]
[345 And then] And _om. Chambers_]
[CHAP. ] CAP. _1633_]
[349 us;] us, _1633-35_]
[354 father _B_, _O'F:_ fathers _1633-69:_ Pupilli sumus ac
nullo patre _Tr:_ absque patre _Vulg_]
[355 drunke, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ drinke _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]
[356 lay. _1650-69:_ lay, _1633-39_]
[368 Oven _1635-69:_ Ocean _1633:_ Pelles nostrae ut furnus
atratae sunt _Tr_]
[374 fell . . . bare. _1633-69:_ fall . . . beare. _B_, _O'F_]
[376 15 Gone _&c. _] _Old edd. transfer_ 15 _to next line,
wrongly. In consequence, the remaining verses are all a number
short, but the complete number of 22 is made up by breaking
the last verse_, 'For oughtest thou _&c. _,' _into two. I
have corrected throughout. _]
[389 thus,] thus _1633_]
_Hymne to God my God, in my sicknesse. _
Since I am comming to that Holy roome,
Where, with thy Quire of Saints for evermore,
I shall be made thy Musique; As I come
I tune the Instrument here at the dore,
And what I must doe then, thinke here before. 5
Whilst my Physitians by their love are growne
Cosmographers, and I their Mapp, who lie
Flat on this bed, that by them may be showne
That this is my South-west discoverie
_Per fretum febris_, by these streights to die, 10
I joy, that in these straits, I see my West;
For, though theire currants yeeld returne to none,
What shall my West hurt me? As West and East
In all flatt Maps (and I am one) are one,
So death doth touch the Resurrection. 15
Is the Pacifique Sea my home? Or are
The Easterne riches? Is _Ierusalem_?
_Anyan_, and _Magellan_, and _Gibraltare_,
All streights, and none but streights, are wayes to them,
Whether where _Iaphet_ dwelt, or _Cham_, or _Sem_. 20
We thinke that _Paradise_ and _Calvarie_,
_Christs_ Crosse, and _Adams_ tree, stood in one place;
Looke Lord, and finde both _Adams_ met in me;
As the first _Adams_ sweat surrounds my face,
May the last _Adams_ blood my soule embrace. 25
So, in his purple wrapp'd receive mee Lord,
By these his thornes give me his other Crowne;
And as to others soules I preach'd thy word,
Be this my Text, my Sermon to mine owne,
Therfore that he may raise the Lord throws down. 30
[Hymn to God _&c. _ _1635-69_, _S96_, _and in part
Walton_ (Life of D^{r} John Donne. 1670), _who adds_ March
23, 1630]
[2 thy _1635 and Walton_ (_1670_): the _1639-69_]
[4 the Instrument _1635-69:_ my instrument _Walton_]
[6 Whilst . . . love] Since . . . loves _Walton_]
[10 to die, _1635:_ to die. _1639-54:_ to dy^{. } _1669_]
[12 theire _S96:_ those _1635-69_]
[18 _Gibraltare_, _1635-54:_ Gabraltare, _1669:_ Gibraltar?
_1719_, _Chambers:_ Gibraltar are _Grosart_. _See note_]
[19 but streights, _Ed:_ but streights _1635-69_]
[24 first] sist _1669_]
[28 others souls] other souls _Walton and S96_]
[30 That, he may raise; therefore, _Walton_]
* * * * *
[Illustration: JOHN DONNE
EFFIGIES REUERENDISS: UIRI IOHANNIS DONNE NUPER ECCLES: PAULINAE DECANI
_Corporis haec Animae sit Syndon Syndon Jesu_
Amen
_Martin [DR monogram] scup_ _And are to be sould by RR and Ben: ffisher_
("Portrait of the very reverend John Donne, lately Dean of St Paul's. "
The meaning of the second line is highly obscure; possibly "May this be
the shroud of my body, Jesus the shroud of my soul"; or possibly: "May
this be the shroud of my body, Jesus's shroud that of my soul". The
monogram is that of Martin Droeshout)]
From the frontispiece to _Death's Duel_, 1632]
* * * * *
_A Hymne to God the Father:_
I.
Wilt thou forgive that sinne where I begunne,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sinne; through which I runne,
And do run still: though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done, 5
For, I have more.
II.
Wilt thou forgive that sinne which I have wonne
Others to sinne? and, made my sinne their doore?
Wilt thou forgive that sinne which I did shunne
A yeare, or two: but wallowed in, a score? 10
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.
III.
I have a sinne of feare, that when I have spunne
My last thred, I shall perish on the shore;
But sweare by thy selfe, that at my death thy sonne 15
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, Thou haste done,
I feare no more.
[A Hymne _&c. _ _1633-69:_ To Christ. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
Christo Salvatori. _O'F_, _S96:_ _for the text of the MSS. see
next page_]
[2 Which] which _1633_]
[8 my sin] my sins _1639-69_]
[10 two: _1633:_ two, _1635-69_]
_To Christ. _
Wilt thou forgive that sinn, where I begunn,
W^{ch} is my sinn, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive those sinns through w^{ch} I runn
And doe them still, though still I doe deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done, 5
for I have more.
Wilt thou forgive that sinn, by w^{ch} I'have wonne
Others to sinn, & made my sinn their dore?
Wilt thou forgive that sinn w^{ch} I did shunne
A yeare or twoe, but wallowed in a score? 10
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
for I have more.
I have a sinn of feare y^t when I have spunn
My last thred, I shall perish on the shore;
Sweare by thy self that at my Death, thy Sunn 15
Shall shine as it shines nowe, & heretofore;
And having done that, thou hast done,
I have noe more.
[Christ. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Christo Salvatori. _O'F_,
_S96:_ _text from TCD_]
[1 begunn, _Ed:_ begunn _TCD_]
[2 were _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ was _O'F_, _S_ before? _Ed:_ before
_TCD_]
[4 them _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ runne _O'F_, _S96_]
[5 done, _Ed:_ done _TCD:_ _and so_ 11 _and_ 17]
[14 shore; _Ed:_ shore _TCD_]
[15 thy Sunne _O'F_, _S:_ this Sunn _A18_, _N_, _TC_]
[16 heretofore; _Ed:_ heretofore _TCD_]
* * * * *
ELEGIES UPON THE AUTHOR
TO THE MEMORIE OF MY EVER DESIRED FRIEND
D^r. DONNE.
To have liv'd eminent, in a degree
Beyond our lofty'st flights, that is, like Thee,
Or t'have had too much merit, is not safe;
For, such excesses finde no Epitaph.
At common graves we have Poetique eyes 5
Can melt themselves in easie Elegies,
Each quill can drop his tributary verse,
And pin it, like the Hatchments, to the Hearse:
But at Thine, Poeme, or Inscription
(Rich soule of wit, and language) we have none. 10
Indeed a silence does that tombe befit,
Where is no Herald left to blazon it.
Widow'd invention justly doth forbeare
To come abroad, knowing Thou art not here,
Late her great Patron; Whose Prerogative 15
Maintain'd, and cloth'd her so, as none alive
Must now presume, to keepe her at thy rate,
Though he the Indies for her dowre estate.
Or else that awfull fire, which once did burne
In thy cleare Braine, now falne into thy Urne 20
Lives there, to fright rude Empiricks from thence,
Which might prophane thee by their Ignorance.
Who ever writes of Thee, and in a stile
Unworthy such a Theme, does but revile
Thy precious Dust, and wake a learned Spirit 25
Which may revenge his Rapes upon thy Merit.
For, all a low pitch't phansie can devise,
Will prove, at best, but Hallow'd Injuries.
Thou, like the dying Swanne, didst lately sing
Thy Mournfull Dirge, in audience of the King; 30
When pale lookes, and faint accents of thy breath,
Presented so, to life, that peece of death,
That it was fear'd, and prophesi'd by all,
Thou thither cam'st to preach thy Funerall.
O! had'st Thou in an Elegiacke Knell 35
Rung out unto the world thine owne farewell,
And in thy High Victorious Numbers beate
The solemne measure of thy griev'd Retreat;
Thou might'st the Poets service now have mist
As well, as then thou did'st prevent the Priest; 40
And never to the world beholding bee
So much, as for an Epitaph for thee.
I doe not like the office. Nor is't fit
Thou, who did'st lend our Age such summes of wit,
Should'st now re-borrow from her bankrupt Mine, 45
That Ore to Bury Thee, which once was Thine,
Rather still leave us in thy debt; And know
(Exalted Soule) more glory 'tis to owe
Unto thy Hearse, what we can never pay,
Then, with embased Coine those Rites defray. 50
Commit we then Thee to Thy selfe: Nor blame
Our drooping loves, which thus to thy owne Fame
Leave Thee Executour. Since, but thine owne,
No pen could doe Thee Justice, nor Bayes Crowne
Thy vast desert; Save that, wee nothing can 55
Depute, to be thy Ashes Guardian.
So Jewellers no Art, or Metall trust
To forme the Diamond, but the Diamonds dust.
_H. K. _
[To the _&c. _ _Also in_ Deaths Duell. _1632_, _Walton's_ Lives
_1670_, _King's_ Poems. _1657_, _1664_, _1700_]
[14 here] there _1632_]
[31 faint] weak _1632_]
[57 or] nor _1632_]
To the deceased Author,
Upon the _Promiscuous_ printing of his Poems, the _Looser sort_, with
the _Religious_.
When thy _Loose_ raptures, _Donne_, shall meet with Those
That doe confine
Tuning, unto the Duller line,
And sing not, but in _Sanctified Prose_;
How will they, with sharper eyes, 5
The _Fore-skinne_ of thy phansie circumcise?
And feare, thy _wantonnesse_ should now, begin
_Example_, that hath ceased to be _Sin_?
And that _Feare_ fannes their _Heat_; whilst knowing eyes
Will not admire 10
At this _Strange Fire_,
That here is _mingled with thy Sacrifice_:
But dare reade even thy _Wanton Story_,
As thy _Confession_, not thy _Glory_.
And will so envie _Both_ to future times, 15
That they would buy thy _Goodnesse_, with thy _Crimes_.
_Tho: Browne. _
_On the death of D^r DONNE. _
I Cannot blame those men, that knew thee well,
Yet dare not helpe the world, to ring thy knell
In tunefull _Elegies_; there's not language knowne
Fit for thy mention, but 'twas first thy owne;
The _Epitaphs_ thou writst, have so bereft 5
Our tongue of wit, there is not phansie left
Enough to weepe thee; what henceforth we see
Of Art or Nature, must result from thee.
There may perchance some busie gathering friend
Steale from thy owne workes, and that, varied, lend, 10
Which thou bestow'st on others, to thy Hearse,
And so thou shalt live still in thine owne verse;
Hee that shall venture farther, may commit
A pitied errour, shew his zeale, not wit.
Fate hath done mankinde wrong; vertue may aime 15
Reward of conscience, never can, of fame,
Since her great trumpet's broke, could onely give
Faith to the world, command it to beleeve;
Hee then must write, that would define thy parts:
_Here lyes the best Divinitie, All the Arts. _ 20
_Edw. Hyde_.
[On the _&c. _ _Also in =Deaths Duell. = 1632_]
[4 thy] thine _1632_]
[6 tongue] pens _1632_]
_On Doctor =Donne=,
By D' =C. B. = of =O. =_
Hee that would write an Epitaph for thee,
And do it well, must first beginne to be
Such as thou wert; for, none can truly know
Thy worth, thy life, but he that hath liv'd so;
He must have wit to spare and to hurle downe: 5
Enough, to keepe the gallants of the towne.
He must have learning plenty; both the Lawes,
Civill, and Common, to judge any cause;
Divinity great store, above the rest;
Not of the last Edition, but the best. 10
Hee must have language, travaile, all the Arts;
Judgement to use; or else he wants thy parts.
He must have friends the highest, able to do;
Such as _Mecoenas_, and _Augustus_ too.
He must have such a sicknesse, such a death; 15
Or else his vaine descriptions come beneath;
Who then shall write an Epitaph for thee,
He must be dead first, let'it alone for mee.
[On _&c. _ _Also in Corbet's Poems 1647_]
_An Elegie upon the incomparable D^{r} DONNE. _
All is not well when such a one as I
Dare peepe abroad, and write an _Elegie_;
When smaller _Starres_ appeare, and give their light,
_Phoebus_ is gone to bed: Were it not night,
And the world witlesse now that DONNE is dead, 5
You sooner should have broke, then seene my head.
Dead did I say? Forgive this _Injury_
I doe him, and his worthes _Infinity_,
To say he is but dead; I dare averre
It better may be term'd a _Massacre_, 10
Then _Sleepe_ or _Death_; See how the _Muses_ mourne
Upon their oaten _Reeds_, and from his _Vrne_
Threaten the World with this _Calamity_,
They shall have _Ballads_, but no _Poetry_.
_Language_ lyes speechlesse; and _Divinity_, 15
Lost such a _Trump_ as even to _Extasie_
Could charme the Soule, and had an _Influence_
To teach best _judgements_, and please dullest _Sense_.
The _Court_, the _Church_, the _Vniversitie_,
Lost _Chaplaine_, _Deane_, and _Doctor_, All these, Three. 20
It was his _Merit_, that his _Funerall_
Could cause a losse so _great_ and _generall_.
If there be any Spirit can answer give
Of such as hence depart, to such as live:
Speake, Doth his body there vermiculate, 25
Crumble to dust, and feele the lawes of Fate?
Me thinkes, _Corruption_, _Wormes_, what else is foule
Should spare the _Temple_ of so faire a _Soule_.
I could beleeve they doe; but that I know
What inconvenience might hereafter grow: 30
Succeeding ages would _Idolatrize_,
And as his _Numbers_, so his _Reliques_ prize.
If that Philosopher, which did avow
The world to be but Motes, was living now:
He would affirme that th' _Atomes_ of his mould 35
Were they in severall bodies blended, would
Produce new worlds of _Travellers_, _Divines_,
Of _Linguists_, _Poets_: sith these severall _lines_
In him concentred were, and flowing thence
Might fill againe the worlds _Circumference_. 40
I could beleeve this too; and yet my faith
Not want a _President_: The _Phoenix_ hath
(And such was He) a power to animate
Her ashes, and herselfe perpetuate.
But, busie Soule, thou dost not well to pry 45
Into these Secrets; _Griefe_, and _Iealousie_,
The more they know, the further still advance,
And finde no way so safe as _Ignorance_.
Let this suffice thee, that his _Soule_ which flew
A pitch of all admir'd, known but of few, 50
(Save those of purer mould) is now translated
From Earth to Heaven, and there _Constellated_.
For, if each _Priest_ of God shine as a _Starre_,
His _Glory_ is as his _Gifts_, 'bove others farre.
HEN. VALENTINE.
_An Elegie upon D^{r}_ Donne.
Is _Donne_, great _Donne_ deceas'd? then England say
Thou 'hast lost a man where language chose to stay
And shew it's gracefull power. I would not praise
That and his vast wit (which in these vaine dayes
Make many proud) but as they serv'd to unlock 5
That Cabinet, his minde: where such a stock
Of knowledge was repos'd, as all lament
(Or should) this generall cause of discontent.
And I rejoyce I am not so severe,
But (as I write a line) to weepe a teare 10
For his decease; Such sad extremities
May make such men as I write _Elegies_.
And wonder not; for, when a generall losse
Falls on a nation, and they slight the crosse,
God hath rais'd _Prophets_ to awaken them 15
From stupifaction; witnesse my milde pen,
Not us'd to upbraid the world, though now it must
Freely and boldly, for, the cause is just.
Dull age, Oh I would spare thee, but th'art worse,
Thou art not onely dull, but hast a curse 20
Of black ingratitude; if not, couldst thou
Part with _miraculous Donne_, and make no vow
For thee and thine, successively to pay
A sad remembrance to his dying day?
