No More Learning

_

_Año { Do[~m] 1631º
{ Ætatis suæ 59º_

("A true portrait of that seraphic man John Donne at the age of 40;
he was later ordained into holy orders and died Dean of St Paul's
in the year of our Lord 1631 at the age of 59")

From the engraving prefixed to his son's edition of the _Letters to
Several Persons of Honour_ 1651, 1654]

* * * * *




LETTERS

TO SEVERALL PERSONAGES.


THE STORME.

To Mr. _Christopher Brooke_.


Thou which art I, ('tis nothing to be soe)
Thou which art still thy selfe, by these shalt know
Part of our passage; And, a hand, or eye
By _Hilliard_ drawne, is worth an history,
By a worse painter made; and (without pride) 5
When by thy judgment they are dignifi'd,
My lines are such: 'Tis the preheminence
Of friendship onely to'impute excellence.
England to whom we'owe, what we be, and have,
Sad that her sonnes did seeke a forraine grave 10
(For, Fates, or Fortunes drifts none can soothsay,
Honour and misery have one face and way. )
From out her pregnant intrailes sigh'd a winde
Which at th'ayres middle marble roome did finde
Such strong resistance, that it selfe it threw 15
Downeward againe; and so when it did view
How in the port, our fleet deare time did leese,
Withering like prisoners, which lye but for fees,
Mildly it kist our sailes, and, fresh and sweet,
As to a stomack sterv'd, whose insides meete, 20
Meate comes, it came; and swole our sailes, when wee
So joyd, as _Sara_'her swelling joy'd to see.
But 'twas but so kinde, as our countrimen,
Which bring friends one dayes way, and leave them then.
Then like two mighty Kings, which dwelling farre 25
Asunder, meet against a third to warre,
The South and West winds joyn'd, and, as they blew,
Waves like a rowling trench before them threw.
Sooner then you read this line, did the gale,
Like shot, not fear'd till felt, our sailes assaile; 30
And what at first was call'd a gust, the same
Hath now a stormes, anon a tempests name.
_Ionas_, I pitty thee, and curse those men,
Who when the storm rag'd most, did wake thee then;
Sleepe is paines easiest salue, and doth fullfill 35
All offices of death, except to kill.
But when I wakt, I saw, that I saw not;
I, and the Sunne, which should teach mee'had forgot
East, West, Day, Night, and I could onely say,
If'the world had lasted, now it had beene day. 40
Thousands our noyses were, yet wee'mongst all
Could none by his right name, but thunder call:
Lightning was all our light, and it rain'd more
Then if the Sunne had drunke the sea before.
Some coffin'd in their cabbins lye,'equally 45
Griev'd that they are not dead, and yet must dye;
And as sin-burd'ned soules from graves will creepe,
At the last day, some forth their cabbins peepe:
And tremblingly'aske what newes, and doe heare so,
Like jealous husbands, what they would not know. 50
Some sitting on the hatches, would seeme there,
With hideous gazing to feare away feare.
Then note they the ships sicknesses, the Mast
Shak'd with this ague, and the Hold and Wast
With a salt dropsie clog'd, and all our tacklings 55
Snapping, like too-high-stretched treble strings.
And from our totterd sailes, ragges drop downe so,
As from one hang'd in chaines, a yeare agoe.
Even our Ordinance plac'd for our defence,
Strive to breake loose, and scape away from thence. 60
Pumping hath tir'd our men, and what's the gaine?
Seas into seas throwne, we suck in againe;
Hearing hath deaf'd our saylers; and if they
Knew how to heare, there's none knowes what to say.
Compar'd to these stormes, death is but a qualme, 65
Hell somewhat lightsome, and the'Bermuda calme.
Darknesse, lights elder brother, his birth-right
Claims o'r this world, and to heaven hath chas'd light.
All things are one, and that one none can be,
Since all formes, uniforme deformity 70
Doth cover, so that wee, except God say
Another _Fiat_, shall have no more day.
So violent, yet long these furies bee,
That though thine absence sterve me,'I wish not thee.


[The Storme. To Mr. Christopher Brooke. _1633_ (_1635-69 add_
from the Iland voyage with the Earle of Essex): The Storme, A
Storme _or_ Storme; _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W_: _some
add_ To Mr. C: B: _or a longer note to the same effect as
1635-69:_ to S^r Basil Brooke _JC_, _S_]

[2 these _1633 and most MSS. _: this _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S_]

[4 an _1633:_ a _1635-69_]

[7 such: _Ed:_ such. _1633-69_]

[11 soothsay, _1650-54:_ _spelt_ Southsay _1633-39:_ gainsay
_1669_]

[12 and way. _1633_, _1669:_ one way. _1635-54_]

[18 lye] laie _Q_]

[19 fresh _W:_ fresh, _1633-69_]

[20 As _W:_ As, _1633-69_]

[23 'twas _1650-69:_ 'twas, _1633-39_]

[30 fear'd] fear'd, _1633_]

[37 not; _Ed:_ not. _1633-69_]

[38 I, and the Sunne, _1633-69 and most MSS. :_ yea, and the
Sunne, _Q_]

[39 Day, Night, _D_, _W:_ day, night, _1633-69_

could onely say _1633-69:_ could but say _Cy_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Q_, _N_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ could then but say _O'F:_
could say _H49_, _Lec:_ should say _D_]

[40 lasted, now _1633_, _1669:_ lasted, yet _1635-54:_ Lasted
yet, _O'F_]

[42 his] this _1669_]

[44 before. ] before; _1633_]

[46 dye; _Ed:_ dye. _1633-69_]

[47 graves _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ grave _1633-54_, _Cy_]

[49 tremblingly _1633_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TCD_, _W:_ trembling _1635-69_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_]

[50 Like _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_, _W:_ As _1635-69_]

[53 Then] There _1669_]

[54 this] an _1635-69_]

[56 too-high-stretched _1633_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD_, _W_ (_MS. spelling
generally_ to _and_ stretcht): too-too-high-stretch'd
_1635-54:_ to too-high-stretch'd _1669_, _B_, _O'F_]

[59 Even our Ordinance _1633 and MSS. :_ Yea even our Ordinance
_1635-69_]

[60 Strive _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_,
_TCD_, _W:_ Strives _1635-69_, _Chambers:_ Striv'd _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_]

[66 Hell] Hell's _S_

lightsome] light _B_, _Cy_

and the'Bermuda _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD_,
_W:_ and the Bermudas _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _P_, _S_, _Q:_ the
Bermudas _1635-54_, _O'F:_ the _Bermuda's_ _1669_]

[67 elder _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD_, _W:_ eldest _1633-69_, _B_,
_Lec_]

[68 Claims _1635-69 and MSS. :_ Claim'd _1633_ this _1633_,
_D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ the _1635-69_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_]




THE CALME.


Our storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage,
A stupid calme, but nothing it, doth swage.
The fable is inverted, and farre more
A blocke afflicts, now, then a storke before.
Stormes chafe, and soone weare out themselves, or us; 5
In calmes, Heaven laughs to see us languish thus.
As steady'as I can wish, that my thoughts were,
Smooth as thy mistresse glasse, or what shines there,
The sea is now. And, as the Iles which wee
Seeke, when wee can move, our ships rooted bee. 10
As water did in stormes, now pitch runs out:
As lead, when a fir'd Church becomes one spout.
And all our beauty, and our trimme, decayes,
Like courts removing, or like ended playes.
The fighting place now seamens ragges supply; 15
And all the tackling is a frippery.
No use of lanthornes; and in one place lay
Feathers and dust, to day and yesterday.
Earths hollownesses, which the worlds lungs are,
Have no more winde then the upper valt of aire. 20
We can nor lost friends, nor sought foes recover,
But meteorlike, save that wee move not, hover.
Onely the Calenture together drawes
Deare friends, which meet dead in great fishes jawes:
And on the hatches as on Altars lyes 25
Each one, his owne Priest, and owne Sacrifice.
Who live, that miracle do multiply
Where walkers in hot Ovens, doe not dye.
If in despite of these, wee swimme, that hath
No more refreshing, then our brimstone Bath, 30
But from the sea, into the ship we turne,
Like parboyl'd wretches, on the coales to burne.
Like _Bajazet_ encag'd, the shepheards scoffe,
Or like slacke sinew'd _Sampson_, his haire off,
Languish our ships. Now, as a Miriade 35
Of Ants, durst th'Emperours lov'd snake invade,
The crawling Gallies, Sea-goales, finny chips,
Might brave our Pinnaces, now bed-ridde ships.
Whether a rotten state, and hope of gaine,
Or to disuse mee from the queasie paine 40
Of being belov'd, and loving, or the thirst
Of honour, or faire death, out pusht mee first,
I lose my end: for here as well as I
A desperate may live, and a coward die.
Stagge, dogge, and all which from, or towards flies, 45
Is paid with life, or pray, or doing dyes.
Fate grudges us all, and doth subtly lay
A scourge,'gainst which wee all forget to pray,
He that at sea prayes for more winde, as well
Under the poles may begge cold, heat in hell. 50
What are wee then? How little more alas
Is man now, then before he was? he was
Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
Chance, or our selves still disproportion it.
Wee have no power, no will, no sense; I lye, 55
I should not then thus feele this miserie.


[The Calme. _1633-69:_ _similarly_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_TCD_]

[4 storke] stroke _1639_]

[7 can wish, that my _1633_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ could wish that my _Q:_
could wish my _1635-69_, _Chambers, who makes no note of 1633
reading_]

[9 the Iles _1633-69:_ these isles _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_Chambers (no note):_ those Iles _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_,
_N_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD_]

[11 out: _1635-69:_ out _1633_]

[14 ended] ending _1669_]

[15 ragges] rage _1669_]

[17 No] Now _1669_]

[21 lost] lefte _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_,
_TCD_]

[24 jawes: _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD:_ mawes, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_,
_Chambers_]

[29 these,] this, _L74_, _Q_, _TCD_]

[30 our _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _TCD:_ a _1635-69_, _A25_, _P_]

[33 shepheards _1650-69:_ sheepheards _1633-39_]

[37 Sea-goales, (_or_ gayles _&c. _) _1633_, _1669_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD:_ Sea-gulls,
_1635-54_, _O'F_, _Chambers:_ Sea-snayles, _B_, _JC_]

[38 our Pinnaces, now _1635-54_, _B_, _O'F:_ our venices, now
_1633_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_,
_Q_, _S_, _TCD:_ with _Vinice's_, our _1669_]

[40 Or] Or, _1633-69_]

[44 and a coward _1633_, _MSS. :_ and coward _1635-69:_ a
coward _P_, _S_]

[45 and all] and each _B_, _Q_, _S_]

[48 forget _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _P_, _S:_ forgot
_1669_, _A25_, _HN_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _Q_, _TCD_]

[50 poles] pole _JC_, _Q_]

[52-3 he was? he was Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
_1633_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TCD_ (_but MSS. have no stop after_
Nothing): he was, he was? Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing
fit; _1635-54:_ he was, he was? Nothing for us, we are for
nothing fit; _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _Q:_ _but the MSS. have not all got a
mark of interrogation or other stop after second_ he was. _See
note_]




To S^r _Henry Wotton_.


Sir, more then kisses, letters mingle Soules;
For, thus friends absent speake. This ease controules
The tediousnesse of my life: But for these
I could ideate nothing, which could please,
But I should wither in one day, and passe 5
To'a bottle'of Hay, that am a locke of Grasse.
Life is a voyage, and in our lifes wayes
Countries, Courts, Towns are Rockes, or Remoraes;
They breake or stop all ships, yet our state's such,
That though then pitch they staine worse, wee must touch. 10
If in the furnace of the even line,
Or under th'adverse icy poles thou pine,
Thou know'st two temperate Regions girded in,
Dwell there: But Oh, what refuge canst thou winne
Parch'd in the Court, and in the country frozen? 15
Shall cities, built of both extremes, be chosen?
Can dung and garlike be'a perfume? or can
A Scorpion and Torpedo cure a man?
Cities are worst of all three; of all three
(O knottie riddle) each is worst equally. 20
Cities are Sepulchers; they who dwell there
Are carcases, as if no such there were.
And Courts are Theaters, where some men play
Princes, some slaves, all to one end, and of one clay.
The Country is a desert, where no good, 25
Gain'd (as habits, not borne,) is understood.
There men become beasts, and prone to more evils;
In cities blockes, and in a lewd court, devills.
As in the first Chaos confusedly
Each elements qualities were in the'other three; 30
So pride, lust, covetize, being feverall
To these three places, yet all are in all,
And mingled thus, their issue incestuous.
Falshood is denizon'd. Virtue is barbarous.
Let no man say there, Virtues flintie wall 35
Shall locke vice in mee, I'll do none, but know all.
Men are spunges, which to poure out, receive,
Who know false play, rather then lose, deceive.
For in best understandings, sinne beganne,
Angels sinn'd first, then Devills, and then man. 40
Onely perchance beast sinne not; wretched wee
Are beasts in all, but white integritie.
I thinke if men, which in these places live
Durst looke for themselves, and themselves retrive,
They would like strangers greet themselves, seeing than 45
Utopian youth, growne old Italian.
Be thou thine owne home, and in thy selfe dwell;
Inne any where, continuance maketh hell.
And seeing the snaile, which every where doth rome,
Carrying his owne house still, still is at home, 50
Follow (for he is easie pac'd) this snaile,
Bee thine owne Palace, or the world's thy gaile.
And in the worlds sea, do not like corke sleepe
Upon the waters face; nor in the deepe
Sinke like a lead without a line: but as 55
Fishes glide, leaving no print where they passe,
Nor making sound; so closely thy course goe,
let men dispute, whether thou breathe, or no.
Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: To make
Courts hot ambitions wholesome, do not take 60
A dramme of Countries dulnesse; do not adde
Correctives, but as chymiques, purge the bad.
But, Sir, I advise not you, I rather doe
Say o'er those lessons, which I learn'd of you:
Whom, free from German schismes, and lightness 65
Of France, and faire Italies faithlesnesse,
Having from these suck'd all they had of worth,
And brought home that faith, which you carried forth,
I throughly love. But if my selfe, I'have wonne
To know my rules, I have, and you have 70
DONNE:


[To S^r Henry Wotton. _1633-69_ (Sir _1669_): _same or no
title_, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ To M^r H. W. _B_, _W_
(_B adds_ J. D. ). _See note_]

[4 I could invent nothing at all to please, _1669_]

[6 bottle] botle _1633_ To a lock of hay, that am a Bottle of
grass. _1669_]

[7 lifes _1633:_ lives _1635-69_]

[10 though . . . worse, _in brackets 1650-69_]

[11 even _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ raging _1633-54:_
other _P:_ over _S_]

[12 poles _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_,
_O'F_, _S_, _W:_ pole _1633-69_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _TC_]

[16 cities, . . . extremes, _Ed:_ cities . . . extremes _1633-69_]

[17 dung and garlike _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TC_, _W_ (dung, _1633_): dung, or garlike
_1635-69_, _A25_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_ a perfume] a _om.
1635-54_, _Chambers_]

[18 Scorpion _Ed:_ Scorpion, _1633-69_

and Torpedo _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ or Torpedo
_1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_.
_See note_]

[19 of all three _1633:_ of all three? _1635-69_]

[22 no such _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_,
_S_, _TC_, _W:_ none such _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_

there were. _1635-69_, _A36_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S_, _W:_ they were. _1633_, _Lec:_ then were _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]

[24 and of one clay. _1633 and MSS. generally:_ of one clay.
_1635-39:_ of one day. _1650-54:_ and at one daye. _A25:_
Princes, some slaves, and all end in one day. _1669_]

[25-6

The Country is a desert, where no good,
Gain'd, as habits, not borne, is understood.

_1633_, _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_, _W_

The Country is a desert, where the good,
Gain'd inhabits not, borne, is not understood.

_1635-54_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_

The Country is a desert, where noe good
Gain'd doth inhabit, nor born's understood.

_A25_]

[27 more _1633_, _A25_, _W:_ meere _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _S96:_ men (_a slip for_ mere) _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ all
_1635-69_. _See note_]

[33 issue incestuous, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ issue is incestuous. _1635-69_, _P_, _S:_
issues monsterous. _A25_]

[35 there] then _Lec_]

[44 for themselves, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ in themselves, _1633-69:_
into themselves, themselves retrive, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_]

[45 than] then _1663_]

[45-6 than . . . Italian. ] that . . . Italianate. _Cy_, _P_]

[47 Be thou _1633_, _Lec:_ Be then _1635-69 and MSS. _]

[50 home, _Ed:_ home. _1633:_ home: _1635-69_]

[52 gaile. _1635-69:_ goale; _1633_]

[57 so _D, W:_ so _1633-69_]

[58-9 breathe,] breath, _1633_

or no. Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: _Ed:_ or no:
Onley . . . Galenist. _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ or no: Onely in this be no Galenist.
_1635-69_, _Cy_, O_'F_, _S_]

[64 you:] you. _1633_]

[65 German _1633 and all MSS. :_ Germanies _1635-69_, _Grosart
and Chambers (without note)_]




To S^r _Henry Goodyere_.


Who makes the Past, a patterne for next yeare,
Turnes no new leafe, but still the same things reads,
Seene things, he sees againe, heard things doth heare,
And makes his life, but like a paire of beads.

A Palace, when'tis that, which it should be, 5
Leaves growing, and stands such, or else decayes:
But hee which dwels there, is not so; for hee
Strives to urge upward, and his fortune raise;

So had your body'her morning, hath her noone,
And shall not better; her next change is night: 10
But her faire larger guest, to'whom Sun and Moone
Are sparkes, and short liv'd, claimes another right.

The noble Soule by age growes lustier,
Her appetite, and her digestion mend,
Wee must not sterve, nor hope to pamper her 15
With womens milke, and pappe unto the end.

Provide you manlyer dyet; you have seene
All libraries, which are Schools, Camps, and Courts;
But aske your Garners if you have not beene
In harvests, too indulgent to your sports. 20

Would you redeeme it? then your selfe transplant
A while from hence. Perchance outlandish ground
Beares no more wit, then ours, but yet more scant
Are those diversions there, which here abound.

To be a stranger hath that benefit, 25
Wee can beginnings, but not habits choke.
Goe; whither? Hence; you get, if you forget;
New faults, till they prescribe in us, are smoake.

Our soule, whose country'is heaven, and God her father,
Into this world, corruptions sinke, is sent, 30
Yet, so much in her travaile she doth gather,
That she returnes home, wiser then she went;

It payes you well, if it teach you to spare,
And make you,'ashm'd, to make your hawks praise, yours,
Which when herselfe she lessens in the aire, 35
You then first say, that high enough she toures.

However, keepe the lively tast you hold
Of God, love him as now, but feare him more,
And in your afternoones thinke what you told
And promis'd him, at morning prayer before. 40

Let falshood like a discord anger you,
Else be not froward. But why doe I touch
Things, of which none is in your practise new,
And Tables, or fruit-trenchers teach as much;

But thus I make you keepe your promise Sir, 45
Riding I had you, though you still staid there,
And in these thoughts, although you never stirre,
You came with mee to Micham, and are here.


[To Sir Henry Goodyere. _1633-69:_ _so with_ Goodyere
_variously spelt_ _A25_, _B_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_
To S^r Henry Goodyere (H: G: _A18_, _N_, _TC_) moveing him to
travell. _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[1 Past, _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ Last _1669_, _Chambers_]

[2 reads,] read, _1650-54_]

[6 decayes:] decayes, _1633_]

[16 womens] womans _1669_]

[17 dyet; _Ed:_ dyet, _1633_ (_with a larger interval than is
usually given to a comma_), _1669:_ dyet. _1635-54_]

[20 harvests, _1633-54_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _TC:_
harvest, _1669_, _A25_, _C_, _Cy_, _N_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]

[27 Goe; _A18_, _B_, _TC:_ Goe, _1633-69_

Hence; _A18_, _TC:_ hence; _1633:_ hence _1635-54:_ Hence.
_1669_]

[28 in us, _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _C_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TC:_ to us, _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_]

[34 you,'asham'd, _Ed:_ you'asham'd, _1633-69:_ you asham'd
_Chambers and Grolier_. _See note_]

[37 However, _1633-39:_ However _1650-69:_ Howsoever _A18_,
_B_, _D_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[38 as] _om. 1639-69_]

[42 froward. ] froward; _1633_]

[44 Tables _1633-54_, _Lec:_ Fables _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[45 make] made _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[48 with mee to] to mee at _A18_, _N_, _TC_]




To M^r _Rowland Woodward_.


Like one who'in her third widdowhood doth professe
Her selfe a Nunne, tyed to retirednesse,
So'affects my muse now, a chast fallownesse;

Since shee to few, yet to too many'hath showne
How love-song weeds, and Satyrique thornes are growne 5
Where seeds of better Arts, were early sown.

Though to use, and love Poëtrie, to mee,
Betroth'd to no'one Art, be no'adulterie;
Omissions of good, ill, as ill deeds bee.

For though to us it seeme,'and be light and thinne, 10
Yet in those faithfull scales, where God throwes in
Mens workes, vanity weighs as much as sinne.

If our Soules have stain'd their first white, yet wee
May cloth them with faith, and deare honestie,
Which God imputes, as native puritie. 15

There is no Vertue, but Religion:
Wise, valiant, sober, just, are names, which none
Want, which want not Vice-covering discretion.

Seeke wee then our selves in our selves; for as
Men force the Sunne with much more force to passe, 20
By gathering his beames with a christall glasse;

So wee, If wee into our selves will turne,
Blowing our sparkes of vertue, may outburne
The straw, which doth about our hearts sojourne.

You know, Physitians, when they would infuse 25
Into any'oyle, the Soules of Simples, use
Places, where they may lie still warme, to chuse.

So workes retirednesse in us; To rome
Giddily, and be every where, but at home,
Such freedome doth a banishment become. 30

Wee are but farmers of our selves, yet may,
If we can stocke our selves, and thrive, uplay
Much, much deare treasure for the great rent day.

Manure thy selfe then, to thy selfe be'approv'd,
And with vaine outward things be no more mov'd, 35
But to know, that I love thee'and would be lov'd.


[To M^r Rowland Woodward. _1633-69:_ _similarly or without
heading_, _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ A Letter of Doctor
Dunne to one that desired some of his papers. _B:_ To M^r R.
W. _W_]

[1 professe] professe, _1633_]

[2 retirednesse, _1633-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _S:_ a retirednesse, _A18_, _L74_, _N_,
_TC_, _W_]

[3 fallownesse; _Ed:_ fallownesse. _1633-54:_ fallowness,
_1669:_ holinesse _Cy_, _P_, _S96_]

[4 too] so _W_ showne _1633_, _1669:_ flowne, _1635-54_]

[5 How love-song weeds, _1633:_ How long loves weeds,
_1635-54_, _O'F:_ How Love-song weeds, _1669_]

[6 sown. _1633_, _1669:_ sown? _1635-54:_ sown; _Chambers, who
retains the full-stop after_ fallownesse]

[10 to us it] to use it, _Cy_, _P_, _S96_

seeme,'and be light _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_L74_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ seem but light _1635-69_,
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _and Chambers, who attributes to 1633 the
reading_ seem and be but light]

[13 white] whites _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_]

[14 honestie] integritie _Cy_, _P_, _S_, _S96_]

[15 puritie. ] puritie, _1633_]

[16 Religion: _1669:_ Religion, _1633:_ Religion. _1635-54_]

[23 our] the _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC_

sparkes _1633-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ spark _1669_, _A18_, _H40_,
_S_, _Chambers_]

[25 infuse] infuse _1633_]

[26 Soules _1633-69_, _Cy_, _P:_ soule _B_, _D_, _H40_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W_]

[28 To _1635-69:_ to _1633_]

[29 Giddily, _1669:_ Giddily _1633-54_]

[31 farmers _1635-69_, _and all MSS. , where it is generally
spelt_ fermers: termers _1633_]

[33 deare _1633_, _and most MSS. :_ good _1635-69_, _Cy_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S96_]

[34 approv'd _1633-54_, _A18_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ improv'd
_1669_, _B_, _Chambers_]

[36 lov'd. _1633-69:_ belov'd. _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TC_]




To S^r _Henry Wootton_.


Here's no more newes, then vertue,'I may as well
Tell you _Cales_, or S^t _Michaels_ tale for newes, as tell
That vice doth here habitually dwell.

Yet, as to'get stomachs, we walke up and downe,
And toyle to sweeten rest, so, may God frowne, 5
If, but to loth both, I haunt Court, or Towne.

For here no one is from the'extremitie
Of vice, by any other reason free,
But that the next to'him, still, is worse then hee.
In this worlds warfare, they whom rugged Fate, 10
(Gods Commissary,) doth so throughly hate,
As in'the Courts Squadron to marshall their state:

If they stand arm'd with seely honesty,
With wishing prayers, and neat integritie,
Like Indians'gainst Spanish hosts they bee. 15

Suspitious boldnesse to this place belongs,
And to'have as many eares as all have tongues;
Tender to know, tough to acknowledge wrongs.

Beleeve mee Sir, in my youths giddiest dayes,
When to be like the Court, was a playes praise, 20
Playes were not so like Courts, as Courts'are like playes.

Then let us at these mimicke antiques jeast,
Whose deepest projects, and egregious gests
Are but dull Moralls of a game at Chests.

But now'tis incongruity to smile, 25
Therefore I end; and bid farewell a while,
_At Court_; though _From Court_, were the better stile.


[To S^r Henry Wootton. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ A Letter to _&c. _
_B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_ (_of these Cy
and S add_ From Court _and_ From y^e Court): From Court. _P:_
To M^r H. W. 20 Jul. 1598 at Court. _HN:_ To M^r H. W. 20 July
15098 (_sic_) At Court. _W:_ Jo: D: to M^r H: W: _A18_, _N_,
_TC:_ Another Letter. _JC_]

[1 newes] new _1669_]

[2 Tell you _Cales_, (_Calis_, _1633_) or _S^t Michaels_ tale
for newes, as tell _1633_, _A18_, _B_ (tales), _Cy_ (and S^t
Michaels tales), _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_
(tales), _P_, _S_, _S96_ (tales), _TC_, _W_ (_MSS. waver in
spelling--but_ Cales _Cy_, _HN_, _P:_) Tell you _Calis_,
or _Saint Michaels_ tales, as tell _1635-54_, _Chambers_
(Calais): Tell _Calis_, or Saint _Michaels_ Mount, as tell
_1669:_ Tell you Calais, or Saint Michaels Mount as tell
_1719:_ _All modern editions read_ Calais]

[6 or] and _1669_]

[9 to'him, still, _1633:_ to him, still, _1635-69:_ to him is
still _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[12 state: _1635-69:_ state _1633_]

[14 wishing prayers, _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ wishing, prayers, _1669_,
_HN:_ wishes, prayers, _1635-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_,
_Chambers_]

[20 playes] players _1639-69_]

[21 are like _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_S_, _S96_ (are now like), _TC_, _W:_ are _om. (metri causa)
1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_]

[23-4

are egregeous guests,
And but dull Morals at a game of Chests.

_1669_]

[25 now'tis] 'tis an _1669_]

[27 _At Court;_ though, _From Court, &c. _ _W:_ _At Court_,
though from Court, _&c. _ _1633-69_]




_H: W: in Hiber: belligeranti. _


Went you to conquer? and have so much lost
Yourself, that what in you was best and most,
Respective friendship, should so quickly dye?
In publique gaine my share'is not such that I
Would lose your love for Ireland: better cheap 5
I pardon death (who though he do not reap
Yet gleanes hee many of our frends away)
Then that your waking mind should bee a prey
To lethargies. Lett shott, and boggs, and skeines
With bodies deale, as fate bids and restreynes; 10
Ere sicknesses attack, yong death is best,
Who payes before his death doth scape arrest.
Lett not your soule (at first with graces fill'd,
And since, and thorough crooked lymbecks, still'd
In many schools and courts, which quicken it,) 15
It self unto the Irish negligence submit.
I aske not labored letters which should weare
Long papers out: nor letters which should feare
Dishonest carriage: or a seers art:
Nor such as from the brayne come, but the hart. 20


[H: W: _&c. _ _Burley MS. _ (JD _in margin_) _i. e. _ Henrico
Wottoni in Hibernia belligeranti]

[2 that] y^t _Bur, and similarly_ y^e (the), y^r (your),
w^{ch} (which), w^{th} (with) _throughout_]

[2-3 most, Respective friendship,] _no commas_, _Bur_]

[4 share'is] share is _Bur_]

[9 lethargies. ] letargies. _Bur_]

[10 restreynes;] restreynes _Bur_]

[11 attack,] attack _Bur_

best,] best _Bur_]

[13 (at first] _Bur closes bracket after_ first _and again
after_ 15 quicken it,]

[14 since,] since _Bur_]

[19 art:] art _Bur_]




_To the Countesse of Bedford. _


MADAME,

Reason is our Soules left hand, Faith her right,
By these wee reach divinity, that's you;
Their loves, who have the blessings of your light,
Grew from their reason, mine from faire faith grew.

But as, although a squint lefthandednesse 5
Be'ungracious, yet we cannot want that hand,
So would I, not to encrease, but to expresse
My faith, as I beleeve, so understand.

Therefore I study you first in your Saints,
Those friends, whom your election glorifies, 10
Then in your deeds, accesses, and restraints,
And what you reade, and what your selfe devize.

But soone, the reasons why you'are lov'd by all,
Grow infinite, and so passe reasons reach,
Then backe againe to'implicite faith I fall, 15
And rest on what the Catholique voice doth teach;

That you are good: and not one Heretique
Denies it: if he did, yet you are so.
For, rockes, which high top'd and deep rooted sticke,
Waves wash, not undermine, nor overthrow. 20

In every thing there naturally growes
A _Balsamum_ to keepe it fresh, and new,
If'twere not injur'd by extrinsique blowes;
Your birth and beauty are this Balme in you.

But you of learning and religion, 25
And vertue,'and such ingredients, have made
A methridate, whose operation
Keepes off, or cures what can be done or said.

Yet, this is not your physicke, but your food,
A dyet fit for you; for you are here 30
The first good Angell, since the worlds frame stood,
That ever did in womans shape appeare.

Since you are then Gods masterpeece, and so
His Factor for our loves; do as you doe,
Make your returne home gracious; and bestow 35
This life on that; so make one life of two.
For so God helpe mee,'I would not misse you there
For all the good which you can do me here.


[To the Countesse of Bedford. _1633-69:_ _do. or_ To the
Countesse of B. _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_,
_O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_]

[3 blessings _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ blessing _1635-69_,
_B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_

light, _1633-69:_ sight, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _TCD_]

[4 faire _1633-69_, _L74_, _N_, _TCD:_ farr _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _Lec_, _M_, _O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96_]

[16 what] that _Chambers_

voice _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_,
_N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCD:_ faith _1633_, _RP31_, _S_]

[19 high top'd and deep rooted _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_ high to
sense deepe-rooted _1635-54_, _O'F_, _Chambers_ (_who has
overlooked 1633 reading:_) high to sense and deepe-rooted
_S96:_ high to sun and deepe-rooted _L74_, _RP31_, _S:_ high
do seem, deep-rooted _1669_, _Cy_ (_but MS. with_ and): high
to some, and deepe-rooted _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ high to seeme,
and deepe-rooted _B_. _See note_]

[25 But _Ed:_ But, _1633-69_]

[36 This, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _RP31_, _S_, _TCD_, _Grosart and Chambers:_ Thy _1633_,
_Grolier_. _See note_]




_To the Countesse of Bedford. _


MADAME,

You have refin'd mee, and to worthyest things
(Vertue, Art, Beauty, Fortune,) now I see
Rarenesse, or use, not nature value brings;
And such, as they are circumstanc'd, they bee.
Two ills can ne're perplexe us, sinne to'excuse; 5
But of two good things, we may leave and chuse.

Therefore at Court, which is not vertues clime,
(Where a transcendent height, (as, lownesse mee)
Makes her not be, or not show) all my rime
Your vertues challenge, which there rarest bee; 10
For, as darke texts need notes: there some must bee
To usher vertue, and say, _This is shee. _

So in the country'is beauty; to this place
You are the season (Madame) you the day,
'Tis but a grave of spices, till your face 15
Exhale them, and a thick close bud display.
Widow'd and reclus'd else, her sweets she'enshrines;
As China, when the Sunne at Brasill dines.

Out from your chariot, morning breaks at night,
And falsifies both computations so; 20
Since a new world doth rise here from your light,
We your new creatures, by new recknings goe.
This showes that you from nature lothly stray,
That suffer not an artificiall day.

In this you'have made the Court the Antipodes, 25
And will'd your Delegate, the vulgar Sunne,
To doe profane autumnall offices,
Whilst here to you, wee sacrificers runne;
And whether Priests, or Organs, you wee'obey,
We sound your influence, and your Dictates say. 30

Yet to that Deity which dwels in you,
Your vertuous Soule, I now not sacrifice;
These are _Petitions_ and not _Hymnes_; they sue
But that I may survay the edifice.
In all Religions as much care hath bin 35
Of Temples frames, and beauty,'as Rites within.

As all which goe to Rome, doe not thereby
Esteeme religions, and hold fast the best,
But serve discourse, and curiosity,
With that which doth religion but invest, 40
And shunne th'entangling laborinths of Schooles,
And make it wit, to thinke the wiser fooles:

So in this pilgrimage I would behold
You as you'are vertues temple, not as shee,
What walls of tender christall her enfold, 45
What eyes, hands, bosome, her pure Altars bee;
And after this survay, oppose to all
Bablers of Chappels, you th'Escuriall.

Yet not as consecrate, but merely'as faire,
On these I cast a lay and country eye. 50
Of past and future stories, which are rare,
I finde you all record, and prophecie.
Purge but the booke of Fate, that it admit
No sad nor guilty legends, you are it.

If good and lovely were not one, of both 55
You were the transcript, and originall,
The Elements, the Parent, and the Growth,
And every peece of you, is both their All:
So'intire are all your deeds, and you, that you
Must do the same thinge still; you cannot two. 60

But these (as nice thinne Schoole divinity
Serves heresie to furder or represse)
Tast of Poëtique rage, or flattery,
And need not, where all hearts one truth professe;
Oft from new proofes, and new phrase, new doubts grow, 65
As strange attire aliens the men wee know.

Leaving then busie praise, and all appeale
To higher Courts, senses decree is true,
The Mine, the Magazine, the Commonweale,
The story of beauty,'in Twicknam is, and you. 70
Who hath seene one, would both; As, who had bin
In Paradise, would seeke the Cherubin.


[the Countesse of Bedford. _1633-69:_ _similarly or with
no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TCD_]

[2 (Vertue, . . . Fortune,)] _brackets Ed:_ Fortune, _1633:_
Fortune; _1635-69_, _Grolier:_ Fortune. _Chambers_. _See
note_]

[5 ne're] nere _1633_]

[6 and] or _1669_]

[8-9 _1633 begins to bracket_ (Where . . . not show) _but does
not finish, putting a colon after_ show: _the others drop the
larger brackets, retaining the smaller_ (as . . . mee)]

[9 be] see _1669_

show] show: _1633-54:_ show. _1669_]

[11 notes: there some _1633-54:_ notes some: there _1669_]

[17 enshrines; _1719:_ enshrines _1633-69_]

[20 computations so; _1633-69:_ computations; so, _Chambers_]

[42 fooles:] fooles. _1633_]

[48 Bablers _1633:_ Babblers _1635-54:_ Builders _1669_]

[49 faire, _Ed:_ faire; _1633-69_]

[50 eye. ] eye, _1633_]

[52 and prophecie] all prophecye _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TCD_ prophecie. ] prophecie, _1633 some copies_]

[57 Parent] Parents _1669_ Growth, _1669:_ Growth _1633-54_]

[58 both _1633 and MSS. :_ worth _1635-69_, _O'F_ All: _Ed:_
All, _1633-69_]

[60 thinge _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F:_ things
_1633-69_, _Lec_]

[61 nice thinne _1633-54:_ nicest _1669_]

[66 aliens _1633_, _1669 and MSS. :_ alters _1635-54_, _O'F_]

[67 and] end _1669_, _not_ lend _as in Chambers' note_

appeale _Ed:_ appeale, _1633-69_]

[68 true, _1633:_ true. _1635-69_]

[71 had bin _1633-35:_ hath bin _1639-69_. _See note_]




To S^r _Edward Herbert_. at _Iulyers_.


Man is a lumpe, where all beasts kneaded bee,
Wisdome makes him an Arke where all agree;
The foole, in whom these beasts do live at jarre,
Is sport to others, and a Theater;
Nor scapes hee so, but is himselfe their prey, 5
All which was man in him, is eate away,
And now his beasts on one another feed,
Yet couple'in anger, and new monsters breed.
How happy'is hee, which hath due place assign'd
To'his beasts, and disaforested his minde! 10
Empail'd himselfe to keepe them out, not in;
Can sow, and dares trust corne, where they have bin;
Can use his horse, goate, wolfe, and every beast,
And is not Asse himselfe to all the rest.
Else, man not onely is the heard of swine, 15
But he's those devills too, which did incline
Them to a headlong rage, and made them worse:
For man can adde weight to heavens heaviest curse.
As Soules (they say) by our first touch, take in
The poysonous tincture of Originall sinne, 20
So, to the punishments which God doth fling,
Our apprehension contributes the sting.
To us, as to his chickins, he doth cast
Hemlocke, and wee as men, his hemlocke taste;
We do infuse to what he meant for meat, 25
Corrosivenesse, or intense cold or heat.
For, God no such specifique poyson hath
As kills we know not how; his fiercest wrath
Hath no antipathy, but may be good
At lest for physicke, if not for our food. 30
Thus man, that might be'his pleasure, is his rod,
And is his devill, that might be his God.
Since then our businesse is, to rectifie
Nature, to what she was, wee'are led awry
By them, who man to us in little show; 35
Greater then due, no forme we can bestow
On him; for Man into himselfe can draw
All; All his faith can swallow,'or reason chaw.
All that is fill'd, and all that which doth fill,
All the round world, to man is but a pill, 40
In all it workes not, but it is in all
Poysonous, or purgative, or cordiall,
For, knowledge kindles Calentures in some,
And is to others icy _Opium_.
As brave as true, is that profession than 45
Which you doe use to make; that you know man.
This makes it credible; you have dwelt upon
All worthy bookes, and now are such an one.
Actions are authors, and of those in you
Your friends finde every day a mart of new. 50


[To S^r Edward _&c. _ _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F:_ A
Letter to S^r Edward Herbert (_or_ Harbert). _B_, _Cy_ (_which
adds_ Incerti Authoris), _S96:_ To Sir E. H. _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
_no title_, _P:_ Elegia Vicesima Tertia. _S:_ To S^r Edward
Herbert, now (since _1669_) Lord Herbert of Cherbury, being at
the siege of Iulyers. _1635-69_]

[4 Theater; _Ed:_ Theater, _1633-69:_ Theater. _D_]

[5 prey, _Ed:_ prey; _1633-69_]

[8 breed. ] breed; _1633_]

[10 minde! _Ed:_ minde? _1633-69_]

[17 a headlong] a _om. 1669:_ an headlong _1635-54_]

[24 taste; _Ed:_ taste. _1633-69_]

[28 we know _1633 and MSS. :_ men know _1635-69_, _O'F_]

[35 show; _1669:_ show, _1633-54_, _Chambers_]

[36 due, _1633-69:_ due; _Chambers_. _See note_]

[38 All; All _1669:_ All: All _1635-54:_ All, All _1633_

chaw. _1633:_ chaw, _1635-69_, _Grolier_]

[39 fill, _1633-54:_ fill _1669:_ fill; _Grolier_]

[44 icy] jcy _1633_]

[47-8 credible; . . . bookes, _Ed:_ credible, . . . bookes;
_1633-69:_ credible . . . bookes _Grolier_]




_To the Countesse of Bedford. _


T'have written then, when you writ, seem'd to mee
Worst of spirituall vices, Simony,
And not t'have written then, seemes little lesse
Then worst of civill vices, thanklessenesse.
In this, my debt I seem'd loath to confesse, 5
In that, I seem'd to shunne beholdingnesse.
But 'tis not soe; _nothings_, as I am, may
Pay all they have, and yet have all to pay.
Such borrow in their payments, and owe more
By having leave to write so, then before. 10
Yet since rich mines in barren grounds are showne,
May not I yeeld (not gold) but coale or stone?
Temples were not demolish'd, though prophane:
Here _Peter Ioves_, there _Paul_ hath _Dian's_ Fane.
So whether my hymnes you admit or chuse, 15
In me you'have hallowed a Pagan Muse,
And denizend a stranger, who mistaught
By blamers of the times they mard, hath sought
Vertues in corners, which now bravely doe
Shine in the worlds best part, or all It; You. 20
I have beene told, that vertue in Courtiers hearts
Suffers an Ostracisme, and departs.
Profit, ease, fitnesse, plenty, bid it goe,
But whither, only knowing you, I know;
Your (or you) vertue two vast uses serves, 25
It ransomes one sex, and one Court preserves.
There's nothing but your worth, which being true,
Is knowne to any other, not to you:
And you can never know it; To admit
No knowledge of your worth, is some of it. 30
But since to you, your praises discords bee,
Stoop, others ills to meditate with mee.
Oh! to confesse wee know not what we should,
Is halfe excuse; wee know not what we would:
Lightnesse depresseth us, emptinesse fills, 35
We sweat and faint, yet still goe downe the hills.
As new Philosophy arrests the Sunne,
And bids the passive earth about it runne,
So wee have dull'd our minde, it hath no ends;
Onely the bodie's busie, and pretends; 40
As dead low earth ecclipses and controules
The quick high Moone: so doth the body, Soules.
In none but us, are such mixt engines found,
As hands of double office: For, the ground
We till with them; and them to heav'n wee raise; 45
Who prayer-lesse labours, or, without this, prayes,
Doth but one halfe, that's none; He which said, _Plough
And looke not back_, to looke up doth allow.
Good seed degenerates, and oft obeyes
The soyles disease, and into cockle strayes; 50
Let the minds thoughts be but transplanted so,
Into the body,'and bastardly they grow.
What hate could hurt our bodies like our love?
Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove
These not ingrav'd, but inborne dignities, 55
Caskets of soules; Temples, and Palaces:
For, bodies shall from death redeemed bee,
Soules but preserv'd, not naturally free.
As men to'our prisons, new soules to us are sent,
Which learne vice there, and come in innocent. 60
First seeds of every creature are in us,
What ere the world hath bad, or pretious,
Mans body can produce, hence hath it beene
That stones, wormes, frogges, and snakes in man are seene:
But who ere saw, though nature can worke soe, 65
That pearle, or gold, or corne in man did grow?
We'have added to the world Virginia,'and sent
Two new starres lately to the firmament;
Why grudge wee us (not heaven) the dignity
T'increase with ours, those faire soules company. 70
But I must end this letter, though it doe
Stand on two truths, neither is true to you,
Vertue hath some perversenesse; For she will
Neither beleeve her good, nor others ill.
Even in you, vertues best paradise, 75
Vertue hath some, but wise degrees of vice.
Too many vertues, or too much of one
Begets in you unjust suspition;
And ignorance of vice, makes vertue lesse,
Quenching compassion of our wrechednesse. 80
But these are riddles; Some aspersion
Of vice becomes well some complexion.
Statesmen purge vice with vice, and may corrode
The bad with bad, a spider with a toad:
For so, ill thralls not them, but they tame ill 85
And make her do much good against her will,
But in your Commonwealth, or world in you,
Vice hath no office, or good worke to doe.
Take then no vitious purge, but be content
With cordiall vertue, your knowne nourishment. 90


[the _&c. _ _1633-69:_ To the Countesse of B. _N_, _O'F_,
_TCD_]

[5 debt _1669_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCD:_ doubt _1633-54_]

[7 soe; _Ed:_ soe, _1633-54:_ soe. _1669_

_nothings_, _1635-54:_ _nothing_, _1633_, _N_, _TCD:_
_Nothing_ _1669_

may] may, _1633_]

[14 hath] have _1633:_ _om. _ _N_, _TCD_ (have _inserted_)

_Dian's_ _1635-54:_ Dian's _1633:_ _Dina's_ _1669_]

[20 or all It; You. _1635-54:_ or all it, you. _1669_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TCD:_ or all, in you. _1633_ (you, _some copies_)]

[25 Your (or you) vertue _O'F:_ Your, or you vertue,
_1633-54:_ You, or you vertue, _1669_]

[26 preserves. _Ed:_ preserves; _1633-69_]

[28 you:] you. _1633-39_]

[30 is some] it some _1633_]

[32 Stoop, others ills] Stoop (Stop _1633_) others ills,
_1633-54:_ Stoop others ills _1669_]

[34 excuse; _Ed:_ excuse, _1633-69_, _Grosart_ (_who
transposes_ should _and_ would), _Chambers:_ excuse _Grolier_.
_See note_

would: _Ed:_ would] _1633-69_]

[36 the hills. _Ed:_ the hills; _1633-69_]

[37 Philosophy. Phylosophy _1633 some copies_, _1669_]

[45 raise;] raise _1633_]

[46 this,] these _1669_]

[50 strayes; _Ed:_ strayes. _1633-69_]

[51 Let] Let but _1669_]

[54 Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove _Ed:_ Wee but
no forraine tyrants could, remove _O'F:_ Wee but no forraigne
tyrants could remove, _1633-54_ (tyrans _1633_): We, but no
forrain tyrants, could remove _1669_, _Chambers and Grolier_.
_See note_]

[55 dignities, _Ed:_ dignities _1633-69_]

[56 Palaces: _1633-35:_ Palaces. _1639-69_]

[58 not naturally free. _Ed:_ not naturally free; _1633_, _N_,
_TCD:_ borne naturally free; _1635-69_, _O'F_]

[59 prisons, new soules _1633:_ prisons now, soules _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ prisons, now soules _N_, _TCD_]

[60 vice _1635-69_, _O'F:_ it _1633_, _N_, _TCD_]

[66 That] That, _1633_

grow? _1639-69:_ grow. _1633-35_]

[74 ill. ] ill, _1633-35_]

[75 you, _1669:_ you _1635-54:_ your _1633_]

[78 suspition; _Ed:_ suspition. _1633-69_]

[79 makes] make _1635-39_]

[87 Commonwealth, . . . you,] _no commas 1633_]




_To the Countesse of_ Bedford.

_On New-yeares day. _


This twilight of two yeares, not past nor next,
Some embleme is of mee, or I of this,
Who Meteor-like, of stuffe and forme perplext,
Whose _what_, and _where_, in disputation is,
If I should call mee _any thing_, should misse. 5

I summe the yeares, and mee, and finde mee not
Debtor to th'old, nor Creditor to th'new,
That cannot say, My thankes I have forgot,
Nor trust I this with hopes, and yet scarce true
This bravery is, since these times shew'd mee you. 10

In recompence I would show future times
What you were, and teach them to'urge towards such.
Verse embalmes vertue;'and Tombs, or Thrones of rimes,
Preserve fraile transitory fame, as much
As spice doth bodies from corrupt aires touch. 15

Mine are short-liv'd; the tincture of your name
Creates in them, but dissipates as fast,
New spirits: for, strong agents with the same
Force that doth warme and cherish, us doe wast;
Kept hot with strong extracts, no bodies last: 20

So, my verse built of your just praise, might want
Reason and likelihood, the firmest Base,
And made of miracle, now faith is scant,
Will vanish soone, and so possesse no place,
And you, and it, too much grace might disgrace. 25

When all (as truth commands assent) confesse
All truth of you, yet they will doubt how I,
One corne of one low anthills dust, and lesse,
Should name, know, or expresse a thing so high,
And not an inch, measure infinity. 30

I cannot tell them, nor my selfe, nor you,
But leave, lest truth b'endanger'd by my praise,
And turne to God, who knowes I thinke this true,
And useth oft, when such a heart mis-sayes,
To make it good, for, such a praiser prayes. 35

Hee will best teach you, how you should lay out
His stock of _beauty_, _learning_, _favour_, _blood_;
He will perplex security with doubt,
And cleare those doubts; hide from you,'and shew you good,
And so increase your appetite and food; 40

Hee will teach you, that good and bad have not
One latitude in cloysters, and in Court;
Indifferent there the greatest space hath got;
Some pitty'is not good there, some vaine disport,
On this side sinne, with that place may comport. 45

Yet he, as hee bounds seas, will fixe your houres,
Which pleasure, and delight may not ingresse,
And though what none else lost, be truliest yours,
Hee will make you, what you did not, possesse,
By using others, not vice, but weakenesse. 50

He will make you speake truths, and credibly,
And make you doubt, that others doe not so:
Hee will provide you keyes, and locks, to spie,
And scape spies, to good ends, and hee will show
What you may not acknowledge, what not know. 55

For your owne conscience, he gives innocence,
But for your fame, a discreet warinesse,
And though to scape, then to revenge offence
Be better, he showes both, and to represse
_Ioy_, when your state swells, _sadnesse_ when'tis lesse. 60

From need of teares he will defend your soule,
Or make a rebaptizing of one teare;
Hee cannot, (that's, he will not) dis-inroule
Your name; and when with active joy we heare
This private Ghospell, then'tis our New Yeare. 65


[To the _&c. _ _1633-69:_ To the Countesse of B. at New-yeares
tide. _N_, _O'F_, _TCD_]

[3-4 (Meteor-like, . . .