No More Learning

Dwells with me still mine irksome _Memory_,
Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally.
That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire, 15
As, _gods_, when _gods_ to thee I doe compare,
Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see,
What things _gods_ are, I say they'are like to thee.
For, if we justly call each silly _man_
A _litle world_, What shall we call thee than? 20
Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire,
As _Down_, as _Stars_, _Cedars_, and _Lillies_ are,
But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only
Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye.
Such was my _Phao_ awhile, but shall be never, 25
As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever.
Here lovers sweare in their _Idolatrie_,
That I am such; but _Griefe_ discolors me.
And yet I grieve the lesse, least _Griefe_ remove
My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love. 30
Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet
A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it.
His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse
Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse.
Thy body is a naturall _Paradise_, 35
In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies,
Nor needs _perfection_; why shouldst thou than
Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man?
Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes,
And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows. 40
But of our dallyance no more signes there are,
Then _fishes_ leave in streames, or _Birds_ in aire.
And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had;
All, all that _Nature_ yields, or _Art_ can adde.
My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two, 45
But so, as thine from one another doe;
And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such,
Why should they not alike in all parts touch?
Hand to strange hand, lippe to lippe none denies;
Why should they brest to brest, or thighs to thighs? 50
Likenesse begets such strange selfe flatterie,
That touching my selfe, all seemes done to thee.
My selfe I embrace, and mine owne hands I kisse,
And amorously thanke my selfe for this.
Me, in my glasse, I call thee; But alas, 55
When I would kisse, teares dimme mine _eyes_, and _glasse_.
O cure this loving madnesse, and restore
Me to mee; thee, my _halfe_, my _all_, my _more_.
So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye,
And their white, whitenesse of the _Galaxy_, 60
So may thy mighty, amazing beauty move
_Envy_'in all _women_, and in all _men_, _love_,
And so be _change_, and _sicknesse_, farre from thee,
As thou by comming neere, keep'st them from me.


[Heroicall Epistle. ] _In 1633_ Sapho to Philaenis _follows
Basse's_ Epitaph upon Shakespeare, _and precedes_ The
Annuntiation and Passion. _In 1635 it was placed with some
other miscellaneous and dubious poems among the_ Letters to
severall Personages, _where it has appeared in all subsequent
editions. I have transferred it to the neighbourhood of
the_ Elegies _and given it the title which seems to describe
exactly the genre to which it belongs. In JC it is entitled_
Elegie 18_th. _ _The other MSS. are A18, A25, O'F, N, P, TCC,
TCD. In A25, JC, and P, ll. 31-54 are omitted_]

[2 have? _1650-69:_ have, _1633-39_]

[3 workes, _1633-39:_ worke, _1650-69_, _O'F_]

[8 maker, _1635-69:_ maker; _1633_]

[17 thereby; And _1635-69:_ thereby. And _1633_, _some
copies_]

[22 As _Down_, _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ As dowves _P:_ As
downs _O'F_. _See note_

_Cedars_,] as Cedars, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[26 maist be ever. _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC:_ maist thou
be ever. _1635-69_, _O'F:_ shalt be for ever. _P:_ mayst thou
be for ever. _JC_]

[33 thorny hairy _1633-69:_ thorney-hairy _TCD:_ thorny, hairy
_modern edd. _]

[40 are _Ed:_ are, _1633-69_]

[58 me to mee; thee, _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _P_,
_TC_ (_generally_ mee, _in MSS. :_) me to mee; shee, _1633:_ me
to thee, thee _Chambers_

_halfe_,] harte _A25_, _JC_, _P_]

[59-60

So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dye
May blisse and thee be one eternallye _P:_ _om. JC_
]

[61 mighty, amazing _Ed:_ mighty amazing _1633-69:_ almighty
amazing _P_]




EPITHALAMIONS,

_OR_

MARRIAGE SONGS.


_An Epithalamion, Or mariage Song on the Lady_ Elizabeth, _and_ Count
Palatine _being married on St. _ Valentines _day. _


I.

Haile Bishop Valentine, whose day this is,
All the Aire is thy Diocis,
And all the chirping Choristers
And other birds are thy Parishioners,
Thou marryest every yeare 5
The Lirique Larke, and the grave whispering Dove,
The Sparrow that neglects his life for love,
The household Bird, with the red stomacher,
Thou mak'st the black bird speed as soone,
As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon; 10
The husband cocke lookes out, and straight is sped,
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.
This day more cheerfully then ever shine,
This day, which might enflame thy self, Old Valentine.


II.

Till now, Thou warmd'st with multiplying loves 15
Two larkes, two sparrowes, or two Doves,
All that is nothing unto this,
For thou this day couplest two Phœnixes;
Thou mak'st a Taper see
What the sunne never saw, and what the Arke 20
(Which was of soules, and beasts, the cage, and park,)
Did not containe, one bed containes, through Thee,
Two Phœnixes, whose joyned breasts
Are unto one another mutuall nests,
Where motion kindles such fires, as shall give 25
Yong Phœnixes, and yet the old shall live.
Whose love and courage never shall decline,
But make the whole year through, thy day, O Valentine.


III.

Up then faire Phœnix Bride, frustrate the Sunne,
Thy selfe from thine affection 30
Takest warmth enough, and from thine eye
All lesser birds will take their Jollitie.
Up, up, faire Bride, and call,
Thy starres, from out their severall boxes, take
Thy Rubies, Pearles, and Diamonds forth, and make 35
Thy selfe a constellation, of them All,
And by their blazing, signifie,
That a Great Princess falls, but doth not die;
Bee thou a new starre, that to us portends
Ends of much wonder; And be Thou those ends. 40
Since thou dost this day in new glory shine,
May all men date Records, from this thy Valentine.


IIII.

Come forth, come forth, and as one glorious flame
Meeting Another, growes the same,
So meet thy Fredericke, and so 45
To an unseparable union growe.
Since separation
Falls not on such things as are infinite,
Nor things which are but one, can disunite,
You'are twice inseparable, great, and one; 50
Goe then to where the Bishop staies,
To make you one, his way, which divers waies
Must be effected; and when all is past,
And that you'are one, by hearts and hands made fast,
You two have one way left, your selves to'entwine, 55
Besides this Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine.


V.

But oh, what ailes the Sunne, that here he staies,
Longer to day, then other daies?
Staies he new light from these to get?
And finding here such store, is loth to set? 60
And why doe you two walke,
So slowly pac'd in this procession?
Is all your care but to be look'd upon,
And be to others spectacle, and talke?
The feast, with gluttonous delaies, 65
Is eaten, and too long their meat they praise,
The masquers come too late, and'I thinke, will stay,
Like Fairies, till the Cock crow them away.
Alas, did not Antiquity assigne
A night, as well as day, to thee, O Valentine? 70


VI.

They did, and night is come; and yet wee see
Formalities retarding thee.
What meane these Ladies, which (as though
They were to take a clock in peeces,) goe
So nicely about the Bride; 75
A Bride, before a good night could be said,
Should vanish from her cloathes, into her bed,
As Soules from bodies steale, and are not spy'd.
But now she is laid; What though shee bee?
Yet there are more delayes, For, where is he? 80
He comes, and passes through Spheare after Spheare,
First her sheetes, then her Armes, then any where.
Let not this day, then, but this night be thine,
Thy day was but the eve to this, O Valentine.


VII.

Here lyes a shee Sunne, and a hee Moone here, 85
She gives the best light to his Spheare,
Or each is both, and all, and so
They unto one another nothing owe,
And yet they doe, but are
So just and rich in that coyne which they pay, 90
That neither would, nor needs forbeare, nor stay;
Neither desires to be spar'd, nor to spare,
They quickly pay their debt, and then
Take no acquittances, but pay again;
They pay, they give, they lend, and so let fall 95
No such occasion to be liberall.
More truth, more courage in these two do shine,
Then all thy turtles have, and sparrows, Valentine.


VIII.

And by this act of these two Phenixes
Nature againe restored is, 100
For since these two are two no more,
Ther's but one Phenix still, as was before.
Rest now at last, and wee
As Satyres watch the Sunnes uprise, will stay
Waiting, when your eyes opened, let out day, 105
Onely desir'd, because your face wee see;
Others neare you shall whispering speake,
And wagers lay, at which side day will breake,
And win by'observing, then, whose hand it is
That opens first a curtaine, hers or his; 110
This will be tryed to morrow after nine,
Till which houre, wee thy day enlarge, O Valentine.


[Epithalamions, _&c. _ _1635-69:_ _no general title_, _1633_.
An Epithalamion, _&c. _ _1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD_ (_most of the MSS. have
the full title but with slight verbal variations_)]

[13 shine, _Ed:_ shine. _1633-69_]

[14 enflame] enflãe _1633_]

[18 Phœnixes; _Ed:_ Phœnixes, _1633:_ Phœnixes.
_1635-69_]

[21 foules, _1633:_ fowle, _1635-69_]

[22 Thee, _1633_, _1650-69:_ Thee: _1635-39_]

[37 their blazing _1633-69_, _D_, _Lec:_ this blazing _A25_,
_B_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_ (_altered to_ their), _P_, _TCD_]

[40 ends. _1635-69:_ ends, _1633_]

[42 this thy _1633-54_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ this day _1669_, _A25_, _JC_, _Chambers_]

[46 growe. _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S96_, _TCD:_ goe, _1633-69_, _Lec_]

[49 disunite, _Grolier:_ disunite. _1633-69 and Chambers_]

[56 Bishops knot, or Bishop Valentine. _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_ (our), _S96_, _TC_ Bishops
knot, O Bishop Valentine. _1633-54:_ Bishops knot of Bishop
Valentine. _1669:_ Bishops knot, of Bishop Valentine.
_Chambers_]

[60 store, _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_P_, _S96_, _TCD:_

starres, _1635-69_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]

[67 come too late, _1633:_ come late, _1635-69_]

[70 O Valentine? _1633-54_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TCD:_ old Valentine? _1669_]

[81 passes _1633-39:_ passeth _1650-69_

Spheare, _Ed:_ Spheare. _1633:_ Spheare: _1635-69_]

[82 where. _1650-69:_ where, _1633-39_]

[85 here, _1633-39_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD:_

there, _1650-69_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]

[91 stay;] stay, _1633_]

[92 spare, _1633-54:_ spare. _1669_]

[94 acquittances, _1635-69:_ acquittance, _1633_]

[96 such] _om. _ _1669_]

[104 As . . . uprise,] _brackets 1650-69_]

[105 day,] day. _1633_]




ECCLOGUE.


1613. _December_ 26.

Allophanes _finding_ Idios _in the country in Christmas
time, reprehends his absence from court, at the mariage
Of the Earle of Sommerset_, Idios _gives an account of
his purpose therein, and of his absence thence_.


_Allophanes. _

Vnseasonable man, statue of ice,
What could to countries solitude entice
Thee, in this yeares cold and decrepit time?
Natures instinct drawes to the warmer clime
Even small birds, who by that courage dare, 5
In numerous fleets, saile through their Sea, the aire.
What delicacie can in fields appeare,
Whil'st Flora'herselfe doth a freeze jerkin weare?
Whil'st windes do all the trees and hedges strip
Of leafes, to furnish roddes enough to whip 10
Thy madnesse from thee; and all springs by frost
Have taken cold, and their sweet murmure lost;
If thou thy faults or fortunes would'st lament
With just solemnity, do it in Lent;
At Court the spring already advanced is, 15
The Sunne stayes longer up; and yet not his
The glory is, farre other, other fires.
First, zeale to Prince and State; then loves desires
Burne in one brest, and like heavens two great lights,
The first doth governe dayes, the other nights. 20
And then that early light, which did appeare
Before the Sunne and Moone created were,
The Princes favour is defus'd o'r all,
From which all Fortunes, Names, and Natures fall;
Then from those wombes of starres, the Brides bright eyes, 25
At every glance, a constellation flyes,
And sowes the Court with starres, and doth prevent
In light and power, the all-ey'd firmament;
First her eyes kindle other Ladies eyes,
Then from their beames their jewels lusters rise, 30
And from their jewels torches do take fire,
And all is warmth, and light, and good desire;
Most other Courts, alas, are like to hell,
Where in darke plotts, fire without light doth dwell:
Or but like Stoves, for lust and envy get 35
Continuall, but artificiall heat;
Here zeale and love growne one, all clouds disgest,
And make our Court an everlasting East.
And can'st thou be from thence?

_Idios. _ No, I am there.
As heaven, to men dispos'd, is every where, 40
So are those Courts, whose Princes animate,
Not onely all their house, but all their State.
Let no man thinke, because he is full, he hath all,
Kings (as their patterne, God) are liberall
Not onely in fulnesse, but capacitie, 45
Enlarging narrow men, to feele and see,
And comprehend the blessings they bestow.
So, reclus'd hermits often times do know
More of heavens glory, then a worldling can.
As man is of the world, the heart of man, 50
Is an epitome of Gods great booke
Of creatures, and man need no farther looke;
So is the Country of Courts, where sweet peace doth,
As their one common soule, give life to both,
I am not then from Court.

_Allophanes. _
Dreamer, thou art. 55
Think'st thou fantastique that thou hast a part
In the East-Indian fleet, because thou hast
A little spice, or Amber in thy taste?
Because thou art not frozen, art thou warme?
Seest thou all good because thou seest no harme? 60
The earth doth in her inward bowels hold
Stuffe well dispos'd, and which would faine be gold,
But never shall, except it chance to lye,
So upward, that heaven gild it with his eye;
As, for divine things, faith comes from above, 65
So, for best civill use, all tinctures move
From higher powers; From God religion springs,
Wisdome, and honour from the use of Kings.
Then unbeguile thy selfe, and know with mee,
That Angels, though on earth employd they bee, 70
Are still in heav'n, so is hee still at home
That doth, abroad, to honest actions come.
Chide thy selfe then, O foole, which yesterday
Might'st have read more then all thy books bewray;
Hast thou a history, which doth present 75
A Court, where all affections do assent
Unto the Kings, and that, that Kings are just?
And where it is no levity to trust?
Where there is no ambition, but to'obey,
Where men need whisper nothing, and yet may; 80
Where the Kings favours are so plac'd, that all
Finde that the King therein is liberall
To them, in him, because his favours bend
To vertue, to the which they all pretend?
Thou hast no such; yet here was this, and more, 85
An earnest lover, wise then, and before.
Our little Cupid hath sued Livery,
And is no more in his minority,
Hee is admitted now into that brest
Where the Kings Counsells and his secrets rest. 90
What hast thou lost, O ignorant man?

_Idios. _
I knew
All this, and onely therefore I withdrew.
To know and feele all this, and not to have
Words to expresse it, makes a man a grave
Of his owne thoughts; I would not therefore stay 95
At a great feast, having no Grace to say.
And yet I scap'd not here; for being come
Full of the common joy, I utter'd some;
Reade then this nuptiall song, which was not made
Either the Court or mens hearts to invade, 100
But since I'am dead, and buried, I could frame
No Epitaph, which might advance my fame
So much as this poore song, which testifies
I did unto that day some sacrifice.




EPITHALAMION.


I.

_The time of the Mariage_.

Thou art repriv'd old yeare, thou shalt not die, 105
Though thou upon thy death bed lye,
And should'st within five dayes expire,
Yet thou art rescu'd by a mightier fire,
Then thy old Soule, the Sunne,
When he doth in his largest circle runne. 110
The passage of the West or East would thaw,
And open wide their easie liquid jawe
To all our ships, could a Promethean art
Either unto the Northerne Pole impart
The fire of these inflaming eyes, or of this loving heart. 115


II.

_Equality of persons_.

But undiscerning Muse, which heart, which eyes,
In this new couple, dost thou prize,
When his eye as inflaming is
As hers, and her heart loves as well as his?
Be tryed by beauty, and than 120
The bridegroome is a maid, and not a man.
If by that manly courage they be tryed,
Which scornes unjust opinion; then the bride
Becomes a man. Should chance or envies Art
Divide these two, whom nature scarce did part? 125
Since both have both th'enflaming eyes, and both the loving heart.


III.

_Raysing of the Bridegroome_.

Though it be some divorce to thinke of you
Singly, so much one are you two,
Yet let me here contemplate thee,
First, cheerfull Bridegroome, and first let mee see, 130
How thou prevent'st the Sunne,
And his red foming horses dost outrunne,
How, having laid downe in thy Soveraignes brest
All businesses, from thence to reinvest
Them, when these triumphs cease, thou forward art 135
To shew to her, who doth the like impart,
The fire of thy inflaming eyes, and of thy loving heart.


IIII.

_Raising of the Bride. _

But now, to Thee, faire Bride, it is some wrong,
To thinke thou wert in Bed so long,
Since Soone thou lyest downe first, tis fit 140
Thou in first rising should'st allow for it.
Pouder thy Radiant haire,
Which if without such ashes thou would'st weare,
Thou, which to all which come to looke upon,
Art meant for Phœbus, would'st be Phaëton. 145
For our ease, give thine eyes th'unusual part
Of joy, a Teare; so quencht, thou maist impart,
To us that come, thy inflaming eyes, to him, thy loving heart.


V.

_Her Apparrelling. _

Thus thou descend'st to our infirmitie,
Who can the Sun in water see. 150
Soe dost thou, when in silke and gold,
Thou cloudst thy selfe; since wee which doe behold,
Are dust, and wormes, 'tis just
Our objects be the fruits of wormes and dust;
Let every Jewell be a glorious starre, 155
Yet starres are not so pure, as their spheares are.
And though thou stoope, to'appeare to us in part,
Still in that Picture thou intirely art,
Which thy inflaming eyes have made within his loving heart.


VI.

_Going to the Chappell. _

Now from your Easts you issue forth, and wee, 160
As men which through a Cipres see
The rising sun, doe thinke it two,
Soe, as you goe to Church, doe thinke of you,
But that vaile being gone,
By the Church rites you are from thenceforth one. 165
The Church Triumphant made this match before,
And now the Militant doth strive no more;
Then, reverend Priest, who Gods Recorder art,
Doe, from his Dictates, to these two impart
All blessings, which are seene, or thought, by Angels eye
or heart. 170


VII.

_The Benediction. _

Blest payre of Swans, Oh may you interbring
Daily new joyes, and never sing,
Live, till all grounds of wishes faile,
Till honor, yea till wisedome grow so stale,
That, new great heights to trie, 175
It must serve your ambition, to die;
Raise heires, and may here, to the worlds end, live
Heires from this King, to take thankes, you, to give,
Nature and grace doe all, and nothing Art.
May never age, or error overthwart 180
With any West, these radiant eyes, with any North, this heart.


VIII.

_Feasts and Revells. _

But you are over-blest. Plenty this day
Injures; it causeth time to stay;
The tables groane, as though this feast
Would, as the flood, destroy all fowle and beast. 185
And were the doctrine new
That the earth mov'd, this day would make it true;
For every part to dance and revell goes.
They tread the ayre, and fal not where they rose.
Though six houres since, the Sunne to bed did part, 190
The masks and banquets will not yet impart
A sunset to these weary eyes, A Center to this heart.


IX.

_The Brides going to bed. _

What mean'st thou Bride, this companie to keep?
To sit up, till thou faine wouldst sleep?
Thou maist not, when thou art laid, doe so. 195
Thy selfe must to him a new banquet grow,
And you must entertaine
And doe all this daies dances o'r againe.
Know that if Sun and Moone together doe
Rise in one point, they doe not set so too; 200
Therefore thou maist, faire Bride, to bed depart,
Thou art not gone, being gone; where e'r thou art,
Thou leav'st in him thy watchfull eyes, in him thy loving heart.


X.

_The Bridegroomes comming. _

As he that sees a starre fall, runs apace,
And findes a gellie in the place, 205
So doth the Bridegroome hast as much,
Being told this starre is falne, and findes her such.
And as friends may looke strange,
By a new fashion, or apparrells change,
Their soules, though long acquainted they had beene, 210
These clothes, their bodies, never yet had seene;
Therefore at first shee modestly might start,
But must forthwith surrender every part,
As freely, as each to each before, gave either eye or heart.


XI.

_The good-night. _

Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare, 215
Unchang'd for fifteene hundred yeare,
May these love-lamps we here enshrine,
In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine.
Fire ever doth aspire,
And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire, 220
But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,
For none of these is fuell, but fire too.
This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong Arts
Make of so noble individuall parts
One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts. 225


_Idios. _

As I have brought this song, that I may doe
A perfect sacrifice, I'll burne it too.


_Allophanes. _

No S^{r}. This paper I have justly got,
For, in burnt incense, the perfume is not
His only that presents it, but of all; 230
What ever celebrates this Festivall
Is common, since the joy thereof is so.
Nor may your selfe be Priest: But let me goe,
Backe to the Court, and I will lay'it upon
Such Altars, as prize your devotion. 235


[ECCLOGUE. _&c. _ _1633-69:_ _similarly_, _A18_, _A23_, _B_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_]

[his absence thence. _1633, Lec:_ his Actions there.
_1635-69_, _A18_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ his absence then.
_D_, _S96_]

[2 countries] country _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[4 clime _1633-39:_ clime: _1650-69:_ clime. _D_]

[5 small _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TC:_

smaller _1635-69_, _Chambers_]

[12 Have _1633:_ Having _1635-69_

murmure _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_
murmures _1633-69_]

[22 were, _Ed:_ were; _1633-69_]

[29 kindle] kindles _1633_]

[34 plotts, _1635-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC:_ places, _1633_, _1669_, _Lec_]

[37 disgest, _1633-39:_ digest, _1650-69_]

[39 there. _D:_ there _1633-69_]

[40 where, _1633:_ where: _1635-69_, _owing to the dropping of
stop in previous line_]

[42 State. ] State, _1633_]

[54 one _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ own
_1635-69_, _Lec_]

[55 I am . . . Court. _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_S96_, _TC:_ And am I then from Court? _1635-69_

art. _1650-69:_ art, _1633-39_]

[57 East-Indian _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ Indian _1633-69_]

[61 inward _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC:_ inner _1633-69_]

[75 present] represent _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[78 trust? _Ed:_ trust. _1633-39:_ trust, _1650-69_]

[84 pretend? _Ed:_ pretend. _1633-69_]

[85 more, _1633:_ more. _1635-69_]

[86 before. _1633-69:_ before, _Chambers_. _See note_]

[92 withdrew. ] withdrew _1633_]

[96 say. _1635-69:_ say, _1633_]

[98 joy, . . . some; _Ed:_ joy; . . . some, _1633:_ joy; . . . some.
_1635-69_]

[EPITHALAMION. _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _om. 1633-69_.
_See note_]

[107 expire,] expire _1633-39_]

[108 by _1633:_ from _1635-69_]

[121 man. _1669_, _D:_ man, _1633-39:_ man; _1650-54_]

[124 or] our _1669_]

[126 both th'enflaming eyes, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ th'enflaming eye, _1633:_ the enflaming
eye, _1635-69_]

[128 Singly, _A18_, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_,
_TC:_ Single, _1633-69_, _Lec_]

[129 Yet let _A23_, _O'F:_ Let _1633-69_]

[141 should'st] should _1669_

it. _1635-69:_ it, _1633_]

[144 Thou, which _D:_ Thou, which, _1633:_ Thou which,
_1635-69_]

[145 Art _A18_, _B_, _S96_, _TCC:_ Are _1633_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ Wert _1635-69_, _O'F_

for] for, _1633_]

[Phaëton. _1635-69:_ Phaëton, _1633_]

[146 ease, . . . eyes _1635-69:_ ease, . . . eyes, _1633_]

[150 see. _1633-69:_ see; _Grolier_. _But see note_]

[157 stoope, . . . us _1633-69:_ stoope, . . . us, _1633_]

[167 more; _Ed:_ more, _1633:_ more. _1635-69_]

[170 or thought] Or thought _1633_]

[172 sing, _1633:_ sing: _1635-69_]

[178 you, yours, _A23_, _B_, _D_, _O'F_, _S96_

give, _1633:_ give. _1635-69_]

[179 Art. _Ed:_ Art, _1633-69_]

[194 wouldst] would _1669_]

[200 too; _Ed:_ too. _1635-69:_ to. _1633_]

[202 being gone; _Ed:_ being gone, _1633-39:_ being gone
_1650-69_]

[207 such. _1635-69:_ such, _1633_]

[211 seene; _Ed:_ seene. _1633-69_]

[214 eye] hand _1650-69_]

[215 burnt] burn _1669_]

[218 divine. _1635-69:_ divine; _1633_]

[230 all; _1635-69:_ all, _1633_]




_Epithalamion made at Lincolnes Inne. _


The Sun-beames in the East are spred,
Leave, leave, faire Bride, your solitary bed,
No more shall you returne to it alone,
It nourseth sadnesse, and your bodies print,
Like to a grave, the yielding downe doth dint; 5
You and your other you meet there anon;
Put forth, put forth that warme balme-breathing thigh,
Which when next time you in these sheets wil smother,
There it must meet another,
Which never was, but must be, oft, more nigh; 10
Come glad from thence, goe gladder then you came,
_To day put on perfection, and a womans name_.

Daughters of London, you which bee
Our Golden Mines, and furnish'd Treasurie,
You which are Angels, yet still bring with you 15
Thousands of Angels on your mariage daies,
Help with your presence and devise to praise
These rites, which also unto you grow due;
Conceitedly dresse her, and be assign'd,
By you, fit place for every flower and jewell, 20
Make her for love fit fewell
As gay as Flora, and as rich as Inde;
So may shee faire, rich, glad, and in nothing lame,
_To day put on perfection, and a womans name_.
And you frolique Patricians, 25
Sonns of these Senators wealths deep oceans,
Ye painted courtiers, barrels of others wits,
Yee country men, who but your beasts love none,
Yee of those fellowships whereof hee's one,
Of study and play made strange Hermaphrodits, 30
Here shine; This Bridegroom to the Temple bring.
Loe, in yon path which store of straw'd flowers graceth,
The sober virgin paceth;
Except my sight faile, 'tis no other thing;
Weep not nor blush, here is no griefe nor shame, 35
_To day put on perfection, and a womans name_.

Thy two-leav'd gates faire Temple unfold,
And these two in thy sacred bosome hold,
Till, mystically joyn'd, but one they bee;
Then may thy leane and hunger-starved wombe 40
Long time expect their bodies and their tombe,
Long after their owne parents fatten thee.
All elder claimes, and all cold barrennesse,
All yeelding to new loves bee far for ever,
Which might these two dissever, 45
All wayes all th'other may each one possesse;
For, the best Bride, best worthy of praise and fame,
_To day puts on perfection, and a womans name_.

Oh winter dayes bring much delight,
Not for themselves, but for they soon bring night; 50
Other sweets wait thee then these diverse meats,
Other disports then dancing jollities,
Other love tricks then glancing with the eyes,
But that the Sun still in our halfe Spheare sweates;
Hee flies in winter, but he now stands still. 55
Yet shadowes turne; Noone point he hath attain'd,
His steeds nill bee restrain'd,
But gallop lively downe the Westerne hill;
Thou shalt, when he hath runne the worlds half frame,
_To night put on perfection, and a womans name_. 60

The amorous evening starre is rose,
Why then should not our amorous starre inclose
Her selfe in her wish'd bed? Release your strings
Musicians, and dancers take some truce
With these your pleasing labours, for great use 65
As much wearinesse as perfection brings;
You, and not only you, but all toyl'd beasts
Rest duly; at night all their toyles are dispensed;
But in their beds commenced
Are other labours, and more dainty feasts; 70
She goes a maid, who, least she turne the same,
_To night puts on perfection, and a womans name_.

Thy virgins girdle now untie,
And in thy nuptiall bed (loves altar) lye
A pleasing sacrifice; now dispossesse 75
Thee of these chaines and robes which were put on
T'adorne the day, not thee; for thou, alone,
Like vertue'and truth, art best in nakednesse;
This bed is onely to virginitie
A grave, but, to a better state, a cradle; 80
Till now thou wast but able
To be what now thou art; then that by thee
No more be said, _I may bee_, but, _I am_,
_To night put on perfection, and a womans name_.
Even like a faithfull man content, 85
That this life for a better should be spent,
So, shee a mothers rich stile doth preferre,
And at the Bridegroomes wish'd approach doth lye,
Like an appointed lambe, when tenderly
The priest comes on his knees t'embowell her; 90
Now sleep or watch with more joy; and O light
Of heaven, to morrow rise thou hot, and early;
This Sun will love so dearely
Her rest, that long, long we shall want her sight;
Wonders are wrought, for shee which had no maime, 95
_To night puts on perfection, and a womans name_.


[Epithalamion _&c. _ _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_
Epithalamion on a Citizen. _A34_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96:_
_do. _ of the La: Eliz: _P:_ Epithalamion. _W_]

[4 bodies _1635-69 and MSS. :_ body _1633_]

[8 smother, _1650-69:_ smother _1633-39_]

[17 presence _Ed:_ presence, _1633-69_. _See note_]

[22 faire, rich, glad, and in _A18_, _N_, _TC_, _W:_ faire and
rich, in _1633-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]

[25 Patricians,] Patricians _1633_]

[26 Sonns of . . . deep oceans, _Ed:_ Some of these Senators
wealths deep oceans, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Sonnes of these
Senatours, wealths deep oceans _W:_ Sonnes of those Senatours,
wealths deepe oceans, _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_ (_but_
Senators _O'F_, _S96_). _See note_]

[29 those fellowships] that Fellowship _S96_]

[31 bring. _W:_ bring _1633-39:_ bring, _1650-69_]

[32 straw'd] strow'd _1669_]

[42 thee. _1635-69:_ thee; _1633_]

[46 All wayes _W:_ Alwaies, _1633:_ Alwayes, _1635-69_]

[49 Oh winter dayes _A34_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _W:_ Winter
dayes _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[53 eyes, _1635-69:_ eyes; _1633_]

[55 still. _W:_ still, _1633-69_]

[57 nill _W:_ will _1633-69 and rest of MSS. :_ _B inserts_
not. _See note_]

[59 runne the worlds halfe frame, _A34_, _B_, _S96_, _W:_
runne the Heavens halfe frame, _1635-69_, _O'F:_ come the
worlds half frame, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[60 _put_] _but_ _1633_]

[72 _puts_] _put_ _1669_]

[73 Thy virgins girdle _1633-69_, _W:_ The Virgin Girdle _B_,
_O'F_, _S96:_ Thy Virgin girdle _P_]

[74 [loves alter] _1633-69_]

[76 were] wee _some copies of 1633_, _Grolier_]

[78 art] are _1669_]

[86 spent, _Ed:_ spent; _1633:_ spent: _1635-69_]

[95 maime, _1633_, _W:_ name, _1635-69_, _A18_, _A34_, _B_,
_N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_]




SATYRES.


_Satyre I. _

Away thou fondling motley humorist,
Leave mee, and in this standing woodden chest,
Consorted with these few bookes, let me lye
In prison, and here be coffin'd, when I dye;
Here are Gods conduits, grave Divines; and here 5
Natures Secretary, the Philosopher;
And jolly Statesmen, which teach how to tie
The sinewes of a cities mistique bodie;
Here gathering Chroniclers, and by them stand
Giddie fantastique Poëts of each land. 10
Shall I leave all this constant company,
And follow headlong, wild uncertaine thee?
First sweare by thy best love in earnest
(If thou which lov'st all, canst love any best)
Thou wilt not leave mee in the middle street, 15
Though some more spruce companion thou dost meet,
Not though a Captaine do come in thy way
Bright parcell gilt, with forty dead mens pay,
Not though a briske perfum'd piert Courtier
Deigne with a nod, thy courtesie to answer. 20
Nor come a velvet Justice with a long
Great traine of blew coats, twelve, or fourteen strong,
Wilt thou grin or fawne on him, or prepare
A speech to Court his beautious sonne and heire!
For better or worse take mee, or leave mee: 25
To take, and leave mee is adultery.
Oh monstrous, superstitious puritan,
Of refin'd manners, yet ceremoniall man,
That when thou meet'st one, with enquiring eyes
Dost search, and like a needy broker prize 30
The silke, and gold he weares, and to that rate
So high or low, dost raise thy formall hat:
That wilt consort none, untill thou have knowne
What lands hee hath in hope, or of his owne,
As though all thy companions should make thee 35
Jointures, and marry thy deare company.
Why should'st thou (that dost not onely approve,
But in ranke itchie lust, desire, and love
The nakednesse and barenesse to enjoy,
Of thy plumpe muddy whore, or prostitute boy) 40
Hate vertue, though shee be naked, and bare?
At birth, and death, our bodies naked are;
And till our Soules be unapparrelled
Of bodies, they from blisse are banished.
Mans first blest state was naked, when by sinne 45
Hee lost that, yet hee was cloath'd but in beasts skin,
And in this course attire, which I now weare,
With God, and with the Muses I conferre.
But since thou like a contrite penitent,
Charitably warn'd of thy sinnes, dost repent 50
These vanities, and giddinesses, loe
I shut my chamber doore, and come, lets goe.
But sooner may a cheape whore, who hath beene
Worne by as many severall men in sinne,
As are black feathers, or musk-colour hose, 55
Name her childs right true father, 'mongst all those:
Sooner may one guesse, who shall beare away
The Infanta of London, Heire to an India;
And sooner may a gulling weather Spie
By drawing forth heavens Scheme tell certainly 60
What fashioned hats, or ruffes, or suits next yeare
Our subtile-witted antique youths will weare;
Then thou, when thou depart'st from mee, canst show
Whither, why, when, or with whom thou wouldst go.
But how shall I be pardon'd my offence 65
That thus have sinn'd against my conscience?
Now we are in the street; He first of all
Improvidently proud, creepes to the wall,
And so imprisoned, and hem'd in by mee
Sells for a little state his libertie; 70
Yet though he cannot skip forth now to greet
Every fine silken painted foole we meet,
He them to him with amorous smiles allures,
And grins, smacks, shrugs, and such an itch endures,
As prentises, or schoole-boyes which doe know 75
Of some gay sport abroad, yet dare not goe.
And as fidlers stop lowest, at highest sound,
So to the most brave, stoops hee nigh'st the ground.
But to a grave man, he doth move no more
Then the wise politique horse would heretofore, 80
Or thou O Elephant or Ape wilt doe,
When any names the King of Spaine to you.
Now leaps he upright, Joggs me, & cryes, Do you see
Yonder well favoured youth? Which? Oh, 'tis hee
That dances so divinely; Oh, said I, 85
Stand still, must you dance here for company?
Hee droopt, wee went, till one (which did excell
Th'Indians, in drinking his Tobacco well)
Met us; they talk'd; I whispered, let'us goe,
'T may be you smell him not, truely I doe; 90
He heares not mee, but, on the other side
A many-coloured Peacock having spide,
Leaves him and mee; I for my lost sheep stay;
He followes, overtakes, goes on the way,
Saying, him whom I last left, all repute 95
For his device, in hansoming a sute,
To judge of lace, pinke, panes, print, cut, and plight,
Of all the Court, to have the best conceit;
Our dull Comedians want him, let him goe;
But Oh, God strengthen thee, why stoop'st thou so? 100
Why? he hath travayld; Long? No; but to me
(Which understand none,) he doth seeme to be
Perfect French, and Italian; I replyed,
So is the Poxe; He answered not, but spy'd
More men of fort, of parts, and qualities; 105
At last his Love he in a windowe spies,
And like light dew exhal'd, he flings from mee
Violently ravish'd to his lechery.
Many were there, he could command no more;
Hee quarrell'd fought, bled; and turn'd out of dore 110
Directly came to mee hanging the head,
And constantly a while must keepe his bed.


[Satyre I. _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _P_, _Q_, _S_,
_W:_ Satyre the Second. _or_ Satyre 2. _A25_, _B_, _O'F:_
Satyre. _or_ A Satyre of Mr. John Donnes. _Cy_, _L74_, _S96:_
_no title_ (_but placed first_), _H51_, _N_, _TCD_]

[1 fondling _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _S_, _TCD:_ changeling
_1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S96_, _W_]

[5 conduits, . . . Divines; _1650-69_, _Q:_ conduits; . . .
Divines, _1633-39_]

[6 Is Natures Secretary, _1669_, _S96_

Philosopher; _Ed:_ Philosopher. _1633-39:_ Philosopher:
_1659-69_]

[7 jolly _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_,
_L74_, _N_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ wily _1635-69_,
_O'F:_ with _P_]

[12 headlong, wild uncertaine thee? _1633:_ _om. comma 1635-69
and Grolier_]

[13 love in earnest _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_,
_W:_ love, here, in earnest _1635-69_, _O'F_]

[16 dost. meet,] doe meet. _H51_, _Q_, _W_]

[19 Not _1633-69_, _A25_, _Lec_, _P_, _Q:_ Nor _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W_

piert] neat _Q_]

[23 Wilt _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ Shalt _A25_,
_B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_,
_W_]

[24 heire! _Ed:_ heire? _1633-69_]

[25 or worse _1633-69_, _Cy_, _D_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_,
_Q_, _TCD:_ and worse _A25_, _B_, _H49_, _H51_, _S96_, _W:_ or
for worse _P:_ and for worse _JC_]

[27 Oh monstrous,] A (_i. e. _ Ah) _or_ O Monster, _B_, _D_,
_H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _W_]

[29 eyes _1635-69:_ eyes; _1633_]

[32 raise _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD:_ vaile _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W_

hat:] hate: _1633_]

[33 consort none,] consort with none, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_

untill] till _1669_]

[37-40 _brackets_ _1650-69_, _Q:_ that . . . boy _1633:_ that
. . . boy; _1635-39_]

[39 barenesse _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_Q_, _W:_ barrennesse _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_,
_TCD_]

[40 Of] of _1633:_ or _1633_, _1669:_ _om. 1635-54_]

[41 bare? _1635-69:_ bare, _1633_]

[45 first blest _1633-69_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_,
_N_, _TCD_, _W:_ first best _A25_, _B_, _H51_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S_]

[46 yet _1633_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _Q_, _S_, _TCD:_ _om. 1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_]

[47 weare, _1650-69:_ weare _1633-39_]

[50 warn'd] warm'd _1633_]

[52 goe. _1635-69:_ goe, _1633_]

[54 Worne by] Worne out by _1650-69_]

[55 musk-colour _1633-35_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_, _W:_ musk-coloured _1639-69_, _A25_, _P_, _Q_]

[58 The Infanta . . . India; _Ed:_ The Infanta . . . India,
_A25_, _O'F_, _Q:_ The infant . . . India, _1633-54 and MSS.
generally:_ The Infantry of London, hence to India: _1669_]

[60 Scheme _1635-69_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _JC_,
_Q:_ schemes _L74_, _S:_ sceames _N:_ Sceanes _1633_, _Cy_,
_Lec_, _TCD:_ scene _P_]

[62 subtile-witted _D_, _H49:_ subtile wittied _1633-54_,
_L74_, _N_, _TCD:_ supple-witted _A25_, _JC_ (_altered to_
subtle), _H51_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ giddy-headed _1669_

youths] youth _1669_]

[63 depart'st from mee] depart'st from hence _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _O'F_, _S_, _W:_ departest hence _A25_, _Q_, _S96_

canst _JC, Q:_ can _1633-69 and many MSS. _]

[66 conscience? ] conscience. _1633_]

[70 state] room _H51_

his _1635-69 and all MSS. :_ high _1633_, _Chambers_

libertie;] libertie, _1633_]

[73 them] then _1633_]

[78 stoops _1635-69_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _O'F_,
_Q:_ stoopeth _B_, _P:_ stoopt _1633_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_TCD_

nigh'st the ground. ] nighest ground. _D_, _H49_, _P_, _Q_,
_W_]

[81-2 _om. 1633_]

[84 youth? _1635-69:_ youth; _1633_

Oh,] Yea, _A25_, _B_, _H51_, _JC_, _Q_, _W_]

[86 here] so _H51_]

[89 us; _Ed:_ us: _1635-69:_ us, _1633_

whispered, let'us goe, _Ed:_ whispered, let us goe, _1633-54:_
whisperd, let us goe, _1669:_ whispered (letts goe) _Q_. _See
note_]

[90 'T may be] May be _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_P_, _Q_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[94 goes on the way,] goes, on the way _D_, _H49_, _Q_(in),
_W_(in)]

[95 all repute _1635-69 and MSS. generally:_ s'all repute
_1633_, _Lec_]

[97 print, cut, and plight (pleite, _1635-39:_ pleit,
_1650-69_), _1633-69_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _TCD:_ cut, print,
or pleate (pleight _&c. _), _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_H51_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _Q_, _S96_, _W_]

[100 stoop'st _1633_, _1669_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _Q_, _TCD:_ stop'st. _1635-54_,
_O'F_]

[101 Why? he hath travayld; Long? No; but to me _S96:_ Why:
he hath travayld. Long? No: but to mee _W:_ Why, hee hath
travayl'd. Long? no. But to mee _H49:_ Why he hath travayld;
Longe? Noe: but to mee _JC:_ Why, he hath travailed (traveled
_1635-39_) long? no, but to me _1633-39:_ Why hath he
travelled long? no, but to me _1650-54_, _P:_ Why. He hath
travelled long; no, but to me _1669_. _See note_]

[102 understand] understood _1669:_ _brackets from Q_. _See
note_]

[105 and qualities;] of qualities; _Lec_, _P_, _Q_, _S96_]

[106 a] _om. 1669_]

[108 lechery. _1635-69 and MSS:_ liberty; _1633_]

[109 were there, _1633-39:_ there were, _1650-69_]




_Satyre II. _

Sir; though (I thanke God for it) I do hate
Perfectly all this towne, yet there's one state
In all ill things so excellently best,
That hate, toward them, breeds pitty towards the rest.
Though Poëtry indeed be such a sinne 5
As I thinke that brings dearths, and Spaniards in,
Though like the Pestilence and old fashion'd love,
Ridlingly it catch men; and doth remove
Never, till it be sterv'd out; yet their state
Is poore, disarm'd, like Papists, not worth hate. 10
One, (like a wretch, which at Barre judg'd as dead,
Yet prompts him which stands next, and cannot reade,
And saves his life) gives ideot actors meanes
(Starving himselfe) to live by his labor'd sceanes;
As in some Organ, Puppits dance above 15
And bellows pant below, which them do move.
One would move Love by rithmes; but witchcrafts charms
Bring not now their old feares, nor their old harmes:
Rammes, and slings now are seely battery,
Pistolets are the best Artillerie. 20
And they who write to Lords, rewards to get,
Are they not like singers at doores for meat?
And they who write, because all write, have still
That excuse for writing, and for writing ill;
But hee is worst, who (beggarly) doth chaw 25
Others wits fruits, and in his ravenous maw
Rankly digested, doth those things out-spue,
As his owne things; and they are his owne, 'tis true,
For if one eate my meate, though it be knowne
The meate was mine, th'excrement is his owne: 30
But these do mee no harme, nor they which use
To out-doe Dildoes, and out-usure Jewes;
To out-drinke the sea, to out-sweare the Letanie;
Who with sinnes all kindes as familiar bee
As Confessors; and for whose sinfull sake, 35
Schoolemen new tenements in hell must make:
Whose strange sinnes, Canonists could hardly tell
In which Commandements large receit they dwell.
But these punish themselves; the insolence
Of Coscus onely breeds my just offence, 40
Whom time (which rots all, and makes botches poxe,
And plodding on, must make a calfe an oxe)
Hath made a Lawyer, which was (alas) of late
But a scarce Poët; jollier of this state,
Then are new benefic'd ministers, he throwes 45
Like nets, or lime-twigs, wheresoever he goes,
His title of Barrister, on every wench,
And wooes in language of the Pleas, and Bench:
A motion, Lady; Speake Coscus; I have beene
In love, ever since _tricesimo_ of the Queene, 50
Continuall claimes I have made, injunctions got
To stay my rivals suit, that hee should not
Proceed; spare mee; In Hillary terme I went,
You said, If I return'd next size in Lent,
I should be in remitter of your grace; 55
In th'interim my letters should take place
Of affidavits: words, words, which would teare
The tender labyrinth of a soft maids eare,
More, more, then ten Sclavonians scolding, more
Then when winds in our ruin'd Abbeyes rore. 60
When sicke with Poëtrie, and possest with muse
Thou wast, and mad, I hop'd; but men which chuse
Law practise for meere gaine, bold soule, repute
Worse then imbrothel'd strumpets prostitute.
Now like an owlelike watchman, hee must walke 65
His hand still at a bill, now he must talke
Idly, like prisoners, which whole months will sweare
That onely suretiship hath brought them there,
And to every suitor lye in every thing,
Like a Kings favourite, yea like a King; 70
Like a wedge in a blocke, wring to the barre,
Bearing-like Asses; and more shamelesse farre
Then carted whores, lye, to the grave Judge; for
Bastardy abounds not in Kings titles, nor
Symonie and Sodomy in Churchmens lives, 75
As these things do in him; by these he thrives.
Shortly (as the sea) hee will compasse all our land;
From Scots, to Wight; from Mount, to Dover strand.
And spying heires melting with luxurie,
Satan will not joy at their sinnes, as hee. 80
For as a thrifty wench scrapes kitching-stuffe,
And barrelling the droppings, and the snuffe,
Of wasting candles, which in thirty yeare
(Relique-like kept) perchance buyes wedding geare;
Peecemeale he gets lands, and spends as much time 85
Wringing each Acre, as men pulling prime.
In parchments then, large as his fields, hee drawes
Assurances, bigge, as gloss'd civill lawes,
So huge, that men (in our times forwardnesse)
Are Fathers of the Church for writing lesse. 90
These hee writes not; nor for these written payes,
Therefore spares no length; as in those first dayes
When Luther was profest, He did desire
Short _Pater nosters_, saying as a Fryer
Each day his beads, but having left those lawes, 95
Addes to Christs prayer, the Power and glory clause.
But when he sells or changes land, he'impaires
His writings, and (unwatch'd) leaves out, _ses heires_,
As slily as any Commenter goes by
Hard words, or sense; or in Divinity 100
As controverters, in vouch'd Texts, leave out
Shrewd words, which might against them cleare the doubt.
Where are those spred woods which cloth'd hertofore
Those bought lands? not built, nor burnt within dore.
Where's th'old landlords troops, and almes? In great hals 106
Carthusian fasts, and fulsome Bachanalls
Equally I hate; meanes blesse; in rich mens homes
I bid kill some beasts, but no Hecatombs,
None starve, none surfet so; But (Oh) we allow,
Good workes as good, but out of fashion now, 110
Like old rich wardrops; but my words none drawes
Within the vast reach of th'huge statute lawes.


[Satyre II. : _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _H51_, _HN_ (after C. B.
copy _in margin_), _JC_, _Lec_, _Q_, _S_, _W:_ Satyre 3rd.