No More Learning

Would God (disputes the curious Rebell) make
A law, and would not have it kept? Or can
His creatures will, crosse his? Of every man 105
For one, will God (and be just) vengeance take?
Who sinn'd? t'was not forbidden to the snake
Nor her, who was not then made; nor is't writ
That Adam cropt, or knew the apple; yet
The worme and she, and he, and wee endure for it. 110


XII.

But snatch mee heavenly Spirit from this vaine
Reckoning their vanities, lesse is their gaine
Then hazard still, to meditate on ill,
Though with good minde; their reasons, like those toyes
Of glassie bubbles, which the gamesome boyes 115
Stretch to so nice a thinnes through a quill
That they themselves breake, doe themselves spill:
Arguing is heretiques game, and Exercise
As wrastlers, perfects them; Not liberties
Of speech, but silence; hands, not tongues, end heresies. 120


XIII.

Just in that instant when the serpents gripe,
Broke the flight veines, and tender conduit-pipe,
Through which this soule from the trees root did draw
Life, and growth to this apple, fled away
This loose soule, old, one and another day. 125
As lightning, which one scarce dares say, he saw,
'Tis so soone gone, (and better proofe the law
Of sense, then faith requires) swiftly she flew
To a darke and foggie Plot; Her, her fates threw
There through th'earths pores, and in a Plant hous'd her anew. 130


XIV.

The plant thus abled, to it selfe did force
A place, where no place was; by natures course
As aire from water, water fleets away
From thicker bodies, by this root thronged so
His spungie confines gave him place to grow: 135
Just as in our streets, when the people stay
To see the Prince, and have so fill'd the way
That weesels scarce could passe, when she comes nere
They throng and cleave up, and a passage cleare,
As if, for that time, their round bodies flatned were. 140


XV.

His right arme he thrust out towards the East,
West-ward his left; th'ends did themselves digest
Into ten lesser strings, these fingers were:
And as a slumberer stretching on his bed,
This way he this, and that way scattered 145
His other legge, which feet with toes upbeare.
Grew on his middle parts, the first day, haire,
To show, that in loves businesse hee should still
A dealer bee, and be us'd well, or ill:
His apples kindle, his leaves, force of conception kill. 150


XVI.

A mouth, but dumbe, he hath; blinde eyes, deafe eares,
And to his shoulders dangle subtile haires;
A young _Colossus_ there hee stands upright,
And as that ground by him were conquered
A leafie garland weares he on his head 155
Enchas'd with little fruits, so red and bright
That for them you would call your Loves lips white;
So, of a lone unhaunted place possest,
Did this soules second Inne, built by the guest,
This living buried man, this quiet mandrake, rest. 160


XVII.

No lustfull woman came this plant to grieve,
But 'twas because there was none yet but Eve:
And she (with other purpose) kill'd it quite;
Her sinne had now brought in infirmities,
And so her cradled child, the moist red eyes 165
Had never shut, nor slept since it saw light;
Poppie she knew, she knew the mandrakes might,
And tore up both, and so coold her childs blood;
Unvirtuous weeds might long unvex'd have stood;
But hee's short liv'd, that with his death can doe most good. 170


XVIII.

To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hast
Are falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac'd:
Thinner then burnt aire flies this soule, and she
Whom foure new comming, and foure parting Suns
Had found, and left the Mandrakes tenant, runnes 175
Thoughtlesse of change, when her firme destiny
Confin'd, and enjayld her, that seem'd so free,
Into a small blew shell, the which a poore
Warme bird orespread, and sat still evermore,
Till her inclos'd child kickt, and pick'd it selfe a dore. 180

XIX.

Outcrept a sparrow, this soules moving Inne,
On whose raw armes stiffe feathers now begin,
As childrens teeth through gummes, to breake with paine,
His flesh is jelly yet, and his bones threds,
All a new downy mantle overspreads, 185
A mouth he opes, which would as much containe
As his late house, and the first houre speaks plaine,
And chirps alowd for meat. Meat fit for men
His father steales for him, and so feeds then
One, that within a moneth, will beate him from his hen. 190

XX.

In this worlds youth wise nature did make hast,
Things ripened sooner, and did longer last;
Already this hot cocke, in bush and tree,
In field and tent, oreflutters his next hen;
He asks her not, who did so tast, nor when, 195
Nor if his sister, or his neece shee be;
Nor doth she pule for his inconstancie
If in her sight he change, nor doth refuse
The next that calls; both liberty doe use;
Where store is of both kindes, both kindes may freely chuse. 200


XXI.

Men, till they tooke laws which made freedome lesse,
Their daughters, and their sisters did ingresse;
Till now unlawfull, therefore ill, 'twas not.
So jolly, that it can move, this soule is,
The body so free of his kindnesses, 205
That selfe-preserving it hath now forgot,
And slackneth so the soules, and bodies knot,
Which temperance streightens; freely on his she friends
He blood, and spirit, pith, and marrow spends,
Ill steward of himself, himselfe in three yeares ends. 210

XXII.

Else might he long have liv'd; man did not know
Of gummie blood, which doth in holly grow,
How to make bird-lime, nor how to deceive
With faind calls, hid nets, or enwrapping snare,
The free inhabitants of the Plyant aire. 215
Man to beget, and woman to conceive
Askt not of rootes, nor of cock-sparrowes, leave:
Yet chuseth hee, though none of these he feares,
Pleasantly three, then streightned twenty yeares
To live, and to encrease his race, himselfe outweares. 220


XXIII.

This cole with overblowing quench'd and dead,
The Soule from her too active organs fled
T'a brooke. A female fishes sandie Roe
With the males jelly, newly lev'ned was,
For they had intertouch'd as they did passe, 225
And one of those small bodies, fitted so,
This soule inform'd, and abled it to rowe
It selfe with finnie oares, which she did fit:
Her scales seem'd yet of parchment, and as yet
Perchance a fish, but by no name you could call it. 230


XXIV.

When goodly, like a ship in her full trim,
A swan, so white that you may unto him
Compare all whitenesse, but himselfe to none,
Glided along, and as he glided watch'd,
And with his arched necke this poore fish catch'd. 235
It mov'd with state, as if to looke upon
Low things it scorn'd, and yet before that one
Could thinke he sought it, he had swallowed cleare
This, and much such, and unblam'd devour'd there
All, but who too swift, too great, or well armed were. 240


XXV.

Now swome a prison in a prison put,
And now this Soule in double walls was shut,
Till melted with the Swans digestive fire,
She left her house the fish, and vapour'd forth;
Fate not affording bodies of more worth 245
For her as yet, bids her againe retire
T'another fish, to any new desire
Made a new prey; For, he that can to none
Resistance make, nor complaint, sure is gone.
Weaknesse invites, but silence feasts oppression. 250


XXVI.

Pace with her native streame, this fish doth keepe,
And journeyes with her, towards the glassie deepe,
But oft retarded, once with a hidden net
Though with greate windowes, for when Need first taught
These tricks to catch food, then they were not wrought 255
As now, with curious greedinesse to let
None scape, but few, and fit for use, to get,
As, in this trap a ravenous pike was tane,
Who, though himselfe distrest, would faine have slain
This wretch; So hardly are ill habits left again. 260


XXVII.

Here by her smallnesse shee two deaths orepast,
Once innocence scap'd, and left the oppressor fast.
The net through-swome, she keepes the liquid path,
And whether she leape up sometimes to breath
And suck in aire, or finde it underneath, 265
Or working parts like mills or limbecks hath
To make the water thinne, and airelike faith
Cares not; but safe the Place she's come unto
Where fresh, with salt waves meet, and what to doe
She knowes not, but betweene both makes a boord or two. 270


XXVIII.

So farre from hiding her guests, water is,
That she showes them in bigger quantities
Then they are. Thus doubtfull of her way,
For game and not for hunger a sea Pie
Spied through this traiterous spectacle, from high, 275
The seely fish where it disputing lay,
And t'end her doubts and her, beares her away:
Exalted she'is, but to the exalters good,
As are by great ones, men which lowly stood.
It's rais'd, to be the Raisers instrument and food. 280


XXIX.

Is any kinde subject to rape like fish?
Ill unto man, they neither doe, nor wish:
Fishers they kill not, nor with noise awake,
They doe not hunt, nor strive to make a prey
Of beasts, nor their yong sonnes to beare away; 285
Foules they pursue not, nor do undertake
To spoile the nests industrious birds do make;
Yet them all these unkinde kinds feed upon,
To kill them is an occupation,
And lawes make Fasts, and Lents for their destruction. 290


XXX.

A sudden stiffe land-winde in that selfe houre
To sea-ward forc'd this bird, that did devour
The fish; he cares not, for with ease he flies,
Fat gluttonies best orator: at last
So long hee hath flowen, and hath flowen so fast 295
That many leagues at sea, now tir'd hee lyes,
And with his prey, that till then languisht, dies:
The soules no longer foes, two wayes did erre,
The fish I follow, and keepe no calender
Of the other; he lives yet in some great officer. 300


XXXI.

Into an embrion fish, our Soule is throwne,
And in due time throwne out againe, and growne
To such vastnesse as, if unmanacled
From Greece, Morea were, and that by some
Earthquake unrooted, loose Morea swome, 305
Or seas from Africks body had severed
And torne the hopefull Promontories head,
This fish would seeme these, and, when all hopes faile,
A great ship overset, or without faile
Hulling, might (when this was a whelp) be like this whale. 310


XXXII.

At every stroake his brazen finnes do take,
More circles in the broken sea they make
Then cannons voices, when the aire they teare:
His ribs are pillars, and his high arch'd roofe
Of barke that blunts best steele, is thunder-proofe: 315
Swimme in him swallow'd Dolphins, without feare,
And feele no sides, as if his vast wombe were
Some Inland sea, and ever as hee went
Hee spouted rivers up, as if he ment
To joyne our seas, with seas above the firmament. 320


XXXIII.

He hunts not fish, but as an officer,
Stayes in his court, at his owne net, and there
All suitors of all sorts themselves enthrall;
So on his backe lyes this whale wantoning,
And in his gulfe-like throat, sucks every thing 325
That passeth neare. Fish chaseth fish, and all,
Flyer and follower, in this whirlepoole fall;
O might not states of more equality
Consist? and is it of necessity
That thousand guiltlesse smals, to make one great, must die? 330


XXXIV.

Now drinkes he up seas, and he eates up flocks,
He justles Ilands, and he shakes firme rockes.
Now in a roomefull house this Soule doth float,
And like a Prince she sends her faculties
To all her limbes, distant as Provinces. 335
The Sunne hath twenty times both crab and goate
Parched, since first lanch'd forth this living boate;
'Tis greatest now, and to destruction
Nearest; There's no pause at perfection;
Greatnesse a period hath, but hath no station. 340


XXXV.

Two little fishes whom hee never harm'd,
Nor fed on their kinde, two not throughly arm'd
With hope that they could kill him, nor could doe
Good to themselves by his death (they did not eate
His flesh, nor suck those oyles, which thence outstreat) 345
Conspir'd against him, and it might undoe
The plot or all, that the plotters were two,
But that they fishes were, and could not speake.
How shall a Tyran wife strong projects breake,
If wreches can on them the common anger wreake? 350


XXXVI.

The flaile-finn'd Thresher, and steel-beak'd Sword-fish
Onely attempt to doe, what all doe wish.
The Thresher backs him, and to beate begins;
The sluggard Whale yeelds to oppression,
And t'hide himselfe from shame and danger, downe 355
Begins to sinke; the Swordfish upward spins,
And gores him with his beake; his staffe-like finnes,
So well the one, his sword the other plyes,
That now a scoffe, and prey, this tyran dyes,
And (his owne dole) feeds with himselfe all companies. 360


XXXVII.

Who will revenge his death? or who will call
Those to account, that thought, and wrought his fall?
The heires of slaine kings, wee see are often so
Transported with the joy of what they get,
That they, revenge and obsequies forget, 365
Nor will against such men the people goe,
Because h'is now dead, to whom they should show
Love in that act; Some kings by vice being growne
So needy of subjects love, that of their own
They thinke they lose, if love be to the dead Prince shown. 370


XXXVIII.

This Soule, now free from prison, and passion,
Hath yet a little indignation
That so small hammers should so soone downe beat
So great a castle. And having for her house
Got the streight cloyster of a wreched mouse 375
(As basest men that have not what to eate,
Nor enjoy ought, doe farre more hate the great
Then they, who good repos'd estates possesse)
This Soule, late taught that great things might by lesse
Be slain, to gallant mischiefe doth herselfe addresse. 380


XXXIX.

Natures great master-peece, an Elephant,
The onely harmlesse great thing; the giant
Of beasts; who thought, no more had gone, to make one wise
But to be just, and thankfull, loth to offend,
(Yet nature hath given him no knees to bend) 385
Himselfe he up-props, on himselfe relies,
And foe to none, suspects no enemies,
Still sleeping stood; vex't not his fantasie
Blacke dreames; like an unbent bow, carelesly
His sinewy Proboscis did remisly lie: 390


XL.

In which as in a gallery this mouse
Walk'd, and surveid the roomes of this vast house,
And to the braine, the soules bedchamber, went,
And gnaw'd the life cords there; Like a whole towne
Cleane undermin'd, the slaine beast tumbled downe; 395
With him the murtherer dies, whom envy sent
To kill, not scape, (for, only hee that ment
To die, did ever kill a man of better roome,)
And thus he made his foe, his prey, and tombe:
Who cares not to turn back, may any whither come. 400


XLI.

Next, hous'd this Soule a Wolves yet unborne whelp,
Till the best midwife, Nature, gave it helpe,
To issue. It could kill, as soone as goe.
Abel, as white, and milde as his sheepe were,
(Who, in that trade, of Church, and kingdomes, there 405
Was the first type) was still infested soe,
With this wolfe, that it bred his losse and woe;
And yet his bitch, his sentinell attends
The flocke so neere, so well warnes and defends,
That the wolfe, (hopelesse else) to corrupt her, intends. 410


XLII.

Hee tooke a course, which since, succesfully,
Great men have often taken, to espie
The counsels, or to breake the plots of foes.
To Abels tent he stealeth in the darke,
On whose skirts the bitch slept; ere she could barke, 415
Attach'd her with streight gripes, yet hee call'd those,
Embracements of love; to loves worke he goes,
Where deeds move more then words; nor doth she show,
Nor <make> resist, nor needs hee streighten so
His prey, for, were shee loose, she would nor barke, nor goe. 420


XLIII.

Hee hath engag'd her; his, she wholy bides;
Who not her owne, none others secrets hides.
If to the flocke he come, and Abell there,
She faines hoarse barkings, but she biteth not,
Her faith is quite, but not her love forgot. 425
At last a trap, of which some every where
Abell had plac'd, ends all his losse, and feare,
By the Wolves death; and now just time it was
That a quicke soule should give life to that masse
Of blood in Abels bitch, and thither this did passe. 430


XLIV.

Some have their wives, their sisters some begot,
But in the lives of Emperours you shall not
Reade of a lust the which may equall this;
This wolfe begot himselfe, and finished
What he began alive, when hee was dead; 435
Sonne to himselfe, and father too, hee is
A ridling lust, for which Schoolemen would misse
A proper name. The whelpe of both these lay
In Abels tent, and with soft Moaba,
His sister, being yong, it us'd to sport and play. 440


XLV.

Hee soone for her too harsh, and churlish grew,
And Abell (the dam dead) would use this new
For the field. Being of two kindes thus made,
He, as his dam, from sheepe drove wolves away,
And as his Sire, he made them his owne prey. 445
Five yeares he liv'd, and cosened with his trade,
Then hopelesse that his faults were hid, betraid
Himselfe by flight, and by all followed,
From dogges, a wolfe; from wolves, a dogge he fled;
And, like a spie to both sides false, he perished. 450


XLVI.

It quickned next a toyfull Ape, and so
Gamesome it was, that it might freely goe
From tent to tent, and with the children play.
His organs now so like theirs hee doth finde,
That why he cannot laugh, and speake his minde, 455
He wonders. Much with all, most he doth stay
With Adams fift daughter _Siphatecia_,
Doth gaze on her, and, where she passeth, passe,
Gathers her fruits, and tumbles on the grasse,
And wisest of that kinde, the first true lover was. 460


XLVII.

He was the first that more desir'd to have
One then another; first that ere did crave
Love by mute signes, and had no power to speake;
First that could make love faces, or could doe
The valters sombersalts, or us'd to wooe 465
With hoiting gambolls, his owne bones to breake
To make his mistresse merry; or to wreake
Her anger on himselfe. Sinnes against kinde
They easily doe, that can let feed their minde
With outward beauty; beauty they in boyes and beasts do find 470


XLVIII.

By this misled, too low things men have prov'd,
And too high; beasts and angels have beene lov'd.
This Ape, though else through-vaine, in this was wise,
He reach'd at things too high, but open way
There was, and he knew not she would say nay; 475
His toyes prevaile not, likelier meanes he tries,
He gazeth on her face with teare-shot eyes,
And up lifts subtly with his russet pawe
Her kidskinne apron without feare or awe
Of nature; nature hath no gaole, though shee hath law. 480


XLIX.

First she was silly and knew not what he ment.
That vertue, by his touches, chaft and spent,
Succeeds an itchie warmth, that melts her quite;
She knew not first, nowe cares not what he doth,
And willing halfe and more, more then halfe <loth>, 485
She neither puls nor pushes, but outright
Now cries, and now repents; when _Tethlemite_
Her brother, entred, and a great stone threw
After the Ape, who, thus prevented, flew.
This house thus batter'd downe, the Soule possest a new. 490


L.

And whether by this change she lose or win,
She comes out next, where the Ape would have gone in.
_Adam_ and _Eve_ had mingled bloods, and now
Like Chimiques equall fires, her temperate wombe
Had stew'd and form'd it: and part did become 495
A spungie liver, that did richly allow,
Like a free conduit, on a high hils brow,
Life-keeping moisture unto every part;
Part hardned it selfe to a thicker heart,
Whose busie furnaces lifes spirits do impart. 500


LI.

Another part became the well of sense,
The tender well-arm'd feeling braine, from whence,
Those sinowie strings which do our bodies tie,
Are raveld out; and fast there by one end,
Did this Soule limbes, these limbes a soule attend; 505
And now they joyn'd: keeping some quality
Of every past shape, she knew treachery,
Rapine, deceit, and lust, and ills enow
To be a woman. _Themech_ she is now,
Sister and wife to _Caine_, _Caine_ that first did plow. 510


LII.

Who ere thou beest that read'st this sullen Writ,
Which just so much courts thee, as thou dost it,
Let me arrest thy thoughts; wonder with mee,
Why plowing, building, ruling and the rest,
Or most of those arts, whence our lives are blest, 515
By cursed _Cains_ race invented be,
And blest _Seth_ vext us with Astronomie.
Ther's nothing simply good, nor ill alone,
Of every quality comparison,
The onely measure is, and judge, opinion. 520


_The end of the Progresse of the Soule. _


[7 gold] cold _1635-54_]

[10 writt _1635-69_, _G:_ writs _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
Writ's _Chambers_]

[12 begot. ] begot, _1633_]

[13 East] east _1633 some copies_

beginst] begins _1633_]

[16 Danow dine,] Danon dine, _1633_]

[17 Myne, _1633_ (_but_ mine, _in some copies_): Mine,
_1635-69_]

[19 one day before thee _O'F_]

[21 Nor, holy _Ianus_, _Ed:_ Nor holy _Ianus_ _1633-69_]

[27 From thence] For, thence _G_

All,)] All) _1633-69_]

[31 Commissary] commissary _1633 some copies_]

[33 every thing; _Ed:_ every thing, _1633-69_]

[34 instant; _1633:_ instant. _1635-69_]

[36 vouch thou safe _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ vouch safe
thou _1633-69_]

[37 booke: _Ed:_ booke. _1633-69_]

[45 Spirit-quenching] Spright-quenching _G_]

[54 shall, _Ed:_ shall _1633:_ hold _1635-69_

lone _1635-69:_ love _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC_

wayes _Ed:_ wayes, _1633-69_

spright, _Ed:_ spright _1633-69_]

[59 hoised] hoisted _G_]

[61 For the] For this _G_, _N_, _TCD:_ For that _O'F_]

[63 Which, _Ed:_ Which _1633-69_]

us; _Ed:_ us, _1633-69_]

[69 when] where _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[71 no low] nor low _Chambers_]

[74 every where; _Ed:_ every where _1633:_ every where,
_1635-69_]

[83 enlive, _G:_ enlive _1633-69:_ _om. _ _1633_ _some copies,
and_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[93 poyson'd _1669:_ poisoned _1633-54_]

[94 corrupt us, _1635-69:_ corrupts us, _1633:_ corrupt as _G_

Rivolets; _Ed:_ Rivolets, _1635-69:_ _om. _ _1633_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]

[95 breaks] breake _1633_ _some copies_

nets; _Ed:_ nets, _1633-69_]

[96 thrust] thrusts _1633_ (thrust _in some copies_)]

[97 fled. ] fled, _1633_]

[99 beare; _1635-69_, _G:_ here, _1633:_ heare, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]

[108 is't] i'st _1633_]

[112 vanities, _1633_, _G:_ vanitie, _1635-69_]

[114 minde; _Ed:_ minde, _1633-69_ reasons, _Ed:_ reasons
_1633:_ reason's _1635-69_, _Chambers and Grolier_]

[115 which] with _1633_ _some copies_]

[117 breake, doe _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC:_ breake, and
doe _1635-69_, _Chambers_

spill: _Ed:_ spill, _1633-69_]

[119 perfects] perfect _1633_ _some copies_]

[125 day. _1635-69:_ day, _1633_ (_corrected in some copies_)]

[126 dares] dare _1669_]

[127 proofe] proofes _O'F_]

[130 earths pores, _1669_, _A18_, _G_, _N:_ earths-pores,
_1633:_ earth-pores, _1633_ (_some copies_), _1635-54_

anew] a new _1633_]

[135 grow: _1650-69:_ grow, _1633-39_]

[137 the Prince, and have so fill'd _G:_ the Princesse, and
so fill'd _1633_ (_but some copies read_ the Prince, and so
fill'd): the Prince, and so fill up _1635-69:_ the Prince, and
so fill'd _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[144 bed, _Ed:_ bed; _1633-69_]

[146 upbeare. _Ed:_ upbeare; _1633:_ up beare; _1635-69_]

[147 middle parts _1633_, _G_, _O'F:_ middle part _1635-69:_
mid-parts _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[150 kindle, _G:_ kinde, _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_
kindle; _1635-69_]

[157 white; _1633:_ white, _1635-69_]

[159 guest, _Ed:_ guest _1633-69_. _See note_]

[165 moist red _1633-35:_ moist-red _1639-69_]

[166 slept] sleept _1633-35_

light; _Ed:_ light, _1633-69_]

[167 mandrakes might, _Ed:_ mandrakes might; _1633-54:_
mandrakes-might: _1669_]

[180 inclos'd _1635-69_, _G:_ encloth'd _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
encloth'd _altered to_ unclothed _then to_ enclosed _O'F:_
uncloath'd _1633_

pick'd] peck'd _A18_, _G_, _TC_]

[181 Outcrept _1633-35:_ Out crept _1639-69_]

[185 a new downy _1635-69_, _A18_, _G_, _TC:_ downy a new
_1633_

overspreades, _1633-39:_ overspreads _1650-69_]

[193 cocke, _Ed:_ cocke _1633-69_

tree,] tree _1633_]

[194 tent, _Ed:_ tent _1633-69_

hen; _Ed:_ hen, _1633-69_]

[196 be; _Ed:_ be, _1633-69_]

[202 ingresse; _Ed:_ ingresse, _1633-69_]

[203-5

Till now unlawfull, therefore ill; 'twas not
So jolly, that it can move this soule; Is
The body so free of his kindnesses,

_1633_, _and 1669_ (Till now,):

Till now, unlawfull, therefore ill 'twas not
So jolly, that it can more this soule. Is
The body, so free of his kindnesses,

_1635-54_

Till now, unlawful, therefore ill 'twas not.
So jolly, that it can move this soul, is
The body, so free of his kindnesses,

_Chambers_, _and Grolier but_ 203 not; _and no commas in_ 204.
_See note_]

[206 selfe-preserving] _no hyphen_ _1633-39_]

[207 soules,] souls _1669_]

[208 temperance] têperance _1633-39_]

[212 grow,] grow _1633-39_]

[214 hid _G:_ his _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_

snare,] snare _1633-69_]

[220 encrease his race,] encrease, _1633_]

[223 brooke. A _Ed:_ brooke; a _1633-69_]

[225 they had intertouch'd _1635-69_, _G_, _O'F:_ they
intertouched _1633:_ they intertouch'd _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[227 abled] able _1669_

rowe] roe _1633_]

[228 fit: _Ed:_ fit, _1633-69_]

[240 armed were. ] arm'd were _1633_]

[249 sure is gone, _1633-39:_ is sure gone. _1650-54:_ is sure
gone, _1669_]

[251 her _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ the _1633-69_]

[254-7 for when . . . use, to get,] _in brackets_ _1635-69_]

[254 Need _G:_ need _1633-69_]

[255 then] thê _1633_]

[257 use, _Ed:_ use _1633-69_]

[262 fast. _Ed:_ fast; _1633-69_]

[266 mills _Ed:_ mills, _1633-69_]

[267 water _1635-69_, _G:_ wether _1633_, _A18_, _TC_

airelike _1633-35:_ ayre like _1639-69_ _and Chambers_

faith _1633-69:_ faith, _Chambers_. _See note_]

[268 not; _Ed:_ not, _1633-69_]

[270 two. ] two _1633_]

[271 is,] is _1633_]

[273 Thus doubtfull _1633_, _A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC:_ Thus her
doubtfull _1635-69_]

[277 away: _Ed:_ away, _1633-69_]

[279 _in brackets_ _1635-69_

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

[280 It's rais'd _1633-69:_ It rais'd _some copies of 1633_,
_A18_, _G_, _N_, _TC_]

[287 industrious] industruous _1633_]

[290 Fasts, and Lents _1635-69:_ fasts, and lents _1633_]

[296 That many leagues at sea, _G:_ That leagues
o'er-past at sea, _1633-69:_ That leagues at sea, _A18_, _N_,
_O'F_ (_which inserts_ o'r past), _TC_. _See note_]

[297 dies:] dies, _1633_]

[301 throwne,] throwne _1633_]

[303 vastnesse as, if _Grolier:_ vastnesse, as if _1633-69_,
_Chambers_]

[307 head, _1633:_ head; _1635-69:_ head. _Chambers_. _See
note_]

[311 take,] take _1633_]

[315 thunder-proofe: _Ed:_ thunder-proofe, _1633-69_]

[316 swallow'd] swallowed _1633_]

[322 at] as _A18_, _G_, _TCC_]

[337 this _1633:_ his _1635-69_

boate; _Ed:_ boate, _1635-69:_ boate. _1633_]

[339 perfection; _Ed:_ perfection. _1633-35:_ perfection,
_1639-69_]

[344-5 _brackets_, _1719:_ death: . . . outstreat, _1633-69_

did not eate] doe not eate _G_]

[349 Tyran] Tyrant _1669_]

[351 flaile-finn'd] flaile-find _1633:_ flaile-finnd
_1635-39_]

[358 well] were _1633_]

[359 tyran] tyrant _1669_]

[365 they, revenge _1635-69:_ they revenge, _1633:_ they,
revenge, _1633_ _some copies_]

[367 h'is _1633:_ he's _1635-69_]

[368 act; _Ed:_ act. _1633-69_]

[383 who thought, no more had gone, to make one wise _1633_,
_G_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_ (_the last four MSS. all drop_ more, _N
and TCD leaving a space_): who thought none had, to make him
wise, _1635-69_]

[386 relies,] relies _1633_]

[389 dreames; _Ed:_ dreames, _1633-69_]

[390: lie: _1635:_ lie. _1633, 1639-69_]

[395 downe; _Ed:_ downe, _1633-69_]

[396 dies,] dies _1633_]

[397-8 _brackets_, _Ed:_ scape, . . . roome, _1633:_ scape; . . .
roome, _1635-69_

ment] went _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[403 goe. _Ed:_ goe, _1633:_ goe: _1635-69_]

[405 Who,] Who _1633_

trade, _1635-69:_ trade _1633_]

[413 foes. _Ed:_ foes, _1633-69_]

[419 Nor <make> resist, _Ed:_ Nor much resist, _1633-69:_ Nowe
must resist _N:_ Nowe much resist _A18_, _G_, _TC:_ Resistance
much _O'F_

needs] need _O'F_]

[420 nor barke, _1633-39:_ not barke _1650-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_]

[422 hides. ] hides, _1633_]

[427 plac'd, ends] plac'd end _1633_ _some copies_]

[435 dead; _Ed:_ dead, _1633-39:_ dead. _1650-69_]

[443 field. Being _Ed:_ field, being _1633-69_

thus] _om. _ _1633_]

[453 play. _Ed:_ play, _1633-69_]

[470 beauty; _Ed:_ beauty, _1633-69_]

[472 lov'd. _Ed:_ lov'd; _1633-69_]

[479 or] of _1669_]

[480 shee hath] shee have _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[481 ment. _Ed:_ ment, _1633-69_]

483 quite; _Ed:_ quite, _1633-69_]

[484 nowe _1633_, _G:_ nor _1635-69_, _Chambers:_ then _A18_,
_TC_]

[485 <loth>, _Ed:_ Tooth _1633_, _G:_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_ _leave
a blank space: in TCC a later hand has inserted_ loath: wroth,
_1635-69_]

[487 Tethlemite _A18_, _G_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC:_ Tethelemite
_1633:_ Thelemite _1635-69_]

[489 flew. _1635-69:_ flew, _1633_]

[492 in. _1650-69:_ in, _1633-39_]

[498 Life-keeping] Life keeping _1633_

part; _Ed:_ part, _1633-69_]

[502 well-arm'd _1669:_ well arm'd _1633-54_]

[503 sinowie] sinewy _1639-54:_ sinew _1669_]

[504 out; _Ed:_ out, _1633-69_]

[505 this Soule] a Soule _A18_, _N_, _TC_ attend; _Ed:_
attend, _1633-69_]

[506-7 joyn'd: . . . past shape, _1633:_ joyn'd, . . . past shape;
_1635-69_, _Chambers_, _Grolier_. _See note_]

[513 thoughts; _1650-69:_ thoughts, _1633-39_]

[517 Astronomie. ] Astronomie, _1633_]

[519 comparison, _1633_, _1669_ (_no comma_): Comparison,
_1635-54_]

[520 opinion. _1633:_ Opinion. _1635-69_]

[The end _&c. _ _1635-69:_ _om. _ _1633_]




DIVINE POEMS.

To _E. _ of _D. _ with six holy Sonnets.


See Sir, how as the Suns hot Masculine flame
Begets strange creatures on Niles durty slime,
In me, your fatherly yet lusty Ryme
(For, these songs are their fruits) have wrought the same;
But though the ingendring force from whence they came 5
Bee strong enough, and nature doe admit
Seaven to be borne at once, I send as yet
But six; they say, the seaventh hath still some maime.
I choose your judgement, which the same degree
Doth with her sister, your invention, hold, 10
As fire these drossie Rymes to purifie,
Or as Elixar, to change them to gold;
You are that Alchimist which alwaies had
Wit, whose one spark could make good things of bad.


[Divine Poems. _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ _In 1635-69 this is the title
at head of each page, but the new section is headed_ Holy
Sonnets.

To E. of D. _&c. _ _so headed 1633-69 but placed among_
Letters _&c. _, _and so in O'F and_ (_but_ L. of D.
) _W:_
_removed hither by Grosart_. ]

[4 their fruits] the fruit _W_]

[6 doe _1633:_ doth _1635-69_]

[8 six;] six, _1633_

maime. _W:_ maime; _1633-69_]

[11 drossie] drosse _1650-54_]




_To the Lady Magdalen Herbert: of St. Mary Magdalen. _

Her of your name, whose fair inheritance
Bethina was, and jointure Magdalo:
An active faith so highly did advance,
That she once knew, more than the Church did know,
The Resurrection; so much good there is 5
Deliver'd of her, that some Fathers be
Loth to believe one Woman could do this;
But, think these Magdalens were two or three.
Increase their number, Lady, and their fame:
To their Devotion, add your Innocence; 10
Take so much of th'example, as of the name;
The latter half; and in some recompence
That they did harbour Christ himself, a Guest,
Harbour these Hymns, to his dear name addrest.

J. D.


[To the Lady Magdalen Herbert: _&c. _ _Ed:_ To the Lady
Magdalen Herbert, of _&c. _ _Walton's_ The Life of M^r George
Herbert. (1670, _pp. _ 25-6. ) _See note_]

[4 know, _1675:_ know _1670_]




HOLY SONNETS.


_La Corona. _

1. _Deigne at my hands this crown of prayer and praise_,
Weav'd in my low devout melancholie,
Thou which of good, hast, yea art treasury,
All changing unchang'd Antient of dayes;
But doe not, with a vile crowne of fraile bayes, 5
Reward my muses white sincerity,
But what thy thorny crowne gain'd, that give mee,
A crowne of Glory, which doth flower alwayes;
The ends crowne our workes, but thou crown'st our ends,
For, at our end begins our endlesse rest; 10
The first last end, now zealously possest,
With a strong sober thirst, my soule attends.
'Tis time that heart and voice be lifted high,
_Salvation to all that will is nigh_.


[HOLY SONNETS. _1633-69_, _being general title to the two
groups:_ Holy Sonnets written 20 years since. _H49_. ]

[La Corona. _1633-69_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _S_, _TCC_,
_TCD_, _W:_ The Crowne. _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]

[2 low _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_, _W_ (_spelt_
lowe _in MSS. _): lone _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S:_ loves
_S96_]

[3 treasury, _1633-69:_ a Treasurie, _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]

[4 dayes; _Ed:_ dayes, _1633-69_]

[10 For] So _W_ end _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ ends _1635-69_, _S96_

rest; _Ed:_ rest, _1633-69_]

[11 The] This _B_, _S_, _S96_, _W_

zealously] soberly _B_, _S96_, _W:_ _O'F corrects_]

[13 heart and voice] voice and heart _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_,
_W_]

[14 _nigh_. ] _nigh_, _1633_]




ANNVNCIATION.

2. _Salvation to all that will is nigh_;
That All, which alwayes is All every where,
Which cannot sinne, and yet all sinnes must beare,
Which cannot die, yet cannot chuse but die,
Loe, faithfull Virgin, yeelds himselfe to lye 5
In prison, in thy wombe; and though he there
Can take no sinne, nor thou give, yet he'will weare
Taken from thence, flesh, which deaths force may trie.
Ere by the spheares time was created, thou
Wast in his minde, who is thy Sonne, and Brother; 10
Whom thou conceiv'st, conceiv'd; yea thou art now
Thy Makers maker, and thy Fathers mother;
Thou'hast light in darke; and shutst in little roome,
_Immensity cloysterd in thy deare wombe_.


[Annunciation. ]

[1 _nigh;_ _1669:_ _nigh_, _1633-54_]

[9 created,] begotten, _B_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ _O'F corrects_]

[10 Brother; _Ed:_ Brother, _1633-69_]

[11 conceiv'st, _1633:_ conceiv'st _1635-69:_ conceiv'dst,
_O'F_, _S_, _W_, _and Grolier_ conceiv'd;] conceived;
_1635-69_]

[12 mother; _Ed:_ mother, _1633-69_]




NATIVITIE.

3. _Immensitie cloysterd in thy deare wombe_,
Now leaves his welbelov'd imprisonment,
There he hath made himselfe to his intent
Weake enough, now into our world to come;
But Oh, for thee, for him, hath th'Inne no roome? 5
Yet lay him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Starres, and wisemen will travell to prevent
Th'effect of _Herods_ jealous generall doome.
Seest thou, my Soule, with thy faiths eyes, how he
Which fils all place, yet none holds him, doth lye? 10
Was not his pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pittied by thee?
Kisse him, and with him into Egypt goe,
_With his kinde mother, who partakes thy woe_.


[Nativitie. ]

[6 this] his _1669_]

[7 will] shall _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[8 effect _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ effects _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_ jealous] dire and _B_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ zealous _A18, N, TC_

doome. ] doome; _1633_]

[9 eyes, _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ eye,
_1635-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC_]




TEMPLE.

4. _With his kinde mother who partakes thy woe_,
_Ioseph_ turne backe; see where your child doth sit,
Blowing, yea blowing out those sparks of wit,
Which himselfe on the Doctors did bestow;
The Word but lately could not speake, and loe, 5
It sodenly speakes wonders, whence comes it,
That all which was, and all which should be writ,
A shallow seeming child, should deeply know?
His Godhead was not soule to his manhood,
Nor had time mellowed him to this ripenesse, 10
But as for one which hath a long taske, 'tis good,
With the Sunne to beginne his businesse,
He in his ages morning thus began
_By miracles exceeding power of man_.


[Temple. ]

[5 loe, _Ed:_ loe _1633-69_]

[6 wonders, _1633-39:_ wonders: _1650-69_]

[11 for] to _W_

a long taske, _1633-69_, _D_, _H49:_ long taskes _B_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCD_, _W:_ longe taske _A18_, _TCC_

'tis] 'Tis _1633:_ thinks _W_]




CRVCIFYING.

5. _By miracles exceeding power of man_,
Hee faith in some, envie in some begat,
For, what weake spirits admire, ambitious, hate;
In both affections many to him ran,
But Oh! the worst are most, they will and can, 5
Alas, and do, unto the immaculate,
Whose creature Fate is, now prescribe a Fate,
Measuring selfe-lifes infinity to'a span,
Nay to an inch. Loe, where condemned hee
Beares his owne crosse, with paine, yet by and by 10
When it beares him, he must beare more and die.
Now thou art lifted up, draw mee to thee,
And at thy death giving such liberall dole,
_Moyst, with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule_.


[Crucifying. ]

[3 weake] meeke _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[8 to'a span, _B_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ to span,
_1633-69_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_]

[9 inch. Loe, _1635-69:_ inch, loe, _1633_]

[11 die. _1635-69:_ die; _1633_]




RESVRRECTION.

6. _Moyst with one drop of thy blood, my dry soule_
Shall (though she now be in extreme degree
Too stony hard, and yet too fleshly,) bee
Freed by that drop, from being starv'd, hard, or foule,
And life, by this death abled, shall controule 5
Death, whom thy death slue; nor shall to mee
Feare of first or last death, bring miserie,
If in thy little booke my name thou enroule,
Flesh in that long sleep is not putrified,
But made that there, of which, and for which 'twas; 10
Nor can by other meanes be glorified.
May then sinnes sleep, and deaths soone from me passe,
That wak't from both, I againe risen may
_Salute the last, and everlasting day_.


[Resurrection. ]

[1 _soule_ _1635:_ _soule_, _1633_, _1639-69_]

[5 this] thy _B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[6 shall to] shall nowe to _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]

[8 little _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _TC:_ life _1635-69_,
_B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[9 that long] that last long _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ that _D_,
_H49_]

[11 glorified] purified _S_, _S96_, _W_, _and O'F_ (_which
corrects to_ glorified)]

[12 deaths _A18_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ death _1633-69_, _D_,
_H49_]




ASCENTION.

7. _Salute the last and everlasting day_,
Joy at the uprising of this Sunne, and Sonne,
Yee whose just teares, or tribulation
Have purely washt, or burnt your drossie clay;
Behold the Highest, parting hence away, 5
Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon,
Nor doth hee by ascending, show alone,
But first hee, and hee first enters the way.
O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee,
Mild Lambe, which with thy blood, hast mark'd the path; 10
Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see,
Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath,
And if thy holy Spirit, my Muse did raise,
_Deigne at my hands this crowne of prayer and praise_.


[Ascention. ]

[3 just _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TC:_ true _1635-69_,
_B_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[8 way. ] way, _1633_]

[10 Lambe, _D_, _W:_ lambe _1633-69_]

[11 Torch, _D_, _W:_ torch, _1633-69_

the way] thy wayes _B_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_ thee _A18_, _TCC_]




_Holy Sonnets. _

I.

Thou hast made me, And shall thy worke decay?
Repaire me now, for now mine end doth haste,
I runne to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
I dare not move my dimme eyes any way, 5
Despaire behind, and death before doth cast
Such terrour, and my feeble flesh doth waste
By sinne in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;
Onely thou art above, and when towards thee
By thy leave I can looke, I rise againe; 10
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
That not one houre my selfe I can sustaine;
Thy Grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And thou like Adamant draw mine iron heart.


[Holy Sonnets. _1633-69_ (_following_ La Corona _as second
group under the same general title_), _W:_ Devine Meditations.
_B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _no title_, _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD_. _See note_]

[I. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ _omitted_ _1633_,
_A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]

[4 yesterday; _Ed:_ yesterday, _1635-69_]

[7 feeble _1635-69:_ febled _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W_]

[12 my selfe I can _1635-69:_ I can myself _B_, _S96_, _W_

sustaine; _1669:_ sustaine, _1635-54_]




II.

As due by many titles I resigne
My selfe to thee, O God, first I was made
By thee, and for thee, and when I was decay'd
Thy blood bought that, the which before was thine;
I am thy sonne, made with thy selfe to shine, 5
Thy servant, whose paines thou hast still repaid,
Thy sheepe, thine Image, and, till I betray'd
My selfe, a temple of thy Spirit divine;
Why doth the devill then usurpe on mee?
Why doth he steale, nay ravish that's thy right? 10
Except thou rise and for thine owne worke fight,
Oh I shall soone despaire, when I doe see
That thou lov'st mankind well, yet wilt'not chuse me,
And Satan hates mee, yet is loth to lose mee.


[II. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ I. _1633_, _A18_, _D_,
_H49_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD_]

[2 God, first _1633:_ God. First _1635-69_]

[4 thine; _1650-69:_ thine, _1633-39:_ thine. _W_]

[7 and, _Ed:_ and _1633-69_]

[9 on _1633-69_, _D_, _H49:_ in _A18_, _B_, _N_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W_]

[10 steale,] steale _1633-39_

that's] what's _A18_, _TCC_]

[12 doe _1633 and most MSS. :_ shall _1635-69_, _O'F_, _S96_]

[13 me,] me. _1633_]




III.

O might those sighes and teares returne againe
Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,
That I might in this holy discontent
Mourne with some fruit, as I have mourn'd in vaine;
In mine Idolatry what showres of raine 5
Mine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?
That sufferance was my sinne; now I repent;
'Cause I did suffer I must suffer paine.
Th'hydroptique drunkard, and night-scouting thiefe,
The itchy Lecher, and selfe tickling proud 10
Have the remembrance of past joyes, for reliefe
Of comming ills. To (poore) me is allow'd
No ease; for, long, yet vehement griefe hath beene
Th'effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.


[III. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ _omitted_ _1633_,
_A18_, _D_, _&c. _]

[7 sinne; now I _Ed:_ sinne, now I _B_, _W:_ sinne I now
_1635-69_

repent; _Ed:_ repent, _1633-69_]




IV.

Oh my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned
By sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion;
Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath done
Treason, and durst not turne to whence hee is fled,
Or like a thiefe, which till deaths doome be read, 5
Wisheth himselfe delivered from prison;
But damn'd and hal'd to execution,
Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.
Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lacke;
But who shall give thee that grace to beginne? 10
Oh make thy selfe with holy mourning blacke,
And red with blushing, as thou art with sinne;
Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this might
That being red, it dyes red soules to white.


[IV. _1635-69:_ II. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ V. _B_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _W_]

[1 Soule! _1633:_ Soule _1635-69_]

[8 imprisoned. _W:_ imprisoned; _1633-69_]




V.

I am a little world made cunningly
Of Elements, and an Angelike spright,
But black sinne hath betraid to endlesse night
My worlds both parts, and (oh) both parts must die.
You which beyond that heaven which was most high 5
Have found new sphears, and of new lands can write,
Powre new seas in mine eyes, that so I might
Drowne my world with my weeping earnestly,
Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more:
But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire 10
Of lust and envie have burnt it heretofore,
And made it fouler; Let their flames retire,
And burne me ô Lord, with a fiery zeale
Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heale.


[V. _1635-69:_ _omitted_ _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ VII. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]

[6 lands _B_, _S96_, _W:_ land _1635-69_, _O'F_]

[7 I _1635-54:_ he _1669_]

[9 it, _Ed:_ it: _W:_ it _1635-69_]

[10 burnt! _Ed:_ burnt, _1635-69_]

[11 have _B_, _S96_, _W:_ hath _O'F:_ _om. _ _1635-69_]

[12 fouler; _W:_ fouler, _1635-69_

their] those _W_]

[13 Lord] God _W_]




VI.

This is my playes last scene, here heavens appoint
My pilgrimages last mile; and my race
Idly, yet quickly runne, hath this last pace,
My spans last inch, my minutes latest point,
And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoynt 5
My body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space,
But my'ever-waking part shall see that face,
Whose feare already shakes my every joynt:
Then, as my soule, to'heaven her first seate, takes flight,
And earth-borne body, in the earth shall dwell, 10
So, fall my sinnes, that all may have their right,
To where they'are bred, and would presse me, to hell.
Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evill,
For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devill.


[VI. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ III. _1633_, _A18_,
_D_, _&c. _]

[6 and soule, _1635-69:_ and my soule, _1633_]

[7 Or presently, I know not, see that Face, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _W_]

[10 earth-borne _1635-69:_ earth borne _1633_]

[14 flesh,] flesh _1633_

the devill. ] and devill. _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _TC_, _W_]




VII.

At the round earths imagin'd corners, blow
Your trumpets, Angells, and arise, arise
From death, you numberlesse infinities
Of soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,
All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow, 5
All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God, and never tast deaths woe.
But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,
For, if above all these, my sinnes abound, 10
'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,
When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,
Teach mee how to repent; for that's as good
As if thou'hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.


[VII. _1635-69:_ IV. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ VIII. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]

[5 o'erthrow] overthrow _1669_]

[6 dearth, _W:_ death, _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]

[8 woe. _W:_ woe, _1633-54:_ owe; _1669_]

[12 lowly] holy _1669_]

[14 thy] my _1669_]




VIII.

If faithfull soules be alike glorifi'd
As Angels, then my fathers soule doth see,
And adds this even to full felicitie,
That valiantly I hels wide mouth o'rstride:
But if our mindes to these soules be descry'd 5
By circumstances, and by signes that be
Apparent in us, not immediately,
How shall my mindes white truth by them be try'd?
They see idolatrous lovers weepe and mourne,
And vile blasphemous Conjurers to call 10
On Iefus name, and Pharisaicall
Dissemblers feigne devotion. Then turne
O pensive soule, to God, for he knowes best
Thy true griefe, for he put it in my breast.


[VIII. _1635-69:_ _omitted_ _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ X. _B_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _W_]

[7 in us, _W:_ in us _1635-69_. _See note_]

[8 by] to _B_, _S96_, _W_]

[10 vile _W:_ vilde _B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ stile _1635-69_]

[14 true _W:_ _om. 1635-69_, _B_, _S96_ in _W:_ into
_1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_

my] thy _B_, _S96_]




IX.

If poysonous mineralls, and if that tree,
Whose fruit threw death on else immortall us,
If lecherous goats, if serpents envious
Cannot be damn'd; Alas; why should I bee?
Why should intent or reason, borne in mee, 5
Make sinnes, else equall, in mee more heinous?
And mercy being easie, and glorious
To God; in his sterne wrath, why threatens hee?
But who am I, that dare dispute with thee
O God? Oh! of thine onely worthy blood, 10
And my teares, make a heavenly Lethean flood,
And drowne in it my sinnes blacke memorie;
That thou remember them, some claime as debt,
I thinke it mercy, if thou wilt forget.


[IX. _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W:_ V. _1633_, _A18_, _D_,
_&c. _]

[1 poysonous] poysons _1639-54_

and if that] or if the _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]

[2 (else immortal) _1635-69_]

[5 or] and _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]

[6 mee] mee, _1633_]

[8 God;] God, _1633_]

[9-10 thee O God? _W:_ thee? O God, _1633-69_]

[12 memorie;] memorie, _1633_]

[14 forget. ] forget, _1633_]




X.

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, 5
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, 10
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.


[X. _1635-69:_ VI. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ XI. _B_, _O'F_,
_S96_, _W_]

[4 mee. ] mee; _1633_]

[5 pictures _1633 and MSS. :_ picture _1635-69_]

[8 deliverie. ] deliverie _1633-69_]

[9 Chance, _W:_ chance, _1633-69_]

[10 dost] doth _1633_

dwell,] dwell. _1633_]

[12 better] easier _B_, _O'F_, _S96_, _W_]

[13 wake] live _B_, _S96_, _W_]

[14 more; death, _Ed:_ more, death _1633-69_]




XI.

Spit in my face you Jewes, and pierce my side,
Buffet, and scoffe, scourge, and crucifie mee,
For I have sinn'd, and sinn'd, and onely hee,
Who could do no iniquitie, hath dyed:
But by my death can not be satisfied 5
My sinnes, which passe the Jewes impiety:
They kill'd once an inglorious man, but I
Crucifie him daily, being now glorified.
Oh let mee then, his strange love still admire:
Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment. 10
And _Iacob_ came cloth'd in vile harsh attire
But to supplant, and with gainfull intent:
God cloth'd himselfe in vile mans flesh, that so
Hee might be weake enough to suffer woe.


[XI. _1635-69:_ VII. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ _omitted_ _B_,
_S96:_ _added among_ Other Meditations. _O'F:_ XIII. _W_]

[3 onely] humbly _W_]

[6 impiety] iniquitye _D_, _H49_]

[8 glorified. ] glorified; _1633_]

[12 intent:] intent _1633_]




XII.

Why are wee by all creatures waited on?
Why doe the prodigall elements supply
Life and food to mee, being more pure then I,
Simple, and further from corruption?
Why brook'st thou, ignorant horse, subjection? 5
Why dost thou bull, and bore so seelily
Dissemble weaknesse, and by'one mans stroke die,
Whose whole kinde, you might swallow and feed upon?
Weaker I am, woe is mee, and worse then you,
You have not sinn'd, nor need be timorous. 10
But wonder at a greater wonder, for to us
Created nature doth these things subdue,
But their Creator, whom sin, nor nature tyed,
For us, his Creatures, and his foes, hath dyed.


[XII. _1635-69:_ VIII. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ _omitted_
_B_, _S96:_ _among_ Other Meditations. _O'F:_ XIV. _W_]

[1 are wee] ame I _W_]

[4 Simple, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _W:_ Simpler _1635-69_, _A18_,
_N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _Chambers_]

[9 Weaker I am,] Alas I am weaker, _W_]

[10 timorous. _W:_ timorous, _1633-69_]

[11 a greater wonder, _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_ (greate),
_TC_, _W:_ a greater, _1635-69_]




XIII.

What if this present were the worlds last night?
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
Teares in his eyes quench the amasing light, 5
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my idolatrie
I said to all my profane mistresses, 10
Beauty, of pitty, foulnesse onely is
A signe of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a pitious minde.


[XIII _1635-69:_ IX. _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _&c. :_ _om. B_,
_S96:_ _among_ Other Meditations. _O'F:_ XV. _W_]

[2 Marke] Looke _W_]

[4 that _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ his _1633-69_, _D_,
_H49_]

[6 fell. _1639-69:_ fell _1633-35_]

[8 fierce] ranck _W_]

[14 assures _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_, _W:_ assumes
_1633-69_]




XIV.

Batter my heart, three person'd God; for, you
As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow mee,'and bend
Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurpt towne, to'another due, 5
Labour to'admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weake or untrue.
Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved faine,
But am betroth'd unto your enemie: 10
Divorce mee,'untie, or breake that knot againe,
Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I
Except you'enthrall mee, never shall be free,
Nor ever chast, except you ravish mee.


[XIV. _1635-69:_ X.