No More Learning

If that be simply perfectest 10
Which can by no way be exprest
But _Negatives_, my love is so.
To All, which all love, I say no.
If any who deciphers best,
What we know not, our selves, can know, 15
Let him teach mee that nothing; This
As yet my ease, and comfort is,
Though I speed not, I cannot misse.


[Negative love. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Negative
Love: or the Nothing. _O'F:_ The Nothing. _A25_, _C_]

[4 to'admire, _1633-39:_ to'admire; _1650-69_]

[5 For] Both _A25_, _C_]

[11 way] means _1669_, _O'F_]

[16 nothing; _1633:_ nothing. _1635-69_]




_The Prohibition. _

Take heed of loving mee,
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wast
Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,
By being to thee then what to me thou wast; 5
But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,
Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,
If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.

Take heed of hating mee,
Or too much triumph in the Victorie. 10
Not that I shall be mine owne officer,
And hate with hate againe retaliate;
But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
Then, least my being nothing lessen thee, 15
If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.

Yet, love and hate mee too,
So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;
Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;
Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee; 20
Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;
So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,
_To let mee live, O love and hate mee too. _


[The Prohibition. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S96:_
_in B first two verses headed_ J. D. , _last verse_ T. R. : _in
A18_, _N_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD the last stanza is omitted_]

[3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast,
_1669_]

[5 By . . . wast; _Ed:_ By . . . wast, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_,
_H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_, _S96_ (mee _for_ thee _B_, _P_): By
being to mee then that which thou wast; _1633:_ _om. _ _A18_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_]

[18 neithers _Ed:_ neythers _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC:_ neyther
_O'F_, _RP31:_ neyther their _Cy:_ ne'r their _1633-69_, _B_]

[20 thy _1635-69:_ my _1633_ (thy _in some copies_)]

[22 I, live, _Ed:_ I live _1633-69_

Stage, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _O'F:_ stay, _1633_, _JC:_
staye, _D_, _H49_

not] and _H40_]

[23-4

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe
_To let mee live, Oh_ (of _in some copies_)
_love and hate mee too. _

_1633_, _B_

Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoe
_O let me live, yet love and hate me too. _

_1635-54_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_ (_MSS.
omitting first_ thou _and some with_ Oh _for_ yet)

Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,
_O let me live, yet love and hate me too. _

_1669_. ]




_The Expiration. _

So, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,
Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,
Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,
And let our selves benight our happiest day,
We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we owe 5
Any, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;

Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,
Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.
Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,
And a just office on a murderer doe. 10
Except it be too late, to kill me so,
Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.


[The Expiration. _1633-69:_ An Expiration. _A18_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ Valediction. _B:_ Valedictio. _O'F:_ Valedictio Amoris.
_S:_ Valedico. _P:_ _no title_, _A25_, _C_, _JC_]

[1 So, so,] So, go _1669_]

[5 ask'd _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_ _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_
aske _1633-69_, _P_, _S_]

[9 Oh, _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _TC:_ Or, _1635-69_,
_B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]




_The Computation. _

For the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,
I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,
For forty more, I fed on favours past,
And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.
Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two, 5
A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,
Or not divide, all being one thought of you;
Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.
Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I
Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die? 10


[The Computation. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_]

[1 For _1633-54:_ From _1669_

the _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ my _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_,
_Chambers_]

[3 For] And _1669_]

[6 One thousand I did think nothing nor doe, _S_, _O'F_
(nothing think) doe, _1635-69:_ doe. _1633_]

[7 divide, _1633_, _1669:_ deem'd, _1635-54_, _O'F_]

[8 a] one _O'F_, _S:_ _line dropped_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_

forgot] forget _1669_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]




_The Paradox. _

No Lover saith, I love, nor any other
Can judge a perfect Lover;
Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agree
That any loves but hee:
I cannot say I lov'd, for who can say 5
Hee was kill'd yesterday?
Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,
Death kills with too much cold;
Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,
Hee that saith twice, doth lye: 10
For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,
It doth the sense beguile.
Such life is like the light which bideth yet
When the lights life is set,
Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter 15
Leaves behinde, two houres after.
Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now become
Mine Epitaph and Tombe.
Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;
Love-slaine, loe, here I lye. 20


[The Paradox. _1635-69_: _no title_, _1633_, _A18_, _H40_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_ _TCC_, _TCD_]

[3 can, nor will agree _A18_, _H40_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_:
can or will agree, _1633-69_]

[6 yesterday? ] yesterday. _1633-39_]

[14 lights life _H40_, _L74_, _RP31_, _S:_ lifes light
_1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]

[15 which _Ed:_ which, _1633-69_]

[17 lov'd _A18_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC:_ love
_1633-69_

dy'd] dyed _1633-69_]

[20 lye. _H40_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96:_ dye. _1633-69_, _A18_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]




_Farewell to Love. _

Whilst yet to prove,
I thought there was some Deitie in love
So did I reverence, and gave
Worship; as Atheists at their dying houre
Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power, 5
As ignorantly did I crave:
Thus when
Things not yet knowne are coveted by men,
Our desires give them fashion, and so
As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow. 10

But, from late faire
His hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,
Is not lesse cared for after three dayes
By children, then the thing which lovers so
Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe; 15
Being had, enjoying it decayes:
And thence,
What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,
And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde
A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde. 20

Ah cannot wee,
As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,
After such pleasures? Unlesse wise
Nature decreed (since each such Act, they say,
Diminisheth the length of life a day) 25
This, as shee would man should despise
The sport;
Because that other curse of being short,
And onely for a minute made to be,
(Eagers desire) to raise posterity. 30

Since so, my minde
Shall not desire what no man else can finde,
I'll no more dote and runne
To pursue things which had indammag'd me.
And when I come where moving beauties be, 35
As men doe when the summers Sunne
Growes great,
Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;
Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,
'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile. 40


[Farewell to love. _1635-69_ (_following_ Soules joy: _p. _
429), _O'F_, _S96_]

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

[10 sise, _1635-69_, _O'F:_ rise _S96_]

[23 pleasures? _Ed:_ pleasures, _1635-69_]

[26 This, _Ed:_ This; _1635-69_]

[27 sport; _Ed:_ sport, _1635-69_]

[29 to be, _Ed:_ to be _1635-69_]

[30 (Eagers desire) _Ed:_ Eager, desires _1635-69_. _See
note_]

[36 summers _1635-69:_ summer _1650-1669_]




_A Lecture upon the Shadow. _

Stand still, and I will read to thee
A Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.
These three houres that we have spent,
Walking here, Two shadowes went
Along with us, which we our selves produc'd; 5
But, now the Sunne is just above our head,
We doe those shadowes tread;
And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadowes, flow, 10
From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.

That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.

Except our loves at this noone stay,
We shall new shadowes make the other way. 15
As the first were made to blinde
Others; these which come behinde
Will worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.
If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;
To me thou, falsly, thine, 20
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadowes weare away,
But these grow longer all the day,
But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.

Love is a growing, or full constant light; 25
And his first minute, after noone, is night.


[A Lecture _&c. _ _1650-69:_ Lecture _&c_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ Song. _1635-39_ (_following_ Dear Love continue: _p. _
412): The Shadowe. _O'F_, _P:_ Shadowe. _S96:_ Loves Lecture.
_S:_ Loves Lecture upon the Shaddow. _L74:_ Loves Philosophy.
_JC:_ _no title_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_]

[4 Walking _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC:_ In walking _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S96_

here, _1719:_ here; _1635-39:_ here: _1650-69_]

[9 loves _1635-54_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ love _1669_, _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_]

[12 high'st] least _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_]

[14 loves _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ love _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]

[19 If our loves faint _1635-69_, _A25_, _O'F_ (love), _P_,
_S96_ (love), _TC:_ If once love faint _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _S_]

[26 first _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ short _1635-69_]




_Sonnet. The Token. _

Send me some token, that my hope may live,
Or that my easelesse thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,
That in my passion I may hope the best.
I beg noe ribbond wrought with thine owne hands, 5
To knit our loves in the fantastick straine
Of new-toucht youth; nor Ring to shew the stands
Of our affection, that as that's round and plaine,
So should our loves meet in simplicity;
No, nor the Coralls which thy wrist infold, 10
Lac'd up together in congruity,
To shew our thoughts should rest in the same hold;
No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,
And most desir'd, because best like the best;
Nor witty Lines, which are most copious, 15
Within the Writings which thou hast addrest.

Send me nor this, nor that, t'increase my store,
But swear thou thinkst I love thee, and no more.


[Sonnet. The Token. _1649-69_ (_following_ Vpon Mr. Thomas
Coryats Crudities. _at close of_ Epicedes): Ad Lesbiam. _S96_:
_no title_, _B_, _Cy_: Sonnet. _O'F_: Elegie. _P_]

[1 token _B_, _O'F_, _S96_: Tokens _1650-69_, _P_]

[4 passion _S96_: passions _1650-69_, _B_, _P_]

[5 noe _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ nor _1650-69_]

[9 simplicity; _Ed:_ simplicity. _1650-69_]

[11 in _1650-69:_ with _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]

[12 hold; _Ed:_ hold. _1650-69_]

[14 desir'd because . . . best; _B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ desired
'cause 'tis like thee best; _1650-54:_ desired 'cause 'tis
like the best; _1669_, _Chambers_]

[17 store, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ score, _1650-69_]




<_Selfe Love. _>

He that cannot chuse but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move;
For he loves 'gaynst his will;
Nor he which is all his own, 5
And can att pleasure chuse,
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire,
For such by all are sought; 10
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his Judgement then is nought:
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
Nor a fool, for when others. . . , 15
He can neither. . . .
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore:
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
Within, shee's worth no more. 20
Is there then no kinde of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.


[<Selfe Love. > _title given by Chambers:_ _no title, 1650-69_
(_in appendix_), _JC_, _O'F_]

[4 'gaynst _JC_, _O'F:_ against _1650-69_]

[6 And can . . . chuse, _JC:_ And cannot pleasure chuse,
_1650-69:_ And can all pleasures chuse, _O'F_]

[11 foul ones] fouleness _O'F_]

[14 slave; _1719:_ slave _1650-69_]

[15 fool, _1719:_ fool _1650-69_]

[17 payes, _JC_, _O'F:_ prays, _1650-69_]

[19 payes not,] payes, not, _1650-69_]

[20 Within, _Ed:_ Within _1650-69_]




_The end of the Songs and Sonets. _

* * * * *




EPIGRAMS.


_Hero_ and _Leander_.

Both rob'd of aire, we both lye in one ground,
Both whom one fire had burnt, one water drownd.


[Hero and Leander. _1633-69_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_,
_TCD_, _W_]




_Pyramus_ and _Thisbe_.

Two, by themselves, each other, love and feare
Slaine, cruell friends, by parting have joyn'd here.


[Pyramus and Thisbe. _1633-69_, _A18_, _Cy_, _HN_, _N_, _O'F_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[1: feare] feare, _Chambers, and Grolier_ (_which drops all
the other commas_)]




_Niobe. _

By childrens births, and death, I am become
So dry, that I am now mine owne sad tombe.


[Niobe. _1633-69_, _A18_, _HN_, _N_, _O'F_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[2: mine owne sad tombe. _1633-69:_ mine owne tombe. _A18_,
_N_, _TC:_ made mine owne tombe. _HN_, _W_]




_A burnt ship. _

Out of a fired ship, which, by no way
But drowning, could be rescued from the flame,
Some men leap'd forth, and ever as they came
Neere the foes ships, did by their shot decay;
So all were lost, which in the ship were found,
They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drown'd.


[A burnt ship. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Nave arsa.
_W:_ De Nave arsa. _O'F_. _See note_]




_Fall of a wall. _

Vnder an undermin'd, and shot-bruis'd wall
A too-bold Captaine perish'd by the fall,
Whose brave misfortune, happiest men envi'd,
That had a towne for tombe, his bones to hide.


[Fall of a wall. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Caso
d'un muro. _O'F_, _W_]

[4 towne _1633 and MSS. :_ towre _1635-69_

bones _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ corpse _B_, _HN_, _O'F_,
_W_]




_A lame begger. _

I am unable, yonder begger cries,
To stand, or move; if he say true, hee _lies_.


[A lame begger. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ A beggar. _HN:_
_no title_, _P:_ Zoppo. _O'F_, _W_]




_Cales_ and _Guyana_.

If you from spoyle of th'old worlds farthest end
To the new world your kindled valors bend,
What brave examples then do prove it trew
That one things end doth still beginne a new.


[Cales and Guyana. _O'F:_ Calez _&c. _ _W:_ _first printed in
Gosse's_ Life and Letters of John Donne (1899)]




_Sir Iohn Wingefield. _

Beyond th'old Pillers many have travailed
Towards the Suns cradle, and his throne, and bed:
A fitter Piller our Earle did bestow
In that late Island; for he well did know
Farther then Wingefield no man dares to goe.


[Sir Iohn Wingefield. _Ed:_ Il Cavalliere Gio: Wingef: _W:_
On Cavallero Wingfield. _O'F:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life
and Letters of John Donne (1899)]

[2 throne _W:_ grave _O'F_]

[4 late _W:_ Lady _O'F_]




_A selfe accuser. _

Your mistris, that you follow whores, still taxeth you:
'Tis strange that she should thus confesse it, though'it be true.


[A selfe accuser. _1633-69:_ A Mistrisse. _HN:_ _no title_,
_B_, _O'F_, _W_]

[2 that] _om. _ _HN_, _O'F_, _W_

thus] _om. _ _HN_, _O'F_, _W_

it] _om. _ _HN_, _O'F_]




_A licentious person. _

Thy sinnes and haires may no man equall call,
For, as thy sinnes increase, thy haires doe fall.


[A licentious person. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_
Whore. _HN:_ _no title_, _O'F_, _RP31_, _W_]

[1 Thy] His _and so throughout_, _RP31_]




_Antiquary. _

If in his Studie he hath so much care
To'hang all old strange things, let his wife beware.


[Antiquary. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _P_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_
Hammon. _HN:_ _no title_, _Bur_, _Cy_, _O'F:_ Epigram. _S96_]

[1 he hath so much _1633-69:_ he have such _A18_, _N_, _TC:_
Hamon hath such _B_, _Cy_, _HN_ (have), _O'F_, _S96_, _W_]

[2 strange _om. _ _B_, _HN_, _O'F_ all _om. Bur_]




_Disinherited. _

Thy father all from thee, by his last Will,
Gave to the poore; Thou hast good title still.


[Disinherited. _1633-69:_ One disinherited. _HN:_ _no title_,
_Cy_, _O'F_, _P_, _W_]

[1 Will, _Ed:_ Will _1633-69_]




_Phryne. _

Thy flattering picture, _Phryne_, is like thee,
Onely in this, that you both painted be.


[Phryne. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_,
_O'F_]

[1 like thee,] like to thee, _1650-69_]




_An obscure writer. _

_Philo_, with twelve yeares study, hath beene griev'd
To be understood; when will hee be beleev'd?


[An obscure writer. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _O'F_]

[1 griev'd _Ed:_ griev'd, _1633-69_]

[2 To be _Ed:_ To'be _1633-69_

understood; _Ed:_ understood, _1633-69_

beleev'd? ] beleev'd. _1633_]




_Klockius. _

_Klockius_ so deeply hath sworne, ne'r more to come
In bawdie house, that hee dares not goe home.


[Klockius. _HN:_ _no title_, _1633-69_, _Bur_, _O'F_]

[1 _Klockius_] Rawlings _Bur_]

[2 In bawdie] In a bawdie _HN_]


_Raderus. _

Why this man gelded _Martiall_ I muse,
Except himselfe alone his tricks would use,
As _Katherine_, for the Courts sake, put downe Stewes.


[Raderus. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCD:_ Randerus. _TCC:_
Martial: castrat_us_. _W_]

[1 _Martiall_ I muse, _1633-54:_ _Martiall_, I amuse, _1669_]




_Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus. _

Like _Esops_ fellow-slaves, O _Mercury_,
Which could do all things, thy faith is; and I
Like _Esops_ selfe, which nothing; I confesse
I should have had more faith, if thou hadst lesse;
Thy credit lost thy credit: 'Tis sinne to doe,
In this case, as thou wouldst be done unto,
To beleeve all: Change thy name: thou art like
_Mercury_ in stealing, but lyest like a _Greeke_.


[Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus. _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[8 but lyest _1633-69:_ and lyest _B_, _W_]




_Ralphius.
_

Compassion in the world againe is bred:
_Ralphius_ is sick, the broker keeps his bed.


[Ralphius. _HN:_ _no title_, _1633-69_, _O'F_]




_The Lier. _

Thou in the fields walkst out thy supping howers,
And yet thou swear'st thou hast supp'd like a king:
Like Nebuchadnezar perchance with grass and flowers,
A sallet worse then Spanish dieting.


[The Lier. _HN:_ _no title_, _B_, _Bur_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _P_,
_W_]

[2 swear'st _HN_, _W:_ say'st _B_, _Cy_, _O'F_]

[3 grass] hearbes _Bur_

supp'd like] supp'd and like _HN_]




ELEGIES.


ELEGIE I.

_Iealosie. _

Fond woman, which would'st have thy husband die,
And yet complain'st of his great jealousie;
If swolne with poyson, hee lay in' his last bed,
His body with a sere-barke covered,
Drawing his breath, as thick and short, as can 5
The nimblest crocheting Musitian,
Ready with loathsome vomiting to spue
His Soule out of one hell, into a new,
Made deafe with his poore kindreds howling cries,
Begging with few feign'd teares, great legacies, 10
Thou would'st not weepe, but jolly,'and frolicke bee,
As a slave, which to morrow should be free;
Yet weep'st thou, when thou seest him hungerly
Swallow his owne death, hearts-bane jealousie.
O give him many thanks, he'is courteous, 15
That in suspecting kindly warneth us.
Wee must not, as wee us'd, flout openly,
In scoffing ridles, his deformitie;
Nor at his boord together being fatt,
With words, nor touch, scarce lookes adulterate. 20
Nor when he swolne, and pamper'd with great fare,
Sits downe, and snorts, cag'd in his basket chaire,
Must wee usurpe his owne bed any more,
Nor kisse and play in his house, as before.
Now I see many dangers; for that is 25
His realme, his castle, and his diocesse.
But if, as envious men, which would revile
Their Prince, or coyne his gold, themselves exile
Into another countrie,'and doe it there,
Wee play'in another house, what should we feare? 30
There we will scorne his houshold policies,
His seely plots, and pensionary spies,
As the inhabitants of Thames right side
Do Londons Major; or Germans, the Popes pride.


[Elegie I. Iealosie. _1635-54:_ Elegie I. _1633 and 1669:_
_no title or_ Elegie (_numbered variously, according to scheme
adopted_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[1 woman,] woman _1633_]

[4 sere-barke _1633-54_, _B_, _Cy_, _H49_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_,
_W:_ sere-cloth _1669_, _D_, _P:_ sore barke _A18_, _A25_,
_JC_, _N_, _TC_]

[10 few] some few _A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[12 free; _Ed:_ free, _1633-69:_ free. _D_]

[16 us. _1633-35:_ us, _1639-69_]

[21 great _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_ high _1669_, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ his
_Cy_

fare, _Ed:_ fare _1633-69_]

[25 Now . . . dangers;] Now do I see my danger; _1669_

that _all MSS. :_ it _1633-69_]

[26 diocesse] Diocys _D:_ Diocis _W_]

[27-29 (as envious . . . do it there,) _1669_]

[30 another] anothers _1669_ We into some third place retired
were _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_]

[34 Major; _1650-54:_ Major, _1633-39:_ Mayor; _1669_]




ELEGIE II.

_The Anagram. _

Marry, and love thy _Flavia_, for, shee
Hath all things, whereby others beautious bee,
For, though her eyes be small, her mouth is great,
Though they be Ivory, yet her teeth be jeat,
Though they be dimme, yet she is light enough, 5
And though her harsh haire fall, her skinne is rough;
What though her cheeks be yellow, her haire's red,
Give her thine, and she hath a maydenhead.
These things are beauties elements, where these
Meet in one, that one must, as perfect, please. 10
If red and white and each good quality
Be in thy wench, ne'r aske where it doth lye.
In buying things perfum'd, we aske; if there
Be muske and amber in it, but not where.
Though all her parts be not in th'usuall place, 15
She'hath yet an Anagram of a good face.
If we might put the letters but one way,
In the leane dearth of words, what could wee say?
When by the Gamut some Musitions make
A perfect song, others will undertake, 20
By the same Gamut chang'd, to equall it.
Things simply good, can never be unfit.
She's faire as any, if all be like her,
And if none bee, then she is singular.
All love is wonder; if wee justly doe 25
Account her wonderfull, why not lovely too?
Love built on beauty, soone as beauty, dies,
Chuse this face, chang'd by no deformities.
Women are all like Angels; the faire be
Like those which fell to worse; but such as shee, 30
Like to good Angels, nothing can impaire:
'Tis lesse griefe to be foule, then to have beene faire.
For one nights revels, silke and gold we chuse,
But, in long journeyes, cloth, and leather use.
Beauty is barren oft; best husbands say, 35
There is best land, where there is foulest way.
Oh what a soveraigne Plaister will shee bee,
If thy past sinnes have taught thee jealousie!
Here needs no spies, nor eunuches; her commit
Safe to thy foes; yea, to a Marmosit. 40
When Belgiaes citties, the round countries drowne,
That durty foulenesse guards, and armes the towne:
So doth her face guard her; and so, for thee,
Which, forc'd by businesse, absent oft must bee,
Shee, whose face, like clouds, turnes the day to night, 45
Who, mightier then the sea, makes Moores seem white,
Who, though seaven yeares, she in the Stews had laid,
A Nunnery durst receive, and thinke a maid,
And though in childbeds labour she did lie,
Midwifes would sweare, 'twere but a tympanie, 50
Whom, if shee accuse her selfe, I credit lesse
Then witches, which impossibles confesse,
Whom Dildoes, Bedstaves, and her Velvet Glasse
Would be as loath to touch as Joseph was:
One like none, and lik'd of none, fittest were, 55
For, things in fashion every man will weare.


[Eleg. II. The Anagram. _1635-54:_ Elegie II. _1633_, _1669:_
Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[4 they] theirs _1669_, _S96_

teeth be _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec:_ teeth are _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_, _W_]

[6 hair fall] hair's foul _1669_

is rough _1633_, _1669_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_ is tough
_1635-54_, _O'F_, _Chambers_]

[16 an Anagram] the Anagrams _1669_]

[18 the _1633:_ that _1635-69_

words _1633-69_, _A25_, _B_, _L74_, _M_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_TC:_ letters _D_, _Cy_, _H49_, _W_]

[22 unfit. _D:_ unfit; _1633-69_]

[28 deformities. ] deformities; _1633_]

[29 faire] fairer _S_, _S96_]

[35 say,] say, _1633_]

[37 bee,] bee _1633_]

[41-2 When Belgiaes . . . towne: _1633-54:_ Like Belgia's cities
when the Country is drown'd, That . . . towns; _1669:_ Like
Belgia's cities the round country drowns, That . . . towns,
_Chambers:_ _MSS. _ _agree with 1633-54_, _but before_
countries _read variously_ round (_A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_,
_H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _M_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_), lowe
(_B_), foul (_O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _which read_ country drowns
. . . towns)]

[49 childbeds _1633-54_, _Lec_, _W:_ childbirths _1669_,
_A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC_]

[52 confesse, _Ed:_ confesse. _1633-69_]

[53-4 Whom . . . Joseph was: _1669 and all MSS_ [or a Velvet
_1669_]: _om. _ _1633-54_]




ELEGIE III.

_Change. _

Although thy hand and faith, and good workes too,
Have seal'd thy love which nothing should undoe,
Yea though thou fall backe, that apostasie
Confirme thy love; yet much, much I feare thee.
Women are like the Arts, forc'd unto none, 5
Open to'all searchers, unpriz'd, if unknowne.
If I have caught a bird, and let him flie,
Another fouler using these meanes, as I,
May catch the same bird; and, as these things bee,
Women are made for men, not him, nor mee. 10
Foxes and goats; all beasts change when they please,
Shall women, more hot, wily, wild then these,
Be bound to one man, and did Nature then
Idly make them apter to'endure then men?
They'are our clogges, not their owne; if a man bee 15
Chain'd to a galley, yet the galley'is free;
Who hath a plow-land, casts all his seed corne there,
And yet allowes his ground more corne should beare;
Though Danuby into the sea must flow,
The sea receives the Rhene, Volga, and Po. 20
By nature, which gave it, this liberty
Thou lov'st, but Oh! canst thou love it and mee?
Likenesse glues love: and if that thou so doe,
To make us like and love, must I change too?
More then thy hate, I hate'it, rather let mee 25
Allow her change, then change as oft as shee,
And soe not teach, but force my'opinion
To love not any one, nor every one.
To live in one land, is captivitie,
To runne all countries, a wild roguery; 30
Waters stincke soone, if in one place they bide,
And in the vast sea are more putrifi'd:
But when they kisse one banke, and leaving this
Never looke backe, but the next banke doe kisse,
Then are they purest; Change'is the nursery 35
Of musicke, joy, life, and eternity.


[Eleg. III. Change. _1635-54:_ Elegie III. _1633_, _1669:_
_no title or_ Elegye (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_,
_Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_,
_S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[1 workes] word _1669_]

[4 Confirme] Confirms _1669_, _A25_, _L74_, _P_]

[5 Women] Women, _1633_

forc'd unto none] forbid to none _B_]

[8 these _1633-54_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ those _1669_, _A18_,
_A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _JC_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_]

[11 Foxes and goats; all beasts _1633-54:_ Foxes, goats and
all beasts _1669_]

[13 did] bid _1669_]

[17 a plow-land] plow-lands _P_]

[18 corne] seed _P_]

[20 Rhene,] Rhine, _1669_

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

[21 liberty _1633:_ libertie. _1635-69_]

[23 and . . . doe,] then if so thou do, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W_]

[24 like _i. e. _ alike _as in A18_, _N_, _TC_]

[31 bide] abide _1669_]

[32 more putrifi'd _1633-39:_ more purifi'd _1650-54:_ worse
purifi'd _1669:_ worse putrifi'd _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ worst
putrifi'd _B_, _H49_, _JC_]




ELEGIE IV.

_The Perfume. _

Once, and but once found in thy company,
All thy suppos'd escapes are laid on mee;
And as a thiefe at barre, is question'd there
By all the men, that have beene rob'd that yeare,
So am I, (by this traiterous meanes surpriz'd) 5
By thy Hydroptique father catechiz'd.
Though he had wont to search with glazed eyes,
As though he came to kill a Cockatrice,
Though hee hath oft sworne, that hee would remove
Thy beauties beautie, and food of our love, 10
Hope of his goods, if I with thee were seene,
Yet close and secret, as our soules, we'have beene.
Though thy immortall mother which doth lye
Still buried in her bed, yet will not dye,
Takes this advantage to sleepe out day-light, 15
And watch thy entries, and returnes all night,
And, when she takes thy hand, and would seeme kind,
Doth search what rings, and armelets she can finde,
And kissing notes the colour of thy face,
And fearing least thou'art swolne, doth thee embrace; 20
To trie if thou long, doth name strange meates,
And notes thy palenesse, blushing, sighs, and sweats;
And politiquely will to thee confesse
The sinnes of her owne youths ranke lustinesse;
Yet love these Sorceries did remove, and move 25
Thee to gull thine owne mother for my love.
Thy little brethren, which like Faiery Sprights
Oft skipt into our chamber, those sweet nights,
And kist, and ingled on thy fathers knee,
Were brib'd next day, to tell what they did see: 30
The grim eight-foot-high iron-bound serving-man,
That oft names God in oathes, and onely than,
He that to barre the first gate, doth as wide
As the great Rhodian Colossus stride,
Which, if in hell no other paines there were, 35
Makes mee feare hell, because he must be there:
Though by thy father he were hir'd to this,
Could never witnesse any touch or kisse.
But Oh, too common ill, I brought with mee
That, which betray'd mee to my enemie: 40
A loud perfume, which at my entrance cryed
Even at thy fathers nose, so were wee spied.
When, like a tyran King, that in his bed
Smelt gunpowder, the pale wretch shivered.
Had it beene some bad smell, he would have thought 45
That his owne feet, or breath, that smell had wrought.
But as wee in our Ile emprisoned,
Where cattell onely,'and diverse dogs are bred,
The pretious Vnicornes, strange monsters call,
So thought he good, strange, that had none at all. 50
I taught my silkes, their whistling to forbeare,
Even my opprest shoes, dumbe and speechlesse were,
Onely, thou bitter sweet, whom I had laid
Next mee, mee traiterously hast betraid,
And unsuspected hast invisibly 55
At once fled unto him, and staid with mee.
Base excrement of earth, which dost confound
Sense, from distinguishing the sicke from sound;
By thee the seely Amorous sucks his death
By drawing in a leprous harlots breath; 60
By thee, the greatest staine to mans estate
Falls on us, to be call'd effeminate;
Though you be much lov'd in the Princes hall,
There, things that seeme, exceed substantiall;
Gods, when yee fum'd on altars, were pleas'd well 65
Because you'were burnt, not that they lik'd your smell;
You'are loathsome all, being taken simply alone,
Shall wee love ill things joyn'd, and hate each one?
If you were good, your good doth soone decay;
And you are rare, that takes the good away. 70
All my perfumes, I give most willingly
To'embalme thy fathers corse; What? will hee die?


[Eleg. IV. The Perfume. _1635-54:_ Elegie IV. _1633_, _1669:_
Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _C_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_,
_W:_ Discovered by a Perfume. _B:_ _no title_, _Cy_, _HN_]

[2 suppos'd escapes] supposed scapes _1669_, _P_]

[4 By] For _P_]

[7-8 _1635-69 and MSS. _ _generally:_ _om. _ _1633_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec_]

[9 hath] have _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_]

[15 Takes] Take _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _P_, _TC_, _W_]

[21 To trie _&c. _ _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _S_ (dost long): And to
trie _&c. _ _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_
(longest), _TC_

meates, _1635-69:_ meates. _1633_]

[22 blushing _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _TC:_ blushes
_1669:_ blushings _B_, _D_, _H49_, _HN_, _L74_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_P_, _W_]

[29 ingled] dandled _1669_]

[30 see: _1635-69:_ see. _1633_]

[31 grim eight-foot-high iron-bound _Ed:_
grim-eight-foot-high-iron-bound _1633-69_]

[37 to _1633-69:_ for _MSS. _]

[38 kisse. ] kisse; _1633_]

[40 my _1633:_ mine _1635-69_]

[44 Smelt] Smells _1669_ shivered. _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_,
_N_, _TC_, _W:_ shivered; _1633-69:_ shivered, _Chambers and
Grolier. See note_]

[46 that smell] the smell _1669_]

[49 monsters _Ed:_ monsters, _1633-69_]

[50 good,] sweet _1669_]

[53 bitter sweet, _1633-39:_ bitter-sweet, _1650-69_]

[60 breath; _1650-69:_ breath, _1633-39_]

[64 substantiall; _Ed:_ substantiall. _1633-69_]

[66 you'were] you'er _1669_

smell; _1635-39:_ smell, _1633_, _1669:_ smel _1650-54_]

[71 All] And _Chambers_]




ELEGIE V.

_His Picture. _

Here take my Picture; though I bid farewell,
Thine, in my heart, where my soule dwels, shall dwell.
'Tis like me now, but I dead, 'twill be more
When wee are shadowes both, then'twas before.
When weather-beaten I come backe; my hand, 5
Perhaps with rude oares torne, or Sun beams tann'd,
My face and brest of hairecloth, and my head
With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread,
My body'a sack of bones, broken within,
And powders blew staines scatter'd on my skinne; 10
If rivall fooles taxe thee to'have lov'd a man,
So foule, and course, as, Oh, I may seeme than,
This shall say what I was: and thou shalt say,
Doe his hurts reach mee? doth my worth decay?
Or doe they reach his judging minde, that hee 15
Should now love lesse, what hee did love to see?
That which in him was faire and delicate,
Was but the milke, which in loves childish state
Did nurse it: who now is growne strong enough
To feed on that, which to disused tasts seemes tough. 20


[Eleg. V. His Picture. _1635-54:_ Elegie V. _1633_, _1669:_
Elegye. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD_, _W:_
The Picture. _P:_ Travelling he leaves his Picture with his
mystris. _B_]

[1 Picture; . . . farewell, _Ed:_ Picture, . . . farewell; _1633:_
_rest semicolon or colon after each_]

[8 With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread, _1633_,
_A18_, _N_, _TC:_ With cares rash, cruel, sudden storms
o'erspread _P:_ With cares rash-sudden cruel-storms o'erprest
_B:_ With cares rash sudden storms o'erpressed _S_, _S96:_
With cares rash sudden storms o'erspread _Cy_, _D_, _H49_,
_Lec:_ With cares rash sodaine horiness o'erspread _A25_,
_JC_, _W:_ With cares harsh sodaine horinesse o'rspread,
_1635-69_, _O'F_]

[16 now love lesse, _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ like and love
less _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _P_,
_S_, _S96_, _W_]

[19 nurse] nourish _A18_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _TC_

strong] tough _P_]

[20 disused _Ed:_ disus'd _1633-39_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC_,
_W:_ weake _1650-69_

tough. ] rough. _P_]




ELEGIE VI.

Oh, let mee not serve so, as those men serve
Whom honours smoakes at once fatten and sterve;
Poorely enrich't with great mens words or lookes;
Nor so write my name in thy loving bookes
As those Idolatrous flatterers, which still 5
Their Princes stiles, with many Realmes fulfill
Whence they no tribute have, and where no sway.
Such services I offer as shall pay
Themselves, I hate dead names: Oh then let mee
Favorite in Ordinary, or no favorite bee. 10
When my Soule was in her owne body sheath'd,
Nor yet by oathes betroth'd, nor kisses breath'd
Into my Purgatory, faithlesse thee,
Thy heart seem'd waxe, and steele thy constancie:
So, carelesse flowers strow'd on the waters face, 15
The curled whirlepooles suck, smack, and embrace,
Yet drowne them; so, the tapers beamie eye
Amorously twinkling, beckens the giddie flie,
Yet burnes his wings; and such the devill is,
Scarce visiting them, who are intirely his. 20
When I behold a streame, which, from the spring,
Doth with doubtfull melodious murmuring,
Or in a speechlesse slumber, calmely ride
Her wedded channels bosome, and then chide
And bend her browes, and swell if any bough 25
Do but stoop downe, or kisse her upmost brow;
Yet, if her often gnawing kisses winne
The traiterous banke to gape, and let her in,
She rusheth violently, and doth divorce
Her from her native, and her long-kept course, 30
And rores, and braves it, and in gallant scorne,
In flattering eddies promising retorne,
She flouts the channell, who thenceforth is drie;
Then say I; that is shee, and this am I.
Yet let not thy deepe bitternesse beget 35
Carelesse despaire in mee, for that will whet
My minde to scorne; and Oh, love dull'd with paine
Was ne'r so wise, nor well arm'd as disdaine.
Then with new eyes I shall survay thee,'and spie
Death in thy cheekes, and darknesse in thine eye. 40
Though hope bred faith and love; thus taught, I shall
As nations do from Rome, from thy love fall.
My hate shall outgrow thine, and utterly
I will renounce thy dalliance: and when I
Am the Recusant, in that resolute state, 45
What hurts it mee to be'excommunicate?


[Eleg. VI. _1635-69:_ Elegie VII. _1633_ (Elegie VI. _being_
Sorrow who to this house _&c. _ _See_ Epicedes _&c. _, _p. _
287): Elegie. (_numbered variously_) _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_,
_D_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TCC_, _TCD_, _W_]

[2 fatten] flatter _1669_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _TC_]

[3 or] and _A18_, _Cy_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC_]

[6 stiles, _1633-69_, _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_L74_, _Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S96_, _TC_, _W:_ style _A25_, _O'F_,
_S_, _Chambers and Grosart_

with _all MSS. , Chambers and Grosart:_ which (_probably by
confusion of_ w^{ch} _and_ w^{th}) _1633-69_

Realmes] names _1669_]

[7 where] bear _1669_]

[14 constancie: _1635-69:_ constancie. _1633_]

[24 then _1633_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _W:_
there _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _Cy_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_,
_TC_, _Chambers_]

[26 upmost _1633 and most MSS:_ utmost _1635-69_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_ brow; _Ed:_ brow: _1633-39:_ brow. _1650-69_]

[28 banke _A18_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _S_, _TC_, _W:_ banks
_1633-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_]

[33 the _1633_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec:_ her _1635-69_, _A18_, _N_,
_TC_

who _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _JC_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ which _1635-69_, _O'F_]

[37 Oh,] Ah, _1669_]

[39 thee,'] _om. 1669_]

[40 eye. _Ed:_ eye; _1633-54:_ eye: _1669:_ eye, _Chambers_]

[41 Though . . . love; _1633:_ Though . . . breed . . . love:
_1635-39:_ Though . . . breed . . . love _1650-69_ (Through . . .
_1669_)]

[42 fall. _1633-35:_ fall _1639-69_]

[43 outgrow] o'ergrow _Cy_, _P_]




ELEGIE VII.

Natures lay Ideot, I taught thee to love,
And in that sophistrie, Oh, thou dost prove
Too subtile: Foole, thou didst not understand
The mystique language of the eye nor hand:
Nor couldst thou judge the difference of the aire 5
Of sighes, and say, this lies, this sounds despaire:
Nor by the'eyes water call a maladie
Desperately hot, or changing feaverously.
I had not taught thee then, the Alphabet
Of flowers, how they devisefully being set 10
And bound up, might with speechlesse secrecie
Deliver arrands mutely, and mutually.
Remember since all thy words us'd to bee
To every suitor; _I_, _if my friends agree_;
Since, household charmes, thy husbands name to teach, 15
Were all the love trickes, that thy wit could reach;
And since, an houres discourse could scarce have made
One answer in thee, and that ill arraid
In broken proverbs, and torne sentences.
Thou art not by so many duties his, 20
That from the worlds Common having sever'd thee,
Inlaid thee, neither to be seene, nor see,
As mine: who have with amorous delicacies
Refin'd thee'into a blis-full Paradise.
Thy graces and good words my creatures bee; 25
I planted knowledge and lifes tree in thee,
Which Oh, shall strangers taste? Must I alas
Frame and enamell Plate, and drinke in Glasse?
Chafe waxe for others seales? breake a colts force
And leave him then, beeing made a ready horse? 30


[Elegie VII. _1635-69:_ Elegie VIII.