1. 1. On the morning of CHRISTS Nativity. Compos'd 1629.

On the morning of CHRISTS Nativity. Compos'd 1629.

THis is the Month, and this the happy morn

Wherin the Son of Heav'ns eternal King,

Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,

Our great redemption from above did bring;

For so the holy sages once did sing,

That he our deadly forfeit should release,

And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.

That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable,

And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty,

Wherwith he wont at Heav'ns high Councel-Table,

To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,

He laid aside; and here with us to be,

Forsook the Courts of everlasting Day,

And chose with us a darksom House of mortal Clay. [2]

Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein

Afford a present to the Infant God?

Hast thou no vers, no hymn, or solemn strein,

To welcom him to this his new abode,

Now while the Heav'n by the Suns team untrod,

Hath took no print of te approching light,

And all the spangled hostkeep watch in squadrons bright?

See how from far upon the Eastern rode

The Star-led Wisards haste with odours sweet:

O run, prevent them with thy humble ode,

And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;

Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet,

And joyn thy voice unto the Angel Quire,

From out his secret Altar toucht with hallow'd fire.

The Hymn.

IT was the Winter wilde,

While the Heav'n-born-childe,

All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;

Nature in aw to him [3]

Had doff't her gawdy trim

With her great Master so to sympathize:

It was no season then for her

To wanton with the Sun her lusty Paramour.

Onely with speeches fair

She woo's the gentle Air

To hide her guilty front with innocent Snow,

And on her naked shame,

Pollute with sinfull blame,

The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw,

Confounded, that her Makers eyes

Should look so neer upon her foul deformities.

But he her fears to cease,

Sent down the meek-eyd Peace,

She crown'd with Olive green, came softly sliding

Down through the turning sphear

His ready Harbinger,

With Turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing,

And waving wide her mirtle wand,

She strikes a universall Peace through Sea and Land.

No War, or Battails sound

Was heard the World around: [4]

The idle spear and shield were high up hung,

The hooked Chariot stood

Unstain'd with hostile blood,

The Trumpet spake not to the armed throng,

And Kings sate still with awfull eye,

As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.

But peacefull was the night

Wherin the Prince of light

His raign of peace upon the earth began:

The Windes with wonder whist,

Smoothly the waters kist,

Whispering new joyes to the milde Ocean,

Who now hath quite forgot to rave,

While Birds of Calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.

The Stars with deep amaze

Stand fixt in stedfast gaze,

Bending one way their pretious influence

And will not take their flight,

For all the morning light,

Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence;

But in their glimmering Orbs did glow,

Untill their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. [5]

And though the shady gloom

Had given day her room,

The Sun himself with-held his wonted speed,

And hid his head for shame,

As his inferiour flame,

The new-enlightn'd world no more should need;

He saw a greater Sun appear

Then his bright Throne, or burning Axletree could bear.

The Shepherds on the Lawn,

Or ere the point of dawn,

Sate simply chatting in a rustick row;

Full little thought they than,

That the mighty Pan

Was kindly com to live with them below;

Perhaps their loves, or els their sheep,

Was all that did their silly thoughts so busie keep.

When such musick sweet

Their hearts and ears did greet,

As never was by mortall finger strook,

Divinely-warbled voice

Answering the stringed noise,

As all their souls in blisfull rapture took, [6] His constellations set,

The Air such pleasure loth to lose,

With thousand echo's still prolongs each heav'nly close.

Nature that heard such sound

Beneath the hollow round

Of Cynthia's seat, the Airy region thrilling,

Now was almost won

To think her part was don,

And that her raign had here its last fulfilling;

She knew such harmony alone

Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union.

As last surrounds their sight

A Globe of circular light,

That with long beams the shame-fac't night array'd,

The helmed Cherubim

And sworded Seraphim,

Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displaid,

Harping in loud and solemn quire,

With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir.

Such Musick (as 'tis said)

Before was never made,

But when of old the sons of morning sung,

While the Creator Great [7]

And the well-ballanc't world on hinges hung,

And cast the dark foundations deep,

And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep.

Ring out ye Crystall sphears,

Once bless our human ears,

(If ye have power to touch our senses so)

And let your silver chime

Move in melodious time,

And let she the Base of Heav'ns deep Organ blow,

And with your ninefold harmony

Make up full consort to th'Angelike symphony.

For if such holy Song

Enwrap our fancy long,

Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold,

And speckl'd vanity

Will sicken soon and die,

And leprous sin will melt from earthly mould,

And Hell it self will pass away,

And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day.

Yea Truth, and Justice then

Will down return to men, [8]

Th'enameld Arras of the Rainbow wearing,

And Mercy set between,

Thron'd in Celestiall sheen,

With radiant feet the tissued clouds down stearing,

And Heav'n as at som festivall,

Will open wide the Gates of her high Palace Hall

But wisest Fate sayes no,

This must not yet be so,

The Babe lies yet in smiling Infancy,

That on the bitter cross

Must redeem our loss;

So both himself and us to glorifie;

Yet first to those ychain'd in sleep,

The wakefull trump of doom must thunder through the ⌞deep,

With such a horrid clang

As on mount Sinai rang

While the red fire, and smouldring clouds out brake:

The aged Earth agast,

With terrour of that blast,

Shall from the surface to the center shake;

When at the worlds last session,

The dreadfull Judge in middle Air shall spread his throne. [9]

And then at last our bliss

Full and perfect is,

But now begins; for from this happy day

Th'old Dragon underground

In straiter limits bound,

Not half so far casts his usurped sway,

And wrath to see his Kingdom fail,

Swindges the scaly Horrour of his foulded tail.

The Oracles are dumm,

No voice or hideous humm

Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving

Apollo from his shrine

Can no more divine,

With hollow shreik the steep of Delphos leaving.

No nightly trance, or breathed spell,

Inspire's the pale-ey'd Priest from the prophetic cell

The lonely mountains o're,

And the refounding shore,

A voice of weeping heard, and loud lament,

From haunted spring, and dale

Edg'd with poplar pale.

The parting Genius is with sighing sent, [10] They call the grisly king,

With flowre-inwov'n tresses torn

The Nimphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn,

In consecrated Earth,

And on the holy Hearth,

The Lars, and Lemures moan with midnight plaint,

In Urns, and Altars round,

A drear, and dying found

Affrights the Flamins at their service quaint,

And the chill Marble seems to sweat,

While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.

Peor, and Baalim,

Forsake their Temples dim,

With that twise batter'd god of Palestine,

And mooned Asbtaroth,

Heav'ns Queen and Mother both,

Now sits not girt with Tapers holy shine,

The Libye Hammon shrinks his horn,

In vain the Tyrsan Maids their wounded Thamuz mourn,

And sullen Moloch fled,

Hath left in shadows dred,

His burning Idol all of blackest hue,

In vain with Cymbals ring, [11]

In dismall dance about the furnace blue,

The brutish gods of Nile as fast,

Isis and Orus, and the Dog Anubis hast,

Nor is Osiris seen

In Memphian Grove, or Green,

Trampling the unshowr'd Grasse with lowings loud:

Nor can he be at rest

Within his sacred chest,

Naught but profoundest Hell can be his shroud,

In vain with Timbrel'd Anthems dark

The fable-stoled Socerers bear his worshipt Ark.

He feels from Juda's Land

The dredded Infants hand,

The rayes of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn;

Nor all the gods beside,

Longer dare abide,

Nor Typhon huge ending in snaky twine:

Our Babe to shew his Godhead true,

Can in his swadling bands controul the damned crew.

So when the Sun in bed,

Curtain'd with cloudy red, [12]

Pillows his chin upon an Orient wave.

The flocking shadows pale,

Troop to th'infernall jail,

Each setter'd Ghost slips to his severall grave,

And the yellow-skirted Fayes,

Fly after the Night-steeds, leaving their Moon-lov'd maze.

But see the Virgin blest,

Hath laid her Babe to rest.

Time is our tedious Song should here have ending,

Heav'ns youngest teemed Star,

Hath fixt her polisht Car.

Her sleeping Lord with Handmaid Lamp attending.

And all about the Courtly Stable,

Bright-harnest Angels sit in order serviceable.

2. A Paraphrase on Psalm 114.

A Paraphrase on Psalm 114.

Note: This and the following Psalm were don by the Author at fifteen yeers old.

WHen the blest feed of Terah's faithfull son,

After long toil their liberty had won,

And past from Pharian fields to Canaan Land,

Led by the strength of the Almighties hand, [13]

Jehovah's wonders were in Israel shown,

His praise and glory was in Israel known

That saw the troubl'd Sea, and shivering fled,

And sought to hide his froth-becurled head

Low in the earth, Jordans clear streams recoil,

As a faint host that hath receiv'd the soil.

The high, huge-bellied Mountains skip like Rams

Amongst their Ews, the little Hills like Lambs.

Why fled the Ocean? And why skipt the Mountains?

Why turned Jordan toward his Crystall Fountains?

Shake earth, and at the presence be agast

Of him that ever was, and ay shall last,

That glassy flouds from rugged rocks can crush,

And make soft rills from fiery flint-stones gush.

3. Psalm 136.

Psalm 136.

LEt us with a gladsom mind

Praise the Lord, for he is kind,

For his mercies ay endure,

Ever faithfull, ever sure.

Let us blaze his Name abroad,

For of gods he is the God,

For, &c.

[14]

O let us his praises tell,

That doth the wrathfull tyrants quell.

For, &c.

That with his miracles doth make

Amazed Heav'n and Earth to shake.

For, &c.

That by his wisdom did create

The painted Heav'ns so full of state.

For his, &c.

That did the solid Earth ordain

To rise above the watry plain.

For his, &c.

That by his all-commanding might,

Did fill the new-made world with light,

For his, &c.

And caus'd the Golden-tressed sun,

All the day long his cours to run.

For his, &c.

The horned Moon to shine by night,

Amongst her spangled sisters bright.

For his, &c.

He with his thunder-clasping hand,

⟨S⟩mote the first born of Egypt Land.

For his, &c.

[15]

And in despight of Pharao fell,

He brought from hence his Israel.

For, &c.

The ruddy waves he cleft in twain,

Of the Erythræan main.

For, &c.

The floods stood still like Walls of Glass,

While the Hebrew Bands did pass.

For, &c.

But full soon they did devour

The Tawny King with all his power.

For, &c.

His chosen people he did bless

In the wastfull Wildernes.

For, &c.

In bloody battail he brought down

Kings of prowess and renown.

For, &c.

He foild bold Seon and his host,

That rul'd the Amorrean coast,

For, &c.

And large-lim'd Og he did subdue,

With all his over hardy crew.

For, &c.

[16]

And to his servant Israel,

He gave their Land therin to dwell.

For, &c.

He hath with a piteous eye

Beheld us in our misery.

For, &c.

And freed us from the slavery

Of the invading enimy.

For, &c.

All living creatures he doth feed,

And with full hand supplies their need.

For, &c.

Let us therfore warble forth

His mighty Majesty and worth.

For, &c.

That his mansion hath on high

Above the reach of mortall ey.

For his mercies ay endure,

Ever faithfull, ever sure.

4. The Passion.

The Passion.

ERe-while of Musick, and Ethereal mirth,

Wherwith the stage of Ayr and Earth did ring,

[17]

And joyous news of heav'nly Infants birth,

My muse with Angels did divide to sing,

But headlong joy is ever on the wing.

In Wintry solstice like the shortn'd light

Soon swallow'd up in dark and long out-living night.

For now to sorrow must I tune my song,

And set my Harpe to notes of saddest wo,

Which on our dearest Lord did sease er'e long,

Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse then so,

Which he for us did freely undergo.

Most perfect Heroe, try'd in heaviest plight

Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human wight.

He sov'ran Priest stooping his regall head

That dropt with odorous oil down his fair eyes,

Poor fleshly Tabernacle entered,

His starry front low-roost beneath the skies;

O what a Mask was there, what a disguise!

Yet more, the stroke of death he must abide

Then lies him meekly down fast by his Brethrens side.

These latter scenes confine my roving vers,

To this Horizon is my Phoebus bound,

[18]

His Godlike acts, and his temptations fierce,

And former sufferings other where are found;

Loud o're the rest Cremona's Trump doth sound;

Me softer airs befit, and softer strings

Of Lute, or Viol still, more apt for mournful things.

Befriend me night best Patroness of grief,

Over the Pole thy thickest mantle throw,

And work my flatter'd fancy to belief,

That Heav'n and Earth are colour'd with my wo;

My sorrows are too dark for day to know:

The leaves should all be black wheron I write,

And letters where my tears have washt a wannish white.

See see the Chariot, and those rushing wheels,

That whirl'd the Prophet up at Chebar flood,

My spirit som transporting Cherub feels,

To bear me where the Towers of Salem stood,

Once glorious Towers, now sunk in guiltles blood;

There doth my soul in holy vision sit

In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatick fit.

Mine eye hath found that sad Sepulchral rock

That was the Casket of Heav'ns richest store,

[19]

And here though grief my feeble hands up lock,

Yet on the softned Quarry would I score

My plaining vers as lively as before;

For sure so well instructed are my tears,

That they would fitly fall in order'd Characters.

Or should I thence hurried on viewles wing;

Take up a weeping on the Mountains wild,

The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring

Would soon unboosom all thir Echoes milde,

And I (for grief is easily beguild)

Might think th'infection of my sorrows loud

Had got a race of mourners on som pregnant cloud.

Note: This Subject the Author finding to be above the yeers he had, when he wrote it, and nothing satisfi'd with what was begun, left it unfinisht.

5. On Time.

On Time.

FLy envious Time, till thou run out thy race,

Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours,

Whose speed is but the heavy Plummets pace;

And glut thy self with what thy womb devours, [20]

Which is no more then what is false and vain,

And meerly mortal dross;

So little is our loss,

So little is thy gain.

For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,

And last of all, thy greedy self consum'd,

Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss

With an individual kiss;

And Joy shall overtake us as a flood,

When every thing that is sincerely good

And perfectly divine,

With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine

About the supreme Throne

Of him, t'whose happy-making sight alone,

When once our heav'nly-guided soul shall clime,

Then all this Earthly grosnes quit,

Attir'd with Stars, we shall for ever sit,

Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.

6. Upon the Circumcision.

Upon the Circumcision.

YE flaming Powers, and winged Warriours bright,

That erst with Musick, and triumphant song

[21]

First heard by happy watchful Shepherds ear,

So sweetly sung your Joy the Clouds along

Through the soft silence of the list'ning night;

Now mourn, and if sad share with us to bear

Your fiery essence can distill no tear,

Burn in your sighs, and borrow

Seas wept from our deep sorrow,

He who with all Heav'ns heraldry whileare

Enter'd the world, now bleeds to give us ease;

Alas, how soon our sin

Sore doth begin

His Infancy to sease!

O more exceeding love or law more just?

Just law indeed, but more exceeding love!

For we by rightfull doom remediles

Were lost in death, till he that dwelt above

High thron'd in secret bliss, for us frail dust

Emptied his glory, ev'n to nakednes;

And that great Cov'nant which we still transgress

Intirely satisfi'd,

And the full wrath beside

Of vengeful Justice bore for our excess,

And seals obedience first with wounding smart

This day, but O ere long

[22]

Huge pangs and strong

Will pierce more neer his heart.

7. At a solemn Musick.

At a solemn Musick.

BLest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy,

Sphear-born harmonious sisters, Voice, and Vers,

Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ

Dead things with inbreath'd sense able to pierce,

And to our high-rais'd phantasie present,

That undisturbed Song of pure content,

Ay sung before the saphire-colour'd throne

To him that sits theron

With Saintly shout, and solemn Jubily,

Where the bright Seraphim in burning row

Their loud up-lifted Angel trumpets blow,

And the Cherubick host in thousand quires

Touch their immortal Harps of golden wires,

With those just Spirits that wear victorious Palms,

Hymns devout and holy Psalms

Singing everlastingly,

That we on Earth with undiscording voice

May rightly answer that melodious noise,

[23]

As once we did, till disproportion'd sin

Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh din

Broke the fair musick that all creatures made

To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd

In perfect Diapason, whilst they stood

In first obedience, and their state of good.

O may we soon again renew that Song,

And keep in tune with Heav'n, till God ere long

To his celestial consort us unite,

To live with him, and sing in endles morn of light.

8. An Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester.

An Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester.

THis rich Marble doth enterr

The honour'd Wife of Winchester,

A Vicounts daughter, an Earls heir,

Besides what her vertues fair

Added to her noble birth,

More then she could own from Earth.

Summers three times eight save one

She had told, alas too soon,

After so short time of breath,

To house with darknes, and with death.

[24]

Yet had the number of her days

Bin as compleat as was her praise,

Nature and fate had had no strife

In giving limit to her life.

Her high birth, and her graces sweet,

Quickly found a lover meet;

The Virgin quire for her request

The God that sits at marriage feast;

He at their invoking came

But with a scarce-wel lighted flame;

And in his Garland as he stood,

Ye might discern a Cipress bud.

Once had the early Matrons run

To greet her of a lovely son,

And now with second hope she goes,

And calls Lucina to her throws,

But whether by mischance or blame

Atropos for Lucina came;

And with remorsles cruelty,

Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree:

The haples Babe before his birth

Had burial, yet not laid in earth,

And the languisht Mothers Womb

Was not long a living Tomb.

[25]

So have I seen som tender slip

Sav'd with care from Winters nip,

The pride of her carnation train,

Pluck't up by som unheedy swain,

Who onely thought to crop the flowr

New shot up from vernall showr;

But the fair blossom hangs the head

Side-ways as on a dying bed,

And those Pearls of dew she wears,

Prove to be presaging tears

Which the sad morn had let fall

On her hast'ning funerall.

Gentle Lady may thy grave

Peace and quiet ever have,

After this thy travail sore

Sweet rest sease thee evermore,

That to give the world encrease,

Shortned hast thy own lives lease,

Here besides the sorrowing

That thy noble House doth bring,

Here be tears of perfect moan

Weept for thee in Helicon,

And som Flowers, and som Bays,

For thy Hears to strew the ways,

[26]

Sent thee from the banks of Came,

Devoted to thy vertuous name;

Whilst thou bright Saint high sit'st in glory,

Next her much like to thee in story.

That fair Syrian Shepherdess,

Who after yeers of barrennes,

The highly favour'd Joseph bore

To him that serv'd for her before,

And at her next birth much like thee,

Through pangs fled to felicity,

Far within the boosom bright

Of blazing Majesty and Light,

There with thee, new welcom Saint,

Like fortunes may her soul acquaint,

With thee there clad in radiant sheen,

No Marchioness, but now a Queen.

9. SONG On May morning.

SONG On May morning.

NOw the bright morning Star, Dayes harbinger,

Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her

The Flowry May, who from her green lap throws

The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.

[27]

Hail bounteous May that dost inspire

Mirth and youth, and warm desire,

Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,

Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.

Thus we salute thee with our early Song.

And welcom thee, and wish thee long.

10. On Shakespear. 1630

On Shakespear. 1630

WHat needs my Shakespear for his honour'd Bones,

The labour of an age in piled Stones,

Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid

Under a Star-ypointing Pyramid?

Dear son of memory, great heir of Fame,

What need'st thou such weak witnes of thy name?

Thou in our wonder and astonishment

Hast built thy self a live-long Monument.

For whilst to th' shame of slow-endeavouring art,

Thy easie numbers flow, and that each heart

Hath from the leaves of thy unvalu'd Book,

Those Delphick lines with deep impression took,

Then thou our fancy of it self bereaving,

Dost make us Marble with too much conceaving;

And so Sepulcher'd in such pomp dost lie,

That Kings for such a Tomb would wish to die.

[28]

11. On the University Carrier who sickn'd in the time of his vacancy, being forbid to go to London, by reason of the Plague.

On the University Carrier who sickn'd in the time of his vacancy, being forbid to go to London, by reason of the Plague.

HEre lies old Hobson, Death hath broke his girt,

A here alas, hath laid him in the dirt,

Or els the ways being foul, twenty to one,

He's here stuck in a slough, and overthrown.

'Twas such a shifter, that if truth were known,

Death was half glad when he had got him down;

For he had any time this ten yeers full,

Dodg'd with him, betwixt Cambridge and the Bull.

And surely, Death could never have prevail'd,

Had not his weekly cours of carriage fail'd;

But lately finding him so long at home,

And thinking now his journeys end was come,

And that he had tane up his latest Inne,

In the kind office of a Chamberlin

Shew'd him his room where he must lodge that night,

Pull'd off his Boots, and took away the light:

If any ask for him, it shall be ded,

Hobson has supt, and's newly gon to bed.

[29]

12. Another on the same.

Another on the same.

HEre lieth one who did most truly prove,

That he could never die while he could move,

So hung his destiny never to rot

While he might still jogg on, and keep his trot,

Made of sphear-metal, never to decay

Untill his revolution was at stay.

Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime

'Gainst old truth) motion number'd out his time,

And like an Engin mov'd with wheel and waight,

His principles being ceast, he ended strait,

Rest that gives all men life, gave him his death,

And too much breathing put him out of breath,

Nor were it contradiction to affirm

Too long vacation hastned on his term.

Meerly to drive the time away he sickn'd,

Fainted, and died, nor would with Ale be quickn'd,

Nay, quoth he, on his swooning bed outstretch'd,

If I may not carry, sure Ile ne're be fetch'd,

But vow though the cross Doctors all stood hearers,

For one Carrier put down to make six bearers.

Ease was his chief disease, and to judge right,

He di'd for heavines that his Cart went light,

[30]

His leasure told him that his time was com,

And lack of load, made his life burdensom,

That even to his last breath (ther be that say't)

As he were prest to death, he cry'd more waight,

But had his doings lasted as they were,

He had bin an immortall Carrier.

Obedient to the Moon he spent his date

In cours reciprocal, and had his fate

Linkt to the mutual flowing of the Seas,

Yet (strange to think) his wain was his increase:

His Letters are deliver'd all and gon,

Onely remains this superscription.

13. L'Allegro.

L'Allegro.

HEnce loathed Melancholy

Of Cerberus, and blackest midnight born,

In Stygian Cave forlorn

'Mongst horrid shapes, and shreiks, and sights unholy,

Find out som uncouth cell,

Wher brooding darknes spreads his jealous wings,

And the night-Raven sings,

There under Ebon shades, and low-brow'd Rocks,

As ragged as thy Locks,

In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell.

[31]

But com thou Goddes fair and free,

In Heav'n ycleap'd Euphrosyne,

And by men, heart-easing Mirth,

Whom lovely Venus at a birth

With two sister Graces more

To Ivy-crowned Bacchus bore;

Or whether (as som Sager sing)

The frolick Wind that breathes the Spring,

Zephir with Aurora playing,

As he met her once a Maying.

There on Beds of Violets blew,

And fresh-blown Roses washt in dew,

Fill'd her with thee a daughter fair,

So bucksom, blith, and debonair.

Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee

Jest and youthful jollity,

Quips and Cranks, and wanton Wiles,

Nods, and Becks, and Wreathed Smiles,

Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,

And love to live in dimple sleek;

Sport that wrincled Care derides,

And Laughter holding both his sides.

Com, and trip it as ye go

On the light fantastick toe,

[32]

And in thy right hand lead with thee,

The Mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty,

And if I give thee honour due,

Mirth, admit me of thy crue

To live with her, and live with thee,

In unreproved pleasures free;

To hear the Lark begin his flight,

And singing startle the dull night,

From his watch-towre in the skies,

Till the dappled dawn doth rise;

Then to com in spight of sorrow,

And at my window bid good morrow,

Through the Sweet-Briar, or the Vine,

Or the twisted Eglantine.

While the Cock with lively din,

Scatters the rear of darknes thin,

And to the stack, or the Barn dore,

Stoutly struts his Dames before,

Oft list'ning how the Hounds and horn,

Chearly rouse the slumbring morn,

From the slide of som Hoar Hill,

Through the high wood echoing shrill.

Som time walking not unseen

By Hedge-row Elms, on Hillocks green,

[33]

Right against the Eastern gate,

Wher the great Sun begins his state,

Rob'd in flames, and Amber light,

The clouds in thousand Liveries dight;

While the Plowman neer at hand,

Whistles ore the Furrow'd Land,

And the Milkmaid singeth blithe,

And the Mower whets his sithe,

And every Shepherd tells his tale

Under the Hawthorn in the dale.

Streit mine eye hath caught new pleasures

Whilst the Lantskip round it measures,

Russet Lawns, and Fallows Gray,

Where the nibling flocks do stray,

Mountains on whose barren brest

The labouring clouds do often rest:

Meadows trim with Daisies pide,

Shallow Brooks, and Rivers wide.

Towers, and Battlements it sees

Boosom'd high in tufted Trees,

Wher perhaps som beauty lies,

The Cynosure of neighbouring eyes.

Hard by, a Cottage chimney smokes,

From betwixt two aged Okes,

[34]

Where Corydon and Thyrfis met,

Are at their savory dinner set

Of Hearbs, and other Country Messes,

Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses;

And then in haste her Bowre she leaves,

With Thestylis to bind the Sheaves;

Or if the earlier season lead

To the tann'd Haycock in the Mead,

Som times with secure delight

The up-land Hamlets will invite,

When the merry Bells ring round,

And the jocond rebecks sound

To many a youth, and many a maid,

Dancing in the Chequer'd shade;

And young and old com forth to play

On a Sunshine Holyday,

Till the live-long day-light fail,

Then to the Spicy Nut-brown Ale,

With stories told of many a seat,

How Faery Mab the junkets eat,

She was pincht, and pull'd she sed,

And he by Friars Lanthorn led

Tells how the drudging Goblin swet,

To ern his Cream-bowle duly set,

[35]

When in one night, ere glimps of morn,

His shadowy Flale hath thresh'd the Corn

That ten day labourers could not end,

Then lies him down the Lubbar Fend.

And stretch'd out all the Chimney's length,

Basks at the fire his hairy strength;

And Crop full out of dores he flings,

Ere the first Cock his Mattin rings.

Thus don the Tales, to bed they creep,

By whispering Windes soon lull'd asleep.

Towred Cities please us then,

And the busie humm of men,

Where throngs of Knights and Barons bold,

In weeds of Peace high triumphs hold,

With store of Ladies, whose bright eies

Rain influence, and judge the prise

Of Wit, or Arms, while both contend

To win her Grace, whom all commend.

Ther let Hymen oft appear

In Saffron robe, with Taper clear,

And pomp, and feast, and revelry,

With mask, and antique Pageantry,

Such sights as youthfull Poets dream

On Summer eeves by haunted stream.

[36]

Then to the well-trod stage anon,

If Jonsons learned Sock be on,

Or sweetest Shakespear fancies childe,

Warble his native Wood-notes wilde,

And ever against eating Cares,

Lap me in soft Lydian Aires,

Married to immortal verse

Such as the meeting soul may pierce

In notes, with many a winding bout

Of lincked sweetnes long drawn out,

With wanton heed, and giddy cunning.

The melting voice through mazes running,

Untwisting all the chains that ty

The hidden soul of harmony.

That Orpheus self may heave his head

From golden slumber on a bed

Of heapt Elysian flowres, and hear

Such streins as would have won the ear

Of Pluto, to have quite set free.

His half regain'd Eurydice.

These delights, if thou canst give,

Mirth with thee, I mean to live.

[37]

14. Il Penseroso.

Il Penseroso.

HEnce vain deluding joyes,

The brood of folly without father bred,

How little you bested,

Or fill the fixed mind with all your toyes;

Dwell in som idle brain,

And fancies fond with gaudy shapes posses,

As thick and numberless

As the gay motes that people the Sun Beams,

Or likest hovering dreams

The fickle Pensioners of Morpheus train.

But hail thou Goddes, sage and holy,

Hail divinest Melancholy,

Whose Saintly visage is too bright

To hit the Sense of human sight;

And therfore to our weaker view,

Ore laid with black staid Wisdoms hue.

Black, but such as in esteem,

Prince Memnons sister might beseem,

Or that Starr'd Ethiope Queen that strove

To set her beauties praise above

The Sea Nymphs, and their powers offended.

Yet thou art higher far descended,

[38]

Thee bright hair'd Vesta long of yore,

To solitary Saturn bore;

His daughter she (in Saturns raign,

Such mixture was not held a stain)

Oft in glimmering Bowres, and glades

He met her, and in secret shades

Of woody Ida's inmost grove,

While yet there was no fear of Jove.

Com pensive Nun, devout and pure,

Sober, stedfast, and demure,

All in a robe of darkest grain,

Flowing with majestick train,

And sable stole of Cipres Lawn,

Over thy decent shoulders drawn.

Com, but keep thy wonted state,

With eev'n step, and musing gate,

And looks commercing with the skies,

Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes:

There held in holy passion still,

Forget thy self to Marble, till

With a sad Leaden downward cast,

Thou fix them on the earth as fast.

And joyn with thee calm Peace, and Quiet,

Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet,

[39]

And hears the Muses in a ring,

Ay round about Joves Altar sing.

And adde to these retired leasure,

That in trim Gardens takes his pleasure;

But first, and chiefest, with thee bring,

Him that yon soars on golden wing,

Guiding the fiery-wheeled throne,

The Cherub Contemplation,

And the mute Silence hist along.

'Less Philomel will daign a Song.

In her sweetest, saddest plight,

Smoothing the rugged brow of night,

While Cynthia checks her Dragon yoke,

Gently o're th'accustom'd Oke,

Sweet Bird that shunn'st the noise of folly,

Most musicall, most melancholy!

Thee Chauntress oft the Woods among,

I woo to hear thy eeven-Song,

And missing thee, I walk unseen

On the dry smooth-shaven Green,

To behold the wandring Moon,

Riding neer her highest noon,

Like one that had bin led astray

Through the Heav'ns wide pathles way;

[40]

And oft, as if her head she bow'd,

Stooping through a fleecy cloud.

Oft on a Plat of rising ground,

I hear the far-off Curfeu sound,

Over som wide-water'd shoar,

Swinging slow with sullen roar;

Or if the Ayr will not permit,

Som still removed place will fit,

Where glowing Embers through the room

Teach light to counterfeit a gloom,

Far from all resort of mirth.

Save the Cricket on the hearth,

Or the Belmans drousie charm,

To bless the dores from nightly harm

Or let my Lamp at midnight hour,

Be seen in som high lonely Towr,

Where I may oft out-watch the Bear,

With thrice great Hermes, or unsphear

The spirit of Plato to unfold

What Worlds, or what vast Regions hold

The immortal mind that hath forsook

Her mansion in this fleshly nook:

And of those Damons that are found

In fire, air, flood, or under ground,

[40]

Whose power hath a true consent

With Planet, or with Element.

Som time let Gorgeous Tragedy

In Scepter'd Pall com sweeping by,

Presenting Thebs, or Pelops line,

Or the tale of Troy divine.

Or what (though rare) of later age,

Ennobled hath the Buskind stage.

But, O sad Virgin, that thy power

Might raise Musaus from his bower,

Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing

Such notes as warbled to the string.

Drew Iron tears down Pluto's cheek,

And made Hell grant what Love did seek.

Or call up him that left half told

The story of Cambuscan bold,

Of Camball, and of Algarsife,

And who had Canace to wife,

That own'd the vertuous Ring and Glass,

And of the wondrous Hors of Brass,

On which the Tartar King did ride,

And if ought els, great Bards beside,

In sage and solemn tunes have sung,

Of Turneys and of Trophies hung;

[42]

Of Forests, and inchantments drear,

Where more is meant then meets the ear,

Thus night oft see me in thy pale career,

Till civil suited Morn appeer,

Not trickt and frounc't as she was wont,

With the Attick Boy to hunt,

But Cherchef't in a comly Cloud,

While rocking Winds are Piping loud,

Or usher'd with a shower still,

When the gust hath blown his fill,

Ending on the russling Leaves,

With minute drops from off the Eaves.

And when the Sun begins to fling

His staring beams, me Goddes bring

To arched walks of twilight groves,

And shadows brown that Sylvan loves

Of Pine, or monumental Oake,

Where the rude Ax with heaved stroke,

Was never heard the Nymphs to daunt,

Or fright them from their hallow'd haunt.

There in close covert by som Brook,

Where no profaner eye may look,

Hide me from Day's garish eie,

While the Bee with Honied thie,

[43]

That at her flowry work doth sing,

And the Waters murmuring

With such consort as they keep,

Entice the dewy-feather'd Sleep;

And let som strange mysterious dream,

Wave at his Wings in Airy stream,

Of lively portrature display'd,

Softly on my eye-lids laid.

And as I wake, sweet musick breath

Above, about, or underneath,

Sent by som spirit to mortals good,

Or th'unseen Genius of the Wood.

But let my due feet never fail,

To walk the studious Cloysters pale.

And love the high embowed Roof,

With antick Pillars massy proof,

And storied Windows richly dight,

Casting a dimm religious light.

There let the pealing Organ blow,

To the full voic'd Quire below,

In Service high, and Anthems cleer,

As may with sweetnes, through mine ear,

Dissolve me into extasies,

And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes,

[44]

And may at last my weary age

Find out the peacefull hermitage,

The Hairy Gown and Mossy Cell,

Where I may sit and rightly spell,

Of every Star that Heav'n doth shew,

And every Herb that sips the dew,

Till old experience do attain

To somthing like Prophetic strain.

These pleasures Melancholy give,

And I with thee will choose to live.

15. SONNETS.

SONNETS.

I.

O Nightingale, that on yon bloomy Spray

Warbl'st at eeve, when all the Woods are still,

Thou with fresh hope the Lovers heart dost fill,

While the jolly hours lead on propitious Mays

Thy liquid notes that close the eye of Day,

First heard before the shallow Cuccoo's bill

Portend success in love; O if Jove's will

Have linkt that amorons power to thy soft lay,

Now timely sing, ere the rude Bird of Hate

Foretell my hopeles doom in som Grove my:

As thou from yeer to yeer hast sung too late

[45]

For my relief, yet hadst no reason why,

Whether the Muse, or Love call thee his mate,

Both them I serve, and of their train am I.

II.

Donna leggiadra il cui bel nome honora

L'herbosa val di Rheno, e il nobil varco,

Ben è colui d'ogni valore scarco.

Qual tuo spirto gentil non innamora,

Che dolcemente mostra si di fuora.

De suoi atti soavi giamai parco,

E i don', che son d'amor saette ed arco,

La onde l'alta sua virtù s'infiora

Quando tu vaga parli, o lieta canti

Che mover possa duro alpestre legno,

Guardi ciascun a gli occhi, ed a gli orecchi

L'entrata, chi di te si truova indegno;

Gratia sola di su gli vaglia, inanti

Che'l disio amoroso al cuor s'invecchi.

III.

Qual incolle aspro, al imbrunir di seta

L'avezza giovinetta pastorella

Va bagnando l'herbetta strana e bella

Che mal si spande a disusata spera

[46]

Fuor di sua natia alma primavera,

Cosi Amor meco insu la lingua snella

Desta il fior novo di strania favella,

Mentre io di te, vezzosamente altera,

Canto, dal mio buon popol non inteso

E 'l bel Tamigi cangio col bel Arno,

Amor lo volse, ed io a l'altrui peso

Seppi ch' Amor cosa mai volse indarno,

Deh! foss' il mio cuor lento e 'l duro seno

A chi pianta dal ciel si buon terreno.

Canzone.

RIdonsi donne e giovani amorosi

M'accostandosi attorno, e perche scrivi.

Perche tu scrivi in lingua ignota e strana

Verseggiando d'amor, e come t' osi?

Dinne, se la tua speme sia mai vana,

E de pensieri lo miglior t' arrivi.

Cosa mi van burlando, altri rivi

Altri lidi t' aspettan, & altre onde

Nelle cui verdi sponde

Spuntati ad hor, ad hor a la tua chioma

L'immortal guiderdon d'eterne frondi

Perche alle spalle tue soverchia soma?

Canzon dirotti, e tu per me rispondi

[47]

Dice mia Donna, e 'l suo dir, è il mio cuore

Questa è lingua di cui si vanta Amore.

IV.

Diodati, e te 'l dirò con maraviglia,

Quel ritroso io ch'amor spreggiar soléa

E de suoi lacci spesso mi ridéa

Gia caddi, ov' huom dabben talhor s'impiglia.

Ne treccie d'oro, ne guancia vermiglia

M'abbaglian sì, ma sotto nova idea

Pellegrina bellezza che 'l cuor bea,

Portamenti alti honesti, e nelle ciglia

Quel sereno fulgor d'amabil nero,

Parole adorne di lingua piu d' una,

E 'l cantar che di mezzo l'hemispero

Traviar ben può la faticosa Luna,

E degli occhi suoi auventa si gran fuoco

Che l'incerar gli orecchi mi sia poco.

V.

Per certo i bei vostr' occhi Donna mia

Esser non puo che non sian lo mio sole

Si mi percuoton forte, come ei suole

Per l'arene di Libia chi s'invia,

[48]

Mentre un caldo vapor (ne sentè pria)

Da quel lato si spinge ove mi duole,

Che forse amanti nelle lor parole

Chiaman sospir; io non so che si sia:

Parte rinchiusa, e turbida si cela

Scosso mi il petto, e poi n'uscendo poco

Quivi d'attorno o s'agghiaccia, o s'ingiela;

Ma quanto a gli occhi giunge a trovar loco

Tutte le notti a me suol far piovose

Finche mia Alba rivien colma di rose

VI.

Giovane piano, e semplicetto amante

Poi che fuggir me stesso in dubbio sono,

Madonna a voi del mio cuor l'humil dono

Farò divoto; io certo a prove tante

L'hebbi fedele, intrepido, costante,

De pensieri leggiadro, accorto, e buone;

Quando rugge il gran mondo, e scocca il tuono,

S'arma di se, e d'intero diamante,

Tanto del forse, e d'invidia sicuro,

Di timori, e speranze al popol use

Quanto d'ingegno, e d' alto valor vago,

E di cetra sonora, e delle muse:

Sol troverete in tal parte men duro

Ove Amor mise l'insanabil ago.

[49]

VII.

How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth,

Stoln on his wing my three and twentith yeer!

My hasting dayes flie on with full career,

But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th.

Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth,

That I to manhood am arriv'd so near,

And inward ripenes doth much less appear,

That som more timely-happy spirits indu'th.

Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,

It shall be still in strictest measure eev'n,

To that same lot, however mean, or high,

Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav'n;

All is, if I have grace to use it so,

As ever in my great task Masters eye.

VIII.

Captain or Colonel, or Knight in Arms,

Whose chance on these defenceless dores may sease,

If ever deed of honour did thee please,

Guard them, and him within protect from harms,

He can requite thee, for he knows the charms

That call Fame on such gentle acts as these,

And he can spred thy Name o're Lands and Seas,

What ever clime the Suns bright circle warms.

[50]

Lift not thy spear against the Muses Bowre,

The great Emathian Conqueror bid spare

The house of Pindarus, when Temple and Towre

Went to the ground: And the repeated air

Of sad Electra's Poet had the power

To save th' Athenian Walls from ruine bare.

IX.

Lady that in the prime of earliest youth,

Wisely hast shun'd the broad way and the green,

And with those few art eminently seen,

That labour up the Hill of heav'nly Truth,

The better part with Mary, and the Ruth,

Chosen thou hast, and they that overween,

And at thy growing vertues fret their spleen,

No anger find in thee, but pity and ruth.

Thy care is fixt, and zealously attends

To fill thy odorous Lamp with deeds of light,

And Hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure

Thou, when the Bridegroom with his feastfull friends

Passes to bliss at the mid hour of night,

Hast gain'd thy entrance, Virgin wise and pure.

[51]

X.

Daughter to that good Earl, once President

Of Englands Counsel, and her Treasury,

Who liv'd in both, unstain'd with gold or see,

And left them both, more in himself content,

Till the sad breaking of that Parlament

Broke him, as that dishonest victory

At Charonca, fatal to liberty

Kil'd with report that Old man eloquent,

Though later born, then to have known the dayes

Wherin your Father flourisht, yet by you

Madam, me thinks I see him living yet;

So well your words his noble vertues praise,

That all both judge you to relate them true,

And to posses them, Honour'd Margaret.

16. Arcades.

Arcades.

Part of an entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager of Darby at Harefield, by som Noble persons of her Family, who appear on the Scene in pastoral habit, moving toward the seat of State, with this Song.

1. SONG.

LOok Nymphs, and Shepherds look,

What sudden blaze of majesty

[52]

Is that which we from hence descry

Too divine to be mistook:

This this is she

To whom our vows and wishes bend,

Heer our solemn search hath end.

Fame that her high worth to raise,

Seem'd erst so lavish and profuse,

We may justly now accuse

Of detraction from her praise,

Less then half we find exprest,

Envy, bid conceal the rest.

Mark what radiant state she spreds,

In circle round her shining throne,

Shooting her beams like silver threds,

This this is she alone,

Sitting like a Goddes bright,

In the center of her light.

Might she the wise Latona be,

Or the towred Cybele,

Mother of a hunderd gods;

Juno dare's not give her odds,

Who had thought this clime had held

A deity so unparalel'd?

[53]

As they com forward, the Genius of the Wood appears, and turning toward them, speaks.

GEn

Stay gentle Swains, for though in this disguise,

I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes,

Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung

Of that renowned flood, so often sung,

Divine Alpheus, who by secret sluse,

Stole under Seas to meet his Arethuse;

And ye the breathing Roses of the Wood,

Fair silver-buskind Nymphs as great and good,

I know this quest of yours, and free intent

Was all in honour and devotion ment

To the great Mistres of yon princely shrine,

Whom with low reverence I adore as mine,

And with all helpful service will comply

To further this nights glad solemnity;

And lead ye where ye may more neer behold

What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold;

Which I full oft amidst these shades alone

Have sate to wonder at, and gaze upon:

For know by lot from Jove I am the powr

Of this fair Wood, and live in Oak'n bowr,

[54]

To nurse the Saplings tall, and curl the grove

With Ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove.

And all my Plants I save from nightly ill,

Of noisom winds, and blasting vapours chill.

And from the Boughs brush off the evil dew,

And heal the harms of thwarting thunder blew,

Or what the cross dire-looking Planet smites,

Or hurtfull Worm with cankerd venom bites.

When Eev'ning gray doth rise, I fetch my round

Over the mount, and all this hallow'd ground,

And early ere the odorous breath of morn

Awakes the slumbring leaves, or tasseld horn

Shakes the high thicket, haste I all about,

Number my ranks, and visit every sprout

With puissant words, and murmurs made to bless,

But els in deep of night when drowsines

Hath lockt up mortal sense, then listen I

To the celestial Sirens harmony,

That sit upon the nine enfolded Sphears,

And sing to those that hold the vital shears,

And turn the Adamantine spindle round,

On which the fate of gods and men is wound.

Such sweet compulsion doth in musick ly,

To lull the daughters of Necessity,

[55]

And keep unsteddy Nature to her law,

And the low world in measur'd motion draw

After the heavenly tune, which none can hear

Of human mould with grosse unpurged ear,

And yet such musick worthiest were to blaze

The peerles height of her immortal praise,

Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit,

If my inferior hand or voice could hit

Inimitable sounds, yet as we go,

What ere the skill of lesser gods can show,

I will assay, her worth to celebrate,

And so attend ye toward her glittering state;

Where ye may all that are of noble stemm

Approach, and kiss her sacred vestures hemm.

2. SONG

O'Re the smooth enameld green

Where no print of step hath been,

Follow me as I sing,

And touch the warbled string.

Under the shady roof

Of branching Elm Star-proof.

Follow me,

[56]

I will bring you where she sits,

Clad in splendor as befits

Her deity.

Such a rural Queen

All Arcadia hath not seen.

3. SONG.

NYmphs and Shepherds dance no more

By sandy Ladons Lillied banks.

On old Lycæus or Cyllene hoar,

Trip no more in twilight ranks,

Though Erymanth your loss deplore,

A better soyl shall give ye thanks.

From the stony Manalus,

Bring your Flocks, and live with us,

Here ye shall have greater grace,

To serve the Lady of this place.

Though Syrinx your Pans Mistres were,

Yet Syrinx well might wait on her,

Such a rural Queen

All Arcadia hath not seen.

[57]

17. Lycidas

Lycidas

In this Monody the Author bewails a learned Friend, unfortunatly drown'd in his Passage from Chester on the Irish Seas, 1637. And by occasion foretels the ruine of our corrupted Clergy then in their height.

YEt once more, O ye Laurels, and once more

Ye Myrtles brown, with Ivy never sear,

I com to pluck your Berries harsh and crude,

And with forc'd fingers rude,

Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.

Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear,

Compels me to disturb your season due:

For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime

Yong Lycidas, and hath not left his peer:

Who would not sing for Lycidas? he knew

Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme.

He must not flote upon his watry bear

Unwept, and welter to the parching wind,

Without the meed of som melodious tear.

Begin then, Sisters of the sacred well,

That from beneath the seat of Jove doth spring,

Begin, and somwhat loudly sweep the string.

[58]

Hence with denial vain, and coy excuse,

So may som gentle Muse

With lucky words favour my destin'd Urn,

And as he passes turn,

And bid fair peace be to my sable shrowd,

For we were nurst upon the self-same hill,

Fed the same flock, by fountain, shade, and rill.

Together both, ere the high Lawns appear'd

Under the opening eye-lids of the morn,

We drove a field, and both together heard

What time the Gray-fly winds her sultry horn,

Batt'ning our flocks with the fresh dews of night,

Oft till the Star that rose, at Ev'ning, bright

Toward Heav'ns descent had slop'd his westering wheel.

Mean while the Rural ditties were not mute,

Temper'd to th'Oaten Flute,

Rough Satyrs danc'd, and Fauns with clov'n heel,

From the glad sound would not be absent long,

And old Damœtos lov'd to hear our song.

But O the heavy change, now thou art gon,

Now thou art gon, and never must return!

Thee Shepherd, thee the Woods, and desert Caves,

With wilde Thyme and the gadding Vine o'regrown,

And all their echoes mourn.

[59]

The Willows, and the Hazle Copses green,

Shall now no more be seen,

Fanning their joyous Leaves to thy soft layes.

As killing as the Canker to the Rose,

Or Taint-worm to the weanling Herds that graze,

Or Frost to Flowers, that their gay wardrop wear,

When first the White thorn blows;

Such, Lycidas, thy loss to Shepherds ear.

Where were ye Nymphs when the remorseless deep

Clos'd o're the head of your lov'd Lycidas?

For neither were ye playing on the steep,

Where your old Bards, the famous Druids ly,

Nor on the shaggy top of Mona high,

Nor yet where Deva spreads her wisard stream:

Ay me, I fondly dream!

Had ye bin there — for what could that have don

What could the Muse her self that Orpheus bore,

The Muse her self, for her inchanting son

Whom Universal nature did lament,

When by the rout that made the hideous roar,

His goary visage down the stream was sent,

Down the swift Hebrus to the Lesbian shore.

Alas! What boots it with uncessant care

To tend the homely flighted Shepherds trade,

[60]

And strictly meditate the thankles Muse,

Were it not better don as others use,

To sport with Amaryllis in the shade,

Or with the tangles of Neara's hair?

Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise

(That last infirmity of Noble mind)

To scorn delights, and live laborious dayes,

But the fair Guerdon when we hope to find,

And think to burst out into sudden blaze,

Comes the blind Fury with th'abhorred shears,

And flits the thin spun life. But not the praise,

Phoebus repli'd, and touch'd my trembling ears;

Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil,

Nor in the glistering foil

Set off to th'world, nor in broad rumour lies,

But lives and spreds aloft by those pure eyes,

And perfet witnes of all judging Jove;

As he pronounces lastly on each deed,

Of so much fame in Heav'n expect thy meed.

O Fountain Arethuse, and thou honour'd floud,

Smooth-sliding Mincius, crown'd with vocall reeds,

That strain I heard was of a higher mood:

But now my Oate proceeds,

And listens to the Herald of the Sea

[61]

That came in Neptune's plea,

He ask'd the Waves, and ask'd the Fellon winds,

What hard mishap hath doom'd this gentle swain?

And question'd every gust of rugged wings

That blows from off each beaked Promontory,

They knew not of his story,

And sage Hippotades their answer brings,

That not a blast was from his dungeon stray'd,

The Ayr was calm, and on the level brine,

Sleek Panope with all her sisters play'd.

It was that fatall and perfidious Bark

Built in th'eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark,

That sunk so low that sacred head of thine.

Next Camus, reverend Sire, went footing slow,

His Mantle hairy, and his Bonnet sedge,

Inwrought with figures dim, and on the edge

Like to that sanguine flower inscrib'd with woe.

Ah! Who hath rest (quoth he) my dearest pledge?

Last came, and last did go,

The Pilot of the Galilean lake,

Two massy Keyes he bore of metals twain,

(The Golden opes, the Iron shuts amain)

He shook his Miter'd locks, and stern bespake,

How well could I have spar'd for thee young swain.

[62]

Anow of such as for their bellies sake,

Creep and intrude, and climb into the fold?

Of other care they little reck'ning make,

Then how to scramble at the shearers feast,

And shove away the worthy bidden guest.

Blind mouthes! that scarce themselves know how to hold

A Sheep-hook, or have learn'd ought els the least

That to the faithfull Herdmans art belongs!

What recks it them? What need they? They are sped;

And when they list, their lean and flashy songs

Grate on their scrannel Pipes of wretched straw,

The hungry Sheep look up, and are not fed,

But swoln with wind, and the rank mist they draw,

Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread:

Besides what the grim Woolf with privy paw

Daily devours apace, and nothing fed,

But that two-handed engine at the door,

Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more.

Return Alpheus, the dread voice is past,

That shrunk thy streams; Return Sicilian Muse,

And call the Vales, and bid them hither cast

Their Bels, and Flourets of a thousand hues.

Ye valleys low where the milde whispers use,

Of shades and wanton winds, and gushing brooks,

[63]

On whose fresh lap the swart Star sparely looks,

Throw hither all your quaint enameld eyes,

That on the green terf suck the honied showres,

And purple all the ground with vernal flowres.

Bring the rathe Primrose that forsaken dies,

The tufted Crow-toe, and pale Gessamine,

The white Pink, and the Pansie freakt with jeat,

The glowing Violet.

The Musk-rose, and the well attir'd Woodbine,

With Cowslips wan that hang the pensive hed,

And every flower that sad embroidery wears:

Bid Amaranthus all his beauty shed,

And Daffadillies fill their cups with tears,

To strew the Laureat Herse where Lycid lies.

For so to interpose a little ease,

Let our frail thoughts dally with false surmise.

Ay me! Whilst thee the shores, and sounding Seas

Wash far away, where ere thy bones are hurld,

Whether beyond the stormy Hebrides,

Where thou perhaps under the whelming tide

Visit'st the bottom of the monstrous world;

Or whether thou to our moist vows deny'd,

Sleep'st by the fable of Bellerus old,

Where the great vision of the guarded Mount

[64]

Looks toward Namancos and Bayona's hold;

Look homeward Angel now, and melt with ruth.

And, O ye Dolphins, wast the haples youth.

Weep no more, woful Shepherds weep no more,

For Lycidas your sorrow is not dead,

Sunk though he be beneath the watry floar,

So sinks the day-star in the Ocean bed,

And yet anon repairs his drooping head,

And tricks his beams, and with new spangled Ore,

Flames in the forehead of the morning sky:

So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high,

Through the dear might of him that walk'd the waves

Where other groves, and other streams along,

With Nectar pure his oozy Lock's he laves,

And hears the unexpressive nuptiall Song,

In the blest Kingdoms meek of joy and love.

There entertain him all the Saints above,

In solemn troops, and sweet Societies

That sing, and singing in their glory move,

And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes.

Now Lycidas the Shepherds weep no more;

Hence forth thou art the Genius of the shore,

In thy large recompense, and shalt be good

To all that wander in that perilous flood.

[65]

Thus sang the uncouth Swain to th'Okes and rills,

While the still morn went out with Sandals gray,

He touch'd the tender stops of various Quills,

With eager thought warbling his Dorick lay:

And now the Sun had stretch'd out all the hills,

And now was dropt into the Western bay;

At last he rose, and twitch'd his Mantle blew:

To morrow to fresh Woods, and Pastures new.

2.

A
MASK
Of the same Author
PRESENTED
At Ludlow-Castle,
1634.

Before
The Earl of BRIDGEWATER
Then President of WALES.

Anno Dom. 1645.

[69]

To the Right Honourable, JOHN Lord Vicount BRACLY, Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bridgewater, &c.

MY LORD,

THis Poem, which receiv'd its first occasion of Birth from your Self, and others of your Noble Family, and much honour from your own Person in the performance, now returns again to make a finall De⯑dication of it self to you. Although not openly acknowledg'd by the Author, yet it is a legitimate off-spring, so lovely, and so much desired, that the often Copying of it hath tir'd my Pen to give my severall friends satisfaction, and brought me to a necessity of pro⯑ducing it to the publike view; and [70] now to offer it up in all rightfull devo⯑tion to those fair Hopes, and rare En⯑dowments of your much-promising Youth, which give a full assurance, to all that know you, of a future excel⯑lence. Live sweet Lord to be the honour of your Name, and receive this as your own, from the hands of him, who hath by many favours been long oblig'd to yor most honour'd Parents, and as in this representation your at⯑tendant Thyrsis, so now in all reall expression

Your faithfull, and most humble Servant H. LAWES.

[71]

The Copy of a Letter Writt'n By Sir HENRY WOOTTON, To the Author, upon the following Poem.
From the Colledge, this 13. of April, 1638.

SIR,

IT was a special favour, when you lately bestowed upon me here, the first taste of your acquaintance, though no longer then to make me know that I wanted more time to value it, and to enjoy it rightly; and in truth, if I could then have imagined your farther stay in these parts, which I understood afterwards by Mr. H., I would have been bold in our vulgar phrase to mend my draught (for you left me with an extreme thirst) and to have begged your conver⯑sation again, joyntly with your said learned Friend, at a poor meal or two, that we might have banded together som good Authors of the antient time: Among which, I observed you to have been familiar.

Since your going, you have charg'd me with new Obligations, both for a very kinde Letter from you dated the sixth of this Month, and for a dainty peece of entertainment which came therwith. Wherin I should much commend the Tragical part, if the Lyrical did not ravish me with a certain Dorique delicacy in your Songs and Odes, wherunto I must [72] plainly confess to have seen yet nothing parallel in our Language: Ipsa mollities. But I must not omit to tell you, that I now onely owe your thanks for intimating unto me (how modestly soever) the true Artificer. For the work it self, I had view'd som good while before, with singular delight, ha⯑ving receiv'd it from our common Friend Mr. R. in the verse close of the late R's Poems, Printed at Oxford, wherunto it was added (as I now sup⯑pose) that the Accessory might help out the Princi⯑pal, according to the art of Stationers, and to leave the Reader Con la bocca dolce..

Now Sir, concerning your travels, wherin I may chalenge a little more priviledge of Discours with you; I suppose you will not blanch Paris in your way; therfore I have been bold to trouble you with a few lines to Mr. M.B. whom you shall easily find attending the your Lord S. as his Gover⯑nour, and you may surely receive from his good directions for the shaping of your farther journey into Italy, where he did reside by my choice som time for the King, after mine own recess from Venice.

I should thing that your best Line will be thorow the whole length of France to Marseilles, and thence by Sea to Genoa, whence the passage into Tuscany is as Diurnal as a Gravesend Barge: I hasten as you do to Florence, or Siena, the rather to tell you a short story from the interest you have given me in your safety.

At Siena I was tabled in the House of one Al⯑berto Scipioni an old Roman Courtier in dangerous [73] times, having bin Steward to the Duca di Pagliono, who with all his Family were strangled, save this onely man that escap'd by foresight of the Tempest: With him I had often much chat of those affairs; Into which he took pleasure to look back from his Native Harbour; and at my departure toward Rome (which had been the center of his experience) I had wonn confidence enough to beg his advice, how I might carry my self securely there, without offence of others, or of mine own conscience. ‘Signor Arrigo mio’ (sayes he) ‘I pensieri stretti, & il viso sciolto’ will got safely over the whole World: Of which Delphian Oracle (for so I have found it) your judgement doth need no commentary; and therfore (Sir) I will commit you with it to the best of all securities, Gods dear love, remaining

Your Friend as much at command as any of longer date Henry Wootton.

Postcript

SIR,

I have expressly sent this my Foot-boy to pre⯑vent your departure without som acknowledgement from me of the receipt of your obliging Letter, having my self through som busines, I know not how, neglected the ordinary conveyance. In any part where I shall un⯑derstand you fixed, I shall be glad, and diligent to en⯑tertain you with Home-Novelties; even for som fo⯑mentation of our friendship, too soon interrupted in the Cradle.

[74]

The Persons.

The attendant Spirit afterwards in the habit of Thyrsis.
Comus with his crew.
The Lady.
1. Brother.
2. Brother.
Sabrina the Nymph.

The cheif persons which presented, were

The Lord Bracly,
Mr. Thomas Egerton his Brother,
The Lady Alice Egerton.

[75]

A MASK PRESENTED At LUDLOW- Castle, 1634. &c. .

The first Scene discovers a wilde Wood.

The attendant Spirit descends or enters.

Before the starry threshold of Joves Court

My mansion is, where those immortal shapes

Of bright aëreal Spirits live insphear'd

In Regions milde of calm and serene Ayr,

Above the smoak and stirr of this dim spot,

Which men call Earth, and with low-thoughted care

[76]

Confin'd, and pester'd in this pin-fold here,

Strive to keep up a frail, and Feaverish being

Unmindfull of the crown that Vertue gives

After this mortal change, to her true Servants

Amongst the enthron'd gods on Sainted seats.

Yet som there be that by due steps aspire

To lay their just hands on that Golden Key

That ope's the Palace of Eternity:

To such my errand is, and but for such,

I would not soil these pure Ambrosial weeds,

With the rank vapours of this Sin-worn mould.

But to my task. Neptune besides the sway

Of every salt Flood, and each ebbing stream,

Took in by lot 'twixt high, and neather Jove,

Imperial rule of all the Sea-girt Iles

That like to rich, and various gemms inlay

The unadorned boosom of the Deep,

Which he to grace his tributary gods

By course commits to severall government,

And gives them leave to wear their Saphire crowns,

And weild their little tridents, but this Ile

The greatest, and the best of all the main

He quarters to his blu-hair'd deities,

And all this tract that fronts the falling Sun

[77]

A noble Peer of mickle trust, and power

Has in his charge, with temper'd awe to guide

An old, and haughty Nation proud in Arms:

Where his fair off-spring nurs't in Princely lore,

Are coming to attend their Fathers state,

And new-entrusted Scepter, but their way

Lies through the perplex't paths of this drear Wood,

The nodding horror of whose shady brows

Threats the forlorn and wandring Passinger.

And here their tender age might suffer perill,

But that by quick command from Soveran Jove

I was dispatcht for their defence, and guard;

And listen why, for I will tell ye now

What never yet was heard in Tale or Song

From old, or modern Bard in Hall, or Bowr.

Bacchus that first from out the purple Grape,

Crush't the sweet poyson of mis-used Wine

After the Tuscan Mariners transform'd

Coasting the Tyrrhene shore, as the winds listed,

On Circes Iland fell (who knows not Circe

The daughter of the Sun? Whose charmed Cup

Whoever tasted, lost his upright shape,

And downward fell into a groveling Swine)

This Nymph that gaz'd upon his clustring locks,

[78]

With Ivy berries wreath'd, and his blithe youth,

Had by him, ere he parted thence, a Son

Much like his Father, but his Mother more,

Whom therfore she brought up and Comus nam'd,

Who ripe, and frolick of his full grown age,

Roaving the Celtick, and Iberian fields,

At last betakes him to this ominous Wood,

And in thick shelter of black shades imbowr'd,

Excells his Mother at her mighty Art,

Offring to every weary Travailer,

His orient Liquor in a Crystal Glasse,

To quench the drouth of Phœbus, which as they taste

(For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst)

Soon as the Potion works, their human count'nance,

Th'express resemblance of the gods, is chang'd

Into som brutish form of Woolf, or Bear,

Or Ounce, or Tiger, Hog, or bearded Goat,

All other parts remaining as they were,

And they, so perfect is their misery,

Not once perceive their foul disfigurement,

But boast themselves more comely then before

And all their friends, and native home forget

To roule with pleasure in a sensual stie.

Therfore when any favour'd of high Jove,

[79]

Chances to passe through this adventrous glade,

Swift as the Sparkle of a glancing Star,

I shoot from Heav'n to give him safe convoy,

As now I do: But first I must put off

These my skie robes spun out of Iris Wooff,

And take the Weeds and likenes of a Swain,

That to the service of this house belongs,

Who with his soft Pipe, and smooth-dittied Song,

Well knows to still the wilde winds when they roar,

And hush the waving Woods, nor of lesse faith,

And in this office of his Mountain watch,

Likeliest, and neerest to the present ayd

Of this occasion. But I hear the tread

Of hatefull steps, I must be viewles now.

Comus enters with a Charming Rod in one hand, his Glass in the other, with him a rout of Mon⯑sters, headed like Sundry Sorts of wilde Beasts, but otherwise like Men and Women, their Ap⯑parel glistring, they com in making a riotous and unruly noise, with Torches in their hands.

Comus.

The Star that bids the Shepherd fold,

Now the top of Heav'n doth hold,

And the gilded Car of Day,

His glowing Axle doth allay

[80]

In the steep Atlantick stream,

And the slope Sun his upward beam

Shoots against the dusky Pole,

Pacing toward the other gole

Of his Chamber in the East.

Mean while welcom Joy, and Feast,

Midnight shout, and revelry,

Tipsie dance, and Jollity.

Braid your Locks with rosie Twine

Dropping odours, dropping Wine.

Rigor now is gon to bed,

And Advice with scrupulous head,

Strict Age, and sowre Severity,

With their grave Saws in slumber ly.

We that are of purer fire

Imitate the Starry Quire,

Who in their nightly watchfull Sphears,

Lead in swift round the Months and Years.

The Sounds, and Seas with all their finny drove

Now to the Moon in wavering Morrice move,

And on the Tawny Sands and Shelves,

Trip the pert Fairies and the dapper Elves;

By dimpled Brook, and Fountain brim,

The Wood-Nymphs deckt with Daisies trim,

[81]

Their merry wakes and pastimes keep:

What hath night to do with sleep?

Night hath better sweets to prove,

Venus now wakes, and wak'ns Love.

Com let us our rights begin,

'Tis onely day-light that makes Sin

Which these dun shades will ne're report.

Hail Goddesse of Nocturnal sport

Dark vaild Cotytto, t'whom the secret flame

Of mid-night Torches burns; mysterious Dame

That ne're art call'd, but when the Dragon woom

Of Stygian darkness spets her thickest gloom,

And makes one blot of all the ayr,

Stay thy cloudy Ebon chair,

Wherin thou rid'st with Hecat', and befriend

Us thy vow'd Priests, till utmost end

Of all thy dues be done, and none left out,

Ere the blabbing Eastern scout,

The nice Morn on th' Indian steep

From her cabin'd loop-hole peep,

And to the tel-tale Sun discry

Our conceal'd Solemnity.

Com, knit hands, and beat the ground,

In a light fantastick round.

[82]

The Measure.

Break off, break off, I feel the different pace,

Of som chast footing neer about this ground.

Run to your shrouds, within these Brakes and Trees,

Our number may affright: Som Virgin sure

(For so I can distinguish by mine Art)

Benighted in these Woods. Now to my charms,

And to my wily trains, I shall e're long

Be well stock't with as fair a herd as graz'd

About my Mother Circe. Thus I hurl

My dazling Spells into the spungy ayr,

Of power to cheat the eye with blear illusion,

And give it false presentments, lest the place

And my quaint habits breed astonishment,

And put the Damsel to suspicious flight,

Which must not be, for that's against my course;

I under fair pretence of friendly ends,

And well plac't words of glozing courtesie

Baited with reasons not unplausible

Wind me into the easie-hearted man,

And hugg him into snares. When once her eye

Hath met the vertue of this Magick dust.

I shall appear some harmles Villager

Whom thrift keeps up about his Country gear,

[83]

But here she comes, I fairly step aside

And hearken, if I may, her busines here.

The Lady enters.

This way the noise was, if mine ear be true,

My best guide now, me thought it was the sound

Of Riot, and ill manag'd Merriment,

Such as the jocond Flute, or gamesom Pipe

Stirs up among the unletter'd Hinds,

When for their teeming Flocks, and granges full

In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan,

And thank the gods amiss. I should be loath

To meet the rudenesse, and swill'd insolence

Of such late Wassailers; yet O where els

Shall I inform my unacquainted feet

In the blind mazes of this tangl'd Wood?

My Brothers when they saw me wearied out

With this long way, resolving here to lodge

Under the spreading favour of these Pines,

Stept as they se'd to the next Thicket side

To bring me Berries, or such cooling fruit

As the kind hospitable Woods provide.

They left me then, when the gray-hooded Eev'n

Like a sad Votarist in Palmers weed

[84]

Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phœbus wain.

But where they are, and why they came not back,

Is now the labour of my thoughts, 'tis likeliest

They had ingag'd their wandring steps too far,

And envious darknes, e're they could return,

Had stole them from me, els O theevish Night

Why shouldst thou, but for som fellonious end,

In thy dark lantern thus close up the Stars,

That nature hung in Heav'n, and fill'd their Lamps

With everlasting oil, to give due light

To the misled and lonely Travailer?

This is the place, as well as I may guess,

Whence eev'n now the tumult of loud Mirth

Was rife, and perfet in my list'ning ear,

Yet nought but single darknes do I find.

What might this be? A thousand fantasies

Begin to throng into my memory

Of calling shapes, and beckning shadows dire,

And airy tongues, that syllable mens names

On Sands, and Shoars, and desert Wildernesses.

These thoughts may startle well, but not astound

The vertuous mind, that ever walks attended

By a strong siding champion Conscience. —

O welcom pure ey'd Faith, white-handed Hope,

[85]

Thou hovering Angel girt with golden wings,

And thou unblemish't form of Chastity,

I see ye visibly, and now beleeve

That he, the Supreme good, t'whom all things ill

Are but as slavish officers of vengeance,

Would send a glistring Guardian if need were

To keep my life and honour unassail'd.

Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud

Turn forth her silver lining on the night?

I did not err, there does a sable cloud

Turn forth her silver lining on the night,

And casts a gleam over this tufted Grove.

I cannot hallow to my Brothers, but

Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest

Ile venter, for my new enliv'nd Spirits

Prompt me; and they perhaps are not far off.

SONG

Sweet Echo, sweetest Nymph that liv'st unseen

Within thy airy shell

By slow Meander's margent green,

And in the violet imbroider'd vale

Where the love-lorn Nightingale

Nightly to thee her sad Song mourneth well.

[86]

Canst thou not tell me of a gentle Pair

That likest thy Narcissus are?

O if thou have

Hid them in som flowry Cave,

Tell me but where

Sweet Queen of Parly, Daughter of the Sphear.

So maist thou be translated to the skies,

And give resounding grace to all Heav'ns Harmonies.

Com.

Can any mortal mixture of Earths mould

Breath such Divine inchanting ravishment?

Sure somthing holy lodges in that brest,

And with these raptures moves the vocal air

To testifie his hidd'n residence;

How sweetly did they float upon the wings

Of silence, through the empty-vaulted night

At every fall smoothing the Raven doune

Of darknes till it smil'd: I have oft heard

My Mother Circe with the Sirens three,

Amidst the flowry-kirtl'd Naiades

Culling their Potent hearbs, and balefull drugs,

Who as they sung, would take the prison'd soul,

And lap in it Elysium, Scylla wept,

And chid her barking waves into attention,

[87]

And fell Charybdis murmur'd soft applause:

Yet they in pleasing slumber lull'd the sense,

And in sweet madnes rob'd it of it self,

But such a sacred, and home-felt delight,

Such sober certainty of waking bliss

I never heard till now. Ile speak to her

And she shall be my Queen. Hail forren wonder

Whom certain these rough shades did never breed

Unlesse the Goddes that in rurall shrine

Dwell'st here with Pan, or Silvan, by blest Song

Forbidding every bleak unkindly Fog

To touch the prosperous growth of this tall Wood.

La.

Nay gentle Shepherd ill is lost that praise

That is addrest to unattending Ears,

Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift

How to regain my sever'd company

Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo

To give me answer from her mossie Couch.

Co.

What chance good Lady hath bereft you thus?

La.

Dim darknes, and this leavy Labyrinth.

Co.

Could that divide you from neer-ushering guides?

La.

They left me weary on a grassie terf.

Co.

By falshood, or discourtesie, or why?

La.

To seek i'th vally som cool friendly Spring.

[88]

Co.

And left your fair side all unguarded Lady?

La.

They were but twain, and purpos'd quick return.

Co.

Perhaps fore-stalling night prevented them.

La.

How easie my misfortune is to hit!

Co.

Imports their loss, beside the present need?

La.

No less then if I should my brothers loose.

Co.

Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom?

La.

As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips.

Co.

Two such I saw, what time the labour'd Oxe

In his loose traces from the furrow came,

And the swink't hedger at his Supper sate;

I saw them under a green mantling vine

That crawls along the side of yon small hill,

Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots,

Their port was more then human, as they stood;

I took it for a faëry vision

Of som gay creatures of the element

That in the colours of the Rainbow live

And play i'th plighted clouds. I was aw-strook,

And as I past, I worshipt; if those you seek

It were a journey like the path to Heav'n,

To help you find them.

La.

Gentle villager

What readiest way would bring me to that place?

Co.

Due west it rises from this shrubby point.

[89]

La.

To find out that, good Shepherd, I suppose,

In such a scant allowance of Star-light,

Would overtask the best Land-Pilots art,

Without the sure guess of well-practiz'd feet.

Co.

I know each lane, and every alley green

Dingle, or bushy dell of this wild Wood,

And every bosky bourn from side to side

My daily walks and ancient neighbourhood,

And if your stray attendance be yet lodg'd,

Or shroud within these limits, I shall know

Ere morrow wake, or the low roosted lark

From her thatch't pallat rowse, if otherwise

I can conduct you Lady to a low

But loyal cottage, where you may be safe

Till further quest'.

La.

Shepherd I take thy word,

And trust thy honest offer'd courtesie,

Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds

With smoaky rafters, then in tapstry Halls

And Courts of Princes, where it first was nam'd,

And yet is most pretended: In a place

Less warranted then this, or less secure

I cannot be, that I should fear to change it,

Eie me blest Providence, and square my triall

To my proportion'd strength. Shepherd lead on. —

[90]

The two Brothers.

Eld. Bro.

Unmuffle ye faint Stars, and thou fair Moon

That wontst to love the travailers benizon,

Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud,

And disinherit Chaos, that raigns here

In double night of darknes, and of shades;

Or if your influence be quite damm'd up

With black usurping mists, som gentle taper

Though a rush Candle from the wicker hole

Of som clay habitation visit us

With thy long levell'd rule of streaming light,

And thou shalt be our star of Arcady,

Or Tyrian Cynosure.

2. Bro.

Or if our eyes

Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear

The folded flocks pen'd in their watled cotes,

Or sound of pastoral reed with oaten stops,

Or whistle from the Lodge, or village cock

Count the night watches to his feathery Dames,

T'would be som solace yet, som little chearing

In this close dungeon of innumerous bowes.

But O that haples virgin our lost sister

Where may she wander now, whether betake her

From the chill dew, amongst rude burrs and thistles?

[91]

Perhaps som cold bank is her boulster now

Or 'gainst the rugged bark of som broad Elm

Leans her unpillow'd head fraught with sad fears.

What if in wild amazement, and affright,

Or while we speak within the direfull grasp

Of Savage hunger, or of Savage heat?

Eld. Bro.

Peace Brother, be not over-exquisite

To cast the fashion of uncertain evils;

For grant they be so, while they rest unknown,

What need a man forestall his date of grief,

And run to meet what he would most avoid?

Or if they be but false alarms of Fear,

How bitter is such self-delusion?

I do not think my sister so to seek,

Or so unprincipl'd in vertues book,

And the sweet peace that goodnes boosoms ever,

As that the single want of light and noise

(Not being in danger, as I trust she is not)

Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts,

And put them into mis-becoming plight.

Vertue could see to do what vertue would

By her own radiant light, though Sun and Moon

Were in the flat Sea sunk. And Wisdoms self

Oft seeks to sweet retired Solitude,

[92]

Where with her best nurse Contemplation

She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings

That in the various bussle of resort

Were all to ruffl'd, and somtimes impair'd.

He that has light within his own cleer brest

May sit i'th center, and enjoy bright day,

But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts

Benighted walks under the mid-day Sun;

Himself is his own dungeon.

2. Bro.

Tis most true

That musing meditation most affects

The Pensive secrecy of desert cell,

Far from the cheerfull haunt of men, and herds,

And sits as safe as in a Senat house,

For who would rob a Hermit of his Weeds,

His few Books, or his Beads, or Maple Dish,

Or do his gray hairs any violence?

But beauty like the fair Hesperian Tree

Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard

Of dragon watch with uninchanted eye,

To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit

From rash hand of bold Incontinence.

You may as well spred out the unsun'd heaps

Of Misers treasure by an out-laws den,

[93]

And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope

Danger will wink on Opportunity,

And let a single helpless maiden pass

Uninjur'd in this wilde surrounding wast.

Of night, or lonelines it recks me not,

I fear the dred events that dog them both,

Lest som ill greeting touch attempt the person

Of our unowned sister.

Eld. Bro.

I do not, brother,

Inferr, as if I thought my sisters state

Secure without all doubt, or controversie:

Yet where an equall poise of hope and fear

Does arbitrate th'event, my nature is

That I encline to hope, rather then fear,

And gladly banish squint suspicion.

My sister is not so defenceless left

As you imagine, she has a hidden strength

Which you remember not.

2. Bro.

What hidden strength,

Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that?

Eld. Bro.

I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength

Which if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own:

'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity:

She that has that, is clad in compleat steel,

[94]

And like a quiver'd Nymph with Arrows keen

May trace huge Forests, and unharbour'd Heaths,

Infamous Hills, and sandy perilous wildes,

Where through the sacred rayes of Chastity,

No savage fierce, Bandite, or mountaneer

Will dare to soyl her Virgin purity,

Yea there, where very desolation dwels

By grots, and caverns shag'd with horrid shades,

She may pass on with unblench't majesty,

Be it not don in pride, or in presumption.

Som say no evil thing that walks by night

In fog, or fire, by lake, or moorish fen,

Blew meager Hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost,

That breaks his magick chains at curfeu time,

No goblin, or swart Faëry of the mine.

Hath hurtfull power o're true virginity.

Do ye beleeve me yet, or shall I call

Antiquity from the old Schools of Greece

To testifie the arms of Chastity?

Hence had the huntress Dian her dred bow

Fair silver-shafted Queen for ever chaste,

Wherwith she tam'd the brinded lioness

And spotted mountain pard, but set at nought

The frivolous bolt of Cupid, gods and men

[95]

Fear'd her stern frown, and she was queen oth' Woods.

What was that snaky-headed Gorgon sheild

That wise Minerva wore, unconquer'd Virgin,

Wherwith she freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone?

But rigid looks of Chast austerity,

And noble grace that dash't brute violence

With sudden adoration, and blank aw.

So dear to Heav'n is Saintly chastity,

That when a soul is found sincerely so,

A thousand liveried Angels lacky her,

Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt,

And in cleer dream, and solemn vision

Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear,

Till oft convers with heav'nly habitants

Begin to cast a beam on th'outward shape,

The unpolluted temple of the mind,

And turns it by degrees to the souls essence,

Till all be made immortal: but when lust

By unchaste looks, loose gestures, and foul talk,

But most by leud and lavish act of sin,

Lets in defilement to the inward parts,

The soul grows clotted by contagion,

Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite loose

The divine property of her first being.

[96]

Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp

Oft seen in Charnell vaults, and Sepulchers

Lingering, and sitting by a new made grave,

As loath to leave the Body that it lov'd,

And link't it self by carnal sensualty

To a degenerate and degraded state.

2. Bro.

How charming is divine Philosophy!

Not harsh, and crabbed as dull fools suppose,

But musical as is Apollo's lute,

And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets,

Where no crude surfet raigns.

Eld. Bro.

List, List, I hear

Som far off hallow break the silent Air.

2. Bro.

Me thought so too; what should it be?

Eld. Bro.

For certain

Either som one like us night-founder'd here,

Or els som neighbour Wood-man, or at worst,

Som roaving Robber calling to his fellows.

2. Bro.

Heav'n keep my sister, agen agen and neer,

Best draw, and stand upon our guard.

Eld. Bro.

Ile hallow,

If he be friendly he comes well, if not,

Defence is a good cause, and Heav'n be for us.

[97]

The attendant Spirit habited like a Shepherd.

Eld. Bro.

That hallow I should know, what are you? speak;

Com not too neer, you fall on iron stakes else.

Spir.

What voice is that, my young Lord? speak agen.

2. Bro.

O brother, 'tis my father Shepherd sure.

Eld. Bro.

Thyrsis? Whose artful strains have oft delaid

The huddling brook to hear his madrigal,

And sweeten'd every muskrose of the dale,

How cam'st thou here good Swain? hath any Ram

Slipt from the fold, or young Kid lost his dam,

Or straggling weather the pen't flock forsook?

How couldst thou find this dark sequester'd nook?

Spir.

O my lov'd masters heir, and his next joy,

I came not here on such a trivial toy

As a stray'd Ewe, or to pursue the stealth

Of pilfering Woolf, not all the fleecy wealth

That doth enrich these Downs, is worth a thought

To this my errand, and the care it brought.

But O my Virgin Lady, where is she?

How chance she is not in your company?

Eld. Bro.

To tell thee sadly Shepherd, without blame,

Or our neglect, we lost her as we came.

Spir.

Ay me unhappy then my fears are true.

[98]

Eld. Bro.

What fears good Thyrsis? Prethee briefly shew.

Spir.

Ile tell ye, 'tis not vain, or fabulous,

(Though so esteem'd by shallow ignorance)

What the sage Poëts taught by th'heav'nly Muse,

Storied of old in high immortal vers

Of dire Chimera's and inchanted Iles,

And rifted Rocks whose entrance leads to hell,

For such there be, but unbelief is blind.

Within the navil of this hideous Wood,

Immur'd in cypress shades a Sorcerer dwels

Of Bacchus, and of Circe born, great Comus,

Deep skill'd in all his mothers witcheries,

And here to every thirsty wanderer,

By sly enticement gives his banefull cup,

With many murmurs mixt, whose pleasing poison

The visage quite transforms of him that drinks,

And the inglorious likenes of a beast

Fixes instead, unmoulding reasons mintage

Character'd in the face; this have I learn't

Tending my flocks hard by i'th hilly crofts,

That brow this bottom glade, whence night by night

He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl

Like stabl'd wolves, or tigers at their prey,

Doing abhorred rites to Hecate

[99]

In their obscured haunts of inmost bowres,

Yet have they many baits, and guilefull spells

To inveigle and invite th'unwary sense

Of them that pass unweeting by the way.

This evening late by then the chewing flocks

Had ta'n their supper on the savoury Herb

Of Knot-grass dew-besprent, and were in fold,

I sate me down to watch upon a bank

With Ivy canopied, and interwove

With flaunting Hony-suckle, and began

Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy

To meditate upon my rural minstrelsie,

Till fancy had her fill, but ere a close

The wonted roar was up amidst the Woods,

And fill'd the Air with barbarous dissonance,

At which I ceas't, and listen'd them a while,

Till an unusual stop of sudden silence

Gave respit to the drowsie frighted steeds

That draw the litter of close-curtain'd sleep,

At last a soft and solemn breathing sound

Rose like a steam of rich distill'd Perfumes,

And stole upon the Air, that even Silence

Was took e're she was ware, and wish't she might

Deny her nature, and be never more

[100]

Still to be so displac't. I was all eare,

And took in strains that might create a soul

Under the ribs of Death, but O ere long

Too well I did perceive it was the voice

Of my most honour'd Lady, your dear sister.

Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear,

And O poor hapless Nightingale thought I,

How sweet thou sing'st, how neer the deadly snare!

Then down the Lawns I ran with headlong hast

Through paths, and turnings oft'n trod by day,

Till guided by mine ear I found the place

Where that damn'd wisard hid in sly disguise

(For so by certain signes I knew) had met

Already, ere my best speed could prævent,

The aidless innocent Lady his wish't prey,

Who gently ask't if he had seen such two,

Supposing him som neighbour villager;

Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess't

Ye were the two she mean't, with that I sprung

Into swift flight, till I had found you here,

But furder know I not.

2. Bro.

O night and shades,

How are ye joyn'd with hell in triple knot

Against th'unarmed weakness of one Virgin

Alone, and helpless! Is this the confidence

[101]

You gave me Brother?

Eld. Bro.

Yes, and keep it still,

Lean on it safely, not a period

Shall be unsaid for me: against the threats

Of malice or of sorcery, or that power

Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm,

Vertue may be assail'd, but never hurt,

Surpriz'd by unjust force, but not enthrall'd,

Yea even that which mischief meant most harm,

Shall in the happy trial prove most glory.

But evil on it self shall back recoyl,

And mix no more with goodness, when at last

Gather'd like scum, and setl'd to it self

It shall be in eternal restless change

Self-fed, and self-consum'd, if this fail,

The pillar'd firmament is rott'nness,

And earths base built on stubble. But com let's on.

Against th'opposing will and arm of Heav'n

May never this just sword be lifted up,

But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt

With all the greisly legions that troop

Under the sooty flag of Acheron,

Harpyies and Hydra's, or all the monstrous forms

'Twixt Africa, and Inde, Ile find him out,

And force him to restore his purchase back,

[102]

Or drag him by the curls, to a foul death,

Curs'd as his life.

Spir.

Alas good ventrous youth,

I love thy courage yet, and bold Emprise,

But here thy sword can do thee little stead,

Farr other arms, and other weapons must

Be those that quell the might of hellish charms,

He with his bare wand can unthred thy joynts,

And crumble all thy sinews.

Eld. Bro.

Why prethee Shepherd

How durst thou then thy self approach so neer

As to make this relation?

Spir.

Care and utmost shifts

How to secure the Lady from surprisal,

Brought to my mind a certain Shepherd Lad

Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd

In every vertuous plant and healing herb

That spreds her verdant leaf to th'morning ray,

He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me sing,

Which when I did, he on the tender grass

Would sit, and hearken even to extasie,

And in requitall ope his leather'n scrip,

And shew me simples of a thousand names

Telling their strange and vigorous faculties;

[103]

Amongst the rest a small unsightly root,

But of divine effect, he cull'd me out;

The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,

But in another Countrey, as he said,

Bore a bright golden flowre, but not in this soyl:

Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swayn

Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon,

And yet more med'cinal is it then that Moly

That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave;

He call'd it Hæmony, and gave it to me,

And bad me keep it as of sov'ran use

'Gainst all inchantments, mildew blast, or damp

Or gastly furies apparition;

I purs't it up, but little reck'ning made,

Till now that this extremity compell'd,

But now I find it true; for by this means

I knew the foul inchanter though disguis'd,

Enter'd the very lime-twigs of his spells,

And yet came off: if you have this about you

(As I will give you when we go) you may

Boldly assault the necromancers hall;

Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood,

And brandish't blade rush on him, break his glass,

And shed the lushious liquor on the ground,

[104]

But sease his wand, though he and his curst crew

Feirce signe of battail make, and menace high,

Or like the sons of Vulcan vomit smoak,

Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink.

Eld. Bro.

Thyrsis lead on apace, Ile follow thee,

And som good angel bear a sheild before us.

The Scene changes to a stately Palace, set out with all manner of deliciousness: soft Musick, Tables spred with all dainties. Comus appears with his rabble, and the Lady set in an inchanted Chair, to whom he offers his Glass; which she puts by, and goes about to rise.

Comus

Nay Lady sit; if I but wave this wand,

Your nervs are all chain'd up in Alablaster,

And you a statue; or as Daphne was

Root-bound, that fled Apollo.

La.

Fool do not boast,

Thou canst not touch the freedom of my minde

With all thy charms, although this corporal rinde

Thou haste immanacl'd, while Heav'n sees good.

Co.

Why are you vext Lady? why do you frown?

Here dwel no frowns, nor anger, from these gates

Sorrow flies farr: See here be all the pleasures

That fancy can beget on youthfull thoughts,

[105]

When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns

Brisk as the April buds in Primrose-season.

And first behold this cordial Julep here

That flames, and dances in his crystal bounds

With spirits of balm, and fragrant Syrops mixt.

Not that Nepenthes which the wife of Thone,

In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena

Is of such power to stir up joy as this,

To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst.

Why should you be so cruel to your self,

And to those dainty limms which nature lent

For gentle usage, and soft delicacy?

But you invert the cov'nants of her trust,

And harshly deal like an ill borrower

With that which you receiv'd on other terms,

Scorning the unexempt condition

By which all mortal frailty must subsist,

Refreshment after toil, ease after pain,

That have been tir'd all day without repast,

And timely rest have wanted, but fair Virgin

This will restore all soon.

La.

'Twill not false traitor,

'Twill not restore the truth and honesty

That thou hast banish't from thy tongue with lies

[106]

Was this the cottage, and the safe abode

Thou told'st me of? What grim aspects are these,

These oughly-headed Monsters? Mercy guard me!

Hence with thy brew'd inchantments, foul deceiver,

Hast thou betrai'd my credulous innocence

With visor'd falshood, and base forgery,

And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here

With lickerish baits fit to ensnare a brute?

Were it a draft for Juno when she banquets,

I would not taste thy treasonous offer; none

But such as are good men can give good things,

And that which is not good, is not delicious

To a wel-govern'd and wise appetite.

Co.

O foolishnes of men! that lend their ears

To those budge Doctors of the Stoick Furr,

And fetch their precepts from the Cynick Tub,

Praising the lean and sallow Abstinence.

Wherefore did Nature powre her bounties forth,

With such a full and unwithdrawing hand,

Covering the earth with odours, fruits, and flocks,

Thronging the Seas with spawn innumerable,

But all to please, and sate the curious taste?

And set to work millions of spinning Worms,

That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair'd silk

[107]

To deck her Sons, and that no corner might

Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loyns

She hutch't th'all-worshipt ore, and precious gems

To store her children with; if all the world

Should in a pet of temperance feed on Pulse,

Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but Freize,

Th'all-giver would be unthank't, would be unprais'd

Not half his riches known, and yet despis'd,

And we should serve him as a grudging master,

As a penurious niggard of his wealth,

And live like Natures bastards, not her sons,

Who would be quite surcharg'd with her own weight,

And strangl'd with her waste fertility;

Th'earth cumber'd, and the wing'd air dark't with plumes,

The herds would over-multitude their Lords,

The Sea o'refraught would swell, & th'unsought diamonds

Would so emblaze the forhead of the Deep,

And so bestudd with Stars, that they below

Would grow inur'd to light, and com at last

To gaze upon the Sun with shameless brows.

List Lady be not coy, and be not cosen'd

With that same vaunted name Virginity,

Beauty is natures coyn, must not be hoorded,

But must be currant, and the good thereof

[108]

Consists in mutual and partak'n bliss,

Unsavoury in th'injoyment of it self

If you let slip time, like a neglected rose

It withers on the stalk with languish't head.

Beauty is natures brag, and must be shown

In courts, and feasts, and high solemnities

Where most may wonder at the workmanship;

It is for homely features to keep home,

They had their name thence; course complexions

And cheeks of sorry grain will serve to ply

The sampler, and to teize the huswifes wooll.

What need a vermeil-tinctur'd lip for that

Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the Morn?

There was another meaning in these gifts,

Think what, and be adviz'd, you are but young yet.

La.

I had not thought to have unlockt my lips

In this unhallow'd air, but that this Jugler

Would think to charm my judgement, as mine eyes

Obtruding false rules pranckt in reasons garb.

I hate when vice can bolt her arguments,

And vertue has no tongue to check her pride:

Impostor do not charge most innocent nature,

As if she would her children should be riotous

With her abundance, she good cateress

[109]

Means her provision onely to the good

That live according to her sober laws,

And holy dictate of spare Temperance:

If every just man that now pines with want

Had but a moderate and beseeming share

Of that which lewdly-pamper'd Luxury

Now heaps upon som few with vast excess,

Natures full blessings would be well dispenc't

In unsuperfluous eeven proportion,

And she no whit encomber'd with her store,

And then the giver would be better thank't,

His praise due paid, for swinish gluttony

Ne're looks to Heav'n amidst his gorgeous feast,

But with besotted base ingratitude

Cramms, and blasphemes his feeder. Shall I go on?

Or have I said anough? To him that dares

Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words

Against the Sun-clad power of Chastity,

Fain would I somthing say, yet to what end?

Thou hast nor Eare, nor Soul to apprehend

The sublime notion, and high mystery

That must be utter'd to unfold the sage

And serious doctrine of Virginity,

And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know

[110]

More happines then this thy present lot.

Enjoy your deer Wit, and gay Rhetorick

That hath so well been taught her dazling fence,

Thou art not fit to hear thy self convinc't;

Yet should I try, the uncontrouled worth

Of this pure cause would kindle my rap't spirits

To such a flame of sacred vehemence,

That dumb things would be mov'd to sympathize,

And the brute Earth would lend her nerves, and shake,

Till all thy magick structures rear'd so high,

Were shatter'd into heaps o're thy false head.

Co.

She fables not, I feel that I do fear

Her words set off som superior power;

And though not mortal, yet a cold shuddring dew

Dips me all o're, as when the wrath of Jove

Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus

To som of Saturns crew. I must dissemble,

And try her yet more strongly. Com, no more,

This is meer moral babble, and direct

Against the canon laws of our foundation;

I must not suffer this, yet 'tis but the lees

And setlings of a melancholy blood;

But this will cure all streight, one sip of this

Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight

Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste.—

[111]

The Brothers rush in with Swords drawn, wrest his Glass out of his hand, and break it against the ground; his rout make signe of resistance, but are all driven in; The attendant Spirit comes in.

Spir.

What, have you let the false enchanter scape?

O ye mistook, ye should have snatcht his wand

And bound him fast; without his rod revers't,

And backward mutters of dissevering power,

We cannot free the Lady that sits here

In stony fetters fixt, and motionless;

Yet stay, be not disturb'd, now I bethink me,

Som other means I have which may be us'd,

Which once of Melibœus old I learnt

The soothest Shepherd that ere pip't on plains.

There is a gentle Nymph not farr from hence,

That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream,

Sabrina is her name, a Virgin pure,

Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine,

That had the Scepter from his Father Brute.

She guiltless damsell flying the mad pursuit

Of her enraged stepdam Guendolen,

Commended her fair innocence to the flood

That stay'd her flight with his cross-flowing course,

[112]

The water Nymphs that in the bottom plaid,

Held up their pearled wrists and took her in,

Bearing her straight to aged Nereus Hall,

Who piteous of her woes, rear'd her lank head,

And gave her to his daughters to imbathe

In nectar'd lavers strew'd with Asphodil,

And through the porch and inlet of each sense

Dropt in Ambrosial Oils till she reviv'd,

And underwent a quick immortal change

Made Goddess of the River; still she retains

Her maid'n gentlenes, and oft at Eeve

Visits the herds along the twilight meadows,

Helping all urchin blasts, and ill luck signes

That the shrewd medling Elfe delights to make,

Which she with pretious viold liquors heals.

For which the Shepherds at their festivals

Carrol her goodnes lowd in rustick layes,

And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream

Of pancies, pinks, and gaudy Daffadils.

And, as the old Swain said, she can unlock

The clasping charm, and thaw the numming spell,

If she be right invok't in warbled Song,

For maid'nhood she loves, and will be swift

To aid a Virgin, such as was her self

[113]

In hard besetting need, this will I try

And adde the power of som adjuring verse.

SONG.

Sabrina fair

Listen where thou art sitting

Under the glassie, cool, translucent wave,

In twisted braids of Lillies knitting

The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair,

Listen for dear honours sake,

Goddess of the silver lake,

Listen and save.

Listen and appear to us

In name of great Oceanus,

By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace,

And Tethys grave majestick pace,

By hoary Nereus wrincled look,

And the Carpathian wisards hook,

By scaly Tritons winding shell,

And old sooth-saying Glaucus spell,

By Leucothea's lovely hands,

And her son that rules the strands,

By Thetis tinsel-slipper'd feet,

And the Songs of Sirens sweet,

[114]

By dead Parthenope's dear tomb,

And fair Ligea's golden comb,

Wherwith she sits on diamond rocks

Sleeking her soft alluring locks,

By all the Nymphs that nightly dance

Upon thy streams with wily glance,

Rise, rise, and heave thy rosie head

From thy coral-pav'n bed,

And bridle in thy headlong wave,

Till thou our summons answer'd have.

Listen and save.

Sabrina rises, attended by water-Nymphes, and sings.

By the rushy-fringed bank,

Where grows the Willow and the Osier dank,

My sliding Chariot stayes,

Thick set with Agat, and the azurn sheen

Of Turkis blew, and Emrauld green

That in the channell strayes,

Whilst from off the waters fleet

Thus I set my printless feet

O're the Cowslips Velvet head,

That bends not as I tread,

Gentle swain at thy request

I am here.

[115]

Spir.

Goddess dear

We implore thy powerful hand

To undoe the charmed band

Of true Virgin here distrest,

Through the force, and through the wile

Of unblest inchanter vile.

Sab.

Shepherd 'tis my office best

To help insnared chastity;

Brightest Lady look on me,

Thus I sprinkle on thy brest

Drops that from my fountain pure,

I have kept of pretious cure,

Thrice upon thy fingers tip,

Thrice upon thy rubied lip,

Next this marble venom'd seat

Smear'd with gumms of glutenous heat

I touch with chaste palms moist and cold,

Now the spell hath lost his hold;

And I must haste ere morning hour

To wait in Amphitrite's bowr.

Sabrina descends, and the Lady rises out of her seat.

Spir.

Virgin, daughter of Locrine

Sprung of old Anchises line,

[116]

May thy brimmed waves for this

Their full tribute never miss

From a thousand petty rills,

That tumble down the snowy hills:

Summer drouth, or singed air

Never scorch thy tresses fair,

Nor wet Octobers torrent flood

Thy molten crystal fill with mudd,

May thy billows rowl ashoar

The beryl, and the golden ore,

May thy lofty head be crown'd

With many a tower and terrass round,

And here and there thy banks upon

With Groves of myrrhe, and cinnamon.

Com Lady while Heaven lends us grace,

Let us fly this cursed place,

Lest the Sorcerer us intice

With som other new device.

Not a waste, or needless sound

Till we com to holier ground,

I shall be your faithfull guide

Through this gloomy covert wide,

And not many furlongs thence

Is your Fathers residence,

[117]

Where this night are met in state

Many a friend to gratulate

His wish't presence, and beside

All the Swains that there abide,

With Jiggs, and rural dance resort,

We shall catch them at their sport,

And our sudden coming there

Will double all their mirth and chere;

Com let us haste, the Stars grow high,

But night sits monarch yet in the mid sky.

The Scene changes, presenting Ludlow Town andthe Presidents Castle, then com in Countrey-Dancers, after them the attendant Spirit, with the two Brothers and the Lady.

Spir.

SONG

Back Shepherds, back, anough your play,

Till next Sun-shine holiday,

Here be without duck or nod

Other trippings to be trod

Of lighter toes, and such Court guise

As Mercury did first devise

With the mincing Dryades

On the Lawns, and on the Leas.

[118]

This second Song presents them to their father and mother.

Noble Lord, and Lady bright,

I have brought ye new delight,

Here behold so goodly grown

Three fair branches of your own,

Heav'n hath timely tri'd their youth,

Their faith, their patience, and their truth.

And sent them here through hard assays

With a crown of deathless Praise,

To triumph in victorious dance

O're sensual Folly, and Intemperance.

The dances ended, the Spirit Epiloguizes.

Spir.

To the Ocean now I fly,

And those happy climes that ly

Where day never shuts his eye,

Up in the broad fields of the sky:

There I suck the liquid ayr

All amidst the Gardens fair

Of Hesperus, and his daughters three

That sing about the golden tree:

Along the crisped shades and bowres

Revels the spruce and jocond Spring,

[119]

The Graces, and the rosie-boosom'd Howres,

Thither all their bounties bring,

That there eternal Summer dwels,

And West winds, with musky wing

About the cedar'n alleys fling

Nard, and Cassia's balmy smels.

Iris there with humid bow,

Waters the odorous banks that blow

Flowers of more mingled hew

Then her purfl'd scarf can shew,

And drenches with Elysian dew

(List mortals if your ears be true)

Beds of Hyacinth, and roses

Where young Adonis oft reposes,

Waxing well of his deep wound

In slumber soft, and on the ground

Sadly sits th' Assyrian Queen;

But far above in spangled sheen

Celestial Cupid her fam'd Son advanc't,

Holds his dear Psyche sweet intranc't

After her wandring labours long,

Till free consent the gods among

Make her his eternal Bride,

And from her fair unspotted side

[120]

Two blissful twins are to be born,

Youth and Joy; so Jove hath sworn.

But now my task is smoothly don,

I can fly, or I can run

Quickly to the green earths end,

Where the bow'd welkin slow doth bend,

And from thence can soar as soon

To the corners of the Moon.

Mortals that would follow me,

Love vertue, she alone is free,

She can teach ye how to clime

Higher then the Spheary chime;

Or if Vertue feeble were,

Heav'n it self would stoop to her.

The End.

3.

Joannis Miltoni LONDINENSIS

POEMATA.

Quorum pleraque intra Annum ætatis Vigesimum Conscripsit.

Nunc primum Edita.

LONDINI, Typis R.R. Prostant ad Insignia Principis, in Cœmeteria D. Pauli, apud Humphredum Moseley. 1645.

[3]

Hæc quæ sequuntur de Autho⯑re testimonia, tametsi ipse intelligebat non tam de se quàm supra se esse dicta, eò quòd præclaro ingenio viri, nec non amici ita fere solent laudare, ut omnia suis potius virtutibus, quàm veritati congruentia nimis cupidé affingant, no⯑luit tamen horum egregiam in se volun⯑tatem non esse notam; Cum alii præser⯑tim ut id faceret magnopere suade⯑rent. Dum enim nimiæ laudis invidiam totis ab se viribus amolitur, sibique quod plus æquo est non attributum esse mavult, ju⯑dicium interim hominum cordatorum at⯑que illustrium quin summo sibi honori ducat, negare non potest.

[4]

Joannes Baptista Mansus, Marchio Villensis Neopolitanus ad Joannem Miltonium Anglum.

VT mens, forma, decor, facies, mos, si pietas sic,

Non Anglus, verùm herclè Angelus ipse fores.

Ad Joannem Miltonem Anglum tri⯑plici poeseos laureâ coronandum Græcâ nimi⯑rum, Latinâ, atque Hetruscâ, Epi⯑gramma Joannis salsilli Romani.

Cede Meles, cedat depressa Mincius urna;

Sebetus Tassum definat usque loqui;

At Thamesis victor cunctis ferat altior undas,

Nam per te Milto par tribus unus erit.

Ad Joannem Miltonum.

Græcia Mæonidem, jactet sibi Roma Maronem,

Anglia Miltonum jactat utrique parem.

Selvaggi.

[5]

Al Signor Gio. Miltoni Nobile Inglese. ODE.

ERgimi all' Etra ò Clio

Perche di stelle intreccierò corona

Non più del Biondo Dio

La Fronde eterna in Pindo, e in Elicona,

Diensi a merto maggiori i fregi,

A'celeste virtù celesti pregi.

Non puo del tempo edace

Rimaner preda, eterno alto valore

Non può l'oblio rapace

Furar dalle memorie eccelso onore,

Su l'arco di mia cetra un dardo forte

Virtù m'addatti, e ferirò la morte.

Del Ocean profondo

Cinta dagli ampi gorghi Anglia risiede

Separata dal mondo,

Però che il suo valor l'umano eccede:

Questa feconda sà produrre Eroi,

Ch'hanno a ragion del sovruman tra noi.

[6]

Alla virtu sbandita

Danno ne i petti lor fido ricetto,

Quella gli e sol gradita,

Perche in lei san trovar gioia, e diletto;

Ridillo tu, Giovanni, e mostra in tanto

Con tua vera virtu, vero il mio Canta.

Lungi dal Patrio lido

Spinse Zeusi l'industre ardente brama;

Ch'udio d'Helena il grido

Con aurea tromba rimbombar la fama,

E per poterla effigiare al paro

Dalle piu belle Idee trasse il priu raro.

Cosi l'Ape Ingegnosa

Trae con industria il suo liquor pregiato

Dal giglio e dalla rosa,

E quanti vaghi fiori ornano il prato;

Formano un dolce suon diverse Chorde,

Fan varie voci melodia concorde.

Di bella gloria amante

Milton dal Ciel natio per varie parti [7]

Le peregrine piante

Volgesti a ricercar scienze, ed arti;

Del Gallo regnator vedesti i Regni,

E dell'Italia ancor gl'Eroi piu degni.

Fabro quasi divino

Sol virtu rintracciando il tuo pensiero

Vide in ogni confino

Chi di nobil valor calca il sentiero;

L'ottima dal miglior dopo scegliea

Per fabbricar d'ogni virtu l'Idea.

Quanti nacquero in Flora

O in lei parlar Tosco appreser l'arte,

La cui memoria onora

Il mondo fatta eterna in dotte carte,

Volesti ricercar per tuo tesoro,

E parlasti con lor nell' opre loro.

Nell' altera Babelle

Per te il parlar confuse Giove in vano,

Che per varie favelle

Di se stessa trofeo cadde súl piano: [8]

Ch'Ode oltr' all Anglia il suo piu degno Idioma

Spagna, Francia, Toscana, e Grecia e Roma.

I piu profondi arcani

Ch' occulta la natura e in cielo e in terra

Ch' a Ingegni sovrumani

Troppo avara tal' hor gli chiude, e serra,

Chiaramente conosci, e giungi al fine

Della moral virtude al gran confine.

Non batta il Tempo l'ale,

Fermisi immoto, e in un fermin si gl' anni,

Che di virtu immortale

Scorron di troppo ingiuriosi a i danni;

Che s'opre degne di Poema e storia

Furon gia, l'hai presenti alla memoria.

Dammi tua dolce Cetra

Se vuoi ch'io dica del tuo dolce canto,

Ch' inalzandoti all' Etra

Di farti huomo ce'este ottiene il vanto,

Il Tamigi il dira che gl' e concesso

Per te suo cigno pareggiar Permesso.

[9]

I o che in riva del Arno

Tento spiegar tuo merto alto, e preclaro

So che fatico indarno,

E ad ammirar, non a lodarlo imparo;

Freno dunque la lingua, e ascolto il core

Che ti prende a lodar con lo stupore.

Del fig. Antonio Francini gentilhuomo Fiorentino.

[10]

JOANNI MILTONI LONDINENSI.

Juveni Patria, virtutibus eximio,

Viro qui multa peregrinatione, studio cuncta, orbis terrarum loca perspexit, ut novus Ulysses omnia ubique ab omnibus apprehenderet.

Polyglotto, in cujus ore linguæ jam deperditæ sic revi- viseunt, ut idiomata omnia sint in ejus laudibus infacunda; Et jure ea percallet ut admirationes &c plausus populorum ab propria sapientia excitatos, intelligat.

Illi, cujus animi dotes corporisque, sensus ad admirationem com⯑movent, &c per ipsam motum cuique auferunt; cujus opera ad plausus hortantur, sed venustate vocem laudatoribus adimunt.

Cui in Memoria totus Orbis: In Intellectu Sapientia: In volun⯑tate ardor gloriæ: In ore Eloquentia: Harmonicos cœletium Sphæ⯑rarum sonitus Astronomia Duce audienti; Characteres mirabilium naturæ per quos Dei magnitudo describitur magistra Philosophia le⯑genti; Antiquitatum latebras, vetustatis excidia, eruditionis am⯑bages comite assidua autorum Lectione.

Exquirenti, restauranti, percurrenti.

At cur nitor in arduum?

Illi in cujus virtutibus evulgandis ora Famæ non sufficiant, nec hominum stupor in laudandis satis est. Reverentiæ &c amoris ergo hac ejus meretis debitum admirationis tribitum offert Carolus Datus Patricius Florentinus.

Tanto homini servus, tantæ virtutis amator.

[11]

ELEGIARUM Liber Primus.

1. Elegia prima ad Carolum Diodatum.

Elegia prima ad Carolum Diodatum.

TAndem, chare, tuæ mihi pervenere tabellæ,

Pertulit & voces nuncia charta tuas,

Pertulit occiduâ Devæ Cestrensis ab orâ

Vergivium prono quà petit amne salum.

Multùm crede juvat terras aluisse remotas

Pectus amans nostri, tamque fidele caput,

Quòdque mihi lepidum tellus longinqua sodalem

Debet, at unde brevi reddere jussa velit.

Me tenet urbs refluâquam Thamesis alluit undâ,

Meque nec invitum patria dulcis habet.

Jam nec arundiferum mihi cura revisere Camum,

Nec dudum vetiti me laris angit amor.

Nuda nec arva placent, umbrasque negantia molles,

Quàm male Phœbicolis convenit ille locus!

Nec duri libet usque minas perferre magistri

Cæteraque ingenio non subeunda meo,[12]

Si sit hoc exilium patrios adiisse penates,

Et vacuum curis otia grata sequi,

Non ego vel profugi nomen, fortemve recuso,

Lætus & exilii conditione fruor.

O utinam vates nunquam graviora tulisset

Ille Tomitano flebilis exul agro,

Non tunc Jonio quicquam cessisset Homero

Neve foret victo laus tibi prima Maro.

Tempora nam licet hic placidis dare libera Musis,

Et totum rapiunt me mea vita libri.

Excipit hinc fessum sinuosi pompa theatri,

Et vocat ad plausus garrula scena suos.

Seu catus auditor senior, seu prodigus hæres.

Seu procus, aut prositâ casside miles adest,

Sive decennali fœcundus lite patronus

Detonat inculto barbara verba foro,

Sæpe vafer gnato succurrit servus amanti,

Et nasum rigidi fallit ubique Patris;

Sæpe novos illic virgo mirata calores

Quid sit amor nescit, dum quoque nescit, amat.

Sive cruentatum furiosa Tragœdia sceptrum

Quassat, & effusis crinibus ora rotat, **

Et dolet, & specto, juvat & spectasse dolendo, **

Interdum & lacrymis dulcis amaror inest: [13]

Seu puer infelix indelibata reliquit

Gaudia, & abrupto flendus amore cadit,

Seu ferus e tenebris iterat Styga criminis ultor

Conscia funereo pectora torre movens,

Seu mæret Pelopeia domus, seu nobilis Ili,

Aut luit incestos aula Creontis avos.

Sed neque sub tecto semper nec in urbe latemus,

Irrita nec nobis tempora veris eunt.

Nos quoque lucus habet vicinâ consitus ulmo

Atque suburbani nobilis umbra loci.

Sæpius hic blandas spirantia sydera flammas

Virgineos videas præteriisse choros.

Ah quoties dignæ stupui miracula formæ

Quæ posset senium vel reparare Iovis;

Ah quoties vidi superantia lumina gemmas,

Atque faces quotquot volvit uterque polus;

Collaque bis vivi Pelopis quæ brachia vincant,

Quæque fluit puro nectare tincta via,

Et decus eximium frontis, tremulosque capillos,

Aurea quæ fallax retia tendit Amor.

Pellacesque genas, ad quas hyacinthina fordet

Purpura, & ipse tui floris, Adoni, rubor.

Cedite laudatæ toties Heroides olim,

Et quæ cunque vagum cepit amica Jovem. [14]

Cedite Achæmeniæ turritâ fronte puellæ,

Et quot Susa colunt, Memnoniamque Ninon.

Vos etiam Danaæ fasces submittite Nymphæ,

Et vos Iliacæ, Romuleæque nurus.

Nec Pompeianas Tarpeïa Musa columnas

Jactet, & Ausoniis plena theatra stolis.

Gloria Virginibus debetur prima Britannis,

Extera sat tibi sit fœmina posse sequi.

Tuque urbs Dardaniis Londinum structa colonis

Turrigerum latè conspicienda caput,

Tu nimium felix intra tua mœnia claudis

Quicquid formosi pendulus orbis habet.

Non tibi tot cælo scintillant astra sereno

Endymioneæ turba ministra deæ,

Quot tibi conspicuæ formáque auróque puellæ

Per medias radiant turba videnda vias,

Creditur huc geminis venisse invecta columbis

Alma pharetrigero milite cincta Venus,

Huic Cnidon, & riguas Simoentis flumine valles,

Huic Paphon, & roseam posthabitura Cypron.

Ast ego, dum pueri finit indulgentia cæci,

Mœnia quàm subitò linquere fausta paro;

Et vitare procul malefidæ infamia Circes

Atria, divini Molyos usus ope. [15]

Stat quoque juncosas Cami remeare paludes,

Atque iterum raucæ murmur adire Scholæ.

Interea fidi parvum cape munus amici,

Paucaque in alternos verba coacta modos.

2. Elegia Secunda, Anno ætatis 17. – In obitum Præconis Academici Cantabrigiensis.

Elegia Secunda, Anno ætatis 17.

In obitum Præconis Academici Cantabrigiensis.

TE, qui conspicuus baculo fulgente solebas

Palladium toties ore ciere gregem,

Ultima præconum præconem te quoque sæva

Mors rapit, officio nec favet ipsa suo.

Candidiora licet fuerint tibi tempora plumis

Sub quibus accipimus delituisse Jovem,

O dignus tamen Hæmonio juvenescere succo,

Dignus in æsonios vivere posse dies,

Dignus quem Stygiis medicâ revocaret ab undis

Arte Coronides, sæpe rogante dea.

Tu si jussus eras acies accire togatas,

Et celer a Phœbo nuntius ire tuo,

Talis in Iliacâ stabat Cyllenius aula

Alipes, æthereâ missus ab arce Patris. [16]

Talis & Eurybates ante ora furentis Achillei

Rettulit Afridæ jussa severa ducis.

Magna sepulchrorum regina, satelles Averni

Sæva nimis Musis, Palladi sæva nimis,

Quin illos rapias qui pondus inutile terræ,

Turba quidem est telis ista petenda tuis.

Vestibus hunc igitur pullis Academia luge,

Et madeant lachrymis nigra feretra tuis.

Fundat & ipsa modos querebunda Elegéia tristes,

Personet & totis nænia mœsta scholis.

3. Elegia tertia, Anno ætatis 17. – In obitum Præsulis Wintoniensis.

Elegia tertia, Anno ætatis 17.

In obitum Præsulis Wintoniensis.

Moestus eram, & tacitus nullo comitante sedebam,

Hærebantque animo tristia plura meo,

Protinus en subiit funestæ cladis Imago

Fecit in Angliaco quam Libitina solo;

Dum procerum ingressa est splendentes marmore turres

Dira sepulchrali mors metuenda face;

Pulsavitque auro gravidos & jaspide muros,

Nec metuit satrapum sternere falce greges.

Tunc memini clarique ducis, fratrisque verendi

Intempestivis ossa cremata rogis. [17]

Et memini Heroum quos vidit ad æthera raptos,

Flevit & amissos Belgia tota duces.

At te præcipuè luxi dignissime præsul,

Wintoniæque olim gloria magna tuæ;

Delicui fletu, & tristi sic ore querebar,

Mors fera Tartareo diva secunda Jovi,

Nonne satis quod sylva tuas persentiat iras,

Et quod in herbosos jus tibi detur agros,

Quodque afflata tuo marcescant lilia tabo,

Et crocus, & pulchræ Cypridi sacra rosa,

Nec finis ut semper fluvio contermina quercus

Miretur lapsus prætereuntis aquæ?

Et tibi succumbit liquido quæ plurima cœlo

Evehitur pennis quamlibet augur avis,

Et quæ mille nigris errant animalia sylvis,

Et quod alunt mutum Proteos antra pecus.

Invida, tanta tibi cum sit concessa potestas;

Quid juvat humanâ tingere cæde manus?

Nobileque in pectus certas acuisse sagittas,

Semideamque animam sede fugâsse suâ?

Talia dum lacrymans alto sub pectore volvo,

Roscidus occiduis Hesperus exit aquis,

Et Tartessiaco submerserat æquore currum

Phœbus, ab eöo littore mensus iter. [18]

Nec mora, membra cavo posui refovenda cubili,

Condiderant oculos noxque soporque meos.

Cum mihi visus eram lato spatiatier agro,

Heu nequit ingenium visa referre meum.

Illic puniceâ radiabant omnia luce,

Ut matutino cum juga sole rubent.

Ac veluti cum pandit opes Thaumantia proles,

Vestitu nituit multicolore solum.

Non dea tam variis ornavit floribus hortos

Alcinoi, Zephyro Chloris amata levi.

Flumina vernantes lambunt argentea campos,

Ditior Hesperio flavet arena Tago.

Serpit odoriferas per opes levis aura Favoni,

Aura sub innumeris humida nata rosis.

Talis in extremis terræ Gangetidis oris

Luciferi regis fingitur esse domus.

Ipse racemiferis dum densas vitibus umbras

Et pellucentes miror ubique locos,

Ecce mihi subito Præsul Wintonius astat,

Sydereum nitido fulfit in ore jubar; ***

Vestis ad auratos defluxit candida talos,

Infula divinum cinxerat alba caput.

Dumque senex tali incedit venerandus amictu,

Intremuit læto florea terra sono. [19]

Agmina gemmatis plaudunt cælestia pennis,

Pura triumphali personat æthra tubâ.

Quisque novum amplexu comitem cantuque salutat,

Hosque aliquis placido misit ab ore sonos;

Nate veni, & patrii felix cape gaudia regni,

Semper ab hinc duro, nate, labore vaca.

Dixit, & aligeræ tetigerunt nablia turmæ,

At mihi cum tenebris aurea pulsa quies.

Flebam turbatos Cephaleiâ pellice somnos,

Talia contingant somnia sæpe mihi.

4. Elegia quarta. Anno ætatis 18. – Ad Thomam Junium præceptorem suum, apud mercatores Anglicos Hamburgæ agentes, Pastoris munere fungentem.

Elegia quarta. Anno ætatis 18.

Ad Thomam Junium præceptorem suum, apud mercatores Anglicos Hamburgæ agentes, Pastoris munere fungentem.

Curre per immensum subito mea littera pontum,

I, pete Teutonicos læve per æquor agros,

Segnes rumpe moras, & nil, precor, obstet eunti,

Et festinantis nil remoretur iter.

Ipse ego Sicanio frænantem carcere ventos

æolon, & virides sollicitabo Deos;

Cæruleamque suis comitatam Dorida Nymphis,

Ut tibi dent placidam per sua regna viam. [20]

At tu, si poteris, celeres tibi sume jugales,

Vecta quibus Colchis fugit ab ore viri.

Aut queis Triptolemus Scythicas devenit in oras

Gratus Eleusinâ missus ab urbe puer.

Atque ubi Germanas flavere videbis arenas

Ditis ad Hamburgæ mœnia flecte gradum,

Dicitur occiso quæ ducere nomen ab Hamâ,

Cimbrica quem fertur clava dedisse neci.

Vivit ibi antiquæ clarus pietatis honore

Præsul Christicolas pascere doctus oves;

Ille quidem est animæ plusquam pars altera nostræ,

Dimidio vitæ vivere cogor ego.

Hei mihi quot pelagi, quot montes interjecti

Me faciunt aliâ parte carere mei!

Charior ille mihi quam tu doctissime Graium

Cliniadi, pronepos qui Telamonis erat.

Quámque Stagirites generoso magnus alumno,

Quem peperit Libyco Chaonis alma Jovi.

Qualis Amyntorides, qualis Philyrëius Heros

Myrmidonum regi, talis & ille mihi.

Primus ego Aonios illo præeunte recessus

Lustrabam, & bifidi sacra vireta jugi,

Pieriosque hausi latices, Clioque favente,

Castalio sparsi læta ter ora mero. [21]

Flammeus at signum ter viderat arietis Æthon,

Jnduxitque auro lanea terga novo,

Bisque novo terram sparsisti Chlori senilem

Gramine, bisque tuas abstulit Auster opes:

Necdum ejus licuit mihi lumina pascere vultu,

Aut linguæ dulces aure bibisse sonos.

Vade igitur, cursuque Eurum præverte sonorum,

Quâm sit opus monitis res docet, ipsa vides.

Invenies dulci cum conjuge forte sedentem,

Mulcentem gremio pignora chara suo,

Forsitan aut veterum prælarga volumina patrum

Versantem, aut veri biblia sacra Dei.

Cælestive animas saturantem rore tenellas,

Grande salutiferæ religionis opus.

Utque solet, multam, fit dicere cura salutem,

Dicere quam decuit, si modo adesset, herum.

Hæc quoque paulum oculos in humum defixa modestos,

Verba verecundo sis memor ore loqui:

Hæc tibi, si teneris vacat inter prælia Musis

Mittit ab Angliaco littore fida manus.

Accipe sinceram, quamvis sit sera, salutem;

Fiat & hoc ipso gratior illa tibi.

Sera quidem, sed vera fuit, quam casta recepit

Icaris a lento Penelopeia viro. [22]

Ast ego quid volui manifestum tollere crimen,

Ipse quod ex omni parte levare nequit.

Arguitur tardus meritò, noxamque fatetur,

Et pudet officium deseruisse suum.

Tu modò da veniam fasso, veniamque roganti,

Crimina diminui, quæ patuere, solent.

Non ferus in pavidos rictus diducit hiantes,

Vulnifico pronos nec rapit ungue leo.

Sæpe sarissiferi crudelia pectora Thracis

Supplicis ad mœstas delicuere preces.

Extensæque manus avertunt fulminis ictus,

Placat & iratos hostia parva Deos.

Jamque diu scripsisse tibi fuit impetus illi,

Neve moras ultra ducere passus Amor.

Nam vaga Fama refert, heu nuntia vera malorum!

In tibi finitimis bella tumere locis,

Teque tuàmque urbem truculento milite cingi,

Et jam Saxonicos arma parasse duces.

Te circum latè campos populatur Enyo,

Et sata carne virum jam cruor arva rigat.

Germanisque suum concessit Thracia Martem,

Illuc Odrysios Mars pater egit equos.

Perpetuóque comans jam deflorescit oliva,

Fugit & ærifonam Diva perosa tubam, *** [23]

Fugit io terris, & jam non ultima virgo

Creditur ad superas justa volasse domos.

Te tamen intereà belli circumsonat horror,

Vivis & ignoto solus inópsque solo;

Et, tibi quam patrii non exhibuere penates

Sede peregrinâ quæris egenus opem.

Patria dura parens, & saxis sævior albis

Spumea quæ pulsat littoris unda tui,

Siccine te decet innocuos exponere fætus,

Siccine in externam ferrea cogis humum,

Et finis ut terris quærant alimenta remotis

Quos tibi prospiciens miserat ipse Deus,

Et qui læta ferunt de cælo nuntia, quique

Quæ via post cineres ducat ad astra, docent?

Digna quidem Stygiis quæ vivas clausa tenebris,

æternâque animæ digna perire fame!

Haud aliter vates terræ Thesbitidis olim

Pressit inassueto devia tesque pede,

Desertasque Arabum salebras, dum regis Achabi

Effugit atque tuas, Sidoni dira, manus.

Talis & horrisono laceratus membra flagello,

Paulus ab æmathiâ pellitur urbe Cilix.

Piscosæque ipsum Gergessæ civis Jësum

Finibus ingratus jussit abire suis. [24]

At tu sume animos, nec spes cadat anxia curis

Nec tua concutiat decolor ossa metus.

Sis etenim quamvis fulgentibus obsitus armis,

Intentenque tibi millia tela necem,

At nullis vel inerme latus violabitur armis,

Deque tuo cuspis nulla cruore bibet.

Namque eris ipse Dei radiante sub ægide tutus,

Ille tibi custos, & pugil ille tibi;

Ille Sionææ qui tot sub mœnibus arcis

Assyrios fudit nocte silente viros;

Inque fugam vertit quos in Samaritidas oras

Misit ab antiquis prisca Damascus agris,

Terruit & densas pavido cum rege cohortes,

Aere dum vacuo buccina clara sonat,

Cornea pulvereum dum verberat ungula campum,

Currus arenosam dum quatit actus humum,

Auditurque hinnitus equorum ad bella ruentûm,

Et strepitus ferri, murmuraque alta virûm.

Et tu (quod superest miseri) sperare memento,

Et tu magnanimo pectore vince mala.

Nec dubites quandoque frui melioribus annis,

Atque iterum patrios posse videre lares.

[25]

5. Elegia quinta, Anno ætatis 20. – In adventum veris.

Elegia quinta, Anno ætatis 20.

In adventum veris.

In se perpetuo Tempus revolubile gyro

Jam revocat Zephyros vere tepente novos.

Induiturque brevem Tellus reparata juventam,

Jamque soluta gelu dulce virescit humus.

Fallor? an & nobis redeunt in carmina vires,

Ingeniumque mihi munere veris adest?

Munere veris adest, iterumque vigescit ab illo

(Quis putet) atque aliquod jam sibi poscit opus.

Castalis ante oculos, bifidumque cacumen oberrat,

Et mihi Pyrenen somnia nocte ferunt.

Concitaque arcano fervent mihi pectora motu,

Et furor, & sonitus me sacer intùs agit.

Delius ipse venit, video Penëide lauro

Implicitos crines, Delius ipse venit.

Jam mihi mens liquidi raptatur in ardua cœli,

Perque vagas nubes corpore liber eo.

Perque umbras, perque antra feror penetralia vatum,

Et mihi fana patent interiora Deûm.

Intuiturque animus toto quid agatur Olympo,

Nec fugiunt oculos Tartara cæca meos. [26]

Quid tam grande sonat distento spiritus ore?

Quid parit hæc rabies, quid sacer iste furor?

Ver mihi, quod dedit ingenium, cantabitur illo;

Profuerint isto reddita dona modo.

Jam Philomela tuos foliis adopterta novellis

Instituis modulos, dum silet omne nemus.

Urbe ego, tu sylvâ simul incipiamus utrique,

Et simul adventum veris uterque canat.

Veris io rediere vices, celebremus honores

Veris, & hoc subeat Musa quotannis opus.

Jam sol AEthiopas fugiens Tithoniaque arva,

Flectit ad Arctöas aurea lora plagas.

Est breve noctis iter, brevis est mora noctis opacæ

Horrida cum tenebris exulat illa suis.

Jamque Lycaonius plaustrum cæleste Boötes

Non longâ sequitur fessus ut ante viâ,

Nunc etiam solitas circum Jovis atria toto

Excubias agitant sydera rara polo.

Nam dolus, & cædes, & vis cum nocte recessit,

Neve Giganteum Dii timuere scelus.

Forte aliquis scopuli recubans in vertice pastor,

Roscida cum primo sole rubescit humus,

Hac, ait, hac certè caruisti nocte puellâ

Phoebe tuâ, celeres quæ retineret equos. [27]

Læta suas repetit sylvas, pharetramque resumit

Cynthia, Luciferus ut videt alta rotas,

Et tenues ponens radios gaudere videtur

Officium fieri tam breve fratris ope.

Defere, Phœbus ait, thalamos Aurora seniles,

Quid juvat effœto procubuisse toro?

Te manet Æolides viridi venator in herba,

Surge, tuos ignes altus Hymettus habet.

Flava verecundo dea crimen in ore fatetur,

Et matutinos ocyus urget equos.

Exuit invisam Tellus rediviva senectam,

Et cupit amplexus Phœbe subire tuos;

Et cupit, & digna est, quid enim formosius illâ,

Pandit ut omniferos luxuriosa sinus,

Atque Arabum spirat messes, & ab ore venusto

Mitia cum Paphiis fundit amoma rosis.

Ecce coronatur sacro frons ardua luco,

Cingit ut Idæam pinea turris Opim;

Et vario madidos intexit flore capillos,

Floribus & visa est posse placere suis.

Floribus effusos ut erat redimita capillos

Tænario placuit diva Sicana Deo.

Aspice Phœbe tibi faciles hortantur amores,

Mellitasque movent flamina verna preces. [28]

Cinnameâ Zephyrus leve plaudit odorifer alâ,

Blanditiasque tibi ferre videntur aves.

Nec sine dote tuos temeraria quærit amores

Terra, nec optatos poscit egena toros,

Alma salutiferum medicos tibi gramen in usus

Præbet, & hinc titulos adjuvat ipsa tuos.

Quòd si te pretium, si te fulgentia tangunt

Munera, (muneribus sæpe coemptus Amor)

Illa tibi ostentat quascunque sub æquore vasto,

Et superinjectis montibus abdit opes.

Ah quoties cum tu clivoso fessus Olympo

In vespertinas præcipitaris aquas,

Cur te, inquit, cursu languentem Phœbe diurno

Hesperiis recipit Cærula mater aquis?

Quid tibi cum Tethy? Quid cum Tartesside lymphâ,

Dia quid immundo perluis ora salo?

Frigora Phœbe meâ melius captabis in umbrâ,

Huc ades, ardentes imbue rore comas.

Mollior egelidâ veniet tibi somnus in herbâ,

Huc ades, & gremio lumina pone meo.

Quâque jaces circum mulcebit lene susurrans

Aura per humentes corpora fusa rosas.

Nec me (crede mihi) terrent Semelëia fata,

Nec Phäetontéo fumidus axis equo; [29]

Cum tu Phœbe tuo sapientius uteris igni,

Huc ades & gremio lumina pone meo.

Sic Tellus lasciva suos suspirat amores;

Matris in exemplum cætera turba ruunt.

Nunc etenim toto currit vagus orbe Cupido,

Languentesque fovet solis ab igne faces.

Insonuere novis lethalia cornua nervis,

Triste micant ferro tela corusca novo.

Jamque vel invictam tentat superasse Dianam,

Quæque sedet sacro Vesta pudica foco.

Ipsa senescentem reparat Venus annua formam,

Atque iterum tepido creditur orta mari.

Marmoreas juvenes clamant Hymenæe per urbes,

Litus io Hymen, & cava saxa sonant.

Cultior ille venit tunicâque decentior aptâ,

Puniceum redolet vestis odora crocum.

Egrediturque frequens ad amœni gaudia veris

Virgineos auro cincta puella sinus.

Votum est cuique suum, votum est tamen omnibus unum,

Ut sibi quem cupiat, det Cytherea virum.

Nunc quoque septenâ modulatur arundine pastor,

Et sua quæ jungat carmina Phyllis habet.

Natvia nocturno placat sua sydera cantu,

Delphinasque leves ad vada summa vocat. [30]

Jupiter ipse alto cum conjuge ludit Olympo,

Convocat & famulos ad sua festa Deos.

Nunc etiam Satyri cum sera crepuscula surgunt,

Pervolitant celeri florea rura choro,

Sylvanusque suâ Cyparissi fronde revinctus,

Semicaperque Deus, semideusque caper.

Quæque sub arboribus Dryades latuere vetustis

Per juga, per solos expatiantur agros.

Per sata luxuriat fruticetaque Mænalius Pan,

Vix Cybele mater, vix sibi tuta Ceres,

Atque aliquam cupidus prædatur Oreada Faunus,

Consulit in trepidos dum sibi Nympha pedes,

Jamque latet, latitansque cupit male tecta videri,

Et fugit, & fugiens pervelit ipsa capi.

Dii quoque non dubitant cælo præponere sylvas,

Et sua quisque sibi numina lucus habet.

Et sua quisque diu sibi numina lucus habeto,

Nec vos arboreâ dii precor ite domo.

Te referant miseris te Jupiter aurea terris

Sæcla, quid ad nimbos aspera tela redis?

Tu saltem lentè rapidos age Phœbe jugales

Quâ potes, & sensim tempora veris eant.

Brumaque productas tardè ferat hispida noctes,

Ingruat & nostro serior umbra polo.

[31]

6. Elegia sexta. – Ad Carolum Diodatum ruri commorantem.

Elegia sexta.

Ad Carolum Diodatum ruri com⯑morantem.

Qui cum idibus Decemb. scripsisset, &c sua carmina excusari postulasset si solito minus essent bona, quòd inter lautitias quibus erat ab amicis exeptus, haud satis felicem ope⯑ram Musis dare se posse affirmabat, hunc habuit responsum.

MItto tibi sanam non pleno ventre salutem,

Quâ tu distento forte carere potes.

At tua quid nostram prolectat Musa camœnam,

Nec sinit optatas posse sequi tenebras?

Carmine scire velis quàm te redámemque colámque,

Crede mihi vix hoc carmine scire queas.

Nam neque noster amor modulis includitur arctis,

Nec venit ad claudos integer ipse pedes.

Quàm bene solennes epulas, hilaremque Decembrim

Festaque cœlifugam quæ coluere Deum,

Deliciasque refers, hyberni gaudia ruris,

Haustaque per lepidos Gallica musta focos.

Quid queretis refugam vino dapibusque poesin?

Carmen amat Bacchum, Carmina Bacchus amat. [32]

Nec puduit Phœbum virides gestasse corymbos,

Atque hederam lauro præposuisse suæ.

Sæpius Aoniis clamavit collibus Euœ

Mista Thyoneô turba novena choro.

Naso Corallæis mala carmina misit ab agris:

Non illic epulæ non sata vitis erat.

Quid nisi vina, rosasque racemiferumque Lyæum

Cantavit brevibus Tëia Musa modis,

Pindaricosque inflat numeros Teumesius Euan,

Et redolet sumptum pagina quæque merum.

Dum gravis everso currus crepat axe supinus,

Et volat Eléo pulvere fuscus eques.

Quadrimoque madens Lyricen Romanus Iaccho

Dulce canit Glyceran, flavicomamque Chloen.

Jam quoque lauta tibi generoso mensa paratu,

Mentis alit vires, ingeniumque fovet.

Massica fœcundam despumant pocula venam,

Fundis & ex ipso condita metra cado.

Addimus his artes, fusumque per intima Phœbum

Corda, favent uni Bacchus, Apollo, Ceres.

Scilicet haud mirum tam dulcia carmina per te

Numine composito tres peperisse Deos.

Nunc quoque Thressa tibi cælato barbitos auro

Insonat argutâ molliter icta manu; [33]

Auditurque chelys suspensa tapetia circum,

Virgineos tremulâ quæ regat arte pedes.

Illa tuas saltem teneant spectacula Musas,

Et revocent, quantum crapula pellit iners.

Crede mihi dum psallit ebur, comitataque plectrum

Implet odoratos festa chorea tholos,

Percipies tacitum per pectora serpere Phœbum,

Quale repentinus permeat ossa calor,

Perque puellares oculos digitumque sonantem

Irruet in totos lapsa Thalia sinus.

Namque Elegia levis multorum cura deorum est,

Et vocat ad numeros quemlibet illa suos;

Liber adest elegis, Eratoque, Ceresque, Venusque,

Et cum purpureâ matre tenellus Amor.

Talibus inde licent convivia larga poetis,

Sæpius & veteri commaduisse mero.

At qui bella refert, & adulto sub Jove cœlum,

Heroasque pios, semideosque duces,

Et nunc sancta canit superum consulta deorum,

Nunc latrata fero regna profunda cane,

Ille quidem parcè Samii pro more magistri

Vivat, & innocuos præbeat herba cibos;

Stet prope fagineo pellucida lympha catillo,

Sobriaque è puro pocula fonte bibat. [34]

Additur huic scelerique vacans, & casta juventus,

Et rigidi mores, & sine labe manus.

Qualis veste nitens sacrâ, & lustralibus undis

Surgis ad infensos augur iture Deos.

Hoc ritu vixisse ferunt post rapta sagacem

Lumina Tiresian, Ogygiumque Linon,

Et lare devoto profugum Calchanta, senemque

Orpheon edomitis sola per antra feris;

Sic dapis exiguus, sic rivi potor Homerus

Dulichium vexit per freta longa virum,

Et per Monstrificam Perseiæ Phœbados aulam,

Et vada fœmineis insidiosa sonis,

Perque tuas rex ime domos, ubi sanguine nigro

Dicitur umbrarum detinuisse greges.

Diis etenim sacer est vates, divûmque sacerdos,

Spirat & occultum pectus, & ora Jovem.

At tu siquid agam, scitabere (si modò saltem

Esse putas tanti noscere siquid agam)

Paciferum canimus cælesti semine regem,

Faustaque sacratis sæcula pacta libris,

Vagitumque Dei, & stabulantem paupere tecto

Qui suprema suo cum patre regna colit.

Stelliparumque polum, modulantesque æthere turmas,

Et subitò elisos ad sua fana Deos. [35]

Dona quidem dedimus Christi natalibus illa,

Illa sub auroram lux mihi prima tulit.

Te quoque pressa manent patriis meditata cicutis,

Tu mihi, cui recitem, judicis instar eris.

7. Elegia septima, Anno ætatis undevigesimo.

Elegia septima, Anno ætatis undevigesimo.

NOndum blanda tuas leges Amathusia norâm,

Et Paphio vacuum pectus ab igne suit.

Sæpe cupidineas, puerilia tela, sagittas,

Atque tuum sprevi maxime, numen, Amor.

Te puer imbelles dixi transfige columbas,

Conveniunt tenero mollia bella duci.

Aut de passeribus tumidos age, parve, triumphos,

Hæc sunt militiæ digna trophæa tuæ.

In genus humanum quid inania dirigis arma?

Non valet in fortes ista pharetra viros.

Non tulit hoc Cyprius, (neque enim Deus ullus ad iras

Promptior) & duplici jam ferus igne calet.

Ver erat, & summæ radians per culmina villæ

Attulerat primam lux tibi Maie diem:

At mihi adhuc refugam quærebant lumina noctem

Nec matutinum sustinuere jubar. [36]

Astat Amor lecto, pictis Amor impiger alis,

Prodidit astantem mota pharetra Deum:

Prodidit & facies, & dulce minantis ocelli,

Et quicquid puero, dignum & Amore fuit.

Talis in æterno juvenis Sigeius Olympo

Miscet amatori pocula plena Jovi;

Aut qui formosas pellexit ad oscula nymphas

Thiodamantæus Naiade raptus Hylas;

Addideratque iras, sed & has decuisse putares,

Addideratque truces, nec sine felle minas.

Et miser exemplo sapuisses tutiùs, inquit,

Nunc mea quid possit dextera testis eris.

Inter & expertos vires numerabere nostras,

Et faciam vero per tua damna fidem.

Ipse ego si nescis strato Pythone superbum

Edomui Phœbum, cessit & ille mihi;

Et quoties meminit Peneidos, ipse fatetur

Certiùs & graviùs tela nocere mea.

Me nequit adductum curvare peritiùs arcum,

Qui post terga solet vincere Parthus eques.

Cydoniusque mihi cedit venator, & ille

Inscius uxori qui necis author erat.

Est etiam nobis ingens quoque victus Orion,

Herculeæque manus, Herculeusque comes. [37]

Jupiter ipse licet sua fulmina torqueat in me,

Hærebunt lateri spicula nostra Jovis.

Cætera quæ dubitas meliùs tela docebunt,

Et tua non leviter corda petenda mihi.

Nec te stulte tuæ poterunt defendre Musæ,

Nec tibi Phœbæus porriget anguis opem.

Dixit, & aurato quatiens mucrone sagittam,

Evolat in tepidos Cypridos ille sinus.

At mihi risuro tonuit ferus ore minaci,

Et mihi de puero non metus ullus erat.

Et modò quà nostri spatiantur in urbe Quirites

Et modò villarum proxima rura placent.

Turba frequens, faciéque simillima turba dearum

Splendida per medias itque reditque vias.

Auctaque luce dies gemino fulgore coruscat,

Fallor? an & radios hinc quoque Phœbus habet.

Hæc ego non fugi spectacula grata severus,

Impetus & quò me fert juvenilis, agor.

Lumina luminibus malè providus obvia misi

Neve oculos potui continuisse meos.

Unam forte aliis supereminuisse notabam,

Principium nostri lux erat illa mali.

Sic Venus optaret mortalibus ipsa videri,

Sic regina Deûm conspicienda fuit. [38]

Hanc memor objecit nobis malus ille Cupido,

Solus & hos nobis texuit antè dolos.

Nec procul ipse vafer latuit, multæque sagittæ,

Et facis a tergo grande pependit onus.

Nec mora, nunc ciliis hæsit, nunc virginis ori,

Insilit hinc labiis, insidet inde genis:

Et quascunque agilis partes jaculator oberrat,

Hei mihi, mille locis pectus inerme ferit.

Protinus insoliti subierunt corda furores,

Uror amans intùs, flammaque totus eram.

Interea misero quæ jam mihi sola placebat,

Ablata est oculis non reditura meis.

Ast ego progredior tacitè querebundus, & excors,

Et dubius volui sæpe referre pedem.

Findor, & hæc remanet, sequitur pars altera votum,

Reptaque tàm subitò gaudia flere juvat.

Sic dolet amissum proles Junonia cœlum,

Inter Lemniacos præcipitata focos.

Talis & abreptum solem respexit, ad Orcum

Vectus ab attonitis Amphiaraus equis.

Quid faciam infelix, & luctu victus, amores

Nec licet inceptos ponere, neve sequi.

O utinam spectare semel mihi detur amatos

Vultus, & coràm tristia verba loqui; [39]

Forsitan & duro non est adamante creata,

Forte nec ad nostras surdeat illa preces.

Crede mihi nullus sic infeliciter arsit,

Ponar in exemplo primus & unus ego.

Parce precor teneri cum sis Deus ales amoris,

Pugnent officio nec tua facta tuo.

Jam tuus O certè est mihi formidabilis arcus,

Nate deâ, jaculis nec minus igne potens:

Et tua fumabunt nostris altaria donis,

Solus & in superis tu mihi summus eris.

Deme meos tandem, verùm nec deme furores,

Nescio cur, miser est suaviter omnis amans:

Tu modo da facilis, posthæc mea siqua futura est,

Cuspis amaturos figat ut una duos.

8.

Hæc ego mente olim lævâ, studioque supino

Nequitiæ posui vana trophæa meæ.

Scilicet abreptum sic me malus impulit error,

Indocilisque ætas prava magistra fuit.

Donec Socraticos umbrosa Academia rivos

Præbuit, admissum dedocuitque jugum.

Protinus extinctis ex illo tempore flammis,

Cincta rigent multo pectora nostra gelu.

Unde suis frigus metuit puer ipse Sagittis,

Et Diomedéam vim timet ipse Venus.

[40]

9. In Proditionem Bombardicam.

In Proditionem Bombardicam.

CUm simul in regem nuper satrapasque Britannos

Ausus es infandum perfide Fauxe nefas,

Fallor? an & mitis voluisti ex parte videri,

Et pensare malâ cum pietate scelus;

Scilicet hos alti missurus ad atria cæli,

Sulphureo curru flammivolisque rotis.

Qualiter ille feris caput inviolabile Parcis

Liquit Jördanios turbine raptus agros.

10. In eandem.

In eandem.

SIccine tentasti cælo donâsse Jäcobum

Quæ septemgemino Bellua monte lates?

Ni meloria tuum poterit dare munera numen,

Parce precor donis insidiosa tuis.

Ille quidem sine te consortia serus adivit

Astra, nec inferni pulveris usus ope.

Sic potiùs fœdos in cælum pelle cucullos,

Et quot habet brutos Roma profana Deos,

Namque hac aut aliâ nisi quemque adjuveris arte,

Crede mihi cæli vix bene scandet iter.

[41]

11. In eandem.

In eandem.

PUrgatorem animæ deresit Jäcobus ignem,

Et sine quo superûm non adeunda domus.

Frenduit hoc trinâ monstrum Latiale coronâ

Movit & horrificùm cornua dena minax.

Et nec inultus ait temnes mea sacra Britanne,

Supplicium spretâ relligione dabis.

Et si stelligeras unquam penetraveris arces,

Non nisi per flammas triste patebit iter.

O quàm sunesto cecinisti proxima vero,

Verbaque ponderibus vix caritura suis!

Nam prope Tartareo sublime rotatus ab igni

Ibat ad æthereas umbra perusta plagas.

12. In eandem.

In eandem.

QUem modò Roma suis devoverat impia diris,

Et Styge damnarât Tænarioque sinu,

Hunc vice mutatâ jam tollere gestit ad astra,

Et cupit ad superos evehere usque Deos.

13. In inventorem Bombardæ.

In inventorem Bombardæ.

JApetionidem laudavit cæca vetustas,

Qui tulit ætheream solis ab axe facem; [42]

At mihi major erit, qui lurida creditur arma,

Et trifidum fulmen surripuisse Jovi.

14. Ad Leonoram Romæ canentem.

Ad Leonoram Romæ canentem.

ANgelus unicuique suus (sic credite gentes)

Obtigit æthereis ales ab ordinibus.

Quid mirum? Leonora tibi si gloria major,

Nam tua præsentem vox sonat ipsa Deum.

Aut Deus, aut vacui certè mens tertia cœli

Per tua secretò guttura serpit agens;

Serpit agens, facilisque docet mortalia corda

Sensim immortali assuescere posse sono.

Quòd si cuncta quidem Deus est, per cunctaque fusus,

In te unâ loquitur, cætera mutus habet.

15. Ad eandem.

Ad eandem.

ALtera Torquatum cepit Leonora Poëtam,

Cujus ab insano cessit amore furens.

Ah miser ille tuo quantò feliciùs ævo

Perditus, & propter te Leonora foret!

Et te Pieriâ sensisset voce canentem

Aurea maternæ fila movere lyræ,

Quamvis Dircæo torsisset lumina Pentheo

Sævior, aut totus desipuisset iners, [43]

Tu tamen errantes cæcâ vertigine sensus

Voce eadem poteras composuisse tuâ;

Et poteras ægro spirans sub corde quietem

Flexanimo cantu restituisse sibi.

16. Ad eandem.

Ad eandem.

CRedula quid liquidam Sirena Neapoli jactas,

Claraque Parthenopes fana Achelöiados,

Littoreamque tuâ defunctam Naiada ripâ

Corpora Chalcidico sacra dedisse rogo?

Illa quidem vivitque, & amœnâ Tibridis undâ

Mutavit rauci murmura Pausilipi.

Illic Romulidûm studiis ornata secundis,

Atque homines cantu detinet atque Deos.

Elegiarum Finis.

[44]

Sylvarum Liber.

1. Anno ætatis 16. In obitum Procancellarii medici.

Anno ætatis 16. In obitum Procancellarii medici.

PArére fati discite legibus,

Manusque Parcæ jam date supplices;

Qui pendulum telluris orbem

Jäpeti colitis nepotes.

Vos si relicto mors vaga Tænaro

Semel vocârit flebilis, heu moræ

Tentantur incassum dolique;

Per tenebras Stygis ire certum est.

Si destinatam pellere dextera

Mortem valeret, non ferus Hercules

Nessi venenatus cruore

æmathiâ jacuisset Oetâ.

Nec fraude turpi Palladis invidæ

Vidisset occisum Ilion Hectora, aut

Quem larva Pelidis peremit

Ense Locro, Jove lacrymante. [45]

Si triste fatum verba Hecatëia

Fugare possint, Telegoni parens

Vixisset infamis, potentique

ægiali soror usa virgâ.

Numenque trinum fallere si queant

Artes medentûm, ignotaque gramina,

Non gnarus herbarum Machaon

Eurypyli cecidisset hastâ.

Læsisset & nec te Philyreie

Sagitta echidnæ perlita sanguine,

Nec tela te fulmenque avitum

Cæse puer genitricis alvo.

Tuque O alumno major Apolline,

Gentis togatæ cui regimen datum,

Frondosa quem nunc Cirrha luget,

Et mediis Helicon in undis,

Jam præsuisses Palladio gregi

Lætus, superstes, nec sine gloria,

Nec puppe lustrasses Charontis

Horribiles barathri recessus.

At fila rupit Persephone tua

Irata, cum te viderit artibus

Succoque pollenti tot atris

Faucibus eripuisse mortis. [46]

Colende præses, membra precor tua

Molli quiescant cespite, & ex tuo

Crescant rosæ, calthæque busto,

Purpureoque hyacinthus ore.

Sit mite de te judicium æaci,

Subrideatque ætnæa Proserpina,

Interque felices perennis

Elysio spatiere campo.

2. In quintum Novembris, Anno ætatis 17.

In quintum Novembris, Anno ætatis 17.

JAm pius extremâ veniens Jäcobus ab arcto

Teucrigenas populos, latéque patentia regna

Albionum tenuit, jamque inviolabile fœdus

Sceptra Caledoniis conjunxerat Anglica Scotis:

Pacificusque novo felix divesque sedebat

In solio, occultique doli securus & hostis:

Cum ferus ignifluo regnans Acheronte tyrannus,

Eumenidum pater, æthereo vagus exul Olympo,

Forte per immensum terrarum erraverat orbem,

Dinumerans sceleris socios, vernasque fideles,

Participes regni post funera mœsta futuros;

Hic tempestates medio ciet aëre diras, [47]

Illic unamimes odium struit inter amicos,

Armat & invictas in mutua viscera gentes;

Regnaque olivifera vertit florentia pace,

Et quoscunque videt puræ virtutis amantes,

Hos cupit adjicere imperio, fraudumque magister

Tentat inaccessum sceleri corrumpere pectus,

Insidiasque locat tacitas, cassesque latentes

Tendit, ut incautos rapiat, seu Caspia Tigris

Insequitur trepidam deserta per avia prædam

Nocte sub illuni, & somno nictantibus astris.

Talibus infestat populos Summanus & urbes

Cinctus cæruleæ fumanti turbine flammæ.

Jamque fluentisonis albentia rupibus arva

Apparent, & terra Deo dilecta marino,

Cui nomen dederat quondam Neptunia proles

Amphitryoniaden qui non dubitavit atrocem

æquore tranato furiali poscere bello,

Ante expugnatæ crudelia sæcula Troiæ.

At simul hanc opibusque & festâ pace beatam

Aspicit, & pingues donis Cerealibus agros,

Quodque magis doluit, venerantem numina veri

Sancta Dei populum, tandem suspiria rupit

Tartareos ignes & luridum olentia sulphur.

Qualia Trinacriâ trux ab Jove clausus in ætna [48]

Efflat tabifico monstrosus ab ore Tiphœus.

Ignescunt oculi, stridetque adamantinus ordo

Dentis, ut armorum fragor, ictaque cuspide cuspis.

Atque pererrato solum hoc lacrymabile mundo

Inveni, dixit, gens hæc mihi sola rebellis,

Contemtrixque jugi, nostrâque potentior arte.

Illa tamen, mea si quicquam tentamina possunt.

Non feret hoc impune diu, non ibit inulta,

Hactenus; & piceis liquido natat aëre pennis;

Quà volat, adversi præcursant agmine venti,

Densantur nubes, & crebra tonitrua fulgent.

Jamque pruinosas velox superaverat alpes,

Et tenet Ausoniæ fines, à parte sinistrâ

Nimbifer Appenninus erat, priscique Sabini,

Dextra veneficiis infamis Hetruria, nec non

Te furtiva Tibris Thetidi videt oscula dantem;

Hinc Mavortigenæ consistit in arce Quirini.

Reddiderant dubiam jam sera crepuscula lucem,

Cum circumgreditur totam Tricoronifer urbem,

Panificosque Deos portat, scapulisque virorum

Evehitur, præeunt summisso poplite reges,

Et mendicantum series longissima sratrum;

Cereaque in manibus gestant funalia cæci,

Cimmeriis nati in tenebris, vitamque trahentes. [49]

Templa dein multis subeunt lucentia tædis

(Vesper erat sacer iste Petro) fremitúsque canentum

Sæpe tholos implet vacuos, & inane locorum.

Qualiter exululat Bromius, Bromiique caterva,

Orgia cantantes in Echionio Aracyntho,

Dum tremit attonitus vitreis Asopus in undis,

Et procul ipse cavâ responsat rupe Cithæron.

His igitur tandem solenni more peractis,

Nox senis amplexus Erebi taciturna reliquit,

Præcipitesque impellit equos stimulante flagello,

Captum oculis Typhlonta, Melanchætemque ferocem,

Atque Acherontæo prognatam patre Siopen

Torpidam, & hirsutis horrentem Phrica capillis.

Interea regum domitor, Phlegetontius hæres

Ingreditur thalamos (neque enim secretus adulter

Producit steriles molli sine pellice noctes)

At vix compositos somnus claudebat ocellos,

Cum niger umbrarum dominus, rectorque silentum,

Prædatorque hominum falsâ sub imagine tectus

Astitit, assumptis micuerunt tempora canis,

Barba sinus promissa tegit, cineracea longo

Syrmate verrit humum vestis, pendetque cucullus

Vertice de raso, & ne quicquam desit ad artes,

Cannabeo lumbos constrinxit fune salaces. [50]

Tarda fenestratis figens vestigia calceis.

Talis uti fama est, vastâ Franciscus eremo

Tetra vagabatur solus per lustra ferarum,

Sylvestrique tulit genti pia verba salutis

Impius, atque lupos domuit, Lybicosque leones.

Subdolus at tali Serpens velatus amictu

Solvit in has fallax ora execrantia voces;

Dormis nate? Etiamne tuos sopor opprimit artus

Immemor O fidei, pecorumque oblite tuorum,

Dum cathedram venerande tuam, diademaque triplex

Ridet Hyperboreo gens barbara nata sub axe,

Dumque pharetrati spernunt tua jura Britanni:

Surge, age, surge piger, Latius quem Cæsar adorat,

Cui reserata patet convexi janua cæli,

Turgentes animos, & fastus frange procaces,

Sacrilegique sciant, tua quid maledictio possit,

Et quid Apostolicæ possit custodia clavis;

Et memor Hesperiæ disjectam ulciscere classem,

Mersaque Iberorum lato vexilla profundo,

Sanctorumque cruci tot corpora fixa probrosæ,

Thermodoontéa nuper regnante puella.

At tu si tenero mavis torpescere lecto

Crescentesque negas hosti contundere vires,

Tyrrhenum implebit numeroso milite pontum, [51]

Signaque Aventino ponet fulgentia colle:

Relliquias veterum franget, flammisque cremabit,

Sacraque calcabit pedibus tua colla profanis,

Cujus gaudebant soleïs dare basia reges.

Nec tamen hunc bellis & aperto Marte lacesses,

Irritus ille labor, tu callidus utere fraude,

Quælibet hæreticis disponere retia fas est;

Jamque ad consilium extremis rex magnus ab oris

Patricios vocat, & procerum de stirpe creatos,

Grandævosque patres trabeâ, canisque verendos;

Hos tu membratim poteris conspergere in auras,

Atque dare in cineres, nitrati pulveris igne

ædibus injecto, quà convenere, sub imis.

Protinus ipse igitur quoscunque habet Anglia fidos

Propositi, factique mone, quisquámne tuorum

Audebit summi non jussa facessere Papæ.

Perculsosque metu subito, cafúque stupentes

Invadat vel Gallus atrox, vel sævus Iberus.

Sæcula sic illic tandem Mariana redibunt,

Tuque in belligeros iterum dominaberis Anglos.

Et nequid timeas, divos divasque secundas

Accipe, quotque tuis celebrantur numina fastis.

Dixit & adscitos ponens malefidus amictus

Fugit ad infandam, regnum illætabile, Lethen. [52]

Jam rosea Eoas pandens Tithonia portas

Vestit inauratas redeunti lumine terras;

Mæstaque adhuc nigri deplorans funera nati

Irrigat ambrosiis montana cacumina guttis;

Cum somnos pepulit stellatæ janitor aulæ

Nocturnos visus, & somnia grata revolvens.

Est locus æternâ septus caligine noctis

Vasta ruinosi quondam fundamina tecti,

Nunc torvi spelunca Phoni, Prodotæque bilinguis

Effera quos uno peperit Discordia partu.

Hic inter cæmenta jacent semifractaque saxa,

Ossa inhumata virûm, & trajecta cadavera ferro;

Hic Dolus intortis semper sedet ater ocellis,

Jurgiaque, & stimulis armata Calumnia fauces.

Et Furor, atque viæ moriendi mille videntur

Et Timor, exanguisque locum circumvolat Horror,

Perpetuoque leves per muta silentia Manes

Exululant, tellus & sanguine conscia stagnat.

Ipsi etiam pavidi latitant penetralibus antri

Et Phonos, & Prodotes, nulloque sequente per antrum

Antrum horrens, scopulosum, atrum feralibus umbris

Diffigiunt sontes, retrò lumina vortunt,

Hos pugiles Romæ per sæcula longa fideles

Evocat antistes Babylonius, atque ita fatur. [53]

Finibus occiduis circumfusum incolit æquor

Gens exosa mihi, prudens natura negavit

Indignam penitùs nostro conjungere mundo;

Illuc, sic jubeo, celeri contendite gressu,

Tartareoque leves difflentur pulvere in auras

Et rex & pariter satrapæ, scelerata propago

Et quotquot fidei caluere cupidine veræ

Consilii socios adhibete, operisque ministros.

Finierat, rigidi cupidè paruere gemelli.

Interea longo flectens curvamine cœlos

Despicit æthereâ dominus qui fulgurat arce,

Vanaque perversæ ridet conamina turbæ,

Atque sui causam populi volet ipse tueri.

Esse ferunt spatium, quà distat ab Aside terra

Fertilis Europe, & spectat Mareotidas undas;

Hic turris posita est Titanidos ardua Famæ

ærea, lata, sonans rutilis vicinior astris

Quâm superimpositum vel Athos vel Pelion Offæ

Mille fores aditusque patent, totidemque fenestræ,

Amplaque per tenues translucent atria muros;

Excitat hic varios plebs agglomerata susurros;

Qualiter intrepitant circum mulctralia bombis

Agmina muscarum, aut texto per ovilia junco,

Dum Canis æstivum cœli petit ardua culmen [54]

Ipsa quidem summâ sedet ultrix matris in arce,

Auribus innumeris cinctum caput eminet olli,

Queis sonitum exiguum trahit, atque levissima captat

Murmura, ab extremis patuli confinibus orbis.

Nec tot Aristoride servator inique juvencæ

Isidos, immiti volvebas lumina vultu,

Lumina non unquam tacito nutantia somno,

Lumina subjectas lato spectantia terras.

Istis illa solet loca luce carentia sæpe

Perlustrare, etiam radianti impervia soli.

Millenisque loquax auditaque visaque linguis

Cuilibet effundit temeraria, veráque mendax

Nunc minuit, modò confictis sermonibus auget.

Sed tamen a nostro meruisti carmine laudes

Fama, bonum quo non aluid veracius ullum,

Nobis digna cani, nec te memorasse pigebit

Carmine tam longo, servati scilicet Angli

Officiis vaga diva tuis, tibi reddimus æqua.

Te Deus æternos motu qui temperat ignes,

Fulmine præmisso alloquitur, terrâque tremente:

Fama siles? an te latet impia Papistarum

Conjurata cohors in meque meosque Britannos,

Et nova sceptrigero cædes meditata Jäcobo:

Nec plura, illa statim sensit mandata Tonantis, [55]

Et satis antè fugax stridentes induit alas,

Induit & variis exilia corpora plumis;

Dextra tubam gestat Temesæo ex ære sonoram.

Nec mora jam pennis cedentes remigat auras,

Atque parum est curfu celeres prævertere nubes,

Jam ventos, jam solis equos post terga reliquit:

Et primò Angliacas solito de more per urbes

Ambiguas voces, incertaque murmura spargit,

Mox arguta dolos, & detestabile vulgat

Proditionis opus, nec non facta horrida dictu,

Authoresque addit sceleris, nec garrula cæcis

Insidiis loca structa silet; stupuere relatis,

Et pariter juvenes, pariter tremuere puellæ,

Effætique senes pariter, tantæque ruinæ

Sensus ad ætatem subito penetraverat omnem

Attamen interea populi miserescit ab alto

æthereus pater, & crudelibus obstitit ausis

Papicolûm; capti pœnas raptantur ad acres;

At pia thura Deo, & grati solvuntur honores;

Compita læta focis genialibus omnia fumant;

Turba choros juvenilis agit: Quintoque Novembris

Nulla Dies toto occurrit celebratior anno.

[56]

3. Anno ætatis 17. In obitum. Præsulis Eliensis.

Anno ætatis 17. In obitum. Præsulis Eliensis.

ADhuc madentes rore squalebant genæ,

Et sicca nondum lumina

Adhuc liquentis imbre turgebant salis,

Quem nuper effudi pius,

Dum mæsta charo justa persolvi rogo

Wintoniensis præsulis.

Cum centilinguis Fama (proh semper mali

Cladisque vera nuntia)

Spargit per urbes divitis Britanniæ,

Populosque Neptuno satos,

Cessisse morti, & ferreis sororibus

Te generis humani decus,

Qui rex sacrorum illâ suisti in insulâ

Quæ nomen Anguillæ tenet.

Tunc inquietum pectus irá protinus

Ebulliebat fervidâ,

Tumulis potentem sæpe devovens deam:

Nec vota Naso in Ibida

Concepit alto diriora pectore,

Graiusque vates parciùs [57]

Turpem Lycambis execratus est dolum,

Sponsamque Neobolen suam.

At ecce diras ipse dum fundo graves,

Et imprecor neci necem,

Audisse tales videor attonitus sonos

Leni, sub aurâ, flamine:

Cæcos furores pone, pone vitream

Bilemque & irritas minas,

Quid temerè violas non nocenda numina,

Subitoque ad iras percita.

Non est, ut arbitraris elusus miser,

Mors atra Noctis filia,

Erebóve patre creta, sive Erinnye,

Vastóve nata sub Chao:

Ast illa cælo missa stellato, Dei

Messes ubique colligit;

Animasque mole carneâ reconditas

In lucem & auras evocat:

Ut cum fugaces excitant Horæ diem

Themidos Jovisque filiæ;

Et sempiterni ducit ad vultus patris;

At justa raptat impios

Sub regna furvi luctuosa Tartari,

Sedesque subterraneas [58]

Hanc ut vocantem lætus audivi, citò

Fœdum reliqui carcerem,

Volatilesque faustus inter milites

Ad astra sublimis feror:

Vates ut olim raptus ad cœlum senex

Auriga currus ignei,

Non me Boötis terruere lucidi

Sarraca tarda frigore, aut

Formidolosi Scorpionis brachia,

Non ensis Orion tuus.

Prætervolavi fulgidi solis globum,

Longéque sub pedibus deam

Vidi triformem, dum coercebat suos

Frænis dracones aureis.

Erraticorum syderum per ordines,

Per lacteas vehor plagas,

Velocitatem sæpe miratus novam,

Donec nitentes ad fores

Ventum est Olympi, & regiam Chrystallinam, &

Stratum smaragdis Atrium.

Sed hic tacebo, nam quis effari queat

Oriundus humano patre

Amœnitates illius loci, mihi

Sat est in æternum frui.

[59]

4. Naturam non pati senium.

Naturam non pati senium.

HEu quàm perpetuis erroribus acta fatiscit

Avia mens hominum, tenebrisque immersa profundis

Oedipodioniam volvit sub pectore noctem!

Quæ vesana suis metiri facta deorum

Audet, & incisas leges adamante perenni

Assimilare suis, nulloque solubile sæclo

Consilium fati perituris alligat horis.

Ergóne marcescet sulcantibus obsita rugis

Naturæ facies, & rerum publica mater

Omniparum contracta uterum sterilescet ab ævo?

Et se fassa senem malè certis passibus ibit

Sidereum tremebunda caput? num tetra vetustas

Annorumque æterna fames, squalorque situsque

Sidera vexabunt? an & infatiabile Tempus

Esuriet Cælum, rapietque in viscera patrem?

Heu, potuitne suas imprudens Jupiter arces

Hoc contra munisse nefas, & temporis isto

Exemisse malo, gyrosque dedisse perennes?

Ergo erit ut quandoque sono dilapsa tremendo

Convexi tabulata ruant, atque obvius ictu

Stridat uterque polus, superâque ut Olympius aulâ

Decidat, horribilisque retectâ Gorgone Pallas. [60]

Qualis in Ægæam proles Junonia Lemnon

Deturbata sacro cecidit de limine cæli.

Tu quoque Phœbe tui casus imitabere nati

Præcipiti curru, subitâque ferere ruinâ

Pronus, & exinctâ fumabit lampade Nereus,

Et dabit attonito feralia sibila ponto.

Tunc etiam aërei divulsis sedibus Hæmi

Dissultabit apex, imoque allisa barathro

Terrebunt Stygium dejecta Ceraunia Ditem

In superos quibus usus erat, fraternaque bella.

At pater omnipotens fundatis fortius astris

Consuluit rerum summæ, certoque peregit

Pondere fatorum lances, atque ordine summo

Singula perpetuum jussit servare tenorem.

Volvitur hinc lapsu mundi rota prima diurno;

Raptat & ambitos sociâ vertigine cælos.

Tardior haud solito Saturnus, & acer ut olim

Fulmineùm rutilat cristatâ casside Mavors.

Floridus æternùm Phœbus juvenile coruscat,

Nec fovet effœtas loca per declivia terras

Devexo temone Deus; sed semper amicá

Luce potens eadem currit per signa rotarum,

Surgit odoratis pariter formosus ab Indis

æthereum pecus albenti qui cogit Olympo [61]

Mane vocans, & serus agens in pascua cœli,

Temporis & gemino dispertit regna colore.

Fulget, obitque vices alterno Delia cornu,

Cæruleumque ignem paribus complectitur ulnis.

Nec variant elementa fidem, solitóque fragore

Lurida perculsas jaculantur fulmina rupes.

Nec per inane furit leviori murmure Corus,

Stringit & armiferos æquali horrore Gelonos

Trux Aquilo, spiratque hyemem, nimbosque volutat.

Utque solet, Siculi diverberat ima Pelori

Rex maris, & raucâ circumstrepit æquora conchâ

Oceani Tubicen, nec vastâ mole minorem

ægæona ferunt dorso Balearica cete.

Sed neque Terra tibi sæcli vigor ille vetusti

Priscus abest, servatque suum Narcissus odorem,

Et puer ille suum tenet & puer ille decorem

Phœbe tuusque & Cypri tuus, nec ditior olim

Terra datum sceleri celavit montibus aurum

Conscia, vel sub aquis gemmas. Sic denique in ævum

Ibit cunctarum series justissima rerum,

Donec flamma orbem populabitur ultima, latè

Circumplexa polos, & vasti culmina cæli;

Ingentique rogo flagrabit machina mundi.

[62]

5. De Idea Platonica quemadmodum Aristoteles intellexit.

De Idea Platonica quemadmodum Aristoteles intellexit.

DIcite sacrorum præsides nemorum deæ,

Tuque O noveni perbeata numinis

Memoria mater, quæque in immenso procul

Antro recumbis otiosa æternitas,

Monumenta servans, & ratas leges Jovis,

Cælique fastos atque ephemeridas Deûm,

Quis ille primus cujus ex imagine

Natura solers finxit humanum genus,

æternus, incorruptus, æquævus polo,

Unusque & universus, exemplar Dei?

Haud ille Palladis gemellus innubæ

Interna proles insidet menti Jovis;

Sed quamlibet natura sit communior,

Tamen seorsus extat ad morem unius,

Et, mira, certo stringitur spatio loci;

Seu sempiternus ille syderum comes

Cæli pererrat ordines decemplicis,

Citimúmve terris incolit Lunæ globum:

Sive inter animas corpus adituras sedens

Obliviosas torpet ad Lethes aquas: [63]

Sive in remotâ forte terrarum plagâ

Incedit ingens hominis archetypus gigas,

Et diis tremendus erigit celsum caput

Atlante major portitore syderum.

Non cui profundum cæcitas lumen dedit

Dircæus augur vidit hunc alto sinu;

Non hunc silenti nocte Plëiones nepos

Vatum sagaci præpes ostendit choro;

Non hunc sacerdos novit Assyrius, licet

Longos vetusti commemoret atavos Nini,

Priscumque Belon, inclytumque Osiridem.

Non ille trino gloriosus nomine

Ter magnus Hermes (ut sit arcani sciens)

Talem reliquit Isidis cultoribus.

At tu perenne ruris Academi decus

(Hæc monstra si tu primus induxit scholis)

Jam jam pöetas urbis exules tuæ

Revocabis, ipse fabulator maximus,

Aut institutor ipse migrabis foras.

6. Ad Patrem.

Ad Patrem.

NUnc mea Pierios cupiam per pectora fontes

Irriguas torquere vias, totumque per ora [64]

Volvere laxatum gemino de vertice rivum;

Ut tenues oblita sonos audacibus alis

Surgat in officium venerandi Musa parentis.

Hoc utcunque tibi gratum pater optime carmen

Exiguum meditatur opus, nec novimus ipsi

Aptiùs à nobis quæ possint munera donis

Respondere tuis, quamvis nec maxima possint

Respondere tuis, nedum ut par gratia donis

Esse queat, vacuis quæ redditur arida verbis.

Sed tamen hæc nostros ostendit pagina census,

Et quod habemus opum chartâ numeravimus istâ.

Quæ mihi sunt nullæ, nisi quas dedit aurea Clio

Quas mihi semoto somni peperere sub antro,

Et nemoris laureta sacri Parnassides umbræ.

Nec tu vatis opus divinum despice carmen,

Quo nihil æthereos ortus, & semina cæli,

Nil magis humanam commendat origine mentem,

Sancta Promethéæ retinens vestigia flammæ.

Carmen amant superi, tremebundaque Tartara carmen

Ima ciere valet, divosque ligare profundos,

Et triplici duros Manes adamante coercet.

Carmine sepositi retegunt arcana futuri

Phœbades, & tremulæ pallantes ora Sibyllæ;

Carmina sacrificus sollenes pangit ad aras [65]

Aurea seu sternit motantem cornua taurum;

Seu cùm fata sagax fumantibus abdita fibris

Consulit, & tepidis Parcam scrutatur in extis.

Nos etiam patrium tunc cum repetemus Olympum,

AEternæque moræ stabunt immobilis ævi,

Ibimus auratis per cæli templa coronis,

Dulcia suaviloquo sociantes carmina plectro,

Astra quibus, geminique poli convexa sonabunt.

Spiritus & rapidos qui circinat igneus orbes,

Nunc quoque sydereis intercinit ipse choreis

Immortale melos, & inenarrabile carmen;

Torrida dum rutilus compescit sibila serpens,

Demissoque ferox gladio mansuescit Orion;

Stellarum nec sentit onus Maurusius Atlas.

Carmina regales epulas ornare solebant,

Cum nondum luxus, vastæque immensa vorago

Nota gulæ, & modico spumabat cœna Lyæo.

Tum de more sedens festa ad convivia vates

æsculeâ intonsos redimitus ab arbore crines,

Heroumque actus, imitandaque gesta canebat,

Et chaos, & positi latè fundamina mundi,

Reptantesque Deos, & alentes numina glandes,

Et nondum ætnæ:eo quæsitum fulmen ab antro.

Denique quid vocis modulamen inane juvabit, [66]

Verborum sensusque vacans, numerique loquacis?

Silvestres decet iste choros, non Orphea cantus,

Qui tenuit fluvios & quercubus addidit aures

Carmine, non citharâ, simulachraque functa canendo

Compulit in lacrymas; habet has â carmine laudes.

Nec tu perge precor sacras contemnere Musas,

Nec vanas inopesque puta, quarum ipse peritus

Munere, mille sonos numeros componis ad aptos,

Millibus & vocem modulis variare canoram

Doctus, Arionii meritò sis nominis hæres.

Nunc tibi quid mirum, si me genuisse poëtam

Contigerit, charo si tam propè sanguine juncti

Cognatas artes, studiumque affine sequamur:

Ipse volens Phœbus se dispertire duobus,

Altera dona mihi, dedit altera dona parenti,

Dividuumque Deum genitorque puerque tenemus.

Tu tamen ut simules teneras odisse camœnas,

Non odisse reor, neque enim, pater, ire jubebas

Quà via lata patet, quà pronior area lucri,

Certaque condendi fulget spes aurea nummi:

Nec rapis ad leges, malè custoditaque gentis

Jura, nec insulsis damnas clamoribus aures.

Sed magis excultam cupiens ditescere mentem,

Me procul urbano strepitu, secessibus altis [67]

Abductum Aoniæ jucunda per otia ripæ

Phœbæo lateri comitem finis ire beatum.

Officium chari taceo commune parentis,

Me poscunt majora, tuo pater optime sumptu

Cùm mihi Romuleæ patuit facundia linguæ,

Et Latii veneres, & quæ Jovis ora decebant

Grandia magniloquis elata vocabula Graiis,

Addere suasisti quos jactat Gallia flores,

Et quam degeneri novus Italus ore loquelam

Fundit, Barbaricos testatus voce tumultus,

Quæque Palæstinus loquitur mysteria vates.

Denique quicquid habet cœlum, subjectaque cœlo

Terra parens, terræque & cœlo interfluus aer,

Quicquid & unda tegit, pontique agitabile marmor,

Per te nosse licet, per te, si nosse libebit.

Dimotàque venit spectanda scientia nube,

Nudaque conspicuos inclinat ad oscula vultus,

Ni fugisse velim, ni sit libâsse molestum.

I nunc, confer opes quisquis malesanus avitas

Austriaci gazas, Perüanaque regna præoptas.

Quæ potuit majora pater tribuisse, vel ipse

Jupiter, excepto, donâsset ut omnia, cœlo?

Non potoria dedit, quamvis & tuta fuissent,

Publica qui juveni commisit lumina nato [68]

Atque Hyperionios currus, & fræna diei,

Et circùm undantem radiatâ luce tiaram.

Ergo ego jam doctæ pars quamlibet ima catervæ

Victrices hederas inter, laurosque sedebo,

Jamque nec obscurus populo miscebor inerti,

Vitabuntque oculos vestigia nostra profanos.

Este procul vigiles curæ, procul este querelæ,

Invidiæque acies transverso tortilis hirquo,

Sæva nec anguiferos extende Calumnia rictus;

In me triste nihil fædissima turba potestis,

Nec vestri sum juris ego; securaque tutus

Pectora, vipereo gradiar sublimis ab ictu.

At tibi, chare pater, postquam non æqua merenti

Posse referre datur, nec dona rependere factis,

Sit memorâsse satis, repetitaque munera grato

Percensere animo, fidæque reponere menti.

Et vos, O nostri, juvenilia carmina, lusus,

Si modo perpetuous sperare audebitis annos,

Et domini superesse rogo, lucemque tueri,

Nec spisso rapient oblivia nigra sub Orco,

Forsitan has laudes, decantatumque parentis

Nomen, ad exemplum, sero servabitis ævo.

[69]

7. Psalm 114.

Psalm 114.

[...]

[70]

8. Philosophus ad regem quendam qui eum ignotum & insontem inter reos forte captum inscius damnaverat hæc subito misit.

Philosophus ad regem quendam qui eum ignotum & insontem inter reos forte captum inscius damnaverat [...] hæc subito misit.

[...]

9. Ad Salsillum poetam Romanum ægrotantem. – SCAZONTES.

Ad Salsillum poetam Romanum ægrotantem.

SCAZONTES.

O Musa gressum quæ volens trahis claudum,

Vulcanioque tarda gaudes incessu,

Nec sentis illud in loco minus gratum,

Quàm cùm decentes flava Dëiope suras

Alternat aureum ante Junonis lectum.

Adesdum & hæc s'is verba pauca Salsillo

Refer, camœna nostra cui tantum est cordi,

Quamque ille magnis prætulit immeritò divis.

Hæc ergo alumnus ille Londini Milto,

Diebus hisce qui suum linquens nidum

Polique tractum, (pessimus ubi ventorum,

Insanientis impotensque pulmonis [71]

Pernix anhela sub Jove exercet flabra)

Venit feraces Itali soli ad glebas,

Visum superbâ cognitas urbes famâ

Virosque doctæque indolem juventutis,

Tibi optat idem hic fausta multa Salsille,

Habitumque fesso corpori penitùs sanum;

Cui nunc profunda bilis infestat renes,

Præcordiisque fixa damnosum spirat.

Nec id pepercit impia quòd tu Romano

Tam cultus ore Lesbium condis melos.

O dulce divûm munus, O salus Hebes

Germana! Tuque Phœbe morborum terror

Pythone cæso, sive tu magis Pæan

Libenter audis, hic tuus sacerdos est.

Querceta Fauni, vosque rore vinoso

Colles benigni, mitis Euandri sedes,

Siquid salubre vallibus frondet vestris,

Levamen ægro ferte certatim vati.

Sic ille charis redditus rursum Musis

Vicina dulci prata mulcebit cantu.

Ipse inter atros emirabitur lucos

Numa, ubi beatum degit otium æternum,

Suam reclivis semper ægeriam spectans.

Tumidusque & ipse Tibris hinc delinitus

Spei favebit annuæ colonorum: [72]

Nec in sepulchris ibit obsessum reges

Nimiùm sinistro laxus irruens loro:

Sed fræna melius temperabit undarum,

Adusque curvi salsa regna Portumni.

10. Mansus.

Mansus.

Joannes Baptista Mansus Marchio Villensis vir ingenii laude, tum literatum studio, nec non & bellicâ Virtute apud Italos clarus in primis est. Ad quem Torquati Tassi dialogus extat de Amicitiâ Scriptus; erat enim Tassi amicissimus; ab quo etiam inter Campaniæ principes celebratur, in illo poemate cui titulus Gerusalemme conquistata,lib.20.

Fra cavalier magnanimi, è cortesi

Risplende il Manso —

Is authorem Neapoli commorantem summâ benevolentiâ prosecutus est, multaque ei detulit humanitatis officia. Ad hunc itaque hospes ille antequam ab eâ urbe discederet, ut ne ingratum se ostenderet, hoc carmen misit.

HÆc quoque Manse tuæ meditantur carmina laudi

Pierides, tibi Manse choro notissime Phœbi,

Quandoquidem ille alium haud æquo est dignatus ho⯑ ⌞nore,

Post galli cineres, & Mecænatis Hetrusci.

Tu quoque si nostræ tantùm valet aura Camœnæ,

Victrices hederas inter, laurosque sedebis. [73]

Te pridem magno felix concordia Tasso

Junxit, & æternis inscripsit nomina chartis.

Mox tibi dulciloquum non inscia Musa Marinum

Tradidit, ille tuum dici se gaudet alumnum,

Dum canit Assyrios divûm prolixus amores;

Mollis & Ausonias stupesecit carmine nymphas.

Ille itidem moriens tibi soli debita vates

Ossa tibi soli, supremaque vota reliquit.

Nec manes pietas tua chara fefellit amici,

Vidimus arridentem operoso ex ære poetam.

Nec satis hoc visum est in utrumque, & nec pia cessant

Officia in tumulo, cupis integros rapere Orco,

Quà potes, atque avidas Parcarum eludere leges:

Amborum genus, & variâ sub sorte peractam

Describis vitam, moresque, & dona Minervæ;

Æmulus illius Mycalen qui natus ad altam

Rettulit Æolii vitam facundus Homeri.

Ergo ego te Cliûs & magni nomine Phœbi

Manse pater, jubeo longum salvere per ævum

Missus Hyperboreo juvenis peregrinus ab axe.

Nec tu longinguam bonus aspernabere Musam,

Quæ nuper gelidâ vix enutrita sub Arcto

Imprudens Italas ausa est volitare per urbes.

Nos etiam in nostro modulantes flumine cygnos [74]

Credimus obscuras noctis sensisse per umbras,

Quà Thamesis latè puris argenteus urnis

Oceani glaucos perfundit gurgite crines.

Quin & in has quondam pervenit Tityrus oras.

Sed neque nos genus incultum, nec inutile Phœbo,

Quà plaga septeno mundi sulcata Trione

Brumalem patitur longâ sub nocte Boöten.

Nos etiam colimus Phœbum, nos munera Phœbo

Flaventes spicas, & lutea mala canistris,

Halantemque crocum (perhibet nisi vana vetustas)

Misimus, & lectas Druidum de gente choreas.

(Gens Druides antiqua sacris operata deorum

Heroum laudes imitandaque gesta canebant)

Hinc quoties festo cingunt alteria cantu

Delo in herbosâ Graiæ de more puellæ

Carminibus lætis memorant Corineïda Loxo,

Fatidicamque Upin, cum flavicomâ Hecaërge

Nuda Caledonio variatas pectora fuco.

Fortunate senex, ergo quacunque per orbem

Torquati decus, & nomen celebrabitur ingens,

Claraque perpetui succrescet fama Marini,

Tu quoque in ora frequens venies plausumque virorum,

Et parili carpes iter immortale volatu.

Dicetur tum sponte tuos habitasse penates [75]

Cynthius, & famulas venisse ad limina Musas:

At non sponte domum tamen idem, & regis adivit

Rura Pheretiadæ cœlo fugitivus Apollo;

Ille licet magnum Alciden susceperat hospes;

Tantùm ubi clamosos placuit vitare bubulcos,

Nobile mansueti cessit Chironis in antrum,

Irriguos inter saltus frondosaque tecta

Peneium prope rivum: ibi sæpe sub ilice nigrâ

Ad citharæ strepitum blandâ prece victus amici

Exilii duros lenibat voce labores.

Tum neque ripa suo, barathro nec fixa sub imo,

Saxa stetere loco, nutat Trachinia rupes,

Nec sentit solitas, immania pondera, silvas,

Emotæque suis properant de collibus orni,

Mulcenturque novo maculosi carmine lynces.

Diis dilecte senex, te Jupiter æquus oportet

Nascentem, & miti lustrarit lumine Phœbus,

Atlantisque nepos; neque enim nisi charus ab ortu

Diis superis poterit magno favisse poetæ.

Hinc longæva tibi lento sub flore senectus

Vernat, & æsonios lucratur vivida fusos,

Nondum deciduos servans tibi frontis honores,

Ingeniumque vigens, & adultum mentis acumen.

O mihi si mea sors talem concedat amicum [76]

Phœbæos decorâsse viros qui tam bene norit,

Si quando indigenas revocabo in carmina reges,

Aturumque etiam sub terris bella moventem;

Aut dicam invictæ sociali fœdere mensæ,

Magnanimos Heroas, & (O modo spiritus ad sit)

Frangam Saxonicas Britonum sub Marte phalanges.

Tandem ubi non tacitæ permensus tempora vitæ,

Annorumque satur cineri sua jura relinquam,

Ille mihi lecto madidis astaret ocellis,

Astanti sat erit si dicam sim tibi curæ;

Ille meos artus liventi morte solutos

Curaret parvâ componi molliter urnâ.

Forsitan & nostros ducat de marmore vultus,

Nectens aut Paphiâ myrti aut Parnasside lauri

Fronde comas, at ego securâ pace quiescam.

Tum quoque, si qua fides, si præmia certa bonorum,

Ipse ego cælicolûm semotus in æthera divûm,

Quò labor & mens pura vehunt, atque ignea virtus

Secreti hæc aliquâ mundi de parte videbo

(Quantum fata sinunt) & totâ mente serenùm

Ridens purpureo suffundar lumine vultus

Et simul æthereo plaudam mihi lætus Olympo.

[77]

1. EPITAPHIUM DAMONIS.

EPITAPHIUM DAMONIS.

ARGUMENTUM.

THyrsis & Damon ejusdem viciniæ Pastores, eadem studia sequuti a pueritiâ amici erant, ut qui plurimùm. Thyrsis animi causâ pro⯑fectus peregrè de obitu Damonis nuncium accepit. Domum postea reversus, & rem ita esse comperto, se, suamque solitudi⯑nem hoc carmine deplorat. Damonis au⯑tem sub personâ hîc intelligitur Carolus Deodatus ex urbe Hetruriæ Luca paterno genere oriundus, cætera Anglus; ingenio, doctrina, clarissimisque cæteris virtutibus, dum viveret, juvenis egregius.

[78]

EPITAPHIUM DAMONIS.

HImerides nymphæ (nam vos & Daphnin & Hy⯑ ⌞lan

Et plorata diu meministis fata Bionis)

Dicite Sicelicum Thamesina per oppida carmen:

Quas miser effudit voces, quæ murmura Thyrsis,

Et quibus assiduis exercuit antra querelis,

Fluminaque, fontesque vagos, nemorumque recessus,

Dum sibi præreptum queritur Damona, neque altam

Luctibus exemit noctem loca sola perrerans.

Et jam bis viridi surgebat culmus arista,

Et totidem flavas numerabant horrea messes,

Ex quo summa dies tulerat Damona sub umbras,

Nec dum aderat Thyrsis; pastorem scilicet illum

Dulcis amor Musae Thusca retinebat in urbe.

Ast ubi mens expleta domum, pecorisque relicti

Cura vocat, simul assuetâ sedítque sub ulmo,

Tum vero amissum tum denique sentit amicum, [79]

Cœpit & immenium sic exonerare dolorem.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Hei mihi! quæ terris, quæ dicam numina cœlo,

Postquam te immiti rapuerunt funere Damon;

Siccine nos linquis, tua sic sine nomine virtus

Ibit, & obscuris numero sociabitur umbris?

At non ille, animas virgâ qui dividit aureâ,

Ista velit, dignumque tui te ducat in agmen,

Ignavumque procul pecus arceat omne silentum.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Quicquid erit, certè nisi me lupus antè videbit,

Indeplorato non comminuere sepulcro,

Constabitique tuus tibi honos, longúmque vigebit

Inter pastores: Illi tibi vota secundo

Solvere post Daphnin, post Daphnin dicere laudes

Gaudebunt, dum rura Pales, dum Faunus amabit:

Si quid id est, priscamque fidem coluisse, piúmque,

Palladiásque artes, sociúmque habuisse canorum.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Hæc tibi certa manent, tibi erunt hæc præmia Damon,

At mihi quid tandem fiet modò? quis mihi fidus

Hærebit lateri comes, ut tu sæpe solebas

Frigoribus duris, & per loca fœta pruinis,

Aut rapido sub sole, siti morientibus herbis? [80]

Sive opus in magnos suit eminùs ire leones

Aut avidos terrere lupos præsepibus altis;

Quis fando sopire diem, cantuque solebit?

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Pectora cui credam? quis me lenire docebit

Mordaces curas, quis longam fallere noctem

Dulcibus alloquiis, grato cùm sibilat igni

Molle pyrum, & nucibus strepitat focus, at malus auster

Miscet cuncta foris, & desuper intonat ulmo.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Aut æstate, dies medio dum vertitur axe,

Cum Pan æsculeâ somnum capit abditus umbrâ,

Et repentunt sub aquis sibi nota sedilia nymphæ.

Pastoresque latent, stertit sub sepe colonus,

Quis mihi blanditiásque tuas, quis tum mihi risus,

Cecropiosque sales referet, cultosque lepores?

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat agni.

At jam solus agros, jam pascua solus oberro,

Sicubi ramosæ densantur vallibus umbræ,

Hic serum expecto, supra caput imber & Eurus

Triste sonant, fractæque agitata crepuscula silvæ.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Heu quàm culta mihi priùs arva procacibus herbis

Involvuntur, & ipsa situ seges alta fatiscit! [81]

Innuba neglecto marcescit & uva racemo,

Nec myrteta juvant; ovium quoque tædet, at illæ

Mœrent, inque suum convertunt ora magistrum.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Tityrus ad corylos vocat, Alphesibœus ad ornos,

Ad salices Aegon, ad flumina pulcher Amyntas,

Hîc gelidi fontes, hîc illita gramina musco,

Hîc Zephyri, hîc placidas interstrepit arbutus undas;

Ista canunt surdo, frutices ego nactus abibam.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Mopsus ad hæc nam me redeuntem forte notârat

(Et callebat avium linguas, & sydera Mopsus)

Thyrsi quid hoc? dixit, quæ te coquit improba bilis?

Aut te perdit amor, aut te malè fascinat astrum,

Saturni grave sæpe suit pastoribus astrum,

Intimaque obliquo figit præcordia plumbo.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Mirantur nymphæ, & quid te Thyrfi futurum est?

Quid tibi vis? ajunt, non hæc solet esse juventæ

Nubila frons, oculique truces, vultusque severi,

Illa choros, lususque leves, & semper amorem

Jure petit, bis ille miser qui serus amavit.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Venit Hyas, Dryopéque, & filia Baucidis Aegle [82]

Docta modos, citharæque sciens, sed perdita fastu,

Venit Idumanii Chloris vicina fluenti;

Nil me blanditiæ, nil me solantia verba,

Nil me, si quid adest, movet, aut spes ulla futuri.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Hei mihi quam similes ludunt per prata juvenci,

Omnes unanimi secum sibi lege sodales,

Nec magis hunc alio quisquam secernit amicum

De grege, sic densi veniunt ad pabula thoes,

Inque vicem hirsuti paribus junguntur onagri;

Lex eadem pelagi, deserto in littore Proteus

Agmina Phocarum numerat, vilisque volucrum

Passer habet semper quicum sit, & omnia circum

Farra libens volitet, serò sua tecta revisens,

Quem si fors letho objecit, seu milvus adunco

Fata tulit rostro, seu stravit arundine fossor,

Protinus ille alium socio petit inde volatu.

Nos durum genus, & diris exercita fatis

Gens homines aliena animis, & pectora discors,

Vix sibi quisque parem de millibus invenit unum,

Aut si sors dederit tandem non aspera votis,

Illum inopina dies quâ non speraveris horâ

Surripit, æternum linquens in sæcula damnum.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. [83]

Heu quis me ignotas traxit vagus error in oras

Ire per aëreas rupes, Alpemque nivosam!

Ecquid erat tanti Romam vidisse sepultam?

Quamvis illa foret, qualem dum viseret olim,

Tityrus ipse suas & oves & rura reliquit;

Ut te tam dulci possem caruisse sodale,

Possem tot maria alta, tot interponere montes,

Tot sylvas, tot saxa tibi, fluviosque sonantes.

Ah certè extremùm licuisset tangere dextram,

Et bene compositos placidè morientis ocellos,

Et dixisse vale, nostri memor ibis ad astra.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Quamquam etiam vestri nunquam meminisse pigebit

Pastores Thusci, Musis operata juventus,

Hic Charis, atque Lepos; & Thuscus tu quoque Damon.

Antiquâ genus unde petis Lucumonis ab urbe.

O ego quantus eram, gelidi cum stratus ad Arni

Murmura, populeumque nemus, quà mollior herba,

Carpere nunc violas, nunc summas carpere myrtos,

Et potui Lycidæ certantem audire Menalcam.

Ipse etiam tentare ausus sum, nec puto multùm

Displicui, nam sunt & apud me munera vestra

Fiscellæ, calathique & cerea vincla cicutæ,

Quin & nostra suas docuerunt nomina fagos [84]

Et Datis, & Francinus, erant & vocibus ambo

Et studiis noti, Lydorum sanguinis ambo.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Hæc mihi tum læto dictabat roscida luna,

Dum solus teneros claudebam cratibus hœdos.

Ah quoties dixi, cùm te cinis ater habebat,

Nunc canit, aut lepori nunc tendit retia Damon,

Vimina nunc texit, varios sibi quod sit in usus;

Et quæ tum facili sperabam mente futura

Arripui voto levis, & præsentia finxi,

Heus bone numquid agis? nisi te quid forte retardat,

Imus? & argutâ paulùm recubamus in umbra,

Aut ad aquas Colni, aut ubi jugera Cassibelauni?

Tu mihi percurres medicos, tua gramina, succos,

Helleborúmque humilésque crocos, soliûmque hyacinthi,

Quasque habet ista palus herbas, artesque medentûm,

Ah pereant herbæ, pereant artesque medentûm

Gramina, postquam ipsi nil profecere magistro.

Ipse etiam, nam nescio quid mihi grande sonabat

Fistula, ab undecimâ jam lux est altera nocte,

Et tum forte novis admôram labra cicutis,

Dissiluere tamen rupta compage, nec ultra

Ferre graves potuere sonos, dubito quoque ne sim

Turgidulus, tamen & referam, vos cedite silvæ. [85]

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Ipse ego Dardanias Rutupina per æquora puppes

Dicam, & Pandrasidos regnum vetus Inogeniæ,

Brennúmque Arviragúmque duces, priscúmque Belinu,

Et tandem Armoricos Britonum sub lege colonos;

Tum gravidam Arturo fatali fraude Jögernen

Mendaces vultus, assumptáque Gorlöis arma,

Merlini dolus. O mihi tum si vita supersit,

Tu procul annosa pendebis fistula pinu

Moltùm oblita mihi, aut patriis mutata camœnis

Brittonicum strides, quid enim? omnia non licet uni

Non sperasse uni licet omnia, mi satis ampla

Merces, & mihi grande decus (sim ignotus in ævum

Tum licet, externo penitúsque inglorius orbi)

Si me flava comas legat Usa, & potor Alauni,

Vorticibúsque frequens Abra, & nemus omne Treantæ,

Et Thamesis meus ante omnes, & fusca metallis

Tamara, & extremis me discant Orcades undis.

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni.

Hæc tibi servabam lentâ sub cortice lauri,

Hæc, & plura simul, tum quæ mihi pocula Mansus,

Mansus Chalcidicæ non ultima gloria ripæ

Bina dedit, mirum artis opus, mirandus & ipse,

Et circùm gemino cælaverat argumento: [86]

In medio rubri maris unda, & odoriferum ver

Littora longa Arabum, & sudantes balsama silvæ,

Has inter Phœnix divina avis, unica terris

Cæruleùm fulgens diversicoloribus alis

Auroram vitreis surgentem respicit undis.

Parte alia polus omnipatens, & magnus Olympus,

Quis putet? hic quoque Amor, pictæque in nube pharetræ,

Arma corusca faces, & spicula tincta pyropo;

Nec tenues animas, pectúsque ignobile vulgi

Hinc ferit, at circùm flammantia lumina torquens

Semper in erectum spargit sua tela per orbes

Impiger, & pronos nunquam collimat ad ictus,

Hinc mentes ardere sacræ, formæque deorum.

Tu quoque in his, nec me fallit spes lubrica Damon,

Tu quoque in his certè es, nam quò tua dulcis abiret

Sanctáque simplicitas, nam quò tua candida virtus?

Nec te Lethæo fas quæsivisse sub orco,

Nec tibi conveniunt lacrymæ, nec flebimus ultrà,

Ite procul lacrymæ, purum colit æthera Damon,

Æthera purus habet, pluvium pede reppulit arcum;

Heroúmque animas inter, divósque perennes,

Æthereos haurit latices & gaudia potat

Ore Sacro. Quin tu cœli post jura recepta

Dexter ades, placidúsque fave quicúnque vocaris, [87]

Seu tu noster eris Damon, sive æquior audis

Diodotus, quo te divino nomine cuncti

Cœlicolæ norint, sylvisque vocabere Damon.

Quòd tibi purpureus pudor, & sine labe juventus

Grata fuit, quòd nulla tori libata voluptas,

En etiam tibi virginei servantur honores;

Ipse caput nitidum cinctus rutilante corona,

Letáque frondentis gestans umbracula palmæ

Æternùm perages immortales hymenæos;

Cantus ubi, choreisque furit lyra mista beatis,

Festa Sionæo bacchantur & Orgia Thyrso.

FINIS

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Citation Suggestion for this Object: TextGrid Repository (2016). TEI. 3021 Poems of Mr John Milton both English and Latin and A maske of the same author 1645. University of Oxford Text Archive. University of Oxford, License: Distributed by the University of Oxford under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/]. https://hdl.handle.net/11378/0000-0005-CFAC-1

1.

1. On the morning of CHRISTS Nativity. Compos'd 1629.

On the morning of CHRISTS Nativity. Compos'd 1629.

The Hymn.

2. A Paraphrase on Psalm 114.

A Paraphrase on Psalm 114.

3. Psalm 136.

Psalm 136.

4. The Passion.

The Passion.

5. On Time.

On Time.

6. Upon the Circumcision.

Upon the Circumcision.

7. At a solemn Musick.

At a solemn Musick.

8. An Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester.

An Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester.

9. SONG On May morning.

SONG On May morning.

10. On Shakespear. 1630

On Shakespear. 1630

11. On the University Carrier who sickn'd in the time of his vacancy, being forbid to go to London, by reason of the Plague.

On the University Carrier who sickn'd in the time of his vacancy, being forbid to go to London, by reason of the Plague.

12. Another on the same.

Another on the same.

13. L'Allegro.

L'Allegro.

14. Il Penseroso.

Il Penseroso.

15. SONNETS.

SONNETS.

I.

II.

III.

Canzone.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

16. Arcades.

Arcades.

1. SONG.

2. SONG

3. SONG.

17. Lycidas

Lycidas

2.

To the Right Honourable, JOHN Lord Vicount BRACLY, Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bridgewater, &c.

The Copy of a Letter Writt'n By Sir HENRY WOOTTON, To the Author, upon the following Poem.From the Colledge, this 13. of April, 1638.

Postcript

A MASK PRESENTED At LUDLOW- Castle, 1634. &c. .

The two Brothers.

The dances ended, the Spirit Epiloguizes.

3.

Al Signor Gio. Miltoni Nobile Inglese. ODE.

JOANNI MILTONI LONDINENSI.

ELEGIARUM Liber Primus.

1. Elegia prima ad Carolum Diodatum.

Elegia prima ad Carolum Diodatum.

2. Elegia Secunda, Anno ætatis 17. – In obitum Præconis Academici Cantabrigiensis.

Elegia Secunda, Anno ætatis 17.

In obitum Præconis Academici Cantabrigiensis.

3. Elegia tertia, Anno ætatis 17. – In obitum Præsulis Wintoniensis.

Elegia tertia, Anno ætatis 17.

In obitum Præsulis Wintoniensis.

4. Elegia quarta. Anno ætatis 18. – Ad Thomam Junium præceptorem suum, apud mercatores Anglicos Hamburgæ agentes, Pastoris munere fungentem.

Elegia quarta. Anno ætatis 18.

Ad Thomam Junium præceptorem suum, apud mercatores Anglicos Hamburgæ agentes, Pastoris munere fungentem.

5. Elegia quinta, Anno ætatis 20. – In adventum veris.

Elegia quinta, Anno ætatis 20.

In adventum veris.

6. Elegia sexta. – Ad Carolum Diodatum ruri commorantem.

Elegia sexta.

Ad Carolum Diodatum ruri com⯑morantem.

7. Elegia septima, Anno ætatis undevigesimo.

Elegia septima, Anno ætatis undevigesimo.

The Copy of a Letter Writt'n By Sir HENRY WOOTTON, To the Author, upon the following Poem.
From the Colledge, this 13. of April, 1638.