0 The Poetical Works of John Milton
1
2
3
4 PREFACE by the Rev. H. C. Beeching, M. A.
5
6
7 This edition of Milton's Poetry is a reprint, as careful as Editor
8 and Printers have been able to make it, from the earliest printed
9 copies of the several poems. First the 1645 volume of the
10 Minor Poems has been printed entire; then follow in order the
11 poems added in the reissue of 1673; the Paradise Lost, from the
12 edition of 1667; and the Paradise Regain'd and Samson
13 Agonistes from the edition of 1671.
14
15 The most interesting portion of the book must be reckoned the
16 first section of it, which reproduces for the first time the scarce
17 small octavo of 1645. The only reprint of the Minor Poems in
18 the old spelling, so far as I know, is the one edited by Mitford,
19 but that followed the edition of 1673, which is comparatively
20 uninteresting since it could not have had Milton's oversight as it
21 passed through the press. We know that it was set up from a
22 copy of the 1645 edition, because it reproduces some pointless
23 eccentricities such as the varying form of the chorus to Psalm
24 cxxxvi; but while it corrects the errata tabulated in that edition
25 it commits many more blunders of its own. It is valuable,
26 however, as the editio princeps of ten of the sonnets and it
27 contains one important alteration in the Ode on the Nativity.
28 This and all other alterations will be found noted where they
29 occur. I have not thought it necessary to note mere differences
30 of spelling between the two editions but a word may find place
31 here upon their general character. Generally it may be said that,
32 where the two editions differ, the later spelling is that now in
33 use. Thus words like goddess, darkness, usually written in the
34 first edition with one final s, have two, while on the other hand
35 words like vernall, youthfull, and monosyllables like hugg, farr,
36 lose their double letter. Many monosyllables, e.g. som, cours,
37 glimps, wher, vers, aw, els, don, ey, ly, so written in 1645, take
38 on in 1673 an e mute, while words like harpe, windes, onely,
39 lose it. By a reciprocal change ayr and cipress become air and
40 cypress; and the vowels in daign, vail, neer, beleeve, sheild,
41 boosom, eeven, battail, travailer, and many other words are
42 similarly modernized. On the other hand there are a few cases
43 where the 1645 edition exhibits the spelling which has
44 succeeded in fixing itself, as travail (1673, travel) in the sense of
45 labour; and rob'd, profane, human, flood and bloody, forest,
46 triple, alas, huddling, are found where the 1673 edition has
47 roab'd, prophane, humane, floud and bloudy, forrest, tripple,
48 alass and hudling. Indeed the spelling in this later edition is not
49 untouched by seventeenth century inconsistency. It retains here
50 and there forms like shameles, cateres, (where 1645 reads
51 cateress), and occasionally reverts to the older-fashioned
52 spelling of monosyllables without the mute e. In the Epitaph on
53 the Marchioness of Winchester, it reads --' And som flowers
54 and some bays.' But undoubtedly the impression on the whole
55 is of a much more modern text.
56
57 In the matter of small or capital letters I have followed the old
58 copy, except in one or two places where a personification
59 seemed not plainly enough marked to a modern reader without
60 a capital. Thus in Il Penseroso, l. 49, I print Leasure, although
61 both editions read leasure; and in the Vacation Exercise, l. 71,
62 Times for times. Also where the employment or omission of a
63 capital is plainly due to misprinting, as too frequently in the
64 1673 edition, I silently make the correction. Examples are,
65 notes for Notes in Sonnet xvii. l. 13; Anointed for anointed in
66 Psalm ii. l.12.
67
68 In regard to punctuation I have followed the old printers except
69 in obvious misprints, and followed them also, as far as possible,
70 in their distribution of roman and italic type and in the grouping
71 of words and lines in the various titles. To follow them exactly
72 was impossible, as the books are so very different in size.
73
74 At this point the candid reader may perhaps ask what advantage
75 is gained by presenting these poems to modern readers in the
76 dress of a bygone age. If the question were put to me I should
77 probably evade it by pointing out that Mr. Frowde is issuing an
78 edition based upon this, in which the spelling is frankly that of
79 to-day. But if the question were pressed, I think a sufficient
80 answer might be found. To begin with, I should point out that
81 even Prof. Masson, who in his excellent edition argues the
82 point and decides in favour of modern spelling, allows that there
83 are peculiarities of Milton's spelling which are really significant,
84 and ought therefore to be noted or preserved. But who is to
85 determine exactly which words are spelt according to the poet's
86 own instructions, and which according to the printer's whim? It
87 is notorious that in Paradise Lost some words were spelt upon a
88 deliberate system, and it may very well happen that in the
89 volume of minor poems which the poet saw through the press in
90 1645, there were spellings no less systematic. Prof. Masson
91 makes a great point of the fact that Milton's own spelling,
92 exhibited in the autograph manuscript of some of the minor
93 poems preserved in Trinity College, Cambridge, does not
94 correspond with that of the printed copy. [Note: This
95 manuscript, invaluable to all students of Milton, has lately been
96 facsimiled under the superintendence of Dr. Aldis Wright, and
97 published at the Cambridge University press]. This is certainly
98 true, as the reader may see for himself by comparing the
99 passage from the manuscript given in the appendix with the
100 corresponding place in the text. Milton's own spelling revels in
101 redundant e's, while the printer of the 1645 book is very sparing
102 of them. But in cases where the spelling affects the metre, we
103 find that the printed text and Milton's manuscript closely
104 correspond; and it is upon its value in determining the metre,
105 quite as much as its antiquarian interest, that I should base a
106 justification of this reprint. Take, for instance, such a line as the
107 eleventh of Comus, which Prof. Masson gives as:-
108
109 Amongst the enthroned gods on sainted seats.
110
111 A reader not learned in Miltonic rhythms will certainly read this
112
113 Amongst th' enthroned gods
114
115 But the 1645 edition reads:
116
117 Amongst the enthron'd gods
118
119 and so does Milton's manuscript. Again, in line 597, Prof.
120 Masson reads:
121
122 It shall be in eternal restless change
123 Self-fed and self-consumed. If this fail,
124 The pillared firmament is rottenness, &c.
125
126 But the 1645 text and Milton's manuscript read self-consum'd;
127 after which word there is to be understood a metrical pause to
128 mark the violent transition of the thought.
129
130 Again in the second line of the Sonnet to a Nightingale Prof.
131 Masson has:
132
133 Warblest at eve when all the woods are still
134
135 but the early edition, which probably follows Milton's spelling
136 though in this case we have no manuscript to compare, reads
137 'Warbl'st.' So the original text of Samson, l. 670, has 'temper'st.'
138
139 The retention of the old system of punctuation may be less
140 defensible, but I have retained it because it may now and then
141 be of use in determining a point of syntax. The absence of a
142 comma, for example, after the word hearse in the 58th line of
143 the Epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester, printed by Prof.
144 Masson thus:--
145
146 And some flowers, and some bays
147 For thy hearse to strew thy ways,
148
149 but in the 1645 edition:--
150
151 And som Flowers, and som Bays,
152 For thy Hears to strew the ways,
153
154 goes to prove that for here must be taken as 'fore.
155
156 Of the Paradise Lost there were two editions issued during
157 Milton's lifetime, and while the first has been taken as our text,
158 all the variants in the second, not being simple misprints, have
159 been recorded in the notes. In one respect, however, in the
160 distribution of the poem into twelve books instead of ten, it has
161 seemed best, for the sake of practical convenience, to follow the
162 second edition. A word may be allowed here on the famous
163 correction among the Errata prefixed to the first edition: 'Lib.
164 2. v. 414, for we read wee.' This correction shows not only that
165 Milton had theories about spelling, but also that he found
166 means, though his sight was gone, to ascertain whether his rules
167 had been carried out by his printer; and in itself this fact justifies
168 a facsimile reprint. What the principle in the use of the double
169 vowel exactly was (and it is found to affect the other
170 monosyllabic pronouns) it is not so easy to discover, though
171 roughly it is clear the reduplication was intended to mark
172 emphasis. For example, in the speech of the Divine Son after
173 the battle in heaven (vi. 810-817) the pronouns which the voice
174 would naturally emphasize are spelt with the double vowel:
175
176 Stand onely and behold
177 Gods indignation on these Godless pourd
178 By mee; not you but mee they have despis'd,
179 Yet envied; against mee is all thir rage,
180 Because the Father, t'whom in Heav'n supream
181 Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains,
182 Hath honourd me according to his will.
183 Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assign'd.
184
185 In the Son's speech offering himself as Redeemer (iii. 227-249)
186 where the pronoun all through is markedly emphasized, it is
187 printed mee the first four times, and afterwards me; but it is
188 noticeable that these first four times the emphatic word does
189 not stand in the stressed place of the verse, so that a careless
190 reader might not emphasize it, unless his attention were
191 specially led by some such sign:
192
193 Behold mee then, mee for him, life for life
194 I offer, on mee let thine anger fall;
195 Account mee man.
196
197 In the Hymn of Creation (v.160-209) where ye occurs fourteen
198 times, the emphasis and the metric stress six times out of seven
199 coincide, and the pronoun is spelt yee; where it is unemphatic,
200 and in an unstressed place, it is spelt ye. Two lines are especially
201 instructive:
202 Speak yee who best can tell, ye Sons of light (l. 160);
203
204 and
205
206 Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow,
207 Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise (l. 195).
208
209 In v. 694 it marks, as the voice by its emphasis would mark in
210 reading, a change of subject:
211
212 So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infus'd
213 Bad influence into th' unwarie brest
214 Of his Associate; hee (i. e. the associate) together calls,
215 &c.
216
217 An examination of other passages, where there is no antithesis,
218 goes to show that the lengthened form of the pronoun is most
219 frequent before a pause (as vii. 95); or at the end of a line (i.
220 245, 257); or when a foot is inverted (v. 133); or when as
221 object it precedes its verb (v. 612; vii. 747), or as subject
222 follows it (ix. 1109; x. 4). But as we might expect under
223 circumstances where a purist could not correct his own proofs,
224 there are not a few inconsistencies. There does not seem, for
225 example, any special emphasis in the second wee of the
226 following passage:
227
228 Freely we serve.
229 Because wee freely love, as in our will
230 To love or not; in this we stand or fall (v. 538).
231
232
233 On the other hand, in the passage (iii. 41) in which the poet
234 speaks of his own blindness:
235
236 Thus with the Year
237 Seasons return, but not to me returns
238 Day, &c.
239
240 where, if anywhere, we should expect mee, we do not find it,
241 though it occurs in the speech eight lines below. It should be
242 added that this differentiation of the pronouns is not found in
243 any printed poem of Milton's before Paradise Lost, nor is it
244 found in the Cambridge autograph. In that manuscript the
245 constant forms are me, wee, yee. There is one place where
246 there is a difference in the spelling of she, and it is just possible
247 that this may not be due to accident. In the first verse of the
248 song in Arcades, the MS. reads:
249
250 This, this is shee;
251
252 and in the third verse:
253
254 This, this is she alone.
255
256 This use of the double vowel is found a few times in Paradise
257 Regain'd: in ii. 259 and iv. 486, 497 where mee begins a line,
258 and in iv. 638 where hee is specially emphatic in the concluding
259 lines of the poem. In Samson Agonistes it is more frequent
260 (e.g. lines 124, 178, 193, 220, 252, 290, 1125). Another word
261 the spelling of which in Paradise Lost will be observed to vary is
262 the pronoun their, which is spelt sometimes thir. The spelling in
263 the Cambridge manuscript is uniformly thire, except once when
264 it is thir; and where their once occurs in the writing of an
265 amanuensis the e is struck through. That the difference is not
266 merely a printer's device to accommodate his line may be seen
267 by a comparison of lines 358 and 363 in the First Book, where
268 the shorter word comes in the shorter line. It is probable that
269 the lighter form of the word was intended to be used when it
270 was quite unemphatic. Contrast, for example, in Book iii. l.59:
271 His own works and their works at once to view with line 113:
272 Thir maker and thir making and thir Fate. But the use is not
273 consistent, and the form thir is not found at all till the 349th
274 line of the First Book. The distinction is kept up in the Paradise
275 Regain'd and Samson Agonistes, but, if possible, with even less
276 consistency. Such passages, however, as Paradise Regain'd, iii.
277 414-440; Samson Agonistes, 880-890, are certainly spelt upon a
278 method, and it is noticeable that in the choruses the lighter form
279 is universal.
280
281 Paradise Regain'd and Samson Agonistes were published in
282 1671, and no further edition was called for in the remaining
283 three years of the poet's lifetime, so that in the case of these
284 poems there are no new readings to record; and the texts were
285 so carefully revised, that only one fault (Paradise Regain'd, ii.
286 309) was left for correction later. In these and the other poems
287 I have corrected the misprints catalogued in the tables of Errata,
288 and I have silently corrected any other unless it might be
289 mistaken for a various reading, when I have called attention to
290 it in a note. Thus I have not recorded such blunders as Letbian
291 for Lesbian in the 1645 text of Lycidas, line 63; or hallow for
292 hollow in Paradise Lost, vi. 484; but I have noted content for
293 concent, in At a Solemn Musick, line 6.
294
295 In conclusion I have to offer my sincere thanks to all who have
296 collaborated with me in preparing this Edition; to the Delegates
297 of the Oxford Press for allowing me to undertake it and
298 decorate it with so many facsimiles; to the Controller of the
299 Press for his unfailing courtesy; to the printers and printer's
300 reader for their care and pains. Coming nearer home I cannot
301 but acknowledge the help I have received in looking over proof-
302 sheets from my sister, Mrs. P. A. Barnett, who has
303 ungrudgingly put at the service of this book both time and
304 eyesight. In taking leave of it, I may be permitted to say that it
305 has cost more of both these inestimable treasures than I had
306 anticipated. The last proof reaches me just a year after the first,
307 and the progress of the work has not in the interval been
308 interrupted. In tenui labor et tenuis gloria. Nevertheless I cannot
309 be sorry it was undertaken.
310
311 H. C. B.
312
313 YATTENDON RECTORY,
314 November 8, 1899.
315
316
317
318 Transcriber's note: Facsimile of Title page of 1645 edition
319 follows:
320
321
322 POEMS
323 OF
324 Mr John Milton,
325 BOTH
326 ENGLISH and LATIN
327 Compos'd at several times.
328 ------------------------------
329 Printed by his true copies.
330 ------------------------------
331 The SONGS were set in Musick by
332 Mr. HENRY LAWES Gentleman of
333 the KINGS Chappel, and one
334 of His MAIESTIES
335 Private Musick.
336
337 --------Baccare frontem
338 Cingite, ne vace noceat mala lingua futuro,
339 Virgil, Eclog. 7.
340 -----------------------------------------
341 Printed, and Publish'd according to
342 ORDER.
343 -----------------------------------------
344 LONDON,
345 Printed by Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Moseley,
346 and are to be sold at the signe of the Princes
347 Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard. 1645.
348
349
350
351 Transcriber's note: Facsimile of Title page of 1673 edition
352 follows:
353
354
355 POEMS, &c.
356 UPON
357 Several Occasions.
358 --------------------------
359 BY
360 Mr. John Milton:
361 --------------------------
362 Both ENGLISH and LATIN &c.
363 Composed at several times.
364 --------------------------
365 With a small tractate of
366 EDUCATION
367 To Mr. HARTLIB
368 --------------------------
369 --------------------------
370 LONDON.
371 Printed for Tho. Dring at the Blew Anchor
372 next Mitre Court over against Fetter
373 Lane in Fleet-street. 1673.
374
375
376
377 THE STATIONER TO THE READER.
378
379
380 It is not any Private respect of gain, Gentle Reader, for the
381 slightest Pamphlet is now adayes more vendible then the Works
382 of learnedest men; but it is the love I have to our own Language
383 that hath made me diligent to collect, and set forth such Peeces
384 in Prose and Vers as may renew the wonted honour and esteem
385 of our tongue: and it's the worth of these both English and Latin
386 poems, not the flourish of any prefixed encomions that can
387 invite thee to buy them, though these are not without the
388 highest Commendations and Applause of the learnedst
389 Academicks, both domestic and forrein: And amongst those of
390 our own Countrey, the unparalleled attestation of that
391 renowned Provost of Eaton, Sir Henry Wootton: I know not
392 thy palat how it relishes such dainties, nor how harmonious thy
393 soul is; perhaps more trivial Airs may please thee better. But
394 howsoever thy opinion is spent upon these, that incouragement
395 I have already received from the most ingenious men in their
396 clear and courteous entertainment of Mr. Wallers late choice
397 Peeces, hath once more made me adventure into the World,
398 presenting it with these ever-green, and not to be blasted
399 Laurels. The Authors more peculiar excellency in these studies,
400 was too well known to conceal his Papers, or to keep me from
401 attempting to sollicit them from him. Let the event guide it self
402 which way it will, I shall deserve of the age, by bringing into the
403 Light as true a Birth, as the Muses have brought forth since our
404 famous Spencer wrote; whose Poems in these English ones are
405 as rarely imitated, as sweetly excell'd. Reader, if thou art
406 Eagle-eied to censure their worth, I am not fearful to expose
407 them to thy exactest perusal.
408
409 Thine to Command
410
411 HUMPH. MOSELEY.
412
413
414
415 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
416
417
418 ON THE MORNING OF CHRISTS NATIVITY.
419 Compos'd 1629.
420
421 I
422
423 This is the Month, and this the happy morn
424 Wherin the Son of Heav'ns eternal King,
425 Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
426 Our great redemption from above did bring;
427 For so the holy sages once did sing,
428 That he our deadly forfeit should release,
429 And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
430
431 II
432
433 That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable,
434 And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty,
435 Wherwith he wont at Heav'ns high Councel-Table, 10
436 To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,
437 He laid aside; and here with us to be,
438 Forsook the Courts of everlasting Day,
439 And chose with us a darksom House of mortal Clay.
440
441 III
442
443 Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein
444 Afford a present to the Infant God?
445 Hast thou no vers, no hymn, or solemn strein,
446 To welcom him to this his new abode,
447 Now while the Heav'n by the Suns team untrod,
448 Hath took no print of the approching light, 20
449 And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?
450
451 IV
452
453 See how from far upon the Eastern rode
454 The Star-led Wisards haste with odours sweet,
455 O run, prevent them with thy humble ode,
456 And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;
457 Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet,
458 And joyn thy voice unto the Angel Quire,
459 >From out his secret Altar toucht with hallow'd fire.
460
461
462 The Hymn.
463
464 I
465
466 IT was the Winter wilde,
467 While the Heav'n-born-childe, 30
468 All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;
469 Nature in aw to him
470 Had doff't her gawdy trim,
471 With her great Master so to sympathize:
472 It was no season then for her
473 To wanton with the Sun her lusty Paramour.
474
475 II
476
477 Only with speeches fair
478 She woo'd the gentle Air
479 To hide her guilty front with innocent Snow,
480 And on her naked shame, 40
481 Pollute with sinfull blame,
482 The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw,
483 Confounded, that her Makers eyes
484 Should look so near upon her foul deformities.
485
486 III
487
488 But he her fears to cease,
489 Sent down the meek-eyd Peace,
490 She crown'd with Olive green, came softly sliding
491 Down through the turning sphear
492 His ready Harbinger,
493 With Turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, 50
494 And waving wide her mirtle wand,
495 She strikes a universall Peace through Sea and Land.
496
497 IV
498
499 No War, or Battails sound
500 Was heard the World around,
501 The idle spear and shield were high up hung;
502 The hooked Chariot stood
503 Unstain'd with hostile blood,
504 The Trumpet spake not to the armed throng,
505 And Kings sate still with awfull eye,
506 As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by. 60
507
508 V
509
510 But peacefull was the night
511 Wherin the Prince of light
512 His raign of peace upon the earth began:
513 The Windes with wonder whist,
514 Smoothly the waters kist,
515 Whispering new joyes to the milde Ocean,
516 Who now hath quite forgot to rave,
517 While Birds of Calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.
518
519 VI
520
521 The Stars with deep amaze
522 Stand fit in steadfast gaze, 70
523 Bending one way their pretious influence,
524 And will not take their flight,
525 For all the morning light,
526 Or Lucifer that often warned them thence;
527 But in their glimmering Orbs did glow,
528 Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.
529
530 VII
531
532 And though the shady gloom
533 Had given day her room,
534 The Sun himself with-held his wonted speed,
535 And hid his head for shame, 80
536 As his inferior flame,
537 The new enlightened world no more should need;
538 He saw a greater Sun appear
539 Then his bright Throne, or burning Axletree could bear.
540
541 VIII
542
543 The Shepherds on the Lawn,
544 Or ere the point of dawn,
545 Sate simply chatting in a rustic row;
546 Full little thought they than,
547 That the mighty Pan
548 Was kindly com to live with them below; 90
549 Perhaps their loves, or els their sheep,
550 Was all that did their silly thoughts so busie keep.
551
552 IX
553
554 When such Musick sweet
555 Their hearts and ears did greet,
556 As never was by mortal finger strook,
557 Divinely-warbled voice
558 Answering the stringed noise,
559 As all their souls in blisfull rapture took:
560 The Air such pleasure loth to lose,
561 With thousand echo's still prolongs each heav'nly close. 100
562
563 X
564
565 Nature that heard such sound
566 Beneath the hollow round
567 of Cynthia's seat the Airy region thrilling,
568 Now was almost won
569 To think her part was don
570 And that her raign had here its last fulfilling;
571 She knew such harmony alone
572 Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union.
573
574 XI
575
576 At last surrounds their sight
577 A globe of circular light, 110
578 That with long beams the shame faced night arrayed
579 The helmed Cherubim
580 And sworded Seraphim,
581 Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displaid,
582 Harping in loud and solemn quire,
583 With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir.
584
585 XII
586
587 Such Musick (as 'tis said)
588 Before was never made,
589 But when of old the sons of morning sung,
590 While the Creator Great
591 His constellations set, 120
592 And the well-ballanc't world on hinges hung,
593 And cast the dark foundations deep,
594 And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep.
595
596 XIII
597
598 Ring out ye Crystall sphears,
599 Once bless our human ears,
600 (If ye have power to touch our senses so)
601 And let your silver chime
602 Move in melodious time;
603 And let the Base of Heav'ns deep Organ blow, 130
604 And with your ninefold harmony
605 Make up full consort to th'Angelike symphony.
606
607 XIV
608
609 For if such holy Song
610 Enwrap our fancy long,
611 Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold,
612 And speckl'd vanity
613 Will sicken soon and die,
614 And leprous sin will melt from earthly mould,
615 And Hell it self will pass away
616 And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. 140
617
618 XV
619
620 Yea Truth, and Justice then
621 Will down return to men,
622 Th'enameld Arras of the Rain-bow wearing,
623 And Mercy set between
624 Thron'd in Celestiall sheen,
625 With radiant feet the tissued clouds down stearing,
626 And Heav'n as at som festivall,
627 Will open wide the gates of her high Palace Hall.
628
629 XVI
630
631 But wisest Fate sayes no,
632 This must not yet be so, 150
633 The Babe lies yet in smiling Infancy,
634 That on the bitter cross
635 Must redeem our loss;
636 So both himself and us to glorifie:
637 Yet first to those ychain'd in sleep,
638 The Wakeful trump of doom must thunder through the deep,
639
640 XVII
641
642 With such a horrid clang
643 As on Mount Sinai rang
644 While the red fire, and smouldring clouds out brake:
645 The aged Earth agast 160
646 With terrour of that blast,
647 Shall from the surface to the center shake;
648 When at the worlds last session,
649 The dreadfull Judge in middle Air shall spread his throne.
650
651 XVIII
652
653 And then at last our bliss
654 Full and perfect is,
655 But now begins; for from this happy day
656 Th'old Dragon under ground
657 In straiter limits bound,
658 Not half so far casts his usurped sway, 170
659 And wrath to see his Kingdom fail,
660 Swindges the scaly Horrour of his foulded tail.
661
662 XIX
663
664 The Oracles are dumm,
665 No voice or hideous humm
666 Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.
667 Apollo from his shrine
668 Can no more divine,
669 With hollow shreik the steep of Delphos leaving.
670 No nightly trance, or breathed spell,
671 Inspire's the pale-ey'd Priest from the prophetic cell. 180
672
673 XX
674
675 The lonely mountains o're,
676 And the resounding shore,
677 A voice of weeping heard, and loud lament;
678 >From haunted spring, and dale
679 Edg'd with poplar pale
680 The parting Genius is with sighing sent,
681 With flowre-inwov'n tresses torn
682 The Nimphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn.
683
684 XXI
685
686 In consecrated Earth,
687 And on the holy Hearth, 190
688 The Lars, and Lemures moan with midnight plaint,
689 In Urns, and Altars round,
690 A drear, and dying sound
691 Affrights the Flamins at their service quaint;
692 And the chill Marble seems to sweat,
693 While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.
694
695 XXII
696
697 Peor, and Baalim,
698 Forsake their Temples dim,
699 With that twise-batter'd god of Palestine,
700 And mooned Ashtaroth, 200
701 Heav'ns Queen and Mother both,
702 Now sits not girt with Tapers holy shine,
703 The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn,
704 In vain the Tyrian Maids their wounded Thamuz mourn.
705
706 XXIII
707
708 And sullen Moloch fled,
709 Hath left in shadows dred,
710 His burning Idol all of blackest hue,
711 In vain with Cymbals ring,
712 They call the grisly king,
713 In dismall dance about the furnace Blue; 210
714 And Brutish gods of Nile as fast,
715 lsis and Orus, and the Dog Anubis hast.
716
717
718
719 THE PASSION.
720
721
722 I
723
724 ERE-while of Musick, and Ethereal mirth,
725 Wherwith the stage of Ayr and Earth did ring,
726 And joyous news of heav'nly Infants birth,
727 My muse with Angels did divide to sing;
728 But headlong joy is ever on the wing,
729 In Wintry solstice like the shortn'd light
730 Soon swallow'd up in dark and long out-living night.
731
732 II
733
734 For now to sorrow must I tune my song,
735 And set my Harpe to notes of saddest wo,
736 Which on our dearest Lord did sease er'e long,
737 Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse then so, 10
738 Which he for us did freely undergo.
739 Most perfect Heroe, try'd in heaviest plight
740 Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human wight.
741
742 III
743
744 He sov'ran Priest stooping his regall head
745 That dropt with odorous oil down his fair eyes,
746 Poor fleshly Tabernacle entered,
747 His starry front low-rooft beneath the skies;
748 O what a Mask was there, what a disguise!
749 Yet more; the stroke of death he must abide, 20
750 Then lies him meekly down fast by his Brethrens side.
751
752 IV
753
754 These latter scenes confine my roving vers,
755 To this Horizon is my Phoebus bound,
756 His Godlike acts, and his temptations fierce,
757 And former sufferings other where are found;
758 Loud o're the rest Cremona's Trump doth sound;
759 Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
760 Of Lute, or Viol still, more apt for mournful things.
761
762 Note: 22 latter] latest 1673.
763
764 V
765
766 Befriend me night best Patroness of grief,
767 Over the Pole thy thickest mantle throw, 30
768 And work my flatterd fancy to belief,
769 That Heav'n and Earth are colour'd with my wo;
770 My sorrows are too dark for day to know:
771 The leaves should all be black wheron I write,
772 And letters where my tears have washt a wannish white.
773
774 VI
775
776 See see the Chariot, and those rushing wheels,
777 That whirl'd the Prophet up at Chebar flood,
778 My spirit som transporting Cherub feels,
779 To bear me where the Towers of Salem stood,
780 Once glorious Towers, now sunk in guiltles blood; 40
781 There doth my soul in holy vision sit
782 In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatick fit.
783
784 VII
785
786 Mine eye hath found that sad Sepulchral rock
787 That was the Casket of Heav'ns richest store,
788 And here though grief my feeble hands up-lock,
789 Yet on the softned Quarry would I score
790 My plaining vers as lively as before;
791 For sure so well instructed are my tears,
792 They would fitly fall in order'd Characters.
793
794 VIII
795
796 I thence hurried on viewles wing, 50
797 Take up a weeping on the Mountains wilde,
798 The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring
799 Would soon unboosom all their Echoes milde,
800 And I (for grief is easily beguild)
801 Might think th'infection of my sorrows bound,
802 Had got a race of mourners on som pregnant cloud.
803
804 Note: This subject the Author finding to be above the yeers he had,
805 when he wrote it, and nothing satisfi'd with what was begun,
806 left it unfinish'd.
807
808
809
810 On Time.
811
812
813 FLY envious Time, till thou run out thy race,
814 Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours,
815 Whose speed is but the heavy Plummets pace;
816 And glut thy self with what thy womb devours,
817 Which is no more then what is false and vain,
818 And meerly mortal dross;
819 So little is our loss,
820 So little is thy gain.
821 For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,
822 And last of all, thy greedy self consum'd, 10
823 Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss
824 With an individual kiss;
825 And Joy shall overtake us as a flood,
826 When every thing that is sincerely good
827 And perfectly divine,
828 With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine
829 About the supreme Throne
830 Of him, t'whose happy-making sight alone,
831 When once our heav'nly-guided soul shall clime,
832 Then all this Earthy grosnes quit, 20
833 Attir'd with Stars, we shall for ever sit,
834 Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.
835
836 Note: See the appendix for the manuscript version.
837
838
839
840 UPON THE CIRCUMCISION.
841
842
843 YE flaming Powers, and winged Warriours bright,
844 That erst with Musick, and triumphant song
845 First heard by happy watchful Shepherds ear,
846 So sweetly sung your Joy the Clouds along
847 Through the soft silence of the list'ning night;
848 Now mourn, and if sad share with us to bear
849 Your fiery essence can distill no tear,
850 Burn in your sighs, and borrow
851 Seas wept from our deep sorrow,
852 He who with all Heav'ns heraldry whileare 10
853 Enter'd the world, now bleeds to give us ease;
854 Alas, how soon our sin
855 Sore doth begin
856 His Infancy to sease!
857
858 O more exceeding love or law more just?
859 Just law indeed, but more exceeding love !
860 For we by rightfull doom remediles
861 Were lost in death, till he that dwelt above
862 High thron'd in secret bliss, for us frail dust
863 Emptied his glory, ev'n to nakednes; 20
864 And that great Cov'nant which we still transgress
865 Intirely satisfi'd,
866 And the full wrath beside
867 Of vengeful Justice bore for our excess,
868 And seals obedience first with wounding smart
869 This day, but O ere long
870 Huge pangs and strong
871 Will pierce more neer his heart.
872
873
874
875 AT A SOLEMN MUSICK.
876
877
878 BLEST pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy,
879 Sphear-born harmonious Sisters, Voice, and Vers,
880 Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ
881 Dead things with inbreath'd sense able to pierce,
882 And to our high-rais'd phantasie present,
883 That undisturbed Song of pure content,
884 Ay sung before the saphire-colour'd throne
885 To him that sits theron
886 With Saintly shout, and solemn Jubily,
887 Where the bright Seraphim in burning row 10
888 Their loud up-lifted Angel trumpets blow,
889 And the Cherubick host in thousand quires
890 Touch their immortal Harps of golden wires,
891 With those just Spirits that wear victorious Palms,
892 Hymns devout and holy Psalms
893 Singing everlastingly;
894 That we on Earth with undiscording voice
895 May rightly answer that melodious noise;
896 As once we did, till disproportion'd sin
897 Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh din 20
898 The fair musick that all creatures made
899 To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd
900 In perfect Diapason, whilst they stood
901 In first obedience, and their state of good.
902 O may we soon again renew that Song,
903 And keep in tune with Heav'n, till God ere long
904 To his celestial consort us unite,
905 To live with him, and sing in endles morn of light.
906
907 Note: 6 content] Manuscript reads concent as does the Second
908 Edition; so that content is probably a misprint.
909
910
911
912
913 AN EPITAPH ON THE MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER.
914
915
916 THIS rich Marble doth enterr
917 The honour'd Wife of Winchester,
918 A Vicounts daughter, an Earls heir,
919 Besides what her vertues fair
920 Added to her noble birth,
921 More then she could own from Earth.
922 Summers three times eight save one
923 She had told, alas too soon,
924 After so short time of breath,
925 To house with darknes, and with death. 10
926 Yet had the number of her days
927 Bin as compleat as was her praise,
928 Nature and fate had had no strife
929 In giving limit to her life.
930 Her high birth, and her graces sweet,
931 Quickly found a lover meet;
932 The Virgin quire for her request
933 The God that sits at marriage feast;
934 He at their invoking came
935 But with a scarce-wel-lighted flame; 20
936 And in his Garland as he stood,
937 Ye might discern a Cipress bud.
938 Once had the early Matrons run
939 To greet her of a lovely son,
940 And now with second hope she goes,
941 And calls Lucina to her throws;
942 But whether by mischance or blame
943 Atropos for Lucina came;
944 And with remorsles cruelty,
945 Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree: 30
946 The haples Babe before his birth
947 Had burial, yet not laid in earth,
948 And the languisht Mothers Womb
949 Was not long a living Tomb.
950 So have I seen som tender slip
951 Sav'd with care from Winters nip,
952 The pride of her carnation train,
953 Pluck't up by som unheedy swain,
954 Who onely thought to crop the flowr
955 New shot up from vernall showr; 40
956 But the fair blossom hangs the head
957 Side-ways as on a dying bed,
958 And those Pearls of dew she wears,
959 Prove to be presaging tears
960 Which the sad morn had let fall
961 On her hast'ning funerall.
962 Gentle Lady may thy grave
963 Peace and quiet ever have;
964 After this thy travail sore
965 Sweet rest sease thee evermore, 50
966 That to give the world encrease,
967 Shortned hast thy own lives lease;
968 Here besides the sorrowing
969 That thy noble House doth bring,
970 Here be tears of perfect moan
971 Weept for thee in Helicon,
972 And som Flowers, and som Bays,
973 For thy Hears to strew the ways,
974 Sent thee from the banks of Came,
975 Devoted to thy vertuous name; 60
976 Whilst thou bright Saint high sit'st in glory,
977 Next her much like to thee in story,
978 That fair Syrian Shepherdess,
979 Who after yeers of barrennes,
980 The highly favour'd Joseph bore
981 To him that serv'd for her before,
982 And at her next birth much like thee,
983 Through pangs fled to felicity,
984 Far within the boosom bright
985 of blazing Majesty and Light, 70
986 There with thee, new welcom Saint,
987 Like fortunes may her soul acquaint,
988 With thee there clad in radiant sheen,
989 No Marchioness, but now a Queen.
990
991
992
993 SONG ON MAY MORNING.
994
995
996 Now the bright morning Star, Dayes harbinger,
997 Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
998 The Flowry May, who from her green lap throws
999 The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.
1000 Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
1001 Mirth and youth, and warm desire,
1002 Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
1003 Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.
1004 Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
1005 And welcom thee, and wish thee long. 10
1006
1007
1008
1009 ON SHAKESPEAR. 1630.
1010
1011
1012 WHAT needs my Shakespear for his honour'd Bones,
1013 The labour of an age in piled Stones,
1014 Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid
1015 Under a Star-ypointing Pyramid?
1016 Dear son of memory, great heir of Fame,
1017 What need'st thou such weak witnes of thy name?
1018 Thou in our wonder and astonishment
1019 Hast built thy self a live-long Monument.
1020 For whilst to th'sharne of slow-endeavouring art,
1021 Thy easie numbers flow, and that each heart 10
1022 Hath from the Leaves of thy unvalu'd Book,
1023 Those Delphick lines with deep impression took,
1024 Then thou our fancy of it self bereaving,
1025 Dost make us Marble with too much conceaving;
1026 And so Sepulcher'd in such pomp dost lie,
1027 That Kings for such a Tomb would wish to die.
1028
1029 Notes: On Shakespear. Reprinted 1632 in the second folio
1030 Shakespeare:
1031 Title] An epitaph on the admirable dramaticke poet W.
1032 Shakespeare
1033 1 needs] neede
1034 6 weak] dull
1035 8 live-long] lasting
1036 10 heart] part
1037 13 it] her
1038
1039
1040
1041 ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER WHO SICKN'D IN THE TIME OF HIS
1042 VACANCY, BEING FORBID TO GO TO LONDON, BY REASON OF THE
1043 PLAGUE.
1044
1045
1046 HERE lies old Hobson, Death hath broke his girt,
1047 And here alas, hath laid him in the dirt,
1048 Or els the ways being foul, twenty to one,
1049 He's here stuck in a slough, and overthrown.
1050 'Twas such a shifter, that if truth were known,
1051 Death was half glad when he had got him down;
1052 For he had any time this ten yeers full,
1053 Dodg'd with him, betwixt Cambridge and the Bull.
1054 And surely, Death could never have prevail'd,
1055 Had not his weekly cours of carriage fail'd; 10
1056 But lately finding him so long at home,
1057 And thinking now his journeys end was come,
1058 And that he had tane up his latest Inne,
1059 In the kind office of a Chamberlin
1060 Shew'd him his room where he must lodge that night,
1061 Pull'd off his Boots, and took away the light:
1062 If any ask for him, it shall be sed,
1063 Hobson has supt, and 's newly gon to bed.
1064
1065
1066
1067 ANOTHER ON THE SAME.
1068
1069
1070 HERE lieth one who did most truly prove,
1071 That he could never die while he could move,
1072 So hung his destiny never to rot
1073 While he might still jogg on, and keep his trot,
1074 Made of sphear-metal, never to decay
1075 Untill his revolution was at stay.
1076 Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime
1077 'Gainst old truth) motion number'd out his time:
1078 And like an Engin mov'd with wheel and waight,
1079 His principles being ceast, he ended strait. 10
1080 Rest that gives all men life, gave him his death,
1081 And too much breathing put him out of breath;
1082 Nor were it contradiction to affirm
1083 Too long vacation hastned on his term.
1084 Meerly to drive the time away he sickn'd,
1085 Fainted, and died, nor would with Ale be quickn'd;
1086 Nay, quoth he, on his swooning bed out-stretch'd,
1087 If I may not carry, sure Ile ne're be fetch'd,
1088 But vow though the cross Doctors all stood hearers,
1089 For one Carrier put down to make six bearers. 20
1090 Ease was his chief disease, and to judge right,
1091 He di'd for heavines that his Cart went light,
1092 His leasure told him that his time was com,
1093 And lack of load, made his life burdensom
1094 That even to his last breath (ther be that say't)
1095 As he were prest to death, he cry'd more waight;
1096 But had his doings lasted as they were,
1097 He had bin an immortall Carrier.
1098 Obedient to the Moon he spent his date
1099 In cours reciprocal, and had his fate 30
1100 Linkt to the mutual flowing of the Seas,
1101 Yet (strange to think) his wain was his increase:
1102 His Letters are deliver'd all and gon,
1103 Onely remains this superscription.
1104
1105
1106
1107 L'ALLEGRO.
1108
1109
1110 HENCE loathed Melancholy
1111 Of Cerberus, and blackest midnight born,
1112 In Stygian Cave forlorn
1113 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shreiks, and sights unholy,
1114 Find out som uncouth cell,
1115 Where brooding darknes spreads his jealous wings,
1116 And the night-Raven sings;
1117 There under Ebon shades and low-brow'd Rocks,
1118 As ragged as thy Locks,
1119 In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. 10
1120 But com thou Goddes fair and free,
1121 In Heav'n ycleap'd Euphrosyne,
1122 And by men, heart-easing Mirth,
1123 Whom lovely Venus at a birth
1124 With two sister Graces more
1125 To Ivy-crowned Bacchus bore;
1126 Or whether (as som Sager sing)
1127 The frolick Wind that breathes the Spring,
1128 Zephir with Aurora playing,
1129 As he met her once a Maying, 20
1130 There on Beds of Violets blew,
1131 And fresh-blown Roses washt in dew,
1132 Fill'd her with thee a daughter fair,
1133 So bucksom, blith, and debonair.
1134 Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee
1135 Jest and youthful Jollity,
1136 Quips and Cranks, and wanton Wiles,
1137 Nods, and Becks, and Wreathed Smiles,
1138 Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
1139 And love to live in dimple sleek; 30
1140 Sport that wrincled Care derides,
1141 And Laughter holding both his sides.
1142 Com, and trip it as ye go
1143 On the light fantastick toe,
1144 And in thy right hand lead with thee,
1145 The Mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty;
1146 And if I give thee honour due,
1147 Mirth, admit me of thy crue
1148 To live with her, and live with thee,
1149 In unreproved pleasures free; 40
1150 To hear the Lark begin his flight,
1151 And singing startle the dull night,
1152 >From his watch-towre in the skies,
1153 Till the dappled dawn doth rise;
1154 Then to com in spight of sorrow,
1155 And at my window bid good morrow,
1156 Through the Sweet-Briar, or the Vine,
1157 Or the twisted Eglantine.
1158 While the Cock with lively din,
1159 Scatters the rear of darknes thin, 50
1160 And to the stack, or the Barn dore,
1161 Stoutly struts his Dames before,
1162 Oft list'ning how the Hounds and horn
1163 Chearly rouse the slumbring morn,
1164 >From the side of som Hoar Hill,
1165 Through the high wood echoing shrill.
1166 Som time walking not unseen
1167 By Hedge-row Elms, on Hillocks green,
1168 Right against the Eastern gate,
1169 Wher the great Sun begins his state, 60
1170 Rob'd in flames, and Amber light,
1171 The clouds in thousand Liveries dight.
1172 While the Plowman neer at hand,
1173 Whistles ore the Furrow'd Land,
1174 And the Milkmaid singeth blithe,
1175 And the Mower whets his sithe,
1176 And every Shepherd tells his tale
1177 Under the Hawthorn in the dale.
1178 Streit mine eye hath caught new pleasures
1179 Whilst the Lantskip round it measures, 70
1180 Russet Lawns, and Fallows Gray,
1181 Where the nibling flocks do stray,
1182 Mountains on whose barren brest
1183 The labouring clouds do often rest:
1184 Meadows trim with Daisies pide,
1185 Shallow Brooks, and Rivers wide.
1186 Towers, and Battlements it sees
1187 Boosom'd high in tufted Trees,
1188 Wher perhaps som beauty lies,
1189 The Cynosure of neighbouring eyes. 80
1190 Hard by, a Cottage chimney smokes,
1191 >From betwixt two aged Okes,
1192 Where Corydon and Thyrsis met,
1193 Are at their savory dinner set
1194 Of Hearbs, and other Country Messes,
1195 Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses;
1196 And then in haste her Bowre she leaves,
1197 With Thestylis to bind the Sheaves;
1198 Or if the earlier season lead
1199 To the tann'd Haycock in the Mead, 90
1200 Som times with secure delight
1201 The up-land Hamlets will invite,
1202 When the merry Bells ring round,
1203 And the jocond rebecks sound
1204 To many a youth, and many a maid,
1205 Dancing in the Chequer'd shade;
1206 And young and old com forth to play
1207 On a Sunshine Holyday,
1208 Till the live-long day-light fail,
1209 Then to the Spicy Nut-brown Ale, 100
1210 With stories told of many a feat,
1211 How Faery Mab the junkets eat,
1212 She was pincht, and pull'd she sed,
1213 And he by Friars Lanthorn led
1214 Tells how the drudging Goblin swet,
1215 To ern his Cream-bowle duly set,
1216 When in one night, ere glimps of morn,
1217 His shadowy Flale hath thresh'd the Corn
1218 That ten day-labourers could not end,
1219 Then lies him down the Lubbar Fend. 110
1220 And stretch'd out all the Chimney's length,
1221 Basks at the fire his hairy strength;
1222 And Crop-full out of dores he flings,
1223 Ere the first Cock his Mattin rings.
1224 Thus don the Tales, to bed they creep,
1225 By whispering Windes soon lull'd asleep.
1226 Towred Cities please us then,
1227 And the busie humm of men,
1228 Where throngs of Knights and Barons bold,
1229 In weeds of Peace high triumphs hold, 120
1230 With store of Ladies, whose bright eies
1231 Rain influence, and judge the prise
1232 Of Wit, or Arms, while both contend
1233 To win her Grace, whom all commend.
1234 There let Hymen oft appear
1235 In Saffron robe, with Taper clear,
1236 And pomp, and feast, and revelry,
1237 With mask, and antique Pageantry,
1238 Such sights as youthfull Poets dream
1239 On Summer eeves by haunted stream. 130
1240 Then to the well-trod stage anon,
1241 If Jonsons learned Sock be on,
1242 Or sweetest Shakespear fancies childe,
1243 Warble his native Wood-notes wilde,
1244 And ever against eating Cares,
1245 Lap me in soft Lydian Aires,
1246 Married to immortal verse
1247 Such as the meeting soul may pierce
1248 In notes, with many a winding bout
1249 Of lincked sweetnes long drawn out, 140
1250 With wanton heed, and giddy cunning,
1251 The melting voice through mazes running;
1252 Untwisting all the chains that ty
1253 The hidden soul of harmony.
1254 That Orpheus self may heave his head
1255 >From golden slumber on a bed
1256 Of heapt Elysian flowres, and hear
1257 Such streins as would have won the ear
1258 Of Pluto, to have quite set free
1259 His half regain'd Eurydice. 150
1260 These delights, if thou canst give,
1261 Mirth with thee, I mean to live.
1262
1263 Notes:
1264 33 Ye] You 1673
1265 104 And he by] And by the 1673
1266
1267
1268
1269 IL PENSEROSO.
1270
1271
1272 Hence vain deluding joyes,
1273 The brood of folly without father bred,
1274 How little you bested,
1275 Or fill the fixed mind with all your toyes;
1276 Dwell in som idle brain
1277 And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess,
1278 As thick and numberless
1279 As the gay motes that people the Sun Beams,
1280 Or likest hovering dreams
1281 The fickle Pensioners of Morpheus train. 10
1282 But hail thou Goddess, sage and holy,
1283 Hail divinest Melancholy
1284 Whose Saintly visage is too bright
1285 To hit the Sense of human sight;
1286 And therefore to our weaker view,
1287 Ore laid with black staid Wisdoms hue.
1288 Black, but such as in esteem,
1289 Prince Memnons sister might beseem,
1290 Or that Starr'd Ethiope Queen that strove
1291 To set her beauties praise above 20
1292 The Sea Nymphs, and their powers offended.
1293 Yet thou art higher far descended,
1294 Thee bright-hair'd Vesta long of yore,
1295 To solitary Saturn bore;
1296 His daughter she (in Saturns raign,
1297 Such mixture was not held a stain)
1298 Oft in glimmering Bowres, and glades
1299 He met her, and in secret shades
1300 Of woody Ida's inmost grove,
1301 While yet there was no fear of Jove. 30
1302 Com pensive Nun, devout and pure,
1303 Sober, stedfast, and demure,
1304 All in a robe of darkest grain,
1305 Flowing with majestick train,
1306 And sable stole of Cipres Lawn,
1307 Over thy decent shoulders drawn.
1308 Com, but keep thy wonted state,
1309 With eev'n step, and musing gate,
1310 And looks commercing with the skies,
1311 Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes: 40
1312 There held in holy passion still,
1313 Forget thy self to Marble, till
1314 With a sad Leaden downward cast,
1315 Thou fix them on the earth as fast.
1316 And joyn with thee calm Peace, and Quiet,
1317 Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet,
1318 And hears the Muses in a ring,
1319 Ay round about Joves Altar sing.
1320 And adde to these retired Leasure,
1321 That in trim Gardens takes his pleasure; 50
1322 But first, and chiefest, with thee bring,
1323 Him that yon soars on golden wing,
1324 Guiding the fiery-wheeled throne,
1325 The Cherub Contemplation,
1326 And the mute Silence hist along,
1327 'Less Philomel will daign a Song,
1328 In her sweetest, saddest plight,
1329 Smoothing the rugged brow of night,
1330 While Cynthia checks her Dragon yoke,
1331 Gently o're th'accustom'd Oke; 60
1332 Sweet Bird that shunn'st the noise of folly
1333 Most musical!, most melancholy!
1334 Thee Chauntress oft the Woods among
1335 I woo to hear thy eeven-Song;
1336 And missing thee, I walk unseen
1337 On the dry smooth-shaven Green,
1338 To behold the wandring Moon,
1339 Riding neer her highest noon,
1340 Like one that had bin led astray
1341 Through the Heav'ns wide pathles way; 70
1342 And oft, as if her head she bow'd,
1343 Stooping through a fleecy cloud.
1344 Oft on a Plat of rising ground,
1345 I hear the far-off Curfeu sound,
1346 Over som wide-water'd shoar,
1347 Swinging slow with sullen roar;
1348 Or if the Ayr will not permit,
1349 Som still removed place will fit,
1350 Where glowing Embers through the room
1351 Teach light to counterfeit a gloom 80
1352 Far from all resort of mirth,
1353 Save the Cricket on the hearth,
1354 Or the Belmans drowsie charm,
1355 To bless the dores from nightly harm:
1356 Or let my Lamp at midnight hour,
1357 Be seen in som high lonely Towr,
1358 Where I may oft out-watch the Bear,
1359 With thrice great Hermes, or unsphear
1360 The spirit of Plato to unfold
1361 What Worlds, or what vast Regions hold 90
1362 The immortal mind that hath forsook
1363 Her mansion in this fleshly nook:
1364 And of those Daemons that are found
1365 In fire, air, flood, or under ground,
1366 Whose power hath a true consent
1367 With planet or with Element.
1368 Som time let Gorgeous Tragedy
1369 In Scepter'd Pall com sweeping by,
1370 Presenting Thebs, or Pelops line,
1371 Or the tale of Troy divine. 100
1372 Or what (though rare) of later age,
1373 Ennobled hath the Buskind stage.
1374 But, O sad Virgin, that thy power
1375 Might raise Musaeus from his bower,
1376 Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing
1377 Such notes as warbled to the string,
1378 Drew Iron tears down Pluto's cheek,
1379 And made Hell grant what Love did seek.
1380 Or call up him that left half told
1381 The story of Cambuscan bold, 110
1382 Of Camball, and of Algarsife,
1383 And who had Canace to wife,
1384 That own'd the vertuous Ring and Glass,
1385 And of the wondrous Hors of Brass,
1386 On which the Tartar King did ride;
1387 And if ought els, great Bards beside,
1388 In sage and solemn tunes have sung,
1389 Of Turneys and of Trophies hung;
1390 Of Forests, and inchantments drear,
1391 Where more is meant then meets the ear. 120
1392 Thus night oft see me in thy pale career,
1393 Till civil-suited Morn appeer,
1394 Not trickt and frounc't as she was wont,
1395 With the Attick Boy to hunt,
1396 But Cherchef't in a comly Cloud,
1397 While rocking Winds are Piping loud,
1398 Or usher'd with a shower still,
1399 When the gust hath blown his fill,
1400 Ending on the russling Leaves,
1401 With minute drops from off the Eaves. 130
1402 And when the Sun begins to fling
1403 His flaring beams, me Goddes bring
1404 To arched walks of twilight groves,
1405 And shadows brown that Sylvan loves
1406 Of Pine, or monumental Oake,
1407 Where the rude Ax with heaved stroke,
1408 Was never heard the Nymphs to daunt,
1409 Or fright them from their hallow'd haunt.
1410 There in close covert by som Brook,
1411 Where no profaner eye may look, 140
1412 Hide me from Day's garish eie,
1413 While the Bee with Honied thie,
1414 That at her flowry work doth sing,
1415 And the Waters murmuring
1416 With such consort as they keep,
1417 Entice the dewy-feather'd Sleep;
1418 And let som strange mysterious dream,
1419 Wave at his Wings in Airy stream,
1420 Of lively portrature display'd,
1421 Softly on my eye-lids laid. 150
1422 And as I wake, sweet musick breath
1423 Above, about, or underneath,
1424 Sent by som spirit to mortals good,
1425 Or th'unseen Genius of the Wood.
1426 But let my due feet never fail,
1427 To walk the studious Cloysters pale,
1428 And love the high embowed Roof
1429 With antick Pillars massy proof,
1430 And storied Windows richly dight,
1431 Casting a dimm religious light. 160
1432 There let the pealing Organ blow,
1433 To the full voic'd Quire below,
1434 In Service high, and Anthems cleer,
1435 As may with sweetnes, through mine ear,
1436 Dissolve me into extasies,
1437 And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes.
1438 And may at last my weary age
1439 Find out the peacefull hermitage,
1440 The Hairy Gown and Mossy Cell,
1441 Where I may sit and rightly spell 170
1442 Of every Star that Heav'n doth shew,
1443 And every Herb that sips the dew;
1444 Till old experience do attain
1445 To somthing like prophetic strain.
1446 These pleasures Melancholy give,
1447 And I with thee will choose to live.
1448
1449
1450
1451 SONNETS.
1452
1453
1454 I
1455
1456 O Nightingale, that on yon bloomy Spray
1457 Warbl'st at eeve, when all the Woods are still,
1458 Thou with fresh hope the Lovers heart dost fill,
1459 While the jolly hours lead on propitious May,
1460 Thy liquid notes that close the eye of Day,
1461 First heard before the shallow Cuccoo's bill
1462 Portend success in love; O if Jove's will
1463 Have linkt that amorous power to thy soft lay,
1464 Now timely sing, ere the rude Bird of Hate
1465 Foretell my hopeles doom in som Grove ny: 10
1466 As thou from yeer to yeer hast sung too late
1467 For my relief; yet hadst no reason why,
1468 Whether the Muse, or Love call thee his mate,
1469 Both them I serve, and of their train am I.
1470
1471 II
1472
1473 Donna leggiadra il cui bel nome honora
1474 L'herbosa val di Rheno, e il nobil varco,
1475 Ben e colui d'ogni valore scarco
1476 Qual tuo spirto gentil non innamora,
1477 Che dolcemente mostra si di fuora
1478 De suoi atti soavi giamai parco,
1479 E i don', che son d'amor saette ed arco,
1480 La onde l' alta tua virtu s'infiora.
1481 Quando tu vaga parli, O lieta canti
1482 Che mover possa duro alpestre legno, 10
1483 Guardi ciascun a gli occhi ed a gli orecchi
1484 L'entrata, chi di te si truova indegno;
1485 Gratia sola di su gli vaglia, inanti
1486 Che'l disio amoroso al cuor s'invecchi.
1487
1488 III
1489
1490 Qual in colle aspro, al imbrunir di sera
1491 L'avezza giovinetta pastorella
1492 Va bagnando l'herbetta strana e bella
1493 Che mal si spande a disusata spera
1494 Fuor di sua natia alma primavera,
1495 Cosi Amor meco insu la lingua snella
1496 Desta il fior novo di strania favella,
1497 Mentre io di te, vezzosamente altera,
1498 Canto, dal mio buon popol non inteso
1499 E'l bel Tamigi cangio col bel Arno 10
1500 Amor lo volse, ed io a l'altrui peso
1501 Seppi ch' Amor cosa mai volse indarno.
1502 Deh! foss' il mio cuor lento e'l duro seno
1503 A chi pianta dal ciel si buon terreno.
1504
1505 Canzone.
1506
1507 Ridonsi donne e giovani amorosi
1508 M' occostandosi attorno, e perche scrivi,
1509 Perche tu scrivi in lingua ignota e strana
1510 Verseggiando d'amor, e conie t'osi ?
1511 Dinne, se la tua speme sia mai vana
1512 E de pensieri lo miglior t' arrivi;
1513 Cosi mi van burlando, altri rivi
1514 Altri lidi t' aspettan, & altre onde
1515 Nelle cui verdi sponde
1516 Spuntati ad hor, ad hor a la tua chioma 10
1517 L'immortal guiderdon d 'eterne frondi
1518 Perche alle spalle tue soverchia soma?
1519 Canzon dirotti, e tu per me rispondi
1520 Dice mia Donna, e'l suo dir, e il mio cuore
1521 Questa e lingua di cui si vanta Amore.
1522
1523 IV
1524
1525 Diodati, e te'l diro con maraviglia,
1526 Quel ritroso io ch'amor spreggiar solea
1527 E de suoi lacci spesso mi ridea
1528 Gia caddi, ov'huom dabben talhor s'impiglia.
1529 Ne treccie d'oro, ne guancia vermiglia
1530 M' abbaglian si, ma sotto nova idea
1531 Pellegrina bellezza che'l cuor bea,
1532 Portamenti alti honesti, e nelle ciglia
1533 Quel sereno fulgor d' amabil nero,
1534 Parole adorne di lingua piu d'una, 10
1535 E'l cantar che di mezzo l'hemispero
1536 Traviar ben puo la faticosa Luna,
1537 E degil occhi suoi auventa si gran fuoco
1538 Che l 'incerar gli oreechi mi fia poco.
1539
1540 V
1541
1542 Per certo i bei vostr'occhi Donna mia
1543 Esser non puo che non fian lo mio sole
1544 Si mi percuoton forte, come ci suole
1545 Per l'arene di Libia chi s'invia,
1546 Mentre un caldo vapor (ne senti pria)
1547 Da quel lato si spinge ove mi duole,
1548 Che forsi amanti nelle lor parole
1549 Chiaman sospir; io non so che si sia:
1550 Parte rinchiusa, e turbida si cela
1551 Scosso mi il petto, e poi n'uscendo poco 10
1552 Quivi d' attorno o s'agghiaccia, o s'ingiela;
1553 Ma quanto a gli occhi giunge a trovar loco
1554 Tutte le notti a me suol far piovose
1555 Finche mia Alba rivien colma di rose.
1556
1557 VI
1558
1559 Giovane piano, e semplicetto amante
1560 Poi che fuggir me stesso in dubbio sono,
1561 Madonna a voi del mio cuor l'humil dono
1562 Faro divoto; io certo a prove tante
1563 L'hebbi fedele, intrepido, costante,
1564 De pensieri leggiadro, accorto, e buono;
1565 Quando rugge il gran mondo, e scocca il tuono,
1566 S 'arma di se, e d' intero diamante,
1567 Tanto del forse, e d' invidia sicuro,
1568 Di timori, e speranze al popol use 10
1569 Quanto d'ingegno, e d' alto valor vago,
1570 E di cetra sonora, e delle muse:
1571 Sol troverete in tal parte men duro
1572 Ove amor mise l 'insanabil ago.
1573
1574 VII
1575 How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth,
1576 Stoln on his wing my three and twentith yeer !
1577 My hasting dayes flie on with full career,
1578 But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th,
1579 Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth,
1580 That I to manhood am arriv'd so near,
1581 And inward ripenes doth much less appear,
1582 That som more timely-happy spirits indu'th.
1583 Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow.
1584 It shall be still in strictest measure eev'n, 10
1585 To that same lot, however mean, or high,
1586 Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav'n;
1587 All is, if I have grace to use it so,
1588 As ever in my great task Masters eye.
1589
1590
1591 VIII
1592
1593 Captain or Colonel, or Knight in Arms,
1594 Whose chance on these defenceless dores may sease,
1595 If ever deed of honour did thee please,
1596 Guard them, and him within protect from harms,
1597 He can requite thee, for he knows the charms
1598 That call Fame on such gentle acts as these,
1599 And he can spred thy Name o're Lands and Seas,
1600 What ever clime the Suns bright circle warms.
1601 Lift not thy spear against the Muses Bowre,
1602 The great Emathian Conqueror bid spare 10
1603 The house of Pindarus, when Temple and Towre
1604 Went to the ground: And the repeated air
1605 Of sad Electra's Poet had the power
1606 To save th' Athenian Walls from ruine bare.
1607
1608 Notes:
1609 Camb. autograph supplies title, When the assault was intended
1610 to the city.
1611 3 If deed of honour did thee ever please, 1673.
1612
1613 IX
1614
1615 Lady that in the prime of earliest youth,
1616 Wisely hath shun'd the broad way and the green,
1617 And with those few art eminently seen,
1618 That labour up the Hill of heav'nly Truth,
1619 The better part with Mary and with Ruth,
1620 Chosen thou hast, and they that overween,
1621 And at thy growing vertues fret their spleen,
1622 No anger find in thee, but pity and ruth.
1623 Thy care is fixt and zealously attends
1624 To fill thy odorous Lamp with deeds of light,
1625 And Hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure
1626 Thou, when the Bridegroom with his feastfull friends
1627 Passes to bliss at the mid hour of night,
1628 Hast gain'd thy entrance, Virgin wise and pure.
1629
1630 Note: 5 with Ruth] the Ruth 1645.
1631
1632 X
1633
1634 Daughter to that good Earl, once President
1635 Of Englands Counsel, and her Treasury,
1636 Who liv'd in both, unstain'd with gold or fee,
1637 And left them both, more in himself content,
1638 Till the sad breaking of that Parlament
1639 Broke him, as that dishonest victory
1640 At Chaeronea, fatal to liberty
1641 Kil'd with report that Old man eloquent,
1642 Though later born, then to have known the dayes
1643 Wherin your Father flourisht, yet by you 10
1644 Madam, me thinks I see him living yet;
1645 So well your words his noble vertues praise,
1646 That all both judge you to relate them true,
1647 And to possess them, Honour'd Margaret.
1648
1649 Note: Camb. autograph supplies title, To the Lady Margaret
1650 Ley.
1651
1652
1653
1654 ARCADES.
1655
1656
1657 Part of an entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager of
1658 Darby at Harefield, by som Noble persons of her Family, who
1659 appear on the Scene in pastoral habit, moving toward the seat
1660 of State with this Song.
1661
1662 I. SONG.
1663
1664 LOOK Nymphs, and Shepherds look,
1665 What sudden blaze of majesty
1666 Is that which we from hence descry
1667 Too divine to be mistook:
1668 This this is she
1669 To whom our vows and wishes bend,
1670 Heer our solemn search hath end.
1671
1672 Fame that her high worth to raise,
1673 Seem'd erst so lavish and profuse,
1674 We may justly now accuse 10
1675 Of detraction from her praise,
1676 Less then half we find exprest,
1677 Envy bid conceal the rest.
1678
1679 Mark what radiant state she spreds,
1680 In circle round her shining throne,
1681 Shooting her beams like silver threds,
1682 This this is she alone,
1683 Sitting like a Goddes bright,
1684 In the center of her light.
1685 Might she the wise Latona be, 20
1686 Or the towred Cybele,
1687 Mother of a hunderd gods;
1688 Juno dare's not give her odds;
1689 Who had thought this clime had held
1690 A deity so unparalel'd?
1691
1692 As they com forward, the genius of the Wood appears, and
1693 turning toward them, speaks.
1694
1695 GEN. Stay gentle Swains, for though in this disguise,
1696 I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes,
1697 Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung
1698 Of that renowned flood, so often sung,
1699 Divine Alpheus, who by secret sluse, 30
1700 Stole under Seas to meet his Arethuse;
1701 And ye the breathing Roses of the Wood,
1702 Fair silver-buskind Nymphs as great and good,
1703 I know this quest of yours, and free intent
1704 Was all in honour and devotion ment
1705 To the great Mistres of yon princely shrine,
1706 Whom with low reverence I adore as mine,
1707 And with all helpful service will comply
1708 To further this nights glad solemnity;
1709 And lead ye where ye may more neer behold 40
1710 What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold;
1711 Which I full oft amidst these shades alone
1712 Have sate to wonder at, and gaze upon:
1713 For know by lot from Jove I am the powr
1714 Of this fair wood, and live in Oak'n bowr,
1715 To nurse the Saplings tall, and curl the grove
1716 With Ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove.
1717 And all my Plants I save from nightly ill,
1718 Of noisom winds, and blasting vapours chill.
1719 And from the Boughs brush off the evil dew, 50
1720 And heal the harms of thwarting thunder blew,
1721 Or what the cross dire-looking Planet smites,
1722 Or hurtfull Worm with canker'd venom bites.
1723 When Eev'ning gray doth rise, I fetch my round
1724 Over the mount, and all this hallow'd ground,
1725 And early ere the odorous breath of morn
1726 Awakes the slumbring leaves, or tasseld horn
1727 Shakes the high thicket, haste I all about,
1728 Number my ranks, and visit every sprout
1729 With puissant words, and murmurs made to bless, 60
1730 But els in deep of night when drowsines
1731 Hath lockt up mortal sense, then listen I
1732 To the celestial Sirens harmony,
1733 That sit upon the nine enfolded Sphears,
1734 And sing to those that hold the vital shears,
1735 And turn the Adamantine spindle round,
1736 On which the fate of gods and men is wound.
1737 Such sweet compulsion doth in musick ly,
1738 To lull the daughters of Necessity,
1739 And keep unsteddy Nature to her law, 70
1740 And the low world in measur'd motion draw
1741 After the heavenly tune, which none can hear
1742 Of human mould with grosse unpurged ear;
1743 And yet such musick worthiest were to blaze
1744 The peerles height of her immortal praise,
1745 Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit,
1746 If my inferior hand or voice could hit
1747 Inimitable sounds, yet as we go,
1748 What ere the skill of lesser gods can show,
1749 I will assay, her worth to celebrate, 80
1750 And so attend ye toward her glittering state;
1751 Where ye may all that are of noble stemm
1752 Approach, and kiss her sacred vestures hemm.
1753
1754
1755 2. SONG.
1756
1757 O're the smooth enameld green
1758 Where no print of step hath been,
1759 Follow me as I sing,
1760 And touch the warbled string.
1761 Under the shady roof
1762 Of branching Elm Star-proof,
1763 Follow me, 90
1764 I will bring you where she sits
1765 Clad in splendor as befits
1766 Her deity.
1767 Such a rural Queen
1768 All Arcadia hath not seen.
1769
1770
1771 3. SONG.
1772
1773 Nymphs and Shepherds dance no more
1774 By sandy Ladons Lillied banks.
1775 On old Lycaeus or Cyllene hoar,
1776 Trip no more in twilight ranks,
1777 Though Erynanth your loss deplore, 100
1778 A better soyl shall give ye thanks.
1779 >From the stony Maenalus,
1780 Bring your Flocks, and live with us,
1781 Here ye shall have greater grace,
1782 To serve the Lady of this place.
1783 Though Syrinx your Pans Mistres were,
1784 Yet Syrinx well might wait on her.
1785 Such a rural Queen
1786 All Arcadia hath not seen.
1787
1788 Note: 22 hunderd] Milton's own spelling here is hundred. But in
1789 the Errata to Paradise Lost (i. 760) he corrects hundred to hunderd.
1790
1791
1792
1793 Transcriber's note: Facsimile of Title page of Lycidas follows:
1794
1795
1796 JUSTA
1797 EDOVARDO KING
1798 naufrago,
1799 ab
1800 Amicis Moerentibus,
1801 amoris
1802 &
1803 mneias chaein
1804 ------------------------------------------------------------
1805 ------------------------------------------------------------
1806 Sirecte calculam ponas, ubique naufragium est.
1807 Pet. Arb.
1808 ------------------------------------------------------------
1809 ------------------------------------------------------------
1810 CANTABRIGIAE:
1811 Apud Thomam Buck, & Rogerum Daniel, celeberrimae
1812 Academiae typographos. 1638.
1813
1814
1815
1816 LYCIDAS.
1817
1818
1819 In this Monody the Author bewails a learned Friend,
1820 unfortunatly drown'd in his Passage from Chester on the Irish
1821 Seas, 1637. And by occasion foretels the ruine of our
1822 corrupted Clergy then in their height.
1823
1824 YET once more, O ye Laurels, and once more
1825 Ye Myrtles brown, with Ivy never-sear,
1826 I com to pluck your Berries harsh and crude,
1827 And with forc'd fingers rude,
1828 Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.
1829 Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear,
1830 Compels me to disturb your season due:
1831 For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime
1832 Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer:
1833 Who would not sing for Lycidas? he knew
1834 Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme. 10
1835 He must not flote upon his watry bear
1836 Unwept, and welter to the parching wind,
1837 Without the meed of som melodious tear.
1838
1839 Begin then, Sisters of the sacred well,
1840 That from beneath the seat of Jove doth spring,
1841 Begin, and somwhat loudly sweep the string.
1842 Hence with denial vain, and coy excuse,
1843 So may som gentle Muse
1844 With lucky words favour my destin'd Urn, 20
1845 And as he passes turn,
1846 And bid fair peace be to my sable shrowd.
1847 For we were nurst upon the self-same hill,
1848 Fed the same flock by fountain, shade, and rill.
1849
1850 Together both, ere the high Lawns appear'd
1851 Under the opening eye-lids of the morn,
1852 We drove a field and both together heard
1853 What time the Gray-fly winds her sultry horn,
1854 Batt'ning our flocks with the fresh dews of night,
1855 Oft till the Star that rose, at Ev'ning, bright 30
1856 Toward Heav'ns descent had slop'd his westering wheel.
1857 Mean while the Rural ditties were not mute,
1858 Temper'd to th'Oaten Flute;
1859 Rough Satyrs danc'd, and Fauns with clov'n heel,
1860 >From the glad sound would not be absent long,
1861 And old Damoetas lov'd to hear our song.
1862
1863 But O the heavy change, now thou art gon,
1864 Now thou art gon, and never must return!
1865 Thee Shepherd, thee the Woods, and desert Caves,
1866 With wilde Thyme and the gadding Vine o'regrown, 40
1867 And all their echoes mourn.
1868 The Willows, and the Hazle Copses green,
1869 Shall now no more be seen,
1870 Fanning their joyous Leaves to thy soft layes.
1871 As killing as the Canker to the Rose,
1872 Or Taint-worm to the weanling Herds that graze,
1873 Or Frost to Flowers, that their gay wardrop wear,
1874 When first the White thorn blows;
1875 Such, Lycidas, thy loss to Shepherds ear.
1876
1877 Where were ye Nymphs when the remorseless deep 50
1878 Clos'd o're the head of your lov'd Lycidas?
1879 For neither were ye playing on the steep,
1880 Where your old Bards, the famous Druids ly,
1881 Nor on the shaggy top of Mona high,
1882 Nor yet where Deva spreads her wisard stream:
1883 Ay me, I fondly dream!
1884 Had ye bin there -- for what could that have don?
1885 What could the Muse her self that Orpheus bore,
1886 The Muse her self, for her inchanting son
1887 Whom Universal nature did lament, 60
1888 When by the rout that made the hideous roar,
1889 His goary visage down the stream was sent,
1890 Down the swift Hebrus to the Lesbian shore.
1891
1892 Alas! What boots it with uncessant care
1893 To tend the homely slighted Shepherds trade,
1894 And strictly meditate the thankles Muse,
1895 Were it not better don as others use,
1896 To sport with Amaryllis in the shade,
1897 Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?
1898 Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise 70
1899 (That last infirmity of Noble mind)
1900 To scorn delights, and live laborious dayes:
1901 But the fair Guerdon when we hope to find,
1902 And think to burst out into sudden blaze.
1903 Comes the blind Fury with th'abhorred shears,
1904 And slits the thin spun life. But not the praise,
1905 Phoebus repli'd, and touch'd my trembling ears;
1906 Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil,
1907 Nor in the glistering foil
1908 Set off to th'world, nor in broad rumour lies, 80
1909 But lives and spreds aloft by those pure eyes,
1910 And perfet witnes of all judging Jove;
1911 As he pronounces lastly on each deed,
1912 Of so much fame in Heav'n expect thy meed.
1913
1914 O Fountain Arethuse, and thou honour'd floud,
1915 Smooth-sliding Mincius, crown'd with vocall reeds,
1916 That strain I heard was of a higher mood:
1917 But now my Oate proceeds,
1918 And listens to the Herald of the Sea
1919 That came in Neptune's plea, 90
1920 He ask'd the Waves, and ask'd the Fellon winds,
1921 What hard mishap hath doom'd this gentle swain?
1922 And question'd every gust of rugged wings
1923 That blows from off each beaked Promontory,
1924 They knew not of his story,
1925 And sage Hippotades their answer brings,
1926 That not a blast was from his dungeon stray'd,
1927 The Ayr was calm, and on the level brine,
1928 Sleek Panope with all her sisters play'd.
1929 It was that fatall and perfidious Bark 100
1930 Built in th'eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark,
1931 That sunk so low that sacred head of thine.
1932
1933 Next Camus, reverend Sire, went footing slow,
1934 His Mantle hairy, and his Bonnet sedge,
1935 Inwrought with figures dim, and on the edge
1936 Like to that sanguine flower inscrib'd with woe.
1937 Ah; Who hath reft (quoth he) my dearest pledge?
1938 Last came, and last did go,
1939 The Pilot of the Galilean lake,
1940 Two massy Keyes he bore of metals twain, 110
1941 (The Golden opes, the Iron shuts amain)
1942 He shook his Miter'd locks, and stern bespake,
1943 How well could I have spar'd for thee, young swain,
1944 Anow of such as for their bellies sake,
1945 Creep and intrude, and climb into the fold?
1946 Of other care they little reck'ning make,
1947 Then how to scramble at the shearers feast,
1948 And shove away the worthy bidden guest.
1949 Blind mouthes! that scarce themselves know how to hold
1950 A Sheep-hook, or have learn'd ought els the least 120
1951 That to the faithfull Herdmans art belongs!
1952 What recks it them? What need they? They are sped;
1953 And when they list, their lean and flashy songs
1954 Grate on their scrannel Pipes of wretched straw,
1955 The hungry Sheep look up, and are not fed,
1956 But swoln with wind, and the rank mist they draw,
1957 Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread:
1958 Besides what the grim Woolf with privy paw
1959 Daily devours apace, and nothing sed,
1960 But that two-handed engine at the door, 130
1961 Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more.
1962
1963 Return Alpheus, the dread voice is past,
1964 That shrunk thy streams; Return Sicilian Muse,
1965 And call the Vales, and bid them hither cast
1966 Their Bels, and Flourets of a thousand hues.
1967 Ye valleys low where the milde whispers use,
1968 Of shades and wanton winds, and gushing brooks,
1969 On whose fresh lap the swart Star sparely looks,
1970 Throw hither all your quaint enameld eyes,
1971 That on the green terf suck the honied showres, 140
1972 And purple all the ground with vernal flowres.
1973 Bring the rathe Primrose that forsaken dies.
1974 The tufted Crow-toe, and pale Gessamine,
1975 The white Pink, and the Pansie freakt with jeat,
1976 The glowing Violet.
1977 The Musk-rose, and the well attir'd Woodbine.
1978 With Cowslips wan that hang the pensive hed,
1979 And every flower that sad embroidery wears:
1980 Bid Amaranthus all his beauty shed,
1981 Daffadillies fill their cups with tears, 150
1982 And strew the Laureat Herse where Lycid lies.
1983 For so to interpose a little ease,
1984 Let our frail thoughts dally with false surmise.
1985 Ah me! Whilst thee the shores, and sounding Seas
1986 Wash far away, where ere thy bones are hurl'd
1987 Whether beyond the stormy Hebrides.
1988 Where thou perhaps under the whelming tide
1989 Visit'st the bottom of the monstrous world;
1990 Or whether thou to our moist vows deny'd,
1991 Sleep'st by the fable of Bellerus old, 160
1992 Where the great vision of the guarded Mount
1993 Looks toward Namancos and Bayona's hold;
1994 Look homeward Angel now, and melt with ruth.
1995 And, O ye Dolphins, waft the haples youth.
1996
1997 Weep no more, woful Shepherds weep no more,
1998 For Lycidas your sorrow is not dead,
1999 Sunk though he be beneath the watry floar,
2000 So sinks the day-star in the Ocean bed,
2001 And yet anon repairs his drooping head,
2002 And tricks his beams, and with new spangled Ore, 170
2003 Flames in the forehead of the morning sky:
2004 So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high,
2005 Through the dear might of him that walk'd the waves
2006 Where other groves, and other streams along,
2007 With Nectar pure his oozy Lock's he laves,
2008 And hears the unexpressive nuptiall Song,
2009 In the blest Kingdoms meek of joy and love.
2010 There entertain him all the Saints above,
2011 In solemn troops, and sweet Societies
2012 That sing, and singing in their glory move, 180
2013 And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes.
2014 Now Lycidas the Shepherds weep no more;
2015 Hence forth thou art the Genius of the shore,
2016 In thy large recompense and shalt be good
2017 To all that wander in that perilous flood.
2018
2019 Thus sang the uncouth Swain to th'Okes and rills,
2020 While the still morn went out with Sandals gray,
2021 He touch'd the tender stops of various Quills,
2022 With eager thought warbling his Dorick lay:
2023 And now the Sun had stretch'd out all the hills, 190
2024 And now was dropt into the Western bay;
2025 At last he rose, and twitch'd his Mantle blew:
2026 To morrow to fresh Woods, and Pastures new.
2027
2028 Notes:
2029 64 uncessant] Manuscript reads incessant, so that uncessant
2030 is probably a misprint; though that spelling is retained in the Second
2031 Edition.
2032 82 perfet] So in Comus, line 203. In both these places
2033 the manuscript has perfect, as elsewhere where the word occurs. In
2034 the Solemn Music, line 23, where the First Edition reads perfect,
2035 the second reads perfet.
2036 149 Amaranthus] Amarantus
2037
2038
2039
2040 Transcriber's note: Facsimile of Title page of Comus follows:
2041
2042 A MASKE
2043 PRESENTED
2044 At Ludlow Castle,
2045 1634:
2046
2047 On Michalemasse night, before the
2048 RIGHT HONORABLE,
2049 IOHN Earle of Bridgewater, Viscount Brackly,
2050 Lord President of WALES, and one of
2051 His MAIESTIES most honorable
2052 Privie Counsell.
2053
2054 ------------------------------------------------------------
2055 Eheu quid volui misero mihi! floribus austrum
2056 Perditus ------------------
2057 ------------------------------------------------------------
2058
2059 LONDON
2060 Printed for HYMPHREY ROBINSON
2061 at the signe of the Three Pidgeons in
2062 Pauls Church-yard. 1637.
2063
2064
2065
2066 To the Right Honourable, John Lord Vicount Bracly, Son and
2067 Heir apparent to the Earl of Bridgewater, &c.
2068
2069
2070 My LORD,
2071
2072 This Poem, which receiv'd its first occasion of Birth from your
2073 Self, and others of your Noble Family, and much honour from
2074 your own Person in the performance, now returns again to
2075 make a finall Dedication of it self to you. Although not openly
2076 acknowledg'd by the Author, yet it is a legitimate off-spring, so
2077 lovely, and so much desired, that the often Copying of it hath
2078 tired my Pen to give my several friends satisfaction, and brought
2079 me to a necessity of producing it to the publike view; and now
2080 to offer it up in all rightfull devotion to those fair Hopes, and
2081 rare endowments of your much-promising Youth, which give a
2082 full assurance, to all that know you, of a future excellence. Live
2083 sweet Lord to be the honour of your Name, and receive this as
2084 your own, from the hands of him, who hath by many favours
2085 been long oblig'd to your most honour'd Parents, and as in this
2086 representation your attendant Thyrsis, so now in all reall
2087 expression
2088
2089 Your faithfull, and most humble Servant
2090
2091 H. LAWES.
2092
2093
2094 Note: Dedication to Vicount Bracly: Omitted in 1673.
2095
2096
2097
2098 The Copy of a Letter writt'n by Sir HENRY WOOTTON, to
2099 the Author, upon the following Poem.
2100
2101
2102 >From the Colledge, this 13. of April, 1638.
2103
2104 SIR,
2105 It was a special favour, when you lately bestowed upon me
2106 here, the first taste of your acquaintance, though no longer then
2107 to make me know that I wanted more time to value it, and to
2108 enjoy it rightly; and in truth, if I could then have imagined your
2109 farther stay in these parts, which I understood afterwards by
2110 Mr. H. I would have been bold in our vulgar phrase to mend my
2111 draught (for you left me with an extreme thirst) and to have
2112 begged your conversation again, joyntly with your said learned
2113 Friend, at a poor meal or two, that we might have banded
2114 together som good Authors of the antient time: Among which, I
2115 observed you to have been familiar.
2116
2117 Since your going, you have charg'd me with new Obligations,
2118 both for a very kinde Letter from you dated the sixth of this
2119 Month, and for a dainty peece of entertainment which came
2120 therwith. Wherin I should much commend the Tragical part, if
2121 the Lyrical did not ravish me with a certain Dorique delicacy in
2122 your Songs and Odes, wherunto I must plainly confess to have
2123 seen yet nothing parallel in our Language: Ipsa mollities.
2124 But I must not omit to tell you, that I now onely owe you
2125 thanks for intimating unto me (how modestly soever) the true
2126 Artificer. For the work it self I had view'd som good while
2127 before, with singular delight, having receiv'd it from our
2128 common Friend Mr. R. in the very close of the late R's Poems,
2129 Printed at Oxford, wherunto it was added (as I now suppose)
2130 that the Accessory might help out the Principal, according to
2131 the Art of Stationers, and to leave the Reader Con la bocca
2132 dolce.
2133
2134 Now Sir, concerning your travels, wherin I may challenge a
2135 little more priviledge of Discours with you; I suppose you will
2136 not blanch Paris in your way; therfore I have been bold to
2137 trouble you with a few lines to Mr. M. B. whom you shall easily
2138 find attending the young Lord S. as his Governour, and you
2139 may surely receive from him good directions for the shaping of
2140 your farther journey into Italy, where he did reside by my choice
2141 som time for the King, after mine own recess from Venice.
2142
2143 I should think that your best Line will be thorow the whole
2144 length of France to Marseilles, and thence by Sea to Genoa,
2145 whence the passage into Tuscany is as Diurnal as a Gravesend
2146 Barge: I hasten as you do to Florence, or Siena, the rather tell
2147 you a short story from the interest you have given me in your
2148 safety.
2149
2150 At Siena I was tabled in the House of one Alberto Scipioni, an
2151 old Roman Courtier in dangerous times, having bin Steward to
2152 the Duca di Pagliano, who with all his Family were strangled
2153 save this onely man that escap'd by foresight of the Tempest:
2154 With him I had often much chat of those affairs; Into which he
2155 took pleasure to look back from his Native Harbour: and at my
2156 departure toward Rome (which had been the center of his
2157 experience) I had wonn confidence enough to beg his advice,
2158 how I might carry my self securely there, without offence of
2159 mine own conscience. Signor Arrigo mio (sayes he) I pensieri
2160 stretti, & il viso sciolto, will go safely over the whole World: Of
2161 which Delphian Oracle (for so I have found it) your judgement
2162 doth need no commentary; and therfore (Sir) I will commit you
2163 with it to the best of all securities, Gods dear love, remaining
2164
2165 Your Friend as much at command as any of longer date,
2166
2167 Henry Wootton.
2168
2169 Postscript.
2170
2171 SIR, I have expressly sent this my Foot-boy to prevent your
2172 departure without som acknowledgement from me of the
2173 receipt of your obliging Letter, having myself through som
2174 busines, I know not how, neglected the ordinary conveyance.
2175 In any part where I shall understand you fixed, I shall be glad,
2176 and diligent to entertain you with Home-Novelties; even for
2177 som fomentation of our friendship, too soon interrupted in the
2178 Cradle.
2179
2180 Note: Letter from Sir Henry Wootton: Omitted in 1673
2181
2182
2183
2184 A MASK PRESENTED At LUDLOW-Castle, 1634. &c.
2185
2186
2187 The Persons.
2188
2189 The attendant Spirit afterwards in the habit of Thyrsis.
2190 Comus with his crew.
2191 The Lady.
2192 1. Brother.
2193 2. Brother.
2194 Sabrina the Nymph.
2195
2196 The cheif persons which presented, were
2197 The Lord Bracly.
2198 Mr. Thomas Egerton his Brother,
2199 The Lady Alice Egerton.
2200
2201
2202 The first Scene discovers a wilde Wood.
2203
2204 The attendant Spirit descends or enters.
2205
2206 Spir: Before the starry threshold of Joves Court
2207 My mansion is, where those immortal shapes
2208 Of bright aereal Spirits live insphear'd
2209 In Regions milde of calm and serene Ayr,
2210 Above the smoak and stirr of this dim spot,
2211 Which men call Earth, and with low-thoughted care
2212 Confin'd, and pester'd in this pin-fold here,
2213 Strive to keep up a frail, and Feaverish being
2214 Unmindfull of the crown that Vertue gives
2215 After this mortal change, to her true Servants 10
2216 Amongst the enthron'd gods on Sainted seats.
2217 Yet som there he that by due steps aspire
2218 To lay their just hands on that Golden Key
2219 That ope's the Palace of Eternity:
2220 To such my errand is, and but for such,
2221 I would not soil these pure Ambrosial weeds,
2222 With the rank vapours of this Sin-worn mould.
2223 But to my task. Neptune besides the sway
2224 Of every salt Flood, and each ebbing Stream,
2225 Took in by lot 'twixt high, and neather Jove, 20
2226 Imperial rule of all the Sea-girt Iles
2227 That like to rich, and various gemms inlay
2228 The unadorned boosom of the Deep,
2229 Which he to grace his tributary gods
2230 By course commits to severall government,
2231 And gives them leave to wear their Saphire crowns,
2232 And weild their little tridents, but this Ile
2233 The greatest, and the best of all the main
2234 He quarters to his blu-hair'd deities,
2235 And all this tract that fronts the falling Sun 30
2236 A noble Peer of mickle trust, and power
2237 Has in his charge, with temper'd awe to guide
2238 An old, and haughty Nation proud in Arms:
2239 Where his fair off-spring nurs't in Princely lore,
2240 Are coming to attend their Fathers state,
2241 And new-entrusted Scepter, but their way
2242 Lies through the perplex't paths of this drear Wood,
2243 The nodding horror of whose shady brows
2244 Threats the forlorn and wandring Passinger.
2245 And here their tender age might suffer perill, 40
2246 But that by quick command from Soveran Jove
2247 I was dispatcht for their defence, and guard;
2248 And listen why, for I will tell ye now
2249 What never yet was heard in Tale or Song
2250 >From old, or modern Bard in Hall, or Bowr.
2251 Bacchus that first from out the purple Grape,
2252 Crush't the sweet poyson of mis-used Wine
2253 After the Tuscan Mariners transform'd
2254 Coasting the Tyrrhene shore, as the winds listed,
2255 On Circes Hand fell (who knows not Circe 50
2256 The daughter of the Sun? Whose charmed Cup
2257 Whoever tasted, lost his upright shape,
2258 And downward fell into a groveling Swine)
2259 This Nymph that gaz'd upon his clustring locks,
2260 With Ivy berries wreath'd, and his blithe youth,
2261 Had by him, ere he parted thence, a Son
2262 Much like his Father, but his Mother more,
2263 Whom therfore she brought up and Comus named,
2264 Who ripe, and frolick of his full grown age,
2265 Roving the Celtic, and Iberian fields, 60
2266 At last betakes him to this ominous Wood,
2267 And in thick shelter of black shades imbowr'd,
2268 Excells his Mother at her mighty Art,
2269 Offring to every weary Travailer,
2270 His orient liquor in a Crystal Glasse,
2271 To quench the drouth of Phoebus, which as they taste
2272 (For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst )
2273 Soon as the Potion works, their human count'nance,
2274 Th' express resemblance of the gods, is chang'd
2275 Into som brutish form of Woolf, or Bear, 70
2276 Or Ounce, or Tiger, Hog, or bearded Goat,
2277 All other parts remaining as they were,
2278 And they, so perfect is their misery,
2279 Not once perceive their foul disfigurement,
2280 But boast themselves more comely then before
2281 And all their friends, and native home forget
2282 To roule with pleasure in a sensual stie.
2283 Therfore when any favour'd of high Jove,
2284 Chances to pass through this adventrous glade,
2285 Swift as the Sparkle of a glancing Star, 80
2286 I shoot from Heav'n to give him safe convoy,
2287 As now I do: But first I must put off
2288 These my skie robes spun out of Iris Wooff,
2289 And take the Weeds and likenes of a Swain,
2290 That to the service of this house belongs,
2291 Who with his soft Pipe, and smooth-dittied Song,
2292 Well knows to still the wilde winds when they roar,
2293 And hush the waving Woods, nor of lesse faith,
2294 And in this office of his Mountain watch,
2295 Likeliest, and neerest to the present ayd 90
2296 Of this occasion. But I hear the tread
2297 Of hatefull steps, I must be viewles now.
2298
2299 Comus enters with a Charming Rod in one hand, his Glass in
2300 the other, with him a rout of monsters, headed like sundry sorts
2301 of wilde Beasts, but otherwise like Men and Women, their
2302 Apparel glistring, they come in making a riotous and unruly
2303 noise, with Torches in their hands.
2304
2305 Co: The Star that bids the Shepherd fold,
2306 Now the top of Heav'n doth hold,
2307 And the gilded Car of Day,
2308 His glowing Axle doth allay
2309 In the steep Atlantick stream,
2310 And the slope Sun his upward beam
2311 Shoots against the dusky Pole,
2312 Pacing toward the other gole 100
2313 Of his Chamber in the East.
2314 Meanwhile welcom Joy, and Feast,
2315 Midnight shout, and revelry,
2316 Tipsie dance, and Jollity.
2317 Braid your Locks with rosie Twine
2318 Dropping odours, dropping Wine.
2319 Rigor now is gon to bed,
2320 And Advice with scrupulous head,
2321 Strict Age, and sowre Severity,
2322 With their grave Saws in slumber ly. 110
2323 We that are of purer fire
2324 Imitate the Starry Quire,
2325 Who in their nightly watchfull Sphears,
2326 Lead in swift round the Months and Years.
2327 The Sounds, and Seas with all their finny drove
2328 Now to the Moon in wavering Morrice move,
2329 And on the Tawny Sands and Shelves,
2330 Trip the pert Fairies and the dapper Elves;
2331 By dimpled Brook, and Fountain brim,
2332 The Wood-Nymphs deckt with Daisies trim, 120
2333 Their merry wakes and pastimes keep:
2334 What hath night to do with sleep?
2335 Night hath better sweets to prove,
2336 Venus now wakes, and wak'ns Love.
2337 Com let us our rights begin,
2338 'Tis onely day-light that makes Sin
2339 Which these dun shades will ne're report.
2340 Hail Goddesse of Nocturnal sport
2341 Dark vaild Cotytto, t' whom the secret flame
2342 Of mid-night Torches burns; mysterious Dame 130
2343 That ne're art call'd, but when the Dragon woom
2344 Of Stygian darknes spets her thickest gloom,
2345 And makes one blot of all the ayr,
2346 Stay thy cloudy Ebon chair,
2347 Wherin thou rid'st with Hecat', and befriend
2348 Us thy vow'd Priests, til utmost end
2349 Of all thy dues be done, and none left out,
2350 Ere the blabbing Eastern scout,
2351 The nice Morn on th' Indian steep
2352 >From her cabin'd loop hole peep, 140
2353 And to the tel-tale Sun discry
2354 Our conceal'd Solemnity.
2355 Com, knit hands, and beat the ground,
2356 In a light fantastick round.
2357
2358 The Measure.
2359
2360 Break off; break off, I feel the different pace,
2361 Of som chast footing neer about this ground.
2362 Run to your shrouds, within these Brakes and Trees,
2363 Our number may affright: Som Virgin sure
2364 (For so I can distinguish by mine Art)
2365 Benighted in these Woods. Now to my charms, 150
2366 And to my wily trains, I shall e're long
2367 Be well stock't with as fair a herd as graz'd
2368 About my Mother Circe. Thus I hurl
2369 My dazling Spells into the spungy ayr,
2370 Of power to cheat the eye with blear illusion,
2371 And give it false presentments, lest the place
2372 And my quaint habits breed astonishment,
2373 And put the Damsel to suspicious flight,
2374 Which must not be, for that's against my course;
2375 I under fair pretence of friendly ends, 160
2376 And well plac't words of glozing courtesie
2377 Baited with reasons not unplausible
2378 Wind me into the easie-hearted man,
2379 And hugg him into snares. When once her eye
2380 Hath met the vertue of this Magick dust,
2381 I shall appear som harmles Villager
2382 Whom thrift keeps up about his Country gear,
2383 But here she comes, I fairly step aside,
2384 And hearken, if I may, her busines here.
2385
2386 The Lady enters.
2387
2388 La: This way the noise was, if mine ear be true, 170
2389 My best guide now, me thought it was the sound
2390 Of Riot, and ill manag'd Merriment,
2391 Such as the jocond Flute, or gamesom Pipe
2392 Stirs up among the loose unleter'd Hinds,
2393 When for their teeming Flocks, and granges full
2394 In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan,
2395 And thank the gods amiss. I should he loath
2396 To meet the rudenesse, and swill'd insolence
2397 of such late Wassailers; yet O where els
2398 Shall I inform my unacquainted feet 180
2399 In the blind mazes of this tangl'd Wood?
2400 My Brothers when they saw me wearied out
2401 With this long way, resolving here to lodge
2402 Under the spreading favour of these Pines,
2403 Stept as they se'd to the next Thicket side
2404 To bring me Berries, or such cooling fruit
2405 As the kind hospitable Woods provide.
2406 They left me then. when the gray-hooded Eev'n
2407 Like a sad Votarist in Palmers weed
2408 Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus wain. 190
2409 But where they are, and why they came not back,
2410 Is now the labour of my thoughts, 'tis likeliest
2411 They had ingag'd their wandring steps too far,
2412 And envious darknes, e're they could return,
2413 Had stole them from me, els O theevish Night
2414 Why shouldst thou, but for som fellonious end,
2415 In thy dark lantern thus close up the Stars,
2416 That nature hung in Heav'n, and fill'd their Lamps
2417 With everlasting oil, to give due light
2418 To the misled and lonely Travailer? 200
2419 This is the place as well as I may guess,
2420 Whence eev'n now the tumult of loud Mirth
2421 Was rife and perfect in my list'ning ear,
2422 Yet nought but single darknes do I find.
2423 What might this be? A thousand fantasies
2424 Begin to throng into my memory
2425 Of calling shapes, and beckning shadows dire,
2426 And airy tongues, that syllable mens names
2427 On Sands and Shoars and desert Wildernesses.
2428 These thoughts may startle well, but not astound 210
2429 The vertuous mind that ever walks attended
2430 By a strong siding champion Conscience.--
2431 O welcom pure-ey'd Faith, white-handed Hope,
2432 Thou hovering Angel girt with golden wings.
2433 And thou unblemish't form of Chastity,
2434 I see ye visibly and now beleeve
2435 That he, the Supreme good t'whom all things ill
2436 Are but as slavish officers of vengeance,
2437 Would send a glistring Guardian if need were
2438 To keep my life and honour unassail'd. 220
2439 Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud
2440 Turn forth her silver lining on the night?
2441 I did not err, there does a sable cloud
2442 Turn forth her silver lining on the night,
2443 And casts a gleam over this tufted Grove.
2444 I cannot hallow to my Brothers, but
2445 Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest
2446 Ile venter, for my new enliv'nd spirits
2447 Prompt me; and they perhaps are not far off.
2448
2449 SONG.
2450
2451 Sweet Echo, sweetest Nymph that liv'st unseen 230
2452 Within thy airy shell
2453 By slow Meander's margent green,
2454 And in the violet imbroider'd vale
2455 Where the love-lorn Nightingale
2456 Nightly to thee her sad Song mourneth well.
2457 Canst thou not tell me of a gentle Pair
2458 That likest thy Narcissus are?
2459 O if thou have
2460 Hid them in som flowry Cave,
2461 Tell me but where 240
2462 Sweet Queen of Parly, Daughter of the Sphear,
2463 So maist thou be translated to the skies,
2464 And give resounding grace to all Heav'ns Harmonies.
2465
2466 Co: Can any mortal mixture of Earths mould
2467 Breath such Divine inchanting ravishment?
2468 Sure somthing holy lodges in that brest,
2469 And with these raptures moves the vocal air
2470 To testifie his hidd'n residence;
2471 How sweetly did they float upon the wings
2472 Of silence, through the empty-vaulted night 250
2473 At every fall smoothing the Raven doune
2474 Of darknes till it smil'd: I have oft heard
2475 My mother Circe with the Sirens three,
2476 Amid'st the flowry-kirtl'd Naiades
2477 Culling their Potent hearbs, and balefull drugs.
2478 Who as they sung, would take the prison'd soul,
2479 And lap it in Elysium, Scylla wept,
2480 And chid her barking waves into attention.
2481 And fell Charybdis murmur'd soft applause:
2482 Yet they in pleasing slumber lull'd the sense, 260
2483 And in sweet madnes rob'd it of it self,
2484 But such a sacred, and home-felt delight,
2485 Such sober certainty of waking bliss
2486 I never heard till now. Ile speak to her
2487 And she shall be my Queen. Hail forren wonder
2488 Whom certain these rough shades did never breed
2489 Unlesse the Goddes that in rurall shrine
2490 Dwell'st here with Pan, or Silvan, by blest Song
2491 Forbidding every bleak unkindly Fog
2492 To touch the prosperous growth of this tall Wood. 270
2493
2494 La: Nay gentle Shepherd ill is lost that praise
2495 That is addrest to unattending Ears,
2496 Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift
2497 How to regain my sever'd company
2498 Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo
2499 To give me answer from her mossie Couch.
2500
2501 Co: What chance good Lady hath bereft you thus?
2502
2503 La: Dim darknes, and this heavy Labyrinth.
2504
2505 Co: Could that divide you from neer-ushering guides?
2506
2507 La: They left me weary on a grassie terf. 280
2508
2509 Co: By falshood. or discourtesie, or why?
2510
2511 La: To seek in vally som cool friendly Spring.
2512
2513 Co: And left your fair side all unguarded Lady?
2514
2515 La: They were but twain, and purpos'd quick return.
2516
2517 Co: Perhaps fore-stalling night prevented them.
2518
2519 La: How easie my misfortune is to hit !
2520
2521 Co: Imports their loss, beside the present need?
2522
2523 La: No less then if I should my brothers loose.
2524
2525 Co: Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom?
2526
2527 La: As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips. 290
2528
2529 Co: Two such I saw, what time the labour'd Oxe
2530 In his loose traces from the furrow came,
2531 And the swink't hedger at his Supper sate;
2532 I saw them under a green mantling vine
2533 That crawls along the side of yon small hill,
2534 Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots,
2535 Their port was more then human, as they stood;
2536 I took it for a faery vision
2537 Of som gay creatures of the element
2538 That in the colours of the Rainbow live 300
2539 And play i'th plighted clouds. I was aw-strook,
2540 And as I past, I worshipt: if those you seek
2541 It were a journey like the path to Heav'n,
2542 To help you find them. La: Gentle villager
2543 What readiest way would bring me to that place?
2544
2545 Co: Due west it rises from this shrubby point.
2546
2547 La: To find out that, good Shepherd, I suppose,
2548 In such a scant allowance of Star-light,
2549 Would overtask the best Land-Pilots art,
2550 Without the sure guess of well-practiz'd feet, 310
2551
2552 Co: I know each lane, and every alley green
2553 Dingle, or bushy dell of this wilde Wood,
2554 And every bosky bourn from side to side
2555 My daily walks and ancient neighbourhood,
2556 And if your stray attendance be yet lodg'd,
2557 Or shroud within these limits, I shall know
2558 Ere morrow wake, or the low roosted lark
2559 >From her thatch't pallat rowse, if otherwise
2560 I can conduct you Lady to a low
2561 But loyal cottage, where you may be safe 320
2562 Till further quest.
2563 La: Shepherd I take thy word,
2564 And trust thy honest offer'd courtesie,
2565 Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds
2566 With smoaky rafters, then in tapstry Halls
2567 And Courts of Princes, where it first was nam'd,
2568 And yet is most pretended: In a place
2569 Less warranted then this, or less secure
2570 I cannot be, that I should fear to change it.
2571 Eie me blest Providence, and square my triall
2572 To my proportion'd strength. Shepherd lead on.-- 330
2573
2574 The Two Brothers.
2575
2576 Eld. Bro: Unmuffle ye faint stars, and thou fair Moon
2577 That wontst to love the travailers benizon,
2578 Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud,
2579 And disinherit Chaos, that raigns here
2580 In double night of darknes, and of shades;
2581 Or if your influence be quite damm'd up
2582 With black usurping mists, som gentle taper
2583 Though a rush Candle from the wicker hole
2584 Of som clay habitation visit us
2585 With thy long levell'd rule of streaming light. 340
2586 And thou shalt be our star of Arcady,
2587 Or Tyrian Cynosure.
2588 2. Bro: Or if our eyes
2589 Be barr'd that happines, might we but hear
2590 The folded flocks pen'd in their watled cotes,
2591 Or sound of pastoral reed with oaten stops,
2592 Or whistle from the Lodge, or village cock
2593 Count the night watches to his feathery Dames,
2594 'Twould be som solace yet, som little chearing
2595 In this close dungeon of innumerous bowes.
2596 But O that haples virgin our lost sister 350
2597 Where may she wander now, whether betake her
2598 >From the chill dew, amongst rude burrs and thistles?
2599 Perhaps som cold bank is her boulster now
2600 Or 'gainst the rugged bark of som broad Elm
2601 Leans her unpillow'd head fraught with sad fears.
2602 What if in wild amazement, and affright,
2603 Or while we speak within the direfull grasp
2604 Of Savage hunger, or of Savage heat?
2605
2606 Eld. Bro: Peace brother, be not over-exquisite
2607 To cast the fashion of uncertain evils; 360
2608 For grant they be so, while they rest unknown,
2609 What need a man forestall his date of grief
2610 And run to meet what he would most avoid?
2611 Or if they be but false alarms of Fear,
2612 How bitter is such self delusion?
2613 I do not think my sister so to seek,
2614 Or so unprincipl'd in vertues book,
2615 And the sweet peace that goodnes boosoms ever,
2616 As that the single want of light and noise
2617 (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not) 370
2618 Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts,
2619 And put them into mis-becoming plight.
2620 Vertue could see to do what vertue would
2621 By her own radiant light, though Sun and Moon
2622 Were in the salt sea sunk. And Wisdoms self
2623 Oft seeks to sweet retired Solitude,
2624 Where with her best nurse Contemplation
2625 She plumes her feathers and lets grow her wings
2626 That in the various bustle of resort
2627 Were all too ruffled and sometimes impaired. 380
2628 He that has light within his own deer brest
2629 May sit i'th center, and enjoy bright day,
2630 But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts
2631 Benighted walks under the mid-day Sun;
2632 Himself is his own dungeon.
2633
2634 2. Bro: Tis most true
2635 That musing meditation most affects
2636 The pensive secrecy of desert cell,
2637 Far from the cheerfull haunt of men, and herds,
2638 And sits as safe as in a Senat house,
2639 For who would rob a Hermit of his Weeds, 390
2640 His few Books, or his Beads, or Maple Dish,
2641 Or do his gray hairs any violence?
2642 But beauty like the fair Hesperian Tree
2643 Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard
2644 Of dragon watch with uninchanted eye,
2645 To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit
2646 >From the rash hand of bold Incontinence.
2647 You may as well spred out the unsun'd heaps
2648 Of Misers treasure by an out-laws den,
2649 And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope 400
2650 Danger will wink on Opportunity,
2651 And let a single helpless maiden pass
2652 Uninjur'd in this wilde surrounding wast.
2653 Of night, or lonelines it recks me not,
2654 I fear the dred events that dog them both,
2655 Lest som ill greeting touch attempt the person
2656 Of our unowned sister.
2657
2658 Eld. Bro: I do not, brother,
2659 Inferr, as if I thought my sisters state
2660 Secure without all doubt, or controversie:
2661 Yet where an equall poise of hope and fear 410
2662 Does arbitrate th'event, my nature is
2663 That I encline to hope, rather then fear,
2664 And gladly banish squint suspicion.
2665 My sister is not so defenceless left
2666 As you imagine, she has a hidden strength
2667 Which you remember not.
2668
2669 2. Bro: What hidden strength,
2670 Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that?
2671
2672 ELD Bro: I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength
2673 Which if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own:
2674 'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity: 420
2675 She that has that, is clad in compleat steel,
2676 And like a quiver'd Nymph with Arrows keen
2677 May trace huge Forests, and unharbour'd Heaths,
2678 Infamous Hills, and sandy perilous wildes,
2679 Where through the sacred rayes of Chastity,
2680 No savage fierce, Bandite, or mountaneer
2681 Will dare to soyl her Virgin purity,
2682 Yea there, where very desolation dwels
2683 By grots, and caverns shag'd with horrid shades,
2684 She may pass on with unblench't majesty, 430
2685 Be it not don in pride, or in presumption.
2686 Som say no evil thing that walks by night
2687 In fog, or fire, by lake, or moorish fen,
2688 Blew meager Hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost,
2689 That breaks his magick chains at curfeu time,
2690 No goblin, or swart faery of the mine,
2691 Hath hurtfull power o're true virginity.
2692 Do ye beleeve me yet, or shall I call
2693 Antiquity from the old Schools of Greece
2694 To testifie the arms of Chastity? 440
2695 Hence had the huntress Dian her dred bow
2696 Fair silver-shafted Queen for ever chaste,
2697 Wherwith she tam'd the brinded lioness
2698 And spotted mountain pard, but set at nought
2699 The frivolous bolt of Cupid, gods and men
2700 Fear'd her stern frown, and she was queen oth' Woods.
2701 What was that snaky-headed Gorgon sheild
2702 That wise Minerva wore, unconquer'd Virgin,
2703 Wherwith she freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone?
2704 But rigid looks of Chast austerity, 450
2705 And noble grace that dash't brute violence
2706 With sudden adoration, and blank aw.
2707 So dear to Heav'n is Saintly chastity,
2708 That when a soul is found sincerely so,
2709 A thousand liveried Angels lacky her,
2710 Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt,
2711 And in cleer dream, and solemn vision
2712 Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear,
2713 Till oft convers with heav'nly habitants
2714 Begin to cast a beam on th'outward shape, 460
2715 The unpolluted temple of the mind.
2716 And turns it by degrees to the souls essence,
2717 Till all be made immortal: but when lust
2718 By unchaste looks, loose gestures, and foul talk,
2719 But most by leud and lavish act of sin,
2720 Lets in defilement to the inward parts,
2721 The soul grows clotted by contagion,
2722 Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite loose
2723 The divine property of her first being.
2724 Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp 470
2725 Oft seen in Charnell vaults, and Sepulchers
2726 Lingering, and sitting by a new made grave,
2727 As loath to leave the body that it lov'd,
2728 And link't it self by carnal sensualty
2729 To a degenerate and degraded state.
2730
2731 2. Bro: How charming is divine Philosophy !
2732 Not harsh, and crabbed as dull fools suppose,
2733 But musical as is Apollo's lute,
2734 And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets,
2735 Where no crude surfet raigns.
2736 Eld. Bro: List, list, I hear 480
2737 Som far off hallow break the silent Air.
2738
2739 2. Bro: Me thought so too; what should it be?
2740
2741 Eld. Bro: For certain
2742 Either som one like us night-founder'd here,
2743 Or els som neighbour Wood-man, or at worst,
2744 Som roaving robber calling to his fellows.
2745
2746 2. Bro: Heav'n keep my sister, agen agen and neer,
2747 Best draw, and stand upon our guard.
2748
2749 Eld. Bro: Ile hallow,
2750 If he be friendly he comes well, if not,
2751 Defence is a good cause, and Heav'n be for us.
2752
2753 [Enter] The attendant Spirit habited like a Shepherd.
2754
2755 That hallow I should know, what are you? speak; 490
2756 Com not too neer, you fall on iron stakes else.
2757
2758 Spir: What voice is that, my young Lord? speak agen.
2759
2760 2. Bro: O brother, 'tis my father Shepherd sure.
2761
2762 Eld. Bro: Thyrsis? Whose artful strains have oft delaid
2763 The huddling brook to hear his madrigal,
2764 And sweeten'd every muskrose of the dale,
2765 How cam'st thou here good Swain? hath any ram
2766 Slip't from the fold, or young Kid lost his dam,
2767 Or straggling weather the pen't flock forsook?
2768 How couldst thou find this dark sequester'd nook? 500
2769
2770 Spir: O my lov'd masters heir, and his next joy,
2771 I came not here on such a trivial toy
2772 As a stray'd Ewe, or to pursue the stealth
2773 Of pilfering Woolf, not all the fleecy wealth
2774 That doth enrich these Downs, is worth a thought
2775 To this my errand, and the care it brought.
2776 But O my Virgin Lady, where is she?
2777 How chance she is not in your company?
2778
2779 Eld. Bro: To tell thee sadly Shepherd, without blame
2780 Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 510
2781
2782 Spir: Ay me unhappy then my fears are true.
2783
2784 Eld. Bro: What fears good Thyrsis? Prethee briefly shew.
2785
2786 Spir: Ile tell ye, 'tis not vain or fabulous,
2787 (Though so esteem'd by shallow ignorance)
2788 What the sage Poets taught by th' heav'nly Muse,
2789 Storied of old in high immortal vers
2790 Of dire Chimera's and inchanted Iles,
2791 And rifted Rocks whose entrance leads to hell,
2792 For such there be, but unbelief is blind.
2793 Within the navil of this hideous Wood, 520
2794 Immur'd in cypress shades a Sorcerer dwels
2795 Of Bacchus, and of Circe born, great Comus,
2796 Deep skill'd in all his mothers witcheries,
2797 And here to every thirsty wanderer,
2798 By sly enticement gives his banefull cup,
2799 With many murmurs mixt, whose pleasing poison
2800 The visage quite transforms of him that drinks,
2801 And the inglorious likenes of a beast
2802 Fixes instead, unmoulding reasons mintage
2803 Character'd in the Face; this have I learn't 530
2804 Tending my flocks hard by i'th hilly crofts,
2805 That brow this bottom glade, whence night by night
2806 He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl
2807 Like stabl'd wolves, or tigers at their prey,
2808 Doing abhorred rites to Hecate
2809 In their obscured haunts of inmost bowres.
2810 Yet have they many baits, and guilefull spells
2811 To inveigle and invite th' unwary sense
2812 Of them that pass unweeting by the way.
2813 This evening late by then the chewing flocks 540
2814 Had ta'n their supper on the savoury Herb
2815 Of Knot-grass dew-besprent, and were in fold,
2816 I sate me down to watch upon a bank
2817 With Ivy canopied, and interwove
2818 With flaunting Hony-suckle, and began
2819 Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy
2820 To meditate my rural minstrelsie,
2821 Till fancy had her fill, but ere a close
2822 The wonted roar was up amidst the Woods,
2823 And fill'd the Air with barbarous dissonance, 550
2824 At which I ceas' t, and listen'd them a while,
2825 Till an unusuall stop of sudden silence
2826 Gave respit to the drowsie frighted steeds
2827 That draw the litter of close-curtain'd sleep.
2828 At last a soft and solemn breathing sound
2829 Rose like a steam of rich distill'd Perfumes,
2830 And stole upon the Air, that even Silence
2831 Was took e're she was ware, and wish't she might
2832 Deny her nature, and be never more
2833 Still to be so displac't. I was all eare, 560
2834 And took in strains that might create a soul
2835 Under the ribs of Death, but O ere long
2836 Too well I did perceive it was the voice
2837 Of my most honour'd Lady, your dear sister.
2838 Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear,
2839 And O poor hapless Nightingale thought I,
2840 How sweet thou sing'st, how neer the deadly snare!
2841 Then down the Lawns I ran with headlong hast
2842 Through paths, and turnings oft'n trod by day,
2843 Till guided by mine ear I found the place 570
2844 Where that damn'd wisard hid in sly disguise
2845 (For so by certain signes I knew) had met
2846 Already, ere my best speed could praevent,
2847 The aidless innocent Lady his wish't prey,
2848 Who gently ask't if he had seen such two,
2849 Supposing him som neighbour villager;
2850 Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess't
2851 Ye were the two she mean't, with that I sprung
2852 Into swift flight, till I had found you here,
2853 But furder know I not.
2854 2. Bro: O night and shades, 580
2855 How are ye joyn'd with hell in triple knot
2856 Against th'unarmed weakness of one Virgin
2857 Alone, and helpless! Is this the confidence
2858 You gave me Brother?
2859 Eld. Bro: Yes, and keep it still,
2860 Lean on it safely, not a period
2861 Shall be unsaid for me: against the threats
2862 Of malice or of sorcery, or that power
2863 Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm,
2864 Vertue may be assail'd, but never hurt,
2865 Surpriz'd by unjust force, but not enthrall'd, 590
2866 Yea even that which mischief meant most harm,
2867 Shall in the happy trial prove most glory.
2868 But evil on it self shall back recoyl,
2869 And mix no more with goodness, when at last
2870 Gather'd like scum, and setl'd to it self
2871 It shall be in eternal restless change
2872 Self-fed, and self-consum'd, if this fail,
2873 The pillar'd firmament is rott'nness,
2874 And earths base built on stubble. But corn let's on.
2875 Against th' opposing will and arm of Heav'n 600
2876 May never this just sword be lifted up,
2877 But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt
2878 With all the greisly legions that troop
2879 Under the sooty flag of Acheron,
2880 Harpyies and Hydra's, or all the monstrous forms
2881 'Twixt Africa and Inde, Ile find him out,
2882 And force him to restore his purchase back,
2883 Or drag him by the curls, to a foul death,
2884 Curs'd as his life.
2885
2886 Spir: Alas good ventrous youth,
2887 I love thy courage yet, and bold Emprise, 610
2888 But here thy sword can do thee little stead,
2889 Farr other arms, and other weapons must
2890 Be those that quell the might of hellish charms,
2891 He with his bare wand can unthred thy joynts,
2892 And crumble all thy sinews.
2893
2894 Eld. Bro: Why prethee Shepherd
2895 How durst thou then thy self approach so neer
2896 As to make this relation?
2897
2898 Spir: Care and utmost shifts
2899 How to secure the lady from surprisal,
2900 Brought to my mind a certain Shepherd Lad
2901 Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd 620
2902 In every vertuous plant and healing herb
2903 That spreds her verdant leaf to th'morning ray,
2904 He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me sing,
2905 Which when I did, he on the tender grass
2906 Would sit, and hearken even to extasie,
2907 And in requitall ope his leather'n scrip,
2908 And shew me simples of a thousand names
2909 Telling their strange and vigorous faculties;
2910 Amongst the rest a small unsightly root,
2911 But of divine effect, he cull'd me out; 630
2912 The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,
2913 But in another Countrey, as he said,
2914 Bore a bright golden flowre, but not in this soyl:
2915 Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swayn
2916 Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon,
2917 And yet more med'cinal is it then that Moly
2918 That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave;
2919 He call'd it Haemony, and gave it me,
2920 And bad me keep it as of sov'ran use
2921 'Gainst all inchantments, mildew blast, or damp 640
2922 Or gastly furies apparition;
2923 I purs't it up, but little reck'ning made,
2924 Till now that this extremity compell'd,
2925 But now I find it true; for by this means
2926 I knew the foul inchanter though disguis'd,
2927 Enter'd the very lime-twigs of his spells,
2928 And yet came off: if you have this about you
2929 (As I will give you when we go) you may
2930 Boldly assault the necromancers hall;
2931 Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood, 650
2932 And brandish't blade rush on him, break his glass,
2933 And shed the lushious liquor on the ground,
2934 But sease his wand, though he and his curst crew
2935 Feirce signe of battail make, and menace high,
2936 Or like the sons of Vulcan vomit smoak,
2937 Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink.
2938
2939 Eld. Bro: Thyrsis lead on apace, Ile follow thee,
2940 And som good angel bear a sheild before us.
2941
2942 The scene changes to a stately Palace, set out with all manner of
2943 deliciousness; Soft Musick, Tables spred with all dainties.
2944 Comus appears with his rabble. and the Lady set in an inchanted
2945 Chair, to whom he offers his Glass, which she puts by, and goes
2946 about to rise.
2947
2948 COMUS: Nay Lady sit; if I but wave this wand
2949 Your nerves are all chain'd up in Alablaster, 660
2950 And you a statue; or as Daphne was
2951 Root-bound, that fled Apollo.
2952
2953 La: Fool do not boast,
2954 Thou canst not touch the freedom of my minde
2955 With all thy charms, although this corporal rinde
2956 Thou haste immanacl'd, while Heav'n sees good.
2957
2958 Co: Why are you vext Lady? why do you frown
2959 Here dwell no frowns, nor anger, from these gates
2960 Sorrow flies farr: See here be all the pleasures
2961 That fancy can beget on youthfull thoughts,
2962 When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns 670
2963 Brisk as the April buds in Primrose-season.
2964 And first behold this cordial Julep here
2965 That flames, and dances in his crystal bounds
2966 With spirits of balm, and fragrant Syrops mixt.
2967 Not that Nepenthes which the wife of Thone,
2968 In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena
2969 Is of such power to stir up joy as this,
2970 To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst.
2971 Why should you be so cruel to your self,
2972 And to those dainty limms which nature lent 680
2973 For gentle usage, and soft delicacy?
2974 But you invert the cov'nants of her trust,
2975 And harshly deal like an ill borrower
2976 With that which you receiv'd on other terms,
2977 Scorning the unexempt condition
2978 By which all mortal frailty must subsist,
2979 Refreshment after toil, ease after pain,
2980 That have been tir'd all day without repast,
2981 And timely rest have wanted, but fair Virgin
2982 This will restore all soon.
2983
2984 La: 'Twill not false traitor, 690
2985 'Twill not restore the truth and honesty
2986 That thou hast banish't from thy tongue with lies
2987 Was this the cottage, and the safe abode
2988 Thou told'st me of? What grim aspects are these
2989 These oughly-headed Monsters? Mercy guard me!
2990 Hence with thy brew'd inchantments, foul deceit
2991 Hast thou betrai'd my credulous innocence
2992 With visor'd falshood, and base forgery,
2993 And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here
2994 With lickerish baits fit to ensnare a brute? 700
2995 Were it a draft for Juno when she banquets,
2996 I would not taste thy treasonous offer; none
2997 But such as are good men can give good things,
2998 And that which is not good, is not delicious
2999 To a well-govern'd and wise appetite.
3000
3001 Co: O foolishnes of men ! that lend their ears
3002 To those budge doctors of the Stoick Furr,
3003 And fetch their precepts from the Cynick Tub,
3004 Praising the lean and sallow Abstinence.
3005 Wherefore did Nature powre her bounties forth, 710
3006 With such a full and unwithdrawing hand,
3007 Covering the earth with odours, fruits, and flocks,
3008 Thronging the Seas with spawn innumerable,
3009 But all to please, and sate the curious taste?
3010 And set to work millions of spinning Worms,
3011 That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair'd silk
3012 To deck her Sons, and that no corner might
3013 Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loyns
3014 She hutch't th'all-worshipt ore, and precious gems
3015 To store her children with; if all the world 720
3016 Should in a pet of temperance feed on Pulse,
3017 Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but Freize,
3018 Th'all-giver would be unthank't, would be unprais'd,
3019 Not half his riches known, and yet despis'd,
3020 And we should serve him as a grudging master,
3021 As a penurious niggard of his wealth,
3022 And live like Natures bastards, not her sons,
3023 Who would be quite surcharged with her own weight,
3024 And strangl'd with her waste fertility;
3025 Th'earth cumber'd, and the wing'd air dark't with plumes. 730
3026 The herds would over-multitude their Lords,
3027 The Sea o'refraught would swell, and th'unsought diamonds
3028 Would so emblaze the forhead of the Deep,
3029 And so bested with Stars, that they below
3030 Would grow inur'd to light, and com at last
3031 To gaze upon the Sun with shameless brows.
3032 List Lady be not coy, and be not cosen'd
3033 With that same vaunted name Virginity,
3034 Beauty is natures coyn, must not be hoorded,
3035 But must be currant, and the good thereof 740
3036 Consists in mutual and partak'n bliss,
3037 Unsavoury in th'injoyment of it self
3038 If you let slip time, like a neglected rose
3039 It withers on the stalk with languish't head.
3040 Beauty is natures brag, and must be shown
3041 In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities
3042 Where most may wonder at the workmanship;
3043 It is for homely features to keep home,
3044 They had their name thence; course complexions
3045 And cheeks of sorry grain will serve to ply 750
3046 The sampler, and to teize the huswifes wooll.
3047 What need a vermeil-tinctured lip for that
3048 Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the Morn?
3049 There was another meaning in these gifts,
3050 Think what, and be adviz'd, you are but young yet.
3051
3052 La: I had not thought to have unlockt my lips
3053 In this unhallow'd air, but that this Jugler
3054 Would think to charm my judgement, as mine eyes,
3055 Obtruding false rules pranckt in reasons garb.
3056 I hate when vice can bolt her arguments, 760
3057 And vertue has no tongue to check her pride:
3058 Impostor do not charge most innocent nature,
3059 As if she would her children should be riotous
3060 With her abundance, she good cateress
3061 Means her provision onely to the good
3062 That live according to her sober laws,
3063 And holy dictate of spare Temperance:
3064 If every just man that now pines with want
3065 Had but a moderate and heseeming share
3066 Of that which lewdly-pamper'd Luxury 770
3067 Now heaps upon som few with vast excess,
3068 Natures full blessings would be well dispenc't
3069 In unsuperfluous eeven proportion,
3070 And she no whit encomber'd with her store,
3071 And then the giver would he better thank't,
3072 His praise due paid, for swinish gluttony
3073 Ne're looks to Heav'n amidst his gorgeous feast,
3074 But with besotted base ingratitude
3075 Cramms, and blasphemes his feeder. Shall I go on?
3076 Or have I said anough? To him that dares 780
3077 Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words
3078 Against the Sun-clad power of Chastity,
3079 Fain would I somthing say, yet to what end?
3080 Thou hast nor Eare, nor Soul to apprehend
3081 The sublime notion, and high mystery
3082 That must be utter'd to unfold the sage
3083 And serious doctrine of Virginity,
3084 And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know
3085 More happiness then this thy present lot.
3086 Enjoy your deer Wit, and gay Rhetorick 790
3087 That hath so well been taught her dazling fence,
3088 Thou art not fit to hear thy self convinc't;
3089 Yet should I try, the uncontrouled worth
3090 Of this pure cause would kindle my rap't spirits
3091 To such a flame of sacred vehemence
3092 That dumb things would be mov'd to sympathize,
3093 And the brute Earth would lend her nerves, and shake,
3094 Till all thy magick structures rear'd so high,
3095 Were shatter'd into heaps o're thy false head.
3096
3097 Co: She fables not, I feel that I do fear 800
3098 Her words set off by som superior power;
3099 And though not mortal, yet a cold shuddring dew
3100 Dips me all o're, as when the wrath of Jove
3101 Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus
3102 To som of Saturns crew. I must dissemble,
3103 And try her yet more strongly. Com, no more,
3104 This is meer moral babble, and direct
3105 Against the canon laws of our foundation;
3106 I must not suffer this, yet 'tis but the lees
3107 And setlings of a melancholy blood; 810
3108 But this will cure all streight, one sip of this
3109 Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight
3110 Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste.--
3111
3112 The brothers rush in with Swords drawn, wrest his Glass out of
3113 his hand, and break it against the ground; his rout make signe of
3114 resistance, but are all driven in; The attendant Spirit comes in.
3115
3116 Spir: What, have you let the false enchanter scape?
3117 O ye mistook, ye should have snatcht his wand
3118 And bound him fast; without his rod revers't,
3119 And backward mutters of dissevering power,
3120 We cannot free the Lady that sits here
3121 In stony fetters fixt, and motionless;
3122 Yet stay, be not disturb'd, now I bethink me 820
3123 Som other means I have which may he us'd
3124 Which once of Meliboeus old I learnt
3125 The soothest Shepherd that ere pip't on plains.
3126 There is a gentle Nymph not farr from hence,
3127 That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream,
3128 Sabrina is her name, a Virgin pure,
3129 Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine,
3130 That had the Scepter from his father Brute.
3131 The guiltless damsel flying the mad pursuit
3132 Of her enraged stepdam Guendolen, 830
3133 Commended her fair innocence to the flood
3134 That stay'd her flight with his cross-flowing course,
3135 The water Nymphs that in the bottom plaid,
3136 Held up their pearled wrists and took her in,
3137 Bearing her straight to aged Nereus Hall,
3138 Who piteous of her woes, rear'd her lank head,
3139 And gave her to his daughters to imbathe
3140 In nectar'd lavers strew'd with Asphodil,
3141 And through the porch and inlet of each sense
3142 Dropt in Ambrosial Oils till she reviv'd, 840
3143 And underwent a quick immortal change
3144 Made Goddess of the River; still she retains
3145 Her maid'n gentlenes, and oft at Eeve
3146 Visits the herds along the twilight meadows,
3147 Helping all urchin blasts, and ill luck signes
3148 That the shrewd medling Elfe delights to make,
3149 Which she with pretious viold liquors heals.
3150 For which the Shepherds at their festivals
3151 Carrol her goodnes lowd in rustick layes,
3152 And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream 850
3153 Of pancies, pinks, and gaudy Daffadils.
3154 And, as the old Swain said, she can unlock
3155 The clasping charms, and thaw the numming spell,
3156 If she be right invok't in warbled Song,
3157 For maid'nhood she loves, and will be swift
3158 To aid a Virgin, such as was her self
3159 In hard besetting need, this will I try
3160 And adde the power of som adjuring verse.
3161
3162 SONG.
3163
3164 Sabrina fair
3165 Listen when thou art sitting 860
3166 Under the glassie, cool, translucent wave,
3167 In twisted braids of Lillies knitting
3168 The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair,
3169 Listen for dear honour's sake,
3170 Goddess of the silver lake,
3171 Listen and save.
3172
3173 Listen and appear to us
3174 In name of great Oceanus,
3175 By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace,
3176 And Tethys grave majestick pace, 870
3177 By hoary Nereus wrincled look,
3178 And the Carpathian wisards hook,
3179 By scaly Tritons winding shell,
3180 And old sooth-saying Glaucus spell,
3181 By Leucothea's lovely hands,
3182 And her son that rules the strands,
3183 By Thetis tinsel-slipper'd feet,
3184 And the Songs of Sirens sweet,
3185 By dead Parthenope's dear tomb,
3186 And fair Ligea's golden comb, 880
3187 Wherwith she sits on diamond rocks
3188 Sleeking her soft alluring locks,
3189 By all the Nymphs that nightly dance
3190 Upon thy streams with wily glance,
3191 Rise, rise, and heave thy rosie head
3192 >From thy coral-pav'n bed,
3193 And bridle in thy headlong wave,
3194 Till thou our summons answered have.
3195 Listen and save.
3196
3197 Sabrina rises, attended by water-Nymphes, and sings.
3198
3199 Sab: By the rushy-fringed bank, 890
3200 Where grows the Willow and the Osier dank,
3201 My sliding Chariot stayes,
3202 Thick set with Agat, and the azurn sheen
3203 Of Turkis blew, and Emrauld green
3204 That in the channell strayes,
3205 Whilst from off the waters fleet
3206 Thus I set my printless feet
3207 O're the Cowslips Velvet head,
3208 That bends not as I tread,
3209 Gentle swain at thy request 900
3210 I am here.
3211
3212 Spir: Goddess dear
3213 We implore thy powerful hand
3214 To undo the charmed band
3215 Of true Virgin here distrest,
3216 Through the force, and through the wile
3217 Of unblest inchanter vile.
3218
3219 Sab: Shepherd 'tis my office best
3220 To help insnared chastity;
3221 Brightest Lady look on me, 910
3222 Thus I sprinkle on thy brest
3223 Drops that from my fountain pure,
3224 I have kept of pretious cure,
3225 Thrice upon thy fingers tip,
3226 Thrice upon thy rubied lip,
3227 Next this marble venom'd seat
3228 Smear'd with gumms of glutenous heat
3229 I touch with chaste palms moist and cold,
3230 Now the spell hath lost his hold;
3231 And I must haste ere morning hour 920
3232 To wait in Amphitrite's bowr.
3233
3234 Sabrina descends, and the Lady rises out of her seat.
3235
3236 Spir: Virgin, daughter of Locrine
3237 Sprung of old Anchises line,
3238 May thy brimmed waves for this
3239 Their full tribute never miss
3240 >From a thousand petty rills,
3241 That tumble down the snowy hills:
3242 Summer drouth, or singed air
3243 Never scorch thy tresses fair,
3244 Nor wet Octobers torrent flood 930
3245 Thy molten crystal fill with mudd,
3246 May thy billows rowl ashoar
3247 The beryl, and the golden ore,
3248 May thy lofty head be crown'd
3249 With many a tower and terrass round,
3250 And here and there thy banks upon
3251 With Groves of myrrhe, and cinnamon.
3252
3253 Com Lady while Heaven lends us grace,
3254 Let us fly this cursed place,
3255 Lest the Sorcerer us intice 940
3256 With som other new device.
3257 Not a waste, or needless sound
3258 Till we com to holier ground,
3259 I shall be your faithfull guide
3260 Through this gloomy covert wide,
3261 And not many furlongs thence
3262 Is your Fathers residence,
3263 Where this night are met in state
3264 Many a friend to gratulate
3265 His wish't presence, and beside 950
3266 All the Swains that there abide,
3267 With Jiggs, and rural dance resort,
3268 We shall catch them at their sport,
3269 And our sudden coming there
3270 Will double all their mirth and chere;
3271 Com let us haste, the Stars grow high,
3272 But night sits monarch yet in the mid sky.
3273
3274 The Scene changes, presenting Ludlow Town and the President
3275 Castle, then com in Countrey-Dancers, after them the attendant
3276 Spirit, with the two Brothers and the Lady.
3277
3278 SONG.
3279
3280 Spir: Back Shepherds, back, anough your play,
3281 Till next Sun-shine holiday,
3282 Here be without duck or nod 960
3283 Other trippings to be trod
3284 Of lighter toes, and such Court guise
3285 As Mercury did first devise
3286 With the mincing Dryades
3287 On the Lawns, and on the Leas.
3288
3289 This second Song presents them to their father and mother.
3290
3291 Noble Lord, and Lady bright,
3292 I have brought ye new delight,
3293 Here behold so goodly grown
3294 Three fair branches of your own,
3295 Heav'n hath timely tri'd their youth. 970
3296 Their faith, their patience, and their truth
3297 And sent them here through hard assays
3298 With a crown of deathless Praise,
3299 To triumph in victorious dance
3300 O're sensual folly, and Intemperance.
3301
3302 The dances ended, the Spirit Epiloguizes.
3303
3304 Spir: To the Ocean now I fly,
3305 And those happy climes that ly
3306 Where day never shuts his eye,
3307 Up in the broad fields of the sky:
3308 There I suck the liquid ayr 980
3309 All amidst the Gardens fair
3310 Of Hesperus, and his daughters three
3311 That sing about the golden tree:
3312 Along the crisped shades and bowres
3313 Revels the spruce and jocond Spring,
3314 The Graces, and the rosie-boosom'd Howres,
3315 Thither all their bounties bring,
3316 That there eternal Summer dwels,
3317 And West winds, with musky wing
3318 About the cedar'n alleys fling 990
3319 Nard, and Cassia's balmy smels.
3320 Iris there with humid bow,
3321 Waters the odorous banks that blow
3322 Flowers of more mingled hew
3323 Then her purfl'd scarf can shew,
3324 And drenches with Elysian dew
3325 (List mortals, if your ears be true)
3326 Beds of Hyacinth, and roses
3327 Where young Adonis oft reposes,
3328 Waxing well of his deep wound 1000
3329 In slumber soft, and on the ground
3330 Sadly sits th' Assyrian Queen;
3331 But far above in spangled sheen
3332 Celestial Cupid her fam'd son advanc't,
3333 Holds his dear Psyche sweet intranc't
3334 After her wandring labours long,
3335 Till free consent the gods among
3336 Make her his eternal Bride,
3337 And from her fair unspotted side
3338 Two blissful twins are to be born,
3339 Youth and Joy; so Jove hath sworn. 1010
3340 But now my task is smoothly don,
3341 I can fly, or I can run
3342 Quickly to the green earths end,
3343 Where the bow'd welkin slow doth bend,
3344 And from thence can soar as soon
3345 To the corners of the Moon.
3346 Mortals that would follow me,
3347 Love vertue, she alone is free,
3348 She can teach ye how to clime 1020
3349 Higher then the Spheary chime;
3350 Or if Vertue feeble were,
3351 Heav'n it self would stoop to her.
3352
3353 Notes:
3354 43 ye] you 1673
3355 167 omitted 1673
3356 168, 9 Thus 1637. Manuscript reads --
3357 but heere she comes I fairly step aside
3358 & hearken, if I may, her buisnesse heere.
3359 1673 reads --
3360 And hearken, if I may her business hear.
3361 But here she comes, I fairly step aside.
3362 474 sensualty] sensuality 1673. Manuscript also reads sensualtie,
3363 as the metre requires.
3364 493 father] So also 1673. Manuscript reads father's
3365 547 meditate] meditate upon 1673
3366 553 drowsie frighted] Manuscript reads drowsie flighted.
3367 556 steam] stream 1673
3368 580 furder] further 1673
3369 743 In the manuscript, which reads--
3370 If you let slip time like an neglected rose
3371 a circle has been drawn round the an, but probably not by Milton.
3372 780 anough] anow 1673
3373
3374
3375
3376
3377 POEMS ADDED IN THE 1673 EDITION.
3378
3379
3380
3381 Anno aetatis 17. On the Death of a fair Infant dying of a Cough.
3382
3383
3384 I
3385
3386 O FAIREST flower no sooner blown but blasted,
3387 Soft silken Primrose fading timelesslie,
3388 Summers chief honour if thou hadst outlasted
3389 Bleak winters force that made thy blossome drie;
3390 For he being amorous on that lovely die
3391 That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss
3392 But kill'd alas, and then bewayl'd his fatal bliss.
3393
3394 II
3395
3396 For since grim Aquilo his charioter
3397 By boistrous rape th' Athenian damsel got,
3398 He thought it toucht his Deitie full neer, 10
3399 If likewise he some fair one wedded not,
3400 Thereby to wipe away th' infamous blot,
3401 Of long-uncoupled bed, and childless eld,
3402 Which 'mongst the wanton gods a foul reproach was held.
3403
3404 III
3405
3406 So mounting up in ycie-pearled carr,
3407 Through middle empire of the freezing aire
3408 He wanderd long, till thee he spy'd from farr,
3409 There ended was his quest, there ceast his care
3410 Down he descended from his Snow-soft chaire,
3411 But all unwares with his cold-kind embrace 20
3412 Unhous'd thy Virgin Soul from her fair hiding place.
3413
3414 IV
3415
3416 Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate;
3417 For so Apollo, with unweeting hand
3418 Whilome did slay his dearly-loved mate
3419 Young Hyacinth born on Eurotas' strand,
3420 Young Hyacinth the pride of Spartan land;
3421 But then transform'd him to a purple flower
3422 Alack that so to change thee winter had no power.
3423
3424 V
3425
3426 Yet can I not perswade me thou art dead
3427 Or that thy coarse corrupts in earths dark wombe, 30
3428 Or that thy beauties lie in wormie bed,
3429 Hid from the world in a low delved tombe;
3430 Could Heav'n for pittie thee so strictly doom?
3431 O no! for something in thy face did shine
3432 Above mortalitie that shew'd thou wast divine.
3433
3434 VI
3435
3436 Resolve me then oh Soul most surely blest
3437 (If so it be that thou these plaints dost hear)
3438 Tell me bright Spirit where e're thou hoverest
3439 Whether above that high first-moving Spheare
3440 Or in the Elisian fields (if such there were.) 40
3441 Oh say me true if thou wert mortal wight
3442 And why from us so quickly thou didst take thy flight.
3443
3444 VII
3445
3446 Wert thou some Starr which from the ruin'd roofe
3447 Of shak't Olympus by mischance didst fall;
3448 Which carefull Jove in natures true behoofe
3449 Took up, and in fit place did reinstall?
3450 Or did of late earths Sonnes besiege the wall
3451 Of sheenie Heav'n, and thou some goddess fled
3452 Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar'd head
3453
3454 VIII
3455
3456 Or wert thou that just Maid who once before 50
3457 Forsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth
3458 And cam'st again to visit us once more?
3459 Or wert thou that sweet smiling Youth!
3460 Or that c[r]own'd Matron sage white-robed Truth?
3461 Or any other of that heav'nly brood
3462 Let down in clowdie throne to do the world some good.
3463
3464 Note: 53 Or wert thou] Or wert thou Mercy -- conjectured by
3465 John Heskin Ch. Ch. Oxon. from Ode on Nativity, st. 15.
3466
3467 IX
3468
3469 Or wert thou of the golden-winged boast,
3470 Who having clad thy self in humane weed,
3471 To earth from thy praefixed seat didst poast,
3472 And after short abode flie back with speed, 60
3473 As if to shew what creatures Heav'n doth breed,
3474 Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire
3475 To scorn the sordid world, and unto Heav'n aspire.
3476
3477 X
3478
3479 But oh why didst thou not stay here below
3480 To bless us with thy heav'n-lov'd innocence,
3481 To slake his wrath whom sin hath made our foe
3482 To turn Swift-rushing black perdition hence,
3483 Or drive away the slaughtering pestilence,
3484 To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart
3485 But thou canst best perform that office where thou art. 70
3486
3487 XI
3488
3489 Then thou the mother of so sweet a child
3490 Her false imagin'd loss cease to lament,
3491 And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild;
3492 Think what a present thou to God hast sent,
3493 And render him with patience what he lent;
3494 This if thou do he will an off-spring give,
3495 That till the worlds last-end shall make thy name to live.
3496
3497
3498
3499 Anno Aetatis 19. At a Vacation Exercise in the Colledge, part
3500 Latin, part English. The Latin speeches ended, the English thus
3501 began.
3502
3503
3504 HAIL native Language, that by sinews weak
3505 Didst move my first endeavouring tongue to speak,
3506 And mad'st imperfect words with childish tripps,
3507 Half unpronounc't, slide through my infant-lipps,
3508 Driving dum silence from the portal dore,
3509 Where he had mutely sate two years before:
3510 Here I salute thee and thy pardon ask,
3511 That now I use thee in my latter task:
3512 Small loss it is that thence can come unto thee,
3513 I know my tongue but little Grace can do thee: 10
3514 Thou needst not be ambitious to be first,
3515 Believe me I have thither packt the worst:
3516 And, if it happen as I did forecast,
3517 The daintest dishes shall be serv'd up last.
3518 I pray thee then deny me not thy aide
3519 For this same small neglect that I have made:
3520 But haste thee strait to do me once a Pleasure,
3521 And from thy wardrope bring thy chiefest treasure;
3522 Not those new fangled toys, and triming slight
3523 Which takes our late fantasticks with delight, 20
3524 But cull those richest Robes, and gay'st attire
3525 Which deepest Spirits, and choicest Wits desire:
3526 I have some naked thoughts that rove about
3527 And loudly knock to have their passage out;
3528 And wearie of their place do only stay
3529 Till thou hast deck't them in thy best aray;
3530 That so they may without suspect or fears
3531 Fly swiftly to this fair Assembly's ears;
3532 Yet I had rather if I were to chuse,
3533 Thy service in some graver subject use, 30
3534 Such as may make thee search thy coffers round
3535 Before thou cloath my fancy in fit sound:
3536 Such where the deep transported mind may scare
3537 Above the wheeling poles, and at Heav'ns dore
3538 Look in, and see each blissful Deitie
3539 How he before the thunderous throne doth lie,
3540 Listening to what unshorn Apollo sings
3541 To th'touch of golden wires, while Hebe brings
3542 Immortal Nectar to her Kingly Sire:
3543 Then passing through the Spherse of watchful fire, 40
3544 And mistie Regions of wide air next under,
3545 And hills of Snow and lofts of piled Thunder,
3546 May tell at length how green-ey'd Neptune raves,
3547 In Heav'ns defiance mustering all his waves;
3548 Then sing of secret things that came to pass
3549 When Beldam Nature in her cradle was;
3550 And last of Kings and Queens and Hero's old,
3551 Such as the wise Demodocus once told
3552 In solemn Songs at King Alcinous feast,
3553 While sad Ulisses soul and all the rest 50
3554 Are held with his melodious harmonie
3555 In willing chains and sweet captivitie.
3556 But fie my wandring Muse how thou dost stray !
3557 Expectance calls thee now another way,
3558 Thou know'st it must he now thy only bent
3559 To keep in compass of thy Predicament:
3560 Then quick about thy purpos'd business come,
3561 That to the next I may resign my Roome
3562
3563 Then Ens is represented as Father of the Predicaments his ten
3564 Sons, whereof the Eldest stood for Substance with his Canons,
3565 which Ens thus speaking, explains.
3566
3567 Good luck befriend thee Son; for at thy birth
3568 The Faiery Ladies daunc't upon the hearth; 60
3569 Thy drowsie Nurse hath sworn she did them spie
3570 Come tripping to the Room where thou didst lie;
3571 And sweetly singing round about thy Bed
3572 Strew all their blessings on thy sleeping Head.
3573 She heard them give thee this, that thou should'st still
3574 >From eyes of mortals walk invisible,
3575 Yet there is something that doth force my fear,
3576 For once it was my dismal hap to hear
3577 A Sybil old, bow-bent with crooked age,
3578 That far events full wisely could presage,
3579 And in Times long and dark Prospective Glass
3580 Fore-saw what future dayes should bring to pass,
3581 Your Son, said she, (nor can you it prevent)
3582 Shall subject be to many an Accident.
3583 O're all his Brethren he shall Reign as King,
3584 Yet every one shall make him underling,
3585 And those that cannot live from him asunder
3586 Ungratefully shall strive to keep him under,
3587 In worth and excellence he shall out-go them,
3588 Yet being above them, he shall be below them; 80
3589 >From others he shall stand in need of nothing,
3590 Yet on his Brothers shall depend for Cloathing.
3591 To find a Foe it shall not be his hap,
3592 And peace shall lull him in her flowry lap;
3593 Yet shall he live in strife, and at his dore
3594 Devouring war shall never cease to roare;
3595 Yea it shall be his natural property
3596 To harbour those that are at enmity.
3597 What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not
3598 Your learned hands, can loose this Gordian knot? 90
3599
3600 The next Quantity and Quality, spake in Prose, then Relation
3601 was call'd by his Name.
3602
3603 Rivers arise; whether thou be the Son,
3604 Of utmost Tweed, or Oose, or gulphie Dun,
3605 Or Trent, who like some earth-born Giant spreads
3606 His thirty Armes along the indented Meads,
3607 Or sullen Mole that runneth underneath,
3608 Or Severn swift, guilty of Maidens death,
3609 Or Rockie Avon, or of Sedgie Lee,
3610 Or Coaly Tine, or antient hallowed Dee,
3611 Or Humber loud that keeps the Scythians Name,
3612 Or Medway smooth, or Royal Towred Thame. 100
3613
3614 The rest was Prose.
3615
3616
3617
3618 THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE. LIB. I. --
3619 Quis multa gracilis te puer in Rosa
3620 Rendred almost word for word without Rhyme according to the
3621 Latin Measure, as near as the Language permit.
3622
3623 WHAT slender Youth bedew'd with liquid odours
3624 Courts thee on Roses in some pleasant Cave,
3625 Pyrrha for whom bind'st thou
3626 In wreaths thy golden Hair,
3627 Plain in thy neatness; O how oft shall he
3628 On Faith and changed Gods complain: and Seas
3629 Rough with black winds and storms
3630 Unwonted shall admire:
3631 Who now enjoyes thee credulous, all Gold,
3632 Who alwayes vacant, alwayes amiable 10
3633 Hopes thee; of flattering gales
3634 Unmindfull. Hapless they
3635 To whom thou untry'd seem'st fair. Me in my vow'd
3636 Picture the sacred wall declares t' have hung
3637 My dank and dropping weeds
3638 To the stern God of Sea.
3639 [The Latin text follows.]
3640
3641
3642
3643 SONNETS.
3644
3645
3646 XI
3647
3648 A Book was writ of late call'd Tetrachordon;
3649 And wov'n close, both matter, form and stile;
3650 The Subject new: it walk'd the Town a while,
3651 Numbring good intellects; now seldom por'd on.
3652 Cries the stall-reader, bless us! what a word on
3653 A title page is this! and some in file
3654 Stand spelling fals, while one might walk to Mile-
3655 End Green. Why is it harder Sirs then Gordon,
3656 Colkitto, or Macdonnel, or Galasp?
3657 Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek 10
3658 That would have made Quintilian stare and gasp.
3659 Thy age, like ours, O Soul of Sir John Cheek,
3660 Hated not Learning wors then Toad or Asp;
3661 When thou taught'st Cambridge, and King Edward Greek.
3662
3663 Note: Camb. Autograph supplies title, On the Detraction which
3664 followed my writing certain Treatises.
3665
3666
3667 XII. On the same.
3668
3669 I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs
3670 By the known rules of antient libertie,
3671 When strait a barbarous noise environs me
3672 Of Owles and Cuckoes, Asses, Apes and Doggs.
3673 As when those Hinds that were transform'd to Froggs
3674 Raild at Latona's twin-born progenie
3675 Which after held the Sun and Moon in fee.
3676 But this is got by casting Pearl to Hoggs;
3677 That bawle for freedom in their senceless mood,
3678 And still revolt when truth would set them free. 10
3679 Licence they mean when they cry libertie;
3680 For who loves that, must first be wise and good;
3681 But from that mark how far they roave we see
3682 For all this wast of wealth, and loss of blood.
3683
3684
3685 XIII
3686
3687 To Mr. H. Lawes, on his Aires.
3688
3689 Harry whose tuneful and well measur'd Song
3690 First taught our English Musick how to span
3691 Words with just note and accent, not to scan
3692 With Midas Ears, committing short and long;
3693 Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng,
3694 With praise enough for Envy to look wan;
3695 To after age thou shalt be writ the man,
3696 That with smooth aire couldst humor best our tongue
3697 Thou honour'st Verse, and Verse must send her wing
3698 To honour thee, the Priest of Phoebus Quire 10
3699 That tun'st their happiest lines in Hymn or Story
3700 Dante shall give Fame leave to set thee higher
3701 Then his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing
3702 Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.
3703
3704 Note: 9 send] lend Cambridge Autograph MS.
3705
3706
3707 XIV
3708
3709 When Faith and Love which parted from thee never,
3710 Had ripen'd thy just soul to dwell with God,
3711 Meekly thou didst resign this earthy load
3712 Of Death, call'd Life; which us from Life doth sever
3713 Thy Works and Alms and all thy good Endeavour
3714 Staid not behind, nor in the grave were trod;
3715 But as Faith pointed with her golden rod,
3716 Follow'd thee up to joy and bliss for ever.
3717 Love led them on, and Faith who knew them best
3718 Thy hand-maids, clad them o're with purple beams 10
3719 And azure wings, that up they flew so drest,
3720 And speak the truth of thee on glorious Theams
3721 Before the Judge, who thenceforth bid thee rest
3722 And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams.
3723
3724 Note: Camb. Autograph supplies title, On the Religious
3725 Memory of Catherine Thomson, my Christian Friend, deceased
3726 16 Decemb., 1646.
3727
3728
3729 XV
3730
3731 ON THE LATE MASSACHER IN PIEMONT.
3732
3733 Avenge O lord thy slaughter'd Saints, whose bones
3734 Lie scatter'd on the Alpine mountains cold,
3735 Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old
3736 When all our Fathers worship't Stocks and Stones,
3737 Forget not: in thy book record their groanes
3738 Who were thy Sheep and in their antient Fold
3739 Slayn by the bloody Piemontese that roll'd
3740 Mother with Infant down the Rocks. Their moans
3741 The Vales redoubl'd to the Hills, and they
3742 To Heav'n. Their martyr'd blood and ashes sow 10
3743 O're all th'Italian fields where still doth sway
3744 The triple Tyrant: that from these may grow
3745 A hunder'd-fold, who having learnt thy way
3746 Early may fly the Babylonian wo.
3747
3748
3749
3750 XVI
3751
3752
3753 When I consider how my light is spent,
3754 E're half my days, in this dark world and wide,
3755 And that one Talent which is death to hide,
3756 Lodg'd with me useless, though my Soul more bent
3757 To serve therewith my Maker, and present
3758 My true account, least he returning chide,
3759 Doth God exact day-labour, light deny'd,
3760 I fondly ask; But patience to prevent
3761 That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need
3762 Either man's work or his own gifts, who best 10
3763 Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best, his State
3764 Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
3765 And post o're Land and Ocean without rest:
3766 They also serve who only stand and waite.
3767
3768
3769
3770 XVII
3771
3772
3773 Lawrence of vertuous Father vertuous Son,
3774 Now that the Fields are dank, and ways are mire,
3775 Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire
3776 Help wast a sullen day; what may be Won
3777 >From the hard Season gaining: time will run
3778 On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire
3779 The frozen earth; and cloth in fresh attire
3780 The Lillie and Rose, that neither sow'd nor spun.
3781 What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice,
3782 Of Attick tast, with Wine, whence we may rise 10
3783 To hear the Lute well toucht, or artfull voice
3784 Warble immortal Notes and Tuskan Ayre?
3785 He who of those delights can judge, and spare
3786 To interpose them oft, is not unwise.
3787
3788
3789
3790 XVIII
3791
3792
3793 Cyriack, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench
3794 Of Brittish Themis, with no mean applause
3795 Pronounc't and in his volumes taught our Lawes,
3796 Which others at their Barr so often wrench:
3797 To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench
3798 In mirth, that after no repenting drawes;
3799 Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause,
3800 And what the Swede intend, and what the French.
3801 To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know
3802 Toward solid good what leads the nearest way; 10
3803 For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,
3804 And disapproves that care, though wise in show,
3805 That with superfluous burden loads the day,
3806 And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.
3807
3808
3809
3810 XIX
3811
3812
3813 Methought I saw my late espoused Saint
3814 Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,
3815 Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave,
3816 Rescu'd from death by force though pale and faint.
3817 Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint,
3818 Purification in the old Law did save,
3819 And such, as yet once more I trust to have
3820 Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,
3821 Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:
3822 Her face was vail'd, yet to my fancied sight, 10
3823 Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd
3824 So clear, as in no face with more delight.
3825 But O as to embrace me she enclin'd
3826 I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.
3827
3828
3829
3830 On the new forcers of Conscience under the Long PARLIAMENT.
3831
3832
3833 Because you have thrown of your Prelate Lord,
3834 And with stiff Vowes renounc'd his Liturgie
3835 To seise the widdow'd whore Pluralitie
3836 >From them whose sin ye envi'd, not abhor'd,
3837 Dare ye for this adjure the Civill Sword
3838 To force our Consciences that Christ set free,
3839 And ride us with a classic Hierarchy
3840 Taught ye by meer A. S. and Rotherford?
3841 Men whose Life, Learning, Faith and pure intent
3842 Would have been held in high esteem with Paul 10
3843 Must now he nam'd and printed Hereticks
3844 By shallow Edwards and Scotch what d'ye call:
3845 But we do hope to find out all your tricks,
3846 Your plots and packing wors then those of Trent,
3847 That so the Parliament
3848 May with their wholsom and preventive Shears
3849 Clip your Phylacteries, though bauk your Ears,
3850 And succour our just Fears
3851 When they shall read this clearly in your charge
3852 New Presbyter is but Old Priest Writ Large. 20
3853
3854
3855 The four following sonnets were not published until 1694, and
3856 then in a mangled form by Phillips, in his Life of Milton; they
3857 are here printed from the Cambridge MS., where that to Fairfax
3858 is in Milton's autograph.
3859
3860
3861
3862 ON THE LORD GEN. FAIRFAX AT THE SEIGE OF COLCHESTER.
3863
3864
3865 Fairfax, whose name in armes through Europe rings
3866 Filling each mouth with envy, or with praise,
3867 And all her jealous monarchs with amaze,
3868 And rumors loud, that daunt remotest kings,
3869 Thy firm unshak'n vertue ever brings
3870 Victory home, though new rebellions raise
3871 Their Hydra heads, & the fals North displaies
3872 Her brok'n league, to impe their serpent wings,
3873 O yet a nobler task awaites thy hand;
3874 Yet what can Warr, but endless warr still breed, 10
3875 Till Truth, & Right from Violence be freed,
3876 And Public Faith cleard from the shamefull brand
3877 Of Public Fraud. In vain doth Valour bleed
3878 While Avarice, & Rapine share the land.
3879
3880
3881
3882 To the Lord Generall Cromwell May 1652.
3883 ON THE PROPOSALLS OF CERTAINE MINISTERS AT THE COMMITTEE FOR
3884 PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPELL.
3885
3886
3887 Cromwell, our cheif of men, who through a cloud
3888 Not of warr onely, but detractions rude,
3889 Guided by faith & matchless Fortitude
3890 To peace & truth thy glorious way hast plough'd,
3891 And on the neck of crowned Fortune proud
3892 Hast reard Gods Trophies, & his work pursu'd,
3893 While Darwen stream with blood of Scotts imbru'd,
3894 And Dunbarr field resounds thy praises loud,
3895 And Worsters laureat wreath; yet much remaines
3896 To conquer still; peace hath her victories 10
3897 No less renownd then warr, new foes aries
3898 Threatning to bind our soules with secular chaines:
3899 Helpe us to save free Conscience from the paw
3900 Of hireling wolves whose Gospell is their maw.
3901
3902
3903
3904 TO SR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER.
3905
3906
3907 Vane, young in yeares, but in sage counsell old,
3908 Then whome a better Senatour nere held
3909 The helme of Rome, when gownes not armes repelld
3910 The feirce Epeirot & the African bold,
3911 Whether to settle peace, or to unfold
3912 The drift of hollow states, hard to be spelld,
3913 Then to advise how warr may best, upheld,
3914 Move by her two maine nerves, Iron & Gold
3915 In all her equipage: besides to know
3916 Both spirituall powre & civill, what each meanes 10
3917 What severs each thou hast learnt, which few have don
3918 The bounds of either sword to thee wee ow.
3919 Therfore on thy firme hand religion leanes
3920 In peace, & reck'ns thee her eldest son.
3921
3922
3923
3924 TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS.
3925
3926
3927 Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear
3928 To outward view, of blemish or of spot;
3929 Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot,
3930 Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appear
3931 Of Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year,
3932 Or man or woman. Yet I argue not
3933 Against heavns hand or will, nor bate a jot
3934 Of heart or hope; but still bear vp and steer
3935 Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
3936 The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply'd 10
3937 In libertyes defence, my noble task,
3938 Of which all Europe talks from side to side.
3939 This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
3940 Content though blind, had I no better guide.
3941
3942
3943
3944 PSAL. I. Done into Verse, 1653.
3945
3946
3947 BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray
3948 In counsel of the wicked, and ith'way
3949 Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat
3950 Of scorners hath not sate. But in the great
3951 Jehovahs Law is ever his delight,
3952 And in his law he studies day and night.
3953 He shall be as a tree which planted grows
3954 By watry streams, and in his season knows
3955 To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall.
3956 And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. 10
3957 Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
3958 The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
3959 In judgment, or abide their tryal then
3960 Nor sinners in th'assembly of just men.
3961 For the Lord knows th'upright way of the just
3962 And the way of bad men to ruine must.
3963
3964
3965
3966 PSAL. II Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzetti.
3967
3968
3969 WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations
3970 Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th'earth upstand
3971 With power, and Princes in their Congregations
3972 Lay deep their plots together through each Land,
3973 Against the Lord and his Messiah dear.
3974 Let us break off; say they, by strength of hand
3975 Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear,
3976 Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell
3977 Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe
3978 Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell 10
3979 And fierce ire trouble them; but I saith hee
3980 Anointed have my King (though ye rebell)
3981 On Sion my holi' hill. A firm decree
3982 I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd
3983 Thou art my Son I have begotten thee
3984 This day, ask of me, and the grant is made;
3985 As thy possession I on thee bestow
3986 Th'Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd
3987 Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low
3988 With Iron Sceptir bruis'd, and them disperse 20
3989 Like to a potters vessel shiver'd so.
3990 And now be wise at length ye Kings averse
3991 Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear
3992 Jehovah serve and let your joy converse
3993 With trembling; Kiss the Son least he appear
3994 In anger and ye perish in the way
3995 If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere.
3996 Happy all those who have in him their stay.
3997
3998
3999
4000 PSAL. III. Aug. 9. 1653
4001 WHEN HE FLED FROM ABSALOM.
4002
4003
4004 LORD how many are my foes
4005 How many those
4006 That in arms against me rise
4007 Many are they
4008 That of my life distrustfully thus say,
4009 No help for him in God there lies.
4010 But thou Lord art my shield my glory,
4011 Thee through my story
4012 Th' exalter of my head I count
4013 Aloud I cry'd 10
4014 Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd
4015 And heard me from his holy mount.
4016 I lay and slept, I wak'd again,
4017 For my sustain
4018 Was the Lord. Of many millions
4019 The populous rout
4020 I fear not though incamping round about
4021 They pitch against me their Pavillions.
4022 Rise Lord, save me my God for thou
4023 Hast smote ere now 20
4024 On the cheek-bone all my foes,
4025 Of men abhor'd
4026 Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;
4027 Thy blessing on thy people flows.
4028
4029
4030
4031 PSAL. IV. Aug. 10.1653.
4032
4033
4034 ANSWER me when I call
4035 God of my righteousness;
4036 In straights and in distress
4037 Thou didst me disinthrall
4038 And set at large; now spare,
4039 Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r.
4040
4041 Great ones how long will ye
4042 My glory have in scorn
4043 How long be thus forlorn
4044 Still to love vanity, 10
4045 To love, to seek, to prize
4046 Things false and vain and nothing else but lies?
4047
4048 Yet know the Lord hath chose
4049 Chose to himself a part
4050 The good and meek of heart
4051 (For whom to chuse he knows)
4052 Jehovah from on high
4053 Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie.
4054
4055 Be aw'd, and do not sin,
4056 Speak to your hearts alone, 20
4057 Upon your beds, each one,
4058 And be at peace within.
4059 Offer the offerings just
4060 Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust.
4061
4062 Many there be that say
4063 Who yet will shew us good?
4064 Talking like this worlds brood;
4065 But Lord, thus let me pray,
4066 On us lift up the light
4067 Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. 30
4068
4069 Into my heart more joy
4070 And gladness thou hast put
4071 Then when a year of glut
4072 Their stores doth over-cloy
4073 And from their plenteous grounds
4074 With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.
4075
4076 In peace at once will I
4077 Both lay me down and sleep
4078 For thou alone dost keep
4079 Me safe where ere I lie 40
4080 As in a rocky Cell
4081 Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.
4082
4083
4084
4085 PSAL. V. Aug. 12.1653.
4086
4087
4088 JEHOVAH to my words give ear
4089 My meditation waigh
4090 The voyce of my complaining hear
4091 My King and God for unto thee I pray.
4092 Jehovah thou my early voyce
4093 Shalt in the morning hear
4094 Ith'morning I to thee with choyce
4095 Will rank my Prayers, and watch till thou appear.
4096 For thou art not a God that takes
4097 In wickedness delight 10
4098 Evil with thee no biding makes
4099 Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.
4100 All workers of iniquity
4101 Thou wilt destroy that speak a ly
4102 The bloodi' and guileful man God doth detest.
4103 But I will in thy mercies dear
4104 Thy numerous mercies go
4105 Into thy house; I in thy fear
4106 Will towards thy holy temple worship low. 20
4107 Lord lead me in thy righteousness
4108 Lead me because of those
4109 That do observe if I transgress,
4110 Set thy wayes right before, where my step goes.
4111 For in his faltring mouth unstable
4112 No word is firm or sooth
4113 Their inside, troubles miserable;
4114 An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth.
4115 God, find them guilty, let them fall
4116 By their own counsels quell'd; 30
4117 Push them in their rebellions all
4118 Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd;
4119 Then all who trust in thee shall bring
4120 Their joy, while thou from blame
4121 Defend'st them, they shall ever sing
4122 And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name.
4123 For thou Jehovah wilt be found
4124 To bless the just man still,
4125 As with a shield thou wilt surround
4126 Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 40
4127
4128
4129
4130 PSAL. VI Aug. 13. 1653.
4131
4132
4133 LORD in thine anger do not reprehend me
4134 Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct;
4135 Pity me Lord for I am much deject
4136 Am very weak and faint; heal and amend me,
4137 For all my bones, that even with anguish ake,
4138 Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore
4139 And thou O Lord how long? turn Lord, restore
4140 My soul, O save me for thy goodness sake
4141 For in death no remembrance is of thee;
4142 Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? 10
4143 Wearied I am with sighing out my dayes.
4144 Nightly my Couch I make a kind of Sea;
4145 My Bed I water with my tears; mine Eie
4146 Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark
4147 Ith' mid'st of all mine enemies that mark.
4148 Depart all ye that work iniquitie.
4149 Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping
4150 The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my prai'r
4151 My supplication with acceptance fair
4152 The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. 20
4153 Mine enemies shall all be blank and dash't
4154 With much confusion; then grow red with shame,
4155 They shall return in hast the way they came
4156 And in a moment shall be quite abash't.
4157
4158
4159
4160 PSAL. VII. Aug. 14. 1653.
4161 UPON THE WORDS OF CHUSH THE BENJAMITE AGAINST HIM.
4162
4163
4164 Lord my God to thee I flie
4165 Save me and secure me under
4166 Thy protection while I crie
4167 Least as a Lion (and no wonder)
4168 He hast to tear my Soul asunder
4169 Tearing and no rescue nigh.
4170
4171 Lord my God if I have thought
4172 Or done this, if wickedness
4173 Be in my hands, if I have wrought
4174 Ill to him that meant me peace, 10
4175 Or to him have render'd less,
4176 And fre'd my foe for naught;
4177
4178 Let th'enemy pursue my soul
4179 And overtake it, let him tread
4180 My life down to the earth and roul
4181 In the dust my glory dead,
4182 In the dust and there out spread
4183 Lodge it with dishonour foul.
4184
4185 Rise Jehovah in thine ire
4186 Rouze thy self amidst the rage 20
4187 Of my foes that urge like fire;
4188 And wake for me, their furi' asswage;
4189 Judgment here thou didst ingage
4190 And command which I desire.
4191
4192 So th' assemblies of each Nation
4193 Will surround thee, seeking right,
4194 Thence to thy glorious habitation
4195 Return on high and in their sight.
4196 Jehovah judgeth most upright
4197 All people from the worlds foundation. 30
4198
4199 Judge me Lord, be judge in this
4200 According to my righteousness
4201 And the innocence which is
4202 Upon me: cause at length to cease
4203 Of evil men the wickedness
4204 And their power that do amiss.
4205
4206 But the just establish fast,
4207 Since thou art the just God that tries
4208 Hearts and reins. On God is cast
4209 My defence, and in him lies 40
4210 In him who both just and wise
4211 Saves th' upright of Heart at last.
4212
4213 God is a just Judge and severe,
4214 And God is every day offended;
4215 If th' unjust will not forbear,
4216 His Sword he whets, his Bow hath bended
4217 Already, and for him intended
4218 The tools of death, that waits him near.
4219
4220 (His arrows purposely made he
4221 For them that persecute.) Behold 50
4222 He travels big with vanitie,
4223 Trouble he hath conceav'd of old
4224 As in a womb, and from that mould
4225 Hath at length brought forth a Lie.
4226
4227 He dig'd a pit, and delv'd it deep,
4228 And fell into the pit he made,
4229 His mischief that due course doth keep,
4230 Turns on his head, and his ill trade
4231 Of violence will undelay'd
4232 Fall on his crown with ruine steep. 60
4233
4234 Then will I Jehovah's praise
4235 According to his justice raise
4236 And sing the Name and Deitie
4237 Of Jehovah the most high.
4238
4239
4240
4241 PSAL. VIII. Aug. 14. 1653.
4242
4243
4244 O JEHOVAH our Lord how wondrous great
4245 And glorious is thy name through all the earth?
4246 So as above the Heavens thy praise to set
4247 Out of the tender mouths of latest bearth,
4248
4249 Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou
4250 Hast founded strength because of all thy foes
4251 To stint th'enemy, and slack th'avengers brow
4252 That bends his rage thy providence to oppose.
4253
4254 When I behold thy Heavens, thy Fingers art,
4255 The Moon and Starrs which thou so bright hast set, 10
4256 In the pure firmament, then saith my heart,
4257 O What is man that thou remembrest yet,
4258
4259 And think'st upon him; or of man begot
4260 That him thou visit'st and of him art found;
4261 Scarce to be less then Gods, thou mad'st his lot,
4262 With honour and with state thou hast him crown'd.
4263
4264 O're the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord,
4265 Thou hast put all under his lordly feet,
4266 All Flocks, and Herds, by thy commanding word,
4267 All beasts that in the field or forrest meet. 20
4268
4269 Fowl of the Heavens, and Fish that through the wet
4270 Sea-paths in shoals do slide. And know no dearth.
4271 O Jehovah our Lord how wondrous great
4272 And glorious is thy name through all the earth.
4273
4274
4275
4276
4277 April, 1648. J. M.
4278 Nine of the Psalms done into Metre, wherein all but what is
4279 in a different Character, are the very words of the Text,
4280 translated from the Original.
4281
4282
4283
4284 PSAL. LXXX.
4285
4286
4287 1 THOU Shepherd that dost Israel keep
4288 Give ear in time of need,
4289 Who leadest like a flock of sheep
4290 Thy loved Josephs seed,
4291 That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright
4292 Between their wings out-spread
4293 Shine forth, and from thy cloud give light,
4294 And on our foes thy dread.
4295 2 In Ephraims view and Benjamins,
4296 And in Manasse's sight 10
4297 Awake* thy strength, come, and be seen *Gnorera.
4298 To save us by thy might.
4299 3 Turn us again, thy grace divine
4300 To us O God vouchsafe;
4301 Cause thou thy face on us to shine
4302 And then we shall be safe.
4303 4 Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou,
4304 How long wilt thou declare
4305 Thy *smoaking wrath, and angry brow *Gnashanta.
4306 Against thy peoples praire. 20
4307 5 Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears,
4308 Their bread with tears they eat,
4309 And mak'st them* largely drink the tears *Shalish.
4310 Wherewith their cheeks are wet.
4311 6 A strife thou mak'st us and a prey
4312 To every neighbour foe,
4313 Among themselves they *laugh, they *play, *Jilgnagu.
4314 And *flouts at us they throw.
4315 7 Return us, and thy grace divine,
4316 O God of Hosts vouchsafe 30
4317 Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
4318 And then we shall be safe.
4319 8 A Vine from Aegypt thou hast brought,
4320 Thy free love made it thine,
4321 And drov'st out Nations proud and haut
4322 To plant this lovely Vine.
4323 9 Thou did'st prepare for it a place
4324 And root it deep and fast
4325 That it began to grow apace,
4326 And fill'd the land at last. 40
4327 10 With her green shade that cover'd all,
4328 The Hills were over-spread
4329 Her Bows as high as Cedars tall
4330 Advanc'd their lofty head.
4331 11 Her branches on the western side
4332 Down to the Sea she sent,
4333 And upward to that river wide
4334 Her other branches went.
4335 12 Why hast thou laid her Hedges low
4336 And brok'n down her Fence, 50
4337 That all may pluck her, as they go,
4338 With rudest violence?
4339 13 The tusked Boar out of the wood
4340 Up turns it by the roots,
4341 Wild Beasts there brouze, and make their food
4342 Her Grapes and tender Shoots.
4343 14 Return now, God of Hosts, look down
4344 From Heav'n, thy Seat divine,
4345 Behold us, but without a frown,
4346 And visit this thy Vine. 60
4347 15 Visit this Vine, which thy right hand
4348 Hath set, and planted long,
4349 And the young branch, that for thy self
4350 Thou hast made firm and strong.
4351 16 But now it is consum'd with fire,
4352 And cut with Axes down,
4353 They perish at thy dreadfull ire,
4354 At thy rebuke and frown.
4355 17 Upon the man of thy right hand
4356 Let thy good hand be laid, 70
4357 Upon the Son of Man, whom thou
4358 Strong for thyself hast made.
4359 18 So shall we not go back from thee
4360 To wayes of sin and shame,
4361 Quick'n us thou, then gladly wee
4362 Shall call upon thy Name.
4363 Return us, and thy grace divine
4364 Lord God of Hosts voutsafe,
4365 Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
4366 And then we shall be safe. 80
4367
4368
4369
4370 PSAL. LXXXI.
4371
4372
4373 1 To God our strength sing loud, and clear,
4374 Sing loud to God our King,
4375 To Jacobs God, that all may hear
4376 Loud acclamations ring.
4377 2 Prepare a Hymn, prepare a Song
4378 The Timbrel hither bring
4379 The cheerfull Psaltry bring along
4380 And Harp with pleasant string.
4381 3 Blow, as is wont, in the new Moon
4382 With Trumpets lofty sound, 10
4383 Th'appointed time, the day wheron
4384 Our solemn Feast comes round.
4385 4 This was a Statute giv'n of old
4386 For Israel to observe
4387 A Law of Jacobs God, to hold
4388 From whence they might not swerve.
4389 5 This he a Testimony ordain'd
4390 In Joseph, not to change,
4391 When as he pass'd through Aegypt land;
4392 The Tongue I heard, was strange. 20
4393 6 From burden, and from slavish toyle
4394 I set his shoulder free;
4395 His hands from pots, and mirie soyle
4396 Deliver'd were by me.
4397 7 When trouble did thee sore assaile,
4398 On me then didst thou call,
4399 And I to free thee did not faile,
4400 And led thee out of thrall.
4401 I answer'd thee in *thunder deep *Be Sether ragnam.
4402 With clouds encompass'd round; 30
4403 I tri'd thee at the water steep
4404 Of Meriba renown'd.
4405 8 Hear O my people, heark'n well,
4406 I testifie to thee
4407 Thou antient flock of Israel,
4408 If thou wilt list to mee,
4409 9 Through out the land of thy abode
4410 No alien God shall be
4411 Nor shalt thou to a forein God
4412 In honour bend thy knee. 40
4413 10 I am the Lord thy God which brought
4414 Thee out of Aegypt land
4415 Ask large enough, and I, besought,
4416 Will grant thy full demand.
4417 11 And yet my people would not hear,
4418 Nor hearken to my voice;
4419 And Israel whom I lov'd so dear
4420 Mislik'd me for his choice.
4421 12 Then did I leave them to their will
4422 And to their wandring mind; 50
4423 Their own conceits they follow'd still
4424 Their own devises blind
4425 13 O that my people would be wise
4426 To serve me all their daies,
4427 And O that Israel would advise
4428 To walk my righteous waies.
4429 14 Then would I soon bring down their foes
4430 That now so proudly rise,
4431 And turn my hand against all those
4432 That are their enemies. 60
4433 15 Who hate the Lord should then be fain
4434 To bow to him and bend,
4435 But they, His should remain,
4436 Their time should have no end.
4437 16 And he would free them from the shock
4438 With flower of finest wheat,
4439 And satisfie them from the rock
4440 With Honey for their Meat.
4441
4442
4443
4444 PSAL. LXXXII.
4445
4446
4447 1 GOD in the *great *assembly stands *Bagnadath-el
4448 Of Kings and lordly States,
4449 Among the gods* on both his hands. *Bekerev.
4450 He judges and debates.
4451 2 How long will ye *pervert the right *Tishphetu
4452 With *judgment false and wrong gnavel.
4453 Favouring the wicked by your might,
4454 Who thence grow bold and strong?
4455 3 *Regard the *weak and fatherless *Shiphtu-dal.
4456 *Dispatch the *poor mans cause, 10
4457 And **raise the man in deep distress
4458 By **just and equal Lawes. **Hatzdiku.
4459 4 Defend the poor and desolate,
4460 And rescue from the hands
4461 Of wicked men the low estate
4462 Of him that help demands.
4463 5 They know not nor will understand,
4464 In darkness they walk on,
4465 The Earths foundations all are *mov'd *Jimmotu.
4466 And *out of order gon. 20
4467 6 I said that ye were Gods, yea all
4468 The Sons of God most high
4469 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall
4470 As other Princes die.
4471 8 Rise God, *judge thou the earth in might,
4472 This wicked earth *redress, *Shiphta.
4473 For thou art he who shalt by right
4474 The Nations all possess.
4475
4476
4477
4478
4479 PSAL. LXXXIII.
4480
4481 1 BE not thou silent now at length
4482 O God hold not thy peace,
4483 Sit not thou still O God of strength
4484 We cry and do not cease.
4485 2 For lo thy furious foes now *swell
4486 And *storm outrageously, *Jehemajun.
4487 And they that hate thee proud and fill
4488 Exalt their heads full hie.
4489 3 Against thy people they *contrive *Jagnarimu.
4490 *Their Plots and Counsels deep, *Sod. 10
4491 *Them to ensnare they chiefly strive *Jithjagnatsu gnal.
4492 *Whom thou dost hide and keep. *Tsephuneca.
4493 4 Come let us cut them off say they,
4494 Till they no Nation be
4495 That Israels name for ever may
4496 Be lost in memory.
4497 5 For they consult *with all their might, *Lev jachdau.
4498 And all as one in mind
4499 Themselves against thee they unite
4500 And in firm union bind. 20
4501 6 The tents of Edom, and the brood
4502 Of scornful Ishmael,
4503 Moab, with them of Hagars blood
4504 That in the Desart dwell,
4505 7 Gebal and Ammon there conspire,
4506 And hateful Amalec,
4507 The Philistims, and they of Tyre
4508 Whose bounds the sea doth check.
4509 8 With them great Asshur also bands
4510 And doth confirm the knot, 30
4511 All these have lent their armed hands
4512 To aid the Sons of Lot.
4513 9 Do to them as to Midian bold
4514 That wasted all the Coast.
4515 To Sisera, and as is told
4516 Thou didst to Jabins hoast,
4517 When at the brook of Kishon old
4518 They were repulst and slain,
4519 10 At Endor quite cut off, and rowl'd
4520 As dung upon the plain. 40
4521 11 As Zeb and Oreb evil sped
4522 So let their Princes speed
4523 As Zeba, and Zalmunna bled
4524 So let their Princes bleed.
4525 12 For they amidst their pride have said
4526 By right now shall we seize
4527 Gods houses, and will now invade
4528 *Their stately Palaces. *Neoth Elohim bears both.
4529 13 My God, oh make them as a wheel
4530 No quiet let them find, 50
4531 Giddy and restless let them reel
4532 Like stubble from the wind.
4533 14 As when an aged wood takes fire
4534 Which on a sudden straies,
4535 The greedy flame runs hier and hier
4536 Till all the mountains blaze,
4537 15 So with thy whirlwind them pursue,
4538 And with thy tempest chase;
4539 16 *And till they *yield thee honour due, *They seek thy
4540 Lord fill with shame their face. Name. Heb.
4541 17 Asham'd and troubl'd let them be, 60
4542 Troubl'd and sham'd for ever,
4543 Ever confounded, and so die
4544 With shame, and scape it never.
4545 18 Then shall they know that thou whose name
4546 Jehova is alone,
4547 Art the most high, and thou the same
4548 O're all the earth art one.
4549
4550
4551
4552 PSAL. LXXXIV.
4553
4554
4555 1 How lovely are thy dwellings fair!
4556 O Lord of Hoasts, how dear
4557 The pleasant Tabernacles are!
4558 Where thou do'st dwell so near.
4559 2 My Soul doth long and almost die
4560 Thy Courts O Lord to see,
4561 My heart and flesh aloud do crie,
4562 O living God, for thee.
4563 3 There ev'n the Sparrow freed from wrong
4564 Hath found a house of rest, 10
4565 The Swallow there, to lay her young
4566 Hath built her brooding nest,
4567 Ev'n by thy Altars Lord of Hoasts
4568 They find their safe abode,
4569 And home they fly from round the Coasts
4570 Toward thee, My King, my God
4571 4 Happy, who in thy house reside
4572 Where thee they ever praise,
4573 5 Happy, whose strength in thee doth bide,
4574 And in their hearts thy waies. 20
4575 6 They pass through Baca's thirstie Vale,
4576 That dry and barren ground
4577 As through a fruitfull watry Dale
4578 Where Springs and Showrs abound.
4579 7 They journey on from strength to strength
4580 With joy and gladsom cheer
4581 Till all before our God at length
4582 In Sion do appear.
4583 8 Lord God of Hoasts hear now my praier
4584 O Jacobs God give ear, 30
4585 9 Thou God our shield look on the face
4586 Of thy anointed dear.
4587 10 For one day in thy Courts to be
4588 Is better, and mere blest
4589 Then in the joyes of Vanity,
4590 A thousand daies at best.
4591 I in the temple of my God
4592 Had rather keep a dore,
4593 Then dwell in Tents, and rich abode
4594 With Sin for evermore 40
4595 11 For God the Lord both Sun and Shield
4596 Gives grace and glory bright,
4597 No good from him shall be with-held
4598 Whose waies are just and right.
4599 12 Lord God of Hoasts that raign 'st on high,
4600 That man is truly blest
4601 Who only on thee doth relie.
4602 And in thee only rest.
4603
4604
4605
4606 PSAL LXXXV.
4607
4608
4609 1 THY Land to favour graciously
4610 Thou hast not Lord been slack,
4611 Thou hast from hard Captivity
4612 Returned Jacob back.
4613 2 Th' iniquity thou didst forgive
4614 That wrought thy people woe,
4615 And all their Sin, that did thee grieve
4616 Hast hid where none shall know.
4617 3 Thine anger all thou hadst remov'd,
4618 And calmly didst return 10
4619 From thy *fierce wrath which we had prov'd *Heb. The burning
4620 Far worse then fire to burn. heat of thy
4621 4 God of our saving health and peace, wrath.
4622 Turn us, and us restore,
4623 Thine indignation cause to cease
4624 Toward us, and chide no more.
4625 5 Wilt thou be angry without end,
4626 For ever angry thus
4627 Wilt thou thy frowning ire extend
4628 From age to age on us? 20
4629 6 Wilt thou not * turn, and hear our voice * Heb. Turn to
4630 And us again * revive , quicken us.
4631 That so thy people may rejoyce
4632 By thee preserv'd alive.
4633 7 Cause us to see thy goodness Lord,
4634 To us thy mercy shew
4635 Thy saving health to us afford
4636 And lift in us renew.
4637 8 And now what God the Lord will speak
4638 I will go strait and hear, 30
4639 For to his people he speaks peace
4640 And to his Saints full dear,
4641 To his dear Saints he will speak peace,
4642 But let them never more
4643 Return to folly, but surcease
4644 To trespass as before.
4645 9 Surely to such as do him fear
4646 Salvation is at hand
4647 And glory shall ere long appear
4648 To dwell within our Land. 40
4649 10 Mercy and Truth that long were miss'd
4650 Now joyfully are met
4651 Sweet Peace and Righteousness have kiss'd
4652 And hand in hand are set.
4653 11 Truth from the earth like to a flowr
4654 Shall bud and blossom then,
4655 And Justice from her heavenly bowr
4656 Look down on mortal men.
4657 12 The Lord will also then bestow
4658 Whatever thing is good 50
4659 Our Land shall forth in plenty throw
4660 Her fruits to be our food.
4661 13 Before him Righteousness shall go
4662 His Royal Harbinger,
4663 Then * will he come, and not be slow *Heb. He will set his
4664 His footsteps cannot err. steps to the way.
4665
4666
4667
4668 PSAL. LXXXVI.
4669
4670
4671 1 THY gracious ear, O Lord, encline,
4672 O hear me I thee pray,
4673 For I am poor, and almost pine
4674 With need, and sad decay.
4675 2 Preserve my soul, for *I have trod Heb. I am good, loving,
4676 Thy waies, and love the just, a doer of good and
4677 Save thou thy servant O my God holy things
4678 Who still in thee doth trust.
4679 3 Pity me Lord for daily thee
4680 I call; 4 O make rejoyce 10
4681 Thy Servants Soul; for Lord to thee
4682 I lift my soul and voice,
4683 5 For thou art good, thou Lord art prone
4684 To pardon, thou to all
4685 Art full of mercy, thou alone
4686 To them that on thee call.
4687 6 Unto my supplication Lord
4688 Give ear, and to the crie
4689 Of my incessant praiers afford
4690 Thy hearing graciously. 20
4691 7 I in the day of my distress
4692 Will call on thee for aid;
4693 For thou wilt grant me free access
4694 And answer, what I pray'd.
4695 8 Like thee among the gods is none
4696 O Lord, nor any works
4697 Of all that other Gods have done
4698 Like to thy glorious works.
4699 9 The Nations all whom thou hast made
4700 Shall come, and all shall frame 30
4701 To bow them low before thee Lord,
4702 And glorifie thy name.
4703 10 For great thou art, and wonders great
4704 By thy strong hand are done,
4705 Thou in thy everlasting Seat
4706 Remainest God alone.
4707 11 Teach me O Lord thy way most right,
4708 I in thy truth will hide,
4709 To fear thy name my heart unite
4710 So shall it never slide. 40
4711 12 Thee will I praise O Lord my God
4712 Thee honour, and adore
4713 With my whole heart, and blaze abroad
4714 Thy name for ever more.
4715 13 For great thy mercy is toward me,
4716 And thou hast free'd my Soul
4717 Eev'n from the lowest Hell set free
4718 From deepest darkness foul.
4719 14 O God the proud against me rise
4720 And violent men are met 50
4721 To seek my life, and in their eyes
4722 No fear of thee have set.
4723 15 But thou Lord art the God most mild
4724 Readiest thy grace to shew,
4725 Slow to be angry, and art stil'd
4726 Most mercifull, most true.
4727 16 O turn to me thy face at length,
4728 And me have mercy on,
4729 Unto thy servant give thy strength,
4730 And save thy hand-maids Son. 60
4731 17 Some sign of good to me afford,
4732 And let my foes then see
4733 And be asham'd, because thou Lord
4734 Do'st help and comfort me.
4735
4736
4737
4738 PSAL. LXXXVII
4739
4740
4741 1 AMONG the holy Mountains high
4742 Is his foundation fast,
4743 There Seated in his Sanctuary,
4744 His Temple there is plac't.
4745 2 Sions fair Gates the Lord loves more
4746 Then all the dwellings faire
4747 Of Jacobs Land, though there be store,
4748 And all within his care.
4749 3 City of God, most glorious things
4750 Of thee abroad are spoke; 10
4751 4 I mention Egypt, where proud Kings
4752 Did our forefathers yoke,
4753 I mention Babel to my friends,
4754 Philistia full of scorn,
4755 And Tyre with Ethiops utmost ends,
4756 Lo this man there was born:
4757 5 But twise that praise shall in our ear
4758 Be said of Sion last
4759 This and this man was born in her,
4760 High God shall fix her fast. 20
4761 6 The Lord shall write it in a Scrowle
4762 That ne're shall be out-worn
4763 When he the Nations doth enrowle
4764 That this man there was born.
4765 7 Both they who sing, and they who dance
4766 With sacred Songs are there,
4767 In thee fresh brooks, and soft streams glance
4768 And all my fountains clear.
4769
4770
4771
4772 PSAL. LXXXVIII
4773
4774
4775 1 LORD God that dost me save and keep,
4776 All day to thee I cry;
4777 And all night long, before thee weep
4778 Before thee prostrate lie.
4779 2 Into thy presence let my praier
4780 With sighs devout ascend
4781 And to my cries, that ceaseless are,
4782 Thine ear with favour bend.
4783 3 For cloy'd with woes and trouble store
4784 Surcharg'd my Soul doth lie, 10
4785 My life at death's uncherful dore
4786 Unto the grave draws nigh.
4787 4 Reck'n'd I am with them that pass
4788 Down to the dismal pit
4789 I am a *man, but weak alas * Heb. A man without manly
4790 And for that name unfit. strength.
4791 5 From life discharg'd and parted quite
4792 Among the dead to sleep
4793 And like the slain in bloody fight
4794 That in the grave lie deep. 20
4795 Whom thou rememberest no more,
4796 Dost never more regard,
4797 Them from thy hand deliver'd o're
4798 Deaths hideous house hath barr'd.
4799 6 Thou in the lowest pit profound'
4800 Hast set me all forlorn,
4801 Where thickest darkness hovers round,
4802 In horrid deeps to mourn.
4803 7 Thy wrath from which no shelter saves
4804 Full sore doth press on me; 30
4805 *Thou break'st upon me all thy waves, *The Heb.
4806 *And all thy waves break me bears both.
4807 8 Thou dost my friends from me estrange,
4808 And mak'st me odious,
4809 Me to them odious, for they change,
4810 And I here pent up thus.
4811 9 Through sorrow, and affliction great
4812 Mine eye grows dim and dead,
4813 Lord all the day I thee entreat,
4814 My hands to thee I spread. 40
4815 10 Wilt thou do wonders on the dead,
4816 Shall the deceas'd arise
4817 And praise thee from their loathsom bed
4818 With pale and hollow eyes ?
4819 11 Shall they thy loving kindness tell
4820 On whom the grave hath hold,
4821 Or they who in perdition dwell
4822 Thy faithfulness unfold?
4823 12 In darkness can thy mighty hand
4824 Or wondrous acts be known, 50
4825 Thy justice in the gloomy land
4826 Of dark oblivion?
4827 13 But I to thee O Lord do cry
4828 E're yet my life be spent,
4829 And up to thee my praier doth hie
4830 Each morn, and thee prevent.
4831 14 Why wilt thou Lord my soul forsake,
4832 And hide thy face from me,
4833 15 That am already bruis'd, and *shake *Heb. Prae Concussione.
4834 With terror sent from thee; 60
4835 Bruz'd, and afflicted and so low
4836 As ready to expire,
4837 While I thy terrors undergo
4838 Astonish'd with thine ire.
4839 16 Thy fierce wrath over me doth flow
4840 Thy threatnings cut me through.
4841 17 All day they round about me go,
4842 Like waves they me persue.
4843 18 Lover and friend thou hast remov'd
4844 And sever'd from me far. 70
4845 They fly me now whom I have lov'd,
4846 And as in darkness are.
4847
4848
4849 Finis.
4850
4851
4852
4853
4854 COLLECTION OF PASSAGES TRANSLATED IN THE PROSE WRITINGS.
4855
4856
4857
4858 [From Of Reformation in England, 1641.]
4859
4860
4861 Ah Constantine, of how much ill was cause
4862 Not thy Conversion, but those rich demains
4863 That the first wealthy Pope receiv'd of thee.
4864 DANTE, Inf. xix. 115.
4865
4866 Founded in chast and humble Poverty,
4867 'Gainst them that rais'd thee dost thou lift thy horn,
4868 Impudent whoore, where hast thou plac'd thy hope?
4869 In thy Adulterers, or thy ill got wealth?
4870 Another Constantine comes not in hast.
4871 PETRARCA, Son. 108.
4872
4873 And to be short, at last his guid him brings
4874 Into a goodly valley, where he sees
4875 A mighty mass of things strangely confus'd
4876 Things that on earth were lost or were abus'd.
4877 . . . . .
4878 Then past he to a flowry Mountain green,
4879 Which once smelt sweet, now stinks as odiously;
4880 This was that gift (if you the truth will have)
4881 That Constantine to good Sylvestro gave.
4882 ARIOSTO, Orl. Fur. xxxiv. 80.
4883
4884
4885
4886 [From Reason of Church Government, 1641.]
4887
4888
4889 When I die, let the Earth be roul'd in flames.
4890
4891
4892
4893 [From Apology for Smectymnuus, 1642.]
4894
4895
4896 Laughing to teach the truth
4897 What hinders? as some teachers give to Boys
4898 Junkets and knacks, that they may learne apace.
4899 HORACE, Sat. 1. 24.
4900
4901 Jesting decides great things
4902 Stronglier, and better oft than earnest can.
4903 IBID. i. 10. 14.
4904
4905 'Tis you that say it, not I: you do the deeds
4906 And your ungodly deeds find me the words.
4907 SOPHOCLES, Elec. 624.
4908
4909
4910
4911 [From Areopagitica, 1644.]
4912
4913
4914 This is true Liberty, when free-born Men,
4915 Having to advise the Public, may speak free,
4916 Which he who can, and will, deserv's high praise;
4917 Who neither can nor will, may hold his peace,
4918 What can be juster in a state then this?
4919 EURIPIDES, Supp. 438
4920
4921
4922
4923 [From Tetrachordon, 1645.]
4924
4925
4926 Whom do we count a good man, whom but he
4927 Who keeps the laws and statutes of the Senate,
4928 Who judges in great suits and controversies,
4929 Whose witness and opinion wins the cause?
4930 But his own house, and the whole neighbourhood
4931 See his foul inside through his whited skin.
4932 HORACE, Ep. i. 16. 40.
4933
4934
4935
4936 [From The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates, 1649.]
4937
4938
4939 There can be slaine
4940 No sacrifice to God more acceptable
4941 Than an unjust and wicked king.
4942 SENECA, Herc. Fur. 922.
4943
4944
4945
4946 [From History of Britain, 1670.]
4947
4948
4949 Brutus thus addresses Diana in the country of Leogecia.
4950
4951 Goddess of Shades, and Huntress, who at will
4952 Walk'st on the rowling Sphear, and through the deep,
4953 On thy third Reign the Earth look now, and tell
4954 What Land, what Seat of rest thou bidst me seek,
4955 What certain Seat, where I may worship thee
4956 For aye, with Temples vow'd, and Virgin quires.
4957
4958 To whom sleeping before the altar, Diana in a Vision that night
4959 thus answer'd.
4960
4961 Brutus far to the West, in th' Ocean wide
4962 Beyond the Realm of Gaul, a Land there lies,
4963 Sea-girt it lies, where Giants dwelt of old,
4964 Now void, it fits thy People; thether bend
4965 Thy course, there shalt thou find a lasting seat,
4966 There to thy Sons another Troy shall rise,
4967 And Kings be born of thee, whose dredded might
4968 Shall aw the World, and conquer Nations bold.
4969
4970
4971
4972
4973 Transcriber's Note: Title page of first (1667) edition of
4974 Paradise Lost follows:
4975
4976
4977
4978
4979 SAMSON
4980 AGONISTES,
4981 A
4982 DRAMATIC POEM.
4983 ------------------------------------------------------------
4984 The Author
4985 JOHN MILTON
4986 ------------------------------------------------------------
4987 Aristot. Poet. Cap. 6.
4988 Tragedia mimeis praxeos spadaias, &c.
4989 Tragedia est imitatio actionis seriae. &c. Per misericordiam &
4990 metum perficiens talium affectuum lustrationem.
4991 ------------------------------------------------------------
4992 ------------------------------------------------------------
4993 LONDON.
4994 Printed by J.M. for John Starkey at the
4995 Mitre in Fleetstreet, near Temple-Bar.
4996 MDCLXXI
4997
4998
4999
5000 SAMSON AGONISTES
5001
5002
5003
5004 Of that sort of Dramatic Poem which is call'd Tragedy.
5005
5006
5007 TRAGEDY, as it was antiently compos'd, hath been ever held the
5008 gravest, moralest, and most profitable of all other Poems:
5009 therefore said by Aristotle to be of power by raising pity and fear,
5010 or terror, to purge the mind of those and such like passions, that is
5011 to temper and reduce them to just measure with a kind of delight,
5012 stirr'd up by reading or seeing those passions well imitated. Nor is
5013 Nature wanting in her own effects to make good his assertion: for
5014 so in Physic things of melancholic hue and quality are us'd against
5015 melancholy, sowr against sowr, salt to remove salt humours.
5016 Hence Philosophers and other gravest Writers, as Cicero, Plutarch
5017 and others, frequently cite out of Tragic Poets, both to adorn and
5018 illustrate thir discourse. The Apostle Paul himself thought it not
5019 unworthy to insert a verse of Euripides into the Text of Holy
5020 Scripture, I Cor. 15. 33. and Paraeus commenting on the
5021 Revelation, divides the whole Book as a Tragedy, into Acts
5022 distinguisht each by a Chorus of Heavenly Harpings and Song
5023 between. Heretofore Men in highest dignity have labour'd not a
5024 little to be thought able to compose a Tragedy. Of that honour
5025 Dionysius the elder was no less ambitious, then before of his
5026 attaining to the Tyranny. Augustus Caesar also had begun his
5027 Ajax, but unable to please his own judgment with what he had
5028 begun. left it unfinisht. Seneca the Philosopher is by some thought
5029 the Author of those Tragedies (at lest the best of them) that go
5030 under that name. Gregory Nazianzen a Father of the Church,
5031 thought it not unbeseeming the sanctity of his person to write a
5032 Tragedy which he entitl'd, Christ suffering. This is mention'd to
5033 vindicate Tragedy from the small esteem, or rather infamy, which
5034 in the account of many it undergoes at this day with other common
5035 Interludes; hap'ning through the Poets error of intermixing Comic
5036 stuff with Tragic sadness and gravity; or introducing trivial and
5037 vulgar persons, which by all judicious hath bin counted absurd; and
5038 brought in without discretion, corruptly to gratifie the people. And
5039 though antient Tragedy use no Prologue, yet using sometimes, in
5040 case of self defence, or explanation, that which Martial calls an
5041 Epistle; in behalf of this Tragedy coming forth after the antient
5042 manner, much different from what among us passes for best, thus
5043 much before-hand may be Epistl'd; that Chorus is here introduc'd
5044 after the Greek manner, not antient only but modern, and still in
5045 use among the Italians. In the modelling therefore of this Poem
5046 with good reason, the Antients and Italians are rather follow'd, as
5047 of much more authority and fame. The measure of Verse us'd in
5048 the Chorus is of all sorts, call'd by the Greeks Monostrophic, or
5049 rather Apolelymenon, without regard had to Strophe, Antistrophe
5050 or Epod, which were a kind of Stanza's fram'd only for the Music,
5051 then us'd with the Chorus that sung; not essential to the Poem, and
5052 therefore not material; or being divided into Stanza's or Pauses
5053 they may be call'd Allaeostropha. Division into Act and Scene
5054 referring chiefly to the Stage (to which this work never was
5055 intended) is here omitted.
5056
5057 It suffices if the whole Drama be found not produc't beyond the
5058 fift Act, of the style and uniformitie, and that commonly call'd the
5059 Plot, whether intricate or explicit, which is nothing indeed but such
5060 oeconomy, or disposition of the fable as may stand best with
5061 verisimilitude and decorum; they only will best judge who are not
5062 unacquainted with Aeschulus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the three
5063 Tragic Poets unequall'd yet by any, and the best rule to all who
5064 endeavour to write Tragedy. The circumscription of time wherein
5065 the whole Drama begins and ends, is according to antient rule, and
5066 best example, within the space of 24 hours.
5067
5068
5069
5070 The ARGUMENT.
5071
5072
5073 Samson made Captive, Blind, and now in the Prison at Gaza, there
5074 to labour as in a common work-house, on a Festival day, in the
5075 general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open Air, to a
5076 place nigh, somewhat retir'd there to sit a while and bemoan his
5077 condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain
5078 friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek
5079 to comfort him what they can ; then by his old Father Manoa, who
5080 endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure his
5081 liberty by ransom; lastly, that this Feast was proclaim'd by the
5082 Philistins as a day of Thanksgiving for thir deliverance from the
5083 hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoa then
5084 departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistian Lords for
5085 Samson's redemption; who in the mean while is visited by other
5086 persons; and lastly by a publick Officer to require coming to the
5087 Feast before the Lords and People, to play or shew his strength in
5088 thir presence; he at first refuses, dismissing the publick officer with
5089 absolute denyal to come; at length perswaded inwardly that this
5090 was from God, he yields to go along with him, who came now the
5091 second time with great threatnings to fetch him; the Chorus yet
5092 remaining on the place, Manoa returns full of joyful hope, to
5093 procure e're long his Sons deliverance: in the midst of which
5094 discourse an Ebrew comes in haste confusedly at first; and
5095 afterward more distinctly relating the Catastrophe, what Samson
5096 had done to the Philistins, and by accident to himself; wherewith
5097 the Tragedy ends.
5098
5099
5100 The Persons
5101
5102 Samson.
5103 Manoa the father of Samson.
5104 Dalila his wife.
5105 Harapha of Gath.
5106 Publick Officer.
5107 Messenger.
5108 Chorus of Danites
5109
5110
5111 The Scene before the Prison in Gaza.
5112
5113 Sam: A little onward lend thy guiding hand
5114 To these dark steps, a little further on;
5115 For yonder bank hath choice of Sun or shade,
5116 There I am wont to sit, when any chance
5117 Relieves me from my task of servile toyl,
5118 Daily in the common Prison else enjoyn'd me,
5119 Where I a Prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw
5120 The air imprison'd also, close and damp,
5121 Unwholsom draught: but here I feel amends,
5122 The breath of Heav'n fresh-blowing, pure and sweet, 10
5123 With day-spring born; here leave me to respire.
5124 This day a solemn Feast the people hold
5125 To Dagon thir Sea-Idol, and forbid
5126 Laborious works, unwillingly this rest
5127 Thir Superstition yields me; hence with leave
5128 Retiring from the popular noise, I seek
5129 This unfrequented place to find some ease,
5130 Ease to the body some, none to the mind
5131 >From restless thoughts, that like a deadly swarm
5132 Of Hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, 20
5133 But rush upon me thronging, and present
5134 Times past, what once I was, and what am now.
5135 O wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold
5136 Twice by an Angel, who at last in sight
5137 Of both my Parents all in flames ascended
5138 >From off the Altar, where an Off'ring burn'd,
5139 As in a fiery column charioting
5140 His Godlike presence, and from some great act
5141 Or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race?
5142 Why was my breeding order'd and prescrib'd 30
5143 As of a person separate to God,
5144 Design'd for great exploits; if I must dye
5145 Betray'd, Captiv'd, and both my Eyes put out,
5146 Made of my Enemies the scorn and gaze;
5147 To grind in Brazen Fetters under task
5148 With this Heav'n-gifted strength? O glorious strength
5149 Put to the labour of a Beast, debas't
5150 Lower then bondslave! Promise was that I
5151 Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver;
5152 Ask for this great Deliverer now, and find him 40
5153 Eyeless in Gaza at the Mill with slaves,
5154 Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke;
5155 Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt
5156 Divine Prediction; what if all foretold
5157 Had been fulfilld but through mine own default,
5158 Whom have I to complain of but my self?
5159 Who this high gift of strength committed to me,
5160 In what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me,
5161 Under the Seal of silence could not keep,
5162 But weakly to a woman must reveal it 50
5163 O'recome with importunity and tears.
5164 O impotence of mind, in body strong !
5165 But what is strength without a double share
5166 Of wisdom, vast, unwieldy, burdensom,
5167 Proudly secure, yet liable to fall
5168 By weakest suttleties, not made to rule,
5169 But to subserve where wisdom bears command.
5170 God, when he gave me strength, to shew withal
5171 How slight the gift was, hung it in my Hair.
5172 But peace, I must not quarrel with the will 60
5173 Of highest dispensation, which herein
5174 Happ'ly had ends above my reach to know:
5175 Suffices that to me strength is my bane,
5176 And proves the sourse of all my miseries;
5177 So many, and so huge, that each apart
5178 Would ask a life to wail, but chief of all,
5179 O loss of sight, of thee I most complain!
5180 Blind among enemies, O worse then chains,
5181 Dungeon, or beggery, or decrepit age!
5182 Light the prime work of God to me is extinct,
5183 And all her various objects of delight
5184 Annull'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd,
5185 Inferiour to the vilest now become
5186 Of man or worm; the vilest here excel me,
5187 They creep, yet see, I dark in light expos'd
5188 To daily fraud, contempt, abuse and wrong,
5189 Within doors, or without, still as a fool,
5190 In power of others, never in my own;
5191 Scarce half I seem to live, dead more then half.
5192 O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, 80
5193 Irrecoverably dark, total Eclipse
5194 Without all hope of day!
5195 O first created Beam, and thou great Word,
5196 Let there be light, and light was over all;
5197 Why am I thus bereav'd thy prime decree?
5198 The Sun to me is dark
5199 And silent as the Moon,
5200 When she deserts the night
5201 Hid in her vacant interlunar cave.
5202 Since light so necessary is to life, 90
5203 And almost life itself, if it be true
5204 That light is in the Soul,
5205 She all in every part; why was the sight
5206 To such a tender ball as th' eye confin'd?
5207 So obvious and so easie to be quench't,
5208 And not as feeling through all parts diffus'd,
5209 That she might look at will through every pore?
5210 Then had I not been thus exil'd from light;
5211 As in the land of darkness yet in light,
5212 To live a life half dead, a living death, 100
5213 And buried; but O yet more miserable!
5214 My self, my Sepulcher, a moving Grave,
5215 Buried, yet not exempt
5216 By priviledge of death and burial
5217 >From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs,
5218 But made hereby obnoxious more
5219 To all the miseries of life,
5220 Life in captivity
5221 Among inhuman foes.
5222 But who are these? for with joint pace I hear 110
5223 The tread of many feet stearing this way;
5224 Perhaps my enemies who come to stare
5225 At my affliction, and perhaps to insult,
5226 Thir daily practice to afflict me more.
5227
5228 Chor: This, this is he; softly a while,
5229 Let us not break in upon him;
5230 O change beyond report, thought, or belief!
5231 See how he lies at random, carelessly diffus'd,
5232 With languish't head unpropt,
5233 As one past hope, abandon'd 120
5234 And by himself given over;
5235 In slavish habit, ill-fitted weeds
5236 O're worn and soild;
5237 Or do my eyes misrepresent? Can this be hee,
5238 That Heroic, that Renown'd,
5239 Irresistible Samson? whom unarm'd
5240 No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast could withstand;
5241 Who tore the Lion, as the Lion tears the Kid,
5242 Ran on embattelld Armies clad in Iron,
5243 And weaponless himself, 130
5244 Made Arms ridiculous, useless the forgery
5245 Of brazen shield and spear, the hammer'd Cuirass,
5246 Chalybean temper'd steel, and frock of mail
5247 Adamantean Proof;
5248 But safest he who stood aloof,
5249 When insupportably his foot advanc't,
5250 In scorn of thir proud arms and warlike tools,
5251 Spurn'd them to death by Troops. The bold Ascalonite
5252 Fled from his Lion ramp, old Warriors turn'd
5253 Thir plated backs under his heel; 140
5254 Or grovling soild thir crested helmets in the dust.
5255 Then with what trivial weapon came to Hand,
5256 The Jaw of a dead Ass, his sword of bone,
5257 A thousand fore-skins fell, the flower of Palestin
5258 In Ramath-lechi famous to this day:
5259 Then by main force pull'd up, and on his shoulders bore
5260 The Gates of Azza, Post, and massie Bar
5261 Up to the Hill by Hebron, seat of Giants old,
5262 No journey of a Sabbath day, and loaded so;
5263 Like whom the Gentiles feign to bear up Heav'n. 150
5264 Which shall I first bewail,
5265 Thy Bondage or lost Sight,
5266 Prison within Prison
5267 Inseparably dark?
5268 Thou art become (O worst imprisonment!)
5269 The Dungeon of thy self; thy Soul
5270 (Which Men enjoying sight oft without cause complain)
5271 Imprison'd now indeed,
5272 In real darkness of the body dwells,
5273 Shut up from outward light 160
5274 To incorporate with gloomy night;
5275 For inward light alas
5276 Puts forth no visual beam.
5277 O mirror of our fickle state,
5278 Since man on earth unparallel'd!
5279 The rarer thy example stands,
5280 By how much from the top of wondrous glory,
5281 Strongest of mortal men,
5282 To lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fall'n.
5283 For him I reckon not in high estate 170
5284 Whom long descent of birth
5285 Or the sphear of fortune raises;
5286 But thee whose strength, while vertue was her mate
5287 Might have subdu'd the Earth,
5288 Universally crown'd with highest praises.
5289
5290 Sam: I hear the sound of words, thir sense the air
5291 Dissolves unjointed e're it reach my ear.
5292
5293 Chor: Hee speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless in might,
5294 The glory late of Israel, now the grief;
5295 We come thy friends and neighbours not unknown 180
5296 >From Eshtaol and Zora's fruitful Vale
5297 To visit or bewail thee, or if better,
5298 Counsel or Consolation we may bring,
5299 Salve to thy Sores, apt words have power to swage
5300 The tumors of a troubl'd mind,
5301 And are as Balm to fester'd wounds.
5302
5303 Sam: Your coming, Friends, revives me, for I learn
5304 Now of my own experience, not by talk,
5305 How counterfeit a coin they are who friends
5306 Bear in their Superscription (of the most 190
5307 I would be understood) in prosperous days
5308 They swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head
5309 Not to be found, though sought. Wee see, O friends.
5310 How many evils have enclos'd me round;
5311 Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts me,
5312 Blindness, for had I sight, confus'd with shame,
5313 How could I once look up, or heave the head,
5314 Who like a foolish Pilot have shipwrack't,
5315 My Vessel trusted to me from above,
5316 Gloriously rigg'd; and for a word, a tear, 200
5317 Fool, have divulg'd the secret gift of God
5318 To a deceitful Woman : tell me Friends,
5319 Am I not sung and proverbd for a Fool
5320 In every street, do they not say, how well
5321 Are come upon him his deserts? yet why?
5322 Immeasurable strength they might behold
5323 In me, of wisdom nothing more then mean;
5324 This with the other should, at least, have paird,
5325 These two proportiond ill drove me transverse.
5326
5327 Chor: Tax not divine disposal, wisest Men 210
5328 Have err'd, and by bad Women been deceiv'd;
5329 And shall again, pretend they ne're so wise.
5330 Deject not then so overmuch thy self,
5331 Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides;
5332 Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder
5333 Why thou shouldst wed Philistian women rather
5334 Then of thine own Tribe fairer, or as fair,
5335 At least of thy own Nation, and as noble.
5336
5337 Sam: The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd
5338 Mee, not my Parents, that I sought to wed, 220
5339 The daughter of an Infidel: they knew not
5340 That what I motion'd was of God; I knew
5341 >From intimate impulse, and therefore urg'd
5342 The Marriage on; that by occasion hence
5343 I might begin Israel's Deliverance,
5344 The work to which I was divinely call'd;
5345 She proving false, the next I took to Wife
5346 (O that I never had ! fond wish too late)
5347 Was in the Vale of Sorec, Dalila,
5348 That specious Monster, my accomplisht snare. 230
5349 I thought it lawful from my former act,
5350 And the same end; still watching to oppress
5351 Israel's oppressours: of what now I suffer
5352 She was not the prime cause, but I my self,
5353 Who vanquisht with a peal of words (O weakness!)
5354 Gave up my fort of silence to a Woman.
5355
5356 Chor: In seeking just occasion to provoke
5357 The Philistine, thy Countries Enemy,
5358 Thou never wast remiss, I hear thee witness:
5359 Yet Israel still serves with all his Sons. 240
5360
5361 Sam: That fault I take not on me, but transfer
5362 On Israel's Governours, and Heads of Tribes,
5363 Who seeing those great acts which God had done
5364 Singly by me against their Conquerours
5365 Acknowledg'd not, or not at all consider'd
5366 Deliverance offerd : I on th' other side
5367 Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds,
5368 The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the dooer;
5369 But they persisted deaf, and would not seem
5370 To count them things worth notice, till at length 250
5371 Thir Lords the Philistines with gather'd powers
5372 Enterd Judea seeking mee, who then
5373 Safe to the rock of Etham was retir'd,
5374 Not flying, but fore-casting in what place
5375 To set upon them, what advantag'd best;
5376 Mean while the men of Judah to prevent
5377 The harrass of thir Land, beset me round;
5378 I willingly on some conditions came
5379 Into thir hands, and they as gladly yield me
5380 To the uncircumcis'd a welcom prey, 260
5381 Bound with two cords; but cords to me were threds
5382 Toucht with the flame: on thir whole Host I flew
5383 Unarm'd, and with a trivial weapon fell'd
5384 Thir choicest youth; they only liv'd who fled.
5385 Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole Tribe,
5386 They had by this possess'd the Towers of Gath,
5387 And lorded over them whom now they serve;
5388 But what more oft in Nations grown corrupt,
5389 And by thir vices brought to servitude,
5390 Then to love Bondage more then Liberty, 270
5391 Bondage with ease then strenuous liberty;
5392 And to despise, or envy, or suspect
5393 Whom God hath of his special favour rais'd
5394 As thir Deliverer; if he aught begin,
5395 How frequent to desert him, and at last
5396 To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds?
5397
5398 Chor: Thy words to my remembrance bring
5399 How Succoth and the Fort of Penuel
5400 Thir great Deliverer contemn'd,
5401 The matchless Gideon in pursuit 280
5402 Of Madian and her vanquisht Kings;
5403 And how ingrateful Ephraim
5404 Not worse then by his shield and spear
5405 Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument,
5406 Defended Israel from the Ammonite,
5407 Had not his prowess quell'd thir pride
5408 In that sore battel when so many dy'd
5409 Without Reprieve adjudg'd to death,
5410 For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth.
5411
5412 Sam: Of such examples adde mee to the roul, 290
5413 Mee easily indeed mine may neglect,
5414 But Gods propos'd deliverance not so.
5415
5416 Chor: Just are the ways of God,
5417 And justifiable to Men;
5418 Unless there be who think not God at all,
5419 If any be, they walk obscure;
5420 For of such Doctrine never was there School,
5421 But the heart of the Fool,
5422 And no man therein Doctor but himself.
5423 Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, 300
5424 As to his own edicts, found contradicting,
5425 Then give the rains to wandring thought,
5426 Regardless of his glories diminution;
5427 Till by thir own perplexities involv'd
5428 They ravel more, still less resolv'd,
5429 But never find self-satisfying solution.
5430 As if they would confine th' interminable,
5431 And tie him to his own prescript,
5432 Who made our Laws to bind us, not himself,
5433 And hath full right to exempt 310
5434 Whom so it pleases him by choice
5435 >From National obstriction, without taint
5436 Of sin, or legal debt;
5437 For with his own Laws he can best dispence.
5438 He would not else who never wanted means,
5439 Nor in respect of the enemy just cause
5440 To set his people free,
5441 Have prompted this Heroic Nazarite,
5442 Against his vow of strictest purity,
5443 To seek in marriage that fallacious Bride, 320
5444 Unclean, unchaste.
5445 Down Reason then, at least vain reasonings down,
5446 Though Reason here aver
5447 That moral verdit quits her of unclean :
5448 Unchaste was subsequent, her stain not his.
5449 But see here comes thy reverend Sire
5450 With careful step, Locks white as doune,
5451 Old Manoah: advise
5452 Forthwith how thou oughtst to receive him.
5453
5454 Sam: Ay me, another inward grief awak't, 330
5455 With mention of that name renews th' assault.
5456
5457 Man: Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye seem,
5458 Though in this uncouth place; if old respect,
5459 As I suppose, towards your once gloried friend,
5460 My Son now Captive, hither hath inform'd
5461 Your younger feet, while mine cast back with age
5462 Came lagging after; say if he be here.
5463
5464 Chor: As signal now in low dejected state,
5465 As earst in highest; behold him where be lies.
5466
5467 Man: O miserable change! is this the man, 340
5468 That invincible Samson, far renown'd,
5469 The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength
5470 Equivalent to Angels walk'd thir streets,
5471 None offering fight; who single combatant
5472 Duell'd thir Armies rank't in proud array,
5473 Himself an Army, now unequal match
5474 To save himself against a coward arm'd
5475 At one spears length. O ever failing trust
5476 In mortal strength! and oh what not in man
5477 Deceivable and vain! Nay what thing good 350
5478 Pray'd for, but often proves our woe, our bane?
5479 I pray'd for Children, and thought barrenness
5480 In wedlock a reproach; I gain'd a Son,
5481 And such a Son as all Men hail'd me happy;
5482 Who would be now a Father in my stead?
5483 O wherefore did God grant me my request,
5484 And as a blessing with such pomp adorn'd?
5485 Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt
5486 Our earnest Prayers, then giv'n with solemn hand
5487 As Graces, draw a Scorpions tail behind? 360
5488 For this did the Angel twice descend? for this
5489 Ordain'd thy nurture holy, as of a Plant;
5490 Select, and Sacred, Glorious for a while,
5491 The miracle of men: then in an hour
5492 Ensnar'd, assaulted, overcome, led bound,
5493 Thy Foes derision, Captive, Poor, and Blind
5494 Into a Dungeon thrust, to work with Slaves?
5495 Alas methinks whom God hath chosen once
5496 To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err,
5497 He should not so o'rewhelm, and as a thrall 370
5498 Subject him to so foul indignities,
5499 Be it but for honours sake of former deeds.
5500
5501 Sam: Appoint not heavenly disposition, Father,
5502 Nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me
5503 But justly; I my self have brought them on,
5504 Sole Author I, sole cause: if aught seem vile,
5505 As vile hath been my folly, who have profan'd
5506 The mystery of God giv'n me under pledge
5507 Of vow, and have betray'd it to a woman,
5508 A Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 380
5509 This well I knew, nor was at all surpris'd,
5510 But warn'd by oft experience: did not she
5511 Of Timna first betray me, and reveal
5512 The secret wrested from me in her highth
5513 Of Nuptial Love profest, carrying it strait
5514 To them who had corrupted her, my Spies,
5515 And Rivals? In this other was there found
5516 More Faith? who also in her prime of love,
5517 Spousal embraces, vitiated with Gold,
5518 Though offer'd only, by the sent conceiv'd 390
5519 Her spurious first-born; Treason against me?
5520 Thrice she assay'd with flattering prayers and sighs,
5521 And amorous reproaches to win from me
5522 My capital secret, in what part my strength
5523 Lay stor'd in what part summ'd, that she might know:
5524 Thrice I deluded her, and turn'd to sport
5525 Her importunity, each time perceiving
5526 How openly, and with what impudence
5527 She purpos'd to betray me, and (which was worse
5528 Then undissembl'd hate) with what contempt 400
5529 She sought to make me Traytor to my self;
5530 Yet the fourth time, when mustring all her wiles,
5531 With blandisht parlies, feminine assaults,
5532 Tongue-batteries, she surceas'd not day nor night
5533 To storm me over-watch't, and wearied out.
5534 At times when men seek most repose and rest,
5535 I yielded, and unlock'd her all my heart,
5536 Who with a grain of manhood well resolv'd
5537 Might easily have shook off all her snares :
5538 But foul effeminacy held me yok't 410
5539 Her Bond-slave; O indignity, O blot
5540 To Honour and Religion! servil mind
5541 Rewarded well with servil punishment!
5542 The base degree to which I now am fall'n,
5543 These rags, this grinding, is not yet so base
5544 As was my former servitude, ignoble,
5545 Unmanly, ignominious, infamous,
5546 True slavery, and that blindness worse then this,
5547 That saw not how degeneratly I serv'd.
5548
5549 Man: I cannot praise thy Marriage choises, Son, 420
5550 Rather approv'd them not; but thou didst plead
5551 Divine impulsion prompting how thou might'st
5552 Find some occasion to infest our Foes.
5553 I state not that; this I am sure; our Foes
5554 Found soon occasion thereby to make thee
5555 Thir Captive, and thir triumph; thou the sooner
5556 Temptation found'st, or over-potent charms
5557 To violate the sacred trust of silence
5558 Deposited within thee; which to have kept
5559 Tacit, was in thy power; true; and thou hear'st 430
5560 Enough, and more the burden of that fault;
5561 Bitterly hast thou paid, and still art paying
5562 That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains,
5563 This day the Philistines a popular Feast
5564 Here celebrate in Gaza, and proclaim
5565 Great Pomp, and Sacrifice, and Praises loud
5566 To Dagon, as their God who hath deliver'd
5567 Thee Samson bound and blind into thir hands,
5568 Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain.
5569 So Dagon shall be magnifi'd, and God, 440
5570 Besides whom is no God, compar'd with Idols,
5571 Disglorifi'd, blasphem'd, and had in scorn
5572 By th' Idolatrous rout amidst thir wine;
5573 Which to have come to pass by means of thee,
5574 Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest,
5575 Of all reproach the most with shame that ever
5576 Could have befall'n thee and thy Fathers house.
5577
5578 Sam: Father, I do acknowledge and confess
5579 That I this honour, I this pomp have brought
5580 To Dagon, and advanc'd his praises high 450
5581 Among the Heathen round; to God have brought
5582 Dishonour, obloquie, and op't the mouths
5583 Of Idolists, and Atheists; have brought scandal
5584 To Israel diffidence of God, and doubt
5585 In feeble hearts, propense anough before
5586 To waver, or fall off and joyn with Idols:
5587 Which is my chief affliction, shame and sorrow,
5588 The anguish of my Soul, that suffers not
5589 Mine eie to harbour sleep, or thoughts to rest.
5590 This only hope relieves me, that the strife 460
5591 With me hath end; all the contest is now
5592 'Twixt God and Dagon; Dagon hath presum'd,
5593 Me overthrown, to enter lists with God,
5594 His Deity comparing and preferring
5595 Before the God of Abraham. He, he sure,
5596 Will not connive, or linger, thus provok'd,
5597 But will arise and his great name assert:
5598 Dagon must stoop, and shall e're long receive
5599 Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him
5600 Of all these boasted Trophies won on me, 470
5601 And with confusion blank his Worshippers.
5602
5603 Man: With cause this hope relieves thee, and these words
5604 I as a Prophecy receive: for God,
5605 Nothing more certain, will not long defer
5606 To vindicate the glory of his name
5607 Against all competition, nor will long
5608 Endure it, doubtful whether God be Lord,
5609 Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be done?
5610 Thou must not in the mean while here forgot
5611 Lie in this miserable loathsom plight 480
5612 Neglected. I already have made way
5613 To some Philistian Lords, with whom to treat
5614 About thy ransom: well they may by this
5615 Have satisfi'd thir utmost of revenge
5616 By pains and slaveries, worse then death inflicted
5617 On thee, who now no more canst do them harm.
5618
5619 Sam: Spare that proposal, Father, spare the trouble
5620 Of that sollicitation; let me here,
5621 As I deserve, pay on my punishment;
5622 And expiate, if possible, my crime, 490
5623 Shameful garrulity. To have reveal'd
5624 Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend,
5625 How hainous had the fact been, how deserving
5626 Contempt, and scorn of all, to be excluded
5627 All friendship, and avoided as a blab,
5628 The mark of fool set on his front?
5629 But I Gods counsel have not kept, his holy secret
5630 Presumptuously have publish'd, impiously,
5631 Weakly at least, and shamefully: A sin
5632 That Gentiles in thir Parables condemn 500
5633 To thir abyss and horrid pains confin'd.
5634
5635 Man: Be penitent and for thy fault contrite,
5636 But act not in thy own affliction, Son,
5637 Repent the sin, but if the punishment
5638 Thou canst avoid, selfpreservation bids;
5639 Or th' execution leave to high disposal,
5640 And let another hand, not thine, exact
5641 Thy penal forfeit from thy self; perhaps
5642 God will relent, and quit thee all his debt;
5643 Who evermore approves and more accepts 510
5644 (Best pleas'd with humble and filial submission)
5645 Him who imploring mercy sues for life,
5646 Then who selfrigorous chooses death as due;
5647 Which argues overjust, and self-displeas'd
5648 For self-offence, more then for God offended.
5649 Reject not then what offerd means, who knows
5650 But God hath set before us, to return thee
5651 Home to thy countrey and his sacred house,
5652 Where thou mayst bring thy off'rings, to avert
5653 His further ire, with praiers and vows renew'd. 520
5654
5655 Sam: His pardon I implore; but as for life,
5656 To what end should I seek it? when in strength
5657 All mortals I excell'd, and great in hopes
5658 With youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts
5659 Of birth from Heav'n foretold and high exploits,
5660 Full of divine instinct, after some proof
5661 Of acts indeed heroic, far beyond
5662 The Sons of Anac, famous now and blaz'd,
5663 Fearless of danger, like a petty God
5664 I walk'd about admir'd of all and dreaded 530
5665 On hostile ground, none daring my affront.
5666 Then swoll'n with pride into the snare I fell
5667 Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains,
5668 Softn'd with pleasure and voluptuous life;
5669 At length to lay my head and hallow'd pledge
5670 Of all my strength in the lascivious lap
5671 Of a deceitful Concubine who shore me
5672 Like a tame Weather, all my precious fleece,
5673 Then turn'd me out ridiculous, despoil'd,
5674 Shav'n, and disarm'd among my enemies. 540
5675
5676 Chor. Desire of wine and all delicious drinks,
5677 Which many a famous Warriour overturns,
5678 Thou couldst repress, nor did the dancing Rubie
5679 Sparkling; out-pow'rd, the flavor, or the smell,
5680 Or taste that cheers the heart of Gods and men,
5681 Allure thee from the cool Crystalline stream.
5682
5683 Sam. Where ever fountain or fresh current flow'd
5684 Against the Eastern ray, translucent, pure,
5685 With touch aetherial of Heav'ns fiery rod
5686 I drank, from the clear milkie juice allaying 550
5687 Thirst, and refresht; nor envy'd them the grape
5688 Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes.
5689
5690 Chor. O madness, to think use of strongest wines
5691 And strongest drinks our chief support of health,
5692 When God with these forbid'n made choice to rear
5693 His mighty Champion, strong above compare,
5694 Whose drink was only from the liquid brook.
5695
5696 Sam. But what avail'd this temperance, not compleat
5697 Against another object more enticing?
5698 What boots it at one gate to make defence, 560
5699 And at another to let in the foe
5700 Effeminatly vanquish't? by which means,
5701 Now blind, disheartn'd, sham'd, dishonour'd, quell'd,
5702 To what can I be useful, wherein serve
5703 My Nation, and the work from Heav'n impos'd,
5704 But to sit idle on the houshold hearth,
5705 A burdenous drone; to visitants a gaze,
5706 Or pitied object, these redundant locks
5707 Robustious to no purpose clustring down,
5708 Vain monument of strength; till length of years 570
5709 And sedentary numness craze my limbs
5710 To a contemptible old age obscure.
5711 Here rather let me drudge and earn my bread,
5712 Till vermin or the draff of servil food
5713 Consume me, and oft-invocated death
5714 Hast'n the welcom end of all my pains.
5715
5716 Man. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with that gift
5717 Which was expresly giv'n thee to annoy them?
5718 Better at home lie bed-rid, not only idle,
5719 Inglorious, unimploy'd, with age out-worn. 580
5720 But God who caus'd a fountain at thy prayer
5721 >From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst to allay
5722 After the brunt of battel, can as easie
5723 Cause light again within thy eies to spring,
5724 Wherewith to serve him better then thou hast;
5725 And I perswade me so; why else this strength
5726 Miraculous yet remaining in those locks?
5727 His might continues in thee not for naught,
5728 Nor shall his wondrous gifts be frustrate thus.
5729
5730 Sam: All otherwise to me my thoughts portend, 590
5731 That these dark orbs no more shall treat with light,
5732 Nor th' other light of life continue long,
5733 But yield to double darkness nigh at hand:
5734 So much I feel my genial spirits droop,
5735 My hopes all flat, nature within me seems
5736 In all her functions weary of herself;
5737 My race of glory run, and race of shame,
5738 And I shall shortly be with them that rest.
5739
5740 Man. Believe not these suggestions which proceed
5741 >From anguish of the mind and humours black, 600
5742 That mingle with thy fancy. I however
5743 Must not omit a Fathers timely care
5744 To prosecute the means of thy deliverance
5745 By ransom or how else: mean while be calm,
5746 And healing words from these thy friends admit.
5747
5748 Sam. O that torment should not be confin'd
5749 To the bodies wounds and sores
5750 With maladies innumerable
5751 In heart, head, brest, and reins;
5752 But must secret passage find 610
5753 To th' inmost mind,
5754 There exercise all his fierce accidents,
5755 And on her purest spirits prey,
5756 As on entrails, joints, and limbs,
5757 With answerable pains, but more intense,
5758 'Though void of corporal sense.
5759 My griefs not only pain me
5760 As a lingring disease,
5761 But finding no redress, ferment and rage,
5762 Nor less then wounds immedicable 620
5763 Ranckle, and fester, and gangrene,
5764 To black mortification.
5765 Thoughts my Tormenters arm'd with deadly stings
5766 Mangle my apprehensive tenderest parts,
5767 Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise
5768 Dire inflammation which no cooling herb
5769 Or rnedcinal liquor can asswage,
5770 Nor breath of Vernal Air from snowy Alp.
5771 Sleep hath forsook and giv'n me o're
5772 To deaths benumming Opium as my only cure. 630
5773 Thence faintings, swounings of despair,
5774 And sense of Heav'ns desertion.
5775 I was his nursling once and choice delight,
5776 His destin'd from the womb,
5777 Promisd by Heavenly message twice descending.
5778 Under his special eie
5779 Abstemious I grew up and thriv'd amain;
5780 He led me on to mightiest deeds
5781 Above the nerve of mortal arm
5782 Against the uncircumcis'd, our enemies. 640
5783 But now hath cast me off as never known,
5784 And to those cruel enemies,
5785 Whom I by his appointment had provok't,
5786 Left me all helpless with th' irreparable loss
5787 Of sight, reserv'd alive to be repeated
5788 The subject of thir cruelty, or scorn.
5789 Nor am I in the list of them that hope;
5790 Hopeless are all my evils, all remediless;
5791 This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard,
5792 No long petition, speedy death, 650
5793 The close of all my miseries, and the balm.
5794
5795 Chor: Many are the sayings of the wise
5796 In antient and in modern books enroll'd;
5797 Extolling Patience as the truest fortitude;
5798 And to the bearing well of all calamities,
5799 All chances incident to mans frail life
5800 Consolatories writ
5801 With studied argument, and much perswasion sought
5802 Lenient of grief and anxious thought,
5803 But with th' afflicted in his pangs thir sound 680
5804 Little prevails, or rather seems a tune,
5805 Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint,
5806 Unless he feel within
5807 Some sourse of consolation from above;
5808 Secret refreshings, that repair his strength,
5809 And fainting spirits uphold.
5810 God of our Fathers, what is man!
5811 That thou towards him with hand so various,
5812 Or might I say contrarious,
5813 Temperst thy providence through his short course, 670
5814 Not evenly, as thou rul'st
5815 The Angelic orders and inferiour creatures mute,
5816 Irrational and brute.
5817 Nor do I name of men the common rout,
5818 That wandring loose about
5819 Grow up and perish, as the summer flie,
5820 Heads without name no more rememberd,
5821 But such as thou hast solemnly elected,
5822 With gifts and graces eminently adorn'd
5823 To some great work, thy glory, 680
5824 And peoples safety, which in part they effect:
5825 Yet toward these thus dignifi'd, thou oft
5826 Amidst thir highth of noon,
5827 Changest thy countenance, and thy hand with no regard
5828 Of highest favours past
5829 >From thee on them, or them to thee of service.
5830 Nor only dost degrade them, or remit
5831 To life obscur'd, which were a fair dismission,
5832 But throw'st them lower then thou didst exalt them high,
5833 Unseemly falls in human eie, 690
5834 Too grievous for the trespass or omission,
5835 Oft leav'st them to the hostile sword
5836 Of Heathen and prophane, thir carkasses
5837 To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captiv'd:
5838 Or to the unjust tribunals, under change of times,
5839 And condemnation of the ingrateful multitude.
5840 If these they scape, perhaps in poverty
5841 With sickness and disease thou bow'st them down,
5842 Painful diseases and deform'd, 700
5843 In crude old age;
5844 Though not disordinate, yet causless suffring
5845 The punishment of dissolute days, in fine,
5846 Just or unjust, alike seem miserable,
5847 For oft alike, both come to evil end.
5848 So deal not with this once thy glorious Champion,
5849 The Image of thy strength, and mighty minister.
5850 What do I beg? how hast thou dealt already?
5851 Behold him in this state calamitous, and turn
5852 His labours, for thou canst, to peaceful end.
5853 But who is this, what thing of Sea or Land? 710
5854 Femal of sex it seems,
5855 That so bedeckt, ornate, and gay,
5856 Comes this way sailing
5857 Like a stately Ship
5858 Of Tarsus, bound for th' Isles
5859 Of Javan or Gadier
5860 With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,
5861 Sails fill'd, and streamers waving,
5862 Courted by all the winds that hold them play,
5863 An Amber sent of odorous perfume 720
5864 Her harbinger, a damsel train behind;
5865 Some rich Philistian Matron she may seem,
5866 And now at nearer view, no other certain
5867 Than Dalila thy wife.
5868
5869 Sam: My Wife, my Traytress, let her not come near me.
5870
5871 Cho: Yet on she moves, now stands & eies thee fixt,
5872 About t'have spoke, but now, with head declin'd
5873 Like a fair flower surcharg'd with dew, she weeps
5874 And words addrest seem into tears dissolv'd,
5875 Wetting the borders of her silk'n veil: 730
5876 But now again she makes address to speak.
5877
5878 Dal: With doubtful feet and wavering resolution
5879 I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson,
5880 Which to have merited, without excuse,
5881 I cannot but acknowledge; yet if tears
5882 May expiate (though the fact more evil drew
5883 In the perverse event then I foresaw)
5884 My penance hath not slack'n'd, though my pardon
5885 No way assur'd. But conjugal affection
5886 Prevailing over fear, and timerous doubt 740
5887 Hath led me on desirous to behold
5888 Once more thy face, and know of thy estate.
5889 If aught in my ability may serve
5890 To light'n what thou suffer'st, and appease
5891 Thy mind with what amends is in my power,
5892 Though late, yet in some part to recompense
5893 My rash but more unfortunate misdeed.
5894
5895 Sam: Out, out Hyaena; these are thy wonted arts,
5896 And arts of every woman false like thee,
5897 To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray, 750
5898 Then as repentant to submit, beseech,
5899 And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse,
5900 Confess, and promise wonders in her change,
5901 Not truly penitent, but chief to try
5902 Her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears,
5903 His vertue or weakness which way to assail:
5904 Then with more cautious and instructed skill
5905 Again transgresses, and again submits;
5906 That wisest and best men full oft beguil'd
5907 With goodness principl'd not to reject 760
5908 The penitent, but ever to forgive,
5909 Are drawn to wear out miserable days,
5910 Entangl'd with a poysnous bosom snake,
5911 If not by quick destruction soon cut off
5912 As I by thee, to Ages an example.
5913
5914 Dal: Yet hear me Samson; not that I endeavour
5915 To lessen or extenuate my offence,
5916 But that on th' other side if it be weigh'd
5917 By it self, with aggravations not surcharg'd,
5918 Or else with just allowance counterpois'd 770
5919 I may, if possible, thy pardon find
5920 The easier towards me, or thy hatred less.
5921 First granting, as I do, it was a weakness
5922 In me, but incident to all our sex,
5923 Curiosity, inquisitive, importune
5924 Of secrets, then with like infirmity
5925 To publish them, both common female faults:
5926 Was it not weakness also to make known
5927 For importunity, that is for naught,
5928 Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety? 780
5929 To what I did thou shewdst me first the way.
5930 But I to enemies reveal'd, and should not.
5931 Nor shouldst thou have trusted that to womans frailty
5932 E're I to thee, thou to thy self wast cruel.
5933 Let weakness then with weakness come to parl
5934 So near related, or the same of kind,
5935 Thine forgive mine; that men may censure thine
5936 The gentler, if severely thou exact not
5937 More strength from me, then in thy self was found.
5938 And what if Love, which thou interpret'st hate, 790
5939 The jealousie of Love, powerful of sway
5940 In human hearts, nor less in mine towards thee,
5941 Caus'd what I did? I saw thee mutable
5942 Of fancy, feard lest one day thou wouldst leave me
5943 As her at Timna, sought by all means therefore
5944 How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest:
5945 No better way I saw then by importuning
5946 To learn thy secrets, get into my power
5947 Thy key of strength and safety: thou wilt say,
5948 Why then reveal'd? I was assur'd by those 800
5949 Who tempted me, that nothing was design'd
5950 Against thee but safe custody, and hold:
5951 That made for me, I knew that liberty
5952 Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises,
5953 While I at home sate full of cares and fears
5954 Wailing thy absence in my widow'd bed;
5955 Here I should still enjoy thee day and night
5956 Mine and Loves prisoner, not the Philistines,
5957 Whole to my self, unhazarded abroad,
5958 Fearless at home of partners in my love. 810
5959 These reasons in Loves law have past for good,
5960 Though fond and reasonless to some perhaps:
5961 And Love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much wo,
5962 Yet always pity or pardon hath obtain'd.
5963 Be not unlike all others, not austere
5964 As thou art strong, inflexible as steel.
5965 If thou in strength all mortals dost exceed,
5966 In uncompassionate anger do not so.
5967
5968 Sam: How cunningly the sorceress displays
5969 Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine! 820
5970 That malice not repentance brought thee hither,
5971 By this appears : I gave, thou say'st, th' example,
5972 I led the way; bitter reproach, but true,
5973 I to my self was false e're thou to me,
5974 Such pardon therefore as I give my folly,
5975 Take to thy wicked deed: which when thou seest
5976 Impartial, self-severe, inexorable,
5977 Thou wilt renounce thy seeking, and much rather
5978 Confess it feign'd, weakness is thy excuse,
5979 And I believe it, weakness to resist 830
5980 Philistian gold: if weakness may excuse,
5981 What Murtherer, what Traytor, Parricide,
5982 Incestuous, Sacrilegious, but may plead it?
5983 All wickedness is weakness : that plea therefore
5984 With God or Man will gain thee no remission.
5985 But Love constrain'd thee; call it furious rage
5986 To satisfie thy lust: Love seeks to have Love;
5987 My love how couldst thou hope, who tookst the way
5988 To raise in me inexpiable hate,
5989 Knowing, as needs I must, by thee betray'd ? 840
5990 In vain thou striv'st to cover shame with shame,
5991 Or by evasions thy crime uncoverst more.
5992
5993 Dal: Since thou determinst weakness for no plea
5994 In man or woman, though to thy own condemning,
5995 Hear what assaults I had, what snares besides,
5996 What sieges girt me round, e're I consented;
5997 Which might have aw'd the best resolv'd of men,
5998 The constantest to have yielded without blame.
5999 It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st,
6000 That wrought with me: thou know'st the Magistrates 850
6001 And Princes of my countrey came in person,
6002 Sollicited, commanded, threatn'd, urg'd,
6003 Adjur'd by all the bonds of civil Duty
6004 And of Religion, press'd how just it was,
6005 How honourable, how glorious to entrap
6006 A common enemy, who had destroy'd
6007 Such numbers of our Nation : and the Priest
6008 Was not behind, but ever at my ear,
6009 Preaching how meritorious with the gods
6010 It would be to ensnare an irreligious 860
6011 Dishonourer of Dagon : what had I
6012 To oppose against such powerful arguments?
6013 Only my love of thee held long debate;
6014 And combated in silence all these reasons
6015 With hard contest: at length that grounded maxim
6016 So rife and celebrated in the mouths
6017 Of wisest men; that to the public good
6018 Private respects must yield; with grave authority'
6019 Took full possession of me and prevail'd;
6020 Vertue, as I thought, truth, duty so enjoyning. 870
6021
6022 Sam: I thought where all thy circling wiles would end;
6023 In feign'd Religion, smooth hypocrisie.
6024 But had thy love, still odiously pretended,
6025 Bin, as it ought, sincere, it would have taught thee
6026 Far other reasonings, brought forth other deeds.
6027 I before all the daughters of my Tribe
6028 And of my Nation chose thee from among
6029 My enemies, lov'd thee, as too well thou knew'st,
6030 Too well, unbosom'd all my secrets to thee,
6031 Not out of levity, but over-powr'd 880
6032 By thy request, who could deny thee nothing;
6033 Yet now am judg'd an enemy. Why then
6034 Didst thou at first receive me for thy husband?
6035 Then, as since then, thy countries foe profest:
6036 Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave
6037 Parents and countrey; nor was I their subject,
6038 Nor under their protection but my own,
6039 Thou mine, not theirs: if aught against my life
6040 Thy countrey sought of thee, it sought unjustly,
6041 Against the law of nature, law of nations, 890
6042 No more thy countrey, but an impious crew
6043 Of men conspiring to uphold thir state
6044 By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends
6045 For which our countrey is a name so dear;
6046 Not therefore to be obey'd. But zeal mov'd thee;
6047 To please thy gods thou didst it; gods unable
6048 To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes
6049 But by ungodly deeds, the contradiction
6050 Of their own deity, Gods cannot be:
6051 Less therefore to be pleas'd, obey'd, or fear'd, 900
6052 These false pretexts and varnish'd colours failing,
6053 Bare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear?
6054
6055 Dal: In argument with men a woman ever
6056 Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause.
6057
6058 Sam: For want of words no doubt, or lack of breath,
6059 Witness when I was worried with thy peals.
6060
6061 Dal: I was a fool, too rash, and quite mistaken
6062 In what I thought would have succeeded best.
6063 Let me obtain forgiveness of thee, Samson,
6064 Afford me place to shew what recompence 910
6065 Towards thee I intend for what I have misdone,
6066 Misguided: only what remains past cure
6067 Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist
6068 To afflict thy self in vain: though sight be lost,
6069 Life yet hath many solaces, enjoy'd
6070 Where other senses want not their delights
6071 At home in leisure and domestic ease,
6072 Exempt from many a care and chance to which
6073 Eye-sight exposes daily men abroad.
6074 I to the Lords will intercede, not doubting 920
6075 Thir favourable ear, that I may fetch thee
6076 >From forth this loathsom prison-house, to abide
6077 With me, where my redoubl'd love and care
6078 With nursing diligence, to me glad office,
6079 May ever tend about thee to old age
6080 With all things grateful chear'd, and so suppli'd,
6081 That what by me thou hast lost thou least shalt miss.
6082
6083 Sam: No, no, of my condition take no care;
6084 It fits not; thou and I long since are twain;
6085 Nor think me so unwary or accurst 930
6086 To bring my feet again into the snare
6087 Where once I have been caught; I know thy trains
6088 Though dearly to my cost, thy ginns, and toyls;
6089 Thy fair enchanted cup, and warbling charms
6090 No more on me have power, their force is null'd,
6091 So much of Adders wisdom I have learn't
6092 To fence my ear against thy sorceries.
6093 If in my flower of youth and strength, when all men
6094 Lov'd, honour'd, fear'd me, thou alone could hate me
6095 Thy Husband, slight me, sell me, and forgo me; 940
6096 How wouldst thou use me now, blind, and thereby
6097 Deceiveable, in most things as a child
6098 Helpless, thence easily contemn'd, and scorn'd,
6099 And last neglected? How wouldst thou insult
6100 When I must live uxorious to thy will
6101 In perfet thraldom, how again betray me,
6102 Bearing my words and doings to the Lords
6103 To gloss upon, and censuring, frown or smile?
6104 This Gaol I count the house of Liberty
6105 To thine whose doors my feet shall never enter. 950
6106
6107 Dal: Let me approach at least, and touch thy hand.
6108
6109 Sam: Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake
6110 My sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint.
6111 At distance I forgive thee, go with that;
6112 Bewail thy falshood, and the pious works
6113 It hath brought forth to make thee memorable
6114 Among illustrious women, faithful wives:
6115 Cherish thy hast'n'd widowhood with the gold
6116 Of Matrimonial treason: so farewel.
6117
6118 Dal: I see thou art implacable, more deaf 960
6119 To prayers, then winds and seas, yet winds to seas
6120 Are reconcil'd at length, and Sea to Shore:
6121 Thy anger, unappeasable, still rages,
6122 Eternal tempest never to be calm'd.
6123 Why do I humble thus my self, and suing
6124 For peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate?
6125 Bid go with evil omen and the brand
6126 Of infamy upon my name denounc't?
6127 To mix with thy concernments I desist
6128 Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 970
6129 Fame if not double-fac't is double-mouth'd,
6130 And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds,
6131 On both his wings, one black, th' other white,
6132 Bears greatest names in his wild aerie flight.
6133 My name perhaps among the Circumcis'd
6134 In Dan, in Judah, and the bordering Tribes,
6135 To all posterity may stand defam'd,
6136 With malediction mention'd, and the blot
6137 Of falshood most unconjugal traduc't.
6138 But in my countrey where I most desire, 980
6139 In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, and in Gath
6140 I shall be nam'd among the famousest
6141 Of Women, sung at solemn festivals,
6142 Living and dead recorded, who to save
6143 Her countrey from a fierce destroyer, chose
6144 Above the faith of wedlock-bands, my tomb
6145 With odours visited and annual flowers.
6146 Not less renown'd then in Mount Ephraim,
6147 Jael who with inhospitable guile
6148 Smote Sisera sleeping through the Temples nail'd. 990
6149 Nor shall I count it hainous to enjoy
6150 The public marks of honour and reward
6151 Conferr'd upon me, for the piety
6152 Which to my countrey I was judg'd to have shewn.
6153 At this who ever envies or repines
6154 I leave him to his lot, and like my own.
6155
6156 Chor: She's gone, a manifest Serpent by her sting
6157 Discover'd in the end, till now conceal'd.
6158
6159 Sam: So let her go, God sent her to debase me,
6160 And aggravate my folly who committed 1000
6161 To such a viper his most sacred trust
6162 Of secresie, my safety, and my life.
6163
6164 Chor: Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange power,
6165 After offence returning, to regain
6166 Love once possest, nor can be easily
6167 Repuls't, without much inward passion felt
6168 And secret sting of amorous remorse.
6169
6170 Sam: Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end,
6171 Not wedlock-trechery endangering life.
6172
6173 Chor: It is not vertue, wisdom, valour, wit, 1010
6174 Strength, comliness of shape, or amplest merit
6175 That womans love can win or long inherit;
6176 But what it is, hard is to say,
6177 Harder to hit,
6178 (Which way soever men refer it)
6179 Much like thy riddle, Samson, in one day
6180 Or seven, though one should musing sit;
6181 If any of these or all, the Timnian bride
6182 Had not so soon preferr'd
6183 Thy Paranymph, worthless to thee compar'd, 1020
6184 Successour in thy bed,
6185 Nor both so loosly disally'd
6186 Thir nuptials, nor this last so trecherously
6187 Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head.
6188 Is it for that such outward ornament
6189 Was lavish't on thir Sex, that inward gifts
6190 Were left for hast unfinish't, judgment scant,
6191 Capacity not rais'd to apprehend
6192 Or value what is best
6193 In choice, but oftest to affect the wrong? 1030
6194 Or was too much of self-love mixt,
6195 Of constancy no root infixt,
6196 That either they love nothing, or not long?
6197 What e're it be, to wisest men and best
6198 Seeming at first all heavenly under virgin veil,
6199 Soft, modest, meek, demure,
6200 Once join'd, the contrary she proves, a thorn
6201 Intestin, far within defensive arms
6202 A cleaving mischief, in his way to vertue
6203 Adverse and turbulent, or by her charms 1040
6204 Draws him awry enslav'd
6205 With dotage, and his sense deprav'd
6206 To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends.
6207 What Pilot so expert but needs must wreck
6208 Embarqu'd with such a Stears-mate at the Helm?
6209 Favour'd of Heav'n who finds
6210 One vertuous rarely found,
6211 That in domestic good combines:
6212 Happy that house! his way to peace is smooth:
6213 But vertue which breaks through all opposition, 1050
6214 And all temptation can remove,
6215 Most shines and most is acceptable above.
6216 Therefore Gods universal Law
6217 Gave to the man despotic power
6218 Over his female in due awe,
6219 Nor from that right to part an hour,
6220 Smile she or lowre:
6221 So shall he least confusion draw
6222 On his whole life, not sway'd
6223 By female usurpation, nor dismay'd. 1060
6224 But had we best retire, I see a storm?
6225
6226 Sam: Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain.
6227
6228 Chor: But this another kind of tempest brings.
6229
6230 Sam: Be less abstruse, my riddling days are past.
6231
6232 Chor: Look now for no inchanting voice, nor fear
6233 The bait of honied words; a rougher tongue
6234 Draws hitherward, I know him by his stride,
6235 The Giant Harapha of Gath, his look
6236 Haughty as is his pile high-built and proud.
6237 Comes he in peace? what wind hath blown him hither 1070
6238 I less conjecture then when first I saw
6239 The sumptuous Dalila floating this way:
6240 His habit carries peace, his brow defiance.
6241
6242 Sam: Or peace or not, alike to me he comes.
6243
6244 Chor: His fraught we soon shall know, he now arrives.
6245
6246 Har: I come not Samson, to condole thy chance,
6247 As these perhaps, yet wish it had not been,
6248 Though for no friendly intent. I am of Gath,
6249 Men call me Harapha, of stock renown'd
6250 As Og or Anak and the Emims old 1080
6251 That Kiriathaim held, thou knowst me now
6252 If thou at all art known. Much I have heard
6253 Of thy prodigious might and feats perform'd
6254 Incredible to me, in this displeas'd,
6255 That I was never present on the place
6256 Of those encounters, where we might have tri'd
6257 Each others force in camp or listed field:
6258 And now am come to see of whom such noise
6259 Hath walk'd about, and each limb to survey,
6260 If thy appearance answer loud report. 1090
6261
6262 Sam: The way to know were not to see but taste.
6263
6264 Har: Dost thou already single me; I thought
6265 Gives and the Mill had tam'd thee? O that fortune
6266 Had brought me to the field where thou art fam'd
6267 To have wrought such wonders with an Asses Jaw;
6268 I should have forc'd thee soon with other arms,
6269 Or left thy carkass where the Ass lay thrown:
6270 So had the glory of Prowess been recover'd
6271 To Palestine, won by a Philistine
6272 >From the unforeskinn'd race, of whom thou hear'st 1100
6273 The highest name for valiant Acts, that honour
6274 Certain to have won by mortal duel from thee,
6275 I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out.
6276
6277 Sam: Boast not of what thou wouldst have done, but do
6278 What then thou would'st, thou seest it in thy hand.
6279
6280 Har: To combat with a blind man I disdain
6281 And thou hast need much washing to be toucht.
6282
6283 Sam: Such usage as your honourable Lords
6284 Afford me assassinated and betray'd,
6285 Who durst not with thir whole united powers 1110
6286 In fight withstand me single and unarm'd,
6287 Nor in the house with chamber Ambushes
6288 Close-banded durst attaque me, no not sleeping,
6289 Till they had hir'd a woman with their gold
6290 Breaking her Marriage Faith to circumvent me.
6291 Therefore without feign'd shifts let be assign'd
6292 Some narrow place enclos'd, where sight may give thee.
6293 Or rather flight, no great advantage on me;
6294 Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy Helmet
6295 And Brigandine of brass, thy broad Habergeon. 1120
6296 Vant-brass and Greves, and Gauntlet, add thy Spear
6297 A Weavers beam, and seven-times-folded shield.
6298 I only with an Oak'n staff will meet thee,
6299 And raise such out-cries on thy clatter'd Iron,
6300 Which long shall not with-hold mee from thy head,
6301 That in a little time while breath remains thee,
6302 Thou oft shalt wish thy self at Gath to boast
6303 Again in safety what thou wouldst have done
6304 To Samson, but shalt never see Gath more.
6305
6306 Har: Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms 1130
6307 Which greatest Heroes have in battel worn,
6308 Thir ornament and safety, had not spells
6309 And black enchantments, some Magicians Art
6310 Arm'd thee or charm'd thee strong, which thou from Heaven
6311 Feigndst at thy birth was giv'n thee in thy hair,
6312 Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs
6313 Were bristles rang'd like those that ridge the back
6314 Of chaf't wild Boars, or ruffl'd Porcupines.
6315
6316 Sam: I know no Spells, use no forbidden Arts;
6317 My trust is in the living God who gave me 1140
6318 At my Nativity this strength, diffus'd
6319 No less through all my sinews, joints and bones,
6320 Then thine, while I preserv'd these locks unshorn,
6321 The pledge of my unviolated vow.
6322 For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god,
6323 Go to his Temple, invocate his aid
6324 With solemnest devotion, spread before him
6325 How highly it concerns his glory now
6326 To frustrate and dissolve these Magic spells,
6327 Which I to be the power of Israel's God 1150
6328 Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test,
6329 Offering to combat thee his Champion bold,
6330 With th' utmost of his Godhead seconded:
6331 Then thou shalt see, or rather to thy sorrow
6332 Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine.
6333
6334 Har: Presume not on thy God, what e're he be,
6335 Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off
6336 Quite from his people, and delivered up
6337 Into thy Enemies hand, permitted them
6338 To put out both thine eyes, and fetter'd send thee 1160
6339 Into the common Prison, there to grind
6340 Among the Slaves and Asses thy comrades,
6341 As good for nothing else, no better service
6342 With those, thy boyst'rous locks, no worthy match
6343 For valour to assail, nor by the sword
6344 Of noble Warriour, so to stain his honour,
6345 But by the Barbers razor best subdu'd.
6346
6347 Sam: All these indignities, for such they are
6348 >From thine, these evils I deserve and more,
6349 Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 1170
6350 Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon
6351 Whose ear is ever open; and his eye
6352 Gracious to re-admit the suppliant;
6353 In confidence whereof I once again
6354 Defie thee to the trial of mortal fight,
6355 By combat to decide whose god is God,
6356 Thine or whom I with Israel's Sons adore.
6357
6358 Har: Fair honour that thou dost thy God, in trusting
6359 He will accept thee to defend his cause,
6360 A Murtherer, a Revolter, and a Robber. 1180
6361
6362 Sam: Tongue-doubtie Giant, how dost thou prove me these?
6363
6364 Har: Is not thy Nation subject to our Lords?
6365 Thir Magistrates confest it, when they took thee
6366 As a League-breaker and deliver'd bound
6367 Into our hands: for hadst thou not committed
6368 Notorious murder on those thirty men
6369 At Askalon, who never did thee harm,
6370 Then like a Robber stripdst them of thir robes?
6371 The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league,
6372 Went up with armed powers thee only seeking, 1190
6373 To others did no violence nor spoil.
6374
6375 Sam: Among the Daughters of the Philistines
6376 I chose a Wife, which argu'd me no foe;
6377 And in your City held my Nuptial Feast:
6378 But your ill-meaning Politician Lords,
6379 Under pretence of Bridal friends and guests,
6380 Appointed to await me thirty spies,
6381 Who threatning cruel death constrain'd the bride
6382 To wring from me and tell to them my secret,
6383 That solv'd the riddle which I had propos'd. 1200
6384 When I perceiv'd all set on enmity,
6385 As on my enemies, where ever chanc'd,
6386 I us'd hostility, and took thir spoil
6387 To pay my underminers in thir coin.
6388 My Nation was subjected to your Lords.
6389 It was the force of Conquest; force with force
6390 Is well ejected when the Conquer'd can.
6391 But I a private person, whom my Countrey
6392 As a league-breaker gave up bound, presum'd
6393 Single Rebellion and did Hostile Acts. 1210
6394 I was no private but a person rais'd
6395 With strength sufficient and command from Heav'n
6396 To free my Countrey; if their servile minds
6397 Me their Deliverer sent would not receive,
6398 But to thir Masters gave me up for nought,
6399 Th' unworthier they; whence to this day they serve.
6400 I was to do my part from Heav'n assign'd,
6401 And had perform'd it if my known offence
6402 Had not disabl'd me, not all your force:
6403 These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant 1220
6404 Though by his blindness maim'd for high attempts,
6405 Who now defies thee thrice to single fight,
6406 As a petty enterprise of small enforce.
6407
6408 Har: With thee a Man condemn'd, a Slave enrol'd,
6409 Due by the Law to capital punishment?
6410 To fight with thee no man of arms will deign.
6411
6412 Sam: Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me,
6413 To descant on my strength, and give thy verdit?
6414 Come nearer, part not hence so slight inform'd;
6415 But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 1230
6416 Har: O Baal-zebub! can my ears unus'd
6417 Hear these dishonours, and not render death?
6418
6419 Sam: No man with-holds thee, nothing from thy hand
6420 Fear I incurable; bring up thy van,
6421 My heels are fetter'd, but my fist is free.
6422
6423 Har: This insolence other kind of answer fits.
6424
6425 Sam: Go baffl'd coward, lest I run upon thee,
6426 Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast,
6427 And with one buffet lay thy structure low,
6428 Or swing thee in the Air, then dash thee down 1240
6429 To the hazard of thy brains and shatter'd sides.
6430
6431 Har: By Astaroth e're long thou shalt lament
6432 These braveries in Irons loaden on thee.
6433
6434 Chor: His Giantship is gone somewhat crestfall'n,
6435 Stalking with less unconsci'nable strides,
6436 And lower looks, but in a sultrie chafe.
6437
6438 Sam: I dread him not, nor all his Giant-brood,
6439 Though Fame divulge him Father of five Sons
6440 All of Gigantic size, Goliah chief.
6441
6442 Chor: He will directly to the Lords, I fear, 1250
6443 And with malitious counsel stir them up
6444 Some way or other yet further to afflict thee.
6445
6446 Sam: He must allege some cause, and offer'd fight
6447 Will not dare mention, lest a question rise
6448 Whether he durst accept the offer or not,
6449 And that he durst not plain enough appear'd.
6450 Much more affliction then already felt
6451 They cannot well impose, nor I sustain;
6452 If they intend advantage of my labours
6453 The work of many hands, which earns my keeping 1260
6454 With no small profit daily to my owners.
6455 But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove
6456 My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence,
6457 The worst that he can give, to me the best.
6458 Yet so it may fall out, because thir end
6459 Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine
6460 Draw thir own ruin who attempt the deed.
6461
6462 Chor: Oh how comely it is and how reviving
6463 To the Spirits of just men long opprest!
6464 When God into the hands of thir deliverer 1270
6465 Puts invincible might
6466 To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppressour,
6467 The brute and boist'rous force of violent men
6468 Hardy and industrious to support
6469 Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue
6470 The righteous and all such as honour Truth;
6471 He all thir Ammunition
6472 And feats of War defeats
6473 With plain Heroic magnitude of mind
6474 And celestial vigour arm'd, 1270
6475 Thir Armories and Magazins contemns,
6476 Renders them useless, while
6477 With winged expedition
6478 Swift as the lightning glance he executes
6479 His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd
6480 Lose thir defence distracted and amaz'd.
6481 But patience is more oft the exercise
6482 Of Saints, the trial of thir fortitude,
6483 Making them each his own Deliverer,
6484 And Victor over all 1290
6485 That tyrannie or fortune can inflict,
6486 Either of these is in thy lot,
6487 Samson, with might endu'd
6488 Above the Sons of men; but sight bereav'd
6489 May chance to number thee with those
6490 Whom Patience finally must crown.
6491 This Idols day hath bin to thee no day of rest,
6492 Labouring thy mind
6493 More then the working day thy hands,
6494 And yet perhaps more trouble is behind. 1300
6495 For I descry this way
6496 Some other tending, in his hand
6497 A Scepter or quaint staff he bears,
6498 Comes on amain, speed in his look.
6499 By his habit I discern him now
6500 A Public Officer, and now at hand.
6501 His message will be short and voluble.
6502
6503 Off: Ebrews, the Pris'ner Samson here I seek.
6504
6505 Chor: His manacles remark him, there he sits.
6506
6507 Off: Samson, to thee our Lords thus bid me say; 1310
6508 This day to Dagon is a solemn Feast,
6509 With Sacrifices, Triumph, Pomp, and Games;
6510 Thy strength they know surpassing human rate,
6511 And now some public proof thereof require
6512 To honour this great Feast, and great Assembly;
6513 Rise therefore with all speed and come along,
6514 Where I will see thee heartn'd and fresh clad
6515 To appear as fits before th' illustrious Lords.
6516
6517 Sam: Thou knowst I am an Ebrew, therefore tell them,
6518 Our Law forbids at thir Religious Rites 1320
6519 My presence; for that cause I cannot come.
6520
6521 Off: This answer, be assur'd, will not content them.
6522
6523 Sam: Have they not Sword-players, and ev'ry sort
6524 Of Gymnic Artists, Wrestlers, Riders, Runners,
6525 Juglers and Dancers, Antics, Mummers, Mimics,
6526 But they must pick me out with shackles tir'd,
6527 And over-labour'd at thir publick Mill,
6528 To make them sport with blind activity?
6529 Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels
6530 On my refusal to distress me more, 1330
6531 Or make a game of my calamities?
6532 Return the way thou cam'st, I will not come.
6533
6534 Off: Regard thy self, this will offend them highly.
6535
6536 Sam: My self? my conscience and internal peace.
6537 Can they think me so broken, so debas'd
6538 With corporal servitude, that my mind ever
6539 Will condescend to such absurd commands?
6540 Although thir drudge, to be thir fool or jester,
6541 And in my midst of sorrow and heart-grief
6542 To shew them feats, and play before thir god, 1340
6543 The worst of all indignities, yet on me
6544 Joyn'd with extream contempt? I will not come.
6545
6546 Off: My message was impos'd on me with speed,
6547 Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution?
6548
6549 Sam: So take it with what speed thy message needs.
6550
6551 Off : I am sorry what this stoutness will produce.
6552
6553 Sam: Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow indeed.
6554
6555 Chor: Consider, Samson; matters now are strain'd
6556 Up to the highth, whether to bold or break;
6557 He's gone, and who knows how he may report 1350
6558 Thy words by adding fuel to the flame?
6559 Expect another message more imperious,
6560 More Lordly thund'ring then thou well wilt bear.
6561
6562 Sam: Shall I abuse this Consecrated gift
6563 Of strength, again returning with my hair
6564 After my great transgression, so requite
6565 Favour renew'd, and add a greater sin
6566 By prostituting holy things to Idols;
6567 A Nazarite in place abominable
6568 Vaunting my strength in honour to thir Dagon? 1360
6569 Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous,
6570 What act more execrably unclean, prophane?
6571
6572 Chor: Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Philistines,
6573 Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean.
6574
6575 Sam: Not in thir Idol-worship, but by labour
6576 Honest and lawful to deserve my food
6577 Of those who have me in thir civil power.
6578
6579 Chor: Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile not
6580
6581 Sam: Where outward force constrains, the sentence holds:
6582 But who constrains me to the Temple of Dagon, 1370
6583 Not dragging? the Philistian Lords command.
6584 Commands are no constraints. If I obey them,
6585 I do it freely; venturing to displease
6586 God for the fear of Man, and Man prefer,
6587 Set God behind: which in his jealousie
6588 Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness.
6589 Yet that he may dispense with me or thee
6590 Present in Temples at Idolatrous Rites
6591 For some important cause, thou needst not doubt.
6592
6593 Chor: How thou wilt here come off surmounts my reach. 1380
6594
6595 Sam: Be of good courage, I begin to feel
6596 Some rouzing motions in me which dispose
6597 To something extraordinary my thoughts.
6598 I with this Messenger will go along,
6599 Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour
6600 Our Law, or stain my vow of Nazarite.
6601 If there be aught of presage in the mind,
6602 This day will be remarkable in my life
6603 By some great act, or of my days the last.
6604
6605 Chor: In time thou hast resolv'd, the man returns. 1390
6606
6607 Off: Samson, this second message from our Lords
6608 To thee I am bid say. Art thou our Slave,
6609 Our Captive, at the public Mill our drudge,
6610 And dar'st thou at our sending and command
6611 Dispute thy coming? come without delay;
6612 Or we shall find such Engines to assail
6613 And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force,
6614 Though thou wert firmlier fastn'd then a rock.
6615
6616 Sam: I could be well content to try thir Art,
6617 Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. 1400
6618 Yet knowing thir advantages too many,
6619 Because they shall not trail me through thir streets
6620 Like a wild Beast, I am content to go.
6621 Masters commands come with a power resistless
6622 To such as owe them absolute subjection;
6623 And for a life who will not change his purpose?
6624 (So mutable are all the ways of men)
6625 Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply
6626 Scandalous or forbidden in our Law.
6627
6628 Off: I praise thy resolution, doff these links: 1410
6629 By this compliance thou wilt win the Lords
6630 To favour, and perhaps to set thee free.
6631
6632 Sam: Brethren farewel, your company along
6633 I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them
6634 To see me girt with Friends; and how the sight
6635 Of me as of a common Enemy,
6636 So dreaded once, may now exasperate them
6637 I know not. Lords are Lordliest in thir wine,
6638 And the well-feasted Priest then soonest fir'd
6639 With zeal, if aught Religion seem concern'd: 1420
6640 No less the people on thir Holy-days
6641 Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable;
6642 Happ'n what may, of me expect to hear
6643 Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy
6644 Our God, our Law, my Nation, or my self,
6645 The last of me or no I cannot warrant.
6646
6647 Chor: Go, and the Holy One
6648 Of Israel be thy guide
6649 To what may serve his glory best, & spread his name
6650 Great among the Heathen round: 1430
6651 Send thee the Angel of thy Birth, to stand
6652 Fast by thy side, who from thy Fathers field
6653 Rode up in flames after his message told
6654 Of thy conception, and be now a shield
6655 Of fire; that Spirit that first rusht on thee
6656 In the camp of Dan
6657 Be efficacious in thee now at need.
6658 For never was from Heaven imparted
6659 Measure of strength so great to mortal seed,
6660 As in thy wond'rous actions Hath been seen. 1440
6661 But wherefore comes old Manoa in such hast
6662 With youthful steps? much livelier than e're while
6663 He seems: supposing here to find his Son,
6664 Or of him bringing to us some glad news?
6665
6666 Man: Peace with you brethren; my inducement hither
6667 Was not at present here to find my Son,
6668 By order of the Lords new parted hence
6669 To come and play before them at thir Feast.
6670 I heard all as I came, the City rings
6671 And numbers thither flock, I had no will, 1450
6672 Lest I should see him forc't to things unseemly.
6673 But that which moved my coming now, was chiefly
6674 To give ye part with me what hope I have
6675 With good success to work his liberty.
6676
6677 Chor: That hope would much rejoyce us to partake
6678 With thee; say reverend Sire, we thirst to hear.
6679
6680 Man: I have attempted one by one the Lords
6681 Either at home, or through the high street passing,
6682 With supplication prone and Fathers tears
6683 To accept of ransom for my Son thir pris'ner, 1460
6684 Some much averse I found and wondrous harsh,
6685 Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite;
6686 That part most reverenc'd Dagon and his Priests,
6687 Others more moderate seeming, but thir aim
6688 Private reward, for which both God and State
6689 They easily would set to sale, a third
6690 More generous far and civil, who confess'd
6691 They had anough reveng'd, having reduc't
6692 Thir foe to misery beneath thir fears,
6693 The rest was magnanimity to remit, 1470
6694 If some convenient ransom were propos'd.
6695 What noise or shout was that? it tore the Skie.
6696
6697 Chor: Doubtless the people shouting to behold
6698 Thir once great dread, captive, & blind before them,
6699 Or at some proof of strength before them shown.
6700
6701 Man: His ransom, if my whole inheritance
6702 May compass it, shall willingly be paid
6703 And numberd down: much rather I shall chuse
6704 To live the poorest in my Tribe, then richest,
6705 And he in that calamitous prison left. 1480
6706 No, I am fixt not to part hence without him.
6707 For his redemption all my Patrimony,
6708 If need be, I am ready to forgo
6709 And quit: not wanting him, I shall want nothing.
6710
6711 Chor: Fathers are wont to lay up for thir Sons,
6712 Thou for thy Son art bent to lay out all;
6713 Sons wont to nurse thir Parents in old age,
6714 Thou in old age car'st how to nurse thy Son,
6715 Made older then thy age through eye-sight lost.
6716
6717 Man: It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 1490
6718 And view him sitting in the house, enobl'd
6719 With all those high exploits by him atchiev'd,
6720 And on his shoulders waving down those locks,
6721 That of a Nation arm'd the strength contain'd:
6722 And I perswade me God had not permitted
6723 His strength again to grow up with his hair
6724 Garrison'd round about him like a Camp
6725 Of faithful Souldiery, were not his purpose
6726 To use him further yet in some great service,
6727 Not to sit idle with so great a gift 1500
6728 Useless, and thence ridiculous about him.
6729 And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost,
6730 God will restore him eye-sight to his strength.
6731
6732 Chor: Thy hopes are not ill founded nor seem vain
6733 Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon
6734 Conceiv'd, agreeable to a Fathers love,
6735 In both which we, as next participate.
6736
6737 Man: I know your friendly minds and -- O what noise!
6738 Mercy of Heav'n what hideous noise was that!
6739 Horribly loud unlike the former shout. 1510
6740
6741 Chor: Noise call you it or universal groan
6742 As if the whole inhabitation perish'd,
6743 Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise,
6744 Ruin, destruction at the utmost point.
6745
6746 Man: Of ruin indeed methought I heard the noise,
6747 Oh it continues, they have slain my Son.
6748
6749 Chor: Thy Son is rather slaying them, that outcry
6750 >From slaughter of one foe could not ascend.
6751
6752 Man: Some dismal accident it needs must be;
6753 What shall we do, stay here or run and see? 1520
6754
6755 Chor: Best keep together here, lest running thither
6756 We unawares run into dangers mouth.
6757 This evil on the Philistines is fall'n
6758 >From whom could else a general cry be heard?
6759 The sufferers then will scarce molest us here,
6760 >From other hands we need not much to fear.
6761 What if his eye-sight (for to Israels God
6762 Nothing is hard) by miracle restor'd,
6763 He now be dealing dole among his foes,
6764 And over heaps of slaughter'd walk his way? 1530
6765
6766 Man: That were a joy presumptuous to be thought.
6767
6768 Chor: Yet God hath wrought things as incredible
6769 For his people of old; what hinders now?
6770
6771 Man: He can I know, but doubt to think be will;
6772 Yet Hope would fain subscribe, and tempts Belief.
6773 A little stay will bring some notice hither.
6774
6775 Chor: Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner;
6776 For evil news rides post, while good news baits.
6777 And to our wish I see one hither speeding,
6778 An Ebrew, as I guess, and of our Tribe. 1540
6779
6780 Mess: O whither shall I run, or which way flie
6781 The sight of this so horrid spectacle
6782 Which earst my eyes beheld and yet behold;
6783 For dire imagination still persues me.
6784 But providence or instinct of nature seems,
6785 Or reason though disturb'd, and scarse consulted
6786 To have guided me aright, I know not how,
6787 To thee first reverend Manoa, and to these
6788 My Countreymen, whom here I knew remaining,
6789 As at some distance from the place of horrour, 1550
6790 So in the sad event too much concern'd.
6791
6792 Man: The accident was loud, & here before thee
6793 With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not,
6794 No Preface needs, thou seest we long to know.
6795
6796 Mess: It would burst forth, but I recover breath
6797 And sense distract, to know well what I utter.
6798
6799 Man: Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.
6800
6801 Mess: Gaza yet stands, but all her Sons are fall'n,
6802 All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n.
6803
6804 Man: Sad, but thou knowst to Israelites not saddest 1560
6805 The desolation of a Hostile City.
6806
6807 Mess: Feed on that first, there may in grief be surfet.
6808
6809 Man: Relate by whom.
6810 Mess: By Samson.
6811
6812 Man: That still lessens
6813 The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy.
6814
6815 Mess: Ah Manoa I refrain, too suddenly
6816 To utter what will come at last too soon;
6817 Lest evil tidings with too rude irruption
6818 Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep.
6819
6820 Man: Suspense in news is torture, speak them out.
6821
6822 Mess: Then take the worst in brief, Samson is dead. 1570
6823
6824 Man: The worst indeed, O all my hope's defeated
6825 To free him hence! but death who sets all free
6826 Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge.
6827 What windy joy this day had I conceiv'd
6828 Hopeful of his Delivery, which now proves
6829 Abortive as the first-born bloom of spring
6830 Nipt with the lagging rear of winters frost.
6831 Yet e're I give the rains to grief, say first,
6832 How dy'd he? death to life is crown or shame.
6833 All by him fell thou say'st, by whom fell he, 1580
6834 What glorious band gave Samson his deaths wound?
6835
6836 Mess: Unwounded of his enemies he fell.
6837
6838 Man: Wearied with slaughter then or how? explain.
6839
6840 Mess: By his own hands.
6841 Man: Self-violence? what cause
6842 Brought him so soon at variance with himself
6843 Among his foes?
6844 Mess: Inevitable cause
6845 At once both to destroy and be destroy'd;
6846 The Edifice where all were met to see him
6847 Upon thir heads and on his own he pull'd.
6848
6849 Man: O lastly over-strong against thy self! 1590
6850 A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge.
6851 More than anough we know; but while things yet
6852 Are in confusion, give us if thou canst,
6853 Eye-witness of what first or last was done,
6854 Relation more particular and distinct.
6855
6856 Mess: Occasions drew me early to this City,
6857 And as the gates I enter'd with Sun-rise,
6858 The morning Trumpets Festival proclaim'd
6859 Through each high street: little I had dispatch't
6860 When all abroad was rumour'd that this day 1600
6861 Samson should be brought forth to shew the people
6862 Proof of his mighty strength in feats and games;
6863 I sorrow'd at his captive state, but minded
6864 Not to be absent at that spectacle.
6865 The building was a spacious Theatre
6866 Half round on two main Pillars vaulted high,
6867 With seats where all the Lords and each degree
6868 Of sort, might sit in order to behold,
6869 The other side was op'n, where the throng
6870 On banks and scaffolds under Skie might stand; 1610
6871 I among these aloof obscurely stood.
6872 The Feast and noon grew high, and Sacrifice
6873 Had fill'd thir hearts with mirth, high chear, & wine,
6874 When to thir sports they turn'd. Immediately
6875 Was Samson as a public servant brought,
6876 In thir state Livery clad; before him Pipes
6877 And Timbrels, on each side went armed guards,
6878 Both horse and foot before him and behind
6879 Archers, and Slingers, Cataphracts and Spears.
6880 At sight of him the people with a shout 1620
6881 Rifted the Air clamouring thir god with praise,
6882 Who had made thir dreadful enemy thir thrall.
6883 He patient but undaunted where they led him.
6884 Came to the place, and what was set before him
6885 Which without help of eye, might be assay'd,
6886 To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'd
6887 All with incredible, stupendious force,
6888 None daring to appear Antagonist.
6889 At length for intermission sake they led him
6890 Between the pillars; he his guide requested 1630
6891 (For so from such as nearer stood we heard)
6892 As over-tir'd to let him lean a while
6893 With both his arms on those two massie Pillars
6894 That to the arched roof gave main support.
6895 He unsuspitious led him; which when Samson
6896 Felt in his arms, with head a while enclin'd,
6897 And eyes fast fixt he stood, as one who pray'd,
6898 Or some great matter in his mind revolv'd.
6899 At last with head erect thus cryed aloud,
6900 Hitherto, Lords, what your commands impos'd 1640
6901 I have perform'd, as reason was, obeying,
6902 Not without wonder or delight beheld.
6903 Now of my own accord such other tryal
6904 I mean to shew you of my strength, yet greater;
6905 As with amaze shall strike all who behold.
6906 This utter'd, straining all his nerves he bow'd,
6907 As with the force of winds and waters pent,
6908 When Mountains tremble, those two massie Pillars
6909 With horrible convulsion to and fro,
6910 He tugg'd, he shook, till down they came and drew 1650
6911 The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder
6912 Upon the heads of all who sate beneath,
6913 Lords, Ladies, Captains, Councellors, or Priests,
6914 Thir choice nobility and flower, not only
6915 Of this but each Philistian City round
6916 Met from all parts to solemnize this Feast.
6917 Samson with these immixt, inevitably
6918 Pulld down the same destruction on himself;
6919 The vulgar only scap'd who stood without.
6920
6921 Chor: O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious! 1660
6922 Living or dying thou hast fulfill'd
6923 The work for which thou wast foretold
6924 To Israel and now ly'st victorious
6925 Among thy slain self-kill'd
6926 Not willingly, but tangl'd in the fold
6927 Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoin'd
6928 Thee with thy slaughter'd foes in number more
6929 Then all thy life had slain before.
6930
6931 Semichor: While thir hearts were jocund and sublime
6932 Drunk with Idolatry, drunk with Wine, 1670
6933 And fat regorg'd of Bulls and Goats,
6934 Chaunting thir Idol, and preferring
6935 Before our living Dread who dwells
6936 In Silo his bright Sanctuary:
6937 Among them he a spirit of phrenzie sent,
6938 Who hurt thir minds,
6939 And urg'd them on with mad desire
6940 To call in hast for thir destroyer;
6941 They only set on sport and play
6942 Unweetingly importun'd 1680
6943 Thir own destruction to come speedy upon them.
6944 So fond are mortal men
6945 Fall'n into wrath divine,
6946 As thir own ruin on themselves to invite,
6947 Insensate left, or to sense reprobate,
6948 And with blindness internal struck.
6949
6950 Semichor: But he though blind of sight,
6951 Despis'd and thought extinguish't quite,
6952 With inward eyes illuminated
6953 His fierie vertue rouz'd 1690
6954 >From under ashes into sudden flame,
6955 And as an ev'ning Dragon came,
6956 Assailant on the perched roosts,
6957 And nests in order rang'd
6958 Of tame villatic Fowl; but as an Eagle
6959 His cloudless thunder bolted on thir heads.
6960 So vertue giv'n for lost,
6961 Deprest, and overthrown, as seem'd,
6962 Like that self-begott'n bird
6963 In the Arabian woods embost, 1700
6964 That no second knows nor third,
6965 And lay e're while a Holocaust,
6966 >From out her ashie womb now teem'd
6967 Revives, reflourishes, then vigorous most
6968 When most unactive deem'd,
6969 And though her body die, her fame survives,
6970 A secular bird ages of lives.
6971
6972 Man: Come, come, no time for lamentation now,
6973 Nor much more cause, Samson hath quit himself
6974 Like Samson, and heroicly hath finish'd 1710
6975 A life Heroic, on his Enemies
6976 Fully reveng'd, hath left them years of mourning,
6977 And lamentation to the Sons of Caphtor
6978 Through all Philistian bounds. To Israel
6979 Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them
6980 Find courage to lay hold on this occasion,
6981 To himself and Fathers house eternal fame;
6982 And which is best and happiest yet, all this
6983 With God not parted from him, as was feard,
6984 But favouring and assisting to the end. 1720
6985 Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail
6986 Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt,
6987 Dispraise, or blame, nothing but well and fair,
6988 And what may quiet us in a death so noble.
6989 Let us go find the body where it lies
6990 Sok't in his enemies blood, and from the stream
6991 With lavers pure and cleansing herbs wash off
6992 The clotted gore. I with what speed the while
6993 (Gaza is not in plight to say us nay)
6994 Will send for all my kindred, all my friends 1730
6995 To fetch him hence and solemnly attend
6996 With silent obsequie and funeral train
6997 Home to his Fathers house: there will I build him
6998 A Monument, and plant it round with shade
6999 Of Laurel ever green, and branching Palm,
7000 With all his Trophies hung, and Acts enroll'd
7001 In copious Legend, or sweet Lyric Song.
7002 Thither shall all the valiant youth resort,
7003 And from his memory inflame thir breasts
7004 To matchless valour, and adventures high: 1740
7005 The Virgins also shall on feastful days
7006 Visit his Tomb with flowers, only bewailing
7007 His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice,
7008 >From whence captivity and loss of eyes.
7009
7010 Chor: All is best, though we oft doubt,
7011 What th' unsearchable dispose
7012 Of highest wisdom brings about,
7013 And ever best found in the close.
7014 Oft he seems to hide his face,
7015 But unexpectedly returns 1750
7016 And to his faithful Champion hath in place
7017 Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns
7018 And all that band them to resist
7019 His uncontroulable intent,
7020 His servants he with new acquist
7021 Of true experience from this great event
7022 With peace and consolation hath dismist,
7023 And calm of mind all passion spent.
7024
7025 The End.
7026
7027
7028
7029
7030 APPENDIX.
7031
7032 Specimen of Milton's spelling, from the Cambridge autograph
7033 manuscript.
7034
7035
7036 ON TIME
7037
7038 set on a clock case
7039
7040 Fly envious Time till thou run out thy race
7041 call on the lazie leaden-stepping howres
7042 whose speed is but the heavie plummets pace
7043 & glut thy selfe wth what thy womb devoures
7044 Wch is no more then what is false & vaine
7045 & meerly mortall drosse
7046 so little is our losse
7047 so little is thy gaine
7048 for when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd
7049 & last of all thy greedie selfe consum'd 10
7050 then long Aeternity shall greet our blisse
7051 wth an individuall kisse
7052 and Joy shall overtake us as a flood
7053 when every thing yt is sincerely good
7054 & pfectly divine
7055 with Truth, & Peace, & Love shall ever shine
7056 about the supreme throne
7057 of him t' whose happy-making sight alone
7058 when once our heav'nly-guided soule shall clime
7059 then all this earthie grossnesse quit 20
7060 attir'd wth starres wee shall for ever sit
7061 Triumphing over Death, & Chance, & thee O Time.
7062
XHTML | CSS | Project Home Page | Contact Us
An Open Knowledge Foundation Project
(c) Open Knowledge Foundation
| All material available under an open license
| 