ROSA
THE COMPLAINT OF ROSAMOND, BY SAMUEL DANIEL, KEYPUNCHED FROM THE  1594
EDITION, THE COPY IN THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, BY LOUIS ULE, MAY 9, 1979.
)

             THE COMPLAINT OF ROSAMOND.


OUT FROM THE HORROR OF INFERNAL DEEPS,
MY POOR AFFLICTED GHOST COMES HERE TO 'PLAIN IT,
ATTENDED WITH MY SHAME THAT NEVER SLEEPS,
THE SPOT WHEREWITH MY KIND AND YOUTH DID STAIN IT.
MY BODY FOUND A GRAVE WHERE TO CONTAIN IT.
   A SHEET COULD HIDE MY FACE, BUT NOT MY SIN,
   FOR FAME FINDS NEVER TOMB T' ENCLOSE IT IN.

AND WHICH IS WORSE, MY SOUL IS NOW DENIED,
HER TRANSPORT TO THE SWEET ELYSIAN REST,
THE JOYFUL BLISS FOR GHOSTS REPURIFIED,
TH' EVER-SPRINGING GARDENS OF THE BLEST.
CHARON DENIES ME WAFTAGE WITH THE REST.
   AND SAYS, MY SOUL CAN NEVER PASS THE RIVER,
   TILL LOVERS' SIGHS ON EARTH SHALL IT DELIVER.

SO SHALL I NEVER PASS, FOR HOW SHOULD I
PROCURE THIS SACRIFICE AMONGST THE LIVING?
TIME HATH LONG SINCE WORN OUT THE MEMORY,
BOTH OF MY LIFE, AND LIVES UNJUST DEPRIVING,
SORROW FOR ME IS DEAD FOR AYE REVIVING.
   ROSAMOND HATH LITTLE LEFT HER BUT HER NAME,
   AND THAT DISGRACED, FOR TIME HATH WRONGED THE SAME.

NO MUSE SUGGESTS THE PITY OF MY CASE,
EACH PEN DOTH OVERPASS MY JUST COMPLAINT,
WHILST OTHERS ARE PREFERRED, THOUGH FAR MORE BASE,
SHORE'S WIFE IS GRACED, AND PASSES FOR A SAINT;
HER LEGEND JUSTIFIES HER FOUL ATTAINT.
   HER WELL-TOLD TALE DID SUCH COMPASSION FIND,
   THAT SHE IS PASSED, AND I AM LEFT BEHIND.

WHICH SEEN WITH GRIEF, MY MISERABLE GHOST,
(WHILOM INVESTED IN SO FAIR A VEIL,
WHICH WHILST IT LIVED, WAS HONORED OF THE MOST,
AND BEING DEAD, GIVES MATTER TO BEWAIL.)
COMES TO SOLICIT THEE, (SINCE OTHERS FAIL,)
   TO TAKE THIS TASK, AND IN THY WOEFUL SONG
   TO FORM MY CASE, AND REGISTER MY WRONG.

ALTHOUGH I KNOW THY JUST LAMENTING MUSE,
TOILED IN TH' AFFLICTION OF THINE OWN DISTRESS,
AND THEREFORE MAYST ESTEEM OF MINE THE LESS:
YET AS THY HOPES ATTEND HAPPY REDRESS,
   THY JOYS DEPENDING ON A WOMAN'S GRACE,
   SO MOVE THY MIND A WOEFUL WOMAN'S CASE.

DELIA MAY HAP TO DEIGN TO READ OUR STORY,
AND OFFER UP HER SIGH AMONG THE REST,
WHOSE MERIT WOULD SUFFICE FOR BOTH OUR GLORY,
WHEREBY THOU MIGHT'ST BE GRACED, AND I BE BLEST;
THAT INDULGENCE WOULD PROFIT ME THE BEST.
   SUCH POWER SHE HATH BY WHOM THY YOUTH IS LED,
   TO JOY THE LIVING, AND TO BLESS THE DEAD.

SO I (THROUGH BEAUTY) MADE THE WOEFULL'ST WIGHT,
BY BEAUTY MIGHT HAVE COMFORT AFTER DEATH:
THAT DYING FAIREST, BY THE FAIREST MIGHT
FIND LIFE ABOVE ON EARTH, AND REST BENEATH.
SHE THAT CAN BLESS US WITH ONE HAPPY BREATH,
   GIVE COMFORT TO THY MUSE TO DO HER BEST,
   THAT THEREBY THOU MAYST JOY, AND I MIGHT REST.

THUS SAID: FORTHWITH MOVED WITH A TENDER CARE,
AND PITY, (WHICH MYSELF COULD NEVER FIND,)
WHAT SHE DESIRED, MY MUSE DEIGNED TO DECLARE,
AND THEREFORE, WILLED HER BOLDLY TELL HER MIND.
AND I (MORE WILLING,) TOOK THIS CHARGE ASSIGNED,
   BECAUSE HER GRIEFS WERE WORTHY TO BE KNOWN,
   AND TELLING HERS, MIGHT HAP FORGET MINE OWN.

THEN WRITE (QUOTH SHE) THE RUIN OF MY YOUTH,
REPORT THE DOWNFALL OF MY SLIPPERY STATE,
OF ALL MY LIFE REVEAL THE SIMPLE TRUTH,
TO TEACH TO OTHERS WHAT I LEARNT TOO LATE.
EXEMPLIFY MY FRAILTY, TELL HOW FATE
   KEEPS IN ETERNAL DARK OUR FORTUNES HIDDEN,
   AND ERE THEY COME, TO KNOW THEM TIS FORBIDDEN.

FOR WHILST THE SUNSHINE OF MY FORTUNE LASTED,
I JOYED THE HAPPIEST WARMTH, THE SWEETEST HEAT
THAT EVER YET IMPERIOUS BEAUTY TASTED,
I HAD WHAT GLORY EVER FLESH COULD GET:
BUT THIS FAIR MORNING HAD A SHAMEFUL SET.
   DISGRACE DARKED HONOR, SIN DID CLOUD MY BROW,
   AS NOTE THE SEQUEL, AND I'LL TELL THEE HOW.

THE BLOOD I STAINED, WAS GOOD AND OF THE BEST,
MY BIRTH HAD HONOR, AND MY BEAUTY FAME:
HAD I HAD GRACE T' HAVE KNOWN TO USE THE SAME.
MY EDUCATION SHOWED FROM WHENCE I CAME,
   AND ALL CONCURRED TO MAKE ME HAPPY FIRST,
   THAT SO GREAT HAP MIGHT MAKE ME MORE ACCURSED.

HAPPY LIVED I, WHILST PARENTS' EYE DID GUIDE,
THE INDISCRETION OF MY FEEBLE WAYS,
AND COUNTRY HOME KEPT ME FROM BEING EYED,
WHERE BEST UNKNOWN I SPENT MY SWEETEST DAYS;
TILL THAT MY FRIENDS MINE HONOR SOUGHT TO RAISE,
   TO HIGHER PLACE, WHICH GREATER CREDIT YIELDS,
   DEEMING SUCH BEAUTY WAS UNFIT FOR FIELDS.

FROM COUNTRY THEN TO COURT I WAS PREFERRED,
FROM CALM TO STORMS, FROM SHORE INTO THE DEEPS:
THERE WHERE I PERISHED, WHERE MY YOUTH FIRST ERRED,
THERE WHERE I LOST THE FLOWER WHICH HONOR KEEPS,
THERE WHERE THE WORSER THRIVES, THE BETTER WEEPS;
   AH ME (POOR WENCH,) ON THIS UNHAPPY SHELF,
   I GROUNDED ME, AND CAST AWAY MYSELF.

FOR THITHER COMED, WHEN YEARS HAD ARMED MY YOUTH,
WITH RAREST PROOF OF BEAUTY EVER SEEN;
WHEN MY REVIVING EYE HAD LEARNT THE TRUTH,
THAT IT HAD POWER TO MAKE THE WINTER GREEN,
AND SHOW'R AFFECTIONS WHEREAS NONE HAD BEEN;
   SOON COULD I TEACH MY BROW TO TYRRANIZE,
   AND MAKE THE WORLD DO HOMAGE TO MINE EYES.

FOR AGE I SAW, (THOUGH YEARS WITH COLD CONCEIT,
CONGEALED THEIR THOUGHTS AGAINST A WARM DESIRE,)
YET SIGH THEIR WANT, AND LOOK AT SUCH A BAIT.
I SAW HOW YOUTH WAS WAX BEFORE THE FIRE.
I SAW BY STEALTH, I FRAMED MY LOOK A LYRE.
   YET WELL PERCEIVED, HOW FORTUNE MADE ME THEN
   THE ENVY OF MY SEX, AND WONDER UNTO MEN.

LOOK HOW A COMET AT THE FIRST APPEARING,
DRAWS ALL MEN'S EYES WITH WONDER TO BEHOLD IT,
OR AS THE SADDEST TALE AT SUDDEN HEARING,
MAKES SILENT LIST'NING UNTO HIM THAT TOLD IT,
SO DID MY SPEECH WHEN RUBIES DID UNFOLD IT.
   SO DID THE BLAZING OF MY BLUSH APPEAR,
   T' AMAZE THE WORLD, THAT HOLDS SUCH SIGHTS SO DEAR.

AH BEAUTY SIRED, FAIR ENCHANTING GOOD,
DUMB ELOQUENCE, WHOSE POWER DOTH MOVE THE BLOOD,
MORE THAN THE WORDS, OR WISDOM OF THE WISE;
STILL HARMONY, WHOSE DIAPASON LIES
   WITHIN A BROW, THE KEY WHICH PASSIONS MOVE,
   TO RAVISH SENSE, AND PLAY A WORLD IN LOVE.

WHAT MIGHT I THEN NOT DO WHOSE POWER WAS SUCH?
WHAT CANNOT WOMEN DO THAT KNOW THEIR POWER?
WHAT WOMAN KNOWS IT NOT (I FEAR TOO MUCH)
HOW BLISS OR BALE LIES IN THEIR LAUGH OR LOWER?
WHILST THEY ENJOY THEIR HAPPY BLOOMING FLOWER.
   WHILST NATURE DECKS HER WITH HER PROPER FAIR
   WHICH CHEERS THE WORLD, JOYS EACH SIGHT, SWEETENS TH' AIR.

SUCH ONE WAS I, MY BEAUTY WAS MINE OWN,
NO BORROWED BLUSH WHICH BANKRUPT BEAUTIES SEEK;
THAT NEW FOUND SHAME, A SIN TO US UNKNOWN,
TH' ADULTERATE BEAUTY OF A FALSED CHEEK:
VILD STAIN TO HONOR, AND TO WOMEN EKE,
   SEEING THAT TIME OUR FADING MUST DETECT,
   THUS WITH DEFECT TO COVER OUR DEFECT.

IMPIETY OF TIMES, CHASTITY'S ABATER,
FALSEHOOD, WHEREIN THYSELF THYSELF DENIEST:
TREASON, TO COUNTERFEIT THE SEAL OF NATURE,
THE STAMP OF HEAVEN, IMPRESSED BY THE HIGHEST.
DISGRACE UNTO THE WORLD, TO WHOM THOU LIEST.
   IDOL UNTO THYSELF, SHAME TO THE WISE,
   AND ALL THAT HONOR THEE IDOLATRIZE.
FAR WAS THAT SIN FROM US WHOSE AGE WAS PURE,
WHEN SIMPLE BEAUTY WAS ACCOUNTED BEST,
THE TIME WHEN WOMEN HAD NO OTHER LURE
BUT MODESTY, PURE CHEEKS, A VIRTUOUS BREAST.
THIS WAS THE POMP WHEREWITH MY YOUTH WAS BLEST.
   THESE WERE THE WEAPONS WHICH MINE HONOR WON
   IN ALL THE CONFLICTS WHICH MINE EYES BEGUN.

WHICH WERE NOT SMALL, I WROUGHT ON NO MEAN OBJECT,
A CROWN WAS AT MY FEET, SCEPTERS OBEYED ME,
WHOM FORTUNE MADE MY KING, LOVE MADE MY SUBJECT,
WHO DID COMMAND AND LAND, MOST HUMBLY PRAYED ME,
HENRY THE SECOND, THAT SO HIGHLY WEIGHED ME,
   FOUND WELL (BY PROOF) THE PRIVILEGE OF BEAUTY,
   THAT IT HAD POWER TO COUNTERMAND ALL DUTY.

FOR AFTER ALL HIS VICTORIES IN FRANCE,
UNMATCHED BY SWORD, WAS VANQUISHED BY A GLANCE,
AND HOTTER WARS WITHIN HIS BOSOM BREEDS,
WARS, WHOM WHOLE LEGIONS OF DESIRES FEEDS.
   AGAINST ALL WHICH, MY CHASTITY OPPOSES
   THE FIELD OF HONOR, VIRTUE NEVER LOSES.

NO ARMOR MIGHT BE FOUND THAT COULD DEFEND,
TRANSPIERCING RAYS OF CRYSTAL POINTED EYES:
NO STRATAGEM, NO REASON COULD AMEND,
NO NOT HIS AGE; (YET OLD MEN SHOULD BE WISE.)
BUT SHOWS DECEIVE, OUTWARD APPEARANCE LIES.
   LET NONE FOR SEEMING SO, THINK SAINTS OF OTHERS,
   FOR ALL ARE MEN, AND ALL HAVE SUCKED THEIR MOTHERS.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A MONARCH WOULD HAVE EVER
OBEYED HIS HANDMAID OF SO MEAN ESTATE;
VULTURE AMBITION FEEDING ON HIS LIVER,
AGE HAVING WORN HIS PLEASURES OUT OF DATE,
BUT HAP COMES NEVER, OR IT COMES TOO LATE.
   FOR SUCH A DAINTY WHICH HIS YOUTH FOUND NOT,
   UNTO HIS FEEBLE AGE DID CHANCE A LOT.

AH, FORTUNE, NEVER ABSOLUTELY GOOD,
FOR THAT SOME CROSS STILL COUNTERCHECKS OUR LUCK;
AS HERE BEHOLD TH' INCOMPATIBLE BLOOD,
OF AGE AND YOUTH WAS THAT WHEREON WE STUCK:
WHOSE LOATHING, WE FROM NATURE'S BREASTS DO SUCK,
   AS OPPOSITE TO WHAT OUR BLOOD REQUIRES.
   FOR EQUAL AGE, DOTH EQUAL LIKE DESIRES.

BUT MIGHTY MEN, IN HIGHEST HONOR SITTING,
NAUGHT BUT APPLAUSE AND PLEASURE CAN BEHOLD:
SOOTHED IN THEIR LIKING, CARELESS WHAT IS FITTING,
MAY NOT BE SUFFERED ONCE TO THINK THEY'RE OLD:
NOT TRUSTING WHAT THEY SEE, BUT WHAT IS TOLD.
   MISERABLE FORTUNE TO FORGET SO FAR,
   THE STATE OF FLESH, AND WHAT OUR FRAILTIES ARE.

YET MUST I NEEDS EXCUSE SO GREAT DEFECT,
FOR DRINKING OF THE LETHE OF MINE EYES,
HE'S FORCED FORGET HIMSELF, AND ALL RESPECT
OF MAJESTY, WHEREON HIS STATE RELIES:
AND NOW OF LOVES, AND PLEASURES MUST DEVISE.
   FOR THUS REVIVED AGAIN, HE SERVES AND SU'TH,
   AND SEEKS ALL MEANS TO UNDERMINE MY YOUTH.

WHICH NEVER BY ASSAULT HE COULD RECOVER,
MY CLEAN-ARMED THOUGHTS REPELLED AN UNCHASTE LOVER.
THE CROWN THAT COULD COMMAND WHAT IT REQUIRES,
I LESSER PRIZED THAN CHASTITY'S ATTIRES.
   TH' UNSTAINED VEIL, WHICH INNOCENTS ADORNS,
   TH' UNGATHERED ROSE, DEFENDED WITH THE THORNS.

AND SAFE MINE HONOR STOOD, TILL THAT IN TRUTH,
ONE OF MY SEX, OF PLACE, AND NATURE BAD,
WAS SET IN AMBUSH TO ENTRAP MY YOUTH.
ONE IN THE HABIT OF LIKE FRAILTY CLAD.
ONE WHO THE LIVERY OF LIKE WEAKNESS HAD.
   A SEEMING MATRON, YET A SINFUL MONSTER,
   AS BY HER WORDS THE CHASTER SORT MAY CONSTER.

SHE SET UPON ME WITH THE SMOOTHEST SPEECH
THAT COURT AND AGE COULD CUNNINGLY DEVISE:
TH' ONE AUTHENTIC, MADE HER FIT TO TEACH,
THE OTHER LEARNT HER HOW TO SUBTLEIZE.
BOTH WERE ENOUGH TO CIRCUMVENT THE WISE.
   A DOCUMENT THAT WELL MAY TEACH THE SAGE,
   THAT THERE'S NO TRUST IN YOUTH, NOR HOPE IN AGE.

DAUGHTER (SAID SHE,) BEHOLD THY HAPPY CHANCE,
THAT HAST THE LOT CAST DOWN INTO THY LAP,
WHEREBY THOU MAYST THY HONOR GREAT ADVANCE,
WHILST THOU (UNHAPPY) WILT NOT SEE THY HAP:
SUCH FOND RESPECT THY YOUTH DOTH SO ENWRAP,
   T' OPPOSE THYSELF AGAINST THINE OWN GOOD FORTUNE,
   THAT POINTS THEE OUT, AND SEEMS THEE TO IMPORTUNE.

DOST THOU NOT SEE, HOW THAT THY KING (THY JOVE),
LIGHTENS FORTH GLORY ON THY DARK ESTATE:
AND SHOW'RS DOWN GOLD AND TREASURE FROM ABOVE,
WHILST THOU DOST SHUT THY LAP AGAINST THY FATE?
FIE, FONDLING, FIE, THOU WILT REPENT TOO LATE
   THE ERROR OF THY YOUTH, THAT CANST NOT SEE
   WHAT IS THE FORTUNE THAT DOTH FOLLOW THEE.

THOU MUST NOT THINK THY FLOWER CAN ALWAYS FLOURISH,
AND THAT THY BEAUTY WILL BE STILL ADMIRED:
BUT THAT THOSE RAYS WHICH ALL THESE FLAMES DO NOURISH,
CANCELLED WITH TIME, WILL HAVE THEIR DATE EXPIRED,
AND MEN WILL SCORN WHAT NOW IS SO DESIRED.
   OUR FRAILTY'S DOOM IS WRITTEN IN THE FLOWERS,
   WHICH FLOURISH NOW, AND FADE ERE MANY HOURS.
THE WRACK OF YEARS UPON MY AGED BROW,
I HAVE BEEN FAIR, (I MUST CONFESS THE TRUTH,)
AND STOOD UPON AS NICE RESPECTS AS THOU,
I LOST MY TIME, AND I REPENT IT NOW.
   BUT WERE I TO BEGIN MY YOUTH AGAIN,
   I WOULD REDEEM THE TIME I SPENT IN VAIN.

BUT THOU HAST YEARS, AND PRIVILEGE TO USE THEM,
THY PRIVILEGE DOTH BEAR BEAUTY'S GREAT SEAL;
BESIDES, THE LAW OF NATURE DOTH EXCUSE THEM,
TO WHOM THY YOUTH MAY HAVE A JUST APPEAL.
ESTEEM NOT FAME MORE THAN THOU DOST THY WEAL.
   FAME, (WHEREOF THE WORLD SEEMS TO MAKE SUCH CHOICE,)
   IS BUT AN ECHO, AND AN IDLE VOICE.

THEN WHY SHOULD THIS RESPECT OF HONOR BOUND US,
IN TH' IMAGINARY LISTS OF REPUTATION?
TITLES WHICH COLD SEVERITY HATH FOUND US,
BREATH OF THE VULGAR, FOE TO RECREATION:
MELANCHOLY'S OPINION, CUSTOM'S RELATION;
   PLEASURE'S PLAGUE, BEAUTY'S SCOURGE, HELL TO THE FAIR,
   TO LEAVE THE SWEET, FOR CASTLES IN THE AIR.

PLEASURE IS FELT, OPINION BUT CONCEIVED,
HONOR, A THING WITHOUT US, NOT OUR OWN:
WHEREOF WE SEE HOW MANY ARE BEREAVED,
WHICH SHOULD HAVE REAPED THE GLORY THEY HAD SOWN.
AND MANY HAVE IT, YET UNWORTHY, KNOWN.
   SO BREATHES HIS BLAST THIS MANY-HEADED BEAST,
   WHEREOF THE WISEST HAVE ESTEEMED LEAST.

THE SUBTLE CITY WOMEN, BETTER LEARNED,
ESTEEM THEM CHASTE ENOUGH THAT BEST SEEM SO:
WHO THOUGH THEY SPORT, IT SHALL NOT BE DISCERNED,
THEIR FACE BEWRAYS NOT WHAT THEIR BODYS DO;
TIS WARY WALKING THAT DOTH SAFELIEST GO.
   WITH SHOW OF VIRTUE, AS THE CUNNING KNOWS,
   BABES ARE BEGUILED WITH SWEETS, AND MEN WITH SHOWS.

THEN USE THY TALENT, YOUTH SHALL BE THY WARRANT,
AND LET NOT HONOR FROM THY SPORTS DETRACT:
THOU MUST NOT FONDLY THINK THYSELF TRANSPARENT,
THAT THOSE WHO SEE THY FACE CAN JUDGE THY FACT,
LET HER HAVE SHAME THAT CANNOT CLOSELY ACT.
   AND SEEM THE CHASTE, WHICH IS THE CHIEFEST ART,
   FOR WHAT WE SEEM EACH SEE, NONE KNOWS OUR HEART.
INSTEAD OF SHAME DO HONORS GREAT BESTOW:
A WORTHY AUTHOR DOTH REDEEM TH' OFFENSE,
AND MAKES THE SCARLET SIN AS WHITE AS SNOW.
THE MAJESTY THAT DOTH DESCEND SO LOW,
   IS NOT DEFILED, BUT PURE REMAINS THEREIN,
   AND BEING SACRED, SANCTIFIES THE SIN.

WHAT, DOST THOU STAND ON THIS, THAT HE IS OLD?
THY BEAUTY HATH THE MORE TO WORK UPON.
THY PLEASURE'S WANT SHALL BE SUPPLIED WITH GOLD,
COLD AGE DOTES MOST WHEN HEAT OF YOUTH IS GONE:
ENTICING WORDS PREVAIL WITH SUCH A ONE.
   ALLURING SHOWS MOST DEEP IMPRESSION STRIKES,
   FOR AGE IS PRONE TO CREDIT WHAT IT LIKES.

HERE INTERRUPT, SHE LEAVES ME IN A DOUBT,
WHEN LO BEGAN THE COMBAT IN MY BLOOD,
SEEING MY YOUTH ENVIRONED ROUND ABOUT,
THE GROUND UNCERTAIN WHERE MY REASONS STOOD;
SMALL MY DEFENSE TO MAKE MY PARTY GOOD,
   AGAINST SUCH POWERS WHICH WERE SO SURELY LAID,
   TO OVERTHROW A POOR UNSKILLFUL MAID.

TREASON WAS IN MY BONES, MYSELF CONSPIRING,
TO SELL MYSELF TO LUST, MY SOUL TO SIN:
PURE BLUSHING SHAME WAS EVEN IN RETIRING,
LEAVING THE SACRED HOLD IT GLORIED IN.
HONOR LAY PROSTRATE FOR MY FLESH TO WIN,
   WHEN CLEANER THOUGHTS MY WEAKNESS 'GAN UPBRAY,
   AGAINST MYSELF, AND SHAME DID FORCE ME SAY:

"AH, ROSAMOND, WHAT DOTH THY FLESH PREPARE?
DESTRUCTION TO THY DAYS, DEATH TO THY FAME;
WILT THOU BETRAY THAT HONOR HELD WITH CARE,
T' ENTOMB WITH BLACK REPROACH A SPOTTED NAME,
LEAVING THY BLUSH, THE COLORS OF THY SHAME.
   OPENING THY FEET TO SIN, THY SOUL TO LUST,
   GRACELESS TO LAY THY GLORY IN THE DUST.

NAY, FIRST LET TH' EARTH GAPE WIDE TO SWALLOW THEE,
AND SHUT THEE UP IN BOSOM WITH HER DEAD,
ERE SERPENT TEMPT THEE TASTE FORBIDDEN TREE,
OR FEEL THE WARMTH OF AN UNLAWFUL BED;
SUFF'RING THYSELF BY LUST TO BE MISLED;
  SO TO DISGRACE THYSELF AND GRIEVE THINE HEIRS,
   THAT CLIFFORD'S RACE SHOULD SCORN THEE ONE OF THEIRS.

NEVER WISH LONGER TO ENJOY THE AIR,
LONGER THAN THOU PRESERV'ST THY SOUL AS FAIR
AS IS THY FACE, FREE FROM IMPURITY.
THY FACE, THAT MAKES TH' ADMIRED IN EVERY EYE,
   WHERE NATURE'S CARE SUCH RARITIES ENROLL,
   WHICH USED AMISS, MAY SERVE TO DAMN THY SOUL.

BUT WHAT? HE IS MY KING, AND MAY CONSTRAIN ME,
WHETHER I YIELD OR NOT, I LIVE DEFAMED.
THE WORLD WILL THINK AUTHORITY DID GAIN ME,
I SHALL BE JUDGED HIS LOVE, AND SO BE SHAMED.
WE SEE THE FAIR CONDEMNED, THAT NEVER GAMED.
  AND IF I YIELD, TIS HONORABLE SHAME,
   IF NOT, I LIVE DISGRACED, YET THOUGHT THE SAME.

WHAT WAY IS LEFT THEE THEN (UNHAPPY MAID,)
WHEREBY THY SPOTLESS FOOT, MAY WANDER OUT
THIS DREADFUL DANGER, WHICH THOU SEEST IS LAID,
WHEREIN THY SHAME DOTH COMPASS THEE ABOUT?
THY SIMPLE YEARS CANNOT RESOLVE THIS DOUBT.
   THY YOUTH CAN NEVER GUIDE THY FOOT SO EVEN,
   BUT (IN DESPITE) SOME SCANDAL WILL BE GIVEN.

THUS STOOD I BALANCED EQUALLY PRECISE,
TILL MY FRAIL FLESH DID WEIGH ME DOWN TO SIN;
TILL WORLD AND PLEASURE MADE ME PARTIALIZE,
AND GLITTERING POMP MY VANITY DID WIN.
WHEN TO EXCUSE MY FAULT MY LUSTS BEGIN.
   AND IMPIOUS THOUGHTS ALLEGED THIS WANTON CLAUSE,
   THAT THOUGH I SINNED, MY SIN HAD HONEST CAUSE.

SO WELL THE GOLDEN BALLS CAST DOWN BEFORE ME,
COULD ENTERTAIN MY COURSE, HINDER MY WAY:
WHEREAT MY RECKLESS YOUTH STOOPING TO STORE ME,
LOST ME THE GOAL, THE GLORY, AND THE DAY.
PLEASURE HAD SET MY WELL-SCHOOLED THOUGHTS TO PLAY,
   AND BADE ME USE THE VIRTUE OF MINE EYES,
   FOR SWEETLY IT FITS THE FAIR TO WANTONIZE.

THUS WROUGHT TO SIN, SOON WAS I TRAINED FROM COURT,
T' A SOLITARY GRANGE, THERE TO ATTEND
THE TIME THE KING SHOULD THITHER MAKE RESORT,
WHERE HE LOVES LONG DESIRED WORK SHOULD END.
THITHER HE DAILY MESSAGES DOTH SEND,
   WITH COSTLY JEWELS (ORATORS OF LOVE,)
   WHICH (AH, TOO WELL MEN KNOW) DO WOMEN MOVE.

THE DAY BEFORE THE NIGHT OF MY DEFEATURE,
SO RARE, THAT ART DID SEEM TO STRIVE WITH NATURE,
T' EXPRESS THE CUNNING WORKMAN'S CURIOUS THOUGHT;
THE MYSTERY WHEREOF I PRYING SOUGHT.
   AND FOUND ENGRAVEN ON THE LID ABOVE,
   AMYMONE, HOW SHE WITH NEPTUNE STROVE.

AMYMONE, OLD DANAUS' FAIREST DAUGHTER,
AS SHE WAS FETCHING WATER ALL ALONE
AT LERNA: WHEREAS NEPTUNE CAME AND CAUGHT HER,
FROM WHOM SHE STRIVED AND STRUGGLED TO BE GONE,
BEATING THE AIR WITH CRIES AND PITEOUS MOAN.
   BUT ALL IN VAIN, WITH HIM SHE'S FORCED TO GO,
   TIS SHAME THAT MEN SHOULD USE POOR MAIDENS SO.

THERE MIGHT I SEE DESCRIBED HOW SHE LAY,
AT THOSE PROUD FEET, NOT SATISFIED WITH PRAYER:
WAILING HER HEAVY HAP, CURSING THE DAY,
IN ACT SO PITEOUS TO EXPRESS DESPAIR.
AND BY HOW MUCH MORE GRIEVED, SO MUCH MORE FAIR.
   HER TEARS UPON HER CHEEKS (POOR CAREFUL GIRL,)
   DID SEEM AGAINST THE SUN CRYSTAL AND PEARL.

WHOSE PURE CLEAR STREAMS, (WHICH LO SO FAIR APPEARS)
WROUGHT HOTTER FLAMES, (O MIRACLE OF LOVE,)
THAT KINDLES FIRE IN WATER, HEAT IN TEARS,
AND MAKES NEGLECTED BEAUTY MIGHTIER PROVE,
TEACHING AFFLICTED EYES AFFECTS TO MOVE;
   TO SHOW THAT NOTHING ILL BECOMES THE FAIR,
   BUT CRUELTY, WHICH YIELDS UNTO NO PRAYER.

THIS HAVING VIEWED, AND THEREWITH SOMETHING MOVED,
FIGURED I FIND WITHIN THE OTHER SQUARES,
TRANSFORMED IO, JOVE'S DEARLY LOVED,
IN HER AFFLICTION HOW SHE STRANGELY FARES.
STRANGELY DISTRESSED, (O BEAUTY, BORN TO CARES.)
   TURNED TO A HEIFER, KEPT WITH JEALOUS EYES,
   ALWAYS IN DANGER OF HER HATEFUL SPIES.

THESE PRECEDENTS PRESENTED TO MY VIEW,
WHEREIN THE PRESAGE OF MY FALL WAS SHOWN,
MIGHT HAVE FOREWARNED ME WELL WHAT WOULD ENSUE,
AND OTHERS' HARMS HAVE MADE ME SHUN MINE OWN.
BUT FATE IS NOT PREVENTED, THOUGH FOREKNOWN.
   FOR THAT MUST HAP, DECREED BY HEAVENLY POWERS,
   WHO WORK OUR FALL, YET MAKE THE FAULT STILL OURS.

WITNESS THE WORLD, WHEREIN IS NOTHING RIFER,
WHO CAN THE CHARACTERS OF CHANCE DECIPHER,
WRITTEN IN CLOUDS OF OUR CONCEALED DOME?
WHICH THOUGH PERHAPS HAVE BEEN REVEALED TO SOME,
   YET THAT SO DOUBTFUL, (AS SUCCESS DID PROVE THEM,)
   THAT MEN MUST KNOW THEY HAVE THE HEAVENS ABOVE THEM.

I SAW THE SIN WHEREIN MY FOOT WAS ENT'RING,
I SAW HOW THAT DISHONOR DID ATTEND IT,
I SAW THE SHAME WHEREON MY FLESH WAS VENT'RING,
YET HAD I NOT THE POWER FOR TO DEFEND IT.
SO WEAK IS SENSE WHEN ERROR HATH CONDEMNED IT.
   WE SEE WHAT'S GOOD, AND THERETO WE CONSENT,
BUT YET WE CHOOSE THE WORST, AND SOON REPENT.

AND NOW I COME TO TELL THE WORST OF ILLNESS,
NOW DRAWS THE DATE OF MINE AFFLICTION NEAR.
NOW WHEN THE DARK HAD WRAPT UP ALL IN STILLNESS,
AND DREADFUL  BLACK HAD DISPOSSESSED THE CLEAR,
COMED WAS THE NIGHT, (MOTHER OF SLEEP AND FEAR;)
   WHO WITH HER SABLE MANTLE FRIENDLY COVERS,
   THE SWEET STOL'N SPORTS OF JOYFUL MEETING LOVERS.

WHEN LO, I JOYED MY LOVER, NOT MY LOVE,
AND FELT THE HAND OF LUST MOST UNDESIRED:
ENFORCED TH' UNPROVED BITTERSWEET TO PROVE,
WHICH YIELDS NO MUTUAL PLEASURE WHEN TIS HIRED.
LOVE'S NOT CONSTRAINED, NOR YET OF DUE REQUIRED.
   JUDGE THEY WHO ARE UNFORTUNATELY WED,
   WHAT TIS TO COME UNTO A LOATHED BED.

BUT SOON HIS AGE RECEIVED HIS SHORT CONTENTING,
AND SLEEP SEALED UP HIS LANGUISHING DESIRES:
WHEN HE TURNS TO HIS REST, I TO REPENTING,
INTO MYSELF MY WAKING THOUGHT RETIRES:
MY NAKEDNESS HAD PROVED MY SENSES LIARS.
   NOW OPENED WERE MINE EYES TO LOOK THEREIN,
   FOR FIRST WE TASTE THE FRUIT, THEN SEE OUR SIN.

NOW DID I FIND MYSELF UNPARADISED,
FROM THOSE PURE FIELDS OF MY SO CLEAN BEGINNING:
NOW I PERCEIVED HOW ILL I WAS ADVISED,
MY FLESH 'GAN LOATHE THE NEW-FELT TOUCH OF SINNING.
SHAME LEAVES US BY DEGREES, NOT AT FIRST WINNING.
   FOR NATURE CHECKS A NEW OFFENSE WITH LOATHING.
   BUT USE OF SIN DOTH MAKE IT SEEM AS NOTHING.
AND LOVE IN HIM, INCORPORATES SUCH ZEAL,
THAT JEALOUSY INCREASED WITH AGE'S COLDNESS,
FEARING TO LOSE THE JOY OF ALL HIS WEAL.
OR DOUBTING TIME HIS STEALTH MIGHT ELSE REVEAL,
   HE'S DRIVEN TO DEVISE SOME SUBTLE WAY,
   HOW HE MIGHT SAFELIEST KEEP SO RICH A PREY.

A STATELY PALACE HE FORTHWITH DID BUILD,
WHOSE INTRICATE INNUMERABLE WAYS,
WITH SUCH CONFUSED ERRORS SO BEGUILED
TH' UNGUIDED ENT'RERS WITH UNCERTAIN STRAYS,
AND DOUBTFUL TURNINGS KEPT THEM IN DELAYS,
   WITH BOOTLESS LABOR LEADING THEM ABOUT,
   ABLE TO FIND NO WAY, NOR IN, NOR OUT.

WITHIN THE CLOSED BOSOM OF WHICH FRAME,
THAT SERVED A CENTER TO THAT GOODLY ROUND:
WERE LODGINGS WITH A GARDEN TO THE SAME,
WITH SWEETEST FLOWERS THAT E'ER ADORNED THE GROUND.
AND ALL THE PLEASURES THAT DELIGHT HATH FOUND,
   T' ENTERTAIN THE SENSE OF WANTON EYES,
   FUEL OF LOVE, FROM WHENCE LUST'S FLAMES ARISE.

HERE I ENCLOSED FROM ALL THE WORLD ASUNDER,
THE MINOTAUR OF SHAME KEPT FOR DISGRACE,
THE MONSTER OF FORTUNE, AND THE WORLD'S WONDER,
LIVED CLOISTERED IN SO DESOLATE A CASE:
NONE BUT THE KING MIGHT COME INTO THE PLACE.
   WITH CERTAIN MAIDS THAT DID ATTEND MY NEED,
   AND HE HIMSELF CAME GUIDED BY A THREAD.

O JEALOUS DAUGHTER OF ENVY AND LOVE,
MOST WAYWARD ISSUE OF A GENTLE SIRE;
FOSTERED WITH FEARS, THY FATHER'S JOYS T' IMPROVE,
MIRTH MARRING MONSTER, BORN A SUBTLE LIAR;
HATEFUL UNTO THYSELF, FLYING THINE OWN DESIRE:
   FEEDING UPON SUSPECT THAT DOTH RENEW THEE,
   HAPPY WERE LOVERS IF THEY NEVER KNEW THEE.

THOU HAST A THOUSAND GATES THOU ENTEREST BY,
CONDUCTING TREMBLING PASSIONS TO OUR HEART;
HUNDRED EYED ARGUS, EVER WAKING SPY,
PALE HAG, INFERNAL FURY, PLEASURE'S SMART,
ENVIOUS OBSERVER, PRYING IN EVERY PART;
   SUSPICIOUS, FEARFUL, GAZING STILL ABOUT THEE,
   O WOULD TO GOD THAT LOVE COULD BE WITHOUT THEE.

THOU DIDST DEPRIVE (THROUGH FALSE SUGGESTING FEAR,)
THE ONLY GOOD THAT WOMEN HOLD SO DEAR,
AND TURN'ST MY FREEDOM TO CAPTIVITY,
FIRST MADE A PRISONER, ERE AN ENEMY.
   ENJOINED THE RANSOM OF MY BODY'S SHAME,
   WHICH THOUGH I PAID, COULD NOT REDEEM THE SAME.

WHAT GREATER TORMENT EVER COULD HAVE BEEN,
THAN TO ENFORCE THE FAIR TO LIVE RETIRED?
FOR WHAT IS BEAUTY IF IT BE NOT SEEN?
OR WHAT IS'T TO BE SEEN, UNLESS ADMIRED?
AND THOUGH ADMIRED, UNLESS IN LOVE DESIRED?
   NEVER WERE CHEEKS OF ROSES, LOCKS OF AMBER,
   ORDAINED TO LIE IMPRISONED IN A CHAMBER.

NATURE CREATED BEAUTY FOR THE VIEW,
(LIKE AS THE FIRE FOR HEAT, THE SUN FOR LIGHT:)
THE FAIR DO HOLD THIS PRIVILEGE AS DUE
BY ANCIENT CHARTER, TO LIVE MOST IN SIGHT,
AND SHE THAT IS DEBARRED IT, HATH NOT RIGHT.
   IN VAIN OUR FRIENDS (IN THIS) USE THEIR DEHORTING,
   FOR BEAUTY WILL BE WHERE IS MOST RESORTING.

WITNESS THE FAIREST STREETS THAT THAMES DOTH VISIT,
THE WONDROUS CONCOURSE OF THE GLITTERING FAIR:
FOR WHAT RARE WOMEN DECKED WITH BEAUTY IS IT,
THAT THITHER COVETS NOT TO MAKE REPAIR?
THE SOLITARY COUNTRY MAY NOT STAY HER.
   HERE IS THE CENTER OF ALL BEAUTY'S BEST,
   EXCEPTING DELIA, LEFT T' ADORN THE WEST.

HERE DOTH THE CURIOUS WITH JUDICIAL EYES,
CONTEMPLATE BEAUTY GLORIOUSLY ATTIRED:
AND HEREIN ALL OUR CHIEFEST GLORY LIES,
TO LIVE WHERE WE ARE PRAISED AND MOST DESIRED.
O HOW WE JOY TO SEE OURSELVES ADMIRED,
   WHILST NIGGARDLY OUR FAVORS WE DISCOVER,
   WE LOVE TO BE BELOVED, YET SCORN THE LOVER.

YET WOULD TO GOD MY FOOT HAD NEVER MOVED
FROM COUNTRY SAFETY, FROM THE FIELDS OF REST:
TO KNOW THE DANGER TO BE HIGHLY LOVED,
AND LIVE IN POMP TO BRAVE AMONG THE BEST,
HAPPY FOR ME, BETTER HAD I BEEN BLEST;
   IF I UNLUCKILY HAD NEVER STRAYED,
   BUT LIVED AT HOME A HAPPY COUNTRY MAID.

WHOSE UNAFFECTED INNOCENCY THINKS
NO GUILEFUL FRAUD, AS DOTH THE COURTLY LIVER:
DOTH SERVE HER FOR HER GLASS, HER COUNSEL GIVER:
SHE LOVES SINCERELY, AND IS LOVED EVER.
   HER DAYS ARE PEACE, AND SO SHE ENDS HER BREATH,
   (TRUE LIFE THAT KNOWS NOT WHAT'S TO DIE TILL DEATH.)

SO SHOULD I NEVER HAVE BEEN REGISTERED,
IN THE BLACK BOOK OF THE UNFORTUNATE
NOR HAD MY NAME ENROLLED WITH MAIDS MISLED,
WHICH BOUGHT THEIR PLEASURES AT SO HIGH A RATE.
NOR HAD I TAUGHT (THROUGH MY UNHAPPY FATE,)
   THIS LESSON, (WHICH MYSELF LEARNT WITH EXPENSE,)
   HOW MOST IT HURTS THAT MOST DELIGHTS THE SENSE.

SHAME FOLLOWS SIN, DISGRACE IS DULY GIVEN,
IMPIETY WILL OUT, NEVER SO CLOSELY DONE:
NO WALLS CAN HIDE US FROM THE EYE OF HEAVEN,
FOR SHAME MUST END WHAT WICKEDNESS BEGUN;
FORTH BREAKS REPROACH WHEN WE LEAST THINK THEREON.
   AND THIS IS EVER PROPER UNTO COURTS,
   THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE, BUT FAME REPORTS.

FAME DOTH EXPLORE WHAT LIES MOST SECRET HIDDEN,
ENT'RING THE CLOSET OF THE PALACE DWELLER:
ABROAD REVEALING WHAT IS MOST FORBIDDEN,
OF TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD BOTH AN EQUAL TELLER.
TIS NOT A GUARD CAN SERVE FOR TO EXPEL HER.
   THE SWORD OF JUSTICE CANNOT CUT HER WINGS,
   NOR STOP HER MOUTH FROM UTT'RING SECRET THINGS.

AND THIS OUR STEALTH SHE COULD NOT LONG CONCEAL,
FROM HER WHOM SUCH A FORFEIT MOST CONCERNED:
THE WRONGED QUEEN, WHO COULD SO CLOSELY DEAL,
THAT SHE THE WHOLE OF ALL OUR PRACTICE LEARNED,
AND WATCHED A TIME WHEN LEAST IT WAS DISCERNED,
   IN ABSENCE OF THE KING, TO WREAK HER WRONG,
   WITH SUCH REVENGE AS SHE DESIRED LONG.

THE LABYRINTH SHE ENTERED BY THAT THREAD,
THAT SERVED A CONDUCT TO MY ABSENT LORD,
LEFT THERE BY CHANCE, RESERVED FOR SUCH A DEED,
WHERE SHE SURPRISED ME WHOM SHE SO ABHORRED.
ENRAGED WITH MADNESS, SCARCE SHE SPEAKS A WORD,
   BUT FLIES WITH EAGER FURY TO MY FACE,
   OFF'RING ME MOST UNWOMANLY DISGRACE.

LOOK HOW A TIGRESS THAT HATH LOST HER WHELP,
AND SEEING HERSELF DEPRIVED OF HOPE OR HELP,
FURIOUSLY ASSAULTS WHAT'S IN HER WAY,
TO SATISFY HER WRATH, (NOT FOR A PREY;)
   SO FELL SHE ON ME IN OUTRAGEOUS WISE,
   AS COULD DISDAIN AND JEALOUSY DEVISE.

AND AFTER ALL HER VILE REPROACHES USED,
SHE FORCED ME TAKE THE POISON SHE HAD BROUGHT,
TO END THE LIFE THAT HAD HER SO ABUSED,
AND FREE HER FEARS, AND EASE HER JEALOUS THOUGHT.
NO CRUELTY HER WRATH WOULD LEAVE UNWROUGHT,
   NO SPITEFUL ACT THAT TO REVENGE IS COMMON;
   (FOR NO BEAST FIERCER THAN A JEALOUS WOMAN.)

HERE TAKE (SAITH SHE) THOU IMPUDENT UNCLEAN,
BASE GRACELESS STRUMPET, TAKE THIS NEXT YOUR HEART;
YOUR LOVESICK HEART, THAT OVERCHARGED HATH BEEN
WITH PLEASURES SURFEIT, MUST BE PURGED WITH ART.
THIS POTION HATH A POWER, THAT WILL CONVERT
   TO NAUGHT THOSE HUMORS THAT OPPRESS YOU SO.
   AND (GIRL), I'LL SEE YOU TAKE IT ERE I GO.

WHAT STAND YOU NOW AMAZED, RETIRE YOU BACK?
TREMBLE YOU (MINION?) COME DISPATCH WITH SPEED.
THERE IS NO HELP, YOUR CHAMPION NOW YOU LACK,
AND ALL THESE TEARS YOU SHED WILL NOTHING STEED;
THOSE DAINTY FINGERS NEEDS MUST DO THE DEED.
   TAKE IT, OR I WILL DRENCH YOU ELSE BY FORCE,
   AND TRIFLE NOT, LEST THAT I USE YOU WORSE.

HAVING THIS BLOODY DOOM FROM HELLISH BREATH,
MY WOEFUL EYES ON EVERY SIDE I CAST:
RIGOR ABOUT ME, IN MY HAND MY DEATH,
PRESENTING ME THE HORROR OF MY LAST;
ALL HOPE OF PITY AND OF COMFORT PAST.
   NO MEANS, NO POWER, NO FORCES TO CONTEND,
   MY TREMBLING HANDS MUST GIVE MYSELF MY END.

THOSE HANDS THAT BEAUTY'S MINISTERS HAD BEEN,
THEY MUST GIVE DEATH THAT ME ADORNED OF LATE,
THAT MOUTH THAT NEWLY GAVE CONSENT TO SIN,
MUST NOW RECEIVE DESTRUCTION IN THEREAT.
THAT BODY WHICH MY LUST DID VIOLATE,
   MUST SACRIFICE ITSELF T' APPEASE THE WRONG.
   (SO SHORT IS PLEASURE, GLORY LASTS NOT LONG.)

AND SHE NO SOONER SAW I HAD IT TAKEN,
AND LEAVES M'ALONE, OF ALL THE WORLD FORSAKEN,
EXCEPT OF DEATH, WHICH SHE HAD LEFT WITH ME.
(DEATH AND MYSELF ALONE TOGETHER BE.)
   TO WHOM SHE DID HER FULL REVENGE REFER.
   AH POOR WEAK CONQUEST BOTH FOR HIM AND HER.

THEN STRAIGHT MY CONSCIENCE SUMMONS UP MY SIN,
T' APPEAR BEFORE ME, IN A HIDEOUS FACE;
NOW DOTH THE TERROR OF MY SOUL BEGIN,
WHEN EVERY CORNER OF THAT HATEFUL PLACE
DICTATES MINE ERROR, AND REVEALS DISGRACE;
   WHILST I REMAIN OPPRESSED IN EVERY PART,
   DEATH IN MY BODY, HORROR AT MY HEART.

DOWN ON MY BED MY LOATHSOME SELF I CAST,
THE BED THAT LIKEWISE GIVES IN EVIDENCE
AGAINST MY SOUL, AND TELLS I WAS UNCHASTE,
TELLS I WAS WANTON, TELLS I FOLLOWED SENSE
AND THEREFORE CAST, BY GUILT OF MINE OFFENSE,
   MUST HERE THE RIGHT OF HEAVEN NEEDS SATISFY.
   AND WHERE I WANTON LAY, MUST WRETCHED DIE.

HERE I BEGAN TO WAIL MY HARD MISHAP,
MY SUDDEN, STRANGE UNLOOKED FOR MISERY.
ACCUSING THEM THAT DID MY YOUTH ENTRAP,
TO GIVE ME SUCH A FALL OF INFAMY.
AND POOR DISTRESSED ROSAMOND, (SAID I,)
   IS THIS THY GLORY GOT, TO DIE FORLORN
   IN DESERTS, WHERE NO EAR CAN HEAR THEE MOURN?

NOR ANY EYE OF PITY TO BEHOLD
THE WOEFUL END OF THY SAD TRAGEDY;
BUT THAT THY WRONGS UNSEEN, THY TALE UNTOLD,
MUST HERE IN SECRET SILENCE BURIED LIE.
AND WITH THEE, THINE EXCUSE TOGETHER DIE.
   THY SIN REVEALED, BUT THY REPENTANCE HID,
   THY SHAME ALIVE, BUT DEAD WHAT THY DEATH DID.

YET BREATHE OUT TO THESE WALLS THE BREATH OF MOAN,
TELL TH' AIR THY PLAINTS, SITH MEN THOU CANST NOT TELL.
AND THOUGH THOU PERISH DESOLATE ALONE,
TELL YET THYSELF, WHAT THYSELF KNOWS TOO WELL:
UTTER THY GRIEF WHEREWITH THY SOUL DOTH SWELL.
   AND LET THY HEART, PITY THY HEART'S REMORSE,
   AND BE THYSELF THE MOURNER AND THE CORPSE.

CONDOLE THEE HERE, CLAD ALL IN BLACK DESPAIR
WITH SILENCE ONLY, AND A DYING BED;
DID GLORIOUS LIVE, ADMIRED AND HONORED:
AND NOW FROM FRIENDS, FROM SUCCOR HITHER LED,
   ART MADE A SPOIL TO LUST, TO WRATH, TO DEATH,
   AND IN DISGRACE, FORCED HERE TO YIELD THY BREATH.

DID NATURE (O FOR THIS) DELIBERATE,
TO SHOW IN THEE THE GLORY OF HER BEST;
FRAMING THINE EYE THE STAR OF THY ILL FATE,
AND MADE THY FACE THE FOE TO SPOIL THE REST?
O BEAUTY, THOU AN ENEMY PROFESSED,
   TO CHASTITY AND US THAT LOVE THEE MOST.
   WITHOUT THEE HOW WE'RE LOATHED, AND WITH THEE LOST?

O YOU THAT PROUD WITH LIBERTY AND BEAUTY,
(AND O MAY WELL BE PROUD THAT YOU BE SO,)
GLITTER IN COURT, LOVED AND OBSERVED OF DUTY;
O THAT I MIGHT TO YOU BUT ERE I GO
SPEAK WHAT I FEEL, TO WARN YOU BY MY WOE,
   TO KEEP YOUR FEET IN PURE CLEAN PATHS OF SHAME,
   THAT NO ENTICING MAY DIVERT THE SAME.

SEE'NG HOW AGAINST YOUR TENDER WEAKNESS STILL,
THE STRENGTH OF WIT, OF GOLD, AND ALL IS BENT;
AND ALL TH' ASSAULTS THAT EVER MIGHT OR SKILL,
CAN GIVE AGAINST A CHASTE AND CLEAN INTENT:
AH LET NOT GREATNESS WORK YOU TO CONSENT.
   THE SPOT IS FOUL, THOUGH BY A MONARCH MADE,
   KINGS CANNOT PRIVILEGE A SIN FORBADE.

LOCK UP THEREFORE THE TREASURE OF YOUR LOVE
UNDER THE SUREST KEYS OF FEAR AND SHAME:
AND LET NO POWERS HAVE POWER CHASTE THOUGHTS TO MOVE
TO MAKE A LAWLESS ENTRY ON YOUR FAME.
OPEN TO THOSE THE COMFORT OF YOUR FLAME,
   WHOSE EQUAL LOVE SHALL MARCH WITH EQUAL PACE,
   IN THOSE PURE WAYS THAT LEAD TO NO DISGRACE.

FOR SEE HOW MANY DISCONTENTED BEDS,
OUR OWN ASPIRING, OR OUR PARENTS' PRIDE
HAVE CAUSED, WHILST THAT AMBITION VAINLY WEDS
WEALTH AND NOT LOVE, HONOR AND NAUGHT BESIDE:
WHILST MARRIED BUT TO TITLES, WE ABIDE
   AS WEDDED WIDOWS, WANTING WHAT WE HAVE,
   WHEN SHADOWS CANNOT GIVE US WHAT WE CRAVE.

OR WHILST WE SPEND THE FRESHEST OF OUR TIME,
THE SWEET OF YOUTH IN PLOTTING IN THE AIR;
ALAS HOW OFT WE FALL, HOPING TO CLIMB.
WHILST THOSE DECAYS WHICH ARE WITHOUT REPAIR,
   MAKE US NEGLECTED, SCORNED AND REPROVED.
   (AND O WHAT ARE WE, IF WE BE NOT LOVED?

FASTEN THEREFORE UPON OCCASIONS FIT,
LEST THIS, OR THAT, OR LIKE DISGRACE AS MINE,
DO OVERTAKE YOUR YOUTH TO RUIN IT,
AND CLOUD WITH INFAMY YOUR BEAUTY'S SHINE:
SEEING HOW MANY SEEK TO UNDERMINE
   THE TREASURY THAT'S UNPOSSESSED OF ANY:
   AND HARD TIS KEPT THAT IS DESIRED OF MANY.

AND FLY, (O FLY,) THESE BED BROKERS UNCLEAN,
(THE MONSTERS OF OUR SEX,) THAT MAKE A PREY
OF THEIR OWN KIND, BY AN UNKINDLY MEAN;
AND EVEN (LIKE VIPERS,) EATING OUT A WAY
THOROUGH TH' WOMB OF THEIR OWN SHAME, ACCURSED THEY
   LIVE BY THE DEATH OF FAME, THE GAIN OF SIN,
   THE FILTH OF LUST, UNCLEANESS WALLOWS IN.

O IS IT NOT ENOUGH THAT WE, (POOR WE,)
HAVE WEAKNESS, BEAUTY, GOLD, AND MEN OUR FOES,
BUT WE MUST HAVE SOME OF OURSELVES TO BE
TRAITORS UNTO OURSELVES, TO JOIN WITH THOSE?
SUCH AS OUR FEEBLE FORCES DO DISCLOSE,
   AND STILL BETRAY OUR CAUSE, OUR SHAME, OUR YOUTH,
   TO LUST, TO FOLLY, AND TO MEN'S UNTRUTH?

HATEFUL CONFOUNDERS BOTH OF BLOOD AND LAWS,
VILD ORATORS OF SHAME, THAT PLEAD DELIGHT:
UNGRACIOUS AGENTS IN A WICKED CAUSE,
FACTORS FOR DARKNESS, MESSENGERS OF NIGHT,
SERPENTS OF GUILE, DEVILS, THAT DO INVITE
   THE WANTON TASTE OF THAT FORBIDDEN TREE,
   WHOSE FRUIT ONCE PLUCKED, WILL SHOW HOW FOUL WE BE.

YOU IN THE HABIT OF A GRAVE ASPECT,
(IN CREDIT BY THE TRUST OF YEARS,) CAN SHOW
THE CUNNING WAYS OF LUST, AND CAN DIRECT
THE FAIR AND WILY WANTONS HOW TO GO:
HAVING (YOUR LOATHSOME SELVES) YOUR YOUTH SPENT SO,
   AND IN UNCLEANESS, EVER HAVE BEEN FED,
   BY THE REVENUE OF A WANTON BED.

BY YOU, HAVE BEEN THE INNOCENT BETRAYED,
THE BLUSHING FEARFUL BOLDENED UNTO SIN,
THE WISE MADE SUBTLE, SUBTLE MADE THE MAID,
THE HUSBAND SCORNED, DISHONORED THE KIN:
   CONFUSED OUR RACE, AND FALSIFIED OUR BLOOD,
   WHILST FATHERS' SONS, POSSESS WRONG FATHERS' GOOD.

THIS, AND MUCH MORE, I WOULD HAVE UTTERED THEN,
A TESTAMENT TO BE RECORDED STILL,
SIGNED WITH MY BLOOD, SUBSCRIBED WITH CONSCIENCE' PEN,
TO WARN THE FAIR AND BEAUTIFUL FROM ILL.
AND O I WISH (BY TH' EXAMPLE OF MY WILL,)
   I HAD NOT LEFT THIS SIN UNTO THE FAIR,
   BUT DIED INTESTATE TO HAVE HAD NO HEIR.

BUT NOW, THE POISON SPREAD THROUGH ALL MY VEINS,
'GAN DISPOSSESS MY LIVING SENSES QUITE:
AND NAUGHT RESPECTING DEATH, (THE LAST OF PAINS,)
PLACED HIS PALE COLORS, (TH' ENSIGN OF HIS MIGHT,)
UPON HIS NEW-GOT SPOIL BEFORE HIS RIGHT;
   THENCE CHASED MY SOUL, SETTING MY DAY ERE NOON,
   WHEN I LEAST THOUGHT MY JOYS COULD END SO SOON.

AND AS CONVEYED T' UNTIMELY FUNERALS,
MY SCARCE COLD CORPSE NOT SUFFERED LONGER STAY,
BEHOLD, THE KING (BY CHANCE) RETURNING, FALLS
T' ENCOUNTER WITH THE SAME UPON THE WAY.
AS HE REPAIRED TO SEE HIS DEAREST JOY.
   NOT THINKING SUCH A MEETING COULD HAVE BEEN,
   TO SEE HIS LOVE, AND SEEING BEEN UNSEEN.

JUDGE THOSE WHOM CHANCE DEPRIVES OF SWEETEST TREASURE,
WHAT TIS TO LOSE A THING WE HOLD SO DEAR:
THE BEST DELIGHT, WHEREIN OUR SOUL TAKES PLEASURE,
THE SWEET OF LIFE, THAT PENETRATES SO NEAR.
WHAT PASSIONS FEELS THAT HEART, ENFORCED TO BEAR
   THE DEEP IMPRESSION OF SO STRANGE A SIGHT?
   TONGUE, PEN, NOR ART CAN NEVER SHOW ARIGHT.

AMAZED HE STANDS, NOR VOICE NOR BODY STIRS,
WORDS HAD NO PASSAGE, TEARS NO ISSUE FOUND,
FOR SORROW SHUT UP WORDS, WRATH KEPT IN TEARS,
CONFUSED AFFECTS EACH OTHER DO CONFOUND:
OPPRESSED WITH GRIEF, HIS PASSIONS HAD NO BOUND.
   STRIVING TO TELL HIS WOES, WORDS WOULD NOT COME;
   FOR LIGHT CARES SPEAK, WHEN MIGHTY GRIEFS ARE DUMB.

AT LENGTH, EXTREMITY BREAKS OUT A WAY,
THROUGH WHICH TH' IMPRISONED VOICE WITH TEARS ATTENDED,
WAILS OUT A SOUND THAT SORROWS DO BEWRAY,
VAPORING OUT SIGHS THAT TO THE SKIES ASCENDED.
   SIGHS, (THE POOR EASE CALAMITY AFFORDS,)
   WHICH SERVE FOR SPEECH WHEN SORROW WANTETH WORDS.

O HEAVENS (QUOTH HE,) WHY DO MINE EYES BEHOLD
THE HATEFUL RAYS OF THIS UNHAPPY SUN?
WHY HAVE I LIGHT TO SEE MY SINS CONTROLLED,
WITH BLOOD OF MINE OWN SHAME THUS VILDLY DONE?
HOW CAN MY SIGHT ENDURE TO LOOK THEREON?
   WHY DOTH NOT BLACK ETERNAL DARKNESS HIDE,
   THAT FROM MINE EYES, MY HEART CANNOT ABIDE?)

WHAT SAW MY LIFE, WHEREIN MY SOUL MIGHT JOY,
WHAT HAD MY DAYS, WHOM TROUBLES STILL AFFLICTED,
BUT ONLY THIS, TO COUNTERPOISE ANNOY?
THIS JOY, THIS HOPE, WHICH DEATH HATH INTERDICTED;
THIS SWEET, WHOSE LOSS HATH ALL DISTRESS INFLICTED.
   THIS, THAT DID SEASON ALL MY SOUR OF LIFE,
   VEXED STILL AT HOME WITH BROILS, ABROAD IN STRIFE.

VEXED STILL AT HOME WITH BROILS, ABROAD IN STRIFE,
DISSENSION IN MY BLOOD, JARS IN MY BED:
DISTRUST AT BOARD, SUSPECTING STILL MY LIFE,
SPENDING THE NIGHT IN HORROR, DAYS IN DREAD;
(SUCH LIFE HATH TYRANTS, AND THIS LIFE I LED.)
   THESE MISERIES GO MASKED IN GLITTERING SHOWS,
   WHICH WISE MEN SEE, THE VULGAR LITTLE KNOWS.

THUS AS THESE PASSIONS DO HIM OVERWHELM,
HE DRAWS HIM NEAR MY BODY TO BEHOLD IT.
AND AS THE VINE MARRIED UNTO THE ELM
WITH STRICT EMBRACES, SO DOTH HE ENFOLD IT.
AND AS HE IN HIS CAREFUL ARMS DOTH HOLD IT,
   VIEWING THE FACE THAT EVEN DEATH COMMENDS,
   ON SENSELESS LIPS, MILLIONS OF KISSES SPENDS.

PITIFUL MOUTH (SAITH HE) THAT LYING GAVEST
THE SWEETEST COMFORT THAT MY SOUL COULD WISH:
O BE IT LAWFUL NOW, THAT DEAD THOU HAVEST,
THIS SORROWING FAREWELL OF A DYING KISS.
AND YOU FAIR EYES, CONTAINERS OF MY BLISS,
   MOTIVES OF LOVE, BORN TO BE MATCHED NEVER,
   ENTOMBED IN YOUR SWEET CIRCLES SLEEP FOREVER.

AH HOW METHINKS I SEE DEATH DALLYING SEEKS,
TO ENTERTAIN ITSELF IN LOVE'S SWEET PLACE;
DECAYED ROSES OF DISCOLORED CHEEKS,
AND UGLY DEATH SITS FAIR WITHIN HER FACE;
   SWEET REMNANTS RESTING OF VERMILION RED,
   THAT DEATH ITSELF DOUBTS WHETHER SHE BE DEAD.

WONDER OF BEAUTY, OH RECEIVE THESE PLAINTS,
THESE OBSEQUIES, THE LAST THAT I SHALL MAKE THEE:
FOR LO, MY SOUL THAT NOW ALREADY FAINTS,
(THAT LOVED THEE LIVING, DEAD WILL NOT FORSAKE THEE,)
HASTENS HER SPEEDY COURSE TO OVERTAKE THEE.
   I'LL MEET MY DEATH, AND FREE MYSELF THEREBY,
   FOR (AH) WHAT CAN HE DO THAT CANNOT DIE?

YET ERE I DIE, THUS MUCH MY SOUL DOTH VOW,
REVENGE SHALL SWEETEN DEATH WITH EASE OF MIND:
AND I WILL CAUSE POSTERITY SHALL KNOW,
HOW FAIR THOU WERT ABOVE ALL WOMEN KIND.
AND AFTER AGES MONUMENTS SHALL FIND,
   SHOWING THY BEAUTY'S TITLE, NOT THY NAME,
   ROSE OF THE WORLD THAT SWEETENED SO THE SAME.

THIS SAID, THOUGH MORE DESIROUS YET TO SAY,
(FOR SORROW IS UNWILLING TO GIVE OVER,)
HE DOTH REPRESS WHAT GRIEF WOULD ELSE BEWRAY,
LEST HE TOO MUCH HIS PASSIONS SHOULD DISCOVER.
AND YET RESPECT SCARCE BRIDLES SUCH A LOVER,
   SO FAR TRANSPORTED THAT HE KNEW NOT WHITHER,
   FOR LOVE AND MAJESTY DWELL ILL TOGETHER.

THEN WERE MY FUNERALS NOT LONG DEFERRED,
BUT DONE WITH ALL THE RITES POMP COULD DEVISE,
AT GODSTOW, WHERE MY BODY WAS INTERRED,
AND RICHLY TOMBED IN HONORABLEWISE,
WHERE YET AS NOW SCARCE ANY NOTE DESCRIES
   UNTO THESE TIMES, THE MEMORY OF ME,
   MARBLE AND BRASS SO LITTLE LASTING BE.

FOR THOSE WALLS WHICH THE CREDULOUS DEVOUT,
AND APT-BELIEVING IGNORANT DID FOUND:
WITH WILLING ZEAL, THAT NEVER CALLED IN DOUBT,
THAT TIME THEIR WORKS SHOULD EVER SO CONFOUND,
LIE LIKE CONFUSED HEAPS AS UNDERGROUND.
   AND WHAT THEIR IGNORANCE ESTEEMED SO HOLY,
   THE WISER AGES DO ACCOUNT AS FOLLY.

AND WERE IT NOT THY FAVORABLE LINES,
RE-EDIFIED THE WRACK OF MY DECAYS,
AND THAT THY ACCENTS WILLINGLY ASSIGNS,
SOME FARTHER DATE, AND GIVE ME LONGER DAYS,
   BUT THUS RENEWED, MY FAME REDEEMS SOME TIME,
   TILL OTHER AGES SHALL NEGLECT THY RIME.

THEN WHEN CONFUSION IN HER COURSE SHALL BRING,
SAD DESOLATION OR THE TIMES TO COME:
WHEN MIRTHLESS THAMES SHALL HAVE NO SWAN TO SING,
ALL MUSIC SILENT, AND THE MUSES DUMB.
AND YET EVEN THEN IT MUST BE KNOWN TO SOME,
   THAT ONCE THEY FLOURISHED, THOUGH NOT CHERISHED SO,
   AND THAMES HAD SWANS AS WELL AS EVER PO.

BUT HERE AN END, I MAY NO LONGER STAY THEE,
I MUST RETURN T' ATTEND AT STYGIAN FLOOD:
YET ERE I GO, THIS ONE WORD MORE I PRAY THEE,
TELL DELIA, NOW HER SIGH MAY DO ME GOOD,
AND WILL HER NOTE THE FRAILTY OF OUR BLOOD.
   AND IF I PASS UNTO THOSE HAPPY BANKS,
   THEN SHE MUST HAVE HER PRAISE, THY PEN HER THANKS.

SO VANQUISHED SHE, AND LEFT ME TO RETURN,
TO PROSECUTE THE TENOR OF MY WOES:
ETERNAL MATTER FOR MY MUSE TO MOURN,
BUT (AH) THE WORLD HATH HEARD TOO MUCH OF THOSE,
MY YOUTH SUCH ERRORS MUST NO MORE DISCLOSE.
   I'LL HIDE THE REST, AND GRIEVE FOR WHAT HATH BEEN,
   WHO MADE ME KNOWN, MUST MAKE ME LIVE UNSEEN.

                          FINIS.