Theophila, or, Loves sacrifice a divine poem / written by E.B., Esq., several parts thereof set to fit aires by Mr. J. Jenkins.

Theophila, or, Loves sacrifice a divine poem / written by E.B., Esq., several parts thereof set to fit aires by Mr. J. Jenkins.

Table of contents

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Title page

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Mens Authoris.

The Authors Designe.

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THE PREFACE.

The severall Cantos.

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PNEVMATO-SARCO-MACHIA: OR THEOPHILA'S Spiritual Warfare.

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TO MY FANCIE UPON THEOPHILA.

A Friends ECCHO to his FANCIE upon SACRATA.

Non me Palma negata Macrum, data reddet Opimum.

A VERDICT FOR THE Pious SACRIFICER.

FOR THE AUTHOR, Truly Heroick, By BLOVD, VIRTVE, LEARNING.

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A GLANCE AT THEOPHILA.

TO THE AUTHOR Upon His Divine Poem.

For the much Honoured AVTHOR.

For the Renowned COMPOSER.

Pietatis, Poetices que Cultori.

In Sanctos THEOPHILAE Amores.

In celeberrimam THEOPHILAM, feliciter elucubratam.

Qui Virtutes THEOHILAE praedicat, Religioni non Gloriae studeat. Noverim Te, DOMINE, noverim me!

IN DIVINOS POETAS.

ON DIVINE POETS.

Ergo brevi stringam COELESTIA Cantu.

[Figure]

THEOPHILAS LOVE-SACRIFICE. The Summary of the Poem.

THE AVTHORS PRAYER.

THEOPHILAS LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO II.The Humiliation.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO III. The Restauration.

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THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SONG.

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THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VI. The Association.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VII. The Contemplation.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VIII. The Admiration.

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Ad piae Poesios Cultum Invitatio.

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THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIA. HECATOMBE IX. RECAPITVLATIO. Animae piè anhelantis Descriptio.

PORTICUS.

ARGUMENTUM.

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THEOPHILAS LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO IX. The RECAPITVLATION. And Pourtrait of a Heav'nly breathing Soul.

The PORTICO.

THE ARGVMENT.

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PRAELIBATIO AD THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIAM: Quae unica Cantio à Domino ALEX. ROSSAEO in Carmen Latinum conversa est. CANTIO I.

THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIA: CANTIO III. Latino Carmine donata. Restauratio.

Vpon the Vanitie of the World.

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Mundo immundo.

THE VANITIE OF THE VVORLD. CANTO X. The Abnegation.

THE VANITIE OF THE VVORLD.CANTO XI. The Disincantation.

In lenocitantes hujus Tempestatis Venerillas, Juvenum Scrobes, Animarum Voragines.

In sceleratissimam Seculi Licentiam, cujus in melius commutandi exilis admodùm supersit Spes.

In strenuos hujus Seculi Compotores, & Gulones Perditissimos.

Mundi Contemptus.

THE SWEETNESSE OF RETIREMENT, OR The Happinesse of a Private Life. CANTO XII. The Segregation.

[Figure]

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THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIA. CANTIO VII. A Domino Jeremiâ Colliero in Versus latiales traducta. Contemplatio.

Peroratio Eucharistica.

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In glorioss: passionē. & Resurrectionē 〈…〉 Christj. G. G.

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THEOPHILA; OR LOVES SACRIFICE. A Divine Poem.

WRITTEN BY E. B. Esq Several Parts thereof set to fit Aires by Mr I. IENKINS.

‘Longum Iter per Praecepta, breve & efficax per Exempla. Si Praeceptis non accendimur, saltem Exemplis incitemur, at (que) in Appetitu Rectitudinis nil sibi Mens nostra difficile aestimet, quod perfectè peragi ab Aliis videt.’ Greg. Mag. l. 9. c. 43.

‘Id peragas Vitâ, quod velles Morte peractum.’

LONDON, Printed by R. N. Sold by Henry Seile in Fleetstreet, and Humphrey Moseley at the Princes Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard. 1652.

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Mens Authoris.

TE, mi CHRISTE, Tuae (que) canam Suspiria SPONSAE;

ARDORES (que) pios, & GAUDIA coelica, Mundo

Abdita; divinae pandam MYSTERIA Mentis,

Accensas (que) Faces COELO! Fuge, caeca Libido,

Et Fastus populator Opum, Livor (que) secundis

Pallidus, & rabidis violenta Calumnia Dictis,

Dira (que) pacatas lacerans Discordia Mentes,

Et Scelerum male-suada Cohors. TE, mitis IESV,

Da mihi velle sequi! Gressus alato sequentis!

DIVINAE sum testa ROTAE; Vas obline fido

Rimosum Gypso, sic Vas ego reddar Honoris:

Sum tenebrosa Tui radiantis LUMINIS umbra,

Quod, veniente Die, quod, decedente, viderem!

Cujus nec VISUS Spatium, nec GLORIA Laudem,

Nec Vox ulla capit MERITUM, nec TERMINUS Aevum!

Unius est in Verba satis jurasse MAGISTRI,

Et TE praesentem Causae petiise PATRONUM!

Thema sit Aethereo sacranda THEOPHILA TEMPLO,

Pura repurgato solvens LIBAMINA Corde.

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The Authors Designe.

OF CHRIST, and of the SPOUSES Sighs, I sing,

And of the Ioyes that from Those Ardors spring,

The World ne're knew; Of her Souls mystick Sense,

And of her Heav'nly Zeal. Blinde Lust, pack hence,

Hence Pride, exhausting Wealth; Hence, Envie, flie,

Pal'd at Success; hence foul-mouth'd Calumnie,

And savage Discord, striving to divide

United Mindes; with all Sins Troop beside.

JESUS! grant I may follow THEE, my Feet

Wing THOU, and make them in pursuance fleet!

Close up my Cracks by Faith, so shall I be

A Vessel made of HONOUR unto THEE.

I'm but a faint Resultance from thy LIGHT,

Which, at Sols Rise and Set, enchears my Sight.

No Space thy VIEW, no Glory bounds thy PRAISE,

No Terms do reach thy WORTH, no Age thy DAYES!

May I but swear Obedience to thy LAWS,

And crave THEE PATRON to my present Cause!

My Subject's THEOPHIL, for HEAV'N design'd,

Off'ring pure SACRIFICE with sacred MIND.

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LADIES,

WE jangle not in Shools, but strain to set

Church-Musick, at which SAINTS being met,

May warble forth HEAV'NS Praise, and thence HEAV'NS Blessing get.

CHurch-Anthems irksome to the Factious grow;

In what a sad Case were They, trow,

Should They be penn'd in HEAV'N, where Hymns for ever flow [...]

As, fir'd Affections to your Beauties move:

So, Stillatories be of Love;

That, what was Vapour, may, by VIRTUE, Essence prove.

SUrvey THEOPHILA; her Rules apply,

That You may live, as You would die:

VIRTUE enamels Life; 'Tis GRACE does glorifie.

O' may those fragrant Flow'rs that in HER grew,

Blown by such Breath, drench't by such Dew,

Spring, & display their Buds, LADIES ELECT, in You!

TO this Spring-Garden, VIRGINS, chast and fair,

Coacht in pure Thoughts, make your Repair,

To recreate your Mindes, and take fresh Heav'nly Air.

YE snowy FIRES, observe her in each GRACE;

So, may You, bright in Soul as Face,

Have in The Gall'ery of Heroick Women Place.

NAy, when your Dayes and Piety shall summe

Up their Compleatness, may Ye come

To endlesse GLORIES Court, and with blest SOULS have Room!

THE PREFACE.

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SAd Experience confirms, what THE ANCIENT OF DAYES foretold; That the last Times shall be worst: For, in this Dotage of the World (where Atheism stands at the right hand of Profaneness, and Superstition on the blinde Side of Ignorance; where there is unmercifull Oppression, and overmerciful Connivence) her beloved Favorites, (who are of past things mindeless, of future regardless, having different Opinions, yet but one RELIGION, Money, one GOD, Mammon) do laugh at OTHERS, who fall not down, and worship the Golden Image that secular Nabuchodonisors have set up; But, let them, who think themselves safe in the Herd, being night-wildred in their Intellects, prosecute their Sensuality, which will soon, like Dalila, put out their Eyes; For, earthly Complacencies, and exteriour Gaities are not only Chaff in the hand, VANITIE, but also Chaff in the Eye, VEXATION OF SPIRIT. How art thou, foolish World, loaden with Sin, fond of Trifles, neglecting Objects fit for CHRISTIANS, fit for Men! Could thy Minions consider, that thou canst give but what thou hast, a smoak of Honour, a shadow of Riches, a sound of Pleasure, a blast of Fame, which can neither adde to Length nor Happiness of Life; That thy whole Self art an overdeer Bargain, if bought of the Devil, at the expence of a deadly Sin, when as sudden Chance or Sicknesse may snatch and rend them hence in a Moment, [Page] they would not then so madly rant it as they do, but court Sobreity, being aware of the Dangers that proceed from, and wait upon the abused Opulency of an indulgent Fortune, whose Caresses are apt to swell into Exorbitances of Spirit, and run wildly into Dissoluteness of Manners. But, for want of Circumspection, Men grow covetous as Iewish Merchants, ambitious as Eastern Potentates, factious as the giddy Multitude, revengefull as Iealousie, and proud as Vsurpers; though soon such swallow'd Baits dissolve into a gally Bitternesse; Wherefore, it were highly to be wished, that in the midest of their Extravagancies they would ponder, that nothing is more unhappy then the Felicity of Sinners, who prosper as if they were the Beloved of GOD, when, indeed, by His Patience they are only (probably) hardned to their more dreadful Destruction! How, how will eternal Anguish be aggravated by temporary past Happinesse! If we contemplate what unspeakable Torments are for ever there, we should have no cause to envie Worldlings Prosperity, but rather wonder that their Portion on Earth is not greater, and that ever they should be sensible of Sicknesse, Affront or Trouble; since, if their Fortunatenesse should far exceed their Ambition, it could not any way recompence that Torture for an Hour, which yet shall hold to the Duration of an infinite Eternity! when as all the Play and Pageantry of Earth is ever changing▪ and nothing abides but the Stage of the World, and the Spectator GOD. That Blisse is not true of whose Eternity we may doubt▪ View then, Christian Reader, the Folly of [...]ll Counsell unmaskt, and demonstrated that all Policie is wretched [Page] without Piety, without Scriptural Wisdom, without CHRIST the Essential Wisdom; And that all Iniquity has so much of Iustice in it, that it usually condemns, yea leads it self to Execution; witnesse Absolons Head, Achitophels Hands, and the Surrender of Caesars Cittadell, (summoned by Iudgements Herald, and all his Glories Cobweb-guard yielded to the Storm) just before the Statue of Pompey, whose Ruine he had so ambitiously pursued. Would then any Wise man choose to be Caesar for his Glorie, Absolon for his Beauty, Achitophel for his Policie, Dives for his Wealth, or Iudas for his Office? Seeing then that Happinesse consists not in the Affluence of Exorbitant Possessions, nor in the Humours of fickle Honour, all external Splendors being unsatisfactory, let Christians neglect terrestrial Vanities, and retire into the Recesses of Religion, nothing being so great in humane Actions as a pious knowing Minde, which disposeth great Things, and may yield such permanent Monuments, as bring Felicity to Mankinde above the Founders of Empires; being an Antepast to the overflowing FEASTS of ETERNITIE. Man endued with Altitude of Wisdom, in the sweetnesse of Conscience and Height of Vertue, is of all Creatures sub-Angelical the ALMIGHTIES Masterpiece, the Image of his MAKER, a Candidate of DIVINITY, and Model of the Vniverse; who, in holy Colloquies, Whisprings, and secret Conferences with GOD, findes HIM a Torrent of Pleasure, a Fountain of Honour, and an inexhaustible Treasure; whose divine Life is a Character of the DIVINE NATURE, by taking GOD for the Text, Truth for the Doctrine, and Holinesse for the Use; [Page] without which the highest Endowments of the most refined Wit are but the quaint Magick of a learned Lunacie. Most wretched therefore are they, beyond all Synonima's of Misery, whose undisciplin'd Education leaves them unfurnisht of Skill to spend their Time in any Thing, but what in the prosecution of Sin tends to Death; Wealth and Greatnesse rendring them past Reproof, ev'n ready to tempt their very Tempter; whereby they are wholly enclin'd to Sensualities, being in their Entertainments commonly intemperate in their Drink humerous, their Humours quarrelous, their Duels damnable, concluding a voluptuous and brutish Life in a bloody and desperate Death, preferring the Bodie before the Soul, Sence before the Spirit, Appetite before Reason, temporary Fooleries, phantastick Visits, idle Courtships, gay Trifles, fascinating Vanities (as if the Pleasure of Life were but the smothering of pretious Time in those things, which are meer Puffs in Expectation, Vanitie in Enjoyment, and Vexation of Spirit in Departure) before solid Goodnesse, and eternal Exultations. To divert thee therefore from such Shelves of indiscreet Vice, and to direct thee to the safe and noble Channel of Vertue, ev'n to Faith with good Works, to Piety wth Compassion, to Zeal with Charity, & to know the End which distinguisheth thee from a Beast, and to chuse a good End, wch differenceth thee from an evil Man; be so much thine own Friend, as to peruse seriously this spiritual Poem, which treateth on Sub-coelestials, Coelestials; and Super-coelestials, whereby a delightful Curiousness may steal thee into the Pleasure of Goodnesse. Know then that Sub-coelestials, or Sublunaries have their Assignment [Page] in the lowest Portion of the Universe, and being wholly of a corporeal Nature, do enjoy Spiritual Gifts, the Chief of which is Life, by Loan onely; where there is no Generation without Corruption, no Birth without Death. From the Surface of the Earth to the Center is 3436 Miles, the whole Thickness 6872 Miles, the whole Compsse 21600 Miles; from its Center to the Moon is 3924912 Miles. Now Coelestials, or aethereal Bodies are seated in the middle, which, participating of a greater Portion of Perfection, impart innumerable rare Vertues, and influential Efficacies to Things below, not enduring a Corruption, only subject, having obtained their Period, to change. The glorious Projection and Transfusion of aetheral Light, both of the Sun and of the Stars of the six Magnitudes constitute, by astronomicall Computation, more than 300 Suns upward to the EMPYRAEAN HEAVEN. A Starre in the Equator makes 12598666 Miles in an Hour, which is 209994 Miles in a Minute, a Motion quicker than Thought. Super-coelestials are Intelligencies, altogether Spiritual and Immortal, excellent in their Beings, intuitive in their Conceptions; such as are the glorious Quire of the Apostles, the exulting Number of the Prophets, the innumerable Army of crown'd Martyrs, triumphing Virgins, charitable Confessors, &c. or the blessed Hierarchie of Angels, participating somewhat of GOD and Man; having had a Beginning as Man, and now being immortall with GOD, having their Immortality for his Sempiternity; void of all Mixture, as is GOD, and yet consisting of Matter and Form as doth Man; Subsisting in some Subject and Substance [Page] as doth Man, yet being incorporeal, as is GOD; They having Clarity, Impassibility, Subtility, and Agility, having Understanding without Errour, Light without Darkness, Joy without Sorrow, Will without Perturbation, Impassibility without Corruption; pure as the Light, ordained to serve the LORD of Light; They are local and circumscribed by Place, as is Man; yet are they in a place not properly by way of Circumscription, but by way of Definition; though they cannot be in several Places at once, yet are they able in a Moment to be any where, as GOD alwayes is every where; of admirable Capacity and Knowledge, resembling GOD; yet ignorant of the ESSENCE of GOD, much lesse see they all Things in IT, in that like Man. Ev'n these Incorporeal Substances would pine and starve, if an All-filling, and infinitely All-sufficient and Superabundant GOD were not the Object of their high Contemplation, whose Blisse of theirs is the neerest Approach to that Divine MAJESTIE, WHO is a true, real, substantial, and essential NATURE, subsisting of HIMSELF, an eternal BEING, an infinite ONENESSE, the radical PRINCIPLE of all Things; whose ESSENCE is an incomprehensible Light, His POVVER is Omnipotency, and his BECK an absolute Act; WHO, before the Creation, was a BOOK rowl'd up in HIMSELF, having Light only in HIMSELF; WHO is a SPIRIT existent from everlasting to everlasting; One ESSENCE▪ Three SUBSISTENCIES; whose DIVINE NATURE is an essential and infinite UNDERSTANDING, which knowes all Things actually alwayes; which cannot possibly be comprehended by any finite Creature, much lesse by [Page] Man, groveling on Earth in the Mud of Errour and grosse Ignorance, who are unable by any Art or Industrie to finde out the true Nature, Form and Vertue of the least flie or gnat. The whole Vniverse is the Looking-glasse of GODS Power, Wisdom, and Bountie; HE loves as Charitie, knows as Truth, judges as Equitie, rules as Majestie, defends as Safety, works as Vertue, reveals as Light, &c. HE is a never deficient Brightnesse, a never weary Life, a Spring ever-flowing, the Principle of Beginning, &c. If any Creature knew what GOD is, he should be GOD; for none knoweth HIM but HIMSELF, who is Good without Qualitie, great without Quantitie, present without Place, everlasting without Time; WHO by a Bodie is no where▪ by Energie every where, Above all by Power, beneath all by sustaining all, without all by compassing all, within all by penetrating all, being absent seen, being present invisible; of WHOM to speak, is to be silent, WHOM to value is to exceed all Rate, WHOM to define, is still to encrease in Definition; INFINITENESSE being the right Philosophers Stone, which turns all Metals into Gold, and one Dram of IT being put, not only to a Seraphin, or to a whole Element, but even to the least gnat in the World, or the least mo [...]e in the Sun, is of Force to make it true and very GOD: For, first It maketh it to be the first ESSENCE, derived from none other. 2. It maketh it to be but One, because there cannot be two INFINITES; where there are two, there is Division; where Division, there is end of one, and beginning of another, and so no INFINITE. 3. It maketh the Subject to be immaterial, for [Page] no Matter can be INFINITE; for, a Body is contained, and, if contained, not infinite; being without Matter, it is also without Passion; for, sola materia patitur; and so becometh also immutable, for there can be no Change without Passion. 4. It maketh a thing to be immoveable, for whatsoever moveth hath Bounds, but in INFINITE there is no Bounds. 5. The INFINITE THING is simple, for in Composition there is Division and Quality, and so by consequent Limits. Thus, INFINITENESSE distinguisheth from all Creatures, and is first primary without Cause, but existing absolutely in HIMSELF, and of HIMSELF, and is to all other Things the Cause and Beginning, yet not diminishing HIM, having all their Essence, but no part of his ESSENCE from Him. But, ô, here the most superlative Expressions of Eloquence are no other than meer Extenuations. I tread a Maze, and thread a Labyrinth on Hills of Ice, where, if I slip▪ I tumble into Heresie; I am with S. Peter in the Deep, where, without the Hand of POWER, I should sink eternally, and be swallowed up by the bottomlesse Gulf. The Prosecution of this Argument were fitter for the Pens of ANGELS, than for the Sons of Corruption; whereof we may say, that if all should be written of INFINITENESSE, not only the whole World, but even Heaven It Self would not suffice to hold the Books which should be written. I satisfie my Incapacitie with rejoycing in GODS Incomprehensibility. And now, descending from these amazing Heights, know, Reader, that Divine Poesie is the internal Triumph of the Mind, rapt with S. Paul into the third Heaven, where She contemplates Ineffables: 'tis the sacred Oracles of Faith [Page] put into melodious Anthems that make Musick ravishing, no earthly Jubilation being comparable to It; It discovers the Causes, Beginnings, Progresse, and End of Things, It instructeth Youth, comforteth Age, graceth Prosperity, solaceth Adversity, pleaseth at Home, delighteth abroad, shortneth the Night, and refresheth the Day; No Star in the Sphear of Wisdom outshines It: Natural Philosophy hath not any thing in it which may satisfie the Soul, because that is created to something more excellent then all Nature; but this Divine Rapture chains the Minde with harmonious Precepts from a divine Influence, whose Operations are as subtle and resistlesse as the Influence of Planets; teaching Mortals to live as in the Sight of GOD, by whom the Coverts of the thickest Hypocrisie (that white Devil) are most cleerly seen thorough. Now 'tis Iudgement begets the Strength, Invention the Ornaments of a Poem; both These joyn'd form Wit, which is the Agility of Spirits: Vivacity of Fancie in a florid Style disposeth Light and Life to a Poem, wherein the Masculine and refined Pleasures of the Vnderstanding transcend the feminine and sensual of the Eye: From the Excellencie of Fancie proceed grateful Similies, apt Metaphors, &c. Sublime Poets are by Nature strengthned, by the Power of the Minde inflamed, and by divine Rapture inspired; They should have a plentiful stock to set up, and manage it artfully, their Conceptions should be choice, brief, perspicuous, well-habited. In Scripture Moses, Iob, David, Solomon, and others, are famous for employing their Talents in this kinde. S. Paul likewise cited three of the Heathen Poets (whom he calls Prophets) as evident [Page] Convictions of Vice, and Demonstrations of Divinity. viz. Epimenides to the Cretians. Tit. 1. 12. [...]. Menander to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 15. 33. [...]. And Aratus to the Athenians. Acts 17. 28. [...] From these Results I fell in love with our more divine and Christian Poesie, observing that in the Sayings and Writings of our Blessed SAVIOUR and his Disciples, there are no lesse than sixty Authorities produced from above fourty of Davids Psalms. Hence from that high Love, which hath no Weapons but fierie Rayes, my Spirit is struck into a Flame to enter into the secret and sacred Rooms of Theologie, and, Reader, if thou wilt not prejudice thine own Charity by miscrediting me, I dare professe, thou wilt neither repent of thy Cost or Time in reviewing these Intervall Issues of spiritual Recreation, which may thus, happily, prove a pleasant Lure to thy pious Devotion: May likewise thy Charity suggest to thy Belief, that I have done my best to that End, and if thou thinkest that I have wanted Salt to preserve them to Posterity, know that the very Subject It self is Balsam enough to make them perpetual. Delightest thou in a Heroick Poem? If Actions of Magnanimity and Fidelitie advancing moral Vertue merit the Title of Heroick, much more may THEOPHILA, a Combatant with the World, Hell, and her own Corruptions, gain an eternal LAUREL; Whose Example and Precepts, well follow'd, will without Doubt bring Honour, Joy, Peace, Serenity, and Hopes full of Confidence. The Composer hath extracted out of the even Mixture of Theorie and Action this cordial Water of saving Wisdom, by distilling Them [Page] through the Limbeck of PIETY, whereof they drink to their Souls Health, who not only take it in, as parched Earth does Rain, but turn it into nourishment by a spiritual Digestion, being made like It Divine. This metrical Discourse of his serious Day, to which he was led by Instigation of Conscience, not Titillation of Fame, inoculates Grafts of Reason on the Stock of Religion, and would [...] have all put upon this important Consideration, that the Life of Nature is given to seek the Life of GRACE, which bringeth us to the Life of GLORIE; the obtainment of which is his only Aim, being fully perswaded, that as every new Star gilds the Firmament, and encreaseth its first Glorie: So those, who are Instruments of the Conversion of Others, shall not only introduce new Beauties, but, when Themselves shine like other Stars in GLORY, they shall have some Reflexions from the Light of Others, to whose fixing in the Orb of HEAVEN they Themselves have been Instrumentall. He would not run thee out of Breath by longwinded Strains; for in a Poem, as in a Prayer 'tis Vigour not Length that crowns it; [...].

Taedia ut Ambages pariant, nervosa Favorem

Sic Brevitas; Labor est non brevis esse brevem.

He wisheth it might be his Happinesse to meet with such Readers, as discern the Analogie of Grounds, as well as the Knowledge of the Letter, and have as well a Systeme of Reason, as the Understanding of Words: yea, such as have Iudgement and Affections refin'd, and with THEOPHILA be Love-sick too, which Love is never [Page] more eloquent, than when ventilated in Sighs and Groans, HEAVENS delighted Musick being in the broken Consort of Hearts and Spirits, the Will there accepted for the Work, and the Desire for Desert. Behold here in an Original is presented an Example of Life, with Force of Precepts, happy who coppy them out in their Actions! Indeed Examples and Precepts are as Poems and Pictures; for, as Poems are speaking Pictures, and Pictures are silent Poems: so Example is a silent Precept, and Precept a speaking Example: And as Musick is an audible Beauty, and Beauty a visible Musick: So Precepts are audible Sweets to the Wise, and Examples silent Harmony to the illiterate, who may unclasp and glance on these Poems, as on Pictures with Inadvertency; yet He who shall contribute to the Improvement of the Author, either by a prudent Detection of an Errour, or a sober Communication of an irrefragable Truth, deserves the venerable Esteem and Welcome of a good ANGEL; And He who by a candid Adherence unto, and a fruitful Participation of what is good and pious confirms Him therein, merits the honourable Entertainment of a faithful Friend: But he who shall [...] duce him in Absence, for what in Presence he would seem to applaud, incurres the double Guilt of Flattery and Slander; and he who wounds Him with ill Reading and Misprision, does Execution on Him before Iudgement.

Now He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, bring those to everlasting Life, who love the Way, and Truth in Sincerity!

The severall Cantos.

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The

Humiliation.

Restauration.

Inamoration.

Representation.

Association.

Contemplation

Admiration.

The

Recapitulation.

Praelibation.

Translations.

Abnegation.

Disincantation.

Segregation.

Reinvitation.

Termination.

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Be pleased, Reader, first to correct these Typographical Errours.

Acres circumfert centum licèt Argus Ocellos,

Non tamen errantes cernat ubi (que) Typos.

AT the bottom B4. Line 20. Read Ecstasies, Pag. 1. Stanza 1. Strains. p. 54. St. 23. Condescent, p. 76. St. 71. Vnbounded. p. 84. St. 25. Thee. p. 106. St. 86. doth most. 132. 31. non. p. 144. rectifie the Figures. p. 169. St. 60. repurgat. 173. 90, eversis 203. 82. For. 214. l. 12. exanimes. 217. l. 7. splendet. 239. 29. didst. 268. l. 25. Nectare, &c.

PNEVMATO-SARCO-MACHIA: OR THEOPHILA'S Spiritual Warfare.

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THE Life of a true CHRISTIAN is a continual Conflict; Each Act of the good Fight hath a Military Scene; and our Blessed SAVIOUR coming like a Man of War commands in Chief, under the FATHER, who hath layed Help upon One that is Mighty, by anointing him with the Holy GHOST and with Power. This World is his pitched Field; his Standard the Cross; his Colours Blood; his Armour Patience; his Battle Persecution; his Victory Death; And in mystical DIVINITY his two-handed Sword is the Word and Spirit, which wounds and heals; and what is shed in this holy War is not Blood but Love; his Trumpeters are Prophets and Preachers; his Menacies Mercies; and his Arrows Benefits: When he offers HIMSELF to us, He then invades us; His great and small Shot are Volies of Sighs and Groans; when we are converted we are conquer'd; He bindes when He embraceth us; In the Cords of Love He leads us Captives; and kills us into Life, when He crucifies the Old, and quickens in us the New Man. So then here is no Death, but of inbred Corruptions: No Slaughter, but of carnal Affections, which being Mortified the Soul becomes a living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto GOD.

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WHEN that great Gen'ralissimo of all

Infernal Ianizaries shall

His Legions of Temptations raise, enroul,

And muster Them 'gainst Thee, my Soul:

And Ranks of Pleasures, Profits, Honours bring,

To give a Charge on the right Wing:

And place his dreadful Troops of deadly Sins

Upon the Left, with murth'ring Gins:

And draw to his main Bodie thousand Lusts,

And for Reserve, wherein he trusts,

Shall specious Sanctities Brigade provide,

Whose Leader is spiritual Pride:

And having treacherously laid his Trains

In Ambush, under Hope of Gains

By sinning, as so many Scouts, to finde

Each March and Posture of thy Mind:

Then, Soul, sound an Alarm to FAITH, and presse

Thy ZEAL to be in Readinesse;

And leavie all thy Faculties to serve

Thy CHIEFE. Take PRAY'R for thy Reserve

Under the Conduct of his SPIRIT; See

Under the Banner that they be

Of thy SALVATIONS CAPTAIN: Then be sure

That all thy Out-works stand secure.

Yet narrower look into th' indenting Line

Of thy ambiguous Thoughts: Designe

[Page] With constant Care a Watch o're every Part;

Ev'n at thy Cinque-ports, and thy Heart

Set Centinels: Let FAITH be Captain o're

The Life-Guard, standing at the Dore

Of thy well-warded Breast: Disloyal Fear

That corresponds with Guilt, cashear.

Nor let Hypocrisie sneak in and out

Thy Garrison, with that Spie, Doubt.

The Watch-word be IMMANUEL: Then set

Strong Parties of thy Tears; and let

Them still to salie forth prepared stand,

And but expect the Souls Command;

Waiting until a blest Recruit from HIGH

Be sent, with GRACES free Supplie.

Thus where the LORD of Hosts the Van leads, there Triumphant Palms bring up the Rere.

TO MY FANCIE UPON THEOPHILA.

[Page]

FLy, FANCIE, Beauties arched Brow,

Darts, wing'd with Fire, thence sparkling flow.

From Flash of Lightning Eye-balls turn;

Contracted Beams of Chrystal burn.

Wave Curls, which Wit Gold-tresses calls,

That golden Fleece to Tinsel falls.

EVade Thou peach-bloom Cheek-Decoies,

Where both the Roses blend false Joyes.

Presse not the two-leav'd Rubie Gates,

Which fence their Pearl-Portcullis Grates.

Suck not the Breath, though it return

Fragrant, as Phoenix spicie Urn.

LOck up thine Ears, and so disarm

The Magick of inamoring Charm.

The lily'd Breasts with Violets vein'd

Are Flow'rs, as soon deflowr'd as gain'd.

Love-lo [...]ks, Perfume, Paint, Spots dispraise;

These by the Black-Art Spirits raise.

[Page]

GArnish no Bristows with rich Mine,

Glow-worms are Vermin, though they shine.

Should one Love-knot All Lovelies tie,

This One, These All, soon cloy and die.

Cupid, as lame as blinde, being gone,

Live One with HIM, WHO made Thee One.

AVoid exotick Pangs o'th' Brain,

Nor let thy Margent blush a Stain.

With artful Method Misc'line sow:

May Iudgement with Invention grow.

Profit with Pleasure bring to th' Test,

Be Oar refin'd, before imprest.

PAsse Forge and File, be Point and Edge

'Gainst what severest Browes alledge.

Mix Balm with Ink; Let thy Salt heal:

T' each Palate various Manna deal.

Have for the Wise strong Sense, deep Truth:

Grand-Sallet of choice Wit for Youth.

CUll Metaphors well-weigh'd and clear,

Enucle'ate Mysteries to th' Ear.

Be Wit Stenography'd, yet free;

'Tis largest in Epitome.

Fly through Arts Heptarchie, be clad

With Wings to soar, but not to gad.

[Page]

THy Pineons raise with mystick Fire,

Sometimes 'bove high-roof't Sense aspire.

So draw THEOPH'LA, that each Line,

Centring in HEAV'N, may seem Divine.

Her Voice soon fits Thee for that Quire;

W' are cindred by intrinsick Fire.

MAgnetick VIRTUE'S in her Brest

Impregn'd with GRACE, the noblest GUEST.

Who in LOVES Albo are enrol'd,

Unutterable Joyes behold.

Geographers Earths Globe survey,

Fancie, HEAVN'S Astrolabe display.

SIx hast thou view'd of Europs Courts,

Soon, as Idaeas, pass'd their Sports.

Sense, canst thou perse and construe Blisse?

Only SOULS sanctify'd know This.

Then hackney not to Toyes, Lifes Span.

The SAINTS Rere tops the Courtiers Van.

IN Hopes Cell holy Hermit be:

Let Ecstacies transfigure Thee.

There, as Truths Champion, strive all Waies,

To storm LOVES Towre with Hosts of Praise.

Keep strong Faiths Court of Guard. The Stars

March in Batalia to these Wars.

[Page]

ZEalous in Pray'r besiege the Skie,

Conquests are Crown'd by Constancie:

Stand Cen'tnell at the BRIDEGROOMS Gates;

Who serve there, reign o're earthly States,

Rais'd on Devotions flaming Wings

Disdain the crakling Blaze of Things.

NO Musick courts Spiritual Ears

Like high-tun'd Anthems; This uprears

Thee, FANCIE, rapt through Mists of Fears,

And Clouds of Penitential Tears;

Eagling 'bove transitory Sphears,

Till ev'n the INVISIBLE appears.

DIvorc'd from past and present Toyes,

'Spouse New Ierus'lems future Joyes;

Be Re-baptiz'd in Eye-dew-Fall,

Of All forgot, forget Thou All.

These Acts well kept, Commence, and prove

Professor in Seraphick LOVE.

A Friends ECCHO to his FANCIE upon SACRATA.

[Page]

I.

WHen Fancie bright SACRATA courts,

It is not with accustom'd Sports;

[...]Tis not in prizing of her Eyes,

To the Disvalue of the Skies;

Nor robbing Gardens of their Hue,

To give her [...]lowrie Cheeks their Due.

II.

[...]Tis not in stripping of the Sea

For Coral, to resigne that Plea

It hath to the Vermilion Die,

If that her r [...]ddy Lips be nigh,

Or that I long to see them ope,

As if I thence for Pearl did hope.

III.

Nor is't in promising my [...]ars

Rather to her than to the Sphears;

Or that a Smile of hers displayes

As much Content as Phoebus Rayes,

Or that her Hand for Whitenesse shames

The Down of Swans on Silver Thames.

IV.

Let such on these Romances dwell,

Who do admire Loves Husk and Shell.

Hark, wanton Fair-ones, all your Fawns

Are Happinesses haplesse Pawns:

With these alone the Mind does Flag;

Beauty is oft the Souls Black Bag.

V.

Pure Flames that ravish with their F [...]re,

Ascend unmeasurably Higher;

Which after Search we find to be

In Virtue linkt with Pietie,

The Radiations of the Soul

All Splendors of the Flesh controul.

VI.

Fond Sense, cry up a rosie Skin,

SACRATA rosy'd is within:

But brighter THEOPHIL behold,

Who [...]e Vest is wrought with [...]urfled Gold.

LOVES self in her his Flame embeams,

LOVES Sacrifice ZEALS Rapture seems.

VII.

Of Paradise before the Fall

This Saint is Emblematical.

Then, Fancie, give Her due Renown,

She's Queen of Arts; This Book, her Crown.

SACRATA turns CASTARA unto us,

And BENLOVVES (Anagramm'd) BENEVOLUS.

JER. COLLIER, M. A. and Fell. of S. Iohns Coll. Camb.

Non me Palma negata Macrum, data reddet Opimum.

[Page]

A Smooth clear Vein should have it Sourse

From Nature, and have Art but Nurse:

Which, though it Men at Athens feasts,

May fight at Ephesus with Beasts.

WIts, rudely hal'd to Momus Bar,

By braying Beasts condemned are.

Reason! How many Brutes there be

'Mong Men, 'cause not inform'd by Thee?

VAtes Pôet-Prophet is; If good,

Alike both scorn'd, and understood.

Though Readers Censure's Writers Fate,

Spleen sha'nt contract, nor Praise dilate.

OR clap, or hisse. The Moon sails round,

Though bark'd at by each yelping Hound.

The brighter Shee, the more they bark;

But slumbring quetch not in the dark.

DEign Him, bright [...], your piercing Glance,

(Arts Foes are Sons of Ignorance)

So, freed from Nights rude Overseers,

The POET may be try'd by his PEERS.

A VERDICT FOR THE Pious SACRIFICER.

[Page]

TO shine, and light, not scorch, thy MUSE did aim;

And so hath rais'd this Quintessential Flame.

By th' Salt, and Whiteness of her Lines, We think

With holy Water (Tears) She mixt her Ink;

And both the Fire and Food of this chast MUSE

Is more what Altars, than what Tables use.

VVho does not pray with Zeal thy FAITH may move,

Rightly concentrick with thy HOPE and LOVE.

So, in the TEMPLE these Religious Hosts

From Hecatombs may rise to HOLOCAUSTS.

WALTER MONTAGVE, Com. Manch. Filius.

FOR THE AUTHOR, Truly Heroick, By BLOVD, VIRTVE, LEARNING.

[Page]

SCholar, Commander, Traveller commixt;

Schools, Camps, & Courts raise FAME, & make it fixt.

Your Fame and Feet have Alps and Oceans past:

Fam'd Feet! which Art can't raise, nor Envie blast.

Beaumont and Fletcher coyn'd a golden Way,

T' expresse, suspend, and passionate a Play.

Nimble and pleasant are all Motions there,

For two Intelligences rul'd the Spheare.

Both Sock and Buskin sunk with Them, and then

Davenant and Denham buoy'd them up agen.

Beyond these Pillars Some think nothing is:

Great BRITAINS Wit stands in a Precipice.

But, Sir, as though HEAV'NS Streits discover'd were,

By Science of your Card, UNKNOVVNS appear:

Sail then with Prince of Wits, illustrious Dunne,

VVho rapt Earth round with Love, and was its Sun.

[Page]

But your first Love was pure: Whose ev'ry Dresse

Is inter-tissu'd Wit and Holinesse;

And mends upon It self; whose Streams (that meet

With Sands and Herberts) grow more deep, more sweet.

I, wing'd with Joy, to th' PRAELIBATION fly;

Thence view I Errours Trage-comedie:

With THEOPHIL from Fear to Faith I rise,

The mystick Bridge, twixt Hell and Paradise.

Hell scap't seems double Heav'n: RENEVV'D, with Bands

Of Pray'rs, Vows, Tears, with Eyes, and Knees, and Hands,

I see her cope with HEAV'N, and HEAV'N does thence,

As in the Baptists Dayes, feel Violence.

But her ecstatick SONGS OF LOVE, declare

To Iedidiah, Shee 's apparent Heir.

Be those then next, The SONG OF SONGS. Love stiles

Her Fourth, The Second Book of CANTICLES.

But with what dreadfull yet delightful Tones

She sings when GLORIFY'D? Then, stinglesse Drones

Are Death and Hell: Joyes Crescent then's encreast,

To fullest Lustre, at her BRIDAL FEAST.

Sixth, Sev'nth, and Eighth such Banquets frame would make

WISDOM turn Cormorant; my Spirits shake

Ith' Reading. Soul of Joy! thy ravishing Sp'rite

Draws bedrid Mindes to longing Appetite.

[Page]

FAME, write with Gold on Diamond Pages; treat

Upon the GLORIES of a Work so great.

Be't then Enacted, that all Graces dwell

In Thee, THEOPH'LA, Virtues Chronicle:

Who jemm'st it in JERUSALEM Above,

Where all is GRACE and GLORY, LIGHT and LOVE.

To That, UNPARALLEL, This comes so neer,

That, 't is a Glimpse of HEAV'N to reade Thee here.

O, blest Ambition! Speculations high

Enchariot Thee, Elijah-like, to th' SKIE!

What State worth Envy, like Thy sweet Abode,

That overtops the World, and mounts to GOD?

Walkt through your Eden Stanza's, you invite

Our ravisht Souls to recre'ate with Delight,

In Bow'r of compt Discourse: Great Verse, but Prose

Such, None but our Great MASTER could compose.

For Bulk, an easie Folio is this All;

Yet we a Volume may each Canto call,

For Solid Matter: where we should consult

On Paragraphs, mark what does thence result:

For, every Period's of DEVOTION Proof,

And each Resolve is of concern'd Behoof.

Peruse, Examine, Censure; ô, how bright

Does shine RELIGION, checquer'd with Delight!

[Page]

Diffusive Soul! your Spirit was soaring, when

This Manna dew'd from your inspired Pen.

Such melting Passions of a Soul divine,

Could They be cast in any Mould but Thine?

Wonder arrests our Thought; That you alone

In such Combustions, wherein Thousands grone,

(And when some Sparkles of the publick Flame

Seiz'd on your private 'State, and scorcht the same)

Could warble Thus. Steer Ships each Pilot may

In Calms; but Who so can in Stormie Day

May justly domineer. But what may daunt

Him, who, like Mermaids, thus in Storms can chaunt?

Grace crowns the Suff'ring, Glory the Triumphing SAINT.

TH. PESTILL, Regi quondam à Sacris.

§

§

THose LADIES, Sir, we VIRTUOSA'S call,

But Copies are to this ORIGINAL;

Whose charming Empire of her GRACE does Sense

Astonish by a SUPER-EXCELLENCE.

And, like as Midas Touch made Gold: So, thus

THEOPHILA'S Touch may make THEOPHILUS.

Zeuxes cull'd out Perfections of each sort

For his Pandora; yet did All come short

As far of This Embellishment as She

Had been limn'd out in Paintings Infancie.

For, Magisterial VIRTUE draws no Grace

From Corp'ral Limbs, or Features of the Face.

Here Heav'n-born SUADAS, Star-like, gild each Dresse

Of the BRIDE SOUL espous'd to HAPPINESSE.

Here PIETIE informs Poetick Art;

As All in All, and all in every Part.

For All These dy'd not with fam'd Cartwright, though

A Score of Poets joyn'd to have it so.

T. BENLOWES. A. M.

A GLANCE AT THEOPHILA.

[Page]

WHo sacrificed last? The hallow'd Air

Seems all ensould with sweet Perfume,

Which pleased Heav'n deigns to assume,

The smiling Skie appeareth brightly fair;

Was't not THEOPHILA'S fam'd Sire,

Say, sacred Priest, obtain'd the holy Fire

To blesse, and burn his Victime of sublime Desire?

Know, curious Mortal, this rare Sacrifice,

Scarce known to our now-bedrid Age,

Was got by Zeal, and holy Rage,

And offer'd by Benevolus the Wise:

For, speckled Craft, and a loose Fit

Of aguish Knowledge, glim'ring Acts beget;

Chast Piety bears Fruit to Wisdom, not to Wit.

No Tigers Whelp with Blood-besmeared Jaws,

No Cub of Bears, lick't into Shape,

No lustfull Ofspring of the Ape,

No muskie Panther with close guileful Claws,

No durtie gruntling of the Swine,

No Lions Whelp of êre so high Design,

Is offer'd here: Keep off Unclean! Here's all divine.

[Page]

The chosen Wood (as Harbinger to all

Those future then, now passed Rites)

Was Laurel, that Guards Lightning Frights,

The weeping Firre, sad Yewe for Funeral,

The lasting Oak, and joyful Vine,

The fruitful Fig-tree Billets did consigne;

The peaceful Olive with cleft Iuniper did joyn.

On Knees in Tears think Altar'd THEOPHIL,

Incenst with sweet Obedience,

Who makes LOVES Life in Death commence,

Scaling with Heart, Hands, Eyes, HEAV'NS lofty Hill:

Her circled Head you might behold

Was glorify'd with burnisht Crown of Gold,

Embost with Gems; embrac't by ANGELS manifold.

Thus in a fierie Chariot up SHE flies,

Perfuming the forsaken Earth,

(The Widwife Orbs do help her Birth)

Into the Glorie of the HIERARCHIES.

Where Ecstasies of Ioyes do grow,

Which they Themselves eternally do sow,

But 'tis too high for Me to think, or Thee to know.

Priests thus by Hiroglyphick Keyes

Unlock their hidden Mysteries.

W. Dennie Baronet.

TO THE AUTHOR Upon His Divine Poem.

[Page]

TIll now I gues'd but blindly to what Height

The Muses Eagles could maintain their flight!

Though Poets are, like Eaglets, bred to soar,

Gazing on Starrs at Heav'ns mysterious Pow'r,

Yet I observe they quickly stoop to ease

Their Wings, and pearch on Palace-Pinacles:

From thence more usefully they Courts discern;

The Schools where Greatnesse does Disguises learn;

The Stages where She acts to vulgar sight

Those Parts which States-men as her Poets write;

Where none but those wise Poets may survay

The private practise of her publick Play;

Where Kings, GODS Counterfeits, reach but the Skill

In study'd Sceans to act the Godhead ill:

Where Cowards, smiling in their Closets, breed

Those Wars which make the vain and furious bleed:

Where Beauty playes not meerly Natures part,

But is, like Pow'r, a Creature form'd by Art;

[Page] And, as at first, Pow'r by Consent was made,

And those who form'd it did themselves invade:

So harmlesse Beauty (which has now far more

Injurious Force than States or Monarchs Power)

Was by consent of Courts allow'd Arts Aid;

By which themselves they to her Sway betray'd.

Twas Art, not Nature, taught excessive Power;

Which whom it lists does favour or devour:

Twas Art taught Beauty the imperial Skill

Of ruling, not by Justice, but by Will.

And, as successive Kings scarce seem to reign,

Whilst lazily they Empires Weight sustain;

Thinking because their Pow'r they Native call

Therefore our Duty too is Naturall;

And by presuming that we ought obay,

They lose the craft and exercise of Sway:

So, when at Court a native Beauty reigns

O're Love's wilde Subjects, and Arts help disdains;

When her presumptuous Sloth findes not why Art

In Pow'rs grave Play does act the longest part;

When, like proud Gentry, she does levell all

Industrious Arts with Arts mechanicall;

And vaunts of small inheritance no lesse

Than new States boast of purchas'd Provinces;

Whilst she does every other Homage scorn,

But that to which by Nature she was born:

[Page] Thus when so heedlesly She Lovers swayes,

As scarce she findes her Pow'r ere it decayes;

Which is her Beauty, and which unsupply'd

By what wise Art would carefully provide,

Is but Loves Lightning, and does hardly last

Till we can say it was ere it be past;

Soon then when Beautie's gone she turns her face,

Asham'd of that which was erewhile her Grace;

So, when a Monarch's gone, the Chair of State

Is backward turn'd where He in Glory sate.

The secret Arts of Love and Pow'r; how these

Rule Courts, and how those Courts rule Provinces,

Have been the task of every noble Muse;

Whose Aid of old nor Pow'r nor Love did use

Meerly to make their lucky Conquests known

(Though to the Muse they owe their first Renown;

For She taught Time to speak, and ev'n to Fame,

Who gives the Great their Names, She gave a Name)

But they by studying Numbers rather knew

To make those happy whom they did subdue.

Here let me shift my Sails! and higher bear

My Course than that which moral Poets steer!

For now (best Poet!) I Divine would be;

And only can be so by studying Thee.

Those whom thy Flights do lead shall pass no more

Through darkning Clouds when they to Heav'n would sore;

[Page] Nor in Ascent fear such excesse of Light

As rather frustrates than maintains the Sight;

For thou dost clear Heav'ns darkned Mysteries,

And mak'st the Luster safe to weakest Eyes.

Noiselesse, as Planets move, thy Numbers flow,

And soft as Lovers Whispers when they woo!

Thy labourd Thoughts with Ease thou dost dispence,

Clothing in Mayden Dresse a Manly Sence.

And as in narrow Room Elixir lies;

So in a little thou dost much comprise.

Here fix thy Pillars! which as Marks shall be

How far the Soul in Heav'ns discovery

Can possibly advance; yet, whilst they are

Thy Trophies, they but warrant our Despair:

For, humane Excellence hath this ill Fate

That where it Vertue most doth elevate

It bears the blot of being singular;

And Envy blasts that Fame it cannot share:

Ev'n good Examples may so Great be made

As to discourage whom they should perswade.

WILL. D'AVENANT.

TOWER, May 13th 1652.

For the much Honoured AVTHOR.

[Page]

THe winged Intellect once taught to fly

By Art and Reason, may be bold to pry

Into the Secrets of a wandring Star,

Although its Motions be irregular:

And from the Smiles and Glances that those bright

Corrivals cast, that do embellish Night,

Guesse darkly at, though not directly know,

The various Changes that fall here below.

And perching on the high'st Perimeter,

May finde the Distances of every Sphere,

Which in full Orbs do move, tunicled so

That the lesse Spheres within the greater go,

As Cell in Cell, spun by the dying Flie;

Or Ball in Ball, turn'd in smooth Ivorie.

Each hath a Prince circled upon a Throne,

In a refulgent Habitation.

Only the Constellations seem to be

Like Nobles, in an Aristocrasie.

Their milkie Way like Innocence, and thus

Should all great Actions be Diaphanous.

But the great Monarch, Light, disposes All:

His Stores are Magazine, and Festivall:

And by his Pow'r Earths Epicycle may

Move in a silver Sphere, as well as They.

Else, her poor little Orb appears to be

A very Point to their Immensitie.

Thus strung, like Beads, They on their Centers move;

But the great Center of this All, is LOVE.

[Page] Though the brute Creatures by the height of Sense

Foretell their calm and boystrous Influence,

Yet to finde out their Motions is Mans part,

Not by the help of Nature, but of Art,

Which rarifies the Soul, and makes it rise,

And sees no farther than that gives it Eyes.

And by that Prospect will directly tell

What Regions stoop to every Parallel.

Which Cities furred are with Snow, which lie

Naked, and scorcht under Heav'ns Canopie.

How Men, like Cloves stuck in an Orenge, stand

Still upright, with their Feet upon the Land.

And where the Seas oppos'd to us do flow,

Yet quench they not that Heat where Spices grow.

It sees fair Mornings rising Neck beset

With orient Jems, like a rich Carcanet.

Who every Night doth send her Beams to spie

In what dark Caves her golden Treasures lie:

And there they brood and hatch the callow Race,

Till they take wing, and fly in every place.

It sees the frozen Firre shrouding its Arms,

While Cocus Trees are courted with blest Charms,

That swell their pregnant Womb: whose Issue may

Sweeten our World, but that they die by th' Way.

It sees the Seasons lying at the Door,

Some warm and wanton, and some cold and poor;

And knows from whence they come, both foul & fair,

And from their Presence gilds, or soils the Air.

It sees plain Natures Face, how rude it looks

Till it be polished by Men and Books;

And most of her dark Secrets can discover

To open View of an industrious Lover.

[Page] What ever under Heav'ns great Throne we prize

Or value, in Arts Chamber-practise lies.

But when before the ALMIGHTY JUDGE he come

To speak of HIM, my Oratour is dumb.

Go then, thou silent Soul, present thy Plea

By the fair Hand of sweet THEOPHILA.

Hap'ly thy harsh and broken Strains may rise

In the Perfume of her sweet Sacrifice:

And if by this Accesse thou find'st a Way

To th' highest THRONE, alas! what canst thou say?

What can the Bubble (though its Breath it bring

Upon the gliding Stream) say of the Spring?

Can the proud painted Flow'r boast that it knows

The Root that bears it, and whereon it grows?

Or can the crawling Worm, though ne're so stout,

With its Meandrings finde the Center out?

Can INFINITE be measur'd by a Span?

And what art thou, lesse than all these, ô Man?

Man is a thing of nought! yet from ABOVE

There beams upon his Soul such Raies of LOVE,

As may discover by Faiths Optick, where

The burning Bush is, though not see HIM there.

The meekest Man on Earth did only see

His Shadow shining there, it was not HE.

And if that great Soul, who with holy Flame,

And ravisht Spirit to the Third Heav'n came,

Saw Things unutterable, What can We

Expresse of those Things that we ne're did see?

The Senses strongest Pillars cannot bear

The Weight of the least grain of GLORY there.

No more then where to bound, or comprehend

INFINITIE, they can Begin, or End.

[Page] Since then the Soul is circumscrib'd within

The narrow Limits of a tender Skin;

Let us be Babes in Innocence, and grow

Strong upwards, and more weak to things below.

By sacred Chymistrie, the Spirit must

Ascend and leave the Sediment to Dust.

This Cordial is distilled from the Eyes,

And we must sprinkle it on th' Sacrifice:

Offered i'th Virtue of THEOPH'LAS Name,

Which must be to it Holocaust and Flame.

Then, wing'd with Zeal, we may aspire to see

The hallow'd Oracles exprest by THEE,

Who art LOVES Flamen, and with Holy Fire

Refin'st thy Muse, to make her mount the Higher.

ARTH. WILSON.

For the Renowned COMPOSER.

APOETS Ashes need nor Brass, nor Stone

To be their Ward-robe; Since his Name alone

Shall stand both Brass and Marble to the Tomb.

Nor doth he want the Cere-cloths balmy Womb

T' enwrap his Dust, until his drowzie Clay

Again enliv'ned by an active Ray,

Shot from the last Day's Fire, shall wake, and rise,

Attir'd with Light. No; When a POET dies,

His Sheets alone winde up his Earth, They'l be

Instead of Mourner, Tomb, and Obsequie;

And to embalm It, his own Ink he takes:

Gumme Arabick the richest Mummy makes.

[Page] Then, Sir, You need no Obelisk, that may

Seclude your Ashes from Plebeian Clay.

For, from your Mine of Fancie, now we see

Y' have digg'd so many Iems of Poesie,

That out of them you raise a glorious Shrine,

In which your ever-blooming Name will shine;

Free from th' Eclipse of Age, and Clouds of Rust,

Which are the Moths to other common Dust.

Then, could we now collect th' all worshipt Oar,

With which kinde Nature paves the Indian Shore;

And gather to one masse that Stock of Spice,

Which copies out afresh old Paradise,

And in the Phoenix od'rous Nest is pent,

All would fall short of This rich Monument.

About the Surface of whose Verge, You stick

So many fragrant Flow'rs of Rhetorick,

That Lovers shall approach in Throngs, and seek

With their rich Leaves t' adorn each Beauties Cheek;

So that, these sacred Trophies will become

In After-times your Altar, not your Tomb.

To which the Poets shall in well-drest Laies,

Offer their Victimes, with a Grove of Bayes.

For here among these Leaves, no speckled Snake,

Or Viper doth his Bed of Venom make:

No Lust-burnt Goat, nor looser Satyr weaves

His Cabin out, among these spotlesse Leaves.

A Virgin here may safely dart her Eye,

And yet not blush for Fear, lest any by

Should see Her read. These Pages do dispence

A Julep, which so charms the Itch of Sense,

That we are forc't to think your guiltlesse Quill

Did, with its Ink, the Turtles Blood distill.

T. Philipot.

Pietatis, Poetices (que) Cultori.

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IGne cales tali, quali cum Nuncius Ora

Seraphicus sacro tetigit Carbone Prophetae.

Macte DEI plenum Pectus; Te his dedito Flammis,

Sancte Poetarum Phoenix! Reparabilis Ignis

Te voret hîc Totum; Quo plus consumeris Illo,

Hoc magis Aeterno Tu consummaberis Aevo.

INCIPE Censurâ major, qui Fonte Camaenas

Idalias tingis casto; Tua Metra Sionem

Parnasso jungunt celebri; tam digna Lituris

Nulla canis, quàm sunt omni dignissima Laude.

THEIOPHILAM resonare docens Modulamine diam,

Impia priscorum lustrâsti Carmina Vatum.

PERGE; beatifico correptus NVMINE, PERGE,

Vivida felici fundendo Poemata Flatu,

Pectore digna tuo, COELI penetrare Recessus:

Et quae densa tegit Nubes Mysteria claro

Lumine perlustra, solito non concite Plectro,

Quaelibet altisono prosterne Piacula Versu.

PERFICE, terrenum transcende, POETA, Cacumen:

Conversus converte Vagos; Quos decipit Error

Incautos, Meliora doce; Britones (que) bilingues

Lingua fac erudiat Britonum, sit quanta superbi

Pectoris Ambitio & Veri Caligo; Camaenis

Subdola vesani depinge Sophismata Sêcli.

IO. GAVDENTIVS. S. T. D.

In Sanctos THEOPHILAE Amores.

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VIx mihi Te vidisse semel concessit Apollo,

In (que) tuo pictam Carmine THEIOPHILAM:

Quum gemino Ipse miser, sed fortunatus AMORE

Deperii; dubius sic Ego factus Amans.

Cur Dubius? Fallor. Nam, quamvis partibus aequis,

Igne simul duplici me novus urat Amor,

Afficitur tamen Objecto, at (que) unitur in uno,

Tota (que) divisis una Favilla manet.

Ne, Lector, mirêre; Novum est. Sed protinus Ignes,

Si sine felle legas, experiêre meos.

THEIOPHILA! In cunctis Praecellentissima Nymphis;

Nominis ad Famam quot Tibi Corda cadent!

Corporis, Ingenii (que) Bonis dotata triumphas,

Bina (que) cum summa Laude, Trophaea geris.

DOCTE, Tibi aeternae quales Spectacula Chartae,

Quot (que) Illi efficient Pagina docta Procos!

Sexus uter (que) pari, visâ HAC, ardebit Amore;

HAC (que) frui ex aequo Sexus uter (que) volet.

Ne vercare tamen, Cuncti licet Oscula figant

THEIOPHILAE, ne sit casta, vel una TIBI.

Famae Ejus nil detrahitur si publica fiat;

Hanc ut ament Omnes, Nil Tibi, AMICE, perit.

Tu solus DOMINA dignus censeberis Illâ,

ILLAM qui solus pingere dignus eras.

P. de CARDONEL.

In celeberrimam THEOPHILAM, feliciter elucubratam.

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A Nne novi, veterisve prius Monumenta revolvam

Ingenii? & Tragicos superantia Scripta Cothurnos,

At (que) Sophoclaeis numerari digna Triumphis?

Quàm bene vivificis depingitur Artibus ECHO?

Quàm bene monstriferas Vitiorum discutis Hydras?

Carminibus (que) doces quantum peccaverit Aevum?

Quanta Polucephalis repserunt Agmina Sectis?

SPHINGE THEOLOGICA quae dia Poemata pangis?

Mira & Vera canens, nodosa Aenigmata solvis.

Nec vitae pars ulla perit, nec transigis unam

Ingratam sine Luce Diem; dum pervigil Artes

Exantlas, avidis (que) bibis Permessida Labris.

Iam, velut primo Phoenix revocatus Eoo,

Apparet nostris nova Sponsa THEOPHILA Terris.

Illius è roseis flammatur Purpura malis;

Et Gemmis Lux major adest, & blandius Aurum

A Calamo, BENLOSE, tuo; dum Dotibus amplis

Excolis, Ingenii (que) Opibus melioribus ornas.

Lactea Ripheas praecellunt Colla Pruinas;

Fronte Decor radiat, sancto (que) Modestia Vultu;

Suada verecundis & Gratia plena Labellis

Assidet, & casti Mores imitata Poetae,

Te Moderatorem fusis amplectitur Vlnis.

Hi [...]ce Triumphatrix decorata THEOPHILA Gemmis,

Celsior assurgit, Mundum (que) nitentior intrat

Virgineis comitata Choris; QUAM Tramite longo

Agmina Cecropiis stipant Heliconia Turmis.

Non aliter quoties adremigat Aequoris Vndas

Fraenatis Neptunus Equis, fluit ocyùs Antris

Nereidum Gens tota suis, Dominum (que) salutant,

Blandula caeruleo figentes Oscula Collo.

P. F.

Qui Virtutes THEOHILAE praedicat, Religioni non Gloriae studeat. Noverim Te, DOMINE, noverim me!

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LAudis in Oceano me submersistis, Amici;

Maxima pars Decoris me, nihil esse, patet.

Laus, famulare DEO, submissi Victima Cordis

Est Hecatombaeis anteferenda Sacris.

CHRISTE, meae da par ut sit mea Vita Camaenae;

Sim ne (que) Laus Aliis prodiga, parca TIBI.

Ore-come me not with your Perfumes, ô Friends!

My greatest Worth, to shew I'm nothing, tends.

Praise, wait on HEAV'N. Th' Host of an humble Heart

Excells the sacred Hecatombs of Art.

Grant, LORD, my Life may parallel my Layes!

They me too much, I THEE too little, praise.

IN DIVINOS POETAS.

SAncto SANCTA COLUMBA Musa Vati.

Parnassus superae CACUMEN AETHRAE.

CHRISTI GRATIA Pegasus supremus.

Vati Castalis Vnda DIUS IMBER.

Pennam dat SERAPHIN suis ab Alis.

AGNI scribitur Optimi CRUORE.

Vati Bibliotheca SPHAERA COELI.

VITAE è CODICE faenerans Medullam,

Internos penetrat POLI RECESSUS.

O, CONAMINA fructuo [...]iora!

O, SOLAMINA delicatiora!

Per Quae creditur ANGELUS Poeta,

PATRONUS (que) pio DEVS Poetae!

ON DIVINE POETS.

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A Hallow'd Poets Muse is Th'HOLY DOVE.

Parnassus th' EMPYRAEAN HEIGHT Above.

His lofty-soaring Pegasus CHRISTS LOVE.

HEAV'NS Shoure of GRAOE is his Castalian Spring.

A SERAPHIN lends Pen from his own Wing.

His Ink is o [...] the best LAMBS purple Die.

To Him HEAV'NS SPHERE is a vast Librarie.

Rais'd by th' Advantage of th' ETERNAL BOOK,

His piercing Eye ev'n into HEAV'N does look.

O, what ENDEAVORS can more fruitful be!

What COMFORTS can we more delightful see!

By which the Poet we an ANGEL deem;

Yea, GOD to's sacred Muse does PATRON seem.

Ergo brevi stringam COELESTIA Cantu.

AIming to profit as to please, We bring

No usual Hawk to try her Wing.

Come, come THEOPH'LA, fresh as May:

Hark how the Falkner lures! This is Loves Holy-Day.

Her stretch is for Devotions Quarrie, which

Mounts up her Zeal to Eagle-pitch:

Cheer Thou her present tim'rous Flight,

Whil'st She thus cuts with Wing the driving Rack of Height.

From thence, 'bove sparkling Stars, She'l spritely move,

Her Plumes of Faith being prun'd by Love.

AS GRACE shall ymp her Pineon, more,

Or less, she will, or flag, or 'bove what's mortal, soar.

The Author musing here survay,

How He may THEOPHI [...] portray:

Where Others Art [...]urpast you [...]ind,

They draw the Body, HE the Mind.

The World's benea [...]h his Foot; while SHEE

HEAV'N, by the Heav'nly Sphere, does see.

A CROWN is r [...]acht HER from the SKIES,

Vp with his BOOK an Eagle flies.

THE PRELIBATION To the SACRIFICE.
CANTO I.

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ARGUMENT.

Spes alit occiduas qui Sublunaribus haeret;

Rivales IESVS non in Amore sinit.

Quid mihi non sapiat Terrâ, mihi dum sapit AETHER?

Sed sapiet, sapias nî mihi, CHRISTE, nihil.

Awake, Arise, LOVES Steersman, and first tast

Delight; Sound That; ere Anchor's cast

On JOY; stere hence a pray'rful Course to HEAV'N at last.

STANZA I.

MIght Souls converse with Souls, by AN [...]EL-way,

Enfranchis'd from their pris'ning Clay,

What STRIANS by INTUITION, would They then convay!

II.

But, Spirits, sublim'd too fast, evap'rate may,

Without some interpos'd Allay;

And Notions, subtiliz'd too thin, exhale away.

III.

The Gold (Sols Child) when in Earths Womb it lay

As precious was, though not so gay,

As, when refin'd, it doth It self abroad display.

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IV.

Mount, Fancie, then through Orbs to GLORIES Sphere;

(Wilde is the Course that ends not there:)

You, who are VIRTUES Friends, lend to her Tongue an Ear.

V.

Let not the wanton Love-fights, which may rise

From vocal Fifes, Flame-darting Eyes,

(Beauties Munition) Hearts wth Wounds unseen surprize:

VI.

Whose Basilisk-like Glances taint the Air

Of VIRGIN purenesse, and ensnare

Entangled Thoughts i'th' Trammels of their Ambush-hair.

VII.

Loves Captive view, who's Daies in warm Frosts spends;

On's Idol dotes, to Wit pretends;

Writes, blots, & rends; nor heeds where he begins or ends.

VIII.

His Stock of Verse in Comick Fragments lies:

Higher than Ten'riffs Pique He flies:

Sols but a spark; Thou outray'st all Diamonds of the Skies.

IX.

Victorious Flames glow from thy brighter EYE;

Cloud those twin-lightning ORBS (They'l [...]rie

Anice-vein'd Monk) cloud Them, or, PLANET-struck, I die.

X.

Indians, pierce Rocks for Gems; Negro's, the Brine

For Pearls; Tartars, tohunt combine

For Sables; Consecrate all Off'rings at HER SHRINE.

XI.

Crouch low.-O, Vermeil-tinctur'd CHEEK! for, thence

The Organs to my Optick Sense

Aredazled at the Blaze of so bright ANGELENCE.

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XII.

Does Troy-bane Hellen (Friend) with ANGELS share?

All Lawlesse Passions Idols are:

Frequent are fuco'd Cheeks; The Virtuosa's rare:

XIII.

A Truth authentick. Let not skin-deep white

And red, perplex the nobler Light

O'th' Intellect; nor mask the SOULS clear piercing Sight.

XIV.

Burn Odes, Lusts Paperplots; Fly Playes, its Flame;

Shun guileful Courtisms; Forge for Shame

No Chains; Lip-traffick, and Eye-dialogues disclaim.

XV.

Hark how the frothy, empty Heads within

Roar and carouse i'th' jovial Sin,

Amidst the wilde Levalto's on their merry Pin!

XVI.

Drain dry the ransackt Cellars, and resign

Your Reason up to Riot, joyn

Your Fleet, & sail by Sugar-rocks through Floods of Wine:

XVII.

Send Care to dead Sea of Phlegmattick Age;

Ride without Bit your restive Rage;

And act your Revel-rout Thus on the tipling Stage.

XVIII.

Swell us a lustie BRIMMER,-more,-till most;

So Vast, that none may spie the Coast:

Wee'l down with ALL, though therein sail'd LEPANTO'S Host:

XIX.

Top and Top-gallant hoise; We will out-rore

The bellowing Storms, though shipwrackt more

Healths are, than tempting'st Syrens did inchant of yore

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XX.

Each Gallon breeds a Ruby;-Drawer, score'um;

Cheeks dy'd in Claret seem o'th' Quorum,

When our Nose-carbuncles, like Link-boyes, blaze before'um.

XXI.

Such are their Ranting Catches to unsoul,

And out-law Man; They stagger, rowl,

Their [...]eet indent, their Sense being drunk with Circes Bowl.

XXII.

Intombed Souls! Why rot ye thus alive,

Melting your Salt to Lees? and strive

To strangle Nature, and hatch Death? Healths, Health deprive.

XXIII.

The sinlesse Herd loaths your Sense-stifling Streams,

When long Spits point your Tale: Ye Breams

In Wine and Sleep, your PRINCES are but Fumes, and Drea [...]s.

XXIV.

I'd rather be preserv'd in Brine, than rot

In Nectar. Now to Dice they're got:

Their Tables snare in both; Then what can be their Shot?

XXV.

Yet Blades will throw at A [...]l, sans Fear, or Wit;

Oa [...]h [...] black the Night when [...]ice do'nt hit;

When Winners lose at Play, can Losers win by it?

XXVI.

Egypts Spermatick Nurse, when her spread Floor

Is flow'd 'bove sev'nteen Cubits ore,

Breeds Dearth: And Spend-thri [...]ts waste, when they enflame the Score.

XXVII.

Tell me, ye pybald Butterflies, who poise

Extrinsick with intrinsick Joyes;

What gain ye from such short-liv'd, fruitless, empty Toys?

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XXVIII.

Ye Fools, who barter Gold for Trash, report,

Can Fire in Pictures warm? Can Sport

That stings, the mock-sense fill? How low's your HEAV'N! how short!

XXIX.

Go, chaffer BLISSE for Pleasure▪ which is had

More by the Beast, than Man; the Bad

Swim in their Mirth: (CHRIST wept, nere laught) The Best are sad.

XXX.

Brutes covet nought but what's terrene; HEAV'NS Quire

Do in eternal Joyes conspire;

Man 'twixt them Both does intermediate Things desire.

XXXI.

Had we no Bodies, we were ANGELS; and

Had we no Souls, we were unmann'd

To Beasts: Brutes are all Flesh, all Spirit the Heav'nly BAND.

XXXII.

At first GOD made them One thus, by subjecting

The Sense to Reason; and directing

The Appetite by th' Spirit: But Sin by infecting

XXXIII.

Mans free-born Will, so shatters Them; that They

At present nor cohabite may

Without [...]Regret, nor without Grief depart away.

XXXIV.

Go, cheating World, that dancest ore thy Thorns;

Lov'st what undoes; hat'st what adorns:

Go, idolize thy Vice, and VIRTUE load with Scorns.

XXXV.

Thy luscious Cup, more deadly then Asps Gall,

Empoys'neth Souls for Hell: Thou all

Times Mortalls dost enchant with thy delusive Call.

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XXXVI.

Who steals from Time, Time steals from him the Prey:

Pastimes passe Time, passe HEAV'N away:

Few like the blessed Thief do steal SALVATIONS Day.

XXXVII.

Fools rifle Times rich Lott'rie: Who mispend

Lifes peerlesse Gemme, alive descend;

And Antidate with Stings their never-ending End.

XXXVIII.

Whose vast Desires engrosse the boundlesse Land

By Fraud, or Force; Like Spiders stand,

Squeezing small Flies; Such are their Nets, & such their Hand.

XXXIX.

When Nimrods Vulture-Talons par'd shall be,

Their Houses Name soon chang'd you'l see;

For their Bethesda shall be turn'd to Bethanie.

XL.

Better destroy'd by Law, than rul'd by Will;

What Salves can cure, if Balsams kill?

That Good is worst that does degenerate to Ill.

XLI.

Had not GOD left the BEST within the Power

Of Persecutors, who devoure;

We had nor MARTYRS had, nor yet a SAVIOUR.

XLII.

SAINTS melt as Wax, Fools-clay grows hard at Cries

Of that scarce-breathing Corse, who lies

With dry Teeth, meager Cheeks, thin Maw, & hollow Eyes.

XLIII.

GOD made Life; Give't to Man; By opening Veins,

Death's sluc'd out, and Pleuretick Pains:

Make GOD thy Pattern, Cure thy self, Alms are best gains.

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XLIV.

HEAV'NS GLORIE to atchieve, what scantling Span

Hath the frail Pilgrimage of Man!

Which sets, when risen; ends, when it but now began.

XLV.

Who fight with outward Lusts, win inward Peace;

Iudgements against Self-Iudges cease:

Who face their Cloaks with Zeal do but their Woes increase.

XLVI.

The Mighty, mighty Torments shall endure,

If impious: Hell admits to Cure.

The best Securitie is ne're to be secure.

XLVII.

Oaks, that dare grapple with HEAV'NS Thunder sink

All shiver'd; Coals that scorch do shrink

To Ashes; Vap'ring Snuffs expire in noysom Stink.

XLVIII.

Time, strip the writhel'd Witch; Pluck the black Bags

From off Sins grizly Scalp; the Hags

Plague-sores shew then more loathsom than her leprous Rags.

XLIX.

'Twas She slew guiltlesse Naboth; 'twas she curl'd

The painted Iezabel; she hurl'd

Realms from their Center; She unhing'd the new-fram'd World.

L.

Blest then who shall her dash 'gainst Rocks; (her Grones,

Our Mirth) and wash the bloody Stones

With her own cursed Gore; repave them with her Bones.

LI.

By Salique Law She should not reign: Storms swell

By her, which Halcyon Dayes dispell:

Nought's left that's good where she in Souls possest does dwell.

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LII.

'Twas her Excesse bred Plagues! Infecting Stars,

Infesting Dearth, Intestine Wars

Surfeit with Graves the Earth, 'mongst Living making Jars.

LIII.

My Soul, enlabyrinth'd in Grief, spend Years

In Sackcloth, chamleted with Tears,

Retir'd to Rocks dark entrals, court unwitnest Fears.

LIV.

There passe with Heraclite a gentler Age,

Free from the sad ACCOUNT of Rage,

That acts the toilsome World on its tumultuous Stage.

LV.

There sweet RELIGION strings, and tunes, and skrues

The Souls Theorb', and doth infuse

Grave Dorick Epods in th' Enthusiastick MUSE.

LVI.

There LOVE turns trumpets into Harps, which call

Off Sieges from the gun-shot Wall;

Alluring them to HEAV'N, her Seat Imperial.

LVII.

Thence came our Ioy, and Thence HYMNS eas'd our Grief;

Of which th' ANGELICAL was chief;

Glory to GOD; Earth Peace; Good Will for Mans Relief.

LVIII.

Quills, pluckt from Venus Doves, impresse but shame:

Then, give your Rimes to Vulcans Flame;

Hee'l elevate your badger Feet: He's free, though lame.

LIX.

Things fall, and Nothings rise! Old VIRTUE fram'd

Honour for WISDOM: WISDOM fam'd

Old VIRTUE: Such Times were! Wealth then Arts Page was nam'd

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LX.

Lambeth was Oxfords Whetstone: Yet above

Preferments Pinnacle they mov [...],

Who string the Vniverse, and bracelet It for LOVE.

LXI.

Virtues magnifick Orb inflames their Zeal;

By high-rais'd ANTHEMS Plagu [...]s they heal;

And threefork'd Thunders in HEAVNS outstretcht Arm repeal.

LXII.

Shall Larks with shrill-chirpt Mattens rouze from Bed

Of curtain'd Night Sols orient Head?

And shall quick SOULS lie numb'd, as wrapt in Sheets of Lead?

LXIII.

Awake from slumbring Lethargie; The gay

And circling Charioter of Day,

In's Progress through the azure Fields sees, checks our Stay.

LXIV.

Arise; and rising, emulate the rare

Industrious Spinsters, who with fair

Embroid'ries checker-work the Chambers of the Air.

LXV.

Ascend; Sol does on Hills his Gold display,

And, scatt'ring Sweets, does spice the Day,

And shoots delight through Nature with each arrow'd Ray.

LXVI.

The Opal-colour'd Dawns raise Fancie high;

Hymns ravish those who Pulpets fly;

Convert dull Lead to active Gold by LOVE-CHYMIE.

LXVII.

As Natures prime Confectioner, the Bee,

By her Flow'r-nibling Chymistrie,

Turns Vert to Or: So, VERSE gross Prose does rarifie.

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LXVIII

Pow'rs cannot Poets, as They Pow'rs up-buoy;

Whose Soul-enliv'ning Charms Decoy

Each wrinkled Care to the Pacifick Sea of Joy.

LXIX.

As, where from Iewels sparkling Lustre darts,

Those Rayes enstarre the duskie Parts:

So, Beams of Poesie give Light, Life, Soul to Arts.

LXX.

Rich POESIE! Thy more irradiant Gems

Give Splendor unto DIADEMS,

And with coruscant Rayes emblazest HONOURS Stems.

LXXI.

Thee MUSE (Arts ambient Air, Inventions Door,

The Stage of Wits) both Rich and Poor

Do court. [...]A PRINCE may glory to become thy WOOER.

LXXII.

POETS ly'entomb'd by KINGS. Arts Gums dispence;

By Rumination bruis'd, are thence

By VERSE so fir'd, that their Perfume ENHEAV'NS the Sense.

LXXIII.

Its The'ory makes All wiser, yet Few better;

Practise is Spirit, Art the Letter;

Vse artlesse doth enlarge, Art uselesse does but fetter.

LXXIV.

Sharp Sentences are Goads to make Deeds go;

Good Works are Males, Words Females show:

Whose Lives act Presidents, prevent the Laws, and Do.

LXXV.

So far We know, as we obey GOD; and

HE counts We leave not his Command,

When as our Interludes but 'twixt our Acts do stand.

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LXXVI.

Honours brave SOUL is in that Body shrin'd,

Which floats not with each giddy Winde,

(Fickle as Courtly Dress) but WISDOMS Sea does find:

LXXVII.

Steering by GRACES Pole-star, which is fast

In th' APOSTOLLICK Zodiack plac't,

Whose Course at first four EVANGELICK Pilots trac't:

LXXVIII.

The THEANTHROPICK WORD; That mystick Glasse

Of Revelations; That masse

Of Oracles; That Fu'el of Pray'r; That Wall of Brass;

LXXIX.

That Print of HEAV'N on Earth; That Mercies Treasure,

And Key; That Evidence, and Seisure;

Faiths Card, Hopes Anchor; Loves full Sail; Abyss of Pleasure.

LXXX.

Such SAINTS high Tides n'ere ebbe so low, to shelf

Them on the Quicksand of their self▪

Swallowing Corruption: Sin's the Wrack, They fly that (Elf.

LXXXI.

Gloomier than West of Death; than North of Night;

Than Nest of Triduan Blacks, with Fright

Which Egypt scar'd, when HE brought Darkness, WHO made Light.

LXXXII.

Compar'd to whose Storm, thund'ring Peals are calm:

Compar'd to whose Sting, Asps yield Balm:

Compar'd to whose loath'd Charm, Death is a Mercy-Psalm.

LXXXIII.

Her Snares escap'd, soar, Muse, to HIM, whose bright

Spirit-illuminating Sight

Turns Damps to glorious Dayes; turns Fogs to radiant Light.

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LXXXIV.

RELIGION's Wisdoms Study; That display,

LORD, countermand what goes astray;

And smite the Ass (rude Flesh) when it does start or bray.

LXXXV.

Soul, thou art lesse than MERCIES least; Three ne're

Depart from Sin; Shame, Guilt, and Fear:

Fear, Shame, Guilt, Sin, are Four; Yet All in One appear.

LXXXVI.

Crest-faln by Sin, how wretchedly I stray!

Me thinks 'tis Pride in me to pray:

HEAV'N aid me strugling under this sad Load of Clay.

LXXXVII.

No Man may merit, yet did ONE, we hold;

Who most do vant their Zeal, are cold:

Thus Tin for Silver goes with these, and Brasse for Gold.

LXXXVIII.

Renew my Heart, direct my Tongue; unseal

My Hand, inspire my Faith, reveal

My Hope, encrease my Love, and my Backslidings heal!

LXXXIX.

Let Language (Mans choice Glory) serve the Minde:

Thy SPIRIT on Bezaliel shin'd:

Help, BLOUD, by Faith apply'd! Thy Spittle cur'd the Blinde.

XC.

Turn Sense to Spirit; Nature's chang'd alone

By GRACE; THAT is the Chymick-stone:

And thy all-pow'rful WORD is pure Projection;

XCI.

TRUTHS Touchstone, surest Rule that ere was fra'md,

(Tradition, Mans dark Map, 's disclaim'd)

The Paper burns me not, yet I am all inflam'd:

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XCII.

For, as I read, such inward Splendor glowes;

Such Life-renewing Vigour flowes,

That All, what's known of thy most righteous WILL, It showes:

XCIII.

Whose Spells make Enochs walk with THEE; withhold

Corruption, and translate e're old:

All Vaticans are drosse; THIS, Magisterial Gold.

XCIV.

Thus, poor numm'd Tartars, when th' are brought into

Warm Persias Gem-pav'd Court, are so

Reviv'd, that then They live; till then half dead wth Snow.

XCV.

Good Thoughts from THEE infus'd I do derive;

Good Words effus'd THOU dost me give;

Good Works diffus'd by THEE, in THEE do live, & thrive.

XCVI.

Nerve-stretching Muse, thy Bow's new strung; shoot then

Hymns to the BEST, from worst of Men;

Make Arts thy Tributaries, twist Heart, Tongue, & Pen.

XCVII.

But how can Eves degenerate Issue, bent

To Sin, in its weak Measures vent

Thy PRAISE? Unmeasurable! and Omnipotent!

XCVIII.

Shrubs cannot Cedars, nor Wrens Eagles praise;

Nor purblinde Owls on Sols Orb gaze:

What is a drop to Seas, a Beam to boundlesse Raies?

XCIX.

Yet Hope, and Love may raise my drooping Flight;

And Faith in THEE embeam my Night:

Great LOVE, supply Faiths Nerves, with winged Hope— I WRITE.

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C.

My Spirit, LORD, my Soul, my Bodie, all

My Thoughts, Words, Works hereafter shall

Praise THEE, and Sin bemone.

JESU, how lov'dst THOU me!

Me blessed, thy LOVE make!

Me raised, Thy LOVE take!

JESU, my pretious ONE!

May This, LOVES OFFERING be.

My Heart, Tongue, Eye, Hand, bowe [...] Knee,

As All came from, let All return to THEE!

NVnc sacra primus habet Finem, mea Cura, Libellus;

Iàm precor impellat sanctior Aura ratem!

I felix, rapidas diffindas Caerula Syrtes;

Te Divina regit DEXTERA; Sospes abi.

NON NOBIS DOMINE.

THEOPHILAS LOVE-SACRIFICE.
The Summary of the Poem.

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THEOPHILA, or Divine Love, ascends to her BELOV'D by three Degrees. By Humilitie, by Zeal, by Contemplation. In the First She is Sincere, In the Second Fervent, In the Third Extatical. In her Humiliation She sadly condoles her Sin, in her Devotion She improves her Grace, In her Meditation She antidates her Glory, and triumphantly congratulates the Fruition of her SPOUSE. And by three Wayes, which Divines call the Purgative, Illuminative, and Vnitive; She is happily led into the Disquisition of Sin by Man; of Suffering by CRIST as SPONSOR; of Salvation, by HIM as REDEEMER. In the Purgative Way she falls upon Repentance, Mortification, Self-denial; helpt in part by the Knowledge of herself, which breeds Contrition, Renuntiation, and Purpose of Amendment: In the Illuminative she pursues Moral Vertues, Theological Graces, and Gospel-promises, revealed by CHRIST, as the Great APOSTLE, which begets in her Gratitude, Imitation and, Appropriation. In the Vnitive she is wholly taken up with Intuition of supercoelestial Excellencies, with beatifical Apprehensions, [Page] and Adherencies, as to CHRIST in Bodie, to the Holy GHOST in Spirit, to GOD the FATHER in a bright Resemblance of the Divine NATURE. All which are felt by the Knowledg of CHRIST as MEDIATOR; whence flow Admiration, Elevation, consummated in GLORIFICATION. And were Mysteriously intimated in the Symbolical Oblations of the Star-led Sophies, Who, by their Myrrhe, signify'd Faith, Chastity, Mortification, the Purgative Actions; by their Incense implied Hope, Prayer, Obedience, the Illuminative Devotions; by their Gold importing Charity, Satiety, Radiancie, the Vnitive Eminencies: And it is the only Ambition of THEOPHILA to offer these presents to her BELOV'D; by whom her Sin is purged, her Understanding enlightned, her Will and Affections enflamed to the Communion of all his GLORIES. Thus, She by recollecting past Creation, present Corruption, and future BEATIFICAL VISION, endeavors to rowze us up from Hellish Security, Worldly Solicitude, and Carnal Concupiscence, that being rais'd, we may conform to the will, submit to the Power, and sympathize with the SPIRIT of CHRIST, by a total Resignation of Self-comforts, Abilities, Ends; and by the internal Acts of Love, Devotion, Contemplation, She makes Sense subservient to Reason, Reason to Faith, and Faith to the written Word. By Faith she beleeves what he has reveal'd, and yields him up all her Vnderstanding: By Hope She waits for his Promises, and refers to Him all her Will. By Charity she Loves his Excellencies, and resignes to him all her Affections. And by all these She triumphs over Sin, Death, Hell, in the sensual World, and by his Virtue, Grace, Favour, enjoyes an eminent Degree of PERFECTION in the Intellectual.

THE AVTHORS PRAYER.

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O THOU most High, distinct in PERSONS, undivided in ESSENCE! Eternal PRINCIPLE of all Substances, essential BEING of all Subsistencies, CAUSE of all Causalities, LIFE of our Souls, and SOUL of our Lives! Whose DEITIE is as far beyond the Comprehension of our Reason, as thy OMNIPOTENCIE transcends our Impotencie: We, wretched Dust, acknowledge, that Adams Fall, as it depriv'd us of all Good, so hath it deprav'd us with all Evil; for, from our production, to our Dissolution, our Life, if strictly discussed, will be found wholly tainted, alwayes tempted with Sin. We discover our Condition to be more corrupt than we can fully discover: The Sense of our Sin stupifies us, the Sight of it reveals our Blindness, and the Remembrance thereof doth put us in Minde of our forgetfulnesse of THEE. The Number of our Transgressions surpasseth our Skill in Arithmetick; their Weight is insupportable, depressing us even to the Abysse; their Guilt more extense than any thing but thy MERCIE. O LORD, we have loved Darknesse more than Light, because our Deeds were evil! therefore THOU hast shew'd us terrible Things; We have sucked out the Dregs of deadly Wine: Our National Crimes have extorted from thy JUSTICE National Iudgements: Our hellish Sins enflame thy WRATH; and thy WRATH enflames Hellfire against us! We want so much of Happinesse, as of [Page] Obedience (our Beatitude consisting in a thorough Submission of our Determinations unto thy Disposings, and our Practise to thy Providence) which causeth us, with humbly-pressing Importunitie, to implore thy GOODNESSE (for HIS SAKE, who of mere Love took upon Him a Nature of Infirmities to cure the Infirmities of our Nature) that THOU would'st give us a Sense of our Senselesness, and a fervent Desire of more Fervency; and true Remorse and Sorrow for want of Remorse and Sorrow for these our Sins. O, Steer the mysticall Ship of thy CHURCH safe amidst the Rocks and Quicksands of Schism and Heresie, Superstition and Sacriledge into the fair Havens of PEACE and TRUTH! Give to thy disconsolate Spouse, melting in Tears of Bloud, the Spirit of Sanctitie and Prudence! May the Light which conducts her to thy Coelestial CANAAN be never mockt by new false Lights of apostatizing Hypocrisie, nor extinguished by Barbarism! Thou, our FATHER, art the GOD of Peace; thy SON, our SAVIOUR, the Prince of Peace, Thy SPIRIT, the Spirit of Peace, thy Servants the Children of Peace, whose Dutie is the Studie of Peace, and the End of their Faith the Peace of GOD which passeth all Vnderstanding! Let All submit to thy SCEPTER, adore thy JUDGEMENTS, revere thy LAWS, and love THEE above All, for thine OWN SAKE, and others (ev'n their Enemies) for THY SAKE, having THEE for our Pattern, thy PRECEPTS for our Rule, and thy SPIRIT for our Guide.

And now, in particular, I throw my self (who have unmeasurably swarved from thy Statutes) upon thy Mercies; beseeching THEE to give me a deep Sense [Page] of my own Vnworthiness, and yet withall sincere Thankfulnesse for thy Assistancies: Grant that my Sorrow for Sin may be unfeigned, my Desires of Forgiveness fervent, my purpose of Amendment stedfast; that so my Hopes of HEAVEN may be advanced, and, what THOU hast sowen in thy MERCIE, THOU mayest reap from my Duty! Let Religion and right Reason rule as Soveraign in me, and let the irascible and concupiscible Faculties be their Subjects! Give me an Estate balanc'd between Want and Waste, Pity and Envie; Give me Grace to spend my Wealth and Strength in thy Service; Let all my Melancholy be Repentance, my Ioyes spiritual Exultations, my Rest Hope, my Peace a good Conscience, and my Acquiescence in THEE! In THEE, as the Principle of Truth, in thy Word as the Measure of Knowledge, in thy Law as the Rule of Life, in thy Promise as the Satisfaction of Hope, and in thy Vnion as the highest Fruition of Glory! O, Thou Spring of Bountie, who hast given thy SON to Redeem me, Thy Holy SPIRIT to sanctifie me, and Thy SELF to satisfie me; give me a generous Contempt of sensual Delusions, that I may see the Vanity of the World, the Deceitfulnesse of Riches, the Shame of Pleasures, the folly of Sports, the Inconstancie of Honours, the Danger of Greatness, and the strict Account to be given for All! O, then give me an undaunted Fortitude, an elevated Course of Contemplation, a Resignation of Spirit, and a sincere Desire of thy Glory! Adde, O LORD, to the Cheerfulness of my Obedience, the Assurance of Faith, and to the Confidence of my Hope, the Joyes of Love! O, THOU who art the Fountain of my Faith, the Object [Page] of my Ioy, and the Rock of my Confidence, guide my Passion by Reason, my Reason by Religion, my Religion by Faith, my Faith by thy Word; be pleased to improve thy Word by thy SPIRIT; that so, being established by Faith, confirmed in Hope, and rooted in Charitie, I may be only ambitious of THEE, prizing THEE above the Delights of Men, Love of Women, and Treasures of the World! Nothing being so pretious, as thy Favour, so dreadfull as thy Displeasure, so hateful as Sin, so desirable as thy Grace! Let my Heart be alwayes fixt upon Thee, possessed by Thee, established in Thee, true unto Thee, upright toward Thee, and entire for Thee! that being thus inebriated with the sweet and pure streams of thy Sanctuary, I may serve Thee to the utmost of each Faculty, with all the Extension of my Will, and Intension of my Affections, till my Love shall ascend from Earth to HEAVEN, from small Beginnings to the Consummati [...]n of a well-regulated and never ceasing Charitie! O GOD, who art no lesse infinite in Wisdom than in Goodness, let me where I cannot rightly know Thee, there reverently admire Thee, that in Transcendencies my very Ignorance may honour Thee. Let thy Holy SPIRIT inflame my Zeal, inform my Judgement, conform my Will, reform my Affections, and transform me wholly into the Image and Imitation of Thy Onely SON! Grant that I may improve my Talent to thy Glory, who art the Imparter of the Guift, the Blesser of the Action, and the Assister of the Designe! So that having sowen to the Spirit, I may by thy Mercies, and Thy SONS Merits (who is the SON of thy Love, the Anchor of my Hope, and the Finisher of my Faith) reap Life [Page] everlasting! And now, in his only Name vouchsafe to accept from dust and ashes the Oblation of this weak, yet willing Service; and secure the Possession to THY SELF, that Sin may neither pollute the Sacrifice, divide the Guift, nor question the Title. Fill my Mouth with Praises for these happy Opportunities of Contemplation, the managing of publick Actions lesse agreeing with my Disposition; and though my Body be retir'd, yet let my Soul be enlarged (like an uncaptiv'd Bird) to soar in the Speculation of Divine Mysteries! O, be praysed, for that, in this general Combustion of Christendom, THOU hast vouchsafed me a little Zoar, as Refuge, in which my Soul doth yet live to magnifie Thee; But above All for my Redemption from the Execution of thy Wrath by the Execration of the SON of thy Love, having made Innocence to become guilty, to make the guilty innocent, and the Sun of Righteousness to suffer a total Eclipse to expiate the Deeds of Darkness: Be THOU exalted for the Myriads of thy Mercies in my Travells through Europ, as far transcending my Computation as Compensation; But chiefly for the Hope Thou hast given me, that when I have served Thee inhumbly-strict Obedience to the Glorie of thy Name, THOU art pleased that I shall enter into the GLORY of my LORD to all Eternitie; where I shall behold THEE in thy Majesty, CHRIST thy SON in his Glory, the SPIRIT in his Sanctity, the Hierarchy of Heaven in their Excellencie, and the Saints in their Rest; in which Rest there is perfect Tranquillitie, and in this Tranquillity Ioy, and in this Ioy Variety, and in this Variety Security, and in this Security Immortality, with Thee, Who reignest in the Excellencies of Transcendencie, [Page] and in the infinite Durations of a blessed Eternitie. To WHOM with the IMAGE of thy GOODNESSE, and the BREATH of thy LOVE, ô most glorious TRINITY, and ineffable UNITIE be all Sanctitie and Adoration sacrificed now, and for evermore. Amen, Amen.

INto the most Holy TREASVRIE

Of the ever-glorious PRAISES

Of the MEDIATOR between

GOD & Man, CHRIST JESUS;

The Empyraean Flame of the DIVINITY,

Indefinible, Interminable, Ineffable;

The Immaculate Earth of the HUMANITY,

Inseparable, Inconfusible, Inconvertible;

Mysterious in an Hypostaticall UNION,

WHO is,

The true LIGHT enlightning the World,

The ETERNAL WORD,

By ENERGIE Incarnated,

Embrightning our knowledge,

Enlivening our FAITH,

Quickning our HOPE,

Enflaming our LOVE:

Prostrated dust and ashes,

With an adoring Awfulness, & trembling Veneration,

To his INFINITE MAJESTIE

Doth humbly cast this Mite;

(Acknowledging from GOD all Opportunities of Good)

to be improved by His GRACE, to His GLORY.

THEOPHILAS LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO II.The Humiliation.

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ARGUMENT.

Vnde superbit Homo? cujus Conceptio, Culpa;

Nasci, Poena; Labor, Vita; necesse mor [...].

Totus homo pravus; Caro, Mens, Natura, Voluntas;

Coelicus act Hominis Crimina tollit AMOR.

The Deiform'd Soul deform'd by Sin, repents;

In Pray'rs and Tears, her Grief She vents,

And, till Faith cheer her by CHISTS Love, Life, Death, laments.

STANZA I.

ALMIGHTY POWER, Who did'st All Souls Create;

Who did'st Redeem their faln Estate;

Who still dost Sanctifie, and them Redintegrate.

II.

Sourse, River, Ocean of all Blisse, instill

Spring-tides into my low-ebb'd Quill:

Each graceful Work flowes from (what works all Grace) Thy Will.

III.

LORD! Thou, before Time, Matter, Form, or Place,

Wast All; E're Natures mortal Race:

Thy SELF, Host, Guest, and Palace, Natures total Space.

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IV.

When yet (though not discern'd) in that Abysse

CREATOR, WORD, and SPIRIT of Blisse,

In UNITY the TRINE, one GOD, adored is.

V.

E're THOU the Chrystal-mantled HEAV'N didst rear,

Or did the Earth, Sols Bride, appear,

First Race of Intellectuals mad'st, THEE to revere.

VI.

Praise best doth Inexpressibles expresse:

Soul, Th' ARCHITECT of Wonders blesse;

Whose All-creating WORD embirth'd a Nothingnesse.

VII.

Who brooding on the Deep, Production

Dispos'd, then call'd out Light, which on

The formless Worlds rude Face was all dispers'dly thrown.

VIII.

When callow Nature, pluckt from out her Nest

Of Causes, was awak'd from Rest,

Her shapeless Lump with fledg'd effects He trimly drest.

IX.

Then new-born Day HE gilt with glittering Sun

(Contracted Light); with changing Moon

He Night adorn'd, and hung up Lamps, like spangled Bullion.

X.

The Earth, with Water mixt, HE separates:

Earth Plants brought forth, and Beasts All Mates;

The Waters Fowl, and Fish to yield Man delicates.

XI.

Then did of th' El'ements Dust Mans Bodie frame

A perfect Microcosm, the Same

He quickned with a sparkle of Pneumatick Flame.

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[figure]

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XII.

More Heav'nly specify'd by Life from th' WORD;

That, Nature doth, This, Grace afford;

And Glory from the SPIRIT design'd, as threefold Cord.

XIII.

Man, ere a Childe; by' Infusion wise; though He

Was of, yet not for Earth, though free

Chanc'lour install'd of Edens Universitie.

XIV.

His Virgin-Sister-Wife i'th Grove He woo'd,

(Heav'ns Nursery); new Fruit his Food,

Skin was his Robe: Clouds washt, Winds swept his Floor. All good.

XV.

Envie, that GOD should so love Man, first mov'd

Satan, to ruine HEAV'NS Belov'd:

The Serpent Devil'd Eve, She's Dam to Adam prov'd.

XVI.

Both taste, by tasting, tastlesse Both became;

Who All would know, knew nought but Shame:

They blush for That which They, when righteous, could not name.

XVII.

Still in our Maw that Apples Core doth stick,

Which they did swallow, and the thick

Rinde of forbidden Fruit has left our Nature sick.

XVIII.

Now serves our Guiltiness, as winding Sheet,

To wrap up Lepers; Cover meet;

While thus stern Vengeance does our Wormships sadly greet.

XIX.

Disloyal Slaves, look out, see, Mischief revels;

Look in, see your own Denne of Evils;

Look up, see Heav'ns dread JUDGE; Look down, see Hells fierce Devils.

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XX.

Created in GODS Image to look high;

Corrupted, like to Brutes, you lie:

Perdition's from your selves: No Cure for those will die.

XXI.

Your Beautie, Rottenness skin'd o're, does show

Like to a Dunghill, blancht with Snow,

Your glorious Nature's by embasing Sin brought low.

XXII.

Hence you the heavy Doom of Death do gain,

Enforc'd unto laborious Pain;

And th' ANGELS flaming Sword doth you, expuls'd, restrain.

XXIII.

Thus She reproacht; Yet more (alas) remain'd;

Mans Issue in his Loins is staind:

Sin set his Throne in Him, and since o're all has reign'd.

XXIV.

Black Sin! more hideous then green Dragons Claws,

Dun Gryphons Talons, swart Bears Paws,

Then checquer'd Panthers Teeth, or tawnie Lions Jaws.

XXV.

Forfeit to the CREATOR'S thus Mans Race,

And by the WORD withdrawn is Grace,

From him the SPIRIT of GLORY turn'd his pleasing Face.

XXVI.

Yet that this Second Race, in fallen Plight,

Might not with th' First be ruin'd quite,

The WORD doth interpose to stop th' incensed MIGHT.

XXVII.

Then undertakes for Man to satisfie,

And the sad losse of GRACE supply,

That us He might advance to GLORIES Hierarchie.

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XXVIII.

Then Peace is preacht ith' Womans SEED; but then

As Men increase; So, Sins of Men,

And Actual on Original heapt, GOD's vext agen.

XXIX.

Till drencht they were in Deluge, had no Shore;

And burnt in Sodom-Flames, of yore;

Plagued in Egypt, plung'd into the Gulf of Core.

XXX.

And gnawn by Worms in Herod: Sin's Asps Womb,

Plotter, Theif, Plaintiff, Witnesse, Doom,

Sledge, Executioner, Hells Inmate, Horrors Tomb.

XXXI.

Misgotten Brat! thy Trains are infinite

To ruine each intangled Wight:

Mischiefs nere rest in Men, th' have everlasting Spite.

XXXII.

Spite wageth War, then War turns Law to Lust;

Lust crumbles Faith into Distrust;

Distrust by causelesse Jealousie betrayes the Just;

XXXIII.

The Iust are plunder'd by thy Rage; thy Rage

Bubbleth from Envie; Envie's Page

To thy Misdeeds; Misdeeds their own Misfate engage.

XXXIV.

Thus linkt to Hell's thy Chain! Curs'd be that Need

Makes Sinners in their Sins proceed:

Shame, to Guilts forlorn Hope, leads left-hand Files. Take heed.

XXXV.

GODS Fort (the Conscience) in the worst does stand;

Though Sin the Town keeps by strong Hand,

Yet lies it open to the Check at HEAV'NS Command.

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XXXVI.

Hence Hell surrounds them: In their Dreams to fall

Headlong they seem, then start, groan, crawl

From Furies, with excessive Frights which them appal.

XXXVII.

Ne're was more Mischief, ne're was less Remorse;

Never Revenge on his black Horse

Did swifter ride; Never to GOD so slow Recourse!

XXXVIII.

The Age-bow'd Earth groans under Sinners Weight;

While guiltlesse Blood cries to HEAV'NS Height,

JUSTICE soon takes th' Alarm, whose steeled Arm will Smite.

XXXIX.

Inevitable Woes a while may stay,

Vengeance is GODS, Who will repay

The desperately Wilfull, nor will long delay.

XL.

'Tis darkest neer Day-break. HE will o'return

Th' Implacable, who Mercie spurn;

Superlative Abuses in th' Abysse shall burn.

XLI.

Deaths Hell Deaths Self out-deaths! Vindictive Place!

Deep under Depths! Excentrick Space!

Horrour It self, than Thee, wears a lesse horrid Face!

XLII.

Where Pride, Lust, Rage, (Sin treble-pointed) dwell;

Shackled in red-hot Chains they yell

In bottomlesse Extreams of never-slaking Hell!

XLIII.

Riddle! Compell'd, at once, to live and die!

Frying they freez, and freezing frie!

On helplesse, hopelesse, easelesse, endlesse Racks they lie!

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XLIV.

And rave for what they hate! Cursing in vain,

Yet each Curse is a Pray'r for Pain,

For, cursing still their Woe, they woo GODS Curse again!

XLV.

Devils and Shreeks their Ears, their Eyes affright!

There's blazing Fire, yet darkest Night!

Still paying, ne're discharg'd. Sins Debt is Infinite!

XLVI.

Angels by one Sin fell; So, Man: How then

May Sinners stand! Let's quit Sins Den:

This Moment's Ours; Life hasts away; Delayes gangrene.

XLVII.

Conviction ushers Grace; Fall to prevent

Thy Fall, Times Fore-lock take; Relent.

Shall is to come; and Was is past; then, Now repent.

XLVIII.

Before the Suns long Shadows span up Night;

E're on thy shaking Head Snowes light;

E're round thy palsy'd Heart Ice be congealed quite;

XLIX.

E're in thy Pocket thou thine Eyes dost wear;

E're thy Bones serve for Calender;

E're in thy Hand's thy Leg, or Silver in thy Hair;

L.

Preventing Physick use. Think, now ye hear

The Dead-awakening Trump; Lo, there

The queazie-stomackt Graves disgorge Worms fatning Chear.

LI.

Sins Sergeants wait t' attach you; Then, make haste,

Lest you into Despair be cast:

The JUDGE unsway'd: Take Dayes at best, count each your Last.

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LII.

Time posts on loose-rein'd Steeds. The Sun ere't face

To West, may see Thee end thy Race:

Death is a Noun, yet not declin'd in any Case.

LIII.

The Cradle's nigh the Tomb. That Soul has Woe,

Whose drowzie March to HEAV'N is slow,

As drawling Snails, whose slime glues them to Things below.

LIV.

Anathema to luke-warm Souls. -Lo, here

THEOPHILA'S unhing'd with Fear,

Clamm'd with chill sweat, when as her ranckling Sins appear.

LV.

Perplext in Crimes meandring Maze, GODS Law,

And Guilt, that does strict Iudgement draw,

And her too carnal, yet too stonie Heart She saw.

LVI.

Yet Rocks may cleave (she cries.) Then, weeps for Tears,

And grieves for Grief; fears want of Fears;

She Hell, HEAV'NS Prison, views; Distress, for Robe, She wears.

LVII.

Deprav'd by Vice, depriv'd of GRACE; with Pray'r,

She runs Faiths Course; breaks through Despair,

O'retakes Hope. Broken Legs by setting stronger are.

LVIII.

Shame, native Conscience, views That HOLY ONE,

Who came from GOD to Man undone,

Whose Birth produc'd a Star, Whose Death eclips't the Sun.

LIX.

She sees Earth-Heav'n, Flesh-Spirit, Man-GOD in Stamp

Of Him, who shakes, but does not cramp

The bruised Reed; Snuffs puts not out the sputtring Lamp.

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LX.

She sees for Creatures the CREATOR came

To die; The SHEPHERD prov'd the Lamb

For Sacrifice, when Jews releas'd a spotted Ram.

LXI.

She sees defamed Glory, wronged Right,

Debased Majestie, crusht Might,

Virtue condemn'd, Peace robb'd, Love slain! And All by Spite.

LXII.

She, streaming, sees, like Spouts, each broached Vein

With Gore, not to be matcht again!

Her Grief thence draws up Mysts to fall in weeping Rain.

LXIII.

Vast Cares, long dumb, thus vent. Flow Tears, Souls Wine,

Iuice of an Heart opprest; Encline,

LORD, to this heart-broke Altar cemented with Brine!

LXIV.

Romorsefull Clouds, dissolve in Showr's; 'Tis Blood

Turns rocky Hearts into a Flood:

Eyes, keep your Sluces ope; HEAV'N best by Tears is woo'd.

LXV.

THOU, Who one Shoarless Sea of All did'st make,

Except one floating Isle, to take

Vengeance on Guilt; My Salt Flood rais'd, drown Sin i'th' Lake.

LXVI.

O, how these Words, Arise to Judgement quell!

On Wheels in Torments broke I'd dwell,

So as by Grace I might be sav'd from endlesse Hell.

LXVII.

To Angel-Intercessor, I'm forbid

To pray; Yet pray to ONE that did

Pray to ANOTHER for HIMSELF when's Blood-drops slid.

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LXVIII

FATHER! Perfections Self in CHRIST does shine;

Thy Justice then in HIM confine;

Through's Merits, make thy Mercies, both are endless, mine!

LXIX.

See not, but through's abstersive Blood, my Sin;

By which I being cleans'd within,

Adde Perseverance. 'Tis as hard to hold, as win.

LXX.

Her Eyes are Centinels to Pray'r, to Moans

Her Ears, her Nose courts Charnel-bones;

Her Hands Breast-hammers are, her constant Food is Groans.

LXXI.

Her Heart is hung with Blacks, with Dust she cloyes

Her golden Tresses; Weds Annoyes,

Breeds Sighs, bears Grief, which, Ibis-like, Sin-snakes destroyes.

LXXII.

Thus mounts she drizling Olivet; the Plains

Of Iericho she leaves. (While Rains

The Farmer wet, they fully swell his earing Graines.)

LXXIII.

She, her own Farmer, stockt from HEAV'N, is bent

To thrive; Care 'bout the Pay-day's spent.

Stange! She alone is Farmer, Farm, and Stock, and Rent.

LXXIV.

The Porcupine so's Quiver, Bow, and Darts

To' her self alon [...]e; has all Wars Arts;

Her own Artillery needs no Aid from forreign Parts.

LXXV.

Sad Votaresse! thy Earth, of late oregrown

With Weeds, is plough'd, till'd harrow'd, sown.

The Seed of Grace sprouts up when Nature is kept down.

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LXXVI.

Thy Glebe is melow'd with Faith-quickning Juice;

The Furrows thence Hope-blades produce;

Thy Valley cloth'd with LOVE will Harvest Joyes diffuse.

LXXVII.

Live, Phenix, from Self-death. I'th' Morn who dies

To Sin, does but immortalize:

Who studie Death, ere dead, ere th' Resurrection rise.

LXXVIII.

Rachel! thy Children Goal and Crown have won,

Ere they had Skill or Will to run.

Blest, who their whole Dayes Work in their Lifes Morn have done.

LXXIX.

Like misty Morn, She rose in Dew; so found

She ne're was, till this Sicknesse, sound;

Till Sin, in Sorrows flowing Issue (Tears) lay drownd.

LXXX.

Souls Life-blood Tears, prevailing Pleaders, tame

Such Rebels, as by Eve did shame

Mans Glory; only These the old faln World new frame.

LXXXI.

Lust causeth Sin, Sin Shame, Shame bids repent,

Repentance weeps, Tears Sorrow vent,

Sorrow shews Faith, Faith Hope, Hope Love, Love Souls Content.

LXXXII.

Thus, from bruis'd Spiceries of her Breast, doth rise

Incense, sweet-smelling Sacrifice:

Whilst she lifts up to HEAV'N, her Heart, her Hand, her Eyes.

LXXXIII.

I'm sick with trembling, sunk with mourning, blasted

With sinning, and with sighing wasted;

New Life begins to breath; O, Ioy, too long untasted!

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LXXXIV.

Twice did'st new Life (by Breath, by Death) bestow

On Man prevaricating, Who,

By yielding to a Woman, made Man yield to Woe.

LXXXV.

Then did'st his Soul restore (as first inspire)

With second Grace, renewing Fire;

Whence He hath part again in thy Coelestial Quire.

LXXXVI.

Once more for this Heav'n-Denison did'st get

A never-fading Coronet,

Which was with two bright Iewels, Grace and Glory, set.

LXXXVII.

'Twas at my bloud-stain'd Birth Thy Love said, Live:

Links of Thy praevious Chain revive

Ev'n crumbled Dust: So, Thou my Soul from Death reprive!

LXXXVIII.

CHRIST, Th' Vnction art, Salvation IESVS; in

Thy Death Redemption, Blood for Sin

Gives Satisfaction, Thy Ascension Hope does winne;

LXXXIX.

Thy Session Comfort. Though I did offend,

LORD, Fears disband, give Grace t' amend,

That, Hope, which reaps not shame, may rise, & Peace descend.

XC.

My Pardon signe. The Spear pierct THEE's the Pen,

Thy Bloud the Ink, Thy Gospel then

The Standish is, O, let my Soul be Paper clean!

XCI.

Kinde, angry LORD, since Thou dost wound, yet cure;

I'l bear the Yoak, the Crosse endure;

Lament, and Love; and, when set free, keep Conscience pure.

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XCII.

Thus mourns she, and, in mourning thus, she joyes;

Ev'n that adds Comfort, which annoyes;

Sighs turn to Songs & Tears to Wine, Fear Fear destroies.

XCIII.

As holy Flame did from her Heart arise,

Dropt holy Water from her Eyes,

While Pray'r her Incense was, & LOVE her SACRIFICE.

XCIV.

Arm! Arm! She breaks in with strong ZEAL; The Place.

Sin quitts, now garison'd by GRACE;

Illustrious Triumphs do the Steps of Victors trace.

XCV.

When the loud Volleyes of her Pray'rs begin

To make a Breach, they soon take in

The Parapets, Redouts, and Counterscarps of Sin.

XCVI.

At once she works and fights: With Lamp she waits,

Midst Virgins, at the BRIDEGROOMS Gates,

With HIM to feast▪ Her with his BRIDAL DELICATES.

XCVII.

To HEAV'N now goes she on her Knees; which cry

Loud, as her Tongue; much speaks her Eye:

HEAV'N, storm'd by Violence, yields. Eyes, Tongue, and Knees scale high.

XCVIII.

My Last crave Pardon for my First Extreams;

Be prais'd, who crown'st my Morn with Beams;

Converted Age sees Visions, erring Youth dreamt Dreams.

XCIX.

RELIGION's its own Lustre; Who This shun,

Night-founder'd grope at midday Sun.

Rebellion is its own self-tort'ring Dungeon.

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C.

Mans restlesse Minde, GODS Image, can't be blest

Till of this ONE, This ALL, possest.

THOU our Souls Center art, our everlasting REST!

Pars superata Freti, Lucem praebentibus Astris;

Longior at nostrae Pars superanda Viae.

Da, DEUS, ut Cursus suscepti nostra propinquet

Meta, laboranti grata futura Rati.

Magnificat Anima mea DOMINUM.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO III. The Restauration.

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ARGUMENT.

Laetior una Dies, IESV, tua SACRA Canenti;

Quàm sine TE, melicis Secula mille Lyris.

Vt paveam Scelus omne, petam super Omnia COELUM;

Da mihi Fraena TIMOR, Da mihi Calcar AMOR!

The Authors Rapture; GRACE is prais'd; a Flood

Of Tears is pour'd for Albions Blood,

Shed in a Mist; for smot Micaiahs PEACE is woo'd.

STANZA I.

MUSE, twang the pow'rful Harp, & brush each String

O'th' warbling Lute, and Canzons sing

May ravish Earth, and thence to HEAV'N in Triumph spring.

II.

Noble Du-bartas, in a high-flown Trance,

Observ'd to start from's Bed, and dance;

Said: Thus by me shall caper all the Realm of France.

III.

As viscous Meteors, fram'd of earthy Slime,

By Motion fir'd, like Stars, do clime

The woolly-curdled Clouds, & there blaze out their Time.

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IV.

Streaming with burnisht Flames; yet Those but ray

To spend Themselves, and light our Way;

And panting Windes, to cool ours, not their own Lungs, play.

V.

So, my enliv'ned Spirits ascend the Skies,

Wasting to make the Simple wise.

Who bears the Torch, himself shades, lightens others Eyes.

VI.

As Lust for Hell, ZEAL sweats to build for HEAV'N,

When fervent Aspirations, driv'n

By all the Souls quick Pow'rs, to that high Search are giv'n.

VII.

High is the Sphear on which FAITHS Poles are hing'd:

Pure Knowledge, Thou art not restring'd,

Thy Flames enfire the bushie Heart, yet leave't unsing'd.

VIII.

Suburbs of PARADISE! Thou, Saintly Land

Of Visions, Woo'd by WISDOMS Band;

By dull Mules in gold-trappings how do'st sleighted stand!

IX.

Whose World's a frantick Sea; more crosse Windes fly

Than Sailers Compasse knows; SAINTS ply

Their Sails through airy Waves, & anchor still on HIGH.

X.

'Tis HOLINES lands there; where None (distasted)

Rave with Guilts Dread, nor with Rage wasted;

Nor Beauty-dazled Eyes with Femal Wantons blasted.

XI.

No childish Toyes; no boyling Youths wilde Thirst;

No ripe Ambition; no accurst

Old griping Avarice; no doting Sloth there's nurst:

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XII.

No Glutt'nies Maw-worm; nor the Itch of Lust;

No Tympanie of Pride; nor Rust

Of Envie; no Wraths Spleen; nor Obdurations Crust:

XIII.

No Canker of Self-Love; nor Cramp of Cares;

No Schism-Vertigo; nor night-Mares

Of inward Stings affright; here lurk no penal Snares.

XIV.

Hence Earth a dim Spot showes; where Mortals toil

For shot-bruis'd Mud-walls (childish broil;)

For pot-gun-cracks 'gainst Ant-hill-works; ô, what a Coil!

XV.

Where Glutt'ny is full gorg'd; where Lust still spawns;

Where Wrath takes Blood, and Avarice pawns;

Where Envy frets, Pride struts, and dull Remisness yawns.

XVI.

Where Mars th' Ascendant's: How Realms shatter'd lie,

With scatter'd Courts, beneath mine Eye;

Which shew like atoms chac'd by Windes Inconstancie.

XVII.

Here, th' Vniverse in NATURES Frame doth stand,

Upheld by TRUTH, and WISDOMS Hand:

Zanzūmims shew from hence as Dwarfs on Pigmy land.

XVIII.

How vile's the World! Fancie, keep up thy Wings,

(Ruffled in Bussle of low Things,

Toss'd in the common Throng) then acquiesce 'bove Kings.

XIX.

Thus, Thou being rapt, and struck with Enthean Fire,

In SKIES Star-chamber strike thy Lyre:

Proud Rome, not all thy Caesars could thus high aspire.

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XX.

Mans spirit'ual State, enlarg'd, still widening flowes,

As th' Helix doth: A Circle showes

Mans nat'ral Life, which Death soon from its Zenith throwes.

XXI.

HEAV'NS Perspective is over-reas'ning FAITH,

Which Soul-entrancing VISIONS hath;

Truths Beacon, fir'd by Love, Ioyes Empire open lay'th.

XXII.

This All-enforming LIGHT i'th pregnant Minde,

The Babe THEOPHILA enshrin'd:

GRACE dawns when Nature sets: Dawn for fair Day design'd.

XXIII.

Breathe in thy dainty Bud, sweet Rose; 'Tis Time

Makes Thee to ripened VIRTUES clime,

When as the SUN of GRACE shall spread Thee to thy Prime.

XXIV.

When her Lifes-Clock struck twelve (Hopes Noon) so bright

She beam'd, that Queen admir'd her Sight,

Viewing, through Beauties Lantern, her intrinsick Light.

XXV.

As, when fair Tapers burn in Crystal Frame,

The Case seems fairer by the Flame:

So, do's HEAV'NS brighter LOVE brighten this lovely Dame,

XXVI.

Her Soul the Pearl, her Shell out-whites the Snow,

Or Streams that from stretcht Udders flow;

Her Lips Rock-rubies, and her Veins wrought Saphyrs show.

XXVII.

Attractive Graces dance about her Lips;

Spice from those scarlet Portals skips;

Thence Gileads mystick Balm (Griefs sov [...]ragin Balsam) slips.

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XXVIII.

Such precious Fume the incens'd ALTAR vents:

So, Gums in Air breath Compliments:

So, Roses damaskt Robe, prankt with green Ribbons, sents.

XXIX.

Her Eyes amaze the Viewers, and inspire

To Hearts a warm, yet chast Desire,

(As Sol heats all) yet feel they in Themselves no Fire.

XXX.

Those Lights, the radiant Windows of her Minde,

Who would pourtray, as soon may finde

A way to paint the viewless, poise the weightless Winde.

XXXI.

But, might we her sweet Breast, LOVES Eden, see;

On those Snow-mountlets Apples be,

May cure those Mischiefs wrought by the forbidden Tree.

XXXII.

Her Hands are soft, as swannie Down, and much

More white; whose temperate Warmth is such,

As when ripe Gold and quickning Sun-beams inly touch.

XXXIII.

Ye Syrens of the Groves, who, pearcht on high,

Tune gutt'ral Sweets, Air-Minstrels, why

From your Bough-Cradles, rockt with Windes, to HER d'ye flie?

XXXIV.

See, Lilies, gown'd in Tissue, simper by Her;

With Marigolds in flaming Tire;

Green sattin'd Bayes, with Primrose fring'd, seem all on Fire.

XXXV.

Th' art silver-voic'd, Teeth-pearl'd, thy Head's gold-thatcht,

Natures Reviver, Flora's patcht,

Though trickt in Mayes new Raiment, when with Thee She's matcht.

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XXXVI.

THOU, chast as fair, Eve ere she blusht: From Thee

The Libe'ral Arts in Capite,

The Virtues by Knight-service, Graces hold in Fee.

XXXVII.

A gratious Soul, figur'd in Beauty, is

Best Pourtrayture of Heavenly Bliss,

Drawn to the Life: Wit-feign'd Pandora vails to This.

XXXVIII.

So, Cynthia seems Star-chambers President,

With crescent Splendor from Sol lent,

Rallying her starrie Troop to guard her glittering Tent.

XXXIX.

(Pearl'd Dews add Stars) yet Earths Shade shuts up soon.

Her Shop of Beams; Whose Cone doth run

'Bove th' horned Moon, beneath the golden-tressed Sun.

XL.

Wh' on Skie, Clouds, Seas, Earth, Rocks doth Raies disperse,

Stars, Rainbows, Pearls, Fruits, Diamonds pierce;

The Worlds Eye, Sourse of Light, Soul of the Universe.

XLI.

Who glowes like Carbuncles, when winged Hours

Dandle the Infant-Morn, which scours

Dame Luna, with her twinkling Spies, from azure Tow'rs.

XLII.

Thee, THEOPHIL, Dayes sparkling Eye we call;

Thy Faith's the Lid, thy Love the Ball,

Beautying thy graceful Mein with Form ANGELICAL.

XLIII.

That Lady-Prioress of the cloyster'd Skie,

Coacht with her spangled Vestalls nigh,

Vails to this Constellation from DIVINITIE.

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XLIV.

Vertue's her Spring of Honour, her Allies▪

Are Saints, Guard Angels, HEAV'N her Prize;

Whose Modestie looks down, while thus her Graces rise.

XLV.

Eugenia Wit, Paidia Art affords,

Eusebia Truth for Her uphords.

(Poets have Legislative Pow'r of making Words.)

XLVI.

Her Heart's a Court, her richly-temper'd Breast

A Chappel for Loves regent GUEST:

Here feasts She sacred Poets, SHE Herself a Feast.

XLVII.

Ye Bay-crown'd Lords, Who dig from Wisdoms Pits

The Oar of Arts, and with your Wits

Refine't, who prop the doa [...]ng World in stagg'ring Fits▪

XLVIII.

And in Fames Court raise Obelisks divine;

Such Symphonies do ye combine,

As may inspirit Flesh with your Soul-ravishing Wine.

XLIX.

While Winter Autumn, Summer clasps the Spring;

While tenter'd Time shall Paeans sing,

Your Eagle-plumes (that others waste) shall ymp Fames Wing.

L.

The rampant Juice of Teneriffe recruits

Wildely the routed Spirits: So, Lutes,

Harps, Viols, Organs; ah! and Trumpets, Drums & Flutes!

LI.

Though Art should humour grumbling Bases still,

Tortring the deep-mouth'd Catlins, till

Hoarse-thundring Diapasons should the whole Room fill;

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LII.

Yet those—But string this LADIES Harp; She'l trie

Each Chords tun'd Pulse, till She descry

Where mosts harmonious Musicks mystick Soul do's lie.

LIII.

Now Grace with Language chimes; Thrice blest, who tast.

Their HEAV'N on Earth, in Lifes Book grac't;

Who leaving Sense with Sense, their Spirit with SPIRITS have plac't.

LIV.

With those divine Patritians, who being not

Eclips't with Sense, or Bodies Spot,

Are in the Spring of living FLAME Seraphick hot.

LV.

One TASTE gives Joyes! Joyes, at which, Words but rove;

Schools, purblinde, grope at Things Above,

Cymmerian-like, on whose Suns brow Clouds darkly move.

LVI.

HEAV'NS Paths are traceless; by Excess of Light;

O're-fulgent Beams daz'd Fyes benight.

Say Ephata, and Clay's Collyrium for my Sight!

LVII.

Transported in this Extasie, befriend

Me, like the Stagirite, to end

My Thoughts in That Euripus, None can comprehend!

LVIII.

This mystick Chain, ô, lengthen't still! imparts

Links, fett'ring 'bove all Time-born Arts;

Such sweet Divisions from tun'd Strings may ravish Hearts.

LIX.

Best Tenure holds by th' Ear: In Saul, disguis'd,

When Satan oft Tarantuliz'd,

The Psalming Harp was 'bove they swaying Scepter priz'd.

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LX.

This Hymn, ZEALS burning Feaver, do's refine▪

My gross hydropick Soul; Divine

Anthems unbowel BLISSE, and ANGELS down encline.

LXI.

ANGELS shot forth the happiest CHRISTMAS Newes;

Ev'n CHRIST to warble Hymns did use;

When Heav'ns high'st DOVE do's soar, He Wings of Verse doth chuse.

LXII.

No Verse, no Text. Since Verse charms All, Sing on;

Let Sermons wait till PSALMS be done;

Soul-raisers, ye prevent the RESURRECTION.

LXIII.

But, ah! in War (Wraths Midwife) which do's tire,

Yet never fills the Jaws of Ire,

(Keen as the Evening Wolf) can She yet use her [...].

LXIV.

Yes. She's unmov'd in Earth-quakes, tun'd in Iars;

(Fear argues Guilt) She stands in Wars,

And Storms of thund'ring Brass, bright as corus [...]ant Stars▪

LXV.

Vertue's a Balsam to It self. Invoke

She MERCIE did to oyl steels Yoke:

Thus, in an iron Age, This golden VIRGIN spoke.

LXVI.

Dread GOD! Black Clouds surcharg'd with Storms,

When P [...]ple Robes hide Scarlet Sin,

Ingrain'd from that Life-blood, which mo [...]ted their Souls [...] begin,

LXVII.

Our Sea-girt World (once Fort'nate Isle, O, Change

Deplorable!) t' It self seems strange;

Vnthrifty Death has spread where thriving Peace did range.

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LXVIII.

War hath our luke-warm Claret broacht with Spears:

LORD, save thy Ark from Floods of Fears,

Or thy sad Spouse may sink as deep in Bloud, as Tears!

LXIX.

She chaws Bread tleept in Woes, gulpt down with Cries;

She drinks the Rivers of her Eyes;

Plung'd in Distress for Sin, to THEE She fainting flies.

LXX.

Tune th' Irish Harp from Sharps to Flats! Compose

Whatever vitious Harshnesse grows

Vpon the Scottish Thistle, or the English Rose!

LXXI.

No ramping Lion its own Kind do's fear,

No tusked Bore, no rav'ning Bear:

Man, Mans Apollyon, doth CHRISTS mystick Body tear.

LXXII.

Ye Sons of Thunder, if You'l needs fight on,

Lead your fierce Troops 'gainst Turkish Moon,

Out of the Line of FAITHS Communication.

LXXIII.

The large-commanding Thracian Force defie:

Like Gun-stocks, though your Corps may flie

To Earth, Your Souls, like Bullets, will ascend on HIGH.

LXXIV.

If GOD be then i'th' Camp, much more will HE

In's Militant Church (His Temple) be,

To chasten Schism, and pervicacious Heresie.

LXXV.

LORD▪ rent's thy Coat, Loves Type! This, sads the Good!

Though Presters, rudely fierce, fain wou'd

Be heard; THOU hat'st uncivil Pray'r, and civil Blood.

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LXXVI.

Ah, could dissembling Pulpeteers cry't Good

To wade through Seas of native Blood,

Break greatest Ties, play fast and loose, beneath Smects Hood!

LXXVII.

By Such were Catechisms, Communions, Creeds

Disus'd! As March spawns Frogs; so, Weeds

Sprung hence. Worst Atheist from corrupted Churchman breeds.

LXXVIII.

Vse the LORDS Pray'r, be th' Publican; recant

The Pharisee; Or else, avant

With your six-hundred-sixtie-six-word-Covenant.

LXXIX.

LORD, they, through faithlesse Dreams, the Feast disown

Of thy SONS INCARNATION!

(Then whether will such Proteus-tants at last be blown?)

LXXX.

That FEAST of Feasts, Archangels Ioy, Heav'n here

Espous'd to Earth, Saints Blisse, most dear

Prerogative o'th' Church, The Grand Day of the Year.

LXXXI.

Man, first made Good, Himself unmade, and then▪

The WORD, made Flesh, must dwell with Men,

That, Man, thus worse then nought, may better'd be agen.

LXXXII.

Dare to own Truth. Drones seiz'd the Bees full Bow'r;

All's paint that Butterflies deflowr;

As Ants improve; so, Grashoppers impair their Hour.

LXXXIII.

When Pirat-wasps sail to the hony'd Grot,

They'l finde a Trap-glasse, Death i'th' Pot:

Levites, sleight not your Breast-work for vain Out-works got.

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LXXXIV.

We ken Kirk-Interest; Draco's Laws recall;

Repair the old Church; Saints the Wall,

True Pastors Conduits, Grace the Font, Love cements All.

LXXXV.

Passe freely would we of Oblivion

An Act, and pardon all by-gone,

Would you smite Hand on Thigh, and say, What have we done!

LXXXVI.

Truths Pensioners! your Flocks bleat; Food they need;

CHRISTS Flesh, their Meat; Blood, Drink indeed:

View GLORIES Crown; In Season, out of Season, feed.

LXXXVII.

Ye Friends to th' BRIDEGROOM, Stewards to the Bride,

With Oracles of Truth us guide;

Truth blesseth Church and State; Faithful, till crown'd, abide.

LXXXVIII.

So, when the JUDGE with his Reward appears,

You'l reap in Joy what's sown in Tears:

Moyst Seed-times crown the Fields with golden-bearded Ears.

LXXXIX.

JUDGE-ADVOCATE to th' wrong'd; sure, THOU to Guilt,

Which would unmake thy Creatures, wilt

Be just, when Inquisition's made for Blood that's spilt.

XC.

At our Ears Port land Peace and Truth! O, then,

Welcome, as Sol to th' Russ in's Den!

As Shoar to shipwrackt, as to Towns dismantled, Men!

XCI.

O, might a second ANGEL-QUIRE nere cease

To Worms, worn out with Wars Distress,

To sing, in all Mens hearing, their blest Song of PEACE!

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XCII.

Peace! Home of Pilgrims, first Song at CHRISTS Birth;

Peace, His last Legacie on Earth;

Peace, gen'ral Preface to all Good; Peace, SAINTS true Mirth.

XCIII.

Love, Thou, Support to Martyrs! as Iet Straw,

So Vs to our BELOV'D dost draw;

Thou art Golds true Elixir, Thou summ'st up the Law.

XCIV.

Who can Divine Love speak in words of Sense?

Since, Man, as ransom'd, Angels thence

Transcends! Such is CHRISTS Passions high Preheminence!

XCV.

Here did She seal her Lips, unsluce her Eyes

To flowing Rhet'rick, and descries

The World's a Cask, its Wine false Mirth, its Lees Fools Prize.

XCVI.

And now, by lympid Spring of Life-joy, where

Crystal is lymbect all the Year

To GOD She would her Heav'n-ascending Raptures rear.

XCVII.

Taught hence, misguided Zeal, whom Heats dispose

To Animosities, may close;

And bloody Furies CONVERTS be, by pond'ring Those.

XCVIII.

Harmonious Beauty, feast our Ear! They're Kings

At least, who hear, when LOVE thus sings:

LOVE, to high Graces Key skrues up low Natures Strings.

XCIX.

Love, Thou canst Ocean-flowing Storms appease;

And such oregrown Behemoths please,

As tax the scaly Nation, and excise the Seas.

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C.

If, THEOPHIL, thy LOVE-SONG can't asswage

The Fate incumbent on this Age,

No Time to write, but weep; For we are ripe for Rage!

Ite sacrosanctae Tabulata per Alta Carinae;

Non opus est Fluviis, Lintea pando Mari.

Ite Rates Ventis, quo vos rapit Aura, secundis:

Brittica Cymba pias findat AMORIS Aquas.

—Animarum Sponsus IESUS.

The Soule against Complations fights,

Whom Death and Hell present with [...]ights:

The World with [...]calt and [...]onour cou [...]ts;

The Fleshes Glass invites to Spouts:

But THEOPHIL by Faith her Shield,

And Hopes firm [...]ncho [...] stands the Field;

Accompany [...]d with GRACE and LOVE,

By ANGELS SHE does upward move.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO IV. The Inammoration.
THEOPHILA'S Soliloquie.

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ARGUMENT.

O, DEVS, aut nullo caleat mihi Pectus ab Igne!

Aut solo caleat Pectus ab Igne Tui!

Languet ut Illa DEO, mihi Mens simul aemula languet!

Coelitùs ut rapitur, me Violenta rapit!

She Onset makes, first with Love-darts aloof;

Then, with ZEALS Fire-works, storms HEAV'NS Roof;

Whose FAITHS Shield, & SALVATIONS Helmet are Hellproof.

STANZA 1.

WHen Heav'ns LOVE! Paramount, HIMSELF reveals,

And to the suppliant Soul, her Pardon seals,

At feard-Hopes doubtful Gate, wth trembling fell,

2.

(Who Heav'n-ward sails, coasts by the Cape of Hell)

That Her HE deigns to take, She joyes in Woes,

To have in Labour pass'd the Parturition Throes.

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3.

All Travell-pangs, all New-birth Heart-deep Groans,

All After-births of Penitential Mones,

Are swallow'd up in living Streams of Bliss;

4.

When as the Heav'n-born Heir, the New-man is,

By th' quickning SPIRIT of the HIGH'ST reborn:

Time past hath pas'd her Night, present presents her Morn.

5.

See Ioy in Light, See Light in Ioy; O, see,

Poor worthless Maid, Fruit brought thee from Lifes-Tree,

By th' SPOUSE & SPIRIT, Saints sole Supporters! Rise

6.

Then, Hells Apostate, and be Heav'nly wise:

THOU art (Lets interpledge our Soul my ONE,

My ALL, though not by UNITIE, by Vnion!

7.

Ineffably mysterious Knot begun;

Saints mount, as Dew allur'd by beckning Sun:

Loves faithful Friends, what parallels your Guard,

8.

Where Truth is Sentinel, and Grace the Ward?

The Way is Flow'r-strown, where the Guide is Love:

His SPIRIT with you below, your Spirit with HIM Above.

9.

Reciprocal Excesse of Ioy! Then, soar

My Soul to HIM, Who Man became; Nay more,

Took Sin it self, to cleanse thy fully'd Clay,

10.

But took it, only to take it away.

O, SELF DONATION! peerlesse GUIFT, unknown!

Now since that HE is Thine, be never Thou thine own▪

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11.

O, Prodigie of Great and Good! Faith, sound

This LOVES Abysse, that do's so strangly bound

ALMIGHTINES IT SELF! From Whose Veins, see,

12.

Unsluc't, LOVES purple Ocean, when His Free

Red-streaming Life did vanquish Death & Hell!

That thou might'st live, HE dy'd! That thou might rise, HE fell!

13.

GOD so lov'd Man, that Naturalists may deem

GOD to set Man before HIMSELFE did seem!

When Man, with seeing blinde, 'gainst GOD arose,

14.

And slew his only FRIEND, GOD sav'd his Foes!

Sol mour'nd in blacks! Heav'ns Vice-roy, Nature, swounded!

Excess Loves Reason was, Immensitie Love bounded!

15.

Ye Twins of Light, as Sun-flow'rs be enclin'd

To th' SUN of RIGHTEOUSNES; Let Taste, refin'd,

Like nothing as LOVES Heav'nly Manna; and

16.

Let all but CHRIST feel rough, as Esaus Hand;

Let nought like's Garment smell; Let Ears rejoyce,

But in expresles Dictates of LOVES whisp'ring Voice!

17.

HE'S thy bright Sun; 'twixt WHOM, and thy Souls Bliss,

Thy earthie Body interposed is;

Whereby such dread Eclipses caused are,

18.

As fam'd Ast [...]omers can ne're declare:

Yet oft HE shines; Then, vanish servile Fears;

Then, Heav'n-ward filial Hopes dry up thy trickling Tears.

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19

Spiritual Light Spirituals clears: In HEAV'N

Thou'lt view that full what now by Glimps, like Steph'n

Thou can [...]st but spy; There, shalt thou Face to Face,

20.

His Light, His Ioy, His Love, His Pow'r, His Grace,

And His ALL-FILLING GLORY clearly see▪

In optick Emanations from ETERNITIE!

21

I'th' RING of boundless LUSTER, from whose Ray

This petty World gleaneth its peep of Day:

Thou shalt be Crown'd with Wreaths of endless Light:

22.

Here, oft's an Enterview in Heat, and Might,

By Inter-lucidations from ABOVE,

Twining Embraces with's ensphearing ARM of LOVE!

23

Most blessed Souls, to whom He do's appear,

Folded within your Arms chast Hemisphear!

O, Condescend! How's LIPS shed Love! Life, Merit!

24.

He makes his Angels Court of Guard! By's SPIRIT

HE crowns you with his Grace! So, with his BLOOD,

When HE Redeem'd you, and consign'd His FLESH for Food!

25

Meat came from th' Eater, from the Strong did Dew

Sweetnesse; when as, incomparably true,

OMNIPOTENCIES SELF did largely shed

26.

His mystick Oil of Ioy upon thy [...] Head:

Then, trample Sin in Babylons golden Cup;

Treasures away She trifles, Trifles treasures up.

[Page]

27

Oyl of this Lamp, obsequious Soul, lights Thee

To thine approaching HEAV'N▪ In Sancti [...]ie

Be actuated then; Being up assum [...]d

28.

By this bright Sun, with this rich Oyl perfum'd,

Th' art prepossest with Heav'nly Comforts, which,

With their Soul-chearing Sweets, both ravish and enrich.

29

Poor, panting Heart, Loves Seat, yearn for Ioys Pith!

To have (thy highest Bliss!) Communion with

The FATHER & the SON, one SPIRIT with CHRIST!

30.

And One in THEM, as THEY are One! Thou fly'st

Through Grace to GLORY! VISION shall sublime

Thy Faith, FRUITION Hope, ETERNIT [...] thy Time!

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THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SONG.

STANZA. 31.

SELF! ô, how mean an Harmonie it breeds!

JESUS! All Names this NAME of Names exceeds!

This Name's GODS Mercie at full Sea, 'tis LOVES

32.

High Tow'r, Ioyes Loadstone; This, my Spirit moves.

Hark: Rise my Love, my Fair One, Come away;

Lingring breeds Losse; I am thy Leader, Light, and Way.

33.

What Speed Speeds self can make, Soul, flie withall;

GREATNES and GOODNES most Magnetical!

Shoot, like a Flashof Fire, to th' ruby Wine,

34.

His precious BLOOD, transcendently Divine!

(How poor those costly pearls were, drunk by Some)

My LORD, drink Blood to me! Let It to th' Worlds Health come!

35

All Hope's unanchor'd but in THAT. THOU art,

'Bove Indies Womb, rich to my Love-sick Heart!

Flesh-fair Endowments are but Skin-deep Brags,

36.

Varnisht Corruption; Wealth is but Cares Bags;

The Bag impostom'd choaks. Gold, Beauty, Fame

Are sublunary Mysts to SAINTS Seraphick Flame.

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37

JESUS! THIS fans my Fire, which has at best

But Grains of Incense, Pounds of Interest.

Go, Int'rest; Take the Principal, Thine own:

38.

Divine LOVE loves thy LOVELINES alone!

What Flames to THINE proportionable be!

LORD, had'st not first lov'd Man, Man could not have lov'd THEE!

39

Why lov'st us, but because THOU would'st? O, why

For Lepers would the UNDEFILED die?

That Pen was dipt i'th' Standish of thy Blood,

40.

Which wrot th' Indenture of our termless Good!

O, LOVE, 'bove Wish! Never such LOVE enroll'd!

Who think their utmost Flames enough for THEE, are cold.

41.

Whose HIGHNES did not to be low disdain,

Yet, when at Lowest, Highest did remain!

Who bow'dst HEAV'NS Altitude, refresh with Flowrs,

42.

With JESSES Sov'raign Flow'r, my fainting Pow'rs,

Which sink (as shaft-struck Hart embost) twixt Grief,

And Ioy: Grief for my Sin, Ioy for thy free Relief [...]

43.

Wrackt is with bitter-sweet Extreams my Minde,

Shell'd, sheath'd, cag'd, coffin'd in her treacherous friend;

Her always tempting mass of Flesh She bears,

44.

Her Hopes, did they not sprout from Thee, were fears:

HOPE, Thou Perfume of LOVERS, for thy Sake

LOVE'S generous, throws at All: Life's but a petty Stake;

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45

Scarce worth the Prize. LOVE makes two Spirits but one;

Me, Counterpart to thy Indenture, own;

I, active then as Light, tread Air and Flame,

46.

Without or Wing, or Chariot; and disclaim

All the faint Sweets of Earth. Thy SPIRIT views

How in Loves torrid Zone thy sweltring Martyr stews.

47

Row me, ye Dove-wingd Oars, whom Hope do's buoy,

To wisht-for Hav'n, flowing with Tides of Ioy!

Yet wish I not, my Joy, thy Ioyes Above,

48.

Meerly for Ioy; nor Pleasures of thy LOVE,

Only for Love of Pleasure; No, let free

Spiritual Languors teem! Fruitful, yet Virgins be!

49

Give, give me Children, or I die! LOVE, rest

Thy Head upon the Pillows of my Breast!

When me THOU shalt impregn'd with Vertues make

50.

A fruitful Eden, All the Frutage take!

Thy Passion, Ionathan, below did move;

Rapt SPIRITS, in high Excess flame with intensest Love!

51

My Life is hid with THEE in GOD! Descry

THY SELF, ô, THOU, my plighted SPOUSE, that I

May ever glorious be! That my joy'd Soul

52.

With THEE may make up Marriage! and my whole

Self THEE for Bridegroom have! My Hope still sends

Up Come, that I may enter with thy feasted Friends!

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53.

O, That long-long'd for COME! ô, COME! mine Eyes,

LOVES Sentinels, watch, like officious Spies!

Strike Sparks of JOY t'enflame LOVES Tinder! make

54.

The Exile view her Home, the Dreamer wake!

Tears raise the Fire of LOVE! Ease Sighs of Air,

Fires Passion, watry Tears, and earthy self Despair!

55.

My Sighs, condens'd to Drops, compute Hours spent!

Cancell the Lease of my Clay-Tenement,

Which payes deer Rent of Groans! ô, grant a Writ

56.

Of Ease! I languish out, not live! Permit

A Passe to SIONS MOUNT! But, I resigne

My green-sick Will, though sick of LOVE, to that of Thine!

57.

Waitings, which ripen Hopes, are not Delayes;

Presence how great, how true's LOVE, Absence saies:

While Lungs my Breath shall organ, I'l press still

58.

Th' Exinanition of my o'regrown Will.

Behold, I quickly come. O're-joyd I'm here!

O Come! Till then, each Day's an Age, each Hour a Year.

59.

JESU! (That NAME'S Ioyes Essence!) hasten on!

Throng amorous Sighs for Dissolution!

Fastidious Earth, avant; With Love-plumes soar,

60.

My Soul, to meet thy SPOUSE, Can'st wish for more?

Only Come! give a RING! Re-eccho then,

O, Come. Even so, LORD IESV, Come! Amen. Amen.

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LXI.

Who's this Inamor'd VOT'RESSE? Like the Morn

From Mountain unto Mountain born?

Who first, with Night-drops dew'd, seem'd Turtle Dove forlorn?

LXII.

But now, e're warped Body, neer Decay,

Stands, Bow-like, bent, to shoot away

Her Soul, Ere prone Looks kiss her Grave, e're her last Day,

LXIII.

She (LOVE-fill'd) wants no Mate, has rather one

Body too much. I'th' SPIRITS Throne

CHRISTS Peace is fullest Quire! Such Loneness, least alone!

LXIV.

When soft-flying Sleep, Deaths Sister, Wings do's spread

Over that curtain'd Grave, her Bed,

Then, with prophetick Dreams the HIGHEST crowns her Head.

LXV.

Behold, a comely PERSON, clad in white,

The all-inlightning Sun, lesse bright

Than that illustrious FACE of HIS, which blest her Sight.

LXVI.

To Her, in MAJESTIE, His Way HE broke,

And, softly thus to Her HE spoke.

Come, Come away. My JESUS? saies She. So, She woke.

LXVII.

Her Pray'rs, more passionate, than witty, rise,

As Sols Postilion, bright; her Eyes,

Wrastling with GOD for GRACE, bedew Loves Paradise.

LXVIII

Betimes, when keen breath'd Winds, with frosty Cream,

Peri'wig bald Trees, glaze tatling Stream:

(For May-games past, white-sheet-peccavi is Winters Theme.

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LXIX.

Those Day-breaks give good Morrows, wch she takes

With Thanks, so, doubly Good them makes.

Who in GODS Promise rests, in GODS Remembrance wakes.

LXX.

SAINTS nothing more, SAINTS nothing lesse regard,

Than LOVES SELF, than self-Love; unscar'd,

Though rackt into an Anagram, their Souls being spar'd.

LXXI.

Through Vertuous Self-mistrust They acted move

Like Needle, toucht by th' Stone of Love.

Blest Magnet, which attracts, and Souls directs ABOVE!

LXXII.

Were She but mortal, She were satisfy'd,

So GOD liv'd in Her, till She dy'd;

His WORD, her Deed, his WILL, her Warrant; BOTH, her (Guide.

LXXIII.

Thus, this DEVOTA breaths out yerning Cries.

Let not Dust blinde my sensual Eyes,

When as my Spirits Energie transcends the Skies!

LXXIV.

VIRTUES raise Souls. All's FILIAL to ABOVE;

Low'st Step is Mercenary Love;

Fraternal are the Sides that SAINTS Ascent improve.

LXXV.

Manna to my enamour'd Soul, art THOU!

The SPIRIT of Heav'n, distill'd, do's flow

From thy ASPECT; By That, from Brutes, we ANGELS grow.

LXXVI.

Had I, ô, had I many Lives, as Years;

As many Loves, as Love hath Fears;

All, All were THINE, had I as many Hearts, as Hairs!

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LXXVII.

From THEE my JOY-EXTENSIONS spreading flow;

Dilating, as Leaf-gold! be n't slow,

O, THOU, my All, and more! Love-lorn, THEE still I woo!

LXXVIII.

The Widow press'd, till THEE to grant She bound;

The VIRGIN sought THEE, till she found;

The Publican did knock, till opening, knocking crown'd.

LXXIX.

Though nought but dross I in my self can spie,

Yet melted with THY beaming EYE,

My Refuse turns to Gold, by mystick Alchymie;

LXXX.

Then, whet thy blunt Sythe, Time, and wing thy Feet:

Life, not in Length, but Use, is sweet:

Come, Death, (the Body brought a bed o'th' SOUL) Come, fleet!

LXXXI.

Be Pulse, my passing-Bell; be Skin, my Herse:

Nights sable Curtains that disperse

The Rayes of Day, be Shroud: Dews, weep my funeral Verse!

LXXXII.

Pittie me, Love-sick Virgins! Then, She swound;

O'recome with Zeal, She sunk to th' Ground:

Darts of intolerable Sweets her Soul did wound.

LXXXIII.

She lay with flaming LOVE empierc't to th' Heart:

Wak't, As She bled, She kist the Dart;

Then sigh'd. Take all I am, or have! All, All THOU art!

LXXXIV.

Then, sunk again. Reviv'd, LOVES BOW She bent

And marry'd String to Shaft, and sent

Ejaculations, which the Skies, like Lightning, rent.

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LXXXV.

Piercing Them through (feather'd with Sighs) to show

She little pay'd, yet much did owe:

The Feathers sung, and fir'd, as they did upward go.

LXXXVI.

No ice-fring'd Cloud may quench LOVES soaring Flame:

LOVE is more strong then Death, or Shame.

Grown up all Soul, the Flesh sinks in a triple Qualm.

LXXXVII.

I charge ye, SION VIRGINS, let Her still

Enjoy her disencloystred Fill

In These high Extasies of UNION and WILL.

LXXXVIII.

Do not with Claps of Hands, or noise of Feet,

Awake Her from what is more sweet,

Till the bright rising Day-star light Her to HEAV'NS Street.

LXXXIX.

Yeeld Her, what her unfetter'd Rapture gives,

Since She's more where She loves, than lives:

Transanimations, scaling HEAV'N, break carnal Gyves.

XC.

In LOVES triumphant Chariot plac't She is;

Concentrick are her JOYES with HIS

Encharioted in Fire, her Spirit HEAV'N-ripe for Blisse.

XCI.

They're only sound, who Thus are lost in Trance;

Transported to the High'st Advance,

With Him, who was in Spirit rapt to' expreffeles Glance.

XCII.

Return'd; She cry'd. O, slay me thus again!

Ne're lives she who thus ne're is slain!

How sweet the Wounds of LOVE! No Pleasure to LOVES pain!

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[...]

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XCIII.

In furnac't Heat, Pyrausta-like, I fry!

To live is Faith! 'tis Gain to die!

One Life's enough for Two! THOU liv'st in me, not I!

XCIV.

How, mid'st Regalios of LOVES Banquet, I

Dissolve in Sweets Extremitie!

O, Languors! Thus to live is in pure Flames to die!

XCV.

Three Kings three Gifts to th' KING of Kings did bring;

Myrrhe, Incense, Gold, to Man, GOD, King:

For Myrrhe, Tears; Incense Pray'rs; Gold, take Loves Offering!

XCVI.

O, take Loves Hecatomb! Then, through her Eyes

Did LOVE inamoring Passions rise:

HIGH'ST GLORY crowns THEOPHILA's Love-Sacrifice.

XCVII.

Not She, Mortality alone did die;

Death's but Translation to the Skie:

All Virtues fir'd in her pure BREAST their Spicerie.

XCVIII.

As, when Arabias Wonder Spices brings,

Which fann'd to Flames by her own Wings,

She, from the glowing Holocaust in Triumph springs:

XCIX.

So, VIRTUES Pattern, (Priestesse, Altar, Fire,

Incense, and Victime) up did spire;

VICTORIA, VICTORIA, sung All HEAV'NS QUIRE.

C.

She Ecchoing (Eccho, which do's all surpasse!

GODS Sight is GLORIES Looking-glasse!)

MAGNIFICATS, HOSANNAS, HALLELUIAHS!

[Page] Pars Cursûs emensa mei, Pars restat aranda:

Ex aequo Metam Vesper & Ortus habent.

Ergo per immensos properent cava Lintea Fluctus:

Iactatam capiant Littora sancta Ratem!

—Amans Animâ satiatur Amantis.

View See the Authors [...]ig [...] Design [...],

His Book displaid, [...]is [...]apers shine,

Is A [...]honian Bird, [...]Dog, and Cat,

[...] intimate.

TIEOPHLA. doth before Him stand

Amused wit [...] erected Hand [...];

And, like an Eagle, upward flies,

[...]by [...]ANGELS to the SKIES.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO V. The Representation.

[Page]

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ARGUMENT.

Mundus Opes, Animam COELUM, Terram (que) resumpsit

Terra: DEVS, Vitam cum tulit, IPSE dedit.

Solus AMOR facit esse DEVM; QUEM, Mente capaci,

Si Quis conciperet, posset & esse DEVS.

The Authors Vision, Her Ascent, HEAV'NS Place

Descry'd, where reigns all glorious GRACE,

Where's all-sufficient GOOD, the Sum of BLISSE She has.

STANZA I.

I'M vile, a thing impure, Corruptions Son,

Earth-crawling Worm, by Sin undone,

Whose suppliant Dust doth own its Shame, and t' HEAV'N doth run.

II.

GRACE, intervene 'twixt Sin and Shame, and tie

A hopeful BLISSE to Miserie!

LORD, pardon dust and ashes: both, yea worse, am I!

III.

Though dust, thy Work: though Clay, Thy HAND did turn

This Vessel; and, though ashes, th' URN

THOU art, them to restore when Skie & Earth shall burn.

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IV.

Whil'st that my Heav'n-allyed-Soul does stay

Wholly on THEE, not Europs Sway

Can elevate my Wish, like one Grace-darted Ray.

V.

Meet, meet my prison'd Souls Address! oh, might

She view, through mouldring Earth, thy SIGHT!

GRACE perfects Natures want: Say here, Let there be Light!

VI.

Then, though in Flesh my Spirit pris'ned be,

She may by FAITH ascend to THEE,

And up be rais'd, till she shall mount to Libertie.

VII.

Clear-sighted FAITH, point out the Way; I will

Neglect curl'd Phrases frizled Skill:

Humble DEVOTION, lift Thou up my flagging Quill;

VIII.

Which faints at first Approach; my Faith's too light

To move This MOUNTAIN, reach This HEIGHT:

Can squeaking Reeds sound forth the Organs full delight?

IX.

I'm mute, for only Light can Light declare;

A Diamond must a Diamond square;

Yet, where I dare not speak, there yet adore I dare.

X.

Ear has not heard, nor Eye has seen, nor can

Mans Heart conceive (vast Heart of Man)

The Riches treasur'd up in GLORIES Ocean!

XI.

Tomes full of mystick Characters enfense

Those Seas of BLISSE! To write to Sense

HEAV'NS Chronicle, wou'd ask a HEAV'ND-Intelligence.

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XII.

How then, from Flood of Tears may an Arkt Dove try

Its ventrous Pineons, to descry

That Land, unknown to Nature? Vast ETERNITIE!

XIII.

Fear Gulfs unfathomable; nor desire,

Ere of GODS Court thou art, t' aspire

To be of's Counsell; Pry not, but with Awe admire.

XIV.

Dwarf-words do limp, do derogate, do scan

Nor Height, nor Depth. Since Time began,

What constitutes a Gnat was ne're found out by Man.

XV.

Dares mortal Slime, with ruder tongue, expresse

What ev'n CELESTIALS do confesse

Is inexpressible? Thou Clod of Earth, first guesse

XVI.

In like Degrees from Aequinoctial Track,

Why Men are tawny, white, and black?

Why Bactrias Camel two? Arabs, one Bunch on's Back?

XVII.

Canst lead Leviathan with a silken String?

Canst cover with a Hornets Wing

Behemoth? Canst thou Seas into a Nutshell bring?

XVIII.

Canst Motion fix? count Sands? recall past Day?

Shew Height, Breadth, Length o'th' spreading Ray?

Discardinate the Sphears? and rapid Whirlwindes stay?

XIX.

Tell, tell how pond'rous Earths huge proplesse Ball

Hangs poised in the fluent Hall

Of fleeting Air? how Clouds sustained are from Fall?

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XX.

How burnt the Bush, when Verdure cloth'd its Fire?

How from the Rock, Rod-struck in Ire,

Did Cataracts gush out? How did the Sea retire?

XXI.

Canst thou take Post-Horse with the coursing Sun,

And with Him through the Zodiack run?

How many Stages be there ere the Race be done?

XXII.

Then, tell how once He shot his Beams down-right

From the same Zenith, while for Night,

Mortals stood gazing at a doubled Noon-dayes-Light?

XXIII.

Tell, how that Planet did in after-dayes

Turn Cancer, shooting Parthian Rayes,

Ten whole Degrees reverst, which did the World amaze.

XXIV.

Poor thingling Man! Propitious HEAV'N, assign

Some ANGEL for this high DESIGN!

HEAV'NS HISTORIE requires at least a SERAPHIN.

XXV.

O, might some glorious SPIRIT then retire,

And warble to a sacred Lyre

The Song of Moses and the LAMB in HEAV'NS full Quire!

XXVI.

'Twas at Nights Noon, when Sleep th' Opprest had drown'd;

But sleepless were Oppressors found;

'Twas, when Skies spangled Head in sable Veil was bound:

XXVII.

For, theevish Night had stole, and clos'd up quite,

In her dark Lantern, starrie Light:

No Planet seen to sail in that dead Ebbe of Night:

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XXVIII.

When, lo, all-spreading RAYES the Room surround!

Like such Reflections, as rebound,

Shooting their Beams to th' Sun, from Rocks of Diamond.

XXIX.

This, to a Wonder, summoned my Sight,

Which dazled was at so pure Light!

A FORM ANGELLICK there appear'd divinely bright!

XXX.

I wisht my Self more Eyes to view this Gleam;

I was awake, I did not dream;

Too exquisite Delight makes true Things feigned seem.

XXXI.

Model of HEAV'N it was; I floated long

Twixt Ioy and Wonder; Passion strong,

Wanting due Vent, made Sight my Speech, & Eyes my Tongue!

XXXII.

Oft, my rapt Soul, ascending to the Eye,

Peept through upon ANGELITIE,

Whose Blaze did burnisht Plate of sparkling Sol outvie!

XXXIII.

If gratious Silence shin'd forth any where

With sweet Aspect, 'twas in this Sphear;

The Soul of Sweetness, and the SPIRIT of Ioyes mixt here.

XXXIV.

From out LOVES Wing He must a Pensil frame,

Who, on Times cloth, would paint this Flame:

None can pourt [...]ay this glorious Draft but who's the same.

XXXV.

Vail then, Ti [...]antes-like, this guess'd at FACE,

(The Curtain of That inward GRACE)

Whose Forehead with Diaphanous Gold impaled was.

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XXXVI.

For, starrie Knobs, like Diamonds, did attire

That Front with GLORY, and conspire

To lavish out their Beams, to radiate that Fire.

XXXVII.

Whose Amber-curling Tresses were unbound,

And, like a glittering Veil, spread round,

And so about the snowy Shoulders sweetly wound.

XXXVIII.

Whose Robe shot forth a Tissue-waving Shine,

Which seem'd loose-flowing, far more fine

Than any interwoven Silk with silver-Twine.

XXXIX.

With gratious Smile, approaching neerer, sate

This glorious THING: ô, humble State!

Yet, on the VISION inexpressive RAYES did wait.

XL.

'Twas glorify'd THEOPHILA sat there.

I, mute, as if I tongueless were,

Till Her Voice-Musick drew my Soul into mine Ear:

XLI.

'Twas 'bove Lutes sweetest Touch, or richest Air!

I bring Thee Things (saies She) are rare:

All subcoelestial Streams Drops to this OCEAN are.

XLII.

Hear, first, my Progresse. Loos'd from Natures Chain,

And quit from Clay, I did attain,

Swift as a glancing Meteor to th' Aerial Plain:

XLIII.

Where, passing through, I did perfume the Air

With sacred Spice, and incenst Pray'r;

While grateful Clouds their liquid Pearl, as Guift, prepare.

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XLIV.

I spare t [...]unlock those Treasuries of Snow;

Or tell what paints the rainy Bowe;

Or what cause Thunders, Lightnings, Rains; or whence Windes flow.

XLV.

Those Regions pass'd, where bearded Comets light

The World to fatall Woes; a bright

Large Orb of harmless Fire enflam'd my Heav'n-ward Flight.

XLVI.

To azure-arched Skie ascends my Soul,

(Thence view I North and Southern Pole)

Where Globes in Serpentine, yet order'd Motions rowl.

XLVII.

Thence by the changing Moons alternate Face,

Vp, through unweari'd Phosphors Place,

I mount to Sols Diurnal and his Annual Race:

XLVIII.

By whose propitious Influence Things are

Quickned below, this Monarch Star,

Making his Progresse through the Signes, unclouds the Air;

XLIX.

And, eight-score Times out-bulks the Earth; whose Race

In four and twenty Howers space

'Bove fifty Milions of Germanick Leagues do's pace.

L.

This Giant with as many Tongues as Rayes,

Speaks out, so oft as He displayes

His Beams, which gild the World; that Man his LORD should praise.

LI.

Through Sphears I pass'd to Stars, that nail HEAV'NS Court,

(My Stay was with Skie-wonders short,)

Which, by first Movers Force, are whirl'd about their Fort.

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LII.

Through the blew-spangled Frame, my psalming Tongue

Made th' Orbs suspend their usual Song,

To hear Coelestial Hymns the glist'ring Quires did throng.

LIII.

Chime out, ye Crystal Sphears, and tune your Poles;

Skies, sound your Base, ere ye to Coals

Dissolve, and tumble on the Bonfire World in Shoals.

LIV.

The Primum Mobile do's seem immense,

And doth transfused Influence

Through all inferiour Orbs, as swift as Thought, dispense.

LV.

Suppose, a Milstone should from thence be hurl'd

Vnto the Center of this World,

'Twould make up sixscore Years, ere it could down be whirld.

LVI.

Now, entred I HEAV'NS Suburbs, [...];

No orient Jewels cast such [...]

(O, might this Verse be wreath'd but with [...]Diadems!)

LVII.

Sols radiant Fulgence in meridian Skies

Seem'd Shade unto those CLARITIES;

Where Beauties Self might beautifie her fair [...]st Eyes.

LVIII.

'Tis 'bove high'st Verge, where Reason dares be bold;

That HEAV'N of GOD is of such Mold,

That Eyes, till glorify'd, cannot the same behold.

LIX.

'Tis purely Spirit'al, and so must be,

Above compare in all Degree,

With Ought that draws its Line from th' six Dayes Pedigree.

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LX.

'Tis immaterial, 'bove the highest Sphear,

Doth brighter then the rest appear;

Than Orbs of Fire, Moon, Sun, or Crystaline more clear.

LXI.

'Tis Space immense, from whence Apostates driv'n,

Their Rooms might so to Men be giv'n

With Those confirmed SONS, th' Indigenae of HEAV'N.

LXII.

Absurdly some Philosophers did dream,

That HEAV'N's an uncreated Beam

Which forth eternally from GOD HIMSELF did stream.

LXIII.

'Tis but a Creature, though its Essence be

To change unsubject, standing free

On never shaken Pillars of INFINITIE.

LXIV.

Ocean of JOYES! Who can THEE fully state?

For clearer knowledge Man must wait;

First shoot Deaths Gulf, thy Soul may then arrive thereat:

LXV.

For no One enters There, till He hath trod

Deaths Path, then, from that Period

Elected Souls ascend to Heav'n, to BLISSE, to GOD!

LXVI.

(Zeal through me fir's its way to speak, that I

Would thither; like wing'd Lightning, flie,

Were my Flesh-curtain drawn that clouds my Spirits Eye!

LXVII.

What Heights would Souls affect, could they undress

Themselves of Rags, that them depress!

How beautiful's the Form of naked HOLINES!

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LXVIII

New Light, Life, Love, Joy, Bliss there boundless flow!

There shall my Soul thy GLORY know,

When She her Robe of Clay shall to Earths wardrobe throw!

LXIX.

Fond that I am to speak. Passe on to BLISSE,

That with an individual Kisse.

Greets Thee for ever! Pardon this Parenthesis.)

LXX.

Faith's the Souls Eye; As nothing were between,

They that beleeve, see Things unseen:

Close then thy carnal, thy spiritual Eyes unscreen.

LXXI.

For, my transplanted Spirit shall emblaze

Words, may make Wonder stand at Gaze:

Vnboundless Bliss doth ev'n the sep'rat Spirit amaze!

LXXII.

O, Fleet of Intellectuals, Glory-fraught,

(Inestimable Arras, wrought

With Heart-orecoming Colours) how ye pass all Thought!

LXXIII.

THOU All-comprizing, uncompriz'd! WHO art

Ever, yet never made, impart

THOU (Loves Abyss, without or Ebbe, or Shoar) an Heart

LXXIV.

Of WISDOM to attempt, proceed, and end

what never Was, Is, Can be penn'd!

(May Spots in Maps (dumb Teacher) Empires comprehend?

LXXV.

The Skie-enchased Diamonds lesser show

Than Julie's hairy Worms that glow,

Sampled with those Rebounds unbounded GLORIES throw.

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LXXV.

That Vessel of Election, rapt to th' Soil

Of highest BLISSE, did here recoyl:

I'th' same Attempt 'tis Honour to confess a Foyl.

LXXVII.

Sense knowes not 'bove Court-Triumphs, Thrones, or Kings,

Gems, Musick, Beauties, Banquetings,

Without such Tropes it can't unfold Spiritual Things.

LXXVIII.

O, how That most unutterable BLAZE

Of HEAV'NS all-luminating RAYES

Do's Souls (disrob'd of Flesh) both brighten, & amaze!

LXXIX.

That boundless Solstice, with transparent Beams,

Through HEAV'NS triumphant ARCHES streams,

And, gliding through each Spirit with intrinsick Gleams

LXXX.

Pierceth to th' little World, and doth dispell

The gloomy Clouds of Sin, that swell

The Soul, decoying it to ever-burning Hell!

LXXXI.

By GLORY, how are SPIRITS made divine!

How super-radiantly They shine

From th' ever-flowing SPRING of the refulgent TRINE!

LXXXII.

Beyond Report of high'st Discourse They dart

Their Radiations, 'bove all Art!

This cath'like BLISSE ore-flowes the most capacious Heart!

LXXXIII.

Conceive a Court, where all Joyes domineer,

Where Seas of Sweets oreflow, and where

GLORIES exhaustless Mines, Sports endless Springs, appear:

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LXXXIV.

Where infinite Excesse of Sweets ne're cloyes!

Where, still Fruitions Feast employes

Desire! where Who enjoy the least can't count their Joyes!

LXXXV.

One may t' a Glimps, None to a Half can rise,

Had He more Tongues, than HEAV'N has Eyes!

Such, nothing see, as would in Words this SIGHT comprize!

LXXXVI.

Can Measures such UNMEASURABLES hold?

Can Time INFINITIE unfold?

Superlative DELIGHTS may be admir'd, not told.

LXXXVII.

When GLORIES Heav'n is all one Sunny Blaze,

That flowing RADIANCE doth amaze,

While on That inconceivable RESULT we gaze!

LXXXVIII.

What King would not court Martyrdome, to [...]old

In Capite a Citie' of Gold,

Where, look how many Gates, so many Pearls are told!

LXXXIX.

The Structure's Square; A firm Foundation,

Twelve-fold, for Each a precious Stone,

The LAMBS APOSTLES Names engraven therupon.

XC.

There sparkles forth the verdant Emerald,

The blew-ey'd Saphyr therein wall'd,

The Topaz too, with that Stone which from Gold is call'd:

XCI.

There, Jasper, Chaloedon, Chrysoprase shine,

There Sardonix, and Sardius joyn,

There Beryl, Hyacinth, and Amethyst combine.

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XCII.

No, sympathizing Turkise there, to tell

By Palenesse th' Owner is not well,

For, Grief's exild to Earth, and Anguish groans in Hell!

XCIII.

The Streets with Gold perspicuous are arrai'd,

With blazing Carbuncles inlaid;

Yet, All seem Night, to GLORIES from the LAMB desplay'd:

XCIV.

For, thousand Suns make an Eclipse to THOSE!

The Diamond there for Pavement growes,

As, on its glitt'ring Stock, and all its Sparkles throwes.

XCV.

And there, on every Angel-trodden Way

Loose Pearls, instead of Pebbles, play,

Like duskie atoms in the Suns embrightning Ray.

XCVI.

Had I a Quill sent from a SERAPHS Wing,

And Skill to tune't! I could not sing

The Moity of that Wealth, wch That All-glorious KING

XCVII.

Of HEAV'N enstates Those in, who follow Good,

And prize [...]t above their vital Blood!

HEAV'N my be gain'd on Earth, but never understood!

XCVIII.

As, when the Sun shakes off the Vail of Night,

And scatters on the Dawn his Light,

He soon takes Pris'ner to Himself th' engaged Sight:

XCIX.

So, when I view those indeficient BEAMS,

O, They in overfulgent GLEAMS,

Like Diamonds, thaw'd to Air, embubble forth in Streams!

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C.

Ev'n SPIRITS, who have disrob'd their Rags of Clay,

Lay'd up in Ward-robe till that Day,

Orecome, They dazled are by each IMPERIOUS RAY!

Sexta repercussi, Pars antepenultima, Ponti,

Imparibus restat perficienda Modis;

Quam (si praestiterit Mentem DEUS OPTIMUS) addam

Flammiferos Phoebus cum jug at ortus Equos.

Ex obscuro spectabile COELUM.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VI. The Association.

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ARGUMENT.

Panduntur COELI, juvat hinc invisere Divûm

Atria, mortali non adeunda Pede:

Hîc, Animae pennis advecta THEOPHILA, cernit

Agmina COELICOLÛM ducere fancta Choros.

HEAV'NS Order, Beauty, Glory is descry'd;

Here, read the State o'th' GLORIFY'D,

Which THEOPHIL i'th' Heraldry of HEAV'N had ey'd.

STANZA I.

THose happy Mansions, glorious SAINT, discover,

Where the bright Host of Spirits hover!

Bring down all HEAV'N before the Eyes o'th' HEAV'NLY LOVER.

II.

Frail Man, with Zeal, and Wonder here behold

Clay cast into a Heav'nly Mold:

Faith did, now VISION does BEATITUDE unfold.

III.

The Tenants in This splendid FRAME are They

Whose grosser and unpolish Clay,

Calcin'd in Graves, now Robes of GLORY do array.

[Page]

IV.

Here MARTYRS sit enthron'd, who late did bleed

Sap from their fertil Wounds, to feed

With Oyl the Churches Lamps, and with red Dew her Seed.

V.

These ovant Souls, KNIGHTS of Saint VINCENT are,

For high Atchievements gain'd; each Scar,

To make a golden Constellation, seems a Star.

VI.

Not by inflicting, but receiving Blowes,

By suff'ring, They ore-came their Foes:

How long, LORD, ere THOU do'st avenge their Blood on Those?

VII.

These own their Bliss, sprung from the Word & Will

O'th' LAMB, by Whom They conquer'd still

Themselves, and that revolted Band that Hell do's fill.

VIII.

Therefore, Each prostrate Casts, with th' Elders, down

At the LAMBS Feet their Palm and Crown,

Beholding round all Eminencies, but their own.

IX.

Th' APOSTLES here, with Him, in whose sweet Tongue

The Lute of high-tun'd LOVE was strung,

When through so many Regions He the GOSPEL sung.

X.

The loving, lov'd EVANGELIST here lives

On LOVES pure Influence, and gives

No Bounds to's flaming Love, but how to heighten't strives.

XI.

LOVE was his only Theme. SHE, here is crown'd,

Who, neer Deaths Tomb, Life risen found;

Whose Eye-bowl was Tear-brimm'd, whose Towel Hair unbound.

[Page]

XII.

Parcht Africks GLORY, born in's Mothers Eyes,

(An happier Off-spring of her Cries,

Than of her Womb) here to ecstatick LOVE does rise.

XIII.

The Bounds are boundless of divine AMOUR;

Love hopes, and yet hath all Things, for,

In HEAV'NS eternal Heraldry, true LOVE is Or.

XIV.

Fruition LOVE enfires, thence Zeal's renu'd;

LOVE hath the SPIRITS Plenitude,

Burning with Flames in SPLENDOR of BEATITUDE!

XV.

LOVE caus'd the SON of GOD from's Throne dismount,

And make HIMSELF of no Account,

Become a Man of Sorrows, Who of Ioy's the Fount!

XVI.

This LOVE, by Quire of HEAV'N scarce understood!

Could so much Ill cause so much Good,

For Mans Redemption that GODS SON should shed His Blood?

XVII.

THOU, LOVE, when as my guilty Soul did dwell

In Nest of Ruine, did'st unshell

My Spirit (fledg'd with GRACE) from that disord'red Cell,

XVIII.

And, having crusht the outward Film of Earth,

Gav'st Her, new form'd with GLORY, Birth

That She might stye to th' SEAT of Beatifick Mirth!

XIX.

And praise THEE, with those VIRGIN-SOULS, who in

The Cloysters of their Flesh have bin

Washt in their SAVIOURS Bath of Blood from Spots of Sin.

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[...]

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XX.

Flow'rs on our Heads, as on their Stems, do grow,

Which into fadeless Colours flow,

Nor Cold to blast, nor Heat to scorch, nor Age they know.

XXI.

Scenting 'bove thousand precious Ointments, shed

On consecrated AARONS Head;

Above pearl'd Dew on Hermons ever-fragrant Bed.

XXII.

How far, immaculate FLAMES, do You excell

All that in Thoughts high Turret dwell!

What then can Opticks see? What then can Volumes tell?

XXIII.

If Beauties Self we could incarnate see,

Teeming with Youth and Ioy, yet She

Would not so beauteous as the VIRGIN-MOTHER be.

XXIV.

Who, like a full-orb'd Moon, our Stars out-shin'd

In glorious Fulgurance of Minde!

For whose surpassing Splendour I this Ode desig'nd.

XXV.

Hail, blessed VIRGIN-SPOUSE, who did'st bequeath

Breath unto HIM, Who made Thee breathe!

And gav'st a Life to HIM, Who gave the Life from Death!

XXVI.

Who bor'st HIM in thy Womb, Whose Hands did stack

The studded Orbs with Stars, and tack

The glowing Constellations to the Zodiack!

XXVII.

And, what improves the Mystery begun,

New Mysteries from Thee were spun,

HE did, at once, become thy Father, Spouse, and Son!

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XXVIII.

Conceiving HIM, as by the Womb, so th' Ear!

By th' ANGELS Tongue HEAV'N cast Seed there!

Thou heard'st, believ'dst, & thence didst breed, & thence didst bear!

XXIX.

Thou only may'st (so it be humbly) boast

To have brought forth the ETERNAL HOST

By mystick OBUMBRATION of the HOLY GHOST!

XXX.

By Thee did GOD and Man embrace Each other!

Thus, HEAV'N to Earth became a Brother!

Thus, Thou, a VIRGIN, to thy MAKER wast a MOTHER!

XXXI.

Thy Fleece was wet, when all the Ground lay drie!

Drie, when all moist about did lie!

As AARONS rootless Rod, so didst Thou fructifie!

XXXII.

Thou art, from whence FAITHS Burgeon sprang, the Ground!

Before, in, after Birth was found

Purenesse untoucht, with VIRGIN-MOTHERS Honour crown'd!

XXXIII.

Thou, Shrine of GLORY, Ark of BLISSE, Thou, high

Fair Temple of DIVINITY,

In Thee, the Master-peece of Nature I descry!

XXXIV.

My ravisht Soul (said She) extols His NAME,

Who rules the HEAV'NS expansed Frame,

Whose MERCIE rais'd me up to magnifie the SAME.

XXXV.

Who can anatomize the glorious List

Of Heirs to GOD, Coheirs with CHRIST,

Who Royalize it There by GRACES high Acquist?

[Page]

XXXVI.

Whose several GLORIES admirable are!

And yet as INFINITE, as Fair!

Where Alls's enjoy'd at Full; where every Thing is rare!

XXXVII.

The Ioy of EACH ONE is the Ioy of ALL!

BEATITUDE'S reciprocall!

They drink CHRISTS Cup of flowing Wine, who pled'gd his Gall!

XXXVIII.

Silence most Rhet'rick hath, and GLORIES best

Do pourtray forth that Royal FEAST,

At which each blessed SAINT is an Eternal GUEST!

XXXIX.

Nor can a Thought of earthly Friends Annoyes

Extenuate one Grain of JOYES,

While MERCY saves the Wise, while JUSTICE Fools destroyes!

XL.

Strangely their Intellects enlightned be!

Natures Compendium did not see

One half; yea, ere He tasted the forbidden Tree!

XLI.

If, that Sea-parting PRINCE, from cleft Rocks Space

Viewing GODS Back-parts, thought it Grace,

What Honour is it then to see HIM FACE to FACE!

XLII.

WHO doth inspirit the indeficient Ray,

Not dimm'd with a minute Allay;

Where, though no Sun ere rose, yet 'tis ETERNAL DAY!

XLIII.

Where, ALL are fill'd, yet ALL from Food abstain!

Where ALL are Subjects, yet ALL reign!

ALL rich, yet have no Bags that stifled Wealth contain!

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XLIV.

Where each SAINT do's a glorious Kingdom own;

Where each KING hath a starry Crown;

Each CROWN a Kingdom, free from the rude Peoples Frown.

XLV.

Where Each hath All, yet, more than All, They owe;

All Subjects, yet no KINGS They know,

Save KING of Kings, & LORD of Lords, who quel'd their Foe.

XLVI.

Where highest JOY is their perpetual Fare;

Their Exercise HOSANNAS are;

SPIRITS the Choristers, the Subject PRAISE and PRAYER.

XLVII.

The Laureate KING his Psalming Voice doth raise,

And sings to's solemn Harp high Layes,

Being HIMSELF the Organ to His MAKERS Praise.

XLVIII.

Enflam'd with holy Zeal, and high Desire,

Encircled with the Enthean QUIRE,

Warbles This Epinician Canzon to his Lyre.

XLIX.

Thou, CROWN of BLISSE, whose Footstool's Earth, whose Throne

Outshines ten thousand Suns in One,

Who art the Radi'cal LIFE of all true JOY alone!

L.

Royal PROTECTOR! when in THEE, Lights Sun,

Mortals wou'd deem the last Hour run,

We finde no Wane of Day, but a SOLSTITIAL Noon!

LI.

When, We Times Volumes of past Thousands scan,

Thy ORIGEN with Time to span,

We finde no Track in Infant Age when It began!

[Page]

LII.

ANCIENT of DAYES! to WHOM all Times are Now;

Before Whom, SERAPHIMS do bow,

Though highest CREATURES, yet to their CREATOR, low!

LIII.

Who art by Light-surrounded POWERS obey'd,

(HEAV'NS Host Thy ministring SPIRITS made)

Cloath'd with UBIQUITY, to WHOM all Light is Shade!

LIV.

Whose Thunder-clasping HAND do's grasp the Shole

Of total Nature, and unroul

The spangled Canopy of HEAV'N from Pole to Pole!

LV.

Who, on the Clouds and Windes, thy Chariot, rid'st;

And, brideling wildest Storms, them guid'st;

Who, moveless, All dost move; Who, changing All, abid'st!

LVI.

The Ocean Thou begirt'st with misty Shrouds;

That Monster wrapt'st in swathing Clouds,

And, with thy mighty WORD controul'st tempestuous Flouds!

LVII.

Earth-circling Oceans Thy DISPLEASURE flee;

Mountains dismounted are by THEE;

Those airy Giants smoak if THOU incensed be!

LVIII.

Innumerable Troops of Joyes do stand

Before Thy boundless PRESENCE, and

Vncessantly attend Thy ever-blissefull HAND!

LIX.

Thou, LORD; Good, without Quality, dost send

Blisse to All Thine; Great, without End;

Whose Magnitude no Quantity can comprehend!

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LX.

What's worthlesse Man? what his earth-crawling Race?

That THOU shouldst such a shadow grace,

And in unspeakable triumphant GLORY place!

LXI.

Who may thy MERCIES Height, Depth, Breadth extend?

In Height It do's to HEAV'N ascend,

Confirms the ANGELS, and in Depth doth low descend,

LXII.

Lessening the Pains o'th' damned ev'n in HELL;

In Breadth, from East to West do's swell,

And over all the World, and all thy WORKS excell!

LXIII.

Immense EXISTENCE! HEAVN'S amaz'd at thy

INCOMPREHENSIBILITIE!

INTELLIGENCIES dread Thine All-commanding-EYE!

LXIV.

Ye winged HERO'S, whom all BLISSE embow'rs,

To HIM in Anthems strain your pow'rs,

Whose Sea of Goodness has no Shoar, whose Age, no How'rs!

LXV.

Then, ore the trembling Cords his swift Hand strayes,

And clos'd All with full Diapaze;

As, in a sounding Quire the well-strook Consort playes.

LXVI.

Victorious Iubilies, when Eccho'd clear

From the Church-Militant, are dear

To HEAV'NS triumphing QUIRE; Such no gross Ear can hear.

LXVII.

Musicks first Martyr, Stradas Nightingale,

Might ever wish (poor Bird)) to fall

On that excelling HARP, and joy i'th Funeral!

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LXVIII.

Had it but heard Those AYRS, where Musick meets

With Raptures of Voice-warbled Sweets,

Flowing with ravishing EXCES in SIONS STREETS.

LXIX.

All, what Symphonious Breaths inspire, All, what

Quick Fingers touch, compar'd, sound flat:

Could I but coyn a Word beyond all Sweets! 'Twere THAT

LXX.

What Orders in NEW-SALEMS HIERARCHIE,

In what Degrees They' enstated be,

Are Wings that mount my Thoughts to high Discovery.

LXXI.

Blest Sight, to see HEAV'NS order'd HOST to move

In Legions glist'ring ALL Above,

Whose Armour is true ZEAL, whose Banner is pure LOVE!

LXXII.

Bright-harnessed INTELLIGENCIES! Who

Enucleate can your ESSENCE so,

As Men may both your mighty Pow'r, & Nature know!

LXXIII.

Invisible, impassive, happy, fair,

High, incorporeal, active, rare,

Pure, scientifick and illustrious SPIRITS You'are.

LXXIV.

Guesse at their Strength, by ONE; Was not almost

Two hundred thousand of an Host

By' an ANGEL slain, when Assurs Chief 'gainst HEAV'N (did boast?

LXXV.

In Brightness They the Morning Star out-vie;

In Nimbleness the Windes out-flie;

And far surpasse the Sun-beams in Subtilitie.

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LXXVI.

ARCHANGELS, Those superiour SPIRITS, are

GODS LEGATS, when he will declare

His Minde to's Chosen; GABRIEL did thus prepare

LXXVII.

GODS Embassie, when his BELOV'D did tie

Our Flesh to his DIVINITIE;

GRACE was the Kisse, the UNION was the Ring from High;

LXXVIII.

ANGELS the Posie sung: This, made our Clay

O're Empyraean Courtiers sway,

When as the SPOUSE his mystick NUPTIALS did display.

LXXIX.

No sooner shal That great ARCHANGEL sound

His wakefull Trump of Doom to th' Ground,

And Eccho shall, as banded Ball, make quick Rebound;

LXXX.

But, pamper'd Graves, with all their Iawes, shall yawn;

And Seas, Flouds Nurse, strange Shoals shall spawn

Of Men, to wait o'th' dreadfull JUDGE at's Iudgements Dawn.

LXXXI.

To Incorruption then Corruptions Night

Shall turned be; for That strange Sight

Inebriates Souls with deepest Woes, or high'st DELIGHT!

LXXXII.

Then shall my Ear, my Nose, my Hand, Tongue, Eye,

Alwayes hear, smell, feel, taste, espye,

Hosanna's, Incense, Off'rings, Feasts, Felicitie!

LXXXIII.

To act GODS WILL, ore sublunary Things,

The DOMINATIONS sway, as Kings;

He curbs Aerian Potentates, by th' POW'RS HE wings;

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LXXXIV.

The PRINCIPATES, of Princes take the Care,

T' enlarge their Realms, or to empair;

VIRTUES in acting of his WILL have their full Share;

LXXXV.

THRONES HIM contemplate, nor from's Presence move;

To CHERUBS HE reveals Above

Hid Things; He SERAPHINS enflames with ardent Love.

LXXXVI.

Praecelling SERAPHS shew GODS ARDOR still;

Wise CHERUBS his ABYSSE of SKILL

In Governing of ALL; beatious THRONES instill

LXXXVII.

To us his STEDDINES in's blessed THRONE,

Ever unalterably ONE;

Powr's, Virtues, Principates to his Commands are prone;

LXXXVIII.

Dominions own his REGAL SWAY; and so

ARCHANGELS, ANGELS swiftly show

Agilitie that from the DEITIE do's flow.

LXXXIX.

Their Number's numberlesse, not half so few

As orient Pearls of early Dew;

Like Aromatick Lamps THEY in HEAV'NS TEMPLE shew:

XC.

And yet of THEM though vast the Number be,

The Thing that most do's glorifie

Their MAKER's This, THEY differ specifically.

XCI.

Of the first Machine THEY the Parcels are;

Yet, if we Them with GOD compare,

Then wth, their Wings they skreen Themselves, though else most fair.

[Page]

XCII.

Lawlesse Desire do's never pierce their Breast;

Th' ALMIGHTIES FACE is still their FEAST;

Their BLISSE in Service lies, in Messages their REST:

XCIII.

They speak with Thought, atchieve without a Fee;

Silence They hear, Idaeas see;

Still magnifying HIM, who cannot GREATER be!

XCIV.

Thus, THEY, with one fleet Glance intuitive,

Into Each others Knowledge dive;

And, by Consent, Thoughts, else inscrutable, unrive.

XCV.

Each ONE in Psalms ETERNITY employes;

Where Vse nor tires, nor Fulness cloyes;

Enjoying GOD, their END, without an end of JOYES!

XCVI.

Each ravishing Voice, each Instrument, each Face

Compos'd such MUSICK, that I was

In Doubt, Each so in Tune, which did precede in GRACE:

XCVII.

The spritely Instruments did sweetly smile;

The Faces play'd their Parts; mean while

The Voices, with both Graces, did them Both beguile.

XCVIII.

The Nine-fold QUIRE such Heav'nly Accents there

In Sweets EXTENSION still do rear,

As over-pow'r the Windings of a mortal Ear.

XCIX.

Who MUSICK hate, in barb'rous Discord rowle;

In HEAV'N there is not such a Soul;

For, there's All-Harmony. SAINTS sing, the damned howl.

[Page]

C.

Coelestial Sweets did this Discourse excite;

Firm Ioy, fast Love, fixt Life, fair Sight!

But may a Creature, its CREATORS GLORY write?

Nunc alti Plumbum scrutatur Viscera Ponti,

Viscera Navarchae non repetenda Manu!

Hinc, procul optatam divino LUMINE Terram

Cernimus, optatum perficiamus Iter!

Te DEUM Laudamus.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VII. The Contemplation.

[Page]

ARGUMENT.

Pango nec humanis Opus enarrabile Verbis,

Quae meliùs possem Mira silendo loqui!

Da, DEVS, Illa canam, quae Vox non personet ulla,

Metiar ut minimis MAXIMA MIRA modis!

She launcheth into shoarlesse SEAS of LIGHT,

Inexplicable, Infinite!

Whose BEAMS both strike her blinde, and renovate her (Sight!

STANZA I.

WEre all Men Maro's, were those Maro's all

EVANGELISTS, met in Earths Hall

For Grand-Inquest of That wch we ETERNAL call:

II.

Draw Time from's Cradle (Innocence) could They,

And piled Heaps of Ages lay

Amassed in one Scale; Those would they find to weigh,

III.

Ballanc't with THEE, no more (when All is done)

Than, if They vainly had begun

To poize minutest atome with the MIGHTY SUN.

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IV.

Could They Earths Ball, with Numbers quilted see;

Yet, those throng'd Figures sum not THEE,

They were but Cyphers to immense ETERNITIE!

V.

Should every Sand for thousand Ages run,

When emptyed Shoars of Sands were done,

That Glass no more THEE measures, then if now begun!

VI.

Had Tongues HEAV'NS Mint, to coyn each ANGEL-GRACE

In Dialect; They'd fail o'th' Space,

Where All to come is One with All that ever was!

VII.

FAITH, stretch thy Line, yet That's too short, to [...]ound

SEA without BOTTOM, without BOUND;

As Circular, as Infinite, ô Shoarlesse Round!

VIII.

Immense ETERNITIE! What mystick Art

Of THEE may coppy any Part,

Since THOU an indeterminable CIRCLE art!

IX.

Whose very CENTER so diffus'd is found,

That not HEAV'NS Circuit can It bound,

Then what, what may the whole CIRCUMFERENCE surround?

X.

HEAV'NS HERO'S, can ye find for th' ENDLES End?

Can POW'RS IMMENSITY extend?

UBIQUITIE inclose? The BOUNDLES comprehend?

XI.

JEHOVAH's Zone to this uncentred BALL,

Ecliptick, and Meridionall,

Who WAS before, Is with, and SHALL be after All!

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XII.

But now behold Its Height, Above all Height!

Plac't beyond Place! Above Lights Light!

Rapt were the three APOSTLES by a Glimps o'th' Sight!

XIII.

O, Thou all-splendent, all transcending Throne!

Compact of High'st Dominion!

That 'bove the Super-Eminence of LUSTRE shone!

XIV.

From Each of Thine ineffably bright Sides

Diffusion of such Splendor glides,

As rowls 'bove thousand Seas of JOYES in flaming Tides

XV.

With such Refulgence, that, if CHERUBS might,

With Face unvail'd, gaze on That Sight,

Strait their Spiritual Natures would be nothing'd quite.

XVI.

Nature, put on thy most coruscant Vest;

Thy Gayeties shew, brought to this Test,

As a crude Ielley dropt from duskie Clouds at best.

XVII.

Could'st Thou impov'rish every Indian Mine,

And, from each golden Cell, unshrine

Those Beams, that wth their Blaze out-face Dayes em'lous Shine:

XVIII.

Could'st finde out secret Engins to unlock

The treasu'ring Casket of each Rock,

And reap the glowing Harvest of that sparkling Shock:

XIX.

Could'st thread the Stars (fixt and erratick) here,

That stud the luminated Sphear,

That all those Orbs of Light one Constellation were:

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XX.

Could'st joyn Mines, Gems, Skie-Tapers, All in one;

Whose neer-Immense Reflection

Might both outrival, and outvie the glorious Sun:

XXI.

Could all thy Stones be Gems, Seas liquid Gold,

Air Crystal, Dust to Pearl enrold,

Each Star a Sun, that Sun more bright a thousand fold:

XXII.

Yet would those Gems seem Flints, those Seas a Plash,

Those Stars a Spark, That Sun a Flash;

Pearl'd Islands, Diamond Rocks, Gold Mines, All [...]ully'd trash:

XXIII.

Yea, were all Eyes of Earth, Skie, HEAV'N combin'd,

And to one Optick point confin'd,

This super-radiant OBJECT would ev'n strike That blind [...]

XXIV.

Blinde, as the sable Veil of gloomy Night;

(The GOSPELS SEL [...] but hints This SIGHT)

All seem obscurer Shades to THIS non-parel LIGHT▪

XXV.

Amazing! Most Inexplicably RARE!

O, if, but Those Who Worthy are,

None may This LIGHT declare; None may This LIGHT declare!

XXVI.

Best Eloquence is languid, high'st Thoughts vail,

To think, to speak, Wit, Language fail;

'Tis an ABYSSE, through which no SPIRITS Eye can sail!

XXVII.

Here GLORY dwells, with Lustres so surrounded,

That brightest RAYES are quite confounded,

When they approach this radiant Eminence unbounded!

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XXVIII.

Forth from This FULGURANCE such Splendors fly,

As shall draw up frail Dust on HIGH;

Which, else, would in its lumpish Vrn still bedrid lie.

XXIX.

Before the ALMIGHTIES Throne my Soul I throw,

WHENCE All, that's Good and Great, does flow.

LORD, I that GRACE implore, wch may this GLORY show!

XXX.

GREAT GOD! THOU All-beginning, Unbegun!

Whose Hand the Web of Nature spun!

At once the Plenitude of All, and yet but ONE!

XXXI.

PARENT of Beings, Entities sole Stud!

Spirits eternal SPRING and FLOOD!

Sprung of THY SELF, or rather no way sprung! CHIEF GOOD!

XXXII.

Abstract of Ioyes, whose WISDOM an ABYSSE!

Whose POW'R OMNIPOTENCY is!

Whose Soul-enlivening SIGHT'S the Vniversal BLISSE!

XXXIII.

THOU dost descend on Wings of Air displaid,

'Bove Majesty It self arraid,

Curtain'd with Clouds, the HOST of HEAV'N Attendants made!

XXXIV.

ESSENCE of Glory, SUMMITY of Praise!

Abasht at thy All-piercing RAYES,

Heav'ns QUIRE does chaunt uncessant ALLELUIAHS!

XXXV.

Diamonds than Glass, than Diamonds Stars more bright;

Than Stars the Sun, than Sun Heav'ns Light;

But infinitely purer than Heav'ns Self's THY SIGHT!

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XXXVI.

Great is the Earth, more large the Airs Extent:

Planets exceed; The Firmament

Of Stars outvies; Vnlimited's the HEAV'NLY TENT:

XXXVII.

But, as my tenter'd Minde its Spirits still

Strains forth, from lesse to more (LORD, fill

My out-spent Raptures by thy All-repairing SKILL!)

XXXVIII.

When I above Air, Stars, HEAV'N, on wou'd press

Rackt Thoughts to SPHEARS beyond EXCES;

Myriads of Sphears seem Motes to thy Immense ONENESSE!

XXXIX.

ETERNITY is but THINE Howerglasse!

IMMENSITY but fills THY Space!

Whole Natures six Dayes Work took up but six Word [...] place!

XL.

One Word did th' All-surrounding Skie-roof frame,

With all its Starrie sparkling Flame!

Not all created Wisdom can spell out THY NAME!

XLI.

Supreme COMMANDER of the rowling Stars!

Thy LAW sets to their Progresse Bars,

Does Epicycle their obliquely gliding Cars!

XLII.

No Lines, Poles, Tropicks, Zones can THEE enthrall,

First MOVER of the Sphearick Ball,

Above, Beneath, Without, Within, Beyond them All!

XLIII.

What could, but thy All-potent HAND, sustain

Those Magazines of Hail, Snow, Rain,

Lest They should fall at once, and deluge All again?

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XLIV.

By Them THOU Plenty dost to Earth distill;

And Mans dependent Heart dost fill:

Windes are Van-Curriers, & Postilions to THY WILL!

XLV.

'Tis That the ominous Cause of Earth-quakes bindes

In Subterranean Grotts; That findes

Strange Ruptures to enfranchise th' ever-strugling Winds!

XLVI.

Thy Sandy Cord do's proudest Surges bound;

And Seas unfathom'd Bottoms sound;

Thy semi-circling Bow i'th' Clouds thy Covenant crown'd!

XLVII.

Earths Hinges hang upon thy Fiat; set

Midst Air-surrounding Waters, yet

Stand fixt on That, like Which, what is so Firm, so Great!

XLVIII.

Yet Earths fast Columns at thy Frown do quake;

And Oceans dreadful Horrors make;

Flints melt, the Rocks do rowl, the airie Mountains shake!

XLIX.

Yea, HEAV'NS SELF trembled, and the Center shook,

With thy amazing PRESENCE strook,

When POWER of Pow'rs on Sina's Mount His Station took!

L.

Each Ens (as linkt to PROVIDENCE, thy Chain)

Is govern'd by thy FINGERS Rein!

THOU, seeing us, we GRACE; we, THEE, do GLORY gain!

LI.

WHO hast no Eyes to see, nor Ears to hear;

Yet [...]eest, and hear'st, All-EYE, All-EAR!

WHO, no where art contain'd, yet art THOU every where!

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LII.

The optick Glass we of thy PRAESCIENCE may

Call th' Ark, where all Idaeas lay,

By which each Entitie THOU dost at first pourtray!

LIII.

Future Events are praeexistent here,

As if they lately acted were;

Then any new dissect Anatomy more clear!

LIV.

Each where, at once, THOU totally art still

The same unchang'd; yet, at thy Will,

THOU changest All; Who, though THOU art unmov'd, dost fill

LV.

Things that are most remote; In whose Forecast

Contingencies do crowd so fast,

As if, past Things were now, and Things to come were past!

LVI.

Though Acts on Earth crosse to thy WILL are done,

Besides thy WILL yet acteth None;

Preceding and succeeding Will, in THEE are One!

LVII.

Of whose vast MANNOR all the Earth's Demains!

Though Earth, nor Air, nor HEAV'N contains,

Yet each obscurer Grott thy OMNIPRESENCE gains!

LVIII.

Though nought accrues to Thy unbounded STATE

From Spirits, which THOU didst create,

Yet They thy GOODNES and thy LOVE shall still dilate!

LIX.

THOU, who mad'st All, mad'st neither Sin, nor Death;

Mans Folly first gave them their Breath;

That did [...]base whole Nature with it self beneath.

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LX.

But Sin to cure, THOU in a Crib gav'st Man

EMANUEL! DIVINE-humane!

WHO diff [...]ring Natures joyn'd; Whose REIGN no Ages scan!

LXI.

And THOU, O MEDIATOR! THOU, whose PRAISE,

Like Morning Dewes, to first of Dayes

Was sung by Heav'nly CHORISTERS in SERAPH LAYES!

LXII.

GOD, by the HOLY [...]HOST, begat THEE, LORD!

Flesh took by the ETERNAL WORD!

Whose Self-Eternal EMANATION None record!

LXIII.

As thy Eternal EMANATION's past;

So to ETERNITY shal't last!

In the beginning was the WORD, shews still THOV wast!

LXIV.

There GOD in ESSENCE, One in PERSONS Three!

Here NATURES two in One agree!

THOU, sitting in the Midst of TRINAL-UNITY

LXV.

At Heav'ns High Councel-Table, dart'st such Rayes,

As strike ev'n CHERUBS with amaze!

Of which the School, disputing All, it nothing sayes.

LXVI.

Search we the Ages past so long ago,

None, None this MYSTERY could show,

Till in that Maiden-Birth, twas acted here below!

LXVII.

A Dove hatch't in that Nest THY SELF did build!

A LAMB that Thine own Flock does shield!

A Wintersp FLOW'R that fram'd, from whence it sprung, the Field [...]

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LXVIII

The Iewish Shepherds all affrighted are,

When HERALDS THEE proclaim'd i'th' Air!

Yea, Magi came t' adore, led by a new-born Starre!

LXIX.

Yet, though thus wond'rously begot, thus born,

SPONSOR for us, faln Race, forlorn,

T'ingratiate us with GOD, becam'st to Man a Scorn!

LXX.

The GRACE SELF wast, th' Honour t' Evangelize!

The sacred FUNCTION, as a Prize,

Thou took'st, yet That not on, till call'd in Aarons Guize!

LXXI.

Which GOD t' Apostolize did bring to passe,

By th' HOLY GHOSTS Descent, at Face

Of Jordans then blest Streams, of Which John Witness was!

LXXII.

Thence, led by th' HOLY GHOST to th' Wilderness,

There tempted by the Fiends addresse,

Him overcam'st by Scriptum est; Hence our Release!

Then forth thou wentst.—

LXXIII.

Thy SERMONS, Oracles; ACTS, Wonders were!

THOSE Faith begot, THESE OTHERS Fear!

By BOTH, thus wrought in us, to THEE our selves we rear!

LXXIV.

THOU gav'st the Lame swift Legs, the Blinde clear Eyes!

THOU heal'dst all humane Maladies!

THOU mad'st the Dumb to speak! THOU mad'st the Dead to rise!

LXXV.

And art to Dead Men LIFE, to sick men HEALTH!

SIGHT to the Blinde, to th' Needy WEALTH!

A PLEASURE without Pain! a TREASURE without Stealth!

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LXXVI.

LORD, in, not of this World, Thy KINGDOM is;

Thy chos'n Apostles preacht thy Blisse,

That none of all thy Creatures might SALVATION misse.

LXXVII.

Abra'ham, long dead before, yet saw THY DAY,

In Isaack born, and Vowes did pay!

Type first, then Antitype, and quicknest every way!

LXXVIII.

Thy Gospel WISDOMS Academie shew'd;

Thy Mercy, JUSTICE calm'd; Life, view'd

Is TEMPERANCE; Thy Death the Flag of FORTITUDE!

LXXIX.

Thou, Altar, Sanctuary, Sacrifice,

Priest, Bread of Life do'st All suffice!

N'ere cloying Feast, where Appetite by Food doth rise!

LXXX.

And, SON of MAN, dost Sin of Man forgive!

To be THY Victimes Hearts do strive,

Who liv'dst that Life might die, and di'dst that Death might live!

LXXXI.

Yet dy'dst THOU not, but that (Spîrit quickned) free

THOU might'st Saints Paradised see,

Rejoyc'd Assurance give to Them rejoyc'd in THEE!

LXXXII.

And that, from thence, to Satans gloomy Shades,

Made Prison for the damned Hades,

Thou mi [...]ht'st Thy CONQU [...]ST shew, Thy GLORY that ne're fades!

LXXXIII.

Thence loos'd Deaths Chains from BODY, up to rear IT,

That, when RAIS'D STATE THOU dost inherit,

THOU might'st become to us an ever-quickning SPIRIT!

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LXXXIV.

The FATHER to reveal gives to his SON

THEE, HOLY GHOST (thus THREE in ONE)

Of All peculiar SANCTIFYER, yet not Alone!

LXXXV.

The FATHERS Love, and SONS; Adoptions Seal,

The SPRING of Sanctitie, The WEAL

O'th' Church: THY SELF in Light of fiery Tongues reveal!

LXXXVI.

O LIGHT unscann'd! Of Wisdom every Glance

Beams only from Thy COUNTENANCE;

Whose STORE, when empty'd most It self most doth advance!

LXXXVII.

Whose Fruits are Gentleness, Peace, Love, and Joy,

All crown'd with Blisse▪ free'd from Annoy;

Which neither Time, World, Death, Hell, Devil can destroy!

L [...]XXVIII.

THOU art a Feast, fram'd of that fruitfull Fare,

Which Hungers wast not, but repair!

A rich Perfume, no Windes can winnow into Air!

LXXXIX.

A Light unseen, yet in each Place dost shine!

A Sound no Art can e're define!

A pure Embrace, that Times Assault can n'ere untwine!

XC.

Flouds of unebbing Joyes from THEE do rowl!

Which, to each Sin-disdaining Soul

THOU dost exhibit in an unexhausted Bowl!

XCI.

This Wine of EXTASIE, by th' SPIRIT giv'n,

Doth raise the ravisht Souls to HEAV'N!

Affording them those COMFORTS are of Earths bereav'n!

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XCII.

Thy UNION is as strict, as large thy MERIT!

No HEAV'N but THEE, which SAINTS inherit

Th [...]ough Grace, divinest Sap, deriv [...]d by th' HOLY SPIRIT!

XCIII.

When Souls enflamed by that highest LIGHT,

Fix on Thy glorifying SIGHT,

All Glories else, compar'd to THAT, are duskie Night!

XCIV.

When high'st INFUSIONS passe our highest Sense,

Amazement is high Eloquence,

Bove all Hyperboles which fall to Exigence.

XCV.

Blest TRINITY, TH' art ALL; Above All, GOOD!

Beatitudes BEATITUDE!

Which swallows us, yet swim we in this LIVING FLOUD!

XCVI.

TH' art KING of Kings, of Lords LORD! None like THEE!

Who, for thy Style hast MAJESTIE!

And for thy Royal Robes hast IMMORTALITIE.

XCVII.

MERCIE for Throne! for Scepter JUSTICE hast!

IMMENSITIE's for Kingdom plac't!

And for thy Crown such GLORIE as doth ever last!

XCVIII.

For Peace, what passeth Understandings Eye!

Pow'r, IRRESISTABILITIE!

For HOLINES, All what's most sacred, pure, and high!

XCIX.

For Truth, thy WORD! WISDOM for Counsellour!

OMNIPOTENCE does Guard Thy TOW'R!

Thou ministring Angels hast to act thy Soveraign POW'R!

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C.

OMNISCIENCE Thine Intelligencer is!

For Treasure Thou hast Endlesse BLISSE!

For Date ETERNITY! O, swallow me ABYSSE▪

Ite, pii Cantus, Cantus quibus arduus Aether

Est Portus; Portum, quem videt alma Fides.

Visuram Littus Navem, sacra Serta coronent,

Serta per innumeros non per [...]tura Dies!

Gloria in excelsis DEO.

THEOPHILA'S LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO VIII. The Admiration.

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ARGUMENT.

COELI trina MONAS, TRIAS una, faveto precanti!

PERSONAS unâ Tres DEITATE colo!

Sunt tria, sunt & idem, Fons, Flumen, Gurges aquartum:

Sic tria sunt unum, Sol, Jubar, at▪ Calor.

Th' Elixir centuplies It self. But, ô

Myriads of Myriads must She so,

T'express GODS ESSENCE which no Intellect can show!

STANZA I.

PRojection to my Soul! Thy SIGHT's a Wreath

Of GLORY; Thou dost VIRTUE breath;

Thy Words, like sacred Incense, Fuel, & Flame bequeath.

II.

THOU MAID of Honour in HEAV'NS Court! to break

Thy Gold-twist LINES shews Judgment Weak;

Yet deign to hear my Suit; Of GODS hid NATURE speak!

III.

Can Counters sum up INFINITE▪ Fond Man,

Could'st grasp whole Oceans in thy Span,

And Phoebus could'st out-face in his Meridian;

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IV.

Tear Rocks of Adamant, and scale the Wall

O'th' glorious Empyraean HALL;

And Worms to Super-Eminence of SERAPHS call!

V.

Yet THIS, ev'n then, thou could'st nor learn, nor teach:

The World, unravell'd, cannot stretch

To sound th' ABYSSE. IT SELF alone It SELF can reach.

VI.

Of all Intelligencies not all Light

Mustred into one Optick Sight,

Can speak what each where is, yet no where seen to th' He ight!

VII.

WHO out of Nothing all Things did compact;

Whose Will's His Work, whose Word his Act:

Of WHOM, who say's the most, must from His WORTH detract?

VIII.

How from the ESSENCE the CREATOR flowes!

Or how the WORD, what Creature knowes!

How th' SPIRIT, All in't, All from't, do's Heav'ns Assembly pose!

IX.

Here they, who leave the Churches Ship, are tost

Till irrecoverably lost!

Whose Rudder is GODS Word, Steersman, th' HOLY GHOST.

X.

ARCHESSENCE! THOU, Self-full! Self-Infinite!

Residing in approachlesse LIGHT!

In the INCOMPREHENSIBILITIES of HEIGHT!

XI.

Thy peerlesse uncreated NATURE is

The SUPER-EXCELLENCE of BLISSE!

Where Holiness & Pow'r; where Truth & Goodness kiss!

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XII.

WHO only in THY SELF subsists, without

Or Form, or Matter! yet, no doubt,

Inform'st the Matter of the Vniverse throughout!

XIII.

No Need compels THEE, no Disasters sad

Disturb thy STATE, no Mirth makes glad;

Oblivion takes not from THEE, nor can Mem'ry adde!

XIV.

With prudent Rev'rence, Thus. What ere's in GOD,

His ESSENCE is; There's His ABode;

Whose Will his Rule, whose Heav'n his Court, whose Hell his Rod.

XV.

He' exists an active ENS, uphoulding both

IT SELF, and every Thing that doth

Exit; without distinction or of Parts, or Growth!

XVI.

Not made by Nothing, Nothing Nothing makes;

Nor Birth from any Thing HE takes;

For, what gives Birth, precedes: Springs usher in their Lakes.

XVII.

Were HE Material, then HE local were;

All Matter be'ing in Place; So, there

Th' INCIRCUMSCRIPTIBLE would circumscrib'd appear.

XVIII.

HE'S so diffusive, that HE'S All in All!

All in the Universall Ball!

All out of It! The only WAS, the IS, the SHALL.

XIX.

To help thy Reason, think of Air; there see

Vbiquitie [...] unseen, and free

From Touch; Inviolable, though it pierced be.

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XX.

Meer Air corrupts not, though conveigh'd unto

All Lungs; for, thither It does go

To cool them; Quickneth All, as the Worlds Soul doth show:

XXI.

Moysture and Heat, its Qualities, are Cause

Of all Production: yet, because

This Element's a Creature, GOD CREATOR pause.

XXII.

SELF-LIFE the Attribute of's BEING is!

His WILL, of Governing! and His

COMMAND of Execution! and his LOVE of Blisse!

XXIII.

All's ty'd in this Love-knot: JEHOVAH's LOVE.

Times Birth the TRINITIE do's prove:

CREATOR made, WORD spake, & SPIRIT of GOD did move:

XXIV.

Let us in our own Image Man create.

Which, Salomon do's explicate;

Remember the CREATORS in thy youthful State.

XXV.

The FATHER spake, the SON i'th' Stream did move

At his Baptizing; from Above

The HOLY GHOST descended in the Form o'th' DOVE.

XXVI.

Of HIM, to HIM, and through HIM all Things be:

Of, through, and to declare the THREE;

And in the HIM, the UNITY of GOD we see.

XXVII.

Thus HOLY, HOLY, HOLY'S nam'd, to show

A TERNION we in UNION know:

The Notions issuing from the TRINE, int' ONE do flow.

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XXVIII.

Whil'st that I think on THREE, I am confin'd

To ONE! while I have ONE in Minde,

I am let forth to THREE! Yet THREE in ONE combin'd!

XXIX.

O, Inconceivable INDENTITIE!

In ONE how may a PLURAL be!

COAEQUAL both in ATTRIBUTES, and MAJESTIE!

XXX.

The FATHER is true GOD i'th TERNION:

The WORD unborn, yet after SON:

The SPIRIT GOD Coessential; THREE, cause THREE from ONE!

XXXI.

The FATHER & WORD are ONE! ONE, shews their Power:

Are, distinct PERSONS. ONE does shour

On Tritheits Vengeance: Are, does Arrians devour.

XXXII.

ONE, yet not One! The FATHER and the SON

In PERSONS two, from FATHER one

By th' SPIRIT; SON is one by Resignation!

XXXIII.

The WORD is what HE was; yet, once was not

What now HE is! for, HE hath got

A NATURE more then once HE had, to cleanse our Spot!

XXXIV.

For, ne're had Man from Earth to Heav'n attain'd,

Had GOD from Heav'n to Earth not deign'd

His SON! now unto GOD Mans way by MAN is gain'd!

XXXV.

EQUAL, and SON, the form of Servant takes!

The World, unmade by Sin, new makes!

EQUAL, SON, Servant! All are Mysteries, not Mistakes!

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XXXVI.

Thus, by free GRACE is Mans Defection heal'd:

Behold the Mysterie reveald.

WORD, Aequal; shado'wing, SON; Unction is Servant seal'd!

XXXVII.

Because GODS AEQUAL, Serpents Tempts are quell'd:

Yet HE, as SON, to Death must yeeld

For us; by Resurrection to regain the Field.

XXXVI [...]I.

The SPIRIT is true GOD; from Ever HE

Did reign with BOTH! The TRINITIE

COEQUAL, COETERNAL, COESSENTIAL be!

XXXIX.

The FATHER's full, though th' SON hath All engrost!

Nor yet is ought of this All lost,

Though th' FATHER give HIM SELF to th' SON by th'H [...]LY GHOST!

XL.

For, though HE freely thus give All his STORE;

Yet hath He INF'INITE, as before!

Conceive for Glimps [...]some endless Spring, or Mine of Ore!

XLI.

What Soul will have this TRIAD for his Book,

With Faith must on the Back-parts look,

For, with HIS glorious FACE, blind are ev'n SERAPHS strook!

XLII.

By Speculation from Sols Substance [...] we

The FATHER; from its Splendor see

The SON; from's Heat the HOLY GHOST. Here, One is Three.

XLIII.

The Intellect, the Memory, the Will

Resemblance make o'th' TRINE; These fill

One Soul, yet are distinct in outward Workings still!

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XLIV.

Thus, to restore from Fall, we may descrie

THE TRINITY in UNITY!

Inscrutable ABYSSE rebates our weaker Eye!

XLV.

Be Ever-Ever-Ever blest, ô, TRINE!

Ever UNITEDNESSE divine!

WHO dost as well in Ants, as in ARCHANGELS shine!

XLVI.

The Principats, Thrones, Dominations, all

Archangels, Pow'rs Coelestial

Are Ministers attending on thy SOVERAIGN CALL!

XLVII.

The Government 'bove Star-embroidred Hall,

Thus truly is Monarchicall,

Where All are Kings, and yet one KING does rule Them All!

XLVIII.

Lesse then the thousand Part I have exprest;

Mans Weaknesse cannot bear the Rest.

For thy Expresselesse NATURE, LORD, be ever blest!

XLIX.

SOUL of all Sweets! my Love, Life, Joy and Bliss!

To' enjoy THEE'S Heav'n! Hell THEE to misse!

What's Earths! Ev'n Heav'n hath its Beatitude from THIS!

L.

Remove the Needle from the Pole-Star, and

'Tis still with trembling mot [...]on fann'd,

Till it returns. No Fixure but in GOD does stand.

LI.

To Saints all other Objects prizelesse be;

In GOD, the ALL of All, we see:

Feast to the Taste, all Beauty to the Sight is HE!

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LII.

Musick to th' Ear; and Those whom HE unites,

Partake with HIM in high'st DELIGHTS!

Spring-tides of Pleasures over-whelm their ravisht Sprites!

LIII.

But, Contraries, when opposite, best show,

(As Foils set Diamonds off, we know)

See Hell, where Caitives pine, yet still their Tortures grow!

L [...]V.

As Metals fierie Waves in Furnace swell,

That Founders run, to cast each Bell;

This, not endur'd; more Rage ten thousand Times is Hell!

LV.

Where Souls still rave, adust with horrid Pain!

They tug, they tear, but all in vain,

For, them from raging Smart, HOPE never shall unchain!

LVI.

O, that for trash these Esaus sold their BLISSE!

For Sin, that worse than Nothing is!

This desperates their Rage! How they blaspheme at This

LVII.

This Viper clings, corrodes, 'gainst which no Ward!

GODS BEATIFICK SIGHT debarr'd,

Renders their Case, 'bove all the Pains of Sense more hard!

LVIII.

O, never-sated Worm! unpity'd Woes!

Unintermitted! what Sin owes,

Hell payes! The Damn'd are Anvils to relentless Blowes!

LIX.

Fiends forfeit not their Energie. There Cain

Fries, but for one Lamb by him slain!

O, what Flames then shall Butchers of CHRISTS Flock sustain?

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LX.

Earths fatal Mischief, prosp'rous Thief, that Thunder

Which tore the Nations all asunder,

Whom Just Fate flew, i'th' Worlds Revenge, that conqu'ring Wonder,

LXI.

That Ghost of Philips hot-brain'd Son may tell

Heart-breaking Stories of his Hell!

Too late He findes one Soul did his whole World excel!

LXII.

There, curs'd Oppressors dreadful Rackings feel!

Whose Hearts were Rocks, and Bowels Steel!

O, scorching Fire! (cryes Dives) for one Drop I kneel!

LXIII.

Oblig'd is Man, GODS Steward, to supply

Brethren, in CHRIST Coheirs, who lie

Gasping in stiff'ning Frosts, no Cov'ring but the Skie:

LXIV.

Whose wither'd Skins, fear as the saplesse Wood,

Cleave to their Bones, for want of food,

Seem Natures Monsters thrown a Shoar by Mis'ries Flood.

LXV.

Though all their Physick's but a Diet spare;

Have no more Earth, than what they are,

Nor more o'th' World, than Graves, yet in Heav'ns Love they share.

LXVI.

Inestimable LOVE, from None bereav'n!

HEAV'N sunk to Earth, Earth mounts to HEAV'N!

Just JUDGE! to Dives Hell, to Laz'rus Heav'n is giv'n!

LXVII.

LOVE, Disengage us of our selves! LOVE has

Nor Bi [...], nor Reins! Rich, 'bove Earths Mass!

Fixt in Idaeas of LOVES Soul-inliv'ning GRACE!

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LXVIII

O, LOVE! ô HEIGHT, above all Height, to THINE!

Thy FAVOUR did to Foes encline!

Unmeasurable MEASURE! endlesse END of Line!

LXIX.

LOVE darts all Thoughts to its BELOV'D; doth place

All BLISSE in waiting on His GRACE;

It languisheth with Hope to view HIM Face to Face!

LXX.

And ushers in that BEATIFICK LOVE,

Which so divinely flames Above,

And doth to VISION, UNION, and FRUITION move!

LXXI.

Ice is a thing distinct from th' Ocean wide;

But, melted by the Sun, does glide

Into't, becomes one with't, and so shall e're abide.

LXXII.

Desire's a Tree, whose Fruit is Love, the Show'rs

That ripen it are Tears, the Flow'rs

Are Languors, Leaves Afflictions, Blossoms Pray'r-spent How'rs.

LXXIII.

O, Mental PRAY'R, thy Ioyes are high! Resort

By Thee's to GOD! Thou art the Port

Of inward Peace from Storms! The Path to SIONS Court!

LXXIV.

By Pray'r GOD's serv'd betimes; Remember Who

The Blessing got by Wrastling so;

Who early pray, they healthy, holy, happy grow.

LXXV.

Then pray, before Lights rosie Blush displayes

I'th' Orient Sols enchearing Rayes,

When He from's Opall East to West oblikely strayes:

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LXXVI.

Before the Cock, Lights Herald, Day-break sings

To's Feathr'ie Dames; ere roost-Lark springs,

Morns Vsher; when the Dawn its mungrell hour forth brings [...]

LXXVII.

PRAY'R, Thou art Lifes best Act, Souls silent Speech,

The Gate of GRACE; Saints GOD beseech

By Prayer, but joyn'd with Alms & Fasts they HIM besiege!

LXXVIII.

Fasting, the Souls delicious Banquet, can

Adde Strength to PRAY'R, feast th' inner Man,

And throw up to ETERNITY the Bodies Span!

LXXIX.

Fasts, sackcloth, ashes, groveling on the ground

SAINTS study'd have with Pain, and found

VVith Ioy, that what degrades the Sense, in HEAV'N is crow'nd!

LXXX.

Prize FAITH, the Shield of Martyrs, Ioyes Confection,

Souls Light, the PROPHETS sure Direction,

Hopes Guide, Salvations Path, the Pledge of all Perfection!

LXXXI.

In Faiths mysterious EDEN make abode;

VVith Iacobs Staff, and Aarons Rod

Frequents its Grove, where none are but the LOV'D of GOD!

LXXXII.

The Radiations of FAITHS Lamp excite

Such a Colosse of sparkling Light,

That Saints, through worldly Waves may steer Lifes Course aright.

LXXXIII.

Being in, not of this World, They Comforts rear

Above the Pitch of servile Fear:

Terrestrial Blossoms first must die, ere Fruit They bear [...]

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LXXXIV.

No clogging Fetters of impris'ning Clay,

No wry-mouth squint-ey'd Scoff can stay

Their swift Progression, soaring in their HEAV'NLY Way!

LXXXV.

Thoughts on the endlesse Weight of GLORY shall

Render ev'n Crowns, as Dung, and all

Afflictions light, as Chaffe chas'd on Earths empty Ball.

LXXXVI.

The Torch that shines in Night, as Eye of Noon,

Is but as Darkenesse to the Sun:

Run after Shades, they fly; fly after Shades, they run.

LXXXVII.

All worldly Gayes are Reeds, without Support,

Fitly with Rain-bow gleames they sort,

Want Solidnesse; when gain'd, they are as false, as short.

LXXXVIII.

While Fooles, like silly Larkes, with Feathers play,

And stoop to th' Glasse, are twitcht away,

Amidst their pleasing Madnesse, to Hels dismall Bay!

LXXXIX.

O, could embody'd Soules Sinnes Bane view well,

Rather in Flames they'd choose to dwell!

Not so much Ill, as Sin, have all the Paines of Hell!

XC.

A smiling Conscience (wrong'd) does sweetly rest,

Though starv'd abroad, within doth feast;

Has HEAV'N It self for Cates, has GOD HIM SELF for Guest!

XCI.

May call HIM FATHER; [...]His Vicegerent be!

An Atome of DIVINITIE!

Redeem'd by's SON, by the SPIRIT inspir'd, blest by ALL THREE!

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XCII.

His JUDGE becomes his ADVOCATE! hath Care

To plead for Him! The ANGELS are

His Guardians! from his GOD Him Heights, nor Depths may scare.

XCIII.

O, Blest, who in His COURTS their Dayes do spend!

And on that SOVERAIGN GOOD depend!

His WORD, their Rule; his SPIRIT, their Light; HIM SELF their End!

XCIV.

While Pride of Life, and Lust o'th' Eye do quite

Dazle the World, SAINTS out of Sight

Retire, to view their BLISSE: On which some Canto's write:

XCV.

For, Souls, sincerely good, in humble Cell

Encloystred, neer Devotions Bell,

By Contemplations Groves and Springs neer HEAV'N do dwell.

XCVI.

Bright-gifted soaring MINDES (though Fortune trod)

Are carelesse of dull Earths dark Clod;

Enricht with higher Donatives; their PRIZE is GOD!

XCVII.

Farewell. As vanisht Lightning then She flies.

O, how in Me did Burnings rise!

The only Discord was Farewell. Hearts out-reach Eyes.

XCVIII.

The Air respires those quintessential Sweets

From whence She breath'd, and who so meets

With Such, the tuneful Orbs He in that Zenith greets.

XCIX.

Dwell on This Ioy, my Thoughts, re-act her Part;

Such Raptures on thy shuddering Heart

Make Thee all-Ecstasie [...] by Spirit-seizing Art!

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C.

Chewing upon those HEAV'N-enchanting Strains,

My Soul Earths giddy Mirth disdains;

Fleet Ioy runs Races in my Blood through thousand Veins!

Contingit gratam victrix Industria Metam;

Et mea nunc Portu fessa potire Ratis.

Est Opus exactum, Cujus non poenitet Acti:

Me juvat at Caepti Summa videre mei.

—OMNIA in UNO, & in OMNIBUS UNUS.

§

MIra mih [...] inter Authorem & Opus occurrit Symphonia: Ille Caelebs, Hoc Virgineum; [...]lle Philomusicus; Hoc, ipsum Melos; Ille Dilectus, Hoc [...]Dilect [...]o: Quis en [...]m ad [...]im Amoris explicandum, vel copiosiùs dixit, vel impensiùs Opere perfecit, quàm Autor hîc in sua THEOPHILA? quae tantâ Florum [...]rietate con [...]ersa est, ut quid priùs legam, aut laudem, vix mihi post [...] Lectionem constare possit. Quid etiam Jucundiùs Animi Oculis, quàm siti [...]ntem tam coelesti Nect are Animam adimplere? Sine me Deliciis igitur istis inebriari: & me Epulis his [...]e, Mel & Amorem spirantibus, jugiter accumbere. Mo [...]us amandi DEUM non habet modum; nullus planè in hoc Genere Excessus datur [...] Scripserunt De Arte Amandi Varii, sed imperfectè admodum, & impurè [...]ac si, non tam Amandi quàm Peccandi Artem edocere profes [...] essent: Quia hujusmodi illecebrae, dum sensìm sine sensu Venenum hauriunt, Morbo sine Medelâ afficiunt. Hîc autem sunt Dictu honesta, Lectu jucunda, Scitu utilia, Observatu digna, & Factu praestantissima. Eximium ergo hoc felicis Ingenii Specimen, propter Multiplices Aculeos in Legentium Animos suavitèr penetrantes, & penitiorem ae [...]ternae Veritatis Cognitionem instillatam, Aures (que) harmonice demulcentem, in Lucem emitti, non possum non laetari.

M. G. S. T. D.

§

I am satìs expertus Briticum Mare, contraho Vela;

Naviget Ausonio Musa Latina Salo.

Fallo [...], an externo venit Aura secundior Orbe?

Portus in Latios versa Triremis eat.

[Page]

[figure]

Ad piae Poesios Cultum Invitatio.

[Page]

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VOS, Eruditionis Candidati, quibus Crux DOMINI Gloriae, Religio Cordi, Integritas Honori, Doctrina Ornamento, Poesis sacra Oblectamento, qui Cupiditates Rationi, Rationem Religioni, ut Christiani, subjugâstis, cum Musis convivamini devotioribus, ut perpetuâ Posterorum vigeatis Memori [...]. Non ad Mundi deliria, VOS, Animae piè anhelantes sed, fulguris more, ad Sublimia nascimini. Credite Vosmetipsos DE [...]I Filios, respondete Generi, vivite Coelo, PATREM Similitudine re [...]erte; Quid enim evidentius coelestis Originis Indicium, quàm humano Corpore Mentem Angelicam circumferre, Vosmetipsos ergo erigite, Dictatores, Magna loquimini, Magna viuite; Caeteros, ad inferiora depressos, Quadrupedes non esse natos, paeni [...]eat. O, quàm divina Res est Mens variis ornata Disciplinis! Acquisitio Sapientiae Carbunculos, & pretiosissimas Orientis Gazas antecellit: Nihil, Vobis, [...] Animae, DEI insignitae Imagine, desponsatae Fide, dota [...]ae Spir [...]u, redemptae Sanguine, deputatae cum Angelis, capaces Beatitudinis, aequè sit Curae, quám ut omnes altiores Animi vestri Vires in summum Illius Honorem, qui primum Illum Vobis inspiravit Aestum, ex [...]ratis, Tanti enim est Quis (que) quanti Mens, quae, praeter DEUM, nihil excelsius in Terris Seips [...] complecti potest. Ad Se igitur revocetur, Secum versetur, in Se abeat, Sibi tota intendat, de (que) sua Sublimitate, & Autore semper adorando, cogitet. Hoc autem praestare non possit, nisi Vitia Corporis ableget, nisi Avaritiae & Ambitioni renuntiet, nisi sui Juris sit, nisi Se deni (que) a Sensibus separata, penitiùs perfruatur; tunc enim ad DEUM, Objectum suum, libera assurgat; Haec autem ipsius in Seipsam Conversio a [...] Defixio, [...]antae est Voluptatis, ut excogitari nulla in hac Vita possit, quae vel ad aliquam ejus particulam accedat. Ut igitur ad summum hoc Bonum, summis Ingeniis Propositum, perveniatis, Votis & Vocibus cohortamur: Imo DEUS in Vobis & velle, & persicere operetur; Ipse Autor, Ipse Remunerator, Ipse Cansa effectiva & finalis; Cui soli, Nobilissimi, incumbite, & Vnum Hoc agite [...] ut vos, DEO & Davidicae Pietati consecratos, Sedes in GLORIae Templ [...] aeternae excipiant. Sed, quia [...] Heroes alloquimur, heroico nostram han [...] Paraenesin Carni [...]e substringemus.

9

9

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THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIA. HECATOMBE IX. RECAPITVLATIO. Animae piè anhelantis Descriptio.

Beato THEOPHILAE Virginis Incendio

Quisquis flagrare gestis,

In quo felicior Salamandrâ triumphes,

Et instar Pyraustae nascaris, instar Phoenicis moriaris;

Vt AEVITERNITATI resurgas,

Non tam vitam deserens, quam conserens:

Sanctioris Ovidii Carmina

Cordis Oculis, & Oculorum Corde perlustres:

Debuissent Incendia dia Adamantino Stylo

In Tabula IMMORTALITATIS incîdi;

Sed, quoniam pennae ductibus scribenda fuêre,

Pennas porrigat Scribenti Pietas pennatior Ave,

Et centum Oculos Legenti oculatior Argo.

PORTICUS.

Amor erga Magistrum, & Sodalem

Languidiùs se movet, & quodamodo vegetat;

Erga Parentem & Conjugem

Expansiùs se exerit, & quasi sentit;

Erga Patriam, & Patriae Patrem

Elatiùs se erigit, & Rationem induit:

At erga DEVM

Totus Ecstasin patitur, Sese transcendit,

Nec Modi, nec Limitis capax;

Sed, separatarum instar Animarum,

Cupit, aestuat, ebullit, anhelat!

Finitus INFINITATEM ambit, ac suspirat!

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ARGUMENTUM.

Musa sacrata struens Aras, ut NUMEN honoret,

Calcat, & odit haras, Musa peligna, tuas:

Est Haec, ut Clytie, studiosa Pedissequa SOLIS;

Sol DEUS est, SOLIS Lumen AMANTIS amat.

§

Distichon 1.

MUsa, silere potes, vaga dum Citharistria Sylvae

Crispillat tremulo gutture mille Sonos?

2.

Ars acuit Concepta, Poesis accuminat Artem;

Spicula jactet Epos; jacta coronet Eros:

3.

Spes Arcus, sit Amor tibi Dextra, Fides (que) Sagitta;

A Spe missa Fides, NUMEN Amore petit.

4.

Est sacrum quod conor Opus: DEUS, annue Coeptis!

Seminat Ista Fides, Spes alit, auget Amor.

5.

Mundus Ager, Semen VERBUM, DEUS Ipse Colonus,

Latro Satan, Lolium Gens mala; Sancta, Seges.

6.

Da mihi Coelipetae Fastigia, NUMEN, Alaudae;

Mens, ut Avis, pennâ remige sulcet Iter [...]

7.

Nôsse DEUM, bene posse BONUM, sunt Vota Piorum:

Da mihi nôsse Bonum, da mihi posse, DEUS!

8.

Notio non COELI, sed habet Dilectio Palmam:

Tu mihi nôsse dabas COELICA, velle dabis.

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9.

Quod volo, quod possum, quod sum, Tibi debeo, CHRISTE:

Quod sum, quod possum, quod volo, CHRISTE, cape.

10.

Nil video sine TE, sapio nil, nil queo; Solus

SOL meus es, meus es SAL, mea sola SALUS.

11.

Lux, Via, Vita pio, DEUS; hac Face, Tramite, Corde,

Qui videt, it, vivit, non cadit, errat, obit.

12.

Da cumulem tua centenis ALTARIA Donis!

Victima sint Versus, Ara Cor, Ignis Amor.

13.

Thura Preces, Lachrymae Myrrhae, Pietas (que) sit Aurum:

Mentis Opus, Clysmus Cordis, Amoris Opes.

14.

Hoc Hecatombaei TIBI Carminis offero Libum:

Vt Tu millenos, Nate Davide, Boves.

15.

Vult pia Musa DEUM! Quoties volat altiùs, Alas

Flagitat assiduè, SANCTA COLUMBA, Tuas!

16.

Ferre per Aethereas volitante Vigore PHALANGES,

Fulgida Chrysolithûm Lux ubi stellat Iter.

17.

Carmine ducat Amor, quos terret Concio; Mentes

Elevet in COELUM, quò nequit ire Fides!

18.

Grata repercussi referant Modulamina Nervi;

Unica nec nostrae sit Synalaepha Lyrae.

[Page]

19.

Vmbra mihi DEUS.—i, patulae, Maro, tegmine fagi;

Tu, Siloame, veni; Castalis Vnda, vale.

20.

Vana profanorum calcando crepundia Vatum,

Spirituale pius parturit Author Opus.

21.

Vita quid est? Fumus. Quid Forma? Favilla. Quid Aurum?

Idolum. Quid Honos? Bulla. Quid Orbis? Onus:

22.

Vita repentè fugit, citò Forma polita recedit,

Aurum fallit, Honor deficit, Orbis hebet.

23.

Vita Voluptatis brevis est, Vitae (que) Voluptas;

Non capit illa DEO quid sit AMANTE capi.

24.

Illa maritali quae Taeda parata Leandro,

Illa Sepulturae Taeda parata fuit.

25.

Mille Viae Morti, proh, mille! sed unica Vitae:

Crimina qui non hîc eluet, ille luet.

26.

Bellica faedifragos pessundabit Ira Tyrannos:

Non Vobis, Sceleri vincitis; Vltor adest.

27.

Peccantûm Limen, Peccati linquite Semen;

Contagem ducit Proximitate Pecus.

28.

Hinc, Josephe, fugis, fugis hinc sine Veste, Johannes;

Proh Dolor! Ipse manes, Petre, manendo negas!

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29.

Conscia Mens Noctes (que), Dies (que), Domi (que), Foris (que)

Pungitur: In Sese Verbera Tortor agit!

30.

Jussa decem, bis sex Credenda, Sacratio Caenae,

Heu, nimis in Templis, LEGE loquente, silent!

31.

Grex perit hinc! Veniet, quâ nou speratur in horâ,

JUDEX: Terribilis Sontibus ULTOR adest!

32.

Nec Prece, nec Pretio, nec Fraude, nec Arte, nec Irâ

Vincitur! In Paenas Flamma perennis erit!

33.

Imbre rigante Genas, quoties Tibi CHRISTE, querebar,

Nocte vigil, nullo Teste, MEDELA, veni!

34.

Aspicis, & Pateris? Scelus omne repelle, Colonus

Nec great Arma suâ quâ serit Arva Manu!

35.

Vis, Amor, est exorsa DEO; data GRATIA gratìs;

Hanc Vim THEIOPHILAE Nomine Musa vocat.

36.

Vreris ignifluis confossa THEOPHILA Telis!

Sacra beatificans si cremet Ossa Calor,

37.

Quo magìs ardescis, magìs, hoc, sis Follis ad Ignes;

Omnibus exundet, qui calet intùs, AMOR.

38.

Vre Tepescentes, Vires (que), Calentibus adde;

Igne crema, recrea Lumine, Mente bea.

[Page]

39.

Et Mare tentanti Pharos [...] esta, BENIGNA, Poetae,

Dum pandit Vento Lintea plena sacro!

40.

Vela pius Genius, Tu Sidus, Acumina Remi,

Vates Nauta, Salum Vena, Poema Ratis.

41.

Confecro Fraena tuae moderanda Poetica Dextrae;

Sunt Donantis Honor, sed CAPIENTIS Amor.

42.

Stringe soluta, recude proterva, revelle prophana,

Supple manca, poli scabra, superba preme.

43.

Irrita sulphurei rides Crepitacula Mundi;

Regna (que) pro Nidis, quae fabricantur, habes.

44.

Despicis Orbis Opes, opulentior Orbe, minor (que)

Orbis, majori pulchrior Orbe, micas.

45.

Congestas effundis Opes, releventur ut Aegri:

Sic ab Amante tuo semper amére DEO.

46.

Scis (que) DEUM, notum (que) doces, doctum (que) vereris;

Praxis habet Cultum; Quae canis, illa facis.

47.

Osa Malis, pretiosa Piis, Lyra viva Poetis,

Casta Fide, Genio candida, chara DEO.

48.

Sylva Smaragdicomas quae ventilat, invidet Auro

Crinis, & ad Cirros GRATIA trina rubet.

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49.

Gaudia tot spargunt splendentia Sidera Vultûs,

Quot fovet Attis, Apes, quot gerit Aethra Faces.

50.

Invidet igniparis Adamantinus Ardor Ocellis,

Vibrat abindè sacras Pupula casta Faces.

51.

Emula puniceis Tinctura Corallina Labris;

Livet ad Ambrosias pensilis Vva Genas.

52.

Mirarer Labri (que) Rosas, & Lilia Malae,

Mala sed exuperat Lilia, Labra Rosas.

53.

Suavia mellifluo dimanant Verba Palato,

Verbula Nectareis limpidiora Cadis.

54.

Quas non Delicias, radiantibus ebria Guttis,

Psaltria dia, creas! Ore Mel, Aure Melos.

55.

Spiras Tota Crocos, Violas, Opobalsama, Myrrhas,

Bdellia, Thura, Cedros, Cinnama Narda, Rosas.

56.

Ruris Aroma Rosas. Quot Cantica sacra profundis,

Tot paris Ore Favos, tot jacis Ore Faces.

57.

Dum jaciuntur ab Ore Favi, superae (que) Favillae,

Pascor, ut incendar; Flamma dat ipsa Dapes!

58.

Languet Olor dum spectat Ebur Cervicis: Ad AGNUM

Haec Via susceptum Lactea monstrat Iter.

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59.

Ningit in Alpinis mansura Pruina Papillis;

Anser es His Cornix, Nix nigra, sordet Olor.

60.

Vellera cana Nivis, Manibus collata, lutescunt;

Figis ubi Gressum pressa resultat Humus.

61.

Lilia Lacte lavet, Violas depurpuret Vvâ,

Aere Crocos tingat, Murice, Flora, Rosas;

62.

Nec potis est meritam Tibi texere Flora Corollam;

Te, nec hyperbolicus, dum cano, Cantor ero.

63.

Floribus omnigenis, Gemmis (que) nitentibus ardens,

Tu Paradisiaci PRAEDA videris Agri.

64.

Quaelibet in Vitâ VIRTUS sic aequa relucet;

Vt dubitetur an haec, illa, vel ista praeit.

65.

Desuper extat Amor; Tibi Mens contermina Coelo,

Regnat Honor, radiat Forma, triumphat Amor.

66.

Illud es Elixir, Chymicâ quod protinùs Arte,

Mutet in auratas me, rude Pondus, Opes.

67.

Igne Cinis fit agente Vitrum; micat Igne Metallum;

Corpus & hoc fieri SPIRITUS Igne potest.

68.

Magneti salit è Ferro celer Ignis Amoris;

Imò Silex faculas, quis putet? intus alit.

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69

Durius at Saxo nil est, nil mollius Igne:

Dura sed ignitus Saxa resolvit AMOR.

70.

Haec meditans, quis non Facibus soluatur Amoris?

Tu Charis es, Studiis Tu Cynosura meis.

71.

Gemmula Mentis, Ocella Sinûs, pia Flammula Cordis:

Incepi Duce Te, Te Duce caepta sequar.

72.

Sponsa creata DEO, Virtutum fulgida Caetu,

Jus colis, Affectus supprimis, Acta regis.

73.

Est Tibi Vita DEUS, Pietas Lex, Gloria CHRISTUS,

Expetis HUNC, Tibi Qui semper AMORE praeit.

74.

Quid Te, CHRISTE, Crucem perferre coegit? Amoris

Ardor! Amaroris Pignus Amoris erat!

75.

Factus Amans, fit & Esca DEUS! Te nutrit IESUS:

O BONITAS! Quales Hoc in AMANTE Dapes!

76.

Est mihi CHRISTUS (ais) Laus, Splendor, Aroma, Triumphus,

Musica, Vina, Dapes, Fama, Corona, DEUS.

77.

Omnia Tu JESUS! prae TE, nihil Omnia! COELUM

Exploraturae, quàm mihi sordet Humus!

78.

Orbis es Exilium, Mors Ianua, Patria COELUM;

Dux sit Amor, Baculus Spes, Comes alma Fides.

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79.

Diffluat in Gemmas Oriens, in Carmina COELUM;

Nec Meritis Oriens, nec POLUS aequa ferat.

80.

Fac timeam, fac amem; Quae Te timet, acriùs ardet;

Nempe tui Cultûs Fons Timor, Amnis Amor.

81.

Vox tua Norma mihi; Tibi Palmes adhaereo VITI;

Totus es IPSE mihi, sim tua tota DEUS!

82.

Comprecor exaudi, patior succurre, molestor

Auxiliare, premor protege, flagro fave!

83.

TE voco, laudo, rogo, colo, diligo, quaero, REDEMPTOR,

Affectu, Prece, Re, Spe, Pietate, Fide!

84.

Si TE contueor, liquefio, perusta Favillis;

Ni TE contueor, sum glaciata Gelu!

85.

O, Facibus superadde Faces, ut Tota liquescam!

Sim vel Mortis Odor, sim vel Amantis Amor.

86.

Grata Procella, jugum mihi gratum, gratus & Ignis,

Me quibus immergit, deprimit, urit AMOR!

87.

Non mea sum, sed Amore DEI languesco! Sorores,

Me stipate Rosis, languet Amore Sinus!

88.

Nil Animantis habet, quae Pectore vivit Amantis:

Hoc in Amore mihi sit mora nulla mori!

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79.

Unio sit Nobis, Animam (que) liquamur in unam!

Vna (que) Vita Duos stringat, Amor (que) Duos!

80.

Tu super Omne places! Tua sum, Tu noster, & Ambos

Mutuus Ardor agit, possidet unus Amor.

81.

Uror [...]o; Redamatur Amor! Voto (que); fruiscor!

Dum quod Amans redamor, dum quod Amante fruor.

82.

O, quid Amare! Quid est Redamari! GAUDIA nacta

Tanta, stupendo tacet! Tanta, tacendo stupet!

83.

Vivo DEO, morior Mundo, moriendo resurgo;

Indè, catenato Dite, triumphat AMOR.

84.

Sic amet omnis Amans, sic immoriatur Amanti:

Vt Lyra, Lusciniae Vita (que) Mors (que); fuit.

85.

Si mea Lumen habent, si Nomen Carmina; Lumen

Ex Oculo SPONSI, Nomen ab Ore venit.

86.

Argus eat, qui Talpa venit, radiatus Amore;

Vates Sperati fidus Amoris ero.

87.

Cingant THEIOPHILAE potiùs mea Tempora Lauri,

Quàm gemmans Capiti sit Diadema meo.

88.

Nam, quid erunt, Animae Damno, Diademata Mundi?

Celsa ruunt, fugiunt Blandula, prava necant.

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99.

Vt praesens novit, sic postera noverit Aetas,

Sivc premamus Humum, Sive premamur Humo.

100.

Finis Fine caret, nec Terminus ullus Amantem

Terminat; Hîc Modus est non habuisse Modum.

Imus in Albionis, Freta per Latialia, Littus;

Siste Britannales, Hâc Vice, Musa, Pedes.

Anglica num praestent Latiis, Briticisve Latina

Scire velim: Placeant quae magìs, Illa dabo.

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THEOPHILAS LOVE-SACRIFICE. CANTO IX. The RECAPITVLATION. And Pourtrait of a Heav'nly breathing Soul.

Whoso delights to burn in holy Fire

Of VIRGIN fair THEOPHILA,

Joy, Salamander, in that Flame;

Thou so, Pirausta born, may'st like the Phoenix burn,

That to ETERNITIE thou rise,

Not losing Life, but sowing well the same:

A holier Ovids smoothed Verse

With Eyes of Heart, with Heart-all-Eyes, behold:

Such sacred Flames by Adamantine Hand

Ought to be plac't in lasting Vrns;

But, 'cause these Writings needed Aid of Pens,

Virtue, than Birds more swift, unto the Scribe lend Wing,

And let the Readers Care more Eyes than Argus bring.

The PORTICO.

Love to the Master, and the Mate

Stirs it self feebly in Lifes lowest Sphear;

That to our Parent, and the Bed

More large extends, and breathes a Life of Sense;

That to our Countrey, and its Sire

Self raises loftier in Reasons Air:

But, That to GOD,

Ravisht with Ecstasie, It self transcends,

Nor Bounds, nor Limits would It own;

But, narrow'd That (like Lovers, kept apart)

Warms, heats, yea boyls, boyls up and over!

Longs for th' Eternal, sighs for HIM, beyond that Lover!

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THE ARGVMENT.

Blest Muse the Altar builds, where LOVE'S ador'd;

And throweth down, loose Wit, thy Nest abhorr'd:

She, Clytie-like, to th' Sun of Glory turns;

GOD is her Sun, with Light of ZEAL She burns.

§

Distick 1.

MVSE, canst be silent, when each charmed Grove

Harbours a thousand warbling Notes of Loue?

2

Art whets the Minde, and Hymns set Edge on Art:

Dart up an Epod; ZEAL, crown thou the Dart.

3.

Hope be thy Bowe, thy Hand Love, Faith the Shaft;

Let Hope shoot Faith to GOD with Loves strong Draft.

4.

Sacred's my Theme; may my first Fruits HIM please!

Faith plants, Hope nourishes, Love ripens These.

5.

This World's the Field, GOD sows, his WORD the Seed,

Satan the Thief, the Good, Corn, th' Ill the Weed.

6.

LORD, mount me to the Pitch of Larks on High;

That I, as Birds wing'd Oars, may cut the Skie!

7.

SAINTS would know GOD, so, as they Good may doe:

Let me both know this Good, and act It too!

8.

HEAV'NS Love, not knowledge doth the Palm acquire:

Who Heav'nly Knowledge gave, will give Desire,

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9.

That Ought I will, can, am, is, CHRIST, from Thee:

CHRIST, what I am, can, will, accept from me!

10.

No Light, Tast, Strength without THEE; Thou alone

Art Health unto my Soul, my Salt, my Sun.

11.

Thou, Light, Way, Life; who sees, walks, liveth by

That Flame, Path, Strength, does not fall, fail▪ nor die.

12.

Upon thy Altars let my Verses prove

The Victime, Heart the Altar, the Fire Love!

13.

Pray'r Frankincense, Tears Myrrhe, be Gold, Souls Health:

The Minds best Work, Hearts Laver, & Loves Wealth.

14.

I This Verse-Hecatomb to THEE do bring;

As Solomon his numerous Offering.

15.

The pious Muse courts HEAV'N; when highest Things

She soars for, still She craves, BLEST DOVE, thy Wings!

16.

With active Plumes flye up to th' ANGEL-QUIRE,

Where Chrysolites to gild thy Way conspire.

17.

Love may Them lead by Verse, whom Sermons fright;

Bring Them, where Faith comes not, into Heav'ns Light.

18.

O may our Numbers in sweet Musick flow;

Nor the least Harshnesse of Elisions know!

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19.

Shade me, ô LORD! I seek not Virgils Tree;

Hence Springs prophane; Glide, Siloam, by me!

20.

Trampling vain Labours▪ with loose Wits defil'd,

The Hallow'd BRAIN brings forth a Spritely Childe.

21.

What's Life? a Vapour; Beauty? Ashes; Gain?

An Idol; Honour? Bubble; the World? vain:

22.

Life flits away, and Beauty wanes at full,

Gold cheats, and Honour fades, the World is dull.

23.

Life Pleasure's short, and Pleasures Life is vain;

It knowes not highest Blisse, GODS LOVE, to gain.

24.

That Torch which flam'd so bright in Hero's Room▪

Did light her lov'd Leander to his Tomb.

25.

To Death a thousand Wayes, to Life but one:

For Sin who groans not, he for Sin shall groan.

26.

Arm'd Wrath perfidious Tyrants throwes from high;

They conquer Right, Sin Them; Th' AVENGER'S nigh.

27.

Sinners first Steps, Sins Seed, and Fruit avoid;

Many by neer Infection are destroy'd.

28.

Kill Vice i'th' Egge: Iohn, Ioseph, Robelesse fly;

Peter, Thou stay'st, and stay'st but to deny!

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29

By Night and Day, at Home, and when Abroad,

Guilt stings the Soul, and thereon layes its Load!

30.

Of Decalogue, Creed, Supper of the LORD,

Though Laws speak loud, our Church hath scarce a Word!

31.

Hence Flocks are pin'd. The JUDGE in Time will come

Unthought of: Neer to Guilt's the AVENGERS Doom!

32.

Nor Pray'r, nor Price, nor Fraud, nor Rage, nor Art

Can help; Ah, fear then Flames eternal Smart!

33.

Wet-cheekt, how oft I've moan'd to THEE my DEAR,

All Night awake, alone, ô Cure, appear!

34.

Seest THOU, and suff'rest? Stop Sins Course, & Birth;

Let not that Hand bear Arms, that sowes the Earth.

35.

LOVES Pow'r's infus'd from GOD, a free-giv'n Grace;

THEOPHILA from Love takes Name and Race.

36.

Thou burn'st, pierc't THEOPHIL, with firie Dart;

If blessed Heat enflames thy vigorous Heart,

37.

The more Thou burn'st, the more be Bellows still;

As thy Flames grow, Let those Flames Others fill!

38.

Heat the Luke-warm, to Those, more hot, give Fire;

Bless GOD; Refresh with GRACE, enflame Desire.

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39.

The Poets Pharos be that sets forth sail,

While he steers sheet-fill'd with a holy Gale.

40.

Pure Wit's the Sails, quick Iudgement Oars, Thou th' Star;

Pilot the Scribe, Sea Vein, the Ship Hymns are.

41.

I give Wits Tackling to thy guiding Hands:

Honour in giving, Love in taking stands.

42.

Binde up what's loose, what's rash new-mold, refell

What's ill, lame help, smooth rough, depress what swell.

43.

Thou slight'st Earths ratling Squibs, with Sulphur fill'd:

Kingdoms such Nests are as the Birds do build.

44.

Above all Worldly Wealth thy Riches rise;

Thy Microcosm the Macrocosm out-vies.

45.

Thou lay'st out hoarded Gold the Poor to aid;

So, with GODS Love, thy Love to GOD's repaid.

46.

Thy sacred Skill imparted Reverence breeds;

Thy Worship's Practise, and thy Words are Deeds.

47.

Fiends Hate, Saints Prize, whence Lyrick Strings sound clear,

Of spotless Faith, pure Minde, to th' HIGHEST dear.

48.

The Emerald-Grove envies thy golden Hair,

Whose Curls make GRACES blush Themselves more fair.

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49.

As many Ioyes thy starry Beauties shed,

As Bees in Attis, Gems in Skies are spred.

50.

The Diamond sparkleth Rage at thine Eye-Beams,

Whose chast Orbs brandish thence their sacred Gleams.

51.

The Coral Die is blankt at Lips so red,

And livid Grapes at rosie Cheeks hang head:

52.

I'd gaze o'th' Lili'd Cheek, and the Lips Rose,

But ô, thy Cheek, thy Lip surpasseth those!

53.

Grace pours sweet-flowing Words from charming Lips,

Sparkling 'bove Nectar which i'th' Crystal skips.

54.

Rare PSALTRESSE, with Heav'n-drops inebriate,

What Sweets to Mouth, and Ear dost Thou create?

55.

Sweet Violets, Saffron, Balm, Myrrhe from Thee flowes,

Bdell, Incense, Cedar, Cinn'amon, Nard, the Rose.

56.

The Rose, Swains Spice: Such Heav'n-dew'd Verse dost frame,

As sweet as Honey-comb, as bright as Flame.

57.

While Combs, and Flames divine from THEE are cast,

I'm fed, as fir'd; Ev'n Flames do nurse my Taste!

58.

The Swan pines at thy Neck; This Milkie Way

Doth Steps, begun to th' Holy LAMB, display.

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59.

There fals on thine Alp-Breasts a lasting Snow,

To which Snow's black, Swans foul, the Goose a Crow.

60.

The hoary Frost turns Durt, vi'd with thy Hand,

And, where thy Fooot does tread, it prides the Land.

61.

On Lilies Milk, on Violets Purple throw,

On Saffron Gold, Scarlet o'th' Rose bestow;

62.

Wreaths, worthy Thee, fair Flora ne're can weave;

Nor can our highest Strains THEE higher heave.

63.

With all-bred Flowr's, & glitt'ring Buds THOU beam'st;

As if t'have cropt all Paradise THOU seem'st.

64.

Each Vertue's in thy Life, so pois'd, so fine;

What's first? This? That? or T'other? since All shine.

65.

Love to thy Soul deriv'd is from Above,

Where Honour reigns, sparks Beauty, triumphs Love.

66.

In Chymick Art Thou my Elixir be;

Convert to Gold the worthlesse Dross in me.

67.

Fire makes of Ashes Glass, makes Metals shine;

This Fire my Body may to Spirit calcine.

68.

Enamour'd Ir'on does to the Magnet flie;

Yea Sparks in hardest Flints concealed lie.

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69.

Nothing more hard than Stone, more soft than Fire;

Yet Stones are melted by inflam'd Desire.

70.

Is't so? Who'd not dissolve in Flames of Love?

Be THOU the Grace, Thou my Thoughts Loadstar prove.

71.

Mindes Gemme, Eyes Apple, Hearts intenser Flame;

THOU shew'dst the Way, I'll prosecute the Same.

72.

For GOD created, bright in VIRTUES Train,

Weigh'st Right, quell'st Passions, & o're Deeds dost reign.

73.

GOD is thy Life, Law Virtue, Glorie CHRIST;

HIM, who leads Thee by Love, Thou lov'st HIM high'st.

74.

CHRIST, to endure the Cross, what did THEE move?

The Pledge of Bitterness was Pledge of LOVE!

75.

IS GOD both Meat, and Lover? CHRIST thy Food?

What Banquet is This LOVER! As Sweet, as Good!

76.

CHRIST's Spice (Thou say'st) Light, Triumph, Praise to me;

Musick, Wine, Feast, Fame, Crown, GOD; All to Thee.

77.

LORD, Thou art All in All! Thou lost, All's nought;

How base seems muddy Earth, where HEAV'N is sought!

78.

Earth's Exile, Death the Gate, my Home's Above;

My Staff's Hope, Faith Companion, Leader Love.

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79.

Turn Indie into Iewels, HEAV'N to Verse,

Nor Indie can thy Worth, nor HEAV'N reherse.

80.

Let me Thee fear, and love; Fear Loves Heat blowes;

Fear is DEVOTIONS Fount, whence LOVE o'reflowes.

81.

Thy Word's my Rule, I cleave to THEE, my Vine;

LORD, Thou art All to me, I'm wholly Thine.

82.

O, hear my Pray'r, my Suff'rings bear, my Task

Take off, redresse my Wrongs, grant what I ask!

83.

With Pray'r, Desire, Faith, Zeal, Hope, Deed I call,

Laud, seek, love, pray, worship THEE All in All.

84.

If I behold THEE, I'm all flaming Spice;

If not behold THEE, I'm congeal'd to Ice!

85.

Adde Flames to Flames, that I may melt away!

Be I belov'd of THEE, or else Deaths Prey!

86.

Sweet Seas, light Yoke, a friendly Flame I finde,

Which me with Love doth drown, and burn, and binde.

87.

I'm not mine own, but faint for GOD above!

Rose-deck me VIRGINS, for I'm sick of LOVE!

88.

Nought of a Liver, hath a Lovers Heart;

Or, live belov'd, or Life-bereft, depart!

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89.

Let us be One! In One, Two melted flow!

Let one Life, as one Love, inform us Two!

90.

My only Ioy, I'm Thine; THOU mine; and Both

The like Flame burns; Th' One loves, as t' Other doth.

91.

Fire! Fire! Love is Belov'd! My MAKER'S mine!

Loving, I'm lov'd! while with my SPOUSE I twine!

92.

O Love belov'd! Her, who such Ioyes partakes▪

Silence makes Wonder, Wonder Silence makes!

93.

To HEAV'N I live, to Earth I die; dying rise!

So, Hell being chain'd, LOVE takes the Victors Prize.

94.

Lovers so love, as for the Lov'd to die!

As Stradas Lute was Life and Destinie.

95.

If these my Layes have either Light, or Name,

Name from thy Word, Light from thy Grace doth flame.

96.

Who came a Mole, goes Argus hence by LOVE;

I shall Faiths Priest to hopefull Charis prove.

97.

THEOPHILAS Bayes to Me more Honour brings,

Than Gems that blaze on the proud Heads of Kings.

98.

For what boot worldly Crowns with SOULS losse bought,

Heights fall, spruce Courtship fades, Vice brings to nought.

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99.

We may hereafter, as we now have found

The Voice of Fame above, so, under Ground.

100.

The Last shall last; Term can't Vacation lend

To th' LOVER; Here 'tis End to have no END.

To see, not know, is not to see:

Then, let our English Reader be

Warn'd, not on Latian Alps to roam;

The next Vales path will lead Him home.

PRAELIBATIO AD THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIAM: Quae unica Cantio à Domino ALEX. ROSSAEO in Carmen Latinum conversa est. CANTIO I.

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ARGUMENTUM.

Evigiles, surgas, divini Rector Amoris;

Delicium priûs explores, quàm Gaudia tentes:

Ad Coelos Cursum tandèm pia Vota gubernent.

Tristichon I.

MUtua si Mentes agerent Commercia Secum,

Angelicum in Morem, terrenâ Mole solutae,

Intuitu quales possent effundere Cantus!

II.

Spiritus ut subitô si sublimetur, abibit

In Fumum, nimium chymicus nisi temperet Aestum;

Haud alitèr perit omne nimîs subtile Noema.

III.

Aurum, Sole satum, Terrae inter Viscera clausum,

Non pretio cessit, quamvis non splenduit aequè,

Qualiter excoctum flagranti fulgurat Igne.

IV.

Mens age, nunc Famae Sphaeram conscende per Orbes▪

Errat enim quisquis non Cursum dirigit illuc:

Virtutis Comites, Aures adhibete Docenti.

V.

Ergò, nè Veneris lascivae Praelia, Cornu

Vocali accensa, aut Oculis flammantibus Igne,

(Formae Armis) cedant inopinis Pectora Plagis.

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VI.

Quarum pestiferis Oculis, jaculantibus Ignem,

Virginitatis Honos purus maculatur, & ipsa

Mens capitur Laqueis fictarum incauta Comarum.

VII.

Aspice Captivum Veneris, qui transigit Aevum

In fervente gelu, colit Umbram; at (que) Ingeniosum

Se credens, scribit, delet, lacerat (que), furit (que).

VIII.

Ejus Opes Fragmenta quidèm sunt Comica, quorum

Praesidio superat Tenariffae Verticis auram.

Sol Tibi scintilla est, Tu Lumine Sidera vincis.

IX.

Victrix Flamma tuis Oculis micat acribus, Orbes

Obnubas geminos lucentes, n [...]m (que) rigentem

Accendent Monachum, vel fiam Morte Bidental.

X.

Ob Gemmas Indi penetrant Saxa, Aethiopes (que)

Oceanum ob Conchas, pretiosis Pellibus instat

Tartara Gens; Omnes ejus dant munera Templo.

XI.

Flagrantes dimitte Genas, quae fulgure nostras

Perstringis Oculorum Acies, non ferre valentes

Tales Angelico radiantes Lumine Vultus.

XII.

Estne Helene, Trojana Lues, at (que) Angelus idem?

Passio non domita est insanae Mentis Idolum:

Multae se fucant, Paucae Virtutibus ornant.

XIII.

Veriùs hoc nihil est; Cutis alba, rubore Rosarum

Permista, eximium Lumen ne Mentis obumbret,

Nevè Animae Visum penetrantem obnubulet unquam.

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XIV.

Ure Odas, Veneris Stratagemata chartea; Ludos

Effuge, sunt Flammae; fabrices ne Vinc'la, Dolos (que)

Neve loquare Oculis; Oris Commercia vita.

XV.

Spumea nonne audis Cerebella, & inania, ut intùs

Et rugeant, nec non Joviali in Crimine Potu

Luxurient, saltent (que) furentes, atque cachinnent?

XVI.

Praedatas Cellas siccate, & mox Rationem

Luxuriae Vinclis submittite; per Freta Vini, &

Mellis arundinei Scopulos date vela furentes.

XVII.

Ad Senii Mare mortiferum transmittite Curas:

Quadrupedem effraenem defessi agitate Furoris

Bacchantes, Rabiem in Vini monstrate Theatro.

XVIII.

Turgescant Vino Carchesia, donec in altum

Provehimur Bacchi, Terrae (que) Vrbés (que) recedant:

Omnia sorbemus, sit ibi Naupactia Classis.

XIX.

Aplustrum simul & Carchesia pandite, Fluctus

Horrisonos Fremitus superemus; Plura Salutis

Naufragia hìc, quàm cum cecinerunt Monstra marina.

XX.

Amphora quae (que) parit (signato, Prome,) Pyropum;

Et tinctae Baccho Buccae, mihi saepè videntur

Tediferae, quoties Gemmis micat undi (que) Nasus.

XXI.

Cantibus alternis Homines sese esse negantes,

Exleges fiunt. Titubant, sese (que) volutant,

At (que) Pedes sinuant, potant Circaea Venena.

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XXII.

O, tumulatae Animae, vivae putrescitis! us (que)

Ad Faeces Vester liquefit Sal: Quis (que) coercet

Naturam, & Mortem accelerat, Spernit (que) Salutem.

XXIII.

Insontes Pecudes vestros odêre Liquores

Cum Nugas Vomitu & Punctis distinguitis: Aci,

In Vino & Somno; Proceres nisi Fumus & Umbra.

XXIV.

Mallem condiri Muriâ, quàm Nectare dulci

Putrere. Invitat miseros nunc Alea, Mensae

Illaqueant, nunquam felix datur Exitus illis.

XXV.

Sed sine Mente uno jactu Patrimonia perdunt:

Obscurant Noctem cum decipit Alea Diris.

Vincitur en Victor; num Victus vincere posset?

XXVI.

Denis & septem Cubitis si Nilus inundat

Fertilis Egypti Campos, miseranda sequetur

Esuries, Tabes sequitur sic saeva Nepotes.

XXVII.

Dicite vos pictae, vos, dicite, Papiliones,

Gaudia quae Veris pensatis falsa, quid estis

Lucratae, ex infrugiferis Nugis (que) caducis?

XXVIII.

Stulti qui propter Nugas divenditis Aurum,

Dicite, num caleat quae Flamma est picta? Voluptas

Num stimulans juvat? ô, angustum Coelum, inferius (que)!

XXIX.

Ite, & Deliciis (fruitur queîs Bestia sola)

Gaudia mutetis vera; at Gens impia turget

Deliciis; CHRISTUS flevit; Gens optima luget.

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XXX.

Nil nisi terrenum cupiunt Animalia Bruta;

Coelestes Animae coelestia Gaudia quaerunt;

Ast Homines mediae Naturae Dona requirunt.

XXXI.

Gens humana foret si moles Corporis expers,

Angelicae Naturae esset; si Mente careret,

Brutiginae: Caro Brutorum est, Mens Angelicorum.

XXXII.

Principio Deus Hos univit, subjiciendo

Sensum Judicio Rationis, tùm moderando

Affectum Arbitrio Mentis, verum inficiendo

XXXIII.

Libertatem Animae, Crimen concussit, ut Ip [...]ae

Jam nequeunt habitare simul, nisi Lucta sequatur;

Nec sine Tristitiâ divelli posse videmus.

XXXIV.

Jam valeat Mundus fallax, spinosa Voluptas

Cui Cordi est, quod perdit amat, quod Nobile spernit.

I, Cole nunc Vitium, ride Virtutis Amantes.

XXXV.

Mellito Cyatho, at Felle Aspidis haud meliore,

Inficis incautas Animas ad Tartara, semper

Mortales Magico & fallaci decipis Ore.

XXXVI.

Dum Tempus fallis, Tempus te fallit, & aufert

Praedam, dum Tempus perdis, Coelestia perdis,

Sed, cum Fure bono, pauci furantur Olympum.

XXXVII.

Projiciunt Stulti pretiosum Temporis Aurum:

Qui Vitae Gemmam generosam prodigit, ille

Ad Barathrum graditur, Stimulis (que) agitatur Averni.

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XXXVIII.

Cui Terram amplecti vastam furiosa Cupido est,

Vi (que) Dolo (que) simul; Muscis hic Retia tendit,

Ut foribus laxos suspendit Aranea Casses.

XXXIX.

Cum Mors praescindet Nimrodi Vulturis ungues,

Nomina cernemus subitò mutata Domorum:

Bethesda his fiet tandem Bethania tristis.

XL.

Arbitrio subdi pejus, quàm Lege perire;

Pharmaca quae curare valent, si Balsama perdunt?

Nam (que) Bono quod degenerat, nil pejus habetur.

XLI.

Si (que) Tyrannorum arbitrio non traderet ullos

OMNIPOTENS Sanctos, crudeli Morte premendos,

Nullum Martyrium foret, aut Salvator Iesus.

XLII.

Stulti durescunt, sed Sancti, ut Cera, liquescunt:

Corporis ad gemitum morientis, jam (que) jacentis

Nudo Dente, Genis macris, Oculis (que) cavatis.

XLIII.

Vitae Author Vitam praebet, largire Misellis;

Dissectis Venis praeclusa est Janua Lethi:

Sit Deus Exemplar; te cura; pasce Famentes.

XLIV.

Ut Coelum obtineas, heu, quantula Portio Vitae

Hîc peregrinantis superest! nam (que) excipit Ortum

Occasus subito, Finis (que) ab Origine pendet.

XLV.

Cum Vitiis cui Bella foris, Pax permanet intùs:

Cessat Judicium. quùm sese judicat ullus:

Extrà vestiri Zelo est augere Dolores.

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XLVI.

Magnates, Vos magna manent Tormenta, Tyranni

Si sitis. Infernus Medicinam haud exhibet ullam:

Securus nè sis, securus si cupis esse.

XLVII.

Robora franguntur quae Coeli Murmura temnunt;

Ardentem in Cineres Prunam considere cernes;

Nec non in fumos clarum vanescere Lychnum.

XLVIII.

Exue rugosam Sagam, jam Tempus, & aufer

Peccati Achanis velamina nigra, Magarum

Leprosis pannis superabunt Ulcera foeda.

XLIX.

Insontem hoc Naboth Ferro superavit, idem (que)

Jezabelis pinxit Faciem, Centro (que) removit

Tot Regna, at (que) novum dimovit Cardine Mundum.

L.

Felices hujus qui spargent Saxa Cerebro,

Qui (que) ea loturi maledicto Sanguine, sternet (que)

Osse Vias: Cujus Gemitus sunt Gaudia nostra.

LI.

Non debet Salicâ regnare Haec Lege, Procellas

Excitat, Halcyonum (que) Dies dispellit, in Aula

Mentis nil habitat Bonitatis, si regit Illa.

LII.

Luxuries ejus quot Morbos edidit? Astra

Inficit, Esuriem (que) auget, Vivis (que) molesta est

Dum crapulantur humum Tumulis civilia Bella.

LIII.

Mens mea, Maestitîae Labyrinthis septa, quot Annis

In sacco, Lachrymis baccato, transige Vitam!

Clàm nigris in Speluncis ambito Timores!

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LIV.

Cum (que) Heraclito pacatum transige Tempus,

A Turbis procul, & procul à Discordibus Armis,

Quae Mundum insanum turbato in Pegmate versant.

LV.

Illic Relligio dulcis vel Pectine pulsat,

Vel Digitis Cytharam, vel Cantu personat Antra,

Divinae inspirat vel Dorica Carmina Musae.

LVI.

Pro (que) Tubis resonabit Amor Testudine, solvens

Obsidione Urbes, quassatas Marte, vocans (que)

In Coelum, Imperii Sedem, mortalia Corda.

LVII.

Nostra hinc Laetitia, hinc Hymni Solatia nostra,

Praecipuè Angelici. Summo sit Gloria PATRI,

Pax Terris, Hominum succedat prompta Voluntas!

LVIII.

Pennae quas Veneris Volucres dant, Dedecus addunt;

Ergò, Vulcano Versus committite; tollet

Ille pedes Melis; liber, sed claudicat Ille.

LIX.

Tollitur en Nihil, ast Aliquid cadit! ô, ubi Merces

Antiquae Virtutis Honos! Sapientia quondam

Virtutem evexit; coluisti, Plute, Minervam.

LX.

Cos fuit Oxonii Lambeth! tamen Ille Volatu

Exuperat longè Pinnacula Divitiarum,

Qui Virtutem ambit, puro Virtutis Amore.

LXI.

Virtutis Radiis accenditur Illius Ardor,

Et Pestes omnes Modulis fugat ille canoris,

Fulmina (que) extinguit per Coeli Expansa trisulca.

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LXII.

An matutinae Volucres cantando citabunt

Solem ex nocturnis Tenebris, tecto (que) Cubili?

At (que) Animae vivae in Tenebris & Morte jacebunt?

LXIII.

Evigilate ergò de Somno, & Nocte soporâ;

Increpat ecce Moras nostras Auriga Diei,

Sol dum caeruleos moderatur in Aethere Currus.

LXIV.

Jam (que) experrecti, Textrices mille Laborum

Conspicite aerias, quae fingunt Arte stupendâ

Maeandros, texunt (que) suis per inania Telis.

LXV.

Surgite, Sol Aurum per summa Cacumina spargit,

Condit Aromatibus Lucem, dum spargit Odores,

Cuncta sagittiferis Radiis Dulcedine replet.

LXVI.

Erigit in Coelum Mentes Lux aurea Phoebi:

Pulpita qui fugiunt, Hymnis capiuntur. In Aurum

Vertit Amor Plumbum, Chymico praestiantior omni.

LXVII.

Ut (que) Opifex Naturae Apis est, Tragemata fingens

Mellea, dum sugens chymicè transformat in Aurum

Flores; ditatur sic plumbea Carmine Prosa.

LXVIII.

Hic (que) THEANTHROPOS Sermo, tum mystica Vitra

Oris fatidici, nec non Oracula tanta,

Fomentum (que) Precum, tum Murus Aheneus hîc est;

LXIX.

Coeli Sculptura hîc, Pietatis Clavis, & ipsa

Gaza, Instrumentum, Spes (que) Anchora, Charta fidelis,

At (que) Voluptatis Gurges, sic Navis Amoris.

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LXVIII.

Prima 68. & 69. post 77. relegantur.

Nullus REX VATEM, sed Regem Carmine VATES

Evehit, Ille Animas languentes excitat, Ille

Ad Mare Pacificum Curas transmittit edaces.

LXIX.

Ut Gemmae radiant, at (que) aemula Lumina Stellis,

Per Loca transmittunt tenebrosa: ita docta Poesis

Et Lucem, ac Animam, Vitam (que) dat Artibus ipsam.

LXX.

O dives, ridens, radians (que) Poetica Gemmis,

Nobilitas Splendore tuo Diademata Regum!

Tu Gentilitium Clypeum depingis Honoris.

LXXI.

Te, (quae circundas Artes velut Aere) Te (que)

Rerum inventarum Portam, Scenam Ingeniorum,

Tam dives, quàm pauper amat, Reges (que) procando.

LXXII.

VATES & REGES Tumulo conduntur eodem;

Ruminat Ars quodcun (que) accenditur Igne Poetae,

Sensibus ut nostris divinum exhalet Odorem.

LXXIII.

Prudentes reddit Speculatio, non meliores:

Littera solum Ars est, sed Praxis Spiritus; Usus

Arte valet, sic Ars usu; qui seperat, aufert.

LXXIV.

Languida Facta quidem Dictis stimulantur acutis,

Verba ut Femellis, Maribus sic Facta probantur▪

Sit Vita Exemplar, fac, Leges praeveniantur.

LXXV.

Maxima Cognitio nostra est servire TONANTI,

Tunc nos morigeros Mandatis aestimat, Actus

Excipiunt quandò quaedam Interludia nostros.

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LXXVI.

Illorum Mentes sola ad Sublimia tendunt,

Quorum non quovis agitantur Pectora Vento,

Ut (que) Aula instabiles, sed in Aequore nant Sapientis.

LXXVII.

Non alia his Cynosura nitet quàm Gratia, quam (que)

Portat Apostolicus collustrans Signifer Orbem:

Hâc Evangelici Cursum rexere Magistri.

LXXX.

Hic lege prima 68. & 69.

Nunquam sic refluit Sanctorum Fluctus, ut ipsos

Urgeat in Syrtes Errorum cuncta vorantes,

Peccati Clades fugiunt, ut naufraga saxa.

LXXXI.

Ut Casus Mortis, Noctis Septentrio, Non tam

Obscuri, aut Tenebrae triduanae, quas super omnem

Egyptum induxit, qui Lucem & Sydera fecit.

LXXXII.

Tempestati hujus collata Tonitrua languent;

Si Stimulos spectes Aspis fert Balsama, Mors est

Vel Pietas, hujus cùm Carmina faeda videbis.

LXXXIII.

Hujus cùm laqueos mea Musa evaseris, illuc

Tende Alis, ubi Lux Mentes quae luminat, ardet;

Et Nebulas abigit, tenebras (que) Nitore resolvit.

LXXXIV.

Sit tibi Relligio curae, quam discute, me (que)

Errantem cohibe, DEUS alme, & percute Carnis

Ignavae (si quando salit vel rudet) asellum.

LXXXV.

Mens minor es minimo COELI indulgentis Amore:

Peccatum haud linquunt Terror, Pudor, at (que) Reatus;

Quatuor hi Comites Coetum glomerantur in unum.

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LXXXVI.

Peccato defectus ego, nunc perditus erro;

Nam (que) orare mihi vesana Superbia visa est.

Luctantem, DEUS alme, leva sub Pondere Terrae.

LXXXVII.

Nemo merere potest, meruit tamen UNUS, & horum

Qui jactant Sese, Zelum frigescere cernis,

His stannum, Argentum est, aes Aurum saepè videtur.

LXXXVIII.

Cor renova, Linguam mihi dirige, porrige Dextram,

Inspires (que) Fidem, Spem velo detege tectam:

Erige collapsum, crescat Vis semper Amoris.

LXXXIX.

Lingua, Decus nostrum, Menti servire memento.

SPIRITUS ille tuus Bezaliel illustravit.

Mors Fide me salvat, Caecis das Lumina sputo.

XC.

Spiritus ex sensu fiat, nam Gratia sola

Naturam vertit, chymichus Lapis ecce repertus,

Et Verbum omnipotens sola est Projectio pura.

XCI.

VERBUM, Cos veri, nec Regula certior ulla:

Rejicimus Mappam tenebrosam Traditionum.

Non urit me Charta, tamen Mens ignibus ardet.

XCII.

Dum lego, Mens intùs magno Splendore coruscat,

Et novus ecce Vigor penetrat Praecordia, nam (que)

Omnia describit Placitorum Arcana tuorum.

XCIII.

Hujus Carminibus tecum versantur Enochi;

Avertit Mortem, transfert nos ante Senectam:

Dat Vaticanus Scoriam, purum hîc nitet Aurum.

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XCIV.

Sic cùm pigra gelu Gens Tartara, splendida Gemmis

Tecta subit Sophiae, subito Fervore refecta,

Quae nive semianimis fuerat, se vivere sentit.

XCV.

Infundis mihi Tu Meditamina sancta, meo (que)

Effundis pia Verba Ore, & laudando per Orbem

Diffundis mea Facta, tuo quae Munere vivunt.

XCVI.

Musa, mihi Chordas tendens, cane Facta Bonorum

Hymnis, sed pravos taceas; Artes (que) Tributum

Dent tibi, tu Cordi Linguam, Pennam (que) ligabis.

XCVII.

Degener at Soboles Evae, polluta (que) Culpis,

An TE Mensurâ tenui comprêndere posset,

Omnipotens quum sis, nec mensur abilis unquam?

XCVIII.

Arbustum Cedros, Aquilam non regulus effert

Laudibus, aut cernit Phoebeas noctua Flammas,

Gutta quid Oceano? Radiis Jubar infinitis?

XCIX.

Languentem sed Spes & Amor per inane volatum

Ferre valent, in TE noctem Fiducia lustrat;

Grandis AMOR, suppleto Fidem, Spêi scribimus Alis!

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C.

Spiritus, alme Deus, Mens, Corpus, & omnia Facta,

Et Verba, & Mentis Meditamina, po [...]ea discent

Et Laudes celebrare tuas, & Crimina fle [...]e.

O, quantum JESU me diligis! Ergo Beatum

Me tua jam reddat Dilectio, suscipiatque

Erectum rursus Dilectio MAXIME JESU!

Haec ara est, at (que) haec mea victima dulcis amoris.

Cor, Oculus, Lingua, at (que) Manus, Poples (que) reflexus

A te sunt Cuncta haec, ad te sint Cuncta vicissim

Post Homerum Iliada, post Vossaeum Grammaticen, post Rossaeum, celeberrimum illum Virgilii Evangeliz antis Autorem, Carmen Heroicum conscribere audax planè videatur Facinus. Tenuitatis quippe meae, & imparis longè in Poesi venae conscius, cùm non possum quod vellem, volo tamen quod possum effundere.

Est aliquid prodire tenus si non datur ultra.

THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIA: CANTIO III. Latino Carmine donata. Restauratio.

[Page]

ARGUMENTUM.

Authoris Raptus, laudatur Gratia; fusae

Sunt Lachrymae charo Britonum pro Sanguine fuso

Obscurè, petitur Pax ictis prisca Michaiis.

Tristichon I.

SOllicites mea Musa Lyram, digitoque pererra

Argutae Chelyos Chordas, & Cantica psallas

Quae rapiant Terras, & scandant Astra Triumphis.

II.

Ecstatico raptus Motu Bartaeius Heros,

Lecto subsiliens, alacres ducens (que) Choraeas,

Dixit; In hunc Morem saltabunt Gallica Regna.

III.

Seu Meteora Soli viscoso Semine facta,

Quae, motu succensa suo, super ardua tendunt

Nubila, Stellarum nec non de More coruscis

IV.

Effulgent Flammis; Duntaxat at illa relucent

Vt Sese absumant, & nos per Compita ducant;

Nec pro se Venti, sed Nobis, Flamina spirant:

V.

Enthea sic superas mea Mens ascendit ad Arces,

Sese dispendens, Stolidos ut reddat Acutos:

Qui Taedam praefert Aliis, Se Lumine privat.

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VI.

Qualitèr Inferno sudat vesana Libido:

Sic Coelo aspirat divini Zelus Amoris;

Scrutari Hoc Mentis contendit tota Facultas.

VII.

Cardinibus subnixa Fides convertitur altis;

Purior haud ullis praeclusa Scientia Metis;

Flamma, Cor accendens, non Ignis Signa relinquit.

VIII.

Horti florentis blandùm Poimaeria, sancta

Visorum Tellus, Sapientum grata Cohorti,

Auratis Asini Phaleris Ludibria prostas.

IX.

Hui [...] Mare fit rabidum Mundus, Discordia major

Est ubi Ventorum, quàm Pyxis nautica nôrit:

Incumbit Sanctus Velis, tenet, Anchora Coelum.

X.

Appulit hîc Pietas, ubi non confracta Dolore

Conscia Mens fremitat, Rabie aut consumpta malignâ;

Lumina lascivae Veneris nec Fulgure tacta.

XI.

Non Nugae hìc Pueri; Juvenis non fervidus Aestus;

Ambitus Aetatis maturae nullus; Avari

Grandaevi haud Vitium; non Otia pigra coluntur.

XII.

Non Gula, lascivi aut Pruritus turpis Amoris,

Turgidus haud Fastus, non invidiosa Rubigo,

Ira nec ardescens, aut Obduratio Cordis.

XIII.

Non Amor invadit proprius, vel Pectora Curae

Scindentes, Schisma aut Doctrinae mobile flatu,

Non caeci pungunt Stimuli, nec Poena Latebris.

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XIV.

Hinc macula apparet Tellus obscura ubi; certant

Pro vanis Homines, puerilis more tumultûs;

Formicae, veluti peterent, munimina, scloppis.

XV.

Est ubi Luxuries satiata, Libido (que) spumat,

Sanguis ubi Irato, petitur (que) ubi Pignus Avaro,

Turget ubi Ambitio, Livor fremit, Otia torpent.

XVI.

Imperio Martis remanent quàm Regna revulsa,

Dispersis Aulis! sub nostro Lumine quae sunt

Pulvis ut exiguus Ventorum Flatibus actus.

XVII.

Hic stat formosi polydaedala Machina Mundi,

Sustentata Manu Veri, summi (que) JEHOVAE.

Apparent instar Nanorum exindè Gigantes.

XVIII.

Quàm vilis Mundus! pia Musa, innitere Pennis

Firmis, (terreno fueras detenta Tumultu,

Iactatâ & Turbâ) demùm transcende Monarchas.

XIX.

Raptus in hunc morem divino concitus Igne,

Aetheris in Camerâ stellatâ percute Chordas:

Aspirate tui nequeunt huc, Roma, Regentes.

XX.

Sese dilatans Animus fit latior usquè

Sicut Helix; Hominis status at Nativus, ut Orbis,

Quem subitò à Zenith deturbant Fata superno.

XXI.

Perspiciens Ratione Fides oculatior Aulam

Sideream, Mentes rapiunt sua Visa serenas;

Veri accensa Pharos per Amorem Gaudia pandit.

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XXII.

Haec Lux quae Radiis conuestit singula claris,

THEIOPHILAM, inclusit Praegnanti Mente decoram;

Excipit occiduum Naturae, Gratia, Solem.

XXIII.

Fundat Aroma Calyx, [...]osa quam dulcissima, Virtus

Illustris matura siet tua Tempore justo,

Explicet ac Radius divinus Floris Honorem.

XXIV.

Anni Procursu duodeni sic sua Forma

Enituit, Formam Dominae stupuîre potentes;

Spectantes Animae Lucem per Corporis Vmbram.

XXV.

Ardet Crystallo veluti Lucerna polito,

Cujus transparens decoratur Fabrica Flammis;

Haec ita divino splendescit VIRGO Nitore.

XXVI.

Mens Gemmam superat, superat s [...]a Concha pruinam,

Flumina vel Lactis manantia ab Vbere pleno:

Venae Saphiros praecellunt, Labra Rubinos.

XXVII.

Circùm Labra volant Charites sua [...]nille venustae,

Suavia Puniceis labuntur Aromata Portis,

Indè fluunt cunctos medicantia Balsoma Morbas.

XXVIII.

Emittunt tales Altaria Sancta Vapores;

Tales Blanditias halant Fragrantia Gummi;

Sic Rosa coccineâ spirat praesslorida Veste.

XXIX.

Attonitos reddunt Spectantûm Lumina Vultus,

Afficiunt quampi [...] Pracordia fervida castis,

Attamen Ardoris sunt ipsa immunia, Flammis.

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XXX.

Lampadas hasce volet quisquis depingere, quisquis

Exprimeret clarâ radiantes Luce Fenestras,

Pingeret Aspectum fugientem, ponderet Austrum.

XXXI.

Suave videremus Pectus, micat Eden Amoris,

Illis Monticulis nascuntur Mala decoris,

Quae Mala de vetitâ sanarent Arbore nata.

XXXII.

Mollities, Candor (que) Manûs transcendit Oloris

Plumas; est talis cujus moderatior Ardor,

Qualis cùm coeunt Radius Phoebeus & Aurum.

XXXIII.

Iucundae Nemoris Syrenes, Musica turba,

Gutturibus quarum dimanat dulcior Aer,

Illam quid petitis cúnabula vestra perosae?

XXXIV.

Ecce Latus [...]laudunt Argentea Lilia castum,

Calthae fulgentes Auri flammantis amictu,

Ignes evibrat cùm Lauro Primula Veris.

XXXV.

Margaron excellunt Dentes; Tegmen, Caput, Auri,

Vox praeit Argento, de TE Natura Vigorem

Sumit, Panniculis est prae TE squallida Flora.

XXXVI.

O, Formosa, Pudica tamen, seu Chava, priusquàm

Candida purpureo suffuderat Ora Rubore

A TE Virtutes, Artes, Charites (que) profectae.

XXXVII.

Ad vivum depicta manet non Pulchrior Icon

Quàm pia Mens pulchro quae splendet Corpore clausa:

Hujus Coelesti cedit Pandora Decori.

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XXXVI [...]I.

Aulae Sideribus pictae sic Cynthia Praeses

Apparet, Phoebi Splendoribus aucta refractis,

Fulgida Stellarum dum stipant cas [...]ra Phalanges.

XXXIX.

(Astra Pruma refert) subitò Telluris at Umbrâ

Objectâ Lucem retrahit, cui Conus opacus

Falcatam supra Lunam, sub Lumine Solis.

XL.

Qui Coelum, Nubes, Terras, Mare, Saxa (que) lustrat,

Qui penetrat Gemmas, Fructus, Stellas, Adamantas;

Mundi Oculus, clarae Promus, Condus (que) Die [...].

XLI.

Cujus gliscentes imitatur Flamma Pyropos,

Purpureas Aurora Fores dum pandit Eoo,

Noctis lucentem Dominam, Famulas (que) repellens.

XLII.

THEIOPHILAM radians Lumen Te appello Diei,

Palp [...]bra quippè Fides tua fit, seu Pupula Fervor,

Vultus Angelico speciosos More venustans.

XLIII.

Aetheris illa potens, casta & Regina, reclusi,

Plurima vestalis quam cingit Virgo propinqua,

Disparet, dia haec si CONSTELLATIO splendet.

XLIV.

Nobilitas vera est Virtus, Cognatio Sancti,

Tutela Angelicus Chorus est, COELUM (que) Brabium;

Cujus demissus, dum surgit Gratia, Vultus.

XLV.

Eugenia Ingenium, Paidia ministrat Acumen;

Thesauros Veri charos Eusebia praebet.

(Cudendi Voces Vati concessa Potestas.)

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XLVI.

Aula Cor est formosa sibi, divinius Ejus

Pectus, Sacrati Penetralia candida AMORIS;

Hîc Sibi Delicio est, Sanctos reficit [...]q Poetas.

XLVII.

Illustres Domini, quos Laurea Serta coronant,

Artes qui eruitis, qui cultas redditis Artes,

Estis & infirmi qui Sustentacula Mundi;

XLVIII.

Qui struitis Famae Monumenta perinclyta Templo,

Mellea de Vobis Modulamina talia manent,

Qualia divino mulcerent Pectora Succo.

XLIX.

Dum succedit Hyems Autumno, Ver premit Aestas,

Dum recitat Modulis Tempus Poeana vetustis,

Vestris Vos Famae Plumis reparabitis Alas.

L

Illud quod praebent sublimia Taenera Vinum,

Insanè Vires poterit reparare fugatas;

Sic Citharae, at (que) Tubae, sic Organa, Tympana, Sistra.

LI.

Conciliat quamvis reboantia Murmura Basso

Ars, torquens Nervos graviores us (que), sonoro

Fulmine dum complent Aulam Diapasona totam;

LII.

Ista parùm valeant; DOMINAE Testudine tensâ

Hujus, Chordarum Pulsum tentaverit Omnem,

Dum Mens Harmoniae pertracta est Pollice docto.

LIII.

Gratia inest Verbis; O, ter (que) quater (que) beati,

Queîs Coelum Terris, aeterno CODICE scripti!

Qui, Sensu amoti, cupiunt Commercia Mentis!

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LIV.

Inter Eos qui divino de Semine creti,

Non obscurati Sensu nec Corporis Umbrâ,

Seraphicè exardent vivacis ORIGINE Flammae.

LV.

Gaudia dat Gustus, non exequanda Loquelis!

Ritu Cimmerio (que) Scholis palpanda superna,

In quorum Solis Frontem sunt Nubila densa.

LVI.

Callis inaccessus nimio fit Lumine CoeLI;

Splendidior Radius teneros perstringit Ocellos:

Ephata fare, Lutum Visu me reddet acuto.

LVII.

Hoc Raptu emotus divino, fac mihi talis

Contingat Finis, Stagaritae qualis, in illo

Euripo, quem non ullus comprêndere posset!

LVIII.

Mystica praebe at haec (ô sit protensa!) Catena

Nexus, qui string at vel quavis fortius Arte!

Talia lenitos rapiant Modulamina Sensus.

LIX.

Musica pervadit Mentes, cum percitus Oestro

Insano Saulus, Genio fremuit (que) maligno,

Gemmea prae Plectris sordebant Sceptra Tyranni.

LX.

Hujus inardescens HYMNI me Flamma repugnat

Foecibus à Terrae: Cantus Penetralia Coeli

Divini reserant, deducunt Agmina pura:

LXI.

Agmina pura DEI celebrant NATALIA laeta;

Hymnos vel CHRISTUS modulatur; SANCTA COLUMBA

COELI, summa petens, Numerorum deligit Alas.

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LXII.

Nî Versus, non sit Textus, quia quaelibet HYMNI

Incantant; actis famuletur Concio PSALMIS,

Ante Diem summum, per Vos demortua surgunt!

LXIII.

Ast ubi grassatur Furiis Bellona tremendis,

Stragibus, heu, lassata, sed haud satiata recedens,

Praedatrice Lupá truculentior, Organa pulset?

LXIV.

Est equidèm non Mota Solo, pacata Tumultu:

Degeneres trepidant; manet illa invicta Catervis,

Displosi metuit nec rauca Tonitrua Scl [...]ppi.

LXV.

Insunt Virtuti sua Bal [...]ama; [...]

Intensè NUMEN Gladii mollire [...]:

Aetatis Ferro sic AUREA [...]profatur.

LXVI.

Ingruit, O, NUMEN V [...]RANDUM! dira Procella,

Coccina purpureae cum velant Crimina Vestes,

Effuso tinctae pretioso Sanguine Vitae!

LXVII.

Orbis Aquis cinctus, fortunatissimus olim,

O, deplorandum! quantum mutatus ab illo!

Pax ubi floruerat pia, Mors ibi prodiga regnat!

LXVIII.

Rubrum deprompsit Vinum Mavortius Ardor!

Conserves Arcam, DEUS, in Torrente Timorum,

Aut tua subsidat Lachrymis, tum Sanguine, SPONSA!

LXIX.

Est Panem Lachrymata suum, Gemitus (que) resorbet:

Lumina pro Potu sua sunt in Flumina versa!

Ipsa, immersa Malis, ad TE Se languida confert.

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LXX.

Ad Modulos Compone graves, PATER Orbis, acutos

Hybernae Chelios! quaevis Discordia Concors

Esto, Scoti fuerit super, aut Insignibus Angli!

LXXI.

Non inter Socios saevo Formido Leoni;

Vel praedabundis inter se convenit Vrsis;

Mutua Pernicies, lacerat, Vir, CORPUS IESU!

LXXII.

Si modò fert Animus, pugnetis Fulmina Martis,

Turcico & invisam Labaro deducite Lunam,

Sacra relinquentes Fidei Confinia rectae.

LXXIII.

Agminibus Thracum densis contendite; quamvis

Sclopporum seu Truncus iners, Caro vestra deorsùm

Tendat, summa petent Animae de more Globorum.

LXXIV.

NUMINIS in mediis si sit Praesentia Castris,

In TEMPLO residet multò magis ILLE sacrato,

Haeresin ut pellat, perversa (que) Schismata purget.

LXXV.

Haec Tunicam rupêre Tuam, Dolor undè Bonorum!

Zelotae quamvìs raucâ TE Voce fatigant,

Voto indignaris civili Sanguine mixto.

LXXVI.

Fallaces potuêre Bonum suadere fuisse

Praecones, per Diluvium vadare Cruoris?

Praestigiis uti, Summos (que) resolvere Nexus?

LXXVII.

Inde Catechismi neglecti, & sacra Synaxis!

Herbae hinc syl [...]estres, seu Ranae Vere Palustres!

Athea Schismatici Corruptio pessima Cleri.

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LXXVIII.

Praetextus fugiant speciosos, sunto fideles;

Cultu divino repetant (que) PRECAMEN IESU;

Foederis aut valeant Mysteria dira trisexti.

LXXIX.

Sic seduxerunt illos Insomnia vana,

Vilescant illis ade [...]ut NATALIA CHRISTI!

(Nemo tenet Nodis mutantem Protea Vultum.)

LXXX.

FESTUM Festorum, supremae dulce COHORTI;

Inclinat COELUM hîc Terris, hinc Gaudia SANCTIS;

Judice Relligione Dies primarius Anni.

LXXXI.

Factus Homo bonus est primùm, tum degener; IPSE

SERMO Caro Factus, nostra haud Commercia vitans,

Pejor ut is nihilo, meliori Sorte fruatur.

LXXXII.

Audetis Verum profiteri? Pabula pascunt

Fuci aliena; merum Pigmentum Papiliones;

Tettix deperdit, redemit sibi Tempora Myrmex.

LXXXIII.

Mellea dum repetunt Vespae Spelaea rapaces,

Illis Insidiis structis merguntur in Ollâ,

Corporis haud tanti sint ac Munimina Mentis.

LXXXIV.

Kirk-Int'rest kenimus; Leges revocate Draconis,

Instaurate vetus Templum; Sunt Moenia Sancti,

Seu Tubus est Pastor, Fons Gratia, Gluten Amor (que).

LXXXV.

Vobis praeteritos ignoscat Musa Furores,

Singula propitio condant Oblivia Velo,

De Rebus moveat si Vos Metanoea peractis.

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LXXXVI.

Veri Cultores, balantes pascite CHRISTI

Agnos; quippè Merum SANGUIS, CARO dapsilis Esca:

Illos pascentes semper, spectate CORONAM.

LXXXVII.

Dispensatores SPONSO, Sponsae (que) fideles,

Nos sacra diuini ducant ORACULA Veri,

Relligione Status floret, data GLORIA Fidis.

LXXXVIII.

Cùm JUDEX veniet, Merces erit ampla Labori,

Pro Lachrymis Vobis manabunt Gaudia Rivis,

Auratae surgunt Spicae sementibus udis.

LXXXIX.

Laesis, Omnipotens VINDEX! certò aequa rependes

Illis, qui sese foedo maculâre Reatu,

Sanguinis innocui cum sit Detectio fusi!

XC.

Aurea Pax aures, Verun (que) appellat amicum!

Lumina non Phoebi latebris tam grata Borusso,

Urbibus exersis Homines, vel Littora Fractis.

XCI.

O, si coelestis vel tandem TURMA secunda,

Nobis, Bellorum diris Cruciatibus haustis,

Grata salutiferae resonaret Cantica PACIS!

XCII.

PAX Domus est fessis, PAX ad NATALIA CHRISTI

Cantio prima fuit, Terris suprema VOLUNTAS,

PAX Bonitatis amans, PAX Sanctis vera Voluptas.

XCIII.

Martyribus fulcimen AMOR, ceu stramen Achates

Attrahit; ad nostrum sic nos perducis AMANTEM,

Elixir Auri verum, Compendia Legis!

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XCIV.

Ullanè Divinum narret Facundia Amorem?

Quippè redemptus Homo Naturas nobiliores

Angelicas superat; Tanti sit Passio CHRISTI!

XCV.

Hîc demùm tacuit, Lachrimarum Flumina manant

Ex oculis, illi Mundus Cadus esse videtur,

Gaudia falsa Merum, Stultorum portio Faeces.

XCVI.

Et nunc Laetitiae vivae de Fonte micanti,

Pura vbì perpetuo Chrystalla fluentia Cursu,

Mens erit aethereas conscendere Raptibus Oras.

XCVII.

Hinc Documenta sibi Zelus malesanus habebit,

Ardores Cujus tradunt in Praelia saevi,

[...]fera depositis mitescant Secula Bellis.

XCVIII.

Aur [...]bus exhibeas Epulum, selecta VENUSTAS!

Dum si [...] cantat AMOR, Reges dulced [...]e capti:

GRATIA Naturae Nervos intendit AMORE.

XCIX.

Horrisonas Amor ipse potes sedare Procellas,

Cantibus & placare tuis immania Cete,

Quae Dominatrici diverrunt Marmora Caudâ.

C.

Si tua, VIRGO, nequit compescere Erotica Musa

Incumbens Aevo Fatum miserabile nostro,

Pro Scriptis Lachrymae; Nam Gens [...]est danda FURORI [...]

Provecti, tandèm Latiales linquimus Oras,

Te petimus Patrium, Terra Britanna, Solum.

Hîc ubi Nemo citis designet Littus Ocellis:

Egressae faveant Fluctus, & Aura Rati.

Vpon the Vanitie of the World.

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LOng have I sought the Wish of All

To finde; And what it is Men call

True Happiness; But cannot see

The World hath It, which It can be,

Or with It hold a Sympathie.

He that enjoyes what here below

Frail Elements have to bestow,

Shall finde most sweet bare Hopes at first;

Fruition by Fruition's burst,

Sea-water so allayes the Thirst.

Who ever would be happy then,

Must be so to Himself; for, when

Judges are taken from without,

To Judge what we are, fenc'd about,

They do not judge, but guesse, and doubt.

His Soul must hug no private Sin;

For, that's a thorn conceal d i'th' Skin;

But Innocence, where She is nurst

Plants valiant Peace; So, Cato durst

Ev [...]n then be best, when Rome was worst.

GOD-built He must be in his Minde;

That is, Divine; whose Faith no Winde

Can shake; when firmly [...]e relies

Upon the ALMIGHTY, He outflies

Low Chance, and Fate of Destinies.

As Fountains rest not till they lead,

Meandring high, as their first Head:

S [...], Man rests not till He hath trod

Deaths Height: then, by that Period,

He rests too, rais'd in Soul to GOD.

Owen Feltham.

§

§

§

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POtestas Culminis est Tempestas Mentis, Splendorem habet Titulo, cruciatum Animo; desunt (que) Inopiae multa, Avaritiae omnia. Ne petas igitur, devota Anima, esse qualis in Anglia DUX Buckingamiae, & in Aula Caesaria Princeps ab Eggenberg, & in Hispania Comes D' Olivares, & in Imperio Ottomanico Mustapha Bassa fuere; nec tibi magis arrideant cerussatae Laudes, & calamistrata Encomia, quàm sincerae & sacrosanctae Amoris Anhelationes. Seculi delectatiunculas devita, & Coelorum Jubilo recreaberis: delicatula nimis es, si velis gaudere cum Mundo, & postea regnare cum CHRISTO: Amarescat Mundus, ut dulcescat DEUS. Quamdiù est in te Aegypti Farina, Manna coeleste non gustabis; Gustat DEUM cui Libido Seculi Nauseam parit: Exinanitio nostra plenitudinis Coeli capaces reddit. Si vis frui Sole, verte dorsum Umbrae: nec amaris à Mundo, nisi à CHRISTO repulsa, nec à CHRISTO, nisi à Mundo spreta. Dejicit se de Culmine Majestatis qui à DEO ad Consolatiunculas Creaturulae confugit. O qu [...]am contempta recula est homo nisi supra humana se erexerit! Beatum nil facit Hominem, nisi qui fecit Hominem; minimum enim Dei omnis Orbis Magnitudine est magnificentius. Paucis, nec tibi ignominiosum sit pati quod passus est CHRISTUS, nec gloriosum facere quod fecit Judas. Morere Mundo, ut vivas DEO. Quicun (que) cum DEO habet Amicitiam, Felicitatis tenet Fastigium. Haec unica Laus, hic Apex Sapientiae est, ea viventem appetere, quae morienti forent appetenda: Mortis ergò Meditationi, & Aeternitatis Contemplationi Lucernulae tuae Oleum impendas. Vale.

§

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STorms on the Minde from Honours Hill descend;

Titles external Beams adde not to Blisse:

The Poor wants much, the Covetous All. My Soul,

No painted Praise, nor flowr'd Encomiums prize

Equal to pious Breathings of pure Love:

Eschew the petty Pleasures of the Time,

And Heav'ns Refreshments make thy Jubilie:

Imagine not to swim in worldly Pomp,

And afterwards to reign with CHRIST in Blisse;

Earth must be Gall, that GOD may Honey prove:

He the best Relish hath of Heav'n, who most

Disdains the base Licentiousness o'th' Age;

We must be empty'd of our Selves, before

We can have Entrance into th' Heav'nly Court:

If we desire Fruition of the Sun,

Then must our Backs upon the Shade be turn'd;

Disclaim'd by CHRIST are those the World doth love,

And those whom CHRIST do's love, the World contemns:

He of his Greatnesse doth Himself divest,

Who goes from GOD, and Creature-comforts seeks.

O, what a mean dispised thing is Man,

Unless he raise Himself above the Earth,

Since nought but his CREATOR makes him high!

Let's think't no Shame t' endure what CHRIST endur'd,

Nor glory to do that which Judas did;

Dead to the World, let's be alive to GOD,

Who gain his Favour are supremely blest:

This is the Height of Wisdom, to desire

Those things in Life, which Thou wouldst dying crave:

Then on the Thoughts of Death thy Lamps Oyl spend,

And muse upon that State which nere shall end.

Mundo immundo.

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NOn possum, non Arte loqui; Furor addit Acumen:

Crimina taxantur, Nomina salva latent.

Munde, quid hoc sibi vult? tantò longinquiùs erras,

Quantò plùs graderis; Te Cacoethes habet.

In quos Schismaticas torsisti saeviùs Hastas,

Quàm quos Virtutis coelitùs Vmbo tegit.

Protege me, Coelum! Quis adest? Oppressor avarus,

Cui prior est NUMMUS Numine, LIBRA Libro.

Numme, potens Deus es! Sic undi (que) supplicat AURO,

Omnipotens veluti Numen inesset Ei;

Aurum Nequitiae Pater est, & Filius Orci;

Os promit Nectar; Mens Aconita vomit.

Hic vorat, ut (que) rapax ruit in nova frusta Molossus;

Vasta Sitim pariunt Aequora, Terra Famem;

Tota nec explerent Pellaeas Aequora Fauces,

Terra (que) sat tantae non erit una Fami.

Perfida quisquis amat, se perdit, & odit amando:

Plus habet Ille DEI, qui minus Orbis habet.

Dum captat, capitur; Daemon licèt Omnia spondet,

Dat Mundus, magnum praeter inane, nihil.

Plena Fames, mellita Lues, Persuasio fallax,

Gloria Flos, Pulvis Gaza, Tiara cinis.

Tendiculas, Pigmenta, Dolos, Crepitacula, Fumos;

Has rauco Merces Gutture laudet Anus.

Insatiata Fames rapto superincubet Auro,

Porcus & aggestas grunniat inter Opes.

Littera R hebraea, pelasga, latina notabunt

Quòd, malus, eR-RO-RESh, nil nisi, Mundus habet.

THE VANITIE OF THE VVORLD. CANTO X. The Abnegation.

[Page]

ARGUMENT.

What's potent Opulencie? What's remiss

Voluptuousness? World, what's All This,

To That the SOUL'S created for, ETERNAL BLISSE?

STANZA I.

VArious are Poets Flames; Some, Eclogues write,

Others describe a horrid Fight,

Some Lyrick Strains, and some the Epick do delight:

II.

But, here my sharpned Muse shall entertain

The Scourges of Satyrick Vein,

To lash the World, in which such Store of Vices reign.

III.

No Grandee Patron court I, nor entice

Love-glances from enchanting Eyes,

Nor Blandishments from lisping Wantons vocall Spice.

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IV.

No such trite Theams our fired Genius fit,

Of which so many Pens have writ:

Prudential Souls affect sound Reason, not sleight Wit.

V.

Blest Talents which the GOSPELS PEARL do buy:

Frail Hopes that on the World rely,

Where None are sav'd by Faith, but by' Infidelitie.

VI.

The way to gain more Ground, is to retreat;

Our Flight will be our Foes Defeat;

Minds conqu'ring great Delights, triumph in JOYES more great:

VII.

Pull me not, World; nor can, nor will I stay;

Iugler, I know what thou canst say:

Thy magick Spells charm easie Sense but to betray.

VIII.

Wits toil to please Thee, Sables yield their Skins;

The Silk-worm to thy Ward-robe spins;

Rocks send their Gems, Seas Pearls, to purvey for thy Sins.

IX.

Thou brightnest Cupboards with throng'd massy Plate;

Heap'st Ermin'd Mantles of Estate;

Shew'st rich caparison'd champing Coursers at thy Gate.

X.

Thou cull'st of Natures Spoil from Air, Earth, Seas,

The wing'd, hoof'd, finnie Droves, to please

Gluttons, who make themselves Spittles of each Disease.

XI.

And shall, like Dives, a sad Reckning pay;

Feasts hastned on his Fun'ral Day;

Death brought the Voider, and the Devil took away.

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XII.

Tell me no more, Th' art sweet, as spicie Air;

Or, as the blooming Virgin, fair;

And canst with jovial Mirth resuscitate from Care.

XIII.

Boast not of Rubie-Lips, and Diamond-Eyes,

Rose-Cheeks, and Lilie-Fronts, made Prize,

With dimpled Chins, the Trap-pits where a Fondling lies.

XIV.

Deaths Serjeant soon thy courted Helens must

Attach, whose Eyes, now Orbs of Lust,

The Worms shall feed on, till they crumble into Dust.

XV.

Boast, World, who unto Revels dost decoy

Thy Fav'rites, that they'r bath'd in Ioy;

Disdaining Saints, who pretious Time in PRAY'R employ:

XVI.

Who, where they come, with purer Rayes of Light,

Dazle thy bat-ey'd Legions quite,

Rage, Impudence, and Ignorance, the Imps of Night.

XVII.

Fool, thy Attractives, in no Limits pent,

Indulge to Surfets, not Content,

And, but illude the Minde, not give It Ornament.

XVIII.

Gild o're thy bitter Pills with guilefull Arts;

Sweet Potions brew for frolick Hearts:

When most thou smil'st, thou actest most perfidious Parts.

XIX.

With Thee dwells fawning Craft, and glozing Hate,

Th' Allurements of Imperious State,

Which, Barks, like Calms, invite unto a Shipwrackt Fate.

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XX.

Guile, rule the World, that doth in Madness roul:

Great Things the Better oft controul,

Where Pride is coacht, Fraud shopt, & Taverns drown the Soul.

XXI.

Follie in ruffling Storms with Frenzie meets,

Ebbing, and flowing ore the Streets

O'th' care-fill'd pompous Citie, which exiles true Sweets.

XXII.

O fretting Broyls in populous Bussle pent,

Where still more Noise than Sense they vent,

And, now as much to Gold, as, late to Battles bent!

XXIII.

World, reason if thou canst. Thy Sports leave Stings;

Thy Scenes, like Thee, prove empty Things;

Thou glorious seem'st in Paint, from whence all Falshood Springs.

XXIV.

So, Rainbow Colours on Doves Necks have shone

In Hiew so divers, yet so one,

That Fools have thought them all, the Wiser knew them none.

XXV.

I'l countercharm thy Spells, that SOULS, e're thee,

May trust wilde Irish Seas; Who flee

Distrest to thy Relief, Thou say'st; What's that to me?

XXVI.

Fawn, and betray, and Treasons self outdare,

T' o'rethrow by raising is thy Care,

But I'l ungull thy Minions, undisguize thy Ware.

XXVII.

Thy Gold's Drosse, glitt'ring Troubles are thy Bliss,

By Pomp thou cheat'st, thy All's amiss:

Thou art Sins Stage, the Devil prompts, Flesh Actor is.

[Page]

XXVIII.

Spectator-Sense applauds each witching Gin,

But, unto Reasons Eye within,

Thou seem'st Hells Broker, and the servile Pimp of Sin.

XXIX.

Thus Peaches do rough Stones in Velvet tire;

Thus rotten Sticks mock Starrie Fire;

Thus Quagmires with green Emeralds crown their cheating Mire.

XXX.

So, Mermaids lovely seem in Beauties Guize,

With Voice, and Smiles, draw Ears, and Eyes,

But whom they win, they sink; those never more shall rise.

XXXI.

Thy Shop's but an Exchange of apish Fashion,

Thy Wealth, Sports, Honours are Vexation,

Thy Favors glistring Cares, sweet Surfets, woo'd Damnation.

XXXII.

Base Proverbs are thy Counsels to enthrall.

Each for himself, and God for All:

Young SAINTS (I dread to speak it) to old Devils fall.

XXXIII.

Rain on thy Darlings Head a Danaen Shour,

Let him be drencht in Wealth, and Poure;

What then? Th' hast Storm'd, & seiz'd on All in one short hour.

XXXIV.

O, thou Prides restless Sea! swoln Fancies blow

Thee up, dost blew with Envie grow,

Brinish with Bloud, like the Red Sea, with Lust dost flow.

XXXV.

Remorceless Rage! thou in thy fift Acts Breath,

When Bloud does freeze to Ice of Death,

And Life's jail'd up for Natures Debt, where art? Beneath.

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XXXVI.

World, ev'n Thy Name a whirling Storm implies,

Where Men, in Generations rise,

Like Bubbles, dropsy'd Bladders of the rainie Skies.

XXXVII.

Some strait sink down, whom VVaters Sheet do's hide;

Some, floating up and down, abide;

The longest are so circumvolv'd, as Rest's deny'd.

XXXVIII.

So, have we rid out Storms, when Eol's Rave

Plough'd up the Ocean, whose each Wave

Might waken Death with Noise, and make its Paunch a Grave.

XXXIX.

The sick Ship groan'd, fierce Windes her Tacklings rent;

The proud Sea scorn'd to be Shoar-pent;

VVe seem'd to knock at Hell, and bounce the Firmament.

XL.

Clouds then ungilt the Skies, when Lightnings Light

Flasht thousand glimmering Dayes t'our sight,

But Thunders Canons soon turn'd those flasht Dayes to Night.

XLI.

Thus art thou, World, Lifes Storm, at Death Distress;

Starving's the Bottom of Excesse:

Thy Self a piteous Creature, how can'st me redress?

XLII.

No: had'st lesse cruel been, th' hadst been less kinde;

Oyl's in thy Gall to heal my Minde:

Thus Hell may help to HEAV'N, Satan a Soul befriend:

XLIII.

A good Cause with good Means some use, yet fare

But ill, when Others, of thy Care,

Whose Cause is bad, and Means ill us'd, successful are.

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XLIV.

No Wonder Sins Career, uncheckt, runs on,

Since here Lifes Joy it hath alone,

Which, though thou bragg'st is giv'n, no sooner's giv'n, than gone.

XLV.

Pomp, Pleasure, Pelf, idolatriz'd by Fools,

Dispute we now in WISDOMS Schools:

Ambitions quenchless Fire i'th Spring of Iudgment cools.

XLVI.

Pride bladders tymp'nous Hearts, till prickt by Fear,

Soon they subside by venting there:

Unsafe Ascents to Pow'r do watching Dangers rear.

XLVII.

Fearfull, and fear'd is Pomp; Ambition steep

Does Envie get, and Hatred keep;

High State wants Station; Honour-thirsting Minds can't sleep.

XLVIII.

Summon ASPIRO, with his Looms of State

To weave Prides Web, in spite of Fate;

Who, once got up, throwes down the Steps did elevate.

XLIX.

He hates Superiors, 'cause Superiors, and

Inferiors, lest they's Equals stand;

And on his Fellows squints, that are in joynt Command.

L.

Th' Ambitious treach'rous are, and hoodwinkt quite;

Their giddy Heads have dazled Sight,

For, Iealousie clothes Truth in double Mists of Spite.

LI.

His Eye must see, and wink; his Tongue must brave,

And flatter too; his Ear must have

Audience, yet carelesse be: Thus acts he KING & Slave.

[Page]

LII.

So, brightest Angel blackest Devil hides;

High'st Rise to lowest Downfall slides;

A Mathematick point thus East and West divides.

LIII.

Bright Wisdom sends dark Policie to School,

Proves the Contriver but a Fool,

Who builds his Maxims on a Precipice, or Pool.

LIV.

Great Ones, keep Realms from Want; They'l you from Hate:

Life's not so dear as Wealth; For, That

Holds single Bodies, This the Body of the State.

LV.

Who bad Desires conceive, they soon wax Great

With Mischief, then bring forth Deceit,

So, brood They Desolation, till it grows compleat.

LVI.

Let such as sail 'gainst VIRTUES Winde, use Skill

To tack about; for, what's first Ill,

Grows worse by Use, and worst by Prosecution still.

LVII.

Ev'n That to which Prides touring Project flies,

When graspt, soon by Fruition dies:

Great Fears, great Hopes, great Plots, great Men make Tragedies!

LVIII.

Achitophel and Absalon prov'd This,

Whose Brains of their Designs did misse;

Teaching deep Machavels; Fraud worst to th' Plotter is.

LIX.

Fallacious They, and fallible have been,

Who made RELIGION cloak their Sin:

Mans greatest Good, or greatest Ill is from Within.

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LX.

Those Policies that hunt for Shadowes so,

As let at last the Substance go,

Which ever lasts, make wretched End in endless Wo.

LXI.

Had'st for thy Householdstuff the Spoil of Realms,

Could'st thou engross Cathaiahs Gems,

And more then triplicate Romes triple Diadems;

LXII.

Could'st with thy Feet toss Empires into Air,

And sit i'th Universall Chair

Of State; were Pageants made for Thee the whole Worlds Mayor;

LXIII.

Yet those but Pageants were; Thou, Slave to Sense;

To him, not's own, all Things dispence

But Storms; Thou happier wast i'th' Preterperfect Tense.

LXIV.

Steward, give up th' Account, the Audit's neer

To reckon how, and when, and where;

Where much is lent, there's much requir'd: Dooms Day's severe.

LXV.

Thus, proud Ambition is by Conscience peal'd;

Vapours sent up, a while conceal'd,

In thundring Storms pour down at length, when All's reveald.

LXVI.

Though Prides high Head doth brush the Stars, yet shall

Its Carkass like a Sulphur Ball,

Plunge into Flames Abyss. Pride concav'd Satans Hall.

LXVII.

The Mighti'st are but Worms; pale Cowards they

Abasht shall stand at that GREAT DAY,

When Conscience, King of Terrors, shall their Crimes display.

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LXVIII.

Giants of Earth, Aviso's may you tell,

That though with envy'd State you swell,

Yet, soon within Corruptions Charnel-house you'l dwell.

LXIX.

Scepters are frail, as Reeds: who had no Bound,

Are claspt within six foot of Ground;

Whose Epitaphs next Age will be Oblivion found.

LXX.

Such Yesterday, as would have been their Slave,

To day may tread upon their Grave,

That flats the Nose: Best Lectures dust-seel'd Pulpets

LXXI.

Who tost the Ball of Earth, in dark Vaults rest:

All what that Gen'rall once possest

Was but a Shirt in's Tomb, who vanquisht all the East.

LXXII.

Invading Cyrus in a Tub of Gore,

Might quaff his Fill, who evermore

Had thirsted Blood: Him timeless Fate midst Triumphs tore.

LXXIII.

Weigh Things; Life's frail, Pomp vain; remember Paul,

(The way to rise will be to fall)

In's high Commission low, in's low, Conversion, tall.

LXXIV.

Soul, w'udst aspire to th' High'st? clip Tumors Wing;

To th' Test of HEAV'N thy Axioms bring:

Best Polit'ick David was. Who conquers Sin's the King.

LXXV.

Let raised Thoughts, Elijah-like, aspire

To be encharioted in Fire:

Faith, Love, Joy, Peace, the Wheels to Saints sublime Desire.

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LXXVI.

Avaro cite, as void of Grace, as stor'd

With Gold, the GOD his Soul ador'd;

Wealth twins with Fear: Why start'st? Unlock thy unsunn'd Hord:

LXXVII.

I'l treble't by the Philosophick Stone;

This makes thee stare. Why, thus 'tis done,

To Passives Actives joyn in due Proportion.

LXXVIII.

Behold vast Sums unown'd! Thou hutch-cram'd Chink,

Art made as Nothing with a Wink,

Thou, bred from Hell, with Hell-deeds Souls to Hell dost sink.

LXXIX.

Gold is the Fautress of all civil Jarres,

Treasons Reward, the Nerve of Wars,

Nurse of Prophaneness, suckling Rage that Kingdoms marres.

LXXX.

Thou potent Devil, how dost thou bewitch

The dreggy Soul, spott'st it with Itch!

This Slave to thee, his slave, was never poor, till rich.

LXXXI.

Now chest th' all worshipt Ore with rev'rend Awe;

Sols Gold, and Luna's Silver draw

(Should Hell have these, 'twould plunder'd be) to sate thy Maw.

LXXXII.

While Gripes of Famine mutiny within,

And tan, like Hides, the shrivel'd Skin

O'th' Poor, whose pining Want can not thy Pitty win:

LXXXIII.

Having their Gravestones underneath their Feet,

Breath out their Woes to All they meet,

While thou to them are flintier than their Bed, the Street.

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LXXXIV.

Blinded with Tears, with crying hoarse, forlorn

They seem to be of All, but Scorn:

Death than Delay (Wants bloudless Wound) is easier born.

LXXXV.

Thy Dropsie breeds Consumption in thine Heir;

Who thus t' himself;—I'l ease your Care,

Measure not Grounds, but your own Earth: Die now to spare.

LXXXVI.

What's rak'd by Wrong, and kept by Fear, when mine,

Shall spread, as I'm—Then brood the Shine,

Penurious Wretch, till thou by empty Fulnesse pine.

LXXXVII.

Thy Care's to lessen Cost; how slow thy Payes!

How quick Receipts! Lov'st Fasting-Dayes,

But 'tis to save; thus starv'st in Store, thee Plenty slayes.

LXXXVIII.

When shall I rifle every Trunk and Shelf

Of this old muckie wretched Elf,

Who turns, as Chymists do, all that he scrapes, to Pelf?

LXXXIX.

O, sordid Phrenzie! Anxious Maze of Care!

O, gripple Covetize to spare,

And dream of Gold! The Misers Heav'n, the Indians Snare.

XC.

Oppression is the Bloud-shot in their Eyes;

Bribes blanch Gehesa till he dies:

Fool, read, this Night Death may thy dunghil Soul surprize.

XCI.

Think not for whom thou dost thy Soul deceive,

And injur'd Nature so bereave;

But still thy knotty Brain with wedg-like Anguish cleave.

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XCII.

Sruck blinde with Gold, brood on thy Rapines, till

Thou hatch up stinging Cares to th' fill:

The heaviest Curse on this side Hell's to thrive in Ill.

XCIII.

Go, venture for't with Sharks; haste, Miser old

To th' Hook, because the Bait is Gold:

Pawn thy Soul for't, as Iudas did, when's LORD he sold.

XCIV.

Possessors are as Saul possest, who crosse

HEAV'NS Law; Gain, got by Guile, proves Losse;

Getting begits more Itch; Lusts specious Ore is drosse.

XCV.

Who sowe to Sin shall reap to Iudgement; Train

To Hell is Idolized Gain.

Canst Death, or Vengeance bribe? If not, dread ceaseless Pain.

XCVI.

Why so fast poasted by thy strugling Cares,

And Self-slaying Fraud, with all their Snares?

Stay, view thy self; Destruction her crackt Glass prepares.

XCVII.

His pursie Conscience opens now. I've run

On Rocks (he houls) too late to shun,

Lost Vse, and Principle! Gold, I'm by Thee undone!

XCVIII.

If, to exhort be not too late, attend

The wholsom Counsel of a Friend,

Renounce thy Idol, and prevent thy wretched End.

XCIX.

Sound for Faiths Bottom with Hopes anch'ring Cord;

Repent, Restore, large Alms afford,

The dismall Fraught of sinking Sins cast over-board.

[Page]

C.

He who returns to 's Avarice left, his Sore

Growes desp'rate, Deadlier than before,

His Hopes of HEAV'N much lesse, his Fears of Hell much more.

Oceani Monstrum natat infraenabile, Lingua;

Naves saepè pias haec Echeneis habet;

Cui paro Naumachiam, Freta conturbata pererrans,

Sit Remo (que) meo, Lis, Remorae (que) tuae.

—Spes rebus affixa fugacibus, uno

Frangitur Afflatu—

THE VANITIE OF THE VVORLD.CANTO XI. The Disincantation.

[Page]

ARGUMENT.

Crispulus hic, nulli Nugarum Laude secundus,

Cui Mens Lucisinops, Stulta Ruina Domûs;

Qui Cereri, Bromio (que) litat, Luxu (que) liquescit;

Huic ne putrescat, pro Sale Vita datur.

Volupto, crown'd with Blisse of Fools, is bent

To Wine, Feasts, Gauds, loose Merriment;

Runs on in Lusts Career, till Grace stops-with Repent.

STANZA I.

O Headlesse, heady Age! O giddy Toyes!

As humble Cots yield quiet Joyes;

So prouder Palaces are Drums of restlesse Noise.

II.

'Twas in the blooming Verdure of the Yeer,

When through the Twins Sol's Course did steer,

That a spruce Gallant did, on Summons, strait appear.

III.

Glitt'ring in Brav'ry, like the Knight o'th' Sun;

Whose Nags in Hide-park Races run

This Ev'n. 'Tis sure Volupto, old Avaros Son.

[Page]

IV.

Hot showes the Day, by th' Dust upon his Head,

And all his Clothes so loosely spread,

He's so untrust, as if it were not long to Bed:

V.

His Hands keep Time to th' Tune of's Feet, his Pace

Is danced Measures, and 'tis Grace

Enough, ore's Shoulder to afford a quarter-face.

VI.

Act, 'bove French Monkies, Antimasks he might

Before the Apes (Spectators right)

Such Dops, Shrugs, Puppet-playes shew best by Candlelight.

VII.

How mimick hum'rous Garbs in various kinde

Do checquer Whimsies in the Minde!

As diff'ring Flow'rs on Peru's Wonder Gardners finde.

VIII.

Hast thou black Patches too? for Shame, forbear;

Smooth Chins should not have Spots, but Hair:

But thou art modish, and canst vapour, drink, & swear.

IX.

How blazing Tapers waste Lifes blink away

In Socket of their mouldring Clay!

How powder'd Curls do sin-polluted Dust bewray!

X.

As Prudence fram'd Art to be Natures Ape;

So Pride forms Nature to Arts Shape:

Corrupted Wine is worst that's prest from richest Grape.

XI.

Wilt Reasons Sense dissolve in senselesse Wine?

And sing, while Youths frail Gem does shine,

Come, Laughter, stretch our Spleen; Come Sack in Crystal Shrine!

[Page]

XII.

First, Wine shall set, next shall a wanton Dame

Our Blood on Fire, then quench our Flame.

But, Brute, Repentance shall, or Hell thy wild-fire tame.

XIII.

Now, with the Gallon ere thou try'st a Fall,

Think o'th' Hand-writing on the Wall:

If Bacchus th' Inturn gets, down Conscience goes & All.

XIV.

Shouldst thou but once the swinish Drunkard view,

Presented in a Myrrour true,

Quite souc'd in Tavern Juice; in him, thy self thou'dst rue.

XV.

A nobler Birth, with an ignoble Breast,

Rich Corps without a Minde's a Beast:

He's raz'd from Honours Stem, who, Riot, is thy Guest;

XVI.

Thy Guests swoln Dropsies, and dull Surfets are:

The Gluttons Teeth their Graves prepare;

They're sick in Health, & living dead, whose Maw's their Care.

XVII.

Go, Corm'rants, go, with your luxurious Flock,

Rap'd from three Elements; we mock

Your muskie Jellie, Pheasant, candid Apricock.

XVIII.

To Arabs, that they send their Phoenix write;

In's spice Nest be cookt it might:

Far fetch't, dear bought, best suits the Apician Appetite.

XIX.

Go, with thy Stags embalm'd, entombd in Paste;

On Tenants Sweat feeds rampant Waste:

We prize 'bove wilde Intemp'rance, a Carthusian Fast.

[Page]

XX.

Excesse enhanceth Rates: Thou, on this Score,

Grind'st 'twixt thy Teeth the starving Poor,

Who beg dry Crums, which they with Tears would moysten ore.

XXI.

Laz'rus, thy Skin's Deaths Sheet, 'twixt that & Bone

There's no Parenthesis! bemone,

Dives, CHRISTS Members now, or thou shalt ever grone.

XXII.

Prance, pamper'd Stallions, to the Grave y'are driv'n:

Nought satisfies the Soul but HEAV'N,

Th'art empty, World, from Morn, through Noon to doting Ev'n.

XXIII.

In twice-dy'd Tyrian Purple thou dost nest,

Restlesse, with heaving Fumes opprest,

Which cause tumultuous Dreams, Foes to indulgent Rest.

XXIV.

From hence the Spark, (what pitty 'tis!) is Ill

Grown cropsick. Post for Physicks Skill;

Phlebotomize he must, and take the Vomit Pill.

XXV.

Doctor, the Cause of this Distemper state us.

His Cachexie results from Flatus

Hypocondrunkicus ex Crapulâ creatus.

XXVI.

School him, whose HEAV'N is Sense, whose Reason dim;

Who wasts his Time, as Time wasts him:

Give ore his Soul, Divine; Tayler make's Body trim.

XXVII.

Now, sheath'd in rusling Silks, new Suits display;

Thy Cloaths outworth Thee: Wisemen say,

Hedg-creeping Glow-worms never mount to starrie Ray.

[Page]

XXVIII.

Yet, who's born under Iupiter shall move

I'th Sphear of Honour, Riches, Love;

Say Wizards. Vnder Jove w' are all born, none above.

XXIX.

Still to be pounct, perfum'd, still queintly drest,

Still to be guarded to a Feast

By fawning Looks, & squinting hearts—like an Arrest.

XXX.

Still to have toting Waits un [...]eel thine Eyes,

In Bed, at Board, when sit, when rise:

Such, Card'nal-like, their Paris prize 'bove Paradise.

XXXI.

Know, Worldlings, that Prosperitie's a Gin,

If wantoniz'd, breeds Storms within:

To Torture turns the Metamorphosis of Sin.

XXXII.

Pomp its own Burthen is, Whose slippery State

Oft headlong, by too rash Debate,

Tumbles for value of a Straw, pulls on its Fate.

XXXIII.

His Heart-blood seeths; that Blood sends up in Heat

Fierce Spirits; those, i'th' Eye, their Seat,

Fires kindle; fiery Eyes, like Comets, Ruine threat.

XXXIV.

Fierce Balaam, hold thy Hand, and smite no Asse

But him i'th' Saddle; he alas

Wounds through her Sides himself: Wrath through the Soul doth pass.

XXXV.

Duels for Blood, like Molocks Idol, gape.

Thou, turn'd a Swine out of an Ape,

First put'st on Peacocks Pride, at last the Tygers Shape.

[Page]

XXXVI.

They'r gross, not Great, who serve wild Laws of Blood;

Such, only Great, who dare be Good:

GRACE buoies up Honor, which, without It, sticks in mud.

XXXVII.

Make thorough Search: As hard to finde thy Cure,

As Circles puzling Quadrature,

Or, next Way by North-Sea to sail to China sure.

XXXVIII.

Lo, idle Sloth in Lap of Sodom plac't.

Here lies He—did Occasions wast,

Invaluable now, irreparable past.

XXXIX.

Go, wanton with the Winde: misus'd Hours have

A Life, no other then the Grave:

Most, for Lifes circumstance, the Cause of living wave.

XL.

The privie Councel of the glorious TRINE

Did in creating Man combine;

Angels lookt on, and wondred at the Soul divine!

XLI.

Which, Storehouse of three living Natures is,

Doth the vast World epitomize,

Of whom, ev'n All we see's but a Periphrasis!

XLII.

Now, to what End can we conceive Mans Frame,

Save to the Glory of GODS Name,

And his eternal Blisse, included in the Same.

XLIII.

Fools, living die; SAINTS, dying live: Seeds thrive

When earth't: Who dye to Sin survive;

So, to come richer up, Pearl-fishers deeper dive.

[Page]

XLIV.

Now's Courtesan appears, who blowes Loves Fire,

Her pratling Eyes speak vain Desire;

To catch this art-fair flie the following Trouts aspire.

XLV.

The gamesome Flie that round the Candle playes,

Is scorcht to Death i'th courted Blaze:

Thus is the Amourist destroy'd by lustful Gaze.

XLVI.

This Dame of Pleasure, does, to seem more bright,

Lattice her Day with bars of Night;

Spots this fair Sorceress Cloud, more to enforce Delight.

XLVII.

This Helen, who does Beautie counterfeit,

And on her Face black Patches set

(Like Tickets on the Door) shewes that She may be Let.

XLVIII.

She'd Coach Affection on her Cheek: But why

W'ud Cupids Horses climb so high

Over her alpine Nose, t'orethrow it in her Eye?

XLIX.

Truths Apes, beware; such Wheels your Earth do wear;

Horses with rugged Hoofe will tear;

VVho living's coacht with Pride, shal dying fall wth Fear.

L.

(But, noble LADIES, VIRGINS chast, as fair;

Sweet modest Sex, that Virtuous are,

Ye First, my Honour; my Respect, ye Second, share.

LI.

ANGELICK FORMS, far be it to perplex,

Or cast Aspersion on your Sex:

Loose Art in Those, your native beaming Lustre decks.

[Page]

LII.

So, have I seen the Limners Hand design

A ruder Peece, neer one Divine,

With this course face, to make That other Beauty shine.)

LIII.

Her Eyes spread Nets, her Lips Baits, & her Arms

Enthralling Chains: Sense hugs the Charms

Of Idlenesse and Pride, while Reason's free from Harms.

LIV.

Tempestuous Whirlwindes revell in the Air

Of her feig'nd Sighs; her Smile's a Snare,

Which she as slighly sets, as subtly does prepare.

LV.

Scarce is the Toy at Noon to th' Girdle drest;

Nine Pedlars need each Morn be prest

To lanch her forth: A ship as soon is rigg'd to th' West.

LVI.

At length Shee's built up with accoutred Grace;

The Spark's enflam'd with her set Face,

Her glancing Eye, her lisping Lip, her mincing Pace.

LVII.

On those, his optick Faculties do play,

Like frisking Motes in sunny Day,

Like gawdy nothings in the Trigon Glasse that ray.

LVIII.

On her, profusely now he spends his Ore;

Scarce the Triumvir lavisht more

When he did costly treat his stately Memphian Whore.

LIX.

Thou, inconsid'rate Flash, spend'st pretious Dayes

In Dances, Banquets, Courtisms, Playes,

To gain the Shade of Joy, which, soon as gaind, decayes.

[Page]

LX.

Which, barely tasted makes thee long the more;

Enjoy'd, 'tis loath'd, was lov'd before:

Thus, nor Mirths Flood, nor ebbe can please, nor Sea, nor Shore.

LXI.

His Pulse beats Cupids March, and's itching Vein

Must vent loose Lines, whence Souls are slain;

Which, by augmenting Lust, will but augment his Pain.

LXII.

Ah, might too forward Sin be checkt by Fear!

But, what may cure that Eye, that Ear,

Which, being blinde and deaf, brags best to see & hear!

LXIII.

Thy Iuno's but a Cloud: She is not She

Thy fond Esteem makes Her to be;

Her Basilisks double Eye-sight kills with viewing Thee.

LXIV.

She murthers Poysons, thence Complexion's found

To murther Hearts. O, Joyes unsound

From light-bred Daughters, though they weigh ten thousand pound!

LXV.

Tell me not, simpring Lais, that thy Ray

Can Bloud, turn'd Ice, unfreeze, like May;

Whose spotted Face to Vertue does Soul spots betray.

LXVI.

Cerusse, not Lilies there; thy blushing Rose

Its Tincture to Vermilion owes:

Curs'd be those civil Wars LOVES ROYALTY oppose.

LXVII.

Say not, a noble Love to thee he bears;

While's Hand writes Odes, his Eye drops Tears;

That tim'rously he's bold, burns, freezes, dares, and fears.

[Page]

LXVIII.

Nor tell me, Nymphadoro, that Loves Throes

For her, robbe thy Repast, Repose:

Thou peul'st not to repent, but to bebrine thy Woes:

LXIX.

Woes, worse then Waitings at the five Mens trade;

Worse than, when sick, through Sloughs to wade

In Stormy Night, hard jolted on a dull tir'd Jade.

LXX.

Shake off these Remoras would thee undo:

The VIRTUOUS loveli'est are. GRACE woo;

What Jeweller for Glass will orient Pearl forgo?

LXXI.

The Soul, that Beauteousnesse of GRACE exquires,

And to decline By-paths Desires,

Must inward bend the Rayes of his selected Fires.

LXXII.

Unmuffle, ye dim Clouds, and disinherit

From black usurping Mysts his Spirit;

From Rocks, that split vain Hopes, to Heav'nly Comforts rear it.

LXXIII.

B'entrencht ere midnight Larums; undergoe

The Pennance of repentant Snow,

Which, melting down, will quench, & cleanse, as it doth flow.

LXXIV.

Repentance Health is, giv'n in bitter Pill;

Best Rectifier of the Will;

The Joy of Angels, Love of GOD, the Hate of Ill.

LXXV.

Action's the Life of Counsel; Bathe thy Soul,

I'th' LAMBS red Laver; in Dust roul,

Before Despair; Hells Serjeant comes, drink Sorrows Boul.

[Page]

LXXVI.

Ere th' icie Mantle of a wrinkled Skin

Candies the Bristles of thy Chin,

Repent; ere chap-faln Door shall let Deaths Terrors in.

LXXVII.

Never too late does true Repentance sue;

Yet, late Repentance seldom's true:

Who would not, when they might, may, when they would, It rue.

LXXVIII.

For Minutes of impertinent Delight,

Loose not, ô, loose not INFINITE!

Scorn to be Vassal to base Sin, and hellish Spite.

LXXIX.

Why dost out-sin the Devil? He ne're soil'd

With Lust, or Glutt'ny was; ne're foil'd

With Drink, nere in the Net of Slothfulnesse entoyl'd.

LXXX.

I may perswade, yet not prevail! Sin-charms

Bewitch him, till Wrath cries to Arms:

Sins first Face smiles, her second frowns, her third alarms.

LXXXI.

Sinners are fondly blinde when they transgresse;

All Woes are, than such Blindenesse, lesse:

That Wretch most wretched is, who sleights his Wretchedness.

LXXXII.

Presumption slayes her thousands! too late then

Foe to advise of Danger, when

Vengeance, that dogs their Steps, shal worry them in's Den.

LXXXIII.

Gallants, Should Trophies Caesarize your Power,

Should Beauty Helenize your Flower,

Should Mammon Danaize ye with his golden Shower;

[Page]

LXXXIV.

Yet, when REVENGE shall inward Thunders send,

And Sodom-Storms on Souls descend,

Salvation scorn'd, what rests but every tort'ring Fiend!

LXXXV.

That GOD refus'd, who you from Depth of nought

To Being, nay Well-being brought!

Ingrate, for Talents lent, return your selves Sin-fraught.

LXXXVI.

Bad Great Ones are Great Bad Ones: Foul Defect

It is, when Pow'r doth Shame protect;

Such, will do what they will, but, what they ought, neglect.

LXXXVII.

Virtue by Practise to her Pitch does soar;

But they, who such a Course give ore,

Shall sadly wish for Time, when Time shall be no more.

LXXXVIII.

Ye, brittle Sheds of Clay, resolve ye must

Into Originary Dust,

When swift-heeld Death oretakes you. Where's then all your Trust?

LXXXIX.

Men in their Generations live by turns;

Their Light soon to its Socket burns;

Then to converse with Spirits they go, & None returns.

XC.

Tomb-pendant Scutcheons, pompous Rags of State,

Those gorgeous Bubbles but relate

The thing that was, nere liv'd: 'Tis Goodness gildeth Fate.

XCI.

Grace outlasts marble Vaults; That crowns Expense;

Brasse is shortliv'd to Innocence:

Times greedy Self shall one Day find its Praeter-tense.

[Page]

XCII.

When Heav'ns that had their Deluge-dropsie, shall

Their burning Feaver have; When All

Is one Combustion; when Sol seems a black burnt Ball:

XCIII.

When Nature's laid asleep in her own Urn;

When, what was drown'd at first, shall burn;

Then, Sinners into quenchless Flames, Sins Mulct, shall turn!

XCIV.

Nere shall a cooling Julep Such appease,

Whom Brimstone Torrents without Ease

Enrage, i'th dungeon of dark flames, and burning Seas!

XCV.

In Center of the terrible Abysse,

Remotest from supernall Blisse,

That horrid, hideous, gloomy, endlesse Dungeon is!

XCVI.

Fools, who hath charm'd you? Sue betimes Divorse

From your vain World, where power did force

A Rape, there let not Choice make Marriage, which is worse.

XCVII.

Man is a World, and more; For this huge Masse

Shrunk, as a Scroul, away shall passe;

Whil'st His pure Substance is as everlasting Glasse.

XCVIII.

The World is like the Basilisks fell eyes;

Whose first sight kills; first seen, it dies:

Man, by a brave Disdain, its poys'ning Venom flies.

XCIX.

Gay World, who Thee adores, thou great wilt make;

Pearl may he quaff, and Pleasures take

Of Sense, but must descend into the Sulph'ry Lake!

[Page]

C.

Is Hell the Upshot thou to thine canst lend?

Crawl, groveling Trifles, to your End;

Vanish beneath my Scorn. Goe, World, recant, amend.

Provehimur Portu, Terram (que) relinquimus illam

Quae natum Gremio prima rigente tulit.

O felix Oculus Portum visurus Amantis,

Sit licet in Lacrymas naufragus ipse suas!

Dedignor Indigna.

[figure]

In lenocitantes hujus Tempestatis Venerillas, Juvenum Scrobes, Animarum Voragines.

[Page]

IN nova fert Animus mutatas dicere Formas

Spectra, salax quarum Mente Libido furit.

Ludicra depicti jam prodit Imago Theatri,

En hîc Scena vafris insidiosa Dolis.

Ergò mihi nunquam nisi Personata videnda es?

Si vis Personam sumere, sume tuam.

Cui loquor? Ipse tuâ deludor Imagine; Vera

Quid facies, cùm vel fallere picta potes?

Picta Genas, discincta Sinus, nudata Papillas;

Albor Cerufsâ, fit, Minio (que) Rubor.

Vendere si non vis Carnem, conclude Macellum;

Nec Lupa mentitâ decipe Carne Procos.

Nunc emere haud fas est, quia Quadragesima, Carnes;

Venales Mammas ergô Lanissa, tege.

Affigis Maculas dum Signa loquacia Malis,

Mercandum Pretio Corpus adesse notas.

Quae primam extenuat Culpam, rea saepè secundae est;

Saepiùs è primâ Labe secunda venit.

Plurima compositos conservat capsa Colores;

Sic Faciem tibi, cum caetera vendis, emis.

Suavia viscosis renuo libare Labellis,

Ne teneat Fucus fixa Labella tuus.

Quàm levis Incessus! quàm Lumina paeta vagantur!

Verbula quàm molli Gutture fracta fluunt!

Quid me blanda tuis fallacibus obruis Hirquis?

Serpentem Gremio, Virus in Ore geris.

[Page] Non amat, hamat Amor tuus, ô Trivenefica, nostro

Non opus est Cultu, Te nimis ipsa colas.

Sidera contendas Oculi sint, Purpura Malae,

Electrum Crines, Dens Ebur, Ora Favi.

Consulto Speculo geris Omnia; fallet Imago:

Versus cancrinus quo [...]d Literas.

Te nam (an jurares) sera Ruina manet.

Sed quorsum in miseras labuntur Carmina Nugas?

Praesens, est absens, pars minor illa sui.

Quid velit haec Pictura loquens? quem postulat Usum?

Ut suspendatur nonnè Tabella nitet?

Quid tunc è tanto restabit Amantibus Igne?

Fumus iners, tristis Faex, inamoenus Odor.

Ne jactes igitur Formam, fucata; Megaeram

Formosam fieri sic quoque posse reor.

Dicite, Doctores, huic quae Complexio? Quinta.

Quis placet huic Sensus, dicite? Sextus erit.

Sub quo signo orta? Opposito sub Virginis Astro

Edita sub caudâ, credo, Draconis erat.

Quaenam illi fuerit Mens? Subdola. Lingua? dolosa.

Quae Metamorphosis? Prodigiosa sibi.

Naso, suam Metamorphosin quî scribere possit,

Quotidiè Formas cùm novet ista Venus?

[Page]

[figure]

In sceleratissimam Seculi Licentiam, cujus in melius commutandi exilis admodùm supersit Spes.

TOtus adeò in Maligno (mali ligno) positus est Mundus, ut vehementer hujusmodi Satyris egeat. Vbiquè nunc locorum damnosa Malorum Vitia, noxiarum instar herbarum, citissimè pullulescunt. Perjuria, Superbia, Temulentia, &c. Terram sub Mole Peccatorum non ruere admirabile, cùm Coeli, qui ingentia illa Corpora Solis, Lunae, Stellarum, praeter suam Vastitatem non solùm ferunt, sed circumferunt, absque Ruinae Periculo; unicum tamen Peccatum ferre nequiverunt, sed statim per solidas illas Machinas, peccatum, cum suo Authore Lucifero, delapsum, etiam Terram penetrans, ad Fundum Abyssi infernalis descendit.

ACtor Homo, Coelum Spectator, grande Theatrum Mundus, Vita frequens Fabula, Scena Dies.

[Page] Undè ego, sublimi positus, Deliria Mundi

Defleo, dum Vitij Pondere tristè gemit.

Esse quid hoc dicam, perversa quod Omnia cerno!

Denis quàm Tenebris mergitur Orbis iners!

Talia tartareo crevere Piacula Seclo,

Vix Terris Scelerum mox Modus ullus erit.

Luxus ovans, impurus Amor, maculosa Libido,

Persica Mollicies, Spes levis, Ira gravis.

Carnificina Boni, sed Iniqui sedula Nutrix,

Orbis es, Illecebras nil nisi turpis habes.

Fraus juvat, hinc justa est, fallique & fallere gaudes;

Mors Jocus, Infernus Fabula, S [...]anna Polus.

Heu, Pietas ubi prisca! Profana ò Tempora! Mundi

Faex, Vesper, propè Nox; ô mora! CHRISTE, Veni [...]

[figure]

TE rapit aerio ventosa Superbia Curru;

Siste rotas, Currus ferventes siste; Loquamur.

Nunc opus est leviore Lyrâ. Tu, Cyprie Bubo,

Ore procax, Novitatis amans, Venerisque Satelles,

Callidus incautas Philtris mollire Puellas,

Splendida rimaris petulanti Lumine Spectra,

[Page] Et Mala quaeque Bonis praefers, Deliria Veris,

Frivola vaniloquo Mendacia gutture jactas,

Mentis inops, Ratione carens, Virtutis inanis,

Volveris effuso suadente Libidine Luxu,

Lauta coronatis ambis Convivia Mensis,

Sunt tibi Deliciae, Risus, Jocularia Cordi,

Futilibus fatuus Garritibus Aera pulsas,

Quique ciet Nugas, Donaria summa reportat,

Illicitumque putas nihil; Omne, quod officit, optas;

Expetis ut fulvum Mundus vertatur in Aurum;

Auritâ de Gente Midae reor esse Nepotem:

Stulte, tuas Vestes, Avis ut Junonia plumas,

Aspicis; in Cute curandâ malè conteris Aevum.

O, Genus insipidum! sani tibi mica Cerebri?

Auscultet tumido Gens implacabilis Ore.

Luxuries praedulce Malum, blanditur, & angit:

Innumeras parit ipsa Cruces, nutritque, Voluptas:

Vita vices morientis habet, morerisque superstes.

Sed, quid ago? Surdis cantatur Fabula▪ Fati

Vespera mox veniet! quid inexorabilis haeres?

Cuncta tenere putes; tu percipis omnia; Solùm

Hoc nescis, Pant [...]n quod es insanissimus Andr [...]n.

[Page]

[figure]

In strenuos hujus Seculi Compotores, & Gulones Perditissimos.

QValis hîc Boatus? quae Vociferatio? Auscultemus. Aut bibite, aut hunc Cantharum, quantus quantus est, in Capita impingam vestra. Sic enim assuefacti (à sue facti) sunt; Qui tamen Ipsi nondum hesternam edormiverunt Crapulam. Heu, quàm petitis perituri peritura! Labantes ad Praecipitium impellitis, & ad Infernum proruentibus, calcar subditis! Interim tamen vos accusat Conscientia, Testis est Memoria, Ratio Iudex, Voluptas Carcer, Timor Tortor, Oblectamentum Tormentum! Vndè, hi vorando, bibendo, ludendo, dormiendo, moriendo, justè obliviscantur sui, qui vivendo (nisi jurando) semper obliti sunt Dei.

TUrgidus iste quis est? ambas perpotus ad Aures,

Qui tradit rabidae Fraena soluta Gulae;

[Page] Qui plures avido Calices ingurgitat haustu;

Cui Venus in Vinis, Ignis in Igne furit;

Cui Venter Deus est, & lauta Culina Sacellum;

Orgia cui madidi grata profana Dei;

Cui sunt Liba Dapes, & Compotatio Festum;

Et Pietas plenâ Lance litare Gulae;

Plurima qui spondet, perfusus Tempora Baccho;

Omnia quae Socijs, cras, sine fronte negat;

Cujus Lingua vomit spumantia Vota Salutis,

Obrutus est nimio dum sine Mente Mero.

Vivamus liquidi, potemus, edamus, ovemus;

Nulla Sepultorum nascitur Vva Cavis:

Mordaces Curas solvamus Vociferando,

Sic permittamus laetiùs ire Dies:

Falle Diem, strue Serta, Scyphum rape, tingere Nardo;

Si tibi Cura mei, sit tibi Cura Meri:

Prome Falerna, remitte Pavenda, propellito Nubes:

Leviathae Os utinàm nunc mihi grande foret!

Gemmatis si Musta bibam flammantia Poclis,

Inde frequens Naso Gemma repentè micet [...]

Plurima sic olidis epotat Vina Tabernis,

Vt referat brutas sordida Vita Sues:

Immersus Vitij Barathro, Scelerisque Profundo,

Ebrius Errorum Nectare, Porcus ovat.

Immemor ipse sui, nimiùm memor ipse Suorum,

Carneus iste Cadus, Viva Culina cluat.

Nocturno reboat dum caeca Plataea Tumultu,

Quodvis ex animo suavè peregit Opus.

Una Salus tibi sit nullam potare Salutem:

Te Puer in triviis erudijsse potest.

[Page] Qui mihi Discipulus, Bibo sis, cupis atque doceri;

Huc ades, Abdomen spernere disce tuum.

Pondus iners, Carnis Cumulus, Vinique Culullus,

Progenies Grylli, Dux Epicurus harae;

Coenum, non Coelum sapis, Ingluviemque saginas,

Non Mentem; solùm pro sale Vita datur.

Ditia sorbebit subit [...] Patrimonia Guttur;

Quod tua peccarunt Guttura, Vitra luunt.

Quae Mare, Terra, Polus, Pisce, Alite, Vite ministrant,

Desidis alta Gulae Cuncta Barathra vorant.

Effera Tempestas Cellae, Barathrumque Macelli!

Examines tumulet mortua Turba tuos!

Hoc verbo concludo, nec os tibi sublino: Nequam es:

Exitio, nisi te corrigis, Ipse tibi.

EHeu, quàm Magnificus iste jam aegrotat miserè! ecce, Linteola Manu contrahit, distorto Ore & distento Labia dispandit, anhelis Pulmonibus difficile spirat, longum Vale Mundo dicit, tenebrescentes Oculos circumvolvit, & suburbia Mortis intrat. Lectores, clarum hîc Speculum Fragilitatis cernite. Gregor. Magnus Lib. 4. Cap. 38. Dialogorum, de Chrysorio Romano tradit Historiam, de quo, an Divitijs, seu Vitijs magis abundaverit, incertum fuit. Cùm, quasi expirans, anxiaretur, apparuere illi teterrimi, Daemones, ipsum certatim prensantes, traheréque ad Inferna annixi; Ille, Horrore tremuit, se (que) super Lectum huc atque illuc vertere miseris coepit Modis. Nec dubitaret Quisquam Spiritus sibi apparuisse, qui probè illius Gestus; & Lamenta consideraret. Postremò, ipse, cùm jam Amicorum Auxilio desperasset, ad Hostes conversus, Inducias, oro, [Page] Inducias, inquit, Inducias, vel tantùm usque ad mane! cui, Daemones; Stulte, hac nocte eripietur tibi Anima. Dum hoc poscendo ingeminat, Animam exhalavit! Vae vobis miseris, qui in ipsis Voluptatum Blandimentis, saevis Pa [...]perum Oppressionibus, & iniquis Praeliandi Ardoribus subitò auferimini!

INstare, heu, summum, Mens, tibi crede Diem,

Actus Fabellae jam tibi quintus adest,

Namque stat ad Mortis Limina Vita tremens;

Quid modò, dum Muris imminet Hostis, agas?

Te rapiet subitò Mors inopina Gradu!

An non supremi Iudicis Ora times?

Mente soporatâ Cuncta quieta fluunt,

Exagitat saevis evigilante Minis!

Stat vinctum rigido sons Adamante jecur,

Undique constrictum Crimine, Lege, Nece!

Stare tamen nullo mens queat aegra Loco!

Afflictum Pectus quis tolerate potest!

Me Tremor, Impietas, Flagra, Gehenna rotant!

Totus in Aspectu sum rea Massa Dei!

Heu, quàm terribilis Sontibus Vltor adest!

Qui Flagellorum millia mille parat!

Quis dabit hisce Modum, quêis Modus omnis abest!

Supplicium Aeternum! Dirus ut ille Sonus!

Nullis Inferni Flamma domatur aquis!

Aestus at infusae Gurgite crescit Aquae!

Nunc, Mundi quid Honos, Gaza, Jocusque, valent!

Vos, speciem fumi, quicquid habetis, habet;

Perfidiosa sequi Ludicra Mundus amat;

[Page] Tristia sub placido melle Venena latent;

Quo magis arrident, sunt metuenda magis;

Turgida ventoso Pectora Folle replent.

Inter Acidalias, ceu Sybarita, Rosas

Crevi, Praeda feris discrutianda Rogis!

Praedonum Paphiâ mitior Ira face;

Cultorem perdis; qui tibi vivit, obit;

Arbore seu Chavae, prima Venena necis,

Arbore sic CHRISTI Vita secunda fluit.

Hac, hac sit nostrâ Meta terenda rotâ!

Jam nunc Justorum Fata lubire velim!

Pro Te, CHRISTE, pati, est vincere, Vita mori:

Te peto dum superest Halitus; Oro, fave.

Hanc, DEUS, ex magno mittis Amore Crucem:

Sum miser, ah, misero fer miseratus Opem!

Nunc opus est Precibus, nunc Ope, CHRISTE, tuâ!

Unus Opem, Vulnus qui dedit, Ille ferat!

Poenitet admissi Criminis; oro DEUS,

Sanguinis inspergat, Gutta vel una tui!

[...]perem, vix ullam Spes ubi cernat Opem!

Singula baptizem Corporis Acta mei!

Sint Lachrymae Mentis Gaudia sola meae!

Quae suaves aliquid, Nectaris instar, habent;

Tristia qui spargit, Gaudia abindè metet;

Laetitiae Segetem flebilis Unda parit:

Langueo, sola sones Lachryma! Lingua sile.

Haec, Lector, siccis quì tueare Genis!

Mundi Contemptus.

[Page]

DEliciae, Luxus, laqueata Palatia, Gemmae,

Incautos, veluti blanda Venena, [...]ecant;

In Trabea Livor, Gemmâ Timor, Ira sub Auro;

Bullatum his Pectus plurima Pestis agit.

Est Honor umbra Rei. Quid Honoris Spes? minus umbrâ;

Umbram finge umbrae, spes id Honoris erit;

Dum placet, illudit; dum splendit, fallit; amoenam

Sic referens bullam, frangitur illa micans:

Aurea pacatam turbant Laquearia Mentem,

Et Vigiles Noctes Purpura saepè trahit;

Oblongas videt ire vigil sua Taedia Noctes,

Praeque ipsis longas Noctibus ire Dies:

Saepè Equitem excussit, fractâ Cervice Sedentis,

Ad Titulos properans Ambitionis Equus:

Illis, sceptrigeri quos lactat Gloria Mundi

Auratis Tectis, fit peregrina Salus.

Divitias Avidus per aperta Pericula Ponti,

Retia quae Mentis, concumulare studet.

Haec, mihi ne noceant cauto, cretata facessat

Ambitio, & fulvi sordida Cura Luti.

Felix qui streperi Ludibria rideat Orbis,

Aspernans Aevi luxuriantis Opes.

THE SWEETNESSE OF RETIREMENT, OR The Happinesse of a Private Life. CANTO XII. The Segregation.

[Page]

ARGUMENT.

TV, mihi Thema, Quies Animae, sanctus (que) Recessus;

Rores dum saturant me, Deus alme, tui.

Vera Quies, Paucos nosti, notissima Paucis;

Dum fugio Plures, te peto, vera Quies.

Carmina Secessum? Potiùs Devotio quaerit:

Sic quadrant Modulis Pectora sancta suis.

Turbat Apollineas clamosa Molestia Musas;

Christicolae Modulos sed magìs illa gravat.

Sit procul Vrbs, prope Vota mihi; mihi reddar, & intùs

Plena Fide perstet Mens mea, plena Deo!

Hoc Nemus est Templum, patuli Laquearia Rami;

Fit sacrae Truncus quisque Columna Domûs:

Pervia Sylva patens est Porta, Cacumina Pinnae;

Baptismi Pignus Rivulus omnis habet:

Dat Mensam Collis sacram mihi Cespite tectus;

Pectoris Ara Fides, Zelus Amor (que) focus.

[Page] Si quis Baptistes in Eremo praedicet, Ecce

Pulpita, in arboreâ Sede locata, patent.

Hìc licet elatâ dare Verba precantia Voce;

Et si [...]e Teste, Deo nec nisi Teste, loqui.

Ipsa monent tremulas quatientia Flamina frondes,

Per nos fundendas Corde tremente Preces.

Antevolans (que) cavo Suspiria nostra Susurro,

Dum gemit Aura levis, Tugeme, Cultor, ait.

Voce Deum celebro; Concordes sponte Choristae,

Sunt Praecentores, dum modulantur, Aves.

Amen subijcio; dat Amen, quasi Clericus, Echo.

Sylva placet, Luxus Desidiose, Vale.

THE ARGUMENT.

True Blisse! Thou know'st but Few, to Few art known;

While we shun Many, Thee alone

We court, and All enjoy in Thee, when All are gon.

STANZA I.

WAste not an other Word on Fools; Forsake

What grates the Ear, pure Notions take;

Know, that the smoothest Hones, the sharpest Razors make.

II.

Ill suits it with a Russet Life, to write

Court-Tissue: Swayns, by thresholds Sight,

Observe, as well, as Lords by Clocks of Gold, Times flight.

III.

Whose Crystal Shrines, like Oysters, gape each hour,

Discov'ring Time by Figures Pow'r:

That is the nobler Watch, foreshowes the threatning Shour.

[Page]

IV.

While comb'rous Gain does various Cares obtrude,

The richer Minde courts Solitude,

And does Guile (subtle to beguile it self) exclude.

V.

More than high Greatnesse humble Goodness draws;

Elm Rafters, mantled 'Ore with straws,

Out-blesse Escuriall Tour's that seem Heav'ns Cupulas.

VI.

Each City-Shop's a Trap; each Toy, a Yoke;

What Wise-man willingly would choke

Himself in thicker Clouds of griping Care, than Smoke?

VII.

Who would not flie that Broil, whence Blisse is flown;

Where, in Times dregs, Religion's grown

From Best, to All (flow Tears of Blood!) from All, to none.

VIII.

LORD, guide thy Church, which Interests empair;

Who, without Knowledge, factious are,

They little mind the Flock, so they the Fleece may share.

IX.

Why climb'd they else the Pulpit, as Lots Brother,

With Fire in one Hand, Knife i'th other?

'Twas vip'rous Nero slew his own indulgent Mother.

X.

As Peace Heav'ns Blessing; so is War His Rod,

Man-hunting Beast, a Scourge from GOD,

Which doth unhinge the World; fierce Grapes in Wraths Press trod.

XI.

Let me, in Griefs Prerogative, be bold

To question Such, as dare to hold

That they the SHEPHERD lov'd, when they forsook the Fold.

[Page]

XII.

Such Scramblers at the Shearing Feasts, I shun;

Forgetting, and forgotten, run

To fraudlesse Swains. I have a FRIEND compliant won;

XIII.

By his Example may my Life be penn'd,

May He read, like Himself, his Friend:

Souls in Conjunction should, like Stars, kind Influence send.

XIV.

Us Sympathie, the Mindes true Priest, does joyn;

'Tis Grace makes Sociall Love, divine;

Tun'd Octaves Uni'sons are, Duos in One combine.

XV.

When two enweav'd are in one high Desire,

They feel like ANGELS, mutuall Fire;

Flames Intellectiue liue, materiall Flames expire.

XVI.

Vain World, thy Friends are Theeves of Time; Twice they

Are robb'd; for, Times Self steals away,

Leaving a dull December for a sportive May.

XVII.

Fools Chat is built on Sand; But blest who hives

Discourse, that on Heav'ns Sweetnesse lives,

Such, as to raise the Fire to high-born Virtue strives.

XVIII.

For Birds of Paradise the proper Fare

Is purest Vapour of the Aire;

Souls nourisht from the Influ'nce of GODS SPIRIT are.

XIX.

Dew fattens Earth, the Earth yeelds Plants, and then

The Plants feed Beasts, the Beasts feed Men;

Man on His WORD should feed, who gave him Origen.

[Page]

XX.

From Publike Roads, to private Ioy's our Flight;

To view GODS Love, we leave Mans sight;

Rich in the Purchase of a Friend, who gilds Delight.

XXI.

Thus go we, like the Heros of old Greece,

In Quest of more than Golden Fleece,

Retreating to sweet Shades, our shatter'd Thoughts we peece.

XXII.

So, when the Sun, Commander of the Day,

Muffles with Clouds his glorious Ray,

He clearer afterwards doth his bright Face display.

XXIII.

Kings, too much seen, grow mean. Renown does dawn

From Cotts, unsightly hang'd, and drawn

With Spider-woven Arras, and their Cobweb-Lawn.

XXIV.

Victorious Charles the fift, who had acquir'd

Fame, Wealth, and what could be desir'd

By greatest Emperours, left All, to live retir'd.

XXV.

That Sea-dividing PRINCE, whose Scepter'd Rod

Wrought Freedom to the Church of GOD,

Made in the Mount of Horeb fourty Dayes Abode.

XXVI.

In Wildernesse the BAPTIST shin'd more clear,

In Lifes Night Starrie Souls appear:

They who Themselves eclips, are to Heav'ns Court more dear.

XXVII.

But, now what need we cite Examples more,

This by our SAVIOUR heretofore

Was practiz'd, Who, whole Nights retir'd, did GOD implore.

[Page]

XXVIII.

Examples are best Precepts. Sweet Secesse,

The Nurse to inbred Happinesse,

How dost Thou Intellects with fuller Knowledge blesse!

XXIX.

Waft us, All-guiding POVV'R, from wild Resort,

By Cape of Hope, to Virtues Port,

Where Conscience, that strong Champion, safely guards the Fort.

XXX.

Here, Liberty, ev'n from Suspition free,

Does terminate our Fears; by Thee

We conquer Lusts: Each Sense wears Reasons Livery.

XXXI.

With Thee, like cloyster'd Snails, is better State,

Than to be Lions in a Grate:

The World hers, coopt like Bajazet, does captivate.

XXXII.

But, here (the Type of ever-smiling Joyes,

Without disturbing Fears, or Noise)

We bright-ey'd Faith, with quick-ey'd Art, in Truths Scale poize.

XXXIII.

Religious Maries Leisure we above

Encombred Marthas Cares approve;

Uncloystred, we this Course beyond Courts Splendor love.

XXXIV.

Seated in safe Repose (when circling Earth

Suffers by Rage of War, and Dearth)

Secure from Plagues and angry Seas, we manage Mirth.

XXXV.

The low-built Fortune harbours Peace, when as

Ambitious high-rooft Babels passe

Through Storms; Content with Thankfulnesse each Blessing has.

[Page]

XXXVI.

So fragrant Vilets, blushing Strawberies

Close shrouded lurk from lofty Eyes,

The Emblem of sweet Blisse, which low and hidden lies.

XXXVII.

No masked Fraud, no Tempest of black Woes,

No flaunting Pride, no Rage of Foes,

Bends hitherward, but soon is laid, or over-blows.

XXXVIII.

We rule our conquer'd Selves; what need we more?

To gadding Sense we shut the Door;

Rich in our Mind alone. Who wants himself, is Poor.

XXXIX.

Slaunder is stingless, Envie toothless here;

The Russet is well lin'd we wear;

Let Citts make Chains the Ensignes of their Pomp appear.

XL.

Faith linkt with Truth, and Love with Quiet too,

Ore pleasant Lawns securely goe;

The golden Age, like Jordans Stream, does here reflow.

XLI.

For Fields of Combate, Fields of Corn are here,

For Trooping-Ranks, Tree-ranks appear;

War steels the heart, but here we melt Heart, Eye, and Ear.

XLII.

O, might a sacred Muse Earths Frenzie calm!

On That we'd pour such suppling Balm,

As might vain Trophies turn to an unfading Palm.

XLIII.

Then should each He, who wears the Face of Man,

Discern their Emptinesse, and span

The Vulgars triviall Idols, and their Follies scan.

[Page]

XLIV.

Though in rough shels our Bodies kerneld are,

Our Roof is neat, and sweet our Fare,

Banisht are noysom Vapours to the pent-up Air.

XLV.

No subtle Poyson in our Cup we fear,

Goblets of Gold such Horrors bear;

No Palace Furies haunt, ô rich CONTENT! thy Chear.

XLVI.

How Great are Those who use, like Gold, their Clay;

And who like Clay, Gold, Great are they;

To Grandeur, slighted Titles are the ready Way.

XLVII.

Courts amplest Shine nor addes, nor takes from MINDES

That pierce the World, true MERIT bindes

Bright Souls unto It, whil'st Fog th'ignoble blindes.

XLVIII.

Humble, not slav'd; without Discomfort sad;

Tim'rous, without despair; and glad,

Without wild Freaks we are. The World's or Fool, or Mad.

XLIX.

From Taurus when Sols Influence descends,

And Earth with verdant Robe befriends,

And richer Showres, then fell on Danaes Lap, dispends;

L.

When early Phosphor lights from Eastern Bed

The gray-ey'd Morn, with Blushes red;

When Opal-Colours prank the Orient Tulips Head:

LI.

Then walk we forth, where twinkling Spangles shew,

Entinseling like Stars the Dew,

Where Buds, like Pearls, and where we Leaves, like Em'ralds, view:

[Page]

LII.

Birds by Grovets in feather'd Garments sing

New Ditties to the non-ag'd Spring;

O, how those tracelesse Minstrels chear up every Thing!

LIII.

To hear quaint Nightingales, the Lutes o'th' Wood,

And Turtle-Doves, by their Mates woo'd,

And smelling Vio'let sweets, how do These chear the Blood!

LIV.

While teeming Earth flow'rd Satten wears, embost

VVith Trees, with Bushes shagg'd, with most

Clear Riv'lets edg'd, by rocking Windes each gently tost;

LV.

The branching Standarts of the chirping Grove,

With rustling Boughs, and Streams that move

In murm'ring Rage, seem Natures Consort, tun'd by Love.

LVI.

VVee to their hoarse Laments lend listning Ears;

And sympathize with them in Tears,

Sadly remembring British Sions acted Fears!

LVII.

Then, our sad Hearts are prickt, whence spring forth Cries;

From those, drain'd through the bruis'd Soul, rise

Faith-fumes, by Heav'ns Fire drawn, which drop through melting Eyes!

LVIII.

Cause hungry Swords devour'd Mans Flesh, like Food,

And thirsty Spears were drunk with Blood:

LORD, how thy Spouse turns mummy'd Earth! her Gore a Floud!

LIX.

Edge-hill with Bones lookt white, with Blood lookt red,

Maz'd at the Number of the Dead:

A Theam for Tears in unborn Eyes to be still shed!

[Page]

LX.

How many bound with Iron, who did scape

The Steel! and Death commits a Rape

On them in Jayls, who Her defy'd in warlike Shape!

LXI.

Cross-biasnesse to Grace our Ruine spinn'd!

Harrow'd with Woes, be HEAV'N our Friend!

Sodome 'gainst Nature, We 'gainst Light of TRUTH have sinn'd!

LXII.

This draws Eye-tribute from Compunctions Den;

GRACE, guard thy prostrate Suppliant then,

VVho am the Chief of Sinners, and the Worst of Men!

LXIII.

My Guilt before thy MERCY-SEAT I lay,

For HIS sake save me, who gave way

To dye for Sinners! Ah, Sin kills HIM every Day!

LXIV.

Sin n'ere departs, till humbled in deep Fears,

Embalm'd in Pray'rs, and drown'd in Tears,

The fragrant Araby breathes no Perfume like Theirs.

LXV.

More fruitfull Those, unwitnessed, appear;

Gems are too cheap for every Tear:

Deep Sorrow from It-Self doth its high Comfort rear.

LXVI.

Salt Tears, the pious Converts sweetest Sport,

To hopefull Joyes the entring Port,

Ye waft blest Mariners to Sions glorious Court.

LXVII.

But whether stray'st thou, Grief? Pearld Dew arraies

As yet the Virgin-Meads, whose Gaies

Unbarb'd, perk up to prank the curled Stream that plaies.

[Page]

LXVIII.

By rushy-fringed Banks with purling Rill,

Meandring underneath the Hill:

Thus, Stream-like, glides our Life to Deaths broad Ocean still.

LXIX.

The pleasant Grove triumphs with blooming May,

While Melancholy scuds away;

The painted Quire on motly Banks sweet Notes display.

LXX.

Earths flow'r-wov'n Damask doth us gently woo,

On her embroyder'd Mantle to

Repose, where various Gems, like Constellations, shew.

LXXI.

Our selves here steal we from our selues, by Qualms

Of Pleasure, rais'd from new-coyn'd Psalms,

When Skies are blew, Earth green, and Meadows flow with Balms.

LXXII.

We there, on grassie tufted Tapistries,

In guiltlesse Shades, by full-hair'd Trees,

Leaning unpillow'd Heads, view Natures Ants, & Bees.

LXXIII.

Justly admiring more those agile Ants,

Than Castle-bearing Elephants;

Where Industrie, epitomiz'd, no Vigour wants.

LXXIV.

More than at Tusks of Bores we wonder at

This Moths strange Teeth! Legs of this Gnat

Passe large-limm'd Gryphons; Then on Bees we musing sat;

LXXV.

How Colonies, Realms Hope, they breed; Proclaim

Their King; how Nectar-Courts they frame;

How they in waxen Cels record their Princes Fame:

[Page]

LXXVI.

How Kings amidst their Bands in Armour shine;

And great Souls in small Breasts confine;

How under strictest Laws they keep up Discipline;

LXXVII.

How All agree, while their King lives, in one;

But dead, the publike Faith's o'rethrown,

Their State becomes a Spoil, which was so plenteous grown.

LXXVIII.

Abstruser Depths! here Aristotles Eye

(That Ipse of Philosophie,

Natures Professor) purblinde was, to search so high.

LXXIX.

Thinking, which Some deem Idlenesse, to me

It seems Lifes Heav'n on Earth to be;

By Observation GOD is seen in all wee see.

LXXX.

Our Books are HEAV'N above us, Aire and Sea

Around, Earth under; Faith's our Stay,

And Grace our Guide, the Word our Light, & CHRIST our Way.

LXXXI.

Friend, view that Rock, and think from Rocks green Wound

How thirst-expelling Streams did bound:

View Streams, and think how Iordan did become dry Ground.

LXXXII.

View Seas, & think how Waves, like Walls of Glass,

Stood fixt, while Hebrew Troops did pass;

But clos'd the Pharian Host in one confused Mass.

LXXXIII.

These Flow'rs, we see to Day, like Beauty, brave,

At Ev'n will be shut up, and have

Next Week their Death, then buried soon in Stalks, their Grave.

[Page]

LXXXIV.

Beautie's a Flow'r, Fame Puff, high State a Gaze,

Pleasure a Dance, and Gold a Blaze,

Greatnesse a Load: These soon are lost in Times short Maze!

LXXXV.

As solemn Statesmen sleight meer childish toyl,

Framing Card-structures: ANGELS smile,

And pitty so, when Life strait flits, Mans tearing Broyl.

LXXXVI.

Search Empires Dawn, unwinde Times Ball again,

Unreel through Ages its snarl'd Skain;

Run back, like Sol on Ahaz Diall; See-All's vain.

LXXXVII.

This did I from THEOPHILA descry,

(Not her fair-feather'd Speech could fly

To Ground, but my Ears Pitfall caught it instantly;

LXXXVIII.

Though her informing Voice be parted hence,

Tides of impressive Notions thence

Flow, soft as Shours on Balm, & sweet as Frankincense.)

LXXXIX.

The Conqueror who wades in Bloud for Pow'r,

Cannot ensure th' ensuing Houre;

Death soon may his Ovations sweetest Nectar sowre.

XC.

All's vain. Th' Assyrian Lion, Persian Bear,

Greek Leopard, Roman Eagle-where?

Where is fam'd Troy, that did so proudly domineer?

XCI.

Troy's gone, yet Simois stayes. O, Fortunes Play!

That which was fixt is fled away,

And only what was ever-flitting still does stay!

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XCII.

Vast Pyramids uprear'd t'interre the Dead,

Themselves, like Men, are sepulchred;

Ambitious Obelisks, Ostents of Pride, Dust wed.

XCIII.

HEAV'N sees the crumbling Fabrick of Earths Ball,

That Dust is Mans Original;

To HIM All Nature is as wither'd Leaves that fall:

XCIV.

Terrestrials transient are. Kings fight for Clods;

HEAV'NS HEIRE is mightier PRINCE by odds,

Ev'n All is His, and He is CHRISTS, & CHRIST is GODS.

XCV.

Thoughts, dwell on This. Let's be our own Deaths-Head.

The glorious Martyr lives, though dead,

Sweet Rose, in his own fadelesse Leaves enveloped:

XCVI.

HEAV'N was his Watch, whose starrie Circles winde

All Ages up; the Hand that sign'd

Those Figures, guides them; World, thy Clocks are false & blinde.

XCVII.

Time in ETERNITIES immense Book is

But as a short Parenthesis;

Mans Life, a point; GODS Day is never-setting Bliss.

XCVIII.

Could Man summe up all Times, so, as if there

A Moment not remaning were;

Yet all those close-throng'd Figures seem but Cyphers here.

XCIX.

Could Calculators multiply times Glass

To Myriads more of Yeers; alas,

Those Sands, to This DURATION, as a Minute passe.

[Page]

C.

Such mental Buds we from each Object take,

And, for CHRISTS Spouse, of Them we make

Spiritual Wreaths, nor do we Her own Words forsake.

CI.

Arise, ô, North, and thou, ô, South-winde, blow;

Let Scent of Flow'rs, and Spices flow,

That the BELOVED may into his Garden goe.

CII.

Whose Beauty Flow'rs, whose Height made lofty Trees,

Whose Permanence made Time, & These

Pay Tribute by Returns to HIM, as Springs to Seas.

CIII.

This steals our Soul from her thick Loom, t' aspire

To Canzons, tin'd with Enthean Fire;

Taking high Wing to soar up to the Angel-Quire.

CIV.

By such like Speculations would we stie

To th' SUN of Righteousnesse! though I

A Star am lesse than least of all the Galaxie.

CV.

The Burden to each Hymn is This. Thy Wayes,

LORD, are inscrutable! All Dayes,

All Tongues, are few, are weak, to sound thy endless Praise▪

CVI.

O, that a VOICE more audible, and high'r

Than that shrill Trump, when All's on Fire,

Might all Mens Hearts & Tongues with thy Renown inspire!

CVII.

Nature, blesse GOD, His Benefits be sung,

While that an Ear can hear a Tongue;

Commerce with HIM is th' onely Trade, All else but Dung.

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CVIII.

But Dung—the wilde Inhabitant repeats

From her inhospitable Seats:

But, now 'tis Noon; prepare we for our costless Meats.

CIX.

LORD of all grassie and all glassie Plains!

Whose mighty Hand doth wield Fates Reins,

Who dost embase the Hills, emboss the woody Veins.

CX.

By THEE, the Pyrate, who by Nile being bred

Has Land for Table, Pool for Bed,

Camels, Arabias wandring Ships, by THEE are [...]ed;

CXI.

THOU with thy inexpressibly immense

Finger of active Providence,

The Worlds great HARBINGER, dost All to Each dispence.

CXII.

Strickt Temperance so cooks our Mess, that we

With no Brain-clouds eclipsed be:

The driest Cleernesse makes the brightest Ingenie.

CXIII.

The Mount's our Table, Grass our Carpet, Well

Our Cellar, Trees our Banquet, Cell

Our Palace, Birds our Musick, and our Plate a Shell.

CXIV.

Nature, payes all the Score. Next Fountain has

Bath, Drink, and Glass; but our Souls Glasse

Presents Religions Face. Our Meal's as short as Grace.

CXV.

See, where the udderd Cattle finde us Food;

As, those Sheep Cloth; these Hedg-rowes Wood.

See, now a Present brought us from the Neighborhood:

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CXVI.

Ev'n th' Herb that Cramp and Toothach drives away▪

And bribes Ear-Minstrels not to play;

And from archt Roofs to spungie Bellows Dews dos stay;

CXVII.

That makes quick Spirits and agile Fancie rove,

And genuine Warmth i'th' Brain do's move,

'Bove Furres or Fires; Whose Pipe's both Ventiduct, & Stove;

CXVIII.

That mounts Invention with its active Smoke;

Draught of Promethean fir'd-Air took,

Renerves slack Ioynts, and ransacks each Phlegmattick Nook.

CXIX.

That Lust cloyes which Expectance swells; but, here

Are DAINTIES, that whet Taste and Ear;

Where all are cheer'd with Ioy, and over-joy'd with Cheer.

CXX.

But, having traverst more of Ground to Day,

Let us, for our Refreshment, stay,

And with next rising Sun, compleat next closing Lay.

Irati saevas Maris evitare Procellas

Quae potuit, felix est nimìs illa Ratis;

Littoris optati Prospectu Navita gaudet;

Gratulor emensam nec minùs ipse Viam.

Animi Pabulum Contemplatio.

Tam formosa nitet, tam suauè THEOPHI [...]A. spira [...],

[...]umin [...] collustrat, perfundit Odoribus Auram:

Est Opus exactum, quâvis (que) ex Parte politum,

[...]orpore, nonse [...]us ac, effulget, Mente Venustas:

Ingenium, Dulcedo, Decus, Symmetria grata,

Abs (que) Pari certant Vnitis Viribus Illâ.

(THEOPHI [...]A's fill'd wth Sweetness, & so [...]

[...] her Breath perfumes [...]

[...]-composed [...]

Compleat in Mind, & as exact in Feature [...]:

[...] & proportion'd well,

[...] mee [...] without a Parallell.

[...]

THE PLEASVRE OF RETIREMENT CANTO XIII. The Reinvitation.

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ARGUMENT.

FElix qui Suus est, Animi proprii (que) Monarcha;

Laus est Imperii ponere Iura Sibi.

Felices Animae, pulso Plutone Tyranno,

Queîs datur Elysiis imperitare Plagis!

Maximus internum quisquis superaverit Hostem,

Major Alexandro, Caesare major erit.

Fabritium Aeacidae, Senecam praepono Neroni,

Hic hiat Immenso, postulat Ille parùm.

Ecquid habent Reges, nisi Membris Tegmen & Escam?

Quae vel Nob [...]cum vile Mapale tenet.

Ipse mihi Regnum, summâ dominabor in Aula

Mentis, & hôc quod sum vel minor esse velim.

Rex est quem R [...]tio regit, & quem ducit Honestum;

De Regno videas regia Sceptra queri.

Aspice quid Cinere [...] sit Caesaris inter, & Iri,

Est unus Color his omnibus, unus Odor.

Ergo.

Affectus superans, & qui superatur ab illis,

Non nisi Victor ovat, non nisi Victus obit.

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THE ARGUMENT.

Who Chance, Change, Hopes, and Fears can underbring;

Who can obey, yet rule each Thing,

And sleight Misfortune with a brave Disdain, He's King.

STANZA I.

WHen lavish Phoebus pours out melted Gold;

And Zephyrs breath does Spice unfold;

And we the blew-ey'd Skie in Tissue-Vest behold.

II.

Then, view the Mower, who with big-swoln Veins,

Wieldeth the crooked Sythe, and strains

To barb the flowrie Tresses of the verdant Plains.

III.

Then view we Valleyes, by whose fringed Seams

A Brook of liquid Silver streams,

Whose Water Chrystal seems, Sand Gold, and Pebbles Gems;

IV.

Where bright-scal'd gliding Fish on trembling Line

We strike, when they our Hook entwine:

Thence do we make a Visit to a Grave Divine.

V.

With harmlesse Shepherds we sometimes do stay,

Whose Plainnesse does outvie the Gay,

While nibling Ewes do bleat, & frisking Lambs do stray.

VI.

With Them, we strive to recollect, and finde

Disperst Flocks of our rambling Minde;

Internal Vigils are to that due Work design'd.

VII.

No puffing Hopes, no shrinking Fears Them fright;

No begging Wants on Them do light;

They wed Content, while Sloth feels Want, & Brav'ry Spite.

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VIII.

While Swains the burth'ning Fleeces shear away,

Oat-pipes to past'ral Sonnets Play,

And all the merry Hamlet Bells chime Holy Day.

IX.

In neighbring Meads, with Ermin Mantles proud,

Our Eyes and Ears discern a Crowd

Of wide-horn'd Oxen, trampling Grass with Lowings loud.

X.

Next Close feeds many a strutting udder'd Cow;

Hard by, tir'd Cattle draw the Plough,

Whose galled Necks with Toil and Languishment do bow.

XI.

Neer which, in restlesse Stalks, wav'd Grain promotes

The skipping Grashoppers hoarse Notes;

While round the aery Choristers distend their Throats.

XII.

Dry Seas, with golden Surges, ebbe and flow;

The ripening Ears smile as we go,

With Boasts to crack the Barn, so numberless they show.

XIII.

When Sol to Virgo Progresse takes, and Fields

With his prolonged Lustre gilds;

When Sirius chinks the Ground, the Swain his Hope then builds.

XIV.

Soon as the Sultrie Month has mellow'd Corn,

Gnats shake their Spears, and winde their Horn;

The Hindes do sweat through both their Skins, & Shopsters scorn.

XV.

Their Orchards with ripe Fruit impregned be,

Fruit that from Taste of Death is free,

And such as gives Delight with choice Varietie.

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XVI.

Yet who in's thriving Minde improves his State,

And Virtue Steward Makes, his Fate

Transcends; He's rich at an inestimable Rate.

XVII.

He shuns Prolixer Law-suits; nor does wait

At Thoughtful Grandies prouder Gate;

Nor [...]larming Trumpets him, nor drowning Storms amate.

XVIII.

From costly Bills of greedy Emp'ricks free,

From Plea of Ambo-dexters Fee,

From Vicar Any Thing, the worst of all the Three.

XIX.

He in Himself, Himself to rule, retires;

And can, or blow, or quench his Fires:

All Blessings up are bound in bounding up Desires.

XX.

His little World commands the Great: He there

Rich Mem'ry has for Treasurer;

The Tongue is Secretary to his Heart, and Ear.

XXI.

While May-Dayes London Gallants take a Pride,

Coacht through Hide Park, to eye, be ey'd,

Which Dayes vain Cost might for the Poor a Yeer provide;

XXII.

He may to Groves of Myrrhe in Triumph pace,

Where Roots of Nature, Flow'rs of Grace,

And Fruits of Glory bud. A Glimps of HEAV'N the Place.

XXIII.

This the Spring-Garden to spiritual Eyes,

Which fragrant Scent of Gums out-vies;

Three Kings had thence their triple mystick Sacrifice.

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XXIV.

O, happi [...] Walks, where CHRIST, and none beside

Is Journeies End, and Way, and Guide!

Where from the humble Plains are greatest Heights descry'd.

XXV.

Heav'nward his Gaze. Here does a Bower display

His Bride-room, and SCRIPTURIA

Her self is Bride; Each Morn presents his Marriage-Day.

XXVI.

What Ecstasie's in this delicious Grove!

Th' unwitnest Witnes of his Love!

What Pow'r so strongly can as flam'd Affections move!

XXVII.

The Larks, wing'd Travellers, that trail the Skie,

Unsoyl'd with Lusts, aloft do fly,

Warbling SCRIPTURIA, SCRIPTURIA on high.

XXVIII.

(T' have been affected by a Virgin Heir,

Rich, young, and chast, wise, good, and fair,

Was once his first Delight, but HEAV'N restrain'd that Care!

XXIX.

Thou, Providence, dist both their Wills restrain;

Thou mad'st their Losses turn to Gain;

For Thou gav'st Heav'n to her, on him dost Blessings rain!)

XXX.

But stop, pleas'd Thoughts; A high'r Love's here design'd;

Fit in each Breast to be enshrin'd;

Bright Angels do admit no Sex, nor do's the Minde.

XXXI.

To all her Lovers thousand Joyes accrew;

And Comforts, thicker than Mayes Dew,

Shour down on their rapt Souls, as Infinite as new!

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XXXII.

Her Oracles directing Rules declare,

Unerring Oracles, Truths Square;

Her Soul-informing Light does Earth for HEAV'N prepare.

XXXIII.

All beatizing Sweets, as in their Hive,

At her fair Presence do arrive,

Which are to drooping Spirits best Restorative.

XXXIV.

To whose Sight Eagles, paralell'd, are blinde;

Had Argus thousand Eyes, he'd finde

Darknesse, compar'd with her illuminating Minde.

XXXV.

The Sun does glean his Splendor from her Eyes;

Thence burn we' in Sweets, as Phoenix lies

Glowing on Sols Ray-darted Pile of Spiceries.

XXXVI.

From pretious Limbeck sacred Loves distill

Such Sublimations, as do fill

Mindes with amazed Raptures of their Chimick Skill.

XXXVII.

That such Soul-Elevations still might stay,

We'd bear and do, both vow and pay,

And serve the LORD of Lords by her directive Way!

XXXVIII.

Soon as our Ear drinks in His Command,

Be't acted by our Heart, and Hand;

Under his Banner we shall Satans Darts withstand.

XXXIX.

May He accept the Musick of our Voice,

While on his Goodnesse we rejoyce,

And while each melting Psalm makes on His GRACE its Choice.

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XL.

On Feast-Dayes from that Bour to Church we haste,

Where HEAV'N dissolves into Repast,

When we Regalios of the mystick BANQUET taste.

XLI.

O, Deliccaies, infinitely pure!

To Souls best Nutriment and Cure!

Where Knowledge, Faith, and Love Beatitude ensure.

XLII.

Poor Solomons Provision, poor to This,

Manna, Heav'n-dewing Banquet, is:

Who reigns in Heav'n becomes on Earth our Food and Bliss.

XLIII.

O, Sacramental Cates, divinely drest!

GOD the Feast-maker, CHRIST the Feast,

The HOLY GHOST Inviter, and the Soul the Guest!

XLIV.

All Ioyes await the blessed Convives, knit

All Excellencies are in It,

This overcomes our Spirits, overpowr's our Wit!

XLV.

For us, poor Worms, that [...]lories SOVERAIGN dy'd!

O, let our fleshly Barks still ride

At Anchor in calm Streams of His empierced SIDE!

XLVI.

This is Heav'ns Antepast! By Vnion

He's One to [...]ll, and All to One

In Loves intrinsick Mystery to Souls alone!

XLVII.

Ecstatick Raptures loose our Hearts on high

With Joyes Ineffabilitie!

Exub'rant Sweets orewhelm, as Torrents, Tongue & Eye.

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XLVIII.

Such Life-infusing Comforts, from Above,

Our Souls with inward Motions move,

That totally for GOD we quit all Creature Love!

XLIX.

Should HE condemn us, yet would Love compell

Him down with us, and we would dwell

Rather than without HIM in Heav'n, with HIM in Hell.

L.

Soul of my Soul! when I a Ioy receive

Disjoyn'd from THEE, let my Tongue cleave

To's Palate! Me of All, not of this Feast bereave!

LI.

Not in the winter Solstice of my Years,

When shivering Snow surrounds deaf Ears,

And dreary Languishment Deaths gashly Vizard wears;

LII.

When they shall tremble that the House defend;

The Columns which support it bend;

The Grinders fail, the Watch through Casements Objects blend;

LIII.

Then shine, dear LORD! when quivering Winter Dress

Is icicled with hoary Tresse;

VVhen all Streams frozen are, but Tears, through Loves Excess;

LIV.

VVhen periwig'd with Snow's each bald-pate VVood,

Bound in Ice-Chains each strugling [...]lood;

VVhen North-Seas bridled are, pris'ning their scaly Brood.

LV.

Then let those freezing How're be thaw'd by Pray'r!

As VVells in VVinter warmer are

By Circumsession of refrigerating Air.

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LVI.

That, nipt with Cold, or parcht with Heat, resign

We may our Will in each to THINE,

Be't lesse or more, be't low or high, be't Storm or Shine.

LVII.

After Nights Soot smears Heav'n, Day gilds its Face;

Wet April past, sweet May takes place;

And Calm Air smiles, when rufling Winds have run their Race.

LVIII.

Who hope for Mines, scorn Dross; Such only get

Who lose a Game to win the Set:

Wordlings, He's rich who's [...]ood; Above's his Cabinet.

LIX.

To well-tun'd Tempers Things that disagree

Have oft some Likenesse; thus, we see

Winde kindles Fire; Discord makes Concord Harmony.

LX.

Affliction tunes the Breast to rise, or fall,

Making the whole Man Musicall;

We may Affliction Christians second Baptism call.

LXI.

Who CHRIST for Spouse, his Cross for Joynture has;

His Hand supports, where's Rod doth passe:

The LORD of Angels, He the KING of Suff'rings was.

LXII.

Loves Life took Death, that Death Loves Life might gain!

The Soveraign dy'd that Slaves might reign!

The World can't Books that should be writ of HIM contain.

LXIII.

Those have the greatest Cross, who Cross nere bore;

They'r rich in Want, who GOD adore;

Who do's supply all Emptiness with His full Store.

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LXIV.

Saint Paul, the Gentiles Doctor, rich 'bove Kings,

And high 'bove Oratories Wings,

Rapt up to HEAV'N, had Nothing, yet possest all Things.

LXV.

The Rav'n of Birds proves Caterer, and feasts

Elijah; so the Lion of Beasts

Was Samsons Purveyor; Quails to murm'ring Jews were Guests.

LXVI.

Midst Thorns environ'd, Love sweet Roses findes;

Steep wayes lie plain t [...]inamor'd Mindes;

Love gilds all Chains (surpriz'd not thrall'd) wth Comfort binds.

LXVII.

Then, threaten, World, a Goal shall bolt me in;

He's free, as Air, who serves not Sin;

VVho's gather'd in Himself, His self is his own Inne.

LXVI [...]I.

Then let fierce Goths their strongest Chains prepare;

Grim Scythians me their Slave declare;

My Soul being free, those Tyrants in the Face I'l stare.

LXIX.

Man may confine the Bodie, but the Minde

(Like Natures Miracles, the VVinde

And Dreams) do's, though secur'd, a free enjoyment find.

LXX.

Rayes drawn in to'a point more vig'rous beam;

Joyes more to Saints, engoal'd, did stream;

Linnets their Cage to be a Grove, Bars Boughs esteem.

LXXI.

Burnisht to Glory from Afflictions Flame,

From Prison to a Scepter [...]came

The lov'd and fear'd ELIZA-Titles vail t'Her Name.

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HAving reformed Religion: established Peace: reduced Coin to the just value: delivered Scotland from the French: revenged domestical Rebellion▪ saved France from headlong Ruine by Civil Warre: supported Belg [...]a: overthrown the Spanish invincible Navie: expelled the Spaniards out of Ireland: received the Irish into Mercie: enriched England by her most prudent Government 45 Years: Elizabeth a vertuous and triumphant Queen: in the 70th year of her Age, in most happy and peaceable manner departed this Life: leaving here her mortal parts until by the last Trump she shall rise immortal.

LXXII.

She past the Furnace to be more refin'd;

From Flames drew Purity of Minde,

Not heat of Passion; hence, being try'd, She brighter shin'd.

LXXIII.

Here wound, here lance me, LORD, thy Austin cries,

Dissect me here for Paradise!

The Cross the Altar be, so Love be Sacrifice!

LXXIV.

Imprint thy LOVE so deep into my Heart,

That neither Hunger, Thirst, nor Smart,

Gain, Losse, nor Thraldom, Life nor Death Us ever part!

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LXXV.

Should Foes rip up my Breast with piercing Blade,

My Soul would but have Passage made,

Through which to HEAV'N she might in Purple Riv'lets wade.

LXXVI.

Forbid the Banes 'twixt Soul and Body joyn'd,

The Corps but falls to be refin'd,

And re-espous'd unto the Glorifi'd high Minde.

LXXVII.

Who makes th' ALMIGHTY his Delight, He goes

To Martyrdom, as to Repose;

The Red Sea leads to PALESTINE, where all Ioy flowes.

LXXVIII.

Steel'd 'gainst Afflictions Anvel, let's become

Proud of the Worlds severest Doom;

No Majestie on Earth is like to Martyrdome.

LXXIX.

Enter into thy Masters Ioy's so great,

This Thought is with such Flames repleat,

That from th' High Court of Mercy Souls all Deaths defeat.

LXXX.

Who saith, Fear not, HIM must we fear alone;

Blest, whom no Fear makes Faith be gone;

How many must they fear, who fear not only ONE!

LXXXI.

We are but once to our Graves Port brought in,

To which from Birth w' have sailing bin,

It matters not what Way, so we scape Rocks of Sin.

LXXXII.

But, hark, 'tis late; the Whislers knock from Plough;

The droyling Swineheards Drum beats now;

Maids have their Cursies made to th' spungy-teated Cow.

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LXXXIII.

Larks roosted are, the folded Flocks are pent

In hu [...]dled Grates, the tir'd Ox sent

In loose Trace home, now Hesper lights his Torch [...]Tent.

LXXXIV.

See glimmering Light, the Pharos of our Cot;

By Innocence protected, not

By Guards, we thither tend, where Ev'n-song's not forgot

LXXXV.

O, Pray'r! Thou Anchor through the Worldly Sea!

Thou sov'raign Rhet'rick, 'bove the Plea

Of Flesh! that feed'st the fainting Soul, thou art [...]Key.

LXXXVI.

Blest Season, when Dayes Eye is clos'd, to win

Our Heart to clear th' Account, when Sin

Has past the Audit, Ravishments of Soul begin.

LXXXVII.

Who never wake to meditate, or weep,

Shall [...]ure be sentenc'd for their Sleep;

Night to forepassed Day should still strict Centrie keep.

LXXXVIII.

O let them perish midst their flaring Clay,

Who value Treasures with a Day

Devoutly spent! FAITH'S the true Gem, the World a Gay.

LXXXIX.

So wastful, Vs [...]rer, as thy self, there's None,

Who [...]three true Gems for one

[...]; Thy Rest, Fam [...], Soul for ever gone!

XC.

When [...]Mists our Hemisphear invade,

Of all the Air when one Blot's made,

[...]

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XCI.

Then for an Hour, (Elixir of Delight!)

We, Heav'n beleag'ring, pray and write,

When every Eye is lockt, but those that watch the Night.

XCII.

Saints fight on bended Knees; their Weapons are

Defensive Patience, Tears, and Pray'r;

Their Valour most, when without Witness, Hell do's scare.

XCIII.

May whiter Wishes, wing'd with Zeal, appear

Lovely unto Thy purest Ear,

Where nothing is accepted but what's chast, and clear!

XCIV.

Lifes hectick Fits finde Cordials in Pray'rs Hive,

Transcendently Restorative,

Which might our Iron Age to its first Gold retrive.

XCV.

See, listning Time runs back to fetch the Age

Of Gold, when Pray'r does Heav'n engage;

Devotion is Religions Life-blood; 'tis Gods Page,

XCVI.

Who brings rich Bliss by Bills of sure Exchange;

The Blessings that the Poor arrange

For Alms receiv'd that Day, beatifies our Grange.

XCVII.

Dance, Nabals, with large Sails on smiling Tides,

Till the black Storm against you rides,

Whose pitchie Rains interminable Vengeance guides!

XCVIII.

But, LORD, let Charitie our Table spread;

Let Vnity adorn our Bed;

And may soft Love be Pillow underneath our Head!

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XCIX.

Enricht, lets darn up Want; what Fortune can

Or give, or take away from Man,

We prize not much: HEAV'N payes the good Samaritan.

C.

Thus, Life, still blessing, and still blest, we spend;

Thus entertain we Death, as Friend,

To disapparel us for GLORIES endlesse End.

CI.

Who, thus forgot, in Graces growes, as Years,

Loves cherisht Pray'r, unwitnest Tears,

Rescu'd from monstrous Men, no other Monster fears.

CII.

They who their dwelling in Abdera had,

Did think Democritus was mad;

He knew twas so of them. The Application's sad.

CIII.

Knew but the World what COMFORTS, tiding on,

Flow to such Recollection,

It would run mad with Envie, be with Rage undone.

CIV.

O, Sequestration! Rich, to Worldlings Shame;

A Life's our Object, not a Name:

Herostratus did sail, like Witch, i'th' Air of Fame.

CV.

Get long-breath'd Chronicles, ye need such Alms,

Sue from Diurnal Breefs for Palms,

Injurious Grandeur for its frantick Pride wants Balms.

CVI.

In Aery Flatt'ries Rumour, not Fame lies;

Inconstancie, Times Mistresse, cries

It up, which soon by arguing Time, Truths Parent, dies.

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CVII.

Fames Plant takes Root from Vertue, grows thereby;

Pure Souls, though Fortune-trod, stand high,

When mundane shallow-searching Breath It self shall die.

CVIII.

O, frail Applause of Flesh! swoln Bubbles passe.

Turf-fire more Smoak than Splendor has;

What Bulwark firm on Sand? What shell for Pearl may passe?

CIX.

But Saints with an attentive Hope from High,

On HEAV'NS Paroll do live and die;

Passing from Lifes short Night to Dayes ETERNITIE.

CX.

Wh [...] blessedly so breathe, and leave their Breath,

Of dying Life make living Death;

Each Day, spent like the last, does act a HEAV'N beneath.

CX [...].

Death's one long Sleep, and humane Life no more

Than one short Watch an Hour before:

World! after thy mad Tempest 'tis the landing Shore.

CXII.

Mid point betwixt the Lives of Losse, and Gain;

The Path to boundlesse Ioy, or Pain;

Saints Birth-day, Natures Dread: GRACE doth this Bandog chain.

CXIII.

When Moses from high Pisgahs Top descry'd

Fair Canaan, Type o'th' HEAV'NLY B [...]IDE,

He breath'd out his Joy-ravisht Soul, so sweetly dy'd.

CXIV.

To IMMORTALITIE the Grave's a Womb;

We passe into a Glorious Room

Thorough the gloomie Entry of a narrow Tomb.

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CXV.

LORD, as THOU mad'st (most pow'rful ONE in THREE)

The World of nothing; so, let me

Make nothing of the World, but make my All in THEE!

CXVI.

Pardon the By-steps that my Soul has trod,

Most Great, Good, Glorious, Gratious GOD!

Seal THOU the Bill of my Divorse to Earths dull clod!

CXVII.

Thy boundlesse Sourse of GRACE the scarlet Spot

Scour'd white as Wool, that first did blot

Th' Original in Man, that was so fairly wrot.

CXVIII.

Check not my Hope, but spurre my Fear to THEE,

Virtue to court, and Vice to flee!

Love, lend thou me thy Spurre; Fear, thou my Bridle be.

CXIX.

From hence, to run in Heav'nly Paths, I'l strive;

My slender Pen to th' World I give;

My only [...] study shall be how to live, to live.

CXX.

None Blest, but Those, who, when last Trump shall send

It Summons, finde the JUDGE their Friend.

The End doth crown the Work; great GOD crown thou my END.

O, ter felicent, fortunatum (que) quieto

Cui natat in Portu nescia Cymba Metûs!

ODEVS! optato sistant mea Carbasa Coelo!

Omnis ab aethereis Spes sit habenda Plagis.

—Est summus, JESU, tua Gratia Quaestus.

§

§

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VIvitur exiguo-Facilè assentior sapientissimo Aguri, DEUM obsecranti ut nec Divitias sibi, nec Egestatem, sed tantùm ad degendam Vitam donaret Necessaria. Vita privata, quàm delectas! Corporis spectem Valetudinem? Nusquam salubrior Aer. Frugalitatem? Nusquam minoris vivitur. Quaestum? Nusquam Lucrum innocentius. Vitae Integritatem? Nusquam alibi minùs Corruptelae.

Navis es in Portu, tumidae secura Procellae;

Mens Desideriis hîc vacat alta suis.

Liberiore POLUM contemplor Corde, quiescit

Hîc Mens tuta, sibi libera, plena DEO.

Quae, sibi multa petit, petit anxia multa, Voluntas;

Et cui plura dedit Sors, Mala plura dedit.

Alta cadunt, inflata crepant, cumulata fatiscunt;

Crimine vix (que) suo plena Crumena caret.

Celsior immundi Mens despicit Orgia Mundi,

Indignabundo proterit illa Pede.

Munde, vale; quid me fallacibus allicis Hamis?

Sophrosynen sacrâ Sobrietate colo:

Regia sit ramosa Domus, Rivus (que) Falernum;

Arcta, sed ampla, DEUM si capit, illa Domus.

Florea gemmatâ subrident Pascua Veste,

Faeta (que) nativas explicat Arbor Opes.

Caltha, Rosae, Tulipae, Violae, Thyma, Lilia florent,

Dum gravido Zephyrus rore maritat Humum.

Frugibus exultant Valles, Grege Pascua, Rupes

Fontibus, intonso Crine triumphat Ager;

[Page] Terra Famem, levat Vnda Sitim, fugat Vmbra Calorem;

Dat Togam Ovis, Lignum Sylva, Focum (que) Silex.

Quod satìs est Vitae, satìs est; Praestetur Egenis

Quod reliquum: Vitae sat Toga, Panis, Aqua.

Non Mensis quaecun (que) Dapes celebrantur in istis

Praegustantis egent; Vite Venena latent.

Hîc Parasitus abest, fugit hinc Gnathonica Pestis;

Cura nec hîc Animos irrequieta coquit.

Cholica, Spasmus, Hydrops, Vertigo, Podagra recedunt;

Grata Sapore beat Mensa, Sopore Thorus.

Pange DEO Laudes, positis Mens libera Curis;

Caetera si desint, NUMINE dives eris.

Sis modico contenta, gravis Nulli; Ipsa Misellis

Quas impendis Opes, has an habebis? habes.

Quod CHRISTUM decuit, deceat Te. Noverit uti

Quisquis praesenti Sorte beatus erit.

Sic Abrahae gaudebo Sinu; dum, Dives, in Orco

Aeternùm diro deliciose peris.

Vita beata, tuas quî possim pangere laudes?

Mille cui Vitas, si mihi mille, darem!

Da, velut spero, bene, CHRISTE, spirem!

Da, velut credo, bene, CHRISTE, vivam!

Vnus hac qui Spe fruitur, fruetur

Mortuus ASTRIS.

Amico

Si lenis tremulâ Quies in Vmbra

Sit Cordi, huc propera, feras (que) Tecum

Totum quicquid habes Libentiarum.

THEOPHILAE AMORIS HOSTIA. CANTIO VII. A Domino Jeremiâ Colliero in Versus latiales traducta. Contemplatio.

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ARGUMENTUM.

Proripit in vastum Lucis se VIRGO Profundum,

Quam nullae exequent Voces, nec Limite claudant;

Obtundunt Radii Visum, renovant (que) Vigorem.

Tristicon 1.

SI Maro Quis (que) foret, fierent si qui (que) Marones

Praecones sacri, Conventus & Orbis apertus,

Quo scrutarentur Virtus AETERNA quid esset.

2.

Si vel ab innocuis possent deducere Cunis

Primaevum Tempus, congesta (que) Secula mille

Inferrent Trutinae; tamen haec sub Pondere justo

3.

Ponentes, norînt tandem non mominis esse

Majoris, frustrà quàm si cum Sole potenti

Exiles tentent atomos librare Bilance.

4.

Si Terrae Molem numeris spectare refertam

Possent, non istis tua constet Summa Figuris,

AETERNO cyphrae comparent qualitèr AEVO!

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5

Si Sabulum flueret, per Saecula mille marinum,

Quando deficeret vacuatis Littus Arenis,

Aequè TE primò mensum est Clepsammion illud.

6.

Coelitùs impertita foret Facundia, Linguis

Aligeros referens, Spatium tamen haud aequarent,

Est ubi prorsus idem cum fluxis OMNE futurum.

7.

Tende FIDES bolidem, brevis at nimìs illa nequibit

Expertis Fundi Maris explorare PROFUNDUM,

Limite constricti nullo, nec Littore cincti.

8.

AETERNA haud unquam commensurabilis Aetas,

Nulla TUI partem poterit describere Penna;

CIRCULUS es siquidem cui non est Terminus ullus.

9

Vel cujus Centrum tam se diffuderit, ipsum

Ambitus ingentis nequeat circundare COELI,

Exterius poterit quid circumcingere Corpus?

10.

Vos, quibus Aethereus Vigor est, num Fine carentem

Finem exquiratis? num IMMENSUM extendere fasest?

Claudere UBIQUE manens? comprêndere & INFINITUM?

11.

Hujus Zona DEUS sine puncto, maximus, Orbis

Ante Mare, et Terras, et quod tegit omnia CO [...]LUM,

Qui fuit, est, & erit cùm cuncta creata peribunt.

12.

Quin contemplemur suprà Sublimia quae (que),

Vltra quem (que) Locum, super omnes Luminis Orbes!

Pectus Apostolicum rapuit Radiatio trinum.

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13.

Circumqua (que) micans. SOLIUM Praesigne! supremo

Imperio constans, & Majestate verendâ!

Caetera transcendens, quem nullus Fulgor adaequet!

14.

Cingit utrum (que) LATUS vel inenarrabile LUMEN!

Quod circumfusum tanto SPLENDORE coruscat,

Aequora Laetitiae superet flammantia mille.

15.

Quod sic EFFULGENS si conspectare liceret,

Detectâ FACIE Cherubinis, Lumine tanto

Perculsi, in Nihilum remearent illicò primum.

16.

Indue Te Tunicâ, dives Natura, coruscâ,

Ornamenta tamen, tanto collata decori,

Sunt tua, concretus seu lapsus Nubibus Humor.

17.

Indorum posses Opibus spoliare Fodinas,

Illos, auratis, Radios (que) recludere, Cellis,

Qui collucentes cum Phoebi Lampade certant:

18.

Arcanâ posses reserare peritiùs Arte

Intima cujusvis ditis penetralia Rupis,

Illinc Thesauros nec non auferre nitentes:

19.

Errantes, fixas (que) simul connectere Stellas

Posses, quae rutilis exornant Aethera Bullis,

Luminis ut coeant cuncti Orbes Sydus in unum:

20.

Iungere si posses Gemmas, Auri (que) Fodinas,

Aethereas (que) Faces, radiata Reflectio quarum

Fulgida rivalis superaret Lumina Solis:

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21.

Si Lapides Gemmae, riguum Mare funderet Aurum,

Margara si Pulvis fieret, Chrystallus & Aer,

Sol quodvis Sydus, plures Sibi mille Nitores;

22.

Gemmae illae Silices essent, Mare parva lacuna,

Stellae istae Scintilla forent, Flagratio Phoebus:

Aurum, Gemma micans, Adamantes, sordida Scruta:

23.

Si Terrae, complexa forent, & Lumina COELI,

Optica & unius peterent Confinia Centri,

Hoc prius Objectum vel caecum redderet illud.

24.

Caecum, seu piceae Velamen Noctis opacum,

(Innuitur Sacro duntaxat Visio Textu)

Hujus respectu LUCIS sunt quaelibet Vmbrae.

25.

O, planè infandam, summo (que) Stupore refertam!

Si Nemo nisi qui dignus describere possit,

Hanc sanè LUCEM possit describere Nemo.

26.

Selecti Eloquii cujusvis languet Acumen,

Defecit Ingenium, Verborum hîc curta supellex;

Hanc Lumen Mentis nullius tranet ABYSSUM.

27.

Hîc residet tantis circundata GLORIA Flammis,

Quales confundant Aciem vel maximè acutam,

Huc tendat propiore nimis quae improvida Gressu.

28.

SPLENDOR dimanat talis Fulgoribus istis,

Qualis pulveream sublimet in ardua Molem,

Vrnâ quae compôsta secùs remanêret inerti.

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29.

NUMINIS ante Thronum Summi provolvo meipsum,

Profluit undè Bonum quodvis ut ab ubere Fonte:

Hoc Decus ut pandam faveat tua GRATIA Coeptis.

30.

Magne DEUS, sine Principio, tamen omnis Origo,

Cujus Naturae telam Manus inclyta nevit;

Vná qui Virtute tuà Loca singula comples.

31.

Alme PARENS rerum; qui fulcis quod (que) creatum,

Vitam Spiritibus qui praebes, continuasque,

Ortus es ipse Tibi, Bonitatis Origo supremae.

32.

Laetitiae SUMMA es, cujus Sapientia Abyssus,

Ad quodvis sese tendit tua vasta Potestas,

Ac cunctos Facies reddet jucunda beatos.

33.

Aeris expansis puncto dilaberis Alis,

Induis Augustae Te Majestatis amictu,

TE Nubes velant, TE stipant Agmina Coeli.

34.

Omnis Honoris Apex, Summae es Fastigia Laudis,

Ad Radios latè sparsos suffusa Pudore

Hymnos decantat, coelestis Turma, perennes.

35.

Gemmae quàm superant vitrum! quàm Sidera Gemmas!

Sidera quam Phoebus! quàm Phoebum Gloria Coeli!

Pur [...]o [...] ast ipsis longè est tua VISIO COELIS.

36.

Magna quidem Tellus, se profert latiùs Aer,

Planetae excedunt, Stellarum Regia major,

Supremi fines nec habent Tentoria Coeli.

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37.

Mens mea dum Zelo conatur plura referre

Fervida protenso, Pectus, DEUS alme, repleto

Igne novo, nullum languorem Carmina noscant.

38.

Cum super Aerios tractus, & Sidera Musae

Vrgeo Progressus, uni TIBI mille videntur

Sphaerae, non secus ac atomi sub Sole minuti

39.

Est Aetas aeterna tibi seu clepsydra tantum,

Immensum nisi sit Spatium complere valet nil▪

Cujus sex Verbis rerum Natura creata est.

40.

Omnia complectens totius Fabrica Coeli,

Cum Stellis rutilis, Verbo surgebat ab uno,

Quomodò mortalis narret Sapientia NOMEN?

41.

Aetheris, Arbitrio, Crystalla micantia volvis,

Illis consignat Virtus tua coelica Metas,

Obliquos horum moderatur Dextera Currus.

42.

Nullae Te Zonae, Tropic [...]ve, Pol [...]ve retardent,

Cum sis Sphaeralis Motor `Primarius Orbis,

Intra, extra, supra, quìn ultrà singula perstans.

43.

Ingentes Pluviae at (que) Nivis sustentat acervos

Omnipotens tua sola Manus, quâ nempè remotâ

Diluvium humanum perdat genus omne secundum.

44.

Hisce ministratur stillatis Copia Terris,

Et confisa [...]IBI mortalia Corda replentur,

Flamina Ventorum peragunt tua Jussa per Orbem;

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45.

Haec Tu, quando voles, caecis inclusa cavernis

Constringis, vilido (que) sinis prorumpere motu,

Vndè Tremore gravi Tellus concussa dehiscit.

46.

Vndarum furias Vinclis compescis Arenae,

Oceani arcanum vasti scrutare Profundum,

Te memorem pacti monstrat Thaumantias Iris.

47.

Cardinibus Verbi Tellus innixa potentis,

Aer quam cingit, nec non circumfluus Humor,

Ponderibus librata suis immobilis astat.

48.

Ejus sed Frontem Te corrugante Columnae

Firmatae trepidant, Fremitu Mare Littora plangit,

Solvuntur Silicum Rupes, Montes (que) vacillant.

49.

Insuper intremuêre Poli, Centrum (que) recussum

Terrae, quae Vultûs perculsa Stupore verendi,

Accedit Montem Sina dum summa POTESTAS.

50.

Imbutum Vitâ quodvis tua Cura focillat,

Divinis Cursum cujusvis flectis Habenis,

Gratia de Vultu, de Vultu Gloria manat.

51.

Non Tibi sunt Aures, non sunt Tibi Lumina, verùm

Percipis Auditu quodvis, & cernis acutè;

Te Locus haud capiat, tamen Ipse per Omnia praesens.

52.

Optica coelestis dicamus Specla Pronoias,

Arcam, quâ positas Idaeas videris omnes,

Ad quas conceptas formaveris Icona quamvis.

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53.

Quippè praeexistunt sic hîc Eventa futura,

Sicut abhinc multo non tempore gesta fuissent;

Cernimus haud dissecta recèns tàm Corpora clarè.

54.

Totus ubi (que) s [...]mel remanes, Tu semper es idem,

Attamen Arbitrio commutas omnia solo,

Tu complêre remota soles Immobilis Ipse.

55.

Sic interponunt se contingentia Turmis

Sollerti Curae, quae mirè cuncta gubernat,

Ac modò praeteritum, sit praeteritum (que) futurum.

56.

Arbitrio quamvis malè fint conformia quaedam,

Nil tamen omninò citra hoc procedat in Actum;

Praevia, successura simul manet una Voluntas.

57.

Te penes ingentis sunt Climata dissita Mundi,

Quamvis nec Tellus, nec Temet continet Aether,

Obscurum lustrat Praesentia quodlibet-antrum.

58.

Quamvis ab istis quas tu formaveris olim

Mentibus, accedat nil ad Praeconia clara,

Attamen aeternùm celebrabunt munera Amoris.

59.

Praeter Peccatum & Mortem tu cuncta creasti,

Haec sua Stultitiae humanae primordia debent,

Illud Naturam conspersit Sordibus omnem.

60.

Sed quò curares Peccati Vulnera, Nobis

Donas IMMANUEL, sibi qui non sumere nostram

Naturam renuit, qui non Praesepe recusat.

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61.

O, dulcis noster Mediator! Munera cujus

Laudis seu rores, AETERNO, matutini

Sunt celebrata Choro caelesti Cantibus altis.

62.

Concurrrente, Deus, genuit Te Flamine Sancto,

Tu Verbo aeterno contentus sumere Carnem;

Qualitèr emanas homini fas dicere non est.

63.

Sicut ab Aeterno fuit Emanatio mira;

Haec sic aeternum mir [...]e durabit in aevum:

Principio Verbum, monstrat Te cuncta praeisse.

64.

Vnum est esse Tibi, paritèr Tutrinus & unus;

Et duplex Natura Tibi conspirat in unâ,

Ipse trin-unius resides Deitatis Honore;

65.

De (que) tuo Radii Solio tot mille refulgent,

Quales Aligerûm non possint Lumina ferre;

De quibus evolvunt Nil docta Noemata Cleri.

66.

Aetatum, pateat, Monumenta legendo priorum,

Haec sacra quòd nullus potuit Mysteria nobis

Pandere, Virgineo priùs ac sunt edita Partu:

67.

Nido à Se structo fuit hîc exclusa Columba,

Ille Gregem partus fuit hîc qui protegat Agnus,

Se producentem, Flos, qui formaverat Agrum:

68.

Agmine Coelicolûm Te Concelebrante corusco;

Pectora Pastorum subito trepidâre pavore;

Te, monstrante Magi venerantur Sydere Cursum.

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69.

Cùm sis divinâ mirandus Origine tali,

Vilia mortalis pateris Convitia Gentis,

Iratout possis nos conciliare PARENTI.

70.

Laetus Honoris erat proprii tua Gratia Praeco,

Es tu dignatus sacratum Munus obire,

Ast Aaronis eras solito de more vocatus.

71.

Ac ut divino constarent singula Verbo,

In te de superis descendit Spiritus auris,

Lenes propter aquas Iordanes, teste Johanne.

72.

Hinc in Desertum perductus Flamine sacro,

Daemonis appulsu tentatus, Codice verùm

Hunc superas Scripto, fluit undè Redemptio nostra.

Protinùs egressus—.

73.

Actus Sermones, Oracula mira fuêrunt,

Haec genuêre Fidem, nec non genuêre Timorem,

Erectas Animas ad Te tollamus utris (que).

74.

Firmatum claudis gressum tribuisti, Lumina Caecis,

Morbo languentes diro quocun (que) levabas,

Defunctis Vitam, Mutis dederas (que) Loquelam.

75.

Defunctis T [...] Vita, Salus mortalibus aegris,

Tu caecis Lumen, Tu rerum copia egenis,

Thesaurus furtum spernens, sincera Voluptas.

76.

Non ex hoc Mundo Regnum Tibi, RECTOR OLYMPI,

Nuncia Apostolico procedunt Pectore laeta,

Vttua sit totum Miseratio nota per Orbem.

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77.

Mortuus ante Diem conspexit fidus Abraham,

Vota Tibi pariter nato solvebat Isaco,

Antitypum at (que) Typus, versare per omnia vivus.

78.

Est Evangelicus, Sapiens Academia, Codex,

Justitiam vicit Clementia blanda severam,

Sobrius ut Vitam ducebas, Fortis obibas.

79.

Es Tu, sacra Domus, Tu purum Altare, Sacerdos,

Tu Vitae Panis, citrà fastidia Festum,

Ex Escis ubi acuta novis exurgit Orexis.

80.

Mortali natus mortalia Crimina deles,

Victima grata foret Tibi quodvis Pectus honestum,

Ob Genus humanum qui velles fundere Vitam.

81.

Non dedignatus, Crucis es tolerare probrosae

Tormina, quò nobis concessus sit Paradisus;

Quò pia Sanctorum Solentur Gaudia Mentes.

82.

Ferrea Tartarei diffringens Claustra Tyranni,

Dira tenebrosi Phlegetontis Monstra coerces:

Sic tua cuncta Tibi subigebat Dextera victrix.

83.

Tu Virtute tuâ solvebas Vincula Mortis,

At (que) reviviscens superam contendis in Arcem,

Inspirat Vitam Laethatis Spiritus Oris.

84.

Te, Pater, electis ut signet Dona Salutis

SHIRITUS ALME, dedit NATO (sic Trinus in Vno)

Sanctificas Omnes propriè, non solus at Omnes.

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85.

PATRIS Amor, nec non NATI, coeleste Sigillum,

Praesidium Sanctis, felix Pietatis Origo,

Alta salutiferae pandas Mysteria Linguae.

86.

O Iubar immensum Radiis insigne coruscis,

Omnis ab aspectu Sophiae Radiatio clara,

Non collata potest minui tua Copia cunctis.

87.

Gaudia sunt Comites, Clementia, Pacis Amor (que);

Quorum pacatum perturbant nulla Tenorem

Tristia; Quem Mundus, nec Mors, nec destruat Orcus.

88.

Festum ex selectis quod constet talibus Escis,

Qualitèr haud acris possit consumere Orexis,

Dives Odor quem non dispergat Ventus in Auram:

89.

LUX Oculos fugiens, tamen Ipse per Omnia splendes,

Tu Sonus es qualem non Musicus explicet ullus,

Arctus es Amplexus, quem Tempora nulla resolvant.

90.

Exindè irrefluo volvuntur Gaudia Cursu,

Qualia inexhaustis soleas praebere Culullis,

Cordibus, a foedá Peccati Labe remotis.

81.

Ecstaticum hoc Vinum quod tradit SPIRITUS ALMUS,

Sidereum motas extollit ad Aethera Mentes;

Terrenis orbas Coeli Solatia mulcent.

82.

O quàm sacrati connectit Gluten Amoris!

Ros fluit Ambrosiae divino qualis ab Ore!

Sunt tua quae solùm faciunt Commercia Caelum.

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93.

Illustres Animae, succensae hoc Lumine summo,

Quando tuos Vultus radiantes Luce tuentur,

Quod (que) Decus reputant obscurae Noctis adinstar.

94.

Sublimis nostros superans Infusio S [...]nsus,

Tu stupor Eloquii Nomen mereare profundi,

Aequet hyperbolicus quem nullus Sermo superbus.

95.

Sacrosancta TRIAS, complecteris Omnia solùm,

Exuperans quodcun (que) Bonum, super Omnia Felix,

Nos haustura, tamen vivo hoc in Fonte natamus:

96.

Imperio REX magne tuo par nulla Potestas,

Augusto cujus Majestas provenit Ore,

Pulchrâes perpetui praecinctus Veste Decoris.

97.

Iustitia est Sceptrum, Solium miseratio Mitis,

Regna perimmensos extendunt coelica Tractus,

Gloria permansura, Tibi, per Sêcla Corona.

98.

Pax Intellectûs tua quodvis praestat Acumen,

Obsisti poterit tua vasta Potentia frustrà,

NUMEN es Ipse sacrum, Sacro purgatius omni.

99.

Ore fluit Verum, Sapientia Pectore manat,

Ante tuam excubias agit Omnipotentia Turrim,

Aligeri peragunt tua Iussa verenda Ministri.

100.

Perspicit Obtutu vel cuncta Scientia primo,

Thesauro frueris per Te sine Fine beato,

Tempus es Aeternum; Quae me demergat ABYSSUS!

Peroratio Eucharistica.

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SUmmas TIBI agit Grates, maxime Coelorum PRAESES, aeternùm (que) adorandum NUMEN, Servus tuus humillimus, quem post tot varias mundanarum Sollicitudinum Procellas, vastos (que) Curarum Fluctus, cùm olim Hollandiam, Brabantiam, Artesiam, Germaniam, Austriam, Hungariam, Styriam, Carinthiam, partem Italiae, nec non Galliae incolumem in Patriam reduxisti. Quàm gratum enim mihi placidum, post tot periculosas inter peregrinandum Agitationes, Quietis Pacis (que) Intervallum, ut devotae LEGUM tuarum Observationi totus exindè vacem! Tu, benigne DEUS, dulcissimum hoc mihi Otium concedis, quo TIBI Soli prompto libenti (que) Animo inservire statui: sicut per TE vivo, sic TIBI viverem, & quicquid a Gratiâ acceperim, in Honorem refunderem! Haec ergò Laudi & Gloriae solius sapientis & immortalis DEI submissè consecrentur.

CONDITOR Omnipotens Coeli (que) Soli (que)! supremum

Cujus ad Arbitrium cuncta creata fluunt;

Clementèr Finem lassis imponito Rebus,

Nec plùs terrenis Mens operosa vacet:

Omnia solertèr sub utro (que) jacent [...]ia Phoebo

Perpendens, tandem non nisi vana scio.

Quà sese bifido Scaldis discriminat Alveo

Vidi, Te (que) tuâ, Rhene palustris, Aqua:

Non iter excelsae remoratae Nubibus Alpes,

Quae nec in aeriis Nix sedet alta Jugis;

Vidimus oppositos vario sub Climate Mores;

Vidimus innnmeras quas vehit Ister Aquas:

[Page] Diverso didici diversa Idiomata Tractu,

Quae (que) Observatu sunt bene digna, scio:

Gallica Mobilitas, Fraus Itala, Fastus Iberi,

Teutonica Ebrietas nota fuere nimis.

Quamlibet in Partem Regina Pecunia Mundum

Flectit, acerba Meum Bella Tuum (que) gerunt.

Me conservanti per mille Pericula, Grates

Quî possim meritas solvere, CHRISTE, Tibi!

Cerno, detestans Vitium, lassus (que) Tumultu,

Quod, non Vita▪ prior Vita, sed Error erat.

Velle Meum, sit velle Tuum, REGNATOR Olympi!

CUI soli Grates Mens agit, egit, aget.

Si plures mihi Vita futura superstet in Annos,

Huic sit juncta piâ Sedulitate Fides!

Nam nil contulerim benè docto sanus Amico,

Spiritus ut sano Corpore sanus agat.

Nosse, & amare DEUM; Promissis credere CHRISTI,

Consulere Afflictis edocuisse Rudes,

Accumulare Bonis Inopes, succurrere Lapsis,

Obnixè Votis Ista petenda meis.

Vertam Bodleias, congesta Volumina, Gazas,

Quae Vaticano proxima, Roma, tuo:

Nocturnâ versanda tamen, versanda diurnâ,

Prae cunctis aliis BIBLIA SACRA Manu:

Undè, ut Apis sese sustentat Mectare Cellae;

Sic vivam lectis Floribus hisce piis.

Talia fac, vives, Lector; Quicun (que) beatus

Esse cupis, tali Vita sit acta modo.

Me Vitam, at (que) Necem tibi proposuisse memento:

Elige [...]ivè velis vivere, [...]ivè mori.

FINIS.

§

§

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MORTE DEDIT MORTI MORTEM, MORS MORTIS, IESVS

[figure]

In glorioss: passionē. & Resurrectionē [...] Christj. G. G.

[Page]

[Page]

Aslesuia aima dies [...]

Redde decus maesto, red

De letio redijt soet

ExaniMEM TENuit. que

Occisum, & TOrtum mil

At nunc ful Mineo ca [...]

Mortis inex [...] Etae, reseran

Obvia s Idereo vi

Ru [...]atur Chaos horr

Exi [...]t é t Umulo claus

Te Christe ì Mineritó te

Udumoculis Udis coelu

Induitur VEstem av

Marmora fi Nduntur, re

Uit [...] def, Ectos, rursu

Nuta [...]te int Remuit [...]uatefa

Delu bro In sancto s

In [...]reuere Suis [...]ach

Singustāt (que) t Ibj torvu

Ast Vbj Nunc gremio

Laetius os o Rbj [...]red

Uictor hab Es meritó s [...]

Aaetheria reGione co [...]ior

Terra re Nascent [...] r

Ocea [...]us [...]la Uait cla

Rugitu inge Mnat, ferit a

I [...]ego [...]Te [...]t

Exe [...]uias h Umiles quale

Su [...]liciter Undo: Te

[...]Mih [...] dulc

[...]sacra [...]M

DE aurea saecula mund o

VS quem ignobilis arbor

M illus IT TU [...]s

Es Mo [...]ES (que) [...]remebant

Vtatrum [...]er [...] u

Squé se [...]ulc Hra subact [...]

Detaurea side Ravult u

Endum [...]Ite [...]ro [...]han l

Vs, victu S (que) trium [...] t

Stratum mor Te malign a

Mius ons [...] Uget, & a tra m

Erso sol S [...]ualidus ore

Vomunt reclu Sa se [...]ulchra

Schaos horr Et, & orb e

Cta & ter Rita tellu s.

[...]a Usaea fatis [...]t;

Rijmis turb Ata [...]luenta

Mqué ferun Tur [...]aequor

E [...]urgis t Elluris, & illud

Dis rediu Ivus ouante

Eci [...]s a tro P [...]aea trium [...]ho

Scoelesti S & a [...]ma

Editū gratat̄ Ur ovantem

Rū (que) celeus Ma canoro

Vrea, sid Era [...]lamor

Ibj deilinc Tissimus i [...]se

Smihj carmi Na [...]raetant

Tedulcj ins ono cantu

[...]ssime Chri Ste canent [...]

Information about this book

Title statement

Theophila, or, Loves sacrifice a divine poem / written by E.B., Esq., several parts thereof set to fit aires by Mr. J. Jenkins.

Benlowes, Edward, 1603?-1676.

Edition statement

1652

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A27387

ID [STC]

Wing B1879

ID [STC]

ESTC R22902

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12492180

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12492180

ID [VID]

62386

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A27387)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 62386)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 306:3)

Source

— Theophila, or, Loves sacrifice a divine poem / written by E.B., Esq., several parts thereof set to fit aires by Mr. J. Jenkins., Benlowes, Edward, 1603?-1676., Collier, Jeremy, 1650-1726., Ross, Alexander, 1591-1654..

Extent

[52], 268 p., [10] leaves of plates : ill.

Printed by R.N., sold by Henry Seile ... and Humphrey Moseley ...,. London :: 1652.. (Includes some Latin verses and translations by the author, and Latin translations of Canto I by Alexander Ross and of Canto VII by Jeremy Collier, the elder.) (A prominent feature of this title is the engraved plates with which it is profusely illustrated. It is said that no two copies are exactly alike as to number and position of illustrations.) (Reproduction of original in Yale University Library.)

Creation

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