A friendly apology, in the behalf of the womans excellency together with some examples of women-worthies : as also the character of a virtuous and accomplished woman : wherein ladies of pleasure are taxed and admonished / written in verse by J. Golborne ... Golborne, John. 1674 Approx. 120 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 36 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A41370 Wing G1009 ESTC R6976 12143982 ocm 12143982 54895

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A41370) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 54895) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 597:13) A friendly apology, in the behalf of the womans excellency together with some examples of women-worthies : as also the character of a virtuous and accomplished woman : wherein ladies of pleasure are taxed and admonished / written in verse by J. Golborne ... Golborne, John. [2], 68 p. Printed for Henry Mortlock ..., London : 1674. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.

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eng Women -- Poetry. 2007-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-10 Sampled and proofread 2007-10 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A Friendly APOLOGY, In the behalf of the Womans Excellency: Together with ſome Examples of Women-Worthies. As alſo the Character of a Virtuous and Accompliſhed Woman: Wherein Ladies of Pleaſure are taxed and admoniſhed.

Written in Verſe by J. Golborne, ſometime Fellow of Trinity Colledge near DƲBLIN.

Si Natura negat, facit admiratio verſum Qualemcun que poteſt.—

LONDON, Printed, for Henry Mortlock, and are to be ſold at the Sign of the Phoenix in St. Pauls Church-yard, and at the White Hart in Weſtminſter Hall. 1674.

TO THE Moſt Virtuous AND Pious LADY Mrs. Katharine Booth. Madam, SInce famed Laureates never durſt Adventure on the nobleſt Themes at firſt, But were ſo modeſt doubtfully to peep Out of their private Cells, and then to creep In arguments much lower, till well how To truſt their wings they knew, from bough to bough Of various ſubjects flutter'd, judging beſt So to attempt that danger might be leaſt, Till arts had been more lib'ral thought, they might Not ſafely venture an Heroick flight. Pardon this boldneſs, that preſumes to try Firſt hand on piece of Curioſity; Which better would deſerve the richeſt vein Of ſmooth conceipt, out of the pregnant brain Of one, to whom kind Nature firſt had been Of much more virtue than the Hippocrene. My fancy (not well vers'd when firſt put to't) Would not perſwaded be to ſtir a foot On other ſubjects; yet did freely run, That her due ſervice might in part be done Unto your ſex; and if ſhe limps, the fault She calls her own: lameneſs doth make her halt, You cauſe her move; and what is to expreſs Her gratitude, will make crime ſomewhat leſs. In this Eſſay, I have ſought to no Fairy, Call'd Muſe, that keeps her wild haunts at Canary. Your mind is ſober; nor durſt I think fit To offer you poor gathering of wit. You need not ſuch collection, which is more Fit for thoſe perſons, that in worth are poor. Grant very ſmall allowance: bate the Verſe That waited on your pious S ſters horſe: And charge not ſome choice ſentences which you Know well, to whom their ſervice beſt is due; And what is ſtoln will not amount to be Fit to be charg'd with Pettit-larceny. Should I call women Deities, you'd be Diſpleaſed (Madam) with the blaſphemy: Or phraſe them nobler creatures than men are, You likewiſe might, condemn the flatterer. Should I paſs bounting Laſſes and the Jigs Uncivil, of the City-whirligigs; Their pride, their luxury, their antick dreſſes, Their bare necks, painted faces, and their treſſes, Whereby they would enſnare their wanton tongues In loveſome Catches and laſcivious Songs; Their going unto Church, bringing no more From thence, than what new dreſſes Gallants wore; Frequenting Playes, leſt therein they ſhould do Too little, there becoming Actors too. I ſhould unworthily at leaſt ſuggeſt That you ſo little baſeneſs do deteſt Of ſhameleſs Hippia's, as not to admit They ſhould be laſh'd by Scorpions of wit. Whereas I know you loath that hateful Crew That brag of breeding, brave, and fruitful too, Uſe broad words, and large liberties as ſeat Of gallantry, the way to become great- Belly'd, that they may bear their ſhameful ſin, And ſuffer plague of birth and lying in. Should I forget my Goſſip, that can tell How to turn over tongue a ſpic'd-cup well, With whoſe loud tittle tattle thoſe folks are Troubled, that deal not in ſuch peddling ware; But mind their own concerns, and do not pry Into concerns of the next family: Should I paſs her, whoſe ſpungy lungs, as ſayls Are ſwoln, but not when dry, with telling tales Of private merriments, ſcarce Civil jars Familiar talk, and of Domeſtick wars; Where will be next, and where was the laſt wedding, And all the pretty paſſages at bedding; How Madam Haſty gave to little Grace Her chamber-maid, a blew and broken face, Becauſe ſhe came not at firſt call; how ill Her Maſter took it, that ſhew'd his good will; How Nell came to miſchance by Knavery Of Will; how Joan beat ſilly Ralph, and why: Not to chaſtiſe ſuch groſs defectives muſt Shew me more Civil to the Sex, than Juſt Unto the virtuous, who bear others ſhame, B uſhing at boldneſs of the wan on Dame, And their impertinence vain, that are grown Knowing in all concernments, but their own. To ſet off virtues of your ſex, a whole Venus if painted, will but make a mole. Apolles when he drew his maſter-piece, And ſummon'd in the Paragoas of Greece For beauty, as their excellence did very Unto his pencil to be tributary, Venus her mole forgate not; but did place, And make, her comely with it in her face. Praiſe of a ſex, without exception, may Fit only people of Utopia; Cannot ſincerely be adapted to The ſtate of ſinful mortals here below, Where thoſe few perſons do appear moſt rare And excellent, in whom leaſt vices are. They cannot be from Adam of th' whole blood, That are without all humane faileurs good. Let idle brains make ſilly ſport to vex, And force their fancies to diſgrace your ſex With all the virtuous; vainly they do try To level at the Stars which are too high. This moſt will fret them, and ſtir up their gall, That they provoke, and move you not at all: When unconcern'd you gain the victory, And overcome them by your paſſing by. The Ruſtick that all day hath toyl'd at plough, Puts off his clogs at night, begins to woo At a ſtrange rate; in Complementing Amy He takes up phraſe befitting Academy. Not ſingle flow'rs of Tropes will do, but cluſter'd, That with conceit do make him fouly fluſter'd, And ſtrangely elevated: he ſcorn now To term her Pigſney, darling, Ladicow. His heighten'd fancy longer will not truckle, In pleaſing her his Primroſe, Honeyſuckle. The Gardens fair ſweet; ſerve him not in proſe; Talip, Clovegilliflower, Lilly, Roſe. Out of the Sun, Stars, and the brighteſt Roſie Bluſhes of morn he gathers her a Poſie. And if he gets ſome little Scribe to write, He makes ſmall matter, matter to endite. Hearing of Po'ſie, ſhe thinks to diſcloſe Meaning, by holding letter to her Noſe; Or ſticking it in boſome, knows not well, That paper flow'rs are for the ſight, not ſmell. The frantick gallant eyes his Ladies look, More than young Chanter doth his Singing-book: Dancing attendance moſt officiouſly After the leſſons of her fidling eye: Like Statue ſtands in admiration of Each ſyllable, ſt p, frown, ſmile, glance, and coff. The ſacred Laurell he will need invoke, That never learnt ſo far as Holioke; To celebrate grace that was never in her, And yet condemn himſelf a mortal ſinner For his Omiſſion: but that is not it Makes him ſo bad: but what he could commit. How like a Malefactor doth he ſta d, Expecting ſentence? What is her command? Shall he or live or dye? Upon one breath Depends his happy life, or woful death. Great Empreſs ſhe, that with a pleaſant I? Can make him live; and with a No to dye; Though much dejected, and caſt down erewhile, Yet ſhe can ſet him up with a kind ſmile. When his brains thin'd are almoſt into ayr Turned by Sun-beams of her face, he'l ſwear He plainly ſees the tippling Graces ſip Nectar diſtilling from her ruby-lip: Though dazzled, Angels yet that he eſpyes Sporting within thoſe Cryſtal Spheres her eyes. There's no ſuch Muſick in the heavenly Spheres As in her voyce, which alwayes charms his ears. She's in each ſound, he hears no ring of bells, But what of her ſome pretty ſtory tells. The little chirping ſ ngſters in his thought Speak her ſo plain, as if they had been taught To ſing their Sapp •• i ks; and her praiſe in Rhyme His head well ſtuft with fumes doth learn to chyme; All this is nought, he is below his Theme Unleſs he be right Artiſt to blaſpheme. What is his heaven here on earth? her love; And there's no heaven that he ſeeks above. Were not his admiration without True object, you would think him Saint devout. He cringes, and with ſuperſtitious fear Standeth, as her Divinity draws near. Good cauſe, if you believe his precious ſtories Of the ſtrange brightneſs, and celeſtial glories He ſees incircling her, theſe witneſs'd by Thoſe that are ſick of his love lunacy. The man thus Planet-ſtricken, gives full rein Unto his fancy, th' utmoſt he can feign Of Complements beſtows, runs on the ſcore, Until his Worſhip can take up no more. If ſhe contract her countenance, and frown Upon him, that is death, he's tumbled down From all his hopes, and happineſs, which now He did enjoy in ſmoothneſs of her brow. How wretched is the man, ſince faln from grace, And excommunicated from her face? He hates the light, his life, you cannot give Greater affront, than wiſhing him to live. What can you love him, and be ſo unkind To wiſh him bear ſuch torments in his mind, As while he lives he muſt? Then ſnatches ſword Kiſſes it as dear friend, that will afford Deliverance: but ſtay, before good night Pray give him leave to take up Pen and write Some doleful Verſes of his faithful love In his brave death for Phillis, which may move Her to relent, and to vouchſafe a tear, Or ſhew her more unkind than Marbles are. He orders Ceremonies to attend, And lively to ſet out a Lovers end In his laſt Will and Teſtament; forgets His ſoul to God to bequeath. And what lets? She was his only Deity, alone To her he payed his Devotion. What hence will follow, reaſon muſt not tell, His madneſs doth ſuppoſe a milder hell Than her diſpleaſure: this this makes him ſnatch His ſword again, reſolved to diſpatch Himſelf: but that he wiſely thinks withal He ſhall not have a Chriſtian burial As felo de ſe, and he ſcorns to be Guilty of any act of Felony. Is he content to live? fye on't: he'l go Unto ſome forreign broyls, and force his fo To do, what friends would not, though beg'd, and ten To one time, wars do make him wiſe again. But if quite deſperate he ſeeks relief, And with his Rapier makes a vent for grief What hazard runs he? leaving friends this ſad Ground for their charity that he was mad. Phrenetick paſſions of ſuch men may ſerve Thoſe that do not know what it's to deſerve Sober affections, would not well reſent Any thing, that were truly excellent. Let the inamoured reſs painted Jayes, Addreſs them to the Idol of their praiſe Here the deſign is honeſt, to give due Honour to Ladies, that be ſuch as you Are, and would be; not living juſt by ſenſe Of ſome folk good eſteem; but Conſcience. Not pleaſing humour of that ſort who have Great fear leſt that they ſhould be thought too grave. Diſcretion you make not to withſtand Civility, but give it more command; Obligingly that it may entertain The civile perſon, and ongue-tye the vain. Such was deportment of the Engliſh Dame Of old, which gave a luſtre to her name Over the world: but with diſdainful brow Is look'd upon as out of faſhion now. Amongſt vain Gallants ſtrait lac'd modeſty Is ill b ed, ruſtick; too preciſe, too ſhye. Amongſt parts of Philoſophy we range Ethicks, and with the reſt they bear a change. As ſome young Empiri ks their skill muſt try Body to pu ge of Phyſiologie, Which they ſay Phyſick wants, and principles Her bodies head, are head of her diſeaſe. Though purged ſoundly, her they think not ſound Enough, until with her the world turn round. It may be viſit Miſtris Dialectick, Feel her pulſe, find her in a fearful Hectick: Her Terms are naught; her Syllogiſms all Obſtruct her, they muſt out both great, and ſmall. Sorites fears he ſhall be laid in chains; And Violent m looks for horrid pains: Exemplum to be made example: ſcorns Cauſe poor Dilemma to pull in her horns. Celarent wiſhes ſhe were ſafely hid. Feſtino runs in danger to be chid. And Barbara the beſt of all abus'd, Fears to Bocardo ſhe ſhall be reduc'd. But F rio will not be baffled ſo, If he muſt out, he'l leave a parting blow. Thus Phyſicking of her, they'r find no ſeaſon To end, until they leave her void of reaſon. So have ſome wantons quite rejected old Moral Philoſophy, as dry, and cold: Queſtion'd all principles, and practice too Of antient virtue, and ſet up a new Model of modeſty, which you preſents With much more ſtrange, than ſafe experiments. They ſay, a place that's fortified doth ſ eak The outward ſtrength, but City to be weak. That City's ſtrong, that hath not its defence From walls; but valour of the Citizens. Strength of their virtues only way to try, Is to expoſe it to the enemy. If you'l believe, their honour by the tryal Is brighter; for they empt to m ke denyal. Their husbands living they contract and call It innocence; may paſs the Ordeal, Run through hat coulters blindfold, ſafe and ſound; And yet not fear the danger of a wound. Theſe can miſtake their husbands beds, and be Not to be charged with diſloyalty. Such reſolution, that can make defence At diſadvantage, is the quinteſſence Of virtue: if you can, you may believe (Like Tutia's on tryal) in a ieve, That they can water carry, lead and bring A ſhip b ſanded by their ap on-ſtring, As Claudia, have heaven ſtanding by And witneſſing unto their chaſtity. They muſt give leave to fo k to be more wiſe, To judge by charity of ſober ſize, And then their virtue in Heroick ſenſe Elixar is of higheſt impudence. Your virtue (Madam) taketh it all one To forfeit, and to give occaſion To folly; and for med'cine doth not lye At the Betheſda of worlds charity. A moſt heroick, and approv'd repute, Neither makes way for baſeneſs, or diſpute. The Libertine, before that knew no Law To curb him, muſt confeſs your power to awe Into Civility feign'd; what he hates, Charm'd by your preſence, yet he perſonates. Aſham'd you are not piety to own Amongſt ſo many, when a ſcorn it's grown: And for Religion publickly appear, To practiſe which, in private ſome do fear. May I preſume, here to preſent to view Beauties, ſuch as Apelles never drew: May I adventure to defend their Rights Of old, that try'd the Chivalry of Knights, To plead their cauſe, ſince they are made unfit For want of Learning, not for want of Wit. May this my Pencil venture on a face, Where ev'ry taking feature is a Grace. May this not ſeem in vain, which ſeldom done, Yet is the duty of each Mothers ſon. May theſe few Rhymes (Madam) accepted be, And gain your Licence, but to publiſh me, Your humble Servant, JOHN GOLBORNE.
THE WOMANS EXCELLENCE. WHen man againſt unclean concupiſcence Had a pure mind an adamantine fence, And heart more cleanly, than which doth poſſeſs The breaſt of moſt Religious Votareſs, Without ſo much as thought of vain deſire, And ſpark of that baſe culinary fire: Alone, it was not good that he ſhould be Without a woman, and good company. When Sophy, Preſter, and Imperial Highneſs, with Monarch Oecumenical, Were ſummed up in Adam; yet a ſhe Is made to peer him in his dignity. The glorious Angels, thoſe bright morning ſtars Too high were, to be his familiars. The plants, and ſenſitives were not thought meet For him, as being ſet below his feet. But Eve created is, and made his Bride, Firſt taken out of, then unto his fide, To be one with himſelf, that he may ſee In her a rational Imagery. Pictures are dark reſemblances, they can Give outward form, and figure of the man. Glaſſes afford obſcurely (ſave the ſhape Of man) ſcarce any thing but Antick Ape. She is the lovely glaſs, where he may find The lively picture of his noble mind. Likeneſs of outward frame, and inward too Creates affection, makes the wiſe man woo. Not without likeneſs of the ſame ſoul can The outward feature make help meet for man. Who can then think, that any man ſhould be Beſot ed with a piece of Maſonry, Or marble? that Lot's Wife petrify'd, Should chance to have been courted for a Bride? That man ſo monſtrouſly ſhould play the Ape, Upon a cloud, as to commit a Rape? Yet is it certain, fleſh, blood, ſhape affects The moſt, much more than reaſon of the ſex. Men gaze at colou s, and neglect the coal From heaven that is ſent, a prudent ſoul That ſuffers not by time; but pure doth laſt, When feature and complexion are defac'd. He ſheweth not leaſt part of man, to whom A marble Madam is companion. And with inceſtuous Pygmalion Carveth the Statue that he dotes upon. Though what her husband did command to be Done, or undone, he found her alwayes free: And ſilent ſhe could bear, what heart of ſtone Would mo e, to be call'd Slut, foul Carrion; Though this rare property were in his Bride, In all her time ſhe ne're was heard to chide; Nor with ſome coſtly Dames was at vaſt charge, That ſhe might follow each new Mode at large; Nor with new faſhions keep an equal pace; Nor had brave Flanders prancing on her face; For back or belly though ſhe rais'd no ſcore, And like good huſwife, ne're ſtir'd out of door: Yet ſince ſhe wanted reaſon, ſenſe, and life, She could not make a comfortable Wife. That Gallant is not half ſo wiſe as nice, That is afraid of wiſdom in his choice. Is ſhe a wiſe woman? That makes him ſtart, As if ſhe were a Miſtris of Black Art. He fears ſhe will be proud, and learn the foul Practice of ſome Wives, Husbands to controul With ſweet advice, which makes the Bedlam roar, Fret, fume, ſwear, ban, and ſo much rage the more. For to his great diſparagement ſhe'l be Not without cauſe eſteem'd more wiſe, than he. Give him a Wench that knows no more than how Her cloaths to put on, when he ſpeaks to bow With reverence; and not without a Sir Before his Worſhip ſuffers tongue to ſtir; And as well diſciplin'd doth underſtand How to obey what he's pleas'd to command; That's troubled with the ſofts, and while he tires His wiſer hearers, ſtare , gapes, and admires At every ſentence; this, this is a Laſs, That for a moſt obedient Wife may paſs: She ſtirs not, though he have her not in ſtring: At a proud word hath learnt to fetch and bring: A creature tame; and therefore thought more meet, Becauſe ſhe lyeth couchant at his feet. Who, though all manhood he hath qui e withdrawn, And ſpit eth in her face, begins to fawn, They that ſay women have no humane ſouls If true; they are not men, but may be foals Of ſome wild Aſs, and ſhould they be ally'd As husbands, they would be quite brutifi'd. And more like beaſts than Centaurs were, and then They might beget a monſtrous race of men, Much worſe, than where the pye-bald iſſues ſight Preſents with Negro's black, Europa's white. Theſe from themſelves do only differ in The outward colour, in a ſpotted skin. But they are preternaturals, at beſt A ſort of Mongr lls ſtrange, half man, half beaſt. They may deny them ſouls, and judgement too, If that they think thoſe men are it to woo, And make their applications with ſucceſs In complements, and humours that profeſs By all their carriage in their loveſome fits That they are mad, and quite beſide their wits. Elſe certainly they could not be ſo baſe In face ſo foully virtues to miſplace, Where beauty playſter'd wantons to invite, Is but a Pict, and odious hypocrite. She's odly ſelf-conceited, that thinks praiſe He throws at randome on her, what he brayes, Rather than ſpeaks of virtue, to be due; Or (if perchance it ſhould) that he ſpeaks true, That keeps no meaſure in his paſſions heat, Nor aims to ſpeak what's ſuitable, but great, Nothing doth limit whoſe invention vain; But that he cannot reach an higher ſtrain. She that hath real worth, and ſober thought Of it, muſt needs diſdain the fancie brought, Upon pretence (forſooth) to make her more Admired; ſome think upon another ſcore. Whereas blew envy could not have ſpit forth Venome that's more malignant to her worth. Enough amongſt moſt to have this effect To make them real goodneſs to ſuſpect. As drones do very much i feſt the hive, Eat what by labour of the Bees would thrive. So, though theſe Humble-be s devour, and bring Nothing; yet what is ſtrange, they have their ſting. What thinks, the wild phantaſtick ornament Of virtue, needs a flatterer to invent? Cannot ſhe be with virtues ully ſtor'd, Unleſs made object fit to be ador'd? True honour ſtrictly looks for this its due, That all its praiſes (if not great) be true. Is not beholding as a Popiſh Saint For glories, not to vertue, but the paint. Would he be credited? that cannot be, Unleſs ſhe forfeit all ſobriety. If not, he doth his folly but proclaim, And maketh it not hard to know his Name. Alas, (good Madam) be not too ſevere, To call him knave, or fool, and domineer Over his weakneſs; for deſire to have Your love, doth make him in ſuch faſhiors rave From the firſt ſight of you, ſome influence Hath quite bereft him of all ſober ſenſe. Do you not ſee in yonder ſecret grove, Him Courting the Idea of his Love? How one while he creeps poorly, proudly ſtalks As antick ſtraight, ſtands ſilent now, then talks Unto himſelf in a low voice: ſee how He doth his honour in a Civil bow, Since he hath miſt it in ſome point, he'l try Do it with much more curioſity, To pleaſe himſelf and •• ncy: then accoſts The ſhrub, where he can find no painted poſt, And to it ſpeaks words in an humble mutter, More ſweet than honey, and more ſoft than butter. What is it thus tranſports, dejects him too? Its fancy (Madam) which is type of you. He cons how Civilly he may addreſs Into your preſence, and with life expreſs The paſſions of a lover, what will be Your anſwer? How to make a ſafe reply, And thoſe odd poſtures which you ſo admire, Are but the ſtrange fruit of that frantick fire You kind'ed in him: for you ſpeak no word But what he treaſures up, and doth afford Matter of thouſand thoughts: with what a Grace You did oblige; What Majeſty took plac: In your commands; how with your looks you read Lectures at once, to make him hope and dread; How ſweet was ſuch a ſmile corrected by Too harſh a Miſtris your ſeverity; How killing were your frowns: and thus in pain He's toſs'd with thoughts of favour, and diſdain. He claſps the air contain'd you: not to look On your track ſerveth him, unleſs he ſnook On ſaucy ſervant, when you do beſtow Flap on the lips for talk, to make her know Her diſtance; wonders that ſhe takes it ill, To be ſo dealt with: if ſhe had his skill She would deſerve more; he doth underſtand It no unpleaſant kiſſing of your hand Would you not (Madam) bring him to deſpair? Then you muſt be more kind, or elſe leſs fair. Let pity move, wherelove will not, t'impart A ſmile, or ſorrow ſoon will break his heart. And can you think your triumph glorious, If you deſtroy a Vaſſal-lover thus? How cruel, and hard-hearted need muſt you Appear to all the world, if it be true, That you wou'd not be at ſmall coſt, and pains Of one good word, to keep him out of chains, And Bedlam? for ſome hink could he obtain, No doubt he would be his own man again. You may command his reaſon; for he's bent Not to be cur'd, unleſs you do conſent. Your harmony will ſet him right, they ſay Thus of the man ſtung by Tarantula, That would to death dance, were he not cur'd by The vertue of harmonious melody. If you reſolve to be wiſe, and to laugh At all his follies, are not catch'd with chaff Of vain pretences; if you think it true, When cur'd, he will revenge himſelf on you For all his folly paſt, and will not pauſe Upon his bondage baſe, but hate the cauſe. Yet let me beg one kindneſs, to adviſe The Gentleman, to let you be more wiſe: If he will not himſelf, then think it fit To entertain that love, which ſpoils his wit: And to condemn the incivility That wiſhes you may be as mad as he. The horrid Courtſhips that did paſs between Nero, and Sporus his he-concubine. The T umpetter, and Gracchus as they break Natures chaſte tye, ſo they forbid to ſpeak Their ſhame; for nothing can be worſe than thus, Unleſs the wedding of an Incubus. He truly doth deſerve the term of wiſe, Whom no perfections outward do ſurprize, To make him forfeit; ſince they may adorn A ſhameleſs Meſſaline, and be a ſcorn To time, like flower fading, which doth laſt Small time, and at its prime is almoſt paſt Its glory; yet when wither'd quite, and gone, Gives hope of budding reſurrection. But Beauty is a ſuperficial thing, That, when by age decayed, knows no ſpring. What folly many men ſo far bewitches, To make them fondly Court an heap of riches; And vainly wiſh, that they were bleſs'd with ſuch A faculty as Midas in his touch? And then be ſure, they ſoon would change the mold Of their dear Dames, and turn them into Gold, That thoſe whom they look'd not upon to prize, But with diſguſt, might be luſt of their eyes. How do they Court you Ladies? Is your faith So eaſie to what this, or that man ſaith? Can you believe, what their pretences vain Make ſhew of? when they truly do but feign Love to your perſons fair, and virtues: Money! O that that is their Dear; and that's the honey That may be help meet for them if they ſpeed. That's double help, which is an help at need. And their eſtates in deep conſumption call For preſent help, and the beſt cordial Aurum Potabile is, all agree, For weak eſtates not paſt recovery. Your Lands their Chymiſtry can ſoon diſſolve Into ſome ready Caſh; or elſe involve In deep incumbrances with your conſent: Nor will their ſervile kindneſs quite be ſpent, Till all is gone; and then, however large Your portions were, you will be thought a charge. He that with vile ſubmiſſion did approach As humble Orator erewhile, did crouch And bend like any Willow, will revoke His kindneſs, and be ſtiff, as any Oak, To your requeſts, when he hath in his hands Your thouſand pounds of portion, or your Lands. Now you are coſtly, now the man begins To grudge you money, but to buy you pins. And if more kind, yet what he doth, muſt be Reputed as an act of Charity. So by your ſoft belief, you'l ſoon be grown At his command, and beggars of your own. With ſilly eaſineſs thus you contrive To give the loaf, and after beg the ſhive. Yet him, if covetous, you ſhall not ſtir, Although you come with I beſeech you Sir. It may be, what leſs tolerable is He can the charge bear of a coſtly Miſs. Nor is it rare to find theſe two agree, One paltry hard, and prodigally free. There are accompliſhments of higher kind Such as do give a luſtre to the mind, Are not leſs pretious, though they latent are, Contribute much to make the perſon rare. A quiet frame of temper, and a meek Demeanour, which occaſions ſtill doth ſeek To pleaſe, and keep all calm; and modeſty Not too adventurous, nor weakly ſhye, More than meer baſhfulneſs, that bloſſoms caſt, If once ſaluted by unwholſome blaſt. An holy temperance, which taketh place Of Nature in its ſtrength, and is a Grace A prudent ſoul to comfort, counſel, prove Reproof may be an argument of love: Where through a waſpiſh, and weak rage are bred No words ſo hard to break her husbands head, But ſoft as oyle; and if the oyle be warm, It may do much good; but if ſcalding, harm. And her diſcretion underſtands the art To dreſs the wound, and yet prevent the ſmart. Romes triple-headed Cerberus, ſo fell Againſt a marry'd li e doth loudly yell, With reſolution never to diſpenſe With ſtate ſo well befitting innocence, In any of his Clergy: yet theſe Maſters, Or Fathers rather, are but Demicaſters Of Chaſtity: but read you ſome Popes lives, You'l find it ſafer to keep Whores, than Wives. This chaſte Divinity (long ſince foretold The Devils Doctrine) is not grown ſo old, But it can yield a Nephew now, and then The baſtards of the Romiſh Arch-flamen. It is myſterious that one ſhould be His Holineſs, and yet want honeſty. Pope Joan is wonder ſtranger than the other, An Holy Father, and diſhoneſt Mother. Thus Cretan Town-Bull in the Fable odd Bore Bacchus in his thigh, was feign'd a god. Tom Dove the traveller will tell you news. What's that? at Rome the Pope admits of Stews, Some hundreds of foul Bawdy-houſes. How? Such places can his Sanctity allow? What elſe, when they their annual rents disburſe, And only do their pennance to his purſe? The man of Miracles beyond his ſtrain Of skill muſt ſtretch, to make this honeſt gain. Are women by his Highneſs here below, Taken to be no higher than his Toe? Great Toe indeed! Would it diſgrace his pride If women were advanced to his ſide In Matrimony? without charge of Trope Adam we call much greater than the Pope; Whoſe Holineſs with baſeneſs tax't hath been, And to be perfect is not ſuch a ſin. What though he pleads Infallibility, That when ſet in the Chair he cannot lye? He lyes in that, or elſe pretence muſt go For quibble good ſenſu Compoſito. So Merchant brought to very hard condition, Payes off his debts by broken Compoſition. We ſay for Adam thus with reaſon good, That then he could not fall, juſt when he ſtood. By the Popes Holineſs we ſafely mean With mental reſervation what is clean (contrary.) I would not have Eve plead her nobler birth, Sith ſhe was made of man, and man of earth. Nor (as from bodies Politick is bred) Argue that ſhe ſprang from him as an head; That ſhe may rule, a ſtranger Title bring, His Mother was a Subject, hers a King; Nor have her daughters to preſs inſtance, ſince Xerxes of old that was the Perſian Prince, Becauſe his Brother to a private man Was born, he to the ſame as Soveraign. Nor would I have them due ſubjection call Forbidden bowing of the knee to Baal: Since that in Paradiſe the ſocial ſtate Did ſtand with reaſon of ſubordinate. There's no pretence to ſay, that God did give To male, and female, power alternative. Profanely think not, that to work his bane, God did create the woman for the man: That the wiſe, juſt, good, Orderer of all Made her an help meet, but to cauſe his fall: That man himſelf had never fal'n ſo low Without her, ſince the Word tells us not ſo. Contemn her not, that was ſince man, but rather Conſider, who was Mother to the Father Eternal: ſhe was from the man her Brother, Of the ſame Father, grant that he, as Mother, Had ſuch a Daughter, what elſe do we find But him to bear the praiſe of womankind? Bluſh then to urge that pitiful pretence, A crooked, croſs-grain'd piece of innocence. Since ſhe was ta'ne out of his ſide, that he Hath been ſtitch't by an irkſome Pl uriſie. By ſuch little conceits play not with wit, Leſt that it chance thereby thou forfeit it, And fall to cry out with a Gotham-brother, That thou art troubled with fits of the Mother. Why may it not be likely? to ſay true, Toy wit is ill of the Greenſickneſs too. Her, whom thou ought'ſt to pity, ceaſe to call Dam of damnation in the dreadful fall, The woe of man, the ever curſed Eve To all the black dayes of our ſaddeſt grief. 'Tis true, ſhe did procure the fall of men: The womans ſeed doth raiſe us up agen. Some are elaborate, and mighty pains Take needleſly, to ſhew that they want brains. This is the moſt they bring from learned Schools: With reaſon they can act ingenious fools, And argue ſtifly: Eve was kept alive, Her native reaſon only to ſurvive: That it is lawful, in the Logick tree, Man ſhould have one ſide, and the other ſhe, As 'tis in Eden pictur'd. Did the men Impropriate all Wiſdom: ſurely then Children half-witted are; yet will they call Their Mothers fools, for fear leſt naturals They ſhould be thought; when they that are moſt fit To be thought fools, do want their Mother-wit. The Pagans were more humane far than theſe, Of famed Ladies that made Goddeſſes, Would have three Graces female, and did feign The wiſe Minerva ſprang out of Joves brain. Invoke no more the Muſes: none will ſide With thee, to mother thy foul Matricide In wronging of this S x; make haſte, and run: Timon may chance t' adopt thee for his ſon; For ſweetneſs of thy Nature, thou maiſt be Made to inherit his humanity. Thy ſlender wit true wiſdom ne're begate, No learned School will it Matriculate, If it be Alma-mater. Learn agen What petty Scholar means by Epicene, Or fall out with haec Homo (if you can) To ſave the head of Mr. Priſcian. Correct you Lilly's candour, that doth render? Dux, Praeſul, Pugil in the Common-gender. Were women all (Leaena-like) among Grateful Athenians without a tongue, That choſe to be ador'd, for being Mutes, They juſtly might be pictured as Brutes, As ſhe was, for her praiſe. Debaſing thought Of their diſcourſe, though ſober, ſolid brought Reproach that they are wordy, if they go Beyond the narrow bounds of I, and No. The want of learned rules, their miſery Is call'd their fault, and great infirmity Of Nature. Had their fit endowments been Favour'd by men, as Nature, we had ſeen Scholars divided into Sexes, and Some Females challenging the better hand Of them for wit, that do vouchſafe to call Them creatures but made up of tedious braul, And empty noiſe; with fury (when they dye) In Vulcan's quiet anvill chooſe to lye, For fear of clamour; leſt their Oratory Should vex them in that ſilent Dormitory. Some ſuch wiſe Rabbies ſurely did invent, That on a time the bounteous Heavens ſent Ten quarts of Speech into the world, and men Got to their ſhare but one poor part of ten: Women the reſt. If that the caſe were thus, They cannot but be thought too gluttonous, To take nine cabs of pra t e, when a quart Is not ſcarce half enough to make a part For the good men, that laviſhly eſtate Spend in good fellowſhip, and endleſs prate. Gownmen are not all ſpeechleſs, nor the Hall Of Juſtice freed from their litigious braul. Had it been ſo: then the loud wranglers had For all their joyful Hilaries been ſad. That Ens of reaſon Sophomore not able Had been to make a tedious empty ſquabble About ſome Logick nicety, nor ſp nt So many hours in eager battlement With ſtrange Chimaera. Then what ſhould the men Have done, that are ſtout Champions at the pen; Whoſe worthy parts muſt not be ſized by The Childiſh ſeventeens, but ſeventy; Whoſe skulls are ſo well futur'd, that not any Air can offend them through the ſmalleſt crany To make them vain; yet fight Antagoniſts With rayling Rh torick to ſave their fiſts. Their mighty reaſon ſcarce preſents a For, But ſuch as drops from the Poſterior, Scornful diſdain. The dealing is not ſquare That men ſhould be advanced to the Chair, And women not ſuch Scolds by far to rule Their laviſh tongues preſented to the ſtool. Women have got no priviledge to write Books ſtuft with ſlander, baſe contempt and ſpite, Which purged of their choler might be meet As skeletons bare for a winding-ſheet. Although their words are ſpightful, keen men can Yet get them reckon'd as Patritian Sobriety: ſo well have ſome men ſped To have their malice meekneſs Chriſtened. Brag'd of tame tempers: ſuch tame creatures be Safely preſented through a grate to ſee: On ſweetneſs of their temper true Comment Is Pius, Clement, Urbane, Innocent. The privacy of womens narrow ſphere Domeſtick, makes their virtue leſs appear. Wa ing occaſion their parts buryed lye In the dark vault of baſe obſcurity, That have not only unconquered charms Of winning beauty, but affrighting arms. It therefore is unhappineſs of ſtate So much embaſes word effeminate, And keeps their ſpirits under: Had they wayes And opportunities to get them praiſe: Were they inur'd to hardſhips, they'd outvye Thoſe that do hold eſtates in Chivalry: Or have done brave Knights-ſervice, and afford More gallantry than thoſe that were ador'd. Though mention of their due praiſe envy call A Tattle more than Hyper-prodigal, And the ſurmiſe of feats that might be done In arms by them, an idle Fiction: For what they have atchieved nobly, fame Will ever ſtand indebted to their Name. And if they do not ſue the jangling Laſs, It is becauſe amongſt them ſhe doth paſs Not worthy of regards, too baſe to be Sought unto by their true Nobility. Yet famous men have Courted much her honour, Of fawning titles caſt whole leads upon her, Were humble ſuitors they might be among Thoſe, who had intereſt in her idle tongue, Promiſing they would be her Champions bold To do great feats: but only to be told. When ſlattering fame commended did not cry Out with this womaniſh Loquacity, Let her be packt out of the way, and go Seek place in Pſittacorum R gio. Amongſt the Vegetables, nobler trees Fruitleſs have been, we read, without their ſhees: So on the Erythrean barks, for wa t Of other dwellers, noble Palms do plant And grow in couples; ſhewing that th' entail Of Honour runs not to the iſſue male In ſpecial; he would have a barren root, But that the gen'rous female bears the fruit. It's reaſonable women have as well The pra ſe, as they have power to excell. They that deny them honour, muſt profeſs, And likewiſe ſeem to prove their worth is leſs. Would they attempt it, they'd deſire no more To make them ſee their Hereſie before; And ſhew them that a Volume ſhould be ſpent, And not a ſingle Sheet when they repent. Are faults and blemiſhes in them ſo thin Scatter'd, that works of God muſt be clapt in To make crimes more: that his works are ſo large To them, is full enough to ground a charge Againſt them; whereas had he but leſs ſpent On them, they had been judged innocent. Since their great beauties to ſome become ſnares; Fault (Tarbox) ſtraight muſt be concluded theirs. If this be Logick, let us borrow tools From Crafts-men of the Chair to make us fools, Condemn the light, becauſe ſome over-wiſe By ſtaring at it chance to hurt their eyes. We'l ſtrain our fancies, and conceipts to think Aqua Coeleſtis, which the Stars do drink Too lib'rally, makes them to blink, and keep Their heavy eyes ſcarce ope for want of ſleep. Dark n the luſtre of thoſe radiant lights, That we may favour weakneſs of our ſights. If in the womens feature crime be known, The fault of right ſhould not be call'd their own: This noble fabricks beauty muſt reflect Upon the goodneſs of the Architect, That made the work ſo rare, as to entice To folly curious ſpectators eyes. Good form by wiſe men hath been made to go For that, which is Dignum Imperio, Teaching in outward features how to find A correſpondent beauty in the mind. Let them ſmart under cenſ res, that delight To walk, in habits like Hermaphrodite; That by their manlike looks, garbs, faſhions rare, Make it a queſtion of what Sex they are; Debaſing thus Virago's nobler ſence, And making it to hide their impudence. May they be hateful to all modeſt ſights, That turn into almoſt half Adamites, Whoſe viſage muſt not Natures power expreſs, But their pride, and affected wickedneſs; Deſpiſing nature of their ſex they call A meal-mouth'd-modeſty, baſe, ruſtical. Talk what the ears of wantoneſt might load To make their wanton tongues too Alamode. May thoſe ſlye cheats (that modeſty do own For nought, but baſe immodeſt ends) be known: Who baiting with a pretty ſober look, Make the young fool to ſwallow down the hook. In men and women when the fault is ſame, How cometh it to paſs they ſhare not blame By equal moieties? In men a Beam Is call'd a Mote; a Mote, a Beam in them. Upon what ground taketh the ſaying place? This fault is bad in man, in woman baſe. Shall we thus aggravate? they've wiſdom more: But very few will charge them on that ſcore. Precedence by none will be granted in Knowledge, although it were to leſſen ſin. Is it their inclination leſs to vice At firſt unto the ſcandal that gave riſe? They that to wickedneſs are leſs inclin'd Muſt be acknowledg'd to have purer mind, Which makes ſpots more conſpicuous: oftentimes Better the perſons are, the fouller crimes Appear in them. Deformities are not Obſerv'd in darker bodies; when each ſpot Shews it ſelf in the brighter; thus we ſoon Eſpye the ſpots, that do obſcure the Moon. So Authors Venus mole do Memorize, So leaſt pearl blemiſheth the brighteſt eyes. If this will not be granted, all muſt ſay, That men in ſomethings, and in others they, Plead excellence. Let guilt, as equal then Be charg'd upon the women, as the men. Yet women, knowing freedom doth not lye In what is but licentious liberty, Are well content with honour of their ſtate, That doth their crimes ſo highly aggravate. Hath Brittain ſuffer'd any prejudice, By being called Womens Paradiſe, Giving them thirds, the higheſt ſeats, and wall So Civilly, with ſo great ſhare of all Their husbands lands? This they return agen, Their free-born children make the braveſt men. They cannot have their ſouls ſcarce half ſo brave Where Father is a Tyrant, Mother Slave. In vain Italian women are kept faſt By Husbands Jaylorſhip to make them chaſte. How many vex'd, and tempted by the thought Of Jealous-pated-men have been made naught? Thinking diſloyalty would nothing coſt More than what had been quite already loſt In his eſteem: ſetting more vainly by A good repute, than real honeſty. Security for virtue, if undone By wrongful, and but bare ſuſpicion, Is ſmall; if what the Husband doth invent, Is cauſe enough for Wives impriſonment. On as good ground the poor might be bereft Of all their liberty for fear of theft. Here by Lucretian chaſtity might fall Under the black rod of foul Criminal; That cannot teſtimony give confin'd, Before the fact, to honeſty of mind. The felons priſon, ſhackles, bolts impart What is according to the mens deſert; It's not enough againſt him to alledge, By witneſs, that he looked o're the hedge In Goal, when he is laid, we make no doubt, But as he ſtole in, ſo he would ſteal out. Theſe Dames for nothing elſe, but being Wives, Are made the cloſeſt priſoners for lives, Never but in the Husbands death to ſee, Or their own death, a Goal-delivery. Barbarian X •• ifs-concubines, eſcape, 'Tis ſaid, if they but ſee a man, a rape; Before their count begins they muſt cry out, For what? to bring their honeſty in doubt, Rather than ſhield it. He who them eſpyes By chance, is not beholding to his eyes: Whoſe caſe (Actaeon-like) preſents ſtrange kind Of miſery, which is not to be blind. Proud Maſters think their rule entrenched on, If the good Wives their reaſons dare to own. When they make queſtion whether muſty Muſt Of canker'd ſpirits ſhould be born as Juſt, Or with due reverence beſeech, and pray, They may not be expos'd as f ols in play. This boldneſs makes the ſottiſh ſoul invent A plot, and wiſh an Act of Parliament, That each man in his houſe may rule, and be Inveſted with a full authority To domineer, command, controul, make Laws Void of all reaſon; but a proud becauſe. Scripture without a Word of God they bring To juſtifie their tyranny. The King A a •• erus cited is: the Queen Vaſthi arraign'd, as groſly overſeen, That would not ſhew her ſelf; make Majeſty, She did partake of with the King, to be As picture ſhew'd to ſubjects; and moreover In this command they think the King was ſober: That a decree ſo neceſſary was Fit to be made a Monument in braſs. I leave them with Memucan to prevent Imperiouſneſs, the woman never meant, And to ſue out the formalleſt decree Againſt what never was, will never be. The thing call'd Matrimony thus beguiles, And makes a John a Nokes, a John a Stiles, To ſwell with mighty titles: for his Cur-ſhip To his proud haſty humours pleads for worſhip, With prayers, tears, ſhe our John may not aſſault, When dub'd Sr. Walter Walter Knight of Malt. Sarah call'd Abraham Lord; his Wife muſt do So to his honour, he'l be Baron too. If ſhe thinks, all her livelihood too much is To be expoſed to his greedy clutches, Since he reels all away, that ſhe can ſpin, Spends faſter than hard labour can bring in: Her cheſts, and coffers, boxes ſtraight he breaks Open, to ſhew his Licence to play Rex. If Caj tanes vote carry, he may hope To be elected as Doneſtick Pope; That, ſith the womans head is man, doth call His power by title that is Myſtical, Hard to be underſtood: what doth infer As Myſtick ſomething, that he's Myſtick Sir. The toyling Wife may give her ſelf the caſe, And judge it fit that Peter keep the keyes In his power o're her, children, ſervants ſee Mark of the Beaſt a Triple Soveraignty, And be forbidden ever for to own That ſhe believes the ſtory of Pope Joan. If he do tyrannize, and reaſon fail For what he doth, he puts on Coat of Male, Pleads he's an husband: ſo right, or behoof, Or promiſe ſhall not pierce him: this is Proof. If Layſhip cannot well abſolve the man, Nor give indulgence, Myſtick Headſhip can. This ſpeckled creature, without charge of pelf, May do wrong, give a pardon to himſelf. We need no antient Hiſtories to tell us, That meaner ſort of Dames may grow good fellows, Follow the trade of Goſſippings; they can Toſs jovially their pots like any man: If the poor Gaffer have weak jacks, their wills May not be ſerv'd without their luſtier Gills; Whoſe ſpirits make them keep moſt woful rackets It may be fall hard on their husbands jackets If ſo Viraginous, that muſt allow What ſuch Wives ſay, or do; cannot tell how To help it; ſcarce may think that expence ſad, Which beggars families, and makes them mad. For me, Xantippe ne're ſhall be too old, To bear the ſtigma of an odious ſcold. As puniſhment juſt let her alwayes be Under the tongue-ſtrappado Railery. Yet this may ſober Civil women vex, That faults, not general, upon the ſex Are caſt. What made Philoſopher to load us With ſilly p ſſinus habendi Modus? Was there no matter for the wiſe to write Upon, but womens eager appetite To men? by ſlender matter firſt begot To ſerve, they ſay themſelves, they know not what; The moſt for which this poor conceipt can bid, Is little ſomething called Neſcio quid. What means unkind Dilemma, that ſayes women If beautiful, muſt therefore needs be common? Such baſe Dilemma's alwayes in diſpute Deſerve to bear the Odium of Cornute. Leave off your tyranny, you pieviſh elves, Whilſt you do harm your Wives, you wrong your ſelves. Making their grieving hearts through eyes expreſs, What tongues would not, the great unhappineſs Not to be ſuffer'd, that they are brought to, Endeavouring moſt vainly to pleaſe you. What can you ſwagger, ſtorm at, and confine Them wrongfully, and call it Maſculine Thus to inſult? It is but fooliſh mind, Seeks to advance the Sex, debaſe the kind. Is't mercy to thy family to make Subſiſtence of Wife, Children lye at ſtake, And run a ſad adventure; when they All Muſt be expoſed by a doubtful fall, And but uncertain caſt at Dice? wherein She ſuffers much, although thou chance to win. But (if ſome unexpected hap do croſs Thy greedy aims) ſhe muſt ſit down with loſs. When all is caſt away, may ſhe not gain The liberty of loſers to complain? Canſt thou think to run through all in thy ſport, And not endure thou ſhouldſt be blamed for't? Or make it run through thee by drunken fit, And yet not ſuffer her to grieve for it?
Women-Worthies. EXamples croud upon us, leſt the flaws Of ſome irregulars ſhould wrong their cauſe, The innocence of others blemiſh, and the blame Of envy ſhould be charg'd, i'le further name Out of thoſe many, thought to equal beſt Of men, ſome few, that did outſhine the reſt. Since the great Amazonian Ladies ſeats Are mention'd by good Authors, and their feats Of War, ſucceſſes, progreſs, and the Dates Of theſe related with Confederates, Their government, declenſions, and laſt Queen, But to ſuppoſe they have not been, is ſpleen In them, in queſtioning that make us know, They are aſhamed much that it ſhould be ſo. The greatneſs of the things they did atchieve, Puts the world ſo much to it to believe. Others do talk at a prodigious rate, And that which noble was, call deſperate. As though their valour in firſt gallant fight Were to be thought a better ſort of flight. Were we diſpos'd this reaſon to allow As likely, poſſibly who could tell how To vindicate great Warriors; for men, When deſperate, fight their way back agen. In dangers vileſt Recreants are made ſtout Only to make way to creep poorly out. But they conſult not ſafety to make peace, Which ſoon might have been done; ſince cauſe did ceaſe For their exile, and ſufferings: but go on, Leaving their names to fame Thermodoon. Revenge was not the main cauſe; for that lamp When flaſh is over, ſoon is quench'd by damp Of fear. Their courage in the proof was clear, If not from wild-fire-raſhneſs, yet from fear. Not a few ages puts this out of doubt, Wherein their valour through defeats held out. Many Commanders courage did commence Famous, at the Acts of Experience, That need not be aſhamed to confeſs, They owed almoſt all unto ſucceſs: Or yield they have deriv'd their famous ſpirit From Anceſtors ſucceſs, which they inherit. Succeſſes caus'd not valour, but from hence, Their native courage, ſprang experience. Their Mothers victories, got in late fight, They could not look upon as their own right. Or ſith their husbands proſpered in Deed Of arms, think therefore they muſt need ſucceed. Had ſucceſs only rais'd their ſpirits, then Some few defeats had beaten down agen. They that are bred under the tyranny Of long, and hard oppreſſion, will be ſhye To own their Native-freedom, have no thought Higher, than to do what they have been taught: In time are brought to this degenerate ſenſe To think their reaſon piece of Impudence. They have Heroick Spirits, truly great, Whoſe mettle loſeth little by defeat. If over-powr'd by force, yet can maintain Their minds ſo high, that Victors ſcarce ſhall gain. Thus may we find the valiant Amazon, Conquer'd, and conquering, to ſeem all one. Not that ſubjection, ſince firſt ſin began, Adjudg'd a curſe of woman unto man; Not weakneſs of her ſex, made weaker by Her liberty to rule but Infantry; Not baniſhment from friends, and native s oil, Not murder of her husband; not her ſpoil; Not inexperience in war that can Daunt courage of the Amazonian. Theſe in their firſt engagement bravely know The way to fight, and how to overthrow, Turning the Diſtaff into Lance: the Wheel They caſt away; get Gorgets made of ſteel, Having their minds moſt ſtout (as bows were) bent To make a ſtrange unheard Experiment. Whether their nature, or condition brought Them to ſubjection, and ſo dreadful thought Of wars; when they aſſault the enemy Think it ſecureſt way for life to fly Not in a Complement; but forc'd give place, As if the Aſian bounds were but a Chaſe, Where they do follow pleaſant warlike ſport, And each one carries in her heart a fort. All other forts they leave, and Champion By them is fitteſt to be trod upon. By providence they ſeem to have a Charter To rule o're men. The ſtrongeſt ſpirit of Tartar, Was weak to theirs. Now we read of a Quarum. To put in Maps Inſulam foeminarum Is no great courteſie. It ſeems they meant To prove the world but narrow Continent To their deſires. Maragnon banks do pay Honour to their Names in America. And the ſuppoſed head of Nile will dare To challenge that they once were ſeated there. Euxine looks black at that, ſuppoſing thanks For them, was chiefly due unto his banks. Where ere they came they made Crowns uſe another Phraſe; and great Kingdom to obey their Mother.
Of Menalippe. GReat Hercules for ever famous is For all his labours, and not leſs for this With Menalippe that engag'd to fight, Who could not be match'd but by ſuch a Knight. The Victory with hardſhip ſhe let go At laſt, and glad was he he go it ſo, Not by pure valour; then my Author lyes, That gives the greateſt part unto ſurprize. If moſt renowned of the Greeks comes here As chapmen, ſhe will ſell them conqueſt dear. The Conquerors by Chariot that lead Their Vaſſal-Kings might be thus vanquiſhed With honour too: 'tis credit more by ſome To get a foyle, than elſewhere overcome.
Of Pentheſile. PEntheſile brought (with a kind intent Of helping Priam) her Maid-Regiment As ſome affirm, and had ſhe ſooner come, Deſpairing Greeks with ſhame had ridden home On Wooden Horſe. They now that dare to tax Troyes folly, yet do dread the Battle-ax, Which ſhe invented: heart was fully try'd Of great Achilles Son before ſhe dy'd. Such brave Virago's not by ſmoother words Of Complements, were overcome, but Swords. The gallant Grecian yonkers, that did Court, Before they wan their love, fought ſtoutly for't.
Of Artemiſia. HAlicarnaſſus Queen her ſelf did ſhew Fit to command the Archipelago. While Perſians ſtand at gaze, the Grecians are Forc'd to make way for more than Men of War, Which ſhe conducted; as though ſhe would glory, And make the Sea part of her Territory. The Perſian-Carpet-Knights with courage cold Run, to ſecure themſelves, into the Hold: Giving Achaians leave to underſtand, Ships overcharg'd with ſuch, were poorly man'd. The ink may bluſh, and Scribes, that are to write At her ſtout heart of Oak, their wings for flight. Xerxes ſpectator is aſham'd to ſee The Queens top, and top-gallant-gallantry. More are the Greeks enrag'd, that overcome, And ſcarce can carry - half the honour home. Her moſt renown'd Mauſoleum could not be For braveneſs half ſuch wonder as was ſhe. What was for honour of her husband meant Of her great praiſe is made the Monument.
Of Zenobia. WE'l boaſt Zenobia in triumph led, Yet by Aurelian not conquered. Not having life; nor begging pitteouſly, To live not bluſhing, nor aſham'd to dye; For when her army's broken and command, She more undaunted, than the Victor ſtands: Though outward ſplendour muſt be left behind, She will reſerve the greatneſs of her mind.
Of the Queen of Sheba. ARabia the Happy boaſts of her, That by her wiſdom made it happier; And from Saboean-land did come upon Errand, of proving wiſeſt Solomon With queſtions hard, ſhe queſtionleſs gave much Aſſurance, that ſhe was another ſuch. The greateſt Warriers were prov'd, we ſee, By women in the feats of Chivalry. The wiſeſt meer man in the Holy Writ Is ſaid to be try'd by a womans wit. With men in nobleſt exploits they'l compare, That in the wonders of the world had ſhare. Are they ſo equal? We may therefore render Acts, that are glorious, in the Doubtful Gender.
Of Deborah. WHen oppreſs'd Iſrael did ſadly moan Under their loſſes, which they might not own: When government was needful to ppeaſe Thoſe, who in reſtleſneſs take greateſt eaſe: When by what Laws command, and Rulers ſay People take pattern how to diſobey: When Malefactors need make no defence For their outrages, but more violence: Then Deborah is rais'd; for none ſo free From fear, ſo wiſe, ſo ſtout, ſo good as ſhe. Here Widows, Orphans, ſtrangers freely might Have their cauſe pleaded, and receive their right Aſſoon as richeſt; for ſhe knew right well How to give Judgement; but had none to ſell. No tedious demu rers here; no witty Cobweb-exceptions, Courts of fooliſh pitty. For Chancery, no argument ſhe draws From Topick of the perſon, but the cauſe. They that ſtood by her could not but invoke God, when they heard the Oracles ſhe ſpoke. Nay bifront Ja us could not put a face Upon't, if there to deny her the place. Barak gives her right hand, is glad to be Beholding for his branch to her Palm-tree. She gave firſt blow in the attempt, and lead The hoſt, and Jacl knock'd nail to the head.
Of Eſther. THe proud Amalekite fate daily at His Pur Pur, like a Melancholly Cat, Blood mad and rageful that ſtraight at his call The lucky lot did not prepare to fall. Since Mord cai to bow refuſed, he Seeks by Jews downfall to revenged be. Thirſt of his malice cannot be by blood Of one man quenched, he can drink a flood Of tears and go e : therefore Eſther adventures Though with the hazard of her life, and enters Into the preſence againſt Law: the Queen Redeems lives that were purchas'd for his ſpleen. Since he's not tall enough, doth ſtill aſpire, he will advance him forty cubits higher. Haman will not be a man, yet his fate With twiſt doth take away the aſpirate. Thus under God the Feaſt of Purim may Be eckon'd as the Jewiſh Eſther day.
Of Judith. WHat to diſtreſs'd, deſpairing, Iſrael was Too much to think; Judith doth bring to paſs. Proud Holofernes thought his words ſo ſtout, Enough among the Jews to make a rout. Wiſhing them heart to make reſiſtance great To heighten his courage, and their defeat To aggravate, ſhe ſilenceth thoſe boaſts, And at two blows, ſtoutly beheads an hoſt. No petty Forts aſſails, but chief of all, Their main ſtrength, and ſoon takes the Capitoll. When to Bethulia ſhe returns, and calls, There ſtraight ariſe ſome ſtatues on the walls. So great amazing joy in every one Made them ſeem part of th' wall turn'd into ſtone. So once Meduſa's beauty left no vigour Of men to the beholders, but a Figure. She fear'd not living Monſter, ſome do doubt From the fierce head leſt body ſhould grow out As heads of Hydra from the body; ſeeing Dead Tyrant them ſhe ſcarce can keep from flying. Bago's with ſhame doth find his Maſter dead, And proves a truſty keeper of his head. Aſſyrian camp in great confuſion ſtands. They that want head, have little uſe of hands. Women in triumph walk that day like hoſt, And they have greateſt right to rule the roaſt. Judith led Van, and ſhe the Olive bore The other branches as the Dove before.
Of Queen Elizabeth. WOnder of women, and of Queens, the breath Of Englands glory, was Elizabeth. That quenched bonefires, which loud did proclaim The Popiſh cruelty with tongues of flame. To Proteſtants when ſhe brought liberty The Friar-Bacons in their greaſe did fry. That ſhe deceiv'd their wicked art, and fell Not within power of their Magick ſpell, And Romiſh Bats afraid of Goſpel Light, As much aſham'd, pull out their eyes for ſpight. They to their private Maſſes run, one reads He knows not what, yet ſtifly plyes his beads, Sayes what he mindeth not; but makes a patter When he poor ſoul knows nothing of the matter. By Delver now are Engliſh Bibles found, And brought to light, that were hid under ground. Now are the clouds diſpel'd of that dark night, Wherein the Word muſt not be brought to light. From bondage Proteſtants are brought, before They did lye under, promiſe have of more. The Pope grows horn-mad, he will diſannull All by (like wicked Holineſs) a Bull. Spain (as moſt dutiful) the office bore To be accounted beſt Son of the Whore, And did appear with ſtout Rodomontado A ſudden, great, invincible Armado: Cloſe link'd together: but the powe'rful One Deſign'd to break them by their Union. The winds do blow till they are out of breath, The ſeas are troubled threatning their death That croſs'd them, and with proud intent durſt come Of joyning Narrow Seas to Sea of Rome. By envying command in them they gain This fort, ſhe will be Lady of the Main. Their intercepted, laden, ſhips amount To their fear, loſs, ſhame, and to her account. Denmarkian name was not a little bound To her for riches, glory of its Sound. Through her ſincerity Batavian, When others loſe by forreign aids, did gain. This was rare inſtance, for no o her end, To help diſtreſſed, but them to befriend: When we are taught in Machiavellian School, Firſt give aſſiſtance, after take the rule. French Proteſtants the bounteous God do bleſs With ſeaſonable ſuccours, and ſucceſs. No more ingrate, than miſerable they, Firſt diſoblige her, then become a prey. Merchants, that Convoys ſlight, to Pyracies Become an eaſier, and ſo richer prize: So ſilly ſheep, when once the Shepherd's gone, By lurking Wo ves may ſoon be fed upon. When 'tis too late they know to be more wiſe, And learn the treach'rous Leaguers cruel Gu ſe. The forreign Lands, that boſomes had, have been Moſt joyful there to lay our Merchants in: That making their diſcoveries, did paſs Through dreadful Lands of Ice, and S as of Glaſs, And what is ſtrange ſcarce ſuffered Terra Auſtralis to remain In ognita. Of Navigation in each point did try To make a perfect Encyclopedye.
Of Mary Magdalen. OUr Saviour hath foretold, the lu gs of fame Should ſtill indebted be to Ma ies name; That mirror of Gods mercy, once poſſeſt By many evil ſpirits, made a bleſt Houſe for the Holy Ghoſt. The blackeſt night Of ſinful ſtate turn'd into glorious light. Do not upbraid her that her crimes were ſuch: All was forgiven, and ſhe loved much. The coſtly Spicknard which ſhe poured forth Upon his head, did not come near the worth Of her great love. To thoſe, who grudged there At needleſs waſte, Chriſt was not half ſo dear. This humble handmaid judged it moſt meet To ſit, as a Diſciple, at his feet, And gather up the precious words, that fell From the mouth of Rabbi Immanuel. His feet ſhe bathes in fountain of her eyes, Them with the flaxen of her hairs ſhe dryes. Her ſober ſadneſs he blaſphemes that jeers, From her derives the cheat of Maudlin-tears. And ſhe as holy women did ſupply With purſe the humbled Alſufficiency. And follows him at laſt, with drowned eyes And broken heart, beholds him as he dyes; Who at his death, and after was moſt dear, His laſt care firſt appearance makes appear Venus a female Planet ſo doth run Her courſe, to wait upon the ſetting Sun; And ſhe again gives notice by her bright Rayes, of the coming of the Monarch light.
Of the Bleſſed Virgin Mary. FEmales the holy Virgin did advance, In bringing forth the worlds deliverance, The bleſſed Child, of whom it's only ſaid, Becauſe he could not lye, not credited; Whoſe innocence, works, Miracles and all Made him eſteem'd a greater Criminal; Whoſe ho teſt ſervice, and ſouls anguiſh great, We read in Rubrick of a bloody ſweat; More deep concerns for man, than thoſe that riſe, And freely ſpout out of the blood-ſhot-eyes; Whoſe ſufferings ineffable impart, Through pierced ſide, view of a weeping heart; Who taſted bitter ſowre, that we might meet In greateſt troubles, but with bitter ſweet. Methinks at the report of thy Child's fame, I ſee worlds wonders wonder, and to blame Their builders proud, and coſtly folly, which When he was made ſo poor, would make them rich. When Lum narie of the day draws near, The leſſer lights cannot for ſhame appear. So greateſt Wonders at his coming fall, Own him as Wonder greater much than all. The ſtately Pyramids, the Memphian pride, 〈…〉 abaſhed ſeek to hide, 〈…〉 of ſight and mind; for ſhame 〈…〉 bluſheth into flame. 〈…〉 Pi my ſeems to be, 〈…〉 him that is Immenſity. Aegyptian Pha os wou'd officiouſly Hold candle to this Wonder paſſing by: But that poor watch-light nothing could confer, To help the brightneſs of the Morning Star. Olympick Jupiter like Statue ſtands, For empty ſhew, with eyes, ears, mouth and hands. In thee was Maſter-piece of Heaven aid; Moſt curious work that ever Heaven made. Had there gone out tax on the wit of all Men on this Globe, wiſdom Angelica , They could have carv'd with curioſity, But better ſhap'd piece for Idolatry. The Father hath expreſs'd his Image on Pure Virgin-wax, and ta'n to Union With God the ſecond Perſon; hence our true Service, and adoration are due. The Carian boaſt Ma ſoleum dare not call For any Rights, but ſilent burial In rubbiſh; for its greateſt pride can go For nothing more than Worms S raglio. Much greater wonder is the Virgin Tomb, Where never man was laid before. The womb That bore him is more glorious; when the right Sun for nine m ne hs in Virgo lodg'd h s light. The ſtrong, and ſtately 〈…〉 Compar'd to him s no defence at all. He's wa , much ſtronger than one made of ſt •• e, Or braſs, impregnable ſalvation. To take the height of which, requ res much rather Than a poor Jacobs Staff, a Jacobs 〈◊〉 .
The Character of an Accompliſhed and Virtuous Woman. THy mind is happy, being ſeat of wit, More happy ſince diſcretion governs it: The former is the pretty fable, this Diſcretion grave the uſeful Moral is. As there irrationals do ſpeak what ſuites With ſolid reaſon, that men turn not brutes: So here child's taught the riddles to unfold Of gravity, a ſtripling to grow old. It ſtains not freſhneſs of thy youth to have, And to deſerve the Epithete of grave, Hated by them, whoſe bodies now grown cold, Make them in all reſpects, but prudence, old: But much concerns thee, time runs on ſo faſt With winged feet, and thou no better haſte Canſt make in judgement, that thy tender age By Antedate of prudence may be ſage. Leaveſt them to bluſh at their idle fears, That reckon it as Int'reſt in their years, To ſeem diſcreet, but yielding viler rate To Ladies, that are worn quite out of Date. Thou think'ſt not gravity doth then look beſt, Expoſed when to laughter in a jeſt, Or that becoming wit, which doth afford To make the author of it more abſurd. Thou ſeek'ſt with grandam-virtues to adorn Thy ſelf, when youthful vanities are worn By perſons much more aged, to yield ſtrong Preſumption to the world that they are young: That ſeem to reckon it as an exceſs Either to practiſe virtue or profeſs: Admit into their Ethicks modeſty Apocope'd, without a Civil tye: Serving all wanton modes : thus pieviſh wag Spoileth the lace by pulling off the Ta . Thoſe, that in too great freedom draw not near Occaſions foul, are judged too ſevere: As though plain Modeſty deſerv'd no thanks, Careful, how it approaches nigh the banks Of fouleſt baſeneſs: their preſumption thinks, It's want of reſolution fears the brinks. A vulgar unapproved innocence Deſerving not at all Heroick ſence. They'l have you think, if you have faith enough, They're innocent as child new born, although They tempt the wanton Reveller to try What guard is kept upon their honeſty. Strength of thy reſolution is bely'd, If it be thought to be leſs fortifi'd Becauſe of caution : rather might it tell, Againſt wild ſtorms it is impregnable. If any, in repute grown outlaw'd, comes, Aſſaults with levity, and beats the drums Of thy chaſte ears, he finds there is no charm To win thy heart, but make thy virtues arm, Vileneſs of his attempts expoſed lye Set out in colours of Vermilion-dye. That he may ſee his rudeneſs, take the ſhame, Thou lend'ſt the Taper of thy modeſt ſlame. When exhalations thick the air do muddy, So the bright Ruler of the morn looks ruddy. If highneſs to debaſe upon the ſtage, And folly mask with an abſtemious rage; If to feed corrupt fancy with the veins Of evity in ſome Romantick ſtrains; If lo ty traverſing muſt be alone Accounted gallant education; Thou wilt take up with grave, and antient ſort Of b eeding, and not be leſs nobler for't. The Lillyes candour, and the bluſhing Roſe, A temper neither frolick, nor moioſe, Pleaſantneſs mixed well with gravity, A grace deportment, ma ron-like, and free; The ſweeteſt condeſcenſion, not abject, Or ſordid to command, and to affect Obliging carriage, which admired makes Rather than feared, as it was it takes, Not too high, nor familiar, to prevent Both the extreams of hatred, and contempt Are thy true glories, not for ſhew, but uſe, Need not bear judgement true, or beg excuſe. Let loſty Mounters proudly ſcale the kye With fr zled, ſparkling bravery, and dye. Let M t vis with exhalations fed, Glutted with vapour, be ſoon famiſhed. Let Potentares be ſwoln up big with Titles In Honours Volumes but the ſmalleſt tittles. Let proud Phantaſtes much admire his Minion A ragged, ba e, and beggarly Opinion. Thy praiſe is in thy ſelf, not put to death By ſpiteful ſtopping of anothers breath. To thee, without true excellence, 'tis naught, Great, and right Honourable, to be thought: Since it is more to be, than only ſeem; To merit glory, than to have eſteem. To appear great to world doſt not aſpire, But (if to vulgar ſight leſs) to be higher, Whil'ſt haughtineſs fo dly advancing Creſt Th 'eth her own Fools-Coat the Nobleſt, Becauſe it's gaudy: Scripture He aldry Gives the much better plain Humility. Thy ſelf-denyal is a noble feat, For greateſt Alexander far too great; Too high for them whoſe ſoaring aims were bent To gain the title of Magnificent. It's truly honourable to deſpiſe That which the greateſt Monarcl s idolize. Ambition lawful is, and the intent Bleſſed, in goodneſs to be excellent; After good facts performing to Commerce, And take the high degrees of Eminence. The touring thoughts of pride, that do advance Their lofty heads by Goſpel Ordinance, Thou batter'ſt down. Pray'r, faſtings do confer To make thee humble, a ſelf Leveller. Before thou waſt ſince that thy power to be Depended on Gods Alſufficiency; That could produce. Thy futurition ſtated Was from the will, and virtue that created. Beauty, wit, greatneſs, honour thou'lt confeſs, But as they are deriv'd from God, are leſs Than nothing in act ſafely canſt maintain Them leſs than leſs than Nothing told again: Nor are nor can be real, but hang on The judgements greateſt Contradiction. Theſe realliz'd thou thankfully doſt own, Becauſe that they are thine, and not thy own; Thine, as to payment of a grateful mind; Thine, not to free from duty, but to bind; So not thine own a worthineſs to raiſe In ſelf, but what redoundeth to his praiſe. In this God muſt be ſole without compare, Since it is granted, Nothing hath no ſhare. Beauty ſo many envy, and admire; Honour few ſeek to merit, but acquire. Riches that ſuffer not the owner ſleep; Health many ſeek to Court, but few to keep. Thouſand degrees are ſhort of parallel To Grace, wherein thou ſtriveſt to excell Tranſcendently becoming humble, ſo What moſt advanceth thee, ſtill makes thee low, Thy native vileneſs truly to confeſs; And real greatneſs makes thee ſo much leſs In the eſteem of ſelf, yet on this ſcore Thy worth and modeſty deſerve the more. Thy ſpeeches pithy, ſolid, give a light Compoſed to inſtruct, and to delight, Serious, and pleaſant, witty, pertinent, Grave, pat, and proper, fit for each intent, With pleaſure hearer, that may entertain And recompence with profitable gain. Much unlike theirs, who troubled with the lask Or looſneſs of the tongue relate, and ask, Not with deſire to be inform'd, or break Somewhat material to be known, but ſpeak What ſavours ill. Let men pretend their fears How to ſuch laviſh tongues they lend their ears, Pleaſant their fancies too in laying ten To one they never have them back agen, Or not without the wrong of foul abuſe. Thou payeſt precious ear-rings for the uſe Of ſome few ſhort-liv'd Minutes, what is heard From thee, ſhall be their pleaſure, and reward. Thy words as they imploy ſo do they whet, Both exerciſe attention, and beget, They ſatisfie, not cloy. By what is ſaid Hearer indebted it, as well as paid. Thy Counſels are reſolving Medicines, Swaſions, attractives, reproofs, Anodynes, Where the diſcreet, and tender management Make not the ſmalleſt part of Argument. Whilſt vain talk Melancholy doth increaſe; Inſtead of helping, adds to the diſeaſe, Lifts up the ſpirits in tranſports, withall By their depreſſion gives the ſadder fall. Good Cordials skilfully compounded hit The cauſe, and ſo alleviate the fit: So thy well temper'd ſpeeches are more ſure Way to give eaſe, and to effect the cure. Thy prudent humble meekneſs beſt can tame Anger, when fury would the more inflame. When over-haſty Romans do oppoſe The ſtronger cunning Carthaginian grows, And more ſucceſsful, but ſoon melts away By greater force of Fabian-delay. Quitting is ſtratagem to win the field, The way at once to overcome, and yield; Never the baſe regarding, petty harms Shall caſt diſgrace upon thy Coat of Arms. Thy Victories are not diſhonoured, As where the Conquerour is vanquiſhed. They of true triumph want the greater half, That conquer other Monarchs, but not ſelf. You that will have your nature judged by Laughter at good (ſome Ladies property) Come ſee the ugly face of your offence, In Mirror of unmoved Patience. By wrong would you provoke her? That doth move Her to provoke you ſo much more to love. Or will you calumn es caſt? Her defence Is not the like reproach; but Innocence. In vain contend you with her, whoſe conteſt Is (not to get the better) to be beſt. She knows, they who by paſſion moſt have won, Will ſo much ſooner prove to be undone. They run in debt, that ſltrive to give offence To others, owe the greater recompence, An undeſerved taunt or wicked curſe Can make her virtue not a jot the worſe, What malice caſts upon, whilſt not within, Is the reproach of others, not her ſin. Were talk true Judge, the good then only might Be good by favour, and be bad by ſpight: Whilſt ſome do in their needleſs viſits rome, Till they be greateſt ſtrangers to their home; Gadding as though they to the world were ſent To be imploy'd in what's Impertinent; As if their birth did priviledge by right Them to caſt off the care, and overſight Of houſe-concerns: thou keep'ſt thy wonted rack Through each task of thy painful Zodiack. Like the bright Champion of the day, that rowls His flaming eye toward the diſtant Poles Arctick Antarctick, vieweth both the Tropicks, The Seas Tartarian, and Aethiopicks. Thou art accompliſhed with quickeſt ſenſe In wiſe forecaſt, and careful Providence, With memory fitly to recollect, And care in all things makes thee circumſpect. Not ſuff'ring Medler in thy houſe to grow That's open-headed, nor unuſeful ſlow: For ſlothful ſervants ſhould there be no blame When idle, lazy thou wouldſt force for ſhame By thy example them, that wait on thee, To be affected to good huſwifry. They in their orbs muſt take their light from thine, So they are made to ſerve, as well as ſhine. By friends perſwaſions, or thy fancy catch'd, To ſome prodigious temper art thou match'd, Or marry'd rather, to draw out in care Thy vexed life with a familiar; One that proves moſt unſuitable, whoſe gall O'reflowing fills the houſe with hateful braul. Thy Phyſick is not uſual by keen Reproofs, ill-ſavouring to mend his ſpleen, Repreſs his choler, ſweetly to endure Thy Ethicks tell thee is the way to cure. Where bombards cannot any breaches make, A milder fiege is found the way, to take. Aſſoon the ſhackles of the Perſian King, Or idle Ceremony of a Ring Preſented by Pope to his Zani, may Bind Helleſpout, oblige rough Adria To calmneſs, as ſharp quips, loud bluſt'ring can Correct the madneſs of the chur •• h man. This piece of rigour, Nabaliſme, rage, If curable, thou' t break by Saxifrage Of patience, and diſcretion. When dint Of reaſon cannot, meekneſs breaks the flin . But, if ſome paſſion break forth, 'tis thy ſtrong Deſire, endeavour that it dye when young. Thou wilt not be at fruitleſs pains to nurſe That, which as it grows elder groweth w rſe. Is he with fury charcoal'd, of deſire That ſofteſt breath makes him ſpit ſparks of fire. Thy ſilence from his rage ſhall take ſupply. Anger, as fire, if't have no air will dye. If glitt'ring pretences do'nt abuſe The can dour of thy judgement; but thou chooſe With love that is not blind aſſociate, That may yield double comfort to thy ſtate. Not Cynical, nor worthleſs paſſions ſl ve, But with a ſweet complayſance that is grave, Whoſe gentle nature more deſigns to draw With moſt obliging carriage, than to a e With ſtern looks, inſolent commands: then you Cannot but hit the Golden Rule of two In Matrimonial fellowſhip, where one Heart, joy, concern, care, tongue make U iſon. No emulation, who ſhall be above To govern, rule, command, controul; but love. Strive who ſhall pleaſe moſt, and contention Is ſtrong on both ſides that there may be none. Thy ſnares are harmleſly to gain. Each gin Diſcreetly by thee laid is but to win. In joy, ſucceſs, his ſorrows, loſſes too Thou challengeſt for Joynture half as due. With his content thy cheerfulneſs will mingle; Thy perſon is not, nor are croſſes ſingle. By Catechizing, good inſtruction To help fault of the firſt Tranſgreſſion, And ſad fruit thence ariſing to redreſs To moſt things ſteril: but to barrenneſs Thou doſt endeavour, that thoſe of the earth May be made happy by a ſecond birth To holineſs; and thus thy pray'rs, and toyl May be rewarded by a fruitful ſoyl: With the ſincere milk of the Word doſt nurſe To make them bleſſings, and take off the curſe, Whereby they growing up afford the gain Of joy much greater than thy former pain. So toyling husband-man beholding fate And curſe upon the earth degenerate Grubs up the ſhrubs, thorns, bryars, and then ploughs, Harrows, and ſowes his ſeed with ſweating brows; And thus by manifold encreaſe obtains Againſt the curſe, what will reward his pains. Midas may wiſh for golden ſhowres and Mountains, Atla tick hortyards and true Cryſtal fountains, That all his Roms might bear as precious fleece, As that which was fetch'd by the youths of Greece. His fields were Or, and Argent, nought to breed But precious money-wort, and ſilver-weed; Or pray that all his Cockle Oyſter-ſhells With precious pearls were fil'd, and nothing elſe; That he may keep his Lent upon each fiſh, As rich as that in Polycrates diſh. Thy earneſt prayer is a great deal wiſer, Than what obtain'd would alwayes make a Miſer. Therefore doſt thou implore the power above, Thy heart may be good ſoil for Johns-wort-Love, Contentment which yields hearts eaſe, and true hope Directed unto Chriſt as Heliotrope; With reſolution which ſtill groweth beſt, As famous Palm the more it is oppreſs'd, And ſober temper, wherein doth conſiſt More virtue than in precious Amethyſt. As Corals colour's ſaid to ſympathize With the diſtemper'd wearer, that thine eyes May Weather-glaſſes be, whereby to ſhew, Whether with Gods Church it be high or low. Thy Alms are ſtirring, not to get a Name, As other people do to do the ſame; Turning what is by bounteous Heaven ſent, Not into pity by a complement. But thy Compaſſion joyn'd to Gods command Enlarge thy tender heart, make lib'ral hand. An heart without good works, is in true ſenſe, No part of charity, but a pretence. Where is ability, the poor have part, And a large ſhare both in thy goods, and heart. Many do pamper up themſelves in luſt, With diſhes, which Apician fancy muſt Be tortur'd for, the Appetite to fill, Whilſt they make Reaſon baſeſt Manciple. Yet when the poor are almoſt famiſhed, Can nothing more afford than Be ye ſed Have guts, no bowels to receive the cry And moans of pining hard Neceſſity. But what is debt, thy wiſdom makes a Loan, Which layeth out for him what is thine own; Knowing for his that be diſpos'd is juſt, Which no way's thine, but only upon truſt. When wanton Venuſſes do plait their hairs, With frizled treſſes make pernicious ſnares, Whileſt theſe Ara •• nes weave their Cobweb thin Better to catch unwary Gallants in; Disfigure nature, and deform themſelves, By patching, painting to take loveſome Elves; With Heliogabalus Monopolize Adventures of the ſtrangeſt rarities; Torment Phantaſtes brain, till he can find Out modes, and faſhions changing with their mind; Put the Cameleon to't, and Proteus too To put on ſhapes, and colours that are new; Take Adders hearts to raiſe their jolly ſtrains; Drink Viper-wine, till it drink up their brain, To keep them freſh: By Cleopatra taught, Swallow ten thouſand drachmas at a draught; Thus vainly giving up into the hand Of viler Corporal the chief Command, About the body taking chiefeſt care, Make it appear, how idle ſouls they are, No pains, no coſt is thought too much, that can Contribute to enrich the inner man With glorious excellencies, and impart A greater gracefulneſs unto thy heart. Thy wiſe concern is deeper than the skin, Truly to be all beautiful within. Thy ornaments are ſuch, as we are told, Were made the Matrons bravery of old. If things be duly prized, when they are The fartheſt fetch'd, and deareſt bought; how rare Are they, which from the throne of Heaven ſought, By no leſs than the blood of God were bought? If things have value, which do ſo much pleaſe The eyes of men; how precious then are theſe, That take Gods heart, whoſe approbation Gives worth unto the things which elſe have none? Eaſtern, and Weſtern Indies, that entomb So much admired riches in their womb; The great adventures which were purchas'd by The Romiſh Catholick humanity, And fill'd the Spaniſh coffers, are much leſs Than what from Heavens gift thou doſt poſſeſs. Ten thouſand millions, if ſum'd up, are ſmall And nothing, when compared to thine All. Moſt precious Diamonds to fight can bring But dazled luſtre, or weak glimmering. The Queen of Heaven, Conſtellations bright Make not the day, but mend the diſmal night. When Heavens Champion doth but ſhew his face, Affrighted darkneſs ſoon reſigns its place. Thou art thrice happy, that receiveſt ray Of Chriſt the glorious Sun, that makes thy day. What did the Learned Heathens once advance But ſubtle piece of ſplendid ignorance? Led by the Taper of their Reaſons light, That farthing-candle mended but their night, That had no ſaving knowledge. Argus's eyes Leſs power have, than this one to be wiſe. The pleaſant picture ſeems to ſport, and play With wanton glance converted ev'ry way, Or ſtand before, or turn to either ſide, Look at it, and you ſeem to be eſpy'd: So carnal minds ſeem great things to eſpy, Yet all but with a dead, and painted eye, Compar'd to thine, where the moſt real ſight Proceedeth from a clear celeſtial light. Dives with delicates was daily fed Yet he poor ſoul did want thy daily bread, Who ſet at Wiſdoms table doſt enjoy Dainties, that do refreſh, feed, fill, not cloy. Worldlings like Serpents, or Cameleons, are Nouriſh'd with clogging duſt or empty air: Deſire inſatiate hath painted diſhes, That more inflame the heart with idle wiſhes. As riches multiply upon men; ſo The dropſie of their greedineſs doth grow, And vaſtneſs of eſtate doth make them ſcant, Greater the fulneſs is, the greater want. Thy lowlineſs of mind, doth make thee higher; By want thou art enrich'd with good deſire; Which makes thee after Living God to pant, To gain more plentiful eſtate by want. The greateſt Monarchs would much richer be, Were they enriched by thy Poverty. The baſer ſons of earth do fall upon Ignoble game, and feed on carrion. Thy nobler mind aſpireth to attain, Though at expence of loſſes, more to gain Of the Angelical, and pleaſant food Moſt ſatisfying, and eternal good. Nor will thy ſtrong deſires ceaſe to aſcend, Until enjoyment to hope put an end. Circumvolution of few ſliding hours In ſeaſon leſs benign fade ſweeteſt flowres; The mighty works of Architecture pay At length their debt to Nature in decay, And Hieroglyphick Serpent that ſets bounds To mortals beings with its numerous rounds, That will have gnaw'd to pieces in ſome while The world, though it were mettal hard as file, Hath bury'd tombs, and monuments ſhall be The ſpoil and triumph of eternity. Thy ornaments are of celeſtial mould By longeſt tract of time that grow not old, Not ſubject to the thief, moth, ruſt, or waſte, Or to be leſſen'd by the time that's paſt; Still ſhall be freſh, have no relation To the vile worm or baſe corruption. To thee that makeſt it thy care to look For happieſt eſtate in Doomeſday Book, And waiteſt for the everlaſting bliſs, A Term too ſhort Fee-ſimple ever is. Each gate of th' heavenly Jeruſalem Is repreſented by a precious Gem. How glorious then ſhall daughter of the King Appear? whoſe grace will have eternal ſpring And perfect growth; who treading on the Moon, Shall be compleatly clothed with the Sun Of righteouſneſs; to whom Don Phoebus bright That rules the day, affords but Gloworm light: When there ſhall be no ſhadow, nor decay, No ſhowres, no clouds, to ſtain the perfect day. Here learn you to be wiſe, whoſe careleſs care Is to ſleep, dreſs, feaſt, chat, and take the air; Whoſe idle work when rarely ſet upon, And to do nothing almoſt are all one; Whoſe planetary lives are chiefly ſpent In the Exchange of frothy Complement. With you the antient virtues are much more Grown out of faſhion than the clothes they wore: Your ſhame is to be fix'd amongſt the Stars, By vanity of your lewd Jupiters, That much admire you, to enſnare their eyes, As do the painted, powd'red Butterflyes Some little children, and for nothing elſe To be admir'd by Merchants; but your ſhells Like ſcented Panthers that deſtroy, and pleaſe And poyſon, as the bright Cantharides. Why ſo high born brave Dames? None of you can Draw out your lives inch longer than the ſpan Deſign'd. Why ſwell you big with thoughts of birth? The Worm's your Siſter, and your Mother Earth. Are you with travel of your Mother grown Noble? The labour then was not your own Or doth your honour come by being march'd? That light is borrow'd from the fool you catch'd. Do you your ſelves by fame, that's common, prize? That, when the giddy humour's over, dyes. As bubble ſwoln with empty' air doth laſt •• me thoughts, not many, longer than the blaſt. One breath blows up, and breaks this wat'ry bail, And half a Minute is its Spring and Fall. What, is it not enough, ſome to imploy To Indies moſt remote, to fetch a toy, Or precious tr fle, yet all this to dreſs, And to equip your rotten carkaſſes? But that the Artiſt black muſt run to Hell To fetch your fortunes, and return to tell? Shall wandr'ing Gipſies, and that wicked Crew Of Vagrants, that pretend as if they knew Future Contingents, have your charity, And be rewarded for the r cheating lye? Whereas the godly Miniſters that bear Affection to your ſouls ſcarce gain your ear? When they declare the woful ſtate of ſin, And miſery you are involved in By nature, ſhew reſtor'd you cannot be To ſight, unleſs you know you do not ſee; And ſend you to the Son of God, whoſe bright Rayes to the Saints in Heaven give a light. They tell you you are dead in ſin, and give This token of their love, to wiſh you live. Direct you unto Chriſt, your life, whereby You may have health, wealth, and true liberty. Since you will know the things that are to come, Out of the Word they read the dreadful Doom Of all that have no intereſt in him, If they continue in their death and ſin. Shall yet a coſtly patch amount to more Than what ye ever gave unto the poor? Shall they that ſighing do reprove you, have No better thanks than Clown, or ſaw y Knave? May your faults acted be, and not be told? Will you not be perſwaded you are old? Or ſo ſhall be e'relong? Why bring you down The rate of A e which is a glorious Crown In righteouſneſs? Would you have death to come And Complement your Honours to the Tomb? Or will you bid him ſtay below? For why, You are not yet in humour brought to dye. And to prevent his viſit, ſend to tell, That you are buſie, or not very well. Death is a Doctor, ſuch you'l ſcarce endure, That killeth all; yet not a few doth cure. Will you like Jezabels your faces paint, And think withal, that Serjeant grim to daunt With your imperious looks? In vain ye do' ; He'l not be ſcar'd, but tread you under foot. Thy body to neglect, thou'lt not endure; And muſt thy ſoul be then a ſine Cure? O fooliſh thoughts, pains, wiſhes vain, which are Not to be holy, humble, meek, but fair! For ſhame let not ſuch golden ſeaſons paſs Upon your boards, beds, ſports, or looking-glaſs. Cut off ſome minutes toward the concern Of what the world deſpiſeth ſempitern. Why look you on Religion as a Dame, That is too homely, beareth not a name Amongſt vain Ranters; with ſeverities Of mortifying zeal doth blear her eyes; Deforms her viſage, and forbids all airs Of merriment to pine her ſelf with cares, And dreadful thoughts in a tormented life, That none but fools would chooſe her for a Wife, Gallants will ſcarce afford Civility, To ſerve the Cuſtome of a Cap, and knee. Her noble quality well underſtood, Would ſhew her great, and of the Royal blood. It's not below beſt of moſt Princely houſe, To Court her Ladyſhip, and to eſpouſe. So excellent is beauty of this Saint, It cannot be worſe injur'd than by paint. Her vaſt eſtate is not confined by The bounds too narrow of Geography. All the Gold, Silver, Pearls, Fruits this Globe bears To one of many Jewels that ſhe wears, Bear no compare in value; if not you, Yet this the wiſeſt Merchants have found true, The teſtimony of good Conſcience, That there hath been a thorough ſight, and ſenſe Of odious ſin, ſo pow'rful as to make The ſoul, with hatred, ſin and ſelf forſake, And cleave to Chriſt, reſting on him alone, With conſtant holy life reflected on Through Gods great mercy do afford more true, Laſting, great, cordial joy than that which you Conceive to be had by the looſing reins Of Civil temper, to run into ſtrains Of jollity, ſcrew'd up to higheſt pin Of madneſs, that you may not feel your ſin: Yours is but heartleſs laughter; for your ſinning, Maketh a foul, and but convulſive grinning; Not unlike the Sardinian herb, whereby Men only ſeem to laugh; but ſurely dye. You ſay Gods mercy you rely upon: Is it good hope, or bold preſumption? Speak out your meaning; and be underſtood: Will you be wicked, becauſe God is good? And is it gratitude, ſo to abuſe The mercy, which you thankfully ſhould uſe? To ſerve the perfect Being with decayes, And him that's alwayes preſent, with delayes? At diſtance pleaſures of the earth appear Greater; grow leſſer much, as they draw near. Their promiſes ſhifting delayes you find, Why do you not then ſerve them in their kind? Say, this were granted, you might on ſtill run In vanity to your Declining Sun, And meet with no arreſt to ſtop career Of mirth, or cauſe the ſadneſs of a tear. What will the end be? Will dry bones, dim eyes, Decrepit acts, be fit for Sacrifice? Is it meet, Sin, World, Devil have the prime Of vigour, beauty, action, ſtrength, and time? And he that for all mind, heart, might doth call Have moſt deformed, weakeſt part of all? Will you preſent the firſt fruits unto ſin? Leave the poor ſhare, and gleanings unto him? And what, I pray, are offers like to get, When you are old, but a prolong'd Not yet? Although to act your follies, nought can move With ſo much pleaſure; Will you ceaſe to love The vanities you cannot act? What force Muſt be requir'd to make a full Divorce? Is it too much, to be at ſmall expence Of ſome few minutes coſt in reference To ſoul-concerns? when frightful death draws near To do its work Repentance will be dear. A true Repentance never is too late: But true Repentance ſeldom bears that Date. What perſon in her wits, if once begun, Would proſecute the thing muſt be undone; Make work for ſorrow, run upon the ſcore; Strive to have leſs to pay with, owe the more? Did the oppreſſor, or the filcher own Neceſſity of Reſtitution In his Repent nce, 'twould do more than brand, To cure him of the felons in his hand. Real belief would cauſe you to prevent What being done, doth call you to repent. When pious women ready are to give Account of life, then you'l begin to live. Amendment you reſolve on, make that good, And that you are reformed I'le conclude. What thou doſt purpoſe from a ſincere heart, Not what thou wilt be ſhews, but what thou art. Thus to deſign, will make thee God advance Above the world in brighteſt Circumſtance, And doſt thou thus the world deſpiſe, when it Advantage hath, to gain thy Appetite? If not, to pleaſure thou art but in thrall; For all pretence, thou lov'ſt not God at all. Two wayes, that come to one, of ſaying Nay To the words Now I'le never, or delay. Suppoſe thy mind ſtill ſame to Heavens call, Not yet will prove the ſame, as not at all. To promiſe then is groſs impertinence, Forſake thy wicked life, or this pretence. Behold one, that hath ſwagger'd in the world With riches, honour; great retinue buri'd Into a loathſome priſon, there to ſee His folly paſt, and preſent miſery; And view thy deſtiny. His higher rate Of living, makes the ſadneſs of his ſtate: His former plenty makes his want the more: If not ſo rich, he had not been ſo poor. His titles that gave ſplendour to his name, Remembred now, do but augment his ſhame. Thy matchleſs beauty, whileome which eſpy'd Begat the lovers do age, and thy pride; (When nothing thou canſt find conſulting glaſs, But ruines only of one form that was) Will render thee far more deſpis'd, and be The aggravation of deformity. Affected blemiſhes, and ſpottings were The wicked artifice to make thee fair: Now wrinkled age will glory in her ſpoil To riſing beauties making thee a foil. Wiſdom hath more truſt, and eſteem when ſage: And Reliques too gain credit by their age: But thou muſt be con emned and forlorn; Deſerving ſubject for the Gallants ſcorn; Not able to bear up againſt diſdain; Or to redreſs by turning young again. Shall I black Mantle borrow of the night, To wrap thy diſmal caſe in? 'Tis too ſlight. Or midnight-ſable-robe, although Without Moon, Stars? 'Twould not be ſad enough. Nothing mans mind affords ſo black to tell The blackeſt darkneſs of thy ſtate, but Hell. Thy ſoul is ſolitary wilderneſs, A fearful ſhade of ſaddeſt wretchedneſs. Thy thoughts are Vultures. Conſcience with her ſting Torments thee: Sa yrs dance, as Scriech-Owls ſing. The pleaſant fancies, that refreſh thy mind, Are Fairy Devils, each ſad thought black Fiend: Enjoyment 〈◊〉 of honour, pleaſure, pelf, Cannot 〈…〉 from the dread of ſelf. How wilt thou bear Gods wra h? Men paint not fire So fai tly as that fierceneſs of his ire. To ſlight that mercy, do not then preſume; Which, if it may not win thee, will conſume. Let truſt in mercy this at leaſt impart Unto thy Conſcience, that thou ſerious art. The Satyriſt condemns thy vain (I will To morrow) that will be to morrow ſtill. To morrow which thou beggedſt yeſterday, Is loſt, yet without bluſhing thou canſt ſay To morrow yet: but were it lent, thou'dſt pray To have the leiſure of another day. As haſtening hinder-wheel, doth ſeem in Coach To promiſe it will make more near approach Unto the former; when rowl'd o're and o're, Yet keeps ſame diſtance that it did before: So thou, although thou talkeſt of to morrow, That gain'd, would'ſt be at no leſs need to borrow A further day: purpoſe and to amend, Would keep an equal diſtance to
The End.