Panacea, a poem upon tea in two canto's [sic] / by N. Tate ...

Panacea, a poem upon tea in two canto's [sic] / by N. Tate ...

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Charles Montague, Esq One of His MAJESTY's most Honourable Privy Council, &c.

THE PREFACE.

On our English Poetry, and this Poem upon TEA.

To the AUTHOR on his Poem upon TEA.

THE INTRODUCTION.

A POEM UPON TEA. In Two CANTOS.

CANTO I.

CANTO II.

THE TEA-TABLE.

POSTSCRIPT.

§

[Page]

[Page]

PANACEA: A POEM UPON TEA: In Two CANTO'S.

By N. TATE, Servant to His MAJESTY.

Innocuos Calices, & amicam Vatibus Herbam,

Vimque datam Folio—

Thor. de Poet.

Planta Beata, Decus Terrarum, Munus Olympi!

Idem.

LONDON: Printed by and for J. ROBERTS. 1700.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Charles Montague, Esq One of His MAJESTY's most Honourable Privy Council, &c.

[Page]

[Page]

SIR,

YOU can't be surpriz'd at the Addresses and Acknowledgments of the Muses, whom YOU have Honour'd, not Only in their own Province, but likewise by convincing the World, That the greatest Genius for Poetry, can be as Eminent in [Page] Business of State, and Affairs of the Publick.

'Twas but lately that the Fortune of Europe depended upon the Welfare of England; when England her Self was under the most perplexing Exigencies, by the ill Condition of our Coin, Deficiency of Funds, Loss of Publick Credit (when our Forces by Sea and Land, Domestick and Foreign Commerce were to be provided for) with other Afflicting Circumstances that threatned our very Constitution, and made our Affairs seem Desperate.

The Redressing of all which Grievances, (through Unparallel'd Difficulties) was, by our SENATE (then Sitting) Undertaken [Page] with more than Roman Greatness of Spirit; and Effected, to the Preservation of Quiet amongst our Selves, Astonishment of our Enemies, and Benefit of all Europe.

And, SIR, how Instrumental YOU were in those Transactions for the general Safety and Welfare, Common Justice must Acknowledge, and History informs us of Statues Erected for less Services to the Publick.

I pretend not to Enumerate Particulars, wherein (as Promoter, or Principal) YOU have Merited the Thanks of the Age, and demonstrated indefatigable Industry, as well as most extraordinary Sagacity and Iudgment.

[Page] Yet I cannot forbear mentioning One Consideration, That so Refin'd a Spirit, so Delicate a Genius, as could be Delighted (to the Sublimest Degree) in the Retreats of the Muses, and Gardens of Philosophy, could Sacrifice it self to the Fatigues of Publick Business! but— ‘Vincit Amor Patriae.’

SIR, I know the Value of YOUR Time, and the Freedom that I take in Presenting YOU with a Piece of Poetry; which yet, if it be not lessen'd by the Performance, it will not be so, in YOUR Esteem, by [Page] the Slenderness of the Subject, since

In tenui Labor, at tenuis non Gloria; si Quem

Numina laeva sinant, auditque Vocatus Apollo.

However, I shall not repeat a Trespass in Detaining YOU with an Apology—

Only, That Zeal and Duty will be doing their Office, and Respect pay its Attendance, though neither Wanted nor Desir'd.

Besides, I have the same Right of Addressing to YOU, as other Sons of the Muses, and true Subjects of their [Page] King and Country: For whose United Interest and Service, YOUR Health and Prosperity is most heartily wish'd, by

SIR,

Your most Obedient Humble Servant, N. TATE.

THE PREFACE.

[Page]

THE Tale in the First Canto of this Poem, was taken (as Romantick as it may seem) from the Chinese History, and, with very modest Fiction, accommodated to my Subject; to make the Discovery and Production of the TEA-TREE more wonderful and surprizing. Which, being in it self of most admirable Virtues, and certainly One of the greatest Blessings of Nature, I may as well suppose it to have been Miraculously Produc'd, as Fracastorius his West-Indian Tree, which his Poem tells us was ‘Deûm manibus Sata, Semine Sacro.’

[Page] And for my introducing the Deities in the Second Canto, 'tis according to Petr. Arbiter's per Ambages & Deorum Ministeria praecipitandus liber Spiritus— I had as much Right for Interesting Them in this Sovereign Plant, as the Foremention'd Fracastorius and Thorius for Those They Celebrated.

The Delicacy of the Subject oblig'd me to treat it with some Gayety and Embellishment of Fancy, but especially with Decency, to make the Poem (like the Nepenthe on which 'tis writ) an Entertainment for the Ladies.

If there be any Art or Beauty in the Piece, they will be found by Persons of Judgment; and if I have not the Fortune to please Them, I am not solicitous for pleasing any Others.

On our English Poetry, and this Poem upon TEA.

[Page]

SEE Spanish Carderon in Strength outdone:

And see the Prize of Wit from Tasso won:

See Corneil's Skill and Decency Refin'd;

See Rapin's Art, and Molier's Fire, Outshin'd;

See Dryden's Lamp, to our admiring View,

Brought from the Tomb to shine and Blaze anew!

The British Lawrel by Old Chaucer worn,

Still Fresh and Gay, did Dryden's Brow Adorn:

And that its Lustre may not fade on Thine,

Wit, Fancy, Judgment, Tate, in thee combine.

Thy pow'rful Genius thus, from Censure's Frown

And Envy's Blast, in Flourishing Renown,

Supports our British Muses Verdant Crown.

Nor only takes a Trusty Laureat's Care,

Lest Thou the Muses Garland might'st impair;

But, more Enrich'd, the Chaplet to Bequeath,

With Eastern TEA join'd to the Lawrel-Wreath.

R. B.

To the AUTHOR on his Poem upon TEA.

[Page]

LET Rustick Satyr, now, no more Abuse,

In rude Unskilful Strains, thy Tuneful Muse;

No more let Envy lash thy true-bred Steed,

Nor cross thy easy, just, and prudent Speed:

Who dext'rously dost bear, or loose the Rein,

To climb each lofty Hill, or scour the Plain:

With proper Weight and Force thy Courses run;

Where still thy Pegasus has Wonders done,

Come home with Strength, and thus the Prize has Won.

But now takes Wing, and to the* Skies aspires;

While Vanquish'd Envy the bold Flight admires,

And baffled Satyr to his Den retires.

T. W.

Notes

*

Canto II.

↵

THE INTRODUCTION.

[Page]

FAME Sound thy Trump, all Ranks of Mortals call,

To share a Prize that will enrich 'em All.

You that with Sacred Oracles converse,

And clearly wou'd Mysterious Truths rehearse;

On soaring Wings of Contemplation rise,

And fetch Discov'ries from above the Skies;

Etherial TEA your Notions will resine,

Till you your selves become almost Divine.

You Statesmen, who in Storms the Publick Helm

Wou'd Guide with Skill, and Save a sinking Realm,

TEA, your Minerva, shall suggest such Sense,

Such safe and sudden Turns of Thought dispense,

That you, like her Ulysses, may Advise,

And start Designs that shall the World surprise.

[Page]

You Pleaders, who for Conquest at the Bar

Contend as Fierce and Loud as Chiefs in War;

Would you Amaze and Charm the list'ning Court?

First to this Spring of Eloquence resort:

Then boldly launch on Tully's flowing Seas,

And grasp the Thunder of Demosthenes.

You Artists of the Aesculapian Tribe,

Wou'd you, like Aesculapius's Self, Prescribe,

Cure Maladies, and Maladies prevent?—

Receive this Plant from your own Phoebus sent;

Whence Life's nice Lamp in Temper is maintain'd,

When Dim, Recruited; when too fierce, restrain'd.

You Curious Souls, who all your Thoughts apply,

The hidden Works of Nature to descry;

Why veering Winds with vari'd Motion blow,

Why Seas in settled Courses Ebb and Flow;

Wou'd you these Secrets of her Empire know?

Treat the Coy Nymph with this Celestial Dew,

Like Ariadne she'll impart the Clue;

[Page] Shall through her Winding Labyrinths convey,

And Causes, sculking in their Cells, display.

You that to Isis's Bank, or Cam retreat,

Wou'd you prove worthy Sons of either Seat,

And All in Learning's Commonwealth be Great?

Infuse this Leaf, and your Own Streams shall bring

More Science than the fam'd Castalian Spring.

Wou'd you, O Musicks Sons, your Art compleat,

And all its ancient Miracles repeat,

Rouze Rev'ling Monarchs into Martial Rage,

And, when Inflam'd, with Softer Notes asswage;

The tedious Hours of absent Love beguile,

Charm Care asleep, and make Affliction Smile?

Carouse in TEA, that will your Souls inspire;

Drink Phoebus's Liquor, and command his Lyre.

Sons of Apelles, wou'd you draw the Face

And Shape of Venus, and with equal Grace

In some Elysian Field the Figure place?

[Page] Your Fancy, warm'd by TEA, with wish'd Success,

Shall Beauty's Queen in all her Charms express:

With Nature's Rural Pride your Landschape fill

The Shady Grotto, and the Sunny Hill,

The Laughing Meadow, and the Talking Rill.

Sons of the Muses, would you Charm the Plains

With chearful Lays, or sweet Condoling Strains;

Or with a Sonnet make the Vallies ring,

To Welcome home the Goddess of the Spring:

Or wou'd you in sublimer Themes engage,

And sing of Worthies who Adorn the Age?

Or, with Promethean Boldness, wou'd aspire

To catch a Spark of that Celestial Fire

That Crown'd the† Royal Conquest, and could raise

Juverne's Boyn above* Scamander's Praise?

Drink, drink Inspiring TEA, and boldly draw,

A Hercules, a Mars, or a NASSAU.

Notes

†

Mr. Montague's incomparable Poem on His Majesty's Victory at the Boyn.

↵

*

Where Homer's Trojans and Grecians Fought.

↵

A POEM UPON TEA.
In Two CANTOS.

[Page]

CANTO I.

BY Avon's Stream (the Muses calm Retreat)

Palaemon liv'd in his un-envy'd Seat,

None better knew, or practis'd, in his Cell

The chast Delights that with Retirement dwell.

And thus confin'd to Safety's humble Sphear,

Desiring Little, had not Much to fear;

[...]

[Page]

[...]

[Page]

[Page] Was neither Fortune's Envy, nor her Sport;

Free from the servile Arts of Town or Court,

The nauseous Task, that gen'rous Souls contemn,

Of Knaves Caresses, and Caressing them.

Yet (whether Novelty his Fancy fir'd,

Or some Diviner Pow'r the Thought inspir'd,)

Through Foreign Climates he resolv'd to roam,

And view those Wonders which he read at home.

Most strict Survey in every Realm he made

Of Men and Manners, Policy and Trade;

But none he found, his gentle Soul to please,

Like the Refin'd and Civiliz'd Chinese.

Rich in Improvements of his well-spent Time,

The Bard returns to his own Native Clime:

The Neighb'ring Shepherds, who his Absence mourn'd,

Visit with Joy their wandring Friend return'd.

Short Salutation past, he feasts their Eyes

With pleasing View of Eastern Rarities.

Nature and Art's choice Gift, the Goa-stone,

With Plants and Herbs to Western Swains unknown.

[Page] Yet, more surpriz'd, they found their Senses chear'd,

Soon as the Verdant fragrant TEA appear'd;

It's Nature, Use, confus'dly they demand,

What Name it bore? The Product of what Land?

'Twill Time require to have at full exprest

(The Bard reply'd) what you in hast request.

Come to my Bow'r, and I'll inform you there,

What curious Souls must needs be pleas'd to hear.

He said, and with his willing Guests withdrew,

Where a new Scene of Wonders charm'd their View;

On burning Lamps a Silver Vessel plac'd,

A Table with surprising Figures grac'd,

And China-Bowls to feast their Sight and Tast:

The Genial Liquor, decently pour'd out,

To the admiring Guests is dealt about.

Scarce had they drank a first and second Round,

When the warm Nectar's pleasing Force they found,

About their Heart enliven'd Spirits danc'd,

Then to the Brains sublimer Seat advanc'd.

(Such Transport feel young Prophets when they Dream.

Or Poets slumb'ring by Pirene's Stream.)

[Page] With silent Wonder mutually they Trace

Bright Joys reflected on each other's Face.

Then thus the Bard—Fear no Circaean Bowls,

This is the Drink of Health, the Drink of Souls!

The Virtues This, and This the Graces quaff,

Like Nectar chearful, like Nepenthe safe.

Not such the Plant which Bacchus first did nurse,

Heav'ns Blessing chang'd by Mortals to their Curse

Ah Syren-Pleasure, to Destruction turn'd!

Ah woful Mirth to be for ever Mourn'd!

How much more blest—

You Swains who drink, with Birds, the running Spring,

And Innocent, like them, like them can sing.

Another Round—Then, if your Patience hold,

I shall the Charming History unfold,

How this rare Plant at first Divinely sprung,

Nor shall its Sov'raign Virtues rest unsung,

For which our Phoebus oft his Harp has strung.

While the Chinese remain'd a Virtuous Breed,

From Western Vices and Distempers freed;

Or but with common Maladies were griev'd,

Which common Plants of Nature's Field reliev'd;

[Page] TEA was not sprung—reserv'd by friendly Fate,

For last Distress of China's suff'ring State.

Whose Griefs and wondrous Cure I shall recite,

A Tale that may your Patience well requite.

When KI, a Name through Eastern Climes accurst,

(Last of his Race, of wicked Kings the First)

Prophan'd the Throne, ill-boding Signs foreran,

And dreadful Prodigies his Reign began;

His monstrous Reign, which justly you may call

The most amazing Prodigy of All.

Discarding all the Sages of the Realm,

Rash unexperienc'd Youth he sets at Helm:

Till now, from all its ancient Frame estrang'd,

The Government into a Farce was chang'd.

Buffoons the Empire's Grand Affairs debate,

And Jesters are the Councellors of State.

Pert, smatt'ring Youngsters Judges of the Land,

And dressing Fops the Martial Troops command,

Those for Companion-Fav'rites he admits.

Who had for Pleasure most inventive Wits:

[Page] These Prodigals ingross the Monarch's Hours,

In rev'ling Grotto's, and voluptuous Bow'rs:

A Province must be Tax'd when e'er they Dine,

In Essences they rowl, and Bathe in Pools of Wine.

This soft Contagion, in the Palace bred,

From Court to Town, from Town to Country spred.

Old Discipline through China's Empire fails,

And upstart Riot like a Plague prevails;

Expensive Idleness, for frugal Pains,

In ev'ry City, ev'ry Village reigns:

Whence Poverty, Fraud, Rapine did ensue,

And these attended with a swarming Crew

Of dire Diseases, like their Vices, New.

But China's Nobles, the discarded Race

Who still did injur'd Virtue's Cause embrace;

With conscious silence could no longer view

At once their Country's Shame and Ruin too.

An ancient Mandarine, wise, pious, just,

Who long had foremost serv'd in Publick Trust,

[Page] First Minister in prosp'rous Days of State,

Advances first against the Publick Fate:

With rev'rend Aspect, and with solemn Grace,

He represents the Empire's wretched Case,

And reprimands the Tyrant to his Face.

The fiery Monarch (with a Jav'lin snatcht

And through his kind Adviser's Throat dispatcht)

Crys,—

—Formal grave Buffoon your Counsel's wrong,

And like your senseless Life spun out too long,

I cut 'em short—harranguing Dotard go—

The Ghosts have leisure—talk the rest below.

Now Swains receive a Story strange and true,

And with Amazement let Fame listen too,

Of Graecian Worthies her stale Names give o'er,

And boast of Roman Gallantry no more:

Hear greater Miracles of Honour, done

Beneath the Influence of the Rising Sun.

But ah! this Eastern Glory to allay,

The changing Scene must frantick Vice display;

[Page] Such Pomp of Luxury as ne'er was seen

'Twixt rev'ling Anthony and Egypt's Queen.

While weltring in his Gore one Patriot lies,

Another Chief the Tragick Part supplies,

And in the Prologue of his Story dies,

A Third, scarce enter'd on the bloody Stage,

A Victim falls to Arbitrary Rage;

Yet boldly to the desp'rate Charge succeed

A Fourth and Fifth, who, like the former, Bleed.

The Sixth, as if to triumph o'er his Fate,

Placing his Hearse before the Palace-Gate,

Rushes into the Slaughter-Room of State,

Then thus the Tyrant,— Dull aspiring Fool,

Who like a Pedant com'st thy Prince to School,

Thou would'st be Chronicled, and have thy Name

Distinguisht from thy Brother-Fools of Fame,

Recorded to have brav'd thy Monarch's Doom,

And then retire, with State, into thy Tomb.

But know, thy Plot for Glorious Death is vain,

Nor shall that Hearse a Traytor's Corps contain;

[Page] A Feast for savage Beasts thou shalt be made—

And who dare next their Soveraign's Peace invade,

In wretched Torture shall their Treason rue;

And from the lingring Rack and Gaunches, view

Their Sons to speedier Execution led;

To vilest Slaves their Wives and Daughters wed.

This Sentence past, like an Infernal Charm,

Honour and Courage did at once disarm;

Stunn'd with the Sound, and Thunder-struck, they yield

To lawless Vice the execrable Field.

Now Banquets, Musick, Masques and Mimick Sport

Are all the Business of th' Imperial Court;

From which the Monarch never did remove,

But to the dearer Solaces of Love.

In ev'ry Passion of his roving Mind

A Libertine, but in Amour confin'd:

Amira was the first who found the Art

At once to conquer and enslave his Heart.

One Evening when the wanton Zephyrs Play'd,

Repos'd beneath the Myrtle's am'rous shade,

[Page] All ravisht in his lov'd Amira's Arms

(Brighter than Venus in her new-born Charms.)

The Monarch sigh'd and said, Ah fading Ioy!

Why should the Transports cease that never cloy?

Why are those Eyes, than Stars more heav'nly bright,

Condemn'd to shine with Temporary Light?

Ah! might their lovely Lustre ever blaze,

As on their Glories I cou'd ever gaze!

Must all this Bloom be nipt with Death's cold shade!

Why should these Lillies, why these Roses fade?

Why should th' Elysian Spring for ever last,

And Thine be doom'd to Fate's untimely Blast?

These pensive Thoughts, like Furies, haunt my Rest;

These Harpy-Guests my Feast of Love molest.

The Queen, her weening Lover to beguile;

(A Trickling Tear dissembling with a Smile)

Replies, Tho' envious Fates your Wish deny,

We may forget that we shall ever Die;

Our Life to unmolested Pleasure give,

And, while the Scene lasts, like Immortals live.

[Page]

Erect a Palace (than the Sun's more bright)

Immur'd from Day, but with more radiant Light

Of ever-blazing Lamps and Tapers deckt,

And sparkling Gems the Lustre to reflect.

Where Change of Seasons we shall never see,

To read us Lectures of Mortality.

Grief be excluded from that happy Sphere,

And Pleasures only have Admittance there;

Which trusty Fav'rites, (to secure their sway

Abroad) shall Thither in full Tides convey.

Of Empire you shall thus enjoy the Spoil,

The Fruit, for which your Royal Vassals toil.

The Pride of Nature there shall charm your Sight,

Her richest Luxury your Taste invite.

Earth's scatter'd Blessings shall together meet,

And lye in smiling Heaps before your Feet.

There Fountain-springs thro' artful Pipes shall move

With all the Musick of the Spheres above,

To charm our Slumbers in the Bow'r of Love.

Thus from the Cares of lower Empire free,

Blest, like the First, shall our new Eden be,

Where I to You, You all the World to Me.

[Page]

The Monarch, to indulge the pleasing Cheat,

With vast Expence builds this Inchanted Seat;

Where the fond Pair, from Vulgar Mortal's sight

With chosen Minions, hide themselves in Light.

The Provinces to Villains Hands assign'd,

Now, for one Tyrant lost, a thousand find;

While he absconds, his lewd Trustees of Pow'r,

The bleeding Vitals of the State devour,

What Riot wastes with Rapine they supply,

And Rapine drein'd, to Sacriledge they fly.

The Country's Tillage, and the City's Trade

Exhausted, they the Temples Rights invade;

Whose injur'd Pow'rs, with just Resentment fir'd,

Discarded Chiefs with equal Rage inspir'd,

Who, follow'd by a small but zealous Train,

In thin Batallion muster on the Plain.

To head their num'rous Troops the Vice-roys Arm,

But quit the Field on Danger's first Alarm;

With their Beau-Captains—All more Courtly Bred

Than to Desert their Gen'rals when they Fled.

[Page]

Mean while their Troops in Marshal'd Order stand,

But know not how to Charge without Command;

'Twixt Shame and Rage, Disdaining and Amaz'd,

With silent Looks they on each other gaz'd.

The Adverse Party stand in like Suspence,

To shew they took not Arms but for Defence.

Till now both Hosts, for Publick Good combine,

And, tho' they met as Foes, as Friends they join.

This Revolution, on the Wings of Fame,

To the Fantastick Lovers Palace came;

Whose Fairy-Joys transform'd to dismal Fright,

They quit their Mansion of perpetual Light,

To sculk in Caves and thickest shades of Night.

The conscious Prince from Empire thus retir'd,

And all besides of Royal Race expir'd,

The Mandarins assemble, to create

A Monarch, to Reform and Rule the State.

On Others Merits freely they enlarge,

But for Himself each Chief declines the Charge;

[Page] O Piety of unexampled strain,

All, for their Country's good, prepar'd to drein

Their Vital Blood, yet none consent to Reign!

The Lot decides; and strait the gen'ral Voice

With loud Applause approves of Fortune's choice,

The worthy Heir of him who did engage,

And fell first Victim to the Tyrant's Rage.

Thus China's Realms their Ancient Form regain'd;

Their Vices cur'd; but their Diseases reign'd;

Their Minds restor'd, but still their Bodies pin'd,

Where dying Luxury left Stings behind;

Whose Smart, enflam'd by Vengeance from above,

Too obstinate for Human Help did prove.

Consumption, Dropsie, Racking Gout and Stone,

(Till then to happy Eastern Climes unknown)

All Maladies that could on Nature fall,

With Spleen that feels, or thinks it feels 'em All.

They Sigh all Day, and Nightly Vigils keep,

To shun the Terrors of distracted Sleep.

[Page] In Cities dear Society and Trade,

In Field the Tillage and the Vintage fade;

The Shepherd's Pipe forlorn beside him laid.

In vain the Sick to Art or Nature fly,

While Sick as they, both Art and Nature lye.

The Wretches now to ev'ry Temple press

In sighing Crowds, not to implore Redress,

But own the Justice of their Doom, and crave

The Favour only of a speedy Grave.

Which modest Penitence that Mercy drew,

For which the poor Delinquents durst not sue.

The Solemn Day approacht, when China's Court

Must to the Great Confucius Cell resort;

The Cave in which the Hermit (long retir'd)

Compil'd those Laws which Sacred Pow'rs inspir'd

With Angel-Visits only entertain'd;

And in his Desart wond'rously Sustain'd,

Where no Relief of Plant or Herb was found,

Nor Spire of Grass through all the barren Ground.

In Solemn Progress, by Devotion drawn,

The Pious King prevents the early Dawn;

[Page] Leads the Procession, and advancing near,

Beholds the Sun and Cell at once appear.

But how Surpriz'd to find the Desart Ground,

With new-sprung Plants of lovely Verdure Crown'd;

There bloom'd the SOUMBLO, there Imperial TEA,

(Names then unknown) and Sanative BOHE;

All deem'd, in Honour to the Prophet's Shrine,

Produc'd, with Virtues, like their Birth, Divine,

And sent a timely Cure of Publick Grief;

Experience soon Confirming that Belief.

Thus far Tradition, which I oft have heard

By Eastern Priests, as Oracles, Averr'd.

Next, how their Poets sing (in bolder Verse)

The VIRTUES of this Plant—I shall rehearse

How happily their Art they have Express'd,

With useful Truth in pleasing Fable drest;

That sickly Mortals, by the Tempting Lure

Of Fiction, may be drawn to certain CURE.

The End of the First Canto

CANTO II.

[Page]

WHen first Apollo, in Celestial Bow'rs,

Treated with fragrant Tea, th' immortal Pow'rs,

(That more than Nectar and Nepenthe pleas'd)

The Goddesses with such Delight were seiz'd;

They fell to Strife about the foreign Tree,

Who should its Patroness and Guardian be:

At last the Competition was referr'd

To be before the Gods in Council heard;

Who Summon'd, at Iove's Palace now were met,

And high above the rest the Thund'rer set.

First IUNO thus, with haughty State, addrest,

And Looks that angry Majesty exprest,

Which, e'er she spake, the Queen of Heav'n confest;

"Let such impose upon their Judges sense,

"Sue Favour, who to Right have no Pretence;

[Page] "With soothing Arts of Language strive to please:

"I come not here to Plead, but Claim and Seize:

"Right I demand; and Deities, I know,

"Will do me Right—for, Gods I'll have it so.

"Shall Subject Goddesses with me contend?

"When once Imperial Iuno shall descend

"To Competition, Empire's at an End.

"Shall Royal Iuno's Claim be disallow'd

"To Tea? with Sov'reign Properties endow'd,

"And Queen of Plants by Native Right allow'd.

"Let that aspiring Goddess, who shall dare

"Here to Usurp my Patronage and Care,

"Pretend with me the Thund'rer's Bed to share.

"The Rival of my Bed, and what I prize

"More Dear, my Throne, and Empire of the Skies.

"Speak Iove, decide, e'er it begins, this Strife;

"Respect the Empress, tho' you Slight the Wise.

"Assert, in Mine, your Own Celestial State:

"Iove, let us Reign, or let us Abdicate.

"Once to Immortals this Example show,

"What will your Stubborn Mortals do Below?

[Page] "Already grown Impatient of our Yoke,

"For seldom now we see our Altars Smoke;

"With sparing Hands They offer from the Store

"Our Bounty lends, and grudgingly Adore:

"But from our Shrines intirely will Remove,

"Till Government is better fix'd Above,

"And till convinc'd—

"That I am Iuno still, and you are Iove.

"O Iupiter, a Monarch's Sway maintain;

"And shew the doubting World that you deserve to Reign.

Saturnia Thus—whose Eyes, as she withdrew

Disdainful Fire back on th' Assembly threw;

Which through the Presence awful Terrour strook;

And on his Throne the very Thund'rer shook.

MINERVA next, with stately Mien, advanc'd;

Her crested Plume in waving Lustre danc'd,

And Lightning from her burnish'd Helmet glanc'd.

Delightful Terrour in her Aspect play'd,

While Thus, with awful Grace, the Goddess said.

[Page]

"If Merit must to Majesty give place,

"Immortals are in Mortals wretched Case,

"And Vassals we, tho' of Celestial Race:

"Let Nature in this Claim your Council Guide;

"Since she for publick Use this Plant suppli'd,

"Let Publick Use, ye Gods, the Cause decide.

"If by that President you shall Decree,

"The Prize must fall to my Learn'd Sons and Me.

"Why should I our known Services repeat?

"In Athens Name your Justice I entreat.

"Or if my Plea of Athens you disclaim,

"Regard my Off-Spring more endear'd to Fame,

"My greater Sons of Isis and of Cam.

"Think how of Life the Pleasures they resign,

"To delve, for Publick good, in Learning's Mine.

"O Gods, is't thus you treat industrious Wit?

"That does whole Years in brooding Study Sit,

"From early Dawn till Day forsakes the Sky,

"And Mid-night Lamps the absent Sun supply.

"O why should they, with Chymick Patience, wait

"Their Work's Perfection, to enrich the State?

[Page] "Of Antient Arts the craggy Ruins climb,

"And backward tread the painful Steps of Time,

"Their Senses with long Contemplation wrought

"To Element, their Bodies pin'd to Thought,

"If you this cheap Relief to Souls deny

"Who with Promethean Fire Mankind supply,

"To make those Sons of Clay the Gods Allies,

"And justifie their Kindred to the Skies.

She paus'd, and frown'd, with such a dreadful Grace,

As when she charges on the Plains of Thrace.

Then thus renews her Plea—

"Nature for Students this Regale design'd,

"Invention's Fountain to repay in Kind,

"The vast expences of their gen'rous Mind.

"Till the spent Soil shall fresh Idea's yield,

"And new Plantations stock wide Fancy's Field.

"From this Pirene, this Castalian Spring,

"Exclude the Muses, And what Muse will sing?

"And when no Poet will vouchsafe to write,

"What hardy Hero will vouchsafe to fight.

[Page] "'Tis Tea sustains, Tea only can inspire

"The Poet's Flame, that feeds the Hero's Fire.

Her Voice and Mien such deep impression strook,

The Goddess read Consent in ev'ry Look.

Till VENUS, (from her Chariot drawn by Doves,

Surrounded by a Troop of smiling Loves)

Unveil'd the milder Glories of her Face,

With Native Charms, and ev'ry study'd Grace:

Which, from her haughty Rivals, heretofore,

On Ida's Mount, the Prize of Beauty bore.

Nor doubts she, with the same resistless Smile,

The Gods, as then the Shepherd to beguile.

With lovely Pride She cast her Eyes around,

And gave with every pointed Glance a Wound.

Which made the sternest in the Presence melt,

And sullen Saturn feel what Paris felt.

Thus she advanc'd; and, while she urg'd her Plea,

She look'd and breath'd the fragrant Soul of Tea,

"In Beauty's Cause I sue—can Gods despise

"A Blessing Mortals have the Sense to Prize?

[Page] "Tho' in your Looks I read a Senate's Awe,

"(How else should you the Publick Rev'rence draw?)

"Yet doubt I not the stubborn'st Breast to win,

"Having so strong a Party lodg'd within.

"Tho' none in open Court appears my friend,

"I safely on your private Votes depend.

"So shall your Goddesses and Nymphs be kind,

"As Love and Beauty your Protection find.

"For Beauty's sake, and her resistless Charms,

"The desp'rate Soldier rushes to Alarms,

"And for a Night of Love serves whole Campaigns in Arms.

"To Stars the wakeful Shepherd sings his Lays,

"Which he by day compos'd in Phillis Praise,

"Hoping the Nymph he does Immortal make,

"Will Pity on her dying Lover take.

"Look down ye Pow'rs, the British Ladies View,

"See there the Effects of this Celestial Dew!

"See there how grateful Tea, their choice Delight,

"It's gen'rous Patronesses does requite!

[...]

[Page]

[...]

[Page]

[Page] "Sublimes their Native Charms; and makes 'em shine

"As bright, almost, as lasting too as mine.

"Who then but Beauty's Goddess, can pretend

"A Title to the Plant that's Beauty's Friend?

"To me, ye Pow'rs, this Prize you must assign,

"For that which thus can Beauty's Charms refine,

"And keep them ever young, for ever should be mine.

She said—and reassum'd her Flying Chair;

While Cupid's fan, with glossy wings, the Air,

And Venus seem'd ey'n more than Venus Fair.

Bright CINTHIA next appear'd with solemn Grace,

(A rosie Blush adorns her Virgin-Face)

As from the Chase return'd, her Vestments hung

With careless Decency, her Bow unstrung,

Her Quiver loose behind her Shoulder slung.

High on her Front the silver Crescent blaz'd:

The hush'd Assembly on her Figure gaz'd,

Surpriz'd and pleas'd, Transported and amaz'd.

[Page] Her Aspect, Stature, Movement, Shape, and Dress

Did such Majestick Modesty express,

As when, supported by her Forest Launce,

Before her thousand Nymphs she does advance

On Cynthus Top, and leads the Solemn Dance.

Through ev'ry Breast a thrilling Pleasure ran,

While thus the Goddess of the Groves began.

"Love's Queen, despairing this chast Prize to win,

"Discreetly call'd the British Ladies in;

"And if for Beauty only they excell'd,

"The Queen of Beauty's Title must have held;

"But since they are no less for Vertue fam'd

"Their Votes by me, with nobler right, are claim'd.

"If Vertue then (which British Ladies Prize

"Above the brightest Glances of their Eyes)

"Not quite has lost her Int'rest in the Skies,

"To me you must assign the sacred Tree,

"To me the sacred Drink of Chastity;

"In which the Graces safely may rejoyce,

"Of Virgin Innocence the blameless Choice:

"Then, Deities, join yours with Nature's Voice.

[Page] "Who, with this Chast Nepenthe, would requite

"Her Woods kind Patroness, and Queen of Night.

"When faint with Toil, through Phoebus scorching Beams,

"My Nymphs and I retreat to shady Sreams,

"Can the cold Spring a fit Refreshment be?

"Which idle Naids drink as well as we;

"And Dryads, who in Solitary Bow'rs,

"With Sleep or Revels pass their useless Hours.

"Let then the Forest-Tyrants safely Reign,

"And Mountain-Savages lay waste the Plain:

"Till Earth afford your Altars no Supplies

"Of hallow'd Fruits; no Flames of Incense rise,

"And Moonless Nights affright your guilty Skies.

She ceas'd; and Terror through the Presence strook,

Resuming now the same resenting Look,

As in her Bathing-Fountain when surpriz'd,

Luckless Actaeon's Error she chastisd.

Then with a smile (as when she does unshroud

Her Lustre, starting from a sullen Cloud)

[Page] In milder Accents thus—

"No! Sacred Pow'rs, for Cynthia to mistrust

"Her Merit or your Honour, were unjust!

"It must not, cannot be! (hence idle Fears!)

"I still shall Guard your Earth, and Gild your Spheres.

"My Cause no Competition can admit,

"Where Virtue pleads, and Gods in Council sit.

Diana thus—and, with her Sylvan Train

Of Nymphs attended, mounts her Starry Wain.

Scarce had the Court recover'd this Surprize,

When a new Scene of Glory charm'd their Eyes;

While THETIS and her Nereids they descry'd,

Adorn'd in all the Ocean's glitt'ring Pride;

Bright Shells and Gems, that with reflected Fire

Startled the Skies, and made the Stars retire.

Delightful Wonder all th' Assembly seiz'd;

But Neptune ev'n to Extasie seem'd pleas'd,

Who now display'd the same Pacifick Face

That hush'd the Storm, and sav'd the Trojan Race.

[Page] In gentle Symphony the Nereids sung

To twisted Shells, on which the Tritons rung

Loud Peals, that to th' Olympian Confines ran,

While thus the Goddess of the Seas began.

"'Tis I that rule your watry World below;

"To Mortals I the Arts of Commerce show,

"To me your Albion does her Glory owe.

"By Me her Fleets to Eastern Climates run,

"And spread their Wings beneath the rising Sun.

"Thus your Augusta's floating Grandeur's shown

"On Seas and Shores to Ancient Fame unknown;

"While Rome, the World's fam'd Mistress she excels,

"As far as Thames above the Tyber swells.

"Both Her's and Nature's Empire I sustain,

"By Correspondence 'twixt her Earth and Main:

"Her Tributary Streams, to me convey'd,

"In just recruits are carefully repay'd:

"Those Pastures where her Flocks and Herds are Bred,

"Themselves are from my Bounty cloath'd and fed.

[Page] "The Plant and Nymph, whose happy Nuptials give

"This New-found Nectar, by my Bounty live;

"From my fresh Stores the Nymph her cooling Dew,

"And from my Salts the Plant his* Vigour drew.

"When, deep in Briny Cells, my Nymphs and I

"The Business of your Ocean-Empire ply,

"Gods! Can you then this fresh Regale deny?

"Is't thus you treat the Goddess of the Sea,

"With Oozy Brine?—

"When happy Nymphs at Land rejoyce in Tea?

"Of all the Rarities our Waves convey,

"Give us but This, our Service you repay:

"Else from their dens your prison'd Winds release,

"Let Seas and Skies no longer be at Peace,

"Destructive Tempests reign, and useful Traffick cease.

[Page]

Thus Thetis, and resumes her Crystal Wain,

As when, surrounded by her Ocean-Train,

She rides in Triumph o'er the wond'ring Main.

To Crown the Scene HEALTH's Goddess last appears,

Who chearfully her Sanguine Aspect rears;

Fresh as the Spring, when by Celestial show'rs

To Earth invited, from Elysian Bow'rs:

Her sprightly looks the pleas'd Assembly drew;

While Spicy Zephyrs hov'ring round her flew,

And Odours, sweeter than Ambrosia, threw.

Attended by a Troop of Nymphs and Swains,

The Pride of Nature, Glory of the Plains;

The Youths, like Oaken Plants, all sternly Gay,

The Nymphs all Fair, and Mild as blooming May,

Then with an Air, that vital warmth display'd,

And healthful Fragrancy, the Goddess said—

"Celestial Pow'rs, this Rural Tribe survey;

"You have no Vot'ries so sincere as They!

[Page] "When Earth of your Astraea was berest,

"'Mongst these the Goddess her last Footsteps left.

"If Venus's Plea this awful Court can move,

"Her Cupids are not better vers'd in Love:

"Or if Diana's Title may be pass'd,

"They plead her Merit, for their Loves are Chast

"But 'tis not for their sakes I chiefly sue,

"Who Health enjoy without your healing Dew;

"For they from Nature's Cup, the Crystal Spring,

"With Birds contentedly can Drink and Sing.

"But far, O far unlike to these, a Throng

"Of wretched Mortals to my Charge belong;

"Who with tormenting restless Sickness griev'd,

"About my Altar languish, Unreliev'd:

"O, for their Suff'ring sakes, in pity grant

"This Panacea, this Reviving Plant;

"Relieve their Mis'ry, or revoke their Breath;

"Give 'em the Drink of Health, or give 'em Death!

Thus Salus urg'd her Charitable Plea,

That soon had Crown'd her Patroness of Tea:

[Page] But Fiend Alecto, in a Nymph's Disguise,

(Grudging the Sickly Earth so Rich a Prize)

Amongst the Goddesses fresh Discord threw,

Which into Parties the Convention drew;

Mars swagger'd, Aeol bluster'd, Neptune rag'd,

Whom Iove with louder Thunder scarce asswag'd.

SOMNUS, whom Tea's delicious Fume had charm'd

With golden Visions, by the Dinn alarm'd,

Starts up; and, with a Look surprizing Gay,

To sudden Pleasure turn'd the sudden Fray.

Pleas'd, as a Prophet, from his Dream he woke,

And, like a Prophet, Thus, in Rapture spoke—

"O Glorious Prospect! such delightful Fields

"Elysium nor our own Olympus yields.

"O Sacred Streams and Bow'rs! O Fragrant Seats,

"Of Elemental Joys the calm Retreats!

"Come wretched Mortals, in this Nectar steep

"Your weary Souls, and charm your Cares to Sleep.

[Page] "That, while the pleasing slumber lasts, shall drown

"Your Griefs; and with success your Wishes crown.

"That every dismal Object shall remove,

"And your Desires to Extasy improve.

"What e'er you want or wish, in Dreams is brought,

"(By Tea inspir'd) before your ravish'd Thought;

"Visions of Wealth the poor Man's Wants beguile;

"The hopeless Lover sees his Mistress smile:

"The Voyager, for some rich Coast design'd,

"Spreads all his Sail, and runs afore the Wind,

"The Pleader, Soldier, Poet, fierce and warm,

"Set boldly in, and wond'rously perform:

"Thus Human Life, in cruel Fate's despight,

"May have its Sorrows checquer'd with delight,

"And if such Bliss can Mortal Sense employ,

"What Transport, Deities, must you enjoy!

"For sure, when sprightly Tea and Fancy join

"Their Wond'rous Pow'rs, the Work must be Divine.

[Page] "How rich the Figures! how surprising bright!

"Wrought on the sable Curtains of the Night.

This strange Discov'ry both surpris'd the Gods,

And set the Goddesses again at Odds;

Whilst, to secure the Quiet of the Skies,

The Thunderer once more was forc'd to rise.

A Plant that can so many Virtues boast,

He judg'd too rich a Prize to be Ingross'd;

And to no single Goddess Lot should fall,

That merited the Patronage of All:

Therefore, at once to silence all their Pleas,

And yet Oblige his Female Deities;

In Common grants what they did singly claim;

And strait gives Orders for the Trump of Fame

To sound aloud, That* GODDESS was its Name.

FINIS.

Notes

*

Sal Volatile.

↵

*

[...].

↵

THE TEA-TABLE.

[Page]

HAil Queen of Plants, Pride of Elysian Bow'rs!

How shall we speak thy complicated Pow'rs?

Thou Wond'rous Panacea, to asswage

The Calentures of Youth's fermenting Rage,

And Animate the freezing Veins of Age.

To Bacchus when our Griefs repair for Ease,

The Remedy proves worse than the Disease:

Where Reason we must lose to keep the Round,

And drinking Others Healths, our Own confound:

Whilst TEA, our Sorrows safely to beguile,

Sobriety and Mirth does reconcile:

For to this Nectar we the Blessing owe,

To grow more Wise, as we more chearful grow.

[Page] Whilst Fancy does her brightest Beams dispense,

And decent Wit diverts without Offence.

Then in Discourse of Nature's mystick Pow'rs

And Noblest Themes, we pass the well-spent Hours.

Whilst all around the Virtues Sacred Band,

And list'ning Graces pleas'd Attendants stand.

Thus our Tea-Conversation we employ,

Where, with Delight, Instruction we enjoy;

Quaffing, without the waste of Time or Wealth,

The Sov'reign Drink of Pleasure and of Health.

POSTSCRIPT.

[Page]

MY Copy falling short, and the Printer asking, What shou'd be done with the following Pages? I bethought me of some Civilities for which I stood indebted to our Critick-Poets, without any Recognizance, from me, of their Favours.

Therefore (without questioning their Authority, or who made them Judges in Parnassus) I shall here say something, not for Defence, but, least my Silence be taken for Contempt of the Court.

Some have Censur'd me for a Cold Writer; but* One of 'em with the favourable Allowance, That ‘I have in Justness what I want in Fire.’

Another (in his Poetical Circuit some Years since) Doom'd me, without Mercy, for ‘† A Slave to Sense, and Cautious to a Fault.’

Now I must ingenuously confess, That I pretend to no more Fire than consists with Justness: That I am a Slave to Sense (without any thoughts of changing my Master) and Caution is a Fault I shall never mend.

[Page] So that I must humbly content my self with Admiring those Gentlemen who set up for Bold Writers, and deserve the Character, by venturing so hard for it, even beyond the Regions of Sense.

Happy Season, when Wit and Criticism are come to their Meridian!

Quintilian was a musty old Pedant, and would have been pos'd with our new Figures of Speech—Iustness without Fire—Slavery to Sense, &c.But what if this was designed for Compliment? The Complainants having had my Slavish sense and Caution at their Service, when very much Wanted.

His was a dull Age of Correctness, unacquainted with our Elevation, Sublime Conceits and Expression, beyond the reach of common Capacity.

'Tis part of a Modern Character, (no less famous for his Wit than Chivalry) that he scorn'd to say any thing in a Vulgar way, and

—Ne'er did ope

His Mouth, but out there flew a Trope.

Hudib.

The Reader must pardon me this Trifling, 'tis paying Nonsense in its Own Coin; and if you would have better from me, you must stay till Wit comes in— as then you may depend on me, sufficient* Authors (City Security) having vouch'd for my Honesty.

[Page] In good Earnest, 'tis high time for the Fraternity to return to their Senses; they have so long Ridicul'd One Another, till the Men, that had some Wit, are become Diversion for them that have None.

'Tis Pity but their Quarrels were over, if only for leisure to think what they Quarrell'd about, that is, Poetry— which, however worthy of Great and Wise Men, as a Recreation, yet 'tis Business and Employment only for the Unfortunate.

Such as are too far engag'd, must take their Chance; but Others would do well to consider the present State of the Muses in our Nation; where Zoilus's swarm, and Mecaenas's are so Few, that 'tis even shame and pity to see their Generosity so over-charg'd.

I would not be thought to Disparage a Faculty, to which I have done so little Credit: 'Tis noble Service—but, fit for Volunteers, who can be upon their own Subsistence; and long to shew their Parts.

FINIS.

Notes

*

Epistle concerning Poetry.

↵

†

Mourning Muse.

↵

*

[...]a [...]r against [...].

↵

Information about this book

Title statement

Panacea, a poem upon tea in two canto's [sic] / by N. Tate ...

Tate, Nahum, 1652-1715.

Edition statement

1700

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A63046

ID [STC]

Wing T202

ID [STC]

ESTC R14677

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

11845454

ID [OCLC]

ocm 11845454

ID [VID]

49829

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A63046)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 49829)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 551:8)

Source

— Panacea, a poem upon tea in two canto's [sic] / by N. Tate ..., Tate, Nahum, 1652-1715..

Extent

[16], 34, [5] p.

Printed by and for J. Roberts,. London :: 1700.. (Published in 1702 with title : A poem upon tea.) (Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.