The Poetical History of Saturn.
WHen the great Fabrick of the world was wrought,
And all things newly started out of Nought.
Ran into form, and made a goodly show,
None could immagin whence they came, or how.
Sudden th' appear'd, and pleasing to the Eie,
As gaudy Rainbows in a Cloudy Skie;
Form'd, as 'tis thought, by some Superior Good,
Who the first Elements well understood;
Knew their composures, and with Artful hand,
Made 'em obedient to his lowd Command.
The which down hither, he so neatly hurl'd,
That in their fall, they dropt into a World.
Within whose spacious Confines there was none
But Coelus found to Rule the Empty Throne;
Who as he walk'd his Boundless Empire, spide
The Goddess Terra, whom he took for Bride.
Out of whose Firtil Womb, he soon begot
Tytan and Saturn, Gods of wondrous Note,
And Monstrous Cyclops, Born but with one Eie
Amidst their Front; at which Deformitie
The Throbing Breast of Coelus did so swell,
That Furiously he hurl'd them down to Hell;
Condemn'd them there, Eternally to Fry,
In forming bolts for Jove's Artillery:
Which dismal News, when it approacht the Ears
Of Virtuous Terra, set her all in Tears;
Who soon that Passion for a Nobler Chang'd,
And stead of Sighing, sought to be Reveng'd
Of her too cruel Husband. Straight she goes,
To both her Sons, to whom she does Disclose
Their Fathers horrid Fact at such a rate,
As gave them cause to fear Resembling Fate.
Adventerous Saturn had no sooner heard
The Impious Story, but without regard
To filial Duty, or that Reverent fear
Which Children to their Parents ought to bear,
With his keen Syth to Coelus straight he flies,
And Cruelly cuts off his Privities:
Commits them to the foaming Sea for Tomb,
Where yet they found a favourable Womb,
Ingendring with that froth, from which Dame Venus sprung.
The mighty Emp'ror of the VVorld thus Dead,
Tytan as Elder brother should succeed;
But him, his Mother, and his Sister too,
Slyly perswaded to Resign his Due
(For Life) to Saturn, who ascends the Throne
He was to hold, on this Condition,
VVhat ever Children Male, Saturn should have
By his Sybelle, none of them must Live,
That so no Heirs might possibly succeed,
But Tytans Linage Reign when he was Dead.
The Bloody contract thus agreed upon,
VVhen Saturns VVise, Sybelle, was far gon
In anxious Travel of a Lusty Boy,
VVhich soon as Born, his Father did Destroy
VVith open Mouth, tearing it Limb from Limb,
A Cannibal appear'd a Saint to him.
The new Congealed Flesh, like Gravy run
Out of both sides his Mouth, and ere he had done,
The offended Blood, be smeer'd his Graceless Cheeks,
VVho stopt his Ears against the Infants Shrieks
And spotless Innocence, which might have mov'd
A Tygar to repent his Rage, and Lov'd.
The griev'd Sybelle, mightily dismay'd,
To see that all her Sons must be destroy'd,
By virtuous Subtilty, resolved to strive
The best she could to keep an Heir a Live,
VVhich thus she brought to pass, within a while,
VVith forward swins her VVomb began to swell;
Her time expir'd, and she did safely Bear
Two Lusty Babes, Juno and Jupiter;
The first a Female, was to Saturn sent,
VVho nothing Jealous of the good event,
VVas well content, and certainly Believ'd
That she was all his VVife had then Conceiv'd.
To Curetes or Corybantes care,
She recommends the helpless Jupiter
To Nurse him privately, and so to Free
Him from his Fathers Bloody Crueltie.
Divers more Sons did fruitful Terra bear,
VVhose Lives she Ransom'd with resembling Care,
Inventing Tinking Games, of happy noyse
VVhich drowned both her little Infants voyce,
And stopt their Fathers Rage, and fil'd their Mothers Joyes.
In this soft Calm of state, began that Age
VVhich all the Pens of Poets did engage
To Celebrate. That Golden Age, when Man,
Stranger to wasting Grief and fretful pain,
In cool green shades, made up a blest aboad,
Rich as a Miser, happy as a God.
Ere simple Nature was by art Debaucht,
Or Luxury his Inclination reacht,
VVhilst homely Plenty with sharp appetite,
Imparted satisfaction and delight:
His food was such as Nature did impart,
Ere with the vitious eating grew an Art,
And Chast cold Springs did kindly squench his Thirst,
VVhich by no Fevourish surfeit was increast.
VVhen only needful things he aim'd to know,
And calm content set simpering on his Brow.
These were the blessings of wise Saturns Days,
To which succeeding Ages gave such prays.
Saturn, the God of time, whose mighty hand
An endless Serpent grasping did command;
VVho her sharp Tail into her mouth did Twine,
As a fit Emblem of Reverting Time.
Years end in Years, and Seasons steal upon us
At unawares, In cese virtitur Annus.
VVhen Creeping time with man-like years had fil'd
Young Jupiter, whom Saturn would have Kil'd,
And giv'n him VVit and Courage, such a store,
As did forbid his silence any more.
VVherefore, when he had heard the full design,
How his own Father sought to Murther him;
Studying by all his Cunning to prevent
That horrid Death which to himself was meant,
From Heaven, by force, he made his Father fly
To seek a Residence in Italy.
The Poetical History of Jupiter.
SAturn thus Vanquisht, Jupiter his Son,
Betwixt himself and's Brethren shar'd his Throne.
Heav'n to himself he kept; the VVaters he
Commits to's Brother Neptunes Sov'raigntie;
Whilst to his Brother (Pluto's) Lot it fell
To Rule the large Dominions of Hell.
Great Jupiter had scarcely warm'd his Throne,
But an Intestine Dangerous War begun
To Reel his Title, for the angry Earth
Seeing her Sons, the Titans bruis'd to Death;
Brought forth strange Monsters of a Hideous hew,
Mighty in strength, and terrible to veiw:
Which horrid Army, she forthwith commands
To Randesvouz in the Thessalean strands,
Amidst the fair Plegrean Fields; where she
Points them the likelyest way to Victorie.
Hills upon Hills, and Rocks on Rocks they throw,
Mountains and Trees, and all they found below
That great or bulky seem'd, thereby to Raise
A Piramid, whose head might reach the Skyes.
From whence they meant to brave the Gods, and then
To hurl their Emp'rour to Earth agen.
Amongst the rest, who threatened Heaven thus,
Were stout Aegeon and Enceladus,
With brave Bryarius, and more than these,
All born with full a hundred Hands a Piece;
Which in hard Service, every one did Joyn
Towards th' accomplishing the bold design.
The vast Sicilian Typhon, who could stand
With's Feet on the Earth, and scratch the Sky with's Hand,
VVhose outstretcht Arms, could all the world Controul,
And touch at once the North and Southern Pole:
Half Man, half Serpent too, he did appear,
(As did the most of all th [...]se Monsters there,)
A scortching Breath from out his Body came,
And Fiery Belches Flashing into Flame;
Guilded with so much horror, that the fright
Caus'd some young Gods to make a shameful flight;
VVho dastardly to wealthy Aegypt ran
Assuming there some Leek or Onyan's Name:
Causing by so unworthy a Disguise,
The sond Egyptians to Idolatrize.
But still the Seidge bold Jupiter withstands,
Hurling great Thunderbolts from his dire hands;
VVhich thick as Hailstones, on the Gyants Lighted,
VVho at so strange Artillery affrighted;
No longer durst the Heav'nly force engage,
But took their heels, and basely fled the Siedge.
Yet still his anger on these Monsters fell,
VVhich overtook them sending some to Hell;
Others by hideous Death's to end he brought,
Loading their Graves with mighty Aetna's weight,
That they as endless Monuments might Lye,
And tell his Fame to long Eternity.
These Gyants thus distroy'd, that very year,
The Heavenly Thief Prometheus did appear,
VVho taking Earth and VVater, then began
To Form and shape the Hapless Creature Man;
VVhom he endow'd with an Immortal Soul
Of Heavenly fire, which he from thence had stole.
VVhen all the powerful Jupiter enrag'd,
Sends to his Uncle Ʋulcan, and engag'd
Him upon honour, not to let this pass;
So that a mighty Chain provided was
To bind him to mount Caucacus for ever,
And deathless Vultures to Devour his Liver;
Which every Night encreast, that so the pain
By them next day might be renew'd again:
But valliant Hercules disturb'd to see
Him tortur'd thus for's Ingenuitie,
With pearless strength, plucks of the weighty Chain,
And freed him from Imprisonment and pain.
Whereat great Jupiter incens'd to see
Prometheus so soon at Libertie,
VVhom he a sad and endless Hell design'd,
He recontracts the fury of his mind,
Doubles his Rage, and with a frowning Brow,
And fiery Eyes, begins to study how
Prometheus his pain he might so change,
As to Inflict on him a worse Revenge.
And therefore to the fair Pandora sent,
As the most likely fatal instrument,
To work the black resolves of his vext mind,
(Beauty corrupted, is to vice most kind.)
To her he calls, and hastily Commands,
To take into her fair and beauteous hands,
A falal Box of Deadly Poysons, which
To Epemetheus as a Present Rich,
And sent from Gods, she must deliver to him,
VVho hoping some great rarity therein,
Hastily open'd it, at which there flew,
A Nest of Evils and disseases too;
VVho expeditiously themselves disperse,
And sadly tainted all the Universe.
Thus Fame and Triumph seemed every where,
To weight upon victorious Jupiter,
Who having crusht the Gyants, and subdu'd
Rebellious Mortals; softer ease persu'd.
VVarm Luxury began to make her Nest
In the Meridian of his Royal breast;
And Love and Lust, blow'd up such glowing fires,
As prompted him to ease—those lew'd desires.
To virtue now he had but small regard,
VVhen Incest but a little Sin appear'd.
His Native Sister June he did VVed,
And forc'd her to his rude Incestious Bed.
Then Tros's Son, young Ganimedes, he
Did force to an unknown Debaucherie.
The fair Europa, she from whose bright fame,
The best part of the World has ta'ne its Name,
VVas the next victin to his raging Lust.
By reason of whose virtue, he was forc'd
To change his Godlike, for a Beastlike shape,
VVherein by force he did that wicked Rape.
The next was Dena [...] in her brasen Tower,
VVherein he got and rain'd a golden show'r,
VVhich lighted on such animated Earth,
As gave renowned Perseus happy birth.
Thus Jupiter before his last retreat,
VVas grown to men as infamous as great.
The Poetical History of Mars.
A Long adeiw to all the Sweets of Ease,
To all the pleasing softs of downy Peace;
To all my silent sighs and lonely grief,
VVhich to my Labouring mind have brought Relief;
VVhen all my startled friends, my help did fly,
Fearing th' infection of my misery;
And every frowning storm, Heav'n Combin'd,
To storm the requiems of my happy mind.
Farewel each silent spring, and shady grove,
Ye kind repeaters of my slighted Love;
How oft have you a temperate Solstice made
For my reception, sweetly stain'd with shade:
VVhere 'neath the umbrage of some willow, I,
Melted to Tears, and breath'd into a sigh:
To beautious Sylvia for a Smile did sue,
VVhen your kind. Eccho nimbly answers, doe.
But she, ah cruel she! with scornful Eye
And frowning Brow, commanded me to Dye
Farewel my Study, where I us'd to find,
Jems to inrich my soon exhausted mind,
VVhich without th' assistance of that wealthy ore,
VVould soon turn Bankrupt, and indite no more.
Glutted with pleasure, often have I read,
Those sweet communications of the Dead;
With such delight, and Rapsody of Mind,
With thoughts so settled, and a Soul sublim'd,
That grief nor Care, withal their sublest Art,
Could find no Room nor Lodging in my heart.
Contentment Raign'd, and during its short stay,
Lockt up the Door, and kept it self the Key.
The Lib'ral Sciences, like various Dishes
Besieg'd me round, and pleas'd my highest wishes.
Sometimes I did my hungry Stomach try,
With the first course of sound Phylosophy:
The strong'st and solid'st Viends to sustain
The light Mercurial Junkets of the Brain.
Sometimes my thoughts were much sublimer giv'n,
And strove to trace the Motions of the Heav'n;
Where I beheld each Planet in Seat
Regent, was King, and Carved human fate.
Then with a curious, but declined Eye,
I read the small Aenigma's of the Sky.
Sometimes to look, my Fancy did incline,
In the dark backward, and abiss of time;
Where it solac'd me infin'tely to learn,
The Humour of the world e're I was born.
But then I must confess, I griev'd to know
How wise men then were, and how foolish now.
Then like a Laden Bee, I'de homeward flie.
To my own Native Study, Poesie:
And wind up all in Measure and in Form,
Which I from other Sciences did Learn.
This was the business of my Ease, but now
Such downy thoughts, alas, I must forego,
And nought but those of fighting, noys of Drum,
And clashing Swords, must in my Phansie come;
The Trumpets Clangor, and the warlike fife,
The desperate Souldier, prodigal of Life,
Conjoyned Battles, which incorporate seem,
Chorust with ditmal groans of dying Men,
Are thoughts most fit for him, who dares to be
So bould, brave Mar [...], as write thy Historie.
Thou Son of Jupiter, and Juno's bed,
Who in the warlike Northern Climes wast bred;
Taught by wild Furious Lyons, how to Dare,
And how to suffer, by the Ruged Bear.
On whom a Northern blast no more Prevails,
That does on us warm Zypherus gentle Gales.
About the world thou undisturb'd wouldst go,
When all the Earth was mantled up in Snow;
And Fiercest Tygars from their Dens didst Chace,
VVho to thy hotter Fury soon gave place,
Leaving thee their, warm Coverts for to be,
A Magazin to hold thy Arms and thee.
This thy prodigious valour, when 'twas hurld,
B'officious same, to this our Southern world;
Made Jealous Jupiter a fraid to fee,
Thus threatning stem of his own Proginie.
Born on triumphant Charriot, thou didst Ride,
With frightful Sprights, attending at thy side:
Clamour, Contention, and thin Meagre fear,
Drest in their proper garbs, thy Servants were.
Terror and apprehension too, with long
And grisly locks, went stalking in the throng
Before the loud tongu'd fame in gaudy Cloaths,
(Stuck full of Eyes, as Orenges with Cloves.)
In Antick garb, as Ancient Poets say,
Sat as Postilian all thy flower strow'd way.
In this Heroick posture didst thou come,
Displaying Colours, striding on a Drum,
Halbeart in hand, and trunchion on thy hip,
With Fair Bellona, flourishing her whip.
When Limping Vulcans light new Married Dame,
Came to intrap thee with her wanton Flame.
And now ye Sons of War, some of ye do,
Tell me what all your mighty strength can do?
You who have watcht a Siedge both day and night,
Till your Numb'd Limbs have Frozen where you sit:
You who can Laugh, when th' Ominous Canon bauls,
And crouds of Souldiers to Elizium calls.
You, in whose countenance no change appears,
Though whistling Bullets fly about your Ears.
Or you, who from a Rampter dare to expose
Your Selves and Friends amongst your deadly Foes;
Tell me how meanly should you these things prize,
VVho have no Armour 'gainst a womans Eyes.
Behold and see your all-commanding Mars,
The mighty Stickler in the Roman VVars:
He who did all their Enemies Resist,
And dealt out Crowns to whom, and where he list.
VVhen he beholds fair Venus on his Knee,
Poorly Intreating his Captivitie:
Changing the Title due to Martial Cares,
For a Common Souldier in Venerial VVars.
The comming Goddess presently was won,
And freely grants an assignation;
VVhich prively, without the least regard
Of those two Cumbitants, was over heard
By Yellow Vulcan, who a Net prepar'd,
VVherein the Naked Lovers were insnar'd.
Just in the time of Action, all the Gods
At News hereof came from their bright Aboads,
To see 'em both in Loves Imbraces Ly,
Expos'd to view, and bar'd from Liberty;
Some Laught, some Blusht, some gave him heavy Doom,
But others Smil'd, and wisht 'um in his Room.
The Poetical History of Apollo.
LUxurious Jupiter at length bring Cloyd,
With th' nauceous pleasures of a Marriage Bed;
His wanton Eyes on fair Latona plac'd,
(A ruddy Nimph with wondrous Beauty grac'd.)
Her he affected, and with pain he strove,
To let her know the greatness of his Love.
The Pretty Nimph, as other Maidens do,
At first reply'd the usual answer—No.
But when the God-like Lover prest her home,
Like full ripe Fruit, she gently tumbel'd Down;
And with enclosed Eyes, that bliss enjoy'd,
Which 'gainst her Conscience she so long deny'd.
But their Imbraces could not be so close,
But Jealous Juno heard the Echoing Noys,
Which through the Mouth of Pratling Gods was sent.
So Loud, it sounded through the Continent.
By grand experience Marry'd Folks may Ghess,
How Juno brook't her Rivals happiness.
When she was told, her Husband did confer
On Fair Latona, what was due to her.
Great Gods! Methinks I hear her tear and Fling,
And Swear so loud, she makes the Heaven's Ring;
Upbraided Jupiter with th' horrid Sin,
And threatning she will do as much for him.
Then on a sudden, into silence change,
With bended Brows contriving this revenge.
The Serpent Python which in former time,
Sprang from the fam'd Deucaleans Muddy slime.
Him she engaged by her strict command,
To drive Latona from that fertil Land,
And Brib'd the Earth, to let her have no room
In all the world, but Delos for her home;
Delos which might as well have serv'd her for a Tomb.
Had not kind Neptune for Latona's sake,
Both fixt and rais'd it bove the brinish Lake
VVherein it sunk. There as she walkt a while,
Admiring at th'uninhabited Isle,
She chanc'd to find a spreading Palmtree Leaf,
(The sheet which caught the burden of her Grief,)
VVhereon her body was no sooner layd,
But out alass! In vain for help she cry'd:
No friendly Mid-wife to her Groans was near,
There was no Husband, nor kind Neighbours there,
Nor none to pitty with a wishing Tear.
But by and by a recompence appear'd
For all her pains, when two fair Twins she heard.
VVith Infant shrieks, endeav'ring to bemone,
Those throws and Pangs which she had undergone;
These were Diana and Apollo. He
Soon as Arriv'd at full Maturitie,
Remembring Pythons Rudeness to his Mother,
No longer could his Noble Vengeance Smother:
VVith Bow and Quiver to that VVood he hy'd,
Where Monstrous Typhon Custom'd to reside;
VVho made a strong resistance but in vain,
For all the Gods the Quarrel did maintain.
And Heaven it self with an unus'd delight,
Eccho'd, go Paean all the time of Fight.
Hartning Apollo, who to let him know
The strength and sureness of his well bent Bow,
From out his Quiver took that fatal Dart,
VVhich forc'd its Lodging in the Monsters heart.
Thus fell great Typhon, and this VVar b'ing done,
Apollo Marry'd, and begot a Son,
Named him Esculapius, whom he
Committed to the Centaurs Costodie.
I'th helpful Art of Physick to be train'd;
VVhere in such strange Proficiency he gain'd,
That both by all at home, and those abroad,
That were Physitians, he was thought a God.
Him Jove with Thunderbolts destroy'd, because
He from the Dead, Hypolitus did raise;
VVhom by his Charriot horses Jove had will'd,
First to be drag'd about, and after Kil'd.
Enrag'd Apollo on the Cyclops flew,
VVhom cause they made those Thunderbolts, he slew.
Leaving great Jupiter at Forge, no hands
To work him bolts, to serve his dire commands.
The mighty Grandfather enrag'd to see
His Servants thus destroy'd, resolv'd to be
Reveng'd, for the affront his Son had giv'n,
Whom for a time he Banish'd out of Heav'n;
Forc'd him seek a Living 'mongst the Rocks,
And afterward to feed Admeta's Flocks;
In which imploy, so bravely he behav'd
Himself, that all the Neighbouring Shepherds crav'd
His Pleasing friendship. Graceful was his Men,
Softer then Down his words, his thoughts sublime,
Which in Extemp'ry Eclogues came so free,
Gods might have Patroniz'd his Poetrie;
And barren strands before their Heav'n Esteem,
So that they might have been but prais'd by him.
The Rustick Shepherds who did rudely roar,
By him reclaim'd were, and would baul no more;
But practising his sweet Authentick Notes,
Unprison'd Musick from their Warbling Throats.
To ev'ry Ode, he set a Tune a part,
On purpose to betray some Virgins heart;
Who as she trickt up to have caught his come,
Without her own was forc'd 't go sighing home.
So much respect the Nimphs and Shepherds ow'd,
That as a God, to him they Kneel'd and Bow'd;
To him they sung, and did each other prize,
According as their Notes came nearest his:
But yet for all Apollo's Wisdom, he
Could find no fence 'gainst Loves Artillerie:
The Charming Beauties of fair Daphne's eyes,
For all his Godhead did his heart surprize:
Her looks at once so modest and so fair,
As if she bid him hope, and then dispair.
This Nimph Apollo courted—but in Vain,
A Vicious thought she would not entertain:
But with severe corrections did remove,
The urgent Motions of his lustful Love;
At whose neglect disdain'd Apollo Mourn'd,
And to a Lawrel the fair Maid transform'd:
Which done, his time b'ing out, which he should stay
On Earth, to Heav'n he made his hasty way:
From whence each day he doth those beams disperse,
Which guild the surface of our Universe.
The Poetical History of Neptune.
When from the sumit of some towring Rock,
Down to those surges which thou mak'st, I look.
Behold th' enraged Ocean fret and foam,
And hear her Roar at thy too cruel doom.
See waves encounter waves at such a rate,
I fear'd their Blows would reach me as I sate.
Then casting down my discontented Eye,
The very intrels of deep Hell I spy,
From whose dark Bottom by and by arise,
Such Clouds of waves as threatn'd all the Skys.
And Rools of Floods in true gradations sent,
To fall a Deluge on the Continent.
Ah Mighty Neptune (to my self said I)
How 'unfit am I to write thy History.
When thou so lowdly thy own fame dost raise,
The humble Poets Drowned in the Noyse.
Yet, though to write thy prays I will not try,
I'l give the world thy Geonalogy.
To the Immortal Seed of Saturn, thou,
Thy Watry Kingdom, and thy Life dost owe.
For when thy Father with Paternal care
Distributed the Earth, the Sea, and Air,
Amongst his Sons, it was his great design,
That all the watry Empire should be thine;
He put a Trydent in thy Princely hand,
To shew instead of Scepter, thy command;
And for a Chariot, a vast Shell he gave,
Pluckt off the Liquid back of some rude wave;
Thy Coach-Horses, Sea Monsters were, and Whales,
VVhich drew thee gently as soft VVestern Gales;
VVhen they come Sliding o're a Calmy Sea,
And leave no frowns nor wrinckles in their way.
Thy VVife Amphytrite (whose spreading breadth,
Gave her that name because she loves the Earth.)
With watry Armes which she does round disperse,
And bravely searches all the Universe.
Her thou didst Love, and to thy bed prefer,
(The which thou ow'st a friendly Dolphin for.
VVho on his back did kindly save her Life,
And gave her to thee for a Virtuous VVife.
VVhich Dolphin after to the Skies was born,
And turn'd into a Star near Capricorn.
After this the rumour of thy Name abroad
Did fly, and thou wert thought a mighty God
By wretched heathens, who amazed stood,
To see how still thou bind'st the Rav'nous Flood;
VVhich when by winds into contention born,
Thou check'st, and mad'st it sorry for the Storm:
Nor this alone did'st thou, but much beside,
Thou taught'st succeeding Mankind how to Ride;
Striking the Teeming Earth with such a force,
That at thy pleasure out there Leapt a horse,
VVhich thou couldst Check and Curb, command with Ease,
And make obedient as the calmy Seas.
This thou didst do, and from the Earth didst bring,
A stately Steed at Athens Christening:
VVhen great Minerva and thy self did strive,
VVho should that Famous Citys Title give;
Then thou wer't mighty Neptune; but alass,
Thy growing fame sustain'd a sad decrease;
VVhen thou, too proud of thy vast pow'r, didst raise
A hear'd of lean Sectarians, to blaze
Abroad the vices of great Jupiter,
To whose great pow'r thou didst thy own prefer,
But found'st thy self deceiv'd, when after driv'n,
By his Victorious Army out of Heav'n,
And forc'd on Earth a wandring Life to live,
Amongst the barren woods, where thou didst strive,
VVith anxious labour and with sweaty brow,
For lives necessities (as we do now)
At length no longer able to Endure,
The faint subsistance there thou didst procure.
To Lemadon thou took'st thy hasty way,
In hopes to help him build renowned Troy:
But he responding thy desire with scorn,
To lonely woods again thou didst return,
And there in after times begat'st a Race
Of Monstrous Trytons, only Men I'th Face:
But from the Girdle downward, to the Toe,
Were perfect Dolphins, these were wont to go
With certain shells, which made a pleasant sound
Before him, as he walkt the Wood a round.
But in succeeding time, when Infant Room,
Had heard that Neptune to their world was come;
And well considering all their Care and Cost
To Build that City, threatned to be lost,
For want of that fair Sex which Chiefly be,
The Ground or basis of Posteritie.
They went to Neptune, and to him complain'd
Of that strange Famin they had long sustain'd;
Told him their case, how they were like to be
For want of Heirs, forgot to Memorie.
To let 'em know he once had been a God,
Neptune return'd their homage with a Nod;
And when within himself had paus'd a while,
Return them this as sacred Oracle.
To the Sabinian Plains, your Roman games
Will easily entice the Sabine Dames.
Who with their Daughters Joyfully will come,
To see brave Actions by the Romans done.
Then in the midst or Centre of your Mirth,
When you have seen a now of young ones forth.
See that each Roman on the Sabines Runs,
Sease them for VVives, and so beget ye Sons.
After from's billows London Neptune spide,
Brought proudly thither by a high Spring-tide.
As through a floating VVood he stear'd along,
And Dancing Castles cluster'd in a throng.
VVhen he beheld a mighty bridg give Law
Unto his surges, and their fury Aw.
VVhen such a shelf of Cataracts did roar,
As if the Thames with Nice had chang'd her Shoar.
VVhen he such Massy walls, with Tow'rs did Eye,
Such Posts, such Irons, on his back to lye.
VVhen the Caerulian God these things survey'd,
He shook his Trydent, and Astonisht said,
Let the whole Earth now all her wonders Count,
This Bridg of wonders is the Paramount.
The Poetical History of Mercury.
OFt has my pondering Muse with labouring thought
Urg'd me to write, when to my view was brought
The Drifts and Errors of mistaken men,
VVho to the common Herd would Cato's seem:
But to the learn'd and wise are nothing less,
Then Retrograders from true happiness.
Oft in an uncooth Grove, from clamour free,
None but my Muse to bare me Companie,
I've worn out Ev'nings as I sighing sat,
Thinking on all the various hits of Fate:
Revolving in my mind with no small grief,
The irksome fooleries of humane life.
Ah! give me Pen, said I, for now I'm forc'd
To write, or else my labouring Soul will burst.
These thoughts the conclave of my mind so fill,
That nothing can unlade it but my Quill:
In such a Rapture, and in such a strain,
Great Mercurie let me thy Fame proclaim.
Thou most renowned God, as well for birth,
As Ingennitie; whose sacred worth,
And great esteem, the other Gods declare,
By those great Offices which they confer
On the great Atlas Grand-Child, when vast bones,
Cover'd with Moss, and crusted o're with stones.
Up to a mighty bulk do shouldering rise,
And bare the ponderous burden of the Skys.
He with one only Daughter being blest,
Maia by name, who as she took her Rest,
Slumbring on top of Mount Cylene's hill,
Perceiv'd her Royal VVomb begin to fill.
Her body Barnish, so that out of hand,
VVith thy great birth she blest th' Arcadean Land.
The Morning of thy Life in silence wasted,
Thy forward genius to Discretion hasted;
VVhich the discerning Heav'ns did so prefer,
They all proclaim'd thee their Embassador.
VVings to thy tender hands and heels they tyd,
That thou at their commands might'st swiftly glide
Through Liquid Floods, or cut the softer Air,
And in a trice to Heav'n again Repair,
Leaving no sign or Trach behind the seen,
How thou had'st gon, or whither thou hadst been.
A pair of Serpents which did peace portend,
Twisting about a Rod held in thy hand;
By their so mild imbraces did proclaim,
That unity which thou wouldst fain maintain.
Nor dost thou only Sea and Air insest,
But mak'st thy way to every humane brest;
Which thou imploy'st in chalking out new draughts
Of fresh Idea's, and of unborn thoughts,
Which by thy inquisition there dost find,
Lodg'd in some duskish corner of the mind.
These thou inform, and Method put'st together,
Till well conceiv'd, thou mak'st the Tongue deliver.
But when th' immortal Soul of Man grows weary,
And in the body will no longer tarry,
It was thy Office (Mercury!) to come
And hand her kindly to Elyzium.
Where when the Soul in Melancholy Groves,
(The dark retriments of deceased Loves)
Had wearied out a year or two in plaint
Of its obscurity, and close restraint.
Thou like a mighty all-commanding God,
By vertue of thy never failing Rod,
VVouldst beckon from that Hypocondriack Bliss,
And force 'em to a Metempsucosis.
The jolly Deities in former time,
Rais'd by the Spirits of Ambrosian Wine;
And sprightly Necter at a Feast brought forth,
Or else to cellebrate some Goddess birth;
With which, in rousing bouls, they wou'd Confound
Their sences, till they thought the Heav'ns turn'd roun
Then like some Bloated Bully, who hath sat
Till Bacchus gets possession of his Pate:
And Landlord like, with an Ejective Writ,
Turns out the little Rubbish of his VVit;
Placing such sumes instead, as naught dispence,
But those curst Plagues desire and Impotence.
Frought with them both, he tumbles up and down,
Swears he will Hector all the trembling Town;
Spare neither Man nor VVoman he can catch,
Nor leave his VVench for Cunstable nor VVatch.
But if they oppose such Airy sreaks as these,
Possest the brains of wandring Deities.
VVhen warm'd with VVine from Heav'n they us'd to Rove
To Cool themselves in some Terenian Grove.
Blest by the happy Furniture of Beautious Maids,
VVho with loud Shrieks invoke their Shepherds Aids,
But all in vain, each God his Love will Feast
In his own shape, or for that Love turn beast.
Or Bird, or Tree, or golden show'r,
Or any thing to reap the Virgins Flow'r.
Once when the wanton Gods had revel'd thus,
They needs would go to visit Tantalus
The Son of Jupiter, whose empty board
A well becoming Feast could not afford
For such unusual Strangers, wherefore he,
Urg'd thereto by meer necessitie,
VVith hands inhumane, caus'd his Son to bleed,
Whose Limbs b'ing neatly Hasht and Fygazeed;
In mighty Dishes to the board were brought
By him, who kindly all the Gods besought
I' accept that little Treat, which humbly shew'd
In part, the sign of his Large gratitude.
Th' inraged Deities affronted all,
To see an Act so Dam'd unnatural.
First lay'd their heads together, to invent
For Tantolus befiting Punishment;
And then intreated Mercury to go
Down to the dwellings of the Dead below.
The Soul of Murder'd Pelops to Redeem,
And instantly to bring him back to them.
Which Mighty Mercury alone could do,
Who adventrously among the Damned flew;
And by his power, regain'd that Soul from Hell,
Which otherwise had been impossible.
Thus, or through Heav'n or Hell, where e're he wen [...]
This mighty God was still Omnipotent.
The Poetical History of Diana.
THe Chast Diana as before was sed,
Was the Fair Issue of Latona's Bed.
When Jupiter enrag'd at's scolding wife,
Left her to lead a rambling Bully's Life.
Meeting bechance this fair complying Mai'd,
VVhom easily he to his Bed betray'd.
VVith Heav'nly Seed he fil'd her until'd VVomb,
From which in 10 Moneths time Diana sprung.
The Glittering Morning of whose Age was spent
In rural Sports; whereby a calm content
Which she enjoy'd in that serene retreat,
She might have guest the tortures of the Great.
But after she to Riper Years was grown,
And fil'd the world with her deserv'd renown.
VVhich kindly added to her infant Name,
A trine of Titles to Enhance her Fame.
Luna thy cal'd her as belong'd to Heav'n,
But hear on Earth another Name was giv'n.
[Fair Cynthia] who amongst the woods did dwell,
And Proserpina when she went to Hell.
Calm was the Seria's of her happy Life,
VVhilst freed from greatness, void of Care and Strife
And fell ambition; 'bout the Groves she walkt,
And oft of Heav'n, and oft of Love she talkt.
To a fair Train of 60. Virgins she,
Had to attend her in that privacie;
VVho every one officiously did wait
On her soft words, as th' Oracle of fate.
With Bow in hand, and Quiver by her side,
She walkt Commandress of that Beautious Tribe,
Beating each Thicket as they March'd to find,
A game proportion'd to her Noble Mind.
Sometimes a Royal Stag they gently Rouse,
As he was browsing in his shady house;
VVho unacquainted with such beauteous Foes,
Stretches and looks about him as he goes;
At length being Charm'd—Stands gazing at h [...] Eye [...]
Whilst by her Treacherous Dart he falls and Dyes.
A silly Pheasant next (perhaps) they Pearch
On an adjacent Tree within their Reach;
Who from his secure bough does leering spy,
Unusual Glories in Dyana's Eye;
Gazing with such intentness as did seem,
He aim'd at her direct as she at him;
Till by an Arrow from her Fatal Sheath,
She sends him tidings of untimely Death.
Who not unkindly does the Message greet,
But trembling falls obedient at her feet.
The Timerous Hare at Melancholy Quat,
From her fair hands receiv'd unhappy Fate.
And Passant Birds so suddenly do dye
By her swift shaft, t'would puzle one to spy
VVhether her Arrow kil'd them, or her Eye.
In fine, she was the only Goddess of the VVood,
VVho Hunting, Hawking, Shooting understood:
But yet so modest, careful, and so Shy,
To keep unblemisht her Virginity.
That bold Acteon, as he gazing stood,
To see her Bathing in a Neighbouring Flood;
VVhilst lib'rally without reserve or fear,
She openly expos'd her Beauties there
So long, till casting up her Curious Eye,
Upon a Neighbouring bank, she might Espy
The Rash beholder of her Stoln recess,
VVho for that rude intrution of his,
She chang'd into a Stags Similitude,
VVhom his mistaken Dogs with hast Persu'd.
Through bushes, brambles, over hills and downs,
Through watry Thickets, & Damp Marshy Grounds
Deaf to his Noys, though Name by Name he calls,
Each heedless Hound who minds not what he bauls;
But eagerly their wearyed game persue,
On whom o're tane, so furiously they flew
VVith open Mouth, tearing him Limb from Limb,
That there the sad spectator might have seen,
By a Revenge so cruel and so Strickt,
VVhich she on poor Acteon did Inflict,
That nothing was so pretious or so dear,
As an unspoted Modesty to her.
Admireing Ephesus had hardly heard
The rumour of her Fame, but up they rear'd
A Stately Temple, where with Rev'rence she
VVas to be worshipt as their Deitie.
No Beardless Priests, her Grandure cou'd suffice,
But Antient, Grave, Religious, and Wise;
Such whose deportments and aspects might be
A grace to Burnish her Divinitie.
Nor common Sacrifice would serve the turn,
But humane Flesh must on her Alters burn.
I fear Precarious Scythians meant to have
The mighty Boons which they were us'd to crave.
A helpless Greek fal'n on the Scythian shore,
Cut into Quarters, Pickel'd in his Gore.
The humble Tauris must surely bring,
If they would please her with an offering.
Of which a fam'd Historian has writ,
A pleasant story full of Blood and wit.
When wild Orestes had his Mother kild,
The Act his Conscience with such horror fil'd,
That he grew restless, and dispair'd to find
Means to aswage the terror of his mind:
But b'ing adviz'd by own who lov'd him well,
To go ask Councel of the Oracle.
It straight commanded, he should Greece forsake,
And Scythia Taurica with speed attacque;
Where near the Shore, in an adjacent Wood,
The Famous Temple of Diana stood;
In it her Statue, which if he by slight,
Whilst all lay slumbring in the Armes of Night,
Could but convey unto the Greecian-shore,
His Lunacie should trouble him no more.
Orestes Ships, and reacht the Scythian Land,
Where he had scarcely quit him of the Sand;
But he was Seas'd on by a Crew of Spyes,
And brought to Taurica for Sacrifice:
And that same Night before he was to dye,
Put into Ephigenias Custody.
The Priests of Diana, whose loose Eye,
Beholding bound Orestes Majesty.
The true proportion of each brawny Limb,
His spreading Shoulders and Majestick Meen—
She him within her self began to prize,
Fitter for Loves, than D'ana's Sacrifice;
VVhich soon as the accute Orestes knew,
He got both Mayden-head and Statue too.
The Poetical History of Venus.
When impious Saturn harbour'd in his Breast
A Jealosie of being dispossest
Of th' long'd for Glory of his Fathers Crown,
By the Intrusion of another Son.
VVith Graceless Syth he to his Father ran,
And rob'd him of that part which term'd him Man.
VVhich when dissected from his body, he
Carelesly flung into the Foaming Sea.
This Neptune viewing, with indulgent Eyes,
Strove to preserve the sacred Privaties.
VVhich first he Mantled in a bed of Foam,
VVhere agitating VVaves were us'd to come;
And by their Active Motion heat beget,
These when with drops of Viril blood they met,
Comixt and Curdl'd, then congeal'd to form,
And afterwards enliven'd by a Storm;
VVhich from it's Nest the Beautious substance tore
And left an Amorous Venus on the Shore;
VVhose pearless Charms did neighbouring Shepherds move
VVith Flow'rs to Crown her Deitie of Love;
To whom each Evening every Nymph resorts,
As the sole Goddess of their wanton Sports.
And if at any time, she chanc'd to be
Too Lavish in her Shepherds Companie,
Offer'd in sacrifice a Letcherous Dove,
Serv'd to attone the rudeness of her Love.
Drawn by Lacivious Birds, in Chariot she
Tryumphant Rod through famous Chythere:
And stately Amathus, which she inclin'd
To wanton Sports and Levity of mind,
Both Paphos and the Cyprian Issands rung,
VVith lowd Encomiums to Fair Venus Sung;
VVhose boundless beauties often did surprize
The Guardless Souls of Curious Deities.
VVho as they prying came her Beams to spy,
Their hearts were intercepted by her Eye.
But as to other Gods, whose wiser Care,
Did court her Smiles, she was not so severe:
For when plump Bacchus was to India sent,
In his Return from that rich Continent.
Venus hot Love could brook no longer stay,
But up she got and met him half the way;
Compos'd a Garland of the Cyprian Rose,
VVherewith she kindly Crown'd his struting Brows;
Kist her Plump Cheeks, and with soft sighs did move
The Jolly God, by wanton signs, to Love —
He who no dull ingratitude did know,
(As in this kind few Bacchanalians do)
In just requital of so kind a deed,
Impregnated her Womb with Heav'nly Seed;
VVhich jealous Juno then in heat of Youth,
Thinking all lost that fell besides her Mouth,
Bewitch'd, before it any shape did know,
VVhilst it was Curdling into Embrio;
That with contempt she might the Parents scorn,
VVhen the ill shap'd Pryapus was Born;
VVhose crooked form put Venus in a fright,
VVho banisht him for ever from her sight.
Scarce was she from this ponderous burden freed,
But with another God she had agreed.
Who by her Captivating beams was led,
To seek the Pleasures of her happy bed.
The wanton Intrigue did so well succeed,
That from their close imbraces did proceed
Young Hymenaeus, who did after prove
The only God of Conjugated Love.
The graces were her Daughters too, whom she
Always enjoyn'd to keep her Companie:
And Hood-winckt Cupid, who could never see,
The dire affects of his Artillerie.
That little Boy with wings upon his back,
And Quiver by his side, which ne're did lack,
Show'rs of burning Arrows to enflame,
VVith rageing Love, the hearts wherein they came.
This wanton Youth by Poets too is sed,
To be oblieg'd for Life to Venus's bed:
And bold Aeneas he, whose pious Care,
Through Trojon flames did old Anchyses bear
Upon his back, whilst in his Face were sent,
Affrontive flashes every step he went.
He of whose Virtue Lofty Virgil Sung
So Low'd, that all the VVorld has Rung
VVith the Inchanting Noyse of his sweet Fame,
VVhich into every petty Island came;
And ne're will be extinguisht, till the VVorld,
Into its first obscurity be hurl'd.
He who in all this fame and splendour Liv'd,
Owns from fair Venus bed to be deriv'd.
Thus loosely Venus Liv'd, Ranging abroad,
Free to th' imbraces of each willing God;
VVho in her Armes were frequently delighted,
So oft that she at length by all was slighted.
Excepting Vulcan, who durst never be
So impudent, to prove her Levitie.
This bashful homely God, had often sed,
He could have wisht her in his sooty Bed;
And thither had invited her, but that
His Limping Leg was it she mutter'd at
So oft to other Gods, that he dispair'd
Of having any light Petition heard.
VVherefore one ev'ning as from Hell he came,
Sweating, and Panting, Collowy and Lame:
Thinking to cool him on the Cyprian shore,
He saw bright Venus, whom he did implore.
(After had made from her a small retreat,
To cleer his grymed Chops of foot and sweat,)
At once to save his Longing and his Life,
By a submission to become his Wife.
The crafty Beauty, conscious she had been
Too light to keep the other Gods Esteem.
Like a declining Harlot, strove to engage
A Fond admirer of her wrinckled Age,
Admitted silly Vulcan to her Bed,
Who seeking for a long lost Maiden-Head,
Was loaded so by other Gods with Scorns,
That all the Heav'ns Echo'd Vulcans Horns.
The Poetical History of Perseus.
WHen Men, from Oracles, the News did bring
To Fam'd Acrisius, Argos wealthy King;
That to a Child his Daughter should give breath,
VVho afterward must cause her Fathers Death:
In hopes that rigorous Fortune to withstand,
Which Heav'n had threatn'd by a Grand-childs hand;
The Young Presaged Mother, (who as yet,
With Man in warm imbraces had not met,
Nor the delights of Lovers ever sought,
Unless by Proxy of a Dream or thought—)
Was by her Fathers harsh Commission sent
To a Tow'r of Brass for close imprisonment;
There from the sight of Man or Child confin'd,
To calm the Billows of his fearful mind.
Where, by the way, the Reader may behold,
How vainly man contest with Heav'n do's hold!
VVhat little pains it takes to undermine
The shallow projects of our deep'st Design!
What matters all our Plots and Cares, alas!
What signifies a Tow'r of Massy Brass?
Tho mighty Alps should to those Walls condence,
They'd seem but Nets to piercing Providence;
Which does through Pores, as swift as Mashes fly,
Till it attains it's wisht Ubiquity.
Resembling Recreation we procure,
Pond'ring the Reasons of the Men secure,
Who sit in their contrivances so close,
As if no other Fate could interpose:
Whom oft we see by that same Clue th'ave spun,
Run tumbling head-long to the fate they'd shun!
Thus by his care, Acrisius did but fly
The nearer way, to meet his destiny;
Which like a Thief perhaps, had by him past,
But that it Judg'd the Booty by its hast.
For mighty Jupiter, whose tender Ear
VVas always open to a Virgins Pray'r;
Could by his high Prerogative invade
The sad complaints which Fair Danae made.
He heard her Sigh, and saw her weep and vex,
To be deny'd the Freedom of her Sex.
He daily saw her mourn her dismal Fate,
And heard her wish—she knew not well for what;
But thought he could the right construction find,
And satisfie her discontented Mind;
Forcing his passage through the Brazen Tower,
In her warm Lap he raign'd a Golden Show'r;
VVhich ten Months after such rich Fruit did yield,
That Perseus sprouted from the Milky Field:
VVhom with his Mother, grim Acrisius he
Lockt in a Chest, and threw into the Sea:
But wandring Fishermen the Chest retrieve,
VVhilst yet both Child and Mother were alive;
In whose great looks the honest men discry,
Unusual signs of Sacred Majesty:
By which they held themselves oblig'd to bear
Them both to Seriphus's Island; where
Young Polydectes largely did engage
Them both, till Valiant Perseus came to age.
VVho by brave Actions in his Youth, made known
That Glory which his riper Years did Crown.
His Fame too bulky for this lower world,
By Ecchoing Plaudits to the Gods was hurl'd.
VVho to divulge, they did his Deeds approve,
Sent him such presents as bespoke their Love.
Minerva, cause she would his Valour grace,
Kindly oblig'd him with her Looking-glass.
And Mercury, his liking to declare,
Gave him both plumed Wings and Semiter;
VVherewith so many Battles he obtain'd,
That from his Conquests Persia so was nam'd.
His Sinuy Arm the Nereids did command,
Andromeda was Frenchiz'd by his hand.
VVhen strange Sea-Monsters were design'd to Eat
The harmless Daughter for the Mothers sake,
The horrible Medusa's crawling Head,
VVhere twisting Serpents every moment bred,
VVhich who so lookt on, into Stones were shrunk.
His hand dissected from the hideous Trunk,
VVhose Reeking Blood ingendring with the Earth,
Gave winged Pegasus a happy Birth.
That mighty Beast, which with one lucky strok [...]
The hidden fount of Hypocrene broke;
And after that Immortal honour won,
In his assisting young Bellerophon
Against Chimaera; having done those VVars,
He Mounts the Skies, and lodg'd amongst the Stars.
Nor was brave Perseus only Fam'd in VVar,
The Sciences his private hours did share;
Those who were Learn'd, he held in near Esteem,
And came not but with open hand to them.
He knew in populous Kingdoms Letters are
As requisit as Instruments of VVar;
And that those VVars success does often Crown,
VVhich first are well debated by the Gown.
VVhen Conquest to a Nation Peace does give,
'Tis Learning tells the People how to live:
VVarns them that Valour which their Foe withstood,
Not to Experience in Domestick Blood;
But to their callings each Mans Arms resign
As quietly, as no such thing had been.
These and more noble Notions did procure
Perseus so much to favour Literature,
That on that celebrated mountains Brow,
To which the proudest Poets rev'rence owe.
[Immortal Helicon] Perseus Erected
A famous School, where Youth was well instructed
In all that Learning which the Gen'rous find
Fit to accomplish an Heroick Mind:
For which brave Action (worthy endless Praise)
Antient Poets rais'd him to the Skies.
So their Successors would ingrateful be
Not to applaud him to Eternitie.
The Poetical History of Pan.
YE Hural Gods, who 'mongst the Fields resort,
And wisely shun the Busle of the Court;
VVhere dwindled Parts, with discontents lie mute,
Under the lustre of a Gaudy shute:
VVhere words obliging, and smiles forc't (to please)
Are but the treacherous minds Antipodes:
And cringes, by Antithesis, proclaim,
VVhat you request, you are not like t' obtain.
VVhere, though the Peacock Treats you with a smile,
Read but his mind, there's Dam ye all the while.
(Why does this Credulous half-witted Bubble,
With's vain Petition give me thus much trouble.)
But You the noys of Courts discreetly shun,
You hate the Hums—and Buzes—of the Town.
VVhere busy men, like Bees together crowd,
And in their Convocations baul so loud.
(Each silly Speaker, fond of what he says,)
That all the Musicks drowned in the noise.
VVhilst you in gaudy Lawns and gilded Fields,
Enjoy that simple good which Nature yields;
Pure and unmixt as it at first does come
From the vast Treas'ry of her Teeming VVomb.
As are your Meats, so are your Pastimes free
From the strong tatch of Arts Debauchery.
The lust of honour fell Ambition here,
Does only in dim Metaphors appear.
Pride and Revenge, and softer Luxury,
Corroding sorrow, and that Gloomy Fry.
Of other Passions which infest the mind
Of those to dangerous greatness are inclin'd;
To Nymphs and Satyrs, and Field Gods are known,
Only by Tracks of Dark Tradition.
Their Innocence I envy, and implore
From all their Genius's a lusty store
Of sprightly wit, that I thereby may be
Aptly accomplisht to discourse of thee
Great Pan! The Fields and VVoods sole Emperor.
Give me at least a Sidneys Soul or more
That in an untrod path my Muse may fly,
To give thy Story Immortality.
Thou Grand-child to great Jupiters strong Brain,
From whence thy Father Mercury was tane;
VVho ravisht with the Beauty of a Maid,
VVhose Cruelty his Amorous Suit deny'd;
Resolv'd by Subtlety to undermine
That Fort which had withstood Loves Discipline:
'Tis so in Martial, well as Loves affair,
VVhen the Besieg'd unterrified appear;
Maugre the fruitless onsets of the Foe,
VVho from their Canons Fiery blasts do blow
On the Imperious walls, which scorn to shake,
For all the Storms and Batteries they can make.
The wise Besieger, who perceives at length,
Nothing can be accomplisht by his strength.
Close in his Tent shut up, do's Studying try,
To gain by's Wit, what Valour did deny.
Sometimes a Band of stoutest Men he calls,
To bid adieu to those unhappy VValls,
As if some greater business of import,
Call'd their assistance to a distant Fort.
These by his Order in a week return
VVith the Besieged's colours, old and worn.
And by a feigned Combat with their Friends,
Shortly accomplish their desired Ends.
For the Besieged, who with Seamens Eyes,
Ken at a distance signs of fresh supplies,
VVilling to credit what they wisht to have,
Hope for assistance, where they find a Grave:
Hasten their Ruin, more for want of care,
Than could their Foe, with all the Toyls of war.
And thus did Mercury, by cunning Gain,
That Virgin Fort which he had Storm'd in Vain.
VVho hearing all the pleasure which she took,
VVas in attendance of her little Flock,
On which she seem'd excessively to doat.
He therefore in the likeness of a Goat,
VVhich us'd to make a Bolster of her Thigh,
Did do the like; and when he was so Nigh—
No longer able to refrain, he ran
Upon his Bliss— and so begot God Pan:
So much the Fathers shape the Son resum'd,
That Goatish Horns his hairy Temples Crown'd.
A Rev'rend Beard his pickit Chin adorn'd,
His Buttocks shaggy, and his Feet were horn'd
VVith glittering Hoofs, like Gum-work did appear,
His feet were cloven as the Devils are:
The strangeness of his Shape made Nymphs admire,
And listening Satyrs from their Grots retire.
The wondering Shepheard on his Thigh so strike
His Mutton Fist, and swear by his old Dike,
In all his Born he never saw the like.
But Pan, as he assum'd his Fathers shape,
So did he of his VVit participate.
His form was not so duskish, but was seen
Through it, that glittering Soul which dwelt within,
VVhose blest Effects, the Rural Sports refin'd,
Both Satyrs, Nymphs, and Shepheards he inclin'd
To Poesie, the Glory of the Mind.
VVhat others with long studious Toyl attain,
By Nature flow'd from his capacious Brain;
From out his Pipe Musick distill'd as clear,
As if he had cond his Gamuth forty Year.
His daily Practice Judgment did impart,
And made him so conceited of his Art,
That swel'd with Pride, he so irreverend grows,
To snatch at Laurels on Apollo's brows:
Dares his sweet Harp, with Pans rude Pipe, to try
On open Stage, for Musicks Victory.
Mydas was Umpire in the grand Contest,
To give the Prize to him deserv'd it best.
A silly Judge Pan knew gives most applause,
And best success to a Resembling Cause,
And so it prov'd. Him Error did misguide,
To bear the Laurel from Apollo's side,
VVhich Mydas as his due on Pan bestows,
And thought he Crown'd the most deserving brows.
VVhich injury Apollo soon repairs,
VVho to his Woodcocks Brains sent Asses Ears.
The Poetical History of Bacchus.
Tis not the meanest Title did Adorn
Renowned Thebes, that Bacchus there was born;
That Jolly God, whose Fame was after hurl'd
Through every corner of this Lower world.
Ne're by Oblivions cloud to be o're cast,
So'long as Men, or Grapes, or Wines do last:
Or Sols refulgent Beams from far appear,
Or mirth inhabits in this Hemesphere.
So long as clambering Vines do upward thrive,
Or Men know how the happiest way to live
By Bacchanalian Antidotes, to drive
From their depressed Souls corroding grief,
VVhich every humane Error home does press,
And worm-like gnaws our goard of Happiness.
So long may Jupiter expect his Son,
Free from the Grave of dark Oblivion,
Or the more fierce Attaques of Hungry Time
Will live, and by the World be thought Divine.
Nor need his Fair, though hapless Mother fear,
But by his means to be remember'd here;
Though of her Life revengeful J [...]o did
By craft cut off the unextended Thred.
The Stories thus, Juno, who ne're at Peace
With any of her Husbands Mistresses,
In an old Matrons habit came disguiz'd
To Semele, whom slily shee adviz'd
As shee her Interest or Honour priz'd,
To suffer Jupiters most close Imbrace
VVhen Arm'd with Thunder, as before he was.
When first he enter'd Juno's Virgins Bed,
And Crown'd his Labours with her Maiden-head,
Semele consented to the fault,
But b'ing too weak to bare the fierce assault,
Was inth' Incounter by his Thunder Kil'd,
Just as her Virgin Womb by him was fil'd.
E're from the Boysterous God he could retire,
(According to Vext Juno's wisht desire;)
But Jupiter with Tears her Death bemoan'd,
And after he a while had sigh'd and groan'd,
With such Excess, as did to pitty move
The other Gods for his unhappy Love.
He piously bestow'd his God-like care,
The Embroy'd Infant in her Womb to spare;
Which soon he sever'd from its reeking Bed,
And by a deep Incision which he made
Into the Centre of his Brawny Thigh
(An Artificial Matrix to the Eye)
He caus'd it there for nourishment to lie,
Till its Birth-time should force its Libertie;
For which great Jupiter much honour gain'd,
And Bacchus after was Bimater Nam'd.
Ten Moons had scarcely fil'd their Monthly course,
When thriving Bacchus by Dame Natures force,
Scorning the Prison of his Fathers Thigh,
Got strength to force his safe Delivery.
His Youthful days in learning Arts he spent,
Under the wise and prosp'rous Government
Of grave Silenus, who with Wit sublim'd,
Stockt and Imbellisht his Heroick Mind.
Which made him prompt to Actions brave and high,
Whereby he purchas'd Immortality.
His Virgin Valour 'mongst the Indians flew,
From whose black swelling Veins he often drew Shore,
Hot reeking streams of putrifyed Gore,
Which Dy'd their Seas, and stain'd the neighbouring
Leaving those Fields wherein he Battles wone,
With blushing Cheeks to tell what he had done:
And Hills of breathless Indians heap'd on high
To Monument his Bloody Victory.
The Blacks at length no longer would dispute,
But rendr'd all his Conquests Absolute,
By their discreet Electing him to be,
There Foe no longer, but their Deity.
There, Tryumph in its Infancy was seen,
VVhich owes its first Original to him:
Which he from vanquisht Indians did procure,
As a just Tribute to their Conqueror.
A Royal Diadem adorn'd his brow,
And Libian Tishsue cover'd all below
In an Imperial Chariot where he sate,
Were all the Rich Hibiliments of State
Drawn by fierce Tygars, who their rage suspended,
To do him Honour till the Tryumph ended.
A Lance instead of Scepter fill'd his hand,
As the Monarchique sign of his command:
Whilst Noblest Indians round about him throng,
To do him Honour as he Marcht along;
With so much Glory, and a Train so great,
That after Romans did but Ape his State.
When Bacchus saw the Indians had bestow'd
On him the Praise, and homage of a God;
Erecting several Temples to his Name,
Wherein each day were Goats and Asses slain
With fiery Dragons, and the chattering Pye,
T'appease (forsooth) his angry Deity.
To shew him worthy of that large respect
To Arts and Sciences, he did direct
The search and study of his curious Brain,
Wherein he did to that degree attain,
That many wholesome Laws had thence their Rise,
VVhich curb'd and check't the Brutish Indians vice:
And many Arts and Sciences were made
Assistant to them in their way of Trade:
But that which gratefulest acceptation found
Of all his Deeds, and all his Studies crown'd,
That which such vast engagement did contract,
As to obliege the world in one sole Act;
And makes the Indian, and the Christian too,
Think all their Praise comes short of what's his due,
VVas the Invention of the fruitful Vine,
VVhose plotting Clusters seemingly combine
To give Man (like himself) a Soul Divine.
To heave his fleeting Thoughts to such a pitch,
As they with ease the Christal Heav'n may reach,
And from its glittering Capital behold,
Hells dark Transactions through this Mask of Mould
VVhat boundless Ocean's able to confine
The active thought, tost by a ghust of wine?
The Poetical History of Juno.
YOu friendly Muses, I'le be Judg by you,
If I have often troubled you or no,
Not but I've wanted your assistance much,
But my respect to you was always such,
That like some bolder Poets of the Time,
I durst not trouble you with ev'ry Rhime;
Your steep Parnassus I ne're ventur'd on,
Nor ever askt a drop of Hellicon;
VVhich I forbore, both in respect of you,
And complaisance to better Poets too;
Nor e're could think it fit such thoughts as mine
Should oft disturb ye, You most Sacred Nine!
VVhen such as Dreydons, and sweet Flatmans, be
The happy Subjects of your Privacie,
VVhat reason can induce, methinks I shou'd
Be heard or minded 'mongst that Learned croud.
No Thelia, I have still dispair'd, and Vow
By all the Gods, I had not beg'd as now
Your blest assistance, but the Truth to tell,
This Hect'ring Goddess, if I write not well,
With such loud Peals, I fear mine Ears will storm,
That what with Scolding, and revengeful scorn,
I shall account it Policy to die,
On purpose to evade her Cruelty:
For she who could o're top great Jupiter
In Heav'n, and often wore the Breeches there.
She, who the fair Latona at her will
Could cause confin'd in Delos floating Isle,
And by some unjust Quarrel did ingage
Each Junior God to undergo her Rage,
Which undeservedly upon them fell,
And made their Heav'n as Anxious as a Hell.
She, who amongst the Gods could Cruel be,
If I offend, what will become of me?
Thus much to you in Private, but beware
(Let me beseech ye) Juno does not hear,
Till your assistance my low Phansie raise,
And she commends, and checkles at her praise.
Heav'ns mighty Empress! thou, who still hast bin
To us a Goddess, and to Gods a Queen.
Who think it their Prerogative to be
Preferr'd, and govern'd by thy wise decree;
And round about thy Thrown do listning stand,
To catch th' unworded Breath of thy Command
Ere it be coin in Language; who do try
To intercept thy meaning at thy Eye;
And thy Important Business run about
So fast, they stay not till thy words be out.
Thou, who with slackned thoughts art pleas'd, Bow
Thy mind to Rule this triffling Orb below;
VVhilst careless Jupiter his senses Drowns
In Luxury, which Heaven and Earth confounds.
Thou mighty Empress, from thy Heavenly Seat,
Art thou for us contriving humane Fate;
Which thou like Sun-beams kindly dost disperse
'Mongst the poor Insects of this Universe.
Sparta, and Argos, and Mycenae too,
Gave thee these Appellations as thy due;
And firtil Samos, where thy Youth was spent
In harmless sports, and decent Meriment:
VVhere crouds of Virgins, in a neighbouring Plain,
By sportive slights thy Favour strove to gain.
Some with their well strung Timbrels in their hand,
In perfect time would tread the even strand.
Some with a Sonnet Song to Oaten Pipe,
In well tun'd Noats, would court thy wisht delight,
VVhilst others with more hard, but pleasing toyl,
By well run Races, gain'd thy happy smile;
But the result of all, was, which should be
To a good Husband first prefer'd by Thee.
Thus did thy growing Worth, whilst Young, presage
The envy'd Glories of thy riper Age
For to compleat you, which great Jupiter,
VVhose chance it was at first to see Thee there,
No sooner view'd thy Majesty and Grace,
Those crouds of Beauties which adorn thy Face.
The peerless whiteness of thy Snowye skin,
Thy Nature Greatness, and thy Royal Meen;
But he was conquer'd by a strange surprize,
And forc'd a Captive to thy Regal Eyes;
VVhom thou with much intreaty didst approve,
As the only God deserving of thy Love.
And in requital of his pains, service Wed,
And Crownd'st his wishes with thy Maiden-head.
From whose warm Nuptial pleasures were deriv'd
Vulcan, whose Ugliness his Parents griev'd.
VVith Hebe, Arge, and Renowned Mars,
The Heav'nly General in the Earthly Wars.
This Goddess Romes Protectress chose to be,
But unto Thebes an utter Enemie.
VVho when Polibius out of Phocis came,
VVhere he had ign'rantly his Father slain;
Hoping within that Learned Town to find
Balm to asswage the Horrors of his mind.
Juno before the City Gates had rais'd
A Hideous Serpent, whose strange Form amaz'd
The sad Inhabitants; A Girls Face,
And a Dogs Body, did it's Form disgrace:
VVith wings on's Back, and a fell Dragons Tail,
It did it's hapless Enemies assail.
Juno had giv'n it this Injurious Pow'r,
That all those Passengers it should devour.
VVhom want of wit, disabled to unfold
His dark Aenygma which was thus wise told.
That Creature (Mortal) I of thee must know,
Which in the Morning on four Feet does go,
At Noon on two, but in the Evening he
Calls for another, and makes use of Three;
VVhich wise Oedipus did throughly Scan,
And boldly answered, That it was a Man,
Who in the Morning of his Age did creep
With the assistance both of Hands and Feet;
And at his Noon, or Prime, did boldly Run
By the supportage of his Feet alone;
But in the Evening of his Age debar'd
Of Strength, requires a Staff, which makes the third,
Which said, The Serpent gave a hideous Groan,
And at that Instant fled the joyful Town.
The Poetical History of Minerva.
THy self Minerva only I implore,
Lend me th'assistance, and I crave no more.
Thou wondrous Product of a Head Divine,
Infuse some Wit into these Brains of mine;
That all thy Acts I nobly may rehearse,
And Sing thy Story to the Universe;
That all the yet unknowing World may be,
Throughly convinc'd of thy Divinity.
VVhen glorious Jupiter had rul'd the Throne
Of Heav'n so long, that equal there were none
That durst be so presumptuous, to compare
VVith those blest Attributes his mind did share.
Methinks I see him in his splendor sit,
Swaying the Empires of the World and Wit.
Those boundless Notions which inrich'd his mind,
VVere grown too Bulky now to be confin'd;
And Cross-grain'd Juno at this time b'ing sed,
To be unwilling to partake his Bed;
Denying him thereby the means to obtain
A God-like Heir, which after him might Reign,
He to revenge th' unkindness of his Queen,
VVho then was causlesly unkind to him,
To limping Vulcan went (his Brain b'ing full)
Prays him with Hatchet to dissect his Skull,
VVhich strange command the Sooty God obey'd,
And out there leapt a pretty Armed Maid
Frisking about; in her right hand a Lance,
VVherewith she trod the VVarlike Phirrhick Dance,
VVhich in the Trojan wars was first begun
By Active Pyrrhus, great Achillis Son.
This Martial Nymph, who strangely did appear,
VVas Nam'd Minerva, Deity of War:
War was her Province, and she took delight
To hear of Quarrels, and to see Men Fight;
Sought out for Battles, and where e're they were,
Besure Minerva always would be there.
VVhen mighty Pompeys Fate was forc't to yield
To Caesars Fortune i'th' Pharsalian Field,
Minerva griev'd, and would have turn'd the Scale,
But that fierce Juno 'gainst her did prevaile
With greater Pow'r, reverting the blest tide
Of dear bought Victory to Caesars side.
So when in Latiums Bowels did appear
The Carthaginian waging Dreadful War:
Minerva saw his Valour and his Wit,
And with her presence daily honour'd it;
She smil'd to see the sprightly Youth all gore
Of Roman Veins, which ne're had Bled before;
And Crown'd his Acts with happy Victory
O're those who ne're before were taught to fly;
She view'd his flights and Stratagems of War,
Whereby he made two Hannibals appear;
One in the Fields, retreating Romans own,
Another the Sennat Swore was in a Gown:
It gave Minerva heavenly content,
To see the Present was to Carthage sent,
And none so simply lookt (to Heav'n she Sings)
As dying Romans when they'd lost their Rings.
She shook her sides to the Dons of Rome,
(They who an Empire o're the world did own)
Confined Pris'ners in their Native Town.
In fine, where Innate Valour did Reside,
The over pour'd Minerva chose that side,
And when hot Passion sate in Valours place,
She did her best to bring it to disgrace.
VVhen from great Jupiter Ʋropa fled,
(Having before by him been Ravished)
Griev'd Agenor, her Father, gave command
That his Son Cadmus seek her through the Land;
And if not there, to search the world about,
On pain of Death, till he had found her out.
But Cadmus, after he with pain had gone
Through many desarts, and through Lands unknown,
VVearied with Travel, and dispairing too
Of ever finding her he did Persue.
Considering too, if he return'd again,
Death was to be the wages of his pain.
Loaded with grief, and Anxious discontent,
To Delphos famous Oracle he went,
And of the Amphibious Nymph desir'd to know,
VVhat in this Exigent h'had best to do:
The Oracle the Prince did kindly greet,
And had h [...]m the next Oxe he chanc'd to meet,
To seize him for himself, as Lawful Prize,
And offer to the best of Deities
Minerva, who his Case best understood,
And was most able to advise his good.
Cadmus obeys, and on his Journy went
Through Warlike Greece, where on a small ascent,
Beneath the umbrage of a gloomy VVood,
He found the expected Beast which grazing stood.
VVhom joyful Cadmus and his Men surpriz'd,
And to Minerva would have Sacrific'd,
But that in order to that Pious Care
VVhich in such Sacred Actions usual are,
Cadmus for water had dismist his Train,
To Dirc's Fountain, where they all were slain
By a fierce Dragon, which was use to abide
In a thick Break, hard by the Forrest side;
So that Young Cadmus's self was left alone,
To do the work of his Devotion.
VVith pain the Sacrifice b'ing kil'd and ended,
For Cadmus course, Minerva was recommended,
That first he should that dreadful Draggon flay,
And sow his Teeth where his own dead Friends lay.
From which strange Seed an Army should arise
Able to guard him from his Enemies;
And likewise to assist him to Erect
Structures impregnable, as might protect
Him and his Companions wholly free
From his Unnat'ral Fathers harsh Decree.
This Cadmus did, and with no small surprize
To see an Army from the Teeth arise
Which Ranckt and Muster'd, all before him stand
Ready to work or March, at his Command:
The Souldiers by Minerva's wise advice,
Were carried to the place of Sacrifice,
(Where the Prophetick Oxes blood was spilt,)
On which fam'd Spot Renowned Thebes was built;
Whose spacious Forum to a Temple led,
Where by Learn'd Thaebans she was worshipped.
The Poetical History of Cybele.
YOu Vestal Virgins, who do watch that Fire,
which like your Chastities, must ne're expire.
You who of Noblest Romans were descended,
Whose fames did rival those bright Beams you tended.
Lend me a Spark, my grov'ling Muse to raise
To a fit pitch, to write Cybele's Praise.
Menoes Fair Daughter, Phrygia's mighty King,
In whose loud applause Athenian Quills did Sing,
'Till for some weighty Fatal cause, unknown,
He was so cruel to Cybele grown,
That Maugre all that Dearness, Love, and Care,
That Parents to their Children ought to bare.
Far from his Throne, amidst a Desart wild,
Which nought but with wild Beasts was stockt & fil'd,
Midst bleakish winds, and in a place forlorn,
He left the Fair Cybele to be torn
By Tygars, Panthars, or what else thought fit
To Bait his Stomack with that Royal bit,
VVho had no other guard for her defence
But swadling cloaths and Infant Innocence:
But whatsoe're we think,—those Heav'nly Pow'rs,
VVho Register each word and Act of ours,
VVho Rule the world, and by Experience see
VVhat homage 'longs to Sacred Majesty.
Put down a Mighty blot, when they behold
VVe wave our Loyalty for drossy Gold:
This, by this Story may be understood,
VVhere Brutes turn Guardians unto Royal Blood;
Renounce their Rav'nous Natures, and become
To Majesty a safe Palladium.
For vext Cleone had not left behind
The Child an hour, to be expos'd toth' wind,
But from a neigbouring VVood to seek for Prey,
A hungry Lyon made his hasty way,
Directly t'wards the place the Infant lay.
The Beast Surveys her with a Tayl reclin'd,
And haughty look, as tow'ring as his Mind;
Then by a sudden start did seem to spy
Unusual Greatness dawning in her Eye,
Which he Admir'd by Nat'ral simpathy.
In this Amaze, a Rav'nous Tygar comes
With open Mouth, and at the Infant Runs,
Whom doubtless she had made her wretched Prey,
Had not the Kingly Lyon stopt her way;
So that each Beast at other b'ing inrag'd,
In a fierce Combat strongly were engag'd;
Which from a far, a stragling Shepheard spies,
And whilst they strugled, snatch'd away the Prize.
Cybele's Beauty did the Swain ingage,
To Educate her till she came to Age;
And then so bright she seem'd, her Beauty cou'd
Out-shine the Sun, and make it seem a Cloud.
As Goddess of the Woods she daily walk'd,
To whom Young Shepheards at a distance talk'd;
Gath'ring those Roses were most fresh and gay,
To strew before her in her happy way;
Striving by little services, to move
The Beauteous Shepheard to requite their Love:
But she neglected all, till she had seen
A sprightful Shepheard of a graceful Meen,
To whom such kindnesses she did impart,
That all immagin'd he had gain'd her heart;
And so its like he had, for by his Suit
He gain'd both heart and Maiden-head to boot,
At the dear purchase of his dearest Life,
For whom Cybela after dy'd of Grief.
Which doleful News to Italy was brought,
When mighty Hannibal had newly Fought
That Cannae's Battle, where the Fields he strow'd
With mighty Deluges of Roman Blood;
And Posting t'wards the trembling Capital,
Threatned both it, and all the Senats fall:
In which strange Exegence, the Senate sent
Of those sad Wars, to learn the dire Event
From fam'd Cybeles Books, where future Fate
In obscure Characters was darkly Writ.
Which thus inform'd; the Carthaginians may
From Romes proud Gates with ease be driv'n away,
Provided some bold Roman Consul come,
And take Cybele's Statue into Rome;
Which by Pompilius was no sooner done,
But Scipio Affrica a Conquest wone;
And by six Thousand Carthaginians fall,
Forc'd them to send for Conquering Hanibal.
After the Conquering Romans rais'd her Fame,
(Both Vesta and Cybele b'ing the same)
And her with strange and endless Fire ador'd,
To whom instead of Sprites they did afford
A Flock of Virgins, who alternate came
To watch and manage that Aeternal Flame.
A Fire so strange, it curiously would try
That Virgin, who had stain'd her Chastity:
Who ever after, if she dare to come
To stir those Embers, they would her consume.
Some Antient Poets in their Books discover,
Cybele was the Gods great Grand-mother.
Who when Eternity had grunting layn
So long, till she was brought to Bed of Time.
Cybele too in torturing Pangs was hurl'd,
Lab'ring in Travel of an unborn VVorld:
From whose large Soul deriv'd in after time,
VVere all those Deities they term'd Divine.
As Mistress of the Earth she now Infuses
That genial heat which Hearbs and Flow'rs produces,
And by the Suns imbraces, yet does bring
Into the world each Year a lusty Spring;
For which the grateful Painters do bestow
Small Towns, like Lawrels, circling round her Brow.
In a low Vale a fertil Hill does rise,
Whose Fruit does bound the Prospect of her Eyes;
Whilst in a stately Chariot she o'relooks
Fair Landskips Lac'd with glittering Silver Brooks,
Which 'twixt their flowry Banks do gently fly,
Rend'ring their Beauty double to the Eye:
Thus was this Reverend Goddess use to Ride,
With crouds of Shepheards Lacquing by her side.
The Poetical History of Pluto.
BEyond the utmost Limits of the Earth,
In a vast space which gave young Time its Birth;
Where dancing Atoms silently do Mourn,
Because they cannot Jumble into Form.
A piece of that old Vacuum or Shade,
Where Eldest Spirits their first Revels made,
And frisking Demons afterwards were hurl'd,
Free from the croudings of this Bulky World,
Which push'd and shov'd 'em up to lesser Room,
Making incroachments on their Vacuum.
There wrapt in Flames a dreadful Throne does stand,
O're which Infernal Pluto bears command,
Stretching his Firy Scepter out so far,
As loudly speaks him Hells great Emperor.
Burning Grannadoes 'stead of Jems appear,
Like blazing studds on his supported Chair,
VVhich o're remoter shades large prospects takes
From the strong Atlas of grim Spirits backs:
His shrill Command the silent Grott invades,
Which caught by Eccho's, bandy'd through the shades
Till startled Ghosts from out their Bushes run,
Like frighted Hares about the Elyzium.
And fleshless Skeletons surprized so,
They leave their Brakes, and wrattle as they go.
Departing Souls to this Infernal Court,
VVhen they forsake their lifeless Trunks resort,
VVhere correspondent toth' deeds they have done,
They trembling sit to hear deserved doom,
From Minos, Radamanthus, and the rest,
VVhose spotless Lives deserv'd that power best,
VVhom to that Office Pluto did prefer
For their unbyas'd Justice practic'd here.
At the poor Souls approach, the Judges call
For their Diurnal, or that hideous Scrall
Carefully kept in Heav'ns great Capital,
All to be daub'd with wretched Sinners names,
VVhich all their close and open Sins proclaims,
In Letters Capital, so plain toth' Eye,
That when the trembling Sinner comes to die,
Like Boys in Horn-Books, h'reads em through the Skie.
Judgment according to their Crimes b'ing past,
The wicked Souls to Tartarus were cast;
That by a certain time of suffring there,
They might Attone those Sins they acted here.
The first thing there, the amazed Souls beheld,
VVas mighty Gyants, under Mountains quel'd;
Down to hot flames, because before they strove
From Heav'ns bright Throne, to pull the Pow'rs above.
The next which beg'd attention from the Eye
VVas wretched Ixion, whose Love soar'd so high,
To court compliance in stern Juno's will,
For which attempt she bound him to a wheel,
VVhich in a swift unseasant pace did move,
To give him Torture for his saucy Love.
But that which admiration most obtains,
VVas Sysiphus his unsuccessful pains
Condemn'd for Theft, to Roll a mighty Stone
Up a steep Hill, which faster tumbled down,
And by the force of it's prevailing weight,
Renders him hopeless of a milder Fate.
In hellish Tartarus to stay their Times,
Appointed were according to their Crimes;
Some small, some great, which soon as e're expir'd,
The now confined Soul with joy retir'd
To those cool shades, where lavish Blessings run
Frequent as Air, and make Elyzium.
The shape of Ghosts they now retain no more,
But each resumes his Form as heretofore.
There Lovers, which this peevish World deny'd
Their wisht Conjunction, happily reside,
Free from disturbance 'mongst those shady Groves,
Reaping the utmost wishes of their Loves.
Some wast their happy Minutes, to declare
Th' affronts and crosses which they meet with here;
And then with thoughts renew'd, those griefs destroy,
Pond'ring the freedom which they now enjoy.
Here mighty Love does all his charms disclose,
Here Friends, nor Law, nor Im'rest interpose,
But ev'ry Lover to his Mate is giv'n,
With whom he lives, and makes a perfect Heav'n.
Here lovely Chen—! when th' obliging Gods
Shall call us to them in these Green aboads,
Beneath some pensive Willow, thou and I,
Condemned here, alas! to Gaze and Sigh,
Shall their those Pow'rs themselves to Envy move,
VVhen we com [...]leat our long suspended Love.
Gods will [...] their Essences, and wish
To be like us, whe [...] they behold our Bliss.
And envious Lovers at their Fates repine,
When thy warm Arms shall cling as close as mine:
VVhen of thy Beauties I shall be possest,
And Love and Youth make up an endless Feast;
And if at any time our fervour shall
Admit an hour or two of Interval,
Resembling Recreation I shall find,
VVhen I contemplate thy Illustrious mind;
Thou hast a Soul so noble, and refin'd,
And so transcending silly VVoman kind!
That when in blest Elyzium it appears,
The wond'ring Gods will think it one of their;
Treat it accordingly, till I do prove
Thee mine alone, by Tenure of my Love.
Ah! whilst I think on thee, my Pen does write
VVith so much satisfaction and delight,
That common Lovers, in their sweetest Joys,
May wish my Pleasures, whilst I write thy Praise.
Pardon great Pluto, that so long I Rove,
I left my Theme a while to meet my Love:
So once with Amorous thoughts thy Breast did swell,
VVhen Proserpina thou Redeemd'st from Hell.
Furies nor Fire, could not then remove
The wild Excursion of thy Frantick Love.
But thou to Heav'n, through both, did'st her convey,
As Old Archises rid through Flames of Troy.
The Poetical History of Prosperpina
WHat Mighty Mines of hidden Magick lie
In the small Circle of a Womans Eye;
VVhen Statemens Policies, and Heroes Arms,
Are fain to stoop to its prevailing Charms,
And on this score concede to mighty Love,
[VVhat conquer'd them has done the same by Jove]
VVho first his God-head as a Victim lays
Down to the Mercy of Latona's Eys,
And then divests himself of all his Power
To young Denae in the Brazen Tower;
To tell the various Intrigues of his Love,
VVould but a Herculean labour prove:
It is enough the Courteous Reader knows,
That Jove at length to Ceres Beauty bows,
On whom his Promises such Credence gain,
She yields the Fort which ne're before was tane;
And Proserpina, (Heav'ns Imperial Queen)
Her being owes to the Lascivious Sin;
The dauning Glories of whose Morning years,
A Prodigee to neighbouring Gods appears;
VVho by those Seeds of Beauty fate had sow'n
In her fair cheeks, presag'd the Cropp when grown.
Each Amorous Deity attempts t'engage
In Youth her Love, against she comes to Age,
VVhilst she as coyly does their Flames disown,
And scorns a Present lesser than a Crown.
Her Native Grandure, and her Courtlike Meen,
Dispos'd her only fit to be a Queen;
Nor can in Heav'n her young Ambition find
Ought but a Throne to stop her greedy Mind.
VVhen ripe Maturity had Crown'd her years,
And warm'd her Brain with strange ambitious cares.
Her envious Eyes to Heav'ns bright Thrown she cast,
And mourn'd to see that Seat before possest.
Then with a haughty and Imperious Eye,
She view'd and scorn'd Earths brittle Sov'raignty.
VVhere Men o're night like Demi-Gods appear,
And in the Morning want a Sepulcher.
Next to great Neptunes Throne her thoughts did soar,
But he was furnisht with a Queen before;
So that at last she knew not where to find
An empty Throne to satisfie her Mind;
Just at this juncture, Pluto, whose grim Face,
Had formerly procur'd him much disgrace
'Mongst other Goddesses, who view'd with scorn
Th'Infernal King, by reason of his Form.
Great flaming Eyes, with Skin as dark as Night,
And bloated Cheeks, made not to tempt, but fright:
The dreadful Horror of his looks, did move
The Heav'nly Goddesses to Fear, not Love.
At whose approach, they always us'd to fly
His Hellish Courtship, and his company:
Fearful from Hell, that he was rather sent,
Not as a Courtier, but a Punishment.
But when untam'd Ambition gapes for Pow'r,
VVhat nauceous Goblets will it not devour?
Trampling o're all the Passions of the Mind
VVith as much ease, as wind through Chaff does find.
Fear and distrust, their Trepidations shun,
Thrust by Ambition, both to Courage Run.
Unmanly Cowardice, and dark Dispair;
Leave the low Rooms, and to the Heart repair,
VVhere finding close Caballs of Passions met,
Ambitions grand design to Propagate;
They frankly close, and as they had forgot
Their Names, become the desperat'st in the Plot.
VVhilst Envy, Anger, with bold courage ty'd,
And all the lesser Faculties beside;
VVith all the Pow'r, and art they have, conspire
The sure compleatment of the wild desire;
Nay, mighty Love, which will no homage own,
To ought inferiour, stoops unto a Crown;
And will by Proxy of a Picture Guess,
(In hopes of that) at other happiness.
The Bait of a Monarchick fate appears
So charming to the Ambitious Purchasers.
(To whom the inlay'd troubles of a Crown
B'ing Hiv'd in Gold, are utterly unknown,)
That they the grounds of Love but light esteem,
VVhen it opposes hopes of Diadem.
Thus Proserpina, Pluto's Love do's own,
She over looks his Face, to see his Crown;
From whose bright Pearls, such glittering dawns arise,
As drown'd the Horror of her Lovers Eyes.
She not at him, but at his Throne does gaze,
Runs to his Arms, but ne're beholds his Face;
VVhere lockt in forc'd Imbraces, she derives
Not Loves warm joys, but those Ambition gives;
VVhilst thoughts of glory do that loss redeem,
As subtle VVomen think on other Men.—
To Aetna's Flaming Mountain Pluto brought
Th' Ambitious Goddess, where with care he sought
In Loves great management, to shew such skill,
By VVit and Language, as might gain her will.
But both b'ing ineffectual, he was fain
By force to Ravish what he beg'd in vain.
VVe most Eversion find in willing Mis—
VVhose feign'd resistance but indears the Bliss;
VVhich else by Foolish Lovers would be thought
Not worth injoying, 'twas so cheaply bought.
Pluto the gloomy Emperor of Hell,
Behav'd himself in Loves Caress so well,
That Proserpina now insults no more,
But seems to Sigh, she did not yield before.
Such strange unlanguag'd Joys does Love dispence,
It makes the Lover hate his Continence:
And (where Religions wanting) hugg the Sin
To which he grieves he launcht no sooner in.
Thus mighty Pluto, scal'd the Virgin Fort,
And now he thinks he need no longer Court:
VVhen that's once lost, the Woman Raigns no more,
But Courts the Man, as he did her before:
VVithout more words, she Vows to be his Queen,
And down hot Aetna's Entrils follows him,
To those dull Shades where injur'd Lovers keep:
There Pluto Crown'd her Empress of the Deep.
VVhose Story thus much of her Sex does tell,
They will be Ruling, though it be in Hell.
The Poetical History of Hercules.
WHen we discourse of brave Alcides Fame,
Wonders grow common, & forget their name!
Faith can't comprize those Truths the Author tells,
And Reason startles at the Miracles:
Our Modern Hero's of the best esteem,
Seem Dwarfish Infants when compar'd with him;
Whose tall Gigantick Worth, their pitch out flew,
And is too great for most of them to View.
VVhen to his heighth, the largest thought's sublim'd,
It finds no room for Glory left behind:
But like the curious searches of the Eye,
Returns, and Settles, bounded by the Sky.
As were his Actions of Unvalu'd worth,
So, wondrous was the manner of his Birth;
VVhen Jupiter Al'mena to Enjoy,
Three Nights conjoyn'd without a Glimp's of Day,
That in her Husbands Shape he might (by stealth)
Beget a Hero worthy of himself.
But jealous Juno who with rage was fild,
At the presageing Beauties of the Child.
A pair of Dreadful Serpents sent to be,
Of his new Life the sad Catastrophe.
Then with unusual Courage he assails,
And by his Infant strength so far prevails;
That by the Early conquest, men begun
To Ghess what Race his Valour was to run.
VVhilst Alimena in Travel went with him,
Mycene's VVife was Big at the same time;
And Jupiter had Swore that which of them
First should be born, should wear the Diadem,
And o're the other bare entire Command.
VVhich soon as Juno came to understand,
Two Moneths before the usual time of Birth,
She caus'd young Euristheus to come forth,
And leave the dangerous Lodging of the VVomb,
To be successor to his Fathers Throne.
VVhilst slumb'ring there, did young Alcides lye,
Little suspecting the Captivity,
And Vassalage he was to undergo,
VVhen jealous Euristheus came to know
That dangerous Valour which adorn'd his mind,
Of stout Alcides, who to Arms inclin'd,
Did his green Youth with such brave Actions Crown,
As no contempor'ry Monarch dar'd to own,
And Euristheus forc'd, by such commands,
As scorn'd accomplishment by other hands,
In dire full tasks of Valour to expose
That Life, which scar'd him more than all his Foes.
But all the toyls this Tyrant could invent,
Serv'd but Alcides Glory to augment.
Whose dauntless Courage near his Strength forsook,
And pow'r accomplisht what he undertook.
To whom the greatest Perils seem'd but small,
And common dangers lookt like none at all.
Both which he grappl'd with Victorious hands,
And wearied Euristheus's harsh cammands.
From whom he would have parted; but the pow'rs,
VVho oft offlict this wretched Life of ours.
Proclaim'd by Oracle it was the will,
Of all the Gods that he should serve him still.
Till his bright fame by twelve brave Actions more,
VVere made more glorious than it was before.
Which thus successively the youth Obeys,
And crown'd his labour with Immortal prays.
Out of the hollow Conclave of the Moon,
To Nemea's gloomy Forrest tumbling down;
A mighty Lyon came, who seeking out
For Pray, Devour'd the Country round about.
Him, brave Alcides, in his Den Surpriz'd,
And with strong hands, his knotty wind-pipe seiz'd
With such successive strength, that wanting Breath,
The Lyon paid his valour with his Death.
Then from his back, his ponderous skin he tore,
And wore it himself in sign of Conquerour.
Next he was sent to Lerna's fulsome Lake,
The many headed Hydra to attaque;
Who loosing one, its wondrous Nature was,
To sprout out many others in the place;
Nor likely was Mortallity to know,
If all were not dissected at one Blow:
And afterwards his hateful Body burn'd,
Both which Alcides happily perform'd.
About that time, the huge Arcadian Boar,
On Erimanthus Mountain did appear;
Which young Alcides took, and out of Sport,
Drag'd him along to Eurystheus Court;
Whose shape was horrid, and so prone to fright,
The timerous Tyrant Swooned at the sight.
He Vanquisht Menalus's Stagg in Fight,
And after put Stymphalus Birds to Flight;
But that which most his peerless Valour Crowns,
Was Conquest o're the Scythian Amazons.
When joyn'd with Theseus in that Glorious strife,
(To whom he gave Hypolite for Wife)
The next Injunction which enhaunc't his Fame,
Was, making King Augias Stables Clean;
Forcing old Alpleus to forget her Stream,
And drive her Channel through the midst of them;
And so perform'd his promise, in one day,
Cleansing of Dung, ten Thousand Tuns away.
From thence the Thracian Tyrant he persu'd,
(Grim Diomedes) with a mind endu'd.
So Barbarous, and full of Cruelty,
That by wild Horses, he made strangers Dye.
Him brave Alcides by excess of pow'r,
Forc't to that Fate which he impos'd before.
And made the strange Three-body'd Gerion feel,
The fatal weight of his Victorious Steel.
Alcides in his next adventure Kil'd
The horrid Gardian of th' Hesperian Feild;
Though some say Atlas eas'd him of that Toyl;
And left him shouldring up the VVorld the while.
But that which brought the largest share of Fame
To make immortal his Heroick Name,
VVas when with unresisted strength he Fell
On Cerberus and drag'd him out of Hell,
And set young Theseus (there imprison'd) Free
From the vast Pains of Hells Captivitie.
This Chain of brave Atcheivments mov'd the Gods
To take him to them in their blest Aboads,
And 'twas no doubt, for such bright Acts as these,
Apollo's Priest Surnam'd him Hercules.
The Poetical History of Hebe.
LIke Murders, breaches of the Marriage Bed,
May sleep a while, but cannot long ly hid.
Let the most subtle Letcher, wrapt in Night,
Tread nere so softly to his Damm'd delight;
Find out the privat'st Allies, secret'st ways,
To creep obscurely to his brutish joys;
Himself disfigure, in a Cloak or Gown
So strangely that he thinks he can't be known:
The blazing Sin appears through all these shrow'ds
As perfectly, as does the Sun through Clouds.
VVhen secret Jupiter in silence had
Enjoy'd the pleasures of Latonas Bed.
Though he appear'd most innocent in shew,
He quickly found this Maxim very True.
'Like Gunpowder, those lowd Adulterate joys,
'Bear with them still a hid and sudden Noys;
For Jupiter had hardly done the Sin,
But Cursed Juno twits him with the Crime;
Upbraids him 'fore the Gods, and threats to be
No more confin'd to the Marriage-bed than he,
Which when vext women swear, we need not doubt
To save their Souls, they'l surely bring about.
Neptune the nick observ'd, and did invite
The discontented Juno to delight
Her self by walking to a Neighbouring Field,
Which wholsome hearbs, & fragrant flowers did yield.
But most of all to treat her curious Pallate,
VVith the small Present of a sav'ry Sallet.
To tell you what the Poets said of old,
Sprung from a treat so unnourishing and cold,
VVould but impose upon your better Sences,
VVho purchase knowledg by your large expences.
And yet are forc't to bribe the Nimph y'have wone,
Not to declare how faintly you have done.
Yet thus those Poets say, that Juno, fil'd
VVith that strange Sallet, after prov'd with Child;
And Modern Authors for a truth relate,
That Hebe was begotten by the Treat.
VVhose Beauty did prefer her to the Care
Of her believing Father Jupiter.
By whose decree, she was each meal to stand,
VVith flowing Bowls of wine at his Right hand.
Ready for other Gods, at his express,
To fill full Cups to drink his Happiness,
Nor was she grac't by Jupiter alone,
VVho, as his Darling, kept her near his Throne.
But Heav'n throughout her pratling beauty fled,
And here on Earth her Name was honoured.
The Learn'd Athenians whose great parts best knew
VVhat Homage to Joves Cup-bearer was due:
Her perfect beauty, and her pow'r did prize
Above the Rate of common Deities:
Terming her Youths Fair Goddess, and each Year
About her spacious Temple did appear
The flow'r of all their beauteous Virgins; who
To her guilt Alter for success did sue
In choosing Husbands; wise and aptly bred,
To reap the Pleasures of their happy bed;
Some a young Chicken, some a Kid would bring,
And some a Pullet for their Offering.
Some a streakt Apple, newly pluckt from Tree,
The Ruddy Emblem of Virginitie.
Some who were poorer, by their wits would try
To frame such sports as pleas'd their Deity.
Some to the Ball would run, some th' Hays,
Some to the Keets, and some to Prison-beys.
VVasting the day with sports which Youth delight
And then with Rev'rence wisht her all,—Goodnight.
Thus Hebe buoy'd by a respect from Jove,
VVas prais'd by men, and Lov'd by those above.
'Tis so with Men; when Royal Beams dispence,
On humble shrubs their powerful Influence.
How soon they sprout? and up t'wards Heav'n do soar
VVho mingled were with common Trees before!
How fast they grow? how far their branches stretch?
How soon they scorn their former Dwarfish pitch?
VVith what contempt does their exalted bow,
Look down and scorn their fellow shrubs below?
How proudly wave they their surmounted heads?
Benighting all the woods with Gloomy shades.
VVhich wond'ring at their greatness, murm'ring stays
At it's old stature, wanting those warm Rays.—
But when the Tempest of a Monarchs Frown,
VVhat he had rais'd, designs to tumble down:
VVhen he retracts those Beams, whose friendly heat
Has warm'd and nurst them to that dangerous sate;
And from their tottering heads his help recalls,
Their desperate heighth adds tortures to their falls.
Makes the bruise worse, and their degraded power,
By them is scorn'd whom it had scar'd before.
Hebe supported by the Smiles of Jove,
Receiv'd from Gods and Men respect and Love.
But when the sad disaster of a fall,
Before the Gods where she discover'd all—
Those Naked beauties whose strange natures be,
To make Men blush, and yet desire to see.
Those fertil smiles converted to a frown,
The temporizing Gods their love disown.
Grudg th' assistance of a worded breath,
To speak to Jove, who hurld her to the Earth;
VVhere brave Alcides whose large Soul well knew
VVhat dangerous falls the Great are subject to.
And could discern through all the Clouds of Fate,
Untainted Vertue in its low estate;
Intreats her Love, and his great Vertue sped
So well, that she admits him to her bed.
From whose glad Nuptials (much for Revel's fam'd)
Youths Frollick sports are yet Hebetria Nam'd.
The Poetical History of Jason.
HOw many Evils Humane Life surround,
When 'sides those common ones by all men found,
Each man within himself does bear about
Far greater Mischiefs than he fights without.
In all the Pop'lous Land, from farthest West,
To the Remoter Islands of the East,
Find me but one, who certainly do's know,
VVhat's truely Good, from what is so in show;
VVithout mistake, for what is't we desire,
Or fear discreetly? what would we require
To make us blest? but ever as we speed,
Repentance seals the very Act and Deed.
The easy Gods mov'd by no other sate,
Than our own Pray'rs, whole Kingdoms Ruinate.
VVith things distructive we would oft be blest,
And so grow wretched by our own request.
When by false reasons Man's affections mov'd,
No wonder that he hates the thing he Lov'd;
And through the Vail, the Cheat b'ing understood,
Perceives an Evil, where he hop'd for Good.
Thus the Thessalian Monarch Pelius, drawn
(In Jasons mind when he beheld the Dawn
Of morning Valour, which did dayly swell,
And threaten'd to become remarkable)
To dotage; whilst his Nephews youth did last,
Nothing was wanting, or, for Care, or Cost.
No art which did Heroick tempers suit,
But's Nephew Jason must be train'd up t' it.
Athens was not to dear, nor Greece too far,
To learn him all the Stratagem, of War.
Nor all the Learning either did afford,
To teach him Rule, as well as weild the Sword.
But when this prodigy of Valour had,
I'th School of VVar a fair progression made;
Leaving his Fellows by a brisk advance,
To praise his Skill, and Curse their Ignorance.
VVhen in the Fields by single Combats he,
Had tould the VVorld what he design'd to be;
And all who had for Vertue an esteem,
As her Disciple 'gan to honour him.
Then Pelias whom the wondering world believ'd,
VVould have with joy his Kinsmans fame receiv'd,
Suffer'd his Love to make a cold retreat,
And heard his prays with jealousy, and hate,
Which in his mind a secret longing bred,
To blast that worth which he had fostered
VVith so much Pain, and Cost, and aching Cares,
It seem'd the business of his latter Years.
Thus blind mortality, who wish by ghess,
VVith Sweaty Brows attain unhappiness.
Which wrapt in spacious Colours does remain,
Unknown to them until they feel the pain.
Jason had such undoubted Valour shown,
That Pelias grows suspicious of his Thrown:
Feels himself totter in the Regal seat,
Till's Nephew's Ruin has secur'd his fate,
And as a means to work that black design,
To Colchos famous Kingdom orders him
With an injunction not t' return to Greece,
But with the Conquest of the Golden Fleece;
Which Phrixus to that Antient City brought,
When shelter from his Mothers rage he sought
Of great Aeetha, Colchos mighty King,
VVho tender of so rich and rare a thing,
In Mars his Guarden lodg'd it; where a guard
Of dreadful Beasts from Men approach debar'd,
Strange sulpherous Bulls with legs of hardned Brass;
From whose hot Nostrils dreadful Flames did pass:
VVith Dragons, such as great Alcides slew,
From whose large Tushes mighty Armies grew:
VVere the opposers daign'd to be of him
VVho that Rich Conquest made his bold design.
Undaunted Jason had no sooner heard
The news; but for the Voyage straight prepar'd:
Of firm Dodonean wood, a Ship both strong;
(And could discourse him as she rid a long.)
Nor were the youth of Greece so stupid grown
But that they thursted likewise for Renown;
Each Fathers blood did in his Son create
Desire to share with Jason in his Fate.
Theseus nor Castor could not sit at home
Whilst his Young youth Minopoliz'd renown;
But Pollux, Orpheus, Lynceus, and a Score
Of young Ambitious Valiant Grecians more,
Who would no opportunity decline
Of gaining Honour, went along with him.
To dauntless mindes, which Dangerous Glory court,
The turbulent fury of the Waves were sport;
They only learnt by Calms, and Storms, to know
The various Fate the Great must undergo.
Thus whilst Heroick thoughts had entertain'd
Their Minds; the fleeting Ship had Colchos gain'd;
Where Jason by a Visit made at Court,
To Fair Medea parted with his Heart,
Which she above her own so far prefers,
That in exchange, she kindly sent him hers;
Which fair return of Love did help to bring
To quick perfection Jasons grand design.
Medea skil'd in Magick Art did prove,
Whom Jason soon obliged by his Love:
Her sire Eetha's Int'rest to dispise,
When it in competition stood with his;
By Virtue of her Art, he caus'd her keep
Those Horrid Bull; and Dragons fast asleep;
Which bound in strong Inchantments silent lay,
Whilst a subtle Jason stole the Fleece away.
Which with Medea, (by the help of Night)
T'wards Thessaly he made his hasty flight;
But was by Eetha persu'd so far,
That Maugre both the Lovers speed and care
They had been taken; had not Media's Sin
By butchering his Son Prevented him:
Whose reeking Limbs, about the Road she flung,
Which Eetha viewing as he ran along,
Gath'ring them up; bemoan'd the Infants Fate,
VVhilst both the Lovers made their safe retreat.
Thus what for Jasons Ruin, Pelius sought,
Has to his Fame immortal Glory brought.
'The Man whose Actions Virtue recommends,
'Is more Obliged to his Foes, than Friends.
'Their Sensures force him to unusual Good,
'VVhilst these imbrace him in the common Road.
The Poetical History of Theseus.
REnouned Theseus of Aegeus came,
From whom th'Aegean Sea derives her Name.
VVhen Theseus came to age, the Athenian World
He found, by Vices in Confusion hurl'd,
The Great, (he saw) others goods did boast,
VVhich their unequal strength had rudely forc't
From helpless subjects; who were fain to Lye
Silent beneath their pond'rous Tyranny.
Instead of Vertue, black Injustice Raign'd,
And rude Extortion overspread the Land.
Princes turn'd Robers, and then greatness priz'd,
According as they had the poor dispiz'd.
The Widdows crys Chorust with Orphans Tears,
VVas the best Musick could salute their Ears;
And him the Lawrel others did bequeath,
VVho to his Subjects gave the painful'st Death.
But when young Theseus came to understand
The Sins and Horrors which besmeer'd the Land,
His Virtuous anger did no courage lack
To give their Tyranies an harsh attaque.
The brutish Scyron who with grateful care,
Did plung into the Sea Each passenger;
Was the first victim glory did afford
To this young Princes unexperienc'd Sword.
The next Procrustes was, who took delight,
With's Knife, his subjects Limbs to disunite,
Whose happy Death too, did such same afford,
As double gilded Conqu'ring Theseus's Sword.
But that which fil'd the Sails of Fame more full,
Was the Distruction of Marathons Bull;
Which with the assistance of a mighty Boar,
Had vanquished Meleager just before.
But that which through the world did farthest fly,
And gave his Sword the deepest Purple Dye,
VVas that immortal honour he obtain'd,
When Conquest o're the Monitor he gain'd.
The manner thus. King Minos having lost
His Son Androgius on the Attick Coast;
(Who as he to his Native Country Fled,
VVas by those Natives basely Massacred)
Bears his proud Standarts 'fore Megara's walls,
And there for satisfaction loudly calls:
Threatens, if once deny'd, that noyse to change,
And make his Cannons Bellow hot revenge.
The Tremb'ling Megarites affraid appear,
And by no means will bear the brunts of war:
But rather than their ang'ry Foe withstand,
Proffer him Peace upon his own demand.
VVhich was to this effect, th' Athenians were
A thousand Men to send him every year;
VVhich by the Kings command were destin'd for
To be devour'd by this huge Monitor,
(VVhom Pasiphea, Minos Lustful wife,
By the imbraces of a Bull gave Life)
Amongst those Youths, who this hard fate did run,
Theseus intreats th' Athenians to be one;
That from that strange inhuman tribute he,
Might be the means to set his Country free;
Ingageing he the Nation would Exempt
From that sad Debt, or Perish i'th' attempt.
Aegeus and his States-Men both profest,
VVith much remorse they granted his request.
And caus'd his Ship in Sable Flags to Mourn,
To speak their Sorrow till his safe Return.
VVhich Theseus promis'd to supply with VVhite,
If Conquest Crown'd him i'th' unequal Fight.
But if with wind those gloomy Sails were Fil'd,
In her return, they might conclude him Kil'd,
VVith this adiew, they cut the Liquid main,
And with success the Isle of Crete obtain;
At whose arrival, Mino's seems o're joy'd,
The Athenians had so brave a tribute pay'd
Of Lusty Youths, whom he secured for
The dayly Viends of his Monitor;
VVhich monstrous Creature Mino's had bestow'd,
(As the most inaccessable aboad)
In fam'd Dadalus Laberinth; which did
VVith various windings all return forbid
To those whom business or diversion led,
Th' elaborate turnings of the Maze to tread.
But nature Theseus such attractments lent,
As he with ease, this danger did prevent:
By his good features he familiar grew
VVith Ariadne who retain'd the Clew,
VVhich to the hideous Monster gave access,
And free'd th' invader from the fatal Maze.
On promise Theseus would this fair one VVed,
She kindly lent him the assisting Thred;
By which conducted to the Monitor,
VVhom he attempted with such art and pow'r,
That all the indulgence Theseus could afford,
VVas, that he dy'd by so Renoun'd a Sword.
VVhen the brave Conquest Theseus had obtain'd,
VVhich nobly drew him from his Native Land;
And no atchievment else was left, which cou'd,
By his attempting do his Country Good.
He fled with Ariadne to that Shore,
Where he had Landed not a week before;
And where his Fellows, with his Ship had lain
VVith much impatience, since expecting him,
VVho when they Loaded, saw with that fair prize
Unusual Joy their drooping spirits seize,
They then no longer doubted his success,
Conquest sate smileing in his princely Face;
Besides, his beautious Plunder lookt so fair,
They knew she was the just reward of war;
Nothing but Valour could such Riches buy,
Beauty's a prize for glorious Victory;
VVith joyful Tryumph, they their Sails display,
And with strong Oars assist the Leasy Sea —
But dismal grief shall o're their joy prevail;
Theseus forgets to shift the Gloomy Sail,
VVhich as a sign of Death Egeus View'd
From off the Shoar, and jumpt into the Flood.
So careful of his Fame the Monarch was,
He wou'd not live to hear his Sons disgrace;
But left him on his error to reflect,
VVho lost a Father by his gross neglect.
The Poetical History of Ceres.
WHat strange Chimaera's in the time to come,
Does man conceit, to drag him to his doom.
VVho could he but his certain Ills discry,
VVould baulk his Fate, and bravely choose to dye.
In humane Life it is as Seas decreed,
The frequent Storms do much the Calmes exceed.
Our Griefs, continu'd as the Earth appear,
VVhilst Mushroom joys sprout out but here and there.
And by their Fetch-fire Stay, so useless grow,
Like Ghosts they leave us, and we know not how:
As well in his short Grasp may man surprize.
Those flashes Thunder frightens from the Skyes,
Lay hold of Light'ning, and say here it is,
As, here's an hour of undisturbed Bliss.
And yet this silly, huffing, Creature Man,
VVho startles the Creation with his Name.
VVhose unjust force, spoyls Natures Common-Wealth,
Feeding on Creatures happier than himself,
VVho only wanting Reasons, helps to guide
Their Nobler parts, lie subject to his Pride;
This silly thing, I say, who hectors here,
And will admit of no Competitor,
Nor holds with other Creatures kind commerce,
But Proudly Lords it o're the Ʋniverse.
How tame and basely does he bear the weight
And gross affronts of his Injurious Fate!
How like a sordid Ass he groaning Lies,
Under the Burthen of his Miseries!
How unconcern'd the wonderous Thing appears,
Maugre the influence of his envious Stars!
Fate, like a Hectoring Gamster gives the wrong,
And after Kicks him till he holds his tongue.
Silent as Night, the reasoning Bubble stands,
And mildly takes the Buffets at her Hands:
VVhich Sans Resistance he does still sustain,
Blinded by hope shee'l let him play again;
Then with a distant Joy she charmes his Eies,
Which, like his Shadow, he persuing flies,
As distant Foggs which 'fore us thick appear,
But vanish when we travel where they are.
Thus whilst in quest of Bliss he vainly stays,
She rudely cheats him of his Youth, and days.
And after all his Lifetime b'ing her slave,
Sends him a Bonkrupt to his Dampish Grave.
Ah! who (that wares his Pastport by his side)
Would thus be subject to her boundless Pride;
That had but Wit, and Soul, enough to try,
To thwart her Rage, and bravely choose to Dye;
VVhat Alps of Ills she makes him melt his way
Through, to obtain but one poor glimps of joy;
And then what Wells of Grief he falls into,
Loosing the pleasure which he did persue.
Thus careful Ceres, her proposed bliss,
Plac't in her wilful Daughters happiness.
And Proserpina's Beauty seem'd t'ingage
Her Mothers wishes when she came to Age.
Th' admiting Gods, with all their cunning, strove
VVho should be most officious in his Love:
VVhilst her perfections Guarded by her Pride,
First bid them sue, and then their fuit deny'd.
Each Heav'nly Lover by his ghesses sought,
VVho could anticipate her happy thought.
And put into accepted Act the same,
Before her words had given it any Name;
Nor common Gods alone, but mighty Jove
As well as they, adorn'd her with his Love;
And all the other Deities by him,
Takeing example, gave her great esteem.
VVhereat contented Ceres simp'ring sate,
Almost assured of her Daughters Fate;
That it must glorious be since a respect
So great as hers wou'd brook no ill effect;
But whose presages can foretel the hit,
VVhich often happens 'twixt the Cup and Lip.
Or who so prudent is to truely Ghess,
In threat'ning Goods, or Ills, their right success.
In whose is it, but mighty Joves great power?
To tell the product of a short liv'd Hour;
Or when big belly'd Time affords a Birth,
To one poor Minute what it shall bring forth?
Alass! our short Inspections are confin'd,
VVe judg the Apple by its glorious Rhind,
Pleas'd with the outside, we no farther look,
VVe only read the Cover of the Book,
VVhich if but wrapt up in a gaudy skin,
We think it Good and mind not what's within.
Fate, like a Curious Clock-work we discern,
The motion we behold, but cannot learn
The manner how it makes its wound'rous flight,
The Working-Springs alass! are barr'd our sight,
By its past motion we suppose it will
Run on, and keep it self in Action still;
But then the wisest of us does not know
The pace it tends to, whither fast, or slow,
Our earnest wishes can't its stay perswade,
It may stand still for Ʋs, or Retrograde.
As well the VVeather, we may hope controul;
VVe must indure it whether Fair, or Foul —
But when Injurious Fate designs to show
How great the Ills are which she can bestow;
VVhen she grows wanton, and intends to be
Esteemed witty by her Cruelty.
Up to the highest Hill of Hope she heaves
The poor condemned wretch, who thence perceives,
Almost within his reach the wisht for Joy,
VVhich as he goes to grasp—she plucks away;
And from the summit of a hope so fair,
Tumbles him headlong into black dispair.
Thus careful Ceres with glad Eies beheld,
The prosperous progress of her Beauteous Child:
From whose past Fortunes she did more than Ghess
At her dear Daughters future happiness.
She now shakes hands with all her pains and Care,
And lets brisk Joy supply the place of fear.
But am'rous Pluto soon this Calm distroys,
He ravisht both her Daughter, and her Joys;
Teaching us all (at her excessive Cost)
To make no Reconings there where Fate's the Host.
The Poetical History of Salacia.
TO what wild Actions do our phancies Move,
VVhen tost and hurry'd by a storm of Love!
Hudwinckt by it, we take our full Carreer,
Leap at adventure, though we know not where;
Like Fear, it makes us Jump in so much hast,
We mind no danger till 'tis fully past;
But in our calm return do wond'ring find,
Those mighty Ditches which we left behind:
VVe then amazed stand to see Loves Pow'r,
And start at what we undertook before.
When Love like some great Monarch, is inclin'd
To sit at Helm and steer the Lab'ring Mind;
VVhether he guides the Vessel right, or wrong,
The other passions almost hold their Tongue.
Like common Sea-men they must all stand still,
To be conducted by his potent will.
Though Heav'n does know how oft on Rocks we split,
VVhen Love's the Pilot of our Creasie Ship,
Sometimes to Northern Coasts he makes his way,
And Freezes Lovers in an Icy Sea
Of deep dispair, where they complaining lye,
Till Death Redeems them from the slavery.
Sometimes on Calmy Seas he seems to float,
And Ruins Lovers in the midst of Hope.
Sometimes t'ward Home he kindly does resort,
And gives 'um Shipwrack in their wisht for Port;
Such various Ruins hapless Lovers weight,
'Twould reel an Atlass to sustain their Fate,
And make him think (could he their sorrows view)
The World the lighter burden of the two,
Misterious Love his subjects do's ingage
To run to miseries themselves presage,
Their Minds like his, with frantick valor fill'd,
VVho stabs himself for fear of being kill'd.
Thus fair Salacia having seen what grace
And God like luster shown in Neptunes face,
By Reasons help endeavour'd to refrain
From that fierce Love which she oppos'd in Vain;
But blinking Cupid struck the fiery Dart
With so much force in her unguarded Heart,
That startled Reason, her Old stage forsook,
Fearing to bear the burden — of the shock.
And in her absence mighty Love possest,
The happy Mansion of Salacia's Brest.
Ah Love! how many sleep-obstructing Cares!
How many Tortures, bloody Massacres!
How many dauncing Tides, of Hope and Fear!
How many Groans! what Gulphs of deep dispair!
May that unhappy wretch expect to bear,
In whose warm breast thou sit'st as Emperior.
Salacia's dismal story will discry
In part the Rigor of thy Tyranny.
The beautious Maid unable to sustain
The frequent pressures of her growing flame,
Repair'd with speed to those Cool shady bowers,
Where Neptune spent his Melancholly hours.
When freindly Calms had kindly set him free,
From the tuition of the Rageing Sea,
Cover'd with blushes, there Salatia spoke
To surly Neptune, whom she did invoke
(By all those dearest things poor Lovers name)
To mind and pitty her increasing flame.
She told him how at first the pleasing sight
Of his perfection gave her great delight,
That she had often stole to that blest place,
And worn out evenings, Gazing at his face:
From whence she did behold such glories come,
As do's through Boughs, invaded by the Sun.
When shivering Leaves the warm assaults abide,
And make a Checquer on the other side.
She told him that from looking, her strange thought
To likeing first, and thence to Love was brought:
That Love did all her former quiet seize,
Before she could immagine what he was.
He robb'd her days of business, and Delights,
Of sleep, she said, he rudely robb'd her Nights:
And now of late so insolent was grown,
He often spoyl'd her high Devotion.
She told him farther that she once design'd
To blow the Embers of her restless mind,
To such a scorching blaze as might consume,
The Oyl of life, and so prevent her doom.
Before the story of her love should fly
About the World, to Preach her infamy.
Lastly she told him (and a Pearly Due
Of trickling Tears affirm'd it to be true)
That that same instant he contemn'd her Love,
She wou'd to some unheard of Desart rove,
There to remain, till strong Corroding greif
Should put a period to her wretched life.
Th' imperious God, swel'd with that vast renown,
VVhich he derived from his watry Throne,
VVith thoughts of Glory so his mind imploy'd,
That there was room for nothing else beside.
The pitteous story from the Nymph he heard,
With some small silence, but much less reguard.
And then as unconcern'd made hasty way
To his old home, and Jumpt into the Sea.
Ah Love! what wond'rous dangers dost thou make,
Thy poor neglected Captives undertake!
Disdainful Neptune, could not make such hast
But greiv'd Salatia could persue as fast.
And from the very banck where on he stood
When he jumpt off, she leapt into the flood,
Where, from her beauties, such bright beams did scatter,
As do from Glittering torches under water.
The joyful fish about the solstice play,
Thinking the Sun is dropt into the Sea. —
At length a freindly Dolphin, who with greif,
Had seen what pains Salacia took for life;
Presents his scaly Back, whereon the Maid,
By his assistance, and her own convey'd;
Is born to Neptunes Court: the wond'ring King,
Amaz'd and troubled at her suffering,
Admits a noble Gratitude, to find
Afair reception in his Princely Mind.
VVhich made him all his former pride disown,
And Crown her Empress of his watry Throne.
The Poetical History of Vulcan.
TO Form and Beauty, what rash Pen dare strive
To attribute their just prerogative.
In things inanimate they charm as well,
As in Those Rational, or sensible.
Beauty still pleases, and retains its force,
Though Lavish nature wasts it on a Horse.
VVhich oft she does, on every Limb throughout,
Whilst Hump-Back Mortals murmuring, go without.
But it's Antipodes Monstrosity,
Contracts a hateful Glance from ev'ry Eye.
VVe see it often such an Odium draws,
As interrupts the Course of Natures Laws.
Makes startled Fathers from their Children run,
The trembling Mother curse her teeming VVomb.
Makes blushing Gods from their dear Issue fly,
And Goddesses disown their Progeny.
It made great Jupiter from his high Thrown,
To Earths Low seat, cast homely Vulcan down.
Nature with all her wheedlings could not make,
A full attonement for his ugly shape.
Though with her usual pressures she could plead,
He was the off-spring of his Marriage Bed.
And helpless Infancy one would have thought,
Might in a Father much Compassion wrought,
Yet these were arguments too weak t'engage
The angry Father, to suspend his Rage;
VVho by a fall so great as from his Thrown,
Thought to have ended his detasted Son.
But Juno to God Aeolus did call
To raise such winds, as might abate his fall:
VVhich interpossing 'twixt the Earth and him,
Hinder'd his Father of his harsh design.
Born on the downy back of some soft Gale,
Secur'd of Life, the tumbling Infant fell
VVith one Leg under him, which being two small
To bear his weight, was broken in the fall;
Of which he after Limpt, But by the fame
VVhich by his parts th'abused Child did gain;
VVhen Manly years, like the approaching day,
Had Chac'd his Night of Infancy away:
I'de have the Reader and my self beware
Of slighting Noble parts, where e're they are.
VVhat if unburnisht walls thy Soul imbrace,
Thy Glittering mind will lighten all the Case,
VVhat though thy Body's in a Suit that's torn,
Thy self neglected, and thy state forlorn;
VVhat if misfortunes hurry thee to dwell
In some low Cottage, or some mouldy Cell;
VVit like the purest mettels which are found,
VVill still keep precious, though 't be under ground.
And time may come, when they thy parts may crave,
VVho now deride thee whilst thou'rt Fortunes slave.
VVhat though the killing thunder, from a brow
Of some Great Monarch, stoop to cut thee low,
Thou mayst with saftey (if thou'rt truly wise,)
Th' obstreperous bussle of the storm dispise.
Stay till its o're —; and thou shalt surely find,
VVhen threatning dangers do infest his mind.
He will revoke his rage, and Court thee more
Than he disdain'd, or envy'd the before.
Thus Jove, whilst Rowling in a peace secure,
Could not the presence of his Son indure.
But cause he homly seem'd, must him abhor:
(A fault the child might thank his Parents for.)
VVhen prosperous Greatness swells the faded mind,
In things most perfect, men will errors find.
But when misfortune makes her Rude assaults,
They chose the good, and over look the faults.
VVhen Tytans Injur'd seed did take up Arms,
And frighted Heaven with their loud Allarms.
Threw Hills, on Hills, till Mountains grew so high,
That thence they reacht the Rampiers of the Sky.
And urg'd by wrongs, so insolent were grown,
To threaten Jove, to pull him from his Thrown.
The Heav'nly Emperor his rage to show,
At first Salutes them with a frowning brow,
But that Alas! was in signif'cant now.
Then hastily he calls the other Gods,
But they were frighted to their dark abodes,
And from their Monarch in his danger run,
Then he bethinks him of his injur'd Son:
VVho readily to his assistance flyes,
And drives the threatning Gyants from the skyes.
Rallies the Timerous Gods, and chides them so,
He made 'em Valiant if they wou'd or no.
Thus from a private sword a Prince may gain
The help he hopes from's General in vain.
A poor D'Amboys with a noble Soul,
Could all the factious men in France Controul.
And from her threatn'd Crown, those dangers Chace,
VVhich boldly star'd whole Armies in the face.
This brave assault neglected Vulcan gave
The Dairing Gyants, made the Gods perceive
Through the Dark Lanthorne of his gloomy skin,
A brave Heroick spirit lodg'd within.
Such as not only VVarlike actions Grace,
But might be useful in the time of Peace.
To dangerous Valour needful Art conjoyn'd,
To the compleating of his noble mind;
VVhich made great Jove (when bold Prometheus stole
From Heav'ns warm Alter; the immortal Coal;
To move his forms, which wanted but a Soul.
Great Vulcan in the punishment imploy,
VVho by his Black-Smiths art found out away
On top of Mount Caucasus bleakish Rift,
To bind him fast, for his ambitious Thieft.
The Gods to Vulcan now gave great regard,
In whose hot forge their Armour was prepar'd:
But that which gave Heav'ns Black-smith most renown,
He forg'd the Glittering Charriot of the Sun:
VVith his own hands he wrought that wondrous steel,
VVhich shut out Death from all parts but the heel.
Temper'd by him with so much care and Art,
It scorn'd the fury of Strong Hectors Dart.
And made the wond'ring Trojans Stare to see,
A Grecian clad in Immortality.
The Poetical History of Vesta.
AS tis with Salvage Nations, who descent
Amongst themselves, for want of Government:
Some Learned Heathen wiser then the rest,
Greiving to fee his native Land opprest,
Urg'd by a gen'rous inclination, tryes
To heal the Breach, by firm lay'd Policies.
Which to effect, he from the Crowd withdraws,
And there Invents such sound and wholsome Laws,
As by observance, probably might be,
The certain means to their prosperity.
VVhich when h' has done, he tells them that he finds
Monarchick Government best suits their minds.
VVhich in ambitions Road too high do soar,
T' admit of more than one Superior.
The Gaping crow'd with patience thus far hear;
But when he comes to a particular,
And ask them who of all the Land they 'steem
Worthy'st to wear the Royal Diadem.
A thousand different votes invade the air,
Some for respect do choose, and some for fear.
Some Glittering Interest makes to vote a lowd,
And others only bawl amongst the Crowd.
Till by a Differing strange Confused cry,
They quite confound their dull layd Monarchy.
So he who Backward casts his careful eye.
And traces Atheism to its infancy:
Who by the strength of boundless phancy, can
Conceipt he sees the world as it began.
I mean those parts of it, which yet had layn
Barren for want of great Jehovahs Name)
May well immagine e're their first advance
From Atheism, and bruitish Ignorance,
How sordidly, and like the common Herd,
Those wretches liv'd, without the least regard
To different good, or evil, which did lie
Obscure from them, as thoughts of Deity;
Till some brave Heathen, who with care had hurld,
His watchful eyes about this wondrous world;
Veiw'd this well order'd Mass of earth, and the
Restrained Limits of the threatning Sea.
The swift pac'd year, and the alternate course
Of Radient Day, and sable Night, by force
Of some EXISTANCE, which refus'd t' appear,
But was indeed Dame Natures Taskmaster.
Which he concluded must immortal Be,
Omnicient too, and so a Deity.
Which verdict after him the Brethren pass,
Though none knew what, or who, or where he was.
So that for want of Scriptures faithful Clue,
So they ador'd, they car'd not what, nor who.
Some as the only God, great Saturn follow,
Some worship Mars, and some Divine Apollo.
Some Jupiter, some Venus most Esteem,
And some the Horned Black-Smith took for him.
Nay some in fragrant Feilds, and Gardens seek,
In hopes to find them in their Rue, or Leek.
Whilst others more remote, ador'd by fame,
And nicknam'd one God with anothers name.
Thus that high thought which first did nobly soar,
In eager quest of the Aeternal pow'r,
Was clipt or Pinnion'd by the grovling crow'd:
Who nothing of its Vallew understood:
But ranckt in Sects, to such confusion fled,
As quite destroy'd their Deities indeed.
Leaving it difficult for us to give,
Each God or Goddess, just Derivetive.
Thus from great Saturn, and fair Rhea's womb,
The Goddess Vesta is deduc'd by some.
Whilst others searching out her doubtful birth,
Mother to Saturn call'd her, and the Earth.
How e're the fame of her chast life was hurld
In that rude age, about the listening world.
And noble Romans (who with watchful Eyes,
Did mind young Virtue in her spring or rise.
In Infant Vesta saw so larg a store,
As made them fall from loving, to adore
Her peerless Chastitie, which did incline
Them to believe its owner was Divine.
Then in respect of beauty, wit, and birth,
They Goddess term'd her, both of fire and Earth.
And rais'd her such a Temple, as did prove
The Romish Piety as well as Love:
The glorious out-side of it did appear
August to sight, in shape Orbicular.
The carved in-side Gorgious to behold;
The Pavement, marble Pillers, cloath'd in gold.
Whilst glittering Flames her sacred Alters Crown,
(Fir'd with no other Taper but the Sun.)
A thousand untouch'd Virgins round her stand,
To hear the dictates of her chast command.
Which by a secret instinct they imbrace,
And by their best endeavours bring to pass.
"Such charms are Coucht in real virtue, that
"It can at worst command a happy fate.
"Men in the hot meridian of their Time,
"Bubbel'd by Hell, uncleanness may design.
"And urg'd by blood, and youth, together may,
"To their dear cost that trivial bliss enjoy.
"But when tyrannick age shall rudely throw
"Her hands abroad, and dredg their heads with snow;
"VVhen to their greif their streaked Locks they see,
"(The startling TOKENS of mortality.)
"A Strange remorse shall strike through all their Limbs
"Their quivering knees shall sink beneath their sins.
"And they when 'tis too late be forc't to own,
"No lifes so happy as the Pious one.
FINIS.