THE CALME.
O UR storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage,
A stupid calme, but nothing it, doth swage.
The fable is inverted, and farre more
A blocke afflicts, now, then a storke before.
5Stormes chafe, and soone weare out themselves, or us;
In calmes, Heaven laughs to see us languish thus.
As steady'as I can wish, that my thoughts were,
Smooth as thy mistresse glasse, or what shines there,
The sea is now. And, as the Iles which wee
10Seeke, when wee can move, our ships rooted bee.
As water did in stormes, now pitch runs out:
As lead, when a fir'd Church becomes one spout.
And all our beauty, and our trimme, decayes,
Like courts removing, or like ended playes.
15The fighting place now seamens ragges supply;
And all the tackling is a frippery.
No use of lanthornes; and in one place lay
Feathers and dust, to day and yesterday.
Earths hollownesses, which the worlds lungs are,
20Have no more winde then the upper valt of aire.
We can nor lost friends, nor sought foes recover,
But meteorlike, save that wee move not, hover.
Onely the Calenture together drawes
Deare friends, which meet dead in great fishes jawes:
25And on the hatches as on Altars lyes
Each one, his owne Priest, and owne Sacrifice.
Who live, that miracle do multiply
Where walkers in hot Ovens, doe not dye.
If in despite of these, wee swimme, that hath
30No more refreshing, then our brimstone Bath,
But from the sea, into the ship we turne,
Like parboyl'd wretches, on the coales to burne.
Like Bajazet encag'd, the shepheards scoffe,
Or like slacke sinew'd Sampson, his haire off,
35Languish our ships. Now, as a Miriade
Of Ants, durst th'Emperours lov'd snake invade,
The crawling Gallies, Sea-goales, finny chips,
Might brave our Pinnaces, now bed-ridde ships.
Whether a rotten state, and hope of gaine,
40Or to disuse mee from the queasie paine
Of being belov'd, and loving, or the thirst
Of honour, or faire death, out pusht mee first,
I lose my end: for here as well as I
A desperate may live, and a coward die.
45Stagge, dogge, and all which from, or towards flies,
Is paid with life, or pray, or doing dyes.
Fate grudges us all, and doth subtly lay
A scourge,'gainst which wee all forget to pray,
He that at sea prayes for more winde, as well
50Under the poles may begge cold, heat in hell.
What are wee then? How little more alas
Is man now, then before he was? he was
Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit;
Chance, or our selves still disproportion it.
55Wee have no power, no will, no sense; I lye,
I should not then thus feele this miserie.
The Calme. 1633-69: similarly, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TCD
4 storke] stroke 1639
7 can wish, that my 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: could wish that my Q: could wish my 1635-69, Chambers, who makes no note of 1633 reading
9 the Iles 1633-69: these isles D, H49, Lec, Chambers (no note): those Iles B, Cy, HN, JC, L74, N, P, Q, TCD
11 out: 1635-69: out 1633
14 ended] ending 1669
15 ragges] rage 1669
17 No] Now 1669
21 lost] lefte Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, P, TCD
24 jawes: 1633, A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, Q, S, TCD: mawes, 1635-69, O'F, P, Chambers
29 these,] this, L74, Q, TCD
30 our 1633, B, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TCD: a 1635-69, A25, P
33 shepheards 1650-69: sheepheards 1633-39
37 Sea-goales, (or gayles &c.) 1633, 1669, Cy, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, N, P, S, TCD: Sea-gulls, 1635-54, O'F, Chambers: Sea-snayles, B, JC
38 our Pinnaces, now 1635-54, B, O'F: our venices, now 1633, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, Q, S, TCD: with Vinice's, our 1669
40 Or] Or, 1633-69
44 and a coward 1633, MSS.: and coward 1635-69: a coward P, S
45 and all] and each B, Q, S
48 forget 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, P, S: forgot 1669, A25, HN, JC, L74, N, Q, TCD
50 poles] pole JC, Q
52-3 he was? he was Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit; 1633, N, P, S, TCD (but MSS. have no stop after Nothing): he was, he was? Nothing; for us, wee are for nothing fit; 1635-54: he was, he was? Nothing for us, we are for nothing fit; 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, L74, Lec, O'F, Q: but the MSS. have not all got a mark of interrogation or other stop after second he was. See note
To Sr Henry Wotton.
SIR, more then kisses, letters mingle Soules;
For, thus friends absent speake. This ease controules
The tediousnesse of my life: But for these
I could ideate nothing, which could please,
5But I should wither in one day, and passe
To'a bottle'of Hay, that am a locke of Grasse.
Life is a voyage, and in our lifes wayes
Countries, Courts, Towns are Rockes, or Remoraes;
They breake or stop all ships, yet our state's such,
10That though then pitch they staine worse, wee must touch.
If in the furnace of the even line,
Or under th'adverse icy poles thou pine,
Thou know'st two temperate Regions girded in,
Dwell there: But Oh, what refuge canst thou winne
15Parch'd in the Court, and in the country frozen?
Shall cities, built of both extremes, be chosen?
Can dung and garlike be'a perfume? or can
A Scorpion and Torpedo cure a man?
Cities are worst of all three; of all three
20(O knottie riddle) each is worst equally.
Cities are Sepulchers; they who dwell there
Are carcases, as if no such there were.
And Courts are Theaters, where some men play
Princes, some slaves, all to one end, and of one clay.
25The Country is a desert, where no good,
Gain'd (as habits, not borne,) is understood.
There men become beasts, and prone to more evils;
In cities blockes, and in a lewd court, devills.
As in the first Chaos confusedly
30Each elements qualities were in the'other three;
So pride, lust, covetize, being feverall
To these three places, yet all are in all,
And mingled thus, their issue incestuous.
Falshood is denizon'd. Virtue is barbarous.
35Let no man say there, Virtues flintie wall
Shall locke vice in mee, I'll do none, but know all.
Men are spunges, which to poure out, receive,
Who know false play, rather then lose, deceive.
For in best understandings, sinne beganne,
40Angels sinn'd first, then Devills, and then man.
Onely perchance beast sinne not; wretched wee
Are beasts in all, but white integritie.
I thinke if men, which in these places live
Durst looke for themselves, and themselves retrive,
45They would like strangers greet themselves, seeing than
Utopian youth, growne old Italian.
Be thou thine owne home, and in thy selfe dwell;
Inne any where, continuance maketh hell.
And seeing the snaile, which every where doth rome,
50Carrying his owne house still, still is at home,
Follow (for he is easie pac'd) this snaile,
Bee thine owne Palace, or the world's thy gaile.
And in the worlds sea, do not like corke sleepe
Upon the waters face; nor in the deepe
55Sinke like a lead without a line: but as
Fishes glide, leaving no print where they passe,
Nor making sound; so closely thy course goe,
let men dispute, whether thou breathe, or no.
Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: To make
60Courts hot ambitions wholesome, do not take
A dramme of Countries dulnesse; do not adde
Correctives, but as chymiques, purge the bad.
But, Sir, I advise not you, I rather doe
Say o'er those lessons, which I learn'd of you:
65Whom, free from German schismes, and lightness
Of France, and faire Italies faithlesnesse,
Having from these suck'd all they had of worth,
And brought home that faith, which you carried forth,
I throughly love. But if my selfe, I'have wonne
70To know my rules, I have, and you have
Donne:
To Sr Henry Wotton. 1633-69 (Sir 1669): same or no title, A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: To Mr H. W. B, W (B adds J. D.). See note
4 I could invent nothing at all to please, 1669
6 bottle] botle 1633 To a lock of hay, that am a Bottle of grass. 1669
7 lifes 1633: lives 1635-69
10 though ... worse, in brackets 1650-69
11 even 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC, W: raging 1633-54: other P: over S
12 poles A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, P, O'F, S, W: pole 1633-69, A18, HN, N, TC
16 cities, ... extremes, Ed: cities ... extremes 1633-69
17 dung and garlike 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W (dung, 1633): dung, or garlike 1635-69, A25, Cy, O'F, P, S a perfume] a om. 1635-54, Chambers
18 Scorpion Ed: Scorpion, 1633-69
and Torpedo A18, D, H49, N, TC, W: or Torpedo 1633-69, A25, B, Cy, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S. See note
19 of all three 1633: of all three? 1635-69
22 no such 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, N, S, TC, W: none such 1635-69, O'F, P
there were. 1635-69, A36, B, D, H49, JC, O'F, P, S, W: they were. 1633, Lec: then were A18, N, TC
24 and of one clay. 1633 and MSS. generally: of one clay. 1635-39: of one day. 1650-54: and at one daye. A25: Princes, some slaves, and all end in one day. 1669
25-6
The Country is a desert, where no good,
Gain'd, as habits, not borne, is understood.
1633, 1669, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, HN, JC, Lec, N, S96, TC, W
The Country is a desert, where the good,
Gain'd inhabits not, borne, is not understood.
1635-54, O'F, P, S
The Country is a desert, where noe good
Gain'd doth inhabit, nor born's understood.
A25
27 more 1633, A25, W: meere Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, S96: men (a slip for mere) A18, N, TC: all 1635-69. See note
33 issue incestuous, 1633, A18, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W: issue is incestuous. 1635-69, P, S: issues monsterous. A25
35 there] then Lec
44 for themselves, A18, A25, B, D, H49, HN, JC, Lec, N, S, S96, TC, W: in themselves, 1633-69: into themselves, themselves retrive, Cy, O'F, P
45 than] then 1663
45-6 than ... Italian.] that ... Italianate. Cy, P
47 Be thou 1633, Lec: Be then 1635-69 and MSS.
50 home, Ed: home. 1633: home: 1635-69
52 gaile. 1635-69: goale; 1633
57 so D, W: so 1633-69
58-9 breathe,] breath, 1633
or no. Onely'in this one thing, be no Galenist: Ed: or no: Onley ... Galenist. 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W: or no: Onely in this be no Galenist. 1635-69, Cy, O'F, S
64 you:] you. 1633
65 German 1633 and all MSS.: Germanies 1635-69, Grosart and Chambers (without note)
To Sr Henry Goodyere.
WHO makes the Past, a patterne for next yeare,
Turnes no new leafe, but still the same things reads,
Seene things, he sees againe, heard things doth heare,
And makes his life, but like a paire of beads.
5A Palace, when'tis that, which it should be,
Leaves growing, and stands such, or else decayes:
But hee which dwels there, is not so; for hee
Strives to urge upward, and his fortune raise;
So had your body'her morning, hath her noone,
10And shall not better; her next change is night:
But her faire larger guest, to'whom Sun and Moone
Are sparkes, and short liv'd, claimes another right.
The noble Soule by age growes lustier,
Her appetite, and her digestion mend,
15Wee must not sterve, nor hope to pamper her
With womens milke, and pappe unto the end.
Provide you manlyer dyet; you have seene
All libraries, which are Schools, Camps, and Courts;
But aske your Garners if you have not beene
20In harvests, too indulgent to your sports.
Would you redeeme it? then your selfe transplant
A while from hence. Perchance outlandish ground
Beares no more wit, then ours, but yet more scant
Are those diversions there, which here abound.
25To be a stranger hath that benefit,
Wee can beginnings, but not habits choke.
Goe; whither? Hence; you get, if you forget;
New faults, till they prescribe in us, are smoake.
Our soule, whose country'is heaven, and God her father,
30Into this world, corruptions sinke, is sent,
Yet, so much in her travaile she doth gather,
That she returnes home, wiser then she went;
It payes you well, if it teach you to spare,
And make you,'ashm'd, to make your hawks praise, yours,
35Which when herselfe she lessens in the aire,
You then first say, that high enough she toures.
However, keepe the lively tast you hold
Of God, love him as now, but feare him more,
And in your afternoones thinke what you told
40And promis'd him, at morning prayer before.
Let falshood like a discord anger you,
Else be not froward. But why doe I touch
Things, of which none is in your practise new,
And Tables, or fruit-trenchers teach as much;
45But thus I make you keepe your promise Sir,
Riding I had you, though you still staid there,
And in these thoughts, although you never stirre,
You came with mee to Micham, and are here.
To Sir Henry Goodyere. 1633-69: so with Goodyere variously spelt A25, B, C, Cy, D, H49, Lec: To Sr Henry Goodyere (H: G: A18, N, TC) moveing him to travell. A18, N, O'F, TC
1 Past, 1633-54, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TC: Last 1669, Chambers
2 reads,] read, 1650-54
6 decayes:] decayes, 1633
16 womens] womans 1669
17 dyet; Ed: dyet, 1633 (with a larger interval than is usually given to a comma), 1669: dyet. 1635-54
20 harvests, 1633-54, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, TC: harvest, 1669, A25, C, Cy, N, O'F, Chambers
27 Goe; A18, B, TC: Goe, 1633-69
Hence; A18, TC: hence; 1633: hence 1635-54: Hence. 1669
28 in us, 1633, A18, A25, C, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: to us, 1635-69, B, O'F
34 you,'asham'd, Ed: you'asham'd, 1633-69: you asham'd Chambers and Grolier. See note
37 However, 1633-39: However 1650-69: Howsoever A18, B, D, N, O'F, TC
38 as] om. 1639-69
42 froward.] froward; 1633
44 Tables 1633-54, Lec: Fables 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, N, O'F, TC
45 make] made A18, N, TC
48 with mee to] to mee at A18, N, TC
To Mr Rowland Woodward.
LIKE one who'in her third widdowhood doth professe
Her selfe a Nunne, tyed to retirednesse,
So'affects my muse now, a chast fallownesse;
Since shee to few, yet to too many'hath showne
5How love-song weeds, and Satyrique thornes are growne
Where seeds of better Arts, were early sown.
Though to use, and love Poëtrie, to mee,
Betroth'd to no'one Art, be no'adulterie;
Omissions of good, ill, as ill deeds bee.
10For though to us it seeme,'and be light and thinne,
Yet in those faithfull scales, where God throwes in
Mens workes, vanity weighs as much as sinne.
If our Soules have stain'd their first white, yet wee
May cloth them with faith, and deare honestie,
15Which God imputes, as native puritie.
There is no Vertue, but Religion:
Wise, valiant, sober, just, are names, which none
Want, which want not Vice-covering discretion.
Seeke wee then our selves in our selves; for as
20Men force the Sunne with much more force to passe,
By gathering his beames with a christall glasse;
So wee, If wee into our selves will turne,
Blowing our sparkes of vertue, may outburne
The straw, which doth about our hearts sojourne.
25You know, Physitians, when they would infuse
Into any'oyle, the Soules of Simples, use
Places, where they may lie still warme, to chuse.
So workes retirednesse in us; To rome
Giddily, and be every where, but at home,
30Such freedome doth a banishment become.
Wee are but farmers of our selves, yet may,
If we can stocke our selves, and thrive, uplay
Much, much deare treasure for the great rent day.
Manure thy selfe then, to thy selfe be'approv'd,
35And with vaine outward things be no more mov'd,
But to know, that I love thee'and would be lov'd.
To Mr Rowland Woodward. 1633-69: similarly or without heading, A18, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: A Letter of Doctor Dunne to one that desired some of his papers. B: To Mr R. W. W
1 professe] professe, 1633
2 retirednesse, 1633-69, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, O'F, P, S: a retirednesse, A18, L74, N, TC, W
3 fallownesse; Ed: fallownesse. 1633-54: fallowness, 1669: holinesse Cy, P, S96
4 too] so W showne 1633, 1669: flowne, 1635-54
5 How love-song weeds, 1633: How long loves weeds, 1635-54, O'F: How Love-song weeds, 1669
6 sown. 1633, 1669: sown? 1635-54: sown; Chambers, who retains the full-stop after fallownesse
10 to us it] to use it, Cy, P, S96
seeme,'and be light 1633, A18, B, D, H40, H49, L74, N, S, S96, TC, W: seem but light 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, and Chambers, who attributes to 1633 the reading seem and be but light
13 white] whites Cy, O'F, P
14 honestie] integritie Cy, P, S, S96
15 puritie.] puritie, 1633
16 Religion: 1669: Religion, 1633: Religion. 1635-54
23 our] the A18, L74, N, TC
sparkes 1633-54, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TC, W: spark 1669, A18, H40, S, Chambers
25 infuse] infuse 1633
26 Soules 1633-69, Cy, P: soule B, D, H40, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, W
28 To 1635-69: to 1633
29 Giddily, 1669: Giddily 1633-54
31 farmers 1635-69, and all MSS., where it is generally spelt fermers: termers 1633
33 deare 1633, and most MSS.: good 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, S96
34 approv'd 1633-54, A18, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: improv'd 1669, B, Chambers
36 lov'd. 1633-69: belov'd. A18, L74, N, P, S, S96, TC
To Sr Henry Wootton.
HERE'S no more newes, then vertue,'I may as well
Tell you Cales, or St Michaels tale for newes, as tell
That vice doth here habitually dwell.
Yet, as to'get stomachs, we walke up and downe,
5And toyle to sweeten rest, so, may God frowne,
If, but to loth both, I haunt Court, or Towne.
For here no one is from the'extremitie
Of vice, by any other reason free,
But that the next to'him, still, is worse then hee.
10In this worlds warfare, they whom rugged Fate,
(Gods Commissary,) doth so throughly hate,
As in'the Courts Squadron to marshall their state:
If they stand arm'd with seely honesty,
With wishing prayers, and neat integritie,
15Like Indians'gainst Spanish hosts they bee.
Suspitious boldnesse to this place belongs,
And to'have as many eares as all have tongues;
Tender to know, tough to acknowledge wrongs.
Beleeve mee Sir, in my youths giddiest dayes,
20When to be like the Court, was a playes praise,
Playes were not so like Courts, as Courts'are like playes.
Then let us at these mimicke antiques jeast,
Whose deepest projects, and egregious gests
Are but dull Moralls of a game at Chests.
25But now'tis incongruity to smile,
Therefore I end; and bid farewell a while,
At Court; though From Court, were the better stile.
To Sr Henry Wootton. 1633-69: do. or A Letter to &c. B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, S, S96 (of these Cy and S add From Court and From ye Court): From Court. P: To Mr H. W. 20 Jul. 1598 at Court. HN: To Mr H. W. 20 July 15098 (sic) At Court. W: Jo: D: to Mr H: W: A18, N, TC: Another Letter. JC
1 newes] new 1669
2 Tell you Cales, (Calis, 1633) or St Michaels tale for newes, as tell 1633, A18, B (tales), Cy (and St Michaels tales), D, H49, JC, L74, N, O'F (tales), P, S, S96 (tales), TC, W (MSS. waver in spelling—but Cales Cy, HN, P:) Tell you Calis, or Saint Michaels tales, as tell 1635-54, Chambers (Calais): Tell Calis, or Saint Michaels Mount, as tell 1669: Tell you Calais, or Saint Michaels Mount as tell 1719: All modern editions read Calais
6 or] and 1669
9 to'him, still, 1633: to him, still, 1635-69: to him is still A18, L74, N, O'F, TC
12 state: 1635-69: state 1633
14 wishing prayers, 1633, A18, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, S96, TC, W: wishing, prayers, 1669, HN: wishes, prayers, 1635-54, B, Cy, O'F, P, Chambers
20 playes] players 1639-69
21 are like 1633, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S, S96 (are now like), TC, W: are om. (metri causa) 1635-69, B, Cy, JC, O'F
23-4
are egregeous guests,
And but dull Morals at a game of Chests.
1669
25 now'tis] 'tis an 1669
27 At Court; though, From Court, &c. W: At Court, though from Court, &c. 1633-69
H: W: in Hiber: belligeranti.
WENT you to conquer? and have so much lost
Yourself, that what in you was best and most,
Respective friendship, should so quickly dye?
In publique gaine my share'is not such that I
5Would lose your love for Ireland: better cheap
I pardon death (who though he do not reap
Yet gleanes hee many of our frends away)
Then that your waking mind should bee a prey
To lethargies. Lett shott, and boggs, and skeines
10With bodies deale, as fate bids and restreynes;
Ere sicknesses attack, yong death is best,
Who payes before his death doth scape arrest.
Lett not your soule (at first with graces fill'd,
And since, and thorough crooked lymbecks, still'd
15In many schools and courts, which quicken it,)
It self unto the Irish negligence submit.
I aske not labored letters which should weare
Long papers out: nor letters which should feare
Dishonest carriage: or a seers art:
20Nor such as from the brayne come, but the hart.
H: W: &c. Burley MS. (JD in margin) i.e. Henrico Wottoni in Hibernia belligeranti
2 that] yt Bur, and similarly ye (the), yr (your), wch (which), wth (with) throughout
2-3 most, Respective friendship,] no commas, Bur
4 share'is] share is Bur
9 lethargies.] letargies. Bur
10 restreynes;] restreynes Bur
11 attack,] attack Bur
best,] best Bur
13 (at first] Bur closes bracket after first and again after 15 quicken it,
14 since,] since Bur
19 art:] art Bur
To the Countesse of Bedford.
Madame,
REASON is our Soules left hand, Faith her right,
By these wee reach divinity, that's you;
Their loves, who have the blessings of your light,
Grew from their reason, mine from faire faith grew.
5But as, although a squint lefthandednesse
Be'ungracious, yet we cannot want that hand,
So would I, not to encrease, but to expresse
My faith, as I beleeve, so understand.
Therefore I study you first in your Saints,
10Those friends, whom your election glorifies,
Then in your deeds, accesses, and restraints,
And what you reade, and what your selfe devize.
But soone, the reasons why you'are lov'd by all,
Grow infinite, and so passe reasons reach,
15Then backe againe to'implicite faith I fall,
And rest on what the Catholique voice doth teach;
That you are good: and not one Heretique
Denies it: if he did, yet you are so.
For, rockes, which high top'd and deep rooted sticke,
20Waves wash, not undermine, nor overthrow.
In every thing there naturally growes
A Balsamum to keepe it fresh, and new,
If'twere not injur'd by extrinsique blowes;
Your birth and beauty are this Balme in you.
25But you of learning and religion,
And vertue,'and such ingredients, have made
A methridate, whose operation
Keepes off, or cures what can be done or said.
Yet, this is not your physicke, but your food,
30A dyet fit for you; for you are here
The first good Angell, since the worlds frame stood,
That ever did in womans shape appeare.
Since you are then Gods masterpeece, and so
His Factor for our loves; do as you doe,
35Make your returne home gracious; and bestow
This life on that; so make one life of two.
For so God helpe mee,'I would not misse you there
For all the good which you can do me here.
To the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-69: do. or To the Countesse of B. B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, RP31, S, S96, TCD
3 blessings 1633, D, H49, Lec: blessing 1635-69, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TCD
light, 1633-69: sight, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, RP31, S, TCD
4 faire 1633-69, L74, N, TCD: farr B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, M, O'F, RP31, S, S96
16 what] that Chambers
voice 1635-69, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, S96, TCD: faith 1633, RP31, S
19 high top'd and deep rooted 1633, N, TCD: high to sense deepe-rooted 1635-54, O'F, Chambers (who has overlooked 1633 reading:) high to sense and deepe-rooted S96: high to sun and deepe-rooted L74, RP31, S: high do seem, deep-rooted 1669, Cy (but MS. with and): high to some, and deepe-rooted D, H49, Lec: high to seeme, and deepe-rooted B. See note
25 But Ed: But, 1633-69
36 This, 1635-69, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, RP31, S, TCD, Grosart and Chambers: Thy 1633, Grolier. See note
To the Countesse of Bedford.
Madame,
YOU have refin'd mee, and to worthyest things
(Vertue, Art, Beauty, Fortune,) now I see
Rarenesse, or use, not nature value brings;
And such, as they are circumstanc'd, they bee.
5Two ills can ne're perplexe us, sinne to'excuse;
But of two good things, we may leave and chuse.
Therefore at Court, which is not vertues clime,
(Where a transcendent height, (as, lownesse mee)
Makes her not be, or not show) all my rime
10Your vertues challenge, which there rarest bee;
For, as darke texts need notes: there some must bee
To usher vertue, and say, This is shee.
So in the country'is beauty; to this place
You are the season (Madame) you the day,
15'Tis but a grave of spices, till your face
Exhale them, and a thick close bud display.
Widow'd and reclus'd else, her sweets she'enshrines;
As China, when the Sunne at Brasill dines.
Out from your chariot, morning breaks at night,
20And falsifies both computations so;
Since a new world doth rise here from your light,
We your new creatures, by new recknings goe.
This showes that you from nature lothly stray,
That suffer not an artificiall day.
25In this you'have made the Court the Antipodes,
And will'd your Delegate, the vulgar Sunne,
To doe profane autumnall offices,
Whilst here to you, wee sacrificers runne;
And whether Priests, or Organs, you wee'obey,
30We sound your influence, and your Dictates say.
Yet to that Deity which dwels in you,
Your vertuous Soule, I now not sacrifice;
These are Petitions and not Hymnes; they sue
But that I may survay the edifice.
35In all Religions as much care hath bin
Of Temples frames, and beauty,'as Rites within.
As all which goe to Rome, doe not thereby
Esteeme religions, and hold fast the best,
But serve discourse, and curiosity,
40With that which doth religion but invest,
And shunne th'entangling laborinths of Schooles,
And make it wit, to thinke the wiser fooles:
So in this pilgrimage I would behold
You as you'are vertues temple, not as shee,
45What walls of tender christall her enfold,
What eyes, hands, bosome, her pure Altars bee;
And after this survay, oppose to all
Bablers of Chappels, you th'Escuriall.
Yet not as consecrate, but merely'as faire,
50On these I cast a lay and country eye.
Of past and future stories, which are rare,
I finde you all record, and prophecie.
Purge but the booke of Fate, that it admit
No sad nor guilty legends, you are it.
55If good and lovely were not one, of both
You were the transcript, and originall,
The Elements, the Parent, and the Growth,
And every peece of you, is both their All:
So'intire are all your deeds, and you, that you
60Must do the same thinge still; you cannot two.
But these (as nice thinne Schoole divinity
Serves heresie to furder or represse)
Tast of Poëtique rage, or flattery,
And need not, where all hearts one truth professe;
Oft from new proofes, and new phrase, new doubts grow,
66As strange attire aliens the men wee know.
Leaving then busie praise, and all appeale
To higher Courts, senses decree is true,
The Mine, the Magazine, the Commonweale,
70The story of beauty,'in Twicknam is, and you.
Who hath seene one, would both; As, who had bin
In Paradise, would seeke the Cherubin.
the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-69: similarly or with no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TCD
2 (Vertue, ... Fortune,)] brackets Ed: Fortune, 1633: Fortune; 1635-69, Grolier: Fortune. Chambers. See note
5 ne're] nere 1633
6 and] or 1669
8-9 1633 begins to bracket (Where ... not show) but does not finish, putting a colon after show: the others drop the larger brackets, retaining the smaller (as ... mee)
9 be] see 1669
show] show: 1633-54: show. 1669
11 notes: there some 1633-54: notes some: there 1669
17 enshrines; 1719: enshrines 1633-69
20 computations so; 1633-69: computations; so, Chambers
42 fooles:] fooles. 1633
48 Bablers 1633: Babblers 1635-54: Builders 1669
49 faire, Ed: faire; 1633-69
50 eye.] eye, 1633
52 and prophecie] all prophecye B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, TCD prophecie.] prophecie, 1633 some copies
57 Parent] Parents 1669 Growth, 1669: Growth 1633-54
58 both 1633 and MSS.: worth 1635-69, O'F All: Ed: All, 1633-69
60 thinge B, Cy, D, H40, H49, N, O'F: things 1633-69, Lec
61 nice thinne 1633-54: nicest 1669
66 aliens 1633, 1669 and MSS.: alters 1635-54, O'F
67 and] end 1669, not lend as in Chambers' note
appeale Ed: appeale, 1633-69
68 true, 1633: true. 1635-69
71 had bin 1633-35: hath bin 1639-69. See note
To Sr Edward Herbert. at Iulyers.
MAN is a lumpe, where all beasts kneaded bee,
Wisdome makes him an Arke where all agree;
The foole, in whom these beasts do live at jarre,
Is sport to others, and a Theater;
5Nor scapes hee so, but is himselfe their prey,
All which was man in him, is eate away,
And now his beasts on one another feed,
Yet couple'in anger, and new monsters breed.
How happy'is hee, which hath due place assign'd
10To'his beasts, and disaforested his minde!
Empail'd himselfe to keepe them out, not in;
Can sow, and dares trust corne, where they have bin;
Can use his horse, goate, wolfe, and every beast,
And is not Asse himselfe to all the rest.
15Else, man not onely is the heard of swine,
But he's those devills too, which did incline
Them to a headlong rage, and made them worse:
For man can adde weight to heavens heaviest curse.
As Soules (they say) by our first touch, take in
20The poysonous tincture of Originall sinne,
So, to the punishments which God doth fling,
Our apprehension contributes the sting.
To us, as to his chickins, he doth cast
Hemlocke, and wee as men, his hemlocke taste;
25We do infuse to what he meant for meat,
Corrosivenesse, or intense cold or heat.
For, God no such specifique poyson hath
As kills we know not how; his fiercest wrath
Hath no antipathy, but may be good
30At lest for physicke, if not for our food.
Thus man, that might be'his pleasure, is his rod,
And is his devill, that might be his God.
Since then our businesse is, to rectifie
Nature, to what she was, wee'are led awry
35By them, who man to us in little show;
Greater then due, no forme we can bestow
On him; for Man into himselfe can draw
All; All his faith can swallow,'or reason chaw.
All that is fill'd, and all that which doth fill,
40All the round world, to man is but a pill,
In all it workes not, but it is in all
Poysonous, or purgative, or cordiall,
For, knowledge kindles Calentures in some,
And is to others icy Opium.
45As brave as true, is that profession than
Which you doe use to make; that you know man.
This makes it credible; you have dwelt upon
All worthy bookes, and now are such an one.
Actions are authors, and of those in you
50Your friends finde every day a mart of new.
To Sr Edward &c. 1633, D, H49, Lec, O'F: A Letter to Sr Edward Herbert (or Harbert). B, Cy (which adds Incerti Authoris), S96: To Sir E. H. A18, N, TC: no title, P: Elegia Vicesima Tertia. S: To Sr Edward Herbert, now (since 1669) Lord Herbert of Cherbury, being at the siege of Iulyers. 1635-69
4 Theater; Ed: Theater, 1633-69: Theater. D
5 prey, Ed: prey; 1633-69
8 breed.] breed; 1633
10 minde! Ed: minde? 1633-69
17 a headlong] a om. 1669: an headlong 1635-54
24 taste; Ed: taste. 1633-69
28 we know 1633 and MSS.: men know 1635-69, O'F
35 show; 1669: show, 1633-54, Chambers
36 due, 1633-69: due; Chambers. See note
38 All; All 1669: All: All 1635-54: All, All 1633
chaw. 1633: chaw, 1635-69, Grolier
39 fill, 1633-54: fill 1669: fill; Grolier
44 icy] jcy 1633
47-8 credible; ... bookes, Ed: credible, ... bookes; 1633-69: credible ... bookes Grolier
To the Countesse of Bedford.
T 'HAVE written then, when you writ, seem'd to mee
Worst of spirituall vices, Simony,
And not t'have written then, seemes little lesse
Then worst of civill vices, thanklessenesse.
5In this, my debt I seem'd loath to confesse,
In that, I seem'd to shunne beholdingnesse.
But 'tis not soe; nothings, as I am, may
Pay all they have, and yet have all to pay.
Such borrow in their payments, and owe more
10By having leave to write so, then before.
Yet since rich mines in barren grounds are showne,
May not I yeeld (not gold) but coale or stone?
Temples were not demolish'd, though prophane:
Here Peter Ioves, there Paul hath Dian's Fane.
15So whether my hymnes you admit or chuse,
In me you'have hallowed a Pagan Muse,
And denizend a stranger, who mistaught
By blamers of the times they mard, hath sought
Vertues in corners, which now bravely doe
20Shine in the worlds best part, or all It; You.
I have beene told, that vertue in Courtiers hearts
Suffers an Ostracisme, and departs.
Profit, ease, fitnesse, plenty, bid it goe,
But whither, only knowing you, I know;
25Your (or you) vertue two vast uses serves,
It ransomes one sex, and one Court preserves.
There's nothing but your worth, which being true,
Is knowne to any other, not to you:
And you can never know it; To admit
30No knowledge of your worth, is some of it.
But since to you, your praises discords bee,
Stoop, others ills to meditate with mee.
Oh! to confesse wee know not what we should,
Is halfe excuse; wee know not what we would:
35Lightnesse depresseth us, emptinesse fills,
We sweat and faint, yet still goe downe the hills.
As new Philosophy arrests the Sunne,
And bids the passive earth about it runne,
So wee have dull'd our minde, it hath no ends;
40Onely the bodie's busie, and pretends;
As dead low earth ecclipses and controules
The quick high Moone: so doth the body, Soules.
In none but us, are such mixt engines found,
As hands of double office: For, the ground
45We till with them; and them to heav'n wee raise;
Who prayer-lesse labours, or, without this, prayes,
Doth but one halfe, that's none; He which said, Plough
And looke not back, to looke up doth allow.
Good seed degenerates, and oft obeyes
50The soyles disease, and into cockle strayes;
Let the minds thoughts be but transplanted so,
Into the body,'and bastardly they grow.
What hate could hurt our bodies like our love?
Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove
55These not ingrav'd, but inborne dignities,
Caskets of soules; Temples, and Palaces:
For, bodies shall from death redeemed bee,
Soules but preserv'd, not naturally free.
As men to'our prisons, new soules to us are sent,
60Which learne vice there, and come in innocent.
First seeds of every creature are in us,
What ere the world hath bad, or pretious,
Mans body can produce, hence hath it beene
That stones, wormes, frogges, and snakes in man are seene:
65But who ere saw, though nature can worke soe,
That pearle, or gold, or corne in man did grow?
We'have added to the world Virginia,'and sent
Two new starres lately to the firmament;
Why grudge wee us (not heaven) the dignity
70T'increase with ours, those faire soules company.
But I must end this letter, though it doe
Stand on two truths, neither is true to you,
Vertue hath some perversenesse; For she will
Neither beleeve her good, nor others ill.
75Even in you, vertues best paradise,
Vertue hath some, but wise degrees of vice.
Too many vertues, or too much of one
Begets in you unjust suspition;
And ignorance of vice, makes vertue lesse,
80Quenching compassion of our wrechednesse.
But these are riddles; Some aspersion
Of vice becomes well some complexion.
Statesmen purge vice with vice, and may corrode
The bad with bad, a spider with a toad:
85For so, ill thralls not them, but they tame ill
And make her do much good against her will,
But in your Commonwealth, or world in you,
Vice hath no office, or good worke to doe.
Take then no vitious purge, but be content
90With cordiall vertue, your knowne nourishment.
the &c. 1633-69: To the Countesse of B. N, O'F, TCD
5 debt 1669, N, O'F, TCD: doubt 1633-54
7 soe; Ed: soe, 1633-54: soe. 1669
nothings, 1635-54: nothing, 1633, N, TCD: Nothing 1669
may] may, 1633
14 hath] have 1633: om. N, TCD (have inserted)
Dian's 1635-54: Dian's 1633: Dina's 1669
20 or all It; You. 1635-54: or all it, you. 1669, N, O'F, TCD: or all, in you. 1633 (you, some copies)
25 Your (or you) vertue O'F: Your, or you vertue, 1633-54: You, or you vertue, 1669
26 preserves. Ed: preserves; 1633-69
28 you:] you. 1633-39
30 is some] it some 1633
32 Stoop, others ills] Stoop (Stop 1633) others ills, 1633-54: Stoop others ills 1669
34 excuse; Ed: excuse, 1633-69, Grosart (who transposes should and would), Chambers: excuse Grolier. See note
would: Ed: would] 1633-69
36 the hills. Ed: the hills; 1633-69
37 Philosophy. Phylosophy 1633 some copies, 1669
45 raise;] raise 1633
46 this,] these 1669
50 strayes; Ed: strayes. 1633-69
51 Let] Let but 1669
54 Wee (but no forraine tyrants could) remove Ed: Wee but no forraine tyrants could, remove O'F: Wee but no forraigne tyrants could remove, 1633-54 (tyrans 1633): We, but no forrain tyrants, could remove 1669, Chambers and Grolier. See note
55 dignities, Ed: dignities 1633-69
56 Palaces: 1633-35: Palaces. 1639-69
58 not naturally free. Ed: not naturally free; 1633, N, TCD: borne naturally free; 1635-69, O'F
59 prisons, new soules 1633: prisons now, soules 1635-69, O'F: prisons, now soules N, TCD
60 vice 1635-69, O'F: it 1633, N, TCD
66 That] That, 1633
grow?1639-69: grow. 1633-35
74 ill.] ill, 1633-35
75 you, 1669: you 1635-54: your 1633
78 suspition; Ed: suspition. 1633-69
79 makes] make 1635-39
87 Commonwealth, ... you,] no commas 1633
To the Countesse of Bedford.
On New-yeares day.
THIS twilight of two yeares, not past nor next,
Some embleme is of mee, or I of this,
Who Meteor-like, of stuffe and forme perplext,
Whose what, and where, in disputation is,
5If I should call mee any thing, should misse.
I summe the yeares, and mee, and finde mee not
Debtor to th'old, nor Creditor to th'new,
That cannot say, My thankes I have forgot,
Nor trust I this with hopes, and yet scarce true
10This bravery is, since these times shew'd mee you.
In recompence I would show future times
What you were, and teach them to'urge towards such.
Verse embalmes vertue;'and Tombs, or Thrones of rimes,
Preserve fraile transitory fame, as much
15As spice doth bodies from corrupt aires touch.
Mine are short-liv'd; the tincture of your name
Creates in them, but dissipates as fast,
New spirits: for, strong agents with the same
Force that doth warme and cherish, us doe wast;
20Kept hot with strong extracts, no bodies last:
So, my verse built of your just praise, might want
Reason and likelihood, the firmest Base,
And made of miracle, now faith is scant,
Will vanish soone, and so possesse no place,
25And you, and it, too much grace might disgrace.
When all (as truth commands assent) confesse
All truth of you, yet they will doubt how I,
One corne of one low anthills dust, and lesse,
Should name, know, or expresse a thing so high,
30And not an inch, measure infinity.
I cannot tell them, nor my selfe, nor you,
But leave, lest truth b'endanger'd by my praise,
And turne to God, who knowes I thinke this true,
And useth oft, when such a heart mis-sayes,
35To make it good, for, such a praiser prayes.
Hee will best teach you, how you should lay out
His stock of beauty, learning, favour, blood;
He will perplex security with doubt,
And cleare those doubts; hide from you,'and shew you good,
40And so increase your appetite and food;
Hee will teach you, that good and bad have not
One latitude in cloysters, and in Court;
Indifferent there the greatest space hath got;
Some pitty'is not good there, some vaine disport,
45On this side sinne, with that place may comport.
Yet he, as hee bounds seas, will fixe your houres,
Which pleasure, and delight may not ingresse,
And though what none else lost, be truliest yours,
Hee will make you, what you did not, possesse,
50By using others, not vice, but weakenesse.
He will make you speake truths, and credibly,
And make you doubt, that others doe not so:
Hee will provide you keyes, and locks, to spie,
And scape spies, to good ends, and hee will show
55What you may not acknowledge, what not know.
For your owne conscience, he gives innocence,
But for your fame, a discreet warinesse,
And though to scape, then to revenge offence
Be better, he showes both, and to represse
60Ioy, when your state swells, sadnesse when'tis lesse.
From need of teares he will defend your soule,
Or make a rebaptizing of one teare;
Hee cannot, (that's, he will not) dis-inroule
Your name; and when with active joy we heare
65This private Ghospell, then'tis our New Yeare.
To the &c. 1633-69: To the Countesse of B. at New-yeares tide. N, O'F, TCD
3-4 (Meteor-like, ... disputation is,) 1635-69
9 true Ed: true, 1633 true. 1635-69
10 is, Ed: is 1633-69 (in 1633 the interval shows that a comma was intended)
times] time 1633
12 such. Ed: such, 1633-69
16 short-liv'd] short liv'd 1633
17 fast,] fast 1633
18 spirits: Ed: spirit: 1633: spirits; 1635-69
19 cherish, us doe 1633: cherish us, doe 1635-69
27 I, Ed: I 1633-69
28 (One corne ... and lesse,) 1635-69
29 name, know,] no commas 1633-69
30 And not an inch, 1633: And (not an inch) 1635-69
infinity.] infinite. 1669
35 praiser prayes. 1635-69, O'F: prayer prayes. 1633: prayer praise. N, TCD
37 blood;] blood, 1633
39 doubts;] doubts, 1633
42 Court; Ed: Court, 1633-69
43 got; Ed: got, 1633-69
44 pitty' 1633-69: piety James Russell Lowell, in Grolier note. See note
45 On this side sinne, Ed (from Chambers): On this side, sinne; 1633: On this side, sin, 1635-69. See note
46 he, Ed: he 1633-69
47 Which] With 1633
55 may] will 1669
58-9 (though to scape ... Be better,) 1635-69
65 New Yeare.] new yeare, 1633
To the Countesse of Huntingdon.
Madame,
MAN to Gods image; Eve, to mans was made,
Nor finde wee that God breath'd a soule in her,
Canons will not Church functions you invade,
Nor lawes to civill office you preferre.
5Who vagrant transitory Comets sees,
Wonders, because they'are rare; But a new starre
Whose motion with the firmament agrees,
Is miracle; for, there no new things are;
In woman so perchance milde innocence
10A seldome comet is, but active good
A miracle, which reason scapes, and sense;
For, Art and Nature this in them withstood.
As such a starre, the Magi led to view
The manger-cradled infant, God below:
15By vertues beames by fame deriv'd from you,
May apt soules, and the worst may, vertue know.
If the worlds age, and death be argued well
By the Sunnes fall, which now towards earth doth bend,
Then we might feare that vertue, since she fell
20So low as woman, should be neare her end.
But she's not stoop'd, but rais'd; exil'd by men
She fled to heaven, that's heavenly things, that's you;
She was in all men, thinly scatter'd then,
But now amass'd, contracted in a few.
25She guilded us: But you are gold, and Shee;
Us she inform'd, but transubstantiates you;
Soft dispositions which ductile bee,
Elixarlike, she makes not cleane, but new.
Though you a wifes and mothers name retaine,
30'Tis not as woman, for all are not soe,
But vertue having made you vertue,'is faine
T'adhere in these names, her and you to show,
Else, being alike pure, wee should neither see;
As, water being into ayre rarify'd,
35Neither appeare, till in one cloud they bee,
So, for our sakes you do low names abide;
Taught by great constellations, which being fram'd,
Of the most starres, take low names, Crab and Bull,
When single planets by the Gods are nam'd,
40You covet not great names, of great things full.
So you, as woman, one doth comprehend,
And in the vaile of kindred others see;
To some ye are reveal'd, as in a friend,
And as a vertuous Prince farre off, to mee.
45To whom, because from you all vertues flow,
And 'tis not none, to dare contemplate you,
I, which doe so, as your true subject owe
Some tribute for that, so these lines are due.
If you can thinke these flatteries, they are,
50For then your judgement is below my praise,
If they were so, oft, flatteries worke as farre,
As Counsels, and as farre th'endeavour raise.
So my ill reaching you might there grow good,
But I remaine a poyson'd fountaine still;
55But not your beauty, vertue, knowledge, blood
Are more above all flattery, then my will.
And if I flatter any,'tis not you
But my owne judgement, who did long agoe
Pronounce, that all these praises should be true,
60And vertue should your beauty,'and birth outgrow.
Now that my prophesies are all fulfill'd,
Rather then God should not be honour'd too,
And all these gifts confess'd, which hee instill'd,
Your selfe were bound to say that which I doe.
65So I, but your Recorder am in this,
Or mouth, or Speaker of the universe,
A ministeriall Notary, for'tis
Not I, but you and fame, that make this verse;
I was your Prophet in your yonger dayes,
70And now your Chaplaine, God in you to praise.
To the &c. 1633-69, O'F: To the C. of H. N, TCD
1 image;] image, 1633
mans] man 1650-69
9 woman] women 1669
13 the] which 1633
Magi] Magis N, O'F, TCD: compare p. [243], l. 390]
14 below: Ed: below. 1633-69
15 beames by ... you, 1633: beames (by ... you) 1633-69
16 may, Ed: may 1633-69
22 you; Ed: you, 1633-69
24 amass'd, 1633, O'F: a masse 1635-69, N, TCD
25-6 But you are gold, and Shee; ... transubstantiates you; Ed: But you are gold, and Shee, ... transubstantiates you, 1633:
but you are gold; and she,
Informed us, but transubstantiates you,
1635-69, Chambers (but no comma after and she and colon or full stop after you 1650-69, Chambers)
33 see; Ed: see, 1633-69
37-9 (which being ... are nam'd) 1635-69
42 vaile] vale 1669
43 ye 1633: you 1635-69
47 doe so, 1635-69, O'F: doe N, TCD: to you 1633
48 due.] due, 1633
55 But 1633, N, O'F, TCD: And 1635-69, Chambers
64 that] thar 1633
66 or Speaker 1633: and Speaker 1635-69
67 Notary,] notary, 1633
To Mr T. W.
A LL haile sweet Poët, more full of more strong fire,
Then hath or shall enkindle any spirit,
I lov'd what nature gave thee, but this merit
Of wit and Art I love not but admire;
5Who have before or shall write after thee,
Their workes, though toughly laboured, will bee
Like infancie or age to mans firme stay,
Or earely and late twilights to mid-day.
Men say, and truly, that they better be
10Which be envyed then pittied: therefore I,
Because I wish thee best, doe thee envie:
O wouldst thou, by like reason, pitty mee!
But care not for mee: I, that ever was
In Natures, and in Fortunes gifts, alas,
15(Before thy grace got in the Muses Schoole
A monster and a begger,) am now a foole.
Oh how I grieve, that late borne modesty
Hath got such root in easie waxen hearts,
That men may not themselves, their owne good parts
20Extoll, without suspect of surquedrie,
For, but thy selfe, no subject can be found
Worthy thy quill, nor any quill resound
Thy worth but thine: how good it were to see
A Poëm in thy praise, and writ by thee.
25Now if this song be too'harsh for rime, yet, as
The Painters bad god made a good devill,
'Twill be good prose, although the verse be evill,
If thou forget the rime as thou dost passe.
Then write, that I may follow, and so bee
30Thy debter, thy'eccho, thy foyle, thy zanee.
I shall be thought, if mine like thine I shape,
All the worlds Lyon, though I be thy Ape.
To Mr T. W.: P, S, W: To M. I. W. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Letter. To Mr T. W. O'F: Ad amicum. S96: no title, B, Cy
1 more full] and full 1669
2 any spirit, 1633, A18, Cy, N, P, TC, W: my dull spirit, 1635-69, B, O'F, S
3 this merit 1633, A18, Cy, N, P, S, TC, W: thy merit 1635-69, B, O'F, Chambers
11 thee ... thee] the ... the 1669
12 mee! Ed: mee. W: mee, 1633-69
13 mee: Ed: mee, 1633-69
ever was] never was B, P, S96
14-16
In Natures, and in Fortunes gifts, alas,
(Before ... and a begger,)
Ed:
In Natures, and in fortunes gifts, (alas,
Before thy grace got in the Muses Schoole)
A monster and a begger,
1633 (some copies: others read 15 Before by thy grace &c., which is also the Grolier conjecture), A18, Cy, N, P, S, TC, W (but W and some of the other MSS. have no brackets):
In Natures, and in fortunes gifts, alas,
(But for thy grace got in the Muses Schoole)
A Monster and a beggar,
1635-69, O'F, Chambers
In fortunes, nor (or S96) in natures gifts alas,
But by thy grace, &c.
B, S96. See note
16 am now a foole. Cy, O'F, P, S, S96, W: am a foole. 1633-69, A18, B, N, TC
23 worth 1669, B, Cy, O'F, P, S, S96, W: worke 1633-54, A18, N, TC
27 evill, W: evill. 1633-69, Chambers
28 passe. W: passe, 1633-69, Chambers
29 that I 1669, B, Cy, N, O'F, P, S, W: then I 1633-54, A18, N, TC
30 Thy debter, thy'eccho 1633-54: Thy eccho, thy debtor 1669
thy zanee.] and thy Zanee. A18, N, TC
31 if ... shape] brackets 1635-69
To M T. W.
HAST thee harsh verse, as fast as thy lame measure
Will give thee leave, to him, my pain and pleasure.
I have given thee, and yet thou art too weake,
Feete, and a reasoning soule and tongue to speake.
5Plead for me, and so by thine and my labour
I am thy Creator, thou my Saviour.
Tell him, all questions, which men have defended
Both of the place and paines of hell, are ended;
And 'tis decreed our hell is but privation
10Of him, at least in this earths habitation:
And 'tis where I am, where in every street
Infections follow, overtake, and meete:
Live I or die, by you my love is sent,
And you'are my pawnes, or else my Testament.
To Mr T. W.: O'F, W: To M. T. W. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
1 verse, 1669: verse 1633-54
2 to him, my pain and pleasure. W, and Chambers (without comma): to him; My pain, and pleasure 1633-69: to him. My pain and pleasure, Grolier
4 Feete, ... soule W: no comma 1633: Feete ... soule, 1635-69
5-6 These lines only in W
9 our] that W
14 And you'are 1633, A18, N, TC, W: You are 1635-69, O'F
pawnes] om. with space, W
To Mr T. W.
PREGNANT again with th'old twins Hope, and Feare,
Oft have I askt for thee, both how and where
Thou wert, and what my hopes of letters were;
As in our streets sly beggers narrowly
5Watch motions of the givers hand and eye,
And evermore conceive some hope thereby.
And now thy Almes is given, thy letter'is read,
The body risen againe, the which was dead,
And thy poore starveling bountifully fed.
10After this banquet my Soule doth say grace,
And praise thee for'it, and zealously imbrace
Thy love; though I thinke thy love in this case
To be as gluttons, which say 'midst their meat,
They love that best of which they most do eat.
To Mr T. W. O'F, W: To M. T. W. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
5 Watch] Marke W
and eye, A18, A23, N, O'F, TC, W: or eye, 1633-69
12 love; Ed: love, 1633-69
To Mr T. W.
A T once, from hence, my lines and I depart,
I to my soft still walks, they to my Heart;
I to the Nurse, they to the child of Art;
Yet as a firme house, though the Carpenter
5Perish, doth stand: As an Embassadour
Lyes safe, how e'r his king be in danger:
So, though I languish, prest with Melancholy,
My verse, the strict Map of my misery,
Shall live to see that, for whose want I dye.
10Therefore I envie them, and doe repent,
That from unhappy mee, things happy'are sent;
Yet as a Picture, or bare Sacrament,
Accept these lines, and if in them there be
Merit of love, bestow that love on mee.
To Mr T. W. W: An Old Letter. D, H49: A Letter. S96: Letter. O'F: no heading, and following the preceding without any interval, 1633, A18, N, TC: Incerto. 1635-69
5 As W: as 1633-69
7 Melancholy] Malancholy 1633
14 of love,] of love 1633
To Mr R. W.
ZEALOUSLY my Muse doth salute all thee,
Enquiring of that mistique trinitee
Whereof thou,'and all to whom heavens do infuse
Like fyer, are made; thy body, mind, and Muse.
5Dost thou recover sicknes, or prevent?
Or is thy Mind travail'd with discontent?
Or art thou parted from the world and mee,
In a good skorn of the worlds vanitee?
Or is thy devout Muse retyr'd to sing
10Vpon her tender Elegiaque string?
Our Minds part not, joyne then thy Muse with myne,
For myne is barren thus devorc'd from thyne.
To Mr R. W. A23, W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne, &c., 1899
1 thee,] thee W
To Mr R. W.
MVSE not that by thy mind thy body is led:
For by thy mind, my mind's distempered.
So thy Care lives long, for I bearing part
It eates not only thyne, but my swolne hart.
5And when it gives us intermission
We take new harts for it to feede upon.
But as a Lay Mans Genius doth controule
Body and mind; the Muse beeing the Soules Soule
Of Poets, that methinks should ease our anguish,
10Although our bodyes wither and minds languish.
Wright then, that my griefes which thine got may bee
Cured by thy charming soveraigne melodee.
To Mr R. W. A23, W: printed here for the first time
To Mr C. B.
THY friend, whom thy deserts to thee enchaine,
Urg'd by this unexcusable occasion,
Thee and the Saint of his affection
Leaving behinde, doth of both wants complaine;
5And let the love I beare to both sustaine
No blott nor maime by this division,
Strong is this love which ties our hearts in one,
And strong that love pursu'd with amorous paine;
But though besides thy selfe I leave behind
10Heavens liberall, and earths thrice-fairer Sunne,
Going to where sterne winter aye doth wonne,
Yet, loves hot fires, which martyr my sad minde,
Doe send forth scalding sighes, which have the Art
To melt all Ice, but that which walls her heart.
To Mr C. B.: A23, W: To M. C. B. 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD
9 thy self] my self 1669
10 liberall,] liberall 1633
earths 1633, 1669, A18, A23, N, O'F, TC, W: the 1635-54, Chambers
thrice fairer A23, W: thrice-faire 1633-69, A18, N, TC
11 sterne 1633, A18, A23, N, TC, W: sterv'd 1633-69, O'F
13 forth] out A18, N, TC
To Mr E. G.
EVEN as lame things thirst their perfection, so
The slimy rimes bred in our vale below,
Bearing with them much of my love and hart,
Fly unto that Parnassus, where thou art.
5There thou oreseest London: Here I have beene,
By staying in London, too much overseene.
Now pleasures dearth our City doth posses,
Our Theaters are fill'd with emptines;
As lancke and thin is every street and way
10As a woman deliver'd yesterday.
Nothing whereat to laugh my spleen espyes
But bearbaitings or Law exercise.
Therefore I'le leave it, and in the Country strive
Pleasure, now fled from London, to retrive.
15Do thou so too: and fill not like a Bee
Thy thighs with hony, but as plenteously
As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load,
And then at Winter retaile it here abroad.
Blesse us with Suffolks sweets; and as it is
20Thy garden, make thy hive and warehouse this.
To Mr E. G. W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne, &c. 1899
5-6 beene, ... London,] no commas, W
6 staying] staing W
7 dearth] dirth W
7-8 posses, ... emptines;] posses ... emptines. W
To Mr R. W.
I F, as mine is, thy life a slumber be,
Seeme, when thou read'st these lines, to dreame of me,
Never did Morpheus nor his brother weare
Shapes soe like those Shapes, whom they would appeare,
5As this my letter is like me, for it
Hath my name, words, hand, feet, heart, minde and wit;
It is my deed of gift of mee to thee,
It is my Will, my selfe the Legacie.
So thy retyrings I love, yea envie,
10Bred in thee by a wise melancholy,
That I rejoyce, that unto where thou art,
Though I stay here, I can thus send my heart,
As kindly'as any enamored Patient
His Picture to his absent Love hath sent.
15All newes I thinke sooner reach thee then mee;
Havens are Heavens, and Ships wing'd Angels be,
The which both Gospell, and sterne threatnings bring;
Guyanaes harvest is nip'd in the spring,
I feare; And with us (me thinkes) Fate deales so
20As with the Jewes guide God did; he did show
Him the rich land, but bar'd his entry in:
Oh, slownes is our punishment and sinne.
Perchance, these Spanish businesse being done,
Which as the Earth betweene the Moone and Sun
25Eclipse the light which Guyana would give,
Our discontinued hopes we shall retrive:
But if (as all th'All must) hopes smoake away,
Is not Almightie Vertue'an India?
If men be worlds, there is in every one
30Some thing to answere in some proportion
All the worlds riches: And in good men, this,
Vertue, our formes forme and our soules soule, is.
To Mr R. W. A18, A23, N, O'F, TCC, TCD, W: To M. R. W. 1633-69: no breaks, W: two stanzas of fourteen lines and a quatrain, 1633: twenty-eight lines continuous and a quatrain, 1633-69
3 brother 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TC: brethren W
6 hand,] hands O'F, TC
21 in: 1650-69, W: in, 1633-39
22 Oh, A23, N, O'F, TC: Ah, W: Our 1633-69
sinne. W: sinne; 1633-69
23 businesse 1633, A18, N, TC: busnesses W: businesses 1635-69
done] donne W
27 all th'All W: All th'All 1633-69
31 men, this, Ed: men, this 1633-69
32 soules soule, is. Chambers: soules soule is. 1633-69
To Mr R. W.
K INDLY I envy thy songs perfection
Built of all th'elements as our bodyes are:
That Litle of earth that is in it, is a faire
Delicious garden where all sweetes are sowne.
5In it is cherishing fyer which dryes in mee
Griefe which did drowne me: and halfe quench'd by it
Are satirique fyres which urg'd me to have writt
In skorne of all: for now I admyre thee.
And as Ayre doth fullfill the hollownes
10Of rotten walls; so it myne emptines,
Where tost and mov'd it did beget this sound
Which as a lame Eccho of thyne doth rebound.
Oh, I was dead; but since thy song new Life did give,
I recreated, even by thy creature, live.
To Mr R. W. W: published here for the first time
6 which] wch W, and so always
10 emptines,] emptines. W
13-14 Oh, ... give, ... recreated, ... creature,] no commas, W
To Mr S. B.
O THOU which to search out the secret parts
Of the India, or rather Paradise
Of knowledge, hast with courage and advise
Lately launch'd into the vast Sea of Arts,
5Disdaine not in thy constant travailing
To doe as other Voyagers, and make
Some turnes into lesse Creekes, and wisely take
Fresh water at the Heliconian spring;
I sing not, Siren like, to tempt; for I
10Am harsh; nor as those Scismatiques with you,
Which draw all wits of good hope to their crew;
But seeing in you bright sparkes of Poetry,
I, though I brought no fuell, had desire
With these Articulate blasts to blow the fire.
To Mr S. B. O'F: To M. S. B. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD, W
10 harsh; 1650-69: harsh, 1633-39
12 seeing] seing 1633: seene TCD, W: seeme TCC
13 I, though] I thought 1650-54
had] but 1650-54
To Mr I. L.
OF that short Roll of friends writ in my heart
Which with thy name begins, since their depart,
Whether in the English Provinces they be,
Or drinke of Po, Sequan, or Danubie,
5There's none that sometimes greets us not, and yet
Your Trent is Lethe; that past, us you forget.
You doe not duties of Societies,
If from the'embrace of a lov'd wife you rise,
View your fat Beasts, stretch'd Barnes, and labour'd fields,
10Eate, play, ryde, take all joyes which all day yeelds,
And then againe to your embracements goe:
Some houres on us your frends, and some bestow
Upon your Muse, else both wee shall repent,
I that my love, she that her guifts on you are spent.
To Mr I. L. W: To M. I. L. 1633-69: To M. I. L. A18, N, TCC, TCD: To Mr T. L. O'F
5 sometimes] sometime 1635-39, Chambers
6 Lethe; W: Lethe', 1633-69
forget. 1639-69, W: forget, 1633-35
13 your] thy W
14 you] thee W
spent.] spent 1633
To Mr B. B.
I S not thy sacred hunger of science
Yet satisfy'd? Is not thy braines rich hive
Fulfil'd with hony which thou dost derive
From the Arts spirits and their Quintessence?
5Then weane thy selfe at last, and thee withdraw
From Cambridge thy old nurse, and, as the rest,
Here toughly chew, and sturdily digest
Th'immense vast volumes of our common law;
And begin soone, lest my griefe grieve thee too,
10Which is, that that which I should have begun
In my youthes morning, now late must be done;
And I as Giddy Travellers must doe,
Which stray or sleepe all day, and having lost
Light and strength, darke and tir'd must then ride post.
15If thou unto thy Muse be marryed,
Embrace her ever, ever multiply,
Be far from me that strange Adulterie
To tempt thee and procure her widowhed.
My Muse, (for I had one,) because I'am cold,
20Divorc'd her selfe: the cause being in me,
That I can take no new in Bigamye,
Not my will only but power doth withhold.
Hence comes it, that these Rymes which never had
Mother, want matter, and they only have
25A little forme, the which their Father gave;
They are prophane, imperfect, oh, too bad
To be counted Children of Poetry
Except confirm'd and Bishoped by thee.
To Mr B. B. O'F, W: To M. B. B. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD
12 I ... Travellers 1650-69: I, ... Travellers, 1633-39
13 stray] stay W: compare Sat. III. [78]
16 ever, ever multiply, 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TC: still: encrease and multiply; W
18 widowhed. W: widdowhood, 1633-39: widdowhood; 1650-69
19 Muse, A18, N, O'F, TC, W: nurse, 1633-69
20 selfe: W: selfe, 1633-69
in me, 1633-69: in me; Grolier: in me. Chambers. See note
To Mr I. L.
BLEST are your North parts, for all this long time
My Sun is with you, cold and darke'is our Clime:
Heavens Sun, which staid so long from us this yeare,
Staid in your North (I thinke) for she was there,
5And hether by kinde nature drawne from thence,
Here rages, chafes, and threatens pestilence;
Yet I, as long as shee from hence doth staie,
Thinke this no South, no Sommer, nor no day.
With thee my kinde and unkinde heart is run,
10There sacrifice it to that beauteous Sun:
And since thou art in Paradise and need'st crave
No joyes addition, helpe thy friend to save.
So may thy pastures with their flowery feasts,
As suddenly as Lard, fat thy leane beasts;
15So may thy woods oft poll'd, yet ever weare
A greene, and when thee list, a golden haire;
So may all thy sheepe bring forth Twins; and so
In chace and race may thy horse all out goe;
So may thy love and courage ne'r be cold;
20Thy Sonne ne'r Ward; Thy lov'd wife ne'r seem old;
But maist thou wish great things, and them attaine,
As thou telst her, and none but her, my paine.
To Mr I. L. Ed: To M. I. L. A18, N, TCC, TCD, W: To Mr T. L. O'F: To M. I. P. 1633-69
6 rages, chafes, Ed: rages chafes 1633-39: rages, chafes 1650-69: rages, burnes, W
11-12 these lines from W: they have not previously been printed
16 when thee list, Ed: when thee list 1633, A18, N, TC: (when she list) 1635-69, O'F: when thou wilt W
20 lov'd wife] fair wife W
22 her, ... her, Ed: her ... her 1633: her, ... her 1635-69
To Sir H. W. at his going Ambassador to Venice.
AFTER those reverend papers, whose soule is
Our good and great Kings lov'd hand and fear'd name,
By which to you he derives much of his,
And (how he may) makes you almost the same,
5A Taper of his Torch, a copie writ
From his Originall, and a faire beame
Of the same warme, and dazeling Sun, though it
Must in another Sphere his vertue streame:
After those learned papers which your hand
10Hath stor'd with notes of use and pleasure too,
From which rich treasury you may command
Fit matter whether you will write or doe:
After those loving papers, where friends tend
With glad griefe, to your Sea-ward steps, farewel,
15Which thicken on you now, as prayers ascend
To heaven in troupes at'a good mans passing bell:
Admit this honest paper, and allow
It such an audience as your selfe would aske;
What you must say at Venice this meanes now,
20And hath for nature, what you have for taske:
To sweare much love, not to be chang'd before
Honour alone will to your fortune fit;
Nor shall I then honour your forture, more
Then I have done your honour wanting it.
25But'tis an easier load (though both oppresse)
To want, then governe greatnesse, for wee are
In that, our owne and onely business,
In this, wee must for others vices care;
'Tis therefore well your spirits now are plac'd
30In their last Furnace, in activity;
Which fits them (Schooles and Courts and Warres o'rpast)
To touch and test in any best degree.
For mee, (if there be such a thing as I)
Fortune (if there be such a thing as thee)
35Spies that I beare so well her tyranny,
That she thinks nothing else so fit for mee;
But though she part us, to heare my oft prayers
For your increase, God is as neere mee here;
And to send you what I shall begge, his staires
40In length and ease are alike every where.
To Sir H. W. at his &c. 1633-54: To Sir Henry Wotton, at his &c. 1669, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: printed in Walton's Life of Sir Henry Wotton, 1670, as a 'letter, sent by him to Sir Henry Wotton, the morning before he left England', i.e. July 13 (O.S.), 1604
10 pleasure 1635-69, A18, N, O'F, TC, Walton: pleasures 1633
13 where 1633, A18, N, TC: which 1635-69, O'F, Walton
16 in troupes] on troops Walton
19 must ... meanes] would ... sayes Walton
20 hath] has Walton
taske: Ed: taske. 1633-69
21 not] nor Walton
24 honour wanting it 1633: noble-wanting-wit. 1635-69, O'F: honour-wanting-wit. Walton: noble wanting it. A18, N, TCC, TCD
31 Warres Ed: warres 1633-69: tents Burley MS.
32 test] tast 1669 and Walton
35 Spies] Finds Walton
To Mrs M. H.
MAD paper stay, and grudge not here to burne
With all those sonnes whom my braine did create,
At lest lye hid with mee, till thou returne
To rags againe, which is thy native state.
5What though thou have enough unworthinesse
To come unto great place as others doe,
That's much; emboldens, pulls, thrusts I confesse,
But'tis not all; Thou should'st be wicked too.
And, that thou canst not learne, or not of mee;
10Yet thou wilt goe? Goe, since thou goest to her
Who lacks but faults to be a Prince, for shee,
Truth, whom they dare not pardon, dares preferre.
But when thou com'st to that perplexing eye
Which equally claimes love and reverence,
15Thou wilt not long dispute it, thou wilt die;
And, having little now, have then no sense.
Yet when her warme redeeming hand, which is
A miracle; and made such to worke more,
Doth touch thee (saples leafe) thou grow'st by this
20Her creature; glorify'd more then before.
Then as a mother which delights to heare
Her early child mis-speake halfe uttered words,
Or, because majesty doth never feare
Ill or bold speech, she Audience affords.
25And then, cold speechlesse wretch, thou diest againe,
And wisely; what discourse is left for thee?
For, speech of ill, and her, thou must abstaine,
And is there any good which is not shee?
Yet maist thou praise her servants, though not her,
30And wit, and vertue,'and honour her attend,
And since they'are but her cloathes, thou shalt not erre,
If thou her shape and beauty'and grace commend.
Who knowes thy destiny? when thou hast done,
Perchance her Cabinet may harbour thee,
35Whither all noble ambitious wits doe runne,
A nest almost as full of Good as shee.
When thou art there, if any, whom wee know,
Were sav'd before, and did that heaven partake,
When she revolves his papers, marke what show
40Of favour, she alone, to them doth make.
Marke, if to get them, she o'r skip the rest,
Marke, if shee read them twice, or kisse the name;
Marke, if she doe the same that they protest,
Marke, if she marke whether her woman came.
45Marke, if slight things be'objected, and o'r blowne,
Marke, if her oathes against him be not still
Reserv'd, and that shee grieves she's not her owne,
And chides the doctrine that denies Freewill.
I bid thee not doe this to be my spie;
50Nor to make my selfe her familiar;
But so much I doe love her choyce, that I
Would faine love him that shall be lov'd of her.
To Mrs M. H. O'F: To M. M. H. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, A25, B, C, P: Elegie. S96
2 sonnes] Sunnes B, S96
my 1633: thy 1635-69: Chambers attributes thy to 1633
3 returne] returne. 1633
7 That's much; emboldens, A18, N, TC: That's much, emboldens, 1633-54: That's much emboldness, 1669: That's much, it emboldens, B, P
8 all; Thou A18, N, TC: all, thou 1633-69
10 goe? Goe, Ed: goe, Goe, 1633-69
14 reverence, Ed: reverence. 1633: reverence: 1635-69
22 mis-speake] mispeake 1633
27 For, 1633: From 1635-69, and MSS.
her, Ed: her 1633-69
31 erre, 1669: erre 1633-54
40 she alone, 1633: she, alone, 1635-69
41 get them, she o'r skip] get them, she do skip A18 (doth), N, TC: get them, she skip oare A25, C, O'F (skips): get to them, shee skipp B, P
44 whether 1633: whither 1635-69
47 grieves 1633: grieve 1635-69
To the Countesse of Bedford.
HONOUR is so sublime perfection,
And so refinde; that when God was alone
And creaturelesse at first, himselfe had none;
But as of the elements, these which wee tread,
5Produce all things with which wee'are joy'd or fed,
And, those are barren both above our head:
So from low persons doth all honour flow;
Kings, whom they would have honoured, to us show,
And but direct our honour, not bestow.
10For when from herbs the pure part must be wonne
From grosse, by Stilling, this is better done
By despis'd dung, then by the fire or Sunne.
Care not then, Madame,'how low your praysers lye;
In labourers balads oft more piety
15God findes, then in Te Deums melodie.
And, ordinance rais'd on Towers, so many mile
Send not their voice, nor last so long a while
As fires from th'earths low vaults in Sicil Isle.
Should I say I liv'd darker then were true,
20Your radiation can all clouds subdue;
But one,'tis best light to contemplate you.
You, for whose body God made better clay,
Or tooke Soules stuffe such as shall late decay,
Or such as needs small change at the last day.
25This, as an Amber drop enwraps a Bee,
Covering discovers your quicke Soule; that we
May in your through-shine front your hearts thoughts see.
You teach (though wee learne not) a thing unknowne
To our late times, the use of specular stone,
30Through which all things within without were shown.
Of such were Temples; so and of such you are;
Beeing and seeming is your equall care,
And vertues whole summe is but know and dare.
But as our Soules of growth and Soules of sense
35Have birthright of our reasons Soule, yet hence
They fly not from that, nor seeke presidence:
Natures first lesson, so, discretion,
Must not grudge zeale a place, nor yet keepe none,
Not banish it selfe, nor religion.
40Discretion is a wisemans Soule, and so
Religion is a Christians, and you know
How these are one; her yea, is not her no.
Nor may we hope to sodder still and knit
These two, and dare to breake them; nor must wit
45Be colleague to religion, but be it.
In those poor types of God (round circles) so
Religions tipes the peeclesse centers flow,
And are in all the lines which all wayes goe.
If either ever wrought in you alone
50Or principally, then religion
Wrought your ends, and your wayes discretion.
Goe thither stil, goe the same way you went,
Who so would change, do covet or repent;
Neither can reach you, great and innocent.
To the Countesse of Bedford. 1633-69, B, O'F, S96: To the Countess of B. N, TCD
10 part] parts N, O'F, TCD
12 or Sunne. 1633, B, N, O'F, S96, TCD: or Sun: 1669: of Sunne: 1635-54, Chambers
13 praysers N, O'F, TCD: prayers S96: prayses 1633-69
16 Towers,] Towers 1633
20-1 subdue; But one, Ed: subdue; But One Chambers: subdue, But one, 1633-69: subdue But one; Grolier and Grosart. See note
26 Covering discovers] Coverings discover 1669
27 your hearts thoughts B, N, O'F, S96, TCD: our hearts thoughts 1633-69. See note
31 so and of such N, TCD: so and such 1633-69, B, O'F, S96
33is but to know and dare. N
36-7
They fly not from that, nor seeke presidence:
Natures first lesson, so, discretion, &c.
1633-69 (presidence. 1633; precedence: 1669)
They fly not from that, nor seek precedence,
Natures first lesson; so discretion &c.
Chambers and Grolier (discretion, Grolier). See note
40-2] These lines precede 34-9 in 1635-69, B, N, S96, TCD: om. O'F
42 one; Ed: one, 1633-69 yea, ... no] ital. Ed.
48 all wayes 1719: alwayes 1633-69
50-1
'twas Religion,
Yet you neglected not Discretion.
S96
53 do covet] doth covet 1669, O'F, S96
To the Countesse of Bedford.
Begun in France but never perfected.
THOUGH I be dead, and buried, yet I have
(Living in you,) Court enough in my grave,
As oft as there I thinke my selfe to bee,
So many resurrections waken mee.
5That thankfullnesse your favours have begot
In mee, embalmes mee, that I doe not rot.
This season as 'tis Easter, as 'tis spring,
Must both to growth and to confession bring
My thoughts dispos'd unto your influence; so,
10These verses bud, so these confessions grow.
First I confesse I have to others lent
Your flock, and over prodigally spent
Your treasure, for since I had never knowne
Vertue or beautie, but as they are growne
15In you, I should not thinke or say they shine,
(So as I have) in any other Mine.
Next I confesse this my confession,
For, 'tis some fault thus much to touch upon
Your praise to you, where half rights seeme too much,
20And make your minds sincere complexion blush.
Next I confesse my'impenitence, for I
Can scarce repent my first fault, since thereby
Remote low Spirits, which shall ne'r read you,
May in lesse lessons finde enough to doe,
25By studying copies, not Originals,
Desunt cætera.
To the Countesse &c. 1633-69 (following in 1635-69 That unripe side &c., p. 417, and If her disdaine &c., p. 430), O'F
5 begot] forgot 1633 some copies
6 embalmes mee, Ed: embalmes mee; 1633-69
rot. Ed: rot; 1633-69
9 influence; Ed: influence, 1633-69
10 grow. Ed: grow; 1633-69
14 or 1633-39: and 1650-69
16 Mine. Ed: Mine; 1633-69
18 upon Ed: upon, 1633-69
A Letter to the Lady Carey, and Mrs Essex Riche, From Amyens.
Madame,
HERE where by All All Saints invoked are,
'Twere too much schisme to be singular,
And 'gainst a practise generall to warre.
Yet turning to Saincts, should my'humility
5To other Sainct then you directed bee,
That were to make my schisme, heresie.
Nor would I be a Convertite so cold,
As not to tell it; If this be too bold,
Pardons are in this market cheaply sold.
10Where, because Faith is in too low degree,
I thought it some Apostleship in mee
To speake things which by faith alone I see.
That is, of you, who are a firmament
Of virtues, where no one is growne, or spent,
15They'are your materials, not your ornament.
Others whom wee call vertuous, are not so
In their whole substance, but, their vertues grow
But in their humours, and at seasons show.
For when through tastlesse flat humilitie
20In dow bak'd men some harmelessenes we see,
'Tis but his flegme that's Vertuous, and not Hee:
Soe is the Blood sometimes; who ever ran
To danger unimportun'd, he was than
No better then a sanguine Vertuous man.
25So cloysterall men, who, in pretence of feare
All contributions to this life forbeare,
Have Vertue in Melancholy, and only there.
Spirituall Cholerique Crytiques, which in all
Religions find faults, and forgive no fall,
30Have, through this zeale, Vertue but in their Gall.
We'are thus but parcel guilt; to Gold we'are growne
When Vertue is our Soules complexion;
Who knowes his Vertues name or place, hath none.
Vertue'is but aguish, when 'tis severall,
35By occasion wak'd, and circumstantiall.
True vertue is Soule, Alwaies in all deeds All.
This Vertue thinking to give dignitie
To your soule, found there no infirmitie,
For, your soule was as good Vertue, as shee;
40Shee therefore wrought upon that part of you
Which is scarce lesse then soule, as she could do,
And so hath made your beauty, Vertue too.
Hence comes it, that your Beauty wounds not hearts,
As Others, with prophane and sensuall Darts,
45But as an influence, vertuous thoughts imparts.
But if such friends by the honor of your sight
Grow capable of this so great a light,
As to partake your vertues, and their might,
What must I thinke that influence must doe,
50Where it findes sympathie and matter too,
Vertue, and beauty of the same stuffe, as you?
Which is, your noble worthie sister, shee
Of whom, if what in this my Extasie
And revelation of you both I see,
55I should write here, as in short Galleries
The Master at the end large glasses ties,
So to present the roome twice to our eyes,
So I should give this letter length, and say
That which I said of you; there is no way
60From either, but by the other, not to stray.
May therefore this be enough to testifie
My true devotion, free from flattery;
He that beleeves himselfe, doth never lie.
A Letter to &c. 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: To the Lady Carey and her Sister Mrs Essex Rich. From Amiens. O'F: To the Lady Co: of C. N, TCD: To the Ladie Carey. or A Letter to the Ladie Carey. B, Cy, S96: no title, P: To Mrs Essex Rich and her sister frô Amiens. M
13 who are] who is 1633
19 humilitie 1633-54, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: humidity 1669, Chambers
26 contributions] contribution B, D, N, TCD
30 this zeale, 1635-69, B, Cy, D, H49, N, O'F, P, S96, TCD: their zeale, 1633, Lec
31 Gold] Golds 1633 some copies
33 aguish,] anguish, 1650-54
57 our eyes,] your eyes, Cy, D, H49, Lec, P
60 by the] to the 1669
other, 1669: other 1633-54
To the Countesse of Salisbury. August. 1614.
FAIRE, great, and good, since seeing you, wee see
What Heaven can doe, and what any Earth can be:
Since now your beauty shines, now when the Sunne
Growne stale, is to so low a value runne,
5That his disshevel'd beames and scattered fires
Serve but for Ladies Periwigs and Tyres
In lovers Sonnets: you come to repaire
Gods booke of creatures, teaching what is faire.
Since now, when all is withered, shrunke, and dri'd,
10All Vertues ebb'd out to a dead low tyde,
All the worlds frame being crumbled into sand,
Where every man thinks by himselfe to stand,
Integritie, friendship, and confidence,
(Ciments of greatnes) being vapor'd hence,
15And narrow man being fill'd with little shares,
Court, Citie, Church, are all shops of small-wares,
All having blowne to sparkes their noble fire,
And drawne their sound gold-ingot into wyre;
All trying by a love of littlenesse
20To make abridgments, and to draw to lesse,
Even that nothing, which at first we were;
Since in these times, your greatnesse doth appeare,
And that we learne by it, that man to get
Towards him that's infinite, must first be great.
25Since in an age so ill, as none is fit
So much as to accuse, much lesse mend it,
(For who can judge, or witnesse of those times
Where all alike are guiltie of the crimes?)
Where he that would be good, is thought by all
30A monster, or at best fantasticall;
Since now you durst be good, and that I doe
Discerne, by daring to contemplate you,
That there may be degrees of faire, great, good,
Through your light, largenesse, vertue understood:
35If in this sacrifice of mine, be showne
Any small sparke of these, call it your owne.
And if things like these, have been said by mee
Of others; call not that Idolatrie.
For had God made man first, and man had seene
40The third daies fruits, and flowers, and various greene,
He might have said the best that he could say
Of those faire creatures, which were made that day;
And when next day he had admir'd the birth
Of Sun, Moone, Stars, fairer then late-prais'd earth,
45Hee might have said the best that he could say,
And not be chid for praising yesterday;
So though some things are not together true,
As, that another is worthiest, and, that you:
Yet, to say so, doth not condemne a man,
50If when he spoke them, they were both true than.
How faire a proofe of this, in our soule growes?
Wee first have soules of growth, and sense, and those,
When our last soule, our soule immortall came,
Were swallowed into it, and have no name.
55Nor doth he injure those soules, which doth cast
The power and praise of both them, on the last;
No more doe I wrong any; I adore
The same things now, which I ador'd before,
The subject chang'd, and measure; the same thing
60In a low constable, and in the King
I reverence; His power to work on mee:
So did I humbly reverence each degree
Of faire, great, good; but more, now I am come
From having found their walkes, to find their home.
65And as I owe my first soules thankes, that they
For my last soule did fit and mould my clay,
So am I debtor unto them, whose worth,
Enabled me to profit, and take forth
This new great lesson, thus to study you;
70Which none, not reading others, first, could doe.
Nor lacke I light to read this booke, though I
In a darke Cave, yea in a Grave doe lie;
For as your fellow Angells, so you doe
Illustrate them who come to study you.
75The first whom we in Histories doe finde
To have profest all Arts, was one borne blinde:
He lackt those eyes beasts have as well as wee,
Not those, by which Angels are seene and see;
So, though I'am borne without those eyes to live,
80Which fortune, who hath none her selfe, doth give,
Which are, fit meanes to see bright courts and you,
Yet may I see you thus, as now I doe;
I shall by that, all goodnesse have discern'd,
And though I burne my librarie, be learn'd.
To the Countesse &c. 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: To the Countess of Salisbury. O'F: To the Countess of S. N, TCD
2 and what 1633, 1669, D, H49, Lec: what 1635-54, N, O'F, TCD
16 Court,] Courts, 1669
17 noble fire,] nobler fire, O'F
24 him] him, 1633
that's 1650-69: thats 1633-39
29-30 Chambers includes in parenthesis
30 fantasticall; Ed: fantasticall: 1633-69
34 light, largenesse,] lights largeness, 1669
38 Idolatrie.] Adulterie: N, TCD
40 greene,] greene 1633
42 day; Ed: day: 1633-69
46 yesterday; Ed: yesterday: 1633-69
54 name. 1633-39: name 1654-69
57 any; I adore 1633, D, Lec, N, TCD: any, if I adore 1635-69, O'F (if being inserted)
61 mee: D, N, TCD: mee; 1633-69
63 good; Ed: good, 1633-69
77-8 om. D, H49, Lec
To the Lady Bedford.
YOU that are she and you, that's double shee,
In her dead face, halfe of your selfe shall see;
Shee was the other part, for so they doe
Which build them friendships, become one of two;
5So two, that but themselves no third can fit,
Which were to be so, when they were not yet;
Twinnes, though their birth Cusco, and Musco take,
As divers starres one Constellation make;
Pair'd like two eyes, have equall motion, so
10Both but one meanes to see, one way to goe.
Had you dy'd first, a carcasse shee had beene;
And wee your rich Tombe in her face had seene;
She like the Soule is gone, and you here stay,
Not a live friend; but th'other halfe of clay.
15And since you act that part, As men say, here
Lies such a Prince, when but one part is there,
And do all honour and devotion due
Unto the whole, so wee all reverence you;
For, such a friendship who would not adore
20In you, who are all what both were before,
Not all, as if some perished by this,
But so, as all in you contracted is.
As of this all, though many parts decay,
The pure which elemented them shall stay;
25And though diffus'd, and spread in infinite,
Shall recollect, and in one All unite:
So madame, as her Soule to heaven is fled,
Her flesh rests in the earth, as in the bed;
Her vertues do, as to their proper spheare,
30Returne to dwell with you, of whom they were:
As perfect motions are all circular,
So they to you, their sea, whence lesse streames are.
Shee was all spices, you all metalls; so
In you two wee did both rich Indies know.
35And as no fire, nor rust can spend or waste
One dramme of gold, but what was first shall last,
Though it bee forc'd in water, earth, salt, aire,
Expans'd in infinite, none will impaire;
So, to your selfe you may additions take,
40But nothing can you lesse, or changed make.
Seeke not in seeking new, to seeme to doubt,
That you can match her, or not be without;
But let some faithfull booke in her roome be,
Yet but of Iudith no such booke as shee.
To the &c. 1635-69, O'F: Elegie to the Lady Bedford. 1633, Cy, H40, L74, N, P, TCD: Elegia Sexta. S: In 1633, Cy, H40, N, TCD it follows, in P precedes, the Funerall Elegy Death (p. 284), to which it is apparently a covering letter: In L74 it follows the Elegy on the Lady Marckham: O'F places it among the Letters, S among the Elegies
1 she and you,] she, and you 1633-69, Chambers. See note
4 two;] the two; 1669
6 yet; Ed: yet 1633-39: yet. 1650-69
8 make; Ed: make, 1633-69
10 goe. Ed: goe; 1633-69
13 stay,] stay 1633-35
th'other] thother 1633
clay. Ed: clay; 1633-69
16 there, Ed: there; 1633-69
17 honour] honour: 1633
due] due; 1633
20 were] was 1633
22 as all in you] as in you all O'F: that in you all Cy, H40, L74, N, S
is. Ed: is; 1633-69
28 the bed;] a bed; Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, S: her bed; P
30 were:] were; 1633
32 are.] are; 1633
34 know.] know; 1633
41 doubt, 1633: doubt; 1635-69
42 can] twice in 1633
AN
ANATOMIE
OF THE WORLD.
Wherein,
By occasion of the untimely death of
Mistris Elizabeth Drvry,
the frailty and the decay of this
whole World is represented.