  ELEGIE I.Iealosie. FOND woman, which would'st have thy husband die, And yet complain'st of his great jealousie; If swolne with poyson, hee lay in' his last bed, His body with a sere-barke covered, 5Drawing his breath, as thick and short, as can The nimblest crocheting Musitian, Ready with loathsome vomiting to spue His Soule out of one hell, into a new, Made deafe with his poore kindreds howling cries, 10Begging with few feign'd teares, great legacies, Thou would'st not weepe, but jolly,'and frolicke bee, As a slave, which to morrow should be free; Yet weep'st thou, when thou seest him hungerly Swallow his owne death, hearts-bane jealousie. 15O give him many thanks, he'is courteous, That in suspecting kindly warneth us. Wee must not, as wee us'd, flout openly, In scoffing ridles, his deformitie; Nor at his boord together being fatt, 20With words, nor touch, scarce lookes adulterate. Nor when he swolne, and pamper'd with great fare, Sits downe, and snorts, cag'd in his basket chaire, Must wee usurpe his owne bed any more, Nor kisse and play in his house, as before. 25Now I see many dangers; for that is His realme, his castle, and his diocesse. But if, as envious men, which would revile Their Prince, or coyne his gold, themselves exile Into another countrie,'and doe it there, 30Wee play'in another house, what should we feare? There we will scorne his houshold policies, His seely plots, and pensionary spies, As the inhabitants of Thames right side Do Londons Major; or Germans, the Popes pride. Elegie I. Iealosie. 1635-54: Elegie I. 1633 and 1669: no title or Elegie (numbered variously, according to scheme adopted) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W 1 woman,] woman 1633 4 sere-barke 1633-54, B, Cy, H49, Lec, O'F, S, W: sere-cloth 1669, D, P: sore barke A18, A25, JC, N, TC 10 few] some few A18, N, TC 12 free; Ed: free, 1633-69: free. D 16 us. 1633-35: us, 1639-69 21 great 1633-54, A18, A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC, W: high 1669, B, O'F, P, S96: his Cy fare, Ed: fare 1633-69 25 Now ... dangers;] Now do I see my danger; 1669 that all MSS.: it 1633-69 26 diocesse] Diocys D: Diocis W 27-29 (as envious ... do it there,) 1669 30 another] anothers 1669 We into some third place retired were B, O'F, P, S96 34 Major; 1650-54: Major, 1633-39: Mayor; 1669 ELEGIE II. The Anagram. MARRY, and love thy Flavia, for, shee Hath all things, whereby others beautious bee, For, though her eyes be small, her mouth is great, Though they be Ivory, yet her teeth be jeat, 5Though they be dimme, yet she is light enough, And though her harsh haire fall, her skinne is rough; What though her cheeks be yellow, her haire's red, Give her thine, and she hath a maydenhead. These things are beauties elements, where these 10Meet in one, that one must, as perfect, please. If red and white and each good quality Be in thy wench, ne'r aske where it doth lye. In buying things perfum'd, we aske; if there Be muske and amber in it, but not where. 15Though all her parts be not in th'usuall place, She'hath yet an Anagram of a good face. If we might put the letters but one way, In the leane dearth of words, what could wee say? When by the Gamut some Musitions make 20A perfect song, others will undertake, By the same Gamut chang'd, to equall it. Things simply good, can never be unfit. She's faire as any, if all be like her, And if none bee, then she is singular. 25All love is wonder; if wee justly doe Account her wonderfull, why not lovely too? Love built on beauty, soone as beauty, dies, Chuse this face, chang'd by no deformities. Women are all like Angels; the faire be 30Like those which fell to worse; but such as shee, Like to good Angels, nothing can impaire: 'Tis lesse griefe to be foule, then to have beene faire. For one nights revels, silke and gold we chuse, But, in long journeyes, cloth, and leather use. 35Beauty is barren oft; best husbands say, There is best land, where there is foulest way. Oh what a soveraigne Plaister will shee bee, If thy past sinnes have taught thee jealousie! Here needs no spies, nor eunuches; her commit 40Safe to thy foes; yea, to a Marmosit. When Belgiaes citties, the round countries drowne, That durty foulenesse guards, and armes the towne: So doth her face guard her; and so, for thee, Which, forc'd by businesse, absent oft must bee, 45Shee, whose face, like clouds, turnes the day to night, Who, mightier then the sea, makes Moores seem white, Who, though seaven yeares, she in the Stews had laid, A Nunnery durst receive, and thinke a maid, And though in childbeds labour she did lie, 50Midwifes would sweare, 'twere but a tympanie, Whom, if shee accuse her selfe, I credit lesse Then witches, which impossibles confesse, Whom Dildoes, Bedstaves, and her Velvet Glasse Would be as loath to touch as Joseph was: 55One like none, and lik'd of none, fittest were, For, things in fashion every man will weare. Eleg. II. The Anagram. 1635-54: Elegie II. 1633, 1669: Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W 4 they] theirs 1669, S96 teeth be 1633-69, D, H49, JC, Lec: teeth are A18, A25, B, Cy, L74, M, N, O'F, S, TC, W 6 hair fall] hair's foul 1669 is rough 1633, 1669, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, P, S, TC, W: is tough 1635-54, O'F, Chambers 16 an Anagram] the Anagrams 1669 18 the 1633: that 1635-69 words 1633-69, A25, B, L74, M, N, O'F, P, S, TC: letters D, Cy, H49, W 22 unfit. D: unfit; 1633-69 28 deformities.] deformities; 1633 29 faire] fairer S, S96 35 say,] say, 1633 37 bee,] bee 1633 41-2 When Belgiaes ... towne: 1633-54: Like Belgia's cities when the Country is drown'd, That ... towns; 1669: Like Belgia's cities the round country drowns, That ... towns, Chambers: MSS. agree with 1633-54, but before countries read variously round (A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, P, TC, W), lowe (B), foul (O'F, S, S96, which read country drowns ... towns) 49 childbeds 1633-54, Lec, W: childbirths 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, O'F, P, S, S96, TC 52 confesse, Ed: confesse. 1633-69 53-4 Whom ... Joseph was: 1669 and all MSS [or a Velvet 1669]: om. 1633-54 ELEGIE III. Change. Although thy hand and faith, and good workes too, Have seal'd thy love which nothing should undoe, Yea though thou fall backe, that apostasie Confirme thy love; yet much, much I feare thee. 5Women are like the Arts, forc'd unto none, Open to'all searchers, unpriz'd, if unknowne. If I have caught a bird, and let him flie, Another fouler using these meanes, as I, May catch the same bird; and, as these things bee, 10Women are made for men, not him, nor mee. Foxes and goats; all beasts change when they please, Shall women, more hot, wily, wild then these, Be bound to one man, and did Nature then Idly make them apter to'endure then men? 15They'are our clogges, not their owne; if a man bee Chain'd to a galley, yet the galley'is free; Who hath a plow-land, casts all his seed corne there, And yet allowes his ground more corne should beare; Though Danuby into the sea must flow, 20The sea receives the Rhene, Volga, and Po. By nature, which gave it, this liberty Thou lov'st, but Oh! canst thou love it and mee? Likenesse glues love: and if that thou so doe, To make us like and love, must I change too? 25More then thy hate, I hate'it, rather let mee Allow her change, then change as oft as shee, And soe not teach, but force my'opinion To love not any one, nor every one. To live in one land, is captivitie, 30To runne all countries, a wild roguery; Waters stincke soone, if in one place they bide, And in the vast sea are more putrifi'd: But when they kisse one banke, and leaving this Never looke backe, but the next banke doe kisse, 35Then are they purest; Change'is the nursery Of musicke, joy, life, and eternity. Eleg. III. Change. 1635-54: Elegie III. 1633, 1669: no title or Elegye (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W 1 workes] word 1669 4 Confirme] Confirms 1669, A25, L74, P 5 Women] Women, 1633 forc'd unto none] forbid to none B 8 these 1633-54, D, H49, Lec: those 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, JC, L74, N, P, TC, W 11 Foxes and goats; all beasts 1633-54: Foxes, goats and all beasts 1669 13 did] bid 1669 17 a plow-land] plow-lands P 18 corne] seed P 20 Rhene,] Rhine, 1669 Po. 1633: Po, 1635-69 21 liberty 1633: libertie. 1635-69 23 and ... doe,] then if so thou do, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TC, W 24 like i.e. alike as in A18, N, TC 31 bide] abide 1669 32 more putrifi'd 1633-39: more purifi'd 1650-54: worse purifi'd 1669: worse putrifi'd A18, A25, Cy, D, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: worst putrifi'd B, H49, JC ELEGIE IV.The Perfume. ONCE, and but once found in thy company, All thy suppos'd escapes are laid on mee; And as a thiefe at barre, is question'd there By all the men, that have beene rob'd that yeare, 5So am I, (by this traiterous meanes surpriz'd) By thy Hydroptique father catechiz'd. Though he had wont to search with glazed eyes, As though he came to kill a Cockatrice, Though hee hath oft sworne, that hee would remove 10Thy beauties beautie, and food of our love, Hope of his goods, if I with thee were seene, Yet close and secret, as our soules, we'have beene. Though thy immortall mother which doth lye Still buried in her bed, yet will not dye, 15Takes this advantage to sleepe out day-light, And watch thy entries, and returnes all night, And, when she takes thy hand, and would seeme kind, Doth search what rings, and armelets she can finde, And kissing notes the colour of thy face, 20And fearing least thou'art swolne, doth thee embrace; To trie if thou long, doth name strange meates, And notes thy palenesse, blushing, sighs, and sweats; And politiquely will to thee confesse The sinnes of her owne youths ranke lustinesse; 25Yet love these Sorceries did remove, and move Thee to gull thine owne mother for my love. Thy little brethren, which like Faiery Sprights Oft skipt into our chamber, those sweet nights, And kist, and ingled on thy fathers knee, 30Were brib'd next day, to tell what they did see: The grim eight-foot-high iron-bound serving-man, That oft names God in oathes, and onely than, He that to barre the first gate, doth as wide As the great Rhodian Colossus stride, 35Which, if in hell no other paines there were, Makes mee feare hell, because he must be there: Though by thy father he were hir'd to this, Could never witnesse any touch or kisse. But Oh, too common ill, I brought with mee 40That, which betray'd mee to my enemie: A loud perfume, which at my entrance cryed Even at thy fathers nose, so were wee spied. When, like a tyran King, that in his bed Smelt gunpowder, the pale wretch shivered. 45Had it beene some bad smell, he would have thought That his owne feet, or breath, that smell had wrought. But as wee in our Ile emprisoned, Where cattell onely,'and diverse dogs are bred, The pretious Vnicornes, strange monsters call, 50So thought he good, strange, that had none at all. I taught my silkes, their whistling to forbeare, Even my opprest shoes, dumbe and speechlesse were, Onely, thou bitter sweet, whom I had laid Next mee, mee traiterously hast betraid, 55And unsuspected hast invisibly At once fled unto him, and staid with mee. Base excrement of earth, which dost confound Sense, from distinguishing the sicke from sound; By thee the seely Amorous sucks his death 60By drawing in a leprous harlots breath; By thee, the greatest staine to mans estate Falls on us, to be call'd effeminate; Though you be much lov'd in the Princes hall, There, things that seeme, exceed substantiall; 65Gods, when yee fum'd on altars, were pleas'd well Because you'were burnt, not that they lik'd your smell; You'are loathsome all, being taken simply alone, Shall wee love ill things joyn'd, and hate each one? If you were good, your good doth soone decay; 70And you are rare, that takes the good away. All my perfumes, I give most willingly To'embalme thy fathers corse; What? will hee die? Eleg. IV. The Perfume. 1635-54: Elegie IV. 1633, 1669: Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, C, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W: Discovered by a Perfume. B: no title, Cy, HN 2 suppos'd escapes] supposed scapes 1669, P 4 By] For P 7-8 1635-69 and MSS. generally: om. 1633, D, H49, Lec 9 hath] have A18, A25, L74, N, P, TC, W 15 Takes] Take A18, A25, N, P, TC, W 21 To trie &c. 1633, D, H49, S (dost long): And to trie &c. 1635-69, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F, S96 (longest), TC meates, 1635-69: meates. 1633 22 blushing 1633-54, A18, A25, JC, N, TC: blushes 1669: blushings B, D, H49, HN, L74, Lec, O'F, P, W 29 ingled] dandled 1669 30 see: 1635-69: see. 1633 31 grim eight-foot-high iron-bound Ed: grim-eight-foot-high-iron-bound 1633-69 37 to 1633-69: for MSS. 38 kisse.] kisse; 1633 40 my 1633: mine 1635-69 44 Smelt] Smells 1669 shivered. A18, D, H49, L74, N, TC, W: shivered; 1633-69: shivered, Chambers and Grolier. See note 46 that smell] the smell 1669 49 monsters Ed: monsters, 1633-69 50 good,] sweet 1669 53 bitter sweet, 1633-39: bitter-sweet, 1650-69 60 breath; 1650-69: breath, 1633-39 64 substantiall; Ed: substantiall. 1633-69 66 you'were] you'er 1669 smell; 1635-39: smell, 1633, 1669: smel 1650-54 71 All] And Chambers ELEGIE V. His Picture. HERE take my Picture; though I bid farewell, Thine, in my heart, where my soule dwels, shall dwell. 'Tis like me now, but I dead, 'twill be more When wee are shadowes both, then'twas before. 5When weather-beaten I come backe; my hand, Perhaps with rude oares torne, or Sun beams tann'd, My face and brest of hairecloth, and my head With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread, My body'a sack of bones, broken within, 10And powders blew staines scatter'd on my skinne; If rivall fooles taxe thee to'have lov'd a man, So foule, and course, as, Oh, I may seeme than, This shall say what I was: and thou shalt say, Doe his hurts reach mee? doth my worth decay? 15Or doe they reach his judging minde, that hee Should now love lesse, what hee did love to see? That which in him was faire and delicate, Was but the milke, which in loves childish state Did nurse it: who now is growne strong enough 20To feed on that, which to disused tasts seemes tough. Eleg. V. His Picture. 1635-54: Elegie V. 1633, 1669: Elegye. (numbered variously) A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W: The Picture. P: Travelling he leaves his Picture with his mystris. B 1 Picture; ... farewell, Ed: Picture, ... farewell; 1633: rest semicolon or colon after each 8 With cares rash sodaine stormes, being o'rspread, 1633, A18, N, TC: With cares rash, cruel, sudden storms o'erspread P: With cares rash-sudden cruel-storms o'erprest B: With cares rash sudden storms o'erpressed S, S96: With cares rash sudden storms o'erspread Cy, D, H49, Lec: With cares rash sodaine horiness o'erspread A25, JC, W: With cares harsh sodaine horinesse o'rspread, 1635-69, O'F 16 now love lesse, 1633-69, A18, N, TC: like and love less A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96, W 19 nurse] nourish A18, N, P, S, TC strong] tough P 20 disused Ed: disus'd 1633-39, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: weake 1650-69 tough.] rough. P ELEGIE VI. OH, let mee not serve so, as those men serve Whom honours smoakes at once fatten and sterve; Poorely enrich't with great mens words or lookes; Nor so write my name in thy loving bookes 5As those Idolatrous flatterers, which still Their Princes stiles, with many Realmes fulfill Whence they no tribute have, and where no sway. Such services I offer as shall pay Themselves, I hate dead names: Oh then let mee 10Favorite in Ordinary, or no favorite bee. When my Soule was in her owne body sheath'd, Nor yet by oathes betroth'd, nor kisses breath'd Into my Purgatory, faithlesse thee, Thy heart seem'd waxe, and steele thy constancie: 15So, carelesse flowers strow'd on the waters face, The curled whirlepooles suck, smack, and embrace, Yet drowne them; so, the tapers beamie eye Amorously twinkling, beckens the giddie flie, Yet burnes his wings; and such the devill is, 20Scarce visiting them, who are intirely his. When I behold a streame, which, from the spring, Doth with doubtfull melodious murmuring, Or in a speechlesse slumber, calmely ride Her wedded channels bosome, and then chide 25And bend her browes, and swell if any bough Do but stoop downe, or kisse her upmost brow; Yet, if her often gnawing kisses winne The traiterous banke to gape, and let her in, She rusheth violently, and doth divorce 30Her from her native, and her long-kept course, And rores, and braves it, and in gallant scorne, In flattering eddies promising retorne, She flouts the channell, who thenceforth is drie; Then say I; that is shee, and this am I. 35Yet let not thy deepe bitternesse beget Carelesse despaire in mee, for that will whet My minde to scorne; and Oh, love dull'd with paine Was ne'r so wise, nor well arm'd as disdaine. Then with new eyes I shall survay thee,'and spie 40Death in thy cheekes, and darknesse in thine eye. Though hope bred faith and love; thus taught, I shall As nations do from Rome, from thy love fall. My hate shall outgrow thine, and utterly I will renounce thy dalliance: and when I 45Am the Recusant, in that resolute state, What hurts it mee to be'excommunicate? Eleg. VI. 1635-69: Elegie VII. 1633 (Elegie VI. being Sorrow who to this house &c. See Epicedes &c., p. 287): Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W 2 fatten] flatter 1669, A18, B, Cy, L74, N, TC 3 or] and A18, Cy, L74, N, P, TC 6 stiles, 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S96, TC, W: style A25, O'F, S, Chambers and Grosart with all MSS., Chambers and Grosart: which (probably by confusion of wch and wth) 1633-69 Realmes] names 1669 7 where] bear 1669 14 constancie: 1635-69: constancie. 1633 24 then 1633, B, D, H49, Lec, S, S96, W: there 1635-69, A18, A25, Cy, JC, N, O'F, P, TC, Chambers 26 upmost 1633 and most MSS: utmost 1635-69, O'F, Chambers brow; Ed: brow: 1633-39: brow. 1650-69 28 banke A18, D, H49, JC, N, S, TC, W: banks 1633-69, Lec, O'F 33 the 1633, D, H49, Lec: her 1635-69, A18, N, TC who 1633, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, JC, H49, L74, Lec, N, P, S, S96, TC: which 1635-69, O'F 37 Oh,] Ah, 1669 39 thee,'] om. 1669 40 eye. Ed: eye; 1633-54: eye: 1669: eye, Chambers 41 Though ... love; 1633: Though ... breed ... love: 1635-39: Though ... breed ... love 1650-69 (Through ... 1669) 42 fall. 1633-35: fall 1639-69 43 outgrow] o'ergrow Cy, P ELEGIE VII. NATURES lay Ideot, I taught thee to love, And in that sophistrie, Oh, thou dost prove Too subtile: Foole, thou didst not understand The mystique language of the eye nor hand: 5Nor couldst thou judge the difference of the aire Of sighes, and say, this lies, this sounds despaire: Nor by the'eyes water call a maladie Desperately hot, or changing feaverously. I had not taught thee then, the Alphabet 10Of flowers, how they devisefully being set And bound up, might with speechlesse secrecie Deliver arrands mutely, and mutually. Remember since all thy words us'd to bee To every suitor; I, if my friends agree; 15Since, household charmes, thy husbands name to teach, Were all the love trickes, that thy wit could reach; And since, an houres discourse could scarce have made One answer in thee, and that ill arraid In broken proverbs, and torne sentences. 20Thou art not by so many duties his, That from the worlds Common having sever'd thee, Inlaid thee, neither to be seene, nor see, As mine: who have with amorous delicacies Refin'd thee'into a blis-full Paradise. 25Thy graces and good words my creatures bee; I planted knowledge and lifes tree in thee, Which Oh, shall strangers taste? Must I alas Frame and enamell Plate, and drinke in Glasse? Chafe waxe for others seales? breake a colts force 30And leave him then, beeing made a ready horse? Elegie VII. 1635-69: Elegie VIII. 1633: Elegye. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, TCC, TCD, W 2 Oh, ... prove] Oh, how ... prove 1669 6 despaire: 1635-69: despaire. 1633 7 call 1633, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, O'F (corrected from know), P, TC, W: know 1635-69: cast S, Chambers and Grosart 10 they devisefully being set] their devise in being set Cy, P 12 arrands 1633: errands 1635-69: meet errands B 14 agree; Ed: agree. 1633-69 21-2 That ... nor see,] in brackets 1669 24 Paradise] paradise 1633 25 words 1633-54, A25, B, Cy, JC, N, O'F, P, W: works 1669, A18, D, H49, Lec, TC bee; Ed: bee, 1633-69 26 thee, 1633: thee: 1635-69 28 Glasse? Ed: glasse. 1633-69 ELEGIE VIII. The Comparison. AS the sweet sweat of Roses in a Still, As that which from chaf'd muskats pores doth trill, As the Almighty Balme of th'early East, Such are the sweat drops of my Mistris breast, 5And on her They seeme no sweat drops, but pearle coronets. Ranke sweaty froth thy Mistresse's brow defiles, Like spermatique issue of ripe menstruous boiles, Or like the skumme, which, by needs lawlesse law 10Enforc'd, Sanserra's starved men did draw From parboild shooes, and bootes, and all the rest Which were with any soveraigne fatnes blest, And like vile lying stones in saffrond tinne, Or warts, or wheales, they hang upon her skinne. 15Round as the world's her head, on every side, Like to the fatall Ball which fell on Ide, Or that whereof God had such jealousie, As, for the ravishing thereof we die. Thy head is like a rough-hewne statue of jeat, 20Where marks for eyes, nose, mouth, are yet scarce set; Like the first Chaos, or flat seeming face Of Cynthia, when th'earths shadowes her embrace. Like Proserpines white beauty-keeping chest, Or Joues best fortunes urne, is her faire brest. 25Thine's like worme eaten trunkes, cloth'd in seals skin, Or grave, that's dust without, and stinke within. And like that slender stalke, at whose end stands The wood-bine quivering, are her armes and hands. Like rough bark'd elmboughes, or the russet skin 30Of men late scurg'd for madnes, or for sinne, Like Sun-parch'd quarters on the citie gate, Such is thy tann'd skins lamentable state. And like a bunch of ragged carrets stand The short swolne fingers of thy gouty hand. 35Then like the Chymicks masculine equall fire, Which in the Lymbecks warme wombe doth inspire Into th'earths worthlesse durt a soule of gold, Such cherishing heat her best lov'd part doth hold. Thine's like the dread mouth of a fired gunne, 40Or like hot liquid metalls newly runne Into clay moulds, or like to that Ætna Where round about the grasse is burnt away. Are not your kisses then as filthy, and more, As a worme sucking an invenom'd sore? 45Doth not thy fearefull hand in feeling quake, As one which gath'ring flowers, still feares a snake? Is not your last act harsh, and violent, As when a Plough a stony ground doth rent? So kisse good Turtles, so devoutly nice 50Are Priests in handling reverent sacrifice, And such in searching wounds the Surgeon is As wee, when wee embrace, or touch, or kisse. Leave her, and I will leave comparing thus, She, and comparisons are odious. Eleg. VIII. The Comparison. 1635-54: Elegie VIII. 1669: Elegie. 1633: Elegie. (numbered variously) A18, A25, B, C, Cy, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W 2 muskats] muskets 1669 4 breast, 1635-69: breast. 1633 5 6 coronets. 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, L74, M, N, O'F, S96, TC: carcanets. A25, C, JC, S, W: carolettes. P 8 boiles, Ed: boiles. 1633-69: in MSS. generally spelt as pronounced, biles or byles 13 vile lying stones 1635-54 and MSS.: vile stones lying 1633, 1669 14 they hang A18, B, JC, L74, M, N, O'F (altered to it), S, TC, W: it hangs 1633-69 19 a] om. 1635-39 26 grave] grav'd 1669 dust 1633-69, W: durt A18, A25, JC, M, N, O'F, P, S, TC 28 hands. W: hands, 1633-69 34 thy gouty hand. 1635-69, A18, A25, B, L74, N, O'F, P, S96, TC, W (hand; 1635-69): her gouty hand; 1633, JC, S: thy mistress hand; 1669 37 durt 1635-69: part 1633, from next line 46 feares] fear'd A18, L74, N, O'F, TC, W 48 when 1635-69 and MSS.: where 1633 50 Are Priests ... sacrifice,] A Priest is in his handling Sacrifice, 1669 51 such A18, A25, B, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: nice 1633-69 ELEGIE IX. The Autumnall NO Spring, nor Summer Beauty hath such grace, As I have seen in one Autumnall face. Yong Beauties force our love, and that's a Rape, This doth but counsaile, yet you cannot scape. 5If t'were a shame to love, here t'were no shame, Affection here takes Reverences name. Were her first yeares the Golden Age; That's true, But now shee's gold oft tried, and ever new. That was her torrid and inflaming time, 10This is her tolerable Tropique clyme. Faire eyes, who askes more heate then comes from hence, He in a fever wishes pestilence. Call not these wrinkles, graves; If graves they were, They were Loves graves; for else he is no where. 15Yet lies not Love dead here, but here doth sit Vow'd to this trench, like an Anachorit. And here, till hers, which must be his death, come, He doth not digge a Grave, but build a Tombe. Here dwells he, though he sojourne ev'ry where, 20In Progresse, yet his standing house is here. Here, where still Evening is; not noone, nor night; Where no voluptuousnesse, yet all delight. In all her words, unto all hearers fit, You may at Revels, you at Counsaile, sit. 25This is loves timber, youth his under-wood; There he, as wine in Iune, enrages blood, Which then comes seasonabliest, when our tast And appetite to other things, is past. Xerxes strange Lydian love, the Platane tree, 30Was lov'd for age, none being so large as shee, Or else because, being yong, nature did blesse Her youth with ages glory, Barrennesse. If we love things long sought, Age is a thing Which we are fifty yeares in compassing. 35If transitory things, which soone decay, Age must be lovelyest at the latest day. But name not Winter-faces, whose skin's slacke; Lanke, as an unthrifts purse; but a soules sacke; Whose Eyes seeke light within, for all here's shade; 40Whose mouthes are holes, rather worne out, then made; Whose every tooth to a severall place is gone, To vexe their soules at Resurrection; Name not these living Deaths-heads unto mee, For these, not Ancient, but Antique be. 45I hate extreames; yet I had rather stay With Tombs, then Cradles, to weare out a day. Since such loves naturall lation is, may still My love descend, and journey downe the hill, Not panting after growing beauties, so, 50I shall ebbe out with them, who home-ward goe. Eleg. IX. The Autumnall. 1635-54: Elegie. The Autumnall. 1633: Elegie IX. 1669: Elegie. A18, N, TCC, TCD: Elegie Autumnall. D, H40, H49, JC, Lec: An autumnall face: On the Ladie Sr Edward Herbart mothers Ladie Danvers. B: On the Lady Herbert afterwards Danvers. O'F: Widdow. M, P: A Paradox of an ould Woman. S: Elegie Autumnall on the Lady Shandoys. S96: no title, L74 1 Summer 1633: Summers 1635-69 2 face. Ed: face, 1633-69 3 our love, 1633, D, H49, Lec, S: our Loves, 1669: your love, 1635-54, A18, A25, B, H40, L74, M, N, O'F, P, S96, TC 6 Affection ... takes A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, P, S, S96, TC: Affections ... take 1633-69, JC, O'F 8 shee's 1635-69, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: they'are 1633 10 tolerable 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec, S: habitable 1635-69, A18, A25, L74, M, N, O'F, P, TC 14 for 1633: or 1635-69 15 Love] love 1633 22 Where] Where's O'F, S 23 unto all] to all her P 24 Counsaile, Ed: counsaile, 1633-54: counsails 1669 26 enrages] bringes D, H49: breeds Lec 27 seasonabliest, 1633: seasonablest, 1635-69 28 past.] past; 1633 30 large 1633: old 1635-69 37 not] noe several MSS. 38 soules sacke; 1633, 1669, and MSS.: fooles sack; 1635-54 40 made; Ed: made 1633-54: made, 1669 42 their soules] the soul 1669 43 Deaths-heads 1633: Death-heads 1635-69, Chambers: death-shades H40 44 Ancient, ... Antique 1633, 1669, D, H49, Lec: Ancients, ... Antiques 1635-54, B, O'F, S: ancient ... antiques A18, A25, H40, L74, M, N, TC be. Ed: be; 1633 46 a] the 1669, M, P 47 naturall lation A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, L74, M, N, P, S, TC (sometimes thus, natural-lation): motion naturall 1633: naturall station 1635-69, Lec, O'F 50 ebbe out 1633: ebbe on 1635-69, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, TC ELEGIE X.The Dreame. IMAGE of her whom I love, more then she, Whose faire impression in my faithfull heart, Makes mee her Medall, and makes her love mee, As Kings do coynes, to which their stamps impart 5The value: goe, and take my heart from hence, Which now is growne too great and good for me: Honours oppresse weake spirits, and our sense Strong objects dull; the more, the lesse wee see. When you are gone, and Reason gone with you, 10Then Fantasie is Queene and Soule, and all; She can present joyes meaner then you do; Convenient, and more proportionall. So, if I dreame I have you, I have you, For, all our joyes are but fantasticall. 15And so I scape the paine, for paine is true; And sleepe which locks up sense, doth lock out all. After a such fruition I shall wake, And, but the waking, nothing shall repent; And shall to love more thankfull Sonnets make, 20Then if more honour, teares, and paines were spent. But dearest heart, and dearer image stay; Alas, true joyes at best are dreame enough; Though you stay here you passe too fast away: For even at first lifes Taper is a snuffe. 25Fill'd with her love, may I be rather grown Mad with much heart, then ideott with none. Eleg. X. The Dreame. 1635-54: Elegie X. 1669: Elegie. 1633: Picture. S96: Elegie. or no title, A18, B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD 7 sense] sense, 1633 8 dull; 1635-69: dull, 1633 16 out] up B, P, S 17 a such 1633-54: such a 1669 22 dreame] dreams 1669 ELEGIE XI.The Bracelet. Vpon the losse of his Mistresses Chaine, for which he made satisfaction. NOT that in colour it was like thy haire, For Armelets of that thou maist let me weare: Nor that thy hand it oft embrac'd and kist, For so it had that good, which oft I mist: 5Nor for that silly old moralitie, That as these linkes were knit, our love should bee: Mourne I that I thy seavenfold chaine have lost; Nor for the luck sake; but the bitter cost. O, shall twelve righteous Angels, which as yet 10No leaven of vile soder did admit; Nor yet by any way have straid or gone From the first state of their Creation; Angels, which heaven commanded to provide All things to me, and be my faithfull guide; 15To gaine new friends, t'appease great enemies; To comfort my soule, when I lie or rise; Shall these twelve innocents, by thy severe Sentence (dread judge) my sins great burden beare? Shall they be damn'd, and in the furnace throwne, 20And punisht for offences not their owne? They save not me, they doe not ease my paines, When in that hell they'are burnt and tyed in chains. Were they but Crownes of France, I cared not, For, most of these, their naturall Countreys rot 25I think possesseth, they come here to us, So pale, so lame, so leane, so ruinous; And howsoe'r French Kings most Christian be, Their Crownes are circumcis'd most Iewishly. Or were they Spanish Stamps, still travelling, 30That are become as Catholique as their King, Those unlickt beare-whelps, unfil'd pistolets That (more than Canon shot) availes or lets; Which negligently left unrounded, looke Like many angled figures, in the booke 35Of some great Conjurer that would enforce Nature, as these doe justice, from her course; Which, as the soule quickens head, feet and heart, As streames, like veines, run through th'earth's every part, Visit all Countries, and have slily made 40Gorgeous France, ruin'd, ragged and decay'd; Scotland, which knew no State, proud in one day: And mangled seventeen-headed Belgia. Or were it such gold as that wherewithall Almighty Chymiques from each minerall, 45Having by subtle fire a soule out-pull'd; Are dirtely and desperately gull'd: I would not spit to quench the fire they'are in, For, they are guilty of much hainous Sin. But, shall my harmlesse angels perish? Shall 50I lose my guard, my ease, my food, my all? Much hope which they should nourish will be dead, Much of my able youth, and lustyhead Will vanish; if thou love let them alone, For thou wilt love me lesse when they are gone; 55And be content that some lowd squeaking Cryer Well-pleas'd with one leane thred-bare groat, for hire, May like a devill roare through every street; And gall the finders conscience, if they meet. Or let mee creepe to some dread Conjurer, 60That with phantastique scheames fils full much paper; Which hath divided heaven in tenements, And with whores, theeves, and murderers stuft his rents, So full, that though hee passe them all in sinne, He leaves himselfe no roome to enter in. 65But if, when all his art and time is spent, Hee say 'twill ne'r be found; yet be content; Receive from him that doome ungrudgingly, Because he is the mouth of destiny. Thou say'st (alas) the gold doth still remaine, 70Though it be chang'd, and put into a chaine; So in the first falne angels, resteth still Wisdome and knowledge; but,'tis turn'd to ill: As these should doe good works; and should provide Necessities; but now must nurse thy pride. 75And they are still bad angels; Mine are none; For, forme gives being, and their forme is gone: Pitty these Angels; yet their dignities Passe Vertues, Powers, and Principalities. But, thou art resolute; Thy will be done! 80Yet with such anguish, as her onely sonne The Mother in the hungry grave doth lay, Vnto the fire these Martyrs I betray. Good soules, (for you give life to every thing) Good Angels, (for good messages you bring) 85Destin'd you might have beene to such an one, As would have lov'd and worship'd you alone: One that would suffer hunger, nakednesse, Yea death, ere he would make your number lesse. But, I am guilty of your sad decay; 90May your few fellowes longer with me stay. But Ô thou wretched finder whom I hate So, that I almost pitty thy estate: Gold being the heaviest metal amongst all, May my most heavy curse upon thee fall: 95Here fetter'd, manacled, and hang'd in chains, First mayst thou bee; then chaind to hellish paines; Or be with forraine gold brib'd to betray Thy Countrey, and faile both of that and thy pay. May the next thing thou stoop'st to reach, containe 100Poyson, whose nimble fume rot thy moist braine; Or libels, or some interdicted thing, Which negligently kept, thy ruine bring. Lust-bred diseases rot thee; and dwell with thee Itching desire, and no abilitie. 105May all the evils that gold ever wrought; All mischiefes that all devils ever thought; Want after plenty; poore and gouty age; The plagues of travellers; love; marriage Afflict thee, and at thy lives last moment, 110May thy swolne sinnes themselves to thee present. But, I forgive; repent thee honest man: Gold is Restorative, restore it then: But if from it thou beest loath to depart, Because 'tis cordiall, would twere at thy heart. Elegie XI. &c. Ed.: Eleg. XII. The Bracelet. &c. 1635 (Eleg. XI. being Death, for which see p. 284): Eleg. XII. Vpon &c. 1639-54 (Eleg. IV. 1650-54, a misprint): Elegie XII. 1669: Elegie (numbered variously). The Bracelett. or The Chaine. A25, B, C, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCD, W 2 For ... weare:] Armelets of that thou maist still let me weare: 1669 6 were knit, 1635-69: are knit Cy: are tyde A25, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, R212, S, S96, TCD, W: were tyde L74 love] loves 1669 11 way 1635-69: taynt S96, O'F, W: taynts B: fault A25, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, M, N, P, S, TCD 15 great] old 1669 16 rise; Ed: rise. 1635-69 22 chains. Ed.: chains: 1635-69 24 these 1635-54: them 1669 their naturall Countreys Cy, O'F: their Countreys naturall 1635-54, P: their naturall Countrey 1669, and rest of MSS. 26 ruinous; Ed: ruinous. 1635-69 28 Iewishly. Ed: Iewishly; 1635-69 35 great] dread 1669 36 course; Ed: course. 1635-69 38 streames, Ed: streames 1635-69 40 ruin'd, ragged and decay'd; 1669, and MSS., but end stop varies: ruin'd: ragged and decay'd 1635: ruin'd: ragged and decay'd, 1639-54 42 Belgia. Ed: Belgia: 1635-69 45 soule] Mercury B 47 they'are in, 1635-69: therein, Cy, P: they were in, rest of MSS. 51 dead, Ed: dead. 1635-69 52 lustyhead Ed: lusty head 1635-69 53 vanish; Ed: vanish, 1635-69 if thou love let them alone, 1635-39: if thou Love let them alone, 1650-69: if thou, Love, let them alone; Grolier (conjecturing atone) 54-5 gone; And Ed: gone, And 1635-69, Cy, P: gone. Oh, rest of MSS. 58 conscience, if they meet. 1669 and MSS.: conscience, if hee meet. 1635-54, JC, L74, P 60 scheames D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S96, W: scenes 1635-69, Cy, L74, P, TCD 63 passe] place 1669 65 new par. 1635-69 But 1635-69, Cy, P: And rest of MSS. 66 yet 1635-69, Cy, P: Oh rest of MSS. 67 that 1635-54, Cy, P: the 1669 and rest of MSS. 70 chaine; Ed: chaine, 1635-69 74 pride. Ed: pride, 1635-69 76 being, Ed: being: 1635-69 77 Angels; yet Cy, D, H49, N, P, S, TCD: Angels yet; 1635-69, W 79 done! Ed: done; 1635-39: done: 1650-54: done? 1669 90 few fellowes] few-fellowes 1635-69 92 So, that 1635-69, Cy, P: So much that A25, D, H49, JC (as), L74, Lec, N, S, S96 (as), TCD, W (as): So much B estate] state D, H49, &c. 93 metal amongst all,] amongst metals all, 1669, Cy 95 Here] Her 1639 98 that MSS.: it 1635-69 thy] om. 1669 104 Itching] Itchy MSS. 105 evils that gold ever 1635-69, P: hurt that ever gold hath rest of MSS. 106 mischiefes all MSS.: mischiefe 1635-69 108 love; marriage 1635-54, Cy, P: love and marriage 1669, and rest of MSS. 109 at] that 1669 110 thee] thou 1669 113 But if from it ... depart, 1635-54, Cy, P: But if that from it ... part, 1669: Or if with it ... depart rest of MSS. ELEGIE XII. His parting from her. SINCE she must go, and I must mourn, come Night, Environ me with darkness, whilst I write: Shadow that hell unto me, which alone I am to suffer when my Love is gone. 5Alas the darkest Magick cannot do it, Thou and greate Hell to boot are shadows to it. Should Cinthia quit thee, Venus, and each starre, It would not forme one thought dark as mine are. I could lend thee obscureness now, and say, 10Out of my self, There should be no more Day, Such is already my felt want of sight, Did not the fires within me force a light. Oh Love, that fire and darkness should be mixt, Or to thy Triumphs soe strange torments fixt? 15Is't because thou thy self art blind, that wee Thy Martyrs must no more each other see? Or tak'st thou pride to break us on the wheel, And view old Chaos in the Pains we feel? Or have we left undone some mutual Right, 20Through holy fear, that merits thy despight? No, no. The falt was mine, impute it to me, Or rather to conspiring destinie, Which (since I lov'd for forme before) decreed, That I should suffer when I lov'd indeed: 25And therefore now, sooner then I can say, I saw the golden fruit, 'tis rapt away. Or as I had watcht one drop in a vast stream, And I left wealthy only in a dream. Yet Love, thou'rt blinder then thy self in this, 30To vex my Dove-like friend for my amiss: And, where my own sad truth may expiate Thy wrath, to make her fortune run my fate: So blinded Justice doth, when Favorites fall, Strike them, their house, their friends, their followers all. 35Was't not enough that thou didst dart thy fires Into our blouds, inflaming our desires, And made'st us sigh and glow, and pant, and burn, And then thy self into our flame did'st turn? Was't not enough, that thou didst hazard us 40To paths in love so dark, so dangerous: And those so ambush'd round with houshold spies, And over all, thy husbands towring eyes That flam'd with oylie sweat of jealousie: Yet went we not still on with Constancie? 45Have we not kept our guards, like spie on spie? Had correspondence whilst the foe stood by? Stoln (more to sweeten them) our many blisses Of meetings, conference, embracements, kisses? Shadow'd with negligence our most respects? 50Varied our language through all dialects, Of becks, winks, looks, and often under-boards Spoak dialogues with our feet far from our words? Have we prov'd all these secrets of our Art, Yea, thy pale inwards, and thy panting heart? 55And, after all this passed Purgatory, Must sad divorce make us the vulgar story? First let our eyes be rivited quite through Our turning brains, and both our lips grow to: Let our armes clasp like Ivy, and our fear 60Freese us together, that we may stick here, Till Fortune, that would rive us, with the deed Strain her eyes open, and it make them bleed: For Love it cannot be, whom hitherto I have accus'd, should such a mischief doe. 65Oh Fortune, thou'rt not worth my least exclame, And plague enough thou hast in thy own shame. Do thy great worst, my friend and I have armes, Though not against thy strokes, against thy harmes. Rend us in sunder, thou canst not divide 70Our bodies so, but that our souls are ty'd, And we can love by letters still and gifts, And thoughts and dreams; Love never wanteth shifts. I will not look upon the quickning Sun, But straight her beauty to my sense shall run; 75The ayre shall note her soft, the fire most pure; Water suggest her clear, and the earth sure. Time shall not lose our passages; the Spring How fresh our love was in the beginning; The Summer how it ripened in the eare; 80And Autumn, what our golden harvests were. The Winter I'll not think on to spite thee, But count it a lost season, so shall shee. And dearest Friend, since we must part, drown night With hope of Day, burthens well born are light. 85Though cold and darkness longer hang somewhere, Yet Phoebus equally lights all the Sphere. And what he cannot in like Portions pay, The world enjoyes in Mass, and so we may. Be then ever your self, and let no woe 90Win on your health, your youth, your beauty: so Declare your self base fortunes Enemy, No less by your contempt then constancy: That I may grow enamoured on your mind, When my own thoughts I there reflected find. 95For this to th'comfort of my Dear I vow, My Deeds shall still be what my words are now; The Poles shall move to teach me ere I start; And when I change my Love, I'll change my heart; Nay, if I wax but cold in my desire, 100Think, heaven hath motion lost, and the world, fire: Much more I could, but many words have made That, oft, suspected which men would perswade; Take therefore all in this: I love so true, As I will never look for less in you. Elegie. XII. &c. Ed: Eleg. XIIII &c. 1635-54 (Eleg. XIII. being Come, Fates, &c., p. 407): Elegie XIIII. 1669: At her Departure. A25: At his Mistris departure. B: Elegie. H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD (II) 1 Night, Ed: night 1635-69 4 Love] soule 1635-54 5-44 omit, 1635-54, A25, B 6 Thou and greate Hell H40, O'F, P, S96: And that great Hell 1669 to boot are 1669, H40, O'F: are nought but P, S96 7 thee, Ed: thee 1669 9 thee H40: them 1669, P, S96, TCD 10 Day, Ed: Day. 1669 11 felt want H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: self-want, 1669 sight, Ed: sight 1669 12 fires H40, S96, TCD: fire 1669, P 14 Or] Are S96: And TCD soe H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: such 1669 17 the H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: thy 1669 20 Through holy fear, that merits (causes S96) thy despight (meriteth thy spight P) H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: That thus with parting thou seek'st us to spight? 1669 21 was H40, S96: is 1669, P, TCD 23 Which ... decreed, H40, O'F, S96: Which (since I lov'd) for me before decreed, 1669, P, TCD: Which, since I lov'd in jest before, decreed H-K, which Chambers follows 25 now, sooner all the MSS.: sooner now 1669 rapt] wrapt 1669 27 a vast H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: the vast 1669 29 thy self] myself Chambers 31 my own H40, O'F, P, S96: one 1669 sad 1669: glad H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD 32 fate: Ed: fate. 1669 33 blinded] blindest H40 34 followers H40, P, TCD: favourites 1669, S96 37 glow H40, S96, P, TCD: blow 1669 38 flame H40, S96, P, TCD: flames 1669 40 so dangerous H40, P, S96, TCD: and dangerous 1669 42 all, Ed: all 1669 towring 1669, TCD: towred O'F, P, S96: lowering Grolier the towred husbands eyes H40: the Loured, husbandes eyes RP31 43 That flam'd with oylie H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: Inflam'd with th'ouglie 1669 jealousie: Ed: jealousie, 1669 44 with H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: in 1669 45 Have we not kept our guards, H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: Have we for this kept guards, 1669 on 1669: o'r 1635-54 49 most 1635-69, H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: best 1669 50 our] thy RP31 52 from our words? 1669: from words? 1635-54 53 these secrets MSS.: the secrets 1635-69 our] thy RP31 54 Yea ... panting heart? 1635-69, A25: Yea thy pale colours inward as thy heart? H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD 56 sad] rude P, TCD 57-66 om. 1635-54, A25, B 58 brains] beams P: brain Chambers 61 Fortune, Ed: fortune, 1669 would rive us, with H40, O'F, S96, TCD: would ruine us with 1669 62 her H40: his 1669 it] yet 1669 bleed: Ed: bleed. 1669 65 Oh Fortune,] Oh fortune, 1669, S96: And Fortune H40, P 66 shame. H40, O'F, P, S96: name. 1669 67 Do thy great worst &c. 1669: Fortune, doe thy worst &c. 1635-54 (after 56 the vulgar story?) armes, 1635-69, H40, O'F, P, S, TCD: charmes H-K (Grosart and Chambers) 69 Rend us in sunder, 1669 and MSS.: Bend us, in sunder 1635-54 72 shifts. 1635: shifts, 1639-69 76 Water H40, P, TCD: Waters 1635-69, A25, S96 sure. Ed: sure; 1635-69 77 Time] Times H40, TCD Spring Ed: spring 1635-69 79 ripened in the eare; B, H40, O'F, P, S96, TCD: ripened in the yeare; 1635: inripened the yeare; 1639-69 83-94 omit 1635-54, A25, B 85 Though H40, P, TCD: The 1669, S96 87 he ... Portions Ed: he ... portions H40: he ... portion O'F, P, TCD: we ... Portion 1669: he can't in like proportion H-K (Grosart) 88 enjoyes] yet joys H40 89 ever your] your fayrest H40, TCD 92 by your contempt then constancy: H40, S96: be your contempt then constancy: O'F, H-K (Grosart), P, TCD: be your contempt then her inconstancy: 1669 94 there reflected H40, O'F, P, S, TCD: here neglected 1669: there neglected H-K (Grosart, probably wrongly) 95-104 om. TCD 95 For H40, S96: And 1635-69 96 my words are now; H40, P: my deeds are now; 1635-69, O'F, S96: my thoughts are now; A25 102 oft, 1633-54: oft 1669 would 1635-54, A25, B, H40, O'F, S96: most 1669 ELEGIE XIII. Iulia. HARKE newes, Ô envy, thou shalt heare descry'd My Iulia; who as yet was ne'r envy'd. To vomit gall in slander, swell her vaines With calumny, that hell it selfe disdaines, 5Is her continuall practice; does her best, To teare opinion even out of the brest Of dearest friends, and (which is worse than vilde) Sticks jealousie in wedlock; her owne childe Scapes not the showres of envie, To repeate 10The monstrous fashions, how, were, alive, to eate Deare reputation. Would to God she were But halfe so loath to act vice, as to heare My milde reproofe. Liv'd Mantuan now againe, That foemall Mastix, to limme with his penne 15This she Chymera, that hath eyes of fire, Burning with anger, anger feeds desire, Tongued like the night-crow, whose ill boding cries Give out for nothing but new injuries, Her breath like to the juice in Tenarus 20That blasts the springs, though ne'r so prosperous, Her hands, I know not how, us'd more to spill The food of others, then her selfe to fill. But oh her minde, that Orcus, which includes Legions of mischiefs, countlesse multitudes 25Of formlesse curses, projects unmade up, Abuses yet unfashion'd, thoughts corrupt, Mishapen Cavils, palpable untroths, Inevitable errours, self-accusing oaths: These, like those Atoms swarming in the Sunne, 30Throng in her bosome for creation. I blush to give her halfe her due; yet say, No poyson's halfe so bad as Iulia. Elegie XIII. &c. Ed: Eleg. XV. &c. 1635-54: Elegie XV. 1669: Iulia. B: Elegy. Iulia. O'F 5 practice; Ed: practice, 1635-69 7 vilde) Ed: vile) 1635-69: vilde is the regular spelling of this word in the Donne MSS. 8 in wedlock;] in the sheets of wedlock; B 10 how, 1635: how; 1639-69 That foemall Mastix, 1635: 1639-69 and Chambers drop comma. But see note 18 injuries, 1635-39: injuries. 1650-69 20 prosperous, Ed: prosperous. 1635-69 24 mischiefs O'F: mischiefe, 1635-69 28 oaths: B, H-K (Grosart): loathes: 1635-69, O'F 31 give but half B: give half her O'F yet say,] only this say, B: but this say O'F ELEGIE XIV. A Tale of a Citizen and his Wife. I sing no harme good sooth to any wight, To Lord or foole, Cuckold, begger or knight, To peace-teaching Lawyer, Proctor, or brave Reformed or reduced Captaine, Knave, 5Officer, Iugler, or Iustice of peace, Iuror or Iudge; I touch no fat sowes grease, I am no Libeller, nor will be any, But (like a true man) say there are too many. I feare not ore tenus; for my tale, 10Nor Count nor Counsellour will redd or pale. A Citizen and his wife the other day Both riding on one horse, upon the way I overtooke, the wench a pretty peate, And (by her eye) well fitting for the feate. 15I saw the lecherous Citizen turne backe His head, and on his wifes lip steale a smacke, Whence apprehending that the man was kinde, Riding before, to kisse his wife behinde, To get acquaintance with him I began 20To sort discourse fit for so fine a man: I ask'd the number of the Plaguy Bill, Ask'd if the Custome Farmers held out still, Of the Virginian plot, and whether Ward The traffique of the I 25Whether the Brittaine Burse did fill apace, And likely were to give th'Exchange disgrace; Of new-built Algate, and the More-field crosses, Of store of Bankerouts, and poore Merchants losses I urged him to speake; But he (as mute 30As an old Courtier worne to his last suite) Replies with onely yeas and nayes; At last (To fit his element) my theame I cast On Tradesmens gaines; that set his tongue agoing: Alas, good sir (quoth he) There is no doing 35In Court nor City now; she smil'd and I, And (in my conscience) both gave him the lie In one met thought: but he went on apace, And at the present time with such a face He rail'd, as fray'd me; for he gave no praise, 40To any but my Lord of Essex dayes; Call'd those the age of action; true (quoth Hee) There's now as great an itch of bravery, And heat of taking up, but cold lay downe, For, put to push of pay, away they runne; 45Our onely City trades of hope now are Bawd, Tavern-keeper, Whore and Scrivener; The much of Privileg'd kingsmen, and the store Of fresh protections make the rest all poore; In the first state of their Creation, 50Though many stoutly stand, yet proves not one A righteous pay-master. Thus ranne he on In a continued rage: so void of reason Seem'd his harsh talke, I sweat for feare of treason. And (troth) how could I lesse? when in the prayer 55For the protection of the wise Lord Major, And his wise brethrens worships, when one prayeth, He swore that none could say Amen with faith. To get him off from what I glowed to heare, (In happy time) an Angel did appeare, 60The bright Signe of a lov'd and wel-try'd Inne, Where many Citizens with their wives have bin Well us'd and often; here I pray'd him stay, To take some due refreshment by the way. Looke how hee look'd that hid the gold (his hope) 65And at's returne found nothing but a Rope, So he on me, refus'd and made away, Though willing she pleaded a weary day: I found my misse, struck hands, and praid him tell (To hold acquaintance still) where he did dwell; 70He barely nam'd the street, promis'd the Wine, But his kinde wife gave me the very Signe. Elegie XIV. &c. Ed: Eleg. XVI. A Tale &c. 1635-54: Elegie XVI. 1669: Elegie XV. O'F: no title, B 2 or foole,] to fool, 1669 5 Iugler, 1635-39: Iudge, 1650-69 9 tenus; Ed: tenus, 1635-69 10 will redd or pale. 1669, B, O'F (shall): will looke redd or pale. 1635-54 14 feate. Ed: feate, 1635-69 16 steale] seale O'F 21 Plaguy 1669, B, O'F: Plaguing 1635-54 22 Custome] custome 1635 24 I 27 More-field] Moorefields B 32 To fit] To hit O'F 33 agoing: Ed: agoing, 1635-69 35 In ... now; Ed: roman 1635-69 38 time 1669: times O'F 41 those ... (quoth Hee) 1669, B, O'F: that ... (quoth I) 1635-54 46 Bawd, ... Scrivener; B, O'F: Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whores and Scriveners, 1635-54: Bawds, Tavernkeepers, Whore and Scrivener 1669 47 kingsmen, and the store 1669, B, O'F (kingsman): kinsmen, and store 1635-54 58 him off O'F: off him 1669: him 1635-54 61 have bin B, O'F: had beene, 1635-69 64 the gold (his hope)] his gold, his hope 1669 65 at's 1669: at 1635-54 66 on 1669, B: at 1635-54 me,] me: 1635-54 67 day: 1669, B, O'F: stay. 1635-39: stay: 1650-54 69 dwell; 1635: dwell 1639-54: dwell, 1669 ELEGIE XV. The Expostulation. TO make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true, Was it my fate to prove it strong in you? Thought I, but one had breathed purest aire, And must she needs be false because she's faire? 5Is it your beauties marke, or of your youth, Or your perfection, not to study truth? Or thinke you heaven is deafe, or hath no eyes? Or those it hath, smile at your perjuries? Are vowes so cheape with women, or the matter 10Whereof they are made, that they are writ in water, And blowne away with winde? Or doth their breath (Both hot and cold at once) make life and death? Who could have thought so many accents sweet Form'd into words, so many sighs should meete 15As from our hearts, so many oathes, and teares Sprinkled among, (all sweeter by our feares And the divine impression of stolne kisses, That seal'd the rest) should now prove empty blisses? Did you draw bonds to forfet? signe to breake? 20Or must we reade you quite from what you speake, And finde the truth out the wrong way? or must Hee first desire you false, would wish you just? O I prophane, though most of women be This kinde of beast, my thought shall except thee; 25My dearest love, though froward jealousie, With circumstance might urge thy'inconstancie, Sooner I'll thinke the Sunne will cease to cheare The teeming earth, and that forget to beare, Sooner that rivers will runne back, or Thames 30With ribs of Ice in June would bind his streames, Or Nature, by whose strength the world endures, Would change her course, before you alter yours. But O that treacherous breast to whom weake you Did trust our Counsells, and wee both may rue, 35Having his falshood found too late, 'twas hee That made me cast you guilty, and you me, Whilst he, black wretch, betray'd each simple word Wee spake, unto the cunning of a third. Curst may hee be, that so our love hath slaine, 40And wander on the earth, wretched as Cain, Wretched as hee, and not deserve least pitty; In plaguing him, let misery be witty; Let all eyes shunne him, and hee shunne each eye, Till hee be noysome as his infamie; 45May he without remorse deny God thrice, And not be trusted more on his Soules price; And after all selfe torment, when hee dyes, May Wolves teare out his heart, Vultures his eyes, Swine eate his bowels, and his falser tongue 50That utter'd all, be to some Raven flung, And let his carrion coarse be a longer feast To the Kings dogges, then any other beast. Now have I curst, let us our love revive; In mee the flame was never more alive; 55I could beginne againe to court and praise, And in that pleasure lengthen the short dayes Of my lifes lease; like Painters that do take Delight, not in made worke, but whiles they make; I could renew those times, when first I saw 60Love in your eyes, that gave my tongue the law To like what you lik'd; and at maskes and playes Commend the selfe same Actors, the same wayes; Aske how you did, and often with intent Of being officious, be impertinent; 65All which were such soft pastimes, as in these Love was as subtilly catch'd, as a disease; But being got it is a treasure sweet, Which to defend is harder then to get: And ought not be prophan'd on either part, 70For though'tis got by chance, 'tis kept by art. Elegie XV. Ed: Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation. 1635-54: Elegie XVII. 1669: Elegie. 1633, B, Cy, H40, HN, M, N, O'F, P, RP31, S, S96, TCD, Jonson's Underwoods 2 strong] full Und 3 purest] the purer Und 6 Or your 1633-69: Or of your H40 8 it hath,] she hath B, H40, M, N, P, S96 12 (Both hot and cold at once) RP31: Both ... at once, Und: (Both ... cold) at once 1633-69, S96: Both heate and coole at once M make] threat Und 14 Form'd into] Tun'd to our Und 15 As] Blowne Und 16-18 (all sweeter ... the rest) 1633, B, Cy, M, N, O'F, P, RP31: (all sweetend &c. 1635, which does not complete the bracket: (all sweetend by our fears) &c. 1639-69, L74 (sweeter), P (sweeter), S96 (sweetned) 22 wish] have P 24 This kinde of beast,] The common Monster, Und my thought 1633: my thoughts 1635-69, HN, S96 25 though froward] how ever RP31, Und 26 thy'inconstancie,] the contrarie. Und 28 beare, 1633: beare: 1635-69 30 would 1633, Und: will 1635-69 streames, Ed: streames; 1633-69 32 yours.] yours; 1633 34 trust 1633-69: drift Chambers 37 wretch] wrech 1633 38 third. Ed: third; 1633-69 39 love] loves RP31 40 wretched as Cain, 1633-69, B, Cy, N, O'F: as wretched Cain, P: as cursed Cain, S: wretched on the Earth, as Cain: Und 52 dogges, ... beast.] dogges; ... beast; 1633 53 have I] I have 1669 revive] receive Und 58 worke, 1633-39, most MSS.: works, 1650-69, S96, Und 61 and playes] or playes Und 64 be] grow Und 65 soft] lost Und ELEGIE XVI.On his Mistris. BY our first strange and fatall interview, By all desires which thereof did ensue, By our long starving hopes, by that remorse Which my words masculine perswasive force 5Begot in thee, and by the memory Of hurts, which spies and rivals threatned me, I calmly beg: But by thy fathers wrath, By all paines, which want and divorcement hath, I conjure thee, and all the oathes which I 10And thou have sworne to seale joynt constancy, Here I unsweare, and overswear them thus, Thou shalt not love by wayes so dangerous. Temper, Ô faire Love, loves impetuous rage, Be my true Mistris still, not my faign'd Page; 15I'll goe, and, by thy kinde leave, leave behinde Thee, onely worthy to nurse in my minde, Thirst to come backe; Ô if thou die before, My soule from other lands to thee shall soare. Thy (else Almighty) beautie cannot move 20Rage from the Seas, nor thy love teach them love, Nor tame wilde Boreas harshnesse; Thou hast reade How roughly hee in peeces shivered Faire Orithea, whom he swore he lov'd. Fall ill or good, 'tis madnesse to have prov'd 25Dangers unurg'd; Feed on this flattery, That absent Lovers one in th'other be. Dissemble nothing, not a boy, nor change Thy bodies habite, nor mindes; bee not strange To thy selfe onely; All will spie in thy face 30A blushing womanly discovering grace; Richly cloath'd Apes, are call'd Apes, and as soone Ecclips'd as bright we call the Moone the Moone. Men of France, changeable Camelions, Spittles of diseases, shops of fashions, 35Loves fuellers, and the rightest company Of Players, which upon the worlds stage be, Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas! Th'indifferent Italian, as we passe His warme land, well content to thinke thee Page, 40Will hunt thee with such lust, and hideous rage, As Lots faire guests were vext. But none of these Nor spungy hydroptique Dutch shall thee displease, If thou stay here. O stay here, for, for thee England is onely a worthy Gallerie, 45To walke in expectation, till from thence Our greatest King call thee to his presence. When I am gone, dreame me some happinesse, Nor let thy lookes our long hid love confesse, Nor praise, nor dispraise me, nor blesse nor curse 50Openly loves force, nor in bed fright thy Nurse With midnights startings, crying out, oh, oh Nurse, Ô my love is slaine, I saw him goe O'r the white Alpes alone; I saw him I, Assail'd, fight, taken, stabb'd, bleed, fall, and die. 55Augure me better chance, except dread Iove Thinke it enough for me to'have had thy love. Elegie XVI. &c. Ed: Elegie on his Mistris. 1635-54 where, and in 1669, it appears among Funerall Elegies: Elegie. 1669: among Elegies with or without heading or number, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, O'F, P, S, TCC, TCD, W: B heads His wife would have gone as his page. 1 interview, Ed: interview 1635-69 3 starving] striving 1669, B, P: starvling A18, N, TC 7 beg: D: beg. 1635-69 fathers 1635-69, O'F: Parents A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, M, N, P, S, TC, W 11 Here I] I here 1669 12 wayes 1635-54, O'F: means 1669, and rest of MSS. 14 still ... faign'd] 1669 om. still and reads faigned 18 My soule ... to thee] From other lands my soule towards thee A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, M(to), N, P, S, TC, W soare. Ed: soare, 1635-69 21 harshness] rashness P. Compare Elegy V, 8 23 Faire Orithea] The fair Orithea 1669 26 Lovers] friends P 28 mindes; A18, A25, B, JC, N, TC, W: minde, 1635-69, D, H49, Lec, O'F, P 29 onely; A18, D, N, TC: onely. 1635-69 35 Loves fuellers,] Lyves fuellers, 1669, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, S96, P 37 Will quickly know thee, and no lesse, alas! 1635-54, O'F: Will too too quickly know thee; and alas, 1669: Will quickly know thee, and know thee, and alas A18, N, S (omitting second and), TCD, W: Will quickly know thee, and thee, and alas A25: Will quickly know thee, and alas D, H49, JC, Lec, P, S96, TCC 39 Page, Ed: Page 1635-39 40 hunt 1635-69, O'F: haunt most MSS. 42 hydroptique] Aydroptique 1669 46 greatest 1635-69, B, O'F, P: greate A18, A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC call] doe call A18, N, TC to] in to A25, JC, S 49 me, nor blesse] me; Blesse A18, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, TC, W ELEGIE XVII. Variety. THE heavens rejoyce in motion, why should I Abjure my so much lov'd variety, And not with many youth and love divide? Pleasure is none, if not diversifi'd: 5The sun that sitting in the chaire of light Sheds flame into what else so ever doth seem bright, Is not contented at one Signe to Inne, But ends his year and with a new beginnes. All things doe willingly in change delight, 10The fruitfull mother of our appetite: Rivers the clearer and more pleasing are, Where their fair spreading streames run wide and farr; And a dead lake that no strange bark doth greet, Corrupts it self and what doth live in it. 15Let no man tell me such a one is faire, And worthy all alone my love to share. Nature in her hath done the liberall part Of a kinde Mistresse, and imploy'd her art To make her loveable, and I aver 20Him not humane that would turn back from her: I love her well, and would, if need were, dye To doe her service. But followes it that I Must serve her onely, when I may have choice Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? 25The law is hard, and shall not have my voice. The last I saw in all extreames is faire, And holds me in the Sun-beames of her haire; Her nymph-like features such agreements have That I could venture with her to the grave: 30Another's brown, I like her not the worse, Her tongue is soft and takes me with discourse. Others, for that they well descended are, Do in my love obtain as large a share; And though they be not fair, 'tis much with mee 35To win their love onely for their degree. And though I faile of my required ends, The attempt is glorious and it self commends. How happy were our Syres in ancient times, Who held plurality of loves no crime! 40With them it was accounted charity To stirre up race of all indifferently; Kindreds were not exempted from the bands: Which with the Persian still in usage stands. Women were then no sooner asked then won, 45And what they did was honest and well done. But since this title honour hath been us'd, Our weake credulity hath been abus'd; The golden laws of nature are repeald, Which our first Fathers in such reverence held; 50Our liberty's revers'd, our Charter's gone, And we're made servants to opinion, A monster in no certain shape attir'd, And whose originall is much desir'd, Formlesse at first, but goeing on it fashions, 55And doth prescribe manners and laws to nations. Here love receiv'd immedicable harmes, And was dispoiled of his daring armes. A greater want then is his daring eyes, He lost those awfull wings with which he flies; 60His sinewy bow, and those immortall darts Wherewith he'is wont to bruise resisting hearts. Onely some few strong in themselves and free Retain the seeds of antient liberty, Following that part of Love although deprest, 65And make a throne for him within their brest, In spight of modern censures him avowing Their Soveraigne, all service him allowing. Amongst which troop although I am the least, Yet equall in perfection with the best, 70I glory in subjection of his hand, Nor ever did decline his least command: For in whatever forme the message came My heart did open and receive the same. But time will in his course a point discry 75When I this loved service must deny, For our allegiance temporary is, With firmer age returnes our liberties. What time in years and judgement we repos'd, Shall not so easily be to change dispos'd, 80Nor to the art of severall eyes obeying; But beauty with true worth securely weighing, Which being found assembled in some one, Wee'l love her ever, and love her alone. Elegie XVII. Variety. Ed: printed for first time without title in appendix to 1650 and so in 1669 and 1719: An Elegie. A10: Elegie 17the. JC 1 motion, why Ed: motion why, 1650-69 3 love divide? MSS.: lov'd divide? 1650-69 4 diversifi'd: Ed: diversifi'd 1650-69 6 what else so ever doth seem 1650-69: what else is not so A10 12 fair-spreading 1650-69, JC: broad silver A10 and farr; A10, JC: and cleare; 1650-69 14 it self and 1650-69: it self, kills A10 16 And only worthy to be past compare; A10 19 aver] ever 1650-69 20 would turn back from 1650-69: could not fancy A10 24 Of other beauties, and in change rejoice? A10: om. 1650-69 25-36 omitted in A10 30 brown, Ed: brown 1650-69 32 are JC: were 1650-69 39 crime! Ed: crime? 1650-69 43 Persian 1650-54, JC: Persians 1669, A10 46 title A10, JC: little 1650-69 50 liberty's Ed: liberty 1650-69, JC revers'd, our A10: revers'd and 1650-69, JC 51 we're A10: we 1650-69, JC 53 whose originall 1650-69, JC: one whose origin A10 54 goeing on it fashions A10: growing on it fashions JC: growing on its fashions, 1650-69 55 manners and laws to 1650-69, JC: Lawes, Manners unto A10 57 armes. A10: armes, 1650-69 58 is 1650-69: of A10 61 bruise 1650-69 wound A10 hearts. Ed: hearts; 1650-69 63 seeds of antient 1650-69, JC: seed of pristine A10 64 Love] love 1650-69 70 of his 1650-69: under's A10 71 Nor ... decline 1650-69: Never declining from A10 72-7 omitted in A10 73 same. Ed: same: 1650-69: flame JC 75 deny, Ed: deny. 1650-69 79 dispos'd, Ed: dispos'd 1650-69 80 obeying; Ed: obeying, 1650-69 81 securely 1650-69: unpartially A10 82 being 1650-69: having A10 one, Ed: one 1650-69 83 Wee'l love her ever, Ed: Wee'l leave her ever, 1650-69, JC: Would love for ever, A10 ELEGIE XVIII. Loves Progress. WHO ever loves, if he do not propose The right true end of love, he's one that goes To sea for nothing but to make him sick: Love is a bear-whelp born, if we o're lick 5Our love, and force it new strange shapes to take, We erre, and of a lump a monster make. Were not a Calf a monster that were grown Face'd like a man, though better then his own? Perfection is in unitie: preferr 10One woman first, and then one thing in her. I, when I value gold, may think upon The ductilness, the application, The wholsomness, the ingenuitie, From rust, from soil, from fire ever free: 15But if I love it, 'tis because 'tis made By our new nature (Use) the soul of trade. All these in women we might think upon (If women had them) and yet love but one. Can men more injure women then to say 20They love them for that, by which they're not they? Makes virtue woman? must I cool my bloud Till I both be, and find one wise and good? May barren Angels love so. But if we Make love to woman; virtue is not she: 25As beauty'is not nor wealth: He that strayes thus From her to hers, is more adulterous, Then if he took her maid. Search every spheare And firmament, our Cupid is not there: He's an infernal god and under ground, 30With Pluto dwells, where gold and fire abound: Men to such Gods, their sacrificing Coles Did not in Altars lay, but pits and holes. Although we see Celestial bodies move Above the earth, the earth we Till and love: 35So we her ayres contemplate, words and heart, And virtues; but we love the Centrique part. Nor is the soul more worthy, or more fit For love, then this, as infinite as it. But in attaining this desired place 40How much they erre; that set out at the face? The hair a Forest is of Ambushes, Of springes, snares, fetters and manacles: The brow becalms us when 'tis smooth and plain, And when 'tis wrinckled, shipwracks us again. 45Smooth, 'tis a Paradice, where we would have Immortal stay, and wrinkled 'tis our grave. The Nose (like to the first Meridian) runs Not 'twixt an East and West, but 'twixt two suns; It leaves a Cheek, a rosie Hemisphere 50On either side, and then directs us where Upon the Islands fortunate we fall, (Not faynte Canaries, but Ambrosiall) Her swelling lips; To which when wee are come, We anchor there, and think our selves at home, 55For they seem all: there Syrens songs, and there Wise Delphick Oracles do fill the ear; There in a Creek where chosen pearls do swell, The Remora, her cleaving tongue doth dwell. These, and the glorious Promontory, her Chin 60Ore past; and the streight Hellespont betweene The Sestos and Abydos of her breasts, (Not of two Lovers, but two Loves the neasts) Succeeds a boundless sea, but yet thine eye Some Island moles may scattered there descry; 65And Sailing towards her India, in that way Shall at her fair Atlantick Navell stay; Though thence the Current be thy Pilot made, Yet ere thou be where thou wouldst be embay'd, Thou shalt upon another Forest set, 70Where many Shipwrack, and no further get. When thou art there, consider what this chace Mispent by thy beginning at the face. Rather set out below; practice my Art, Some Symetry the foot hath with that part 75Which thou dost seek, and is thy Map for that Lovely enough to stop, but not stay at: Least subject to disguise and change it is; Men say the Devil never can change his. It is the Emblem that hath figured 80Firmness; 'tis the first part that comes to bed. Civilitie we see refin'd: the kiss Which at the face began, transplanted is, Since to the hand, since to the Imperial knee, Now at the Papal foot delights to be: 85If Kings think that the nearer way, and do Rise from the foot, Lovers may do so too; For as free Spheres move faster far then can Birds, whom the air resists, so may that man Which goes this empty and Ætherial way, 90Then if at beauties elements he stay. Rich Nature hath in women wisely made Two purses, and their mouths aversely laid: They then, which to the lower tribute owe, That way which that Exchequer looks, must go: 95He which doth not, his error is as great, As who by Clyster gave the Stomack meat. Elegie XVIII. &c. Ed: Elegie XVIII. 1669, where it is first included among the Elegies. It had already been printed in Wit and Drollery. By Sir J. M., J. S., Sir W. D., J. D., and the most refined Wits of the Age. 1661. It appears in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, with title Loves Progress., or Elegie. on Loves Progresse., or with no title 4 Love is a 1669: And Love's a MSS. 5 strange 1661 and MSS.: strong 1669 11 I,] I 1669 14 ever 1669: for ever O'F, S, S96 16 (our new nature) use, 1661 17 these 1669 and MSS.: this 1661, Cy, P, Chambers 20 them] om. 1661 25 beauty'is not 1661 and MSS.: beauties no 1669 thus] thus: 1669 27 Then if he took] Then he that took 1661, B (takes), Cy, O'F, P, S spheare] sphear 1669 30 abound: Ed: abound, 1669 32 in A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: on 1669, A25 holes.] holes: 1669 38 infinite] infinit 1669 40 erre 1661-69, S, S96: stray A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, TC 42 springes, H49 and some MSS.: springs, 1669 46 and 1661, A18, A25, B, C, D, H49, Lec, N, P, S96, TC: but 1669 our 1661, MSS.: a 1669 47 first Meridian 1661 and MSS.: sweet Meridian 1669. 52-3 (Not ... Ambrosiall) ... lips &c. 1661 and MSS. (not always with brackets and sometimes with No for Not and Canary): Not ... Ambrosiall. Unto her swelling lips when we are come, 1669 55 For they seem all: there 1669, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC: For they sing all their 1661, Cy, P 57 There 1661 and MSS.: Then 1669 swell, Ed: swell 1669 58 Rhemora 1669 59 the glorious Promontory,] brackets and no comma, 1669 60 Ore past; ... betweene 1661 and MSS.: Being past the Straits of Hellespont between 1669 62 Loves] loves 1669 63 yet] that D, H49, Lec, and other MSS. 65 Sailing] Sailng 1669 66 Navell] Naval 1669 67 thence A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, O'F, S, S96, TC: there 1661-9, N(?): hence P thy all MSS.: the 1661-9 68 wouldst A18, A25, B, Cy, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: shouldst 1669 70 many 1669: some doe A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, P 73 my 1669, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCD: thy Chambers: thine A18, TCC 80 the] bis 1669 81-2 Civilitie, we see, refin'd the kisse Which at the face begonne, transplanted is D, H49, Lec 83 Imperial] imperial 1669 86 too;] too. 1669 90 elements 1661 and MSS.: enemies 1669 91 hath] Chambers omits 93 owe,] owe 1669 96 Clyster gave A18, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: glister gives 1669 ELEGIE XIX. Going to Bed. COME, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie, Until I labour, I in labour lie. The foe oft-times having the foe in sight, Is tir'd with standing though he never fight. 5Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glittering, But a far fairer world incompassing. Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear, That th'eyes of busie fooles may be stopt there. Unlace your self, for that harmonious chyme, 10Tells me from you, that now it is bed time. Off with that happy busk, which I envie, That still can be, and still can stand so nigh. Your gown going off, such beautious state reveals, As when from flowry meads th'hills shadow steales. 15Off with that wyerie Coronet and shew The haiery Diademe which on you doth grow: Now off with those shooes, and then safely tread In this loves hallow'd temple, this soft bed. In such white robes, heaven's Angels us'd to be 20Receavd by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though Ill spirits walk in white, we easly know, By this these Angels from an evil sprite, Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright. 25Licence my roaving hands, and let them go, Before, behind, between, above, below. O my America! my new-found-land, My kingdome, safliest when with one man man'd, My Myne of precious stones, My Emperie, 30How blest am I in this discovering thee! To enter in these bonds, is to be free; Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be. Full nakedness! All joyes are due to thee, As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be, 35To taste whole joyes. Gems which you women use Are like Atlanta's balls, cast in mens views, That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem, His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them. Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made 40For lay-men, are all women thus array'd; Themselves are mystick books, which only wee (Whom their imputed grace will dignifie) Must see reveal'd. Then since that I may know; As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew 45Thy self: cast all, yea, this white lynnen hence, There is no pennance due to innocence. To teach thee, I am naked first; why than What needst thou have more covering then a man. Elegie XIX. &c. Ed: in 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W Appeared in 1669 edition after the Elegies, unnumbered but with the heading To his Mistris going to Bed. The MSS. include it among the Elegies either with no heading, or simply Elegye, or numbered according to the scheme adopted: B gives title which I have adopted as consistent with other titles 4 he 1669: they A18, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, TC 5 glittering] glistering MSS. 8 That I may see my shrine that shines so fair. Cy, P 10 it is 1669: 'tis your MSS. 11 which] whom A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, S, TC, W 14 from MSS.: through 1669 shadow] shadows 1669 16 Diademe ... grow: A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC: Diadem which on your head doth grow: 1669: Diadems which on you do grow. S, Chambers 17 Now ... shooes, 1669, JC, W: Off ... shoes A18, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: Off with those hose and shoes S safely A18, A25, B, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TC, W: softly 1669, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, P 20 Receavd by men; Thou all MSS.: Reveal'd to men; thou 1669 21 Paradise; Ed: Paradice, 1669 22 Ill 1669, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S, S96, TC, W: All B, O'F, P, and Chambers' conjecture spirits 1669, A18, B, D, H49, N, S: angels O'F, S96 white, Ed: white; 1669 26 below. Ed: below, 1669 28 kingdome, MSS.: Kingdom's 1669 safeliest A18, D, H49, Lec, N, TC: safest, 1669 man'd, Ed: man'd. 1669 29 stones, Ed: stones: 1669 30 How blest am I all MSS.: How am I blest 1669 this A18, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC, W: thus 1669, A25, L74, S discovering] discovery B, O'F thee! Ed: thee? 1669 be.] be, 1669 35 Gems] Jems 1669: and so 37 36 like 1669: as MSS. balls, MSS.: ball: 1669 38 covet A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, TC, W: court 1669, Cy, P, S, S96 theirs, A18, A25, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S96, TC, W: those S: that, 1669, B, O'F them.] them: 1669 39 pictures, Ed: pictures 1669 made Ed: made, 1669 40 lay-men, Ed: lay-men 1669 array'd; Ed: arrayed 1669 41 Themselves ... only wee A18, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC, W: Themselves are only mystick books, which we, 1669, B 43 see] be A18, A25, D, H49, Lec, N, TC reveal'd] revealed 1669 44 a all MSS.: thy 1669 Midwife, Ed: Midwife 1669 45 hence, Ed: hence 1669 46 pennance due to innocence. 1669, B, Cy, JC, O'F, P, S: pennance, much less innocence; A18, A25, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S96, W 47 thee, Ed: thee 1669 first; Ed: first, 1669 ELEGIE XX.Loves Warre. TILL I have peace with thee, warr other men, And when I have peace, can I leave thee then? All other Warrs are scrupulous; Only thou O fayr free Citty, maist thyselfe allowe 5To any one: In Flanders, who can tell Whether the Master presse; or men rebell? Only we know, that which all Ideots say, They beare most blows which come to part the fray. France in her lunatique giddines did hate 10Ever our men, yea and our God of late; Yet she relyes upon our Angels well, Which nere returne; no more then they which fell. Sick Ireland is with a strange warr possest Like to an Ague; now raging, now at rest; 15Which time will cure: yet it must doe her good If she were purg'd, and her head vayne let blood. And Midas joyes our Spanish journeys give, We touch all gold, but find no food to live. And I should be in the hott parching clyme, 20To dust and ashes turn'd before my time. To mew me in a Ship, is to inthrall Mee in a prison, that weare like to fall; Or in a Cloyster; save that there men dwell In a calme heaven, here in a swaggering hell. 25Long voyages are long consumptions, And ships are carts for executions. Yea they are Deaths; Is't not all one to flye Into an other World, as t'is to dye? Here let mee warr; in these armes lett mee lye; 30Here lett mee parlee, batter, bleede, and dye. Thyne armes imprison me, and myne armes thee; Thy hart thy ransome is; take myne for mee. Other men war that they their rest may gayne; But wee will rest that wee may fight agayne. 35Those warrs the ignorant, these th'experienc'd love, There wee are alwayes under, here above. There Engins farr off breed a just true feare, Neere thrusts, pikes, stabs, yea bullets hurt not here. There lyes are wrongs; here safe uprightly lye; 40There men kill men, we'will make one by and by. Thou nothing; I not halfe so much shall do In these Warrs, as they may which from us two Shall spring. Thousands wee see which travaile not To warrs; But stay swords, armes, and shott 45To make at home; And shall not I do then More glorious service, staying to make men? Elegy XX &c. Ed: First published in F.G. Waldron's A Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry, 1802, from a MS. dated 1625; then by Sir J. Simeon in his Philobiblon Society volume of 1856. It is included among Donne's Elegies in A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD, W. In B it has the title Making of Men. The present text is based on W 7 all A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, O'F, S, S96, TC, W: most JC, Chambers 8 They beare most blows which (or that) A18, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, S, S96, TC, W: They must bear blows, which Chambers 9 giddiness] guidings Sim: giddinge Wald 11 well,] well W 13 a strange] straying Sim 16 head] dead Sim 19 the A18, B, Cy, D, H49, N, S, S96, TC, W: that Chambers, A25, JC, L74, O'F 24 swaggering] swaying Chambers 25 consumptions,] consumptions W: line omitted, Wald 29 lye] spelt ly W: and so 30 dy 33 gayne;] gayne W 37 There] These Sim and, that, with, which] contracted throughout, W HEROICALL EPISTLE.Sapho to PhilÆnis. WHERE is that holy fire, which Verse is said To have? is that inchanting force decai'd? Verse that drawes Natures workes, from Natures law, Thee, her best worke, to her worke cannot draw. 5Have my teares quench'd my old Poetique fire; Why quench'd they not as well, that of desire? Thoughts, my mindes creatures, often are with thee, But I, their maker, want their libertie. Onely thine image, in my heart, doth sit, 10But that is waxe, and fires environ it. My fires have driven, thine have drawne it hence; And I am rob'd of Picture, Heart, and Sense. Dwells with me still mine irksome Memory, Which, both to keepe, and lose, grieves equally. 15That tells me'how faire thou art: Thou art so faire, As, gods, when gods to thee I doe compare, Are grac'd thereby; And to make blinde men see, What things gods are, I say they'are like to thee. For, if we justly call each silly man 20A litle world, What shall we call thee than? Thou art not soft, and cleare, and strait, and faire, As Down, as Stars, Cedars, and Lillies are, But thy right hand, and cheek, and eye, only Are like thy other hand, and cheek, and eye. 25Such was my Phao awhile, but shall be never, As thou, wast, art, and, oh, maist be ever. Here lovers sweare in their Idolatrie, That I am such; but Griefe discolors me. And yet I grieve the lesse, least Griefe remove 30My beauty, and make me'unworthy of thy love. Plaies some soft boy with thee, oh there wants yet A mutuall feeling which should sweeten it. His chinne, a thorny hairy unevennesse Doth threaten, and some daily change possesse. 35Thy body is a naturall Paradise, In whose selfe, unmanur'd, all pleasure lies, Nor needs perfection; why shouldst thou than Admit the tillage of a harsh rough man? Men leave behinde them that which their sin showes, 40And are as theeves trac'd, which rob when it snows. But of our dallyance no more signes there are, Then fishes leave in streames, or Birds in aire. And betweene us all sweetnesse may be had; All, all that Nature yields, or Art can adde. 45My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two, But so, as thine from one another doe; And, oh, no more; the likenesse being such, Why should they not alike in all parts touch? Hand to strange hand, lippe to lippe none denies; 50Why should they brest to brest, or thighs to thighs? Likenesse begets such strange selfe flatterie, That touching my selfe, all seemes done to thee. My selfe I embrace, and mine owne hands I kisse, And amorously thanke my selfe for this. 55Me, in my glasse, I call thee; But alas, When I would kisse, teares dimme mine eyes, and glasse. O cure this loving madnesse, and restore Me to mee; thee, my halfe, my all, my more. So may thy cheekes red outweare scarlet dye, 60And their white, whitenesse of the Galaxy, So may thy mighty, amazing beauty move Envy'in all women, and in all men, love, And so be change, and sicknesse, farre from thee, As thou by comming neere, keep'st them from me. Heroicall Epistle.] In 1633 Sapho to Philaenis follows Basse's Epitaph upon Shakespeare, and precedes The Annuntiation and Passion. In 1635 it was placed with some other miscellaneous and dubious poems among the Letters to severall Personages, where it has appeared in all subsequent editions. I have transferred it to the neighbourhood of the Elegies and given it the title which seems to describe exactly the genre to which it belongs. In JC it is entitled Elegie 18th. The other MSS. are A18, A25, O'F, N, P, TCC, TCD. In A25, JC, and P, ll. 31-54 are omitted 2 have? 1650-69: have, 1633-39 3 workes, 1633-39: worke, 1650-69, O'F 8 maker, 1635-69: maker; 1633 17 thereby; And 1635-69: thereby. And 1633, some copies 22 As Down, 1633-69, A18, N, TC: As dowves P: As downs O'F. See note Cedars,] as Cedars, A18, N, O'F, TC 26 maist be ever. 1633, A18, A25, N, TC: maist thou be ever. 1635-69, O'F: shalt be for ever. P: mayst thou be for ever. JC 33 thorny hairy 1633-69: thorney-hairy TCD: thorny, hairy modern edd. 40 are Ed: are, 1633-69 58 me to mee; thee, 1635-69, A18, A25, JC, N, P, TC (generally mee, in MSS.:) me to mee; shee, 1633: me to thee, thee Chambers halfe,] harte A25, JC, P 59-60 So may thy cheekes outweare all scarlet dye May blisse and thee be one eternallye P: om. JC 61 mighty, amazing Ed: mighty amazing 1633-69: almighty amazing P |
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