the Times displeas'd And some the want of Agents did molest Some or in Truth or in Appearance good Mislik'd Foundations laid on slippery blood Nor had they quite forgot the due of Gratitude Some Piety some Policy did sway But that on which the greatest stress yet lay Was Caesar's Word and that they must obey But 't was with gnashing Teeth and flaming Eyes When one with jolly Miene and look did rise And speak the Counsel with the Times should hit The late Advice don't with the Juncture fit We in Atlantis ne're by force could gain We 've bravely dar'd indeed but dar'd in vain Our Bulwarks are beat down and what is left Is little more than Policy and shift In vain we to Antiquity do fly No footsteps of Infallibility Or of our Universal Claim there ly We 've brib'd her oft to speak upon our side But when our Gifts and Presents were deny'd With Wracks and Tortures her consent we 've claim'd And by our purging Indices have maim'd Lopp'd and cut off what our Impostures nam'd Our Cobweb Frame of new Divinity Made to uphold our Pageant Hierarchy By dint of Argument is tumbled down That had built upon Smoke its weak Foundation Our Miracles for pleasing Chat make way Our Exorcisms in Laughter spend the Day The Scene is open if we would be wise We with new paint must clothe our Fopperies The World with nauseous Syllogisms is tir'd Major and Minor now no more admir'd Nor have we ought by that dull War acquir'd Wise Heads do know too much and search too deep The looser minds we must in Ignorance keep Since then our Cause we most on Fiction build It must by what it is compos'd be ' upheld By Poetry whose ravishing Art doth tell Not what is true but what is plausible This will young heads with pleasing Notions fill Not thorny Questions but fair Schemes instill And unseen Fetters cast upon the Will. 'T will every temper every Genius suit But most the Ignorant and Dissolute Weak reasons Gorgeous Metaphors array And chiming Verse the Sense will bear away This Counsel rous'd the President who reply'd Th' Advice upon firm Principles rely'd And what might give most hopes 't was yet untry'd But tho' the noblest flights for Poetry Things that even the very Art outvy Do in our heaps of fabulous Legends ly Such is our rigid Fate in vain l 've sought Among our Train to find a Man of Note The Lists are ready nor Rewards we want At hand are all things but the Combatant Th' Adviser reassum'd his Post and cry'd We 've late come over to the Royal side A Proselite whose servile Pen can write For fear reward for mischief or for spite With as much ease can praise and then revile As with the Romans 't was to change the Style His Nature to his Calling laid a Claim As due for Verse from turning hath its Name 'T is true of late fearing th' effects of chance He Horoscop'd about for Maintenance Proffer'd his Venal Pen to serve our Foes To plead the Panthers Cause and ours expose And had they been in their Subscriptions kind He ' had vow'd to write the Panther and the Hind But they with scorn his proffer'd Pains did slite An Act of generous Courage not of Wit Nor 's Mercenary Pen would bribe to write Which once did Cromwell's odious Fame recite A Poet fit for such an Hypocrite He may be useful and we have him sure No matter why he did his Faith abjure Such Proselytes the greatest Bigots be And while their warmth doth last no danger see Strive an assurance of their Zeal to give And former faults by ' obsequiousness retrieve He for our turn is fit by Nature bred He rails at all before him and is fed Hyaena like by tearing up the dead Th' unluckiest Satyrist alive that still Writes his own Character in all that 's ill Of all the World most fit a Vice t' expose That all its Cause Effects and Motions knows Stranger to none can no advantage lose Big with Conceit the empty shape looks great His own dear self obligingly doth treat In melting accents his own praises glide In keen Iambicks all mankind's beside Rewards his Soul in any garb will lap His ductile Soul will put on any shape Vice hath his Patronage and there 's no fear But Hell in time may his Protection share The rather cause the God of Gold is there He courts loud Rumour but lets Truth alone Conscious of Guilt he shuns being justly known And by 's oft changing flyes a Definition Learn'd but in Ill Ingenious but in spite Vertuous from Impotence from Need a Wit Modest when beat in suffering Valiant Honest when forc'd And moderate when in want True but for Interest Civil but for dread Devout for Almes and Loyal but for Bread. The Person pleas'd and so did the Design And soon the Proselite was called in Trembling he stood while thus the President cry'd We various ways for our defence have try'd Our careful Sons their secret Methods take That were not falshood naturally weak So hidden are the Plots and Mines we 've laid We the whole World long since had Captive made All that is left is that with show and paint We hide what doth in real value want The Basis fails the Building tho' 't is fair And high in Clouds its lofty Head doth rear Yet sinks and greater still its Ruines are This be thy Province trick the Mormo fine Rich in appearance tho' there 's nought within That Art thy empty Metaphors dispence The rather cause there is no need of sence But shun a near Inspection prying Eyes And Hereticks are mischievously wise May break the spell and see thro' the disguise Think out a Fable of some Bird or Beast Matter not Reason if it be well drest What tho' the borrow'd Feathers others own Few will detect the cheat few tell when known Aesop did first on the Invention hit Aesop thy like in every thing but Wit. By this time Bavius had compos'd his fear And something thought in his own Praise to ' infer When an unlucky Accident did reign That stop'd his Praise and rais'd his Fear again The utmost Scouts had a strange Monster took Cruel in action and a Fiend in look Drew him by force thro' the amazed throng VVhich with wild outcrys usher'd him along Such shapes before Atlantis ne're array'd Such Pliny ne're or Gezner found or made Nor e're such Schemes in Travellers Brains were laid From every Creature he a portion stole And seemed an Epitome o' th' whole The Pawes o' th' Bear and Fangs o' th' VVolf he wore The Tail o' th' Fox and Bristles of the Boar The Tricks o' th' Ape and Eyes o' th' quaking Hare Still backward cast to see if th' Foe was near A Limb of every Species did he wear And some for Fancy or cold fear will do 't Affirm'd they saw the Devils cloven foot Some thought he was a piece o' th' Chaos
THE NEW ATLANTIS A POEM IN THREE BOOKS With some Reflections upon the HIND and the PANTHER Semper Ego Auditor tantum Printed for the Author 1687. To the Reader WHEN the Pamphlet of the Hind and the Panther came out under so celebrated a Name and was blown about by some interessed little Fellows I read it with as much eager desire as Curiosity could possibly create reasonably supposing the utmost could be said for the Cause of the Hind was there and if Troy was to be defended it would be by the Hand of such an Hero. But it cannot be imagined what a surprize I was in to find that all the seemingly dreadful Host prov'd no more than that ridiculous Army drawn up upon the Mountains which once made even Alexander stand but was afterwards with laughter found to be but Troops of Apes It was very surprising at first sight as Ostriches in the Desarts are said to be to the Caravans of Merchants appearing a far off like Horsemen yet are discern'd upon a nearer approach to be the most stupid and senceless of all Fowls Indeed for its bulk it imitated one of the mock Elephants Semiramis made use of in her Indian Expedition all Straw within and covered with Beasts Hides without The Author whatever he may otherwise have attain'd hath got sure little credit by it except he intended it religiously as a piece of mortification or politickly design'd to annex the Fame of a Prophet to that of a Poet by making out what he so long since foretold his fumbling Age of Poetry The Cause he pretends to vindicate he hath much revil'd by defending it so ill and it hath made not a few think he plaid booty or at least took his measures from that Graecian Orator and Politician who intending in a great danger to perswade his Countrymen to Arms made his Declamation for Peace but he brought such weak Arguments that according to his design they prov'd the greatest Incitements to a War. The Person that vindicates the Hind and the manner of it makes men naturally reflect upon the Religion of Ancient Rome whose chief Propagators and Defenders were their Poets This is sure whether the Religion of Antient and Modern Times differ or no the Policy and Discipline doth for the Ancient Romans never reserv'd their Velites to the last To the following Poem I shall say little such as it is you have it it is my comfort the Justice of my Cause supplies my Defects Yet I am bold to say that there is not the least part said against the Cause of the Hind of what might have been and was ready and even those things which are said are softned over and over many things left out in point of Prudence but many more out of good Manners I have been as cool and moderate as Truth would let me and if there remains any bitterness I had it from the Author of the Hind and Panther in his Preface and Poem of Religio Laici which indeed is a Confutation of his Hind and Panther before hand I have took no Poetical Licence in any of my Allegations they may abundantly be prov'd out of the Writings of the Hinds own Party So that there is this difference between the Task of my Adversary and me That what I assert is truth and ready proved to my hand and what my Adversary accuses the Panther of is perfect Invention and Calumny which he drudg'd hard for and therein I give him the better I have done as good Sportsmen do who will not destroy all the Game but reserve them for their future Recreation and Sport. THE NEW ATLANTIS THE FIRST PART WHEN Great Columbus a discovery made Of a New World in distant Climates spread Behind a Scene of Seas beneath a shade Unknown to Ages that did uselessly He half creates that doth a Coast descry The News with doubtful wonder was receiv'd Men list'ned out for what they scarce believ'd Would hear tho' at the cost of being deceiv'd But when each day did with new Wonders swell And fresh discoveries did the truth reveal Mens Minds did rove to each far distant shore I' th' widened World their Souls extended more Confin'd within too narrow bounds before Yet for so great Attempts Columbus found But some dark Stories an uncertain Ground Some scatter'd Papers of a Sea-man tost By chance or Tempest on an unknown Coast. Brave daring Soul and sharp judicious Eye That at such distance could new Worlds descry And from such Hints the great Attempt durst try To thee th' old World doth her chief Treasures owe Whether the new one is oblig'd or no 'T would be too daring hopes to pleasure two Thy great Example may brave Spirits bind The same desire of knowledge swells the Mind And Curiosity is unconfin'd News is as welcome and doth fly as fast As various too as 't did in Ages past Nature has left for each succeeding Age Something that may their warm pursuit engage Something yet undiscover'd that may be Reward to Art and Spur to Industry A new Discovery of a World is made Grounds of Belief more than Columbus had Ignoble Souls may sleep at home the brave And those that dare th' expected prize may have The yet concealed Treasures wide may ope And stretch their Conquests beyond bounds of hope In farthest Climes for so my Charts advise But where not known the New Atlantis lies The Pride of Earth and Favourite of the Skies Secure as India lyes the blessed Isle E're cursed Spaniard press'd the Virgin Soil And did th' unstained Earth with gore defile E're he with arrogant Rage insulting stood Trampling upon th' unpittied suppliant Crowd And Romes Foundation once more laid in Blood. Safe and untouch'd she prides in Native Joys Bless'd in her self doth foreign help despise Her self a World that World a Paradise Fruitfulness crowns her bosom Peace her head Elizean fields below and Heaven above is spread Sweetly she sleeps nor doth dread angry Fate She knows no fear and so she knows no hate Her Virgin Breast no Strangers Love admits At once deaf to their Courtship and their Threats Oft do they storm and oft do undermine Unwearied Valour do with cunning joyn Now show rank Malice now pretended Love But guarded by an unseen Power above Like her own Cliffs she doth the Seas command Fix'd as the Rocks on which the World doth stand Undaunted doth the dreadful Prospect take And smiles upon the Waves that on her Basis break Her Wondrous Situation's yet unknown Whether i' th' torrid or the temperate Zone Whether i' th' unknown Southern Coasts she 's laid Or i' th' Pacifick Sea her bosome 's spread Whether she be the floting Isle of old Or Solomon's Ophir whence he fetch'd his Gold Or whether she i' th' middle Regions lyes An Entercourse between the Earth and Skies Where some wild Heads do place the seat of Paradice Or whether she be situate in the Star That late appear'd in Cassiopeia's chair Few are the Charts
our pains Th' existence of the thing in doubt remains But tho' no Argument the Being prove If we believe 't is so it is enough If but the deed is done no matter how Faith makes all up when we no Sense allow VVhat tho' the prying Hereticks do find The specious Fabrick is but built on VVind Th' Aereal Phantome no Foundation gains But in unsetled Heads and giddy Brains A Phrensie that in Feverish Tempers reigns That so Chymaeras live and all the Race That raving Minds and wandring Tempers trace That so the Monsters live old Times in Heaven did place VVith this that Ptolomy's Epicycles joyn Their Life and Interest do in one entwine Both live and for their usefulness do sway Forged to solve the wild Phaenomena These Sarcasms value not uphold its Fame Much Aid we from its needful Interest claim Some Tempers are so sharp so deep so strong They follow but where Reason goes along Are refractory nor the Cause will yield Till ground is given on which belief to build But these are few and for our Turn not fit Others of easie Minds and shallow wit Can easily to what others say submit Unable to search deep the Wise believe Say as they say receive as they receive This suits their Temper eases them of pains And is a safe retreat for shallow Brains Pleas'd with the Fraud they on the Guide rely For here the Ignorant and Idle fly Nor can mistrust Infallibility These are the greatest Part o' th' World and these Th' Insinuating Tenet's sure to please What though th' Atlantians ask where 't did remain When three Infallibilities did reign When empty Thunders in the Air did fly And each his emulous Rival did defy Each did his Foe with Usurpation load Anathemas and Curses flew abroad Did Heresy unto each other lay And all th' Abettors of their Lawless sway Did damn each others Edicts and what one Condemned or absolv'd by th' other was undone Sure while the restless Ball was wildly tost Infallibility i' th' Crowd was lost And what misfortunes did the Souls betide That did mean while want an unerring Guide VVhen such Convulsions did the Church molest VVhere could the doubtful Soul take up her rest The Answer 's easie the Event we see The Victor own'd Infallibility The End the Act with holiness impowers A Turkish Tenet 't is and may be ours Leave that to me saith Bavius I will find Some simile that will i' th' case be kind And cheat with superficial Wit the Mind If they th' Existence of the thing require Sense left I 'le to my Metaphors retire And thô we proof o' th' Being first should make Lest we Chymaeras for our Subjects take With airy Notions of the School-men war Dispute of things that never were nor are Vainly like wilder'd men should wander round Be lost in senceless shapes on Fairy-Ground Knight Errant like our devious Journey steer To seek a Prize we know not what or where And fill our empty Heads and Arms with Air. It is enough I tell them that I see Althô the manner still disputed be And thence conclude Infallibility We 'r guided tho' the way we cannot prove We 'r led altho' we don't perceive we move Our Faith to this sure Ankor must be ty'd Altho' it can't be prov'd ther 's such a Guide Th' Evasion pleas'd and most believ'd t would do For senceless Hereticks no Fraud do know When thus the President did Discourse renew Great Bulwark whence our chiefest strength doth flow With Thee Invulnerable to our Foe Infallibility our God below Thou Life and Vigour dost to all impart Sit'st brooding upon every Child of Art. Each Tenet doth upon thy Aid rely Twin Brothers that at once do live and dy On what thou set'st thy Universal Seal Must be believ'd from thence lyes no Appeal What e're thy Stamp for Sterling doth admit Is currant Coin and for belief is fit Thy Pasport given there is no need of more The World thy Sacred Truth must all adore The bane of Wit and arguing thou dost come Nor dost thou leave for Scepticism a room Reason and Sence at thy approach are dumb If thou a Virtue for a Vice dost show Or say'st a Vice a Virtue is 't is so Obey'd by all above and all below On Thee our mighty Champion we rely Nor can we fear while thou stand'st safe our Troy. Cry up Traditions 't is a gawdy sale And where ther 's Reason wanting sways the Scale Urg'd with the Witness of Antiquity And the unerring Scriptures Verity To these our never-failing Friends we fly Unable to behold Truths glaring Light We seek these Mists and hide our selves in Night We make the Story the Relation show Tell the Tradition and the Truth avow Our self the Party Judge and Witness too Brought to the Trial we all Power cry down No Touch-stone is admitted but our own Even Scripture by Tradition must be shown Scripture no longer must a Rule prefer But Heaven stoop down unto the Humane Bar. Victorious State where Rumour Conquest gains And Stories from our own not others Brains Who of his Cause would a decision fear Were he allow'd in his own right to swear Not what for Truth he did believe but hear Gain but this Point our greatest Work is done One strain at this and every thing goes down All that wild Heads or raving Fancies find Flow from hard Spleens or Hypocondriack Wind. What ever Error Folly Policy Or Malice dictate entertain'd shall be Mountains to Mole-hills shrink and th' Pygmy show To a Gigantick Monstrous shape shall grow Lead to Tradition's gloomy Land and there Expose to endless mists the Wanderer 'T is a dark Coast and full of monstrous shows And deadly Pit-falls do the Borders close Once in in vain for guiding Clues men pray The winding Labyrinth doth force a stay No Light doth chear the shades or gild the way Here all Religions meet a publick Scene That th' Errors doth of every Faith contain All that besotted wandring Jews receive All the American Zelots do believe With which their Pagods do the Crowd deceive All was by Ancient Heathenism approv'd Or is by present Paganism belov'd All Ovid's fruitful Brain could e're put on All Follies of the stupid Alcaron Met in this Rendezvous the place where all Embrace agree and into Concord fall Tradition them into one Mass doth call Debase the Honour of the Sacred Book A glass in which we do not care to look Too true and faithful and unus'd to ly It plainly shows us our Deformity That Sacred Light the horrid Shades doth clear Makes Error fly and Holy Truth appear And shews things as they be the only Ill we fear That Touchstone all false Metals will descry And where else outside gilt would cheat the Eye Doth the Intrinsick Worth and Value try What tho' the skulking Heretick doth find Therein a Scheme of his great Master's Mind Brags 't is his dying Saviour's Legacy The Treasury of Truth of