Ages hadst thy Spring Where thou didst sweetly Smile amidst the Three Most undivided One and traversing Those Heights Depths of Blessedness didst through Eternities immense Expansion flow 3. Thence when the World burst out from Nothing thou Didst spare some Streams Created Hearts to cheer No Bosomes with that Influence did glow But of thy Sweets they straight enamor'd were Which as their richest dearest Jewells they Close in the heart of their own Hearts did lay 4. Their Goods their Parents or their Children were Not halfe so pretious to Them as Thou Their Joynts their Limbs their Skin they well could spare Their tender Name and Fame they could allow A Prey to Injury so they by them Might Thee and thy Security 〈◊〉 5. The vilest Worme whom Thou dost please to grace Forgetteth not that worth he gains by Thee He shoots his warey Self from place to place And when oppressed feeble though he be He turns again and with the strongest Foe Tries what for thy deer Rescue He can doe 6. The wretched Serpent is content to feed On basest Dust rather than part with Thee Though Curses poure their Streams upon his head He makes his Body all one Helmet be To sheltre it and roules himself about Himself to keep all mortall violence out 7. Nay when the Sword or Wand its way has cut Quite through his Circles till his Body be An heap of fragments He himself doth knit Ev'n by the Cement of his Wounds till He Grows One again So lothe he is to die Though his damn'd life be but his Miserie 8. What Voyages will silly Swallows take Warme Seasons round about the World to chase What hard shift will the hunted Partridge make To shun the greedy Griffens deadly face What Wings of Speed what Tricks and Sleights will fear Of Death soon teach the close-pursued Hare 6. In how great Sweat and Pains doe Pismires spend Their warmer Moneths to reap and carry home Their Cropp which in the Cold may them befreind With Sustentation and defend Them from The fear of loosing that poor Life which They In love of it to endlesse Toile betray 10. The most industrious never-tired Bee Flies through all Summer knocking at the door Of every likely Flower where thoughtfull she Can borrow ought towards her Winter Store And thus for love of Life her honey trade A bitter course of Painfulnes is made 11. Yea ev'n the simplest Weed whose Life doth but Preserve that Stink with which She taints the air When Winter gins its chains of Frost to put Upon the Earth makes all her Spirits repair Down to the Root for rather than be dead Alive She chooseth to be buried 12. But yet no Creature with such painfull Pains Doth purchase Lifes Security as Man What Plots and Projects tumble in his brains What Cares and Labours make Him faint and wan Earth open house to all things else doth keep But He must sowe before he looks to reap 13. A tedious Prentisehood He spends to learn How he may toile himself another Day And by his still-returning Labours ern What will support his Strength that still He may Be grapling with his Work for his own S weat Must be the constant Sauce unto his Meat 14. To get a Living 's a sufficient Charm T' allure him through the most portentous Sea To make him scorn the most out ragious Storm Though Death within three Inches of Him be To fire him unto all impieties Defying Veng'ance and the Thundering Skies 15. A Charm sufficient to make him List Himself an Enemie to the life of Man Whilst he fears not to make his stoney breast Harder by martiall Steel and Brasse and can Without all blushing take his bloody Pay For his Endeavours daily to Destroy 16. O wonderous Riddle though eternall Death Invitably be entaild upon His monstrous Crimes Yet He his present Breath Esteems so deer that still he dares run on In any Deadly Wickednes which may Maintain that life which must 〈◊〉 long 〈◊〉 17. Indeed the Man whose swelling Coffers bring Him forth free choise of all the dainty Store Which Land or Sea can yeild to cheer a King May finde some feeling reason to adore His Jollse Life But what convincing Plea Can Beggers move to this 〈◊〉 18. Yet They who are so destitute within And poor without that equally they want Both Food wherewith to fill their wretened Skin And Clothes to cover it are well content On these hard tenns to live nor 〈◊〉 They be By any Death quit of this 〈◊〉 19. The woefull Captive whose dark Dungeon is No other but his antidated Grave Though neither Light nor open air be his Yet huggs his Life as deerely as the brave And lustie Gallant who himself can please With all the Fat of pleasure and of case 20. The Leper clothed in his winding sheet By his disease abhorrs the thought of death Life still is ev'n in his dead Body sweet And full as pretious He esteems his Breath As doth the Virgin whose fair Bodies dresse Of native Lilies and of Roses is 21. He who doth in a Fevers fornace frie Would yet not Cool himself within his Grave But hires Physicians costly Industrie To study out some way how He may save His torturing Life Notfor 〈◊〉 World would He By Death's most 〈◊〉 Physick eased be 22. The lamentable Gally-slave who is Fast chained to perpetuall Miserie Still toiles and rows through the tempestuous Seas Without all Hopes that any Port can be An Haven of Rest to Him and yet full deat He holds that Life which holds him Pris'ner there 23. She whom a Seige begins so close that she Is crowded up to nought but Bones and Skin Flies from the thought of gaining Libertie By Deaths Assistance and will rather win Upon her Bowels to devour her childe Than be by Famine of her Life 〈◊〉 24. The cursed Traitour who is chain'd alive Unto his Chaire of Death though he be sure It needs must be in vain for Life to strive Yet in strong Love of it he will endure To feed on his own Arms that so He may What e'r it cost Him Live one other day 25. He who disjoynted on the Rack doth lie Although his Body now no more be his After a thousand 〈◊〉 is to the to die And any Crime is willing to Confesse He doth Confesse what needs must be his Death Onely to gaine a little longer breath 26. Thus all the Gall that sharpest Miserie Into the heart of Mortall Life can poure Meets there such Powers of vitall suavitie As conquer all its Bitternesse Suct store Of pretious Delicates as dare despise The keepest force of all Calamities 27. Snatch what you will from Man besides and He Will stoutly set his shoulders to sustein His Losse but if his Life required be In vain all Comforts fawn on Him in vain Are Crowns and Sceptres proffer'd Him a price Too poor to hire Him to his Obsequies 28. Since then the Life ev'n of the meanest Wight
ward whether He is gone Who stamp'd them heer their Eys will know no Lid But make the Beams recoil the Rafters run Aside and suffer no Concameration To damm the way of Jesu's Exaltation 291. Thus Psyche have I made thee trace thy Lord To his last footsteps through a thousand ways All set with Mercie and made good my Word Thou seest how He a countermure doth raise Against Sinns Battery and thou needst not fear Hells Spight now Heav'n for thee doth take such care 392. Nor durst I doubt but thine owne Heart will say This thy long Pilgrimage is well requited Which hath presented thee a full Display Of that wherewith all Angells are delighted Whose Souls then with sublimest Joy do leap When on these Mysteries of Love they peep 293. Their Harness heer upon his Steeds he threw Who all this while were feeding on the Hill The meaning of that warning Psyche knew And on her knee prayd him to tarry till She gave the Reins to her Devotion As other Pilgrims unto theirs had done 294. He smil'd and stayd But She flat on her face Innumerable Kisses heap'd upon The venerable Stepps and long it was Before her amorous Sighs and Tears had done At length her Bosome with the Dust she fill'd And cri'd Go thou and my foul Body gild 295. Then casting up to Heav'n her zealous Eye After her Spouse a thousand Thoughts she sent To whom her panting Soul strove hard to flie Upon the Wings of her high Ravishment But when she felt her self stick still to Earth Fresh Tears at first and then these Words brake forth 296. Why may my Heart not be where most it is O Thou my dearest Life ô Jesu why Since Thou art mounted to the Topp of Bliss And leav'st Me Dead have I not leave to Die Never was any Ghost but I till now In its own Body bound and chaind below 297. I by thy Cross and Death was wholly slain And by thy Resurrections Life I grew Alive and safe and vigorous again But thy Ascension doth my Death renew Since nothing of my Life poor I can finde But these bare footsteps left Me heer behinde 298. Sweet Lord by these thy Psyche cannot live Though for thy Sake they pretious are to Me O no! their Worth doth but more reason give To long for most inestimable Thee If any footstepp Me can satisfie It must be that which next thy foot doth lie 299. Hast Thou not said that Earth thy Footstool is As well as Heav'n thy Throne O mighty Lord 'T will be thy Handmaydes most accomplish d Blisse If thou but unto Me make'st good that Word Loe I thy Dust the Footstool crave to be Of thy now Heav'n-enthroned Majesty 300. High my Petition is and bold I know And yet the worthlesse Dew must needs aspire To Heav'n it selfe when once it gins to glow With Phoebu's sweet and most attracting Fire Nor can the Spark in its dull Ashes lie But must have leave to venture at the Skie 301. Alas what is this weary World to Me What are the silver Sphears and golden Sun Could I reign Queen of every Thing I see At my sole Nod would all Earths Kindreds ran What were this Empire worth now Thou art gone Whom Psyche must esteem her Crown alone 302. 'T is not thy heav'nly Paradise that I Ambitious am to see 't is not thy Court Of Angels though by Phylax's company I guesse their Worth 't is not the Pomp and Port That flows about thy throne Nor doe I long To dance unto thy Quires eternal Song 303. My Heart doth pant for Thee and onely Thee And could'st Thou be in Hell I never more Would loose a Looking up to Heav'n but be Inamored of that Abysse and poure My Longings and my Labours downward till I at thy Feet my Vows and Soule could spill 304. O why art Thou so infinitely sweet Or rather Why must We that Sweetnesse know If Thou deer Jesu dost not think it meet Unto our Fires their 〈◊〉 to allow Away Thou flyest and Forsaken We Ev'n by thy sweets and Blisse tormented be 305. How can I help this my excessive Passion Or how can it deserve these Torments Since Thine own Love doth professe Immoderation And guilty is of boundlesse influence In which soft Sea of Fire whilst drown'd I am What can I doe but burn with answering Flame 306. Blame Me not blessed Lord it is not I But Thou thy Selfe rebounding from my Heart Who beat'st Heav'n with this Importunity And call'st for Ease for my mysterious Smart Had'st Thou by Love not stampd thy Selfe upon My Soule now Psyche had let Thee alone 307. Remembet Jesu what it is to be Forsaken ô remember thine own Crie When in thy Desolation on the Tree Thy Father Thou didst challenge May not I Use thine own Words My God my God why now Dost Thou thy desolate Psyche leave below 308. Upon this Olivet my Calvary I finde and to my Crosse am nailed here Ten thousand Torments in my Bosome lie And full as many Thorns as planted were Upon thy Tempels in my Heart doe stick Where all the Bowels of my Soule they prick 309. O Love why must thine onely Tyranny The Bounds of other Cruelties exceed Why will it not allow the Courtesie Of Death unto thy Vassals who are Dead By its reviving Slaughters and desire To be free Holocausts in thy sweet Fire 310. Her Passion here beyond expression grew Yet though She with her Tongue no more could speak With her resolved Eyes to Heav'n she flew And there a long Oration did make Both long and fluent in th' exuberance Of Tears the streams of strongest Eloquence 311. But Phylux having to Her tender Heart Thus far indulg'd thought fit to stop Her here Psyche said He imagin not Thou art Inamored more than the Disciples were Of thy Ascended Lord yet desolate They Warn'd by the 〈◊〉 meekly went away 312. I in their room that Warning give to Thee On Heav'n why dost Thou naile thine eyes in vain Thy Saviour is too high for Thee to see Till on a Cloud He posteth back again Then shalt Thou look thy Fill of Blisse and be To all thy Loves Extremities let free 313. Mean while thine Adorations and Imbraces On his dear Name and Memory thou mayst poure Come le ts away that by these signal places Of Mercies Triumphs thy soft Heart no more May tortured be Here on her hand he laid His own and raised up the heavie Maid 114. Then in his Chariot gently Her he set Who on the Footsteps kept her hankering eye But instantly he mov'd his reins to let His Coursers know he gave them liberty Forth with their goodly mains in answer They Shook in proud hast and gallopped away PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XV. The Poyson ARGUMENT LEaving his Psyche carefull Phylax arms With whole some sage Advice her tender breast Yet shee the Venome of Heretick Charms And Spurious Reasons wiles could not resist Phylax returns and in his
Damnation 222. To Paradise He came and brought his Hell Into the earthly Heav'n where looking round To view the Colonies which there did dwell A Creature spruce and delicate He found Upon a Bank of flowrie Pleasures spread But farre more sweet and beauteous then its bed 223. It was the Serpent whose illustrious skin Plaid with the Sunne and sent Him back his Beams With glorious Use that Wealth which glisters in The bosome of the Orientall Streams Salutes Aurora's Cheek with fewer Rays Then this bright Robe in all Heaven's face displays 224. His sharpest Eyes sparkled with nimble flames The light by which his active Soule was read Wisedome and Art with all their plots and frames Made their close Nest in his judicious Head Above his Fellows on Crafts Wings he flew All Beasts but He to that dull Name were true 225. This Agent Belzebub approv'd and as He fed upon his Couch mix'd with his Meat And in that ambush through his lips did pass Where having taught his Bane to rellish sweet He easily wonne the passage through his Throat And thence by stealth into his Heart he got 226. As when the Fire hath through the Cauldrons side Into its unsuspecting bowells stollen The Liquor frets and fumes and to a Tide Of working Wrath and hot impatience swollen With boiling Surges beats the Brass and leaves No way untr'd to vent its tortur'd Waves 227. So now the Serpent felt his Bosome swell With peevish Rage and desperate Disdain A thousand Plots and fallacies did fill The busie Corners of his belking Brain Sometimes he beats on that sometimes on this Sometimes thinks neither sometimes both amisse 228. He knew the vastnesse of his fell Designe Which was to slay a World at one dread Stroke And reach Destruction in a poisoned Line Unto the latest Twigg of Humane Stock And therefore muster'd up the utmost Might All Hell could send to back Him in the fight 229. But pondering then how Adams sober Breast With Wisdoms Ammunition furnish'd was And strongly fortifi'd with all the best Of sin-defying Piety and Grace He shak'd his head and thought the Match not even To venture on a fight with Him and Heav'n 230. For if he hapned to be foild at first His following Onsets all would sweat in vain And his own poysnous Spight his Breast would burst To see how Adam and his Race should reign Safe and free Kings of earthly Paradise And flourish thence to that above the skies 231. Yet wholly to decline the Conflict were To let Man win those Realms without a Blow And freely to permit what he did fear Perchance might be by his own Overthrow To a resolved Fight this spurr'd him on Who could loose Nothing though he Nothing won 232. He wisely had observ'd soft-temper'd Eve And yet he fear'd the Mettall of her Breast Would prove so generous that to Deceive Would be an easier Task then to Contest And could she any way be overthrown He hop'd her Fall would justle Adam down 233. Remembring then what Engin did subdue A wiser Head and stronger far than she And how impatient Ambition threw Grand Lucifer from Heav'ns Sublimity He trusts that now the like successefull End Will on this tried way of fight attend 234. Advised thus the mighty Quintessence Of venturous ever-swelling Philautie Of Discontent of Scorn of Insolence Of towring Fancies of Self-flattery And of the stoutest Heav'n-aspiring Pride Together in one desperate Plot He ti'd 235. And if this will not doe the feat yet I Excused am said He and upon Hell Be the foule shame whose feeble Princes by The shock of this Temptation headlong fell This said He towards Eve did gently glide Whom straying from her Husband He espi'd 236. Unhappy Error that which did invite The jealous Tempter to be bold since she Had robb'd her selfe of all her Spouses Might By starting from his holy Company But all the way the cunning Serpent went He put on Looks of contrary Intent 237. For Love and Friendship smiled in his Eyes Upon his Face sate Tendernesse and Care Thrice did he bow his flattering Neck and thrice His silent Homage he presented her And then Fair Queen of Paradise said hee Why must the Prince be bound and Subjects free 238. We crop our Pleasures wheresoe'r We please From any flowrie any spicie bed We pluck our dinner from the dangling Trees And all the Garden doth our Table spread But royall You and Adam nothing eat Have your own Wills or God this order set 239. Nay courteous Serpent Eve replied We Have large Commission and our God is kinde He gives Us leave to feast on every Tree And with all Paradise to please our Minde Bating that one of Knowledge on whose Boughs Inevitable Death He tells Us grows 240. O credulous Queen the Serpent answers who Make your own prejudice by beleeving it What has a fatall Tree of Death to doe Just at whose Elbow one of Life is set I to your selfe appeal Judge you but whether These two can grow like such good Friends together 241. Death in a Tree Flat contradiction lies In the bare Word How can Death be alive Sure Vegetation very ill complies With saplesse Stupor O doe not deceive Your Thoughts nor teach the Tree of 〈◊〉 how To turn a Tree of Ignorance to you 242. Observe its goodly Apples can you read In their fair cheeks the ghastly Looks of Death Doe any Boughs in all this Garden breed A Fruit which more of Heav'ns sweet Count'nance hath Yet grant it Poyson prove Behold at hand The Tree ofLife for Antidote doth stand 243. Ask Me not whether Truth can tell a Lie Vaine were the Question for your God is True And yet it seems by a deep Fallacie Of enigmatick Truth He cheateth You Indeed the Tree bears Death but Death which will Nothing but Wants and imperfections kill 244. A Death of Life which will destroy You so That you no longer Creatures shall remain But by this Metamorphosis shall grow Above your selves and into Gods be slaine With Eys divine discerning Good from Evill From Heav'n Hell and an Angell from a Devill 245. Full well did God know this and 't is no Wonder If He desires to reigne a God alone And so He may if he can keep You under By the poor Rein of one Injunction If by an Apple thus He terrifies The native Princes of fair Paradise 246. O how it stings my Soul to think that You My Soveraign should thus faint-hearted be For my part did ten thousand Mandates grow Thick in my Way to barre Me from this Tree Through all I 'd break And so would You if once Your Heart were fir'd by my Experience 247. For yesterday when I began to taste The sprightfull Fruit Flames kindled in mine Eyes My Soul a wak'd and from my Bosome chas't Those Mists of Ignorance whose thick Disguise Muffled my thoughts and kept me down a Beast As dark and dull as any of the rest 248. But now Serenity walks
Neer to the Tombe He peeped forth on Them 105. He peeped forth and little thought that Day Was up before and had prevented Him This Day was Jesus his and scornd to stay And be beholden to the tardie beam Of glaring Phoebus since it of its own Glories had ample store its head to crown 106. So had the Corps of Sweets had it lain still But this was gone Yet shall religious They Finde something which will their Devotion fill With Satisfaction and in full repay Their Odours Price for in the Tombe they see An Angel sitting in bright Majesty 107. This was that noble Spirit who in haste Flew down from Heav'n just as thy Lord gat up And whose prest bus'nes was away to cast That mighty stone which did the Tombs Mouth stop That these religious Visitants might there See how their Saviours Words performed were 108. And gallantly his blessed Work he did For at his mighty coming Earth did quake The Seal was startled and in peeces fled The trembling Stone was ready too to break And had in shivers fallen had not he Roll'd it aside and bid it quiet be 109. When loe the Watch which at the Sepulchre Guarded the High-priests Sin with Swords and Spears Forthwith beyond their own protection were Being arrested by prodigious Fears The Hills Commotion reached to their Hearts Which with the Seal split in a thousand parts 110. But chiefly at the Angels Presence They Were seiz'd with their intoletable Fright His shining Roabs were glorious as the Day And partners with the driven Snow in white For 't was his Easter Suit the Suit he had To honor this bright Feast on purpose made 111. And yet the Lustre which kept Holiday Rejoycing in his delicate attire Could not such wealthy floods of rays display As streamed from his aspects fairer fire For in the Majesty of his sweet face A spring of living lightning bubling was 112. In this celestiall bravery his threne He took upon the stone he rolled thence Whence his illustrious terror he upon The eyes of all the Soldiers did dispense At whose bright dint forthwith each man let fall His sword and tumbled down himself withall 113. They tumbled down and where they tumbled lay For though they gladly would have farther fled Alas they had no Power to run away Pallid Amazement naild them there for dead Thus they who came to guard thy Saviours Tombe Into capacity of their own were come 114. When the two Maries spi'd this Stranger there And all the Watch before Him slain with Dread They in their Passion began to share And had not Innocence its Protection spred Over their hearts this Apparition had An equal Conquest on their Spirits made 115. But when the Angel saw them drawing neer He sweetly intercepted further Fright You have said he no portion in this fear Which on this Watch of Wickednesse doth light I know your errand well and here he smil'd And all his face with gentler lustre fill'd 116. You likewise Come to Watch the Corps but yet To Pray withall You Jesus come to finde Although his Crosse and Shame themselves do set Full in your way to daunt your pious Minde You bravely Come although a Guard stood here Your Spices and Devotions to prefer 117. You in courageous forgetfulnes Of your faint feeble sex Come to attend Upon his body who forsaken is By his own Masculine Scholars I commend Your early valiant zeal although it be Arrived here too late your Hopes to see 118. For Jesus earlier was up than you And unto slaughter'd death bequeath'd his Tombe His royall Word long since He pass'd you know And this prefixed morning being come Impossible it was that longer He In Deaths coldregion should froazen bee 119. Doubt not this news I tell Come in and let Your eyes convince your hearts His empty bed You see with all the Cloaths and Sheets of it This Bed from whence He nobly flourished Into new life a cold dead bed but He You know sprung first from dry virginitie 120. The Angels Words the holy Women read Plain in the Grave and in the Grave-cloaths yet So deeply were their Soules astonished At this 〈◊〉 of wonders which beset Their unprovided thoughts that they surmise Some pleasing error flattered their eyes 121. Which He perceiving sweetly chode their doubt Their jealous faintnes and dejected eyes Demanding why they in Deaths Closet sought For Him who thence to open life did rise He cheers them then and tels them they shall be The Angels of this news as well as He. 122. Make haste said he to the Disciples who As jealous of this busines are as you Bid them be cheerly and to Galile goe Where unto them their Lord himself will show And gentle Soules you to forestall their doubt May tell them you from me this message brought 123. Out went the pious Women in a sweet Distraction of loving feare and joy The glorious Miracle did feare beget The blessed news new comfort did display With doubtfull certainty they trembling ran And told their sight to Peter and to John 124. Deer Sirs they cry'd ô what what shall we doe The onely Relict of our Hope is gone But where our Lords sweet body is or who Hath born it from the tombe God knows alone We with these eyes the empty Grave beheld Which us with terrible amazement fill'd 125. Indeed an Angell if our fancie did Not cheat our ears joy to our sorrow spake And told us that our Saviour from his Bed Of death was rise commanding us to make You with the news acquainted But whate'r The matter is our hearts still beat with fear 126. He bad us charge you and your Brethren all To meet in Galile For there said he Their risen Masters apparition shall Requite th' attendance of their Pietie O that it might be so though he had set Ev'n the Worlds furthest end for you to meet 127. So spake the Women but the standers by Shak'd their wise heads at the unlikely news And see said they the wilde credulitie Of female hearts whom fancy doth abuse How fine a storie they can forge and fashion Of no materials but imagination 128. And yet for all this censure wiser John Fir'd at the news thought not of Galile But in Loves loyall disobedience ran Hither the present Miracle to see The same spur prick'd on Peter too and He Stoutly set forward in his company 126. Unto their Prey no Eagles e'r did post With heartier Speed ne'r did Ambition make To Crowns and Scepters more impatient hast No Spark to Heav'n its course did ever take With braver Zeal than this religious Pair Flew to observe the empty Sepulchre 56. But John in whose soft Breast more flames did reign More flames of Youth and more of gallant Love His fellow-traveller did soon out-strein And gat before In vain old Peter strove For though his Tongue were alwaies forward yet John had the quicker Heart and nimbler Feet 131. He first came to the Tombe
in fear Waiting the leisure of the Winde again Rise up unbruised and in peace remain 90. Thus I of late thy furious Unkle met One who had vow'd to tear his Birthright back And my poor life with it I Presents set Thick in his way gently to him I spake And by submission grew superior so That from the jaws of Wrath in peace I goe 91. And now because thy Brethren have been gone Abroad these many dayes least they surmise I take no pleasure but in thee alone Feasting mine own on thy all-lovely eyes To morrow thou unto their folds shalt goe And in their Fathers name see how they doe 92. Long e'r the Morn her ey-lids had with-drawn And op'd the East into its hopes of Day Joseph was up and dre'st and by his own Fair eyes being lighted well on in his way A thousand gentle phrases as he went He studied how his Brethren to content 93. But by the various beauties of his Coat Discerning him from farre behold said they The saucie Dreamer comes now we have got So faire an opportunity to slay Our foe t is wisdome to prevent in time That tyranny to which his Pride doth climbe 94. O no cryes Ruben one within whose heart More genuine drops of Jacob's blood did thrill He is a Childe and acts but his own part Dreams are but flitting toies but if wee spill His harmlesse blood the spot upon our head Will be no Dream beleeve 't but Guilt indeed 95. O rather cast him into yonder pit That hee from you may onely have his grave Let any other wrath that think 's it fit Give him his Death and bury in that Cave Your lesse offence doubtlesse nostars will bow To him whom from the sight of heav'n you throw 96. As hungry Wolves upon the helplesse Lamb So they on Joseph fall in vain had hee Studied the sweetest Blandishments to frame Of gentlest words and meekest modestie With loud revilings all his prayers they drown And stripp'd into the deep Pit throw him down 97. When loe a troop of Merchants passing by They money of their richer Brother make The thrifty Ismaelites admired why For such rich ware they would so little take No new-dug Pearl so fair did ever look As he when him up from the Pit they took 98. Yet twenty silver pieces was the price Which soon they paid and now were sure they bore To Memphi's Mart more pretious Merchandise Than all their swelling Packs of Midian store And thus a Slave to strangers Joseph is As were his Brethren unto Avarice 99. But yet his Coat they kept with this said they Jacob vex'd us and wee 'l vex him again A Kid they take as innocent a prey As Joseph was and with its Blood they stain The Roab which they unto their Father sent Blushing for them whose own shame all was spent 100. And well he knew 't O me the good Man cryes It is my Ioseph's Coat all torn and rent And bloody too Be free my weeping eyes Y' have nothing now to doe but to lament That onely day which joy'd and blest your sight My darlings face lyes buried in night 101. Dear Coat behold I rend mine own with thee Which is lesse worthy to be whole than thou Sure some wilde Beast thy Master tore and me Together with him though I felt not how It did indeed for it was spight a Beast Of all inhumane things the salvagest 102. Sweet Childe I hop'd to have prevented thee In seeing Rachel thy departed Mother But surely long behinde I will not bee Thy death brings grief enough my life to smother I 'l come as fast as an old Man can doe And see you Both Peace friends it must be so 103. But Ioseph now was into Egypt brought And set to sale One Potiphar by place Captain of Pharaoh's guard the strippling bought And reading plain in his ingenuous face Pure characters of worth hee doubted not Some more than common trust in him to put 104. Nor did the issue ever flag below His expectation for fidelitie For care for prudence his example now The onely Rule unto the rest must bee No task was set but every servant bid To minde his severall Charge as Ioseph did 105. But how could they keep pace with him who was Both led and hastned on by Heavn's high hand And made through all Successe's Paths to passe Which when his Master 'gan to understand With pious wisdome thus concluded hee My servant has some greater Lord than me 106. Wherefore contented only with the name Of Master him he trust 's with every Key Of highest care and charge and bids him frame As he thought best all his Oeconomy Thus did this unknown slave the Lord become Though not of his owne Lord yet of his Home 107. But whil'st this honoured Steward doth allure All other eys to reverentiall Love His Mistresse's grew sick of an impure And black disease which did it self improve Unto that strength that now abroad it fly's Like Basilisk's beams to poyson neighbour eys 108. At first it slept in that invenom'd lake Which in Hell's bottome stink's from whence a feind It in a red hot viall up did take And flying thither bâ— soft degrees did blend It with Potiphera's blood whose tainted veins Were strait made Chanels of Lust's boyling pains 109. Though Ioseph's Uirtue might aforehand be Assurance of deniall yet her flame With such impatient fury burnt that she All amorous enchantments tries to tame His rigid heart and Lust too oft we see In point of wit 's too hard for Chastity 110. What ever Word is spoke to Ioseph's praise Her echo doubles it and doth supply Some more pathetike and transcendent phrase To raise his merit to a pitch so high That He oblig'd in modestie might seem To render back that honour done to him 111. If any Bit were choise she thought it due To Ioseph's palate more than to her owne The rarest flow'r which in her garden grew Must be cull'd out and wreath'd into a Crown Or some quaint posie which her self invents And every Morning unto him presents 112. If he be well she dares not but be so If he be sick she scorneth to be well And yet about him will be busie too To hold his head or hand his cup to fill His meat to dresse yea and his bed to warm And watch all night that Ioseph takes no harm 113. Whate'r she sees or sweet or rich or rare She something in his Body findeth still To which those pretious things she may compare With his own praises she his ears doth fil And often cries How blessed should I be If Potiphar were such an one as Thee 114. He kend that craftie Language for a while No more than doe's the Lark the fowlers Pipe But when he 'gan to smell her dangerous Wile Whose own stink did betray't He strove to wipe Away those praises she so thick did strow And by his own Blush reach her what to doe 115. Oft would he
〈◊〉 nor ever failes to hit Its blessed Marke whither on Prayers Wings Or Contemplation's it takes its flight And there with busie Angels rank'd it sings Admires adores and studies to forget There is a Breast below which look's for it 110. How often has his fainting Body made Complaint of his injurious Piety How often has it cri'd I am betrayd My life and spirits all away do flie And smile in Heav'n whilst I below am left To live this Death of death and life bereft 111. That Cave his Palace was both safe and strong Because not kept by jealous Door nor Barr Those Groves his Gardens where hee walk'd among The Family of Dread yet knew no feare Fear 's proper Region and Dominion is A guilty Breast more than a Wildernesse 112. Those Bears those Boars those Wolves whose irefull face Strikes Terror into other Mortall Eyes With friendly Mildnesse upon him did gaze As on old Adam in calme Paradise They slandered are with Salvagenesse No spleer They owe to Man but onely unto Sinne. 113. So wilde so black and so mis-shap'd a Beast Is Sinne that other Monsters it doe hate As a more monstrous thing then they and cast About how to revenge it But the Gate And Looks of Purity so reverend are That dreadfull Beasts wait upon it with feare 114. The beams of this Angelick Life at last Broke out and summon'd in the Admiration Of all the Countrey Man that runder Beast Convinc d by these Examples learn'd their fashion Behold that thronging Rout which hither flies See how they stare and scarce beleeve their Eyes 115. These Deserts nothing lesse than such do seeme Being crowded from themselves and now become Judea's Towns and fair Jerusalem Which hither have remov'd their populous Home What now has John lost by his private Cell To which whole Towns and Cities flock to dwell 116. And having now so fair an Auditory The noble Ermite is resolv'd to Preach Behold sayes hee the Dawn of that great Glory Which to behold the Patriarks did reach Their Necks and Eyes through many a shady thing In your Horizon now begins to spring 117. O faile ye not to meet his spotlesse Beams With undefiled Hearts for such is He And will Baptize you with refined streams Of searching Fire Then first be Wash'd by Me My Water for His Fire will you prepare As must your Tears for this my Water here 118. Observ'st thou Psyche how that silver stream It s limpid selfe doth through the Girdle winde This Jordan is looke how the People seem At strife who first should enter in to finde A better Baptism in those floods which may Their fruitlesse Legall Washings wash away 119. But mark Who standeth there how sweet his Eye How delicate and how divine his Face Embellish'd with heart-conquering Majesty Wert thou to choose thy Spouse would'st thou not place Thy soul on Him 'T is He ô no it is As much of him as Jewells can expresse 120. To be Baptiz'd but not made clean comes He Who is more spotlesse than that living Light Which gilds the Crest of Heav'ns Sublimity He comes to be Baptized and wash white Baptism it selfe that it henceforth from Him And his pure Touch with Puritie may swim 121. As when amongst a grosse ignoble Croud Of Flints and Pebles and such earth-bred Stones An heav'n-descended Diamond doth shroud Its Lustres brave ejaculations Although it scapes the test of Vulgar Eyes Yet a wise Jeweller the Gem descries 122. So John his Master straight discovered And Heav'n forbid that worthless I cries He Should wash a thing more bright then it and shed These lesse clean Waters upon mighty Thee Dear Lord my great Pollutions bid Me fall Prostrate and unto thee for Baptism call 123. If I be Lord thy gentle Spouse replies Pay then thy Duty to my first Injunction It must be so This Mandate did suffice The Saint and He submits to his high Function Cast but thine Eye a little up the stream Wading in Chrystall there thou seest them 124. Old Jordan smil'd receiving such high Pay For those small Pains obedient hee had spent Making his pliant Waves ope a drie Way When numerous Israel into Canaan went Nor does he envy now Pactolu's streams Nor Eastern Floods whose Paths are pav'd with Gems 125. The Waves came crowding one upon another Unto their Lord their chaste Salute to give Each one did chide and justle back his Brother And with contentious foaming murmur strive To kisse its Maker and more spotless grow Than from its Virgin spring it first did flow 126. But those most happy Drops the Baptist cast Upon his Saviours head return'd with Joy And to the Wealthy Ocean making haste Amaz'd the Treasures which there heaped lay The Deeps look'd up and op'd their richest Breast To make these Guests a correspondent Nest. 127. See there thy Spouse is on the Bank and more Than Heav'n come down and pitch'd upon his Head That snowie Dove which perched heretofore High on the all-illustrious Throne of God Hath chose this seat nor thinks it a Descent Upon such tearms to leave the Firmament 128. And Heav'n well witness'd this strange truth which at That wonderous instant op'd its mouth and cri'd This is my Darling Son in whom are set All my Joyes Jewells O how farre and wide That Voice did flie on which each Wind caught hold And round about the World the Wonder told 129. This businesse done to Court the Baptist goes Where lusty Sinnes as well as Herod reign Long Sanctity had made him fit with those Proud Enemies a Combat to maintain He who does nothing but his Maker fear Against all Monsters may proclaim a War 130. Behold how Pomp besots great Herod there O what impostumes of fond Majesty Pride puffs into his face Dares there appeare A Censor now a just Truth to apply Home to the King and tell him that his Eyes Should rather swell with Tears his Breast with sighs 131. Yes there the Heav'n-embraved Baptist is Who feareth not but pittieth to see A Prince made subject to vile Wickednesse Great Sir the Match unlawfull is cries He O farre be it from Kings to break the Law For whose Defence so strong their Scepters grow 132. Since to thine own Commands just duty Thou Expect'st from these thy subjects Let thy Neck Not scorn to thine own Makers yoak to bow The Precedent may dangerous prove and wrack Thy Throne and Kingdome if thy People read Such stat and high Rebellion in their Head 133. Thy Brothers Wife to Him as neer is ti'd As He himselfe ô teare Him not in sunder You murder Him alive if you divide His Heart all one with Hers The worst of Plunder Is Mercy if compar'd with this which doth By tearing off one Halfe unravell both 134. God who has this Enclosure made and Her To Philip given still hath left to thee And thy free choise an open Champain where Millions of sweet and Virgin Beauties be Adorn thy Bed with any
and its sad Warrant bear Date upon this my joyous Birth-day How Shall Lun-snarle my Promise and contrive That both mine Honor and the Saint may live 161. Both cannot live I see O that I were Some private Man that so I might be free Of my repute but Princes Honors are The Peoples too and by Community I should make all the Body perjured If I my selfe prove so who am their Head 162. And must John die Bear witnesse All how loth This Word doth fall from my constrained Lip To recompence the too too hasty Oath Which from Imprudence not from Me did slip Then take his Head Yet never say that I Issu'd this Warrant but Necessitie 163. Thus strove the Tyrant by a comely Lie To veile the Visage of his hideous Hate For fear the Damsell by his privity Might seeme to have contriv'd the Baptists fate Whil'st dreading his unlawfull Vow to break Adultery He doth with Murder back 164. Was it not plain that his outragious Vow Did prostitute but halfe his Realm and why Must the blood thirstie Hypocrite bestow More than the Whole What Prodigalitie Is this mad Herod For Johns Head alone Is worth more than thy Kingdome or thine own 165. Loe there the last Dish of great Herods Feast The Martyrs Head in a faire Charger laid He smiles within though clouds his face o'r-cast And feeds his soul on it But the proud Maid Knowing her Mother by this Death would live In triumph takes the Dish and takes her leave 166. The Royall Beldame in suspence did wait To reape her spightfull Stratagems event But when she saw the bloody Present straight Grown young with Salvage Joy hir high Content She to her dancing Daughter does display In her own tripping and lascivious way 167. Then much like some she-Bear whose long-wish'd Prey Is faln at last into her hungry Paws She tears the sacred Lips and rends a Way Unto the reverend Tongue which our she draws And then with peevish Wounds and scornfull Jests Her Womanish Revenge on it she Feasts 168. But mark that Convoy of illustrious Light Which seems from this low World to make such haste The better part of John there takes its flight Unto a greater Kings than Herod's Feast That Goale his Body and this World were three Prisons to Him who now from all is free 169. The Patriarks and Prophets all gave way When they this greater Saint approaching saw Who now his blessed Harbour doth enjoy For those fierce Storms he grappled with below And sweetlier rests in Abrahams bosome then In the adulterous Kings the lustfull Queen 170. This is the Story which the Virgin Mother Hath round about thy Girdle made to live But mark this well my Psyche 't is that other Selected Jewell which thy Spouse did give To crown the rest and tie up all the story In one divine Epitomie of glory 171. Divided 'twixt amazement and delight The Virgin read the strange Embroyderie But when on that last Gem she fix'd her sight Immortall Joyes so swell'd her soul that she Runs over with delicious Teares and cries Come Phylax come gird me with Paradise 172. Content said He but then be sure to shrink And hugg your self alone within your selfe The Girdle's wonderous strait nor must you think That any supernumerary Pelf Can finde a room in this rich mansion where The outward Walls of solid Jewells are 173. This said before her self was well a ware He closely buckled it about her Heart Straight she complains Oh spare me Phylax spare My squeased soul least from her self she start O loose the Buckle if the time be come That I must die at least afford me roome 174. Must I be girt to death and not have space To fetch one parting sigh before I die O me whose sins have made my Spouse imbrace Me with imbroidered Tortures so that I The riddle of unhappy Maids must goe In travell with more than a Mothers Woe 175. And so shee did indeede Such matchlesse Throws And Pangs did sting her in her straitned Heart Till at the length she bringeth forth and shows Her wondering selfe the reason of her smart Whil'st from her labouring Breast she pressed sees A shapelesse Lump of foule Deformities 176. Imperfect Embryo's unformed Lust Pin-fethered Fancies and halfe-shap'd Desires Dim Dawns of Fondnesse doubtfull seeds of Rust Glimmering Embers of corruptive Fires Scarce something and yet more than Nothing was That mystick Chaos that dead-living Masse 177. O how tormenting is the Parturition Of tender souls when they unload themselves Of their blinde night-conceiv'd Bratts of perdition How doe the peevish and reluctant Elves Mad with their own birth viperously contend The labouring bowells of the Heart to rend 178. This makes Faint-hearted Mortalls oft preferre The sad Reversion of eternall Pain Before this Conflicts Pangs So they may hear A quiet Truce with all their sinnes maintain They are content though Hell must with their Grave Set ope its Mouth and Them as sure receive 179. Psyche deliver'd of that monstrous Birth Now findes her Girdle fit and easie grown Affording roome for all the Train of Mirth With which her Bosome now was over-flown She view'd the Newborn Thing and viewing smil'd Not out of love but hate unto the Childe 180. As one from blinde Cimmeria newly come Beyond his own ambition into Arabia's blessed Fields and finding room Both for his eyes and joyes doth wondering goe Over those spicely Paths and thinks that hee Doth now no lesse begin to live then see 181. So overjoyed she admired now The glorious Day new risen in her Breast Where carnall Clowds before would not allow A constant beam to dwell but over-cast Her so that labouring she had much adoe To spie her Heav'n and see which way to goe 182. For now her soul was clearer than the face Of faire Aurora wash'd in Eastern streams Unspotted Thoughts flock'd in to take their place In her pure Heart which now a Garden seemes Of Lilies planted on warm Bedds of Snow Through which Gods Spirit doth gales of Odours blow 183. All Sublunary Sweets she has forgot Nor thinks this bitter World can breed such things All Beauties to her Eye are but one Blot The Bees to her are nothing else but stings All Loves are Hate all Dalliance Vexation All Blandishments but Poyson in the Fashion 184. For by this Girdle she his Pris'ner is In whose alone she reads the Name of Love And in the Languishments of softest Blisse By dainty Torments doth her patience prove Crying at every sigh O Jesu when Shall I have liv'd this Death and Life begin 185. What further businesse have I here below With flesh and Blood whose joyes I relish not Who is the Conquerour of my Heart but thou And since thy love this Victory hath got Why must thy Captive not permitted be To wait on thy triumphant Coach and thee 186. Though for thy Royall Scorn I fitting be Yet why wilt thou thine own Choise disallow If I had still neglected been
passing by This vocall Honey and much more than this Cri'd Acoe to solace Psyche I Would gladly dropp but she so sullen is That what doth make Rocks move and Tempests rest In foule Disdain she in my face doth cast 99. In hideous sighs she smothers up my Ears And with lank hollow Groans still diets Me. Liv'd I a Subject in the Realm of Fears Where raving Desperations chained be I would not murmur if the Monsters there Did tender me with yelling Torments tear 100. But must proud Psyche here a Fury be In spight of all the sweetest sweets I throw Thick in her way must her fell Tyranny Such uncontroll'd Injustice on Us throw For bid it righteous Sir and lend some aid Before to ruine We be all betraid 101. The next place Ospheresis challeng'd as due Unto her fair and eminent situation Yet stepping up into more open View She first her Count'nance then her speech did fashion Seeking for both no other Ornament But wrinkles of disdainfull Discontent 102. My Wrongs said she although I third must speak Too well deserv'd to have been told the first You all know where I dwell my House doth make No gaudie show indeed yet at the worst Dame Acoe its structure is as fair As your however young yet wrinkled Eare. 103. It like some Alabaster Propp sustains The fore-heads load yet doth its firmnesse owe Unto no Basis It within contains Two Galleries about whose Walls doe grow Quick watchfull Hairs which brush the entring Aire That to my Presence it may come more fair 104. In these opens a Back-doore whereby I send cool gales to fan and cheere the Heart But by the Mammillar Processions I Imbrace the Pleasures which my Sweets impart And then through them the Soul of odours strain And with pure vigorous Spirits befriend the Braine 105. What kind of tribute I was wont to yield Coy Psyche let Anamnesis confesse She had no sooner spake but a faire Field Smiled upon the Stage whose youthfull Dresse Did all that Summer represent and more Which Opsis had displayed there before 106. Thick Beds of Majoram of Thyme of Myrth Of Primroses Violets and Rosemary Of Saffron Marigolds and Lavender Of Iulie-flowers Flower-gentles Piony Of Hyssop Balm and Sage of Roses Lilies Of Honey succkles and of Daffadillies 107. These were beset with many a spicy Tree Sweetly embraced by the Eglantine Who joying in their fragrant Companie Among their Odours did his owne entwine And heer the ravish'd Senses ask'd their Eys Whither this were Arabie or Paradise 108. Their Eys in wonder looking up espied Upon a Cedar what more rap'd their sight A Phenix Tomb and Cradle dignified With richer sweets than was the Garden dight The flames rose up to kill and to revive The Bird which sweetly teacheth Death to live 109. And from the odorous Cloud which rolled there They smelt such sprightfull powers of quickning Joy That now they wonder not a Bird should dare To die a death which could such life display And if the smoke alone say they can stream With such refreshment ô what is the flame 110. Their extasie contented O sphresis More than the sweets did them And why crid She Must I who pay such dainty rent as this By most ingratefull Psyche tortured be If she would slay Me quite there were an end But cruell She my Murder does extend 111. For on the Rack She holds Me night and day And ties Me Pris'ner to a Dead Mans Skull On which whilst She doth rest her Hands to pray The stink of Death doth both my Nostrills fill Worse is my State than theirs who buried lie In death and smell not the Graves Miserie 112. If We must die 't is reason We by some Worthy Adventure merit that our Death Impartiall Sir what better can become Your injur'd Senses than by generous Wrath To shew their Sensibility belongs As well's to all things else to their owne Wrongs 113. Geusis whose mouth before stood ready ope Rejoyc'd to heare her Sister end her speech And now said shee my Tongue enjoy thy scope And in thine owne defence thy powers stretch Psyche regards not what I say but you Grave Judge will just Apologies allow 114. Then since 't is prov'd the fashion to display The severall Beauties of our Habitation My words shall travell in this beaten Way Though for my House it might be Commendation Sufficient what the whole world doth express By its ambition its Door to kiss 115. That Doore is of two leaves two Roses leaves Whose tenderness the in ward Guard supplies A strong and double Guard which there receives With sharp examination and tries The burliest Guests which if it finds them rude It sends into my Mill to be subdu'd 116. There are they press'd and grown'd and gentle made And so upon my ruby Table set Where with a Canopy of Purple spread Over my Head Prince-like alone I eat And dining with the Creame of all the Feast I unto my Attendants leave the rest 117. They in the Kitchin meeting at the Fire Sit down and pick what Pieces like them best Where every One stuffing his own Desire Grows fat and merry Then the Scraps they cast Into the sink which by a private spout Behinde the House it selfe does empty out 118. Nor has Anamnesis a thinner show Of Rarities which unto me belong Than those my Sister's Pride display'd to you Consult your Eyes on that delicious throng She ushers in If any thing does want Say then the World's and not my store is scant 119. Straight-way a golden Table marched in All sweating under a farre richer Feast A Feast which Heliogabalus might win To loath his Empires Borde and here be Guest A Feast whose strange Varietie and store Dar'd call great Solomons Provision Poor 120. The Vangard ranked by a skilfull Hand Was fruitfull Summer fairly dish'd and drest For Apples Pears and Plums in order stand Choise Quinces Wardens Figgs Dates Grapes the best Pomgranats Citrons Oranges and Cherries Apricots Almonds Straw-Rasp-Mirtle-berries 121. Besides selected Herbs and Flowres which might Build up the Bord with Sallads Pageantry And send a challenge to the Appetite From those stout Troops which now were marching nie This was the second ranged Squadron whither All Nations of the Aire were flock'd together 122. The Pheasant Partridge Plover Bustard Quail The Wood cock Capon Cygnet Chicken Dove The Snipe Lark Godwit Turkie Peacock Teal With thousand winged Dainties which might move Ev'n Luxury her selfe the Dieties Now plain and course Ambrosia to despise 123. Next these a large Brigade was marshelled The brawnie Boar did in the Front appear And then the Bull the Veal the Goat the Kid The Sheep the Lamb the Coney and the Hare The Hart and every wholsome thing that feeds Upon the Hills the Vallies or the Meads 124. But from the Sea and Rivers in the Rear A finnie Ocean on the Borde did stream The Smelt the Perch the Ruff the Roche the Dare The Carp Pike Tench
Beams Epitomize the Worlds estate of Gems 84. His sword look'd Lightning through its chrystall sheath Whose round Hiltits Victorious blade did crown But yet his Scepter did more terrout breath Such Majestie about it he had thrown The Ball in 's hand was swell'd to that Degree As if it meant indeed the World to be 85. At his right Hand stood Scorn turn'd was her Head Over her shoulder with contemptuous Eye Through a thick frowne her fullen mind she spred And seeing scorn'd to see the Company Nor did she mend or mollifie her Brow But when Agenor's growing rough she saw 86. At his left hand stood gaudie Philautie But dwelt more on a Chrystall Glass she held Eternally neer her admiring Eye In which her foolish self she read and smil'd On her faire lession though the brittle Glass Admonish'd her how vain her Beautie was 87. Before him on a golden Pillar at Whose foot a Laurell and a Palme did grow Upon the back of triumph glory sate Whose dazeling Robes did with more lustre flow Than breaks from Phebu's furniture when He Through Cancer rides in all June's gallantry 88. About Him round his whole Retinue was Dispos'd in royall equipage His owne Attendants had the credite of the place Which glittered neerest his illustrious Throne Then stood the Passions all admiring how This Sceen of Wonders could so quickly grow 89. Crafty Agenor having paus'd a while To give respect to his own State and let Psyche both bite and swallow down the Guile About which He so fair a Bait had put By soft and proud degrees vouchsaf'd to stirre And being risen thus accosted Her 90. Did Pitties generous and Soveraign Law All points of Ceremony not forbid Agenor must not have descended now To stand at Psyche's Gate But I am led Below my selfe by Virtue that my Might May help these wronged Passions to their right 91. 'T is Fortunes pleasure that casts me upon These mercifull Designs and I 'm content The Honor's Gain enough this Pay alone My Pains expect Indeed the common Rent By which my most renowned Self I keepe Are the Revenues I from Glory reap 92. And for these sillie Creatures sake who thought I had been but some single Errant Knight I let this glimpse of what I am break out To teach their Error my authentick Might Needs no supplies from them This Part of my Ne'r-conquer'd Train dares Heav'n and Earth defie 93. I was resolved by this Swords dread Flame To sacrifice you to my Wrath But now You are a Female thing I hold it shame To make my Conquests honor stoop so low I 'm loth the World should say Agenor drew His Sword and like a Man a Woman slew 94. In Womans blood my Weapon never yet Blush'd for its base Exploit nor will it now Begin its shame and a vile Victory get Unlesse enforc'd by Fortune Fate and You. But I forget my selfe through Courtesie Pretious are Princes Words and few should be 95. Love knew her Cue and stepping gently forth Great Queen said she I chosen am to be My suppliant Sisters Mouth And may this Earth Ope hers to close up mine if Falsitie Break from my lipps or any Fraud conceal What They and Truth and Justice bid me tell 96. What Heav'n has made Us 't is our Blisse to be And that 's your Subjects Though cross Error now A confident Blot throws on our Loyalty The lest of treacherous Thoughts We disavow Alas what would the Members gain if they Combine their Wit and Strength their Head to slay 97. Yet your wise Majesty full well doth know That as your Self a Free Prince are so We Are Free-born Subjects Nature does allow In our sweet Common-weal no Tyranny She knew this mutuall Freedome best would bless Both Prince and People with joint Happiness 98. But what broad Innovations rush'd of late Into our State justling out Liberty O that wee could not feel Had it been 〈◊〉 Which thrust on Us this boistrous Misery We had been silent But wee know what Hand Hath stoll n our Freedome and by whose Command 99. Nor I nor any of my Sisters were Suffer'd our Selves in quiet to possesse We could not Love nor Hate nor Hope nor Fear We could not Sorrow know nor Joyfulnesse Nor any thing that pleas'd not Them who had A Prey of all our Priviledges made 100. Surely wee had a legall Title to What ours by reverend Natures bounty was Yet snatch'd from thence wee must be press'd to goe And serve abroad we knew not where alas Nor e'r shall know for how should wee comprise Mysterious things and Matters of the Skies 101. Nor is this sad Case onely ours who are Inlanders here Your Subjects too abroad Who at your Cinque-ports with perpetuall care In gathering your royall Customes stood Are loaded with like Grievances and they Pray'd Us with our Complaints theirs to display 102. They have not leave poor leave to Hear or See Or Smell or Taste or Feele what is their own But chain'd up in unnaturall Slavery Of their starv d Lives and Selves are weary grown Yet this Griefe more than all their hearts doth break That their Religion too lies at the Stake 103. They must a new Devotion learn and be Tortur'd with Watchings Prayers and Prostrations With Ceremonies of pale Piety With Fastings and severe Mortifications And if this Superstition they refuse Some Mulct on the poor Confessors ensues 104. And by what Law must either They or We Under this Arbitrary Power lie Where is the Free-born Subjects Liberty Who have no power at all unlesse to Die And surely Death a greater Blessing were Than such a Life as We doe groan in here 105. Mistake not gracious Soveraign what I speak As if I charg'd the guilt of these our Woes Upon your Soule My heart-strings first should crack With their own Torments loud e'r I would loose My Tongue in such a slaunder you alas May with your Subjects for a Sufferer passe 106. A Sufferer in that which nearest lies And dearest unto every Princes Heart Your royall Honor in our Miseries Is rack'd and tortur'd and torn part from part Ask not by Whom but recollect who were They whose bold Charms in Court did domineer 107. Logos that wiley Fox Was never well But when on you and Us he made a prey Some hansome Tale or other He would tell Whereby to your Mistake He might betray Your unheard Subjects From your Highness thus He stole your Eare onr Liberty from Us. 108. His Majors Minors Maxims Demonstrations With most profound Deceit He gravely drest And by these sage and reverend Conjurations Pour'd Cruelty into your Gentle Breast And made you count his Plots good sober Reason Which in the Passions must have gone for Treason 109. Hence issued those Commands which day by day Illegall Burdens on our Backs did heap And to this sad Necessity betray Our loth Soules that they could no longer sleep In patient Silence Though all Warrants came From his fell Hand
Blemish Wrinckle Frown Mole Scar or Blot The inconsistent Stranger out she shut 144. Within rose Hills of Spice and Frankincense Which smil'd upon the flowrie Vales below Where living Chrystall roll'd its influence Whose musicall Impatience did flow With endlesse chiding the pure Gems beneath Because no smoother they had pav'd its Path. 145. The Nymphs which plaid about this Currents side Were milkie Thoughts tralucid fair Desires Soft Turtles Kisses Looks of Virgin-Brides Sweet Coolnesse which nor needs nor feareth Fires Snowie Imbraces cheerly-sober Eyes Gentilenesse Mildnesse Ingenuities 146. At full length on the Beds of floures did lie Smiling Content Ease Sweetness Softness Pleasure Whilst in the carpet-Walks there danced by Calmeness Long-days Security and Leisure Accomplish'd Growth brisk Firmitude and Health The onely Jewell which makes wealthy Wealth 147. Your Roses heer would onely spend their Blusn On their own Ougliness should they compare With those pure Eys with which the Rosie Bush Looks up and views its beauteous Neighbours there Nor are your Lilies white if those were by Whose leaves are all fair-writ with Purity 148. Liban and Carmell must submit their Heads To Paradise's foot the Balme Nard Myrrh And every Odour of Arabia's Beds Would begge to borrow richer Sweetness heer Nor would Adoni's Garden scorne to be Their fellow-suiter for true Suavitie 149. The early Gales knock'd gently at the doore Of every floure to bid the Odours wake Which taking in their softest Arms they bore About the Garden and return'd them back To their own Beds but doubled by the Blisses They sipp'd from their delicious Brethrens Kisses 150. Upon the Wings of those inamouring Breaths Refreshment Vigor and new Spirits attended And wheresoe'r they flew cheer'd up their Paths And with fresh Aires of Life all things befreinded For Heavn's all-sweetning Spirit its breath did joyn To make the Powers of these Blasts divine 151. The goodly Trees their fertile Arms did bend Under the nobler load of fruit they bore That Orchard which the Dragon did attend For all its Golden Boughs to this was poor As well the greater Serpent knew who crept Hither betimes and heer his curs'd Watch kept 152. Of Fortitude there stood a goodly Row Heer of Munificence a thick-set Grove Of Industry a Quick-set there did grow Heer flourished a dainty Copps of Love There sprung up pleasant Twiggs of ready Wit Heer a large Tree of Gravity was set 153. Heer Temperance grew and wide-spred Justice there Under whose moderate Shaddow Piety Devotion Mildness Friendship planted were Next stood Renowne with Head exalted high Then Peace with Plenty Fatnesse Happinesse O blessed Place where grew such things as these 154. Yet what are these ifby Death's envious Hand Or they or their fruition blasted be This to prevent at carefull Heav'ns Command Amidst the rest sprung up an helpfull Tree Which nobly prov'd it self a Branch to be Pluck'd from the grand stock of Eternity 155. Amidst them all it sprung for well it knew Its proper Seat and chose the Gardens Heart What place could more than that to Life be due Whence Vigor round might flow and reach each part Fresh Heat and Spirits hung about it thick The leav's did breath and all its fruit was quick 156. By this the mighty Tree of Knowledge stood For where should Wisdom dwell but next the Heart Its Leavs were written fair but writ with blood Holding forth Learning and capricious Art O fatall Tree how wise had Adam grown If He thy woefull knowledge had not known 157. High in the shady Galleries sate a Quire Well worthy such a Chappell Birds of Praise Whose most harmonious Throats did all conspire To pay for their sweet Home in sweeter Layes With whom soft Echo needs her skill would shew And though she kept slow time yet she sung true 158. This Mapp ofWonders this Epitomie Of all Heav'ns Pride this Court ofRarities This Confluence ofblessed Gallantry Was that so much renowned Paradise Renowned yet ô how much higher than The loftiest Praise it ever reap'd from Men 159. The great Creator hither Adam brings As to the Portall of Celestiall Blisse And See said He of these illustrious Things I give thee free choise bating onely this One Tree of Knowledge all the rest are thine Eate what thou wilt but let that still be mine 160. If thy presumptious Hand but touch that Tree Thy liquorish Crime must cost thy Life and thou By Deaths immediate Tallons seized be Death Adam Death hangs thick on every Bough Loe there the Tree of Life 's as neer as that Take heed thou di'st not for thou knowst not what 161. O Noble Master whose vast Love did give A world at once and yet require no more But that his Creature would have care to live And so in safetie possesse his Store Who ties Him to no homage but to shun Being by his own needlesse fault undone 162. After this easie Charge upon a Throne Built all of Power He his Lieutenant set To exercise his new Dominion Upon his Subjects for before his seat By Heav'ns Command the Beasts now marshell'd were In modest equipage all Pair by Pair 163. When Adam fix'd on them his awfull Eye The Lyon couch'd the Horse let fall his crest Behemoths Tail mounted before so high Melted down to the ground the Bull deprest His Horns the Boar suck'd in his foam the Bear The Wolfe the Tiger louted low for fear 164. Like reverence bowed down the other Crew Flat on the ground when from their Soveraigns Face Such full beams of imperiall Brightnesse flew As spake it plainly the Creators Glasse Fair the Reflection was which could command The rudest Beasts the truth to understand 165. As these their duty did the Eagle drew Up every rank and file of winged Things Thither the Estrich Vultur Falcon flew Thither a flock of every Bird that sings Thither the Peacock but with train full low For down fell all its Stars ecclipsed now 166. The most magnanimous Cock came strutting on Disdaining Heav'n and Earth till he drew neer His mighty Soveraigns all-awing Throne From whence upon his surly neck flew Fear His wings flagg'd low his fiery gullet grew Languid and pale his combe and forehead blue 167. Wise Adam mark'd them all and sent his Eye To scarch their bosoms Cabinets where He read Th' essentiall Lines and Characters which by Natures late Hand were 〈◊〉 fashioned Their Difference their Kinred and Relations Their Powers their Properties and Inclinations 168. Thus of their inward Selves inform'd He thought What Titles would most correspondent be To their own Bosoms sense and having wrought Up in one Word each Natures Mystery He took Acquaintance of them all by Name Then with a Princely Nod dismissed them 169. They went in loving Pairs Which as He saw He fetch'd a gentle Sigh to think that He His nobler Life in Solitude should draw Whil'st all things else enjoy'd Society What boots it him that He raigns Soveraign Lord If all his World can Him no Queen
through my heart And yeilds me uncontrolled Prospect to The Orbs of Knowledge where from Part to Part My nimbly piercing Eye about doth goe This is the Death I found a Death which I Mean ever day as long 's I live to die 249. O then what vast advantage will arise To your large Soul by this enlightning Tree My breast is shallow narrow are mine Eyes But wide and brave is your Capacity So wide that Wisdoms deepest Seas may finde Sufficient Channells in your Mighty Minde 250. And if this Knowledge if Divinity It selfe may merit but the easie Pains Of your Acceptance O perswaded be To suffer these inestimable Gains Shame burns my Cheeks that I your Slave should eat This Bliss and You my Queen be barr'd the Meat 251. And yet you are not barr'd Behold but how You are bid welcome by the courteous Tree Whose laden Arms their pretious Offrings bow To meet your Mouth and seem to plead with Me Their postures Language asks What make we here If wee alone by You contemned are 252. These Charms stole ope the Door into the Heart Of carelesse Eve and thrust their poyson in Besides the smiling Apples plai'd their part And her Affections with her Eye did win Capricious curious Pride did her invite What e'r it cost to taste of that Delight 253. Three times she stepped to th' inchanting Tree As oft by Conscience plucked back again Yet still with fatall importunity She struggled till she broke her Freedoms Chain Then with unchecked Madnesse on she goes To win her wished Prize and her Selfe to loose 254. Up went her desperate Hand and reach'd away All the Worlds Blisse whil'st she the Apple took When loe the Earth did move the Heav'ns did stay Beasts and Birds shiver'd absent Adam shook But none did know the reason of their Fear Onely hee ran to see what Eve did here 255. O balefull sight His pretious Queen hee saw Enslaved by her soothing Subjects Craft She who was Beauties Centre untill now Is of her brave Prerogative bereft Bereft so wholy that with wondering Doubt For his late lovely Eve in Eve He sought 256. Apparent Misery sate on her Face Before the goodly Throne of Pleasantnesse Her Cheeks which bloom'd till now with heav'nly Grace Sins black and dismall horror did confesse Forth at her Eyes of late Lifes Windows Death Did look and Rottennesse flow'd with her Breath 257. But greater was the Change within for there Her bold Transgression spred an hideous Night Of Ignorance on her intellectuall Sphear Her Will which grew before so fair and straight Turn'd crooked and perverse Each Passion Scorn'd Her Commands as the Her Gods had done 258. Her Heart till now soft as the Turtles Sighs It s heav'n-inamoring Tendernesse forgets And with the stoutest Purian Marble vies Her Thoughts before all Sons of Love professe No trade but Mischiefe now and busie are To propagate the Woes which stinged Her 259. Nor fears she now to play the Serpent too In envy of her Husbands blessed State Whom with the beauteous Apples she does Wooe To taste of Hell and swallow down his fate Fall to my Dear said she fear not the food I have thy Taster been and finde it good 260. But wiser Adam well the danger knew Whose miserable Proof now wounds his eyes Nor could the poor Bait of an Apple shew Him reason Heav'n and Virtue to despise Fair in his bosome written was the Law And reverent Terror kept his Soul in awe 261. In a we a while it kept it But at last Commiseration of his Spous's case Grew to such strength in his too-tender Breast That Pitty to himselfe it did displace Eve sate so neer to his Uxorious Heart That rather he with Heav'n then Her will part 262. For part He must unlesse He reconcile That mighty Breach which she between them made O potent Sympathie which canst beguile An Heart so pure and cleer-ey'd and degrade Earths Monarch from his native Pinacle Of Innocence as low as Death and Hell 263. He yeilds and eates and eating tears the great Creators Law yet tears not that alone But rends his Bliss his Health his Life and that Fair Robe of Puritie 〈◊〉 He had on Becoming Eves Companion no lesse In nature than in shamefull Nakednesse 264. And thus indeed they 'gan to judge between Evill and Good whilst they themselves did see Who untill then no Evill thing had seen But now can witnesse their own Misery Which they with wrerched Aprons strive to heal As if the leaves the Apples would conceal 265. Alas nor they nor all the Trees that grow In shady Paradise so thick and high Could any shelter unto them allow When he was pleas'd to search who is all Eye Yet by degrees hee findes them that they might With Deprecations salute his sight 266. Had he in Thunder and in Lightning spake And of fierce Veng'ance breath'd a flaming stream Just had the Dialect been But He did make A foft enquiry of the Fault and seem To beg Confession and to wait whil'st they Did with their Crime their Penitence display 267. But they with Shifts and Excusations trie Not to excuse the Fact but to defend And by that wretched Impudence defie Mercy which all this while did them attend This forced Justice who came rushing in And did her Office upon saucy Sin 268. She first the Curse pronounc'd which written was In adamantine Tables ne'r to be Revers'd by Pitty Then she forth did chase The proud Delinquents and the Garden free From its unworthy Guests appointing Fate To set a double Guard before the Gate 269. A Troop of Cherubs straight was marshalled In dreadfull Order at the Eastern Gate And then a flaming Fauchion brandished Terror about the way that none might at That door of Happinesse passe in but who By tried Purity through Fire could goe 270. The Wofull Exiles were no sooner come Into the wide World but poor Adam sees The heavy Losse of his enclosed Home Finding in stead of blessed Flowres and Trees Thistles and Thorns all arm'd with pikes and pricks Amongst whose Crowd he vex'd and tatter'd sticks 271. Long did He strive and toyle e'r He could make The Ground give fertile answer to his sweat The righteous Earth did this due Vengeance take On his Rebellion so did the great Cognation of Beasts and Birds who broke Off from their sullen Necks his regall Yoke 272. Those who were able muster up their might And in their Makers Quarrell Him pursue The weaker from his presence speed their flight Professing now they knew no homage due Thus by their furie Those These by their Feare Equally frightfull and vexatious were 273. No friend he had but her who did betray Him to that Miserie unhappy Eve And yet the reaping of his sweetest Joy Of what was sweeter did them both deprive Their gains unable were to quit the cost For now their dear Virginity was lost 274. Eve through many nauseous Moneths did pass E'r she could to
her hardest travell come O who can tell the Pangs by which she was Tortur'd and torn when her unhappy Womb It self unloaded for the Curse was sure Nor could those Torments ever find a Cure 275. In sin conceiving she brought forth in pain And with Pollution dy'd her Progenie Through all Successions her anneiled stain Did propagate its own Deformitie And all her Heirs bind in an Obligation Of Death and what is deadlier Damnation 276. Besides the peevish and importunate 〈◊〉 Of restless Kicking at Heav'ns gentle Law It s fretfull Taint did in proud Triumph stretch Through the whole Current of her Blood which now In humane veins so madly boyls and flames That kindled at the fire of Hell it seems 277. Thus when black Venome has into the Spring Infused Death the Streams which from it runne How farre so e'r they travell still they bring Along with them that first Contagion The furthest Drop knows not how to escape The reach of that Originall Mishap 278. Your Souls I grant rise not from that foul Spring Nor did they ever swimme in Adams veins Yet is the Body so unclean a thing That strait it doth communicate its Stains Nor can the soul be pure which married is To so contagious a Spouse as this 279. Yet call not God unjust who doth commit So fair a Gemme unto so foul a Case Thereby infallibly engaging it To be as black and cursed as its Place O no He still is kind and knows a way Through Wrath and Judgement Mercy to display 280. No Plot of Satans spight shall undermine Or make a breach in the Creations frame Nature shall still proceed and Heav'ns Designe Of Mans felicitie persist the same God-like it is indeed Fates Scales to turne And make them Blest who to a Curse were born 281. Whilst God makes pure Souls dive into this stream Of Blackness gratious He contriveth how To wash and cleanse and re-imbellish them Till they unto such pow'rfull Beautie grow That sweetly on their Bodies they can be Reveng'd infecting them with Puritie 282. Such purging Might in Jesus Blood there flows That from the face of its least Drop doe flie This Stain which at the Root of Mankind grows And all those Blots which on the Branches lie And this dear Fountain in Decree was broach'd Long e'r the Soul by any Taint was touch'd 283. They who desire 't may here refined be Into a Claritude becomming that High Paradise of whose felicitie Edens was onely the faint Shaddow But They who scorn such Bliss would themselves have thrown To Hell though Eve had never help'd them down 284. And tell me Psyche what thou thinkest now Of thy Extraction which from wretched Dust The Scumm of Earth and game of Winds doth flow What of thy rotten Kindred since thou must Corruption for thy Mother own and call Each Worm thy Sister that in mire doth crawl 285. Yet Worms are ly'ble to one onely Death A Death which quickly will it selfe destroy But thy Composure in its bosome hath A Living Poyson that may finde a way To kill thee with surviving Death by which Thy torture to Eternity shall reach 286. Think well on this and if thou canst be proud Who by the Pride of thy first Parents art With this destructive Portion endow'd And from thy Birth betroth'd to endlesse Smart Think what vast distance lies 'twixt worthlesse thee And the Almighty King of Majesty PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO VII The Great Little One. ARGUMENT THe Angell convoys Psyche to the Sceen Of Mercies grand Exploits to shew Her what Dear Care Heav'n took to wash her bosome clean From the foule shame of every sinfull Blot Betimes he 'gins and from the morning Glory Of Loves bright Birth lights in the blessed Story 1. ILlustrious Spirits of Fire who e'r you be This Lesson will be no discredit to Your towring Flames nor must Heroick Yee To Schoole to Psyche's Legend scorn to goe Such Sparks as you for all your glittering be In your Originall as dim as she 2. As other Fires at length to Ashes grow So must brave Yee Yet they were lighted from Some generous bright Originall but you And your Extraction did from Ashes come Whether forward you or backward turn your eye Your Bounds are Vilenesse Shame and Miserie 3. Examine Alexanders Monument Or Helens Tombe and marke what there does lie Or if your Nostrills dread the banefull sent Of their in-vain-embalmed Majesty Trust that strong Proof which bidds you sadly think That you though great and fair must end in stink 4. But trust not Pride whose tumid Treachery Did to that Rottennesse all the World betray No Poyson yet did ever swell so high Or to such certain Death prepare the way Steep headlong Danger on the Mountains reigns Let them who safe would walk walk on the Plains 5. Plain are the Walks of mild Humility And know no Precipice but planted are With sweet Content with pious Privacie With cheerfull Hope and with securing Fear An Humble Soule which always dwells below Prevents that Ruine which on Hills doth grow 6. The Tempest's aim is at those lofty Things Which rise against it and its strength defie This to the Pines and Oaks Destruction brings Whilst modest Shrubbs beneath in peace doe lie Thus come proud Rocks to rue the angry Wind Which to the humble Vales is alway kinde 7. Humility is provident and acquaints Aforehand with her Ashes which she knowes Must be her End She in no flattering Paints Her sober Judgment and her self will loose She dies betimes how long so e'r she lives And Death but as a long known Freind receives 8. She huggs her Herse and does her Grave imbrace And pants and longs her finall Ev'n to see When in that cool and undisturbed Place Her weary Head to rest may setled be Assured of a Friend whose Care hath found For Her to Heav'n a passage under ground 9. She strongly woo's the Worms to crawle apace She prays not slow Corruption to make haste Toward Death for life she runs and thinks her Race Is long because she yet lives On as fast She speeds as Sighs of Love can blow Her or Fire of unquenchable Desire can spurr 10. O meek Ambition which correctest Pride Into a Virtue and mak'st Venome grow Plain Antidote An heart which thou dost guide Struggles and reaches still to be more low And prides it self in nothing but to be From Prides Dominion intirely free 11. The Seeds of this fair Grace deep planted were In Psyche's tender Heart by Charis hand Which as they sprouted up with heav'nly care To weed and dresse them Phylax by did stand And now to make them flourish higher she Will with her liberall Tears their Waterer be 12. For Phylax had no sooner made an end But She begins first by her showring Eys Then by her Tongue which with their Tears did blend Its Lamentations Woe is me she cries What now should Psyche doe who needs would be Proud of her shame and
Lesse sweet they thought the Altar and would faine Be nestling in her Breast or Lap againe 28. But holy Simeon whose stout Expectation Grounded upon Heav'ns Credit did sustein His aged Life by potent Inspiration Forgot his leaden pace and flew amain Into the Temple for the nimble Blast Of Gods owne Spirit lent him youthfull haste 29. O how his greedy Soule did Worke and Beat And thinke the time an Age till He was come Unto his Blisses Shore where in the heat Of hastie Zeale He snatch'd his Saviour home Into his longing Armes and Heart which now Broke from his Lips and in these Words did flow 30. O Life thou now art out of debt to my Long-stretch'd Attendance and can'st nothing show Of further Worth wherewith to charme mine Eye And make it still be hankering heer below No I have seen what I did live to see The worlds Hopes and mine owne and heer-they be 31. Deare Lord of Heav'n heer is that hop'd-for He In whom lie treasur'd up Power and Salvation Which now thy love exposed hath to be The blessed Theame of humane Contemplation All Eyes may see this Face as well as I And cleerly read their owne Felicitie 32. This noble Face by whose Soule-piercing Rayes The 〈◊〉 untill now damm'd up in Night Admonish'd are to understand their Wayes And tread the open Paths of High-noone Light This Face whose more than golden Beauties be The glorious Crown of Iacobs Progenie 33. O Death if thou dar'st draw neer Life's great King Come take possession of my willing Heart That I a swarthy and unworthy Thing From his too radiant presence may depart I am too blest to live and cannot bear The burden of this heav'nly Lustre here 34. The good Old man thus eas'd his pious Zeal And having sacrific'd a Kisse upon The Infants royall Foot began to feel His Prayers were heard and that Death hasted on Which He to meet went home and order gave With sweet and hasty Joy about his Grave 35. As Echo unto his Devotion Loe The venerable Matron Anna came She whose Prophetick Heart did bid her goe To wait upon and to adore the same Young Son of Wonders that her Sex in Her As His in Him its duty might prefer 36. And here she met a full reward of all Those nights and dayes which in that place she spent Her Fastings now turn d to a Festivall Her longing Prayers which unto Heav'n she sent To pull it down now found it ready here For in the Infants Face it did appear 37. So cleerly it appear'd that She could not Restrain her Tongue from being Trumper to The Dawne of its convincing Brightnesse but Through Salems longest thickest Streets did goe Spreading her Proclamation to each Eare And Heart which long'd that heav'nly News to hear 38. This call'd so many wondering Eyes to gaze Upon the Mother and her fairer Son That from the glory of that populous Place To poor and private Nazaret she did run Where in her humble House she hop'd to hide Her humbler Selfe from Honours growing Tide 39. But Honour loves to scorn the Zealous Chase Of most ambitious eager Hunters and Pursues those modest Soules from place to place By whom she sees her orient Presence shunn'd Nor is she e'r out-run or fails to raise Their Names with Trophies and their Brows with Bays 40. But when in Salem the great News grew hot And flam'd to Herods Court the Tyrants Breast Swell'd with new Rage for much he feared that This Fire might reach his Throne which made Him cast Deep desperate Counsells in his jealous Minde How for this Danger he some Curb might finde 41. Mean while as holy Joseph sleeping lay To gain new strength to work his Winged Friend Rouz'd up his Soul by a Celestiall Ray Bidding him his swift flight to Egypt rend For Herod now contrives to slay said He The Childe and in Him both thy Wife and Thee 42. O that my Wings might be his Chariot But This noble Favour Heav'n reserves for thee Flie then But see thy selfe thou trouble not With thy Return for when the Storm shall be Cleerly blown over I will thither come And from thy Gods own Mouth recall thee Home 43. This said his nearest way the Angel took To Heav'n and flutter'd loud as He went up The noise made Joseph start who straight awoke And look'd about But He had gain'd the Top Of heav'n and in the Sphears inclosed was E'r Josephs mortall Eye could thither passe 44. Yet by the blessed influence He behinde Had left the Saint did Him intirely Know The priviledg'd Eyes of his religious Minde Had long acquainted been with him and now He doubts not but this was his Guardian who Had taught him oft what He instraits should doe 45. Whil'st by her sable Curtains Night as yet Muffled up Heav'n and kept the World in Bed Himselfe He dressed and made all things fit For his long journey On the Asse He spred His Coverlet and his own Pillow sweet And cleanly Hay he gave him for his meat 46. The Beast thus baited He his Axe his Saws His Planes Rules Mallets and his other Store Of busie honest Implements bestows In his large Bag the Treasury of his poor Industricus subsistance which he ties Fast to his Staffe and on his Shoulders tries 47. Two Bottles then all that the poor Man had Fresh filled at a neighbour Fountain He Puts on his Girdle with three Loaves of bread In a plain Pouch Then stepping reverently Unto the Bed where the great Mother lay Arise said He for Heav'n calls Us away 48. When She the bus'nesse heard and saw how He Had all things ready for their journey made Far be it she repli'd that I should be At any houre to follow Heav'n afraid Or that I for the Mornings light should tarry Who in my Arms my fairer Day doe carry 49. I can be no where lost deare Babe whil'st I Travell with Thee who never canst depart From thine own Home Wherever Thou dost flie Thine own Land still will meet Thee for thou art By thine eternall Right the Prince as well Of Ham and Egypt as of Israel 50. Arabia's Devotion has long since Supplid thee with this sacred Treasure to Defray thy Charges Thine own Providence Thy Purveyer was Thou knew'st we were to goe And hast layd in Provision e'r wee Could dream of any such Necessity 51. And yet Necessity is no such thing To mighty Thee whose all-commanding Hand Doth hold the Reins of Fate the bloody King Musters his Wrath in vain would'st thou with-stand His Spight in open Field But thou know'st why It will be now more glorious to File 52. This Journey 's but a step to Thee who from The Pinnacle of all Sublimity Thy Fathers bosome did'st a Pilgrim come And take up thy abode in worthlesse Me Me who from Heav'n much further distant am Than Memphis is from fair Jerusalem 53. With that She wrapp'd the Infant close and took The Asses back whose bridle
their Fire-branes mixed heavy Chains 262. His Strength deceiv's him and his Bed is now His onely throne where he the King doth raign Of mighty Torments all his Bowells 〈◊〉 Exulcerated with deep-gnawing Pain And Water swelling underneath his Skin Adds scoffing torture to the fire within 263. His shamfull Parts are made more odious by Right down Corruption which grew fertile there With monstrous Vermin whose impatient frie Their most unpittied Prey aforehand tear The leisure of his grave they scorn'd to stay But undermine his Heart and eat their way 264. And yet a Worm far worse then those was got Thither before which did his Conscience gnaw To stisle which long did He labour but The trusty Torment still did stronger grow And wound about his guilty Soule so close That no Inventions power could get it loose 265. His Sinews shrunk and all his Joynts forgot The ready service of their wonted motions The Aire which He had long defil'd would not Wait on his Lungs but frequent Suffocations Forc'd him to die as many deaths as He Indebted stood for by long Tiranny 266. Oft did he call his Freinds but neither they Nor his Physitians durst come neer his Bed For his hell-breathing stinck obstructs the way To Physick and to Freindship Never did The Feinds below more loud for Pitty crie Nor finde lesse comfort for their Misery 267. The dismall scene of Bethlehem-slaughter now Was open layd unto his burning Soule The running shreiking Mothers there he saw And all the Infants Blood which seem'd to roule Into his Bosome in a violent stream Yet not to quench but to augment the flame 268. An hundred Furies at hot contestation Which first upon his bloody Heart should seize With Hells wide mouth and the grand Preparation To entertain him there at large he sees And seems to hear all Ages poure a stream Of cursing Detestations on his Name 269. To Heav'n He would not and he could not cry But let the reins loose to wilde Desperation And now resolved once for all to die Contrives how He might his owne murther fashion And by his never-daunted cruelty Upon himselfe conclude his Tyrannie 270. He thought of Poyson but He had no friend Who would that cruell Courtesie supply Besides he fear'd no Venome could contend With his extreemly-posnous Malady At length by woefull Fortune He 〈◊〉 His Fauchion hanging by his 〈◊〉 side 271. Which as He snatch'd a venturous Page ran in And stopp'd the stroke but could not stop his throat Which straight He opened to an equall Sin And in the face of Heav'n spew'd out his hot Impatient Blasphemies next which He threw His Courses upon all the World he knew 272. Mean while to prison where his Son in Chains He kept the false News of his death was spred Which whil'st Antipater gladly entertains His Smiles became the price of his own head Herod but heard he smil'd and now the Worms Had eat his Bowells at his Son he storms 273. Yet shall that Villan know that I said He Have Life and Rage enough Him to destroy Now by these finall Spirits which pant in me I swear His Life shall answer for his Joy Fetch me his Heart that with these Vermin here Their fellow-trayter I all torn may tear 274. Their fellow-trayter and their Fellow-Son For from my Body sprung both He and They And both conspire in my destruction By Gnawing they by smiling He. Away Fetch me his Heart that having bless'd mine Eye With that deare sight I may the cheerlyer dy 275. Yet not content with this sole Sacrifice To his vast fury he contrives a way How all his Nobles to his Obsequies No lesse than all their Blood and lives might pay That Sighs and Tears might wait upon his Herse If not for his own Death at least for theirs 276. But Heav'n prevented this fell Plot and He Now having five dayes liv'd and felt his Death No Prayers but his wonted Blasphemy Repeated and blew out his finall breath So an old Dragon when his Spirits flit Breaths his last Poyson and his Life with it 277. Hell had his Soul no sooner swallowed But pious Josephs Angel hither came And as the Saint lay on his sober Bed Painted the News unto Him in his Dream Bidding Him now return to Jewry where The storm was over and the Coast grown clear 278. Thus did th' Angel his own Word fulfull And justifie the Prophets Vision For great Hosea did of old fore-tell That out of Egypt God had call'd his Son Joseph awakes and unto Mary shews The long-expected and now welcome News 279. His thrifty House-hold-stuffe then packing up And tenderly providing for his dear And mighty Charge He makes no doubt or stop A pious Breast allows no room for fear When e'r Heav'n summons it but cheerly sets Onward his Way before the Day permits 280. For now the Morn lay long before she rose And dull Aquarius would not wake the Sun Till it was late Thus did thy hardy Spouse In the Years most disconsolate Portion His journey take and teach Thee what to doe At any time when Heav'n shall bid Thee goe 281. This the Ninthe Winter was which seal'd the Earth With Ice and covered his Seal with Snow Since by his own to Wonders He gave Birth Who in a Soil most like to that did grow Bate but the cold and churlish Qualities And what 's a Virgins Womb but Snow and Ice 282. This Age had more inabled Him to bear A speedy Journey and did much allay The scruples of his tender Parents Care Who now with greater haste devour'd their way Than when to Egypt they did pick their Path And thus in peace reach'd their old Nazareth 283. Their Nazareth for sacred Prophesies By adamantine Bands are surely tied To their Effects The Fire shall sooner freeze All Mettalls in a Bank of Snow be tried The Sun because of Night of Drought the Rain Then Falsehood any Prophets Tongue can stain 284. Those quick-ey'd Seers long agoe had seen His Habitation there and had foretold His humble Surname should be Nazarene A Name of holy Dignity of old Which sate fair on all pious Heads untill It was out-shined by the Christian Stile 285. And Psyche what should We doe longer here Come let Us follow their deare Steps and see Some further Marvells of thy Spouse and where He prosecuted Loves sweet Mystery This said He gave his Steeds the Rains and they Together with the Winde snuff'd up their Way PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO IX The Temptation ARGUMENT IN the dead Desert Love Whom salvage Beasts Acknowledged by eager Famin is Assail'd who forty Dayes upon Him feasts To her sharp Teeth slie Satan joyneth his Soft Tongue yet both their utmost Powers set But ope the way unto their own Defeat 1. WHat reach of Reason e'r could Fadome why Slight Dust and Ashes vile Corruptions Son The Heir apparent to the Misery Which lives in Death and blends Destruction With all its Life the Worms own
And though the holy Omen to his gross Though learned Foes were unperceived He Rejoyced in his Crosses Mysterie 112. A Cross which shall e'r long so glorious be Wearing his Name upon it crucifi'd That it shall crowne the Scottish Heraldrie And in the Topp of all its Banners ride What Glories then shall Saints themselves obtain If in such state their Suffrings Badges reign 113. Nayld fast unto this Honour was the Saint Array'd in Scarlet from his own rich Veins The Graecians took it for a torturing Paint And thought his Cross a Throne of Soveraign Pains But He his noble Pulpit made this Tree A Pulpit which did preach as well as He. 114. Long was his Sermon for his last it was Two days it measur'd and yet seem'd but short What are two poor and flitting Days alas To that which doth Eternitie import He preach'd Eternitie unto whose light His hood-winkt Torturers He did invite 115. At length perceiving Death no hast would make With strong Desires he wooed it to come Not that his Pains his Patience did break But that his Heart did long to be at home He could be nothing but a Stranger where His Masters blessed face did not appear 116. And am I nail'd in vain deer Lord said he Unto this Pillar of renouned Death Though not poor I yet thou Deserv'st for Me That in this Honour I may yeild my Breath These potent Words to Heav'n with violence flew Whence a fair light they for his Convoy drew 117. As in the bosome of his Chariots flames Illustrious Phehus through the Sphears doth speed So resting in the Arms of these sweet Beams The Saints brave Soule was thither carried Thus in her funerall Fire the Phaenix dies And by her Death to fairer life doth rise 118. On Zeals undaunted Wings great Bartholmew To meet the Dayes Flame where it kindled is Unto the furthest brink of India flew And taught the East to bend their wakening Eyes Upon a new Son who no Gold did need To dresse his Locks and more than golden Head 119. Then having left His goodly Picture there Which Matthews Pen had drawn fair in a Book He posted backward to Armenia where The same illustrious Work in hand hee took But promising his Hearers Kings to make The King grew wroth and thus his Fury spake 120. Bold Wretch who pratest of the idle Throne Of thy vain Christ I 'le make thee know that I In my Armenia will have but one And that 's the Seat of my own Majesty If Jesus be a God his Heav'n will be Realm large enough He need not trench on Me. 121. 'T were speciall Credit for Armenia's King To entertain as a great Deity A stable-born and manger-cradeled Thing Whose ignominious Death did justifie The vilenesse of his Birth because a poor Resolved doting Wretch doth Him adore 122. O no! the Gods by whose great Blessing I Possesse my Crown are Gods enough Away With shamefull Jesu's uselesse Dietie Yet for some use Thou mayst be fitting Say Serjeants will not this Carrion serve to flea Though He be naught yet good his Skin may be 123. That onely Word sufficient was to let The Tygres loose who straight the Saint undresse Both of his Cloths and Skin which at the feet Of their fell Lord they threw for it was his Due right the blessed Martyrs skin to keep In token that He slew the harmlesse Sheep 124. But He now grown far fairer than before As when the Sun from Clouds unveiled is Did shine and sparkle in his glorious Gore Quite dazling by his noble Nakednesse The Devills eyes who could have wish'd the skin To hide his own shame on the Saint agin 125. Yet 't was in vain for Bartholmew was now Fit for the Roabs of Immortality Which Jesus hand ready was to throw Upon his most deserving Back for hee Might without Pains and Crouding now get in At Heav'ns strait Gate who first put off his skin 126. But Matthew into AEthiopia ran Ventring upon a strange Designe for there He strove to purge the Crow into a Swan To make Pitch Chrystall Ink Snow Darknesse cleer Spots beauteous Sables lucid Shaddows bright I mean to wash the Pagan Negro's white 127. And this by Baptisms searching Streams he did Which drown'd their Hearts in Life and Purity Soon the full Torrent of his Name did spread And in the Channell of the Court grow high The Court soon catch'd the News but little thought That in the Newse's Net it selfe was caught 128. Caught was its dearest Gem the Virgin Heart Of Iphigenia daughter to the King And now not all the flattering frowning Art Of royall Hirtacus her Soul could bring To leave her mystick Spouses love and wed Himselfe who panted after her sweet Bed 129. O no! She cri'd My Vow is past and I Unto my God my Body must restore As I receiv'd it My Virginity Is now intirely His and mine no more Matthew is witnesse and it were in vain For Me to call my Promise back again 130. O if you love me then love what I am Love Love himselfe and so you shall love me Be truely Royall Love the Christian Name And let my Sacred Vow still Sacred be For I may to no Pagan Spouse be tied Who to an heav'nly Bridgroom am affied 131. The Prince with Wrath and Folly blinded saw Not how this Match most matchlesse was nor that She had already chose a King And though The shame of meer Humanity would not Permit his Rage to take its swindge on Her Yet He o'r Matthew let it domineer 132. His choisest Bloodhounds in all haste he sent With correspondent charge against the Saint Whom finding busie at the Sacrament With His and his Lords blood the floor they paint And at the Altar thus the Martyr dies To Heav'n a willing and sweet Sacrifice 133. Matthias whose heav'n-witness'd Faith commended Him to supply the Traytor Juda's place To finish Matthews great Designe contended In AEthiopia whence He turn'd his Race To Jewry where his blood hee forth did poure For Him who gave him all his own before 134. John was the last but first and highest in His dear Esteem who is Himselfe most High O blessed Saint which did'st the Riches win Of all Heav'ns sweetest fullest Treasury Jesus indeed does all Men love but hee Not onely lov'd but was in love with Thee 135. He was in love with thy Virginity Which with all blooming Graces was bedeckt Of all his Twelve choise privileg'd Chaplanes He Did for his amorous Favours Thee select He did select Thee his soft Spouse in whose Delicious Eyes He meant his own to loose 136. He was in love with the reflexion Of his own Sweetnesse shining in thy face With sympathetick Joy hee dwelt upon His iterated Selfe in that pure Glasse Striving all Lovers Arts on it to prove O blessed Soule with whom Love fell in love 137. From off the troubled Main he lured Thee Into a deeper Sea of calmest Pleasures The bosome of supream
with infinite carrieer Still further everlastingly doth ride Being loose at God himselfe in whom Immensity affords her boundlesse room 360. Now Psyche thou mayst eas'ly judge how dear Was this Seraphick Woman to thy Lord. She had one onely Brother who for her Sake and his own was to his Love preferr'd He falling sick she sent the News unto Her Master waiting what hee pleas'd to doe 361. He who had never yet his help delay'd When loving Mary did his Mercy woe Till Phebus twise the World had compass'd stay d He stay'd indeed but 't was that hee might goe With advantageous Glory and his stay Might prove but ripened Love and not Delay 362. Mean while his Sicknesse so prevail'd upon Good Lazarus that his Soule it chased out Jesus whose eyes through all things cleerly ran Beheld it as it went and saw it brought On Angells Wings into the blessed Nest Of naked Peace and Quiet Abraham's breast 363. Where when it was reposed Lazarus Our Friend is fallen fast asleep said He But I intend to wake Him Come let Us Delay no longer but to Bethany And Lord what needs it his Disciples cri'd If Lazarus sleep what harm can Him betide 364. 'T is true their Lord repli'd for now he lies Safe in the bosome of Serenity Yet what his Rest is little you surmise Not knowing that in Death true sleep can be Alas all other Rest compar'd with this Scarcely the shaddow of true Quiet is 365. Death is that onely sleep which puts an end Unto this weary Worlds tempestuous Cares And pious Soules unto that Shore doth send Which knows no Dangers Labours Griefs or Fears Our friend is dead and glad I am that I Was not at Bethany when He did die 366. Glad for your sakes whose faith now dead shall by His Death revive This said He forward went And they with Him But e'r at Bethany He did arrive two other dayes were spent He could have taken coach upon the back Of any Winde but now chose to be slack 367. First busie Martha met Him as He drew Neer to the Town for when hee coming was The fame of his Approach before Him flew Which her sollicitous ears soon caught and as She threw her selfe upon her knees she cried Had'st thou been here my Brother had not died 368. Dear Lord of Life if thou had'st but been here Death would have his due distance kept if not For love of Thee or Us at least for fear Of his own life And yet thy Power is but Deferred not precluded God will still Each syllable of thy Requests fulfill 369. Nor weep nor doubt dear Martha Jesus cried Thy Brother shall again to life return I doubt it not sweet Master she replied But in the universall worlds new morn When all Things spring into fresh life that He Shall with his Body reinvested be 370. I am said He the Resurrection and The life Whoever doth beleeve in Me Although he be a Pris'ner in the land Of Death shall unto life released be Nay he shall never taste of Death who is Living by Faith in Me Beleev'st thou this 371. Heer dazeled by his high Discourse Great Lord She cri'd my Faith doth take Thee for no lesse Then Gods Almighty Son who by his Word Wert promised this cursed World to bless This said three times she kiss'd the ground and home Made hast to bid her pensive Sister come 372. As when the powerfull Loadstone's placed neer Th' inamored Iron leaps its love to kisse So Mary when she heard how Christ was there Speeded to meet her dearest Hapiness And falling at her highest Throne His Feet Martha's Complaint She did again repeat 373. Short were her Words but copious were her Tears Love-ravish'd Pleaders strongest Eloquence For in her Eyes those fertile springs she bears Which by their ever-ready Influence Confirm Her Queen of Weepers Ne'r was seen A more bedewed Thing then Magdalene 374. For Love though valiant as the Lyons Heart Is yet as soft as the milde Turtles Soule And mourns as much knowing no other Art By which to slake the mighty Flames which roule About her Bosome and would burn her up Did not her streams of Tears that Torrent stop 375. If when the Clouds lament the hardest stone Under their frequent Tears relenteth How Will Maries thicker Showers prevail upon The Heart of Jesus which did never know What Hardnesse ment He straitway melts and by His Groanes does his Compassion testifie 376. Then turning to the Grave he broach'd his Eyes And vi'd with Maries streams whither it were In Pitty of Mans fatall Miseries Who did his own Destruction prepare For neither Gods nor Natures Hand but he Digg'd his own Grave by his Impietie 377. Or in deep greif his dearest Freinds to see Of his Omnipotence distrustfull still Or in soft Sympathie with those whom He Of Tears and Lamentations saw so full What e'r the reason were He showred down Those streams for Mans sake and not for his own 378. O Tears you now are Perls indeed since He Who is the Gem of Heav'n hath brought you Forth Now you may worthy of Gods Bottles be Who from Gods radiant Eyes derive your Worth All holy Drops which are of kin to you By that Affinitie must glorious grow 379. Let flintie Bosomes build their foolish Pride On their own Hardnesse and the Weeping Eye As an effeminate childish Thing deride And inconsistent with the Braverie Of Masculine Spirits Yet truely-noble Hearts With Jesus will not scorn to Weep their parts 380. But He now from the Tombe commands the stone To be remov'd which sealed Lazarus up Alas an harder Marble lay upon Poor Martha's Heart which Faiths access did stop Corrupted was her Minde which made Her think And talk so much of Foure Days and the Stink 381. What are Foure Dayes that their poor intervention Should able be to raise a scruple here And intercept his soveraign Intention To whom Eternitie doth bow A Year An Age a World is no stop unto Him Upon whose Will depends the life of Time 382. Stinks and Corruptions no Retardments are To his productive Power who doth derive Through Putrifactions Pipes and there prepare The life which to all Creatures he doth give For by his Law which knows no violation Corruption Mother is to Generation 383. The Stone removed and the Cave laid ope Jesus the mighty King of Life and Death With awfull Majesty his hand lift up And then his Voice forming his royall breath Into these high imperious Words which Earth And Heav'n obeyed Lazarus come forth 384. A mighty Voice indeed which reach'd the Breast Of Abraham where the Soule in quiet lay But at these potent Summons made all haste Back to its own The Patriark they say Kiss'd the sweet Spirit and intreated it To bear that Token unto Jesu's feet 385. But when it came into the Cave it found What there the Thunder of this Voice had done Shatter'd and scatter d all about the ground Lay adamantine Chains which
Such thickning Clouds that Reasons Sun grew dim 18. And then infected with the pois'nous Sweet Alas no power was left him to abstein No more to quench his Thirst but that New Heat Which burnd his veins He takes his Bowle again Which to the brim in careless haste he fills And part on th' earth part in his mouth he spills 19. But now He Drunk no more the Wine Drunk Him His Sense his Judgement and his Soul and all For thus when in their own wilde Draughts they swim Our witty Language Men does Drunken call And did so thoroughly his Brain confound That Earth as well as Heav'n He thinks turns round 20. The Wine now sparkles in his eyes no lesse Than it did in the Bowl before He stares On every thing and yet he nothing sees He trips and staggers but no fall he fears Nor feels it when he falls for having let His Bowl drop down Himselfe fell after it 21. Thus he who in the universall Flood Escap'd the fury of the proudest Wave And on the Oceans back in triumph rode Seeing below the whole Worlds woefull Grave Alas was drowned in a silly Cup Which he himselfe unwittingly drunk up 22. No Ark above this Deluge Us can bear But Temperance which here the Saint forgot Who as he fell had neither thought nor care Of keeping on his modest Mantle but Quite destitute of Clothes and Senses lay And did his double Nakednesse display 23. But as the Traytor who has slain the King Speeds from the Court as soon's the Fact is done So now the treacherous Liquor back doth fling And from the Murder it committed run Besides a Rout of other Humors follows And slaughter'd Noah in his Vomit wallows 24. Slaughter'd indeed and now a Man no more For nothing is alive in Him but Beast Which speaks its kinde by its lowd Swinish Roar And thus he tumbling lies untill opprest With his most heavy Self he falls asleep And in that nasty Rest his brains doth steep 25. Thus as one part of Luxury did grow In Paradise the other planted was In Noahs Garden that the World might know Danger can breed and lurk in any place Alas the holiest Ground too often breeds As well as wholsome Floures invenomed Weeds 26. Heav'ns Bounty granted all Variety Of Meats to feast the Sober Appetite And added brisk and cheerfull Wine to be The active Soule of Moderate Delight But peevish Man abused by his grosse Ingratitude Heav'ns Grace to Wantonness 27. Neither by Eve's Example He would take Nor Noahs warning though their Sanctity Did them far more invulnerable make Then common Mortalls feeble Breasts could be Still He would needs goe dive to the profound Bottome of Pleasures though himselfe he drownd 28. And from that Bottome he fetch'd up at last Improved Fat and Full-grown Luxury Who ne'r appeared unto Ages past More than a tolerable Prodigie For she much cooler was and tamer then And did not banish Men quite out of Men 29. But now she an unruly Monster grew Being encourag'd by Wines rampant Flame And round about the World in Tryumph flew All which she shipwrack'd in her Pois'nous stream Raving and roaring Mad she was and made All so who practis'd her intemperate Trade 30. The Laws of God of Man of Nature were Vain feeble Bridles when-soever she Resolved in her furious Carreer To let the Circle of her Healths run free Oft has she mingled with her Wines mad flood Friends Brothers Parents Masters Princes blood 31. Strange was her Shape if yet Deformity May in Shapes Title share her parched Head Burns up all hopes of Hair and scorns to be By any thing but Baldnesse covered Her humorish Eyes all red and putrid seem In her own over-flowing Wine to swim 32. But yet her Nose more provident is for there The Wine is bottled up and runs not out Onely the Bottle being thin and clear Speaks what it holds and studded round about With fervent Rubies serveth her perhaps For a dear Item of a Bunch of Grapes 33. Wroth fiery Knots are marshalled upon Her Forehead and her Cheeks Had Sicilie Her Etna lost this sulphurie Region Would shew it her in multiplicitie Onely these Hills are something lesse then that Yet is their Horror and their Stink as great 34. Her Lips are alway crannied and drie Though every day a thousand times made wet For still her burning breath in passing by Makes them that Moisture instantly forget And by the Poison of its fulsome Stinks Taints all the aromatick Wines she drinks 35. But the vast storehouse of her Belly makes Her seem with Childe of Mountains for in this The dainties which from all the World she rakes In one prodigious Heap congested is Here Solomons brasen Sea it selfe might swimm And its twelve Oxen too and more with Them 36. This is the Sink where Surfet being bred Of all Diseases doth the Parent grow Which She distributing from Foot to Head Doth undigested Pleasures turn to Woe Thus though the Bee doth pleasing Hony bring She always endeth in a pois'nous Sting 37. Who knows not that Luxuriant Mortals eat The copious fuell of their Sicknesses And force their honest but abused Meat Not to feed Nature but her Maladies Who knows not that in Healths deceitfull Name They drink the Venome which destroieth Them 38. Themselves they diet thus with their own Death And to a Weapon of Destruction turn The Staff of Life In vain Heav'ns Mercy hath So bounteous been if Man himself can learn To pick out 〈◊〉 in it and through Its Sweetnesse work his bitter Overthrow 39. If Bacchus must be made a God and have His larger and more constant Sacrifice Than He who all their Vines to Mortals gave Whilst they the Gift more than the Giver prize If Ceres too a Goddesse grow and We All sworn Devoto's to the Belly be 40. Alas I and had not bold Mortalitie Commission large and full enough before To work our Ruine Was the Miserie Of Plagne of Famine and of War so poor And weak that We our Selves the help must lend Of Luxurie to hasten on our End 41. 'T was time high time for God himself to come And turn Physitian in this desperate Case Our Madnesse swell'd so wide that now no room For any Mortall helping Hand there was 'T was time to Come and blessed be His Name For his dear Coming for in time He came 42. Jesus himself came down and left the Feast Of all Delights which He above enjoy'd Into the Depth of Poverty He cast His life and taught the World how to avoyd Intemperanc's Baits which thick are set Onely where Riches the dominion get 43. Then by his practik Abstinence He shewed Those who his royall steps would not disdain How dangerous Luxurie might be subdued And healthfull Temperance the Sceptre gain Forty long dayes and nights at once he spent In Consecrating of his Servants Lent 44. To this Example He his Doctrine joyn'd And for his frequent Text did Fasting take
Such genuine beams of Piety descrised As soon dispell'd all mists of Jealousie Which serupulous Fear had rais'd unknown untried She is receiv'd Besides the holy Priest By Heav'n was warn'd to entertain this Guest 180. Phylax withdrew his nimble Selfe into His Closet of Invisibility Yet still attended on his Psyche who Approached to the royall Mystery With such brave fervor that her hungry Haste Almost as boundlesse seemed as the Feast 181. O how her Soule into the Dish did leap And dive down to the Bottom of the Cup With what Inamorations did she weep What sighs of Joy did break her bosome ope How did Fear strive with Love How did she groan Between Humility and Ambition 182. O how She thinks her Lips and Heart impure And yet she cannot for a World refrain She knows not how this Life she should endure If from the Life of Life She must contain She knows not how her Iron should for beak To meet the Loadstone now it was so neer 183. Whilst in this dainty Agony she lay Into her Mouth the Priest gives her her Blisse Which to her Heart directly took its way And drown'd it in exuberant Sweetnesses She now no longer Psyche is for she Is all converted into Ecftafie 184. O most Miraculous Feast how fain my Song Would be Luxuriant in admiring Thee But neither mine nor Phylax's high Tongue Knows how to reach that lofty Harmonie Of all united Sweets and Joyes which lie In bounteous Loves protoundest Mystery 185. Yet may my pained Soule have leave to lay At this Songs foot its just and heavy Sighs Which never since mine Eyes first op'd on Day So deeply rellished Lifes miseries The more my shame whose mighty Sins for Me Have earned this Heart-knawing Agonie 186. Time was when Heav'n in this late happy 〈◊〉 Kept open house when this Celestiall Feast Did freely wooe all Hearts to come and fill Their holy Appetites with all the best Of antidated Blisse and grow Divine With this Spirituall mighty Bread and Wine 187. But now both Feast and Bord devoured are By a new Banquet as jejune and drie As barren Air for all this Pulpit Cheer Feeds but the itching Ears strange Boulimie Whilst still the Heart remains as lank and thin And nothing fatter grows but lusty Sin 188. Sin fatter grows so fat that now it dares Kick both at Earth and Heav'n and scorns to be Aw'd by those generous and ingenuous Fears Which are the Reins of Virtuous Modesty It mocketh Veng'ance and derideth Law Because their patient Sword they slowly draw 189. O how come Christian Soules so well content To want the choisest Viands Heav'n could give O how preposterously Abstinent Are they who with all riotous Dainties strive To fortisie the Belly but can finde No Time to Victuall and enforce the Minde 190. Surely those Hero's were more prudent far Upon whose nearer hearts the warmer Blood Of Jesus dropp'd not once a Moneth or year Ordivers Years they with this holy Food Cheer'd up their Soules but every Morning fed And made the Lord of Life their Daily Bread 191. With Heav'n this alway kept their bosomes warme This made Them Eagle-like their strength renew With death-despising Courage this did arme Their gentlest Spirits By this they Masters grew Of Earth and Hell which having trampled down Heav'n too by Violence They made their own 192. But ô my Heart why art Thou stealing thus From thine own Woes thy Neighbours to deplore Time was when whilst thine unsledged Wickednesse Flew not at Heav'ns long patient face nor tore This Judgment thence I once a Week at least Could at this Bord of Blessings be a Guest 193. Then with sweet Comfort could I turn mine Eye Back on the year which with Delight did run Then could I count what Gains I reaped by My constant Trading in Devotion Rejoycing in my satisfied Minde That every Sunday I in Heav'n had din'd 193. But now the flaming Coursers of the Sun Are drawing on the fourteenth Moneth since I Attended on the Celebration Of this sweet life-enlivening Mystery Which yet I then was fain to steal and so A Thief that Day to Paradise did goe 194. I went indeed But a Forbidden Tree Strait woo'd my liquorish Hand and foolish I Beleev'd the flattering Bait and would not see How treacherous an Hook beneath did lie Dear wonderous dear this heedlesse Fault did cost Me For all my heav'nly Joyes and Powers it lost Me 195. It lost Me all and no Recruit was nie But I am lest aPrey to this long Fast O how the Palate of my Soule is drie What burning Drought doth shrivell up and waste The Bowels of my Heart how is my Minde With most uncomfortable Squalor pin'd 196. O how my Understandings Pinions tire And flag below when I aloft would soar What leaden Numnesse damps those hopes of Fire With which my Fancie'gan to glow before What Languor cloggs my fainting Will whilst On dark unworthy Earth thus groveling lie 197. O how this drie and barren Verse attests The heavy Truth of these my Lamentations O pitty Me all you whose gentle Breasts E'r felt the Stings of Mysticall Vexations Pitty Me ô my candid Readers now What makes me tire your Patience you know 198. Had I my wonted Share in that dear Feast Which with celestiall Spirits embraves the Heart A fairer Banquet I for You had drest Who now can onely by my pined Smart Warn You to prize and to imbrace with 〈◊〉 Religious Tendernesse what I have lost 199. Lost hitherto But must that Losse run on And can my Life mean while make good its Name Can Day maintain her Self if once the Sun Deny to feed her with his vitall Flame Can Rivers keep their constant full-tide Course If once the living Spring doth them divorce 201. O tender King of Love whose sumptuous Care For hungry Hearts that high Provision made Behold my starved Soule lies gasping here For one dear Crumb of thy mysterious Bread And craves to cool its burning Tongue one Drop Of liquid Life from thy all-saving Cup. 202. I know my Worthlessenesse sweet Lord and how Unfit I am to look for any Share In those peculiar Delicates which Thou For thine own genuine Children didst prepare Yet to a Dogg once more thy leave afford To catch what falleth from thy Childrens Bord. PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XIII The Death of Love ARGUMENT LOve having Liv'd for Man is pleas'd to Dy To make his purchase sure by Life and Death Through Earths profoundest Gulfe of Tyranny And the vast Ocean of Heav'ns mighty Wrath He nobly waded and upon the Shore Having first spent his Blood his Soule did poure 1. SOule of all Sweets ô Life how dear art Thou To all that ever had a Taste of Thee How much of Heav'n it selfe infus'd doth flow Into the region of thy Suavity Indeed Heav'n were not Heav'n did it not joyn To make it Selfe by Marrying Thee divine 2. Thou in the Center of Divinity Before the Birth of
Scorns to be balanc'd with the richest Treasure O then what mighty Depth of Worth or Height Of purest Pretiousnesse can serve to measure The value of the Life of Jesus which Doth earth with all the best of Heav'n enrich 29. A Life more worth than all the Breath which 〈◊〉 The panting Hearts of the whole World beside More worth than all the Tract of Ages and Old 〈◊〉 himself A Life which nobly vie'd With vast 〈◊〉 so sweet immense And pure was its Miraculous Excellence 30. For whilst all Humane Life was by the Breath Of the contagious Serpent tainted So That by the rankling Principles of Death It from its Cradie was condemn'd unto Its Herse He 's kept unsteind and scorned all The gaping Graves Pleas for his Funerall 31. Yet this dear Life of his he held lesse dear Than worthlesse men so generous was his Love That He his own Hearts Blood could freely spare To ransome theirs desiring so to prove Ev'n by their own Souls Rule that they to Him More dear than his all pretious Self did seem 32. They and the worst of them for he did not Pick out some worthy Freinds for whose sweet sake His Life 〈◊〉 was content to offer but Ev'n for his 〈◊〉 that dear Oblation make 〈◊〉 was Leves highest Gallantrie and fit For Him who was the Mighty King of it 33. This was the brave Exploit which Phylax now To ravish Psyche's Heart meant to display For though the bus'nesse she before did know Yet t was at Distance Circumstances may Make deep Impression and the present Sceen Of Miracles more Admiration win 34. Besides he knew her Soule was fired now With noble vigour from the Heav'nly Bord And would delight to towre and travell through The 〈◊〉 wonders of her loving Lord. This made him bring her from the sacred Cave When by the holy Kisse Sh 'had took her leave 35. Then up he leads her unto Calvarie The Hill of Marveils that that Prospect might Yeild her with uncontrolled Libertie Of Loves chief stations an open sight And there arriv'd Mark now my Deer said He What further Wonders Jesus did for thee 36. Wert Thou enthroned on the proudest Hill Which on the glorious Back of Heav'n doth rise Thou couldst not with a nobler spectacle Feast the brave Hunger of thy wondering Eyes Than from this Mountains most renowned Head Thou by my Finger and my Tongue shalt read 37. In yonder street of Ruines once there stood The High-preist Anna's House but Caiaphas Who was his Sonne by Marriage not by Blood Unlesse joynt thirst of guiltlesse Blood may passe For 〈◊〉 His Dwelling had Where now thou see'st that Heap of rubbish made 38. Those Caytiffs who had in the Garden seiz'd Upon thy Lord to Annas hull'd him first To see what Censure his grave spight was pleas'd To passe on Him for whom it long did thirst But He with cruel Favour Him dismist Unto his Sonne the bolder bloodier Priest 39. Thus through the 〈◊〉 and Scorn to 〈◊〉 Is Jesus sed He smil'd within to see With what successe his Bargain crowned was And thought his Money well bestow'd which He To 〈◊〉 gave Yet in his Face and Eye He still maintain'd his Priestly 〈◊〉 40. So hast thou seen a Lyon cast his Eye Upon his harmlesse Prey with grave Disdaine As if he could afford to passe it by Whilst He his greedy Paws can scarce contein Or with his Teeth bite in their own Des Of Blood so certain is his salvage Ire 41. Like one who jealous was of Peace and Law He calls Him to account and asks Him why He strove Disciples after Him to draw And with his new-found Doctrine multiplie Sects in the Church and 〈◊〉 in the State Both which religious Loyaltie must hate 42. Such Impudence upon Sinnes face doth reign That whilst the Laws of Heav'n and Earth she breaks She dares on Innocence throw her own stein And in high Zealloud exclamations make Against all Innovations which on Them Shee chargeth for whose blood her Thirst doth flame 43. Thy Lord well understood his vain Demand And why said He requir'st Thou this of me Loe my Accusers crowd on either hand Who in their spight against Me all agree My Doctrine publick was Hear then what 〈◊〉 Against Me now I challenge Them can say 44. Tin no Conventicles Cloysters did Shrowd any Lessons that I meant to preach The Synagogue and Temple witnessed And so did they Themselves what I did teach My Gospel it concern'd the World to know And from my Lips in publick it did flow 45. This said A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 by First bent his angrie Brow and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 With which at Jesu's Face his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crying Bold fellow can Goas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 Answer Now we see What 〈◊〉 of Manners grow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 46. Wouldst 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 For how 〈…〉 〈…〉 who though He 〈◊〉 This 〈…〉 Can yet approve himself both 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 47. But hear what from the Lambs Mouth Meekness spok If in my Answer any Crime there be Accuse Me Thou and let the High-priest look That legall Justice be perform'd on Me If not before the face of Justice Seat Why dost Thou mine injuriously beat 48. Soft was this Answer but their Breasts were Stone And beat it back The unrelenting Priest With all the Scribes and Elders joyn'd in one Conspiracy of Haste their Projects cast To hire False-witnesse as before they bought That Treason which Him Pris'ner thither brought 49. Is this the reverend Sanhedrim which here Hunts for a Lie that Truth may not escape Must grosse Injustice poyson Mose's Chair Must bloody Spight put on Religions shape No wonder if the People forward be To tread their Leaders Stepps to Injury 50. Whole Troops of Witnesses came thronging in With thicker Articles When Rulers dare Once egg the Vulgar on to act that sin In which Themselves cannot for shame appear Bold Calumnie thinks Law is on her side And with all furious Impudence doth ride 51. But this rude Rout were younglins yet and raw Knights of the Post and had not conn'd their Lie With wary Art As yet They did not know What need they had of perfect Memory This made each one of Them accuse his Brother Whilst all their Stories jarr'd on One another 52. Yet They must not be chidden whose Intent Aim'd onely at the Publike Good least this Should unto others prove Discouragement Who might urge Articles with more Successe Alas those Men were well-affected but Quite out of Count'nance by the Court were put 53. Their honest Meaning by the Sanbedrim Is kindely constru'd and with Thanks requited That others might with subtler Art to trim Their fairer Accusations be invited For still the patient Court expects to see Who will the next Calumniators be 54. But when the first Miscarriage did dismay All other Lyars Satan who stood by Quick as his Thought snatch'd unto Hell his way To fetch some help leasts the Priests Villany And his great Hopes should intercepted
Thousands at his Heels which might assist His Wills Carreir Might his Designe not be True to our Fears And must He be dismist Dismisse Him If you will yet know that We Must hold you then for Caesars Enemie 239. Pilate had with their Malice grappled long But now his Place and Credit lay at stake He who before was so upright and strong Degenerously turn'd Unjust and Weak Firm stood his Chair upon the Pavement but His Heart and Conscience soone fell flat on it 240. For as He'ginns to name their King again Away with him they Crie We have no King But Caesar Caesar over Us shall reign And He alone As for this Cursed Thing 'T is more than time that to his Cross He goe And every one that is his Favourer too 241. Alas this Blast did on his faint Breast did blow So thick a Storm of Ielousie and Dread That now he fancied all the Town did draw Their mutinous Swords against his single Head And that the Priests had with their specious Lie Dispatched unto Rome an Embassie 242. Thus toss'd and baited by the Tempest He His Faith and Truth the dearest Wares he had Throws over bord and to their Crueltie Joyns his Consent which yet appear d so mad And full of foul and odious horror that He calls for Water to wash off its Blott 243. Why dost thou ravish Foolish Hypocrite The virgin Nymph What Water wilt thou get To wash this clean which cannot make Thee white But onely is by this thy Touching it For ever made impure Should all the Sea Flow on thy Hands they still would Bloody be 244. The Leopards Spots which fix their Feet so sure Upon his skin shall sooner melt away The AEthiop's Face shall sooner learn a Cure And turn its swarthy Night to beauteous day The Ravens with Swans in White shall sooner vie Than thou be purg'd from thy ingrained die 245. Yet Pilate flatter'd by his own Device Will needs be dabbling in the Water and Behold ye Priests and People all he cries Of Iesu's Blood I wash my guiltlesse Hand Although my Tongue the sentence passe yet ye Extorted it and yours the Act shall be 246. Content said They since you will have no share Ours let the Actions Glorie wholly be Both Heav'n and Earth will thank us for our Care And Caesar praise our zealous Loyaltie So will your self when you have weighed well What kinde of Monster you have sent to Hell 247. As for his Blood which frights your timorous Hand It is to us the Brightest Paint of Gloxie And will to all Successions commend Our pious Loyall Resolutions Storie For our ambitious Wish it is that It May On Heads and on our Children sit 248. Unhappy Wish had this been rightly fram'd No Prayer had flam'd with purer Piety Nor pull'd more Blessings down then would have streamd In this rich Blood upon Them all But see The fatall Power of Malice which can thus Make Zeals sweet Dialect turn venomous 249. For'twas not long e'r Titus came to poure This Blood upon Them and their Wish fulfill Them and their Seed its Streams did then devour With such full Veng'ance did the Torrent swell Their Town and Temple too this Deluge found Which in their Wishes Surplusage were drown'd 250. For never yet did Warr so riot in The Blood of any helplesse Wights as here Nor fatall Misery hunt out any Sin With so seveer a Quest as that So 〈◊〉 They found their Wish and bloody Exclamation Which prov'd the funerall Knell to all their Nation 251. And now the Judge within whose Breast the fear Of Men vile Men more than of God did reign Those Bonds of generous Right himselfe did tear From which he woo'd the People to refrain And gives his owne unhappy tongue the Lie Iudging the Lord of Innocence to die 252. O monstrous sentence were the fell Decrees Which ever yet from Tyrants Mouths did breake With the Descriptions of their Cruelties All writ in one black Roll they would not make So hideous a show as this alone Of Barbarousnesse the dire Perfection 253. All Injuries in this triumphant are Being skrued to the highest pitch of Spight Injustice but a Suckling was till heer She on the sudden grew to her full height Herod had nurs'd her well but Pilate now With the Iews help taught her compleat to grow 254. For could Hell mould so horrible a Doome As might send every Infant who did see Lifes morning Light strait from his Mothers Wombe To his Death 's Ev'n that Sentence yet would be Lesse barbarous than this which doth at once Condemne more than the whole Worlds Innocence 255. Alas unfortunate Pilate how hast Thou Condemn'd thy Self whilst Thou didst sentence Him The time draws nie when Caius will not know Thee for a Freind of Caesars Thy Esteem And Office too unto their Evening draw And foure Years more will make Thee feel the Law 256. The Law of Bannishment when France shall see Thee to Vienna ti'd that fatall place Where Hell shall to thy Soule displayed be And thy black Conscience warr against thy face Mustring the Guilt of this unhappy Day Before thine Eyes in terrible Array 257. There thy wives message shall again resound And sting thine heart thine own Professions there Of Jesu's innocence shall all rebound Upon thy breast and thy foule bosome tear There shall that water bubble up and boile Upon thine Hands which did its streams defile 258. There shall thy whips their lashes turn on thee There shall the thorns grow thick upon thy Head There shall the Buffettings and Mockings be Unto 〈◊〉 self in fail tale numbered There 〈◊〉 prodigious sentence back shall flie And point out Pilate as one fit to die 259. Then shall the cruel Crosse the Nailes the Spear Walk through thy thoughts and murder thee alive Till Crucifi'd by thine own fatall fear Thine hand due vengeance to thy self shall give And from thy Hell above by cursed death Send thy dispairing soule to Hell beneath 260. So shall thine hand thou thoughtst thou washst so white 〈◊〉 imbru'd in thine own horrid gore 〈◊〉 to all following Judges write Of what sure vengeance righteous Heav'n doth poure On them who warp Laws rule to Peoples lust And make the throne of Justice be unjust 261. But when the Lamb of Heav'n was sentenc'd thus Unto the Shambles Streit upon their prey The rampant Soldiers fly His gorgeous Attire they from him snatch and him array In his own simple fleece yet suffer still The torturing thorns upon his head to dwell 262. This rubb'd and wounded all those Wounds again In which the clotted blood began to rest This op'd the weary Mouth of every vein As if it would have had them now confest The utmost drop they knew yet though this loss Went deep they kept enough to paint the Cross. 263. 〈◊〉 delay then unto Calvarie 〈◊〉 hurry Him ev'n though their Senates Law 〈◊〉 that no Execution be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by ten dayes Thoughts the Judge
may know 〈◊〉 he has not in some passi nate haste Without sufficient grounds his Sentence Past. 264. The Priests had mony that commanding Spurr Which fires all Soldiers with impatient Speed And Pilate now can cast in no Demurr The Jews assure him that he has no need But need or not his thoughts in vain doe beat The Soldiers now were bought to doe the Feat 265. But being Martiall generous Spirits they Must not debase their armed Backs to bear The servile ignominious Cross nor may The Jews who now all purified were To celebrate their Paschall Supper be Stain'd by the Touch of that accursed Tree 266. On JESU'S Wounds his Death the Soldiers lay And He must ern his Crosses Service by Bearing its tedious Weight before he may Be born by it Thus with a barbarous Crie Of Tongues and Trumpets which the Welkin rent Through the cheifstreets this sad Procession went 267. But He whose Springs so drained were before Both of their Blood and Spirits now grew faint In vain they kick'd him and in vain they tore Him forward by his Hair for no Constraint Can make weak Nature her own Power exceed Nor finde out Firmnesse in a broken Reed 268. What Heart but seared by the fire of Hell Could now Compassions courteous Tears forbear But yet the Soldiers bosomes by the fell Contagion of the Iewish Malice are So deeply tainted that what might invite Tigres to Pittie does but whet their Spight 269. For meerely in prevention of the Loss Of that choise Sport they hoped for when He Was once set fair and sure upon his Cross As the full Mark at which all Scoffs might be Directly aim'd Him from this Load they spare And force Cyrenian Simon it to bear 270. Nay Live you shall say they till you may Die As you deserve mean while this Ernest take Of that full Summe which We will by and by On Golgotha without abatement make With this they beat Him and so much the more As with his Blood he no Complaints would poure 271. Indeed the softer Sex who upon Him And on his Woes did wait with tenderer Eyes In his own Blood could not behold Him swim But with their Sympathetick Tears and Cries Confess'd that they had Bowells still although Remorseless Stone Mens hearts did overgrow 272. But Jesus who did all this grevious while Encourage by his patient Silence those Most insolent Jeers and Blasphemies the vile And spightfull Jews could frame doth now oppose These Womens loving Tears and upon them With nobler Pitty turn their pittying Stream 273. For 't was his brave Ambition to engross All Greifs and Sorrows to Himself to day Esteeming every Groan of theirs his Loss And all his Woes discredited that they Should seem to need Assistants when stout He To his own Shoulders woo'd all Miserie 274. Weep not ye Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for Me who have set ope my Breast To every Greif which into it can stream And thither mean to welcome every Guest Weep not for Me said He whose Sorrows are Not to be quenched by a mortall Tear 275. If you will broach your Bottles let them run For your own selves and your unhappy Seed For loe those fatall Days are posting on Which all your Brine and more than all will need The Days when Blessing shall no longer spred Its joyous Complement on Mothers Head 276. For then the Barren Womb shall praised be As fertile in the choisest Happiness Then everie Tongue those Papps ariditie Which never brought up Babe to Woe shall bless Then shall the dearest pledges of your Love Your Sonns and Daughters living Torments prove 277. Then in impatient longing for a Grave Despairing Men shall to the Mountains call And everie neighbour Hills Compassion crave Beseeching them upon their Heads to fall And hide them though in Death from seeing how Calamitie about the World doth flow 278. For if in me a young and verdant Tres The flames of Veng'ance thus prevailing are What shall the Refuge or Condition be Of Stumps and Trunks all withered and sear Which are already dri'd and fit alone For feuell for their own Combustion 279. In a fresh Cursing and Blaspheming fitt This set the mad-braind Rout who ask'd Him why When they of late so humbly begged it He would not condescend to Prophesie And why He who could others Woes so well Discern could nothing of his own foretell 280. And see good Prophet yonder Hill said they Take your own Counsell now before it prove Too late Come let Us heare what you can say Both it and its Compassion to move Set out your Throat if hard and loud you plead Perhaps 't will bow its own to hide your Head 281. Then having star'd a while upon Him all Whose Fists or Toes or Spittle him could reach With thick and peevish indignation fall Upon his bruised bloody Body Which Triumphant scorns He meekly vanquish'd by His Silence and march'd up to Calvarie 282. Ev'n to this Calvarie We stand on heer This Mount which from a Scull hath gain'd its Name For in this solemn Place the Sepulchre Of reverend Adam stood which carefull Fame Told to Posteritie and so the Hill Wears in its Title that old Story still 283. With such Decorum did thy prudent Lord Order his meritorious Passion that The second Adam might his help afford Unto the First where He lay chain d and shut Up in Deaths Prison the remorseless Grave Which to Corruption did Him enslave 284. Iesus on that drie Dust resolv'd to shed His most enlivening purifying Blood That He might wash and cure the tainted Head Of Mortalls Miserie by the soveraign Flood Of his own Life that Life which onely can Restore true vitall vigor unto Man 285. Here 〈◊〉 here the Crosse its foot did set When it sustaind the Worlds Redeemer here Is that renouned Soile which once was wet With richer Drops than ever shoured were From kindest Heav'n for by that fertile Dew Salvations Harvest to perfection grew 286. But yet this Hill wears not that onely Name Of Calvarie 't was call'd Moriah too Of old when zealous Abraham hither came His most renouned Sacrifice to doe And by unparalleld Obedience prove The valourous Bravery of faithfull Love 287. Brave Abraham hither came his Altar heer He built and prepossess'd the Crosses place So Isaac did thy Lords a while But there An hamperd Ram strait substituted was Thus Isaac scap'd but now there was no Ram Which might supply the place of heav'ns dear Lamb. 288. Jesus himselfe must sacrificed be Not by but to his Father Psyche now That fatal Houre was come when Tyrannie Held the free Reins and did its freedome know When purest Innocence was abandond quite Unto the Luxurie of proudest Spight 289. For loe the Souldiers thy torn Saviour stretch And fit Him unto his tormenting Tree His blessed Hands unto the Topp they reach Those Hands whose workmanship all creatures be His Feet unto the bottom those pure Feet Which no Bloud but their
And that he ment upon the Aires high back To shew himselfe in State to Us but now His Crosse is all the Chariot he can show 316. He often bragg'd that God was his great Sire How is it then his Father owns Him not Sure were He worth the owning all the Quire Of Heav'n would hither Flock to hide this Blot Of his broad Shame with their pure Wings bear Him hence in triumph to his native Sphear 317. Shame on your Blasphemies you shamelesse Rout Of Priests and People Jesus aimeth not To save Himselfe but You who sting and flout His noble Patience He has not forgot That in his Soveraign Hands and Fingers still The whole Train of Omnipotence doth dwell 318. For those Almighty Hands he stretcheth out And busie is in working your Salvation He could Come down but stayes till he has wrought That mighty Act of his victorious Passion He could come down but stayes till he may draw Up after Him this groveling World below 319. He could come down did you not fix Him there Not with your Nails but with your stronger Sins He could come down were his own Life as dear To him as yours But on his Wrongs he winns And by all resolute Love strives to prevail Against all Spight and Rage which him 〈◊〉 320. O Psyche cruell were those Scoffs but yet More stinging Scorn then this is still behinde For now the very Theeves upon him spit Their odious Taunts and seem in Him to finde What their vile Soules amidst the Miseries Of their own cursed Crosses dare despise 321. Ink scorns the Snow foule Night accuseth Day The dirty Puddle mocks the virgin Spring Dark Shades contemn the Suns meridian Ray Black Night-ravens call the Swan a swarthy Thing Ignoble Bats revile the Eagles Eyes And Hell it selfe insults o'r Paradise 322. Art thou that mighty Christ said they and yet Hang'st here the Game of all Contempt and Spight Can Heav'ns great Son his Selfe so far forget As rather to endure to Die then fight Discredit not by yeilding cowardly The Lord of Hosts if he thy Father be 323. Come justifie that royal Title there Which now but laughs at thine ignoble Head Approve thy Selfe King of the Jews and fear Not to redeem thy Fame and Life But spread Thy Favour too on Us that under Thee The Soveraign We may glorious Nobles be 324. For since in these thy deep Misfortunes We Of all thy World thy sole Companions are We well in your restor'd Prosperity May promise our Desert the deepest share So spake the Theeves and then they roar'd for Pain But quickly fell to scoffe and curse again 325. And shall not Heav'ns Artillery now attend Its wronged King and vindicate his Cause Can Earth hear this and not in sunder rend Snatching these Elves into her deepest Jaws No Jesus now no Veng'ance doth approve But that of patient and Silent Love 326. Sweet Veng'ance which so strongly wrought upon One of this loud blaspheming Pair that he Converts his Curses to Devotion And prompts his Fellow unto Piety Rebuking sharply his malitious Tongue Which still persu'd his Lord with shameless Wrong 327. Then like a wise and sober Theif indeed He seeks to steal into his Saviours grace O King of Heav'n he cries I plainly read Thy Majesty though in thy clounded Face Sure Thou hast taught mine Eyes this skill ô then Compleat this Mercy which Thou hast begun 328. When in thy Kingdome Thou shalt mounted be Upon thy Throne of Glory ô forger Those Wrongs which ignorant I did poure on Thee On Thee the God of Innocence but yet Forget not Me who must for ever die Unlesse repreived by thy Clemencie 329. Jesus whose Goodnesse never did disdain 〈◊〉 hear and answer a meek Sinners Crie Though his provoked Lips he did refrain Amidst those thick Storms of loud Blasphemie With gracious Sweetnes doth Assurance give Unto the Dying Theif that he shall live 330. Fear not said He thy Death is drawing nie But it shall prove the Gate of Life to Thee My Word the Pillar of all Certainty I freely pass Thou from that cursed Tree Shalt step this Day to Paradise and there Under the Bowers of Blisse with Me appear 331. The Preists and People laugh'd and scoff'd to hear Him talk of giving Blisse who hung in Pain Blinde Fools who could not now discern how clear His Power shin'd which thus its Prize could gain Out of Hells Mouth with Loves sweet constreint Make of a Cursing Theif a Praying Saint 332. By this deer Token He to every one Of them aforehand did their Pardon seal If they would doe what the meeke Theif had done And to his Grace with penitent hearts appeal But most unhappy They this deep Designe Of Love did obstinately countremine 333. Profoundly did this Scorn of Mercy tear Thy Spouses most compassionate Breast But He Observing now his dearest Followers there The Mother of Him and Virginitie With faithfull John a keen and double Dart Of fresh Greif shot quite through his bleeding Heart 334. For in his Mothers tender Soule he saw That cruel Sword stuck deep which Simeon Foretold so long agoe The Virgin now Who at the first brought forth her blessed Son Whithout all Pangs doth in hard Labour strein And pays her Debt of puerperiall Pain 335. O how the Bowels of her yearning Heart Are tent and torn her hands her feet her head All bear their proper Torments and no Part Can say To me these Sorrows doe not spread For from her Sons deer Body every Wound Doth on her sympathetik Self rebound 336. Her Temples are with thick-set Thorns hedg'd in Nail'd unto Tortures are Her dainty Feet Tatter'd and mangled is Her tender Skin Her Flesh plow'd up Her veins wide open set And all her modest Body to the view Exposed is of every shameless Jew 337. On Her those Jeers and Taunts and Blasphemies Their venome pour and swell with Greif her Breast That Breast which noble Love so straitly ties And coments to her Sons that not the least Division can interpose nor make This Double One themselves for single take 338. If She had in her other Self if she In Mary had been Crucifi'd the Crosse Had tolerable been but thus to be Destroy'd in Jesus is so vast a Loss That Mari's swallow'd up in it and this Calamitie becomes both Hers and His. 339. Her Hope her Joy her Life her Love her Blisse Her Heav'n her Son her God all these She now Beholds betrayed to her Enemies And what has Mary more How shall she row Through this vast Sea which in each gaping Wave Presents her ô how much more than a Grave 340. As oft as to the Crosse she opes her Eyes Death rusheth in Yet she as oft doth Die As unto their Compassion she denies That ruefull Spectacle If Psyche I Or Thou or any Seraph had been so Beseig'd with Soveraign Griess What could We do 341. What could we doe but sink Yet noble she Struggling amidst a
did flie Unto the bottome of Nights nideous Sea That now Sins Blacknesse chased was away Earth might behold a double glorious Day 421. But will no Pitty on the Body look Which now has born the utmost spight of spight Yes Arimathean Joseph undertook To pay unto it its Sepulchral Right And now with loving Loyaltie doth mean To prove that he had a Disciple been 422. A true Disciple though a Secret one Witnesse his Fear to generous Courage grown For though his Master now were dead and gone His Faith revives nor shall the High-priests Frown Or Peoples Fury fright his Duty from Yeilding his Saviour his own costly Tombe 423. A Man of honorable Place was he And Pilate easily grants him his Request The Corps resigned is unto his free Disposall which he straight-way doth invest With daintiest Linen that the Winding Sheet Might Delicacie learn by Kissing it 424. Right well he Knew this solemn Paschal Feast For bad him all Pollution by the Dead And yet his pious Love durst not desist Till he this votive Task had finished Being assur'd he could not stained be By handling the dead Corps of Purity 425. But is Ho busie was another Freind Came in good Nicodemus who by Night On Iesus whilst He lived did attend To gain for his obscured Judgment Light And in his blacker Night of Death doth now His gratefull Pietie upon Him bestow 426. Of pretious aromatick Mixtures He An hundred Weight doth bring to sacrifice Unto this Bodies service so to be Enobled and enhanced in its price The O dours smiled as they kiss'd the Skin For by that Touch more Sweetnes they did win 427. Mean while the Instruments of Death for this The manner was were younder buried Where they shall sleep untill a Queen shall rise Out of thy Albion from whose blessed Bed A Prince shall spring who shall exalt above His Roman Eagles the meek Christian Dove 428. Their deer Discovery is reserv'd for none But venerable Helen who when here Hot in her passionate Devotion Her Saviours Sufferings She her selfe shall bear Transfiguring her Miditating Heart Into each severall Torture Wound and Smart 429. Those noble Relicts shall revealed be In recompence of her brave Love and Zeal There for the Jewells She shall Dig and see At length the rude but glorious Spectacle The Crosse and Nail She there shall finde Which her Lords Body pain'd and her own Minde 430. Inestimable shall their Worth be held One of those Nailes to Constantine shall seem Illustrious enough his Head to gild And sit enthron'd upon his Diademe Two in his Bridle shall triumph when He Rides through the World like King of Victory 431. The Fourth shall tame the Adriatik Man And naile it fast unto its bottome so That on its equall pacisied Plain The unmolested Ships may safely goe Then by this Gem shall that enriched Sea More wealthy than the eastern Ocean be 432. But for the noble Crosse no Toung can tell The Wonders that shall spring from that drie Tree Which hew'd out by Devotions Edge shall fill The zealous World and quit that Injury Which from the fatall Bough in Eden spread Through all the 〈◊〉 sown with humane Seed 433. Persia shall take it Captive yet not dare To look upon its Pris'ner Pietie Shall thence redeem it by a 〈◊〉 War And then return it to its Calvarie When great Heraclius his own royall Back A willing Chariot for it shall make 434. But come my Dear here on the Western side Of this now holy Mountain Thou mayst see The pretious Sepulchre of Him who di'd And who was also Buried for Thee This Rock is it Come lets 's into the Cave No Temple is more holy than this Grave 435. Loe here good Joseph did the Body lay Here lay the blessed Head and here the Feet Hard was the Couche and yet no Princes may Compare their Beds with it which was more sweet Than Solomons although Arabia did With all her sweetest Sweets goe there to bed 436. The Phaeni'x balmie grave could never show Such soveraign Riches of perfumes as here Did from thy blessed Saviours Body flow Who soon the truer Phoenix did appear O pretious Place No Mau 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Into comparison with this must come 437. What are the Monuments of Kings but 〈◊〉 Memorials of their putid Rottennesse Whilst odious Worms and Dust inshrined are Iu specious Gold and Marble But in this Plain Sepulchre bold 〈◊〉 found Her Hands were more than the dead 〈◊〉 bound 438. This is that Oratorie Psyche now Whither the 〈◊〉 Soules 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Themselves and their best 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they Here all their Zealous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And in this Air their warmest 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 439. Yet time 's at hand when bold Idolatrie Will venture to prophane this sacred Place To turn this Paradise into a stie And holinesses beauty to deface To build Hels soveraign Monster odious Jove Upon this monument of divinest love 440. But all in vain for Christian Eagles still Will to the place of the dear carcase fly And their impatient devotions fill By feasting on its pretious memory Jove though the most impure of things is not So foule as this Toombs puritie to blot 441. And here may'st thou for I thy heats discover Sweet Psyche stay and ease thy burning heart Thy Uows and Prayers here thou may'st run over And with the pious world take thy free part Doe riot in thy zeal I will attend And keep the door till thou hast made an end 442. Psyche who scarcely for this cue could wait Fell on her face and kiss'd the reveren'd floor Where her brave flames so melted her that strait Her armorous sighs and soule she forth did pour And by the strong embrace of Faith and Love Seem'd there to hug Him who was high above 443. Through all his pains and all his wounds she went And on her own heart printed every one Her bowels with his wofull cry she rent And wish'd not 〈◊〉 seeing he found none By bitter thoughts his nails his throns his spear She copied out by tears his Vinagre 444. But comming to his death she fetch'd a sigh Up from the bottome of her soule in hope Her life would have flown in its company And made her passion too compleatly up Striving in meek ambitious love to have The ready honor of her Saviours Grave 445. Desire lay boyling in her ardent breast With secret groans her Aspirations beat With restlesse panting she reach'd at that rest To which her Lord was flown and in the heat Of this contention she was towr'd so high That scarce her Body upon earth did lye 446. But when life held her on this dainty Rack In a full Ocean of Inamorations And mighty Ecstasies she strove to wrack Her labouring heart And yet these perturabtions And strong assaults of loves intestine war She by diviner loves assistance bare PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XIV The Triumph of Love ARGUMENT LOve bindes in his own
Den the King of Hate Death and Corruption in the Grave subdues Turns back the mighty Stream of Mortal Fate Himselfe alive to his Disciples shews In Triumphs bright Excesse Ascends upon A Clowd and mounts his everlasting Throne 1. VIcissitude how doth thy constant Change Cheer up the World which else would droop faint Thou no strange Thing wilt suffer to be strange Whilst with all Companies Thou dost acquaint For thy Chamaeleons skin is made to fit All Sorts of Colours that can meet with it 2. When Heav'ns wise Hand did mould these things We see As Natures noble Sport and Recreation It constituted thy Uncertainty For ever certain in its Variation That as God knows no Change so all Things else Might feel the Motion of Mutations Pulse 3. All things at first were Night then Day burst forth But Night soon stole upon Dayes back again Yet in the Morning crept behinde the Earth And suffer'd Light her full twelve Houres to reign Thus have all Ages onely been the Play Of inter woven checker'd Night and Day 4. When peevish Winters churlish Breath doth blow His froazen Scythia all about the Earth Commanding Nature in a Bed of Snow To lie and sleep and let no Bud peep forth Who would imagine she could break again From the captivity of her icey Chain 5. Yet when the Sun leaps in the lusty Ram Forthwith the spring takes heart encourag'd by The neighbourhood of his enlivening flame And cloathes the World with fresh fertility Bidding the troublesome snow no more be seen And changing earths white mantle to a green 6. Sometimes the windes conspire upon the main To plow the deeps and throw them at the skie To let them thunder head-long down again And with new wrath return them up as high Till all the Sea be on a foaming sweat And Rocks and Ships and Sailers hearts be split 7. Yet when these Blasts their fury out have blown The Ocean becomes a polish'd plain Mildly presenting for each billowie frown A gentle smile The Sirens play again The Seamen hoise their sailes the Halcyon lays Her Egs and gives her name to quiet days 8. When the laborious Plow-man hath by day Worri'd himself and Earth and water'd it With his own sweat cool night his head doth lay Safe on his Bed and teach him to forget His toilesome work whilst soft and gentle sleep Yeilds him a crop of pleasant dreams to reap 9. When tedious sicknes by her rampant fits Has in the Body her sad revels kept Health takes her happy cue and cheerly sets Her self to work nor stops till she has swept The veins and Stomack and with lively fire Cheer'd up the Spirits which began to tire 10. Though Grief sometimes conspiring with the Night Disconsolations on an heart doth throw Yet Comfort dawning with the morning light Smootheth the sullen furrows of the brow And with its virgin beams of sweetnes dryes The briny moisture of the clouded eyes 11. But no vicissitude in sweetnes may Compare with that which cures the worst of gall Whose beams can chase the shades of death away And kindle comforts in a Funerall Which to a sepulchre can say stand ope And let thy Prisner into Life get up 12. Indeed some glimpses of this blessed Change Had glanced on the World before yet they Were but faint shaddows of the bright and strange Mutation which did shine on Easter-day For they effected were by borrowed Might This dawn'd and rose by none but its own light 13. Jesus alone was He in whose brave Hand Dwelt that authentick Power which knew how To give his Mortal Fate a Countremand To force his stout Grave to repent to throw A side his winding Sheet and cleerly turn His own Deaths Night into a living Morn 14. And now the reverend Place did prompt him too The glorious Story Phylax means to paint Its severall Wonders unto Psyche who Under her holy Passion strove to faint He takes her up and sweetly cries My Dear Lifes Monument as well as Deaths is here 15. And t is the same this very grave doth now With open mouth proclaim the death of Death Come sit thee down and I will tell thee how By his own loss thy vanish'd Saviour hath Victorious prov'd and reap'd such Palms as yet No other Conquerer could ever get 16. When in this Cabinet good Joseph had The pretious Jewell laid a massie stone Unto the Monuments mouth he roll'd and made It safe from injuries invasion Being still suspitious of the tyranny Of the High-priests which with death could not 〈◊〉 17. It could not die and was resolv'd that He Should neither live nor seem to live again Whom their flagitious importunitie Had by faint-hearted Pilates sentence slain To Him they come afresh and fawning cry Long live great Caesar and his Deputy 18. Sir in our Gods and in our Countries name Full thanks We tender for that Justice you Have done on Jesus blotting out that shame Which on our Temple His foule Mouth did throw Nor will you want ev'n Caesars praise since he Reigns by your care from dangerous tumults free 19. For what might this stout Conjurer have done If He had Veng'ance scap'd and lived still Who by the Magick of his Death alone Ierusalem doth with amazement fill How many Fondlings stroke their Breasts and cried Sure He 's the Son of God ev'n when He dyed 20. There 's Danger therefore least this Serpents blood Rankle the Aire and taint our credulous Nation Especialy since he himselfe thought good To pave the Way to some such Perturbation Telling his Scholars he to them again Would rise the third Day after he was slain 21. Now Sir if sheltered by theevish Night They from his Grave should steal Him and proclaim That He is Risen by his heav'nly Might What Danger might attend on such a Fame How would the seeming Miracle entise Seditious Multitudes with Him to Rise 22. Then would the Mischiefe swell to greater Height Then if the Traytor were indeed alive Against the power of that new Deceit Alas both You and We in vain should strive For how shall We attache Him who is dead And yet into new Lifes opinion sled 23. Say what we could the mutinous Rabble still By the Graves open Mouth would seal up ours Provoking Us unto that Miracle By which They 'l count'nance their Rebellious Powr's And with outrà gious Falsehood bear Us down Crying They serve Him who to Heav'n is flown 24. Pilate whose Conscience griped Him for what He had already done no more would trade In that uncomfortable Bus'nesse but Them of their spightfull Project Masters made Ye have a Watch Goe make all sure said He And satisfie your politick Iealousie 25. This was enough Away goe They in haste To make God sure for ever stirring more Annas and Caiaphas both their Seals set fast Upon the Stone which dammed up the Door Charging a double Guard appointed well With Swords and Spears to wait on either Seal 26. Fools as they are
their Plots and Counsells be But onely wise conspiracies to make The Resurrections glorious Mystery With more unanswerable Lustre break Forth in their Faces since their Guard and Seal Shall now bear witnesse to the Miracle 27. So when the envie-blinded Median Peers Had got great Daniel in the sealed Den Of hungry Death their Jealousies and Fears They confidently laid asleep but when The Day awak'd they found their fell Designe Prov'd his Deliverance the more Divine 28. Mean while the sacred Corps lay sleeping here And jolly Death triumphed in the Grave Presuming that no Man her force could bear Since she the deadly Wound to Jesus gave He was her only feared Champion and Loe now she saw him conquer'd by her Hand 29. Long had she vex'd and pin'd remembring how Brave Enoch and Elias rescued were From her Monarchik Cruelty but now That feebler Pair she is content to spare And gluts her bloody Heart with Joy to see This Trophe of most matchlesse Victory 30. She never took such proud Delight to set Her foot on Alexanders Toomb or see The Sons of Anak all in Ashes meet Or Josua's Dust with his own Grave agree Or steely Samson turn to rotten Clay Or vast Goliah mouldering away 31. She kiss'd her bloody Dart and vow'd to build An Arc of triumph to its Victory With high Disdain she all the World beheld Which now had no pretence but it must Die Since Life 's own Champion became her prey And tame and cold and dead before her lay 32. There lay his Body but his Soule mean time Triumphed more than she for down into The Kingdome of the hidden World the Chime Of unsuspecting Darknesse it did goe And took the Powers of Hell all napping in The secret Cloysters of their gloomy Den. 33. Hells Gates of sturdy Brasse He flung in sunder Shaking the bottome of the monstrous Deep The Porter frighted at the Ruines thunder Into the Gulfe to hide his Head did leap But equal Horror there he met for all The Pit was startled when the Gates did fall 34. So when the mighty Son of Manoah who Presumed was the Cities Prisner tore The Gates of Gaza to make way unto His conquering March the Peoples dreadfull Roar Answer'd the Pillars boistrous Crack whilst all Thought their own Roofs about their Ears did fall 35. Imperial Lustre streaming from the face Of Jesue in the eyes of hideous Night Upon the swarthy Flames of that foule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such an Ocean of immortal 〈◊〉 That into every hole they crept aside Seeking their 〈◊〉 Shame to hide 36. About the hollow Bowells of the Cave An universal Groan it selfe did spread Whose Echo such an hideous Answer gave That all Hell gasping seem'd on its Deaths-hed Straight followed such Yellings Shreiks and 〈◊〉 As truly spake Damnations Miseries 37. Imagine what the blear-ey'd Sons of Night Ravens Scritchowls Bats and such foule things would doe If they surprised were by High-noon Light In their black Nests ô whether should they goe When their illustrious Enemy doth reach The very entrails of their closest Pitch 38. Incomparably more the Horror was Which shot it selfe quite through the Heart of Hek For these commanding Rayes did freely passe Through the black Masse of every Obstacle With such stout Brightnesse that amidst the store Of never-dying Fires it kindled more 39. The Lakes of Sulphure boiled with new Heat And every Pang and Torment hotter grew Dispair afreshat every Bosome beat Upon the next Fiends race each Fury fiew And every Devill scratch'd and tore his Brother Wreaking their Mannesse upon one another 40. The Snakes their Hisses and their Poyson spit And in a thousand Knots ti'd and unti'd Their woefull selves again The Gorgons split Their monstrous Throats with raving and the wide And fiery-mouthed Dragons howling loud Whole torrents of their flaming venome spewd 41. The Peers of Hell curs'd their unhappy King Whose Pride did to this Torment them betray They hop'd the Light of Heav'n would never spring In their black Clime to poure on them Dismay But now they saw 't in Jesu's Eyes it more 〈◊〉 them than when they fell from it before 42. Their belking bosomes heaved high and fain They would have belched out that working Loaa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my which held their Soules in pain But mighty Terror stopp'd the sulphury road Of their foule Throats and forc'd their ready Sin Onely to split their hearts and rage within 43. Black Avarice with foule-mouth'd Calumnie And desperate Treachery who their Heads had laid Together in that fell Conspiracy By which Lifes King was unto Death betray'd With self-condemning Horror quak'd to finde Their Mischiefs all against Themselves 〈◊〉 44. Although Confusion alwayes reigned here It never sate so high upon its Throne As now nor such Monarchik sway did bear In all the Deep whose strange Distraction Outvi'd the Discords of that monstrous Masse Which the rude hideous Wombe of All Things was 45. But the Red Dragon red in innocent Blood Great Belzebub was more confounded than All Hell besides for well he understood That now he deeplier conquer'd was than when Down from the Pinnacie of Heav'n he fell Into the Center and the sink of Hell 46. That Jesus for whose Blood so long agoe A hunting unto Bethlehem he went with Herods pack of Hounds that Jesus 〈◊〉 When in the Desert all his Craft he bent To cheat Him into Sin did contremine With nobler Wisdome his profound Designe 47. That Iesus whom He by the Wit of Scorn Through Iews blasphemous Mouths had vilified Whom He by Treacherie had Pris'ner born Unto his Mortall Enemies Barr and tried By the impetuous lawlesse Law of Cries Of Threats broad Tumults 〈◊〉 Calumnies 48. Whom by the service of his Hell-bounds He Had spit upon had scourg'd had busseted Whom through all Infamies Extremitie He to this Mountain of his ' Death had led Whom on the Trec of Shame and Pain He 〈◊〉 And then with further Blasphensies assail'd 49. Whom of his blood he plundered and at last Of his dear life Whom having murder'd thus He in his Sepulchre gat sealed fast And cleerly then was thought victorius This very Jesu's Soule He seeth now Marching with triumph in his Realm below 50. He sees his deep-lai'd Plots and Projects prove But engines of their Masters overthrow He sees against himself he onely strove When unto Christ he gave the mortall blow That death by which he hop'd to have supprest The Lord of Life now lives in his own breast 51. He sees the Cross in a full Banner spred And shining with imperiall gallantrie That pretious blood with which he made it red Gilds and adorns it now with Majestie He sees it streaming in the swarthy aire And at its awfull motion melts for fear 52. He sees the dreadfull thorns and feels them prick His guilty Soule He sees the nails and thinks That deep in his rebellious Heart they stick He winds about his wofull taile He shrinks He starts he findes that something
entertain'd to day Where as he brake the Bread in peeces he Tore from their clouded eyes the veil away And with like favour now he hastes to cheer His sad and thoughtfull Friends assembled here 184. This very Ev'n the Doors being made as fast As locks and barrs and fear could make them be He whose pure Body through his Tombe had pass'd Enter'd the House with like facility They slander'd were abroad for stealing Him But now he seem'd to steal at home on Them 185. Yet as excessive unexpected Blisse Doth swallow up Beliefe in Ravishment So the Disciples all amaz'd at this Strange Apparition mutualy bent Then frighted eyes and held their hands on high Confounded in a silent ecstasie 186. But he the King of Comfort op'd his sweet And gratious Lips and Peace be to you said Though I in love prevent my Promise yet You have no reason Friends to be afraid Loe It is I your Lord observe these wide Tokens both in my Hands and in my Side 187. Imagin not that you some Spirit see These Mouthes proclaim as much as I profess You know a Spirit cannot wounded be Nor wear such Marks of humane Passivenesse Come handle Me and be assured well If not of what you see of what you feel 188. This sweet Assurance was so full and cleer That it exceeded their Capacity Who by its Torrent over-whelmed were And thrown into admiring Joies soft Sea Thus those who gaze on Phoebus cannot see Him for his too much visibility 189. So strange a Thing is Joy if unawares It be surprised by Fruition that In fond amblguous Jealousie it barrs Out what it does possesse and aiming at Some proofs of what is absolutely clear Transfigureth it self from Joy to Fear 190. But Jesus their amazement to allay Grows more familiar and calls for Meat A Fish and Honey-combe before him they Present and friendly he vouchsafes to eat Though Paradise its Sweets for him prepar'd He this plain Diet with his Friends preferr'd 191. Then in kinde Anger he to Chiding fell That they so long their Faith suspended though He of his Resurrections Miracle Had by eye-witnesse sent them Proof enough He Chode but with such sweet and dainty Art That every Wound he made was with Loves Dart. 192. This done his Peace to them again he gave That Peace he purehas'd when he trampled down Hell into Hell and Death into the Grave When he appeas'd his mighty Fathers Frown When Heav'n and Earth at enmity before To blessed Amitie he did restore 193. Then breathing on them with that noble Breath Which first inspir'd Life into Humane Heart The dearest Gift said he that ever hath To Man been given I to you impart It is the holy Spirit of Heav'n which now With blessed heat shall in your Bosomes glow 194. Hencesorth whose Sins soever you remit By this great Patent I my Selfe Forgive And whom you Binde to the infernal Pit Shall from your Sentence purchase no Reprieve As Me my Father sent so send I you To by my potent Deputies below 195. This said into Invisibility Himselfe he shut and so from them withdrew When They who now no longer him could see On Joies and Loves and Faiths Wings after flew Pouring ten thousand Blessings on his Name Who with such Solace to their Sorrows came 196. But Thomas who this while had absent been Returning now They met him at the Door Shouting and telling him what they had seen Each Circumstance they shew'd him o'r and o'r Their Lords great Promises they did repeat And how he shew'd his Wounds and how he eat 197. Thomas amaz'd at their Relation stood Silent a while uncertain what to say Or how he should repulse that swelling Flood Of most unanimous Confidence which they Stream'd forth upon his Incredulity At last he stamp'd and cri'd It cannot be 198. I grant that Fancy may doe much and you Perhaps imagin all is true you say But there 's no reason my Belief should bow To your Imaginations You may By probabilities perswade Me far But no such thing can I discover here 199. I am not so much wiser now at night Than I was in the Morn as to admit What then to your own indgement seem'd so 〈◊〉 That you as well as I rejected it Why must it real prove in you which We In Magdalene so fantastick took to be 200. When with these Eyes those Wounds I have descri'd And put my 〈◊〉 where the 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When I have thrust my Hand into his 〈◊〉 And felt that no Imposture there does grow I of your minde may be But mean time give Me leave not at a venture to Beleeve 201. Thus Heav'n in Wisdome and in Love thought fit To let thick Clouds of Doubt objected be Before the Resurrections Truth that it Might fairer break from that Obscurity And pierce all faithlesse Hearts obdurate Stone As it the Marble of the Tembe had done 202. Resolv'd in this imprudent Prudence he Eight Dayes continued when their Lord again The doors being bolted close as formerly To his Disciples did his Presence deign Whose sprightfull Comming though it startled them Lesse strange and doubtfull than at first did seem 203. But Thomas unto whom the Sight was new Afflicted stood with quaking Joy and Fear His Masters blessed Looks he plainly knew And yet his Fancies something dubious were He blush'd and then grew pale and blush'd again And to crosse Passions gave at once the rein 204. When Jesus saw him tortur'd on this Rack With gratious gentlenesse Come neer he said And thine own Satisfaction freely take Loe here my Wounds before thine Eyes display'd Come pierce thou them again 't will be lesse grief Than to be wounded by thine Unbelief 205. This Condescent so conquer'd Thoma's heart That with compleat Assurance on his knees He falls and cries My God and Lord Thou art Not onely by these wide-mouth'd Witnesses I finde thee so to be but also by The heav'nly Sweetnesse of thy Lenity 206. I finde that thou eight dayes agoe wert here When foolish I so faithlesly was Wise Thou heardst how obstinately I did dare The pregnant Witnesse of my Fellows eyes Thou heardst what bold Conditions I set Before my Faith their Story would admit 207. O I beleeve dear Lord and ready am If need require such Wounds as those to bear In spreading forth the glories of thy Name To any Nations whether far or near Pardon my tardy Faith it doth suffice That I have felt those Tokens with mine eye 208. Jesus repli'd Thou build'st thy Faith upon Thine eyes and happy 't is that thou dost so But in how full a Stream shall Blessings run Into their soft and pliant Bosomes who Ne'r saw these deep-writ Characters and yet Unto the Credit of their Truth submit 209. Here Jesus stepp'd into his Secrisie And vanish'd from their wondering sight but yet He sundry times returned to their eye As his divinely-wisest selfe thought fit Famous his presence was on Tabor where He to
countenance But when the Hils she could no longer spie Let 〈◊〉 now said she look 〈◊〉 mine eye 56. And with 〈◊〉 potent 〈◊〉 did she breath That heart sigh that it made Phylax start 〈◊〉 the pallid characters of Death Appeared in her face and every Part 〈◊〉 cold and num as if her 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 Back to the place whence she was hurried 57. In application of his cordial Powers Had not the tender Guardian nimble been His Psyche eyes now in their amorous showers Had their own final deluge found and seen No more for ever with such force doth love Especialy in female Bosomes move 58. And ask me not what makes this Passion prove So brave and potent in the softest hearts Thy self the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fect 〈◊〉 if genuine love On thee hath tryed his mysterious Darts If not it is in vain to tell thee how This softnes to such mighty strength doth grow 59. But quick as is the infiuence of light New vigorous spirits He breaths into her breast Which thriliing through her Veins chas'd out the 〈◊〉 Of languic cold by which they were posiest And 〈◊〉 her blood bidding it rise and 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snor 60. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but toward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Courage my Dear said 〈◊〉 be content Saiern 〈◊〉 nothing more for there 〈◊〉 61. As when a Friend unwelcome Motions makes His other self who has no power to be Right-down displeas'd at whatsoever breaks From those beloved lips which Faithfull he Holds dearer than his own displays the smart In his Eyes mirrours of his wounded Heart 62. So the Sweet anguish of her loving look Psyche a while lays ope to Phylax view That He might read in that pathetick book How by that Word of his her Joys He slew But when He seem'd that language not to ken Her lips thus to interpret it began 63. Between two deaths which shall poor Psyche choose For death it is my Phylax to displease And death religious Salems sweets to loose And I alas have but one life for these Yet had I more my straits were still the same For all were due to thee and all to them 64. O deare Pretector of my Joyes and Me Divide not now thy charge Had I not been Conducted hither by thy Pietie Psyche Jerusalem had never seen Not been enchanted by the pretious Graces Which have endeer'd these consecrated places 65. And of these Jewels must I robbed be By none but dearest thee Had open Foes Thus all at once impoverish'd feeble Mee I might have grappled with my single woes But now each griefe and loss by springing from Thine Hand on Me doth more than doubled come 66. O what has Albion that can entertaine A Soule which is from Salem snatch'd away Salem which in the Worlds heart queen doth reign Whil st Albions Clime her vilenes doth betray Whom Nature threw into the West and sought How from the Universe to kick her out 67. Arimathaean Josephs tombe indeed Is there that something that poore Ilse might have But ô the sight of that will onely feed That fire which burns me with his other Grave His other Grave in which my Spouse did he Far far from Albion whither thou wouldst flie 68. When in the lofty aire the fish can live When in the bottome of the Sea the Lark When Cancer can to Winter welcome give When High-noon can inhabit in the Dark When Albion can to Salem shipped be Then may it prove a fitting home for me 69. But untill then I onely thither goe Bearing my wofull Corps unto my Tombe Since thou sweet-bitter friend wilt have it so And not vouchsafe in Palestine a room For poor distressed Psyche Here a stream Of Tears flowd down from Her and softned him 70. Nay I am not so hard sayes He but I Can yeild to fewer tears of thine than those Come wipe thine eyes for thou shalt instantly Live in those joyes Thou holdst it death to loose With that He slop'd the Rein and wheel'd about And smiling Psyche back to Salem brought 71. She smil'd but sober He confess'd no signe Of jollitie at this Return for He By his profounder judement did divine That Land however Holy would not bee A Sanctuary to his Psyche since His and her Masters summons call'd him thence 72. A little House He there prepar'd for Her And with all requisites replenish'd it But then with awfull looks He cry'd my dear Thou see'st what order I have took to fit Thy longing and thy Lodging too but now I a more usefull gift then these bestow 73. 'T is my Advice of which Thou hast more need Than here to sojourn yet thy being here Doth all that mystick mighty danger breed Which by thy life I thee conjure to fear Thy life at Salem is in peril which Had been in Albion out of Dangers reach 74. Where Waters most doe â—mile and 〈◊〉 now The deepest Gulfes beneath in 〈◊〉 lie Where in their briskest beautie Roses grow An armed Troop of dangerous Thorns stand by All Poisons then most active are and bold When they are lodg'd in pompous Pearl and 〈◊〉 75. Sweet Paradise was not so safe but there The worst of Serpents in its Sweets did dwell And though to thee Heav'n seems descended here Yet ev'n in Salem thou may'st meet with Hell I grant the Serpent here was slain but yet Their fragments Snakes know how again to knit 76. Trust not their glittering Skinns though fair they be But flie their Looks for thick Enchantments are Enammell'd in their out-side Bravery And holy Trapps and Treacheries they wear With cunning Art they winde about and glide And into unsuspecting Holes they slide 77. Trust not their Tongue which is indeed a Sting Though it be tipp'd with Golden Courtesie Though Heav'n roll'd up in Promises it bring And Wisdomes most inviting Sweetnesse Ye Shall be as Gods discerning Good and Evill Was a brave Word yet minted by the Devill 78. Remember here thy Spouse was once betray'd Remember that he here was thrice deni'd Remember that thou art a feeble Mayd Remember thy Agenor and thy Pride Remember the Rebellion of thy Passions Remember Aphrodisiu's Protestations 79. Remember what from Charis and from Me Thou hast receiv'd and let no Sirens Song Bewitch thine Ears with treacherous Harmony In which the blessed Tunes of Heav'n have rung Take heed this humor of thy Zeal does not Cast on its sober lines a wanton blot 80. Lock up these Counsells in thine Heart and there Let them lie safe for Me till I come back Thy Trust and Love shall hence to me appear If of these Pawns thou faithfull Care dost take These Pawns which will my Guardian Wings supply Although from thee I far away doe flie 81. I must away for this Heav'ns pleasure is And therefore must be mine and should be thine I bus'nesse have abroad but by this Kisse And here he took his leave the truth of mine Affection Psyche on thy Lip
Daughter and thou dost resist The course of thy Designe whilst thou dost shut Out Arts and Sciences the Wings whereby Proud Spirits as well as Generous soar high 33. But if thou choosest Virtues craggie Way And dar'st despise whate'r Thou see'st beneath If thy dull Bodies Burden cannot sway Thee downward if this Life to thee be Death If high thine Aim if heav'nly be the Heat Which doth in thy Heroick Bosome beat 34. Right generous is thy Enterprise but yet Strong Difficulties throng about it thick Bold inbred Dangers will encounter it Whilst thy wilde Passions all against it kick Nay thine own Heart unlesse thy Care be great Will Traytor prove and its own Plots defeat 35. Besides All They whose Bosomes tainted be With banefull Sins Contagion will joyn Their malice in a fell conspiracie Thy single Piety to undermine For all thy Virtue checks and chides their Vice And Thy fair Glories shame their Villanies 36. Thou art their Scandal and their Fame doth call Upon their deepest wariest Cares for aid Against that Blot thy Beauty throwss on all Those who of Virtues Hardship are afraid What Weapons wilt thou finde to force back them How shall thy Vessell strive against the Stream 37. Yet through this rampant Sea of Opposition Couldst Thou force ope thy way What wouldst Thou doe Against those stouter Billows of Perdition Which foam and roar wherever Thou dost goe Hell and its Prince their utmost Powers combine To terrifie and to enervate thine 38. And sure this Tempest would effect its Spight On thy weak Bark did not kinde Heav'n descend In pare aforehand did not Grace's light With cordial Assistance Thee befriend Did she not steer thy course and bid thee ride Secure upon the most outrageous Tide 39. Thy Life is nothing but a Tragick Sceen Of most inevitable Death if she By seasonable Help comes not between Thy faint Soule and its dire Catastrophe Grace onely doth condemned Man reprieve From fatall Woes and teach his Life to live 40. T was blessed Charis who so fast did move Phylax his Wings when He to Psyche flew And with the wholsome speed of heav'nly Love Her from the Jaws of the Cerinthians drew By shewing her the horror of that Pit Where Heresie and all her Brood did sit 41. But Phylax from that Grotreturned now His Chariot takes again and her with it Straight Gitton and Samaria sunk below For warned by the motion of their Bit The lusty Coursers took their sprightful wing And justling through the Clouds away did fling 42. As Psyche wonder'd whether they would flie She found her Selfe rapt to a gentle Sphear No Winde durst ever venture up so high Nor blow up any Tempests tumults there The onely Gales which in this Orb did move Were the delicious Breaths of Heav'n and Love 43. The onely Clouds which there did meet her Eye Thick Volumes of religious Ineense were The onely Noise which rooled through that skie Were holy Echo's that to her did bear The sweet Resounds of those rich Anthems which The Throats and Hearts of joyfull Saints did stretch 44. She mused much to think what Creatures were Inhabitants in that calm Sea of Blisse When loe a Troop of glistering Towers drew neer As her swift Chariot further on did presse And straight a goodly Palace fill'd her Eye With large and high-erected Majesty 45. Directly thither for they knew the way The Coursers speeded neighing as they slew But Phylax pluck'd the Reins to bid them stay When neer unto the outer Gate they drew Then lighting with his Virgin-pupill He Warnd her to ponder well what She did see 46. Never said he my Dear those Eyes of thine Though they have travell'd through the World so far Were honored with Object so divine As these with which they now saluted are No Pile e'r swell'd to such bright statelinesse All Princes Courts are Cottages to this 47. That pompous Fabrick which great Davids Son Built for a greater King was poor and plain If it be brought into comparison With this Magnificence which here doth reign As Shaddows doe the Substance so does that But blindly intimate this Temples state 48. The Gold which shin'd the Stones which sparkled there Were all th' ignoble Sons of dirty Earth But these substantial Glories flaming here Owe to Heav'ns Wombe their most illustrious Birth Nor was the Work atcheiv'd by Mortal Hand Which firm as Immortality doth stand 49. Hadst Thou my Wings and through the Sphears couldst flie Heav'ns most imperial Palace there to read That Spectacle would onely feast thine Eye With a more ample Copie wider spred And fuller drawn a Copie of what here Is written in a smaller Character 50. Mark well its Situation Caucasus The Alps th' Athlantick Mountains Ararat Noble Olympus nobler Lybanus Are in their highest exaltations not Halfe so sublime as is this royal Hill Which almost in both Worlds at once doth dwell 51. It s Head thou see'st to Heav'n next Neighbour is And upon Hell its Foot is surely set On Hell which often has repin'd at this Oppressing Burden and oft strove to get Its neck from under it but still in vain The Powers of all that vexed Pit did strein 52. For loe the Mountain's all one solid Rock Compacted in the Strength of Unity Though Hills of Brasse should yeild unto the shock Of Violence though Earths vast Base should be Shouldred out of its place this Mount would stand And laugh to scorn them who against it band 53. So stands the craggie Promontory sure With head erected high above the Storme When all the Windes against its Site conjure And thousand Waves with high-swolln fury arme It stands and sees the Blasts blown out of breath And all the 〈◊〉 shattered beneath 54. But mark the fabrick of this outer Gate And tell me if thou ever saw'st a more Unlikely Passage to a Court of State Strong the Materialls are but yet the Door Is built so low and so extreemly narrow That Worms not Men seem fit to scramble thorow 55. And Worms indeed the Passengers must be Poor thin and humble Things which enter here Big puffing Pride must never hope that She Shall through this Portal crowd or Worldly Care Swelld with Incumbrances and lagg'd with Sin At this small mystick Needles Eye thrust in 56. He whose unhappy Bosome 's stuff'd with Gold Whilst all his Baggs lie heaped in his Heart He who in Fat and Ease himselfe doth fold And never was shrunk up by any Smart Too burlie is to enter here and fit Through Hells wide-gaping Jaws alone to get 57. All secular Impostumes which doe rise From any Humors Superfluity From any Lusts or any Vanities From inward or from outward Luxury Can at this humble Passage finde no room But damm the Way to all that Laden come 58. This said He led the 〈◊〉 to the Gate Where though she shrunk and closely gatherd up Her selfe within her Selfe yet still to great She found her bulk that she was 〈◊〉 to stoop
Breath doth wake The flowrie Eyes of Lebanon or plays Against his pretious Boughs the Odours take The soft alarm and their sweet Powers raise So this rich Vestures blessed smell replies To the least Call of every Gale that flies 140. In either Hand she held a massie Key Which like two Scepters she did stoutly sway The one of beaten burnish'd Gold which she Hug'd in her Right-hand for the royall way Through Heav'ns bright Gate is alway locked up Except this priviledg'd Key doth set it ope 141. That in her Left of swarthy Iron is A fatal dreadfull Key which locks the Door Of everlasting Torments foule Abyss Where Anathematized Soules doe 〈◊〉 Proud Belzebub although he Soveraign be Of Hell yet keeps not his own Kingdomes Key 142. The Diadems of gareish Gold and Gems Unto the 〈◊〉 of mortal Kings she leaves An heav'nly flame about Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And a full Crown of living glory 〈◊〉 Which Miter-like and like the mystick 〈◊〉 Of Cloven-Tongnes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 143. But for a Canopie above her head No Babylonian Embroydery No Tyrian nor Phrygian Texture's spread No artificiall Help of Majesty No State which cannot last if by the aid Of Pillars and of Cords it be not staid 144. A Dove not hatch'd in sublunary Nest Nor hatch'd at all but of eternal Breed Weigh'd on his equal Wings takes up his rest At neer but comely Distance o'r her Head Where by his wide-spred silver Fethers 〈◊〉 Becomes her Ornament and 〈◊〉 145. This was the Queen on whom as Psyche gazed Thou hast no canse my Dear said 〈◊〉 so At her high Gallantry to be amazed If thou but know'st what is her Name and who The King her Spouse O pitty then cri'd she Sweet Tutor this my Ignorance and Me. 146. He by a speaking Smile at first then by These Words his modest Pupill satisfi'd This Queen Ecclesia is unto the high And mighty King of Kings the soveraign Bride Poor of her Selfe and sprung from Mortal Race But thus advanced by his bounteous Grace 147. Those Princes whom the foolish World admire Are fain to make a tedious Search to finde Ladies whose florid Beauties may conspire With the 〈◊〉 of their lustfull Minde And often for a Dowry hunt that so The Mayd and Money they may Marry too 148. But it becomes Heav'ns Emperour to make Rather than seek a Spouse which him may please Nor can it with his Greatnesse stand to take A Portion with his Bride who Owner is Of more than thine or Phoebu's larger Eye Could in his furthest Travells e'r descry 149. She crooked was alas and black before A Throne on which Deformity did reign Such heaps of odious Blains and Boils such Store Of Wrinkles and Distortions such plain Right-down Uncleannesse could not any where Be found in one Colluvies but in Her 150. Indeed when first She in her Filth was born No friendly Hand came in to wash her clean Or cut her Navel helplesse and foriorn In her foule Blood She lay till be sent in His yearning Providence Relief to give Which on Deaths brink commanded her to live 151. She liv'd but still so as her life confest By its Procession what its Entrance was Yet when all other Lovers did detest The thought of her most ougly vile Embrace Jesus stepps in and cries Why may nor she Grow beauteous by my Superfluity 152. Then from 〈◊〉 exuberant Store of his own Graces Ten thousand rich and radiant Things he takes Which all about the wondering Mayd he places And of a Worm this Queen of Glory makes Who as thou 〈◊〉 thus Embellished Prepared was for his 〈◊〉 Bea. 153. And that his Empresse might attended be With a Retinue suitable unto Her royal Selfe that Train Magnificent He Both furnish'd and maintaineth for Her Loe With what prest forwardnesse they waiting are About her sparkling Throne and fairer Her 154. The first Rank's of no lesse than threescore Queens Who yet can from her Service Honor take The next's of fourscore goodly Concubines But they which doe the outmost Orders make Where in a Number numberless thy flow Are Virgins all both chaste and white as snow 155. These were the lesser Churches which were spread About the World so thick in ever Place Yet still their Strength and their Dependance had From this most Catholik Majesty which was Diffus d as wide as they and never found That Land or Sea which could its Progresse boun 156. These every Morn and every Evening raise Their homage in religious Anthems high Paying both Admiration and Praise To Her the Monarch of all Piety Since They to Her but Tributaries are For she alone the Soveraign Crown doth wear 157. But mark that 〈◊〉 whose Station is Before the 〈◊〉 Mayds of true 〈◊〉 which Injoy the 〈◊〉 this Queen to 〈◊〉 Their Hands alone adorn her with those rich Embellishments which round about her shine And make her look so heav'nly and divine 158. That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mayd is Unity Whose noble Office is to buckle on Her 〈◊〉 golden 〈◊〉 and to see That close and fast this 〈◊〉 be done And how her Duty she performeth Thou By the Queens small and dainty Waste mayst know 159. That sober Matrone in whose stayed Eye And venerable Face so fair are writ The awfull Lines of Heav'n is Sanctity Who every Morn before the Queen doth set Her Selfe to be the Glasse where she may see What Dresse will best become her Majesty 160. The next whose soft and yeilding Looks confesse The temper of her Heart is Patience Her Empresse she doth deck with Tendernesse And makes her slow and loth to take Offence That all her Subjects by her Softnesse may Be charm'd so kinde a Princesse to obey 161. But Magnanimity that high-look'd She Joins to that Mildnesse stout and active Fire This that Virago is which scorrs to see Any exploit of Gallantry out-vie Her Ecclesia's brows with Bravery she doth build And stoutly helps her both her Keyes to weild 162. She whose wide-open Breasts so fairly swell And wears as large a Purse ope by her side Who looks about to see where she may spill Her teeming Charities everlasting Tide Is Bounty Almner to the Queen whom she Doth also dresse with Smiles and Suavity 163. That other whose ev'n Look was never knit Into a frown nor loos'd into a Smile Whose right Hand holds a Sword whose left a fit And equal Balance Justice is who still As Cases come her Ladies Eyes doth dresse Either with Anger or with Friendlinesse 164. That amiable sweet complexion'd Mayd Is 〈◊〉 which keeps the Queen so feir In all Distempers she with ready And Her 〈◊〉 Health and Beauty doth repair Her Body sound her Skin she maketh sleek She with 〈◊〉 Roses trimms her lovely Cheek 165. Those other Virtues also every one Their several Office have But Psyche now Observe that neighbour Combination Who Virgins also are that thou mayst know By their great Worth how glorious is she Whose houshold
slie Impostor silently did flye Into her Chamber and with cunning creep Under the ey-lids of her heart where he Himself presented in fain'd Claritie 408. But as the Virgins Soule began to start Fear not said he for Phylax is thy friend These Rays of mine did never terror dart But to thy Weaknes Strength and Comfort lend And Heav'n forbid that I should prove unkinde Now thou my favour most deserv'st to finde 409. The Gallantrie of thy Devotion I Come to applaud and to increase its Fire I grant thy zealous Wings have towred high But yet thy Spouse would have them labour higher And as immoderate in their answer prove As is to thee the Challenge of his Love 410. The Watches frequent are and long which thou In deer attendance upon Him dost keep Yet oftner generous he and longer too To purchase rest for thee did loose his sleep Be noble now remembring thou shalt have Sufficient sleeping time in thy still Grave 411. Low hast thou pluck'd thy Bodies Plumes but He Was rent and torn and furrow'd up with Lashes And can the Zeal of thy Austerity More legibly appear than in such Gashes I know thou lovest not thy Skin but yet 'T were not amisse thus much were writ on it 412. Severe and resolute thy Fastings be If scanned by the faint Worlds vulgar fashion But Fourty Dayes thy Spouse did Fast for thee And now expects thy faithfull Imitation 〈◊〉 As well He may who an eternal Feast 〈◊〉 To quit a few Dayes Fast in Heav'n has drest 413. Since then He means that thou with Us shalt reign Betimes it will become Thee to prepare Thy Selfe for out Society and strein Out all the Dreggs thou hast contracted here That raised to the Purity in which We Angels shine thou mayst our Region reach 414. By Moses and Elias who beheld At such vast distance Jesu's glimmering face Shall Psyche be in Abstinence excell'd Can she on whom the Euangelick Grace With such full luster beats by those whom blinde And shady Types invelop'd be out-shin'd 415. O no dear Pupill since thy generous Breast Dar'd wish to be enflamed by that fire Whose Aime's Perfection Let no lazie Rest Clog the brave Wings of thy sublime Desire What though thy Death it hastens Thou and I Shall but the sooner to Lifes Kingdome flie 416. Thus sought the wily Tempter to invite The Virgin to a fatal Precipice But as the Lamb is taught by natural Fright To fear and hate the Wolfe though in the Fleece The honest Fleece of the milde Sheep he be Array'd and courts her with smooth Flattery 417. So Psyches Heart for heav'nly Charis there Close in the Centre of her Soule did lie Misgave her at the Sight and quak'd for fear Of this fair-tongued Angels Courtesie For all his dainty Look and Skin yet She Assured was it could not Phylax be 418. None of those soft and blessed Heats she felt Which sweetly when her Phylax us'd to speak Did all her Breast into Complyance melt And way to their own gentle Conquests make Besides the Voice though woudrous Sweet it were Yet something out of tune it seem'd to her 419. Too high it seem'd and of too loud a Strein Still was the Musick of her Spouse and she No Saints remembred that did e'r complain That Jesus call'd them to Extremity That Trumpets did the Gospel usher in And Wars Alarm the Calme of Peace begin 420. Had this great Message from her Spouse been sent She knew her Heart which now did pant and move By His sole Motions must needs relent And by Submission His Command approve But now she by reluctant Nausoousnesse Felt whosefoe'r it were 't was none of His. 421. Awakning therefore all her Confidence And with three Invocations having sued Her Saviour to engage in her Defence Upon her faithfull Forehead she renued His potent Signe and then with courage cri'd In Lights fair Looks why dost thou Darknesse hide 422. Whate'r thy face doth preach unto mine Eye The language of thy Tongue-unto mine Ear Sounds nothing lesse than Phylax wherefore hie Thee hence false Fiend and seek thy Booty where A beauteous Count'nance and a snowie Pair Of Wings the full Proof of an Angel are 423. As when the Suns neer Beams burst out upon A waxen Idoll straight its goodly Face Too weak to bear that glorious Dint doth run Away in droiling Drops and foules the place Which it before adorn'd So here the Fiend Melted as soon's this servent Answer shin'd 424. Off fell his Coat his Periwig his Wings His roseal Vizard and his Milkie Skin And in the room of those usurped I hings His proper shape of Horror did begin To clothe him round at which indignant He Least Psyche should triumph his shame to see 425. Tore his Way down to Hell that there in Night He might his Head and Ignominie hide A thousand Stinks behinde him at his flight He left and being gotten home he tri'd Upon the Soules which in his Brimstone Lake All yelling lay his vexed Spight to wreak 426. Mean while as Psyche those quaint Spoils admired Which dropped from her beauteous-hideons Foe And with her Sacrifice of Thanks aspired Unto the foot-stoool of her Saviour who Had in that fight her faithfull Champion been Her true and genuine Phylax flutter'd in 427. O how her Heart leap'd at the welcome sight And thus broke from her Lips Thou Thou art He I know thee at the dawning of thy Light In which no Fawnings no Impostures be Spare all Probations Thou needst not tell Me who thou art I know my Phylax well 428. This said Her selfe down at his feet she threw Which hugging fast she welcom'd with a Kisse He gave her Passion leave a while to shew The meek Impatience of this sweet Excesse Then up he took her and return'd upon Her Lip what she unto his Feet had done 429. And Joy said he my dearest Dear of thy Victorious-Encounter with thy Foe That goodly Furniture of Treason I As well as thou who art the Victor know I saw the pilfering Traytor when he pick'd It up and when with it himselfe he trick'd 430. Close at his heels I followed when he His forgerie advanc'd and hither flew I was Spectator when he set on Thee And in Heav'ns Name his Hell against thee drew Unseen I saw the dangerous Battell and By it I stood but aided not thine Hand 431. No thy dear Spouse who never doth forget His humble faithfull Servants did supply Abundant Power and conveied it By ever-ready Chari's Ministry I claim no share at all thy Thanks to none But Him and Her are due and must be done 432. Thou se'st how bountifully They repay The Loyalty of thy Mortification And what thou gainst by giving Thelema To Him who will not be in Debt Thy Station Is now Secure unlesse thou back dost start And fondly home again recall thine Heart 433. Surely thou never hadst so much thy Will As since thou hadst it not for All things now
Blush who would not hear That Altars holyer then Dressers were 98. Bold Sacrilegde sate pertly on a Kite And though her Claws were burn'd and sing'd her Wings E'r since she from the Altar took her flight For vengefull Coals stuck to the Sacred Things Branding the saucy Theif yet shamelesse she A robbing Heav'n and God again would be 99. Upon a Serpent bred in Hell beneath Which belched fire at every Step he took Which reached Heav'n with his pestiferous breath Which fought with holy Incense by the Smoke Of his foule Throat rode fouler Blasphemie And dared all the way Divinity 100. But on an Heifer of AEgyptian Race Right proud of his Extraction for he The Heir of Apis and of Isis was Sate full as grosse a Brute Idolatrie And yet Devote's grosser than her Beast Or she about her with their Offrings prest 101. And this was 〈◊〉 royal Train Which all the way she went stroke mortal fright Into the Countries travelling in Pain As she in Triumph till her speedy flight Had born her past them and gave them release From their dark Dens and hollow Privacies 102. Poor Albion thrice started as she drew Neer to her shore and would have further run Into the Sea but now the Tyrant flew With cursed joy into possession Of the unhappy Isle where dreadfull She Took up her quarters in a Colonie 103. From thence she issued out her Proclamations Of Pardon unto all that would come in But back'd it with severest Denuntiations To those who still continued in their Sin Who still would waste their Piety upon The Carpenters poor Crucified Son 104. She summond all the Isle to Reformation That mighty Jove by whose high blessing she Reign'd Queen of all the World in worthy fashion And like his supream Self might Worshipp'd be That pleased He might rain his favours down And Albion with Peace and Plenty crown 105. For by her royal Declaration She All blastings mildews droughts plagues earthquakes wars Laid to the sole charge of Christianitie Which impious Sect said she so boldly dares The Wrath of all the Gods that righteous They Upon the Earth must needs this veng'ance lay 106. Forthwith all those whose bosomes tainted were With the rank Venome of Idolatry Luxuriously joy'd the news to heare And with immediate Consluence did fly To doe their homage and their thanks prefer Ev'n in the Name of succoured Jove to Her 107. Then They who could have loved Prety Yet none but faint and timorous Virtue knew They in whose Hearts the World and Self did ly As well as Jesus They who would have drew In th' Euangelick yoke with patience so Mean while their secular Plough might also go 108. They who conceiv'd for Wives and Childrens sake Who were depending upon their sole Care So dream 's the faithlesse fondlings they might make A little bold with God And they who were In hopes Heav'n to their Prayers would courteous be And wink at what flow'd from 〈◊〉 109. Came in the Reare like Men who Scarcely came For not so much as half their Mindes were there Under the Evenings guilty veil their shame They sheltered for they Days Eys did fear Unhappy Men what aile you thus to go Your selves condemn your selves for what you doe 110. But they whose loyalty was firm and sound They who to Love intirely had resign'd Themselves such sweetnes in his service found As left the Baits of all the World behinde Such sweetnes as enforced to be sweet That Gall which flow d in Persecutions Threat 111. Sooner will They be charmed by the Hisse Of a fell Dragon to his Den to goe Than be perswaded to accept of this So treacherous and destructive Pardon no What e'r They loose they from their Losse will 〈◊〉 This noble Gain that they Themselves will keep 112. Their Life their Fame Estate and Liberty They can more easily than their Conscience spare They nothing count their Own which cannot be Without Impiety possest and are Content with any Thing but God to part Who onely can secure Them their own Heart 113. Psyche was one and not the meanest One Of these brave Champions who since Phylax had Heav'n having so dispos'd left her alone Her meek Addresses to Uranius made An holy Priest was He and unto Her An Oracle in any Doubt or fear 114. To you said She my reverend Father Now Persecutions furious Storm doth 〈◊〉 As to my wise and faithfull Pilot fly Not to be steered where Calamities May never reach my Uessel but to know The neerest way how I to them may row 115. Forbid it genuine Love that I should fly The noblest Testimony I can give Of my ô how deserved Loyalty Unto my Spouse for whom alone I live For him I live and must that Truth deny If in his Quarrell I refuse to dy 116. Was not His Life ten thousand times more dear And pretious than Mine yet generous He The utmost drop of his Heart-blood could spare Ev'n for the worst of Worms vile sinfull Me Loud cries the merit of this Blood and I Could I dy oft for Him in debt should dy 117. And should I shrink from one poor Death what Eye Would not shoot Wrath at such Unthankfulnesse How should I hate my Selfe and strive to dy For shame of Fearing Death yet I confesse This Life so wretched is and poor that we By Martyrdome do Heav'n no Courtesie 118. Mine all the Gains will be nor know I how To scape this Profit which if I could shun My Death more Solace would to me allow And to the Stake I cheerlier should run But since that may not be since Blisse is still Ti'd to these Suffrings let Love have his Will 119. Let Love assert his own Magnificence And make Us for our very Service be Deeper in Debt to him yet I will hence Revenge me of His Liberality And doe my best to run upon the Score With this great Creditor forevermore 120. But sage Uranius who was better read In the cool Gospel Discipline repli'd The fire by which those flames of thine are bred Is pure and genuine but they blaze too wide Dear Daughter be content and think that I Can wish and dare as well as you to Dy. 121. Yet I am not so hasty to prevent My Spouse's pleasure who for ought I know Desires Vranius should rest content To wrestle still with Sorrows here below Still 〈◊〉 be exil'd from the blessed Sight Of his dear Eyes and grovell here in Night 122. Besides if I before His Call should run This hot Impatience might out-strip his Grace And how should feeble I thus left alone Finde courage to out-look the dreadfull Face Of Death when dress'd in martial Array He gives the Onset to my Dust and Clay 123. What General will thank that Captain who Without Commission has presum'd to fight Into the Lists of any Prisner goe With Tigres or with Bears to trie his Might E r He be call'd what Eye will grieve to see His torn Limbs pay for
〈◊〉 to Crave Enjoy the courteous Sun 〈◊〉 it doth shine And let this Dungeon not forestall thy grave Speak speak and bid Us live with thee or by Thy wilful silence send Us home to dy 231. So pleaded they But Psyche with a Groan Fetch'd deeper than the bottome of her Grot First vanquished their Lamentation Then with this most athletick Answer what Artillery their crafty tongues had brought From Pieties strong hold to force her out 232. I now no longer can the Jailer blame Who tempted me my Liberty to gain By being slave to Joves accursed Name And scorning him who on Heav'ns Throne doth reign Why should I look that Pagan He should be Kinder than you my Parents are to Me 233. My Christian Parents if you yet dare own That holy title who invite me now To kick at Christ. Alas that I am grown So execrable in your Eys that you As if this Dungeon were not deep enough Into Hels bottom Me should strive to throw 234. The sacred Law of Filial Duty I Hold dearer than this World for well I know Nor shall all Torments force me to deny This truth that unto you my Life I ow Which in your service if I shun or fear To spend may I prove an Idolater 235. But that 's the Life by which I Prisner am In this unworthy World A Life I have Which truer is unto its active Name A Life to high and pretious that to save It from the Jaws of endlesse Death his own The King of Heav'n thought not much to lay down 236. That Life I mean by which my Soule doth live A Life which from your Loins I never drew And therefore you doe but your selves deceive To think that this is to your Pleasures due God is my onely Father here and I Intire to Him must keep my loyalty 237. As fast as in this Mire I stick the way Of His Commands I now am running and Though you your Prayers or your Necks should lay Full in my path my passage to withstand I would not hear my mortal duty plead But on your Necks and Prayers freely tread 238. Yet Heav'n forbid I should be forc'd to take This hard experiment of Pietie O rather help to lead me to the stake And of my Combat there Spectators be You 'l ne re repent you to have seen your own Childe climbing up to Martyrdomes fair Crown 239. But since you know so well the vast extent Of Jesus Mercy know it not in vain Your own decrepit years bid you repent With speediest speed The foule and cankering stain Of your Idolatrous Complyance dares The utmost Power of your fullest Tears 240. Mispend not then those pretious Beads on Me Your selves need all their Ornament and I This onely favour crave that you would be But so courageous as yet to rely On Heav'ns Protection Speak ô speak and ease My throbbing hearts tormenting Jealousies 241. I burn I burn in Anguish till I hear You by a brave Profession defie Those Baits of secular ignoble fear Which lured you to your Apostasie Speak then and make my Life be sweet in spight Of all these Tortures which against it fight 242. So pious She. But feeble-hearted They Leaving no Answer but a faithlesse Sigh Their Griefs and Fears to witnesse went their way Confounded by their Daughters Constancy Yet by this foule Retreat They gave her more Soule-piercing Wounds then They had done before 243. For now her ominous Meditations threw Her down into that Gulfe of flaming Pain Which to Apostate Wickednesse was due Where every Torment every Rack and Chain To which her Parents seemed now to goe Pour'd on her tender Heart a Sea of Woe 244. But as She struggled to maintain this fight Of mighty Charitie She gan to faint When loe a sudden unexpected Light A Thing with which that Grot did ne'r acquaint The Place and Her with Glory did surprise Offring a radiant Stranger to her Eyes 245. For at her right Hand She beheld a Mayd On whose fair Head a diamond Crown did shine With gentle Majesty She was arrayd And all her Ornaments appear'd divine Psyche amazed at the heav'nly Sight Would fain have kneel'd to doe the Virgin right 246. But as her Sorenesse Mire and Chains forbad That reverence She fete'd a modest Sigh To which the Stranger this milde Answer made I see thy Minde in thy ingenous Eye Thy Courtesie by thy Desire is done And now my ear'nd Requital must comeon 247. This said She hugg'd her with a strait Embrace Softrait that closer than her Chains or Mire It stuck and deeplyer 〈◊〉 was Than her Disease through which it did 〈◊〉 Into her Heart and 〈◊〉 it up so close That now no Anguish there could interpose 248. As He who is some wager'd Race to run Having his Loyns girt up and being so Collected and ti'd to Himself 〈◊〉 With lighter stouter Nimblenesse doth goe Than when his waste He loose about him ware And there for 〈◊〉 had room to 〈◊〉 249. Embraced Psyche thus perceiv'd her 〈◊〉 Lace'd strait and shrunk into Collections 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As first She wonder'd her 〈◊〉 Guest So much should presse her 〈◊〉 but it 〈◊〉 As that fresh Vigour glowed in her 〈◊〉 She knew She onely 〈◊〉 out her Smart 250. And now such Courage in her Soule did reign That She rejoyc'd She had so hard a Race Her gauntlet She dares give to any Pain And the most tedious Death look in the face Her Chains to her no more then Bracelets are Her boiling Sores as Pearls indeed appear 251. Her Parents Case She to Heav'ns Soveraign Wil t Can freely now resigne that Will which though It bitter seem to worldly Tastes yet still Doth unto uncorrupted Palats flow With all the Soule of Sweetnesse and can make From springs of Galla flood of Honey break 252. She seems as yet not to have gain'd her share Of Pangs and Sufferings and fears not to pray That He Who did such Strength for her prepare Would still more load upon her Shoulders lay More fewell still unto her tervour give Who now by nothing but by Pains could live 253. Nor was it wonder for the Stranger here Thenceforth a Stranger unto her no more Was sent from Heav'n a special 〈◊〉 To heal her Heart beginning to be sore With her Weak Body Willingly She 〈◊〉 And did her Work for 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 254. The Eyes of Lambs ne'r darred meeker Raies Then stream'd from hers and yet the Lyons face With stouter Bravery did never raise His royal Looks nor with more Courage gaze Upon and challenge Terrors than does She Though soft as honey or as Oyle She be 255. All over she was nothing else but skars Wnt large and fair to testifie what she Had undergone in Heav'ns victorious Wars And yet these Characters her beautie be For with such silver light they smile that they Much like a Tire of Stars do her array 256. Her busines being thus dispatched she The cheer'd reso'ved Prisner leaves
when loe The Judge's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see If Psyche yet were fully 〈◊〉 or no And standing at the 〈◊〉 mouth he cryes Learn wretched Maid at length learn to be wise 257. The Judge upon whose Will thy Fate depends In spight of thy 〈◊〉 tender is And me on Mercies Errand hither sends To offer to thee at an easie price Thy Life and Libertie and more than so If thou thy Irreligion wilt forgo 258. His noble Word more sure than Bond or Seal He freely gives to change thy Povertie Into a wealthy State not shalt thou feel Henceforth what scorns and ignominies be But living in soft Peace and Psenteousnesse His Favour and the Worlds esteem possesse 259. But if you obstinately yet deny To offer incense unto mighty Jove You dam the way unto all Clemency And a deserved Sacrifice must prove To your own Madnesse the Decree is past You must Vraniu's fate to morrow taste 260. As when the tossed Mariner descries The Promontories of his native Soile Within whose craggie Hornis his Harbour lies He strait forgets his long Tempestuous toile And doth his new-revived Bosome finde Swell'd more with Joy than are his sails with winde 261. So Psyche hearing that her Doom was past Which to her long-wish t Hav'n would her convey Her arms in triumph up to Heav'n she cast With thanks and praises for that happy Day And in defiance of his offer'd grace Threw this stout answer at the Serjants face 262. My thanks unto the Judge go carry back High is his favour and 〈◊〉 embrace But sure your 〈◊〉 you did much mistake Or foulie at the least your Words misplace My Life and Libertie no favour is Death I accept with humble 〈◊〉 263. As for your vain and wretched Jupiter Were He but half so true a thing as you 〈◊〉 respect would unto Him defer But unto Nothing what can I allow But what it is and though your Incense be But Smoke 't is more substantial than He 264. Deceive your foolish selves no longer 〈◊〉 Am not enchantea but all you are so What 〈◊〉 should make you dream I fear to dy Who through Deaths door shall to Lifes Palace go A way and pray your Master it He be An honest Man to keep his Word with Me. 265. This Answer which the Bearer fully did Enrag'd the Judge to make his the eatuings good But all in vain his wrath he marsh alled Heav'ns milde against his bloody Purpose stood Nor had fierce Belzebub who set Him on Power to step further than he now had gone 266. Mean while such Joy in Psyche's bosome glow 〈◊〉 Through expectation of the fire and stake That all her Pains and Torments to it bow'd And in sweet quiet she that Night did break Her redious Vigils and permitted sleep With its soft feet upon her eyes to creep 267. But Phylax who had all this while withdrew For Heav'n so order'd it now gainted leave His presence to his pretious Charge to shew And from the Tyrants rury her reprieve Down to the Dungeon he as gladly 〈◊〉 As ever he had towred to the Skies 268. Where finding her not onely Prisner to Her it on Chains but in sleeps silken Bands Tied as fast He 〈◊〉 his Work to doe Whil'st she was yet at rest His potent Hands Upon her burning sores he gently laid Which quenched strait as of his touch afraid 269. Her scursie Rough-cast scaled off and all Her Skin to fresh and tender Smoothnesse left So when of old the Syrian General In Jordan did exchange his leprous shift His Flesh appeard as soft and pure as were The Virgin Streams which smil'd and sported there 270. With like Facilitie he did but touch The massie Chains which heavy on her lay And none of all their brasen Locks did grutch To that strange virtual Key strait to give way But down they tumbled clashing as they fell Which Noise to Psyche did their ruine tell 271. She startled up and sought to understand What that Sound ment in hopes it had been Day And that the hasty Judge had sent Command Unto the Stake to hurry her away That hungry He might other Charges save And Her for 's Breakfast ready rosted have 272. When loe her Selfe in Phylax's Arms she found Chain'd by a soft and delicate Embrace Her other Gives she saw upon the ground Confuted all and shatter'd Bnt she was Amazed most to finde she had no Sore To rub for knawing her as heretofore 273. But then My Dear said Phylax We have now No time to stay and look but must away Three times she shak'd her head rubb'd her Brow But when she saw these wonderous Sights would stay She yeilded fully to attend the Dream For unto her it nothing else did seem 274. Up from the Dungeon the Angel flew Proud of the Prize which in his Arms he bore The Bolts and Locks fled from his radiant View So did the Prisons seav'n-fold Brasen Door Yet durst not make the least Complaint or bear By any Noise tales to the Jailers ear 275. Thus through the Town unseen unheard He past 〈◊〉 his Pupill in an unknown Way Great was his Care of Her and great his Haste 〈◊〉 He had brought her into Safeties Bay This was a Place which in the Desert He For her immured had with Privacie 276. A Place removed far beyond the Sent Of any Blood-hound whither Man or Beast A Place well furnished with sweet Content And all Conveniences ready drest Where having brought her in No more mistake Thy Blisse He cri'd but know Thou art awake 277. Thy Spouse is pleas'd with this Experiment And doth accept thy faithfull Patience To free Thee from thy Chains and 〈◊〉 he sent Me hither and from all that Violence The furious Tyrant hath prepar d to day Upon thine undeserving Head to lay 278. Psyche appall'd at this unlook'd for Word And well perceiving that she heard and saw Was with such hearty Indignation stirr'd Against her Guardian that had not the Law Of virtuous Modesty dwelt in her Tongue Full in his Face Defiance she had flung 279. And yet thus far she ventured to ease Her belking Heart O Phylax how art Thou Known hitherto to Me by Courtesies Into mine Enemie transformed now How art Thou made more Tyrant unto Me Than He from whom thou now hast set Me free 280. I by His Help this Morning should have seen That Day which from my Spouse's Eyes doth rise Nor had I any longer troubled been Upward to look when I would read the Skies O no! Uranius now looks down when He The region of the Sun and Stars would see 281. What is this Life of Banishment to Me Who have no settled Home but that above What boots it that my Chains and Maladie Are shaken off if Psyche still must prove A Pris'ner to this heavy Flesh and Bone Which more torments me than they could have done 282. Are the fair Palms and ever-radiant Crown Of Martyrdome so poor and vile a prize Are
Thrice happy Saint to Heav'n he onely sunk But I in this black Gulfe of hideous Ire Must downward dive and overwhelmed be In Derelictions vast Profunditie 48. I would not fear the most appalling Face Of any Sorrow which did not preclude The sight of Thine but now Thine Eyes alas By these of Mine no longer must be viewd How shall I steer through this vast Sea who may Not see the Stars which are to guide my way 49. Here having knock'd her Breast and turn'd her Eye Her generous Eye three times unto the Cup She chid her Selfe profoundly with a Sigh And looking then with noble fervor up Yet why should I demur she cri'd since mine Own Will is not mine own but long since Thine 50. If any Title to my Selfe I had I might be tender of my Ease and Rest But since to Thee a Deed of Gift I made Or rather of due Pay Thou art possest Intirely of Me nor must I refuse That Thou what is thine own shouldst freely use 51. I am no further I than thou wilt grant Propriety is no such Thing to Me And I who nothing have can Nothing want So long as I resigned am to Thee Thy Will in Sweetnesse alwayes equal is Though our false Taste doe sometimes judge amisse 52. And now I know thy Will is mingled here With this sad Potion what soever be The present Rellish Psyche doth not fear But it will end in purest Suavity I fear it not and here she took the Cup And bravely to the Bottome drunk it up 53. As he who has in Poison quaffed deep And drownd Himselfe in what he swallow'd down Quickly perceives the groping Mischief creep About his Heart where being Victor grown It s fatal Chains of cold and heavy Lead Upon its fainting Prisner it doth spread 54. So Psyche having poured down this sad And horrid Draught soon felt its woefull Force Upon her Soule its Patterie it made Which prov'd to weak to stop its mighty Course The Deluge broke into her Heart and there With uncontrolled Power did domineer 55. Forth with the Clouds which had beset the Aire Broke up their gloomy Seige the Phantomes fled Serenity made all the Welkin fair The Rocks left Quaking Birds began to spred Their cheerly Wings abroad Beasts ventur'd out So did the Sun and pour'd his Gold about 56. The World to every Thing grew fresh and clear But unto Psyche for distressed she Perceived no mutation which could cheer The cloudy Region of her Agonie The Brightnesse of the Day to her was more Black than the Veil of Pitch She saw before 57. Thus cheerly Musick is but Torment to A pained Ear Thus Neighbours Liberty With stricter Chains doth gripe the Prisners Woe Thus Candles to the Blinde but Mockings be Thus Gales though cool and gentle nothing slake The boiling Flames but them more furious make 58. Alas her outward Selfe long since had she Forgot and knew not what such Comforts meant Above the Sphear of Sensibility She had established her sole Content What is 't to her that Phoebus shineth fair Upon her face whose Joies above him were 59. This little glaring Thing this mortal Sun Was not the King and Father of her Day Her Morning dawn'd with Jesu's eyes alone The glorious Fountains of her gallant Joy And how how can she live now she no more Can feed upon that Blisse as heretofore 60. Her Soule look'd up alas but look'd in 〈◊〉 For on its Eye-lids sate so thick a Night That from that happy Prospect it did chain And keep close Prisner her unhappy Sight And lesse is Blinde Mens Grief than theirs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nothing at all 〈◊〉 their own Misery 61. For unto this and this alone her Eyes Wide open were yea though she shut then 〈◊〉 Still her importunate Calamities And Desolations would themselves expose In full array unto her View in spight Of any Veil which could against them fight 62. Tortur'd by this unsufferable Losse For she had never been alone till now Spreading to Heav'n her woefull Hands 〈◊〉 To her Devotions she her Knees did bow And in an helplesse lamentable hue Thus to her 〈◊〉 wonted 〈◊〉 did sue 63. My God where e'r Thou art Why Why wilt Thou Who every where canst thy great Selte display Unto thine Handmaid not one glimpse allow Who once enjoy'd thy Favoure Highnoon Day Which had I never done my present Pain With such excessive Anguish would not reign 64. Hath not thy boundlesse Sweetnesse taught my Heart Compleat Disrellish of all Things beside Where grows the Balsame then which for my Smart And Me can any Lenitive provide So long as most abandon'd I in this Black Death the Life of thy sweet Aspect 〈◊〉 65. Strong was this Crie for all the Heav'ns it rent But yet it could not make them hear and She Who never untill now had thither sent Her Prayers in vain amazed was to see These which so loud about her Spouse resounded Back to her Breast with Emptinesse rebounded 66. Yet as the noble Palme though on her Head A massie churlish sturdy Burden lies With valiant Patience still goes on to spreac Her inderatigable Arms and tries How she may both her sad Affiiction bear And her ambitious Boughs still higher rear 67. So galiant Psyche though now on her Back This Load more ponderous than Mountains lay Bravely resolved not to let it crack Nor her most loyal Patience betray She knew what Jesus underwent before And that his Love deserv'd thus much and more 68. Confirmed therefore to her Task she went And spurr'd up Logos to his daily Part Whom upon Contemplations Wings she sent To fetch some Comfort for her pined Heart Vnto Heav'ns Treasurie she sent Him where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meet with high and holy Chear 69. But every Night when he returned home Alas he nothing brought but saplesse Fare Lank drie Results whose Bulk and Total Sum She never saw amount to more than bare And flashie Uselessenesse resembling that 〈…〉 thither lately shot 〈◊〉 This sad Miscartiage fully did a wake The fountains of her Eyes which liberal were In 〈◊〉 Drops by that thick showre to slake Or empty out the Grief which flam'd in her Yet all this woefull Brine she thus did poure But onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cheeks and 〈◊〉 her more 71. Thus cross'd and disappointed every way Though she a fair and full Temptation had No more to Mock her selfe and waste the day In fruitlesse Toile Yet she this Statute made Unto her Selfe Her Duty still to doe Whether Heav'n would regard her Pains or 〈◊〉 72. So when the unrelenting Storm hath driven The Mariner into the boiling Main And with thick Clouds so veild the face of Heav'n That he direction from no Star can gain He yeildeth not to all those Miseries But plies his Oars whether He lives or dies 73. Her Tears she poured still her Sighs she blew Her Hands she Lifted up her Knees she bent She knock'd her Breast her Contemplations fiew Their wonted flight her
hast in Darknesse grop'd so long 24. Henceforth take Courage for no more will I And here Thou hast in Pawn my royall Word Leave thee to wade in gloomy Misery But trustie Light to all thy waies afford Full broad-day Light for all this while I gave Thee secret Beams which thou didst not perceive 25. And had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 done so had I not 〈◊〉 Close at the bottome of thine Heart to keep Thy Soules foundation firm and sure in 〈◊〉 Laborious Zeal had duely broke thy sleep In vain had all thy Signs and Tears been spent In vain thy Prayers had to Heav'n been sent 26. Unto its dismall Name too truely true Thy Dereliction had prov'd had I With never-sleeping Care not lain perdu To watch the Motions of thy Enemy That Enemy whose fatal Company Makes Desolation Desolation be 27. When that infernal Hag the damned Queen Of Hideousnesse advanced to the fight Armed both Hand and Tongue had I not been In thy main Fort however out of Sight Sure She had undermined it and thou Hadst by Dispair been quite blown up e'r now 28. Yet close I lurk'd thy Courage so to trie When thou no Second didst perceive at Hand This was the Plot of LOVE himselfe and I My Ambush placed but at his Command LOVE hid my face and so he did his own But all that while he weav'd for thee a Crown 29. The Crown which thy long loyal Patience In the bright Realm of humble Saints shall wear And till Thou thither art translated hence I in thy Breast my Tent at large will rear That till the greater Heav'n receiveth thee Thou mayst contain it in Epitomie 30. This said She gather'd up her Train of Light Which in an Orb was all about her spred And shrinking up her Selfe with heav'nly Sleight Within her sprightfull Selfe she entered The Virgins Breast again and there begun To exercise her full Dominion 31. Forth with a Tumult boild in Psyche's Heart But boild and foam'd in vain for instantly The Rout by Chari's most unconquer'd Art Was forc'd from that usurped Hold to flie Vain Dread was first which shrunk turned 〈◊〉 And so these Cowards flying Armie 〈◊〉 32. For She her Selfe no sooner 〈◊〉 out But at her heels Lamenting Sorrow came Tearing her hair and flinging it about Then leare-ey d 〈◊〉 unworthy Shame Pale-fac'd Disconsolation and 〈◊〉 With Indevotion's dead and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 33. But in the Rear rush'd out Forgetfulnes A dim and swarthy Thing and hand in hand Led her Compatriots and Associates These Were sluggish Mists dull Night thick Blacknesse and Whatever is of kin to them whatever Can block up heav'n and Soules from light dissever 34. Compar'd with these all Soot and Ink and Pitch Were Compositions of Milk and Snow So was the gross and triduan Darknesse which Did on the face of shameless Memphis grow Or that which lock'd up Sodom's Eylids more Close than Lot's utmost Care had done his Door 35. Psyche admiring stood to see her Breast So fertile in this hideous Progeny Which as she veiwed them directly prest Downward into the Wombe of Earth to be Conveyed back unto their native Home For from beneath this gloomy 〈◊〉 did come 36. And now she found her Bosome full as clear As when to Heav'n she Thelema presented Now all her Passions unhamper'd were And every Bond to Libertie relented All things were sweet and fair within and she Releas'd into compleat Serenitie 37. Love Anger Hatred Jelousie and Fear And all the rest of that swift-winged Crew With holy sprightfulnesse revived were And to their proper Objects nimbly flew They 〈◊〉 and clashed not their Wings together But kindely help'd and cheered one another 38. Hope which had grop'd and languished till now In deplorable Mists new courage took And challeng'd every Winde its worst to blow Since she perceiv'd her Cable was not broke But that her trusty Anchor held its hold Whilst Desolations Sea about her roll'd 39. And Logos too sad heretofore and drie Felt cneerly Vigor flaming in his Heart Which spurr'd him on to beg her leave to try Whether he could not now perform his part With more successefull strength and from the Treasures Of Heav'n fetch Contempletions solid Pleasure 40. His Motion she heard with joyus Ear And turn'd to Heav'n her gladsome Ey to see Whether the way to it Companion were In her brisk Bosomes new Serenity She turn'd her Ey and in Heav'ns volumes read More than her own desires had coveted 41. For lo the sullen Clouds which heretofore Had damm'd the way to her rejected sight Drown'd in repentant Tears themselves did poure And dash in sunder to lay ope a bright And undisturbed Passage to that Spheat Where Psyche's Jewels all ensh rined were 42. In bounteous Beams of royall Influence Her open Sun bestow'd himself upon her And this awak'd her long astonish'd sence To finde and feel the sweets of this dear Honor This swell'd her Bosom with such Ravishment That through her lips she hast's to give it vent 43. And now ô my delicious Lord said she I thank thee for that Famine I endured I little dream'd that this Felicitie Could by this torturing anguish be procured But in the Wisdome of thy Love didst thou Then make me Fast the more to Feast me now 44. Thou with that wholesome Tempest tossed'st me That I might throughly understand the blisse Of this sweet Calm by the Ariditie Of cold and tedious Death didst thou suppress My secular Spirits that revived I Might live to thee as to the World I die 45. Now now I taste this life indeed which I Though I enjoy'd it did not know before Alas We fools are best instructed by Absence and Losse to prize the richest store These thanks I to my Dereliction ow That I can rellish my Fruition now 46. So deep I rellish it dear Jesu that I would not for the Cream of Paradise But have been drowned in that desolate State Whence to the Blisse of mine own Blisse I rise For what were Paradise to me unless I feelingly perceiv'd its Pleasantnes 47. O that more Thelema's I had which I Might sacrifice in witnesse of this Debt Since thy revealed Countnance upon my Unworthy Head this mighty Score hath set Yet what doe our poor Wils by being thine But onely make Themselves not Thee divine 48. I now could covetous be and wish that all The Treasures both of Heav'n and Earth were mine That with this Offring I might prostrate fall And dedicate it at thy Favours shrine Yet what were all the World to that which I Ow to thy Soveraign Benignity 49. Had I ten thousand Lives to spend on thee That 〈◊〉 Expence would but my Gains augment How 〈◊〉 where Gratitude her Selfe must be 〈◊〉 can poor I due Thanks present Sweet Lord informaud help my Soule which fain Would tender something back to thee again 50. She ceased here And Phylax who attended The leisure of her fervent Exultation With equal Joy and Ardor where
which embroyderd stood Most dreadfully illustrious and fair His Arms imperial stained all with Blood For 't was his Cross encompass'd now with more Notorious Honour than with Shame before 79. As thus he sate triumphant on his Throne He lifted up his Face and look'd about Strait way the frighted Earth began to run From his intolerable Eys the stout And hardy Rocks felt their hearts split for Dread The proudest Hils and Mountains trembling fled 80. The Sphears above his Aspects Power felt And breaking off their losty Harmony In Dissolutions Tears began to melt The Sun and Stars abashed now to see There was no need of them by Day or Night Fell head-long down and choaked their own Light 81. Yet in this 〈◊〉 haste the Sea and Land Were inindefull of their Faith and honestly Resror'd the Pledges which into their Hand Were put by Fate Sin and Mortalitie Giving up punctually a true and just Account of every Drain of Humanc 〈◊〉 82. Forth with Corruption started from the Heap Of Ashes and fled after Earth and Sea When loe the Mass threw off its deadly sleep And waked into Lifes Activitie Each Peice awak'd and nimbly rose and shew'd For one cold Heap a vigorous Multitude 83. Adam and Eve the Springs of all the rest Stood in the Front on whom attended all The Senior World Then Noah forward prest Who reimpeopled this whole shipwrackd Ball And after Him the Tribes and Nations which Their Colonies through all the Earth did reach 84. Not one was missing who did ever draw The breath of Life and see the Face of Light But now the proudest bore his head as low As did the poorest and ignoblest wight This Day had rased such Distinctions out And all into one Size and Measure brought 85. Those whom their tedious Age had bowed down Unto their brisker years were called back And those who in their Bud were crop'd and thrown Into untimely Graves did nothing lack Of fulgrown and accomplish'd vigour which Fix'd all and every one in equal pitch 86. And yet so different their Conditions were That now the ready Angels who attended Their Soveraigns Beck with quick unerring Care Parted the croud which was together blended With his right-hand the harmless Sheep they graced But at his left the stinking Goats they placed 87. Psyche rejoye'd her Parents here to see Rank'd on the Dexter Wing But fuller was Her holy Exultation when she Perceiv'd her own 〈◊〉 had the grace There to be marshalled for though the slepe Her waking Soule at the sweet Omen leape 88. When loe as thus her Hopes and Joyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At this illustrious Spectacle before The Throne two Books of vast 〈◊〉 Were open flung No volumes ever bore So huge a bulk as these which written be With the where worlds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 89. The one was black as Horrors darkest Face The Book of Death writ with the Ink of Hell Wherein each Word some foule Transgression was Scor'd upon their Accounts who did rebell Against their Blisse and needs would labour to Attain Vexation and Themselves undoe 90. The other was as fair as this was foule The 〈◊〉 Book of Life whose Words did shine Clearer than those bright Notes which make the Scroul Of Heav'n appear so glorious and divine For here each Line doth part of God expresse Character'd in his Servants Holinesse 91. There blessed Leaves the King no sooner read But to the Right-hand Troop he turn'd his Eye Which with Majestick Sweetnesse prefaced Unto there Words Come Yee whose Piety Is by my 〈◊〉 Benediction grown Mature and of full Age to wear its Crown 92. Come take your full Possession with Me Of that fair Kingdome whose Foundations were Laid upon stable Perpetuity Long e'r the Earth sunk down beneath long e'r The Air and Fire grew light and upward fled Long e'r the Curtains of the Heav'ns were spred 93. For in this faithfull Register I see Your brave Deserts recorded full and fair When I exposed was to Misery Your pious Charity made Me your Heir The Debt I here acknowledge and to Day The Principal and Use. I must repay 94. Then turning to the gloomy Book and to The other Company which stood agast With frowns of killing Wrath He 〈◊〉 Goe Ye cursed Brood 〈◊〉 Evidence hath Cast You all these Leaves 〈◊〉 Witnesse bear For all your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 staring here 95. 〈◊〉 Eyes no 〈◊〉 would afford to Me When 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Nakedness Call'd for 〈◊〉 and strict Equity Now 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your due 〈◊〉 Goe 〈…〉 for take 〈…〉 Lake 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 With 〈…〉 Pride Which flam'd 〈…〉 fight When 〈…〉 tri'd For you 〈…〉 Have 〈…〉 〈◊〉 The Adamantine Sentence thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The courteous Angels with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joy Upon the Saints their dear Imbrace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this their Coronation Day And joyned then their Tongues with them to 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to their gratious King 98. But as this Melody was sweet and 〈◊〉 So were the Yellings horrid which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The throats and bosomes of that Company 〈…〉 were For thousand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about them flew And in 〈…〉 threw 99. But dressed in more 〈◊〉 Array Than ever see infernal Hae deformed Their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on them did lay Their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Wrath all 〈◊〉 With 〈…〉 their Breafts And 〈…〉 did 〈◊〉 100. When on the sudden the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Opening its Mouth and gaping for its Prey The first fruits of their flames on them old spit And warn'd the Fiends to hasten them away To their full Harvest O what Tongue can tell The Anguish which now on these Wretches fell 101. Upon their shreiking Throats and frighted Hair Damnations Serjeants clapp'd their flaming Paws Whilst other Officers who furnish'd were With Whips of 〈◊〉 Snakes and Harpies Claws Lash'd them so sore that they made haste to Hell In hopes that lesser Torments there did dwell 102. Down plung'd this mixed 〈◊〉 which almost 〈◊〉 The greedy 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Deep Loud was the Noise of this 〈◊〉 Fall but yet Far 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 Eternal 〈◊〉 still 〈◊〉 and 103. The hasty Fire soon flew upon this Feast And with unbounded Riot gormandised Resolving thenceforth never more to Fast Nor yet with all this store to be sufficed But oft it gap'd and belch'd whence upward broke Black volumes of contagious stink and smoak 104. About the Brink some Devils hankerd still So did two Monsters far more foule than they Thin gastly Death and poisnous Sin untill The King design'd an Angel them to slay Who threw them head-long down the Pit for this And this alone eternal Slaughter is 105. That done the Sentence firm and sure to make Upon the Caves wide Mouth his Seal he set A Seal which no reluctancy can break For his Omnipotence had temperd it Of such a Mixture that Eternitie It self as soon as that shall brittle be 106. The Saints and Angels seeing nothing now But Joy and Life and Bliss and Holines Themselves before the Conquerours Throne did throw Meekly ambitious joyntly to express Their Thanks
thonghts took up When to the Fountain of her Drink the sweet 〈◊〉 of Heav'n her Course and Thirst did stop When to her sleep she was disturbed by The 〈◊〉 Rest of Fternity 190. The dear Remembrance of her Soverdign Lord Boild in her Soule and would not slaked be So that while tortured she could not afford Unto her Body what Necessitie Crav dat her Hands she faint and feeble grew And by Degrees her Mortal self she slew 191. She slew her Flesh which pin'd and sunk away She slew the Vigor of her Senses which Like unbent Bows all damp'd and uselesse lay But by these Slaughters she did but inrich The Life of her afflicted Heart which still With stouter and more active Fire did swell 192. So high it swell'd that what soe'r came neer The mighty Torrent strait became its Prey Yea ev n the Bridles too subdned were Which still she hop'd and strove on it to lay Her Meditations all to Passion turned And whatso'er she Did or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 193. In 〈◊〉 unto such a 〈◊〉 The Sceptie of his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 194. 〈◊〉 be it of a Thing But weak and mortal and Dust's wretched Heir Doth with immortal Pains and Wishes sting And spur the Soule unto unwearied Care Discouragement in vain doth muster up All Troops of Obstacles 〈◊〉 way to stop 195. No no the generous Lovers Heart disdains Not to approve his Passion infinite With gallant Obstinacie he maintains Against the Will of Heav'n and Earth the fight 〈◊〉 win his Idol for whose sake had he Ten thousand 〈◊〉 they all should ventur'd be 196. For in her Image which He hath enshrin'd High in the 〈◊〉 of his loyal Breast Such Charms and strong Attractions He doth finde As rob Him of all Power to resist He runs and in such strange and furious wise That Love is slandered with want of Eys 197. The whole World knows how Hamors royal Son Scorn'd his Religion and his foreskin too When Dinah's Love had full possession Of his subdued Soule How David who Was Heav'ns choise Darling durst Heav'ns Law despise For what he read in Bathsheba's fair Eys 198. Who hath not heard what Power one Heart 〈◊〉 Upon two mighty Nations both content For love or her to run so strangely mad Upon a mortal War whose furie rent Up Ilium by the roots which to the 〈◊〉 Of Lust a wofull Holocaust became 199. No 〈◊〉 then 〈…〉 With such mtolerable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Charms whose royall 〈◊〉 Draw with 〈…〉 Outvi'd by 〈…〉 〈◊〉 201. For all those Wounds bleed nothing else but Fire Fire which remembring its original Flame With never-wearied struggling doth aspire Back to the radiant place from whence it came It s proper Element are Jesu's eyes And thither in heroick Zeal it flies 202. And what can tortured Psyche doe who by This most unruly Heat to Heav'n is haled And yet by Mortal Lifes repugnancy Fast to her Body and dull Earth is sealed What can she doe in this Extremity Of raging Life and Death at once but Crie 203. Hardy and bold she grows in her Complaint For lifting upward her enamored Eyes Although her sickly Voice were low and faint Yet full of sinews were her serious Cries Which thus she suiting them unto her Passion Tun'd by the stout Key of Expostulation 204. O Lord of Gentlenesse ô why dost Thou Make Love so cruel to tormented Me Why would thy bounteous Justice not allow Me any other Rack but Suavitie Why must my Gall be onely Honey why Of nothing else but Life must Psyche die 205. Why didst Thou not permit Me to decease When thou hadst left Me to my Selfe alone So had thine Handmaid been repriev'd from these Extremities of Pangs so had I gone Whole to my Grave who now must Melted be By thine unsufferable Sweets and Thee 206. And am I not a Worm or worse than so Why dost Thou build such Triumph then on Me Why dost thou not pick out some Seraph who With this sublime and blessed Misery Might bravely grapple or why might'st Thou not At Phylax's nobler Breast my Dart have shot 207. O be not angry 't is not I that speak But tortured Necessity my Heart A thousand times desir'd but cannot break Else had my Lips not dared thus to part And ope themselves into Complaints but now Excuse together with my Fault doth flow 208. Not for innumerable Worlds would I Have been without that Apparition but Should full as many Worlds their Tyranny Combine against my Soul they could not put Me unto any Torture so extream As the Remembrance of my blessed Dream 209. In Sweetnesse why art thou so Infinite Or why must that Infinitude appear Unto a Soule to fire it with Delight If to the Fountain it must not draw neer To quench its burning Thirst O Jesu be Still what thou art but then be so to Me. 210. Be so to Me and ô be so with Speed Death is not Death compared with Delay Alas one Moment now doth far exceed All those long years which I till this sad Day Have tediously measured and now I older by an Age each Minute grow 211. Fain fain would I Let thee alone and be Content to wait thy longest Leisure still But ô all-lovely Thou still urgest Me And violently dragg'st my Conquer'd Will Thou dragg'st me yet wilt not permit that I Should follow home to my Felicity 212. If thou wilt Kill Me loe I am Content But ô vouchsafe to let my Slaughter be By Death not by this breathing Banishment From my best Life most ameable Thee O pitty pitty thy poor Handmaids Crie Whose Tongue cleaves to her Mouth whose Throat is drie 213. Fain would she here have fainted but her Pain Whose load so heavy on her Shoulders lay With courteous Cruelty help'd to sustein Her parched Vigour that it still might prey Upon her Patience and consume her still O strange Disease which doth by Curing Kill 214. Phylax mean while unseen perceiv'd that she Unto Heav'ns Suburbs was arrived now And that the Springs of her Mortality By this high Stretch began to crack for though Her Selfe her Change's Dawn could not descry He saw her final Houre was drawing nigh 215. This rous'd his Love in due time to prepare For his dear Pupills neverending End About her funeral he took decent Care Because himselfe could not stay to attend Those Rites when she had once Expir'd for he Her noble Paranymphus was to be 216. He was to be her Convoy when she flew Unto her royal Spouses marriage Bed This made him dresse his Count nance with a new Festivity his Wings this made him spread With fresh and snowie Down that his Lords Bride In that soft Coach of triumph home might ride 217. And in this joyous Hue to her he came Yet his sweet Presence She regarded not For Burning in her more delicious flame She of all other Things the Sense forgot The Phaenix thus amidst her funeral fires See's nothing else and nothing else