This Ram thou shalt instead of him up offer I never did intend that he should suffer Ab. The best of news that ever yet were hear For though I did believe I greatly fear'd But bless'd be God and let him ever be As Abraham's so also God to thee Let no distrust for ever Lodge within Thy Breast thou' rt Type of him who must for Be offer'd really is it not best To go unto the Servants Isa There 's no haste Before approaching death I pray'd and now Restor'd again I 'le at the Altar bow He that is freed from danger ought with speed To bless the hand that helpt him in his need Ab. Do happy Child and I will second thee â—oynt Prayers welcome unto Heaven be Isa Lord let me ever with all thankfulness Adore thy name since thou did'st not oppress With grief my Mother but hast saved me That I to her may greatest comfort be â—n old age when my Fathers hoary head â—hew's to the World that he is almost dead â—id me thy will perform I 'le never grudge Being perswaded thou' rt a righteous Judge Ab. Lord I can say no more than I have said Who thee implores shall ne're want timely aid Thy Arm is strong Eyes quick and alwayes ready â—o ease his Burthen who doth carry steady 〈◊〉 have endeavour'd and my weak intention Hath met with mercy Heav'ns condescention FINIS EPILOGUE IF any thing in these few sheets be found May burn the thorn or prick the stony ground If any thing the way-side-corn doth gather To Sow't in good then then my Heav'nly Father The Meat is right if not spoil'd by the Cook If so the squeamish may forbear to look Upon it If any hunger starved be Eat heartily it will not surfeit thee If any Gentleman or Lady find Ought in this Poem fitteth not their mind They may repair unto some fatter Soil Where they may have their lukewarm hearts mad boil With love and valour Imps of flesh and blood I 'ave no such ware but here is that 's as good And love and valour too yet such as will Not hurt the lover nor the valiant kill They love and fight and yet both victors be Abra'm and God This Tragi-Comedy Pleased my self when I it undertook And pleas'd my friends when they on it did look But if it please not others let them cast It out of Doors perhaps 't may be the last That they shall see of mine in such a stile For this I 'le neither Plaudite beg nor smile FINIS JOSEPH REVIV'D OR The Twelve last Chapters of Genesis Metaphrazed Containing the LIFE and DEATH Of Holy JOSEPH By GEORGE LESLY Minister of Wittering in Northamptonshire And we know that all things work together for good to them that Love God Rom. 8.28 LONDON â—rinted for the Author and are to be sold by Charles Smith at the Angel near the Inner Temple gate Fleet-street 1678. Imprimatur Gul. Jane S.T.B. Reverend in Christo Patri D no. Henrico Episc Lond. à Sacris Domesticis Jan. 17. 1675. To the Right Worshipful WILL. WYMONDESOLD ESQUIRE Mr. EDMUND Mr. RICHARD Mr. MATTHEW and Mr. THOMAS his Brethren with their truly Vertuous Mother and Sisters Worthy Sirs and Ladies BEING about to throw my Mite into the Publick Treasury to plant a tender VINE in the Lords VINEYARD I thought you fittest to fence it with Your favourable Aspects who are not onely almost equal in Number but Vertues to those Sacred Patriarchs whose History I have metaphrazed The Meeter is like my Self dull and despicable but the Matter is of Divine Inspiration which juires Your acceptance by Heavens Authority while as the other onely lets the World know that I am YOURS Extraordinary obliged GEO. LESLY Wittering Jan. 7. 1675 6. TO THE READER IF Heaven be pleas'd to dart his glorious Rayes Into my Soul let others take the Bayes Who climb Parnassus and Mount Helicon For airy Notions while I at the Throne Of Mercy beg an understanding Heart To measure out what Moses did impart To th' World concerning Jacob and his Seed 'Mong whom a Dream did great dissention breed Though God inspir'd the Prophet from above And he poor Heart revealed all in love Whose harmless Vision counted was a crime And so perhaps may this my humble Rhime Yet if in friendly manner you disclose My oversights I 'le mend or write in Prose G. L. To my Worthy Friend Mr. GEORGE LESLY upon his Poem called JOSEPH Reviv'd WITH Fiction while the airy Poet doth Abuse the Text thou tell'st the naked truth Thou stuff'st thy Verse with Sense and every Rhime Compleat speaks thee a Poet without crime He who in Sacred Phrase was once forlorn And piece-meal shown like to his Garment torn Thou offer'st whole snips and shred's they Theam Thou draw'st his Story up without a Seam O happy Art thrice Joseph rides in State In Pharaoh's Second Char'ot first then date His second Trophy with Divine Records His Honour last commenceth with thy words Bid Breth'ren all his Glory'n Egypt tell He needs not now thy Pen hath don 't so well That all the Brittish Orb of it may ring And we of thee while thou of him do'st sing Tho. Woolsey D. D. JOSEPH REVIV'D OF Rachel's long'd for darling since I sing And thy beloved help me Jacob's King My Bark is crazie and my stock is small Yet if thou Wind and Sea command I shall Safe to the Harbour this my Pinnace bring Then of my self and it make offering At Padan-aram had this worthy breath Not long before the beauteous Rachels death Yet Hebron was the place of his abode At seventeen years belov'd of man and God Where with his Brethren Dan and Napthali Asher and Gad he on the downs did lie Feeding the Flocks with them their ill report Grieved the Lad for which he did resort Unto his aged Father and declar'd Those passages that he had seen and heard These actions Boy to them will fatal prove Though I can never take from thee that love I unto Rachel while she liv'd did bear For proof whereof this Livery take and wear This with his tydings did exasperate His Brethrens spirits so that him they hate Which heaven soon perceiveth and his fame Raiseth by dreams to be fulfill'd on them The which when he awake begins to tell Their eyes inflame and hearts with anger swell Against the harmless Youth who ne'rtheless In friendly manner did it thus express This night said he as we all binding were Sheaves in the field mine did it self uprear In King-like posture and yours round did stand Making obeisance waiting its command To which his Brethren hastily reply'd Shalt thou reign o're us Shall it e're be said That thou shalt have dominion No thy grave Is just reward for these thy Dreams to have Yet where Jehovah works no man can let He dreams again of their succeeding fate Which he once more doth unto them reveale And said this other I will not conceale And thus it was Behold the Sun
DIVINE DIALOGUES VIZ. Dives's Doom Sodom's Flames and Abraham's Faith CONTAINING The Histories of Dives and Lazarus The Destruction of Sodom And Abraham's Sacrificing his Son To which is Added Ioseph Reviv'd OR The History of his Life and Death By George Lesly Minister of the Gospel Herbert's Church-Porch A Verse may find him who a Sermon flies And turn delight into a Sacrifice LONDON â—â—inted for Charles Smith at the Angel near 〈◊〉 the Inner Temple gate Fleet-street 1678. To the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Westmoreland c. Right Honourable THough the Author's obscurity and unworthiness of the ensuing Poem may in Justice forbid either your Lordships Patronage yet the swift-wing'd fame of your Honour's goodness giving life to my harmless ambition hath emboldened me though with trembling Heart and Hand to make this poor address Not that I have or dare have confidence to think it worth your Lordship's acceptance being the frozen conception of one born in a cold Climate but that the enlivening Beams of your Honour's Patronage may screen it from that contempt and obloquie it might otherwise meet with in a hotter region On this and no other score is poor Aeschine's gift presented to your Lordship Favour therefore noble Sir my begger with a Serene Aspect And if your Honour think him worthy grant him the regard of being one of the meanest of your Lordship's Closet inhabitants and for his fidelity take the word of a Priest he 'll neither steal nor flatter His beginning is divine and so I hope is his rise though he be not adorned with so much Eloquent bravery as this Golden-tongu'd age boasteth of yet I dare say he will stammer out so much truth as may inform the Reader that the Kernel not Shel the substance not shew of Christian Religion and Piety is to be minded I might I confess have drawn the Matter to a longer Thread had I not feared that it would neither please your Honours Eye nor become the Hand of Your Lordships most Obedient George Lesly Wittring June 14. 1676. To the READER HAving in a small essay declar'd my self a Lover of the Muses I have now ventur'd upon the Stage not ignorant of the fate â—hat attends pious Poems that of the Poet being â—o less true than common Pro captu lectoris haâ—ent sua fata libelli I discern a Cloud I might say 〈◊〉 crowd of Carpers for they will be of all sorts The Learned whom I honour and would be glad â—o imitate may think my Style antick Matter â—aw Plots ill-laid and worse managed and no â—arty well humoured To them I grant all because they could better have answered wise mens expectations in such an enterprize Yet I hope â—hat the expression is neither so rude nor the matâ—er so indigested though that be not so tumid â—or this so taking as the Genius of the present Age â—equires but that they may out-live the rigour â—f a sober censurer and prove beneficial to some The Lady that weareth a Ruff with a loose Gown â—he Gentleman with the high Crown'd Hat and Wooden heel'd Shooes may call it plain old Engâ—ish and good Morality at least I know there are Courteous as well as Critical heads these may let my Pamphlet alone 't is intended for the other If the Stage-Poet frown all I shall say to him is Though my Muse be not tuned to his Key yet my mind transcends his Apollo Majora Cano. But if all men put a fair construction on what they find here and read with the same intention I wrote it not only to divert idle hours but to deter them from sin who will not trouble themselves with an impartial Scrutinity of Holy Wriâ— for an Antidote and to promote Divine Faith and Charity among Mortals in this faithless and frozen Age. If this I say be done my time I hope in Writing nor theirs in Reading will be mispent Farewell The Persons Dives a wicked Rich man Pride Gluttony his Friends Huntsman Servants Lazarus a Begger Poverty Sickness his Attendants Death Sexton Chirurgions Masons Carvers Mourners Angels good and bad Abraham Threnophilus one who writeth his Epitaph The Prologue THese humble Lines to all men cry aloud Bidding them shun Hells horrour Styg'an flood In Heavens Language ev'ry Neophite Must learn to say mercy Lord I 'm not meet To tread thy Courts nor cast a hoping Eye Upon a promise till I do espy My Sins transferred on a Saviour And then O then begins that happy hour When dismal Clouds of wrath shall disappear And Sunshine mercy overspread the Sphere Of thy poor weather-beaten Soul and then Thy Tongue shall bless God thank the trembling pen Of him who rais'd thee out of deepest sleep E're death succeeded wishing thee to keep The wholesome Lawes of him who can destroy Thy Soul or give it everlasting Joy These are the ends I have propos'd and do Wish they may prove effectual to you If sense not swelling words have leave to speak Know it is you not yours that I do seek â—â— DIVES'S DOOM OR The Rich Man's Misery Dives Pride Servants Div. WHat Monster 's this li'th at my noble Gate Bedawb'd with leprous spots what cruel fate Attends the caitife What unhappy Star Rul'd at his birth that such his mis'ries are While happy I who scorn the Divine Powers Am glorious by Nature's help and yours Doth not the World behold my heaps of Gold With cov'tous eyes Pr. Yes it was always bold Div. This stately Fabrick that is by me made Do not all men admire Pr. Yes most have said You 're he and only he dare boldly say The life of Man is constant holy-day The earth with all its fulness smiles on you And we its dearest Minions serve you too Rise from your rich embroyder'd Bed I see This petty light would emulator be Of those resplendant Rubies that hang round Your Couch and those wherewith your Head is crown'd See! how the num'rous Atoms daunce and touch Your lofty Brow as if they did think much That their own Brats should have so near approach To your admired worth they but encroach Rise up and let your Purple Red and White Exceed the Sun in beauty and delight Call call your Waiting-men that they may dress And fit you for your golden Business Div. Who 's there Pr. What! Slaves do not you hear my Lord Good Servants always answer at first word Serv. We come what is your Honour's will Div. That ye Perform your Offices I 'll dressed be Serv. What Cloaths to day Great Sir the Heavens frown Div. What! Purple and fine Linne worse I scorn Pr. Good good immortal Sir why should you be Serv'd with the Emblems of Mortality With Russet Flaxen or the courser Stuff Since your rich Wardrobe can afford enough To speak you Non-such bring the Crimson Suit You may at pleasure have a new recruit Finest Silk Stockings Shooes of golden Cloth With best of Beavers never touch'd by moth The largest Chain of Gold and Diamond Rings
Never as yet put on all other things Are ready Barber are your Razors good Come shave your Master but beware of blood Powder Perfume Pomatum and the Glass Bring Let my Lord see his admired face Haste with the golden Bason silver Ure In place of water Wine put in that 's pure This will not only wash but strengthen all The Members of my Lord both great and small The Scarlet Cloak forget not Cuffs and Band Of Lace see how the Fools amazed stand Groom of the Chambers call to make a fire Perfuming first the Room at my desire Thus is my bus'ness done Now I retire Gluttony Dives Lazarus Huntsman Pride Poverty Sickness Glut. Hail glory of the world and more than Man Since Brother Pride hath serv'd you what he can I think it's time for you to take advice From me Drink first your Mornings-draught with Spice Here Sir accept the Quintessence of Blood Distill'd from the Oppressed taste it 's good And here the widows house a greater Dose The next's a Cordial from the Church's Cloaths These I presume may serve you till you dine E'r then what you expect I will designe Div. Thanks dearest friend O how this Spirit pleases Sure'tis Nepenthes cure for all Diseases It is Ambrosia or Nectarian Juyce The Gods themselves no better drink can wish I certainly enliv'ned am all o're My Soul it self is greater than before Pr. I 'me sure your eyes shine brighter than the Sun Now Thunder speaks make Earth-quakes I have done So all that 's called Man thy threatning voice Shall fear and we your Vassals must-rejoyce Glut. Sir if your greater business permit I have one word to speak if you think fit This Beauty-broker minds not that the Clock Saith It is time your Stomach to unlock His trimming without food can never please You know Dogs only hunger bear for ease Come Sir your Table 's richly furnished Pray give you o're and let my Master feed Here 's Manna instead of Bread here 's sprightly Wine Here 's flesh of all sorts delicate and fine With Sweet-meats store and all may gratifie And please my Lord his Palat and his Eye Div. Was ever Man so happy in his friends As I in mine their kindness never ends For which on them my Substance I 'le bestow If that be not sufficient Soul too Open the Casement pray let in the Air Hark hark what voice doth to my Ears repair Laz. One crumb for God's sake to a hungry Soul Div. Go ask the Huntsman why the Dogs do houl Laz. One crumb for Heav'ns sake to the hunger-starv'd Hunt 'T is not the Dogs a Beggar would be serv'd Div. Prodigious boldness dare that meazled whelp Approach my Parlor-window to seek help Must he a very mass of loathsomness Name God or Heaven these do disturb my bless No Huntsman whip him while his life doth last And say the rich man sent that for 's repast Hunts Come Leprous Rascal here 's a wyred cord With which I 'le scourge you you 've disturb'd my Lord Thou know'st that Heav'n Earth can ne'r agree How then should our great Dives suffer thee Who what he e'r expects enjoyeth here Though such as Fools are think there 's more elsewhere Come I must whip thee dead 't is his command Laz. First let me tell you on what ground you stand Though his great favours smile on you this day To morrow's frowns may call them all away And then the lash may be bestow'd on you Which heard the Huntsman making humble bow Said Sir what are you Laz. Dost not plainly seâ— Me one to look on fraught with misery View me all o're if any part be free I 'le not desire compassion from thee If otherwise take heed thou dost not wrong My Lord and Master who will be too strong For thee and thine Though he may from me take This painful life he whom I serve can make It up with interest a hundred fold Yet pardon me if I have been too bold Hunts Make but these words clear to my duller brain And then I will forbear if I be slain In place of thee What do'st thou say to this Laz. My answer 's short thou art not far from bliss Could'st thou but see all unto me belongs Thou would'st conclude that all corporeal wrongs Are Skin-deep only while my better part Rejoyceth always when my wounds do smart Knowing that without tribulation I never can possess that station Bought with the blood of an eternal Son Ponder this well and then God's will be done Dives What mean'th the cursed Block-head to delay His torture thus Hunts I 'm charm'd and what to say I know not for he saith he hath a Soul Impassible if so I dare not foul My hands with blood for which I answer must Before the Judgment seat of him that 's Just Div. Whip him or die Rogue if that will not do My Dogs are keen I 'le make them eat him too Hunts Sir I must do 't you must your shoulders bare I will strike easie though I dare not spare Laz. Will not Heav'n woo thee Is thy Masters word Sharper then hellish Torments Flaming Sword Mark them about me stand who will defend Thy worst of bloody blows and then will send Thee to the place prepar'd for crueltie Where Dives also shall a sharer be Hunts A Vision I dare not touch this man Who hath an Angel for his Guardian Div. A Fool an Angel you flew high last night Your brain is dry eyes dim there no such sight Old Nurses only scare their Babes with such Believe nothing but what ye see or touch Call out the Dogs Rockwood Old Lady Ring And you shall see that they mind no such thing Baw aw aw Laz. Peace gentle Hounds forbear to do me harm Hunts My Lord he can the Beagles also charm Sir do but see how they lie at his feet Dev. Then call them in hang him it is not meet That Wizards such as he should have relief From him who never was sensible of grief Laz. Hang me why so you see I have no spell But that may keep such as your self from hell Div. He makes me tremble fill the other cup When Dinner 's o're I 'le see him hanged up Come eat and drink if this must be my doom I 'le lose no time I swear before it come Hell I have that within me there 's no other Which I resolve to drown Come fill another A third a fourth fift and then as many more I 'm sure the Beggar 's God hath no such store In his Elizium Laz. There pretty Dogs lick on your healthful tongues Make satisfaction for your Master's wrongs But Good my Lord one morsel to the poor Div. Peace wretch you shall be hanged at my door Laz. For God's sake Sir bestow the crumbs that fall From your full Table on him who doth call For Christ and Pitie's sake to be relieved My suit is honest Pray Sir be not grieved Div. What tell'st thou me either
of Sodom's great its dreadful Cry Hath long since sounded in my Ears now I Am come to see armed an angry Judge Without repentance there is no refuge But Fire and Brimstone from the Lord shall fall And shall consume those cursed Cities all Ab. Wilt thou not then the righteous in it spare Ang. Thou know'st long since that great my Mercies are Ab. If there be Fifty righteous in the place Shall not thy Justice run a slower pace Art thou not of the World the holy Judge If thou do otherwayes 't will make men grudge We do confess thou' rt infinit in Might Yet let the Judge of all the World do right Ang. It Fifty in it be I will return And for their sakes I 'le not at this time burn The Cities Ab. Since thou a gracious Ear do'st to me lend Who am but dust and ashes I 'le yet spend Some of the breath thou giv'st me and desire That if there want five yet that dreadful fire May not be kindled Ang. If but five there lack Of fifty I 'le not burn it for their sake Ab. What if but fourty Lord what wilt thou do Ang. For fourtie's sake I 'le spare the Cities too Ab. I plead for mercy let not anger burn If thirty there be found wilt thou return Ang. Yes Ab. But if twenty * Justi Just Persons Just do there remain Ang. For twentie's sake I also will refrain Ab. Let not my Lord be angry this once more I 'le speak What if you find but half a score Speak Lord a grac'ous answer let me hear Ang. Ev'n for Ten 's sake I also will forbear Now get thee home I 'le make no more delay The Angels at Lot's house do for me stay Chorus Mamre from henceforth let thy grove Renowned be because Jehove Daigned to rest in thy cool shade And with our Master Dinner had Cake Milk and Butter sav'ry meat Two Angels with their Lord did eat Which done Jehovah did requite Old Abram 's kindness whose delight Is to refresh the weary Stranger And to relieve the weak from danger The fear of God he alwayes keeps Sure when he either wakes or sleeps El-Shaddai in his faithful Eye Is all-sufficient Treasurie He with the Lord a Cov'nant made And he with him Jehovah said Walk me before and perfect be Then I no good will hold from thee Of Children thou complains thy Wife According to the time of life At my return a Son shall bear To usher in the next new Year Our Mistress needs not doubt the thing That 's promised by Salem's King Let her laugh on but not distrust What Heaven sayes fulfilled must Be see how on her Marble face A rich Vermilion taketh place The Rose and Lilie are at strife Who shall have most in Abram's Wife Her shaking hands and feeble knees Put on their youthful Liveries And is not Abram altered Since t'other day the Angels fed At 's Table Doth not ev'ry feature In 's Face declare a God of Nature Quick eye quick ears and nimble feet Strong legs and armes do not ye see 't 'T is said that Eggles onely do Renew their ageâ—â—â— Abra'm too Go happy Couple let your new Rais'd vigour unto the World shew A resurrection from the dead In both of you by promis'd seed Isma'l thou must give o're to hope That thou shalt be our Fam'lies prop Thy Mother Hagar must forbear O're Abra'ms Wife to domineer It is not fit that hand-maid-drudges Should be of Mistris actions Judges If she intends to live in ease She must her grieved Mistriss please And thou thy unborn Brother serve Or be cast out o' th' house and starve For we are sure to have an Heir Of whose Flesh God will take a share And in it die that we may live To whom Let 's ever praises give Angels Lot Lot's Wife Ang. Father pray tell us what is this Town 's name Lot 'T is sinful Sodom too well known by fame That hath already flown o're earth to heav'n Ang. Pray what a clock Lot My Lords 't is almost Ev'n Ang. Can strangers any entertainment find Lot Yes Sir with me if you to stay have mind Ang. Is there no house in Town but yours that 's civil Lot None none My Lords all imitate the Devil Ang. Then what of this bad City will become Lot If God be Just 't wil have a sudden doom Ang. What Judgment 's fittest think'st thou for their Sin Lot Brimstone and fire suits best those burn'd within With lust unnat'ral Ang. If it should be so What wilt thou do think'st thou to perish too Lot No Sir I do not he whom I do serve Will send his holy Angels to preserve Me as from sin so from the punishment That from the Heav'ns on Sodom will be sent My Lords come in we 'll talk more in the house For when night comes our streets are very loose You shall this once take harbour here with me Nor shall you leave my Cottage till you see Next morning Sun Here 's water wash your feet My Wife and Daughters shall take care for meat Ang. Sir your good nature merits well of us Yet will the Street be better than the house There we will stay Lot My Lords that must not be You shall have welcome pray turn in with me The ends I have upon you are but civil Then if I urge you must not take it evil This is a cursed Town and if you be Wrong'd in the street the blame will lye on me Wife try thy skill see if thou canst perswade These men we never yet such Lodgers had If God in likeness of a man may be The man that speaketh most must needs be he Lot's Wife Husband were I such as the Town affords I might invite them with such Sugar'd words As neither I nor they I think approve Flatt'ry I hate if they become in Love They will not pass our Door come good my Lords My civil actions shall confirm my words Ang. Your courteous invitations take a place With us Lot My Lords I 'm glad I have found grace To Lodge such persons as you seem to be And that you 'll eat such victuals as you see Chorus Our hearts are griev'd to see Those Men in Jeopardy Who Lodge with Father Lot On him will lye a blot Who doth them entertain If they shall now sustaine Any harm in the night By the Sodomits might The Town already knows And have made bitter vows That before the Sun rise They will secure the prize If Heav'n come to their aid They will not be affraid Where Lust doth rage and swell There is no thought of Hell No Monsters liker unto Devills be Than men giv'n up to filthy Sodomie Sodomites Lots Sons Lot Angels Sod A prize a prize run call the Town together The beauties of World are now come hither Come let 's not lose this opportunity At Lot the stranger's House the Gallants lye How canst thou tell I saw them enter in Sons Such persons
Prologus FRet not to see a Tragi-Comedy Written by one who thinks no shame to be All things to all men Pedant Player Fool Provided he may gain a Sin-sick Soul And bring him back to his first Love and Lord Using no other Spel than Heav'ns word The Atheist I do first Court and say Sir you 're invited to our homely Play Where if you look with Abraham's faithful eye You mercy in a Mystery may spie The disobedient Child I do invite To come and view with me this happy sight Young Isaack who submitteth to the knife Of Abraham from whom he first had life The tender Mother may also draw near And hear or read these Lines and never fear Abra'm by God must only tryed be The Boy by him and then delivery From Heav'n will come or if the World 's worthies Will daign a look or stoop to catch such flies As I have brought or can spare any time From greater matters to read humble Rhyme They 're welcome Sick men also from their beds May come and have a Pillow for their heads He that is fit to hang himself may come Here is a Ram already in his Room In fine of all sorts comers welcome be To see Heav'ns Wisdom Pow'er Philanthropy Abrahams Faith Hagar Ismael Abraham Sarah Midwife Hag. ALas poor Boy our comfort now is o're I never knew what 't was to grieve before How often have I solac'd in the Armes Of thy dear Father Oh! but now the charmes Printed by Heav'n upon my Mistress face Are irresistable alas alas Ism Why Mother why was it not always so Hag No Child thou' rt ignorant thou dost not know It is not long since Old-age and dispair Of Issue made her self account me fair And recommend me to my dearest Lord Though now her piercing looks as sharpest Sword Cut what they see We we are both undone She must enjoy old Abraham alone Ism But Mother Sarah hath no Children yet Hag. I know she hath not but the time is set For her deliv'ry and 't will be a Boy To dis-inherit thee the only joy Of me thy Mother Ism Dis-inherit me He cannot unless Law perverted be The Primo-geniture I 'm sure is mine Which no man shall perswade me to resign Hag. I 'm but the Hand-maid Sarah is the wife These very words may breed an endless strife I' th' Family and Mistress without doubt Will study means whereby to cast us out Sar. My Lord can you the glories of my face Behold and not admire Can there be place In your grave Breast for any other flame Beside that kindled from my Eyes then tame Your strange desires and let your lawful Bed bound your caresses Know that you are Wed To Sarah now who ceaseth to be dead And barren as before View her from head To foot her features and her limbs mark well And if these please not see her Belly swell One Child from Heav'n may ballanc'd be with two That come by Natures law and mine is so Abr. Dearest of Wives this new thought on discourse Seemeth to rise from some malitious source What is thy will or what dost thou desire Would you have fewel added to the fire That Heav'n hath kindled Dear what do'st require Sar That you shake off your Hand-maids and Love me Is all I crave I will not Rivall'd be Kind Husbands when their Wives in my condition Be for the most part do with full submission Hearken to them fearing untimely birth Abr. Well Sarah well you are dispos'd for mirth Sar. 'T is mirth to you but I must feel the sorrow I think I shall be brought to Bed to morrow Go call the Midwife I am very bad I never yet such Griping torture had Abr. Chear up my dearest when thou see'st the Boy 'T will banish grief and ravish thee with joy When Males are born the trouble is forgot And thine will be a Boy I question not Sar. Pray for me Husband this is a sharp bout Abr. He who hath promis'd he will help thee out Midwife what news Mid. You have a lovely Child Thank Heav'n your expectation 's not beguil'd Sar. Take him my Lord this Boy will make you glad Abr. It is the best that e're my dearest had Here take ye him 't is time that he were fed Mid. Nay hold as yet my Lord you 've forfeited Abr. Forfeited what Mid. Good Sir a Midwives fee. Abr. Here take the Child and I will give it thee Here. Mid. Sir I thank you when I women lay Of their first born I see I 'ave double pay The next my Lady hath my Lord will hold His hand and will not part with so much Gold Abr. I am no Niggard if that time do come I promise thee to give a bigger sum Mid. My Lord I 'm but in Jest yet may you have A num'rous issue if you nothing gave Sar. Husband you know I laughed heretofore Have not I reason now as many more Then from my laughter let him have his name Abr. I 'ave call'd him Isaack is not that the same Sar. My Lovely Babe come let me suckle thee There is no Mortal can more joyful be Chorus Heav'ns mind's fulfill'd And Sarah stillâ—d O how she long'd And said I 'm wrong'd No Wife like me Who Abra'ms be All have their Joys Their Babies-toys I 'm only she Who barren be New now her Breasts Are made two Nests For harbouring The lov'd Off-spring Of her dear Lord At Heavens word And more she may Have that same way Gods promises To us are bliss No Art avails When Heaven fails His blessings he Bestow'd then she Got blowen Saills If any after Children want they may For remedy with her to Heaven pray Abraham Sarah Isaack Angel Ab. Dear heart methinks this Boy hath suck'd too long Sar. What and hath neither Feet nor Tongue E're he be wean'd he must a Foot-man be To run and prattle up and down with thee Now do your pleasure Ab. Call our friends together He must not be a burthen to his Mother Isa Mam if I lose my pap the Child will cry Sar. Yes prety thing thou must or Mam will dye O! how it snugs and sleeps upon my Breast Poor rogue I 'm sure of all he loves me best Here thou shalt have thy bubby one month longer E're that be o're my Chicken may be stronger And if that will not do He give'm another No Love is like to that of a dear Mother Come dry Nurse take the Child and use him well Thy care of him shall make thee ever dwell With me in plenty Abram see the scorn Of Hagar's Brat that in my house was born If you deceive not Heav'n which counts you just You must him and his Mother both out thrust Because the Rogâ—e in years hath got the start He strives with Isaack for an equal part In thy estate but it must not be so If me and mine you Love pray let them go Ab. What change of humours all you Women have It is not long
will be done Ab. Behold my Servants do not you espy Above the rest a hill stands very high I and my little man must yonder go Mean while abide ye here Ser. My Lord why so May we not bear our Master company Ab. No If ye did perhaps ye'd hinder me From acting th' highest piece of Piety That ever yet was heard or seen with Eye Ser. Have we not seen the Sacrifice before Ab. 'T is true and yet in this will be much more Faith Resolution needful than when I For smaller matters Sacrifice or pray Ser. Good my Lord let us go to see the sight Ab. No no I cannot it will you affright Ser. We must contented be and you obey Hoping you will not from us make long stay Ab. I will return assoon as I have done 'T will be no pleasure to stay there alone Ser. Alone you cannot be this little Boy Can make a Wilderness a place of joy Ab. But I must leave him there my God commands Ser. First dearest Master tye your Servants hands For we will sooner far resolve to dye Than see you actor of such cruelty This is in jest Ab. No I must Sacrifice The Boy Heav'n bids me who I 'm sure is wife If I do freely act what he commands He either will approve or hold my hands Tnink you that I can any other thing Value above my All-sufficient King No no it is his mind and 't shall be mine In spight of all who ' gainst it do combine I think his Mother hath the greatest cause Who willingly submits to Heav'ns Lawes Bidding me act what my good God hath said For proof thereof she him incouraged To suffer valiantly Ser. Sir We are not to quest'on your intent Being our Master but a good event We will implore Ab. Come come my pretty boy This cloudy day may end in Sun-shine Joy Take up the Wood my Son I 'ave knife and fire We must fulfillers be of Heav'ns desire Chorus Eternal Wisdom when he made Sun Moon and Stars to each he said Take you your turnes you must the day Govern and you your Scepter sway I' th' night when men are gone to rest And think to sleep with quiet Breast This is Heav'ns Lawes and yet we see That men then most unquiet be Abram from Heaven hears a voice Which quickly marr'd his new made joys It bids him go and burn his Son Which is no sooner said than done And Sarah who in all mens thought Would have Abraham counted nought For harbouring such cruelty In 's Breast as he should Butcher be To his own Child contents and says Husband we may have happy days When Isaack 's gone then why should we Strive Abrams hinderers to be Go on Sir let your high desire Be hallowed with Heav'ns fire Isaack Abraham Angel Epilogue Isa O Father Father one thing yet we lack 〈◊〉 Lamb for offering you 'ave forgot to take â—hall I run back and make a quick return Ab. No no you need not that which I must burn God will provide come let us go together â—e find a Lamb my Boy when I come thither Isa Doth any clean Beast pasture on that hill Ab. That work which God begins he will fufill â—ut hark my Child dost thou not fear my God Isa Why doubt you that Ab. Then this thy load of Wood Must thee consume Isa But Father doth your God such Sacrifice equire Ab. It seems so now Isa Father be wise The Dev'l can change into a Saint of light May be 't was he that call'd you in the night Ab. No Child God's promise goeth far with me Who faith that none shall ever tempted be Above what they are able I do not fear Nor needest thou to shed a guiltless tear Isa My tender limbs will ne're endure the heat Ab. He 'll send his Angels to wipe off the sweat Isa My dearest Father is your heart so hard Can nothing this your enterprize retard Ab. Nothing my Child though I be full of love And grieve to kill thee yet since my Jehove Commands My faith doth overcome my sense And makes me with humanity dispence Boy thou must dye Isa I 'm glad it is for God Ab. None other should have made me lay this load On Isaacks tender shoulders Now my Child We 're at the place where I must Altar build Dig up the Turf and let us raise the Earth Isa Ah Father I 'm already out of Breath The thoughts of Death with the Sun's melting heat O'recometh me Oh see how I do sweat Is' t done enough Abra. Not yet it must bâ— higher That all the ashes may fall from the fire Now 't is enough come Child bring me the Wooâ— Isa 'T is here my Father Ab. It is very good All 's done so far my Boy thou must be bound Is Your will be done O that I may not swoun But with undaunted courage yield my breath To him who power hath of life and death â—t is my Maker's will and I submit â—oping by him to be kept from the pit â—â—fernal He will raise me up again With Saints and Angels ever to remain â—ehold my hands I 'le fold them for your ease Ab. Son knew I any way my God to please 〈◊〉 would not touch thee Isa I am now grown strong â—nd valiant too I count this death no wrong Abr. Thou must get up before I bind thy feet Isa Sir that your will I should perform is meet â—ow bind not hard I will not struggle much â—ut dearest Father kill me at first touch â—he knife is sharp enough and you are strong Ab. Dear Child I tremble and may strike thee wrong Isa Hold Father but a little let me pray 〈◊〉 Heav'n and first Lord teach me what to say â—y God look on me with a tender Eye â—nd pardon all my sins of Infancy â—â—en my Eyes before the knife come down â—hat while I live I may leap at the Crown â—epar'd for Martyrs Lord let me inherit â—e blessings promis'd by thy holy Spirit â—all call thy Angels to receive that Soul â—ho ne're as yet did willingly controul Thy will Sir now strike on for I have done Ab. No I must pray too e're I can go on O All-sufficient whose purer Eye Look'th with abhorrence on all cruelty Accept this Sacrifice make strong my arm Since thou best know'st that I intend no harm To my dear Child but that I may the name Receive when done of faithful Abraham Lord I believe raise feeble hand and heart To give the blow Now Child I strike Here. O! who holds mâ— Arm Ang. Stay Abram stay and do not any harm Unto thy Son I minded but to try If I could in thy faith a flaw espy Look but behind thee there 's the Sacrifice Lay hold of it and let young Isaack rise I 'm sure thou lov'st me 'bove each Earthly thing Since thou wast willing to make offering Of thy own flesh Touch not the hopeful Boy But let him to his Mother go with Joy