state His Daughter to a Marryed will translate Is 't not his care that she his fond delight May wedded be to one propitious wight Who can in amour sweetly with her spend And to her passions equal flames extend For this I judge first Wedlock was ordain'd That marry'd pairs in that strict union chain'd As well to joy as grief alike should be Yoakt and for ever in those terms agree Who in this state then steps he should incline Thenceforth to 's wife and all his youth resign To the full pleasures of her mind in chief And this who doth not do is sure a thief Poor Soul she onely 't is that pays the smart If he elsewhere divides from her his heart Or if abroad he breaks his head with cares Thereby at home she 's left to divers snares This for a rule I state nor without reason That each kind Husband should at every season Be to his wife devoted with pure thought Which who neglects performs not what he ought Where once the man his Covenant-bonds doth break The wife there leave obtains hers off to shake For why to him should she devoted be If to his duty he will not agree Well let my Lord frequent the Royal Throne But shall then I though Marryed yet alone In hateful singleness my youth thus spend O no this mind doth other things intend As I more am'rous am more soft inclin'd So to those passions I 'le refreshment find From strangers hands When fire is in a Town By forrain streams men bring its fury down Methinks my Lord with cares enough was ply'd When th' Court with daily meats he did provide And when whatever th'Royal board depress'd By his direct command was onely drest Yet could not this suffice Ambition knows No bounds but after greatness ever grows More eager bent the heart once gone astray From the mid-road content thence hasts away The late Lord Chamberlain few days since past Through heart-sick pain upon his bed was cast A fit of Frenzy with a lung-bred cold Of deaths approach by his fore-runners told Each ready made and from all corners drew The sick to visit all with mournful shew But merriment of mind One for the state Another for the tempting gold laid wait Your Lord not slowest of these Mammon-friends His Interest ' gainst these so well defends To his dear Prince that he the place obtain'd While yet the Patient here alive remain'd And with this Charge now he is overcome Nor can regard what things are done at home The Royal Chamber doth his Soul possess There 's his converse there rests his happiness 'T is of huge consequence the Prince's mind Each morning to discover how inclin'd And seek to gain it Sleep then cares allay And that 's the hour of all the following day For from repose new rais'd he 's best of mind And favours then from him more free we find Than through the day may kindly be obtain'd With him who breakfasts him that day hath gain'd This my Lord tells me and before each day Can peep hasts thither where though I his stay Implore he 's deaf and though in tears yet so Forsakes me comfortless But let him go His own injustice turns his Right to me So forfeited by him eternally For since his body he to me denies My Marriage-promise I 'le as much despise Wherefore I pray should I thus tedious nights Languish for want of conjugal delights And scorched with excess of youthful fires Perish without redress in those desires He to his Prince conveys himself away Him to salute before approaching day Whilst I am left without the slender bliss Of Nights repast or Mornings farewel-kiss But what I thus have born shall now suffice Ways for my own content I will devise As well as he nor ought shall me deter Or move me this conclusion to defer He who to strangers beds so much is bent Gives cause that others do his Wives frequent JOSEPH AH think you thus with shew of right to hide The grossest Crimes whilst you all rights deride Methinks it empty sounds like hollow walls Which easily before right reason falls Is 't just a Wiâ—e to thoughts luxurious bent To others should bold accusations vent Because her husbands better temper'd mind Not always is with hers to lust inclin'd Should she how he unto her slave disclose In bed towards his wise doth him dispose O no! the Bridal Curtains drawn must be Where no officious eyes may pierce to see Thirds there so bold may never be to pry When Man and Wife in their Pavilion lye A pregnant saying some time since I learn'd Which very much the Nuptial sheets concern'd There whether joy or misery accrue Let it be wisely secret kept 'twixt two As head the Man 's not bound the lustful will At all times of his Consort to fulfil 'Twixt them a difference we are taught to make She being onely formed for his sake If Similies might rectifie your mind A teaching one you in the Mill might find Whose wings ne'r move in circulating course But as they 're whirl'd by winds of greater force And this the Wife should to her self improve Who from her self should neither stir nor move But by her Lord his temper well discern And move as his desires I hill grow or burn Is he now drown'd in sorrows â—able plight 'T is then no time to covet â—â—usts delight She of his changes should be well aware If blithe rejoyce with him if sad forbear And though it possibly should so befal That in Domestick things no care at all He would vouchsafe yet should no marryed wife For that break Faith and lead a Harlots life Alone it is through ways adulterous found The Gordian knot of Wedlock is unbound And though the Wife should blameless be yet she Ought not a prostitute to others be But first should be divorced from his side And single so become so years abide Or what I value more thenceforth abstain From love and manless all her days remain But you seek not for things that you betide To be divorc'd but would 'twixt two divide Your bodies use and veil'd in wedlocks shew The easier seek to gain for one man two This but too well is seen for who will say But thus your flesh seeks out of bounds to stray And craftily behind a masque doth aim To play the Harlot and be freed from shame Well then the cheat is plain and plain I 'le be To tell you thereto I shall not agree I have a Lord above though sure you are My Mistriss therefore such things shall forbear SEPHYRA BUt though unjust my Cause thou deem'st to be Yet let not now this rare Occasion flee Neglected since access is by my Lord To thee vouchsaf'd what his age can't afford To do with me Himself hath brought us hither That as by his own conduct we together In Loves might swim O shame if such a day Without fruition should then slip away He on the Court and that ambitious
he for love who no return will give And thus unworthy you 'l your self approve If all my kindness you to none may move Though here you came an ignominious slave Yet as at home all liberty you have And by my means from Potiphar you see Large signs of love but larger far from me On our best things to put you 't is our strife He works of honour gives I of sweet life So that no greater evil here you find Except to you perchance we are too kind He with affairs that takes away at night Your rest employs you I with soft delight With ponderous things your care he loads where I Bid you but fix on me a courteous eye No day doth pass wherein I don't accost You in some place or other where I 'm lost In sighs unutterable looking so As sad dejected lovers use to do If then alone I find you language sweet Which but for Husbands not for slaves is meet I give By your neglect if ought is mist I calmly take it nor on pay insist Amongst our Nobles are you introduc'd That my good will alone for you produc'd When in Apparel any dress that 's new Arises that 's procur'd forthwith for you Though seemingly to honour Potiphar Because his Steward and with him you are But ah how far from that is the design To which my soul so strongly doth incline How I revive within this Court to view A youth of Body and of Limbs like you As sprightly lordly and so courtly clad The bare remembrance makes my fancy glad Rich presents wheresoere they may be gain'd I thenceforth plot how they may be obtain'd Best for you onely so that none may be Dividers with you but the whole for thee If tidings for my Lord for some to tell Falls out and know I it may please him well I charge you with it mournful tydings are For common wretches not for you to bear Bestows my Lord upon our Family A new-years-gift or what may th'like imply You both at first with them alike do fare And after get from me a nobler share If of my Gentlewomen 't is desir'd One may the errand bear of you requir'd 'T is first of all for nothing's good esteem'd Not good or pertinent by Joseph deem'd But why thus heap I words on every side Thus you through me surcharg'd with love abide But where 's my lone how are you grateful seen When one hand washes tother both's made clean Can he with Reason although scarce upright Her for her love with sullen hate requite Nay and resist it too has he the face To meet his Ladies suit will foul disgrace Lo Discipline and common Brotherhood Teacheth us love for love to render good For good and should you not that love which I Have shewn you yield me back with usury Ingrate so be thou call'd for favours sake So num'rous which of me thou didst partake Since all no one return again can move How are those looks though lovely void of love My sweetest hopes to this disastrous day As with swift winds I see are snatch'd away From thee nor languid sighs lamenting moans Once notice move nor yet my dying groans To Court I sent thee there some time to spend By which I so thy breeding did intend But that it seems with thee found favour small For where it should be shown there 's none at all But stay forgetful I too far advance I know this flows not from dull ignorance The will 's perverse Cann't Joseph if he would O yes but fancy doth his power withhold JOSEPH to himself A Harlots favours like gilt Pills appear Which please the eye but eat the bowels â—ear Disgust the palate like to filthiest drink Gripe the faint stomack and depart with stink This now I plainly see Seph What 's that you say What is 't you in those murmurs overlay I must not hear How will you in a Cloud Abscond your reasons now reply aloud How with your mind did my last reasons speed Prevail'd they ought Jos Not any thing indeed Seph Can kindness gain from you then no return Jos Yes but in you that grace I cann't discern Seph Is this my lone then I my pains may blame Jos Self-interest favours none will kindness name Seph But what unkindness have I shewn you say Jos What e're you could to steal my heart away Ah me when men false baits to fishes hold Freighted with sweetness but which death infold Is this a kindness flows this from good will The very love pretended 't is doth kill And such your favours are so they abuse The Soul with lyes and certain death produce But I of other favours too can sing Than yours more real far and great which bring Upon their wings Salvation and intend A love indelible that hath no end That God it is in whom I boast this love Who in these ways you run forbids me move Whos 's so great favours I should ill repay If that were all if I should disobey He from my Bretherens Blood-thirsty-hands From a deep Dungeon fierce enslaving bands Inevitable death prepar'd for me Hath rescu'd and from danger set me free At length me in this happy state hath plac'd And therein with high honours greatly grac'd Affording me conduct in that affair Committed to my charge and to my care Thus hath God done and shall I him offend And draw his wrath upon me without end For such unstable flitting joys shall I Chuse lasting woe and from my blessing fly To Carnal loves shall I my self betake And foolishly the love of God forsake Then lead my future days in grief of heart Where nothing earthly comfort can impart If kindnesses should hearts morosest tame And to the Donor with kind love inflame Sure then I ought to yield my God this mind Who has to me beyond you far been kind SEPHYRA TUsh what has God to do with me or you Our good adds not to him nor is it true That he fond man regards for him be griev'd Whose trouble in his thoughts he ne're receiv'd 'T is madness what of Gods fierce plagues is said Serves but to make the Vulgar sort afraid And that th'unlearned rabble of a Land Might by such means be kept in strait command In Heav'nly Altitudes God dwells to know For us too high what should he do below Amongst such clods of earth or mortals mind Who in his Image his delight doth find Should that great Prince that 's Father of the Light That boundless power judge man's vain works of night Here on this dreary dale should his great Soul Consider silly worms in dust that roul He in high Paradise 'bove Angels ken Triumphant sits and rules whence ways of men He cann't survey As that abode is great Ev'n so contemptible's this lower state My house is stor'd with most retir'd Alcoves Fitted to entertain us in our loves Profoundly hid they cunningly lye clos'd In ambages perplexing where expos'd No part is to the Sun to this I ways Have
Though against me your utmost you engage Yet I 'll oppose but with a juster rage Blest he who in this quarrel doth persist With sin its cursed dictates to resist Happy that mind which evermore doth fight With its own lusts and contradicts their might There is a blest contest a holy war An upright enmity a gainful jar Again there is a peace a rest a joy Which doth our Souls of all its peace destroy 'T is not our loss that lusts a war maintain Within our Souls and put our flesh to pain Our sins to see doth not proceed from sin To feel sins evil doth from good begin Though this seems strange and wounds you to the Soul Yet it is true our lusts we must controul That evil which our certain death will prove We by its death should surely first remove Our most beloved lusts our dearest pleasures Our carnal comforts all our earthly Treasures We in our hearts must not endure to dwell Or else their fierce allurements there repel The most occult recesses of our mind That whereunto our nature is inclin'd Our frame our constitution we in chains Must bind as Rebels and afflict with pains For by the Fall so hapless man declin'd That all was spoylt within his heedless mind And since so totally did sin deprave His Off-spring that 't is onely sin they crave Would it were with me as I 'd wish to be Both from this world and from my self I 'd flee Such treacherous Companions do I find Remaining in my bones and in my mind Why hug we thus this world and worldly things Which no content but sour vexation brings How is it that our Heaven-born Souls so prone Are unto Earth and not to God alone They that for Heaven intend of Heaven must speak Heaven-wards must look and through Heavens gates must break And they by constant labour must outdo The restless malice of the Tempter too But why thus heap I words where words are vain Briefly Heavens road not easie is or plain A thorny way and through a thorny gate It is that leads unto that blissful state Our hearts I know are full of crook'd desires In our best duties much of sin suspires Yet comfort we unspeakable may find That are his Children for our troubled mind 'T is beyond doubt the blessed Prince of peace Shall come and make our expectations cease His day I saw already in my mind And press'd his lips with salutation kind Long since I have beheld as from afar A strange far-blazing glory a bright star Boding great light prepar'd for Zeb'luns day To visit those who in deep darkness lay Behold the wonder which on earth is done A Maid conceives and doth bring forth a Son A Child a wondrous Child Heav'n us doth grant Emanuel call'd Prince o' th' new-Covenant He was a man of grief by 's own neglected Despis'd abus'd defamed mockt rejected Patiently he upon his own self brought Our shame for sins which we had onely wrought His Soul God fill'd with plagues his Limbs were rent With wounds he by himself our punishment Sustain'd and we are by his stripes his pain To God aton'd and wholly heal'd again In unknown paths we wander'd from our way As scatter'd sheep without their shepherd stray But by the blessing of his Spirits guide Thenceforth a better way he doth provide As like a Lamb he 's to the slaughter brought There as dumb sheep when by the shearers caught He opens not his mouth himself prepares For greatest plagues and all with patience bears For our cause he to our Tribunal went There sentence took and thence to death was sent Whom when they first with bitter scoffs revil'd They from the living to the dead eâ—il'd But when his blood he shall for offering give His seed shall rise and through him ever live For by his sufferings as our debt he paid So shall the Fathers wrath then quite be laid Well cheer up then my Soul noâ— now give way To thy corruptions or their laws obey Though thou by nature wast in lust conceiv'd Yet from this Fall thou art by grace up heav'd God gives his Spirit which with might assails Our lusts and with sure victory prevails Which sanctifies the feeble Soul withal That else would down to each temptation fall SEPHYRA NOw I shall loose my wits Preposterous fool Am I no neerer all this while my goal Still so unmov'd no Songs but of constraint Come 't is enough this is the old complaint Base is that mind that quiet peace disturbs To freedome that prefers enslaving curbs Withhold thou cry'st afflict deny restrain Force over-rule suppress torment with pain Banish nay kill out-right Great Nile what 's here Unheard of Prodigies by humane ear Ah slave how well the ornament of chains Befits thee who delight'st in slavish pains But thou'dst enslave us too through sly advise Fool didst thou then believe us so unwise My blood now rises into scornful spite To see thee in such follies take delight At once thou subject of all scorn and hate Methinks I in thy looks now read thy fate Fantastick sop that tak'st delight in woe Besotted friend of Tears soft pleasures foe Rebellious-minded soul at rest in jars In peace as restless friend to cruel wars Thou perfect Bugbear to refining love Who ominous against thy self dost prove Mankinds misfortune in a hapless time Who sure wast born and in a fatal clime Thou neither must nor wilt resolv'd thou arâ— But unto what thy riddle pray impart Forsooth a strange conceit within thy mind There is of lagging miseries behind Didst ever feel them fool who told thee so O grave Tradition whether true or no. But thou shalt feel them now thy self then tell If greater this or thy conceited Hell I 'll now conclude nor think that I 'll regard Compassion more let death be thy reward Or happy life as thou shalt yield or chuse Yield to my passions or that love refuse Fool thou' rt too frail thy passions to defie To a fierce conflict or thy flesh deny Who with too rigid force his youth constrains Provokes his mind to break with-holding reyns Jos Since now you have been pleas'd with snaky guile As for the flesh to argue stiff some while I pray permit me then accordingly That for the Spirit I may make reply Seph No Joseph time will thus be spent in vain What I have said I now repeat again To my request if thou no ear wilt give Thou shalt repent that thou on earth didst live Observe it well Yet how can I believe That Joseph should himself of Bliss bereave Sure if I 'm right more wit doth in him dwell And he 'll be wise when he considers well Thus by these things thou mayst behold my heart How thou most truly there beloved art Accept my caution Joseph have a care Embrace thy fortune and of woe beware That which by th'chiefest Nobles of the Land Hath been pursu'd now thou hast in thy hand What erewhiles Potiphar
SELF-CONFLICT represented in a Dispute between IOSEPH and POTIPHARS WIFE A DIVINE POEM SELF-CONFLICT OR The powerful Motions between THE Flesh Spirit REPRESENTED In the Person and upon the occasion OF JOSEPH WHEN By POTIPHAR's Wife He was enticed to Adultery A DIVINE POEM Written originally in Low-Dutch by JACOB CATTS sometime Lord Pensioner of Holland and from thence Translated LONDON Printed for Robert Sollers at the Kings-Arms and Bible in St. Pauls Church-yard 1680. TO THE READER THou hast here the fruits of some Lucubrations and vacant hours which to me have paid the pains in Translating and I dare â—ay they will thine in Reading if thou â—ast not more Itching Ears after loftier â—trains than without doubt I can renâ—er than Sanctified Desires after wholeâ—ome and profitable Matter rendered â—nto thee Indeed else it were a pity Gold should be rejected because preâ—â—nted unto thee in a Homely Vessel 〈◊〉 Soveraign Counsel because not sung to thee by a Cowley or a Milton the very footsteps of either of which thou art not like here to find My hopes shall be however to meet with some few who will not dash their advantages in pieces by carping aâ— me who am herein no more than the Friendly Bearer and to these I would intimate what remains to be said of the Work itself for their further satisfaction It 's Subject then is a Christians Warfare or to come up to its Title His Conflict with himself If thou art a Christian indeed thou art a Souldier and must fight continually not Sensually with Earthly Powers but Spiritually with all the Powers of Darkness where thou wilt find the most puissanâ— and dangerous Enemy thou hast to grapple with thine own self and with these as thou must fight continually so over these all thou must be sure to be victorious or they will triumph over thee which will be in thy inevitable Destruction Skill therefore in this so myrious a Warfare will be of greatest importance to thee which saith my Author doth consist In knowing thine own Weakness the Strength of thine Adversaries and the Remedy against both To whose following Discourses then for excellent Directions herein it falls in now aptly for me onely to refer thee And yet this induceth me to say thus much more before I leave thee here that by reading thou mayst perceive thy glozing Corruptions using in the person of Josephs Mistriss the most cogent Expressions to charm thee into consent to their Exuberous Desires And by proceeding immediately to those Replies carried on in the person of Joseph thou hast the application of more Soveraign Antidotes to kill or enervate such else irresistible Charms either in the birth or riper growth within thee Yet here lest the tender Conscience might check at the Libidinous and Prophane Language necessarily made use of by my Author he clears that Scruple from the like practice in David who useth Wicked Expressions but in the Persons of the Wicked and in Solomon who writes Lewdly but in the Persons of Lewd Women c. Where likewise among others he satisfies his honest-minded Reader with this redundant and significant Similitude That the Rose receives advantage in it fragrancy by being planted near Garlick The Stile is Verse that so no Advantage may be denyed the Flesh in this her publick Tryal or as my Author would have it that the Scope may with the more inevitable force penetrate the Heart as the sonorous harmony of a Trumpet doth through the narrow passage of its body the Ear and then I may add that the young Reader may through a happy kind of guile be caught with pleasure to his own Souls advantage The Variations Amplifications and Additions made use of in this Translation will I hope easily be excused if not judged necessary especially where the difference between Translating and Construing and the unconstrained freedome of Verse is considered And now having given thee what I hope may satisfie thee as to the Work it self I would now onely superadde a brief Account of the Author and of the particular success of this excellent Piece of his both at home and abroad And this shall be all I shall at this time say of both As to the Author Holland whose Lord Pensioner he was could not detain him long in that Fatal Dignity which he happily resigned at a seasonable time for a Retired Life at his beloved Zorgfliet where giving more ample liberty to his incomparable Mind he lets it all flow to his Countrey-men in Castalian Numbers untill at length he living to a good old age they together compleated a very Large Volume which he hath left filled with the profitablest variety of delight both Moral and Divine that in that kind there had ever been extant And now as to the success of this small part of his Studies esteemed by the most one of the most worthy it hath met with such kind and general acceptation at Home that there it hath been often Printed in all sorts of Volumes nor hath it found less abroad where in Germany it was by different hands almost at one and the same time Translated and Printed Herewithall I will now leave thee and refer thee to the Work it self in the perusal of which I heartily wish thy benefit and delight Farewel THE ENTERTAINMENT IN fulsom dung thou who a beast dost here Behold inclos'd and pondering dost appear The meaning to desire thy thoughts compose My Song the while shall thee the mind disclose Of cleanlyest Creatures in this Ring enchas'd Thou one behold'st by unkind hands there plac'd Of name the Ermin one by nature bent To be untainted with ought foul now pent In putrid Muck behold no pains dispute May ' scape procure unless it will pollute In filth its fur but hating most a blot It faints opprest with famine on the Plot. The choyce is sharp or it must dye or see That now its Coat in Mire defil'd must be Yet such its mind that in this huge dismay Cold death it choseth and concludes its days Where lo though dying with what wondrous care It softly sinks lest it should blot a hair There now it lies stretcht out upon the plain Grim death embracing to be free of stain Thus far the Emblem which â—he mind displays Of Jacobs Joseph which his pious ways And Conquest shews by him of lust obtain'd Of lust so strongly which in 's Mistress reign'd Noâ— youthful dalliance relish'd with his mind He fâ—r more pleasure in chast thoughts did find Though carbonading lust did him assail He stood unmov'd nor could that lust prevail A Lady he to him beholds inclin'd With unchast love young fair and rich his mind Yet heâ— resists she â—almy joys presents He God prefers her jâ—â—s as vice resents She pleads Alone we 're safe from prying eyâ— But he returns Yet God doth us descrye Then she My Lord abroad none obvious stand To cross our loves He then But God's at hand She adds Youth prompts us to this
in Gods house leud shame commits him he To shame will bring from whence he shall not flee And Curses on his body he shall find Thenceforth and plagues possessing all his mind For God is holy his bright eyes are pure Which will by no means lustful flames endure The airy Soul doth in the blood reside The Soul's God's Temple where nought foul may ' bide Within his presence-chamber none may dare His hests pollute that undefiled are My Lord hath days and nights you argue next Incessant cares wherewith his thoughts perplext And captivated are and therefore he Needs by his Consort must abused be O foul conclusion which now makes me hate Your lusts address the more for sure my fate Must be much worse than his if I believe That womans words that doth her Lord deceive Ah should the painful Husband grind and toyl His Houshold to maintain and should the while His wife prove false he spend his strength for gains And she devour by whoredom all his pains So at such cost shall fame superb be sought By Potiphar and you for worse than nought Yours forfeit to your slave O misery The certain issue of these deeds who thee May duely here describe unhappy they Who by such things for thy approach give way In vain the Husband doth employ his pains To grow in riches and increase in gains In vain he seeks to keep an earthly Treasure If the wife prostitutes to strangers pleasure For where the Nuptial sheets defiled be All good departs that House all blessings flee And fearful ruine with a curse succeeds Taking due vengeance for such dismal deeds I gave you no advantage to express With words your minde say you and therefore less Your Lust would not permit than by your Eyes To shew the Symptomes of your Maladies What shall I say Had you been ever dumb This language to my ears had never come Nor blind if you had you for ever known These obscene flames now so puissant grown And would you had been so this for your sake I wish so sure a death do you partake In your own wishes O! express no more With Tongue or Eyes such matters I implore Was it for me to fix a busie eye Upon your looks your pleasure to descry For this neglect you render my disdain And stately pride as glorying in your pain No this your Maidens should observe not I They on your looks may fix a curious eye And sudden motions may regard with awe Your Will to them may be a binding Law But as for me my observations must About my Lord be plac'd He may my just Regard alone demand but never you His eyes alone may teach me what to do And this he will confess so I have been Obedient where my Duty should be seen Do you conceive my Lord your ways should like Or yield to my compliance O! he 'd strike On us much rather all that sense he bore Of horrour to them so that we no more Should need the pleasure or his second rage Against our sin his vengeance to engage What now avails it you to fix your minde On that where you may 〈◊〉 enjoyment finde If your vile flesh so burns in lustful flame Go there where you may cool it without â—lame Why did you not at first suppress that fire Which towards me inflam'd such foul desire Why did you gratifie your trayterous eyes When you had warming Lust through them surprize Had made upon your Heart Have you forgot Or did you never hear how Eve was brought To loss of Eden by her busie eye On fruit forbidden and posterity This is the little limb which can alone The careless Soul of Happiness unthrone Behold the safe who this unguarded leave A Thief obtain ere they ought ill perceive I did endeavour to avoid 't is true Your presence lest I might alone by you Be taken by surprize Sin lyes at catch For man in solitude neglecting watch Shamâ— you confess your â—ust did drive away And I can tell you then your best array Is gone which was your Glory Not the blaze Of all your Gems reverberating rays Can yield that lustre but as Light that dwells With Day compar'd with Night so that excels God did a Shamefac'dness in Women-kinde Implant to guard at all times their soft Minde Which if they drive regardlessly from thence Their Chastity rests void of all defence Not languid Eyes they be that can excuse Nor winning Eloquence which you abuse That can maintain your ways them therefore cease While time may free you and restore your peace Nay know the more you therein yet shall press So much your person will but please me less Once more desist I therefore yet implore Let rampant Lust possess your minde no more Which since it will conclude in endless pains That fool is wise who in 't not long remains SEPHYRA OFt though thou hast my suit with proud disdain Repuls'd my minde yet doth unmov'd remain I 'm what I ever was In Amours chase 'T is perseverance gains the Victor's praise So solid Iron wastes at length by rust And Steel yet harder crumbles into dust So sturdy Oakes yield to the frequent wound By Axes given till they kiss the ground Of you as Dame I have supreme Command Which your condition suits not to withstand My Money bought you subject to my Will Therefore you are and must my Law fulfil Nor Mistresses can Servants that injoyn Which their Obedience justly should decline Well then my Will fulfil and wherefore not Sure that 's at our command which we have bought All your whole Body's mine that I may kill Or save alive or torture as I will And if the whole is sold to my desire Well may I then the fruit of part require Nor to oppose me think that thou art free Who to my humour must devoted be All Nations yield to this of old and yet That with their Slaves each do as they think fit And if long since Love had return'd from you 'T had been but duty to your Mistriss due But that 's now past beware that thus no more Thou of such errours treasur'st greater store Or didst thou doubt my loves reality As if I feign'd it but thy pulse to try Never indeed did I possess that mind To such injurious double thoughts inclin'd Which if that onely lets O straight discharge Those thoughts nor more let them such doubts enlarge For lo my wounded heart all in a flame Offering oblations to sweet Joseph's name Press but this bosom and there feel it lye A panting victim to thy wounding eye Behold my stretcht-out arms my naked breast Wooing thy kindness what can be exprest More plain alas I have no other way If yet thou doubt'st the rest thy self assay This day our Aegypt's gaudy Gentry are At Memphis entertain'd with Banquets where Thy Lord is likewise with our chiefest Train I onely for thy sake at home remain Which to procure I sickness did pretend That those few hours I
all that hinders to remove Delays Nor any may presume but strait must go Then far enough What is 't love cannot do Knots though most intricate we can exvolve When taught by Love and sayings dark resolve In most ambiguous matters ways find out The prize to gain and bring our ends about I ever since Love set my mind on flame Soon Mistriss of these Mysteries became Though chiefly fraud I couzen whom I will My fervent passions to obey fulfil Nor without lyes shall ever Lover be Possessor of 's desir'd felicity JOSEPH THink you so closely then your Plots to hide That by no piercing eye they should be spide Shall none your works of darkness undisguise O you 're deceiv'd things shall go otherwise He who the eye did make should he not see Who all these Beings fashioned that be Should he not all things see that made the sight That fram'd the Sun and first produc't the Light Obscure in gloom of night your filthy works And true it is sin still in darkness lurks Within the most retir'd Alcoves prepare To take your pleasure and no eye think there Yet know that eye that slumbers not nor sleeps Sees all and of your ways strict reckoning keeps Even to your inmost thoughts No Cave can hide You or your works from his bright eyes divide Put on the clipping pinions of the day And to Earths bounds hast then and wing away Or where the Ocean ends there you will find Him likewise present fathoming your mind Your mind whose thoughts afar off he surveys Before Conception has there hatch'd its ways Your mind which cannot think or cannot do Can he not know and better know than you It boots you not in lowest Vaults to lurk Or by Night favour'd deeds of Night to work For Night is Day to God darkness as light And all things naked to his piercing sight Well but it seems to God the Heav'ns you 'd give So as you pleas'd you in the world might live But me how vain is this which you conceive With God it is not as you would believe O your Creator better learn to know And more respect with due submission show When of him you discourse No mortal he Nor humane is as you would have him be Heaven his ubiquity by sight doth know And though not seen yet is he here below Both here and every where nor may you name That place where his dread Spirit never came And at that instant I now know him here I likewise know him present every where Yet undivided and essentially Whilst we fly from him unto him we fly Had you the power by counterfeiting shews The eyes of men and reason to abuse 'T would not avail you 't is not here or there Will hide your deeds to God which naked are As wicked boys who so their Plots contrive That into them none of the youth can dive What boots it yet if he them understands Who for their punishments the rod commands But what speak we of Man made of a clod Of despicable Earth let 's on his God That made him now reflect whose powerful hand Nor Heaven nor Earth nor can the Seas withstand Nay Seas their rage forget Winds calm remain When he commands and rocks do rend in twain Heavens melt for fervent heat opprest with fears Like man distress'd that sheds for anguish tears Moves he his voice and gives the sea its doom Thus far but farther not your Waves may come The banks must check their fury force detain As fiery Steeds when curbed by the rein Forth from his mouth huge damps like night do go Then following flames which Nations overflow To stone-heaps Towns he turns and down doth fell All things against his judgment that rebel His Chariot-steeds are th' pinions of the wind His way begirt with darkness none may find Swift flying Clouds that ' longst the Heaven glides His nimble Chariot is on which he rides Th'Thunders his voice if that breaks forth then there Where Sylvanes Eccho Hinds do calve that bear And cast their unripe fruit o' th' trembling way Hills skip affrighted Plains do run away His Hosts are Thrones of mighty Cherubim They hide his Char attend as Guards on him Of these Angelick Quarries numberless That threat fierce din of War doth he possess Commixt with flames a Night-resembling smoke Shoots from his nostrils when we him provoke And clouds the Air so that the whole Sylvane Withers its leaf and faints for anxious pain He in the Clouds his signs doth shew which threat Plague Sword or Famine which here woes compleat The Suns and Moons vast Orbs his word obey Commands he they stand still or run their way From him the three-fork'd Lightning darts its flash Which wheth'r it doth on rocks or Turrets dash Such ruinous way it makes that th' earth her womb Ghastly extends and offers man a Tomb. The arched Rainbow with embroidered rays Strait from the troubled skies its light displays When he commands where then it takes its place Right opposite where the Sun promotes his race About the Sphere he thousand stars doth guide Which never err but ever surely glide Their strength he knows and numbers of them all Each by his name distinctly de doth call As with thick wool with snow he doth infold The naked fields He sends his fearful cold That charmeth flowing streams then a south-wind Which them from numbness doth again unbind His dreadful Judgments over Realms he shakes From calm repose the sleeping sea he wakes To horrible uproar as with his hands Drives ships in unknown deeps men on strange lands Leviathan the terror of the Main With pannick fear he troubles till again He yields his borrowed Life and until he Makes where he dyes an Island in the sea So awful is this glorious Majesty Who whilst we onely name our inwards be Arrested strait with dread nor can we find Repose whilst this continues in our mind Come Madam then your young affections yield To Heavenly things let them no more be fill'd With earthly trash but thence withdraw your love And henceforth fix it upon things above Where no remorse for sin nor pain doth dwell But lasting joys which these do far excel And where these joys in one immortal May Inebriate and fill the Soul for aye This blissful state let 's labour then to gain What though it cost us self-denying pain Since here we must the lust of flesh oppose Or that felicity for ever loose Let us that lust with angry zeal controul Unweariedly which would deprive the Soul Thus of its rest As wax before the fire So spurious Lust would dye in our desire If we would force our backward thoughts to be Conversing with these matters frequently When in us things of God we overlay Our minds it strengthens and drives sin away SEPHYRA BUt hold fond Boy Gods judgments let them heed Whose steps are drawing near the grave who speed Now down-hill to their end let them reflect On such dull Phantasms
young that seek him never fail to find Nor he to give them graces in their mind But he in time who this neglects anon When he shall knock shall find his season gone SEPHYRA THis yet agrees not with our years men say Deep thoughts on death make hairs untimely gray Farewel good days to him who hereon pores To these dull humours therefore shut thy dores Sorrow comes soon enough why with such kind Of pond'rings should we then afflict our mind He who on evils will before-hand muse When come in him will but more grief infuse Yet let them mope that please how ill it suits With thee fair boy however strong disputes 'Twixt Chastity and such fair looks as thine Are never wanting till that grace incline To yield to the allurements which are layd In ambush for her whereby she 's betray'd Behold from lips the Coral which transcend Soft moving words do flow that love intend And sue for a complyance nor can breasts More hard than Rocks deny their kind requests And Pleasures thereto joyn'd on every side Of every kind still Virtue doth bestride And conquer Although never so austere Even Virtue must the Charms of Love revere But woe is me to whom do I address All this discourse 't is my unhappiness To spend my sighs unto a flint a stone Yet stones have tears to weep but thou hast none Though nature made thee thus surprizing fair And sure where beauty is Loves seat is there Yet can my words though from a troubled mind In thee no pity no compassion find How can it be that in those looks should dwell Such cruel nature O that fierceness quell Be not so bloody-minded imitate Thy lovely air be kindly passionate Those slaves who in the fiercest battles bear The brunt and in worst dangers must appear Or those who are transfix'd unto the Oare Or who the plough do follow can't be more Them possibly it might become to be As rough as their rough skins but never thee Whose looks so sweet so lovely do appear As if they said it Gentleness is here Thy education and thy yet few days Soft dalliance more becomes and Bacchus ways Sweet Malmsey with a Song and on the knee A spritely Damsel wondrously agree And suite with thy smooth Chin nor can thy age â—t self from these soft pleasures disengage Alas to what I pray is beauty good â—t bears no fruit nor eat we it as food Nor likewise was it for the plough design'd â—t must be therefore but a shade or wind â—f greater good may not be drawn from thence Which who doth not deduce is void of sense â—s fruit is purely joy no good besides Within the borders of its view resides â—he blushing Rose though from the stalk ne're wrested â—r in gay wreaths by Virgin-hands invested Or by a Lover to his female friend Never bestow'd yet should its beauty end To soon behold how that its thirsty leaves Extends for dew each morning and receives Which when they once no more obtain they fade Nor leave o' th' stalk more than the wither'd blade Why shouldst thou spare that youth which wasts away So of it self time onely a decay Works on it and impairs its comely guise This season therefore slip not art thou wise Do I love thee I therewith thee accuse Thy beauty 't is that doth this love infuse Whoever such surprizing looks beheld And was not more than to esteem compell'd None thirsty view the Font's aspiring source Yet from a tast can their parcht throats enforce Nor any fang'd with hunger well-dress'd meat Before them see yet can refrain to eat Wine fill'd in glasses of a Christal white Is drank with more refreshment and delight Thou know'st though meats be ne'r so toothsome madâ— They 're loath'd if not in cleanly dishes layd 'T is strange yet true by silence beauty gains Rough hearts to yield nor once by words complains Although with eyes yet melteth frozen breasts And the obdurate by those dumb requests Nothing that from the lips of beauty streams But like a dew of birth celestial seems And overtakes with ravishment the heart Whether in jest address'd or earnest part JOSEPH HOw shall then Beauty humane natures praise Be made a glass where lustful eyes may gaze When comely objects are beheld then must The flesh think you arise in flames of lust Was this the end when Natures hand did grace With those Divine perfections humane race O no the gifts of our great God invite By no means man unto sin-born delight Nor was this giv'n it self by lust to please But by chast Wedlock man-kind to encrease His Masculine perfections her delight Her female graces him to love excite He loving her alone she him there are No thirds that in their bliss can claim a share He gives she draws his gifts by her fair eye Nor can she crave the thing he can deny And her desires agreeing so with his They both contribute to compleat their bliss This is the end of beauty to allure Thus chast affections that may long endure And they if chast indeed when beauty 's gone That beauty will out-live that led them on The words of beauty you alledge prevail Ev'n though they should hearts made of rocks assailâ— And I am fair say you O but admit I might now say what mostly might befit Your so obdurate heart and that might be Dissolved by the words that flow from me Yet there is more I for your Interest Humbly advise and press you my request Seeks but your safety whereas yours to me Moves towards that which will my ruine be Be then advis'd and sure 't is highly best Let not henceforth your eyes upon me rest Lust to excite but when you Joseph view Think than a servant he 's no more to you 'T is not enough if we refrain the deed Lusts in the thoughts from guilty breasts proceed And they who are inflamed in that kind Bear before God a sin-polluted mind Yet if the while my object in your breast Your lust should heighten and destroy your rest Great would my sorrow be Nay I before This should succeed my face in purple gore Would certainly convert my killing eyes I would reward with equal cruelties Within these cheeks my nails I would indent And in that manner them so oft torment Until no marks of beauty there should be More left but horrour whence all eyes should flee But you that beauty seek convert your eyes Unto that glorious Helion a surprize Will seize your soul from the first sight you gain Which fixed there in wonder will detain And ardent love and that will quite extrude Which in your breast you now so close include How vain alas is that we beauty call In looks decypher'd which we so extol Take thence the veil and that which meets our sight Is sores which very nature doth affright No sooner from our body is exprest That suspiration wherein life doth rest No sooner are our nostrils stopt but strait Our beauty
lay on Plagues which both cannot and yet must be born He 'll plague then like a God whilst wretched we Must bear them though we cann't eternally O thou Eternity what great amaze Does thy reflection in my inwards raise Thy endless thought creates another Hell In midst of it if not its woes excel But these things in your thoughts are fond you shâ—w And I in your conceâ—t for simple go Well though I do yet the divine Beliefs Of God in simple uprightness consists Then as a dreamer you ' gainst me exclaim Although than this I have no greater name Nay whosoever for this cause may frown Yet on my head I 'll bear it as my Crown And for it praise my God hereby I see That in my ways his Spirit is with me When Sov'raign sleep descendeth from on high And on their Couch these members stretcht do lye My sprightly Soul that part of Heavenly fire Nor sleeps nor slumbers but remains entire In action By strange visions of the night I in my soul perceive the God of light Whose Spirit then whilst others slumbers bind Graciously communes with my ravish'd mind Plainly fore-shewing to my self what shall And mighty Realms in future days befal Though from my soil for dreams Hate banish'd me Again by dreams yet I shall raised be And those this evil who have wrought me shall With suppliant knee unto my mercy fall That seek with contrite tears deep groans and see Their hate then past shall be forgot by me Nor shall I seek revenge but they shall find To them I 'll bear a loving brothers mind But grant I had power and should with crafty wile The watchful eyes of Jealousie beguile Alas what help yet for me in that hour When guilty thoughts should all my peace devour Who knows not though with care by th'vicious sought Yet their own mind to peace cannot be bought That lowdly vengeance crying each vile heart So Condemnation must to 't self impart You may obscure your deeds in graves below Or in thick darkness them abscond but know Although the Conscience you may charm asleep That yet you never shall long silent keep O no your injur'd God while drowsie night Your eye-lids close your thoughts with shapes shall fright Resembling just your guilt and unto day Your works produce which in oblivion lay That there 's a God nor need you seek to find Turn but within and see him in your mind Examine there and you will quickly know That he 's above and in your thoughts below When heat of lust doth in the lustful cease Strait deep remorse becomes their minds disease Pleasures once over-blown and youth decay'd Regret and Trembling doth the Soul invade Who 's pleas'd when he compares his short joys spent With lasting woes their purchase which torment The Mind and Body with far greater pain Than all those joys before did pleasure gain For seeds of pleasure we but ever find Are cowardise and horrour in the mind Do go enjoy your swing choose carnal things These are those soft delights with deadly stings The death of Souls confusion of all grace The worm that gnaws for never-ending space Well then O much deceiv'd if true delight You yet desire then bravely shew despight To lust deny your eyes superbly spurn At Love which doth in lust forbidden burn Alas and what 's these joys youth swiftly flies To hoary age and with it Pleasure dies Our day-sun set and sable night come on Our woes so come and so our joys are gone Still to do good and overcome the heart Doth evermore unto the Soul impart All comfort and thence grief compels to flye 'T is the best pleasure Pleasure to deny O thou transcendent joy celestial rest How happy are those Souls by thee possest No joy or pleasure like to that we find Whose fix'd abode is in a righteous mind SEPHYRA WEll then I see that kindness is too weak Thy savage temper to subdue or break Which since it cannot my great cause defend That then on other motives I must bend I know that slothful jades refuse to stir Till in their sides they feel the gauling spur If thou art such and such thou seem'st to be Expect the fruits then of my hate on thee Once when a woman prostrates her good 〈◊〉 Her Honour Vertue Chastity her Fame To him she loves if her designs she miss As one besides her self stark mad she is Big with revenge therein impatient grows And frantickly all hindrance overthrows Crossing her end no charms may her asswage Even friends she sacrifices to her rage The sweeter wine at first is found to be The tarter when corrupted proves we see Of once denyed curtesies we find The strongest malice ever left behind And these all menace thee if to that joy I kindly woe thee to thou wilt be coy Where know thou shalt no sooner this deny But in extreamest Tortures thou shalt dye Our passions to extremities dilate Flying the mean we over-love or hate Thou then who art resolv'd no love to show Know from this hour my hate on thee doth grow Fierce and implacable War I declare And what I can devise I shall prepare To work thy woe all mischief then on thee That falls be confident it comes from me In deeds of black revenge we ever see The womans faculties more pregnant be Than those of man for in profound deceit And wise conduct she is the most compleat Well what invented or perform'd can be Of fiercest plagues shall all be flung on thee Each act of thine or word thou shalt have said Shall kill thee such constructions shall be made Nor yet enough things worse I 'll do than these This crime of mine such are our practices I 'le turn on thee and stifly this to be A truth affirm Thou wouldst have ravish'd me This to effect my thoughts now in me frye No holding helps all my inventions flye Where anger leads for me there is no cure Thou must my love obey or rage endure Like a brave Soul who when in prison pent Then more than ever in desire is bent T' enjoy lost liberty 'T is sâ—arce believ'd What by extremities have been atchiev'd This dire affair I must and will conclude Though Earth Sea Fire and Air should be renew'd In their first Chaos And although thou art Ne'r so resolved against my raging smart Yet I 'll proceed and imitate the snake Whose head if catcht a tail-defence doth make So if I find there is no other way Thou thy denial with thy blood shalt pay Hereto I am arriv'd with stedfast mind As links in Chains so sinful deeds are joyn'd Who ill contrives he must proceed therein And for his cloak with nimble skill begin His false complaint they who first audience gain Though criminal the just mans right obtain He who a villany hath undertook Upon no lyes with tender thoughts must look A face of brass must his defence become Lest ignominious shame should prove his doom When potent
death will ease When rage has done its worst and us release Nor may the worst of tortures be compar'd Unto the future joys for us prepar'd Yea let your bloody Instruments with strict And cruel plagues my tender flesh afflict Beyond its strength this shall be my relief My breast shall chear me in the midst of grief Though on soft fires I should be laid to burn Or with red Tongs should be asunder torn Or dropt with scalding pitch whilst I am frying Or broken on the painful wheel or dying Through extream tortures long endur'd yet I To God with comfort would advance mine eye He will I know the force of these asswage Or strengthen me in their extreamest rage That whilst my hangmen in their malice toyl I in their looks in spight of them shall smile If then 't is ask'd why suffers thus this youth While I can speak I 'll answer Of a truth Because he rather chose this dismal end Than in foul pleasures all his days to spend But when my honest deed shall come to light Nor can truth long lye hid in envious night Then so much earth I would but onely crave Where rest at last my mangled bones might have Next that this Epitaph might likewise be On that black Marble rent which shadows me Hereunder lyes a slave in dismal grief who fell Because he lov'd his Mistriss and his Lord too well A little beast there is of snow-white skin Which placed down upon the ground within A ring of muck from whence it cannot flee Unless its Fur shall all-defiled be There shall it stand nay death much rather chuse Than the lest filth its pureness should abuse O if my Marble likewise this exprest In life-like action 't were my third request Thus then at least I shall this rest obtain Where such as you no more shall grieve again My persecuted Soul and this same thing Among my bones shall make my spirit sing Adieu vain world alas how vain to me That wouldst not yield me one days rest from woe My days though but span-long yet in them be A world of griefs which me did over-flow Now they are done and with them done my fears Of restless evils with my restless tears When in the world I liv'd with wordly men Their wicked Souls deep stain'd in sinful spot Would either stain me too or grieve me then Nor might I ' scape their scourge if so their blot But now I 'm there where wicked numbers cease From troubling more and where I rest in peace Because affliction sat upon my brow And was my mate how men did chase my life Nor Goal nor Prison could suffice for how Men most might plague me was their manly strife But now their rage is done no more I hear The fierce Oppressors voice far off or near How have I groan'd beneath the toylsome yoak Of sin and woes which sinful deeds infold How have I wept my sins which God provoke So wearyed out till all my days were told Now my tir'd bones this grave which doth receive From all these toyls gives me a safe reprieve And while I thus rejoyce here yet will be Those that will bless my happy memory In Sacred Hymns composed for this sake When in their hearts chast melody they make Thus I shall ever live though dead when you In infamy shall live for ever too Whose memory will but exalt my name And infamy encrease my greater fame From which of your perswasions then should I Fear all your deaths since I can never dye No since my death will be a gain to me And by your rage from trouble set me free Well I 'm resolv'd death then I 'll rather chuse Than my chast body with vile lust abuse Think not I shall relent I 'm fix'd herein As much as you are to commit the sin Alas you 're still deceiv'd not pleasures past Shall the tormented then with ease repast If the effects of sin 't is guiltlesness Shall comfort such in their extream distress 'T is known they who are plagu'd for sin do dwell That while as in the dismal woes of Hell On God 't is I depend he 'll make me tast Of his sweet life in death Methinks I hast Towards him with all joy though through the fire You threaten with insatiate desire O therefore think not I for fear of you Shall God offend and lust with you pursue SEPHYRA NOw must I say though sorry for thy sake Thou than to bend dost rather choose to break As clear as day I find it now most true What fancy will in sturdy humours do But what 's this Spirit thus that all things weighs That against every pleasure so inveighs Surely a sickness in the crazy mind When that to melancholy is inclin'd The lunatick of Castles in the air So dream and labour with ludibrious care Something they know not what to bring to pass So thou but dream'st of things that never was 'T is fumes of brain which in a foggy state Of weather cloud it and do dissipate When east-winds purge the air and skyes do smile This to regard I think not worth the while Shall I add more JOSEPH N No 't is enough forbear Nor may you say nor may I longer hear Such Blasphemies O thou long-suffering grace That such reproaches suffer'st to thy face You speak but by him yet that tongue employ To utter words that would himself destroy This Spirit is no dizziness of brain But what in flesh and blood no faith can gain I do not marvail you cannot conceive What in your thoughts you never did receive The Spiders cob-web can infold no winds Nor can the Spirit rest in carnal minds Night-Owls and twilight-Bats abhor the light And Sol's bright rays but chear the blest with sight The Spirit in our Souls from God above Is given as an earnest of his love This is our comforter our guide our light Our Sanctuary in this gloomy night Of grief of errour darkness and distress By this our wants in prayers we express Without it we 're unsafe nor can we say What 't is we want much less for blessings pray Hereby our heart 's celestially sublime And rais'd become above the Moon to climb Above the stars even to the sacred breast Of God the Summum bonum of our rest His hereby we are known this is his Seal Which us his own and him doth ours reveal It clears the clouds of ignorance away Us to our selves doth needfully display Begets all graces in us kindles love Within our breasts which towards God doth move Destroyeth then all wordly love from thence And shields us from its hurtful influence The flowing honey-combs delicious tast Is not comparable to the repast This gives the Soul in which its beams when shot It changes earthly pleasures into nought SEPHYRA NO way I see there 's for me to prevail This Spirit or I muâ—â— with might assail For all what I produce and oâ— thee gain This wind repels and renders
with doubtful fears With dangers long with pains with Lovers tears Obtained at length and that by wondrous hap That of its self now tumbles in thy lap Sues for thy favour prest with restless fires Sports with thy Net and to be caught desires Hangs on thy Neck to thee flings up that dore Through which our youth have sought to go before That craves thy aid towards thee lo that wings Offers itself about thee gently clings Not to become thy Wife but Love invites Not unto Wedlocks yoak but lusts delights Needs must thou be a stock devoyd of pleasure Empty of every amiable treasure Nay humane sense and sure if so must then Deserve exile from reasonable men If thy own happiness thou wilt forsake Nor wilt of these my choice delights partake Needs must thou be some stone some sapless leaf Froward as seas or than their banks more deaf Than Tops more whimsical than hoary Ice More nipping cold and more than fools unwise â—ut no it cannot be I shall prevail Nor longer thus my grief in vain bewail Whom do not courteous smiles move inwardly What heart can stand before a woeing eye What inclination is so strangely nice Whom ruby lips should not to kiss entice With whom don 't mirth prevail smooth-fac'd delight Whom tempt not dainties bless'd with appetite Who if to him I say Thee 't is I chuse So kind a Love yet basely can refuse Who can those arms wherein he 's straitly clasp'd As like the Oak with clustering joy grasp'd Break loose with unkind force Who can refuse A beauteous Female for his Love that sues Well I have done what 's said shall now suffice And sure enough is said to make thee wise Lo for a while thy sight I will suspend But instantly to come again intend Be no more fond thy self that while advise To take good warning to beware be wise I leave thee thy own judge thou from thy choice Thy self may'st sentence with unerring voice Exit JOSEPH alone DEar Soul awaken thou 't become the game Against thy life is now this womans aim Swell'd with revenge By her fierce looks appear And wild behaviour what thou hast to fear She now her utmost valency assays To fright thee from all chast and pious ways To cool thy zeal for which she doth produce What to her Cause may seeming strength infuse Thee sometimes fain she would with lust possess Deny'd her note then doth in threatnings dress One while with flatt'ry stroaks then with constraint Cruelly chaâ—es alas who can 〈…〉 â—n such uncertain conflicts and so strong Where from our self proceeds our greatest wrong With what a shew of reason does she dress Her lustful Cause nor equitable less Does she in her unjustest force appear â—f we observe her with a carnal ear Alas how Piety is still opprest And innocency of right dispossest The way we walk most slippery is found Where a small trip deprones us on the ground â—ow am I baffled with uncertain things My heart if crost sinks low if prosperous wings Above aspiring Hermon more indeed That bears than can from humane strength proceed This lustful Eve to me her fruit commends â—nd with fair signs my observation bends To guess the taste whilst I its beauty view â—ut 'tis sure death if I her end pursue â—nd yet my flesh this danger will not see â—hough in the taste I know a death to be â—ur Father Adam so his wife believ'd â—efore his God and his dear Soul bereav'd Of all its bliss Ah! by his strength if he â—hough perfect could not stand how then shall we â—he Off-spring of his Fall in wavering ways â—hat are but constant toss'd in evil days â—he world's a Sea our strong Desires the Winds â—he Ship our Flesh the swelling sails our minds 〈◊〉 left we drive and when in straits we fall 〈◊〉 do we then find Ankors help at all â—hen mighty waves advance then sail our minds 〈◊〉 yet behold more tempests fiercer winds We whilst we rest pursue but toyl acquire And what should quench our griefs but feeds their 〈◊〉 When my fierce thirst to cool I do intend Enraged fires then lo my inwards rend My carnal gust in that great sweet doth find Which yet as Wormwood tasts unto my mind The vulgar tale if true my case then seems Like theirs on bed big with nocturnal dreams Who are with Night-mares as with charms opprest And then it seems a Rock is on their breast In which sad case their spirits a cold sweat Possess who labour from this load to get They cry unheard nor stir for fear yet shake Till they again become as when awake Or I am like one who through surges breaks And him t' a ship in lifes distress betakes Where whilst for help his hands upheaved be Lo by the Current he 's compell'd to sea Yet now methinks I'm like Rebecca more When she fierce Esau and my Father bore Where by two different natures of this pair She was of tumults in her womb aware Ay me what strong commotions what a fray Afflicts my mind I feel the thing I say But what 's more strange of one behold now two Mortally bent each other to subdue This is the fruit of Soul-beguiling sin I fear not forrain but strong powers within My bosome breeds the jar the field 's my heart Where two in battle each the other thwart To hate sins ways the Law instructs my mind Yet in my members sin possest I find I in the spirit upright paths would tread But by the flesh in ways perverse am led â— am in health and sick safe and forlorn â— live and dye am buried and new-born â—y zeal is hot sometimes than frost more â—old Now I 'm afraid and then again as â—old â— burn and freeze am blith and sad of mind I stand and down I fall I loose and find Provok'd by youth that which fond youth doth please I love yet contrite tears produce my ease What man yet ever of such wonders read My health is by perpetual sickness 〈◊〉 I'm chas'd though I pursue scourg'd though I strike Even my own affections I dislike I 'm my own slave yet my own self I fear What works my grief eftsoonâ— I count most dear â—y these mixt thoughts I 'm driven to and fro Sometimes I 'm tost on high then plung'd as low Alternately thus they disturb my rest Whilst one commends what t'other did detest Alas what benefits a bolted dore Since that 's within which is my greatest sore Whilst above earth sometimes I mount on wing My gross desires me down amain do bring Now I 'm refresh'd then with my tears agreed Now retrograde I fly then on proceed Now joys I feel then grief my joys offend Now towards Heaven then towards Hell I bend Now I 'm a Prince then nothing straight at all Now strong I stand then beneath thoughts I fall Now am I yea then no a storm then still Now ebb then flood nor know I mine own will Ah
am'rous play But he Yet youth must wedlock rules obey She cryes My fervent flames O quench I frye Then he To them no stranger may come nigh Yet she Slave to my will thou â—t bought to be But not to sin returns he there I 'm free By reason fâ—yl'd she threatens plagues unkind But he makes clear Nought hurts a peaceful mind She storms but he 's compos'd threats doth abide And curses from her prays and steps aside Till she lays lastly hold Skill'd in this fight He then his cloak le ts go and flees her â—ight Wonder of men 't was Joseph in thy prime Of youthful days the veâ—â—ure of thy â—ime When thou thy flesh subdâ—'dst In ways of truth O guide and pattern rare for tender youth Assist my numbers let my flowing Verse As is his due his solid praise reherse If that can be And thou thus Laureate Vouchsafe though slender to commemorate Thy victories renown chast Boy that we May read with wonder and thy followers be But Zoilus is come methinks I hear His murmuring Sons at our blest Joseph jear Whom they a mind devoyd of Spirit name A vein of blood a torch of spriteful flame But sure abus'd in reasonings you appear O sons of error better reason hear Is freedom yours 't is then an easie case In times when lewd to run a sinful race Nor is it hard when youthful eyes espye A beauty strait in lustful flames to frye For lo how facile 't is to loose the rein That curbs the flesh that doth its lust restrain Nor easie less when pregnant showrs do flow To you of wealth then earthly soul'd to grow If love if honour wait on you if gain Such things with pleasure you can entertain But when the flesh with overmatching power Storms on the Soul like a tempestuous show'r That manly breast that stands that will not yield A Champion worthy is to Lord the field Vain worldly men those Spirits valiant praise That Armies rout that walled Cities rase But in deeds truly brave none higher rise Than such a mind who it s own lusts denies Let then Cimmerian ignorance revile Whilst virtue triumphs with a peaceful smile But thou if young let this example thee So chast so virtuous so Divine to be THE INTRODUCTION WHen Potiphar's fair Wife in various kind Had oft undress'd the passions of her mind To youthful Joseph and when this her pain In sighs she shew'd but ever sigh'd in vain Yet would she not for this the palm resign But having fixed a new-fram'd design Secur'd her houshold ordered the hour Lo yet once more she summons all her power Much like a Prince who with success unbless'd A walled Town hath long with War distress'd Now draws up all his Men and with a cry Once more sets on to gain the place or dye So she who now had well observ'd the room In which she knew young Joseph was to come Where when the youth alone she spy'd thus she Her mind display'd as she might entring be SEPHYRA HOw long sweet boy shall scorn thy breast possess Towards my grief and I in vain express That grief to thee how long a suppliant knee Shall I yet bend unentertain'd by thee â—he more my sighs discover am'rous fire â—he more thy frozen Soul with cross desire Fronts those kind flames whilst I the while in vain Pursue blew shadows and no substance gain O dwells in thee such barbarous desires And must I thus consume in tedious fires That noble blood that in my heart resides And but for thee yet in its veins abides Advise thy actions that 's but kindness feign'd By importunity which is or force obtain'd For what by flatt'ry with long pains is sought Though priceless gain'd yet is it dearly bought Let him who for his help would thanks receive Th' afflicted's case without delay relieve For him alone we count of courteous mind Whose help we readily performed find But thou' rt of Marble sure that can'st refrain Of thy bland youth to loose the sturdy reign And view me thus o'rewhelm'd with plenteous grief Nor cruel less deny yet all relief What may I think thou with thy self so days So nights revolv'st O most distasteful ways To me they are But wherefore thus should'st thou Thy young desires to sullen slavery bow What can more aptly suit youths soft desires Than with a Paramour to cool his fires For Natures instinct 't is to all imbred Delights to seek in Loves triumphant bed So lumpish soul'd so phlegmatick none are Who with their kind seek not their kind to pair Behold diffus'd it is in ev'ry thing Youths teeming pleasures forth by force to bring Nor doth in barren lands so dearth abound Wherein no memory of Love is found As in all-pleasing Ver to bring things forth Soft procreation to our widow'd earth Gently descends which then the leaf doth shoot And fragrant flowers and sweet delicious fruit This teeming time when come there where it sets That Land 's straâ—t checquer'd with soft Violets Guilt-bowly-Daffadils each thing anew Gets life on which it breaths its fruitful dew Lo whilst it thus begins to fan its charms The lofty Cedars wide out-stretching arms Yet bald with Winter-blast and Rime yet gray Now put on green against a Summers day Goes it through smiling fields or ambient airs Beasts joy in frisks of birds in Notes appears â—f on the strand the fish that scaled be Bubble in streams and dance upon the Sea Salute's it man what wonders works it then â—f pensive he it comforts him again Refines his mind if he is swain-like â—oul'd Makes him if dull his sluggish arms unfold â—f bred a Clown in Courtship smooth him skills Or else if mute in him swift speech 〈◊〉 There needs no more Thus when possesâ— with Love Our time we spend our joys thus soar above Their usual strain and then each youthful Male All means assays how he may oft prevail To gratifie his flames how here and there He in his toyls a beauty may ensnare Auspicious youth how singular's thy hap Whom Love with liberal hands flings in thy lap Her balmy pleasures thou who ne'er hast been Afflicted for her or yet sighing seen When Midianites thee of thy Brethren bought And in our Memphian Egypt thou wast brought â—rom that time I was made thy Regent Dame And mighty Potiphar thy Lord became A man enslav'd to splendid Court-affairs And wholly bent to mount on Honours stairs A head for great attempts of restless kind Who for the world nor body spares nor mind Before the morning-blush can night intrance And with unmuffling light in day advance Before the gray-brow'd dawn can early day Fore-run I grope but Potiphar's away Already clad he strikes him on a light In lucubrations spends that part of night And therein drown'd reads meditates and writes Till him to other things high day invites Then hastes to Court within those busie Halls Then walks where care to thoughts uncessant calls In Consults dwells until
his restless brain Fumes Oven-like that cann't its heat contain Thence hies to th' Prince where yet again his mind Must move with humours of uncertain kind Nor less his Wits must work since none is more Esteem'd than flatterers that Crowns adore Nor yet is this enough lo home-bred sorrow Genders new care for this day and to morrow That so no hour there is throughout the day Wherein his Soul might rest he once can say Unhappy Lord enslav'd by too vast things Thy purchas'd greatness thee but sorrow brings Forsake the Court 's too cumbrous cares and come Joyn with thy Wife to manage things at home But whilst my Lord him in these cares imploys Therewith his buzzing head and Soul annoys I his forsaken his forgotten Wife Wish for this cause a more delightful life And am resolv'd nor deem it void of reason Not so to lavish this my youthful season Let him since he will always be at Court Frequent strange beds one shall to mine resort And thou art he selected hereunto Sweet Joseph who of this long since didst know Mine eye my heart bewray'd that did descry What kind of passions in my breast did fry When once the heart feels Love hath made a wound The Senses dislocate the Tongue is bound The Mind with grief possest is fill'd with dread And then the eye the tongues defect must plead â— know thou hast observ'd my strong desires From my sad eyes dart symptomes of my fires Nor less didst thou perceive those flames in me When neer my bed I sent so oft for thee O long ere them I know this tongue express'd Thou felt'st these dire commotions in my breast And yet thou glori'dst ever to appear As if thou nothing wast of this aware If thee alone I found where none could see Or over-look what pass'd 'twixt thee and me Away thou fledst when thou but thought'st 't was I As though some Ghost thee thence compell'd to fly These were the pressures which so mov'd my mind That shame no longer could my passions bind Which forc'd broke forth constraining me to bow My neck to thee and court my servant now Yet woe is me though I disclose my fires All I can say cann't thaw thy chill desires T is neither Rhetorick nor deep-fetch'd groans Can move thy spirit to regard my moans O can no languid sighs no Eloquence Thy marble-breast to tenderness dispence Nor can yet goodness once prevail with thee Then rigour shall which thou shalt quickly see Though I am more 〈◊〉 perswasions rather Will melt thy Soul and we shall yet together Joyn flames to flames come â—hen why should such fell And rough desires in such sweet savour dwell JOSEPH ME what prodigious things do I now hear Are these your wâ—â—ds and Madam I so near Surely you mean them not Ah me but why Seek you then once again my â—oul to try It is confess'd that I am yours and his Who is your Husbandâ— but to none of this Sure was I sold we are not sold to 〈◊〉 Till of our selves we do that Sale begin Has providence lent you such gifts in vain To which so many wiâ—h they might attain So fair a flower has God created you That to your Lord you should be found untrue Though pâ—â—tly body amiable face Though wise discourse your Sex so much doth grace These yet if modesty you set to sale Will not that loss of Vertue countervail You 're of Illustrious Race of Royal kind With beauty gifted and transcendent mind Remember this and let your Soul disdain Your honour so with Staâ—â—ion lust to stain Much more to love your 〈◊〉 Ah me what is 't Has poyson'd you such matters to insist Why should thus Reasons beauty be defac'd Why should your glory thus become disgrac'd Why should lust reign and why that spirit Divine That doth the Soul to vertuous ways incline And therein guide be quench'd and force aâ—â—ay'd Through base-born lust and that the Soul invade For shame adjourn these Soul-deluding dreams Youths base product which you so ill beseems Which death portend let them be straight deny'd Fire's quickly master'd when help 's soon apply'd He who from lusts vile bondage would be freed Its primier flames to suffocate must â—eed Sin is a plant which if not from the root Soon pluckt will soon to spreading mischief shoot Which if it does its venom soon we find Infecting all our blood and all our mind And that 's a Fort with ever-watchful eyes Which should be guarded from sins swift surprize But if we thus destroy it then with ease Our hearts may be secur'd from this disease And that calm-virgin peace as erst regain The greatest bliss that Souls can here obtain Well though it be which let me not believe That you 're inclin'd brief pleasure should bereave You of your fame your eyes in vain on me Yet look in whom those joys abhorred be Ah how may I my precious Soul resigâ— To such falacious lust how thus incline To wound my Conscience and supremely prize Those flames and therein my self exercise Am I not of that house which from the rest Of all the world God for his people blest Choosing them such or ever form he layd Of this huge Globe and of his promise made Peculiar Heirs Am I not Abram's seed The faithful's Father by Gods call decreed And Prince of Race Divine and should I prize Foul lust and these advantages despise These members so abuse that God upbraid Who his loves covenant thereon hath made And thus Soul-shipwrack in one instant make Help Lord nor me do ever thus forsake But how you erre although God did create In all he made a power to propagate As was its kind yet what alas makes this For you as blind so you the mark do miss But 't is perceiv'd what by your errour 's meant You brass to me for solid Gold present Which I should so say you with you believe That lust as love acceptance might receive Who sees not this but better things we know From our great God to man no lust did flow He at the first did then in him inspire In beasts in fowl and fish an upright fire Blessing them generally with words of these Be greatly fruitful and the earth increase Of these yet Man when he began to live One meet help onely did from God receive Flesh of his flesh bone formed of his bone And this command You two shall be but one Thus that delight is but 'twixt two confin'd Where one Male-female are together joyn'd A third destroys the pleasure sowrs the sweet For love is onely 'twixt two souls compleat And this thus God injoyns As with his hands He Man and Wife unites in wedlock-bands Which none may part To th'Bridal sheets this Seal By him affix'd their purity reveal How should it then seem strange if he consume Such who his work to sully dare presume If with fierce plagues hurl'd from his kindled Ire He satisfaction should from them require Who