CANTO the Seventh.
The Argument.
The Duke's wish'd health in doubtfull wounds assur'd;
Who gets new wounds before the old are cur'd:
Nature in Birtha, Art's weak help derides,
Which strives to mend, what it at best but hides;
Shews Nature's courser works, so hid, more course,
As Sin conceal'd and unconfess'd, grows worse.
The Duke's wish'd health in doubtfull wounds assur'd;
Who gets new wounds before the old are cur'd:
Nature in Birtha, Art's weak help derides,
Which strives to mend, what it at best but hides;
Shews Nature's courser works, so hid, more course,
As Sin conceal'd and unconfess'd, grows worse.
1.
LEt none our Lombard Authour rudely blame,
Who from the Story has thus long digrest;
But for his righteous pains, may his fair Fame
For ever travel, whilst his ashes rest.
LEt none our Lombard Authour rudely blame,
Who from the Story has thus long digrest;
But for his righteous pains, may his fair Fame
For ever travel, whilst his ashes rest.
2.
Ill could he leave Art's Shop of Nature's Store;
Where she the hidden Soul would make more known;
Though common Faith seeks Souls, which is no more
Than long Opinion to Religion grown.
Ill could he leave Art's Shop of Nature's Store;
Where she the hidden Soul would make more known;
Though common Faith seeks Souls, which is no more
Than long Opinion to Religion grown.
3.
A while then let this sage Historian stay
With Astragon, till he new wounds reveals,
And such (though now the old are worn away)
As Balm, nor juice of Pyrol, never heals.
A while then let this sage Historian stay
With Astragon, till he new wounds reveals,
And such (though now the old are worn away)
As Balm, nor juice of Pyrol, never heals.
4.
To Astragon, Heav'n for succession gave
One onely Pledge, and Birtha was her name;
Whose Mother slept, where Flowers grew on her Grave,
And she succeeded her in Face, and Fame.
To Astragon, Heav'n for succession gave
One onely Pledge, and Birtha was her name;
Whose Mother slept, where Flowers grew on her Grave,
And she succeeded her in Face, and Fame.
5.
Her beauty, Princes, durst not hope to use,
Unless, like Poets, for their Morning Theam;
And her Minds beauty they would rather chuse,
Which did the light in Beautie's Lanthorn seem.
Her beauty, Princes, durst not hope to use,
Unless, like Poets, for their Morning Theam;
And her Minds beauty they would rather chuse,
Which did the light in Beautie's Lanthorn seem.
6.
She ne'r saw Courts, yet Courts could have undone
With untaught looks, and an unpractis'd heart;
Her Nets, the most prepar'd, could never shun;
For Nature spred them in the scorn of Art.
She ne'r saw Courts, yet Courts could have undone
With untaught looks, and an unpractis'd heart;
Her Nets, the most prepar'd, could never shun;
For Nature spred them in the scorn of Art.
7.
She never had in busie Cities bin,
Ne'r warm'd with hopes, nor ere allay'd with fears;
Not seeing punishment, could guess no Sin;
And Sin not seeing, ne'r had use of tears.
She never had in busie Cities bin,
Ne'r warm'd with hopes, nor ere allay'd with fears;
Not seeing punishment, could guess no Sin;
And Sin not seeing, ne'r had use of tears.
8.
But here her Father's precepts gave her skill,
Which with incessant bus'ness fill'd the Hours;
In spring, she gather'd Blossoms for the Still,
In Autumn, Berries; and in Summer, Flow'rs.
But here her Father's precepts gave her skill,
Which with incessant bus'ness fill'd the Hours;
In spring, she gather'd Blossoms for the Still,
In Autumn, Berries; and in Summer, Flow'rs.
9.
And as kind Nature with calm diligence
Her own free virtue silently employs,
Whilst she, unheard, does rip'ning growth dispence,
So were her virtues busie without noise.
And as kind Nature with calm diligence
Her own free virtue silently employs,
Whilst she, unheard, does rip'ning growth dispence,
So were her virtues busie without noise.
10.
Whilst her great Mistress, Nature, thus she tends,
The busie Houshold waits no less on her;
By secret law, each to her beauty bends;
Though all her lowly Mind to that prefer.
Whilst her great Mistress, Nature, thus she tends,
The busie Houshold waits no less on her;
By secret law, each to her beauty bends;
Though all her lowly Mind to that prefer.
11.
Gracious and free, she breaks upon them all
With Morning looks; and they when she does rise,
Devoutly at her dawn in homage fall,
And droop like Flow'rs, when Evening shuts her Eyes.
Gracious and free, she breaks upon them all
With Morning looks; and they when she does rise,
Devoutly at her dawn in homage fall,
And droop like Flow'rs, when Evening shuts her Eyes.
12.
The sooty Chymist (who his sight does waste,
Attending lesser Fires) she passing by,
Broke his lov'd Lymbick, through enamour'd haste,
And let, like common Dew, th' Elixar flie.
The sooty Chymist (who his sight does waste,
Attending lesser Fires) she passing by,
Broke his lov'd Lymbick, through enamour'd haste,
And let, like common Dew, th' Elixar flie.
13.
And here the grey Philosophers resort,
Who all to her, like crafty Courtiers, bow;
Hoping for secrets now in Nature's Court;
Which onely she (her fav'rite Maid) can know.
And here the grey Philosophers resort,
Who all to her, like crafty Courtiers, bow;
Hoping for secrets now in Nature's Court;
Which onely she (her fav'rite Maid) can know.
14.
These, as the Lords of Science, she respects,
And with familiar beams their age she chears,
Yet all those civil forms seem but neglects
To what she shews, when Astragon appears.
These, as the Lords of Science, she respects,
And with familiar beams their age she chears,
Yet all those civil forms seem but neglects
To what she shews, when Astragon appears.
15.
For as she once from him her being took,
She hourly takes her Law; reads with swift sight
His will, even at the op'ning of his look,
And shews, by haste, obedience her delight.
For as she once from him her being took,
She hourly takes her Law; reads with swift sight
His will, even at the op'ning of his look,
And shews, by haste, obedience her delight.
16.
She makes (when she at distance to him bows)
His int'rest in her Mother's beauty known,
For that's th' Orig'nal whence her Copy grows,
And near Orig'nals, Copies are not shown.
She makes (when she at distance to him bows)
His int'rest in her Mother's beauty known,
For that's th' Orig'nal whence her Copy grows,
And near Orig'nals, Copies are not shown.
17.
And he, with dear regard, her gifts does wear
Of Flow'rs, which she in mystick order ties,
And with the sacrifice of many a tear
Salutes her loyal Mother in her Eyes.
And he, with dear regard, her gifts does wear
Of Flow'rs, which she in mystick order ties,
And with the sacrifice of many a tear
Salutes her loyal Mother in her Eyes.
18.
The just Historians, Birtha thus express,
And tell how by her Syres Example taught,
She serv'd the wounded Duke in Life's distress,
And his fled Spirits back by Cordials brought.
The just Historians, Birtha thus express,
And tell how by her Syres Example taught,
She serv'd the wounded Duke in Life's distress,
And his fled Spirits back by Cordials brought.
19.
Black melancholy Mists, that fed despair
Through wounds long rage, with sprinkled Vervin cleer'd
Strew'd Leaves of Willow to refresh the air,
And with rich Fumes his sullen sences cheer'd.
Black melancholy Mists, that fed despair
Through wounds long rage, with sprinkled Vervin cleer'd
Strew'd Leaves of Willow to refresh the air,
And with rich Fumes his sullen sences cheer'd.
20.
He that had serv'd great Love with rev'rend heart,
In these old wounds, worse wounds from him endures,
For Love, makes Birtha shift with Death, his Dart,
And she kills faster than her Father cures.
He that had serv'd great Love with rev'rend heart,
In these old wounds, worse wounds from him endures,
For Love, makes Birtha shift with Death, his Dart,
And she kills faster than her Father cures.
21.
Her heedless innocence as little knew
The wounds she gave, as those from Love she took;
And Love lifts high each secret Shaft he drew;
Which at their Stars he first in triumph shook!
Her heedless innocence as little knew
The wounds she gave, as those from Love she took;
And Love lifts high each secret Shaft he drew;
Which at their Stars he first in triumph shook!
22.
Love he had lik'd, yet never lodg'd before;
But finds him now a bold unquiet Guest;
Who climbs to windows, when we shut the Door;
And enter'd, never lets the Master rest.
Love he had lik'd, yet never lodg'd before;
But finds him now a bold unquiet Guest;
Who climbs to windows, when we shut the Door;
And enter'd, never lets the Master rest.
23.
So strange disorder; now he pines for health,
Makes him conceal this Reveller with shame;
She not the Robber knows, yet feels the stealth,
And never but in Songs had heard his name.
So strange disorder; now he pines for health,
Makes him conceal this Reveller with shame;
She not the Robber knows, yet feels the stealth,
And never but in Songs had heard his name.
24.
Yet then it was, when she did smile at Hearts
Which Countrey Lovers wear in bleeding Seals;
Ask'd where his pretty Godhead found such Darts,
As make those wounds that onely Hymen heals.
Yet then it was, when she did smile at Hearts
Which Countrey Lovers wear in bleeding Seals;
Ask'd where his pretty Godhead found such Darts,
As make those wounds that onely Hymen heals.
25.
And this, her ancient Maid, with sharp complaints
Heard, and rebuk'd; shook her experienc'd Head,
With tears bosought her not to jest at Saints,
Nor mock those Martyrs, Love had Captive led.
And this, her ancient Maid, with sharp complaints
Heard, and rebuk'd; shook her experienc'd Head,
With tears bosought her not to jest at Saints,
Nor mock those Martyrs, Love had Captive led.
26.
Nor think the pious Poets ere would waste
So many tears in Ink, to make Maids mourn,
If injur'd Lovers had in ages past
The lucky Mirtle, more than Willow worn.
Nor think the pious Poets ere would waste
So many tears in Ink, to make Maids mourn,
If injur'd Lovers had in ages past
The lucky Mirtle, more than Willow worn.
27.
This grave rebuke, Officious Memory
Presents to Birtha's thought; who now believ'd
Such sighing Songs, as tell why Lovers die,
And prais'd their faith, who wept, when Poets griev'
This grave rebuke, Officious Memory
Presents to Birtha's thought; who now believ'd
Such sighing Songs, as tell why Lovers die,
And prais'd their faith, who wept, when Poets griev'
28.
She, full of inward questions, walks alone,
To take her heart aside in secret Shade;
But knocking at her breast, it seem'd, or gone,
Or by confed'racie was useless made;
She, full of inward questions, walks alone,
To take her heart aside in secret Shade;
But knocking at her breast, it seem'd, or gone,
Or by confed'racie was useless made;
29.
Or else some stranger did usurp its room;
One so remote, and new in ev'ry thought,
As his behaviour shews him not at home,
Nor the Guide sober that him thither brought.
Or else some stranger did usurp its room;
One so remote, and new in ev'ry thought,
As his behaviour shews him not at home,
Nor the Guide sober that him thither brought.
30.
Yet with this forreign Heart, she does begin
To treat of Love, her most unstudy'd Theam;
And like young conscienc'd Casuists, thinks that sin,
Which will by talk and practise lawfull seem.
Yet with this forreign Heart, she does begin
To treat of Love, her most unstudy'd Theam;
And like young conscienc'd Casuists, thinks that sin,
Which will by talk and practise lawfull seem.
31.
With open Ears, and ever-waking Eyes,
And flying Feet, Love's fire she from the sight
Of all her Maids does carry, as from Spies;
Jealous, that what burns her, might give them light.
With open Ears, and ever-waking Eyes,
And flying Feet, Love's fire she from the sight
Of all her Maids does carry, as from Spies;
Jealous, that what burns her, might give them light.
32.
Beneath a Mirtle Covert now does spend
In Maids weak wishes, her whole stock of thought;
Fond Maids! who Love, with Minds fine stuff would mend,
Which Nature purposely of Bodies wrought,
Beneath a Mirtle Covert now does spend
In Maids weak wishes, her whole stock of thought;
Fond Maids! who Love, with Minds fine stuff would mend,
Which Nature purposely of Bodies wrought,
33.
She fashions him she lov'd of Angels kind,
Such as in holy Story were employ'd
To the first Fathers from th' Eternal Mind,
And in short vision onely are enjoy'd.
She fashions him she lov'd of Angels kind,
Such as in holy Story were employ'd
To the first Fathers from th' Eternal Mind,
And in short vision onely are enjoy'd.
34.
As Eagles then, when nearest Heav'n they flie;
Of wild impossibles soon weary grow;
Feeling their bodies find no rest so high,
And therefore pearch on Earthly things below:
As Eagles then, when nearest Heav'n they flie;
Of wild impossibles soon weary grow;
Feeling their bodies find no rest so high,
And therefore pearch on Earthly things below:
35.
So now she yields; him she an Angel deem'd
Shall be a Man; the Name which Virgins fear;
Yet the most harmless to a Maid he seem'd,
That ever yet that fatal name did bear.
So now she yields; him she an Angel deem'd
Shall be a Man; the Name which Virgins fear;
Yet the most harmless to a Maid he seem'd,
That ever yet that fatal name did bear.
36.
Soon her opinion of his hurtless heart,
Affection turns to faith; and then Loves fire
To Heav'n, though bashfully, she does impart;
And to her Mother in the Heav'nly Quire.
Soon her opinion of his hurtless heart,
Affection turns to faith; and then Loves fire
To Heav'n, though bashfully, she does impart;
And to her Mother in the Heav'nly Quire.
37.
If I do love, (said she) that love (O Heav'n!)
Your own Disciple, Nature, bred in me;
Why should I hide the passion you have given,
Or blush to shew effects which you decree?
If I do love, (said she) that love (O Heav'n!)
Your own Disciple, Nature, bred in me;
Why should I hide the passion you have given,
Or blush to shew effects which you decree?
38.
And you, my alter'd Mother (grown above
Great Nature, which you read, and rev'renc'd here)
Chide not such kindness, as you once call'd Love,
When you as mortal as my Father were.
And you, my alter'd Mother (grown above
Great Nature, which you read, and rev'renc'd here)
Chide not such kindness, as you once call'd Love,
When you as mortal as my Father were.
39.
This said, her Soul into her breasts retires!
With Love's vain diligence of heart she dreams
Her self into possession of desires,
And trusts unanchor'd Hope in fleeting Streams.
This said, her Soul into her breasts retires!
With Love's vain diligence of heart she dreams
Her self into possession of desires,
And trusts unanchor'd Hope in fleeting Streams.
40.
Already thinks, the Duke her own spous'd Lord,
Cur'd, and again from bloody battel brought,
Where all false Lovers perish'd by his sword,
The true to her for his protection sought.
Already thinks, the Duke her own spous'd Lord,
Cur'd, and again from bloody battel brought,
Where all false Lovers perish'd by his sword,
The true to her for his protection sought.
41.
She thinks how her imagin'd Spouse and she,
So much from Heav'n, may by her virtues gain;
That they by Time shall ne'r oretaken be,
No more than Time himself is overta'ne.
She thinks how her imagin'd Spouse and she,
So much from Heav'n, may by her virtues gain;
That they by Time shall ne'r oretaken be,
No more than Time himself is overta'ne.
42.
Or should he touch them as he by does pass,
Heav'ns favour may repay their Summers gone,
And he so mix their sand in a slow Glass,
That they shall live, and not as Two, but One.
Or should he touch them as he by does pass,
Heav'ns favour may repay their Summers gone,
And he so mix their sand in a slow Glass,
That they shall live, and not as Two, but One.
43.
She thinks of Eden-life; and no rough wind,
In their pacifique Sea shall wrinkles make;
That still her lowliness shall keep him kind,
Her cares keep him asleep, her voice awake.
She thinks of Eden-life; and no rough wind,
In their pacifique Sea shall wrinkles make;
That still her lowliness shall keep him kind,
Her cares keep him asleep, her voice awake.
44.
She thinks, if ever anger in him sway
(The Youthfull Warriours most excus'd disease)
Such chance her Tears shall calm, as showres allay
The accidental rage of Winds and Seas.
She thinks, if ever anger in him sway
(The Youthfull Warriours most excus'd disease)
Such chance her Tears shall calm, as showres allay
The accidental rage of Winds and Seas.
45.
She thinks that Babes proceed from mingling Eyes,
Or Heav'n from Neighbourhood increase allows,
As Palm, and the Mamora fructifies;
Or they are got, by closs exchanging vows.
She thinks that Babes proceed from mingling Eyes,
Or Heav'n from Neighbourhood increase allows,
As Palm, and the Mamora fructifies;
Or they are got, by closs exchanging vows.
46.
But come they (as she hears) from Mothers pain,
(Which by th'unlucky first-Maids longing, proves
A lasting curse) yet that she will sustain,
So they be like this Heav'nly Man she loves.
But come they (as she hears) from Mothers pain,
(Which by th'unlucky first-Maids longing, proves
A lasting curse) yet that she will sustain,
So they be like this Heav'nly Man she loves.
47.
Thus to her self in day-dreams Birtha talks;
The Duke (whose wounds of war are healthfull grown)
To cure Love's wounds, seeks Birtha where she walks;
Whose wandring Soul, seeks him to cure her own.
Thus to her self in day-dreams Birtha talks;
The Duke (whose wounds of war are healthfull grown)
To cure Love's wounds, seeks Birtha where she walks;
Whose wandring Soul, seeks him to cure her own.
48.
Yet when her solitude he did invade,
Shame (which in Maids is unexperienc'd fear)
Taught her to wish Night's help to make more shade,
That Love (which Maids think guilt) might not appear.
Yet when her solitude he did invade,
Shame (which in Maids is unexperienc'd fear)
Taught her to wish Night's help to make more shade,
That Love (which Maids think guilt) might not appear.
49.
And she had fled him now, but that he came
So like an aw'd, and conquer'd Enemy,
That he did seem offenceless, as her shame;
As if he but advanc'd for leave to flie.
And she had fled him now, but that he came
So like an aw'd, and conquer'd Enemy,
That he did seem offenceless, as her shame;
As if he but advanc'd for leave to flie.
50.
First with a longing Sea-mans look he gaz'd,
Who would ken Land, when Seas would him devour;
Or like a fearfull Scout, who stands amaz'd
To view the Foe, and multiplies their pow'r.
First with a longing Sea-mans look he gaz'd,
Who would ken Land, when Seas would him devour;
Or like a fearfull Scout, who stands amaz'd
To view the Foe, and multiplies their pow'r.
51.
Then all her knowledge which her Father had
He dreams in her, through purer Organs wrought;
Whose Soul (since there more delicately clad)
By lesser weight, more active was in thought.
Then all her knowledge which her Father had
He dreams in her, through purer Organs wrought;
Whose Soul (since there more delicately clad)
By lesser weight, more active was in thought.
52.
And to that Soul thus spake, with trembling voice,
The world will-be (O thou, the whole world's Maid!)
Since now 'tis old enough to make wise choice,
Taught by thy mind, and by thy beauty sway'd.
And to that Soul thus spake, with trembling voice,
The world will-be (O thou, the whole world's Maid!)
Since now 'tis old enough to make wise choice,
Taught by thy mind, and by thy beauty sway'd.
53.
And I a needless part of it, unless
You'd think me for the whole a Delegate,
To treat, for what they want of your excess,
Virtue to serve the universal State.
And I a needless part of it, unless
You'd think me for the whole a Delegate,
To treat, for what they want of your excess,
Virtue to serve the universal State.
54.
Nature (our first example) and our Queen,
Whose Court this is, and you her Minion Maid,
The World, thinks now, is in her sickness seen,
And that her noble influence is decay'd.
Nature (our first example) and our Queen,
Whose Court this is, and you her Minion Maid,
The World, thinks now, is in her sickness seen,
And that her noble influence is decay'd.
55.
And the Records so worn of her first Law,
That Men, with Art's hard shifts, read what is good;
Because your beautie many never saw,
The Text by which your Mind is understood.
And the Records so worn of her first Law,
That Men, with Art's hard shifts, read what is good;
Because your beautie many never saw,
The Text by which your Mind is understood.
56.
And I with the apostate world should grow,
From sov'reign Nature, a revolted Slave,
But that my luckie wounds brought me to know,
How with their cure, my sicker mind to save.
And I with the apostate world should grow,
From sov'reign Nature, a revolted Slave,
But that my luckie wounds brought me to know,
How with their cure, my sicker mind to save.
57.
A mind still dwelling idly in mine Eyes,
Where it from outward pomp could ne'r abstain;
But even in beautie, cost of Courts did prise,
And Nature unassisted, thought too plain.
A mind still dwelling idly in mine Eyes,
Where it from outward pomp could ne'r abstain;
But even in beautie, cost of Courts did prise,
And Nature unassisted, thought too plain.
58.
Yet by your beautie now reform'd, I find
All other onely currant by false light;
Or but vain Visions of a feav'rish mind;
Too slight to stand the test of waking sight.
Yet by your beautie now reform'd, I find
All other onely currant by false light;
Or but vain Visions of a feav'rish mind;
Too slight to stand the test of waking sight.
59.
And for my healthfull Mind (diseas'd before)
My love I pay; a gift you may disdain,
Since Love to you, Men give not, but restore;
As Rivers to the Sea restore the Rain.
And for my healthfull Mind (diseas'd before)
My love I pay; a gift you may disdain,
Since Love to you, Men give not, but restore;
As Rivers to the Sea restore the Rain.
60.
Yet Eastern Kings, who all by birth possess,
Take gifts, as gifts, from Vassals of the Crown;
So think in love, your propertie not less,
By my kind giving what was first your own.
Yet Eastern Kings, who all by birth possess,
Take gifts, as gifts, from Vassals of the Crown;
So think in love, your propertie not less,
By my kind giving what was first your own.
61.
Lifted with Love, thus he with Lovers grace,
And Love's wild wonder, spake; and he was rais'd
So much with rev'rence of this learned place,
That still he fear'd to injure all he prais'd.
Lifted with Love, thus he with Lovers grace,
And Love's wild wonder, spake; and he was rais'd
So much with rev'rence of this learned place,
That still he fear'd to injure all he prais'd.
62.
And she in love unpractis'd and unread,
(But for some hints her Mistress, Nature, taught)
Had it, till now, like grief with silence fed;
For Love and grief are nourish'd best with thought.
And she in love unpractis'd and unread,
(But for some hints her Mistress, Nature, taught)
Had it, till now, like grief with silence fed;
For Love and grief are nourish'd best with thought.
63.
But this closs Diet Love endures not long;
He must in sighs, or speech, take ayr abroad;
And thus, with his Interpreter, her Tongue,
He ventures forth, though like a stranger aw'd.
But this closs Diet Love endures not long;
He must in sighs, or speech, take ayr abroad;
And thus, with his Interpreter, her Tongue,
He ventures forth, though like a stranger aw'd.
64.
She said, those virtues now she highly needs,
Which he so pow'rfully does in her praise,
To check (since vanitie on praises feed)
That pride, which his authentick words may raise.
She said, those virtues now she highly needs,
Which he so pow'rfully does in her praise,
To check (since vanitie on praises feed)
That pride, which his authentick words may raise.
65.
That if her Pray'rs, or care, did ought restore
Of absent health, in his bemoan'd distress;
She beg'd, he would approve her duty more,
And so commend her feeble virtue less,
That if her Pray'rs, or care, did ought restore
Of absent health, in his bemoan'd distress;
She beg'd, he would approve her duty more,
And so commend her feeble virtue less,
66.
That she, the payment he of love would make,
Less understood, than yet the debt she knew;
But coyns unknown suspitiously we take,
And debts, till manifest, are never due.
That she, the payment he of love would make,
Less understood, than yet the debt she knew;
But coyns unknown suspitiously we take,
And debts, till manifest, are never due.
67.
With bashfull Looks besought him to retire,
Lest the sharp Ayr should his new health invade;
And as she spake, she saw her reverend Syre
Approach to seek her in her usual shade.
With bashfull Looks besought him to retire,
Lest the sharp Ayr should his new health invade;
And as she spake, she saw her reverend Syre
Approach to seek her in her usual shade.
68.
To whom with filial homage she does how;
The Duke did first at distant duty stand,
But soon imbrac'd his knees; whilst he more low
Does bend to him, and then reach'd Birtha's hand.
To whom with filial homage she does how;
The Duke did first at distant duty stand,
But soon imbrac'd his knees; whilst he more low
Does bend to him, and then reach'd Birtha's hand.
69.
Her Face, o recast with thought, does soobe tray
Th'assembled spirits, which his Eies detect
By her pale look, as by the Milkie way,
Men first did the assembled Stars suspect.
Her Face, o recast with thought, does soobe tray
Th'assembled spirits, which his Eies detect
By her pale look, as by the Milkie way,
Men first did the assembled Stars suspect.
70.
Or as a Pris'ner, that in Prison pines,
Still at the utmost window grieving lies;
Even so her Soul, imprison'd, sadly shines,
As if it watch'd for freedom at her Eys!
Or as a Pris'ner, that in Prison pines,
Still at the utmost window grieving lies;
Even so her Soul, imprison'd, sadly shines,
As if it watch'd for freedom at her Eys!
71.
This guides him to her Pulse, th'Alarum Bell,
Which waits the insurrections of desire;
And rings so fast, as if the Cittadell,
Her newly conquer'd Breast, were all one fire!
This guides him to her Pulse, th'Alarum Bell,
Which waits the insurrections of desire;
And rings so fast, as if the Cittadell,
Her newly conquer'd Breast, were all one fire!
72.
Then on the Duke, he casts a short survay;
Whose Veins, his Temples, with deep purple grace;
Then Love's dispair gives them a pale allay;
And shifts the whole complexion of his Face.
Then on the Duke, he casts a short survay;
Whose Veins, his Temples, with deep purple grace;
Then Love's dispair gives them a pale allay;
And shifts the whole complexion of his Face.
73.
Nature's wise Spie does outward with them walk;
And finds, each in the midst of thinking starts;
Breath'd short, and swiftly in disoder'd talk,
To cool, beneath Love's Torrid Zone, their hearts,
Nature's wise Spie does outward with them walk;
And finds, each in the midst of thinking starts;
Breath'd short, and swiftly in disoder'd talk,
To cool, beneath Love's Torrid Zone, their hearts,
74.
When all these Symptones he observ'd, he knows
From Alga, which is rooted deep in Seas,
To the high Cedar that on Mountains grows,
No sov'raign hearb is found for their disease.
When all these Symptones he observ'd, he knows
From Alga, which is rooted deep in Seas,
To the high Cedar that on Mountains grows,
No sov'raign hearb is found for their disease.
75.
He would not Nature's eldest Law resist,
As if wise Nature's Law could be impure;
But Birtha with indulgent Looks dismist,
And means to counsel, what he cannot cure.
He would not Nature's eldest Law resist,
As if wise Nature's Law could be impure;
But Birtha with indulgent Looks dismist,
And means to counsel, what he cannot cure.
76.
With mourning Gondibert he walks apart,
To watch his Passions force, who seems to bear
By silent grief, Two Tyrants ore his Heart,
Great Love, and his inferiour Tyrant, Fear.
With mourning Gondibert he walks apart,
To watch his Passions force, who seems to bear
By silent grief, Two Tyrants ore his Heart,
Great Love, and his inferiour Tyrant, Fear.
77.
But Astragon such kind inquiries made,
Of all which to his Art's wise cares belong,
As his sick silence he does now disswade,
And midst Love's fears, give courage to his Tongue.
But Astragon such kind inquiries made,
Of all which to his Art's wise cares belong,
As his sick silence he does now disswade,
And midst Love's fears, give courage to his Tongue.
78.
Then thus he spake with Love's humilitie;
Have pitie Father! and since first so kind,
You would not let this worthless Bodie die,
Vouchasafe more nobly to preserve my Mind!
Then thus he spake with Love's humilitie;
Have pitie Father! and since first so kind,
You would not let this worthless Bodie die,
Vouchasafe more nobly to preserve my Mind!
79.
A Mind so lately luckie, as it here
Has Virtue's Mirrour found, which does reflect
Such blemishes as Custom made it wear,
But more authentick Nature does detect.
A Mind so lately luckie, as it here
Has Virtue's Mirrour found, which does reflect
Such blemishes as Custom made it wear,
But more authentick Nature does detect.
80.
A Mind long sick of Monarchs vain disease;
Not to be fill'd, because with glorie fed;
So busie it condemn'd even War of Ease,
And for their useless rest despis'd the Dead.
A Mind long sick of Monarchs vain disease;
Not to be fill'd, because with glorie fed;
So busie it condemn'd even War of Ease,
And for their useless rest despis'd the Dead.
81.
But since it here has Virtue quiet sound,
It thinks (though Storms were wish'd by it before)
All sick at least at Sea, that scape undrown'd,
Whom Glory serves as wind to leave the shore.
But since it here has Virtue quiet sound,
It thinks (though Storms were wish'd by it before)
All sick at least at Sea, that scape undrown'd,
Whom Glory serves as wind to leave the shore.
82.
All Virtue is to yours but fashion now,
Religion, Art; Internals are all gone,
Or outward turn'd, to satisfie with show,
Not God, but his inferiour Eye, the Sun.
All Virtue is to yours but fashion now,
Religion, Art; Internals are all gone,
Or outward turn'd, to satisfie with show,
Not God, but his inferiour Eye, the Sun.
83.
And yet, though Virtue be as fashion sought,
And now Religion rules by Art's prais'd skill;
Fashion is Virtue's Mimmick, falsly taught,
And Art, but Nature's Ape, which plays her ill.
And yet, though Virtue be as fashion sought,
And now Religion rules by Art's prais'd skill;
Fashion is Virtue's Mimmick, falsly taught,
And Art, but Nature's Ape, which plays her ill.
84.
To this blest House (great Nature's Court) all Courts
Compar'd, are but dark Closets for retreat
Of private Minds, Battels but Childrens sports;
And onely simple good, is solid Great.
To this blest House (great Nature's Court) all Courts
Compar'd, are but dark Closets for retreat
Of private Minds, Battels but Childrens sports;
And onely simple good, is solid Great.
85.
Let not the Mind, thus freed from Errour's Night,
(Since you repriev'd my Body from the Grave)
Perish for being how in love with light,
But let your Virtue, Virtue's Lover save.
Let not the Mind, thus freed from Errour's Night,
(Since you repriev'd my Body from the Grave)
Perish for being how in love with light,
But let your Virtue, Virtue's Lover save.
86.
Birtha I love; and who loves wisely so,
Steps far tow'rds all which Virtue can attain;
But if we perish, when tow'rds Heav'n we go,
Then have I learnt that Virtue is in vain.
Birtha I love; and who loves wisely so,
Steps far tow'rds all which Virtue can attain;
But if we perish, when tow'rds Heav'n we go,
Then have I learnt that Virtue is in vain.
87.
And now his Heart (extracted through his Eyes
In Love's Elixar, Tears) does soon subdue
Old Astragon; whose pitie, though made wise
With Love's false Essences, likes these as true.
And now his Heart (extracted through his Eyes
In Love's Elixar, Tears) does soon subdue
Old Astragon; whose pitie, though made wise
With Love's false Essences, likes these as true.
88.
The Duke he to a secret Bowr does lead,
Where he his Youths first Storie may attend;
To guesse, ere he will let his love proceed;
By such a dawning, how his day will end.
The Duke he to a secret Bowr does lead,
Where he his Youths first Storie may attend;
To guesse, ere he will let his love proceed;
By such a dawning, how his day will end.
89.
For Virtue, though a rarely planted Flow'r,
Was in the seed now by this Florist known;
Who could foretel, even in springing hour,
What colours she shall wear when fully blown.
For Virtue, though a rarely planted Flow'r,
Was in the seed now by this Florist known;
Who could foretel, even in springing hour,
What colours she shall wear when fully blown.