sulphure doth confesse What is its work and where it kindled was 128. A double Alablaster Conduit hung Down from his Forehead where is nothing now But those two rotten Pipes not to be wrung Least with the Moisture down the Nose do flow That banefull Moisture which 't is hard to say Whether it be more Poyson than its Way 129. Two Rows of Roses on those Lipps did grow To sweeten every word that passed by But now scorch'd black as Hel's own mouth they show What kind of Breath is wont through them to flie A Breath like that which from the Chimneys topp Speaks it owne stink by what it vomits up 130. His Cheeks which lifted up but yesterday Two Hills of Spices now are sunk so low That like two hollow untill'd valleys they With nothing else but Desolation grow Now grizly Haire has spoil'd his polish'd skin Shewing what He to Satyrs is of kin 131. His lovely Hands are now two monstrous Paws Whose Nail's much longer than their Fingers be Sure his Imbrace is daintie when he throws Those Arms about his Love But prithe see What now behind the Gallants back doth trail His courtly Sword 's turn'd to a dangling Tail 132. Behold his goodly Feet where one great Cleft Davides two Toes pointed with iron Claws The rest of his fine Body must be left Sealed up close by Modesties chast Laws Yet mayst thou safely look into his Breast And see what Treasures there have made their Nest. 133. Look where ten thousand Charmes and kisses lie And Complements of every garbe and kind With which He doth on herdlesse Virgins flie And Correspondent Entertainment find Look where upon the Topp those Courtships be By which He wooed and inchanted Thee 134. In that slie corner and observe it well Lie various Shapes which alway changing be Shapes trim and smooth and faire without but full Of inward Poyson which industrious He Subtlie improv'd and dayly did devise Handsome Impostures and well-favoured lies 135. See'st thou not there the model of the Beast That hideous Witchery which chased Thee With all the amorous Story fairely drest To Court and cheat thy credulous Chastity Never did Cozenage with more lovely Art Or Face more honest act its divelish Part. 136. But there is something stranger yet behind See'st thou that Scroll It is a full Commission By which he made this Voyage ready sign'd And strengthned by the broad Seal of Perdition Come I 'l untwine the knot of Snakes which tie It up and lay it open to thine Eye 137. Loe here a scheem of such confounding Letters And scrambling Lines as never Conjurer writt His Forks Hooks Prongs Racks Gibbets Gridirons Fetters And other Tools of his infernall spight Are Belzebub's mad Alphabet But hear How well I ken his mystick Character 138. Satan the great by mine owne Power alone God of Hell Earth and Aire Immortall Foe To Men to Angels to Heav'n and Heavn's Son Monarch of Pride Rage Blasphemy and Woe Out of our royall grace to our right vicious And trustie friend and Cosen Aphrodisius 139. By these our Letters Patents We doe give Thee full Authoritie the Souleto seize Of hated Psyche that she may receive What share of Pangs our royall Self shall please Given at our flaming Court of Desperation This sixt Age of our Soveraigne Damnation 140. This being read He folds it up againe And thrusting it into the Furies breast Goe home says He and ask thy Soveraigne A larger Patent See thou art releas'd But here I hang the Withe if ever thou Returnst this Way thou mayst this token know 141. The loosned Fiend fetching a deep drawn Sigh And tearing his owne breast with helplesse wrath Flung downe his Patent and away did flie The Grove smoak'd as He went in all his Path No Tree did meet him though the place were full But downe He tore it and made hast to Hell 142. This Spectacle so wrought on Psyche's Heart That fill'd brimme full of holy shame and Ioy Her equall thanks and blushes she doth part Between he carefull friends Never may Day Shine on this face if I forget says she Your Loves and mine own reskew'd Chastity 143. Farewell fond Passions Heav'n above I 'm sure Is full as faire within as 't is without No Aphrodisius there but all as pure As is the spotlesse Chrystall or your thought Deare Phylax which from thence its pattern takes And a new Heav'n in your sweet Bosome makes 144. There will I fix my Heart there dwells my Love My Life my Lord much purer than his Home Whose Paradise shall be the onely Grove Henceforth to which my soul shall strive to come Forbid it Jesu any thing below Be master of this Soule whose Lord art thou 145. Thus sweetly breathing out her holy Passion To ease her high-swolln heart she homeward goes With her dear Consorts yet at every station Renews her thanks and her pathetike Vows At length got home She to her Closet hasts Where all her Soul at her Loves feet she casts 146. What praiers were there what thanks what sighs what tears What Languishments what amorous extasies What confidence what shame what hopes what fears What pains what joys what thoughts what words she dies And yet she lives and yet she dies againe And would for ever live so to be slain 147. But fainting Nature for 't was midnight now And farr sh' had travell'd and wrought hard that day Permitted sleep to grow upon her brow And though unwilling downe at last she lay Sweet was that rest but yet much sweeter was The Dream which now before her Soul did passe 148. Imagination swiftlie carried Her Into a Garden where more Beauties smil'd Than did in Aphrodisiu's Grove appeare And gentler Gales the aire with odours fill'd Lillies alone on every bed did grow Which scornd comparison with Northerne Snow 149. The goodly Walks with Alablaster were Pav'd all alone whose smooth and spotlesse face Layd fairlie ope unto the silver sphear Which roll'd above a comely looking glasse Whither upward she or downward turnd her Eye Still she 〈◊〉 the same Heaven's Majesty 150. No Fountaine bubled there but fed with springs Of purest Milk upon whose dainty shoare Unsported Pidgeons sate and wash'd their wings Though full as white and pure as it before But thus one Candor powr'd upon another Does kindely kiste and sport it with his brother 151. High in the midst a princelie Castle stands Invincible for strength and for delight Built all of Virgin-christall and by Hands As pure as the Materials were bright A cleerer Court was ne'r by Poets braine Built for Queen Thet is in her watery Main 152. Ten thousand Blushes stood before the Gate With Magnanimities all hand in hand As many Purities behind them sate And after those as many Beauties and Young smiling Graces whose sweet task it was To be the Guard of that delicious Place 153. As Psyche wonder'd at the stately sight She turns and spies her Phylax standing by What Place is
Such genuine beams of Piety descrised As soon dispell'd all mists of Jealousie Which serupulous Fear had rais'd unknown untried She is receiv'd Besides the holy Priest By Heav'n was warn'd to entertain this Guest 180. Phylax withdrew his nimble Selfe into His Closet of Invisibility Yet still attended on his Psyche who Approached to the royall Mystery With such brave fervor that her hungry Haste Almost as boundlesse seemed as the Feast 181. O how her Soule into the Dish did leap And dive down to the Bottom of the Cup With what Inamorations did she weep What sighs of Joy did break her bosome ope How did Fear strive with Love How did she groan Between Humility and Ambition 182. O how She thinks her Lips and Heart impure And yet she cannot for a World refrain She knows not how this Life she should endure If from the Life of Life She must contain She knows not how her Iron should for beak To meet the Loadstone now it was so neer 183. Whilst in this dainty Agony she lay Into her Mouth the Priest gives her her Blisse Which to her Heart directly took its way And drown'd it in exuberant Sweetnesses She now no longer Psyche is for she Is all converted into Ecftafie 184. O most Miraculous Feast how fain my Song Would be Luxuriant in admiring Thee But neither mine nor Phylax's high Tongue Knows how to reach that lofty Harmonie Of all united Sweets and Joyes which lie In bounteous Loves protoundest Mystery 185. Yet may my pained Soule have leave to lay At this Songs foot its just and heavy Sighs Which never since mine Eyes first op'd on Day So deeply rellished Lifes miseries The more my shame whose mighty Sins for Me Have earned this Heart-knawing Agonie 186. Time was when Heav'n in this late happy 〈◊〉 Kept open house when this Celestiall Feast Did freely wooe all Hearts to come and fill Their holy Appetites with all the best Of antidated Blisse and grow Divine With this Spirituall mighty Bread and Wine 187. But now both Feast and Bord devoured are By a new Banquet as jejune and drie As barren Air for all this Pulpit Cheer Feeds but the itching Ears strange Boulimie Whilst still the Heart remains as lank and thin And nothing fatter grows but lusty Sin 188. Sin fatter grows so fat that now it dares Kick both at Earth and Heav'n and scorns to be Aw'd by those generous and ingenuous Fears Which are the Reins of Virtuous Modesty It mocketh Veng'ance and derideth Law Because their patient Sword they slowly draw 189. O how come Christian Soules so well content To want the choisest Viands Heav'n could give O how preposterously Abstinent Are they who with all riotous Dainties strive To fortisie the Belly but can finde No Time to Victuall and enforce the Minde 190. Surely those Hero's were more prudent far Upon whose nearer hearts the warmer Blood Of Jesus dropp'd not once a Moneth or year Ordivers Years they with this holy Food Cheer'd up their Soules but every Morning fed And made the Lord of Life their Daily Bread 191. With Heav'n this alway kept their bosomes warme This made Them Eagle-like their strength renew With death-despising Courage this did arme Their gentlest Spirits By this they Masters grew Of Earth and Hell which having trampled down Heav'n too by Violence They made their own 192. But ô my Heart why art Thou stealing thus From thine own Woes thy Neighbours to deplore Time was when whilst thine unsledged Wickednesse Flew not at Heav'ns long patient face nor tore This Judgment thence I once a Week at least Could at this Bord of Blessings be a Guest 193. Then with sweet Comfort could I turn mine Eye Back on the year which with Delight did run Then could I count what Gains I reaped by My constant Trading in Devotion Rejoycing in my satisfied Minde That every Sunday I in Heav'n had din'd 193. But now the flaming Coursers of the Sun Are drawing on the fourteenth Moneth since I Attended on the Celebration Of this sweet life-enlivening Mystery Which yet I then was fain to steal and so A Thief that Day to Paradise did goe 194. I went indeed But a Forbidden Tree Strait woo'd my liquorish Hand and foolish I Beleev'd the flattering Bait and would not see How treacherous an Hook beneath did lie Dear wonderous dear this heedlesse Fault did cost Me For all my heav'nly Joyes and Powers it lost Me 195. It lost Me all and no Recruit was nie But I am lest aPrey to this long Fast O how the Palate of my Soule is drie What burning Drought doth shrivell up and waste The Bowels of my Heart how is my Minde With most uncomfortable Squalor pin'd 196. O how my Understandings Pinions tire And flag below when I aloft would soar What leaden Numnesse damps those hopes of Fire With which my Fancie'gan to glow before What Languor cloggs my fainting Will whilst On dark unworthy Earth thus groveling lie 197. O how this drie and barren Verse attests The heavy Truth of these my Lamentations O pitty Me all you whose gentle Breasts E'r felt the Stings of Mysticall Vexations Pitty Me ô my candid Readers now What makes me tire your Patience you know 198. Had I my wonted Share in that dear Feast Which with celestiall Spirits embraves the Heart A fairer Banquet I for You had drest Who now can onely by my pined Smart Warn You to prize and to imbrace with 〈◊〉 Religious Tendernesse what I have lost 199. Lost hitherto But must that Losse run on And can my Life mean while make good its Name Can Day maintain her Self if once the Sun Deny to feed her with his vitall Flame Can Rivers keep their constant full-tide Course If once the living Spring doth them divorce 201. O tender King of Love whose sumptuous Care For hungry Hearts that high Provision made Behold my starved Soule lies gasping here For one dear Crumb of thy mysterious Bread And craves to cool its burning Tongue one Drop Of liquid Life from thy all-saving Cup. 202. I know my Worthlessenesse sweet Lord and how Unfit I am to look for any Share In those peculiar Delicates which Thou For thine own genuine Children didst prepare Yet to a Dogg once more thy leave afford To catch what falleth from thy Childrens Bord. PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XIII The Death of Love ARGUMENT LOve having Liv'd for Man is pleas'd to Dy To make his purchase sure by Life and Death Through Earths profoundest Gulfe of Tyranny And the vast Ocean of Heav'ns mighty Wrath He nobly waded and upon the Shore Having first spent his Blood his Soule did poure 1. SOule of all Sweets ô Life how dear art Thou To all that ever had a Taste of Thee How much of Heav'n it selfe infus'd doth flow Into the region of thy Suavity Indeed Heav'n were not Heav'n did it not joyn To make it Selfe by Marrying Thee divine 2. Thou in the Center of Divinity Before the Birth of
Her penitent flood Psyche pour's out and is encourag'd by An heav'nly Dream to honour Chastity 1. NO foolish Tinder ever yet did catch In its soft amorous Arms the straggling spark And with such desperate zeale make haste to hatch Its own destruction as fond Man doth mark And treasure up those fair-fac'd Counsels which With fatall Charm's his heedlesse heart bewitch 2. No wretched Adder ever sealed up His wary eare with trustier Cement than With wretchlesse obstinacy He doth stop His memories unhappy Portalls when Wholesome Advise with sweetnes woo's it and Long knocking for admission doth stand 3. Or if at length a wicket 〈◊〉 he sets His sleighted guest in some our-roome he lay's But when vain fancie or seduction beats Summons upon his gates He them display's And let 's these strangers thrust quite out of door The former who were scarcely in before 4. For as the Honey of Heav'ns dainty Hives The summer Clouds snugging in laps of flow'rs That correspondent Dwelling quickly leaves To churlish drops of lesse deserving show'rs Or rankling Mil-dew which such venome shed's As soon deflow'reth all those Virgin Beds 5. So far'd it now with Psyche's carelesse Breast On which more dainties drop'd from Phylax tongue Than on Hyblean hils e'r made its nest Abroad she will and please her selfe among The fields wide sweets forgeting that some winde Might steale upon and blast her honyed minde 6. The sportfull Twins of heav'n now 'gan to reign And brought a season fitting for their play Thick did they scatter upon every Plain A flowry verdure and dishevell May Round about Tellu's face who now beguiles Her Winters sadnesse with this moneth of smiles 7. Psyche would fain have wander'd out alone But that Syneidesis her trustie Maid Hunted out every step where she had gone And Charis an old friend of hers afrayd What might befall the Virgin follow'd too Yet in her company forbore to goe 8. As pleasures paths she in the fields did trace It joy'd her much the tender lambs to see Skipping in harmlesse sport from place to place And who would be so sad and dull said she To 〈◊〉 at home when thus abroad we may Behold how sweetly Innocence doth play 9. No smiling flow'r could meet her as she went But gathering it she with a kisse would pay The courteous price of that delicious scent It had so freely pow'red in her way And still cryes out how poore a place is home Which for such pleasure can afford no room 10. Thus loosely tripping on she came at last Through pathlesse Paths unto a pleasant Grove The gentle Windes through the faire Trees made haste And in her face a gale of Odours drove Needs would she enter and see whither this Were not the Copy of old Paradise 11. The courteous Boughs laden with generous spice Stoop'd to salute her as she enter'd in And bid her pluck what Fruit best pleas'd her eys But there was none but did amazement win Shee looks about yet know's not which to choose And in those sweets her sweeter self doth loose 12. When on the sudden from a neighbour tree Her ears were captiv'd as before her eyes The mystick Chains of purest Harmonie Did with a soft inchantment her surprise A winged Quire having new tun'd their throats Were running over their exactest notes 13. Divided thus with Pleasures she does look Where she may sit her self to recollect Close by she gliding spies a silver Brook Whose gorgecus bank with golden flow'rs was deckt There sitting down once more adieu said she Dull home which no such seat could'st spread for me 14. Syneidesis her Mistresse being set Pitch'd down behinde her and fell fast asleep Old * Charis kept aloof resolv'd to let The venturous Virgin some experience reap Of her fond confidence who needs would stray Like some vain Childe so far from home to play 15. When loe into the Grove a monstrous Boar Wilder than was that place did roaring come And brought more terrour thither than before Appear'd delight Never did whiter foam Smoke on the Oceans stormy face than now This hideous Beast about his own did throw 16. As are the Comet 's feirce with ominous light Such were his eyes compos'd of fire and blood His dreadfull tusks the engins of his spight Held forth their greedy heads and ready stood To tear their Prey stern bristles hedg'd up high His back which did all wrath of thorns defie 17. Straight startled out of her unfortunate pleasure Away flies Psyche on the wings of fear Whose steps the hungry Beast as fast did measure And swallow'd up the way to tear down her Loud were his roars yet her shreeks did transcend Which heav'n and earth and her own throat did rend 18. Phylax her ever trustie friend was neer Flying from tree to tree still as she ran But was by heav'n forbidden to appear And reskew her who needs would be undone He was forbid to reskew her till shee Had deeper felt her dangerous vanitie 19. Her long flight having now shortned her breath Which 'twixt her trembling lips lay strugling she Cryes out dear Phylax from these jaws of death The monster opes so wide deliver mee Where is thy God and mine which loves me so Where is he now O what shall Psyche doe 20. Here helplesse feare and fainting threw her down Unto the ready Beast an easie prey Whose hasty tusk had through her dainty gown Unto her softer body tore its way When loe a sudden speare flew through his neck And frighted on the ground return'd him back 21. A lusty gallant Aphrodisius hight Who in that luckie instant thither came Directed it and straight with equall might Drew out his glittering blade whose dreadfull flame A forehand strook the dazeled mouster dead Whose edge took from him both his prey and head 22. This done he gently takes the virgin up Then with a courtly kisse he give 's her joy That she was safe She scarce had power to ope Her eyes seal'd close with desperate dismay But when she saw the slaughter'd Boar and him As sweet and faire as that was foule and grim 23. I see there are more Phylaxes than one Cryes she This life dear sir which heretofore Was mine your love hath now made yours alone For my part I had left it to that Boar And laid me down to measure out my grave Whence you to me this resurrection gave 24. Yet trust me sir a life you have not given To one who can forget by whom she lives Whether you come from earth or rather heav'n For seldome earth such strange salvation gives My soule big with just thanks would learn and see Whether my debt divine or humane bee 25. Lady say's Aphrodisius first repose Your selfe a while a little way from hence For well I know this place a Current goes Between two flowrie banks there will I rinse My bloody hands there shall you sit and hear A wounderous story and due to your ear 26. It was
she the Reins Almost as soft's the Hand which them contains 58. As through the whirling Orbs she faster flies The new Imbroyderie to the Starrs she shows They twinckled all asham'd of their own Eyes So was the splendid Zodiak which throws His spangled Girdle round about the Sphears To keep in order and gird up the years 59. Orions Blush confess'd how much this sight Outvied all the glories hee could show His yeilding Count'nance fell and to the bright Triumphant Apparition did bow Three times hee tri'd and faine hee would have 〈◊〉 How to unbuckle his out-shined Belt 60. But comming to the Soveraign Palace she Hasts in to her expecting Lord and layes Her Face and Work upon his Footstool He Her dainty pains with high Approofe repayes Yet On this Ground had thine own Storie grown The Girdle would said hee have fairer shown 61. With that unto his Cabinet hee goes Where Spirits of purest Gemms extracted lie Out of which Heart of Richnesse hee did choose The softest Dropps and in one Jewell tie Such Rarities as my Tongue cannot tell But thy dear Soul their ravishments shall feel 62. For to the Girdle having linked it He deign'd to grace Me who stood wondering by Take this said he and see how it will fit Thy Psyche but more mine Be sure to tie It close and straight that by this Token she May understand how neer she is to Me. 63. The second Houre's scarce entring since I took It and my leave and heer the Present is Come wipe thine Eyes a purified Look Is 〈◊〉 due 〈◊〉 where the sight is Blisse 〈◊〉 Phylax op'd the Girdle whence such beams Broke loose as drowned Psyche in their streams 64. For as the rurall Swain whose courser Eyes Ne'r star'd on other beauteous things than what Begay the simple Fields when first hee spies A Princes Wardrobe open straight is shot Quite through with Wonder and in fear doth deem The sight is too too glorious for Him 65. So mortall Psyche was at first dismayd At the immortall Spectacle When hee Cries out What Error makes thee thus afraid This Zon's not torrid though it flaming be Nor sent thy Spouse this Token to destroy Thine Eyes but diet them with sparkling Joy 66. See'st thou that Building there which lifteth high Its shining Head and scorns to pay the Sun Homage for any beams for sanctity Glitters about it and 'twixt every stone Lies thicker than the Cement know that this Illustrious Pile the Jewish Temple is 67. Many long years had run their Round and spent Their own upon Heav'ns lasting Orbs before This Fabrick first grew to its Complement But here a moment raisd it and to more Magnificence than it at first could shew Such potent Art from Maries fingers flew 68. That reverend Senior whose high-mitered Head Points out his princely Office is the Priest You in his awfull Count'nance might have read What his Attire proclaims Were he undrest He still with Virtues would arrayed be Who now clothes holy Robes with Sanctity 69. His left Hand on his Sealed Mouth he lays Back to the Altar hee his right doth stretch His Eyes are full of talke and trie alwayes How they without a Tongue his Minde may preach At length that Throng of People there began To guesse the Sense and what befell the Man 70. Whil'st hee did on the Incense Altar place It s aromatick Fuell and supply What Heat or sweetnesse there deficient was By many a fervent Vow and pretious Sigh His Clowd flew highest for the Incense smoke Soon fainted but his sighs through all Heav'n broke 71. And being there upon their odorous Back An Angell gets whence posting down to Earth Unto the Temple hee his way doth take Where standing by the Altar hee breaths forth A sweet repayment unto Zachary Of what his Soul had panted out so high 72. Behold sayes he thy Vows and Prayers are Come back to fill thy bosome with Successe I am no Messenger great Saint of Fear Trust Me and trust thy priviledged Blisse Thine Heart so fruitfull in sublime Affection Hath for thy Body earn'd an high production 73. Thy dear Eliza whom thy Piety As neer in Virtue as in Wedlock ties Shall have a son in whom thine Eyes shall see The fruit of both those Knots whom Heav'n doth prize So high that I aforehand must with thee Bargain about his Name John it must be 74. A Son of Smiles and Gladnesse hee shall prove And make thine aged Heart young with Delight The Morning he is born shall Joy and Love Together spring and take their blessed flight To thousand Soules where they shall sit and tell What Hopes what Wonders in thy John do dwell 75. Never did friendly Starrs conspire to frame So Fortunate a Birth for Noblest Kings In Gods own Eye wherein the World doth seem Lesse than these Atoms on the Airs light wings Great shall thy Sonne appear Let Doubting go Immensitie resolves to make him so 76. For whil'st hee nestls in the narrow Cell Of thine Eliza's Womb the Spirit of Heav'n O how much vaster than all it shall fill His breeding Heart which when it once is thriven Unto a pitch mature shall nobly prove To Earth how it by Heav'n alone doth move 77. No boist'rous roaring Wine or rampant Drink Shall his sweet Lipp defloure His cup must be Fill'd at some Virgin-Fountains Chrystall brink And teach his Palate too Virginitie For in his sacred Veins no fire must flow But what Heav'ns Spirit pleaseth there to blow 78. And with that fire He Israel must refine Israel o'r-grown with rust and filth that so He may make clean the Way where his divine Redeemer means close after Him to go For braver Flames ne'r warm'd Elia's breast Than in thy Sons shall make their gallant Nest. 79. Alas the Priest replies decayed I Want Blood enough to paint a Blush at this Too worthy News Can fifty Summers fly Back and with Youth my withered Spirits blesse Frost in my Veins and Snow upon my Head Bid me already write More than halfe dead 80. Nor in Eliza doth less deadnesse Live How then in two such Winters can there grow A Spring whose sudden Vigorousnesse may give New Lives to Us and make them over-flow Into a third Sweet Angell thy strange Word May well some sign unto my Faith afford 81. Sure then thou know'st me not the Angell cries For had'st thou known that Gabriel I am Who in the Presence-Chamber of the skies Give high attendance to God and the Lamb Thou might'st have well presum'd no fraud could come From purest Verities eternall Home 82. Yet shalt thou have a sign and I will fast Seal 't on thy faithlesse Tongue which asked it Henceforth thou shalt be Mute untill thou hast Seen what thou would'st not credit Then I 'le let Thy Tongue be loose again that it may sing A Benedictus to thy gratious King 83. The Angells Word full in the Priests face flew And fastned mystick Chains upon his Tongue He soon
by thee This Body had not seem'd my Dungeon now But why 's this taste of Heav'n unto me deign'd If still to this dull Earth I must be chain'd 187. O that some courteous Dove to me would lend Its fethered oars that I my soul might row Unto the Port of my Desires and blend It with the Tide of Blisse which there doth flow I never thought that Earth so low did lie Or that the Heav'ns till now were halfe so high 188. O why art thou so lovely if poore I Must still live Exile from thy dearest sight This Token Jesu makes me lowder crie For thee thy selfe who art more sweet and bright O what will thy Supream Imbraces be If this small Cincture thus has ravish'd me 189. I yeild I yeild great Lord Why must thy Dart Be alwayes killing Me yet never slay My ever-dying still-surviving Heart Why must thy Flames which on my Bosome prey Still burn but not consume O why must I Too be no Mortall here but with them vie 190. O Absence never was there Present Hell So true as thou unto its dismall Name O cruell Hope which onely do'st reveal A tempting glimpse of light but hid'st the Fame That so the sweetly-mocked Eye may be Assur'd by that short sight she does not see 191. Intolerable Joys why smart you so Pricking on my impatient Desires O Sighs what means your Breath my Flames to blow O Tears why must your Waters quench my Fires Dear Girdle help Me If thou should'st be slack Soon would my over-burdned Heart-strings crack PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO IV. The Rebellion ARGUMENT GAll'd with severe Devotions constant Yoak The Senses and the Passions rebell Having the Spirit of Pride for Generall took By fair-tongu'd Treason they with Psyche deal Reason's surpris'd and into Prison thrown The Will revolts and Psyche's left alone 1. PRosperity how false art thou unto Thy blessed Name who with a comely Cheat Unwary Hearts so potently do'st wooe That thine all-rotten Bottome they forget And thinke thy Foot sure on a Rock doth stand Whil'st thy Foundation is the fruitlesse sand 2. The Day which smil'd so briskly in the Morn And left no frown in all the face of Heav'n E'r night hath oft been made the Prey and Scorn 〈◊〉 swarthy Clouds so furiously driven That Phebu's stoutest help was all in vain When he the gaudie skie strove to maintain 3. The Sea in looks demure and pleasant dress Hath often bid the Mariner been bold When straight an unsuspected storm doth press Through the lamenting Aire till having roll'd Into a foaming Mount the monstrous Deep In brine it buries the presumptious ship 4. Eternall Change doth wheel all Heav'n about What Patent then can seal Security To things below How doth proud Fortune flout The gayest Confidence which foolish We Are not afraid to build but vainly trust Our Hopes are firm whil'st we our selves are Dust. 5. Weak Dust on which the least Winde domineers Which through this Clime of mortall Life doth blow A life which if not fortifi'd by Fears And wise suspitions to all storms doth bowe A life so treacherous in its friendliest Hue That Saints themselves have found its falsensse true 6. Whil'st Psyche feasteth her luxuriant Heart With amorous Tortures and does day by day Riot and surfet in delicious smart Which rellish sweeter to her soule than they Who both their late and early studies spent To cherrish Her with Naturall Content 7. A knot of Friends with Her together born And under one soft Roof of the same skin Tenderly nourish'd stomack'd much the scorn She heap'd on them who thought their onely sin Was too much love to her a Crime which might More pardon challenge than Revenge invite 8. 'T is true said they that we her servants be And yet as truely are her sisters too Had our originall Seniorite It s native priviledge We all should go Before and she the Youngling come behinde Sure she should not have found Us so unkinde 9. But now sh' has chanc'd to get the upper Hand She makes Us feele it in her Tyrannie So Upstarts use to doe where they command Being to weak to weild their Royaltie Like paltrie Currents which swoll'n high do poure More Rage than sober streams about the shore 10. We must not eat nor drink nor sleep nor play But when she lists and ô how seldom 's that Great bus'nesse she pretends both night and day Imploy'd about nor We nor She knows what It tickles Her but hard on Us doth grate She calls it Love but wee all finde it Hate 11. Yet be it what it will what 's that to Us Who are not bound Her humors to fulfill With our own Ruine Since Her stomack thus Is wild and rampant why should wee sit still With desperate Patience till wee be undone What need wee fear Her We are Five to One. 12. As when th' imprison'd Fire in earth below Vex'd with those straits begins to move and swell Its dungeon first it shakes then forth doth blow Its full-mouth'd indignation and fill The World with Tumult tearing down the Trees Dismounting Mountains plowing up the Seas 13. So did their sullen murmur gather strength Still day by day by mutinous degrees Boyling to such impatience that at length By flat Rebellion they resolve to ease Their over-charged stomacks and one day All met at Councell thus their Griefs display 14. 'T was in an upper Chamber dark and close Arch'd with thin Ivorie For their common seat A white and soft and living Counch they chose And there the Master of the House intreat To hear their publike Case Content said he 'T is just I to my Friends should friendly be 15. The large Supplies of all my store I owe To your unwearied Care and Pains which bring Plenty of all Varieties that grow In Heav'n or Earth or Sea the welthiest King Could not out-vie that furniture which You To crown my Table daily did allow 16. But now alas I see my Tribut's thin Some Lazie sullen melancholick things Doe now and then come hither sneaking in But all your brisk and cheerly Offerings Are intercepted and 't is well that you Begin else I had been the Plantiff now 17. They all were glad to hear their Censor speak In their own discontented Dialect But straight their fond Ambitions did awake A strife who should begin In high neglect Of all her Sisters Opsis knits her brows And darts of indignation on them throws 18. Who is your Queen but I who sit said she Exalted high upon my double Throne Whilst all your Motions regulated be By my Imperiall Direction Blinde Fools what could you do wer 't not for Me In setting on our brave Conspiracie 19. That proud Word from her Mouth no sooner flew But Osphresis in scorn did snuff it up Inraged Geusis bit her lips which grew So big with boiling wrath she scarce could stop Her Tongue from railing Vengance Acoe Prick'd up her ears and look'd as big
through my heart And yeilds me uncontrolled Prospect to The Orbs of Knowledge where from Part to Part My nimbly piercing Eye about doth goe This is the Death I found a Death which I Mean ever day as long 's I live to die 249. O then what vast advantage will arise To your large Soul by this enlightning Tree My breast is shallow narrow are mine Eyes But wide and brave is your Capacity So wide that Wisdoms deepest Seas may finde Sufficient Channells in your Mighty Minde 250. And if this Knowledge if Divinity It selfe may merit but the easie Pains Of your Acceptance O perswaded be To suffer these inestimable Gains Shame burns my Cheeks that I your Slave should eat This Bliss and You my Queen be barr'd the Meat 251. And yet you are not barr'd Behold but how You are bid welcome by the courteous Tree Whose laden Arms their pretious Offrings bow To meet your Mouth and seem to plead with Me Their postures Language asks What make we here If wee alone by You contemned are 252. These Charms stole ope the Door into the Heart Of carelesse Eve and thrust their poyson in Besides the smiling Apples plai'd their part And her Affections with her Eye did win Capricious curious Pride did her invite What e'r it cost to taste of that Delight 253. Three times she stepped to th' inchanting Tree As oft by Conscience plucked back again Yet still with fatall importunity She struggled till she broke her Freedoms Chain Then with unchecked Madnesse on she goes To win her wished Prize and her Selfe to loose 254. Up went her desperate Hand and reach'd away All the Worlds Blisse whil'st she the Apple took When loe the Earth did move the Heav'ns did stay Beasts and Birds shiver'd absent Adam shook But none did know the reason of their Fear Onely hee ran to see what Eve did here 255. O balefull sight His pretious Queen hee saw Enslaved by her soothing Subjects Craft She who was Beauties Centre untill now Is of her brave Prerogative bereft Bereft so wholy that with wondering Doubt For his late lovely Eve in Eve He sought 256. Apparent Misery sate on her Face Before the goodly Throne of Pleasantnesse Her Cheeks which bloom'd till now with heav'nly Grace Sins black and dismall horror did confesse Forth at her Eyes of late Lifes Windows Death Did look and Rottennesse flow'd with her Breath 257. But greater was the Change within for there Her bold Transgression spred an hideous Night Of Ignorance on her intellectuall Sphear Her Will which grew before so fair and straight Turn'd crooked and perverse Each Passion Scorn'd Her Commands as the Her Gods had done 258. Her Heart till now soft as the Turtles Sighs It s heav'n-inamoring Tendernesse forgets And with the stoutest Purian Marble vies Her Thoughts before all Sons of Love professe No trade but Mischiefe now and busie are To propagate the Woes which stinged Her 259. Nor fears she now to play the Serpent too In envy of her Husbands blessed State Whom with the beauteous Apples she does Wooe To taste of Hell and swallow down his fate Fall to my Dear said she fear not the food I have thy Taster been and finde it good 260. But wiser Adam well the danger knew Whose miserable Proof now wounds his eyes Nor could the poor Bait of an Apple shew Him reason Heav'n and Virtue to despise Fair in his bosome written was the Law And reverent Terror kept his Soul in awe 261. In a we a while it kept it But at last Commiseration of his Spous's case Grew to such strength in his too-tender Breast That Pitty to himselfe it did displace Eve sate so neer to his Uxorious Heart That rather he with Heav'n then Her will part 262. For part He must unlesse He reconcile That mighty Breach which she between them made O potent Sympathie which canst beguile An Heart so pure and cleer-ey'd and degrade Earths Monarch from his native Pinacle Of Innocence as low as Death and Hell 263. He yeilds and eates and eating tears the great Creators Law yet tears not that alone But rends his Bliss his Health his Life and that Fair Robe of Puritie 〈◊〉 He had on Becoming Eves Companion no lesse In nature than in shamefull Nakednesse 264. And thus indeed they 'gan to judge between Evill and Good whilst they themselves did see Who untill then no Evill thing had seen But now can witnesse their own Misery Which they with wrerched Aprons strive to heal As if the leaves the Apples would conceal 265. Alas nor they nor all the Trees that grow In shady Paradise so thick and high Could any shelter unto them allow When he was pleas'd to search who is all Eye Yet by degrees hee findes them that they might With Deprecations salute his sight 266. Had he in Thunder and in Lightning spake And of fierce Veng'ance breath'd a flaming stream Just had the Dialect been But He did make A foft enquiry of the Fault and seem To beg Confession and to wait whil'st they Did with their Crime their Penitence display 267. But they with Shifts and Excusations trie Not to excuse the Fact but to defend And by that wretched Impudence defie Mercy which all this while did them attend This forced Justice who came rushing in And did her Office upon saucy Sin 268. She first the Curse pronounc'd which written was In adamantine Tables ne'r to be Revers'd by Pitty Then she forth did chase The proud Delinquents and the Garden free From its unworthy Guests appointing Fate To set a double Guard before the Gate 269. A Troop of Cherubs straight was marshalled In dreadfull Order at the Eastern Gate And then a flaming Fauchion brandished Terror about the way that none might at That door of Happinesse passe in but who By tried Purity through Fire could goe 270. The Wofull Exiles were no sooner come Into the wide World but poor Adam sees The heavy Losse of his enclosed Home Finding in stead of blessed Flowres and Trees Thistles and Thorns all arm'd with pikes and pricks Amongst whose Crowd he vex'd and tatter'd sticks 271. Long did He strive and toyle e'r He could make The Ground give fertile answer to his sweat The righteous Earth did this due Vengeance take On his Rebellion so did the great Cognation of Beasts and Birds who broke Off from their sullen Necks his regall Yoke 272. Those who were able muster up their might And in their Makers Quarrell Him pursue The weaker from his presence speed their flight Professing now they knew no homage due Thus by their furie Those These by their Feare Equally frightfull and vexatious were 273. No friend he had but her who did betray Him to that Miserie unhappy Eve And yet the reaping of his sweetest Joy Of what was sweeter did them both deprive Their gains unable were to quit the cost For now their dear Virginity was lost 274. Eve through many nauseous Moneths did pass E'r she could to
of Maturity Thou to this Light lesse fair than him shalt shew Nor need'st thou study to contrive the frame Of his due Title JESUS is the Name 66. More reason shall that Name finde in thy Son Than it of old did in Nuns warlike Heir More noble shall be that Salvation By which his Israel he will repair Than that which from Beersheba unto Dan Gave them no more but earthly Canaan 67. He shall be Great as Great as Might and Worth Can swell an Heros or as stoutest Fame Can with her fairest widest Trump blow forth Which shall be stretch'd with his magnifick Name For to proclaim his Soveraignitie His Stile shall run The Son of the Most High 68. He who is Lord of Crowns and supream King Of Scepters shall establish him upon His Seat from whose high linage he shall spring His most renowned Father Davids Throne Where hee a King of nobler Peace shall sit Than Solomon with all his Wealth and Wit 69. All Jacobs Seed to him shall homage doe And govern'd be by his more gentle Law Yea Time it selfe shall be his Subject too And his long Sithe unto his Sceptre bow The Earth shall sink the Heav'ns shall melt but hee Shall reach his Kingdome to Eternitie 70. And here the Angell paus'd But trembling she Veild in the scarlet of her modest Cheek Repli'd Bright Sir it seems you know not Me A worthless Maid who for your high Mistake Wear no pretence nor may so great a King From a vile Worms polluted Bowells spring 71. Yet though this Vilenesse be sufficient to Excuse Me from such Exaltation Be pleas'd to know I am that Mary who Finding my selfe too mean for any Son Of Princely Davids Progeny to wed Resolv'd to die upon my virgin Bed 72. So shall no sprouts from my unhappy Root Clog the World with their fruitlesse Company So shall I scape Parentall Tasks and not With Childrens Education burdned be Who finde such Work as poseth all my Art In ordering mine own untoward Heart 73. Though I to Joseph now espoused am 'T is but to shelter my Virginity In whose defence he wears an Husbands Name And of my Weakness will Protector be My Word is past that I to God will give My Body back as I did it receive 74. Alas what other Sacrifice have I To render Him for all his patient Love Wherewith he hath thus long sustained my Rebellious Life and mercifully strove With my Demerits O bid me not aspire To what transcends my Reach and my Desire 75. Miraculous Meeknesse How would other Hearts Have leap d to catch this matchlesse Dignity From which this most deserving Virgin starts O how would st thou thy selfe have joy'd to see So high an offer What would'st thou have said Had thy Agenor Gabriels Promise made 76. Her Answer forc'd his Admiration higher And op'd the Door to this sublime Replie Heav'n is not ignorant of thy sweet Desire Thy gallant Vow stands register'd on high Upon a Table neer as white and fair As thine own Heart and Resolutions are 77. Such Vows are Jewells ev'n in Heav'ns esteem Which is the pure Realm of Virginity For there th' Eternall Father wears this Gem With whom the Son and Spirit Virgins be After whose fair Example We aspire And copie it in all our Winged Quire 78. Through Mounts of Miracles God breaks ope a way To keep thee'still as pure as thy Desire When All Things in their first Confusion lay Being a shapeless groveling Mass of Mire Who would have thought the Womb of that Abysse Could have produc'd so fair a World as this 79. But then th' Almighty Spirit spread his Wing Upon those hopelesse Volumes of the Deep And by his generative Warmth did bring To light those Seeds which in that Night did sleep Thus all this populous Universe you see Sprung from the Bowells of Virginity 80. This Holy Spirit over Thee shall hover And with prolifick Virtue thee endow He who on Powers Top doth reign shall cover Thee with his Might a Might which will allow Nature no leave nor possibility To contradict a Virgin-pregnancie 81. This is one Cause and 't is a noble one Why He who shall thy glorious Off-spring be Shall wear the Soveraign Title of the Son Of God for genuine Divinity Shall be 〈◊〉 but in a mystick fashion In the great Businesse of his Generation 82. Doubt not his Power whose well-known Limits spread Wide as his boundless Will the whole World knows How Sarahs dead Wombe now doth live in seed Which past the shores of Numeration flows How the Preists Rod its sudden Almonds ought Neither to Soile nor Seed nor Sap nor Root 83. But I have mighty News to tell thee She Whose snowie Head confest her Springs was past Thy Cousen both in Blood and Piety Cold drie Elizabeth hath now at last Conceiv'd a Son an argument to thee How Nature can by Heav'n corrected be 84. The World had stamp'd the Name of Barren on Her sealed Womb and damm'd the way to Hope Of any Seed yet five full Moneths are gone And now the Sixt succeeds since Heav'n did ope That froazen Seal good cause have I to know The Time who was imployed then as now 85. I bare the Tidings to great Zachary And when his trembling jealous Soul would not Credit my supernaturall Embassie I on his Tongue a Lock of Silence put That he might know God could as easily ope His Spouses Womb as I his Mouth could stop 86. His Silence bids thee trust these Words of mine And since the Hopes of Heav'n and Earth attend With panting Expectation for thine Assent on which their noblest Joyes depend For their sakes yeild and for thy Makers who By Me his best-beloved Spouse doth wooe 87. He e'r since Times first Birth did wait for thee And has endur'd a World of Sin below Stretching his strongly-patient Constancie Through every Age of Wickednesse till now Knowing that Time at length would bring forth thee The sweet Reward of all his Lenitie 88. And now thy mighty Houre is come ô why Mak'st thou a gentle Virtue prove so hard Why by thy rigorous Humility Must ripened Joy and Happinesse be barr'd From all the Universe O why wilt thou Not let the golden Age have leave to grow 89. Why must the gloomy Shaddows which have now Weighed their heavy Wings in hopes to flie Return their Night upon Religion's Brow Which 'gan to clear up at the Dawn of thy Long long'd-for Birth and would'st thou but give way Would straight break open into Grace's Day 90. As when the Moisture which contented was To dwell below and nestle in the Earth Is by the powerfull Sun entic'd to passe Unto an higher Home it issues forth With gentle Resignation and doth rise In meer submission to dwell neer the Skies 91. So now the lowly Virgin conquer'd by The potent Pleasure of her loving Spouse Exceeds her old by new Humility And with her selfe her former Meeknesse throws Before his feet content
on them with such potent Grace That they durst not Allegiance deny But conquer'd with sweet Violence to his beck Bow'd down and took his soft Yoke on their Neck 106. But when unhappy Adams Fall had spred Guilts ougly Veil upon his beauteous Face The Beasts which met Him gaz'd and would have read Their former Lesson of Majestick Grace But all was blotted out and look'd so black That them of Subjects it did Enemies make 107. Their Sonnes and Generations after them Succeeded in their Hate to Humane Sinne These present Beasts which to the Water came Had in that Quarrell born and nurtured been And whensoe'r they chanc'd to meet a Man To Him as their condemned Prey they ran 108. But when on JESUS face they tri'd their Eyes No blurr or signe of Guilt they could descry His Looks were purer than the Virgin Skies Polish'd with beauteous Serenity Array'd with Princely stateliness and dight With Love with Life with Grace and with Delight 109. This wak'd the seeds of that deep Memorie Which prudent Nature in their Hearts had set And which by wise instinct did signifie That their unspotted Monarch they had met They had indeed for this was Adam too Alas that Men less than the Beasts should know 110. Men knew Him not but Beasts did plainly read In Him the Protoplasts all gracefull feature Such were the gallant Beauties of his Head Such was the princely measure of his Stature Such was the reverent Innocence which from His lovely Eys in Streams of Light did come 111. Such secret A wfuiness Men fancie in Th'apparent Heir of any Kingdome that They think the King of Beasts by royall kin To his Condition groweth courteous at His Sight and quite forgets his insolent sense Of being Salvagenesses dreadfull Prince 112. No wonder then if thus it fared now The mighty Heir of Heav'n and Earth was heer He for whose high and best-deserving Brow Eternity was busied to prepare That Heav'n-out-shining Crown which flaming is Upon his Incarnations Lowliness 113. The princely Lyon rais'd himself but in Less state than He before had us'd to doe His never-daunted Tail till now between His leggs he humbled and did trembling goe Confessing to the Beasts that made his Train That He was not their onely Soveraign 114. When neer He came he couched to the ground And with ingenuous Devotion Kiss'd JESU'S feet rejoycing he had found Juda's majestick Lyon who alone Had in his Noble Looks fair writ the Name Of Emperor of this created frame 115. By his devout Example all the rest Their now engaged Duty learn'd and did What He had done In order every Beast In a meek kiss his Service offered And then they all before Him prostrate lay Humbly expecting what their Lord would say 116. He in a mystick Dialect which they Well understood his royall Pleasure spake For in that Language He at first did lay His charge upon their Necks which they did take With due obeisance and thenceforth rulfill In all their naturall Functions his high Will 117. Nay not those Animals alone but Trees Shrubbs Plants and Flours and whatsoever grows The Earth the Aire the Fire the boistrous Seas The Winds the Rains the Hails the Frosts the Snows The Rocks the Lightning and the Thunder Hell And Heav'n and all Things ken his Language well 118. For being that Eternall Word to whom What ever Is doth owe it self He knows In what intelligible way to come Unto his Creatures and pronounce his Laws A Word of boundless Bounds and Potency May a 〈◊〉 Dialect to All Things be 119. To All things Yea and more than so for He On empty Nothing his Commands can lay A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ev'n in 〈◊〉 seeds they be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things He 〈◊〉 nor dare they Plead ignorance of what he says but by Instant existence to his Call reply 120. What 't was he spake they onely understood Yet if Conjecture may presume of leave He charg'd them to abate their Thirst of Blood And for his sake at least thenceforth reprieve Those Men whose Crimes were yet not swell'd so high As to confront and force the patient Skie 121. For now He came to ope a gentler age Unto the World than heertofore had run To banish Salvageness and Spight and Rage And to establish endles Peace's Throne He came dejected Man to re-invest In his Dominion over every Beast 122. And to encourage their obedience He Told them their panting Expectation and Their longing Groans should satisfied be That He himself would hast to break the Bond In which Corruption kept them slaves and them With Heav'ns dear Heirs to Liberty redeem 123. This done His sacred Hand He lifted up And round about on his Devoto's dealt His bounteous blessing Strait they 'gan to Hop And Dance and Play when in their Hearts they felt The vigorous joyfull influence which from The blessed Fountain of his Hand did come 124. Then with the fairest Manners that they had Shaking their Tails and louting low their Heads They took respectfull leave all being glad To finde their Breasts new sown with gentle seeds And that their King which now commanded them Appear'd not more a Lyon than a Lamb. 125. But He now left alone made noble use Of this his private Opportunitie What better place could deep Devotion chuse Where she with freedome through all Heav'n may flie What is the Desert but an Harbour which No Storms of the tumultuous World can reach 126. Besides his active Soul now lightned by His Fast and fairely poiz'd on sprightfull Wings Was well appointed to towre up and trie The Altitude of Heav'ns sublimest things Not that He needed this advantage but Vouchsaf'd this Copie unto Man to set 127. As when more Fuell's heap'd upon the Hearth Then well the Chimneyes stomack can digest The Flames disdain their wonted bounds and forth They rush about the Room which now opprest With bright and dark billows of fire and Smoke In that drie sea 's prodigious storm doth choak 128. So when intemperate Man ingesteth more Than corresponds with his Capacity With Flames and Vapours that superfluous Store Riots about his Heart and Head but He Who feeds but light or fasts keeps his soules sphear Free and unclouded as did Jesus here 129. Through that unfadomable Treasury Of Thoughts and Counsells and Degrees which is Built in the Palace of Eternity And safely lock'd up with three massie Keyes Whereof himselfe by proper right keeps one With intellectuall lightnesse He did run 130. There did hee to his Humane soule unveil The flaming Wonders of Divinity A Sea through which no Angels eyes could sail So vast so high so deep those Secrets be Gods nearest Friend the Soule of Jesus is Whom He admits to all his Privacies 131. There by the hand of Goodnes did he see An adamantine Table fairly writ With all his Incarnations Mystery The Reasons Wonders and the ways of it There did he run his Contemplation from His scorned Cradle to his guarded Tombe 132. His
with infinite carrieer Still further everlastingly doth ride Being loose at God himselfe in whom Immensity affords her boundlesse room 360. Now Psyche thou mayst eas'ly judge how dear Was this Seraphick Woman to thy Lord. She had one onely Brother who for her Sake and his own was to his Love preferr'd He falling sick she sent the News unto Her Master waiting what hee pleas'd to doe 361. He who had never yet his help delay'd When loving Mary did his Mercy woe Till Phebus twise the World had compass'd stay d He stay'd indeed but 't was that hee might goe With advantageous Glory and his stay Might prove but ripened Love and not Delay 362. Mean while his Sicknesse so prevail'd upon Good Lazarus that his Soule it chased out Jesus whose eyes through all things cleerly ran Beheld it as it went and saw it brought On Angells Wings into the blessed Nest Of naked Peace and Quiet Abraham's breast 363. Where when it was reposed Lazarus Our Friend is fallen fast asleep said He But I intend to wake Him Come let Us Delay no longer but to Bethany And Lord what needs it his Disciples cri'd If Lazarus sleep what harm can Him betide 364. 'T is true their Lord repli'd for now he lies Safe in the bosome of Serenity Yet what his Rest is little you surmise Not knowing that in Death true sleep can be Alas all other Rest compar'd with this Scarcely the shaddow of true Quiet is 365. Death is that onely sleep which puts an end Unto this weary Worlds tempestuous Cares And pious Soules unto that Shore doth send Which knows no Dangers Labours Griefs or Fears Our friend is dead and glad I am that I Was not at Bethany when He did die 366. Glad for your sakes whose faith now dead shall by His Death revive This said He forward went And they with Him But e'r at Bethany He did arrive two other dayes were spent He could have taken coach upon the back Of any Winde but now chose to be slack 367. First busie Martha met Him as He drew Neer to the Town for when hee coming was The fame of his Approach before Him flew Which her sollicitous ears soon caught and as She threw her selfe upon her knees she cried Had'st thou been here my Brother had not died 368. Dear Lord of Life if thou had'st but been here Death would have his due distance kept if not For love of Thee or Us at least for fear Of his own life And yet thy Power is but Deferred not precluded God will still Each syllable of thy Requests fulfill 369. Nor weep nor doubt dear Martha Jesus cried Thy Brother shall again to life return I doubt it not sweet Master she replied But in the universall worlds new morn When all Things spring into fresh life that He Shall with his Body reinvested be 370. I am said He the Resurrection and The life Whoever doth beleeve in Me Although he be a Pris'ner in the land Of Death shall unto life released be Nay he shall never taste of Death who is Living by Faith in Me Beleev'st thou this 371. Heer dazeled by his high Discourse Great Lord She cri'd my Faith doth take Thee for no lesse Then Gods Almighty Son who by his Word Wert promised this cursed World to bless This said three times she kiss'd the ground and home Made hast to bid her pensive Sister come 372. As when the powerfull Loadstone's placed neer Th' inamored Iron leaps its love to kisse So Mary when she heard how Christ was there Speeded to meet her dearest Hapiness And falling at her highest Throne His Feet Martha's Complaint She did again repeat 373. Short were her Words but copious were her Tears Love-ravish'd Pleaders strongest Eloquence For in her Eyes those fertile springs she bears Which by their ever-ready Influence Confirm Her Queen of Weepers Ne'r was seen A more bedewed Thing then Magdalene 374. For Love though valiant as the Lyons Heart Is yet as soft as the milde Turtles Soule And mourns as much knowing no other Art By which to slake the mighty Flames which roule About her Bosome and would burn her up Did not her streams of Tears that Torrent stop 375. If when the Clouds lament the hardest stone Under their frequent Tears relenteth How Will Maries thicker Showers prevail upon The Heart of Jesus which did never know What Hardnesse ment He straitway melts and by His Groanes does his Compassion testifie 376. Then turning to the Grave he broach'd his Eyes And vi'd with Maries streams whither it were In Pitty of Mans fatall Miseries Who did his own Destruction prepare For neither Gods nor Natures Hand but he Digg'd his own Grave by his Impietie 377. Or in deep greif his dearest Freinds to see Of his Omnipotence distrustfull still Or in soft Sympathie with those whom He Of Tears and Lamentations saw so full What e'r the reason were He showred down Those streams for Mans sake and not for his own 378. O Tears you now are Perls indeed since He Who is the Gem of Heav'n hath brought you Forth Now you may worthy of Gods Bottles be Who from Gods radiant Eyes derive your Worth All holy Drops which are of kin to you By that Affinitie must glorious grow 379. Let flintie Bosomes build their foolish Pride On their own Hardnesse and the Weeping Eye As an effeminate childish Thing deride And inconsistent with the Braverie Of Masculine Spirits Yet truely-noble Hearts With Jesus will not scorn to Weep their parts 380. But He now from the Tombe commands the stone To be remov'd which sealed Lazarus up Alas an harder Marble lay upon Poor Martha's Heart which Faiths access did stop Corrupted was her Minde which made Her think And talk so much of Foure Days and the Stink 381. What are Foure Dayes that their poor intervention Should able be to raise a scruple here And intercept his soveraign Intention To whom Eternitie doth bow A Year An Age a World is no stop unto Him Upon whose Will depends the life of Time 382. Stinks and Corruptions no Retardments are To his productive Power who doth derive Through Putrifactions Pipes and there prepare The life which to all Creatures he doth give For by his Law which knows no violation Corruption Mother is to Generation 383. The Stone removed and the Cave laid ope Jesus the mighty King of Life and Death With awfull Majesty his hand lift up And then his Voice forming his royall breath Into these high imperious Words which Earth And Heav'n obeyed Lazarus come forth 384. A mighty Voice indeed which reach'd the Breast Of Abraham where the Soule in quiet lay But at these potent Summons made all haste Back to its own The Patriark they say Kiss'd the sweet Spirit and intreated it To bear that Token unto Jesu's feet 385. But when it came into the Cave it found What there the Thunder of this Voice had done Shatter'd and scatter d all about the ground Lay adamantine Chains which
Such thickning Clouds that Reasons Sun grew dim 18. And then infected with the pois'nous Sweet Alas no power was left him to abstein No more to quench his Thirst but that New Heat Which burnd his veins He takes his Bowle again Which to the brim in careless haste he fills And part on th' earth part in his mouth he spills 19. But now He Drunk no more the Wine Drunk Him His Sense his Judgement and his Soul and all For thus when in their own wilde Draughts they swim Our witty Language Men does Drunken call And did so thoroughly his Brain confound That Earth as well as Heav'n He thinks turns round 20. The Wine now sparkles in his eyes no lesse Than it did in the Bowl before He stares On every thing and yet he nothing sees He trips and staggers but no fall he fears Nor feels it when he falls for having let His Bowl drop down Himselfe fell after it 21. Thus he who in the universall Flood Escap'd the fury of the proudest Wave And on the Oceans back in triumph rode Seeing below the whole Worlds woefull Grave Alas was drowned in a silly Cup Which he himselfe unwittingly drunk up 22. No Ark above this Deluge Us can bear But Temperance which here the Saint forgot Who as he fell had neither thought nor care Of keeping on his modest Mantle but Quite destitute of Clothes and Senses lay And did his double Nakednesse display 23. But as the Traytor who has slain the King Speeds from the Court as soon's the Fact is done So now the treacherous Liquor back doth fling And from the Murder it committed run Besides a Rout of other Humors follows And slaughter'd Noah in his Vomit wallows 24. Slaughter'd indeed and now a Man no more For nothing is alive in Him but Beast Which speaks its kinde by its lowd Swinish Roar And thus he tumbling lies untill opprest With his most heavy Self he falls asleep And in that nasty Rest his brains doth steep 25. Thus as one part of Luxury did grow In Paradise the other planted was In Noahs Garden that the World might know Danger can breed and lurk in any place Alas the holiest Ground too often breeds As well as wholsome Floures invenomed Weeds 26. Heav'ns Bounty granted all Variety Of Meats to feast the Sober Appetite And added brisk and cheerfull Wine to be The active Soule of Moderate Delight But peevish Man abused by his grosse Ingratitude Heav'ns Grace to Wantonness 27. Neither by Eve's Example He would take Nor Noahs warning though their Sanctity Did them far more invulnerable make Then common Mortalls feeble Breasts could be Still He would needs goe dive to the profound Bottome of Pleasures though himselfe he drownd 28. And from that Bottome he fetch'd up at last Improved Fat and Full-grown Luxury Who ne'r appeared unto Ages past More than a tolerable Prodigie For she much cooler was and tamer then And did not banish Men quite out of Men 29. But now she an unruly Monster grew Being encourag'd by Wines rampant Flame And round about the World in Tryumph flew All which she shipwrack'd in her Pois'nous stream Raving and roaring Mad she was and made All so who practis'd her intemperate Trade 30. The Laws of God of Man of Nature were Vain feeble Bridles when-soever she Resolved in her furious Carreer To let the Circle of her Healths run free Oft has she mingled with her Wines mad flood Friends Brothers Parents Masters Princes blood 31. Strange was her Shape if yet Deformity May in Shapes Title share her parched Head Burns up all hopes of Hair and scorns to be By any thing but Baldnesse covered Her humorish Eyes all red and putrid seem In her own over-flowing Wine to swim 32. But yet her Nose more provident is for there The Wine is bottled up and runs not out Onely the Bottle being thin and clear Speaks what it holds and studded round about With fervent Rubies serveth her perhaps For a dear Item of a Bunch of Grapes 33. Wroth fiery Knots are marshalled upon Her Forehead and her Cheeks Had Sicilie Her Etna lost this sulphurie Region Would shew it her in multiplicitie Onely these Hills are something lesse then that Yet is their Horror and their Stink as great 34. Her Lips are alway crannied and drie Though every day a thousand times made wet For still her burning breath in passing by Makes them that Moisture instantly forget And by the Poison of its fulsome Stinks Taints all the aromatick Wines she drinks 35. But the vast storehouse of her Belly makes Her seem with Childe of Mountains for in this The dainties which from all the World she rakes In one prodigious Heap congested is Here Solomons brasen Sea it selfe might swimm And its twelve Oxen too and more with Them 36. This is the Sink where Surfet being bred Of all Diseases doth the Parent grow Which She distributing from Foot to Head Doth undigested Pleasures turn to Woe Thus though the Bee doth pleasing Hony bring She always endeth in a pois'nous Sting 37. Who knows not that Luxuriant Mortals eat The copious fuell of their Sicknesses And force their honest but abused Meat Not to feed Nature but her Maladies Who knows not that in Healths deceitfull Name They drink the Venome which destroieth Them 38. Themselves they diet thus with their own Death And to a Weapon of Destruction turn The Staff of Life In vain Heav'ns Mercy hath So bounteous been if Man himself can learn To pick out 〈◊〉 in it and through Its Sweetnesse work his bitter Overthrow 39. If Bacchus must be made a God and have His larger and more constant Sacrifice Than He who all their Vines to Mortals gave Whilst they the Gift more than the Giver prize If Ceres too a Goddesse grow and We All sworn Devoto's to the Belly be 40. Alas I and had not bold Mortalitie Commission large and full enough before To work our Ruine Was the Miserie Of Plagne of Famine and of War so poor And weak that We our Selves the help must lend Of Luxurie to hasten on our End 41. 'T was time high time for God himself to come And turn Physitian in this desperate Case Our Madnesse swell'd so wide that now no room For any Mortall helping Hand there was 'T was time to Come and blessed be His Name For his dear Coming for in time He came 42. Jesus himself came down and left the Feast Of all Delights which He above enjoy'd Into the Depth of Poverty He cast His life and taught the World how to avoyd Intemperanc's Baits which thick are set Onely where Riches the dominion get 43. Then by his practik Abstinence He shewed Those who his royall steps would not disdain How dangerous Luxurie might be subdued And healthfull Temperance the Sceptre gain Forty long dayes and nights at once he spent In Consecrating of his Servants Lent 44. To this Example He his Doctrine joyn'd And for his frequent Text did Fasting take
enacted and Bid it in Paradises records stand 79. Their breeding murmur reached Jesu's ear For nothing scap'd him which he pleas'd to know When 〈◊〉 he looking up such potent fear Flew on all them as bow'd their Heads as low As they were high before for strait they saw His royall will and knew their soveraign Law 80. Then as Death groaning lay He drew the dart From his own Bodies side and to the head With mighty vengeance stuck it in her heart The wound though deep made not the weapon red For all the Gore that at its mouth it spew'd Black as foule Styx's inkie puddle shew'd 81. Thrice did the Monster gaspe and then let flie Her cursed Ghost which stole its way to hell Her carcase stretch'd out on the ground did lie Her chap fell down her tongue in which did dwell All poisons 〈◊〉 hung dangling out Thus she Who reign'd o'r mortals felt Mortalitie 82. But the brave Conqueror thus having slain Her once by killing her resolved now To slay her by restoring her again To her accursed life for from below He beckned her pale Ghost and bid it dwell At home again as in a fouler Hell 83. And now said he since thou hast felt my might Remember my command and live again Henceforth thou with thy sting no more shalt fight Nor on thy Prisners clap a slavish chain Yet use thy dart for'tis my royall will Though I forbid thy rage to let thee Kill 84. Thou who before the tyrant wert shalt now The servant to my mortal Brethren be And ope the gate by which from Life below Their Soules shall flie to live and reign with me But see their bodies in their quiet sleep Untill I call for them thou safely keep 85. This double Conquest gain'd He look'd aside And sneaking in a Corner of the Toomb Corruption with her Worms about her spi'd Who crawl'd and wrought withall their might to come And seize upon the Body but as yet Could not finde strength enough to reach to it 86. He spi'd them there and charg'd them to be gone At which great word they into nothing fled With that his sacred body he put on As easily as he some Cloak had spread Upon his shoulders or his finger put Into an Annulet exactly fit 87. Thus hast thou seen a tryed fencer from His bloody Sceen of prowess with the prize His virtue purchased returning home There to enjoy his glorious victories But first he cloaths his arms and breast and back Whose naked valour scorn'd the combats shock 88. His heart with life and joy strait gan to leap His veins with new-recovered blood grew hot His blessed eyes threw off their 〈◊〉 sleep And their long leaden night of Rest forgot Afresh the Roses budded in his lip New smiles and graces in his checks did trip 89. Off fell the Napkin and the Winding Sheet Not daring to conceal the Beauties which In a strange Confluence of Glory met All Parts of his pure Body to enrich Which fairer than the Sons of Men before Out-shined now its former Graces store 90. For passing through the Seirce of Death it there Lost all the grossnes of Mortality And riseth more illustrious and cleer Than silver Venus in the Evening Skye What was but course and animal till now Doth most refined and Spiritual grow 91. It doth no longer like a Prison sit Obscure and lumpish on the soule but is Made light and pliant and compleatly fit For her and for her nimblest Bus'nesses And as our ready Wings doe every where Move with our Wills so that can doe with Her 92. For He who our brave Sprightfulnes could make Of dull and sleepy Nothing easily may Teach heavy Flesh and Blood how to awake Into Angelik Purenesse and array It round with full as fair a robe of light As makes the Cherubs or the Seraphs bright 93. But now the promis'd Time was come and He As early as the third Day ment to Rise Remarried to his Body instantlie Out of his Toomb He leaps not in the guise Of boistrous Lightning which doth rend the Clouds But that which through unbroken Bodies crowds 94. Oft hast Thou seen the sprightfull Image flie Compleatly through a Chrystall Wall which yet Unbruis'd uncrack'd it leaveth So did thy Much purer Lord through the stout Marble get For still it kept the Tombes Mouth close and still Was trusty to the Priests unmoved Seal 95. Thus Psyche e'r the dull World was awake Life Rose for it and Deaths strong Gates set ope That it aforehand might a Passage make Unto all mortal Ashes to get up His Members Risen are in Him their Head Though yet in Death they never went to Bed 96. His Resurrection a sure Ernest is Of theirs who ever dyed or can die He buried was onely the Grave to dresse To purge to sweeten and to Sanctifie That in that safe retiring Room his Freinds May take their Rest untill for Them He sends 97. Indeed all Joyes seemd to be slain when He Compleating Bitternesses Tragedy Fetchd his last gasp upon the fatal Tree But this deer Morning they reviv'd and by His rising Body so refined were That They like it Spiritual appear 98. No wonder this sweet Day doth sit so high In pious Soules esteem and bear away The reverend glory and solemnity Of the old consecrated Sabboth Day No wonder that upon the first Daies head The Sev'nths fair diadem is established 99. T is true on That when God six daies had wrough Fetching from Nothing Whatsoe'r We see And All this All unto perfection brought He stay'd his Hand and order'd it to be To sacred Jollitie a constant Feast That all Things else might play when He did rest 100. But on this Day his Rest was far more great For all his life full hard He laboured had He wept He struggled and his blood He Sweat His strength his life He spent on Death He Trod And trampled Hell and now Rose up again In matchlesse 〈◊〉 evermore to reign 101. O noble Sabboth may all Glories swell Each houre and minute of thy sacred light May Pieties best Exultations dwell In thee alone and cursed be the spight Of any Heresie which e'r shall dare Thy festivall Prerogative to impair 102. The other Sabboth was a Shade of Thee And Thou the Copie art of that which shall Amidst the Triumphs of Immensitie Be all Heav'ns everlasting Festivall A Feast which shall no higher Title know Than the Lords Day and this brave Day art Thou 103. But zealous Magdalene could not rest in Bed O no her Soule was here seald in the Tombe And though the Sabbaths Law did her forbid Untill it selfe expired were to come And seek it here yet now she could not stay To be conducted by the mornings Ray. 104. She and another love-enflamed Friend Borrow'd Speeds Wings and having purchas'd store Of pretious Ointment and of Spice to spend Upon the sacred Corps set forth before The Sun gat out of bed but as they came
ward whether He is gone Who stamp'd them heer their Eys will know no Lid But make the Beams recoil the Rafters run Aside and suffer no Concameration To damm the way of Jesu's Exaltation 291. Thus Psyche have I made thee trace thy Lord To his last footsteps through a thousand ways All set with Mercie and made good my Word Thou seest how He a countermure doth raise Against Sinns Battery and thou needst not fear Hells Spight now Heav'n for thee doth take such care 392. Nor durst I doubt but thine owne Heart will say This thy long Pilgrimage is well requited Which hath presented thee a full Display Of that wherewith all Angells are delighted Whose Souls then with sublimest Joy do leap When on these Mysteries of Love they peep 293. Their Harness heer upon his Steeds he threw Who all this while were feeding on the Hill The meaning of that warning Psyche knew And on her knee prayd him to tarry till She gave the Reins to her Devotion As other Pilgrims unto theirs had done 294. He smil'd and stayd But She flat on her face Innumerable Kisses heap'd upon The venerable Stepps and long it was Before her amorous Sighs and Tears had done At length her Bosome with the Dust she fill'd And cri'd Go thou and my foul Body gild 295. Then casting up to Heav'n her zealous Eye After her Spouse a thousand Thoughts she sent To whom her panting Soul strove hard to flie Upon the Wings of her high Ravishment But when she felt her self stick still to Earth Fresh Tears at first and then these Words brake forth 296. Why may my Heart not be where most it is O Thou my dearest Life ô Jesu why Since Thou art mounted to the Topp of Bliss And leav'st Me Dead have I not leave to Die Never was any Ghost but I till now In its own Body bound and chaind below 297. I by thy Cross and Death was wholly slain And by thy Resurrections Life I grew Alive and safe and vigorous again But thy Ascension doth my Death renew Since nothing of my Life poor I can finde But these bare footsteps left Me heer behinde 298. Sweet Lord by these thy Psyche cannot live Though for thy Sake they pretious are to Me O no! their Worth doth but more reason give To long for most inestimable Thee If any footstepp Me can satisfie It must be that which next thy foot doth lie 299. Hast Thou not said that Earth thy Footstool is As well as Heav'n thy Throne O mighty Lord 'T will be thy Handmaydes most accomplish d Blisse If thou but unto Me make'st good that Word Loe I thy Dust the Footstool crave to be Of thy now Heav'n-enthroned Majesty 300. High my Petition is and bold I know And yet the worthlesse Dew must needs aspire To Heav'n it selfe when once it gins to glow With Phoebu's sweet and most attracting Fire Nor can the Spark in its dull Ashes lie But must have leave to venture at the Skie 301. Alas what is this weary World to Me What are the silver Sphears and golden Sun Could I reign Queen of every Thing I see At my sole Nod would all Earths Kindreds ran What were this Empire worth now Thou art gone Whom Psyche must esteem her Crown alone 302. 'T is not thy heav'nly Paradise that I Ambitious am to see 't is not thy Court Of Angels though by Phylax's company I guesse their Worth 't is not the Pomp and Port That flows about thy throne Nor doe I long To dance unto thy Quires eternal Song 303. My Heart doth pant for Thee and onely Thee And could'st Thou be in Hell I never more Would loose a Looking up to Heav'n but be Inamored of that Abysse and poure My Longings and my Labours downward till I at thy Feet my Vows and Soule could spill 304. O why art Thou so infinitely sweet Or rather Why must We that Sweetnesse know If Thou deer Jesu dost not think it meet Unto our Fires their 〈◊〉 to allow Away Thou flyest and Forsaken We Ev'n by thy sweets and Blisse tormented be 305. How can I help this my excessive Passion Or how can it deserve these Torments Since Thine own Love doth professe Immoderation And guilty is of boundlesse influence In which soft Sea of Fire whilst drown'd I am What can I doe but burn with answering Flame 306. Blame Me not blessed Lord it is not I But Thou thy Selfe rebounding from my Heart Who beat'st Heav'n with this Importunity And call'st for Ease for my mysterious Smart Had'st Thou by Love not stampd thy Selfe upon My Soule now Psyche had let Thee alone 307. Remembet Jesu what it is to be Forsaken ô remember thine own Crie When in thy Desolation on the Tree Thy Father Thou didst challenge May not I Use thine own Words My God my God why now Dost Thou thy desolate Psyche leave below 308. Upon this Olivet my Calvary I finde and to my Crosse am nailed here Ten thousand Torments in my Bosome lie And full as many Thorns as planted were Upon thy Tempels in my Heart doe stick Where all the Bowels of my Soule they prick 309. O Love why must thine onely Tyranny The Bounds of other Cruelties exceed Why will it not allow the Courtesie Of Death unto thy Vassals who are Dead By its reviving Slaughters and desire To be free Holocausts in thy sweet Fire 310. Her Passion here beyond expression grew Yet though She with her Tongue no more could speak With her resolved Eyes to Heav'n she flew And there a long Oration did make Both long and fluent in th' exuberance Of Tears the streams of strongest Eloquence 311. But Phylux having to Her tender Heart Thus far indulg'd thought fit to stop Her here Psyche said He imagin not Thou art Inamored more than the Disciples were Of thy Ascended Lord yet desolate They Warn'd by the 〈◊〉 meekly went away 312. I in their room that Warning give to Thee On Heav'n why dost Thou naile thine eyes in vain Thy Saviour is too high for Thee to see Till on a Cloud He posteth back again Then shalt Thou look thy Fill of Blisse and be To all thy Loves Extremities let free 313. Mean while thine Adorations and Imbraces On his dear Name and Memory thou mayst poure Come le ts away that by these signal places Of Mercies Triumphs thy soft Heart no more May tortured be Here on her hand he laid His own and raised up the heavie Maid 114. Then in his Chariot gently Her he set Who on the Footsteps kept her hankering eye But instantly he mov'd his reins to let His Coursers know he gave them liberty Forth with their goodly mains in answer They Shook in proud hast and gallopped away PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XV. The Poyson ARGUMENT LEaving his Psyche carefull Phylax arms With whole some sage Advice her tender breast Yet shee the Venome of Heretick Charms And Spurious Reasons wiles could not resist Phylax returns and in his
161. But Logos who with Thelema did lie Close in her breast prick'd up his ready ear And drunk in all the gorgeous fallacie With such Delight that He could not forbeat Now Psyche seem'd unsatisfied to break His itching minde and thus He freely spake 162. Madame although the Jewish law to you Expired seems yet that of Courtesie To be ev'n yet in date you will allow And why must then your looks transgressors be Why with such Glances of Disdain must they Your gentle entertainment here repay 163. For my part if I ever understood What firmper spicuous Probations ment What Reasons solid were what Topicks good What Demonstrations sound I must consent That he of none but such Materials here The Fabrick of his strong Discourse did rear 164. And let me tell you Reason is a Law High and divine engrav'd in every breast Which must no Change nor Antiquation know A Law which whosoever dares resist Rebels against Himself whom He stamps under His obstinate feet and nature tears in sunder 165. O strive not then to be more Wise than what Is Wisdomes onely Rule Aathades now By Reasons genuine Lustre shews you that He walks in High-noon light and why will you Be groaping still in Darknes when you may By his fair Pharu's Conduct saile to Day 166. Psyche stung by this Check began to groan When loe her Thelema took Courage and With a resolved Countenance fastned on Logos his shoulders her imperious hand Which shak'd him from his boldnesse into fear And summond to her Words his humbler Ear. 167. Pert sir said she does it to you belong To hold the golden Reins of Psyche's heart That thus you stretch your Magisterial tongùe Usurping what would better suit my part Y' had best e'n take her Throne and make both Me And Her wait on your upstart Majestie 168. Though His soft Words tickle your wanton ear We use not to such easie Charms to yeeld Both Psyche's stomach is too weak to bear And so is mine his gilded Dose though fill'd With sugar'd Blandishments Yet ask not why It is enough for us but to deny 169. Authades seeing how his dainty bait Disgusted was to heav'n lift up his eye And cri'd Alas that dangerous Deceit Should be suspected in Truths arms to lie Yet Psyche I doe not disprove thy fear Alwayes the wisest Souls most jealous are 170. And this thy pious jeulousie to me So pretious is that it inflames my heart With higher estimation of thee Who in Faiths Busines thus tender art Those who with headlong hast such points receive To me seem but to fancie not believe 171. I grant 't was thy unhappines that thou Meet'st with so faint a Disputant as I And sure our Cause were weak if it could show No better Pillars of its Verity Than my Abilities which I confesse Are full as feeble as that solid is 172. Yet why should Truth for my unworthy sake Faile to finde welcome in thy pretious Breast Why should'st thou pay so dearly for my lack Of Eloquence or Logick as to rest In that unhappy Ignorance content Which though I cannot help I must lament 173. That Word broke ope the Fountains of his Eyes Which in deceitfull Pitty flowed down Yet knocking then his crafty Breast He cries Why should I think just Heav'n on you hath thrown The punishment of this my Weaknes and Because I 'm Dull not let Thee understand 174. O no! wouldst thou but deign to walk with Me To a Friends house not far from hence Thou there The Looks of living Pietie shouldst see And from an Oracle Resolutions hear If Thou repent Thee of thy Pains I am Content for ever to endure thy Blame 175. This pressed Kindnesse She who gentle was Knew not how to reject and therfore goes With her fair-tongu'd Companion Alas That facill Hearts should to themselves be Foes When others they with Facilnes befriend That plyant Twigs should break because they bend 176. But at the house they at his Prayers finde A Man whom Age had covered with Snow Yet noble Fervor in his pious minde With more than youthfull Vigor seem'd to glow So strong was his Devotion and so high In all Espressions of Loves Bravery 177. Authades at his Back straight kneeled down And so did Psyche much amaz'd to see How far that old Devoto had out-flown The flagging Pitch of her young Piety Such flaming Prayers she never heard before Nor such importunate Knocks at Heav'ns high Door 178. She often looked that the Sphears should ope And to the longing Saint his Lord disclose She wonder'd that his Body flew not up Seeing his Soule on such stout Pinions rose But most she marvell'd that his working Heart Stretching so high did not in sunder start 179. With secret Checks her languid Soule she chid Which with such violence never yet did flame Her Eyes hung down her Cheeks were over-spread With blushing but with ô how guiltlesse shame Nor ravishâ—d lesse was Thelema who till now No Good would in the Nazareens allow 180. O Looks and Outside Things how mighty are And how substantial your Impostures on Unhappy Mortals who their Judgement square By Ear and Eye and those vain Rules alone They borrow from the Senses Schole wherein How many Beasts more learned are than Men 181. Pseudagius now three times his Head did bow In humble Adoration and arose Up from the ground Which when Authades saw He forward stepp'd his bus'nesse to disclose But Psyche pluck'd him by the Arm and told Him forher sake He need not be so bold 182. Pardon Me Sir said she for now my Minde Convinc'd by heav'nly Satisfaction is In him I such commanding Goodnesse finde That though I would yet I cannot doe lesse Than stoop to that Profession which he Hath authoriz'd by such high Piety 183. The height of my Desires if yet it be Not Pride to reach at such transcendent Blisse Is that I with his leave advanc'd may be To his religious Acquaintance This Perhaps may Me enable to repay The Debt your Love hath layd on Me to day 184. Authades glad and proud that he had thus This Conquest gained bad her be secure Then bowing down before Pseudagius Regard most holy Sir said he the pure And pious Suit of a religious Mayd Which modest she upon my Tongue hath lay'd 185. Heav'ns Love hath kindled in her pliant Breast Full Approbation of whatever she Beholds amongst Us Nazareens profest And now our Proselyte she resolves to be Onely she beggs that you would not disdain Her as you humble Friend to entertain 186. His solemn Eye to Heav'n Pseudagius cast And cri'd Forbid it blessed Jesu I Should not be kinde to Any whom Thou past With thine own Favour deign'd to dignifie 'T is Condescent indeed in Thee but how Can I thy Worm stoop who crawl here below 187. This said with reverend Pleasantnes He came And grave Acquaintance took with Psyche's Lipp She bigg with humble Thanks cri'd out who am Unworthy
Retirement doth the Garland wear Which therefore onely dear and pretious is To Them who Sons of Heav'n and Wisdome are And which insipid timorous Soules as They Cannot beleeve so never can enjoy 22. Psyche who now conducted was into This solitary State though fervent She Did in Uraniu's Steps desire to goe Yet since it might not on the sudden be Appeas'd the flames of her Impatience by The streaming Comforts of her Privacy 23. If in the tumult of the World She still Had mingled been the Crowd had surely slain her For all Earths furniture and friendlyest Skill Could not with any Solace entertain her Her Heart already was in Heav'n and She Was best where She could least behinde it be 24. And that was here where by no secular Care Or Interruption She molested was But dwelling in a calmie Hemisphear Upon free Meditations Wings could Passe Above the Moon and Sun and Troops of fair Stars which upon Heav'ns Plains embatled are 25. But as at length She gan to pant again For that dear Day of final Conflict She By Phyla'x Promise hoped to obtein And that alone Loe on the sudden He Call d thence by other Buisnesse takes his leave Yet telling her He would not her deceive 26. As She made haste to ask the reason He Took Wing and instantly outfled her Eye A Sigh strait strove to follow Him but She Repulsed it with noble Constancy And cri'd It must not and it shall not grieve me Did Heav'n not call Him Phylax would not leave me 27. Then down upon her humble Knees She fell And casting up ward her most loyal Eyes So long as Thou as truely here dost dwell Sweet Lord said She as in the highest skies Though Phyla'x Wings now shelter not my head Yet thine are alwayes o'r thine Handmayd spred 28. Though pretious is His Company to Me Yet not so dear as is thy blessed Will Though here alone a feeble Thing I be I can and dare be more abandon'd still If mighty Thou who never wilt forsake Me With neerer Losses pleased art to rack Me. 29. Fain would I quit the Debt in which to Thee And mine own Vows I stand fain would I prove By combating with any Misery The Truth of my how deep-obliged love Thou bidd'st Us Follow with our Crosse and loe I in thy bloodyest Steps desire to goe 30. I would not to a Figures Courtesie Beholden be in my Affliction nor To such a tender Crosse condemned be As must be helped by a Metaphor To make its hard Name good for that I 'm sure Was true and real which Thou didst endure 31. No golden Plenty do I crave of Thee No soft Content or silken Peace Impart Those favours unto whome Thou wilt for Me Thy sharpest Blessings best will please my Heart My heart which burneth in profound desire Of some Heroick and consuming fire 32. O do not slay Me by denying Death To suffer want of Suffrings is to Me The onely Dregs which from thy deepest Wrath Can squeazed be from this one Misery Which is the Pith of all I beg repreive I dy in torment if in ease I live 33. Jesus whose Ear is alwayes ope to them Who speak Loves Dialect straight heard her Crie Which made such welcome Musick unto him That her Petition he could not deny His sweetned Bitternesse apace he sent And bless'd her with her begged Punishment 34. Charis accustom'd open House to keep In her free Heart he there shut up so close That now no nimble glimmering Ray could peep Forth from that Nest of Light Nor could she choose But be suspitious that the Spring was dri'd From whence no Emanations did glide 35. When loe the Welkin which before was clear And flowed with the Suns transparent Gold Started from its fair Looks with sudden fear And did in swarthy Beams it selfe enfold Day was abash'd to see how boldly Night Incroach'd upon her and despis'd her Light 36. The Aire presageing what outrageous Pain Would tear her tender weatherbeaten Sides With hollow Groans and Mournings did complain Aforehand of the Storm which as she 〈◊〉 She but awakes and so provokes to rage With louder furie on the whole Earths Stage 37. Forthwith the Clouds came tumbling one upon Anothers back for fear to loose their Place And Office in that blinde Confusion With which the Element now gravid was Close quaking in his Cave lay every Beast And every Bird lamenting in his Nest. 38. Strange Phantoms dressed in a spurious Light Fed by foule Sulphure flashed all about Fell griezly Ghosts arrayed all in Fright Both with themselves and one another fought Whole Troops of gastly Fiends and Furies rent Their Snakes as through the sable Aire they went 39. The labouring Clouds at length with open Crie Brought forth their Griefe and thunder'd their Complaint The most obdurate Rocks could not deny Their Pitty but straight trembled and grew faint So did the massie Earth which quak'd to hear The woefull Outcrie of its Neighbour Sphear 40. Psyche alone as yet refus'd to melt By any tremor onely in her Heart A kinde of Numnesse creeping on she felt 'Cause Charis there forbore her wonted Part When loe an heavy black condensed Cloud Down to the Ground before her face did crow'd 41. Where having op'd its hideous Curtains wide Forth at the Gap a Stream of Lightning broke Whose sudden dazeling though now harmlesse Tide The resolute Mayd with some amazement stroke But straight an Hand reach'd out it Selfe and held A mighty Cup with greater Terrors fill'd 42. It held it to her Lip and what before Was Thunder now prov'd an articulate Voice And bad her drink up all that dreadfull Store Since she had been so venturous in her choise She nothing more than Pleasures fear'd and here Was nothing lesse than what her Heart did fear 43. Thus challeng'd by the Voice whose Sound she knew And durst not disobey She sent her Eye Into the Cup to take a plenal View Of the black Liquor which in it did ly Wherein such boyling Horrors she descried That down she prostrate fell and thus she cried 44. Weak Woman as I was how has my Pride My silly Pride betrayed me to Woe On Confidence's Wings I needs would ride Although I towr'd but to my Overthrow Had I remembred that a Worm I am I ne'r had crawl'd so high to mine own Shame 45. How is it Jesu that Griefs mighty Cup Which thou didst once unto the Bottome drink Is to its woefull Brim now filled up What has renu'd this more than deadly Sink Whose Sorrows though to thine they shallow be Yet are too deep for poor unhappy Me. 46. Alas thy naked Anger here I see In which no glimpse of Favour mixed is What will become of weak abandon'd Me Who in thy Count'nance read mine onely Blisse If I be drowned in this Sea of Night And cover'd up from my dear Spouse's sight 47. Sweet was the Cup of which Uranius drunk For being swallow'd up in Streams of Fire
Glorious still still below Should I esteem my self so long as I Am muffied up from seeing the most High 185. Yet now that Jesus whose poor Worm I am Is pleased thus to leave Me to my Dust His Pleasure I must not presume to blame Which though it bitter seem is surely Just. His mighty Name I still adore and bless His heavy Rod which plows my Soule I kiss 186. Here manly Sorrow stop'd her Mouth and she From Phylax having turn d her gastly Eye Folded her Arms about her breast Which He No sooner saw but deeply pierced by Her mighty Wound He hung his sad eyes down And answer d all her Groanings with his own PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XX. The Consummation ARGUMENT REstor'd to Grace's Light and Ravish'd by The Splendor of Beatitude which shin'd In her clos'd sleeping Eyes Psyche with high Desires Impatience feels her fervent Minde Fall all on a light Fire and thus she dies As she had liv'd before LOVES Sacrifice 1. SWeet END thou Sea of Satisfaction which The weary Streams into thy Bosome tak'st The Spring unto the Spring Thou first dost reach And by thy inexbausted Kindnesse mak'st It fall so deep in Love with Thee that through All Rocks and Mountains it to Thee doth flow 2. Thou art the Centre in whose close embrace From the wide wilde Cireumference each Line Directly runs to finde its resting Place Upon their swiftest Wings to perch on thine Enobling Breast which is their onely Butt The Arrows of all high Desires are shot 3. All Labours pant and languish after Thee Stretching their longest Arms to catch their Blisse Which in the Way how sweet so e'r it be They never finde but with all earnestnesse Presse further on untill they can pull down Upon their stour Heads Thee their onely Crown 4. The Plowman answers not the smiling Spring With Smiles again but jealous is untill Thy happy Season his long Hopes doth bring Unto their Ripenesse with his Corn and fill His Barn with plenteous Sheaves with Joy his 〈◊〉 For Thou and onely Thou his Harvest art 5. The Traveller suspecteth every Way Although they traced and fair-beaten be Nor is secure but that his Leader may Perchance mistaken be as well as He Or that his strength may fail Him till he win Possession of Thee his wished Inn. 6. Nobely besmeared with Olympik Dust And hardy sweat the Runner holds his pace With obstinate Celeritie in trust That thou wilt wipe and glorifie his face His Prize's soule art Thou whose pretious sake Makes Him these mighty Pains with Pleasure take 7. The Mariner will trust no Winde although Upon his Sails it blows all Flatterie The fawning Sea when smoothest it doth show Cannot allure him to Security He credits none but Thee who art his Bay To which through Calmes and Storms He hunts his way 8. And so have I cheerd up with Hopes at last To double Thee endur'd this tedious Sea Through the Times foaming Tempests I have past Through flattering Calms of private Suavity Through interrupting Companies thick Presse Through the vast Deep of mine own Lazinesse 9. Through many Sirens Charms which me invited To dance to Ease's Tunes the Tunes in fashion Through many cross misgiving Thoughts which frighted My jealous Pen and through the Conjuration Of Ignorant and Envious Censures which Implacabley against all Poems 〈◊〉 10. But cheifly Those which venture in a Way Unbeaten yet by any Muse's feet Which trust that Psyche and her Jesus may As well become a Verse and look as sweet As Venus and her Son that Truth can be A nobler Theme than wanton 〈◊〉 11. And seeing now I am in ken of Thee The Harbour which enfiamed my Desire And with this constant Patience steered Me To bring my Bark to rest I am on fire Till I my Seife in thy sweet Arms doe throw And on the Shore hang up my finish'd 〈◊〉 12. Nor will thy Pleasantnesse lesse wellcome be To Patient Psyche who so long hath saild Through the deep Ocean of Calamity And over many a boystrous Storm prevaild Who through the Smiles and through the Frowns of Heaven With equal Meeknesse hath till now been driven 13. For still on Thee she fix'd her longing Eye On Thee who wilt unto her Soule afford The plenitude of her Felicity The dear Enjoyment of her pretious Lord And then exchange thy 〈◊〉 Name and be No longer End but firm Eternitie 14. As she sate teaching Phylax how to greive Who faithfully her Sorrows copyed The Time approach'd when Heav'n would her re-preive From this sad Duty and upon her Head Let fall the Crown which in this noble Fight She bravely erned by her constant Might 15. With Joyeuse Horror on the sudden she Started and trembled and leap'd from the ground The Angel wonder'd what the Cause might be Whose quick Effect did upon Him rebound For up he rose and in suspense expected What rais'd the Mayd so much before dejected 16. When loe the Joy which kindled in her Breast Broke forth and flamed in her cheerfull Eye For blessed Charis who so long supprest In the close Centre of her Heart did lie Was now unlock'd by Jesus and had leave To her sweet Influence the Reins to give 17. So when thick Clouds have dammed up the Day And dolefull Blacknesse veild the Welkins face If Phoebus through those Curtains rends his way And bids the Darknesse to his Beams give place The Aire surprised by her sudden Blisse At first with frightfull Gladnesse startled is 18. So when that unexpected virgin Light Broke from the glorius Mouth of God upon The rude disconsolate Heap of first-born Night That sudden Morn with cheerfull Terror ran About the universal Deep which was Amazed at the dint of Lustre s face 19. With Pleasures strong Incursion Psyche thus Being 〈◊〉 and shaken e'r she leisure had To tell her Gladnesse sweet and bounteous Charis a passage through her Bosome made And in th' exuberance of Suavity Her smiling Selfe presented to her Eye 20. But Humane Soules are in Capacity So poor and dull while here they dwell below They know not how to bear ev'n Courtesie Unlesse by slow Degrees on them it grow Delights if rushing in a sudden Stream A Deluge prove of Torments unto Them 21. This Spectacle bred such Extremities Of over-flowing Joyes in Psyche's Breast That she alas too narrow to comprise This swelling Sea of which she was possest Resign d her Selfe to it and by a Sown In its delicious Depths sunk gently down 22. But Charis being Mistresse of the Tide So brideled in the pliant Floods that they Submitted to her Hand their dainty Pride And for her gentler Complement made way This was a soft Embrace by which the Mayd She girded and her fainting Passion stayd 23. Then with incomparable Sweetnesse she Her Eyes upon her fix'd and thus began My Dear and has Disuse such Potency That it upon my cheerly Presence can Disrellish cast or are my Beams too strong For thee who
hast in Darknesse grop'd so long 24. Henceforth take Courage for no more will I And here Thou hast in Pawn my royall Word Leave thee to wade in gloomy Misery But trustie Light to all thy waies afford Full broad-day Light for all this while I gave Thee secret Beams which thou didst not perceive 25. And had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 done so had I not 〈◊〉 Close at the bottome of thine Heart to keep Thy Soules foundation firm and sure in 〈◊〉 Laborious Zeal had duely broke thy sleep In vain had all thy Signs and Tears been spent In vain thy Prayers had to Heav'n been sent 26. Unto its dismall Name too truely true Thy Dereliction had prov'd had I With never-sleeping Care not lain perdu To watch the Motions of thy Enemy That Enemy whose fatal Company Makes Desolation Desolation be 27. When that infernal Hag the damned Queen Of Hideousnesse advanced to the fight Armed both Hand and Tongue had I not been In thy main Fort however out of Sight Sure She had undermined it and thou Hadst by Dispair been quite blown up e'r now 28. Yet close I lurk'd thy Courage so to trie When thou no Second didst perceive at Hand This was the Plot of LOVE himselfe and I My Ambush placed but at his Command LOVE hid my face and so he did his own But all that while he weav'd for thee a Crown 29. The Crown which thy long loyal Patience In the bright Realm of humble Saints shall wear And till Thou thither art translated hence I in thy Breast my Tent at large will rear That till the greater Heav'n receiveth thee Thou mayst contain it in Epitomie 30. This said She gather'd up her Train of Light Which in an Orb was all about her spred And shrinking up her Selfe with heav'nly Sleight Within her sprightfull Selfe she entered The Virgins Breast again and there begun To exercise her full Dominion 31. Forth with a Tumult boild in Psyche's Heart But boild and foam'd in vain for instantly The Rout by Chari's most unconquer'd Art Was forc'd from that usurped Hold to flie Vain Dread was first which shrunk turned 〈◊〉 And so these Cowards flying Armie 〈◊〉 32. For She her Selfe no sooner 〈◊〉 out But at her heels Lamenting Sorrow came Tearing her hair and flinging it about Then leare-ey d 〈◊〉 unworthy Shame Pale-fac'd Disconsolation and 〈◊〉 With Indevotion's dead and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 33. But in the Rear rush'd out Forgetfulnes A dim and swarthy Thing and hand in hand Led her Compatriots and Associates These Were sluggish Mists dull Night thick Blacknesse and Whatever is of kin to them whatever Can block up heav'n and Soules from light dissever 34. Compar'd with these all Soot and Ink and Pitch Were Compositions of Milk and Snow So was the gross and triduan Darknesse which Did on the face of shameless Memphis grow Or that which lock'd up Sodom's Eylids more Close than Lot's utmost Care had done his Door 35. Psyche admiring stood to see her Breast So fertile in this hideous Progeny Which as she veiwed them directly prest Downward into the Wombe of Earth to be Conveyed back unto their native Home For from beneath this gloomy 〈◊〉 did come 36. And now she found her Bosome full as clear As when to Heav'n she Thelema presented Now all her Passions unhamper'd were And every Bond to Libertie relented All things were sweet and fair within and she Releas'd into compleat Serenitie 37. Love Anger Hatred Jelousie and Fear And all the rest of that swift-winged Crew With holy sprightfulnesse revived were And to their proper Objects nimbly flew They 〈◊〉 and clashed not their Wings together But kindely help'd and cheered one another 38. Hope which had grop'd and languished till now In deplorable Mists new courage took And challeng'd every Winde its worst to blow Since she perceiv'd her Cable was not broke But that her trusty Anchor held its hold Whilst Desolations Sea about her roll'd 39. And Logos too sad heretofore and drie Felt cneerly Vigor flaming in his Heart Which spurr'd him on to beg her leave to try Whether he could not now perform his part With more successefull strength and from the Treasures Of Heav'n fetch Contempletions solid Pleasure 40. His Motion she heard with joyus Ear And turn'd to Heav'n her gladsome Ey to see Whether the way to it Companion were In her brisk Bosomes new Serenity She turn'd her Ey and in Heav'ns volumes read More than her own desires had coveted 41. For lo the sullen Clouds which heretofore Had damm'd the way to her rejected sight Drown'd in repentant Tears themselves did poure And dash in sunder to lay ope a bright And undisturbed Passage to that Spheat Where Psyche's Jewels all ensh rined were 42. In bounteous Beams of royall Influence Her open Sun bestow'd himself upon her And this awak'd her long astonish'd sence To finde and feel the sweets of this dear Honor This swell'd her Bosom with such Ravishment That through her lips she hast's to give it vent 43. And now ô my delicious Lord said she I thank thee for that Famine I endured I little dream'd that this Felicitie Could by this torturing anguish be procured But in the Wisdome of thy Love didst thou Then make me Fast the more to Feast me now 44. Thou with that wholesome Tempest tossed'st me That I might throughly understand the blisse Of this sweet Calm by the Ariditie Of cold and tedious Death didst thou suppress My secular Spirits that revived I Might live to thee as to the World I die 45. Now now I taste this life indeed which I Though I enjoy'd it did not know before Alas We fools are best instructed by Absence and Losse to prize the richest store These thanks I to my Dereliction ow That I can rellish my Fruition now 46. So deep I rellish it dear Jesu that I would not for the Cream of Paradise But have been drowned in that desolate State Whence to the Blisse of mine own Blisse I rise For what were Paradise to me unless I feelingly perceiv'd its Pleasantnes 47. O that more Thelema's I had which I Might sacrifice in witnesse of this Debt Since thy revealed Countnance upon my Unworthy Head this mighty Score hath set Yet what doe our poor Wils by being thine But onely make Themselves not Thee divine 48. I now could covetous be and wish that all The Treasures both of Heav'n and Earth were mine That with this Offring I might prostrate fall And dedicate it at thy Favours shrine Yet what were all the World to that which I Ow to thy Soveraign Benignity 49. Had I ten thousand Lives to spend on thee That 〈◊〉 Expence would but my Gains augment How 〈◊〉 where Gratitude her Selfe must be 〈◊〉 can poor I due Thanks present Sweet Lord informaud help my Soule which fain Would tender something back to thee again 50. She ceased here And Phylax who attended The leisure of her fervent Exultation With equal Joy and Ardor where
thonghts took up When to the Fountain of her Drink the sweet 〈◊〉 of Heav'n her Course and Thirst did stop When to her sleep she was disturbed by The 〈◊〉 Rest of Fternity 190. The dear Remembrance of her Soverdign Lord Boild in her Soule and would not slaked be So that while tortured she could not afford Unto her Body what Necessitie Crav dat her Hands she faint and feeble grew And by Degrees her Mortal self she slew 191. She slew her Flesh which pin'd and sunk away She slew the Vigor of her Senses which Like unbent Bows all damp'd and uselesse lay But by these Slaughters she did but inrich The Life of her afflicted Heart which still With stouter and more active Fire did swell 192. So high it swell'd that what soe'r came neer The mighty Torrent strait became its Prey Yea ev n the Bridles too subdned were Which still she hop'd and strove on it to lay Her Meditations all to Passion turned And whatso'er she Did or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 193. In 〈◊〉 unto such a 〈◊〉 The Sceptie of his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 194. 〈◊〉 be it of a Thing But weak and mortal and Dust's wretched Heir Doth with immortal Pains and Wishes sting And spur the Soule unto unwearied Care Discouragement in vain doth muster up All Troops of Obstacles 〈◊〉 way to stop 195. No no the generous Lovers Heart disdains Not to approve his Passion infinite With gallant Obstinacie he maintains Against the Will of Heav'n and Earth the fight 〈◊〉 win his Idol for whose sake had he Ten thousand 〈◊〉 they all should ventur'd be 196. For in her Image which He hath enshrin'd High in the 〈◊〉 of his loyal Breast Such Charms and strong Attractions He doth finde As rob Him of all Power to resist He runs and in such strange and furious wise That Love is slandered with want of Eys 197. The whole World knows how Hamors royal Son Scorn'd his Religion and his foreskin too When Dinah's Love had full possession Of his subdued Soule How David who Was Heav'ns choise Darling durst Heav'ns Law despise For what he read in Bathsheba's fair Eys 198. Who hath not heard what Power one Heart 〈◊〉 Upon two mighty Nations both content For love or her to run so strangely mad Upon a mortal War whose furie rent Up Ilium by the roots which to the 〈◊〉 Of Lust a wofull Holocaust became 199. No 〈◊〉 then 〈…〉 With such mtolerable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Charms whose royall 〈◊〉 Draw with 〈…〉 Outvi'd by 〈…〉 〈◊〉 201. For all those Wounds bleed nothing else but Fire Fire which remembring its original Flame With never-wearied struggling doth aspire Back to the radiant place from whence it came It s proper Element are Jesu's eyes And thither in heroick Zeal it flies 202. And what can tortured Psyche doe who by This most unruly Heat to Heav'n is haled And yet by Mortal Lifes repugnancy Fast to her Body and dull Earth is sealed What can she doe in this Extremity Of raging Life and Death at once but Crie 203. Hardy and bold she grows in her Complaint For lifting upward her enamored Eyes Although her sickly Voice were low and faint Yet full of sinews were her serious Cries Which thus she suiting them unto her Passion Tun'd by the stout Key of Expostulation 204. O Lord of Gentlenesse ô why dost Thou Make Love so cruel to tormented Me Why would thy bounteous Justice not allow Me any other Rack but Suavitie Why must my Gall be onely Honey why Of nothing else but Life must Psyche die 205. Why didst Thou not permit Me to decease When thou hadst left Me to my Selfe alone So had thine Handmaid been repriev'd from these Extremities of Pangs so had I gone Whole to my Grave who now must Melted be By thine unsufferable Sweets and Thee 206. And am I not a Worm or worse than so Why dost Thou build such Triumph then on Me Why dost thou not pick out some Seraph who With this sublime and blessed Misery Might bravely grapple or why might'st Thou not At Phylax's nobler Breast my Dart have shot 207. O be not angry 't is not I that speak But tortured Necessity my Heart A thousand times desir'd but cannot break Else had my Lips not dared thus to part And ope themselves into Complaints but now Excuse together with my Fault doth flow 208. Not for innumerable Worlds would I Have been without that Apparition but Should full as many Worlds their Tyranny Combine against my Soul they could not put Me unto any Torture so extream As the Remembrance of my blessed Dream 209. In Sweetnesse why art thou so Infinite Or why must that Infinitude appear Unto a Soule to fire it with Delight If to the Fountain it must not draw neer To quench its burning Thirst O Jesu be Still what thou art but then be so to Me. 210. Be so to Me and ô be so with Speed Death is not Death compared with Delay Alas one Moment now doth far exceed All those long years which I till this sad Day Have tediously measured and now I older by an Age each Minute grow 211. Fain fain would I Let thee alone and be Content to wait thy longest Leisure still But ô all-lovely Thou still urgest Me And violently dragg'st my Conquer'd Will Thou dragg'st me yet wilt not permit that I Should follow home to my Felicity 212. If thou wilt Kill Me loe I am Content But ô vouchsafe to let my Slaughter be By Death not by this breathing Banishment From my best Life most ameable Thee O pitty pitty thy poor Handmaids Crie Whose Tongue cleaves to her Mouth whose Throat is drie 213. Fain would she here have fainted but her Pain Whose load so heavy on her Shoulders lay With courteous Cruelty help'd to sustein Her parched Vigour that it still might prey Upon her Patience and consume her still O strange Disease which doth by Curing Kill 214. Phylax mean while unseen perceiv'd that she Unto Heav'ns Suburbs was arrived now And that the Springs of her Mortality By this high Stretch began to crack for though Her Selfe her Change's Dawn could not descry He saw her final Houre was drawing nigh 215. This rous'd his Love in due time to prepare For his dear Pupills neverending End About her funeral he took decent Care Because himselfe could not stay to attend Those Rites when she had once Expir'd for he Her noble Paranymphus was to be 216. He was to be her Convoy when she flew Unto her royal Spouses marriage Bed This made him dresse his Count nance with a new Festivity his Wings this made him spread With fresh and snowie Down that his Lords Bride In that soft Coach of triumph home might ride 217. And in this joyous Hue to her he came Yet his sweet Presence She regarded not For Burning in her more delicious flame She of all other Things the Sense forgot The Phaenix thus amidst her funeral fires See's nothing else and nothing else
this sayes she so fair so bright He smiling cries My Dear for Chastity It was erected Look and thou shalt see What kinde of Princes here the Dwellers be 154. Loe there comes One Observe his royall Gate Majestick yet not proud about his brows A glittering Coronet wreaths his princely state As in his Hand a Palm his triumph shows Large is his Roabe and after him below A Train imperiall on the ground doth flow 155. This Pavement is lesse white lesse sweet are those Perfumed Lillies than that roab of His Th' Eternall Lamb from his owne fleece did choose The richest Wooll where with to cloath and dresse His spotlesse friends and fellow-lambs for the Goe all invested with this bright Array 156. Those gracefull Eyes in which Love's throne is set Are they which did Potiphera defie Thou know'st the story since I told thee it This is that Joseph though advanced high In Pharaohs Realm yet now more glorious grown And can a fairer Kingdome call his owne 157. The next's a Female in the same Array For Sexes here no outward difference show But all like Angells live since noble they Strove to forget their He and She below And though then earthly Pilgrims overtake That Purity which Us doth equall make 158. Susanna is her Name That radiant Face Which none but chaste and holy beams did shed Two lustfull Elders made their daily Glasse And with the Antidote invenomed Their shamelesse Hearts So bold is Lust that she Dares hope to finde a Blot in Purity 159. Cancer then scorch'd the World when tender she Into her Garden went there in a spring Almost as clear as her own Chastity To coole her selfe But they straight issuing Out of their ambush in their Clothes expresse More shame than did Susanna's Nakednesse 160. We too are hot cry they but none but thou Can quench the furie of our mighty Flames Thou art the Fountain where all Sweets do flow And We must bathe and coole Us in thy streams Yeild as thou lov'st thy Life else We will swear That in Adulterie We caught thee heer 161. Then welcome Death said she thy face will be Fairer than is the Count'nance of this sin Here she cri'd out aloud and instantly Her startled Hand-mayds all rush'd shreeking in Whom both the full-mouth'd Elders hastened To catch th' Adulterer who said they was sted 162. Then haling her unto the Barre their own Guilt upon her they throw and she must die But straight a Miracle crowds in to crown The truth of her unconquer'd Chastity And turn the Sentence on the Elders who Whil'st she to Triumph must to Stoning go 163. There comes the second Joseph but as farre Before in honour as in time behind Little thought Men what kinde of Carpenter Was this whose noble Art a way could finde To frame a life and raise the building high Both of Heroik Worth and Poverty 164. Mine and my Brethrens Office though it be Both sweet and glorious yet must stoope to His Who was the Guardian of Divinity And of the Mother of all sweetnesses And yet no Angell envy'd him his place Who ever look'd upon his wonderous face 165. What Gravity sits there and what Delight What Tendernesse and what Austerity How high and humble are his looks how bright And modest are his eyes how sweetly He Ev'n in this Glory seems not to forget That Cloud which upon Him in earth did sit 166. But look and see thou start not at the sight Those Rays though more than Sun-like lovely be Here comes of Heav'n and Earth the choise Delight The Queen of Softnesse and of Purity Millions of Loves come tripping in Her way Flown from her Eye in a fore-running Ray. 167. Behold Her face and read all Paradise And more in Flesh and Blood In vain we seek For flow'rs for Gemms for Starrs to equalize The gallantry of Her illustrious Cheek At whose sweet Composition every Grace Came running in for fear to loose its place 168. All Cherubs and all Seraphs have I seen In their high beauties on Heav'ns Holy-dayes But yet the gratious Glories of this Queen Sweetly out-glitters their best tire of Rayes What studied scorn would Pagan wits have thrown Upon their Venus if they this had known 169. This Mother of Divinest Love as pure As is that other putid Noblest Tongues When they triumphant are and would be sure With life and blisse and joy to grace their Songs First chant the Son and then the Mother He Begins and she makes up the Harmony 170. Her Crown is full Imperiall yet not deckt With orientall Diamonds but thick set With purer Jewells for the most select Virtues because her own doe garnish it And yet all those but the faint Copies be Of her rich Hearts Originall Treasurie 171. I need not tell thee Mary is her Name Who teacheth Majesty to be so milde This cold dead Pavement lively doth proclaim Whose feet with new-born Lillies it have fill'd Whose but the Virgin-Mothers steps could blesse A Soil so barren with such Fertilnesse 172. Turn Psyche and behold Here comes the King The King himselfe of Royall Chastitie She turn'd But as He forth was issuing Intolerable Beams from His did fly Upon her face she started at the stroke And rubb'd her dazeled eyes and so awoke PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO III. The Girdle or Love-Token ARGUMENT HEr Spouse in Token of His royall Love A Girdle unto Psyche sends wherein The accurate works Historik Beauty strove The radiant Materialls to out-shine The Rich Embroiderie Phylax doth expound And with the Token then the Mayd surround 1. SHort Taste of Pleasures how dost thou torment A liquorish Soul when once inflam'd by Thee The edge of all Desire would soon be spent Did'st Thou not whett it to that keen degree That nothing but compleat Fruition will The longing of its wakened stomack fill 2. The pined Man on whom a thinner She Insatiable Famine long hath fed Desires no Heav'n or Paradise to see But onely what lies moulded up in Bread One glimpse of this bids Hope return and light Life in those Eyes which were bequeath'd to Night 3. But if that Morn of Comfort damped be And his young Joys snatch'd from his Eyes again The fugitive Blessing mocks his Miserie And by rebound exalts it to a strain Of higher Punishment his Fancie more Does gnaw him now than Hunger did before 4. So Psyche famished with strong Desire Of her dear Spouse no sooner fed her eyes On his first Lustre but that mystick Fire Turn'd all her Heart into Joyes Sacrifice She 'gan to scorn all other Dayes but this Whose Dawn had broach'd such golden Floods of Blisse 5. But when immensitie of Beams had cast That cloud of Weaknesse on her Mortall Eye And she the long'd-for light it selfe had lost In too much light her Longing swell'd so high That did not sighs unload her Heart and it Th' impatient Tumor would her bosome split 6. She sighs and thinks and then she sighs again For
every thought which labour'd to comprise What she had but half-seen makes her complain Her thoughts were dazeled as before her Eyes Yet still she thinks and still she loves to be Puzled in that delicious Miserie 7. And happy Yee stout Eagles happy Yee Crie's she whose genuine Eyes are tempered To 〈◊〉 brave pitch that the full Majestie Of your beloved Sun can never shed Such 〈◊〉 extremities of Heav'n but you Can 〈◊〉 them in as fast as they can flow 8. You perch'd on some safe Rock can sit and see When the young East unlocks his rubie gate How from the 〈◊〉 bed of Roses hee Sweeter than it doth rise what Robe of state That Day He chooseth and what Tire of light He on his Temples bindes there to grow bright 9. Into his Chariot of flaming Gold You see him mount and give his purple Steeds Leave to draw out the Day You see him roll'd Upon his diamond Wheels whose Bounty breeds That populous Family of Pearls which dwells On eastern shoares close in their Mother-shells 10. You see him climbe up to Heav'ns silver Hill And through crosse Cancer make the Houres run right There with his widest Looks your own you fill And ryot in that royall Feast of light Whil'st to your eyes your souls flie up and gaze On every beauty of his high-noon Face 11. You see him when into the steep-down West He throws his course and in th' Atlantick Deep Washes the sweat from his 〈◊〉 Brow and Breast And cools his smoking 〈◊〉 and goes to sleep Among the waterie Nymphs who in his rest Waft him through by-paths back into his East 12. Thus the kinde Day makes all her houres attend Your undisturbed Joys But fainting Me With one poor minute she will not befriend That I my fairer sweeter Sun may see Yet why blame I the Day She 's clear and fair But you adulterate Eyes too cloudy are 13. Had you been constant such had been my Blisse But you with faithlesse cowardize gave in Surely I 'le be reveng'd on you for this Till you repent your Treachery in Brine Perhaps when Tears have wash'd you clean the pure And free face of my Spouse you may endure 14. These querulous sighs by their tempestuous Blast Drove on the Cloud and now the Rain began Dropps great and numerous down her Cheeks made haste For more and greater still came crowding on 〈◊〉 either eye-lid sprinkled in the Crowd A living Rainbow on its margin show'd 15. But as the Storm swell'd high in Phylax flies And much adoe his yearning sweetnesse had To bridle in his sympathetick eyes Seeing how great a flood Phyche's had made Were not eternall Joyes deep Printed on Angelick Spirits sure now his springs had run 16. But with his Wing he wip'd her blubber'd face And fann'd fresh comfort on her fainting Minde Quairell not with thine Eyes thy Vision was Too visible said hee and they though blinde Perform'd their duty being clogg'd as yet With lazie Dust for sprightfull signts unfit 17. Have patience till that Dust be put to bed And mixed with the grave then shall thine Eye With ample vigorous Beams imbellished Open into a full capacity Of viewing Him whose lovely Princely look Shall be thy safe and everlasting Book 18. Mean while this Token He by me doth send Hoping Thou 'lt wear t for his sake next thine heart No Lover 〈◊〉 woo'd his adored Friend With ticher Present That thou ne'r may'st start From his affection with this Girdie hee Desues to binde thee to Felicity 19. The Ground 's a texture all of Turtles down Which dares call Virgin-Snow both harsh and black For he himself deep dy'd it in his own River of Whitenesse which its Spring doth take From under His great throne where once when He But dipp'd his hand the Fount proov'd Puritie 20. Unto a Grace to spin He put it out That the fine thread might answer her neat hand Then in the Jewell-house of Heav'n he sought What Gems to Honour with this ground The Strand Of pretious India no such Treasure shows Above the Ocean of true Jewells flows 21. Ten thousand glittering things he turned o're And wish'd Thee every one Yet if said He I on my Darling throw this massie store 'T will to a Burden swell my Courtesie She 's tender and I cannot but be so I wish her all but these for all shall goe 22. And those were Jaspers Diamonds Onyxes Topazes Berylls Rubies Amethysts All ready fitted for imbroyderies But richer farr than ever flam'd on Priests Or Princes Crown which as he sending was To set on work another curious Grace 23. His Snowie Mother waiting all that while At his right hand melted down on her knee And sweetly begg'd that Office In a smile His usuall visage toward her and Thee He grants her kind request Yet stay says He And let thy Needle of my choosing be 24. A Twist of Glories o'r his shoulders thrown About his back a sportfull Qniver roll'd Of metall in this grosser World unknown The thrice-refined Quintessence of Gold Yet was the splendid House lesse pure and fine Than were the sweet Inhabitants within 25. No sooner He unlock'd the glorious Lid But a pure Cloud of living Joys and Smiles Which in that merry Region had been bred Breaths out it self and the Spectators fills With vigorous Pleasures and with fresh Desires To view that Fountain whence such Blisse expires 26. Innumerable arrows there doe lie Keeping each other warm with mutuall flames For mystick Ardor is the metall they Are made of metall purer than those Beams Which play about the starrs or those which flow From Phebu's eys when they in High-noone glow 27. The finest Rays which darted purest light From his owne crown great Love himself did cull And these said He shall be my Arms in fight With this Artillery I 'l my Qaiver fill The Heavn's already bent from East to West And that 's the Bow by which my darts I 'l cast 28. Ther 's no such thing beleeve it Psyche there As leaden Arrows steep't in Scorn and Hate Each Dart's a sonn of splendor and does wear A rich remembrance of its Masters fate For in his blood the blood of Love dy'd deep Its tincture and its virtue it doth keep 29. With these he wounds his best beloved Hearts And by the wound sets ope to Life its way Life is the point of these mysterious Darts Which with pure Joy and dainty Vigor slay They slay indeed yet still reviving be They nothing murther but Mortality 30. The Hairs of softest Flax grow grosse and course When these draw neer so delicare are they Yet cruell steel strikes with lesse boysterous force And with lesse fatall certainty doth slay Immortall Eys alone can see them but Not fence the Blow if they at them beshot 31. Love choosing one of these from its bright Nest Applies it towards his all-peircing eye From whose acute intention there prest A Ray so potent that immediately The yeelding Dart
one beside Onely thy Brothers must not be thy Bride 135. Must not th' Adulteresse cri'd for she was by Whither is Herod or that Youngling King And shall the Acts of awfull Majesty Be flouted by this upstart pratling Thing O that my bodkin had his Tongue to bore I 'd make it sure for preaching me a Whore 136. Be thou content my Dear the King replies I will reveng thy Wrong for 't is mine own Rebellions fiery Boils may likelier rise From his envenomed Words against my Crown Then from our spotlesse Match which Heav'n long blesse Hale him to prison he shall smart for this 137. Unhappy Truth how comes vain Flattery To be more gratious at Court then thou Who might'st secure and prosper Majesty Whil'st that doth Lies and Trapps and Poysons strow Is it because sometimes thou rubb'st the sore Or that thou naked art and meek and Poor 138. Deep in the Cities Bottome sunk there was A Goale where Darknesse dwelt and Desolation Through all the Towns proud Taunts enforc'd to passe The Saint is thrust into this Habitation Where strait the noisome Mire doth him begirt Much like a Gem by Swine trode in the Dirt. 139. Yet these dead Walls with stones almost as hard As that which for a Heart did serve the King Him onely in a straiter Desert barr'd For his high Contemplation still did bring Heav'ns latitude into those straits and swell With Angells and with God that lesser Hell 140. This is his noble Companie and He In his strict Goale more freedome doth enjoy Than follish Herod though his Tetrarchie To all his loose Desires wide opes a Way Sin is the foulest Prison and in this Not John but Herod the close Pris'ner is 141. Yet Herod thinks not so what pitty 't is That Thought and Fancy thus the scale should sway And ponderous Reasons sober solidnesse Cast as a light and frothie thing away For rid of this same galling Preacher He Judges himselfe and all his Pleasures free 142. And in that freedom means to celebrate That Day which Him releas'd from Mothers Womb To crown the Meeting with majestick State His glistering Nobles all to Court must come That Men might in the splendor of each Guest Read his magnificence who makes the Feast 143. Luxurious choise of every kinde of Beast Was hither brought No Bird so dear and rare But it was fetched from its highest Nest To build in some quaint Pie or Platter here To Noahs Ark scarce came a thicker Crowd For life then to be slain there hither flow'd 144. With Earth and Aire the Sea must help to trimme A more than Spring-tide superfluity Large shoals of wanton Fishes here must swimme In aromatick ponds of Spicerie That Herods ominous Birth-day forth may bring Death unto almost every kinde of Thing 145. Ambition was the Steward of the Feast The Cook and Cater both was Luxurie Lust tempered the gallant Sauce and drest The choise inflaming Dainties of the Sea Loe there the King is with his Nobles set And all the crowded Table smokes with meat 146. Intemperance attended on the Bord And crown'd with sparkling Wine the foaming Cup. The Kings Health first went round which every Lord Drowning his own in it hasts to drink up And prayes He may behold as many years As Dishes on the Bord or in Heav'n Starrs 147 The next's the Queens But then Bowle after Bowle They to their femall Idolls poured down So monstrous were those Draughts that the Wines Soule Had now all theirs subdued and was grown King of them and their Prince who belching cries Enough of this Come now le ts feast our Eyes 148. For hee the young Herodias had spi'd Whose face no sooner dawned in the Hall But an enchanting meretricious Tide Of Sweets and Graces overflow'd them all Her beauteous Looks and Dresse redoubled be Because her fond Spectators double see 149. No Syren ever on the waterie Stage Did act so true a false but lovely part The gazeing carelesse Sea-man to ingage In the delicious shipwrack of his heart Nor e're was Sea so dangerous and deep As in this Damsells treacherous Breast did sleep 150. Behold her there What studied Neglect Upon her shoulders pours her Tresses down How is her Breast with Gems allurements deckt Yet winns more eyes and wishes by its own That speaking Nakednesse if selfe commends And lustfull Fancies something further sends 151. The rest of her Attire so thin and light With gorgeous hypocrisie doth lay More open what it would deny the sight And whilst it stopps invites into the way About she swimms and by a courtly Dance Her other beauties price she doth enhance 152. All eyes and hearts tripp'd after Her as she About the Hall her gracefull motions measures No nimble Turn could in the 〈◊〉 be But Herods brains turn'd too who by these pleasures Again grown drunk unto his 〈◊〉 doth Give ease by vomiting a full-mouth'd oath 153. By Heav'n and my own Majesty he cries This Dance sweet Daughter must not want reward For never Venus traversed the skies With a more soule-commanding Galiard Let thy Demand be high for though it be Half of my throne I hold it due to thee 154. But then the Queen whose thirst not all the Wine At that great Feast could quench unlesse it were Brew'd with the Blood of John 〈◊〉 soon incline Her Daughter to request this Boon for her I ne'r shall think said the that Herod is Mine or his Kingdoms Head whilst John wears his 155. Thou know'st my Wrongs and with what pain I wear The name of Whore which He hath on me pinn'd Help then my righteous Vengance on and tear Away this Griefe which gnaws thy Mothers minde This was enough back flies the Damsell and Thus sweetens o'r her barbarous Demand 156. O may the King for ever live and reign And blessed be this undeserved Day Wherein thine Handmaid doth such favour gain That halfe thy Kingdom shall not say me nay For reall is thy royall Word But why Should a poor Maids ambition towre so high 157. Indeed that Promise did become the King That like thy selfe thy Bountie might appear But Heav'n forbid that I so vile a thing Thy scepters Glories should in sunder tear And break mine Arm with halfe of that Command Whose Totall is too little for thy Hand 158. A slender Gift more equall Pay will be To my Desert Let me but have my Will Over one wretched Worm which gnaweth thee And thy whole Stock So let the King fulfill His royall Word by giving Me that Head Whose Tongue deflour'd yours and my Mothers Bed 159. Alas the King replies what have I done O that my Kingdome might my Word recall How shall I help thee now unhappy John Who in my Promise preach'd thy Funerall Thy carelesse Tongue at first thee Pris'ner made And my rash lipps have thee to death be trayd 160. O that to day my Lords had not been here The solemne Witnesses of my great Vow Must Death intrude
and its sad Warrant bear Date upon this my joyous Birth-day How Shall Lun-snarle my Promise and contrive That both mine Honor and the Saint may live 161. Both cannot live I see O that I were Some private Man that so I might be free Of my repute but Princes Honors are The Peoples too and by Community I should make all the Body perjured If I my selfe prove so who am their Head 162. And must John die Bear witnesse All how loth This Word doth fall from my constrained Lip To recompence the too too hasty Oath Which from Imprudence not from Me did slip Then take his Head Yet never say that I Issu'd this Warrant but Necessitie 163. Thus strove the Tyrant by a comely Lie To veile the Visage of his hideous Hate For fear the Damsell by his privity Might seeme to have contriv'd the Baptists fate Whil'st dreading his unlawfull Vow to break Adultery He doth with Murder back 164. Was it not plain that his outragious Vow Did prostitute but halfe his Realm and why Must the blood thirstie Hypocrite bestow More than the Whole What Prodigalitie Is this mad Herod For Johns Head alone Is worth more than thy Kingdome or thine own 165. Loe there the last Dish of great Herods Feast The Martyrs Head in a faire Charger laid He smiles within though clouds his face o'r-cast And feeds his soul on it But the proud Maid Knowing her Mother by this Death would live In triumph takes the Dish and takes her leave 166. The Royall Beldame in suspence did wait To reape her spightfull Stratagems event But when she saw the bloody Present straight Grown young with Salvage Joy hir high Content She to her dancing Daughter does display In her own tripping and lascivious way 167. Then much like some she-Bear whose long-wish'd Prey Is faln at last into her hungry Paws She tears the sacred Lips and rends a Way Unto the reverend Tongue which our she draws And then with peevish Wounds and scornfull Jests Her Womanish Revenge on it she Feasts 168. But mark that Convoy of illustrious Light Which seems from this low World to make such haste The better part of John there takes its flight Unto a greater Kings than Herod's Feast That Goale his Body and this World were three Prisons to Him who now from all is free 169. The Patriarks and Prophets all gave way When they this greater Saint approaching saw Who now his blessed Harbour doth enjoy For those fierce Storms he grappled with below And sweetlier rests in Abrahams bosome then In the adulterous Kings the lustfull Queen 170. This is the Story which the Virgin Mother Hath round about thy Girdle made to live But mark this well my Psyche 't is that other Selected Jewell which thy Spouse did give To crown the rest and tie up all the story In one divine Epitomie of glory 171. Divided 'twixt amazement and delight The Virgin read the strange Embroyderie But when on that last Gem she fix'd her sight Immortall Joyes so swell'd her soul that she Runs over with delicious Teares and cries Come Phylax come gird me with Paradise 172. Content said He but then be sure to shrink And hugg your self alone within your selfe The Girdle's wonderous strait nor must you think That any supernumerary Pelf Can finde a room in this rich mansion where The outward Walls of solid Jewells are 173. This said before her self was well a ware He closely buckled it about her Heart Straight she complains Oh spare me Phylax spare My squeased soul least from her self she start O loose the Buckle if the time be come That I must die at least afford me roome 174. Must I be girt to death and not have space To fetch one parting sigh before I die O me whose sins have made my Spouse imbrace Me with imbroidered Tortures so that I The riddle of unhappy Maids must goe In travell with more than a Mothers Woe 175. And so shee did indeede Such matchlesse Throws And Pangs did sting her in her straitned Heart Till at the length she bringeth forth and shows Her wondering selfe the reason of her smart Whil'st from her labouring Breast she pressed sees A shapelesse Lump of foule Deformities 176. Imperfect Embryo's unformed Lust Pin-fethered Fancies and halfe-shap'd Desires Dim Dawns of Fondnesse doubtfull seeds of Rust Glimmering Embers of corruptive Fires Scarce something and yet more than Nothing was That mystick Chaos that dead-living Masse 177. O how tormenting is the Parturition Of tender souls when they unload themselves Of their blinde night-conceiv'd Bratts of perdition How doe the peevish and reluctant Elves Mad with their own birth viperously contend The labouring bowells of the Heart to rend 178. This makes Faint-hearted Mortalls oft preferre The sad Reversion of eternall Pain Before this Conflicts Pangs So they may hear A quiet Truce with all their sinnes maintain They are content though Hell must with their Grave Set ope its Mouth and Them as sure receive 179. Psyche deliver'd of that monstrous Birth Now findes her Girdle fit and easie grown Affording roome for all the Train of Mirth With which her Bosome now was over-flown She view'd the Newborn Thing and viewing smil'd Not out of love but hate unto the Childe 180. As one from blinde Cimmeria newly come Beyond his own ambition into Arabia's blessed Fields and finding room Both for his eyes and joyes doth wondering goe Over those spicely Paths and thinks that hee Doth now no lesse begin to live then see 181. So overjoyed she admired now The glorious Day new risen in her Breast Where carnall Clowds before would not allow A constant beam to dwell but over-cast Her so that labouring she had much adoe To spie her Heav'n and see which way to goe 182. For now her soul was clearer than the face Of faire Aurora wash'd in Eastern streams Unspotted Thoughts flock'd in to take their place In her pure Heart which now a Garden seemes Of Lilies planted on warm Bedds of Snow Through which Gods Spirit doth gales of Odours blow 183. All Sublunary Sweets she has forgot Nor thinks this bitter World can breed such things All Beauties to her Eye are but one Blot The Bees to her are nothing else but stings All Loves are Hate all Dalliance Vexation All Blandishments but Poyson in the Fashion 184. For by this Girdle she his Pris'ner is In whose alone she reads the Name of Love And in the Languishments of softest Blisse By dainty Torments doth her patience prove Crying at every sigh O Jesu when Shall I have liv'd this Death and Life begin 185. What further businesse have I here below With flesh and Blood whose joyes I relish not Who is the Conquerour of my Heart but thou And since thy love this Victory hath got Why must thy Captive not permitted be To wait on thy triumphant Coach and thee 186. Though for thy Royall Scorn I fitting be Yet why wilt thou thine own Choise disallow If I had still neglected been
shew you such a List Of Psyche's Powers as soon would coole our Haste 32. Alas how can wee force the Queen if she Deny to yeild when wee our battery make Is not the Palace and those Gates wee see All of immortall Metall We may break Our Engins and our Plots and Furie too And sooner than those Walls our selves undoe 33. A lingring Leaguer what can that effect Unlesse we hope at length to starve her out But she long since all Dainties did neglect With which the whole World had her Table fraught Her Prayers and her Heav'n her diet were And now she 's all alone she best doth fare 34. But as for Us who at the Siege must lie We fed with Hope of Victory must starve Before we get it For what will supply Us daily with Provision to serve So many Mouths which Psyche fill'd till now And if she be shut up so must they too 35. Besides who knows but some of her Allies Phylax or Charis or some such strong Friend May rush upon our backs and by surprise Both our Design and Us in pieces rend New is the Lesson in the Grove you read Can you forget how Aphrodisius sped 36. Nay you have heard of Heav'ns immortall Son In whose vast hand Omnipotence doth reign That Hand which when great Lucifer begun To let his Eyes but glimmer with disdain Tumbled him headlong into Death and Hell I tell you Friends this Christ loves Psyche well 37. We cannot be too carefull and for my Own part I judge the safest Way the best And this is by a present Embassie With humble Lies and Oaths and Glozings drest To cheat her from her strength So we may gain Our Ends and seem to scape Rebellions stain 38. But let a Vow of Perseverance first Seal Us all sure to our Conspiracy That by her selfe that Passion may be curst Afore-hand who shall false or fearfull be If one should chance to fail why may not two If two why may the Summe not higher goe 39. This said An eye of Doubt and Fear she cast Upon Agenor to observe how He Rellish'd her Words But soon she saw their Taste 〈◊〉 welcome in his palate Instantly I like her Counsell best He cries and You Shall strengthen your Adventure by this Vow 40. Thus shall my Might escape what I did Fear The vile Encounter with a Woman and My Pittie unto You no lesse declare Whil'st in your Front my Majesty doth stand And strike such Terror without any Blow Into your Queen that she shall yeild to you 41. Then calling for a Baçin and a Pin He prick'd his annular Finger and let fall Three Drops of Blood And what He did begin As solemnly reacted was by All The Company Which done again He takes The Baçin and three Elevations makes 42. And may that Blood which still remains behinde Be forc'd to follow these Three Drops He cri'd If ever I unbend my resolute Minde Or from this Wars stout Prosecution slide May this my present Poyson be and here He dipped his Tongue if now I falsely swear 43. Then sprinkling on the back of his Right Hand Another Drop This Martiall Mark said He Shall for a Badge and Memorandum stand Of our now sure and sacred Unity You see our Covenants Rites Now every One Doe what your willing Generall has done 44. Never did Health more cheerly walk its Round When lusty Wine and Mirth the Boule had fill'd Than did this bloody barbarous Baçin crown'd With Rage and Madness Their Rebellion seal'd Thus by this desperate Ceremony They To Psyche speed their Messenger away 45. And this was Love upon whose Tongue although Perpetuall Sleights and Fallacies did dwell Yet with industrious Deceptions now And studied Flatteries she her Mouth did sill She knew the Queen was wise and strong and would With common known Delusions not be fool'd 46. Thus to the Gate demurely come She tri'd It with a modest Knock and paus'd a while Then strok again a timorous Stroke to hide In this soft Preface her meek-insolent Guile The gentle Knock bad Psyche courage take To come and see what it would further speak 47. No sooner had she op'd a Casement and Reach'd out her doubtfull Head the News to know But she beheld where Love did trembling stand With weeping Eyes and with dejected Brow She lik'd the Posture yet demanded why She thither came a false and fawning Spie 48. Love by that Word warn'd to skrew up her Art Fell on her knees and three times smote her breast And Woe is Me she cri'd whose loyall Heart Can finde no milder Language from my best And dearest Prince What strange Mischance doth throw This Wrong on Me and that Mistake on You 49. If to repair to You in humblest Guise Who here immured d'well in Desolation If to discover where the Error lies Whose secret Venome breeds this Perturbation Of your whole Realm deserve the Name of Spie I well can bear this glorious Infamy 50. But if Misprision so doth cheat your Eyes That looking with a jealous Glance on Me They in my Count'nance read an Enemies I must beg leave to tell your Majesty For it concerns my Essence you forget Your Creature and take Love it selfe for Hate 51. Yet your Mistake shall make no change in Me Use your vast Power in any thing but this I still am Love and so resolve to be Nor fear that false and envious Witnesses Can swear Me from my selfe Heav'n cannot frame What I had rather be than what I am 52. Sure I with that right genuine Love which You Hugg next your Soule have some Affinity Can that brave Passion adulterate grow And stain its spotlesse selfe with Treacherie Can Odours stinking Honey bitter bee Silke harsh Down hard that thus you think of Me 53. O no dear Soveraign I am hither sent The soft Ambassadour of Peace to you Nor of my Office does it me repent What wrath so e're stands bent in your stern brow And though I know not what will hence ensue I to my native sweetness must be true 54. I see you thought you ' Company had bent Some treacherous Plot against your royall Head And is 't nor likely they would all consent Their own Life and Heart blood in yours to shed Madame beleeve 't Selfe 's not a dearer Name To noble You than to the worst of them 55. 'T is true a peice of Discontent has put Them in that posture of Defence But by Your Majestie I swear they brew no Plot But what becomes a Subjects Modesty If Mischeife their intention were what Charms Could dead their hands damp their glitt'ring Arms 56. If strong-embattel'd injur'd Patience be A Signe of Treason they are Traytors all But sure this loyall kinde of Treacherie Doth more for Thanks and Praise than Anger call O never be it said that you alone Could in Arm'd Mecknesse read Rebellion 57. By me their homage they present to you Beseeching that with it you would embrace Their humble
Beams Epitomize the Worlds estate of Gems 84. His sword look'd Lightning through its chrystall sheath Whose round Hiltits Victorious blade did crown But yet his Scepter did more terrout breath Such Majestie about it he had thrown The Ball in 's hand was swell'd to that Degree As if it meant indeed the World to be 85. At his right Hand stood Scorn turn'd was her Head Over her shoulder with contemptuous Eye Through a thick frowne her fullen mind she spred And seeing scorn'd to see the Company Nor did she mend or mollifie her Brow But when Agenor's growing rough she saw 86. At his left hand stood gaudie Philautie But dwelt more on a Chrystall Glass she held Eternally neer her admiring Eye In which her foolish self she read and smil'd On her faire lession though the brittle Glass Admonish'd her how vain her Beautie was 87. Before him on a golden Pillar at Whose foot a Laurell and a Palme did grow Upon the back of triumph glory sate Whose dazeling Robes did with more lustre flow Than breaks from Phebu's furniture when He Through Cancer rides in all June's gallantry 88. About Him round his whole Retinue was Dispos'd in royall equipage His owne Attendants had the credite of the place Which glittered neerest his illustrious Throne Then stood the Passions all admiring how This Sceen of Wonders could so quickly grow 89. Crafty Agenor having paus'd a while To give respect to his own State and let Psyche both bite and swallow down the Guile About which He so fair a Bait had put By soft and proud degrees vouchsaf'd to stirre And being risen thus accosted Her 90. Did Pitties generous and Soveraign Law All points of Ceremony not forbid Agenor must not have descended now To stand at Psyche's Gate But I am led Below my selfe by Virtue that my Might May help these wronged Passions to their right 91. 'T is Fortunes pleasure that casts me upon These mercifull Designs and I 'm content The Honor's Gain enough this Pay alone My Pains expect Indeed the common Rent By which my most renowned Self I keepe Are the Revenues I from Glory reap 92. And for these sillie Creatures sake who thought I had been but some single Errant Knight I let this glimpse of what I am break out To teach their Error my authentick Might Needs no supplies from them This Part of my Ne'r-conquer'd Train dares Heav'n and Earth defie 93. I was resolved by this Swords dread Flame To sacrifice you to my Wrath But now You are a Female thing I hold it shame To make my Conquests honor stoop so low I 'm loth the World should say Agenor drew His Sword and like a Man a Woman slew 94. In Womans blood my Weapon never yet Blush'd for its base Exploit nor will it now Begin its shame and a vile Victory get Unlesse enforc'd by Fortune Fate and You. But I forget my selfe through Courtesie Pretious are Princes Words and few should be 95. Love knew her Cue and stepping gently forth Great Queen said she I chosen am to be My suppliant Sisters Mouth And may this Earth Ope hers to close up mine if Falsitie Break from my lipps or any Fraud conceal What They and Truth and Justice bid me tell 96. What Heav'n has made Us 't is our Blisse to be And that 's your Subjects Though cross Error now A confident Blot throws on our Loyalty The lest of treacherous Thoughts We disavow Alas what would the Members gain if they Combine their Wit and Strength their Head to slay 97. Yet your wise Majesty full well doth know That as your Self a Free Prince are so We Are Free-born Subjects Nature does allow In our sweet Common-weal no Tyranny She knew this mutuall Freedome best would bless Both Prince and People with joint Happiness 98. But what broad Innovations rush'd of late Into our State justling out Liberty O that wee could not feel Had it been 〈◊〉 Which thrust on Us this boistrous Misery We had been silent But wee know what Hand Hath stoll n our Freedome and by whose Command 99. Nor I nor any of my Sisters were Suffer'd our Selves in quiet to possesse We could not Love nor Hate nor Hope nor Fear We could not Sorrow know nor Joyfulnesse Nor any thing that pleas'd not Them who had A Prey of all our Priviledges made 100. Surely wee had a legall Title to What ours by reverend Natures bounty was Yet snatch'd from thence wee must be press'd to goe And serve abroad we knew not where alas Nor e'r shall know for how should wee comprise Mysterious things and Matters of the Skies 101. Nor is this sad Case onely ours who are Inlanders here Your Subjects too abroad Who at your Cinque-ports with perpetuall care In gathering your royall Customes stood Are loaded with like Grievances and they Pray'd Us with our Complaints theirs to display 102. They have not leave poor leave to Hear or See Or Smell or Taste or Feele what is their own But chain'd up in unnaturall Slavery Of their starv d Lives and Selves are weary grown Yet this Griefe more than all their hearts doth break That their Religion too lies at the Stake 103. They must a new Devotion learn and be Tortur'd with Watchings Prayers and Prostrations With Ceremonies of pale Piety With Fastings and severe Mortifications And if this Superstition they refuse Some Mulct on the poor Confessors ensues 104. And by what Law must either They or We Under this Arbitrary Power lie Where is the Free-born Subjects Liberty Who have no power at all unlesse to Die And surely Death a greater Blessing were Than such a Life as We doe groan in here 105. Mistake not gracious Soveraign what I speak As if I charg'd the guilt of these our Woes Upon your Soule My heart-strings first should crack With their own Torments loud e'r I would loose My Tongue in such a slaunder you alas May with your Subjects for a Sufferer passe 106. A Sufferer in that which nearest lies And dearest unto every Princes Heart Your royall Honor in our Miseries Is rack'd and tortur'd and torn part from part Ask not by Whom but recollect who were They whose bold Charms in Court did domineer 107. Logos that wiley Fox Was never well But when on you and Us he made a prey Some hansome Tale or other He would tell Whereby to your Mistake He might betray Your unheard Subjects From your Highness thus He stole your Eare onr Liberty from Us. 108. His Majors Minors Maxims Demonstrations With most profound Deceit He gravely drest And by these sage and reverend Conjurations Pour'd Cruelty into your Gentle Breast And made you count his Plots good sober Reason Which in the Passions must have gone for Treason 109. Hence issued those Commands which day by day Illegall Burdens on our Backs did heap And to this sad Necessity betray Our loth Soules that they could no longer sleep In patient Silence Though all Warrants came From his fell Hand
they wore your gentle Name 110. Some woefull Comfort it had been if We Had to one single Tyranny been damn'd But We at Home in forrein slavery Were held A Grievance we would not have nam'd In reverence to your Credit could the thing Have easie grown by our long suffering 111. What is that Charis unto Us that she In our Free State such arrogant sway must bear Or what made you so weak a Prince that We Must be Commanded by a Forreiner We grant She 's brave and Princely Yet wee know We owe Allegiance to no Queen but You. 112. She came from Heav'n if wee her Word may take But what woo'd Her from such a place as that To dwell in this ignoble World and make Her high Selfe stoop unto she knew not what I would be loth to wrong Her Yet I fear There 's something in 't why Heav'n gatrid of Her 113. And being here what-was the Trade she drove But how to barbarize your gentle Breast With strange Austerity and to remove Us from your love with which We once were blest Your smiles she all monopoliz'd and left Us quit of all things but your Hate bereft 114. If this Devotion be and heav'nly Zeal What is Unnaturalnesse Alas that We None but destructive Piety must feel And by Religion consumed be Alas that Heav'n and Godliness must thus Be forc'd to suffer injury with Us 115. Nor is proud Phylax one who with less Art Hath conzen'd you into this Tyrannie Soft are his Wings but cruell is his Heart Sweets in his Looks Gall in his Thoughts doth lie Fair does He speak you but the bait is cheap His streams run smoothest where the chanell's deep 116. Were you a Youngling and devoid of Friends Whose riper Arms might help your tender Hand To sway the Scepter then what he pretends With tolerable Sense perhaps might stand But must your Nonage still goe on and He For evermore the Lord Protector be 117. Now by your honour mighty queen 't is time For you no more to think your self a Childe Know your own power and loose it not in Him Who has your credulous Love too long beguil'd 'T is no discredite for a Prince to throw Away an Error and with it a Foe 118. Your Confidence in Him which flames so high Was kindled by his service in the Grove Yet what if that were but a Mysterie Of deep deceir and no exploit of Love If Phylax and not Aphrodisius were In all that Sceen of Charms the Conjurer 119. Who but the noble Aphrodisius there Bravely forgetfull of his own life from Immediate Death wide-gaping in the Boar Your helpless soul did reskew And from whom Did Phylax 〈◊〉 you but from his Imbrace Who your deliverer and your Lover was 120. And then enrag'd With shameless spight to see You to another your protection owe Upon the courteous strasngers Piety The powers of magick Malice He did throw How much more Monster was you Phylax there Who made the goodly Knight so foule appeare 121. Yet well it were if he would onely trie His Charms on Aphrodisius and for bear To exercise on Us his Witcherie But We alas so Metamorphoz'd are With that Rough-cast of shapes He on Us cleaves That you in your owne Subjects He deceives 122. We seem like Fiends for Rebells sure are so And monstrous things in your abused Eye Although ev'n Phylax in his Heart doth know Our Lives are not so deare as Loyaltie To honest-meaning Us And whose was this Desperate Enchantment if it were not his 123. 'T is true He talks of Love and needs will be The Paranymphus of the heav'nly spouse But surely I should ken as well as He All Mysteries of Love The whole world knows That my Creation onely aims at this And is my naturall Art less mine than His 124. That the Etheriall Prince makes love to you As to the dearest she that treads his Earth I easily grant because so well I know Your Majesties incomparable Worth But Heav'n forbid that I should Him esteeme So strange a Spouse as Phylax maketh Him 125. Sure He is King of sweetnesse and Delight And with more zeal abhorrs all Tyrannie Than Phylax loves it Sure his gentle Might Strives for a correspondent Victorie Not all the world shall make Me think that He Will ever wooe his Spuose by Crueltie 126. Lents Embers Vigils Groans Humi-cubations Tears Pensiveness disconsolate Privacie Severest Arts of all Mortifications Are not conditions required by An earthlie Suiter and can Heavn'ly He Imbitter thus his deare Suits Suavitie 127. Can He expect his tender spouse should prove Her Loyaltie pants with intire affection By nothing but self-hatred can his Love Finde no Security but your Destruction Pardon my fear great Queen you love not Him Whom such a spightfull Lover you can deeme 128. But farr be all such Omens hence Had I Or Nature any Glass which could present Your totall self to your considering Eye The gallant sight would make your heart repent This dangerous Heresie that Heav'ns gentle King Would use so harshly such a lovely thing 129. What is there of Delight of Love of Joy Of Grace of Beautie in this World below Or that above which did escape a way From the Creator's fingers when on you Himself he wrote and bade your Bosome be The Vniverse's rich Epitomie 130. But Phylax brews this cruell-flattering Plot Because it is his Rack and Hell to see That Fate or Fortune Psyche should allot To any Spouse but Him This makes Him be So subtly active in his secret Art How he may you and your great Suiter part 131. O then first for your own illustrious sake And next for Us wrapp'd up in you beware Of his Designs in time Just courage 〈◊〉 In what deserves your speediest stoutest Care Nor you nor We can be secure winle He Both from your Court and Favour 〈◊〉 be 132. Nor can your Palace be a dwelling Place For safety so long as Logos or Charis thus revell in your Princely Grace One Edict may 〈◊〉 them all and farr From this their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Treachery Pack them to that foule place where Trayters lie 133. So shall your royall self securely dwell And your 〈◊〉 undeceived Hand Sway its own Scepter So shall We dispell By prest obedience unto your Command That caus lesse Error which upon our Head The foule Blot or Rebellion hath spred 134. So shall our reskew'd Liberries appear In their own Looks So We by Love shall doe More of your Will than disingenuous Fear And lawlesse 〈◊〉 e'r hal'd Us to So you no more shall mark'd and dreaded be For Rigor but reign Queen of Clemencie 135. So shall your sweetned Countenance proclaim That you Lov 's dear Adventure doe profess So shall you court with your Eys answering Flame Your Spouse's beams So shall His Tendernesse A soft capacity find in your Heart Of his destroying yet enlivening Dart. 136. Here bowing low Love sealed up her Lip With a Kisse on the
rebuk'd her so That straight she stagger'd back again and cri'd Remembring how she them disdain'd which now Fairer then all Agenors Pomp did show 93. At length she came and with a dolefull Voice Give leave she said my genuine Furniture That once again I make my prudent choice Which henceforth shall for ever more endure Or if again I scorn your Poverty From Hells soule Wardrobe may I clothed be 94. Come trusty Hair-cloths you did never yet Foole me out of my selfe by garish Pride Come honest Rope thou never yet didst let Ambition blister me but gird'st my side Close to my heart and left'st no Room between For puffing strutting Thoughts to harbour in 95. So now I 'm drest indeed How shamelesly Have I all naked wander'd up and down No Nakednesse to that in Heav'ns pure Eye With which Sin clotheth Us Thus over-grown With Leprosie the Man more naked is Then when bare Nothing but his Skin was His. 96. Yet can it be that jealous Heav'n and You O my provoked Friends should not be just What priviledge have Rebellious I that now Vengance should sheath it s dared Lightning Must Your Patience from my Crime its copie write That both may equally be Infinite 97. It must said Charis and be sure to pay Thy Spouse due thanks for this Necessity Yet if henceforth thou needs wilt run astray Know that his Soul is not so seal'd to thee But he can finde out some more faithfull Breast Which will his Loves dear Violence not resist 98. She thus reform'd into her lowly Tire Charis and Phylax gently her imbrace Kissing into her Soul fresh Joyes of Fire And Printing gratious Looks upon her Face Then sitting down together Listen well Said Phylax unto what I now shall tell 99. The Story Psyche bends its aime at thee But I will fetch it from its bottom that Thou may'st a long and totall Prospect see Of thy Extraction and originall State That Sight will teach thee that these simple Weeds Are full as fine and gorgeous as needs 100. Especially when I withall have shown Thee by the boundlesse Powers which flourish in Thy Spouse's Hand and Word how far thine own Condition flaggs below his Worth how mean A Match thou art for Him who nothing hast In dowry but vile Vanity and Dust. 101. All things at first was God who dwelt alone Within his boundless Selfe But bounteous He Conceiv'd the form of the Creation That other things by Him might Happie be A way to ease its Streams his Goodnesse sought And at the last into a World burst out 102. This World at first ' was but one single step From simple Nothing yet that step was wide No power but His or could or yet can leap Over from Nothing 's Bank to Something 's Side The East and West are one the Poles doe kisse If you their Distances compare with this 103. This Something Son of Nothing wallowing lay In the vast Womb of its own Darksome Deep The foulest Monster never frighted Day With such wilde Shapes as struggled in this Heap Nor Hydra's Heads so snarl'd at one another As every Parcell quarrell'd with its Brother 104. The Deep climb'd up and tumbled down the Height And then fell headlong after it again Lightnesse was busie and forc'd lazie Weight To change his Quarters and above remain The rude Tempestuous Windes blew all together And fill'd the World at once with every Weather 105. Heat about place could not with Cold agree This strove to frieze its Foe and that to frie. The Centre in the Bottom scorn'd to be And forced Earth full in Heav'ns face to flie Winter took heat and breaking ope its way December flung into the heart of May. 106. The Ocean storm'd and would no Shore allow But swallow'd up the Sands and rushing out Whil'st all things else were quarrelling did throw Her billowie Arms the Universe about Which in this civill Deluge drown'd had been Had not the kinde Creators Help come in 107. Forth flew th' Eternall Dove and tenderly Over the Floods blinde Tumult hovering Did secret Seeds of vitall Warmth supply By the sweet Virtue of his Soveraign Wing Much like the loving Hen whose brooding Care Doth hatch her Eggs and them for life prepare 108. When loe a Voice this was that supream Word Which you and wee and all the World adore Broke from the Fathers Mouth with joint Accord Of th' undivided Three and down did poure It selfe upon the Deep commanding Light To cheer that universall face of Night 109. As when the gloomy Cloud in sunder parts The nimble Lightning through the World doth haste So from this Masse of Darknesse thousand Darts Of orient Beams themselves about did cast With ready splendor answering that Call Which summon'd them to gild this groping Ball. 110. The Shade's affrighted at the Looks of Light Sneak'd to blinde holes their shamed heads to hide God pitti'd them and hastning on their flight Gave them safe Lodging in the Worlds back-side There slept dull Night but Day was brave and bold And in the face of God displaid its Gold 111. The next Command call'd for the Firmament To part the Waters which unruly grew Straight in the midst of them a Bow was bent Of solid Substance and of Chrystall Hue Pure are the Streams which on Heav'ns Back do flow Those gross dull whose Weight sinks them below 112. And they the third Day all collected were Into the spatious Bosom of the Sea The Earth rejoic'd it had leave to appear And looked up with brisk Aridity Lifting her Mountains high with comely Pride Which now contemn'd the Water's proudest 〈◊〉 113. But being naked and not knowing whence To cloth her selfe God her Apparrell made He spake and straight a flowrie Confluence Her plains and Valleys with fragrant Robes array'd And trimm'd the Heads of all her Hills with Trees Earth's native Plumes and stateliest Braveries 114. The next Day on the Heav'n was spent which yet Was like a Virgin-Scroll spread fair and wide But with no Characters of Beauty writ Till God's great Word engrav'd its radiant Pride But then the royall Sun came smiling forth Inamouring the whole World at his Birth 115. Light which till now had flitted here and there On the weak back of an ignoble Cloud No sooner saw his gallant Face appear But in his bosome she desir'd to shrowd He courteous was and to her wished Throne Receiv'd her glorious Ambition 116. But being bounteous too as He espi'd The bashfull Spangles peeping every where He freely dealt his Lustre far and wide The Moon reach'd forth her Horns and caught her share So did the Starrs and now all Heav'n grew fine When He alone or when all they did shine 117. The Houres before his foot came louting low Begging a Room in his bright Family And so did cheerly Day devoted now With him to wake and sleep to live and dy But shame-fac'd conscious Night durst not draw neer And so she fell to spotted Luna's share 118.
Then gorgeous Summer came and spred his way With Gales of gentle Aire and Clouds of Spice Whil'st jolly Flora in her best array As prodigall is of her Varieties But plainer Winter did more distance keep And farre behinde his burning Chariot creep 119. The Sea however surly the first Day No sooner heard her great Creator speak But her Rebellious Waves she flat did lay And op'd her mighty Womb from whence did break The Winged Nation all Pair by Pair The Musicall Inhabitants of Aire 120. The other Germane Brood whose moister Wings Abhor the drying Windes she kept at home Where through the Deeps they flie strange-shaped things Which though brought forth live in their Mothers womb A womb of wonders whose dimensions can Afford a full flight to Leviathan 121. Leviathan whose smoking Nostrills blow The Sea of Fire which from his Mouth doth break Whose dreadfull sneesings by their flashes show The brazen Scales which seal his mighty Back Whose Beacons dare out-face the Mornings Eyes Whose Heart in hardness with the Milstone vies 122. Leviathan who laughs at Him that shakes The bug-bear Spear and 〈◊〉 the idle Stone Who steely Darts for wretched Stubble takes Who to the Iron sayes Vain Straw be gone Who makes the boiling Sea answer his Wrath Who where he goes plows up his hoary Path. 123. He at whose dismall generation Fear Fled far away and nothing left behinde But Might and Boldnesse which compounded were Into the Mettall of the Monsters Minde He who exalted in his thoughts doth ride The Soveraign Prince of all the Sonnes of Pride 124. But now the Sixt Day dawn'd and Tellus is Commanded to bring forth her People too She heard the Voice and with strange Activenesse Bids Beasts and Reptiles with her answer goe They started up and cri'd Loe We are heer Before the Words sound left their Mothers eare 125. Hast thou not seen the gallant Horse whose Eye Is fed with living Lightning whose high Neck Is cloth'd with mighty Thunders Majesty Whose glorious Nostrills Terrors language speak Who never would beleeve the Trumpets sound But with proud nerceness swallows up the Ground 126. Who with Impatience doth the Valleyes paw When he hath smelt the Battell from afarre Who mocks the Sword and brave disdain doth throw Upon the Quver and the glittering Spear Who both the Trumpet 's and the Souldier's shout With his more martiall Ha ha doth flout 127. Hast thou not seen Behemoth that vast Mount Of flesh and bone that Earths Leviathan Whose monstrous Thirst though many a living Fount And River it hath slain still trusts it can Through the profounder Channell of his throat All Jordan ev'n in time of harvest shoot 128. Whose Navell is a Knot of Power whose Loins The Mansion of Strength whose massie Bones Which to their sockets steely Grissells joyn Are Brasse the lesse the greater Iron ones Who mounts his mighty Tail so high that He Seems like the Hill that like the Cedar Tree 129. These goodly Creatures and ten thousand more Some great some small did Tellus then bring forth But who shall now reign Prince of all this Store And of the Oceans more numerous Birth This was so high a bus'nesse that the great Creator will for it in Counsell sit 130. A Place there is retired far and high In the bright Tower of eternall Rest Roof'd pav'd and walled with Immenfitie In at whose Door no Creature ever past Th' Infinite Three there by joint Consultation Determine of the Work and of the Fashion 131. Then stepping down to Earth this Triple One Takes up the next Dust that lay at his feet Which he compacts and moulds and frames so soon That the quick shape did rather seem to meet His Hand than follow it and every Part As wak'd by 's touch up from the Dust to start 132. Then round about the Universe He reach'd His mighty Arm and cull'd from every Thing The choicest Excellence what had inrich'd Their Severall Tribes to trim their breeding King That they more willingly might Him obey In whom their own and the Worlds Treasures lay 133. Fair was the Image For its form was true To that brave Modell which th' Eternall Son Had for himselfe design'd And that which drew Him to this Work was that Design alone All things but wait upon this Mystery The World was made that God a Max might be 134. As yet this hopefull Fabrick was no more Than a meer Statue fair but cold and dead When loe the kinde Creators Breath did pour Lifes Flood into its Nostrills whence it spred By the Veins Channells into every Part But chose its Manour-house amid'st the Heart 135. That Breath immortall was as flowing from His Bosome whom Eternity calls Sirc And kindled by its Blast so pure a Flame As shall out-live Heav'ns stoutest fairest Fire 'T is not the Crack and Ruine of the lesse Or greater World that can the Soul suppresse 136. Thus Adam op'd his Eyes by which such beams Of inbred Majesty did look abroad That now again the portly Creature seems The royall Image of his mighty God Heav'ns Soveraignty doth shine in God and who But Man looks like the King of all below 137. Nor are his Looks in vain For in his Hand Are put the Reins of Air of Earth of Sea And under his imperiall Command All kindes of Birds of Beasts of Fishes be Which though you now so boistrous see and wilde Before their King at first were tame and milde 138. This Prince of the inferiour World thus made God founds a Pallace where He might reside When all the Earth his Eye examin'd had A dainty place which in the East he spi'd Wonne his best liking where he builds the Seat Of his new Viceroy delicate and great 139. It was a Garden if that Name can speak The Worth of those illustrious Sweets which there A brisk Conspiracy of Joyes did make To prove Heav'n dwelt not in the starry Sphear The Earth look'd poor in all her other Soil Whose Meannesse serv'd but for this Jewells foile 140. No Weed presum'd to show its roytish face In this Inclosure Nettles Thistles Brakes Thorns Bryars Cockle Hemlock rampant Grasse With all those Herbs the meager Wizard rakes Into his deadly Boxes either yet Were not at all or far from Eden set 141. The Yew the Box the Cypress and the other Trees which to Funeralls consecrated be Had there no bus'nesse Nor Death nor her Mother Being as yet conceiv'd No crook-back'd Tree Disgrac'd the place no foolish scrambling Shrub No wilde and careless Bush no clownish Stub 142. Rude Boreas and his Winter did forbear To walk this way so did Distempers Cares Perplexities Sighs Melancholy Fear Doubts Jealousies Seditions Treasons Wars Storms Thunders Lightnings Earthquaks Ruptures Streins Wounds Boils Diseases inward outward Pains 143. For on the Gardens Margin ran a Wall High built with Beauty which begirt it round Delight stood at the Gate and let in all Things like her selfe But whensoe'r she found A
with every Lock Which when th' inamor'd winds did kiss you might Have seen a ruffling Tempest of Delight 196. Two princely Arches of most equall measures Held up the Canopy above her Eyes And open'd to the Heav'ns farre richer Treasures Than with their Stars or with their Sunne did rise Their Beams can ravish but the Bodies sight These dazell stoutest Soules with mystick light 197. These were two Garrisons of all conquering Love Two Founts of life of Spirit of Joy of Grace Two Easts of one faire Heav'n no more above But in the Hemisphear of her own face Two Thrones of Gallantry two shops of Miracles Two shrines of Dieties two silent Oracles 198. For here could Silence eloquently plead Here could th' invisible Soule be clearly read Though Humors their mild composition made They were two Burning Glasses wherce were shed Those living Flames which with enlivening Darts Shoot Deaths of Love into Spectators Hearts 199. 'Twixt these an Alabaster Promontory Slop'd gently down parting each Cheek from other Where White Red strove which should get the glory Blending in sweet confusion together The Rose and Lilie never joyned were In a diviner Marriage than there 200. Upon these pretious Cushionets did lie Ten thousand Beauties and as many Smiles Chaste Blandishments and genuine Courtesie Harmlesse Temptations and honest Guiles For Heav'n though up betimes the mayd to deck Ne'r made Aurora's cheeks so fair and sleek 201. Neatnesse and Pleasure and inamoring Grace About her Mouth in full Retinue stood For next the Eyes bright Glass this is the place In which the Soul delights to walk abroad But at her lips two scarlet Threds there lay Or two warm Coralls to adorn the way 202. The pretious Way where by her Breath and Tongue Her Odours and her Honey out did flow Which thou 'dst have judg'd to have been bred among Arabian and Hyblean Hills and so They were indeed the richer Arabie And sweeter Hybla in her Mouth did lie 203. As crowned with a golden Chapiter A Column of white Marble you have seen So her round polish'd Neck her Head did bear Nor did the shining Pillar bend or lean Yet neither would this Marble hardnesse know Nor suffer Cold to dwell amongst its Snow 204. Her blessed Bosom moderately rose With two soft Mounts of Lilies whose fair Top Two Cherrie Branches for their Station chose And there their living Crimson lifted up The milkie Count'nance of the Hills confest What kinde of Springs within had made their Nest. 205. Fair Politure walk'd all her Body over And Symmetrie flew through every Part Soft and white Sweetnesse round about did hover From every Member Beautie shot its dart From Heav'n to Earth from head to foot I mean No sign of Blemish or of Spot was seen 206. This was the first born Queen of Gallantry All Gems compounded into one rich Stone All Sweets knit into one Conspiracy A Constellation of all Stars in one Who when she was presented to the view Of Paradise the Place all dazeled grew 207. Proud Phebus who in glorious Scorn did flie About the World no sooner spi'd her face But fain he would have lingred from his skie Upon this lesse but sweeter Heav'n to gaze Till shame enforc'd him to lash on again And clearer wash him in the Western Main 208. The Aire smil'd round about for joy that he Had the prerogative of the Virgin kiss And did imbrace with blessed Liberty A Body soft and sweet and chaste as His. All gentle Gales that had but strength to stir Did thither flock to beg perfumes of Her 209. The Marigold forgot her garish Love And turn'd her duty to these fairer Eyes All Flowres look'd up and as they could did move Towards those ocular Sphears from whence did rise Milde and unparching Beams Beams which in stead Of fire soft joyes irradiations spred 210. The sturdiest rudest Trees affected were With her delightfull Presence and did melt At their hard Pith Whil'st all the Birds which there Were tossing Mirth about the Branches felt The influence of her Looks For having let Their Song fall down their Eyes on Her they set 211. And ô how soon their proudest plumes and wings Follow'd their song For in Her Person they With fix'd intention read more glorious things Than all their feathers Bravery could display And were content no more the Name to wear Of Birds of Paradise while she was there 212. But when she mov'd her Feet the joyfull Earth A wak'd her uttermost Fertility And by a brisk extemporary Birth Of Myrrh of Flowres of Spice did testifie What Carpets Pomp was requisite to make The Passage fit where Beauty was to walk 213. She walk'd by that milde importunity To break the Chains of sleep which bound her Spouse But he wakes more by pow'rfull Sympathie Which on the sudden in his Bosome glows At first he thought his Dream had still possest him And with a fairer apparition blest him 214. But by his wise and most discerning Eyes Examining the gracefull Object He Pries into all the Truth and smiling cries This nothing but my other Selfe can be From Me she sprung a Woman from a Man And is but Adam in reflection 215. How sweet a Confluence of Loves and Joyes Met heer in their first Marriage Imbrace Which was as pure and chaste as when one Voice In Musick 's wedded to anothers Grace Where with concentrick Delicacies they Hug and conspire in one soul-plying Lay. 216. Adam beholds himselfe more sweet in Eve In Him She reads her selfe more high and grave Either from other does Themselves receive As fast returning what they taking gave Thus when two Currents meet they loose each other In the pellucid bosome of his brother 217. They naked were if onely skinnes and haires And excrements of Beasts Apparrell be But who will taxe the Sunne the Moone the Starres The Diamond Chrystall Corall Ivorie Of Nakednesse because the Clothes they weare None but their native Beams and Beauties are 218. A Robe of Innocence and Puritie Down from their Head unto their foot did flow Transmitting their faire feature to the Eye But letting no unseemely shame peepe through They Naked were of every borrow'd Dresse And Naked of what you count Nakednesse 219. In this Condition did they live and love And each with other enterchange their Heart Fairly transcribing our sweet Life above Where every Angels Eye his soule doth dart Into his Fellows breast that all may be In common blest by one Felicitie 220. How great a Feast and earnest Invitation Was this for Envie whose ambitious Tooth Disdains all fare but in the noblest fashion Who arm'd with Jaws of greedy Iron doth Dread no encounter but with restlesse spight Against the most confirmed Champions fight 221. Built is her Pallace in the Heart of Hell Whose foule Materials Rust and Poyson be Her cursed Throne is mounted on the fell Bosome of Belzebub whom furious She Stings with eternall Rage and makes Him runne About the wilde Worke of
Damnation 222. To Paradise He came and brought his Hell Into the earthly Heav'n where looking round To view the Colonies which there did dwell A Creature spruce and delicate He found Upon a Bank of flowrie Pleasures spread But farre more sweet and beauteous then its bed 223. It was the Serpent whose illustrious skin Plaid with the Sunne and sent Him back his Beams With glorious Use that Wealth which glisters in The bosome of the Orientall Streams Salutes Aurora's Cheek with fewer Rays Then this bright Robe in all Heaven's face displays 224. His sharpest Eyes sparkled with nimble flames The light by which his active Soule was read Wisedome and Art with all their plots and frames Made their close Nest in his judicious Head Above his Fellows on Crafts Wings he flew All Beasts but He to that dull Name were true 225. This Agent Belzebub approv'd and as He fed upon his Couch mix'd with his Meat And in that ambush through his lips did pass Where having taught his Bane to rellish sweet He easily wonne the passage through his Throat And thence by stealth into his Heart he got 226. As when the Fire hath through the Cauldrons side Into its unsuspecting bowells stollen The Liquor frets and fumes and to a Tide Of working Wrath and hot impatience swollen With boiling Surges beats the Brass and leaves No way untr'd to vent its tortur'd Waves 227. So now the Serpent felt his Bosome swell With peevish Rage and desperate Disdain A thousand Plots and fallacies did fill The busie Corners of his belking Brain Sometimes he beats on that sometimes on this Sometimes thinks neither sometimes both amisse 228. He knew the vastnesse of his fell Designe Which was to slay a World at one dread Stroke And reach Destruction in a poisoned Line Unto the latest Twigg of Humane Stock And therefore muster'd up the utmost Might All Hell could send to back Him in the fight 229. But pondering then how Adams sober Breast With Wisdoms Ammunition furnish'd was And strongly fortifi'd with all the best Of sin-defying Piety and Grace He shak'd his head and thought the Match not even To venture on a fight with Him and Heav'n 230. For if he hapned to be foild at first His following Onsets all would sweat in vain And his own poysnous Spight his Breast would burst To see how Adam and his Race should reign Safe and free Kings of earthly Paradise And flourish thence to that above the skies 231. Yet wholly to decline the Conflict were To let Man win those Realms without a Blow And freely to permit what he did fear Perchance might be by his own Overthrow To a resolved Fight this spurr'd him on Who could loose Nothing though he Nothing won 232. He wisely had observ'd soft-temper'd Eve And yet he fear'd the Mettall of her Breast Would prove so generous that to Deceive Would be an easier Task then to Contest And could she any way be overthrown He hop'd her Fall would justle Adam down 233. Remembring then what Engin did subdue A wiser Head and stronger far than she And how impatient Ambition threw Grand Lucifer from Heav'ns Sublimity He trusts that now the like successefull End Will on this tried way of fight attend 234. Advised thus the mighty Quintessence Of venturous ever-swelling Philautie Of Discontent of Scorn of Insolence Of towring Fancies of Self-flattery And of the stoutest Heav'n-aspiring Pride Together in one desperate Plot He ti'd 235. And if this will not doe the feat yet I Excused am said He and upon Hell Be the foule shame whose feeble Princes by The shock of this Temptation headlong fell This said He towards Eve did gently glide Whom straying from her Husband He espi'd 236. Unhappy Error that which did invite The jealous Tempter to be bold since she Had robb'd her selfe of all her Spouses Might By starting from his holy Company But all the way the cunning Serpent went He put on Looks of contrary Intent 237. For Love and Friendship smiled in his Eyes Upon his Face sate Tendernesse and Care Thrice did he bow his flattering Neck and thrice His silent Homage he presented her And then Fair Queen of Paradise said hee Why must the Prince be bound and Subjects free 238. We crop our Pleasures wheresoe'r We please From any flowrie any spicie bed We pluck our dinner from the dangling Trees And all the Garden doth our Table spread But royall You and Adam nothing eat Have your own Wills or God this order set 239. Nay courteous Serpent Eve replied We Have large Commission and our God is kinde He gives Us leave to feast on every Tree And with all Paradise to please our Minde Bating that one of Knowledge on whose Boughs Inevitable Death He tells Us grows 240. O credulous Queen the Serpent answers who Make your own prejudice by beleeving it What has a fatall Tree of Death to doe Just at whose Elbow one of Life is set I to your selfe appeal Judge you but whether These two can grow like such good Friends together 241. Death in a Tree Flat contradiction lies In the bare Word How can Death be alive Sure Vegetation very ill complies With saplesse Stupor O doe not deceive Your Thoughts nor teach the Tree of 〈◊〉 how To turn a Tree of Ignorance to you 242. Observe its goodly Apples can you read In their fair cheeks the ghastly Looks of Death Doe any Boughs in all this Garden breed A Fruit which more of Heav'ns sweet Count'nance hath Yet grant it Poyson prove Behold at hand The Tree ofLife for Antidote doth stand 243. Ask Me not whether Truth can tell a Lie Vaine were the Question for your God is True And yet it seems by a deep Fallacie Of enigmatick Truth He cheateth You Indeed the Tree bears Death but Death which will Nothing but Wants and imperfections kill 244. A Death of Life which will destroy You so That you no longer Creatures shall remain But by this Metamorphosis shall grow Above your selves and into Gods be slaine With Eys divine discerning Good from Evill From Heav'n Hell and an Angell from a Devill 245. Full well did God know this and 't is no Wonder If He desires to reigne a God alone And so He may if he can keep You under By the poor Rein of one Injunction If by an Apple thus He terrifies The native Princes of fair Paradise 246. O how it stings my Soul to think that You My Soveraign should thus faint-hearted be For my part did ten thousand Mandates grow Thick in my Way to barre Me from this Tree Through all I 'd break And so would You if once Your Heart were fir'd by my Experience 247. For yesterday when I began to taste The sprightfull Fruit Flames kindled in mine Eyes My Soul a wak'd and from my Bosome chas't Those Mists of Ignorance whose thick Disguise Muffled my thoughts and kept me down a Beast As dark and dull as any of the rest 248. But now Serenity walks
her hardest travell come O who can tell the Pangs by which she was Tortur'd and torn when her unhappy Womb It self unloaded for the Curse was sure Nor could those Torments ever find a Cure 275. In sin conceiving she brought forth in pain And with Pollution dy'd her Progenie Through all Successions her anneiled stain Did propagate its own Deformitie And all her Heirs bind in an Obligation Of Death and what is deadlier Damnation 276. Besides the peevish and importunate 〈◊〉 Of restless Kicking at Heav'ns gentle Law It s fretfull Taint did in proud Triumph stretch Through the whole Current of her Blood which now In humane veins so madly boyls and flames That kindled at the fire of Hell it seems 277. Thus when black Venome has into the Spring Infused Death the Streams which from it runne How farre so e'r they travell still they bring Along with them that first Contagion The furthest Drop knows not how to escape The reach of that Originall Mishap 278. Your Souls I grant rise not from that foul Spring Nor did they ever swimme in Adams veins Yet is the Body so unclean a thing That strait it doth communicate its Stains Nor can the soul be pure which married is To so contagious a Spouse as this 279. Yet call not God unjust who doth commit So fair a Gemme unto so foul a Case Thereby infallibly engaging it To be as black and cursed as its Place O no He still is kind and knows a way Through Wrath and Judgement Mercy to display 280. No Plot of Satans spight shall undermine Or make a breach in the Creations frame Nature shall still proceed and Heav'ns Designe Of Mans felicitie persist the same God-like it is indeed Fates Scales to turne And make them Blest who to a Curse were born 281. Whilst God makes pure Souls dive into this stream Of Blackness gratious He contriveth how To wash and cleanse and re-imbellish them Till they unto such pow'rfull Beautie grow That sweetly on their Bodies they can be Reveng'd infecting them with Puritie 282. Such purging Might in Jesus Blood there flows That from the face of its least Drop doe flie This Stain which at the Root of Mankind grows And all those Blots which on the Branches lie And this dear Fountain in Decree was broach'd Long e'r the Soul by any Taint was touch'd 283. They who desire 't may here refined be Into a Claritude becomming that High Paradise of whose felicitie Edens was onely the faint Shaddow But They who scorn such Bliss would themselves have thrown To Hell though Eve had never help'd them down 284. And tell me Psyche what thou thinkest now Of thy Extraction which from wretched Dust The Scumm of Earth and game of Winds doth flow What of thy rotten Kindred since thou must Corruption for thy Mother own and call Each Worm thy Sister that in mire doth crawl 285. Yet Worms are ly'ble to one onely Death A Death which quickly will it selfe destroy But thy Composure in its bosome hath A Living Poyson that may finde a way To kill thee with surviving Death by which Thy torture to Eternity shall reach 286. Think well on this and if thou canst be proud Who by the Pride of thy first Parents art With this destructive Portion endow'd And from thy Birth betroth'd to endlesse Smart Think what vast distance lies 'twixt worthlesse thee And the Almighty King of Majesty PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO VII The Great Little One. ARGUMENT THe Angell convoys Psyche to the Sceen Of Mercies grand Exploits to shew Her what Dear Care Heav'n took to wash her bosome clean From the foule shame of every sinfull Blot Betimes he 'gins and from the morning Glory Of Loves bright Birth lights in the blessed Story 1. ILlustrious Spirits of Fire who e'r you be This Lesson will be no discredit to Your towring Flames nor must Heroick Yee To Schoole to Psyche's Legend scorn to goe Such Sparks as you for all your glittering be In your Originall as dim as she 2. As other Fires at length to Ashes grow So must brave Yee Yet they were lighted from Some generous bright Originall but you And your Extraction did from Ashes come Whether forward you or backward turn your eye Your Bounds are Vilenesse Shame and Miserie 3. Examine Alexanders Monument Or Helens Tombe and marke what there does lie Or if your Nostrills dread the banefull sent Of their in-vain-embalmed Majesty Trust that strong Proof which bidds you sadly think That you though great and fair must end in stink 4. But trust not Pride whose tumid Treachery Did to that Rottennesse all the World betray No Poyson yet did ever swell so high Or to such certain Death prepare the way Steep headlong Danger on the Mountains reigns Let them who safe would walk walk on the Plains 5. Plain are the Walks of mild Humility And know no Precipice but planted are With sweet Content with pious Privacie With cheerfull Hope and with securing Fear An Humble Soule which always dwells below Prevents that Ruine which on Hills doth grow 6. The Tempest's aim is at those lofty Things Which rise against it and its strength defie This to the Pines and Oaks Destruction brings Whilst modest Shrubbs beneath in peace doe lie Thus come proud Rocks to rue the angry Wind Which to the humble Vales is alway kinde 7. Humility is provident and acquaints Aforehand with her Ashes which she knowes Must be her End She in no flattering Paints Her sober Judgment and her self will loose She dies betimes how long so e'r she lives And Death but as a long known Freind receives 8. She huggs her Herse and does her Grave imbrace And pants and longs her finall Ev'n to see When in that cool and undisturbed Place Her weary Head to rest may setled be Assured of a Friend whose Care hath found For Her to Heav'n a passage under ground 9. She strongly woo's the Worms to crawle apace She prays not slow Corruption to make haste Toward Death for life she runs and thinks her Race Is long because she yet lives On as fast She speeds as Sighs of Love can blow Her or Fire of unquenchable Desire can spurr 10. O meek Ambition which correctest Pride Into a Virtue and mak'st Venome grow Plain Antidote An heart which thou dost guide Struggles and reaches still to be more low And prides it self in nothing but to be From Prides Dominion intirely free 11. The Seeds of this fair Grace deep planted were In Psyche's tender Heart by Charis hand Which as they sprouted up with heav'nly care To weed and dresse them Phylax by did stand And now to make them flourish higher she Will with her liberall Tears their Waterer be 12. For Phylax had no sooner made an end But She begins first by her showring Eys Then by her Tongue which with their Tears did blend Its Lamentations Woe is me she cries What now should Psyche doe who needs would be Proud of her shame and
Northerne Blasts took their unworthy way What pious Heart would not have been at cost Of its warme Sighs that sharp Breath to allay Yet slowly went for Maries time was come And God lay heavy in her tender Wombe 119. Alas She to her Travell travelled And came at length all-weary to the Town Where the poor Court'sie of an hired Bed To lay her weather-beaten Body down She hop'd to find But Winter now had cast On Men as well as on the Earth a Frost 120. The Men were Ice so were their Doors for both Were frozen up against poor looking Guests Wher e'r they knock'd the surly Host was wroth And cri'd my House is full Indeed those Nests Were onely courteous 〈◊〉 which barred out All Birds but those which feathers for them brought 121. The Inns by silken and by purple Things Were taken up each Gallant must have room Room for his great Self Room for those He brings To make Him greater Room for what doth come Swelling about Him his fond State and Port Which in a Chamber must alone keep Court 122. Thus was the Universe's King shut out Of his own World as He was entring in Long had the tired Pilgrims sought about And yet at no Door could Admission win And now Night crowded on apace and drew Their Curtains who as yet no Lodging knew 123. Amongst the other Beasts this made them call For Pitty seeing none was left with Men Observe that Rock which all along the Wall Lifts up its Head to meet the Easterne Sunne See'st thou the craggie Mouth it opens That Was then the Hospitable Stables gate 124. Come neer and mark it well This Caverne was The homely Lodging of an honest Oxe Whose Chamber-fellow was a simple Ass Neither the House nor Dwellers needed Locks Or Barrs or Hoste to keep the door and make Intruding despiceble Guests turne back 125. But to rejected Ioseph and his Spouse This Rock less stony proves than all the Town The pair of courteous Beasts to them allows Far more Humanitie than They whose own Nature engag'd them to be Men and kind To those at least in whom Themselves they find 126. In went the blessed Travellers and from The Beasts whose Hearts no Avarice had scar'd Borrow'd a portion both of their Room And of their Straw and there their Bed prepar'd Where to a Temple having turn'd the Cave Themselves to Rest they after Vespers gave 127. But though sleep sealed up the Virgins Eye Her Heart was watchfull and did Travell still It travell'd through a Visions Mysterie But of this Way no weariness did feel Her Womb seem'd all on fire whence issued out A flash of Lightning and whirl'd round about 128. It whirl'd about the World and in its way Devoured every thing compos'd of Dross Of idle stubble or of fainting Hay The silver Creatures beare somelittle Loss But those of genuine Gold grew onely more Illustrious and youthfull than before 129. The World refined by this searching flame In every part grew radiant and brave No Blemish or Capacitie of Blame Peep'd out from East to West but all things gave A fair account of their own selves and by Their perfect Beautie satisfi'd Heav'ns Eye 130. Whilst on this splendid Reformation She Her Wonder pour's Dame Natures vigilant Clock Discovering Midnight rouz'd her Piety Unto its wonted Task The earliest Cock Had rarely crow'd e'r she began to pray But heer you know she faint and tired lay 131. Yet to bring forth her Prayers she rose But now A greater Birth was ripe Nights silent Fear With the grimme Powers of Darkness bold did grow And on the sleeping Worlds face domineer Little suspecting that an High-noone Day From Mid-nights bosome could break out its way 132. When LOE the Virgin bringeth forth her Son Who by the Glories of his own sweet Face Commands the dusky Shaddows to be gone And to his full-tide Day resigne their place Her friends about Her Soveraign Pleasures were Joy was the Midwife which assisted Her 133. No faintings chill'd her Heart no Pangs did tear Her Privileg'd Bowells nor no Crie her Throat Those sad Revenues all entailed were Upon polluted 〈◊〉 She whom no Blot Of sinfull pleasure could pretend to stain Advanced was beyond the Shot of Pain 134. No Circumstance of Shame or Filth did blurre The noble Birth the Work was pure and clean Shame on those Hearts whose Thoughts deflowred Her Accomplish'd Purities unspotted Queen Shame on their slovenish 〈◊〉 whose Brains Rais'd nere a Fount to wash the Infants stains 135. Her dear Virginity remain'd the same Unbroken Jewell that it was before As God into Her reverend Bowells came Yet never stayd to open any door So He returned thence that devoted She Might still a Virgin though a Mother be 136. Thus when the Virgin-Soul is big with Thought Without all Pangs and Stains and Ruptures She 〈◊〉 of Her Burden is and out Her Off-spring comes all clad in Purity Thus when the fire the beuteous flame brings forth ' As pure it keeps as 't was before that Birth 137. Thus when Heav'ns Light doth through the Window press It bears the Colours it found painted there Yet neither breaks nor robbs nor blurrs the Glass But makes its Beauties more advanc'd and clear Thus when a Brood of 〈◊〉 fills the Air Their Mother flowres still no less Virgins are 138. Thus though great Phebus every Morning springs From fair Aurora's lap yet she a Maid Remains as pure as are those smiling Things Those Roseall Blushes at her portall layd Heav'n being pleased to contrive this Way To make Her Virgin-Mother of the Day 139. But ô Aurora's Day is Night to this Which in the Night from Maries womb did Rise This was the Day of 〈◊〉 of Love of Bliss The Day of Jewells and of Rarities The Day of Miracles the conquering Day Which never shall to any Night give way 140. The Day which made Immensitie become A Little One which printed more than May Upon Decembers face which drew the Summe Of Paradise into one Budde the Day Which shrunk 〈◊〉 into a Span Of Time Heav'n into Earth God into Man 141. Heav'ns twinkling Lights shut up their dazeled Eyes And payd their blinde Devotion to the Dawn Of Jacob's Star The Moon did sacrifice Her silver Beams unto 〈◊〉 golden Crown Of Glories which their royall Circle made About the place where the bright Child was layd 142. His softest Feathers Winter thither sent To be a 〈◊〉 for the Infant 's Head And sure no Harm the honest Season meant When in the Cave his fluttering Snow He spread But at his Presence into Tears they fell Seeing a whiter chaster Spectacle 143. Fain would the most illustrious Hoste of Heav'n Whose Wings were up whose Thoughts already flew Have hither march'd and to their Soveraign giv'n A Volley of full Praise and Thanks But due To the dear Mother's brave Devotion Was this great Grace first to salute her Sonne 144. She therefore having with exuberant Joy Beheld the Wonder
how our pretty Lambs did leap and dance What Troops of merrie Wolves came tripping in How were the Bears seiz'd with a gentle Trance How did this Harmony the Lyons win All Salvagnesse was quickly charm'd asleep And every Beast was now a gentle Sheep 198. The Stones look'd up and seem'd to wish for feet The Trees were angry that they stuck so fast All Things desir'd the Melody to meet And as they could unto the Dance made haste With that our silly oaten Pipes wee broke And then our Parts with cheerly Nature took 199. And though our Feet never more nimbly flew Than in their Answer to this Musicks Pleasure Doing their best indeavour to trip true To every Turn and Point and Aire and Measure Yet in our joyous Breasts we felt our Hearts With more Activity dancing their Parts 200. The Anthem finished That glorious Fire About the Company its Arms did spread And homeward convoy'd the illustrious Quire We saw how wide a Gate Heav'n opened To let them in We saw it shut and yeild Back to the Stars their free etheriall Field 201. Thence came We hither and the Promise found As true and noble as our Expectation Which from this Cave shall by our Tongues rebound To every Ear we meet By this Narration Our Hearts shall eased be least by the Wonder Of this Heav'n-crowned Morn they split in sunder 202. But when the Yeares fresh youth returns to deck The Bed of Aprill in its vernall Hue The choysest sweets and Beauties We will pick And wreath a Chaplet for the fairer Brow Of this our blooming Lord. Till when We place Our Hopes of safety in his onely Grace 203. Here with three Adorations to the Sonne They of the Mother and good Joseph take Their humble leave But she when they were gone Deep in her Bosome prints what they had spake The News the Quire the Song the glorious Light Which duely she reads over Morn and Night 204. And well she div'd into the Reason why That glorious Hoste kept distance from the Cave And to these Creatures of Humility These simple honest Swains the honour gave Of being his first Visiters who came To be at once a Sheepheard and a Lamb. 205. But when the Sunne seav'n times himself had shown To all the World and bid it idolize His Beams no more but fall down to its own Almighty Rising Phebus at whose eys His Flames were kindled Janus op'd the door And in her Armes Aurora New-year bore 206. And this was Circumcisions sacred Day Nor would the royall Infant spared be 〈◊〉 under this sad bloody Yoke did lay His tender Neck that exemplary he Who was through all Obedience to runne His Race of Patience might betimes begin 207. There sate He on his yerning Mothers Knee Who with all tendernesse the Work dispatch'd O how much 〈◊〉 in her Heart did she Receive the Knife when it the Infant touch'd But yet she knew her Wound would greater prove If she had broke the Law by too much love 208. Down fell the pretious purple Dew and gave The World sure earnest of what was behinde For 't was resolved it at length should have The utmost Drop his deepest Vein could finde Mean while these few will serve to write the Bonds By which he for the rest engaged stands 209. O liquid Jewells happily have You Be-sprinkled all the Fore-head of the Year The Year which now on his be-decked brow More beauties then the face of Heav'n doth wear The Year which sealed is by You to be From Sins and Mischeifs Impositions free 210. Thus when the Paschal Lambs lesse worthy Blood Bedew'd th' Egyptian Doors of Israels Sonnes Peace and Security for Porters stood And stav'd Destruction from their Mansions Had but this Blush on other Gates been seen Both Grace and Safety had dwelt within 211. Now Januaries Calends washed be By these dear Droppes from all that guilty Gore Which Heath'nish most unholy Sanctity In lavish Floods upon their face did poure Fair shines the Day thus reskew'd and releast From Pagan stains to Pieties pure Feast 212. And now is printed on the Childe that Name Which sweetly sate upon bright Gabriels Tongue When to his Mother with the News he came That Name which sweetens every Cherubs song That Name of Bowells of omnipotent Love Of all the Ioyes that make Heav'n be above 213. JESUS ô what vast Treasures couched lie In the rich bosome of this little Word A Word which spreads its mighty Majesty Through Heav'n Earth and Hell all which are stor'd With reverend Awe when e'r it sounds and on Their bended Knees adore the Virgins Sonne 214. JESUS ô Name of glorious Dainties how Unwilling are my Lipps with thee to part Yet shall thy Musick never cease to flow In pretious Echo's all about my Heart JESUS ô sweeter Name of Life ô Name Which makest famous ev'n eternall Fame 215. These matchlesse Things my Psyche hapned here This simple Place with noble worth to crown But yet these were not all Has not thine ear Been fill'd with Balaams infamous Renown Whose innocent Asse was fain to use her Tongue And check her sillier Master for her wrong 216. This Son of Avarice and Heir of Hell By frighted Balak hired to enchant And heap his Curses upon Israel Was by thy Spouse enforced to recant His dire intentions and change his Tone Against his Nature as his Ass had done 217. Thy Spouse did thrust reverend Prophesie Into his Mouth of Jacobs rising Star Which he himfelf left as a Legacie To all his Heirs and charg'd them to have care That no forgetfulness did blind their Eys From watching when that promis'd Light should rise 218. Amongst their mystick Notes these Words they laid From Age to Age and often read them o'r With dread Devotion being still afraid The Star might chance to deep from Heav'n before They were a ware and spie their souls asleep Whom Balaam had fore-warn'd their Watch to keep 219. No Comet on the World did ever look But strait into their studies them it sent Where after Counsell had with many a Book Through all its flaming Lineaments they went Examining the length of every Hair By its own light which Head or Beard did wear 220. But when Eternities sweet Day began To rise not from the East but this poor Cave A gallant Star into Arabia ran And notice of the glorious Bus'nes gave To Everie Eye which was instructed how To read the Characters of Heav'ns bright Brow 221. Three Venerable Men dwelt there all Grey As well within as they appear'd without Kings of the Villages and Fields where they Reign'd by their secret Wisdoms high Repute No Star but they knew well for from the East They had been long acquainted to the West 222. They looking out that Night their friends to view Espi'd Stranger dress'd in bright Attire To which their wondering Contemplations flew And busie were about the radiant Fire The more they look'd the fairer room they found Where on
Successor to Smart 2. After Nights soot the face of Heav'n hath smear'd Dayes lovely Beauty all the Welkin gilds When Winters churlish Moneths have domineer'd The lively Spring with youth cheers up the fields When Clouds have weep'd their Bottles out 't is fair When Windes are out of breath Thou still'st the Air. 3. But yet the dearest of thy Blessings is Soft Sleep which thou dost to no Pains deny When Phebus through all Heav'n has speeded his Long smoking Course Thou giv'st Him leave to lie Upon the Pillows of the watery Main Untill Aurora wakens Him again 4. When Trees have all the Summer labour'd hard Their blossoms leaves and fruit in bringing forth The night of Winter thou dost them afford And bid'st their Vigour goe to Bed in Earth Down to the Root strait runs the weary Sap And sleeps close and secure in 〈◊〉 lap 5. When Rivers many tedious Moneths have runne Through cragged Rocks and crooked peevish waies Thou mak'st stern Boreas pittifull who on Their necks a seasonable Bridle lays This bindes them up in Glasse and makes them rest Till they are wak'd by Summers Southern Blast 6. When Man has travell'd with his Hand or Minde For this both toiles and sweats as well as that Thou in a tender mistie Veil dost binde His heavy Head untill his Eyes have shut Out Greif and Pain and Wearines and He Repos'd in Sleeps all-downie Bosome be 7. Yet other Creatures little finde in Sleep But the dull pleasure of a gloomy Rest Which they themselvs perceive not when they reap Man onely by this privilege is blest That Sleep it self can be awake to Him And entertein Him with some courteous Dream 8. He when his Touch his Tongue his Eye his Ear His Nose in Sleeps thick Night are muffled up Can feel can taste can smell can see can heare And in his quick Dispatches finde lesse Stop Than when He wakes for now his Soule alone Through all his mystick Busines doth run 9. O sweet Prerogative 〈◊〉 by which we may Upon our Pillows travell round about The Universe and turn our Work to Play Whilst every Journey is no more but Thought And every Thought doth with as quick a pace Run through its longest as its shortest Race 10. Nor is the Body more befriended then The Soule in its Digestion by Sleep This is the undisturbed Season when The Minde has leisure to concoct that Heap Of crude unsettled Notions which fill The weak Brains over-charged Ventricle 11. In this soft Calm when all alone the Heart Walks through the shades of its own silent 〈◊〉 Heav'n takes delight to meet it and impart Those blessed Visions which pose the best Of waking Eyes whose Beams turn all to Night Before the Looks of a spirituall Sight 12. By this time Psyche having failed through The Infant-Story whilst her Dream did steer Her Soules mysterious Bark she felt her Brow Eas'd of its cloudy Weight and growing cleer Strait Phylax spi'd her looking up and cir d 'T is well thou hast thy Spouses Lodging tri'd 13. How dost thou think this Manger could agree With the most tender Infants dainty Head But by this Copie He commends to thee The scorn of Wantonesse's plumie Bed Thou see'st sweet Sleep is possible upon A cold and churlish Couch of Bord or stone 14. Learn then that 't is not any thing without Which can with genuine softnes clothe thy Rest. Down proves but pretious Thorns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth slout His hopes of quiet Sleep whose treach 〈◊〉 Breast Though with externall Unguents sleek within Is harsh and rugged being lin'd with Sin 15. If Vice and Vengeance had not Us prevented We to the Temple now our way should ake But they long since were there and the lamented Ruines too late their sad consession make Fire and the Roman Rage on it have preyd And all its Glory in the Ashes layd 16. Whilst yet it stood the Virgin-Mother when The Law did cite her to Purification Hast's thither with her offrings and her Sonne To pay obedience to that needlesse Fashion Needlesse to Her who of no Humane Seed Had ever been the spotted Soile and Bed 17. Can Ceremonies think themselvs so clean As to presume to wash the Mornings face When she hath brought forth Glory's Sunne and been New gilded by that Birth with fairer grace How shall the Virgin Christall purer grow What Legall Rites can purge and whiten Snow 〈◊〉 18. Yet is the gallant Morn content to goe So is the spottlesse Chrystall and the Snow And own Pollution rather then not doe Their ready homage to the reverend Law Which by a stronger backed was for She Went summon'd by her own Humility 19. And there arrived She unto the Shade The Substance brought and Truth unto the Type Broad Day She of a glimmering Twy-light made Long breeding and crude Hopes She turn'd to ripe Fruition whil'st She with her Offerings A fairer Temple to the Temple brings 20. A Temple where not one but every Gate Was Beautifull a Temple where each Roome Most Holy was a Temple where though State Shin'd not without Heav'ns Prince did make his Home A Temple which had its foundation Above a Temple which was God and Man 21. When He drew neere the Walls and Pavement smil'd The Roof would fain have bow'd to kisse His feet The pious Incense smelt the sweeter Childe And chang'd its usuall Path with Him to meet It soar'd not up but to the Doore did stretch Finding that neerer way its Heav'n to reach 22. The Cberubs which dwelt close behinde the Veil Had much adoe to keepe themselves within Knowing that from their secret Oracle The outward Temple did the Glory winne In which was now a Higher Preist then He For whom alone that yearly once was free 23. O how the second Temples Lustre now Dazells the first That fabrick reared by Davids wise Sonne did long afore hand bow Unto this younger Temples Majesty And kiss the Dust resigning up its place To this which Jesu's Presence was to grace 24. And now the Mother on her bended knee Before the Preist presents to Heav'n her Sonne Was ever heard of such a Preist as She Who offers God for an Oblation To Her th' Eternall Father sent Him down And noble She returns Him back his owne 25. When reverend Johazar receiv'd the Childe A secret Joy through all his bosome ran Much did he marvell how his Heart came fill'd With more than usuall Devotion Nor did He know that in his Arms much more Than Paradise or than all Heav'n He bore 26. But then being so admonish'd by the Law She payes five Shekells and receives her Soune Were all the World her owne She would bestow It and her Selfe for his Redemption But this poore Price serv'd Her to ransome Him Who came Her and the whole world to redeeme 27. Then two white Pidgeons her own Emblems She Presents as Duties of Purification The gentle Birds a mourning fell to see That they must leave their dearer Habitation
Lesse sweet they thought the Altar and would faine Be nestling in her Breast or Lap againe 28. But holy Simeon whose stout Expectation Grounded upon Heav'ns Credit did sustein His aged Life by potent Inspiration Forgot his leaden pace and flew amain Into the Temple for the nimble Blast Of Gods owne Spirit lent him youthfull haste 29. O how his greedy Soule did Worke and Beat And thinke the time an Age till He was come Unto his Blisses Shore where in the heat Of hastie Zeale He snatch'd his Saviour home Into his longing Armes and Heart which now Broke from his Lips and in these Words did flow 30. O Life thou now art out of debt to my Long-stretch'd Attendance and can'st nothing show Of further Worth wherewith to charme mine Eye And make it still be hankering heer below No I have seen what I did live to see The worlds Hopes and mine owne and heer-they be 31. Deare Lord of Heav'n heer is that hop'd-for He In whom lie treasur'd up Power and Salvation Which now thy love exposed hath to be The blessed Theame of humane Contemplation All Eyes may see this Face as well as I And cleerly read their owne Felicitie 32. This noble Face by whose Soule-piercing Rayes The 〈◊〉 untill now damm'd up in Night Admonish'd are to understand their Wayes And tread the open Paths of High-noone Light This Face whose more than golden Beauties be The glorious Crown of Iacobs Progenie 33. O Death if thou dar'st draw neer Life's great King Come take possession of my willing Heart That I a swarthy and unworthy Thing From his too radiant presence may depart I am too blest to live and cannot bear The burden of this heav'nly Lustre here 34. The good Old man thus eas'd his pious Zeal And having sacrific'd a Kisse upon The Infants royall Foot began to feel His Prayers were heard and that Death hasted on Which He to meet went home and order gave With sweet and hasty Joy about his Grave 35. As Echo unto his Devotion Loe The venerable Matron Anna came She whose Prophetick Heart did bid her goe To wait upon and to adore the same Young Son of Wonders that her Sex in Her As His in Him its duty might prefer 36. And here she met a full reward of all Those nights and dayes which in that place she spent Her Fastings now turn d to a Festivall Her longing Prayers which unto Heav'n she sent To pull it down now found it ready here For in the Infants Face it did appear 37. So cleerly it appear'd that She could not Restrain her Tongue from being Trumper to The Dawne of its convincing Brightnesse but Through Salems longest thickest Streets did goe Spreading her Proclamation to each Eare And Heart which long'd that heav'nly News to hear 38. This call'd so many wondering Eyes to gaze Upon the Mother and her fairer Son That from the glory of that populous Place To poor and private Nazaret she did run Where in her humble House she hop'd to hide Her humbler Selfe from Honours growing Tide 39. But Honour loves to scorn the Zealous Chase Of most ambitious eager Hunters and Pursues those modest Soules from place to place By whom she sees her orient Presence shunn'd Nor is she e'r out-run or fails to raise Their Names with Trophies and their Brows with Bays 40. But when in Salem the great News grew hot And flam'd to Herods Court the Tyrants Breast Swell'd with new Rage for much he feared that This Fire might reach his Throne which made Him cast Deep desperate Counsells in his jealous Minde How for this Danger he some Curb might finde 41. Mean while as holy Joseph sleeping lay To gain new strength to work his Winged Friend Rouz'd up his Soul by a Celestiall Ray Bidding him his swift flight to Egypt rend For Herod now contrives to slay said He The Childe and in Him both thy Wife and Thee 42. O that my Wings might be his Chariot But This noble Favour Heav'n reserves for thee Flie then But see thy selfe thou trouble not With thy Return for when the Storm shall be Cleerly blown over I will thither come And from thy Gods own Mouth recall thee Home 43. This said his nearest way the Angel took To Heav'n and flutter'd loud as He went up The noise made Joseph start who straight awoke And look'd about But He had gain'd the Top Of heav'n and in the Sphears inclosed was E'r Josephs mortall Eye could thither passe 44. Yet by the blessed influence He behinde Had left the Saint did Him intirely Know The priviledg'd Eyes of his religious Minde Had long acquainted been with him and now He doubts not but this was his Guardian who Had taught him oft what He instraits should doe 45. Whil'st by her sable Curtains Night as yet Muffled up Heav'n and kept the World in Bed Himselfe He dressed and made all things fit For his long journey On the Asse He spred His Coverlet and his own Pillow sweet And cleanly Hay he gave him for his meat 46. The Beast thus baited He his Axe his Saws His Planes Rules Mallets and his other Store Of busie honest Implements bestows In his large Bag the Treasury of his poor Industricus subsistance which he ties Fast to his Staffe and on his Shoulders tries 47. Two Bottles then all that the poor Man had Fresh filled at a neighbour Fountain He Puts on his Girdle with three Loaves of bread In a plain Pouch Then stepping reverently Unto the Bed where the great Mother lay Arise said He for Heav'n calls Us away 48. When She the bus'nesse heard and saw how He Had all things ready for their journey made Far be it she repli'd that I should be At any houre to follow Heav'n afraid Or that I for the Mornings light should tarry Who in my Arms my fairer Day doe carry 49. I can be no where lost deare Babe whil'st I Travell with Thee who never canst depart From thine own Home Wherever Thou dost flie Thine own Land still will meet Thee for thou art By thine eternall Right the Prince as well Of Ham and Egypt as of Israel 50. Arabia's Devotion has long since Supplid thee with this sacred Treasure to Defray thy Charges Thine own Providence Thy Purveyer was Thou knew'st we were to goe And hast layd in Provision e'r wee Could dream of any such Necessity 51. And yet Necessity is no such thing To mighty Thee whose all-commanding Hand Doth hold the Reins of Fate the bloody King Musters his Wrath in vain would'st thou with-stand His Spight in open Field But thou know'st why It will be now more glorious to File 52. This Journey 's but a step to Thee who from The Pinnacle of all Sublimity Thy Fathers bosome did'st a Pilgrim come And take up thy abode in worthlesse Me Me who from Heav'n much further distant am Than Memphis is from fair Jerusalem 53. With that She wrapp'd the Infant close and took The Asses back whose bridle
of their Bows did them persue Panting their sad layes all the way they flew 80. This most inhospitable Earth will keep No Entertainment for tame honest Beasts Goats Asses Camels Horses Oxen Sheep Can at her wretched Table be no Guests No this is onely Mischiefs cursed stage Where Beasts of Prey and Monsters act their rage 81. Look where a pair of dreadfull Tigres lie Couching in Ambush to attend their prey How should a fainting Traveller get by When two such hungry Deaths beset his way There runs a Lyon with his hideous Note Tearing for want of meat his greedy throat 82. At the same Busines there 's a female Bear In meat and drink two days and nights behinde Whose pined Whelps all yelling in her Ear Chode her abroad some Sustenance to finde There runs a Bore and whitens all his Path With foam the scum of his intemperate Wrath. 83. But mark that Cave before whose nasty Door An heap of excrementall Poisons lies Next which a Quakemire of congealed Gore Raild round about with naked Bones descries What part fell Fury there hath play'd and who Dwells in that House whose Porch is trimmed so 84. That gloomy Cloud which dams the Dens mouth up Is but the Tenants breath which keeps within Who by our Talk is wakened unto hope Of some neer Prey See now He doth begin To rouse Himself the Fire he spits before Is but the Porter to unlock his Door 85. Though Psyche now had cheer'd wrought her Heart Unto a more then female Valour yet She could not curb her 〈◊〉 but gan to start At that all-flaming Dread the Monster spit When Phylax smiling on her horror cri'd Fear not for Heav'n and I am at thy side 86. Of his own Comming by his cruell Hisse He warning gives that stream of cole-black Blood He spews so thick his wonted Usher is Thus when some choise Feind breaks from Hell a flood Of stinking Sulphure paves his dismall way A bashing all the Aire and poisning Day 87. Behold his Eys like two bright Firebrands plac'd In Cakes of blood their fatall beams display So with long flakes of glaring Raies enchased Unto Heav'ns Anger Comets light the Way Pointing with every beam to Citties or To Realms and Countries Famin Plague or War 88. His Mouth which Foams with Venome is the Gate Of helplesse Misery his Jaws the Mill Of deplorable and untimely Fate His tongue a Weapon on whose Fork doe dwell A thousand Deaths his throat so black and broad To his unhappie Preys the beaten Road. 89. His lethern Wings are those which lend its speed Unto Destruction his iron Paws Are Spights and Rages Hands his direfull Head The Oracle whence Tyrants draw their Laws His scaly skin the thick Embroydery Of confident remorselesse Cruelty 90. His knotty Taile pointed with stinging Fire Which on his back in sullen scorn he throws Is Deaths dread Chain that unrelenting Ire Which sits so high upon his craggie Brows Is an afore-hand Sentence unto All Beasts Birds or Men that in his way doe fall 91. Hark how the bruised Aire complains now He Moves the huge flailes of his most boistrous Wings For the soft Nymph else-where was us'd to be Beaten with Fethers or melodious Strings Look in what state He through the Clouds doth stream The smoke before him rolls behinde the Flame 92. As when the martiall Griffen hovers neer The greedy Kite forgets his chased Prey And turning Partner in the Sparrows fear With her into some Corner sneaks away So doe all Monsters here acknowledge this Their Soveraign in all Rage and Dreadfulnesse 93. Thou now seest neither Lyon Boar nor Bear This Dragons Presence chas'd them all away Unto their closest Dens and Caverns where They trembling lie and durst not look on Day So doe all other strange portentuous Things Frighted hence by the Thunder of his Wings 94. For else thou here had'st Troops of Centaurs seen A strange Composure of Horse-Infantry Else Sphinx and her ambiguous Brood had been Abroad in all her fore-front Braverie And with her polish'd Mayden face contended Her grizely Lyons Parts to have amended 95. Else had unsatiable Harpies her Neer Cosen Portents in the Winged Crew Boldly about this correspondent sphear With Virgins Looks and Vultures Tallons flew Else the salacious Fauns had here been skipping The Satyrs dallying and the Silvans tripping 96. Else had that Riddle of Deformity That Combination of all foule Disgrace Who by the Belly of a Goate doth tie A Dragons Tail unto a Lyons Face Ranged about these Sands and sought what Prey It s equall-monstrous Hunger might allay 97. Hast thou not heard how when old Israels Race Did through the Tryalls of this Wildernesse Unto the well-deserving Promise passe They fell a Murmuring because Successe Posted not on as fast as their Desire And yeilding to the Way began to tire 98. This made the Just Creator grant Commission To Vengance his most trusty Factresse who Mounting upon the back of Expedition Down to the Bottome of the World did goe Whose choisest Dens of Horror having ey'd Unto Erynni's Grott she turn'd aside 99. The Fury started and upon her head Straight up stood every Snake She ne'r till now Had seen a sight so full of fatall Dread Though oft she view'd the deepest Deeps and though She daily used for her Looking-glasses Her correspondent Sisters Monstrous Faces 100. For in the Strangers furrow'd Brows were sown The Seeds of everlasting Indignation Her Eyes were constant Lightning flashing down Upon her fiery Cheeks and with their Motion Glancing a more than High-noon-day upon The frighted Night of that black Region 101. Her sturdy Breast was made of burning Brasse Her massie Arms compos'd of sparkling Steel Her adamantine Hands did sway a Mace Of red-hot Iron at her Back did dwell A Quiver stuff'd with forked Bolts of Thunder Well-skill'd in tearing Clouds and Rocks in sunder 102. Fear Anguish Pain Astonishment Dispair Dissention Tumult War Plague Famine Drought Confusion Poys'nous and Tempestuous Aire Eversion Desolation Crying out Wringing of Hands Gnashing of Teeth Sighs Groans Soule-gnawing Worms were her Companions 103. So were Schisme Error flintie Obduration With Pride and Impudence in Villany And She who though her fairer Garb and fashion Seen'd to suit more with lovely Company Was yet as ranke a Curse as they for She Was zealous but blinde and false sanctitie 104. But Vengeance spying her Erynnis quake Constreind her dreadfull Aspect to remit Part of its Awfulnesse and tri'd to speake As milde as She lookd fierce yet when She set Ope her Mouthes fornace unto all the Cave Loud Thunder notice of her speaking gave 105. Feare not said She I on an errand come Which well will suit with thy revengfull thought The Sonnes of Jsrael thou know'st with whom My Soveraigns Patience long time hath fought Indeed He leads them through a Barren Earth Bur yet He makes Heav'n bring their Victuals forth 106. Yet Peevish murmuring they have forc'd Heav'n to Repent its Kindnesse
Phebus throw And at high noon with Midnight choke the Skie But I will be reveng'd for you and make Though they be all the World your Enemies quake 159. Here the black foam stopp'd up his Mouth and He With griezly ghastly face with staring Eyes With Breast tormented by Anxiety With languid Arms and Hands with quivering Thighs Expect the Issue of his Charms to see And what his Oracles Reply would be 160. When loe for then thy Spouse was comming nigh That very place a hideous Groan did fill The mourning Vault which was rebounded by So strong an Earthquake that the Idolls fell And by their prostrate fragments in the Cave Did their own Temple turn into their Grave 161. Scarcely had Jannes and his frighted Crew Time to escape the Rume of their Gods But being out their Books away they threw In indignation and brake their Rods And having nothing else whereon to poure Their Spight their lipps they bit their hair they tore 162. His secret Vengance thus thy Little Lord Sheath'd in the Bowells of Idolatry Whil'st puzzeld Egypt never saw the Sword Nor knew for whom it reap'd this Victory The Angel thus of old their First-born slew When undiscerned through the Land He flew 163. Mean while fell Herod busie was about The matchless Master-peice of Tyranny Which how it was Conceived and how Brought Forth the dull Vulgar's Ey 's too dim to see For it was hatch'd as low as Hell But I To thee will ope all the black Mystery 164. Mischievous were that Prince's Counsells But Proud Lucifer had deeper Plots than He And fear'd his Crown more than did Herod at The new-born Kings high-fam'd Discovery For in his ears the Shepheards Storie rung And the strange Musick of the Christmas Song 165. The Mouth of Thunder never yet had spoke Such Terror to his Soul as those soft Notes Which tun'd to Joy's and Peace's Key had broke From the sweet Nests of those bright Angels Throats Nor was this Omen all for He had spi'd That Eastern Star which did the Wisemen guide 166. No Light did ever fright Him so but that Whose Darts did throw him headlong from the Top Of Heav'ns sublimest Pinnacle and shut Him up in deepest Night where He keep'd shop And every sort of sinfull Wares did sell To those who with their Soules will purchase Hell 167. For now he knew his Trade would never thrive And that few Chapmen would delight to buy So long as that great Infant was alive With whose more profitable Diety Shepheards and Kings to traffick had begun And taught the World which way for Gains to run 168. Ten thousand Spawns of his deep plotting Brain He tumbles o'r yet none could please his Eye Again hee Thinks and yet Dislikes again But Vow 's at last how e'r thy Spouse shall die He Vow 's by his own Head and seeks some Fiend Who might dispatch the Businesse to his minde 169. A Rock there stands neer to Cocytu's Bank Which to the River opes its monstrous Jaws Sucking no other Breath but what the rank And Sulphury Vapour of that Water throws Into its Mouth which far more venomous makes The steaming Poyson that from thence it takes 170. In winding Holes and ragged Corners there Whole Families of Adders Vipers Snakes Asps Basilisks and Dragons dwelling are Whose constant and confounding Hissing makes The Language of that Mouth and plainly tells What kinde of Prodigie beyond them dwells 171. The Throat sticks thick with bones of Leggs and Arms Which ravenous Haste had there left by the Way With undigested Heaps the Stomack swarms Which in that Sink and Den of Murder lay In whose immeasurable Bottome stood A reeking Lake of young and guiltless Blood 172. But at the Cavern where the Heart should lie Was hung a sevenfold Door of massie Brass Plated with Adamant and conjur'd by A thousand Bars and Locks to let no crosse Mischance peep in besides as many Seals Treading on one anothers crowded heels 173. Above a Watch-tower was erected high Windows full where Linx stood night and day Before the Door an hundred Doggs did lie Upon whose ears no sleep did ever prey Next them as many Cocks and next to these A vigilant Company of trusty Geese 174. Within were dark Meanders dammed up By frequent Doors and by their Porters too Whose office never was to set them ope But see that not so much as Thought should goe That way They oft put out their Lights for fear Some cunning Beam might spie a Cranny there 175. Before the inmost Gate a mighty Moat The Palace far from Dangers did divide No Bridge it knew and but one single Boat In which no more than one at once could ride And this unto the shore fast Pris'ner was Under a Chain of Steel and Lock of Brasse 176. Upon that shore in due Array was set With Weapons ready drawn a treble Watch That no Disturbance might presume to put Its finger forth or touch the jealous Latch They with a loud alarm all roused were If but the Image of a Noise came there 177. But in that House so dark and so profound That Hell it selfe seems there sunk down in Hell A Thing ô how much more than Monster drown'd Yet deeper in torturings did dwell One who had chose Disquiet for her Rest One who all Furies is to her own breast 178. Suspition is her Name Full is her Head Of thoughtfull Eyes which alwaies learning seem And alwaies wide ope for they know no Lid Which might twixt Labour interpose and them They look on Sleep as on a treacherous Thing Who might bring Dangers under his black Wing 179. But chiefly upon One Another they Their jealous and misgiving Glances throw And 'cause they can no grounds of fear bewray Of the more deep-layd Dangers fearfull grow And whil'st they all thus mutually stare Each bids his brother of himselfe beware 180. Her large thin Ear stood always prick'd upright To catch each Sound and Whisper that came neer Sometimes as her own Fancie took its flight But through her head she thought some Noise was there Her hollow Cheeks had gaped long for meat But Doubts and Fears forbad her still to eat 181. In every Dish and Cup she seem'd to see Some Poysonsliely laid in Ambushment Alas and could there any Venome be So venomous as she who might have lent New power to Dragons stings and mad each field Of Thessaly fairer Cropps of Poyson yeild 182. Her Garments were inpenetrable Steel Of the same Temper with great Satans shield A brazen Buckler did her left Hand fill And in her right a mighty Sword she held Weapons with which she never did entend To fight but onely her own Head defend 183. Her Chair had fourty iron Feet which all Where double nayled to the ground Yet she Beleeved not but still the Seat might fall By sudden undermining Treachery This made her seldome sit and when she did Over her shoulder still she turn'd her Head 184. No Morning
pass'd but some on Work she set To make her new Keyes being jealous still Her Foes might patterns of her old ones get Seav'n times a moneth she changed her broad Seal As her own Selfe she would have done had she Known how to alter her Deformity 185. With contradicting Thoughts her Breast did rise Which were no sooner liked but rejected She boulted every Counsell twise or thrice And what did surest seem she most suspected Oft would she skip and fling about and start Sometimes at the meer Motion of her Heart 186. An Oath of strict Allegiance thrice a day She forc'd her numerous Family to take And chang'd their Offices as oft least they Themselves too strong for her Commands might make Strange Officers yet fitting to attend Upon so true and Soveraign a 〈◊〉 187. The first was tall and big-bon'd Cowardize Whose lazy Neck upon her shoulders lay And both her Hands upon her Head her Eyes Were alwayes winking least the dint of Day Should them surprise between her leggs she hid Her Taile which as it touch'd them shivered 188. Next Her stood Crueltie supported by Advantage in her Hands all Engins were And fell Inventions of Tyrannie What Hooks what Forks what Whips what Racks were there What Insultation what Wrath what War What Wounds what Salvagnesse what Massacre 189. Close in the Corner stood pale Thoughtfulnesse Upon whose lips fast sealed Silence sate Her businesse was a thousand things to guesse She stamp'd her head she scratch'd her breast she beat Her wearied Eyes she nailed on the ground And in her endlesse selfe her selfe she drown'd 190. About the Room ran furious Discontent And when all others did escape her War She wag'd it with her selfe her Clothes she rent Her cheeks she gashed and she tore her hair But Malice ssiely crept and dealt her spight Unto her Neighbours in a secret Fight 191. Yet slippery Guile was nimbler than the rest Her quaint Attire was of Chamelions skins She in two minutes could become at least An hundred Virtues and as many Sins All Polypusse's feet she had and was Fortunes true Echo Proteu's looking-glasse 192. With Her was complementall Flatery With silver Tongue and more than golden Words Her hand she alwayes kiss'd and bent her knee But in her Mantle hid two poys'ned swords Of these and thousand others like to them Did foule Suspition her house-hold frame 193. When Lucifer had raked many Dens And found no Fury furious enough To manage his Designe at last he runs Down to this sinck where as He 'gan to show His sulphury face the Porters quickly knew Their Sultan and the Gates wide open threw 194. The Boat flew from its chain to meet His feet And wafted Him unto the Privy Watch Down fell their Swords up went their Hands to greet Their Soveraigns Comming and to draw the Latch Suspition started as they op'd the Door And wonder'd why her Doggs bark'd not before 195. But dread and Awe had stopp'd their Mouthes as now They seal'd Hers too to see grand Lucifer She fear'd the worst and thought that in his brow She read some lines of Wrath and Spight to Her But He wip'd from his Lips the Fire and Smoake And with a Kisses Preface thus He spoke 196. Madame be not afraid for well I know And love my Friends and thou art one of them Witnesse that mighty Trust which I will now Treasure in Thee it is my Diadem My Diadem is lost if thou dost not Procure Destruction to Maries Brat 197. Herod will doe his best I know him well If he be aided by thy Inspiration There 's not an Heart that lives where more of Hell Has taken up its earthly habitation Adde but thy Power and He will be compleat And bravely venture on the barbarous Feat 198. Thy Handmayd Cruelty alone will be Sufficient take but Her along and goe When Thou that Baby-Gods Blood bring'st to Me I 'le plant a Crown upon thy worthy Brow And set Thee on an ever-burning Throne Wher thou shalt raign Queen of Perdition 199. Glad was the Hag to hear the businesse and Promis'd her Lord her utmost Faith and Care Who laying on her head his sooty Hand Cri'd Take Hells Blessing with Thee ô my Dear Successe attend thy Loyalty and may Heav'ns envious Tyrant not disturb thy way 200. Forthwith through Asphaltite's odious Lake She tore her Path and in the mid'st boil'd up The Sulphure started and the Banks did shake Down to the Bottome fled the frighted Top That most victorious Stinck which there did dwell Till now could not endure Her stronger Smell 201. Horror on all the Elements did seize And taught the rest aswell as Earth to quake Blasting deflour'd the Medows and the Trees Her Noise a thousand Witche's Ghosts did wake And made the Night-ravens croke the Scritchowles squeek The Dogs houle the fatall Mandraks shriek 202. All Men and Beasts fled from her frightfull Face And Heav'n it selfe would fain have run away Had it but known of any other Place Besides its own where to have turn'd that Day Yet Phebus made a shift to lurk and crow'd His Eye behinde the Curtaine of a Cloud 203. But when she mark'd how Nature shunn'd her sight She with Invisibility array'd Her selfe and unsuspected as the Light To Heâ—ods Palace stole where Care had layd The Tyrant fast asleep Into whose breast Her Consort and her Selfe the Fury thrust 204. As when a Viper squeas'd into his Bowle By Treasons secret hand a heedlesse King Drinks down the Poyson in his Guts doth roule And with a War of Pangs his Entrails wring So did this Monster with tempestuous Smart Rage in the Bowells of fell Herods Heart 205. A thousand Fancies and selfe-thwarting Fears Ran through his Soul and chas'd Sleep from his Eyes When starting up his griezly Beard He tears And round about his Chamber cursing Flies He curs'd Himselfe and Heav'n and all its Stars But chiefly that which pointed out his fears 206. Have I said He thus long attended on My petty Businesse whil'st my Crown and Head Lie at the Stake Have I let Treason run And gather strength upon my life to tread Fie Herod fie Wert thou that onely He Who did a Scepter count Felicity 207. What Madnesse made Thee suffer those bold Kings Who blaz'd the Birth of the Jessean Prince To prate in Salem of such dangerous Things Hadst thou not fire and sword to chase them thence Could not thy flaming Steel have shined far More potently than their enchanting Star 208. But all the Furies stings are due to thee For trusting their bare Word for their Return Art thou that famous King of Policie Who by thy Brain didst for thy Temples earn The Crown they wear and canst thou cosen'd be By three old doting Mens poor subtilty 209. See now how for thy credulous Courtesie Thou art repayd Those Kings the News have spred Through all the Regions of Arabie And by a joint consent have made an head To tear fool'd Herod
from his Throne and set That Infant as a wiser Prince on it 210. Me thinks I smell the Battell drawing neer And see the Veng'ance of my carelesse Brain Me thinks the Thunder of their Arms I hear And see their Lightning flashing on the Plain Me thinks the Aire about my Ears doth ring The shouted Name of Israels new-born King 211. The Superstitious Priests will all comply With the new Powers against despised Me And triumph that their reverend Prophesie In my dethroning They fulfilled see My Idumean Stock too well they know And much adoe I had to make them bow 212. As for the giddy Multitude whom I Have with an heavy Scepter pressed down All Change to them will seem Felicity Who all Conditions like before their own But when Religion calls to Innovation What Banks can curb a popular Inundation 213. My Nobles all will take the stronger side In hopes to serve a gentler Prince than I Good store of Coin they have to loose with wide And fair possessions which will closely tie Them to the Eastern Powers and make them run With them to idolize the Rising Sun 214. Heav'n is a Thing which owes Me no good Will Nor have I reason to expect its aid 'T was ever my Desire and is so still To be mine own God I confesse I layd Some Moneyes out upon the Temple but To mine own Ends I dedicated it 215. None have I left to trust but onely Thee O Thou my high and once Heroick Heart Why may not some exploit of Crueltie Heightned beyond Example make Fate start Why may not Herod's Sword cut out that Leaf Of Destinie which doth enroll his Grief 216. It must and shall be so I will not own A Tyrants Name for Nothing let the Head Of Caesar weare the Worlds Imperiall Crown With love and gentleness embellished So I may safely reign and shew this Age The King of Wrath and Emperour of Rage 217. And let Heav'ns Soveraigne thank himself if I Torment him with a stouter sin than yet In his scorn'd face from Earth did ever flie Who bid Him wake my Fears Who bid Him set An ominous Comet to out-stare my Rest And light Warrs journey hither from the East 218. From two years old and under every Childe That breaths in Bethleem and the Quarters round That of my purpose I be not beguild Shall be my sacrifice and if no Wound Amongst all those can finde my Rivalls Heart Then let Him scape I shall have done my part 219. But sure it cannot miss And then I wonder What can the vain Arabian forces doe If the foundation once be split in sunder On in their building they will never goe If I their Infant in his Budde doe crop Surely the dangerous floure will ne'r grow up 220. This said He nodds his speciall servant one Who might have Engine been to Pluto and The deadliest bus'ness of all Hell have done Who joying in his Soveraigns Command The black Commission writ which was to be In blood transcribed by the Souldierie 221. For Herod had an armed Crew which He With mighty Care and Cost had pick'd and chose From Idumea Scythia Barbarie Men ruder than their Countries all sworne Foes Unto Humanitie their Looks of Brass Their Hands of Steel their Heart of Marble was 222. As practiz'd Tigres in the Theatre Let loose unto their keen and hungry spight With dreadfull joy hast to their wished War Where with their looks the helpless slaves they fright Out of their lives and then their Bodies tear Slaying again what first they kill'd by fear 223. So did these Caytiffs unto Bethleem run With Knives and Fauchions arm'd and with their more Inhumane Weapon their Commission Counting Delay their Torment With a Roar They entered the Town and could not choose But signifie all Hell was now broke loose 224. There they in Herods Name proclaim that they By Him were sent a punctuall List to take Of all the Infants which from such a Day In Bethleem and its Coasts were born for lack Of every ones appearance threatning to The Infant Death and to the Mother Woe 225. These Summons through the Town and Country flew And when the next Days Sun had reach'd its height Into the Market place all Mothers drew Who in their Arms their tender Burdens brought A Sight which might all Beasts unbarbarize Yet drew no Pitry from these Souldiers Eys 226. For they a Watch at every corner set And then with all Extremities of Rage Their monstrous Charge in Execution put The Sun's Eye never yet beheld a Stage So full of Tragedies nor Hell spred forth In such a salvage Pageant on the Earth 227. In vain the lamentable Mothers Cries And Tears and Prayers and loud Expostulations Mix'd with their Infant Shrieks although the Skies They fill'd and rent with their strong Exclamations For still the unrelenting Souldiers Ear Nothing but Herod's fell Command would hear 228. Their Preys they by the Arme or Leg or Head From their softe native Sanctuaries tore Whose blood as in that barbarous strife they shed They daub'd the Mothers with the Childrens gore And then their Bowells in their faces threw Sure they had none who thus could others shew 229. The Townsmen who this Massacre beheld Could lend no Succour to the Infant 's Crie By stiffe Astonishment some being kill'd Others by cruell Fear enforc'd to flie Not knowing but the Souldiers dire Commission Might adde the Fathers to their Babes Perdition 230. Heer Sarah kiss'd an Arm Rebecca there A Legg all that was left of eithers Son Heer Rachel Earth and Air and Heav'n did tear With her impatient Lamentation Having but two bemangled Hands to show Of those sweet Tiwnns which suck'd her breast but now 231. Thus this most harmless flock of tender Lambs A woefull Heap of fragments did become Their milkie fleeces and their whiter Names Being dyed deep in rubie Martyrdome Thus 〈◊〉 Rama now made childeless 〈◊〉 Thus all the Market was to Shambles turn'd 232. One Nurse was there who when the Souldier caught Her Infant by the throat cri'd out Beware This is great Herods Sonne and if you doubt An hundred Witnesses heer ready are She cri'd but e'r she had pronounc'd that Word The Intants Heart was bleeding on the Sword 233. Thus provident Veng'ance met the Tyrant in The forefront of his Crime whilst blinded by His hasty Fears his Rage he doth begin At his own Bowells Herod's Sonne must die And Heavn's escape the Sword though He alone Was the aime of this vast destruction 234. This when the slaughter Fame at Rome had told And Cesars ear with just amazement fill'd Made Him crie out Were I to chuse I would Be Herod's Hog much rather than his Child But Cesar knew not what the Babe did gaine Nor that He now more than himself did reign 235. These roseall Budds of early Martyrdome Transplanted were to Paradise and there Beyond the reach of Herod did become Floures of eternall bliss whose Temples are Imbrac'd with
crowns of joy whose hands with Palms Whose eyes with beams whose tongues are fill'd with psalms 236. But now the Blood-hounds back to Hered went And brandish'd on their stained Swords the Sign Of their owne guilt The sight gave high content To their fell Soveraign hoping the Divine Infant was now destroyd and that his Crown In spight of all Arabia was his own 237. Yet to make sure for in a Tyrants breast Suspition like the Vulture faind to gnaw On Tytiu's Soul makes its eternall feast The Jews he summons by a rigid Law Without the least exception to swear Allegiance unto Him and to his Heir 238. Alas He little thought his slaughterd Son Was now become a stronger Foe than those Arabian Kings his own Suspition Had arm'd against himselfe or that there rose From the massacred Babes a mighty Band Which scornd the power both of his Head 〈◊〉 239. For now these Infants Blood to Heav'n did send A louder Crie than had their Mothers done Nor doth the great Creators Justice lend A readier Ear to any Plantiffs Moan Than unto this although Mortality Belongs to Man Mans Blood can never 〈◊〉 240. Next neighbour to the Dead Seas poys'nous shore There stands a gloomy Grove where cheerly Day Had never roome to shew her face such store Of Box Yew Cypress dammed up her way Whose fatall Brows and Branches every where With Owls and Batts and Ravens impeopled 〈◊〉 241. Beside a sturdie Mist of Stincks doth stick Upon the wretched Air and her defloure Unwholsome Vapors gathering black and thick Drop morn and ev'n into a venomous shour Where drunk up by the cursed Earth below It makes the Hemlocks and the Poppy grow 242. Amidst these dismall shades is sunk a Cave At whose black Door uncessant Cries and 〈◊〉 And Ejulations the Office have Of never sleeping Porters all the Stones Hang thick with Tears being mov'd to that Compassion By the sad Genius of their Habitation 243. The Mistresse of the House doth alway lie Upon her weary Bed which hedged in By melancholick Curtains doth supply The Graves dark Office and aforehand 'gin To teach her what her Coffin ment and what Her Herse which ready by her Couch were set 244. Her Pillows were of softest Down but yet On churlish Thorns and Stones she seem'd to lie Oft did she rosse and turn and tumble but Could never shift her sturdy Griefe which by That Motion onely wakened was and did But gather strength to roll about the Bed 245. Shootings and Megrims raged in her Head A desperate squinsey dammed up her throat The tawny Jaundise in her Eyes was spred The Tooth-ache of her Jaws full Power had got Stark-raving Madnes sate upon her Tongue Ten thousand Cramps her shrivel'd Body wrung 246. The Fever Colick Griping Strangury Gout Apoplexie Scurvy Pestilence Stone Rupture Phthisis Dropsie Plurisie Flux Surfet Asthma and the confluence Of all divided Deaths united were In one strange Masse and learn'd to live in Her 247. The odious Scab the ever-gnawing Itch The stinging Bile the wasting Leprosie The banefull Pocks the Wolf and Canker which On her make fat their dreadfull Luxury Conspire with every sort of horrid Sore To clothe her round with most infectious Gore 248. Pots Papyrs Glasses sweet and stinking Things Were marshal'd on a Cup-bord standing by Which Physick brought to ease those Pangs and Stings Or at the least cure her own Poverty Costly Additions unto Pain were these And onely eas'd the Purses Plurisies 249. For though full many a dear Docter there Talk'd words as strange as her Diseases yet Her pertinacious Torments would not hear Either there Druggs of Nature or of Wit Nor minde their Stories or regard at all Their Oracles out of the Urinall 250. Her whining Kindred stood about the Bed And though alas her case were too too plain With tedious Love still ask'd Her how she did Heaping that Crambe on her other Pain Their fond Remembrances would never let Her any one of all her Pangs forget 251. Down to this Loathsome She sterne Justice came Tall was her Person and her Looks were high Strength in her martiall Sinews made its home Darts of keen fire did stream from either Eye For she what e'r Men Fancy Eyes can finde Alas Earths Justice and not Heav'ns is blinde 252. Her right Hand held a Sword of two-edg'd flame Her left a Ballance in one Scale did lie A mighty Masse inscrib'd with Herods Name A Masse of Pride and bloody Tyranny Which press'd it down to Hell Mean while the other Fill'd with vain Winde flew up and left its Brother 253. When Sicknesse for that was the Furies Name Beheld her Soveraign Queen she rais'd her Head And to obeysance did her Body frame Black Streams of poys'nous Gore straight issued From all her Sores and with outragious stinck Ran down into her Beds contagious sink 254. Up up said Justice and be dress'd apace I on an earnest errand thee must send Time was when thou a tedious Way did'st trace At Hells and envious Lucifers Command Usurpers which have no just power on thee 'T is fit thou doe as much for Heav'n and Me. 255. Unto the Land of Uz they made thee run And poure the bottome of thy whole despight Upon the reverend Body of a Man Which was with matchlesse Purity bedight More fair and bright was Job in Heav'ns esteem Than thou to Earth did'st make him Horrid seem 256. He heap'd this Scale as full of Virtue as Fell Herod has replenish'd it with Vice That empty one so lightly hovering was His Score of faults but meer Vacuities Thin as the Aire which though it dusky be Sometimes with Clouds regains its purity 257. See now thou recompence that Injury By righteous Vengance upon Herod Loe There unbridle thy Extremitie And give thee leave in free carreer to goe Goe then and fully use thy full Command His Body and his Life are in thy Hand 258. So spake the Queen of everlasting Dread And in her Black Cloud mounted home again When Sicknes leaping from her nasty Bed And in feirce haste forgetting her own Pain Furnish'd her self with every bitter sting Which most might torture the Condemned King 259. Then to her gloomy Chariot she went Which of a poisnous Vapour framed was Her speed was headlong so was her Intent And into Herods Court she soon did presse For she by no slow paced Coursers Drawn But by a pestilentiall Blast was blown 260. Unseen she came and did so sliely guide Her stealing Chariots silent Wheels that she Quite down the Tyrants cursed throat did glide As does his unsuspected Breath which he Lets in to fan his heart But this Blast came Qute to blow out and not to puff his flame 261. Yet e'r it blew it out it strove to frie His black Soule in the fornace of his Breast Torthwith his Entrails sing'd and scalded by An hidden fire frighted away his Rest He would have rise but strait he felt his Pains Had with
their Fire-branes mixed heavy Chains 262. His Strength deceiv's him and his Bed is now His onely throne where he the King doth raign Of mighty Torments all his Bowells 〈◊〉 Exulcerated with deep-gnawing Pain And Water swelling underneath his Skin Adds scoffing torture to the fire within 263. His shamfull Parts are made more odious by Right down Corruption which grew fertile there With monstrous Vermin whose impatient frie Their most unpittied Prey aforehand tear The leisure of his grave they scorn'd to stay But undermine his Heart and eat their way 264. And yet a Worm far worse then those was got Thither before which did his Conscience gnaw To stisle which long did He labour but The trusty Torment still did stronger grow And wound about his guilty Soule so close That no Inventions power could get it loose 265. His Sinews shrunk and all his Joynts forgot The ready service of their wonted motions The Aire which He had long defil'd would not Wait on his Lungs but frequent Suffocations Forc'd him to die as many deaths as He Indebted stood for by long Tiranny 266. Oft did he call his Freinds but neither they Nor his Physitians durst come neer his Bed For his hell-breathing stinck obstructs the way To Physick and to Freindship Never did The Feinds below more loud for Pitty crie Nor finde lesse comfort for their Misery 267. The dismall scene of Bethlehem-slaughter now Was open layd unto his burning Soule The running shreiking Mothers there he saw And all the Infants Blood which seem'd to roule Into his Bosome in a violent stream Yet not to quench but to augment the flame 268. An hundred Furies at hot contestation Which first upon his bloody Heart should seize With Hells wide mouth and the grand Preparation To entertain him there at large he sees And seems to hear all Ages poure a stream Of cursing Detestations on his Name 269. To Heav'n He would not and he could not cry But let the reins loose to wilde Desperation And now resolved once for all to die Contrives how He might his owne murther fashion And by his never-daunted cruelty Upon himselfe conclude his Tyrannie 270. He thought of Poyson but He had no friend Who would that cruell Courtesie supply Besides he fear'd no Venome could contend With his extreemly-posnous Malady At length by woefull Fortune He 〈◊〉 His Fauchion hanging by his 〈◊〉 side 271. Which as He snatch'd a venturous Page ran in And stopp'd the stroke but could not stop his throat Which straight He opened to an equall Sin And in the face of Heav'n spew'd out his hot Impatient Blasphemies next which He threw His Courses upon all the World he knew 272. Mean while to prison where his Son in Chains He kept the false News of his death was spred Which whil'st Antipater gladly entertains His Smiles became the price of his own head Herod but heard he smil'd and now the Worms Had eat his Bowells at his Son he storms 273. Yet shall that Villan know that I said He Have Life and Rage enough Him to destroy Now by these finall Spirits which pant in me I swear His Life shall answer for his Joy Fetch me his Heart that with these Vermin here Their fellow-trayter I all torn may tear 274. Their fellow-trayter and their Fellow-Son For from my Body sprung both He and They And both conspire in my destruction By Gnawing they by smiling He. Away Fetch me his Heart that having bless'd mine Eye With that deare sight I may the cheerlyer dy 275. Yet not content with this sole Sacrifice To his vast fury he contrives a way How all his Nobles to his Obsequies No lesse than all their Blood and lives might pay That Sighs and Tears might wait upon his Herse If not for his own Death at least for theirs 276. But Heav'n prevented this fell Plot and He Now having five dayes liv'd and felt his Death No Prayers but his wonted Blasphemy Repeated and blew out his finall breath So an old Dragon when his Spirits flit Breaths his last Poyson and his Life with it 277. Hell had his Soul no sooner swallowed But pious Josephs Angel hither came And as the Saint lay on his sober Bed Painted the News unto Him in his Dream Bidding Him now return to Jewry where The storm was over and the Coast grown clear 278. Thus did th' Angel his own Word fulfull And justifie the Prophets Vision For great Hosea did of old fore-tell That out of Egypt God had call'd his Son Joseph awakes and unto Mary shews The long-expected and now welcome News 279. His thrifty House-hold-stuffe then packing up And tenderly providing for his dear And mighty Charge He makes no doubt or stop A pious Breast allows no room for fear When e'r Heav'n summons it but cheerly sets Onward his Way before the Day permits 280. For now the Morn lay long before she rose And dull Aquarius would not wake the Sun Till it was late Thus did thy hardy Spouse In the Years most disconsolate Portion His journey take and teach Thee what to doe At any time when Heav'n shall bid Thee goe 281. This the Ninthe Winter was which seal'd the Earth With Ice and covered his Seal with Snow Since by his own to Wonders He gave Birth Who in a Soil most like to that did grow Bate but the cold and churlish Qualities And what 's a Virgins Womb but Snow and Ice 282. This Age had more inabled Him to bear A speedy Journey and did much allay The scruples of his tender Parents Care Who now with greater haste devour'd their way Than when to Egypt they did pick their Path And thus in peace reach'd their old Nazareth 283. Their Nazareth for sacred Prophesies By adamantine Bands are surely tied To their Effects The Fire shall sooner freeze All Mettalls in a Bank of Snow be tried The Sun because of Night of Drought the Rain Then Falsehood any Prophets Tongue can stain 284. Those quick-ey'd Seers long agoe had seen His Habitation there and had foretold His humble Surname should be Nazarene A Name of holy Dignity of old Which sate fair on all pious Heads untill It was out-shined by the Christian Stile 285. And Psyche what should We doe longer here Come let Us follow their deare Steps and see Some further Marvells of thy Spouse and where He prosecuted Loves sweet Mystery This said He gave his Steeds the Rains and they Together with the Winde snuff'd up their Way PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO IX The Temptation ARGUMENT IN the dead Desert Love Whom salvage Beasts Acknowledged by eager Famin is Assail'd who forty Dayes upon Him feasts To her sharp Teeth slie Satan joyneth his Soft Tongue yet both their utmost Powers set But ope the way unto their own Defeat 1. WHat reach of Reason e'r could Fadome why Slight Dust and Ashes vile Corruptions Son The Heir apparent to the Misery Which lives in Death and blends Destruction With all its Life the Worms own
may Unto a milder Death himselfe convey 53. This is that Tyrant whose Impatience hath No Possibility her Prey to spare The foule Inneritrix of the Dregs of Wrath Of Torments Queen the Empresse of Dispair An aonigmatick Foe whose Ammunition Is nothing else but Want of all Provision 54. Expect not to behold her Family Or what Retinue on her Court attends No servant ever yet so strong could be To bear her Presence much lesse her Commands Being assur'd They never could her Will Unlesse her Belly to they did fulfill 55. But yonder Table which is fixed high Above her Caverns Door will tell thee what Were her Exploits When Mercy passed by This monitory Signe she set up that Poor Mortalls might descrie what Fiend dwelt here And not unto this Den of Death come neer 56. Loe what a smoking Hurliburlie's there Of gallant Ruines tumbling on the ground These once high-built and goodly Cities were Which when Warr's mighty Ram could not confound This Hag did with no Engin but her own Teeth undermine the Walls and tear them down 57. See there she chaseth froggs and Rats and mice And other Vermine neer as vile as she Her selfe by them desiring to suffice The low'd Demands of her stout Boulimie Discreetly there the prudent Painter has The Earth of Iron made the Heav'n of Brasse 58. But there her Girdle and her shoes she eats For that acquaintance which they had of old With Beef and Mutton and such classick Meats There She turns out the wretched uselesse Gold And clapping on its Poverty a Curse A savorie Meal she maketh of her Purse 59. There She awakes the sleeping Mire and by A strict examination makes it tell What hidden Treasures in its bosome lie Nor is she daunted by th' unlikely shell But breaks it ope and findes the Gem within For she the Oyster first fish'd out for Men. 60. The Dunghill there she rakes to finde some fresh Strong-sented Excrement and joyes when she Can by long search atcheive so rare a Dish Which needs being ready hot no Cookerie That Glasse in which she drinks and drinks up all No other is but her own Urinall 61. Against that huge stone-wall her Teeth she tri'd When once she was immur'd in Straights and see How she compell'd and tore Successe those wide And ragged Holes her stout Teeths breaches be Her hastie boistrous Stomack would not stay And wanting other Food she eat her Way 62. That Heap of Bones is all that she has left Of her owne Parents whose old flesh she made Her barbarous Feast and them of life bereft By whom she liv'd Such is the salvage trade Of desperate Vipers whose unnaturall Wrath Devours the Womb which them conceived hath 63. And yet no Vipers venture to devoure Their proper Brood 't is Nature's strictest Law That with Traduction Love should joyn her power And like the Rivers downhill strongest flow Onely this fiend all Vipers doth out-vie And feeds her self with her own Progenie 64. For those bemangled Limbs which scattered be About the Picture the said Ruines are Of seav'n sweet but unhappy Babes which she Fear'd not with her own Claws and Teeth to tear And back into her Bowells make them goe If yet she any had who thus could doe 65. This strange Epitomie of Prodigies This despicable starv'd but potent Fiend Was the first Combatant which did arise Against thy Spouse yet durst not trie to rend And tear his Body but contriv'd to slay It and his Soul in a mysterious Way 66. For though that Dread which in her face did reign Such deep affrightment round about had shed That not the boldest Beast of all the Plain But from those direfull Emanations fled Leaving the Desart more than doubled where Was nothing now but Earth and Stones and Air 67. Yet now discovering One who seem's prepar'd To entertaine the worst of Dangers she Grew jealous of the Champion and fear'd Some wisely Stratageme might plotted be Against her right-down force This did incline Her to 〈◊〉 Him by a Contremine 68. For sliely waiting oppotunity And being thin and subtle with the Wind She mix'd herself and in his face did flie Hoping to steale upon him by a blind And unperceiv'd assault So Cowards fight Trusting advantage more than their owne Might 69. But He who all her project cleerely saw From her abstruse Career disdain'd to start He welcom'd with brave Constancy the Blow Giving the Furie leave to use her Art Free leave He gave her her foul felf to shoot Into his Stomack through his yeelding Throat 70. So when the Tempest marches in full Tide Against its Caverns Mouth the fearless Rock Makes good its ground and never stepps aside To wave the perill of the violent Shock But lets the Storme come in and roare its sill In all the Bowells of its resolute Cell 71. She enter'd thus falls to her work apace And seizeth with immediate Usurpation All the Reserve of Humors which that Place Was strengthned with in case of some Mutation And these she conquered without any stop For as she met them strait she eat them up 72. The robbed Stomack thus made cleare and free Of all things but the Theife She broacheth there The Art of all that gnawing Crueltie With which her pined Self she us'd to tear No Fire Worm Vinaiger or Venome is So corsive as her fretfull Bitterness 73. As when incensed by the furious flame The Fornace'gins to rage if you denie The Cauldron Liquor which may help to tame The insolent Heats excess and mollifie Its rampant greedy Thirst alas the poor Copper it self does boile and burn and roar 74. So fares it with the Entrails where the fire Which Nature kindled if it wants its fuell On what comes next to hand will spend its Ire And grow against the Stomacks substance cruell For all its Life consists in constant Meat And when it dies it does but cease to Eat 75. And yet with Adamantine bravery Thy Spouse 'gainst this Conspiracy of Pains His Patience arms and though his Breast did frie In mutinous flames He valiantly refrains From all Complaints and sighs and signes that hee Oppressed was by Hungers Tyranny 76. He by a med'cinall Fast resolved was To cure the eating of that fatall Tree From whence the Curse and Death entail'd did passe On Ev's and Adams wretched Progeny He freely what he might Receive refused Because what they Forbidden were they used 77. Thus must the Water wash away the Flame Thus must the Bands of Cold binde up the Heat Thus sober Weight must idle Lightnesse tame Thus wholesome Soure must mend luxurious Sweet Thus honest Day must chase out theevish Night Thus Contraries with Contraries must fight 78. And by his venerable Practise He Has Consecrated and advanced this Despised Thing to such an high degree Of reall honor that now Fasting is The Dainties of the Saints to which they can Invite their Hearts and Feast the Inner Man 79. Where whil'st they at their mystick Banquet
sit The saucy Flesh learns to be meek and milde The boyling Blood grows coole and every fit Of wilfull Lust forgetteth to be wilde The Passions unto Reason crouching stand The Brain grows cleer and all its Clouds disband 80. Thus from that Slavery they redeemed are Whose knots their Teeth had tied thus they throw Away their cloggs thus on free wings they rear Themselves into Themselves being moved now By Heav'ns brisk Fire which in their Bosomes flows And not by that which in the Kitchin glows 81. Nor does the Body onely bear the Pain Whil'st all the Pleasure to the Soul accrews But in its kinde reap full as sweet a Gain Whil'st its intirest Vigor it renewes And fresh and lively Fethers quit the cost Of all those rotten moulting Plumes it lost 82. For when high-fed Distempers sneak away And the dark Seed of all Infirmities Which in the Bodies furrows nestling lay Before its own Birth unperceived dies Fasting the Physick gave yet generous she O cheap Physition never takes a Fee 83. She Nothing takes and would have Men doe so For all her Recipe's ere onely this She turnes the Deep Complaint of bitterest Woe Into an high-strain'd Dialect of Blisse And for this Reason bidds the Sick be sure They ease shall finde 'cause Nothing them can cure 84. O soveraign Nothing upon which so deep In love He fell with it thy Spouse did feed Full fourty Dayes and Nights soft-creeping sleep Perhaps might venture on his eyes but did Not once presume to touch much lesse to fight Against the Paradox of his Appetite 85. The Fury did her best his strength to tire But fretted gnaw'd and laboured in vain Hast thou not heard how Moses all on fire With brave Devotion did of old sustain As many Nights and Dayes on Sina's head A Stranger all the while to Drink and Bread 86. If by accesse to God a Man could grow So much above the temper of a Creature If by attendance on the Morall Law He cleerly could forget the Law of Nature What then might Jesus doe to whose fair face Mose's though deck'd with beams but duskie was 87. What might He doe who did not onely draw Neer unto God but who Himselfe was He 'T was but an Angel that pronounc'd the Law Though in the Name of the great Diety But Jesus was no Proxie he alone Undoubtedly was God and Man in one 88. He who to Salamanders power did give Safely to scorn the siege of any Flame And in the Fornace's red bosome live Making the hostile Fire their food become Might well the burning Drought of Thirst subdue And turn its flames into refreshing Dew 89. He to whose bounty all Chamaelions owe Their virgin priviledge whereby they may Contemn all grosse unweildy Meats and grow Fat upon saplesse Aire can finde a way As pure a Diet for himselfe to get And force the Windes to blow him in his Meat 90. Nay seeing Bread it selfe is dull and dead And no assistance can to Life afford Unlesse it selfe be fortified and fed By the prime Power of Gods almighty Word He well can spare its helpe yet want no food Who is Himselfe th' essentiall Word of God 91. Witnesse his Might for from his Potent Heart An Intimation of his Royall Will He on the Gnawing Fury now did dart Commanding her not to disturb him till He gave her leave for businesse had He With other Beasts of better worth than She. 92. Soon did the Hag perceive how she had thrown Her heedlesse selfe into a conquering Net Where her Fell Teeth and Nailes were not her own But His whom she had thought to make her Meat Wherefore against her selfe she madly bent Her spight and her own Hair and Heart-strings rent 93. But safe and unmolested He went on To seek those Beasts which from the dreadfull Cave Of this intolerable Fiend had run To shrowd their trembling heads For he doth save Not Man alone but also Beast and is Willing to follow both and make both His. 94. Oxen and Asses hee at length descri'd Which all one way in a strait Drove did passe He soon remembred what did him betide When in their House hee entertained was How Bethlehem Stable with the Hay and Manger Receiv'd the new-born Men-rejected Stranger 95. A Flock of Sheep went bleating after Them Whose little Ones made Him reflect again Upon himselfe Gods everlasting Lamb Born in proud Salems shambles to be slain He bless'd them all and promis'd them that they Should ne't be destitute of Grasse or Hay 96. Along with them unto a Pond He came The onely Water which that Desert knows If yet that Pond defile not Waters name Which onely with deep muddy Poyson flows The banks were thronged with wilde Beasts which lay Panting and gasping and forgot their Prey 97. For parching Thirst had now dri'd up their Ite And fighting with their Prey would but increase The too prevailing fury of their fire Which onely Waters influence might appease Yet though their Tongues lay frying on the They durst not dip them in the Pond to drink 98. For yet the long expected Unicorn Delay'd his Comming He who used by The piercing Antidote of his fair Horn To broach the wholsome Waters which did lie Imprison'd in the Poysons Power and then An Health unto his Fellow-beasts begin 99. Not was 't by chance He tardy came that Day The onely Day in which hee could be spared For now Salvations Horn in whom there lay That Soveraign Virtue which far more was feared By every Poyson than what breaketh from The potent Unicorns was thither come 100. Great was the Congregation for there The princely Lyon was the angry Dog The Mountainous Elephant the shaggie Bear The hasty Wolfe the foaming Boar the Hog His grumbling Wife the roaring frowning Bull The Porcupine of amunition full 101. The spotted Panther stiffe Rhinocerot Swift-footed Tigre and a thousand more For all wilde Beasts whom Thirst could drive had got Their severall places ready on the shore Crowding as stoutly Water now to get As they to Noah throng'd to scape from it 102. But when thine unexpected Spouse drew neer With reverent amazement every Beast Look'd up and in a deep but harmlesse Fear Let fall their heads again and so confest Who they beheld and how unworthy They Were to drink in his blessed Aspects Ray. 103. Yet that meer Glance did such Refreshment dart That all the Forces of their Thirst it slew So when unto a long afflicted Heart Joy her immediate Countenance doth shew The blessed Glimpse frights gloomy Grief away And thrusting out black Night le ts in fair Day 104. These Beasts were Heirs to them who when as yet Time and the World were young in Paradise At Gods own summoning together met To pay their Homage in all humble guise To princely Adam who sate mounted high Upon his Throne of native Monarchie 105. Well did they mark their Soveraigns Eyes and face And all his Persons lovely Majesty Which flow'd forth
the Life of Man said He Shall lean not onely on the Staffe of Bread But by a surer Prop supported be By the more wholsome Word of God being fed What need We Loaves our Hungers rage to still Out of Gods Mouth comes that which Man 's will fill 185. O most impenetrable Buckler how Slender an Help is triple Steel to thee Seav'n-times-redoubled Adamant must bow To thy lesse vulnerable Durity O Scripture what vain shades and fethers were Goliah's Arms if they with thee compare 186. This Psyche this is that unconquer'd shield Under whose sure Protection Thou may'st goe Although all Hell pitch'd in a Martiall Field Conspired has and sworn thine Over-throw Thy Spouse hath taught thee its great use and He Did fight with none but this Artillerie 187. Yet as the greedy Wolfe once beaten back By that Repulse is but enraged to A second Onset and doth fiercelier make His fresh Incounter Angrie Satan so Bruis'd by this Fall and vexed at the pain Plucks up his Spirits and ventures on again 188. Yet being forc'd to his slie shifts to runne He plausibly pretends the sullen Place To be the stage where Heav'ns illustrious Sonne Should act his Greatnesse too unworthy was And instantly resolves to change this mean And despicable to some gallant Sceen 189. For as a dainty Cloud came by that Way He the usurping Prince of all the Aire With a stern Look commanded it to stay And so gat up into his flying Chair Taking thy Lord with Him who was content To trie what by this new Designe he meant 190. Then bidding the next Winde upon Him wait He through the Welkin scour'd and quickly came For now his Way all open lay and straight Unto the Top of fair Jerusalem Where on the Temples highest Pinnacle He Jesus set and to his businesse Fell. 191. Alone he fell to it His numerous Train Being left behinde and charged to attend Their Kings Return for much he did disdain In case he could not now atchieve his end His envious Elves again should witnesse how A starv'd Man gave Hells Prince the Overthrow 192. He wisely ponder'd that the Arms whereby He first Repulsed was the mightiest were And therefore cunningly resolv'd to trie If he could Scripture bowe to serve his War O Wit of deepest Hell which makes a sword Of Gods own Word to fight with God the Word 193. And then I grant said He that thy Replie Was true but yet no Answer to my Doubt Loe here a Sceen where Thou may'st satisfie By one Experiment every scrupulous Thought If God thy Father be throw thy selfe down For He for certain will preserve his own 194. Is it not Written That He shall Command His trusty Angels to attend on Thee And with a watchfull ready stretched Hand From the least touch of Danger keep Thee free That no rude Stone with churlish Shock shall meet So tender is He thy secured feet 195. Mark Psyche mark the Cheaters Craft how he Mangles the Text and skips what likes him not In all thy Wayes they shall Assistant be So ran the tenor of the Scripture but He knew full well that Precipices were No Wayes for Man and therefore that did spare 196. Be sure it move thee not if henceforth thou Seest any of his Urcheons Scripture spit For they by his authentick Copie know Both how to geld and to adulterate it Or at the least such peevish Glosses make As it against it selfe shall force to speak 197. But with another genuine Text thy Lord Nobly confuted Him and thus Repli'd This Lawe 's enacted in the sacred Word Thou shalt not tempt thy God and Heav'n forbid That I should dare his Providence and think When I plunge down my selfe I cannot sinck 198. Perhaps thy Wonder asks why Satan now He on the Brink of Danger him had set Bridled his Fury and forbore to throw Him headlong thence But thou must not forget That He was jealous still and feared least His Foe at force of Arms might get the best 199. Alas the Chain of all his Power is short Beleeve it Psyche there 's no Mortall Wight But if he would resolve to hold his Fort Might tire his Siege and all his On-slates sleight But silly Men unto his strength make way Whil'st they by lazie Fears themselves betray 200. Satan at this Repulse deep in his Heart Stifled his Griefe and smothered his shame And now resolv'd to act another Part Leap'd on that Cloud upon whose back he came With which He through the wondering Aire did swim Hurrying thy patient Lord along with Him 201. To his expecting Train He swumm for now Put to his last Reserve of Plots he ment To venture all at one great Cast and though Still both that they should see Him foild he went With desperate resolution to the fight Deer was his Credit but more deer his Spight 202. Unto a Mount he march'd whose heav'nly head Despised Basan Carmell Libanus The Alpes where Winter all year keeps his bed With Pendle Calpe Atlas Caucasus And all the proudest Cliffs of Ararat Where Noahs floating Ark first footing got 203. A Mount which on the highest Clouds look'd down And saw all kindes of Weather far below A Mount which seem'd to be Earths soveraign Crown Where never any Winde aspir'd to blow A Mount which bravely reach'd at Heav'n made Far distant Countries subject to its shade 204. Arrived there with a new plate of Brasse His never-blushing Front he fortifi'd Being now upon an Enterprise which was Second to that in impudence and pride When arm'd with spightfull Fury and Disdain He ventur'd to assail Heav'ns Soveraign 205. 'T was was the same Son of Heav'ns eternall Father To whom his stomach then refus'd to yeild Obedience and homage and chose rather To trie it with Him in a pitched Feild Foole who by his first Fall no warning took For what He was the second fight to look 206. A massie Throne of beaten Gold stood there Whose lustre round about the Region spred Plac'd on a Pavement glorious and clear Refined Silver newly burnished Triumphant Arch's and Columns on each side In laurel Wreaths hid and displayd their Pride 207. Here Satan pitch'd him down when loe the Crew Of his attending Elves in humble guise Themselves before his radiant footstool threw Adoring Him with millions of lies Nor durst they from the Pavement stir untill His nod did intimate his gratious Will 208. Then stretching out his Hand he gave the Signe To that brave Apparition which He By sprightfull Art had taught how to combine With his profound but glorious forgerie One Moment was sufficient for the Sceen Before his Hand was quite stretch'd out came in 209. A mighty Globe came rolling up the Hil Which on an aerie Axell turn'd before His stately Throne and to that Bulk did swell That the full figure of the World it bore No Conjurations ever grew so strong As this of all Inchantments the huge Throng 210. There might You see the
full well doth know No sooner doth her Ear drink his Command But 〈◊〉 her knees and heart and powers bowe For all things must be Naturall says she Which my Creators Voice injoyneth Me. 8. That Voice the Fountain was whence first she rose And ever since hath been the Rule whereby She 〈◊〉 her Course which way so e'r she goes That Voice which did awake Vacuity Into a full and mighty World at ease May change its Parts into what form it please 9. Yet seldome it unsheaths its Power but when Some high and singular Designe 's in hand Some Mystery of mighty Love and then Should the fast Centre in its Passage stand It must and will give way and to the Top Of Heav'n it selfe if need require climb up 10. For what 's the Centre 's close-shrunk Knot or what All heav'n and earth which round about it cling If in a righteous balance They be put With Love that little Word but mighty Thing Themselves they onely to Love's pleasure owe And cannot to His will refuse to bowe 11. Full low They bow'd to it when from the Yoak Of cruell Pharaoh Israels seed it drew Ten mighty Blowes it gave and every Stroke Some part of Nature in proud Egypt slew At length it roll'd the Sea upon an heap And op'd the Rebells Graves amidst the Deep 12. How fertile did it make the Wildernesse In Miracles in what illustrious Flames Renouned Sina's Temples did it dresse How did it teach the Rock to melt in Streams Bidding the Desert flow as it before Had charg'd the Sea to start from either shore 13. This set the Heav'ns to rain down Angels Bread Who every Morning did betimes fulfill Their wonderous Task and all the Desert spred With a thick candied Banquet which lay till The liquorish Sun delighted with the Taste On that Ambrosia daily broke his fast 14. This made the Winde turn Caterer and blow The People flesh This did the Cloud command By day to usher and before them goe With a coole shade This built that walking and Bright-flaming Pillar whose convoying Light Commission had to banish Night from Night 15. Jordan forbid by This presum'd not to Touch the Priests feet though through his 〈◊〉 they past This arm'd meer Sound against proud Jericho And storm'd the Citty by poor Trumpets Blast Whil'st the hugeBullwarks which all Ramms did scorn Fell prostrate down yeilded to the Horn. 16. This put more Might into a feebler Sound When unto Joshua's Mortall Voice 't was given To domineer amidst the Starry Round And 'gainst Dayes Gyant barracadoe Heaven This made the Clouds their gentle Drops forget And Storms of Stones on Israels Enemies spit 17. Yet all these Wonders but Preludiums were And glimmering Dawns of that illustrious Day Which in Times plenitude was to appear And the ripe Age of Miracles display For then the Word it selfe came down below From the worse Egypt's Yoak his World to draw 18. Decorum did require this Time should be The Crown of Times Those Forgeries with which The height of all Poetick Industry Did coine the Golden Age and it inrich With Fancies Gallantry could never rise To match this more than Golden Ages price 19. Phylax who knew all this resolv'd to shew Psyche a glimpse of it with whom when she Awoke he in his willing Chariot flew High through the yeelding Clouds and instantly Reach'd Palestines designed Zenith where He curb'd his Steeds on the commanded Aire 20. Psyche admir'd to see the Chariot stand Upon so thin a floor But then said he This Region is not onely in the hand Of Satans power No our Authoritie Is cleerer far than his though he would here Usurper as he is a Kings Name wear 21. Alas time was as hee remembers well When tumbled headlong from our lofty Home He could not stay himselfe but helplesse fell Through all this Aire to his infernall Doom Indeed he often crawleth up this way Yet 't is but like a Theife to steal his prey 22. But from this Prospect Thou shalt safely see The Sceens on which thy Lord his Wonders did Not all their number is too vast for thee Within the volume of one Day to read And yet as many as shall amply prove That all his businesse in this World was Love 23. That tract is Galilee you ' little Town The place where first his Might abroach He set Where hee was pleas'd a Marriage Feast to crown With his great Presence and Approofe of it Although his Mother were a Virgin He Would not to Wedlock seem an Enemie 24. No He himselfe at first ordained it As a delicious and sacred Tie By which indissolubly He might knit Two Bosomes in one Loves Conspiracy This is that reverend Knot by which alone Two are no longer Two but Both are One. 25. A Knot which He himselfe doth imitate Though in a puter and more mystick way Whil'st with his Spouse he doth concentricate Blending his heart with hers that so Both may Cleave in such unity as makes the Creature Strangely Partaker of its Makers Nature 26. A blessed Knot which ties Affection close Betwixt the Branches and the Root and bindes Up Families in peace which hanging loose By doubtfull Lines as oft as waspish Mindes By Discontents proud itch were spurred on Would split and be infallibly undone 27. Satan was well aware of this For hee Bewitch'd grave Plato's high-esteemed Pen To vent the Doctrine of Community As most conducing to the Weal of Men But when the moderate Pagans Project proved In vain a desperate Christians Tongue he moved 28. For He in Antioch found a Monster who Dar'd spit plain Poyson on this Mystery Avouching that all Nuptials did flow From cursed Hells Invention Hell said He Was the black Shop where Belzebubs own Hands Did forge and fashion Matrimoniall Bands 29. Unhappy Saturninus how hast thou Prov'd thine own selfe an Urcheon of Damnation What gain'st Thou else by fetching from below Thy Beings Root which was of Heav'ns plantation O most adulterous Soul who by thy vile Crime all the Worlds Beds do'st at once defile 30. Whil'st Jesus now sate sweetly at the Feast And added a new Banquet to that Meat For on his face the Eyes of every Guest As in the richer Dainties all were set A fit Occasion Him beseech'd to joyn To that Drie Banquet of his Face some Wine 31. The Wine was out When loe the Virgin Mother In courteous Pitty of the Bridgromes Want Which she as carefull was as he to smother Unto Her Son the Fount of all Things went And in a blush more lovely than the Bride Could shew that Day the busines signifi'd 32. But then her Son who was not hers alone But also Heav'ns and now resolv'd to shew A token of that high Extraction Began for 't was the first time to allow No Name of Mother to Her What says He O Woman what have I to doe with thee 33. This bus'ness Must not seem to flow from thy Sole Motion Heav'n and I
Priest indeed for now The ancient Priesthood with the Veil was rent The Diademe too was falne from Juda's brow And famous Salems Regall Glory spent But James did there erect the sacred Throne Of his Episcopal Dominion 86. Yet are the Northern Windes and Irish Seas More trusty than the Jewes The Jewes to day Can heap their Kisses and their Courtesies On him whom They to morrow will betray Jew's Mouths unto thy face can speak all good This houre and in the next will suck thy Blood 87. With Acclamations They this Saint had set In state upon their Temples Battlement Where hee no sooner did assert the great Name of his Lord but with one mad consent Of Rage they throw him headlong down and stain The ground both with his blood and with his Brain 88. Zelotes and Thaddaeus that brave Pair When He in Egypt preached had and He In Mesopotamia united were To reap in Persia their felicity This was the Crown of Martyrdome which in The Quarrell of their Saviour they did win 89. Peter the Leader of that glorious Train When he had fix'd the Antiochean Seat For his more reverend Throne a place did gain In Caesar's conquering Citty where the great Irradiations of his Fame did call Romes noblest Strength to trie with Him a Fall 90. This Strength was Simon whose Apostacie From Truth in Deeps of Magick Him did drown But more in Lies and desperate blaspemie For all Gods Rights He claimed as his owne And left no Trinitie in Heav'n but taught That He himselfe alone with it was fraught 91. The Father in Samaria the Sonne In Jewrie and in all the world beside The Spirit He preach'd Himselfe And yet alone Pretended not ability to guide His owne Creating Hand but when He made The Angells granted He had Helens aid 92. This was the surest way he had to gain His pretious Whore to set her on his Throrie And in his God head let her Partner raign Besides to help on the production Of Heresies and blasphemous Portents Hell Thought Females usefull then and always will 93. And so the World will say when it has known Priscilla Maximilla and the Pair Of Philumena's with the double Spawn Of lying Elkai for her wretched share In such Deceits some Eve will still come in As Helen heer did into Simons Sinne. 94. He taught his Scholars in Himselfe and Her To treasure up the hopes of their Salvation And heedless Souls the surer to ensnare He freely loos'd the Reins to every Passion No matter how you live or die said He So long 's your Faith builds on my Grace and Me. 95. This was that Champion by whose Magick skill Befooled Nero thought Him God indeed And pray'd Him by some Signall Miracle To dash those daring Wonders Peter did His Credit bid Him to that Motion yeild And set the Day when He would fight the Field 96. The Day is come and Simon boldly makes The Challenge which was unto Heav'n to file With that his Arms he weighs and spreads and takes His unwing'd flight but turns his scornfull Eye Down upon Peter whom into the Hands Of Justice and of Death He recommends 97. The Clowds had gathered thick about the Skie To guard the fair Heav'n from his soule intrusion Yet their Battalia He broke and by His working Arms unto his high Delusion Forc'd ope the way The People as he went Their Wonder after Him and Worship sent 98. But as the never-beaten Fencer lets His bold capricious us Combatant grow high Before He strikes in carnest and so getts A later but a nobler Victorie So Peter letts his Foe alone till He High enough for a fatall Fall might be 99. Then posting after Him with mighty Prayers The Divells which bore Him up He forc'd away Forth with down headlong his aeriall Stayrs The Conjurer fell and on the Pavement lay Where bruis'd and batter d all in gore imbrew'd His black blood and his blacker soul he spew'd 100. Strait in the Peoples Mouths the Divells crie Peter our God hath by enchantment slain And so did this unreasonable Lie Prevail that He is first unto a Chain Condemn'd and afterward unto a Crosse. Unhappy Rome which mad'st thy Gain thy Loss 101. For Thou no sooner gain'st thy freedome from That cursed Wizard but Thou dost betray Thine owne Deliverer if Simon whom Thou seest confounded by the Power which lay In Peters Prayers were a God ô why Must Peter now not be a Deitie 102. Yet He cries out This Altar is too rich For Me so poor and vile a sacrifice Was not the Cross that glorious Place on which My Master paid the Worlds eternall price Sure were some gallant Seraph hear to die This Engine would his Passion dignifie 103. Yet if I must thus high aspire may I At least obtain this leave of you to show That I desir'd not in this Pomp to die So Hang Me that my reverent Head below May pay its finall Kisses on the Feet Of my most royall Saviour's dying Seat 104. Nero to such Requests as these was free Full glad that He had learn'd a new-found-way To cross and double Crucifixion He Commands his Serjeants not to disobey The wretches wilde Desire but so He died To let Him any way be crucified 105. The Saint thus fix'd on the reversed Tree Now findes his Eyes turn'd from all things below As was his Heart before And joyous He In spight of all his obst'nate Nailes knows how That Place to which his Feet did aime to gaine Which Footstoole Simon reached at in vain 106. Andrew his Brother both in Nature's and In Zeale's and Pietie's much straiter Tie Through Thrace and Scythia travell'd with the grand Charge of appeased Heav'ns sweet Embassie The dark Barbarians wondred at the bright Meridian Day amidst their Northerne Night 107. The Day He brought was that which ows its East Not to the East but to the South for there In priviledg'd Palestine thy Lord was pleas'd First unto his Horizon to appeare It was thy Lords sweet Day on which depends The High-noone of that Bliss which never ends 108. Thence into Greece the restless Preacher came Arrogant Greece who though her own She makes The opposite to the Barbarian Name Yet more inhumane salvage Courses takes Than Thrace or Scythia O that famous Arts Should raise Mens Witts yet stupifie their Hearts 109. Achaia smil'd and with disdainfull Mirth Patrae confuted all that Andrew said His Beggar-God's poore miserable Birth And viler Death They scoffingly upbraid Nor did AEgaeus though Proconsul He Stop but spurre on the Peoples Villanie 110. A Cross they make Him of a new-found frame Whither his meek Desire or their wise spight Projected it which thenceforth bare its Name As it did Him that day A Cross not right Erected and transverse but thwarted so That it a X more then a Cross did show 111. A X the blessed Letter which began His Masters deare Name and his own His Cross It self proclaims He dies a Christian
And though the holy Omen to his gross Though learned Foes were unperceived He Rejoyced in his Crosses Mysterie 112. A Cross which shall e'r long so glorious be Wearing his Name upon it crucifi'd That it shall crowne the Scottish Heraldrie And in the Topp of all its Banners ride What Glories then shall Saints themselves obtain If in such state their Suffrings Badges reign 113. Nayld fast unto this Honour was the Saint Array'd in Scarlet from his own rich Veins The Graecians took it for a torturing Paint And thought his Cross a Throne of Soveraign Pains But He his noble Pulpit made this Tree A Pulpit which did preach as well as He. 114. Long was his Sermon for his last it was Two days it measur'd and yet seem'd but short What are two poor and flitting Days alas To that which doth Eternitie import He preach'd Eternitie unto whose light His hood-winkt Torturers He did invite 115. At length perceiving Death no hast would make With strong Desires he wooed it to come Not that his Pains his Patience did break But that his Heart did long to be at home He could be nothing but a Stranger where His Masters blessed face did not appear 116. And am I nail'd in vain deer Lord said he Unto this Pillar of renouned Death Though not poor I yet thou Deserv'st for Me That in this Honour I may yeild my Breath These potent Words to Heav'n with violence flew Whence a fair light they for his Convoy drew 117. As in the bosome of his Chariots flames Illustrious Phehus through the Sphears doth speed So resting in the Arms of these sweet Beams The Saints brave Soule was thither carried Thus in her funerall Fire the Phaenix dies And by her Death to fairer life doth rise 118. On Zeals undaunted Wings great Bartholmew To meet the Dayes Flame where it kindled is Unto the furthest brink of India flew And taught the East to bend their wakening Eyes Upon a new Son who no Gold did need To dresse his Locks and more than golden Head 119. Then having left His goodly Picture there Which Matthews Pen had drawn fair in a Book He posted backward to Armenia where The same illustrious Work in hand hee took But promising his Hearers Kings to make The King grew wroth and thus his Fury spake 120. Bold Wretch who pratest of the idle Throne Of thy vain Christ I 'le make thee know that I In my Armenia will have but one And that 's the Seat of my own Majesty If Jesus be a God his Heav'n will be Realm large enough He need not trench on Me. 121. 'T were speciall Credit for Armenia's King To entertain as a great Deity A stable-born and manger-cradeled Thing Whose ignominious Death did justifie The vilenesse of his Birth because a poor Resolved doting Wretch doth Him adore 122. O no! the Gods by whose great Blessing I Possesse my Crown are Gods enough Away With shamefull Jesu's uselesse Dietie Yet for some use Thou mayst be fitting Say Serjeants will not this Carrion serve to flea Though He be naught yet good his Skin may be 123. That onely Word sufficient was to let The Tygres loose who straight the Saint undresse Both of his Cloths and Skin which at the feet Of their fell Lord they threw for it was his Due right the blessed Martyrs skin to keep In token that He slew the harmlesse Sheep 124. But He now grown far fairer than before As when the Sun from Clouds unveiled is Did shine and sparkle in his glorious Gore Quite dazling by his noble Nakednesse The Devills eyes who could have wish'd the skin To hide his own shame on the Saint agin 125. Yet 't was in vain for Bartholmew was now Fit for the Roabs of Immortality Which Jesus hand ready was to throw Upon his most deserving Back for hee Might without Pains and Crouding now get in At Heav'ns strait Gate who first put off his skin 126. But Matthew into AEthiopia ran Ventring upon a strange Designe for there He strove to purge the Crow into a Swan To make Pitch Chrystall Ink Snow Darknesse cleer Spots beauteous Sables lucid Shaddows bright I mean to wash the Pagan Negro's white 127. And this by Baptisms searching Streams he did Which drown'd their Hearts in Life and Purity Soon the full Torrent of his Name did spread And in the Channell of the Court grow high The Court soon catch'd the News but little thought That in the Newse's Net it selfe was caught 128. Caught was its dearest Gem the Virgin Heart Of Iphigenia daughter to the King And now not all the flattering frowning Art Of royall Hirtacus her Soul could bring To leave her mystick Spouses love and wed Himselfe who panted after her sweet Bed 129. O no! She cri'd My Vow is past and I Unto my God my Body must restore As I receiv'd it My Virginity Is now intirely His and mine no more Matthew is witnesse and it were in vain For Me to call my Promise back again 130. O if you love me then love what I am Love Love himselfe and so you shall love me Be truely Royall Love the Christian Name And let my Sacred Vow still Sacred be For I may to no Pagan Spouse be tied Who to an heav'nly Bridgroom am affied 131. The Prince with Wrath and Folly blinded saw Not how this Match most matchlesse was nor that She had already chose a King And though The shame of meer Humanity would not Permit his Rage to take its swindge on Her Yet He o'r Matthew let it domineer 132. His choisest Bloodhounds in all haste he sent With correspondent charge against the Saint Whom finding busie at the Sacrament With His and his Lords blood the floor they paint And at the Altar thus the Martyr dies To Heav'n a willing and sweet Sacrifice 133. Matthias whose heav'n-witness'd Faith commended Him to supply the Traytor Juda's place To finish Matthews great Designe contended In AEthiopia whence He turn'd his Race To Jewry where his blood hee forth did poure For Him who gave him all his own before 134. John was the last but first and highest in His dear Esteem who is Himselfe most High O blessed Saint which did'st the Riches win Of all Heav'ns sweetest fullest Treasury Jesus indeed does all Men love but hee Not onely lov'd but was in love with Thee 135. He was in love with thy Virginity Which with all blooming Graces was bedeckt Of all his Twelve choise privileg'd Chaplanes He Did for his amorous Favours Thee select He did select Thee his soft Spouse in whose Delicious Eyes He meant his own to loose 136. He was in love with the reflexion Of his own Sweetnesse shining in thy face With sympathetick Joy hee dwelt upon His iterated Selfe in that pure Glasse Striving all Lovers Arts on it to prove O blessed Soule with whom Love fell in love 137. From off the troubled Main he lured Thee Into a deeper Sea of calmest Pleasures The bosome of supream
and Brains with long Distempers were Into a desperate Condition brought Had they not met with His all-healing Care For from his Lipps such Cordialls straight broke out Such Salves such Balsams that all Heav'n did seem Turn'd into Physick to recover Them 165. Heav'ns Kingdome was the Med'cine He appli'd A Med'cine which its Doctor did become A Med'cine fit to slake and cure that Pride Which made poore Man so sick His Home from home To finde his lost Sheep unto Earth He brings And is resolv'd to heal them into Kings 166. Sweet words of Wisedome Power Life and Bliss Into their Ears He pour'd and in their stream So rarely He infus'd all Paradise That what did nothing but a Sermon seem Was liquid Heav'n Thus the rich Gemme unseen Swumm in the Boule of the Egyptian Queen 167. Never did Ethan the sage Ezrahite Never did Heman Chalcol Darda who On Wisdom's Wings exalted to the height Of noble Fame about the World did goe Never did Trismegistus never did The deepest Reach of Zoroastes Head 168. Never did Solomon whose gallant Wit High as the Heav'n and deep as was the Sea Unlock'd and ransack'd every Cabinet Of darkest Nature dive so farr as He Or drop such Sentences and Parables As those with which his deep Discourse He fills 169. Yea ev'n the Serpent in whose wily Head All Craft doth raign when He thy Grandame Eve With his profoundest and most studied Inchantments tri'd of old and did Deceive Less sweetly and less subtlie spake than now The Sermon from thy Spouse's Lipps did flow 170. The Serpents Preachment onely was to steal Eve into part of his own Miserie Thy Spouse's end was onely to reveal The way unto his owne Felicitie And Heav'n forbid but Truth as strong should be As undermining Lies and Flatterie 171. It was as strong by full Authoritie Shewing its own authentick Might and Worth And not in doubting sneaking Jelousie Of labouring for an abortive Birth 'T is the Scribes Chair which totters thus not His Which surer than the Worlds Heart fixed is 172. He as Amphion by his charming Song Rude salvage Hearts did tame and civilize By the high Sweets of his more potent Tongue Did all his Auditors with Heav'n surprize The senseless Sphears a ravishing Sound can make Much more his Voice from whom their tune they take 173. This done The tender God his Love extends Unto their Bodies Ears unto the Deaf Feet to the Lame Eyes to the Blinde He lends And findes more choise of soveraign Releif Then they of Wants O copious Saviour who At once can heal both Soule and Body too 174. The Day grew now decrepit and the Sun Bow'd to the West when the Disciples pray Their Lord to give the Croud leave to be gone And get their Suppers in the Towns which lay About the Deserts verge O no say'd He They are my Friends and they shall sup with Me. 175. Alas how will You entertain eri'd They These numerous Mouthes Two hundred pence in Bread Will not yeild every one a bit what way Shall then this mighty Feast be furnished How shall thy Table stored be with Dishes Here 's nothing but five loaves and two small Fishes 176. As yet they knew not Psyche that their Lord Was He who to the copious Rivers does From a small Fountain all its Streams afford He by whose Providence from one Candle goes That fertile Flame which lights a thousand more Without diminishing its originall Store 177. He by whose Power Elijah did command The finall Hand-full of the wasted Meal To grow upon the pious Widdow's Hand Which strait did his Injunction fulfill And by a springing Harvest more than turn The pined Barrell to a plenteous Barn 178. He in obedience to whose Might though at Elisha's Word the Pot of Oile a waked Into a Spring whose bubling ceased not Till Want of Vessells its Abundance slaked But then grown wisely Thrifty it represt Its Bounty that there might be Nothing lost 179. He whom the same Elisha did foreshew When He before an Hundred People set That simple Pittance which in Spending grew And being small at first at last was great The Eaters Teeth unlocking but the Way Unto the Store which in that Little lay 180. But now He taught Them Goe said he and make My Guests by fifty on a row sit down This done The Fishes and the Loaves he took In his creating Hands when to his own Heav'n lifting up his Eyes and saying grace His Blessing in the Victualls swell'd apace 181. He brake the Loaves and every Peice he brake Strait prov'd as great 's the Whole no Crum did fall But rose into a Loaf Thus when you make Division of the smallest Line still all Are Lines as well as it although for ever The new emergent Parts you should dissever 182. By strange Division the Fishes too He taught to spawn a new and wonderous Frie Though dead yet at his Touch they started so That Two usurped Multiplicitie No longer Two but a large Shoal which from The Sea of Love out at his fingers swumm 183. Then his Disciples Service He commands To set before his Freinds this growing Feast Both Bread and Fish into the Peoples Hands They strait distributed and every Guest Fell to admiring how that simple Meat Made them forget all Hony to be sweet 184. The Quails and Manna had been homely Fare Which Heav'n did in the other Desert shoure When hungrie Israel was a Pilgrim there Had this been present then The Wines brave power At Cana born excell'd the Grapes best Blood So did this Feast to Day all other Food 185. Satietie at length not nauseous But sweet and comfortable put a close Unto the Banquet When thy generous Yet thrifty Lord injoyns Them not to lose His Bounties surplusage nor scorn the Meat Because he gave Them more than They could eat 186. Strait-way the Fragments all collected were Which fifty hundred feasted Men had left When loe the Totall was exceeded far By those remaining Parts the teeming Gift Persu'd its strange Multiplication still And with the Relicts did twelve Baskets fill 187. Beleeve it Psyche thy wise Spouse did by This Wonder to a greater ope the way The long design'd and pretious Mystery Of his own Body which He meant to lay Upon all Christian Altars there to be The endlesse Feast of Catholick Piety 188. A Feast which shall encrease upon its Guests And be intire when Millions filled are A Feast of Miracles a Feast of Feasts Not to a Desert ti'd but every where Dispers'd abroad yet every where compleat That all World may freely come and eat 189. The feasted People were dismissed now And Jesus steps into that Mount to Pray Sure 't was that Blisse along with Them might goe Whom He so carefully had sent away That Night might not upon their Path incroach Nor Dangers Ambushment their footsteps touch 190. That by that Miracle which thus unto Their Teeth had prov'd his Power Divine to be All other
no Clamour but their own could hear 271. At length in one mad course unto that Brow Where the steep Hill into the Sea doth peep They headlong run and one another throw In a tumultuous throng into the Deep And thus those Devils drown'd their wretched prey Their own long Thirst of Mischeif to allay 272. Observe that other shore thy Spouses Fame Shin'd with no less illustrious Glory there Witnesse Her Faith who from Phaenicia came To take miraculous kinde of Physick here She long had her Phaenician Doctors tried Who not her Bloods but Purse's Issue dried 273. But here she found a strange Physition whose Sole Physick is his Soveraign Self and who Gratis on all his heavnly Art bestows Yet her unclean Diseases shame did so Confute its Pain that it She doth conceal And seeks by pious Fraud her Cure to steal 274. Her meekly-faithfull Heart had caught fast hold On Jesu's Garments Hemm and ô said She Could but my Fingers doe as much I would Not doubt to catch my safe Recovery This said the pious Theif took Heart and stept Into the Croud and there behinde Him crept 275. There her most trembling most undoubting Hand To the desired Hemm she gently put Which with a triple Kisse she reverenc'd and Her meek Soule on that humble Altar set But whilst her blushing Blood flush'd in her face She felt its other Current dryed was 276. For as on Aarons consecrated Head The holy Unguent would not bridled be But on his Beard its pretious Influence shed And reach'd unto his Roabs extremitie So did the Virtue of this Higher Preist His very Clothes with mystick Power invest 277. But Jesus who could not permit that such Heroik Faith should thus be smother'd up Enquires what Hand his Vestures Skirt did touch And set the Issue of his Virtue ope That Virtuous Issue Psyche which alone Could wash away and cure Her Bloody one 278. The humble Woman guilty of the high And faithfull Theft fell trembling at his Feet Confessing all her blessed Crime and why She so had ventured to compasse it But while she fear'd her Saviours anger he Applauds the Fact and bids her cheerly be 279. Daughter he cries for those His Children are Whose holy Confidence on his Power relies Henceforth for ever banish needlesse Fear Thy valiant Faith secures and fortifies Thy now recovered Health Goe home and be Assur'd my peace shall sojourn there with Thee 280. Her zealous Thanks she pay'd and home ward went But his dear Image in her heart she bare Resolv'd to fix it in a Monument Of lasting Gratitude which she did rear Before her Door and couldst Thou reach thine Eye Unto Cesarea Thou mightst it descry 281. Erected there in bright substantiall Brasse Thy Spouses statue is and so shall stand Till Julian with a more obdurate face And Heart than is that mettall shall command The fair and reverend Image to bow down And yeild its stately Base unto his own 282. His own which when on Heav'n it 'gins to stare Shall learn what Vengance dwells in Jesu's Hand From whence a speedy Bolt of Fire shall tear The proud and sacrilegious Idol and Give dreadfull Warning to its Owner what He must expect if he repenteth not 283. But yonder Psyche holy Tabor is A Mount made famous by a brighter Story The Temples Mount bow'd down its head to this And veil'd its Legal to the Gospel Glory To this the Hill where Belzebub layd ope The Universe's Gallantrie did stoop 284. Thither did Jesus once himself withdraw With three Attendants Peter James and John Leaving the rest and all the World below That undisturbed his Devotion He might perform for his Designe was now To pray himself and teach his Consorts how 285. To be retired from tumultuous Things And sublimated far above the Earth Two trusty Ladders are which Wisdome brings To help Devotion climbe two Ladders worth All Climaxes which ever yet were set Up by the loftiest strains of eloquent Wit 286. But as he Pray'd his flaming Soule did break Forth at his Eyes and flash'd to his own Heaven The dazeled Sun immediately stepp'd back And for his dimmer face sought some new Even For Day now needed not his garish beams Being gilded by his Makers purer Flames 287. Jesus who in his Bodies Veil till now The Raies of his Divinity had hid Was pleased here to give them leave to flow And roule about Him in a glistering Tide Thus when his key unlocks the Cloud from thence The Lightning poures its radiant Influence 288. But as the unexhausted Fount of light Which dwells so deep in Phebu's splendid Eyes On all his royall Roabs doth shed its bright Effusions and his Charet beautifies So that about Heav'ns Circuit He is roll'd Enthron'd and cloth'd in nothing else but Gold 289. So from thy Spouses more than Sun-like face The Lustre all about his Rayment darted A Lustre whose divine and gentle Grace It self with kinde magnificence imparted Unto the mortall Texture which so pure And piercing Brightnes else could not endure 290. Thus when a dainty Fume in Summer Aire To Lambent Fire by Natures sporting turns And gently lights upon Mens Clothes or Hair With harmlesse Flames it playes and never burns Its habitation but feeds upon The delicates of its own Beams alone 291. As the Disciples wonderd at the Sight Which peeping through their fingers they beheld Two strangers they espied in rayment bright Which Jesu's overflowing beams did gild They wistly look'd upon them musing who The Men might be and what they came to doe 292. The first ware horned beams though something dim In this more radiant Presence on his face Full was his beard his Countenance was grim Yet sweetned by a meek but royall Grace His roabs were large and princely in his Hand He held a mystick and imperious Wand 293. A golden Plate he ware upon his breast In which the Ten great Words enammeld were A grave and goodly man he was and drest In such attire that they no longer are In doubt about Him but conclude that he Could none but Moses the Lawgiver be 294. Grave was the other Stranger too in face But in his Rayment wonderous course and plain He seemd to want a Mantle that which was Long since thrown off by him on Jordans plain The serious beams which darted from his Eye Spake Eremiticall Severitie 295. Behinde him stood a flaming Chariot Whose Steeds were all of the same Element 〈◊〉 was their fire more than their Courage hot And much adoe they had to stand content When they had well observed this they knew Such Tokens could none but Elias shew 296. These two grand Prophets whom thy Lord gave leave To wear some glorious beams though He were by A reverend Discourse did interweave Of the great work of his Humanity With high ecstarick Words displaying how At Salem He Deaths Powers should overthrow 297. A Doctrine which on the Disciples ear And this their Master knew full hard would grate And
Oaths and Cries Tumbled and toss'd themselves from place to place And sought Lots Door in one anothers face 324. As Jesus spi'd this helplesse Wight for He Warch'd to surprise all Objects of Compassion Speeded by his own heav'nly Charity He to his Succour flies Such is the fashion Of generous Love which never stayes to be Woo'd and importun'd to a Courtesie 325. The simple Man perceiving one draw nigh Fell to the Beggers covetous Dialect Craving for Money Friend that is not my Largise thy Lord repli'd which doth infect Those who desire it Surely Thou would'st finde What Bane thou begg'st wert thou not double Blind 326. Money is that unhappy Dust which flies Full in the face of undiscerning Man And heaps such Mists of Blindnesse on his eyes That Heav'n He cannot see If thou did'st skan Thy state aright Thou might'st thy Blindness blesse Who seest not how monstrous money is 327. I l'e make a thinner Clay than Money which Shall far exceed the Worth of Gold to Thee They are not moneys beams which doe inrich The World with Light and Glory but from Me Alone flow forth those clear and genuine Raies Which blesse the Age with sweet and golden Days 328. This said three times He spit upon the ground And temper'd with his Hand a Soveraign Clay No Salve by deepest Art was ever found Which could so sure all Maladies allay Should pretious Balsame now prove sick and die This Ointment could work its Recovery 329. With this the Blinde Mans Eyes He Oynted yet Was pleased not forthwith to give them sight First an experiment He meant to get Whether his inner Eyes of Faith were bright Then with his Favour to reward and grace The Pool which long before so pious was 330. Bethesda Waters swell'd with full-tide Fame Wherefore though apt Occasion Him invited Time was when He refus'd to honor Them But pour'd his royall love into this sleighted Though worthy Pool which as his Partner He In this his Miracle vouchsaf'd to be 341. To Siloam goe said He and wash thine Eyes And thou shalt see what I to thee have given The joyfull Man with holy Credence hies Him to the Place No Hart was ever driven By scalding Thirst more greedily unto The Rivers than He to this Spring did goe 342. He went to drink not with his Mouth but Eyes Which as He washed loe they 'gan to ope Out flew black Night and all those duskie Ties By which his Sense before was chained up Straight his released sparkling Pupills show'd Like sprightfull Lightning from the broken Cloud 343. And now he lives and sees that he does live And Heav'n and Earth more than by hear-say knows Now every Parcell of the World doth give Him a Remembrance unto whom He owes His power of seeing it O happy hee Who must in every Thing his Saviour see 344. Since from the Darknesse of the first Abysse The Universe was wakened unto light Ne'r was atcheiv'd so strange a Cure as this Which on condemned Eyes bestowed fight In spight of Nature who had put them out Before she gave them leave to look about 345. Now Psyche turn thine Eye to yonder Town Great Salems little Neighbour Bethany A place of dear Remembrance to thine own Beloved Lord from Salems tumults He Would oft retire into that calmy place And still as oft's He came He welcome was 346. For there two Sisters dwelt an holy Pair Industrious Martha who the World did love Yet not so much but Jesus was more dear Although the practick Trade of Life she drove The Cream of her Solicitude she spent To purchase more than secular Content 347. Pathetick Mary one whom Mercy made Her chosen triumph This was 〈◊〉 She Who in the hottest Troop of Sinners had A leading Place such stout Impiety Incouraged her Heart that Hell could not Put her on any Task but she would do 't 348. For seav'n foule Devills had themselves possest Of all her Soule and with imperious Port In the usurped Palace of her Breast Their throne erected and maintain'd their Court What Proclamations or Warrants They So ever issu'd she did straight obey 349. But Jesus who did square his Pitty by No Merit hee in Mortall Man could read But for his Rule took their Capacity Of Succour found how much this Heart did need His potent Help which He forthwith applied And made her Live who now seav'n times had died 350. For from the bottome of Her poys'ned Breast Seav'n hideous Deadly Sins she vomited And having thus disgorged Hell which prest Her down so low to Heav'n she rais d her head Flaming with purest fire of Love as she Before had smoak'd in Lusts Impurity 351. Her brave Devotion she did measure now By the Large Size of Mercy she had gained For as that Mercy did no limits know So to Infinitude her Love she strained She strained hard and would have reach'd the Top If Mortall Passion could so high climb up 352. O Psyche hadst Thou but been by when She Unto her Lord upon Loves Errand came Thou might'st have seen impatient Piety Mount in the boldnesse of its noble Flame First at his Feet it 'gan and then it spred With fair and liberall Fulnesse to his Head 353. That fragrant Ointment which she us'd before To her own lustfull Skin to sacrifice She now on Jesu's sweeter Feet doth poure And adds another showre from her own eyes Then wiping them with her late crisped Tresses She offers there her consecrated Kisses 354. She mindes not what Spectators think or say Love is secnre and carelesse She does mean E'r from her Lovers Feet she goe away To oint or weep or wipe or kisse them clean And by this generous Zeal she Sanctifies Her Locks her Lips her Ointment and her Eyes 355. But as the sprightfull Flame disdains to stay Below and with undaunted Ardor strives To reach its lofty Sphear So she one Day The Reins unto her gallant Passion gives And takes aime at the Top of Heav'n for this I 'm sure said she on Jesu's Temples is 356. She had a Box of Ointment of high price Yet not so pretious as her loving Lord Could the Worlds wealth meet in one Sacrifice All this She freely could to him afford And now unbrideled Love such haste did make That straight the Box or her own Heart must break 357. Indeed both brake and both she poured on His Head who is of Sweets and Hearts the King Straight through both Heav'n Earth the Odours ran Which shall for ever with their Praises ring For now't has lost its Alabaster Cell The glorious Nard in all the World doth dwell 358. Thrift grumbled at the Cost but Jesus who Excessive in his Love to Mary was Vouchsaf'd her generous Soule free leave to goe In the same princely and licentious pace He knows the heats of this unweildy Passion And will allow it brave Immoderation 359. All other Passions eas'ly bounded are Because their Objects are in limits ti'd But Love alone
Name is Mammon and although he be So dead a Lump that aid he cannot lend Unto himself yet to his Deity Almost all living Men do couch and bend Heav'ns King with all his Powers of Love Bliss Works upon Humane Hearts with lesse Successe 69. Both those who see and those who have no eyes Are by his splendor equaly invited For Both are Blinde when they begin to prize His worthlesse Worth and finde their Soules delighted With the bare contemplation of Money Which is their Thirsts Milk their Hungers Honey 70. Thrift that most slander'd Thing pretended is By almost every Age and Tribe of Men Who all inamor'd of this glistering Blisse After the Call of Monies chincking run And tainted with th' immedicable itch Of heaping Riches ne'r think they are rich 71. Before the Image both the sick and well The Rich and Poor the Young and Aged lay Active and hot was their Devotions Zeal Disdaining any Respit Night or Day And mortifying with hard Penance what Soever Mammons Laws allowed not 72. About it s shaddowed feet grew a thick Crop Of every kinde of Sin which taints this Earth Fruits which those fond Devoto's gathered up As fast's the pois'ned Roots could bring them forth The Golden Crime this certain Priviledge wins That it is alwayes rich in other Sins 73. In other Sins and in the righteous Curse Which is by Veng'ance ti'd eternaly Unto the never-satisfied Purse For still those Cormorants are tortured by Vexatious Cares and Fears of Want the more They are incumbred with their growing Store 74. That Store which with such tyrannizing Awe In endlesse bondage holds their Soules that they With any of those golden Streams which flow Upon their Lips durst not their Thirst allay But rather antidate their Hell and learn Betimes in everlasting Drought to burn 75. The Priest which waits upon this Deity Is full as ougly as its selfe is fair The raving wallowing Maenades would be Spruce handsome Ladies if compar'd with Her So would the rankest Witch that ever yet Disfigured was in any Magick Fit 76. Age bends her looks towards that Earth in which Uncessantly to delve is her delight As are the backs of bunched Camels such Is Hers and full as well agrees with Weight All Load is light to Her if but one Grain Of intermixed Profit it contain 77. Her Face all over's plowed up with Care And long and deep the wretched furrows be Her hollow Eyes quite damp'd and dazell'd are By glaring on her glistering Deity Her sallow Looks and shrivell'd parched Skin Confesse what Pains she takes about her Sin 78. Her Nails she never cut but let them grow Up with her Wealth for Scraping was her Trade No greedy Vulture could such tallons show Such dreadfull Claws no Harpie ever had These were the Engins with which she did break Earths Bowells open and the Centre rake 79. A putrid Mantle ti'd about her Waste Was all the Roabs she would her selfe allow Which she had found upon a Dunghill cast A thousand years agoe and which was now Nine hundred Times new Patch'd yet would not She At the least cost of a new old one be 80. Nine stuffed Pouches on a leathern Thong Crowded about her miserable Loins With these of massie Keyes two Bunches hung The Memorandums of her treasured Mines Which Keyes she twenty times a day would tell And reckon what under their Locks did dwell 81. Patrocles was to Her a generous Knight And made his bord the Sceen of Lavishnesse When she with Dainties would her selfe delight Some old worm-eaten Root her Banquet was And when at most her Fare she did enlarge She would in Salt be at an whole Mites charge 82. But planted deep in her unhappy breast Is the black Root of all her monstrous Cares Foule Infidelity which bids her cast About how to with-stand what her vain fears Make terrible and build her Trust upon No Power or Providence but her own alone 83. Besides th' Idea's of her Gold which lay Pill'd there in cursed heaps did rusty grow This Rust its dwelling turn'd into its Prey And on her heart incessantly did knaw Yet was her Idoll unto her so dear That for more Money she more Rust would bear 84. This Hag was Avarice whom Satan held Almost as dear as He thy Spouse did hate Upon her Power He alone did build His finall hopes to bring about his great Designe of Malice for He knew that She Could doe much more with Men than Heav'n or He. 85. Unto her house himselfe in person came And with all condescent of Courtesie Wiping aside the Sulphure and the Flame In which his royall Lips did use to frie Saluted Her who never untill this Occasion from her King obtain'd a Kisse 86. This Favour ravish'd her so deep that She All his Injunctions did with Joy receive First taking her Commission on her knee Which thrice she kiss'd and then her hasty leave To earth she posts where she findes out a Cell Almost as helish as her native Hell 87. For to Iscariots breast she took her way Which foolish He left ope without a Guard With all her venome in she rush'd and lay Close in the bottome of his heart full hard It was e'r she intruded in but now No stone can such proofs of its Hardnesse show 88. Those Words of potent Sweetnesse which did drop From Jesu's blessed Lips could Windes and Seas And Sicknesses and Devills bridle up And every Storm but Judas his appeas O that Man should that onely Monster be Which is too hard for Mercies Suavity 89. As He who boiling Lead has swallow'd down Feels himself all on fire and thinks that though A thousand Seas into his Cup were thrown They could not quench his drought So Judas now Perceived his impois'ned bosome frie In covetous Thirsts impatient Ardencle 90. Millions of Thoughts are raging in his breast And every one of them is all on fire He scorns and hates the Povertie of Christ No other Blisse but Gold he does desire Talk not to Him of penniless Piety What e'r it cost hee must have Gold or die 91. But yet this onely Poison did not swell His heart Another joyned in the plot Deep in the very Sink of lowest Hell Is situate a dreadfull gloomy Grot A Grot which there in ambush seems to lie Hatching the Eggs of all Conspiracie 92. And yet within a goodly House is built Muchlike the Palace of some Virgin Queen With quaint Designs the Frontispice was gilt And the whole Fabrick look'd like Beauties Sceen White Marble were the rich Materials And yet the Workmanship out-shin'd the Walls 93. What full Balconies stately Terrasses 〈◊〉 Anticks fair Compartments handsome Cants 〈◊〉 Freezes and neat Cornishes Brisk and well-order d Turrets Nothing wants That Art could give to make the Out-side fine Yet still the House is gallanter within 94. The double Door with open lips invites All Strangers to come in The Porter there Well learned in all complementall Rites Bids
frown on Thee who betray'st its Son The Lord of Life to Death thy Saviour to Most sure most undeserv'd Destruction Into one Bolt let all Gods Thunders goe And on thy cursed Heart his Justice throw Which scorned all the Mercie He could show 226. That Stroke will send Thee down into thy Place Of Death but yet of never-dying Pain Where melted with the flames of this my face Thy thirty silver Peeces I will drain Into thy Heart that Thou mayst shreik and roat Whilst there they burn and boile for evermore 227. This said th' infulting Prince of Tyranny In scornfull Spight with-drew being confident Maturity would get her Wings and flie To overtake his Plot yet e'r he went Seav'n times he thresh'd the Conscience with the flaile Of his enormous poyson-pointed Taile 228. As when the Deluge in great Noahs time Broke out upon the World and with a Sea Of universal Woe surpriz'd the Crime Of that impenitent Age their Misery To those unhappy Mortals op'd their graves In Desperation first then in the Waves 229. So Judas taken in this mighty flood Of deepest Anguish had no power to think How to escape or that his Saviours blood Might drown that sea in which he fear'd to sink O no! the thought of that dear blood alone Pour'd on his face Guilts blushing Ocean 230. Since long ago his Trust He rather built On Money than on God he durst not hope That Mercie now could reach his heightned guilt And thus by fear to impudence set ope The way for by this dread of goodnesse he Gives flat defiance to its Lenitie 231. And now sees vengance aiming at his head And his foule Treason flying in his face He sees the whole Worlds anger marshalled Against his odious crime He sees the place Deep in the heart of Hell where damned He Designed is for evermore to be 232. With that his Cloths his Hair his Flesh he tore He roar'd he rav'd and thus to cursing fell May that unhappy day be read no more In any Calendar but that of Hell Which to this balefull Life did me betray A Life to living Death the dying way 233. Curs'd be my Father who did me beget Curs'd be my Mother who did me conceive Curs'd be my Nurse because in every Bit She mix'd not Poison which might Me repreive From this most damned Night And cursed be All sicknesses which would not murder me 234. Curs'd be this Hand of mine which oft has had A Knife and yet forbore my throat to cut Curs'd be these Feet which oft their way have made Over the brows of Precipices yet Would never stumble that I might have fell Then but to Earth who tumble now to Hell 235. Curs'd be that Day which me acquainted brought With Jesus and enroll'd my ominous Name Amongst his Chaplanes Cursed be that thought Which spur'd me to the Priests to trade with them Curs'd be the project which hath curs'd me so Curs'd be the Bargain and the Chapmen too 236. Curs'd be this Garden upon every bed May fatall Hemlock Woolfbane Poppy grow May Vipers Adders Basilisks be spred In every corner on each Tree and Bough May Ravens and Scritchowls dwell that something may Resemble Judas here another day 237. Another day ô no! may thickest Night Upon this Sceen of Treason ever dwell That neither Sun nor Star may reach their light More unto this than to the other Hell The bloody beams of Ghosts and Furies will With fittest lustre this black garden fill 238. But may the deepest of all Execrations On you my thirty silver torments fall How shall I be reveng'd on your temptations Which thus have drown'd me in a Sea of Gall Is there no way base pale and paltry Clay How I may you as you did me betray 239. Shall I take you along with me to Hell And hold you fast amidst my endlesse flames Or send you back unto your former Cell The High-Priests wicked Bag surely this seems The blacker and the deeper Pit and I Thither again will damn you instantly 240. This said Like that tormented Man in whose Possessed heart a Legion of Feinds Did tyrannize He to the Citie goes Where in the Temple he his Chapmen findes Unhappy Temple which was now Possest With them as was with Satan Juda's Breast 241. With hideous yelling he amongst them ran Flinging about his hands his head his eyes And having strein'd his ejulation Wide as his throat could reach O Me he cries My sin burns in my breast and domineers Too high to hope for quenching from my tears 242. No Expiation does that Altar know Which for my deep di'd guilt can satisfie The stream of Jesu's blood so full doth flow On my unpardonable Soule that I Am drown'd for ever in my deep offence Being Condemned by his Innocence 243. Take your vile Money and my Curse with it May all Heav'ns wrath your bloody Bargain crown Here with indignant furie having spit On Them first on his Silver next and thrown It at their hated Heads away He flung Raving and Cursing as he ran along 244. For all the way he thought he struggled through An Army of reviling Detestations Over his head he both his Arms did throw To sh heild it from his own Imaginations Through which from heav'n and earth such arrows flew As wounded Him at every stop a new 245. For Melancholy dark as is the Pitch Which on the throat of Hell so thick doth grow Chok'd every glimpse of Sense and Reason which Offer'd to dawn in his Soules sphear and show Him by what torturing Mistakes he had Himselfe unto Himselfe a Tyrant made 246. Thus came He to a secret silent Place Without the Town yet could not think it so For still he fancied all the City was Hot in the chase of Him 〈◊〉 Saviours Foe Each Bird or Flie that moved made him start Each Winde that puffed blew quite through his heart 247. His Eyes distracted were first looking up For fear least Heav'n should fall upon his head Then down least Earth her dread full Mouth should ope And snatch him to his grave e'r he were dead Till tired with this fear his breast he stroke And into right down Desperation broke 248. Adieu all hopes he cries and fears adieu Come Veng ance come my heart is ready here I see how vainly I my Money threw Back to the Priests whose burden still I bear The Rust sticks close and heavy still upon My knawed Soule and I must be undone 249. If Heav'n be just why does it yet delay To poure its Wrath on my deserving head Am I not Judas He who did betray Its onely Son Is not my Conscience red With his most innocent Blood and yet must I Be still endur'd to live when He must die 250. At least great Satan doe not thou deny Thy Servant Pay for this grand Work which He Hath compass'd with unparalleld Treachery In high obedience to thy Hell and Thee No Soule did ever more than I have done Nor ernd
a gallanter Damnation 251. Didst Thou not promise Me but even now The dearest Torments of thy deepest Hell Deceive me not again If ever thou Wert carefull of thy Credit now fulfill Thy bounteous Word or look no more to be Served by Man if thou reward'st not me 252. Come then burn up these Lipps which learn'd of thee Their killing Kisse Dash out these Brains which thou Taught'st how to project that fell Treachery Tear this curs'd Carkase which is wholly now At thy disposall that each Limb may feel No portion but the totall Wrath of Hell 253. Take this dispairing Soule and let it be The Prey of thy eternall Furies 't is No groundlesse Challenge that as due to Me I claim the utmost of thy Spight unlesse Thou hast thine infinite Debt to Me forgot Jesus and Heav'n into thine hands I put 254. Jesus and Heav'n Names which I now must hate As having made them my eternall Foes O how I long to be in that free state Where generous Blasphemy no Bridle knows Where I may Rage as loud's Heav'ns Thunders 〈◊〉 And being cursed curse for overmore 255. Here the full Tide of furie stopp'd his Throat Yet still He star'd and struggled with his Grief Still he tore off his hair his Breast He smote And through Self-tortures hunted for Relief His Tongue He bit because it would not speak And stamp'd the Earth which would not open break 256. But as the Hair the Fat and Pitch which were Into the Dragons throat by Daniel cast Did burn and boile and rage and tumble there Far more than in the Pot untill at last With most impatient swelling Toiments They 〈◊〉 through his monstrous belly burst their way 257. So did this Mixture of Griefe and Dispair Flame in Iscariots bosome till it grew So strong and big that all his Entrails were Conquer'd with Tortures and in sunder flew His Body split and through that cruell Wound Pour'd his more barbarous Bowells on the Ground 258. Thus from this Prison his black Spirit ran Into that blacker Jaile reserv'd for it Next to the Center of Damnation Where now it raves in chains at Satans feet Ensore'd the pois'nous flames he spews to drink O that all Traytors w ould of Judas think PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XII The Banquet ARGUMENT TO seal his dear Remembrance safe and sure On the soft hearts of his selected Sheep Love institutes his parting Feast so pure So sweet so rich that Psyche rap'd by deep Desire at its Description sues to be A Sharer in that Bords Felicity 1. BUt ô how large a Name is Treason which Doth in another fatall Channel run And from this Universe's Cradle reach Down to its funeral Pile No Ocean E'r stretch'd its Arms so wide or spread such store Of shipwrack'd Mortals on its helplesse shore 2. And this Selfe-treason is an imbred Feind Whose bus'nesse is to undermine her Home Whose most unnatural Nature is to rend Her too too loving Dames unhappy Wombe Who knaws her selfe and with 〈◊〉 Spight Free Veng'ance takes on Luxuries delight 3. For she her selfe is Luxury a Weed Which grew at first in an unlikely Place Who would suspect that such a cursed Seed Should Paradise's blessed Plants disgrace Yet as the Serpent in those Beds did lie So did this full as venomous Luxury 4. Under the beaureous Tree of 〈◊〉 there 〈◊〉 found her first and saw her 〈◊〉 up With 〈◊〉 Zeal and restlesse Pains one 〈◊〉 But dangerous and forbidden Fruit to crop Foole as she was she help'd her up and knew Not that by it her selfe she downward threw 5. Yet She to Adam needs would her commend And He unkindely courteous could not Denie to hugg his Spouses seeming friend Who Death and Hell strait through his bosome shot And now the Dainties of all Paradise Could not his foolish appetite suffice 6. No He must taste of that which never was Design'd to blesse the Palate But the Soure Revengefull Fruit was quit with Him for as It in his Teeth did stick with all the power Of stupefaction them on edge it set Proving his fatal Torment not his Meat 7. Nor could He chuse but leave his wretched Heirs Th' inheritance of this enchanting Pain Which down through all his Generations stayers Fail'd not its propagated Bane to drain This hankering itching liquorishnes did run Hot through the Veins of his remotest Son 8. Which Fervor did betimes so furious grow That the old World on fire with Lust it set A fire which with the heat of Hell did glow And was as stinking and as black as it A fire which joynd with other sinnes grew stout And found the Deluge work to quench it out 9. But then Earths face being washed clean and white She smil'd on Heav'n with a well-pleasing Grace And God vouchsafed humane Appetite A full Commission over all the Race Of Birds of Beasts of Fish that He might see How abstinent Man would prove now being free 10. For generous spirits then doe most abstein When they are Lords of their own Libertie When Virtue is entrusted with the Rein And room is given for Self-victorie When high-straind Moderation may prove No Act of Dutie but a Work of Love 11. Mans Appetite to every thing was free Bating the Blood in which the Life doth swimm Blood is the tincture in which Crueltie Stains all her clothes a tincture for the grimm And salvage Tygres not for Man who is Or should Professor be of Tendernesse 12. Indeed good Noah who both Worlds had seen The Old and New and was more Worth than both Indeavoured to keep himselfe as clean As now the Earth was wash'd And that no sloth Might tempt and steale him into Luxurie Buckled his Bones to painfull Husbandrie 13. And that the Pains He in his Vineyard took Might be requited by the Fruit it bare He shed the Grapes into his Bowle whose Look Might well have been his Monitor to beware Its rubie die had He but understood He would have shunn'd this Liquor too as Blood 14. But as it smil'd and sparkled in his face And mov'd with generous fervor in the Cup The un-suspicious Saint invited was With equal cheerfulnesse to drinke it up So untri'd Pleasures by their daintis skin And sweet behaviour approbation win 15. The flattering Liquor as it downward went Knock'd at his Heart and easie entrance got Where with his Spirits it did complement And soft delicious Fire amongst them put Noah rejoyc'd to feele his bosome glow And his old Ages Ice begin to thaw 16. This Bait drew down another for alas Good Man he little knew that Treacherie In his Soul-cheering Cup infused was Or that his Wine which sparkled e'r would be Destructive flame But Embers often rise Into Combustion when We least surmise 17. He freely takes a second Draught and now The Liquor gather'd strength and grew more bold Impatient to be supprest below Up to his Head it found a way and roll'd About his Brains wherein there 'gan to swimm
thick the Waiters stand whose Dignity Shines next the Glories of their royall Lord No Prince was on his Coronation Day E'r honored by such Servitors as They. 153. The gallant Cherubs and the Seraphs here With legions of fairest Angels meet And in all awfull Reverence draw neer Ravish'd at what you Mortals Drink and Eat Here royall Principalities attend Here Thrones bowe down heer Dominions bend 154. For when they are above in their bright sphear The glorious Ocean of eternal Sweets Their blessed Eyes behold no richer Cheer Than Mercy on this noble Table sets Nor did the Cherubs which kept Paradise Finde there such glorious Varieties 155. Pure are their Eyes and they can easily passe Through the thick Veil which on the Feast doth lie A Veil which in profound Compassion was Thrown on the Count'nance of this Mystery Which darts more glories from its naked face Than ever did great Mose's Temples grace 156. So long as mortall Grossenesse sticks upon The Brows of Man and cloggs his feeble Sight One glimpse of heav'nly Majesty alone Would seal his eyes up with eternall Night For what exceedeth doth corrupt their reach Transcendent Lustre prov's as dark as Pitch 157. When Batts may venture to the Eagles Nest And full against the Suns their own eyes set When blear-ey'd Owles may leave their gloomie Roost And with safe Looks the Face of High-noon met When Midnight dares throw off her sable Cloke And into bright Aurora's Wardrobe look 158. Then may dim-sighted Men with safety gaze Upon their Lords unveiled Brightnesse then May they directly to his royall Face Without a Perspectives Assistance run Then may they boldly scorn their Eyes to shrowd Under the moderate Shaddow of a Cloud 159. But Jesus who full well their Weaknesse knew Did in the Shelter of plain Wine and Bread Accommodate his Goodnesse to their View That in Familiar Elements they might read The hidden Mystery and happy be Above all that their Mortal eyes could see 160. The time shall come when the dull Dust shall be By the brisk Virtue of the Resurrection Resin'd and rais'd to a Capacity Of radiant and spiritual Perfection When faithfull Soules in their celestial Rest Shall at the Lambs unvciled Supper feast 161. Mean while it is their Priviledge that they May freely in the Shade enjoy the Sun That in the Darknesse they may meet the Day And in Hopes Region finde Fruition But who sweet Psyche would beleeve that hence Man should draw reason of Irreverence 162. Alas when Time shall old and doting grow And Christian Spirits sympathize with it 〈◊〉 will be bold to make this Banquet know That by its Out-side They doe square and fit Their estimation of it and that there Their Faith admits no more than doth appear 163. It must be Superstition if they Should think Gods Table holier than their own If of this Cup and Patin they bewray An higher thought than of those all the Town Use in the publick Inns when e'r they keep Their free Communion of Good-Fellow ship 164. Nor Jove nor Juno nor the silliest He Or She of all that Rabble who were made Gods by vain Man found such impiety In those their Makers as to be betray'd To slovenish Altars and to 〈◊〉 Rites By fained Zeal's irreverent Deceits 165. Must Rudenesse onely be permitted to Attend on Jesu's noblest 〈◊〉 And must it for most pure 〈◊〉 goe Because so grosse and 〈◊〉 Surely We Are much too blanie in Heav'n who never knew Such kinde of 〈◊〉 to our God was due 166. Is this the Thanks for keeping in his flames Of most intolefable Majesty Which once unveild by its immortal streams Would them devour and all their slovenrie Alas that Love should thus neglected be And for no cause but mighty Charity 167. But those brave Lovers of whose generous breast Jesus intire possession has took Are so inamored of this royal Feast That with all humble Reverence they look Upon it and in faithfull pure desire After Angelick Complements aspire 168. Their Hearts beat high with that illustrious Zeal Which fires our Breasts and fain would stoop as low As doe the Seraphs when this Miracle Of Love invites their reverent knees to bow Fain would they have their passionate Piety As infinite as is this Mystery 169. For infinite it is and gladly I Would its Infinitude to Thee display No Theem with such delight could sit on my Admiring Tongue But Angels must give way To ecstacies in such vast Deeps where Love Himselfe the utmost of his Power doth prove 170. Here Phylax ended and observed how The Bait would operate which He had cast To Psyches heart which being captiv'd now By his Discourses Charms and chained fast Unto the Tables foot which He set out This pious answer gently forth she brought 171. My Soules sweet Friend what thanks can I repay For all this honey which thy Tongue hath shed Into my ears and heart 〈◊〉 Phylax may He whom Thou praisedst poure upon thy head Thy full Requitall As for sunple Me What can the poor Worme Psyche give to Thee 172. She can give nothing but 〈◊〉 still A begger 〈◊〉 for further Favours sues Yet not for Cates my stomacks mouth to fill 〈◊〉 No Famins Power could make me chuse My other Diet if at this sweet 〈◊〉 Of Love and Heav'n my Soul may now be Guest 173. And if it be not so I am undone Such Hunger knaws such Thirst does burn my heart That by that Banquets Comfort I alone Can rescued be from this impatient Smart And 't is thy courteous fault dear Phylax who With its Description Me hast ravish'd so 174. The sickly what but Health can satisfie And what but Balsame can desired be To stop the Wounds wide Mouth and bloody Crie What does the hunted Deer so pant to see But some coole Fount or soveraign Ditany What can the Captive wish but Liberty 175. My Health my Balsame and my Liberty My Dear 〈◊〉 and my Fount of Blisse My onely Nectur and Ambrosia lie Treasur'd up in this Banquet If I misse Of this my Wish alas what shall I doe What hope what helpe for my encreasing Woe 176. She fainted here But Phylax reach'd his hand Unto her Arm and Comfort to her Heart I like said He thy noble Ardour and Its fuell 〈◊〉 unto 〈◊〉 Fire impart In yonder House there lives a reverend Priest 〈◊〉 for thy pious foule will dresse this Feast 177. This said He leads 〈◊〉 Virgin thither where In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 room a 〈◊〉 of Faithfull Hearts 〈◊〉 that great Bus'nesse early did prepare For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forc'd them to all Arts Of 〈◊〉 and glad they were to choose Such Temples as were hidden from their Foes 178. There in a Chalice and a Dish of Wood The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Poverty The wonder of their Saviours Flesh and Blood With golden Hearts they waited on But We Alas in Patins and in Cups of Plate With Hearts of Wood this Banquet celebrate 179. They in the Strangers Zeal-inflamed eye
Scorns to be balanc'd with the richest Treasure O then what mighty Depth of Worth or Height Of purest Pretiousnesse can serve to measure The value of the Life of Jesus which Doth earth with all the best of Heav'n enrich 29. A Life more worth than all the Breath which 〈◊〉 The panting Hearts of the whole World beside More worth than all the Tract of Ages and Old 〈◊〉 himself A Life which nobly vie'd With vast 〈◊〉 so sweet immense And pure was its Miraculous Excellence 30. For whilst all Humane Life was by the Breath Of the contagious Serpent tainted So That by the rankling Principles of Death It from its Cradie was condemn'd unto Its Herse He 's kept unsteind and scorned all The gaping Graves Pleas for his Funerall 31. Yet this dear Life of his he held lesse dear Than worthlesse men so generous was his Love That He his own Hearts Blood could freely spare To ransome theirs desiring so to prove Ev'n by their own Souls Rule that they to Him More dear than his all pretious Self did seem 32. They and the worst of them for he did not Pick out some worthy Freinds for whose sweet sake His Life 〈◊〉 was content to offer but Ev'n for his 〈◊〉 that dear Oblation make 〈◊〉 was Leves highest Gallantrie and fit For Him who was the Mighty King of it 33. This was the brave Exploit which Phylax now To ravish Psyche's Heart meant to display For though the bus'nesse she before did know Yet t was at Distance Circumstances may Make deep Impression and the present Sceen Of Miracles more Admiration win 34. Besides he knew her Soule was fired now With noble vigour from the Heav'nly Bord And would delight to towre and travell through The 〈◊〉 wonders of her loving Lord. This made him bring her from the sacred Cave When by the holy Kisse Sh 'had took her leave 35. Then up he leads her unto Calvarie The Hill of Marveils that that Prospect might Yeild her with uncontrolled Libertie Of Loves chief stations an open sight And there arriv'd Mark now my Deer said He What further Wonders Jesus did for thee 36. Wert Thou enthroned on the proudest Hill Which on the glorious Back of Heav'n doth rise Thou couldst not with a nobler spectacle Feast the brave Hunger of thy wondering Eyes Than from this Mountains most renowned Head Thou by my Finger and my Tongue shalt read 37. In yonder street of Ruines once there stood The High-preist Anna's House but Caiaphas Who was his Sonne by Marriage not by Blood Unlesse joynt thirst of guiltlesse Blood may passe For 〈◊〉 His Dwelling had Where now thou see'st that Heap of rubbish made 38. Those Caytiffs who had in the Garden seiz'd Upon thy Lord to Annas hull'd him first To see what Censure his grave spight was pleas'd To passe on Him for whom it long did thirst But He with cruel Favour Him dismist Unto his Sonne the bolder bloodier Priest 39. Thus through the 〈◊〉 and Scorn to 〈◊〉 Is Jesus sed He smil'd within to see With what successe his Bargain crowned was And thought his Money well bestow'd which He To 〈◊〉 gave Yet in his Face and Eye He still maintain'd his Priestly 〈◊〉 40. So hast thou seen a Lyon cast his Eye Upon his harmlesse Prey with grave Disdaine As if he could afford to passe it by Whilst He his greedy Paws can scarce contein Or with his Teeth bite in their own Des Of Blood so certain is his salvage Ire 41. Like one who jealous was of Peace and Law He calls Him to account and asks Him why He strove Disciples after Him to draw And with his new-found Doctrine multiplie Sects in the Church and 〈◊〉 in the State Both which religious Loyaltie must hate 42. Such Impudence upon Sinnes face doth reign That whilst the Laws of Heav'n and Earth she breaks She dares on Innocence throw her own stein And in high Zealloud exclamations make Against all Innovations which on Them Shee chargeth for whose blood her Thirst doth flame 43. Thy Lord well understood his vain Demand And why said He requir'st Thou this of me Loe my Accusers crowd on either hand Who in their spight against Me all agree My Doctrine publick was Hear then what 〈◊〉 Against Me now I challenge Them can say 44. Tin no Conventicles Cloysters did Shrowd any Lessons that I meant to preach The Synagogue and Temple witnessed And so did they Themselves what I did teach My Gospel it concern'd the World to know And from my Lips in publick it did flow 45. This said A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 by First bent his angrie Brow and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 With which at Jesu's Face his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crying Bold fellow can Goas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 Answer Now we see What 〈◊〉 of Manners grow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 46. Wouldst 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 For how 〈…〉 〈…〉 who though He 〈◊〉 This 〈…〉 Can yet approve himself both 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 47. But hear what from the Lambs Mouth Meekness spok If in my Answer any Crime there be Accuse Me Thou and let the High-priest look That legall Justice be perform'd on Me If not before the face of Justice Seat Why dost Thou mine injuriously beat 48. Soft was this Answer but their Breasts were Stone And beat it back The unrelenting Priest With all the Scribes and Elders joyn'd in one Conspiracy of Haste their Projects cast To hire False-witnesse as before they bought That Treason which Him Pris'ner thither brought 49. Is this the reverend Sanhedrim which here Hunts for a Lie that Truth may not escape Must grosse Injustice poyson Mose's Chair Must bloody Spight put on Religions shape No wonder if the People forward be To tread their Leaders Stepps to Injury 50. Whole Troops of Witnesses came thronging in With thicker Articles When Rulers dare Once egg the Vulgar on to act that sin In which Themselves cannot for shame appear Bold Calumnie thinks Law is on her side And with all furious Impudence doth ride 51. But this rude Rout were younglins yet and raw Knights of the Post and had not conn'd their Lie With wary Art As yet They did not know What need they had of perfect Memory This made each one of Them accuse his Brother Whilst all their Stories jarr'd on One another 52. Yet They must not be chidden whose Intent Aim'd onely at the Publike Good least this Should unto others prove Discouragement Who might urge Articles with more Successe Alas those Men were well-affected but Quite out of Count'nance by the Court were put 53. Their honest Meaning by the Sanbedrim Is kindely constru'd and with Thanks requited That others might with subtler Art to trim Their fairer Accusations be invited For still the patient Court expects to see Who will the next Calumniators be 54. But when the first Miscarriage did dismay All other Lyars Satan who stood by Quick as his Thought snatch'd unto Hell his way To fetch some help leasts the Priests Villany And his great Hopes should intercepted
jeer 212. May Heav'ns propitious eye for ever dwell On him who best deserves its care may all The clouds which with the fattest blessings swell Upon his Head let their best riches fall As freely as these drops rain down on it And at this Word they all upon Him spit 213. On the brave Romane Birds imperial wing May thy illustrious Name and Glory ride And may Tiberius to this nobler King Thus yeeld his mighty Throne this said a wide And massie Chair full at his head they throw Which grav'd its foot-steps deep upon his brow 214. Then after three low bowings on his knee One a Petition brings and having pray'd Him to accept his suit He instantly Hings it upon his face Another play'd 〈◊〉 and told Him what strange things He had in charge to Him from 〈◊〉 Kings 215. Most excellent Sir my Bus'nesse is said He Of such immediate consequence that it Can no delay digest which urgeth Me To this unwonted and uncivill Fit Of craving present Audience and here He boxed both his ears to make Him hear 216. A third came with a golden Goblet in Crying My Liege the Queen to you hath sent This Mornings Draught and prayes You to begin That She may pledge your Highnesse Here he bent His cursed brows at Jesus and threw out Upon his face the Urine He had brought 217. A fourth his Reed did from him snatch and cri'd Your Scepter Sir to heavy is I fear Let not your Majecty your Servant chide If he offend in too much loyal Care Your Selfe shall judge how grievous is its Weight Which said Him with the sturdy Cane he beat 218. A fift with ernest supplication su'd But for the honor to support his Train Then snatching up his Robe behinde with rude Unseemly Peevishnesse he kick'd amain Bruising thy Spouses naked Body till His weary Toe stay'd his unwearied Will 219. A sixt came crying Treason Treason Sir Treason against your sacred Majesty The Iewes your Subjects all Conspiring are Against your Honor and your Life O fly And save your Royal Selfe This made Them all Seeing Him bound so fast a laughing fall 220. O Psyche I cannot describe how they Did mock and grin and gurn and sneer and pout How they did wring their Mounthes what antick play They us'd their gentle Saviour to flout Imagine all the worst thou canst conceive And infinitely worse than that beleeve 221. This Sceen thus acted Pilate brings him out In this strange habit to the Peoples view Telling them He had sifted Him but nought He could discover which did bear the shew Of capital Demerit Yet said He Behold how his light faults revenged be 222. If this ridiculous Garb be not enough With Shame to clothe Him yet consider well In what exuberunt Streams his Blood doth flow And guesse what favour I have shew'd Him Tell Me if you think a new room may be found In all his Body but for one more Wound 223. Behold the Man this torn and worried Thing Is He however Comely heretofore Sure he has for his foolish Name of King Paid dear enough and had not I had more Regard unto your Credits than mine own Such proofs of Cruelty I had not shown 224. O Spectacle of most Commanding Sorrows How would all Hearts but Jewish melt to see These ghastly Torrents and these gasping Furrows Upon the harmlesse Back of Purity How would a Tygers thirsty Wrath relent How would the Soules of hungry Bears repent 225. Had these unhappy Jews had any Eyes But those of rancorous Malice they might here Have seen how their own Griefs and Miseries To patient Jesus all transferred were And scor'd upon his Back They might have found A salve for all their Sores in every Wound 226. They might have seen his innocent Temples wear That Malediction which to them was due The stinging Briars he was pleas'd to bear And leave the fragrant Flowers to them which grew Both in their mortal Gardens here and which With endlesse Sweets did Paradise enrich 227. At least that Lesson of Compassion They As well as Pilate might have plainly read Which in red capital Letters written lay And to the Eyes of all Spectators spread So fair a Challenge that no generous Breast Could their strange Importunity resist 228. But loe the barbarous Priests unsatisfied With all that Blood which was already shed Because some more behinde remained Cried O ease the Earth of that blasphemous Head Before Heav'n vindicate it selfe and We Involved in the Flood of 〈◊〉 be 229. It is no Boyes Fault his that you should deem A 〈◊〉 is sufficient Punishment O rather square your own by Heav'ns Esteem And joyn with ours your righteous Consent A Crosse a Crosse Heav n cannot pleased be Untill this Monster Crucifi d it see 230. This most unreasonable Madnes made The Judge as loude as They In vain said He You hope by Roaring to make Me afrayd The Man is guiltlesse 〈◊〉 Eyes if yee Resolved are that Innocence must Die Goe Murder Him your Selves and cease your Crie 231. Harsh was this Word and on their Plot did grate So hard that they enforced were to flie Unto the Refuge which They most did hate As knowing it was an old-answered Lie That Law They now pretend to which long since The Pris'ner justified his Innocence 232. Nay They repli'd it is not We but Law Our Law more dear to Us than are our lives Calls loude for Him to Death Be pleas'd to know That our great God no grace nor pardon gives Unto the least Blaspheemers and shall He Who makes himself the Son of God goe free 233. If Thou Protector of our Laws wilt be Break not our greatest for this Varlets sake Should He intrude into the Familie Of Caesar and his Sons great Title take Sure Thou wouldst think a Crosse his due and is Wrong to Heav'ns Emperour a less Crime than this 234. Blood-thirsty Hypocrites For well they knew How they their Law in urging it denyed For though this Accusation had been true 〈◊〉 must not Jesus by the Crosse have dyed The Law an heap of Stones ordein'd to be The Death and Monument of Blasphemie 235. 〈◊〉 this new Plea did startle Pilate so 〈◊〉 again retires and tries again 〈◊〉 Examination might doe 〈◊〉 he many Queries put and fain some Pretence have found with them to joyne 〈◊〉 all Slander did out-shine 236. But when He tels the Multitude his Minde Onely new Oile upon their Flames He threw For in their loudest Fury all combin'd Upon Him with this bold replie they flew If Jesus you dismisse We must have leave Great Caesar to acquaint with this Repreive 237. Did not the Traytors Head contrive to wear A Crown of Gold where now those Thorns are set And Who We pray more dangerous Enemies are To Caesars right than They which thirst for it He says his Realm is not on Earth And what Should Traytors being Taken plead but that 238. But were He free again and had proud He New
About them hither made a journey and Full in thy Spouse's face took up her Stand. 368. Lesse Terror from the Vulturs count'nance breaks When she her Tallons claps upon her Prey Lesse from the irefull High-priest when he takes His Cursing Aime at Jesus than to day Flash'd from this cruel Mayd in whose fell look Her dismal throne accomplish'd Veng'ance took 369. Immortal Dread star'd wide in either Eye Her forehead was plow'd up with furrows deep Sown with the Seeds of all Severity Which now for Jesus were grown fit to reap Her Lips were Fire her Cheeks were burning red And for a Tongue a flaming Sword she had 370. She never in such horrible Array Appear d till now on Earth not when she came With Water arm'd to wash the World away Or unto Sodome with a Flood of Flame Or when her fiery Serpents she did bring The Israelites Rebellion to sting 371. A Veil so hideously black that Night Is a 〈◊〉 beauteous thing to it Over her head was spred which though Day-light Were now at Liberty would not permit The stoutest Mortals sin-condemned Eyes Ever to reach the Comfortable Skies 372. On either side ten thousand Furies were With Millions of Pangs and Ejulations Woefull Eternity was also there Hugging each Horror Troops of Desperations Raving and riotting in their own Blood In the vast Armies Rear behinde Her stood 373. But in her Hand a sable Book she held Which now She opened unto Jesu's eyes When loe each dreadfull Page appeared fill'd With more intolerable Prodigies Than those transcendent Monstrous Shapes which were Marshall'd in her Hell-representing Rear 374. There that Rebellion painted was which grew In Paradise so huge and rank a Weed That it none but the World 's own Limits knew For through all Generations its Seed It scattered and made each poisnous Birth Bring full Assurance of its own Death forth 375. The Serpent which in Eden planted it Wears not such fatal Horror in his Face Nor stings so deep nor doth his Venome spit So far and wide nor e'r attended was With such a numerous Frie of Devills as this Old Beldame Sin by young Ones followed is 376. This was the fearfull Frontispice But now The cursed Leaves She opened one by one Pride had usurp'd the first and there did show Her swolln and blister'd Count'nance which did run With banefull Matter being bruised by A Fall she caught as she was climbing high 377. The next was Spight broad War close Calumnie Then Avarice besmeard with knawing Rust And putid Lying and foule Treachery With sneaking Theft and everstinging Lust Intemperance wallowing in a nastie Flood Of Vomit Murder in a Sea of Blood 378. That selfe-relying heav'n-distrusting Thing Foolish base-hearted Infidelity Grinding Extortion and self-torturing Because for ever jealous Tyranny Enchanting Error venomous Heresie Idolatry and right-down Blasphemy 379. But for their number it exceeds the skill Of Computation and all Figures reach Not all the Sparks whose glistering Armies fill The field of Heav'n not all the Atomes which Traffick about the Summer Air can tell Their mighty Total how to parallel 380. For each dwarf Fault and Gyant Crime did stand In martiall rank and file arrayed there Which any Humane Tongue or Heart or Hand Was ever stained with since Eve gave Eare Unto the charming Tempter and let in The fatal Torrent of contagious Sin 381. Nay more than so for every Stain and Blot Which through all Ages to the end of Time Shall taint the World Justice had thither got And in a black Appendix marshall'd them Thy proud Revolt and every Fault beside Psyche were there displayed full and wide 382. And if the least of Crimes as sure it is Be infinitely foule imagine then How strange a Masse of horridnesse was this Whose bulk did swell with all the Sins of Men What store of black 〈◊〉 were here For bleeding Jesus wounded Back to beat 383. For Justice heap'd them all upon his back That hee who did no sin might suffer all How would the Worlds establish d Pillars crack Should such a Load upon their shoulders fall How would the al-supporting centre faint And strive to shrink into a smaller point 384. How would the joynts of noblest Seraphs quake How would the Cherubs sinnews tremble at This Burden which all Natures Bones would break And lay Heav'ns highest stoutest Powers flat This Burden which all humane Soules would press Down to that bottom which is bottomlesse 385. Now Jesus groans and feels his heart-strings stretch For black upon his Soule the burden lies Those other torments hee forgetteth which The whips and nails and Jewish blasphemies Had multipli'd on him Thus rivers be Quite lost when swallow'd by the bitter Sea 386. Should all the tortures that did ever yet The Veins and Joints and Hearts of Martyrs tear In one fell Composition bee knit And then enraged to their full carrieer Lesse furious would their fury be than that Which now on Jesu's Soule in triumph sate 387. Some comfort it would be if Heav'n would now Vouchsafe a gentle looke upon its Son Who spies no consolations glimpse below But ô the sphears are not eclips'd alone By Phoebus absence no another Night Has thrown its Veil upon Heav'ns dearer Light 388. The Light which from his Fathers pleased eyes His whole Soule us'd to drink its streams did hide With earnest labouring looks he pleads and pries But is by sad obscuritie deny'd O blacknesse which no Parallel canst know To thee all Ink as Milk all Pitch is Snow 389. Long did he grapple which this mighty grief In patient silence But his Soule at length Snatching at least the desolate reliefe Of free complayning with the wofull strength Of his sad tongue this out-cry He did make My God my God why dost thou me forsake 390. Am I not still that Son in whom alone Thou wert wel-pleas'd Is not thy bosome still The same where once my habitation I did enjoy Why dost thou me expell Who am the image of thy blessed face From the least sight of its all-sweetning grace 391. Had every outcry every groan and shreik With which the air of Bethlehem was rent When Rachel saw how all the street did reek With an unheard of flood of innocent And infant blood met in one ejulation It s fragor had not match'd this exclamation 392. Never was such a Lamentable cry Wrung from the mouth of Griefe nor ever was Complaint more unregarded Clemencie Was deaf and Heav'n as well as Earth did pass By without any Bowels Never day Did such a Sceen of heavines display 393. Sorrow her self amazed at the sight Would have repented of her Tyranny But Jesus meant not to decline the fight Who could not conquer'd be though He could die O no He hugs his horrors and although His nature shrinks his courage loves his woe 394. Thus gallant Souldiers ' in the dreadfull wars With generous Pride their gushing blood behold Counting their glories onely by their scars And judging all their
entertain'd to day Where as he brake the Bread in peeces he Tore from their clouded eyes the veil away And with like favour now he hastes to cheer His sad and thoughtfull Friends assembled here 184. This very Ev'n the Doors being made as fast As locks and barrs and fear could make them be He whose pure Body through his Tombe had pass'd Enter'd the House with like facility They slander'd were abroad for stealing Him But now he seem'd to steal at home on Them 185. Yet as excessive unexpected Blisse Doth swallow up Beliefe in Ravishment So the Disciples all amaz'd at this Strange Apparition mutualy bent Then frighted eyes and held their hands on high Confounded in a silent ecstasie 186. But he the King of Comfort op'd his sweet And gratious Lips and Peace be to you said Though I in love prevent my Promise yet You have no reason Friends to be afraid Loe It is I your Lord observe these wide Tokens both in my Hands and in my Side 187. Imagin not that you some Spirit see These Mouthes proclaim as much as I profess You know a Spirit cannot wounded be Nor wear such Marks of humane Passivenesse Come handle Me and be assured well If not of what you see of what you feel 188. This sweet Assurance was so full and cleer That it exceeded their Capacity Who by its Torrent over-whelmed were And thrown into admiring Joies soft Sea Thus those who gaze on Phoebus cannot see Him for his too much visibility 189. So strange a Thing is Joy if unawares It be surprised by Fruition that In fond amblguous Jealousie it barrs Out what it does possesse and aiming at Some proofs of what is absolutely clear Transfigureth it self from Joy to Fear 190. But Jesus their amazement to allay Grows more familiar and calls for Meat A Fish and Honey-combe before him they Present and friendly he vouchsafes to eat Though Paradise its Sweets for him prepar'd He this plain Diet with his Friends preferr'd 191. Then in kinde Anger he to Chiding fell That they so long their Faith suspended though He of his Resurrections Miracle Had by eye-witnesse sent them Proof enough He Chode but with such sweet and dainty Art That every Wound he made was with Loves Dart. 192. This done his Peace to them again he gave That Peace he purehas'd when he trampled down Hell into Hell and Death into the Grave When he appeas'd his mighty Fathers Frown When Heav'n and Earth at enmity before To blessed Amitie he did restore 193. Then breathing on them with that noble Breath Which first inspir'd Life into Humane Heart The dearest Gift said he that ever hath To Man been given I to you impart It is the holy Spirit of Heav'n which now With blessed heat shall in your Bosomes glow 194. Hencesorth whose Sins soever you remit By this great Patent I my Selfe Forgive And whom you Binde to the infernal Pit Shall from your Sentence purchase no Reprieve As Me my Father sent so send I you To by my potent Deputies below 195. This said into Invisibility Himselfe he shut and so from them withdrew When They who now no longer him could see On Joies and Loves and Faiths Wings after flew Pouring ten thousand Blessings on his Name Who with such Solace to their Sorrows came 196. But Thomas who this while had absent been Returning now They met him at the Door Shouting and telling him what they had seen Each Circumstance they shew'd him o'r and o'r Their Lords great Promises they did repeat And how he shew'd his Wounds and how he eat 197. Thomas amaz'd at their Relation stood Silent a while uncertain what to say Or how he should repulse that swelling Flood Of most unanimous Confidence which they Stream'd forth upon his Incredulity At last he stamp'd and cri'd It cannot be 198. I grant that Fancy may doe much and you Perhaps imagin all is true you say But there 's no reason my Belief should bow To your Imaginations You may By probabilities perswade Me far But no such thing can I discover here 199. I am not so much wiser now at night Than I was in the Morn as to admit What then to your own indgement seem'd so 〈◊〉 That you as well as I rejected it Why must it real prove in you which We In Magdalene so fantastick took to be 200. When with these Eyes those Wounds I have descri'd And put my 〈◊〉 where the 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When I have thrust my Hand into his 〈◊〉 And felt that no Imposture there does grow I of your minde may be But mean time give Me leave not at a venture to Beleeve 201. Thus Heav'n in Wisdome and in Love thought fit To let thick Clouds of Doubt objected be Before the Resurrections Truth that it Might fairer break from that Obscurity And pierce all faithlesse Hearts obdurate Stone As it the Marble of the Tembe had done 202. Resolv'd in this imprudent Prudence he Eight Dayes continued when their Lord again The doors being bolted close as formerly To his Disciples did his Presence deign Whose sprightfull Comming though it startled them Lesse strange and doubtfull than at first did seem 203. But Thomas unto whom the Sight was new Afflicted stood with quaking Joy and Fear His Masters blessed Looks he plainly knew And yet his Fancies something dubious were He blush'd and then grew pale and blush'd again And to crosse Passions gave at once the rein 204. When Jesus saw him tortur'd on this Rack With gratious gentlenesse Come neer he said And thine own Satisfaction freely take Loe here my Wounds before thine Eyes display'd Come pierce thou them again 't will be lesse grief Than to be wounded by thine Unbelief 205. This Condescent so conquer'd Thoma's heart That with compleat Assurance on his knees He falls and cries My God and Lord Thou art Not onely by these wide-mouth'd Witnesses I finde thee so to be but also by The heav'nly Sweetnesse of thy Lenity 206. I finde that thou eight dayes agoe wert here When foolish I so faithlesly was Wise Thou heardst how obstinately I did dare The pregnant Witnesse of my Fellows eyes Thou heardst what bold Conditions I set Before my Faith their Story would admit 207. O I beleeve dear Lord and ready am If need require such Wounds as those to bear In spreading forth the glories of thy Name To any Nations whether far or near Pardon my tardy Faith it doth suffice That I have felt those Tokens with mine eye 208. Jesus repli'd Thou build'st thy Faith upon Thine eyes and happy 't is that thou dost so But in how full a Stream shall Blessings run Into their soft and pliant Bosomes who Ne'r saw these deep-writ Characters and yet Unto the Credit of their Truth submit 209. Here Jesus stepp'd into his Secrisie And vanish'd from their wondering sight but yet He sundry times returned to their eye As his divinely-wisest selfe thought fit Famous his presence was on Tabor where He to
five hundred did at once appear 210. Yet not transfigur'd as before for now His proper Shape was radiant Majesty For from all Mortal Drosse refin'd you know Out of his Tombe he sprang no more to be By any Cloud bedimm'd nor had he need That Heav'n should ope its Mouth his Worth to spread 211. This was that solemn Apparition he On Easter Morn by Mary promised That the appointed Sceen might ready be With plenty of Spectators furnished And so it was for his Disciples thither Had gather'd all their trusty Friends together 212. When loe their Hopes they met upon the Mount And more than their Ambition too for now Jesus set ope his Lips and let the Fount The blessed Fount of potent Sweetnesse flow Which in the Chanel of these Words upon The Heads and Hearts of his Disciples ran 213. The Nerves and Sinews of all Power and Might Which spread through Heav'n and Earth so far and wide Here in this single Hand of mine unite And to my royal Will alone are ti'd By virtue of which Soveraignty I Commit to you compleat Authority 214. Goe take your Charge whose Limits here I make Coequall with the Worlds My Gospel preach To every living Soule for whose dear sake I on the bitter Crosse my self did stretch That in as large a Circle as the Sun The more illustrious Beams of Grace may run 215. He who despiseth your great News and You Shall doe it at his own Soules price for he Shall finde his slaming Punishment below In Desperations Eternity But he who to your faith his own doth give As long 's that other Dying is shall live 216. Nor shall his Glory onely future be Miraculous Power shall on him attend Upon the stoutest boldest Devills he Shall invocate my Name and make them bend From mortal Bosomes he shall them expell And sorce them howling home unto their Hell 217. Babels Confusion shall not him confound But every Language on his Tongue shall dwell That He my Gospel freely may resound And every Ear with its Salvation fill I who did it create as easily can With Words as Meat supply the Mouth of Man 218. In vain shall Scorpions bite him and in vain Shall Adders sting him by my power he Over all Serpents shall as surely gain As over Hells foule Dragon victory For those mysterious stings I did endure Shall from their dint and danger Him secure 219. In vain shall Poyson steal into his Cup And thence into his Bowells slide for he Although he should drink all Thessalia up Or Sodoms Lake shall not invenomed be That Cup which on my Crosse I drank shall make Wholsome to him all Draughts that he can take 220. More Virtue than in Trees and Plants doth grow Much more than Balsame in his hand shall dwell Those whom incurable Diseases throw Upon their desperate Bedds shall straight grow well If touch'd by Him whose faith on Me relies The grand Physitian of all Maladies 221. But his Initiation must be By being washed in the potent Name Of Father Son and Holy Ghost that he May know at whose sole Honor he must 〈◊〉 Remembring he by Baptism unto 〈◊〉 Was consecrated but the Triple On. 222. So spake the mighty Lord and then again With-drew himselfe that they might feed upon These heav'nly Priviledges he did deign To earth by faithfull Meditation He knew his Presence was right dear and yet He by Withdrawing more endeared it 223. But now the signal Time was come when He Who cheer'd the Earth for forty dayes with his Bright Apparitions meant that Heav'n should be Embellish'd with his glorious Accesse That he might as Himselfe he raised hither So also reach his Resurrection thither 224. His dear Companions now again he met So dear that loth he seem'd with them to part And walking Them along to Olivet Spun out the Time by Loves discursive art But on the Mountains Top arrived he Began in Tone and Aspect chang'd 〈◊〉 be 225. Stir not said he from Salem but attend The Fathers Promise you have heard of Me It was a Baptism which doth far transcend Johns poor and frigid institution He Baptiz'd with Water but your Baptism shall In Heav'ns sweet Spirit of Fire immerge you all 226. Erected at this solemn Item they No lesse than Crowns and Sceptres fancied Yet still their Thoughts below the Promise lay Hankring in Earths dull sphear for nothing did They reach but what too worthlesse was for Him Their great Ascendent Lord to leave to them 227. We know said they that 〈◊〉 Crown is 〈◊〉 Unto thine onely Head most fit for it Is this the Time dear Lord that thou wilt shew And make thy Title good Shall we now 〈◊〉 On our inferior Thrones before thy Feet And to the Tribes of 〈◊〉 Judgement 〈◊〉 228. Thus when wise 〈◊〉 along 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They to 〈…〉 And for their Maint nance 〈…〉 But the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tall to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 silly 〈…〉 〈◊〉 delight and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 229. Jesus who at his Parting could not Chide This secular Grossenes of their Thoughts pass'd by And with all delicate Gentlenes repli'd Those Times and Seasons which enshrined lie In Gods own Cabinet too mystick be For you to dive into their privacie 230. Yet though this Mystery you may not know Ten thousand others you shall cleerly see When the eternall Spirits Power shall flew Down on your Heads Your Glory then shall be To goe as Heralds and my royall Name Through every Quarter of my World proclaim 231. Hast Thou not seen the glittering Spark Ascend With natural Lightnes to its proper Sphear So glorious Jesus having made an end Of all his sweet and blessed Bus'nes here Upon the Wings of his own Puritie Lifted himselfe up to his Native Skie 232. They started at the sight and with their Eyes And Heads and Hands all elevated high Labour'd to trace his Path and to arise After their to wring Master who did flie A way with all their Hearts when loe a Cloud Between their Ecstasie and Him did crowd 233. It crowded on apace for fear to misse That honour which would make it fairer be And dress'd with more celestial Statelinesse Than the brisk Forehead of Serenitie So fast it crowded that the tired Winde Which would have born it puffing came behinde 234. All other Clouds which its Prerogative saw Grew black with Greif and melted into Tears When loe the Welkin clears her dainty brow And smiling Duy with open eyes prepares Her Admiration to gaze upon The Motion of a fairer sweeter Sun 235. This happy Cloud her delicate shoulders bent And meekly stooped to her Makers Feet Her pliant Volumes gather'd close and went Into the fashion of a Princely Seat That in a seemly Chariot Jesus might Unto his Throne take his Triumphant Flight 236. The golden Coach studded with eastern Gemms And burnished with living Fire wherein Great Phoebus in his brightest glory swimms Through heavens high Chanell never yet could winne Such credit as this noble Chariot which
Gods own enshrined Beauties heer inrich 237. At the shrill whistle of each busie Winde All other Clouds in this inferior skie Are faine to runne about But this doth finde An undisturbed passage fair and high And strait to Heav'ns illustrious Roof doth haste Without the helping Wheels of any Blast 238. Earth was in debt unto those Clouds till now Which op d Heav'ns Pantrie and raind Manna down But this full Payment doth to Heav'n allow Whilst to the Angels it bears home their own Diviner Bread and by restoring more Than Earth receiv'd doth nobely quit the Score 239. That Israel-conducting Cloud which through The tedious Wildernesse of old did take So patient a Pilgrimage must bow Its famous head to This That did but make Way to the earthly Canaan but this Unto the Heav'nly the brave Convoy is 240. As Jesus thus soard through the Aire he saw The Treasuries of every kinde of Wether Of fair of foule of Rain of Hail of Snow Which did their homage unto Him as thither His Coach arriv'd He bad Them gently fall Upon his Earth and then He bless'd them all 241. So did He too that sweet and loyall Quire Of Larks which with applauding Songs and Wings In delicate attendance did aspire After his mounting Train Goe gentle Things Said He and rest your weary pinions I My other Choristers approaching spie 242. Loe at the Word the Winged Legions who Flutter about the everlasting Sphear And on the great Creators bus'nes goe Throughout the World appeared hovering there Great was their number and their Glory great If they with Jesu's Lustre had not met 243. Before his Feet their gracefull Heads they bow 〈◊〉 down with sweet Extremities of Joy That they without a Veils Assistance now On his dear Eyes may look which till to day Lay hid to them in too much light but heer Dressed in Humane Mitigation were 244. For though some of our Quire had long before Enjoy'd the blessed Priviledge to see His the anthropick face though All did poure Their high Applause on his Nativity This was the time when Heavns Whole Hoste to fair And plenall view of Him advanced were 245. A dainty and long-studied Song They had Compos'd and tuned to a ge ntle Key But this excessive Sight of Sweetness made Their Acclamations correspondent be Their Wings and Hands aloud they clapp'd and rent With louder Paeans all the Element 246. But seing then his bright Retinue who About Him shin'd like his reflected Raies They to their new Acquaintance smiling goe And in their faces read their Soveraigns Praise For Gratitude had deep imprinted there Their glorious Redemptions Character 247. These were those holy Soules who long had layn On the soft Pillows of great Abrahams breast Looking and longing when their Lord would deign To bring them to his sweeter nobler Rest To chase their Mists and Shades with his own Ray And turn their doubtfull Dawn to High-noon Day 248. Great Abraham himselfe was there with them And shined with a choise and leading Grace The Patriarchs and Prophets next to Him Each in their proper Dignitie and Place Then every pious Man and Woman who Ventur'd in his hard Steps on earth to goe 249. Their Charges many Guardian Angells saw And highly triumph'd to behold them there So when the Ship which long hath labour'd through The Seas proud Wrath unto the haven draws neer The Pilots Eys and Heart with Joy are sill'd No less than with the Wind the Sails are swell'd 250. But all the Quire beheld the blest Supply Of their own Companies which robbed were Of no small Part of their Fraternitie When sullen Pride upon Heav'ns face made warr And many Empyraean 〈◊〉 fell From their fair Day into the Night of Hell 251. But ô what Torrents of divine Delight Through these Saints Bosomes ran with full Carreer To see how neer of kin unto the bright And new apparent King of Heav'n they were They envy not the Angels radiant Dresses Nor wish their silver Wings or golden Tresses 252. And that their Triumph might be sweetned by Harmonious Joy before the Masculine Troop David did with his learned Fingers flie About his Harp and beat those Accents up Which with her Timbrel Miriam before The Female Squadrons did to him restore 253. But Jesus now to his officious Cloud Dismission gave ambitious of whose Place A Knot of gallant Seraphs came and bow'd Their youthfull Shoulders that their Lord might passe To Heav'n upon the best of Heav'n and be Drawn to his Palace in due Majesty 254. Then Michael taking up the Standard which With the Heart-blood of Death and Hell was red And charged with the glorious Crosse did stretch It towards Heav'n and forward fluttered In this Array the Triumph marched on Abashing Day and dazzelling the Sun 255. Thus He who lately that Procession went Where Spight and Shame and Scorn did Him attend When He through Salems Steeets was kick'd and rent And through a thousand Deaths led to his End Is now tequited by a March whose Glorie Gilds the Disgraces of his Passions Storie 256. As to the Confines of the Sphears they drew David his Harp and Throat did strein 〈◊〉 high That ancient Song of Glory to renew Which He had in Prophetik ecstasie Tun'd to a special and illustrious Lay And sung aforehand to this noble Day 257. Bright and eternall gates of heav'n lift up Your cheerly Heads and know your 〈◊〉 As mine is now so let your mouths be ope To entertain our universall joy It is the King of glory who doth come That and the sweeter heav'n now to bring home 258. It is the King of War whose matchlesse strength Hath trode down our and your fell enemy Read but his Banner where are writ at length The rubie tokens of his victory Ope ope as wide's your Heav'n can give you leave And Him much greater 〈◊〉 all it receive 259. The Chrystall doors no sooner heard the song But in obedience they echoed it Their everlasting bars aside they flung And their resplendent 〈◊〉 open set Strait through the mighty gap a flood of gold Soft as the locks of 〈◊〉 downward roll'd 260. With that the Musick of the sphears burst out High were the streins and delicate the layes And though a while sweet Davids fingers fought His mortall strings to them He could not raise My harp must yeeld He cry'd but yet my heart Shall in your loftiest accents bear her 〈◊〉 261. Indeed those aires are so refin'd and high Onely the Hearts spirituall strings can stretch To the full compasse of their Harmony To whose pure chords those Compositions which You with the Name of Musick honor heer Are onely learned gratings of the ear 262. Thus to the silver Orbs they came When loe The Stars all trip'd about and danc'd for joy And as the Triumph through the sphear did go Phoebus unto his Lord resign'd the day His brighter Lord from whose originall beam He takes his light as all the stars from him
I seal Keep the Impression safe and so Farewell 82. Away this Word and He together flew For now the King of Soules thought fit to teach Psyche how little of her Heart she knew Who thought it raised past Delusions reach To her own Strength she now was left that she How little it deserv'd that Name might see 83. But when her Guardian now out-flew her View At his most unexpected Parting she At first amazed and aflicted grew But straight revolving that her Heart was free With all Jerusalem to satisfie Its curious fervor she left off to Sigh 84. Then in a modest Veil her face she hid Leaving her Eyes but room her way to see Zeal ti'd unto her feet the Wings of Speed And on she hasted toward Calvarie Her Saviours Pains afresh there to lament Not thinking that to her own Crosse she went 85. Mean while all pious Hearts eternal Foe Who to entrap them keeps perpetual Watch Observing her without her Guardian goe Judg'd this his onely time his Prey to catch He posted to a special Fuâ—ies Den Who started all her Snakes as he came in 86. But as she in ten thousand Hisses spoke Her Soveraigns Welcome Peace my Childe said He Part of my Errand's Haste and cannot brook These Complements Delay I have for Thee A piece of Service which will better prove How much thy Father Satan thou dost love 87. Psyche a Thing to Jesus wonderous dear And therefore full as odious to Me Who by his Love am alwaies pointed where I am to shoot my Spight is that coy she Whom though I sundry Times have baited yet Back in my face the Poyson still she spit 88. I Aphrodisius and Agenor sent And genuine Fiends they prov'd themselves to be About their hellish Work they wisely went And bravely acted all the Treachery And yet good Devills their far-driven Plot. So crafty was that Wench they finish'd not 89. Not that this Craft in her poor mortall Brain Was bred and nurs'd ô no abus'd We are And Heav'n though alwaies We to it give plain Defiance underhand maintains this Warr. There drown'd in Sulphure Thou hadst Psyche seen Had it not for unlukie Phylax been 90. He base unworthy Spirit as He is Not onely stoops to Christ which gallant We Of old disdained and still doe no lesse But with intolerable Flatterie Turns Page to dust and Ashes and doth bow From Heav'n to wait on this vile Worme below 91. Had He not better nobly Faln with Us And never have debas'd his High-born Mind Then crouch and sneak and currie favour thus Of the proud Tyrant Can an Angell finde It worth Christs Favour to be humbled down Far more below himselfe than We are thrown 92. For my part if I freely were to choose I would accept the bottome of my Hell And hug Damnation e'r I would with those Ignoble Sons of Earth a Servant d well Those Guardian Angels think We Cursed be Fools who perceive not their own Misery 93. They boast Heav'ns King 's their Soveraign and I Take the confessing Vassals at their Word But I 'l maintain it greater Dignity To have Him for my Foe than for my Lord They brag that Heav'ns their own Blisse's Hill Why I have more than so I have my Will 94. But now my Daughter Phylax is away His servile Diligence thou needst not fear Psyche is left unto her Selfe to day And therefore unto Us if thou tak'st Care To lay thy Plots aright for thine they be On which I build my Hopes of Victory 95. She now is on her way to Calvary The Hill which more than Heav'n it selfe I hate And have no minde in person to come nie That cursed Place It stands not with the State And honour of Imperiall Lucifer To smell the 〈◊〉 of Jesus Sepulchre 96. But for thy Fathers sake and service Thou Shalt stop thy Nose and venture to goe thither Where Thou a subtile Chain of Snakes shalt throw About that peevish Wench to hale her hither So at her and her cheated Spouse both I And thou will laugh unto Eternity 97. His foaming Lips He closed here and beat The flood of flaming Sulphure back into His monstrous Throat Straitat his burning Feet His damned Daughter took her leave to goe And with stout Fury rushed through the Earth And mingled with the Aire as she brake forth 98. In this she flew above Suspitions Eye And undiscerned shot into the Breasts Of divers Mortals where she formerly Had entertainment found But now her Nests She fethered anew with greater Store Of viperous Pow'rs than she left there before 99. Such was her dangerous Policie that she For Psyche layd her Net in others Hearts Which she made lovely by the bravery Of most refined sublimated Arts No fowler e'r us'd such allureing Ways To charm poor Birds by treacherous 〈◊〉 100. For though she were the very Centre where The Lines of all Deformities did meet The Looks of Beauty she knew how to wear And make her Horridnesse appear so sweet That she the wisest and most peircing Eyes Had often blinded by her Fallacies 101. But now the Virgin at the dolefull Mount Arrived was where in the reverend place Of the deer Crosses Foot she made account To poure her Vowes But there before Her was A youthfull Man who prepossess'd her room And thither of her errand seem'd to come 102. His Looks though guilty of few years were yet Grown pale and old with pious Gravity His sober Garb was such as best might fit Those who not spruce and brave but cloth'd would be His Body thin but thick his 〈◊〉 which grown To its full length did at his back flow down 103. Upon the ground He lay and beat his Breast Which echoed back the Blows with Sighs groans At length with iterated Knocking 's prest It yeelded forth these Ejulations O Geief and Pains had you no other Heart But His to make the Sink of all your Smart 104. That Heart which all of Sweetnesse moulded was That Heart where Heav'n found its Epitomie That Heart the fountain of all softest Grace That heart where all the Worlds best Life did lie The heart of Jesus here a boistrous Sigh Came blusting out and breaking off his Crie 105. But then recovering his Tongue again Alas said He and why are you unjust Why from this Breast of mine doe you abstein Which all your utmost stings doth merit Must He who deserv's the best of Joys alone Inherit all the depth of Passion 106. Are there no Whipps no Thorns no Nailes for Me May these my youthfull shoulders bear no Crosse Is there no Portion of Misery Left for my high Desert did He engrosse What sinfull I had better Title to Sure this at least shall be my Grief and Woe 107. As when the hollow Windes have drove together Black lagging Clowds the gravid vapors break With their own weight and poure the rainey Wether Down through the gloomy Air So on his Cheek His labouring Eys their fertile
Frand uncase 241. But as away he sneaked Psyches ' Friend More swift than flies the Eagle to her Prey The whining Aire with sprightfull Wings did rend And shot himselfe through the directest way To his dear Charge for whom his Heart did quake As knowing well what Tempests hers did shake 242. For by Loves faithfull Sympathie though he About his other work far distant were He still preserv'd a soft Vicinitie With Psyche's Soule and felt each wound which there Sophistick Darts had made though foolish she Perceived not her sugered Miserie 243. At his approach for joy the Virgin wept Not thinking that those tears to shame were due Syneidesis still in her bosome slept And her unto her self forbore to shew She to her own Breast was more stranger than The Tartar to the AEthiopian 244. But Phylax almost out of breath for hast Suck'd in fresh spirits and then demanded who It was that gather'd up his heels so fast And fled from his approach If he had no Cause of his flight but me 't is meet that I Said he suspect him for you Enemy 245. No sure replyed Psyche for nor I Nor Logos could discover ought but love He freely taught Us many a veritie And what he undertook did cleerly prove Some sudden busines snatch'd him hence not fear Of you whom doubtles He doth hold most dear 246. Phylax who knew Him and Authades too The total matter gently sifted out And wrought upon his Pupils softnes so That his design He subtly brought about For full confession from her charmed tongue Of both her Doctors Principles he wrung 247. But then He groand and smote his pittying Breast And fixed upon Hers his speaking eye By which the mixed language He exprest Of Love and Wrath of Hope and Jealousy And by this Prologue setting ope the door He from his Lips his troubled Minde did poure 248. Left I my charge ô Psyche to the Winde When hence I took my journey or to thee If in my dearest Cabinet thy Minde I my advice depos'd why must it be That the weak breath of any Charmer Thou Dost meet that holy Pawn away may blow 249. My heart mis-gave me when away I went Or rather when with thine I left it here Full well thou knowst what earnest pains I spent To arm thy tender Soule with sacred fear O why with foolish confidence would'st thou Disarm thy self and make room for the blow 250. That blow which struck so deep into thy breast That if some soveraign Balsame makes not speed If strait thy wounded Bosome be not drest If Heav'n be not as quick new life to shed Into thy Soule as Hell was to betray It unto Death this is thy fatal Day 251. Alas those Doctrines onely Poisons were Squeez'd from the dregs of the infernal Pit Less Pestilential those Venoms are Which desperate Basilisks and Vipers spit Nor Aphrodisiu's nor Agenor's tongue With such sure bane thy careless Bosome stung 252. Canst thou ô Psyche thus thy Lord repay For all the Treasures of his Love which He Into thy poor heart poured day by day Canst thou rob Jesus of his Deitie And tear Him from his Throne whil'st royall He His heav'nly Kingdome doth prepare for thee 253. Pert Logos here no longer Patience had But setting up his insolent crest he cri'd Good sir and take you me for one so mad That in my proper road I cannot ride But both my Self and Way I needs must loose And willingly deep Precipies choose 254. If Eyes of Colours sober Judges be If Tongues can censure what is soure and sweet If Ears can Discords know from Harmonie If Touching may decide in Cold and Heat Why may not I presume that I am set In Reasons Chair and know the Powers of it 255. Unless I to my Essence give the Lie These Doctrines sure are built on Demonstration But if you onely must be Psyche's eye Ev'n pull me out that I no perturbation Thus in the way of your designes may throw So in your Conquest you compleat shall grow 256. Psyche was glad to heare this Challenge beat So high and hop'd that Phylax would relent And were Angelick Loves Heroick Heat Less resolute than it is just discontent Had quenched Phyla'x flames which now by this Bold opposition did more stoutly rise 257. With secret instance he did Charis draw Down from her Heav'n to joyn her Powers with his She when the Virgins wounded Heart she saw Melted with Pitty at her deep Distresse And by victorious Sweetnesse op'd a way Into her Breast and Thelema made her Prey 258. Which Phylax seeing Logos strives in vain Said He to countermine my care of Thee Greater Affronts than these I can sustain Rather than Psyche should destroyed be All this and more I will forget so Thou Wilt goe and see a Sight I have to show 259. Logos look'd bigg and struggled might and main But Thelema was tractable and tame And the bold Rebell quickly did constrain Unto her pliant Minde his own to frame Poor Psyche sigh'd and wept and halfe afraid Phylax with her to doe his pleasure pray'd 260. He well considering her Disease had need Of nothing more than Haste in her Physition Staid not to parle but made all loving speed To snatch her from these Jaws of deep Perdition Whilst yet with Chari's soule-subduing Heat Her melted and convicted Heart did beat 261. Ready at hand his well-known Chariot was In which he takes her up and guides the Rein Forth with the sprightfull Steeds flung on apace Through the fair Road of the aereal Plain Till they to Gitton in Samaria came Their journeyes Butt where Phylax checked Them 262. Then lighting down Come Psyche come said he This is thy newfound Doctors native Town Here thou their true Original shalt see And from what kinde of Nest they all are flown This House their Fathers was Come we will in And view the Birth-place of Heretick Sin 263. Thus entred They When loe the House they finde So full of Doors and Rooms and Galleries Which by quaint Turnings to and fro did winde That Psyche quickly lost her rouling Eyes As she had done her Se fe had Phylax not Of all the Labyrinth full knowledge got 264. Thorough a thousand strange Meanders He Into a private Room conducted her Where she a far more private Door did see But little thought what kinde of Den was there Lurking behinde it so alluring was The holy Beauty of its cheating Face 265. A goodly Crucifix was there displayd Altars were rear'd and many Bibles ope By which majestick Liturgies were laid With lofty-tuned Anthems on the Top Art plac'd a Quire of Angels hovering And made the gorgeous Roof all seem to sing 266. There might you see Faith with her Eagles Eye Hope with both Hands her Anchor holding fast And with her open Bosome Charity Whose Looks such seeming current Beams did cast That those who were not well aware might deem She at Heav'ns genuine Fires had kindled
vain for He From Heav'n it self snatch'd down his Victorie 296. From th' Euangelick Heav'n He boldly drew Millions of Soules whom He in sunder tore Or with his Breaths most murdering venome slew Bellowing his Triumph in a dismall Roar Straight the Heretick Frie began to quake Simon himself did start and Psyche shake 297. But Phylax to allay her storm of fear Told her the Monsters Pride yet knew a Rein For mark said He He is a prisner here And cannot break that Adamantine Chain Which Him and all his viperous Company Though at some distance fast to Hell doth tye 298. She look'd and saw her Guardian told her true She saw the Chain which to a Pit did lead Whence thich sulphureous eructations flew And brought up mingled streams of boyling Lead She frighted at the sight fled back but He What in that Bottome lay led her to see 299. Sheltred by his stout Wings Security And by his trusty Word encouraged Into the dismall Grott she sent her eye Which there a more prodigious Object read Than She before had seen in the foule Book Of hideous Antichrists portentous Look 300. It was that Beldame Hagg from whose black Breast Simon his rank unweildy Poison drew Never was furie so compleatly drest In all the Bravery of Horrors hue All shapelesse shapes together tumbled were To make up Shames Extremity in Her 301. Two Heads She had which on her Leg◠did grow Two faces and two Mouthes but not one Eye Six rowes of teeth which constantly did gnaw All they could of her Carkaise reach Her Thigh◠From an eternall Sore did poyson drop Into her throat which thence again spew'd up 302. The Vermin which did all about Her swarn Young Adders Slow-worms Toads and Spiders were Two lumps of black flesh hung for either Arm An hundred Nails upon each hand did tear Her dangling Duggs and when they weary grew Them o'r her shoulders to her back they threw 303. But from her Neck a twisted Tail did sprout Arm'd with a thousand forked Stings which she For her own torture us'd and round about Her self its Lashes threw Her bunched Knee◠Did backward bend and for her feet below Out at her belly Seav'n short Paws did grow 304. As Psyche trembled at this basefull sight Behold said Phylax and consider well Whither brisk Logo's judgement were to right Who hath engag'd thy poisned Heart to dwell In this fine Ladyes familie for she Is Grandame to that monstrous Progenie 305. Since Thou hast made thy choise and scorned Me And my Advice goe take thy chosen place Or in Pseudagius his Companie Or in Agyrte's Nay doe not disgrace Thy learned Prudence so as to retract Judicious Logos will not like the fact 306. Poor Logos heard this Word which through his Heart Shot such deep Shame and Grief that thenceforth He Resolved never more to trust 〈◊〉 Art Where it with Phylax's minde did disagree But yet in Psyche's tender Breast the Wound More stinging was more fataly profound 307. Prostrate before his face in silence She Grappled a while with her outrageous Grief But when She saw the woefull Victorie Growing upon her and found no relief In her own Soul She mingles with her Sighs Her Declarations and thus She cries 308. Alas Pseudagiu's or Agyrte's place Is too too happy and too high for Me That dreadfull Haggs prodigious Embrace Is more than due to my Apostasie I fully have deserv'd that She should hugg Me with her Taile and feed Me with her Dugg 309. For Had Pseudagiu's or Agyrte's Heart Like mine been by a Phylax fortified No Mines nor 〈◊〉 of Heretick Art Had won their forts But I by sottish Pride Disdain'd the potent Help of thy Supplie And chose on my own Weaknesse to relie 310. I fain would pardon begg but mighty Shame Seals up my Mouth and Guilt beats back my breath I fain would invocate His gracious Name Who gave his Life to rescue Me from Death But Horror stifles my Endeavour who In spight of Him to this my Death would goe 311. But thou sweet Phylax never didst displease His Mighty Majesty nor force his frown Seal'd sure on Thee his endlesse favour is And thy Desires He with Successe will crown If Thou wist plead for Me though not for mine He will for thy dear Sake his Ear incline 312. I know my Impudence is high who dare Beg thus much favour of abused Thee But thy brave Charitie delights to war Against the most perverse Conspiracie Or my Demerits witnesse its divine Battell against Agenors Pride and Mine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from thy 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 By hold and traiterous 〈◊〉 May I amongst these 〈◊〉 have my part Of my already-carned Misery And may thy Wing no more for me be 〈◊〉 No more thy 〈…〉 314. 〈◊〉 her twixt trembling Hop and 〈◊〉 〈…〉 her 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the rest by Looks that both his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she might engage I his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto the 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 her up and had 〈…〉 〈◊〉 And with the illue trust my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Into 〈◊〉 paths you 〈…〉 Who more 〈◊〉 Eyes 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 316. Then by her Hand 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 up the 〈◊〉 by which He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 for joy that 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 by them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from their 〈◊〉 again 〈◊〉 after Him and 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XVI The Antidote ARGUMENT To purge out that Heretick Bane which now Lay rankling in his Pupils cheated Breast Phylax Ecclesia's Court to her doth show Where by Truth 's delicate Imbrace being blest She soon perceiv'd her Cure and how the 〈◊〉 Of Catholick health in her sound Pulse did 〈◊〉 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man why dost thou tread So proudly on the Worm which crawls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that on thy erected Head Much more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 Than ever made the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The footstool of Contempt to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Are not the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whence Thou dost 〈…〉 The foule and onely 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 bring Forth 〈◊〉 her 〈…〉 Though Flesh and 〈…〉 3. Sage nature at the Moment of thy Birth Made Thee Lament when yet Thou knewst not why Being with Pollution tumbled headlong forth Into the Stage of thy Lifes Tragedy With full assurance that thou there must be First vex'd and then stain by Mortality 4. The meanest Creature that e'r saw the light Was richer born and stronger far than thou Compleatly shiftlesse was thy native Plight And did no manner of selfe-succor know Naked thou wert of every Help beside As well's of Clothes thy woefull shame to hide 5. With Cares and Fears in thy young Education Thy troubled Parent travelled again Her Bowels yearn'd with as true Perturbation As when they stretch'd with puerperial Pain It being but extension of thy Birth To Bring thee up as she had Brought Thee forth 6. How crosse how way-ward and how peevish were Thy feeble Years when thou couldst onely fight With thy rebellious Will and vex the Care Of thy deer Nurse
Daughter and thou dost resist The course of thy Designe whilst thou dost shut Out Arts and Sciences the Wings whereby Proud Spirits as well as Generous soar high 33. But if thou choosest Virtues craggie Way And dar'st despise whate'r Thou see'st beneath If thy dull Bodies Burden cannot sway Thee downward if this Life to thee be Death If high thine Aim if heav'nly be the Heat Which doth in thy Heroick Bosome beat 34. Right generous is thy Enterprise but yet Strong Difficulties throng about it thick Bold inbred Dangers will encounter it Whilst thy wilde Passions all against it kick Nay thine own Heart unlesse thy Care be great Will Traytor prove and its own Plots defeat 35. Besides All They whose Bosomes tainted be With banefull Sins Contagion will joyn Their malice in a fell conspiracie Thy single Piety to undermine For all thy Virtue checks and chides their Vice And Thy fair Glories shame their Villanies 36. Thou art their Scandal and their Fame doth call Upon their deepest wariest Cares for aid Against that Blot thy Beauty throwss on all Those who of Virtues Hardship are afraid What Weapons wilt thou finde to force back them How shall thy Vessell strive against the Stream 37. Yet through this rampant Sea of Opposition Couldst Thou force ope thy way What wouldst Thou doe Against those stouter Billows of Perdition Which foam and roar wherever Thou dost goe Hell and its Prince their utmost Powers combine To terrifie and to enervate thine 38. And sure this Tempest would effect its Spight On thy weak Bark did not kinde Heav'n descend In pare aforehand did not Grace's light With cordial Assistance Thee befriend Did she not steer thy course and bid thee ride Secure upon the most outrageous Tide 39. Thy Life is nothing but a Tragick Sceen Of most inevitable Death if she By seasonable Help comes not between Thy faint Soule and its dire Catastrophe Grace onely doth condemned Man reprieve From fatall Woes and teach his Life to live 40. T was blessed Charis who so fast did move Phylax his Wings when He to Psyche flew And with the wholsome speed of heav'nly Love Her from the Jaws of the Cerinthians drew By shewing her the horror of that Pit Where Heresie and all her Brood did sit 41. But Phylax from that Grotreturned now His Chariot takes again and her with it Straight Gitton and Samaria sunk below For warned by the motion of their Bit The lusty Coursers took their sprightful wing And justling through the Clouds away did fling 42. As Psyche wonder'd whether they would flie She found her Selfe rapt to a gentle Sphear No Winde durst ever venture up so high Nor blow up any Tempests tumults there The onely Gales which in this Orb did move Were the delicious Breaths of Heav'n and Love 43. The onely Clouds which there did meet her Eye Thick Volumes of religious Ineense were The onely Noise which rooled through that skie Were holy Echo's that to her did bear The sweet Resounds of those rich Anthems which The Throats and Hearts of joyfull Saints did stretch 44. She mused much to think what Creatures were Inhabitants in that calm Sea of Blisse When loe a Troop of glistering Towers drew neer As her swift Chariot further on did presse And straight a goodly Palace fill'd her Eye With large and high-erected Majesty 45. Directly thither for they knew the way The Coursers speeded neighing as they slew But Phylax pluck'd the Reins to bid them stay When neer unto the outer Gate they drew Then lighting with his Virgin-pupill He Warnd her to ponder well what She did see 46. Never said he my Dear those Eyes of thine Though they have travell'd through the World so far Were honored with Object so divine As these with which they now saluted are No Pile e'r swell'd to such bright statelinesse All Princes Courts are Cottages to this 47. That pompous Fabrick which great Davids Son Built for a greater King was poor and plain If it be brought into comparison With this Magnificence which here doth reign As Shaddows doe the Substance so does that But blindly intimate this Temples state 48. The Gold which shin'd the Stones which sparkled there Were all th' ignoble Sons of dirty Earth But these substantial Glories flaming here Owe to Heav'ns Wombe their most illustrious Birth Nor was the Work atcheiv'd by Mortal Hand Which firm as Immortality doth stand 49. Hadst Thou my Wings and through the Sphears couldst flie Heav'ns most imperial Palace there to read That Spectacle would onely feast thine Eye With a more ample Copie wider spred And fuller drawn a Copie of what here Is written in a smaller Character 50. Mark well its Situation Caucasus The Alps th' Athlantick Mountains Ararat Noble Olympus nobler Lybanus Are in their highest exaltations not Halfe so sublime as is this royal Hill Which almost in both Worlds at once doth dwell 51. It s Head thou see'st to Heav'n next Neighbour is And upon Hell its Foot is surely set On Hell which often has repin'd at this Oppressing Burden and oft strove to get Its neck from under it but still in vain The Powers of all that vexed Pit did strein 52. For loe the Mountain's all one solid Rock Compacted in the Strength of Unity Though Hills of Brasse should yeild unto the shock Of Violence though Earths vast Base should be Shouldred out of its place this Mount would stand And laugh to scorn them who against it band 53. So stands the craggie Promontory sure With head erected high above the Storme When all the Windes against its Site conjure And thousand Waves with high-swolln fury arme It stands and sees the Blasts blown out of breath And all the 〈◊〉 shattered beneath 54. But mark the fabrick of this outer Gate And tell me if thou ever saw'st a more Unlikely Passage to a Court of State Strong the Materialls are but yet the Door Is built so low and so extreemly narrow That Worms not Men seem fit to scramble thorow 55. And Worms indeed the Passengers must be Poor thin and humble Things which enter here Big puffing Pride must never hope that She Shall through this Portal crowd or Worldly Care Swelld with Incumbrances and lagg'd with Sin At this small mystick Needles Eye thrust in 56. He whose unhappy Bosome 's stuff'd with Gold Whilst all his Baggs lie heaped in his Heart He who in Fat and Ease himselfe doth fold And never was shrunk up by any Smart Too burlie is to enter here and fit Through Hells wide-gaping Jaws alone to get 57. All secular Impostumes which doe rise From any Humors Superfluity From any Lusts or any Vanities From inward or from outward Luxury Can at this humble Passage finde no room But damm the Way to all that Laden come 58. This said He led the 〈◊〉 to the Gate Where though she shrunk and closely gatherd up Her selfe within her Selfe yet still to great She found her bulk that she was 〈◊〉 to stoop
substantial Faith though Rocks should split Though Earths vast Grounsells which are â—amme'd fast Unto the Centre should in peeces flie These still will hold their own Soliditie 113. That strange Soliditie whose mystick Root Cross unto all the world beside doth grow For its profoundly-paradoxik foot Implanted is above and not below Whilst by Loves all uniting-strengthning Art The Roof it self the Pillars doth support 114. Those spatious Windows there which 〈◊〉 Eye Open its way to Heav'n 〈…〉 The brittle Embleme of 〈◊〉 Vanitie But of firm Hope through which the Soul doth pass And climb aforehand to thoâ— Joves above Which have monopoliz'd her loyal Love 115. That golden Chymney and the Fire which there With unconsuming Sweetness flames so high The Shop and fervent Operations are Of strong and never-idle Charity Whose soft Extremities of fostering Heat In the brave Pulse of pious Hearts doth beat 116. But this resplendent Mount of Majesty Which in the middle of the Room doth rise This Diamond Throne whose Glorie doth outvie The beams of Solomons erected is For Her whose Beauties make the seat appear But poor and dim when it supporteth Her 117. Just as He spake from her retiring Room Attended by her most majestick Train Unto that Throne the Queen her self did come And justifie the Angels word In vain The Diamonds Sparkles were which all gave way To Hers as Stars to Phoebus and his Day 118. In her sweet Looks such blessed Gallantrie Triumphant was that Psyche judged Her To be no Daughter of Mortalitie But sprung from heavenly Race nor did she fear Idolatrie in worshipping that Face Which of much more than Heav'n the Mirrour was 119. But as she for prostration did prepare Phylax adviseth her to satisfie Her eyes profoundest Hunger with the Chear The royall Chear whose superfluitie Was so excessive And Thou then said He Shalt know who is this Queen of Sweets from Me. 120. This Item She obey'd But as a Childe Into some Princes Garden brought which He Sees with innumerable Beauties fill'd Yeelds up himself to daintie ecstasie Not knowing where he should begin to gather Seeing every flower woo's Him from one another 121. So in delicious Confusion She Among the Graces of this Empresse lost Her wondring Self nor could resolved be Which Part deserv'd her admiration most She look'd to finde one better than the rest Yet saw at last all in their kinde were best 122. For from the head of the accomplish'd Queen Unto her foot there was no room for Blame Sooner shall Pitch in Venu's Raies be seen Sooner shall Glories face be damp'd with Shame Sooner shall Christa guilty be of Blots Than purer She can be accusd of Spots 123. As through the roseal Casements of the East Aurora looks when fresh come out of Bed So is her briskly-blooming Aspect drest With all the Delicates of Blushing Red Yet though these Streames of Blushes overflow They keep firm truce still with their neighbour snow 124. As goodly Phoebe in th' unclouded 〈◊〉 Smiles with chaste Beautie so doth 〈◊〉 She But yet more spotlesse for Sols Majesty Doth with her virgin Mildenesse here agree The Moons sweet silver and his stately Gold Are in this faces sphear together roll'd 125. Yet such its temper is that if bold Eyes Confront it no lesse Terror flames in it Than from a marshall'd Army doth surprise Cold-harted Cowards when the Standards get Free leave to poure their awful Colours through The Aire and the bright Banners open flow 126. This makes the Ladies pretious feature be As pleasant as the graceful Structure is Of beauteous Tirza and her Majesty As rich as Salems was in Comelinesse When her best Excellence had crown'd her Queen Of all things that below the Sun were seen 127. As the illustrious Tree of Victorie The verdant Palm lifts her triumphant Head Above the vulgar Shrubs so flameing She Her portly Stature And 't is fairly read In the Halls noble Characters how near Of kin the Palm and She by Conquests are 128. Carmel which looks from his exalted Seat With state upon the Vales that creep beneath And is so strong in high-grown Woods so sweet In fragrant Pastures fairly copieth Her princely Head the Crown which there is set T' enoble all the Members under it 129. As from steep Gilead the milkie Flocks Of climbing Goats doe gracefully appear Such is the beautie of her slaxen Locks Whilst like young Kids their Curles all sporting are And by their sport though feeble Chains they be Do Captive take the King of Majestie 130. Under the daintie shelter of her Hair Half-hid half-ope her pretious Temples lie Which like a rich Pomgranate lovely are And lovelier by that open secrisie For what is naked speaks for what is hid And more desire doth in Spectators breed 131. Who by Bethrabbim Gate hath ever seen The Pools of Heshbon 〈◊〉 to the brim Where living Smiles inhabit where sereen And genuine Puritie delights to swim Where both the Stars by Night and Sun by Day As in a softer Heav'n rejoice to play 132. The Embleme of Her Eyes He hath beheld Her Eyes the limpid Mirrour whence those beams Which dart forth Loves and Joyes which sweetly gild Spectators Hearts poure out their daintie streams Her Eyes the softest Nest of brightest Blisse The purest springs of mystick Paradise 133. That white and stately Tower of Marble which Down from its Lebanon its Looks extended Unto Damascus did but onely teach What Princely Beautie Her fair Nose commended Whose Alabaster Prominence doth by Its situation gain that Majesty 134. Her Lips of Scarlet are a fine-spun Thred Yet not so fine or beauteous as is The rare Effusion which through them is shed Wher that sweet spring of 〈◊〉 doth bless 〈◊〉 Auditors when vocal Gold Ana Honey from th' enclosed longue is roll'd 135. No Sheep new shorn and even and come but now From 〈◊〉 all in 〈◊〉 order can Afford the 〈◊〉 more delightfull show Than her two Ranges of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when A 〈◊〉 or some such sweet Occasion hath Display'd the equal 〈◊〉 of her 〈◊〉 136. As Davids goodly Tower the dwelling place Of Beautie and of strength such is her Neck A thousand mighty Sheilds that Fort doe grace And full as many Jewels this doe deck Or rather decked are by hanging there Their wealthy Place for them can lustre spare 137. Two tender Roes the Sons both of one Dame And of one Birth which in a little field Are put to Pasture in another Name Are her two Breasts with lovely softnes swell'd Which in her Bosomes fragrant Carden feed Amongst those whitest Sweets which there are bred 138. Her royal Roab was all of purest silk In softnes parallel to her own skin Which it embrac'd in whitenes to her Milk A cunning Needle over it had run And scatter'd pritty Hils and Valleys where Neat Flocks of Lambs feeding and sporting were 139. But as when Aprils gentle
Breath doth wake The flowrie Eyes of Lebanon or plays Against his pretious Boughs the Odours take The soft alarm and their sweet Powers raise So this rich Vestures blessed smell replies To the least Call of every Gale that flies 140. In either Hand she held a massie Key Which like two Scepters she did stoutly sway The one of beaten burnish'd Gold which she Hug'd in her Right-hand for the royall way Through Heav'ns bright Gate is alway locked up Except this priviledg'd Key doth set it ope 141. That in her Left of swarthy Iron is A fatal dreadfull Key which locks the Door Of everlasting Torments foule Abyss Where Anathematized Soules doe 〈◊〉 Proud Belzebub although he Soveraign be Of Hell yet keeps not his own Kingdomes Key 142. The Diadems of gareish Gold and Gems Unto the 〈◊〉 of mortal Kings she leaves An heav'nly flame about Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And a full Crown of living glory 〈◊〉 Which Miter-like and like the mystick 〈◊〉 Of Cloven-Tongnes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 143. But for a Canopie above her head No Babylonian Embroydery No Tyrian nor Phrygian Texture's spread No artificiall Help of Majesty No State which cannot last if by the aid Of Pillars and of Cords it be not staid 144. A Dove not hatch'd in sublunary Nest Nor hatch'd at all but of eternal Breed Weigh'd on his equal Wings takes up his rest At neer but comely Distance o'r her Head Where by his wide-spred silver Fethers 〈◊〉 Becomes her Ornament and 〈◊〉 145. This was the Queen on whom as Psyche gazed Thou hast no canse my Dear said 〈◊〉 so At her high Gallantry to be amazed If thou but know'st what is her Name and who The King her Spouse O pitty then cri'd she Sweet Tutor this my Ignorance and Me. 146. He by a speaking Smile at first then by These Words his modest Pupill satisfi'd This Queen Ecclesia is unto the high And mighty King of Kings the soveraign Bride Poor of her Selfe and sprung from Mortal Race But thus advanced by his bounteous Grace 147. Those Princes whom the foolish World admire Are fain to make a tedious Search to finde Ladies whose florid Beauties may conspire With the 〈◊〉 of their lustfull Minde And often for a Dowry hunt that so The Mayd and Money they may Marry too 148. But it becomes Heav'ns Emperour to make Rather than seek a Spouse which him may please Nor can it with his Greatnesse stand to take A Portion with his Bride who Owner is Of more than thine or Phoebu's larger Eye Could in his furthest Travells e'r descry 149. She crooked was alas and black before A Throne on which Deformity did reign Such heaps of odious Blains and Boils such Store Of Wrinkles and Distortions such plain Right-down Uncleannesse could not any where Be found in one Colluvies but in Her 150. Indeed when first She in her Filth was born No friendly Hand came in to wash her clean Or cut her Navel helplesse and foriorn In her foule Blood She lay till be sent in His yearning Providence Relief to give Which on Deaths brink commanded her to live 151. She liv'd but still so as her life confest By its Procession what its Entrance was Yet when all other Lovers did detest The thought of her most ougly vile Embrace Jesus stepps in and cries Why may nor she Grow beauteous by my Superfluity 152. Then from 〈◊〉 exuberant Store of his own Graces Ten thousand rich and radiant Things he takes Which all about the wondering Mayd he places And of a Worm this Queen of Glory makes Who as thou 〈◊〉 thus Embellished Prepared was for his 〈◊〉 Bea. 153. And that his Empresse might attended be With a Retinue suitable unto Her royal Selfe that Train Magnificent He Both furnish'd and maintaineth for Her Loe With what prest forwardnesse they waiting are About her sparkling Throne and fairer Her 154. The first Rank's of no lesse than threescore Queens Who yet can from her Service Honor take The next's of fourscore goodly Concubines But they which doe the outmost Orders make Where in a Number numberless thy flow Are Virgins all both chaste and white as snow 155. These were the lesser Churches which were spread About the World so thick in ever Place Yet still their Strength and their Dependance had From this most Catholik Majesty which was Diffus d as wide as they and never found That Land or Sea which could its Progresse boun 156. These every Morn and every Evening raise Their homage in religious Anthems high Paying both Admiration and Praise To Her the Monarch of all Piety Since They to Her but Tributaries are For she alone the Soveraign Crown doth wear 157. But mark that 〈◊〉 whose Station is Before the 〈◊〉 Mayds of true 〈◊〉 which Injoy the 〈◊〉 this Queen to 〈◊〉 Their Hands alone adorn her with those rich Embellishments which round about her shine And make her look so heav'nly and divine 158. That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mayd is Unity Whose noble Office is to buckle on Her 〈◊〉 golden 〈◊〉 and to see That close and fast this 〈◊〉 be done And how her Duty she performeth Thou By the Queens small and dainty Waste mayst know 159. That sober Matrone in whose stayed Eye And venerable Face so fair are writ The awfull Lines of Heav'n is Sanctity Who every Morn before the Queen doth set Her Selfe to be the Glasse where she may see What Dresse will best become her Majesty 160. The next whose soft and yeilding Looks confesse The temper of her Heart is Patience Her Empresse she doth deck with Tendernesse And makes her slow and loth to take Offence That all her Subjects by her Softnesse may Be charm'd so kinde a Princesse to obey 161. But Magnanimity that high-look'd She Joins to that Mildnesse stout and active Fire This that Virago is which scorrs to see Any exploit of Gallantry out-vie Her Ecclesia's brows with Bravery she doth build And stoutly helps her both her Keyes to weild 162. She whose wide-open Breasts so fairly swell And wears as large a Purse ope by her side Who looks about to see where she may spill Her teeming Charities everlasting Tide Is Bounty Almner to the Queen whom she Doth also dresse with Smiles and Suavity 163. That other whose ev'n Look was never knit Into a frown nor loos'd into a Smile Whose right Hand holds a Sword whose left a fit And equal Balance Justice is who still As Cases come her Ladies Eyes doth dresse Either with Anger or with Friendlinesse 164. That amiable sweet complexion'd Mayd Is 〈◊〉 which keeps the Queen so feir In all Distempers she with ready And Her 〈◊〉 Health and Beauty doth repair Her Body sound her Skin she maketh sleek She with 〈◊〉 Roses trimms her lovely Cheek 165. Those other Virtues also every one Their several Office have But Psyche now Observe that neighbour Combination Who Virgins also are that thou mayst know By their great Worth how glorious is she Whose houshold
Servants they are proud to be 166. She who all over written is with Scarrs Laden with Palms and clothed round in Blood Fcclesia s Champion is ten thousand Warrs She waged hath and valiantly with-stood Hells and Earths Opposition her Name Is Martyrdome her Story highest Fame 167. That plain look'd Mayd whose course and simple Hue Seems to discredit this illustrious Place Is Poverty who though to outward view She shineth not with any courtly Grace Yet is within as gorgeous and as fair As on their Outsides her Companions are 168. For Jesus who the Heart of Things doth see Was so enamored of her Beauties that He chose to dwell with her alone when he Enter'd upon his Theanthronick State And found her Worth so high that he 〈◊〉 Her to Ecclesia when he hence Ascended 169. The next her Sister is Obedience Thou never saw'st a Twigg more 〈◊〉 to bow Nor Wax more pliant than unto her Prince In all her Mandates she her Selfe doth show A Will she had once of her own 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gave it her Queen that so she 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 170. For prudent as she was right well she knew What an edg'd Tool is every 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which oft makes its enslaved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Its 〈◊〉 freedome whose 〈◊〉 to quell The 〈◊〉 way she found was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It to a Wiser 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lo there Virginitie her 〈◊〉 O who Can count the Graces which 〈…〉 Which all about her dainty Body 〈◊〉 In 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 Heav'n deeply tell 〈◊〉 love with Her and she As truly is 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Indeed the old acquaintance We have 〈◊〉 With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 makes Us what We are Unto 〈◊〉 their 〈…〉 She sets Us free from all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 〈◊〉 Us leave to 〈…〉 The busines of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 which smilesh in her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with heroick 〈◊〉 For though bold 〈◊〉 be 〈…〉 A common Bridle and 〈…〉 That Hand he 〈◊〉 which with 〈◊〉 might Is furnish'd and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 But there stand 〈◊〉 far more noble yet Stars of the first and fairest 〈◊〉 Stars unto which the whole Word is in 〈◊〉 For that Commanding 〈◊〉 which hath 〈◊〉 That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 All Nations its 〈◊〉 Prisners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That awfull Maid 〈◊〉 glorious 〈◊〉 Before whole look the World made haste to bow And take the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon Its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou by that Mark 〈◊〉 know Obrave 〈◊〉 which hast out 〈◊〉 The Course 〈◊〉 the Glories of the Sun 176. This is the Ladie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The faithfull Hands or whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pretious store was put that 〈◊〉 All pious 〈◊〉 might be anured where They should not 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or their dear Lord 177. But at her back 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apparent Her 〈◊〉 when to 〈…〉 Yet 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 The glory her great 〈…〉 And 〈◊〉 turns the 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She in whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She whose quick-sighted 〈◊〉 doth wonders see 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Age before they be 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whose 〈◊〉 doth d well A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sweet and 〈◊〉 too Which 〈…〉 〈◊〉 is that 〈◊〉 which at 〈◊〉 Not in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 181. The fift the Mistrels of profounder 〈◊〉 Than 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 knew She 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 nor Herbs to take her Part Nor any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plants doth brew But by her 〈◊〉 or her commanding Breath Knows how to 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 and Death 182. The sixt whose ready and officious Eyes Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth speak Is she who on the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With reverent distance waits she who doth take The care or those who did not Chartitie Keep open house would no where narboured 〈◊〉 183. The 〈◊〉 whose stature is so high and fair Whose Snoulaers are to broad whose breast to 〈◊〉 Whose joints wei-knit whose bones wel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But stronger 〈◊〉 her Heart may be 〈◊〉 by there 〈◊〉 Marks to be no other but brave 〈◊〉 which in the 〈◊〉 is set 184. See'st Thou the 〈…〉 Can by 〈…〉 And yet 〈…〉 185. She in their proper Dialects can trade With all the World and Heav'ns Wares set to sale No Sound to Sense a Dresse was ever made But she with it doth strait acquainted fall And can discover whither it doth sit Upon that senses shoulders right and sit 186. Unhappy Babels Antidote is she And cures the Wound which there did Tongues divide All Languages doe in her Lips agree For to her single Tongue they all are ti'd So are their Virtues too and Eloquence Dwels there in all its kindes of Excellence 187. But now behold where at the Queens right Hand As best deserving that illustrious Place A 〈◊〉 Virgin than all these doth stand Who 〈◊〉 Soveraigns Gallantrie doth grace A Virgin 〈◊〉 than her native Home 〈◊〉 silver Sphears whence she did hither come 188. Loe she from head to foot all naked is As are the Sun by day and Stars by night Her Selfe she with her proper Beams doth dresse As they with their Attire of natural Light True Beauty never outward help did lack 'T is Shame alone which Clothes doth usefull make 189. Who ever thought the Rose or Lilie stood 〈◊〉 of course unhandsome Nakednesse Because they never put on borrowed Hood Content with their own native Sweetnesses Or where shall Ornaments be found which may In a new beauteous Garb such Things array 190. Beleeve it Psyche She doth but retain Her Countries Fashion They whose Blisse it is In heav'n above eternaly to reign Professe no other kinde of Dresse but this They Naked goe of every thing which might Hide those fair Beams which them all over dight 191. A Texture all of Glory soft and white 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Virgin Soule doth her surround 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can in the high-noon Face of Light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of ink in stoods of Milk be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may a Critick hope to spie in her 〈◊〉 Roab of Nakednesse a sound 192. That Nakednesse which though it breeds Desire In All whose Hearts are not of obstinate Stone It kindles none but sweet and spottlesse Fire In whose pure Fornace brave Devotion Learns with more sprightfull fervencie to glow And 〈◊〉 it self refin'd doth grow 193. But ô what generous Powers flame in her face Pouring her Conquests upon every Eye The hardiest he that e'r on Her did gaze Yeilded and lov'd his sweet Captivity Error her selfe though swell'd with Pride and Hell In her sweet Presence willingly doth 〈◊〉 194. Her Name is Truth and what her Love and Care Judge by the Tokens which her hands present That Volume which doth in her left appear Is the original Old Testament That in her right the New which unto her By Those who writ them first committed 〈◊〉 195. For every Leaf of them a Mirrour is Where She doth read her own unspotted Face No line is there but truely doth expresse Some correspondent Lineament of Grace In her sweet Body whose all-lovely Looks Are nothing but the Life of those dead Books 196. Bold Haeresie has often in that Glasse Presum'd to
Company 223. With these sweet Plaints she measur'd her Return Till back unto the Chariot she came And well was Phylax pleass'd to hear her Mourn Judging by this how serious was the Flame Of her Affection to that Holy Place In which her Virgin Bosom fired was 224. Then mounting up and gently seating her At his right Hand his mighty Reins he shook And these could scarce before his Coursers stir For straight their leap into the Air they took Spreading their Wings wide Oars by which They through The Waves of that soft Ocean did row 225. For she remembring well what sad Event Plagu'd her affected Stay in Palestine By dear-bought Wisdome learn'd to be content To leave this reverend Place though more divine Temptations here invited her to stay Since wiser Phylax summon'd her away 226. So when a Childe woo'd by the sporting Flame Is once but scorch'd into a feeling Sense Of the fair-faced Danger Fear and Shame Bow him down to his Nurses ' Providence And make Him any 〈◊〉 Lustre shun If but her Nodd commandeth Him to run 227. But he to entertain her by the way With advantageous Discourse begun To reckon through what worthy Wonders They In their 〈◊〉 Pilgrimages Tract had run For Repetitions trusty hand doth grave A new Impression and the old one save 228. This rouz'd her Soule to recollect how she Had by the Conduct of Heav'ns special Grace Through thousand Dangers pass'd untouch'd and free Though Hell and all its Wit engaged was In open field to crosse or undermine By secret Wilinesse her brave Designe 229. A fresh her Minde did feast on every Sweet And Wonderous Thing which all the way she went With rich Varieties her Eyes did meet So clear the Angels Tongue did them present Drawing All out in ample Statelinesse By the fair Help of Eloquence's Dresse 230. Thus in a double Chariot did she ride But yet in this of his Discourse she fiew With swifter speed out-running ev'n the tide Of Time it Selfe for still her Joies were new Cheating her Wearinesse as he along Through all her Journeys travell'd with his Tongue 231. This tun'd her Tongue by her Hearts dainty String To honest Gratitudes ingenuous Layes High was her Key and delicate the Song Composed to the sweetest Aire of Praise For ever may these Lips be seal'd said she When they suppresse the Thanks I owe to Thee 232. To Thee dear Pilot of my tender Bark Which many Rocks e'r this had dash'd in sunder Which oft had wander'd in the Deep and Dark Which many Storms proud feet had troden under Which many Sands into its Grave long since Had swallow'd up but for thy stout Defence 233. To Thee whom no Contempt of mine could drive To just Disdam of a vile Worme to Thee By whose dear Care my better Life I live If yet I live at all and rather be Not dead and buried in those Sins which I Prefert'd before the Life of Piety 234. Yet more I owe to Him and more must pay By whose Appointment I enjoyed Thee My faithfull Guide in this long perilous Way But thou must teach Me what those Thanks must be If they must be my Selfe I ready am This Sacrifice to offer to his Name 235. His Name in whose dear Syllables alone I read my Selfe intirely such For there Lives the sweet Soule of that Redemption Which snatch'd me from that 〈◊〉 Bondage where 〈◊〉 lay abandon'd to the tyrannous Will Of Error Madnesse wickednesse and Hell 236. His Name in which the Praise and Adoration Of the Seraphick and Cherubick Quire Rejoyce to meet His Name of every Nation The dearest Joy and soveraign Desire His Name which o'r the whole Worlds vanquish'd Pride Doth in sublime but gratious Triumph ride 237. His Name the onely Musick which mine Eare Can of no Jarrs accuse that lovely Name Which when Heav'ns most melodious Orbs doe heat They throw aside their other Songs and frame Their Tunes by Jesu's Sweets Here off she broke Lovingly ravish'd by the Name she spoke 238. And here the Steeds who all this while had flew With stout but silent fervor neigh'd aloud For now their Journey to its period drew And Albion her chalkie Forehead show'd Which with erected Ears and shaked Mains They doubled strait and scoured o'r the Plains 239. Forthwith all clouded in their smoaking Foam The Chariot they hurld to Psyche's door Where Phylax bid his Pupill welcome home Which She did on her Knee to Him restore And stroaking then her Steeds upon the Crest She for their faithfull Pains her Thanks profest PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XVII The Mortification ARGUMENT PSyche embrav'd by Chari's generous Flames Strives in Devotions Furnace to refine Her pious self till with Perfections Beams Her pure Spiritualized Life might shine Then Satan she defies though crafly He Came clothed in Angelick Claritie 1. PEace gentle Queen of every Thing which makes Sweets acceptable Bliss delightfull be What satal Conjuration of Mistakes Inchanteth Mortal Hearts that they will see Thy Beauties not by their own Light but by The hideous Glass of Wars Deformity 2. They see the Sun is fair by his own Beams Gems by their proper Lustre them allure They taste the Fountains sweetnes by the streams The Roses 〈◊〉 Cheek does them assure The Floure is beautifull yet they will not Thy Graces read but by a Stain and 〈◊〉 3. Dear is this Learning and sometimes too late O how much sooner and much cheaper might They all Wars tedious costly studie bare If they to Thee would come to Schole and write From the Original of thy fair Eyes That Book which dims the Volums of the 〈◊〉 4. Thy Temper is all Musick never did The least of Jars thy sweet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From thine all Concords 〈◊〉 were copied Nor would the Centre on his 〈◊〉 8 back Agree to bear the World did it Thou noc by Thy 〈◊〉 Chains the Burden 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. For at the first when in th' untuned Deep Each Thing was wroth and snarled with his Brother When Heav'n and Earth tumbled in one blinde Heap Struggled and strove to stifle one Another When All Things with their peevish selves fell out And in their own Hearts for their Enemies sought 6. Then Thou with seasonable Love didst come And those wilde Tumults sweetly chase away These boistrous Pangs of the Worlds travelling Womb With happy Quietnesse thou didst allay Makeing those Embroy's Freinds who never since Have to that Knot of love done violence 7. All rest contented with the Stations Thou Appointedst Them and Earth is pleas'd as well With her poor Habitation here below As any Stars which in Heav'ns Roof doe dwell Nor will the Windes though big they be and proud Desire above the middle Aire to crowd 8. The sirly Sea who in his boiling Wrath Against the shore with mountainous Waves doth make Dreads the poor List of feeble Sand which hath No power that desperate Carreer to slake Because He reads in it thy potent Law Which back into
115. Had Delilahs tongue not been so Musical It ne're had ventur'd upon Sampsons might Nor in his Chamber conquer'd more than all Philistia's Powers could do in open fight But when the strongest Bands were all in vain With her soft-language she did Him enchain 116. Puff'd with Heav'n-daring Pride and Victorie Great Holofernes fear'd no dint of Fear When walled in with his vast Army He Vow'd the Jews stock up by the roots to tear Yet Judiths glozing Tongue made Him her Prey His Heart first then his Head she stole away 117. O then let Prudence stop thy sober Ear When any worldly Charm doth tune its strings Much happier is it to be deaf than hear The Musick of those faithlesse Flourishings Which sliely stealing to thine Heart will there With everlasting Jars thy Conscience tear 118. The Voice of Truth though wonderous plain it be Flows with more Hony than all Tongues beside With Hony so sincere that Puritie It selfe a long with all its Streams doth glide Here mayst Thou be Luxuriant yet thine Ear No Surfet from this Fulnesse needs to Fear 119. Let others slander't with the Name of Pride I 'l stile it Virtue in Thee to disdain That empty Foam of Prattle which doth ride Upon the idly-busy Tongues of vain And shallow Men who though they all the Day Spin out their long Discourses Nothing say 120. Have patience tickling Accents to forbear A while that Thou the best of them mayst gain Years post about apace the Time draws near When thou exalted on Heav'ns glistering Plain With those rich Notes shalt enterteined be Whose Consort makes the Sphearik Melodie 121. My Philax's blessed Voice there shalt Thou hear And all the Winged Quire whose dainty Tongues The Triumphs and the Joyes of Heav'n doe chear With the brisk Raptures of their lofty Songs Songs which no Ears must drink but those which are On purpose kept and not enchanted here 122. On Acoe so hard this Lesson grated That in her Heart she wish'd she had been deaf Yet since their old Rebellion was defeated She feard the Senses could have no Releif By standing out And well she knew beside Who most should feel it when her Queen did chide 123. She Sigh'd and let her Lute-strings down as though She loosned had with them those of her Heart And then O sweetest Wombe of Pleasures how Shall Acoe live said she now I must part With Thee And here She fetch'd another Sigh And kiss'd her Lute and gently laid it by 124. Next Osphresis came in who in one Hand Courted a Civet Box and in the other A nest of Rose-budds built upon a wand Of Juniper and neatly set together Which Psyche seeing Use it warilie Roses wear Pricks as well as Leaves said She. 125. Could all the Balme of Gilead all the spice Of happy Arabie but inform Thee how To counterplot those fatal Miseries Whose certain seeds in thine own heart doe grow I could approve such Helps But They We know Are frail and mortal Things as well as Thou 126. Alas so deep Corruption rooted is Ev'n in the Centre of thy fading Breast That O dours strive in vain to weed and dresse The tainted Soile How largely 't is confest By former Ages dead and rotten now How sure Mortality in Man doth grow 127. And shall the Son and the Apparent Heir Of Rottennesse mispend his Time upon Unnecessary Sweets by which the Air Trimm'd and inriched is and that alone Sweets which each silly Wind which whisketh by Snatcheth and scattereth in proud Mockery 128. Why should'st Thou take such Pains to make the Prey Of stinking Wormes so sweet and dainty why Upon perfumed Pillows wouldst Thou lay Thine Head when it to rot must onely lie This Cost and Pains for nothing usefull be But doubling of Corruptions Victorie 129. Wert not a cheaper and a wiser plot Aforehand with displeasant Smells to be Acquainted that the brackish Grave may not By being strange be bitterer to Thee At least not to be tainted with the Sweet Contagion which in Perfumes We meet 130. O Osphresis that Thou didst truely know What Crops of Odours and what Beds of Spice What Hills of Sweets what Plains of flowers grow In the delicious Lap of Paradise Thou couldst not chuse but generously disdain These poor Perfumes of Earth to entertain 131. Yet all the purest Names of Odours are Short of that everlasting Incense which From Heav'ns high Altar doth its volumes rear And Blessednes it self with sweets inrich Save than thy self for these which will one day Thine Abstinence with Plenitude repay 132. And yet mean while I will to thee allow Far richer sweets then those Thou throw'st away In virtue's Garden doe but walk and 〈◊〉 hou Shalt meet such spicy Breaths of holy Joy As will compell thy ravish'd Soule to think This Worlds Gentilest sent but pretious stink 133. Such Breaths as will perfume thy heart indeed And all thy Thoughts and Words aromatize Untill their odorous Emanations breed Delight in Gods own Nostrils who doth prize The sweetnes of all Incense by the sent Of the meek sacrificers pure intent 134. Here Osphresis thrice on her Civet and Thrice on her smiling Posie smelt but yet At length she dropp'd them out of either Hand When she perceived Psyche's Countenance set With a wfull Resolution and strait As Geusis enterd meekly did retreat 135. Geusis brought in her Hand an Honey-combe Which prompted Psyche thus the Maid to greet What if that Nest of sweetnes hath no room For any thing that is intirely Sweet What if the Bee hath in that Cabinet More of her sting than of her Honey set 136. Full hard it is to eat no more than may True friend-ship keep twixt safetie and delight The least Excess will Thee to Pangs betray And break thy Work by day thy Rest by night Indeed a surfet goes most sweetly down But strait with Gall the heart is overflown 137. The raging Sword 's a keen and ravenous Thing Witness whole Armies swallow'd up by it Yet Luxury doth wear a sharper sting And wider ope her hungry Throat is set No reeking steel thou ever yet didst see Blush in the guilt of so much Blood as Shee 138. Of his Sobrieties sage stayed weight Had great Belshazzar not been cozen'd by The cruel sweetnes of her soft Deceit He had not in Heav'ns scale of Equity Been found so light as by Darius down From his high Empires Zenith to be blown 139. Of Her in time had Dives taken heed When in each Dish for him She lay in wait When into every Boule her self she shed And made of each superfluous Bit a Bait Beneath the wretched Gallant had not lain Acting poor Lazarus his part in vain 140. His broiled Tongue had not so clamorous been In lamentable Out-cries to obtain No crowned Cups of lustie foaming Wine But a few drops of Water to restrain Those free and jovial flames which now did trie On him another kinde of Luxurie 141. But Lazarus whose meek
thing which here Earth useth as a Bait to Luxurie Pride Avarice or any Crime which bear Cheif Rule in Mortal Hearts whil'st heedlesse they Mark not the Hook ev'n when they are its Prey 221. A general Proclamation then she made That none who unto her did homage owe In any Case presume abroad to gad Unlesse Necessitie along did goe As their Companion who might limits set Both to their Walk and what they did in it 222. As when an head-strong Torrent wont to throw His lawlesse Arms or every Mead where He Listed to riot is enjoyn'd to slow In a strait Chanels Regularitie The Stream with belking indignation beats And foams agamst the Banks with murmuring threats 223. So with vexatious and yet fearfull Wrath Her Subjects pent up in these narrow bounds In sighs and groans rebell against their Path And every one his fretfull greif expounds In a long commentary of Complaint The onely freedome of their new restraint 224. Were other Subjects yok'd so close as We Their Company would lighter make our yoke For Misery spred in Communitie Abates the terror of her cruel look But how said they shall we endure alone The total weight of her Dominion 225. Were it the Fashion any where beside For Sence and Passion thus in Chains to lye Our Soules it would not torture to be ty'd At home in endlesse slavery but why Must all the World laugh at our woes whil'st we The sole examples of this Bondage be 226. Psyche who all their struggling Murmurs heard With awfull Majesty enflam'd her Eye And Come said she if I must needs be Fear'd Who would much rather have been Loved by All you my Subjects be it so for still Keep you intirely such I must and will 227. Yet since the Fashion 's all your plea and you Of singularitie tax this your state As far as Reason leads I will allow You your own Wish But see you kick not at My royal Love not force me to the Fashion Which Princes use in Rebels Insultation 228. Know then the Fashion I have put you in Is that which made the Saints of old so sine That they the Eyes of Heav'n it self could win And ravish all but those to whom divine And earth-despising Bravery doth seem Dimmer than is pale Gold and Silvers beam 229. Yea that illustrious Realm whose situation Lies higher than the Stars does not disdain To own what you repute a servile Fashion But every Angel his own Will doth chain Close to his Soveraigns Law and never flies Abroad but when great Bus'nesse him imployes 230. Tell Me not then what Garbs and Humors are By the blinde foolish World ador'd but take Your copie from those Patterns which out-dare The Worth of any Parallel and make Those Men your Pitty who make you their Scorn Your Fashion gorgeous is but theirs forlorne 231. These Words with such convincing Horror flew Upon the faces of the mutinous Rout That all their Murmurs Blasts away they blew And still'd the thoughts which in their bosoms wrought And since their Stomacks nothing had to Say They nothing had to Doe but to Obey 232. Thus from exterior Troubles sequestred Psyche at home close to her Bus'nesse fell She long before the Sun was out of Bed And call'd it Morning e'r the East could tell Aurora rising was for I said she Have fiercer Steeds to rule than Phoebu's be 233. Then higher into Heav'n than He doth ride She took her leap so stout and sinewie were Her early Mattens which her Soul did guide Unto the Pinnacle of Glory where Her Praises and her Prayers she before The foot-stool of her mighty Spouse did poure 234. Her Hands then letting down she set them to Their early Task and this was to prepare Clothes for the Orphans and the Widdows who Now all by Charities Adoption were Become her Children thus did prudent she Bravely make fruitfull her Virginity 235. And in this voluntary Off-spring she Took high delight for those who Parents are By Natures Work too oft engaged be In an unnatural Broods vexatious care But she from hers no Discontent could finde Being the chosen Children of her Minde 236. Yet with her Work her Prayers she mingled so That she of both a goodly Checker made In whatsoever Bus'nesse she did goe Heav'n interwoven was for all her Trade Was but a faithfull Prentise-hood to Him Whose royal Temples wear Heav'ns Diademe 237. So though the Mariner with busie care Attends his Card yet oft he lifts his Eye To take direction from that trustie Star Which darteth on his Voyage Certainty And by this mixed study safely rides Over the proudest and the furthest Tides 238. No idle Visits her abroad could draw Yet whensoever the despised Poor Were sick she by the royal Gospel Law Thought her selfe thither summon'd to restore Unto her needy Lord the help which she Had oft receiv'd from his Benignity 239. For Him on all those fickly Beds she saw His pained broken Limbs His parched Skin His burning Tumors His black stripes His raw And gaping Wounds which did so strongly win On her Compassion that her own they proved Whilst her soft Bowells them both felt and loved 240. The odious Sores which would have loathing bred Ev'n in the Surgions eyes she gently view'd Her choisest Plaisters tenderly she spred And all her Powders with delight she strew'd Her Selfe of her own Clothes she robb'd to winde About the Naked and the Maimed binde 241. By the Diseases greatnesse she did measure The worth of her distressed Company The foulest Lepers yeilded choisest Pleasure To her Attendance who aspir'd to be A Servant unto those whose Noisomeness Both Parents Love and Childrens did suppress 242. In vain her Senses turned back their head Since She what they abhorr'd resolv'd to love In vain her daintier Passions murmured And to recall her from that Office strove Her Resolution she the more profest And ever Kiss'd the Sores which she had drest 243. The coy-ey'd Ladies with a squeamish Look Admir'd and loath'd her lowly Complement Not for a World would their fine Fingers brook The Touch of what her Kisses did resent As soft and sweet yet could not their Disdain Her Zeal discourage or her Lips restrain 244. Still She her Mercifull Designe persues And by divine Insinuation tries How in her Potions she may Heav'n infuse And reach the Soules mysterious Maladies Heart-startling Hints she sprinkles here and there And poures in heav'nly Cordials every where 245. Nor by this paradoxick Zeal alone Did she run counter to the Worlds carreer But valiant in her high Devotion Adventur'd further yet to domineer Over her Flesh and Blood whose lustie Heat By rigid Abstinence she down did beat 246. She ne'r by set and customary Time Was summon'd to unneceslary Meat But earnest Hunger alway told the Chime By which she was admonished to Eate And then her Meal she measured not by Her Stomackfull but bare Sufficiency 247. And thus her food she did her Servant make Whilst others
Tongue As in this honey-shaming Book doth live Such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sweets were never wrung From humane Poets love-oppressed Soule As there in every Leaf and Line doth roule 301. For what is every Leaf and every Line But a fair Chanel through whose bosome glides The soft and supple Soule of most divine Most satisfying Truth whose generous Tides Difdain all Ebbs and with unwearied Store Of royal Pleasures flow for evermore 302. Her prudent Bottles she at every one Of these dear Streams must learn to fill yet she Shall with more constant ardent study run To Davids blessed Well where Suavity In three times fifty Springs doth bubble up And liquid Heav'n to thirsty Soules set ope 303. And in the Song of Songs that is of Love Who there in sacred Wantonnesse doth play Streining his strong enamored Notes above The loftiest Sphears most sublimated Lay Her pious Revells she may keep and run O'r the best Riches of great Solomon 304. But at the Euangelick Fountains she The Streams of purest Holinesse shall draw Streams in whose more than Chrystall Clarity Innumerable Virgin Graces row Streams where Humility who onely hath All Virtues for her Handmayds joyes to bathe 305. All Mysteries array'd in Sweetnesse there And no where else She shall not faile to see There Gods own Motions in an Humane Sphear Accommodated to her Weaknesse she Shall safely read and from the dropping Lip Of Jesus how much more than Nectar sip 306. And thus layd in thy Stock so great will be That thou mayst eas'ly undertake to drive That generous Trade which I enjoyned Thee And never doubt but thou shalt bravely thrive 'T is 〈◊〉 Wealth makes Bankrupts such but thine Estate shall be immortal and divine 307. Here Psyche ceas'd But Logos scratch'd his head As something jealous that this Task would sit Sad on his back Yet when he pondered The grounds which fortifi'd and flanker'd it He found himselfe fore-stall'd of what to say And therefore to his Soveraigns Will gave way 308. She glad on any terms that Logos had Buckled his Shoulders to receive the Yoak In all his Task a decent Method made That Time it selfe might call him to his Book And turn his Leaves and shew him every day What Lesson ready for his Study lay 309. A noble Week of Attributes she chose In the vast Treasures of the Deitie And prest her seav'n Dayes to attend on those Each in his order by which practise she Knew how Time went not by the posting 〈◊〉 But her own Contemplations Motion 310. That Morn which to the World did Sunday ope That Suns fair Day which did at Salem rise Awak'd her not but found her ready up And busie at her Work the reverent Eyes Of Logos wide were ope and earnestly Fix'd on the Godheads wonderous Unity 311. Nothing is lac'd so close and strait into It selfe as this immeasurable Nature The Singularity which seemeth so Compleat in every Individual Creature Hangs loose about them if they judged be By the pure Rule of this 〈◊〉 312. A dull Passivity doth sneaking lie About the center of the 〈◊〉 Hearts Checking those Flames of their 〈◊〉 Which seem all Spirit And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parts Are found although their 〈◊〉 Be close the Whose's not absolutely One. 313. O no should God dissolve that secret Glue Which in their own Subsistence up doth knit Angelick Natures that which now doth shew So strait and single would in sunder split Their Wings would melt and moult their Flames would by And they themselves from their own selves would fly 314. Ev'n Unity it selfe had never been It selfe unlesse it had been formed by This Prototype that Unity I mean Which hugs and girteth up the Things which ly Under the Foot of that eternal Throne On which He reigns who is supreamly One. 315. Yet not more truely One than He is Three But knit in an high and mystick Knot Of simple singular Triplicitie Which Psyche though she comprehended not Yet with admiring Eyes she dwelt upon As Eagles on the Light the Flame the Sun 316. There she beheld how infinitely Bold And equaly besotted was their Sin Who had in their Religions List enroll'd A Crowd of Gods She now could easlyer win Upon her Faith to think that there were none At all then yeild there could be more than One. 317. O how she praised and ador'd that high And burning Jelousy which though she saw Flaming with most resolved Ardency Upon the Fore-head of the ancient Law Till now she knew not so profoundly why Heav'ns deepest Hate was foule Idolatry 318. But then encourag'd by Heroick Heat Neerer and neerer to this Knot she drew And prostrate at her mighty Makers Feet This panting Crie upon his Footstool threw Great Lord why may not I with Thee be One Though not by Unitie by Union 319. O I am now a thousand Things a day But were I once to Thee intirely joyn'd No Objects should thy Psyche steal away Whilst They into Themselves transform Her Minde Thy Selfe and mine I should behold in Thee And all Things else I could desire to see 320. The next Days Dawn her Meditations drew To feed upon the Truth of her dear Lord Truth so supreem and infinitely True As boundlesse Satisfaction did afford Unto her Intellect whose daintiest Feast By Truth alone is furnished and drest 321. Solid substantiall Treasures here she saw To which all other Things but Shaddows are Compulsive Reason here she found to draw That strange Conclusion to a Naturall Ear That God is in such soveraign Certainty Himselfe that Nothing truely Is but He. 322. The Fulnes of this Universe is founded On Emptinesse and therefore cannot be More real than its Bottome What is grounded On Frothy Bubbles sticks to Vanity Close by the Roots and seeing All Things came From Nothings Wombe they must be like their Dame 323. When a quick-paced Intellect doth trace The Lines of any Creatures Being though At first it meets with what presents a face Of solid Something it will quickly grow To its vain journies end and stopped be By the huge Gulfe of meer Vacuitie 324. But when it launceth out into the Sea Of increated Nature it doth sail Through True and genuine Substantialtie Which never will its Contemplation fail By terminating Wants ignoble Shore But lets it drive its Course for evermore 325. And in this blessed Ocean Psyche met Such vast Reality that in disdain She call'd the World and all that swell'd in it A mighty Lie dress'd up and trimm'd with vain Embellishments whose outside Flatteries Abuse but blear and unconsidering Eyes 326. Yet sweeter was her Third Days Work than this For then her Speculation fix'd its Eye Upon the Goodnesse of her Lord which is The Fountain of unbounded Suavity A Fountain which it selfe at home doth fill And springs through all the Universe doth thrill 327. For as the Sun on 〈◊〉 Star doth poure The bounty of his inexhausted Beams Making them rich with his illustrious store Who else could
ne're have kindled their own flames So all the Rays of Goodnes which make fine Created Eyes are Sparks of the Divine 328. Meer Sparks indeed who of their weaknes by Their twinckling tremor plain Confession make But Gods supream original Bonity From its own Home doth its Dimensions take It lives and flames in his unbounded Breast And fils with sweetest fulnes all its nest 329. Heer The lema leap'd in who now had found That God alone was absolutely good And fain she would her ravish'd self have drown'd In this delicious Attribute's deer flood But Psyche reind her in whose life she meant Should in another sacrifice be spent 330. Her fourth days Task was wonderous hard and high For now her thoughts adventured to look On the vast Volumes of Immensitie Which were the sacred admirable Book Of her great Makers face a Book which made All Heav'n and Earth to lesse than Nothing fade 331. But as her Contemplations wander'd here The further they went on the further they Were from their end and in their boundlesse Spheat Lost both themselves and their increasing way Yet Psyche found her Heart fill'd with Delight Thus to be lost from Morning unto Night 332. Oft did she cry What though by Loosing I Am fain to finde and by being Blinde to See What though I cannot Comprehend but by Granting mine own want of Capacitie I am content dear Lord since I by this Negation thy Greatnes doe Confesse 333. I see thou art Immense and Infinite Therefore I see thee not yet see thee more By this unable and denying sight Than they whose saucy Eyes dare by the poor Comparison of whatsoe'r it be Expresse the Measure of the Deitie 334. But since thou art so great ô mighty Lord. Whence is it that Mans narrow Heart to thee An acceptable dwelling can afford How is it that thy Eave's Immensitie Shrinks up thy Nature's which is yet as great As 't was before ev'n in this litle seat 335. The fifth day summond all her Might to view The matchlesse Power of the Deitie Strait in her face the whole Creation flew With witnes of its Author's strength which she Read from the fairest Heav'ns sublimest Crest Down to the gloomy Centre 's lowest Nest. 336. And though the universal Fabrick were The full Expansion of Magnificence Yet oft she chose the smallest Character Of close short-writ Epitomies and thence Observ'd Gods finger-worke in little flies As great as was his Arms in widest skies 337. But Man took up her deepest Admiration Man the rich extract of all things beside The wondrous Juncture of the whole Creation By which the Heav'n unto the Earth is ty'd Yea more than Heav'n for God unto the Creature Is married by none but Humane Nature 338. Yet not content thus at the second Hand To feed her hungry Meditations she Gallantly made a further venture and Gaz'd on her Makers naked Potencie Where she discover'd strength enough to build More Worlds than Atoms she in this beheld 339. No Bounds nor Bars she saw which could forbid The pleasure of his Hand but onely those Which Contradiction had established Yet they were not his Power to enclose But to demonstrate that his noble Might Could nothing doe but what was True and Right 340. O how she pittied those Princes who Upon exterior helps misplace the Name Of strength and dread not what all foes can doe If they have once prevail'd with vaunting Fame To publish to the World their numerous Force Of Castles Ships Arms Money Men and Horse 341. For what are those swoll'n Names unto a King Whose Arms as short whose Sinews are as weak As are his meanest Servants who can bring No Legions into the field nor wreak His challeng'd furie on his ready foe Unless His be his Subjects Pleasure too 342. Can his sole Word the Battell fight and wrest The Laurell from his strugling Enemies O no his Power doth in Others rest More than himself and if by Mutinies Unhappy Spark Rebellions flame breaks out By his own Strength his Overthrow is wrought 343. But Psyche saw how her Creators Might Fast unto his own Will alone was cham'd Omnipotence when e'r he pleas'd to fight 〈◊〉 all his Marches for it reignd In 〈◊〉 vast Hand which doth support and stay All other Arms from mouldering away 344. Yet though thus Potent He is also 〈◊〉 And She as such the sixt Day Him admired Deeply she weighed how all Ages held One Principle of Boldness and conspired Against their Patient God as if his strong Right-hand were bound because He held his Tongue 345. Amaz'd she was to see how He kept under Incensed Justice who would fain have thrown His ready Veng'ance dress'd in dreadfull Thunder In Warrs in Plagues in Drought in Famine down Upon the wretched Heads and Hearts of those Who durst in spight of Mercy be his Foes 346. Indeed she saw that Mercy fix her Eye Upon the Rainbow where she seem'd to read An Obligation of her Lenitie Though Heav'n-defying Sin bore up its Head Never so high Yet by her own Consent Yea and Desire that Signall Bow was bent 347. The Bow was bent yet not to shoot but show How Mercy bound her self to doe her best The World to shelter from a second Blow Which from the first her onely Love releast Else had the Deluge not repented and To Earth made restitution of drie Land 348. This Speculation inform'd her how Much more heroick is the Victory When Sweetness wreaths the Bay about the Brow Than when plain force doth snatch it thither He In whom both are supreme takes more delight In conquering by his Mercy than his Might 349. And ô may I said when Night at length Warn'd this her Meditation to conclude Not by the Dint of thy all-conquering Strength Dear Lord but by thy Mercy be subdu'd If on a Worme thy Power thou wilt trie O let it be the Might of Lenity 350. But then the seavnth Day gave her Thoughts their cue To trace the Wonders of his Glory which Did from the antecedent Week accrew And with transcendent Brightnes Him enrich Brightness which gave Heav'ns Quire their task to sing Eternal Hallelujahs to their King 351. And ravish'd heer with mighty Joy and Love She needs would take with Them her Part of Praise With utmost Zeals intension she strove Her Acclamations to their Key to raise And though she could not sing so high nor clear Yet did her Musick please Heavn's candid ear 352. She Thought and Sung and then she Thought again For still new floods came rouling in upon Her God's other Attributes illustrious Train Themselves in Homage pay unto his Honour In whose incomparable Vastness they Can all their owne Infinitudes display 353. What ever breaths or lives or has the least Share of Existence constant Tribute brings Unto this Treasurie as well's the best And brightest Cherub yea ev'n empty Things Defects and Sinns though not by Doing yet By Suffring what they merit render it 354. And shall
flames without delay So did the fervor of this Prayer flie And snatch'd from earth to Heav'n its sudden way Nor made it there a stop at any Sphear But scour'd through all and reached Jesus ear 381. Propitious He straight yeilded his Consent And opening wide his blessed Arms embraced The dear Oblation with as high Content As if He more than Psyche had ben graced O King of Sweetest Love who would not bring To such a God as Thee his Offering 382. But now as zealous Psyche thought to send Her Altar up after her Sacrifice Behold a sudden Fulnesse did extend Her bosome with such ravishing Rarities That she perplex'd with unknown Sweets 〈◊〉 With what strange Paradise she was inspired 383. At length examining her encroaching Blisse Another Thelema in her Heart she spied But in so lovely and majestick Dresse That by her Looks she instantly descryed From whence she came and that she needs must be One of her heav'nly Spouse's familie 384. His Will it was indeed for Noble He Disdaineth not to give more than he takes No sooner Psyches Offring He did see But he this greater Present ready makes Then with innumerable Blessings drest Shoots it into her soft and pious Breast 385. This grasp'd her Soule so fast and knit it so Intirely to her Spouse's Heart that she Forthwith seem'd to have nothing more to doe With what she was her self since potent He Was seized of her and her Will being gone She to Loves Tyranny was left alone 386. Nor did Love loose his time but domineer'd In her subdued heart with full carreer And she as glad to be his Slave appear'd As he rejoyced to triumph on her For by his Conquests she did count her own Being by every fall far higher thrown 387. Thrown up into new stages of Delight And fresh Excesse of those immortal things Which never were debas'd to mortal sight Nor stoop'd to please the Ears of proudest Kings Things which the Heart of Man doth pant in vain When it doth stretch and struggle to contain 388. And now her Soule like a new weaned Childe Which wholly hangs upon its Nurses Will It self not by it self did move and weild But absolutely resting on the skill And care of her dear Lord who tutor'd it Was carried wheresoever he thought fit 389. This made all Sweets and Dainties here below For with these names our fond mistakes doe grace them Disrellish in her accurate Taste and grow Truly themselves which was enough to chase them From wise acceptance for their borrow'd shape Is that alone which doth our love entrap 390. On God and onely him her joyes did feast His royall Pleasure was her pretious Blisse So well did all his Laws and Statutes taste To her Hearts palate that the Pleasantnesse Both of the Honey and the Honey-combe Had in her approbation no room 391. What grated hard upon her Soule before Wrongs Slanders Pains Distresse Calamities Mishaps and Sicknesse tortur'd her no more For on her Spouses Will she fix'd her Eyes And still embraced as the best what he Did either order or permit to be 392. This kindled such a Bonfire of Delight Throughout her Breast that had she been invited Ev'n by all Paradise to yeild her right In this Possession she would have sleighted The mighty Bait and triumph'd still to be The Holocaust of Loves Extremitie 393. Yet was her Passions wonderous violence Sweetned with such divine serenitie That with lesse undisturbed influence The Suns full Beams through all the World doe flie To light the day then did these flames of Love Through all her calm hearts blessed Regions move 394. In dainty silence she her Soule possest With firm Adhaesion unto her Blisse Ev'n all her Motions mingled were with rest Because they did concentricate with his Whose Actions though all infinite they be Their number is ty'd up in Unitie 395. Indeed the World whom her Austeritie Seveerly chode and stung by peevish scorn Reveng'd themselves for lo said they how she By Melancholies blacknesse grown forlorn Esteems her self as fair as if the best Of heav'ns bright beauties had her count'nance 〈◊〉 396. She from her self by wilfull Robberie Plunders those honest Sweets which courteous heav'n To check Lifes tide of infelicitie Hath into Moderations Bosome given And taxeth Gods own bounty by refusing What we cannot approve but by our 〈◊〉 397. Should any paltry Begger serve Her so Sure she would not believe He did despise Her Almes alone but was contemptuous too Against her self Nor would his humble guise Perswade her that his stomacks inward Pride Was by Devotions fervor Mortifi'd 398. Thus did the Ravens against the Swan inveigh But now no seeds of Discontent remaind In Psyche's heart she let them say their say And from their Envie a new Laurel gaind Her silent Patience answerd all their scorn And to her Crown their Calumnies did turn 399. But as she rested in this mystick Peace Hers and all pious Soules eternal Foe Who counted his own trouble by her ease Tore his fell heart with studying what to doe Atlength resolved haste he makes to dress In a faire vizard his foule wickednesse 400. Time was when he Precentor of that quire Which all the Sphears with Hallelujahs fill Arrayed was in glorious attire Whose gallantry did then become him well But when a monstrous Rebell He became The Crime invested him with hideous shame 401. Yet He remembring his original guise And being well skil'd in Hypocrisie Patch'd up himself a coat of gorgeous Lies Wherein to shelter his Doformitie That though he were the King of blackest night He might an Angel seem of fairest light 402. His ragged Horns of steel He pulled in And on his rustie brazen looks he spred A soft a ruddy and well polish'd skin His front with envious wrinkles furrowed He planed over sweetning all his face With blooming youthfulnes and smiling grace 403. Into a Knot he gather'd up his Taile And ty'd it at his back of every Toe And Finger carefully he cut the Naile And then his Hands and Feet he painted so That what before was harsh and footie now Did cleanly delicate and beauteous grow 404. His bushie snarled Locks of fretfull Snakes He shaved off for which to shade his Head Into the new-erected Tombe he breaks Of an embalmed Virgin lately dead And stealing thence her fresh perfumed Tresses His Baldnes he with Curles of Amber dresses 405. An hundred Swans then having plundered Their fairest and their softest feathers he In two brave Combinations marshalled And measured and poised equalie Then to his shoulders them he fitted and A Pair of goodly Wings had at Command 406. A Roab he chose whose colour scorn'd the Milk And with his wings did correspondence hold Its texture was of light and pliant Silk Belac'd and fring'd with oriental Gold That both its Purenesse and its Splendor might Profess that down from Heav'n he took his flight 407. Accouter'd thus as Psyche wearied by Her holy Vigils yeelded unto Sleep The
prun'd away Her Clothes are brush'd from Mothes and Dustinesse Her Soile is digg'd and dress'd the lazie Bay She changeth for the active manly Main And in pitch'd Field her Foes doth entertain 19. Her Beasts unto their Pace are strictly kept And rid hard every Day her wholesome Air By 〈◊〉 Tempests of loud Sighs is swept And all her Bosomes Region made more fair The Torrents of her Eyes continue clear Because perpetualy they flowing are 20. Thus though Afflictions Looks be sad and soure Her Heart is Kinde and she the best of Friends Whilst Flattery doth Poyson gently poure Her Antidotes She most severely lends Her Physick smart and searching Corsives be But their Conclusion's alwayes Lenitie 21. And Psyche's Spouse though dear to Him she were As the bright Apple of his blessed Eye Unto Afflictions swindge abandon'd her That as the Sun through the Conspiracy Of blackest Clouds doth break with fairest Rayes So might her Virtue pluck from Bryars Bays 22. As Satan from his late Repulse did flie Stung with confounding Shame and fretfull Rage He in the Aire spi'd a wing'd Company To heav'n returning in fair equipage Having their Embassies dispatched here With which to Men they delegated were 23. This prompted him unto a new Device With sprightfuil Speed he playd the Thief again And having stole a 〈◊〉 of Gallantries After the Angel Troop he posts amain Trimming his cursed Feature as he flew Till like a Bird of that fair Brood he grew 24. Something behinde he lagg'd least piercing They His impudent Impossure should 〈◊〉 And intercept his Project by the Way In just Disdam of his foule Company So at wise distance doth the Traytor sneak When he with Honest Men doth entrance seek 25. But as he siutter'd through the Sphears he bit His Lips to see the fatal Way whereby He once was tumbled headlong down and yet Though they with Curses and fell Blasphemy Were big he durst not ope them knowing well Heav'n ill would bear the dialect of Hell 26. Arrived at the everlasting Gate Of the imperial Palace of the Skies The Angels entred in triumphant State Account to tender of their Embassies But Satan siarted so that he well neer Shok'd off his Vizard by his trembling fear 27. The mighty Lustre of his Makers 〈◊〉 Flashed such Dread on his that swarthy He Who had been us'd to Nights black Prodigies Was dazled at the naked Majesty Of more than Day Three times he wink'd ther With both his Hands his spurious Eyes did screen 28. Such fright upon the ougly Batt doth seize When Highnoon's darts of Lustre shoot her through The woefull Ghosts who in Nights Shades doe please Their gloomy Thoughts thus terrified grow If fair Aurora's Curtains ope be drawn And she her selfe gets up e'r they be down 29. The gallant Spectacles which here he saw Were greater Torments than he felt at home Each Glorie's Splendor which about did flow Burnt him far more than his own tiery Doom Each holy Joy a Torture was and He Fri'd in the midst of this 〈◊〉 30. He fri'd and flam'd and straight his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His polish'd Looks his curled Grove of Hair His dainty Coat and all his stollen Things A Sacrifice unto the Lightning were Of Jesu's Eyes and in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He now appear'd of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 31. The Angels started from Him at the sight And standing in a Circle far away Gaz'd on the Portent who try'd all the Might Of desperate Boldnesse yet could not gain-say The guilty shame which now did Him aslail Down hung his Head his Tallons and his Tail 32. Thus when the conscious Traytors hatefull Face Is in the Presence of the Prince descry'd And persecuted by the full disgrace Of all the loyall Court against that Tide Of Ignominy He in vain contends Such Horror all his Impudence transcends 33. As Jesus saw the Feind a bashed so He charg'd Him to relate from whence He came Nor durst the thus commanded Monster though Lyes were his onely Trade a Fiction frame Yet scorning to forget his peevish Pride With dogged sullennesse He thus repli'd 34. Whence can I come but from beneath Unlesse There be some higher Place than this your Heav'n This Heav'n from whence by you I must confesse But let all judge how justly I was driven From visiting the Earth I come where I Have far more Subjects than your Deitie 35. But mine said Jesus for He scorn'd to chide The stomackfull Feind since ever-damned He Sufficiently pays for his endlesse Pride Although so rare and few yet pretious be Vain Multitudes to thee their Homage pay Mine not by number but by weight I weigh 36. Let one Example speak the praise of All My Hand-maid Psyche Hath thy watchfull Eye Which scoureth round about the terreen Ball Full notice taken of her Piety And how none live in all the World who be Higher above it than is Virtuous she 37. Is not her Heart intirely fixed here Preoccupating Heav'n and endlesse Blisse Nor Earth nor Hell can strike her Soule with fear But He alone who her Creator is Of Him she alway stands in dainty Aw For still she Loves as much as Dreads His Law 38. But wheresoe'r she reads the open face Or can discover but a Limb or Claw Of hideous sin she flyes the dangerous Place And into any hard shifts doth withdraw Rather than hazard to be over-run With a delicious Destruction 39. Is not the Temper of her wary Heart Admonished by wise instinct afraid Of every Bait which by the subtlest Art Of Spight and Wickednes for her is laid Or is there any thing which she doth more Than thee ev'n in thy fairest looks abhor 40. Stung by these Words with strong intestine Pain His heart-strings stretch'd and torn the Monster felt Yet that he might not bear these Pangs in vain But be afore-hand still in shamelesse guilt He reard his face of everlasting Brasse And what He spake of the same metall was 41. Is not your mighty Providential Arm Become that simple Maidens Hedge said he Infallibly to shut out Fear and Harm And make her Pris'ner to Securitie Is not brave Phylax forc'd to be her squire And dance attendance upon her desire 42. On all her Errands runs not servile He Has he not trotted from the furthest West In duty to her Curiositie And spent his time in tracing of the East Where like a silly Pilgrim up and down Forsooth the Angel went from town to town 43. Besides your Daughter Charis and yet who Would think her so who her imployment sees As though in Heav'n she nothing had to doe Down to vile Earth is sent and set to please This Imp of dust on whom her noble store Of sweets to win the Vrcheon she doth doth poure 44. A proper purchase you have got but I For my part would not buy a worm so deer If wretched Psyche's price must be so high Surely you need no other Chapmen fear Onely by this proportion I would know To purchase
Me what rate you would allow 45. But as for Her if I had leave to trie I soon would shew you of what kinde of Clay She moulded is Might Phylax but stand by And on her naked Shoulder let Me lay This Hand of mine no Touchstone you should see Was ever nimbler at Discoverie 46. Upon your pamperd Darling should Distresse With full and free Commission domineer That Tongue which now your Praises doth professe For to the Task 't is hird and hir'd full dear Would change its Tune on your Face would spit More Curses than my Selfe e'r did on it 47. If Psyche's Breast doe harbour any seed Of such profound Ingratitude replyed Almighty Jesus 't is no more than need The ougly Embryo be in time descryed Goe use thy Skill full Power to Thee I give Nor Phylax shall against thy Project strive 48. But yet thy Tether shall not reach so farr As to her Life no that belongs to Me For in my Hand th' authentick Volumes are Of mortal and immortal Destinie Nor couldst Thou thy Experiment take unlesse She Lives to spit out her Unthank fulnesse 49. As when the Lyon's let loose to his prey With furious Joy he shakes his dreadfull Crest He mounts his sirly Tail and tears his way Into the Theater So Satan prest Down through the Sphears and thought his shame was cheap He suffer'd there since he his End did reap 50. At first he hop'd he might have reach'd his Aim By the fell Agents he dispatch'd from Hell But when without their Errand home they came Himselfe thus to the cursed Bus'nes fell Resolv'd whatever labour or Disgrace It cost Him Psyche should not scape his chase 51. Down through the Sphears he prest and proudly threw Scorn on the Stars which He could not possesse Then through the Aire imperiously He flew And by his Looks proclaim'd that Realm was his The blackest Clouds which there did swimm made haste Away till He more black than they were past 52. His swarthy Wings lash'd the soft Element With violent speed and made it roar aloud No Winde did ever with such furious Bent Or hideous Noise through the milde Region crowd No Bolt of Thunder ever rent its path With such impatient and tumultuous Wrath 53. Thus came the Monster to his dearest Place On Earth a Palace wondrous large and high For on seav'n Mountains it erected was All which it higher rais'd with Majesty Thus by its seav'n-fold Tumor copying The number of the Horns which crown'd its King 54. Of dead Mens Bones were all th' exterior Wals Rais'd to a fair but yet an hideous Height In answer to which strange Materials A Ditch digg'd wondrous deep and broad did wait Upon the Works fill'd with a piteous flood Of every soft of holy harmlesse Blood 55. Those awfull Birds whose Joy is ravenous War Strong-tallond Eagles perch'd upon the head Of every Turret took their prospect far And wide about the World and questioned Each Winde that came that way to know if they Could tell them news of any bloody Prey 56. The inner Bulwarks were of shineing Brasse With Firmitude and Pride all Buttressed In at the Gate of polish'd Steel did passe The whole Worlds Confluence and offered Their slavish Necks to take the Yoke which there That Places Tyrant did for Them prepare 57. But thick within the Line erected were Innumerable Prisons plated round With massie Iron and with jealous Fear In every one of which was a profound And mirey Dungeon where contagious Stink Cold Anguish Horror had their dismall sink 58. In these press'd down with Chains of fretting Braffe Ten thousand innocent Lambs did bleatingly Whose woefull Groans help'd by the hollow Place Summon'd Compassion from the Passers by But every one they as relentlesse found As was the Brasse which them to Sorrow bound 59. For they designed for the Shambles were To feast the Tyrants greedy Crueltie Who could be pleased with no other Fare So barbarous was her constant Luxurie Though other store she had for her repast She with an hundred Lives would break her fast 60. Vast were the Treasures of her House yet she Took pleasure in no other Furniture But choisest tools of Inhumanitie Which might her bloody Ends to her assure This made her Palace thick with Engins ly And every Room become an Armory 61. Swords Daggers Bodkins bearded Arrows Spears Nails Pinsers Crosses Gibbets Hurdles Ropes Tallons of Griffens Paws and Teeth of Bears Tygres and Lyons Mouths hot-iron Hoops Racks Wheels Strappado's brazen Cauldrons which Boiled with oyle barrels of flaming Pitch 62. Yea things more barbarous yet than these were there Fairfaced Promises but lin'd with spight High royal out side Courtesies yet meer Traps and Conspiracies which with Delight To heedlesse Men the worst of Poisons give And stealing to their Hearts slay them alive 63. Satan arrived here strait entred in For well He knew the Place and well was known The fawning Courtiers all were proud to win His gracious Look and in his way fell down To beg his Blessing and his Hand to Kisse As in unto their Soveraign He did presse 64. She then for long within she could not stay Was marching out her Chariot to take So loud her stomack bark'd for some new Prey But spying Belzebub she started back Being surpris'd with reverence to see The presence of her onely Deitie 65. Then down she fell and pray'd him to ascend Her throne imperial which was standing there And thence his Pleasure unto her-commend Prepar'd with all Humilitie to hear What busines made her God vouchsafe to come And visit worthlesse her in her poor home 66. But kindely He took up his loyall Creature And in his scaley Arms did her embrace Enamor'd of her correspondent Feature Which rendered Him his own Infernal Face Three times He Kiss'd and hug'd her close and round About her Waste his royal tail He wound 67. And I have no such leisure now said He To climbe thy throne who must look to mine own I have discover'd in my Britanie The Seeds of dangerous Rebellion sown Which if it grow unto an Harvest may Disturb mine Empire and thine oversway 68. The Christian spreading Canker there hath got Deep footing in the Hearts of carelesse Men Who to the poore Mechanick God are not Asham'd to pay their holiest Homage when With credit They might it to Me prefer Who am I trow more than a Carpenter 69. Me thinks my Scepter should as noble be As Ax or Mallet and as brave my Train Of Heav'n descended Sparks the gallanty Of whose high Soules did Gods own yoke disdain As those who leaping from their Fishing Boat Into the thred-bare Court of Jesus got 70. They use to cast it in our Teeth that We By the black Powers of Spels and Incantations Do both support and spread our Monarchie As if there were not stranger Conjurations In this besotting Witchery which can Make more than Beasts of Reasonable Man 71. For canst thou pick out any Beasts among
The silliest Flocks who would themselves commit To Him who leaves them free to any Wrong And tels them plainly they must suffer it For his dear sake Right dear indeed if they Their lives unto His Memory must pay 72. Mad were the Sheep which would attendant be Upon a Sheepheard who did them assure That for that onely Cause the Tyrannie Of thousand Wolves and Bears they must endure Nay Sheep would never be so sheepish yet Men to this Paradox themselves submit 73. Grant Heav'n be in reversion their own What shall the fondlings get by being there Who must eternaly be crouching down And paying Praise's tribute to His Ear Who will requite them with a Chain which shall Keep ev'n their Wils in everlasting Thrall 74. Were not their Soules more generous if they The gallant freedome of our Hell would choose Which knows not what it meaneth to Obey But le ts full Blasphemy for ever loose Faint-hearted fools who needs will Vassals be For fear least I should make them truely free 75. Thou see'st this sin is crying and for high Revenge beats loud upon my royal Ear And should my Fury wake and instantly Those mad 〈◊〉 all in peeces tear Surely my Justice I could well acquit However envious Heav'n would raile at it 76. But I for this doth best become a King A better rellish finde in Lenity I know the Galileans Tongues doe ring With restlesse Clamours on my Tyranny Forgetting that their Lord did banish Me From Heav'n against all Law and Equitie 77. Yet shall not they Me so ignoble make As to requite their Basenesse in its kinde No let them henceforth Demonstration take In what a pack of Forgeries combin'd Unto my Charge they lay all Cruelties Judge all the World who Father is of lyes 78. For I resolved am at first to try Them by my royall Mercy to reclaim Far rather would I win them thus than by Stern Vengeance utterly extirpate them The Peoples fault alas is not so great As His whose Gospel Pipe charm'd them to it 79. My pleasure therefore is that thou mak'st speed To Britain and divulge my Proclamation Of Grace and Pardon unto every Head Which strait abjures that dangerous Innovation And penitent for his Christian Heresie With orthodox Devotion Bows to Me. 80. But if my princely favour be despised Both Heav'n and Earth must needs my Rage approve Denounce all Vengance that can be devised By scorn'd and therefore most indignant Love Make all the stupid stubborn Rebels feel That Maries Son cannot my Wrath repell 81. This said The Furie who had all this while Smiled in hopes of her new Task made haste To take her Coach and thought each step a Mile As through the spatious House to it she past Then mounting at the Gate they parted He Home to his Hell and to wards Britain She. 82. Forth with in terrible Magnificence An hundred Trumpets sent their Voice before To tell the People that their awfull Prince Her Progress now began That stately Roar Through every street imperiously flew And warned 〈◊〉 this mightie sight to view 83. When lo the sweating throngs bespred her way With admirations of her Pomp and Train Before the Chariot two road single they Suspition were and Envy both did rein Their fitting Steeds the one a Fox the other A Wolfe and forced them to march together 84. Next follow'd Pride upon a sirly Horse Whose stomack neer as high as hers did swell Fire sparkled in his eyes and martial force In the bent Bow of his large neck did dwell About he flung his Foam and champ'd his Bit For both his Rider he disdain'd and it 85. But she an Ensigne in her right Hand held Whose bosome she displayed to the Winde Forth with the Flag with stately fulnes swell'd Wherein the Tyrants golden Scutcheon shin'd A wide-spred Eagle whose faire Pinions seem'd To bear her up still as the Colours stream'd 86. Then came the Coach which two strange Monsters drew For one a dreadfull Lybian Dragon was Who from his Mouth did flaming Sulphure spew And poisned all the Way which he did passe The other an enormous Crocodile The most accursed Son of happy Nile 87. On them two feirce Postillions mounted were Intolerable head-strong Anger who To lash her Dragon never did forbear Though he with Furie's violent Feet did goe And Cruelty whose Heart was harder than Her knotty 〈◊〉 black iron Skin 88. Upon the Coachbox sate a Driver hight Selfe-will a mad-braind most outrageous He Who in impatient Speed doth still delight Though thousand Perils in his Passage be Never could Hils or Dales or Sea or Land Or desperate Precipices make Him stand 89. The Metall of the Chariot all was Brasse Bright burning Brasse which upon either side With sharp and cruel Hooks thick platted was To mow down All it met In this did ride The dreadfull Queen a Queen of mighty Fame Who hath not heard of Persecutions Name 90. Whatever makes the Tigres Faces be Of ravenous Crueltie the hideous Book With indefatigable Industry She had transcrib'd into her monstrous Look Heav'n sheild all pious Soules and turn their Fears To generous Faith when ever She appears 91. Her Coat is Steell besmeared all with blood And in her Hand she holds a Twist of Snakes With which though still her Coachman never stood Eternaly she threshes Him and makes His furious Speedmore speedy grow that she Might at her Prey as soons her Wishes be 92. Thus whirl'd she through the Popular Rout and flew To her desired Isle the straitest way Behinde the Coach her cursed Train she drew All glad to tread her cruel Steps for they No other were but her own hellish Brood Whom she had nurs'd and fatned up with Blood 93. Upon a Goat more stinking far than he Rode Ravishment who threw his licorish Eyes And they black fire on every Company Of Females of what everage or guise The Chariots haste he curs'd a thousand times Which snatch'd Him from the fuel of his Crimes 94. Perch'd on a Vultures back was 〈◊〉 who In length of 〈◊〉 did that Bird exceed Starv'd with 〈◊〉 though fat in Spoils she so 〈◊〉 was that still she wish'd more speed Had hurried on the Coach that ravenous she Might sooner at her British Banquet be 95. Upon an Ostrich more unnatural Than was her barbarous Bird rode Astorgie Vowing aloud to tear in sunder all Those cords of love which did together tie The Soules of Parents and of Children and Break the sweet Links of every Nuptial Band. 96. Mounted upon an Hydra Heresie With more and stranger heads than had her Steed Rejoyc'd in hope that now contagious she Her Poison to another World should spread And Albions Sands which brideled in the Sea Should by her stouter Tide o'r-flowed be 97. On a black grizlie Dog rode Profanation She who ne'r learn'd distinction of Place Or Time or Things who never yet could fashion A modest Look or paint upon her face The least glimpse of a
Judge for this his treacherous Love And sooner I said He my Self will burn Then Incense to an Idoll Could you prove Your favour would not surely me destroy I it would hug with humble Thanks and Joy 178. But Sir I am not now to learn that they On whom you thrust the Name of Deities Are weaker far than We poore things of Clay And that the Carpenter you so despise Is He who fram'd both you and me and all The Fabrick of this universal Ball. 179. And His revenging Arm it is which now Lasheth the World with those Calamities Which to the charge of our Religion you So freely lay your own Idolatries Force Him to Justice who had rather be Known unto all his World by Lenitie 180. If he thinks fit to rescue Me it is Not all your Power or your Queens can stand Against his Might Yet though I must by His Permitted be to your tyrannick Hand His Pleasure dearer is than life to Me I durst Die but dare not Apostate be 181. No Sea repulsed by a solid Rock E'r swell'd and foam'd and roar'd with more disdain Than now the Judge to heare the Prisner mock His Gods and Him His throat he wide did strain And cry'd then let Him Burn since He denies To offer make Him be Joves Sacrifice 182. The Souldiers who where much afrayd least He Should have accepted of the Judges Grace Rejoyc'd and clapp'd their cursed Hands to see That to their rage he now condemned was Away they hale him to the stake and there A Fort of Fagots round about him rear 183. Then with a Brand they from Joves Altar brought The Pile they kindle and blow up the flame Which as it rose they bellow'd out a Shout And cry'd May this Reward betide all them Who scorn the Gods and fondly trust in Him Who from the Crosse could not himself redeem 184. But milde Vranius having kiss'd the stake And every Fagot which his Lips could reach Strong supplications unto Heav'n did make For pardon for his raging Murderers which Blinded with spight and Superstition Perceived not at all what they had done 185. Then purer than the Flame and brighter far Which mounted from his Pile his Soule did fly Higher than that it flew and reach'd the Sphear Not of the Stars but of Felicity Where it was welcom'd to its final Home By the illustrious Crown of Martyrdome 186. So when brave Gold hath by the Cruelty Of the incensed Furnace been refined It s genuine Substance is allow'd to be With the Imperial Image fairly signed Free leave and full authority it has Current through all its Soveraigns Realm to passe 187. Psyche who with sweet Tendernesse attended 〈◊〉 is holy Tragick-Comedie No 〈◊〉 saw how gloriously it ended But 〈◊〉 with her pious Plaudit she Forgetfull of the furious Standers by Thus eas'd her Soules exultant Ecstasie 188. Goe valiant Saint thy Conquest is compleat Goe where immortal Laurel ready is With endlesse Triumphs thy brave Head to meet Goe and possesse thy Masters Realm of Blisse Thy Name and Fame shall reverend be beneath So long as Piety on earth shall breath 189. O may poor Psyche but obtain the Grace Though at the price of all the Worlds worst spight To kisse thy glorious Feet and win a place Where on thy Triumph I may wait O might I through thy hottest Flames climbe after Thee And from this mortal Drosse refined be 190. This pious Passion well beseemed Her And made good Musick in all holy Ears But like flat Discord it did grate and jar Upon the Soldiers whose most studious Cares Were how to tune their Curses to a Key Of wilde impetuous Importunity 191. And how intolerable unto Them Was this her Note they make her fully feel For running on her in a surious Stream With headlong haste they hurry her untill They come unto the Judge in Hopes that He Their bloody Hungers Caterer would be 192. Here they exclaim that this bold Woman was As manly as the Priest in wickednesse That she nor fear'd nor blush'd to make his Case Heav'ns Quarrel and his cursed Death to blesse That she must needs as guilty be as He Of Sins Perfection Christianity 193. Yea of the worst and foulest Part of it Witnesse the Sheltre of the Night and Cave In which they took them napping which could fit None but Lusts filthy Work And now you have Just Sir said they arreigned here before Your Judgment Seat a Christian and a Whore 194. But she commanded by the Judge to make Her own Apologie which best said he Will be evinc'd if you that 〈◊〉 take And by your Offring choak all Calumnie With elevated Eyes thank'd Heav'n for this Occasion to aspire unto her Blisse 195. Then spreading all her face with gallant Joy Like a brave Champion ready for the fight Or like a Bride dress'd on her wedding Day Or silver Venus smiling in the Night Or brisk Aurora garnishing the Morn Or goodly Ceres golden in her Corn 196. Or rather like that glorious Deacon who First op'd the rubie Gate of Martyrdome Whom sweet and princely Beams embellish'd so That Heav'n it selfe aforehand seem'd to come And pitch upon his Face which to his Foes An Angels Count'nance did in Mans disclose 197. She thus began No Confutation I But Thanks alone to my Accusers owe Who charge on Me no vulgar Piety But rank me with Vranius and allow That simple I deserve no lesse than he With Martyrdomes fair Crown adornd to be 198. Onely I must take leave to tell my Foes Their Spight in one thing much mistaketh Me For if I freedome had my Flames to choose I rather would for ever schorched be With all Hells burning Sulphure than give way That Lnsts black Fire should make my hearts its 〈◊〉 199. But how have I demean'd my Selfe that You Wise Sir should think this wretched Life to Me Can be more pretious than the Faith I owe To Him who can from Deaths Captivity Redeem his Subjects and a Course will take Uranius from his Ashes how to rake 200. If e'r this Tongue of mine was known to spill The least Consent or seeming Approbation Of You or of your Gods which sure my Will Was never privie to this Detestation May wipe it off and make my Guilt proceed As high as my Accusers it did plead 201. Jove is no more nay not so much to Me As you or as the meanest Wight that lives He to your Fancies ows his Deity And from your Superstition receives His livelihood and therefore well may you Be bold with him and what you please allow 202. Sometimes a Bull must serve sometimes a Swan For King of Gods Men sometimes a shoure Of Gold and when you kindest are a Man But such a Man as waste's his God-ships Power In Lust and Luxurie that prudent Yee May by your Gods Example wicked be 203. And must I offer Incense to perfume His Name the Name of Filth and Stinks must I Tempted by such a wretched Bait presume
On Jesu's pure and mighty Majesty No Him indeed I fear but dread not you Which with my Life I ready am to show 204. Were I as foule as are your Thoughts of Me Were I the worst of horrid Things a Whore I see not why your goodly Piety Should not convince you forthwith to adore My wickednesse and Me unlesse you will Deny your Venus is a Goddesse still 205. What Perfica Pertunda Mutunns What Cyprian Rites what Ithyphallies mean What sacred sport old Baubo's glorious Invention made to cheer up Harvests Queen You and your Temples know but pardon Me If I blush to declare such Villanie 206. No it shall never stain this Tongue of mine This Tongue which doth its utmost homage owe To Jesu's Name that Name of most divine Unspotted Sweetnesse Doubt not Sir although I am a feeble Female His dear Sake My Resolution Masculine can make 207. The Judge stung by this valiant Reply And highly scorning to acknowledge in A Woman such heroick Constancy With envious Cunning cri'd Now I have seen More than enough to quit Fame from a lie Which charg'd such Charms on Christianity 208. If ever silly Soule enchanted were With fawning undermining Witchery This obstinate and retchlesse Woman here Is captive to that curs'd Impiety Being so monstrously Transform'd that to The Gods and to her Selfe she 's open Foe 209. But we must not be fierce 'cause she is Mad Perhaps this Spell is of short date and she Tam'd by a Prisons Hardship may be glad To turn into herselfe again and be Content which may the Gods vouchsafe to grant Her Blasphemy and Boldnesse to recant 210. Great Jove who heard when she did him 〈◊〉 Forbore to fling his Lightning at her head And by that sweet and heav'nly Lenity Of Patience to Us a Lecture read To Prison with her and instruct her there By Chains to quit these Bands which captive her 211. Laden with Irons but much more with Scorn Poor Psyche thus unto the Goale is led There in a Dungeon dark deep and forlorn That she might double be imprisoned She plunged was where as she 'gan to sink Into the nastie Mire she wak'd the Stink 212. A Stink which would have scorn'd what Arabie And all its Odours could against it doe An aged Stink which did a mellowing lie In that foule Grot for it was long agoe Since any Thing disquieted the Heap Of poisnous Loathsomenesse which there did sleep 213. Fast in this torment stuck afflicted she No succour could receive from any friend The Jailer barr'd out all their Pietie Who willing were some help to her to lend And onely once a day her furnished With puddle Water and course mouldy Bread 214. Yet harder than this Diet was the Grace He said to it Repent unhappy Wretch Repent he cry'd Why should this wofull Place Be dearer to thee than the favour which The 〈◊〉 Judge doth offer thee if thou With Him and our great Queen to Jove wilt bow 215. This cursed Preachment grated sore upon The Bowels of her tender Heart who in This 〈◊〉 Leisure set her thoughts to run Over the Ages most unhappy Sin Which now with zealous superstition rung From her destructive Keepers pittying tongue 216. No Member e'r with such soft Sympathy The wounds of its fraternal Part did feel As She that most contagious Malady Which now had tainted Albions Common-weal And like the Plague indeed into the Heart It s desperate Poison did directly dart 217. Inestimable Soules for such the Price Which Jesus payed proved them to be Their own illustrious value did dispise Selling themselves to poore Idolatry And at no higher Rate then to escape Some wordly shame and temporal mishap 218. Their dear Redeemers most transcendent Love They kick'd and scorned and his Heav'n with it And gave their service to ignoble Jove Although no Guerdon but the lowest Pit Of everflaming Torments did attend them Where ev'n that Jove himself no help could lend them 219. This stung her Soule so deep that she could give Her life ten thousand times to death if she Might at that cost be able to reprieve Her Friends and Foes from this mad Miserie But 〈◊〉 this unfeasible the sight Redoubled her compassionate sorrows weight 220. This fair advantage envious Satan took To work upon her rockie Constancy Trusting at length that He should her provoke To kisse the Judge's offerd Courtesie He hop'd that Desolation gall'd by Grief Would stoop at length and not disdain 〈◊〉 221. And yet her Charitable Meditation Highly displeas'd Him wherefore crafty He Resolv'd perforce to knit her Contemplation Close to her own new 〈◊〉 Calamitie For all her Body He with flames did fill Which into burning Perls and Boils did swell 222. Her skin which was so white and sleek before All rugged now with odious tumors is From head to foot one universal sore Arrays her round in a tormenting dress Thus the renouned Prince of Uz of old Wore this sad raiment for his Roabs of Gold 223. Yet on dry Ashes He had leave to sit And with a Pot-sheard scrape his scurfie skin A comfort which poor Psyche could not get Being a weak and helpelesse Captive in The thick relentlesse Mire where she is fain To rub her torturing swellings with her Chain 224. And yet these Torments lesse tormenting were Than those which now her Parents treacherous Love Heap'd on her wounded Soule The Judge's ear And then his leave they got to come and prove What their Persuasions with their Childe could do And cunningly they did their busnes too 225. Upon the Dungeons brink their Lamentation They poured first and then this charming cry Psyche ô Psyche if thy Tribulation Be yet too weak to make thee bow to thy Own rest and quiet let thy Parents 〈◊〉 At least by thy consent obtain Reliefe 226. The staffe of our decrepit years art Thou Alone dear daughter all our joys in thee Are fresh and young O do not rob Us now Of that by which we live thy libertie Thy liberty which we would rather choose By any Hand than by thine own to loose 227. The Judge would yeeld thee back to Us again And wilt Thou cruel be when He is Kinde By thee have We deserved to be slain Who from all others Love and Pitty finde Though thine own Life thou strangely scornest yet Abhor not ours to whom thou owest it 228. Surely thy Christ if He as Gentle be As thou didst vaunt Him for will never give Thee thanks for this unnatural Pietie Which both thine own and Parents Lives doth strive To undermine O no! His Grace We know And honour His Compassion more than you 229. Our Faith in His abundant Mercy makes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be blown away Comply His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Hearts its Prospect takes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ours pant still with loyalty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his dear Laws and therefore He Propitious to our Out-side fault will be 230. And so sweet Daughter will He be to thine O then accept of what thou
〈◊〉 to Crave Enjoy the courteous Sun 〈◊〉 it doth shine And let this Dungeon not forestall thy grave Speak speak and bid Us live with thee or by Thy wilful silence send Us home to dy 231. So pleaded they But Psyche with a Groan Fetch'd deeper than the bottome of her Grot First vanquished their Lamentation Then with this most athletick Answer what Artillery their crafty tongues had brought From Pieties strong hold to force her out 232. I now no longer can the Jailer blame Who tempted me my Liberty to gain By being slave to Joves accursed Name And scorning him who on Heav'ns Throne doth reign Why should I look that Pagan He should be Kinder than you my Parents are to Me 233. My Christian Parents if you yet dare own That holy title who invite me now To kick at Christ. Alas that I am grown So execrable in your Eys that you As if this Dungeon were not deep enough Into Hels bottom Me should strive to throw 234. The sacred Law of Filial Duty I Hold dearer than this World for well I know Nor shall all Torments force me to deny This truth that unto you my Life I ow Which in your service if I shun or fear To spend may I prove an Idolater 235. But that 's the Life by which I Prisner am In this unworthy World A Life I have Which truer is unto its active Name A Life to high and pretious that to save It from the Jaws of endlesse Death his own The King of Heav'n thought not much to lay down 236. That Life I mean by which my Soule doth live A Life which from your Loins I never drew And therefore you doe but your selves deceive To think that this is to your Pleasures due God is my onely Father here and I Intire to Him must keep my loyalty 237. As fast as in this Mire I stick the way Of His Commands I now am running and Though you your Prayers or your Necks should lay Full in my path my passage to withstand I would not hear my mortal duty plead But on your Necks and Prayers freely tread 238. Yet Heav'n forbid I should be forc'd to take This hard experiment of Pietie O rather help to lead me to the stake And of my Combat there Spectators be You 'l ne re repent you to have seen your own Childe climbing up to Martyrdomes fair Crown 239. But since you know so well the vast extent Of Jesus Mercy know it not in vain Your own decrepit years bid you repent With speediest speed The foule and cankering stain Of your Idolatrous Complyance dares The utmost Power of your fullest Tears 240. Mispend not then those pretious Beads on Me Your selves need all their Ornament and I This onely favour crave that you would be But so courageous as yet to rely On Heav'ns Protection Speak ô speak and ease My throbbing hearts tormenting Jealousies 241. I burn I burn in Anguish till I hear You by a brave Profession defie Those Baits of secular ignoble fear Which lured you to your Apostasie Speak then and make my Life be sweet in spight Of all these Tortures which against it fight 242. So pious She. But feeble-hearted They Leaving no Answer but a faithlesse Sigh Their Griefs and Fears to witnesse went their way Confounded by their Daughters Constancy Yet by this foule Retreat They gave her more Soule-piercing Wounds then They had done before 243. For now her ominous Meditations threw Her down into that Gulfe of flaming Pain Which to Apostate Wickednesse was due Where every Torment every Rack and Chain To which her Parents seemed now to goe Pour'd on her tender Heart a Sea of Woe 244. But as She struggled to maintain this fight Of mighty Charitie She gan to faint When loe a sudden unexpected Light A Thing with which that Grot did ne'r acquaint The Place and Her with Glory did surprise Offring a radiant Stranger to her Eyes 245. For at her right Hand She beheld a Mayd On whose fair Head a diamond Crown did shine With gentle Majesty She was arrayd And all her Ornaments appear'd divine Psyche amazed at the heav'nly Sight Would fain have kneel'd to doe the Virgin right 246. But as her Sorenesse Mire and Chains forbad That reverence She fete'd a modest Sigh To which the Stranger this milde Answer made I see thy Minde in thy ingenous Eye Thy Courtesie by thy Desire is done And now my ear'nd Requital must comeon 247. This said She hugg'd her with a strait Embrace Softrait that closer than her Chains or Mire It stuck and deeplyer 〈◊〉 was Than her Disease through which it did 〈◊〉 Into her Heart and 〈◊〉 it up so close That now no Anguish there could interpose 248. As He who is some wager'd Race to run Having his Loyns girt up and being so Collected and ti'd to Himself 〈◊〉 With lighter stouter Nimblenesse doth goe Than when his waste He loose about him ware And there for 〈◊〉 had room to 〈◊〉 249. Embraced Psyche thus perceiv'd her 〈◊〉 Lace'd strait and shrunk into Collections 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As first She wonder'd her 〈◊〉 Guest So much should presse her 〈◊〉 but it 〈◊〉 As that fresh Vigour glowed in her 〈◊〉 She knew She onely 〈◊〉 out her Smart 250. And now such Courage in her Soule did reign That She rejoyc'd She had so hard a Race Her gauntlet She dares give to any Pain And the most tedious Death look in the face Her Chains to her no more then Bracelets are Her boiling Sores as Pearls indeed appear 251. Her Parents Case She to Heav'ns Soveraign Wil t Can freely now resigne that Will which though It bitter seem to worldly Tastes yet still Doth unto uncorrupted Palats flow With all the Soule of Sweetnesse and can make From springs of Galla flood of Honey break 252. She seems as yet not to have gain'd her share Of Pangs and Sufferings and fears not to pray That He Who did such Strength for her prepare Would still more load upon her Shoulders lay More fewell still unto her tervour give Who now by nothing but by Pains could live 253. Nor was it wonder for the Stranger here Thenceforth a Stranger unto her no more Was sent from Heav'n a special 〈◊〉 To heal her Heart beginning to be sore With her Weak Body Willingly She 〈◊〉 And did her Work for 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 254. The Eyes of Lambs ne'r darred meeker Raies Then stream'd from hers and yet the Lyons face With stouter Bravery did never raise His royal Looks nor with more Courage gaze Upon and challenge Terrors than does She Though soft as honey or as Oyle She be 255. All over she was nothing else but skars Wnt large and fair to testifie what she Had undergone in Heav'ns victorious Wars And yet these Characters her beautie be For with such silver light they smile that they Much like a Tire of Stars do her array 256. Her busines being thus dispatched she The cheer'd reso'ved Prisner leaves
Groans her Bosome rent Her Heart did pant with Languishments of Love By Watching Prayers Fasts with God she 〈◊〉 74. With God she strove and with her selfe for all This while her Soule was out of tune and taste Those Exercises savoured now of Call Whose Sweetnesse pos d the Honey in times past Yet she this tedious Gall would not forsake Nor 〈◊〉 exchange the Dew of Hybla take 75. Thus when soule Humors have usurp'd and reign In his weak Stomach still the hungry Man Ingests his wholesome Diet though in vain For every houre his Meat doe what he can Onely mispent and half-corrupted is And then regorg d with painfull Nauseousnesse 76. Her heavy Breast was now become as cold And dead as if it ne'r had been the Seat Of 〈◊〉 Fire and Heav'n and He that would Have paralleld her Soules and Bodies State Though wondrous drie this was might soon have spyed How that far more than This was Mortified 77. And this scru d her Conditions Anguish high For still she neither thought she Watch'd nor Pray'd Nor shed a Fear nor heaved up a Sigh Nor managed her Contemplations Trade Nor Groand nor Lovd because she never felt Her Heart in any of these Actions melt 78. What Man upon the thanklesse Rocks can plow Or found his Building on the faithlesse Sand Or in the stormy Oceans Furrows sow Or wash the tawny AEthiopians Hand And still be patient though his Pains and Cost A thousand times already have been lost 79. Where 's that stout He who though He be imploy'd In busines of Fire and Flames and set With sulphury fuel to keep up the Tide Of iron Fornaces enraged Heat Can be content mean while Himselfe to be Shrivell'd and nipp'd up by Frosts Tyranny 80. Yet through these Riddles of Disconsolation Brave Psyche waded and bore up her Head Aloft the Flood whilst far above all Passion Her Passion she embrac'd and wearied Her Selfe with no lesse Quiet than if she Down stream had sloated with facilitie 81. For patiently she 〈◊〉 was and sound No Comfort in this 〈◊〉 of her 〈◊〉 Yet though she every day and houre were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and her 〈◊〉 did give 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 82. Long liv'd she in it and although her Fasts She duely kept yet did she not forbear When Nature challeng'd them her spare Repasts She being stor'd by Phylax s loving Care Although she were ambitious to die She scorn'd to hasten on her Destiny 83. Long liv'd she in it for her Spouse was now Resolv d her Valonrs full Extent to trie But envious Satan who ran prieing through All Quarters of this lower World to spie Where He might finde new Booties for his spight Discover'd her in this disconsolate Plight 84. But as a Coward who hath oft been beat Yet still on base revengefull Hope doth feed Waits opportunity when He may meet His brave Antagonist impoverished In strength and Spirits by some other Fight And on that Weaknesse builds his stollen Might 85. So now base-hearted He the fight forbore Till Psyches Courage He conceived spent And then with prouder Hopes then e'r before Unto his damned Home pufft up he went Fool as He was to let his Looks professe His Triumph e'r the Victory was His. 86. Then haveing climb'd his Throne and from his face Wip'd off the coalblack Sweat into a Smile He forced it The Feinds admir'd whar cause Their Kings Austerity could so beguile Yet in compliance every One begun To shrivell up his Cheeks and gently grin 87. When Satan thus Hate and Defiance first To Heav'n and then all Glory to my Selfe You know to what expence of Pains that 〈◊〉 And though most feeble yet most peevish 〈◊〉 Jesus his Mistresse long hath put Me yet Upon that Worm my Will I could not get 88. But now the feat is done and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is by her goodly Spouse divore'd and lies To the just Vengance of our Majesty A most abandoned and woefull Prize I saw her as she lay but scorn d to bring Her with Me No it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a King 89. But thou Dispair and here he turn'd aside For standing at his right Hand was the Feind Shalt fetch her hither Thou maist finde her hid In that 〈◊〉 deserts farthest closest end Which lies next to that superstitious sink Where Arimathean 〈◊〉 bones do stink 90. The 〈◊〉 Furie made no stay For what so 〈◊〉 is as Desperation But posted upward snatching by the way Her dismall Engins in such furious Fashion That all her Sisters 〈◊〉 at her haste And 〈◊〉 was glad when she by it was past 91. 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 the hilly Peak 〈…〉 Way 〈…〉 impatience she did break 〈…〉 trembling lay 〈…〉 the dull sleeping 〈◊〉 Awak'd for fear and 〈◊〉 about its Bed 92. All Beasts which saw the 〈◊〉 as she flew Distracted at the horror of the sight Themselves down fatal Precipices threw All Birds unable to maintain their flight Let their Wings flag and hung their Heads aside And having chang'd their tunes to shreikings di'd 93. But still the frightfull Furie posted on Till she arriv'd at her desired Place Where finding sorrowfull Psyche all alone She set her hideous self full in her face All shapes of horror which did ever fright The 〈◊〉 Eys must stoop unto this sight 94. Pale Ghastlines did in her Viiage reign Which yet self-Rage in part confuted had Black hideous Gore full many a wofull stain Pump'd from her own accursed Veins had made For oft her madnesse on her self she show'd And her Cheeks valleys with her nailes had plow'd 95. Her Locks were half torn off so was her Gown And most by careless Naftiness was she Array'd than by her Cloths Her breasts hung down All lank and torn and flapp'd upon her knee Which gap'd and shew'd the naked shatter'd Bone She 〈◊〉 had dash'd on a sharp stont 96. But every Part did handsome seem and fair Unto her hollow and yet staring Eys In which such soveraign Terrors marshall'd were As no Description can equalize For 〈◊〉 was like to nothing but the other And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which should outstare his Brother 97. These were the ominous Mirrours where each Wight Whose Bosome was not innocent and clear No sooner look'd but in a fatal Plight He saw himself and all his Crimes which there Appearing double did affright him so That from his cursed self he wish'd to go 98. The 〈◊〉 Basilisks mischievous Eys And those of fascinating Witches be Far 〈◊〉 Glasses than these Prodigies Which 〈◊〉 with Danger 's worst extremitie Heav'n 〈◊〉 the Man whose miserable Chance 〈◊〉 him into the 〈◊〉 of their glance 99. Nor was the furniture of this foule Hag Unanswerable to her hideous looks For in her starved sharp Arms she did lag A load of rusty Swords Knives Daggers Hooks With poisnous Cups and Boxes all bound up And hung in many a fatal Withe and Rope 100. Appointed thus she stood a while and stared
she ended Began her Praises and Congratulation Joy joy deer Pupill of this Morn said he Which hath dispell'd thy Night of Misery 51. I see what reason thou hadst to be sad Beyond my Comforts reach because I see The sweet Occasion which hath made thee glad Such mighty Greif could onely chased be By that Meridian Almighty Ray Which drives the Life of Woe ev'n Death away 52. The high Excesse of his 〈◊〉 Joy Would let him speak no more but spuir'd him on With Kisses and Embraces to allay The dainty Wrath of his strong Passion Full close he chain'd her in the tender Bands Of zealous Love his blessed Arms and Hands 53. 〈◊〉 Mayd who would not to this 〈◊〉 Belong in debt thus in a snnle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 begging of my 〈◊〉 you 〈◊〉 But for my Thanks they must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hence to be full and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 best he 〈…〉 54. Surely the other Day you were the same Which you are now in every Ornament Of gratious Sweetnesse when you hither came And your best Cordials did to Me present But clownish Senselesse I could not embrace You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 landy r offred Grace 55. Had this Behaviour quench'd your Love to Me. To none but my rude Selfe had Blame been due Yet you with faithfull patient fervencie More carefull still and still more render grew My Greif you to your Selfe assum'd as you Were able 〈◊〉 for Me with Tears did slow 56. Though Thy Heav'n and Earth abandon was And psung'd into the Cull of Desolation To own Me in 〈◊〉 despicable Case You blushed not but by your high Narration Of what Love 〈◊〉 to releive my mart Endeavored to cheer my drooping Heart 57. Well I remember how I then forgot My selfe and you how dead and cold I lay Before that flaming News which might have shot Life into any Soule but mine away I turn'd my foolish head from that which through A thousand Deaths would run after now 58. For ô my indefatigable Friend I feel your sweetnesse thrilling in my Heart Which there with Charis Intluence doth blend And a new Soule unto my Soule impart Forbid it Heav n my Mind should e'r forget Thee who hast help'd to raise and double it 59. When Earth denies her Vapours to repay To Heav'n whose Bounty sent her down the 〈◊〉 When Fountains bid their posting Curronts stay Whose Thanks were slowing to their mother 〈◊〉 When Building scorn their freindly 〈◊〉 Will then neglect thy 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this 〈…〉 Then Words and Killes sweetly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Till the 〈…〉 Which common Mortals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 61. And now her high and holy busines she Perform'd no more with cold and fruitlesse pains But mounting up with cheerly Fervencie Reap'd in the middle of her Work its Gains For now she knew her Prayers welcom'd were Into her Spouse's ready open Ear. 62. Phylax mean while by Heav'ns appointment flew To learn her Parents fortunes out which He No sooner full sow but fir'd with new Excess of Joy he back return'd when she From her Devotions rose and thus display'd His blessed Message to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 63. News Psyche happy News for now I come From holy Valours Sceen that signal Place Where thy Uranius his brave Martyrdome Of late atcheiv'd and finished his Race That Race thou fear'dst had been too hard for thy 〈◊〉 Parents limping 〈◊〉 64. But at the Stake I found them Bothe where they Before the face of Heav'n and Earth to thy Sole charge that Resolution did lay Which fir'd them to contemn those Flames for by Our Daughters Zeal said they this sacred heat In our old froazen fearfull Veins doth beat 65. That heav'nly Answer from the Dungeon she Gave to our cruel kindenes though with shame It sent Us weeping home yet instantlie Those causeless tears it dried by this flame Of Christian courage whil'st admonish'd by Our second thoughts our first we did defie 66. And Heav'n require her wheresoe'r she be Who whil'st we tempted her idolize Did nobley fright Us from Idolatrie And reach Us how We safelier might 〈◊〉 Both Life and Death than Jesus who alone Holds over both supream Dominion 67. Then let Him shew it now the Solaiers 〈◊〉 Kindling the Pile and shouting loud that they In spight or Darknesse thus could turn the Tide Of Night by Christian Bonfires into Day O Blessed pair said I who in a new Marriage thus joyned are and hither 〈◊〉 68. So Phylax spake When Psyche ravish'd by This unexpected Bliss could not contain The pious Fountain of her joyfull Eye Nor her Tongues sweeter stronger streams restrain Abundant Tears she shed yet larger far Her thanks to Jesus and her Praises were 69. But as she oft had wearied been before With heavinesses mighty Burden so Surcharged now with joys exuberant store She laid her down in sweet submission to This pleasing load and sunk into the deep But soft untroubled Gulfe of do why sleep 70. When Charis upon whose eternal Eye No Slumber ever creeps begun a new And heav'nly work for with Activity About Imaginations Orb she flew And cull'd and cropp'd those Fancies here and there Which for her purpose serviceable were 71. Thus furnished with all Materials she In the fair Theatre of Psyche's Breast By orderly Degrees the Gallantrie Of her incomparable Pageant drest She first reard up a goodly Throne which might Out-vie the Hyperborean Snow in White 72. Forthwith she placed on this royal Seat A Prince who gave more Beauty unto it No Monark ever in more awfull State On his imperial Chair of Gold did sit Indeed all Potentates but shaddows be To this authentick Soveraigns Majestie 73. His copious Robe down from his Shoulders flow'd Unto his Feet with streams of gracefulnesse A Girdle of illustrious Gold which ow'd Its birth not unto Earth but Heav'n did kiss And closely hug his blessed Paps which yet In goodly Richnes far outshined it 74. No 〈◊〉 labour ever made so white The finest Wool as was his daintier Hair Which poured down the 〈◊〉 of its bright And Silken Curles with curious careless Care About his Alabaster Neck which stood Like a white Pillar in that Snowie 〈◊〉 75. As in their venerable Sockets on The sacred Altar glorious Tapers flame So look'd his Eys whose reverend Beams alone About the Temple of his Face did stream And made his Countnance like the Suns when he Is a wfull in his High-noon Claritie 76. The most resin'd Corinthian Brass which in The bosome of the slaming Furnace lies Doth not with more illustrious l error shine Than from his burning Feet of Glorie sties Thus was this radiant King from Foot to Head With supream Majestie embellished 77. Innumerable Angels then she brought To furnish out his Court and fill his Train These all their Stations took as quick as Thought And with their golden Trumpets in a strein Which through the roused Universe rebounded The glory of their mighty Soveraign founded 78. But his bright Standard to the open Air She poured out in
which embroyderd stood Most dreadfully illustrious and fair His Arms imperial stained all with Blood For 't was his Cross encompass'd now with more Notorious Honour than with Shame before 79. As thus he sate triumphant on his Throne He lifted up his Face and look'd about Strait way the frighted Earth began to run From his intolerable Eys the stout And hardy Rocks felt their hearts split for Dread The proudest Hils and Mountains trembling fled 80. The Sphears above his Aspects Power felt And breaking off their losty Harmony In Dissolutions Tears began to melt The Sun and Stars abashed now to see There was no need of them by Day or Night Fell head-long down and choaked their own Light 81. Yet in this 〈◊〉 haste the Sea and Land Were inindefull of their Faith and honestly Resror'd the Pledges which into their Hand Were put by Fate Sin and Mortalitie Giving up punctually a true and just Account of every Drain of Humanc 〈◊〉 82. Forth with Corruption started from the Heap Of Ashes and fled after Earth and Sea When loe the Mass threw off its deadly sleep And waked into Lifes Activitie Each Peice awak'd and nimbly rose and shew'd For one cold Heap a vigorous Multitude 83. Adam and Eve the Springs of all the rest Stood in the Front on whom attended all The Senior World Then Noah forward prest Who reimpeopled this whole shipwrackd Ball And after Him the Tribes and Nations which Their Colonies through all the Earth did reach 84. Not one was missing who did ever draw The breath of Life and see the Face of Light But now the proudest bore his head as low As did the poorest and ignoblest wight This Day had rased such Distinctions out And all into one Size and Measure brought 85. Those whom their tedious Age had bowed down Unto their brisker years were called back And those who in their Bud were crop'd and thrown Into untimely Graves did nothing lack Of fulgrown and accomplish'd vigour which Fix'd all and every one in equal pitch 86. And yet so different their Conditions were That now the ready Angels who attended Their Soveraigns Beck with quick unerring Care Parted the croud which was together blended With his right-hand the harmless Sheep they graced But at his left the stinking Goats they placed 87. Psyche rejoye'd her Parents here to see Rank'd on the Dexter Wing But fuller was Her holy Exultation when she Perceiv'd her own 〈◊〉 had the grace There to be marshalled for though the slepe Her waking Soule at the sweet Omen leape 88. When loe as thus her Hopes and Joyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At this illustrious Spectacle before The Throne two Books of vast 〈◊〉 Were open flung No volumes ever bore So huge a bulk as these which written be With the where worlds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 89. The one was black as Horrors darkest Face The Book of Death writ with the Ink of Hell Wherein each Word some foule Transgression was Scor'd upon their Accounts who did rebell Against their Blisse and needs would labour to Attain Vexation and Themselves undoe 90. The other was as fair as this was foule The 〈◊〉 Book of Life whose Words did shine Clearer than those bright Notes which make the Scroul Of Heav'n appear so glorious and divine For here each Line doth part of God expresse Character'd in his Servants Holinesse 91. There blessed Leaves the King no sooner read But to the Right-hand Troop he turn'd his Eye Which with Majestick Sweetnesse prefaced Unto there Words Come Yee whose Piety Is by my 〈◊〉 Benediction grown Mature and of full Age to wear its Crown 92. Come take your full Possession with Me Of that fair Kingdome whose Foundations were Laid upon stable Perpetuity Long e'r the Earth sunk down beneath long e'r The Air and Fire grew light and upward fled Long e'r the Curtains of the Heav'ns were spred 93. For in this faithfull Register I see Your brave Deserts recorded full and fair When I exposed was to Misery Your pious Charity made Me your Heir The Debt I here acknowledge and to Day The Principal and Use. I must repay 94. Then turning to the gloomy Book and to The other Company which stood agast With frowns of killing Wrath He 〈◊〉 Goe Ye cursed Brood 〈◊〉 Evidence hath Cast You all these Leaves 〈◊〉 Witnesse bear For all your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 staring here 95. 〈◊〉 Eyes no 〈◊〉 would afford to Me When 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Nakedness Call'd for 〈◊〉 and strict Equity Now 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your due 〈◊〉 Goe 〈…〉 for take 〈…〉 Lake 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 With 〈…〉 Pride Which flam'd 〈…〉 fight When 〈…〉 tri'd For you 〈…〉 Have 〈…〉 〈◊〉 The Adamantine Sentence thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The courteous Angels with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joy Upon the Saints their dear Imbrace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this their Coronation Day And joyned then their Tongues with them to 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to their gratious King 98. But as this Melody was sweet and 〈◊〉 So were the Yellings horrid which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The throats and bosomes of that Company 〈…〉 were For thousand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about them flew And in 〈…〉 threw 99. But dressed in more 〈◊〉 Array Than ever see infernal Hae deformed Their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on them did lay Their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Wrath all 〈◊〉 With 〈…〉 their Breafts And 〈…〉 did 〈◊〉 100. When on the sudden the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Opening its Mouth and gaping for its Prey The first fruits of their flames on them old spit And warn'd the Fiends to hasten them away To their full Harvest O what Tongue can tell The Anguish which now on these Wretches fell 101. Upon their shreiking Throats and frighted Hair Damnations Serjeants clapp'd their flaming Paws Whilst other Officers who furnish'd were With Whips of 〈◊〉 Snakes and Harpies Claws Lash'd them so sore that they made haste to Hell In hopes that lesser Torments there did dwell 102. Down plung'd this mixed 〈◊〉 which almost 〈◊〉 The greedy 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Deep Loud was the Noise of this 〈◊〉 Fall but yet Far 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 Eternal 〈◊〉 still 〈◊〉 and 103. The hasty Fire soon flew upon this Feast And with unbounded Riot gormandised Resolving thenceforth never more to Fast Nor yet with all this store to be sufficed But oft it gap'd and belch'd whence upward broke Black volumes of contagious stink and smoak 104. About the Brink some Devils hankerd still So did two Monsters far more foule than they Thin gastly Death and poisnous Sin untill The King design'd an Angel them to slay Who threw them head-long down the Pit for this And this alone eternal Slaughter is 105. That done the Sentence firm and sure to make Upon the Caves wide Mouth his Seal he set A Seal which no reluctancy can break For his Omnipotence had temperd it Of such a Mixture that Eternitie It self as soon as that shall brittle be 106. The Saints and Angels seeing nothing now But Joy and Life and Bliss and Holines Themselves before the Conquerours Throne did throw Meekly ambitious joyntly to express Their Thanks
of the Rest That supream Diademe which flam'd upon The Head of Jesus fully was possest Of all this Multitude for bounteous He Did lay in Common all Propriety 135. Thus whatsoever Honor decks the Brow Or Consolation smileth in the Heart Its beams are not confined there but flow With Brotherly Affection to each Part That the whole Body may engaged be To make a private Comfort publike Glee 136. And yet these so united Spirits were By several Stations distinguished Nine blessed Orders were divided there Which in three Hierarchik Classe's did Conjoin again and by their single Three Thrice imitate th' eternal Trinity 137. With these the Saints did intermixed reign And fill'd the Places of those Spirits who Hoping against their Maker to maintain Their sturdy Stomacks into Arms did goe But over-whelm'd by his Almighty Tide Their Rume onely gained by their Pride 138. By that proportion of Humility And holy Love they practis'd here below The Measures of their Recompence the high And righteous King of Bounty did bestow Which though they in degrees much difference shew'd Yet every One enjoyed Plenitude 139. So when a thousand Vessells great and small Into the Sea are thrown though some receive More of the Ocean far than others All Are fill'd brim full nor can the Lesser grieve Their Brethrens fairer Amplitude to see Since they no fuller than the Smallest be 140. But how to blazon these bright Honors how To sound this boundlesse Sea of equal Pleasures How to compute this vast Account and know The Total Summ of perfect Blisse's Treasures Posed their highest strength and deepest Wit Who were infeofed and possest of it 141. Yet all the Homage which they paid for this Supremacy of Glory was to Praise Admire and Love and Blesse and Chant out His Eternal Name and Fame who then did raise To this Capacity of Exulation O blessed Life whose Task is Acclamation 142. Through this illustrious Maze of Joy and Blisse As Psyche laboured and seem'd to be In heav'n afresh at every Step by this Unwearied Quires Heroick Peans she Perceiv'd the entertainment neer as high Which cheer'd her Ear as that which fill'd her Eye 143. And now her Wonder could endure no Rein She sacrific'd her Soule to Ecstasie When loe the Seraphs Pipes let flie a Strein Of holy Triumph so exceeding high That starting at the mighty Song she shaked Her pretious Dream insunder and awaked 144. As when unhappy Adam was expell'd Out of the Sceen of Blisse sweet Paradise And on the sudden all the World beheld Planted with desolate thorny Miseries Aghast He look'd his woefull Hands he wrung And sigh'd and sobb'd to think whence he was flung 145. So Psyche having lost this glorious Sight And ravishing Musick which perplexed Her In sweet confufion for by this Delight She tempted was to wish her selfe all Ear By that intirely Eye or else that she Could teach her Eyes to Hear her Ears to See 146. Surprised was with lamentable Fright To see the grosse face of Mortality To see the glaring Beams of Natures Light To see her Selfe on her poor Pallet ly So far remov'd from Blisse's royal Sphear That on dull Earth She still was groveling here 147. Alas She cri'd what injury have I Done unto Sleep that it should mock me thus To have me up unto the glorious Skie Why should my Dreams be so industrious If by so sudden a defection They Me back unto this Deep meant to betray 148. Unhapp Life which whilst we are Awake With nothing else but Dreams dost fill our Eyes The burly Show this Mortal World doth make Is but a puffed Bulk of Vanities Where whilst we hope substantial Worth to finde We mocked are with foolish empty Winde 149. But when by Sleep We robbed are of more Than halfe our Selves and in Deaths Embleme ly Then onely dost thou suffer Us to sore To solid Joyes which yet being carried by Our Dreams faint Wings by them betrayed be And soon forget their own Soliditie 150. Deceitfull Sleep which wear'st the Name of Rest Why wilt Thou never make it good to Me Why was I with thy highest Favours blest If they must onely torture Waking Me Why Slept I if I needs must Wake and misse By setting ope mine Eyes my Sight of Blisse 151. Phylax who all this while with piercing Eye Div'd through her Bosome and Spectator was How Charis order'd all that Pageantry Which through his Pupills wondering Soule did passe Stopp'd with a Kisse that tide of Grief which ran From her complaining Lips then thus began 152. To Joy this Morning sacred is my Dear If thine Eys bottles Thou wouldst rightly spend On Sorrow lavish not the Smallest Tear But all thy Streams to Exultation lend Thy Dream has not deceiv'd Thee all was true Which it displaid to thine admiring View 153. It is enough that Heav'n doth condescend To Act it Selfe aforehand unto Thee Nor canst thou think thy Saviour doth entend To put Thee off with this No royal He Prepares thine Eyes by this short glimpse of Blisse Henceforth to See its endlesse bright Excesse 154. In patience then thine humble Soule possesse For sure this prize is worth thine Expectation Although it should attended be till this Firm World grows Weak stoops to Consummation Time at its utmost Tether cannot be More than a Span unto Eternity 155. Eternity is that which shall enhance Beatitude and crown its Diademes In hopes of which doe thou thy Soule advance And never troubled be to think that Dreams Which on thin Fancie their Foundation lay Are fickle fluid Things and start away 156. Courageous Friend the Mayd to this repli'd Brave is the Metall of thy sprightfull Heart Which easily beats back all Misfortunes Tide And can the Streams of Grief to Joy convert Full well those cheerly Looks with thee doe suit Who all my Losse canst with a Smile confute 157. But I cannot doe so Mischances throw Their own upon my Smiles with high disdain My deep Passivity will not allow Me any Art or Power to maintain A fight with Suffrings so as not to feel The Wound when in my Heart I finde the Steel 158. It is but lately since unhappy I Was quite lost in the Mist of Desolation And heavy was that blinde Calamity Which did both muffle up my Contemplation And clip those Wings that had been us'd before Unto the Pinnacles of Heav'n to sore 159. But now her Eyes again unmaked are And unto their full length her Feathers grown No sooner I in Heav'ns illustrious Sphear Or read or flie but I am tumbled down And by my journey to compleat my Crosse No Profit reap but Knowledge of My Losse 160. O I acquit my Dream from the least Guilt Of fairfac'd Fraud in every blessed Part The genuine Pulse of Truth I cleerly felt Beating right time with my exultant Heart I would not have it false for Heav'n and yet It s being true begetteth this regret 161. For had it not been the unfeined Sceen Of
desires 218. The double Fountain of her Tears was drie Her Groans were weary and her Languishment If felfe did languish But her 〈◊〉 Outrageous grew and like a Gyam bent The mighty Bow of her Desires by which The Mark of all her Hopes She was to reach 219. Then having bid unto the Earth adieu And firmly fix'd her loving longing Eye Upon the Heav'ns to keep her Aim in view Her Flames triumphant Tempest swell'd so high That She unable to contain its Tide With a deep Sigh cri'd out O LOVE and did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS Correct the Errors of the Presse thus Canto 11. read the 198. Stanza before the 197. Canto 1. Stanza Line Read 34. 4 Take 122. 1 Morn 143. 4 Waken's 152. 1 mak's  4 heaving Canto 2. 79. 2 Assistance 110. 3 wroth Canto 3. 69. 3 all wayes 97. 6 Fathers   Fames 178. 3 here 190. 4 Flame Canto 4. 25. 2 of an 54. 1 crownd 115 5 Guests Canto 5. 66. 2 An 215. 1 rigid fare Canto 6. 26. 2 hath 〈◊〉 1 was 113. 4 vales 171. 1 Gate 184. 1 deep set 205. 2 thorough 226. 6 untrid 248. 6 every 258. 3 Parian 274. 1 thorough Canto 7. 213. 4 stirr'd Canto 8. 74. 3 Sorrow 's 139. 3 more 157. 5 what 159. 5 Expects 173. 2 of windows 262. 3 grow 283. 5 be cause Canto 9. 16. 1 These lend 83. 2 are 97. 5 Brink 112. 3 bestdeserving 123. 2 Devoto's 147. 5 Some time 159. 1 Bows 201. 4 loth 220. 2 fat 225. 6 carreer 246. 3 where on Canto 10. 85. 1 holier 93. 4 Elxai 107. 5 thy 110. 3 his 118. 5 Sun 125. 3 hand as 160. 2 to Canto 11. 4. 1 the 45. 5 stream 47. 5 fall she 52. 4 Riches 83. 2 pil'd 144. 4 by 173. 2 it 196. 3 one 197. 2 Lord's Canto 12. 80. 4 dele 157. 4. meet Canto 13 61. 5 dele 211. 3 Ensignes 224. 3 gaping 301. 2 own 314. 3 please these 349. 3 poised 352. 1 least 428. 5 meditating 433. 3 War 442. 4 amorous Canto 14. 15. 4 vanquishd 73. 3 prize 78. 2 preys 92. 3 teach 170. 2 own 255. 5 requited 262. 3 his 263. 5 thorough 288. 2 When 304. 4 feuel Canto 15. 79. 2 Song 132. 2 wept 156. 1 Flood 163. 2 firm persp 299. 6 Antichrists Canto 16. 36. 6 vessell 72. 1 her 90. 1 skill 112. 4 ramm'd 127. 3 so Canto 17. 59. 5 strict 131. 4 then 183. 3 dirt 311. 4 dele period 324. 1 launcheth Canto 18. 69. 3 Gallantry 87. 6 crocodiles 212. 4 was 273. 6 for Canto 19. 54. 4 too 135. 3 Crosses 146. 4 His Canto 20. 101. 4. Harpies * the Soul * The guardian Angell * Conscience | divine grace * the Spirit of Lust. * The Common Sense * The Sense of Seeing * Of Smelling †Of Tasting * Of Hearing †Of Touching * The Memory * The Will †The Spirit of Pride * The Intellect * Riches †Nobility * Beauty †Valour * Learning †Pietie 1 Tim. 2. 14. Cantic 5. 19. vers 10. vers 11. vers 13. vers 14 vers 15. vers 16. Isa. 19. 1. Levit. 27. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vid. S. Epiphan Hares 26. 7. * 〈◊〉 * False Saint * 〈◊〉 Apoc. 2. 7 Cant. 4. 7. 6. 10. 〈◊〉 ibid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. 1. 7. 5. 4. 3. 7. 4. 7. 4. 4. 3. 4. 2 4. 4. 4. 5 4. 11. Ezech. 16. 4. Cantic 6. 8 6. 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11. 37 11. 38 * The Tongue
slie Impostor silently did flye Into her Chamber and with cunning creep Under the ey-lids of her heart where he Himself presented in fain'd Claritie 408. But as the Virgins Soule began to start Fear not said he for Phylax is thy friend These Rays of mine did never terror dart But to thy Weaknes Strength and Comfort lend And Heav'n forbid that I should prove unkinde Now thou my favour most deserv'st to finde 409. The Gallantrie of thy Devotion I Come to applaud and to increase its Fire I grant thy zealous Wings have towred high But yet thy Spouse would have them labour higher And as immoderate in their answer prove As is to thee the Challenge of his Love 410. The Watches frequent are and long which thou In deer attendance upon Him dost keep Yet oftner generous he and longer too To purchase rest for thee did loose his sleep Be noble now remembring thou shalt have Sufficient sleeping time in thy still Grave 411. Low hast thou pluck'd thy Bodies Plumes but He Was rent and torn and furrow'd up with Lashes And can the Zeal of thy Austerity More legibly appear than in such Gashes I know thou lovest not thy Skin but yet 'T were not amisse thus much were writ on it 412. Severe and resolute thy Fastings be If scanned by the faint Worlds vulgar fashion But Fourty Dayes thy Spouse did Fast for thee And now expects thy faithfull Imitation 〈◊〉 As well He may who an eternal Feast 〈◊〉 To quit a few Dayes Fast in Heav'n has drest 413. Since then He means that thou with Us shalt reign Betimes it will become Thee to prepare Thy Selfe for out Society and strein Out all the Dreggs thou hast contracted here That raised to the Purity in which We Angels shine thou mayst our Region reach 414. By Moses and Elias who beheld At such vast distance Jesu's glimmering face Shall Psyche be in Abstinence excell'd Can she on whom the Euangelick Grace With such full luster beats by those whom blinde And shady Types invelop'd be out-shin'd 415. O no dear Pupill since thy generous Breast Dar'd wish to be enflamed by that fire Whose Aime's Perfection Let no lazie Rest Clog the brave Wings of thy sublime Desire What though thy Death it hastens Thou and I Shall but the sooner to Lifes Kingdome flie 416. Thus sought the wily Tempter to invite The Virgin to a fatal Precipice But as the Lamb is taught by natural Fright To fear and hate the Wolfe though in the Fleece The honest Fleece of the milde Sheep he be Array'd and courts her with smooth Flattery 417. So Psyches Heart for heav'nly Charis there Close in the Centre of her Soule did lie Misgave her at the Sight and quak'd for fear Of this fair-tongued Angels Courtesie For all his dainty Look and Skin yet She Assured was it could not Phylax be 418. None of those soft and blessed Heats she felt Which sweetly when her Phylax us'd to speak Did all her Breast into Complyance melt And way to their own gentle Conquests make Besides the Voice though woudrous Sweet it were Yet something out of tune it seem'd to her 419. Too high it seem'd and of too loud a Strein Still was the Musick of her Spouse and she No Saints remembred that did e'r complain That Jesus call'd them to Extremity That Trumpets did the Gospel usher in And Wars Alarm the Calme of Peace begin 420. Had this great Message from her Spouse been sent She knew her Heart which now did pant and move By His sole Motions must needs relent And by Submission His Command approve But now she by reluctant Nausoousnesse Felt whosefoe'r it were 't was none of His. 421. Awakning therefore all her Confidence And with three Invocations having sued Her Saviour to engage in her Defence Upon her faithfull Forehead she renued His potent Signe and then with courage cri'd In Lights fair Looks why dost thou Darknesse hide 422. Whate'r thy face doth preach unto mine Eye The language of thy Tongue-unto mine Ear Sounds nothing lesse than Phylax wherefore hie Thee hence false Fiend and seek thy Booty where A beauteous Count'nance and a snowie Pair Of Wings the full Proof of an Angel are 423. As when the Suns neer Beams burst out upon A waxen Idoll straight its goodly Face Too weak to bear that glorious Dint doth run Away in droiling Drops and foules the place Which it before adorn'd So here the Fiend Melted as soon's this servent Answer shin'd 424. Off fell his Coat his Periwig his Wings His roseal Vizard and his Milkie Skin And in the room of those usurped I hings His proper shape of Horror did begin To clothe him round at which indignant He Least Psyche should triumph his shame to see 425. Tore his Way down to Hell that there in Night He might his Head and Ignominie hide A thousand Stinks behinde him at his flight He left and being gotten home he tri'd Upon the Soules which in his Brimstone Lake All yelling lay his vexed Spight to wreak 426. Mean while as Psyche those quaint Spoils admired Which dropped from her beauteous-hideons Foe And with her Sacrifice of Thanks aspired Unto the foot-stoool of her Saviour who Had in that fight her faithfull Champion been Her true and genuine Phylax flutter'd in 427. O how her Heart leap'd at the welcome sight And thus broke from her Lips Thou Thou art He I know thee at the dawning of thy Light In which no Fawnings no Impostures be Spare all Probations Thou needst not tell Me who thou art I know my Phylax well 428. This said Her selfe down at his feet she threw Which hugging fast she welcom'd with a Kisse He gave her Passion leave a while to shew The meek Impatience of this sweet Excesse Then up he took her and return'd upon Her Lip what she unto his Feet had done 429. And Joy said he my dearest Dear of thy Victorious-Encounter with thy Foe That goodly Furniture of Treason I As well as thou who art the Victor know I saw the pilfering Traytor when he pick'd It up and when with it himselfe he trick'd 430. Close at his heels I followed when he His forgerie advanc'd and hither flew I was Spectator when he set on Thee And in Heav'ns Name his Hell against thee drew Unseen I saw the dangerous Battell and By it I stood but aided not thine Hand 431. No thy dear Spouse who never doth forget His humble faithfull Servants did supply Abundant Power and conveied it By ever-ready Chari's Ministry I claim no share at all thy Thanks to none But Him and Her are due and must be done 432. Thou se'st how bountifully They repay The Loyalty of thy Mortification And what thou gainst by giving Thelema To Him who will not be in Debt Thy Station Is now Secure unlesse thou back dost start And fondly home again recall thine Heart 433. Surely thou never hadst so much thy Will As since thou hadst it not for All things now
Heav'n and Jesu's Company now grown Things so indifferent that my longing Eyes Should spare their Tears when I am snatch'd away From them and fore'd on for did Earth to stay 283. O Phylax Thou hast not repreived Me From any of my Pains I 'm at the Stake I burn I burn nor will my Agonie But by my final Dissolution slake She fainted here But Phylax took her up And hasted thus her Sorrows Tide to stop 284. Courage my Dear and be assured I Have not deceiv'd thee of try Noble Aim Thy Spouse designs a Martyrdome whereby To draw thee to himselfe but not the same By which he snatch'd 〈◊〉 no for thee He treasured hath a braven 〈◊〉 285. 〈◊〉 long more strong and 〈◊〉 Pain 〈…〉 be than from the Spight Of this though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 Fight Then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fought and this shall be The Theater of thy mighty 〈◊〉 286. Here in this very Place shalt thou maintain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Combat whilst thy Spouse and all His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on his royal Train Will be Spectators O doe not forestall Thy greater Fame by hasty Zeal but stay With patience for thy Coronation Day 287. This ample Answer such Refreshment blew On Psyche s Heats that meek and pliant she Cool'd her importunate Desires and grew Content to wait the full Maturity Of her affected laurel though as yet She little knew how she must Gather 〈◊〉 PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XIX The Dereliction ARGUMENT PSyche abandon'd to the Solitude Of Soule and Body by the resolute Might Of patient loyal Constancie subdu'd Hels Champion Dispair in single fight Yet in her Conquest no free Joy could have Because she still was Derelictions Slave 1. HOw grim how cold how comfortless soe'r Thou look st dear Solitude sure in thy breast Some worthy Sweets thou dost 〈◊〉 bear Witness that Vilenesse and that high Request By which betwixt the lazie earthly heart And Pious Soule thou so divided art 2. He who when e'r his Conscience him doth take Alone it 〈◊〉 full on his guilty face A large Inditement doth against thee make And on thee poures the bottome of Disgrace Calling thee Mother of vexatious Folly Of Horrors and dispaning Melancholy 3. He no where but among his roaring Boyes Can meet a quire whose Musick suits his Ear Whil'st in the tumult of that boistrous noise He drowns those thoughts which would his bosome tear And in the throng of Sinners cannot finde Free room to take a view of his own Minde 4. And thus unhappy Man he onely lives In his outside and therefore liveth not But when sure ' Death his wofull summons gives Strangely amazed and not knowing what To do or think in vain for help he cryes And to himself a wretched stranger dies 5. He dies and leaves that Body which would not Endure to be a little while alone In the Graves tedious Solitude to rot Whilst in the Tumult of Damnation His now uncloysterd Soule is forc'd to dwel Amongst the Roarers of eternal Hell 6. But he who dares his Bosome ransack and Take a survey of every thing within That he may always ready have at Hand An Inventary of himself and win Time upon Death by prudent Preparation To entertain and kisse his Consummation 7. He who both Leisure and Desire can finde To sequester Impertinences that His proper busnes he may onely minde And by industrious Thrift mend his Estate So that though naked he goes to his grave An endlesse stock of riches he may have 8. He He 's the Man whom all the Cities joyes And proud excess the Countries hearty sport The Licence endlesse Fashions glittering Toies And all the Pomp and Glories of the Court Cannot so far enchant but sober he Can of plain Solitude inamored be 9. He there more store of Company can meet And of more high and worthy quality Than in the thickest Theatre doth sweat Where Spectacles professe to court the Eye Such Presses justle out all Heav'n but He Reads it at large in this Vacuitie 10. An undisturbed view he here can take Of all its fairest and its loftiest stories His Contemplation here can freely break Through all the Treasures of its boundlesse glories And in the Court where Blisse and Pleasures reign With Saints and Angels brave Acquaintance gain 11. Here to the Universe's King can He His free attendance pay from Morn to Night Whil'st in the everlasting One and Three He learns both to Divide and to Unite His mystick Homage as the Spirits Gale Makes him through this Abysse of Wonders sail 12. Here he doth always stand upon his Watch That when the roaring Lyon who doth run About the World his carelesse Preys to catch Hunteth that way his On-set he may shun Or with awakened and prepared Might Confront his Foe and entertain the fight 13. Here from the saplesse Worlds enchanting Breast Where nothing but the froth of Milk doth spring Himself he weans and studies how to feast Upon some masculine substantial thing Which may not mock him with short false Content But to his Soul yeeld solid Nutriment 14. No Humor of the Times no Garbs or Fashions Can here take up his Care No boistrous News Of publike Woes or fatal Alterations The Calm of this his Harbour can abuse No storms can rage but in the open seas His private Bay the Cloister is of Ease 15. His righteous Soule is not afflicted here To See and Hear how wretched Worms defie Omnipotence's King and scorn to fear The Jaws of Hell to which their Villany Makes them apparent Heirs but take delight The Love and Blood of Jesus to despight 16. Here past the reach of those bewitching Darts Which flash with radiant Bane from wanton eyes And make both timorous and martial hearts Yeeld to fantastick self-made Wounds He lies Secure and safe and undisturbed may Prepare for his eternal Nuptial Day 17. Here leave and leisure he enjoys to weed And cultivate his Heart in which he plants Each Herb of Grace and sows the blessed Seed Of every Virtue which his bosome wants In certain hopes his labours will conclude In a full Harvest of Beatitude 18. With prudent foresight here he doth provide An ample stock that he may ready be To bear all Charges which may Him betide In managing a publike Life if he Be called from his private Nest and made Against the thronging stream of Sin to wade 19. More furnished with strength of Argument From learned Athens never Student came Though He his nimblest years and Spirits had spent The Engins of most active Wit to frame Then doth this sagely-sprightfull Champion from His private Schole of publick Virtue come 20. For having learned their due Scorn to throw Upon those Incerests and Baits which make The biass'd Hearts of Men unmanly grow And cowardly Sins sneaking By paths take In spight of all the World which dares say No He in the King of Heav'ns High-way will go 21. Thus in all Sorts of high Advantage this Life of