all that hinders to remove Delays Nor any may presume but strait must go Then far enough What is 't love cannot do Knots though most intricate we can exvolve When taught by Love and sayings dark resolve In most ambiguous matters ways find out The prize to gain and bring our ends about I ever since Love set my mind on flame Soon Mistriss of these Mysteries became Though chiefly fraud I couzen whom I will My fervent passions to obey fulfil Nor without lyes shall ever Lover be Possessor of 's desir'd felicity JOSEPH THink you so closely then your Plots to hide That by no piercing eye they should be spide Shall none your works of darkness undisguise O you 're deceiv'd things shall go otherwise He who the eye did make should he not see Who all these Beings fashioned that be Should he not all things see that made the sight That fram'd the Sun and first produc't the Light Obscure in gloom of night your filthy works And true it is sin still in darkness lurks Within the most retir'd Alcoves prepare To take your pleasure and no eye think there Yet know that eye that slumbers not nor sleeps Sees all and of your ways strict reckoning keeps Even to your inmost thoughts No Cave can hide You or your works from his bright eyes divide Put on the clipping pinions of the day And to Earths bounds hast then and wing away Or where the Ocean ends there you will find Him likewise present fathoming your mind Your mind whose thoughts afar off he surveys Before Conception has there hatch'd its ways Your mind which cannot think or cannot do Can he not know and better know than you It boots you not in lowest Vaults to lurk Or by Night favour'd deeds of Night to work For Night is Day to God darkness as light And all things naked to his piercing sight Well but it seems to God the Heav'ns you 'd give So as you pleas'd you in the world might live But me how vain is this which you conceive With God it is not as you would believe O your Creator better learn to know And more respect with due submission show When of him you discourse No mortal he Nor humane is as you would have him be Heaven his ubiquity by sight doth know And though not seen yet is he here below Both here and every where nor may you name That place where his dread Spirit never came And at that instant I now know him here I likewise know him present every where Yet undivided and essentially Whilst we fly from him unto him we fly Had you the power by counterfeiting shews The eyes of men and reason to abuse 'T would not avail you 't is not here or there Will hide your deeds to God which naked are As wicked boys who so their Plots contrive That into them none of the youth can dive What boots it yet if he them understands Who for their punishments the rod commands But what speak we of Man made of a clod Of despicable Earth let 's on his God That made him now reflect whose powerful hand Nor Heaven nor Earth nor can the Seas withstand Nay Seas their rage forget Winds calm remain When he commands and rocks do rend in twain Heavens melt for fervent heat opprest with fears Like man distress'd that sheds for anguish tears Moves he his voice and gives the sea its doom Thus far but farther not your Waves may come The banks must check their fury force detain As fiery Steeds when curbed by the rein Forth from his mouth huge damps like night do go Then following flames which Nations overflow To stone-heaps Towns he turns and down doth fell All things against his judgment that rebel His Chariot-steeds are th' pinions of the wind His way begirt with darkness none may find Swift flying Clouds that ' longst the Heaven glides His nimble Chariot is on which he rides Th'Thunders his voice if that breaks forth then there Where Sylvanes Eccho Hinds do calve that bear And cast their unripe fruit o' th' trembling way Hills skip affrighted Plains do run away His Hosts are Thrones of mighty Cherubim They hide his Char attend as Guards on him Of these Angelick Quarries numberless That threat fierce din of War doth he possess Commixt with flames a Night-resembling smoke Shoots from his nostrils when we him provoke And clouds the Air so that the whole Sylvane Withers its leaf and faints for anxious pain He in the Clouds his signs doth shew which threat Plague Sword or Famine which here woes compleat The Suns and Moons vast Orbs his word obey Commands he they stand still or run their way From him the three-fork'd Lightning darts its flash Which wheth'r it doth on rocks or Turrets dash Such ruinous way it makes that th' earth her womb Ghastly extends and offers man a Tomb. The arched Rainbow with embroidered rays Strait from the troubled skies its light displays When he commands where then it takes its place Right opposite where the Sun promotes his race About the Sphere he thousand stars doth guide Which never err but ever surely glide Their strength he knows and numbers of them all Each by his name distinctly de doth call As with thick wool with snow he doth infold The naked fields He sends his fearful cold That charmeth flowing streams then a south-wind Which them from numbness doth again unbind His dreadful Judgments over Realms he shakes From calm repose the sleeping sea he wakes To horrible uproar as with his hands Drives ships in unknown deeps men on strange lands Leviathan the terror of the Main With pannick fear he troubles till again He yields his borrowed Life and until he Makes where he dyes an Island in the sea So awful is this glorious Majesty Who whilst we onely name our inwards be Arrested strait with dread nor can we find Repose whilst this continues in our mind Come Madam then your young affections yield To Heavenly things let them no more be fill'd With earthly trash but thence withdraw your love And henceforth fix it upon things above Where no remorse for sin nor pain doth dwell But lasting joys which these do far excel And where these joys in one immortal May Inebriate and fill the Soul for aye This blissful state let 's labour then to gain What though it cost us self-denying pain Since here we must the lust of flesh oppose Or that felicity for ever loose Let us that lust with angry zeal controul Unweariedly which would deprive the Soul Thus of its rest As wax before the fire So spurious Lust would dye in our desire If we would force our backward thoughts to be Conversing with these matters frequently When in us things of God we overlay Our minds it strengthens and drives sin away SEPHYRA BUt hold fond Boy Gods judgments let them heed Whose steps are drawing near the grave who speed Now down-hill to their end let them reflect On such dull Phantasms
its too strong dispute In this Lot fail'd for which God on him sent Judicial Judgments of a large extent So that enthral'd therewith he then knew not Wherein so greatly he himself forgot Thus when Temptations do our Souls surprize With false delight and season the disguise Unto our time of grief scarce the sincere Can then consider what they see or hear Beyond their griefs desire and then the heart Who knows forgives and heals the tempted part For he the Will considers if upright Or Minde that erres if but by oversight And cancels those transgressions as not done By him that did them through surprize led on Though for example and for his behoof If lov'd by him he frees not from reproof But with premeditated lust to rage The flesh by provocation to engage In those unruly obscene flames ah me How should this justify'd in this case be You unsurpriz'd have time to weigh your case Yet obstinate no Counsel will embrace Lot knew not what he did by 's Cups abus'd Your guilt you see is therefore unexcus'd O how your mind is bound in Chains of error To think no time the great Jehovah's terror Against lusts fire in judgments did make known Although as yours so formidable grown Lo Wedlocks Ordinance as soon was laid As the fair Female for the Man was made Who though but one yet so sufficient known For help to him with her becoming one God's Spirit by each Vice to hate 's alarm'd But chiefly he his wrath with fury arm'd Brings on hot lust and that doth swiftly turn In showrs on those who in such flameâ— do burn This caus'd of old those floods o'r Hills to flow Where flocks once graz'd where feet of men did go The skies themselves were threatned what before Was Land for this lo Sea without all Shoar Nor any thing that breath'd would God then spare But onely of each kind one single pair Of Male and Female other unpair'd heaps Th' floods Pris'ners were and perish'd in those deeps If this suffice not then I more can shew Once Abram came with Sarah here who grew Soon famous at this Court which entertain'd Him better for her sake there both remain'd As of one womb she being sister call'd By him until her beauty high extoll'd Saluted Pharaohs ears whose heart in flame Of growing lust by that report became Yet when with her this lust he did intend To cool see how God on his house did send Unusual judgments punishments unknown Till he restor'd to Abraham his own And thus if God a fault of ignorance In Princes plagues for lust he 'll sure advance Worse on that slave that boldly dare defile His Masters bed and know his guilt the while When Abram afterwards did steer about His course to Gerar though it fell not out Yet did not God that Prince to death assign Told in a Dream because he did incline In lust to wise Mark but what words severe Abimilech thou' rt dead except my fear Constrain thee straight the Marry'd to restore Untouch'd unduely as she was before Thus lust by God abhorr'd we by this time May learn and held by men a heinous crime For hereupon Abimelech we see Declaring this alike most vile to be And if you look where our large flocks do feed And where our Herdsmen them to Pasture lead You shall not shew that yet at any time Our Hebron left unpunish'd such a crime How very nigh had Thamar been expos'd To cruel flames if she had not disclos'd Then Judah's pledge by whom with child she went And doom'd for that to this fierce punishment Nor think that Judah first that Law did make As if design'd alone for Thamar's sake He was nor Head nor Judge within that Land Nor doom could give but as those Laws did stand But why our Maids behaviour bring you here Since nothing there can for your Cause appear What Sarah erst and Rachel since did do Were different ways from these now chose by you Withal your Husband if not once content Sure hereunto you never will consent To lend him to anothers bed you who To two at once with heated lust now glow And yet withal how vainly you uphold This evil Cause from Tales by Courtiers told As if the wanton Court should Precepts give To honest minds for Guidance how to live But that man in best things who would excel Must shun the Court there doth no Virtue dwell And they who listen to unchast discourse Though well inclin'd are made thereby the worse So it provokes lewd thoughts and to impure Desires unwary minds it doth allure But what comes here should Rest in Pain be plac'd Or things sweet held for being sowre of taste With labour hazardous what will be gain'd Shall that the more with love be entertain'd Because forbid on pain of death shall we Love what 's forbid and Rebels choose to be Sure that man's mad whose principle's so vain To place his Ease in Danger Rest in Pain So Flies corruption love there build their Cell Nor can those humming Insects elsewhere dwell So Fenny Leeks refection find in blood And bruitish Asses thistles make their food O praise no things as sweet that are thus sowre We love no summers frost nor winters flower Who with allowed food cann't nature still Hath an unnatural appetite to ill Who hath so gormandizers greedy seen That Meats by others which bespew'd have been Yet have devour'd Not any sure 's so wild To creep in beds whose sheets he knows defil'd The flower when dreined of its Virgin smells And grape of liquor which dull grief repels Nothing is left but that which none will use Sapless unsavory relicks all refuse The sick of youth who hates a single life A Maid befits not any husbands wife For him a Nosegay's good fresh pluckt not one In other's hands whence all the strength is gone Methinks in spotless love where of one mind In Hymen's band two are for ever joyn'd Whom except death no evil can divide There sure serenest comfort must reside O in our primier years what sweet is there Where such agreeing minds together pair Who in their chast delight withal obtain This added peace that this God did ordain But where lewd wives inclin'd to nought but ill Their bodies prostitute to strangers will There is no true delight for joy cann't â—e Whence chastity disgrac'd is made to flee SEPHYRA THou hast a fluent tongue for Virtu's praise And still injoyn'st unimitable ways But of those many things thou dost rehearse Unjustest Doctrine dost with all disperse What shall men onely their refection have Of dalliance and shall the Wife be slave Since as thou sayst she 's made for his delight Who yields her due when powerless to deny 't It will not hold when Souls of men we see Incline to lust that women yet should be From those sweet joys debarr'd why should not pleasure As well as grief to both be shar'd like measure Lo when a Father from a single
he for love who no return will give And thus unworthy you 'l your self approve If all my kindness you to none may move Though here you came an ignominious slave Yet as at home all liberty you have And by my means from Potiphar you see Large signs of love but larger far from me On our best things to put you 't is our strife He works of honour gives I of sweet life So that no greater evil here you find Except to you perchance we are too kind He with affairs that takes away at night Your rest employs you I with soft delight With ponderous things your care he loads where I Bid you but fix on me a courteous eye No day doth pass wherein I don't accost You in some place or other where I 'm lost In sighs unutterable looking so As sad dejected lovers use to do If then alone I find you language sweet Which but for Husbands not for slaves is meet I give By your neglect if ought is mist I calmly take it nor on pay insist Amongst our Nobles are you introduc'd That my good will alone for you produc'd When in Apparel any dress that 's new Arises that 's procur'd forthwith for you Though seemingly to honour Potiphar Because his Steward and with him you are But ah how far from that is the design To which my soul so strongly doth incline How I revive within this Court to view A youth of Body and of Limbs like you As sprightly lordly and so courtly clad The bare remembrance makes my fancy glad Rich presents wheresoere they may be gain'd I thenceforth plot how they may be obtain'd Best for you onely so that none may be Dividers with you but the whole for thee If tidings for my Lord for some to tell Falls out and know I it may please him well I charge you with it mournful tydings are For common wretches not for you to bear Bestows my Lord upon our Family A new-years-gift or what may th'like imply You both at first with them alike do fare And after get from me a nobler share If of my Gentlewomen 't is desir'd One may the errand bear of you requir'd 'T is first of all for nothing's good esteem'd Not good or pertinent by Joseph deem'd But why thus heap I words on every side Thus you through me surcharg'd with love abide But where 's my lone how are you grateful seen When one hand washes tother both's made clean Can he with Reason although scarce upright Her for her love with sullen hate requite Nay and resist it too has he the face To meet his Ladies suit will foul disgrace Lo Discipline and common Brotherhood Teacheth us love for love to render good For good and should you not that love which I Have shewn you yield me back with usury Ingrate so be thou call'd for favours sake So num'rous which of me thou didst partake Since all no one return again can move How are those looks though lovely void of love My sweetest hopes to this disastrous day As with swift winds I see are snatch'd away From thee nor languid sighs lamenting moans Once notice move nor yet my dying groans To Court I sent thee there some time to spend By which I so thy breeding did intend But that it seems with thee found favour small For where it should be shown there 's none at all But stay forgetful I too far advance I know this flows not from dull ignorance The will 's perverse Cann't Joseph if he would O yes but fancy doth his power withhold JOSEPH to himself A Harlots favours like gilt Pills appear Which please the eye but eat the bowels â—ear Disgust the palate like to filthiest drink Gripe the faint stomack and depart with stink This now I plainly see Seph What 's that you say What is 't you in those murmurs overlay I must not hear How will you in a Cloud Abscond your reasons now reply aloud How with your mind did my last reasons speed Prevail'd they ought Jos Not any thing indeed Seph Can kindness gain from you then no return Jos Yes but in you that grace I cann't discern Seph Is this my lone then I my pains may blame Jos Self-interest favours none will kindness name Seph But what unkindness have I shewn you say Jos What e're you could to steal my heart away Ah me when men false baits to fishes hold Freighted with sweetness but which death infold Is this a kindness flows this from good will The very love pretended 't is doth kill And such your favours are so they abuse The Soul with lyes and certain death produce But I of other favours too can sing Than yours more real far and great which bring Upon their wings Salvation and intend A love indelible that hath no end That God it is in whom I boast this love Who in these ways you run forbids me move Whos 's so great favours I should ill repay If that were all if I should disobey He from my Bretherens Blood-thirsty-hands From a deep Dungeon fierce enslaving bands Inevitable death prepar'd for me Hath rescu'd and from danger set me free At length me in this happy state hath plac'd And therein with high honours greatly grac'd Affording me conduct in that affair Committed to my charge and to my care Thus hath God done and shall I him offend And draw his wrath upon me without end For such unstable flitting joys shall I Chuse lasting woe and from my blessing fly To Carnal loves shall I my self betake And foolishly the love of God forsake Then lead my future days in grief of heart Where nothing earthly comfort can impart If kindnesses should hearts morosest tame And to the Donor with kind love inflame Sure then I ought to yield my God this mind Who has to me beyond you far been kind SEPHYRA TUsh what has God to do with me or you Our good adds not to him nor is it true That he fond man regards for him be griev'd Whose trouble in his thoughts he ne're receiv'd 'T is madness what of Gods fierce plagues is said Serves but to make the Vulgar sort afraid And that th'unlearned rabble of a Land Might by such means be kept in strait command In Heav'nly Altitudes God dwells to know For us too high what should he do below Amongst such clods of earth or mortals mind Who in his Image his delight doth find Should that great Prince that 's Father of the Light That boundless power judge man's vain works of night Here on this dreary dale should his great Soul Consider silly worms in dust that roul He in high Paradise 'bove Angels ken Triumphant sits and rules whence ways of men He cann't survey As that abode is great Ev'n so contemptible's this lower state My house is stor'd with most retir'd Alcoves Fitted to entertain us in our loves Profoundly hid they cunningly lye clos'd In ambages perplexing where expos'd No part is to the Sun to this I ways Have
young that seek him never fail to find Nor he to give them graces in their mind But he in time who this neglects anon When he shall knock shall find his season gone SEPHYRA THis yet agrees not with our years men say Deep thoughts on death make hairs untimely gray Farewel good days to him who hereon pores To these dull humours therefore shut thy dores Sorrow comes soon enough why with such kind Of pond'rings should we then afflict our mind He who on evils will before-hand muse When come in him will but more grief infuse Yet let them mope that please how ill it suits With thee fair boy however strong disputes 'Twixt Chastity and such fair looks as thine Are never wanting till that grace incline To yield to the allurements which are layd In ambush for her whereby she 's betray'd Behold from lips the Coral which transcend Soft moving words do flow that love intend And sue for a complyance nor can breasts More hard than Rocks deny their kind requests And Pleasures thereto joyn'd on every side Of every kind still Virtue doth bestride And conquer Although never so austere Even Virtue must the Charms of Love revere But woe is me to whom do I address All this discourse 't is my unhappiness To spend my sighs unto a flint a stone Yet stones have tears to weep but thou hast none Though nature made thee thus surprizing fair And sure where beauty is Loves seat is there Yet can my words though from a troubled mind In thee no pity no compassion find How can it be that in those looks should dwell Such cruel nature O that fierceness quell Be not so bloody-minded imitate Thy lovely air be kindly passionate Those slaves who in the fiercest battles bear The brunt and in worst dangers must appear Or those who are transfix'd unto the Oare Or who the plough do follow can't be more Them possibly it might become to be As rough as their rough skins but never thee Whose looks so sweet so lovely do appear As if they said it Gentleness is here Thy education and thy yet few days Soft dalliance more becomes and Bacchus ways Sweet Malmsey with a Song and on the knee A spritely Damsel wondrously agree And suite with thy smooth Chin nor can thy age â—t self from these soft pleasures disengage Alas to what I pray is beauty good â—t bears no fruit nor eat we it as food Nor likewise was it for the plough design'd â—t must be therefore but a shade or wind â—f greater good may not be drawn from thence Which who doth not deduce is void of sense â—s fruit is purely joy no good besides Within the borders of its view resides â—he blushing Rose though from the stalk ne're wrested â—r in gay wreaths by Virgin-hands invested Or by a Lover to his female friend Never bestow'd yet should its beauty end To soon behold how that its thirsty leaves Extends for dew each morning and receives Which when they once no more obtain they fade Nor leave o' th' stalk more than the wither'd blade Why shouldst thou spare that youth which wasts away So of it self time onely a decay Works on it and impairs its comely guise This season therefore slip not art thou wise Do I love thee I therewith thee accuse Thy beauty 't is that doth this love infuse Whoever such surprizing looks beheld And was not more than to esteem compell'd None thirsty view the Font's aspiring source Yet from a tast can their parcht throats enforce Nor any fang'd with hunger well-dress'd meat Before them see yet can refrain to eat Wine fill'd in glasses of a Christal white Is drank with more refreshment and delight Thou know'st though meats be ne'r so toothsome madâ— They 're loath'd if not in cleanly dishes layd 'T is strange yet true by silence beauty gains Rough hearts to yield nor once by words complains Although with eyes yet melteth frozen breasts And the obdurate by those dumb requests Nothing that from the lips of beauty streams But like a dew of birth celestial seems And overtakes with ravishment the heart Whether in jest address'd or earnest part JOSEPH HOw shall then Beauty humane natures praise Be made a glass where lustful eyes may gaze When comely objects are beheld then must The flesh think you arise in flames of lust Was this the end when Natures hand did grace With those Divine perfections humane race O no the gifts of our great God invite By no means man unto sin-born delight Nor was this giv'n it self by lust to please But by chast Wedlock man-kind to encrease His Masculine perfections her delight Her female graces him to love excite He loving her alone she him there are No thirds that in their bliss can claim a share He gives she draws his gifts by her fair eye Nor can she crave the thing he can deny And her desires agreeing so with his They both contribute to compleat their bliss This is the end of beauty to allure Thus chast affections that may long endure And they if chast indeed when beauty 's gone That beauty will out-live that led them on The words of beauty you alledge prevail Ev'n though they should hearts made of rocks assailâ— And I am fair say you O but admit I might now say what mostly might befit Your so obdurate heart and that might be Dissolved by the words that flow from me Yet there is more I for your Interest Humbly advise and press you my request Seeks but your safety whereas yours to me Moves towards that which will my ruine be Be then advis'd and sure 't is highly best Let not henceforth your eyes upon me rest Lust to excite but when you Joseph view Think than a servant he 's no more to you 'T is not enough if we refrain the deed Lusts in the thoughts from guilty breasts proceed And they who are inflamed in that kind Bear before God a sin-polluted mind Yet if the while my object in your breast Your lust should heighten and destroy your rest Great would my sorrow be Nay I before This should succeed my face in purple gore Would certainly convert my killing eyes I would reward with equal cruelties Within these cheeks my nails I would indent And in that manner them so oft torment Until no marks of beauty there should be More left but horrour whence all eyes should flee But you that beauty seek convert your eyes Unto that glorious Helion a surprize Will seize your soul from the first sight you gain Which fixed there in wonder will detain And ardent love and that will quite extrude Which in your breast you now so close include How vain alas is that we beauty call In looks decypher'd which we so extol Take thence the veil and that which meets our sight Is sores which very nature doth affright No sooner from our body is exprest That suspiration wherein life doth rest No sooner are our nostrils stopt but strait Our beauty
might is joyn'd with mortal hate What evil cannot these two powers create Like Thunder-bolts all letts they overthrow And fear'st thou not what all my power can do Think on thy case my Husband will believe My words and thee of all thy state bereave Commit thee to a Goal as dark as night Where neither Sun nor horned moon give light There then a cruel hangman shall torment Thy flesh and for thy mind fierce plagues invent A hand shall then that never knew respect Dis-robe thy body nakedness detect And on the painful Wrack thy members bind Them by his art unsufferably wind And sever joynt from joynt from foot to hand As men before the fire the wax expand By a fierce wretch thy flesh then shall be prickt With pointed gads he shall thy mind afflict That from wish'd rest deprive and the long night Extract so all thy strength and youthful sp'rite Yet more then water one shall pour in thee Which shall by stamps again expressed be So that all tortures which can be devis'd Together shall on thee be exercis'd In that mean while if one should sadly ask Why thus thou must perform this baleful task Say then the truth Because a beauty us'd Kindness love offer'd which yet I refus'd Unheard-of folly who will not deride This frenzy for thereto will be apply'd Thy hateful deeds O most of all unwise Will all exclaim who pleasure didst despise Justly doth sorrow now thy life devour Who bliss refusedst when within thy power Thou' rt duely plagu'd whom pleasure did invite To ease yet who in dreams took'st more delight Thy patience thus shall standers by employ Though the sweet sin thou never didst enjoy All shall thy innocency then accuse And because guiltless with all scorn abuse One that 's tormented for deserved crimes Thinks for his sins this is of former times And therefore bears his plagues with quiet heart But guiltless to be plagu'd 's a bearless smart Some ease it is in midst of all his grief To recollect past joys 't is some relief Pleasures to bring to mind enjoy'd of late But plagues unmerited are plagues too great When then long pains shall through thy vitals press Then shalt thou yet at last all true confess Which shall be layd against thee though ne're done And then is thy good name and glory gone What signifies a good report if we As criminals shall executed be If with transgressours 't is our lot to fall For th' end if bad there 's nothing good at all Be not beguil'd the flesh is falsely frail Pain shall with thee though just to lye prevail How many Innocents when come to dye Hath torments pain'd hath pain constrain'd to lye But go soft-headed for a beauty chuse Fantastick dreams which do thy mind abuse For peaceful ease swoln grief for pleasure pain Hate for soft love repining loss for gain Uneasie Prison flesh-oppressing bands For soft embracements in loves clustring hands The wracks fierce torments for my easie bed And with all plagues for pleasures to be fed Thus weeping choose instead of to rejoyce But ah betwixt them there 's too great a choyce Far wiser 'tis thy Sephyra to love Thy youth to cherish is a wit above The quenching of its heat why shouldst thou tame That in thy breast which is but natures flame So many men throughout their lives there be Who on pitch'd planks do plough the pathless sea Hazarding Life and Soul for but small gain Whilst thou through love may'st mighty wealth obtain Since I my bed present well may'st thou guess Thee I design besides all happiness Thy whole desire that but by signs exprest Shall strait be done unto thy hearts request Preserve this lesson he who can contrive How in our sheets he may to hunt arrive His work is done thenceforth the gentle prey Clings to her Hunter and doth him obey When once a wife doth strangers beds frequent The spare-box gets a crack the purse a rent Whose golden bowels then become possest By him who hath most value in her breast What shall I adde she who hath given away The key of all her honour she the way Hath to her treasure open laid besides Sharer in bed in goods the same abides Hast thou not heard that Riches to obtain Through smooth Adultery is so sweet a gain So pleasant a contrivance lightsome task That youth could never for a choiser ask Well I have done onely this more would say As but a means from thee my rage to stay If yet thou wouldst but ease my inward pains For Iron-shackles thou with golden chains Shouldst honour'd be nor evermore molested With slavery henceforth but now invested With freedome nay forthwith for thee I 'd have A place at Court which I would either crave Of Potiphar or of the Prince all know How far with both of them my word can go But if thou seek'st wealth freedom or renown Grant my request and they are all thy own JOSEPH HOw think you love may be by force upheld O you 're deceiv'd no love will be compell'd It moves of 's own accord ill must they fare Whose minds forc'd wedlock doth together pair To desp'rate shifts though fear a man may move Yet no coaction can be laid on love That free inclin'd submits to no command Nor doth of fear it self least moved stand If good your cause you should with grounds uphold More strong but now remember what of old Is said the maid though coy may yet be won But if the man refuse the love 's undone And sure I am few ever found success Who love from any sought by force to press â—mall recreation in their chase they find Unwilling Hounds who force by stripes unkind By various plagues you threaten I shall dye If I your passions to asswage deny With lyes you say you 'll over-spread my name And to my Lord detract my spotless fame Yet I 'm unmov'd Ay me should I respect The precepts of proud dust and so neglect The Oracles of God! my giddy head And heart from reason then would be mis-led Should I a mortal fear a wife before My God with lowly bended knee adore A woman so unconstant whose frail time Hath oft a period in its youthful prime No God forbid this folly let me not My self lay on my name a worser blot By foolishly assenting to your crime Than you can do but for a space of time Let come what will let sowr-ey'd scoffers mock Let scandalizing tongues disgorge their stock Of venemous report let cruel man My mind and body torture all he can With obloquy although I should be flung With malice torn with fiery tongues be stung Though shame her excrements and hate her gall Should cast I 'd value none of them at all Who marks of truth hath in his Soul discry'd Doth with the Moon the snails of dogs deride A blameless mind is fearless and outvies The highest rage of hate or brass-brow'd lyes This makes us fear no pain which
state Has fixt his Heart and all his future Fate There now and ever dwells I all the day Am here alone What then obstructs thy way His time 's employ'd to journey up and down As Envoy unto Realms of great renown That influence this Court So that we see None so belov'd by his dear Prince as he And 't is the Princes Minion which his heart Covets to be that by the Vulgar part He might be worshipped and Egypts Land Observance yield unto his sole Command O how he thirsts a thousand Knees to see For his good Favour suppliant to be And as he ever dwells at Court his minde Thence cannot come to be at home inclin'd Where if he be sometimes what need we fear Since his Mind 's absent whilst his Body 's there Thus who by Courtly Glory is deceiv'd All shews to him as real are believ'd And he his home who makes not his delight May easily be turn'd out from his Right Who can so fair an hour for this design View free from dangers and yet not incline To use the season sure 't is thy belief That oft an open door creates a thief And yet here 's more amongst our Serving-men My Lord more fit none deems for Steward than Wise Joseph none to him may Rival be There 's nothing pleaseth but what comes from thee On whom he dotes nor can he entertain Hard thoughts of Joseph or them long retain If sporting with his Wife he saw shee lye Yet to Civilities he 'd all apply See then how sweet a bit salutes thy lip Now to a taste if yet thou let'st it slip Thou merit'st shame He who what season gives Will not accept in after-sorrow lives JOSEPH THough Time and Place at your design may smile Yet no occasion serves men to be vile Though opportunities to wish attend Yet these no sinful practice may befriend Consult your Case with cunning men that know The influences of the Stars below They never there I 'm sure observ'd that day In which men might unlawful lust obey O no! conveniency may never make Unjust things just which you now undertake 'T is true occasion swiftly hence doth bâ—nd But this no foul Transgressions doth intend Though my Lord's business him oft calâ—â— from hence This 〈◊〉 to duty should the more incense More faithfulness from servants hands men say Expected is when Masters are away Let him be who he will he who will ply His duty onely in his Masters eye I deem a Varlet for who fears the Lord Like pains unseen will as when seen afford They who their servants value would discry Must eye them when they think no viewer nigh Hate me from Hebron drove whence by Gods hand Men me a Slave brought into Egypts Land In which state God I know expects I shew That faithfulness to whom 't is now his due Despis'd though first I was voyd of respect Me yet so low my God would not reject This said I to my self Behold thy call Serve Potiphar but serve thy God withal Be sure thou never dost from him depart He loves in every state the pure of heart Which singleness what ever from Gods hand Beâ—ides thee in thy breast ingrav'd let stand Though but humanity I would respect And for a warrant my mean thoughts direct To Laws of men here were enough for me The foul embracements of your flames to flee My Masters house most largely God hath crown'd As with rich showrs with blessings that abound His numerous bleating flocks encreas'd hath he That graze on Hills and Ships that coast the sea His Houshold multiplies his Land doth bring All store of fruits his state grows with the King He is at Court belov'd by high and low And so at home where all things prosperous go This likewise well he knows â—n words compos'd Of plainest dress he frequently disclos'd That God for my sake him thus greatly bless'd Which too in grateful language he express'd And now his private things attend my will All 's well I do nor can I do what 's ill Such constant love to me I find he bears As men would yield unto their only Heirs Of all things ample power I did obtain You only did excepted here remain If therefore to the Laws I institute I make this house comply this doth but sute With what 's my charge but none of these extend Unto your person there arriv'd they end You an Inclosure hallow'd are to none But him and unto him must be alone Nothing may be so hardy to frequent Your borders and your honour circumvent How could I then but prove abhorred vile If thus I should my Masters bed defile Thus bring unto so base so foul a fall His bosomes Treasure love and life and all Surely from Reason then I should decline Or from what 's humane common discipline So bold if I should be both to despise My God and Masters favour in that wise Much better I no more drew breath to live Than hate for kindness bad for good to give So double guile abhorred is by me None above all deep-trusted false should be What busie rumours should through Egypt ring What scandal on our people should I bring If in those ways which you have now begun With you I equally should chuse to run Is this the youth would be the say the seed Of Abram this of them whom God decreed His people this the Lad so highly prais'd And beyond others to preferment rais'd Hence thou and all thy kin from whom it seems In vain 't was not part of your lustful limbs Were forc'd as soon almost as men did find You breath what pity ought was left behind Well 't is my Charge of our Domesticks each To keep in bounds subjection due and teach By rods the Criminal so here I stand Judge and Law-giver by my Lords command But shall I their Supreme a Judge severe By heavy hands for each offence appear Shall I on others Laws impose and yet My self the foulest practices commit Or shall I when the lazy do neglect Their work forthwith their negligence correct Yet wholly destitute of shame the while As like a Goat my Masters bed defile The Chief when he in vicious courses lives More than the sin is the offence he gives For as to th'sin that wounds alone his score But the offence extends to many more O therefore kill these thoughts which so abuse Your noble mind such sordid things to chuse How should it ever be for Vassals meet Their Lords dear Name to trample under feet And on by lustful inclinations led Uncover and pollute their Masters bed SEPHYRA IF Reason cannot move your marble-mind Yet let that goodness which in me you find Towards you to the like awaken you Love may produce what Reason could not do As Lime in lasting Pyramids we find Each little stone therein doth firmly bind So Friendship is in Love's uniting chains Which hearts together joyns and join'd maintains Unworthy amongst Sons of men to live Is