the place where she before had been Thither they go and thither Phylax flyes Perching upon a neighbour tree unseen The gallant wash'd his hands and she her eyes But in her own soft tears of joy to think How she had com from death's to that brook's brink 27. Then on the flowry Couch by her he sits And ushers in his talk with cunning sighs His feigned cheeks with lying tears he wets Three times he strikes his breast three times his eyes He casts up to wards heav'n three times he smiles And sigh's again and her as oft beguiles 28. At length I am said he a man who by My birth as deep ingag'd to fortune stand As any hee that lives if Majestie Crown not his head and Scepter load his hand My stock 's the noblest in this land but one Nor bears it any branch but me alone 29. This made my loving Lord and Father spare No pains or cost which might his Son adorn From learned Athens tutors hired were Whom first the wings of fame had hither born Athens they left but brought with them to me From thence the truer Universitie 30. Thus did the curious wit of Greece become A member of our private family And I with all the world convers'd at home Yea in their dialects too as fast as I Could my young breath transform nor was it long E'r many sate upon my single tongue 31. A quick survey of all those steps I took By which Philosophers have Nature traced Then Mathematicks were my busie books A thousand lines I placed and displaced To Heav'n upon the Artists Staff I went And studied round about the firmament 32. Of Optick lines and rays the powers I saw In Musicks mystick sweets unwearied Pains I spent long nights and dayes and strove to know What reason married concording strains What divorc'd discords never I confesse Did any knot so pose my brains as this 33. The treasures of Antiquity laid up In old Historick leav's I opened How Kingdoms sprung and how they made their stop I well observ'd with what brave Spirits did How they their honours managed and what The beams of their nobility did blot 34. My recreations were those which some Made their whole work and it was noble too When weary from my 〈◊〉 I was come To practise martiall feats I went and so In both her brave professions I strove To follow Pallas whom I most did love 35. Oft have I been abroad and seen the field With streaming ensigns goodly terror spred Where how much more I lov'd to die than yeild Upon my breast good witnesse you may read Ev'n these sev'n wounds whose mouths once open wide In mine own blood my virtue testifi'd 36. Oft have I rode alone into the Wood To finde some wilde Antagonist some Bear Some Boar some Lyon the accustomed foode Wherewith I diet this my hungry speare You well may gather by the certain Blow I gave yon' Beast I am no Learner now 37. And will you think Pride speaks the word if here I tell you that my Fame swell'd great and high In 〈◊〉 in City Country every where Reports of Aphrodisiu's Worth did flie No high strain'd Parallel was made but thus As good or brave as Aphrodisius 38. To Court I never went but fewer eyes Paid homage to the King 's than unto Mine Devoutly did the Ladies sacrifice Their Looks and Sighs and Languors at my shrine Oft has the Queen gone out alone whilst they Forgot to follow Her if I did stay 39. How many a prettie Embasie have I Receiv'd from them which put me to my Wit How not to understand but by and by Some Comment would come smiling after it But I had other thoughts to fill my head Books call'd Me up and Books put Me to bed 40. This my Disease being known a Lady sped To me an handfull of conceit cloth'd in So quaint a Cover that on it I read Full half an houre before I could begin To ope the book and what did that contain But a discourse to prove all Learning vain 41. Bold Title then said I if thou can'st make Thy Promise good by learning thou must do it With that I threw 't aside but could not slake My curious fond desire to look into it I look'd and read and saw how finely wit Had whip'd it self and then grew freinds with it 42. Then summon'd by Civility I went To court the Giver and my thanks repay Look not said I for polish'd complement I came not hither Madame to gain-say But thank you for your book if learning be So vain a thing Wit would prove foolerie 43. Between a blush and smile she welcome gave To her new Convert But sweet sir said she I sent another book in which you have More of my minde than in those leaves can be A faire-writ book if you it please to prove In rubrick lines and characters of love 44. I gave not that O no it was a Debt Which I did to all sweetnes pay in you How could I choose for had I more than it They would be more than due but having now But onely one poore heart your praise must be Not to disdain my helplesse povertie 45. I would not for a thousand Worlds receive It back again How delicate a Nest In your all-lovely bosome shall it have If by that favour you will make it blest If thence you cast it take 't who will for Me Ine'r shall love what hated is by thee 46. Yet give Me leave to ask what Lady 't is Thou wilt exalt to sit Queen in thy Heart Whether her face more gracefull be than this Which blusheth heer in pleading its own part Whether her Stock or her Estate afford More arguments than mine to wooe my Lord. 47. If not then by these loyall Tears I shed Before thy feet this my bold Truth forgive Thy love is due to me Heav'n never did Make such a Man for nothing but to Live Thou ow'st an Off-spring to the World which may With Hero's furnish it another day 48. As when the Pris'ner at the Barre has done His 〈◊〉 storie he does fix his eye Upon the Judge and from his mouth alone In hopes and fears expects his Destiny So look'd the Lady with prepared eyes To see her Joys or weep her Obsequies 49. Full loth was I to speak but lother by Inhumane lingring Silence to torment Her most suspended soul and make her dy Without her Sentence Many a sigh I sent Before to tell what Words were comming out At last this labouring Answer forth I brought 50. How wretched is his Blisse upon whose Heart Whil'st divers Ladies of choise Worth attend With Loyall passion He must either part And so destroy his own or empty send Them all away but One and thus be fain By many a losse to make one single Gain 51. Had I as many bosomes as I owe To such sweet Creditors as Thou with speed I would discharge my scores but first I vow To thee dear
and cast my love away Upon impostur'd Lusts foule Mystery O Me was ever Heart so mad as mine Which would be divelish rather than divine 103. Surely I will revenge my self on Her I will a Tempest raise of Sighs and Groans To scourge that Gale which blew so soft and fair To steal a shipwrack on Me With rude stones $$Work$$ make this harder Breast without appear As black as 't was within when Hell dwelt there 104. I with my Howlings will these Ears torment Which were intentive to the Cheaters Charms These Lipps which lov'd his Kisses shall be spent In courting nasty Dust these lustfull Arms Which hugg'd His Body shall mine own chastise Which now I hate more than I loved His. 105. O all ye Griefs which ever fix'd your sting Upon a guilty treacherous Bosome hear Unhappie Psyche's earnest Prayers and bring Your stoutest Powers my Heart has room to spare For your full Train Adieu all Loves I now Must onely study to wooe Hate and You. 106. Why was I born may Darknesse choke that Day Which lighted Me into the World Or why When in the Boars my Death its mouth did lay Upon my throat had I not leave to dy Why did I scape that Monster to be thrown To fouler ones Hells Treason and mine own 107. Why dwelt such flaming Beauties in mine Eye As might allure and shew to Lust its way Why smil'd my face with such sweet Majesty As bade false Love be bold Me to betray Why rather was I not so vile that in Safe scorn I might have scap'd the Gallant 's sin 108. The universall Worlds Contempt could not Have wrong'd or wounded Me so deep nor thrown Upon my Beauties such a fatall Blot As they upon themselves and Me have drawn I 〈◊〉 not now been Heir to all Heav'ns scorn If in Earths Eye I Had but been forlorn 109. O righteous Profit of unrighteous Pleasure Whos 's Totall summ's made up of desperate Losse How justly when We trade away our Treasure Requit'st thou Us with rusty fretfull Drosse For all the Gains that Wantonnesfe brings in Prove but a Bank of Veng'ance on the sin 110. Still still I burn my Fire but changed is And though my Lust be cool'd my Guilt is hot And belks and boils for wroth Syneidesis Blows up its more incensed Coals O what Can help my enigmatick sorrows who Thus on my selfe my execution do 111. As thus she lay lamenting on the floor Which with her Tears was slubber'd Charis who Had all this while but stepp'd behinde the door Comes cheerly in and cries Break off thy Woe Dear Psyche t is enough thy hearty cry Has pterc'd already and appeas'd the skie 112. The Copies of thy Tears which there ly shed Upon the ground reflected high and are Already in Heav'ns Casket botteled Thy griefes now smile above and have made clear Gods lowring face look up and see how Day Shines friendly on thee and does bid thee Joy 113. With that she breath'd into her Breast the Powers Of unconceived Sweets the thirsty ground Ne'r look'd so cheerfully when Summer showers The deep Pains of its gasping Drought had drown'd As over-joyed Psyche now she feeles Warm in her bosome Grace's gentle Gales 114. Gales on whose dainty Wings Heav'ns Influence rides An Influence of such speedy Operation That though all Opposition's highest Tides Roar in its way through their proud Conjuration With instant Might it flies and every where Findes Victory attending its Carrieer 115. To Heav'n to Charis to Syneidesis Her thanks she mustereth but all array'd In scarlet from her cheeks For still she is Asham'd to have been lately so betray'd When Phylax flutters in and Come said He You to the Grove must back again with Me. 116. As when the place of Robberie you name The Thiefe in White or Red betrays his fear So conscious Psyche's Heart shot through with shame At that unlook'd for Word makes it appear In her apalled looks Alas said she And com'st Thou to renue my Miserie 117. Bid Me goe finde some desperate Rock from whence I may plunge down into the deepest Maine Bid me post headlong to th' Infernall Prince And covenant with him for eternall Paine Nay bid me do 't Or bid me not do this Which is to goe where my far worse Hell is 118. I like thine Anger well says Phylax but The Grove is not the same 't was yesterday Another Visage I on it have put Both chaste and safe and so thy selfe wilt say No Boar no Lover's there come let Us goe Both Charis and thy Maid will with Us too 119. This high Assurance cheer'd her timorous Heart Which stood in reverentiall awe of Him Besides her faithfull Consorts bore their Part In this incouragement Yet did there swim About her brest some tender trembling Doubts Which spred like Mist upon her cleerer Thoughts 120. Along they went but comming neer the Grove Psyche began to quake and closer cling To Phylax who reach'd out his shield of love The downie shelter of his heav'nly Wing Under whose cheerly shaddow her He led Into the gloomy shades the Wood had spred 121. For now those flattering Beauties which of late Had made that Place a Temple to Delight Were all unmask'd and Melancholy sate Shrowding her 〈◊〉 selfe in mid-day night The heavy nodding Trees all languished And every sleepy Bough hung down its Head 122. There Aphrodisius his best Teeth had tri'd And foure of them lay broken on the ground With spightfull restlesse gnawing to divide The Withe by which He to his shame was bound More than unto the Tree which He so shook That all its frighted Leaves their Boughs forsook 123. But seeing that new Company He bit His Lipps and Tongue and spit them in their face See Psyche Phylax cries the Gallant 's Wit Who hopes to scape confessing his Disgrace But by and by I 'le make him finde a tongue To speak out his imposture and thy wrong 124. With that he snatch'd from Him all He had stoln From Earth from Water or from Aire before The beauteous Veil'no sooner off was faln But Aphrodisius appears no more It proves an hideous Fiend and Psyche cries Running behinde the Tree God blesse mine Eyes 125. Forthwith a poysnous stink seiz'd on the Aire But Phylax quickly blew it down to Hell And Come says He come Psyche ther 's no fear Behold the Monster and observe him well There hung his cursed Periwig but now Two coal-black Horns is all his Head can show 126. The rest is Bald or with soars over-grown With which his Forehead too rough-casted is Though over it He polish'd Flesh had drawn Too fair a Plaster for such Ouglinesse See how the Boils run down into his eye To finde him fitting Tears when He would crie 127. Like to some Ovens black Arch so hang his Brows Over the furnace of his Eyes wherein Delitious Flames did lately take up house But now the Fire 's as dark as his own sin And being fed with
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
each busie blast Become's a stiff stout man whose face to store With beauties purest charm's unto the East The spirit flyes and in Aurora's cheeks The best of orientall sweetnesse seek's 40. But knowing that his breath was rank and spoke The place from whence he came he turn's his flight Into Arabia's gardens whence he took The flower of every flower and spice which might Perfume his words that from that double bed Of his soft lips hee vocall Balm might shed 41. The silk worm's wealth the dainty ermin's skin And every thing that makes young Princes fine Into one gorgeous suit hee crouds and in Each seam and jag doth gold and pearl in twine For in his passage as through earth he broke Great store of these hee from her bowels took 42. But for the fashion he was fain to run To Court and see how gallants there were drest Men of more various transformations than In Proteus wit and fiction e'r exprest Thus at the last accoutred to his minde He plots where Psyche hee may safest sinde 43. Sheeall the morning was retir'd at home Close in the sweets of his dear companie Who from her Lord the King of Soules was come His restlesse but delicious suit to plye And with exact attendance see the maid Might to no sudden danger be betray'd 44. In his al-ravishing looks you might descry More reall sweets than Lust in his had fain'd Heav'n clearly looked out at either ey And in his cheeks ten thousand graces reign'd As many little loves their nests had made In the curl'd amber of his daintie head 45. He from the Rainbow as he came that way Borrow'd the best of all that gorgeous store Which after gloominesse doth make heav'n gay And it about his mantles border wore A mantle spun of milkie down which from The Birds of his own Paradise did come 46. Upon his lovely shoulders dwel't a pair Of correspondent wings the driven snow On Scythian mountains doth in vain compare Its virgin plum's with these which feare no thaw Lesse white lesse soft are they and will at last In melting tears confesse they are surpast 47. High is his great extraction full as high As is the loftiest and the purest sphear There dwels his father Prince of Majesty And millions of his Bretheren are there Who all are Princes too that land alone Numberlesse Kingdoms doth contain in one 48. When Psyche first was born his wing he spred With ready tendernes her to imbrace That she might rest in that delicious Bed To which all other Feathers must give place Great was the Mother's care and love but yet The Infant was to Phylax more in debt 49. That was his Name and sure he made it good No tutor ever spent more learned care The stoutest Champion never bravelier stood For those who under his protection were Than Phylax did for Psyche being able To prove himself as strong as she was feeble 50. No Danger ever drew its forces neer But he was neerer still and did withstand All plots of mischeif that incounter'd her Arming her feebler Arm with his strong hand While she was weak and knew not how to goe He flew about her businesse to doe 51. As she grew greater so his care did grow Her weaning time being come he spends his art To make her quite disrellish things below Which likelier were to cheat and choak the heart Then make it live its proper life for she Was born to live unto eternitie 52. When she had learn'd to build a word aright He taught her heav'ns high language and the song Which lately in the quire of soveraign light Incessantly dwelt upon his own tongue Desiring virtue might be her first growth And Halalujah broach her holy mouth 53. But when she well could goe and well discern The way she went he spred before her eye Ten goodly Paths and these you needs must learn Say's he to trace as leading to the high Gate of beatitude God's own hand did Draw all these tracts upon mount Sina's head 54. Lo here is room enough the King's high-way Lesse kingly is then this All Hero's who Have climb'd above the world wish'd not to stray Beyond these bounds Be but content to go Where Saints and where thy Lord before hath gone That thou mayest overtake him at his throne 55. Thus did he gently grave upon her heart The Characters of blisse thus every day He reads some lecture least the tempters art Her young and pliant Soule should make his prey But they this morning being all alone She beg'd a story and he told her one 56. My Dear said hee there was a youth of old Almost as young and no lesse faire then thou Upon his head smil'd a soft grove of gold Two small half-heav'ns were bent in either Brow Nor were those Hemisphears sham'd by his eys Which the best stars above dar'd not despise 57. All Roses blush'd when neer his lips they came Whose purer crimson and whose sweeter breath They thought and well they might their double shame No Lily ever met him in his path But if his hand did touch it straight in spight 'T was pale to see it self out-vi'd in white 58. Faire was his stock his sire great Jacob was Not by the wife whose blear and waterie eye Did its dim self bewaile and was the glasse In which the world read her deformitie But by that Queen of Sweets whose price seven 〈◊〉 Doubled in service was yet seem'd not dear 59. He Rachel's son and her best beauties heire For her dear sake and no lesse for his own Sate pretious next his Fathers soule whose Care Was bent his own Delights in Him to crown He lov'd his children all yet far above The rest his Joseph he did love to love 60. He hunts about the proudest world to buy The choise of purest and of brightest cloth Brisk in the Tyrian and Sidonian die With which he cloth 's his darling being loth That fewer colours should adorn his coat Than all the world in him did beauties note 61. As when the gallant Peacock doth display His starry Train the winged People all In shame and discontent do sneak away Letting their plumes now all our-sparkled fall So Joseph's Roab by which himself did seem So fair his Brethren cloth's with wrath and shame 62. 'T is true said they our Father though hee were The puny Brother yet he ssiely did Incroach upon the Blessing which the Heir Was doubtlesse borne unto But yet He sped Onely by Craft had Jsaac had his eys As Jacob now hee would have been more wise 63. But though the old Man lov's his luckie Cheat So well that hee upon his younger Son Throw's all his Heart We hope no want of meat Shall force Us willingly to be undone Nor any Pottage that this Boy can make From the least He of Us our Birthright take 64. Thus they repin'd not knowing there was writ Upon Heav'ns adamantine leaves a Law By which this scorned Youth at length should
From Me this troublesome Creature to remove 77. He having sleeping in a Box of Jett A blacker Liquor drawn from Lethe lake Upon Syneidesis straight emptied it She rubb'd her eyes but found her selfe too weak To grapple with that stupor which did creep Upon her Brow and down she fell asleep 78. As when the Childe first venturing on his feet Carelesly stumbles to some Precipice His tender Nurse more griev'd than hee to see 't Makes on amain with most intentive Eyes Not on her way but Him who now she knows Is stepping into Deaths wide open Jaws 79. So watchfull Charis who did distance keep Till her Assistance might most usefull be Now put on speed and rowsing from her sleep Syneidesis Be not dismay'd said she Come you and I will trie what We can doe To stop Her who so faine to Hell would goe 80. With that as Phebus steals his subtile Ray Through Virgin Chrystall so through Psyche's breast She thrusts her hand and strives to take away That poysnous Brood which there had made its Nest Yet she flings back and casts disloyall scorn On Her who griev'd to finde her so forlorn 81. But Aphrodisius amazed now To see a Beauty which straight damp'd his eyes A Beauty which on Psyche's face did throw Unlovely blacknesse and monopolize All Heav'n within it selfe recoyled back Some Counsell in his troubled Brain to take 82. Mean while Syneidesis aloud does cry In Psyche's ear Mistris beleeve it now I am a wake and see your Misery But ô how foule a sleep possesses you What monstrous Apparitions are these Which your enchanted dreaming soul do please 83. Home home I pray This Grove grows thick with Charms And will be witch you from your self untill All Help proves tardie for your ripened Harms Home soon will cure you and your Bosome fill With better Flames than these which onely be Kindled to make an end of You and Me. 84. Why stay We here See see your Lover's gone Perhaps to fetch more Poyson for your Heart And double on you your Destruction This unexpected News made Psyche start She turn'd her head and saw 't was so indeed Charis had forc'd Him back and He was fled 85. Yet after Him a heavy sigh she sent And more would have dispatch'd But tugged by Syneidesis at last she homeward went Her feet went homeward but her Heart did fly Much faster back which Charis as she came Behinde did meet with and brought safely home 86. But Aphrodisius could not make such hafte As to outrun the Angels nimbler hand Half-way the cursed Grove he had not past But Phylax lighted down and bid Him stand Stand Fiend says He Thy punishment shall be Upon this sceen of thine own Treacherie 87. Faire hideous sir how has your wretched spight Clouded your memory Do you not know How mine and my illustrious Brethrens Might You and your fellow fiends to Hell did throw Did that fall bruise your Heart so little that It and our Victory you have forgot 88. Was 't not enough that in your burning Home Hot Blasphemies you day by day did spit At Heav'n and God but you to Earth must come And all your trains and slie delusions set To ravish his own Spouse for whose deare sake I here his Leiger lie the Match to make 89. Poore harmelesse Psyche how did Shee offend Did Shee incroach upon your Realmes below Did Shee e'r envie Hell to any Fiend Or strive to snatch Damnation from You Sure you have injur'd Her yea Phylax too For She 's my Charge and you shall finde it so 90. With that He from his holy Bosome drew A golden Banner in whose silken Lap His Lords allmighty Name wide open flew Of hell-confounding Majestie made up The Fiend no sooner Iesus there did read But Shame pull'd down his Eys and Fear his Head 91. For as the Lightning darts on Mortall Sight Dazeling confusion So the flashing Rays Of this bright Name the Furie did affright When Phylax on his throat his left hand lays And draws him to the Tree whose shade did cover The green stage where just now he play'd the Lover 92. So have I seen a leering Curr brought back Unto the feild where He did hunt the Lambs With guiltie ears thrown flat upon his neck With woefull Tail sneaking between his hamms With grinning Chapps whose whineing Dialect Speaks both what He hath done and doth expect 93. In vain He struggls For the nearest Bough Phylax with potent Art twines round about Its own tough self and teaches how to grow Into a Band more obstinate and stout 〈◊〉 was his Pris'ner whom forthwith He ties Fast to the Tree and home to Psyche Flies 94. Poor Psyche who no sooner was come home But Charis hasts her to her Closet where The holy Furniture which trimm'd the Room Wide open Prayer-books and Bibles were But she so strange an Eye now casteth on them As if her soul had never dwelt upon them 95. Her tainted soul grown squeamish now no more Such serious Acquaintance would imbrace But loving Charis found a private door Into her Heart and from th' usurped place Cast out that knot of Serpents on the ground Which round about her soul themselves had wound 96. And see says she the token that your Love Hath hung about your Heart and judge I pray What kinde of Favours His were like to prove Which by inchanting Poyson ope their way If Heav'n with fouler things than these doth fill Your bosome then love Aphrodisius still 97. The hissing Serpents roll'd about the floore Which and their shamed selves they gnaw'd for spight Amazed Psyche starts back to the doore Afraid of what but now was her Delight Till Charis with her valiant hand did throw Them whence they came home to their Hell below 98. And now the Virgin falling on her face With lamentable Cry Forbear said she My shamefull presence maketh any place Unworthy for such noble Company For bear dear Charis let me blush alone Left fouler here than those Snakes which are gone 99. And you my reverend Books your leavs shut up Where my Confusion frowns in every line When holy Eys draw neer then freely ope But ô you are too pure and chaste for mine Mine which let out my soul and in its place Receiv'd all Hell which close I did imbrace 100. They nothing else can doe but blurr you now with those perpetuall streams of bounden Teares Which for my wilfull Miserie I owe. O Eys if ever your salt spring forbears May you fail too such is my state that I Unlesse you drown me cannot chuse but dy 101. Shine not on Me fair Sun although thy Ray With safety can the foulest Dunghills Kiste I am a filthier thing than those and may Taint thy sweet Lustre by my ouglinesse Black Night will tell no tales O may she roul Up in her veil my correspondent soul 102. What have vile I to do with noble Day Which shews Us Heavens fair face that face which I Wantonly scorn'd
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
ground But all together A thousand Doubts did rosse poore Psyche up From one side of her thoughts unto another Three times she op'd her mouth but jealous Feares Would suffer Her to speak by nought but Teares 137. Which when Arenor 〈◊〉 he with his Eye Gave 〈◊〉 Commission to speak She marching forth with port and majesty Loves 〈◊〉 Deceit did somerhing greater make And Well I know great Queen said she that You Much wonder I should come a Treater now 138. T is true you sent me with expresse Command To force the head-strong Rebells back againe And make them feel that your illustrious Hand Is moderatrix of the 〈◊〉 Rein. And I indeed took them for Rehells too So much your Error upon me could doe 139. But when I found their Lovalty as clear As Slander fain'd it blotted I who was Dispatch'd by You but as the Officer Of Right and Justice had no power to passe My strict Commission and what need I prove What was so solidly confirm'd by Love 140. I must confesse when I had mark'd that Store Of honest Bravery of which poor they Were with the Senses robb'd I could no more To their provok'd Impatience Treason lay Than unto Tellus if in chinks she ope Her Mouth at Sirius who her flowres burns up 141. Yet they were generous and unto Me The choise of all their choisest Wealth did profer That by my hand it might commended be To wait on you And here their Gift I offer If it and them you scorn yet must not I Be guilty of such Inhumanity 142. Forth with she op'd the Scene whence streamed out The confluence of that gorgeous Fallacy Which on her heedlesse Selfe before had wrought Straight as the sweetly-rolling Tide grew high The Stream bore Psyche down as sudden Light Instead of day seizeth the Eyes with night 143. Agenor seeing she was dazeled by The flash of those Varieties arose And while she rubb'd and questioned her Eye To the Imposture adds this specious Close Wonder not Madame but repent that you Your Subjects goodly homage scorn'd till now 144. I am content the weaknesse of your Sex Be your excuse if now you can relent To ease the yoak which gaulls your Subjects Necks And crown their just Demands with your Consent That Pitty I unto their Wrongs did lend To your repented Error I 'le extend 145. The love which to mine own Queen feals my heart Makes it unto all other Ladies kinde For her dear sake I will to you impart Rich testimonies of my tender Minde I know she 'l thank me when I come at home That in my Mercy I have made you room 146. Behold my Mine of wealth From hence will I This Peace with pretious Tokens consecrate And will hereafter owne your Majesty As my Confederate Though prevailing Fate Makes me a Martiall Prince I 'd rather win By sweetnesse than by churlish force a Queen 147. Then ope your Gates Or if my Kindnesse be A Price room an to buy our Acceptation Tell me but so I can more easily Force than Intreat This warlike Preparation Did with more pains win on it self to make This Pause than it will cost your Fort to take 148. What help for Psyche now whom Power drives And Charms allure to her Destruction With heart-misgiving Thoughts a while she strives And struggles how she may not fear the One Nor love the other But away at last Her Resolution and her selfe she cast 149. Vain Son of Dust pull down thy foolish Crest And in this Glasse thy feeble Wormship see Who will commit unto thy wavering trust Another thing when by Self-treachery Thou yeildest up thy wretched Heart a Prize To them whose Power in thy Concession lies 150. I like the Terms right noble Sir she cries And must for ever in my high esteem Inshrine and reverence these Courtesies Which from your sweet Magnificence doe stream Then to the Gate she hasts and to begin Her thanks flings it wide ope and calls them in 151. Agenor sheath'd his mighty Sword and bid The Passions all perform what He had done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Order they first entered 〈◊〉 with his swelling Train Himselfe drew on And seem'd to cast a sirly Look aside 〈◊〉 the Castle Gate was not more wide 152. With Princely slownesse thus march'd in at last Her royall Seal He Her desires to set To those Conditions which before had past And in a gilded Scroll were ready writ She ran it over with a smiling Eye And straight set seal to her own Miserie 153. Then unto Thelema the Instrument She gave with full Commission to shut Her Ports when Charis or when Phylax bent Their courses or their projects thither But For Logos she consented He should still Remain a Pris'ner at the Passions Will. 154. With that My seal to this Pacification Agenor cries this Friendly Kisse shall be Mean while the Passions with joynt Acclamation Salute their Soveraigns Eare as courtly He Her Lip And fond she joy'd their Noise to hear Which all her freedome did in pieces tear 155. By name she bad them welcome all but on Agenor dwelt her Thanks and Complement And sure said she what you to day have done Proves you to be of that sublime Descent From which my Spouse was said alone to spring Who would not swear that you were Peace's King 156. Power reigns in both His Hands the Armory Of Heav'n where Thundering Ammunition lies In dreadfull Store is His yet gentle He By sweetnesse loves to gain his Victories And so doe you who for His sake to Me The noblest Prince and dearest are but He. 157. Agenor smil'd And Whosoe'r I be Repli'd sweet Queen I have no time to show More than by this blest peace 〈◊〉 what you see This 〈◊〉 of my royall Love to You. The World may need Me some where else and I Must not by loytering here my help deny 158. Yet if my Aid you should hereafter want Send and enquire at any Prince's Court And think not that Agenor now 〈◊〉 vaunt Unto such Inns I make my chiefe resort Nor fail I of due welcome for the best And Noblest Place is proud of Me its Guest 159. His Present was two Cabinets which when His Pages had set down He took his leave From her soft lipp through which He breathed in What her unwary Heart did not perceive Slie Spirits of self-Self-love and Foolish Pride And many mystick swelling things beside 160. With earnest Courtesie she woo'd his Stay But now his deep Defign was compass'd He With all his gorgeous Train made haste away And leaves her more a Pris'ner than when she Was in her Castle close barr'd up by Fear Of them who now all play'd the Tyrants there 161. Each Passion takes her swindge and does appeal To Thelema when any Doubts arise Boldly provoking to the Scroll and Seal Which did this publike Freedome authorize Thus Noise and Tumult every corner fills Of Psyche's court which all with Revells swells 162. So when fond Phebus doting
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
Death had on The Carkasse heap'd broke was that Cloud of Lead Which roll'd cold night about the Eyes and Head 386. The Worms were scrambling all away apace 〈◊〉 had into a corner got 〈◊〉 Ghastlinesse had stole from off the face 〈◊〉 froazen Numnesse frighted was and shot 〈◊〉 from the Corps Death sate lamenting by To sec that what He slew must now not die 387. Heat Vigour Motion hover'd round about Attending when the Soule her place would take Which when She saw as quick as her own Thought Into the Heart she flew and did awake The sleeping Blood When loe whil'st yet the sound Of the great Voice did in the Cave rebound 388. Out Lazarus comes O what Amazement now On the Spectators seiz'd They start they stare They gape they doubt they hope they fear they throw Their Arms wide open and divided are 'Twixt looking upon Lazarus and on Jesus by whom the Miracle was done 389. Out Lazarus comes and yet he was fast tied And in his Grave-clothes snarl'd for why should he By these poor Ligaments be now denied Free passage whom the strong conspiracy Of all Deaths massie Chains could not compell A Pris'ner in his Sepulchre to dwell 390. Out Lazarus comes and full as fresh and fair As Summer Flowers from their Winter Bed Which at their rising through the purest aire A daintier breath of fragrant Odours shed Nice jealous Martha needs not doubt for He Is now as wholesome and as sweet as she 391. But ask Me not why Jesus would call back His Friend who lay compos'd in rest and peace To this tumultuous World which Saints do take But for the Sceen of all Unhappinesse Whil'st Jesus liveth here his Friends hee warms With sweeter Joyes Peace than Abrahams Arms. 392. Alas 't was Abrahams highest Wish that He Might but behold what Lazarus now did finde How would He blesse the Sight if hee might see Him who imparteth Eyes unto the Blinde Who on the Sickly Health Peace on his Foes Life on the Dead and Heav'n on Earth bestows 393. These Psyche were the usuall Works whereby Thy Lord did to his World himselfe declare But in so vast a multiplicity That if they all at large recorded were That Worlds whole Bounds would not sufficient be To finde those onely Books a Library 394. And what meant these miraculous Dispensations But his Affection to proclaim intire Never with such illustrious Demonstrations Did royall Suiter seal his true Desire To his Queens Heart as Jesus here did prove How with all Humane Soules He was in love 395. Here Phylax clos'd his rubie Lips and she Who all this while upon his Tongue attended Both with her eare and heart was griev'd to see His high and sweet Discourse so quickly ended And yet for what sh' had heard her Modesty Paid Him her Mayden Thanks upon her knee PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XI The Traytor ARGUMENT IN sordid love of thick and rusting Clay Prodigious Judas LOVE himselfe doth sell But for the Pains besides the High-Priests Pay Receives a larger Salary of Hell Which met him upon earth and through his own Split Body rent his wounded Spirit down 1. ENvie thou mortall bane of Quietuesse And of thy Selfe what makes thy Rage so mad To play the Canker in all kind of Blisse And on thine own Vexation live A Rod To thine own cursed back thou art as well As to the Worlds and both thy Fury feel 2. In thy mischievous Womb was Discord bred The correspondent Brat of such a Dame A Brook which well becomes its Fountain head And doth with equall genuine Poyson stream A Brook which round about the hamper'd World Its Arms pernicious Imbrace hath hurl'd 3. This is that fatall and destructive Jarr Which frets and interrupts the Harmonie Wherein all Things concentricated were By peacefull Natures sweet and sacred Tie That Jarr which in Times youth did belk and beat Till to wilde War the way wide ope it set 4. War the foule Comprehension of all The worst of Hell Fell Belzebub at first Begor the Monster of his own proud Gall From whence in Heav'n unhappily it burst A Birth-place how unfit for such a Birth And well it was that straight it cast it forth 5. Heav'n cast it forth but Hell receiv'd the Brat And hugg'd it close and nurst and kept it warm Fed there with Fire and Blood it soon grew fat And strong enough to raise a desperate Storm In its black Nurserie which it did fret And all the Devills in Confusion set 6. When Lucifer saw its Activitie With hellish Joy He kiss'd his genuine Son And as He kick'd his Fathers Courtesie And scratch'd his kissing Lips this Signe alone Dear Childe cri'd He sufficient is to prove Thou art my Issue and deserv'st my love 7. Then from his own vipereous Tresses He Pluck'd a large handfull of his longest Snakes Of which with poisnous liberalitie A favour for his darling Childe he makes Who ever since with Joy and Triumph wears The hissing Discord all about his Ears 8. Thus dress'd without and furnished within With desperate Injunctions a Commission To be sole Generall of every Sin Of all Confusion and of all Perdition He freely grants Him and then sends Him forth To trie what Ruines he could work on Earth 9. The cunning Serpent lov'd his Hole too well To suffer desperate War to harbour there He knew that even in the Realm of Hell Division would the Joints and Cement tear Which in obedience to his Soveraign Pride The Peers and Commons of Damnation ti'd 10. As through the bowells of deep Tellus He Rent ope his Way amazed Nature shook Affrighted Quiet and Serenitie Their sudden flight to Heav'n for shelter took Leaving behinde an universall Groan Through all the World such fatall Terror ran 11. But blustering on the Fury sought where he Might entertainment for his Miseheif meet First to the Lyons Dens he went to see Whither their mighty Mouthes and armed feet Might not be taught to undertake a fight In the fell Quarrell of intestine Spight 12. The noble Beasts with generous disdain Look'd on the Monster and lay couchant still Seeming to say Our Selves will hold the chain Of our own Strength and when We please to fill Our Lust with Blood Wee l hunt it up and down The Woods but never riot in our own 13. Repulsed here He made the like Address To Dragons Tigres Panthers Wolves and Bears But they in their own Naturall freindliness Hugg'd one another and 〈◊〉 all Warrs The Monster vex'd and 〈◊〉 himself to That salvage Creatures would not disagree 14. At last to Man he came And who could dream That 〈◊〉 the softest and the gentlest Thing Which Heav'ns own carefull Hand alone did frame Man who could fight for Nothing being King Of all the World Man who unarm'd was made Should turn Apprentice to the Warlike Trade 15. Yet Man the Riddle of Unhappiness Unto the Monster entertainment gave Mad Man for whom a thousand Maladies Perpetually
Venus and unto its Cupps As to the Bottles of her bosome goe Whence onely furious uncleannesse drops This is the purest Juice that can be prest From Chastities own most unspotted breast 126. Of this milde Doves may drink and never fear An inflammation which might entrench On their chaste Spirits Devoted Virgins heer Their 〈◊〉 and bashfull Hearts may safely drench This Liquor breeds no flames but soft and cool Which though they burn cannot infect the soul. 127. Should Greek Canarie or Pannonian Wine Should Spanish French Italian and the rest Which crown the Bowles of Princes all combine In one Extraction and be richly drest With Aromatick Helps they would be all If paralleld with this but costly Gall. 128. Ambitious Cleopatra's sumptuous Bowle Where her Luxuriant Jewell learn'd to swimme And its inestimable Riches roule Melted and mixed with the gallant stream Compared with this Cup was full as vile As any Bottle filled at her Nile 129. This makes those wines all blush for their own shame Which in proud Belteshazzers Goblets smil'd Which Holofernes to the beauteous Dame And yet more Masculine then Beauteous fild That Dame who in her Nations quarrell durst Lesse for his Wine than for his heart-blood thirst 130. Sardanapalus with his Coste and Care Such precious liquor never could obtaine No Epicurean wishes ever were Advanced unto so sublime a strain As to desire so rich a Draught as this Whose worthabove all Fancies Compasse is 131. For where the Juice of other Grapes doth reign Both Sense and Reason feel its Tyranny Which being drownd together with their Brain Forth with each Member and each faculty To beastly Madnesse is enslav'd and flies On Murders Rapines Rapes and Villanies 132. But where this Wine of Angels domineers The Heart with noble Drunkennesse it fills For all its Powers and Spirits it overbears With a sweet stream of mystick Miracles Untill intoxicated by this Flood Of Love and Heav'n the Man is Drunk with God 133. Strange Psyche are this Drunkennesses Fits Oft have I seen and them as oft admired The World has thought these Men besides their Wits When with this Liquors flame it saw them fired But We know what ecstatick Raptures mean And Zeals exploits when it hath got the Rein. 134. Oft have I seen brave Spirits when they rose From this great Banquet fill'd with generous Rage Flie in the face of Sin and nobly choose The stoutest Foes whereon they might engage Their heav'nly Confidence nor has their high Adventure faild to reach down Victory 135. Oft have I seen Them scorn the Frown of Death Oft have I seen them hug the Crosse and Spear Oft have I heard them spend their finall breath In wooing greater Torments to come neer Oft have I seen them enter single fight Both with the Peers and with the Prince of Night 136. For well they know what Strength they have within And by tenacious Faith they hold it fast How can those Champions ever fail to win Amidst whose Armour Heav'n it selfe is plac'd What Battery can prevail against that Breast Which is infallibly with God possest 137. For to augment the Wonder Psyche this Great Feast of Feasts can never all be spent When Millions are filled still it is Intirely whole and knows no detriment So though the whole World drinks in Air yet still The undiminish'd Region is full 138. And yet not so For here each One doth eate The totall Feast yet each One leaves it whole These antecedent Ages cannot cheat Those which lagg on behinde whilst Heav'n doth roll And Earth stand still this ever-teeming Bord. The same Delights will unto All afford 139. No Fount lives on such living Springs as dwell In this pure Cup of Life to which though all The World doe daily flock to drink yet still It keeps its equal Plenitude nor shall The busie School with all its Company Of Doubts and Queries hope to draw it drie 140. Though all Heav'ns starry Tapers lighted be At Phebu's eyes his Raies are still intire Though in each River Fountain Lake or Sea His Image shines yet his original Fire Is onely one which doth it selfe so wide In its compleat Similitude divide 141. Thus and more really than thus this Feast Most absolutely One it selfe doth spread Into the Mouth and Heart of every Guest And there far more celestial Splendor shed Than when the Sun by his meridian Ray Triumphs upon the highest Throne of Day 142. The Blessed Lord not many years agoe Had borrow'd of the World Humanity And dress'd Himselfe in Maries bowells so That He became compleatly Man yet He Though by this Condescent new Raies He set In Natures Crown still thought Himselfe in debt 143. Right Generous as He was He ment to pay All back again which He receiv'd from Her His Body and his Blood He ment to lay Upon the Crosse and make Requitall there To all his Creditors and freely by That Payment ransome Them from Misery 144. And yet because his Humane Nature He So dearly lov'd that He resolv'd to bear It home in Triumph and eternalie Those Robes of boundlesse Love and Mercie Wear E'r He his journey took He plotted how It might Ascend and yet Remain below 145. Remain below and be as oft Restored As Man would please to take it And the way He Instituted was by this adored Mysterious Banquet which doth day by day Repay his Flesh and Blood that Man may eat And drink and with his God incorporate 146. For to compleat his most excessive Love Beyond the reach of any Parauel This 〈◊〉 Pay He doth so far improve That his 〈◊〉 Godhead joyns to swell The royall Feast for this can never be Dissevered from his Humanity 147. O Banquet fit for His Magnificence Who is the Universes Soveraign By this dear Project Psyche Mercies Prince Collecteth in his more than golden Chain His World unto Himself and ties 〈◊〉 close That no Disunion can interpose 148. The glorious Incarnation began To tie this Knot which now redoubled is There God vouchsas d to joyne Himselfe with Man Here Man has leave to make the Juncture His And knit himself to his 〈◊〉 O What God stoop'd ever to his Creature so 149. By this sweet Combination Men doe grow 〈◊〉 of their Singularities Their 〈◊〉 Interests their I and Thou Their Mine and 〈◊〉 their grounds of Avarice Of Envie of 〈◊〉 any comply In holy Peaces common Unitie 150. This is the Cement which together ties The Stones which in the Churches Fabrik lie The common Ligature which doth comprise Each Joynt and Member in the Mysterie Of Christs spirituall Body untill He The Shepheard and his Sheep in one agree 151. For as the Reasonable Soule doth swimm Intirely one through all the Body yet In every Member and in every Limm In its Totality doth single sit So by this Sacramentall Union Jesus is One to All and All to One 152. Beleeve it Psyche though thy Mortal Eye Sees no such brave Attendance on this Bord Yet
did flie Unto the bottome of Nights nideous Sea That now Sins Blacknesse chased was away Earth might behold a double glorious Day 421. But will no Pitty on the Body look Which now has born the utmost spight of spight Yes Arimathean Joseph undertook To pay unto it its Sepulchral Right And now with loving Loyaltie doth mean To prove that he had a Disciple been 422. A true Disciple though a Secret one Witnesse his Fear to generous Courage grown For though his Master now were dead and gone His Faith revives nor shall the High-priests Frown Or Peoples Fury fright his Duty from Yeilding his Saviour his own costly Tombe 423. A Man of honorable Place was he And Pilate easily grants him his Request The Corps resigned is unto his free Disposall which he straight-way doth invest With daintiest Linen that the Winding Sheet Might Delicacie learn by Kissing it 424. Right well he Knew this solemn Paschal Feast For bad him all Pollution by the Dead And yet his pious Love durst not desist Till he this votive Task had finished Being assur'd he could not stained be By handling the dead Corps of Purity 425. But is Ho busie was another Freind Came in good Nicodemus who by Night On Iesus whilst He lived did attend To gain for his obscured Judgment Light And in his blacker Night of Death doth now His gratefull Pietie upon Him bestow 426. Of pretious aromatick Mixtures He An hundred Weight doth bring to sacrifice Unto this Bodies service so to be Enobled and enhanced in its price The O dours smiled as they kiss'd the Skin For by that Touch more Sweetnes they did win 427. Mean while the Instruments of Death for this The manner was were younder buried Where they shall sleep untill a Queen shall rise Out of thy Albion from whose blessed Bed A Prince shall spring who shall exalt above His Roman Eagles the meek Christian Dove 428. Their deer Discovery is reserv'd for none But venerable Helen who when here Hot in her passionate Devotion Her Saviours Sufferings She her selfe shall bear Transfiguring her Miditating Heart Into each severall Torture Wound and Smart 429. Those noble Relicts shall revealed be In recompence of her brave Love and Zeal There for the Jewells She shall Dig and see At length the rude but glorious Spectacle The Crosse and Nail She there shall finde Which her Lords Body pain'd and her own Minde 430. Inestimable shall their Worth be held One of those Nailes to Constantine shall seem Illustrious enough his Head to gild And sit enthron'd upon his Diademe Two in his Bridle shall triumph when He Rides through the World like King of Victory 431. The Fourth shall tame the Adriatik Man And naile it fast unto its bottome so That on its equall pacisied Plain The unmolested Ships may safely goe Then by this Gem shall that enriched Sea More wealthy than the eastern Ocean be 432. But for the noble Crosse no Toung can tell The Wonders that shall spring from that drie Tree Which hew'd out by Devotions Edge shall fill The zealous World and quit that Injury Which from the fatall Bough in Eden spread Through all the 〈◊〉 sown with humane Seed 433. Persia shall take it Captive yet not dare To look upon its Pris'ner Pietie Shall thence redeem it by a 〈◊〉 War And then return it to its Calvarie When great Heraclius his own royall Back A willing Chariot for it shall make 434. But come my Dear here on the Western side Of this now holy Mountain Thou mayst see The pretious Sepulchre of Him who di'd And who was also Buried for Thee This Rock is it Come lets 's into the Cave No Temple is more holy than this Grave 435. Loe here good Joseph did the Body lay Here lay the blessed Head and here the Feet Hard was the Couche and yet no Princes may Compare their Beds with it which was more sweet Than Solomons although Arabia did With all her sweetest Sweets goe there to bed 436. The Phaeni'x balmie grave could never show Such soveraign Riches of perfumes as here Did from thy blessed Saviours Body flow Who soon the truer Phoenix did appear O pretious Place No Mau 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Into comparison with this must come 437. What are the Monuments of Kings but 〈◊〉 Memorials of their putid Rottennesse Whilst odious Worms and Dust inshrined are Iu specious Gold and Marble But in this Plain Sepulchre bold 〈◊〉 found Her Hands were more than the dead 〈◊〉 bound 438. This is that Oratorie Psyche now Whither the 〈◊〉 Soules 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Themselves and their best 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they Here all their Zealous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And in this Air their warmest 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 439. Yet time 's at hand when bold Idolatrie Will venture to prophane this sacred Place To turn this Paradise into a stie And holinesses beauty to deface To build Hels soveraign Monster odious Jove Upon this monument of divinest love 440. But all in vain for Christian Eagles still Will to the place of the dear carcase fly And their impatient devotions fill By feasting on its pretious memory Jove though the most impure of things is not So foule as this Toombs puritie to blot 441. And here may'st thou for I thy heats discover Sweet Psyche stay and ease thy burning heart Thy Uows and Prayers here thou may'st run over And with the pious world take thy free part Doe riot in thy zeal I will attend And keep the door till thou hast made an end 442. Psyche who scarcely for this cue could wait Fell on her face and kiss'd the reveren'd floor Where her brave flames so melted her that strait Her armorous sighs and soule she forth did pour And by the strong embrace of Faith and Love Seem'd there to hug Him who was high above 443. Through all his pains and all his wounds she went And on her own heart printed every one Her bowels with his wofull cry she rent And wish'd not 〈◊〉 seeing he found none By bitter thoughts his nails his throns his spear She copied out by tears his Vinagre 444. But comming to his death she fetch'd a sigh Up from the bottome of her soule in hope Her life would have flown in its company And made her passion too compleatly up Striving in meek ambitious love to have The ready honor of her Saviours Grave 445. Desire lay boyling in her ardent breast With secret groans her Aspirations beat With restlesse panting she reach'd at that rest To which her Lord was flown and in the heat Of this contention she was towr'd so high That scarce her Body upon earth did lye 446. But when life held her on this dainty Rack In a full Ocean of Inamorations And mighty Ecstasies she strove to wrack Her labouring heart And yet these perturabtions And strong assaults of loves intestine war She by diviner loves assistance bare PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XIV The Triumph of Love ARGUMENT LOve bindes in his own
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
I onely be a barren Tree When all the World besides so fruitfull is Forbid it mighty King of Souls said she Let not thy Psyches Heart the glory miss Of honouring Thee although my life it cost That life 's best saved which for Thee is lost 355. Much time in this Imployment having spent She chang'd her Task but not her Industry For next her Contemplations she sent To wait upon her Spouses Majesty The Marvells of his mighty Love to read Which over her and all the World was spread 356. And here with sympathetick Exultation And amorous fervor she her Soule did melt For in the tract of every Speculation His Acts and Passions in her Breast she felt Which alwayes Sad or Cheerly was as she His Sorrows or his Joyes in thought did see 357. A longer Pilgrimage she now did make And travell'd all the way with more Delight Than when by Phylax's Conduct she did take To holy Palestine her Zealous flight Longer she dwelt on every Monument Of what her Lord for her had done or spent 358. A thousand times she sigh'd and wonder'd why Brisk generous Spirits who hunt noble Stories Through all Books else should not be ravish'd by The Lustre of the Euangelick Glories But more exactly strave to know the List Of Casars Acts than what was done by Christ. 359. She sigh'd and wonder'd how a Christian Heart Which did not give its blessed Name the lie Could possibly forbear to snatch its part In its Redeemers noble History How Love could quit its loyal selfe and yet Not know whatever of its Spouse was writ 360. But all this while on Logo's Wings she flew Though sometimes Thelema did flutter by And these were much too short and weak she knew To towre and double that Sublimity Which makes Perfections third and highest Story The Crown of Saints and all the Angels Glory 361. She therefore taking Thelema apart With all the winning Art of Courtesie Devised first to charin her mighty Heart And make it plyant to the Plot which she Had laid to catch her into Blisle And then She gently grasp'd her hand and thus began 362. O Thou the dearest of my Servants who Dost wear the Keyes of all that I possesse Yea and of Me thy native Soveraign too Who have no power to stir abroad unlesse Thou op'st the Door How doe I wish that I Had more to trust with thy Fidelity 363. But since I neither am nor have no more Let this suffice to binde thine Heart to Me In gratitude thou canst no lesse restore Than prest Complyance though I ask of thee Some hard and costly Matter so to prove The rate and value of my Steward's Love 364. But I my proper Interest can bate And by my Subjects Gains account mine own What e'r advantage doth inhance their State I take it as Accrewment to my Crown They are my Riches nor can I be poor So long as they increase their teeming Store 365. All I desire shall onely be That thou Wouldst venture to imbrace thy highest Blisse And now dull Sense and Passion valiant grow Now Logos through all Heav'n so busie is Not Flinch alone nor be content to stay In any lower Region than They. 366. Remember that thy Wings of Strength are made And that no Flight's too high or long for thee That nothing ever made thy Courage fade Unlesse thy Selfe didst timorously agree To thy Defeat Henceforth be brave and bold Thou canst not fail if thou but holdst thine Hold. 367. Jesus the Soveraign Lord of Thee and Me Will give thee leave to make Himselfe thy Prey Reach then thine Arms of noble Love that he Imprisoned in thy Imbraces may Thorough thy happy Heart his Sweetnesse thrill And with the best of Heav'n thy bosome fill 368. If this Adventure thou esteem'st too high Throw down thy Selfe before His blessed Feet He cannot let thee there despised lie But with his ready favour thee will greet And for that Resignation of thing Hug and imbrace thee till thou prov'st divine 369. This gallant Challenge wrought so strong upon The generous Heart of Thelema that she The forwardnesse of her submission Forthwith profess'd upon her bended Knee And Heav'n forbid said she I should deny Your Pleasure or mine own Felicity 370. Though not at Jesu's royal Feet ô no I am too vile to aime my Pride so high Yet Madame here at yours my Selfe I throw To be accepted and disposed by Your Love and Wisdome Use Me as you please Loe I return you yours and mine own Keyes 371. Triumphant Joy straight flam'd in Psyche's Breast The Virgins ready Loyalty to see Whom she embraced thrice and thrice she kist And sweetly forced to rise from her Knee Then all her 〈◊〉 she took which to her side Weeping and Smiling in one Knot she ti'd 372. And now I feel my Selfe a Queen said she A Queen indeed Yet be assured thou O faithfull Mayd shalt finde thy Selfe more free By this Subjection than when thou didst bow To thine own Inclinations which have To Vanity full oft made Thee a Slave 373. Exalated thus unto her own Desire Into her pious Oratory She More cheerfully than ever did retire To celebrate a new Solemnity An Holocaust she hastes to sacrifice For which her own brave Zeal the Fire supplies 374. Did golden Mountains tempt her now to stay Did Millions of Worlds made up in one Inestimable Bait lie in her way And woo her but to let one Minute run Before She fell to work not all the force Of those strong Complements could stop her Course 375. No She of joyous Love in travell is And feels the dainty Pangs of Parturition Till she brings 〈◊〉 her mighty Sacrifice 'T is not all Heav'n can ease her smart condition Speed Speed alone would usefull be she knew Whose Wings she snatch'd and to her Bus'nes flew 376. A Preface then of thousand Sighs and Tears Before her brave Oblation she spred As many Groans unto her Soveraigns ears Like Harbengers of her Designe she sped Then prostrate on the ground her face she layd And of her humble Heart the Altar made 377. Upon this Altar bound both Hands and Feet Her Thelema she for the Offring threw And bend thy gracious Eye said Shee thou sweet And gentle Lamb of Heav'n to Me who sue For thy acceptance of this Sacrifice Which at the footstool of thy Mercy lies 378. Thy royal Bounty gave it unto Me But I alas perceive my Self too weak To manage such a great Estate To thee I therefore render it O gently take It home again and govern it for Me The feeble Handmayd of thy Majesty 379. Doe with it what Thou wilt so it be Thine I care not what betide it for I know Thy Pleasure like thy Self must be Divine O see how it pants and heav's if Thou Wilt not accept it let it lie for Me How can I love what is despis'd by Thee 380. As when the Lightning flasheth from the Skie Down to the ground it
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
PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE In XX. CANTO'S Displaying the Intercourse Betwixt CHRIST and the SOULE 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Greg. Naz. in de Carminib suis. By JOSEPH BEAUMONT Mr. in Arts and Ejected Fellow of S. Peters College in Cambridge LONDON Printed by John Dawson for George Boddington and are to be sold at his Shop in Chancery-lain neer Serjants-lnn M. D. C. XL. VIII INTO THE MOST SACRED TREASURIE OF THE Praise and Glorie OF Incarnate GOD The Worlds most Mercifull REDEEMER THE Vnworthiest of His Majesties CREATURES in all possible Prostrate VENERATION Beggs Leave to Cast This His DEDICATED MITE The AUTHOR to the READER THE Turbulence of these Times having deprived mee of my wonted Accommodations of Study I deliberated For the avoyding of meer Idlenesse what Task I might safelyest presume upon without the Society of Books And concluded upon Composing this Poem In which I endeavour to represent a Soule led by divine Grace and her Guardian Angel in fervent Devotion through the difficult Temptations and Assaults of Lust of Pride of Heresie of Persecution and of Spiritual Dereliction to a holy and happy Departure from temporal Life to heavenly Felicitie Displaying by the way the Magnalia Christi his Incarnation and Nativitie his Flight into AEgypt his Fasting and Temptation his chief Miracles his being Sold and Betrayed his Institution of the Holy Eucharist his Passion his Resurrection and Ascension Which were his mighty Testimonies of his Love to the Soule I am not ignorant that very few Men are competent Readers of Poems the true Genius of Poetrie being little regarded or rather not subject at all to common Capacities so that a discourse upon this Theam would bee to smal purpose I know also how little Prefacing Apologies use to be credited Wherefore though I had much very much to say and justly in this kinde I will venture to cast my self upon thy Ingenuitie with this onely Protestation that If any thing throughout this whol Poem happen against my intention to prove Discord to the Concent of Christs Catholicke Church I here Recant it aforehand My Defire is That this Book may prompt better Wits to believe that a Divine Theam is as capable and happy a Subject of Poetical Ornament as any Pagan or Humane Device whatsoever Which if I can obtain and into the Bargain Charm my Readers into any true degree of Devotion I shall be bold to hope that I have partly reached my proposed Mark and not continued meerly Idle J. B. A Syllable of the CANTO'S 1. The Preparative 2. Lust Conquered 3. The Girdle or Love-token 4. The Rebellion 5. The Pacification 6. The Humiliation 7. The Great Little one 8. The Pilgrimage 9. The Temptation 10. The Marveils 11. The Traytor 12. The Banquet 13. The Death of Love 14. The Triumph of Love 15. The Poyson 16. The Antidote 17. The Mortification 18. The Persecution 19. The Dereliction 20. The Consummation PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE In XX. Canto's CANTO 1. The Preparative ARGUMENT INrag'd at Heav'n and Psyche Satan lay's His plots how to beguile the tender Mayd Phylax mean while a contrework doth raise And mustereth Joseph's Legend to her ayde That strengthned by this chaste example shee To lusts Assaults impregnable might bee 1. ETernal Love of sweetest Poetrie The sweeter King before thy gentle throne Deign to behold prostrate Vow and mee No Muse no Gods but thy sweet power alone I invocate for both his heads full low Parnassus to thy Paradise doth bow 2. Thy Paradise amongst whose Hils of Joy Those Springs of everlasting Vigour run Which makes souls drunk with heav'n clensing away All earth from Dust and angelizing men Great David and his Son drench'd in these streams With Poets wreaths did crown their Diadems 3. Defiance other Helicons O may These pretious founts my Vow and heart refine Deare Love thou art my task If ever bay Hereafter court my Muse it shall be thine My soule untun'd unstrung doth waite on thee To teach her how to sing thy MYSTERIE 4. A MYSTERIE wrapp'd in so close a cloud That Psyches young and well-acquainted eye Staggers about it yet more shades do croud And heap their night upon its secrisie Feirce Belzebub who doth in blacknesse dwell Would fain have all things else as dark as Hell 5. For He th' immortall Prince of equall spight Abhorr's all Love in every name and kinde But chiefely that which burn's with flames as bright As his are dark and which as long shall finde Their living fuell These enrage Him so That all Hel's Furies must to councell go 6. For as the wounded Lyon in his Den Roar's out his griefe so from his boyling heart A hideous groan broke forth which thundering in His hollow Realm bellow'd to every Part The frightfull summons All the Peers below Their Kings voice by its soveraign stink did know 7. Nor dar'd they stay by kembing to make neat Their snarled Snakes or draw their Tails huge trains Into a knot or trim their cloven feet With iron shoes or gather up their Chains Onely their hands they fill with Rage and bring That common Subsidie unto their King 8. Hel's Court is built deep in a gloomie Vale High wall'd with strong Damnation moated round With flaming Brimstone right against the Hall Burn's a black bridge of brasse the yards abound With all invenom'd Herbs and Trees more rank And fruitlesse than on Asphaltite's bank 9. The Gate where fire and smoak the Porters be Stands alwayes ope to them that be without Hither flock'd all the states of miserie As younger Snakes though crawling far about When the old Serpent's hisses summon them Into her patent mouth of poyson stream 10. The Hall was roof'd with everlasting Pride Deep paved with Dispaire checker'd with spight The Hangings were of Torments fair and wide The upper end presented to their sight Great Satans Arms drawn in an iron sheild A Crowned Dragon Gules in sable field 11. On his immortall throne of Death they see Their mounted Lord who in one hand did bear His Globe for all the world He take's to bee By right his own and in the other wear His Mace on which ten thousand Serpents knit With restlesse madnesse gnaw'd themselves and it 12. His awfull Horns above his Crown did rise And made them shrink in theirs his Forehead Was Plated with triple Impudence his Eyes Were Hell reflected in a double Glasse Two Comets stareing in their bloody stream Two Beacons boyling with their pitch and flame 13. His Mouth well-neer as wide's his Palace Door But much more black his Cheeks which never could Blush in their own had rak'd the world for store And deeply dy'd their guilt in humane Blood His griezly Beard all singed did confesse What kinde of Breath us'd through his lips to presse 14. Which as he op'd the Centre on whose back His Chair of ever-fretting Pain was set Frighted beside it self began to
these sweets of my inchanting face Which have abus'd and tempted you so long These nailes of mine shall all those Charms erase And cut such ghastly wounds as soon shall cure Those which my beautie made your heart endure 141. I will transform my self into a State Which more your Pittie than your love shall crave Or if this love of mine must reap your hate Somewhere or other I shall finde a grave And there with greater comfort rest my head Than if I slept on your delicious bed 142. As when a mighty torrent hasting on Is by some sturdy bank forc'd back again The waters roar and foam and swell upon Themselves for spight to see their strength was vain So did Potiphera's heart whose lustfull course Unshaken Joseph back again did force 143. A thousand Passions boiling in her breast Raise up a tempest of impatient flames Still night which to all others sealeth rest Waken her cares Her bed with torments streams 'Cause Joseph is not there O where may we With heav'nly love a Soule thus wounded see 144. She has no rellish of the dà intiest meat But onely on distracted thoughts she feeds The spiced wine to other palates sweet Mocks hers alone and odious loathing breeds Thick sighs and tears from her own mouth and eys Echo the storm which in her heart did rise 145. Oft she renewed her suit but su'd in vain At last grown faint and sick she ask's him how He would her Murder answer Such a stain Will ill become said she thy dainty brow In the unnaturall furrows of whose frown The seeds of my unhappy death are sown 146. But when this mov'd him not who like a Rock Stood firm upon his solid Chastitie Her finall resolution she awoke And all her strength with it that she might be Provided to correct her loves mishap By valiant managing her plotted Rape 147. Watching her time she takes him all alone And harpy-like one Tallon clapping fast Upon his Clothes least hee away should run Her other Arm about his neck she cast Loose was her Coat and shewed her more full Then he desir d to see or I to tell 148. Thou art my prisoner now said she as I Have long bin thine though thou did'st scorn thy prize But I 'm resolv'd of thy Captivitie To make some use Thou shalt no more despise My prayers for I command thee now to be Whither thou wilt or no happy with Mee 149. Perhaps thy needles Maiden modesty Stay'd by thy Lover to be ravished Then be it so But if thou still deny My loyall Love I swear by thine own Head Which yet I onely worship that no blood But from thy Heart shall these my Wrongs make good 150. I will exclaim and tell the houshold how With lustfull force thou here surprised'st Me This monstrous Crime will cost thy life for know My Ly can soon out-face thy Veritie Had'st thou not better take thy pleasure here Than be for nothing thought a Ravisher 151. Whil'st thus Her lust foam'd Joseph makes all haste How to escape and loosning secretly His upper garment which she grasp'd so fast Leaves that to Her and out himself doth flye Wise Serpents thus their Ears against the Charm Do stop and cast their skins to scape the harm 152. Potiphera an hideous out-cry 〈◊〉 Her Handmaid first then the whole familie Scar'd with the noise into her Chamber breaks Where on her Bed hearing a wofull sigh Behold said she this garment Which of you Would think the Hebrew slave so bold should grow 153. He thought because his Master was from home My faith had been so too He thought that he Might as his Lords Vice-gerent freely come And challenge right unto my chastitie 'T was time to cry which I no sooner did But hee the guilty Hypocrite was fled 154. He fled but left for fearfull haste behinde That Pledge of his unfort'nate impudence For confident he me should willing finde He gun to doff his Cloths Come bear me hence From this curs'd place but bring the Cloak with me That Potiphar his Dailings Badge may see 155. When he came home she met him with this Lye And threw the garment to Him for her proof He took no time the businesse to try But judg'd that argument more than enough Joseph's to Prison sent a place lesse warm To him but sweeter than his Mistresse arm 156. He lay not long oppressed with his Chain But ev'n the Jaylor He his Prisoner takes Such pow'rfull sweetnes doth in Virtue reign That all Spectators she her subjects makes Heav'n would not suffer other Bonds to hold Him whom Lust's Chains and Charms could not infold 157. The Keeper now keeps nothing but his name The Keys at Joseph's girdle hang and He Is in this closer Stewardship the same He was in Potiphar's large familie Yet has no Mistresse which might make him be As ill in Prison as when He was free 158. At length the guerdon of his worth drew neer And dreams which had occasion'd his low state Help him to climbe up into glories sphear The great designs which uncontrolled Fate Was into Egypt ready now to bring Are in a mystick vision shew'd the King 159. Their curious brains the old Magitians beat About the Riddle but were all too weak To peirce that mighty cloud wherein the great Secret inshrined lay The King must seek Some wiser Head and whod'yee think was hee But this young Hebrew this the Man must be 160. He teacheth Pharaoh what the Kine did mean Heav'n shew'd him feeding upon Nilu's shore Why sev'n were wonderous fat and sev'n as Lean Which did portend the famine Which the store What both the kindes of Corn foretold what cares Were requisite against the following years 161. First thanks to Heav'n cryes Pharaoh then to thee In whom its Spirit I so plain descrie And who can better my assistant be Then he who holds all wisdom's Monarchy The throne and scepter shall continue mine But all the rest of Egypt shall be thine 162. Then his own Ring his royall Love to seale On Joseph's hand he puts and him invest's With purest Linnen on his neck which steel Had lately gall'd a golden chain he cast's And his own second Chariot to him gave Who lately into Egypt trudg'd a slave 163. Thus what hee was to Potiphar before What to the Taylor now hee 's to the King The soveraign Steward and the Governour Set but his Prince aside of every thing And here at length to justifie his dream His Father and his Bretheren reverenc'd him 164. Thus Chastitie's pure King his Champion sees Amply repaid who having got Command Of his own flesh and blood can rule with ease A Kingdoms reins in his unspotted Hand Take notice Psyche and remember this The Case may once be thine which here was His. PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO II. Lust Conquered ARGUMENT Lust who in ambush lay the On-set gives To carelesse Psyche as she gad's abroad Charis the over-powred Maid reliev's Phvlax unmask's the Feind
Lady in whose Worth I read Such sweet Attraction that were I to choose My Heav'n for Thee I would all other loose 52. But now my choise is made and long agoe Unto another I affianc'd was But who 's that Lady is a secret so Divine that from these Lipps it ne'r did passe My reverend Mother oft with tears hath sought But never could prevail to wring it out 53. Yet I thy noble Bosome honour so That I dare trust it there onely be sure To keep this Jewell close as thou would'st doe My Heart a thing lesse pretious and lesse pure Yet give me leave to cast this Charm about For fear thou lett'st it and my Life slip out 54. So may thy Heart-strings hold thy Heart as Thou This Mysterie of mine so may thy Love Be true to Thee and to thy Wishes bow As to my secret Thou shalt trusty prove So may thine Angell hugg thy soul and keep It close as in thy Breast this Thing shall sleep 55. A Thing which mine own Guardian Angell did Acquaint and blesse Me with When through mine Eys Love first began his amorous beams to shed And with his soft Desires my Heart surprise This winged Friend of mine look'd through a frown And told me that my Heart was not mine own 56. It is said he thy priviledge and see Thou thank Heav'n for it not to run and spend Thy Youth upon this wanton Mysterie Let Others study how to Walk to Bend To Vault to Dance to Kisse to Wooe For thee More sweet and generous Arts reserved be 57. Goe court thy Books and gaine such Treasure there As may inhance thy worth and make thee be A fitting Match for Her whom Heav'ns prepare To be thy Spouse whose face when thou shalt see The reading on that fair-writ Book of Love For all thy studies ample Pay will prove 58. Yet to yon' southern Grove thou every Day Must Pilgrim goe where thou thy Saint shalt meet And of a Monsters make her thine own Prey That with no other Word she thee may greet But plain Confession that thine is her Life Thus Heav'n contriv's that thou shalt win thy Wife 59. These are my Fortunes Madam yet unknown Ev'n by the sweeter Half unto my Self And sure your hand would help to thrust me down Into the bottom of all torments gulph Should Wantonnesse invite Me to despise A Blessing higher than my Pride could rise 60. Then happy She the Lady crie's who e'r She be that must hugg Happines in you And yet permit mine Eye one other Teare 'T is not of Envy No Deare Sir Adieu It pittied me to see this gentle fashion Of her sincere but unsuccesfull Passion 61. We parting thus I hasted to this Grove Amongst whose spicy trees I knew would grow My sweeter Hopes But Heav'n it seems would prove The valour of my Patience and throw Procrastinations in my way that I Might earne its favour by my Constancy 62. How often came I and with bended knee On every flowrie Cushion of the Grove Implor'd the speed of my Felicity How oft in this sweet Temple has great Love Receiv'd mine Heart an Off'ring all on Fire With flames of soft but vehement desire 63. At length my Prayers were heard and this deare day Did in that blessed Moment send mee hither Which shew'd mee that my long expected Joy Was now full grown and ripe enough to gather Had I not pluck'd it streight the Monster had Of all its Sweetnes his foule Booty made 64. First then to Heav'n my full-tide thanks I pay And next to Thee my noble Guardian who Before my hopes no forged Bait did'st lay Each smallest Circumstance agreeth so That this the Lady is and none but She Design'd by Heav'n to crown my joys and Me. 65. All Blessings on thy head my Psyche that I know for certain needs must be thy Name That Angell told me it whose counsell put Me on this bless'd adventure when I came To save thy life both for thy self and mee And make of thine my joynt Felicity 66. Heer then my Heart I give thee and I seal The Deed with this true Kisse May Curses rain Thick on my head if ever I repeal What I have done or challenge back again This gift of mine whose fault is onely this Of thy Desert it to unworthy is 67. The Seaman by some furious Tempest thrown Into the seeming Depth of roaring Death If he by suddaine Fortune back be blowne Into the gentle Harbour wondereth At his strange safety and scarce trusts his eys But doubts a long time whither he live's or die's 68. So Psyche snatch'd from Dangers desperate jaws Into the Arms of this illustrious Lover The truth of her condition hardly knows But in suspensive thoughts a while doth hover Deceive me not saith she a frighted Mayd To poore great Sir by you to be betray'd 69. If still I live and all this be no Dream For sure your story 's such an heavn'ly thing That simple I alas unworthy seeme To be concern'd in it Be pleas'd to bring Some further proof Where Miracles are done Faith must have open Helps to bring her on 70. Then be the first proof Aphrodisius cries This Diamond Ring in which thy self mayst see The radiant Copy of thine owne fair eys The next this Jewell what thou art to Me Let that attest yet pardon me that I Gave it that pretious Name now thou art by 71. The third that delicate Imbrace shall be For which all Loves are kindled that which will The sweetest of Assurance give to thee And my great Guardians Prophesie fulfill Come I can give thee leave to blush a Maid Of what she loves most must be most afraid 72. Were not our Case Divine awhile I 'd stay And by our Humane Ceremonies marry But we did Wed above and what can they Add to Heavn's Rites O no 't is sinne to tarrie My Angell would have told me never feare Had it been otherwise Come then my Deare 73. Forgetfull Psyche now enchanted quite By these his glorious Wiles set ope her Breast Unto the Fancies of unclean Delight Forthwith a Knot of unseen Serpents prest Into her heart and set it so on fire That straight it flamed out with foul Desire 74. But Phylax instantly descry'd the flame And wakeing up Syneidesis He cries Run run and help to save your dying Dame Look how her funerall flames already rise Up gets the Mayd and instantly thrusts in Between the Lovers and their ready sin 75. Psyche starts back whil st shame so heavy sate Upon her Eyes that down it pressed them 〈◊〉 Wretch cries Aphrodifius what Has made thy Life so vile that thou dost come To forfeit it to me I prithee goe Die somewhere else I 'd be no Womans Foe 76. O then says she Forbear to stain my pure And spotlesse Mistris Fie cries Psyche fie I know her not My Lord will you indure I should such saucie Servants own as she Be it another proof of your strong Love
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
does answer it and now Becomes a Needle and its Eye can show 32. Then from his golden Locks that curled Grove Where thousand little Loves for ever play He pluck'd an Haire and this said He will prove Sufficient Thred to finish all thy gay Imbroyderie 't will stretch and alwaies be Longer and longer to Eternity 33. Heer take thy Tools and let th' Invention be Thine owne Conceit for who can better fitt The Emblematick gift of Chastitie Than thou the Mother both of Me and it She bowing low her thanks and Dutie throws Before his feet and to her work she goes 34. Millions of Graces tripped after hâ—r The fair attendants on her 〈◊〉 rain Unto that Tower of living Chrystall where Thy Vision lately Thee did entertaine That Miâ—â—ie Way which downe Heavn's Mountain flows Its beauteous smoothnes to her footsteps ows 35. Oft had she trac'd it for you see the Way Is broad and Heavn's faire amplitude doth suit Yet ne'r with cheerlier Count'nance than that Day 〈◊〉 the decotum she did well compute Rejoycing that this Virgin-work should be 〈◊〉 to the Mother of Virginity 36. The Castle Gares did in a smile stand ope To see their Queen and bid her wellcome in She looks about her in that curious shop Of Purities uncertain where to ' gin Nothing dislikes Her but she spends her care Among so many Bests which to preferre 37. The lofty Roofe of the illustrious Hall With Sighs and amorous Languishment was seel'd From whence upon the princely floor did fall Full many an hearty Teare which there did yeeld A 〈◊〉 Pavement which the cool Grounds Kisse Into chast firmitude did chrystalize 38. The Twilights teares 〈◊〉 in the Laps of flowers Reflected not so 〈◊〉 Heavn's rising Eye When Phebus let in the diurnall Howres And trimm'd his face upon the Morning skie As these reverberated that fair Look Which from the Virgins entring face they took 39. The Walls impeopled were with all the stories Of those whom Chastity had cloth'd in White From antient Abels most unspotted Glories Unto the latest Beames of Virgin-light That Abel who first to his 〈◊〉 tied Martyrdomes 〈◊〉 in whose Bed he died 40. But at the upper end a Table hung All of one sparkling Diamond faire and high Whose brighter lines can by no Angells tongue Be fully read It was the History Of Love himself crav'd by art so divine That every Word the Table did out shine 41. Long look'd shee on this pourtract and forgot By looking long almost for what shee came The Sight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her eys that shee had not Her wonted power to be Queen of them At 〈◊〉 shee calls them home and bids withall Her heart come back which out with them had stole 42. Then ô. cries shee that this unworthy Hand Could draw those lines of Blisse of Life of Love A thousand yeares I d be content to stand And practise heer so I at length might prove Artist enough to forme one Copy which With more than all Heav'n would the Earth inrich 43. But my Almighty Lord and Sonne who did React his stories on this diamond sceen By his owne finger can be copied Onely by it Though He would make a Queen Of worthlesse Me yet He was pleased still In his poor Handmaid some defect should dwell 44. This Word straight summoned into the Cheek Of all the Graces which about her prest An universall Blush to see how meek Their Empresse was And give us leave at least Say they to copy this Humility More due to Us than unto royall Thee 45. But turning to the next her studious eye And reading in that Table fairely drawn The sweet Exploits of her Virginitie She blushed more than they and of their owne Blush made them all asham'd to see how farr It was out-blushed and out-grain'd by her 46. What help cries she for He is Lord and King What help if he be pleas'd to have it so If He my Memorie next his owne will bring And print it in a Book of Diamond too 'T is not the picture of what I did merit But what his love hath made me to inherit 47. With that the Graces all upon their knecs In a conspiracy of reverend Love Assault her thus Seek no more stories these Of thine the best imbroyderie will prove Degrade not what thy Son preferres nor be Because he loves thee thine owne Enemie 48. Nay gentle Sisters sweetly she replies I love my selfe too well to be so proud Let other Hands applaud my Victories But to mine own it must not be allow'd Were that my Work this Needle at each letter Would prick my Heart because I was no better 49. Loe in that Rubie Table there I see A heav'nly Storie well the Man I know A pretious Friend both to my Lord and Me When We with Him were Sojourners below Pure was his Life pure was his Office too Cleansing the Way where Purenesse was to goe 50. Whil'st on the noble Baptist thus her Eye And Praises dwelt a Grace had fill d in haste Her lappe with Lilies and the mayden prize Into a Chair of Alablaster cast The gentle Virgin smil'd at first to see 't Then down she sate and made her Cushion sweet 51. Her diligent Maydens compasse Her about And with a Jewell each one ready stands To her pure Work she falls and as she wrought A sweet Creation followed her Hands Upon her Knee apace the Table grew And every Figure to the Texture flew 52. As active Fancy in a Midnights Dream With strange extemporall dexterity What Sceens what Throngs what Worlds she lists doth frame Making the most divided things agree And most united quarrell though one Cell Be all the room for this vast spectacle 53. So wrought the nimble Artist and admired Her selfe to see the Work go on so fast Sure the ambitious Historie desired To this its own new honour to make haste And purchase to its single Rubie Beams The various Lustres of ten thousand gems 54. The forward Figures crowded close for all Would needs come in and rather chose to be Justled and throng'd and nipp'd into a small Yet a well ordered Epitomie Than in that little Dwelling loose their seat Where sweet Contraction would make them more great 55. And now the Girdle proves a Multitude Of sundry things made friends and tied in one But eminent among the rest is shew'd The lovely Master of the businesse John One-different John who as the Work doth rise Lives preaches washes suffers prison dies 56. Th' Imbroyderie finish'd thus that with more speed She might present it to her mighty Sonne She gives command her Birds be harnested Quick as the Word her ready Maydens run And from the milkie shore of the next spring Five Paire of her immortall Pidgeons bring 57. Her Coach was double gilt with that pure Light Whose grosser part fills Phebu's face with glory Not glaring like his Eyes but Milde and White Shining much like its Owners Virgin-storie Her Coursers take their place and
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
as she 20. But irefull Haphe less could rule her pride Imperious Dame cri'd she how darest thou Who in two little tender Cells are ti'd Such saucie scorn on all thy Sisters throw Dost thou not plainly see my Empire spred Through all the Body ev'n from Foot to Head 21. Doe I not domineer in and about Thy totall selfe would not this single Naile Sufficient be to tear your Queenship out From both your Thrones Alas should I assaile Thee with two wretched Motes they would suffice To damp that Day in which thou prid'st thine Eyes 22. Thus is Rebellion alwaies Quarrelsome Ev'n with it selfe Had not their Judge made haste To stifle their Contention in the womb Flat Warre had been brought forth But in hee cast His peremptory Sentence Hold said He I in my House must have you all agree 23. This is the Main how small so e'r it seems Whether all your severall winding Courses tend Here doe you poure in your concurrent streams And in this Sea of Sense your Rivers blend A Sea where never storm arose as yet Farre be it then I now should suffer it 24. I love you All and if it could but be Would wish that every One might be supream 'T is true what noble Haphe sayes and she Most like my selfe doth Universall seem Yet she is of a courser mixture and As well as highest does the lowest stand 25. But gallant Opsis sprightfull is and bright The glass or Heav'n above and Heav'n below Her seat's compleatly highest and the Right Of her Precedency her Beams do show She 's all your Candle and before must goe Ev'n your own Interest requires it so 26. Condemned Haphe to this Sentence paid Scornfull obedience vowing not to speak At all or be the last But straight array'd In joyous Aspect Opsis did awak Her richest sweets to let her sisters see What cause she had to scorn their Poverty 27. Yet what means Joy to smile in these mine Eyes Said she so long as Psyche Domineers And makes them worse than Blinde Could it suffice Her now and then to set abroach my Teares 'T were tolerable but alas poor I Must in my sorrows alway steeping lie 28. The Ocean with lesse Constancie doth throw Its Tide of Salt upon the troubled shore Than from my Springs the streames are forc'd to flow And down my scalded Cheeks their Billows poure O why must here be everlasting Brine Whil'st all Tides else doe know an Ebb but mine 29. Yet were these Floods found needfull to make clean Mine Eyes and mee I would not think them dear But what Crime stains Us Is 't that we have seene All Beauties round about the Hemispheer What were We made for else Alas that we For our Creations End must guilty be 30. More justly Psyche Articles might draw Against that God on whom she fawneth so Is 't not by His irrefragable Law That through all Visibility wee goe Bold Hypocrite who her own faults doth thus Reveng upon her God by torturing Us. 31. Are not the Eyes those universall Glasses In which the World doth fairly copied lie Man for a Microcosme by favour passes But in a blinde and duskie Mystery I am the onely faithfull Mirrour where All things in their true colours painted are 32. Nay Psyche too although her mixture be Pure and spirituall knows not how to hide Her subtile self from my Discovery She by these Windows eas'ly is descri'd Whether she wakes or sleeps or rests or moves Whether she sighs or smiles or hates or loves 33. Sure would proud she deign to observe how I Am fram'd and seated she could not despise The manifest and secret Majesty Which doth both compasse and compose mine Eyes But she is angry and doth plainly prove That Hate is also blind as well as Love 34. Were it not so she might discern this Brow The princely Arch which roofs my Habitation In which as resolute Disdain doth grow As she can dart at it This is the fashion Of the fair world above whose radiant Eye The upper Orbs have arch'd with Majesty 35. Those double Doors whose hinges are my Will Both shut and open without pain and noise Else could they not catch tender Sleep which still Is coy and shie and flies from every Voice These are my East and West My Day by these Doth rise and set as often as I please 36. At either Gate a double Guard of Pikes With prest attendance stands both night and day Which gives admission unto those it likes But to injurious Guests shuts up the way Right trusty Hairs whose faithfull Fear to Me Breeds no Dishonour but Security 37. Full is my House of nimble Servants who Their diligent selves in all my Businesse stretch Which way soever I desire to goe With sweet activity they thither reach No Princes steeds with greater speed or ease Devoure their way than I am roll'd by these 38. Six pretious Curtains close imbrace my Bed Where I in dainty state inshrined lie The Adnate Tunicle is outmost spred Which doth protection to the rest supply And in her bosome shrowd both them and mee From hasty Motions importunity 39. The next a Corneous Veil both firm and bright My naturall Lanthorne whose diaphanous side As it transmits so it preserves the Light By which the Body and my selfe I guide No Time can spend this Lamp no boistrous storm Can puff it out or breath it any harm 40. The third of Grapes soft polish'd Coat is made Yet with a gentle Roughnesse lin'd within Through which all kindes and tribes of Colours trade And traffick with the inner Chrystalline The doubtfull skin of Polypus did ne'r Slide through such various Looks as sport it here 41. This opes a Casement to the Pupil which My gaudy Iris round about doth dresse With perfect beauties shaming all those rich Streaks of the Heav'n above which can expresse Onely the semi-glories of a Bow Mine doth a faire and totall Circle show 42. The fourth 's that tender Membran which doth kisse And hugg the tenderer Pupil when the Light Looks with full court'sie on the Eye then this Opes wide to meet and drink it in when Night Doth draw her sable Curtains over Heav'n This doth the Pupill shrink into its Ev'n 43. The fift of Chrystall is soft warm and thin Found no where but in my rich Treasury This is that noblest Glasse of Life wherein Things living live again and things which lie Dead every where beside enlivened be And trip about with brisk activity 44. The sixt's a Texture of so fine a threed That neat Arachne did the Spinster seem Whose matchlesse Artifice so clear is read In every Line that thence it takes its name We call 't Aranea a Net whereby I catch the purest-winged Beams that flie 45. Besides such pretious Humors I contain As mee adorn with richer puritie Than does the boundlesse jewell-paved Main Its Empresse Thetis She in all her Sea Is but of one salt-roy'led liquor Queen But I of
Mother-Perl and thus dwells Acoe 72. The outward Room 's oblique that violent Sounds May manners learn and not rush in too fast And narrow too so to protect my Bounds Which by no stealing Uermin must be pass't Yet if they venture I have lime-twiggs there To make them sure tenacious Wax and Haire 73. And at this Chambers end doth stand my Drumm Made of a Parchment soft and thin and dry And ready corded But the second Room Is of my active Tools the Treasury My Hammers and my Anvils place is there By which I Forge all sounds I please to hear 74. By them three little busie Bones do lie Which when my Drumm is beat articulate Each breeding Noise and Voice which that way flie Just as the Teeth at prattling Lingua's Gate Indeed she onely would be thought to make The shapes of Words but Acoe too can speak 75. Behind these two a Third is built whose frame So busie is and dubious and full Of Labyrinths that thence it takes its Name Six Semicircles there hook in and pull The Sound to every corner that it may Grow well acquainted e're it pass away 76. Next unto that my most reserved Cell Wreaths up its pliant selfe in privacy Have you not seen the Periwinkle shell Roll'd up about it selfe Such folds has my Dark Closet whence I by a private slit To thee grave Censor all my News transmit 77. If Psyche would but well consider this Sure she would deign me some respect Yet I Want not an ample Troop of Witnesses To prove my Worth With that she turn'd her Eye When strait-way in a decent equipage Her train Anamnesis brought on the stage 78. A sudden Grove sprung up and every Tree Impeopled was with Birds of softest throats With Boughs Qaires multipli'd and Melody As various was as were the singers Notes Till Philomel's diviner Anthems sound The rest in a full sea of Musick drown'd 79. Beneath a silver River stole and by Its gentle murmur did all Eares allure Amid'st whose streams a swan content to dy And at that price their further Joyes procure Tun'd her long Pipe to such an height that she Sung out her soule in her own Elegie 80. Then came two golden Orators the One From Greece from Rome the other to lament Her dainty Death Demosthenes began And rap'd the Hearers with such full content That had not Tullie stretch'd his Tongue that day With Rhetoricks honor Greece had gone away 81. But Tubal rushed in and Room said He For my prerogative who first did teach Schollars both deaf and dumb such Harmony As overtopp'd short-winded Natures reach Rude things the Hammer and the Anvil I Learn'd how to Forge soul-charming Melody 82. Behinde Him slowed in delicious throngs Of learned Instruments the Harp the Lute The Organ moderator of all Songs The Violl Cymball Sackbut Cornet Flute The Harpsichon Theorboe and Bandore The galiant Trumpet and a thousand more 83. As they at this mute show stood wondering In came a goodly Man with gracefull pace His Robe and Crown did plainly speak him King But his sweet Art betray'd what Prince he was Who snatching up the Harp did it awake And made it for its silent Brethren speak 84. As to the Strings hee whisper'd with his Finger They all told tales and with conspiring Noise Professed freely This is Israels Singer Discovered thus He join'd with them his voice And as he sung again the heav'nly Bowle Which Opsis thither brought began to roll 85. But he leap'd into it and in the Sphears Withdrew himselfe When loe an angry Sea Comes foaming in and on its proud waves bears In dreadfull triumph a wrack'd Man but hee Caught up the Harp a slender Bark indeed Could Musicks powers not the storm 's exceed 86. No sooner borrow'd He the strings soft Crie But at the gentle Call a Dolphin came Which took him on his back and bore him high Above the Wrath of the deluded stream Arion straight with all his fingers strove To pay his fare and quit the Fishes love 87. The Waves grew calm and smiled in his face The cheerly Nymphs look'd up and joy'd to hear Such charming Accents in that churlish place Where onely Tempests us'd to beat their Ear The Windes came stealing close about Him and Catch'd every Note that dropped from his Hand 88. The courteous Dolphin who did all this while Deeper in Pleasure swim than in the Sea And all the labour of his way beguile By the Harp's sweet Discourse was griev'd to see The period of his journey now at hand And wish'd that hee might with Arion land 89. But on the shore a singing Troop appear'd Where Pindar first took up a Lute and plaid All Ears were ravish't which his Numbers heard And had not Flaccus though at first afraid Fir'd by a furious bravery stretch'd his skill Pindar had been sole Lord of Lyricks still 90. Above upon a Mountain Homer sate And to a Trumpet tun'd his nobler Lays Which Fame who thither flutter'd having got Through all the wondering World she them displaies Till princely Maro with an equall strain Embrav'd his voice and echoed them again 91. Which at the second Bound reflected be By Tasso's Muse but in an holier Tune The Muse which taught her sober Tuscanie The Greek and Roman Poetry to prune And rescu'd Godfree from Oblivion As hee from Pagan Hands had Salem done 92. Not farre from whom though in a lower clime Yet with a goodly Train doth Colin sweep Though manacled in thick and peevish Rhyme A decent pace his painfull Verse doth keepe Well limm'd and featur'd is his mystick Queen Yet being mask'd her beauties less are seen 93. But ô how low all these do bow before Nazianzum's and the Worlds immortall Glory Him whose Heav'n-tuned soul did sweetly soar Unto the top of every stage and story Of Poetry through which as hee did pass He all the Muses made Urania's 94. And by this soul-attracting Pattern Thou My onely worthy self thy Songs didst frame Witnesse those polish'd Temple-Steps which now Whether thou wilt or no this Truth proclaim And spight of all thy Travels make 't appear Th' art more in England than when thou wert here 95. More unto Others but not so to Me Of old acquainted with thy secret worth What half-lost I endure for want of Thee The World will read in this mis-shapen Birth Fair had my Psyche been had she at first By thy kinde-censuring hand been dress'd and nurst 96. Some distance thence in floury wanton Groves Luxurious Amoroso's sate who by The gentle key of Sports and Smiles and Loves Did regulate their thrilling Melody Nimble Theocritus and Naso were The cheif but thousands more beside were there 97. Whose Consort to compleat afore-hand came Marino's Genius with a voice so high That straight the world rung with Adonis name Unhappie man and Choise ô what would thy Brave Muse have done in such a Theme as mine Which makes Profanenesse almost seem Divine 98. These apparitions sweetly
Plot against our common Foe We think it just to joyne and tell them so 151. Let them be sure to watch their ports without And leave the busines within for Us We are not now to learne how to be stout And stomackfull and rude and mutinous Fancie smil'd and returned glad to see Successe so quickly crown her Embassie 152. Whose Issue when she to the Senses told They all would in Devotion needs blaspheme Paying loud thanks to Heav'n which did behold Their Wrongs mov'd these frends to succour them And now with traiterous expectation swell'd They wait to see the Passions take the Field 153. But Hope Love Hatred Anger and the rest Of that impatient Crew had forthwith been In open Arms had cautious Feare not prest For some demurr He Jelousie did win To side with him and then 't is best said He That of some valiant Leader We agree 154. Psyche is strong and sober If we fight Without due Discipline that Rashness will Help her to put our foolish Pow'rs to flight But if we make some expert Generall 's skill Our owne by following it the Victorie Will be ambitious on our side to be 155. That Word a new confusion broach'd for All Reach'd at the Generall 's place excepting Feare And Jelousie yet these were loth to fall Under the absolute power of any there At length they vote to step abroad and trie Who skilled best Feats of Activity 156. When loe so well Hells plots were laid they met A goodly person taller by the Head Than any of themselves Disdaine did sit High on his Brows his awfull Limbs were spred To such extent of Gallantry that there Seem'd ample roome for every thing but Feare 157. His first glimpse all their wishes did concentre Upon himself Love forthwith is design'd To break unto the Knight their bold Adventure And with her wily Sweetness sift his Mind She hastens to her Task and bowing low Opes her Mouths fountain whence this Charm did flow 158. Mights goodly Mirrour whosoe'r you be Whom blessed Fortune shews Us heer alone Surely such fair and ample Majestie Deserves by thousands to be waited on And if such honor you this Troop will deign We shall have found a Lord and you a Traine 159. A brave Designe has fir'd Us now which may Your Might and Soveraign Command become Upon a War wee have resolv'd to day With Psyche but good Chance has kept Us from Choosing our Generall and we hope our stay Was but for You whom Heav'n puts in our way 160. Necessity made this Conspiracy To break that Yoak which else our Necks would break Would Psyche suffer Us our Selves to be No mutinie of ours her Throne should shake But wee though Passions calme and quiet must lie Whil'st she proves Passionate ev'n to Tyranny 161. We must not Hope nor Fear nor Love nor Hate Nor nothing else whil'st she does all these things If fouler Slavery e'r did violate Free-Subjects Birth-right scorn our sufferings If not O may the safetie be ours Great Sir by your stout Hand the Glory Yours 162. Agenor glad such punctuall successe Did on his own Designe it selfe obtrude Swelling his Looks to bigger statelinesse Three turns he stalk'd three times he proudly view'd The Company three times he snuff'd and then Opening his Mouth at leisure thus began 163. Now by my Might and Worth I know you all But silly Worms I see you know not Me Whom to so vile a piece of Work you call As brideling wretched Psyche's Tyrannie Must I whom Lyons Tigres Dragons fear Debase my strength and stoop to conquer Her 164. If of the great Kinde she a Monster were If she had made distressed Countries Flie To the next Oracle on wings of Fear To summon to their help a Dietie If she could prove a Thirteenth Task for Him Who Twelve perform'd the work would me beseem 165. And yet because I your Oppression see I 'le win so much of my high-practis'd Might To make it bowe to your delivery Yet never say Agenor came to fight I scorn the Match this Finger will be strong Enough to shew my Pittie of your Wrong 166. This said He march'd in more than warlike state Unto the House where thought-full Psyche lay And thundering imperiously at the Gate Unto the Rebells Rage burst ope the way Filling her outward Court with Noise and Fear Whose echo revell'd in her frighted Eare. 167. As when the Windes let loose upon the Sea Tear up the Deeps and fling them at the Stars Chasing away unarm'd Serenity At the first blast of those unlook'd for Wars Each startled Nymph her fearfull 〈◊〉 shrinks in And to the bottom of the World doth run 168. So Psyche trembling at the furious Crie Retreated to her inmost Fort a place High built and strong and yeilding to her Eye Full view of all the Rebells Time it was To call her Counseller whom to the Rout With these instructions she sendeth out 169. Run Logos run and know what mad mistake Has hurl'd my subjects into tumult Trie For well thou skill'st that gentle Might to break Their furies Torrent by the lenitie Of wise Persuasion Pardon of all Charms The best proclaim to them who lay down Arms. 170. The News made Logos shake his Head but yet With pleasant Gravity to them He goes And friends said He if you be in a fit Of fighting goe in God's name seek your Foes This is your peacefull Home ô be it farr From you to ruine your owne Rest by Warre 171. If you had any reason to rebell Sure I should guesse at it but I know none What boots it you our Empresse to expell Who needs must fall in her confusion What gains the Madman who through jealous fears Pulls his own house and death about his ears 172. What means sweet Love to rob her selfe of all Her selfe and unto Discord it impart Must th' universall Glue which bindes the Ball Of the whole World so close in pieces start Shall your dear Bands serve onely now to tie Confusion fast to your Conspiracy 173. Stern Hatred could the copious World afford No other food whereon to feast thy Spight But thou against thy selfe must draw thy Sword Whil'st with thine Empresse thou prepar'st to fight Hate whom thou wilt besides but hate not her Whose Love gives thee thy life and dwelling here 174. What strange Enchantments lured thee fond Hope To this Designe of Self-destruction Who Abus'd thy credulous Soul and puff'd thee up With this vain fancie that the Ladder to Climbe higher must be Ruine Thus art thou Of Hope become plain Desperation now 175. Unhappy Fear and what makes thee afraid Longer to dwell with thine own Safety What monstrous Witcherie hath here betray'd Thy trembling Heart to this bold mutinie What hardneth thee who quak'st at every frown Of other Princes to despise thine own 176. Brave Anger shall the scoffing World at last Have cause to mock thy Valour which doth make Such earnest haste unto so mad a Jest
never trouble Worms But Psyche's toss'd and torn with civill storms 6. She from her Palace Window saw her Griefe Must'red in terrible Battalia In vain within she looked for Reliefe Where nought but empty Desolation lay Logos and Thelema were absent He To Violence Pris'ner to Enchantment She 7. Syneidesis indeed stay'd still behinde But by her stay made Tortures doe so too Full in the face of Psyche's wounded Minde The guilt of this Rebellion she did throw Blame not the Passions said the if they Revolt Thou to their Treason op'dst the way 8. Had'st thou been carefull how to weild thy Might And in due time approv'd thy self a Queen Strait had'st thou held the Reins and driven right Thy royall Chariot Still your Beasts had been Themselves as loyall unto you and milde As now they salvage are become and wilde ' 9. When in a stealing Preface to the Flood The first streams sliely creep with ease may We Divert their course into some other road But if We sleight what seems so weak to be They grow upon Us strait disdaining more Our strength than wee their Weakness did before 10. You scorn'd the Passion 's breeding Garboils You Forsooth on Safetie's wings sate mounted high And pray what is that Rivulet come too now What wants it of a Sea's immensitie It is a Sea which though perhaps it may Not clense your Crime can wash your Life away 11. And where is Charis where is Phylax now O you were too secure their aid to need You well could lend them to poore Heav'n I trow A place which more did want their Help Indeed You 'r a great Queen at Home and can command Look how your Subjects your high will attend 12. Unhappy Psyche stung by these Reproaches Receiv's the wound full deep into her Heart Which with her blood her Lamentations broaches And thus she streameth out her double smart Nay then I pardon them without if thou Upon my heavy Griefe more load do'st throw 13. Cruell Syneidesis why staidst thou heer To grind my dying Soul with neerer rage Why joyndst thou not with them who vex Me there At distance Must my bosome be the Stage Of thy more dangerous undermining Wrath Which from my verie Heart diggs out my Death 14. Are these thy thanks to Me who alwaies kept Thee next my self and hugg'd thee in my Breast How little dream'd I that a Viper slept In this my neerest and my dearest Nest Yet be assur'd by gnawing out thy way That thou thy self as well as Me shalt slay 15. The Priviledge of other Vipers Thou In vain expect'st who art more Fell than they That decent Vengeance they their Damms do owe Which by sage Natures righteous Law they pay But surely thou art of a kinder breed Thy Matricide all pardon must exceed 16. Yet what gain I by thy Destruction Who thee and all those Rebells deerly love Unfortunate Me who cannot die alone But in my single Death all yours must prove And which is worse than Death betrayed I By your mad rage thus oft at once must die 17. But sterne Syneidesis who knew full well She on irrefragable Truth did lay The ground of all her Actions 'gan to swell With confident Scorn and yet awhile gave way Since She her Loyall Duties part had done To see what Psyche meant Who thus went on 18. O Charis would'st not thou bid Me Adieu But by discourteous parting leave poore Me Unwarned and unarmed Grant it true That my deserts could no invitement be To stay Thee heer My misery at least Might wooe thy Charity to be my Guest 19. O Phylax Why wilt thou forsake Me who 'Twixt Me and Danger hath so often spread Thy Wings impenetrable sheild That Foe Who in the Grove under thy Conquest bled Was but a single Feind Why then shall thy Brave Hand not reap this fairer Victory 20. How shall I grapple with this monstrous Crew Confederate against my desolate Head Whom one Antagonist did then subdue What reason then soever made thee speed Unto my Aid is multiplied now And how how canst thou less Releif allow 21. O Prince of this my consecrated Breast O thou whose Majestie did not disdaine To make suit unto Me but oft profest By thy Ambassador thine amorous pain And sweet-tormenting Longings for my Love What makes thy tender Heart forgetfull prove 22. Hadst thou for ever not remembred Me I had not been mock'd with a tast of Bliss Why did not Aprodisiu's Treacherie Prevent the worse extremity of this That soft and single Death why dy'd not I But am reserv'd a thousand times to die 23. What profit has to my soul's Treasurie Accrew'd that I so oft did Fast and Pray What brake the Bottle wont of old to be The trustie Store-house of our Teares What Pay Have all my faithfull amorous Groans and Sighs If I must proue mine own slaves Sacrifice 24. What meant this Token which did gird my Heart So close to Thee if Me you cast away Was this the Farewell you did Me impart When you some other Love had chose which may Monopolize your constant favours and In banish'd Psyche's place for ever stand 25. No wonder if my Passions mutinous prove Breaking the Yoke which ti'd their faith to Me If blessed Jesus can forget his love Knit in this spousall knot of Chastitie How can I longer be displeas'd with them Vnless I could and dar'd fall out with Him 26. O all my Joyes take Psyche's long Adieu Dwell somwhere else where you can finde a Room My tumid Griefs have left no place for you But made my whole usurped Heart their Home And more than so Far far must you flie hence To scape my Sorrows vast Circumference 27. And you poor Hopes your time why doe you loose In hankering here in my unhappy Breast Goe goe I give you leave goe forth and choose In any place but this a fortunate Nest. Be confident you cannot faile else-where For all Misfortunes are collected here 28. But ô Disconsolations be you free For I resign my selfe your totall Prey Why should I not embrace my Misery When still to look and look in vain for Joy Doubles self-torment Why should I alone When all things hate me else my selfe bemaone 29. Whil'st thus she feeds on desolate Vexations The Rebells at their Councill busie were Where tir'd with hard and knotty Consultations Which course was best to wreak their Wrath on Her Up rose Suspition and first looking over Each shoulder thus did her Advice discover 30. Princely Agenor and you Sisters all Great is the businesse We have now in hand And Heav'n forbid our Caution should be small Haste may be good when once wee understand The way is clear If otherwise to run Is onely with more speed to be undone 31. Anger 's Advice were sound if Psyche were So weak a thing as her Opinion makes her But on what Rocks shall wee our Vessell steer By this untried Card if she mistakes her Fear would she speak could
in these Herbs doth any Serpent sneak Them to enyenome or my Safety check 215. My serious Labours and my ridgid Fear Fright hence the tender Sons of Luxury Distempers and Diseases Guests which are Fed at the Bord of Superfluity In health and vigour I can night and day Trade with my Maker and my Prayers say 216. He though no wanton Bathes have softened My carelesse Skin which tann'd and rough you see Though all my weeds be of a rurall Thred Spun by Neglect and by Simplicity Esteems nor Me nor my Condition poor Because I build my Hopes upon his Store 217. His royall Store which since this World below So narrow was fills Heav'ns vast Treasury And till the Sons of Dust and Ashes grow As high as that in vain they look to be Enrich'd by it But there 's a Way by which We Dwarfs to that Sublimity may reach 218. A strange Way which does by Desentions Wings Teach Us to soar These Contrarieties Into the field not onely Nature brings But Grace with opposite Cures meets Maladies Pride threw Us down when we were perched high Our ladder to get up's Humility 219. Humility that Art enobled by His own Profession whom all Heav'ns adore Himselfe He Lowest made who was most High And of the Richest King became most Poor By his Example teaching Us that We Must onely by Rebound exalted be 220. Psyche with great contention deign'd to hear Him hitherto but could endure no more What Pitty'tis said she that now thy Beer Hath long stood waiting for thee at thy Door Thou art no Wiser yet this signe doth shew Thy Dotage is past Help Poor wretch adeiu 221. Then with relaxed Rein admonishing Her smoaking Steeds They snatch'd her Coach away With sparkling foaming fervor copying Her hasty indignation untill they Drew neer the Citty where their pace they bate Marching in statelier slownesse to the Gate 222. The People gaz'd upon her as she past And fill'd the Street with Wonder Every Eye It s foolish homage in her way did cast And by that Admiration raise more high Her tumid Looks who had the more to scorn The more Spectators did her way adorn 223. For whilst some prais'd the Coach and some the Steeds And all her Person who rode Queen of them With carelesse Looks Contempt about she spreads Both on their Admiration and on them She lov'd the Honor yet lov'd to despise What in her own esteem was her best prize 224. So when a burly Tempest rolls his Pride About the World though mighty Cedars bow Though Seas give way unto his greater Tide Though Mountains lay their proudest heads full low Before his feet yet still He roars amain And rusheth on in blustering Disdain 225. On many Pallaces her Eye she cast But yet could not vouchsafe to view them long At last contemning all she saw she prest With insolent fiercenesse through the gazing Throng Crying These Cottages can afford no room For Psyche's Entertainment I must Home PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO VI. The Humiliation ARGUMENT HEr heav'nly Friends by soule-subduing Art Recover Psyche from her shamefull Glory And sure to seal upon her softned Heart Religious Meeknesse Phylax tells the Story Of her immortall all-producing Spouse And then her own originall Vilenesse shows 1. BUt what is Home unto unhappy Her Whose onely Castle is surrender'd to A Pack of Rebells who resolved were To use the licence of their Conquest so That she should in her own Dominion Have no power left her but to be undone 2. She might have safelier call'd all Tempests in And to the loudest Windes fet ope her Gate Or giv'n her Key to Bears and Tigers then To those more dangerous Beasts whose fair-tongu'd hate Does work by this Prerogative that they By Honey poyson by Imbraces slay 3. Flat Enemies are honest harmlesse Things Because they tell Us what We have to fear But double-hearted Friends whose Blandishings Tickle our Ears but sting our bosomes are Those dangerous Syrens whose sweet mayden face Is onely mortall Treasons burnish'd Glasse 4. These are the Pits whose mouths with flowers spred Sweetly invite our Feet unto a Fall The golden Cups whose Lips are sugeted To the dissembled Poyson ours to call The crafty Hooks which in a dainty Bait To catch the Liquorish Palate lie in wait 5. These are those flattering Pipes whose wily Tune Enchants the silly Birds into the Net These are those fragrant Bedds of fair-look'd June With smileing Roses and with Lilies set Where th' unsuspecting Gardner to surprise By fatall sleight perdu the Serpent lies 6. These are those Delilahs whose weeping Eye Whose sighs whose Kisses whose Imbraces be The truer Wit hs and Ropes and Web where-by They binde the stoutest Sampsons on their knee Where while they hope to rest they polled are At once both of their Liberty and Hair 7. These are the politick Hyena's who Make bloody Thirst in humane Accents speak And with such sweet Hypocrisie can wooe The heedlesse Swain compassion to take That to his Foe his door he openeth And in fond Pitty letteth in his Death 8. These are those Judas's whose Lips can drop The honey of a friendly Salutation And with a Kisse seal the soft bargain up Though in their Hearts a trayterous Conjuration Lies rankilin and they study how they may In Looks and Words of Love their God betray 9. And surely Psyche by this Treason had Been cheated of her life and selfe if He Who in his Judas tryall of it made Had lent no Pitty to her Misery Had Jesu's tender Goodnesse not out-rid His faithless Spouse who now from Him was fled 10. Charis and Phylax He a while with-drew That being left unto her selfe she might Of her own Weaknesse take convincing view When she occasion had and cause to fight But now He sends them back to help Her down From the high Ruine where He saw her thrown 11. Make haste said He my Love and Her Distresse Call for your speed 〈◊〉 To you full power I give To ease Her of that wretched Mightiness Before it split her Heart to undeceive Her cheated Soule and shrink it till it be Little enougn to fit my Heav'n and Me. 12. They having thrice ador'd his Foot-stool flew Upon the wings of Thought through every Sphear No Lightning ever made more haste to view The East and West at once than this swift Pair Of earnest Messengers or with more Light Did all Spectators startled Eyes afright 13. For when the Passrons saw them darting neer Immediate Terror upon them did seize Down fell their changed Looks and Necks though Fear Was left at home she present seem'd in these The suddennesle made Psyche too afraid And both her Courage and her Chariot stay'd 14. But though the first Assault of Lightning be Pointed with Dread and Awe the second does Break forth with more abated Majesty And in our Eyes at least some Brightnesse loose Custome though young and breeding yet can make The dint and edge of any strangness
slake 15. Both Psyche and her Steeds did soon recover Some sense and spirits of their boiling Pride When the first glimpse of those new Beams was over But chiefly she swell'd to so high a Tide Of Confidence as to presume Her Streams Would now repulse the Torrent of their Beams 16. To both her reverend Friends she doth dispense Her frowns and lowring-loathing Looks and by That silent Language of Impatience Her changed Minde and sullen Thoughts descrie But when she saw them full resolv'd she cries I thought you would have understood mine Eyes 17. Loe here my Tongue interprets them You are As much mistaken now in Psyche as She heretofore in You I must and dare Tell you your own Your treacherous Counsell has Too long bewitch'd my tender credulous Heart Henceforth you may for evermore depart 18. The saucy Coursers with ears prick'd up high Caught that proud Answer as from her it flew And neighing in tumultuous jollity With aggravation of Defiance threw It in the faces of the heav'nly Pair And then they kick'd and flung and snuff'd the Air. 19. But Phylax standing in Her Coache's way Lift up his Hand and Wing and kep't her back Crying much louder than her Steeds could neigh Yet e'r you goe vouchsafe to hear me speak Though I your Enemie be you need not fear Now you have learned that my Words to hear 20. This netled Thelema who Postillion was And had inflam'd the Coursers all the way She bent her scornfull Brow and cri'd Alas Can Phylax think I will his Rub obey Who ride where e'r I list and never meet With Mount or World which stops my Horses feet 21. With that she check'd her Fierie courser and This Anger was the most outrageous Steed Who with curvets strait answered her Hand And aim'd to snatch her way o'r Phylax's head Three times she leap'd as often falling back Till with her Bones she heard the Chariot Crack 22. For Phylax having thither reach'd a Ray Of mystick power seiz'd on the Axel-tree Which with a splitting groan at length gave way And by the voice of its fragility Admonish d all the Coach that Ruine now Meant to ride there and Psyche out would throw 23. And true the warning was for either Wheel The Barrs the Pillars Seat Side Back and Head Shatter'd forth with into confusion feel How 〈◊〉 the Axels Fatall preface led Them to their Tragedy which now no more Can own their severall Names as heretofore 24. 'T is all but one rude Heap upon whose back Lies Psyche something bruised with the Fall But wounded more to see who made that Crack And rais'd that Pile as for her funerall She scorns to take Him for an equall Foe But swells and puffs and knows not what to doe 25. He in her sullen Eye observing well The troubled Motions of 〈◊〉 smoking Heart And more than her own Tongue knew how to tell Pitti'd the sadnesse of her wilfull Smart And for compliance her own course he took Speaking not by his Mouth but by his Look 26. This is the Dialect of strongest Love Which when the fruitlesse Tongue had said her Say With soule-commanding Power doth plead and prove That Eloquence doth reign in Eyes that they Who to the bottom of the Heart would speak In Looking Lines must their Orations make 27. His serious Aspect upon Her was bent Compos'd of angry love and milde disdain Expressive were the Glances which He sent And every Word that darted forth was plain Some Rayes grew hot and stoutly chid but others With melting Pittie mollifi'd their Brothers 28. O what a long long Story ran He over In this short ocular Discourse how fast Did He her bosome and his own discover And what of old and what of late had past And what was dawning if she still went on With obstinate confidence to be undone 29. But she would not this language understand Because the Speaker she before despis'd She proudly look'd and coyly wav'd her hand Telling him by those signes she was advis'd So well of what she did that He might goe And somewhere else his scorned Pains bestow 30. Mean while as Thelema and her bruis'd Steed Biteing their own lips and the ground did lie Charis her sweetest Powers had mustered To force the Damsell from her Miserie And See said she when it was grown so tall How suddenly your Pride hath caught a Fall 31. Yet this is not the Bottome but a Step Unto that Ruine whither you did ride O did you know how black and vast a Deep Gapes in your Journeyes End you would have di'd A thousand other Deaths much rather than Have posted thus to plunge into that one 32. Here with her Wand she stroke upon the Earth Straight Tellus heard the Knock and op'd her Door When loe a Night of Smoke came stinking forth And then a duskie Day of Fire the Roar Of that great Crack made surly Thelema start And summon'd Psyche too to see her part 33. For though Dread shook their Soules They deemed it Scorn to confesse their fear and run away Their adamantine stomack will not let Their lives be longer pretious still they stay Not out of curious Desire to see But to out-face the hideous Prodigie 34. The monstrous Jaws of the wide-gaping Pit With banefull soot were lined thick Beneath Incensed Sulphure flashing Wrath did spit From whence a Cloud of heavie Groans did breath Forth sad confession Who below did dwell These Proofs authentik were to speak it Hell 35. Plung'd in the gloomie Caverns Centre were A woefull Rout mingled with smoke and Fire Abiram Corah Dathan fried there With Peleths venturous Sonn who did conspire To raise that old Combustion which now Concluded is in their own Flames below 36. Their howling Wives and shreiking Children lay Broiling about them and desir'd in vain One drop of Water after dying They Had burn'd so long in their still-living Pain Their Tears drop'd thick but mock'd them by their store And onely scal'd their Cheeks which flam'd before 37. As The lema stood doubting at the sight Behold this last Preferment Charis cri'd To which Ambition doth fond men invite Is it not petty that thou didst not ride Thy Journey out and am not I thy Foe Who down this fair Hill would not let thee goe 38 Thou seest that arrogant Brood of Rebells there Who were too high to stoop to heavenly law Yet to their wretchlesse Passions lent their Ear And rather then to God to them would bow Moses and Aaron whom they kick'd at there Nothing but Phylax are and Charis here 39. Moses and Aaron did usurp too much And bare their tyrannizing Heads too high And was not our Inditement onely such When Love drew up our Charge We were not by I grant but yet He was whose Vengance now Feeds on your proud Agenors heart below 40. Observe that Feind who holds fell Chorah's chain Himselfe bound in a greater He knows why He gathers up his Tails ashamed Train And steals it
Blemish Wrinckle Frown Mole Scar or Blot The inconsistent Stranger out she shut 144. Within rose Hills of Spice and Frankincense Which smil'd upon the flowrie Vales below Where living Chrystall roll'd its influence Whose musicall Impatience did flow With endlesse chiding the pure Gems beneath Because no smoother they had pav'd its Path. 145. The Nymphs which plaid about this Currents side Were milkie Thoughts tralucid fair Desires Soft Turtles Kisses Looks of Virgin-Brides Sweet Coolnesse which nor needs nor feareth Fires Snowie Imbraces cheerly-sober Eyes Gentilenesse Mildnesse Ingenuities 146. At full length on the Beds of floures did lie Smiling Content Ease Sweetness Softness Pleasure Whilst in the carpet-Walks there danced by Calmeness Long-days Security and Leisure Accomplish'd Growth brisk Firmitude and Health The onely Jewell which makes wealthy Wealth 147. Your Roses heer would onely spend their Blusn On their own Ougliness should they compare With those pure Eys with which the Rosie Bush Looks up and views its beauteous Neighbours there Nor are your Lilies white if those were by Whose leaves are all fair-writ with Purity 148. Liban and Carmell must submit their Heads To Paradise's foot the Balme Nard Myrrh And every Odour of Arabia's Beds Would begge to borrow richer Sweetness heer Nor would Adoni's Garden scorne to be Their fellow-suiter for true Suavitie 149. The early Gales knock'd gently at the doore Of every floure to bid the Odours wake Which taking in their softest Arms they bore About the Garden and return'd them back To their own Beds but doubled by the Blisses They sipp'd from their delicious Brethrens Kisses 150. Upon the Wings of those inamouring Breaths Refreshment Vigor and new Spirits attended And wheresoe'r they flew cheer'd up their Paths And with fresh Aires of Life all things befreinded For Heavn's all-sweetning Spirit its breath did joyn To make the Powers of these Blasts divine 151. The goodly Trees their fertile Arms did bend Under the nobler load of fruit they bore That Orchard which the Dragon did attend For all its Golden Boughs to this was poor As well the greater Serpent knew who crept Hither betimes and heer his curs'd Watch kept 152. Of Fortitude there stood a goodly Row Heer of Munificence a thick-set Grove Of Industry a Quick-set there did grow Heer flourished a dainty Copps of Love There sprung up pleasant Twiggs of ready Wit Heer a large Tree of Gravity was set 153. Heer Temperance grew and wide-spred Justice there Under whose moderate Shaddow Piety Devotion Mildness Friendship planted were Next stood Renowne with Head exalted high Then Peace with Plenty Fatnesse Happinesse O blessed Place where grew such things as these 154. Yet what are these ifby Death's envious Hand Or they or their fruition blasted be This to prevent at carefull Heav'ns Command Amidst the rest sprung up an helpfull Tree Which nobly prov'd it self a Branch to be Pluck'd from the grand stock of Eternity 155. Amidst them all it sprung for well it knew Its proper Seat and chose the Gardens Heart What place could more than that to Life be due Whence Vigor round might flow and reach each part Fresh Heat and Spirits hung about it thick The leav's did breath and all its fruit was quick 156. By this the mighty Tree of Knowledge stood For where should Wisdom dwell but next the Heart Its Leavs were written fair but writ with blood Holding forth Learning and capricious Art O fatall Tree how wise had Adam grown If He thy woefull knowledge had not known 157. High in the shady Galleries sate a Quire Well worthy such a Chappell Birds of Praise Whose most harmonious Throats did all conspire To pay for their sweet Home in sweeter Layes With whom soft Echo needs her skill would shew And though she kept slow time yet she sung true 158. This Mapp ofWonders this Epitomie Of all Heav'ns Pride this Court ofRarities This Confluence ofblessed Gallantry Was that so much renowned Paradise Renowned yet ô how much higher than The loftiest Praise it ever reap'd from Men 159. The great Creator hither Adam brings As to the Portall of Celestiall Blisse And See said He of these illustrious Things I give thee free choise bating onely this One Tree of Knowledge all the rest are thine Eate what thou wilt but let that still be mine 160. If thy presumptious Hand but touch that Tree Thy liquorish Crime must cost thy Life and thou By Deaths immediate Tallons seized be Death Adam Death hangs thick on every Bough Loe there the Tree of Life 's as neer as that Take heed thou di'st not for thou knowst not what 161. O Noble Master whose vast Love did give A world at once and yet require no more But that his Creature would have care to live And so in safetie possesse his Store Who ties Him to no homage but to shun Being by his own needlesse fault undone 162. After this easie Charge upon a Throne Built all of Power He his Lieutenant set To exercise his new Dominion Upon his Subjects for before his seat By Heav'ns Command the Beasts now marshell'd were In modest equipage all Pair by Pair 163. When Adam fix'd on them his awfull Eye The Lyon couch'd the Horse let fall his crest Behemoths Tail mounted before so high Melted down to the ground the Bull deprest His Horns the Boar suck'd in his foam the Bear The Wolfe the Tiger louted low for fear 164. Like reverence bowed down the other Crew Flat on the ground when from their Soveraigns Face Such full beams of imperiall Brightnesse flew As spake it plainly the Creators Glasse Fair the Reflection was which could command The rudest Beasts the truth to understand 165. As these their duty did the Eagle drew Up every rank and file of winged Things Thither the Estrich Vultur Falcon flew Thither a flock of every Bird that sings Thither the Peacock but with train full low For down fell all its Stars ecclipsed now 166. The most magnanimous Cock came strutting on Disdaining Heav'n and Earth till he drew neer His mighty Soveraigns all-awing Throne From whence upon his surly neck flew Fear His wings flagg'd low his fiery gullet grew Languid and pale his combe and forehead blue 167. Wise Adam mark'd them all and sent his Eye To scarch their bosoms Cabinets where He read Th' essentiall Lines and Characters which by Natures late Hand were 〈◊〉 fashioned Their Difference their Kinred and Relations Their Powers their Properties and Inclinations 168. Thus of their inward Selves inform'd He thought What Titles would most correspondent be To their own Bosoms sense and having wrought Up in one Word each Natures Mystery He took Acquaintance of them all by Name Then with a Princely Nod dismissed them 169. They went in loving Pairs Which as He saw He fetch'd a gentle Sigh to think that He His nobler Life in Solitude should draw Whil'st all things else enjoy'd Society What boots it him that He raigns Soveraign Lord If all his World can Him no Queen
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
sweet Sir will have it so content Said she and meekly blushing in she went 39. Up flew Devotion and Chastitie The gallant Steeds which did the Chariot draw Her native Albion soon began to be Lost in a Sea of Air and now she saw The wealthy Fields of Gallia which as fast Behinde her fled as she did forward post 40. Then climbing higher in her yeilding Way Eternall Banks of obstinate Frost and Snow Which Winter on the Alps high back did lay Spight of the nearer Sun she leaves below And through the tumult of the justling Clouds Down into the Italian Heav'n she crouds 41. From thence she launch'd into that Region Which by the Adriatick Storms doth frown And sped her course above that Ocean About whose sides the Mid-land shores are thrown So well did Phylax steer that to a Port So far off ne'r was made a Cut so short 42. For having reach'd blest Palestine she flew Over the groveling Towns of Galile Untill the Steeds as if the place they knew At Nazareth brake off their Course where she Viewing the simple Village wondered why Her Convoy thither took such pains to flie 43. But Phylax having led her by the Hand To the unlikliest House Behold said hee This pretious Monument which still doth stand To chide their Arrogance who needs will be Immur'd in Cedar and roof'd o'r with Gold O who would think poor Dust should be so bold 44. This silly Mansion though it scarce would win Ev'n Poverty it selfe in it to dwell Was once the House Home where the bright Queen Of Glories kept her Court in this mean Cell Dwelt She in whose illustrious Family All Heav'n desir'd a Sojourner to be 45. She the transcendent Crown of Females She Great Jacobs Ladder Aarons budding Rod The Chrystall Princess of Virginity Davids fair Tower the Mother of her God Mary her selfe O may that lovely Name Be Blessings Nest and the dear Theam of Fame 46. There her plain Cates she eat or rather kept Her healthfull Rules of sober Abstinence There did she plie her Prayers and there she slept When midnight Zeal had tir'd her mortall Sense No Corner was in all this House but she Did dedicate it unto Piety 47. How many Temples in this narrow Room Erected were by her Devotion Who taught all Virtues here to take their Home But if Sin knock'd She bid it straight be gone For at her Door Humility she set A Potter which would no such Guests admit 48. Here on her pious knees she wept one day In wondring Meditation of that She Whom God would chuse to make the noble Way Unto his own fore-told Humanity O how she blest that Soule who ever was To be advanced to that matchlesse Grace 49. Not for a thousand Worlds would she have thought Her Selfe the long-designed She but rather Would with a thousand thousand more have bought An Hand-mayds place to wait upon that Mother To kisse her blessed feet or bear her Train In whom all Excellence rejoyc'd to reign 50. But whil'st her meek admiring Fancie flies Through this high Contemplation which drew Applauding joyous Christall from her Eyes A bright and gallant Stranger hither flew One who from Heav'n her sweet reflection brings Looking almost like Her but for his Wings 51. Youth bloomed in his Face the blessed Throne Where purest Beauties in fair Triumph sate Their brisk and sparkling Combination All ravishing Joyes into his Eyes had put His Looks commanded Love but did withall By potent Purity all Lust fore-stall 52. His Head was crown'd with its own golden Hair Which down his back its dainty Wealth did shed The Alabaster of his Neck was bare Sweetly betraying what below was hid In the green ambush of his Robe of Silk The Curtain drawn upon his Fleshie Milk 53. That Robe was guarded with the orient Lace Which on Aurora's Virgin Coat you see Neglect seem'd to have put it on yet Grace And Comelinesse would not prevented be But did in every carelesse fold and pleit To catch Spectators Wonder lie in wait 54. A silver Girdle did his Loins imbrace With the prest fashion of Travellers Like Loves sweet Bow his left Arm bended was Upon his Side whil'st high his Right Hand bears A Lillie which from thence received more Sweetnesse and Whitenesse than it had before 55. The Candor of his Wings was no such kinde Of glaring thing as in the Alpine Snow Or on the purest Cygnets neck we finde Or on the soft face of new Milk doth flow But a celestiall Tincture pure and bright Made not by scorching but by whitening Light 56. He was an heav'nly Citizen and one Whose place is in an higher form than mine In neer attendance on his Makers Throne He with his Archangelick beams doth shine Whence he when Heav'n has greatest businesse here Dispatched is the choise Ambassadour 57. But though his Eyes their education had Amongst those Claritudes which gild the skies They never yet at Home did seem to read So much of Heav'n at large as here he spies Epitomized in the lovely Glass Of Maryes modestly-illustrious face 58. And Hail said He Thou dearest Favorite Of our great King in whose selected Breast His Majesty with singular delight Doth take his private and mysterious rest Hail thou the Crown of Females on whose Head Their best exuberance all Blessings shed 59. The humble Virgin started at the sight But much more at the Salutation The complementall Youth did her affright Who us'd such charming Companie to shun Untill his Wings admonish'd her that he One of her wonted heav'nly Guests might be 60. But yet her lowly Soul could not digest The tumor of that strange Hyperbole Which still she boulted in her thought-full Breast Being suspitious least some Flattery Had borrow'd an Angelike shape by which A Woman it more easily might bewitch 61. O strange but nobly-pretious Jealonsie Which onely dost in holy Bosoms rest Thou art the Bar which dost accesse deny To whatsoever might an Heart molest Pride Usher to all Sins comes not neer thee So low thou liest so high strutteth hee 62. When Gabriel observ'd her doubtfull Look Where Blushes and where Palenesse mutually Their fearfull and their modest Stations took Mary said He thy meek Anxiety May spare its pains No Danger dares draw neer Her whom the Prince of Power doth hold so dear 63. He who is Lord of Love hath seal'd on thee His amorous Heart the choisest of his Graces The flowre of all his Sweets th' Immensitie Of his best Favours and his Joyes he places On thee alone whom he exalts as high As thou art sunk in thy Humility 64. Witnesse this Message I have now to tell How much too glorious for Me to bring The onely Message which could parallel The boundlesse Love of Heav'ns inamored King A Message which the World hath long expected But fit to thee alone to be directed 65. Behold thy blessed Womb shall Fertile be With a more blessed Son whom at the due And wonted Season
Us Wise but wee No more will that ambitious Title own Which now wee understand most due to Thee And at thy Foot-stoole here we throw it down Esteeming this our greater Wisdome that We by thy Grace this Lowlinesse have got 250. Thou art that King the Hopes of whose bright Birth Have many fainting Generations cheer'd Thou art that Jacobs Star whose Breaking forth The shades of Prophesies and Types hath cleer'd Displaying to this groveling World which lay Till now in Darknesse a Meridian Day 251. Thou art that Wisdome which contriy'dst at first The Fabrick of this universall Ball By thy Direction it from Nothing burst And in thy Counsells boundlesse Circle all Motions of Heav'n and Earth performed be Both Change and Chance are Certainties to Thee 252. Here each one having his Oblation In his own Crown which in his Hand he bore The first with triple Adoration'gan Io tender up his Gift And Of this store Which thou dear Lord said He to Me did'st give Vouchsafe this Tithe and Earnest to receive 253. It is the purest Gold my Care could get But yet beggs to be gilded by thine Eye Unlesse some Richnesse Thou wilt glance on it Alas it has not worth enough to buy The credit which belongs unto its Name O gently shine and deck it with thy Flame 254. Then came the Second with like reverence and His Offring in his royall Censer brought Accept sweet Babe from this my Worthlesse Hand Said He this Incense which hath now found our The next way to its God and need not rise In labouring Clouds to reach the lofty Skies 255. It is the noblest I could pick and cull From the best spicey Beds of Arabie Which in their first-fruits hither come to tell That all that 's left at home is due to Thee And craves thy leave to kisse thy gratious Feet That from that Touch her Odours may grow sweet 256. These two fair Copies were transcribed by The third whose Present was delicious Myrih And this to wait on thy Humanity O Thou Incarnate God doe I preferre Said He that Nature which till now was poor Ashes and Dust in thee We must adore 257. The Babe look'd up and with a gentle Eye Approv'd and prais'd their pious Sacrifice When loe the Mother with sweet Courtesie Held forth his Hand unto the Kings to kisse O no said they Our foule lipps are too mean May they but kisse his Clout's Hem and be clean 258. They kiss'd it and arose But on the floor Ambitiously they left their Crowns that they Might gain the Honour to be Foot-stools for The royall Infant whose illustrious Way May well be pav'd with Diadems since He Raigns King of Kings and Lord of Majesty 259. And now as much of Night as durst draw neer This Court of noblest Light was thither come This made the Pilgrims a meek suit prefer Begging before the door their Lodging Room Forbid it loyall Reverence they cri'd That the same Roofe Us and our Lord should hide 260. Thus having pitch'd their Tents without and said Their Prayers to their God they left within Themselves upon their beds to Rest they layd Which did no sooner on their Brows begin To steal but straight a Dream came close behinde Which op'd a Vision to their waking Minde 261. God in a mystick Voice which well they knew By its dear Rellish in their Hearts came down Timely discovering to their wondering View What desperate Dangers in their Way were strown If they returned by Jerusalem Set thick with bloody Herods Traps for them 262. This Warning they when Morning had let in The Flaming Gyant to his dayly Race With hasty Joy obey'd Yet having ' gun Their Journey with as vehement a pace Their Hearts recoyl'd so did their Eyes and in The glorious Stable would again have been 263. Thus struggling homeward by a private Way Unreach'd by Harm they to Arabia came Where through th' astonish'd Countrey they display The noble Infants most miraculous Fame Returning richer Gold and purer store Of Sweets than they from thence to Bethlehem bore 264. The pretious Name of JESUS would alone Discharge that Debt and purchase all the rest The Gold Myrrh Incense which that Region In all its richest Hills and Vales possest That Name would make each Part of Arabie Derive its surname from Felicity 265. These Wonders have enobled this rude Place And made it Psyche worth thy journey hither But Time 's at hand which will erect Disgrace On this Foundation of Glory whether One King shall send as studied Scorn as Three Did bring exact and costly Piety 266. This Temple of Virginity will He Deform into black Lusts unworthy Stie Where in that reverend Mangers place must be Rear'd the curs'd Altar of Impurity And Venu's and Adoni's Titles swell JESU'S and Marye's mention to expell 267. O then said Psyche for the Angel heer Closed his lipps may I that time prevent And consecrate this Night unto this dear Birth-place of Purity What though I want Gold Incense Myrrh I have an Heart which fain Upon this Mangers Altar would be slain 268. It would be slain that it a Life might finde Which will not give its noble Name the Lie For whil'st I linger groveling in this blinde Valley of Sin by Living it doth Die A Mortall Life is but an handsome Fiction Nothing well dress'd a flattering Contradiction 269. Here kneeling down with liberall Tears she dew'd The holy Relique having blown away The Dust with Sighs and as the place she view'd With sharp-ey'd Faith Him she discern'd who lay Once in that Cradle And wish'd she were worth Ten thousand Hearts that she might poure all forth 270. O what Contentions of Loves and Joyes And pious Languishments throng'd in her breast How many violent sorts of amorous ways Did her strong Soul trie to be dispossest Of this dull clogging Body that it might Indeed lodge with her Spouse himselfe that Night 271. But tir'd by this mysterious Agonie Her Spirits yeilded to the Powers of sleep Oft had they quickned up themselves and by Stout Zeal chas'd back the Shaddows that did creep About her Eyes which yet at length were-closed Whil'st on the Manger She her Head reposed 272. Her Eyes were clos'd but wide ope was her Heart And by clear Recollection did run through The noble Story reading every Part And Circumstance she knew not where nor how Whil'st Phylax for her Canopie did spread His tender guardian Wing upon her Head PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO VIII The Pilgrimage ARGUMENT LOves Presentation solemnized He Through the sad Desert into Egypt flies Where by the dint of true Divinity He dasheth down the forged Dieties And thence when 〈◊〉 had the Infants slain And Justice Him returneth home again 1. O gentle Nature how discrect art Thou In marshalling those sober Courtesies Which to thy labouring World thou dost allow Thou lett'st Us feel the Want to learn the price Thou checkerest every Thing with such wise Art That Ease proves constant
daring Men Affronted God with to wring Villanie Forgot its ever-polish'd Smiles and in Tempestuous Violence breaking through the shore Of heav'n a flood of Death on Earth did poure 237. So now thy noble Spouse who never yet Had suffer'd frowns to gather on his Brow An angry Look against the Tempter set And with disdainfull Answer made him know That all his Pageantry did not conceal Nor Him nor what he sought to hide his Hell 238. Proud Satan 't is enough that I said He Thus long have seen and born thine Insolence Loe I defie thy Promises and Thee Vainer than them I charge thee get thee hence Behinde my back and there thy shamelesse Pride If any thing may hide it learn to hide 239. Does not the sacred Scripture plainly say Thine Adoration Thou to God shalt give And unto Him alone thy Service pay All Heav'n forbid that We should Him bereave Of his due Homage and embezill it Upon the Prince of the infernall Pit 240. As when on Sodoms Impudence of old Heav'n pour'd its Fire to purge those lustfull flames The wretched Town repented not yet howl'd And mix'd its tears amongst the Brimstone streams But all in vain for straight the Houses burn'd And with their Dwellers into Ashes turn'd 241. So now at Jesu's Answer which did flie Like Lightning from his Lips the Globe did melt And nothing of that Universall Lie Remain'd but Ashes which so strongly smelt That other Stincks compar'd with this might seem Perfumes and Arabies breath in Sodoms steam 242. Confounded Satan backward from his Throne Fell down the Mount and tumbled into Hell Whil'st the loud Trumpet of his bellowing Groan His dreadfull Comming to the Deeps did tell But as he fell his Horns and Taile and Claws Brake out so did the Sulphure from his Jaws 243. His yelling Peers and lamentable Crew Of Pages tumbled headlong after Him Presenting to thy Lords victorious View A Copie of that Sight when from the brim Of highest Heav'n them and their King He beat Down to the bottome of their damned Seat 244. And now the Sceen is chang'd and Satan to The Lord his God his Adoration paid Which to himselfe he woo'd that God to doe So Jesu may all Treasons be betray'd So may all Rebells finde their cursed feet Snarled for evermore in their own Net 245. Whil'st these three Conflicts pass'd Heav'n set its Eye On its divinest Champion but forbore All Helpe or Comfort till the Victory Was cleerly gain'd When loe triumphant Store Of Angells hovering down with high-straind Lays Back to the sphears return'd the Victors praise 246. O Psyche hadst thou heard that royall Song Thou would'st have learn'd how We above imploy Our blessed Time wher on each high-tun'd Tongue Sit endlesse Raptures of excessive Joy Whil'st every hearty Angell as he sings Clapps his Applause with his exultant 〈◊〉 247. Their Gratulation ended on their Knees A sumptuous Banquet They to Him present Wherein was choise of all Varieties With which Heav'ns King could his dear Son content And He in whom all princely grace doth reign Was pleas'd their ministry not to disdain 248. But when He thus had broke his mighty Fast The Fury which so long lay in his breast Impatient gnawing Famine out hee cast Returning her unto her odious Nest And bid an Angell tie her in that Chain When hee had drove her to her Den again 249. There must she dwell and never be let loose But when his royall Pleasure thinks it fit To poure his Wrath on his relentlesse Foes Whom lusty Fatnesse makes too bold and great To be his Subjects in whose Laws they hear Of Abssinence a yoak they will not bear 250. And now by that Eternall Spirit who Brought Him into the lists of this great Fight He to the Coasts of Galilee doth goe Whither He could have flown by his own Might But Heav'n was studious to attend Him and In his great Businesse joy'd to have an hand 251. Another World of Wonders will appear When thither I shall carry Thee but now Thou shalt repose thee here a while and cheer Thy Spirits to run that ravishing Race I know That thou so dear are thy Lords wayes to Thee Would'st longer Fast but now it must not be 252. This said He spred his wing as he before Had often done and on that Table set Out of his own unseen but copious store Chaste and delicious Cates for her to eate She blest her gratious Lord who fasted so Long time before he eate and then fell to 253. But whil'st on those externall Meats she fed Her soule sate at a secret feast for she Her Hearts fair Table fully furnished With the rich Dainties of this Historie Knowing her Lord and this advanc'd the Cheer Did Fast and fight not for himselfe but Her 254. And now because the Sun made haste to rest And smok'd already in the Western Deep Phylax his chariot curtains drew and prest The Virgins Eyes to doe as much by Sleep One Wing beneath and one above her head He layd and turn'd her Bord into her Bed PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO X. The Marveils ARGUMENT LOve to convince the World in whom alone It ought to treasure all its Confidence Affords a fair and full Probation What undeniable Omnipotence Dwelt in his Hand which alway sheltered Those who unto its Sanctuary fled 1. IT is not Beauty which its Blush doth owe Unto the Pixe and Pencill 'T is no King Who on the Stage doth make a rusling show And thunder big imperious Words which ring With awfull Noise about the Sceen when He By the next Exit must some Begger be 2. All is not Gold that in a glistering Ray Fairly conceals its foule hypocrisie The gareish Meteors though they display Good store of shining Proofs will never be Own d by the Stars for Bretneren nor can The Ape with all his Tricks be genuine Man 3. The heady Rebell though all Texts he skrews To force Truth to confession of a Lie Though at the Barr of Natures Laws he sues To justifie unnaturall Liberty Though Conscience and Religion the thigs He overthrows he for his ground-work brings 4. Though from Successe a firmer Argument For the Odrysian Christian-hating Race He pleads the Sanctity of his Intent And blasphemously makes Heav'n own his Cause In vain strives to transforme his hell-bred Sin Which still makes Him to Lucifer a kin 5. The staring Wizzard never yet could by His mumbling Charms his Herbs his Lines his Wand His hideous Sacrifices form a Lie Able against the face of Truthe to stand Nor can his Master Satan though all Hell He rends or blends effect a Miracle 6. Oft has he ventured and strove to tread In those Almighty Steps of Heav'n but still The Paces were so wide that all He did Was but the proving of his feeble Will His Wonders never reach'd above Deceits With which imprudent Eyes and Hearts he cheats 7. No God alone is King of Nature and She hir own Soveraign
have plotted it Nor need'st thou lend us any Wings to flie Who can make hast enough when Hast is fit The Wheels of Time with speed enough doe runne But yet mine Houre they have not rolled on 34. Know Psyche that his Houre is Mercies Cue And when Extremitie of Need doth call Then Mercie loves her gracious Power to shew The want of wine was yet not knowne to all The Company whose Souls it did concerne By that thy Lords wise Potencie to learn 35. But yet no sooner did that Want appear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with ready Goodness gives Command 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He spied standing there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 owne Liquor should be filled and 〈◊〉 for the Convives When loe at the Spout The Miracle into the Boule gush'd out 36. He who had Water taught by passing through The Conduit of the Uine and of the Grape To turne to brisk and joyfull Wine did now Teach it as much by running through the Tap. The cool and Virgin Nymph drawn from the Pot All over blushed and grew sparkling hot 37. The Master of the Feast amazed at Her sprightfull Sweetness wonderd whence she came Never had his judicious Palate yet Discover'd such a brisk and sprightfull Dame Alas He knew not that His gift She was From whom no Thing but what is Best can pass 38. Look yonder flows the Sea of Galile Upon whose sandy shore which He had set To curb and bridle in its Waves as He Uouchsas d to walk his Eyes an object met Which mov'd their pitty and that moved Him In a new Sea to bid the Fishers swimme 39. Peter and Andrew in the tiresome Maine Catching their Living with their Fish he spi'd In whom he read the vainer Life of vain And mudling Man who in the briney Tide Of this unstable World his Days doth wast And with his Net himself into it Cast. 40. So certainly Uncertainty upon This Lifes unfaithfull Stage doth domineer Proud Change in such confounding Sport doth runne Heer sometimes flowing sometimes ebbing there That Earth it self may seem no less than Sea At never setled Luna's beck to be 41. This made Him crie aloud Come Follow Me And I will you imbark upon the Shore In a more safe and profitable Sea Than you have ever fished in before Let those mute things alone and I will make You henceforth catch such Fishes as can speaks 42. The Shoale of Men which in this Ages Deep Doe scudd about unto your Netts shall flow Those feeble tatterd Things you need not keep I upon You will nobler Netts bestow Immortall Nets which know not how to break Netts which the Universall World shall take 43. As needless is your crazie Bark for I Intend to build a royall Ship in which You round about the Globe being steered by My watchfull Providence shall safely reach When Heav'n fears being shipwrackt then shall this Uessell which nothing but Heav'ns Kingdome is 44. Hast Thou not heard how Sirens notes have drawn The Fishers from their Boats into the Sea In whose sharp Brine their silley Preys they drown Drowned before in their soft Harmonie Well then might this strong Charm those Men invite To plunge into the Sea of safe Delight 45. Once more their Netts they Cast but Cast away Meekly ambitious to be Fishes now And yeild Themselves to Him a willing Prey Who thus his Nett of Love about them rhrew Never Adventure did they make like this Where being caught Themselves they Catch'd their Bliss 46. But yonder taken was an harder Prize There once erected stood Exactions Throne Where Levi sate Lord of a strange Excise The heavie Mark of Romes Dominion A Knight he was for none but such might be Intrusted with that Cruell Dignitie 47. That at the gracious Calling of thy Lord Fishers were well content their own to leave Lesse ground to sober Wonder doth afford Their cold and wet and dirtie Trade might drive Them to an easy faith their old Degree Of life by any new advanc'd would be 48. A Faith which in the Dregs of Time so far Abus'd will be that bold Mechanicks who In poor and painfull Trades ingaged were When Sloth and Pride make them too worthy to Buckle to work their Tools away will throw And by this Call inspir'd Men-fishers grow 49. But what Charms can out-vie the power of Gold An heavy strong and pretious Chain which now In deer imprisonment did Levi hold And fast upon his Soule and Body grow Can a Poor Master such a Man perswade To leave great Cesar and his thriving Trade 50. A sturdy Mountain may more easily be Commanded to resigne his native place And heave his mouldering bulk into the Sea The Sun may sooner from his princely face Tear all his golden Tire and damp his light In the vile pitch of an unnaturall night 51. Yet as thy Lord alas how mean and poor Pass'd by the Office He this Word let flie Come follow Me which forth-with over-bore By most unconquerable Potencie The startled Seat the Profit and the Man And turn'd into a Saint the Publican 52. The Worlds Opinion Levi ponder'd not Nor how Tibereus this Affront might take He counted not what He should loose or what He should not gain whilst he this Change did make He asks no Freinds advice how he might keep His fame nor stays to Look before he leap 53. But as forth from its horrible Abysse The World did at thy Spouses Call appear So from the blacker deeper Masse of his Confused Mammon Levi mounteth here And bravely Follows Him without delay Who was Himself his Leader and his Way 54. For Love like Lightning from the blessed Eyes Of Jesus shot it self quite through his Heart Where into its own instant Sacrifice What e'r it light upon it did convert So sublimate and so refining was The Fire that all the Gold it turn'd to Drosse 55. Doubts Fears and Cares and secular Relations It quite burnt up and in his flaming breast Left nothing but the noble Exultations Of valiant Zeal which should the World resist Its course with all this Masse of Earth and Sea Would rend its way through all and victor be 56. O Psyche Love Love is that potent Thing To which all other Strength its head bowes down The Universe's most Almighty King Ne'r chose to use Pow'rs Title as his own But in this sweeter Name of higher might For God is Love he takes his deer delight 57. Thy Lord his ordinary Chaplanes thus Did chuse and twelve their mystick Number was For in this Zodiak He all-gloryous Resolved through his Grace's Orb to passe About his World Nor does the other Sun Through fewer Signes in his great voyage run 58. But I must tell Thee for himself descri'd The Secret first One of the Twelve He chose An Hell-hound was and the false-hearted Guide Unto his deerest Masters mortall Foes One who did prove in matchlesse height of evill Against Incarnate God Incarnate Divell 59. Yet such was Jesu's most unbounded Love That He resolv'd to doe his best
Serenity To which the Ocean is but poor in Treasures His own dear Breast to Thee hee opened wide And let Thee in unto its fullest Tide 138. There did'st Thou lie and learn thy Soule to glow By the dear Copy of thy Pillows Heat A Pillow in whose soft Protection Thou Put'st all thy Cares and Fears to rest And yet Slep'st not thy Selfe for how could any Eye Indure to close when Jesus was so nigh 139. There did'st Thou lie next to the Heart of Love Whose ravishing Imbraces kept thee warm With all the best of Heav'n no more above But folded up in his incircling Arm Which forc'd all wise Spectators to conclude Thou wert aforehand with Beatitude 140. The loftiest Stories where pure Seraphs dwell Exalted in Felicities bright Sphear Thy dainty Habitation did excell For at his Foot-stoole They lie prostrate there Amidst the Sweets of whose all-balmey Breast Thine onely Head makes its delicious Nest. 141. What potent Joyes what mysticall Delight Woo'd and besieg'd thy Soule on every side Whil'st thy inamoured Spouse spent all the Might Of heav'nly Tendernesse on his dear Bride How many healing Wounds gave his Loves Dart How many living Deaths to thy soft Heart 142. How did hee study to epitomize His Incarnation's amorous Designe And trie the best of Mercie 's Mysteries Upon thy single Soule in which divine Experiment it was thine onely Grace To fill his universall Churches place 143. Thus while he liv'd he sweetly liv'd in Thee And when hee di'd Thou saw'st him nayled fast Unto his Death Yet no Mortality Could seize upon His love for by his last And tenderest Words whil'st hee Himselfe did die To Thee he gave Loves living Legacie 144. Into his dearest Mothers Bosome hee Commended Thee and bid her own her Son What Nature could not Love contriv'd to be And Mary must be Mother unto John Jesus and John Love had so closely ti'd That in their Mother they must not divide 145. Mary no other Glass could findè where she So fair an Image of her Sonne might read Nor John so pure a Mirrour wherein He His ever looking-longing Eyes might feed On his dear Lord Thus Love though dead and gone Sweetly leaves John his Spouse Mary her Sonne 146. No wonder gentlest Saint that on thy Tongue Love built his Hive and dropp'd his Hony thence Whilst thy Soul-charming Words rellish so strong Of Heav'ns best Sweets and choycest influence That Love from his own Wing lent Thee the Quill Which all thy Lines with Charity doth fill 147. No wonder Thou brave Eagle soar'dst so high And div'dst so deep into the Suns bright face Where Thou didst read the Words great Mystery By which thine Eye refin'd not dazeled was No wonder that Thou didst thy Gospeli fashion And Calculate by God's own Elevation 148. No wonder that Port Latin saw the Oile Scalding in vain Thou who didst live by Fire And in whose breast such amorous streams did boile Could'st feel no other Flames O no! some higher Fervor of Love must melt thine own and send It to the flaming Bosome of thy Friend 149. The Languishments of never-faint Desire Must crown thy Life with correspondent Death Though by sharp Pains thy Brethren did expire This dainty Martyrdom must end thy Breath So Heav'n has privileg'd thy Piety Thou who did'st Live by Love of Love must Die 150. Pardon me Psyche I could not forbear This deare Apostrophe John was the Man Whose virgin flaming Worth made Him be neer Of kin to our Angelick Tribe and can We mention him and not salute him too Whom Honors Soveraign Lord has honor'd so 151. And pardon Me that I have dwelt so long On his Apostolick Bretheren the Glory Of whose death-scorning Valour does no wrong Nor interrupts their Masters royall Story He and his heav'nly Might in them appear'd And o'r the vanquish'd Earth his Banner rear'd 152. Mark now that Mount which lifts its lofty Head Neer to Bethsaida whence it takes a view Of all the Countries round about it spread Nor Zebulon nor Nephthali out-flew Its Prospect which through Trachonitis too And Ituraea did sublimely goe 153. Yea though far distant it acquaintance took With other Mountains unto Hermon 〈◊〉 And stately Libanus it reach'd a Look This was that noble Oratory where Thy Lord so oft retired that the Place Thenceforth the Mount of Christ 〈◊〉 was 154. A Mount where liberall Nature did her best Witnesse the flowrie Beauties smiling there But Grace far more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Than that bright Pomp which and of old prepare For the Lawgivers feet the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of Sina mix'd with Thunder Smoak and Dread 155. For here no Trumpet spake the Frightfull Minde Of stern Imperiousnesse no rigid Law Back'd with an everlasting Curse injoyn d The World to its hard Yoak their Necks to bow But Love himselfe upon his gentle Throne Gave the soft Lawes of Benediction 156. Eight Springs of Blessednesse abroach hee set And woo'd the weary World to bathe in Them Their Cares and Fears hee taught Them to transmit And bury all Solicitude in Him He pass'd his Word Heav'n should their Purveyor be Who served in the Warrs of Pietie 157. His Evangelicall Oeconomie He instituted here and so improved The highest Pitch of Legall Sanctitie That though incumbering Burdens hee removed Yet more Bonds of Perfection on hee laid And wonderous strict his Mercies Candor made 158. His Reins were Silk but yet hee held them strait And drove amain providing by that Art That in their Passage no enchanting Bait Might his Disciples lure and tempt to start Out of the King of Heav'ns high Way but to His Kingdome safely and directly goe 159. His blessed Rules and none but His are They Which past the Puritie of Gold refine Gross Mortall Hearts and sublimate poor Clay Into a State Angelick and Divine Whilst by his Spirit He scours off sinfull Rust And into Heav'n blows up the purged Dust. 160. But turn and view those Desert Fields which lie Next Neighbours to the Galilean Sea Into that hopefull quiet Privacie Devotion had withdrawn thy Spouse but He Had given the People too much tast of his Sweetness to think He long could scape their Press 161. For as the busie Bees who once have found 〈◊〉 Garden haunt it day by day 〈◊〉 out every flower and humming round About the Tops of their delicious Prey So to that Garden for thy Lord had by His presence made it so did People flie 162. Jesus who bow'd from Heav'n poor Man to meet Could not refraine to entertaine the Throng With gracious ready Welcome He did greet Each Troop and Party as they came along Dealing his Courtesie to great and small Who came to be the Saviour of All. 163. Then as the wise Physitian first takes care That all the Vitall Parts be sound within Before He spend his pains on any Soare Which sinks into the Flesh or on theSkin Doth swimme So did his Tenderness to those His numerous Patients his art dispose 164. Their Hearts
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
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
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
at their Soveraigns hearts they aime their Swords 199. He call'd no Lightning from the Clouds or from His potent Eyes to flash on Juda's face And throw on his bold Lips that flaming Doom Which due unto their odious Treason was He charg'd not Earth her dreadfull Mouth to ope And on the hellish Kisser close it up 200. O no With heav'nly Tendernesse He cries Friend wherefore art Thou come Strange Miracle Of gentle Patience Who can comprise Thy blessed depth Upon the face of Hell Shall the sweet Name of Friend be printed by Him who beholds and feels its Treachery 201. Is foul Ingratitude plain Apostacie Right down Rebellion now become a freind Or rather is not this Disciple by His curs'd Revolt transformd into a Feind And will his wronged Lord by none but this Deare Name revenge his most invenomed Kisse 202. O Psyche Jesus tortured was to see Judas himself into all Torments throw And by this Charme of noblest Lenitie Back into Heav'n indeavored him to draw He knew Loves Cords were strong and from his Crime By these he strives to hale rescue Him 203. Why art thou come thus to betray thy Freind Why art thou come with Arms against a Lamb Why art thou come all Bonds of Love to rend Why art thou come to fight for thine own shame Why art thou come with this strong Preparation For thy Lords death for thine own Damnation 204. Thy Kisse I in its naturall Language will Kindely interpret and make my Replie In the same Dialect if thou wilt still Imbrace my ever faithfull Courtesie And yeild that Blisse may in thy heart have room Say then my Friend say wherefore art Thou come 205. Thus did the Prince of sweetnesse plead and wooe But the deaf Serpent stopp'd his cursed ear In 's heart the Thirty Peeces chinked so That He no other Harmonie can hear When loe the Souldiers knowing now their Prey On Iesus fell and haled Him away 206. For love of Thee and all his other Brides Thus Psyche was thy Lord content to be Sold at so vile a Rate and Mock'd besides Ev'n by his own Disciples Treacherie Shrink not if thy neer Freinds abuse thy love Since Gods own Favorites so faithlesse prove 207. And let the World by this one Copie learn That hell-bred Boldnesse is not strange or new By which most Fostered Favoured Creatures turn Flat Enemies and lead an armed Crew Of Miscreanrs with bloody Impudence Against the Powers and Person of their Prince 208. But when no mercy could the Traytor winne To entertain his Pardon Vengeance made Haste to poure out her selfe upon his sinne For Satan who his heart possessed had His Treason in his proper Coin repayd And the Betrayer fatally betrayd 209. Into a Corner of the Garden where Thoughtfull disconsolate Night sate thick and black She crowded him alone and having there Prepar'd and fitted her infernall Rack With studied furie not his Body but His captivated Soule on it she put 210. For by the beames of their owne hellish Light Unto Iscariots intellectuall Eyes Herselfe She did display Excessive Fright The Traytors wretched Heart did strait surprise Each Joynt and Member quak'd and sweat and He Felt in this Garden too his Agonie 211. He saw feirce Beizebubs sulphureous face Flaming with swarthy fire His Horns he saw Mounted high on his head with dreadfull grace Which his erected snakie Hair did knaw He saw his adamantine Nails and Paws His steely Teeth his brazen gaping Jaws 212. He saw the Tempest of his flaming Breath Which swarthy Volumes spred of stinking smoke He saw the windows of eternal Death Flung open in his staring Eyes whose Look Slew him alive He saw his Iron Mace His burning feet and his enraged Pace 213. He saw his forked Tail in tryumph thrown Upon his shoulder and his irefull Brow With cruell scorn contracted in a frown Rampant Implacabilitie he saw In every Gesture and did plainly read The full Description of Immortal Dread 214. When loe stern Lucifer threw out his hand And by her Throat his woefull Conscience took And now he cries I 'l make thee understand What thou hast chose and what thou hast forsook Look on this dainty Pair of Damsells heer Who more than Heav'n and God to thee were dear 215. Just at the word He opened to his view The horrid Carkaise of foule Avarice And fouler Treachery not in her hue Of borrowed Smiles and outside Comelinesse But in her naked native Filth and then Shaking his Horns and Paws He thus went on 216. Maddest of Fools how many Hells dost Thou Deserve who with such Hags could'st fall in love When Jesus woo'd thy Heart Well take Them now Th' hast paid so dearly for Them They will prove Sweet Brides and pretiously adorn thy Bed Which in the Bottome of my Realm is spred 217. If any Part at all there be in Them Which is not horrid may my Scepter break And may my royall Tongue no more Blaspheam For once I tell Thee true and Thou mayst take The Devills Word There are few Furies who In monstrous Ouglinesse thy Wives out-goe 218. And was thy Lord so vile a Thing that He Might not with these in Competition stand Did those unthankfull Eyes of thine e'r see A face inrich'd with such pure Beauties and Majestick Graces as in his did shine Making Humanity appear Divine 219. Most stupid Sot How often hast Thou seen Divinity from His great Hand break out How oft might plain Omnipotence have been Read in the Miracles He daily wrought Casting forth all my stoutest Fiends Yet Thou And here He beat the Soule to Me wouldst bow 220. Nay never houle 't is but the Earnest this Of what 's to come Thou needs wouldst bow to Me To Me of whom that Christ the Conqueror is He threw Me down from Heav'ns Sublimity Into that Pit of Pangs where I am now The damned Soveraign of such as Thou 221. Had'st not as good have bowed unto Him Whose Yoak Thou would'st have lighter found than mine I tell thee Judas I am but a grim And rugged Lord what Prizes once I win Infallibly for evermore shall frie In Torments bottomlesse Extremity 222. And is my Hell my everlasting Spight My unrelenting Furie so much worth That Paradise and Heav'n and Jesus might Not finde acceptance Brings Damnation forth Such strong Temptations Can eternal Blisse Not wooe and win as potently as this 223. Sure Hell and Death are gallant Things and I Cannot allow Thee them untill Thou hast Through all Contempt and Hate and Infamie Which Salem or the World can yeild thee past That Preface shall for that eternall Smart Which gapes longs for Thee prepare thine Heart 224. Goe then the Ages Blot and Monster goe Let every Mouth spit on thine hated Head Let every Tongue thick Curses on Thee strow Let every Hand be arm'd to strike Thee dead Let every Eye abhorre thy balefull Sight Let all the World revenge thy Traytorous Spight 225. Let Heav'n
no power alone to stand upright Stoop now you see your Saviour on his Knee Who doth sustaine your Being by his might Stoop now you see Him to his Servants bow And the Most-high submit himself 〈◊〉 72. To stand on foolish Terms of 〈◊〉 now Is but to found your glorie on your shame Is it not more illustrious to bow With Jesus then with Lucifer to aime Above your reach O why will Dust forget The place originally due to it 73. But what 's Gods bus'nes at his Servants feet Even to Wash and Wipe them 〈◊〉 O now Stoop lower still lower and lower yet For at the lowest you are not so 〈◊〉 As He the 〈◊〉 King who here Hath made himself a 〈◊〉 Minister 74. When Jesus by his Water ciensed had Hir Servants seet and by his Grace their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what Preparation must be made By all who ever mean to have their Parts In his pure 〈◊〉 down he sits again And them with 〈◊〉 doth entertain 75. The Ends of sumptuous Banquets use to be Crown'd with most soveraign Varieties Which may the Convives learned Luxurie With deep and new found Ravishment surprise And Jesus would not have this Supper want That costly Point of Princely Complement 76. Indeed the Supper which They now had eat Into the Belly its direct way took Where in the Kitchin of poor Mortall Meat It was committed unto Heat to Cook And Heats best skill could onely dresse it 〈◊〉 To feed the Body which contained it 77. But Christs 〈◊〉 Designe was now With such a royall Feast to blesse the Bord As might make Spirits fat and healthfull grow And thriving Nutriment to Soules afford Such Nutriment as might full power give Unto his Guests eternally to live 78. In his Almighty Hand he took the Bread And pour'd his plenall Blessing upon it Never on any but his own dear Head Such potent Benediction did sit Indeed it was that Blessings Echo and Bounded upon his Body in his Hand 79. For having broke that Bread He reached it To his Disciples saying Take and eat This is my Body broke for You and let My dear Remembrance live in this your Meat But Jesu's Feast must not be drie for Wine Equall to this high Dainties He doth joyne 80. He takes the Cup and Drink Yee all of this It is my Blood of the new Testument Says He which shed and freely given is To wash the Sins of all that will repent As often as you of this Chalice drink Of Me your liberall Redeemer think 81. Sweet Jesu ô how can thy World forget Their royall 〈◊〉 and his 〈◊〉 who Upon their Tables his own Self hath 〈◊〉 Who in their holy Cups fails not to flow And in their Dishes lie Did ever Friend So 〈◊〉 a Token of his Love 〈◊〉 82. Infallibly there dost Thou flow and lie Though Mortall Eyes discover no such thing Quick sighted Faith reads all the Mystery And humble pious Soules doth easily bring Into the Wonders 〈◊〉 and there Makes all the 〈◊〉 of this Truth 〈◊〉 83. She generously dares on God relie And trust his Word how strange soe'r it 〈◊〉 If Jesus once pronounces This is my Body and Blood Far far be it cries She That I should think my dying Lord would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 of Drink and 〈◊〉 84. His Word is most Omnipotent and He Can doe what e'r He says and more than I Can or would understand What is 't to me If He 〈◊〉 Humane Capacitie Surely it well becomes Him so to doe Nor were He God if He could not doe so 85. Let Him say what He will I must denie Him to be God or else Beleeve his Word Me it concerneth not to verifie What He proclaims I onely must afford Meek Credit and let Him alone to make Good whatsoever He is 〈◊〉 to speak 86. Grosse and unworthy Spirits sure They be Who of their Lord such mean Conceptions 〈◊〉 That parting from his dearest Consorts He No Token of his Love did leave with Them But simple Bread and Wine a likely thing And well-becoming Heav'ns magnificent King 87. A likely Thing that when the susty blood Of Bulls and Goars cannot wash Sin away The Blood of Grapes should with a stronger Flood 〈◊〉 over whelm and drown the Worlds 〈◊〉 O no such Virtue in no Blood can dwell But that which through the Veins of God did thrill 88. Ask me not then How can the thing be done 〈◊〉 power of Sense or Reason can 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 are what Demonstration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as this My God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if you once can prove that He can lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 too I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 89. What thank is it that you can credit that Which your own sense and Reasons eye reads plain Heavn's much to them beholden who will not Beleeve it higher is than they can strein Who jealous are of God and will not be Induce'd to trust him further than they see 90. And yet had you these modest eyes of mine You in this gloomie Cloud would see the Sun That Sun who wisely doth disdain to shine On Those who with bold Prying presse upon His secret Majestie which plainly I Because I make no anxious search descrie 91. This is the valorous Resolution Of Gallant Faith and this will serve to be The blessed Rule by which all those will run Who are the Scholars of Humilitie Yet I must tell thee Psyche itching Pride Will not hereafter thus be satisfied 92. A thousand waspish Syllogismes will Be buzzing from the Mouthes of those who build Their ground works of Religion on the skill Which they for granted take their brains has fild Till Quaeries Doubts Distinctions Niceties First grow to Schismes and then to Heresies 93. Needs will they prie into the Manner how This mystick Miracle to passe was brought And madly being not content to know What Christ thought fit to teach them study out They know not what and make this banquet prove A Sacrament of war and not of love 94. Some peep too neer and spie what is not there Some carelesly take what is there away Some will confesse no Miracle for fear That should prove Consequential which they Would not have so and that themselves should be Forc'd to acknowledge more than they can see 95. Some sift Existence Substance Accidents And make the Laws of Aristotle be The Umpiers in Religion Thus the Rents Which Art strives to sew up in Pietie By that unworthy clownish Needle are Onely made wider than before they were 96. O happy world if all would once agree In that which Jesus hath so plainly taught If those short Words might but sincerely be Imbraced and no more in question brought If for the Manner they would trust their Lord And for the Substance take Him at his Word 97. For Heav'n its faithfull wheel shall sooner turn And backward hale the Sun into the East The Northern Polar Bear shall sooner burn And Siriu's mouth be sealed up with Frost The Earth into the
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
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
Tell Him I thank Him for his Courtesie It made Me merry as You all have seen I will not rob his Lordships Pleasures by Keeping this Idiot from Him When I mean To play with Fools I hope my Galile With one such Sheeps-head more may furnish Me. 160. Thus Jesus in a gorgious Robe is clad That more conspicuous his shame might be And so through fresh Disdains and Scoffings led To be the Game of further Tyranny Pilate admir'd to see his splendid Hue Knowing what Garb was to Delinquents due 161. For Pris'ners when their Lives presumed were Forfeit to Law and Death were wont to be In funeral Black array'd which might prepare Them to the thoughts of their Catastrophe And intimate the Colour of that Sin Whose horrid Darknesse cloth'd their Soules within 162. But so did Providence correct their Spight That He whose Breast was purer than the Day Did in his Vesture wear no guilty Night But by his Foes own Hands in an Array Of Glory was attir'd and quitted when They hal'd Him to his Condemnation 163. So oftentimes when a Conspiracy Of Windes their puffing labouring Wrath doe blow About the World in hopes to damp the Skie With swarthie Clouds and Storms they onely throw All Vapors out and with a full and fair Serenity array the purged Aire 164. But Pilate pondering what had hapned now And feeling Moral Honesty beat high Ev'n in his Pagan Heart could not allow His Conscience to be Slave unto the Crie Of the importunate Jews who roaring stood And set their Mouths wide ope for guiltlesse Blood 165. My duty I have fully done said He Him and your Accusations have I Unto the bottome sifted As for Me I hope I never gave you reason why You should presume that any Clamors may Fright Pilate out from Justice's High-way 166. Neither your Temple nor your Altars be More venerable unto you than is My most unspotted Judgement Seat to Me For all Hells yellings and impatient Cries I trust Mine shall as valiantly resist As Mino's or as Rhadamanthu's Breast 167. What I to Caesar owe and what to Right I long have known and must not now forget My Heart is Romane and the dearest Light Of Heav'n is not so pretious to it As spotlesse Honor which can never be Cohabitant with Wrong and Tyranny 168. Mine own Heart-blood I rather would let flow And let your Thirst carouse in it then I From any guiltlesse Veins their Streams will draw To quench the loudest Importunity Mine is mine own but what have I to doe To give Anothers Life when Law sayes No. 169. Law takes no hold of Jesus nor must I Nor did the Tetrarch and why then will you He that he is a King doth not deny But adds withall His Kingdomes not below No harm to Cesar by this Man is done Who doth his Kingdome fancy in the Moon 170. There let his Fancy rule and reign But yet 'T is pitty for his Follie He should Die. It never yet was heard that Want of Wit Pass'd for a Capital Offence Nay I Have been inform'd that in the Tribute He Has witnessed sufficient Loyalty 171. For by his Doctrine He did it maintain And by his Practise too though Calumnie Hath your Beliefe abus'd and cast a Stain Upon his Innocence Come therefore I Will for your Credits Him Chastise and so Give Him Dismission without more adoe 172. And this the rather since by Custome I Ingaged am to honor this your Feast In granting some Offendors Liberty Who in your Judgement shall deserve it best And who can you think lesse deserveth Death Then He whose Innocence him acquitted hath 173. Thus strove the Judge that He might not condemn Both Jesus and himself When loe the Priests His gracious offer shamelesly contemn And spur the People in whose furie rests Their finall Hope to beg with all the Strise Of stoutest throats none but Barabba's life 174. Prodigious Priests is not Barabbas He Whom all the Town knows guilty of the fact You fain would fasten upon Iesus yee Your selves beheld what tumults he did act And how his desperate riot he pursued Untill in Murder he his hands imbrued 175. And is the Murderers life so dear that He Must live with you whilst Innocence does die Does foule Barabbas his curs'd Company Suit better with your reverend Sanctitie Or can you think both God and Man so blinde As not to see and hate your bloody minde 176. Strange Psyche strange it was with what loud cryes The mad-brain'd vulgar heav'n and earth did tear Barabba's Name through all their clamour flies And they for none but for Barabbas care He is their Darling and they cannot live If Pilate will not grant them his Reprieve 177. Thus hellish Hate op'd Providences door To heav'nly Love and made Barabba's be The whole Worlds type which from the fatal Pow'r Of endlesse Death and equall Miserie Was to be snatch'd to day whil'st in its place A Lamb all white and guiltlesse sentenc'd was 178. Mean while the Judges Lady sent her Page In posting speed to pray her troubled Lord Not to be mad because that Rout did rage Nor venture to prophane the Roman sword With innocent blood for certainly said she Jesus is just and they seditious be 179. For my good genius as I lay asleep Appear'd unto me hand in hand with thine Thine beat his Breast and bitterly did weep And toll'd the reason of his griefe to mine He said and deeply sighed as he said Pilate with Jesus now will be betrai'd 180. Pilate will be betrai'd to take away The Life of Jesus and his own withall For Jesus blood will crie another day And unto Pilats veins and heart will call His veins and heart must answer that strong cry I started here and out the Dream did flie 181. Thus heav'n admonish'd Claudia strove to drive Her husband from his Precipices brow And did withall miraculous witnes give What wrongs the Jews at Jesu's life did throw For Heav'n was pleas'd that his integritie By either sex should now asserted be 182. No sooner had the trembling Page delivered His ominous Message but the Judges heart With fatall jealousie and horror shivered His joints unbuckled and his eyes did start His hair stood staring up his blood flew back And left his lips and all his visage black 183. But when the Scribes and Priests had learn'd this news Behold they cry how He by Magick art Hath sent some 〈◊〉 Spirit to abuse The honest thoughts of noble Claudia's heart That by this trick the Judge might frighted be Our Truthes made slanders and himself set free 184. Then all the People with fresh clamors roard Thundring Barabbas in the Judges ear That violent storm quite blew away the Word His Lady sent Him and through sudden fear Of insurrection He returns to treat About the Busines which himself did hate 185. Friends ask your second thoughts said He and see If they upon Barabbas needs will dote I would not that your too much
may know 〈◊〉 he has not in some passi nate haste Without sufficient grounds his Sentence Past. 264. The Priests had mony that commanding Spurr Which fires all Soldiers with impatient Speed And Pilate now can cast in no Demurr The Jews assure him that he has no need But need or not his thoughts in vain doe beat The Soldiers now were bought to doe the Feat 265. But being Martiall generous Spirits they Must not debase their armed Backs to bear The servile ignominious Cross nor may The Jews who now all purified were To celebrate their Paschall Supper be Stain'd by the Touch of that accursed Tree 266. On JESU'S Wounds his Death the Soldiers lay And He must ern his Crosses Service by Bearing its tedious Weight before he may Be born by it Thus with a barbarous Crie Of Tongues and Trumpets which the Welkin rent Through the cheifstreets this sad Procession went 267. But He whose Springs so drained were before Both of their Blood and Spirits now grew faint In vain they kick'd him and in vain they tore Him forward by his Hair for no Constraint Can make weak Nature her own Power exceed Nor finde out Firmnesse in a broken Reed 268. What Heart but seared by the fire of Hell Could now Compassions courteous Tears forbear But yet the Soldiers bosomes by the fell Contagion of the Iewish Malice are So deeply tainted that what might invite Tigres to Pittie does but whet their Spight 269. For meerely in prevention of the Loss Of that choise Sport they hoped for when He Was once set fair and sure upon his Cross As the full Mark at which all Scoffs might be Directly aim'd Him from this Load they spare And force Cyrenian Simon it to bear 270. Nay Live you shall say they till you may Die As you deserve mean while this Ernest take Of that full Summe which We will by and by On Golgotha without abatement make With this they beat Him and so much the more As with his Blood he no Complaints would poure 271. Indeed the softer Sex who upon Him And on his Woes did wait with tenderer Eyes In his own Blood could not behold Him swim But with their Sympathetick Tears and Cries Confess'd that they had Bowells still although Remorseless Stone Mens hearts did overgrow 272. But Jesus who did all this grevious while Encourage by his patient Silence those Most insolent Jeers and Blasphemies the vile And spightfull Jews could frame doth now oppose These Womens loving Tears and upon them With nobler Pitty turn their pittying Stream 273. For 't was his brave Ambition to engross All Greifs and Sorrows to Himself to day Esteeming every Groan of theirs his Loss And all his Woes discredited that they Should seem to need Assistants when stout He To his own Shoulders woo'd all Miserie 274. Weep not ye Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for Me who have set ope my Breast To every Greif which into it can stream And thither mean to welcome every Guest Weep not for Me said He whose Sorrows are Not to be quenched by a mortall Tear 275. If you will broach your Bottles let them run For your own selves and your unhappy Seed For loe those fatall Days are posting on Which all your Brine and more than all will need The Days when Blessing shall no longer spred Its joyous Complement on Mothers Head 276. For then the Barren Womb shall praised be As fertile in the choisest Happiness Then everie Tongue those Papps ariditie Which never brought up Babe to Woe shall bless Then shall the dearest pledges of your Love Your Sonns and Daughters living Torments prove 277. Then in impatient longing for a Grave Despairing Men shall to the Mountains call And everie neighbour Hills Compassion crave Beseeching them upon their Heads to fall And hide them though in Death from seeing how Calamitie about the World doth flow 278. For if in me a young and verdant Tres The flames of Veng'ance thus prevailing are What shall the Refuge or Condition be Of Stumps and Trunks all withered and sear Which are already dri'd and fit alone For feuell for their own Combustion 279. In a fresh Cursing and Blaspheming fitt This set the mad-braind Rout who ask'd Him why When they of late so humbly begged it He would not condescend to Prophesie And why He who could others Woes so well Discern could nothing of his own foretell 280. And see good Prophet yonder Hill said they Take your own Counsell now before it prove Too late Come let Us heare what you can say Both it and its Compassion to move Set out your Throat if hard and loud you plead Perhaps 't will bow its own to hide your Head 281. Then having star'd a while upon Him all Whose Fists or Toes or Spittle him could reach With thick and peevish indignation fall Upon his bruised bloody Body Which Triumphant scorns He meekly vanquish'd by His Silence and march'd up to Calvarie 282. Ev'n to this Calvarie We stand on heer This Mount which from a Scull hath gain'd its Name For in this solemn Place the Sepulchre Of reverend Adam stood which carefull Fame Told to Posteritie and so the Hill Wears in its Title that old Story still 283. With such Decorum did thy prudent Lord Order his meritorious Passion that The second Adam might his help afford Unto the First where He lay chain d and shut Up in Deaths Prison the remorseless Grave Which to Corruption did Him enslave 284. Iesus on that drie Dust resolv'd to shed His most enlivening purifying Blood That He might wash and cure the tainted Head Of Mortalls Miserie by the soveraign Flood Of his own Life that Life which onely can Restore true vitall vigor unto Man 285. Here 〈◊〉 here the Crosse its foot did set When it sustaind the Worlds Redeemer here Is that renouned Soile which once was wet With richer Drops than ever shoured were From kindest Heav'n for by that fertile Dew Salvations Harvest to perfection grew 286. But yet this Hill wears not that onely Name Of Calvarie 't was call'd Moriah too Of old when zealous Abraham hither came His most renouned Sacrifice to doe And by unparalleld Obedience prove The valourous Bravery of faithfull Love 287. Brave Abraham hither came his Altar heer He built and prepossess'd the Crosses place So Isaac did thy Lords a while But there An hamperd Ram strait substituted was Thus Isaac scap'd but now there was no Ram Which might supply the place of heav'ns dear Lamb. 288. Jesus himselfe must sacrificed be Not by but to his Father Psyche now That fatal Houre was come when Tyrannie Held the free Reins and did its freedome know When purest Innocence was abandond quite Unto the Luxurie of proudest Spight 289. For loe the Souldiers thy torn Saviour stretch And fit Him unto his tormenting Tree His blessed Hands unto the Topp they reach Those Hands whose workmanship all creatures be His Feet unto the bottom those pure Feet Which no Bloud but their
And that he ment upon the Aires high back To shew himselfe in State to Us but now His Crosse is all the Chariot he can show 316. He often bragg'd that God was his great Sire How is it then his Father owns Him not Sure were He worth the owning all the Quire Of Heav'n would hither Flock to hide this Blot Of his broad Shame with their pure Wings bear Him hence in triumph to his native Sphear 317. Shame on your Blasphemies you shamelesse Rout Of Priests and People Jesus aimeth not To save Himselfe but You who sting and flout His noble Patience He has not forgot That in his Soveraign Hands and Fingers still The whole Train of Omnipotence doth dwell 318. For those Almighty Hands he stretcheth out And busie is in working your Salvation He could Come down but stayes till he has wrought That mighty Act of his victorious Passion He could come down but stayes till he may draw Up after Him this groveling World below 319. He could come down did you not fix Him there Not with your Nails but with your stronger Sins He could come down were his own Life as dear To him as yours But on his Wrongs he winns And by all resolute Love strives to prevail Against all Spight and Rage which him 〈◊〉 320. O Psyche cruell were those Scoffs but yet More stinging Scorn then this is still behinde For now the very Theeves upon him spit Their odious Taunts and seem in Him to finde What their vile Soules amidst the Miseries Of their own cursed Crosses dare despise 321. Ink scorns the Snow foule Night accuseth Day The dirty Puddle mocks the virgin Spring Dark Shades contemn the Suns meridian Ray Black Night-ravens call the Swan a swarthy Thing Ignoble Bats revile the Eagles Eyes And Hell it selfe insults o'r Paradise 322. Art thou that mighty Christ said they and yet Hang'st here the Game of all Contempt and Spight Can Heav'ns great Son his Selfe so far forget As rather to endure to Die then fight Discredit not by yeilding cowardly The Lord of Hosts if he thy Father be 323. Come justifie that royal Title there Which now but laughs at thine ignoble Head Approve thy Selfe King of the Jews and fear Not to redeem thy Fame and Life But spread Thy Favour too on Us that under Thee The Soveraign We may glorious Nobles be 324. For since in these thy deep Misfortunes We Of all thy World thy sole Companions are We well in your restor'd Prosperity May promise our Desert the deepest share So spake the Theeves and then they roar'd for Pain But quickly fell to scoffe and curse again 325. And shall not Heav'ns Artillery now attend Its wronged King and vindicate his Cause Can Earth hear this and not in sunder rend Snatching these Elves into her deepest Jaws No Jesus now no Veng'ance doth approve But that of patient and Silent Love 326. Sweet Veng'ance which so strongly wrought upon One of this loud blaspheming Pair that he Converts his Curses to Devotion And prompts his Fellow unto Piety Rebuking sharply his malitious Tongue Which still persu'd his Lord with shameless Wrong 327. Then like a wise and sober Theif indeed He seeks to steal into his Saviours grace O King of Heav'n he cries I plainly read Thy Majesty though in thy clounded Face Sure Thou hast taught mine Eyes this skill ô then Compleat this Mercy which Thou hast begun 328. When in thy Kingdome Thou shalt mounted be Upon thy Throne of Glory ô forger Those Wrongs which ignorant I did poure on Thee On Thee the God of Innocence but yet Forget not Me who must for ever die Unlesse repreived by thy Clemencie 329. Jesus whose Goodnesse never did disdain 〈◊〉 hear and answer a meek Sinners Crie Though his provoked Lips he did refrain Amidst those thick Storms of loud Blasphemie With gracious Sweetnes doth Assurance give Unto the Dying Theif that he shall live 330. Fear not said He thy Death is drawing nie But it shall prove the Gate of Life to Thee My Word the Pillar of all Certainty I freely pass Thou from that cursed Tree Shalt step this Day to Paradise and there Under the Bowers of Blisse with Me appear 331. The Preists and People laugh'd and scoff'd to hear Him talk of giving Blisse who hung in Pain Blinde Fools who could not now discern how clear His Power shin'd which thus its Prize could gain Out of Hells Mouth with Loves sweet constreint Make of a Cursing Theif a Praying Saint 332. By this deer Token He to every one Of them aforehand did their Pardon seal If they would doe what the meeke Theif had done And to his Grace with penitent hearts appeal But most unhappy They this deep Designe Of Love did obstinately countremine 333. Profoundly did this Scorn of Mercy tear Thy Spouses most compassionate Breast But He Observing now his dearest Followers there The Mother of Him and Virginitie With faithfull John a keen and double Dart Of fresh Greif shot quite through his bleeding Heart 334. For in his Mothers tender Soule he saw That cruel Sword stuck deep which Simeon Foretold so long agoe The Virgin now Who at the first brought forth her blessed Son Whithout all Pangs doth in hard Labour strein And pays her Debt of puerperiall Pain 335. O how the Bowels of her yearning Heart Are tent and torn her hands her feet her head All bear their proper Torments and no Part Can say To me these Sorrows doe not spread For from her Sons deer Body every Wound Doth on her sympathetik Self rebound 336. Her Temples are with thick-set Thorns hedg'd in Nail'd unto Tortures are Her dainty Feet Tatter'd and mangled is Her tender Skin Her Flesh plow'd up Her veins wide open set And all her modest Body to the view Exposed is of every shameless Jew 337. On Her those Jeers and Taunts and Blasphemies Their venome pour and swell with Greif her Breast That Breast which noble Love so straitly ties And coments to her Sons that not the least Division can interpose nor make This Double One themselves for single take 338. If She had in her other Self if she In Mary had been Crucifi'd the Crosse Had tolerable been but thus to be Destroy'd in Jesus is so vast a Loss That Mari's swallow'd up in it and this Calamitie becomes both Hers and His. 339. Her Hope her Joy her Life her Love her Blisse Her Heav'n her Son her God all these She now Beholds betrayed to her Enemies And what has Mary more How shall she row Through this vast Sea which in each gaping Wave Presents her ô how much more than a Grave 340. As oft as to the Crosse she opes her Eyes Death rusheth in Yet she as oft doth Die As unto their Compassion she denies That ruefull Spectacle If Psyche I Or Thou or any Seraph had been so Beseig'd with Soveraign Griess What could We do 341. What could we doe but sink Yet noble she Struggling amidst a
Neer to the Tombe He peeped forth on Them 105. He peeped forth and little thought that Day Was up before and had prevented Him This Day was Jesus his and scornd to stay And be beholden to the tardie beam Of glaring Phoebus since it of its own Glories had ample store its head to crown 106. So had the Corps of Sweets had it lain still But this was gone Yet shall religious They Finde something which will their Devotion fill With Satisfaction and in full repay Their Odours Price for in the Tombe they see An Angel sitting in bright Majesty 107. This was that noble Spirit who in haste Flew down from Heav'n just as thy Lord gat up And whose prest bus'nes was away to cast That mighty stone which did the Tombs Mouth stop That these religious Visitants might there See how their Saviours Words performed were 108. And gallantly his blessed Work he did For at his mighty coming Earth did quake The Seal was startled and in peeces fled The trembling Stone was ready too to break And had in shivers fallen had not he Roll'd it aside and bid it quiet be 109. When loe the Watch which at the Sepulchre Guarded the High-priests Sin with Swords and Spears Forthwith beyond their own protection were Being arrested by prodigious Fears The Hills Commotion reached to their Hearts Which with the Seal split in a thousand parts 110. But chiefly at the Angels Presence They Were seiz'd with their intoletable Fright His shining Roabs were glorious as the Day And partners with the driven Snow in white For 't was his Easter Suit the Suit he had To honor this bright Feast on purpose made 111. And yet the Lustre which kept Holiday Rejoycing in his delicate attire Could not such wealthy floods of rays display As streamed from his aspects fairer fire For in the Majesty of his sweet face A spring of living lightning bubling was 112. In this celestiall bravery his threne He took upon the stone he rolled thence Whence his illustrious terror he upon The eyes of all the Soldiers did dispense At whose bright dint forthwith each man let fall His sword and tumbled down himself withall 113. They tumbled down and where they tumbled lay For though they gladly would have farther fled Alas they had no Power to run away Pallid Amazement naild them there for dead Thus they who came to guard thy Saviours Tombe Into capacity of their own were come 114. When the two Maries spi'd this Stranger there And all the Watch before Him slain with Dread They in their Passion began to share And had not Innocence its Protection spred Over their hearts this Apparition had An equal Conquest on their Spirits made 115. But when the Angel saw them drawing neer He sweetly intercepted further Fright You have said he no portion in this fear Which on this Watch of Wickednesse doth light I know your errand well and here he smil'd And all his face with gentler lustre fill'd 116. You likewise Come to Watch the Corps but yet To Pray withall You Jesus come to finde Although his Crosse and Shame themselves do set Full in your way to daunt your pious Minde You bravely Come although a Guard stood here Your Spices and Devotions to prefer 117. You in courageous forgetfulnes Of your faint feeble sex Come to attend Upon his body who forsaken is By his own Masculine Scholars I commend Your early valiant zeal although it be Arrived here too late your Hopes to see 118. For Jesus earlier was up than you And unto slaughter'd death bequeath'd his Tombe His royall Word long since He pass'd you know And this prefixed morning being come Impossible it was that longer He In Deaths coldregion should froazen bee 119. Doubt not this news I tell Come in and let Your eyes convince your hearts His empty bed You see with all the Cloaths and Sheets of it This Bed from whence He nobly flourished Into new life a cold dead bed but He You know sprung first from dry virginitie 120. The Angels Words the holy Women read Plain in the Grave and in the Grave-cloaths yet So deeply were their Soules astonished At this 〈◊〉 of wonders which beset Their unprovided thoughts that they surmise Some pleasing error flattered their eyes 121. Which He perceiving sweetly chode their doubt Their jealous faintnes and dejected eyes Demanding why they in Deaths Closet sought For Him who thence to open life did rise He cheers them then and tels them they shall be The Angels of this news as well as He. 122. Make haste said he to the Disciples who As jealous of this busines are as you Bid them be cheerly and to Galile goe Where unto them their Lord himself will show And gentle Soules you to forestall their doubt May tell them you from me this message brought 123. Out went the pious Women in a sweet Distraction of loving feare and joy The glorious Miracle did feare beget The blessed news new comfort did display With doubtfull certainty they trembling ran And told their sight to Peter and to John 124. Deer Sirs they cry'd ô what what shall we doe The onely Relict of our Hope is gone But where our Lords sweet body is or who Hath born it from the tombe God knows alone We with these eyes the empty Grave beheld Which us with terrible amazement fill'd 125. Indeed an Angell if our fancie did Not cheat our ears joy to our sorrow spake And told us that our Saviour from his Bed Of death was rise commanding us to make You with the news acquainted But whate'r The matter is our hearts still beat with fear 126. He bad us charge you and your Brethren all To meet in Galile For there said he Their risen Masters apparition shall Requite th' attendance of their Pietie O that it might be so though he had set Ev'n the Worlds furthest end for you to meet 127. So spake the Women but the standers by Shak'd their wise heads at the unlikely news And see said they the wilde credulitie Of female hearts whom fancy doth abuse How fine a storie they can forge and fashion Of no materials but imagination 128. And yet for all this censure wiser John Fir'd at the news thought not of Galile But in Loves loyall disobedience ran Hither the present Miracle to see The same spur prick'd on Peter too and He Stoutly set forward in his company 126. Unto their Prey no Eagles e'r did post With heartier Speed ne'r did Ambition make To Crowns and Scepters more impatient hast No Spark to Heav'n its course did ever take With braver Zeal than this religious Pair Flew to observe the empty Sepulchre 56. But John in whose soft Breast more flames did reign More flames of Youth and more of gallant Love His fellow-traveller did soon out-strein And gat before In vain old Peter strove For though his Tongue were alwaies forward yet John had the quicker Heart and nimbler Feet 131. He first came to the Tombe
but stricken there With awfull reverence onely sent his Eye Into the bottome of the Cavern where The Resurrections Relicts He did spie The linen Clothes which had the grace to kisse The sacred Body of all Sweetnesses 132. But panting Peter there arrived ' in The wonted boldnesse of his fervid Zeal Entred the Cave Which pattern straight did win So much on John that to the Spectacle He follow'd Him and with joint Wonder there Gaz'd and examined the Sepulchre 133. He gaz'd and cleerly found his Eye told true This rous'd his Faith and made Her likewise ope Her Eyes the blessed Mystery to view She look'd and plainly saw Her Lord was up And needed now no Angels Tongue to seal To Her the Truth of that grand Miracle 134. These two Disciples having seen their fill To feed upon the Wonder home return'd But Magdalene who had thither follow'd still Stay'd by the Tomb to quench her Heart which burn'd With Griefs impatient Love The Springs which kept In both her Eys she Bravely broach'd wept 135. She weep'd and pitted her prevented Spice Which now breath'd short and panting lay to see It came too late to be a Sacrifice Unto the Lord of Sweets She weep'd that she Her Tears Drink-offring could present no more On his Feets blessed Altar as before 136. Had she the plenitude of whatsoe'r Th' idolatrous World ' adores she still would be Poorer than Poverty it selfe whilst here She nothing findeth but Vacuity The empty Tombe with open Mouth alas Tells her her onely Gem removed was 137. Removed and quite lost for ought she knew And how can Mary live without her Life Such lamentable Mourning never slew The Turtles Joies in her disconsolate strife Of Love and Grief when her dear Mate is lost As this sad Storme of Weeping Mary tost 138. Thus having Weep'd for what she saw again She look'd to read fresh cause of further Tears But in the Tombe she spi'd new Splendor reign Two Angells ready to out-shine her Fears And drie her Cheeks with Comfort there did sit One at the Monuments Head one at the Feet 139. In festival Array they gorgeous were Being clothed in Joies Colour milkie White Woman said They what reason finde you here To cloud your brows in this fair Sceen of Light Alas cri'd she what Light mine Eyes can cheer Seeing my Lord is laid I know not where 140. Her Eyes here gush'd a fresh and back she turn'd To give their crowding Streams full Liberty But Jesus Heart which melted as she mourn'd And answered ever Tear by Sympathy Could not endure her gentle Soule to see Suspended longer in this Agonie 141. For back unto his Sepulchre he stepp'd That his dear Weepens loyal Eyes might see Their earned Spectacle And Why she wept Was his soft Question but blubber'd she Blinded with Grief could not discover Who It was examin'd her about her Woe 142. She took Him for the Gardner of the place And meekly pray'd him if he had Removed The Body thence to tell her where it was That she might goe and wait on her Beloved And 't was the Gardner who did plant and dresse The World in goodly Braveries excesse 143. The Gardner who betimes a Weeding fell Ev'n in the virgin Spring of his Creation Those rank encroaching Weeds which on Heav'ns 〈◊〉 Aspir'd to over-grow the new Plantation Up by the roots he pluck'd in righteous ite And threw them thence into eternal Fire 144. The Gardner who at length deign'd to come down Unto his Nurserie in Earths Valley where All Tares and Poisnous 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 had sown He rooted up and out of matchlesse care To make the Soil be fertile every Bed With his own pretious Blood he watered 145. The Gardner who contented was to let The Thorns upon his Temples rather stand Than they should vex the Grafts which he had set In his own Body by his tender hand The Gardner who indeed had born away What in the Tombe untill this morning lay 146. But pittying Magdalens gloomy sorrow He Whose single potent Word all Clouds can clear In Loves milde tone the onely musick she Could be delighted with saluted her Yet his salute was neere as short as sweet For onely by her name He Her did greet 147. Mary in Maries ear no sooner sounded From Jesu's lips but to her breast it flew And with incomparable joy rebounded Upon her wakened heart She straitway knew The blessed voice in her own Name for this With sweet significance did echo his 148. She knew 't was Jesus and her heart must now Have split with swelling triumph had not she Unlock'd it strait and let it freely flow In a full torrent of high Pietie Her Life her Love her Heav'n when least shee thought Were all at once to her fruition brought 149. Surely a Breast so soft as hers had by This sudden onset of all joyes been broke Had not her Lord with his own Potency Assisted Her to beare the mighty stroak Master she cry'd but then could not go on Her ecstafie her other words out-ran 150. Down flat she fell and aimed at those feet Which pious she before did oint and kiss No Haste dear Mary Jesus cry'd for yet At ample distance my Ascention is But go and tell my Brethren I intend Unto our common Father to ascend 151. At this injunction Marie needs must goe Who on the Angels errand went before And yet her loyall Heart could not doe so But still behinde did linger to adore Her lost-found Lord whom that she ne're again Might loose Her Soule she to his feet did chain 152. This Message startled the Disciples but The hubbub of the City mov'd them more For by the Watch-men now the news had got Into the Town and knock'd at every door The High-priests wakened at the summons call A Common Council and to Plotting fall 153. Their Heads they beat and boulted every way How they their now endanger'd fame might save How they might damp the Resurrections day And stop the open mouth of Jesu's Grave Long did they think but could no trick contrive How he who lived might not seem to live 154. For Belzebub who us'd to have his Place In all their Councils tardy came that day His new-received wound and deep disgrace Upon his vanquish'd heart with terror lay Yet seeing them so forwards lothe he was The Priests in his own trade should him surpass 155. He rais'd his head and wiped off the gore Three times he sighed and three times he shook His broken horns and at the last he swore By his own might and realus that though the stroak Took him at unawars yet Jesus had How e'r he brav'd it out no Conquest made 156. And had he been said he a generous foe He would have pitch'd the day and pitch'd the field With trumpets sound he would have march'd unto The fight and not his slie designe conceal'd He would have called Heav'n and Earth to be Spectators of his noble Chevalrie 157. But
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
countenance But when the Hils she could no longer spie Let 〈◊〉 now said she look 〈◊〉 mine eye 56. And with 〈◊〉 potent 〈◊〉 did she breath That heart sigh that it made Phylax start 〈◊〉 the pallid characters of Death Appeared in her face and every Part 〈◊〉 cold and num as if her 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 Back to the place whence she was hurried 57. In application of his cordial Powers Had not the tender Guardian nimble been His Psyche eyes now in their amorous showers Had their own final deluge found and seen No more for ever with such force doth love Especialy in female Bosomes move 58. And ask me not what makes this Passion prove So brave and potent in the softest hearts Thy self the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fect 〈◊〉 if genuine love On thee hath tryed his mysterious Darts If not it is in vain to tell thee how This softnes to such mighty strength doth grow 59. But quick as is the infiuence of light New vigorous spirits He breaths into her breast Which thriliing through her Veins chas'd out the 〈◊〉 Of languic cold by which they were posiest And 〈◊〉 her blood bidding it rise and 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snor 60. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but toward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Courage my Dear said 〈◊〉 be content Saiern 〈◊〉 nothing more for there 〈◊〉 61. As when a Friend unwelcome Motions makes His other self who has no power to be Right-down displeas'd at whatsoever breaks From those beloved lips which Faithfull he Holds dearer than his own displays the smart In his Eyes mirrours of his wounded Heart 62. So the Sweet anguish of her loving look Psyche a while lays ope to Phylax view That He might read in that pathetick book How by that Word of his her Joys He slew But when He seem'd that language not to ken Her lips thus to interpret it began 63. Between two deaths which shall poor Psyche choose For death it is my Phylax to displease And death religious Salems sweets to loose And I alas have but one life for these Yet had I more my straits were still the same For all were due to thee and all to them 64. O deare Pretector of my Joyes and Me Divide not now thy charge Had I not been Conducted hither by thy Pietie Psyche Jerusalem had never seen Not been enchanted by the pretious Graces Which have endeer'd these consecrated places 65. And of these Jewels must I robbed be By none but dearest thee Had open Foes Thus all at once impoverish'd feeble Mee I might have grappled with my single woes But now each griefe and loss by springing from Thine Hand on Me doth more than doubled come 66. O what has Albion that can entertaine A Soule which is from Salem snatch'd away Salem which in the Worlds heart queen doth reign Whil st Albions Clime her vilenes doth betray Whom Nature threw into the West and sought How from the Universe to kick her out 67. Arimathaean Josephs tombe indeed Is there that something that poore Ilse might have But ô the sight of that will onely feed That fire which burns me with his other Grave His other Grave in which my Spouse did he Far far from Albion whither thou wouldst flie 68. When in the lofty aire the fish can live When in the bottome of the Sea the Lark When Cancer can to Winter welcome give When High-noon can inhabit in the Dark When Albion can to Salem shipped be Then may it prove a fitting home for me 69. But untill then I onely thither goe Bearing my wofull Corps unto my Tombe Since thou sweet-bitter friend wilt have it so And not vouchsafe in Palestine a room For poor distressed Psyche Here a stream Of Tears flowd down from Her and softned him 70. Nay I am not so hard sayes He but I Can yeild to fewer tears of thine than those Come wipe thine eyes for thou shalt instantly Live in those joyes Thou holdst it death to loose With that He slop'd the Rein and wheel'd about And smiling Psyche back to Salem brought 71. She smil'd but sober He confess'd no signe Of jollitie at this Return for He By his profounder judement did divine That Land however Holy would not bee A Sanctuary to his Psyche since His and her Masters summons call'd him thence 72. A little House He there prepar'd for Her And with all requisites replenish'd it But then with awfull looks He cry'd my dear Thou see'st what order I have took to fit Thy longing and thy Lodging too but now I a more usefull gift then these bestow 73. 'T is my Advice of which Thou hast more need Than here to sojourn yet thy being here Doth all that mystick mighty danger breed Which by thy life I thee conjure to fear Thy life at Salem is in peril which Had been in Albion out of Dangers reach 74. Where Waters most doe â—mile and 〈◊〉 now The deepest Gulfes beneath in 〈◊〉 lie Where in their briskest beautie Roses grow An armed Troop of dangerous Thorns stand by All Poisons then most active are and bold When they are lodg'd in pompous Pearl and 〈◊〉 75. Sweet Paradise was not so safe but there The worst of Serpents in its Sweets did dwell And though to thee Heav'n seems descended here Yet ev'n in Salem thou may'st meet with Hell I grant the Serpent here was slain but yet Their fragments Snakes know how again to knit 76. Trust not their glittering Skinns though fair they be But flie their Looks for thick Enchantments are Enammell'd in their out-side Bravery And holy Trapps and Treacheries they wear With cunning Art they winde about and glide And into unsuspecting Holes they slide 77. Trust not their Tongue which is indeed a Sting Though it be tipp'd with Golden Courtesie Though Heav'n roll'd up in Promises it bring And Wisdomes most inviting Sweetnesse Ye Shall be as Gods discerning Good and Evill Was a brave Word yet minted by the Devill 78. Remember here thy Spouse was once betray'd Remember that he here was thrice deni'd Remember that thou art a feeble Mayd Remember thy Agenor and thy Pride Remember the Rebellion of thy Passions Remember Aphrodisiu's Protestations 79. Remember what from Charis and from Me Thou hast receiv'd and let no Sirens Song Bewitch thine Ears with treacherous Harmony In which the blessed Tunes of Heav'n have rung Take heed this humor of thy Zeal does not Cast on its sober lines a wanton blot 80. Lock up these Counsells in thine Heart and there Let them lie safe for Me till I come back Thy Trust and Love shall hence to me appear If of these Pawns thou faithfull Care dost take These Pawns which will my Guardian Wings supply Although from thee I far away doe flie 81. I must away for this Heav'ns pleasure is And therefore must be mine and should be thine I bus'nesse have abroad but by this Kisse And here he took his leave the truth of mine Affection Psyche on thy Lip
streams let flow Which his tempestuous grief did thither blow 108. And now his Lips no more had power to speak In Zealous Kisses He does them imploy He kiss'd the Soile where once that Blood did reek Which all the Earths Redemption did pay And every Kisse did new Desire beget Of more affectionate Imbracing it 109. Psyche observing his sweet Passion swell With such Devotion soon forgot her own And with the Stranger in such love she fell That at his feet her self she bowed down She bowed down and little thought that then She stoop'd to enter the forbidden Gin. 110. But as the wary Seaman when He spies The amiable Mermaid floating nie Turns from the dangerous Bait his jealous Eyes Hoiseth his sail up and his Oars doth plie So this Devoto seeing Psyche there Confess'd and fortifi'd his holy fear 111. For starting at the unexpected sight Shield me my blessed Guardian said He Satan who doth with everlasting spight Disturb the Course of Zealous Piety Hath to facilitate my molestation In this fair Damosell sent me my Temptation 112. But whosoe'r thou art goe seek thy Prey Where rampant Lust in furious Bonfires reigns Thy Beauties Lustre must not thaw its way Thorow my tame and now long-cooled veins How know I but thou art some fair dress'd Feind To make Me foule and here Himself He sign'd 113. Ravish'd with this Religious Jealousie Sweet Sir said Psyche I was hither come Upon that errand which your Piety Hath here dispatched in that very room I purpos'd my devoted sighs to blow And make mine Eyes their liquid Dutie know 114. My bounteous Lord took my Intent I see For actual Deed and hath rewarded it He knew no blessing would more welcome be Unto my Heart then this which here I met And this art Thou in whom I plainly read The love of Him of whom my soul is Head 115. I heard thy holy Sighs and hearty Grones As towards Heav'n from thy Sweet Breast they flew I heard thy generous Lamentations And by those zealous Characters I knew That Jesus had by his Soule-conquering Dart Engrav'd Heav'ns best impression on thy Heart 116. I thank Thee that thou wert of Me afrayd For much I reverence that pious fear Yet be assured thou hast met a Maid In whom no Embers of black fervor are No no my Heart will no such Guests allow For it too well doth Aphrodisim know 117. Indeed I might have been what you suspected Foule Satans Agent and a feind of Hell Had our deer Lord the care of Me neglected And not seal'd sure on mine his blessed Will And so might'st Thou had He not spread above Thy helplesse head the Banner of his Love 118. That Love which wheresoe'r I finde it shine Doth humble Reverence from my heart command Wonder not at my Case but make it thine And think how thou could'st shun or how withstand Thy Charming Self If I immodest be Like Love will pardon Loves Immodestie 119. Yet 't is no Boldnes to admire the Sunn To love the starrs and what more lovely is Their Sovercign and ours what I have done To Thee great Jesus gave me leave to his Own Self to doe Wherefore no more admire That I grow warm now I come neer thy fire 120. My Warmth is pure as is its spring in thee I mix'd it not at all with other fires And onely on thy Zealous Pietie I feast the Hunger of my chaste Desires I am a stranger here and hither come On Loves deer businesse from my British Home 121. But in this Land of Holinesse I meet Such deer Remembrances of Heav'n that I Desire my native Albion to forget And where my Saviour did both live and die Me thinks I heer am neerest Him who is Whither I live or die mine onely Blisse 122. Yet some Acquaintance and Companion I Would gladly gain with whom my foul might live In holy freindships sweet society And mutual Heats of Zeal from Him receive Heav'n puts you in my way and if you be What you appear you will be kinde to Me. 123. This said sometimes to Him her pleading Eye Sometimes to Heav'n She turn'd and by that mute But most mysterious Importunity Sollicited her earnest bashfull suit Urging by this her yeelding silence more Strong Arguments than she had spoke before 124. Mov'd with her soft Expressions and her Tears For these flow'd out as thick and sweet as they The Man gives credit unto both and cheers His clowded Looks and cries O happy Day Which hast discover'd unto Me a Breast Of Heav'ns pure dove the chaste unspotted Nest. 125. Pardon dear Stranger pardon my Mistake And be no longer in that Name to me What recompence I can I vow to make To thy misprised slandered Pietie I at thy bounteous Offer catch and will Both thy Desire and mine own Joyes fulfill 126. Rare are those friends as Birds of Paradise In this unworthy world but seldome seen Whose Harts in one no other Cement ties But heav'nly Zeal and Love and had I been As good as I am vile thy Offer were Worthy to be unto my Soule most deer 127. If by the royall Law of our great Lord Pretious in our esteem our Foes must be O what Embraces must We then afford To them who Us out vie in Charitie Come gentle Soule and this chaste Token take That to thy Wish my heart I pliant make 128. Here by an Holy Kisse for that of old The Symbole was of Christian Consent He seal d his Words then reverently took hold Of her right Hand and down the Mountain went Leading Her to his Dwelling whither she Went cheerly on fearing no Treacherie 129. Into the Vulturs Nest thus slies the Dove Thus to the smiling Shelfs the Ship doth run The stranger thus to the enchanted Grove Goes for delight Thus to the fatal Den Of the fair tongu'd Hyoena skips the Lamb The Childe thus leaps into the playing flame 130. Come to his House Authades for his Name Was so pray's Psyche not to take it ill That since she in a busy season came His sacred Office He did first fulfill Before on her He waited But said He The work though great will soon dispatched be 131. In his eighth journey Phoebus now did run Since his first-born Authades did enjoy Who by the rule of his Religion Was bound to circumcise the Childe that Day Which with a consecrated knife of stone He did and gave his own name to his Son 132. The Infants Wound the softer heart did slay Of Psyche who strait wrep'd and knock'd her breast And then with indignation turn'd away But cunning He perceiving how his Guest Dis-rellished her welcome to her stepp'd And 〈◊〉 first demanded why shee weep'd 133. In sullen silence she made her Replie Compos'd of Frowns and of compleat disdain Till forc'd by his milde Importunitie She gave her angry Tongue a liberal Rein Shame on my credulous Love which thus said she Bewithc'd me to the Den of Heresie 134. Are you
the Man who crouched to the Place Of Jesu's Cross and him your Lord did call How come you now to wear a Jewish face And with your Circumcision tool cut all Your Christian Mask in peeces Blinde were I As was your zeal could I this crime not spie 135. Had you Beleev'd that Jesu's blood was shed To wash the stains of all the World away Your cruel Heresie had not made red Your Infant in his needles blood to day Who had been purer had you washed Him In a much gentler flood pure Baptisms stream 136. I see what reason my wise Guardian had To be so jealous of my staying here Why He so solemnly appeared sad When I was merry and refus'd to feare He knew black Satan would himself array In heav'nly puritie Me to betray 137. Here she was flinging out But fawning He By the great Cross of Christ and geater Name Pray'd and conjur'd her pious Charitie His unexpected action not to blame But to defer her Censure and to hear With patience how He could his cause declare 138. Such power had that reverend contestation On Psyche's tender heart that she relents When 〈◊〉 He after long Commendation Of her soft candor tels Her He repents That He his Declaration did not make E'r He that solemn work did undertake 139. Then to a private Chamber Her He brought That no Disturbance might his ends prevent And by all Ceremonious service sought To entertaine her thoughts with kinde content For on a silken Couch when she was set With softer language thus He gan the feat 140. Sure now dear stranger thou art quit with me And hast repay'd me in my proper Coin I for 〈◊〉 Instrument suspected thee Thou for an Heretick dost me define But I recanted and if thou doe so Quit on the other side We may be too 141. If head-long jealousye for proof should passe What thing so perilo us were as Innocence What must we think of our great Saviours Case Who for a Devil slander'd was and whence Shall We acquit his Wise Apostles who In the fond Worlds esteem for fools did go 142. Thou prov'dst not what my sudden fear did speak Nor am I such as thine did me present Truth can her selfe cleer and transparent make And never fail'd to yeeld compieat content To those whom Prejudicies poyson had Not first envenomed and partiall made 143. Know then that I am one of those whose breasts Are consecrated to that Lord whom thou Alone adorest and permit no Guests To thrust in thither who will not allow That gentle Soveraign to domineer And reign without all contradiction there 144. That poor comtemptuous place whence glorious He Vouchaf'd to take his sirname is the same Whence 〈◊〉 his humilitie Our Common Title We his followers frame Too high for Us the Stile of Chrastian is Plain Nazareen our Ambition doth suffice 145. Unto the Dictates of his royal Law With universal Meeknesse we submit Whilst others but by halfes will deign to bow As Makers they not Subjects were to it All hard and costly Precepts they refuse And leave that Burden for the slavish Jewes 146. They tell the World how they a Patent have Writ in the Stile of Christian Liberty By which Heav'ns King to Them Commission gave To break the Bonds of Legal Slavery And a wise King the while they make Him who Allowes them what his Law forbids to doe 147. And is not this a brave Religion where There is no room for any Charge or Pains Cunning and thrifty its Profeslors are Who in their own Hands moderate the Reins Which on their Necks should lie who as they please Dispose their Discipline to their own Ease 148. And yet 't were well would they their Charter show Which makes them Free States and vouchsafe but to Declare what in the new-deliver'd Law Doth crosse and disannull the old that so The World might Satisfaction gain and we Be made Partakers of their Liberty 149. For we know no such Thing But this we know That Jesus who is Author of the New Was Institutor of the ancient Law And upon Sina's Head his Trumpet blew To wake the World and warn it to give eare Unto the Precepts which he thunder'd there 150. And did he then Retract what he before Oreained had Was Circumcision then Commanded to be exercis'd no more Upon the tender Infant-Sons of Men O no such Changings inconsistent be With a wise Gods Immutability 151. Like his own Selfe his Laws eternal are And need no Reformation or Corrections Our inconsiderane Lawgivers here Infect their Laws with their own Imperfections And both may mended be But surely 't is Proud Blasphemy to say so of Him or His. 152. But his Example is full Explication Of his own Laws And what did righteous He When fitted by his blessed Incarnation He could like Us to them a Subject be Did not he set the Seal of his own Blood To Circumcision that this Law was good 153. His Presentation in the Temple shews His cleer submission to the Law which there Professed was Nor did he e'r refuse To solemnize the Festivals which were Legaly Sacred or when he drew neer His End forget to keep the Passover 154. Let others cast the blustering scare-crowe Name Of Heresie upon our genuine Zeal We trust we never shall repute it shame To tread His Steps to whom we all appeal As to our onely King and surely he Cannot but own those who his Followers be 155. The Gospel Laws Weequaly Imbrace And though my Son I Circumcised yet I cut him not off from Baptismal Grace For in that Laver we our Children wet That in this double Sacramental Stream Of Blood and Water they to Christ may swim 156. We grant that where the Circumcision 〈◊〉 Blusheth not to oppose and uselesse make That venerable World-redeeming Blood Which from the pretious Veins of Jesus brake The Sacrament's Heretical But we Teach it more meek and mannerly to be 157. If now we of too Much Obedience seem Guilty to thee Convince Us of our Sin 'T is plain thou hast an hopefull pleasant Theme And easily upon our Hearts may'st win If Truth fight with Thee for what Man is he Who by just Licence would not conquer'd be 158. He ceased here But as the loathing Vine Though in the Colewort she can plainly read No hostile Quality doth yet decline Her Touch and any 〈◊〉 Shrub or Weed Will rather hug with all her Arms then by The least Imbrace approve that Company 159. So Psyche though she could not easily show The venome of Authade's Sophistric Yet could her heart not possibly allow What she could not confute Much rather she Would with fell Adders hisses fall in love Than the intent of his discourse approve 160. For Discontent still gather'd up her Brow Still nauseous neglect stream'd from her eye Still on her Guardians Words she thought and now The Serpent had his Poisnous suauity Displayd and his enchantment finished She wav'd her Hand and turn'd aside her head
I such holy Sweets to sipp Hadst Thou vouchsaf'd Me but thy Feet to Kiss That favour I had hugged as my Bliss 188. Thus cheated She did her Mishap admire As doth the silly flie the beauteous Flame Little surmising what outragious Fire Reign'd in that Bait which look'd so mild and tame Ne'r did she stand on such a Brink as this And never feared less a Precipice 189. Pseudagius whose faire-faced Piety Compleat possession of her Heart had wonn Now exercised his full Tyranny Upon his tender yeilding Prey and soon Infus'd his Poisons with such holy Art That their Contagion rul'd in every Part. 190. Satan who lurk'd in Ambush to espie How his Designe would take rejoyc'd to see That Psyche by this moderate Heresie So easily charmed was for crafty He When but a little Leaven was cast in Had oft the tainting of the whole Lump seen 191. He knew a little Gap might quickly turn A mighty Chasm He knew one Spark might thrive Into a full-grown Flame and serve to burn The strongest Fort He knew one Wheel might drive A thousand more He knew a carelesse Slip Might cause a Fall as well's a desperate Skip 192. He knew that they who once a foot had set In Errors Labrynth would easily be Allured further to proceed in it By their own tickling 〈◊〉 He knew they soon might fall in love with Night Whose Eys once turn'd from Truths meridian Light 193. But yet to make all sure he Logos fill'd With foolish Pride and Confidence since He Saw Thelema and Psyche forc'd to yeild At last to what He did at first agree And They abashed with unhappy shame His domineering Carriage durst not blame 194. By this unbrideled Insolence he grew So vain and carelesse in his Work that he Presum'd far more than all the World be knew In Truths judicious Discovery Thus foolish Dreamers think they view the skies When duskie Sleep hath sealed up their Eyes 195. For as one Morning Psyche walked out Intending for her Saviours Sepulchre Full in her way the watchfull Tempter brought One who no common Mortal did appear Grave was his Garb but graver far his Look And him for some deep-learned Man she took 196. Capricious Logos could not rest content Till he had sounded what the Man could say Big with a spruce and eloquent Complement He brings it forth and layes it in his way Bo wing down to the ground with it which done Agyrtes stayd and Logos thus went on 197. Sir if your Head unto your Looks be true It is of Knowledge a vast Treasury And those Spiritual Riches never knew What Losse or Diminution meant when by A liberal Impartment they were thrown To others Breasts yet not pluck'd from their 〈◊〉 198. For though his radiant Largise on the Moon And every Star and all the World beside He poureth out yet still the copious Sun Doth in his undiminish'd Glory ride Although a thousand Chanels it doth fill The teeming Fountain lives in Fulnesse still 199. A portion of your Streams and of your Light Is that We beg not to impoverish you But to enrich our Selves Our ignorant Night To knowing Day may by your Influence grow Our arid barren Intellect may be By your Effusions taught Fertility 200. That natural Desire which did enflame Your Industry to reach at Knowledge is Common to Us nor will your Wisdome blame Our free and bold Obedience unto this Potent Instinct by following which you have Attain'd that Blessing which of you We crave 201. When by a grave and gracefull Pawse the Man More reverence had won with friendly Eye He first their Welcome look'd then thus began To speak it out Though Silence suits with my Devout Profession more than Words yet now To Courtesies strong Law my Tongue must bow 202. If I to strangers should not Kindnes show I should affront that Lord who owned Me A stranger unto Him Yet please to know That I professe not by my Industrie To have arived unto any pitch In that wherein you take Me to be rich 203. Alas Agyrtes had as sottish been As is the vilest he that sees the light Had Heav'ns sweet Rays not deignd to interveen Between my Heart and Ignorances Night But Jesus who is King of Love as well As Wisdome pleas'd with both my Breast to fill 204. Yet this no other Wisdome is then what Concerns Him and his Heav'n wherfore if you For any other look from me but that You must goe seek where Vanitie doth grow That that or none sweet Sir said Psyche We Would onely in Heav'ns Wisdome learned be 205. This yeilding Answer made Him smile within And promise to his proud Heart Victory Yet to make sure and grace his holy Sin To Heav'n he turn'd his hell-directed Eye And lifting up his Hands seem'd thence to take The Copie of what now he ment to speak 206. With that upon the ready Grasse which there Offer'd its gentle service they sate down Then thus Agyrtes Though you Strangers are Your holy Wish thus far has made you known That I perceive you are not yet to be Inform'd there is a Christ and Pietie 207. But as the noblest Things beseiged are With greatest Difficulties so is this Religion and Truth yet never were Enthron'd so high but saucie Wickednes Would muster Errors round about them and Before their face in flat Defiance stand 208. Yet if in great Cerinthu's Schole you were Ever a Candidate I need not strive To ope my Bottles to your Thirst who there All Fulnes from the Fountain did receive My Schole cri'd Psyche gentle Sir alas Onely in blinde and barbarous Albion was 209. Know then said He that when Heav'n planted had Its blessed Gospell in our World below Ten thousand Weeds a conjuration made To choke it when it first began to grow The Blade no sooner peeped forth but there These pois'nous Tyrants strait did domineer 210. And surely all the Harvest Hopes had been Slain in their Birth had Jesus tender Care Into his Feild not sent Cerinthus Sin The Crop ev'n in the Spring began to shear And Truth her infant Head sought where to hide So rampant Error was and spread so wide 211. But this brave Gardner with his prudent Hook Cut those Intruders down and cleerd the ground The Churches Soile strait like it selfe did look And reskew'd Truth full room to flourish found The mystick 〈◊〉 began to be From the insidious Serpents Dangers free 212. The reverend Law whose flaming Majesty Flashed from Sina now brake out again And chasing all licentious Mists which by Heretik Sloth had gain'd Religions Rein Mingled its Lustre with the Gospels Ray And doubled fair Truthes most unspotted Day 213. Blind Ignorance was grown so bold that she Sought to perswade the World it had no Eyes Making the Lazie Name of Mystery In stead of Demonstration suffice From this black Pit those monstrous Prodigies Of hood-wink'd and abused Faith did rise 214. Who can imagin Heav'n would e'r obtrude Upon
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
raise the heap of our own Ruines high When shall We yeild to be no longer toss In Waves of self-affected Misery When shall We with our Pains no longer play When shall We doe what We so often say 36. When shall we cease to make our selves the 〈◊〉 Of all that mock at Infelicitie When shall We judge our selves enough forlorn When shall We think our Woes deserving be Of our own pitty that our Bowels may Henceforth be torn none but that healing way 37. Prudent and tender Phylax knew that He In both those Titles nothing could bestow Upon his Pupil which to Her might be More fertile in Advantages then now To exile every troublous mist and clear The Countenance of her Habitations Sphear 38. He knew the worth of Peace and long agoe When he had Psyche left in Palestine He hither came and orderd busines so That all things did into a Calme combine But none could tell it was to entertain Psyche now ready to return again 39. But she arrived at her antient Home Wonderd to finde Securitie made Queen Of all that Region vacant was no room For Molestation to be buisie in Nor any Gap left ope by which she might Thrust in her head and Quietnesse affright 40. Her Friends and Parents much advanc'd this wonder When in their cheerly gratulations they Told Her how Peace had trode all Perils under Her blessed feet and blown the storm away They told it o'r and o'r and marvell'd why She turn'd to 〈◊〉 her mistrusting Eye 41. But He observing it thus satisfi'd Her questioning Soule Suspect no false-hood here Thou 〈◊〉 but what is true I did provide This Calme to bid thee welcome home my 〈◊〉 Thy Voyage finish a is and in this Bay And 〈◊〉 of Rest thy Bark may safely stay 42. But set Thou 〈◊〉 it still and keepst it trim For fear some storm hereafter should arise What Profit is 't through dangerous seas to swim And 〈…〉 empests Prize 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sleeping Pilots overtakes 43. Complear 〈◊〉 dwels in no Bay But that above to which thine heart doth saile For ever there thy Vessel thou may'st lay In certain Peace But here no Help can bail Thee from the Windes arrest if thou forget To doe thy part and thine own 〈◊〉 set 44. O set them then and bravely antidate The Rest that dwelleth in the Heav'nly port T is worth the price and more Atany Rate It is not dear then stick not to give for 't Thy earnest Wish and daily Industry No Wealth so rich as genuine Rest can be 45. If thou repent Thee of thy Bargain say That with false Wares thy Phylax cheated thee And boldiy throw both them and Me away And call the Shore more treacherous than the Sea Conclude all things but Vanitie are Vain And think Perdition the onely Gain 46. But surely no such desperate Thought will 〈◊〉 Abuse the Pious Heart of Psyche No My Hopes are greater of thy holy Care With which mine own shall be combined too For as a guard upon thy Guard will I My wonted Love and Watchfulnes imploy 47. Scarce had He spoke but as the heav'nly 〈◊〉 Into Earths thirsty Mouth drops copious Joy Celestial Charis into Psyche flew Doubling her Wellcome home and making way Through her soft Bosome to her softer Heart To which a sweet Imbrace She did impart 48. Nor was there need that She should use her Tongue Whose 〈◊〉 our spake aloud in Psyche's breast 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 plying secret language rung 〈◊〉 more than aerie Words could have exprest The Virgin understood its meaning well And 〈◊〉 it close in Her Hearts inmost Cell 49. That 〈◊〉 wherein Her Life enshrined laye Which now 〈◊〉 up in bounden reverence And to this roy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave willing way For what is Grace s blessed Influence But Life's best Life which well deserv's to be Plac d highest in the vital Treasurie 50. So close She hugg'd it that it there grew warm And glow'd so hot that strait it fell on fire The sudden flame sounded a smart Alarm Through all Her Breast and wakened brave Desire Desire the other Forces muster'd up And now no Bar her high Design could stop 51. As when Heroick fervor doth a wake A Princes Heart to take a full survey Of all his Realm and Reformation make Of what is swerved from the Laws High-way To his own King the King of Heav'n He cals For Aid and then to his great Businesse falls 52. So prudent Psyche prostrate on her face Begs Jesus help to speed her 〈◊〉 For Phylax now by 〈◊〉 admonish'd was To snatch himself far from his Pupils eyes In prest obedience to which Item He Fled strait into Invisibilitie 53. Deer Lord said She who never dost for sake Thy Worms which to thy footstool crawle for aid O pitty pitty on thy Hand 〈◊〉 take That She by her Saint Self be not betrayd Thou who vouchsafll to Kindle my 〈◊〉 Assist Me least it prove an uselesse 〈◊〉 54. Well 〈◊〉 thy wronged Majesty how I The 〈◊〉 Thou often gavest Me did choke And sent up no Returns at all to thy Most 〈◊〉 Heav'n but black and stinking Smoke Hels rank and proper Breath which once was mine When to Cerinthus Schole I ran from thine 55. O trust Me not alone although my Will Bravely enflam'd and spurred on by Thee Aims at a lofty Mark yet Psyche still Is that unfortunate and feeble She Who in her full Carreers proves out of breath And when She soars to Life sinks down to Death 56. Not for my Credit but thy Graces and Thine own in this Designe I crave Successe Paid onely to the Praise of thy high Hand Shall be th' Atchievements Glorie Psyche is Beneath Disgrace but it in honor does Concern thy 〈…〉 57. Up slew her Prayer and knock'd at Jesus 〈◊〉 So loud it knock'd that straight He let it in In to his Favours Presence-chamber where His gratious Entertainment it did win Its Embassie was heard and Jesus granted What ever Psyche in this buisnesse wanted 58. This bred fresh Courage in her Heart and She With doubled Gallantrie adventured on Her noble Work Her ancient Royaltie Which bold Incroachment oft had trode upon She ment to reskew and assert her Crown Though for her Spouse s sake more than her own 59. A general Court She cals and summons all Her Subjects in to know her royall Minde Large the Apparence was both Great and smal 〈◊〉 slocking in for none durst stay behinde So 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 was and they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did expect that Day 60. No sooner had this 〈◊〉 till a the Hall Of 〈◊〉 palace but in 〈◊〉 State Being ballas'd with her 〈◊〉 and her 〈◊〉 She thither comes and takes her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Up stood the Company while She 〈◊〉 down And bow'd their Heads to 〈◊〉 and to Her 〈◊〉 61. How kindely She that general Homage took As Earnest of their several Duties She First certifi'd them by her gratious Look With which she paus'd a while for Majestie Must
not make haste then by her softer Tongue From whence her charming Honey thus She Wrung 62. My multiplyed Self sweet Company In whom as many and as sundry lives I live as you enjoy how dear and high Content to Me your loyal Presence gives I must not tell you now it were too long A Storie and would doe the other Wrong 63. The other Storie which would more than fill This Day as having cost Me several years To travell through it should I trie to tell Its severall Wonders but against your Earer I piot no Tyrannie nor aime to break Them on a tedious Narrations Rack 64. Through many Climats I have whirled been By the sweet Conduct of my Guardians Care The world clad in all fasbions I have seen And how their Clothes and Manners Mortals wear Fair Cities foul Inhabitants and poor Hamlets yet such as noble Spirits bore 65. I saw Men live in their Out sides alone Scarce thinking that within a Soule they had And yet because it was the fashion Themselves a Cloke they of Religion made A Summer Cloke so light and thin that they Felt it not when upon their backs it lay 66. I saw the World its fatal Bane imbrace And loath the Antidote of Pietie I saw Devotion loaded with Disgrace And humble zeal disdained by those high And silken Things who know no way to be Gentile but Pride and sinfull Libertie 67. Seveerly-holy-Soules expos'd I saw To lustie Gallants Scorn and Hatred who Upon their patient Heads the Check did throw Of foolish Singularitie though no Pretence there were but that they down the Tide Of deep Damnation would not with them ride 68. The holier Stories whence the Holy-land Deriv'd its Name I by their footsteps read For many still doe deep imprinted stand To honest Pilgrims aim to give and lead Their Hearts on in that venerable Path Which for their sakes Divine Love traced hath 69. But by that Lesson of Humilitie Both proud and confident I strangely grew My own poor waxen Wings I needs would trie And willingly from those stout pinions flew Which Phylax alwayes for my service spread When sturdie Dangers Me encountered 70. My Wings alas did onely me commit An helplesse Booty to the Birds of Prey For Kites and Vultures straight did me beset Whose foul Heretick Tallons pluck'd away My best and fairest Plumes and did prepare My blood and life away with them to tear 71. But Heav'n and Phylax present pitty took And snatch'd me from that fatal Company Unto a Palace whose illustrious Look Revived mine whose generous Courtesie More royal Things bestow'd on Me than those Plunders wilde Law made forfeit to my foes 72. This was Ecclesias famous Court where I Beheld the Miracles of Discipline No spectacle e'r blessed Mortal Eye With sights more venerable and divine Upon my Heart they grav'd themselves so deep That their Impression it must ever keep 73. So sweet a Calme of heav'nly Peace was there That no Disturbance could it self intrude Which made it genuine Paradise appear All over with harmonious Pleasures strewd His Duty to each Officer was known Who lov'd it best because it was his own 74. And happy are those Courts and onely those Where in all Offices Content doth dwell Where every Courtier were He put to choose Would onely be ambitious to excell In his own Place and covet to appear Splendid in none but in his proper Sphear 75. Such genuine Beams as theirs can onely be The comely Glory of a Princes Court Thus doe the prudent Starrs above agree To swell and garnish Heav'ns Majestick Port. Thus every Orb loves his own Way and on His mighty Journey doth with Musick run 76. Thus those more radiant Sparks which on the face Of the pure Empyraeum glittering are The holy Angels hug their proper Place And wish no nobler Work than meets them there And who can say Us Nay if stoutly we Resolve thus to adorn our Politie 77. Right glorious those Examples are by which We are invited thus to Honors Way What Tongue would not unto its highest Pitch Advance it Selfe to consecrate a Lay Of Praise to them And why should we admire That which doth not spur Us unto Desire 78. All shame forbid our Spirits should flag so low As not to pant and reach at Excellence What though it cost Us All a sweating Brow The Gain will more than crosse out that Expence 〈◊〉 Ease is the Rust of that brave Metall Which strengthens noble Spirits for Virtues Battel 79. Come then Henceforth let it Enacted be That All their Bows unto the utmost bend That generous and hardy Industry Through all our Court its active Arms extend That every one doe in his Office prove How much my Credit and their own they love 80. Though I be Queen yet I my selfe submit And bend my Neck unto this Common Law The Yoak as well for Me as you will fit And be assured I my part will draw If e'r you see Me shrink or Labour shun It shall be your Discharge from going on 81. But if you winch and kick and will not be Partners with Me in our propounded Prize I am no Young ling now Maturity Dwells in my Hand and Brain will can I poise My Sceptre and know eas'ly how to make Those who disdain to how be fain to break 82. I paid an high price for that Learning I Bought when Agenor made his Market here And who can blame my Prudence if I try To make the most of what cost me so Dear It must and shall appear How well I know That Kindnesse makes but Rebells bolder grow 83. But ô I feel how ill upon my Tongue This Threatning rellisheth My Breath should I More willingly expend upon a Song In Commendation of your Loyalty Your Loyalty which now me thinks I see Already flaming to this Law and Me. 84. She ceased here When loe about the Hall A musing Silence for a good while lay Divers were there who thought this Law would fall Too soar and heavy on their Backs yet they For fear their Party should appear too weak In Votes durst not their Motions open make 85. Not with their Tongues But with their Eyes about The Room they walk'd and question'd one another In every Look they met with Hope and Doubt Which mutualy their trembling Selves did smother Their Shoulders some some their Heads did shake Confessing what they were afraid to speak 86. At length presuming it the safer way Their Vessells down the potent Stream to steer They with the rest resolved to Obey What they could not withstand Thus thanklesse Fex Of being broken by the Windes doth make The lazie Clouds long voyages to take 87. The whole Assembly thrice bow'd to the ground And 〈◊〉 profest their Thanks unto their Prince Whose carefull Wisdome such a way had found To yoak her Subjects unto Excellence And may Rebellions Brand and Curse said they Mark and revenge all them that disobey 88. Thus pass'd the Act which being fairly
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
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
Blush who would not hear That Altars holyer then Dressers were 98. Bold Sacrilegde sate pertly on a Kite And though her Claws were burn'd and sing'd her Wings E'r since she from the Altar took her flight For vengefull Coals stuck to the Sacred Things Branding the saucy Theif yet shamelesse she A robbing Heav'n and God again would be 99. Upon a Serpent bred in Hell beneath Which belched fire at every Step he took Which reached Heav'n with his pestiferous breath Which fought with holy Incense by the Smoke Of his foule Throat rode fouler Blasphemie And dared all the way Divinity 100. But on an Heifer of AEgyptian Race Right proud of his Extraction for he The Heir of Apis and of Isis was Sate full as grosse a Brute Idolatrie And yet Devote's grosser than her Beast Or she about her with their Offrings prest 101. And this was 〈◊〉 royal Train Which all the way she went stroke mortal fright Into the Countries travelling in Pain As she in Triumph till her speedy flight Had born her past them and gave them release From their dark Dens and hollow Privacies 102. Poor Albion thrice started as she drew Neer to her shore and would have further run Into the Sea but now the Tyrant flew With cursed joy into possession Of the unhappy Isle where dreadfull She Took up her quarters in a Colonie 103. From thence she issued out her Proclamations Of Pardon unto all that would come in But back'd it with severest Denuntiations To those who still continued in their Sin Who still would waste their Piety upon The Carpenters poor Crucified Son 104. She summond all the Isle to Reformation That mighty Jove by whose high blessing she Reign'd Queen of all the World in worthy fashion And like his supream Self might Worshipp'd be That pleased He might rain his favours down And Albion with Peace and Plenty crown 105. For by her royal Declaration She All blastings mildews droughts plagues earthquakes wars Laid to the sole charge of Christianitie Which impious Sect said she so boldly dares The Wrath of all the Gods that righteous They Upon the Earth must needs this veng'ance lay 106. Forthwith all those whose bosomes tainted were With the rank Venome of Idolatry Luxuriously joy'd the news to heare And with immediate Consluence did fly To doe their homage and their thanks prefer Ev'n in the Name of succoured Jove to Her 107. Then They who could have loved Prety Yet none but faint and timorous Virtue knew They in whose Hearts the World and Self did ly As well as Jesus They who would have drew In th' Euangelick yoke with patience so Mean while their secular Plough might also go 108. They who conceiv'd for Wives and Childrens sake Who were depending upon their sole Care So dream 's the faithlesse fondlings they might make A little bold with God And they who were In hopes Heav'n to their Prayers would courteous be And wink at what flow'd from 〈◊〉 109. Came in the Reare like Men who Scarcely came For not so much as half their Mindes were there Under the Evenings guilty veil their shame They sheltered for they Days Eys did fear Unhappy Men what aile you thus to go Your selves condemn your selves for what you doe 110. But they whose loyalty was firm and sound They who to Love intirely had resign'd Themselves such sweetnes in his service found As left the Baits of all the World behinde Such sweetnes as enforced to be sweet That Gall which flow d in Persecutions Threat 111. Sooner will They be charmed by the Hisse Of a fell Dragon to his Den to goe Than be perswaded to accept of this So treacherous and destructive Pardon no What e'r They loose they from their Losse will 〈◊〉 This noble Gain that they Themselves will keep 112. Their Life their Fame Estate and Liberty They can more easily than their Conscience spare They nothing count their Own which cannot be Without Impiety possest and are Content with any Thing but God to part Who onely can secure Them their own Heart 113. Psyche was one and not the meanest One Of these brave Champions who since Phylax had Heav'n having so dispos'd left her alone Her meek Addresses to Uranius made An holy Priest was He and unto Her An Oracle in any Doubt or fear 114. To you said She my reverend Father Now Persecutions furious Storm doth 〈◊〉 As to my wise and faithfull Pilot fly Not to be steered where Calamities May never reach my Uessel but to know The neerest way how I to them may row 115. Forbid it genuine Love that I should fly The noblest Testimony I can give Of my ô how deserved Loyalty Unto my Spouse for whom alone I live For him I live and must that Truth deny If in his Quarrell I refuse to dy 116. Was not His Life ten thousand times more dear And pretious than Mine yet generous He The utmost drop of his Heart-blood could spare Ev'n for the worst of Worms vile sinfull Me Loud cries the merit of this Blood and I Could I dy oft for Him in debt should dy 117. And should I shrink from one poor Death what Eye Would not shoot Wrath at such Unthankfulnesse How should I hate my Selfe and strive to dy For shame of Fearing Death yet I confesse This Life so wretched is and poor that we By Martyrdome do Heav'n no Courtesie 118. Mine all the Gains will be nor know I how To scape this Profit which if I could shun My Death more Solace would to me allow And to the Stake I cheerlier should run But since that may not be since Blisse is still Ti'd to these Suffrings let Love have his Will 119. Let Love assert his own Magnificence And make Us for our very Service be Deeper in Debt to him yet I will hence Revenge me of His Liberality And doe my best to run upon the Score With this great Creditor forevermore 120. But sage Uranius who was better read In the cool Gospel Discipline repli'd The fire by which those flames of thine are bred Is pure and genuine but they blaze too wide Dear Daughter be content and think that I Can wish and dare as well as you to Dy. 121. Yet I am not so hasty to prevent My Spouse's pleasure who for ought I know Desires Vranius should rest content To wrestle still with Sorrows here below Still 〈◊〉 be exil'd from the blessed Sight Of his dear Eyes and grovell here in Night 122. Besides if I before His Call should run This hot Impatience might out-strip his Grace And how should feeble I thus left alone Finde courage to out-look the dreadfull Face Of Death when dress'd in martial Array He gives the Onset to my Dust and Clay 123. What General will thank that Captain who Without Commission has presum'd to fight Into the Lists of any Prisner goe With Tigres or with Bears to trie his Might E r He be call'd what Eye will grieve to see His torn Limbs pay for
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
On desolate Psyche who at first was stroke For unexpectedly the Fiend appeared And with a sudden dint at her fell look And yet not so as to be beaten over For strait her strength and self she did recover 101. The Tower thus which at the furious Blast Of rushing Tempests yeilds a while to quake Forgetteth not withall to stand more fast Than those proud Buildings which disdain to shake And therefore by an instant Ruine down From their exalted Confidence are thrown 102. Dispair percerving that her looks were vain Drew her more dangerous Weapon out and this Was her be witching tongur which she did strain Unto the highest Key of Crastines And casting down her luggage thus assaid To doe as much upon the constant Maid 103. If I thy doubtfull Count'nance read aright Thou neither understandest who am I Nor who thy Selfe But this thy 〈◊〉 plight So charms my Pitty that I must descrie Both unto Thee and if thou wilt befriend Thy selfe thou maist thy 〈◊〉 state amend 104. I knew my 〈◊〉 speaketh nothing lesse Than 〈◊〉 But Things which fairest be Doe often veil in their enchanting Dresse The 〈◊〉 Stings of odious Treachery And soher Wisdome alway doth commend 〈…〉 Friend 105. Were it not so thy Selfe hadst never strove Against the 〈◊〉 Tide of Things below 〈◊〉 sull alwayes of the soothing Love With which the Worlds inviting Smiles did slow Were it not so what Price could be so high To 〈◊〉 Thee thus thy Selfe to Mortisic 106. Suspect not then my Looks which needs must show Like Terrors most abhorred Book to them Whose vain deluded Bosomes overflow With secular Pleasures frothy empty Stream These think each Winde though it would blow them to The Haven will prove a Storm and them undoe 107. But thy Condition if Thou weigh'st it right Will teach Thee better what concerns thy Blisse Remember then that since Thou saw'st the Light Thou ne'r had st reason to be friends with this Unhappy Life which from thy Cradle to This Houre hath swarm'd with Nothing but thy wo. 108. The dainty Budds of thy young Vigorous years Serv'd not trim a Gatland for Delight By Virtue 's rigid and untimely Cares They blasted were and Thou ev'n in despight Of blooming Tendernesse preventedst Time And provedst old and withered in thy Prime 109. Whilst other Maydons 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 joy Gather d the sweetest 〈◊〉 of cheerly 〈◊〉 Thou joyn'dst thy self in marriage to 〈◊〉 Living a 〈◊〉 and Single 〈◊〉 And thus of Griefs a numerous 〈◊〉 Thou springing from thy virgin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 110. 〈◊〉 from this Isle of Blisse thy native Home Thy 〈◊〉 Zeal drove Thee into the East Where Thou about 〈◊〉 Palistine didst rome Both to the Place a 〈◊〉 and to Rest What found'st thou there but thine own Loss whilst Thou 〈…〉 which the 〈◊〉 did dow 111. Alas the dear 〈◊〉 of thy Lord Which with thine hankering Eys thou there didst read Did but Assurance to thy Soule afford That He its onely Joy to Heav n was 〈◊〉 And surely here at home Thou wert as neer The skies as thou wert in thine Exile there 112. Thus having wasted out thy Strength and Time And Credit too with those who lov'd Thee best Back wert thou hurried to thy British Clime Lake a 〈◊〉 wearied Bird to her poor Nest Where when thou countedst up thy Journeys Gains Thou onely foundst thy Labour for thy Pains 113. Then fired by unhappy Piety Upon thy Selfe thou didst the Tyrant play Thy lamentable Body she weth by Its ghastly Leanesse how thou strov'st to slay Thy guiltlesse Flesh and what Pains thou didst 〈◊〉 Languid and senselesse every Sense to make 114. And for no other End but to refine Thy Selfe from this dull clogging Earth unto A State which might thy backward Spouse 〈◊〉 To love thy loyal Heart which laboured so To trace his hardiest Steps and cheerly tosse Upon her Shoulders his most heavy Crosse. 115. Yet when thou justly didst thy Boon expect Lesse due unto Uranius than to Thee Unto a Dungeon He did thee reject A Place how far from 〈◊〉 Liberty Where thou who in the 〈◊〉 long'dst to expire Wert forc'd to lead a dying Life in 〈◊〉 116. Remember what intolerable Chains Into thy Soule their cruel 〈◊〉 prest What Heaps of boiling Sores and 〈◊〉 Pains Were pour'd upon Thee and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whence when the Romane 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prepared 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thee free thy freedome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 117. It was debarred by no other Hand But that which rather should have lent thee Aid What Phylax did was by thy Lords Command When from that Gaole he stole thee and betray'd Thy Hopes of Martyrdome which now was grown Mature and offered 〈◊〉 thine Head its Crown 118. I grant thy torturing Sores He healed but Deserv'd nor Pay nor Thanks for that his Cure Which did but thy repaired Body put In a fit able posture to endure This greater Load whose mercilesle Excesse Doth thy unpittied Shoulders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 119. Shoulders unpittied by Him from whom Thou hadst most reason to expect Relief But in his cruel Ears there is no Room To lodge and entertain the Suit of Grief Had there been any surely He would not Thy mighty Supplications out have shut 120. How has the Stroke of thy impetuous Crie Taught this dumb Desert Mournings Dialect Whilst all its Rocks and Caverns shaken by Thy Groans and Lamentations them reflect To Heav'n with doubled fervor and agree Fellow-Petitioners to be with Thee 121. And yet thy grated Throat is not so drie As are thy now exhausted Eyes from whence Thy Spouse's cruel Heart to mollifie Thou freely pourdst thine utmost Influence But still the Stone which on his Breast doth grow Will not by all those Drops be pierced through 122. O no! unkindly He doth turn away His Face least any Glimpie should leap to Thee And thou long flatter'd by his Favours Day Art now betrayed to the Misery Of blackest Night O may all Soules beware How they Heav'ns wiley Prince doe trust too far 123. Alas thy desolate Heart too well doth know That thy Condition I doe not mistake And with secure Presumption Psyche Thou Maist from my Art this sound Conclusion make That I who can discover all thy Grief May tell what physick will yeild thee 〈◊〉 124. Thy Phylax once esteem'd thy trustiest Friend Well understands the depth of thy Disease Yet finding all his skill too weak to lend Thee any real Aid himselfe he frees From fruitlesse Trouble and is fled away Ashamed now his weaknesse to betray 125. I know not how but alwaies at a Pinch When great Extremities crave equal Aid Your common Comforters use still to flinch And crie Heav'ns Will be done But I afraid Of nothing am no not Heav'ns Destination 〈◊〉 along can feel no Desperation 126. I I the onely able Doctresse who In desperate Cases certain Physick give In pitty of thy unregarded Woe Am hither come prepared to relceve Thy helplesse Heart Nor doe I ask a Fee My 〈◊〉 Guerdon shall thy
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 127. Loe here store of Receipts When noble Saul The field his Kingdome and his God had lost No sooner on this Swords Point he did fall But all the Plot of his Mishaps he crost And maugrè all Philistia's Powers fell Down to the Rest of holy Samuel 128. Disgrac'd by Hushai and rejected by Fond Absalom profound 〈◊〉 Himselfe to teskue from this Misery Consulted with his own deep Oracle And found no 〈◊〉 way than by this Rope His Breath his Lite and his Contempt to stop 129. Great Annibal accustom'd long to ride In Triumphs Chariot being overborn By undeserv'd Misfortunes powerfull Tide Least he should prove the Romane Song and 〈◊〉 Sipp'd but a little of that Poison there And went in glorious Peace unto his Beer 130. Renouned Cato when by peevish Fate Thrust into Straits too narrow to contain His mighty Spirit by a little hate Of wretched Life 〈◊〉 Rest did gain There lies the Sword still with his brave blood 〈◊〉 By which he op d the Way and free'd his Soule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gallant Antony to overthrow 〈◊〉 that it ever should be said That noble He though conquered would 〈◊〉 He with that Weapon cut th' unhappy Thred Of life and layd him down in 〈◊〉 Bed 132. Say not that these were Men and Female Thou 〈…〉 manage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thy 〈◊〉 high Exploits will not allow 〈…〉 Yet could I cite to Thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy most extreem Distresse 〈◊〉 be thy Warrant for this Manlynesse 133. 〈…〉 rusty with the blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Blood of Female Lucrece she 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to her Tears poor Womanish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her Directions from Me And with that Instrument broach'd from her Veins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wish the blacknesse of her Stains 134. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when her Disasters grew 〈◊〉 thick and crosse that they had almost shut The way to all Releif found out a new Road unto Death and down her Throat she put The Fire which made Her her own Sacrifice Part of the Coals still in that Casketlies 135. Although sweet Antony was wont to rest In 〈◊〉 s dainty Bosome yet When Losses her beseig'd unto her breast Her lovely breast an odious Aspe she set Which suckd out her sad Life and in that round Box lies the Serpent up in Circles wound 136. As 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou hast witnesse by 〈…〉 who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 by whose vntue she 137. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But hate not thou thy Selfe cause I am kinde Nor scorn the Bounty of my Pitty Know It stands not with a truely 〈◊〉 minde To fear her own more than anothers Blow If thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be Brave and Die The Life of Fame doth reach Eternitie 140. Come then and since thy Spouse so cruel is Give Him his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Him to his face Come choose the Way unto by 〈◊〉 Blisse And 〈◊〉 send 〈◊〉 Self unto the 〈◊〉 Where 〈◊〉 who did this 〈…〉 Safe in the Arms of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 main 141. Thou hast too long already waited on The 〈◊〉 of regardlesse Heav'n since thou Art able by thy valiant Hand alone To give thy Self what that will not allow A Martyrdome's thy Wish and Thou mayst be A Martyr unto thine own Bravery 142. So spake Dispair But Psyche all the 〈◊〉 Stood firm and constant us the resolute Rock For well she understood her fatal Guile And therefore arm'd her Selfe against the Shock Of this Assault which as she made can end She thus rebounded back upon the 〈◊〉 143. 〈◊〉 145. 'T is true my Spouse hath hid his joyous face And sure I have deserv'd He should do so Yet ne'r was Night so long but did give place At length to cheerly Day but that which you Grone in beneath and therefore wonderous fain Into that endlesse Darknesse Me would gain 146. Let Jesus use his Pleasure on me I His Dust and Ashes am and so goe tell Your envious father Belzebub for by His delegation you are come from Hell Tell him though Jesus kill Me yet I must And in his Goodnesse will repose my Trust. 147. The Furie to this Word made no reply But by an hideous Shreik which split the Air And rent the earth rebounding on the Skie And Heart of Hell at once all Thunders were But murmurs to this fragor and the Sea But Whispers when her Billows loudest be 148. Then snatching up her Baggage with one Hand And with the other tearing off her Hair Her Skin her flesh She cursed Jesus and Ran bleeding to the gloomy Cavern where She shreik'd again and shaked Hell before She enter'd through the Gulf of its black Door 149. Great Satan started when the Feind he saw Come thus lamenting home without her Prey Upon her throat he clapp'd his iron Paw And through it tore his Indignations Way For Pain She roared so did He for Spight Whilst all Hell trembled at the dreadfull sight 150. But Psyche though her victorie were great And might in other Hearts have Triumph bred No joy could rellish in her glorious Feat For to all Comfort She was cold and dead And in her Conquest did remain as sad As if her Self had been a Captive made 151. Her woefull Hands She wrung and smote her Breast And cri'd What is this good Successe to Me So long as Heav'n is deaf to my Request So long as I grope in Obscurity So long as from my Spouses Eyes the wide Black Curtains of Disfavour mine do hide 152. Now now alas by dear Experience I Have learn'd that Sweets and Pleasures no where are Truely themselves but in the Treasurie Of Jesu's all-enamoring Countenance there There are they lodg'd alone and hid from Me Who ev'n in Joy finde nought but Misery 153. As in the depth of this Disconsolation She plunged lay and saw no Way to Rise Phylax quite tir'd with his long sequestration From his dear Charge of whose Calamities He jealous was with importunitie Wrested from Heav'n a Licence Her to see 154. No Winde its Wings more stoutly ever stretch'd Or flew with brisker nimblenesse than He But when his Speed this wished Place had reach'd Far from his Wishes He the Place did see Down fell his Plumes and Eys back flew his Blood And He ô how unlike an Angel stood 155. Such havock Grief had made in Psyches face That in her Self her Self He scarce could spie Besides the blessed Beams of heav'nly Grace Which us'd to sparkle in her holy Eye Were damp'd with deadish Dulnesse and no signe Peep'd forth of any Thing within divine 156. This further spurred on his Serch to see What kinde of Weather it was in her Breast Where finding thick and heavy Darknesse He Would to the Centre of her Heart have prest But Charis there so close lay locked up That all his sweet Powers could not charm it ope 157. At this Amazed and amazed too That She who with impatient Love had used To bid Him welcome and his feet to woe With humble Kisses stood like One amused And doubtfull whither now it were not best To throw Neglect on her unsent-for
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
Den the King of Hate Death and Corruption in the Grave subdues Turns back the mighty Stream of Mortal Fate Himselfe alive to his Disciples shews In Triumphs bright Excesse Ascends upon A Clowd and mounts his everlasting Throne 1. VIcissitude how doth thy constant Change Cheer up the World which else would droop faint Thou no strange Thing wilt suffer to be strange Whilst with all Companies Thou dost acquaint For thy Chamaeleons skin is made to fit All Sorts of Colours that can meet with it 2. When Heav'ns wise Hand did mould these things We see As Natures noble Sport and Recreation It constituted thy Uncertainty For ever certain in its Variation That as God knows no Change so all Things else Might feel the Motion of Mutations Pulse 3. All things at first were Night then Day burst forth But Night soon stole upon Dayes back again Yet in the Morning crept behinde the Earth And suffer'd Light her full twelve Houres to reign Thus have all Ages onely been the Play Of inter woven checker'd Night and Day 4. When peevish Winters churlish Breath doth blow His froazen Scythia all about the Earth Commanding Nature in a Bed of Snow To lie and sleep and let no Bud peep forth Who would imagine she could break again From the captivity of her icey Chain 5. Yet when the Sun leaps in the lusty Ram Forthwith the spring takes heart encourag'd by The neighbourhood of his enlivening flame And cloathes the World with fresh fertility Bidding the troublesome snow no more be seen And changing earths white mantle to a green 6. Sometimes the windes conspire upon the main To plow the deeps and throw them at the skie To let them thunder head-long down again And with new wrath return them up as high Till all the Sea be on a foaming sweat And Rocks and Ships and Sailers hearts be split 7. Yet when these Blasts their fury out have blown The Ocean becomes a polish'd plain Mildly presenting for each billowie frown A gentle smile The Sirens play again The Seamen hoise their sailes the Halcyon lays Her Egs and gives her name to quiet days 8. When the laborious Plow-man hath by day Worri'd himself and Earth and water'd it With his own sweat cool night his head doth lay Safe on his Bed and teach him to forget His toilesome work whilst soft and gentle sleep Yeilds him a crop of pleasant dreams to reap 9. When tedious sicknes by her rampant fits Has in the Body her sad revels kept Health takes her happy cue and cheerly sets Her self to work nor stops till she has swept The veins and Stomack and with lively fire Cheer'd up the Spirits which began to tire 10. Though Grief sometimes conspiring with the Night Disconsolations on an heart doth throw Yet Comfort dawning with the morning light Smootheth the sullen furrows of the brow And with its virgin beams of sweetnes dryes The briny moisture of the clouded eyes 11. But no vicissitude in sweetnes may Compare with that which cures the worst of gall Whose beams can chase the shades of death away And kindle comforts in a Funerall Which to a sepulchre can say stand ope And let thy Prisner into Life get up 12. Indeed some glimpses of this blessed Change Had glanced on the World before yet they Were but faint shaddows of the bright and strange Mutation which did shine on Easter-day For they effected were by borrowed Might This dawn'd and rose by none but its own light 13. Jesus alone was He in whose brave Hand Dwelt that authentick Power which knew how To give his Mortal Fate a Countremand To force his stout Grave to repent to throw A side his winding Sheet and cleerly turn His own Deaths Night into a living Morn 14. And now the reverend Place did prompt him too The glorious Story Phylax means to paint Its severall Wonders unto Psyche who Under her holy Passion strove to faint He takes her up and sweetly cries My Dear Lifes Monument as well as Deaths is here 15. And t is the same this very grave doth now With open mouth proclaim the death of Death Come sit thee down and I will tell thee how By his own loss thy vanish'd Saviour hath Victorious prov'd and reap'd such Palms as yet No other Conquerer could ever get 16. When in this Cabinet good Joseph had The pretious Jewell laid a massie stone Unto the Monuments mouth he roll'd and made It safe from injuries invasion Being still suspitious of the tyranny Of the High-priests which with death could not 〈◊〉 17. It could not die and was resolv'd that He Should neither live nor seem to live again Whom their flagitious importunitie Had by faint-hearted Pilates sentence slain To Him they come afresh and fawning cry Long live great Caesar and his Deputy 18. Sir in our Gods and in our Countries name Full thanks We tender for that Justice you Have done on Jesus blotting out that shame Which on our Temple His foule Mouth did throw Nor will you want ev'n Caesars praise since he Reigns by your care from dangerous tumults free 19. For what might this stout Conjurer have done If He had Veng'ance scap'd and lived still Who by the Magick of his Death alone Ierusalem doth with amazement fill How many Fondlings stroke their Breasts and cried Sure He 's the Son of God ev'n when He dyed 20. There 's Danger therefore least this Serpents blood Rankle the Aire and taint our credulous Nation Especialy since he himselfe thought good To pave the Way to some such Perturbation Telling his Scholars he to them again Would rise the third Day after he was slain 21. Now Sir if sheltered by theevish Night They from his Grave should steal Him and proclaim That He is Risen by his heav'nly Might What Danger might attend on such a Fame How would the seeming Miracle entise Seditious Multitudes with Him to Rise 22. Then would the Mischiefe swell to greater Height Then if the Traytor were indeed alive Against the power of that new Deceit Alas both You and We in vain should strive For how shall We attache Him who is dead And yet into new Lifes opinion sled 23. Say what we could the mutinous Rabble still By the Graves open Mouth would seal up ours Provoking Us unto that Miracle By which They 'l count'nance their Rebellious Powr's And with outrà gious Falsehood bear Us down Crying They serve Him who to Heav'n is flown 24. Pilate whose Conscience griped Him for what He had already done no more would trade In that uncomfortable Bus'nesse but Them of their spightfull Project Masters made Ye have a Watch Goe make all sure said He And satisfie your politick Iealousie 25. This was enough Away goe They in haste To make God sure for ever stirring more Annas and Caiaphas both their Seals set fast Upon the Stone which dammed up the Door Charging a double Guard appointed well With Swords and Spears to wait on either Seal 26. Fools as they are