Poeticall varieties: or, Varietie of fancies. By Tho. Iordan Gent

POETICALL VARIETIES .

A Gentleman in love with twenty Mistresses . I Prethee leave me love , goe place desire In those cold hearts that ne're felt Am'rous fire , Or let me be thy Martyr , let me burne Till I am nought but ashes , and my urne Translated to some common Spicerie , May serve thee more then thy Artillerie . Coy Madams tasting me in their hot spice , Shall feele more flames then all the learn'd advice Of Esculapius can alay , though he Descend from Heaven to teach new Mystery ; If this may not be granted , let me crave As many hearts as flames , then shall I have A multitude of fayre-ones ; Then I may Enjoy my Rosa , Rosa. spend the Am'rous day Within her armes , and at the night retire To Violetta , Violetta● quench another fire In her cold bosome , but ere day doth rise Salute the Morne in my Aurora's Aurora . eyes : There like to an Idolater i le gaze Till my Honoria Honoria . rids me of the maze And draws me to her Bower , where having spent Some heavenly houres , i le find out Millescent Millescent . ( That wonder of perfection ) we two , Can teach the Turtles what they ought to doe ; With kisses moyst her Ruby lips i le cover . But then Castara Castara . sayes I doe not love her ; Who with a witty sweete indulgent smile Tells me I doe forget her all this while . Then doe I kisse and study to excuse , But yet am strait instructed by my Muse. B●lla●a Bellara . wants me , there s a minde as faire And beautifull as all the other Are : In their externall features , such a one Might have perswaded desperate Phaeton , To have forsooke his Chariot ; her I love Next to my Beades , till Fancy bids me prove My chast Eliza , Eliza. in her Virg●n brest , Lyes farre more worth then Poets have exprest . In painting ou● Pandora , I confesse I honour her as I doe happinesse ; But not like my belov'd Beata , Beata . shee Can give instructions to Martalitie , How we may scape Hells fatall fire and come , To ( loves blest Paradise ) Elizium ; Except Thalia Thalia . ( one as faire and kind ) Perswad 's us to be of another minde ; Makes us beleeve Elizium is a place But feign'd unlesse it be in her embrace ▪ Where I could ever rest , thence never part Would Eglentina Eglentina . send me backe my heart , Yet such sweete chaines of love shee binds it in , That should I thinke to loose , t would be a sin To great for Absolution , I must rest Untill Dulcella Dulcella . ( not more faire then blest ) Please for to give release , in her it lyes To make me hug my owne deare perjuries ; And yet shee knowes Ambrosia Ambrosia . being by I can neglect her and her potencie . Ambrosia can conduct my happy feete To Columbina Columbina . ( shee that is more sweet Then natures perfum'd violet ) he that knowes Her sweetnesse , as I doe , will say the Rose Breaths but contagion , yet Candora Candora . shall Maintaine though shee be sweet , shee has not all Kind nature did bestow , for in her brest Arabiahs , and the chast Phaenix nest . Must I though lose Fidelia Fidelia . and deny My faith to Anabella , Anabella . let me dye When I remember not the sacred love Twixt me and my Musea ; Musea . The fond Dove Affects not like Lucella , Lucella . they are all So faire , so sweet I know not which to call My best or happiest , for unhappy I , Must love but one of all , or by love dye ; I le leave all therefore , and my selfe encline To court Vrania , Vrania . shee s a love divine .

A Gentleman's deploration for his Mistresse , falling from Vertue . PAtience , inhabit humble soules ; extend Thy passive power to those whose sorrowes end ; Mine are eternall , powerfull , and immense ; Such as may teach thee wrath fond Patience ; Ixion's wheele is easie , and the stone Sissiphus rowles he doth but sleepe upon , Compar'd to mine ; The greatne●●e of my wrongs Would want Oration , though an hundred tongues Guided by fluent Orators , should dare In thrifty speech but briefly to declare ; They would destroy all Memories , all Sence , And drive all Language from Intelligence . Thou that art rich in sorrow ▪ and canst sweare Thou hast more then Mortality can beare . Attend , and give me audience , I will shew Thy quaking sense what thou shalt feare to know ; Thou wilt beleeve ( if I at large declare ) Sorrow hath tane her dwelling in thy Eare. And thinke thou mayst with lesser patience Endure thy wrongs , than give mine audience . Felina's falen from vertue ; shee s acute In learned L●vitie , turn'd Prostitute . I lov'd her dearely , while her eyes were pure , While she blush'd innocent , and kiss'd to cure . When smiles were modest ensignes , while her breath , Carried more balme then poyson , life then death ; When shee weep'd honest greefe ; and I did see , Her Salutations were humilitie ; Then was shee perfect Virgin ; then did I Contract my heart to this Idolatry . Her eyes doe now looke glorious , but to tell Vnhappy man , the fairest way to Hell . Shee blushes now for guilt , smiles to doe ill , Breath's but to poyson , kisses but to kill ; Weep's to ●●snare , salut's but to destroy , Flatters to c●aze , imbraceth to betray ; Betrayes to get no profit , or renowne , But falls her selfe , to plucke another downe . Oh false Felina , must your beautie be Expos'd to Incest , and Adulterie . You are a Whore , and t is the choysest name That he will render , who first caus'd your shame ; Sometimes you are his Mistresse , when his lust Hath itching Feavers , and must take on trust , But having done hee loaths ye , nay will sweare , T is you that made him turne Adulterer . Perhaps you le then repent and thinke on me , ( That onely priz'd you for your puritie ) Resolve to be reserv'd , and never looke Vpon ( that dangerous forbidden Book ) Incontinence . Then doth another come , Who gives your penitence a Martyrdo●e , Whom you embrace with such an appetite , As if you had beene kept from your delight An age of houres ; you deities ( that see Such shipwrack made of divine puritie ) Lend me your perfect patience , or I feare My sorrow will become my murtherer , Release me of the contract that I vow'd Vnto Felina ; Let her not be proud Of my undoing too , that I may beare My sorrowes like a man , and let my care Be to admonish those that meane to wed , No path so full of danger man can tread , Let not fraile beauty , ( that 's the rode we passe ; Be much ador'd ; faire my Felina was . Let not your Mistresse wealth or wit surprize , For faire Felina was both rich and wise . And let not blushes Ladies vertues tell , Felina was once Chast , and yet shee fell .

To his Mistrisse Philonella , being at her Looking-glasse . MY sweetest Philonella , turne away From that Angelick figure , lest you pay An adoration to your shade ; your eye May win an Hermit to Idolatrie . Admit your soule be better guarded , know I have still cause for doubt , lest some rash vow ( Made in an ●mrous extasie ) should tye Your selfe to your faire shade eternally , Which heaven defend , when you bring this to passe . Be kind you powers , translate me to her glasse , That when the currall creatures come to give Their daily tribute to me , I may live The glory of a ●over , and enjoy More kisses then Adonis ( Mirrha● boy ) Oh but some danger will pursue this blisse Love is a feeding Feaver , and each ●isse Creats another appetite , Alas I shall become your beauties burning glasse . Sad lovers will relate , ( should you expire ) Narcissus dyed by water , you by fire , Both for one Amorous folly ; yet ( as he Is now a Flower ) could you a Phoenix be , And I the sweete Arabian tree , so blest With the rich treasure of your spicie nest ; Most willingly I should desire the blisse , Of so divine a M●tamorphosis . Apollo sure would leave his Daphnean tree , ( With Lyrick Ayres ) to keepe us company . But these are fancies , leave your glasse , I vow , You are to me a better Phoenix now .

To Clora a farewell , once his coy Mistresse . CLora farewell , you may be cruell now And keepe the never-violated vow You made unto your goddesse ; I am free As the great Monarch , whose large Emperie Containes a thousand Regions , I can sit Viewing your beauty , yet betray my wit Vnto no greater folly ; I can say Your cheekes are Iuly Roses , and the day Borrowes its radiant lustre from your eyes , And yet retaine my owne ; I can be wise ; I doe disdaine the power that made me turne Apostata to reason ; and doe burne With a devoute vexation , I should spend My pretious time to such a thriftlesse end As to be your Admirer , therefore when You shall dispute the follies of yongmen , Let me intreate you , ( though it raise your fame High as Diana's selfe ) you will not name Me'mongst your captiv'd servants , lest that I Ruine that fame , and you repenting dye .

To Leda his coy Bride , on the Bridall Night . WHy art thou coy ( my Leda ) ar't not mine : Hath not the holy Hymeneall twine Power to contract our Natures ? must I be Still interpos'd with needelesse Modesty ? What though my former passions made me vow You were an Angell ; be a Mortall now . The bride-maides all are vanish'd , and the crew Of Virgin Ladies that ●id waite on you , Have left us to our selves ; as loth to be Injurious to our loves wish●d privaw̄e . Come then undresse ; why blush you , prethee smile ; Faith i le disrobe ye , nay I will not spoyle Your Necklace , or your ●orget ; Here s a Pin Pric●s you ( faire Led● ) t were a cruell sin Not to remove it ; Oh how many gates Are to Elizium ? ( yet the sweetest Straits That e're made voyage happy ) here 's a Lace Me thinks should stifle you ; it doth embrace Your body too severely , take a knife , T is tedious to undoe it ; By my life , It shall be cut . Let your Carnation gowne Be pull'd off ( too ) and next let me pull downe This Rosie Peticote ; What is this cloud That keepes the day light from us , and 's allow'd More priviledge then I ? ( Though it be white ) T is not the white I aime at ( by this light ) It shall goe off ( too ) noe ? then let 't alone , Come , let 's to bed , why look you so ? here 's none See's you , but I ; be quicke or ( by this hand ) I le lay you downe my selfe ; you make me stand Too longi'th cold ; Why doe you lie so farre , I le follow you , this distance shall not barre Your body from me ; Oh , t is well , and now I le let thy Virgin innocence know how Kings propagate young Princes , marriage beds Never destroy , but erect mayden-heads : Faire Virgins , fairely wedded , but repaire Declining beauty in a prosperous heire . Come then , le ts kisse , let us embrace each other , Till we have found a babe , faire ( like the mother . ) Such face , brest's , waste , soft belly , such a — why Doe you thrust backe my hand so scornefully ? You le make me strive ( I thinke ) Led● , you ●now , I have a warrant for what ere I doe , And can commit no trespasse ; therefore come Make me beleeve theirs no Elizium Stweeterthen these embraces — Now ye' are kind , ( My gentle Leda ) since you have resign'd , I le leave my talking ( too ) lovers grow mutes When Amrous Ladies grant such pr●tty sutes .

A Paradox on his Mistresse , who is cole Blacke , Blinde , Wrinckled , Crooked and Dumbe . WHich of thy vertues shall I first admire , ( Rare peece of natures wo●der ? ) O inspire My over-Amorous soule , yee Virgins nine That blesse the fount of flowing Hippocrene : Create a fancy in me , that may flye Above the towring head of Rapsody . Negra , thou art not faire ; I cannot say The blushing morne ( bright Herald to the day ) Riseth in either Cheeke ; nor yet suppose The blamelesse Lilly and chast bashfull Rose Have a contention there , for these ( we know ) Change with their seasons , they but bud , and blow , And then expire for ever ; all their story Is at an end , when they begin their glory . But thou art Black , and therein lovely ( too ) Constant , as Fate , unto thy changelesse Hue , ( Like to thy inward soule ) where we may finde Thy face to be fit Emblem to thy mind , Constant in all chaste thoughts ; and a black night Sometimes allowes more pleasure , then the light Of a cleare Summer morning , when we please To dedicate our wearied braines to ease On a soft Pillow ; Marriage-beds allow The night for lovers actions and ( we know ) That , ere the seasons of the yeare decay , Night claim 's as much of rule , as doth the Day . Thy Blacknesse Blacke . is thy happinesse ; by thee The paint of white and red Adulterie Can have no entertainemen● ; all mens eyes May trust thy face , for it brookes no disguise ; Thou need'st no Scarfes , no Black-bags here prevaile , Thy face is both thy Beauty and thy Vaile . Wert thou not blind Blinde . ( some say ) thou wouldst despaire , For being so , thou thinkst thy selfe as faire As Helen was ; but those are fooles , and know No reason to alleadge , untill I show The perfect truth ; thou doest reserve thy eyes But to looke inward , where true beauty lyes . Thou lookst not on vaine glory , idle toyes That mocke the sence , and are not reall joyes , But lights that lead to misery ; In thee It is a vertue that thou canst not see . Some call the Wrinckled Wrinckled . ( Negra ) and are bold To tell me that my Mistresse is as old As twice my age , ( Thus all seeke to beguile Thy pretious worth ) each wrinckle is a smile , ( Had they my eyes to see ) Then , they would know ( If they be smiles ) why they continue so ; I answer'd that those smiles are alwayes shewne , To tell thou still art friends with every one . So art thou termed crooked , Crooked . cause they see Thee ( like the figure of Humility ) Still bending to the earth ; but thou art wise And wilt salute all creatures ( since thy eyes Deny thee to make choyse ) t were better be Alwayes so bent , then lose humillity . Then doe they call thee Dumbe , ( alas ) because Thou art not frequent in the talking lawes Of idle women ; must the cruell throng Of ranke backbiters say thou hast no tongue ? Admit thou hast not , t is not thy intent That thy chast silence should give free consent To every motion ; then they wonder what Thou movest thy head , or point'st thy fingers at , These were Enigmaes to them , till I told , The meaning , and the Riddle did unfould , That none but they , who in thy thoughts abode , Can understand the vertue of thy nod . So , art thou none but mine ; for onely I , Retaine the knowledge of that mystery , And I am thine , who ( spight of envious mocks ) Will marry thee — by way of Paradox ; No otherwise ( beleeve me Negra ; ) so I le lye with thee , and beget children too . Thus you that marry ill , and live worse lives , ( Like me ) make Para-doxes of your wives .

A Dialogue betwixt Castadorus and Arabellain bed . Arabella . DEare Castadorus let me rise Aurora gins to jeere me . Shee tells me I doe wantonize , Castadorus . I prethee sweete lye neere me . Let red Aurora smile my deere And Phoebus laughing follow , Thou onely art Aurora here Let me be thy Apollo . It is to envie at our blisse That they doe rise before us , Is there such hurt in this , or this ; Arabella . Nay fye , why Castadorus . Castadorus . What , Arabella can one night Of loving dalliance tyre yee ? I could lye ever ( if I might ) One houre let me desire yee . Arabella . Fy , fy , you hurt me , let me goe If you so roughly use me , What can I say , or thinke of you ; I prethee ( Love ) excuse me . Castadorus . Thy beauty and my love defend I should ungently move thee , T is kisses ( sweete ) that I intend , Is it not I that l●ve thee ? Arabella . I doe confesse it is , but then Since you doe so importune , That I should once lye downe agen , Vouchsafe to draw the Curtaine Aurora and Apollo ( too ) May visit silent fields , By my consent they nere shall know The blisse our pleasure yeelds .

To his faithlesse Mistresse Vxoria . WHere was I , when I cald my mistresse faire As the bright East ( when clouds dispersed are To the vast North ) how did I grossely erre , When ( rashly confident ) I durst preferre Her vertue bove Dianas ! when we met , Why did I thinke the coole-lip't Violet Kiss'd not more chastly sweet , or did suppose Her cheekes begat a colour in the rose ! But ( worst of all ) what madn●sse Seaz'd my sence When I conceiv'd her craft , pure innocence ! Yee men of happy soules , ( I meane ) that be Vnblasted with the breath of perjurie Proceeding from fraile woman ; keepe ye so , Or you will finde , earth cannot beare a foe So full of killing mischeife ; all that prove Embrace their ruine , and yet call it love . Oh in what Chaos did that Caytiffe dwell , That taught the Age so good a word for Hell ! Because your Mist●esse eyes starrelike appeare , Will you blaspheming cry that Heaven 's there ? T is melancholly madnesse , and I le prove You are seduc'd by sorcery not love , Her heart is deepe perdition ; can her eye Retaine one part of Heaven , Hell so nigh ? I am experienc'd , read your Fate in me , Let Adam's tasting the excluded tree Worke feare in you ; good Angels tongues forbid That you should lose your Eden as we did . Women have subtle slights , thei le tell ye then , What Evah lost , Mary restor'd agen , Producing all her virgin purity To be their honour , though impiety Distracted into Arrogance , and lust Engrosse their soules and bodies , yet they must In the blacke booke of their lives fatall story Write for their owne , the Virgin Maries glory : Such false Vxoria is , but if there be A woman Phoenix let her pardon me , Shee was excluded , when shee knowes my wrong , I know shee le be too just to blame my tongue , And thus conceive , what vertue can he finde In any woman , hath his owne unkind ?

To her perjur'd Love Maritus , her dishonorer . OH my undoing faith , now I repent My hope ere gave my charity consent To be thy love Maritus , couldst thou spy Within the Sphere of my transparant eye One Cupid loosely revell to invite Thy soule to so unchast an appetite That for its satisfaction I must dye , Kild in my inocence by perjury ? Oh false Maritus I have heard you tell That in my eyes two purer Cherub's dwell , Then those that guard Elizium ; and my lip So chastly coole , that should a Letcher sip , He might convert to Angell ; my hands touch To a more guilty person doe as much . What wor●er thing are you , these vertues can Convert them Angells , and not you to man ; Have you a soule ? do you beleeve it must ( When to some urne you have resign'd your dust ) Have any residence ? doe you not feele In your wide conscience , that Ixions wheele The Poets paint for Morall , yet agree To take his torment as one worse then he ? Repent , sigh , weepe ( Maritus ) your wilde youth Hath murther'd innocence , and wounded truth Whilst I stand my owne statue , and my eyes Write this in teares — HERE MY DEAD HONOR LYES .

A vow to his inestimable Mistresse . BY the two Rosie blushes that did move In your chaste cheekes when I reveal'd my love , By those Favonian sighs whose gentle calme Perfum'd the Ayre sweet , as Iudean balme , By those two Ruby Portalls , that disclose Two Hemispheres of Pearle , contriv'd to pose The yet amaz'd beholder , by your eyes , Brighter to me then Titan when he flyes Over Arabian mountaines ere his heate ● Doth cause the toyling rurall Negro sweate Vnder his spicy burthen , by your haire , Which pardon sweetest if I terme a snare To catch a Cupid in , and falling low Into your bosome where the banks of Poe Shew nurseryes of Lillies , I protest With a chast kisse upon your virgin brest ( Love's sacred register of vowes ) in thee My love and life hath chose eternity ; Yet take my countervow this zealous kisse I will be true — so Angels meete their blisse .

A Dialogue betweene Icarus and surprized Phillida . Phil. PRetty sweete-one looke on me Faine I would thy captive be , Bound by thee is libertie . Icar . Be not so unkindly wise For your lookes will bribe my eyes To divulge where my heart lyes . Phil. If they doe , thou needst not feare , By my innocence I sweare , I le but place another there . Icar . That s my feare I dare not prove Nor my resolution move , Cause I know you are in love . Phil. Lov'd Icarus and if I be I know I cannot injure thee , Love and beauty will agree . Ica . Oh you doe my hearing wrong , I have turn'd my eyes thus long To be captiv'd by your tongue . Phil. Then my houres are happy spent , If my tongue give such content It shall be thy Instrument . Ica . But be sure you use it then Thus unto no other men , Lest that I grow deafe agen .

Loves progresse . Love is my honest character ; I am The child of a faire mother , and I came From yon' celestiall Pallace , to surround This universe , I did so , and have found My deity ador'd by all , I was Their onely Genius ▪ brought all acts to passe ; I enter'd a great Citty where I spy'd A fourescore Bridegroome and a sixteene Bride , Going to Hymens Temple , though her eye Look'd but disdainefull of his Gravity ( Shee was compeld ) I pittying the wrong Shot a sharpe shaft , shee lov'd , and he grew young ; This was my first effectuall worke and then I met a venerable Cittizen , A Vsurer , well troubled with the strife Of wo●ldly cares , and yet without a wife ; I made him wed his maide , and breake his store For pious uses , to maintaine the poore . I interrupted ( next ) the serious Muse Of a sad Student , busy to peruse The hearts of mineralls , who let gold flye To purcha●e glasse , and practise Alchimy ; I did infuse a Quintessence that made My wise Philosopher mistake his trade , Dazeld his fancy so , that he did spie Faces and lip● in his Philosophie ; Sweete Roseat blushes , smiles , choyse locks of hayre , Soft fingers , and such eyes as women weare ▪ When all was perfected in every part A Lady was th' Elixir of his Art . Love is a Courtier ( too ) I went to Court , There did I see a generall resort Of royall persons , Dukes , Earles , Lords and Knights ; Each one his Lady , and most choyce delights Vshering their pompe ; the Virgin Ladies ( too ) Frequent that Senat , who prepare to doe Their amrous rites to love ; the youthfull squires Neglect no office that may keepe the fyers Of Cupid ever burning ; yet mongst these Diana had a vestall did displease My angry soule ; shee was a virgin faire As lovely Psyche ; in her trameld haire Hung pretious Diamonds , yet might you spie No lustre in them , cause her eyes were by , And to reveale her fully , I durst sweare I h●d beheld another Venus there . This Lady was belov'd ador'd and sought By a rich heyre , ( that as much vertue brought As shee had beauty ) in whose soule did move The divine graces , yet he was in love With this coy peece of Ladyship ; but shee Contemn'd as much , now note the destinie , I could not brooke her humour , but did burne With hot vexation ; which did suddaine turne To royall madnesse , and in zealous rage I made him wed a Countesse , shee a Page . Thus did I traverse earth , and now am come To rest my tyr'd limbs in Elizium .

To his most excellent Mistresse , Avis Booth . MElpomene , forget thou art a Muse Or in thy tragicke braine a juice infuse May keepe thee sleeping , let Thalia bring From greene Parnassus , plenty of that spring Inspires our Laureat Lovers ; could I prayse Lov'd Avis to her worth , I might weare Bayes Throwne from faire Daphne's armes bedew'd with teares , For greefe all others are her ravishers . Who but beholds her cheekes and not supposes December to be Iune , there live such Roses ; Here would I rest , should I ascend her eyes , T is fear'd my owne would be their sacrifice ; I le leave particulars lest I should wrong Those that must nere enjoy her , if my tongue ( Made eloquent by her ) could but declare Each beauty fully , love and sad despaire Would execute all hearers , there would be A civill warre twixt faith and Piety ; Since shee le breed ruine if I should discover I le draw the Curtaines close ; but let no lover Compare his Mistresse to her , lest that I Describe at large , and he by surfeit dye , Such vertue hath her beauty , for shee is A Rara Avis , and my faire Mistrisse .

A●hrostick to his Mistresse . Sweete Soule of goodnesse , in whose Saintlike brest Vertue Vowe's dwelling , to make beauty blest ; Sure Sighing Cytherea sits , your eyes Are Altars whereon shee might sacrifice ; Now None will of the Paphean order be ; Natur 's New worke transcends a deity ; Arabia's Aromatticks court your scent ; Bright Beauty makes your gazers eloquent , Let Little Cupid his lost eyes obtaine ( Vayl'd ) Veiwing you would strike him blinde againe ; Nay Never thinke I flatter , If you be Thus To none else ( by love ) you are to me .

A Gentleman desirous to have his Lady's Picture drawne , describes her thus . INgenious Artist teach thy Pencill how To paint a goddesse , I would let thee know I have a Mistresse thy admired Art Must limne like my description ; doe no● start If I command a worke above thy skill And send thee once more to Parnassus hill To heare Thalia's Lectures ; have you seene The lovely feature of the Cypri●● Queene , Her cheekes resemble somewhat ; though each Rose In her's seemes pluckt , and my Aurelia's growes ; Yet they may passe ; the Lillyes that doe stand Upon her breasts , tells you my Mistresse hand Is patterne to their whitenesse ; let her eyes Not want that heavenly vertue to surprize Onely my heart , let them be lov'd by none Whose glories are to captive every one . T is onely my ambition for to be Fit for my Mistresse , and shee fit for me . But to my first description ; for those haires Adorne her head , paint them Dia●a weares ; And let her forehead not inferior be To that which shewes great Iuno's majestie , Let those two Rosy portalls , that I call Her ruby lippes , be but so magicall As his her owne , so sweet , so balmie made , Sure I shall leave the substance for the shade . If you thinke these Enigma's and that I Strive but to pose you with my Poetry ; Making an argument you never saw Such goddesses fayn'd by Poetick law : I answer such divine powers you shall see Get but a Mistresse , be in love ( like me )

Chaste Love sitting under a Grove of ●ong Bay-tre●s , is thus solicited by Lust. Love . WHat ? sighing Love , for shame arise Sit not crosse-arm'd , ( by Venus eyes ) Thou doe'st thy passion Idolize . I le bring thee to a Mistresse , faire As Lillyes when they first prepare To kisse the Amorous morni●g ayre ; Shee s as active as desire , Her voyce transcends the Mermaids quire ; In each touch glowe's Cupids fire . Corinthian wantons whose rare merits Were in raysing leaden spirits , My choyse Mistresse brest inherits . Cold Anchorites , ( prepar'd to mourne Their past crimes ) should they but turne Their eyes on her ; would ( gazing ) burne ; And in that scorching extasie Not desire to be set free , But wish to burne eternally . How can shee but so surprize The chaste hearts of the most wise , Cupids heaven is her eyes . Yet if yours whom you doe keepe Charie as your thoughts in sleepe , For whom you nightly pray and weepe , Be so faire , so kind , so loving , So attractive , sweete , and moving , Let me know her by your proving . Love . Love . I have a Mistresse chaster farre , Then thine is faire , shall be a starre , When shee is in a Sepulcher . With the harmony divine Angels limbs with Angels twine , As does her white soule and mine . We can kisse without desire , Enjoy our sweets , and feele no fire To enflame , or yet expire . Divinity it selfe may see , In her soules faire Symmetry , What Religion ought to be . In her eyes an Anchorite may Make purer his Religious Clay , And to heaven tread the way . I am chast Love , not confin'd To your fayned Archer blinde , But adore a vertuous minde ; And whoever will deny Sensuall Lust , and doe as I , Shall ever love , and never dye .

What a Whore is . NAture's unhappy workemanship ; if Faire So much the worse , all mischiefes doubled are : If Modest , ther 's a hell in her intent , Shee kills secure , when shee seemes innocent : If coy and nice , take heede , it is a slight , Shee useth but to strengthen Appetite : If witty , in her power more dangers lye , Shee 'le give you Logick for Adultery , Prove lust legitimate ; at last beguile Your easy sense with a deluding smile , More subtle then her Logick ; in such wayes Shee spends her pretious nere returning dayes . ( The glory of her youth ) And ( which is worse ) Had shee Helena's beauty , yet the curse , Of Strumpets will attend her ; sicknesse seases Her over-charged body , and diseases , Will understand no Phisicke , but prepare Her limbes for earth , ere a repentant Prayer Can cherish her lost soule ; Thus shee defloure's Her living kindred and dead ancestors Of all their fertile fame , so buried lyes , A pittifull example to the wise ; But those whom shee abus'd in life will laugh Her finall fall , and curse an Epitaph .

An abused Man : Quasi , a Cuccold . YEE Gods that lend me Patience , tell me why My guiltlesse fame ( pure as your Piety ) Must suffer for its innocence ; can fate For vertuous men such ills predestinate : Is t not enough you have confin'd my life To the loath'd prison of an unchast wife ; Extinguish'd Hymens Tapers , and bespread With ●we and Cypresse my poore nuptiall bed , But I must suffer the injurious wrong And Contumelic of each idiots tongue , Take the reproach of him ( perhaps ) that thrives In his warme Plush by nought else but his wives ( Thrice bought ) adultery , yet such as he Must on my Patience brand his Calumny : Teach wiser men , and such as know the price Of a chast wife , It is a Paradise All candid soules enjoy not if they do● , Yee are unjust , my merits claime one ( too ) But I repent my rage , conceive agen The reason why you punish vertuous men ; To make it in their suffering appeare They must attend , their heaven is not here ; Yet tell my rude abusers onely this , Not my unkindnesse causeth her amisse , Nor is it poverty my torment brings , For such as mine may be the fate of Kings .

Lust loseth all . LVst ( The hot mother of unchast desires , ●lacke spotted s●avers and destroying fires ) I must take breath to curse yee , for I see My ruine will be perfected by thee . Why do men call thee love , when as no hate Retaine's a Plague , maks man more desperate : Thou rob'st him of all honour , mak'st his name Become the onely title of a shame ; Oh may thy fawning falsehood nere have rest Within the confine's of a noble brest . All the choice vertues , that I ere could boast My soule enjoy'd , The losses . insatiate lust hath lost : Religion Religion . bid me first farewell , for I Behold no beauty in Divinity ; Then wisedome Wisdome . left the mansion of my minde To follie 's trust ( who never was enclin'd Vnto chast lawes ) I did not wisedome misse , Wealth can obtaine a lustfull Mistresse : But soone as wisedome from my soule did slide , Reason Reason . remov'd and bad me seeke a guide , Which thus I did , my present fancy flyes Vnto the daylight of my Mistresse eyes , Which being darken'd by divine decrce , I lost my way , and was as blind as shee : But when Religion , Wisedome , Reason went , Faith Faith . left me ( too ) and with a firme consent Her sister Hope Hope , and Charitie . did follow , both agree To heaven to transport kind charity ; Love Love . lost his labour in me , for unjust I did convert his civill lawes to lust . Honor Honor. declin'd , saying it is not right Man should be servant to his appetite : Manhood Manhood . exild himselfe and would not owne Me nor my acts ▪ I was all Woman growne . Who thinks I am no loser ? who will say Hee 's not undone that hath no more to p●ay ? Let no man then expose his life and fame He must needs lose , the divells in the game ; He that buyes pleasure at so deare a price Obtaine's an apple to lose Paradise .

A Dialogue betwixt Adversus and his Mistresse the Lady Contra. Adver . FAyre Contra , in the bosome of yon shade Remaynes a soft repose , by nature made To give your beauty welcome , t is a Bow●r Solicited by every fragrant Flower Nurs'd in this Rosy Province , shall I crave I may conduct you to it , ( sweete ) I have A gentle story to reveale , so deare Vnto my selfe , that none but your chast eare May heare the petty volume , be but pleas'd To sit and heare and my desire is eas'd . Contra. You will not kill my patience or betray My eares to some loose fancy , from what Play Have you traduc'd your story ? is it new , Decently delectable , strange and true ? What title hath your story ? may it be Heard without teares ? comes it off merily ? Adver . T is cald a Game at Hearts , both strange and new ; The losers win if both the hearts play true . Con. This is a riddle sure , some fine defeate , You have compos'd to give my wit the cheate . Adver . There is a man — that 's I — his heart doth vow Vnto a vertuous Lady — that is you . Be not offended fayrest , this is all The story I can tell or ever shall , I love you ; love you dearely , in your eye Lives my devotion , there s a deity So powerfull , that is calls my early eyes From practick Prayer to give it sacrifice . I love you chastly , my divine desire Aymes but at honord marriage , all the fire Love ( the great king of passions ) did create Within my brest , is as immac●l●te , Temprate and pure as the bright flame that flyes In zeale from an accepted sacrifice . Con. Is this your stories end ? is your game don ? Where be your losing winners ? who hath won ? Adver● The heart that never play'd , play then and be A double winner , i le lose all to thee . Co● . Indeede I cannot love , or if I doe , Credit me Sir , I cannot fancy you , You are to full of passion , if you can Exile it from you and turne merry man , You may obtaine my favour , but if not Your game is done , your story quite forgot● Ad●er . Oh the blind cu●se of lovers it doth make Man become Idiot for his mistresse sake , But I disdaine the taske and let you know ( Your superficiall fayre-one ) that I bow Not to the feature of your femall kind , But to a brest enrich'd with a faire minde ; If yours be so , I love you , but if not , My love ( like to my story ) is forgot : Must I become a Zane , laugh and toy , Your ever-losing favour to enjoy ; Doth your wise Ladiship conceit it fit , I should implore the vertue of your wit With idle mirth , reserv'd for want on guests , Or must I plead my marriage love in jests ? T is a severe conjunction that do●h tye Two soules in one unto eternity , And requires serious wisedome , such as may Keepe the knot tyed more then the marriage day ; Perhaps you are engag'd , your heart doth dwell Within anothers , love him then — farewell . Contra Sola . Contra Sola . Thus Virgins sport away their loves , thus I Have at one blast lost more felicity Then many Queenes can boast , some pittying fate Contrive a meanes I may be fortunate In his lov'd love agen , Oh be so kind To render me the object of his minde ; If your strickt Canons this request deny , And that your sentence tells me I must dye For my transgression , I no mourners crave , But let some Zane laugh me to my grave ; No Epitaph be writ nor yet a stone With this Inscription , Heere lies buried One , Lest my lost Love should come , and when he spies My Sepulcher with pitty lose his eyes .

Rara Avis in terris nigroque Similima Cigno . FLye , flye my nimble Genius round about The peopled world , find me this Riddle out , There is much doubt in t , to the City flye Amongst the Femall Beauties , where each eye Begets a gazing admiration ; there Chuse me a young Wench that doth know shee s faire , Who in Thought , Word , and Deed is chast , and yet Hath beene thrice tempted by Wealth , Worth and Wit. In the same City doe the best you can By narrow search , to spye me out a Man Wedded to Femall follies , yet shall be The Cities Lord Major for his Gravity . Repaire to Court , you shall a Lady see Deck'd like Aurora in choice Bravery , Winne her from those delights , see if you can Perswade her Ladiship turne Pur●tan . Perchance shee hath a husband , one that is Of youthfull mettall , can Da●ce , Sing , and Kis●● Court amorous Ladies , is compleatly faire , That owes to Art for a large crispy haire . Produce him ( too ) he with the rest may passe If he did nere behold a Look●ng-Glasse , Take Cart and to the Country goe with speede , Where C●●wnes , Cow●s , Calfes , Sheepe , and fat Oxen feede , Perswade some great Corne-master , that hath bin A Grand Offender in the thriving Sin Of Transportation ; onely to refraine That thrifty course , and give his Country Graine , Bid his Old wife for sake her Country tongue , And trade in Complement , tell her shee s young ; If you can make her leave her Coun●ry Iigge , Shave off her Haire and weare a Periwigge , Bring her , and all the rest , I dare say than I have as Rare a Bird , as your blacke Swan .

To his Mistris Elizabeth Brooke . ELizabeth inspire me , then I shall Write nought Obscene , but Beauty , Vertue all . There was a Queene of whom Fames tongue can tell Cald Vertue Servant , shee did all Excell , Durst call themselves Elizabeth ; to me , Me thinkes you keepe her still in Memorie , Did I not thinke you chaste , as is the Snow Girt in Diana's girdle , faire one know I could not court you , though your beauty might Play the faire thiefe , and steale me at first sight , I should affect no longer then I gaz'd : Beauty and Vertue both make Soules amaz'd Be you my Brooke , my shadow , and I vow Like fond Narcissus to kisse none but you , And in that christall Rivolet , your Eye Bury my Sight , my Selfe — t is life to dye .

A Dialogue betwixt Fidelius and his Silent Mistris Flora. Fide . MY dearest Flora can you love me . Flo. Prethee prove me . Fide . Shall I have your hand to kisse . Flo. Yes , yes . Fide . On this whitenesse let me sweare . Flo. No pray forbeare . Fide . I love you dearer then my eyes . Flo. Be wise . Fide . I prize no happinesse like you . Flo. Will you be True . Fide . As is the Turtle to her Mate . Flo. I hate . Fide . Who my Divinest Flora , me . Flo. No , flatterie . Fide . He that flatters , may he dye . Flo. Perpetually . Fide . And his blacke Vrne be the cell . Flo. Where furies dwell . Fide . May his Name be blasphemous . Flo. To us . Fide . His Memory for ever Rot. Flo. And be forgot . Fide . Least it keepe our age and youth . Flo. From Love and Truth . Fide . Thus upon your Virgin hand . Flo. Your Vowes shall stand . Fide . This kisse confirmes my Act and Deed. Flo. You may exceed . Fide . Your Hand , your Lippe , I le vow on both Flo. A dangerous oath . Fide . My Resolution nere shall start , Flo. You have my heart .

A Ladies Complaint for the losse of her Love Theodorus . LEnd me thy Arrowes Cupid , teach me how To weare thy Quiver and to bend thy Bow , Shew me that Shaft in which a Power doth lye To make man chastly Love eternally ; I have my eyes faire Boy with which I le find The marke that thou wilt misse , las , thou art blind , I See too much , and wish I could not see , Lesse I had power my bondage for to free Or bind another ; Theodorus then Should be my honour'd Prisoner once agen , Did I appeare so worthlesse , is my face So poorely barren of the Female Grace Which Courts our Amorous youth , that I must be The Subject of a mans Inconstancy , What though there be no Cupids in my Eyes , Plac'd to make Erring Love idolatrize , What though the Roses in my Cheekes doe faint , And I disdaine with an Adulterate paint To Adde a Sinnefull Beauty , my chaste minde Shall cast a lustre when all eyes are blind , That might have made my Theodorus Love With divine Loyalty , and constant proove , For Love that 's onely fixed in faire Eyes And fading Colours , with their downefall dyes Beleeve me Theodorus , I divine , ( Though thou art gone , and the sad losse is mine ) Thou wilt not be a winner ; Oh take heede Women are gilded follies , that exceed A gluttons Riot , Men doe oft refuse ( For Beauties sake ) though they unchastly chuse , If they be beautiously faire , can that Secure their Mindes from Thoughts adulterate , And should they lose their Honour , can they then With all their Beauties fetch it backe agen , But be your owne adviser , let not me Discourage your opinion , but be free In your new choice ; if my wish take effect , You never shall repent you did neglect My courser Fortunes ; if your Mistris be An Angell in your eyes , shee s so to me , Envye is still my Enemy ; although I lov'd you fondly , I must have you know 'T was very chastly ( too ) and ( without Wonder ) Hearts may contract when Bodies are asunder . Yet love your Mistris , and be truely zealous , I can Affect , yet never make her jealous .

A Morall Eclogue presented by Vertue , Wealth , and Beauty . Wealth Come hither Beauty , what sad dumpe hath got The upper hand of thy choice thoughts , what blot Hath overcome thy Beauty ; thou art sad , Thoughts discontented and conceal'd , make mad The serious Contemplator , then declare , I me a Phisitian , tell me what they are . Beauty Insatiate Wealth , I will ; I come to crave Along-lost Servant , you unjustly have , And such a Servant none ere had but ●●hee Whom Iove embrac'd ) Cadmean Semele , Though Nature make all men that mortall are All of one mould , shee can but claime a share In this great Master piece ; ere he was fit Twelve Natures did in consultation sit , Had he but liv'd when the Egyptian Queene ( Faire Cleopatra ) Raign'd , to have beene seene , By her in her high court , sure none but he Had exchang'd places with Marke Anthony ; Or Hellen veiw'd him , ere shee went from Greece , No Warres had beene , he could have kept the Peace . Wealth Is this your cause of Griefe , admit I have This honourable Servant which you crave , I am the worthier Mistris , what s in you But a faire face , Riches doth me endue , What will your Beauty , doe wh●n 〈◊〉 shall Deale cruelly , and let your states both fall , Begge with your Beauty , can your Beauty then Contrive a meanes to raise you up agen . But stay , yonder comes vertue ; doe but see How poore shee goes , yet shee s as nice as thee . Vertus Health to you Ladies ; Beauty , unto you My message comes ; I have a Servant true , Corrupted by your eyes , till he did see Your ●aining Smiles he was content with me ; Pray give him backe againe : my mourning state Directs the Turtle that hath lost her Mate To beate her feather'd bosome , Griefe and I Are in contention for the Majesty Of perfect sorrow , and we finde that none Have such true griefe as those whose Love 's are gone ; Such is my state , faire Lady , doe not then Detaine my Love , but send him home agen . Bea● . What Love doe I detaine , what Servant , where Did I subdue him , what s his Character ? Vertue When first I did behold him , I could spye The simple Soule of Candid Majesty Take state in either cheeke ; for his defence , He never Blush'd , but to shew Innocence : When he did court me , a sweete Passion strove To tell me , that he liv'd in perfect love , I saw he did , and yet am bold to tell , He might have wrought Faith in an Infid●ll , He had Exteriour Beauty ; ( too ) his eyes Had luster from his inward Purities . They were a Fr●ntispiece to all the good His Soule possessd ; greater in Grace then blood ; His name is Bellizarus , let me have His person ( too ) t is all the blisse I crave . Wealth That is my Love coy Vertue . Beau. Which I claime . Vertue But is my due . Wealth Oh ye both lose your Aime , He hath a wealthy Fortune , shall it be Exposed to the certaine jeopardy Of Beauty or poore Vertue ; let him thrive In my esteemes , Wealth keepes the heart alive . I le shew him Mynes of Treasure , which shall buy Pleasures , that may perswade Mortality Into a Godhead ; I le a Pallace build Of chequer'd Marble , whose large roofe shall yeeld Vnparalleld delights ; a thousand boyes ( Faire as Adonis ) with melodious noyse Of new found Timbrils , shall awake his Sense From sullen sadnesse ( with profuse expence , ) I le purchase curious dyet , whose choise taste Shall create Odors in his Breath , I le waste My ( unknowne ) Treasure to a Myte , that he May hate you both , and keepe his Love with me . Beauty You argue weakely for him ; in my Eye , A Lover's Amorous Passion can descry Tenne thousand fairer boyes , young Cupids all , And with my voyce ( at his commanding call ) I le warble various fancies , that shall make His heart ; cold Melancholy quite forsake This Ruby Lippe being connex'd with his , Shall be more pleasing then that Nectar is Iove doth revive his Youth with ; for his Scent , My breath is sweeter then that Continent The Phoenix keepes her nest in when she burnes In Aromats , and a New Phoenix turnes . These but a modell of the pleasures be He shall enjoy , let him returne to me . Vertue . If he be true , no argument should make His honest soule his first chast love forsake , Then ( were he yours and I by strife should win ) How could I be a vertue but a sin : Fond women , know i le teach him how to clime Beyond your hopes , to treasures more sublime ; I le shew him how to be content with that Would make you sorrow sicke and desperate : Fortune can wound you wealth , & ( beauty ) know The sweetest Roses that doe fayrest blow , Will shatter into ruine ; you must feare Beauty will fade , Springs last not all the yeare : You talke of Boyes and Cupids , I can see Through the pure cristalls of divinitie : A heaven set with Angels , of whose glory No mortalls pen could ere write perfect story , And to this joy i le bring him , if he be So wise to cast you off and live with me . Wealth . Yet he is mine , and if the God of love Looke pleasing ( as he did ) I then will move My next suite unto Hymen , and wee le be Ioyntly contracted by his Deity : Do not you rayle then , nor you trye your heart , I have possession that s the greater part . Vertue . I must returne to sorrow , weepe , and wayle For his lost soule . Beauty . I to revenge , and raile . Vse your owne counsell , when your rayling's past Goe mourne with vertue and your beauty blast .

The complaint of an old Lady for the losse of her beauty . A Ge ( Beauties tyrant ) why dost thou , Furrowe my brow ; With what poyson hast thou made , My Lillies fade ; What strange colour is this hayre That I weare ; Oh for love's sake tak 't away , T is to gray ; In my cheekes no Roses grow , Bud or blow ; But are gone , for ever gone , Every one ; In my eyes no Cupids dance To advance The bravery of Appetite To delight ; I to Venus shrine will goe With my woe , And declare unto her all My beauties fall ; There complaine that crooked Age Full of rage , Hath for ever banished White and red ; So perhaps I may obtaine Allagaine . And disgracefull Age expell To her Cell ; But if not , most sure I shall Ruin'd fall ; For when beauty is away All 's but Clay , Fickle feature growes but brave For a Grave , Where the beauty most repleate Wormes will eate . Go then Beauty be not seene But in Virgin 's at sixteene , When they are as old as I Let their Beauty fading dye , T is an age for to decline To our graves , not Venus shrine .

A Gentleman deploring his former follies . REason I doe salute thy brightnesse , thou Expellsts the mist of error ; from thy brow A radiant Beame is shot into my s●ule , By which I have discovered how soule My former follies made me ; it is thee That makst poore Man become a monarchy : Hadst thou been with me when the greedy grape Ingross●d my senses , and committed Rape Vpon my understanding , I might be Lesse in Arrerage for Ebri●ty . Had I enjoy'd thy company when I ( Infla●●'d with feaver-burning luxury ) Ruin'd a Ladies fame , shee had beene pure And kept her may den innocence secure ; I had beene happy , for my tainted name Had beene an honest Character , no shame , Had I employ'd thy councell ( when my wrath ) Ayded by envy trod a guilty path Vnto my freinds confusion , but because He was not regular in Bacchus lawes , My spleene had beee more temperate , for I Had conquer'd rashnesse by sobrietie . Hadst thou bin present when my ruder tongue Calumnious●y did doe my Mistresse wrong , Who chastly loved when I did boldly say , Shee was my looser creature to alay Lascivious desires ; that shee would doe What ( heaven ) knowes ) I here saduc'd her to , Thou hadst corrected the egregious ill , And I had liv'd her honor'd servant still . Hadst thou beene pleas'd ever to lend thy store Of saving helpe , such follyes on my score Had nere beene written , t is not yet too late For devoute penitence to expiate ; Be my Adjutor , Reason t is in thee That I will seeke mans mediocritie .